30 New Year's Resolutions that Will Improve Your Life

For a Free Home Value Report, CLICK HERE


I'll be the first to admit that this post has nothing to do with real estate, homes or home ownership. It is, however, a good list of advice on living and was sent to me by a very good friend. 

With New Year's around the corner I think these are resolutions that can improve your life this coming year and beyond!

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on. No, it won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves. 
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either. You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else. 
11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place. Evaluate situations and take decisive action. You cannot change what you refuse to confront. Making progress involves risk. Period! You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others doing better than you. Concentrate on beating your own records every day. Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own. Ask yourself this: “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you. You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough. But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past. You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation. So smile! Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart. You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate. Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.” It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself! And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too. If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway. Just do what you know in your heart is right.
21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things. The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done. 
24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.
25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out. But making one person smile CAN change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus.
28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy. One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time? Three years? Five years?” If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen. Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

New Year Also Means New Waterloo Rental Housing Bylaw - Have You Applied Yet for Your Licence?

Waterloo Rental Bylaw begins April 1, 2012

The City of Waterloo's Rental Housing licensing program begins April 1, 2012. Those wanting to apply for a licence on April 1, 2012 should contact the Electrical Safety Authority in advance to arrange for inspection and obtain their certificate.

Electrical Safety Authority can be contacted at www.esasafe.com or by calling 1 877-372 7233.

Applications for rental license can include passed ESA certificates completed within 6 months of submission.

If you have any further questions please contact the City of Waterloo 519-747-8587 or at rental@waterloo.ca. Information on your local Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning contact will be available in the upcoming weeks.

The City of Waterloo is hosting 15 workshops to assist with those wishing to apply for a residential rental licence.

Lions Room 200, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo

Tuesday February 14, 2012

Wednesday February 15, 2012

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sessions run each day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Space is limited to 30 participants per session. Register for the session that you'd like to attend ASAP. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. You must be registered to attend.

To register, email rental@waterloo.ca.
www.waterloo.ca/rhlr

For more information or explanation of the rental housing bylaw please contact me.

Stuffed or Not Stuffed - that is the Turkey Question!

This week I ran into a past client who had purchased his first home through me.  We were at the grocery store and started talking "turkey."  As a former chef he said he never stuffed his turkeys.

I have always done my stuffing in my turkeys so I found this quite surprising.  I did a bit of digging and came across this article on the internet from Chatelaine.


Here are five reasons to prepare stuffing a la carte:

Safety: When cooking poultry, it is crucial to follow proper temperature guides for doneness. Other meats can be enjoyed at different levels of doneness, but poultry is done when it's done. Turkey is fully cooked when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 175F. At that point the turkey should be removed from the oven, tented with foil and left to rest for 25 minutes. When cooking a stuffed turkey, it is very important that a thermometer also be inserted into the thickest part of the stuffing. The thermometer should read a minimum of 165F. As a turkey cooks, juices that may contain salmonella will have been absorbed into the stuffing, therefore it is necessary to reach this temperature to kill any potentially harmful bacteria.

Turkey quality: We put a lot of effort into selecting our holiday turkey. When turkey is cooked properly, it is juicy, tender and divine. Often stuffed birds require far longer in the oven to provide adequate time for the stuffing to cook - and in turn end up dry and over-cooked.

Texture: Stuffing cooked in the bird can be lovely, however, it is often slightly soggy. This is completely understandable given that bread is porous and continues to absorb the moisture of the bird as it cooks. One of the benefits of preparing your stuffing outside of the bird is that you can visually see the fruits of your labour. If you have browned your stuffing it will still be caramelized and crispy, vegetables can remain fork-tender without being overcooked, fresh herbs will still be bright and full of flavour. If you miss the flavour of the turkey juices in your stuffing, then simply stir some of the cooked drippings into your stuffing just prior to serving.

Time: Stuffing can be prepared a day in advance and stored in your refrigerator. To reheat, be sure to arrange your racks appropriately prior to baking your turkey ensuring you save room for your dish of stuffing. To reheat the stuffing bake it on the lower rack, underneath the turkey.

Appearance: While stuffing that is cooked in the bird can taste delicious, it often lacks a little something in the looks department. After all it's been sweating inside a turkey for hours! A separate stuffing that accompanies the bird allows your dish to shine and can be a great visual addition to your holiday table.

This year I may just try doing the stuffing on the side.

Keeping Your Pet Safe at Home During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for us. We’re cleaning or painting the house and putting up new curtains; baking black cake and making sorrel; writing lists to Santa and shopping for gifts; decorating the tree and buying the turkey or ham. In the hustle and bustle, important little things often get neglected, such as our pets. We may not be as vigilant and accidents can and do happen. Here are some tips to help make this festive period just as joyous and peaceful for your pet:

• Don’t forget your pet. Holiday parties and gatherings can mean lots of commotion which can be fun for you, but not for your pet. A lot of people in your home, and changes to the environment as decorations get put up and furniture gets shifted around can create stress. Many pets are intimidated by loud music, boisterous people and noise-makers so consider exercising the animal and feeding him (a tired pet with a full belly is more likely to sleep well) before putting him into a quiet room or crate for the night.

• Increased activity may mean that your pet’s daily routine gets disrupted. Ensure that you stick to his feeding, exercising and play schedule or you will cause undue frustration and stress.

• If your pet gets scared by loud noises, warn your guests not to set off fireworks or party-poppers and keep your pet securely inside a den-like area.

• Christmas trees are considered to be mildly toxic. The fir tree oils can irritate the mouth and stomach, causing excessive drooling or vomiting; and the tree needles are not easily digested causing gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, gastrointestinal obstruction or puncture. Artificial trees are also dangerous when eaten: the synthetic material may release toxins and since it is not easily digested can cause intestinal obstruction.

• Bright ornamental plants can be hard to resist but many are poisonous to pets. The leaves and stems of poinsettias cause irritation, nausea and vomiting; the berries and leaves of holly are moderate to very toxic; mistletoe is severely toxic; hibiscus may cause vomiting and bloody diarrhoea if ingested; and plants of the lily family are very toxic causing gastrointestinal upsets, cardiac arrhythmias, kidney failure, convulsions and death.

• Supervise your pet when he is near the Christmas tree and try to place ornaments high up, away from curious little paws that will be attracted by the shiny, sparkling objects. Tinsel is not toxic but pets can choke on it. Angel-hair (spun glass) and artificial snow are mildly toxic and can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract.

• Replace metal ornament hooks with tightly knotted fabric 1/4 inch ribbons, light-weight twine or yarn to slip easily over the branches of the tree.

• All other decorations should be carefully placed so that the pets cannot pull or scratch off any small pieces to swallow.

• Cover or tack down electrical cords; and be careful with lights: pets are attracted to the colours and blinking lights can keep an animal in awe for hours.

• Keep gift ribbons and bows out of sight.

• Resist the temptation to tie ribbons around pets’ necks for the holidays. The ribbon can get caught on objects resulting in the choking or strangling.

• If you use candles, make sure to supervise your pet at all times. Pets are attracted to bright lights and can get serious burns or knock over the candle causing your house to go up in flames.

• Candy and chocolates abound at Christmas time and should be kept out of reach of your pet. If the foil wrappers on candies are swallowed they can cause internal injuries (the foil edge can be as sharp as a razor); and chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats.

