According to 84% of people surveyed by Angus Reid, “it is unrealistic for young people to expect to own a house and a yard in the GTA.”

45% of those surveyed admitted to being forced to shop outside the GTA due to the high cost of owning property and living in the city.

In hot markets like Toronto and Vancouver, high flying prices and low amounts of properties are forcing prospective homeowners to take desperate measures, including turning to craigslist, leafleting, posting flyers and even knocking on doors in search of properties for sale.

Desperate Times

Kate Whyte, of Vancouver, described her time knocking on doors: “I had a lot of elderly people tell me I was crazy… I had a lot of people say they totally understood. I had a lot of people say they had done the same thing.”

Real estate agents are similarly being forced to take an active role in searching for clients. Ryan Thompson, an agent with Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate in Toronto, blindly sends letters asking if homeowners are interested in selling and has even begun cold-calling homeowners to see if they’re interested in selling. Before, they would only have done this for difficult clients, but now it’s a weekly event.

Expensive and Unliveable

Recently, a home with holes in the roof, where agents advised potential buyers to bring a flashlight, sold for more than one million dollars. It is believed to have been bought primarily for the location: “steps from the lake in one direction and seconds to the shops and restaurants in the other.” That’s a prime location, even if the house in question is “uninhabitable.” Houses can be torn down and rebuilt.

According to TREB, prices will continue to go up until the number of listings begin to match or exceed the number of sales. Until this happens, expect to hear more stories like these.

It’s impossible to predict when this bubble will (preferably) deflate or even burst, but the Bank of Canada already considers investing in the housing market to be a financial risk. While the Bank of Canada wants to boost the country’s sluggish growth, cheaper money could lead to an even more frenzied housing market in two of the country’s biggest cities.

Realosophy Real Estate president John Pasalis believes that the market may calm down a bit when construction slows, but added “I think (prices are) going to continue where they have been going.”

Ready to Move out of Toronto?

As Toronto continues to grow, the cost of buying a home also increases. Its becoming increasingly difficult to buy a home in Toronto because of the high costs involved. As such, many people are now considering moving outside of Toronto in search of affordable homes. That is where we at At Previn Court Homes can help.

Since our inception over 40 years ago, we have constructed in excess of 1500 homes in Canada, and in the process made the dreams of 1500 families come true. Take a tour of our incredible models, or contact us today for more to let us know your needs in terms of bathrooms, bedrooms and budget.

Race to the Bottom

There isn’t a single buyer who benefits from a bidding war. When two or more purchasers enter into a bidding war for a home, only the sellers win. Real estate markets with intense competition, in particular big cities like Toronto, can result in a difficult buying process that ends up inflating the cost of real estate.

The economics are simple: demand for a limited resource always ends up in a price spike, regardless of whether or not the commodity is worth the price. In order to get the best bang for your buck when buying a home, avoiding competing buyers helps to reduce the cost of your investment.

Have Your Own Home Built

Get a new home built just for you, without the need to worry about other people bidding it out of your clutches. You can lock up your dream home in nearly developed areas, such as the ones we offer.

These types of homes are built strategically to provide fantastic quality and a neighbourhood plan ideal for families. Since many of these projects take place on parcels of underdeveloped land, builders choose locations that are far enough from hectic locations, but close enough to enjoy the conveniences of the big city.

Previn Court has been creating custom homes and building neighbourhoods from scratch since the 1970s.

Avoid Hot Markets

For several years, Canadian real estate has been in a continuous boom, with prices and demand for homes rising on a consistent basis. Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary have witnessed some of the strongest gains, which have resulted in skyrocketing prices, restricted availability and frantic development of condos to help cater to rising demand.

As a whole, over the past decade, the Canadian real estate market has accelerated rapidly, party due to Canada’s reputation as a steady economic performer during times of international economical strife. The influx of foreign investment attracted by Canadian economic stability, especially in Vancouver and Toronto, has resulted in massive quantities of real estate inventory snapped up in expectation of profit.

When you attempt to enter incandescent markets, you increase the risk of being burned by the intensity of the competition for limited housing stock. Finding areas that are adjacent to hot markets can result in a solid investment, particularly when buying a newly constructed home that guarantees you don’t have to worry about previous occupants.

Are You Interested in Buying a Home in Alliston?

Are you tired of living in downtown Toronto? Are you considering buying a home in Alliston? We can help. With over 35 years of experience, we have built homes for over a thousand families, including detached, townhome, and unique attached single units, and we can help you find the perfect home for you.

