Do You Know The History of Your Home?

Did a murder happen in your home? Was your home formally used as a “grow-op” or “meth lab”? Have there been any past insurance claims on your home for issues such as water damage or fire? These are questions that should be addressed before a home is put on the market, but unless a seller is questioned directly about such issues, it is unlikely this information will be shared.

Under a Realtors® Code of Ethics, if they know about a death, grow-op or other negative history of a home which may affect the value of a property, they must disclose this information to a potential buyer. However, if the agent is unaware of any negative history of the home, there is nothing to disclose.

We found a great article written by Mark Weisleder (Real Estate Lawyer, Author, Speaker) for the Toronto Star entitled “How to find if a murder happened in your home” addressing this subject. We thought that others may be curious as to how to find information about the history of a home they may be interested in purchasing.

Mark Weisleder reports that more and more people are turning to the internet to try and find information. He states “Buyers and Real Estate Agents are going to www.homeverified.ca and www.iverify.com to see whether a property was ever listed as a grow house or meth lab and whether a prior owner had made an insurance claim on the property for fire or water damage, or sewage backup”. He also references another internet site – www.housecreep.com – which is a relatively new website developed by two brothers in Toronto where someone can enter the address of a home to see whether a crime, murder or grow op has been reported on the property. According to him the website claims to have a database of over 2000 properties and continues to grow every day. He states “The website invites other parties to share information about properties as well. They (the brothers) then try to verify everything through newspaper reports”. He also advises “Users should beware that some of the information may not be accurate and should be independently verified”.

Mark Weisleder ends his article by saying “With more and more information becoming available on the internet, I encourage sellers and real estate agents to disclose these types of property stigmas. It will come out eventually. Who needs to go to court to fight about it later?"

To read Mark Weisleder’s entire article, click here.

We hope that you find this blog interesting and informative. As always, if you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Selling Your Home in The Winter Months

Moving is stressful, that is a given, but moving during the winter months makes that stress even more stressful!  A lot of people wait until spring to list their homes for sale but there are some who have to make their move during the cold, dark, snow filled days of winter – it is to those of you that our blog today is for. We found a great online article written by Dana Dratch of Bankrate.com. In her article Dana addresses 13 tips for presenting your home for sale at its best in the winter.  Her tips are:

1.       Keep walkways and driveways free of ice and snow – if a potential buyer can’t get into your home easily, it will be more difficult to sell.

2.       Keep your home “warm, cozy and homey” – potential buyers who come into your home and are not comfortable will not stay long.

3.       Make the most of the natural light you have – make sure curtains and blinds are clean and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings – install light bulbs into fixtures with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate – make sure all lights are on for showings.

4.       Wash your windows – in winter, strong southern light can reveal grime and can make a home look like it isn’t well maintained.

5.       Play soft music in the background – this creates a warm atmosphere and is soothing for potential buyers.

6.       Make your home feel comfortable and cozy – putting a warm throw on the sofa or folding back the comforter on the bed can help “set the scene” and help the buyers see themselves living in your home.

7.       Emphasize the winter positives of your home – be sure your Realtor® mentions to potential buyers if your home is on a street that is plowed or de-iced regularly in bad weather (i.e., if your home is on a bus route).

8.       Install timers on lights both inside and outside your home  - this way, your house will look inviting even when you are not home to turn on the lights.

9.       Make your home “festive” – First impressions are extremely powerful – set the table with the good china and silverware - you may consider putting out a plate of cookies and some bottled water for potential buyers.

10.   Give your home a nice aroma – the number one favourite smell is chocolate chip cookies – however, don’t overdo the smell in the house as this can have potential buyers thinking ‘What are they trying to cover-up?”

11.   Protect your home – You may want to post a small sign in your foyer asking buyers who are viewing your home to kindly remove their wet footwear, this indicates to buyers that you have pride of ownership and that you care about your home.

12.   Use the season to your advantage – in the winter the leaves are off the trees which may show off the view from your home which may not be as apparent in the spring and summer.

13.   Consider your area – In some parts of the country, such as ski areas, winter weather can actually be a selling point.

To read Dana Dratch’s full article, click here.

