Buying a Home for the First time can be daunting..but doesn't have to be! Who should you contact first? What are the next steps? What down payment is required? These are just some of the questions I hear from First time Home Buyers.  Let me help light the way for you and hold your hand through this process.:) Here is a Step by Step guide to follow- 1. CONNECT WITH A REPUTABLE OR REFERRED REALTOR    A referred Realtor is always the best--banking on someone elses experience. However,if you don't know anyone who can provide you with a Referral, than you can either pick a few Realtors in the area and interview them, or stop by Open Houses to meet them in person and see them "in action". 2. OBTAIN A MORTAGE PREAPPROVAL    Your Realtor should be able to direct you to a Lender with a good repu... 01/24/2020

The recent stock market plunge has resulted in a rush to invest in the bond market. That means there will be pressure before and lowering yields on bonds. Lower rates should impact mortgage rates in a positive way before buyers. This will be particularly true should the stock market continue to be in the doldrums. Stay tuned for the impact especially on variable rate mortgages. In the United States the Federal gov’t has stopped its quantitative easing program. Essentially the program included printing more money to circulate with them the monetary system. Now that those funds are not available it may act to counter the availability of funds therefore 20 upward pressure on interest rates.   The question is which will be the greater of the two forces. 10/16/2014

On January 7th, 2014, Ross Godsoe, Executive Officer for the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington released the Boards December 2013 Sales Stats. So, how did the Hamilton-Burlington real estate market do in December 2013? Listings : For December, all listing types were down year over year. The number of listings taken in the month of December/13 were down 9% over December/12, and the end of month inventory of listings was down a whopping 11.4%. Sales: Sales are a positive story. Sales across all listing types were up 11%, but you can't help but note the two leaders. Commercial Sales were up 38.5% and Condominium Sales were up 37.7%. In the press release, CEO Ross Godsoe tells us "New listings were lower than last year and were also significantly lower than the 10 year average for... 01/08/2014

The Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton Ontario is wonderful year round. I do so enjoy going to their restaurant for lunch with a friend and then browsing the gift shop. This Christmas season, they have a Holiday Train Display in the atrium. It was installed by Applied Imagination Trains. Their crew of artists, botanical architects and landscape designers produce original public garden exhibits, seasonal displays and garden railways. The train installation at the RBG is built using botanic materials featuring landscapes celebrating Canadian landmarks. Yes the CN Tower is there!   There are 3 levels of trains running through it much to the delight of the children I saw.     You can see it yourself Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm (8pm Thurs) until January 6th.     Sorry for the poor photogr... 11/29/2012

Hamilton's Dundurn Castle Dundurn Castle is a National Historic site. I have enjoyed being able to wander the grounds and take tours no matter what the season but Christmas is magical there. Right now you can step into a Victorian Christmas. The Garden Club of Hamilton has decorated Dundurn Castle with cedar boughs, ribbons and dried flowers. Costumed interpreters will walk you through Sir Allan MacNab's home. . Date: Saturday, November 24, 2012 to Sunday, December 30, 2012 (Closed Mondays) Time: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.Ages: AllCost: Regular admission rates apply to the museum. To add to your Christmas fun join the Christmas Delights Event. You can have an authentic Victorian cooking experience. Costumed cooks will lead you below stairs to 19th century kitchen to experience creating seas... 11/27/2012

       Some people love change, but from experience, the majority of us love familiarity. There's no doubt that the older we get the faster time goes by and if we're not careful, we wake up one morning living in a home full of things and colours that went out of style a decade ago. It doesn't hit a lot of people until they start thinking about selling. With tightened lending rules, Buyers today often don't have the time or necessary financial resources to buy a home that needs a lot of updating. Homes that are updated will usually sell faster and command more money leaving the "dated" homes to sell at discount prices to Renovators. If it hasn't changed for more than 20 years, there's a good possibility it should. That goes for the colours on your walls, the carpeting on your floor, your... 11/19/2012

Hiking in the Dundas Valley - Canterbury Falls.Today was a beautiful day for a hike in the Dundas Valley, near Burlington and Hamilton, Ontario. The sun was shining and at 18C it was the warmest day we've had in quite awhile.As we hiked along the trail, we made our first stop at Canterbury Falls. Canterbury Falls is located on Sulphur Creek. It is a terraced ribbon waterfall, 3 m wide and 9.5 m high.After leaving the falls we hiked further into the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. We came across Sulphur Creek on many stretches of the trail. It sparkled in the late afternoon sun.The Dundas Valley Conservation Area welcomes horseback riders, as well as mountain bikers and hikers. With numerous kilometres of well-groomed trails, it is a horseman's paradise. There are even places at the Tra... 11/11/2012

