Click on the 4-minute tour below...
The best way to watch the video is in full screen mode - once the video starts, just click on the computer screen icon at the bottom right of the video.
Onward!
This is a site for Orangeville MarketWatch subscribers to access some of the content we reference offline, like home listings with pictures and full details, school information, neighbourhood profiles and much more.
Check back often because we're always expanding and posting new information that will be helpful to you, including our weekly listing feeds to the right.
Our goal is to give you the information you need to make good, easy decisions on your way to buying a home in Orangeville...
What Is MarketWatch?
This is a
site for Orangeville MarketWatch subscribers to access some of the content I
reference offline, like home listings with pictures and full details, school
information, neighbourhood profiles and much more.
Check
back often because we're always expanding and posting new information that will
be helpful to you, including our weekly listing feeds to the right.
My goal
is to give you the information you need to make good, easy decisions on your
way to buying a home in Orangeville and the Surrounding Areas ...
What Is MarketWatch?
MarketWatch
is a home buying plan developed for you to make your home search simple. If
you’re looking to buy a home in Orangeville in the next 6-12 months, MarketWatch is
for you. Best of all, it's FREE and easy.
"Your
"MarketWatch" is the best comprehensive listing service that I have
seen anywhere. There is absolutely no need to look elsewhere for listings
in the Orangeville market area."
- Jim C.
- Tiffani & Stuart
- Eric & Barbara
- Syeda K.
- Markian & Tamara
- Cindy
- Kate & Trevor
When you
sign up for a FREE MarketWatch subscription, you will get all listings in your
desired area and price range mailed to you.
Along
with the listings, you will also get a free one year subscription to our
MarketWatch newsletter. The newsletter consists of information to help you
become educated in the home buying process. Plus, there are current
articles, booklets and other bonus material that is sent on an ongoing basis.
Every two
weeks after the intial mailing, you will receive a mailing with all new
listings and the MarketWatch Newsletter.
What do I do when I am ready to start looking at
homes?
You may
want to take advantage of our FREE Home Search Program, where
our computers will search and match your exact wants and needs with ALL the new
homes that come on the market each day. You can choose how often you want to
receive these updates.
The Home
Finder Program is perfect for when you’re starting to look at homes, and you
want to find out about NEW listings as soon as they come on the market.
You may
also want to join me for a Saturday Tour of Orangeville to
learn more about the different homes and neighbourhoods, or book a Buyer
Planning and Strategy Seminar. Call 
519-215-0107
for more
information on our upcoming sessions.
What makes MarketWatch different than any other
home search program?
As a real
estate consultant, I understand that buying a home is a process, and the
MarketWatch system is designed to give you an idea of values, get you familiar
with the types of homes in the area, keep you posted regularly and educate you
about the process of buying a home in Orangeville.
It's the
step BEFORE you actually start looking, which is absolutely unique in the marketplace.
Welcome to Orangeville
Orangeville offers the best of all worlds. We've managed to retain many of the characteristics of a small town while adding the amenities of a larger centre. We're less than an hour from Toronto, with all it has to offer, and only moments away from the unspoiled natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment.
An attractive lifestyle is a major reason people give for locating in Orangeville; there's something for everyone. We have a vibrant cultural life with our own live theatre and an active community of artisans. Sports play a major role in our community, as the Town and a legion of dedicated volunteers combine to offer programs in just about any sport you can think of.
Orangeville and area is an outdoors enthusiast's dream. Our parks range from passive open land to those well equipped to entertain the most active users and our extensive trailway system is being expanded yearly. Just outside of town, our neighbours offer excellent hiking trails, cross-country and downhill skiing, golfing, fishing, and a wide variety of other activities.
Orangeville boasts a strong and diversified economic base. We have become a regional shopping destination with a Power Centre, an indoor mall and a charming and well-maintained downtown core that offers exquisite dining and boutique and convenience shopping. Our business park is home to a strong and varied manufacturing community. Our convenient location, capable and dedicated workforce, and lower capital and operating costs, are among the many reasons businesses build and grow in Orangeville.
Orangeville has experienced steady growth over the past few years. Attractive, affordable housing, an ongoing school building program and a new health care facility have appealed to many families. With a carefully planned approach to growth, we will work to ensure positive change and create a welcoming environment for both families and businesses.
There's so much more we could tell you about Orangeville. Please take some time to look through our profile to learn a bit more about us. But, better yet, come to Orangeville and take a look for yourself. Nothing we can say can match the feeling you'll get from a visit.
Housing
Orangeville
has experienced steady growth over the past few years. Attractive
affordable housing, an ongoing school building program and a new health care
facility have appealed to many families. With a carefully planned
approach to growth, the Town works to ensure positive change and to create a
welcoming environment for both families and businesses.
A variety
of housing is available in this safe community, from stately brick century
homes on tree-lined streets, to newer subdivisions with modern parks and
walking trails, and estate residential opportunities in the surrounding
area. A wide range of supportive services and family-oriented activities
and events are available to residents throughout the year. Whether you
enjoy the quiet places of worship and repose or the more spirited atmosphere of
a festival, Orangeville has something for everyone.
Population
& Demographics
As with
many of the smaller communities located in proximity to the GTA, the Town of
Orangeville has experienced significant growth over the past decades.
Statistics Canada has reported that the 2006 population of the Town of
Orangeville was 26,925. This compares to 21,498 in 1996, representing an
increase in population of 25.2% over the period 1996-2006.
