Feb. 4, 2013 Issue 64

February 4, 2013 - Vol 48

P R E S E N T E D

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Happy Valentine’s Day from the Golfi Team Rob Golfi Sales Representative

HOME EVALUATION NO COST • NO OBLIGATION

905-575-7700 • 905-945-0188

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The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

About Rob Golfi

S

ince the inception of his career in 1997, Rob Golfi has recognized that understanding his clients’ needs is essential to providing excellent service.

As business grew, Rob assembled the Golfi Team in an effort to maintain the same level of professionalism clients have come to expect. Shortly thereafter in 2003, the team received the prestigious honour of being among the top 100 Real Estate Teams for RE/MAX Canada, and this status continues to date.

Rob’s experience and aggressive negotiating skills have earned him every major honour awarded by RE/MAX, including President’s Club, 100% Club, Platinum Club, Chairman’s Club, Hall of Fame in 2003, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, his SRES® designation in 2009 and the Diamond Club Award in 2010. Having worked with

many of the industry’s professionals over the years, he has the necessary edge to best negotiate the sale of your home.

Any agent can list your house, but Rob’s knowledge, extensive marketing background and dedication gives clients peace of mind when dealing with the single most important investment in their lives. With years of combined experience, the Golfi Team can provide your home with a level of exposure that most agents cannot. Utilizing a team approach also means that they will likely find a purchaser to buy your home sooner, rather than waiting for other agents to approach you with potential buyers.

Ranked in the top 5 of nearly 2,000 sales agents in the Hamilton-Burlington and Niagara areas, listing with Rob and the Golfi Team is the right choice when choosing someone to represent your best interest. -Å

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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.

February 4, 2013

Why No-Pet Rental Clauses Lack Teeth

It’s against the law for a landlord to have a ‘no pet’ policy unless the unit’s in a condo with a building-wide pet ban.

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ets. Landlords don’t want them in their properties. Tenants can’t live without them.

Unfortunately, the law in Ontario just makes it worse for everyone.

Under the law, you can’t prevent a tenant from bringing a pet into your property, unless it is a condominium and the building declaration says no pets. So even if a landlord and tenant sign a lease that says no pets, the tenant can bring 2 dogs and 4 cats the next day and there is nothing the landlord can do about it.

Yet if the landlord has a no pet policy in the entire building, they can probably refuse to approve the tenant in the first place if they know the tenant has a pet. You start to see the problem. If the tenant is honest up front and tells the landlord they have a pet, their application can be refused. If the tenant lies on the application and then brings in a pet afterwards, there is nothing the landlord can do. The result is often a poisoned relationship, right from the start.

Some landlords ask tenants with pets for a security deposit when they move into the unit in order to pay for any damages the pet causes during the lease. Also illegal. In a landlord and tenant board case decided in Whitby on October 7, 2009, the tenant wanted to bring a pet onto the premises. The landlord demanded a $50 fee to bring the pet as well as an additional $50 per month which would go toward a carpet replacement fund when the tenant left. The adjudicator, Claudette Leslie, decided that both of these payment requests were illegal. The only amount a landlord can ask for in advance is last month’s rent, and it can only be used toward last month’s rent.

If your pet has caused damage to the home, then the landlord can evict you if you do not repair the damages. If you leave the unit damaged at the end of your tenancy, the landlord can go to small claims court and sue you for the damages caused. In another Board decision, a tenant was ordered to pay $250 to have the carpets steam-cleaned after their cat urinated on them. Scratches or bite marks caused by pets to the woodwork and floors of a home can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to repair.

In other cases, tenants have been evicted because their pets barked all the time and were a nuisance to the other tenants in the building.

When you have a pet, bring references from prior landlords that confirm that you always looked after your pet and that you also took good care of the property while you lived there. This will assist you in convincing the current landlord that you will do the same with their property. It goes without saying that pets should always be properly groomed, to avoid any unnecessary damages as well.

Landlords, make sure that the tenant signs some form of rental unit condition statement when they move in and take pictures of the unit, so that you will have proof if any damages are caused by the tenant during the tenancy.

Landlords and tenants should not have to lie to each other. Treat each other with respect, even on pet issues, and the tenancy relationship will be a positive one for everyone involved.

Mark Weisleder is a Toronto real estate lawyer. Contact him at mark@markweisleder.com

Call the Golfi Team for a FREE Market Evaluation

Your home could be worth more than you think!

