Burlington and Area Real Estate Market

New On-Line Tool for Renters!

2012-02-13T09:18:00.002-05:00

I came across this article in my local newspaper and just had to pass along the info. If you know of someone that is currently renting and looking at the possibility of home ownership, then this tool is exactly what they need.

Developed by Industry Canada, it allows a user to enter their financial data and it then spells out how much of a home they can afford, what size down payment they need, etc... See the full article on my 'Info For Renters' page (link located on the left-hand side of my blog) or visit the site directly here: www.ic.gc.ca/oca/rentorbuy

After that, if you discover you CAN indeed afford to purchase a home, give me a call and let's get started on your house hunt!

Low Inventory Levels to ring in the New Year...

2012-02-07T08:47:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in my post yesterday, sales were off and running in January with many multiple offer situations seen across the area...and this is the direct result of low inventory levels in the resale market - check out the news bulletin below posted this morning by RAHB:

(February 6, 2012 – Hamilton, Ontario) The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 819 property sales through the RAHB Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) for the month of January, representing a 10.8 per cent increase in sales over the same month last year. RAHB also reported that 7.7 per cent fewer listings were taken in the month of January of this year compared to January of last year.

Seasonally adjusted* sales of all property types were 3.3 per cent higher than January 2011, with the average sale price increasing 4.6 per cent for the month. Seasonally adjusted numbers of new listings, however, were over 23 per cent down from the same month last year.

Seasonally Adjusted Percentage change compared to

Residential Only Jan/12 Dec/11 Nov/11 Oct/11 Sep/11

New Listings	1388	-9.4	-8.0	-16.2	-18.1
Sales	1137	0.6	-0.1	1.0	1.0
Average Sale Price	$328,526	2.5	-1.9	-0.9	3.5

Actual listings were down in all categories for the month, with the biggest drop in the residential condominium market. Month-end listing inventory was down from the same month last year in all categories as well.

“The story for the month of January,” said RAHB President Cameron Nolan, “is that while sales have edged up compared to last year, we are seeing significantly fewer listings than normal. Our listing inventory is the lowest it has been in some time.”

Residential condominiums saw the biggest gain in sale price for a January, with an increase of 7.9 per cent in the average sale price and an 11 per cent increase in median price.

The numbers for the month of January:

All Property Types - Actual 2011 2012 % change

New Listings	1630	1504	-7.7%
Sales	739	819	10.8%
Average Sale Price	$326,389	$340,047	4.2%
End of Month Listing Inventory	3891	3457	-11.2%

Residential Only - Actual

New Listings	1475	1350	-8.5%
Sales	703	773	10%
Median Sale Price	$282,597	$298,736	5.7%
Average Sale Price	$326,534	$334,106	2.3%
Average Days On Market	64	55
End of Month Listing Inventory	3132	2685	-14.3%

Freehold Only - Actual

New Listings	1186	1105	-6.8%
Sales	567	632	11.5%
Median Sale Price	$297,507	$310,766	4.5%
Average Sale Price	$348,354	$351,961	1%
Average Days on Market	62	54
End of Month Listing Inventory	2559	2255	-11.9%

Condominium Only - Actual

New Listings	289	245	-15%
Sales	136	141	3.7%
Median Sale Price	$220,436	$244,817	11%
Average Sale Price	$235,569	$254,074	7.9%
Average Days on Market	76	60
End of Month Listing Inventory	573	430	-25%

Commercial - Actual

Sales

27.8%

Every community in RAHB’s marketing area has their own localized residential market. Please refer to the accompanying chart for residential market activities in select areas of RAHB’s jurisdiction.

*Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal variations, enabling analysis of monthly changes and fundamental trends in the data.

Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,500 real estate brokers and sales representatives from Hamilton, Burlington, and outlying areas. Members of the association may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics. The association operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for its members. In addition, RAHB is an active participant in the Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and holds an annual auction in support of local charities. Advertisements of local MLS® property listings and information about the services provided by a REALTOR® can be found at www.REALTOR.ca. More information about RAHB is available at www.rahb.ca.

Burlington Real Estate is OFF and RUNNING!

2012-02-06T09:12:00.001-05:00

Hang onto your hats folks!... the lack of snow and cold weather so far this year has had a HUGE positive effect on the local real estate market here in town with properties FLYING off the shelves!

Spring is here early it seems and Multiple Offer situations are being reported all over town and in various price points. I myself have been in a couple so far ~ albeit on the losing end! But my clients are patient and know what the maximum price is they are willing to pay for a property and refuse to get sucked into the 'got to have it at any cost' scenario.

The numbers for January have not been released yet by RAHB (Realtors Association of Hamilton-Burlington), but judging by the flurry of activity this past month, we are in for banner Spring!

But caution is the word of the day as even though interest rates are still darn attractive (too attractive for my liking), Buyers need to be aware that these rates will not stay this low forever and they need to make sure their homes are affordable to carry in the not so distant future. A good Realtor® knows how to advise and guide their clients to a successful, AFFORDABLE home purchase.

If you are thinking of either selling or buying this Spring and want (and expect!) the best service possible, give me call or drop me an email at: info@deborahlsykes.com

December Better Than Average For Home Sales

2012-01-10T08:29:00.002-05:00

(January 5, 2012 – Hamilton, Ontario) The real estate market in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and outlying areas* saw an increase in the number of listings and a small decrease in the number of sales and average sale price when compared to the same month last year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

After several months of strong sales, the residential condominium market experienced a drop in number of sales of just under five per cent when compared to December of last year. The same market also saw a 9.9 per cent increase in average sale price over the same month last year.

In the residential freehold market, sales dropped less than two per cent from last year at this time while the average sale price increased by two per cent.

While sales were down compared to last year, listings and sales were both higher than the 10-year average for the month.

“The December market performed well compared to the average for the month over the last ten years,” said RAHB President Cameron Nolan, “and the average sale price continues to rise in our area.”

The numbers for the month of December:

All Property Types 2010 2011 % change 10-year average

Listings	531	618	16.2%	573
Sales	628	622	-1%	613
Average Sale Price	$309,987	$308,477	-0.5%	N/A

Residential Only

Listings	468	531	13.5%	502
Sales	604	594	-1.7%	580
Average Sale Price	$297,729	$303,830	2%	N/A

Freehold Only

Sales	477	473	-0.8%	459
Average Sale Price	$316,647	$317,823	0.4	N/A

Condominium Only

Sales	127	121	-4.7	121
Average Sale Price	$226,674	$249,131	9.9%	N/A

Commercial Properties (includes industrial, farm, vacant land, multi-residential and business)

Sales

16.7%

Every community in RAHB’s marketing area has their own localized residential market with larger swings than are evident in the overall numbers. In December Hamilton Centre, Dundas, Flamborough and Glanbook all saw significant increases in numbers of sales, while Hamilton Mountain, Ancaster, Waterdown and Caledonia showed drops in sales compared to the same month last year.

Ancaster and Dunnville (area 61) saw decreases in average sale price compared to the same month last year while Hamilton East, Hamilton Mountain, Grimsby and Glanbrook had the greatest increases in average sale price.

“No one should take these monthly snapshots of local markets as trends,” added Nolan. “They are merely a report of what occurred in a particular month and can change wildly from month to month, especially in areas with lower volumes of sales.”

Please refer to the accompanying chart for residential market activities in other parts of RAHB’s jurisdiction.

*RAHB’s jurisdiction includes Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough and Dundas in the north; Hamilton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and Grimsby along Lake Ontario; and extends down to the shores of Lake Erie, including Glanbrook, West Lincoln, Smithville, Dunnville, Cayuga, Caledonia, and Hagersville.

Organizing your Home Office

2012-01-05T09:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2012!

Is organizing your home office space high on your Resolutions List for this year? I bet it ranks right up there with the "vowing not to look like a stuffed sausage in your beach wear this year" resolution...

Never fear, organizing a home office isn't as daunting (as overcoming the stuffed sausage look anyway) when you have the tools and know-how to overcome your clutter.

Almost 50% of households in Canada either work from home or have a home office, so maintaining a home office (as I do) is essential. So what to do? Organize yourself and your work space!

