As 2009 Draws to a Close

All of the Oulahen Team wish you a very Happy Holiday and a Joyous 2010.

Here is the Market update from the Toronto Real Estate Board.



TORONTO, December 17, 2009 - Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 3,079 existing home transactions in the first two weeks of December compared to 1,487 in 2008.

The strong growth represents both increased home ownership demand and the fact that we are comparing the recovery phase of the sales cycle this December with the contraction phase experienced last winter
Year-to-date sales, at 84,888, were up 16 per cent compared to the same period last year and have moved in line with the healthy levels experienced in the 2004 through 2006 period.

"We experienced a very strong and broad based recovery in the second half of 2009,"said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. "The rebound in the housing sector speaks to the confidence that households have in overall economic recovery.”

The average resale home price during the first two weeks of December rose 17 per cent to $423,103. The year-to-date average was $395,411, up four per cent compared to the same period in 2008.“The double-digit price growth we have experienced since September will continue through the first quarter of 2010. Average price growth will move to a sustainable pace in the spring as listings increase," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

WELCOME TO OUR OFFICES AT 4685 YONGE ST., SUITE 200

The Oulahen Team has modern office space to greet clients and friends. We have two board rooms, three meeting rooms, a kitchen, individual offices and a large working pit for our staff. Drop by anytime and we'd love to give you a tour of our offices. Come in for neighbourhood information, statistics on the market, a free market evaluation of your house or condo, or any other real estate inquiry you may have. We have maps and other usefull tools to provide you with detailed information.

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"Welcome!"



Our space & Boardroom 1

Boardroom 2; Signy, the Oulahen Team mascot

WORST RENOVATION MISTAKES

I saw this article in the Globe and Mail and wanted to share. It gives insight into renovation mistakes that you might consider. These mistakes begin in the initial move or planning phase so you should know what works and what doesn’t. Here is the full article.

The top five worst reno mistakes you can make




Here are some other tips:

• Don’t renovate in one space like the kitchen and leave the baths in the 1960s.


• People love hardwood floors, granite and stainless steel appliances.


• It might be more important to take out the Oil Furnace or the knob and tube wiring than fixing the kitchen.


• Putting some money into landscaping can give your home curb appeal


• Fresh paint and sanding the floors or adding new carpet makes a new home owner feel the home is clean.


• Clear clutter and organize things in groups.

The Oulahens and Squidoo

Squidoo is the popular publishing platform and community that makes it easy for you to create "lenses" online. Lenses are pages, kind of like flyers or signposts or overview articles that gather everything you know about your topic of interest and put it together. The concept is that everyone is an expert! Sharing this information makes us learn more. A lot of the money raised is donated to charity

Here are some lenses on Toronto real estate to check out.

Canadian Real Estate
http://www.squidoo.com/canada-real-estate

Toronto Real Estate Tips
http://www.squidoo.com/torontorealestatetips

North York Condos
http://www.squidoo.com/northyorkcondos

Toronto October Stats Set a Record

According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, GTA realtors reported 3,631 sales of existing homes in the first two weeks of this month. This represents a 34% jump, compared with the same period last year. Buyers were obliged to dig deeper into their pockets, as the average sales price rose to $414,479, a 17% increase for the first two weeks of October 2008.
"While demand for existing homes has remained strong, it is important to recognize the context of current statistics," says TREB president Tom Lebour in a release. "We are now making comparisons to the fall of 2008 when we experienced a marked decline in sales and average price."
Taking the total sales for 2009 thus far, numbers are up to 69,964, a more modest 6% increase on the same period last year. The average price for year-to-date sales in 2009 is $389,687, a 2% rise on last year's number.
"Tight market conditions throughout the GTA will continue to exert upward pressure on home prices in the fourth quarter," says Jason Mercer, TREB's senior manager of market analysis in a release. "Expect more listings in 2010, as homeowners react to the price gains experienced in the second half of 2009."

Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/homes/story.html?id=2137136#ixzz0W0gav5Mc

OULAHEN TEAM SPONSORS ACCA HALLOWEEN HAUNTED HOUSE

Halloween Haunted House
on Saturday October 31, 2009
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Historic Elihu Pease House
20 Harrison Garden Blvd.

It's a neighbourhood moment. Come out and join the spirit.

FREE FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD KIDS AGED 14 AND UNDER

Spooky Rooms...Come in costume and be prepared for a good scare!

SPONSORED BY THE OULAHEN TEAM AND AVONDALE COMMUNITY CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

The Oulahen Team Runs for the Cure

The Oulahens finished the 5km Run for the Cure on Sunday, October 4th. This important event is a part of our yearly fundraising appeal.

We had a great day taking time to stop and appreciate the moment.

And thanks to Barb for organizing our team “In Mammory of Cathy Flannagan”.