• Other holiday treats such as alcoholic beverages; rich, fatty food scraps; bones; grapes and raisins; onions; highly seasoned foods and dairy products can be harmful or toxic to your pet. Too varied a diet will lead to upset tummies and a breakdown of the pet’s normal eating habit and you may find he is reluctant to go back to his ordinary diet. Caution your guests and kids against giving the pet special treats and try not to give in to those big, pleading eyes. Give a healthy treat such as a raw carrot or an apple.

• Holiday costumes may be cute but be wary of costumes which have rubber bands to keep them securely in place on the pet. If rubber bands are accidentally left on the pet after the fun of dressing up is over, the pet could chew off and swallow them, causing choking or intestinal injuries; or the bands can become embedded into the pet's flesh restricting blood flow.

• Remember not to give a pet as a gift for Christmas. The first weeks of a new home can be extremely traumatic and it is better to wait until the flurry of the holidays is over when you can bring your new pet home to peace and quiet. You will also have more time to spend raising your pet the proper way. The positive energy we emit when we are filled with the spirit of Christmas flows into our pets and they want to join in the fun. They are naturally curious about what is making us happy and can get into trouble when noses, mouths and paws end up where they do not belong. Safeguard your pet this Christmas and remember, since all veterinary clinics are closed on Christmas Day, get your registered veterinarian’s contact number in case of an emergency.

written by Kristel Marie Ramnath

Finally - not sure what to get someone for a last-minute gift?  Think safety - a fire extinguisher or plug-in carbon monoxide detector is relatively inexpensive, shows that you care and may even save a life.

Merry Christmas!

CIBC: Canadian economy better than most in 2012

Propertywire.ca posted this article on December 16 after CIBC released an economic report.

Next year won’t be the best ever, from an economic point of view, but chances are Canada will not fall victim to a recession as many other nations are likely to around the globe, according to CIBC World Markets.

They suggest that, while the economy will slowdown in 2012, there is a likelihood that the continued low interest rate environment will do much to buoy the economy, and keep it from sinking into recessionary territory.

"As an open economy, Canada can't help but feel the disappointment of a barely half-speed world," says Avery Shenfeld, chief economist at CIBC in a new economic forecast. "Excepting Europe, we're not destined for recession, but global growth will barely top three per cent next year, and 2013 won't be a whole lot better, well below the bounteous five per cent pre-recession pace."

They expect that job levels in Canada will remain roughly the same through 2012, which makes the economy that much more dependant on these low interest rates and the consumer spending that will be encouraged to help move the economy along. This suggests too, as many have already said, that interest rates will stay at these low levels for many months to come.

"2012 is on tap to be a lacklustre year for the Canadian economy. While the Bank of Canada had earlier warned about rate hikes in 2011, the next leg of a tightening cycle looks unlikely to be required before 2014, as the economy continues to need exceptionally low rates to stay above water."

Shenfeld also points to business spending as another necessary mechanism to keep the wheels of the economy moving. “Spending in energy, aluminum smelting, shipbuilding facilities and other private sector megaprojects will provide at least some antidote to the retreat underway in public sector capital spending as the recession's stimulus is wound down."

Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger will be hosting a 2012 Economic Outlook event in February, presented by the Assistant Chief Economic Paul Ferley of RBC.  Limited seating by invitation only.  Please contact me for more details.

GO Trains officially begin operation from Kitchener on Monday!

It's official....for the thousands of commuters from Kitchener to Toronto who travel everyday, they will have the option of using the GO trains starting on Monday.

Welcome news for many, and another reason Kitchener-Waterloo considered a desireable area in which to leave - as is evidenced from our stable real estate market.

This article from the Waterloo Region Record outlines the details of the new GO Transit operation.

A welcome boost for GO trains

History will be made next Monday when the first GO train pulls out of the station in Kitchener headed for Toronto. For the first time ever, people will be able to use this commuter service to travel between Waterloo Region and Canada’s biggest city. This is a great step forward for this community. But, if the service is to truly catch on, GO will need help.

In part, this is because when the service starts on Dec. 19, only two trains a day will run during the work week from the Kitchener station to Union Station in Toronto, and two trains will make the return trip in the afternoon. The journey will take about two hours each way. Originally, GO Transit intended to operate more trains each day.

From the start, many local commuters will welcome the GO trains. To its credit, Waterloo regional council is doing its best to make the service work better for them while persuading even more people to use it.

The region has agreed to provide free parking near the Victoria Street train station, and to operate a shuttle van service between the station and the Charles Street bus terminal. The region, which operates Grand River Transit, has also arranged to sell 50-cent bus tickets to passengers going to or from the GO station and to have GO Transit reimburse the region for the remainder of the price.

These incentives will obviously cost the region and GO Transit some revenue. Yet the money will be well spent. The region should indeed encourage people to use the GO Trains. The service will have to be efficient and convenient if it is to live up to its potential.
In fact, the best way to increase the level of service in the future will be to make sure the trains that do operate are either full or close to full.

Ideally, the provincial government would have enabled GO Transit to launch the GO service with a more complete schedule and faster trains. But the government is running a heavy deficit and lacks the cash to launch a more comprehensive Go service.

GO Trains serve a public good that goes beyond transporting passengers. By giving the region’s residents going to Toronto an option other than getting into their vehicles, the GO Trains should ease congestion on Highway 401 while making the commute more manageable for many people.

In time, GO’s goal should be to have more and faster trains serving this community. The region’s welcome incentives to commuters can play a role in making this happen.

A Charlie Brown Christmas - What does Lucy want for Christmas?

This is my second favourite Christmas Show!  But it has my very favourite quote from Lucy at the end of this clip!

Selling Your House During the Winter? Here are a Couple Practical Tips....

There are many difficulties that present themselves when selling your property during the winter months.  Most notably are the shorter days with darkness coming earlier and, of course, snow.

There is nothing more frustrating for a potential buyer coming to view your property than to have to struggle over a snowbank if they have to park on the street or on the edge of your driveway and then meander through a 16 inch wide walk way to make it to the front door.

It's extra work, but it does pay off.  Clearing the full width of the walk way and driveway and keeping the banks back from the edge would go a long way to putting that potential buyer in a good mood when they walk in the door to view the property.

Also, try to schedule any showings early in the day so that there is maximum light.  That may mean being prepared to allow showings in the morning.

Also, make sure every light is on (including in closets and utility rooms) as well as making sure the maximum wattage bulbs are being used.  You're selling your property, this isn't the time to use energy efficient bulbs. And consider leaving all the blinds and drapes wide open through the day.

For more advice on staging or for a market evaluation of your home, please contact me anytime.

New Real Estate Listing Book Available!

Click here http://issuu.com/kwtreb/docs/87731.19.13.cb?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage  for the latest Coldwell Banker listings.

Please contact me if you'd like more info on these or any other properties.

Home Values in K-W Still Rising as November Stats are Released

Click this link http://www.kwar.ca/stats/November_2011_Media_Release.pdf to see the most recent media release regarding home sales in K-W.

Feel free to contact me if you'd like more information on our the Local Real Estate Market of if you are considering buying or selling real estate soon!

CMHC: Reduction of Houshold Debt Creating a Balanced Real Estate Market

Senior officials have been repeating a message of restraint and responsibility when it comes to consumer debt, and apparently the consumers are listening.

