Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year and all the best in 2011!

Let dawn of a new year open eyes to debt control
Anticipating a hangover Saturday morning?
Lots of Canadians will be, which really isn't so bad. If you can't let go on New Year's Eve then maybe you're a little too tightly wrapped.
And you know there will be plenty of free advice on how to deal with that deep, throbbing pain behind your eyes and the unnerving sense that your brain is operating on a three-second delay.
The hangover cure story is a media staple around New Year's Day.
But it's being rivalled by another turn-of-the-year hangover obsession. Borrow too much during a low interest rate binge and you'll be feeling a giant pain in your (empty) bank account when the party ends.
Call it the credit hangover.
Mark Carney has. The Bank of Canada governor warned last week that Canadians are having too much fun drinking from the low-interest-rate cup.
The numbers back him up.
At this time last year Canadians had set a new personal debt record, averaging more than $91,000 per household. There were warnings to reduce spending and pay down debt before rates inevitably rose ... probably before the end of the year.
Now the year is almost done and rates have barely ticked up. Prime is sitting at 3%, apparently not high enough to scare the spenders.
Read more: Link

Thursday, December 9, 2010

7 Factors That Affect Your Home's Value


There are many factors that can affect the market value of your property, ranging from home improvements to the mood of the seller. All of this is a lot to internalize, but you can make an informed decision while pricing your home if you tackle these issues one at a time.
1. Location 
Your home’s proximity to public transportation, train stations, shopping facilities, schools, etc., plays an import factor in determining your property’s market value. Every area has a high end and a low end. The market value of your property is affected by that reality. People that purchase homes in “lower end” areas expect to pay less than they would if they bought the same home in a “higher end” neighbourhood.
2. Features 
One of the key factors in your home’s value is the features it provides. For example, some house styles are more popular with buyers than others. The age and size of your home compared to other available properties also plays a part in affecting your home’s value.
3. Condition 
Potential buyers will take into account the condition of your home in deciding if they want to buy it and how much they are willing to pay for it. A home in immaculate condition has a much higher potential for a top dollar sale than one that is lacking the most basic routine maintenance.
Experienced buyers look for important conditions like paints, floor coverings, walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows. Buyers may also pay close attention to the plumbing, electricity work, repairs, bathrooms, kitchen, and so on.
4. Home Improvements 
Most people think that home improvements are a sure way to increase the value of a home. Major home improvements are unquestionably important factors that affect the property value. Improvements like room additions, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other items like floor tiles, swimming pools, etc., can increase the value of your home. However, it only matters what those improvements are worth to the buyer.
5. Market Conditions 
When the market is flooded with similar properties for sale and real estate buyers are scarce, you can expect to sell your home for less than you would if there was a shortage of supply and lots of eager potential homebuyers.
6. Seller Motivation 
Seller motivation is also a major factor which affects the offer price made by the buyer. For example, if you bought a home in a new area you may be willing to accept a lower price to quickly complete the sale of your current home.
7. Marketing  
The marketing plan that your agent executes on your behalf will determine the amount of interest that is shown in your property. Your agent’s level of skill and expertise in the negotiating process will affect the amount of money you’ll be able to get for your home. Many people put more thought into what they’ll have for dinner tonight than who they will trust to market their most valuable asset. Don’t make the same mistake.