The Kingston Real Estate Blog

RE/MAX Recreational Property Report 2010 Released

2010-06-08T14:48:27Z

"Aging baby boomers are having a serious impact on recreational
property sales, driving demand for year-round product on
lakes and rivers in the Kingston area. The number of waterfront
properties sold in the first quarter of this year is up 26
per cent over 2009 levels on popular Lake Ontario, Loughborough
Lake, Thousand Islands, and the Rideau River."

Kingston & Area is on Page 23 - 24.

http://www.remax-oa.com/media-newsroom/article/59/

The CMHC Spring 2010 Housing Market Outlook

2010-06-01T22:08:38Z

The CMHC Spring 2010 Housing Market Outlook for Kingston is now available:

http://www.kingstonhouses.com/65450_2010_B01.pdf

Lowe's files for appeal to build in west end

2008-10-18T13:19:44Z

Thank god! Lowe's has formally filed an appeal with the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). We got lucky here, they could have just as easily given up and walked away.

Now, let's see council do the right thing and reverse their earlier decision (voted down 7 to 6). I predict a severe backlash if they decide to fight this, spending tax payers money in the process.

Here's the link to the Kingston This Week story:

http://www.kingstonthisweek.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1252452

Kingston September Sales Report

2008-10-18T12:57:57Z

I am not a big fan of publishing real estate statistics, especially here in Kingston as our board covers such a large and diverse area with a wide selection of housing. You have to be careful determining the "Average Residential Price".

"The jurisdictional area of the Kingston & Area Real Estate Association includes the County of Frontenac (Kingston, North Frontenac Township, Central Frontenac Township, South Frontenac Township & Frontenac Islands Township), the County of Lennox and Addington (Greater Napanee, Stone Mills Township, Addington Highlands Township and Loyalist Township), the County of Leeds and all incorporated villages, towns and cities within the same geographic area."

This is large area! Depending on location, we can have a difference of a $100,000 or more for the same house. This is a huge percentage of the "Average Residential Price" which was $230,473 in September.

Non the less, they do tell a story about the overall Market, and it seems a Real Estate Blog should have them.

The September highlights are: (August in Brackets)

September $ Sales: $76,578,476 ($76,719,7340)
September Residential Transactions: 308 (316)
Average residential price: $230,473 ($231,365)
New Residential Listings: 577 (515)
Active Residential Listings: 1675 (1810)

Here is the link for the September summary.

http://creastats.crea.ca/king/

Re/Max TV Spot from Germany

2008-09-20T23:24:26Z

I just stumbled upon this on You Tube. Very well done!

It's About That Wallpaper

2008-09-20T21:41:16Z

Wallpaper is a highly personal thing. With almost any pattern, you can love it or hate it. You could go for paisley or tropical flowers, or maybe something more neutral, with beiges and pale blues in some sort of geometric pattern. But other people, even in your immediate family, might not share your taste, whatever it might be.

It seems that whatever one chooses, it can become dated as quickly as the last decade's favorite appliance color. At that point, your choice is to remove it altogether or paint or paper over it.

Anyone who is considering selling a house at any time in the near future, removing old wallpaper is probably the best choice - usually you have to steam it off. If you do that and paint your walls your favorite shade of fuchsia, repainting when it's time to sell is easy, and even if you leave it fuchsia, your buyers can change it inexpensively with a few cans of Benjamin Moore.

But the chances are that most of the people looking at your home will not be enamored of your wallpaper. Their mental calculation of the costs of removing it, restoring the walls and then painting will probably far exceed the actual amount it will take to get rid of the stuff properly.

If you're sloppy and just paint over old wallpaper, it will be evident to any discerning eye. There will be telltale seam lines. And slapping on a coat of paint will make the inevitable removal even more expensive.

So, if you've just purchased a home and are considering wallpaper, think long and hard before you actually hang it. And if you are preparing your house for sale, don't take it personally if your agent or stager recommends that you steam it off the paper you so lovingly chose and put up, and paint.

Just do it.

Council rejects Lowe's request

2008-09-17T13:06:04Z

Well, council turned Lowe's down, in a 7-6 vote. The only option left now for this site is an OMB hearing. Lowe's has hinted that, but not confirmed.

Here's a link to the Whig Standard story:

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1203236

Last chance for Lowe's

2008-09-16T20:25:46Z

"It's preferred site or nothing, retailer insists"

As I wrote on September 2nd, the Planning Committee rejected Lowe's request for a zoning change to accommodate a new Lowe's building at 1085 Gardiners Road. Tonight, they ask City Council to approve it.

Here's a link to the Whig Standard story:

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1201069

Oil storage tank leak a cautionary tale

2008-09-13T14:10:23Z

"A scary tale of an oil leak in an Ottawa-area home provides a valuable lesson for homeowners whose homes are heated by oil."

Yes, Oil tanks are becoming a problem in the sale of Real Estate. Underground oil tanks are out and out impossible. Walk away.

Aboveground Oil tanks are the norm, and simply put, Insurance companies do not like them. If you read the article you will see why. The problem I have, is that most home owners with oil tanks are not aware of the "new regulations".

Here is the section that applies:

It is a legislative requirement prescribed by Ontario Regulation 213/01, "Fuel Oil". Section 7 of the Regulation states:

Section 7 of the Regulation

"7. (1) No distributor shall supply fuel oil to a container or tank system that is connected to an appliance or work unless the distributor is satisfied that the installation and use of the appliance or work comply with this Regulation and,

(a) Unless the distributor has inspected the appliance or work at least once within the previous 10 years". "7. (2) A distributor shall prepare a report on each inspection made under subsection (1) and shall retain the report until the next inspection and report are completed".

