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Buying a Foreclosed Home Top Problems to Look Out ForBy Peggy Hill on September 2nd, 2010 Buying a Foreclosed Home? Top Problem Areas to Look Out For Today's real estate landscape offers some great buys for savvy real estate consumers, especially when it comes to foreclosure properties. Unfortunately, even though ... More »
Peggy now Top 5 in Real Estate NetworkBy Peggy Hill on September 2nd, 2010 Thursday, September 02, 2010 Peggy Hill, of Peggy Hill & Associates Realty, Barrie, ON, Named a Member of Top 5 in Real Estate Network® Look for this article in your local newspaper! Local Realtor Earns Most ... More »
Remodeling New Lead Regulations You Need to Know AboutBy Peggy Hill on August 20th, 2010 Remodeling? New Lead Regulations You Need to Know About While we're all aware of the health risks posed by lead, you might not realize that even common renovation projects can be hazardous in terms of lead. According to the ... More »
Top 5 Tips for Buying a Luxury HomeBy Peggy Hill on August 9th, 2010 Top 5 Tips for Buying a Luxury Home Despite the doom and gloom the media portrays regarding today’s real estate market, several unique opportunities exist for home buyers, in particular, luxury home buyers. While home ... More »
Tips for Boosting AffordabilityBy Peggy Hill on August 9th, 2010 Tips for Boosting Affordability For first-time buyers looking for a home of their own, there are some ways to further increase mortgage affordability and stretch one’s housing dollar. Here are some tips to ... More »
Home sales down in JulyBy Peggy Hill on August 6th, 2010 Residential property sales recorded through the MLS® System of the Barrie District Association of REALTORS® Inc. were down considerably in July 2010. A slowdown in demand in Ontario had been widely expected in July, with many purchases ... More »
Looking for a Summer Remodeling Project By Peggy Hill on August 6th, 2010 Looking for a Summer Remodeling Project? These Tips Might Help Other than vacations, summer is the time of the year most popular for home improvement. The long days and warm, sunny weather make a great ... More »
RBC Royal Bank RateCapper Mortgage at Prime Offer Has Been ExtendedBy Peggy Hill on July 26th, 2010 RBC Royal Bank® RateCapper® Mortgage at Prime Offer Has Been Extended Recently, RBC Royal Bank announced the introduction of the RateCapper mortgage at prime. Due to popular demand, we are extending ... More »
First time home buyers What you need to know before you start your home searchBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 First-time Home Buyers: What You Need to Know Before Starting Your Home Search With historically low interest rates persevering and prices starting to creep back up, more and more renters are grappling with the ... More »
Peggy Hill Associates Realty Inc BrokerageBy Peggy Hill on July 1st, 2010 It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I welcome you to my new site and blog. I would like to announce to you that I have started my own real estate brokerage name Peggy Hill & Associates Realty. Since starting out in Real Estate 6 ... More »
Why is Location so ImportantBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Why is location so important? Location remains the single most important factor when choosing a home. It can make or break the value and desirability of a home. Because everyone's preferences vary, your lifestyle will determine the best ... More »
Where can I find foreclosure propertiesBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Where can I find foreclosure properties? Look in the legal notices section of your local newspaper. A notice is also usually posted on the property itself and somewhere in the city where the sale will take place. However, ... More »
Should I buy a vacation homeBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Should I buy a vacation home? The second home market has more ebbs and flows than the primary home market. Sales are iffy in a bad economy except, perhaps, on the high-end. That said, there is a growing trend toward the purchase of vacation ... More »
What should I take into account when buying a new homeBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What else should I take into account when buying a new home? You can find out more about an existing property and neighborhood before you buy than you can a new home in a newly developed community. When the home is on the outskirts of town, ... More »
Should I hire a home inspector for a new homeBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Should I hire a home inspector for a new home? You would think not since it is new and the developer has to adhere to local construction guidelines. However, err on the side of caution - always hire an inspector, whether the home ... More »
Can you negotiate the price of a new homeBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Can you negotiate the price of a new home? In real estate, almost everything is negotiable, so it is certainly worth a try. Now, this does not mean the builder will fall down and roll over. It is very common for builders to claim ... More »
How can I finance work needed on a fixerupperBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 How can I finance work needed on a fixer-upper? According to the Millennial Housing Commission created by Congress, few lenders are willing to administer home improvement loans. Most prefer to make home equity ... More »
