RealtyzoneBlog.com: April 2009

Did you know some agents never sell anything?  Remax recently did a study to compare their Sales Representatives with the competition and found the following results:

Nearly 1 in 4 TREB Sales Representatives did not sell anything in 2008.

Nearly 60% of TREB Sales Representatives didn't average 1 deal per quarter in 2008.

Thousands of Sales Representatives will most likely quit by the end of 2009.

Remax has the highest percentage of TREB top producers.  (50% of the Top 10, 44% of the Top 100, 40% of the top 2,500 and 38% of the Top 5,000 Sales Representatives.  TREB had 28,801 members as of February 2009).

Remax Sales Representatives have the highest average number of deals per TREB Sales Representative.

Remax Sales Representatives sell one third (that's 1 in 3) properties in Canada according to 2008 results from CREA.

Visit my website, www.gtamoves.com or www.vitopirri.com to research all your real estate needs.

Earlier in this Blog, I posted "What the Provincial Governement is doing that is going to cost you more money".  In that post, one of the subjects discussed was the Provinicial Government's intention to legislate mandatory energy audits by all homeowners who wish to sell their property.

After efforts from the Toronto Real Estate Board and their members, the Provincial Government has now indicated a significant change to the legislation which will be amended to allow the buyers to opt out of the energy audit.  This is a significant change to the bill (Bill 150), which has NOT yet passed.

The GLOBE AND MAIL had a great piece in this past Saturday's newspaper.  I have to thank my friend Michael, for forwarding it to me.  It is an interactive map of areas of Toronto showing comparisons to selling prices of houses so far in 2008 & 2009.  It would have been even better if the entire GTA was included, but I'm sure that will happen sometime down the road.  What the map shows is that some parts of the real estate market in the city are doing even better right now, while some are still down quite a bit from last year.  The good news is, though, that the market seems to have started a recovery; first time buyers are out in droves right now.  It's a great time to be buying real estate whether you are a first timer, or a seasoned home owner!  I have great information on my website, www.gtamoves.com or www.vitopirri.com , feel free to come for a visit.

Click here for the GLOBE AND MAIL link to the interactive map.

I will be getting a listing in early to mid may for a two bedroom condo in a boutique building in the Forest Hill neighbourhood of Toronto.  It is in the Eglinton and Spadina area and features two bedrooms and one bathroom.  There is also a parking spot and a locker.  The price has not been set, however.  This is a great first time buyer property.  When listed, all the details will be posted here.

If you or someone you know are looking to purchase a condo, feel free to contact me. You can reach me through my website, www.gtamoves.com or www.vitopirri.com .

The provincial government is proposing a bill the will require homeowners who will be selling their home to conduct an energy audit at the homeowners expense before you can sell your property.  The Toronto Real Estate Board and the Ontario Real Estate Association are lobbying the provincial government their concerns and are urging the government to amend the bill (Bill 150), the Green Energy Act making the energy audits voluntary.

What does this mean to you?  That you will have to spend up to 500.00 to list your property for sale.
The reason the provincial government is doing this is so prospective buyers know in advance what issued regarding energy consumption and its costs.  Things such as this are covered somewhat in a Home Inspection.

I rarely have clients worrying about energy consumption for a property, except the age old question of "how much is the electricity bill each month?"  As an owner, if you feel this mandatory audit is an unnecessary expense, contact your Member of Provincial Parliament.

As an aside, the proposed harmonization of the GST and PST also mean that the cost of selling your property will cost you more (among HUNDREDS of other consumer items, such as gas, insurance, food, clothing).  Right now you pay 5% GST on the Realtors fees (commission).  Once the harmonization is in place, that amount increases to 12% of the commission.  If you are against the Harmonization, make sure you contact your Member of Provincial Parliament to voice your displeasure as well.

If you against both these proposals, contact your Member of Provincial Parliament.

Here is a stacked townhouse I recently sold to some clients.  It's in a great area, walking distance to subway and shopping.  It has a huge outdoor deck.  If you're interested in purchasing a similar property please contact me.  You can review listing on my website, www.gtamoves.com or www.vitopirri.com  .

If you would like to know the sold price, please contact me.

143-760 Lawrence Avenue W, Toronto Ontario*

List Price:  $272,000.00    

MLS Number:  C1574011

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms

Lawrence & Allan area  

Here is a great property I recently sold in northwest Mississauga.  It's in a great neighbourhood on a well established street.  The lot is a decent size, too.  If you're interested in purchasing a similar property, please contact me.  There are listings to view on my website, www.gtamoves.com or www.vitopirri.com . 

3654 Forest Bluff Crescent, Mississauga Ontario*

List Price:  $419,000.00    

MLS Number:  W1566324

3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms

Britannia & Nineth Line area  

Thinking of buying a home?

Come to a FREE homebuyer seminar.

If you're a first time buyer this seminar is for you, too!

Hosted by Jonathan Ingall, Katriena Dean & Vito Pirri, Sales Representatives.  Topics covered include the search process, buying process and current market conditions.  There are also presentations by a Mortgage Broker, Home Inspector & Real Estate Lawyer.  Attendees will receive a complimentary Info Package.  Feel free to bring a friend!

Thursday April 30, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Re/Max Diamond Realty Inc., Brokerage

5 Lavington Drive, Toronto Ontario M9R 2H1 (Map it here)

Space is Limited

Please RSVP to 1-888-507-1668 or email  by Tuesday April 28, 2009

Here are the weekly sales for resale transactions in Toronto and the GTA for the week ending April 16, 2009.  The most current market statistics can be found on my website, www.gtamoves.com or www.vitopirri.com .