905-937-6000 (Office)
1-866-999-9497 (Toll Free)
dollar@royallepage.ca
www.sallydollar.com

Royal LePage Niagara R.E. Centre, Brokerage
http://www.facebook.com/SallyDollarRLP
101 LAKEPORT RD
ST. CATHARINES, ON L2N7L7

Featured Listing

St. Catharines $144,900 for 4 Bedrooms

Nice home in move-in condition! Cheaper than rent! Updated furnace, central air, hot water tank, windows. 4 Bedrooms above ground and hardwood floors throughout. Bonus 144' deep lot! 5% downpayment with monthly mortgage payments of approx $675.00 - Let me know if you would like a referral to a mortgage broker to see if you would qualify. View the virtual tour at www.SallyDollar.com

An income property is a home that is bought or developed in order to generate income, typically by renting it out in part or in its entirety. Using your home as an income property can be a financially rewarding experience, either to provide extra income, or to help you pay off your mortgage.

Before taking action it is important to understand some of the key points involved in using your home as an income property.

Some things to consider before you start
1.Check the Municipal regulations – are you legally permitted to turn your home into an income property? Would the unit adhere to all existing building and fire codes?
2.Financial considerations - does your home require renovations to make it tenant ready? If yes, do you require financing? Has your bank pre- approved you for a loan?
3.Legal Considerations - make sure you understand the landlord – tenant relationship regulations in your province. This will have a great impact on what you can and cannot do as a landlord.

After your initial research, there are a few things you can do to make your property more attractive to potential tenants.
1.Your home should look clean and tidy inside and out. This will bring more renters through your property and you will have a more receptive audience
2.Update your home if necessary. From simple changes such as fresh paint in a neutral color to major renovations, try and make your home look and feel as spacious, bright and comfortable as possible.

When you’re ready to rent, price and market your unit competitively. Scan the classifieds and visit rental websites to find out how much similar units are being listed for. You can also ask Sally, your Royal LePage agent for pricing advice or to help you find the right tenants through a listing.

Summary:

There is a lot to consider when turning your home into an income property. While it may seem daunting from the outset, doing sufficient research to understand what is involved is key to making it work on your terms. If you can turn your home into a successful rental property, it can be very rewarding - you‘ll have an extra source of income and tenants can help pay off your mortgage!

CMHC has added environmentally friendly features to the Mortgage Loan Insurance it offers. If you use CMHC insured financing to buy an energy-efficient home, purchase a house and make energy-saving renovations or renovate your existing home to make it more energy-efficient, a 10% refund on the Mortgage Loan Insurance premium may be available. You could also have the added flexibility of an extended amortization (up to a maximum of 30 years) without a premium surcharge.

The Government of Canada actively promotes energy conservation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

How It Works

If You're Thinking of Buying or Building an Energy-Efficient Home.

If You Own a Home and are Thinking of Renovating to Make your Home More Energy-Efficient.


If You're Thinking of Buying or Building an Energy-Efficient Home

Step 1: Find out how energy-efficient your house is

If the home you're considering buying meets one of the following four (4) requirements, you could be eligible for a 10% mortgage loan insurance premium refund and extended amortization without surcharge when you use CMHC insured financing to purchase that house or condominium unit.

The house is an energy-efficient R-2000 model.
The house has been assessed by a Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) qualified energy advisor and it has an energy efficiency rating of 80* or above.
It was or will be built under a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program.
The building in which the condominium unit you're buying is 25% more energy efficient, than if constructed to meet the requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB).
The house's energy efficiency rating can be obtained by:

having an energy assessment completed by an NRCan qualified energy advisor;
obtaining an R-2000 certificate or CMHC declaration from your R-2000 certified builder;
obtaining a CMHC declaration from your builder that is a member of a CMHC-eligible energy-efficient building program;
or for condominium units, a letter from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) or the project engineer for condominium units must be obtained.
If you are planning on building a new home and your builder is not R-2000 certified or a member of a CMHC eligible energy-efficient building program, you should have an energy advisor evaluate the building plans before the house is built. This can help you ensure that you will meet CMHC's requirements once the construction of the home is complete and it is evaluated.

Step 2: If required, boost your energy efficiency

If the house you plan to buy has an energy rating below 80*, to be eligible for a refund, you will need to obtain an energy assessment through an NRCan qualified energy advisor and renovate using part of the CMHC insured funds based on your energy advisor's list of recommendations in order to increase your score by at least 5 points and to a minimum overall rating of 40.