If you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Thinking of Buying a Resale Home?

We came across a great article written by  Mark Weisleder ( a Real Estate lawyer, author and speaker) for the Toronto Star entitled “5 things to consider when buying a resale home”. Here are some of the points he discusses in his article:

1.      Get information from the seller – some sellers have a professional home inspector inspect their home before they put their property on the market and are willing to give the buyer a copy of the report. Some sellers may also provide potential buyers with a home history report. However, even if this information is provided, buyers should have their own home inspection done.

2.      Ask the sellers questions – ask the seller or the seller’s REALTOR® if there has ever been any problems with flooding or roof leaks. By law, sellers are required to respond truthfully if asked directly.  

3.      Talk to the neighbours – it is a great idea to walk around the community and ask people about the neighbourhood. 

4.      Include clauses in your offer– Make sure your offer includes a list of everything you expect to be left in the house. 

5.      Get pre-approved for a mortgage – it is very important to get pre-approved by a professional mortgage broker or bank before submitting an offer on a house so you know how much you can afford – be aware that if your lender thinks you paid too much, they will not lend you the amount of money you may be expecting.

To read Mark Weisleder’s full article, click here.

If you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

How Is The Market?

We are often asked by clients, friends and family “How is the market?” We thought we would take a moment to update all of our readers on how the experts find the Real Estate market throughout Canada is current doing.

We found a great online article from www.canadianrealestatemagazine.ca entitled “August Sales Exceed Expectation, Stir Concerns” - which states “…home sales in August were sharply up from the same month last year, driven by fears of rising interest rates”. The article goes on to say “…The number of home sales…rose 2.8 per cent on a month-over-month basis in August 2013. On a year-over-year basis the climb was 11 per cent”.

Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) Chief Economist Gregory Klump was quoted in the article saying “Sales activity dropped sharply around this time last year in the wake of tightened mortgage rules and has improved since then…” He continued saying “…the upward trend and levels for activity in recent months has been steeper than expected, but that may not last”. He also stated “Recent increases to fixed mortgage rates caused sales to be pulled forward as buyers with pre-approved financing at lower rates jumped into the market sooner than they might have otherwise". He concluded saying “The outsized year-over-year gains may persist, however, due to weak sales toward the end of last year”.

We hope this gives you some information about how the Real Estate market is currently doing in Canada. To read the entire article, please click here.

As always, if you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don't hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Should You Renovate If You Are Planning a Move?

We found another great article authored by Scott McGillivray of HGTV entitled “Top 5 Renos for Return on Investment” and thought we would share it with our readers as folks are always asking us if it pays to update their home if they are planning a move.  According to Scott “…knowing the right renos to invest in is important to ensure you get the most bang for your reno buck”.  Here is a brief overview of the renovations he suggests may give the most return on investment:

5. Flooring:  Installing new flooring gives a room an updated and renovated look and feel and can be done on a fairly limited budget, depending on the flooring you choose.

4. Hardware & Fixtures:  A home can be updated relatively inexpensively simply by replacing items such as cupboard and drawer handles in a kitchen and/or bathroom, changing outdated light fixtures, and replacing door knobs and/or door hinges.

3. Bathrooms:  Updating a bathroom to give a “spa-like” feel gives a great return on investment as they are usually the smallest rooms in the home and therefore require less investment to make a big impact. When it comes to bathroom renovations Scott states “a little goes a long way”.

2. Kitchens:  Scott assures “…you can do a great kitchen renovation on a realistic budget” and further states “…kitchens also give you the biggest return on investment, far beyond any other room in the house”.

1. Income Suites:  Scott reports “…there’s no renovation you can do to your home that will increase its value as adding an income suite”, he further states “income suite renovations, when done correctly, easily allow you to double your investment”.

We hope these few tips help make your decision about renovating your home easier – to read Scott McGillivray’s full article online please click here.

If you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Rising Interest Rates

We have been hearing a lot of talk recently about interest rates in Canada being on the rise, so thought we would take a look for an interesting article regarding this subject. We found a great article from the online Financial Post written by Garry Marr entitled “Can You Handle Higher Interest Rates?”

