ECO Grants

New in Canada's Economic Action Plan
Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government is expanding the ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes program by $300 million over two years to help property owners make their homes more energy efficient. Effective April 1, 2009, grant amounts have been increased by 25 percent. Homeowners are encouraged to act now to take advantage of this special, limited-time offer. It is estimated that the additional funds will extend the reach of the current program to an additional 200,000 homeowners.
About the Program
ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes provides home and property owners with grants of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of making energy-efficiency improvements. The grants apply to a range of measures that reduce energy consumption and provide for a cleaner environment, from increasing insulation to upgrading a furnace. The maximum grant for property owners with multiple properties is $500,000.
How It Works
Before undertaking any energy-efficiency renovations, the homeowner hires an energy advisor certified by Natural Resources Canada to perform an energy evaluation on the home. The homeowner selects which improvements to do and implements the recommended energy upgrades, leaving time to ensure that the post-retrofit evaluation is completed within 18 months or before March 31, 2011, whichever comes first. The homeowner calls the energy advisor to perform the post-retrofit evaluation, which will confirm the home's new energy rating. The advisor submits the ecoENERGY Retrofit grant application to the Government of Canada. If applicable, the application will also be forwarded to the collaborating provincial and territorial retrofit program for further financial reimbursement. Approved reimbursements are then sent out to applicants.
Who Is Eligible
Owners of single-family homes (detached, semi-detached and low-rise, multi-unit residential buildings that are no more than three storeys high) are eligible. Additionally, owners of some small buildings less than three storeys high, where at least 50 percent of the floor area is used for permanent residences, are also eligible.
How to Find Out More
For more information, please visit the ecoACTION website.

On March 26th, 2009, the McGuinty government announced its intention to harmonize the goods and services tax with the provincial sales tax.
As a result of this change, provincial sales tax will now be levied on legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, home inspection fees and other services related to a real estate transaction.
OREA believes that this tax grab will severely hurt the resale housing market and reduce affordability for Ontarians trying to buy a home.
We encourage all OREA members and their clients to write their MPP to express their outrage at these new taxes and to tell them how badly they will hurt the real estate market in your area.
Send an e-mail to your MPP on this issue now by clicking here.

Depersonalizing is an important step when it comes to selling your home. It means that you need to let go emotionally and this can be a tough process. Now that you have made the
decision to move, you need to commit to that and remove your identity from the house. Focus on turning your home into a "model home". Disconnecting yourself from your house will allow the buyer to emotionally connect and envision themselves living there, not feeling that they are a guest in your home.
Things to think about

Remove all personal and family photos
Remove all memorabilia
Pre-pack books and music that do not appeal to a wide range of buyers
Pre-pack your collections
Do you have belongings that could be potentially disagreeable to buyers?
Remove and pre-pack any items that could be potentially offensive or disagreeable
Store away and organize children’s toys, games and books

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An Ontario law came into effect Monday making it illegal for drivers to use hand-held cellphones, BlackBerrys and other electronic devices while behind the wheel.
Drivers are forbidden to use hand-held devices to talk, text or email while behind the wheel, or to use portable video games or DVD players.
Police will be warning motorists for the first three months to stay off the phone instead of handing out tickets. But drivers can still be charged under existing dangerous or careless driving laws, which have fines of up to $1,000, six demerit points, a driver's licence suspension and possible jail time.
The only exception to the ban is a 911 call.
"This law is about keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel," Transportation Minister Jim Bradley said at a news conference in Toronto Monday. "We need to prevent these unnecessary road accidents and I believe this law will do just that."
Hands-free cellphones remain legal, and global positioning systems are allowed if they're secured to the dashboard.
The Ministry of Transport said the ban is needed because driver distraction is a factor in 20 per cent of all road accidents. Bradley said one U.S. study found texting boosted the risk of a collision 23 times.
Starting Feb. 1, drivers could face fines of up to $500 if they're caught violating the ban. There are no demerit points attached to the law.

Professional Representation for Professional Results

Listing your house yourself might seem like an easy way to save money. After all, how hard could it be to place a sign on your front lawn and wait for offers to come in? Judging from the number of property owners who end up switching to a real estate agent after trying the self-sell route, it’s not as easy as it looks!
Potential real estate do-it-yourselfers are urged to consider these points:

1. Am I well versed in the legal requirements involved in selling my house? Am I capable of handling legal contract, agreements and any disputes with potential purchasers either before or after the offer is presented?
2. Do I know all the necessary steps involved in listing the property? Am I familiar with inspection and closing procedures, and all the paperwork involved?
3. Do I have a reputable lawyer who specialized in real estate laws and regulation? Do I have access to qualified inspectors and other professionals?
4. Am I confident that the price I’m listing the house for is fair? Am I comfortable trying to negotiate pricing, and dealing with financing?
5. Is my time flexible for showings, and do I know how to screen unqualified prospects before they take up my time?
Remember that a qualified real estate agent will take care of these details and more, in addition to ensuring that your property is advertised to as many potential buyers as possible through several advertising means.
Call me if you are thinking of selling your house – it’s my job to make it as easy and profitable for you as possible!

Proposed Home Renovation Tax Credit

Keep those receipts organized and ready for tax time! Enhance your home while increasing value!
Here are some examples of eligble expenses:

• Renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
• Windows and door
• New carpet or hardwood floors
• New furnace, boiler, woodstove, fireplace, water softener, water heater, or oil tank
• Permanent Home ventilation systems
• Central air conditioner
• Permanent reverse osmosis systems
• Septic systems
• Wells
• Electrical wiring in the home (e.g., changing from 100 amp to 200 amp service)
• Home Security System (monthly fees do not qualify)
• Solar panels and solar panel trackers
• Painting the interior or exterior of a house
• Building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, or fence
• Re-shingling a roof
• A new driveway or resurfacing a driveway
• Exterior shutters and awnings
• Permanent swimming pools (in ground and above ground)
• Permanent hot tub and installation costs
• Pool liners
• Solar heaters and heat pumps for pools (does not include solar blankets)
• Landscaping: new sod, perennial shrubs and flowers, trees, large rocks, permanent gardenlighting, permanent water fountain, permanent ponds, large permanent garden ornaments.
• Retaining wall
• Associated costs such as installation, permits, professional services, equipment rentals, and incidental expense
• Fixtures - blinds, shades, shutters, lights, ceiling fans, etc.