Did you know that being productive is a direct result of being organized? and being organized can lead you to more money? So...what are you waiting for?

The first step in being organized is to CLEAR CLUTTER....clutter is the bane of all work from homer's. It is insidious in nature really...one minute it isn't there, and then overnight (or two or three or seven) you can't find your computer mouse one morning and you blame the cat.

What makes up clutter? Endless little pieces of paper, 'notes' to ourselves about whatever it is we need to do and when, files heaped upon one another looking like a ready made diving board for your pet guinea pig. Bills that have been paid as well as ones waiting for your bank account to deem them worthy enough to be paid....all this paper truly gets in the way of productivity. Not to mention all the little things that you use in a home office, staplers, staples, paperclips, pens, pencils, markers, scissors, stickynotes, etc... all stuffed in random locations or laying around waiting for their time in the limelight.

So to clear all this clutter, you need to answer a few questions....

What do I need to keep?

What can I keep it in?

How can I keep clutter from taking over after a clean sweep?

Start off first with sorting all your writing instruments, stapler, staples, etc., and invest in some trays and holders from your local office supply store and designate a space/holder for all these items.

Next, clean out ALL the desk drawers, start from scratch, vacuum the dust bunnies out of them and wash them down, now place all the holders you just placed all your implements in and organize them by drawer as to how often you use them (for pens/pencils. etc, you may want to keep a cup holder on your desk, but they can equally be kept in a drawer, out of sight), top drawer gets the frequently used items and so forth.

Files and Paper ~ Do you really need to keep all that paper? In this day and age of technology, almost everyone has a printer/scanner/copier, if not, invest in one, the prices of these machines are very affordable and also an expense item on your tax sheet :). Now scan and store the documents that are a MUST-HAVE on your computer's hard drive (remember to have a back-up location set in place, talk with a computer techie to get a back-up system up and running to avoid data loss), then SHRED the hard copies. Shredding hard copies will make an immediate difference in the space you have.

If you MUST keep hard copies, utilize colour-coded file folders and have a place OUTSIDE of your home office space to store them (invest in Banker's Boxes, as they make great storage boxes for files and can be kept in your basement / crawlspace with easy access). Colour code files by category, such as green for financial, blue for personal, red for utilities, etc., keep the most recent files (12 months and under) in a file cabinet in your office, anything older is relegated to the Banker's Boxes in the basement. If you do not have a file cabinet, invest in one, they will be easier to find than combing through mountains of them stacked on your desk.

Mailings & Labellers ~ If you are in sales and tend to do a lot of mailings, invest in a label printer that allows you to save all your contacts, then you can just set it to print and away you go. Have a specific drawer just to hold all your envelopes, labels, stamps.

Electronic Appointment Organizer ~ If you are still in the dark ages of the 80's and do not own a Blackberry/Android/iPhone or Email Program, it is time to drag yourself at least into the early 2000's. You do not need the calendar on the wall with a million sticky notes stuck to it and your computer screen, organize your appointments in an electronic calendar. Synchronize these with other family members who are sure to have the same devices (especially the younger family members who have saved their paper route money to buy the latest/greatest gadget) so everyone is on the same page about daily life and to also keep your work appointments organized. My Blackberry is worth it's teeny weight in gold to me, I set reminders on to-do's and have all my appts logged in it as well as my full business contact list (just make sure you back up your PDA regularly to avoid losing valuable data).

Computer CD's, etc. ~ I don't know about you, but I seem to have one very full desk drawer designated to hold all the computer programs that have been purchased over the years.... I mean some of these pre-date Windows 95! Sit and go through them all and keep only the most relevant ones and toss the remainder into the garbage. Then grab an empty shoe box, label and store all these CD's in with your file boxes in the basement....and voila! an extra drawer just became available to hide your chocolate stash!

Books/Shelving ~ if you have a book-case or closet, invest in wicker bins/decorative baskets to hold bulkier items and sort through all the books and banish the ones you no longer need/want to a re-use centre. You don't need to keep every single Nancy Drew / Hardy Boys novel you ever read from your youth taking up valuable shelf space. Keep only what is relevant to your business life at this point in time.

Decor ~ lastly, home offices need not be sterile and boring. Paint the room a colour that suits your personality, if you like purple - go purple! If you are more of a beige person, then add splashes of colour by selecting bright window treatments or chair cushions for some added zing. Having a pleasant space to work in also makes you more productive!

Once you have pared down, tossed, recycled and organized your home office space, keeping it that way is simple. Be diligent in taking 5 to 10 minutes at the end of every day to sort, store or shred items so that when you 'leave the office' at the end of the day, it looks exactly how you found it in the morning.

So I ask you again... what are waiting for?! Get yourself moving to a more organized and productive YOU!

All the Best to You for 2012!

Residential condominium market continues to shine in November

2012-01-02T07:07:00.000-05:00

(December 6, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The real estate market in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and outlying areas* continued to show increases in listings, sales and average sale price when compared to the same month last year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

The residential condominium market saw the largest gain with an 11.2 per cent increase in the number of sales when compared to November of last year. The same market also saw a 6.1 per cent increase in average sale price over the same month last year. The 189 condominium sales were better than the ten-year average of 179 sales for the month.

In the residential freehold market, sales were up slightly less than two per cent over the same month last year and average sale price was up 8.7 per cent.

Listings were up over both last year and the 10-year average in all sectors.

“We are continuing to see a strong condominium market this year,” said RAHB President Ann Forbes Arndt. “Year to date, condo sales are just over five percent higher than during the same period last year, and the average sale price is 3.4 per cent higher than last for the same 11-month period.”

Other year to date figures show that while the condominium market is stronger than last year, the residential freehold market is just over one per cent lower than the same period last year. Average sale price in the freehold market, however, rose 4.8 per cent over the same year to date period last year.

The numbers for the month of November:

All Property Types 2010 2011 % change 10-year average

Listings	1094	1105	1.0%	1068
Sales	904	917	1.4%	913
Average Sale Price	$304,608	$319,571	4.9%	N/A

Residential Only

Listings	975	995	2.1%	960
Sales	850	881	3.6%	865
Average Sale Price	$294,471	$317,351	7.8%	N/A

Freehold Only

Sales	680	692	1.8%	686
Average Sale Price	$312,419	$339,511	8.7%	N/A

Condominium Only

Sales	170	189	11.2%	179
Average Sale Price	$222,676	$236,218	6.1%	N/A

Commercial Properties (includes industrial, farm, vacant land, multi-residential and business)

Sales

-18.2%

“Every community in our marketing area has their own localized residential market with larger swings than we see in the overall numbers,” said Arndt. Waterdown, Glanbrook and Dunnville (area 61) all saw significant increases in numbers of sales, while Caledonia and Grimsby showed the largest drops in sales compared to November of last year.

Dundas and Caledonia saw the greatest decrease in average sale price compared to the same month last year while Grimsby, Flamborough and Waterdown had the greatest increases in average sale price.

“These results should not be taken as trends as they are merely snapshots of the market at a particular time,” added Arndt.

Please refer to the accompanying chart for residential market activities in other parts of RAHB’s jurisdiction.

ON THE MARKETS: House prices rally due to low rates, stable economy

2011-11-02T06:37:00.005-04:00

The average price of a home in Canada increased between 5.7 and 7.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the previous year, according to a recent Royal LePage report.

The average price of a home in Canada increased between 5.7 and 7.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2011, compared to the previous year, according to a recent Royal LePage report.

The strength of home price increases in the third quarter defied expectations, as very low interest rates buoyed consumer confidence in a comparatively stable domestic economy, according to the Royal LePage House Price Survey of 2011’s third quarter.

“The strength in Canada’s national housing market conceals signs of predictable softening in some regions,” says Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “The third quarter saw a return to a normal seasonal business cycle as price appreciation slowed in many areas – with some average values even falling slightly – after the busy spring trading season. A broader slowdown is expected in the months ahead, but fears of a US-style correction are completely unfounded.”

In Ontario, the cities of Ottawa and Toronto played key roles in price increases, says the report. Ottawa showed “healthy price appreciation” in all three housing types: Two-storey homes in the nation’s capital rose on average 8.4 per cent, while condominiums rose 7.9 per cent and detached bungalows grew by 7 per cent.

