Boost your Down payment and get a RRSP Refund using Federal Home Buyers Program for First Time Buyers
The Deadline for this RRSP season to help with your first home; contribute before March 1, 2013!
It’s RRSP season! If you’re a first-time buyer, consider how the Federal Home Buyers’ Program (HBP) and a tax refund can boost the funds you have available for your purchase.
If you have RRSP contribution room, you should contribute your savings before March 1, 2013 so you can qualify for a 2012 tax refund based on the amount you contribute and your marginal tax rate. Then, after 90 days, you can redeem those funds under the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP). The HBP lets first-time homebuyers withdraw up to $25,000 each (or $50,000 for a couple) tax-free from their RRSPs. You’ll need to pay those funds back, of course, on a repayment plan, but this strategy can make a substantial difference in the affordability of home ownership!
While your funds are tied up for those 90 days, we can get you an interest rate hold. Let’s have a conversation about the HBP and determine if this strategy can work for you.
For more information on how to use this tool for the purchase of your first home please contact myself at kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca or Tracy Bennett at Bennett Capitial tracy.bennett@bennettcapital.ca
January 28, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Random thoughts, Sellers | Tags: Bank of Canada, condo, down payment, federal home buyer program, first time home buyer, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, lofts in kitchener, market update, Mortgage News, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, rrsp contribuitions, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Market Update for 2013 –
I listened to Craig Alexander, Chief Economist for TD Bank speak yesterday on where he see’s the Real Estate market going for 2013. Have a look at the video to hear my thoughts on what he had to say.
January 18, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: Bank of Canada, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, market update, Mortgage Rates, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
When is the Best Time to Sell? – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
One of the questions I get asked a lot is….”is now a good time to sell my home? With Christmas and winter just around the corner the answer might be different than you think. Have a look at the video to hear my thoughts.
December 3, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers | Tags: condo, condo buying, fall market, first time home buyer, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, lofts in kitchener, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, spring market, summer market, waterloo ontario, westvale, when is the best time to sell, winter market | Leave a comment
Mortgage Plus Improvments and How It Works – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
If you are in the market for a new home and are having trouble finding something that suits or have found something but it needs a bit of work and you may not have the extra money out-of-pocket, then you can get a mortgage plus improvements type product to help make that home a possibility. Have a look at the video to hear how the product works.
November 7, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, market update, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate, real estate investing, realtor, realty, Remax, sales rep, twin city, waterloo ontario | 1 Comment
Assessment Value vs Market Value – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
The new assessments are out in the Kitchener Waterloo Region and i am getting the question is that what my house is worth? Have a look at the video to why assessment value is different from market value.
October 15, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized, Video Blogs | Tags: assessment, condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
How Long Will My House Take to Sell? – Kitchener Waterloo homes for sale
How long will my house take to sell? That is one of the most asked questions I get from consumers. It depends on several variables. Have a look at the video to hear my thoughts on Kitchener Waterloo average days and why.
September 20, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, Mortgage News, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board | Leave a comment
Pricing your Kitchener Waterloo Home or Condo Properly – Kevin Baker Remax Twin city
Coming into a fall market it is more important than ever to price your home properly get maximum dollar and so that it doesn’t become stale in the buying public eyes. Have a listen to hear my thougths as to some things to look for when setting a price for you next home sale.
August 23, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home prices, home value, house prices, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, pricing your home, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | 1 Comment
New Mortgage Rules and how they affect you – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
Last week the government mortgage rule changes came into effect. There were 2 major changes that are going to effect people and the amount that they will be able to borrow. Have a listen to the video to hear my thoughts.
July 16, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: assessment, Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, condo buying, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, market update, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
May Market Update for Waterloo Region – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for Sale
STEADY STREAM OF HOME SALES IN MAY
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 5, 2012) –– Sales of residential properties via the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) were steady last month, keeping in line with the previous 5 year average for May.
Members of the KWAR sold 650 residential properties in May, a decrease of 3.4 percent compared to May of last year. On a year-to-date basis this brings the total number of sales recorded through the MLS® System of the KWAR to 2,844 a 2.7 percent increase compared to 2011.
May’s sales included 440 detached homes (down 1.1%), 117 condominium units (down 10.7%), 50 semi-detached (up 16.7%) and 38 townhouses (up 26.7%).
The average sale price of all residential sales increased 0.5 percent to $312,219 compared with May 2011. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $353,368, which is on par with May of last year. The average price of condominium units sold in May was $206,063 a 2.9 percent decline compared to last year.