New information from Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission (CMHC) suggests that accumulation of mortgage debt has slowed in this country, a likely consequence of stabilizing of the market in general.

According to CMHC, this slowing in consumer borrowing is not limited to mortgages, but says that there has been broad-based drop in consumer credit as well, including credit cards and lines of credit.

The concern has been that the continued environment of low interest rates would be too tempting for many, and debt accumulation would ramp up, leaving some vulnerable when rates do eventually rise.
Perhaps for some though, this low interest rate environment has become their new sense of borrowing reality, as rates have been low for sometime, and are expected to stay put for the near future, because of economic trouble brewing internationally.

Also, recent government regulations requiring that borrowers must qualify for a five-year term mortgage, which is set at a higher interest rate, even though their actual mortgage at a shorter term would be at a lower rate.  This essentially creates a built-in buffer against rate increases.

There is a feeling too, that this new sense of credit caution for consumers will play out well for the Canadian Real Estate market. The low interest rates will still incentify buyers, but this new awareness of the potential pitfalls of debt, as evidenced by dropping levels of debt over the last few months, suggest that debt loads, while high are showing a downward trend.

Essentially, this combination should bring balance to the market, heading off fears of an unsustainable spike in property prices.

Kitchener makes first steps to adopting a rental housing bylaw

The Waterloo Region Record reported that Kitchener City Council discussed at length the backround report on residential-licensing bylaw is probably on it's way.

 City councillors clearly indicated Monday that improved regulation of rental housing is on the way after years of complaints about noise, litter, poor maintenance and fire hazards in the neighbourhoods around Conestoga College.

A background report on a residential-licensing bylaw sparked a lot of discussion among councillors Monday, including whether it should be applied across the city or just in Lower Doon, which is near the community college.

Mike Fleming, a 20-year resident of that neighbourhood, urged councillors to act.

“I have witnessed several private residences converted to student housing, especially in the past five years,” Fleming said.

Single-family residences that are converted to student housing typically see several new bedrooms added and sometimes a second kitchen, and most of the time the owner does not get the proper permits and inspections, Fleming said.

“The example of Oshawa’s bylaw with regard to student housing surrounding Durham College is precisely what our city council should be closely examining,” Fleming said.
Not so fast, said Shayne Turner, the city’s director of bylaw enforcement and author of the background report.

Turner told councillors that only five cities in Ontario have adopted a rental-licensing bylaw since 2007 changes to provincial legislation allowed them — Oshawa, North Bay, London, Mississauga and Waterloo.

Turner said Oshawa was the first and its bylaw focused on the area around Durham College, but after the Ontario Human Rights Commission raised concerns about bylaws that target specific neighbourhoods, all the municipalities that followed enacted city-wide bylaws.

The landlord association in London took that city to court and lost. The landlords in London are now trying the Ontario Court of Appeal. The Durham bylaw has not been challenged in the courts.
Mayor Carl Zehr wants city staff to look at all alternatives, including the tightening of existing regulations, as a bylaw is prepared and public meetings held.

“We need to resolve the issue, particularly in Lower Doon, I want to make that absolutely clear,” Zehr said.

“But there are other options we have to look at as well,” he said. “What I am trying to do is avoid the legal quagmire that this is potentially going to get us into.”
Zehr’s call for a delay until January so councillors could get a closed-door briefing from city lawyers was lost in a tie vote.

“That’s a huge problem that’s been facing us for many years,” Gazzola said.

A report on a rental-licensing bylaw is expected sometime in the first half of next year. If the experience of other cities is repeated here it will be controversial. Landlords, realtors and others routinely oppose the move. Such bylaws call for significant fees to pay for the additional city staff needed to enforce them.

In June, councillors asked for the background information about what is allowed in such bylaws and the experience in other municipalities. They voted unanimously yesterday to proceed to the next step — the drafting of a suggested bylaw and alternatives — to make rental housing safer for occupants and neighbours.

Coun. Frank Etherington wanted to know if such a bylaw would help the city get rid of crack houses.
“Would this improve your opportunity to enforce standards in that type of rental housing where people are living in appalling conditions?” Etherington asked.

Turner said it would depend on what type of housing the bylaw was focused on, but it could be tweaked to help better regulate non-student rentals as well.

“My short answer is — I do believe there would be some applicability,” Turner said.

Great Commercial For the Holiday Season - Crowded House

If you are like most people out there, the holidays brings with it lots of friends and relatives - how do you cope with a crowded house?  Check out this link to a great commerical http://youtu.be/dfcqEV91DiE

Christmas already!?! Here is a guide to all the Christmas bazaars and shows in the Region

Yes, it's true.  The "Season" is upon us.  Check out this link to see a list of all the Christmas bazaars across the Region. Enjoy!

Here’s your guide to Christmas bazaars across the region

Furnishing Your Rental Units Cost Effectively

How to furnish your rental property cheaply

If you have a property you rent out and you are on a budget you probably try to find furniture that’s as cheap as possible.  At the same time it’s likely that you don’t want your furniture to look like it was the cheapest possible furniture you could get. Most tenants will want to take out a content insurance policy for their own possessions and you will normally have Landlord Insurance cover for the possessions you have.  You will want to make sure that policy is worthwhile having because you have some good quality furniture to insure. So how do you find decent furniture at reasonable prices? Charity Shops Some people shun charity shops thinking that they only stock cheap things and aren’t good quality.  That is very often not the case.  People will sometimes give good furniture that they don’t want any more to charity shops.  You might not pick up a bargain on your first trip but if you are a little bit persistent you may just find something that would have cost a lot more to buy in a normal high street shop. Charity shops that stock large bulky items like sofas or wardrobes will very often deliver your purchases to your home.  It does depend on the shop, but these are ideal places to find bargains and they are often found in or near your local High Street. Go online For some people there’s not much that’s more enjoyable than scooping a bargain online.  Ebay is a great place to pick up a good deal on second hand furniture.  There is also Gumtree where people sell unwanted furniture.  You of course have to be careful about the quality of what you’re buying, but the same goes for most things. Ask your friends and family Sometimes you might be able to bag a bargain from your friends or family and could get it for free.  People often throw out furniture that is unwanted or that they have replaced.  If they know you are looking they might ask you before they either dispose of it, give it to a charity shop, or sell it. Furnishing your rental property cheaply is not as difficult as you might think if you do a bit of research.  You can actually get some good quality second hand furniture that is in very good condition at prices that are far less than you would pay if the furniture was brand new

Do You Commute from K-W to Toronto? Go Trains to Begin Service....

Thousands of people commute back and forth to Toronto from Kitchener Waterloo everyday.  The Go train service is set and ready, and rumours are that Dec. 19th could be the day the first trains depart the Via station on Weber Street.

There are 2 trains scheduled to depart on weekday mornings and returning in the evening.

The provincial transit agency is just preparing schedule and rate details.

With the price of gas and road congestion, this will be a welcome option for commuters.

Listing Information for 84 Fran Ellen - hot new listing!

http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=11298978&PidKey=-1556872110

Open house Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 from 2 -4 PM

4 Signs that Your Home Might be Overpriced...

The worst thing that can happen to a listing is that it doesn't sell....overwhelmingly, the main reason a home won't sell is that it is overpriced.

Here are 4 signs that indicate your home is overpriced.

It is no longer a sellers market out there.  You have to make sure the price is right in this highly competitive, price-driven market. Unlike the good old days, homebuyers are no longer choosing homes based on emotion. In this tough economy, they're looking for the best deal.

