Oakville Ontario (College Park) for the month of September 2008 - Year To Date home prices in College Park fell as a whole in the month of September 2008. The average sold price in College Park was $318,846  for the month, down 1.2%  from Sept. 2007 at $322,562. On an average, sellers in College Park are getting 96% of their asking price. The average days on the market for homes in College Park is 41, and 13 homes sold this month in College Park, up 38.5% from Sept 2007 at 8 homes sold. Please feel free to email me to receive a montly report of the College Park Market Report. Barry Quine www.barryquine.com 10/06/2008

Oakville Ontario (Bronte) for the month of September 2008 - Year To Date home prices in Bronte rose as a whole in the month of September 2008. The average sold price in Bronte was $543,123  for the month, up 2.1%  from Sept. 2007 at $531,756. On an average, sellers in Bronte are getting 96% of their asking price. The average days on the market for homes in Bronte is 45, and 21 homes sold this month in Bronte, down 16% from Sept 2007 at 25 homes sold. Please feel free to email me to receive a montly report of the Bronte Market Report. Barry Quine www.barryquine.com 10/06/2008

Oakville Ontario for the month of September 2008 - Year To Date home prices in Oakville Ontario rose as a whole in the month of September 2008. The average sold price in Oakville was $479,583  for the month, up 2.7%  from Sept. 2007 at $466,802. On an average, sellers in Oakville Ontario are getting 96% of their asking price. The average days on the market for homes in Oakville Ontario is 40, and 212 homes sold this month in Oakville Ontario, down 20.6% from Sept 2007 at 267 homes sold. Please feel free to email me to receive a montly report of the Oakville Ontario Market Report. Barry Quine www.barryquine.com 10/06/2008

www.OakvilleRealEstateOnline.ca Wife, mother, Real Estate Broker, Blogger??? A natural progression right? I figure with 20 years of experience selling Real Estate and 26 years experience as a Mother, I must have something to contribute. I can't think of a better community to raise a family in and I want to share what Oakville has to offer. What's that saying? A picture is worth..... Thursday, October 2, 2008 A History Lesson  This past weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer for the first "Doors Open Oakville" event. Oakville decided to OPEN the doors to over 20 Heritage and Historical sites for the public to visit for free. This event already takes place annually in many Ontario towns and cities. Many people that I met over the weekend go touring different towns every weekend gettin... 10/03/2008

Bankers around the world went into miser mode Tuesday after the defeat of a U.S. bailout plan, pushing an interest rate they charge each other for quick cash to a record level. The key bank-to-bank lending rate, the London interbank offered rate, known as LIBOR, soared to 4.05 per cent from 3.88 per cent for three-month U.S. dollar loans and to 6.88 per cent for overnight dollar loans, the highest level since tracking began in 2001. That is especially worrisome because LIBOR normally is just slightly above the U.S. Federal Reserve's target for the federal funds rate, an interbank lending rate. Now, it is more than four percentage points above the target rate of two per cent. LIBOR, based on a daily survey of banks, is calculated by the British Bankers Association and announced at 11 a.m... 09/30/2008

Renewing your mortgage is as important a financial decision as selecting your first one. While renewing your mortgage, you are in a stronger financial position as compared to where you were before. Your home equity grows over a period of time and by decreasing your principal loan balance, you are in a good position to negotiate. However, many prefer to just sign their existing agent's mortgage renewal form without trying to get a good deal on the new mortgage. This results in a higher rate and a mortgage package that does not cater to your individual needs. With my expertise in the Canadian mortgage industry, I can help you get the most out of your mortgage renewal. Pay off existing debts, clear high-interest credit card bills, renovate your home and do a lot more after renewing your mo... 09/29/2008

  Oakville Real Estate Blog --- Opening Doors In Oakville Friday, September 26, 2008 Sign Sign Everywhere A Sign   I was walking my dog in my neighbourhood today and remembered to take my camera as I had seen some strange things happening near Falgarwood School lately. Unusual signs had been erected and I must say I had never seen this particular symbol on a sign before. Looking closely I saw some resemblance to a bowler hat or a U.F.O (flying saucer). According to the no parking sign added to the top of this strange sign, it became apparent that no U.F.O had better think about parking on Gainsborough Drive. As I continued down the street I arrived at the park beside Falgarwood school. A large metal post contained not one, but four signs of notices of do's and don'ts. Wow! Too much info... 09/26/2008

