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House prices continue to skyrocket in the local market

Friday, May 11th, 2012 by Dan Cooper

The Dan Cooper Team - Rising Sales

The local housing market has kept its steady pace as house prices continue to rocket skyward in Oakville and Burlington. Last week, I wrote that while there was a slow start to the first quarter of this year, we saw the average house price in Oakville increase by more than 14 percent in March over the same month last year. In dollars, the average price in March was $642,432 compared with $555,000 in March of 2011.

April sees that hot trend continue with the average price in Oakville rocketing to $698,835. That’s an increase of around 21 percent over the average price of $575,000 in April 2011 and 9 percent higher than last month’s average price.

In Burlington, the increase was similarly dramatic – rising 16.5 percent or $460,586 compared to $395,266 in April 2011. This was for all properties. Interestingly, it was the condo sector that had the largest jump, increasing a whopping 32.2 percent last month over April 2011.

Again, the warmer weather brought buyers into the market early and the low interest rates have continued to encourage consumers to get into the market – and pay a higher price for a home. Stable interest rates and a quiet confidence in the economy are fuelling this rebound in the housing market following a couple of sluggish years.

Even in a hot market, sellers are still advised to list with an experienced agent. Properly marketing your property and negotiating the best price requires the skill of a professional. The Dan Cooper Team employs leading-edge marketing strategies – we hand pick the real estate publications to market our homes, ensuring we are achieving the best results, and we use our online marketing tools effectively. The result is that we have a stellar track record for selling homes quickly and negotiating the best price. The evidence of this has been our ability to be the number one team in Canada for Royal LePage in seven of the past 13 years.

The prices in this area simply reflect the fact that Oakville and Burlington are among Canada’s best communities in which to live. A good deal of that demand is due to the quality and style of the homes here, the neighbourhoods in which they are located and the quality of the people who live here. We live in safe and picturesque communities – ideal places in which to raise a family.

We also have some of the most generous and giving citizens anywhere in Canada, and I’ve witnessed some of that generosity first hand.

I’m heavily involved in the community and sponsor or support numerous causes that help make our community stronger and a better place in which to live. A recent example is Comic Vision Oakville on April 25 at Le Dome on North Service Road. I was proud to be the venue sponsor for this hilarious evening of comedy with some of the best comics in Canada. Comic Vision is held in five cities across Canada and raises more than $700,000 annually for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, which funds vision research. This year’s show was another roaring success and I thank everyone who came out and supported this tremendous cause.

Coming up is the 12th Annual Dan Cooper Swing for Kids Sake golf tournament in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. This year’s tournament is being held at Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Milton on May 28.

“Give where you live” is a slogan adopted by many charitable organizations across North America, but it really does sum up my own personal philanthropic objectives and is the approach of the entire Dan Cooper Team. I encourage all of you to give back to the community in any way you can; whether it is with money, time or both. Your efforts and contributions help make our community a stronger and safer place in which to raise our families.

Dan Cooper is an award-winning broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call The Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton, Burlington, Charity, Comic Vision Oakville, House Pricing, Oakville, Piper’s Heath Golf Club, Real Estate Market, Swing for Kids Sake | No Comments »

Early spring helps to drive up house prices

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 by andrews

Warm weather, tight housing inventory and low mortgage rates all contributed to driving up house prices. The average price of a home in Oakville, for example, was up by 14 percent in March over the same month last year. The average price in March was $640,000 compared to just over $560,000 in March 2011.

Oakville has been the hottest local market. Burlington, in comparison, saw its average price increase by 5.6 percent for the same period – $436,568 compared to $413,336 in March last year.

In the Hamilton area as a whole, first quarter sales of all property types were 2.4 percent higher than the first quarter of 2011 and average sale price was 7.1 percent higher than the same period last year.

The average selling price in the GTA was $501,614 in March – up by 10 percent in comparison to March 2011. “The GTA resale market has not suffered from a lack of willing buyers this year. Buyers have been spurred on by the positive affordability picture brought about by low mortgage rates,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver. “The challenge has been a lack of inventory. Many listings have attracted multiple interested buyers. Strong competition has led to annual rates of price growth well above the long-term average.”

A recent Royal LePage House Price Survey showed the average price of a home in Canada increased between 2.2 and 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the previous year. According to that survey, market activity in the first quarter of 2012 was unusually high resulting in tight inventories and strong price appreciation in most major cities including Oakville. Buyers were attracted into the market by historically low mortgage rates and sellers brought listing inventory to market earlier than normal, encouraged by unseasonably warm weather.

“Our housing market is being pulled in opposite directions by opposing economic forces,” said Phil Soper, President and Chief Executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. “On one hand, there is the rapidly strengthening U.S. economy, increasing Canadian consumer confidence and what can only be called a national mortgage sale encouraging activity and bidding up home prices. On the other, we have signs of over-shooting values and strained affordability in our largest cities. We are likely to see much more modest price appreciation as the year unfolds.”