Similarly, Toronto witnessed impressive price gains due to a lack of supply. Two-storey homes increased 7.6 per cent year-over-year, while detached bungalows rose 9.4 per cent over the same period, and condominiums grew by a healthy but more modest 6 per cent, due to higher inventory.

In the third quarter of 2011, the national average price for a detached bungalow rose 7.8 per cent year-over-year to $349,974, while standard two-storey homes rose 7.7 per cent to $388,218 and standard condominiums rose 5.7 per cent to $239,300.

“A resilient domestic economy, coupled with the stimulative effect of ultra-low interest rates, has extended the post-recession bounce in house prices, but there is evidence of over-shooting in some markets,” Soper adds. “Although the commentators are predicting that the sky will fall on the Canadian housing market in a US-style implosion, we lack the structural conditions that precipitated the housing crash in the United States six years ago.”

Seasonal Shut Down of Air Conditioners

2011-10-06T12:18:00.001-04:00

Your central air conditioning unit consists of a compressor and condensing unit placed outdoors in a metal housing. These units, built to resist the weather, generally do not need a cover. In fact, covers can cause problems because they trap moisture which leads to deterioration of the internal components and it also creates an inviting winter home for small animals.

If your air conditioner is subject to falling ice or other debris, you could cover its top with a piece of plywood, plastic or metal held in place by a weight.

In autumn, when the cooling season ends, turn off the power to your air conditioning unit either at the circuit breaker or at the electrical disconnect near the unit. This saves energy by turning off a small crankcase heater inside the unit. Thus, your air conditioner will be less likely to attract small animals during cold weather.

*But take note that you will have to remember to turn the breaker back on at least 24 hours before you plan to run the air conditioner next spring/summer to allow the crankcase oil to attain optimal running temperature (which is generally 65F).

MARKETWATCH: More moderate housing market predicted

2011-09-06T08:06:00.002-04:00

An unusually rapid recovery in the Canadian housing market played an important role in ensuring that Canada’s recession, although sharp, was also short, according to Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney. He anticipates moderation in the housing market, but warns that while affordability remains favourable, this is largely because interest rates are unusually low. With monetary policy being set to meet inflation targets, institutions should not be lulled into a false sense of security by current low rates and households should be prudent in their borrowing, he advises. Visit http://www.bankofcanada.ca/, click on Media Room and scroll to Press Releases.

Energy Retrofit Program Renewed

2011-09-06T08:05:00.002-04:00

The Federal Government has renewed the popular ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program. Until March 31, 2012, homeowners can receive grants up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy-efficient and save energy costs. This year’s program has two important changes. Participants must now register directly with the program before booking an evaluation. They must also provide receipts to their energy advisor at the time of the post-retrofit evaluation to confirm their eligibility for an ecoENERGY grant. Only products purchased after June 6, 2011, and installed after a pre-retrofit evaluation are eligible for a grant. Visit www.ecoaction.gc.ca/homes.

July market activity compares well to last year...

2011-08-30T10:17:00.001-04:00

(August 4, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The July, 2011 real estate market in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and outlying areas* experienced an increase in listings, sales and average sale price compared to July of last year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

It was the condominium market that saw the largest gains over the same month last year, with a 23.3 per cent increase in sales and a six per cent increase in average sale price. The residential freehold market wasn’t far behind, with a 21.3% increase in the number of sales over last year and a 5.6% increase in average sale price.

“July certainly compared very well to last year at this same time,” said RAHB President Ann Forbes Arndt, “but that is something of an unfair comparison, given that last July’s results were adversely affected by the implementation of the HST. What is the more telling comparison is how July stacked up against the average for the month for the last ten years. If you look at those numbers, July was slightly below average in sales and slightly above average for numbers of listings. Only the condominium market showed higher-than-average numbers of sales.”

Overall year to date, residential sales are 2.9 per cent lower than in the same period last year.

The numbers for the month of July:

All Property Types 2010 2011 % change 10-year average

Listings	1271	1483	16.7%	1452
Sales	908	1095	20.6%	1132
Average Sale Price	$312,334	$331,721	6.2%	N/A

Residential Only

Listings	1174	1347	14.7%	1327
Sales	880	1059	20.3%	1090
Average Sale Price	$309,169	$326,242	5.5%	N/A

Freehold Only

Sales	681	826	21.3%	863
Average Sale Price	$330,232	$348,833	5.6%	N/A

Condominium Only

Sales	189	233	23.3%	227
Average Sale Price	$232,160	$246,155	6%	N/A

Commercial Properties (includes industrial, farm, vacant land and business)

Sales

28.6%

“Every community in our marketing area has their own localized residential market with larger swings than we see in the overall numbers,” said Arndt. Hamilton West, Hamilton Mountain, Dundas, Grimsby and Glanbrook all saw significant increases in numbers of sales, while Dunnville and Flamborough showed fewer sales compared to July of last year.

Dundas was the only community with a sizeable decrease in average sale price compared to last year. Dunnville and Burlington were the only communities with sizeable increases in average sale price, with Dunnville showing a 13 per cent increase and Burlington a 16.1 per cent increase.

Baby it's HOT outside! And My Garden Loves it!

2011-07-20T13:25:00.000-04:00

I for one, am certainly enjoying this glorious summer weather that is upon us! Now for those that may complain about the heat, just remember how miserable you were back in January & February when the groundhog seemingly lied about an early spring...or the month of May that smashed local records for rainfall and cooler temps.... summer is short in Canada, so get out there and enjoy it!

But if you do venture out in this heat whether it is for work or play, drink plenty of fluids (water is best!) and slap on that sunscreen!

This morning I headed out for a walk in my neighbourhood before the heat of the day settled in, and I was surprised to see so many people out and about regardless of the weather! It's good to see people getting their 30-60 minutes of daily exercise in, it is definitely a nicer time of year to enjoy outdoor activities than the frigid temps of winter.... what are you favourite summer outdoor activities?

Mine is gardening.... I do love to grow flowers and herbs every year in my garden. It is a great way to burn calories, have a colourful display in your yard, and help out the birds and the bees in the process.

This year, I decided to start some tomatoes and a variety of peppers from seed early in February, and once the monsoons of May left, I was able to get out and plant my pot-bound bounty so they could stretch their roots in the soil and enjoy the summer sun. Well let me tell you... I think I misjudged on how many pepper and tomato plants I needed...I surveyed the garden this morning and looked at my sweet baby tomatoes (now numbering around several hundred little green balls) that are growing and starting to ripen as well as the tons of peppers that are hanging from their stems growing bigger with each passing day and I wonder just what have I got myself into!

I now have visions of fresh salads, stuffed peppers, salsas and sauces all utilizing the fruits of my gardening labour! I will be sad when Fall comes, but for now, I will enjoy my time in the garden and once winter settles in, will dream and plan out what I will grow next year!

Poblano Peppers

June a good month for property sales; second quarter has increased average sale price

2011-07-07T11:30:00.007-04:00

(July 6, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The June, 2011 real estate market in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and their outlying areas* experienced an increase in listings, sales and average sale price compared to June of last year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

It was the freehold residential market that saw the larger gains over the same month last year, with a 5.4 per cent increase in sales and a 7.2 per cent increase in average sale price.

Second quarter results in the residential market show a 3.9 per cent decrease in sales from the same quarter last year, but a 4.6 per cent increase in average sale price.

"This year’s second quarter was decent but couldn’t quite measure up to the results we saw in the second quarter last year," said RAHB President Ann Forbes Arndt. "If you remember, last year had a strong second quarter as buyers were trying to purchase ahead of the implementation of the HST. The number of sales we saw in the second quarter of this year was only 2.6 per cent lower than the ten-year average."

Overall year to date, residential sales are six per cent lower than in the same period last year.