Contact us to let us know your desired number of bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as your budget, and we’ll send you priority updates and special offers on our beautiful new homes.

Parents looking for the best environment in which to raise a child have to weigh the pros and cons of buying a home versus purchasing a condo.

A variety of factors come into play, such as cost, convenience, market conditions and availability, but for most parents, the most crucial variables involves finding the best place to raise and develop their child. One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a home revolves around the benefits of having a yard for your children.

Healthy Development

An important part of a child’s growth takes place during the time they spend playing outdoors, discovering the natural world that surrounds them. Providing your family with a yard is one of the safest ways of facilitating this sort of growth, in particular when your kid is young.

Large yards that feature trees, bushes and vegetation introduce your child to the natural world. In fact, studies show that children who play in the dirt enjoy a variety of developmental boosts, including a stronger immune system, improved mood and a reduction in obesity, depression and disorders like ADD and ADHD.

Children who grow up in condos tend to be surrounded by a landscape dominated by concrete and glass. This can make it difficult as a parent to expose your children to nature, especially when living in a downtown metropolis.

Leaving a Legacy

When you purchase a house that includes a yard, especially a large space with plenty of greenery, the value of your investment is much more stable than if you purchased a condo. A survey conducted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals revealed that home buyers possess an overwhelming demand for green space when they consider the purchase of a domestic property.

Nine out of ten respondents revealed a preference for abodes adjacent to grass, plants, trees and other features of natural landscapes. In terms of the importance of living close to green space, 91% of respondents answered that it’s important to live close to natural spaces, while 60% believe that it’s very important to do so.

Condos simply cannot meet this demand. While there are other factors that are important when it comes to the value of real estate, the fact that home buyers seek to have some sort of connection with nature results in reduced perception of the value of condos.

Previn Court Homes have a portfolio of real estate that offer fantastic yards, green spaces and investment value. Contact us to learn more about terrific houses that match the needs of your family.

Buy Your Family a Home in Alliston

If you have a big family, you should definitely buy a home with a yard as opposed to buying a condo. If you’re an Alliston resident, we at Previn Court can build one for you. We know that home buyers are looking for a residence that will make them feel both physically and financially comfortable.  Learn more about our beautiful affordable new homes to buy, or contact us to register for priority updates and special offers, and find the perfect home for your budget.

Every year, so many people are drawn to the lights, the sounds, the people of downtown Toronto. As the song says “Things will be great when you’re downtown!” Unfortunately, many people are getting a sharp wake-up call due to sudden and unexpected rent hikes and a high cost of living.

Downtown condo realtor Andrew la Fleur estimates condo rents in the core have jumped 10 to 15 per cent just in the last year. Although an estimated 32,000 new condo units have been built in the Toronto over the last five years, construction hasn’t been enough to keep up with demand. Tighter mortgage lending rules and high house prices have forced many would-be buyers to rent longer, which is leading to a shortage of strong rental properties.

Escape Toronto Traffic

There are also the other issues of city life, from nightmarish traffic to the risk of crime to pollution. Traffic jams are an increasingly large problem, and the TTC is struggling to meet the demands of the citizens. If you own a car, you have to pay extra for parking, on top of paying your already high rent. For too many, this is too much and they are forced to make very tough decisions. Many choose to stay, struggling with debt, but others opt-out, giving up on downtown living in favour of something less stressful.

Consider Alliston in Simcoe

So, is it time to move out and up? The town of Alliston in Simcoe county is just ninety minutes away from Toronto, and enjoys beautiful scenery, affordable property prices and lower property taxes, making it an ideal candidate for those working in Toronto who are looking for something stable and secure. There are two public elementary schools, two Catholic elementary schools and one high school, with two parks, several pools and numerous residential areas, so young families can rest assured that they will be well taken care of throughout the year.

Commonly called the “potato capital of Ontario,” Alliston can boast of thousands of acres of farmland and is now the home of Honda Canada manufacturing, with three major factories, and numerous other businesses are proud to call Alliston home. In the 2011 census, the town grew by 23%, more than 4 times the average in the county of Simcoe. Many of them commute to and from Toronto, to avoid the costs and stresses of everyday life there.

With Alliston, it’s possible to have your cake and eat it, working in downtown Toronto while living affordably with much more freedom than city life offers.

Are You Interested in Buying a Home in Alliston?

Are you tired of living in downtown Toronto? Are you considering buying a home in Alliston? We can help. With over 35 years of experience, we have built homes for over a thousand families, including detached, townhome, and unique attached single units, and we can help you find the perfect home for you.