Step 3: Discuss and arrange a CMHC-insured mortgage

Talk to your lender and ask for a CMHC insured mortgage.

Step 4: Confirm the improvement

After you make the renovations recommended by your energy advisor, you will need to have a second assessment done to determine the energy-saving effectiveness of the renovations. To be eligible for the 10% premium refund, the second rating must show that the house has achieved an increase of 5 points to a minimum overall rating of 40.

Step 5: Apply for your Premium Refund

Apply online for your premium refund.

OR

Complete the PDF version of the application form and send it to CMHC, along with the supporting documentation by fax at 1-800- 245-9274, or by mail at 700 Montreal Road, Suite 1000, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0P7. NOTE: You can choose to complete the PDF form electronically or by hand. In both cases, you will have to print it and sign it.
* Depending on the closing date of your purchase, the NRCan Energy-Efficiency Rating required differs:

For purchases with a closing date… NRCan Energy-Efficiency Rating Required
On or after April 1st, 2010 80
Between July 27th, 2005 and March 31st, 2010 77
Between November 18th, 2004 and July 26th, 2005 80

How can you get your spooks and goblins to have the lowest carbon foot print and not break the bank?
Halloween is shaping up to be almost as decorated a holiday as Christmas. So how can you get your spooks and goblins to have the lowest carbon foot print and not break the bank?
The trick is to use recyclable materials or buy decorations that will last from year to year. Those inflatable decorations are fun but they need a lot of energy to manufacture and then keep inflated. Besides, who needs a lot of plastic when a bit of imagination can turn simple household items into scary decorations that reflect your own style and express everything you love about Hallowe'en?
Simple ghosts
Any white or pale blue bed sheet can be easily transformed into ghost. Wrap up a small pillow in the head, tie it off with a string and hang it from the tree where it can blow in the wind. You can draw eyes, a scary mouth and nose on cardboard using a fluorescent or glow in the dark marker. Cut them out and glue them onto the head for a ghostly expression. Fasten a small flashlight or a solar patio lights under the sheet to give your ghost a spooky glow.
Take some black and orange construction paper and make small paper chains to hang around the ghosts. You can also use witch silhouettes or bats. These kinds of chains will look good hanging in your window with some orange LED lights.
Get carving
Pumpkins are the easiest way to spook up your yard. Some of the pumpkins carving kits have patterns of witches, cats, bats and goblins, which can make a nice addition to the traditional scary face pumpkins. You can find a wide assortment of patterns, both traditional and humorous from the Pumpkin Masters. They recommend using a flashing LED strobe light to really make things scary and sprinkle in some cinnamon and nutmeg on the bottom for a fresh, autumn scent. You can also hand paint your pumpkin, which will make it last longer.
Creative landscaping
Use your pumpkins as part as a display with seasonal flowers like orange and yellow chrysanthemum flowers. Add height to any flower arrangement by including some goldenrod or wild grasses. Their rustling in the wind will add to the mystery.
Stalks of corn, particularly the multi-coloured corn, can be tied to posts or fences. You can find them at any farmers markets for just pennies, especially if you're buying the corn used to feed stock animals. Tie the stalks up and peel away the casing for an autumn display. Place some LED or solar lights amongst the stalks so they will light up at night and cast some shadows.
Buried secrets
Fashion some graveyards out of recyclable material around the house. Take two sticks or boards and put them into a cross, hammer the middle and put them into the ground. Add handmade "rest in peace" signs for that extra touch. Don't worry is the cross sags -- it will just add to the general creepiness of your graveyard.
Large boxes can be painted black to look like a coffin or hiding place. Take an old sleeve from a shirt, stuff it and leave it hanging from the top. Cut tombstone shapes out of cardboard boxes and paint them white or grey. Add epitaphs and piles leaves in front for a freshly buried look.
And of course, never under estimate the garden scarecrow for some creepy fun. You can use old clothing, stuffed with newspaper and pinned up for various poses. Hold yours up with a post or garden stakes or hang it from a tree. Even better, have one posed on your doorstep. Tape some eerie music and put the recorder close to the scarecrow so when someone rings your doorbell you can activate the recording and startle them.
The key to a green Hallowe'en decorations is to have fun and let your imagination run wild and freaky.

Article from Greenlivingonline.com

©2011 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund.