The numbers for the month of June:

All Property Types
2010 2011 % chg 10-yr avg

Listings	1651	1794	8.7	1635
Sales	1206	1281	6.2	1285
Average Sale Price	$301,081	$320,493	6.2	N/A

Residential Only

Listings	1492	1657	11.1	1495
Sales	1170	1232	5.3	1236
Average Sale Price	$297,712	$315,942	6.1	N/A

Freehold Only

Sales	921	971	5.4	989
Average Sale Price	$312,887	$335,476	7.2	N/A

Condominium Only

Sales	249	261	4.8	247
Average Sale Price	$241,583	$243,267	0.7	N/A

Commercial Properties (includes industrial, farm, vacant land and business)

Sales

36.1

"Every community in our marketing area has their own localized residential market with larger swings than we see in the overall numbers," said Arndt. Hamilton West saw a 27.2 per cent decrease in sales from the same month last year, while Waterdown had a 39.3 per cent increase in the number of sales. Hamilton East and Flamborough also saw significant increases in number of sales.

Hamilton Centre was the only area with a sizeable decrease in average sale price from last year, coming in at 12.6 per cent lower than June of last year. Hamilton West, Grimsby and Glanbrook had the largest gains in average sale price over the same month last year.

Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,500 real estate brokers and sales representatives from Hamilton, Burlington, and outlying areas. Members of the association may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics. The association operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for its members. In addition, RAHB is an active participant in the Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and holds an annual auction in support of local charities. Advertisements of local MLS® property listings and information about the services provided by a REALTOR® can be found at www.REALTOR.ca. More information about RAHB is available at www.rahb.ca.

Thinking of Flipping a House? Don't Forget the Attic!

2011-06-21T15:04:00.000-04:00

With so many home renovation television shows, no wonder that more and more Canadians have taken an interest in buying a house and renovating it to sell at a higher price or ‘flipping’ as a quick way to turn a property investment in significant profit. With a little elbow grease and some good old TLC, property flippers are often able to transform an older run-down property into a freshly renovated home that will to prospective homebuyers.

While most renovators focus their attention on cosmetic changes like painting, installing hardwood floors, décor and landscaping the front yard, many property flippers often overlook one of the most important aspects of their renovation – the Attic.

But why are attics so important?

“With over seven million under-insulated attics in Canada, there is an increasing need for homeowners to pay attention to the attic – an area that protects a home and prevents warm and cool air from escaping through gaps and drafts.” Says David Flood, insulation expert for Owens Corning. “Property flippers need to know that a properly insulated attic is essential to creating an energy efficient home which can ultimately lead to cost savings on monthly utility bills.”

For more information about how to reinsulated the attic, visit http://www.owenscorning.ca/

Residential Condominium Market Sees Highest Gains in May.

2011-06-07T08:18:00.000-04:00

The May real estate market in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and their outlying areas* experienced an increased number of listings for the month of May and a small decrease in the number of sales overall, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).
The average sale price of all properties rose again in May when compared to last year. The largest gain in average sale price was in the residential condominium market.

“The condominium market in our area is where we saw the most growth in May,” said RAHB President Ann Forbes Arndt. “The average sale price is up almost 11 per cent over May of last year and sales were higher than the 10-year average for the month.”

Residential sales saw a slight decrease in the number of sales compared to May of last year, while the average sale price rose 3.8 per cent. Year to date residential unit sales were 8.4 per cent lower year than last year.

“Every community in our jurisdiction has their own localized market with larger swings than we see in the overall numbers,” said Arndt. “Hamilton Mountain saw a 20 per cent increase in numbers of sales, while Dundas showed a decrease of 32.4 per cent. Dunnville is a smaller community but has seen big increases in sales over the same month last year, percentage-wise.”

Burlington had the largest increase in average sale price at 8.8 percent; other areas with significant increases in average sale prices in May were Hamilton Centre and Ancaster. Dunnville and Grimsby were the only communities with significant decreases in average sale price.

Figures quoted are for sales and average sale prices of units located in the jurisdiction* of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington and processed through RAHB’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). Unit sales reflect “all property types” including residential, condominium, commercial property, farm, vacant land and business, unless otherwise specified.

*RAHB’s jurisdiction includes Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough and Dundas in the north; Hamilton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and Grimsby along Lake Ontario; and extends down to the shores of Lake Erie, including Glanbrook, West Lincoln, Smithville, Dunnville, Cayuga, Caledonia, and Hagersville.

"Project Compliance" and Multi-Residential Properties in Hamilton

2011-06-07T07:56:00.000-04:00

Hamilton City Council, in March of 2010, approved an 18-month Proactive Bylaw Enforcement Pilot Program for Wards 1 to 8 (subsequently named “Project Compliance”) consisting of six temporary part-time Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and a temporary full-time clerk.
As of March 1, 2011, Project Compliance had achieved the following:

Over 465 properties had been inspected with a total of 661 orders issued to correct 1,918 bylaw deficiencies;
- 406 orders were issued for property standard violations of which 51% have been complied with,
- 255 orders were issued for yard maintenance violations of which 49% have been complied with,
- City contractors were hired to complete the work for 17 orders,
- With the compliance of the orders noted above, a total of 723 deficiencies (38%) were corrected in a timely manner by property owners without requiring further enforcement action, and
- Remaining orders are in various stages of enforcement,
Four multi-residential buildings/complex audits were conducted in Wards 2, 4 and 5 in which Officers were able to gain access to inspect 110 individual units (figures included in above).
39 bylaw charges were laid.

What does this mean for REALTORS®? If you weren’t already being diligent in your listings of multi-residential properties, now is a good time to start. If you have been, now is a good time to step up your research and make sure your sellers and buyers are aware of the current bylaw program and what is required to ensure their property is compliant. In cases where this isn’t clear, be sure to get a zoning verification certificate and research steps to request a variance if your client desires to go this route.
In the next month or so, RAHB will be hosting Q&A session for all members interested in learning more about the new bylaw program and what it means for REALTORS® selling multi-residential properties.

Renovated Beauty in Stoney Creek!

2011-05-24T14:23:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this renovated, circa 1943 character home in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Featuring 3 bedrooms, NEW baths, NEW Kitchen, replaced flooring, roof, siding, windows, the list goes on. Outstanding Enusite Bath with separate Soaker Tub, Shower, Double Sinks and a Walk-In Closet, the Newly Renovated Main Bath features Laundry facilities and extra storage shelves. This property also boasts 2 separate driveways! Excellent for storing that summer RV or boat as well as holding plenty of vehicles for those family gatherings. Click HERE for a Virtual Tour!

Hamilton-Burlington Market Activity ~ April 2011

2011-05-19T15:00:00.000-04:00

Sales Below Average; Average Sales Prices Continue to Rise

2011-05-16T10:07:00.002-04:00

(May 4, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The April real estate market in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and their outlying areas* experienced below-average numbers of listings and sales for the month, but an increase in average sale price in most areas, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

The biggest gain in average sale price was in the residential freehold market, which saw an overall 5.9% gain when compared to the same month last year.

Residential unit sales year to date are 10.4 per cent lower than last year.

“I said in my forecast in January that the spring market would be late in arriving this year, and that certainly seems to be the case,” said RAHB President Ann Forbes Arndt.

The numbers for April:

All Property Types 2010 2011 % change 10-year average

Listings	2029	1745	-14.0	1766
Sales	1389	1202	-13.5	1265
Average Sale Price	$311,101	$325,869	+4.7	N/A

Residential Only

Listings	1892	1614	-14.7	1617
Sales	1352	1164	-13.9	1223
Average Sale Price	$309,314	$322,079	+4.1	N/A

Freehold Only

Sales	1114	925	-17	986
Average Sale Price	$326,471	$345,684	+5.9	N/A

Condominium Only

Sales	238	239	+0.4	239
Average Sale Price	$228,337	$230,720	+1	N/A

Commercial Properties (includes industrial, farm, vacant land and business)

Sales

+2.7

“We saw some big swings in market activity in different areas of our jurisdiction,” added Arndt. Dundas and Dunnville saw the largest gains in average sale price in April, while Grimsby and Burlington were the only two major centres which saw a decline in average price. Six communities saw 20-30 per cent drops in sales activity while one centre saw a triple-digit increase and other areas had nearly 10 per cent increases.

Aluminum wiring ~ is it still safe?

