February 3, 2014 Issue 87

WHAT’S INSIDE: The Emotional Roller Coaster of Bidding Wars PAGE 3

HOMES FOR SALE Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln & Niagara Listings PAGE 4

HOMES FOR SALE Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas & Glanbrook Listings PAGE 8

February 3, 2014 - Vol 61a

prin nt2life This cover is enhanced with print2life interactive media that you can view with y your our smartphone or tablet.

Rob Golfi Sales Representative

Download the fr free ee print2life app and watch Rob Golfi Golfi’s ’s personal message.

See page 2 for full instructions.

This wasn’t the first time Rob was our real estate agent and like the last time, we are very pleased with his service. Selling our house was a smooth and pleasurable experience and we always felt we were in great hands with Rob and his team. We would definitely recommend him and his team to anyone who is thinking about buying or selling.

Don & Gail

HOME EVALUATION NO COST • NO OBLIGATION

905-575-7700 • 905-945-0188

Page 2

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 3, 2014

About Rob Golfi

R

ob’s career in real estate began in October 1997 and putting the needs of his clients first has always been a primary principle. Rob joined RE/MAX Escarpment January 1st 1999. As his career grew and with changing times in the marketplace, Rob realized that the team concept was the next step in order to maintain the same level of service that his clients had come to expect. Hence, “The Golfi Team” was formed, comprised of a select group of individuals who work well together and share Rob’s team philosophy. In 2003, the team received the prestigious honour of being in the top 100 Real Estate Teams for RE/MAX Canada*. And this status continues to date*. Rob has received every major award available at RE/MAX including the Diamond Club (2010-2012)*, 100% Club (19992001)*, Platinum Club (2002)*, Chairmans Club (20032009)*, Hall of Fame (Inducted in 2003)*, and the Lifetime Achievement Award (Inducted in 2006)*, Circle of Legends (2013).* Rob’s experience and aggressive negotiating skills are key in this business. Any agent can list your house, but Rob’s knowledge and ability to negotiate constructively gives his clients peace of mind in dealing with the single most important investment in their lives.

Rob has an extensive marketing background that compliments his real estate career. He has achieved an impressive visual identity in the market place. Rob also prides himself on his ability to stay current with in the industry and to remain competitive in the marketplace. His hard work and dedication has awarded him the honour of consistently ranked in the Top 5 of nearly 2500 sales agents in the Hamilton-Burlington and Niagara Area since (2003).** Currently (2013)* Rob is ranked Number 1 in transactions sales ends in the HamiltonBurlington and Niagara Area.

“Each client is always treated with First Class Service.” *Based on RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic Canada annual commission criteria **Based on The Real Estate Association of Hamilton-Burlington total transactions January 1, 2003 – March 31, 2013.

nt2life prin

Learn more about Heart Month

M

ore than 60 years ago, a visionary group of Canadians, including physicians and researchers, established the National Heart Foundation of Canada with big hopes for the future.

They had a dream: to put heart health on the public agenda, to empower researchers to turn the tide on heart disease, and to educate Canadians about their hearts. With the emergence of Ontario's Foundation in 1952 and British Columbia's three years later, a network soon began to develop across the country.

In 1956, the Quebec and Saskatchewan Foundations were established. In 1961, the Foundation was renamed the Canadian Heart Foundation.

After decades of growth in influence and impact on the health of Canadians, the Heart and Stroke Foundation reached its latest milestone in 2011, when the national office and nine independent provincial bodies united to become one strong, national organization. Today, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is at work in communities from coast to coast, with: • 130,000 volunteers • Close to two million donors • More than 800 full- and part-time staff Since 1956, the Foundation has raised and invested more than $1.3 billion in leading-edge heart disease and stroke research. These impressive results have been made possible by the ongoing and valuable efforts of volunteers and donors across this country.

The Heart Month campaign began in 1958 when the Foundation, led by Dr.Wilfred Bigelow, committed to raise

http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca Ho How w to use

1 2 Welcome re Welcome to the Futur Future

$600,000 to fund heart research. In Ontario, volunteers in Hamilton, Kingston, Lakehead, London, Oakville, Oshawa, Peterborough and Port Hope launched a modest door-to-door campaign to raise a provincial goal of $250,000. By the end of the campaign, they had exceeded goal and raised $320,000.

In 1962, the canvass – named the “Heart Sunday Canvass” – was expanded to include additional cities. Canvassers consisted primarily of Air Cadet Squadrons, Ladies’ Auxiliary and Canadian Legion branches and medical students from the University of Toronto.

Today, the February Heart Month Person-to-Person canvass is our biggest and most well known campaign.