If your house has been sitting on the market for three or more tortuous months, your asking price may be to blame. Here are four tell-tale signs that it's time to slash that listing price.

1. No one is stopping by for a look.Your house has been on the market for a month or two, and showings have been scarce to none. Wait a second, do you hear that? Ah yes, it's the sound of warning bells ringing. If buyers are not even taking the time to look at your house, it's pretty sure sign that the price is too high.Of course, you may argue that this doesn't necessarily mean that there's no interest in your home. While you've had no actual showings, that brochure box by your "For Sale" sign is empty and your online listing has received hundreds of hits. If that's the case, this only proves that there is interest in your home, but something is keeping buyers from scheduling a showing. What's holding them back? You got it -your absurdly high asking price.
2. You've had plenty of showings but no offers.So, your home has attracted a handful of showings since it's been on the market, but you still haven't gotten an offer. Of course, the Pepto-Bismol pink shower in the master bathroom or the turquoise blue carpet in the living room could be to blame.Poor design and color choices can certainly scare away potential buyers. But if your home is tastefully decorated and updated, it's more likely that your price needs to come down. Some experts say if you've had 10 showings without an offer, your home is probably overpriced.
3. Buyers shower your home in criticism.You've had plenty of showings, but your realtor has noticed that prospective buyers make the same negative comments about your home time and again. For example, they may continually complain that your house is plagued with a pungent odor reminiscent of wet dog and rotten tomatoes. Or perhaps they all point out that the 1970s-themed kitchen, complete with pea green appliances, is a little outdated.Be sure to ask your realtor to notify you of any negative feedback from buyers. While some of the comments may be difficult to hear, a little constructive criticism may help you sell your home in the long run. Remember, there's no room for hurt feelings in home-selling.It may turn out that other homes in your neighborhood have remodeled, modern kitchens and a more inviting smell. If this is the case, you'll either need to freshen up your home, give your kitchen a makeover or (you guessed it) cut your asking price. After all, if the price is right, prospective home buyers may decide they can live with a pea-green dishwasher - or buy a new one.
4. You have the highest priced home on the block. Let's say comparable homes in your area are priced much lower than yours. Houston, we have a problem. If your house is the most expensive three-bedroom, two-bath, 10-year old home in your zip code, it's probably going to be the last one to sell.Ask your realtor for regular updates on home prices in your area. He or she can show you the closing price on homes similar in size and age to yours and notify you when comparable homes drop their prices. This will help you decide if it's time for you to drop you price, as well.

So, after picking up on some of these warning signs, you finally give in and drop your price. But you still haven't received an offer. What's the deal? You probably haven't cut your price enough.

If you're going to lower your price, don't do it in small increments. After all, there's really no difference between $225,000 and $224,900. Buyers won't fall for that. If you're going to slash your price, you'll have to lower it enough for buyers to take notice.

With all of these factors in mind, it's easy to understand why a REALTOR's services, advice and knowledge is so valuable in selling a home.  I can help set the proper price at the outset using knowledge and information of the market, follow up and provide feedback from showings and open houses and provide suggestions and advice on ways to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.

Contact me today to find out what your home could sell for.

Be the first to see this brand new listing on Wednesday!

This 3 bedroom backsplit in Westheights boasts 2 beautifully updated bathrooms with heated tile floors, quartz counters and premium fixtures.

Hardwood on the upper two levels and berber carpet on the lower two levels, a gas fireplace and a 20' x 40' heated pool and you can see why this is the perfect family home!

Contact me at 519-742-5800 or klouie@coldwellbankerpbr.com to be the first to see this listing.  It comes on the market tomorrow...video slide show will be available Wednesday.

NEW LISTING - Westheights Kitchener

Updated backsplit with premium bath fixtures and upgraded flooring,  minutes from the Boardwalk and Hwy 7/8.  Goes on the market Wednesday - be the first to see it!  Contact me...

Open house this Sunday, November 5th from 2:00 to 3:30 at 93 Flanders Road, Breslau.  Take Fountain Street off Victoria.  If you think the video is great, wait until you see the house!

K-W Residential Home Sales Up in October Over Last Year

OCTOBER RESIDENTIAL SALES UP

KITCHENER

 ‐to‐date, there have been 5,574 residential units sold, a decline of 2 percent compared to the same period last year.

There were a total of 470 residential sales, with a total dollar volume of $143,058,192, representing a 5.6 percent increase over results recorded in October 2010.

“Although all marketplaces are subject to month to month fluctuations it is obvious that we have a strong, stable market in our region,” said George Patton, President of the KWAR. “We are seeing that people have confidence in investing in the housing market in this area.”

Year

‐WATERLOO, ON (Nov 3rd, 2011) –– The number of residential real estate sales through the Multiple ListingService  (MLS®) of the Kitchener‐Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) increased to mark a gain over October 2010 of 4.9 percent.

CMHC relases it's fourth quarter market update - continued stability of the housing market into 2012

In its fourth quarter market update, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said mortgage rates would likely remain at historically low levels at least until the last half of 2012. The housing market’s fate is largely tied to rates, the agency said.

“Should rates move lower than projected, housing starts and MLS sales could be higher than expected and house prices could grow at a faster pace than forecast,” the report stated. “Alternatively, should financial market expectations improve and interest rates move higher than projected, housing starts and MLS sales could be lower than expected and house prices could grow at a slower pace than forecast.”

CMHC said there could be as many as 470,100 resales in Canada this year, and expects that number to rise to 485,500 in 2012.

“We expect balanced market conditions to prevail and the average MLS price to remain fairly flat to the end of 2012,” the report stated.

CMHC said 186,750 new homes would be built in 2012, compared to 191,000 for 2011. Analysts generally agree that at least 175,000 new homes are needed each year to meet demand from new families and immigration.

“Ontario, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia’s growth will be the strongest, while Prince Edward Island and British Columbia are forecast to see modest growth,” CMHC said. “The other provinces, on the other hand, are expected to see decreases. In 2012, housing starts are forecast to increase in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.”

Other highlights from the report:

· Posted mortgage rates will remain relatively flat until late 2012. For 2012, the one-year posted mortgage rate is expected to be in the 3.4 to 3.8 per cent range, while the five-year posted mortgage rate is forecast to be within 5.2 to 5.7 per cent.

· Single starts have rebounded coming out of the recession. After an increase in the third quarter of this year, they are expected to moderate before rising later in 2012.

· Since the beginning of 2011, new listings steadily outpaced existing home sales. As a consequence, the resale market has moved from sellers’ to balanced market conditions.

How to Save Thousands of $$$ When Buying a Home - on the price and on future costs!

By improving the energy efficiency of a home a buyer can not only save up to 20 or 30%  on utility costs, but can also qualify for up to a 10% rebate on a CMHC mortgage loan premium.  Also, the goverment is temporarily providing grants and rebates for home owners who improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

So, with the cold weather coming, many are moving in that direction, as this article below from Propertywired.ca outlines.

This is an opportune time, as homeowners begin to retreat indoors as the colder weather comes, to consider ways in which to make homes more airtight- and energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Similarly, for Real Estate and Mortgage Professionals, there exists an opportunity to guide and be a source of information- for both the how and why behind these home renovations.