Contact us to let us know your desired number of bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as your budget, and we’ll send you priority updates and special offers on our beautiful new homes.

Do You Really Need to Downsize?

One of the more difficult decisions that homeowners must make at one time or another is whether or not their current property matches lifestyle needs. In particular, those who retire often considering downsizing into a small condo rather than dealing with maintaining the home they already own.

Typically, downsizing is considered one step closer to freedom. However, there are consequences that homeowners need to consider before getting rid of their current property in favour of a smaller living space.

Cramped Quarters

One of the most obvious drawbacks of downsizing your home is the significant reduction in space. Moving from a house to a condo can reduce the square-footage of your home by as much as a third or more.

This makes it more difficult for you to host family gatherings and other social events that you may be accustomed to hosting. You also have to make difficult decisions in terms of the furniture, art and other cherished items that you choose to bring with you. Instead of enjoying these and other objects you’ve collected over time, many of these will have to be stuck in storage, sold or given away.

If you’re used to having a large kitchen or a spacious bathroom, downsizing will require an adjustment on your behalf to get used to your new surroundings.

Unexpected Costs

Saving money is one reason why some home buyers want to downsize into a condo. However, the costs involved in selling and moving may end up eating into the savings more than expected. Commission and taxes reduce the profit of home sales.

Condo fees represent another siphon that sharply reduces the profitability of downsizing. Living in a downtown condo, especially often increases the cost of living in terms of energy, fuel, food and other day-to-day necessities.

Moving away from your old neighbourhood may make it more difficult for you to keep in touch with family and friends. Rather than entertaining your loved ones at home, you may have to travel long distances to visit them instead, especially if you’ve chosen a small space in a densely populated downtown neighbourhood.

The lack of green space is one of the biggest complaints that people register against condominium living. People tend to feel more relaxed when surrounded by some sort of greenery, whether it’s a lawn, garden or trees. Condos are typically built in a concrete jungle setting, which you may find off-putting.

Rather than downsizing into a condo, you can opt to switch into a newly built home through a developer like Previn Court. There’s no need to rush into a smaller space when you have the option of living in a home that doesn’t force you to compromise the lifestyle that you love.

Ready to Downsize?

When it comes to downsizing, buying a new, smaller home is the best course of action.  At Previn Court Homes, we know that home buyers are looking for a residence that will make them feel both physically and financially comfortable.  Learn more about our beautiful affordable new homes to buy, or contact us to register for priority updates and special offers, and find the perfect home for your budget.

There’s a certain peace of mind that real estate buyers enjoy when they purchase a newly built home. The uncertainty involved in buying an older construction revolves around how the prior owners treated the house.

Occasionally, previous occupants try to hide shoddy construction or previous problems with the home by falsifying records or performing slapdash renos. Even a good inspector misses a well-obscured flaw, which results in you having to invest in more time and money to fix it yourself.

Guaranteed Quality

Purchasing a newly built home greatly increases the likelihood that you will be fully satisfied with the quality of your home. The use of new material results in better durability and more efficient use of energy, particularly during the summer and winter seasons.

The quality of hardware and technology installed in new homes also tend to be superior compared to older builds. Stainless steel kitchen appliances, and wireless built-in speakers provide examples of modern amenities that provide solid functionality while improving the look of the home.

Flexible Customization

Builders work with home buyers to implement interior and exterior designs that match the needs of you and your family. Prior to completion, you’re able to plan all aspects of the final product, including floor plan, materials, appliances, paint color and a wide range of other details and home accessories.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of arranging every single aspect of a new home, builders also offer a wide variety of pre-set plans that take care of all the necessary details.

You Know What You’re Getting Into

The majority of new home constructions are undertaken by builders with a solid track record of success. Unlike smaller outfits, experienced builders are more likely to have an extensive network of contractors and suppliers who help create better builds.

The knowledge that you won’t have to perform any significant repairs or heavy duty maintenance on the home for a long time is another attractive aspect of purchasing a new home. Modern materials and design also reduce the amount of work required to take care of your home.

New homes often have warranties attached to them, so in the rare case that something is wrong with the build, the seller is responsible for making sure that everything is fixed according to expectations.

A recent survey showed that 41% of real estate buyers prefer newly built homes, which shows that many people prefer to avoid the risk of moving into an existing development. Contact a professional, experienced builder such as Previn Court to learn more about how new build neighbourhoods cater to your lifestyle.

Are You Interested in Buying a New Home in Alliston?