905-937-6000 (Office)
905-935-8215 (Fax)
dollar@royallepage.ca
www.sallydollar.com

Royal LePage Niagara R.E. Centre, Brokerage
Visit www.SallyDollar.com
101 LAKEPORT RD
ST. CATHARINES, ON L2N7L7

New Listing -West End Executive home $359,900

Updates galore, freshly painted. 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, large eat-in kitchen, garden doors to the backyard. Main floor family room with gas fireplace. Newly Finished basement. Eco Friendly home Rated 69. Inground/heated pool converted to salt water in 2008. Stamped concrete backyard, roof 2006, basement finished 2009 with high quality finishes. Virtual Tour www.SallyDollar.com

Slower price appreciation expected in the second half of 2011

Canada's residential real estate market saw sizable year-over-year price increases in the second quarter of 2011, but high house prices are concealing early signs of a moderating market, according to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released in July. The market has seen its near-term peak in house price appreciation, and a slower second half of the year is expected. Still, by the end of 2011, the national average house price is expected to be 7.7 per cent higher than it was at the end of 2010.

Average house prices in Canada continued to rise in the second quarter across housing types surveyed. The national average price of a detached bungalow rose 7.5 per cent year-over-year to $356,625; the price of a standard two-storey home rose 6.1 per cent to $390,163; and the price of a standard condominium rose 3.5 per cent to $238,064.

"In many of Canada's regional markets, we saw house prices appreciate at a significantly faster rate than wages and salaries, and this trend cannot continue indefinitely," observed Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "We expect price gains to moderate considerably in the latter half of 2011, which should reduce the stress associated with purchasing a new home," Soper said.

While price appreciation and housing activity are expected to slow during the second half of 2011, the strong start will support a 2011 national average house price forecast at end of year 7.7 per cent higher than the close of 2010. Sales volume is forecast to decrease marginally by 2.0 per cent over the same period. Year-over-year prices should appreciate modestly in 2011's third quarter as most Canadian housing markets cooled during the same period in 2010. Similarly, this year's final quarter should display a flat year-over-year price performance when compared to an unusually strong fourth quarter of 2010.

"While the global economy struggles to find its footing, here in Canada we are seeing indicators of a return to long-term norms," noted Soper. "There is an expectation of continuing improvement in employment levels across the country and accompanying strength in wages and salaries, which should provide support for the housing market. Looking ahead to 2012, signs are pointing to stability for Canadian home owners and new buyers. We believe we are past the period of peak house price appreciation."

Full results from the Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices can be found at www.royallepage.ca.

If you are wondering what your home is worth in today’s market, please contact me and let me put my expertise to work for you!

The "Un" Real Estate Agent???
I am becoming known as the "Un" Real Estate Agent across Niagara. No high pressure, competative, scripted sales tactics here. I prefer to share the gift of my knowledge with my clients instead of using high pressure sales tactics. I provide information and my clients come. I lead my clients step by step through the process of buying or selling their homes and provide the information they need to make an informed decision on financing, pricing, market conditions, homes currently for sale and those sold, paperwork, procedures, inspectors, lawyers, tradespeople, etc. The more information that consumers have, the better decisions they can make and that makes for a less stressful buying or selling experience for all. I am offering my Preferred Buyer/Seller Information Session which is free of charge and no obligation to all of my clients/friends and family. Its a new way of doing business and its working wonderfully. I have received so many referrals from previous clients appreciating my way of doing business that I have decided to keep this system in place and offer it to sellers as well. I have chosen this career for life, and the decisions and information that I give to my clients is based on that fact. I consciously choose to provide my customers with honesty, integrity, respect, information and compassion. I love buying and selling Niagara, let me show you what you can do !

Your flooring is like your home's feet, and finding the right type is like finding the right shoes - you want to balance style, comfort and cost. If your floors need updating, here are some tips to help find that "perfect fit."

Style
Carpet fell out of favour for a time, but it has made a comeback with a wide variety of stylish and practical options. Ideal for bedrooms and play areas, select neutral colours to accommodate décor changes and to optimize resale value.

Hardwood is best for main floors and high-traffic areas as it is durable and easy to keep clean. It is also an attractive feature when it comes to selling your home because hardwood never goes out style.

Comfort
Carpet is soft, cozy and welcoming to your toes in our often cold Canadian climate. It absorbs sound and lessens the noise of TV, children running about, and even walking. Carpet can help reduce heating bills and is good choice if you live in a condo, townhouse or semi.

