Stay Informed on the Local Market

 One of the best things about working in a large real estate brokerage ilike the Century 21 here in Barrie is the fact that you'll have many more agents working with buyers who could possibly buy your home. Not only are we are all willing to help eachother out in our sales efforts but also willing to share valuable information. The following Barrie Facts were shared throughout our office and now I'd like to share them with you.

FACT  - BARRIE MAKES CANADA'S TOP 10 FOR DOING BUSINESS

The City of Barrie has once again been recognized as one of Canada's top cities to do business.  Barrie beat out a number of cities including Vaughan, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto according to Canadian Business Magazine.

FACT - CANADIAN COUNCIL ON LEARNING, RANKS BARRIE AS ONE OF THE BEST COMMUNITIES FOR QUALITY OF LIFE

This Ottawa based non-profit organization surveyed and ranked 4,700 communities on  formal education, applied skills and workplace training, social values and arts and recreation.  Barrie ranked fourth overall.  Ottawa and Victoria tied for top spot with Calgary & Gatineau in 2^nd and Kitchener in 3^rd.

FACT - Barrie was recognized as the 14^th Community for Volunteerism with 50% of its residents volunteering.

FACT - Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.  The City of Barrie maintained its' "5 Bloom" ranking and was declared the overall winner in the competition for the population category of 55,001 to 150,000.

FACT - On September 26^th, 2008, 250 real estate investors from the Real Estate Investment Network toured Barrie in search of potential investment opportunities.  5 bus loads of investors toured the city.  Earlier in the year, the Real Estate Investment Network ranked Barrie as the 2^nd best place to invest in real estate in Ontario.

FACT - The Financial Times and their foreign investment publication undertakes a competition every 2 years to determine the North American Cities of the future:  the cities with the best prospects for inward investment, economic development and business expansion.  There are 2 categories in this competition:  best small city and best large city.  Barrie was ranked as one of the top 5 small cities in North America in the Most Cost Effective category.  Cost  effectiveness is one of the most significant factors when a business looks at investing in a community.

FACT - In September, it was reported that to replace the police station on Innisfil Beach Rd, the original $2.6 million figure had ballooned to more than $6 million.  I heard the councillors were speechless.

FACT - In December, Ontario announced $26 million in funding to build more high school spots in Angus and South Barrie.  The Simcoe County District School Board will build a new $21.4 million Angus high school which will likely open in 2010 as well as expand Bear Creek Secondary in south Barrie at a cost of almost $5 million.

FACT - The 2009 Budget for the City of Barrie is a plan that recognizes that these are uncertain economic times.  It is built on a foundation that considers out long term financial future by minimizing debt and building reserves to support current and future operations.  The 2009 Business Plan and Budget include:

• 1) A $227 million infrastructure program and asset rehabilitation plan that supports the local economy by contributing to the creation of 1100 construction jobs with a further inducement of an additional 1100 indirect jobs.
• 2) Support for the local economy by incorporating Council's recent decision to reduce business licensing and fees and discount Development Charges
• 3) A review of the current water and wastewater rate structure will be undertaken with the objective of reaching a full cost recovery plan that is fair, equitable and encourages conservation.
• 4) Tax increase for Barrie for 2009 will be 2.8%

FACT - CITY OF BARRIE TO RE-INVEST $25 MILLION DIVIDEND CHEQUE

The City of Barrie received a special dividend cheque as a result of amalgamating 2 utilities...Barrie Hydro & Power Stream.  The newly merged entity which will retain the PowerStream corporate name, but will be co-branded "PowerStream Barrie Hydro Distribution" in the former Barrie Hydro service territory for the initial year, is now the 2^nd largest local electricity distribution company in the province.  Receiving the money will allow the City to further re-invest in the community.  From strengthening our healthcare to our upgrading our roads, all Barrie residents will benefit from the dividends this merger brings according to Councillor Andrew Prince, member of PowerStream Board of Directors.

These few FACTS that I have presented show that our area is an exciting, caring and progressive community and this is positive information which we need to pass on.  Barrie will continue to grow.

For more information on Barrie, visit my site at:  www.barriefamilyhomes.com or in spanish at: www.casaenbarrie.com

The Canadian 2009 Budget was released yesterday and everyone's eyes were glued to the t.v. last night to see what the new budget could mean for them.

Well, for  future homeowners, it did mean something positive. After CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association) had been lobyying for several years on the issue of raising the withdrawl limit under the Home Buyers Plan, to reflect inflation and the changing house prices since it's creation in 1992, CREA was finally heard!

CREA was pleased at the fedreral government's announcement in yesterday's budget that it has raised the maximum withdrawl limit under the Home Buyers Plan to $25,000.  The plan will now allow first time homebuyers to withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSP to be used in a down payment on a residential property, compared to the original $20,000 limit 16 years ago.

The president of CREA, Calvin Lindgerg stated; “The change announced to the popular Home Buyers’ Plan will help Canadians who want to own their own home, and do it in a responsible way that is not a major drain on taxpayers,”   

“The federal government has found a way to introduce economic stimulus and housing initiatives for specific groups, and for Canadians who want to buy their first home.” Mr. Lindberg added.

The government also announced a home renovation tax credit program; but the association believes that it's success will depend on it's effective administration and promotion with CREA president stating  “The use of tax credits will make the program of interest to many Canadians who own their own home, but the success will be tied in part to the availability of savings or credit, since the expense has to be paid before the tax credit is issued.”

All in all, the association applauded the government for recognizing the economic importance of the housing industry in some of it's budget measures, and only time will tell if this was enough.

For more information on the Barrie and Area Real Estate Market; visit  www.barriefamilyhomes.com or in spanish www.casaenbarrie.com