Book your appointment with Leah for your 2013 Revamp!

Tighter mortgage lending rules, in conjunction with the fallout of the US housing meltdown and the European debt crisis, have
triggered a shift in the Canadian homebuyer mix and mindset. The new Canadian real estate consumer is experienced, fiscallyresponsible, and ready to move forward over the next 24 months. That’s the takeaway from the RE/MAX Canadian Homebuying
Trends Survey conducted among more than 1,100 prospective purchasers late last year.
National findings include:
 Almost one in five purchasers is single
 More than two-thirds are second or multi-time purchasers
 Four out of 10 purchasers between the ages of 18-34 have a down payment of 20 per cent or more
 Just over 80 per cent of buyers believe housing values in their area will rise or remain the same
Changing market conditions have clearly prompted the shift in the homebuying activity from coast to coast. Once dominated by
first-time buyers, the survey found that second and multi-time buyers will lead the charge for housing over the next two years.
Experienced purchasers now represent 70 per cent of homebuyers, while first-time buyers are sitting at 30 per cent.
Spending will be reined in—with 38 per cent of purchasers indicating they’ll spend under $250,000 and 42 percent indicating
they will spend between $250,000 and $500,000. In Ontario, fewer buyers will fall under the $250,000 price point—at 31 per
cent—and more buyers will be active between $250,000 and $500,000—45per cent.
Greater fiscal responsibility is evident across the board. In fact, 40 per cent of younger purchasers, aged 18 to34, are expected to
put down 20 per cent or more. Serious equity gains have been a contributing factor. Consumer demographics continue to evolve,
shaped by new realities. Single buyers have emerged as a force in the market, representing almost one in five purchasers. FortyFive per cent are female—a stat that truly demonstrates how far we’ve come, as the number of successful, young female professionals entering Canadian housing markets climbs.
Confidence underpins the Canadian housing market, with 83 per cent of purchasers believing that housing values in their area
will rise or stay the same over the next 12 months. Homebuyers were most bullish in Ontario, where that figure rose to 85 per
cent. Optimism in the province continues to be propped up by sound real estate market fundamentals and an improving economic
outlook.
While the home buying mix may be different, the mantra is the same. Homeownership remains a key component of the Canadian
Dream. It’s a common thread among all Canadians—a goal to which we aspire—and that’s not likely to go away anytime soon.
Check out these awesome Apps!
• Over – add text to your images
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Book your appointment with Leah for
your 2013 Revamp!
• Videolicious – use your iPhone / iPad to create and share videos
• YouTube Capture – create and share videos instantly
• Cardmunch by LinkedIn – scan a business card to add a contact to your phone
• Evernote – go paperless and access your data from any device
• OpenHomePro – use your iPad to capture contact info and open houses,
synching directly to your database • PDF Expert – access PDF documents on
your iPad and sign documents digitally
• Flipboard – read all your news in one place, then share to your social accounts
Anniversaries!
Doris Christensen
17 years
George Demeter
24 years
Anne Emini
24 years
Carol Lindsay
22 years
Motria Dzulynsky
16 years
Teresa Elliott
15 years
Rose Kutzko
13 years
Ryan Barnes
7 years
Christopher Alexander
3 years
Nathalie Menard
2 years
Ian Futrega
1 year
Birthdays!
Petra Wrzesnewsky
February 5th
Andy March
February 6th
Sue Leonard
February 7th
Ralph Evans
February14th
Don Marland
February 15th
Fausto Plos
February 15th
Shazia Virani
February 15th
Andrea Lutzeier
February 16th
Rahul Arora
February 17th
Barry Somerville
February 18th
George Demeter
February 21st
Pat Ward
February 27th
Staying out of Trouble in 2013
Checklist By Mark Weisleder
1. Make sure the buyer lender has satisfied all requirements, including any appraisal,
before waiving any financing condition.
2. Condo re-sales – make sure you physically view the parking space;
3. Condo re-sales - be familiar with the status certificate in advance – in particular –
reserve fund, reserve fund study and whether there is a professional property manager
4. Use OREA form 111 if it is a common element condominium – eg. Freehold unit
with very small common expense fee – usually related to common driveway
5. New homes or condos – check reputation of the builder, put cap on any additional
expenses
6. New homes or condos – understand the HST new buyer rebate – if buyer does not
move in to the home – they may have to pay additional HST to the builder on closing
– can be extra $25,000
7. Assignments of new condominiums – get builder permission in writing before you
do anything, including a listing
8. When double ending deals – make it conditional on both buyer and seller lawyer
review
9. Residential tenants – use paralegal if eviction problems - rent review does not apply if unit built after November 1, 1991.
10. OREA form 127 – use every time a buyer does not wish to include any condition
Top 10 Social Media Best Practices
1. The point is to stay connected, have conversations, and listen
2. Don’t just do things to be tech savvy. Optimize your customer’s experience.
3. Don’t include contact details in your Facebook cover photo
4. Use the Over app to add text to your images
5. Content: Remember VERY: Visual, Engaging, Relevant & Yours
6. COPE: Create once, publish everywhere
7. Video: Be sure to add keywords to your YouTube videos
8. LinkedIn Recommendations: ask your clients to connect with you and recommend
you on LinkedIn
9. Use Twitter Search to follow local conversation. Set up Twilert to track specific
words and topics.
10. Use Twitter to drive traffic to your online content. Be sure to include links!
Please Welcome to the
Kingsway Branch
Videos for Real Estate - Workshop with Ralph Evans
February 6th
10am-12pm
Kingsway Training Room
Selling Power of Sales - Workshop with Wendy Goldup
February 13th
10am-11am
Kingsway Training Room
Tips and Tricks for Preparing Homes for Sale - Free CE credit course
March 6th
10am-11am
Kingsway Training Room
Shamez Virani
Broker
Estate and Power of Attorney Update - Workshop with Andrea Lutzeier
March 27th
10am-11am
Kingsway Training Room
February Events
Sam Chopra
Sales Representative
100% Club Award Luncheon (Invite Only)
February 13th
1pm-3pm
VIBO Restaurant
Valentines Day Potluck - East Mall
February 14th
12pm-2pm
East Mall Common area
Valentines Day Potluck - Kingsway
February 14th
12pm-2pm
Kingsway Training Room
Platinum Plus Award Winners head to Vegas
February 25th - 28th