Natalie Korchuk

OPEN HOUSE IN MARKHAM

May 11th at 2-4 PM we will be holding at Open House at 11 Harry Blaylock Dr, Markham. Beautiful end unit townhouse with a separate finshed basement apartment , 2nd kitchen , 4th bdrm and a nice side yard in addition to the back yard.

Located steps to GO, shopping. The are of Markham/Bur Oak is booming! Desirable area! Spotless Home! Come to see this home at Open House on Sautrday, May 11th 2-4 p.m.

Need directions? Call Natalie : 647-500-6282

Price Reduced on 11 Harry Blaylock Dr in bur oak / markham

bur oak / markham, Markham  -  Announcing a price reduction on 11 Harry Blaylock Dr, a 1,680 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $489,999 - End unit twnhm like model.

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Open House in Bradford on Saturday

Bradford, Bradford West Gwillimbury  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 112 Simcoe Rd on April 27 from 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM.

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2 Story For Sale in Martin Grove/Highway 27

In-law basement accomodations

• 4 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $539,900 - 2nd kitchen

Martin Grove/Highway 27, Vaughan  -  Vaughan house for sale -West Woodbridge Home With Nice Finishes. Great Family Sized Modern Kitchen With Sliding Glass Walk Out To Concret Patio.Landscap Garden & Gazebo. Strip Hardwood & Ceramics On Main. Parquet On 2nd Floor Open Concept Living/Dining Room Crown Moulding, Wainscoting, Spotlight Terrific In-Law Apartment With Separate Entrance With Second Kitchen,4Pc Bath W/Jacuzzi Tub. Parking 4Cars No(S/Walk)'New'widow,Side Door/Screen (5Yrs) New Furn(2011)
Extras: Newer Cent Vac/Equip(5Yrs)2Fridges,2Stoves,Washer,Dryer(Bsmt),B/I Dishwasher, The Range Microwave, All Existing Light Fixtures,All W/Coverings.Garden Storage Shed.Automatic Garage Opener & Remote.

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Rental vacancies drop despite GTA condo boom: Report

The rental market remains tight across the GTA despite a surge of new condos over the last five years.

The rental market remains tight across the GTA — and especially in the highly-coveted downtown core — despite a surge of new condos over the last five years that now account for 16 per cent of all the rental units in the region, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

While the vacancy rate for rental apartments bumped up slightly in October over a year earlier, it still remains at one of its lowest levels in a decade, 1.7 per cent, compared to an even lower vacancy rate of 1.2 per cent for rental condos, the federal housing authority said Thursday.

That slip year-over-year in condo vacancy rates occurred despite the fact there was a six per cent increase in the number of condo units up for rent in the GTA in October over a year earlier.

Condo rents continue to run about 40 per cent higher than apartment rents, especially older apartments, notes the report.

A one-bedroom unit in the GTA now rents for an average $1,003 a month, compared to $1,430 for a rental condo while two-bedroom apartments average $1,170 compared to $1,586 for a rental condo.

Rents are higher in the City of Toronto: $1,010 for a one-bedroom apartment compared to $1,456 for a condo. Two bedrooms average $1,194 and $1,602 respectively, says the report.

An estimated 33 per cent of all new condos coming on the market across the GTA are now being rented out rather than lived in by owners, but competition remains especially fierce in the coveted downtown core and, increasingly, North York and Peel Region, according to CMHC.

Yet all those new investor-owned glass-and-granite rental condos did little to ease demand and drive up vacancy rates in older, purpose-built apartments, which stood at just 1.4 per cent in October of 2011, according to the annual rental market review.

“While vacancy rates increased slightly this year, the overall average rate remained relatively low as job opportunities improved, first-time (home) buying slowed and supply growth remained muted.

“The increase in vacancy rates can partly be attributed to fewer young adults and immigrants entering the market, as well as more people leaving the GTA or choosing to rent in the condo market,” said Shaun Hildebrand, CMHC’s senior market analyst for the GTA.

Average rents increased by 2.8 per cent across the GTA, but by 4 per cent in the City of Toronto where the vacancy rate has slipped below one per cent.

