Transitions-Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga Real Estate Blog

First Time Home Buying in Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga - Choosing the Right Sales Representative


There are many things to consider when you've begun to seriously consider the purchase of your first home in the Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga region.

Preparing through research and asking questions ahead of time will not only save you an abundance of time and money down the road, it can also make the difference between calling your first home 'home sweet home' or your first initiation into a property ownership nightmare.

Preparing now will make the whole process smooth and enjoyable and you'll have something to celebrate in the years to come as you settle into your own private sanctuary.

Your first step towards buying your first home in Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga should be to meet with a real estate sales representative who will be able to give you a list of recommendations for mortgage pre-approvals and advise you as to the current mortgage rates you can expect to pay.

Real Estate Sales Representatives are in regular contact with mortgage brokers and bankers and know who is offering the best rates and the best buying incentives.

When considering which real estate sales representative to call, go with someone who you feel comfortable with.
You may have met them at an open house or gotten to know something about them through reading their online articles or viewing their website or perhaps a family member or friend has recommended someone to you.

It's very important to feel that you can trust your real estate sales representative to take care of your needs and to be fully present for you during the entire transaction.
Asking to see letters of testimonial from previous clients is an excellent way to guage the level of service you can expect to receive.

The right Sales Representative will:

• Guide you through every step of the transaction and be there to answer all of the questions you might have or concerns that may arise.
  
  
  
• Provide you with pamphlets on mortgages and home-buying, maps of the areas you're interested in, recommendations on trustworthy and dependable professionals who you'll need along the way (such as lawyers, home inspectors, mortgage professionals, etc), listings of suitable homes and will be there with you as you preview every home that meets your requirements.
  
  
  
• Point out potential problems with particular properties, advise you as to the desirability of the areas you wish to search in, and prepare and guide you through all of the legalities of your agreement of purchase and sale when you've found the house that's right for you.
  
  
  
• Make sure you're protected on the contract and will advise you as to which clauses should be included in the purchase contract and will be there every step along the way to make sure each condition is satisfied as required.

Choosing a REALTOR® is the most important decision you'll make in the homebuying process next to the actual choosing of the home itself, and choosing carefully will make all the difference between a smooth and enjoyable home search or one littered with pitfalls along the way.

If you're considering buying your first home in the Burlington, Oakville or Mississauga regions of Ontario, I'd be more than pleased to meet with you and discuss your desires and questions as you begin on the exciting road to home ownership.

Myself and several other professionals are hosting a FREE home buying seminar in Oakville on February 24th, 2010.

To register and learn more about this beneficial evening visit:
Thinking of Buying Your First Home in the Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington Area?-First Time Home Buyer's Seminar

If you are planning to buy your first home in the Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga region sometime in 2010, make sure you attend this exciting, FREE event!

Other Articles in This Series:
Land Transfer Tax Rebate-Rebates For the First Time Homebuyer in Ontario, Canada

Buying a Home In Mississauga, Oakville or Burlington-Advantages of Using Your Own 'Buyer's' Agent

©2010JoSmith

Tasteful, elegant, spacious and beautiful are just a few words that describe the St Lawrence waterfront condos in Port Credit, Mississauga.

Done to the nines with granite countertops, 9 ft ceilings, rich dark hardwoods and balconies overlooking Lake Ontario, St Lawrence Drive should be one of your first stops when considering waterfront condos in Port Credit.

These luxurious townhouse condos offer very reasonable condo fees, unobstructed views of serene Lake Ontario and are a short walk to historic downtown Port Credit with it's trendy shops and restaurants.

Following the shoreline is a peaceful promenade with gazebo where one can relax while watching the swans and distant sailboats.

Laughing children's voices echo down the walkway near a lovely park shaded by mature trees.

Toronto's airport and the GO Train are a short drive away and a visit to Toronto is less than 20 minutes from your doorstep.

Graced by tall grasses and beautiful gardens, the promenade along the lakefront affords scenic views of Port Credit Marina.

There are currently 3 townhouses available with views of the lake from their balconies.
For a complete list of waterfront condos available in Port Credit, Oakville or Burlington, contact Jo-Anne Smith.

