Real Estate Online Tools Through My Home Planner by Genworth PLUS Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes, Long Term Real Estate Questions, New Versus Resale

Real Estate Online Tools Help Make Sense of the Canadian Homeownership Process

While they are often cause for celebration, planning a Canadian home purchase and a move are often cited as some of life’s most stressful life experiences and events. Many other life moments have built in backup to help you along the way such as weddings have planners, and vacations offer itineraries and tour guides for you. It only makes sense, that something this important such as a Canada home purchase should come with planners and checklists to keep you organized and in control every step of the way. My Home Planner, found at www.myhomeplanner.ca is a new and useful online tool by Genworth Financial Canada that helps make sense of the homebuying process in Canada real estate markets. It’s like having a constant companion on your journey to homeownership in Canada property – one with a great memory and a knack for details. An interactive calendar show you your roadmap at a glance and serves as an official countdown to when you close the Canadian real estate property deal and move in. Canadian My Home Planner does the memory work for you – keeping track of tasks and decisions that need to be handled ont eh way to your new Canadian home purchase. It even generates email notifications to remind you of key details so that you can stay focused on the big picture of Canadian home purchase. Why go it alone? Tools like My Home Planner Canada from Genworth Financial Canada can help you understand what Canadian homeownership looks like, plan your journey and close the deal knowing that you haven’t missed a single step along the way. Other free resources from Genworth Financial Canada for Canadian homeownership and home purchase includes a personalization feature that populates your Home Planner calendar with both standard and customized homebuying tasks leading up tot eh closing of your new home, the ability to save your own Home Planner Canada to your desktop or laptop, and print it for easy reference. In addition, My Home Planner Canada will provide interactive tools like ‘What Can I Afford’ and ‘Rent vs Buy’ calculators and a library of articles from industry experts, filled with tips and advice about the Canadian home buying process.

The Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

A useful article from the Canadian Real Estate Magazine outlines the top ten problems and mistakes that Canada homebuyers make when deciding on a home purchase. #10 – Making an offer prematurely is one of the top 10 home buying mistakes in Canada where homebuyers decide on a property without looking at other options or enough other properties. #9 – Homebuyers Using the Wrong Realtor – as many realtors entered into the Canadian real estate marketplace to make the quick buck (not because they really enjoyed being agents), the tougher times have allowed Canadian home buyers to select the best realtors for the job at hand. A challenging market poises more challenges, and an experienced local realtor is definitely important in your purchase decision. #8 – Not reviewing the purchase contract closely can become a top 10 home buying mistake in Canadian real estate as there are many clauses, inclusions and exclusions in every purchase contract. And since many first time Canadian home buyers purchase condominiums, these agreements are usually drafted by builder lawyers. #7 – Scrimping on the inspection process can cause you a lot more money and headaches in the future and thus is a top 10 homebuying mistake in Canada as it only costs $500 to thoroughly inspect a full single family home before you write the final cheque and lift conditions on your offer to purchase. #6 – Choosing the wrong location is a Top 10 Home Buying Mistake that can mitigated – as most first time homebuyers tend to stay in their homes for five to seven years, but you need to look at your eventual resale value. #5 – Not knowing your mortgage options can cause you to spend a lot more money on your mortgage payments both short term and long term and thus is a top ten home buying mistake that many first time hombuyers in Canada fall into. Get mortgage brokers to talk to banks on behalf of your application to help you along your way. #4 Not getting pre-approved for a mortgage is another top Canadian home buying mistake as a pre approved mortgage allows you to understand how much banks are willing to help finance your new home purchase. #3 – Settling on a property is the opposite of over buying and afflicts many Canadian homebuyers and thus, you need to make a more informed choice. #2 – Emotion over reason is a common Top 10 Canada Home Buying mistake as the emotional attachment that you get can outweigh any reasonable reason, your budget and many other critical factors in selecting a new home. In addition, cosmetics and furnished homes for sale will not look the same with your furniture and features integrated into the home. #1 Top 10 Home Buying Mistake in Canada is overbuying, so make sure that you can afford the home that you put an offer on.