If you're thinking about buying a piece of real estate as an investment property, market conditions are definitely in your favour. While the resale housing market has seen a tremendous amount of activity from first-time buyers in the past year, it's also a perfect time for existing homeowners to invest in secondary residential properties.  With record-low interest rates and significantly lower prices it's hard to go wrong - unless, of course you lack the financial means to make the investment. After all, you have to be ready to meet all the obligations that come with owning more than your principal property. For instance, keep in mind that if you intend to rent out the second property, you'll also have to be prepared to deal with tenants and handle maintenance costs. LeverageSecondary h... 09/18/2008

When you decide to sell your home, many details come into play. One of the most important will be making your home as attractive as possible to potential buyers. A REALTOR® will help you look after all the ins and outs of selling your home including a plan to give your home strong "curb appeal" and improve its "saleability." Your REALTOR® can provide many tips and low cost suggestions to not only attract more potential buyers, but to sell your home faster and for the best possible price. It's true that first impressions count and the outside of the home speaks volumes about what the inside may look like. Often potential buyers won't get past the front door if the outside of a home looks run down or shabby. Your REALTOR® may suggest some simple "quick fixes" like a fresh coat of paint, f... 09/17/2008

If you are moving a short distance, are working with a limited budget or don't have too many possessions, moving your belongings yourself might be a good option. Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a truck rental company. · Start by asking for referrals from friends and family. · Take an inventory of your possessions and estimate their size and weight. Th-is information will be helpful when buying packing materials and selecting which vehicle is right for your move. · Carefully review the insurance agreement and pay special attention to pricing and terms. · Ask to see a vehicle. A first-hand look at the quality of the truck, trailer or van is always valuable. · Ask if the company rents or supplies other moving tools, like a hand truck for moving larger items. Moving blan... 09/15/2008

Once you have purchased a home, you also need to protect its value. After all, for most people a home is their largest single asset. In fact it can be the basis for securing funding for other endeavors, like college or the purchase of a second property. Here are four things you can do to help your property maintain its value. 1. Dedicate one weekend each quarter to home maintenance. Clear the calendar and make a list. Tasks may include power washing, painting, clearing out the attic / garage or basement, or removing debris. It is also a good idea to prepare ahead of time by making sure the necessary supplies and tools are on hand. 2. Hire the right professionals for certain tasks. For instance, each year you should have your furnace serviced and chimney cleaned. Consistent upkeep can he... 09/15/2008

Moving day is typically a high-stress occasion. No matter how organized and prepared you are, there is always a chance for a few things to fall through the cracks. Here are seven things to remember on the day of the big move. 1. Keep all valuables in your possession. This includes important paperwork, collections, family photos, jewelry, heirlooms, checkbooks, wallet/purse and the like. You do not want to hand these over to movers if possible. 2. Charge your mobile phone and keep it with you. In addition, take along your address book. And before the movers depart, be sure to exchange contact information. 3. Remember to ask for a copy of the inventory from the movers. You should also note the condition of your property before they leave. 4. Take out cash for incidentals. You may need to ... 09/15/2008

Like everything else, there is a learning curve to buying a home. The second time around you will naturally know things you didn't the first. Here are three common mistakes made by first-time home buyers during the home search process and their solutions. Mistake: Buyers who look at homes before they have a complete understanding of their finances are asking for trouble. Solution: Before looking for a property, you should know your finances inside and out. This includes analyzing savings, income and expected expenses. Next, order a copy of your credit report. Your credit score will greatly influence the type and amount of loan you are eligible for. Finally, make sure you are pre-qualified for a mortgage. This means a loan officer has reviewed your employment history, debt, income and ot... 09/15/2008

Many times a move is precipitated by a change in job position or career. To help facilitate that process corporations often hire a real estate company and their relocation specialists to help employees make the transition from one city to another. A relocation specialist is a real estate professional who specializes in moving corporate clients. In fact he or she can be your greatest ally during this critical transition period. To help ensure a positive experience, follow these recommendations. 1. Start with a frank conversation about your price range and moving time frames. These are key factors your relocation specialist will need to know to provide you with the best service possible. For instance, if your new position is starting quickly, you may want to rent for a few months instead ... 09/15/2008

