Strong Home Prices Close Out 2012

Information courtesy of the Toronto Real Estate Board.TREB

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) reported that as home prices rose in 2012, total sales for the year dropped slightly from 89,096 transactions in 2011 to 85,731 in 2012 – still a healthy showing on an overall basis.

TREB President Ann Hannah said, “The number of transactions in 2012 was quite strong from a historic perspective. We saw strong year-over-year growth in sales in the first half of the year, but this growth was more than offset by sales declines in the second half. Stricter mortgage lending guidelines resulted in some households postponing their purchase of a home. In the City of Toronto, the dip in sales was compounded by the additional Land Transfer Tax, which buyers must pay upfront.”

Referring to the rise in the 2012 average selling price by almost

seven percent to $497,298, TREB Senior Manager of Market Analysis Jason Mercer noted, “Robust annual rates of price growth were reported through most months of 2012. Price growth was strongest for low-rise homes, including singles, semis and townhouses. Despite a dip in sales, market conditions remained tight for these home types with substantial competition between buyers.”

If you’re wondering what the market conditions are like in your area, or how much your home might be worth this spring, please call today to set up your no-obligation update!

SaleS & average PriCe By MajOr HOMe TyPe

DEC. 2012 SALES AvERAgE PRICE416 905 Total 416 905 Total

Detached 491 1,254 1,745 $722,393 $565,544 $609,678

Yr./Yr. % Change -12.3% -13.6% -13.2% 2.4% 8.1% 6.2%

Semi-Detached 129 242 371 $556,260 $385,723 $445,020

Yr./Yr. % Change -35.2% -15.4% -23.5% 7.4% 5.6% 4.0%

Townhouse 154 423 577 $392,590 $347,897 $359,825

Yr./Yr. % Change -20.2% -15.2% -16.6% 5.2% 5.2% 5.1%

Condo Apartment 680 263 943 $342,847 $281,458 $325,726

Yr./Yr. % Change -26.9% -26.3% -26.7% -1.8% 2.1% -0.9%

4

Recine Team ReportCompliments of Melanie & Fabio RE/MAX Premier Inc., Brokerage

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Melanie Maranda Recine &Fabio Recine

Sales Representatives

"It's your callCall Melanie and Fabio"

RE/MAX Premier Inc., Brokerage9100 Jane Street, Bldg. L, Suite #77Vaughan, ON L4K 0A4

Office: 416-987-8000Fax: 416-987-8001Direct Melanie: 647-836-4062Direct Fabio: 416-828-5441mmaranda96@hotmail.comfrecine@trebnet.comwww.RecineTeam.ca

Greetings! You’re receiving thisnewsletter with hopes that you find itinformative and entertaining.

If you’re thinking of making a move, orare just curious as to real estate trendsin your area, please feel free to call atany time. It’s always good to hearfrom you!

Best wishes,

Melanie and Fabio

Volume 9, Issue 2

The War againsT germs

2

Rhinoviruses (the predominant cause of colds) and influenza viruses are easily transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, and can live on surfaces anywhere from several hours, up to two days. Where are germs – viruses included – most likely to be hiding in your home? Some of the answers you’ll no doubt guess – others may surprise you.

Your kitchen sponge/dishrag/towels. Their moistness makes them an ideal breeding ground in which germs can survive and thrive.

The TV remote. When it’s not stuffed between the couch cushions, it’s being handled by hands that have been coughed and sneezed on.

Doorknobs, light switches, and handles (faucet, appliance, drawer, or door). In and out, on and off, all day, every day – is it any wonder they’re so dirty?

Your computer keyboard. Do you eat and drink over your keyboard? Many people do – but then don’t clean them nearly as often as they should.

The bathtub. Some studies have even shown the bathtub, particularly the area around the drain, to be dirtier than that other bathroom culprit, the toilet.

Your salt and pepper shakers. Would you believe your shakers can have one of the highest concentrations of viruses in your home?

Now that you know some common hotspots, how can you inhibit the spread of germs at home and lower the risk of illness? First, step up your disinfecting game, if only during cold and flu season.

There are plenty of commercial wipes and solutions available that promise to “kill 99.9% of germs” and whose labels shout “antibacterial”. But chances are you’ve already got some highly effective disinfectants in your cupboards – ones that are less expensive and less toxic, too: bleach (a little goes a long way when diluted with water), white vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol. Whatever your disinfectant of choice is, use it with paper towels, which can be thrown away after use, further helping to prevent the spread of germs.

Of course, the best thing you (and everyone else in your family) can do to inhibit the spread of germs and illness at home is wash your hands, frequently and thoroughly. A proper hand washing requires soap and lots of rubbing – palm-to-palm, palm-to-back, and fingers interlaced – for at least 20 seconds. And if you think you need an antibacterial product, here, too, think again: regular soaps work just as well as those marketed as “antibacterial.” In fact, many experts now advise against antibacterial soaps as they’re no more effective, yet may contribute to antibiotic or antibacterial resistance. Finally, dry hands completely – damp ones spread more bacteria than dry ones – using disposable towels, or designate a towel for the exclusive use of each family member during cold and flu season.

as we’re in the thick of cold and flu season, now seems a fitting time to talk about germs at home – where they

like to congregate, how to prevent their spread, and, by extension, how to minimize the risk of them making you

and your family sick.