Now, the Heart Month Campaign is a well established national community based fundraising campaign. The success of this program is rooted its 80,000 volunteers, who make friendly, personal requests to their neighbours and networks, by canvassing their neighborhoods for donations through the month of February, to support life-saving research and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke within their communities.

Today, heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes and 90% of Canadians have at least one risk factor.

Heart Month is the Heart and Stroke Foundation's key opportunity to reach millions of Canadians in February and alert them to the risks of heart disease and stroke. Volunteers are the face and the voice of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Heart Month is a critical time when we depend on you to share our message.

print2life

DOWNLOAD the print2life app for free at print2life.ca/download.

Available for most iOS and Android devices.

POINT your tablet or smartphone at a page that shows the print2life icon.

3 4

T AP TO SCAN TAP Hold your tablet or smartphone about 12 to 18 inches above the page and tap to scan.

BRING TO LIFE Keep your tablet, smartphone, iOS or Android above the page to bring interactive content to life.

of Print!

This magazine cover is enhanced with print2life interactive media. Simply download the free print2life app and scan with your smartphone or tablet.

To download the print2life app to your smartphone, tablet, iOS or Android for free, scan the QR QR code code or or visit visit www.print2life.ca/download

HHints Hi i nts nts t & TiTips T p s abou about ut print2life pprir i nt2l nt2l t2 ife t2life fe about t #F TVSF UP IPME ZPVS QIPOF TUSBJHIU t 8IFO WJFXJOH B WJEFP UBQ UIF WJEFP UP CSJOH UIF video to full screen

www. GolfiTeam .com

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February 3, 2014

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 3

Facts About the GOLFI TEAM… 3 Over $80 Million in Sales Annually** 3 #1 in Sales Transactions in Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara* 3 #1 Real Estate Office in Hamilton-Burlington* 3 Ranked Top 10 Teams in Canada for ** 3 Ranked Top 50 Teams world wide** Award 100%

Club

1999-2001*

Rob Golfi Sales Representative

Award Platinum

Club

2002*

Award

Chairman’s

Club

2003-2009*

Award

Hall of Fame

Inducted 2003*

Award Lifetime

Achievement

Inducted 2006*

Award

Diamond

Club

2010-2012*

Award Circle

of Legends

2013*

* Based on RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic Canada annual commission criteria. **Information based on recorded total transactions, buying and selling ends, from the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington Jan. -Aug. 2013. ***Source: RE/MAX® Canada and RE/MAX® International 2012.

OVER $600 MILLION IN REAL ESTATE SALES *#1 Brokerage in the Realtors Association of Hamilton Burlington MLS from 1994 to 2013 consecutively. **Year End Standings for 2013, based on residential commissions paid. Rankings are compiled from figures submitted by regional offices.

Not intended to solicit properties currently listed for sale.

The Emotional Roller Coaster of Bidding Wars

Y

ou could not have dreamt up a more perfect house than this one.

You will never be the same if you don’t get this house. It’s perfection with a capital P. It’s so wonderful, in fact, that two other couples want it, too. So what is an eager house hunter to do?

That depends on your bank account and your personality. Do you have the extra funds often required in a competi-

tive bidding war that almost always send up the price tag? And can you stomach the suspense, the churning anxiety and the utter disappointment that invariably comes with defeat? Being involved in a bidding war is an emotional roller coaster ride not for the faint-hearted.

A recent BMO Home Buying Report indicated that most Canadians would rather walk away from their dream home

than get lured into a bidding war. Only 28 per cent said they would fight for a house.

Of first-time buyers, 39 per cent were more inclined to pay above list price.

Bidding wars typically happen in hot real estate markets such as Toronto and Hamilton.

Let’s explore the ins and outs: Know what you can afford before shopping – You don’t want to get caught up in the drama and risk spending more than you can afford. That’s just silly. So have a set price and stick to it. You should also know the market value of homes in the area so you don’t get stuck over-paying on a house, no matter how beautiful.

Your realtor can help with that. Also, try to cough up a larger down payment than the typical one to five per cent. That shows the purchaser you’re very serious and invested in this transaction.

Keep it simple – The fewer conditions, the better. Now is not the time to request that they accept your offer once you sell your house. Conditional offers that depend on financing approval don’t cut it

when other offers are on the table. In fact, if your offer is relatively clean this may be the tipping point for the seller to select you over other offers.

First offer – Make it your best because you may not get another chance. While at it, try to come up with a sizable deposit to show you mean business.

Be flexible – If a seller has already purchased and you meet their closing date that could net you the house over a higher competing offer. In an effort to stand out from competing offers try to only ask for those extras included in the listing. Also on this point, try not to nitpick on minor repairs and instead offer to purchase the property as is.

