Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Things To Consider In A Buyers Market


Things to consider in a buyer's market Real Estate Tips

(NC)—Housing prices and interest rates are at historic lows.

The real estate market is stabilizing. It's a buyer's market – so buy. Just be sure to think with your head and not with your heart when making this big investment.

With homebuilders advertising reduced rates to entice homebuyers, don't let the “value” of the sale entice you into buying more than you can afford. First, determine an appropriate home price range. A good way to figure this out is that monthly mortgage payments should be no more than 29 percent of gross income.

While you may take into consideration that your income may increase over the years – just be sure not to over-extend yourself – making you “house poor.” With all the new homes on the market, you'll be sure to find one that meets your wants and your wallet. When choosing a mortgage, you have two basic options – a fixed or an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM).

With interest rates at all-time lows, fixed mortgages are a good, safe option since they ensure the same rate for the life of the loan. While flexible ARM loans may seem enticing with their lower initial rates and monthly payments – beware. As interest rates increase, so will your payments – and could eventually make your monthly payments unaffordable.

Once you've found your dream home at a dream price, continue to build on your investment by including eco-friendly options. If buying a new home, check to see that the homebuilder follows the R-2000 Standard, a voluntary benchmark for homebuilding in Canada that incorporates cost-effective, energy-efficient building practices and technologies. Some of these practices may include water-saving faucets and showerheads, energy-saving appliances, high-efficiency heating and cooling, and high R-rated insulation and windows.

While being green with the implementation of these eco-friendly products – you'll also be sure to save some green during the life of your home on energy and water bills. As of 2009, all Moen bathroom faucets now feature a 32 percent water savings over the industry standard. More information on water-saving faucets and showerheads is available online at http://www.moen.ca/. courtesy of- News Canada

Visit
www.LisaTollis.ca for more information about Real Estate & Listings in the Ancaster-Hamilton-Burlington Ontario and All of the Surrounding Areas.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca

Monday, August 24, 2009

Does my Reno Qualify for the Ontario Home Renovation Tax Credit?


(NC) Renovations like a new roof, upgrading electrical wiring and bathroom remodels are eligible expenditures and qualify for the Home Renovation Tax Credit. The Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) is available for the 2009 tax year.

It is a temporary, non-refundable tax credit. Here are a few things you should know about the HRTC as well as information about what renovations qualify and how much you can claim:
• The tax credit is 15% of eligible expenditures over $1,000 and up to $10,000 on home renovations made in respect of eligible buildings.
• The maximum tax credit amount is $1,350 per family ($9,000 x 15%).
• The tax credit will apply for costs incurred after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010.
• Costs related to an agreement entered into before January 28, 2009 are not eligible for the credit.
• Costs incurred will be claimed on the 2009 tax return, including the January 2010 costs.
• The HRTC will not be reduced by any other tax credits or grants to which a taxpayer is entitled, for the same expenditures, under other government programs. For example, if an eligible expenditure also qualifies for the medical expense tax credit (METC), both the METC and the HRTC can be claimed.
• For purposes of sharing the HRTC, a family consists of an individual, and where applicable, their spouse or common-law partner, and children under 18. • Each family is subject to the maximum tax credit of $1,350, based on eligible expenditures.
• If one family member is unable to utilize the entire credit, the unused portion may be claimed by one or more of the other family members.
• If two or more families share ownership of an eligible dwelling, each of those families will be eligible for their own credit up to $1,350, based on eligible expenditures.

Eligible dwellings

• An eligible dwelling is a dwelling which qualifies as the individual’s principal residence at any time during the period January 28, 2009 to January 31, 2010 inclusive, and includes the land that forms part of the dwelling.
• A housing unit qualifies as a principal residence if it is owned by the individual and ordinarily inhabited by the individual, the individual’s spouse or common-law partner, or their children. This could include a cottage or vacation home.
• For condos and co-op housing, costs will be eligible for the credit if they are incurred to renovate the individual’s principal residence “unit”, and a share of the cost in respect of common areas may also be claimed.
• Where a portion of a principal residence is rented out, the credit can be claimed only for expenditures made in respect of the personal-use areas of the home.
• Where costs are incurred for common-areas of a partly-rented home, such as a roof, the credit will apply only to the portion allocated as personal use.

