I'm sure that you have heard on the news about the extremely low rates currently available from some Canadian Banks right now!

While rate is important, it may not be the most important factor in your situation.

Here are some of the items you should take a look at when negotiating your next mortgage (and there are more...).

1. The maximum amortization period

2. How long will they hold the rate for you? Can I arrange this mortgage before I start looking for a home?

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Any REALTOR^® can sell you a house...

But a Buyer's Representative looks out for your best interests!

A Coldwell Banker Buyer's Representative represents you, the home buyer, during every step of the real estate transaction.

In fact, a Buyer's Representative has a legal responsibility to home buyers. That means your interest and preferences are always our first consideration, from the moment you start looking to the moment you close.

This type of focus and dedication allows you to shop for a home with the ease and confidence of knowing you have someone looking out for your best interests.

Call or email Tracey today...

a Buyer's Representative that will be completely devoted to you!

Tracey Appleton,
Sales Resentative
(519) 500-1226 Mobile
Tracey-Appleton@ColdwellBanker.ca

The school boards in the Kitchener Waterloo area have an excellant website for families moving to Waterloo Region. It includes information about the individual schools, the areas served by each school and the transportation services that are available.

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Did you know that you can find the Real Estate in Kitchener Waterloo blog on Facebook?

Join our Facebook page and receive up to date local real estate information on your Facebook News Feed: Facebook.com/Real.Estate.in.KW

Although no community remains completely without crime, the cities and townships of Waterloo Region remain among the safest in Ontario. Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to working toward a safer community through enforcement and education.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service are providing interactive maps with information on Reported Police Activity in your Neighbourhood.

You can view the most recent maps here.

For most people, buying a home is the most significant investment of their lives. Moreover, in spite of the doubt and confusion clouding both the financial markets and news headlines, there are many genuine real estate opportunities - especially for first-time buyers.

In general, prices are stable and historical data demonstrates that purchasing a home has proven a sound long-term financial investment. However, first-time homebuyers are often understandably anxious when it comes time to making the purchase. We have come up with a simple "do and don't" list to make the process easier for everyone dreaming of homeownership.

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Another first for the real estate innovative leader, Coldwell Banker has once again raised the bar for the industry by partnering with Apple to create and release a new iPad app that puts our listings on center stage!

The iPad remains one of the most utilized technology devices on the market today. Coldwell Banker is now tapping into the millions of iPad users by developing an iPad app that allows users to easily search for property listings, agents and local Coldwell Banker offices.

But what really makes the app unique is its ability to take advantage of the iPad's Multi-Touch interface and large display that will allow agents to showcase our videos and deliver a great experience.

Other highlights of the app include integrated Yelp data; social media sharing capabilities; and more! To watch a promotional video of the app's functionality, click here. Users can download the app for free from the App Store on iPad, or from iTunes.

There is much information that points to the benefits to buying an older home. Older homes generally have lower purchase prices relative to newer houses. They tend to be located in established neighborhoods with an existing history of schools, transportation and commercial center offerings. Older houses have mature landscaping and period-style architecture and craftsmanship. If this type of home-buying information is important to you, you may want to consider an older house. Still, older homes come with their own set of issues. In order to make the best home-buying decision, here are five information topics you may want to discuss with when considering the purchase of an older house.

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Old House Web has information on many aspects of renovating and owning an old home (or a not so old home).

Some of the topics that are included on the site are: Product Reviews, How to Advice, a Green Guide, an "In the Garden" section and an Architecture and Design .

Featured articles include:

• Knob and Tube Wiring

• When to Turn to a Contractor

• Old Windows

Visit the Old House Web site.

1.) Find out if Home Ownership is Right for You

Renting vs. Buying

Buying a home is a big financial and lifestyle decision! Make your decision an informed one by taking a close look at the pros and cons of home ownership...

2.) Determine if You Are Financially Ready

How Much Can You Afford?

Now is the time to carefully define your current financial situation and estimate the price range in which you can expect to comfortably purchase...

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Here's an interesting article from Coldwell Banker's US website on the process of buying building a custom home:

If you want a new home, but aren't interested in a cookie cutter subdivision, consider building your own custom home.

It's a "toss up" whether building your own home will be cheaper than buying one in a subdivision, said David Lupberger, a home improvement expert with ServiceMagic.com. A custom built home could run $100 per square foot, excluding land costs, he said, but up to as much as $300 per square foot with high-end finishes (excluding the cost of land).

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Remodelling a home starts with a dream...

A gourmet kitchen! Skylights! A gigantic walk-in closet! But, the dream may turn into a nightmare if you don't plan ahead.

Buying a home will arguably become your most important financial investment, as well as a major emotional investment. And, remodelling that home can make it better suited to your lifestyle and increase the house value. However, the remodelling process can seem overwhelming at times. If you're buying a home that you plan to remodel, here are some issues to consider.

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Like any other life changing experience, buying a home for the first time can seem like an incredible challenge. However, once first-time homebuyers are able to organize their priorities, conduct some useful research and interact with a trusted real estate agent, confusion can quickly turn into excitement. Keeping in mind some of the basic tips outlined below can help pave the way to a successful first-time home buying experience.

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You are invited to attend our Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Concierge Trade Show for Homeowners.

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Did you know that the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board has a special mobile website for local MLS® listings? Actually there are two versions of this website!

The first one can be viewed here: KWhomes.mobi This site will allow to search for properties that for sale on the local MLS® system. You can get the basic details of those listings along with photographs and a map link.

The other version is available to buyers that have obtained a personal "User Code" from a REALTOR®. This version gives you all the features that you obtain by using the above version, plus additional detailed information about each listing.

Contact Tracey today at Tracey-Appleton@ColdwellBanker.ca to obtain your User Code for the second mobile website. After you obtain your code visit KWhomes.mobi, enter your code in the box and press the "Login" button. You now have the details of any MLS® listing in Kitchener-Waterloo and area at your fingertips on your mobile phone, PDA or smartphone!

If you are familiar with QR Codes, here is one that will take you directly to KWhomes.mobi. Try it now!

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC has recently released their annual report of home prices. The report tracks the price of a four-bedroom, two bathroom home in various markets across North America. You can view the complete data that the press release below is compiled from at this link: HLR.ColdwellBanker.com/FullData.aspx.

According to the report the average price for a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in Kitchener-Waterloo is $347,757 CDN.

Coldwell Banker Issues Home Listing Report of Most Expensive and Affordable Housing Markets for 'Aspirational' Homes

BURLINGTON, ON (Sept. 22, 2010) - Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today released its Home Listing Report (HLR), a snapshot survey of four-bedroom, two-bathroom home listings in Canada and the U.S. Reporting on a home size many homebuyers would aspire to own - the HLR found a $1.7 million difference between North America's most expensive and most affordable housing markets.

"Newport Beach, California ranks Most Expensive in North America for four-bedroom/two-bath home prices; Vancouver tops Canadian market list. Windsor scores Canada's most affordable four-bedroom/two-bath home prices; while across the river, Detroit, Michigan, Is Most Affordable Market in North America."

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