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Archive for May, 2010

Take a virtual tour of Halton’s first GreenHouse certified home

Monday, May 31st, 2010 by andrews

Cutting the ribbon to officially open Halton’s first GreenHouse certified home are from left to right: Greenbilt Homes president Mike Manning, Dan Cooper, Regional Councillor Alan Johnston and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn.

It is the first of its kind in Halton – a house that is so unique that close to 200 people crowded into the home and lined up outside the door during the recent Grand Opening. This luxury home, just a few blocks from Bronte Harbour, is among the most energy-efficient homes in the region. The two-storey Georgian home by Greenbilt Homes at 2305 Belyea Street in Bronte Village is the region’s only GreenHouse certified home. Located in a park-like setting, the Greenbilt home has all the craftsman finishes, luxurious features and modern conveniences that are found in today’s custom homes, but has the building integrity and efficiencies that are far ahead of their time.

Achieving the GreenHouse Construction certification is a remarkable accomplishment and you can see what makes the home special by taking a virtual tour on DanCooperTV.com. Simply click on the video titled Oakville’s First Green Home. The Greenbilt property is considered by many to be the future of building. Home building in Ontario is gradually becoming greener, and the major push for this change is coming from the industry itself. There are a number of industry-wide initiatives such as the very stringent GreenHouse certification program that encourage home builders to embrace and adopt energy-efficient products, technologies and practices. But individual companies like Greenbilt Homes and builders like Mike Manning and Catherine Ann Marshall are leading the way by building beautiful homes that are luxurious and sustainable.

Oakville MP Terence Young had this to say as he toured the home. “This home in particular is exciting to me because it’s incredibly energy efficient which is a solution to a number of problems we have in Canada. One is the greenhouse gas effect; another is the cost of living for folks. “And also because it is made out of a lot of recycled materials and recycling is brilliant. The ideas that are implemented in this home – it won’t be long before they will be in every new home and it won’t be long before they are in almost every home by way of retrofit.”

Other politicians had equally glowing remarks. Regional Councillor Alan Johnston said he was impressed by the superior level of insulation and the innovative recycling program within the house. Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn added that “there is a huge appetite for this type of house. And Greenbilt is really the leader.” He said a luxury home that is inexpensive to operate “can’t help but to be a good thing.” How inexpensive are we talking? According to Marshall, the owners of this home will save up to 30 percent on their utility bills compared to homes of comparable size that were built in the 1980s. That works out to be roughly $1,500 this year and will increase as utility costs rise, Marshall says.

People are talking about this truly innovative home – but seeing is believing. The grand design, heritage touches and energy-efficient technologies are showcased and discussed in the video on DanCooperTV.com. I’m proud to be the Broker for this exciting new project – to be associated with the latest evolution in building and to be part of a critical new direction to build homes that will reduce our carbon footprint. If you want to see for yourself what everyone is talking about, call my office; the Dan Cooper Team will be glad to help you.

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. 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 Bronte Harbour, Bronte Villiage, Dan Cooper TV, Green Home, GreenHouse certification, Greenbilt Homes, Home Builders, Real Estate, Technology, Video Tours | No Comments »

Comic Vision Oakville raises $120,000 for critical vision research

Monday, May 31st, 2010 by Dan Cooper

In photo: David Ferrari, Ann Morrison, Dan Cooper, auctioneer Don Stewart

I can’t begin to describe the feeling one gets when you have an opportunity to play a key role in a successful fundraising event. On April 28th, Comic Vision Oakville raised more than $120,000 for the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), an organization that is helping people with serious eye diseases. Many of us take our sight for granted, but the prospect of losing it can be terrifying for any of us. And so I was immensely proud, along with Royal LePage, to be the venue sponsor for this very worthwhile cause. We selected Le Dome on North Service Road East for this year’s show, and according to Comic Vision Oakville, the new venue contributed to this being the annual event’s most successful year yet.

The show was a sell-out, with 530 attendees coming out for a highly entertaining and enjoyable evening of laughter, and to show their support for FFB. This is Canada’s most successful night of stand-up comedy and fundraising for FFB. The cross-country tour of high profile, stand-up comedy always promises to provide a memorable night of entertainment and this year’s show did not disappoint.

Comic Vision is held each year in five cities across Canada, including London, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. The national tour this year raised more than $680,000. All proceeds will go directly to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, which funds vision research at hospitals and universities across Canada. The FFB has played a pivotal role in bringing researchers closer than ever to potential treatments and cures that can one day reverse genetic forms of blindness. Of course, an event such as this takes an army of people behind the scenes to ensure it is a premier fundraiser for FFB. Comic Vision Oakville says a major thank you goes out to all the sponsors, donors, volunteers and the continued support from the Oakville and Burlington communities.

