Home Store Site

Buying a New Home? Get the FACTS

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:10:34 +0000

Buying a home? Get the facts on HS

Information Notice
Published: November 2010
Content last reviewed: November 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4435-5092-5 (Print), 978-1-4435-5094-9 (PDF), 978-1-4435-5093-2 (HTML)

PDF Version [ 13 KB / 1 page | Download Adobe Reader ]

Strengthening our economy and creating more jobs for our families depended on being open to change, opportunities and our new world.

Ontario’s move to a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) was one of those big changes. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right thing to do.

Independent economists say the HST and other tax changes will create nearly 600,000 more Ontario jobs over the next 10 years.

But we knew that over the near term, it meant that some purchases were going to cost more. We planned for this. We have a comprehensive package of tax changes that has put money directly into your pockets so that you can cover these additional costs.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of families come out ahead because of the tax changes we are making:

Cutting personal income tax for 93 per cent of income tax payers
Providing up to $1,000 for families (including single parents), or up to $300 for single people, in Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefits
Creating the new Ontario Sales Tax Credit that gives each member of your family up to $260 a year
Increasing the energy and property tax relief provided to low- to middle-income people by 70 per cent
Delivering an additional $500 a year to help senior homeowners pay their property taxes

What You Need To Know If You Are Buying a Home

The HST does not apply to resale homes
An Enhanced New Housing Rebate means that buyers of new homes receive a rebate of up to $24,000 regardless of the price of the new home
Buyers of homes priced up to $400,000 (about three-quarters of new homes built in Ontario) on average, pay no more – and possibly even less – tax than under the PST system
93 per cent of all homes sold in Ontario, on average, are not subject to an additional tax amount under the HST
Since December 14, 2007, the Ontario government has extended a land transfer tax refund of up to $2,000 to first time buyers of resale homes
On new homes over $400,000, additional tax only applies to the portion of the price above $400,000. For example, if a new house was priced at $450,000, additional tax would only be applicable on $50,000

Solar Installation and Thinking Green

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:43:29 +0000

Low rates bail out housing

admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:56:29 +0000

Garry Marr, Financial Post · Friday, Oct. 15, 2010

Rock-bottom long-term mortgage rates appear to have handed the housing sector the lifeline it desperately needs, helping to push up sales for a second consecutive month and keep prices from falling.

The Canadian Real Estate Association said Friday sales last month rose 3% from August on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis — highest since May 2010 — and the second straight month sales rose.

Meanwhile, prices have also begun to stabilize as fears of a dramatic meltdown appear to be abating. The average price of a home sold in Canada last month was $331,089, down slightly from the $331,683 average a year ago. But prices were up from a month earlier, when the average was $324,928.

“Supply and demand are rebalancing and that’s keeping prices steady in many markets,” said Georges Pahud, president of CREA.

HST and Real Estate

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:01:35 +0000

Did you know?

About 93 per cent of all homes sold in Ontario are not subject to an additional tax amount under the HST.

It’s important to note, the HST is not charged on resale homes.

In addition it is not charged on:

home insurance

mortgage interest costs

HST is charged on:

real estate commissions

legal fees

new homes

(The full list of what changes and what doesn�t change is available on the website (23 languages), PDF format and for free download as a mobile application. )

There are also many tax credits and incentives available that benefit homebuyers:

New housing rebate

New rental housing rebate

Providing up to $1,000 for families (including single parents), or up to $300 for single people, in Ontario Sales Tax Transition Benefits.

Creating the new Ontario Sales Tax Credit that gives each member of your family up to $260 a year.

Increasing the energy and property tax relief provided to low- to middle-income people by 70 per cent.

Delivering an additional $500 a year to help senior homeowners pay their property taxes.

Thank you to Rachael for this information.

For more information about the HST visit ontario.ca/modificationfiscale (FR) or www.ontario.ca/taxchange (EN).

5 Tools That Are a Must for a Builder’s Toolbox

admin — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:44:23 +0000

Strickland, Jonathan. “5 Tools That Are a Must for a Builder\u0027s Toolbox” 22 December 2008. HowStuffWorks.com.