Daryn Young, a mortgage broker with MortgageIntelligence, there is no time like the present to both add value to your home, and in the process reduce housing costs associated with energy consumption and the like: "A home that needs upgrades can still be your perfect home as long as you're willing to put in the work," says Young.

"With some careful planning, making your home more energy-efficient can save you money in the long run."

There are several compelling elements that are currently present to incentify homeowners to consider upgrading their homes.

There can be real impact in increasing cash flow towards the family budget, as there are a couple of financial incentives. As Daniel Natareno, Mortgage Agent, Mortgage Intelligence told Propertywire.ca, this kind of investment in a property can contribute substantial cash flow into a household: “By investing in home upgrades, many people in the long run are saving on expenses...I had a client who saved, on average $250 on monthly expenses after making upgrades.”
Natareno suggests that the changes need not be major to make an impact either. Every little bit counts: even things like windows, caulking, new insulation and a new furnace."

Adding to the savings too are several tax rebates and programs available to those that are so inclined- that will do much to offset costs. The Federal government offers a tax rebate through their ecoEnergy Retrofit program for homes that undergo renovations to upgrade their energy efficiency. Similarly, homeowners who upgrade their homes may be eligible for refunds of 10% on mortgage loan insurance premiums- and the surcharge for amortization extension is waived as well, supplying savings from several different avenues.

Natareno says, “These rebates can be put back into the mortgage, and the debt paid down relatively quickly.”

Also, for clients who are interested and who qualify, the current interest rate environment provides an optimum opportunity to leverage equity in a home at a reasonably low cost to actually increase the value of the asset.

With the changing of the seasons, as well as increased availability of a myriad of incentives for homeowners to go green with their homes, there exists an opportunity for both mortgage professionals and realtors alike to be able to share this information with clients, present themselves as a knowledgeable resource, and contribute to a client’s perception of value-add.

Natareno, agrees: “It all goes towards making a home more marketable. It goes a long way to be able to say that a home has gone through an eco energy audit, or is an energy star rated home... This is a chance to educate clients about what is available (i.e. Renovations, purchase +improvements mortgage).”

Natareno also says that this is a great chance to sit with prospective sellers and build a cost analysis – to see what it would cost to make these eco friendly changes- and consider doing them to make a property more marketable.

For purchasers, Natareno says that he recommends that, as part of an offer, purchasers request two visits prior to closing date, and that for one of these visits they should bring a contractor or even an eco energy auditor to consider doing a purchase +improvements mortgage, so that a home can be energy and cost efficient right from the start

This is the home you've been waiting for - check out this video tour!

Don't miss out!  Contact me today for a private viewing or for more information...

In Honour of Halloween, "Scary Houses for Sale........"..

We all grew up talking about "the" haunted house in the neighbourhood which, as adults, we realized were actually just "scary looking" homes.

In honour of Halloween, here is a link to a slideshow of "scary" homes for sale.....enjoy :)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/44806478

Hot New Listing!

I have a great listing coming out this week...if you know someone who is looking for a very contemporary, custom-built home in the upscale neighbourhood of Hopewell Heights in Breslau, let me know.  Loads of built-in features and upgrades.  Gourmet kitchen, magnificent great room with gas fireplace.....Be the first to see it this Thursday!  More details in a couple of days.....

Brand New Coldwell Banker Listings Hot off the Press......

Check out our new on-line listing booklet here http://issuu.com/kwtreb/docs/cbpbr102011?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage

If you want more information or would like to see any of these please let me know.

7 Strategies for Home Sellers

Set an offer date - for now. Agents still believe it’s wise for homeowners to hold off receiving offers on a property for sale until a specified date. That way, more potential buyers have a chance to see it and the increased traffic may bring competition.
But some agents are nervously watching to see if offer dates go by without a single bid as the fall market gears up. When that starts happening, agents will recommend switching to a strategy of “offers welcome any time”.

If you’re planning to sell your house eventually, perhaps it’s time to stop procrastinating. In September, the average price of a home in the K-W rose by 3.9 per cent year-over-year to reach a record high of $295,845. Home prices may drop somewhat once the Bank of Canada begins to raise interest rates - likely in early 2013.

If you’re shopping for a mortgage, consider signing up for a five-year term. A number of the banks have lowered their 5-year fixed rates again in recent days, points out economist Robert Kavcic of Bank of Montreal.

Prepare to negotiate if you’re a buyer purchasing higher end property's as there are always an abundance of those listings and they take the longest to sell.  Buyers should be well-armed with sales figures about comparable listings before they make an offer.

Sellers need to set realistic asking prices for a balanced market - particularly if they are dwelling in the upper echelons, says Ms. Lindsay. If you’re not priced to attract attention, buyers will not pay attention to you. There are still buyers out there but the recent fluctuations in financial markets - along with fears of a global economic downturn - can be unnerving for consumers.

Do you sell first or buy? If listings are scarce you may have to shop around for a while, so buy first.  However, if there are lots of listings or if you are selling a property with less appeal - say it’s on a busy street or is badly in need of renovations - you need to sell first if you can’t afford to carry two properties.

Don’t overstretch when buying a house and pay down existing debt. Canadian consumers are more indebted than they have ever been, according to Statistics Canada figures released this month. In the second quarter, the ratio of household credit market debt which includes mortgages, consumer credit and loans, to disposable income rose to 149 per cent form 147 per cent in the previous quarter. Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has cautioned Canadians to rein in credit-fuelled spending. Some market watchers fear the housing market has become too frothy as a result of a willingness among buyers to take on huge mortgages.

What Makes a Good Neighbourhood?

My Fall Newsletter is out - click the link and get the scoop!

http://www.coldwellbankerpbr.com/newsletter/realestateupdate_Fall2011-kimlouie.pdf

Home Value Increases Sustainable

According to a story from Property Wire Canada, fear of a housing bubble appear to be unfounded.

 

Amidst calls for continued controls over borrowing- and possibly more government intervention in the mortgage arena, Jim Flaherty suggests that things, largely, are fine the way they are.

 

There have been a number of warnings lately about the possibility of a real estate asset bubble being created, with home prices steadily increasing, and household debt getting further stretched.

Speaking at a news conference, Flaherty was quick to point out that, although the market is humming along nicely, there have already been effects taking root in the market, from changes made earlier this year. There has been a slowdown in many regions of the country. In short, he feels they have a handle on it.

"We have seen in the past year some softening in the Canadian housing market, in part due to the tightening of the insured mortgage market rules that we did earlier this year … That's an appropriate result from that tightening. It will take clear evidence of a bubble in the housing market in Canada, which we have not seen."

So what would constitute a housing bubble in Canada? Flaherty says, “If we saw dramatic surges in prices in some part of the country. There's some demand in Vancouver in particular, particularly from the Asian people coming to Canada who are investing in real estate. So there's some demand there that is unusual in terms of the entire country, but overall across the country there's been some moderation, which is good."

Of particular concern were markets like Vancouver and Toronto that had experienced meteoric increases in property prices, mostly due to an influx of foreign property investors- but as Flaherty suggests, this is generally limited to a few small pockets of the country, and would be inaccurate to characterize the national picture as such.

Prices in these markets continue to appreciate, but are very much on the radar for these policy makers- although they feel that there is not cause for concern there either.

Fall is Here....What are you going to do with all those leaves?

The beautiful sight of leaves turning colours heralds the inevitable Fall chore of raking.  What do you do with all those leaves?