905-575-7700

www. GolfiTeam .com

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February 4, 2013

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 3

Facts About the GOLFI TEAM‌ 3 Over $65 Million in Sales Annually** 3 #1 Real Estate Office in Hamilton-Burlington* 3 Amongst the Top Sales Reps in Ontario** 3 Ranked Top 50 Teams in Canada for ** 3 Ranked Top 100 Teams world wide**

Award Award Award Award Award 100%

Chairman’s

Club

1998-2012

Rob Golfi Sales Representative

Hall of Fame

Club

2003-2012

2003-2012

Lifetime

Achievement

2006-2012

Diamond

Club

2010-2012

OVER $460 MILLION IN REAL ESTATE SALES *#1 Brokerage in the Realtors Association of Hamilton Burlington MLS from 1994 to 2010 consecutively. **Year End Standings for 2010, based on residential commissions paid. Rankings are compiled from figures submitted by regional offices.

Rob Golfi

Sales Representative

Kristina King

Sales Representative

Sharon Stafford

Heather Reid

Sales Representative

Sales Representative

John Hellicar

Margaret Berlo

Sales Representative

Sales Representative

Hans Marcellissen

Wendy Murray-Nicholson Sales Representative

Sales Representative

Dan Golfi

Rosemarie Fournier

Melissa Davidson

Sales Representative

Sales Representative

Listing Co-ordinator

Together Delivering More...

Call Today 905-575-7700

Mike McNeil

Office Manager

Page 4

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 4, 2013

Government of Canada Continues to Help Renew Affordable Housing Stock

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TTAWA, ON, January 29, 2013 — The Government of Canada has announced changes to CMHC’s lending programs that support existing social housing projects.

“Today’s announcement will benefit lower-income households living in existing social housing, including individuals, families, seniors, persons with disabilities, and Aboriginal people by helping to renew Canada’s affordable housing stock, said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “It will also create jobs and economic growth — two of our government’s top priorities.”

Effective immediately, for eligible existing social housing projects that require capital repairs and renovations,

the Government of Canada will be accepting the prepayment of closed CMHC mortgages with a yield maintenance prepayment penalty consistent with private lending institutions.

These changes will allow non-profit and co-operative housing sponsor groups to refinance in order to undertake needed capital repairs and renovations and extend the life of their projects.

“The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) congratulates Minister Finley and the Harper Government for achieving a fair and reasonable policy change. This new approach to ending CMHC mortgages will be warmly welcomed by housing co-operatives across Canada,” said CHF Canada Executive Director Nicholas Gazzard. “It will enable them to get on with the major repairs and modernization of their housing that they are ready to begin.”

Currently, the Government invests $1.7 billion a year in support of almost 605,000 households living in existing social housing across the country. Most of this funding is delivered by provinces and territories, which contribute annually to the existing housing stock under longterm agreements with the federal government.

Federally-administered social housing received $150 million in funding under Canada’s Economic Action Plan to renovate and retrofit their properties, including $120.7 million for housing for co-operatives. Existing social housing projects, including co-operatives, administered by provinces and territories had access to a larger pool of $850 million in federal funding for social housing renovations and repairs, which was delivered and cost-matched by provinces and territories.

The Government, through CMHC, continues to work with provinces and territories and other stakeholders to ensure that Canadians have access to a range of affordable housing options, including non-profit and co-operative housing.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of high quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable housing solutions. CMHC also provides reliable, impartial and up-to-date housing market reports, analysis and knowledge to support and assist consumers and the housing industry in making informed decisions.

For more information on this release: Charles Sauriol CMHC Media Relations csauriol@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Family Day - February 18

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n Family Day, many people plan and take part in activities aimed at the whole family. These include visiting art exhibitions, watching movies, skating on outdoor ice rinks, playing board games and taking part in craft activities. Some communities plan special public events, and art galleries and museums may have reduced price or free entry.

As the weather is usually very cold in February, hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies are popular snacks. Other people use the long weekend as an opportunity for a short winter break or to travel to visit family members or friends. As Family Day falls on the same date as National Heritage Day (except in British Columbia), some people use the day to explore their personal heritage and family history.

Public life In the provinces of Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia many people have a day off work and schools are generally closed on Family Day. Many businesses and organizations are closed, but post offices may be open.

Public transport services may run to their usual or reduced timetables.

In the province of Manitoba, the third Monday of February is a general holiday, known as Louis Riel Day. Many people have a day off work and school and many businesses, organizations and stores are closed. In some communities, stores are open after noon. Public transport services may run to Sunday or holiday timetables. In rural areas, there may be no services.