Please specify if you would like to be kept updated whenever another Port Credit waterfront condo comes on the market.
You will receive regular updates by email and there is no charge or obligation for this service.

Port Credit waterfront condos in Mississauga are not only desirable for the elegant lifestyle they offer, they are also a wise investment in these changing times.
With prices rising daily, don't delay, call or email for more information today!

©2009JoSmith

Thinking of Buying Your First Home in the Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington Area?

You Won't Want to Miss Our FREE First-Time Homebuyer's Seminar !

Being Held on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 from 7-9pm at
TD/Canada Trust on the corner of
Prince Michael and Dundas in Oakville.


Becoming an informed buyer will save you time, effort and potentially 1000's of dollars as well as providing you with the knowledge you'll need to make a wise investment decision in today's unpredictable marketplace.



Bring a list of questions you've been wondering about and have them answered by one of our panel of experts.

Presentations will be given by the following home buying professionals:

• Jo-Anne Smith, REALTOR® with Brekland Realty Group and
  
  Denise Bayne, REALTOR® with Sutton Group Quantum Realty Inc.
  
  
• Debbie Agar and Stella Styrc, Financial and Mortgage Experts with TD Canada Trust
  
  
• Robert Rose, Real Estate Lawyer - Oakville Real Estate Law
  
  
• Russ Fasullo, Home Inspector and President of Avanti Home and Mold Inspections

Every registrant will receive a FREE Home Buying Package filled with valuable information on the home buying process and valuable cost-saving certificates that will save homebuyers hundreds of dollars when buying a home.

In addition, each registrant will be entered into our FREE DRAW for Valuable Door Prizes !*

Come out for a relaxing and fun-filled evening!

SEATING is LIMITED so Please REGISTER EARLY by

Contacting either Jo-Anne Smith at 289-837-2132 or Click on this link to

Register For First Time Homebuyer's Seminar By Email

           
             Mark Your Calendar and Call TODAY.

*must be present at the seminar in order to win

©2010JoSmith

Buying a Condominium in Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington - Important Things You Need to Know About Condominium Ownership -Common Expenses and The Status Certificate.

Part One of the 'Buying a Condominium in Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington' series discussed the initial things a buyer should be aware of as they begin to think about looking at condominiums.
A link to Part One can be found at the bottom of this page.

In this article, Part Two of a three part series on things a buyer should be aware of as they begin to consider the purchase of a condominium, we will be looking at 'common expenses' and also talking about the 'status certificate', two very important aspects of condominium ownership.

• Condominium ownership involves the payment of monthly condo fees to the condominium corporation. These fees vary widely from development to development, not only in amount, but also in terms of what they cover.
  Monthly fees, also known as common expenses, are used by the condominium corporation to cover such things as maintenance of the common elements, funding the reserve account (see explanation of reserve account below) and paying for the management of the day to day operations of the building/development and the operating expenses of the condominium corporation.
  
  Monthly condo fees may also include, depending on the condominium, such things as snow removal, grass cutting, building insurance (for the exterior of the building), exterior building and grounds maintenance, water usage, utilities and television cable.
  
  Be sure to find out the exact amount of the monthly fees and what they include prior to the submission of an offer to purchase.
  
  If you are working with a REALTOR® , they will attain all of this information for you on each condominium that you are considering.
  
  You should also be aware that if you will be requiring financing for your condo purchase from a bank or mortgage company, the amount of the monthly condo fees will have an impact on how much the lender will be willing to loan you for a mortgage.
  
  If you are considering the purchase of a condo that has not yet been built or is in the process of being built, be aware that the condo fees you will be quoted may rise by up to 50% or more after your first year of ownership. Factor this into your monthly costs when you are determining how much you can afford prior to submitting an offer to purchase.
  
  
  
• One of the most important documents applicable to condominium ownership is the 'Status Certificate'. It is vital that you do not purchase a condominium prior to having your lawyer review the status certificate and go over with you in detail it's contents.
  The status certificate will cover the following very significant aspects of the condominium corporation and unit you are considering:
  
  
  1. The amount held in the 'reserve fund'.
  All condominiums are required by law to maintain a separate fund that is allocated for the payment of major repairs and replacements of the common elements of the condo corporation. These may include repair or replacement of windows, roofing, pools, parking, elevators etc.
  