Emotional flattery – Sometimes emotions do work in a real estate transaction.

So write a letter to the seller about why you love their home and how you envision your family living there. Believe it or not, that may be the way to score the house. Don’t be insincere because they will smell it a mile away.

How to receive your Retirement Income Tax Free

M

ost of us view insurance as a “necessary evil,” but what if I could show you that not only is insurance a good thing to have in case of your death, that it could also provide you with a way to grow and use money TaxFree. RRSPs can shelter your money and let it grow within the RRSP, without any tax liabilities until you begin to take the money out. Usually at age 71 in the form of a RRIF. Hopefully, by that time you will be in a lower tax bracket and therefore get to pay the tax at a lower rate. However, Life Insurance Tax Shelters (LITS) offer another option that will not only permit your money to grow Tax-Free but if structured properly, will permit you to access the funds without tax ramifications. So instead of just a Tax Deferral you can have Tax-Free money. Why are these plans better than other non-sheltered investments?

Because: 1) They permit your money invested in the plan to grow Tax-Free.

2) The annual maintenance fee for the plan is considerably less than the tax that would have to be paid on earnings on the investments that were not sheltered.

This illustration may help. Although the numbers will not be the same for you, it should give you a good idea of the benefits of such a plan. Suppose your investments are earning a rate of 10% annually and each year you deposit $10,000 into a non-sheltered investment of some kind with your tax rate at 40%. At the end of 20 years you would have $630,025 in the plan, but if you had to pay the tax of these investment earnings each year, you would have also paid a total of about $172,010 in tax. If you are able to shelter that money in an LITS, those earnings will be the same but because the funds are growing within the plan there are not tax liabilities. Over 20 years the administrative

fees for the plan will probably be somewhere slightly over $20,000, so by participating in the plan you saved an additional $150,000 in tax .

The second option is what makes LITS the GREAT Tax Shelter available in Canada. Instead of withdrawing the money, visit your bank (your insurance company may also do this for you) and borrow money using the policy as the security. Generally, do not borrow the full amount all at one time, but annually as you have need of it. The arrangement you make for the loan is that no repayment will ever be made on it, but at the time of your dealth the funds from the LITS will be used to cover the total owing. This permits you to access the earnings from this money Tax-Free.

The lending company will feel comfortable with this arrangement because they know that their loan is well secured (by the balance you have in the fund plus the insurance) and that funds are continu-

Call Today 905-575-7700

ing to grow. So everyone is happy.

If you choose the second option- and borrow against the funds rather than withdraw them, here is what could happen. You could take your first loan of $50,000 and then each year you increase it by3% to account for inflation. Even doing that it will take you 24 years to borrow the total amount accumulated.

Remember that this money is flowing into your hands Tax-Free and in addition, in the event that you do not survive as long as the money does, because it is an insurance policy the balance remaining plus the insurance benefit moves into the hands of your beneficiaries Tax-Free.

Now you see why we say it is the best tax shelter.

For more information , please contact Jim Powell, Financial Security Advisor with Freedom 55 Financial and London Life Insurance services.

Email: jim.powell@f55f.com

Page 4

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 3, 2014

Grimsby, Lincoln West Lincoln & Niagara

Rob Golfi*

GrImsby

$309,900

GrImsby

$549,900

Jordan

$549,900

12 Vintners Lane

34 Baker Rd. S.

3662 Glen Rd.

RARE FIND. Elegant freehold adult lifestyle 2 bedroom bungalow in upscale area with fabulous views of the Escarpment. Features main floor laundry, gorgeous hardwood floors, large kitchen, open floor plan, ensuite bath off of master bedroom, no condo fees, 3 pc rough-in-bath in unspoiled basement. Shows like a dream!

Sprawling 3+1 bedroom, 1-1/2 storey home with main floor master bedroom. Sitting on large lot in fantastic neighbourhood.

Beautiful hardwood floors, showcase fireplace in family room.

Partially finished basement, fenced yard. Available for immediate occupancy.

RARE FIND! Sprawling bungalow sitting on half acre ravine lot.

3+1 BR, large finished basement, landscaped yard w/treed ravine backdrop, great family home w/large addition to the rear, custom oak finishes w/large dining & Florida room overlooking the backyard. These kind of properties rarely come up for sale!

$1,238 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$2,196 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

WATERFRONT

$2,196 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

WATERFRONT

GET YOUR

HOME GrImsby

$1,769,900 9 Lochside Drive

ONE ACRE WATERFRONT ESTATE – features Luxury 4400 sq.ft. custom built bungalow with a private rare beach frontage and riparian rights, finished top to bottom with in-law suite, 9’ ceilings, 3 tier patio off sun-room, loft to roof top patio, main floor den, and floor to ceiling windows. Shows like a dream!