In the other provinces and territories of Canada, Family Day is not observed,

and neither the third nor the second Monday in February are holidays there.

Businesses, organizations, schools and post offices are open as usual and public transport services run to their normal timetables.

Background Family Day was first held in Canada in the province of Alberta in 1990. It is supposed to reflect the values of family and home that were important to the pioneers who founded Alberta, and give workers the opportunity to spend more time with their families. Family Day was introduced in Saskatchewan in 2007 and in Ontario in 2008. British Columbia observes Family Day as a statutory holiday for the first time in 2013. One of the reasons for introducing Family Day was that there was a long period when there

were no holidays from New Year's Day until Good Friday.

Holidays to celebrate families are also held in other places around the globe. In the Australian Capital Territory, the first Tuesday of November is known as Family and Community Day. In South Africa, the day after Easter Sunday is Family Day.

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Crossword Solution

February 4, 2013

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 5

Grimsby, Lincoln West Lincoln & Niagara

Rob Golfi*

grimsby $309,900 683 Ridge Road West

WEst LinCOLn $399,900 8530 Silver Street

bEAmsViLLE $779,900 5109 Leonard Crescent

grimsby $344,900 5 Hazelwood Avenue

Beautifully decorated 3+1 bedroom bungalow. Updates include granite kitchen counters, newer roof, furnace 07, updated windows, entry doors, and patio door. Large 16 x 28ft. deck off kitchen. Rec room with wood burning fireplace, office area, great room, laundry, and storage.

CHARACTER HOME Circa 1865 – Sitting on 1.22 Acres, 4 bedrm, 2 bathrms, over $200,000 in updates, beautiful pine plank flrs, large country size kitchen, updated vinyl windows, newer furnace & C/air, inground pool, 20x32 ft hobby barn + dble car garage 15 min drive to Hamilton.

9.2 acres on Escarpment bench, surrounded by trees is minutes from town. Secluded 1900 sq.ft. bungalow features stained oak hrdwd flrs, large liv. rm with showcase fireplace. Flr to ceiling sliding doors lead to backyard oasis overlooking Lake Ontario. C/A, vinyl windows & shingles in the last 10 yrs, & oversized 23x23 ft. double garage.

Rare find! Beautiful 2+1 BR on a 50x207 ft. lot, in family neighbourhood. Udates: roof ‘11, soffits & eaves, patio, gas bbq hook up, 2 baths redone, updated kitchen, & freshly painted. Fin. basement with new rec room, 3rd BR/games room. Laundry rm, large workshop & det. single garage.

$1237.79 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1597.27 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$3115.05 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$344,900 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

SOLD

ONE R E H ANOT

VinELAnd $649,900 3274 King Street

st. CAthArinEs $434,900 8 Westport Avenue

grimsby $799,900 2 Shoreline Crescent

bEAmsViLLE $246,900 5125 Connor Drive, Unit # 44

Spectacular, luxurious & Immaculate best describes this awesome beauty sitting on 1.3 acres on the bench of the escarpment with panoramic views of Lake Ontario surrounded by vineyards and neighbouring ranch, 4 bedrms, 4 car garage, granite, hardwd flrs, + + + shows like a dream.

Prestigious area, walking distance to Port Dalhousie. Impressive open concept layout. Main level has hardwood flooring, living room with a wood burning fireplace, large family room surrounds eat-in kitchen w/plenty of countertops, cabinets, pot drawers & pantry storage. 2 patio doors lead to deck and private backyard.

LAVISH TOP TO BOTTOM - Elegant home on Lakeside Crescent. The new owner will reap the benefits of this over improved custom reno’d home w/waterfront views. Features entrance w/marble floors, designer kitchen w/oak cabinets, granite counters, stone backsplash, cherry hardwood floors.

2 storey, 1460 sq ft. freehold town home features 9ft ceilings, 3 great size BRs, loaf area w/3 piece ensuite, 2 large closets in master bedroom, kitchen w/ breakfast area overlooking family rm, access from garage to rear yard & minutes to all amenities. To be built.

$2595.81 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1737.06 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$3194.93 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$986.16 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

smithViLLE $349,900 114 Golden Acres Drive

grimsby $649,900 643 Ridge Road West

WAinfLEEt $899,900 40625 Feeder Road East

A MUST SEE! 2 storey, 3 bedroom, former model home inimmaculate condition. Features hardwood and ceramicfloors on main floor. Stunning eat-in kitchen, with gardendoors to lovely back yard. Double car garage and covered.

