The spring market kicked off early and strong this year, possibly boosted by the unseasonably warm weather and absence of snow in March. Inventory is still lower than at this time in 2009, but has begun to increase slightly in recent months.

“The strong rebound in the existing home market was one of the initial drivers of economic recovery,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “While we don’t expect to see the same rates growth moving forward, GTA households will remain confident in ownership housing as a quality long-term investment, especially as economic recovery expands across all industries.”

Most major banks raised their fixed mortgage rates in late March and the Bank of Canada has warned that240, 240);

Every seller wants his or her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their cheque books.

Your home will be judged not only on its outward appearance, but also on the feelings it evokes in those who view your property. Follow these simple tips to prepare your house and turn it into an irresistible home.

Sight
Use light to showcase your home. Open draperies in the daytime and turn on lights (day and night) to accentuate a cheerful atmosphere. If you have a fireplace, burn a Duraflame log. De-clutter and remove any personal photographs and any potentially offensive posters or religious…

One thing nearly every home owner is concerned about is home security. Whether that means installing a burglar alarm, a home security camera, or simply fortifying windows and doors for a more burglar proof home.

Most thieves do not usually try to get into any home, they select their target carefully. So the trick is to make your home less attractive (or harder to get into) than someone else's.

You can make your home unappealing to a potential thief in a number of ways without the need to break your bank account. Here a few effective deterrents that you can do by yourself.

1- Start with doors and window
In many homes, the most serious home security weakness is doors. A thief's job is made simpler by poor locks,240, 240);

With the prospect of upcoming rate hikes looming over, many home buyers think that locking into the best fixed rate mortgage is the way to go. Does the idea of a mortgage with a fixed interest rate sound appealing?

There are mixed messages out there about when and if interest rates are going to go up. But just as important is a thorough understanding of fixed-rate mortgages and what it could mean for you and your home investment in the long run. Keep in mind that the cost of interest rates rising by 1% is equivalent to the home price falling by 10%. Historically when interest rates have gone up they have gone up fast. It is not uncommon for there to be a 1% hike in a matter of months.

Here are some common fixed-rate questions you may be asking…

The Canadian housing market continues its healthy upward trend across the country, with significant increase in both number of sales and sale value. This trend is expected to continue through to early Spring as we approach the  upcoming changes to mortgage qualification rules.

Buyers in Ontario and British Columbia  are aware of two key changes that could impact their purchasing ability. The new mortgage rules coming in April, plus the Harmonized Sales Tax in July.

“The upcoming changes to mortgage qualification rules and impending mortgage rate increases may prompt some buyers to enter the market earlier and cause some additional slowdown in the third quarter,” said Larry Westergard, president of the REALTORS®240, 240);

Garages are the most hardworking spaces in your home. Investing a few hundred dollars in garage organization tools during one weekend will pay off in savings of both time and money.

A clean and organized garage saves you time by keeping essentials in clear view, so you can find what you need without tripping over items or causing an avalanche whenever you pull something from the bottom of a pile.

You'll also save money because your sporting goods and tools will last longer when they’re stored safe from moisture, heavy weights and dust. Even your car will be protected from falling skis.

Step 1: Aim for spotless clean and clutter free
Start by cleaning out the junk. Release the clutter240, 240);

Have you recently moved to a new location? Do you know that you can deduct certain moving expenses on your next tax return, including transportation, packing and storage costs.

Many people never realize these tax benefits because they don't know what can be deducted. If you are preparing to move, it's best to be informed beforehand so you know which receipts to keep. You may find it worthwhile during a move to pay for various services that are tax-deductible rather than doing them yourself. A typical move involves a number of costs including hiring a company to transport personal effects and furniture, hotel stays and meals (if the move involves driving a long distance to a new home), and service fees to disconnect240, 240);

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty recently unveiled new mortgage rules aimed at stopping housing speculators and ensuring homebuyers can adequately handle their debts when interest rates inevitably rise. Mr. Flaherty stressed that Canada's real estate market is healthy, and that the new rules, which take effect April 19th, would stop “negative trends” from development.

"There's no clear evidence of a housing bubble, but we're taking proactive, prudent and cautious steps today to help prevent one. Our government is acting to help prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and acting to help prevent some lenders from facilitating it," commented Minister Flaherty.

"The underlying message is that Canadians should be prudent in the obligations they…