  
  2. Whether or not the unit you are interested is overdue on any common expense payments.
  
  
  3. Reveals any liens against the unit you are considering.
  
  
  4. Provides you with detailed accounting of the most recent audited financial statements and budget of the condominium corporation.
  
  
  5. Indicates whether there are any special assessments or legal actions involved with the condominium corporation or with the unit.
  
  6. Includes a list of the Board Members of the condominium corporation.
  
  
  7. Whether or not there are any increases in the monthly fees being contemplated.
  
  
  8. A copy of the condo corporation's 'Declaration'. The declaration is the legal document that creates the condo corporation. In it you will find a description of the boundaries of your unit and the percentage used for calculating the specific montly expenses/fees for your unit. It will also contain any obligations that affect the use of your unit.
  
  
  9. The Bylaws of the condominium corporation. The bylaws will outline the organizational and administrative functions and duties of the Board of Directors and the Condominium Corporation. They will also provide a structure for the calling of owner's meetings and for the election of members to the Board of Directors.
  
  
  10. All condominiums have a set of 'Rules and Regulations'. These will also be included in the status certificate.
  Condo rules and regulations set out the standards of behaviour for the condo community.
  They will cover such things as the day to day use of the common elements and also of the individual units.
  Some condominiums do not allow pets or limit the type and size of pets. If this is the case, it will state so in the rules and regulations.
  There are various other stipulations that will be found in the rules and regulations and it is very important for you to review them prior to making a firm offer to purchase.

          Your REALTOR® will set out a certain amount of time (usually 10 days), in the offer to purchase, for              you and your lawyer to review the status certificate. This is set out in the form of a condition,   
          thereby allowing you to rescind your offer should you or your lawyer find something of concern when            reviewing the status certificate.

For Further Reading:

Buying a Condominium in Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington - Important Things You Need to Know - Part One.

Buying a Waterfront Condominium in Oakville.

If you are considering buying a condominium in Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington and would like a complete list of  condominiums currently available for sale that meet your needs/desires, contact Jo-Anne Smith at OakvilleAndBeyond@gmail.com or 289-837-2132.

©2009JoSmith

Buying a Condominium in Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington - Important Things You Need to Know About Condominium Ownership - Part One.

In today's real estate market, homebuyers from all age groups often consider the purchase of a condo as they begin to explore their homebuying options.

If you are amongst this diverse group of homebuyers, there are many important things you should be aware of before moving forward on the path to buying a condominium.

Enlisting the help of a knowledgeable real estate sales representative early in the process will save you an enormous amount of time and potentially problems and money.

REALTOR®s have the knowledge, skill and experience you will be thankful to have on the road to condominium ownership.
They will guide you along the path to a well-built condominium in the best location for your needs and desires and will be with you every step of the way as you realize your dream of not only moving to a place you are pleased to call home, but also in making a profitable investment for your future.

Buying a condo in Oakville, Mississauga or Burlington, similarly to buying in other locations across the continent, is quite a different process from buying a detached home or freehold property.

When buying a condo, you own the interior of your unit on your own, however the exterior of your unit and the grounds or building that it is located on or in, are considered common elements and you are only buying a share in these common elements.
The common elements, such as a pool, walkways, tennis courts, lobbies, etc are owned by the condominium corporation and you, as a condo owner in the development, own a share in the condo corporation and hence in the common elements.

Please review the following list of key points to familiarize yourself with condominium ownership:

• When you begin to consider buying a condominium, it's a good idea to carefully consider the appearance, location and nearby amenities of the building or development.
  These important factors will have a great impact on the future value of your unit and also on the quality of your day to day life while living there.
  
  
  
• Explore the common elements of the building or development and decide whether or not they are of value to you or if you will be making use of them.
  This is an important consideration as part of your monthly condo fees will be going towards the maintenance of the common elements and will determine the amount of the condo fees that you will be paying, no matter if you use the common elements or not.
  
  Common elements may include such things as pools, squash courts, gyms, parks and gardens, lobbies, parking garages and more.
  