Price appreciation and strong unit sales reflect Canadians taking advantage of borrowing rates that for the first time fell below 3.0 percent for a five year fixed mortgage and a banking environment that the Royal Bank of Canada has referred to as “hyper-competitive.”

Across the country, consumers sought to buy into what they believe is a good investment market. The Conference Board of Canada’s consumer confidence index continued to rise in March, gaining 4.3 points to stand at 79.5, its third consecutive month of gains, and attitudes towards major purchases, such as real estate, were particularly strong.

Whether you are looking to invest, buy or sell, The Dan Cooper Team has the experience and expertise to handle all your real estate needs and the stellar track record to back up their claims of being able to sell your home for top dollar – fast.

Dan Cooper is an award-winning Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call The Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Burlington, Hamilton, House Prices, Mortgage Rates, Oakville, Spring | Comments Off

Golf tournament helps to make life better for local youth

Friday, May 4th, 2012 by Dan Cooper

Dan Cooper and Barbara Ferrone - Swing for Kids Sake

Featured in the photo is Dan Cooper with Barbara Ferrone, Executive Director of BBBSH

I am immensely proud to once again be host to the 12th Annual Dan Cooper Swing for Kids Sake tournament in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton. This year’s tournament moves to a great course – Piper’s Heath Golf Club in Milton. The day is May 28 and golfers are treated to one of the best golf courses in the area, lunch, gourmet dinner and prizes.

More importantly, your participation goes to a very worthwhile cause. There are numerous charity golf tournaments through the season, but I can tell you that grassroots charities such as the BBBSH are preventative in focus, helping children in the early stages by providing mentorship that has a positive impact that lasts a lifetime with these kids of all ages. Our young people are our future leaders and it is critical that we provide all the support we can to ensure they develop into good citizens, business people and community leaders. Few of us may be aware that there are hundreds of youth at-risk here in our own community. Often, our comfortable and insular lives shield us from some very hard truths in our back yard. This reality, however, is only too clear to the great people and volunteers at BBBSH.

“Give where you live” is a slogan adopted by many charitable organizations across North America, but it really does sum up my own personal philanthropic objectives and the approach of The Dan Cooper Team when it comes to donations and giving back to the community.

“Dan Cooper is a champion for the children in Halton. His support helps us to improve the lives of children through positive mentorship programs,” says Barbara Ferrone, executive director of BBBSH. “I want to thank Dan for his continuous support; it’s the largest fundraiser for BBBSH and will allow the organization to thrive in the year going ahead. Investing in our youth is a good investment in our future.”

I encourage all of you to give back to the community in any way you can; whether it is with money or time or both. Your efforts and contributions help make our community stronger and a better place in which to live.

Dan Cooper is an award-winning broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call The Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Charity, Golf, Halton, Piper's Heath Golf Club, Swing for Kids Sake | No Comments »

Lighting up the sky to remember a loved one

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 by Dan Cooper

Dan Cooper and Nikki Ide - Gabrielle's Ride

Featured in the photo is Dan Cooper with Nikki Ide

One small step can become a major movement that captures the imagination of a country, and that’s the hope of one mother who wants to inspire a nation to come together to remember the loss of a loved one.

I wrote about Nikki Ide just a few weeks ago. Nikki lost her daughter Gabrielle due to complications related to a congenital heart disease. She was only 5. In that article I encouraged everyone to take part in Gabrielle’s Ride on July 22, Oakville’s first and largest family cycling event. I’m proud to be the presenting sponsor for this important ride, which is raising funds for Cardiac Kids and the Pediatric Stroke Fund at The Sick Kids Foundation.

I continue to urge you to get out, spend a day with the family, get some exercise and help raise money for a great cause. But there is more to this story. Nikki’s hope is to have May 10 declared Canada’s National Grief Awareness Day. This day happens to be Gabrielle’s birthday – she would have been 7 this year – and while Nikki will be remembering her daughter, she asks that others join her on that day to make this a national day of remembering a loved one.

I have been so touched by this story that I am going beyond sponsoring Gabrielle’s Ride and will be presenting the Gabrielle’s Ride Exclusive Sponsorship Dinner at Gairloch Gardens Cottage on May 10. Guests will enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by the renowned Kerr Street Cafe, enjoy beer by Cameron Breweries, wine with dinner, vodka by Tag Vodka, limousine service to and from the event, music supplied by DJ George Chaker and door prizes that will include an inclusive trip for four and a Bulova watch.

In addition, each guest will be provided with a unique paper floating lantern for the Remember Our Love Day celebration following dinner.