Breakfast is big business in Oakville! When popular breakfast places like Cora's regularly have lines out of the resataurant and down the plaza walkway there must be room for competition. It looks like they will soon have it, Denny's - The American Institution is coming to Oakville.  Taking up home where the Golden Griddle was for years, renovations are underway. As a father of young children, Denny's has always been a favorite stop for my family when travelling in the U.S. They have a kid friendly menu with healthy options for those of us who do not want 'fries with that'. The new location is located at Trafalgar Village Mall across from the Home Depot. There has been a fair bit of turn over for this piece of real estate. Still trying to find its identity, yet anchored by No Frills, Ho... 08/24/2008

Everything and everyone is going green these days. It just makes good sense right? I try to reduce my carbon footprint wherever necessary.  As a father of three young children we can leave a mark.  We recycle, re-use, compost and try to save energy whenever possible. With all the rain we've been having in Oakville this summer, all of our plants and flowers are blossoming and the grass is growing like mad. I've been looking into manual mowers lately.  I used to have a rechargeable cordless mower but after a few years the battery wouldn't hold a charge and at $250+ for a replacement battery, there has to be better options. I've looked at manual mowers and so far haven't been impressed.  Many are noisy and don't do a great job. I thought I'd put out this post as a question to everyone in t... 08/19/2008

Oakville Real Estate Recap - July 2008 We have endured one of the soggiest summers in recent memory and with 'back to school' approaching faster and faster on the horizon how has Oakville's Real Estate market fared? Let's just say while I'm not ready to start bailing yet or grabbing my life preserver, I'm also not going to sail full steam into an ice field.The stat's don't lie - Last week, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill tried to find a silver lining "Eventhough GTA sales were down 12 percent from the bes-ever July 2007 figure of 8,912, sales were up 10% from July 2006." These figures are for single-family dwellings only.These overall figures do not tell the whole story. The decrease was not evenly eperienced throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Within the city of To... 08/16/2008

Anyone else who has lived in Oakville for the last few years will share in the hope that there is a silver lining after years of frustration and time wasted on the QEW.  As a long time resident of Oakville, I can remember the days when you could enjoy quick travel times between Ford Drive and Third Line on the Oakville section of the Q.E.W. OK, maybe not all the time - there was still rush hour, but you could count on decent traffic at other times of the day.  For the last couple years though, it hasn't mattered whether is was morning, noon or night on this stretch of highway.  Not helping things has been the constant construction, demolition and now finally reconstruction of the Fourth Line overpass bridge, reconstruction and expansion of the Third Line exits and now what I hope is the... 08/12/2008

The Arboretum 1901, 1903 & 1905 Pilgrim's Way, Oakville Area: Glen Abbey Style: Condo Apartment 162 Units - Built in 1988 by Urbandale Price Range: $300,000 - $400,000 Bedrooms: 2 Approximate Size: 1321 - 1449 sq.ft. Condo Fees: $517 - $575/month Condo Fee Includes: Water, building insurance and common element maintenance. Parking: Underground, visitor parking on surface Pets: Restricted Heat: Electric, Forced Air Building Amenities: Indoor pool, sauna, fitness room, hobby room, tennis court, guest suites, whirlpool spa. This upscale buildings has excellent amenities, spacious suite layouts and mature landscaped grounds. It is located in the Glen Abbey neighbourhood of Oakville with good access to public transportation and shopping. For more information on this condo building or to find... 08/09/2008

With July already behind us and the summer Real Estate market chugging along, I thought that I would examine what a condo buyer in Oakville can purchase for the industry average.I have separated condominium apartments and condo townhouses in order to get a more accurate picture of the market. After all it's better to compare apples to apples.First, let's take a look at condo apartments. In July, 28 condo units changed hands with an average selling price of $266,054. What can you buy for this? Let's see... As of today, you would have four options between $264,900 and $269,900. This is the closest range to our average for July, 2008. First on the list is a One bedroom plus den in Trubute's new condo in Oak Park (located near Trafalgar Rd and Dundas). For an asking price of $264,900 you ge... 08/04/2008