  
  
• The age of the building or development is also an important factor to consider. Checking for the condo builder's reputation at TARION.com is an imortant step that many buyers often neglect to do before putting in an offer on a condominium unit.
  
  
  
• If you are considering older developments or buildings, it's a wise move to investigate the management and financial history of the condo corporation and also find out what kind of management the condominium has.
  Your real estate sales representative will be able to help you in exploring all of these things as you  work towards choosing the right condo for you.

If you are thinking of buying a condo in Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga, be sure to read Part Two in this series as we continue to explore the important things to know when considering condo ownership.

Other articles in this series:

The Benefits of Buying a Condominium in Burlington, Oakville or Mississauga.

©2009JoSmith

When considering buying a waterfront condominium, Oakville, a beautiful city on the north-west shores of Lake Ontario, Canada, has a wide selection of attractive condominiums to suit every taste and price range.

Along the lakeshore in Oakville, elegant, highrise condominiums sit serenely overlooking the soft blues of majestic Lake Ontario. New condominium projects are currently being built in prime locations on Oakville's lakefront which offer a myriad of services such as on-site yoga studios, meditation suites, restaurants and more.

These highrise condominium developments in Oakville offer a healthy lifestyle for today's active professionals and retirees where everything can be found without venturing too far from home.

There are also townhouse condominiums overlooking Oakville's waterfront parks. Many of these have beautiful upper and lower balconies to take advantage of the lovely views along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Oakville waterfront condominiums offer a gracious lifestyle with expansive windows giving view to a myriad of boats as they make their way across the sparkling waters.
Not far from quaint shops, award winning restaurants and streetside cafes, lakefront condominiums provide a lifestyle of gentle leisure and stimulating culture.

Resting along Ontario's reknowned 'Waterfront Trail', residents of Oakville's waterfront condominiums have access to miles of scenic, health-giving walkways for casual evening strolls or early morning jogs along the lakeshore.

With an excellent transit system just steps away, condominium owners may travel throughout the city and choose not to own an automobile.

Healthcare facilities are prevalent and easily accessible.  Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital is an excellent hospital. With vision to the future, a  new Oakville Hospital, with a plan for completion by 2013, is being built to meet LEED, Canada's guideline for 'green' buildings. Construction will begin in 2011.



For a complete list of the waterfront condominiums currently available for sale in Oakville, contact Jo-Anne Smith. You will receive, by email, a list with links to all of Oakville's waterfront condominiums that are currently available through the local real estate board system. Many of the very best units are sold quite quickly and only through using the services of a real estate professional, will you be able to keep abreast of all new listings on the day they become available.

©2009JoSmith

As you begin the process of searching for a home in the Burlington, Oakville or Mississauga regions of Ontario , one of the most important steps to take is to find a real estate sales representative who you feel comfortable with and who has good past client references .

Many people searching for a home do not realize that they have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars, time and avoid potential problems by choosing to work with a REALTOR® early in the home buying process.

A REALTOR® will sit down with you and go over all of the things that should be taken into consideration when searching for a home.
They will provide you with valuable information and tools that will help you to find the right home at a price that fits your lifestyle and needs.
They will advise you on things to watch out for and will be there for you from the beginning until the day you move into your new home and will stay in touch with you once you've moved in should any problems arise.

As you begin to work with a REALTOR®, he/she will discuss with you the advantages of signing a 'Buyer's Representation Agreement '

A Buyer's Agency/Representation Agreement provides you with the top level of services a REALTOR® can provide and these services are most often provided to you free of charge.

Your Buyer's agent is paid for the work they have done for you through the Seller's agent whose property you have purchased. The Seller's agent is paid a commission by the Seller when their house is sold. From this commission, a certain percentage is paid to the Buyer's agent's office who then pays the Buyer's sales representative.

When acting on behalf of my buyer clients, I offer the highest levels of service, free of charge to my buyers.
In giving the best service possible to my buyers, I provide the following list of services to ensure that they have an enjoyable, smooth, care-free and happy home buying experience:

• To assist my buyers in understanding what will take place, I outline the entire homebuying process from beginning to end.
  To facilitate this, I provide my buyers with a Homebuying Book and pamphlets on various things to do with the homebuying process.
  