Sherman Falls - Oakville and Burlington Area AttractionsOn a beautiful sunny day not long ago, we decided to go exploring in the Dundas area and view more of the area's myriad waterfalls.  Our destination on that lovely Sunday was Sherman Falls, in the village of Ancaster, Ontario.Sherman Falls is found on privately owned property near the Dundas section of the Bruce Trail. There is a short path leading to the falls from the road and it is open to the public.Sherman Falls is 17 m high and is known as a 'curtain waterfall' for the way it's water cascades over the Niagara Escarpment. The source of the falls is Ancaster Creek and it flows year-round.Named after the Sherman family, it is also known as Angel Falls and Fairy Falls. The Sherman family, founders of Dofasco Steel in Hamilton, ow... 11/08/2012

Oakville, Burlington Area Attractions - Tiffany Falls   Tiffany Falls, a beautiful 21 m high 'Cascade' waterfall in Ancaster, can be accessed by a short hike down a groomed trail through an enchanted woods. To access Tiffany Falls from Burlington or Oakville, travel down the 403 to Hamilton and take the exit on Main St West. Follow it where it veers to the left towards Ancaster. Approximately half way up the escarpment you will find a parking area on the left called 'Tiffany Falls Conservation Area'. Tiffany Falls is named after the area's first Doctor, Oliver Tiffany. Oliver came to the Ancaster area in 1796 and served the area for 40 years. He was well loved and respected and it is said that the there was a major traffic jam caused by horses and buggies at his funeral with over 600 pe... 11/03/2012

  Oakville, Burlington Area Attractions - Webster’s Falls A short drive from Oakville and Burlington, down Dundas Street and near the village of Greensville, lays an enchanting historical park known as Webster’s Falls. On a recent Sunday afternoon, we decided to explore the section of the Bruce Trail that runs through there and were more than taken with the magnificent beauty that we found. Webster’s Falls is known as a ‘curtain or plunge’ waterfall. With a height of 22 m (72 feet) and a width of 30 m (98 feet), it is one of Canada’s most photographed waterfalls. Located within the Spencer Gorge/Webster’s Falls Conservation Area of Hamilton, Ontario, Webster’s Falls is one of the prettiest areas along the Niagara Escarpment.  Webster Falls was originally known as Dr. Hamilton’s Falls af... 11/01/2012

I'm always bragging about what a great city Hamilton, Ontario is.  With lots to do and with a vibrant music, arts and theatre community.  A beautiful city with great diversity and character. Here is one of the events that has enriched our music and arts community.  Click here to visit the website. One of the oldest streets in our city has come alive in the last few years and is host to art crawls as well as the annual SUPERCRAWL now in its 4th year. Musicians, galleries, community artists abound. If you want to know a little more about Hamilton and her history you can visit my About Hamilton page and follow me on Twitter for updates on whats happening in Hamilton. 09/13/2012

I’ve decided to take on the challenge of writing about what I do as a Real Estate professional for my Seller clients. First Visit I start by viewing the home and providing some suggestions on things that can be done to prepare the home. Suggesting things like de-cluttering, furniture placement, wall de-scuffing (magic eraser time), maybe some painting and even changing a fixture, caulking the tub etc. After I’ve probed and found out what this Seller is willing and able to do. Price Is Key Prepare a thorough evaluation of the property and present it to the clients explain the current market conditions. I know one of the most important things is to get the price right. Plan a strategy as a team, myself and the Sellers to attain their goal. Taking the time to write up a great remarks secti... 07/19/2012

Hamilton Waterfront         Bayfront West Harbour and Beach Boulevard          Hamiltonians love their waterfront and they don't miss an opportunity to get "down" there and enjoy a day of ice cream, go cart racing, walking, people watching and the best fries in Hamilton at Hutche's.    The waterfront is divided in two areas; The West Harbour in the West end of the City and Beach Boulevard in the East End of the City                  Williams Cafe at the West Harbour      Reached by minutes from anny point in Hamilton, the waterfront has something for everyone willing to unplug the electronics and leave the Blackberry at home.   Sailing lessons, roller- blading, jogging, walking, swimming and daydreaming, it's all here.         The Real Estate West Harbour This area is just coming up, it... 06/28/2012

