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 May, 2010
Home Scene: Where memories are made
May 31st, 2010 Categories: Area interest, Buying real estate
After laughing at Shrek in 3D Sunday evening, I relaxed in bed with a book. I could hear Jeremy talking to someone on line with his new PS3 game in the living room. The girls had been tucked into bed: Kailey tired after a soccer tournament and Grace after 3 hours of homework and the movie.
There was a quiet knock on the door and Nancy calls Grace to come in. She immediately stretches her arms out to welcome our baby into them. Grace sees scary people whenever she closes her eyes. My wife reminds her that Shrek wasn’t scary and that maybe we shouldn’t be watching scary shows on television. Grace tells us a story about how a couple of years ago, Jeremy made her watch Grunge on television and it still scares her. He made you, my wife comments. He sat on me.
That could be true, and Grace is scared and tired, and so are we. Nancy offers to have her sleep with Kailey (she has a big bed). She gets Grace a favorite stuffed animal. Kailey rolls over and asks what’s going on. Grace is going to sleep with you; she’s scared. Okay.
We relax back in bed with the ceiling fan cooling our skin.
That’s home.
Want one? Call me.
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Canadian Real Estate Association says “Canada’s hot resale housing market starting to cool”
May 28th, 2010 Categories: Buying real estate, Real Estate News, Selling real estate
(OTTAWA – May 17, 2010) Home sales activity in Canada came up short of the record for the month of April and new listings continued to climb, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this news release combines both major market and national MLS® sales information from the previous month. The Canadian Real Estate Association has previously released these separately.
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GTA REALTORS® Report Mid-Month Resale Housing Figures
May 20th, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News
TORONTO, May 19, 2010 - Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,887 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) during the first two weeks of May.
This represented a seven per cent increase compared to the 4,561 sales recorded during the same period in 2009. New listings increased by 48 per cent annually to 10,059.
“The average household looking to purchase a home continued to benefit from affordable opportunities in the first half of May,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “The number of done deals will remain high for the remainder of 2010, but will dip from record levels.”
The average price for May mid-month transactions was $448,641 – up 12 per cent compared to the average of $399,811 recorded during the first 14 days of May 2009.
“The total number of homes currently listed in the GTA is now within a more normal range. As buyers benefit from more choice in the second half of 2010, average selling prices will grow at a slower pace,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
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Are You Ready For Rising Interest Rates?
May 12th, 2010 Categories: Mortgage
The Bank of Canada has stopped promising to keep interest reates rock bottom. In fact, most financial institutions have already started to jack them up. The posted rate for banks is about 6.25%* which is up from March when it was 5.25%.
Are your ready for it?
The CMHC studied current home owners and found that, yes, the majority are comfortable with their mortgage debt load and are confident that things are going to stay that way. According to an Investor’s Group report, forty-one percent of Canadians said that their financial security could withstand a three percent increase in mortgage interest rates.
“A three percent increase in mortgage rates…implies mortgage payments for these borrowers could increase an average of $444 per month for an mortgage of $254,514.
Can your budget handle it?
* You should not that you can negotiate a better interest rate at most institutions, depending on a number of factors.
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April Experiences Record Number of Buyers and Sellers
May 7th, 2010 Categories: Ajax, Durham Region, Pickering, Pickering Village, Real Estate News
May 5, 2010 — Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 10,898 sales through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April, representing a 34 per cent increase compared to April 2009. There were also 20,683 new listings in April – a 59 per cent annual increase. Both the sales and new listings results amounted to new records for the month of April under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries.
“The GTA resale market is functioning properly. Sales were high as buyers continued to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities. Listings grew as home owners reacted to strong sales and price growth,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “More balanced market conditions will result in sustainable rates of annual price growth in the second half of 2010.”
The average price for April transactions was $437,600 – up 13 per cent compared to the average of $385,641 recorded in April 2009.
“Home sales continue to be driven by many different segments of the market, with sales growth for all major home types in both the City of Toronto and surrounding 905 regions,” said Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Home sales will remain strong in the second half of 2010, but will slip from the current record pace as borrowing costs rise.”
Median Price
In April, the median price was $373,000, from the $330,000 recorded during April of 2009.
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Reader’s Digest names RE/MAX ‘Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brand in Canada’
May 4th, 2010 Categories: Real Estate News
Mississauga, ON (May 3, 2010) ‐‐ Dedication, skill, and professionalism earned RE/MAX realtors the designation of Most Trusted Residential REALTOR in Canada by Reader’s Digest magazine. Reader’s Digest will unveil its “Most Trusted Brands” list in its May 2010 issue. The magazine commissioned independent third party Harris/Decima to conduct 1,500 online surveys among a random sample of its panel members from October 2 – 15, 2009.
“The results of the survey are proof positive that our sales associates are the best in the business,” says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario‐Atlantic Canada. “We’ve built a solid reputation based on consistent results. RE/MAX associates sell one in every three homes in Canada and carry more professional designations than any other realtor in Canada. We’re specialists in all niches from residential, recreational, and commercial properties to luxury homes. Our focus has always been service excellence, which includes a serious emphasis on professional development and education. The status quo may work for some, but after almost 40 years in the business, we’re not content to rest on our laurels. “Reader’s Digest looked at 28 different product categories
‐‐ ranging from cereal to residential real estate – and allowed consumers to select the brands that they trusted the most. RE/MAX joins leading brands such as RBC Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, Air Canada, and Blackberry.