  
  
• In order that my Buyer clients feel comfortable with signing the Buyer's Representation Agreement, I explain it in detail and ensure them that if they are not happy with my services and are able to provide me with an explanation, they are able to cancel the agreement at any time.
  
  
  
• As part of the Homebuying process, I discuss with my clients financing alternatives and determine their needs with regards to financing the purchase of a home.
  
  
  
• I endeavour to find the best possible home for my clients and in order to do so, I meet with them and ask them to answer a fairly in-depth questionnaire that deals with their specific needs and desires in a home.
  
  
  
• My Buyers have the right to always be kept up to date with the new listings that have come on the market.
  Immediately after determining my Buyer's needs/desires in a home, I register my Buyers on a Listing Update Program through our local real estate board that provides them with all of the new listings that meet their criteria by email on a daily basis.
  They are then free to peruse the information at their leisure and, since the best listings sell very quickly, are certain not to miss out on any new listings that come on the market within their guidelines and price range.
  
  
  
• When my Buyers come across a property they would like to see, or if I recommend we go and see specific properties, I coordinate the showings and accompany my Buyers through all of the listings they wish to see.
  When looking through homes, I point out potential problems and concerns in relation to each particular property. This gives my Buyers the peace of mind in knowing that a trained eye who is working on their behalf is observing each property along with them.
  
  
  
• When my Buyers find a home they would like to put an offer in on, I provide them with a Comparative Market Analysis on the property so that they know the value of the property.
  This enables them to make an informed decision when deciding how high they would like to go when negotiating on the home price.
  
  
  
• I provide my Buyers with all of the information that is available on all properties that they wish to view.
  On any property that they have further questions about, if I don't know the answer I find out and let them know as quick as possible. This way they won't miss out on a home due to not knowing the answers to any pertinent questions they may be considering. 
  Time is always of the essence when searching for the right home.
  
  
  
• If my Buyers are short on time or are from out of the region, I preview properties for them in order to weed out those that are of poor quality, require a great amount of work or are not suitable.
  This way my Buyers only need  view those properties that are of good quality, priced right and fall within their search criteria.
  
  
  
• If one of my Buyers finds a For Sale By Owner, or if I find one for them that falls within their search criteria, I will set up an appointment to view with the Sellers and should my Buyers decide to put in an offer on the property, I will prepare the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and do all of the negotiating with the Sellers.
  I will also ensure that the Sellers pay my commission for the services I've provided to my Buyers and in payment for bringing them an offer on their property. This way my Buyers are still ensured of having my services provided free of charge, no matter if a property is listed on the MLS system or not.
  
  
  
• When my Buyers find a home that they would like to put an offer on, I discuss with them the terms and conditions of the offer, advising them as to what clauses and terms I feel should be included for their own protection and in their best interests.
  I then prepare the Agreement of Purchase of Sale and present it to the Sellers and their Agent on my clients behalf.
  
  
  
• I negotiate with the Sellers and their Agent to get the best possible price and terms for my Buyers.
  
  
  
• As part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale conditions that I recommend to my Buyers, I ensure that all offers are conditional upon my Buyer receiving a satisfactory Home Inspection Report on the property prepared by a highly qualified professional Home Inspector.
  
  I give a list of recommended Home Inspectors to my Buyers and ask them to choose one for the inspection. I also ask that my Buyers be present during the Home Inspection process and I ensure them that I will also be in attendance at the Home Inspection.
  
  Once the Home Inspection is completed, I discuss any issues with the Home Inspector and make recommendations to my Buyers as to how to proceed from this point forward.
  Most often, if a house requires certain upgrades or repairs, these can be negotiated on with the Seller during the negotiation and offer process.
  I endeavour to do this to the satisfaction of all parties involved so that my Buyers feel comfortable moving forward with a purchase of the home of their choice.
  
  
  
• Any and all personal information that my Buyers disclose to me is kept in strictest confidence. I provide them with a privacy agreement that outlines this and my Buyers feel comfortable knowing that they can trust me to always keep their best interests in mind throughout the home buying process.
  
