All Blog Entries by Ron Neal

Yesterday the federal government announced new mortgage rules to take effect July 9th. The changes include: 1. Reducing the maximum amortization period to 25 years from 30 years    2. Reducing the maximum amount of equity homeowners can take out of their homes when refinancing to 80% from the current 85% 3. Limiting the availability of government-backed mortgages to homes with a purchase price of less than $1 million 4. Fixing the maximum gross debt service ratio at 39% and the maximum total debt service ratio at 44% The 1st and 4th change will have a fairly large impact on our purchasing market. Keep in mind that these changes are only for those needing high ratio mortgages, with less than 20% down payment. Purchasers with less than 20% down will find…

B.C. is home to the Top 4 cities in Canada with the highest-ranked quality of life, according to new U.S. research from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The report, soon to be published in the Canadian Journal of Economics, found that Victoria provides the highest quality of life in Canada, followed by Vancouver, Kelowna and Abbotsford. All of the four B.C. cities ranked ahead the usual contenders: Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. “Overall, it seems that Canadians really like the West, and they really like B.C.,” said lead author David Albouy, assistant professor of economics at the University of Michigan.

“It’s got great geography and a great climate, which is pretty unique to Canada. Toronto has got great culture, but it just can’t match

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Real (estate) income: A haven from volatility | Advisor.ca www.advisor.ca Clients want returns, yet fixed-income isn't delivering, and many are frightened of equities. Many advisors, as a result, are turning to real estate to round out portfolios.

                                                                                                      

 

Thank you for joining Ron Neal and The Neal Estate Team for our 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt in support of BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Under sunny skies, about 600 children showed up, some in great costumes, searched and found the more than thirty thousand hidden chocolate eggs and many other great prizes. With your help we raised over $3,600 to help sick kids get better, your contribution helped to ensure the success of our event.

As a supporter of this event, you have helped B.C.'s sickest kids including thousands of visitors from Victoria and Vancouver Island each year who have benefited through research, educational programs and the purchase of vital lifesaving equipment. Thank you to the many student volunteers who helped out with the many

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Hi, Our market picked up some in February and with both sales and prices being down and more listings available to choose from, there are some excellent buying opportunities. For the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters click here to view The Neal Report. I'm in Las Vegas this week for our RE/MAX International conference getting inspired and making excellent contacts with the best in the business from the 85 countries we come from around the globe. I have been presented with the highest sales recognition award given by RE/MAX, the Circle of Legends, which has made me feel like a bit of a celebrity. When RE/MAX have clients considering a move to our part of the world, we get the

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Hi , Real estate sales activity showed a modest increase throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 483 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), up from 458 sales in September. There were 467 sales in October of last year. The average price for single-family homes sold in Greater Victoria last month was $595,836, down from $622,393 in September. For more details click here for The Neal Report, a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters. You may already have visited our Victoria Luxury Homes website, along with the thousands of others who have. It has been

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Hi , Real estate sales activity softened throughout Greater Victoria last month with a total of 458 homes and other properties selling through the Victoria Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), down from 542 sales in August. Sales last month were, however, 16 per cent higher than the 395 sales in September of last year. The number of properties available for sale held steady with a slight decline last month to 4,940 compared to 4,944 at the end of August. Click here for The Neal Report, a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters.

In November I will be returning to Poland to play with our RE/MAX Hockey Team. Please

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Hi , The Summer flew by with some wonderful family time including a road trip to California with just my oldest son, some lake time and golf with RE/MAX Colleagues too. The kids are now back to school and we are starting to get back into our extracurricular activities. Real estate sales activity picked up throughout Greater Victoria last month compared to this time last year with possible signs of more stability in the market although inventory levels are currently 13% higher than a year ago and prices have come down, in some cases significantly. Here is a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters. Click here for: The Neal Report At

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Hi , Canuck fever has hit the city and real estate sales have remained steady in May with 572 sales this month compared to 574 last month and still down from 695 in May 2010. The number of properties available for sale also continues to increase now at 4,857 listings at the end of May, up from 4,561 at the end of April and 4,521 at the end of May last year. With lots of selection and still low rates it's a great time to buy or move up in our market. Here is a link to our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters. Click here for: The Neal Report For more detailed info on the latest market trends, FREE specific Highest Sale Price Estimates for your

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Hi , Sales slowed further in April compared to March and April of last year too. Well priced properties are selling and buyers have more selection than we've had in years together with still very low interest rates. To view our latest "Real Estate Update" with the latest Victoria Real Estate market information and other helpful information for home buyers, sellers and renters check The Neal Report. You can also find regular market updates, our latest listings, open houses, real estate tips, prize giveaways and our community events on Facebook and if you haven't yet, please check out our new Online Listing Presentation. Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt was attended by hundreds of happy hunters under beautiful sunny skies and more than $3,000 was raised for BC

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