Below are the links to the City of Kitchener and Waterloo's websited which outline the procedures for leaf collection and drop offs.

http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/leafcollectionlandingpage.asp

http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1431

Roasting the PERFECT turkey!

If you are reading this you've either roasted turkeys before and they haven't come out the way you wanted or this is your first time - either way, this video gives you all the basics you need to impress your guests.

Click this link to watch the video....and Happy Thanksgiving! http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/thanksgiving/video-roast-the-perfect-turkey/article1738362/

Top 10 excuses from drivers when caught with their cell phones

"I wasn't using it - I just like to hold it." is my favourite excuse!

Here are the top 10 reasons used by Drivers in BC as police cracked down on cell phone use in September as reported by the police.

This is a bogus law.

It was my boss on the phone – I had to answer it.

I wasn’t using it – I just like to hold it.

Sorry officer, I didn’t see you trying to pull me over because I was on my phone.

But it was an emergency call to my wedding planner!

My Bluetooth died.

Driver: I’m using my speakerphone. Police officer: No, you’re holding your phone in one hand 

     and steering with the other.

I’m not driving; I was stopped at a red light.

I wasn’t talking, I was checking my messages.

I was just checking the time.

Seriously though, I use the Motorkr in my car and it works great - it is also an FM transmitter as well so I can listen to the phone conversation on my car stereo as well as play music from my Blackberry.

You can check it out yourself here http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=motorokr+t505&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

K-W condo sales and values up as well as single detached home values

According to third quarter results, the average single detached home in K-W is up 3.7% on a year to date basis and condo sales are showing the best results.

Please check out this link for more information  http://www.kwar.ca/condominium-sales-remain-strong-in-k-w/

Canadian House Prices Continue to Rise, including K-W

Canadian Housing Prices have risen to record levels, according to the latest release of the Teranet National Bank National Composite House Price Index on September 29th.

For the eight month in a row, prices for resale homes increased- which sets a new record.
The index examines resale housing prices in six metropolitan areas. For the month of July, prices rose by 1.3% from the month previous. The index now rests at 146.51.

Also, this marks the fourth month in a row where an increase exceeded 1%.
Not only that, five of the six areas surveyed reached record breaking highs in July. The exception was Calgary, where the housing market is still feeling the after effects of the recession. Prices there are still down 8.8% from their pre-recessionary highs in 2007.

Annually, prices have gone up by 5.3%. Vancouver, still enjoying the flood of foreign investment money into their market, led the charge, with prices in that city rising by 8.5%, year-over-year. Toronto as well, saw significant price advances, year-over-year.

Looking at monthly gains by regions: prices went up by 2.3% in Calgary, 1.7% in Toronto, 1% in Ottawa, 0.9% in Vancouver and 0.5 % in Montreal, while Halifax registered the only decline- 0.9%.
Markets across the country appear to be heading into- or are already in- balanced territory- with the exception of Toronto, where a lack of inventory is contributing to a tightening of the market.

According to MLS data, in Kitchener-Waterloo the average home price (including all types of homes) for 2011 up to September is $294,919.  The average home price in 2010 was $275,114.

Thanksgiving at Home - 7 Modern Thanksgiving Day recipes

Are you planning on entertaining at your home this Thanksgiving?  There's nothing like a home full of friends and family and the smell of turkey.  Here is a link to a Globe and Mail article with 7 new modern recipes to try out.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/entertaining/tips-and-trends/peking-turkey-anyone-7-modern-recipes-for-thanksgiving/article2186834/

If you find your home is a bit small over the holidays, give me a call.  We can get you into that bigger home by Christmas!

Great Home in a Great Area! Open House this Sunday, 2-4 PM

Check out this wonderful property with a finished basement, fenced yard and double garage for under $300,000!

 http://kitchener.kijiji.ca/c-real-estate-houses-for-sale-Detached-home-with-double-garage-in-desirable-Forest-Heights-W0QQAdIdZ317768234

Do you have a forced-air gas furnace? Here are some tips to keep it operating efficiently this Winter...

As the coldest months of the year fall upon us, a furnace may operate for up to 15 hours a day. In order to ensure its safe and efficient operation, proper care and maintenance is your best defense against unsafe conditions or non-performance.

Follow the guidelines below to keep your furnace operating safely and efficiently.

• To reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, install a programmable thermostat to allow the furnace to operate at lower temperatures when the home is not occupied or while you are sleeping.

• Clean or replace furnace filters every two months or as required.

• Keep combustible materials or obstructions away from the furnace area.

• Keep cold air returns and heat distribution vents free and clear of obstructions to allow proper flow of air.

• Ensure that an adequate supply of combustion air is available for the appliance to function properly. Combustion air is the air that mixes with fuel to allow combustion to occur.

• Have a professional clean your ducting properly every three to five years.

• Contact a licensed/qualified heating contractor each year to perform routine service and maintenance as per manufacturer’s specifications.

In addition, consider replacing your forced-air gas furnace with a high efficiency model. Did you know that for every $1 that is spent on gas for a conventional forced-air gas furnace, approximately 30 cents goes up the chimney, while every dollar that is spent on gas for a high efficiency furnace results in the loss of 10 cents or less?

Upgrading to a high efficiency furnace can provide a substantial cost savings for a homeowner. A heating contractor will give you the proper advice on whether it is time to upgrade your furnace.

Want tips on what you can do to minimize the impact of an older furnace on home price when selling your property?  Contact me and I can take a look and I'll give you all the information you need so you get the best price possible for your property.

The Future of Facebook - the changes you noticed are nothing compared to what's coming!

Love it or hate it, the changes to Facebook appear to be here to stay.  And there are more changes to come.

This article outlines Facebook's major changes to come and what they hope to accomplish.

Has Facebook gone too far in reinventing the way we share?

Facebook users have noticed some changes rolling out to the social site in recent days, but odds are they aren't prepared for today's biggest social shakeup. At today's F8 Developers Conference, Mark Zuckerberg took the stage (after look-alike Andy Samberg left it) to announce a wide swath of changes that will seek to keep the six year-old social network thriving — and growing.
Foremost among the announcements is the news that the humble profile page is getting a much-needed makeover — one that could steamroll Google+ and Twitter alike: the Timeline. Mashable has called the new feature the "biggest risk since launching the social network in 2004." The Next Web calls the death of the profile page a "bit of a shock" and notes that the "massive makeover might just be a bit too much," especially for less tech-savvy users.
Sweeping changes
Facebook's new direction has a bit of a dual personality. At the dawning of the News Feed, Facebook loosed our status updates into the wild. While we once visited each other's profile pages to trade messages and check in on friends (or acquaintances of interest, for better or worse), the News Feed has since eclipsed our personal pages when it comes to connecting on the world's biggest social network. With today's announcement of the Timeline and the Ticker, Facebook will seek to weave together these two modes into a richer, more immersive social experience than ever.


Two kinds of sharing
The Ticker will handle the Twitter-like real-time updates, which Zuckerberg refers to as our "lightweight" social activity. Recognizing that these micro-updates (the contents of your sandwich or your Words With Friends score, for example) often clog up our profile pages, Facebook is opting to siphon them off into a kind of miniature Twitter which live in a righthand sidebar. The distinction may just seem like housecleaning, but putting these tweet-esque updates on the periphery could mean a return to Facebook's roots — and a very refined one.