Eligible expenditures

• Expenditures must be supported by receipts, which will not have to be submitted with the tax return, but must be available if requested by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
• Expenditures will qualify if the renovation or alteration of the eligible dwelling is of an enduring nature, and is integral to, or built into, the dwelling. Examples of eligible expenditures:
• re-shingling a roof
• interior or exterior painting
• kitchen, bathroom, or basement renovations
• replacing windows or doors
• new furnace or water heater
• resurfacing a driveway
• laying new sod
• upgrading wiring
• upgrading insulation Expenditures are not eligible if they are for repairs and maintenance which are usually performed on an annual or more frequent basis. • Expenditures for appliances (e.g. fridge, stove) and audio-visual electronics are not eligible.
• Financing costs are not eligible.

Other examples of non-eligible expenditures:

• furniture and draperies
• purchase of tools or other construction equipment
• carpet cleaning
• house cleaning
• maintenance contracts for furnace cleaning, snow removal, lawn care, etc.
• an air conditioner which is a portable plug-in type (an air conditioning unit which is built in to the home heating or ventilation system would be eligible).

For more information visit
www.cra-arc.gc.ca. courtesy of: News Canada


Visit
www.LisaTollis.ca For More Information about Real Estate & Listings.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Online Education for New Home Buyers In Ontario


Online Education Available for New Home Buyers


(NC)-Tarion Warranty Corporation is now offering New Home Buyer Education Seminars online to help consumers understand the warranty that comes with newly built homes in Ontario. Tarion regulates Ontario's home building industry and ensures purchasers receive the statutory warranty coverage that builders are required to provide.

'Understanding Warranty Coverage' is the first in what will be a series of online topics designed to help purchasers better understand the warranty process and coverages. It provides a broad range of information on topics such as deposit and delayed closing protection, what is and is not covered under the work and materials warranties and how homeowners can go about making a warranty claim to their builder.


Originally offered at the company's Customer Centres in Toronto, Ottawa and London, the seminar was well-attended and received positive feedback from participants so, the next logical step was to offer the information more broadly to new home buyers across the province. Additional seminar topics will be added over time.


The seminar can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week on tarion.com. Topics are arranged in manner that allows viewers to quickly move through the presentation to the areas that are of most interest.


"Offering educational seminars online will allow us to reach homeowners across Ontario so they can better educate themselves about their warranty rights and responsibilities," said Tarion President and CEO Howard Bogach. "Understanding not only the warranty process, but also the roles that builders and Tarion play will help ensure a successful new home experience - and that is our goal."


Online Education Seminars will allow home buyers to:


• view the presentation in their own time, starting and pausing at their convenience;
• select specific topics relevant to their individual needs; and
• print out a copy of the presentation for reference.
In addition, relevant documents such as the Homeowner Information Package and the Construction Performance Guidelines are readily available in the resources section.
In order to ensure continual improvement Tarion encourages viewers to provide comments through the feedback section. To watch the Understanding Warranty Coverage seminar go to www.tarion.com and select the link on the homepage.

To learn more about the mandatory new home warranty, visit www.tarion.com

courtesy of: News Canada


Visit www.LisaTollis.ca For more Information about Real Estate & Listings.


Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
Office: 905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4600

www.LisaTollis.ca

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

When Viewing Homes, View Them with Your Eyes WIDE OPEN!!


When Viewing Homes, View Them with Your Eyes WIDE OPEN!!!
Ok, so you're in the market to purchase a home.

August & September are couple of the BEST Months to List & Purchase a Home!
Some want into their New Homes Before or During the Start of the New School Year.

Next step is that you'll want to go to a bunch of open houses or have your realtor set up appointments to view homes for sale.

You pull up to the curb and there it is - the home of your dreams.

Calm down.

Take a deep breath and start again. The hardest thing to do when looking for a home is to remain objective. It is easy to fall in love with a home's appearance, but it's very important to look beyond the window dressing.

The following not only helps Buyers, It also helps Sellers to get there home ready before they list it on the market.

Here are some things to consider when looking at a home:

General upkeep
First appearances do count. Is the home dirty and cluttered? Are the lawns uncut? Are the walls chipped and in need of paint? If the owner hasn't bothered to keep the house looking clean and attractive, what problems are lurking below the surface?

Water leaks
Water can do a lot of damage to a home. It rots wood, undermines foundations, and leads to mould and mildew. Reshingling a house, or repairing a cracked foundation to stop water leaks, can be extremely expensive.

It takes an expert eye to find most water leaks (which is why we recommend you have a house inspected before you buy). If you spot stains, bulges and other signs of water damage on ceilings or walls, make special note that there could be a problem.

