The Brantford Home Info Blog!: Brant Real Estate Market

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Where Is The Market Headed After New Mortgage Laws Announced

While many believe that these new mortgage laws have come a little too late, their creators are hoping that this will soften the blow and not make the market crash as hard as some are predicting it will. The Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, like the rest of Canada, is hoping to benefit from these changes.

One of the biggest parts of the new law has to do with the amount of money a buyer can take in a loan when paying for a house. Now at 80% from 85%, this rate will give the buyer less debt in the long run, however many analysts are reporting that this decrease will make it more difficult for people to purchase homes, possibly leading them to rent rather than buy. Along with the lower rate for borrowing money, the payback period has dropped to 25 years from 30 years. This would give home owners a chance to pay back anything owed in 25 years, and after that would be debt free. Some reports are showing though that most Canadians only have 15 years left on their mortgage, saying this part of the law is not beneficial in the long run.

While the government is hoping that these changes will help home owners with their debt, many are saying they waited too long in order to do any real help. With less time to repay loans, many officials are predicting higher payments will be required. With higher payments, homeowners may not be able to reach the unrealistic goals and won't be able to back their borrowed money in a reasonable amount of time.

With stricter mortgage rules, many first time homebuyers will feel that renting is a better idea than buying. Although rental prices are reported to increase due to the laws, it is leaving first time buyers in a financial bind. While more renters mean more money in the Brantford/Brant County Real Estate market, it is also predicted to reduce prices once the rush of buyers has dropped off.

If you have any questions regarding the new mortgage laws, or are interested in buying or selling Brantford/Brant County Real Estate, feel free to contact me! I look forward to hearing from you!

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage

Connect with Me

Thursday, December 22, 2011

10 Remodeling Tips For Your Brantford Home!

Keeping your Brantford home in good condition protects your property value and saves you money in the long run. But if you're looking at remodeling, it's important to think about the return on the investment and your reasons for going into the project.

For example, if your family has outgrown your house, but you really love your Brantford neighborhood and don't wish to move, it could make sense to remodel the attic to add a bedroom. In this case your motive is for long-term personal use and enjoyment. What it pays back when you sell the home is a secondary concern.

If your want to update your home for the purpose of resale value, then you'll want to know these 10 tips from Home and Garden TV:

1. Painting is the best return for the money, if done tastefully with neutral colors, and applied with professional care. Your return on this could be up to 300%.

2. Kitchen remodeling is fraught with the risk of going overboard. But it's also the center of a home and very important to a Brantford homebuyer. Updating cabinets, countertops, and appliances to bring your home up to date could help it sell, but don't make the mistake creating a kitchen that belongs in a higher-end house. You could expect anywhere from 68% to 120% back on your investment.

3. If your home has one bathroom, but the other homes in your area and price range have two or more, you might consider adding one. Returns can be 80% to 130%.

4. Remodeling existing bathrooms to make them bright, clean, and modern is a good idea too. You could get 65% to 120% back on this.

5. If your home is small, consider adding livable square footage by finishing the attic or basement. Your return could be 50% to 90%.

6. Window and door replacements can improve safety, security, and appearance. Rule of thumb: don't get too fancy for the rest of the house. Returns average 50% to 90%.

7. Adding an outdoor deck can give you a return of 65% to 90%.

8. Adding bedrooms, family rooms, sunrooms or garages will give you back 50% to 83%.

9. Adding a home office holds a potential return of 60% to 73%.

10. Remodeling to "go green" or adding energy efficiency is tricky. Things like better insulation or installing a new furnace are crowd-pleasers. Solar panels and tankless hot water heaters are expensive and can daunt buyers who are not used to them. There's no average return on this one, so stick with common-sense upgrades that can add appeal.

As your Brantford real estate agent, I work with buyers and sellers at all levels of the Brantford Real Estate Market. If you are torn between remodeling your home or putting it on the market as-is, why not talk to me to see what your home is worth today? My experience with Brant County Real Estate can guide you through your real estate questions. Contact me today and I'll be happy to help you.

