:: Don't lose your home to fraud ::

The RESTORE THE DEED ACT brought forward at Queens Park by MPP Joe Tascona will safeguard rightful ownership of real property and limit access to vital property and mortgage documents to those licenced to have access, thus eliminating opportunities to commit title fraud and mortgage theft. In addition it will create a fund for those who become victims of this fraud prior to the enactment of the Act.

The current Bill 152 proposed by Premier McGuinty as a save face/quick response to recent concern and media attention to the problem of Title and Mortgage fraud falls far short of what we need to protect the ownership of our property in Ontario.

You should be receiving a petition from MPP Joe Tascona in your mail that can be sent postage paid to show your government we expect serious action be taken. Sign it and drop it in the mail if you have any concern for protecting what is likely your most valuable asset. www.joetasconampp.com

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:: Barrie City Council to-do list ::

With a municipal election under our belts we find ourselves at the front end of a new term for Barrie City Council. What are the issues and concerns that need to be addressed? Put your thoughts and ideas here where they will bee seen and heard by our City Officials.

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:: Barrie Road Report ::

Traveling around Barrie is good for the most part but does prove frustrating at times and in key areas. Our climate puts roads to the test and potholes along some roads are consistently worse than others.
Personally I find Anne Street between Tiffin and Dunlop to be a good test of human grey matter, (I'm sure allot of new friendships are formed along that stretch each day.)
Give us your report on Barrie's noteworthy streets. Which ones need attention or total changes in your estimation and which ones do you try to avoid?

:: What is it about Barrie? ::

On my website there is a page, "Barrie Top Ten" listing ten good reasons to leave the GTA and make your home in Barrie.
As a Realtor I am marketing the city as much as I am marketing individual homes.
What are your top reasons for living in Barrie?
If you moved here from the GTA, what is it that Barrie has (or does not have) that attracted you to the area?

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:: What is the Most Important Rule in Buying a Home? ::

While many important details must be considered in choosing your first home - style, size, price, location - one thing is certain: if you will be moving again in a few years, be sure you buy with selling in mind. Chances are, the items that make your new home a comfortable fit for you will also attract buyers later on. Click to Continue

:: The Seven Basic Steps to Selling your Home ::

Do your homework.
Read a couple of books on home selling, go through the real estate section of the local newspaper and attend some Open Houses in the your area. Click to Continue

:: Barrie's Best Recipes ::

I just looked at the temperature this sunday afternoon and it is zero degrees outside. I was thinking there must be some good recipes floating around Barrie for favorite winter meals. I know I make the best chili. (I have some on the stove right now)


Share your secrets for winter soups, stews, chili or any other favorites. This portion of the blog could grow into Barrie's own online recipe book.

:: Choosing A Contractor ::

Thinking of updating your kitchen? Re-doing your bath? Adding on to your home? Most likely, you'll need to hire a home improvement contractor.
You can start your search for a contractor by talking to friends, family members or neighbors who have used a contractor recently. Ask if they would recommend the person or firm they used. To verify each contractor's reputation, ask these questions: Click to Continue

For Whom the Housing Market Tolls

Toll Brothers, a leading upscale home builder that has continued to forecast lower and lower earnings as the year has progressed and whose financial health is looked upon as an indicator for the residential building sector as a whole, reported Tuesday that contracts for new homes fell 57% during its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Oct. 31.

"We continue to look for signs that a recovery is imminent but can't yet say that one is in sight," CEO Robert Toll said in a statement.

Toll said during a conference call with analysts that the company reported 585 contract cancellations on new homes during the last quarter -- the highest quarterly number ever recorded by the upscale builder.

The company will report its end of year numbers on Dec. 5.

:: Home Buying Priorities ::

What is most importaint to you when shopping for a home? Location is a gimme for most, but lets see what else is a must have for todays savvy home buyer? Post your short lists and reasons for your choices.

:: Great Estates of Barrie ::

Barrie has its share of luxury properties. More are visible primarily from the deck of a boat on Kempenfelt Bay rather than from the curb. Waterfront properties tend to command a higher dollar than their inland comparables and to some, a sunrise or sunset over the lake is priceless.
Here are a couple Barrie area properties currently vying for the attention of the most enabled of home buyers.