  
  
• On any property my Buyers decide to offer on, I do my best to find out the Seller's motivation and reasons for selling as this information will play a vital role during our offer preparation and negotiations.
  
  
  
• Once the offer to purchase has been accepted, I ensure that any and all conditions are satisfied in a smooth and timely manner. I provide my Buyers with a list of recommended lawyers and outline to my Buyer's their lawyer's role and what they can expect to pay.
  I also provide my Buyers with a list of Homebuying incentives and rebates that government bodies may be providing so that all of my Buyers receive the highest value possible in their home purchase.
  
  
  
• My Buyers receive a list of home services that will be provided to them at a discount rate for having bought through me. These services may include, although are not limited to, moving and cleaning services.
  
  
  
• On closing day, I ensure that the events of the day flow as smoothly as possible for my Buyers and am there to assist should keys need to be picked up or documents delivered.
  
  
  
• To ensure that my Buyers are happy with their home purchase and to make sure they know I am always only a phone call or email away, I contact or visit my Buyers on closing day and discuss with them their new home and any concerns they may have.
  
  
  This is the day of celebration and I'm justly proud of my Buyers and their new home and all they have come through to reach this point.
  I ensure that my Buyers know that I will be staying in touch with them and that they may call or email me anytime should any issues arise with their new home or just to say hello!

©2009JoSmith

Update: This property is now SOLD.
If you are looking for a hobby or working farm/acreage in Ontario and would like to be kept notified of listings that meet your criteria, contact me.

I would be pleased to work with you towards achieving your goal.

I can be reached directly at 289-337-4791 or 905-469-8888 or  by email.

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Within 35 minutes of Niagara Falls, Burlington and Hamilton, sits an enchanted oasis of peace and privacy.

Situated on 41 acres of halcyon beauty, is a magnificently restored, 2591 sqft, 6 bedroom farm home that awaits those of discriminating taste who desire all of the comforts of today, while being surrounded by the craftsmanship and elegance of days gone by.

This unique and rare property backs onto the Niagara Region's own Twenty Mile Creek and is a perfect place to launch a lazy rowboat or canoe on a serene summer day.

Situated in the heart of the Niagara orchard and grape vine region, this property is perfect for those who would like to have a small agricultural endeavour or live the life of a gentleman farmer with a horse or two grazing in the quiet pastures.

The majesty of century old trees shade this lovely home and offer the perfect respite from the harried pace of modern day life.

The exterior of this home has been restored with beautiful board and batten siding, maintenance free steel roof and eavestrough and attractive gingerbread which has been reproduced from the original design out of 1 1/2 inch cedar.

All windows were replaced with excellent quality double-hung windows, complete with period style mullions, in 1995.

The south side boasts a shady rebuilt verandah overlooking the lovely 120' x 50' pond and fields beyond.
There is a rebuilt verandah with gingerbread trim on the front of the home as well and a beautiful, raised flagstone terrace wraps around the kitchen wing.

The stone foundation has been completely re-mortared, parged and new weeping tile installed in the 90's.
There are newer shutters for period style elegance.

Additional features of the exterior:

• New septic bed in 1995
  
  
• New 3000 gallon cistern in 1994
  
  
• Drilled well for outside watering
  
  
• New water system complete with water softener and UV light ensures quality water for healthy living.
  
  
• Four outbuildings and two silos. Outbuildings include large barn, multi-vehicle/machinery drive-shed, smaller barn in need of some restoration and smaller outbuilding complete with electricity.
  

Chef's Designer Dream Kitchen:

• Beautiful cathedral ceiling with exposed beams
  
  
• Sunlight streams in through four spacious skylights
  
  
• Ultraline stainless steel gas cooktop, Kitchen Aid stainless steel built-in oven, stainless steel refrigerator (2 years old), dishwasher all included
  
  
• French doors leading onto flagstone patio for peaceful summer evening barbecues
  
  
• Lovely ceramic flooring throughout kitchen and pantry area
  
  
• Stone faced wood-burning fireplace lends a
  warm and relaxing ambience of yesteryear
  to casual dinners
  with family and friends
  