Country living at its best! 1.3 acres and features beautifulhardwd flrs, oak staircase, professionally finished basement,master bedrm with large ensuite, double garage with directaccess to basement, updated vinyl windows, furnace 2010,shingles 2006, 9000 gal cistern under garage.

Spectacular 3500 sq.ft. 5 bedrm beauty, sitting on 59.60 acres. Features maple kitchen with granite counters, main flr master bedrm with rich hotel style ensuite, oversized walk in closet, gleaming hardwd flrs, professionally finished basement, 140x72 ft. riding arena, & 8 stall horse barn.

Spectacular Stately home sitting on 1.26 acres minutes to downtown Grimsby. Features 3+2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, gorgeous, updated, new designer kitchen, all season sunroom, professionally finished basement. Nothing has been spared. A must see.

$1317.67 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$2595.81 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$3594.35 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$2595.81 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

grimsby

$429,900 81 Aspen Drive

grimsby

$649,900 253 Ridge Rd

VinELAnd $254,900 3927 Durban Lane

grimsby $459,900 23 Tunbridge Crescent

Beautiful open concept bungalow features hardwood &ceramics on main floor, oak staircase, California shutters,garden doors to large deck & a sunny main floor den. Landlease 2013 /mth $372.84 and maintenance fee $164 or $107/mth.

9 year old One Floor Beauty. Open concept home features hrdwd, cer & carptd bed. Main flr family room with walkout to fenced in back yard with spacious deck.

Basement is professionally finished with oversized recroom, bathroom, bedrooms & office space

HOUSE & GARDEN! 2565 sqft executive home only 2.5 yrs new, thousands in upgrades, large stylish maple kitchen with granite counters, separate formal dining room, crown moulding, oak staircase, large walk in closet off or master suite including ensuite bath.

New Hampton Model home! 3000 sq.ft. of pure luxury, loaded w/upgrades. Open concept w/hardwood, ceramic & porcelain flrs. Kitchen w/granite counters, glass backsplash & island. DR boasts coffered ceilings & wainscoting.

Master bdrm w/double walk in closets & spa bathroom.

$1018.11 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

1836.92 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1717.09 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$2392.50 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

SOLD

bEAmsViLLE $599,000 4130 St. George’s Drive

ONE R E H ANOT

bEAmsViLLE $454,900 4024 Bush Crescent

grimsby $449,900 364 Mountain Road

VinELAnd $185,000 3933 Durban Lane

jOrdAn $547,000 2869 Prince William Street

Outstanding and immaculate! This Hillside Estate home shows beautifully. Featuring maple kitchen with breakfast island and butler’s pantry to dining room. 9 ft ceilings, 8 ft wide sliding doors to fenced and landscaped yard with large 12 x 34 ft deck.

Sprawling 3+2 bdrm home on aprx 1 acre. Eat-in kitchen, open concept LR, formal DR, den, master bdrm w/ensuite & walk-in closet, main flr laundry, & dbl car garage. 2nd kitchen, rec room, 3pc bath. Above ground pool. Many updates.

Get inside to see this lovely home! Generous foyer opens to the comfortable living room. Eat-in kitchen w/sliding doors to large deck. Buyer to be approved by Landlord. Land lease fee $328.84/mth. Estimated taxes $160.37/mth.

Maintenance plan Gold $162/mth or $105/mth.

$1816.94 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1796.97 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$738.92 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

Beautifully restored circa 1908 craftsman home which once was a post office, general store and train station in the Village of Jordan. Currently used as a two family home & is a legal triplex. The exterior of the home has been refurbished in the last 10 yrs including furnace, roofs, hot water heater, all plumbing & electrical. New sewer & water lines installed in 2012. Antique hardwood pine plank flooring throughout the main level w/the master suite offering a field stone wood-burning fireplace.

Call Today 905-945-0188

$2184.81 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

Page 6

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 4, 2013

GOLFI Concrete & Drain Ltd. Presents

bbQ & bAKE sALE

MANY PRIZE S TO BE WON!

to raise money to build an Indoor Playroom at the McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Saturday, February 16 GOAL $50,000! from 9am-4pm, at The Real Canadian Superstore in Grimsby (off Casablanca).

Our goal is to raise $50,000 to build The Golfi Playroom of Dreams. Together we have raised $4,600. Thank you for your donations!

