Brampton real estate agent - 1% commissions

Low commissions with no conditions

1% commission

So what’s this all about?
Simple: I charge low commissions to sell houses. I work with Remax and have been selling houses in Brampton for the past 9 years. Over 85% of people search for homes on the Internet making my job much easier. There is less leg work involved compared to 9 years ago. I pass the savings on to you.

AND I reply to all emails within 14 minutes!

My commission plan:
1% commission goes to me for listing the property.
2.5% commission goes to the buyer agent for bringing in a qualified buyer.
That’s it. No tricks, No hidden fees.

With this you get full service such as:
1. Upload listing on MLS
2. Have a professional photographer come in to take pictures (see sample)
3. Put together a panoramic virtual tour (not just a slideshow) (see sample)
4. Email listing to all local (and active) agents (regardless of which company they are with)
5. Put up a lockbox for convenient showings
6. Design Full Colour Feature Sheets
7. Install a Remax For Sale sign
8. Email listing to my buyer database for Brampton
9. Booking all showings
10. I negotiate the offer personally
11. and much more…

It is indeed full service from A to Z :)

No Comments by Vic  /  May 7, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings
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Brampton home owners – save energy

When you own a home there are many ways you can save energy. The first thing to look at is your Heating and Cooling System. The fact is that heating and cooling your home is around 60% of your energy costs!

If you install ceiling fans and use them in conjunction with air conditioning you will save energy. Just make sure it is blowing air downwards in the hot months. To save more you can install a programmable thermostat with a built in timer. It can be set to lower the heat at night and if you are away. When you leave your home turn off your air conditioner. Here are more tips:

-reduce the temperature in your home a few degrees at night and when you’re not there.

-keep the blinds and drapes closed during the hottest part of the day.

-use area rugs on cold floors, cold feet make your body cold!

-put on a sweater rather then turning up the heat.

-clean and replace furnace air filters every month

-keep the temp at 24-25 degrees Celsius instead of the low 20’s. Every degree below 26 degrees Celsius will increase the electricity.

-turn off any unneeded lights in your home.

-plant some leafy trees on the sunny side of the house and they will give shade in the summer and warmth in the winter. Pine and fir trees are good for this energy saving tip.

The Water Heater in your home can waste energy so shower for only 5 minutes. You can also wrap your tank in a special blanket. Fix any leaky faucets and install low flow aerators.

Drain a pail of water from you natural gas tank every 3 months to remove sediment and prevent heat transfer from your unit. Water heaters are notorious for using the most energy in the home! Along with that is the fridge. Make sure you clean out the freezer and defrost regularly. Get an Energy Star model if you are buying new. Here are more tips:

-set the temp for just as cold you need it.

-never has a fridge in the basement.

-never overfill the fridge, it blocks circulation. However, a full freezer works better than an empty one.

-check the seal on the door.

-clean the coils and air intake grill every 3 months.

-keep out of direct sun and keep 5 centimetres all around for heat to escape.

-let hot foods cool before putting them in the fridge.

When it comes to your oven it is an energy eater. You should keep lids on pots to keep the heat in and use an electric kettle to boil water.

-thaw frozen foods in the fridge

-never put foil on the racks

-turn the oven off before cooking time is over it will continue to cook.

-use the right pot and element.

Using the microwave can save you 75% less energy!

We all use our washers and dryers often but there are ways to cut down the energy bill. Try using cold water in the rinse cycle. You can run full loads instead of smaller ones and wash in cold or warm water. The energy comes from heating the water.

Try using cold or warm water for the wash cycle instead of hot water. The hot water will in fact shrink and fade your clothes more easily. When it comes to the dryer make sure the clothes are wrung out. Separate the loads into heavy, medium and light so they take less drying time. Dry loads one after the other to avoid wasted heat.

Always clean out your link filter. It increases the energy by as much as 30% and it could pose a fire hazard! You can always line dry in the nicer months.

When it’s time to sell your Brampton house consider hiring a Brampton real estate agent that charges 1% real estate commission for full service.