Reprinted from :   http://www.thestar.com/business/real_estate/2012/12/13/rental_vacancies_drop_despite_gta_condo_boom_report.html

The 10th most popular bathrooms of 2012

Each of 2012's favorite bathrooms offers something different. Some inspire organizational ideas, others present creative tiling techniques, while still others make use of color and natural light.

Take a look by clicking on the link below — one of these stunning spaces might inspire you.

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6292202/list/Readers--Choice--The-10-Most-Popular-Bathrooms-of-2012

Get fresh ideas, implement them into renovation. Be creative..!

Sales are Up in the first half of January, 2013

Condo remains the best choice for many buyers in GTA

One of the choices people have when choosing housing are condos. Condominiums are multi-family homes that people can purchase. When you buy one of these homes, you actually own the home but you do not own the entire building; you only own the inside. The outside of the home is owned by someone else and it is managed by a homeowners association.

There are two ways that homeowners associations work. One of the ways is by the owners of homes joining together as members of the association. The other way is to hire a management firm to handle all of these responsibilities. Regardless of who runs this association, the duties are still the same. The homeowners pay monthly fees to the association. This money is deposited into an account and is used to pay for exterior services and work. Some of the money is used to pay for monthly bills which include garbage removal and lawn mowing. Another portion of the money is placed in a savings account and will eventually be used for major repairs for the exteriors of the homes. The money is never used to repair the inside of the homes. The work that is needed inside is left to the owner of the home. For example, if a homeowner has a broken water pipe inside the home, the homeowner will be responsible to pay for this himself.

One of the main reasons people choose to buy condos is because of the maintenance free living options they offer. If you live in one of these homes, you will not have to complete any work outside. You may decide to plant some flowers or sweep your sidewalk, but this is it. You will never have to clean your own gutters, mow your yard or power wash your driveway. You will only be responsible for maintaining the inside of the home. This is the perfect type of living arrangement for many people. It is great for elderly people who can no longer complete outdoor work. It is also great for women that do not have the appropriate tools or equipment to complete this work. Busy people may also like this arrangement because it offers less work and worries for them. It is really an ideal situation for anyone, except for a person that loves to conduct outside work.

Condos come in many sizes and shapes. Some are first floor homes, while others might be stories high. You can buy single-floor condos or those that have multiple floors. You can also choose by the size. You can look at the square footage of a home and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms it has. All of these features are used to find the right one for each person that is interested in buying one. Keep in mind that when you purchase a condo, you will have to pay the mortgage on it and you will also have to pay a monthly homeowners association fee. That fee is important to figure in when you are getting ready to buy a new home like this.

Review: Year 2012 in real estate

Average Home Price Up Strongly in 2012

TORONTO, January 4, 2013 – GTA REALTORS® reported 3,690 sales through the TorontoMLS system in December 2012 – down from 4,585 sales in December 2011. Total sales for 2012 amounted to 85,731 – down from 89,096 transactions in 2011.

“The number of transactions in 2012 was quite strong from a historic perspective. We saw strong year-over-year growth in sales in the first half of the year, but this growth was more than offset by sales declines in the second half. Stricter mortgage lending guidelines resulted in some households postponing their purchase of a home. In the City of Toronto, the dip in sales was compounded by the additional Land Transfer Tax, which buyers must pay upfront,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Ann Hannah.

The average selling price in December 2012 was up by 6.5 per cent year-over-year to $478,739. The average selling price for 2012 as a whole was up by almost seven per cent to $497,298.

“Robust annual rates of price growth were reported through most months of 2012.

Price growth was strongest for low-rise homes, including singles, semis and townhouses. Despite a dip in sales, market conditions remained tight for these home types with substantial competition between buyers,” said TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer

Why GTA housing market will stay strong in 2013

Many economists predicted a local real estate crash this year, with prices falling by up to 25 per cent. I didn’t see that prediction coming true and it didn’t. Nor will do I believe it will happen in 2013.

