Plus visit us at www.enrightandmolleson.com

AVID Ratings Co. is a customer loyalty and survey management firm that works with the home building industry. AVID recently released its annual survey of home-buyer preferences, revealing these 10 most-desired features of new homes:

1. Large kitchens, with islands and granite counter tops. These are most popular among buyers trading up or buying custom homes.
2. Energy-efficient appliances, insulation and windows. Rising energy costs are making these the most sought-after ‘green’ selling features.
3. Home office/studies as alternatives to formal dining rooms.
4. Main-floor master suites. These are must-haves for empty-nesters, says the survey.
5. Outdoor living rooms. Livable outdoor spaces are gaining popularity in both Canada and the United States.
6. Ceiling fans.
7. Master suite soaker tubs. Large showers with seating areas are also becoming desirable.
8. Stone and brick exteriors.
9. Natural surroundings. These include community landscaping, walking paths and playgrounds.
10. Two-car garages.

AVID Ratings Co. is a customer loyalty and survey management firm that works with the home building industry, and presents annual customer experience awards to builders in both Canada and the United States.

If you are interested in buying a new home, please call me today.  With years experiences selling new homes, we are well equipped to walk you through the new home buying process!

Source: Century 21 Canada

Their are four main types of mortgages offered by lenders in Canada.  They are referred to as closed, open, fixed and variable rate.  Many lenders offer products that can be combined with the mortgage type, so ask questions when you meet with them!

Here is an overview on the above mentioned types of mortgages:

Closed Mortgage

Within a closed mortgage, the payments remain unchanged for the duration of the load period (term).  This format provides stability but penalizes a borrower who wants to terminate the mortgage early.   Typically there are set terms for the loan, usually ranging from a term of 6 months up to even twenty years.  The norm is to secure a term of five years as this provides a locked in rate for a good number of years but allows you to change your mortgage after five years.

Open Mortgage

This form of a mortgage allows the flexibility of pre-payment of the mortgage which is in contrast to the closed mortgage format.

Variable Rate Mortgage

In a variable rate mortgage, the interest rates can change during the term.  The advantage of this format is that the borrow may take advantage of lower interest rates than in a fixed rate mortgage.  On the downside, this mortgage exposes the borrower to change, which could mean the interest rate could go up or down thus affecting the monthly payments.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

Here you have a mortgage that has a constant interest rate throughout the term of the loan, even if the rates rise in the marketplace.  On the flip side, if rates go down in the marketplace, the borrower is locked into the fixed rate until their term is up.  The desireable element of this form of a mortgage relates to the stability of the payments for the borrower.

There are a number of variations of the type of mortgages available in the marketplace.  To explore these more, I would encourage you to visit with a lender, be it a bank or a mortgage broker, to discuss what would be best suited to you & your lifestyle.  If you need a recomendation on where to start, please give me a call or email me. 

Upon pre-approval with a lender, let’s get started on finding you a new house or condo!

Are you in the market to build a new home?  Now is the time to start thinking about building if you want to get into your new house for the Spring/Summer 2010 and avoid paying the new HST taxes!

As a local REALTOR who specializes in both Resale Homes & New Construction, my partner & I are a perfect fit to help you secure your newly built home.  We understand what goes into the construction of new homes, the selection process and the details needed to ensure that you get what you envision!  Below are some existing and upcoming locations in Kingston to build a new home – all of which we can represent you in the purchase of this new home!

1. Lyndenwood, located behind Rona, just off Princess St.

Area Pricing for New Construction: High $200,000′s to $600,000.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached, Custom Homes

Builders: Geertsma Homes, V. Marques Homes, Caraco, James Selkirk, Haynes Classic Homes, Dehoop Homes.

2. West Hampton, located East of Costco off Centennial Drive.

Area Pricing for New Construction: Low $200,000′s to high $300,000′s.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached

Builders: Caraco, Dehoop Homes, Braebruy Homes

3. Greenwood Park, located on the East side of Kingston near CFB Kingston.

Area Pricing for New Construction: Low $200,000′s to $400,000′s.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached, Towns

Builders: Caraco, Braebury, Tamarack Homes, James Selkirk, various small custom builders.

4. Conservatory Pond, located just south of No Frills off Bayridge Dr.  Only 2-3 spec homes available here.

Area Pricing for New Construction: mid $200,000′s to $300,000′s.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached

Builders: Braebury Homes

5. Stonebridge, located south of Taylor Kidd, just off Centennial Dr.

Area Pricing for New Construction: High $200,000′s to $600,000.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached, Towns

Builders: Caraco, Braebury Homes, various small builders.

6. Westbrook Meadows, located off of Wesbrook Rd, just West of Collins Bay.

Area Pricing for New Construction: High $200,000′s to $500,000.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached, Custom Homes

Builders: Any builder of choice that follows area covenants.

7. Lakeview in Amherstview, head west on Bath Rd to Speers Dr in Amherstview.

Area Pricing for New Construction: low $200,000′s to $300,000′s.

Type of New Construction Available: Single Detached, Good Entry Level options.

Builders: McFarland Construction, Barr Homes, Royal Palm Homes

8. Rural Building Lots

There are a number of rual building lots available to purchase and build to suit.  In this case, you can secure the lot and select the builder of your choice to cosntruct the home.  There are various ways to structure the purchase of the lot & the deal with a builder – ask for details!

9. Highgate Creek in Woodhaven, North-West corner of Bayridge Dr & Princess St. *** COMING SOON ***

Highgate Creek in Woodhaven is the next big development in the west end of Kingston.  With pricing starting in the range of $190,000 for a town house and upwards of the low $300,000′s – this area is sure to draw a lot of interest when it’s released in the Fall of 2011 (tentative date). 

The area is comprised of Single Detached homes, Semi-Detached and Townhouses.  Plus with walking paths and the future location of the next Limestone District School boards elementary school, there is tons to enjoy in this area.

To be kept up to date on product availablility in this area, please send me an email to be added to the list.

For some, moving involves more than just yourself.  Often times you are moving a family which may include young children.  Here are some tips for managing a move with your kids.

1. Tell your kids about the move as soon as possible.

It’s natural to assume that the less time kids have to think about a move, the easier it will be for them. Experts say it’s the opposite. Children need time to get used to the idea of moving. Don’t put off telling them.

2. Welcome their questions.

Openness will go a long way toward helping your kids feel comfortable with the move. It’s okay if you can’t answer all their questions right now. What they ask will give you an idea of how they’re feeling—excited or uneasy. And some questions may offer an ideal way to get them involved in the move process immediately, such as suggesting they get online to investigate the new community.

3. Be positive about the move.

Your attitude will influence your children’s. Dread the move and it will seem dreadful to them too. Be enthusiastic and positive about the new experiences and opportunities in store, and your children are more likely to feel the same way.

4. Let them know they can help with the move.

This is a good time to emphasize that this is a family event and everyone will be part of planning, packing and perhaps choosing the new home. Hand out the printable Moving Checklists to start them thinking of things they can do and how to get ready for the move. Assure them that their contributions will be valued.

Source: Century 21 Smooth Moves