In his article, Mr. Marr states “higher mortgage rates are on the horizon”. He quoted Frances Hinojosa, a mortgage expert with the Bank of Montreal who stated “First-time buyers should stress-test their mortgage to ensure they are well financially prepared for home ownership and a potential upswing in interest rates, not only to manage costs but also to pay off their mortgage as soon as possible” – he explains that stress testing a mortgage would include considering higher interest rates and a shorter amortization period.

Mr. Marr reported that the Governor of The Bank of Canada indicated that the long term goal is a “gradual normalization” of rates.

We thought it was quite interesting that in his article, Mr. Marr gave an example of a $500,000 mortgage with a 25-year amortization saying “at 3% your monthly payment would be $2,366.23 and you would pay $69,346.66 in interest over a five-year term. Take that same mortgage and raise the rate to 3.5% and the monthly payment jumps to $2,496.36 and the interest over the term reaches $81,180.96”.  We found it remarkable that an increase payment of $130.13 monthly could add up to an overall payment of $11,834.30 over a five year term!  That is an example of an interest rate rising only ½ %! Amazing!! He then gives information regarding the payment if that same mortgage’s interest rate jumped to 5% (only 2% more) – the difference in the monthly payment would be $541.80 and the difference in the amount paid in the total interest cost over the five year term soars to $47,672.33!!

To read the full article, click here.

If you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Preparing for a Summer Move

We came across a great summer article from Realtor.com and thought we would share the information we found with our readers.  Summer is the busiest season for moving, here are 10 tips that may make your summer move go a little more smoothly.

1.       Once you have “signed on the dotted line” and purchased your new home, the first decision that should be made is how you will be getting all of your “stuff” from your current place to your new home. Do you hire a company to move you or do you do it yourself?

2.       Plan, plan, plan where everything will go in the new house – write down where each item should go in the new house before packing and then pack accordingly – have the list with you on moving day.

3.       It is never too early to start packing and when you do, as wise idea is to divide everything into categories such as: Donate to charity; Give to a friend; Recycle; Trash; Pack now; and Keep handy until Moving Day.

4.       If you have children, try to arrange for daycare or have a friend watch your children on the day of the move – if this is not possible, make sure to set up a safe place for the children to play in the new house.

5.       Remember your pets – moving can be very stressful for your pet – consider boarding them for moving day or have a friend watch them for the day.

6.       If items need to be taken apart for the move, make sure to keep the small parts in clearly marked bags and then keep all of the bags together in one box, take the box with you personally on moving day.

7.       Take photos of how electronics, computers, TV’s etc. are hooked up before disconnecting them for the move – keep all of the wires and cords together and clearly mark which device each one is for – personally carry them on moving day.

8.       Dispose of as many hazardous chemicals as possible before your move (detergents, pesticides, paint, etc.) – call your city’s hazardous waste department for information about proper disposal in your area – for hazardous chemicals you have to take with you, pack them in a small box and then pack that box in a larger box to protect against leakage – do not overstuff boxes with hazardous materials – seal the boxes containing these items very well, mark them very clearly and keep them separate from the rest of the boxes, especially if you have children or pets.

9.       If you have decided to use a professional mover consider getting full value insurance protection.

10.   If using a professional mover, know your rights.

We hope these tips are helpful to you – to read the full article click here.

If you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Making Good Real Estate Decisions

We found a great article online authored by Scott McGillivary of HGTV entitled “How to Make a Smart Real Estate Purchase” and thought it would be a great article to share with our readers, as it outlines his “top five tips for making a smart real estate purchase so you don’t get burned!”  A brief overview of these five tips are given below:

1.       Stay on Budget – it is important to have a plan and be realistic about what you can afford to pay for your new home – it is wise to not just think about what you can afford to pay for a mortgage, but also to think about your lifestyle and how much you spend monthly on things you enjoy doing.

2.       It is Okay to Walk Away – Always have a home inspection done and if you can’t afford the house and/or can’t afford to fix it – find another house.

3.       Consider Every House – if you see a house online and it is in the neighbourhood you want and is in your price range, arrange to see it – you never know how the house truly looks until you see it for yourself.

