Board President Ted Scharf says, “this seems like an incredible jump in the average price.” Indeed it is, since last year 54 percent of the sales were happening under the $250,000 mark.

Compared to a year ago the average price of detached homes sold last month increased 13.5 percent, representing $346,436. Also, condominiums sold for an average of $207,328, a 14.3 percent increase since last year.

Despite the strong price increases. October’s unit home sales declined 22.4 percent compared to October 2009. Scharf noted, “it’s always a good idea to look at year-over-year comparisons with some measure of caution.”

Even though sales slowed somewhat in October, prices continue to do well. First time home buyers who got into the market last year have been satisfied. The majority of the demand has been met, thus the real estate market should return to being more steady.

Overall, Ocotober’s sales span up to 134.3 million including 288 detached homes, 93 condominium units, 35 semis and 26 townhouses.

Source: Waterloo Region Record. Published Saturday, November 6 2010.

About Us
Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage specializes in Real Estate. We help established and new investors get ahead of the game. We give you direct access to leading experts who sift through listings to provide you with high cash flow properties. Over the past 16 years we have helped many make better real estate investment decisions.

You may be thinking, “why would I need a REALTOR^® to sell my home?” The key reasons why a For Sale By Owners need Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage help:

• We are full time Agents with great market knowledge.
• Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage and team guarantee that someone will always be available to handle and follow up with inquiries during both peak hours and off-peak hours.
• Key ConneXions Inc. Selling System is constantly being tested and improved to ensure your home is exposed to the largest pool of QUALIFIED buyers. We provide our seller thorough market analysis report to GUARANTEE your home sells FAST and for TOP DOLLAR.

The two most common people who prey on FSBO’s are:

• People who are bargain hunters looking to capitalize on a FSBO’S lack of negotiating experience and market knowledge to score their next deal. Any time a buyer doesn’t buy from a store or through a sales person they expect to pay substantially less. In a sense they would expect to save the sales commissions or profits that would normally go to a sales person or store owner. Why should someone do all the work a salesperson would do and still pay the same price? For example if the seller is trying to save six percent and the buyer is trying to save six percent, now they are 12 percent apart!
• People who can’t qualify to buy your home: These people will often approach FSBO’s because they have had previous financial difficulties and would want the owner to finance them. While for the right person, this could be a profitable investment, most sellers need to pull as much equity out of the property as possible to be able to move on with their next home.

Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage and team ensures that only qualified buyers are introduced to your home. No “lookers”  and non-serious buyers. We also have some of the best mortgage brokers in the industry working with our buyer to insure smooth selling.

Did you know that when you choose to list your home with Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage you are getting the most professional, most reliable real estate team ? We provide state-of-the-art professional service to home sellers, just like you. In fact, choosing Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage will save you money because your home will be priced correctly, you receive 24-hour advertising until it is sold, and you’ll be placing your home before the most qualified potential buyers. Why settle for anything less than the best?

Typically from six months to five years, the ‘term’ refers to how long the bank has agreed to lend you the money. At the end of the term, you usually renegotiate a new term.

Amortization: The length of time it will take you to pay off the whole mortgage. Often as long as 25 years, if you don’t accelerate your payments. The longer your amortization, the lower your monthly payments, but the more you pay in interest over time.

Interest rates: Interest is the cost of borrowing money, and the interest rate tells you exactly how much. Using this mortgage calculator, check the difference between borrowing $100 000 at 6% and at 9% at the same amortization. Surprising, no?

That interest rate not only affects how much you pay, it also affects how much you can borrow. So remember to keep searching for the best rate!

What you need to apply for a mortgage

Letter of employment confirmation: Ask your employer for a letter that confirms your position, your pay and how many years you’ve been with the company.

List your assets: Your car, stocks, bonds, GICs. Show which assets will be used for your down payment.

List your liabilities: Car payments, student loans, credit card debt. List all the money you owe, and note how you’re paying it off.

Social Insurance Number: And your chequing account number, and your lawyer’s contact information.

Information about the house you want to buy The home is your security on the mortgage, so the lender wants to know all about it.

Don’t forget these extra costs

• Application fee
• Appraisal fee
• Mortgage broker’s fee
• Land survey fee
• Home inspection fee
• Home Insurance
• Title insurance
• Legal fees
• Adjustments
• Maintenance and utility costs
• Land Transfer Tax
• The GST and new homes

Finding a good lawyer

There are lots of good lawyers out there. Ask your friends or people at work, we at Key connexions will happily give you the names of several good lawyers. They can’t legally recommend just one, but they’ll only refer lawyers experienced in real estate. Be sure you ask how they structure their fees, and get an estimate of the other legal costs you can expect.

How your lawyer will help

There are many, many legal steps to transferring ownership of land from one person to another. Even if pitfalls like fraud, government legislation, zoning issues or unpaid taxes don’t come up, your lawyer will more than earn their pay by making the legal transfer of the home a smooth one.

Don’t be scared of your lawyer

They are here to help you. Ask questions if you don’t understand anything. Explaining legal jargon in plain language is a big part of their job.

Click here to find a lawyer near you

Finding a trustful lawyer is an important part in investment real estate. An investor REALTOR® can recommend lawyers to help realize your dreams of investing in KWC real estate.

1.    Your investor REALTOR® is highly trained: REALTOR® training is so rigorous that a large portion of our candidates fail the pre-registration Courses. Those who do pass must master a long, diverse list of subjects ranging from housing construction to family law.