Historically, Facebook has faced criticism for its opaque and often convoluted privacy policies. It may have taken the looming threat of Google+ on its turf to light a fire under the social giant, but Facebook is handing users the reins in a big way. In a series of updates that began popping up last month, the company is moving toward a model of selective sharing: rather than mass broadcasts, you can choose who you share with. Because your great aunt doesn't need to know what happened after the fifth drink at Happy Hour, does she?

Choose the story you tell
Now, not only can we share selectively with greater ease than ever, but we can choose what story we want to tell. Facebook's new Timeline feature looks to invigorate the lackluster, cluttered profile pages we've been slogging through for the past few years, replacing them with a dynamic, customizable portrait of our living histories — as told through Facebook of course. While remembering just how much information Facebook has stored over the years will prove unsettling to some, by curating our own past experiences (or their digital footprints, at least), we can better represent ourselves on the social network. In the Timeline, you can choose to star an event, which will give it more real estate on your profile page — or you can hide it entirely with the click of a button.

Facebook's new Timeline feature will change the look of your social presence

At today's event, Zuckerberg emphasized a return to the profile page: "We wanted to design a place that feels like your home. You invest a lot of time in it and you curate it." In reinventing the timeline, Facebook will considerably cut down on the site's signal-to-noise ratio, transforming each profile page into what is essentially a blog. In Zuckerberg's words, the Timeline will give you "a nice visceral feel for who this person really is" rather than a messy read-out of their latest Facebook activity.

Apps help tell the story
The other side of the coin is that external apps will have more power than ever. To create a "frictionless experience," Facebook apps will broadcast to Timelines and Tickers separately — and automatically. Like a new song you hear streaming on Spotify? That "Like" will be zapped directly to the Ticker, but in theory your Timeline will feature a summary of your top artists that month. Once you authorize an app, it will fade into the background, collating your personal data like what films you watch on Netflix or Hulu and how many miles you just ran with Nike+.

Of course, you could disallow these services entirely — but Facebook wants its 800 million users to hand over the keys to third-party apps more willingly than ever. After all, who wants an empty Timeline?From news to movies and music, more apps plugged into the social site means less need to venture elsewhere. You could conceivably keep your browser pointed at your Facebook homepage for an entire day, hopping off only to follow the trail of an interesting link — in fact, many of us already do.

How to find the new features
The Facebook community doesn't take kindly to changes — even minor ones, and this isn't minor by any means. Dedicated Facebookers are already in an uproar about the changes that heralded today's news: annoyed status updates have readily denounced Smart Lists, the Subscribe button, the Ticker, and even the new privacy settings. All of these tweaks are available now to most users, and when they appear, you should notice a pop-up prompt that will walk you through the changes. Can't find the Ticker? It should appear on the right side of any Facebook page, above the chat box.
While many of the new features are now live, the biggest change — the Timeline— will roll out gradually. To be first in line, you can opt in now by clicking "Sign Me Up" at the bottom of Facebook's official Timeline preview page. The first Timelines will be published on September 29, and we can expect to see them pop up for most users thereafter.


This article was written by Talor Hatmaker, Tecca

Great Condo close to all amenities and the future Light Rail Transit!

Open house at a great condo this Sunday.  Perfect for the first-time home buyer or investor.  Check out the link at http://tinyurl.com/43uuynw

Are You Land-line Free? Nearly 2 Million Canadians are...

Millions of Canadians will have only cellphone service by the end of the year as they increasingly replace their land-line telephones with cheaper wireless, suggests a new study.

About one in seven households — or two million in total — will have just cellphone service by the end of 2011, the Convergence Consulting Group said Tuesday.

"This is happening because prices have come down so radically," said Brahm Eiley, co-founder of the Toronto-based consulting firm.

Established wireless carriers Rogers (TSX:RCI.B), BCE (TSX:BCE) and Telus (TSX:T) starting cutting prices for voice services on their discount-brand cellphones back in 2008 — in some cases by more than 50 per cent — in anticipation of new competition, Eiley said.

New players like Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile, which have all entered the market over the last two years, have also added "all-you-can-eat" voice plans, he said.

"So in effect, it's cheaper to have a wireless phone than it is to have a wireline phone," Eiley said.
"We're actually seeing an acceleration of wireless substitution in 2011, which we did not see previously in Canada."

Such trends are common in Europe, the U.S. and other parts of the world, where many younger consumers choose only wireless service.

Convergence's findings about wireless and landline pricing in Canada appear to be inconsistent with a report from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, which found earlier this year that the average wireless revenue per user fell just $1 between 2009 and 2010 —from $58.81 to $57.86 per month. It is possible to get landline service for half that price and share it among multiple members of the household — something that is more difficult to do with cellphone service. However, the CRTC report did not include 2011 data.

By the end of 2014, the Convergence Group estimates that 26 per cent of Canadian homes will have only have mobile phone service.

In 2009, just 8.9 per cent of Canadians had ditched their land-lines and cut the cord at home for cellphones, the Convergence study says.

1/3 households landline-free in U.S.

In the United States, 31 per cent or about one in three households will have cut the cord on their land-lines for cellphone service by the end of 2011, the study said. Canada won't reach one third of its households only having cellphone service until 2016, Eiley said.

However, the new wireless companies have undercut Rogers, Bell and Telus by more than 58 per cent on combined voice and data plans and by more than 83 per cent on data alone.
Data plans allow consumers to do things such as stream music, watch video and check email and social networks.

The study also estimated that new wireless players like Wind Mobile, Mobilicity and Public Mobile will have four million or 12 per cent of Canadian subscribers by the end of 2014, up five per cent from year-end 2011.

But Eiley expects that only one of the three new wireless carriers will be left standing by 2014. That's expected to mean that Shaw Communications (TSX:SJB.B) will buy up coveted high-value wireless spectrum in the next auction of radio waves and enter the mobile phone market around that time, he said.

"At that point, whoever is left can start raising their prices because they don't have to worry about the competition," he said, adding that Shaw is simply on the sidelines for now.
"Shaw is not out. Chances are there will be less competitors and the prices will be higher."
The Calgary-based company recently announced it will build a Wi-Fi network to allow its tablet and laptops users internet access on the go

- Canadian Press, Sept. 20th -

How do you know if you will receive good service?

The best way to gauge the service YOU will receive is to find out what past clients think of the service THEY received.  There is a great web site that allows people to leave ratings of various professions (doctors, contractors, day care providers, etc....)

Please check out this link http://realestateagents.servicerating.ca/agent/Kim_Louie
to my ratings page and see how I compare to other REALTORs.   And thanks to clients who have and who will leave their thoughts and ratings of the service I provided.  Ultimate Service is my goal.

Newest Edition of Coldwell Banker Ebook of Listings

Check out the latest edition of Coldwell Banker Listings by clicking on the link - if you have any questions about them or would like to know what your home might sell for, please contact me.

http://issuu.com/kwtreb/docs/1910-cb-ebook?viewMode=magazine

Where are Canada's Richest Neighbourhoods?

Everyone grew up knowing where the nicest neighbouhoods were in their home town, but this list, compiled using the Askmen.com survey ranking neighbourhoods based on average household income and home values, lets us know where the Canadian elite live.

There are a couple of surprises in the Askmen.com survey of Canada's Top 10 richest neighbourhoods, one of them being the No. 1 slot doesn't belong to the West Coast.