4.       Consider Your Purchase of a Home Over the Long-Haul – a mortgage can lock you in for a certain time period – if you think that you may not want to be in a certain home for the next five years, you may want to consider looking at alternatives.

5.       Get The Opinions of People You Trust – purchasing a home can be a very emotional process – advice from those you trust can keep you on the right track.

We hope these few tips help make your home purchase more rewarding – to read Scott McGillivray’s full article online please click here.

If you or someone you care about is thinking of making a move or if you just want some general information about the Real Estate market in your area, please don’t hesitate to give us a call, we would love to talk to you!
Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Five Helpful Tips for Selling Your Home

It is relatively simple to be a successful seller with the use of some easy steps to take before putting your property on the market. Here are some tips to help make the selling of your home quick and relatively straightforward.

1.     De-personalize and de-clutter your home – buyers viewing your home need to be able to envision their own life and personality in your home.

2.     Freshen up your kitchen and bathroom (s) – a new coat of paint and/or new hardware are economical ways to bring new life to your kitchen and/or bathroom (s). Keeping these areas clean and free of clutter also adds appeal to these important rooms for buyers.

3.     Your house must be immaculate for showings – make sure your house “sparkles” for showings, from the light fixtures to the floors and everything in-between.

4.     Make sure your home is “dressed” for showings – You must impress the buyers the moment they drive up to your home so add some colourful flowers, trim the bushes and cut the grass (in winter always make sure the drive and walk are clear of snow and put down salt if these areas are icy). – if buyers are not impressed with the outside of the home they may not be interested in viewing the inside.

5.     Price your house well – we all would like to get top dollar for our homes but pricing your home realistically is key to selling it – a REALTOR(R) can be of great help in this regard, since he or she can offer an objective opinion on price and has access to current housing prices in the area – they can offer an professional, objective third party opinion on the value of your home.

Julie Kinnear with “The Canadian Real Estate Pages” has written a great article expanding on these 5 tips – to view the full article click here.

If you are thinking of selling your home, we would love to speak with you about current market conditions in your area and help you with the home selling process, please feel free to call us anytime at 1-877-252-5242.

Until the next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

10 Simple Steps for Buying Your First Home!

Thinking about buying your first home can seem quite overwhelming and stress provoking, but with a little bit of preparation it can become a reality!

Here are 10 helpful hints to prepare for buying your first home:

Step 1 – Build a Budget

Step 2 – Investigate Mortgage Options

Step 3 – Choose a Realtor

Step 4 – Choose a Lawyer

Step 5 – Look at Homes

Step 6 – Submit an offer

Step 7 – Choose a Home Inspector

Step 8 – Finalize the Deal

Step 9 – Prepare to Move

Step 10 – Closing Day!

For more details about each step, for more information and for great tips about the home buying process, Genworth Financial Canada has published a great article that is well worth the read  if you are considering purchasing a new home –  to view the article click here.

I hope this information helps you in your home buying adventure! Please don’t hesitate to call The Jamie Dann Team at 1-877-252-5242 if we can help explain the home buying process to you or if you have any Real Estate questions – We are here to help!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Sell First or Buy First?

“Should we sell our current home before we put an offer in on another property or should we start looking for a new home before we put our home on the market?” This is a question we are asked frequently by home buyers who want to make a move and own the home they are living in. It is a great question! If you buy first clock starts ticking on selling your current home because you likely need that money to close the house you just purchased. If you sell first, are you prepared to rent somewhere until you find a home you like in a neighbourhood you want? There are certainly pros and cons of both selling first and buying first, the decision may just be decided by the real estate market you are in at the time. You may decide to buy first if the current market is described as a “seller’s market” where homes listed are selling quickly (meaning there are more people out looking for homes than people listing their homes). You may decide to sell first if you are thinking of buying a “subdivision house” that is fairly common in its layout (i.e., a three bedroom, two bathroom home in a well-populated subdivision)

Whether you decide to buy first or sell first you may want to opt for a longer closing date to allow yourself time to find your new home or to allow yourself time to sell your existing home. You can also opt to purchase a home with the condition that your current home sells, however if you choose to go this route, bear in mind that you may be going against buyers without that condition. Also that offer may give you a right of first refusal but you may have a restricted time period (usually between 24 and 72 hours) to come back with a clean offer with no conditions.