There’s an old saying that goes “there’s a tool for every job.” If you take a quick look around your local hardware megastore, that’s easy to believe. You’ll find aisle after aisle filled with specialty tools designed for very specific jobs. However, the opportunity to actually use them might come up only once in a blue moon. Some specialty tools are expensive and take up a lot of space. They’re great for when you need them, but they’re not designed to be versatile.

But what about the standard tools builders — and just about everyone else — need on a regular basis? These are the kind of tools that fit into an average toolbox. They may not be as fancy as a high-powered impact wrench, but they’re the tools builders rely on regularly to get the job done.

Here at HowStuffWorks, we have an appreciation for these tool workhorses of the construction world. While they might not make Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor salivate with glee, basic tools are worthy of attention. With that in mind, we’re pleased to present you with the five tools that should be in every builder’s toolbox.

For the rest of the article, click below.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/construction/materials/5-tools-for-a-builders-toolbox.htm

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:

admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:14:25 +0000

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry
a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbours.

3. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your
neighbour hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it
again.. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing.
It’s human nature.

4. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm
system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and
for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your
neighbourhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you
think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let
in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

8. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the
jackpot and walk right in.

How to spot work-at-home scams

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:14:15 +0000

by Elizabeth Rogers, 50Plus.com
Can you tell the real opportunities from the cons? We’ll show you how to dodge the scammers.

More from 50Plus.com:

10 killer job interview questions and answers
5 ways to invest in yourself
Are you suffering from job burnout?
Want to earn some extra money for simple tasks like stuffing envelopes, assembling products or processing insurance claims? How would you like to earn hundreds of dollars per week — or even a six figure income per year — from the comfort of your own home?

There’s a reason offers like these sound too good to be true. Work-at-home scams are a pervasive subset of employment scams, and money and time aren’t the only things you need to worry about losing. According to the Better Business Bureau, you could also be hurting your reputation by selling sub-standard (or non-existent) products and services to others. Worst yet, you could face legal action for perpetuating a fraud or being involved in an illegal pyramid scheme. You could also become a victim of identity theft if you’ve given out personal or financial information.

There are legitimate opportunities out there, but to protect yourself you need to spot the scams. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

Known scams. There are certain opportunities you should automatically be suspicious of because they’re known scams (or scams imitating real opportunities). Typical cons include assembling products, addressing or stuffing envelops, mailing out marketing materials, chain letters, processing medical or insurance claims, forwarding cash or goods and data entry. In more recent years, other ploys like paid survey sites and freelance opportunities that don’t deliver have joined the mix — and they’re harder to spot because they mimic legitimate services.

“Work from home” is the title. According to experts, scams target people for whom a work at home arrangement would be convenient — such as seniors, people with disabilities and stay-at-home moms. Fraudulent ads often focus on the convenience factor but are short on essential details like what the position is, what tasks are involved and for whom you will be working.

“No experience necessary”. Another favourite target of scammers is people who think they don’t have the skills or experience to get a good job. A job that requires no skills or previous experience is therefore appealing. However, legitimate postings will list required skills and qualifications — and you’ll have to submit a resume.

Too-good-to-be-true promises. Scammers are looking for people who dream of a “get rich quick” solution. The reality is that companies can’t stay in business by paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for a few hours of work each week. What out for claims that simply aren’t financially sound.

A machine could do it better. Consider: major companies use machines — not people — to stuff envelops and assemble products because it’s cheaper and more efficient. Envelop stuffing and product assembly are two of the oldest schemes around.

Paying for more information. Do you have to call a 900 number for more details, or pay for a list of companies that hire home workers? You should be able to get more information about the position without having to pay for it.

Payment is required up front for materials, instructions, training or equipment. Most work at home scams are schemes designed to make you pay a fee upfront or to sell you something — whether it’s materials to assemble products, “essential” equipment or software, training materials or access to special websites and databases. Also, beware of any “good faith” payments or requests for you to handle cash. In general, a new job shouldn’t cost you money, and you shouldn’t have to purchase anything from your new employer.