SOLD CALL NOW!

905-945-0188

GrImsby 143 Lake Street

FABULOUS FIND – Exclusive listing to the Golfi Team.

Beautiful Waterfront lot sitting on 140 x 183 ft. lot on private culde-sac, build your dream home on the shores of lake Ontario, services include sewers, water and gas to lot line. $3,535 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$7,069 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

NE O R E TH O N A LD O S

NE O R E TH O N A LD O S GrImsby

$279,900

$885,000

GrImsby

$259,900

GrImsby

$334,900

47 Tomahawk Drive

8 Pleasant Grove Terrace

37 Pleasant Grove Terrace

Great Neighbourhood – 3 bedroom, 2 storey, detached home close to QEW. This property features spacious living/dining room, large kitchen with oak cabinets and lots of counter space. Unspoiled basement awaits your touch. Concrete drive, fenced yard, large deck with hot tub and shingles in 2007.

Clean bright and spacious freehold townhome in fantastic neighbourhood finished top to bottom, features all new flooring, new kitchen, crown moulding, finished rec-room in basement, freshly painted, fenced yard and interior access to garage. Move in ready condition, available for immediate possession!

Updated 3+1 bedroom family home, all 4 levels finished, large living room/dining room combination with large eat in kitchen.

Corner gas fireplace in family room, 4th bedroom with beautifully updated bathrooms, great rec room area perfect for playroom, office or media area. Beautifully decorated.

$1,238 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

beamsvIlle

$274,900

$1,038 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

smIthvIlle

$448,000

$1,338 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

west lInColn (st. anns) $539,900

4108 Ashby Street

7 Wade Road

5476 Attema Crescent

BRIGHT & SPACIOUS - 2 storey, 3 bedroom freehold end unit in Beamsville’s hillside neighbourhood, features professionally finished rec-room, large kitchen & dinette with sliding doors to private fence yard backing onto green space. Beautifully decorated and maintained. Shows like a dream!

4 level side split in a prime location on quiet dead end street. 3+2 bedrooms, in-ground pool, walk up from basement, double garage, & large driveway. Updated kitchen, windows, hardwood floors, and roof. Oversized lot that can possibly be severed for a corner building lot or build a garage. Buyer to verify zoning regulations.

CUSTOM BUILT HOME –sitting on 1.11 acre lot in prestigious crt, family size kitchen with maple cabinets, granite counters & breakfast bar, gleaming hardwd flrs, showcase fireplace w/overhead space that can hold a 55” flat screen, 9 ft. ceilings, 40 pot lights, & water filtration system.

$1,098 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,789 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

www. GolfiTeam .com

$2,156 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

February 3, 2014

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 5

Grimsby, Lincoln West Lincoln & Niagara

Rob Golfi*

E N O R HE T O N DA L SO GrImsby

$259,900

Jordan vIllaGe

$799,900

GrImsby

$569,900

10 Wentworth Drive, Unit 4

3792 Main Street

334 Mud Street West

DESIRABLE COMMUNITY - Extremely well taken care of 2 bedroom unit in fabulous condition, features large spacious kitchen, full ensuite bathroom, professionally finished basement with large rec-room, and yard with great patio area. Very desirable adult community and close to all amenities.

INCREDIBLE! Two and a half storey, four bedroom, all brick home, built in early 1920’s in historic Jordan Village. Features coffered ceilings, leaded glass windows, hardwood floors. Zoned residential/commercial. Sitting on large 86 x 165 foot lot.

48 ACRE HOBBY FARM - minutes to town & QEW, features 2 storey with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, hardwood floors on main level, spacious family room with wood burning fireplace, main floor laundry, partially finished basement, 26x48 ft. out-building with hydro, & 5 acres of bush.

$3,195 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,038 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

welland

$424,900

GrImsby

$324,900

$2,276 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

GrImsby

$409,900

190 Creekside Drive

541 Winston Rd., Unit 47

25 Red Haven

Uniquely designed open concept 3 bedroom bungalow home approximately 2000 sq.ft.! Upgrades include maple kitchen, granite, hardwood, porcelain tiles, stone gas fireplace, 9 ft. ceilings, upgraded lighting and plumbing fixtures, and a large covered patio.

IMMACULATE FREEHOLD 2 STOREY END UNIT – Built by Brant Haven homes, features 1576 sq.ft. of luxury living by the lake, 3 bedrooms with ensuite bath and walk in closet, gorgeous hardwood/ceramic & berber floors, bedroom level laundry, unspoiled basement with rough in bath.

