Fun Things to Do In Kitchener-Waterloo on Canada Day

If you’re looking for Canada Day fireworks click here

Canada Day at the Waterloo Region Museum
Waterloo Region Museum is celebrating Canada Day with a party and everyone is invited. Admission is FREE to the museum and the living history village for this family fun day including musical entertainment, fun and games like croquet and horseshoes. Bring your own picnic lunch or purchase a tasty BBQ lunch.

Where: Waterloo Region Museum, 10 Huron Rd
When: July 1, 2012
Time: 9:30am-5:00pm
Cost: FREE
For more information please visit website

Canada Day Charity Car Show supporting Gabby’s wish and Cystinosis Research
Visit the Street Impressions Charity Car Show supporting Gabby’s wish and Cystinosis research. There are lots of classes, lots of trophies. Prizes for first and second place 50/50 draws. DB Drag and Bass Race
Where: Sunrise Plaza, 1400 Ottawa St. S.
When: July 1, 2012
Time: 10:00am- 5:00pm

Canada Day Fireworks and Celebrations in Kitchener- Waterloo

Canada Day has an interesting history. Canada Day was established by statute in 1879. It was first called Dominion Day, in reference to the designation of Canada as a Dominion in the British North America Act. But no official celebrations were held until 1917 — Canada’s Golden Anniversary of Confederation—and then not again for another decade.

Beginning in 1958, the Canadian government began to hold Dominion Day celebrations in Ottawa on Parliament Hill and then in 1967 as Canada celebrated it’s centennial, Dominion Day became more popular with Canadians across the land. After 1980, the Canadian government began to promote the celebrating of Dominion Day beyond the national capital, giving grants and aid to cities across Canada to help fund local activities.

Some Canadians were, by the early 1980s, informally referring to the holiday as Canada Day. With our new constitution, the time was ripe for a new name. It was a controversial move to break with history and a debate ensued. In the end, the holiday was officially renamed as a result of a private member’s bill that was introduced in the House of Commons when only twelve Members of Parliament were present.

This year in Kitchener Waterloo we are lucky to have not one, but two places to celebrate Canada Day.

Fireworks at Columbia Lake Field
Fireworks at Columbia Lake Field is a tradition for me and my family. Every year we make our way to the north side of the University of Waterloo for a half day of fun followed by the grand finale of a huge fireworks display. The event attracts thousands upon thousands of people. It has been for as many years as I can remember Kitchener Waterloo’s largest and free Canada Day celebration. Canada Day is hosted by the Federation of Students. Leading up to the fireworks, there is live entertainment, food trucks, arts and crafts, and face painting.

Where: Columbia Lake Fields
When: July 1, 2012
Time: 2pm-11pm
For more information please visit website

Canada Day Fireworks at Kitchener’s Civic Square
This year, downtown Kitchener will have fireworks too. There will be fireworks at Civic Square in front of Kitchener’s City Hall on Canada Day.
It’s the beginning of a new tradition. The fireworks light up the sky at 10:30. Before that, there will be a beer garden and live music featuring The Trews. This event is free and open to all ages.

Where: Civic Square, City Hall, Kitchener
When: July 1, 2012
Time: 6:30 – 10:30
For more information please visit website

UPDATE - Kitchener City Council Passes Backyard Fire Ban

Yesterday restrictions on backyard fires were passed by City Council which include fires only between 7 and 11 PM, no fires within 6 meters of any building or structure and a permit is now required for every fire, costing $10.

This new bylaw is effective immediately (June 26th, 2012).

Ban on Backyard Fires in Kitchener being Considered...

Kitchener City Council is considering a complete ban on backyard fires.

Here is an from the Saturday Record:

KITCHENER — In the heart of the Laurentian West subdivision, Charlotte Keary and her husband Dennis like nothing more than to end their day sipping coffees in front of a crackling fire in their tiny backyard on Pine Martin Crescent.

For the past 14 years they enjoyed fires in their cast-iron chiminea a few nights a week with never a complaint from neighbours. Their street runs into Wilderness Drive that connects with Ottawa Street beside the Sunrise Shopping Centre. It is typical of most suburban neighbourhoods.