  
• Generous centre island with salad sink and gorgeous granite countertop
  
  
• Halogen pot lights lend to cooking up a storm with ease
  
  
• Under and over cabinet lighting casts a special glow and gentle feeling while cooking or visiting with friends
  
  
• Separate pantry with an abundance of cabinets and built-in desk (pantry has access to back yard)
  
  
  
  
  

Elegant formal dining room overlooking serene pond and fields beyond:

• Triple french door leading to verandah
  overlooking lovely pond and beautiful gardens
  
  
• 9 foot ceilings with custom crown moldings and trim
  
  
• Warm maple, hardwood flooring
  
  
• Will accommodate the large dining room suites of days gone by
  
  
• Perfect for extended family gatherings on those special ocassions

Spacious Living Room Boasts Original Refurbished Brass Lighting:

• Relax next to the marble-faced, fireplace complete with wood-burning insert for those cool evenings.
  
• Burnished maple hardwood flooring
  
  
• 9 foot ceilings with stunning custom, crown molding and trim
  
  
• Custom made maple staircase and railing
  
  
• Opens onto restored gingerbread trimmed, front verandah
  
  
• Entry to library/family room and office/den
  
  
  
  

Main floor family room/library:

• Peaceful room with 9 ft ceilings and original, restored antique trim. Custom crown molding.
  
  
• Maple flooring
  
  
• Overlooks pond and front verandah

• Entry to office/den
  
  
• Lovely crystal chandelier
  
  

Main floor office/den:

• Convenient and cosy with built-in bookshelves
  
  
• Room for desk and chair
  
  
• Perfect place to study or to use as a computer room
  
  

Main Floor 5th/6th Bedroom:

• Double French door opens onto verandah overlooking fields and Twenty Mile Creek beyond
  
  
• Tucked away in a peaceful and private corner of the main floor;perfect for guests
  
  
• Crown molding, 9 ft ceiling and warm, maple flooring

Additional Rooms on Main Floor:

• 3 Piece Bathroom with shower
  
  
• Laundry room off of 3 piece bathroom with abundant cabinets and washer and dryer included
  
  

Second Story:

• Beautiful custom-made maple staircase leads to an inviting, completely refurbished second level with 4 spacious bedrooms
  
  
• Hobby/Sewing Room could be a 5th second level bedroom.
  
  
• Refinished, lovely pine floors throughout second level
  
  
• Beautiful views from windows in every bedroom
  
  
• Vintage 4 piece bathroom with magnificent, claw-foot bathtub and separate, custom-designed corner shower.
  Shower has built-in seat for relaxing after a long day. Wainscotting and victorian sink give feeling of stepping back into days gone by.
  

List Price $609,000

For more information or for appointment to view:

Jo-Anne Smith, B.Sc.
Sales Representative
Sutton Group - Quantum Realty Inc.
289-337-4791 Direct/Cell
905-337-4791 Office/Pager

It was winter and the back yard appeared to be many small rolling hills of picturesque, sparkling white beauty.
Little did we know, when we decided to purchase our first home so many years ago, that those small hills were actually piles of trash that the current owner had not been bothered to take to the local dump during the course of her ownership of the property. As they say, hindsight is golden.

There are many things to consider when you've begun to seriously consider the purchase of your first home, and preparing through research and asking questions ahead of time, will not only save you an abundance of time and money down the road, it can also make the difference between calling your first home 'home sweet home' or your first initiation into a property ownership nightmare.

Preparing now will make the whole process smooth and enjoyable and you'll have something to celebrate in the years to come as you settle into your own private sanctuary.

You've been browsing the internet for homes for sale in your area and reading the local real estate newspapers and have found some properties that you can picture yourself living in.
Can you afford to own one of these properties?

Your first step towards Ontario home ownership should be to meet with a real estate sales representative who will be able to give you a list of recommendations for mortgage pre-approvals and advise you as to the current mortgage rates you can expect to pay should you purchase at this time.

Real Estate Sales Representatives are in regular contact with mortgage brokers and bankers and know who is offering the best rates and the best buying incentives. Often a REALTOR will be able to locate a better rate for you than your own bank is willing to give you.

