Saugeen Shores Real Estate Buzz

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast, destroying lives, leveling homes and leaving thousands of survivors with the same story and many people lost everything. Now, here it is, almost 3 years later and many of these same people are still coping with Katrina’s devastation. Some have moved forward, but for many others, recovery is at a standstill.

As a result there has emerged an organization, http://www.makeitrightnola.org/ which is looking for donations in order to help these people rebuild not only their homes but their lives.

Of the many credible people who are behind this endeavour, Brad Pitt is leading the pack. They are hoping to build 150 eco-friendly homes in the most devsted part of New Orleans; the Ninth Ward.

Now, instead of me just skimming over the facts, why not pay a visit to this site and try to make a difference in someone’s life. Why not help to MAKE IT RIGHT!

This Is Your House

This Is How The Buyer Sees Your House

This Is How The Lender Sees Your House

This Is How The Appraiser Sees Your House

And…..

This Is How The Ontario Tax Assessor Sees Your House!

“Hi, my name is xxxxxxx! I just saw a new listing; would you please give me some info as well as show me the property. I am working with another Realtor; however, it is Sunday and I do not want to disturb their day!”

Yeah, right and I do not have a life, eh!

THIS IS THE DEAL PEOPLE:

1) If you are in a Buyer’s contract with another Realtor, you are obligated to them as well as they are obligated to you. It is their duty to keep you informed of the market, deliver to you the latest info on all listings that are relevant to you and, if desired, get you through the property at both yours and their convenience. Based on this, why would another Realtor take their time to show the property and then have the client return to their own Realtor to write up the offer and collect the commission. We earn our living helping people with their real estate transactions; we do not earn a living by taking a Sunday drive with other Realtor’s clients. As much as I love my job and I really do enjoy helping people out with their real estate buys and sells, I reserve this service for my own CLIENTS. I do not want to take my time away from them or my business to help out someone else’s clients.

2) I will not steal a client from a fellow Realtor. Whether there is a signed Buyer’s contract or not, I feel that if someone has been working with another Realtor for any length of time and they appear to be happy with the service, it is not my right to step in and try to take on the client. If the client is not happy with the present situation it is up to them to make the decision to end the current relationship (by talking with the Realtor) before switching to a compatible Realtor.

3) You are working on what will most likely be the single largest financial transaction of your life. As a result, you need, and deserve, to work with a knowledgeable Realtor who has the time to assist you and accommodate your requests. Having said that, there are many, many great agents out there! Be selective and be careful.

The end of a three-year assessment freeze could mean homeowners in some parts of the province may face double-digit hikes in property taxes. The provincial assessment freeze ended on January 1^st. However, the Ontario government says it plans to spread out any assessment increases over the next four years.

The freeze was initiated following several complaints from property owners to the Ontario Ombudsman’s Office that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) was conducting inaccurate and unfair assessments. Following an investigation, the Ombudsman’s Office made 20 recommendations for improvements to MPAC’s assessment system including changes to the way the Crown Corporation communicated with property owners.

As of the last report, the Ombudsman stated that MPAC had completed 10 of the 20 recommendations and was moving forward on the remainder. Among the completed recommendations is a revised brochure that is sent out with reassessment notices. This brochure now mentions how important it is that MPAC’s information be accurate and urges people to report any inaccuracies. It tells them clearly how they can review their assessment and look at up to 24 property comparables, through a section of its Web site called “About My Property.” It also stresses: “If an error has been made, we will correct it. We are also happy to explain how we arrived at your assessed value and answer any questions.” Finally, it explains all the various ways you can complain about or challenge your assessment. In addition, the MPAC Web site now offers a lot more information about how properties are evaluated, and has posted many of its procedures online.

A new Property Taxpayer Web Portal is also being developed, through which owners will be able to access their Property Profile Report and comparables. The assessment notice form itself is also being redesigned for 2008. MPAC has done internal consultations, focus groups and property taxpayer customer interviews about this new form – but it is still reviewing it, because of the potential impact of the province’s new four-year reassessment schedule.

In the meantime, the revised assessment process is under way and property owners will be receiving their assessments in August and September. Current property taxes are based on market value assessments conducted by MPAC for January 1, 2005, and are determined by comparisons with the average city property value. If the estimated value of a property increases at a rate below the city average, the homeowner’s property tax will decrease. If property value increases at a rate above the city average, the tax will increase. The reassessed values, with a valuation date of January 1, 2008, will apply to the tax years 2009 through 2012.

Grants are available for homeowners going green. Both the provincial and federal government have programs designed to encourage energy reduction. By staying up-to-date on the latest programs, you can offer clients valuable information that could save them money.Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is offering a new residential energy efficiency assessment service to owners of single family homes, including detached, semi-detached and low-rise multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) that are no more than three storeys high. Under the ecoENERGY Retrofit program, property owners can qualify for federal grants by improving the energy efficiency of their homes and reducing their home’s impact on the environment.