For our part, the Dan Cooper Team and Royal LePage are proud to provide ongoing support for local organizations, services and programs. It is our commitment to give back to the community in which we work and live. We are not simply in the business of selling properties and helping buyers find homes. We are an integral part of this terrific community. We are your neighbour, our children go to school here and we shop in the same grocery stores. This is our community and the Dan Cooper Team is proud to play a part in shaping its character and its success.

To see videos and photos of the Comic Vision Oakville event, please visit www.comicvision.ca. For more information about the Foundation Fighting Blindness, please visit www.ffb.ca.

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. 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 Arts & Entertainment, Charity, Comic Vision, Community | No Comments »

What the future holds according to Canada Mortgage and Housing

Friday, May 21st, 2010 by Dan Cooper

Bank economists have been releasing their latest predictions about the economy, but it is perhaps the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s recent release that is most pertinent to anyone selling, buying or building a home. While a home influences our emotional senses, we still want to know we made a wise investment. And it is in times of economic uncertainty that our financial know-how is tested.

So, what does the future hold according to CMHC? The experts there say a gradually improving Ontario economy, increasing household formation, improved financial market conditions and declining new home inventories will support housing activity. They also predict that we will see stronger economic growth in 2011, although the impending harmonized sales tax and higher interest rates will temper housing activity as strength trickles into other sectors of the provincial economy.

Ontario will be among the leading provinces fuelling the economic recovery across Canada in the next few years, according to CMHC. Strong provincial and federal government spending will support the provincial economy. Consumer spending is also on the rise and bankruptcies have dipped in recent months, further pointing to a recovery. Similarly, recent business outlook surveys indicate firms are optimistic about their business prospects in the next 12 months and will soon boost inventories to satisfy growing demand. This growth will mean more jobs. CMHC, however, cautions that a high Canadian dollar, productivity enhancing business investments and cautious U.S. consumer spending will temper employment growth in goods producing sectors of the economy.

The corporation sees new home starts continuing to lead the recovery and expects single detached homes starts will increase by more than 37 per cent this year and multi-family home construction will grow by more than 15 per cent. “Ontario existing home sales have remained remarkably resilient and will reach new highs this year… The strong pace in sales seen in recent quarters reflects households taking advantage of low mortgage carrying costs,” the CMHC report says.

While CMHC claims home sales are likely to cool during the second half of 2010 and into 2011 as rising mortgage carrying costs dampen demand among first-time buyers, Oakville and Burlington have always bucked the provincial and national trends. Our pocket of affluence has sheltered us from the wild price swings we have witnessed elsewhere in the country and our homes, while seeing some cooling in price during the recession, have always maintained their value and continued to support a wise investment. This is borne out by the latest local real estate board releases. Residential resales were up by 20 per cent in Oakville and 38 per cent in Burlington in April compared to April 2009 and prices were 11 per cent higher in both communities this year compared to the same month last year. The luxury market continues to heat up in Oakville, recording 22 sales over a $1 million last month compared to 10 in April 2009. Whether you are ready to sell, buy or build, Oakville and Burlington have proven time and time again to be among the best communities to invest in – both financially and for quality of life.

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. 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 Finances, Real Estate, Real Estate Market, Statistics, Taxes | No Comments »

Is there still time to voice your opposition to the HST?

Monday, May 17th, 2010 by Dan Cooper

While it might appear to be too late to bring about change, there continues to be a growing protest against Ontario’s Harmonized Sales Tax which comes into effect July 1. In fact, businesses have already started charging the HST for goods, services and large ticket items like new homes that are scheduled to be delivered after July 1.

Why should you care? Because things that were not subject to the 8 per cent Provincial Sales Tax will now be taxed at 13 per cent under the HST. Essentially, the province is marrying the existing PST of 8 per cent and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5 per cent to create one tax of 13 per cent known as the HST.

Under the HST, home buyers and sellers will have to pay extra tax on a range of services associated with real estate transactions such as mortgage insurance premiums, title insurance, legal fees, moving costs, real estate commissions and home inspection fees. Currently, consumers only pay the 5 per cent GST on these services. But it doesn’t stop there. We are talking about everything you purchase – electric bill, gas bill, water bill, condominium fees, insurance premiums and every other product and service you purchase. There are almost no exemptions.