“Our commitment to the communities in which we live and work also runs deep,” says Polzler. “I think that’s something that has always set RE/MAX apart. We’ve been involved in charitable giving long before the terms ‘corporate philanthropy’ and ‘cause marketing’ were common. RE/MAX realtors participate in countless vital programs and causes each year that help the most vulnerable members of our society and strengthen the foundation of neigbhourhoods from coast to coast. Their enthusiasm, spirit and dedication to others never fails to inspire.”
Charitable giving is woven into the fabric of the RE/MAX organization. The company and its sales force has demonstrated a strong desire to give back, exceptionally active in both corporate and local charities. Close to $40 million has been raised in support of Children’s Miracle Network since 1992 – which funds research and development, outreach programs and upgrades to equipment and facilities at children’s hospitals and foundations across the country. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is also a cause close to the hearts of RE/MAX associates—one that RE/MAX continues to support through its popular Sold on a Cure Program and the annual Yard Sale for the Cure.
RE/MAX is Canada’s leading real estate organization with over 17,500 sales associates situated throughout its more than 680 independently‐owned and operated offices across the country. The RE/MAX franchise network, now in its 37th year, is a global real estate system operating in 80 countries. Over 6,450 independently‐owned offices engage over 92,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience, and production, while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, and asset management.
For more information,visit: www.remax.ca.
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15 Tools That Every Homeowner Should Own
May 3rd, 2010 Categories: Area interest
By Nick Gromicko and Rob London 
The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.
1. Plunger
A clogged sink or toilet is one of the most disturbing problems that you will face. With a plunger on hand, however, you can usually remedy these troubling plumbing issues relatively quickly. It is best to have two plungers — one for the sink and one for the toilet.
2. Combination Wrench Set
One end of a combination wrench set is open and the other end is a closed loop. Nuts and bolts are manufactured in standard and metric sizes and because both varieties are widely used, so you’ll need both sets of wrenches. For the most control and leverage, always pull the wrench toward you, instead of pushing on it. Also, avoid over-tightening.
3. Slip-Joint Pliers
Use slip-joint pliers to grab hold of a nail, a nut, a bolt, and much more. These types of pliers are versatile because of the jaws, which feature both flat and curved areas for gripping many types of objects. There is also a built-in slip-joint, which allows the user to quickly adjust the jaw size to suit most tasks.
4. Adjustable Wrench
Adjustable wrenches are somewhat awkward to use and can damage a bolt or nut if they are not handled properly. However, adjustable wrenches are ideal for situations where you need two wrenches of the same size. Screw the jaws all the way closed to avoid damaging the bolt or nut.
5. Caulking Gun
Caulking is the process of sealing up cracks and gaps in various structures and certain types of piping. Caulking can provide noise mitigation and thermal insulation, and control water penetration. Caulk should be applied only to areas that are clean and dry.
6. Flashlight
None of the tools in this list is of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation. The problem, and solution, are apparent only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight is usually sufficient, as larger flashlights may be too unwieldy.
7. Tape Measure
Measuring house projects requires a tape measure, not a ruler or a yardstick. Tape measures come in many lengths, although 25 feet is best. Measure everything at least twice to ensure accuracy.
8. Hacksaw
These are great for cutting metal objects such as pipes, bolts and brackets. 
Hacksaws look thin and flimsy, but they’ll easily cut through even the hardest of metals. Blades are replaceable, so focus your purchase on a quality hacksaw frame.
9. Torpedo Level
Only a level can be used to determine if something, such as a shelf, appliance or picture, is correctly oriented. The torpedo-style level is unique because it not only shows when an object is perfectly horizontal or vertical, but it also has a gauge that shows when an object is at a 45-degree angle. The bubble in viewfinder must be exactly in the middle, not merely close.
10. Safety Glasses / Goggles
For all tasks involving a hammer or a power tool, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles. They should also be worn while you mix chemicals.
11. Claw Hammer
A good hammer is one of the most important tools you can own. Use it to drive and remove nails, to pry wood loose from the house, and in combination with other tools. They come in a variety of sizes, although a 16-ounce hammer is the best all-purpose choice.
12. Screwdriver Set
It is best to have four screwdrivers: a small and large version of both a flat-head and a Phillips- head screwdriver. Electrical screwdrivers are
sometimes convenient, but they’re no substitute. Manual screwdrivers can reach into more places and they are less likely to damage the screw.
13. Wire Cutters
Wire cutters are pliers designed to cut wires and small nails. The “side-cutting” (unlike the stronger “end-cutting” style) style is handy, but not strong enough to cut small nails.
14. Respirator / Safety Mask
While paints and other coatings have become less toxic (and lead-free) over time, most still contain dangerous chemicals, which is why you should wear a mask to avoid accidentally getting them in your lungs. A mask should also be worn when working in dusty or dirty environments. Disposable masks usually come in packs of 10 and should be thrown away after use. Full and half-face respirators can be used to prevent the inhalation of very fine particles that ordinary facemasks will not not stop.
15. Duct Tape
This tape is extremely strong and adaptable. Originally, it was widely used to make temporary repairs to many types of military equipment. Today, it’s one of the key items specified for home emergency kits because it is water-resistant and extremely sticky.
In summary, the above is a list of tools that every homeowner should have.
For the best inspector in your neighborhood, visit http://www.InspectorSEEK.com
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