The dollar volume of all home sales in May was $202,942,505, down 2.9 percent from year-ago levels.
“Sales in May demonstrate continued strength in the Kitchener-Waterloo housing market”, says Sara Hill, President of KWAR. “What we saw last month is a steady stream of homes sales, combined with an excellent selection of listings on the market, which helped to moderate price gains.”
The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®.
June 14, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Resale vs Condo Conversion vs New Construction
If you are thinking of buying a condo there are 3 types to choose from. Here I talk about the differences between new construction condo’s vs condo conversions and the resale condo market.
June 4, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Random thoughts, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: condo, first time home buyer, home buying, home value, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, lofts in kitchener, market update, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Mulitple Listing Service (Mls) vs Exclusive or Selling Privately – Kevin Baker Kitchener Waterloo Realtor
I shot this video over a year ago and i think its does a good job of explaining the differences between listing “exclusively” or “Privately” vs the MLS system. Have a look to hear my thoughts on my experience with both.
May 2, 2012 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: exclusive, full time realtor, home buying, home value, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, market update, mls, multiple listing service, private, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, sale, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Downsizing? Think about Uncluttering Your Life! – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for Sale
Uncluttering your Life!
Are you thinking of downsizing to a condo but stuck on what to do with all that extra stuff? Well you’re not alone. The downsizing population has enjoyed living in their large spacious homes that offer plenty of storage options. Over the years we can certainly collect a lot of things that don’t serve any purpose today. The biggest step for most of us is to be able to emotionally detach ourselves from our collection!
When moving to a condo you know that you will be able to live a lifestyle of freedom from all that hard outdoor work. So with that in mind you can easily step into your garage to target those snow shovels, snow blower, lawnmower, and collection of tools and trinkets that are adorning the shelves. Imagine the relief of purging all that extra stuff by donating or selling all the unneeded items.
Next is your basement, I am sure it has seen its collection of boxes and totes filled with different items that more than likely only serve as a reminder that you need to dust again.
Do we really need that second set of living room furniture? The extra end tables or set of 6 chairs from the old kitchen set? Let it go… it will be happy that it’s in a new home where it will be loved and used. The great feeling of donating to the less fortunate is another gratifying feeling of downsizing.
Have a garage sale, stop by the donation centres or pass it down to your children.
The magazine Style at Home offers 10 great tips for downsizing. Here are the Top5
- 1. Write a list of all the items you love and can’t live without
- 2. Start thinning out your belongings at least three months before the move.
- 3. Get a feel for the size of your new rooms by comparing them to rooms of similar dimensions in your present home.
- 4. Heavily edit areas with items that don’t have as much sentimental value.
- 5. Don’t throw anything in the garbage. Recycle, reuse,
So whether you are just thinking of downsizing or have already purchased that condo and getting ready for the upcoming move, hopefully these tips will save you time and stress!
Visit the link to view the complete list.
http://www.styleathome.com/homes/real-estate/top-10-tips-for-downsizing/a/308
March 21, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Random thoughts, Sellers | Tags: condo, condo buying, downsizing, home buying, home value, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Know Your Closing Costs and Planning For Them! – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for Sale
Closing Day is fast approaching and one of the most important things is to make sure you have planned for all the closing costs that come up when you are buying or selling a home. Have a look at the video I did to learn why this is a very important step in the process.
March 6, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: closing costs, condo, eastbridge, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home ownership, home value, kevin baker, kitchener, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, market update, Mortgage News, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Make Sure Your Read and Understand the Closing Paperwork – Kitchener Waterloo Homes For Sale
It is vitally important that you understand the paperwork that you are signing when meeting with your lawyer prior to closing. Click on the video link to hear why.
February 23, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: closing paperwork, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, lawyers, loft, lofts in kitchener, market update, real estate, real estate investing, real estate lawyers, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Do a Final Walk Through Before Closing and Why its so Important – Kitchener Homes for sale
So Closing day is only days away, the packing is still going on, you have boxes filling every room in the house. Your agent calls and asks if you would like to do a final walk through of the home. Even though you are crazy busy it is still a necessary and important part of the process. Have a look at the video to why…
February 15, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: condo, eastbridge, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario, westvale | Leave a comment
Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Market Prediction for 2012- Kevin Baker
Hey Everyone, I attended a CMCH housing forecast last week and then on Tuesday of this week I listened to Craig Alexander, Sr. V.P. and Chief Economist for TD Bank give his predictions on where the housing market is going for 2012. Have a listen and hear my brief synopsis on the info I gathered.
