30 New Year's Resolutions that Will Improve Your Life

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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.