Wishing you the best this holiday season,

Wally Dufrat | Sales Representative
RE/MAX Twin City Realty, Inc. Brokerage
515 Park Road North | Brantford, ON N3R 7K8 Direct: (519) 752-5400 & (877) 759-5900 | Cell: (519) 761-7400 | Fax: 519-752-3400

Before You Buy or Sell Your Next Home, Visit My Websites at:
www.BrantofordHomeInfo.com or www.FreeBrantfordHomeInfo.com for FREE Information!

Connect with Me

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Holiday Safety Tips in Brantford!

The holidays are supposed to a joyous time of year. We get to give back, enjoy an abundance of wonderful food, and most of all, spend time with our loved ones. But believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to turn what is intended to be a happy time into trips to the emergency room. While my forte is selling Brant County Real Estate, it is also my job as a Brantford real estate agent to make sure the people of the Brantford community are using safe practices all year round. Before you bust out the shovel, consider these common winter safety hazards.

Christmas Tree Mold: Sniffling and sneezing are just a part of winter, right? Yes, but not always. If your sniffles and sneezes follow the arrival of your Christmas tree, it’s possible that it could be a result of skyrocketing mold spore counts. An easy alternative would be to invest in a fake tree, but for those of you who value the presence of a real tree, hose it down and spray it with some mold-resistant sealant.

Fires: There’s nothing better than a cozy night by the fire while opening presents. This year, keep a conscious mind of what you’re throwing into the fire. Tossing wrapping paper into the fire may seem harmless, but it could actually end up setting the whole room ablaze (I’m just sayin). Never light candles near the Christmas tree, as this action is responsible for thousands of house fires every year. It is also important to keep your holiday tree within a safe distance of the fireplace. In fact, consider adding glass fireplace doors as an extra safety measure.

Snow Shoveling: While it’s important to keep walkways, driveways and steps clear of ice and snow to prevent slips and falls, it is equally important to make sure you’re shoveling correctly to prevent back and other bodily injuries. Keep your knees bent, your back straight, your stomach muscles tight and lift with your legs.

Tricky Packaging: It’s happened to all of us. We are so excited about a gift we just opened, and as we rip and tear at the packaging we und up causing minor injuries. Sometimes these minor injuries can escalate into a larger issue, as a large percentage of holiday trips to the emergency room are a result of attempts to open difficult product packaging. Is it really necessary to use that many layers of plastic? Keep a pair of scissors handy during the opening process and make sure to point them away from your hands and body.

Holiday Lights: It’s never a bad idea to inspect your holiday lights before you display them around the house. Be sure to check for frayed wires, broken bulbs or sockets, or loose connections. These common mishaps are indications of fire hazards and if you’re not careful could land you or a loved one in the hospital. Keep in mind to use as few power cords as possible and make sure to unplug them when they’re not in use.

While it may be hard to believe, these things happen more often than you would think -- even in Brantford and Brant County. Stay safe this holiday season by staying away from vigorous or straining tasks. Stay mindful of practical safety precautions around electrical equipment, and practice fire safety when necessary. If you do have to take part in something that could potentially be dangerous, make sure you are surrounded with the proper tools and materials in case anything goes awry.

Connect with Me

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

186 Ontario St - Price Just Reduced to $153,999!! Four Bedroom Home Perfect For First Time Home Buyer or Investor in Brantford!

Front View

Offered At:      $153,999 - Just Reduced!
Bedrooms:     4
Bathrooms:    1

Excellent value!! First time buyers or folks looking for - inexpensive property. Great investment. Owners bought this home because of location. Close to schools, Grand River Trails, Parsons Park and quiet area. Solid 4 bedroom home with many features. Huge deck 15'x14', 100 amp service, new shingles approx. 3 years ago. Could be a cozy home or as a rental investment.

Property Features

Central A/C, Central Heat, Fireplace, Vaulted Ceilings, Hardwood Flooring, Tile Flooring, Living Room, Dining Area, Basement, Interior Laundry Room, Large Deck, Newer Roof, Nice Yard

Front View

Living Room

Dining Area

Kitchen

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Full Bathroom

Connect with Me