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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Archive for February, 2010
The Financial Post states that Mortgage changes target ‘reckless’ buyers: Flaherty
February 26th, 2010 Categories: Buying real estate, Mortgage
Here is an explanation of the new mortgage rules:
OTTAWA — Jim Flaherty, the Finance Minister, says he is targeting “reckless” speculators who buy up multiple condominium units in the country’s biggest cities with new rules introduced yesterday that will make it tougher for Canadians to get a mortgage….
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“The measures will not affect the ability of a Canadian family to buy a house. It will affect those who are speculating,” the Finance Minister said. “What we’re getting at is the speculation in multiple condominium units in particular which we see in Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and in some other places in Canada.”
Home builders were taken aback by the measures introduced, saying they could result in “severe implications” for the condo and housing markets.
The changes, scheduled to come into effect on April 19, will make it harder for first-time buyers to qualify for government-backed mortgage insurance — from either Crown agency Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. or private-sector providers — which is required if down payments are less than 20% of the property’s value.
Borrowers now have to meet standards for a five-year fixed-rate mortgage, even if the buyer wants a shorter-term, variable rate product.
Some analysts, however, indicate the shift is not as big as it appears. Eric Lascelles, chief economist at TD Securities, said the revamped rule likely means the minimum household income cutoff for Canadian mortgage applicants would be about $5,000 to $8,000 higher.
Further, Ottawa has raised the minimum down payment on rental income properties — where the buyer does not plan to live — to 20% from 5%.
Mr. Flaherty said one goal is to protect Canadians from overextending themselves financially as interest rates are likely to climb from present historic lows. The other, he added, is to root out speculation in real estate, which he suggested was happening with greater frequency based on prebudget consultations….
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SUMMARY OF CHANGES
*Borrowers must qualify for a five-year fixed rate mortgage instead of a three-year loan when calculating gross debt service and total debt service ratios.
*Refinancing will be capped at 90% for government-backed high-ratio mortgages versus 90% previously.
*A down payment of 20%, instead of 5%, will be required for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner-occupied properties purchased for speculation.
WHAT CHANGES MEAN FOR A $337,000 HOUSE
*The difference between a three-year mortgage rate and a five-year mortgage rate is currently in the range of about 50-100 basis points. The average house in Canada costs $337,000, which means that this change will require that mortgage applicants have the capacity to absorb an extra $2,500 per year in mortgage costs than in the past, according to calculations by Eric Lascelles at TD Securities. Effectively, the minimum household income cut-off for Canadian mortgage applicants is now about $5,000-8,000 higher than it was previously, to fulfill the new rule.
Financial Post
pvieira@nationalpost.com
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Sprucing Up Your Home For The Buyers
February 24th, 2010 Categories: Selling real estate
A perfect storm might be on the horizon for the real estate market. The HST is set to come in July, when interest rates might take a hike and mortgage rules are changing. Now, might be the opportunity to catch the rising market. To make sure you can earn as much as possible from the sale of your home, there are some easy interior design secrets that enhance the feel of your home for potential buyers.
As a seller, you can’t control mortgage interest rates, market fluctuations, neighbourhood and city influences. You can control how your home is presented when a realtor shows your home to buyers.
Having a pleasant environment can put buyers at ease and reassure them that the home has been taken care of.
Here are a couple of tips that might help:
- Change the lighting.
Changing the lighting can instantly change the mood in the room. For example, an overhead light in the bedroom tends to create a stark atmosphere. Instead, turn on side table lamps with opaque shades to create a relaxed, ambient feel.
Cramped, dim spaces can be enhanced with mirrors making the a room feel larger and warmer. You can also use window coverings to adjust the light. Blinds that open completely can give a bright, airy feel to a room and soft sheer drapes can add a touch of warmth.
- Add some accessories.
Changing or adding accessories are just about the cheapest way to enhance your room. They make the room more interesting. Adding vases, candlesticks, coffee table books, flowers, and wall hangings can add life to your room. Remember though, another rule in home staging is, less is more.
One very special accessory is often better than five or six knick knacks. The knick knacks tend to just add clutter. Paintings and photos are good ways to add colour and character.
It is wise to get professional advice when decorating or staging your home, fifty dollars invested in paint or accessories could be money in your pocket.
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GTA Realtors Report Mid-February Resale Housing Market Figures
February 19th, 2010 Categories: Ajax, Pickering, Pickering Village, Real Estate News
Toronto, February 18, 2010 — Greater Toronto Realtors reported 3,555 sales through the Multiple Listing Service during the first two weeks of February.
This represented a 74 percent increase compared to the 2,044 sales recorded during the same period in 2009 when resale transactions had dipped due to the recession. The February mid-month sales total was also 7.7 percent above the previous high set in 2006.
“Home ownership demand remains strong in the GTA, as households remain confident that economic recovery is at hand and that ownership housing will continue to be a quality long term investment,” Said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour.
The average price for February mid-month transactions was $429,997 - an 18 percent increase over 2009. New listings within the Toronto Real Estate Board boundaries were up 15 percent to 6, 212.
“Double-digit price increases will persist through the first quarter of the year,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of market Analysis. “However, as new listings continue to increase creating a better supplied market, we will see the annual rate of price growth moderate into the single digits.”
Greater Toronto REaltors are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share state-of-th-art Multiple Listing Service. Servince over 29,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largesst real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.
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Ottawa Changes Mortgage Borrowing Rules
February 17th, 2010 Categories: Mortgage, Real Estate News
Watch as Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty, changes the affordability of homes in Canada:
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/latest/tougher-rules/
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GTA Realtors Report January Resale Housing Market Figures
February 5th, 2010 Categories: Ajax, Pickering, Pickering Village, Real Estate News, Whitby
TORONTO, February 3, 2010 — Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,986 transactions through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in January 2010. This result represented a large increase over the 2,670 sales in January 2009 when the home sales were in a recessionary trough. Last month’s sales were slightly higher than the January average in the five years preceding 2009.
“The GTA housing market has rebounded well from the lows in sales experienced at the beginning of 2009. Sales climbed back to healthy levels across the GTA because the cost of home ownership remained affordable in the Toronto area,” said TREB President Tom Lebour. “Increasingly confident consumers moved to take advantage of affordable home ownership.”
The average home selling price in January 2010 climbed 19 per cent to $409,058, compared to 343,632 in the same month last year.
“Expect strong annual growth rates for existing home sales and average price through the first quarter as we continue to make comparisons to the weak market conditions at the beginning of 2009,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “The rate of sales and price growth will be lower in the second half of 2010.”
Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 29,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.
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10 Home Features Buyers Want
February 2nd, 2010 Categories: Area interest, Selling real estate
Considering selling? Consider this:
Home designers and builders speaking at the recent International Builders Show in Las Vegas say that buyers are seeking cost-effective features and rejecting things that don’t have lasting value.
“It’s all about family togetherness – casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces,” says Carol Lavender, president of the Lavender Design Group in San Antonio.
Paul Cardis, CEO of Avid Ratings, which conducts an annual survey of buyer preferences, identified these must-haves in new homes:
1. Large kitchens with islands
2. Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
3. Home offices
4. Main-floor master suite
5. Outdoor living space
6. Ceiling fans
7. Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area
8. Stone and brick exteriors rather than stucco or vinyl
9. Community walking paths and playgrounds
10. Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable
Source: MarketWatch, Steve Kerch (01/30/2010)
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