To make a donation, please contact Amanda Moore at 905-521-2100 ext. 76871 or email mooream@HHSC.ca

RAISED $4,600

www.golfiteam.com

February 4, 2013

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 7

Ontario Launches Action Plan for Seniors Ontario Government Committed to Making Ontario the Best Place to Age

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ntario is launching an Action Plan to respond to the growing needs of the province's aging population and to provide seniors with better access to health care, quality resources and improved safety and security.

The Action Plan for Seniors builds on the recently released highlights from the report Living Longer, Living Well by Dr. Samir Sinha. Using a cross-government approach, the plan draws on new and existing programs and initiatives to ensure that seniors and their caregivers have access to the services they need, when and where they need them.

The Plan will: • Provide more home care services by expanding personal support worker services through community support agencies.

• Create a 'one-stop' information source for seniors' services online at ontario.ca/seniors and by phone at 1-888-910-1999.

• Enhance elder abuse prevention training for community agencies.

• Implement a wandering prevention program to help families

living with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Ontario's Action Plan for Seniors is part of the McGuinty government's plan to ensure that seniors and their families have access to quality services and supports in order to lead healthy and independent lives.

Quick Facts By 2017, for the first time, Ontario will be home to more people over 65 than children under 15.

The number of seniors in Ontario will more than double by 2036.

In 2004, Ontario became the first international place to designate a day as Elder Abuse Awareness Day. There are more than 270 Elderly Person Centres across the province serving about 245,000 older adults.

Quotes “What is best for Ontario seniors is best for Ontario. Together with seniors and their families and caregivers, and our community partners, we will make Ontario the best place in North America to grow older. Ontario’s Action Plan

for Seniors provides Ontario’s seniors with the information that they, their families and caregivers need to make choices that will help seniors feel safe and supported, and to remain healthy and independent for as long as possible.”

Linda Jeffrey Minister Responsible for Seniors

“Supporting the independence of older Ontarians requires an allhands-on-deck approach, across all sectors, and including partnership between families, care providers and government. By working together, we can provide seniors with the care they need to live long, active and healthy lives.”

Deb Matthews Minister of Health and LongTerm Care

Rob Golfi Sales Representative

905-575-7700 RECEIVE A STAINLESS STEEL UNDER MOUNT SINK & A FREE UPGRADED EDGE! *Minimum of 40 square feet, no cash value, 1 gift certificate per household.

Must present this post card at time of ordering.

Contract must be signed before January 31, 2013, in order to redeem certificate.

Some restrictions may apply.

RICE !

P T S BE ANTEED GUAR

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM TO MEET WITH A MEMBER OF OUR FRIENDLY AND KNOWLEDGEABLE SALES TEAM

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.

Call Today 905-575-7700

Page 8

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 4, 2013

Buyers out $10,000 as house deal falls apart Court case shows a buyer must be careful before putting down a deposit on a home they’re not certain they want to buy.

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f a house deal falls apart because the buyer can’t close and the seller then sells the property to someone else for more, who gets the deposit?

Here’s what can happen: In early September 2003, Shankar Iyer and Bala Ramachandran agreed to pay $289,000 for a new home from Pleasant Developments Inc. They accompanied their offer with a $10,000 deposit and the builder accepted it on September 16.

The buyers got cold feet and the next day changed their mind, asking for the return of the deposit.

The builder refused to return it and resold the house for $700 less than the original deal, but kept the deposit. The couple sued in Small Claims Court for the return of the deposit. When it came to the hearing, the question for the court was whether the builder could keep it all.

The judge decided the builder could only keep $700 — the amount by

which the sale was reduced — and was ordered to give the balance of $9,300 to the buyer.

The builder appealed. Three years later, Judge Brown of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice decided the builder could keep the entire deposit, even though he did not suffer any loss.

He quoted the law on the subject as follows: “Even in the case where the seller re-sells at a purchase price that is high enough to compensate for any loss from the first sale, the seller may nevertheless retain the deposit.”

What this means is that, where it is the buyer’s fault that a deal does not close, the seller can keep the deposit. There is an exception to this rule if the amount of the deposit is out of all proportion to the losses suffered. In those cases, the loss of the deposit may be considered a penalty and then it will not be paid to the seller and will be returned to the buyer.

The buyers tried to argue that the loss of the $10,000 was out of all proportion to the losses suffered by the seller. The judge noted that the deposit paid was only 3.6 per cent of the purchase price.

In my opinion, the deposit would have to be greater than 10 per cent of the purchase price in order for the buyer to recover it if the seller suffered little or no damages.

Here are the lessons: 1. Understand your rights are before you sign a real estate contract and make a deposit.

