CMHC Premiums are Going Up – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
CMHC (Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation) Announced that their Loan Insurance Program is going to be changing. What does that mean for Canadians purchasing properties with less than 35% down? Have a look at the chart below to see how the costs will be changing. If you have any questions or would like any advice please give us a call
March 3, 2014 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: Bank of Canada, banking practices, cmhc, condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, Kitchener waterloo, lofts in kitchener, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
10 Tips For Gas Furnace Efficiency – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
Gas furnaces are relatively easy to operate and maintain, but they do require regular maintenance to stay in good condition. Gas furnaces can be dangerous if they are in need of maintenance and you neglect them; for instance if there is a gas leak it could be very dangerous if not addressed early. This article will take a look at 10 maintenance tips for gas furnaces.
1. Check for gas leaks
Gas leaks on gas furnaces are easy to spot, you can tell from gas build up on the floor or from the smell of gas around the furnace area. Gas leaks require a professional to fix the furnace to ensure the safety of the unit.
2. Thermostat working properly?
Have you noticed the house is either really warm or really cold, but the thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature? When a thermostat is not working properly the furnace will not heat the house properly, which makes the unit very inefficient.
3. Control valve turned open?
Is your furnace producing no heat and you can’t figure out what’s wrong? A common problem when getting a gas furnace to run properly is that the control valve is turned off, if the valve is turned off the furnace will not produce heat.
4. When have you changed the air filter?
Regularly changing the air filter is an important part of gas furnace maintenance that should be addressed regularly. Air filters can be purchased at almost any hardware store, and they are not expensive. A dirty air filter will make the gas furnace produce less heat and make it incredibly inefficient.
5. Does your gas furnace need cleaning?
Cleaning is a regular task for proper gas furnace maintenance. Click here for a step by step guide to properly cleaning a gas furnace.
6. When was the last time you checked the tension belt?
If your gas furnace is running loudly and you can’t seem to figure out why the tension belt may be a possible cause.
7. Have you checked the pilot light?
If the pilot light is out the furnace will not work, therefore make sure the pilot light is lit and working properly. The pilot light should be a deep hot blue, but if it is another color then it is not working properly.
8. When was the last time you oiled the motor?
Oil is necessary for proper maintenance on a gas furnace; all you have to do is add a couple of drops, nothing too much. Oil should be added to the motor every season, and when you think the motor needs it.
9. Check the venting regularly
The venting that is hooked up with the gas furnace should be checked regularly for blockages and debris. If the ventilation is blocked it could pose a variety of health hazards including carbon monoxide poisoning.
10. Shutting the system off post cold season
Gas furnaces do need to be shut off after the winter season, and ideally they should be cleaned and the air filter should be replaced. All the above tips should be applied at the beginning of every season for a proper working gas furnace.
January 28, 2014 | Categories: Buyers, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, furnace efficiency, gas furnace, home buying, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwrealestatelife, loft, market update, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board | 3 Comments
How to Hide All Those Cords from Behind Your Desk – Kitchener Waterloo
Do you find that all those, computer, phone, monitor cords etc are a real pain to look at everyday? Do you wish you had a great idea to hide them from sight?
Well here is a great blog post I found on how just to do that. Have a look and have fun with the project
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20759446/list/Hide-Cords-in-Style-With-DIY-Graphic-Panels
December 15, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Random thoughts, Uncategorized | Tags: condo, condo buying, facebook, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, lofts in kitchener, market update, real estate, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board | Leave a comment
Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Update for November 2013
HOME SALES DOWN IN NOVEMBER, UP ON YEAR-TO-DATE BASIS
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (December 4, 2013) –– Homes sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the
Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in November were down 8.2 percent compared to
November of last year. Residential sales have totalled 6,080 on a yearly basis which represents a 2.3 percent
increase over last year, and also a year-to-date record for total units sold since 2007.
A total of 459 residential properties were sold compared to 500 the same time last year. Residential sales in
November included 295 single detached homes (down 9.2% from last November), 41 semi-detached (up
20.6%), 30 townhomes (up 7.1%) and 90 condominium units (down 15.1%).
“Looking back on 2013 as it winds down, we’ve had a strong and stable year of homes sales” says Lynn
Bebenek, newly elected President of KWAR. “The strength of our local economy and low interest rates continue
to support housing demand in Waterloo Region.”
Single detached homes sold for an average price of $370,068 an increase of 3.0 percent compared to last
year. The average sale price for a condominium was $214,932 an increase of 3.4 percent while townhomes and
semis sold for an average of $268,194 (up 2.3%) and $240,645 (up 1.7%) respectively. The average sale price of
all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 3.1 percent to $320,591 compared to November
2012.
