We know, you don't want a mortgage... you want a home! "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain" Vivian Greene Today is a great day to find out how you can qualify for a new mortgage or how you can restructure your existing mortgage to turn your dreams into reality! Whatever your goals are, we are here to help! For a personalized one hour free mortgage planning consultation please call (705) 727-9992 to book your appointment now! Click HERE to get approved. TERM POSTED OUR RATES* 6 Month 4.60% 3.95% 1 Year 3.90% 2.44% 2 Year 4.30% 3.15% 3 Year 4.85% 3.60% 4 Year 5.59% 4.09% 5 Year 6.10% 4.29% 7 Year 6.34% 5.00% 10 Year 6.65% 5.34% Variable Rate 1.75% Prime Rate 2.25% * Rates may vary provincially and are subject to change without notic... 04/23/2010

Selling your Home - The Six Steps to Success in Selling your home in Barrie and Orillia Ontario The following 6 steps are an outline of things to consider when selling your home. They are based on a successful goal setting program that has been proven and applied for over the past 10 years. That is how we think at Simcoe Homes 4 Sale, we believe that everything has an objective or end in mind. So if selling your home is an objective, then we are here to help you set that goal and sell your home. So before you start making repairs, or setting dates on your calendar for an open house, it's smart to prepare a home with selling plan. A goal setting strategy of sorts (please visit our affiliate site that teaches goal setting in a simple easy way - Six Steps To Success). Of course your main o... 04/19/2010

We know, you don't want a mortgage... you want a home! "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...it's about learning to dance in the rain" Vivian Greene Today is a great day to find out how you can qualify for a new mortgage or how you can restructure your existing mortgage to turn your dreams into reality! Whatever your goals are, we are here to help! For a personalized one hour free mortgage planning consultation please call (705) 727-9992 to book your appointment now! Click HERE to get approved. TERM POSTED OUR RATES* 6 Month 4.60% 4.60% 1 Year 3.65% 2.44% 2 Year 3.95% 2.85% 3 Year 4.70% 3.52% 4 Year 5.34% 4.09% 5 Year 5.85% 4.18% 7 Year 6.30% 5.00% 10 Year 6.50% 5.34% Variable Rate 1.75% Prime Rate 2.25% * Rates may vary provincially and are subject to change without notic... 04/16/2010

City of Barrie to Affect Real Estate Values and Stimulate Economic Change in Downtown Core The Economic Development department in Barrie Ontario is going to affect home values by developing the vacant lands in the downtown core. The Economic Development department for Barrie  was recently quoted ( Barrie Advance Newspaper) that they are interested in moving forward with the planned Hotel / Event centre on the vacant parking spot located at 1 Bayfield Street in Barrie. There is no doubt that this will have a strong ripple affect on the surrounding home values.  As well as home values Downtown Barrie sorely needs this development to revitalize the economic  core. The waterfront in Barrie is enjoyed by many a homeowner ( and tourist!), but there is little spillover into the economy. This n... 04/15/2010

The Real Estate "Perfect storm" I was predicting back in february is raining down upon us now. (http://activerain.com/blogsview/1496864/there-is-a-real-estate-perfect-storm-brewing-in-ontario-in-2010)   In the Sutton Group Real Estate office at Minet's Point and Lakeshore Road everyone has a look of purpose and a stepped up pace. Already this year the number of trades has doubled what they were last year at this time. I have seen over 50 homes, up down inside and out with buyers in this month alone. This past Sunday I was the second agent to bring clients through a home just listed the evening before. We entered just as the previous house hunters and their Realtor were leaving. Both parties presented offers on the home later that day and before the sun went down, even before the for sal... 04/13/2010

  OK...you are getting ready to sell and you have a growing list of things you have to do. One of them is selecting a Realtor. The choice you make deserves some serious scrutiny because this is the one task on that list that will influence the net outcome of your sale more than any other. Effort will equal reward if you focus on the things that will matter most to the outcome. I have prepared a list, a test you can use or add to your own that I feel addresses some of the more important aspects of marketing a home in today's real estate market. It should come as no surprise that I got a perfect score, hey I wrote the test. That point aside these are all valuable deciding factors that should help you narrow down and determine the Realtor who gets the opportunity to put his or her name on ... 03/30/2010