No Comments by Vic  /  June 5, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings

Buying a Brampton condo

Buying a home is a huge step and a huge financial investment. It can be very stressful and confusing. That is where well trained representatives can really help you through the whole buying process. You should be able to ask any questions that may be plaguing you.

Buying your first condo can be a simple process when you have the right real estate representative. When you are thinking about buying a condo you will want to think about where you want to live? If you are in a city, which part of the city appeals to you? How will you get to your workplace? After that you will want to think about the type of home you want to live in and the space you want? Remember that there are high rises, low rises and town homes.

You have to get the best rooms and spaces that will suit your needs and that of your family. Look into the number of bedrooms, amenities and the direction the condo is facing. Do you want the sun beating into your rooms or would you rather have a shaded location? The next thing to consider is the cost. Condos can be very pricey. You have to consider how much you can comfortably afford and the type of home you want. Then decide on a down payment and the mortgage. You have to add these numbers to any other loan expenses and your total monthly expenses to see if you can swing it. The sum of these numbers has to be an amount that you can cover and that is within your means.

There is no doubt that you will have to do some research when it comes to the builders and make sure they are legit. Simply check out different web sites and then you can go and visit the locations and meet the representatives. Find out the builders reputation from people who actually live there. Word of mouth is everything. Find out their experience and knowledge of the buildings. Two good resources in Toronto are The Greater Toronto Home Builders Association and the Tarion web site which has found a builder. If you are confident with your knowledge and want to move forward you have to fill out the paper work. You should work with a condo lawyer who can help you through the whole process. The first thing you have to do is sign the Agreement of Purchase and Sale.

Of course make sure you go through it and make sure it is legally binding. It should include the purchase price, terms and conditions of the transaction, description of financing, closing date, possession date, pre-inspection and other items and details. The final step in buying your first condo is the disclosure statements and the condo documentation. The disclosure statement and documentation pulls together all the important information on the condo that you’re buying. You have to read over this document very carefully. Buying a condo can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Make sure you have help and ask yourself those all important questions before you make any decisions.

No Comments by Vic  /  May 8, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings
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Real estate terms

When you are thinking of buying a home you need to know some of the terms. The glossary below was taken from the Ontario Real Estate Associations “How to Buy Your Home.” They are some of the most common real estate terms that you may come across:

Amortization: The number of years to pay off an entire mortgage.

Appraisal: This is an estimate of a properties market value. It is used by lenders to determine the mortgage amount.

Appreciation: The increase of property value over time.

Assessment: This is the value of a property that is set by the local municipality. It helps calculate property tax.

Assumable Mortgage: This is a mortgage held on the property by the seller and can be taken over by the buyer. They accept the mortgage payments.

Blended Mortgage: This happens when two mortgages get combined. One has a higher interest rate to get a mortgage with an interest rate between the two originals.

Blended Mortgage Payments: This is equal or regular mortgage payments with both a principal and interest component. With each payment the interest decreases and the principal amount increases. The total payment will not change.

Bridge Financing: This is money that is borrowed against the homeowner’s equity. It is usually for a short time in order to help purchase another property or making improvements to a property you are selling.

Buy Down: The seller reduces the interest rate on the mortgage. They will pay the difference between the reduced rate and market rate to the lender in one lump sum or monthly instalments.

Closing: This is when the parties agree that all the legal and financial obligations have been met. The deed gets transferred from seller to buyer.

Conventional Mortgage: This is the first mortgage for up to 75 percent of the property’s value or purchase price.

Counter offer: A written response form one party to the offer of the other during the buying negotiations.

Debt Service Ratio: This is a part of the borrowers gross income used for housing costs, mortgage payments and taxes.

Deed: A legal document indicating property ownership to the buyer.

Easement: The legal right to cross an individual’s land.

Encroachment: Visiting another individual’s property unlawfully.

Equity: This is the price difference between the selling price and the mortgage on the property.

Foreclosure: This is where the lender takes possession and ownership when the borrower defaults on the mortgage.

