Archive for the ‘Homes’ Category

Listings, Bungalows, Shelburne Homes Under 250000

January 27 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Listings, Orangeville, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Listings, Bungalows, Shelburne Homes Under 250000 310 Main St., Shelburne. One of a kind Shelburne classic. Double-wide lot – 99ft – and a massive back yard!! The unique 2nd floor Loft has been pretty much left untouched and awaits your creative genius.  Amazing possibilities as this level is just begging to be finished as a Loft, Family Room, additional bedrooms or the... Read more

Classic Bolton Bungalow, Hot MLS Listing

September 21 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Listings, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  Homes For Sale In Bolton ON, Classic Bolton Bungalow, Hot MLS Listing … Charm, character, and quiet elegance would be most appropriate when looking for the right words to describe this home and gorgeous secluded property.  Huge 1/3 acre lot with tall mature trees, private plateau’d sitting area & hideaway, and manicured lawns – all in the heart of Bolton. Unique custom built bungalow... Read more

Hot Listings, House Values, Unique Homes, Decor Trends

July 12 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Buyer Tips, Homes, Household Tips, Real Estate News, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hot Listings, House Values, Unique Homes, Decor Trends, In Law Suites … A little bit of this and a little bit of that as we scan the headlines for the latest real estate news, trends, tips, and ideas. Six Signs It’s Time To Buy A House (Globe and Mail) … Really?  You’re asking me?  I’m a Realtor – there’s never a... Read more

Golf Courses, Active Adult, Listings, Homes, Condos, Communities, Part 2

April 9 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Downsizing, Empty nesters, Homes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Golf Courses, Active Adult, Listings, Homes, Condos, Communities in Mississauga, Brampton, Alliston, Nobleton, and Stouffville … Mother Nature giveth, Mother Nature taketh – and then giveth and taketh again.  So here’s the thing. There we were last weekend on what I swear felt like a summer’s day, driving through the Niagara Peninsula, when we happened upon a golf course filled... Read more

Real Estate News, Homes, Condos, Trends, House Values

March 17 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Household Tips, Mortgage News, Orangeville, Real Estate News, Stats, Surveys, Taxes, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Real estate news; sales trends, mortgage rates, taxes, homes, condos, Melancthon quarry update … At the risk of dating myself here, I think back to my days as a paper carrier for the Montreal Star lugging around a little wagon (or toboggan depending on the time of year) delivering the day’s news.  Trudging up that long slope dividing upper Sunnyside from lower Sunnyside.  Trudging back... Read more

Celebrity Homes, House Values, Real Estate Sales Trends, Home Ownership, Condo News

February 27 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Fun, Homes, Real Estate News, Stats, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Celebrity Homes, House Values, Real Estate Sales Trends, Home Ownership, Condo News …  Controversy in Brampton, the evolution of the condo, the latest sales trends, key things investors look for, and homes of the super-rich.  Here’s a compilation of recent news items grabbed from the four far-flung corners of the real estate universe (try saying that four or five times quickly). Taking Steps Towards Home... Read more

Golf Course Communities, Adult Lifestyle Homes, Condos, Part 1

February 16 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Downsizing, Empty nesters, Homes, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Watch and Learn
Golf Course Communities, Active Adult Lifestyle Homes and Condos Part One … Finally!  Spring has done sprung.  And that means, for me anyways,  it won’t be long before once again I’ll be itching to get out and spoil a perfectly good walk around the golf course.  Will this be the year I clear that pond?  Will... Read more

REMAX Housing Market Outlook 2011

December 8 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Real Estate News, Stats, Surveys, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Residential values expected to climb further in 2011 as housing sales stabilize in most major centres, says RE/MAX.  (The following press release has been kindly provided by RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc.) Although improved economic fundamentals will have a positive impact on Canadian housing markets moving forward, the forecast for residential real estate sales remains static in most major centres in 2011,... Read more

Empty Nesters, Downsizing, Boomerang Generation

October 16 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Downsizing, Empty nesters, Homes, Orangeville, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Empty Nesters – Downsizing and The Boomerang  Generation You’re looking around your house and thinking, hmm, maybe it’s time to either spruce the place up, or downsize.  The kids are grown, off to school or work, they have places of their own, and the old homestead is starting to look awfully big and empty.  Gone are the heaps of size 12 Nikes blocking the... Read more

Differences Between Foreclosure, Bank Sale

October 16 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Buyer Tips, Homes, Real Estate News, Seller Tips, Taxes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Foreclosure, Power of Sale, What’s The Diff?  Foreclosure vs Power of Sale … You read and hear a lot about foreclosures these days.  For the most part however, foreclosures do not enter into the equation here in Ontario as this is a legal action seldom taken by lenders. The Readers Digest version; under foreclosure proceedings the lender assumes ownership of the property, and all the obligations... Read more

