Diane Giberson

Can commissions be an agreed upon amount?

by

UPDATE: Previously, real estate brokerages could charge consumers a flat fee or a percentage of the sale price, but not a combination of the two. The restriction has been removed, so brokerages now have the option to make fee arrangements that could include a blend of a flat fee and a percentage of the sale price.

These changes, brought in by the Stronger Protection for Ontario Consumers Act, 2013, are effective as of
December 12, 2013.

Click here to see PUBLIC ADVISORY notice of December 13, 2013

 

Commission, or other remuneration, must be either:

  • An agreed amount or,

  • A percentage of the sale price

Commission or other remuneration cannot be a combination of an agreed amount and percentage.

Read It Here

Home sales remain at low levels in September

by

Home sales recorded through the MLS® System of the Kingston & Area Real Estate Association came in below year-ago levels in September 2012.

Residential sales numbered 219 units in September, a decrease of 20 per cent from the same month last year. Sales of all types of properties numbered 247 units in September 2012, down 17 per cent on a year-over-year basis.

 

“There’s no doubt that demand has geared down a bit in the wake of new mortgage rules, but it’s important to recognize that this September suffered from what’s known as a trading day effect, with just 20 weekdays compared to 22 last September, so we have to consider the size of the year-over-year decline in that context,” said Al Sytsma, President of the Kingston & Area Real Estate Association.

Read It Here

Understanding your credit report

by

Most people either don’t pay attention to what their credit score is doing or don’t realise that they have the ability to keep track of it.

Why is this important?  When you are about to make the biggest purchase of your life… a home… most people require financial help from their bank.  This is when your credit score hits you in the face!  All your financial nightmares or mishaps will catch up to you and it can soon reduce the excitement of your first home purchase to tears.

Read It Here

Are you pre-approved?

by

I speak to many people who are out looking for their 1st home, maybe even moving up to something bigger, and think they have a very good idea of what they can afford. This couldn’t be furthest from reality. To save yourself from the disappointment of finding out that you have been denied financing at the point of making an offer on a home, take one step back and head to a mortgage professional! The banks and CMHC are tightening up the rules once again! It is critical to determine what you can afford prior to making the offer.

Read It Here

Quick Tips When Hiring a Mover!

by

The house is sold and you are ready to move on.  The excitement of the sale has quickly worn off.  The stress is starting to overtake the excitement of what was suppose to be another wonderful chapter of your lives.  Picking the right mover is key to a successful move.  Don’t take this part lightly.  Here are quick tips and resources to make you life a little easier.

Read It Here