When considering which real estate sales representative to call, go with someone who you feel comfortable with.
You may have met them at an open house or gotten to know something about them through reading their online articles or viewing their website or perhaps a family member or friend has recommended someone to you.

It's very important to feel that you can trust your real estate sales representative to take care of your needs and to be fully present for you during the entire transaction. Asking to see letters of testimonial from previous clients is an excellent way to guage the level of service you can expect to receive.

The right Sales Representative will guide you through every step of the transaction and be there to answer all of the questions you might have or concerns that may arise.

They'll provide you with pamphlets on mortgages and home-buying, maps of the areas you're interested in, recommendations on trustworthy and dependable professionals who you'll need along the way (such as lawyers, home inspectors, mortgage professionals, etc), listings of suitable homes and will be there with you as you preview every home that meets your requirements.

They'll point out potential problems with particular properties, advise you as to the desirability of the areas you wish to search in, and prepare and guide you through all of the legalities of your agreement of purchase and sale when you've found the house that's right for you.

They'll make sure you're protected on the contract and will advise you as to which clauses should be included in the purchase contract and will be there every step along the way to make sure each condition is satisfied as required.

Choosing a REALTOR® is the most important decision you'll make in the homebuying process next to the actual choosing of the home itself, and choosing carefully will make all the difference between a smooth and enjoyable home search or one littered with pitfalls along the way.

If you're considering buying your first home in the Burlington, Oakville or Mississauga regions of Ontario, I'd be more than pleased to meet with you and discuss your desires and questions as you begin on the exciting road to home ownership.

Other Articles in This Series:
Land Transfer Tax Rebate-Rebates For the First Time Homebuyer in Ontario, Canada

©2009JoSmith

Residents of Ontario, Canada, who have never owned a home before, can now heave a small sigh of relief if they're thinking of embarking on the path that leads to home ownership.
The McGuinty government has just introduced a tax relief measure for first time home-buyers who are buying their fist home anywhere in Ontario, Canada.

Effective December 13, 2007, if you have signed an agreement of purchase and sale to buy your first house in Ontario, you may be eligible to apply for the land transfer tax rebate.

 You may apply for the rebate as long as your offer to purchase your first house was accepted and signed by the seller after December 13th, 2007.

In order to qualify for the Ontario Land Transfer Tax rebate, you must be 18 years of age and have never owned a home or had an interest in the ownership of a home, anywhere in the world previously, and your spouse may never have owned a home previously either, while you were his/her spouse.

A variety of property types are eligible and the main stipulation is that the property must become your principle residence within 9 months of taking ownership.
Please read here for a complete list of the types of houses/properties that qualify for the land transfer tax rebate in Ontario.

The refund application must be filed within 18 months of the conveyance taking place. For details on how to apply for the land transfer tax rebate, read the following article that has been issued by the government of Ontario.

Please note that as of May 14, 2008, this legislation has become  law and first-time home-buyers may now apply for this refund at  the time of registration.

This is a significant step towards helping first time buyers purchase a home in Ontario, as the land transfer tax can amount to a fairly sizable amount.
The maximum rebate which can be claimed is $2000.

Here is a simple calculator for determining what your land transfer tax will be on your home purchase and therefore the amount you can expect to have rebated.

Land Transfer Tax Calculator for Ontario

If you have any questions with regards to purchasing your first home, or with respect to the land transfer tax rebate, please do not hesitate to contact me. Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times in your life, and if I can make the transition to home ownership easier for you, I'm more than pleased to offer my assistance.

If you are considering buying in the Burlington, Oakville or Mississauga area, and do not currently have a real estate sales representative who you are working with, I would be happy to provide you with my first time home-buyer's package and set you up to receive all suitable listings as they become available (this would cover all mls listings that fall within your guidelines).

It's the perfect time to purchase your first home. Interest rates are low, house prices are still reasonable and with the new land transfer tax rebate, you'll now have additional funds to spend on the other expenses that are incurred with home ownership !

©2008JoSmith

*First Time Home Buyer's Seminar in Oakville on February 24th, 2010 7-9  FREE Admission - For More Information or to Register Click Here


Other Articles in This Series:
Buying Your First Home in Ontario~Step One, Choosing a Real Estate Sales Representative.