Average Price Rises, Despite Fewer Sales

Information courtesy of the Toronto Real Estate Board.TREB

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) reports a continuing slowdown in real estate transactions versus the same time last year. However, even though Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® charted a sales decrease of 7.1 percent in October 2012 compared to October 2011, the average selling price in October 2012 rose to $503,479 – an increase of 6.2 percent compared to October 2011.

TREB Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer notes, “We continue to see price increases well above the rate of inflation. Active listings have remained low from a historic perspective, so substantial competition between buyers still exists, especially for low-rise homes.” Of course, the real estate market is fluid, and Mercer adds, “It should be noted, however, that the annual rate of price increase has been edging

lower over the past few months as the market has gradually become better supplied.”

TREB President Ann Hannah commented, “Sales have decreased in the second half of this year compared to 2011, especially since the onset of stricter mortgage lending guidelines at the beginning of July. The prospect of higher monthly mortgage payments due to the reduced maximum amortization period has prompted some households to delay their home purchase.”

In this rapidly changing real estate environment, the services of your real estate sales representative are more essential than ever. Let’s work together in 2013 to realize all your housing dreams. Until then, best wishes for the holidays and a happy, healthy New Year!

SAleS & AveRAge PRice By MAjoR HoMe TyPe

OCT. 2012 SALES AvERAGE PRICE416 905 Total 416 905 Total

Detached 931 2,417 3,348 $779,484 $573,598 $630,850

Yr./Yr. % Change -7% -1% -3% 5% 8% 7%

Semi-Detached 347 458 805 $575,618 $390,459 $470,273

Yr./Yr. % Change -4% -9% -7% 7% 5% 6%

Townhouse 286 775 1,061 $453,477 $357,237 $383,179

Yr./Yr. % Change -10% -1% -3% 2% 5% 3%

Condo Apartment 1,141 427 1,568 $358,741 $286,138 $338,969

Yr./Yr. % Change -14% -20% -16% -2% 4% 0%

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Recine Team ReportCompliments of Melanie & Fabio RE/MAX Premier Inc., Brokerage

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Melanie Maranda Recine &Fabio Recine

Sales Representatives

"It's your callCall Melanie and Fabio"

RE/MAX Premier Inc., Brokerage9100 Jane Street, Bldg. L, Suite #77Vaughan, ON L4K 0A4

Office: 416-987-8000Fax: 416-987-8001Direct Melanie: 647-836-4062Direct Fabio: 416-828-5441mmaranda96@hotmail.comfrecine@trebnet.comwww.RecineTeam.ca

Greetings! You’re receiving thisnewsletter with hopes that you find itinformative and entertaining.

If you’re thinking of making a move, orare just curious as to real estate trendsin your area, please feel free to call atany time. It’s always good to hearfrom you!

Best wishes,

Melanie and Fabio

Volume 8, Issue 12

Clutter Caution

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Stress and Other Negative Emotions Studies have shown that clutter can be a source of constant, low-grade stress, whether because it assaults the eye and brain with too much visual stimuli, resulting in feelings of “information overload”, or because clutter is a visual reminder of the work you feel you should be doing – that is, cleaning up. Clutter can also engender feelings of lethargy, shame, hopelessness, and a loss of control over one’s life and may be felt by the whole family.

Time and Money Clutter isn’t just a psychic drain, it’s a drain on your time and finances too. When you have a place for everything and everything is in its place, things are easy to find; when you live in clutter, you waste valuable time and energy every day looking for things – things that may be right in front of you, but obscured by clutter. A disorganized home can also cause us to waste money: we may not pay bills on time, or buy duplicates of items we “lost” or didn’t realize we already had, for example.

Your Social Life Does the thought of having guests over send you into a tailspin of anxiety? Is getting ready for company an all-day event? Have you stopped inviting people over or making friends because you’re embarrassed about your home? Are you habitually late for appointments because

you’re held up looking for things, causing conflict with friends and family? Or perhaps people have begun to treat you differently and are uncomfortable or avoid spending time in your home.

Living in the Past Holding onto “stuff” can be a way of holding onto the past. When we’re tied down by the memories that are tied to our belongings, it’s hard to move forward in life, to achieve our goals and address persistent problems. To put it in Feng Shui terms, "nothing new flows into your life until you make room for it". In other, more familiar words — out with the old and in with the new. Remember, you don’t need to hold on to the item in order to hold on to the memory.

Safety and Sanitation Clutter can make a home difficult to navigate through, increasing the likelihood of trips and falls – something you especially want to avoid in homes with children or older adults. Speaking of children, clutter makes it easier for them to get their hands on things they shouldn’t. It also makes it harder to keep your home clean, as it obscures surfaces and collects dirt itself, leading to excessive dust and perhaps mold, which is particularly problematic if anyone in your home has respiratory sensitivities.

Much has been said about the effects of clutter on homebuyers and home sales, but what about its effects on you and your everyday life? Most of us have a little clutter in our homes, which poses no threat to our quality of life, but for some, it can have a negative impact on our happiness and healthfulness. Here’s how.

