The federal and provincial governments provide grants to homeowners who undertake renovations that improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These programs are coming to a close as of March 31, 2011. Before undertaking any renovations, homeowners must first have an energy audit of their home performed by a licensed service organization. The evaluation report…
Author: SHAWN VENASSE - Sales Representative (Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage)
New mortgage rules take effect on March 18!
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced this week that new mortgage rules come into effect on March 18th. The big three changes: Reduce the maximum amortization period to 30 years from 35 years for new government-backed insured mortgages with loan-to-value ratios of more than 80 per cent. This will significantly reduce the total interest payments Canadian…
January eNewsletter
My January eNewsletter is now live! Featuring two great listings, ticket giveaways for the upcoming National Home Show, Decorating on a budget, the importance of mortgage insurance and current mortgage rates. Click here to read it!
Winnipeg set to be hottest housing market
Forget Vancouver or Toronto. Winnipeg is poised to be Canada’s hottest housing market this year. In fact, 2011 is shaping up to be the year of the mid-sized city with St. John’s, Fredericton, Regina and Saskatoon also enjoying some of the strongest price increases in the country. A lot of first-time buyers are already being…
Assignment of Agreements of Purchase and Sale
Many new condo units are being purchased as investments – some to rent out, others to re-sell once the unit is complete. But what happens when you want or need to sell before the condo is completed? Different builders have different rules. Click here for more about the Assignment of Agreement of Purchase and sale…
How Canada avoided housing ‘bubble and crash’
The Canadian housing market has managed a rare feat, TD Bank says, avoiding both a “bubble and a crash” over the last three years as the sector gyrated wildly. In a report from its economics department Thursday, the bank said that the Canadian housing market has pulled off a soft landing and likely hit bottom…
Consider the emotional side of your reno
Even a small home renovation is more than just the physical construction – there’s an emotional side to consider. Homestars published a great article that helps to illustrate what really happens during a renovation. The day demolition takes place is overwhelming. Most homeowners aren’t prepared for the dust that flies. When an essential part of…
Break coming on peak hydro pricing – next spring
It’s cold comfort now, but running the air conditioner and other appliances will cost less starting next May when the Ontario government cuts evening power prices two hours earlier, at 7 p.m. The change in rates for about one million Ontarians on smart meters and time-of-use pricing will be announced Tuesday by Energy Minister Brad…