The crowning glory sits along 200 feet of south Kempenfelt Bay shoreline boasting over 16,000 feet of finished living space. This property is being offered at a mere 7.5 million. Click for Picture

A short swim across the bay will find you in front of a wet slip boat launch bigger than the average suburban home. Perched beyond on this 250 foot shoreline is a 10,000 sq ft plus bungalow overlooking the bay. If you've saved like Scrooge and want to give like Santa this Christmas the asking price is 3.8 million. Click for Picture

To date the highest price paid for a single residential property in the City of Barrie is just over 3 million dollars.

:: New Mayor for Barrie ::

Congratulations to Dave Aspden on his election as new Mayor of Barrie, replacing incumbent Mayor Rob Hamilton. Something tells me Dave's black and white campaign signs were symbolic of the type of leadership we can expect from him.
The task ahead already has its share of issues and will no doubt reveal some new challenges to be met as Barrie continues to grow and the need for more quality employment grows along with it.
Here's hoping we see a healthy balance of maintaining the city we love and continued growth that is well planned and implemented.

:: Barrie's Favorite Places to Eat ::

Everybody has their favorite places to eat, be it a classic dinner for two, sampling some international fare or just a favourite haunt serving tasty wings or a good burger and fries.
Share your favorites and what it is that puts them up front for you. I am still on the hunt for the best breakfast in or around Barrie, any tips? It used to be you made the trek to Toronto where the choices in cuisine seem unlimited but Barrie has come into its own and offers a growing list of up-to-score places to eat. Let's hear your opinions.

:: Real Estate Issues being addressed ::

Three key issues are being discussed by the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (PAC) with our local members of Provincial and Federal Government this fall.

Additionally through our efforts, Progressive Conservative MPP Joe Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford) has responded to the recent public attention being given to the issue of title fraud by introducing a Private Member’s Bill.

The Restore the Deed Act proposes reforms to the Land Titles Act that would require increased security measures when registering new owners of property and enhances the availability of funds from the Land Titles Assurance Fund to compensate victims. The legislation has passed second reading and been referred to the Standing Committee on General Government for further deliberation.

Gerry Phillips, Minister of Government Services, has stated that the government will introduce
its own bill later this session.

Issue #1: Home Buyers' Plan
REALTORS® are asking the federal government increase the amount Canadians can withdraw from their RRSP under the Home Buyers’ Plan to $25,000. This reflects the 27 per cent increase in inflation since the limits were established in 1992. The program has operated for 14 years, but the withdrawal limits – $20,000 per person and $40,000 per couple – have not been increased to account for market realities and inflation. REALTORS® are also asking the federal government to adjust the limits every five years to account for inflation after the loan limits are increased.

Issue #2: Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
REALTORS® are asking the federal government to extend funding for the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) to 2010. This is a successful federal government program that has existed for more than 60 years. The program helps homeowners with low-incomes and fixed-incomes come up with the funds required to finance essential home repairs and upgrades. The current federal funding commitment for the program ends in March 2007.

Issue #3 : Reinvestment in Real Property
REALTORS® are asking the federal government to amend the Income Tax Act to provide real property investors with the freedom to change asset classes without the financial penalties they currently face. Under our proposal, this would be achieved by allowing property investors to defer the capital gains tax and the capital cost allowance recovery on the sale of an investment property when the funds are reinvested into another within a specified time period. This change would allow investors to grow their real property investments, provide flexibility to their investment strategies, and encourage the upkeep of renovation of investment properties.

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:: John Shand Nov 23, 1947 - Nov 2, 2006 ::

A good friend and fellow Realtor, John Shand, passed away earlier this month. John's wealth of knowledge, penchant for story telling, along with a gift and passion for music, left all who knew him better for the chance. John will be missed.



Listen>>> My Baby Got the Love :: John Shand

:: Changes to the Lakeshore - Downtown route ::

I have heard various opinions on the changes taking place to Lakeshore Road and its adjacent streets. Personally I am worried at the traffic problems we are likely to face. The time it takes to get through this area has slowed up considerably with the changes made.