12 Top Questions for Long Term Real Estate Potential

When it comes to capital appreciation and increase in rents over the long-term, the top 12 long term real estate potential questions for homebuyers and investors include the following questions that you must ask yourself and other professionals before purchasing a new home in Canada. Will any short term challenges (such as negative publicity, layoffs) disappear? Is the area attractive to Baby Boomers? Is there a major transportation improvement occurring nearby? Is the neighbourhood located in an area of renewal or gentrification? Is the region’s Economic Development Office helpful and proactive? Has the local and provincial political leadership created a growth atmosphere? The final six top 12 questions for long term Canadian real estate potential include: Will the property value benefit from a major redevelopment nearby? Is the Canadian real estate booming in the surrounding region more than where you’re looking? Does the area have more than one major employer? Is the area creating jobs faster than the provincial average? Is the area’s population growing faster than the rate of the provincial average is? Is the area’s average income increasing faster than the provincial average is? From REIN.

Buying New Versus Resale Real Estate in Canada – Which One Is Better?

There has always been an ongoing debate amongst both homebuyers and investors on whether to purchase new property or to buy resale real estate. One of the common questions firs time homebuyers have is whether to buy a new or previously owned home, typically called a resale property. Much of your decision, according to CMHC as well as the Canadian Real Estate Magazine hinges on your budget, the area you want to live in and other specific details – but there are some characteristics that all homebuyers should be aware of when the new versus resale real estate debate goes on. So in this real estate debate of new versus resale, a new home will have the following disadvantages over re-sale property (in no particular order): extra costs (like upgrades) and taxes (such as GST, HST etc.). However, the advantages of new property versus resale real estate is that the newer builds have neighbourhood amenities, new home warranty program to protect your investment in the short to medium term, builder warranty for your protection, low maintenance costs, up to date on the latest building standards and modern design/layouts. From the resale home perspective, there is no GST or HST, landscaping and fencing are already usually established, you can see exactly what you are buying before you make your final decision but there may be possible redecorating and renovations required for an older home.

Report for Canadian First Time Home Buyers - by RE/MAX

First Time Home Buyers Report 2009 – RE/MAX Specialist

By Michael P, Executive VP and Regional Director for RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. A great article that explains the latest in Canadian First Time Home Buyers Report, growing trends, government incentives and where the property deals are.

RE/MAX has just released its 2009 First Time Home Buyers Report. What were the most significant findings in this report?

The Canadian First Time Home Buyers Report 2009 by RE/MAX confirmed that first time homebuyers are now the engine driving Canadian home buying activity in virtually every major centre. Falling prices and rock bottom mortgage rates have been behind the push for entry level housing across the country. Market conditions across Canadian real estate markets have also helped, firmly favouring purchasers in 69 per cent of the centres surveyed, with another 31 per cent in balanced territory.

Are there any government incentives available for Canadian First Time Home Buyers?

Top of mind is the Federal Governments’ Home Buyers Plan – a plan that allows Canadian first time homebuyers to use RRSP funds tax-free to help purchaser their first home. Changes to the program outlined within the recent federal budget increased the withdrawal limit to $25,000 from $20,000 for the First Time Home Buyers Plan of Canada. The new First Time Home Buyers program, designed to help Canadians with closing costs, also provides a tax credit of up to $750. The Federal Government’s new $2.5 billion Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) program allows for a 15 per cent tax credit up to $1350 per household, on elgible renovation expenditures between January 27, 2009 and February 1, 2010.

Where are the Canadian property deals right now?

Just about every Canadian real estate market offers entry level product at an affordable price right now, but the RE/MAX report identified some key property Canadian markets offering single detached homes priced under $200,000 including Charlottetown, Halifax-Dartmouth, Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Windsor, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Peterborough, North Bay, Kingston, London, Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

What are the advantages of a Home Buyers’ Market in Canada?

It’s been over a decade since home purchasers held the reigns in a Canadian real estate transaction. The recent surge in listing inventory, diminished demand, and softer housing values have firmly place Canadian home buyers in the drivers’ seat. Homebuyers in Canada have much more leverage in the Canadian marketplace and it will be vendors, not purchasers, who will have to adjust their expectations. Entry level first time purchasers will also have a better selection of properties from which to choose and the luxury of time in making those crucial home buying decisions.

What’s in store for residential Canadian real estate in markets across the country in the months ahead?

Although they ear got off to a slow start, February home sales were well ahead of those reported in January 2009. The upward trending is expected to continue as more and more first time Canadian home buyers enter the market in the weeks ahead. The flurry of activity in the lower end condos and units may also serve to kick start sales in the mid to upper end Canadian real estate markets, which have been relatively sluggish in recent months. While home inventory and days on market was up virtually across the board, it is noteworthy that several Canada real estate markets reported tighter conditions in the lower end of the property market, where demand and buyer activity remains quite healthy.