Maximum Exposure Sells Your Home

Buyers need to be sure they want to buy a house before they put down a deposit - they might lose it if they change their mind.

2. If you are a buyer, understand that once an agreement is signed and accepted, you cannot simply change your mind, even one day later.

3. If a buyer defaults on their obligations, then not only can the seller sue for any damages, they can in most cases sue for the deposit, even if they have suffered no damages at all.

4. If a matter goes to court, any deposit will remain in the real

estate brokerage trust account until the parties sign a mutual release or the matter is decided by a court, which in this case, took more than 2 years.

By Mark Weisleder Mark Weisleder is a Toronto real estate lawyer. Contact him at mark@markweisleder.com

289-969-6532

www.golfiteam.com 905-575-7700 www.golfiteam.com

February 4, 2013

Rob Golfi*

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 9

Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas & Glanbrook

stOnEy CrEEK $348,900 92 Greenstem Crescent

stOnEyCrEEK $789,900 10 Lakeshore

hAmiLtOn $469,900 1 Mountain Avenue

hAmiLtOn $169,900 36 David Avenue

3 BR Desantis “Lakeshores” model in Lakepointe Community.

Main floor has 9 ft. ceilings, open concept Living Rm w/gas FP, hdwd flrs, sep dining room, eat-in kitchen with bkfst bar, & fenced yard. BR level laundry, master w/walk in closet & ensuite. Framed in & prewired basement.

This exclusive waterfront property offers an opportunity to build a waterfront dream home or live in the existing home.

Offers approx. 99 ft. frontage w/shore protection, sandy beach & boathouse. Features upgraded Geothermal heating/cooling system & a new roof in 2009. A one of a kind property!

Awesome duplex – Circa 1903 with thousands spent on new maple kitchen with ceramic backsplash, sparkling updated bathroom, new & refinished hardwood floors, furnace, C/air, shingles, fascia, eaves & vinyl windows 2012, 3 car parking, separate hydro meters, steps from trendy Lock St.

PRICED FOR ACTION!! Great location, two storey very spacious. Fabulous lot with big shed, 4 car paved drive.

Large wall-in close, huge laundry and storage area with side door to lovely yard. Living room with bay window and gas fireplace.

$1393.56 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$3154.99 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1876.86 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$678.61 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

ONE R E OTH N A D SOL hAmiLtOn $309,900 723 Templemead Drive

hAmiLtOn WEst $419,900 39 Melbourne Street

hAmiLtOn $239,900 8-644 Upper Paradise Road

hAmiLtOn $129,900 157 Province Street North

CHARM WITH A CAPITAL “SEE”! 2 storey home with fully finished basement in fantastic condition, hardwood and new carpeting on stair case and upper level, large kitchen, separate dining room, most windows updated 2011, shingles 6 years new, fenced yard, and close to all amenities.

West Hamilton Gem! Steps from Locke St., walking distance to schools. Shingles, soffit, facia, windows, furnace, A/C, wiring/panel, plumbing, prof. brick restore on entire house, flring, kitch, baths - 2012. Open concept kitch w/granite counter tops. 9 ft. ceilings w/California knock down.

Rarely available! Exclusive self-managed complex with only 20 units. Attached at garage only. 3+1 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Gorgeous park-like common element. Updates include: roof, eaves, soffits (‘08), windows (’09), insul garage dr (‘10), driveway (’11), walk-way (’12). A hidden gem!

SUPER BUY STARTER HOME! 3 bedrm home located close to schools, major shopping & bus routes. Open concept kitchen w/breakfast bar, cozy sep. dining rm, updated laminate flooring, fin. basement w/3 pc bath, fenced yard w/covered back porch. Home needs paint brush & elbow grease.

$1237.79 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1397.96 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$958.20 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$518.84 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

ONE R E OTH N A D SOL hAmiLtOn Ctr $159,900 35 Stirton Street

hAmiLtOn WEst $299,900 163 Caroline Street South

hAmiLtOn $289,900 673 King St. East

hAmiLtOn $399,900 69 South Oval

UPDATES GALORE! SHOWS 10++ with loads of room for a big family. New kitchen & bathrooms. Owner is downsizing, house is very clean. 3rd floor can be play area or family room or 2 more bedrooms. Private rear yard with a fabulous deck, and a big front porch. Appliances included.

First time on the market, ever!!! Very unique layout featuring an updated kitchen, boiler, roof, wiring, flooring, electrical panel, windows, doors, bathroom, main floor laundry & beautiful den/sun room with updated skylights overlooking private yard!! Bonus double width driveway.