High Ratio Mortgage: More than 75 percent of the appraised value or purchase price.

Land Transfer Tax: This is a payment to the government when transferring property from seller to buyer.

Lien: A legal claim against a property.

Mortgagee: This is the lender.

Mortgage Insurance: Protection form a government backed insurance or private backed insurance for the lender against borrowers default on high ratio mortgages.

Mortgager: Borrower

Multiple Listing Service: Relays info from the Realtors about sale properties.

Prepayment Privilege: This allows the borrower to prepay some or all of the principal balance with or without a penalty.

Principal: The borrowed amount still owing on a mortgage.

Status Certificate: This is a written statement on a condo’s financial and legal issues.

Variable Rate Mortgage: Fixed payments but changing interest rates due to changing market rates.

Vendor Take Back Mortgage: Sellers use their equity to provide some or the entire mortgage financing to sell the property.

You can browse this site for lots of useful information on Brampton real estate. Thinking of selling? Consider hiring a Brampton real estate agent who charges low real estate commissions. Only 1 percent commission paid to listing broker.

To find Brampton homes for sale

1 Comment by Vic  /  April 2, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings, brampton real estate
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Buying a flipped house

A hot trend in real estate is investing in house flipping. House flipping is just buying a house at a lower then market price. You may have to do some renovating and then quickly try to resell the house at a higher price for a profit. This seems to be appealing to amateur investors.

House flipping can bring financial rewards it can also be very high risk. Every investor needs to keep some things in their mind before they plunge into this kind of venture. You have to have a plan. House flipping is like a business and requires a solid plan. You have to look at all the facts because if not you stand to lose a lot of money. When you are flipping houses you have to make quick decisions. You have to know the Brampton real estate market and the neighbourhood.

Then you need to have some knowledge about market values and other properties in the area. You should find out what kind of houses are selling fast in that particular area and what features are important to buyers. How long does it take to sell those homes? The more information you have the better equipped you will be when buying a flipped house. Then you should shop around for the right property. Find the location of the house and figure out if you can sell it once it is renovated. Look into the houses condition and how much work you need to put into it? You should find a house that will work for you financially. Then set your budget for the amount you intend to spend on a house purchase and make an offer. Remember to add the mortgage fees, attorney fees, closing fees, titles and any other taxes.

There is nothing wrong with trying to haggle. Remember there are other houses so don’t get upset if the negotiations stall. Make sure that you get a thorough home inspection once you have found the property. Do a few walk through with a home inspector. The inspection has to take place to find any electrical, plumbing, pest and structural problems. If you buy a property without an inspection it can mean the difference between profit and loss. Try to stay focused on a house that will need only some cosmetic work, especially if you are a novice flipper. You should look for a house that simply needs some cleaning, painting or flooring. It could just need a yard cleanup or some landscaping. Avoid a house that will need major structural repairs. You should know the repairs that need doing and make a list of them.

Then get some estimates and create a budget. Remember to add the renovation costs, closing costs and licenses and any cost overruns. When you are buying a flipped house you need to know how much work you can do yourself so you can save money that you would spend on contractors. However, if you can’t do it yourself then hire a professional. A good realtor can sell your flip faster. Remember not to set a high price because it will scare off buyers. Under pricing slightly can bring in the buyers.

Thinking of selling? Consider hiring a Brampton real estate agent that charges low real estate commissions
1% commission paid to listing broker. 2.5% paid to buyer agent.

No Comments by Vic  /  March 28, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings

Fee changes starting April

Reco stands for The Real Estate Council of Ontario. It is self managed and a non profit corporation. Reco is responsible for putting forth the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 and similar regulations from the provincial government that protect the public’s interest with fair, safe and informed news. Reco was put together in 1997 and was a delegated administrative authority.

It stood under the Safety and Consumer Statutes Administration Act. This was because of the government and the real estate industry who wanted an improved efficient and effective regulatory base. The Ministry of Consumer Services continues to be responsible and look into the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act 2002 and overseeing Reco.