How have changing Canadian housing markets impacted buyer intentions?

While a sense of caution still prevails, more and more first time Canadian homebuyers are finding it hard to pass up the chance to become homeowners in today’s buyer-centric real estate climate. Improved Canadian housing affordability is prompting many first time home buyers to get off the fence, out of the rental, and into the property market. With lower starting prices and interest rates at historic levels, Canadian home buyers are finding the carrying costs of homeownership at their most affordable level in more than a decade.

Vancouver Real Estate Resources: Hope Street Capital Property Investments, Whitney Canada Investors, Today Living Group Property Management

Hope Street Capital Real Estate Investments

Well selected co-ownership real estate investments by Hope Street Capital based in Calgary property market. Their marketing: our experience, your retirement. Many people in today’s busy world are looking for a way to get their money working for them. When you invest with Hope Street Capital real estate investments, that is exactly what will happen. You become a real estate investor in lucrative markets with no effort or landlording headaches. Our turn key investments at Hope Street Capital out perform bank brokered investments hands down. Call for an informative proposal package. Suite #109 the Manhattan Building at 1117 1 St. SW, Calgary, Alberta. Call 1.866.826.1672 or go online at www.HopeStreetCapital.com.

Whitney Canada Real Estate Investors

This is the right time… now come to the right place: Whitney Canada Investors. Successful investing is a matter of being in the right place at the right time according to this property investing team of Whitney Canada, with a long and successful run of many years. Where beginners go to become real estate investors… where real estate investors go to become experts. Come discover strategies that can create cash flow for you with rehab for profit, pre-foreclosure, investing, and creating financing with Whitney Canada investors. Since 1998, Whitney Canada has shown thousands of Canadians a proven Real Estate Success System that can create profit potential in any real estate market condition. Free weekly information systems are conducted by Whitney Canada real estate property investors so get the details by calling 1.800.288.8015 or visit the web site at www.russwhitney.ca. They are located at 1515 Britannia Road East, Suite 204, Mississauga ON, Canada.

Today Living Group Inc Complete Suite Property Management

Should you be looking to buy a condominium for real estate investment, searching for a company to manage your suite, or looking to increase your revenue with Corporate furnished rentals give us a call. For more information on our Smart Buy Program at Today Living Group Inc property managers, please visit our web site at www.todaylivinggroup.com. You can also contact us at 416.213.8881 or toll free 1.866.991.9932 or info@todaylivinggroup.com. Protecting your property investments are very important. What is the first question that comes to mind when you first decide to purchase a property for real estate investment? Perhaps it’s ‘how much can I expect to spend and what will be the carrying costs?’ Or you may still be at the stage where you’re deciding which type, style or size of property you should consider. Purchase a suite for real estate investment should be given the same amount of thought and care you would take I fyou were going to occupy the suite personally. Suite layout, location of the property and the suite location in the building are the keys to a successful real estate investment according to Today Living Group Inc property management company. Why is it that purchasing real estate for investment is not given the same attention to detail that other investments are? Michelle White, President of Today Living Group, says, “If you have $250,000 to invest int eh stock market you do your homework first before handling over the funds. All too often though, much less attention is given to a real estate investment. I hear comments frequently like, ‘the suite is a one bedroom suite 600 sq ft under $300,000 in downtown, so it must be good right?’ Wrong! Regardeless of whether you’re using real estate or the stock market, it’s still your investment and your money Do your homework before you purchase.” Says the president of the property management company at Today Living Group Inc. Today Living Troup makes recommendations to our clients on how to maximize their revenue. The team at Today Living Group property managers will review the suite plan and if necessary will recommend suite changes prior to construction. If this is doen early enough, manuy changes will add a little or no cost to the owners. In select properties, Today Living Group may suggest furnishing the suite in order to maximize revenue to our corporate clients for extended long-term corporate stays. Today Living Group offers full service property management from the initial purchase onwards. Traditional real estate services end once a tenant is secured. But that’s where our service just begins! Our web site at www.todaylivinggroup.com showcases the full services of Today Living Group Inc.

