The Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 1,369 units sold in July, indicating an increase of 10.6 per cent over the same month last year.  The total unit sales for the first seven months of 2009 are being reported at 7.4 per cent lower for the same period last year, while new units listed are 8.3 per cent lower for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB). "The summer market has continued with the strength seen in the spring," said Bruce King, RAHB President.  "July marked the second month where sales and average price were up, year over year.  Consumers continue to see value and opportunity in the greater Hamilton-Burlington area." Residential properties sold duri... 08/18/2009

Open House in Huntington Park Area, Hamilton East Mountain on Sunday Aug. 23, 2009 2-4pm Nice Bungalow In Huntington Park Area, Hamilton East Mountain  -  I want to invite everyone to visit my open house at 160 BRENTWOOD DRIVE on August 23 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Property information Visit www.LisaTollis.ca For More Information About Real Estate & Listings In Hamilton Ontario and Area. Lisa Tollis SRES.Sales RepresentativeSeniors Real Estate SpecialistRoyal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.Hamilton Ontario905 574 4600Toll Free: 1 877 574 4601 www.LisaTollis.ca   08/18/2009

  For as long as I've been around, the City of Hamilton (Steeltown as it's affectionately known) has been viewed by some as a less than desirable place to live and unjustly so, for the most part in my opinion.  Turn over enough rocks and you'll expose the seedy underbelly of any city.  As Hamilton's "next door neighbour", I've heard it all.  Some would even view Hamilton as the "Cousin Ed" of Ontario.  Who I'm referring to, is Cousin Ed in the movie National Lampoon's Vacation.  You remember him don't you?      Is that all about to change for Hamilton?  It will, if real estate developer Harry Stinson has his way.  Stinson and a group of private investors recently purchased the Stinson School located on Stinson Street.  Apparently the name is just coincidence.  According to what I've rea... 07/31/2009

  If you are planning on selling your home, now is the time to replace that flamingo pink broadloom.  Don't leave it for the new owners to do or you may be sitting on your property for quite some time before it sells.  Many of today's buyers want move-in ready homes, so think twice before going the route of a carpet allowance.  If you happen to live in Halton Region, you're in luck.  Hamilton Carpet Mill Outlet, located at 2799 Barton Street East in Hamilton, is holding an enormous open house this weekend. In fact, it will be the largest carpet sale going on in the province. Bob Birthelmer, Owner and Mark Tomlinson, Consultant and Certified Instructor will both be on hand to assist you with all of your flooring needs. There will be many in-store specials on broadloom and hardwood floori... 05/28/2009

Councillor Bob Bratina blew it recently when he stated, with disgust, that the university is "an unwieldy leviathan ruining everything around it," and a "huge nuisance". MacMaster University-with more than 19,000 full-time undergraduate students, almost 3,000 grad students and more than 7,500 employees--has a huge positive impact on our city with its ability to attract bright minds, research money and prestige. Bratina made the comment at a council meeting that concerned a proposed zoining change so a developer can build a 10-storey apartment building to house 600 students between Rifle Range and Ewen roads, south of Main St. West. I don't particularly agree with multi-user apartments and if you talk to a lot of the students, they don't like them either; too much like residence. They li... 04/30/2009

If you are buying a home in the Hamilton Market . There is currently a lead pipe replacement program. Details are on the city of hamilton web site. Now lead is new concern for older homes. It is my understanding if you have a shower in the morning and the water runs for five minutes your drinking water is safe. It is without argument good to replace any lead piping, this is a fact. However a more recent oversight is that of galvanized plumbing. While there are some insurance companys that will provide insurance it will be 3 times the rate. It is a good idea to have an  insurance clause in the offer on older homes  or at least extra time on the inspection clause to deal with any  issues.  Galvanized plumbing rusts from the inside out and cause pipes to break. Insurance providers have bec... 03/14/2009