Outstanding & immaculate bungalow – features gorgeous hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, master bedrm with ensuite & walk in closet, main floor laundry, finished rec-rm in lower level, double garage with concrete driveway.

$1,697 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

beamsvIlle

$291,900

smIthvIlle

$410,000

4088 Cassandra Dr. Unit #25

55 Las Road

3 storey 1900 sq.ft. end unit freehold features 9ft ceilings, 3 great size bedrooms, master with ensuite and walk-in closet, large eat in kitchen, rear yard backs onto park, double car garage and minutes to all amenities. To be built.

Large 2750 sq.ft. 4 bedroom family home located on a quiet street in the prestigious Station Meadows. Features include hardwood flooring on both levels, large dining room, eat in kitchen, family room w/gas fireplace, unfinished basement, main floor laundry, formal living room, & much more.

$1,202 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,637 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,298 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,638 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

Call Today 905-945-0188

beamsvIlle

$69,900

4455 Timothy Lane Mobile home in immaculate condition w/private yard backing onto vineyards in Golden Horseshoe Park. 2 bedrm, separate dining rm, laminate flring throughout, vaulted ceilings, dble parking. Home is on Leased Land $491.34/mth, fee includes property taxes, water, snow removal & garbage collection. $279 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

Page 6

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 3, 2014

Are you 65 or older? $ave Money at Tax Time…

by Gianni Leonetti, Leonetti Consulting A lifetime dedicated to your career has finally paid off in precious retirement years. You've worked hard, and you deserve to enjoy your future. But while retirement is often referred to as the golden years, living on a fixed income can be stressful and requires some smart financial planning. Here are a few ways that seniors can stretch their retirement dollars by saving money at tax time: • Public transit saves money that you might have otherwise spent on rising gas prices, parking, and car maintenance. Not only do seniors typically pay less for public transit and the

cost of transit passes can be claimed on your tax return.

• You may be able to split your eligible pension income with your spouse or common-law partner, allocating up to 50% of your pension to him or her, to lower your taxes.

• If you or your spouse or commonlaw partner has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions and meets certain conditions, you might be eligible for the disability tax credit.

• If you care for a spouse or other family member who has a physical or

mental illness that makes them dependent on you for care, the new family caregiver amount could save you money • If you receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowance benefits under the Old Age Security program, you can usually renew your benefit simply by filing your return

by April 30. If you choose not to file a return, you will have to complete a renewal form. This form is available from Service Canada.

• Applying for the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit helps to offset all or part of the

GST or HST that you pay.

Other helpful tax-time information for seniors can be found on the Canada Revenue Agency website at www.cra.gc.ca/seniors. To make it easy on yourself this year, why not consider filing online? It's simple, secure and will save you time. Information to get you started is available at www.cra.gc.ca/getready.

If you need any assistance with the above please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Contact Leonetti Consulting at 905-690-5052 or visit our website at www.leonetticonsulting.com

Why Real Estate Contracts must be Properly Accepted

R

eal estate contracts must be properly signed and accepted. This applies when offers are transmitted via email communication as well.

Careless errors or omissions can cause a contract to be cancelled.

Here’s an example of why.

On Sept. 22, 2011, Ian and Anita Pilon put in an offer to buy a home Page Place in Kitchener, from Adrian and Florica Rosu for $400,000. They asked for a closing date of November 16, 2011. This offer was not accepted.

The Rosus changed the price from $400,000 to $420,000 on the front page of the offer. They also changed the closing date to December 16, 2011 because they had a tenant who would not leave before that date. Their real estate agent, Ninoslav Orasanin, then scanned the

offer and sent it by email to the buyer’s real estate agent, Clifton van Dincten, on September 23, 2011. However, the counteroffer was missing the actual signing page, so there was no signature of the seller included in the offer that was transmitted.

Van Dicten met with the buyers and they changed the price on page one of the offer to $410,000 and initialed it. He then scanned it and sent it back to the seller agent by email on September 25, 2011.

Again, the offer that was emailed continued to be missing the actual signing page.

The offer was open for acceptance until 6 p.m. on September 25, 2011.

The seller agent then told the buyer agent verbally that the sellers had accepted the price change of $410,000 and he resent the offer to the buyer agent by email. However, the sellers did not initial the price change on page 1 of the offer.

The sellers later claimed that they never agreed to $410,000 and that they always thought that the sale price was $420,000. The deal couldn’t close because the tenant refused to vacate on December 16 and the parties could not figure out a way to settle the matter. It ended up in court. The buyers sued for $17,000, based on their losses as a result of the sellers’ failure to close the deal on December 16.