Land Incorporated - A New Land & Rural Homes Listing Site

Land - Lots - Farms - Ranches - Timberland - Homes With Acreage - Commercial Land - Mountain & Waterfront Homes. What do you get on Land Incorporated website? Unlimited listings on six sites - Land Incorporated - Oodle - Lycos Classifieds - Vast - Properazzi & new Wal-Mart Classifieds* Each Land Incorporated online listing has own page with 10 photos & captions, Google Maps with Latitude/Longitude for remote properties, Direct Contact to Seller or Agent and Quick & Easy Property Input. How much does advertising on Land Incorporated website cost? Nothing the first month! Then only $24.95 per month, cancel anytime. Is the new Land Incorporated listing website found on Google? #1 "search for land to buy" #2 "buy or sell acreage" #3 "buy rural acreage for sale" (May vary slightly). Visit our site at www.landincorporated.com to register as a seller. Buyers can register for free and save searches! We can add any country at request. Ask about our low banner ad rate. * Dependant on restrictions, location or type requirements, and last update of each Land Incorporated co-listing site. * Must cancel within first 30 days or card will be charged on 30th day. Land Incorporated 4120 Clemson Blvd Suite E Anderson SC 29621 - Land Incorporated at www.landincorporated.com

Robert Allen’s Canada’s Real Estate “Gold Rush” Triggers Property Investor Bonanza - Prime, Undervalued U.S. Real Estate -Great for Property Investors

For Amateur and Professional Property Investors - Robert Allen’s Canada’s Real Estate “Gold Rush” Bonanza

Canada’s red hot real estate market is the perfect time to get fantastic deals on wonderful properties. But did you know… you can buy homes for below real estate market value, saving you $40,000… $80,000… $160,000 or more. Better yet, you can buy real estate homes with little or no money coming out of your pocket. Even get money paid back to you at closing. That’s right: Get paid to buy a house. Now’s the time to invest in fantastic Canada real estate properties: see why one of the best times to make money in real estate is right now. See how to strike great deals on terrifice properties in Canada real estate market. Even if you don’t have a dollar of your own to spend. Now’s the time to get bargain basement real estate housing pries: Most real estate investors hesitate to act while the iron is hot. They let truly terrific deals go to real estate property investors who know how to take full advantage. Find out how you can lock down profits as never before. It’s not whteter you have enough money. You don’t need money for real estate bargain deals. It’s whether you have the know-how. Now’s the time: Free workshop in your area: Many people who attended this free real estate event now own real estate worth millions. You can own a million dollars in Canada real estate in the next 60 days. Let me show you now is the time. Robert’s Allen’s creating wealth with real estate workship. Discover all this and more in two exciting hours only! Robert Allen will focus on new techniques for today’s Canadian real estate market, 3 ways to make money from day one, uncover hidden property bargains in Canada, Cash in with commercial real estate and find Canadian real estate for way below property market value. Also, the Creating Wealth with real estate workshop by Robert Allen will show you how to build a real estate portfolio that secures your retirement in five years or less, use real estate in Canada to build steady monthly income and Robert Allen’s classic “nothing down” strategy in purchaseing property. Real people with real wealth, right now. Right now, there is free admission to Robert Allen’s Creating Wealth with Real Estate Workshop in Vancouver (with four different dates). For more information, please attend his workshop.