"7. (3) An inspection shall be carried out by a person who is the holder of a certificate for that purpose".

Additional Information:

This is a mandatory inspection and therefore you must not refuse the inspection service being arranged by a fuel oil distributor.
Inspection service refusal will prevent fuel oil delivery.
A person who is the holder of a certificate for that purpose shall carry out the inspection. I.e. An oil burner technician (OBT).
The certified oil burner technician (OBT) may not necessarily work for the fuel oil distributor but may be an agent or sub-contractor of the Fuel Oil distributor.
You may contact a fuel oil distributor who is different from the one you currently deal with if you are not satisfied with the service being provided.
Each distributor is responsible for the inspection performed on their client's heating systems. When you switch to a new distributor you may be required to undergo a new inspection. If you change distributors and the new distributor agrees with the previous inspection report, a new inspection may not be necessary. Check with the new distributor to see if they would accept the previous inspection report.
Both TSSA and fuel oil industry representatives have developed specific checklists that outline minimum inspection requirements.
There are also inspection requirements for propane systems and natural gas systems.
See also Comprehensive inspections - Cost considerations and Comprehensive inspections - Disagreeing with results.

Imagine the home owners surprise when they sell their home with an Oil Tank, for which they have been receiving oil, and the Buyer/Home Inspector/Realtor informs them that their tank "might not" be up to code and we need a TSSA certificate. Imagine their further surprise when they find out the tank and lines do not pass, and they need to be replaced at a cost of approx $1,000. They are now upset with the Buyer/Home Inspector/Realtor, for something that this legislation clearly says is the fuel oil distributors responsibility.

Didn't we see the TSSA's name mentioned in the Propane explosion in Toronto? Are they maybe passing more laws than they are capable of enforcing?

Here is a link to Bob Aaron's article in the Star. The hole in the tank was the size of the tip of a pen...

http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/article/497042

Lowe's Application refused for new store

2008-09-02T15:53:26Z

REFUSED. Lowe's Home Improvement had applied for an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-Law Amendment for a new store at 1085 Gardiners Road. (West side of Gardiners Road at Norris Court, south of Tim Horton's warehouse, North of Richvale York Block).

This was going to be a large store on 6 hectares (15 acres), with a total floor area of 16,167 square meters (174,000 sq. ft.) which would be 35,000 - 55,000 sq. ft. larger than Home Depot or Rona.

The land is zoned for Industrial purposes, Lowe's would need Commercial zoning. Planning Department has stuck with their guns, that area is for Industrial, Business Parks and the like.

Maybe they will take another look at Kings Crossing (Division & 401) ?

The full report is 111 pages....

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhall/committees/planning/agenda/2008/PLN_A1608-SchedA.pdf

Kingston would receive an additional $11 million

2008-08-28T15:22:54Z

The windfall is from last year's budget surplus. Municipalities across Ontario will share in $1.1 billion announced by Premier Dalton McGuinty at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa. In the same announcement, municipalities were warned this funding boost won't be duplicated next year.

The funding assists municipalities like Kingston, which are struggling with infrastructure deficits. The city is short $17 million for road upgrades this year alone.

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1175679

Harvey's and Swiss Chalet to Frontenac Mall?

2008-08-28T14:54:32Z

On June 9, 2008 applications for Site Plan Control and Zoning By-Law Amendment were submitted by RRVP Frontenac Mall Inc. for the property municipally know as 1300 Bath Road. The purpose of the applications is to facilitate the development of two additional free standing structures situated along the south property line for the purpose of establishing a Harvery's restaurant and a Swiss Chalet restaurant.

Looks like they want to move next door from the corner at Bath Rd and Armstrong Rd where they are now. No more dealing with that pot hole at the entrance from Armstrong Road!

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/pdf/cityhall/committees/planning/agenda/2008/PLN_A1508-SchedB.pdf

Real Estate Agents Must Confirm ID of Real Estate Buyers and Sellers by Law

2008-08-28T14:39:14Z

On June 23rd, 2008 new federal money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations came into effect that require real estate agents and brokers to collect personal identification information from buyers and sellers.

Real Estate agents are now required to ask for proof of the identity of all buyers or sellers involved in a Canadian real estate transaction. If the client is a corporation, that information must include corporate documentation, and the names of the corporation directors. They must also ascertain if a third party is involved in the transaction.

This also applies if a buyer or seller involved in a transaction is not represented by a real estate agent, but the other individual involved is represented. Those buying or selling privately will be asked by the agent representing the other party involved in the transaction to provide proof of identity as well, and that record must be kept by the real estate agent involved in the transaction.

These new regulations are part of federal legislation (Bill C-25) passed in 2007 that requires a number of industries, including real estate, to do more to help stop money laundering and terrorist financing. The regulations are enforced by the federal agency known as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC.

Additional information about this federal initiative, the federal legislation and the role of FINTRAC in the reporting system is available at www.fintrac-canafe.gc.ca or call toll-free: 1-866-346-8722

mls.ca is now realtor.ca

2008-08-28T14:28:39Z

The Multiple Listing Service mls.ca is now www.realtor.ca.

The new home page provides four different ways to locate properties. Text Search, Interactive Map Search, Advanced Search, and MLS®# Search.

Several additional options are also offered on the REALTOR.ca site-more than were available on the old mls.ca site.

This national real estate database is the first source for Canadian Real Estate Buyers and Sellers is now better than ever and user friendly. It's pretty cool!

http://www.realtor.ca