Housing Trends & Tips • October 6, 2021

Where Your Municipal Tax Dollars Go

by Kya Seguin

Have you ever wondered where the money goes every year when you pay your property taxes?

To get a breakdown of exactly where YOUR tax money is going, you can head over to the City of Peterborough website to their property tax calculator, input your address and check it out: https://www.peterborough.ca/Modules/Tax/PropertyTax.aspx

The website will show you the assessed value of your property. This value is usually lower than the actual market value of your property (keep in mind, you want this value to be lower, because then your taxes are lower).

In this example, I am using a recently sold property in the City of Peterborough that sold for the average sale price ($610,000), based on year-to-date sales in the city so far in 2021. The assessed value for this property is $270,000 and the total taxes are $3,910.26 for 2021.

Out of this amount, $413.10 is going towards Education. You can have a look at the breakdown below to see how the remaining municipal tax dollars are distributed (based on this example).

If you have any questions, please reach out any time! 🤓

Home Maintenance • Housing Trends & Tips • September 27, 2021

Considering a Fixer-Upper? What You Need to Know

by Kya Seguin

Fixer-uppers are tempting prospects. Such properties let you buy into a desirable neighbourhood at far below typical market value. That’s because you’re not buying a typical house.

With fixer-uppers, you must think carefully. Ask yourself: Will this house be worth the work I put in? To find your answer, follow these three steps.

1. Add up the costs: First, consider everything that needs to be done in the home. Always assume more work rather than less. Add up all costs for materials and labor. If you plan on doing some of the work yourself, factor in your own labor costs as well. Hiring a home inspector helps a lot during this step. Their expertise can ensure you’re not missing any costs hidden behind the walls or under the roof.

2. Calculate the final value: Regardless of whether you plan to sell the house or live in it, you need to estimate what the finished value will be. Search for comparable listings, or “comps,” that have sold in the area to get a rough idea of what to expect. I can help with this step and run a search on your behalf.

3. Find the difference: Finally, subtract the total estimated costs from the estimated final value. Subtract an extra 5-10% for unforeseen issues. The number you get should be the absolute upper limit of what you offer. Anything more, and a great deal can easily turn into a money pit.

If that final number looks good to you, then that fixer-upper may be just what you’ve been looking for. Time to secure a renovation loan!

Peterborough Real Estate Stats • September 21, 2021

August 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 29% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.5 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 16 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 43 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation

Take a look at the local stats for August 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

Home Maintenance • September 2, 2021

Organize your closet like a champ

by Kya Seguin

Want a closet that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine? Follow these tips to organize masterfully and give yourself peace of mind.

Group like clothing items together – group same-length dresses, long-sleeved shirts, etc. together in your closet to create a clean look.

Add more hanging room – you can find additional closet bars for cheap and installation is quick and easy.

Keep things uniform – matching hangers & organizers give your closet a more purposeful look.

Try colour-coding – organizing your closet by colour makes matching easier!

Get creative with shoe storage – try a shoe organizer that hangs on your closet door or cubby shelving on the floor.

Peterborough Real Estate Stats • August 17, 2021

July 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 35% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.6 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 19 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 37 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation during Covid-19

Take a look at the local stats for July 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

Home Maintenance • August 13, 2021

Preventative Home Maintenance in a Jiffy

by Kya Seguin

Most of us know that regularly changing your car’s oil is the key to keeping it running for the long haul. The same theory applies to homes — a little preventative maintenance will save you down the line. Here are four quick and easy tasks that prevent costly repairs…

1. Declutter your gutters. Preventing build-up in your gutters is key to getting water away from the foundation of your home. Cleaning before winter also prevents ice build-up that can cause extensive damage.

2. Inspect hardscapes. Snow, rain and freezing temperatures can be tough on concrete, asphalt and other hardscapes. Look for cracks where water, weeds and insects can get through. Small cracks can often be sealed with a pre-mixed patch, but call a professional if you find more significant gaps or shifting of concrete.

3. Let the laundry room breathe. Vacuuming out dryer vents and air ducts helps maximize efficiency and prevents the build-up of flammable lint.

4. Clear your drains. Pouring a cup of baking soda, followed by 1/2 a cup of vinegar, down your drain and then flushing with hot water will prevent clogs.

Peterborough Real Estate Stats • August 6, 2021

June 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 42% from this time last year

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 44 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation during Covid-19

Take a look at the local stats for June 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

Peterborough Real Estate Stats • June 10, 2021

May 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 37% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.5 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 17 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 59 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation during Covid-19

Take a look at the local stats for May 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.

Home Maintenance • June 9, 2021

6 Tips for Spring Cleaning

by Kya Seguin

Are you ready to dive in and do a deep clean of your house?

Here are 6 great tips on how you can tackle your cleanup list as quickly as possible.

1. Wear comfortable, old clothes that you won’t mind staining or getting dirty.

2. Take stock of your cleaning needs and supplies. Don’t wait until you’re about to clean the oven to find out that you don’t have any oven cleaner left. Have everything on hand and ready to go for a smooth time.

3. Turn off the TV and phone! The quickest cleaning is accomplished without any distractions (personally, I would turn music on and up).

4. Get organized. Make a list of the rooms you want to tackle, and then clean each room fully before moving to the next.

5. Prepare one bucket of supplies to bring with you to every room. All you really need are a few rags, some paper towels, furniture polish, and one good all-purpose glass and counter cleaner. These items will do the trick for most cleaning jobs. Also, grab two empty garbage bags: one to carry garbage you find along the way, and the other to fill with things you no longer want but are still useful. You can give these items away or sell them at a later date.

6. Let the sun shine in! Open the windows and let the clean, green aroma of new flower and plant life enter your home. Not only will any mustiness be removed, but you’ll also protect yourself from inhaling dust and fumes from cleaning products.

Peterborough Real Estate Stats • May 13, 2021

April 2021 Update

by Kya Seguin

Kya Seguin PTBO Real Estate Stats April 2021 Header

DID YOU KNOW?

– The average sale price is up 29% from this time last year

– Inventory levels continue to be in favour of Sellers, with 0.5 months of inventory in the City of Peterborough (that means it would take 15 days to completely sell the homes that are currently listed for sale in the city, based on the the current rate of sales activity)

– Houses in the West end of Peterborough are selling the most – with 48 sales last month

– Record-low mortgage rates, pent-up buyer demand, low inventory and a sudden wave of relocations made possible by remote work have all contributed to strong sales and price appreciation during Covid-19

Take a look at the local stats for April 2021, and reach out if you have any questions. Whether you are buying, selling, or just daydreaming about a new home, I can help you make an informed decision.