Promises of guaranteed customers or a market for your work. While it’s true that certain skills and jobs are in demand, don’t take the posting’s word for it. Ask for proof. Is there research to back up their claims? Can you talk to references and clients to verify their testimonials? Is the information supported by current job trends?

Questionable sources. Did the opportunity come to you as junk mail or spam? Companies with real jobs to offer don’t need to resort to these means to get attention. They’ll advertise on their own websites and through ads in legitimate services.

“Sponsored ads” and internet search results are also suspect. Ad servers and search engines are automated processes that don’t distinguish between what’s real and what isn’t. Experts agree that it’s best to take a “buyer beware” approach.

Beware of the latest tricks

Scammers know that you’re probably aware of the classic warning signs, so the cons are getting more elaborate and complex. Some of the latest tactics you might see include:

Questionable endorsements and experts. Don’t get taken in by pictures, voices, names and signatures of “real people”. Endorsements, testimonials, experts and company executives can be fabricated — and stock photography makes it easy to put a face on the fraud. Just because a company executive, expert or “satisfied customer” is featured on a website doesn’t mean that person exists.

False reviews. In addition to paid or placed reviews, there are a variety of websites out there that claim to have completed “extensive research” or “hundreds of evaluations” on work-at-home opportunities. Their results claim that “95 to 97 per cent of all opportunities are scams”, but they have been able to find the two or three that are legitimate. You’re invited to try them for yourself, and even sign up for a “free report” or newsletter.

What these websites are really doing is sending you specific websites and services — and someone on the back end is earning a fee or commission. The companies and services look like they’ve been vetted, but you don’t know who is making the judgements. Those free reports and newsletters could be an attempt to get your personal information.

Questionable awards and endorsements. Fake review and company websites try to make themselves look legitimate by posting awards and recommendations that don’t exist. Claims like “Voted #1 review site” or “the leading site for work at home jobs” are meaningless if the organization they’re from isn’t reputable or well-known, or the claims aren’t backed up by industry research.

The same applies for those “trusted site” seals. Consider: who did the evaluation, what authority do they have and what criteria did they use? The process should be transparent in order to mean something to users. For instance, there are strict rules governing accreditation from organizations that matter, like the Better Business Bureau, and those rules are outlined on those organizations’ websites.

As seen on… Everyone loves good press coverage, but that too can be faked. It’s easy to copy and paste logos from popular media sources, but if you visited those sources could you find the article? A link should be provided, and you should be able to find the reference by searching the publication’s archives.

(For more tips and information, see our previous article about online employment scams.)

Protect yourself

Other than knowing the signs, there are a couple of simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

- Evaluate offers carefully. There are legitimate offers out there, but scammers rely on people not looking closely enough or asking the right questions. Look for inconsistencies and watch out for missing or incomplete information. Make sure you get the full details of any offer in writing.

- Research the company. Whether you’re applying directly to a company or considering a staffing agency, you should get a reliability report from the BBB and look for other sources of information like press releases and articles in credible publications. At the very least, the company’s contact information should be posted on their website, and you should be able to verify it with an outside source like a phone book or 411.ca.

- Ask who is accountable. Content and opportunities don’t appear out of nowhere. Who is responsible for the information? (Or conversely, who would get in trouble if there was a problem?) If you can’t figure out who “is behind the curtain” then chances are they don’t want to be found — and there’s a reason.

- Use tried-and-true ways of finding a job. Perhaps the best strategy of all is to ignore the ads, the emails and the websites and stick with reliable job search strategies and resources. Update your resume and network. Let people know you’re looking for work. You never know where a lead will come from.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to sift through the ads and opportunities to sort out the real ones. For some suggestions on how to get started, read Find real work-at-home jobs.

Sources

BBB Alert: Work-at-home schemes

CareerBuilder.ca: Work at Home Scams

Ministry of Justice and Attorney General (Saskatchewan): Work-at-home Schemes (pdf)

National Consumers League Internet Fraud Watch

Scambusters.org

READ MORE

Is telecommuting for you?

