Home Ownership - Where the Smart Money is

Toronto ON - Many Canadians understand the implications of homeownership and how to prepare for it. However, since the new mortgage rules took effect the national average home price rose by eight per cent and housing sales in April fell by 14.7 per cent from the prior year . Potential buyers realize home ownership is a huge financial commitment and may not have saved enough to embark on this path. In fact according to the 2009 Canadian Financial Capacity Survey , of those who want to purchase a home, 48 per cent of people have saved less than five per cent and 67 per cent have saved less than 10 per cent of the asking price.

Through all of these changes the real estate market has still remained stable and relatively strong over the last downturn.

"The job of a Real Estate agent is to help clients find a home that meets their personal and financial requirements," says Michael Kalles, President, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage. "With the reduction in the amortization period from 35 to 30 years and dropping re-financing to 85% of the value of the property; homeowners will be building equity in their homes much quicker."

The government passed these regulations to help Canadians better manage their personal debt loads; reduce their exposure to financial risks and build equity in their homes quicker so they can carry less debt into retirement.

"Canadians are becoming more prudent money managers and resisting the temptation to incur more debt by jumping into home ownership," says Jeffrey Schwartz, executive director, Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, Inc. "Building net worth and financial stability through home ownership is a good thing. Entering the housing market is a smart decision when consumers have put their financial houses in order and they are prepared to live within their means when interest rates eventually rise."

Consolidated Credit offers resources, free of charge, on their website to help Canadians save for a new home and avoid foreclosure.

About:
Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada is a national non-profit credit counselling organization that teaches consumers about personal finance.

Consolidated Credit''s unbiased debt-counselling service offers alternatives to help people get their debts under control. Alongside assisting with consolidating payments, Consolidated Credit experts focus on education and understanding. Strategies include teaching basic but vital concepts such as how to budget, understanding credit and how to manage money.

Consolidated Credit also offers a free web-based budget and debt analysis tool and a plethora of website resources for people interested in learning more about debt and credit on their own, including tips on smart spending, buying a car, taking out a student loan and a survival guide for holiday spending. Its online learning centre offers free personal finance education booklets, financial calculators, resources, tips and suggestions. Also offered is a free iPhone and iPod application, "Budget Tool", which can be used to manage expenses on-the-go.

About Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage:
For over 50 years, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage has been dedicated to offering professional service to all of our customers.

We uphold a standard of excellence and service unparalleled in today's ever-changing real estate industry. Our dedicated Real Estate professionals work together to form a powerful and committed sales force. Our team has earned the distinction of being the Number One independent office in all of Toronto in the dollar value of MLS listings sold and the number of MLS listings sold from 1996 - 2008.

Our commitment to excellence is founded upon honesty and integrity. We stand behind these ideals in each and every one of our transactions. Our reputation, enormous referral network and affiliations are proving it.

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage - we focus on your individual needs and hope to bring you a lifetime full of successful real estate experiences.

For more information visit www.harveykalles.com.

For more information or interview requests for Jeffrey Schwartz and Michael Kalles, please contact:

Ann Dennis, Communications & Public Relations Manager, Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada, Inc.(B) 416.915.7283 ext. 1057
(C) 416.985.1516 or adennis@consolidatedcredit.ca.

OR

Lisa Power, Publicity Manager, rock-it promotions. (B) 416.656.0707 ext. 102 or lisa@rockitpromo.com.

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Home Ownership - Where the Smart Money is

Real estate sales dip as Canadians focus on their financial stability.