The current PST does not apply to services, nor does it apply to the purchase of certain goods. The new 13 per cent tax will therefore extend the old 8 per cent PST tax rate to the purchase of all goods and services. The HST will apply to the purchase of new homes. If a person were to purchase a new $1 million home in Toronto, they would pay roughly $200,000 in taxes as a result of the Ontario land transfer tax, the new city of Toronto land transfer tax and the new HST. A tax like that could cause property values to fall and put the new home industry into a downward spiral, taking thousands of construction jobs with it. The fear among some is that in time, politicians will start looking at extending the HST to existing homes to mitigate the damage to the new home industry.

Canadians have two things they have been able to count on as being tax free – things that they can use to save money and accumulate wealth. Those are your primary home and RRSPs. That’s it. The extension of the HST to homes is simply a tax assault by the government. On top of that there are a myriad of fees and taxes that will now carry the HST – city property taxes, garbage fees, water fees, parking permit fees, vehicle licence plate fees, gasoline taxes, liquor taxes, entertainment taxes and the list goes on and on.

There is a group that still wants to fight back, even though this may seem to be a hopeless 11th hour pitch. If you take this issue seriously and still want your voice to count, you can sign a province-wide petition at www.unfairtaxgrab.com. If you don’t speak out … you won’t be heard.

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. 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 Finances, Real Estate, Taxes | No Comments »

EXCLUSIVE OPEN HOUSE EVENT FOR NEWLY DESIGNED HUSH BUNGALOWS

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 by Dan Cooper

Dan Cooper and Naheel Suleman, President & CEO, Hush Homes

There are two special enclaves of new homes that have just gone on sale that offer French and English inspired designs, and some very unique features and homeownership packages. HUSH is the builder and they are releasing spectacular new bungalows and two-storey homes at two Oakville locations.

Avalon in South-West Oakville includes 12 French inspired homes that are conveniently located on Lakeshore Road West, close to downtown Oakville and Appleby College. At Avalon, you can experience the city living of shopping and dining without sacrificing a private home environment. The Gardens of Coronation features 14 English-style homes that are steps away from Coronation Park and Lake Ontario. Some lots here have been designed to allow for a third-storey loft where you can enjoy spectacular views of the park and lake.

The bungalows in each location can be completely customized to your liking, right down to the floor plan, says HUSH president Naheel Suleman. “One of our buyers wanted to have a house where their kids could bring friends over, so we designed a recreation space and outdoor living space with a pool, cabana and a kids’ retreat area in the basement. Another buyer, for example has no children, so we designed a house so that the master bedroom would be on the main floor and the secondary bedrooms were upstairs in case she had guests or wanted to resell the home,” Suleman explains.

And like all HUSH projects, these homes are loaded with top quality products and materials – hardwood floors, 10-foot ceilings, Wolf and Sub-Zero gourmet appliances, granite counter tops, marble, and high-end fixtures by Kohler just to name a few of the luxury appointments that are standard in all HUSH homes. This builder has a stellar reputation for customer service and takes every step to keep the buyer completely in the picture as the home is being built. For example, homeowners are allowed scheduled walk-throughs in the construction phase, during which time they are welcome to make subtle changes. Each buyer is also assigned a professional interior designer who will visit their current home to get an idea of their tastes and styles, as well as an inventory of the furniture they plan to move into their new home.

Another impressive point about HUSH is the variety of innovative services they offer, such as a free move-in service, annual inspections and certificates (which lead to a better resale value), and interior and exterior maintenance packages, and even holiday decor packages. All of these services are tracked on a virtual concierge/web portal in the home, which also includes pertinent documents, floor plans, colour selections, manuals, on-site progress reporting, services and upcoming appointments.

HUSH builds their homes to exceed Energy Star standards and provides an extensive “green” package that offers additional solutions such as solar power and geothermal heating and cooling so you can make your home as energy-efficient and eco-friendly as you want. With homes ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 square feet, loaded with high-end products, quality construction and high energy efficiency, HUSH is offering a carefree lifestyle and a superbly maintained residence for as long as you own the property.

HUSH’s presentation centre is located at 417 Lakeshore Road West. Call 905.337.1435 to schedule a private appointment during the week or register online at HUSH.CA. Visit our catered open houses this weekend on Saturday and Sunday between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm and sample finger foods and delicacies from Montfort Mediterranean cuisine and cinnamon buns and fresh pastries from Cob’s Bakery. Alternatively, give my office a call and we will be glad to help you make the ideal selection – to optimize your enjoyment and investment.

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. 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 Community, Green Home, House Building, Real Estate | No Comments »