2011-05-06T08:30:00.000-04:00

HouseMaster eNewsletter - ALUMINUM WIRING

Balanced Market for Spring

2011-04-11T10:01:00.000-04:00

The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported a total of 1128 units sold in the association’s jurisdiction* in the month of March, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today. This represents a 12.1 per cent decrease in sales from the same month last year.

Total unit sales for the first three months of the year are reported at 9.5 per cent lower than the same period last year, while new unit listings are at almost the same level as the first quarter of 2010. While sales activity is down for the first three months of 2011, the average sale price increased by 3.5 per cent.

“I know I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but comparing this year’s listings and sales to last year’s is comparing a normal market to an unusually active market,” said Ann Forbes Arndt, RAHB President. “When we look at how the market has performed over the last 10 years, this March performed at just about average.”

The number of residential properties sold during March totalled 1092, and included 869 freehold properties and 223 condominiums. Commercial sales for March, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 36 units.
The average sale price of freehold residential properties in the association’s jurisdiction in the month of March was $335,117, an increase of 4.2 per cent over March, 2010. The average sale price reflects the dollar volume of freehold residential sales divided by the number of total freehold residential units sold.
In the condominium market, the average unit price was $220,179, which is virtually flat to March of last year.

“The spring market is proving to be what we would call a normal, more balanced market,” added Arndt. “In this kind of market, we still see a good number of properties coming on the market and a good number of sales going through. There is time for buyers to shop and compare before they buy.”

Figures quoted are for sales and average sale prices of units located in the jurisdiction* of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington and processed through RAHB’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). Unit sales reflect “all property types” including residential, condominium, commercial property, farm, vacant land and business, unless otherwise specified.
*RAHB’s jurisdiction includes Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough and Dundas in the north; Hamilton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and Grimsby along Lake Ontario; and extends down to the shores of Lake Erie, including Glanbrook, West Lincoln, Smithville, Dunnville, Cayuga, Caledonia, and Hagersville.

Welcome to Spring!

2011-03-28T04:58:00.000-04:00

Although Mother Nature's current temperatures may be saying otherwise, it really is Spring and with it, thoughts turn to.....cleaning...ugh, yes, I know, it's a dirty word...but it is something that has to be done to wipe away the grime of winter.

Set yourself a checklist of To-Do's and even if you tackle one a day (or aim for 2-3 items a week), soon your home will be spiffy inside and out.

Step One ~ DeClutter, pack up anything that seems leftover from the winter holidays - who needs to look at Christmas decorations in April? (that includes those lights left hanging on your eaves!). Clean and store boots, heavy coats, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens, toss any that are not in wearable condition or donate unused items to charity.

Step Two ~ Clean windows, yes, it is a mindless chore, but one that needs to be done. Make sure you wash the window tracks and ledges, and when your windows sparkle, the whole home looks better and then you will be able to see those beautiful blooms sprouting outside.

Step Three ~ Decks/Patios & Gardens, they gather a lot of dirt and debris over the winter, power wash, repair any loose or broken deck boards, and re-stain or re-paint as needed, clear leftover leaves and dead brush from gardens, till the flower beds and get your hands dirty planting those show stoppers you want to see through those now clean windows.

Step Four ~ Paint, why not brighten up that one dull, dreary room or hallway? Painting is the cheapest and fastest way to change the appearance of a room that gives almost instant gratification.

Step Five ~ Air Conditioning, before the heat of summer sets in, make sure your unit is serviced and in top condition for the coming season.

Step Six ~ Now sit back and relax on that rejuvenated deck or patio and admire your hard work with a refreshing glass of Agua Fresca or Lemonade. Enjoy the coming season everyone!

Burlington Real Estate Stats for February 2011

2011-03-07T08:24:00.000-05:00

Sales Normal; Prices Up in Burlington Residential Resale Market

(March 3, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Burlington area residential resale market reported a total of 277 units sold in February, a decrease of two per cent from February of last year, according to the Multiple Listing Services® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

“While the numbers show that our sales and listings are down from last year, you have remember that February of 2010 was the beginning of the recovery from the uncertain market in the early part of 2009,” said Ann Forbes Arndt, RAHB President, “In fact, Burlington’s February sales were fairly normal if you look at the same month over the last ten years.”

The average sale price for all residential properties sold in February is $414,461, which is an increase of 8.2 per cent over the same month last year. The average days-on-market for residential properties in Burlington was a 10-year low of 32 days, compared to 37 days in 2010, and the high of 62 days in 2009.

There were 181 sales of freehold properties and 96 sales of condominium units.

The average sale price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of February was $487,283, an increase of 10 per cent over the same month last year.

The average sale price of condominiums in February was $277,160, a decrease of 2 per cent from February of last year. The average sale price reflects the dollar volume of residential sales divided by the number of total residential units sold.

“The overall average sale price of residential properties in the Burlington market has climbed steadily over the last ten years, with the exception of a slip in 2009,” added Arndt.

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

February Real Estate Sales Stats for Hamilton-Burlington area

2011-03-07T08:17:00.000-05:00

Sales Slightly Down, Prices Up

(March 3, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported a total of 926 units sold in the association’s jurisdiction* in the month of February, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today. This represents an 8.7 per cent decrease in sales from the same month last year.

“While the numbers show that our sales and listings are down from last year, you have remember that February of 2010 was the beginning of the recovery from the uncertain market in the early part of 2009,” said Ann Forbes Arndt, RAHB President.

“While February sales weren’t stellar, they are certainly within the range of normal based on February sales over the last ten years.”

The number of residential properties sold during February totalled 897, and included 702 freehold properties and 195 condominiums. Commercial sales for February, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 29 units.

The average sale price of freehold residential properties in the association’s jurisdiction in the month of February was $333,936, an increase of 3.7 per cent over February, 2010. The average sale price reflects the dollar volume of freehold residential sales divided by the number of total freehold residential units sold.

In the condominium market, the average unit price was $232,289 a decrease of 3.4 per cent from the same month last year.

“Our average sale price continues to climb, year after year,” added Arndt. “Buying a property in the Greater Hamilton, Burlington and outlying areas is a good investment.”

Figures quoted are for sales and average sale prices of units located in the jurisdiction* of the
REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington and processed through RAHB’s Multiple Listing
Service® (MLS®). Unit sales reflect “all property types” including residential, condominium, commercial
property, farm, vacant land and business, unless otherwise specified.
*RAHB’s jurisdiction includes Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough and Dundas in the north; Hamilton,
Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and Grimsby along Lake Ontario; and extends down to the shores of Lake Erie,
including Glanbrook, West Lincoln, Smithville, Dunnville, Cayuga, Caledonia, and Hagersville

Pricing Your Property 101

2011-03-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

Now that Spring is here (almost...officially...) thoughts begin to turn to...no, not gardening, or going for long walks in the warm spring sunshine, but thoughts for some are that it's FINALLY time to get things in order and make that move that we have been wanting to do. Whatever the reasons (economy, job, family) that were holding people off, now comes the time they are ready to DO IT..... so what's next?

First, and foremost, interview and hire yourself a Realtor® (that process will be outlined in another blog entry) then, sit down with your newly hired Sales Representative to go over Pricing, which is one of the hardest things to get right from the start.

Everyone thinks they know what their property is worth. When it comes time to sell it, all they have to do is have a salesperson put up the sign and the offers will follow. Unfortunately, if you price it wrong, there may not be any offers. Think about it, when you drive down the road to buy gas, do you drive into a station whose prices are five cents a litre more? Not likely.

The same is true when pricing a property. Why would anyone pay thousands more for your property over the comparable ones listed for sale? Sentimental values you associate with your property are worthless in the hard reality of the real estate market place.

A Real Estate Sales Representative justifies their worth on the first day you invite them into your home and they place a market value on your property. Any Salesperson that lets you suggest the list price isn't a professional. How would you feel if your Doctor asked you if you would like an operation? You want your Doctor to advise you, so too with your Sales Representative.

They should give a realistic range based on market information and not just gut feel. After all, you expect a detailed analysis when considering any investment option; and selling a house is a major investment decision for anyone. If the Salesperson has taken the time and energy to provide a detailed market analysis of your property, chances are they will probably do a good job at marketing your property too.

