Picture at REMAX & You Conference Mississauga

What a great day. Connie and Heather at CMN both.

Please excuse my spelling and brevity. Sent from my iPhone

Just Listed - 840 Sunninghill Ave, London ON

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840 Sunninghill Ave, London ON

We have just listed a gorgeous ranch with a walkout from the lower level near the Thames Valley Golf Course and Springbank Park. What a location. Updated ranch with totally finished lower plus a walkout! It’s a beauty. 2+2 bedrooms with three bathrooms. Lower level is ideal for a granny suite. Did we say it was next to the Thames Valley Golf course and Springbank Park? The main level has access to a great 3 Season sunroom. When you open the front door you will fall in love.   Go to our website - www.the-grants.com to see the great pictures or mls 478547.

You will not be disappointed.  Let us get you mortgage approved to-day!

THE GRANTS  

Connie Grant
Broker, ACCI, FCCI, CRES, CMOC

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

 
Fraser Grant
Broker, CPM, FRI, CMOC, CRP, ACCI, FCCI

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
675 Adelaide St. N.,
London ON  N5Y 2L4

Phone 519.667.1800

Fax     519.667.1958
Toll Free 1.800.667.1801
Email:  sales@the-grants.com 
Web Page: www.the-grants.com

Condo to Castle to Condo

Where Ever Life Moves You

Call The Grants

 

London Ontario Real Estate: First-time buyers in major Canadian markets

First-time buyers in major Canadian markets

move to get in ahead of higher interest rates, says RE/MAX 

Driven by the threat of higher interest rates down the road, first-time buyers are contributing to strong upward momentum in residential housing markets across the country, according to a report released by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX First-Time Buyers Report, highlighting trends and developments in nineteen major Canadian centres, found that low interest rates and balanced market conditions have provided significant impetus in 2011, particularly at lower price points.  Just over 30 per cent of markets are reporting sales in excess of 2010 levels as a result, while almost 70 per cent have experienced an upswing in average price.  Leading the country in terms of percentage increases in the number of homes sold are Western Canadian markets, including Saskatoon (up close to 15 per cent), Greater Vancouver (up close to 12 per cent), and Winnipeg (up just over 11 per cent).  With an average price hike of close to 20 per cent year-to-date (February), Greater Vancouver continues to show unprecedented strength, followed by Hamilton-Burlington (eight per cent), Quebec City (seven per cent), Winnipeg (close to seven per cent), Greater Toronto (five per cent), and Greater Montreal (five per cent). 

Despite homeownership rates approaching 70 per cent, there is clearly room for growth as entry-level buyers make their moves from coast-to-coast, undeterred by higher housing values and changes to lending criteria.  Many purchasers intent on realizing homeownership are scaling back on expectations or are willing to sacrifice location, quality and/or size to make their dream a reality – not unlike generations before them.

Inventory levels, while tight in several larger centres, are more balanced overall, giving first-time buyers a good selection of housing product from which to choose.  Not surprisingly, condominium apartments and town homes have become the first step for many entry-level purchasers, especially in Greater Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton, Calgary, London-St. Thomas, Hamilton-Burlington, Greater Toronto, the Island of Montreal, and Halifax-Dartmouth where average prices have risen unabated in recent years.

With the Canadian economy on firmer footing overall, residential real estate is well-positioned moving into the traditionally busy spring market.  Consumer confidence is climbing in conjunction with economic performance, and concerns over a secondary recession fade with each passing day.  The mood is cautiously optimistic, as first-time buyers enter the market.

Changes to recent financing criteria have not created the anticipated run up in activity in most markets.  From a financial standpoint, most rookie home buyers remain quite prudent.  Those making the leap are not doing it lightly, buying within their means.  While this most recent round of policy tightening will likely have a negligible effect on demand, the message is getting across. 

Affordability remains a growing concern in most markets, and—aside from first-time purchasers—no one is more in tune with that than housing planners and developers.  In fact, the growing demand for reasonably-priced product is creating a shift in the country’s housing mix.  That trend is expected to gain traction in coming years, as builders look to create greater options for those seeking to realize homeownership.    In recent years, builders have helped ease the move to homeownership by concentrating on intensification—condominium buildings with smaller suites and small-lot subdivisions offering detached, compact homes at a fraction of the cost of a traditional single-family home.   On the flip side, the affordability factor is also breathing new life into tired older neighbourhoods, and that, in turn, is contributing to rising values. 

 As prices escalate, first-time buyers are indeed spending more—some out of necessity, but others are simply in a position to do so.  Unlike in years past—a greater percentage of today’s first-time buyer pool is comprised of dual-income, college or university-educated couples with solid earnings.  They’re spending close to average price or slightly more to secure—in most cases—a better location or a home that will grow with them.   Yet, the fact remains that those on a tighter budget can get in for considerably less, with reasonable choices in every major market across the country.   While some may feel discouraged by eroding affordability levels, the underlying confidence in the concept of homeownership is rising.

While market conditions are one thing that influences first-time buyers, few things trump the fundamental belief in homeownership.  Today’s entry-level buyers are steadfast in their mindset.  They know they have to live somewhere, but they simply don’t want to pay someone else’s mortgage.  Savvy or practical, they remain a driving force.  The bottom line is that the demand for entry-level product will remain steady.  The role of starter homes in the marketplace is becoming ever more vital.