  We know, you don't want a mortgage... you want a home! With Rates continuing to be near a record low - it is great timing for Purchasers! It is also perfect timing to review any financing you may already have in place - give us a call for a full mortgage/debt review - it should be part of your Financial Planning Stragegy! Click HERE to get approved. TERM POSTED OUR RATES* 6 Month 4.60% 3.50% 1 Year 3.65% 2.35% 2 Year 3.95% 2.80% 3 Year 4.30% 3.25% 4 Year 5.04% 3.64% 5 Year 5.39% 3.64% 7 Year 6.30% 4.70% 10 Year 6.50% 5.20% Variable Rate 1.75% Prime Rate 2.25% * Rates may vary provincially and are subject to change without notice OAC. Rates Last Updated: Thursday, March 25, 2010 Rates courtesy of: Shelley Black Phone: (705)727-9992 Fax: (705)727-0945 Email: sblack@mortgagealliance.com ... 03/26/2010

  The most significantly unique aspect of the real estate industry when compared to almost any other vocation is that it is comprised almost entirely of people who came from other professions. People who have worked as teachers, trades persons, professional athletes, media personalities, engineers, architects, airline industry workers, medical workers, house wives, fire fighters, police and that's just in my office. Almost any and every industry is represented within the ranks of the Canadian Real Estate industry. I can say with absolute certainty that there is not a broader or more complete representation of Canadians and no doubt Americans, from all levels of education, race, religion creed or colour that you can show me in any industry than you will find working as Realtors. Why I po... 03/24/2010

Saturday night I joined a few friends at the Simcoe Hotel. The Simcoe is a true small town Ontario working-class neighbourhood bar in the classic tradition, from the well worn plank floors to the half empty picked egg jar on the counter. Asking to see the wine menu might draw you a blank stare but the Jack Daniels is guaranteed fresh. Located smack dab at Barrie's main intersection of  Dunlop and Bayfield streets this place has been here since the late eighteen hundreds when thirsty travelers would tie up their horses out front. The side door still sports a sign over it that says Ladies and Escorts Entrance.  None of us last night could claim to be regular patrons but there were a few stories told about sneaking a first underage drink or two at the Simcoe. For a couple of the ladies at... 03/21/2010

Suddenly it feels like spring. The snow is gone, the days are longer. I'm sure I'll see that first Robin any day now. This morning I saw some lady bugs crawling along the railing of the back deck. The following is an article I wrote a couple years back for Food & Home Magazine that I thought about again this morning. Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.  When I was growing up just south of Barrie in an area bordering the woods and surrounded by overgrown fields that would have inspired Mark Twain, bugs were fascinating little critters. We would spend entire summer days discovering and observing them. This was the Serengeti through the eyes of a curious 12 year old boy.  Flash ahead to the present; those woods and fields exist in memory only. Urban expansion has transfor... 03/20/2010

  Sales activity edges down in February media release from BDAR President, Elizabeth Wilson Residential sales activity in the area served by the Barrie District Association of REALTORS® Inc. remained strong in February, but edged down from levels in recent months.   According to statistics provided by the Association, home sales recorded through the MLS® System numbered 278 units in February 2010, 36 per cent above levels reported one year earlier. This year-over-year gain was smaller than those in the previous four months. “Year-over-year gains in activity are becoming more subdued as we move past the recessionary lows of one year ago,” said Elizabeth Wilson, President of the Barrie and District Association of REALTORS®.   The total dollar value of all home sales amounted to $77.4 mill... 03/19/2010

  We know, you don't want a mortgage... you want a home! With Rates continuing to be near a record low - it is great timing for Purchasers! It is also perfect timing to review any financing you may already have in place - give us a call for a full mortgage/debt review - it should be part of your Financial Planning Stragegy! Click HERE to get approved. TERM POSTED OUR RATES* 6 Month 4.60% 3.50% 1 Year 3.65% 2.35% 2 Year 3.95% 2.80% 3 Year 4.30% 3.25% 4 Year 5.04% 3.64% 5 Year 5.39% 3.64% 7 Year 6.30% 4.95% 10 Year 6.50% 5.20% Variable Rate 1.75% Prime Rate 2.25% * Rates may vary provincially and are subject to change without notice OAC. Rates Last Updated: Thursday, March 18, 2010 Rates courtesy of: Shelley Black Phone: (705)727-9992 Fax: (705)727-0945 Email: sblack@mortgagealliance.com ... 03/19/2010

A recent Barrie Examiner article titled “Barrie Condo owners living the high life” recently highlighted a Pratt Homes condo development, called the Manhattan, in south Barrie.  It is set into a unique area of Barrie where the units back onto an eco-park, forest and will have a “central park” like area and boardwalk. This project will be well received in the community for its green development focus, condo layouts and amenities. For more information on this future Barrie condo development, please call us or visit the Pratt Homes Manhattan Condos web site.     Stephanie Adams is a Realtor at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos, Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales.   03/13/2010