In a decision dated January 8, 2014, Deputy Judge Sebastien Winny in the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario Small Claims Court, decided that there was never any valid contract signed and accepted. He found as a fact that the missing page 4 was not correctly inserted into the offer until October 11, 2011, so by then, the buyer’s last offer had expired.

In order to have a valid contract, it must be signed and accepted and the acceptance must be communicated to the person making the offer, before the contract deadline. Real estate agents can sometimes accept this communication on behalf of their clients. However, verbal communication is not good enough. It has to be in writing. In this case, because the offer was missing the signing page and because the last price change was never initialled by the sellers, the contract was cancelled.

It is interesting that the judge ruled that if he had decided that the contract was valid, he would have given the buyers $13,000, being their damages as a result of the sellers not being able to close on time, including moving costs, legal fees, renting alternate accommodations and mental distress.

There are several important lessons from this case:

www. GolfiTeam .com

Make sure that all important terms of a contract, especially the price and closing dates, are initialled by the buyer and the seller When scanning and sending any offer by email, make sure that all pages are included. It is easy for errors to happen with the scanner, if for example, 2 pages go through together; Make sure that any tenant on your property will vacate in time for closing, before you sign any agreement.

Mark Weisleder is a lawyer, author and speaker to the real estate industry.

You can contact Mark at mark@markweisleder.com

Crossword Solution

February 3, 2014

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 7

Rob Golfi Sales Representative

905-575-7700 Seniors Real Estate Specialist is a designation for REALTORS® to address the needs of home buyers and sellers, age 50-plus. If you are buying or selling a home, contact Rob Golfi today.

Crossword Puzzle (Solution on Page 6)

Visit www.GolfiTeam.com Check out our Blog for the latest information in Real Estate

SUDOKU 3 8

7 6 6 4

7

1

6

4

5 6

8 1

4 5 2

3 3

8

5

9 1

4 7

The Solution

Fill in the grid above, so that each row of 9 squares, each column of nine and each section of nine (three squares by three) contains the numbers 1 through 9 in any order. There is only one solution for the puzzle and the numbers shown can NOT be changed.

4

2

5

8

6

1

7

4

2

7

9

5

8

3

5 8 7 2 3 9 1 6 4

8 7 3 1 9 5 6 4 2

2 5 1 3 4 6 8 7 9

6 4 9 7 8 2 5 3 1

3 2 6 4 7 8 9 1 5

4 9 8 6 5 1 3 2 7

7 1 5 9 2 3 4 8 6

Call Today 905-575-7700

1

Hot and humid (6) Ford car, first produced in 1964 (7) Wear — game — generous type (5) Central African republic (7) Broker (5) Fleece (6) Spring hoax (5,4) Candle material effigy (7) Stage and film entertainment (7) Ford car, first produced in 1968 (6) Picky type (6) Nebraska city (5) Fight (3-2)

3

1 2 3 5 6 7 9 13 14 15 16 18 20

9

Down

1 Small Indian turnover, fried and served hot (6) 4 On a ship (6) 8 Lariat (5) 9 Someone with nothing between the ears?

(7) 10 Nuclear apparatus for producing energy (7) 11 Of birth (5) 12 Be lost or stolen (2,7) 17 Native American of Minnesota, perhaps (5) 19 Away from the sea (7) 21 Going through a good patch (2,1,4) 22 Leg bone (5) 23 Cheers (6) 24 Bowler's appeal (6)

9 4 2

6

Across

9

Page 8

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Rob Golfi*

February 3, 2014

Hamilton, Stoney Creek Ancaster, Dundas & Glanbrook TOO NEW FOR PIC

hamIlton mtn

$219,900

burlInGton

$493,500

hamIlton

$209,900

130 East 23rd St.

316 Gardenview Drive

665 Nash Road North

PRIME MOUNTAIN LOCATION! Updated bungalow w/detached garage & two car parking features kitchen w/walk out to private fenced yard, big front porch, corner lot w/ parking off of Brucedale & a good size rec room. Many updates done over the years including shingles in 2011. Shows nice!

Completely renovated open concept home on incredible 75’ wide matured treed lot, newer roof, high efficiency furnace/air. Master is unbelievable with fireplace, ensuite & sliding doors to priv. deck oasis. This one won’t last! Very desired area shows 10+! Close to Royal Botanical Gardens & Go Transit & much more.

QUIET PRIVATE LIVING IN THE CITY!! Private road & backing onto green space/conservation. Walk to beachfront and trails. Updated flooring, second level can be bedroom, family room or office. Huge workshop w/garage door. $100.00 a year on taxes for variance for driveway. Updated septic, city water & natural gas.