At that time, others are invited to join us and Nikki at Gairloch Garden’s at 8 p.m. when some special words will be shared and we will all let our lanterns float into the dark sky at 8:30 p.m. Lanterns will be available at a nominal cost for anyone who wants to participate. Proceeds will go to The Lighthouse for Grieving Children. If you would like to join Nikki for the ceremonial part at 8 p.m. or for more information, you can email her directly at nikki@gabriellesride.com. Nikki’s campaign to make this a national day of remembrance is being done in partnership with The Lighthouse for Grieving Children.

“Remember our Love Day is one of those creative ways for us to stay connected to Gabrielle and I wanted to share the experience with our community,” Nikki says. “The Lighthouse for Grieving Children and Dan Cooper loved the concept so much and have helped me to bring it all together and make it happen. The Lighthouse will be selling the floating lanterns and everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to connect with their loved ones by sending a lantern into the darkening sky and watch them illuminate as they lift into the night. My family has been using floating lanterns to express our love for Gabrielle since her death and it has been such a beautiful and meaningful experience. I can’t wait to share it with the community and watch the sky light up with love!”

Building a stronger community means supporting great causes like Gabrielle’s Ride and being engaged with worthy events such as Remember Our Love. The heart and soul of the community is due to the generosity, the caring and the giving of its residents. We enjoy one of the best communities in Canada – due to people like Nikki who remind us that there is more to living than having possessions. Our spiritual nurturing and charitable endeavours are what make us a stronger and better place in which to live.

I encourage all of you to give back to the community in any way you can; whether it is with money, time or both. And on May 10, float a paper lantern for a loved one and join me and my team for a day of family fun on July 22.

For more information about Remember Our Love Day and Gabrielle’s Ride visit www.gabriellesride.com.

Dan Cooper is an award-winning broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call the Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Cameron Breweries, Cardiac Kids, DJ George Chaker, Gabrielle Ide, Gabrielle's Ride, Gairloch Gardens Cottage, Kerr Street Cafe, National Grief Awareness Day, Nikki Ide, Pediactric Stoke Fund, Remember Our Love Day, Tag Vodka, The Lighthouse for Grieving Children, The Sick Kids Foundation | No Comments »

Appleby College celebrates 100 years of excellence with Centennial Gala

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 by Dan Cooper

Appleby College Centennial Gala Auction

On Saturday May 12, Appleby College will welcome more than 600 of Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga’s most influential business and community leaders to its 12th biennial gala auction.

I’m pleased to be an auction sponsor for this special fundraising event in celebration of the College’s 100-year history, supporting the ongoing enhancement of Appleby College student life.

Fascinating minds since 1911, Oakville’s Appleby College has established a global reputation as an innovative leader in the development of teaching and learning methodologies.

Founded by John S. H. Guest, Appleby opened its doors on September 14, 1911. That day, the school welcomed its first students, 29 boys who arrived from as far away as Chicago and Winnipeg.

“What started as an all-boys’ school in one building on 32 acres of land is today a 725-student strong community on a 60-acre campus, welcoming young men and women from more than 30 countries around the world,” said Guy McLean, Appleby College’s Principal.

Rich in history with an impressive legacy, Appleby has achieved a number of significant milestones and developments which have propelled the day and boarding school continuously forward in the area of academics, arts, athletics and service.

Appleby College’s curriculum offers an exceptionally diverse education that combines rigorous academics with dynamic arts, athletics and community service. As a not-for-profit, 100% of tuition fees paid to Appleby College are directed towards its educational program. Capital building projects that improve student and community life are funded by donations from the Appleby and greater Oakville communities. For more information, visit www.appleby.on.ca.

“Give where you live” is a slogan adopted by many charitable organizations across North America, but it really does sum up my own personal philanthropic objectives and the approach of The Dan Cooper Team when it comes to donations and giving back to the community.

Spring signals a fresh start for many of us, but none more so than the many worthy charitable organizations around us. My team and I support a number of youth organizations, everything from minor sports teams to major campaigns that will have a significant impact on the quality of life we enjoy here in the Oakville and Burlington areas.

I have chosen a number of outstanding organizations in which to make significant contributions, most of which will have visible campaigns beginning very soon – Appleby College is just one of the many organizations we support.

Dan Cooper is an award-winning broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage – the Number 1 Royal LePage Team for Canada in 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. He can be reached at 905.338.3737, direct line at 905.849.3303 or through his innovative and interactive website at DanCooper.com. Be sure to catch the Dan Cooper Real Estate Series on DailyWebTV.com. For his free booklet How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar – Fast! or his Guide to Oakville Real Estate, please call The Dan Cooper Team.

Posted in Appleby College, Appleby College Centennial Gala, Auction, Oakville | No Comments »