Mason Homes, a local Barrie developer, built a new townhome project called Townhomes 4U in the south end of Barrie. These open concept townhomes were built for first-time home buyers or people looking for a condo lifestyle with upscale kitchen and bathroom amenities. The layouts look good and the project layout with the landscape drawings look clean and modern.  With easy access to HWY 400 and shopping, we believe it will be a great place to live. For more information on Townhomes 4U, give us a call or visit the Townhomes 4U facebook page.     Stephanie Adams is a Sales Representative at Royal LePage in Barrie focusing on Barrie Condos,Barrie Waterfront Condos and Barrie townhomes sales. 03/13/2010

The current Allandale Village / Allandale Train Station development plans present a mixed-use condo development site.  The proposed plans state that the Barrie waterfront development will include: a hotel, condo development, loft-style work office spaces, retail, and GO station. This project is currently in the planning stages and will likely begin in the 2 - 3 year time period.   It will be a very exciting project for the City of Barrie and we feel that this project will "define" our waterfront. The Barrie Condo Team will post more information as we learn more about this development.   03/12/2010

Future condo developments in the downtown / Waterfront Barrie area include a condo development called Blue Sails. Situated between the Toronto Street (Grand Harbour & Waterview) condos and the Nautica condo towers along Lakeshore Dr., the Blue Sails development will include two 24 floor condo towers. And feature a restaurant on the top floor and with townhomes and commercial space on Bradford St. The blue sails condos will be designed by Ian S. Malcolm, one of Barrie’s finest Architects. The project has the green light from Barrie City Council but more than likely the project will begin development in the 3-4 year timeline. For more information on Barrie Condos, condo sales, condo listings - please contact the Barrie Condo Team.    03/09/2010

(Press Release from PRLeap.com - March 1st, 2010) March 1st, 2010 Barrie, Ontario – The Barrie Condo Team is partnering with condo and townhome developers within the City of Barrie in part due to the Province of Ontario’s Places to Grow policy. The province identified Barrie as one of 25 Urban Growth Centres in the Golden Horseshoe area that will be targeted for a city-core density and intensification process. Barrie’s goal is to exceed the province’s target of 150 people and jobs combined per hectare. "We look forward to creating business partnerships with Barrie condo and townhome developers looking for unique marketing and sales strategies" states Stephanie Adams, Barrie Condo Team.This intensification process will focus on developing the downtown core and waterfront of Barrie to red... 03/03/2010

With the new Province of Ontario’s “Places to Grow” program, and as the largest city centre in Simcoe County, Barrie's condo and townhome developments will continue to expand. The province’s growth plan under “Places to Grow” outlines the need for better policies and management to control growth and urban sprawl, while protecting the natural environment that includes Lake Simcoe.   One of the ways Barrie will work to control sprawl and protect neighbouring greenspace is through vertical development in the form of multi-family condo and townhome developments, offering current and future residents a range of housing options.       These developments can work within existing Barrie neighbourhoods by working with the natural features of the area, unique planning needs based on roads and cur... 02/27/2010

If you’re a first time Barrie condo buyer, you may not know what a status certificate is. Trust us, it’s definitely in your best interest to find out-- They're there to protect you. Your condo status certificate ensures all your questions are answered, and all your expectations are met. It’s a document that maps out all the operational, legal and financial details of your would-be condominium corporation. “Most importantly, an up-to-date status certificate can help give a prospective purchaserthe peace of mind of knowing the corporations financial affairs are in good order," said Colin Hassey, of Hassey Property Management. Once you have it, your lawyer needs to review it to ensure that you don’t need to be concerned with any aspect of the document, and ensure that all key parts of the... 02/18/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CREA SATISFIED WITH CHANGES TO MORTGAGE RULES   OTTAWA – February 16th – Following this morning’s announcement by the Federal government, The Canadian Real Estate Association is of the view that the Canadian resale housing market is healthy, and does not require regulatory changes beyond those announced today. “Banks and governments should be cautious interpreting recent statistics, since comparisons are being distorted by recessionary activity a year ago and the subsequent rebound,” says Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Current trends reflect the release of pent up demand when buyers moved to the sidelines during the recession. Additionally, the HST in Ontario and British Columbia and coming interest rate increases will likely moderate activity and price g... 02/17/2010