$878 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

stoney Creek

$289,900

$1,971 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

hamIlton east

$117,900

$838 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

stoney Creek

$549,900

42 Russet Court

95 Hope Avenue

43 Islandview Way

Charming 2 storey in fantastic quiet cul-de-sac features beautiful grand foyer entrance, gorgeous hardwood floors in living room, oak kitchen cabinets with island, new furnace, shingles ‘09, & walk out to large professionally landscaped yard. Main floor family room can easily be converted back to garage.

Cute one floor plan, and same owners for 24 years!! Front concrete drive, nice fenced in backyard w/sliding doors from kitchen, new windows and doors. Great location, close to new Centre Mall and parks.

Prestigious Lakepointe location, steps to Fifty Point Conservation & Marina. This 4 BR home has loads of updates including baths, frt door, hardwd flrs, refinished hardwd, ldry rm, ceramics, marble tiling, exposed aggregate driveway, steps & walkway, new concrete dog run, new landscaping & more.

$471 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,158 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$2,196 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

WATERFRONT

GET YOUR

HOME hamIlton east

$219,900

186 Craigroyston Road BIG HOUSE, LOTS OF SPACE! Sought after east Hamilton neighbourhood, with dining room, big eat in kitchen, huge living room, enclosed front porch, 3 car side drive & fenced yard with walkout from dining room. Updates include new water line, new shed, some drywall, insulation and flooring.

SOLD CALL NOW!

905-575-7700

GrImsby

$885,000 143 Lake Street

FABULOUS FIND – Exclusive listing to the Golfi Team.

Beautiful Waterfront lot sitting on 140 x 183 ft. lot on private culde-sac, build your dream home on the shores of lake Ontario, services include sewers, water and gas to lot line. $3,535 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$878per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

burlInGton

$449,000

stoney Creek

$639,900

hamIlton

$112,540

526 Turner Drive

1489 1/2 #8 Hwy

40 Albany Avenue

Spacious 2 storey 4 BR home in a prime Burlington location close to schools, shopping & QEW. Features separate DR, LR, eat-in kitchen and finished basement with a gas fireplace. New furnace and central air installed in September of 2013. Other updates include windows, kitchen cabinets, entry doors, roof and driveway.

Outstanding & immaculate custom built 1760 sq.ft. all brick bungalow sitting on one acre with 3 car garage, featuring beautiful hardwood through-out, stylish kitchen with granite counter tops, main floor laundry, partially finished basement with 3pc bath & rough in for kitchen.

CUTE, COZY & LOCATION ROCKS! updated windows, beautiful deck, eaves trough replaced. Basemenet waterproofed, shingles ‘07, gas BBQ hookup, could have bedroom in basement.

Closing flexible, appliances included. Walk to new Center Mall and bus line.

$1,793 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$2,556 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

www. GolfiTeam .com

$112,540 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

February 3, 2014

Rob Golfi*

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 9

Hamilton, Stoney Creek Ancaster, Dundas & Glanbrook E N O R HE T O N DA L SO

hamIlton Ctr

$139,900

stoney Creek

$479,900

hamIlton west

$364,900

213 Rebecca Street

11 Gracehill Drive

100 Beddoe Drive, Unit #21

Cute and Cozy Doll House! – This 2 bedrm bungalow located near the downtown core, features new windows 2011, new furnace 2011, shingles 2000, private fenced back yard, located near busses and shopping.

Prestigious Lake Pointe area offering 3015 sq.ft., 4 bedroom family home w/a fully finished basement. Main floor offers living room/dining room combination, large eat in kitch, family room w/gas fireplace, den or home office, main floor laundry & master bedroom w/5 pce ensuite. Easy highway access.

SPECTACULAR RENOVATIONS! Open concept LR/DR with updated eat-in kitchen, granite counters, under cabinet lighting, & “Ciot tile” backsplash. Main flr has 9 foot ceilings and renovated powder room. Master BR ensuite with Jacuzzi tub. Beautiful gas FP with floor to ceiling stone mantle. New HE furnace and C/A. Huge dbl garage. Lower level rec room/den. New oak stairs.

$558 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

stoney Creek

$279,900

$1,917 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

hamIlton mtn

$264,900

4 Lawrence Avenue

735 Upper Gage Avenue

PRIME STONEY CREEK LOCATION. Well maintained backsplit, 2 bedroom, finished lower level w/ 3 piece bath, huge fenced yard w/walk-up from lower level, garage w/ door to back yard, numerous updates, high quality windows, oak kitchen & plenty of parking.

NICELY MAINTAINED WITH UPDATES. Used as a two family home with separate entrances. First floor and basement include 3 bedrooms, two baths, and big living room with fireplace. Top floor includes one big bedroom, living room, and kitchen with a separate entrance. Lots of parking!