2.    Your investor REALTOR® is continuously trained: We keep pace with the times. All Licensed REALTORS® must take continuing education courses to make sure their knowledge on subjects like legal issues and technology are up to date.

3.    Your investor REALTOR® does everything by the book: A licensed REALTOR® must be registered under provincial laws that govern exactly how real estate can and cannot be traded. These regulations are your legal guarantee of professional behavior.

4.    Your investor REALTOR® is an ethical businessperson: REALTORS® must adhere to the extensive Code of Ethics of the Canadian Real Estate Association. Several provinces have additional Codes of Ethics governing REALTOR® behaviour. Your interests must always be put first.

5.    Your dealings with a REALTOR® are insured: For your peace of mind, provincial regulators sponsor consumer protection programs that may require, for instance, that REALTORS® maintain Errors and Omissions Insurance. Often deposits consumers make in real estate transactions are also insured under these programs.

6.    Your investor REALTOR® works with the powerful Multiple Listing Service: The MLS is the single most powerful tool for buying and selling a home. Your REALTOR® can provide you with exclusive features of the local MLS® system, such as immediate notification when new properties are listed. You don’t have to wait for it to be posted on a web site.

At Key Connexions Inc., Real Estate Brokerage we have one dream and one team. Your REALTOR® can become an expert on your specific needs and tastes. They can become your “business” partner, and the business is finding your investment properties.

Scattering your time and energy amongst multiple REALTORS® will work against your goal of finding great deals. And because most REALTORS® have equal access to the same property listings, there’s no real advantage to having multiple REALTORS®.

Canada’s money laundering reporting requirements

No matter which REALTOR® you select, they will advise you of reporting requirements by FINTRAC, the federal agency responsible for administering Canada’s Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing legislation and regulations. Your REALTOR® is required by federal law to complete a client identification form, and must ask you as a client (buyer) for verified ID such as a drivers license or passport. You can find out more on the FINTRAC web site http://www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca

• Buyer or Purchaser
• Seller or Vendor
• Purchase Price
• Deposit
• Chattels included and fixtures
• Irrevocability of the offer
• Completion date
• Clauses particular to this agreement Submitting the offer
• The seller can accept your offer
• The seller can reject your offer
• The seller can ‘sign back’ or counter your offer

Congratulations! You’ve found a great investment. Now, if you actually want to make it yours, you have to make a successful offer. Investing in Canada and Cambridge Kitchener Waterloo real estate will get you a step closer to your dream.

Single-family detached: As the name implies, the home is not attached to the home next door. Styles range from a single-story bungalow, to a two or three-story property.

Semi-detached or linked: Two houses that share a common wall. Usually less money than a fully detached home.

Duplex, triplex, fourplex, fiveplex and sixplex: A building zoned for two, three, four, five or six families.

Town house: Also known as terrace or row housing. Several homes with a common style and joined in a row. They usually share walls on both sides.

The Condo Alternative: High-rise or townhouses.

How Condos are owned: You’ll own 100% of your unit, and a share of the common areas. Common areas include the necessary plumbing, electrical systems, hallways and elevators. They may also include lots of fun stuff like a private gym or party room.

Condo fees. Membership has privileges, and costs: On top of your mortgage and property taxes, condo owners also pay a monthly fee to operate and maintain the common areas. Be sure to look into condo fees, and how well they’re managed, before signing anything.

New or Resale?

Resale. Previously loved: Previously loved – the previous owner may have made improvements and upgrades and you get them with the house, usually for less than the cost of putting them in yourself.  

Ahh… that new house: You will be the very first person to take possession of the property. In fact, your new property/investment may be so new, that it’s not even built yet.

In summary, there are many types of investment real estate opportunities available to you. You need to make an informed and knowledgeable decision when buying a property. Not doing so could potentially cost you thousands of dollars, putting you and your family’s lives in danger. That’s why we work to ensure investing in Canada, and investing in KWC real estate is a painless process.

• Tax issues

• How bank appraisals work

• Current Financing Options

• About building inspections

• How to sell your property for maximum dollar

• Financing questions
• Should you refinance or get a new mortgage

• Tips and tricks that will help you save thousands buying properties

• Low cost repairs that could instantly increase the value of your property

• Additional fees to keep in mind when 

Contact us Today!

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1. It defines your relationship
2. It provides detailed information about the home to be placed on the real estate board’s MLS System
3. It forms the basis for drafting offers on your home

Highlights of the Listing Agreement

• Authority
• Exclusive or Multiple Listing Service
• Price
• Real estate commission
• A physical description of your property
• Legal information
• Financial information
• Completion date
• How the home will be shown
• What is included in the price e.g. Chattels and fixtures

Status report. Is it a buyer’s or seller’s market?

When there are lots of people looking for homes but not many are for sale, it’s called a “seller’s market,” because the seller has something everyone wants. When there are lots of homes for sale and not many people are buying them, it’s called a “buyer’s market,” because buyers have more power of choice. A REALTOR® can be a valued resource to consult about this.

Regarding investment real estate, a investor REALTOR® can pinpoint the key opportunities regardless of market conditions. It is highly recommended you get the advice of a reputable investor REALTOR® if you plan on investing in Canada, or Cambridge Kitchener Waterloo real estate.