February 2012

You never buy a pig in a poke. It’s an old saying, but it applies today. Especially when you’re buying Courtice real estate. It has been the norm for some time now that buyers are making an offer conditional upon a satisfactory home inspection, but sometimes when faced with a multiple offer situation clients are removing these conditions. I also find some older buyers removing them because they think they are a waste of money. So, should you have a home inspection done on your next purchase of Courtice real estate?

Obviously in a competing offer situation a seller is more likely to accept a firm offer than one with a home inspection condition if they are close in price so it can put you at a disadvantage when you are in this scenario, but if you are already paying top dollar in a multiple offer situation do you really want to move in and find a $10,000 water problem, or other large repair staring you in the face? One way around this is to do an inspection prior to the offer, although timing sometimes makes this impossible. Another idea is adding a clause allowing you to perform an inspection after the offer is accepted for information only. You still might have a $10,000 bill, but at least you’ll know about it before you move in and risk having some of your belongings ruined or a inconvenient renovation while you are living in the home.

As I mentioned some buyers of courtice real estate just find inspections to be a waste of money. I usually see this with older people who have owned many homes and think they know what to look for. If you have been in construction or engineering maybe this is the case, but owning a home for 20 years does not make you an expert in any field. When the average buyer is spending over $250,000 a $400 inspection is a good investment in my opinion.

There really is not ‘correct answer when the issue of a home inspection comes up as the risk are reward will be different in every scenario, but decide you comfort level and stick to your guns despite the situation and remember that the decision is always yours.

OTTAWA – February 15, 2012 – According to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), national resale housing activity retreated in January 2012 from the strong finish reported for December 2011. Highlights: Home sales were down 4.5% from December to January.

Read this article:
Canadian home sales pull back in January

I’m here to tell you that it’s not a secret anymore…. Investing in Oshawa real estate is going mainstream! Once only considered a blue collar town without anything other than a mall, a General Motors plant, and a few homes it is now one of the hottest investments in the Greater Toronto Area. Low property prices, lots of expansion, a new university, and room to grow are just some of the reasons buyers are flocking, not just from the immediate area, but from other provinces, the United States, and even other countries. The simple fact is that Oshawa is on the map in the eyes of the real estate investor.

From the standard “buy and hold” that investors have used for years, to flipping or student housing there are many opportunities. I know what you’re thinking “I can’t afford to invest in Oshawa real estate” while you might be surprised. From lowly $100,000 condos to large multiplexes there is something for everyone. If you don’t have the cash on hand to put towards your down payment, but you own your own home there is even a chance you can use the equity you have built up towards the down payment. Then you’re not out any cash and you have a property that is carrying itself and you do not have to put additional monies into every month.

Unlike many parts of the world Canada, with its resource richness and conservative banking system, has escaped the recent downturn nearly unharmed and investors have taken note. With the current problems in the U.S. and the looming debt problem in the E.U. isn’t everyone looking for a safe haven for their money? Look no further! You’ve found it!

Simply put Oshawa real estate is a sound investment with a great opportunity for returns as the market grows and your mortgage is paid down by your tenants. Whether it’s a hands off multiunit building with a property manager, a condo where the maintenance is taken care of for you by the monthly condo fees, or a do it yourself duplex there is no time like the present to start looking. Call a local realtor or just Google Oshawa real estate to start your home search off right.

What are the three most important things to think about when you are looking to buy a home? Location, location, location! It’s an old saying, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true! If you are looking for a home in an area that is close to the big city, yet still has a small town feel, that is growing, and that offers good value for the money then you might be looking at a number of Whitby homes in the near future.

Whitby is a town east of Toronto that offers many things you would expect in a suburb. It is a good place to raise a family, has a great park and trail system, easy access to major highways, train stations, and a respectable public transportation system. The schools typically perform above the provincial average and the community is becoming more and more diverse.

Whitby homes offer many different housing options. From highrise condos, condo townhome, large 5 bedroom two storey homes, bungalofts overlooking green space, starter homes and everything in between. Prices vary of course, but weather you are looking to spend $200,000 or over a million there is something to fit everyone.

In the north end of Whitby you’ll find the hamlet of Brooklin, which is almost like a little town of its own, although the homes there are still Whitby homes as well. Brooklin has existed for years, but only in the last 10 years or so has it had a real explosion of building. This has been in part due to the growth of the area in general, but even more so to do with the 407 ETR highway. This is a toll highway that runs from the north side of Toronto in the west through to the area west of Brooklin. If it wasn’t for the 407 I’m sure Brooklin would still be a sleepy little hamlet instead of the teaming with life area that it is right now.

If you’re looking at Whitby homes either in the north Brooklin area, the area surrounding the quaint downtown area or the Port of Whitby area you can’t go wrong. Whitby is a town with much to offer, but don’t tell too many people, I want to take advantage of the reasonable property price now before the masses find out what I already know.