Appliances and fixtures
Test the lights, faucets, toilets, furnace, air conditioning, and all major appliances that are to be included with the home. Make sure everything is working as it should.

Floors
Floors should be smooth, even, and solid. Soft springy sections, excessive squeaking, and unevenness are all indications that expensive repairs may be needed.

Doors and windows
Check that doors and windows fit snugly and operate smoothly. Look for flaked paint and loose caulking. Check for drafts.

Drainage
Walk around the yard looking for areas where water might collect. Soggy areas near the foundation indicate poor drainage.

Grout and Caulking
If the grout and caulking around bathroom and kitchen tiles are loose and crumbling, there is a good chance water is finding its way into the wall or under the floor.

Structural
Look for deep cracks in the foundations or loose mortar and bricks.

Furnishings
If you are not planning to replace all of your furniture (and not many people are), make sure it will fit into the rooms of the new house. Be sure to bring a measuring tape. Rooms can be deceptive.

Storage space
Make sure your new house has enough storage space for all your belongings. And that means more than just your clothes. Think of all the things that need to find a home - tools, gardening equipment, old toys, sports equipment, and all those wedding presents that are still in their original boxes. Check the size of the closets, the attic, the basement, and the garage. Rule of thumb: there's never enough storage space.

Inspection
You should take a long hard look at a house before you put in an offer to protect yourself from disappointment down the road. But, nothing can replace the expert opinion of a qualified home inspector. Inspectors can spot problems that the average person would never find and they can usually advise you on how much it will cost to make the repairs. A home inspection can help you determine whether or not you are going to make an offer on a house, and if you decide to go ahead, just how much that offer is going to be.

If you require more Information on Buying or Selling a Home, Please Do Not Hesitate to Call Me

Lisa Tollis SRES
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
905 574-4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574-4601

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca For more Listings & Helpful Information on Real Estate.

July Sales Right On Mark

The Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1,369 units sold in July, indicating an increase of 10.6 per cent over the same month last year. The total unit sales for the first seven months of 2009 are being reported at 7.4 per cent lower for the same period last year, while new units listed are 8.3 per cent lower for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

“The summer market has continued with the strength seen in the spring,” said Bruce King, RAHB President. “July marked the second month where sales and average price were up, year over year. Consumers continue to see value and opportunity in the greater Hamilton-Burlington area.”

Residential properties sold during July totalled 1,318 which included 1,060 freehold properties and 258 condominiums. Commercial sales for July, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 51 units.
The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of July was $311,945, an increase of 3.3 per cent over July last year. The average sale price reflects the dollar volume of residential sales divided by the number of total residential units sold.
In the condominium market the average price of condominiums in July was $233,509, an increase of 6.4 per cent over July 2008.
The total number of units listed for sale during July was 1,764, which is 0.7 per cent fewer than were listed in the same period in 2008.

“With inventory low, and the number of new listings easing, buyers may have to be patient,” added King. “Market trends differ between cities, and among areas and housing types within a city. For local market expertise and information, buyers and sellers should use the professional services provided by a REALTOR®.”

Unit sales reflect “all property types” including residential, condominiums, commercial property, farmland and sale of businesses.

courtesy of: REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington

Visit
www.LisaTollis.ca For More Information About Real Estate & Listings In Hamilton Ontario and Area.

Lisa Tollis SRES.
Sales Representative
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Royal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.
Hamilton Ontario
905 574 4600
Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601
www.LisaTollis.ca

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Commercial Lease Plaza Unit A


ATTRACTIVE MULTI-TENANT PLAZA LOCATED IN PRIME CENTRAL HAMILTON MOUNTAIN LOCATION IN THE HEART OF A HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. SUITABLE FOR MANY USES. LOTS OF PARKING. AVAILABLE IMMED. GREAT EXPOSURE, APPRX. 2,389 SQFT AVAILABLE. PLEASE CALL LISTING AGENT, LISA TOLLIS FOR FURTHER INFO. 905 574 4600. $14.00/SQ.FT. TMI $6.50/SQ.FT. VISIT www.LisaTollis.ca FOR MORE INFO. ON THIS PROPERTY AND OTHERS.

Commercial Lease Plaza Unit B






THINKING OF MOVING YOUR BUSINESS TO A NEW LOCATION? OR ARE YOU THINKING OF STARTING UP ONE.