Corktown The history of Irish migration to British North America in the nineteenth-century has centered predominantly on those immigrants who were exiled from Ireland after the Great Famine, 1845-1850.   However, a significant number of Irishmen, both Protestant and Catholic, arrived in  Canada as immigrants by  choice in the years leading up to the Great Hunger. Their immigration were often part of family economic strategies and, as such, they arrived in North America with a greater capability for early success.  Irish-Canadian historiography, moreover, has focused primarily on rural settlement, by far the most common choice of Irish migrants in the Canadas. Yet, a significant number of Irishmen did settle in the growing urban centres of nineteenth-century Canada.    The Real Estate Co... 06/28/2012

James Street North   I've been selling real estate in Hamilton for about 24 years and I know it inside an out. If this career fails, I KNOW I would be an asset to a taxi company. I spend a lot of time out and about and one of my favorite spots to stop and chill for a minute or two is James Street North.   James Street was Hamilton's little Italy or Little Portugal and you can see influences everywhere, in the gardens of nearby homes, the fish shops and grocery stores to the restaurants.      I seldom miss the Art Crawl, held second Friday of the month. The street closes down, galleries open their doors late into the night, the atmosphere is just so electric, it reminds me of New York's West Village.         James North Art Collective   Hamilton Artists Inc.             I usually go to t... 06/28/2012

  Locke Street Neighbourhood   Love this street and the neighbourhood. I used to work at a Remax nearby and real estate agents would congregate at the West Town to have a cocktail or two and exchange stories and info on new listings.       The vibrant Locke Street has evolved over the past decade and now offers somethings for everyone and every palette.  Antique stores, delis, restaurants, a great pizzeria. Bread Bar, Locke Street Bakery, a cheese boutique, chocolate boutique, upscale clothing stores. A fabulous consignment shop where you can pick up designer duds for a song, interior decor-- the street is full of great shops offering unique stuff. Lot of beauty salons and places to get pampered.     Locke Street Merchants Directory       Searach Listings in the Locke Street Area       ... 06/28/2012

  This leafy neighbourhood is anchored by the beautiful St.Clair Boulevard.        The parcel of land on which the Boulevard was built was owned by the Rutherfords, whose house on the corner of St. Clair and Delaware was razed to complete the construction of the Boulevard. Construction started in 1913 and was completed before 1930. This is no subdivision of today, each home is architecturally unique.        Real Estate Homes here can be as low as $200,000 a few blocks from the Boulevard and as high as 500K on the Boulevard and anything in between. Young families, professionals, creative types and GTA migrants love this area for it's architectural diversity, broad streets with mature trees and quiet community feel.           Click for Amazing Properties on the Market in the St. Clair Are... 06/28/2012

Gage Park, Park, Area and Real Estate   Since 1922, the City of Hamilton’s Gage Park has provided Hamiltonians with a rich mixture of open space, play fields, gardens and tree-lined paths that cover over 30 hectares of green space at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment.  Located east of the downtown core at Main Street East and Gage Avenue South, Gage Park serves both its surrounding downtown community as well as plays host to citywide special events that draw people from beyond Hamilton’s borders.  Gage Park has two playgrounds (one is wheelchair accessible), a bandshell, greenhouses, gardens, spray pad, wading pool, the Children's Museum where there is a creative play structure with spring toys and swings, and the beautiful Gage Park Fountain.   Here are just some of the things to do i... 06/28/2012

Ottawa Street                            The Garment District   My parents immigrated to Hamilton in the 70's, a wave of young working class families fleeing various restricting regimes in Eastern Europe. We settled in our first house in the Ottawa Street Neighbourhood, a massive duplex with two-2 bedroom units, each with a dining room and a living room.   Ottawa Street was the place where everyone went to shop, eat, socialize, to see and be seen. It was full of ethnic delis, garment shops, travel agencies taking people back to the old country for vacations, newspaper stands, banks that actually provided customer service (yes kids, it was long ago and far away) and merchants that knew your name or maybe even your mother tongue.       Tim Horton, a hockey player for anyone who just lande... 06/28/2012

  Friday, 22 June 2012, 10:54:34 AM Mortgage lending, practices and guidelines have tightened once again. Major changes are; 1/No more amortization periods of 30 years, max 25 yrs. This I completely agree with, because if your goal is not to pay the mortgage off in a reasonable amount of time, you might as well be renting. A few years ago I had clients actually buy a home they could not afford by any stretch of the imagination and then amortize the mortgage over FORTY YEARS. This is financial Hara-Kiri. It’s keeping up the Joneses but the Joneses don’t even know who you are. 2. Refinancing restricted to 80% of value of your home, instead of 85%. The beauty of living in a nanny state is that they fully recognize if most of us go belly up and end up on the dole, they will have to work ha... 06/22/2012