Turn talents into cash

Boost brainpower in the workplace

I JUST RECEIVED AN OFFER BUT I REFUSE TO COUNTER

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:20:19 +0000

Have you ever been involved in selling a home where an offer was made and you refused to counter the buyers offer? Here is some advice for sellers to consider, especially in today’s economic environment.

If a buyer has taken the time to put an offer on paper and submit it to your listing agent, I think you would agree that this is a good sign that they are interested in purchasing your home.

Your agent calls and says, “great news, we just received an offer!” They come over to review it with you and you immediately get defensive. The offer price is way too low or the terms of the contract aren’t favorable. These terms could include financing contingencies, a long and drawn out closing date or a request for you to pay some of the buyers closing costs.

Do your best to leave your emotions out of this! Consider this a business transaction that, when completed, will get you to your eventual goal. That goal may be buying your dream home, retiring to a different state or country, downsizing and buyer a less expensive home allowing you to stash some cash, and the list goes on.

I have been involved in a few transactions with sellers who have absolutely refused to counter a buyer’s offer. 9 times out of 10 this is the worst thing you can do! Your strategy is that if you do not counter, the buyer will come back with a better offer in a few days. What!? This is like catching and releasing a fish where there are other fishermen around you and hoping the fish decides to come back to you because you think you have better bait on your hook. Why would you take a chance at losing an interested buyer when there is a lot of inventory for them to choose from? Chances are there’s another home out there that could work for them. You may have a special home unlike any others on the market. If priced properly, maybe holding out is the right thing to do, but that is a big risk to take. Make sure holding out for a better offer is worth the risk.

If you have received multiple offers while listed on the market that you feel have been too low, perhaps your agent is not being upfront with you. There is a high probability that your home is overpriced. If your agent has made you aware of this and you have refused to listen and agree to a price reduction, then you are missing the chance to get your home sold for the best price with the least amount of stress. I have seen more sellers that have ended up in foreclosure, short sale, not selling at all or receiving 20% less than an offer they received months or a year earlier because they held out for a better deal. As an agent, it’s hard to see this happen to a client. The agents best bet is to walk away from the listing if there is no agreement to reduce the homes price. The ability to sell your home depends on you and your agent working together to achieve that goal. If you have done your homework and hired a full time, professional and knowledgeable agent, take the time to discuss your concerns with them, they will do the same. Listen to the advice they have given you. This is their daily job. They eat, breathe and sleep real estate!

They have their finger on the pulse of the market and know what needs to be done to get your home sold.

Make the counter offer and keep the negotiations moving. This may be changing the price and terms, just the price or just the terms of the contract. You may have to go back and forth 10 times to get to a final agreement, but there is a good chance you will come to an agreement if you and the buyer are reasonable along the way. Not countering an interested buyer’s offer is not reasonable!

You may not always like what your agent has to say. It’s not your agents’ job to agree with you all the time or be your best friend. There are days you will not like them and you’ll wonder why you hired them. Ultimately, their job is to sell your home. If that means you getting upset because your agent gives it to you straight, that’s ok. You’ll thank them and get over it once your home has sold and you’ll be glad they weren’t sugar coating anything. In fact, I have a good feeling you’ll become alies again in the future…

I hope this helps to keep you focused on the ultimate goal of selling your home!

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:29:28 +0000

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets,
painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard
last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return
a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there
are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me
wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might
leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove
it..

5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot
tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm
company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too
easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on
the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry.
It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock
your door – understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because
of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or
offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)

10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check
dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you
keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system .

Pawn Stars

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:47:31 +0000

An interesting read on the economy from a pawn shop operator.

Pawn Stars

The pawn industry is seen as a ‘barometer of the economy’ as record numbers of people trade in old jewelry and coins for cash. BNN speaks to Rick Harrison and Corey Harrison, co-owners of Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.

http://en.video.sympatico.ca/index.php/en/video/news/2/finance/91/business-news-network/374/pawn-stars/558148069001