Wishing all the fathers, grandfathers and fathers-to-be a Happy Father’s Day from The Riz Team!

Welcome to 104 Winding Wood Crescent, Kitchener

Help us Celebrate Royal LePage’s 100th Birthday! Fill out a Ballot at Royal LePage Wolle Realty’s Weekend Open Houses from June 8th- June 22nd 2013 for a chance to WIN!!

The contest starts this Saturday June 8th and will run until Saturday, June 22nd. Ballots can only be filled out at the open houses. You must attend participating open house to participate. There is no purchase necessary and no skill testing question required.  Contest is not open to agents or employees of Royal LePage Wolle Realty. Contest closes at 4pm on June 22nd, 2013. Winners will be announced June 28th, 2013.

 By Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) admin •June 5th, 2013

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (June 4, 2013) –– Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in May were up 16.1 per cent compared to the same time last year. Led by strong sales of single detached homes, it’s the first time sales have surpassed the 700 unit mark in the Month of May since 2007.

A total of 765 residential properties were sold in the month of May compared to 659 the same time last year. Comparing the 5-year average for the month of May shows a 16.3 per cent jump in activity this past month. Year-to-date sales are practically on par with the same time last year nudging up by six residential sales.

“Waterloo region’s residential real estate market was alive and well in May, says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of KWAR. “On a year-to-date basis, we are seeing sales activity that is right in line with last year’s results and a little above the 5 year average.”

May’s sales included 528 single detached homes (up 17.9 % from last year) 122 condominium units (up 2.5 %), 59 semi-detached (up 20.4 %) and 45 freehold townhouses (up 18.4 %). Year-to-date residential sales were 3.5 per cent above the 5-year average with a total of 2,860 units to date.

The average sale price of all residential sales through the KWAR’s MLS

® System increased 6.9 percent last month to $333,288 compared with May 2012. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $378,473 an increase of 7.4 per cent compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was $212,638, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to May 2012.

“The spring home buying season was in full swing in May,” says President Sommerfeld. “This was reflected in the strong price gains and is a sign of the confidence that homebuyers have in the local housing market and Waterloo region as a great place to live and invest.

The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR®.

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If you’re unsure, remind yourself that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Joe Richer •  Sat. Mar. 2, 2013  • Toronto Star

Q: What are the warning signs of mortgage fraud? What can I do to protect myself?

A: Mortgage fraud is a complicated criminal act that is an ongoing concern for the real estate profession.

As the regulator responsible for upholding the integrity of the profession, RECO works in partnership with all parties involved in real estate transactions to investigate complaints to make sure real estate professionals are compliant with the law and impose disciplinary action on those found to have knowingly participated in fraud. As Registrar, my position is that any registrant proven to have knowingly participated in mortgage fraud faces losing their registration.

You can protect yourself from being an unwitting participant in mortgage fraud by being suspicious of situations where you are:

-Asked to overstate your income or make other false statements on a mortgage application.

-Asked not to complete certain sections of a form or sign documents that contain blanks.

-Are discouraged from visiting the property you’re purchasing or having it appraised or inspected.

If you’re unsure, remind yourself that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it to the police.

If you have a question for Joe, email askjoe@reco.on.ca. Joseph Richer is RECO’s registrar and is in charge of the administration and enforcement of all rules under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act. You can find more tips at reco.on.ca, follow on Twitter @RECOhelps or on YouTube at youtube.com/recohelps.

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The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s one-day charity garage sale to raise money for women’s shelters and violence prevention programs will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Royal LePage offices across the country. Since 2009, Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has raised close to $1.2 million at the National Garage Sale for Shelter to help stop the cycle of violence and provide a safe haven and new beginnings for women and children.

We need your help and the help of our community to reach our goal! You will be helping women and children in our community safely escape violence. 100% of the proceeds goes to a local women’s shelter and to education and violence prevention programs in our community.

How can you help?

DONATE! We are looking for gently used (& new)  items to sell at our Garage Sale (no clothes or large appliances please).

-March 25th-May 9th – Items can be dropped off at AMJ Campbell, 305 Industrial Rd., Cambridge, 877-211-0021, during regular business hours. Please let them know it’s for Royal LePage Wolle Realty Garage Sale.

-May 6th-10th – Items can be dropped off at Royal LePage Wolle Realty, 842 Victoria St., N., Kitchener, between 9:00am-7:00pm.

-May 9th – AMJ Campbell special pick-up day. Please call 519-578-7300 before MAY 8th to arrange to have your items picked up this day. This is for the local Kitchener/Waterloo Area only

SHARE! Please help spread the word.

-Print up our poster & share it in your condo building, public venue or business.

-Like  Royal Lepage Wolle Realty Garage Sale for Shelter on Facebook

-Invite people and share the Facebook Event

-Tell a neighbour or family member about the event

SHOP! Be sure to join us Saturday May 11, 2013.

You will find us in Royal LePage Wolle Realty PARKING LOT located at 842 Victoria Street North, Kitchener (the corner of Victoria & River Road). We would love to see you there!

If you have any questions or need help please contact us at 519-578-7300

By Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) admin    •March 6th, 2013

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (March 6, 2013) ––  Residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) were down 10.5 percent compared to this month last year while the year-to-date dollar volume of sales was 8 percent above the 5-year average.

A total of 445 residential properties sold last month, a 31.3 percent increase compared to January 2013. February’s residential sales included 297 detached homes (down 9.7 percent compared to February 2012) 81 condos (down 12.9 percent), 36 semis (up 5.9 percent), and 29 freehold townhouses (down 25.6 percent).

“Sales in February showed a healthy increase over January,” says Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR. “The reduction in the number of sales on a year over year basis can be attributed to the tightened mortgage rules implemented by the government in mid-2012.”

The average sale price of all homes sold in February increased 5.4 percent to $324,998 from the same time last year. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $368,573, an increase of 5 percent compared to February 2012. Average sale prices for condos rose to $218,591, an 8.8 percent increase from last year and townhomes followed closely with an 8.3 percent bump putting the average selling price at $283,513.

“With continued low mortgage rates we expect a healthy spring market,” says Sommerfeld. “It remains an incredibly good time to buy or sell in our market.”

The KWAR cautions average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all residential properties sold.

Consumers uncertain about current market conditions should work with a REALTOR® to develop an effective selling strategy. If you are buying, a REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf and guide you through every step. A REALTOR® understands the local market and must, by law, look after your best interests.

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