To meet its regulatory obligations, Reco will be bringing in two new fee changes. The first fee changes are for registrations and transfers in ten years. The following changes will start April 1, 2010.

-The registration fee for salesperson category will change from $250 to $250 for a 2 year registration time. It will bring the fee together with all the other categories such as broker and brokerages which remain at $350 for a two year cycle.

-The fee for salespersons that transfer from one brokerage to another will change from $50 to $100. These changes are set by Reco’s Board of Directors. They consider and review all administrative and enforcement activities as well as containment measures. The circumstances that affect the fees include:

-activities and costs that are related to administration and enforcement of the Real Estate Business Brokers Act, 2002 that increased over the last ten years.

-more awareness of Reco has increased public and registrant inquiries.

-these changes will let Reco meet current and future endeavours. It will allow them to improve service and delivery for registrants and affect its consumer protection mandate.

The effective date of the renewal is April 1, 2010 or later. Applications that get submitted to Reco prior to April 1, 2010 will be part of the fee change.

The Core Purpose- Reco wants to foster confidence and uphold integrity in all real estate transactions.

Mission- Regulating the activity of trading in real estate

Responsibility- To interpret, enforce and suggest any modification to the regulations.

Relationship- Reco has a contract with the government to uphold the Real Estate and Business Brokers act and they must act in accordance with the Administrative Agreement.

Core Values- Reco is dedicated to organized behaviour that is set by:

Integrity: Being truthful and trustworthy

Accountability: Work the Act competently and in line with the law.

Fairness: To act impartially and fairly.

Respect: Treat everyone with respect and courtesy.

If you want to submit a complaint to Reco you must:

-do it in writing

-include your name, phone number, address and other contact information

-you have to include the name of the registrant and the allegation of misconduct

-include as much detail and supporting data that you possibly can remember

After the complaint is received the Office of the Registar will conduct a review of your complaint and respond in writing to:

-acknowledge they received the complaint

-to let you know they understand your complaint

-request any documents for proof of the complaint

-request a signature of a form to share your complaint with the registrant.

No Comments by Vic  /  March 28, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings
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New condos in Brampton

Park Place is one of the new condos that you will find in Brampton. It is under construction and will be located at 4 James St which is in the heart of Brampton and close the City Hall and Rose Theatre. The builder for this project is Inzola. The structure will be 27 storeys and have a 2 storey lobby that will be amazing! There will be a number of different suites available including one bedroom and terrace, one bedroom and den and terrace, two bedrooms and terrace, and two bedroom, den and terrace. The one bedroom will range from between 612-743 square feet. The two bedrooms will range between 887-1764 square feet. The buildings it will have a myriad of different features that include:

-security

-library

-yoga studio

-fitness room

-home theatre

-party room

-dining room

-billiards room

-boardroom

-cards room

-bbq patio

-guest suite

You can also get the price and floor plans and see the construction of the building on the internet through a live webcam shot. The other big condo project in Brampton is Blade Condominiums. This will be located at 45 Railroad St in the heart of Brampton and across from the GO Station. This is the former site of the Dominion Skate Factory. The builders on this project are the Preston Group that has over 40 year of residential building experience along with Flora Di Menna interior design, In2ition Marketing Insights sales and marketing, G. Ryan Design Inc, advertising and design. Also in this group are AREA and SG&M Architects in joint venture with Strybos Barron King Ltd landscape architects. The building will be 26 stories high and will incorporate modern living with contemporary interiors but keep its historic roots. You will find one bedroom, one bedroom and den, two bedrooms and two bedrooms with den. The square footages on these units are from between 571-831 square feet. The two bedroom units range from 900-1116 square feet. The building will have several features including:

-security

- Oval skating area that converts to a walking track during the summer

-fitness room

-swimming pool

-whirlpool

-Al Fresco style dining area

-yoga room

There is also a Zen Lounge, entertainment room, catering kitchen, movie theatre and games area.

The prices start at $179,000.