How it works
NRCan-certified energy advisors conduct a detailed on-site assessment of the home’s energy use from the attic down to the basement. They provide a personalized report, including a checklist of recommended retrofits to improve the energy efficiency of your home and, in some cases, to reduce water consumption. The report also shows the grant amounts for each eligible upgrade that you can receive by carrying out these energy-saving improvements. The maximum grant you can receive for a home is $5,000.For instance, if you replace an old natural gas furnace with the most efficient unit available (92% AFUE or annual fuel utilization efficiency gas furnace with DC variable speed motor) you could qualify for $1,350 in rebates: $500 (Federal) plus $500 (Provincial) plus $100 from Enbridge plus $250 from the Ontario Power Authority (Cool Savings Rebate). According to the Ontario Ministry of Energy, replacing an old system (63% AFUE) with a new high efficiency condensing furnace (93% AFUE) in an average 1,200 square foot, detached house will result in savings of approximately $450 per year.Because of its high-tech design, a high-efficiency natural gas furnace squeezes the most heat out of every heating dollar. For every dollar you spend on energy, it produces 88 to 97 cents worth of heat. It could save up to 24% in energy and related energy costs and will also help insulate homeowners from increasing energy prices.

The high efficiency furnace and many of the other retrofits eligible for rebates come with a higher price tag, but environmentally conscious homeowners believe the energy cost savings – and reduced greenhouse gas emissions – are well worth it. Also, from a resale perspective, many potential homebuyers will view “greener” appliances as a desirable feature. For more information on the ecoEnergy Retrofit Rebate program visit the following sites:

Natural Resources Canada (Federal) Web site at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal under residential housing, home improvements.

Ontario Ministry of Energy Web site at www.energy.gov.on.ca and click on the Rebate update.

For information on qualifying toilets from the federal and provincial perspective, go to www.veritec.ca under Reports, 11^th Edition (test results start on page 16)

For information on residential rebates from the Ontario Power Authority – Cool Savings Rebate Program, go to www.everykilowattcounts.ca .

For information on Energy Star appliances go to www.energystar.gc.ca .

For information on Enbridge rebates, check under Residential, Rebates Incentives and Energy tips at https://portal-plumprod.cgc.enbridge.com .

Once again the Toronto Star had some interesting reading on the state of the Florida housing market. There are entire sudivisions of new homes for sale. These are complete with landscaping and club houses. I am thinking that with the Canadian dollar being higher than it has been in quite some time and the low housing prices, there are likely some Canadians that are taking advantage of this buying opportunity. Perhaps this is the time to consider some year round sunshine; live in the property for the 6 months of Canadian winters (allowable time) and then rent out the property to help pay the expenses. For more insightful reading on this go to http://www.thestar.com/living/Athome/article/307688.

Of course, if you are contemplating a move either to the South or even just around our beautiful area, always call Cleo, your local RE/MAX Real Estate Broker.

1. Be casual, not serious, about selling.
A sage once quipped, “Money is only important when you don’t want something enough.” Real estate expert R.L. Brown said that if half of the 58,000 sellers in Maricopa County removed their for-sale signs we’d be at normal inventory levels. Actions speak louder than words in this market. Discretionary sellers should wait for a less competitive environment.

2. Price it wrong.
A home properly priced is half sold. No amount of full-color ads, glossy fliers, multiple photos, virtual tours, agent luncheons, Goodyear blimps or pom-pom girls will compensate for a wrong, timid retail price.

3. Ignore your agent.
Attorneys believe if you represent yourself, you have a fool for a client. Doctors don’t self-diagnose. Professionals use professionals. Even though many people believe they’re experts on raising kids and real estate, full-time, career pros usually know what’s best. Listen to them very carefully.

4. Micromanage the marketing.
If you sold cookware in college, carts in California, or carpeting in Cranston, it does not qualify you to second-guess your agent. If you had a real estate license years ago, save your stories about the “good old days” for your children. You can share your concerns and timelines, but leave the details to the listing pro.

5. Reject staging suggestions.
Someday shag multi-colored, sculptured carpeting will come back. Whitewashed cabinets, Navajo white walls, linoleum flooring, lots of personal photos, and Elvis paintings on black velvet need to go. Now.

6. Let Fido loose.
I recently entered a house and had two frisky, friendly black Labs run up to sniff me. Unfortunately, I had light-gray dress slacks on that day. Both wet stains lasted for hours. Until that day I didn’t realize dogs enjoyed chewing the tassels on expensive loafers.

7. Talk to the buyers.
Life gets lonely at times. Why not ask the buyers where they grew up? Or how much they qualify for. Tell them about the vacant rental next door. Maybe they could babysit next weekend! Why not share war stories, horror movies or meatloaf recipes?

8. Sell personal items.
Wow, maybe the buyers want to buy the patio furniture or rotary lawnmower. You have only four more boxes of Girl Scout cookies to sell. Why not ask for a donation for the March of Dimes, the Humane Society, the local PBS station? Remember the saying, “loose lips sink ships.”

9. Discount that smell.
My house doesn’t smell of pets, baby diapers, curry powder, garlic, fried fish, coconut incense, cigars, manure, mulch, dairy farms or low tide. The buyer must be confusing my castle with a tract home.

10. Dismiss feedback.
What do buyers know anyway? They can’t possibly mind my barbed wire fence, heavy-duty rebar, backyard bomb shelter, airport runway views, lights from the power plant, hum from the high-voltage lines, railroad tremors, scorpion skeletons, termite mud tubes and pet snakes. What are they thinking?