At the end of the day it is up to the individual and the market they are in as to which deal comes first, however if you buy first you have to be confident that you will sell.

To read a great article on this subject from the Financial Post click here.  I hope you enjoy this article and that it gives you some pause for thought. For information about how the market is shaping up currently in the Barrie Area, please give us a call. We would be more than happy to discuss all aspects of buying and selling homes with you.

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Interesting Mortgage Market Predictions for 2013

I found an interesting article online from "The Globe and Mail" a couple of weeks ago outlining five predications their mortgage columnist forecasted for the upcoming year (2013) regarding the mortgage market in Canada.  These predictions were:

1.      More home buyers will be shopping for lower mortgage rates online and using the internet to compare rates as opposed to speaking with specific, individual lending institutions.

2.     Variable-rate mortgage will improve - recently these rates have been somewhat neglected but it is predicted that lenders will get more aggressive with their variable-rates in 2013.

3.     People that rent housing will pay more in 2013 - new mortgage rules will prevent some first time buyers from purchasing a home, causing them to stay in their rentals longer, causing less rental properties being available, causing a shortage of rentals, causing rent increases.

4.     There will be job losses in the mortgage industry – new mortgage rules will result in fewer people being able to buy homes resulting in fewer people applying for mortgages.

5.     Tighter mortgage rules will cause more home buyers to pay higher rates (“non-prime”) than in the past as the number of people classified as being “higher risk” will increase.

To view the full Globe and Mail article click here.  I hope you find it interesting reading – only time will tell if these predictions will come to fruition.

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

More Great Deals for our Gold Card Holders!

Hey There!


WOW... More amazing businesses have been added to our Gold Card program! Check out their deals below!

Our contest to win a Home and Lifestyle package worth over $4,000 has been a great success! On December 12, 2012, The Jamie Dann Team will be drawing for a WINNER! Stay tuned for our next contest in the new year!

Before I get to the new offers, I want to highlight one of our GREAT supporters!

The Window and Door Gallery located 74 Saunders Rd, Barrie, provides a full range of services from design, installation, financing, project management, and continued client service and support. Their core family values of integrity and quality workmanship have made them consumer favourites in the Ontario window and door market for over 10 years. Servicing Canadian homeowners since 1999, their family based business provides a wide range of options to fulfill all of your window and door needs. Their friendly staff has the knowledge, skills and ability to analyze and provide you with any and all of your window and door solutions. To check out their website and see what they have to offer, click here. So, don't delay and receive 20% off the retail cost of window products and 10% off the retail cost of doors when you show your JDT Gold Card.

Check out our NEW business partners and their offerings...

Crazy B**** BBQ Sauce receive pulled pork (ready to eat) with all orders over $50 or receive a complimentary GREEN bag with every $20 gift pack

Mortgage Alliance Customized Mortgage Strategies receive an Ecobee Smart S1 Model thermostat. See www.ecobee.com for product details. Retail value $285.

A New You Optical receive 3 for 1 eyeglasses.

Big Bone BBQ and Wicked Wings receive 15% off of your total guest check.

Permadry Waterproofing and Foundation Repair receive $50.00 off crack repairs.

Nerds On Site receive 15% off first time customers, then 10% off for repeat customers.

(For all of these offers, some restrictions may apply)

As you can see, this program is expanding like CRAZY, so make sure you visit www.JDTGoldCard.com before you buy ANYTHING!

If you know of anyone who would like cards for themselves, please don't hesitate to let us know!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team.

Have you seen these deals yet??

Hey There!

WOW... More amazing businesses have been added to our Gold Card program. Check out their deals below.

PLUS, click here to register your card TODAY to be entered to win a $4000+ Home and Lifestyle package. If you don't already have a card and would like one, click here.

Before I get to the new offers, I want to highlight one of our GREAT supporters!