Along with all this The Blade Condominiums also have on site services that let them get things done quickly and efficiently because everything is within walking distance. This project also focuses on being energy efficient and environmentally friendly with elements that focus on conservation, sustainability and overall healthy living. This condo project is close to public transportation, bike storage, parking for hybrid and electric cars, heat pumps, Energy Star appliances and tri sorter rubbish chutes. Other elements of interest are the rain water capturing irrigation, low flush toilets, faucets and shower heads, low VOC paints, Low-E glass, metered utilities, deep terraces, green roofs and heating and cooling in all the homes. The condos themselves offer privacy locks, waterproof ceilings, ceramics, tempered glass walls, marble countertops and more.

No Comments by Vic  /  March 26, 2010  /  Posted in: Listings, brampton condos, brampton condos for sale, brampton real estate
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Investing in Brampton real estate

If you want to invest there are many things to look for when choosing the best time to purchase a house or property? The first thing to do is to find a solid Brampton real estate agent. He/She will must have excellent product knowledge and therefore will be able to find you the really good deals.

Most hot listings get snatched up the 1st day they come on the market. Know all the market values ahead of time so when a good deals comes along you waste no time and put the offer in right away.

They may accept a lower price than the balance due on the mortgage. If you happen to come across open house signs this means that the seller is eager to find buyers. You can also check with the local Brampton real estate agents for the houses that are on the market and the amount of time they have been listed. When there are more properties on the market then seller tend to be more anxious to find buyers. However, when interest rates begin to go up some buyers will stay out of the real estate market. This will make a more favourable purchase. The prices will fall as the interest rates rise. Another rule when buying in the market is to compare rents of similar properties.

What would the rent be for the house? If the rent annual rent is more than 6% of the purchase price then it is not a good deal. When you are considering the best time to invest in the real estate market takes into account the market and where you live and if it is stable? If the prices are going down you could owe more on the property you have purchased then the market value a year down the road. So unless you are going to hold onto the property for a very long time you will be trapped into a house without equity. At this point it would be impossible to refinance for any repairs or renovations or to lock in a lower mortgage rate.

The builders of new subdivisions have overstocks now as the prices have dived. There could be some good buys if you look into new construction. However, be careful and ask questions and make sure there is a new home warranty. The fact is as prices fall builder are tempted to cut corners during construction to lessen losses. When you find a property you like with long term workability and you have to pre-arrange a mortgage that you can afford then you can buy. Then have a home inspection done and not the costs for repairs and maintenance over the next couple of years.

If you can make all the mortgage payment, insurance, taxes and maintenance and you think the property meets your needs then it is the time to buy. However, if the economy inflates the money for your bills will deflate and you will be ahead in the long run. You will be building equity in your property as long as the housing prices don’t fall. Remember, before you invest in the Brampton Real Estate Market research the areas of growth and make sure you have a good investment.

No Comments by Vic  /  March 17, 2010  /  Posted in: Brampton Homes, Listings, brampton real estate
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What are closing costs?

It can be confusing if you are a first time home buyer. What kind of costs will you be facing down the road when you are closing the sale of your home? There are so many fees, expenses and taxes that you will have to pay. It can become scary and frustrating. Below is the list of general costs when you are closing your deal.

You can expect the budget to be about 2% of the purchase price of the home in the closing costs. So if you are buying a $200,000 home you will be paying around $4,000 for the closing costs. This is a general outline. You have to ask the people involved with the deal to get a better idea of what the costs will add up to in the long run.

-Home Inspection: A qualified inspector can access your property and find any defects as well as give you information on your home. This will cost between $250- $350.

-Appraisal: The lender arranges for an appraiser that will give their professional opinion on current market values for your home. This can cost from between $100-$300.

-Legal Fees: For this your lawyer can handle all the paperwork for the purchase of your home. You will have to apply for the legal fees in the closing of your home and mortgage and any additional disbursement fees that will cover things like the courier costs, photocopies, faxes, supplies and other registrations. You must remember to ask for a quote. This will cover the disbursement fees and you won’t be caught and shocked later. The fees will vary but usually they will be around $1,000-$1,300 factoring in the lawyer and life events.