“November’s housing sales demonstrate that Waterloo region continues to be a desirable place to live and
work,” says President Bebenek, “With local job creation expected to outpace losses next year, and barring any
drastic changes in lending rates, Waterloo region should continue to enjoy a healthy housing market in 2014.”
December 4, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | 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, Mortgage News, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board, westvale | 1 Comment
How to Get the best Mortgage Deal – Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
Here is a great resource for trying to figure out what is the best mortgage product out there to fit your needs. This article gives you 63 different things too look for when trying to secure the best mortgage possible. As always if you have any questions or need any Real Estate Related advice feel free to give me a call or email.
November 4, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, loft, lofts in kitchener, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, twin city, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
How To Prepare When Mortgage Rates Start Going Up – Kitchener Waterloo Homes For Sale
Five ways to prepare for higher mortgage rates
Mortgage rates on the rise? No need to panic; what you need is some smart strategies to prepare. Here are our top 5 tips:
1. Don’t take the money. If you’re buying a new home, don’t be tempted to borrow the maximum amount your lender will allow.
2. Do more than the minimum.If you have a variable-rate mortgage, build in some wiggle room by setting your payments higher than required.
3. Plan to pre-pay. Find out what your pre-payment privileges are and pay whatever you can.
4. Conduct a reality check.Find out what your mortgage balance will be at renewal and use our online mortgage calculator to project what your payments could be if you renewed at a higher rate. Start to ease up to your new payment level so at renewal, it’s like a merge lane!
5. Watch your bad debt. Be cautious about any credit card or other high-interest debt.
Getting prepared for higher rates is not about panicking, it’s about being prudent.Give me a call if you have any questions.
October 2, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: assessment, Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, condo buying, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, kitchener, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, market update, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Mortgage Renewals – Almost Have of All Homeowners Sleep Right Through Them.
Given the large financial commitment of a mortgage, it’s surprising that 44 per cent of Canadian homeowners either just accept whatever their lender offers at renewal, or don’t even remember how they renewed!
It’s tempting to just sleepwalk through the mortgage renewal process. But if you’re not doing even the slightest comparison shopping or negotiating, then you’re missing out on an opportunity to save thousands on your mortgage. When your lender sends you a letter saying it’s time to renew… what that really means is that it’s time to get advice. Professional, independent advice.
Get an expert second opinion on what you’re being offered. We’ll take a look, and compare it to what we can find out there as an alternative among the 50 or more lenders we have access to.
Got a mortgage renewal coming up in the next six months? Give me a call and I will connect you with someone that can help.
October 2, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers | Tags: Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, condo buying, first time home buyer, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, loft, lofts in kitchener, Mortgage News, Mortgage Rates, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, Twin City Realty, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board | Leave a comment
Blackberry and what it means for Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate – Re/max Twin City
I have been getting a lot of questions on how the state of Blackberry is going to affect the local Real Estate Market here in Kitchener Waterloo. Have a look at the video to hear my thoughts on what the future holds.
September 24, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: condo, condo buying, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, kitchener, Kitchener waterloo, market update, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Don’t Forget Your Fall Home Maintenance To Do List- Kitchener Waterloo Homes for sale
Your fall “to-do”
list for home maintenance!
A few hours spent on fall maintenance will protect the investment you’ve made, and make for a more comfortable and worry-free winter ahead. Get started with our fall “to-do” list:
- Ensure windows and doors (especially the one between house & garage) close tightly; repair or replace weather stripping if needed.
- Check your roof for loose or missing shingles.
- Ensure your eavestroughs and downspouts are clear.
- Check your chimney for nests, other obstructions, or buildup of residues.
- Get a pro to inspect your heating system. Clean or replace the furnace air filter each month all winter.
- Have ducts professionally cleaned every few years; vacuum everything you can reach.
- Check your home safety devices and change the batteries.
- Change the direction of ceiling fans to push warm air from the ceiling down.
- Cover outside of air-conditioning unit.
- Drain and store outdoor hoses. Protect delicate landscaping.
By doing a few small things you will ensure your home is ready for the winter months and you can enjoy them in comfort.
Have a great fall season!
September 4, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: first time home buyer, home buying, home inspection, home maintenance, home upkeep, home value, kevin baker, kitchener, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, market update, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, to do list, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board, westvale | 1 Comment
No Bank of Canada Rate Change – Kitchener Waterloo Homes and Condos for sale
Today in Stephen Poloz’s first policy decision since he replaced Mark Carney as the Bank Governor he has kept the prime rate or the benchmark rate unchanged. This rate has held steady at 3% since September of 2010.