Town of
Orangeville's 2006 Population: 26,925
Dufferin
County's 2006 Population: 54,435
The Town
of Orangeville's population is projected to reach approximately 31,684 by the
year 2011. This growth in population will continue to create new
opportunities for businesses, services and residents. The median age of
Orangeville residents, 35.4, is the third lowest among all municipalities in
the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area, and well below the median age of Ontario
residents (39.0).
Age Characteristics of the Population
Town of
Orangeville 2006
Age
Male Female
0 to
4
895 915
5 to 14
2140 2080
15 to 19
1060 1055
20 to
24
800 740
25 to 44
4865 5050
45 to 54
1875 1895
55 to 64
1140 1240
65 to
74
635 750
75 to
84 350
590
85 & over 100
285
(Source:
2006 Census, Statistics Canada)
The Ultimate Guide to Orangeville House Prices - Video and Print Versions
If you’re just starting to look for a new home in Orangeville, this video could be very helpful. It’s a comprehensive guide to the Orangeville and surrounding area real estate markets - have a look...
Video version...
Print version...
Coming Soon!
Area Schools
Upper Grand
District School Board
(online
map of school districts here)
Dufferin Peel
Catholic School Board
(online
map of school districts here)
Map of School
Locations
(Google Online Map)
Boundaries of Schools
(Maps)
For a
list of school report cards, a good reference point is the Fraser Institute (FraserInstitute.ca)
In 2004 the Town of Orangeville approached Humber with the concept of establishing a partnership to build a new campus to service the community and those surrounding Dufferin County.
In October 2005, a partnership was formulized where the Town of Orangeville donates a 28 acre building site on Veterans' Way - County Road #16 in the northwest section of the community.
Humber has committed to the development of a full-service regional campus to be built over the next 10 to 12 years.
Three phases are planned for the campus design including a student residence, as well as an Arboretum.
The Orangeville Campus is targeted to open phase one in the late fall 2007, or early 2008 accommodating up to 400 students. The campus will eventually house 2000+ students in a variety of disciplines.
An Orangeville Campus Community Relations Office was opened in January 2006 to facilitate academic research and general community awareness of the new college campus.
The Orangeville Campus Community Relations Office is located at 229 Broadway Unit #4, Orangeville. The office at this time is open to the public three days a week.
Buyer Representation... and How It Protects You
One
of the most misunderstood concepts in real estate involves Buyer Representation.
In fact, I know a lot of REALTORS who don't even get it.
I'll try to break it down as simple as I can...
Normally,
when a home is listed, the seller agrees to "co-operate" with any
real estate professional who brings a buyer, negotiates the sale, removes the
conditions and closes the transaction, and then pay us from the proceeds of the sale.
In other words, they pay us to help them find buyers.
The listing agent works for the seller - that makes sense.
But here's the part people have trouble with...
All the other 20,000 agents in the Toronto area? They also work for the seller as "sub-agents". After all, the seller is paying them, so it makes sense that this is the default setting.
In other words, if you emailed me today (out of the blue) asking for information about a home, technically I would work for the seller. My interest is to protect the seller and get him the highest price and best terms to his benefit.
Even if it's listed with another company.
Even if you're my best friend in the whole world.
Even if you're on MarketWatch.
Seriously.
Our Code of Ethics says we need to disclose this as soon as possible. Unfortunately most Realtors don't.
So how do you get someone working FOR YOU?
A Buyer Representation Agreement is the only way to ensure you are protected.
The BRA is something that's done in writing, because everything in real estate is in writing.
Simply put, this Buyer Representation Agreement says that even though the seller pays me as your Buyer Representative, my legal duty is to ensure YOUR interests are protected as a buyer. It gives me permission to work for you, and not the seller.
Wait, there's more -- under a Buyer Representation Agreement, it's the duty of your "Buyer Agent" to keep your information confidential, and to make sure that the best price and terms are negotiated for your benefit. They will tell you the truth about market value, because they are under a contractual obligation to look after your interests.
On the other hand, if there is no Buyer Representation Agreement in place, your agent automatically works for the seller, and they would show you prices that would validate the seller's asking price. Their job is to protect the seller instead of you.
Now we have an obligation (no matter what) to be fair and honest and not misrepresent facts... but I'm going to repeat this because it's really that important...
The legal obligation of someone who is not your Buyer Representative is to represent the Seller.
When you go to open houses, or do anything WITHOUT a Buyer Representation agreement in place, you are on your own.
Or worse, you are working with someone who is not even looking out for you!
Imagine that. It can get complicated.
As you can see, NOT signing a Buyer Agency Agreement could cost you thousands of dollars more than what you might pay with the help of your own Buyer Representative.
The purpose of the Agreement is so that there is understanding, consent and clear boundaries about who's really working for who.
It switches the default setting over to YOUR best interests, instead of the seller.
The agreement can last anywhere from one hour to several years.
Is it a commitment in writing? Yes it is. So be sure to ask your representative if they offer an "Easy Exit Guarantee" if you're not happy.
All great businesses offer a satisfaction guarantee, and real estate should be no different.
Needless to say, I have an "Easy Exit Guarantee" in place. :)
This isn't a sales pitch - it's something everyone needs to know who is trading in real estate, now or later.
Hopefully that makes sense. If it doesn't, let me know.This is
probably the most important part of the site.
Almost every court case and problem that occurs in real estate is because the agent is either rushing and being sloppy... or it's because they didn't explain this properly.
Street Maps and Neighbourhoods
Urban Street Map
Courtesy of the Town of Orangeville.
Rural Street Map
Courtesy of the Town of Orangeville.
Here's a great website to calculate your mortgage payments and help you budget your payments...
Remember that there are close to 200 different loan programs to choose from, so the payment options and downpayments can vary tremendously. For the most current and accurate options, call or email us today.