Bank of Canada cut its overnight lending rate by 0.50% to 1.00%, the lowest since the central bank was formed in 1934. The decrease was inline with most economists expectations. The previous lowest rate level set by the Bank of Canada was last seen at 1.12% in 1958. In the past few days leading up to this morning’s announcement by the Bank of Canada, a few lenders began cutting some of their fixed term mortgage rates. It is expected that the various Canadian Banks will announce cuts to their Prime Rate either this afternoon or tomorrow. Gina Burgio, Mortgage Agent FSCO Lic. No. M08008590VERICO Designer Mortgages Inc.FSCO Lic. No. 10194 Toll Free: 1-877-345-6265 Fax: 1-877-345-6256 Email: gina@ginaburgio.com Each VERICO Broker is an independent owner operator. 01/20/2009

Metrolinx is set to announce the biggest multicity bus purchase in Ontario history. And with it comes yet another well-needed tangible spark that the core is being revitalized. With improved bus service East-West and shortly thereafter, North-South, resale and rental properties will experience a surge. The improved service is ideal for connecting students and new MacMaster core workers to suburbs that need the growth and divert some of the housing attention away from West Hamilton. Hamilton is one of many municipalities across Ontario that signed a deal with the provincial agency, Metrolinx, for the joint purchase of buses in 2009, with an option to buy more the following year. Hamilton will get 17 diesel New Flyer buses in each of the next two years. Because they replace existing buses... 12/15/2008

The Bank of Canada on Tuesday cut its key lending rate by 75 basis points to 1.50%, more than many economists had expected.  This is the lowest since 1958. Lower interest rates, if passed on by the commercial banks, encourage businesses and households to borrow and spend for expansion and consumer goods, thereby stimulating economic activity. The interest rate cut today by the Bank of Canada was this biggest cut since October 2001. The record low for Canada's key rate was 1.12 percent in 1958, a time when it was based on treasury yields rather than actions by policy makers. The bank's next scheduled date for setting interest rates is Jan. 20.     Gina Burgio, Mortgage Agent VERICO Designer Mortgages Inc. Toll Free: 1-877-345-6265 Fax: 1-877-345-6256 Email: gina@ginaburgio.com Each VERIC... 12/09/2008

Many Canadian banks are scheduled to begin reporting their 3rd quarter results, starting on Nov. 25 with Bank of Montreal. Some analysts are expecting Canada's six big banks to report an average profit decline of 15 percent for Q3, the biggest drop in 6 years. The Bank of Canada, the country's central bank, stated on Oct.23 that the Canadian economy, the world's 8th-largest economy, will slow to 0.6 percent this year, the lowest since 1991. With the country suffering from weak demand in the US and lower prices for commodities, we will soon have the Q3 results from the Big Six Banks... and it will be interesting to see if they provide any indication of how they project their results will be like in the months to come. One thing can be expected however... if banks continue to report poor ... 11/05/2008

This one comes from my good friend Jim at the City of Hamilton: "I have fact checked this and it is a valid warning. Not a hoax.  JR    The Government of Canada has issued a warning not to consume Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate Coins that have been sold in Canada at Costco, (the candy may also be available in smaller quantities at dollar stores and bulk stores).  The candy has tested positive for melamine. Please pass on this important information to everyone you know that have children going out for Hallowe'en.  For additional details, please consult the following link:  http://news.gc.ca/web/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=421359 ."   10/27/2008

Our Mortgage Rates. Gina Burgio, Mortgage Agent VERICO Designer Mortgages Inc. Toll Free: 1-877-345-6265 Fax: 1-877-345-6256 Email: gina@ginaburgio.comwww.ginaburgio.com Each VERICO Broker is an independent owner operator. 10/23/2008

Thousands of people rushed to register their numbers on the Do-Not-Call List caused the website servers to crash.  The CRTC has since announced that they are increasing capacity/bandwidth to their website. The CRTC has also said that by 1:30pm on Tuesday, 223,000 people has registered for the service.  More than one million people tried to access their telephone hotline to register. Their site and hotline were activated at 12:01am on Tuesday. Though the service was launched Tuesday, it won't take effect until 31 days after a person has registered.   09/30/2008