Good Ship Baby Boomer, Retirement, Active Adult Lifestyle Homes, Condos

October 16 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Condo Living, Downsizing, Empty nesters, Homes, Trends Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Good Ship Baby Boomer. Retirement and Active Adult Lifestyle Housing So there I am, one minute blissfully thinking I’m 25 again, as us guys tend to do, helping my son move the fridge.  The next thing I remember is the grandogs slobbering all over me thinking it’s playtime while I lay crumpled on the floor wondering, “is that really the little... Read more

Enchanting Older Homes, Century Victorian Homes, Listings

October 16 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Orangeville, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Enchanting Older Homes, Century Victorian Homes, Listings … If These Walls Could Talk “His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking, or a pleasant mixture of them all.” J.R.R. Tolkein. Like you and I, houses come in all shapes and sizes, each has it’s own personality and story to tell.  Each... Read more

Life’s Little Surprises, Green Homes, Mini Houses

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Alternative, Homes, Orangeville, Real Estate News, Smart homes Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Life’s Little Surprises and Mini-Houses. Thanks to Orangeville architect Ian Starkey for taking myself and a group of local realtors on a recent guided tour of the new community centre at Blind Line and Hansen.  While little more than a shell at the moment, the new building promises to bring life to a vacant lot that has - until now, been a rather nondescipt corner, with a low profile... Read more

Solar Panels, Government Programs, New Technology

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Household Tips, Real Estate News, Smart homes Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Solar Panels, Government Programs, New Technology … The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has to make you stop and think doesn’t it. Our absolute reliance on fossil fuels – a forced dependancy on obsolete, harmful, diminishing resources not only as a source of energy, but government revenues as well. Given the advances in solar technology I have to wonder... Read more

Real Estate Mash Up Vol 2, Best Deals, Divine Intervention

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Fun, Homes, Household Tips, Real Estate News, Seller Tips Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Real Estate Mash Up Vol 2, The Best Deals In Real Estate, Divine Intervention … Real estate news, household toys, the best deals in Canadian real estate, and help from St.Joseph.  These are just a sample of real estate news headlines I’ve come across lately with my car in neutral and my laptop on my … uh … lap, as I sacrificed yet a few more minutes of my... Read more

Condos, Pets, Rules, Downsizing

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Buyer Tips, Condo Living, Downsizing, Homes, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Condos, Pets, Rules, and Regulations What me worry? … I read a report the other day detailing how much we Canucks owe on our homes.  Cutting right to the good stuff – we collectively lay claim to 5.5 million mortgages.  The total amount owed – $770 billion!!  With that in mind, I don’t know why anyone would worry about the world... Read more

Alternative Housing, Floating Homes

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Alternative, Downsizing, Fun, Homes, Smart homes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Watervilla Kortenhoef by Waterstudio, NL
Adventures In Alternative Housing. Floating Homes. Now that summer is nigh – it’s time to turn our attention from snow shovels, winter wear, and basic survival mode – to more leisurely interests such as bbq’s, sandals, and the nearest lake, river, or ocean. In previous posts I’ve written about housing options for boomers... Read more

Home Renovations, Financial Assistance, CMHC Programs

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Downsizing, Empty nesters, Homes, Household Tips, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

CMHC Programs And Financial Assistance for Home Renovations. Financial Assistance, CMHC Programs … If you’re finding you could use a little help with keeping the house in shape, make some ease of living modifications, or are faced with emergency repairs  - here’s an update on some programs available through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Financial assistance takes the form of forgivable... Read more

Alternative Housing, Cave Homes

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Alternative, Downsizing, Fun, Homes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Evolving Back To Our Roots? Adventures In Alternative Housing.  Cave Homes … In earlier Blogs I’ve written about a walking house and refurbished shipping containers as alternative styles of housing.  This week the focus is on an idea that may appeal to the hunter/gatherer still buried deep down inside all of us.   I Love What You’ve Done With The Place … Obviously,... Read more

Alternative Housing, Ultimate Mobile Home

October 15 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Alternative, Fun, Green news, Homes, Smart homes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

0-60 in 3 Days
Adventures In Alternative Housing, The Ultimate Mobile Home, Green Living …  Ever wished you could pack your house into the moving truck and take it with you?  That’s a comment I frequently hear so, in the interests of public service, I decided to do a little homework to see how feasible that might actually... Read more

Basement Apartments, Rental Income, Tax Issues

October 14 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Income, Real Estate News Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

First-time buyers may want rental income but beware restrictions .  Many homebuyers consider purchasing a property with an existing or potential for a second suite.   First-time homebuyers in particular often hope to take advantage of the extra income a second suite, often a basement apartment, can generate.   Financial advantages can be great, but the buyer needs to know the legal... Read more

Smart Homes, Wireless Technology

October 14 | Posted by Gary O'Brien | Homes, Household Tips, Real Estate News, Smart homes Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Smart Homes, Upgrades, Wireless Technology … As a kid I used to love watching “The Jetsons” and imagined that’s what it would be like in the year 2000 – everything you wanted at your fingertips. Push a button – dinner’s ready and your martini is poured. Video phones that catch you off-guard. Landing your car on the roof.  Well, we’re... Read more