-Land Survey Title Insurance: The seller will probably give you the survey of the home. However, if not you can get a replacement for around $600-$900. There are also many lenders that will accept title insurance and that will only cost you a few hundred dollars which will save you money. Make sure you talk to your lender and see what can be worked out.

-Fire Insurance: You have to have and maintain fire and extended coverage insurance. This will continue for the length of the mortgage or for the replacement value of the building. The cost can vary and depends on the home, the amount of coverage and the insurance company you are dealing with. It will also depend on the city. However, you will probably pay anywhere from $250-$600 a year.

-Ontario Land Transfer Tax: You can find this on line and learn how to calculate them as far as your purchase.

-Interest Adjustment: Mortgage payments are due the first day of the month. However, if your closing date doesn’t fall on that day then you have to prepay the amount of interest accruing to the first of the next month. This is called the interest adjustment date. This period could be shorter if you have a bi-weekly or weekly payment.

-Mortgage Insurance and PST: The insurance premium is added to the mortgage so you don’t pay in cash on the closing date. You still have to pay the PST of 8% on closing.

-Closing Adjustments: This will cover the utilities that the seller prepaid and will get from you.

All content on this blog is Copyright.
Find Brampton homes for sale here
Thinking of selling? Consider hiring a Brampton real estate agent that charges 1% real estate commission

2 Comments by Vic  /  March 16, 2010  /  Posted in: Brampton Homes, Listings, brampton real estate
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New Brampton home projects

Arista Homes is one of the new home projects in Brampton. This is an award winning company that has built over 6,000 new homes across the Greater Toronto Area. Arista Homes believes in rich features for its clients combined with building efficiency and quality. Arista has communities in Vaughan, Aurora, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton and Milton. They are also working on many new projects in and around the Toronto area. These communities have been praised by clients, municipal officials and the home building industry. The company’s customer service is impeccable and J.D. and Associates have ranked them one of the top builders in the GTA.

The Tarion Corporation has honoured them with the “Presidents Award.” Recently, they also won the “Builder of the Year Award of Excellence” in the Large Volume Builder Category. The company’s success comes from their attention to detail along with their innovative design features. Their specifications are very different then the norm in the industry. Their “Innovation in Design” starts at the home design stage keeping the families and everyday living in mind. Arista brings unique design, attractive streetscapes and valued services to each community. They strive for attention to detail and success in every project.

One of the new home projects that Arista is developing is Magnolia. This community is surrounded with a beautiful landscape including a lake. The community will accommodate 1,400 homes and the first batch will have 238 homes. Arista Homes is offering many new designs of semi detached and detached homes. Through this community there will be trails, parks and ponds and the Heart Lake nature trails and the entire Brampton trail system. Another home project in Brampton is Green park Homes. It is Canada’s largest home builder and has over 52,000 homes that have been built and sold in the Toronto area.

They have 42 years in the business and serve with quality, location, selection and value when they design and build their communities. Green Park scans every site each week and every home project is reviewed for progress and gets updated. They are committed to the best in home quality. Another home project is Mount Pleasant Village in Brampton. This is all about the new era in community building. This can offer families everything they need to enjoy a great lifestyle and find everything they need within a 5 minute walk. The major features include transportation, recreation, shopping, entertainment, education and nature all in one neighbourhood.

The community will have a GO station and a Village Square that will have a reflecting pool that will convert to a winter skating rink. The main street will contain live work town homes. There will be a library, schools and green acres of fields, wood lots, waterways, trails, parks and scenic outlooks. Remember all this can be found with a 5 minute walk from home. The community will have more than 120,000 trees and shrub that will be planted to give the feel of nature and ensure there will be birds and wildlife in a safe habitat. If you want to get out with the family you can enjoy a nature walk right in your own community!

All content on this blog is Copyright.
If you have questions about any new Brampton homes projects you can drop me an email.

No Comments by Vic  /  March 16, 2010  /  Posted in: Brampton Homes, brampton real estate
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