June 2014 Market Report
Jul 9 Press Release
Highlights from the June Market Report provided by RAHB are as follows:
- The number of sales are up 15.6% in June 2014 versus June 2013
- The number of listings are up 11.5% in June 2014 versus June 2013
- The average sale price is up 4.8% in June 2014 versus June 2013
To view the full Market Report and to see what the June 2014 sales statistics were for the various areas serviced by the Realtors Association of Hamilton Burlington click for ...more.
Re/Max Recreational Property Report 2014
Jun 27 Re/Max in the news
RE/MAX released is 2014 Recreational Property Report today, and it looks like the recreational real estate market is showing healthy activity, which should lead to 'modest increases in sales and prices in most markets through the rest of the year'. Each local market is has its own subtle differences and unique attractions, and RE/MAX has covered them all from coast to coast! Properties particularly within a two hour drive of a large city centre are particularly attractive, as the hot residential market has allowed owners to gain equity via their primary residences, allowing them the freedom to purchase a second, recreational home. Read the full Re/Max Recreational Property Report 2014 report for both the broad national trends, and the local trends in your province.
Calculating CMHC Insurance
Jun 24 Buying a Home
If you have less than 20% as a downpayment for your home purchase your mortgage is referred to as a "High-Ratio" mortgage. A High- Ratio mortgage must be insured in Canada. The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Genworth Financial both provide this type insurance. The cost for mortgage insurance is based on the percentage amount of your downpayment and the purchase price of your home. Click to calculate the premium of a CMHC insured mortgage. If you are fortunate enough to have 20% or more of a downpayment, you have what is referred to as a "Conventional" Mortgage and you are not required to insure the mortgage.
For more information, on Home Buying, visit CMHC's website.
First Time Buying on Your Own
Jun 16 Buying a Home
For as long as I can remember, I always dreamed of owning my own home. While a young girl, I took great pride in keeping my portion of the room that I shared with my younger sister as neat and tidy as possible.
As a young adult, just graduating from university and gainfully employed, I started to pay down my student loan. Once that was finished, I saved for and bought my first new car. I promptly paid the balance of the car loan and decided that my next purchase would be a house. Well, needless to say, there were a lot of co-workers, friends and family willing to tell me that perhaps I could not and should not do this, "after all you are not married yet". Well, for those of you that know me, their reactions only made me more determined to go forth with my quest for single home ownership.
At the time, I was working for the Head Office of an Insurance Company that offered savings plans where they would take a certain amount off of each pay; a forced saving plan if you will. After 2 years of contributing to that savings plan, I had saved a decent downpayment, even for today's standards and then set out to find a home that I liked and buy it. Well, at the time, the Hamilton market was brisk to say the least. It seemed that every home I liked had more than one offer. I was out-bidded time and time again. Although, I was frustrated, I continued and there was a bit of a levelling off of the market. I took this opportunity to put an offer in on a 2.5 storey, 3+2 bedroom home off of Locke Street South. The sellers and I were not able to come to an agreement on price on the first round of negotiations. After a couple more months of the house being on the market, the sellers accepted my original offer. I was so excited. My hands were sweating so much that I could barely keep my shaking hands on the pen while I signed the final documents. I thought to myself...I HAVE BOUGHT A HOUSE, LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE, I HAVE BOUGHT A HOUSE ON MY OWN! The next day, when reality sank in I thought to myself, oh no,,,I bought a house, WHAT have I done, what was I thinking? Well, I calmed down, fulfilled all the conditions on the offer and waited impatiently for the completion date to arrive. I spent many a night walking by that house and standing behind a nearby hedge so that I could look at my soon-to-be-mine home. I fell more in love with that house with each passing day.
When the time finally arrived and I was given the keys to my very own home, I went by myself to take it all in. I opened the door and breathed in the enormity of what had just happened. I had bought my own home, my own home on my own. Wow, what a feeling. I was walking around, checking out all the rooms and reminding myself what everything looked like with tears running down my face. What a thrill; what an accomplishment to buy a home on my own.
Now, as a Realtor, when I get the privilege of working with a single First Time Buyer, I am taken back to that very exciting and scary time. I am so glad that I decided to make that first purchase alone. I know that it was not the best home I will ever own but it certainly was the best feeling I ever experienced while buying a home. I hope my single First Time Buyers will have these same wonderful memories of their first home purchase.
Sitting on the fence and not knowing whether to buy on your own? I say, Go for it! You'll be glad you did. I know was!
Cameron Nolan is a long-time resident of Hamilton and a leading residential and commercial real estate broker in the area. His radio show Real Estate Made Simple can be heard on the first Saturday of every month on AM 900 CHML.