The Keary’s are livid at the prospect of losing the soothing ritual of an evening fire.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Charlotte said.

On Monday, city councillors will consider a report with two options. The first, maintain the current bylaw that allows fires, but hold public consultations this fall. The second, tighten the rules so much that all recreational fires will be eliminated in subdivisions and built-up areas.

“To ban something altogether because one person is allergic to smoke is very unfair to the people who enjoy them,” Charlotte said. “I can certainly see banning them for part of the day.”
City councillors called for the report following complaints from Pat Schneider on Sydney Street. She said she is allergic to the smoke, her husband has asthma and she has been forced to rewash laundry that was hanging on the line because of a neighbour’s fire.

Schneider called for an all-out ban on outdoor fires and she has some support among city councillors.
But Charlotte suggests a compromise.

Ban fires during the day when people have laundry hanging on lines. People with medical conditions like asthma can also enjoy their backyards during the day. But in the evening, say from 7 p.m. to midnight, allow others to enjoy recreational fires in their backyards, she said.

“To stop us from using that is very unfair when there are so many other things that bylaw officers could be looking at,” Charlotte said.

The City of Waterloo bans all open fires. The City of Cambridge allows fires, but you must get a permit and there is no burning within 150 metres of any building, which makes it illegal to set fires in just about every neighbourhood.

One option up for consideration by Kitchener council on Monday bans all fires within 20 metres of any building, structure, hedge, fence, roadway or property line. That option also calls for permits at a cost of $72.33. Those changes would amount to a ban on open fires in all but a few areas of Kitchener.

City staff looked at the bylaws in 14 similar-sized municipalities and found 13 allow open-air fires. Many require special permits though. Fires must be at least three metres and up to 60 metres away from buildings or property lines. In many cases the minimum-distance rules eliminate the possibility of lighting recreational fires in most parts of a city.

Terry Pender, Record staff

Thinking of Building a Fence This Summer - check your bylaws first...

Here are links to the City of Waterloo and Kitchener bylaws regarding fences.





City of Kitchener: http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/resources/dts_fenceBrochure_2010.pdf

City of Waterloo:

http://www.city.waterloo.on.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=1285

Sweeping Changes to CMHC Affecting Home Buyers and Owners...

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has just announced sweeping changes to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)Canada’s national housing agency. CMHC is Canada’s premier provider of mortgage loan insurance, mortgage-backed securities, housing policy and programs, and housing research.

The 3 major changes are as follows;

1) A reduction in MAX amortization for CMHC insured mortgages from 30 yrs back down to 25 yrs.  This is will result in Canadian home buyers paying less in mortgage interest payments over the course paying off your home.  The downfall is that fewer people will qualify for a mortgage as the payments will be higher, and more income will be required to qualify for a mortgage.

2) Homes priced over $1 million are no longer eligible for CMHC insurance.

3) MAX refinance has been reduced from 85% (Loan To Value) LTV to 80% LTV.

To find out how these changes might affect you, contact me today!

Great investment property in Kitchener Waterloo with positive cash flow....

This property is close to shopping, transit and walking distance to downtown Kitchener!

Click this link to property listing

How to test your central air system before calling out a technician

It can happen to any of us. One sunny afternoon when the heat gets increasingly unbearable and you have rushed home to be in comfort of your air conditioner, you suddenly notice that your air conditioner is not working as it should. It is not adjusting the temperature of the room the way it used to.

Before you call in the contractor for an  inspection you can actually do a bit of testing by yourself to see if everything is alright. This will not only save you quite a few bucks but would also save you time. However, if you do find the problem to be too complicated for you to deal with you should of course call an expert air conditioner contractor to inspect your unit.

To test your central air conditioner, you must have the outside temperature above 60 degree Fahrenheit for a period of two days or 48 hours to be precise. Some manufacturers may even recommend a temperature of 65 degrees. This is because turning on the air conditioner at a temperature lower than 60 degrees might actually damage the compressor of the unit.