LOCATION LOCATION! This incredibly maintained 2200 sq.ft. corner property with commercial frontage and 2 add’tl apts features fantastic income, close to Cathedral high school, new roof 4yrs new, 14 ft ceilings, hardwd flrs, full basement with newer wiring & parking space in the back.

INVESTMENT! 7 bedrooms grossing $3000/month.

Updates include kitchen ('07), back flow valve ('11), Boiler ('12), some windows, roof & electrical, basement bedroom ('12). Show & Sell!!

$638.67 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1197.85 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1157.91 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1397.96 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

stOnEy CrEEK $549,900 39 Sasha Court

stOnEy CrEEK $339,900 39 Kilbourn Avenue

hAmiLtOn mtn $429,900 84 Onyx Drive

stOnEy CrEEK $349,900 1364 Highway #8

TRENDY AND STYLISH! This move in ready 6 yrs. new, 2 storey, 4 bedroom home boasts maple kitchen with granite counters & breakfast bar, 9ft ceilings, hardwood floors, show case fireplace in family room, fully landscaped with coloured concrete drive. Shows like a dream.

OUTSTANDING IMMACULATE HOME! Completely redone top to bottom gorgeous new kitchen w/granite counters & tumble marble backsplash, updated bathrooms, new trim, pot lights, new gleaming hardwood floors, updated vinyl windows, fin. basement w/new Berber carpet.

Incredible 2600 sq.ft. 2-storey, 4 bedroom home with gorgeous hardwood floors, maple kitchen with granite counter tops and breakfast island. Spa-like ensuite off master bedroom and large walk-in closet. Fantastic size dining room with showcase fireplace in family room.

CHARMING BUNGALOW TAKES YOU BY SURPRISE – this 2100 sq.ft. home sitting on park like setting country lot 85x187 ft. backing onto wooded green space, features gorgeous oak kitchen cabinets w/granite counters tops, beautiful hardwood floors, and close to all amenities.

$2196.39 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1357.62 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1717.09 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

$1397.56 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

SOLD

Call the Golfi Team for a FREE Market Evaluation

ONE R E H ANOT

stOnEy CrEEK mtn $385,000 21 Summerfield Avenue Great Stoney Creek mountain location! 3+1 bedrooms w/spacious rooms, master with ensuite and walk-in closet, updated hardwood flooring in living & dining room, and eatin kitchen with oak cabinets. Beautifully landscaped lot with 15 x 29 in-ground pool and large deck great for entertaining.

Your home could be worth more than you think!

905-575-7700

$1537.75 per/mth P&i / O.A.C.

Call Today 905-575-7700

Page 10

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

February 4, 2013

Marketplace Tree Inspection - Disease Diagnosis Ornamental & Shade Tree Pruning Tree Surgery & Cabling Tree & Stump Removal Tree & Shrub Fertilization

Skid Steer Services Available Attachments Available Backhoe Post Hole Auger Tree Spade

Jeff Green Certified Arborist

real Estate Lawyer

Paul Lewis settimi

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

20 Main Street West Grimsby, Ontario L3M 1R4 Bus: 289-235-7500 Fax: 905-527-0774

paul.settimi@cogeco.net

Bus: 905-957-5818 Cell: 905-516-0640

FREE IN HOME CONSULTATION

905-309-0909 Truly Beautiful • Blinds • Drapery • Shutters

TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF MOVING! David Ryback Regional Sales Manager

www.budgetblinds.com/Grimsby State Farm Providing Insurance and Financial Services ®

Canadian Head Offices: Aurora, Ontario

Craig Budd Ins Agcy Ltd Craig Budd, Agent 4289 Hixon Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B7 Bus: 905-563-3453 Toll Free: 866-252-0035

P045151CN 4/04

Hamilton: 905-573-8776 Grimsby: 905-945-5540 www.harveymoving.com david@harveymoving.com

Margaret Whorwood Agent Lic. No. M11000188

Mortgage Planner fala português 651 Fennell Avenue East Hamilton, ON L8V 1T9 T 905.574.9200 x 218 C 905.523.9893 F 905.574.2920 E margaret.whorwood@mtgarc.ca www.mtgarc.ca/margaretwhorwood

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Jacqueline Paradisi The Quick, No-Sanding Solution for Beautiful Hardwood Floors

www.MrSandless.com

HOME STAGING

1-877-955-9663 • 905-304-3380 • hamilton@mrsandless.com

Clutter Removal & Organizing www.beclutterfree.ca

Senior Downsizing www.seniordownsizing.ca

WE GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS Pamela Culp Blanchard Cell: 905-971-9568

www.golfiteam.com

February 4, 2013

The Golfi Team Real Estate Market Watch

Page 11

Top real estate lessons from 2012 Lots can go wrong before a real estate deal closes. Here are some of the mistakes to avoid.