The website ranked neighbourhoods based on average home value and household income. While Vancouver has two neighbourhoods on the list, and Victoria gets one, Toronto, with three entries, apparently is home to Canada's poshest digs.

One of the list's surprises is that Winnipeg - not considered a particularly monied town - squeaks in at No. 10. The aptly named Tuxedo neighbourhood, a well-established area a few minutes from downtown with lakeside views and lots of green, has seen average selling prices jump to $500,000 from $383,000 in six years.

Still a bargain if you live in Vancouver, where that'll get you a modest condo.
And for a city swimming in oil wealth, it's also surprising Calgary gets only one entry: Upper Mount Royal at No. 9. Like Tuxedo, it's an older treed neighbourhood of homes near the Elbow River overlooking downtown with homes selling for upwards of $1.6 million.

B.C.'s jewel-like capital, Victoria, hits at No. 7 with The Uplands, in the municipality of Oak Bay. The century-old neighbourhood looking across Juan de Fuca Strait to Washington State boasts waterfront homes selling well into six figures. Askmen notes the 2.4-acre "Sweet Pea" ocean-front estate is worth $28.5 million.

West Vancouver, a tony suburb across Burrard Inlet from downtown Vancouver, is considered one of Canada's richest postal codes and that's reflected in the price of homes that climb up from the water's edge. More than 70 per cent of the city's 11,000 homes are worth more than $1 million.
Vancouver's Shaughnessy neighbourhood comes in at No. 6. Developed more than a century ago on CP Rail land, the district just south of downtown has always been an enclave for the wealthy. Homes on sprawling lots run from $3.5 million to $11 million.

Ottawa's Rockliffe Park, across the Ottawa River from downtown, traditionally is home to the capital's diplomatic corps and its political and business elite. Homes that sold for around $200,000 a decade ago now command prices of more than $1 million in Canada's fifth-richest neighbourhood.
Toronto's Forest Hill is ranked No. 4. It's origins go back to 1860 as a summer retreat from the city and Askmen.com says it still retains its "natural beauty and highbrow architecture." The typical Forest Hill house today goes for just over $1 million.

The Bridle Path neighbourhood, No. 3, is one of Toronto's best known posh addresses. Like the name suggests, it's green and peaceful, surrounded by parkland. The average home selling price is well above $2 million. The Bridle Path has been home to big names like TV executive Moses Znaimer, pop star Prince and disgraced newspaper baron Conrad Black, though he's not likely to be living there again anytime soon.

Westmount, No. 2, long has been one of Montreal's exclusive neighbourhoods. In the late 1800s it was an enclave for Quebec's anglophone elite and it's still primarily English-speaking, though more multi-cultural. What hasn't changed is that the homes are relatively expensive, averaging around $1 million.

Toronto's Rosedale neighbourhood tops Askmen.com's list of Canada's richest.
It dates to the 1860s and features Tudor and Georgian-style homes much coveted by Toronto's upwardly mobile. Besides being protected by parkland and ravines, residents benefit from barriers and specialized routes to cut down on traffic. Even six years ago, Rosedale home sales averaged $2 million.

This article was written by Steve Mertl, a Y news blogger.

10 Tips for Getting the Best Price When Buying a Home

1- Compare Recently Sold Comparable Properties

A comparable property is one that is similar in size, condition, neighbourhood and amenities. One 1,200-square-foot, recently remodelled, one-story home with an attached garage should be listed at roughly the same price as a similar 1,200-square-foot home in the same neighbourhood. That said, you can also gain valuable information by looking at how the property you're interested in compares in price to different properties. Is it considerably less expensive than larger or nicer properties? Is it more expensive than smaller or less attractive properties? Your real estate agent is the best source of accurate, up-to-date information on comparable properties (also known as "comps"). You can also look at comps that are currently in escrow, meaning that the property has a buyer but the sale is not yet complete.

2- Compare Comparable Properties Currently for Sale

In this case, you can actually visit other homes and get a true sense of how their size, condition and amenities compare to the property you're considering buying. Then you can compare prices and see what seems fair. Reasonable sellers know that they must price their properties similarly to market comparables if they want to be competitive.

3- Compare Comparable Properties that Failed to Sell (expired listings)

If the house you're considering buying is priced similarly to homes that were taken off the market because they didn't sell, the property you're considering may be overpriced. Also, if there are a lot of similar properties on the market, prices should be lower, especially if those properties are vacant.

4- Consider Market Conditions and Appreciation Rates

Have prices been going up recently or going down? In a seller's market, properties will probably be somewhat overpriced, and in a buyer's market, properties are apt to be underpriced. It all depends on where the market currently sits on the real estate boom-and-bust curve. Even in a seller's market, properties may not be overpriced if the market is on the upswing and not near its peak. Conversely, properties can be overpriced even in a buyer's market if prices have only recently begun to decline. Of course, it can be difficult to see the peaks and valleys until they're history. Also consider the impact of mortgage interest rates and the job market on the economy.

5- Is the Property For Sale by Owner (FSBO)?

A for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) property should be discounted to reflect the fact that there is no seller's agent commission (usually about five to six per cent), something that many sellers don't take into consideration when setting their prices. Another potential problem with FSBOs is that the seller may not have had an agent's guidance in setting a reasonable price in the first place, or may have been so unhappy with an agent's suggestion as to decide to go it alone. In any of these situations, the property most likely overpriced.

6- What is the Projected Appreciation for the Area

The future prospects for your chosen neighbourhood can have an impact on price. If positive development is planned, such as a major mall being built, the extension of light rail to the neighbourhood, or a large new company moving to the area, the prospects of future home appreciation look good. Even small developments like plans to add more roads or build a new school can be a good sign. On the other hand, if grocery stores and gas stations are closing down, the home price should be lower to reflect that, and you should probably reconsider moving to the area. The development of new housing can go either way — it can mean that the area is hot and is likely to be in high demand in the future, increasing your home's value, or it can result in a surplus of housing, which will lower the value of all homes in the area.

7- Do You LIKE the Home?

If you're not happy with the property, the price will never seem fair, even if you get a bargain. Even if you pay a little over market value for a home you love, in the end, you won't really care.

8- Test the Waters When Making an Offer 

Even in a seller's market, you can always offer below list price just to see how the seller reacts. Some sellers list properties for the lowest price they're willing to take because they don't want to negotiate, while others list their homes for higher than they expect to earn because they expect to negotiate downward or they want to see if someone will make an offer at the higher price.

If the seller accepts your price or counteroffer, you'll get an indication that the property probably wasn't worth what it was listed for and you have a good chance at getting a fair deal. On the other hand, some sellers may underprice their properties in the hope of generating lots of interest and sparking a bidding war. Unlike on eBay, however, the seller doesn't have to simply sell to the highest bidder: sellers can reject any and all offers that don't meet their expectations. If you have your heart set on the property, be warned that some sellers may be offended by lowball offers and refuse to work with you if you chose to employ such a tactic. Also, when you offer less than the list price, you may increase your risk of being outbid by another buyer.

9- Get a Home Inspection

A home inspection  will give you a way to gauge your offering price. If the home needs many expensive repairs, you'll want to ask the seller to make the repairs for you or discount the purchase price so you can make them yourself.

10- USE A REALTOR

Your REALTOR has access to all the information required to properly analyze all these factors and provide you with proper guidance in possibly the largest purchase you may ever make.