“The Right Barrie Neighbourhood Or The Right House?”

That is the Question….at least when you are in the middle of a new home search it is.

Sometimes it can happen that you find the perfect house in a desirable Barrie neighbourhood that just doesn’t fit your lifestyle. The other thing that can occur is you find the right neighbourhood but simply can’t find a house you like in it. What do you do if you do find the right house but you don’t like the neighbourhood? Read the rest of this entry

Are Sold sings just for Real Estate or are government selling off their countries under the table.!

In case you haven’t been following the news recently the world is gradually reaching a point where it runs out of money. Caused by years of excess spending with little regard for long term fiscal stability various governments around the world are reaching crunch time. Simply put we have been borrowing to enjoy benefits we can’t afford. Of course this will pan out in one of two ways, 1. Governments default on their debt obligations, that’s a bit like you defaulting on a mortgage payment, or 2. Governments will decide to allow themselves the ability to raise their debt ceiling (I.E. borrow more) and the dice will be rolled one more time.

Read the rest of this entry

Hi all,

The Barrie Police have just announced that they have produced a map of Barrie showing various crimes that have been committed during the set past period. I’m not saying you should use this to determine where to by a new home (Barrie actually doesn’t actually have a bad crime rate period) however, it’s a useful guide as to some areas to avoid or be aware of, or at least if you are going to live in some areas have home security etc. In any case, a quick blog post here with the link.

http://www.police.barrie.on.ca/node/4070

Ian Hocking
Hocking Homes Team at Royal LePage First Contact Realty, Brokerage
705 252 7939

First Time Barrie Homebuyers Expectations

As a first time Barrie homebuyer you may not know exactly what to expect in house prices and types of homes. It may come as quite a shock to find out exactly what you can afford and what is out of your price range when you first start looking at the Barrie homes available.

A lot of first time homebuyers have a palace in mind when they can really only afford a small home. This is something that every agent must address at some point in his career, and it must be handled early enough so that the buyer can learn what to expect and not get his hopes up. The Barrie real estate market is still quite affordable when compared to the GTA, however, home prices have risen here recently and at this time prices are somewhat stretched.  No matter where you are buying in the Barrie reales estate area some basic do’s and Read the rest of this entry

Before Purchasing A Barrie Property – Look At The Crime Rate

Actually before buying a home anywhere, there are a number of factors one should consider, the crime rate probably isn’t the first thought on your list, hence the reason we made it one of our main titles.  Luckily the crime rate in Barrie is fairly low. We still live in a city where  a serious crime makes front page news and tends to stay there for weeks not days. However, carrying out crime rate research is very important when you are planning to purchase Barrie home or move to a particular neighborhood. There are different approaches you can use when doing your research. Here are some good ideas to help you find relevant and helpful information.
Read the rest of this entry

Are Real estate seminars in Barrie & Toronto a Scam?

Maybe ‘scam’ is a harsh word, let’s say, ‘less than fulfilling’. While real estate can be a very good investment vehicle worth considering, some people are now offering real estate seminars in Barrie and Toronto that make outrageous get rich quick promises. Many people are attracted to the prospect of making thousands of dollars on properties after investing a small amount of money. You can end up investing hundreds and even thousands of dollars for these seminars that tell you there is fast money in real estate. While some seminars are legit, some are a scam….err  ’less than fulfilling’.

The first thing I would say is that investing in the Barrie real estate market is worthwhile and has been worthwhile for a number of years. The market here is relatively stable and although you are unlikely to see amazing capital appreciation over a short period, you are more than likely going to have a steady investment. Properties here typically cash flow but only just.  Read the rest of this entry

Barrie real estate:  Bungalow Or Two Story?

Actually you could add any number of combinations to that statement. Backsplits, Side splits, contemporary and then of course you can have walkout basements etc. When it comes down to it there are many many different styles. However, they are all generally based around a theme of one level or multiple levels.

 All styles have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, and sometimes it is just a matter of price that determines the final decision. If you are in your forties, or older, a Barrie bungalow could be considered. As retirement approaches you need to think about your health in the coming years.  Do you plan on staying in this house until you reach the ripe old age of 95 and are still able to maintain a residence? If so, there is no guarantee on how you will be able to handle stairs at an older age. Stairs can be a big burden for the elderly. Read the rest of this entry

Barrie Real Estate Home Buyers – Answers To Some Common Questions

If you are looking for a great deal on Barrie real estate, you may have some of these homebuyer questions. Every day you can find hundreds of houses that have been put up for sale in the Barrie real estate market and are waiting for a buyer. To help you find that ideal Barrie home that you really want, here are several frequently asked questions and their answers.
Read the rest of this entry

The Barrie Association of Realtors provides monthly updates of the state of the market, we are pleased to share them with you here.

Home sales improve at the end of 2010

Residential property sales in the Barrie Real Estate area as recorded through the MLS® System of the Barrie & District Association of REALTORS® Inc. posted a solid end to the year, with December sales coming in above a five-year average for the month. Read the rest of this entry

HI all, I know this has nothing to do with Barrie Real Estate however, in the interest of spreading the love, I thought I would point this out. If you have ever thought about owning an Apple Mac computer ad couldn’t quite justify the cost then you might want to read on. Read the rest of this entry