Showing posts with label Oakville homes for sale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakville homes for sale. Show all posts

Friday, March 1, 2013

Jenny's List of 17 Reasons Why People Move


 

People move for a variety of different reasons. Some are happy moves and some are not. Because of the numerous reasons for moving, there are always people on the go at all times of the year. February is usually a very busy month for purchases. Many people are suffering from cabin fever from being cooped up all winter.
Also this is a good time to buy if you want to be moved in to enjoy the summer in the new house. Here is a list of many of the top reasons why a For Sale sign goes on the front lawn.

1.Home is too small --- an increase in family size can cause the "starter home" to shrink especially with the size of baby toys and apparatus these days.


2. Downsizing --- the opposite of number 1. Empty nesters need less space. Some DON'T want to have extra rooms for the "kids" to come back home.

3. Aging systems and decor --- A home gets to a certain age when you must replace the roof, windows, furnace, air conditioner, kitchen, bathrooms, etc. Some people prefer to move to a new house before these large ticket items need replacing.

4. Purchase a new build-- In communities of large growth and development, new subdivisions offer homes with all the bells and whistles and the buyer gets to go shopping to pick out their upgrades, colours, etc.

5. New home build wasn't as expected --- Many people who buy from house plans and move in to the newly built homes find that when the fences go up, the lot sizes are too small, the driveways aren't big enough, there is too much vehicle congestion on the street and nowhere for children to play.

6. Change in family circumstances -- Family separation or divorce, blending of families, just married, mother-in-law moving in.

7. Retirement --- Time to choose an alternate lifestyle --- condos, moving to a warmer climate or to their recreational property, moving closer to their children.

8. Moving closer to elderly parents --- The younger generation is moving to be closer to their elderly parents to help care for them.

9. Seniors moving to retirement homes and nursing homes --- many have been in their homes for 40+ years. This is a large adjustment and requires much care and understanding from their REALTOR.

10. Health Reasons --- Another sector of people must move due to physical ailments. Knee or back problems can force the need to move from a two storey or split level home to a bungalow to reduce the number of stairs.

11. Neighbourhood changes --- Anticipating highway construction, new home or condo development, changes to school boundaries, are some reasons that people decide to leave a neighbourhood before the situations arise, often because they feel the value of their homes may decrease with these changes.

12. Commute to work --- Many people are relocating closer to their place of employment because of the long commute.

13. Corporate transfer --- Job relocations often take homeowners to a different province or out of the country.

14.Renovating and Flipping ---- There are a percentage of homeowners who enjoy buying fixer uppers and renovating them only to turn around and try to sell them to see a monetary return on their investment. This type of buyer must be very careful to know what is happening with house values and know whether the market is favouring the buyer or the seller everytime they start a new project.

15. Cashing out --- Some homeowners decide that the time is right for them to take advantage of the equity that is in their home and sell so that they can buy a motorhome and travel, purchase recreational property up north or abroad or just rent in the city..

16. Financial Stress ---Some homeowners must sell if they become unemployed or are finding the mortgage payments too difficult to make.

17. Difficult Neighbours --- Many people end up selling if they cannot get along with their neighbours. Often this is due to shared driveways, issues with children, pets, fences, etc.


If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Oakville, Ontario area, please check out my websites below for information and advice. Then contact me for professional help with all your real estate needs.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

How's The Market?

As a REALTOR® I often get asked the following questions. "How's the market?" "Is it a good time to buy?" " When's the best time to sell?" Those are not easy ques­tions to answer with a short response. I often respond by saying " If only I had that crystal ball".   Joking aside, after 24 years of selling real estate, I've helped clients buy and sell in all types of markets.  Buyers' market, sellers' market, balanced market, recession, high interest rates, multiple offer markets, I've seen them all, many times over.  The above questions are very broad and it is necessary to be more specific to give a definitive answer to each.  Here are my questions back to you if these questions are on your mind.

How's the Market?
Are you thinking of marketing your home? Are you asking about what's happen­ing in your neighbourhood, your community, all of Canada? Fortunately I have access to those statistics at my fingertips. Most people are curious as to whether the market is slanted in favour of the buyer or seller or whether is is balanced and healthy. They also are curious as to what the average days on market to sell is.

Is it a good time to Buy?
Are you thinking of buying in the near future? If you are looking to purchase a home in the next few months visit your bank or a mortgage broker and obtain your pre-approval. You will receive a guaranteed mortgage rate for 90 - 120 days. If rates go up, your rate is locked in. If they go down you will get the lower rate. With all of the recent changes in mortgage qualifications it is imperative that you work with an experienced mortgage lender.  First things first.  Order a credit check online to see if there is anything showing that may affect your ability to obtain mortgage financing.

Rather than worrying about about whether it is a good time to buy, just determine if it is a good time to buy - for you. Do you have a down payment saved up? Do you want to build equity? Do you want to stop paying rent? Are you looking for an investment property? Looking for a renovation or decorating project?

When's the best time to Sell?
There is no best time. Life events dictate that people have to buy or sell at any time of the year.  Divorce, retirement, a growing family, job transfers are all major reasons for listing.  The spring market may be more brisk with buyers shopping for homes but you will have more competition for those buyers. To attract those buyers your home must be priced right and show well.

