2169 Coldwater Street, Burlington, ON

Sunday, May 20, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Hosted by Manuela Coelho, Salesperson

Come by and check out this beautiful home in the Orchard, Burlington $639,000- MLS#2040776

Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/gorgeous-family-home-in-the-orchard-burlington/

View Larger Map

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday May 20th, 2pm-4pm Burlington- Price Reduced

We just reduced this elegant home to $629,000

Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/gorgeous-family-home-in-the-orchard-burlington/ - MLS# 2040776

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

PRICED REDUCED: 2169 Coldwater Street, Burlington

2169 Coldwater Street, Burlington, ON

Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Hosted by Manuela Coelho, Salesperson

Come by and check out this beautiful home in the Orchard, Burlington $639,000- MLS#2040776

Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/gorgeous-family-home-in-the-orchard-burlington/

View Larger Map

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, May 12th 2pm-4pm Burlington Orchard Home

Here are some strategies for using your income tax refund wisely and improve your financial well-being … every little bit helps!

This little piggy invested in the stock market…

This little piggy bought a home…

Unique spending ideas

According to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the average income tax refund is $1,506.

If you are expecting a refund or have recently received it, then you may be tempted to spend it.  Most people will spend the refund on such things as clothing and electronics. Here are some ideas you may not have thought of for spending your refund:

• Take a self-improvement course (new language, cooking class)
• Join a health club
• Hire a tutor for your children to help them in school
• Make your house more energy efficient (new furnace, new windows, etc.); this may result in tax credits on your 2011 tax return;
• Service your car (preventative maintenance increases the life of a car)
• Donate to a charity and get a tax deduction on this year’s tax return
• Go on a much-needed vacation

Improve Your Financial Well Being

A good first step in determining how to use your refund is to review your financial plan. You can then see the areas needing improvement and prioritize what are most important to you. An income tax refund can be a great catalyst for you to implement some of the strategies in your financial plan.  If you don’t have a financial plan yet, ask your advisor to create one for you!

Wise uses for the funds

• Contribute to your RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)
• Contribute to your TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account)
• Save for a child’s education with an RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan)

You may be wondering is it better to invest your tax refund in an RRSP or a TFSA? This general guideline can help you make the decision:

• Choose the TFSA if your expected marginal tax rate in retirement is going to be higher than your marginal tax rate today.
• Choose the RRSP if your expected marginal tax rate in retirement is going to be lower than your marginal tax rate today.

Other non-savings related financial needs:

When it comes to managing your finances, you probably understand the benefits of saving on a regular basis. What is equally important, and sometimes forgotten, is ensuring that you and your family are taken care of in the event of your death or disability.  Consider using your income tax refund to address risk management strategies, such as:

• Getting a Will and Power of Attorney drawn up by a lawyer
• Adding to your Life Insurance
• Purchasing Disability Insurance
• Purchasing Critical Illness Insurance

Reduce non-deductible debt / Pay down your mortgage

You generally can’t go wrong by paying down outstanding debt, especially when it is subject to a high interest rate.  Also, the interest on a loan used for personal purposes is NOT tax deductible, so it is very costly when you think of how much after-tax money you need to service this debt.

Non-deductible debt includes: credit cards, car loans, lines of credit, and the mortgage on your home.  

Start an Emergency Fund

The basis of any good financial plan is to have some money set aside for unexpected expenses, a temporary work stoppage (such as mat leave), or a job loss.  In general, you should keep 3 to 6 months of living expenses within a liquid emergency fund.  If you do not have an adequate emergency fund, you may want to direct some or all of your tax-refund towards its creation.

As an alternative to a savings vehicle that may earn little interest, consider obtaining or increasing your line of credit for emergency purposes only. 

Receive Your Tax Refund Earlier

Ensure that the information provided to your employer on your TD1 form and Personal Tax Credits Return is up-to-date. You may have had a change in your personal or family situation since last year allowing you to claim credits for certain items, such as pension income, spouse or common-law partner amount, caregiver amount and disability amount. Letting your employer know of these additional credits will allow your employer to lower income tax deductions at source so you won’t have to wait until your tax return is assessed to receive your refund.