$1,118 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

WATERFRONT

stoney Creek

$1,058 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,457 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

E N RO E TH O N A LD O S

stoney Creek

$274,900

366 Celtic Drive PRIME STONEY CREEK LOCATION!! Beautiful 2 storey home features hardwood flooring, new carpet on stairs and bedrooms, sunken great room with fireplace and big windows overlooking private yard, spacious bedrooms, updated main bath and updated double concrete drive. Close to Mohawk College. $1,098 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

E N RO E TH O N A LD O S $1,769,900

stoney Creek

$299,900

hamIlton west

$349,900

9 Lochside Drive

81 Irene Avenue

100 Beddoe Drive, Unit 37

ONE ACRE WATERFRONT ESTATE – Features Luxury 4400 sq.ft. custom built bungalow with a private rare beach frontage and riparian rights, finished top to bottom with in-law suite, 9’ ceilings, 3 tier patio off sun-room, loft to roof top patio, main floor den, and floor to ceiling windows. Shows like a dream!

Amazing space in this fabulous bungalow! Features beautiful original hardwood floors, mostly updated vinyl windows, professionally finished basement with in-law set up, oversized single car garage, shingles 5 years new, fenced yard, fantastic size lot, close to all amenities.

LOCATION ROCKS!!! Walk to Innovation park, McMaster University, and minutes to 403 HWY. Looks out onto Chedoke Golf Course. Bedroom and large rec-room w/fireplace in lower level. Loads of storage, freshly painted, granite counter in big eat in kitchen w/lots of cupboards.

$7,069 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

$1,198 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

Call Today 905-575-7700

$1398 per/mth P&I / o.a.C.

Page 10

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 3, 2014

Marketplace Clutter Removal & Organizing

Senior Downsizing

We Guide You Through The Entire Process

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Pamela Culp Blanchard Cell: 905-971-9568 www.beclutterfree.ca

Pamela Culp Blanchard Cell: 905-971-9568 www.seniordownsizing.ca

real estate lawyer

Paul lewis settimi

Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public

Jacqueline Paradisi

8 Main Street East, Suite 303 Hamilton, Ontario L8N 1E8 Bus: 905-527-0808 Fax: 905-527-0774

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www. GolfiTeam .com

February 3, 2014

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 11

Homes For Sale ANCASTeR

HAMILTON MTN

STONey CRk uPR

LINCOLN

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $359,900 29 Available Two Storeys Starting at $394,900 70 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $299,000 25 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $179,900 48 Available Two Storeys Starting at $219,000 90 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $169,900 20 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $299,900 7 Available Two Storeys Starting at $282,000 18 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $229,900 7 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $199,900 25 Available Two Storeys Starting at $219,900 24 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $182,000 24 Available

DuNDAS

HAMILTON WeST

STONey CRk LWR

WeST LINCOLN

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $294,900 4 Available Two Storeys Starting at $339,899 14 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $189,900 10 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $219,900 11 Available Two Storeys Starting at $154,900 31 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $189,900 11 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $187,900 24 Available Two Storeys Starting at $299,000 56 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $159,900 20 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $269,900 10 Available Two Storeys Starting at $379,000 5 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $0 0 Available

HAMILTON eAST

HAMILTON CTR

GRIMSBy

GLANBROOk

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $119,900 32 Available Two Storeys Starting at $167,900 12 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $129,000 15 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $79,860 24 Available Two Storeys Starting at $68,000 97 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $47,500 19 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $239,900 23 Available Two Storeys Starting at $219,997 36 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $239,900 15 Available

Bungalows/ Raised Ranches Starting at $129,900 18 Available Two Storeys Starting at $291,900 30 Available Semis & Town Homes Starting at $239,000 22 Available

Call Us Today for Information on Any of these Homes!

905-757-7700 • 905-945-0188 Call Today 905-575-7700

E V I T U C E X S E N W O T BLE D A L I L A V A O YS A D H 0 9 E TO E 0 6 R 0 F FROM 0 9 , 1 7 $2 ED

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Stylish Towns with 9 ft. ceilings & double car garages, backing onto a 5-acre community park!

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STADELBAURER DR.

SOUTH SERVICE RD.

SALES OFFICE

GREEN SPACE

Our Standards are most Builders Upgrades Luxury Ensuites Spacious 1,740 & 1,900 sq ft Designer Kitchens

DON’T MISS THE SAVINGS! SITE HOURS: Tues, Thurs 1-5pm Sat-Sun, 1-5pm Friday by appointment

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www.homesbycambridge.ca

905-945-0188