Here’s why:

1. Homes are more affordable

In 1990, the average GTA home cost half of what it does today. But interest rates were 12 per cent for a five-year term at the time. So if a two- bedroom condo cost $250,000 in 1990 and you had a 20-per-cent down payment, your monthly carrying costs, including interest, taxes and common expenses, were about $2,500. The average rental for a two-bedroom condo at the time was $1,100, according to the Housing New Canadians research group. So the economics of ownership made no sense.

Today, even with a price of $500,000, if you have a 20-per-cent down payment, with current interest rates at 3 per cent, the total monthly payment is what it was in 1990. It is still $2,500 per month, including common expenses and taxes. But in downtown Toronto, the average rent paid for a two-bedroom unit is now close to $2,500 per month.

Most tenants who can afford $2,500 a month or more in rent can probably afford to buy a home now, if they have 10 per cent down payment or more.

2. The lesson from 2012

Toronto Real Estate Board statistics up until Nov. 30 show 82,200 units had sold in the GTA so far this year. In 2011, it was 84,900, and in 2010 it was 81,900. The average price on Nov. 30 was 2 per cent higher than a year ago. If anything, the market has remained very stable for the past three years.

3. Impact of mortgage rule changes is minor

The mortgage rule changes imposed in early July lowered the amortization period to 25 years if you were putting less than 20 per cent down and lowered the percentage of your income that could be used for borrowing from 44 per cent to 39 per cent. The result was that buyers who would have purchased in late summer or fall moved up their purchasing decision to the spring. By fall, this meant many would-be first-time buyers were looking to rent instead of buy. This contributed to low vacancy rates.

4. 2013 will be fine

Despite the doom and gloom, Toronto condo rental vacancy rates are 1.7 per cent. This means that for those people who cannot sell their condos, there are plenty of renters who can cover the monthly costs.

5. Debt-to-income ratio not relevant

As our American friends like to say, “that dog won’t hunt.” Every month we are told that because the ratio of household debt to household income continues to rise — and is now at 164 per cent — there is a danger of a real estate collapse.

What this really means is that the average Canadian household has an income of $100,000 and total debt of $164,000 (of which their real estate debt constitutes-two thirds). Again, as stated earlier, with interest rates at 3 per cent, this is not a dangerous problem.

If interest rates were 12 per cent, as they were in 1990, or if all your debt was on your credit cards (with interest rates averaging 18 per cent), then this would be a serious problem.

Note to readers: pay down or eliminate your credit card debt in 2013.

Note to government: with mortgage interest rates at 3 per cent, it is almost criminal for lenders to be able to charge 18 per cent on consumer credit cards.

6. Interest rates may not rise until 2015

The U.S. Federal Reserve is now saying it won’t raise rates until 2015. Our rates can’t differ much from theirs without harming our economy with a strong dollar and slower growth.

These are all things to keep in mind in the coming year. Somebody has been predicting a Canadian real estate market collapse for the past 12 years. It hasn’t happened yet and won’t happen in 2013.

By Mark Weisleder | Fri Dec 21 2012  at www.moneyville.com

Price Reduced on 189 Tigertail Cres in Bradford

Bradford, Bradford West Gwillimbury  -  Announcing a price reduction on  Tigertail Cres in Bradford Ontario, a 3,270 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story. Now ® $629,900 - Backs onto ravine.

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Microsoft store, its first in Canada, is scheduled to open at Yorkdale mall in Toronto

Grand Opening: November 16th, 2012

The design of the Microsoft stores in the U.S. incorporates many of the elements that made Apple stores a hit – gleaming wood floors, lots of glass and products to sample. Microsoft has added big comfy chairs and benches to the décor in the U.S. locations.

At Apple stores, customers stand at counters featuring tethered Apple products.

Jason Dubroy, vice president, shopper marketing, DDB Canada, said the Microsoft move isn’t surprising, given that malls still draw crowds, including Baby Boomers, who still control about 60 per cent of all dollars spent in Canada.

While many are savvy online shoppers, others prefer the look, feel and service of a physical shopping environment.