Many people mistakenly believe that they shouldn't market their home in November and December. You may have less showings during the holiday season but the buyers looking are usually serious about purchasing plus those who have sold their homes in the fall are looking for their new home. On the other hand some buyers feel that they can find a "steal of a deal" at this time of the year.  Sometimes I will suggest that you "cease action" on your property over the holidays and bring it back on in mid January when the buyers are back looking at homes. 

I can't convey enough that a well priced home that shows well WILL SELL in any type of market.

 

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Oakville, Ontario area, please check out my websites below for information and advice. Then contact me for professional help with all your real estate needs.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Coronation Park Oakville

Coronation Park in Oakville is both a community park and also the name of the neighbourhood surrounding the park.   The park itself, located on Lakeshore Road along the shores of Lake Ontario in the west end of Oakville close to Bronte Village.
 Coronation Park, Oakville real estate,Jenny Kotulak
Homes in the area that surrounds this popular park are situated on large, mature treed properties. Most of the homes in the area were built in the 1960's and 1970's. The majority of the homes were built of brick and consist mostly of bungalows, split-levels and two storey designs.

Being within walking distance of the lake has always made this part of Oakville highly desirable. Most of the properties boast quarter acre lots. Of course because the area is highly sought after by builders, many of the original homes have been demolished and replaced by large stone and stucco estate homes.
Local schools have been in place for many years and there is an abundance of other parks and forested areas. Shopping is very conveniently located at nearby Hopedale Mall and historic Bronte with its boutiques and lakeside restaurants.

Coronation Park itself has become famous for the annual New Years Day Polar Bear Dip which sees thousands of brave souls taking a dip in frigid Lake Ontario to raise money for charity. 

During the summer months, the bandshell at Coronation Park hosts weekly concerts. The Town Of Oakville has recently replaced the washroom facilities in the park and added a concession stand and patio area overlooking the children's playground.

This is a favourite picnic spot for families and school groups. It's a great place to relax, watch the waves, and the wildlife and birds.
  Coronation Park, Oakville real estate,Jenny Kotulak
Homes in Coronation Park tend to sell quickly. It is possible to purchase a home in original condition in the  $600,000's  but renovated and new builds can sell for well over $1,000,000.

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Oakville's Coronation Park area please check out my website at www.oakvillepropertiesforsale.com for more information.



If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in the Oakville, Ontario area, please check out my websites below for information and advice. Then contact me for professional help with all your real estate needs.

Oakville Bungalows & Bungalofts

Bungalows in Oakville are in great demand in Oakville.  As our population ages, many homeowners are looking to downsize from  their two storey and split level homes to eliminate extra stairs and trade for a one storey floor plan.
 
The choice of bungalows (and bungalofts) is somewhat limiting in Oakville. There is a large selection of older bungalows built in the 1950's and 1960's but many are dated and need renovating. Most have limited closet space, no ensuite and no garage or just a carport. The older bungalows do offer larger, mature treed lots though.
 
There is a selection of bungalows built in the 1970's in the Ford Drive and Devon Road area in east Oakville. In the west end, bungalows of the same era are located in the Bridge Road area between Third Line and Bronte Road.
 
Falgarwood and College Park also offer bungalows built during this time period. The 1970's bungalows are a little larger than their predecessor with larger kitchens, fireplaces, some ensuites, and attached garages. One popular style is the raised ranch which has a split entry and a basement with larger windows at ground level. A fourth bedroom, family room and a 3 piece bathroom usually complete the lower level.
 
During the building boom in north Oakville during the 1980's, builders seem to forget about bungalows and limited the number in each subdivision to a minimum due to the fact that the larger footprint of a bungalow requires a larger lot which increases the asking price.
Many of Oakville's newer subdivisions do offer bungalows but they come at a premium price. There is also a small selection of bungalofts both in detached and townhome models.  If you are considering Burlington, there are some great choices in the Millcroft area.
 
If a bungalow is in your future,  I would be happy to discuss your options with you. Please contact me via the contact box on the home page of my website www.oakvilleontariorealestate.ca or call me at 905-842-7000

The History of Oakville, Ontario

Oakville, Ontario is a town rich with history.   Yes much has changed since the first settlers reached the beautiful harbour on the shores of Lake Ontario.  But if you read the following passage and compare it to how Oakville looks today, especially in the Heritage areas you will see why today people are still proud to call Oakville home.  Check out this link to learn all about the History of Oakville, Ontario  http://images.oakville.halinet.on.ca/search

"Where the Sixteen Mile Creek empties into Lake Ontario, forming an excellent harbour, and midway between Toronto and Hamilton, twenty miles from either of the two principal cities of the Province, is situated this charming summer resort, the subject of our sketch. [One is] impressed with the beauty of the bright shingle beach backed up by the green sloping terraces, and above all can be seen what appears to be a forest of Maples which line the broad and well-kept streets. The streets are shaded by rows of maple trees, many of which were planted nearly half a century ago by men to whose foresight Oakville is indebted for the reputation which it now enjoys of being one of the most beautiful and picturesque towns on the continent.”



- J.E. Commins

 

Quotation credited to: Commins, J.E. Beautiful Oakville. Oakville, On: A.S. Forster, Printer, 1897. Print.


  http://images.oakville.halinet.on.ca/search