Fully DetacheD

hunting equipment

Volume 9, issue 2 3

home hunting can be an arduous task. to make the

process less stressful and more fruitful, here are six

things you should consider bringing with you on the

hunt for your next address.

A needs/wants checklist. This is a handy way to measure how each property you look at stacks up to your requirements. As well, a checklist will help keep you focused and your decision-making based on your needs rather than on your emotions.

A pen and paper (or more high-tech note-taking device). You’ll no doubt want to take some notes – what you saw that you liked, what would have to change, any concerns you had, questions you’d like to ask – about each home you visit.

A camera. Homes tend to blur together after a while, so taking pictures of their exteriors and surroundings will help you to remember (and distinguish between) each property – just be respectful of sellers’ privacy about interior photos.

A tape measure. You might not need this on your first round of home hunting, but once you’ve narrowed your search down to serious contenders, you might want to know things like how (or even if) your furniture will fit in the space.

Energy-boosting snacks. It’s easy to run out of steam when viewing several homes in a day; plus, it’s hard to focus when you’re hungry. Dried fruit and nuts, yogurt and granola, or whole-grain crackers with cheese are great battery rechargers.

A professional real estate salesperson. If you bring nothing else, bring your real estate representative. Your rep will save you time, by narrowing your home search and keeping you focused, and save you stress along the way.

Get packing. Start with the personal stuff: photographs, diplomas, trophies, kids’ artwork, souvenirs, knick-knack collections, etc. With these things gone, it’s easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in the space – and it’s easier for you to picture them there, too. Besides, you’ll have to pack these things up at some point anyway.

Redecorate – for buyers, that is. When your property’s on market, its décor should appeal not to you, but to the greatest number of potential buyers: think neutral colors and subdued patterns on walls and floors. When it stops looking like your home, it stops feeling like your home – that’s a step in the right direction for you and for buyers.

Adopt a show-ready lifestyle. While your home is for sale, you need to tweak your daily routine so as to be prepared for buyers’ arrival at a moment’s notice. That means making some rooms off-limits, taking the trash out every day, and making beds every morning, for example. With the change in routine comes the needed change in mentality.

Ask your real estate sales rep for a report on comparable sales – current sales of properties similar to yours in terms of square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc. Seeing such a breakdown will help you to paint a picture of your home that’s by the numbers rather than one that’s drawn from emotion.

emotionally detaching from your home is key to

remaining objective when setting your asking price

and sitting at the negotiating table. here’s how to

stop seeing your home as “your” place, and start

seeing it as a product to be marketed and sold like

any other.

Finished or not, basements add valuable space to a property, but homeowners often overlook this area of the house when preparing to sell. Here are some tips to help get your basement looking its buyer-ready best.

Declutter and organize. Most people use their basements for storage. By decluttering and organizing yours, not only will you make it look more spacious, you’ll demonstrate its value to buyers, showcasing a great place to store and organize all of their sporting equipment, holiday decorations, and patio furniture.

Clean. Wash floors; vacuum carpets; dust baseboards, furniture, gym equipment, etcetera; clean appliances and mechanical fixtures (e.g. HVAC equipment). By doing so, you’ll remove the “ick” factor, defy buyers’ expectations about basements, and impress upon them the image of a well-maintained house.

Lighten and brighten. Open up window coverings, clean windows, and trim any landscaping that’s blocking windows in order to maximize natural light. Outfit fixtures with the brightest bulbs that can safely be used and consider additional lighting to banish the shadows from otherwise dark areas.

Paint. A fresh coat of neutral-colored paint on unfinished basement floors and on drywall will help make your basement look cleaner, brighter, and more livable.

Set the stage. Demonstrate your basement’s potential. For example, are kids’ toys scattered across your basement? Set them up in a designated play area. Storing excess furniture down there? Create an inviting reading nook.

Please call for more “underground” tips today!

UndergroUnd, overlooked

Terminology TipENCROACHMENT — A situation where a structure is built wholly or in part onto an adjoining property. Examples are a neighbor's fence, storage shed, or overhanging roofline that partially (or even fully) intrudes onto your property.

It is highly advised to have a professional survey performed before building any type of structure on your property even if you are clearly building on your property. Each city and county has specific codes and easements that are strictly enforced.

4

The information and opinions contained in this newsletter are obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The publishers assume no responsibility for errors and omissions or for any damages resulting from the use of the published information. This newsletter is provided with the understanding that it does not render legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Not intended to solicit properties or businesses listed for sale and agency agreements in place with other real estate brokers. Whole or partial reproduction of this newsletter is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. © Market Connections Inc.® 2013, Phone: (800) 387-6058.

www.RecineTeam.caMelanie Direct647-836-4062

Fabio Direct416-828-5441

Fabio and Melanie RecineSales Representatives

Compliments of Fabio & Melanie Recine RE/MAX Premier Inc., Brokerage