Home for sale by the owner, Nelson Street in Barrie Ontario, Simcoe County. Great location, Close to East High School, St. Monica's Catholic School in Barrie as well as Georgian College and RVH. 6 Full bedrooms, 4 up and 1 on main and the 6th bed is in the basement. Solid oak flooring on main and upper levels,  with ceramics in the kitchen. A large addition was put on in 1995 which added another 1000 sq. ft of living space, so there is a main flooring living room as well as main floor family room. The eat in kitchen is completely renovated, with new appliances, solid wood cabinets, and ceramic flooring. The fenced in, large backyard ( big enough for a pool) also has a 15 x 10 storage shed. As a buyer you can save thousands by dealing direct with the home owner. Homes by owner.com is Bar... 02/13/2008

Growth in Simcoe County and Barrie Orillia due to the Ripple EffectThe impact of the GO train in Barrie Ontario is yet to be felt. It is the poewrfect example of the ripple effect. We will see its slow impact over the next few years. The "ripple" effect is an extremely important factor in general real estate analysis but most importantly for real estate investing.  It is a huge factor for deciding upon which areas to invest in for future value when accounting for the speculative term of appreciation. Although I am not a strong advocate for buying on appreciation only, it is a must to consider when looking at the economcs of the region and should come into play on financial analysis spreadsheets. People live in Barrie's south end because of; a- the price for a nice home is reasonable and... 02/13/2008

In 1993 I found myself out of work with an investment property that was breaking even. I was living on a boat down in Port Credit Marina. The bubble burst and like thousands of others I lost tens of thousands of dollars. What did I learn that is actually relevant and useful today and for you?Well the biggest thing in relation to real estate is that all appreciation is speculative. I had a conversation that turned into an argument with a fellow investor from Alberta. He was trying to convince me that Alberta's economic fundamentals pointed to a boom that will not stop and that cash flow is irrelevant because the property will appreciate so fast. Now from the data he presented, it looked tempting. And yes I am believer in economic fundamentals, but I learned my lesson. All apperception is... 02/11/2008

Just listed 88b Bernick in Barrie Ontario. A fantastic 4 bedroom, semi-detach bungalow that is walking distance to RVH and Georgian College in Barrie Ontario. Wood floors on main level, updated and reno'd kitchen, finished basement with second kitchen; great for student apartment. Separate laundry facilities as well as a fenced in backyard with small storage shed. Walk to corner of Grove and Duckworth Tim Hortons!! Listed at only $239,000. For more info go to: http://www.homesbytheowner.ca Plus we have many more homes to view in the Midland, Orillia, Muskoka, Collingwood areas    Homes by The Owner Your For Sale by Owner Team in Georgian Bay, Simcoe County, Midland Penetang, Orillia, Muskoka County, Grey Bruce and Parry Sound Real Estate districts www.homesbytheowner.ca http://www.manai... 02/11/2008

After my first purchase of the semi-detach I then thought I would expand my empire (ha!) and invest with my first partner, Gary Does in a huge old 8 bedroom mansion near weston road and 401. It required massive work ( re dug basement floor, lathe and plaster replacement, plumbing, knob and tube etc...by by money....).We had fun though and talk about learning the hard way!. We were paying 12.5% interest!!!! And we thought we had a deal!. Wow what a lesson. After about 8 months all hell broke loose and yes the bubble came crashing down. I sold my interest back to Gary ( as I got laid off from my job) losing about 40k in the process and moved onto my sailboat ( yes its still my dream). I managed to hang onto the semi detach in Richmond Hill and kept renting it out. I certainly was beginnin... 02/09/2008

Why after 20 years doing everything BUT real state sales, have I decided to get into fsbo or for sale by owner? Good question. In many ways this is what this blog is about. Its about the evolution of real estate. Its about the changing market. Its about the growth of my business. Its about shaking things up...especially in the Georgian Bay, Orillia, Midland and Muskoka areas. In a nut shell professional real estate people need to be exactly that...professionals, versed in ALL aspects of real estate. And i am sorry to say that the 80/20 rule does not apply here. Its more like 97/3. Which means that only 3% of real estate experts are truly that...experts. the other 97 are wanna-bees.So I ask again why for sale by owner? Its simple really. The fsbo market is growing at 80 to 100% a year. T... 02/08/2008

