Cross Canada Referrals

Cam Bird & is family is proud to be apart of Cross Canada Referrals (CCR) which is a group of top producing Realtors across Canada! 

The Cross Canada Referrals Group (CCR) is a group of independent top producing RE/MAX® Real Estate Agents within Canada. Our award winning members are among the best agents with RE/MAX® across this country.

By sending your referrals to CCR REALTOR® you make sure that your client will be served only by the best top performing RE/MAX® REALTOR® in your selected area.

CCR REALTORS® receive and distribute referrals to REALTORS® from all over the world. To date we have paid millions to other REALTORS®. CCR’s outstanding performance and experience in the real estate industry ensures the best possible quality of…

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Waiting to Sell Can Cost You Money

Most people think it is best to wait until the new year to list their home. That is not totally correct. Statistically in December inventory numbers are low. It appears most Sellers wait until the new year; but ask yourself, when would you like to Sell your home? When there are more homes on the market or less? Pre-approved Buyers have an interest rate guarantee for 60-90 days max, would it not make sense to list your home when there are fewer homes to choose from. Interest rates have risen and are continuing to rise, which is forcing house prices to drop. We are aware of our cold winters in Saskatchewan but right now Buyers are motivated looking at properties. Some employees are relocating for work this time of year to start the first quarter in…

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City of Saskatoon Assessments vs Actual House Values

 Learn more about what a buyer will pay for a home in communities throughout Saskatoon and find out how that compares to the City of Saskatoon assessed property values.

Hello there, Cam Bird from RE/MAX Saskatoon. Just want to give you an update on Market Evaluations. A lot of times Sellers have checked on city of Saskatoon Assessment Notices to check what their home is worth; what sellers may not know is the city assessments are from January 1, 2015. Coming in 2018, there is a big difference between the values of these properties & what that assessed value is. Unfortunately, houses are not all at the value it was once assessed at back in January 2015.

For example, I did an Evaluation in the subdivision of King George. From comparable sales &…

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New Mortgage Guidelines coming soon (Jan. 2018)

The Big Banks have decided to alter Mortgage Guidelines once again.. This video gives you an insight into what is happening..

Click on the link or copy and paste into your web browser to watch this 3 minute video..

Hello Everyone, Cam Bird with Re/Max Saskatoon. I just wanted to send out a quick update on the new upcoming mortgage stress test in January 2018 that the Federal Government has implied. Where it is changing the market, place is Buyers with even 20% cash down payment now will have to qualify at the posted 5year interest rate, which currently is about 4.8%. However, you are able to receive the lower 3.5% (as of Oct. 2017) As of right now, the 5%-20% cash down Buyers, have had to these guidelines since October 2016, where they…

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Fall Point of View - 2017

Fall Point of View

Well the summer has come and gone with a wild whirl wind of activity during the hottest summer in a long time.  Real Estate was busy with clients selling homes and buyers acquiring their next new home.  The summer flew by with work and family - even made it up to the lake a few times to make the most of what Canada has to offer.  Now the kids are back in school, we are forced to slow down to 30 kms in school zones and everyone is dealing with a kerfuffle frantically doing the day to day tasks.  I had a chance today to sit back and evaluate recent endeavours, set backs and triumphs that occurred in the hectic summer months.  Extremely grateful to my clients that trusted me to handle the sale or purchase of their home, absolutely…

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Furnace Rentals are becoming a concern

Just a quick note to inform you of some recent findings about some Builders and Home Owners who have opted to replace their furnace and or water heater with a rented furnace-a service that is being offered by some or one of Saskatoon's furnace suppliers. Although this may sound like a great alternative to those who are requiring an upgrade to their heating system however if the thought of selling the home during the time of the furnace being a rental versus solely owned by the Seller, very few if any Buyers have shown any interest in assuming the rental agreement of an existing furnace or water heater. I have been involved recently in the sale where the Seller had entered into a rental agreement on the furnace and the Buyer had assumed the furnace was…

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NEW Changes for Buyers

CMHC insurance fees are now taxed as of August 1st, 2017 to the tune of 6% PST.. This tax will only affect Buyers who are utilizing the CMHC insurance program whereby the Buyer is placing 5-20% down payment on any purchase. Contact us to find out more details or connect with our mortgage Specialist Crystal Wandler of CIBC Mortgages at 306-261-5149.

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Mortgage Rules Changed- Will it affect you?

MORTGAGE Lending rules as of October 17/16 The federal finance minister recently announced new guidelines for Banks & lenders. As of Oct 17/16, any bank granting mortgage financing will now have to have the Buyer qualify at the Banks posted 5 year rate ( currently hovering approx at 4.64%) on mortgage that require CMHC insurance or any of their competitors! Prior to Oct 17th, any Buyer who was obtaining a mortgage with 5-19% down payment was able to qualify at the lenders discounted rate of approx 2.35-2.4%.

What does this mean to Buyer's? With these changes to mortgage lending it will reduce the Buyer's mortgage limits! As an example if a couple are purchasing a home and their annual income is $100,000. With a 5% down payment and good credit rating…

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IS YOUR HOME NOW AN EXPIRED LISTING?

So... Your home didn't sell?

Statistically  far less than 50% of the homes that get listed on Saskatoon's MLS market DO NOT SELL! There can be a multiple reasons this has happen to you perhaps! Often Sellers blame their selection of a REALTOR for this although that's not always the reason!! On some occasions the REALTOR has simply "put the home for sale" at whatever price the Seller has requested, however in today's real estate market the Seller should NOT be dictating the price as to what they need versus what's the home is really worth! Accurately pricing a property is very key to creating a successful sale, your REALTOR should be basing the price on comparable sales of similar homes in the same area as yours PLUS and in today's real estate market,…

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Let the good times roll for BUYERS- Spring Market 2016- March 16th/16

Greetings from Cam Bird & Jordan Bird. What a great time to be buying a home..  I do not recall ever seeing the interest rates being as low as they are now (call / email us to get you in touch with Mortgage Brokers offering rates UNDER 2.5%) The inventory of homes has not been higher..at time of writing this there are 1097 single family homes on the MLS system just in the City of Saskatoon, not counting the out lying communities. You may wonder how many newer homes are currently on the market built between 2014 to 2016- well that number is currently at 311 of those 1097 or 28% of the inventory of homes in Saskatoon are new or virtually new..Wow what a selection, what amazing rates.. And condos, if your looking for a condo- there simply cannot be a better…

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