You can also complete the CRA Form T1213 if you have regular tax deductions such as RRSP, child care expenses and alimony. This form is used to ask for reduced tax deductions at source for any deductions or non-refundable tax credits that are not contained on the TD1 Form. If this form is accepted by CRA, they will authorize your employer to reduce the income tax withheld from your paycheque during the year, thereby increasing your net pay.  In essence, this allows you to receive your tax refund throughout the year rather than waiting for a lump-sum refund after you file.

Final Thoughts

Remember the old saying: “It’s not what you make, but what you keep in your pocket that counts.”

So make your refund count!

Stay wealthy,

Natalie.

For more financial advice visit www.jamison.ca

Natalie Jamison is an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Member CIPF. ® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. RBC Dominion Securities® is a Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. RBC Wealth Management is a registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

What to do with your Tax Refund?

2169 Coldwater Street, Burlington, ON

Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Hosted by Manuela Coelho, Salesperson

Come by and check out this beautiful home in the Orchard, Burlington $639,000- MLS#2040776

Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/gorgeous-family-home-in-the-orchard-burlington/

View Larger Map

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday May 5th 2pm-4pm Gorgeous Home in Burlington

De-clutter your space today!

Feeling overwhelmed during your spring cleaning process?   Watch the video below for a quick start guide to decluttering your space.

 At Team Alexx we want you, to be comfortable in your space.

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

How To: De-clutter your home

2169 Coldwater Street, Burlington, ON

Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Hosted by Manuela Coelho, Salesperson

Come by and check out this beautiful home in the Orchard, Burlington $639,000- MLS#2040776

Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/gorgeous-family-home-in-the-orchard-burlington/

View Mapped Location

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, April 29th 2pm- 4pm Beautiful Burlington Home

Keep your grass green this summer!

Do you want to be the one with the best lawn this summer? For some quick tips on keeping your lawn healthy, check out this video.

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

How To: Keep a Healthy Lawn

2169 Coldwater Street, Burlington, ON

Sunday, April 22, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Hosted by Manuela Coelho, Salesperson

Come by and check out this beautiful home in the Orchard, Burlington $639,000- MLS#2040776

Read more at http://www.alexx.ca/2012/gorgeous-family-home-in-the-orchard-burlington/

View Larger Map

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday April 22, 2pm-4pm Gorgeous Home in Burlington

Multiple offers! Low interest rates! Is our market overheated?

We regularly read or hear in the news that homes in the GTA are selling with multiple offers, and that buyers should expect to compete for every home purchase. But is that the case in Oakville?

In the first quarter of 2012, 806 homes were sold in Oakville at an average sale price of $651K, an average price increase of 5.8% over Q1 2011. The volume of sales was up 4.8% compared to the 769 homes sold in Q1 2011. The market here is certainly healthy, buoyed up by the mild winter and early spring weather we’ve been enjoying, and continued low interest rates. Buyers are active, and they are ready to make the commitment.
 
Further research shows that 25% of the 806 homes sold in Oakville in Q1 2012 sold at or above their asking price. This percentage is higher than it was in Q1 2011 (18%), but lower than Q1 2010 (30%). So, yes, there is competition in Oakville, but that varies greatly by market segment and area. It is certainly not the case in every situation.
 
Keep in mind that in Q1 2012, there were 314 price reductions, and 366 listings were cancelled, and both those numbers are about 16% higher than in Q1 2011. Sellers who try to push the envelope pricing their homes and still hope for a bidding war are often disappointed.
 
Properties priced properly will sell quickly, and will have a better chance of multiple offers, whereas over-priced properties will sit on the market, and eventually go through one or more price reductions before they sell, if they sell. This is why you really need the help of a knowledgeable, professional Realtor®, who can help you navigate this marketplace and ensure you make smart real estate decisions.

Post from: www.alexx.ca - Alexx Coelho, Real Estate Broker in Oakville ON

Market Pulse Update