GROWTH CONTINUESSolid demand, a reasonable listing inventory, and stable housing values bolstered residential homes sales through the course of the past year, as the real estate industry completed the 12th Consecutive Year of Market Appreciation.  For Barrie and the Surrounding Municipalities, New home construction and upgrading of the necessary infrastructure has continued in all directions.  As available residential land within the city of Barrie, continues to diminish, infilling of single lots is now a well established practice with both small and (not so small) builders, and major residential development by Barrie based builders  is well underway in the adjoing Town of Innisfil.DECEMBER 31ST, 2007 MARKET RESULTSThe number of residential properties sold during the year increased by a... 02/02/2008

 The hope when we send our children to school is that along with academic knowledge they will pick up some vital lessons to prepare them for adult life. The lessons learned this past week by the students of St. Catherine of Siena School in Barrie could be that political correctness supersedes expression of community or team passion and pride and that you can justify any action, how ever far reaching, so long as you attempt to affiliate peoples worst fears with it, (just ask George W. Bush about that) Thirteen year old Adam Zussino who showed up for class last week with his hair dyed blue as his expression of support for his Barrie Colts PeeWee A Hockey team in their playoff efforts learned quickly that attempting to stand apart from the masses, regardless of how noble your intentions, i... 01/27/2008

This post is directed at the many thousands of people who willbe retaining the services of a Realtor to purchase a house this year. Get a Buyer Agency Agreement Signed at the earliest opportunity!  What is the benefit to a buyer? Well consider this. Suppose you walked into a busy TV store and like the dozens of others that day, when asked "Can I help you?" You reply "I'm just looking thanks"The sales person will offer a few words on what you are looking at, become distracted by the next person to walk in the door and leave you to figure out the difference between digital ready and high def all by your self.Imagine if you told that same sales rep who asks if you need help "Yes I want to know everything you can tell me about your Plasma TVs, and before I leave I am going to buy one and I ... 01/25/2008

The Bank of Canada cut its benchmark overnight lending rate to four per cent on January 22nd, and raised chances for further cuts in the near future. The trend-setting Bank rate, which is set 0.25 percentage points above the overnight lending rate, now stands at 4¼ per cent. Fallout from the subprime lending meltdown in the U.S. caused the Bank to slash its forecast for economic growth and inflation. Assessing the Canadian economy, it said the domestic economy will remain strong but a high Canadian dollar will undercut exports and overall economic growth. “The subprime lending meltdown is putting upward pressure on interest rates, so the Bank of Canada and the central banks of other nations will be leaning against the wind until the mess is sorted out,” said Canadian Real Estate Associ... 01/22/2008

  Congratulations to the 27 employees of Powco Inc. in Barrie and their families who made the drive on a school bus to Toronto on Thursday to each collect their $925,925 share of last Wednesdays 25 million dollar 649 prize!!!Nice to see that many local families get a whole new perspective on finances over night.    01/17/2008

 New homebuyers may see the biggest savings, however, when the new one per cent reduction in the GST takes effect in January 2008, it will also help existing homeowners to pay for home renovations, new appliances or furniture. The federal government claims that Canadians spend an average of $7,475 on renovations when they buy a home, and spend another $3,950 on furniture and appliances. Based on these figures, the GST cut represents $114 in savings. The Canadian Home Builders Association offer the following guidelines for home renovations and how the GST is applied. Renovations done before or after January 1, 2008, but invoiced on or after that date will qualify for the five per cent GST rate. For renovations done and invoiced January 1, 2008, but subject to a down payment before Januar... 01/11/2008

Canada is not linked to US real estate market troubles Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) January 2008The melt-down of the U.S. real estate market has left many homebuyers wondering if and how it may affect the housing market in Canada. But market analysts say the problems in the U.S. will have little impact on Canadian real estate. For example, according to a recent House Price Survey report released by Royal LePage Real Estate Services, Canada's resale housing market remained on solid ground during the third quarter as high consumer confidence, strong employment rates and stable interest rates led to robust buyer demand and a rise in house prices. “Much like the Canadian dollar, the Canadian housing market is charting its own course, quite independent from the United States and it... 01/11/2008

Just wanted to share the fact that our Barrie Real Estate Website www.BarrieProperties.com  is ranking in the first places of the main search engines and having approximately 1000 unique visitors monthly based on our site statistics. This is great news for us since we are very focused in offering great information to all our visitors. Our goal always had beeb to keep our Barrie Real Estate Website up to date with the latest Barrie Real Estate information and news.Barrie Home Sellers will have the advantage of their listings being posted in our website having more marketability and visibility.We also offer this website in Spanish at http://www.inmobiliariaenbarrie.com/Cheers! 01/01/2008