Today’s announcement noted that there will be a continuation of steady rates “as long as there is significant slack in the Canadian economy, the inflation outlook remains muted, and imbalances in the household sector continue to evolve constructively.”
The prime rate for most lenders should stay at 3%, great news for variable rate holders. In regards to fixed rates, that market is in a state of flux. With bond prices dropping of the past month that has put upwards pressure on yields which in turn raise interest rates. If you have any questions on what to do or who to call to get a great rate locked in before your next home purchase please give me a call and I am happy to help.
July 17, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers | Tags: Bank of Canada, banking practices, condo, condo buying, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, kitchener, market update, Mortgage News, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario | Leave a comment
Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Update for July 2013
Hey Everyone, Here are the stats for the Waterloo Region and it looks like another great month. With a solid July we are now in positive territory for the year on Sales Volume, while prices remain up from last year which is great news for home sellers. If you have any questions or need any advice on buying or selling please feel free to give me a call at 519-579-4110 or email to kevinbaker@kwhometeam.ca
HOME SALES CONTINUE UPWARD TREND
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (July 4, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing
System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) half way through
the year are up 1.4 per cent compared the same time last year. Residential sales totaled 3,511, 2.2
per cent ahead of the previous 5-year average of residential sales year-to-date.
In the month of June 648 residential properties were sold compared to 607 in June of last year,
representing a 6.8 per cent increase in sales volume.
“Residential sales in Kitchener-Waterloo continue to perform well” says Dietmar Sommerfeld,
President of KWAR. “We’re seeing a slow and steady upward trend in sales which is exactly what we
like to see, stable and steady growth.”
June’s sales included 422 single detached homes (up 9.9 % from last year) 122 condominium units
(down 7.6 %), 58 semi-detached (up 9.4 %) and 35 freehold townhouses (up 6.1 %). Year-to-date
residential sales display a similar distribution with 2,367 single detached homes (up 3.6 %) 605
condominium units (down 9.4 %), 283 semi-detached (up 6.0 %) and 218 freehold townhouses (up 0.5
%).
On a year-to-date basis, the average sale price of all residential sales increased 4.6 per cent to
$327,569 compared to 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $371,898 an
increase of 4.2 per cent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium units sold
in the first half of the year was $215,219, an increase of 2.7 per cent over 2012.
July 8, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: condo, condo buying, first time home buyer, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, real estate, real estate investing, Remax, sales rep, waterloo ontario, waterloo region school board | Leave a comment
April 2013 Market Update for Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate
APRIL SHOWERS BROUGHT MAY FLOWERS…AND HOME BUYERS
KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (May 6, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing
System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in April were
identical compared to April last year.
Home sales in April were 1.9 percent above the 5-year average for the month. There were a total of
683 residential properties sold in the month of April compared to 683 the same time last year. In
comparison to March, residential sales grew 11.6 percent, continuing the trend of increasing home
sales since the beginning of 2013.
“Low interest rates and a strong local economy continue to make it favourable for people to invest in
homes in the Region,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “This April set a record for dollar
volume of sales compared to the last 10 years.”
April’s sales included 471 single detached homes (up 3.5 % from last year) 117 condominium units
(down 7.9 %), 47 semi-detached (down 14.5 %) and 41 freehold townhouses (down 2.4 %). Year-todate residential sales were only 1.1 percent below the 5-year average with a total of 2,085 units to date.
The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS® System increased 6.2 percent
last month to $334,777 compared with April 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price
of $378,936 an increase of 6.1percent compared to last year. The average sale price for a
condominium was $216,209, a decrease of 0.7 percent compared to April 2012.
May 9, 2013 | Categories: Buyers, Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Uncategorized | Tags: first time home buyer, full time realtor, home buying, home value, inventory levels, kevin baker, kitchener, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, kwrealestatelife, market update, real estate, Remax, sales rep, 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
Hiring a Realtor and What To Look For – Kitchener Waterloo Remax Twin City Realty Sales Rep
With availability of information, mobile phones and websites it is even more important to hire a Realtor based on what they can do for you to get the home sold quickly, efficiently and for the most amount of money. Have a look at this video to hear my thoughts on what you should be looking for when interviewing your Realtor.
December 12, 2012 | Categories: Local Kitchener Waterloo, Sellers, Video Blogs | Tags: brokerage, commission, condo, facebook, first time home buyer, full time realtor, home value, kevin baker, Kitchener waterloo, kwhometeam, loft, lofts in kitchener, marketing, price, real estate, realtor, realty, Remax, sales rep, sales representative, twin city, waterloo ontario, westvale | 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 | Leave a comment
KITCHENER WATERLOO HOMES ONLINE.com 