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“Wasaga Beach; Where Memories are Made” Video

Some sunshine video on a cold, snowy day in Wasaga Beach

Top Tips To Pay Down Your Mortgage faster

Whether it’s your own home or an investment property, paying down the mortgage principal more quickly can save you thousands of Dollars in interest

Beverley Brandl of Dominion Lending Centres Integrity Plus Inc. in Wasaga Beach recommends 6 tips to pay down your mortgage faster:

Tip #1 Prepay early in the mortgage
Make extra payments as early as you can after getting a mortgage because the loans are interest-heavy upfront and the faster you pay down your principal, the more interest savings you will accumulate over the long run. Within the first five to seven years of your mortgage is where the largest portions of interest payments are contained. This not only will save you thousands of dollars in interest payments, but it will also increase the speed at which you are accumulating equity in your property. Many mortgage products allow you to make up to 20% more in payments per year.

Tip #2 Make an annual lump sum payment
Whether you use your tax refund, receive an inheritance or get a Christmas bonus, you should apply as much as possible directly to your principal. Most lenders allow you to pay 20% in lump sum payments per year without penalty. I can help you determine exactly how much you can prepay and what maximum percentage of your principal you are allowed to pay without penalty each year.

Tip #3 If your payments go down, don’t lower the payment amount
If you are on a variable-rate mortgage and the rates go down your payment will also often go down. Instead of making the lower mortgage payments, however, it’s best to call your lender and let them know that you would like tocontinue making payments for the original amount. I can help you determine if there is a charge for making the extra payment. Even with the charge, in most cases, it is still worth it and will help you pay down your principal faster.

Tip #4 Round up your payments even if it’s just a little
If your monthly mortgage payment is $776.22 and you were to round up your payment an extra $23.78 a month to $800 – that’s less than a dollar a day – you would effectively reduce your mortgage amortization from 35 years to just over 32 years right away or from 25 years to just over 23 years.

TIP #5 Increase your payments with your pay increases
If your income increases, try not to keep your mortgage payments the same. Although the disposable income is a joy to spend on unnecessary luxuries in the short-term, the long-term benefits of being mortgage free faster and saving those interest payments will far outweigh the short-term joys. Pretend that your income did not increase and maintain the lifestyle that you are currently living.

Tip #6 Increase the frequency of your payments
You can also change the way you make your payments by opting for accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments. Not to be confused with semi-monthly mortgage payments (24 payments per year), accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments (26 payments per year) will not only pay your mortgage off quicker, but it’s guaranteed to save you a significant amount of money over the term of your mortgage. Basically, with accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments, you’re making one additional monthly payment per year.

What Do Buyers Want When Looking At Homes For Sale In Wasaga Beach?

All the homes for sale in Wasaga Beach have great features but what specifically are buyers looking for?

These features are always high on a buyers wish list. Make sure you highlight any your home has when listing:

• Large kitchens with island.
• Energy efficiency, including energy-efficient appliances, super insulation, and high-efficiency windows.
• Home offices.
• Main-floor master suite.
• Outdoor living space.
• Ceiling fans.
• Soaking tub in the master suite and/or an oversize shower with a seating area.
• Stone and brick exterior.
• Community walking paths and playgrounds.
• Two-car garages, but three-car garages are even more desirable.

Nice Staging

4 Ways To Create More Time

“There’s not enough hours in the day”

An often heard excuse for not getting on with some new project whether it be investing in real estate or getting a home ready to list.

With thanks to Shae Bynes at biggerpockets.com here are 4 ways to create those extra hours in the day:

“#1: Turn off the television.

There is nothing else that has provided me with more time than turning off the television at the beginning of this year.  Sure, use your DVR to record your favorite shows and watch them later, but be selective with the recording too because you just won’t have the time to watch ALL of it even if it is at a later time/date!

