A sure sign of Spring!

Raking your lawn, seeing some Robin's, these are all "signs" of spring....

Here is another SIGN of spring placed on your front lawn!

This Years Award!

Recieved this award this morning. I am happy to know that my hard work, and dedication to my customers has once again been recognized. 2007 was Associate Society, 2008 was Sterling Society, 2009 - shooting for President's Society!
Thank you to all of my past, present and future clients. You will never be disappointed in my service to you.

Jason Steele

Stat Holidays and your offer to purchase

Because your offer to purchase is all about "Title" exchanging hands, one must be able to register the transaction with the Land Registry. Because of that be sure the day that you pick to close your transaction does not fall on a weekend or public statutory holiday! Below is a list of those certain days in 2009 in which a transaction can't be closed.


Holiday 2009
New Year's Day Jan 1
Family Day Feb 16
Good Friday Apr 10
Victoria Day May 18
Canada Day Jul 1
Labour Day Sep 7
Thanksgiving Day Oct 12
Christmas Day Dec 25
Boxing Day Dec 26

Harmonizing Taxes!

Sales tax harmonization will hurt resale home market

(Toronto, March 26, 2009) Ontario’s REALTORS® say the McGuinty government's plan to harmonize the GST and PST will add over $2,000 to the cost of a real estate transaction, hurting the resale home market and prolonging the housing industry’s recovery from the current economic downturn.

“Now is not the time to be erecting barriers to homeownership,” said Pauline Aunger, President of the Ontario Real Estate Association. “We need consumers to invest in housing to help get our economy going again.”

According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, home sales in the province of Ontario were down 29 per cent in February, compared to 2008.
Under a harmonized sales tax (HST), home buyers and sellers will have to pay extra tax on a range of services associated with real estate transactions such as legal fees, moving costs, real estate commissions and home inspection fees. Currently, consumers only pay the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on these services.
“These additional taxes could price some homebuyers, especially first-time homebuyers, right out of the market,” explained Mrs. Aunger. “Harmonizing will not help homebuyers in any way.”

For a resale house priced at $360,000, a HST could add over two thousand dollars in new taxes to closing costs. In total, a HST will add $313 million annually in new taxes to resale home transactions.

“In the last decade, Ontario’s homeowners have faced a barrage of new costs,” said Aunger. “From municipal land transfer taxes to sky rocketing property taxes, homeowners are being pushed to the brink to accommodate increasing demands from government. A harmonized sales tax is yet another cash grab on Ontario’s already overtaxed homeowners.”

The Ontario Real Estate Association represents 47,000 brokers and salespeople who are members of the 42 real estate boards throughout the province. Members of the association may use the “REALTOR®” trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a high standard of ethics and service.

OREA serves REALTORS® through a wide variety of professional publications, educational programs, advocacy and other services. A division of the association, the OREA Real Estate College, provides real estate registration education courses in Ontario.

Help with Downpayment!

The information below was borrowed from the Bruce County website to help promote that the end of the program is coming to a close.....hurry before it's too late.

Home Ownership - Realize Your Dream of Owning A Home

This program ends March 31, 2009.
All applications must be approved by March 31, 2009, closing date may be later.
Are you currently renting and dreaming of owning a home, but you don't have the down payment in the bank? The County of Bruce is participating in the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program. (AHP)The Federal and Provincial governments have committed more than $28 million to make homeownership affordable for low and moderate-income households across Ontario. The Homeownership program provides up to 5 percent in down-payment assistance to eligible applicants to assist them in purchasing a home. Applicants must be renting, be at least 18 years old, have a gross household income at or below $64,900 and be eligible for financing from a financial institution. The selling price of the home must be at or below $205,315.

Your First Encounter with a Real Estate Representative

What should your first encounter be like with a Broker or Salesperson?

First thing an agent should be asking you is "are you working with any other agent?"

This should be asked anytime there is contact with a new customer, whether walking into an open house, or into their office. There are a few reasons for this, but the most important reason is ethics. If you have been working with someone else, you should continue to do so, as that agent has invested the time and effort into finding you a property. The exception would be if you are not happy with their service. The other important reason is that if you have a "buyer agency" with one agent, you could owe them a commission on the property you purchase depending on how the agency contract is written.

The next thing an agent should be providing is "Working with a Realtor®". This pamphlet describes how we work for you. Whether a Seller, Buyer, Multiple Representation or customer service, this information is spelled out in this document and should be given at the earliest practical time in the relationship.

And the most important thing when meeting a representative is feeling comfortable with them. Knowing that they are going to work hard for you, and that there is trust between both parties.