What kind of return can I expect from home improvementsBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What kind of return can I expect from home improvements? This will vary depending on the type of work that is done. Remodeling magazine publishes an annual "Cost vs. Value Report'' that can answer this question in ... More »
What guidelines should I use to find a contractorBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What guidelines should I use to find a contractor? Chances are you will need plenty of help making those major repairs and additions. But the last thing you will need is someone who fails to complete the ... More »
How do I determine the value of a distressed propertyBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 How do I determine the value of a distressed property? One of the best ways is to get your hands on a comparable market analyses. See what price similar properties have sold for in the past and find out the listing price of others ... More »
Where can you find fixeruppersBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Where can you find fixer-uppers? They are literally everywhere, even in wealthy enclaves. What sets them apart is price. They have lower market value than other houses in the immediate area because they have either been poorly maintained or ... More »
What are coopsBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What are co-ops? Cooperative apartments - known as co-ops - are not really owned by people as real property. Instead, people own shares of stock in the company that owns the building in which they live. But for all practical purposes, the ... More »
How do townhouses differ from condominiumsBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 How do townhouses differ from condominiums? While most condominiums are apartments, a townhouse is attached to one or more houses and can run the gamut from duplexes and triplexes to communities with hundreds of homes. Buyers separately own ... More »
How do you choose a good condoBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 How do you choose a good condo? Seek ownership in a well-maintained building, and pay special attention to the financial health of the condo association. Lax maintenance may be a sign of financial trouble, which could result in higher ... More »
What is a condominiumBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What is a condominium? Condominiums are buildings in which individuals separately own the air space inside the interior walls, floors and ceilings of their unit, but they jointly own an interest in the common areas that they share - such as the ... More »
Can I contest my property taxesBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Can I contest my property taxes? Many people do, mainly because determining value can often be tricky. This is especially true in a changing market when local prices either take off dramatically or plunge precipitously, like ... More »
Why do homeowners have to pay property taxesBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Why do homeowners have to pay property taxes? Property taxes are assessed by city and county governments to generate the bulk of their operating revenues. The taxes help pay for such public services as schools, libraries, roads, and police ... More »
Is there anything I should know about closing dayBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Is there anything I should know about closing day? Yes. The following to-do list can help save you a few headaches and keep the closing on track: Keep extra money in your account. Something unexpected can pop up during the ... More »
What contingencies should appear in the offerBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What contingencies should appear in the offer? When you look to purchase a home, anticipate potential problems. But protect against them so that if something does go wrong, you can cancel the contract without penalty. This is what ... More »
What are some negotiating tipsBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 What are some negotiating tips? Know the seller's motivation to sell. This will enhance your negotiating position. Sellers who must move quickly due to a job transfer, divorce, or contract on another home, are more inclined to ... More »
Can you negotiate interest ratesBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Can you negotiate interest rates? A few lenders will negotiate the mortgage rate and number of points on a loan. However, this is more the exception than the rule with established lenders. As always, shop around and know the market before you ... More »
Are LowBall Offers a good ideaBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Are low-ball offers a good idea? Any offer can be presented, but a low-ball one that is extremely less than the asking price can dampen a prospective sale and prevent the seller from negotiating at all. Unless the home is overpriced to begin ... More »
Is it possible to buy a home below market priceBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Is it possible to buy a home below market price? Certainly, but do not hold your breath. It takes a lot of determination and time to find a real bargain. But if you are adamant, here are some likely targets to pursue: foreclosed ... More »
Is Private Mortgage Insurance NecessaryBy Peggy Hill on July 15th, 2010 Is private mortgage insurance necessary? Lenders require private mortgage insurance (PMI) on most conventional loans with less than a 20 percent down payment. They believe there is a correlation between borrower equity and default. They have ... More »
