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Welcome to my new quarterly e-newsletter
Many of you receive my monthly print newsletter "Service For Life" which is full of trivia, tips and real estate updates. My quarterly e-newsletter highlights the Royal LePage Market Survey which brings you all the latest market facts pertaining to real estate in Canada. I truly appreciate your friendship and referrals, call me for your real estate needs at 905-466-4713. Let's look forward to a great fall. |
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HGTV - The Unsellables - 20 Shires - Unit #3
This home is currently being filmed by HGTV as part of their Fall "Unsellables" series. The decor was over the top,almost overwhelming, very dark with all the trim work painted black. In a short period of time we will see a "new look" for this home as produced by HGTV in the hope of a quick sale. Great location, great layout. Call today for details. |
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High Second Quarter House Prices Conceal Early Signs of a Moderating Market
Slower price appreciation expected in the second half of 2011
Canada's residential real estate market saw sizable year-over-year price increases in the second quarter of 2011, but high house prices are concealing early signs of a moderating market, according to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released in July. The market has seen its near-term peak in house price appreciation, and a slower second half of the year is expected. Still, by the end of 2011, the national average house price is expected to be 7.7 per cent higher than it was at the end of 2010.
Average house prices in Canada continued to rise in the second quarter across housing types surveyed. The national average price of a detached bungalow rose 7.5 per cent year-over-year to $356,625; the price of a standard two-storey home rose 6.1 per cent to $390,163; and the price of a standard condominium rose 3.5 per cent to $238,064.
"In many of Canada's regional markets, we saw house prices appreciate at a significantly faster rate than wages and salaries, and this trend cannot continue indefinitely," observed Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "We expect price gains to moderate considerably in the latter half of 2011, which should reduce the stress associated with purchasing a new home," Soper said.
While price appreciation and housing activity are expected to slow during the second half of 2011, the strong start will support a 2011 national average house price forecast at end of year 7.7 per cent higher than the close of 2010. Sales volume is forecast to decrease marginally by 2.0 per cent over the same period. Year-over-year prices should appreciate modestly in 2011's third quarter as most Canadian housing markets cooled during the same period in 2010. Similarly, this year's final quarter should display a flat year-over-year price performance when compared to an unusually strong fourth quarter of 2010.
"While the global economy struggles to find its footing, here in Canada we are seeing indicators of a return to long-term norms," noted Soper. "There is an expectation of continuing improvement in employment levels across the country and accompanying strength in wages and salaries, which should provide support for the housing market. Looking ahead to 2012, signs are pointing to stability for Canadian home owners and new buyers. We believe we are past the period of peak house price appreciation."
Full results from the Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices can be found at www.royallepage.ca.
If you are wondering what your home is worth in today’s market, please contact me and let me put my expertise to work for you!
Survey of Canadian Average House Prices in the Second Quarter 2011
Average house prices are based on an average of all sub-markets examined in the area, except for the smaller markets of Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John and Victoria.
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Carpet or Hardwood - which flooring is the right "fit" for you?
Your flooring is like your home's feet, and finding the right type is like finding the right shoes - you want to balance style, comfort and cost. If your floors need updating, here are some tips to help find that "perfect fit."
Style
Carpet fell out of favour for a time, but it has made a comeback with a wide variety of stylish and practical options. Ideal for bedrooms and play areas, select neutral colours to accommodate décor changes and to optimize resale value.
Hardwood is best for main floors and high-traffic areas as it is durable and easy to keep clean. It is also an attractive feature when it comes to selling your home because hardwood never goes out style.
Comfort
Carpet is soft, cozy and welcoming to your toes in our often cold Canadian climate. It absorbs sound and lessens the noise of TV, children running about, and even walking. Carpet can help reduce heating bills and is good choice if you live in a condo, townhouse or semi.
Hardwood is cold, but can be warmed up with area rugs. Hardwood floors are also noisy, but strategically placed rugs and runners can help soften both the look and sound of hardwood.
Cost
Carpet is the cheaper option and when properly cared for, can last 10 to 15 years. Replacing worn carpet can make a home look new again, especially when you're looking to sell.
Hardwood is more expensive, but is hard-wearing and should last 20 years or more. Refinishing hardwood can be costly, but hardwood is a great investment. Like fine wine, it gets better as it ages.
Other Considerations
Eco Friendly - Natural wool and sisal are healthy options for your home, as well as the environment, and both are warm, soft, durable, and anti-static. Ensure the carpet label identifies it as having low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reclaimed hardwoods, harvested from older homes, buildings and barn boards, are more expensive but provide a truly antiqued patina that cannot be replicated otherwise.
Hard Options - Laminate flooring is available in colours and finishes that look similar to wood. Easy to install and care for, laminate can last up to 25 years. Ceramic tile is also hard- wearing and best suited to well-trafficked, sometime wet areas, like entryways, bathrooms and kitchens.
Basement - Special consideration should be given to basements, which are moisture prone. Install a sub floor over the concrete and consider a resin type laminate, which can withstand moisture, or opt for tiles.
The right flooring for your home will feel like the "perfect fit" beneath your feet, and will give you and future buyers style and comfort for years to come.
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Get Your Garden Cleanup Into Gear
Start your garden cleanup to get it winter-ready and you'll be doing less work come spring, as well as doing your part for the environment. Here are a few tips for getting your garden cleanup into gear.
Mulch and Compost
The most environmentally-friendly way of dealing with fallen leaves is to mulch and then, if desired, to compost them. Using your lawnmower's mulcher not only saves you from raking and bagging, but provides free mulch and compost for your garden.
Once mulched, spread a layer at least 16 cm deep on top of your vegetable garden, flower beds, and even your lawn. The worms will mix it in! Mulching will help the soil retain moisture, protect it from heat, cold and wind, and also inhibit the growth of weeds.
Deposit any remaining leaf mulch into your compost bin. Making compost from your leaf mulch is a longer, more complicated endeavour. It requires the addition of organic material such as kitchen waste, which then needs to be mixed, watered and turned over in order for the material to decompose over time. The result is a nutrient-rich humus that will feed a thriving garden.
Eco-friendly cleanup
Start from the top by removing dead limbs from trees before heavy winter snow weakens them, causing further damage to your property. Prune hedges and overgrown bushes and cut back anything that touches your house walls.
Clear your vegetable garden by digging out old plants and shriveled vines. Add them to your compost and till the plot well. Top with several inches of compost and cover with mulch. In your flower garden, discard spent annuals and pooped-out perennials. You can save the seeds of annuals in an envelope and store in a cool, dark place to plant in the spring.
For the Birds
There's no need to cut back on everything in your garden, making it look severe and barren. Many plants look great until a serious frost, and it's good to leave some stalks and vegetation for the birds. Clean out birdhouses and scrub birdbaths with baking soda and cleaning vinegar. Vinegar is safer than bleach and any residue will not harm birds or surrounding grass or plants.
A simple fall cleanup will protect your garden during winter, and give your little pocket of nature a head start in spring!
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| Whether you are thinking of buying or selling, you get a personal level of exceptional service and dedication. Need an answer about anything regarding real estate...I WANT TO HELP....call Fran Garrett today at 905-466-4713 or email frangarrett@royallepage.ca. |
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All offices are independently owned and operated, except those offices marked as "Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd." Not intended to solicit currently listed properties. The above information is from sources believed reliable, however, no responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of this information.
©2011 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund. |
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