Frank Steinhausen, Broker
FSteinhausen@REMAX.net
RE/MAX Rouge River Realty Ltd., Brokerage
Phone 905-428-6533
Fax 905-668-1850
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Realosophy - Pickering Schools, Home Prices and Neighbourhood Photos
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Archive for October, 2009
Best Real Estate Ad. Ever.
October 27th, 2009 Categories: Area interest, Buying real estate, Neighbourhood fun
I have been holding on to this blog post from The Future of Real Estate Marketing and I finally took the 1:19 minutes to watch this great ad.
I think I need a mobile home…
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The Rosebank Road South Community in Pickering
October 22nd, 2009 Categories: Area interest, Pickering, neighbourhood
I was walking around enjoying this pocket of Pickering and wanted to share.
Located south of the 401, this community has quite defined boundaries. There are only 2 ways into this community: Granite Court, through an business section of Pickering or Rougemount Drive, off Kingston Road.
Isolated from North Pickering by the 401, we are also isolated from other areas by the Rouge River Valley to the west, Lake Ontario to the south and the GO Train tracks and Petticoat Creek Conservation Area to the east. Therein lies some of the appeal of this neighbourhood.
I can walk to the waterfront trail along Petticoat Creek or over the bridge to the Rouge River beach. The trees are putting on a vibrant display right now as we look down the valley.
In the summer, we can spend time throwing stones into the lake or wonder up to the cement pond swimming pool at Petticoat Creek. Or walk up to our neighbourhood plaza for fresh organic produce from Tiano’s, delicious meal planning from Bruno’s and, don’t forget the Tornados, an ice cream treat, from Quickerts (they recently changed their name from Reid’s Dairy).
All of this community fun is at most a 15 minute walk away.
And Toronto is a 15 minute drive away. I am two minutes from the highway and 15 minutes from the DVP.
There is a public school that services this community, Rosebank Road Public school and Blaisdale Montessori’s main campus is on Toynevale, down the street from it. The students can walk to Dunbarton High School or step on the city bus to St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.
The price range for homes in this area start in the mid to high $300,000 and end upwards of $1,000,000 for river or lake front property.
Convenience and community. The Rosebank Road South community is a great place to call home.
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GTA Realtors® Reporting October Mid-Month Housing Statistics
October 20th, 2009 Categories: Ajax, Pickering, Pickering Village, Real Estate News, Selling real estate
TORONTO, October 19, 2009 - In the first two weeks of October, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 3,631 sales – up 34 per cent compared to the first two weeks of October 2008. The average price for these transactions was up 17 per cent year-over year to $414,479.
“While demand for existing homes has remained strong, it is important to recognize the context of current statistics. We are now making comparisons to the fall of 2008 when we experienced a marked decline in sales and average price,” said TREB President Tom Lebour.
Year-to-date sales, at 69,964 are up six per cent compared to 2008. Average price, at $389,687, is up by two per cent.
“Tight market conditions throughout the GTA will continue to exert upward pressure on home prices in the fourth quarter,” explained Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Expect more listings in 2010 as home owners react to the price gains experienced in the second half of 2009.”
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10 Steps to Prepare for Homeownership
October 16th, 2009 Categories: Buying real estate, Real Estate
Looking to take advantage of great home affordability? Here are
some steps that will help you make your move:
some steps that will help you make your move:1. Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.
2. Develop a wish list of what you’d like your home to have. Then prioritize the features on your list.
3. Select three or four neighborhoods you’d like to live in. Consider items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans, and safety.
4. Determine if you have enough saved to cover your down payment and closing costs. Closing costs, including taxes, attorney’s fee, and transfer fees average between 2 percent and 7 percent of the home price.
5. Get your credit in order. Obtain a copy of your credit report.
6. Determine how large a mortgage you can qualify for. Also explore different loans options and decide what’s best for you.
7. Organize all the documentation a lender will need to pre-approve you for a loan.
8. Do research to determine if you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment-assistance programs.
9. Calculate the costs of homeownership, including property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and association fees, if applicable.
10. Call me.
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Comparing Apples to Apples: September Price Increase Reports
October 9th, 2009 Categories: Durham Region, Pickering, Real Estate News
Earlier this week, the National Post reported the statistics from the Toronto Real Estate Board.
I was not too surprised by what was written. We had received the statistics earlier. I was taken back by one thing I read that I hadn’t paid too much attention too.
In North Pickering, which covers the area North of Taunton in Ajax-
Pickering, including Claremont, but not Unxbridge. The average price of the sales in September 2008 was $327,125. The average price for September 2009 was $770,500–-more than double.
As a realtor, my first thought is sell if you live in North Pickering, but a closer look at the statistics shows that there might not have been a price increase at all.
In September 2008, there were 4 sales. The lowest sale was a 2 bedroom, one bath home for $221,450. The highest sale was $469,500 for a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home.
In September 2009, there were 7 sales. Two sales were vacant land for around $300,000. There were 4 sales of homes over $700,000, the highest being $980,000 for a 4 + 2 bedroom, 4 bath home.
There were no homes sold in either month that you could compare to each other to say that the prices have risen that much. Only when you look at comparable homes can you more accurately talk about price increases.
There are many wonderful reasons to live in North Pickering, sky rocketing prices is not one of them.
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GTA Housing Market Rebound Continues in September
October 5th, 2009 Categories: Buying real estate, Real Estate News, Selling real estate
October 5, 2009 — In September 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 8,196 sales, up 28 per cent from September 2008. The average price for September transactions was $406,877 – up by 10 per cent compared to the same month last year.
“We have experienced an increasing rate of existing home price growth in the GTA as sales have continued outpace 2008 results,” said TREB President Tom Lebour. “Consumers have remained confident in ownership housing as a long-term investment.” Year-to-date sales, at 66,437 were up 4.5 per cent compared to the first nine months of 2008. Average price, at $388,417 was up by almost 1.5 per cent.
“Existing home sales will finish strong this year, pushing through the 80,000 mark and moving in line with some of the best years on record under the current TREB market area,” according to Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
Median Price
In September, the median price was $347,000, from the $322,000 recorded during September of 2008.
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Is It Time To Refinance?
October 2nd, 2009 Categories: Buying real estate, Mortgage
David Bach, of The Automatic Millionaire fame, gives some great advice if you are considering refinancing your home to take advantage of today’s low interest rate:
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