Finding the right home for your wants and needs can be very challenging, especially when there are lots of unknowns such as whether an appliance will break down or if the electrical will need to be replaced. At Previn Court Homes, we recognize the peace of mind that a newly built home provides, and our friendly staff takes the time to introduce you to all of the features of our quality residences.

With over a thousand homes built over the last few decades, and plans to build thousands more, we know how to create houses that families call home, and we invite you to explore our models.  Contact us to learn more about our homes, or register for priority updates and special offers, and let us help you find your dream home.

Are you planning on buying a home this year?

Buying a home is an exciting prospect, but it can also be overwhelming. There’s quite a bit you need to know as a home buyer, especially if you’re buying a home this year. We’ve gathered important facts for you about the housing market in 2015.

Canadian Homes Are Expensive

If you’ve spent any time browsing ads for homes, this fact isn’t news to you. But, were you aware that over 40% of first-time home buyers can’t afford a house without their family’s help? In a report published by BMO in April 2015, nearly half of the respondents said that they would not be able to purchase a home without their family’s assistance. A significant factor in the unaffordability of Canadian homes is their rising prices. The cost of buying a Canadian home has risen since 2009.

Home Buyers Have Higher Incomes

In spite of rising home prices, the situation isn’t so grim for Canadians seeking to buy homes. A survey conducted by private mortgage insurer Genworth Canada showed that first time home buyers are wealthier than average. The survey showed that almost a third of Canadians buying their home for the first time had an income above $100,000. The number of first time home buyers with that income in Toronto was 40%, while it was 39% in Calgary. Twenty four percent of first time home buyers in Montreal and 21% of first time home buyers in Atlantic Canada fall into that category.

Down Payments Aren’t Always So High

Many first time home buyers are intimidated by the cost of a high down payment. The good news is, down payments aren’t high in every part of the country. According to a study by Genworth Canada, 63% of first time home buyers paid a down payment of less than 20% of the cost of their home.The median down payment across Canada was less than 12% of the home cost. There’s bad news for people in Vancouver and Toronto, though. The median down payment in Vancouver was 20% of the home cost, while it was 21% in Toronto. Toronto and Vancouver are Canada’s most expensive cities in which to buy properties, so people planning on buying a home in those two markets should save up.

Make the right choice, right away

Whether your buying new homes in Alliston or further out, keep your eyes open and make the decision that best suits your needs before your wants.

At Previn Court Homes, we know that house hunting is extremely important, and we strive to create beautiful homes that will provide long term value.  Since our inception over 40 years ago, we have constructed in excess of 1500 homes in Canada, and in the process made the dreams of 1500 families come true.

Take a tour of our incredible models, or contact us today for more to let us know your needs in terms of bathrooms, bedrooms and budget.

Whether you’re searching high and low for new homes in Alliston or elsewhere, you’re no doubt wondering if it’ll save you any money compared to a used one.  It’s surprising just how much modern engineering can benefit your wallet and make those utility bills a lot less scary to look at.

Full of Hot Air

Living in a country with extreme seasons means we use a lot of energy to power our homes.  How much is used doesn’t depend on the weather as much as it depends on the home itself.  It’s important to know that whether you realize it or not, your home is leaking air.

Don’t panic; this isn’t as bad as it sounds!  You won’t feel it anywhere besides your bank account.  You see, because your home is cooled or heated (depending on the season), escaping air results in losing energy and heat.

Newer homes don’t really have this problem.  To illustrate the point, the Canadian Home Builder’s Association ran simulations and studied old homes.  If all the cracks and spaces in a typical mid-70s home were to be brought together, you’d have a hole 21 inches wide!

In homes made to the latest Ontario building code, that home would shrink by over two-thirds.  That means less money seeping out of your home.

Stepping on the Gas

Homes heated by natural gas can be costly due to a lot of the structural inefficiencies in older homes.  Homes didn’t become energy efficient on their own; homeowners fed up with pricey energy bills drove a lot of the changes.

It shows, too.  The CHBA’s analysis showed that the same home we talked about built in the mid-70s consumed 7948 m3.  In an identical house built to 2012 standards, gas consumption was about 1695 m3.  Based on average gas rates the change in gas consumption equals over $1300.00 saved a year!

Being Efficient with Your Wallet

Energy efficient homes aren’t just creating a stir with homeowners either.  With 17% of the energy in Canada being used in homes the government and lenders have taken notice.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation is one such group, making it easy for homeowners to finance their home.  The CMHC’s mortgage loan insurance allows a minimum down payment of 5% on home purchases and it’s all tied in to how energy efficient your home is.