Cash In On Canada’s First Home Buyer’s Real Estate Market In Over A Decade

From an advertisement in 24Hours Vancouver newspaper: Let me show you how to arm yourself with Canada specific strategies at my free workshop. Real Profits. Right Now. “I believe today’s Canadian real estate market is the true path to financial independence.” – Robert Allan, Author and President of the Robert Allan Institute. Experts agree it’s the beginning of the first Canadian buyer’s market since 1995. Prices are finally down – now is the time to throw your hat in the ring and create financial freedom. I can show you where to look – the right way to buy – and how to manage a real estate portfolio so you’ll be poised to create the kind of wealth that lasts a lifetime through investing in Canadians real estate. Hometown Real Estate Expert Wants To Make You Rich: I’m Robert Allan, Canadian-born author of the best selling book that showed how almost anyone can get rich with real estate investing in Canada, even if they have no money. NO other real estate expert has the specific knowledge and strategies for the Canadian real estate market. At my FREE workshop, you’ll see how this is the beginning of the ideal property market for anyone (even beginners) to build the type of real estate portfolio that creates millionaires. Even during economic downturns. Financing Techniques Perfect for Today’s Tight Credit Market. I can show you how to buy Canadian homes with little or no money coming out of your pocket. Even get money paid back to you at closing. That’s right: Get Paid to buy a house. Fantastic Properties and Hidden Bargains: Conditions are ripe for you to make a fortune today – if you know how to lock down a great deal. The public simply doesn’t know where or how to look for super discounted deals. I can show you how to buy your first discounted property, even if you don’t have a dollar of your own to spend. Free Workshop in Your Area: My brand new free workshop is coming to your area. Many people who attended my original legendary free workshop now own real estate worth millions. And in today’s Canadian real estate market, it’s possible to secure your financial future faster than ever. Your journey to permanent wealth begins at my workshop. Robert Allan’s students have pocketed more than $1.2 billion in pure profits. When you come to the FREE Robert Allan workshop, you’ll discover how you can jon the group of students in generative massive wealth in today’s Canadian real estate market. Free Admission to Robert Allen’s Creating Wealth with Real Estate ® Workshop is accepting registrations now. What Robert Allan knows about Canada’s real estate market can make your rich. How to find and buy real estate for up to 50% to 70% below market value. How to move property quickly in a down market for big profits. How to locate deals before they’re advertised. How to use real estate to generate monthly income. How to build a real estate portfolio that secures your retirement. Who Should Attend the Robert Allan Creating Wealth with Real Estate ® free workshop: experienced Canadian real estate investors looking to build their portfolio, beginners ready to invest in a buyer’s market, first time homebuyers.. now is the time to buy, investors looking to recoup stock market losses and anyone in need of extra income in tough times. Why you should go to the Canadian Robert Allan Creating Wealth with Real Estate ® workshop> Canadian strategies for today’s Canadian real estate market, one of the only real estate workshops designed by a Canadian real estate investor. Enriching – Find out how to located hugely lucrative deals quickly and discover proven paths to increase monthly cash flow through investing in Canadian real estate.

Advertising Supplement: Prime, Undervalued U.S. Real Estate - A Clarion Call for Property Investors

It’s not every day, every year or even every decade that we witness a near perfect convergence of factors that compel real estate investors to stand up and take notice. Yet today this is where we find ourselves as the real estate purchase opportunities in the U.S. real estate market in emerging key markets collide with a strong loonie. However, with the Canadian dollar trading close to its 40 year high against the U.S. greenback, and the availability of U.S. credit diminishing quickly as the subprime mortgage crisis unfolds, U.S. real estate opportunities for Canadian property investors to capitalize on prime, undervalued U.S. real estate abound. In an economic downturn, demand for rental housing can increase as consumer confidence erodes; job losses mount and potential home buyers postpone their U.S. real estate purchase and elect to continue renting. People who were “natural” renters before subprime mortgage are returning to the U.S. rental pool, even as undervalued US real estate properties make it onto the market. The supply of new apartments is constrained by tight credit market conditions making it difficult to bring new property developments on stream. Despite current economic concerns, population growth in the U.S. continues at the rate of nearly 1% annually, with much of the growth coming in the Southwestern and Southeastern portions of the country. Vacancy rates are at or below lont term averages in most real estate markets, propelled by continued job growth and low unemployment. Increased rental demand in the US should result in higher occupancy levels and higher rents. U.S. apartment fundamentals are quite strong, with effective rent growth in 2006 exceeding inflation for the first time since 2001. Over the past 3 decades, the U.S. multifamily apartment property sector has earned an attractive 11.91% average annual total return. The best undervalued U.S. real estate opportunity is investing in strong fundamentals. The Sunbelt region continues to offer strong population growth, a lower cost of living and doing business consistent long term job creation, affordable housing and an appealing lifestyle. 20|20 Investments Inc., a Vancouver based company that specializes in real estate investment, is offering a unique investment vehicle. The U.S. Apartment Opportunity Fund 2008, a subsidiary of the 20|20 Diversified Income Trust, is a U.S. dollar denominated fund that allows Canadian real estate investors to capitalize on the recent strength of the Canadian dollar earning future income and profit in U.S. currency. It is an RSP eligible, pays quarterly distributions, and there are no U.S. tax filing requirements. A simple, hassle-free way to gain access to the undervalued U.S. real estate buying opportunity south of the border. For more information on upcoming seminars and details on this undervalued U.S. real estate investment opportunity, please visit www.2020investments.com or email info@2020investments.com or call 1.866.920.6868. “U.S. real estate markets are about to see an unprecedented level of foreign investment as the lack of domestic financing coupled with recession and the weak dollar helps to usher in a new base of property investors to pick over the remains.” Joe Valente, head of Portfolio Management and Strategy at Allianz, Property Wire, June 25, 2008.