But Dubroy said Microsoft is late to the game, both in the tablets and bricks-and-mortar stores.

“They will need to be able to differentiate their experience proposition quickly… or they won’t see the sales-per-square-foot traction they will need to justify expansion.”

“I think a retail presence is a logical next move,” said John Gerzema, executive chairman of BAV consulting. “Microsoft has gained a lot of consumer momentum over the past year with popular products like Kinect (for Xbox 360) and now, tablets.

“Among Canadians in our Brand Asset Valuator (BAV) surveys, Apple is seen as trendier and more progressive. But Microsoft outperforms Apple on being more trusted and caring for customers. The challenge of course, will be to define a retail experience that stands apart from Apple.”

The Apple store design was revolutionary when it was launched in 2001 as a spare and serene environment for customers to test-drive Apple products. It was conceived by Ron Johnson, the man behind the bubbly Target brand, which is set to enter Canada in 2013.

I am excited to this new store opening. Competition is good!

U.S. slips out of top 10 most prosperous countries, while Canada keeps No. 6 ranking

November 5th, 2012

The U.S. slid from the top 10 most prosperous nations for the first time in a league table which ranked Canada sixth in the world for the second year in a row.

The U.S. fell to 12th position from 10th in the Legatum Institute’s annual prosperity index amid increased doubts about the health of its economy and ability of politicians. Norway, Denmark and Sweden were declared the most prosperous in the index, published in London Monday.

With the presidential election just a week away, the research group said the standing of the U.S. economy has deteriorated to beneath that of 19 rivals. The report also showed that respect for the government has fallen, fewer Americans perceive working hard gets you ahead, while companies face higher startup costs and the export of high-technology products is dropping.

When can you walk away from a house deal?

Check out these questions and answers before making decision to walk away from the deal you made last night.

• Can a buyer sign an offer and then walk away?

The Ontario real estate contract gives a buyer 24 hours to pay the deposit, once the offer is accepted by the seller. The buyer cannot just change their mind or they can be sued.

For example, the buyer offers $300,000 for a house which is accepted. The buyer changes his mind and doesn’t pay the deposit and walks away from the deal. The seller resells the property for $275,000. They can still sue the first buyer for the difference, or $25,000.

• Is there a buyer’s remorse period in Ontario?

If you are buying a new condominium from a builder, you have 10 days to change your mind. You do not need a reason. This does not apply if you buy a new house from a builder and does not apply if you are buying a resale home or condominium. Why condos only? The clause is included in the Condominium Act.

• Can buyers use conditional clauses as escape hatches?

Most real estate contracts are conditional on the buyer being able to get a mortgage and being satisfied with a home inspection. Other conditions include being satisfied with a condominium status certificate when buying a resale condo.

Many buyers think these conditions give them the right to just change their minds. It is not that easy. The case law has demonstrated that buyers must try and satisfy any condition in good faith. This means that you need a legitimate reason why you found the home inspection report or condominium status certificate unsatisfactory.

• Who gets the deposit when buyers change their mind?

In most cases, the deposit is held by the seller’s real estate brokerage, in trust. Under the law, when a deal breaks down, the brokerage cannot pay the deposit to anyone without either a mutual release or direction signed by both the buyer and the seller, or an order of the court. As such, when deals do not close, if there is no agreement, the deposit can be locked up for a long time, and the buyer will not have access to it to make an offer on another property.

• Is there a “legal” way for a buyer to get out of a deal?

It depends. If for example, there was a right on your title for the City to access 20 per cent of your property for any reason, known as an easement, and that was not disclosed to the buyer, they can usually cancel the agreement without penalty. However, there have been other cases that indicate if there is a problem with a city work order or title problem for which the seller can obtain title insurance to protect the buyer, then the buyer cannot refuse to close. A buyer can also cancel if there has been substantial damage to the property before closing, such as a flood that was not repaired. You can’t refuse to close if the oven is not working.

The better answer in all of these situations is to be very careful and serious before you make any decision to buy a home. Changing your mind later can be very expensive. Get legal advise before you make such steps.

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