January, 2006

Happy New Year!

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Lots of good information in this issue .... Enjoy.

Prizes: Three pairs of Metro Home Show tickets valued at $12 per ticket. Show runs from Jan 19-22. See Events on left column of this newsletter.

Each referral will earn an entry in the draw. Simply provide the name, address, and telephone number of anyone within the GTA, planning to buy or sell within the next six months and is not already working with an agent. In return, you get an entry for each referral in a draw to win a pair of tickets to the Metro Home Show.

In addition to the entry(s) in this draw, if the referral turns into a successful transaction for Dennis Paradis you will be rewarded with a $200 gift certificate. Please see my Referral Rewards Club using the link below.

• Entries must be received before midnight January, 15th, 2006.
• Only one winner per household.
• Winners will be notified by phone if possible.
• Referrals must be interested in buying or selling in the GTA within the next 6 months and do not have a real estate agent working under agreement with them
• Tickets will be delivered by Tuesday, January 17th, 2006
• Must be 18 years or older to qualify for the Draw or the Referral Gift Certificates.
• Eligibility for the Draw/Referral Rewards is at the sole discretion of Dennis Paradis
• This offer is not intended to solicit business from anyone currently under agreement with a real estate agent

Friday, January 6, 2006 -- A record-breaking 84,145 sales during the course of 2005,

On the pricing front, the average rose a healthy but not excessive six per cent in 2005, to $335,907 from 2004's figure of $315,321.

NEIGHBOURHOOD CORNER - City of Toronto

This and past reports are available on my website - GTA Market Watch page

Here are the latest mortgage rates compared across all the banks, credit unions and Online Services (PC and ING) all on a single page for your convenience. Use the link below for the full table.

Rates are expected (by most pundits) to move up marginally (less than 1% - 100 basis points) over the next 12 months. If you want expert advise on mortgage options - please contact me.

Debbie Travis ("as seen on tv") has a website worth a visit. Plenty of before & afters from her tv show episodes and a handy "colour selector" that allows you to colour various rooms with a click of your mouse. Use the link below to visit Debbie's website.

Debbie's main sponsor is Canadian Tire, but I recommend Home Depot's Behr paints (all gloss levels) or Benjamin Moore (flat) - Consumer Reports Best Buys.

Tesh’s radio show focuses on a concept he calls "Music and Intelligence For Your Life," providing listeners with guidance and information that they can use in their daily lives. The concept has proven so powerful that many listeners prefer listening to his show instead of watching television.

The link below will take you to his website page that has his well-researched "tips" - well worth the time to read a few from time to time.

Toronto residents could be hit with a 6 per cent property-tax increase this year — double what the mayor promised — due to a whopping budget shortfall of more than $500 million.

Under Bill 53, the Stronger City of Toronto for a Stronger Ontario Act, the City of Toronto would be given broad authority to levy new taxes subject to certain limitations.

But, there are no limitation on the proposed ability to enact a municipal land transfer tax or levy licensing fees on builders, lawyers, real estate agents, insurance brokers, movers, renovators or others who provide services to homebuyers.

Visit these websites to get more information about RE/MAX and Select Schools (Canada).

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Website

About RE/MAX

Select Schools (Canada)

Note to readers: Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all information contained in this article it is not guaranteed. We accept no responsibility for any loss arising from any use or reliance on the information that is contained herein.