Next you turn the regulator of the fan to 'auto'. The thermostat level should also be adjusted at a temperature below the normal room temperature. It is recommended to set it somewhere around 76 degrees to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This would make the fan and condensing unit to switch on immediately. However, if there is a preset time delay it would take that time to turn on.

After letting the system run for 8 to 10 minutes so that the temperature in the ductwork is balanced you need to check the temperature at the supply and return registers of the unit. If everything is fine the temperature reading at the supply register would be 14 to 20 degrees cooler than the return ducts.

If the difference in temperature is more than 20 degrees then it would indicate that air is restricted. This can be because of three reasons:

- An unclean filter
- Improper ductwork
- Problem with the fan as in it is not of proper size or moving too slowly.

If the temperature difference is less than 14 degrees then the possible causes for problems are:

- Loss of refrigerant
- Unclean coil
- A compressor not working quite up to the mark
- A fan that is much larger for the unit
- An improper return air system.

City of Kitchener Turns 100! Happy Birthday...

Did you know Kitchener is celebrating it's 100th birthday this weekend.  Celebrations scheduled for downtown from noon to 5 PM in downtown Kitchener.

Check out this link for more information http://kitchener100.ca/

A house is a place to live in - A Home is WHERE you live.  This link http://www.neighbourhoodexpert.ca/geoweb/mappublic.aspx?id=kim_louie allows you to map out and get a list of amenities....you just type in an address.

Want to know where the local grocery store is?  Or dentist or car wash?  It's all here, even schools and the Fraser Ratings for them.

Let me know what you think!

Watering Tips to Keep Your Lawn and Garden in Tip Top Shape

With watering restrictions in effect I thought I'd post a great article on getting the most out of your watering to keep your lawns and gardens looking great!

Water-Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden

In the summer months, municipal water use doubles. This is the season when Canadians are outdoors watering lawns and gardens, filling swimming pools and washing cars. Summer peak demand places stress on municipal water systems and increases costs for tax payers and water users. As water supplies diminish during periods of low rainfall, some municipalities must declare restrictions on lawn and garden watering. By applying some handy tips, your lawn and garden can cope with drought conditions and you can minimize water wastage.

General Tips

Much of the summer peak demand is attributed to lawn and garden watering. Often water is applied inefficiently, resulting in significant wastage due to over watering, evaporation or run-off. Here are some general watering tips to help avoid wastage:

• Before watering, always take into account the amount of water Mother Nature has supplied to your lawn or garden in the preceding week. Leave a measuring container in the yard to help you monitor the amount of rainfall (empty it once per week) and follow the tips below to help determine how much water to add. Also bear in mind any watering restrictions that may apply in your municipality.
• Water in the early morning, before 9 a.m., to reduce evaporation and scorching of leaves from the sun. Water on calm days to prevent wind drift and evaporation.
• Set up your sprinkler or hose to avoid watering hard surfaces such as driveways and patios. If you're not careful, it's water and money down the drain.
• Water slowly to avoid run-off and to ensure the soil absorbs the water.
• Regularly check your hose or irrigation equipment for leaks or blockages.
• Collect rainwater from your roof in a rain barrel or other large container and keep it covered with an insect screen. Direct the down spout of your eavestroughs into the rain barrel.
• Choose an efficient irrigation system. A soaker hose placed at the base of plants on the ground applies water to the soil where it is needed — rather than to the leaves — and reduces evaporation (see Figure 1). Drip or trickle irrigation systems are highly efficient because they deliver water slowly and directly to the roots under the soil surface. This promotes deeper roots, which improve a plant's drought resiliency. If you use a sprinkler, choose one with a timer and that sprays close to the ground.

Figure 1: Soaker hoses have tiny pores that emit water slowly and directly to the soil. Place them at the base of plants on the ground.

Tips for Your Lawn

Established lawns¹ generally require about 2.5 cm (1 in.) of water per week to thrive.² If Mother Nature is providing this amount of rainfall, your lawn will thrive without supplemental watering. When rainfall does not provide adequate moisture, your grass may start to turn brown. This does not mean it is dead — it's simply dormant. An established lawn will recover and resume its green appearance shortly after sufficient rainfall returns.

