Who Owns the Roof?

A friend wrote this on his blog, and I liked it so much I had to
share.

  "If you sit on the sidelines and the market keeps rising, you
lose significantly. If you are in the market and prices go flat
or fall, then all real estate declines (more expensive properties
tend to fall further in absolute terms), and it becomes even
cheaper for those people in the market who want to upgrade to a
more expensive property over time.

  "Too many experts (read: economists and journalists)
try to make residential real estate far more complicated than it
needs to be.

  "Residential real estate is all about having a roof over
one’s head. You either own the roof or someone else owns the
roof and you are a renter."

What do you think? 

Wanderings

Resolutions re diet, exercise and work are still being kept.

Slow start to this year as the school kids where still on holiday the first week of January.  This is the beginning of a "normal" week.  Weather has been very nice, even for winter, Meeko our new cat is finally coming out from under the bed. . . only took her 1 month, and out first home improvement task of 2012 is almost done. . .new flooring in the main bath.

Mandatory Real estate content:  Year end stats are out and single family residential sales finished last year with the average Peterborough and area house sale at $256,530.00, up a bit from last years $247,543.00.   The total number of listings was up a bit (42 homes) from last year and the total number of solds  were down 8 homes over last year..

New Year Resolutions

An new year has started and I am again driven to write resolutions.  As I review the ones I made last year, some of which I kept and accomplished, I realized that writing blog entries on a consistent basis wasn't one of them. . .I will try to do better this year. :)

Why do we do this to ourselves?  Is it the New Year and I am going to do as I say and not as I have done?  We are all filled with new goals, new ideas and new diet plans.  These resolutions may seem like a good idea but according to Psychology Today, “Research has shown that, after six months, fewer than half the people who make New Year’s resolutions have stuck with them, and, after a year, that number declines to around ten percent.”  Even with those statistics, Psychology Today also says that sixty percent of people will make the same resolution the next year.

If New Year’s resolutions fail, don’t give up.  According to Psychology today, “Research shows that the average person makes a resolution five or six times before they succeed.” The more times a person makes the same resolution, the better chance one has of accomplishing that goal. 

What is real estate going to bring this year?  Crystal balls are hard to find but some facts are a bit easier. Interest rates are still at record lows as evidenced by yesterdays chart.  House prices have stabilized in Peterborough during the end of 2011.  I think we can look forward to a more balanced market this year. . . more equal number of buyers and sellers.  I prefer this type of market as clients are able to "sleep " on the buying or selling decision and don't feel so pressured.

If you are thinking of selling this year now is the time to give me a call.  I can suggest small improvements that you could make that would help in the sale of your home. Cell number is the best 705-875-3560.

Dominion Lending Centres Rates as of 29/12/2011

Terms	Bank Rates	Our Rates
6 Month	4.45%	4.40%
1 YEAR	3.50%	2.84%
2 YEARS	3.55%	2.69%
3 YEARS	4.05%	2.99%
4 YEARS	4.79%	3.19%
5 YEARS	5.29%	3.25%
7 YEARS	6.35%	3.89%
10 YEARS	6.75%	4.39%
Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE

Prime Rate is 3.00%

Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime - .10%   Please note that rates shown above are subject to change without notice. The rates shown are  posted rates and the actual rate you receive may be different, depending upon your personal financial situation. “Some conditions may apply. Rates may vary from Province to Province. Rates subject to change without notice. *O.A.C. E.& O.E.” Check with your Dominion Lending Centres Mortgage Professional for full details and to determine what rate will be available for you. *O.A.C., E.& O.E.