Hardwood is cold, but can be warmed up with area rugs. Hardwood floors are also noisy, but strategically placed rugs and runners can help soften both the look and sound of hardwood.

Cost
Carpet is the cheaper option and when properly cared for, can last 10 to 15 years. Replacing worn carpet can make a home look new again, especially when you're looking to sell.

Hardwood is more expensive, but is hard-wearing and should last 20 years or more. Refinishing hardwood can be costly, but hardwood is a great investment. Like fine wine, it gets better as it ages.

Other Considerations

Eco Friendly - Natural wool and sisal are healthy options for your home, as well as the environment, and both are warm, soft, durable, and anti-static. Ensure the carpet label identifies it as having low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Reclaimed hardwoods, harvested from older homes, buildings and barn boards, are more expensive but provide a truly antiqued patina that cannot be replicated otherwise.

Hard Options - Laminate flooring is available in colours and finishes that look similar to wood. Easy to install and care for, laminate can last up to 25 years. Ceramic tile is also hard- wearing and best suited to well-trafficked, sometime wet areas, like entryways, bathrooms and kitchens.

Basement - Special consideration should be given to basements, which are moisture prone. Install a sub floor over the concrete and consider a resin type laminate, which can withstand moisture, or opt for tiles.

The right flooring for your home will feel like the "perfect fit" beneath your feet, and will give you and future buyers style and comfort for years to come.

©2011 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund.

905-937-6000 (Office)
1-866-999-9497 (Toll Free)
dollar@royallepage.ca
www.SallyDollar.com

Royal LePage Niagara R.E. Centre, Brokerage
Visit www.SallyDollar.com
101 LAKEPORT RD
ST. CATHARINES, ON L2N7L7

Century Home in Welland with C3 Zoning

BUILT IN 1902 BY JOSEPH EDWARDS. HAS 3 SEPARATE UNITS OR EASY TO RETURN TO ONE HOME. C3 ZONING TO ALLOW FOR MANY USES. TWO STOREY GARAGE AND PLENTY OF PARKING IN THE BACK. BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM AND BEDROOM. CURRENTLY THE WHOLE BUILDING IS OWNER OCCUPIED AND WELL CARED FOR - MOVE IN YOURSELF OR BRING YOUR OWN CHOICE OF TENANTS. Listed at $198,463.00 VIEW THE VIRTUAL TOUR www.sallydollar.com

Rate of Home Price Appreciation Stabilizes after Post-Recession Recovery

Home values continue to rise

According to the Royal LePage House Price Survey release in April, the average price of a home in Canada increased between 3.5 and 4.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2011, compared to the previous year, as markets continued their post-recession recovery. While the rate of year-over-year price appreciation slowed slightly in the first quarter, home values continued the upward climb, which first began late in the second quarter of 2009.

Low interest rates and a recovering economy continued to fuel activity in Canada's housing markets over the past year, which has led to country-wide increases in average home prices. In the first quarter of 2011, the national average price of a detached bungalow rose 4.3 per cent year-over-year to $341,355, while standard two-storey homes rose 3.5 per cent to $379,388 and standard condominiums rose 4 per cent to $237,919.

"The rate at which Canadian homes are appreciating may well have peaked for the next year or so," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "We expect house prices will continue to creep up, but most of the excess demand created by the initial drop in interest rates has been satisfied, and affordability continues to erode slowly, allowing the listings supply to catch up. In most markets, lower single digit percentage increases are more likely for the balance of the year."

In the first quarter of 2011, certain markets such as Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax continued to experience significant price gains compared to the same period a year earlier, largely due to favourable regional demographic shifts and healthy local economies.

"Canada's real estate market has maintained momentum coming out of 2010, indicating that the post-recession recovery is continuing," Soper added. "While low interest rates continue to drive demand, the tepid pace at which employment levels are improving is tempering the rate of home price appreciation in many Canadian cities. The exception to this trend can be seen in markets like Vancouver, where foreign buyers, particularly from China, are driving demand in select mid-to-high priced markets, and driving up the regional average reported home prices at a surprising pace. In Montreal and Halifax, demand from first-time buyers and purchasers of luxury homes are creating significant year-over-year gains in home values."

Full results from the Royal LePage House Price Survey of Canadian House Prices can be found atwww.royallepage.ca.

If you are wondering what your home is worth in today’s market, please contact me and let me put my expertise to work for you!

Average house prices are based on an average of all sub-markets examined in the area, except for the smaller markets of Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John and Victoria.