Housing Starts Rise in March: CMHC

The latest figures released by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) showed that housing starts rose in March. Housing data continues to be positive, and it seems like there is some balance coming back to the market- with increases in some regions, and decreases in others, resulting in an overall upwards trend. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts registered in at 188,800 units in March- which is a rise up from 183,700 units in February 2011. The Oakville real estate market played a small role in helping increase the numbers that were led higher predominantly by Ontario and the Atlantic region. Read more...

Building permits beat expectations: Stats Can

The figures for building permits actually surpassed analysts’ expectations for February, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. Building permits issued jumped 9.9% from January, which was well above the analysts’ predictions of between 1%- 1.4% for February. Municipalities granted building permits totalling $5.8 billion in February. Stronger than expected activity in the non-residential sector pulled up the market as a whole, offsetting declines in residential market activity. These gains were mostly centered in Alberta and Ontario. The 'Oakville Real Estate' building permits issued were not specified in the report released. Read more...

Oakville Real Estate – $11M spent on creek clean up

NORTH OAKVILLE TODAY - It’s been just over a year since an unknown substance was found floating down Bronte Creek and it was discovered that a nearby petroleum pipeline had cracked. Over the past 12 months, a massive clean-up effort has been undertaken at the scene near Bronte Road and Speers Road to try to restore the sensitive environmental area. On March 11, 2010, Town of Oakville staff responded to reports of a sheen on the surface of Bronte Creek and five days later, it was discovered that the source of the material was a cracked pipeline owned by Trans-Northern Pipelines Inc. At the time it was estimated that 90,000 litres of petroleum product escaped into the environment. Since then, the pipeline has been replaced, a massive excavation has taken place and groundwater has been treated and returned back to the creek. Read more...

Oakville Real Estate - OREA explains the HST on youtube

The HST has been around for some time now, and most 'Oakville home' buyers are aware that the HST does not apply to resale home purchases, however, there is still a little confusion with some in the 'Oakville Real Estate' market about the HST. The Ontario Real Estate Association, in partnership with Ontario Revenue Minister Sophia Aggelonitis, have released a video to clarify the rules for those looking to purchase a home and to eliminate confusion around HST as it applies to resale and new home purchases. Read more...

Buyer Beware! Warns Canadian Association of Movers

There are many reputable moving companies throughout the GTA and in working in the 'Oakville real estate' market, but it is important to exercise some caution when choosing a mover. Nowhere is there is a stronger case for “Buyer Beware” than in the moving industry. In a statement released today, the Canadian Association of Movers cautioned consumers against “"rogue" movers” and offers tips on “moving to protect them from over-charging, broken promises and unfair practices.” Read more...

Canada’s rich fuelling rebound in luxury housing

As the CEO of a prominent real estate title insurance company, Thomas Grifferty has seen his share of impressive properties. But when he first saw plans for the Edgemere waterfront condominium project in the Oakville Real Estate market, he was sold. “It didn't take us long to make a decision to live here,” said Grifferty, the head of First Canadian Title, the largest title insurance company in Canada. “This is a really unique property by the lake.” Entrepreneurs such as Grifferty are one reason why the Canadian luxury home market has seen a resurgence this year as it comes out of the 2009 recession, when credit markets froze. A burgeoning Canadian millionaires club has caused demand to rebound for luxury goods ranging from Hermes handbags to real estate. Read more...

Oakville Homes - Freehold Townhomes

There are a wide variety of both Freehold and Condo Townhomes available in the 'Oakville Real Estate Market'. Freehold Townhomes, or Attached/Row homes as they are also commonly referred to differ from Condo Townhomes in several ways, but the most important distinction comes down to the land that the home is situated on. A Condo Townhome will usually have an address such as ‘123 Any Street Unit 45’ and be situated within a complex on private property. The land that it is situated on, including the yard, driveway, and roads are owned collectively by all of the unit owners and are known as the ‘common elements’. Read more...

Oakville Homes - Condo Townhomes

Condo Townhomes in the 'Oakville Real Estate' market make up about 8% of all of the 'Oakville homes' that sell in a typical month, and range in price from around $240 000 at the entry level up to around $800 000 or more at the high end. Currently the average price of a Condo Townhome in Oakville is $386 140 while the Median price is $332 750. Condo townhomes cater to a wide variety of buyers. They can offer entry to the market for a first time buyer as the most affordable option, to a lifestyle choice for the most affluent buyer. Read more...

Oakville Homes - Detached Homes

The 'Oakville Real Estate' market has everything one can imagine when it comes to Detached homes. You can find anything from a cozy home on a modest lot to a multi-million dollar estate with Riparian rights. Detached homes can also vary widely in the types and styles available to choose from. You will find anything from Bungalows and Raised Bungalows, Side Splits and Back Splits to 2 and 3 story 'Oakville homes'. The type and style tend to vary with the age and location of the neighbourhood. You will usually find bungalows and sidesplits in some of Oakvilles more established neighbourhoods, and in the newer developments the most common home you will find is a 2 storey with a single or double car garage. Read more...