While you have the final say in setting the list price, taking the advice and expertise from your chosen Sales Representative will improve your chances of reaching a successful sale.

If anyone has any further questions on this topic or if you are needing assistance in listing and selling your home, please feel free to contact me at either (905) 681-7900 or via email at: info@deborahlsykes.com. I am always just a phone call or mouse-click away!

Slow Start for January, but Spring is right around the Corner!

2011-02-14T09:47:00.002-05:00

(February 4, 2011 – Hamilton, Ontario) The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported a total of 613 units sold in the association’s jurisdiction* in the month of January, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released today. This represents a seven per cent decrease in sales from the same month last year. “January is typically a slow month for sales, but this past January was slower than normal” said Ann Forbes Arndt, RAHB President.

The number of residential properties sold during January totaled 585, and included 458 freehold properties and 127 condominiums. Commercial sales for January, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totaled 28 units. The average sale price of freehold residential properties in the association’s jurisdiction in the month of January was $317,011, an increase of 9.4 per cent over January, 2010. The average sale price reflects the dollar volume of freehold residential sales divided by the number of total freehold residential units sold. In the condominium market, the average unit price was $229,383, a decrease of 2.2 per cent from the same month last year.

“I said earlier this year that the real estate market should stabilize through 2011 and perform much as it did in 2010. That said, the real estate market is still dependent on other economic factors, so we are cautious in our optimism that we are headed toward a stable, balanced market,” added Arndt. Figures quoted are for sales and average sale prices of units located in the jurisdiction* of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington and processed through RAHB’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®). Unit sales reflect “all property types” including residential, condominium, commercial property, farm, vacant land and business, unless otherwise specified.

*RAHB’s jurisdiction includes Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough and Dundas in the north; Hamilton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, and Grimsby along Lake Ontario; and extends down to the shores of Lake Erie, including Glanbrook, West Lincoln, Smithville, Dunnville, Cayuga, Caledonia, and Hagersville.

"More of the Same" Predicted for 2011 Housing Market

2011-01-17T05:16:00.000-05:00

(January 14, 2011 - Hamilton) The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) held its annual news conference today, and this year’s President anticipates the real estate market will further stabilize through 2011, with a market that performs much as it did in 2010.

In her inaugural speech, Ann Forbes Arndt, 2011 RAHB President, noted that consumer confidence is a concern for next year. “Although we have seen some signs of recovery with unemployment down and stabilizing,” she said, “economic projections for the year call for cautious optimism with respect to full time job creation.” Employment numbers released in January bode well for the year ahead, she noted. “If we continue to see stabilization in the employment rate, we expect to see confidence in the market, and by mid-year housing sales should be on the rise.”

Arndt predicted that 13,000 residential properties will be sold through RAHB’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in 2011.

Area media were on hand to hear Arndt report that the 2010 real estate market ended with 13,440 sales reported on the association’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) , which can be considered an average number of sale based on sales figures over the last ten years.

The total volume of real estate sales in the area surpassed 4.2 billion dollars, the highest volume recorded in the association’s history as well, which speaks to just how powerful the MLSÒ marketing system is to the real estate industry.

In 2010, 66 per cent of all residential properties listed were sold. The list to sales ratio is an excellent barometer to determine whether it is a buyers’, sellers’ or balanced market. The 2010 list to sales ratio indicates a more balanced market than 2009’s year-end average of 73 per cent.

The average sale price of all property sales was $314,501, again the highest on record.

The year was characterized by brisk sales through the first half of the year, fuelled by low interest rates and buyers wanting to avoid the HST beginning July 1, with sales dropping off through the summer months and early fall. Sales rebounded in December to higher-than-average levels.

Moving into 2011, Arndt noted that “one area that will be interesting to watch is the employment numbers for young people. Youth unemployment is still near record highs and this will have an impact on the number of first-time home buyers over the next few years.” Traditionally, first-time buyers drive the housing market, allowing existing homeowners to move up.

As a result of low interest rates, a gradually improving economy and no unexpected volatility, 2011 will be stable and looks promising for both buyers and seller.

New Year ~ New YOU!

2011-01-03T07:57:00.001-05:00

Welcome to 2011!

I hope everyone was able to enjoy food, family and fun over the holidays! (all in moderation of course!) We were lucky to have had a nice, mild transition in the outdoor temperature leaving 2010 and entering 2011 in our neck of the woods - definitely a nice change from the chillier temps we were experiencing before the Holidays, at least the snow was able to stick around to provide us with a 'White Christmas'!

To help all my family, friends, clients and co-workers get off to a good start this year, I would like to leave you with an inspirational quote that has come to mean so much to me and I hope you all take it and apply it to your goals and resolutions this year!

"Success is a state of mind. Basically, anything you want, you can have! You just have to have dreams, believe that you deserve those dreams, and work your butt off to acquire them. But success is there for the taking, so TAKE IT!"

With that, I wish all of you Health, Happiness & Prosperity for the coming Year!

Remember that I am here at the click of a mouse or a quick dial of the phone to answer all your Real Estate questions!

Clearing the HST Confusion...

2010-12-13T06:05:00.000-05:00

A full 56% of Ontarians mistakenly believe that the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) applies to the full purchase price of a ReSale Home, according to am Ipsos Reid survey commissioned by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA).

"We see it on the front lines every day, clearly, Ontarians still do not know what the HST covers and what is exempt", says Dorothy Mason, President of OREA. "This is not helping the housing market, and it's not helping the Ontario economy. This confusion means that many buyers think the cost of a ReSale Home is tens of thousands of dollars higher than it actually is."

OREA is working to create as much awareness as possible among consumers about the reality of the HST and ReSale Homes. For example, a press release sent out following the survey was picked up by many news outlets across the country and reached 5.5 million Canadians - an indication of the level of interest about the issue. But OREA would like the Government to take some responsibility for educating potential Home Buyers as well.

"Were doing our part to inform our clients, but we shouldn't have to do it alone. Were calling on the Ontario Government to launch an immediate public awareness campaign to educate taxpayers and end the HST confusion." concluded Dorothy Mason. "For the average homebuyers, learning the HST does not apply to the full purchase price means a $40,000 saving (currently the average price of a home in Ontario is $330,000) they were not expecting."

HST and ReSale Homes - The Facts

The HST is only levied on the various transaction fees associated with the purchase of a ReSale Home (NOT a Brand new Home built by a Builder/Developer and never lived in before).

Real Estate Commissions are subject to the 13% HST

Lawyer's Fees are also subject to the 13% HST

The Condominium Status Certificate fee remains at $100.00 but has the HST included in the price.

Moving Costs, the cost of a home inspection and even home staging is also subject to the 13% HST

The results of the survey were consistent across all age groups. However, there were some differences across other demographic categories. For instance, of those surveyed half of university graduates, 71% of Northern Ontarians, 59% of those living in Eastern and Southwestern Ontario, and 54% of GTA residents all mistakenly believe the HST applies to the full purchase price of ReSale Homes.

This is a whopping statistic that needs widespread coverage to clear the air on the HST, if anyone needs further information on the HST or has any questions, please feel free to email me directly at: info@deborahlsykes.com

Ipsos Reid conducted the survey among 830 Ontarians from Ipso's online panel, between October 4th and 11th on behalf of the Ontario Real Estate Association. The estimated margin of error is +/- 3.8 percentage points or 19 times out of 20.

Sales Numbers are Average; Inventory higher than Normal

2010-12-08T07:32:00.003-05:00

The Greater Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1011 units sold in November, a decrease of 6 per cent from the same month last year and a decrease of 2.9 per cent from October of this year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

Total unit sales year-to-date in 2010 are being reported at 2.7 per cent higher than the same period last year, while new units listed are 13.3 per cent higher year-to-date.

“Sales in November were lower than both last month and last year at this time,” said Joe Ferrante, RAHB President, “but are still above average for the month when you look at the last ten years. Overall, to date, our sales are still higher this year than last, and last year had some spectacular months for sales.”
Residential properties sold during November totalled 953 which included 763 freehold properties and 190 condominiums. Commercial sales for November, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 58 units.