It is a fact! The first Barrie's GO train commuter trains left Barrie's south-end station for the first time on Monday, December 17, 2007. Trains will first leave Barrie's GO station getting into Toronto's Union Station. From Toronto, trains begin departing at approximately 4:10 p.m., according to GO's schedule. There are four trains out in the morning, four trains back at night. ·         Single (one-way) fare: $10.30·         10 rides: $93.75. ·         Monthly pass: $331 Another important fact is that there are not stops between Barrie and Bradford, which is as far north as GO trains run now (although GO buses travel to and from Barrie).We are expecting to see an increase in Barrie Real Estate Prices soon after the Go Train begins serving Barrie.Contact us for more info at 705-716-76... 01/01/2008

We have great news for all first-time homebuyers; If you are thinking in buying your first home, you will get a break on land transfer tax! First-time buyers of resale homes, as well as newly constructed homes, would be eligible for a refund from the provincial government of up to $2,000 of the Land Transfer Tax paid. This means big savings for you if you are buying your first home. This initiative combined with the First Time Home Buyers Government Plan will make it easier for you to own your own home and stop paying rent!With this great news don't you think that it is time to be a home owner? See our FREE services for New Home Buyers at http://www.barrieproperties.com/If you are thinking in buying your first home contact us at 705-716-7611 to show you all the programs and benefits ava... 01/01/2008

After over three months of hearings and another month behind closed doors the Ontario Municipal Board has ruled that the Geranium Corporation may proceed with the development of the resort on lands it purchased in the Big Bay Point area that included the existing Big Bay Point Marina. Environmental impact on Lake Simcoe was a major concern voiced by area residents and appears to be reflected in the design and site plan which has earmarked one third of the property to be zoned environmentally protected. The resort itself is being built to the high environmental standards of LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, says Geranium Corporation. Prior to this fall's provincial elections Premier Dalton McGuinty showed high interest and concern for the preservation of L... 12/14/2007

Housing starts expected to dip in 2008 (information from Ontario Real Estate Association) November 12, 2007 — New home construction will drop in 2008 in part due to higher housing prices and mortgage carrying costs. That’s the word from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) fourth quarter Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition report. Housing starts will reach 227,530 units in 2007, an increase of 0.1 per cent from the 227,395 units in 2006, according to the report. However, in 2008, residential construction will decline to about 214,000 units. Despite this drop, 2008 will mark the seventh consecutive year in which housing starts exceed 200,000 units. “Continuing high employment levels, income gains and low mortgage rates have been a boon to Canada’s housing markets. Despite ... 11/14/2007

Housing Costs (June 2007 Estimates) Housing Second Quarter 2007 First Quarter 2007 Second Quarter 2006 Detached Bungalow $252,000 $247,000 $235,000 Executive Detached Two-Storey $475,000 $485,000 $500,000 Standard Two-Storey $242,000 $235,000 $230,000 Standard Townhouse $192,000 $186,000 $182,000 Senior Executive $817,000 $840,000 $860,000 Standard Condominium $255,000 $247,000 $240,000 Housing Type Typical Description Detached Bungalow 3 Bedroom single storey, 1.5 bathrooms, one car garage, 1,200 sq.ft. structure on a 5,500 sq.ft. lot. Executive Detached Two Storey 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, two car garage, 2,000 sq. ft. structure on a 6,500 sq. ft. lot Standard Two Storey 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath, single garage, 1,500 sq. ft. structure with 3,500 sq. ft. lot. Standard Townhouse Condo or Fre... 11/09/2007

 Second suites in homes are nothing new in Barrie or in any urban centre for that matter. For those with the space, creating a basement apartment can be a sound economical approach to making home ownership more manageable. Qualified home buyers often consider homes of a higher caliber and price than they might otherwise be comfortable looking at once they factor in the financial returns possible from renting out a second suite.  The most recent statistics from the City of Barrie showed the number of "two unit" houses in Barrie at around 1500. These are three year old stats so that figure has no doubt grown. Of those suites known to exist by the City, only about 10% are registered. Of those that have applied for legal status roughly one in two applicants are successful in registering on... 11/02/2007