January 27, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: Bank of Canada, condo, facebook, first time home buyer, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, kitchener, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, Mortgage News, Prime rate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario, waterloo region | 2 Comments
Make Sure You Buy The Right House To Fit Your Needs – Kitchener Waterloo Real estate and homes for sale
January 20, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Offer Price and Fair Market Value of a House – Kitchener Homes and Condos for sale
So you have found the right house…. now its offer time, but what price to offer. Here is where a Realtor can help. Knowing what fair market value of a home is extremely important in determining what to offer on the home of your dreams. You don’t want to overpay for something based on emotion. Watch the video to hear my thoughts on why this is an important consideration in your next home purchase.
January 10, 2012 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, lofts in kitchener, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Do Your Due Diligence When looking for your next home – Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate
The buying process can be a confusion one at the best of times and its easy to forget things with all the stress of looking, doing offers etc. Make sure you make a list of wants, needs and the important things you are looking for in a new home. Have a look at the video to hear my thougths on some of the important ones.
December 29, 2011 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: due diligence, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, market update, Mortgage News, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Go Train Comes to Waterloo Region – Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate
Great news for the commuters of Waterloo Region.
Today marks the start of Go Train service from Kitchener to Toronto. This give commuters another option when it comes to travelling to and from Toronto.
Initially, the service will see two trains leave the Kitchener station every weekday morning, while two trains will return from Union Station in the afternoon.
The first train leaves Kitchener at 5:52 a.m., stops in Guelph, then times remain the same between Georgetown and Union Station. The existing weekday westbound 5:45 p.m. train from Union will now get to Georgetown at 6:46 p.m., Guelph at 7:18 p.m. and Kitchener at 7:42 p.m.
December 19, 2011 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: first time home buyer, home buying, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, lofts in kitchener, market update, real estate investing, toronto, transit, union station, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Mortgage Pre Approvals. Why they are a good idea! – Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate, Homes and condos online
Before you start your home buying search a great first step is to get a mortgage preapproval from your bank or mortgage broker. There are a few key reasons as to why. Have a look at this video to hear some helpful advice.
December 12, 2011 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, lofts, market update, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Inspectors, Realtors, Mortage Brokers, Lawyers… Putting together the right group – Kitchener Homes for sale
Part 2 in my series on what buyers should be aware of when looking for a new place. Make sure you put together a great group of professionals to help you with the process. Have a look at the video to hear my thoughts….
December 9, 2011 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Video Blogs | Tags: condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home inpspectors, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, lawyers, loft, market update, mortage brokers, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, teamwork | Leave a comment
25% of Homes are in the Newspaper or on Open house – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
Did you know that less than 25% of homes that are for sale on the market show up in the paper or are open to the public on the weekend?
Watch this short video to find out the best ways to find your next place.
November 25, 2011 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: advertising, condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, loft, lofts, lofts in kitchener, market update, newspaper, open house, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Market still going strong in Kitchener Waterloo and Cambridge – Kitchener Waterloo Realtor Kevin Baker
Waterloo Region house sales gained momentum in October
Prices, meanwhile, remained stable, with slight year-over-year.
In Kitchener and Waterloo, the 470 residential sales in October represented a 4.9 per cent increase over the 448 sales in the same month last year.
The average price for all residential properties that sold in the Kitchener and Waterloo area was $304,379, up 0.7 per cent from a year earlier. Single-detached homes sold for an average of $332,358, up 0.9 per cent from the same month last year.
In Cambridge, 217 residential units were sold in October, up 8.5 per cent from the 200 homes that sold in the same month last year. The average price of all residential properties was $284,515, a 2.2 per cent increase compared to last October.
On a year-over-year basis, 5,574 residential units have sold in the Kitchener and Waterloo area in the first 10 months of the year, down two per cent. In Cambridge, 2,488 homes have changed hands so far this year, up 6.6 per cent from last year.
In the region as a whole, 8,062 residential units were sold in the first 10 months of the year. That represents an increase of about 1.9 per cent compared to the same period in 2010.
The strong sales in October point to a stable housing market in the area, said George Patton, president of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors.
“Although all marketplaces are subject to month to month fluctuations, it is obvious that we have a strong, stable market in our region,” he said in a news release. “People have confidence in investing in the housing market in this area.
Info obtained from the Record.com
November 3, 2011 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwrealestatelife, loft, lofts, lofts in kitchener, market update, Mortgage News, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
KW Real Estate Life 