CHECK OUT UNIT B, THIS CLASSIC 1 1/2 STOREY APPROX. 1866 SQ.FT. CENTURY HOME HISTORICALLY DESIGNED BUILDING LOCATED IN AN ATTRACTIVE MULTI-TENANT PLAZA ON PRIME MOUNTAIN IN THE HEART OF OF A HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOOD. SUITABLE FOR MANY USES. LOTS OF PARKING AVAILABLE. IMMEDIATE POSSESSION. GREAT EXPOSURE. $14.00/SQFT, TMI $6.50/SQ.FT. CALL LISA TOLLIS TODAY FOR YOUR PERSONAL TOUR. 905 574 4600

Why Hire A Real Estate Professional?

A qualified, competent real estate agent will help you navigate the myriad of decisions that arise when buying and selling a home. An agent provides value to the homeowner in many ways:

  • Pays for all marketing and advertising costs.
  • Adds experience and expertise in all aspects of the sales process including marketing, financing, negotiations and more.
  • Handles all showings.
  • Brings a network of known, trusted real estate professionals. If your agent doesn't have the answer, he or she likely knows someone who does.
  • Always has your interests in mind so you always have someone on your side.
  • Can handle and advise on all price and contract negotiations.
  • Provides you with all the possible options and opportunities without holding back.
  • Gives an unbiased, realistic view of your home and your options. Unlike buyers and sellers, an agent has no emotional attachment to property.
  • Has the knowledge to help you ask the right questions.
  • Being a third party, potential buyers are more likely to tell your agent the truth about your home, even if it is unflattering. This objective viewpoint will help you make the necessary changes to get your home sold.
  • Your time is valuable. A real estate agent allows you to spend your time how you want.

    I am a Licensed Real Estate Professional in Ontario. My job is to represent you in any and all real estate transactions. I have the experience and know-how to make your home selling and buying experience enjoyable.
  • I can help you determine your buying power.
  • I have the resources to find you homes that may not even be on the market.
  • I provide valuable information to help with your selection process.
  • I know how to successfully negotiate on your behalf.
  • I provide due diligence through the property evaluation process.
  • I make the closing process smooth and stress-free.
  • I know qualified lenders and understand your financing options.
  • I have the means to successfully market your property.
  • I know when, where and how to advertise your property.
  • I can help accelerate the close on the sale of your home.

Buying and selling homes is my job. It’s what I do best. Give me a call and put me to work for you, so you can do what you do best. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you have been thinking of purchasing a home or selling your home, give me a call and I will help you with every step of the process and make it as easy and relaxing as possible.


For all of your Real Estate needs, Call me Today!
Call Lisa Tollis at 905 574-4600 24hr pager

"Ready to Move?"........ Let's Get Started!

Open House This Sunday! 2-4pm 160 Brentwood Drive hamilton Ontario

Nice Starter Home for First-Time Home Buyers!



Come Visit 160 Brentwood Drive, This Sunday From 2-4pm.



Located on the East Hamilton Mountain.
This 3 Bedroom 1 Bath Bungalow has Newer Windows and has been Freshly Painted.
A Nice Size lot, 50' x 100', Great For A Pool! Basement is UnFinished (Partially Drywalled).
Nice Quiet Nieghbourhood, Close to Public Transportation, Shopping, Schools, Parks & The LINC.

Click This Link for more Info. Property information

Visit www.LisaTollis.ca for more Information about Real Estate and Listings In Hamilton Ontario & Surrounding Areas

Bungalow For Sale "Huntington Park Area", East Hamilton Mountain

RARE FIND! QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD
HUNTINGTON PARK AREA

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath Bungalow "NEW WINDOWS & FLOORS" - MLS® $234,900 CAD - GREAT VALUE
Huntington Park Area, Hamilton East Mountain - Just Move In & Enjoy! Solid Brick 3 Bedroom Bungalow in a quiet sought after East mountain Neighbourhood near Huntington Park. Features New Furnace, New Roof, New Windows, New Flooring in Kitchen & Bath, Freshly Painted Throughout, Hardwood Floors In Livingroom & Bedrooms, Bright Eat-In Kitchen, Central Air All on a Large Pool Sized Lot!Huge Partially Finished Basement has been Drywalled & Insulated & Awaits your Imagination!A Fabulous find just minutes to the LINC, Schools, Parks & Public Transportation.LOOK NO FURTHER! You Just Found your new Home! Call Lisa Today! For Your Personal Viewing.




Inclusions: CENTRAL AIR, ALL LIGHT FIXTURES



Property information



Visit www.LisaTollis.ca For More Information About Real Estate & Listings In Hamilton Ontario and Area.