Manhattan's Restaurant at 147 Dunlop St., East, in Barrie, has given us the generous offer of 30% off food! This restaurant is in the heart of downtown Barrie, and has a wonderful atmosphere, including a spectacular view of Kempenfelt Bay. Manhattan's offers a wide variety of food, and a great selection of beer, wine, and spirits. This dining establishment is open 7 days per week from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. To check out their website and see their menu, click here. So, don't delay and have a wonderful meal at Manhattan's and receive 30% off when you show your JDT Gold Card.

Chiropractic Services with Dr. Bernadette Artymko - Initial consultation, spinal exam, x-rays (if necessary), and full report of findings for only $35.00 (regular price $102)

Money Bootcamp Seminars - Register 1 teen (13 - 19 yr old) at regular price for Money Bootcamp 4 Teens and get 50% off the second teen.

Longhorn Catering and Personal Chef Services - 10% off weekly meal planning service or 10% off total invoice for a special event

Kitchen Savers - Receive a set of custom roll-outs with any re-face or new kitchen

Mary Kay Cosmetics and Skincare - Receive a make-over and Satin Hand Cream

And here are some changes in previous offers!

Arbonne - Any ladies parfume $54.00, and any men's cologne $39.00

Bellas Dessert Boutique - Receive 1 doz shortbread cookies with every Christmas cake order

(For all of these offers, some restrictions may apply)

As you can see, this program is expanding like CRAZY, so make sure you visit www.JDTGoldCard.com before you buy ANYTHING!

If you know of anyone who would like cards for themselves, please don't hesitate to let us know!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team.

Have YOU Entered Yet??

Hey there!

Have you heard the buzz about the $4,000 Home and Lifestyle Giveaway we are doing???

Here's the lowdown:

Get your JDT Gold Card by November 30th and go into the draw to win a Home and Lifestyle Package valued at over $4000. (See the details below)

Simply visit www.JDTGoldCardSignup.com or call 705 252 5242 and enter your details to receive your card and automatically be entered into the draw.

If you already have a card, register by November 30th, and you will also be entered to WIN. To register, all you have to do is call 705 252 5242 or email admin@jamiedann.com

Already registered? Not to worry, you have been entered for this amazing prize!

Why should you get a card?

Well that's easy to answer - with over 40 local businesses and deals up to 30% off, there is SURE to be something for everyone.

And the best part?

It doesn't cost you ANYTHING - that's right, no charge.

So call or visit our site right now and let's get you getting some cool deals, and maybe even winning the awesome prize pack below!



When you get your card, we would love to know how the program is working for you. If you know of other GREAT businesses that you would like to see as participating members, please let us know that too!

Lastly, please introduce us to those you know who are thinking of making a move, either near or far! We love to be of help to people early on in their plans.

Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions!

Until next time!

The Jamie Dann Team

Are The New Mortgage Rules a Good or Bad Thing for First-Time Home Buyers?

Some of you may know that in July of this year major changes to the rules regarding Canadian mortgages were put into effect by the Canadian government. These new policies included a decrease in the maximum amortization period from 30 years to 25 years for mortgages insured by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, that lenders could allow home equity loans for up to 80% of a property’s value (reduced from 85% previously) and that homes worth more than 1 million dollars were no longer eligible for government insured (CMHC) mortgages (for example, anyone wanting to buy a home worth more than $1 million must now have a down payment of at least $200,000).


For first-time buyers the biggest change was the shortening of the maximum amortization period from 30 to 25 years. Now, is that necessarily a bad thing? Perhaps not as this will force borrowers to pay back their debt sooner, thereby ultimately reducing the amount of interest they'll pay over the life of the loan, saving them thousands of dollars in interest costs over the life of the mortgage. However, the flip side of the coin is that the borrower’s mortgage payments will be larger as more debt gets paid back with each payment.

Some experts say that the new rules may help prevent first-time buyers from stretching themselves too thin, will allow them to build equity in their home faster and become mortgage-free sooner.

There is a great article in The Star which addresses the pros and cons of the new mortgage rules in Canada for first-time home buyers, to read the article click here.

Hope all of you first-time buyers find this article interesting and informative. If you have any questions about how the new rules may affect your new home purchase, please don’t hesitate to give us a call – we are here to help!

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team.

Introducing the Jamie Dann Team GOLD CARD!!