It's got to go!New, or Not?

Volume 8, Issue 12 3

every homebuyer has a decision to make: resale or new construction? each offers distinct advantages, but when it comes to the buying process, they’re more similar than you might think.

When you buy resale, there are no years of waiting before you can move in, and once you do, you won’t be surrounded by ongoing construction. There are fewer surprises: what you see is generally what you get, both in terms of the home itself and character of the neighborhood, which, in being established, likely has more amenities. As well, buyers of resale homes may have greater flexibility when it comes to negotiating on price and other terms.

Should you decide, however, that a new-construction home is the right choice for you, don’t let the excitement of “new” blind you to the fact that you need to take the same steps to safeguard your best interests as you would if buying resale. Steps like:

Working with your own real estate sales representative, if there’s a buyer-broker arrangement in place. The builder’s onsite salespeople are there to represent the builder’s best interests. You need someone to look out for your best interests, which your real estate representative is obligated to do.

Have the home professionally inspected before you agree to buy it. Unfortunately, new-home buyers frequently waive their right to an inspection, believing that a brand new home is a perfect home. But as many homeowners can attest, new-construction properties are certainly not exempt from defects.

Shop around for a mortgage lender. Builders sometimes have onsite lenders – though convenient, they might not offer you the best deal. You could save thousands by shopping around for a mortgage just as you would for any other product.

Whether looking at new construction or resale, your real estate sales representative will guide you in making the right decision for your needs.

You. At least during showings. With you there, buyers may feel self-conscious, not wanting to comment or ask questions, and feel rushed, taking less time to tour your home than they would in your absence. Plus, you might say something you shouldn’t have.

Pets. Just as you can distract or scare off buyers, so can your pets; as such, it’s best they be absent for showings too. Some people are allergic to, scared of, or simply dislike animals; you wouldn’t want a negative pet-related experience to sour a buyer on your home.

A theme room. Your favorite animal, your favorite sports team – whatever the theme of your room, when you list, it’s time to replace it with neutral décor. While theme rooms are a cosmetic issue, many buyers simply can’t see past them and find them an instant turn-off.

Clutter. Speaking of instant turn-offs, clutter tops the list. It makes a home look less spacious, presents an obstacle for buyers in terms of being able to imagine themselves and their belongings in the space, and gives the impression the home hasn’t been well looked after.

Anything of a personally revealing nature that might prejudice buyers against wanting to deal with you. Remember, when selling your home, neutrality is key, not just in terms of what shade of paint is on the walls, but in terms of what you reveal of yourself to buyers.

How you live in your home before it goes on the

market is very different than how you live in it after

it goes on the market. Below are five things that

shouldn’t be in any home you hope to sell.

Ready foR the “Suite” Life?

Somewhere between the process of setting up your first house and packing up to downsize after the kids move out, you may find your thoughts drifting to the seemingly less complicated option of condominium living.

Condo owners are quick to point out the advantages of condo ownership:

Less upkeep. Think about all those things you have to do around the house to keep it well maintained: mowing the lawn, weeding the garden, cleaning the gutters, painting the trim, shoveling the driveway… Now think about never having to do those things again – in a condo, all those jobs are someone else’s responsibility.

A more active lifestyle. In a condo, you’ll have plenty to do with all of that newfound spare time, thanks to recreational facilities like pools and gyms, as well as organized social events.

A strong sense of community. Many condo owners find that, in sharing those recreational facilities, attending social events and living in such close proximity to their neighbors, it often helps foster a great sense of community.

Greater security. Features like cameras, security staff, 24-hour concierges, and key fob technology help residents feel better about leaving home, especially for those who travel frequently.

A convenient location. Condos are often located in close proximity to amenities like public transportation, shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment.

Interested in finding out if the “suite” life is for you, or if, perhaps, a different style of house might satisfy your housing needs? Simply call today for a no-obligation discussion!

Terminology TipMean vs. Median Home Price — The mean (or average) home price is the mathematical average of all the prices of homes sold during a certain period. The mean price of homes sold may run higher than the median price if there are a number of very high-priced homes in the group.

The median home price refers to the mid-point of prices, where precisely half of the homes sold for more than the median price, and half sold for less. Median home sales numbers usually provide a better gauge of home prices than the mean sales price, because homes sold for exceedingly low or high values only count as one unit when determining the median.

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The information and opinions contained in this newsletter are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for any damages resulting from the use of the published information. This newsletter is provided with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Not intended to solicit properties or businesses listed for sale and agency agreements in place with other real estate brokers. Whole or partial reproduction of this newsletter is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. © Market Connections Inc.® 2012, Phone: (800) 387-6058.

www.RecineTeam.caMelanie Direct647-836-4062

Fabio Direct416-828-5441

Fabio and Melanie RecineSales Representatives

Compliments of Fabio & Melanie Recine RE/MAX Premier Inc., Brokerage