Come summer time, especially during tourist traffic peaks on the weekends (Kempenfest etc.) I see a traffic nightmare with lineups backing up beyond the intersections and around corners in an area also used by most City Buses to access and exit the main station. I am curious to learn what others think. Click Here for image of the final plans for the NW Lakeshore area

:: "Park Place" Lands to be Re-Zoned Commercial ::

Barrie, ON--After weeks of waiting for the Ontario Municipal Board's (OMB) decision, the verdict is in. A portion of North American lands will be re-designated and re-zoned commercial, contradictory to what was previously outlined in the City's official plan. "The City is disappointed that the OMB has gone against Council's decision on this significant application. This issue went before the OMB because we as the city felt that the proposed amendment to the Official Plan and rezoning was not in the best interest of the community, and we are disappointed with the final outcome," comments Mayor Hamilton. "We will be reviewing our options on how best to proceed, and will work with the developer to ensure we get the best development we can for the City."

The original application for an Official Plan Amendment and re-zoning to construct a "Lifestyle Centre" including approximately 930,000 square feet of retail space and approximately 400,000 square feet of office space on 190 acres of land at the north-east corner of Mapleview Drive East and Highway 400 was submitted in August 2002. Additional proposed uses included an industrial building, hotels, a cinema and restaurants. To implement this "Lifestyle Centre" proposal, the applicant requested the re-designation and re-zoning of almost 120 acres of the City's prime industrial lands to commercial. Prior to considering this very significant application Council requested a full financial impact analysis, a retail market and impact analysis, traffic studies and comments from the Ministry of Transportation.

In August 2004 the applicant revised their proposal and the amount of land being re-designated for purely commercial uses was reduced to approximately 94 acres leaving the 38 acres of land east of Bayview Drive in a General Industrial designation. The lands North of the open space area, consisting of 41 acres are being re-designated from general industrial to Business Park. On the 94 acres 1.1 million square feet of retail, restaurant, office, entertainment and hotel uses were proposed. The City has negotiated a settlement with regards to transportation issues in the South end of Barrie and contributions will be required by the developer to assist in minimizing traffic congestion in the area; these improvements will be required prior to development

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:: Clear the Tracks ::

QUEEN'S PARK -- The Ontario government and the City of Barrie have successfully finalized an agreement that will bring GO train service to the City of Barrie, Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield and City of Barrie Mayor Robert Hamilton announced today.

An agreement has been finalized to secure the lands and rail corridor needed for GO Transit rail service to the City of Barrie. Up to four GO trains are expected to serve Barrie by late 2007. "Since 2003, the McGuinty government has committed approximately $1.6 billion for GO Transit," Cansfield said. "It's time that residents from the City of Barrie get the service they deserve. Expanding GO Transit rail service gives residents better access to public transit and reduces highway congestion."

"Barrie City Council is pleased to have reached an agreement that brings GO train service back to our community," comments Mayor Rob Hamilton. "Council identified extending GO train service as one of our top ten priorities, and this joint financial partnership is a key element in positioning Barrie as we move into the future and build a complete community." "We look forward to working with the City of Barrie to improve transportation for one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Ontario,"

GO Transit Chairman Peter Smith said. "Extending the GO train to Barrie will enhance the GO bus service we already operate in that area." The expansion is part of the GO Transit Rail Improvement Program (GO TRIP), a billion dollar expansion announced by the province in May 2004 and funded by Ontario and municipalities with a contribution from the federal government through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. "Since 1995, GO Transit ridership has grown by 51 per cent to 47 million riders a year," said Cansfield. "Ridership is expected to double within the next 20 to 30 years and we're doing what has to be done now to make public transit work for commuters."

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Home Prices Drop, Mortgage Rates Rise

The median price of a new home in the United States dropped to $217,100 in September, a 9.7 percent decline from September 2005 and the biggest annual fall in more than 35 years, according to the Commerce Department. That median price was the lowest since September 2004, and the annual decline also was sharper than the 2.5 percent drop in the price for existing homes reported in September, the largest annual plunge on record.