Additionally, if you’re using CMHC insured financing to purchase a new, energy efficient home, a 10% refund on the insurance premium and longer amortization are possibilities if the home meets the requirements.

Maintain Less

At the end of the day, new homes in Alliston or elsewhere can and will save you money, especially when it comes to utilities.  While arguments can be made for saving money by buying a used home, the cost of renovations, inspections and maintenance make going for something that’s built to the latest code and energy efficient the more logical choice.

If you’ve been feeling the winds of change and mulling over downsizing, it pays to know what to look for, whether that’s a new home in Alliston or beyond.  There are plenty of reasons to find a smaller space, from the kids moving on to getting away from costly bills, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds.  What’s the best way to go about it?

Doing It for the Right Reasons

Repackaging your life is no small task.  Before you do, you should take a good look at your situation and make an informed decision.

The first thing you should analyze is your expenses.  You most likely have room you don’t need.  This means paying more in utilities to keep the heat inside and the elements outside.  Downsizing to a new home means a much more energy efficient space.

If the move feels right, start looking at homes objectively.  Don’t let attachment cloud your vision and make you jump into a new place because it looks great at first glance.  Condos the size of a shoebox are creatively branded as “cozy” and “secure”.

Get familiar with all the details of your prospects and know what you’re looking to gain and you’re well on your way to ‘smart-sizing’ to a better home.

Comfortable Fit

So, you’ve narrowed down a list of places that look interesting.  What should you look for?

The easy answer is:  Whatever fits your lifestyle.  Picture what you want your day-to-day to look like in your new place.  Some things that stand out as pluses include:

• Condo or house?  If you need more than two rooms, look for a small house.
• Perimeter:  Do you intend to mow a massive lawn?  Hire a gardener?  Shovel a long driveway?
• Location:  How far are you willing to go for groceries?  Is there a doctor nearby?  Do you want to be isolated or be in the thick of it?

You’re giving up space so you might as well gain some convenience.  Don’t forget to treat yourself; reduced property taxes, maintenance costs and mortgage mean you can start thinking about all the things that were out of reach before.

Getting down to It

Downsizing takes a fair bit more planning than moving in to a great big space.  You’ll have to jettison some of the clutter weighing you down and really think about what you’ll want for the new place.  A great way of doing this is to take a home inventory and mark what should make the trip and what should stay behind.

Do this a few months before moving day and you’ll have pace of mind.  Paying a visit to the new space and laying it out the way you want it also mitigates the chaos of moving and can give a lot of confidence.

Moving in to a new home in Alliston or anywhere else is a big step when worrying about costs but most people aren’t aware at just how much you can save.  Even though your home is fresh off the press, if you look past initial costs you’ll be spending a lot less.

Wear and Tear

The first way a new home will cost you a lot less than an older one is by not having the constant need to fix things.  After all, it is new.  A lot of the time, despite meticulous home inspections, older homes will need a lot of work before you can move in.

Maintenance costs can come at you from all angles in an older place.  From replacing a carpet to getting newer appliances, a lot of components of the home can be at varying stages of decay.  The roof, plumbing, even the foundation are all likely to need work.

This can all add up to thousands of dollars pretty quickly but it doesn’t even touch on how much it will cost making the home energy efficient.

Springing leaks

Your furnace and air conditioning has to work harder if your home is leaking air.  How energy efficient it is depends on whether it has had expensive adjustments made.  Of course with new homes, this isn’t as much of a problem.

Homeowners have caught on and new homes are built according to the latest building codes.  This means your energy bill is a lot lower and in some cases, old homes have maintenance costs almost double that of new homes!

Keeping HVAC filters fresh month-to-month and making sure windows are in a good state in your new home is a lot less expensive than getting the whole place up to standard.  Some homebuilders have taken it a step further though, designing the building itself to naturally store and produce energy.

Elegant Design

One of the greatest advantages of buying a new home is having a hand in the layout.  As more and more homeowners crave low energy costs, homes are being built to store energy in new and ingenious ways.

Things like placing the home to take advantage of passive solar gain, using the latest thermal insulation and airtight windows mean the need for a heater or cooling drops drastically.

Living half the year in the cold means that heating can really get expensive.  Luckily advances in building materials mean that you can save as much as 75% on heating and energy, it’s just up to you to look.

Homebuilders are more and more eager to do what they can to assure you, the buyer, close on the home and are comfortable.  You can’t really get this kind of customization in an old home without spending a fortune.

So while the initial cost of new homes in Alliston or elsewhere is often held against them, in the end it’ll cost you a lot less to live in one.