THE GRANTS  

Connie Grant
Broker, ACCI, FCCI, CRES, CMOC

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

 
Fraser Grant
Broker, CPM, FRI, CMOC, CRP, ACCI, FCCI

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
675 Adelaide St. N.,
London ON  N5Y 2L4

Phone 519.667.1800

Fax     519.667.1958
Toll Free 1.800.667.1801
Email:  sales@the-grants.com 
Web Page: www.the-grants.com

SOLD OUT - The Magic of a Winning Condominium

WOW!  The April 2 2011 One-Day Condominium Workshop & Trade Show "THE MAGIC of a WINNING CONDOMINIUM" is sold out.  We have over 140 registrants and over a dozen trades participating.  We look forward to seeing everybody at the workshop.

THE GRANTS

  

Connie Grant

Broker, ACCI, FCCI, CRES, CMOC

RE/MAX

 Hall Of Fame

 

 
Fraser Grant
Broker, CPM, FRI, CMOC, CRP, ACCI, FCCI

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
675 Adelaide St. N.,
London ON  N5Y 2L4

Phone 519.667.1800

Fax     519.667.1958
Toll Free 1.800.667.1801
Email:  sales@the-grants.com 
Web Page: www.the-grants.com

London Ontario Real Estate : February 2011 Real Estate Stats

February 2011

Condos Sold   116 down 0.9 % from February 2010

2011 Year-to-date

Condos Sold  197 down -7.1% from 2010 Y-T-D which had  212 condo sales

Average Sale (Monthly) Price in 2011 was $170.035 up 2.7% from 2010 which was $165,625

Average Price (YTD) in 2011 is $174,217 up 3.7% from 2010 which was $168,805.

SALES TO LISTING RATIO REPORT

February 2011 was 43% (43 of every 100 listings sold)

February 2010 was 51%

This is a sign of a market trending to that of a Buyers Market. Sharp pricing is required to be successful in this type of a market.

If you have any questions regarding this report or require more information please call The Grants

 

THE GRANTS 

Connie Grant
Broker, ACCI, FCCI, CRES, CMOC
RE/MAX Hall Of Fame
 
Fraser Grant
Broker, CPM, FRI, CMOC, CRP, ACCI, FCCI
RE/MAX Hall Of Fame

RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
675 Adelaide St. N.,
London ON  N5Y 2L4

Phone 519.667.1800
Fax     519.667.1958
Toll Free 1.800.667.1801
Email:  sales@the-grants.com
Web Page: www.the-grants.com

Minto buys huge London complex

By Claire Brownell, Ottawa CitizenMarch 3, 2011

Ottawa developer Minto Group has purchased a 13-building apartment complex in London, Ont., marking the biggest real estate deal in the Western Ontario city's history and Minto's largest ever mixed-use property purchase.

The property, called Cherryhill Village, was purchased from family-owned London development company Esam Group. It includes 2,326 residential units, the 158,000-square-foot Cherryhill Village mall and a 31,000-square-foot medical building.

The sale made Canadian history by commanding $215 million, a record-breaking price of for a single-site apartment, according to The Globe and Mail.

According to a release issued by Minto, the Ottawabased company was chosen from a list of 17 bidders. "The mix of well maintained residential and commercial properties makes this portfolio an excellent addition to our existing assets and strategically supports our initiative to expand beyond the Toronto and Ottawa markets," Minto CEO Roger Greenberg said in the release.

Cherryhill Village was one of the major properties owned by the prominent London developer Esam Group, which was founded by Sam Katz in 1957 and remains a familyowned business.

Minto announced plans to start renovations and energy retrofits for buildings on the Cherryhill property.

?? Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

via ottawacitizen.com

While The Grants do not deal in large commercial sales, this sale shows that London is a viable market place for real estate investors. That makes London a very desirable location for residential and condominium investment. Condo to Castle to Condo, Where Ever Life Moves You, Call The Grants. We believe in the London and Area real estate values. A great time to buy or sell. Call 519-667-1800 and ask for The Grants

London Real Estate - Condominium Workshop & Trade Show

Good Morning

The Grants are excited about the up coming Condominium Workshop & Trade Show "THE MAGIC OF A WINNING CONDOMINIUM" that we are sponsoring.  Go to our web site to see all the great details www.the-grants.com .  Our speakers are the best in their field.  John Dzenekoj is the "Anthony Robins" of condominiums and will keep you entertained as he fills you with great condominium information. Joe Hoffer is a lawyer with Cohen Highley LLP. He will talk about Landlord and Tenant issues as well as Human Rights issues as they affect a condominium corporation. Mario D Deo, B.A. LL.B. with the law firm of Fine Deo from Toronto, is a litigation lawyer and an author of many publications relating to condominiums. His message is a must to hear.  Fraser Grant, Broker, BA, CPM, FRI, CMOC, FCCI, ACCI will walk you through what makes a winning condominium corporation.  

Registration is a must and the cost is $30.00.  Make your cheque payable to "THE GRANTS" and mail it to our office.  Registration is filling up fast as space is limited.

It is Saturday April 2, 2011 - 8 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre - Continental Breakfast and Lunch included.

See you there.

THE GRANTS  

Connie Grant
Broker, ACCI, FCCI, CRES, CMOC

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

 
Fraser Grant
Broker, CPM, FRI, CMOC, CRP, ACCI, FCCI

RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
675 Adelaide St. N.,
London ON  N5Y 2L4

Phone 519.667.1800

Fax     519.667.1958
Toll Free 1.800.667.1801
Email:  sales@the-grants.com 
Web Page: www.the-grants.com