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Do You Know the Basics of Home Security?
Most people feel confident about the basics of home security. For example: Keep all doors locked. Have a light on in the house while away. Never hide a key outside in an obvious place, like under the mat.
Yet, almost a million and a half properties get burglarized in North America each year. So how can you prevent that from happening to your home? Here are a few less known home security basics:
- Actually, never hide a key outside. Thieves know all the hiding places. Instead, make sure all family members have a key.
- Two-thirds of home burglaries occur during the day. So be extra vigilant about making sure doors and windows are locked while you’re away during the day.
- Surprisingly, most thieves are not daring. They are 2.7 times more likely to target a home without an alarm system.
- Thieves will attempt to force entry through sliding-style doors and windows first. So make sure these have a locking bar or extra bolt lock.
- Surprising, 40% of household burglaries do not involve forced entry. The thief is able to slip in through an unlocked window or door.
- Don’t show off possessions! An imported racing bike parked next to the garage, or expensive audio equipment clearly seen through a window, is an invitation to burglars.
- Take a look at the lighting and landscaping around your property. Are there spots where a thief could easily hide? If so, make some changes.
- When planning a trip, have a trusted neighbour pick up newspapers, flyers and anything else that may accumulate at your door.
Your local police department may have more tips and special programs for keeping your home secure. Give them a call.
Contributed byTeam Gonin
RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage
67 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON L6K1C9
Call (905) 338-9000 | Fax (905) 338-3411
April 2012 Oakville, Milton and Burlington Ontario Real Estate Sales Results
Here are the April 2012 residential real estate results for Oakville, Milton and Burlington Ontario.
The Oakville, Milton & District Real Estate Board (OMDREB) posted 1,111 sales in April – up 15.7% from April 2011, while the Realtors Association of Hamilton Burlington (RAHB) reported 1442 sales virtually identical to the number sold last year (1446). As expected, the number of sales was higher in April than in March this year.
New listings were up over the same period on OMDREB with 1,839 new listings hit the board, up 15.9%. However, the RAHB reported 2,004 new listings, down 2.8% when compared to the 2,062 last April.
Inventory continues to remain tight in certain price ranges and competition between buyers is resulting in upward pressure on the average and median sale prices. Information for residential sales in Oakville, Milton and Burlington was taken from both of the above real estate boards. Let’s see how each area did.
OAKVILLE
There were a total of 395 residential sales in Oakville in April resulting in an AVERAGE sale price of $703,157 which is up 12.3% from last April, while the MEDIAN sale price was $575,000 up 11.7% when compared to last year. The number of sales, the Average and the Median sale prices were all the highest seen since the beginning of 2008. 66 homes sold for over $1 million in April versus the 36 that sold last year.
It took 23 days on average for a house to sell in the month of April in Oakville
MILTON
233 sales took place in Milton in April up 33.1% from the number sold in 2011. The April AVERAGE sale price was $443,072 (up 7.7%) while the MEDIAN sale price was $425,000 up 9.0% from last year. Both the AVERAGE and the MEDIAN sale prices are the third highest seen since 2008.
Homes sold very quickly in Milton in April, taking only 16 days to sell on average.
BURLINGTON
Burlington also posted great results in the month of April. The number of sales was up 2.6% with 354 sales taking place in April. The AVERAGE sale price increased by 16.4% to $460,228 and the MEDIAN sale price was up by 17.9% to $437,674. Just so you know, the AVERAGE sale price was the second highest seen since 2008 and the MEDIAN sale price was the highest.
It took 29 days on average for a home to sell in April.
It is critical that both buyers and sellers keep informed of the current local real estate market conditions. Therefore if you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Oakville, Milton or Burlington Ontario, or if you would like to receive mls listings contact Team Gonin today.
Contributed byTeam Gonin
RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage
67 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON L6K1C9
Call (905) 338-9000 | Fax (905) 338-3411
Market Remains Tight With Sale Up In April
The Greater Toronto Realtors reported strong results for the month of April. Not only did the average sale price increase by more than 8.5%, to $517,556, but there were 10,350 transactions in the month -up 18% when compared to the same time period last year.
“Interest in single-detached homes has been very high, both in the City of Toronto and surrounding regions. Growth in single-detached listings has not kept up with demand, which means competition between buyers in this market segment increased. With this in mind, it was no surprise that the strongest annual price increase was also experienced in the single-detached segment,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President, Richard Silver.
For any questions you may have about the Suburban Toronto real estate markets in Oakville, Milton and Burlington, for mls listings, or for information about buying or selling your home, contact Team Gonin today
Contributed byTeam Gonin
RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage
67 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON L6K1C9
Call (905) 338-9000 | Fax (905) 338-3411
Eliminating the home selling (and buying) jitters
Selling your property and buying a new home can be a potentially intimidating experience… so much so that these jitters may even prevent some people from making a move!
It doesn’t have to be that way. A big part of the stress of selling and buying comes from not understanding the process or having unanswered questions. You might worry about how the state of the market will affect the value of your purchase over the long term or what you would do if you found your dream home before receiving any offers on your current property.
That’s where a good REALTOR® comes in. He or she can explain the process to you, answer all your questions, and show you how to make your move go smoothly.
For any questions you may have about buying or selling homes in Oakville, Milton or Burlington Ontario, or for mls listings contact Team Gonin today.
Contributed byTeam Gonin
RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage
67 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON L6K1C9
Call (905) 338-9000 | Fax (905) 338-3411
Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre Garage Sale
Come out and join Team Gonin at the Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre’s Annual Garage Sale
- Saturday, May 5th
- Oak Park Sales Centre, 215 Glenashton Drive
- 7:30 am – 12 noon
Pancake Breakfast Sponsored by TEAM GONIN, plus enjoy wagon rides and bake sale too. All proceeds raised go towards covering program costs at the Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre.
The Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre began many years ago by 6 woman as Oak Park Mom and Tots. The centre recently changed it’s name to better represent the programmes that they provide. The centre is a fantastic place to get to know people in your neighbourhood and offers many programs to suit any ones needs. Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre provides education, support, recreation and social opportunites, as well, it provides basic amenities to families in need.
The Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre is a registered charity and all proceeds from the garage sale will go towards helping cover the program costs. Donations are also welcome.
Check out more information about the Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre and all the programs it offers.
To receive Oak Park mls listing or for more information on buying or selling homes in the Oak Park, Oakville area contact Team Gonin today.
Contributed by
Team Gonin
RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage
67 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON L6K1C9
Call (905) 338-9000 | Fax (905) 338-3411