Hi All:

As an innovative team in the Barrie Real Estate market, The Jamie Dann Team has developed a VIP program for the Barrie area community. Go to our website at www.JDTGoldCard.com and look at all the generous businesses who have provided us with GOLDEN offers. Our hope is that with this card you will save tons!

To get your own card, please phone us at 705-252-5242 or email us at admin@jamiedann.com.

When you get your card, we would love to know how the program is working for you. If you know of other GREAT business that you would like to see as a participating member, please let us know that too!

Lastly, please introduce us to those you know who are thinking of making a move, either near or far! We love to be of help to people early on in their plans.

Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions!

Until next time!

The Jamie Dann Team

Good Mortgage Advice: Planning Ahead

Do you ever think about things you can do now to help protect yourself against the inability to pay your mortgage in case of financial issues in the future? The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) has posted an article on their website entitled “Mortgage Planning Tips” giving some great information about how you can be proactive now to possibly prevent damaging financial hardship in the future.

It is always wise not to borrow the maximum amount you have been approved for when it comes to a mortgage. Borrowing the maximum amount you can afford now may not allow you to comfortably cope with unexpected changes in your income or unforeseen expenses in the future.

It is a great idea to sit down with your financial lender to calculate how your monthly mortgage payment would change if the interest rates were to increase (even 1 - 2%) - Could you still comfortably pay your monthly mortgage if this increase should occur? – a very good question to ask yourself BEFORE “signing on the dotted line”.

There are ways to pay off your mortgage sooner in order to have more financial freedom in the future – this could include making weekly or biweekly payments, saving to make a lump sum payment toward the principle and/or increasing your payment a little bit every month. Talk with your financial lender about the options they offer to pay off your mortgage faster.

If you reach a point that you are unable to make your monthly mortgage payments, speak with you lender – they may be able to help you as they may offer ways to help you deal with temporary financial obstacles – Remember, the worst thing you can do is sit back and not do anything and just hope the problem will go away!

For more information regarding these Mortgage Planning Tips please click here to read the complete article from the CMHC.

Until next time,

The Jamie Dann Team

Enter to WIN!!

Hi All:

Here is a GREAT CHANCE TO WIN! We are very excited to announce that we are about to launch a BRAND NEW customer loyalty program.... but we need your help :) You see the only thing we are missing with this new program is a NAME.... so what we would love you to do is to help us name our new Loyalty Program.

Let me tell you a bit about it so hopefully something brilliant jumps into your mind. What we have created is a way for our friends, family and their friends to shop locally and get some great value, discounts, and/or add- ons, an amazing deal, from hand selected businesses that we believe can provide you with outstanding service.

To encourage you to help us, we will put everyone who comments/gets creative into a draw to win 100 FREE Air Miles! I can't wait to see what people come up with!

CLICK HERE to enter!

Until next time!

The Jamie Dann Team

Using RRSP's To Fund Down Payments...

Hi All:

The Canadian real estate market is in the midst of a busy year. For first time buyers, the biggest challenge is often how to come up with the down payment. While it's possible to buy a home with as little as 5% down, the ideal recommendation is to put at least 20% of the purchase price toward the down payment. How can you come up with these funds?

When helping client's solidify a savings plan, financial planners often advise, "Pay yourself first." When it comes to buying a home, first time home buyers may want to consider the suggestion, "Borrow from yourself first." This can be achieved through the application of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) toward the down payment of a property.

Canadians who have never owned a home, or who haven't owned their primary residence for at least the past five years, may qualify to withdraw up to $25,000 (tax free) from their RRSP to put towards a home through the government's Home Buyer's Plan. Home buyers withdrawing funds from their RRSP under this plan do not have to pay income tax on the amount withdrawn as long as the funds start being repaid into an RRSP two years after withdrawing the funds, are repaid at a minimum of 1/15 per year, and are completely repaid within 15 years.

If you would like a copy of the Home Buyer's plan, please email us at admin@jamiedann.com

Lastly, our inventory is low and houses are selling fast. If you, or anyone you care about is thinking of making a move, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss how to make that happen.

Until next time!

The Jamie Dann Team