Apply these tips to save water and money without compromising the health of your lawn:

• Apply about 2.5 cm (1 in.) of water not more than once per week and skip a week after a good rain. The correct amount can be estimated by placing an empty tuna can on your lawn as you apply water evenly across the surface. When the water level reaches the top of the can, you've applied about 2.5 cm (1 in.) of water which is all your lawn needs. You can time how long it takes to reach this level, then set the timer on your sprinkler.
• Water thoroughly. Deep watering at this rate is better than frequent, shallow watering because it encourages deep roots.
• Don't water your lawn excessively. When it's waterlogged, it may turn yellow and develop fungus and diseases. Oxygen and mineral uptake may be restricted on heavy clay soils. Too much watering can also lead to thatch and fertilizer leaching.
• Check with your municipality to see if watering restrictions are in effect.
• Avoid mowing and unnecessary traffic on your lawn when the lawn is dry or dormant.
• Don't cut your lawn too short. Set the blade on your lawn mower to cut no lower than 6 to 8 cm (2.5 to 3 in.) so that the roots are shaded and better able to hold water.
• Aerate your lawn once a year in the early spring or fall to improve water penetration. Afterwards, top-dress by applying a thin layer (max. 15 mm — 0.6 in.) of organic material and rake to distribute evenly. You can overseed after this to help thicken the lawn.
• A thick, vigorous lawn is the best prevention against weed invasions and can better withstand heat and dryness. A healthy lawn needs nutrients, such as nitrogen. Application rates, sources and timing will depend on many factors including soil type. As a rule, a healthy lawn with good soil needs about ½ kg (1 lb.) of nitrogen per 100 sq. m. (1,075 sq. ft.) of lawn area every year. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return nitrogen to the lawn, and reduce moisture loss.

¹ Newly seeded or sodded lawns have greater water demands.
² Actual water requirements depend on individual conditions, such as soil type.

Tips for Trees, Shrubs and Flower Gardens

Here are some water-saving tips for trees, shrubs and flower gardens:

• Direct water to the root system. In the case of trees and shrubs, the roots that take up the most water are generally located within the top 30 cm (12 in.) of the soil and near and even beyond the drip line. This is the area directly below the outer tips of the branches.
• Plants have different watering requirements at various stages of their growth. Keep soil moist in the first growing season. One rule of thumb is to water trees with a one-hour trickle using a soaker hose at least once per week, barring a good rainfall and more frequently during hot weather. Taper off watering in the fall. In the second growing season, water twice per month in late spring and summer. Once established, trees that are well-selected should require little or no watering other than that provided by rainfall, but ensure they get adequate watering during periods of low rainfall or drought. Actual water needs depend on factors like soil type and species.
• Water perennials and vines well in the first growing season after planting. One rule of thumb is to water with a one-hour trickle at least once per week using a soaker hose for the first three weeks, barring a good rainfall, and subsequently during hot dry weather. Afterwards, perennials selected to match site conditions should need little or no supplemental watering. If you notice wilting or browning on your perennials, water to a depth of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 in.) to help restore the plant's turgidity and vigour.
• Apply a layer of mulch about 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 in.) deep over the soil surface of the garden to retain moisture, moderate soil temperature, control erosion and suppress weeds. Wood chips, bark and crushed rock are just a few of the materials that can be used as mulch.
• Use a soaker hose placed at the base of plants, rather than using a sprinkler. This will help to apply water to the soil and roots — rather than the leaves — and reduce evaporation (see Figure 1).
• Grass under your tree competes with the tree's roots for water. Remove the lawn and apply mulch instead which helps to retain water.

Designing a Water-Efficient Garden

You can create a lush, colourful garden, like the one in Figure 2, that requires little maintenance or water by applying the seven principles of xeriscaping — an approach to designing landscapes so that their water requirements correspond to local climatic conditions. While these are sound principals for any garden, they are particularly useful if you live in a region with low rainfall or that experiences water shortages.