Four Reasons to Rent Your Retirement PropertyBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 Four Reasons to Rent Your Retirement Property If you have a vacation home that you had hoped to retire to some day but have since changed your mind, don’t jump to sell it…consider renting it out instead. For ... More »
What about title insuranceBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 Title insurance protects the lender against unclear title to the property you are buying. It is almost always a requirement for closing on a home. If you desire coverage as well, buy an owner's policy, which will ... More »
What is condo and coop insuranceBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 This insurance protects your investment and personal belongings from most disasters. As an owner, you will need two insurance policies - your own to cover liability, living expenses, your belongings and structural improvements, and a master ... More »
What kind of home insurance should I getBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 A standard policy will do in most instances. It protects against several natural disasters and catastrophic events. However, it will not guard against earthquakes, floods, war, and nuclear accidents. The policy can be expanded to include ... More »
What does homeowners' insurance coverBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 It protects against disasters - whether natural, manmade or mechanical. A standard policy insures the home, as well as your possessions. Because this insurance is packaged, it covers liability for any harm, loss, and property damage that ... More »
Do I need to be at the inspectionBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 No, but it is a very good idea to be there. Following the check-over, the home inspector can answer your questions and discuss problem areas with you. This is also an opportune time to get an objective opinion about the home from someone ... More »
How do I select a home inspectorBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 Begin by only hiring one who is qualified and experienced, someone who belongs to an industry trade group, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). This organization has developed formal inspection guidelines and a ... More »
Should I hire a home inspectorBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 By all means. Buying a home without getting expert advice is risky. Once a home inspector uncovers major plumbing and electrical problems, for example, you may decide you do not want to spend several thousand dollars on repairs. Always include an ... More »
What does a home inspector doBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 A home inspector is a paid professional - often a contractor or an engineer - who checks the safety of a home. Home inspectors search for defects or other problems that could become your worst nightmare later on. They focus particularly on the ... More »
What about appraised value and market valueBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 A certified appraiser who is trained to provide the estimated value of a home determines its appraised value. The appraised value is based on comparable sales, the condition of the property, and several other factors. Market value is the price the ... More »
What is the difference between list price and sales priceBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 The list price is a seller's advertised price, or asking price, for a home. It is a rough estimate of what the seller wants to complete a home sale. A seller can price high, low - which does not happen very often - or very close to what they ... More »
Are there standard ways to determine how much a home is worthBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 Yes. A comparative market analysis and an appraisal are the two most common and reliable ways to determine a home's value. Your REALTOR® can provide a comparative market analysis, an informal estimate of value based on the recent ... More »
How do you determine how much a home is worthBy Peggy Hill on July 14th, 2010 The short answer: a home is ultimately worth what is paid for it. Everything else is really an estimate of value. Take, for example, a hot seller's market when demand for housing is high but the inventory of available homes for sale is low. ... More »
Residential Sales Stats for Barrie Surrounding AreasBy Peggy Hill on July 8th, 2010Residential property sales recorded through the MLS® System of the Barrie District Association of REALTORS® Inc. came in well below last year’s record levels in June. Home sales numbered 461 units in June 2010, down 19 per cent from the record ... More »
Housing MarketBy Peggy Hill on July 5th, 2010 Homeowner Confidence Rises Nationally, But Western Homeowners Remain Pessimistic RISMEDIA, July 5, 2010—As some parts of the U.S. housing market work their way out of the housing recession, while the majority of markets continue to ... More »
5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Selling a HomeBy Peggy Hill on July 1st, 2010 When selling your home, it is important to keep the following tips in mind so that you get the most money for your property in the least amount of time. Whether you are selling the home yourself or working with an experienced agent, ... More »
Know your credit scoreBy Peggy Hill on July 1st, 2010 Do You Know What Impacts Your Credit Score? Take This Quiz and Find Out According to credit experts, 42% of U.S. consumers have credit scores between 550 and 699. As a result, these consumers typically don’t qualify for preferred ... More »
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