#2: Make a priority list every evening before going to sleep

Not only does this clear your head so you can sleep peacefully (plus let your subconscious do a little work while you sleep), but it also allows you to begin your days knowing precisely want needs to be done.   My priority list is only 6 items long and frankly sometimes I don’t always get the 6 items done – maybe only 4 or 5, but the list is incredibly helpful and a major timesaver.  Whenever I forget to do this and try to do it in the morning, it throws me off and typically wastes up to an hour of time that I could’ve spent accomplishing something.

#3: Ignore your cell phone (or better yet, turn it off!)

Phones are highly disruptive. If you’re in the middle of accomplishing items on your priority list and the phone rings, ignore it!  This is why voicemail was invented.  You can call the person back once you’re ready – it will be ok, trust me!

#4: Wake up earlier – between 5:00 or 6:00 AM

Simply stated, it is absolutely amazing how much can be done in the quiet time before everyone else in the house wakes up.  Try it for a week and you will see a noticeable difference in productivity and stick with it.”

Family Day Weekend Blue Mountain

Annual Family Day holiday weekend at Blue Mountain February 13th, 14th & 15th

Celebrate the annual Family Day holiday weekend at Ontario’s favourite ski village with FREE activities for 3 full days.  Free-Flying Birds of Prey shows by the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, Human Gyroscope, Horse & Carriage Rides, Face Painting.
FIRE & SNOW Event Feb. 14 featuring Fire Performers, DJ and Torch Light Parade.

Plus stay in touch with Olympic coverage on the Gigantic Outdoor TV.

Mayor Gwen Gilbert gets Wiarton Willie Prediction 2010

Wiarton Willie made his prediction this morning

Early spring or 6 more weeks of winter?

The Globe & Mail On Saturday: “Want a home in the Triangle? Start angling now. Supplies down, demand strong as builders plan to bring more projects to market”

Good news for home owners in the Georgian Triangle

Interesting article in The Globe & Mail on Saturday. It concentrates on chalets but  does mention retirement homes. All in all good news for every home owner in The Georgian Triangle as the market will be hotting up :

“The next six months could see a boom in both new and resale properties in areas such as Collingwood and Blue Mountain.”

Terence Bellford does make the point though that this may all change later in the year. He cites the HST but we can add to that the likelihood of higher mortgage rates.His observations are based common sense “indicators: measurable demand, available supply, and shifting demographics.”

Anyway enjoy reading the article if you own a home in The Georgian Triangle and especially if you are thinking of listing

Wasaga Beach Video: “Alive & Well & Open For Business. Summer 2008″

A nice promotional video from 2008

Recovery Points To Summer Increase In Interest Rates. How Will This Affect The Real Estate Market In Wasaga Beach?

The Globe And Mail believes ” Canadians should be preparing for higher interest rates sooner rather than later.” We can expect the real estate market in Wasaga Beach to be busy.

In an article on Friday Kevin Carmichael commented that “With the North American economy growing significantly faster than expected at the end of 2009, and with mounting evidence that Canada is pulling clear of recession, economists are increasingly of the view that central bank Governor Mark Carney will pull the trigger on an interest-rate hike this summer, rather than wait until later in the year.”

What does this mean for the real estate market here in Wasaga Beach?

Simply put lots of closings.

Buyers will want to purchase and tie into a low fixed rate before the expected increases. The belief that interest rayes will rise is enough to ensure a busy few months.

Add in the HST factor and again buyers will want to purchase before having to pay this extra tax on the transaction.

Although an increase in rates does not seem like good news it does mean that the Canadian economy is recovering and this can only be good for everyone. “Statistics Canada said gross domestic product expanded for the third consecutive month in November, and that growth in October and September was stronger than initially stated.”

Canada is puling clear of the recession

BUT it was only 2 days earlier that The Globe And Mail published an article entitled :

“Interest rate hike this summer?Don’t count on it. For the Bank of Canada to raise rates before the middle part of 2011 would be totally inconsistent with its current forecast”

What does this all mean when even the “experts” cannot agree?

We do know that home owners are enjoying rock-bottom mortgage rates.

To guarantee this now is the time to buy or refinance.