Between signing a real estate deal and closing, there are plenty of things that can go wrong. By being prepared you can make sure that your deal is kept on the straight and narrow.

Here are some recurring themes I saw this year.

1. Appliance disappointments Sellers will only guarantee that the appliances and home systems they leave behind will be working on closing. If something breaks down shortly thereafter, it is not the seller’s responsibility.

Buyers should consider insurance against these types of breakdowns. Some companies that provide these policies are Canadian Home Shield, Resrx and Direct Energy. As with any insurance policy, check the deductibles and what is and what is not covered.

2. Closing day disappointments Sellers have to move out as soon as title changes hands. This can be as early as 9 a.m., although most deals close between 1 p.m. and 4 pm. If the seller is still there after the title changes, they can be liable for any extra moving costs the buyer incurs.

Sellers must also be sure they give their lawyer the right keys so the buyer can get in. On more than one occasion in my experience, the seller left one key but there were two locks on the front door.

The buyer had to pay a locksmith and sent the bill to the seller. The same goes for junk left behind. If you leave it, you

may have to pay the costs to remove it.

3. Arrange bridge financing Most buyers want to close their sale and purchase on the same day.

Sometimes it doesn’t go smoothly. For example, if the person buying your home is late closing, your lawyer may not be able to get the money to the lawyer who is acting for the person selling their home to you in time. This can result in the seller cancelling the deal if you are late, or charging a penalty to extend it for another day. In addition, you will likely pay additional moving costs as your seller may not have left the home by the time your movers arrive.

Bridge financing gives you the ability to have the funds on hand if needed and merely pay interest on the money for one or two days.

4. Appraisal policy requirements More and more lenders are requesting that an appraisal be done a few days prior to closing, after the buyer has waived their financing condition. If the appraisal says your home is not worth what you paid for it, they will not lend you what you expected, and you will have to come up with this additional down payment yourself. This can be disastrous at the last minute.

Ask about your lender’s policy regarding appraisals before you apply for any mortgage loan. Make sure they will provide all approvals before you have to waive any finance condition.

Crossword Puzzle

5. The new home HST rebate People who buy a new home or condominium from a builder must understand that the HST rebate is built into the sale price. The builder will get this money, after closing, from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), so long as you move into the home. If you are not moving in, but intend to rent it out or resell it immediately, you will have to pay this HST, typically between $20,000 and $30,000, to the builder on closing.

Otherwise CRA may chase you for the money later.

By being properly prepared in advance, you should enjoy a positive home closing experience in 2013.

Mark Weisleder is a Toronto real estate lawyer. Contact him at mark@markweisleder.com

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Ethiopian capital (5,5) Levy on cars etc (4,3) Loose-fitting shirt or cloak (5) Destiny (4) Side playing at their own ground (4,4) Process of arrival (6) Seafood item (6) Envious emotion (8) Contract (a muscle) (4) Digger for gold or coal, say (5) Thick soft porous cake — attractive person (7) 23 Clumsy person — heavy shoe (10)

Advertise Here for information on advertising in the market Watch, contact

Rose Magro

email: rosaliemagro@yahoo.ca cell: 905-745-0122

Call Today 905-945-0188

Separate(d) (5) Shorter signals in the Morse code (4) Church bell-ringer or grave-digger (6) Flatter (6,2) Barmy (7) Bottleneck on wheels (7,3) Intricacy (10) (Of gossip) in circulation (8) Face cloth (7) Hitchcock classic (6) Person shunned socially (5) Evidence of pregnancy — knock (into) (4)

Executive Freehold Towns 90 DAYG N CLOSI

e l l i v s m a e B Stylish 2-Storey 1,460 sq. ft. Towns with 9 ft. ceilings, nestled within a brand new community park!

Stadelbauer Dr.

King St.

Connor Dr. Sales Office

South Service Rd.

King St.

Mountain St.

South Service Rd.

QEW

Ontario St.

QEW

15 Units from

6 UNITS LEFT!

246,900

$

Cassandra Dr. Hillside Dr.

Sales Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 1-5pm, Sat & Sun 1-5pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday by appointment

www.GolfiTeam.com | 905-945-0188