Mortgage rates with various financial institutions are expected to rise today in Canada, as a reaction to recent events in the USA. Some financial institutions are still permitting clients to lock in rates (prior to rate increase taking affect) before the end of day.  Contact your mortgage advisor for further details.      Gina Burgio, Mortgage Agent VERICO Designer Mortgages Inc. Toll Free: 1-877-34-LOAN-5 Fax: 1-877-345-6256 Email: gina.burgio@verico.ca 09/29/2008

  As a licensed Mortgage Agent, I offer the following services: •  New Home Financing •  Refinancing Existing Mortgages •  Mortgage Renewals •  Home Equity Loans •  Mortgages for Self-Employed •  2nd Mortgages •  Line of Credit  •  Debt Consolidation   In most cases my service is FREE of charge.  I am compensated by the institution that funds your mortgage. My services are offered in Ancaster, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Dundas, Grimsby, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Burlington, Oakville, Toronto, Brantford, Kitchener, Guelph, Cambridge, Mississauga, and the surrounding areas. Call Today: 1-877-34-LOAN-5 or 1-877-345-6265 09/25/2008

Why Use a Mortgage Broker? As a licensed mortgage agent, I work for you and you alone. This independence allows me to offer you impartial advice about lenders and the products they offer. I guide you through the process of choosing the right mortgage.  I have access to various banks, credit unions, trust companies, and other lending institutions to find you the BEST RATE. In most cases my service is FREE of charge.  I am compensated by the institution that funds your mortgage. 09/25/2008

The VERICO Mortgage Brokers Network is one of the fastest growing mortgage organizations in Canada.  Since 2005 the network has grown to over 150 locations throughout Canada that employ over 1,000 agents who collectively originate in excess of $8.0 Billion in annualized mortgage loan volume.       Gina Burgio, Mortgage Agent VERICO Designer Mortgages Inc. Toll Free: 1-877-345-6265 Fax: 1-877-345-6256 Email: gina.burgio@verico.ca Each VERICO Broker is an independent owner operator. 09/24/2008

I've posted this mostly for consumers. Many have complained about the efficiency, speed and general usability of MLS.ca, namely that it's lacking.  Now, with www.realtor.ca, consumers can finally get the service they've been asking for. The mapping is amazing, and the speed vastly improved. However, no one is really promoting the change. Yes, if you go to www.mls.ca, there is a bright red banner saying "click here" to get to the new, improved site. And, of course, it has been mentioned in various real estate mags (and I think on our message board a couple of times). No doubt, some research has been done to prove that running both sites for a while is the best way to help consumers adjust. Of course, I've never seen it done in any other industry but then, I'm not the expert. (feel free t... 09/04/2008

I was talking to a potential client from Toronto, about house prices in the Hamilton area, and how there are still some great deals to be had in the Hamilton area.   His response was that in Toronto, all his friends were calling Hamilton the "new" Burlington.  That although Burlington prices were still better than Toronto, for an extra 10 minute drive, the amount of house one could buy was so much better.  So for those who do not need to be in their Toronto office every day, those who can do much of their work through the computer in their home offices Hamilton is an attractive option.  With Toronto a 45 minute drive away from West Hamilton it seems many are giving up the hectic over priced lifestyle of Toronto for Hamilton.  I thought it might be interesting to give you a sampling of t... 09/02/2008

Many of my clients who want to list their property for sale seem to ask me the same questions.How will you market my property for sale?Where will you Advertise my Home?Will I Receive FeedBack From Showings?Will I be Kept Informed?Will You Do Open Houses?Good Questions !!As your Royal LePage Realtor I will develop a detailed marketing plan that will give your property the maximum exposure and attention it deserves. When you List with Me, as a your Realtor, you will:always know what actions are being taken to sell your home receive regular progress updates & feedback from showings be kept informed of changing market conditions be kept up-to-date on sales of other homes & NEW LISTINGS in the area ALWAYS know that I'm just a phone call away should you have any questions see your property fe... 04/12/2008