The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of November was $331,865, a decrease of less than 1 per cent compared to November 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 November was $224,666, a decrease of 2 per cent from November 2009.
The total number of units listed for sale during November was 1694, which is a 38.7 per cent increase over the number listed in the same period in 2009.

“Our listing numbers are not record-breaking but they are high, especially for this time of year,” added Ferrante, “There are lots of properties on the market right now; if anyone had any thoughts about purchasing a home, now would be an excellent time to do it.”

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

October Sale Slowdown

2010-11-08T09:12:00.001-05:00

(November 3, 2010 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Greater Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1044 units sold in October, a decrease of 12 per cent from the same month last year and comparable to September of this year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

Total unit sales year-to-date in 2010 are being reported at 3.6 per cent higher than the same period last year, while new units listed are 12.7 per cent higher year-to-date.

"October has proven to be a disappointing month in terms of sales," said Joe Ferrante, RAHB President, "but we continue to see a good number of properties come on the market, meaning we have a great inventory of properties right now."

Residential properties sold during October totalled 992 which included 795 freehold properties and 197 condominiums. Commercial sales for October, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 52 units.

The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of October was $321,549, an increase of 2 per cent over October 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 October was $242,607, an increase of 9.7 per cent over October 2009.

The total number of units listed for sale during October was 1713, which is a 19.8 per cent increase over the number listed in the same period in 2009.

"A recent Nanos poll suggested that Canadians had little optimism in the real estate market going into the last quarter of the year," added Ferrante, "While our sales figures bear out that suggestion, there is reason to believe that with the continuing low interest rates, we will still see some action before the year is out."

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

Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,400 real estate brokers and salespersons from Hamilton, Burlington, and outlying areas. Members of the association may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics. The association operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for its members. In addition, RAHB is an active participant in the Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and holds an annual auction in support of local charities. Advertisements of local MLS® property listings and information about the services provided by a REALTOR® can be found at www.REALTOR.ca. More information about RAHB is available at www.rahb.ca.
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November Leaves

2010-11-01T07:37:00.002-04:00

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow."
- Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

Sales Normal for September!

2010-10-05T10:42:00.002-04:00

(October 5, 2010 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Greater Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1046 units sold in September, indicating a decrease of 13.5 per cent from the same month last year but an increase of 2.8 per cent over August of this year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

Total unit sales for the first three quarters of 2010 are being reported at 5.4 per cent higher than the same period last year, while new units listed are 13.3 per cent higher year-to-date.

"The number of sales we saw in September is pretty much on par with the levels of sales for Septembers over the last eight years, last year excepted," said Joe Ferrante, RAHB President, "Our year-to-date sales are still ahead of last year’s, although the gap is closing as the year progresses."

Residential properties sold during September totalled 1007 which included 813 freehold properties and 194 condominiums. Commercial sales for September, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 39 units.

The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of September was $336,351, an increase of 3.4 per cent over September 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 September was $233,596, an increase of 1.7 per cent over September 2009.

The total number of units listed for sale during August was 1935, which is a 17.2 per cent increase over the number listed in the same period in 2009.

"We continue to have a very good inventory of properties on the market" added Ferrante, "which means there is excellent choice for those looking to live and invest in Hamilton."

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

CREA & The Competition Bureau Reach Tentative Agreement

2010-10-01T08:41:00.001-04:00

More information will be available once CREA's Membership has ratified the tentative agreement - Full Story HERE:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/housing/real-estate-group-reaches-tentative-agreement-on-mls-listings/article1736411/

Open House Invitation!

2010-09-28T15:41:00.000-04:00

You are cordially invited to a Public Open House this SATURDAY, October 2nd at #167-2050 Upper Middle Road, Burlington, ON

Please visit http://www.realtor.ca/ and plug in mls# H3047289 for addition information and pictures! This 2 storey town home is perfect for First Time Buyer's, Downsizer's or Investors! Affordably priced at $204,900! See you SATURDAY!

It's Been a Good Year So Far....

2010-09-07T10:18:00.002-04:00

(September 7, 2010 – Hamilton, Ontario) The Greater Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1021 units sold in August, indicating a decrease of 9.5 per cent from the same month last year but an increase of almost 2 per cent over July of this year, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB). Total unit sales for the first eight months of 2010 are being reported at 8.1 per cent higher than the same period last year, while new units listed are 14.4 per cent higher year-to-date.

“Our August sales are being measured against a very strong August market last year,” said Joe Ferrante, RAHB President, “but are still entirely in the realm of normal August numbers. Year-to-date numbers indicate that we can still expect to see higher sales at the end of this year compared to last year.”

Residential properties sold during August totalled 978 which included 783 freehold properties and 195 condominiums. Commercial sales for August, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 43 units.

The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of August was $318,904, an increase of 1.7 per cent over August 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 August was $223,154, an increase of 3.4 per cent over August 2009.

The total number of units listed for sale during August was 1591, which is a 13 per cent increase over the number listed in the same period in 2009.

“According to the revised housing forecast issued by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), we are expecting a downward trend through the fall,” added Ferrante, “but we still expect to come out with a decent year, sales-wise.”

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

September 1st......start of a new season!

2010-09-01T10:01:00.000-04:00

Even though the mercury will hit 32C today (and reaching about 40C with the humidex!), we can't help but start thinking "Fall" once the calendar flips from August 31st to September 1st....the visual cues are all there...the "Back to School" banners hung from almost every storefront touting computers, supplies, clothing, backpacks and shoes....the shortening of the days and annuals in the garden beginning their last push of seeds before they give in for the growing season.

Mind you, my basil, rosemary and oregano plants are still producing like they are the last plants of their species on the planet....but soon enough, the gardens will be bare and the kids back to school and then.....the last push of the real estate season begins in earnest.

Fall is our so-called "Second Spring", where home-seller's that were possibly considering a move in the spring but the timing wasn't right for them are now working with their Realtor's to get their homes on the market to take advantage of the mini-flurry.

Saavy Home Buyer's also know this (if they are working with a saavy REALTOR!), and they know that come the day after Labour Day, loads of new listings will be popping up daily for them to look over, as their main goal is to make sure they obtain their next home and be moved in all ready to celebrate the upcoming Christmas Holidays (I know, don't panic that I said the "H" word!).

So if you are 'thinking' the time may be right to list your home - pick up the phone or email me and let me show you how I can put my expertise to work for you in helping you attain your goals before the long, cold winter sets in!

Inflation Rate Increased to 1.8% in July

2010-08-23T14:42:00.000-04:00

(Courtesy: Carla Wood, MBA, MSRE. Editor of Property Wire Canda-August 20, 2010)
As the real estate and mortgage markets anticipate the fall market, and wonder what the rest of 2010 holds for Canada’s economic directionality, HST seems to be continuing to be a major point of discussion in how the 2nd half of the year has started out. This new tax, according to Statistics Canada, both in BC and Ontario, as well as a 2% increase to the existing HST in Nova Scotia pushed inflation rates higher than expected; however the national rate is still on par or lower than overall projections.

"In July, consumer prices were affected by changes in consumption taxes in Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia," the agency said.

Canada's annual inflation rate rose by eight-tenths of a point to 1.8 percent in July. The consumer price index (CPI) rose half a percentage point month-to-month from June.

The Bank of Canada had forecasted the new HST would increase inflation in the coming months — and to date that holds true. Prices were higher across the board, with increases in seven of the eight major components. According to Doug Porter, deputy chief economist for BMO Capital Markets "The start of the harmonized sales tax in B.C. and Ontario last month was the dominant factor here.” The good news, however is "Overall, these results are milder than expected — given that Canada just had one of the bigger price 'events' for quite a few years (the HST), and overall inflation remained below two per cent is quite remarkable."

Porter went on to say, in a note to investors "While the HST made all the noise last month, the fact is that underlying inflation remains quite tranquil, neither threatening to dip into deflation terrain nor pushing above the (Bank of Canada's annual) two per cent target."

It has been anticipated by many economists that Mark Carney, central bank governor may raise the policy rate one more time this year, likely at the next opportunity on Sept. 8, to one per cent and then head hold constant until 2011. Krishen Rangasamy of CIBC World Markets, shared an alternative perspective "The mild inflation report should give the Bank of Canada some comfort in toning down its language about its tightening bias as it contemplates taking a long pause after a September rate hike."

We continue to be in ‘wait and see mode’, but the interpretation from top Canadian economists of this July report covered by PropertyWire.ca earlier in the week, should add confidence to the markets as we hear that even with the unpopular tax increasing inflation rates and the CPI, overall, it is in line with projected expectations and may even slow the interest rate increases from the Bank of Canada in the short term.

Looking for Deborah?

2010-08-19T11:24:00.002-04:00

She is still here providing the same Services... but with a NEW LOOK!

I want to let ALL my clients know that even though I have changed Brokerages, I am STILL the SAME PERSON they have come to know and trust for all their Real Estate needs!

Please update me in your email contacts for my new company information/numbers!

I can now be found at:

Sutton Group-About Town Realty Inc., Brokerage
1235 Fairview Street
Burlington, ON L7S 2H9
Tel: (905) 681-7900
Fax: (905) 681-8225
Email: info@deborahlsykes.com
Web: http://www.deborahlsykes.com/

** Note my email address is the most important item to be updated!

I look forward to continuing the great working relationships I have developed with all of you! (and of course making new ones!)

Deborah

HST having greater impact on housing market than rising interest rates

2010-08-11T09:47:00.000-04:00

TORONTO / VANCOUVER, August 5, 2010 – A survey conducted by Royal LePage Real Estate Services revealed that Ontarians and British Columbians have misconceptions about how the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) affects real estate transactions. When respondents were asked to provide examples of comments heard from buyers and sellers regarding the HST and its effect on the housing market, almost half of the comments (46.7 per cent) indicated that confusion about HST remains more than one month after its introduction. Among the most common responses to the survey’s open-ended questions were that many home buyers incorrectly believe HST applies to the sale price of resale properties.

Nearly half (43.9 per cent) of the 765 REALTORS® polled in Ontario and B.C. said the HST that took effect in both provinces July 1 is having the greatest effect on the cooling residential real estate market, compared to just 28.4 per cent who cited rising interest rates as having the greatest effect. In all, more than 86 per cent of respondents said the HST is affecting their business somewhat.

The HST applies to the purchase price of a newly-built home, and fees for services and commissions associated with any real estate transaction, but it does not apply to the purchase price of resale homes. Resale homes comprise the bulk of transactions in the Canadian housing market, and the majority of agents surveyed by Royal LePage indicated that new home sales account for less than 10 per cent of their business.

"We wanted to understand the impact HST has had since it was introduced, and what we found is that there is a need to better educate home buyers and sellers to ensure they understand when the HST is applicable," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "According to our REALTORS® who work in B.C. and Ontario communities every day, misconceptions about the HST are having an effect on the market in both provinces."

Nearly one quarter (24.1 per cent) of respondents in the Royal LePage survey said home buyers and sellers have a low level of awareness about how the HST applies to a home sale transaction, while 44 per cent said buyers and sellers are only somewhat aware.

"While we predicted that the prospect of rising interest rates would put a damper on the housing market, our agents are finding that the HST is actually having the greater impact on buyer behaviour, at least in the short-term" said Soper. "REALTORS® are there to help guide buyers and sellers through the often complex negotiation and closing process, so our take-away from this survey is that we need to do more as an industry to educate consumers about the HST."

Good Market Strength for the First Half of 2010!

2010-08-11T09:06:00.001-04:00

The Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1359 units sold in June, indicating a decrease of 15 per cent from the same month last year, and a decrease of 6 per cent from May of this year. The total unit sales for the first six months of 2010 are being reported at 18.7 per cent higher than the same period last year, while new units listed are 20.7 per cent higher than last year at this time, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB).

“June’s sales are down from last year’s record-breaking month,” said Joe Ferrante, RAHB President, “but the strong numbers in the early months of the year still brings our year-to-date sales ahead of last year at this time.”

Residential properties sold during June totalled 1,305 which included 1,036 freehold properties and 269 condominiums. Commercial sales for June, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 54 units.

The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of June was $331,056, an increase of 5 per cent over June 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 June was $249,227, an increase of 13.5 per cent over June 2009.

The total number of units listed for sale during June was 2072, which is 22 per cent more than were listed in the same period in 2009.

“With a good inventory of properties available,” added Ferrante. “Hamilton, Burlington and our outlying areas remain a great place to buy real estate.”

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

A Little Bit About Me...

2010-08-11T07:38:00.002-04:00

Now that I have made my first Blog Post about Burlington, my next Post I feel should be about me. This is so that any newcomers out there to the city (or simply those current residents that do not already know me!) can have the opportunity to get to know a little more about me as well.

I am married to my high school sweetheart, have 2 grown children and I have been a life-long resident of Burlington for 40+ years. For the past 10+ years, Real Estate has been my chosen career, but I don't really call it my 'job'. I love helping people obtain what they want and seeing how happy they are after they have acquired their first home...well...that is what keeps me doing what I do.... I love helping people! I take pride in my professional abilities to get the job done, with minimal stress to my clients while negotiating the best possible price, and all with a boatload of patience....out of all my strengths, that has to be my most talked about trait!

Now in my spare time, which can be a juggling act with having a career where your pretty much available 24/7, I enjoy walking, gardening, traveling, cooking (a mini passion!), and sewing (I make custom hand-bags, totes and aprons - see La Gitana Crafts - also located under "My Fav Links"), I am also an avid fisherman and am always vying to land the bigger fish when my husband and I head to cottage country! Pickerel (Walleye) are the chosen fish we cast for as their delicate and mild flavour make them just about the most perfect whitefish to cook with, and if anyone wants to try a unique recipe for Pickerel (or any freshwater whitefish), click "Grandma's Pickerel Recipe" and give it a whirl! I promise you'll love it!

Now another somewhat quirky fact about me (and it often surprises people when they find out) is that my husband and I are long-time NASCAR fans....as popular as the sport is growing in Canada, there certainly doesn't seem to be as many fans here as there are south of the border! But we love to watch the races when we can (we usually DVR them to watch Sunday evenings as Sunday afternoons are usually prime Real Estate days for Open Houses, etc...) and while I have a Favourite Driver, my husband just loves to watch the sport for what it is and pretty much roots for anyone that seems to have the best car of the day. We have travelled around the last few years to different race tracks in the South and there are plenty more on our bucket list to do in the future!

So there is a sprinkling about me, I hope you found it interesting and that it makes you feel a little more at ease to know that I am just like any other person out there but with the added bonus of being a Professional REALTOR®!

Welcome to Burlington!

2010-08-10T21:47:00.002-04:00

My first post in this newly created Blog naturally should be about the place we all call home, as I did some digging, and I really couldn't find a Real Estate Blog committed to the area - so I am taking the opportunity of starting one!

First, a brief intro 'about' the City, then we can do a more in-depth look into the varying neighbourhood's, demographics and breakdown of the city by the 'Real Estate Boundaries' that are defined in the Realtor's Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) jurisdiction.

The City of Burlington, located on the western end of Lake Ontario, is in the heart of Ontario's "Golden Horseshoe" and just 45 minutes west from the city of Toronto. Burlington has much to offer, with its residential suburbs, small business and light industrial development and is surrounded by rolling farmland terrain providing a mix of “big city” atmosphere with “small town” appeal.

Its natural features include Lake Ontario, Burlington Bay and Bronte Creek. Some of the best hiking in the world can be done in the local sections of the Bruce Trail along the Niagara Escarpment, as well as the Waterfront Trail that skirts the northern shore of Lake Ontario.

Bronte Creek

This beautiful picturesque city, boasting clean, safe, family neighbourhoods, convenient shopping, excellent schools, a modern transportation system and first-rate cultural and recreational facilities all shape a great environment in which to live, work and play.

Residents of Burlington have access to over 20 challenging golf courses, beautiful waterfront parklands and beaches, boating marinas and many other exceptional services to accommodate the community.

Truly a gem located just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Toronto!