Figure 2: Xeriscape design

1 — Design for your site and your needs

Sketch your lot including property lines, buildings, driveways and features that will remain. Add trees, shrub and flower beds, lawn areas, patios, decks, etc. (see Figure 3). Consider the specific conditions of your yard, taking into account that water requirements will differ in shady versus sunny spots, and slopes versus flat areas or depressions. Moisture availability for your plants will also differ according to your soil type. Sandy soils drain water whereas clay soils hold water. Some places, such as narrow side yards, may be hard to water.

2 — Group plants with similar water needs to make watering more efficient

Shrubs and perennials should be grouped together in mulched beds. Trees should also be clustered in mulched beds rather than isolating individual specimens in lawn areas. This will help to reduce moisture loss and competition.

3 — Amend the soil

First, find out what type of soil you have and improve its water retention capabilities accordingly, for example, by adding compost or other organic materials.

4 — Size your lawn area to meet your practical needs for play and traffic

Avoid many small or narrow lawn areas in favour of a consolidated lawn, to make them easier and more efficient to water. For primarily visual areas, consider water-efficient ground covers, perennials or shrubs. For foot-traffic routes or narrow spots, such as side yards, a permeable inert surface such as wood chips or natural stone requires no water.

5 — Choose plants that are well suited to your climate and site conditions

Consult your local garden centre or the references at the end of this article to find plant lists. Know your site including its soil types. In shady areas, use shade-tolerant species or consider a woodland shade garden. In sunny spots, use drought tolerant, sun-loving species or consider a wildflower meadow. Drought tolerant species should be used on rapidly-draining slopes (avoid turf grass), but you can consider moisture-loving plants in depressions or low spots. For a water-saving lawn, choose a species best suited to rainfall levels in your region. Low-maintenance lawn seed mixes are commercially available. Check your local seed companies or garden centre. For more information, consult CMHC’s About Your House fact sheet Low-Maintenance Lawns.

6 — Use mulch

Refer to Tips for trees, shrubs and flower gardens.

7 — Use an efficient irrigation system and appropriate maintenance

Follow the tips listed in the previous sections.

Figure 3: Sample xeriscape with meadow and low-maintenance lawn

Other Outdoor Activities

Lawn and garden watering is not the only outdoor activity contributing to summer peak demand. You can lower your water bill and relieve the burden on municipal water supplies by doing the following:

• Use a broom instead of water to remove debris from paved surfaces such as driveways.
• Use a bucket and sponge to wash and rinse your car, instead of a hose.
• Cover swimming pools when they are not in use to reduce evaporation.

If it sounds too good to be true - IT IS! Student Renters Beware....

Unfortunately, any transaction involving exchange of funds can be vulnerable to fraud, and that includes sales, lease and rental of real estate.

The most common involve rentals as the amount of money involved is substantially less than during a purchase, but can still be an expensive lesson.

THE SCAMS

The disappearing deposit - this scam involves the advertising of a property for rent, often vacant and at a substantially reduced amount relative to current market values. Usually the scam artists "scrapes" information from a legitimate source for a real property and advertises it in a newspaper, on Kijiji or some other medium.

People who are desperate, either because of time or money, often put common sense aside and mail the "security deposit" (because the landlord is an out of town owner) usually equivalent to a month or two of rent, and are told to go pick up a key somewhere or that one will be sent to them.

Obviously, the key never comes and those people are now at a few thousand dollars.

A variation of this scam often occurs mid-summer as university students start looking for housing for the fall semester....

The scammer usually sublets a summer vacancy (there are a lot) until September 1st and during July and August advertises his unit for rent for September 1st.  With student housing at a premium and with the rental unit temporarily in his possession, he can show the unit and accept deposits from dozens of unsuspecting students.

September 1st he is gone and there are several confused "tenants" waiting to get into a unit that isn't theirs.

 PROTECT YOURSELF

The best protection really is common sense.  If it sounds to good to be true, it's not true that it probably isn't - IT ISN'T!

Google the address and see if other ads appear with different contact information.  If it does, contact the different people and corroborate the information and determine who the true landlord is.

Make sure the "landlord" can show you the property himself and, at a different time and date go back to the property and knock on the door to see who answers.  It it is a tenant or someone different, ask them who the landlord is.

Hopefully this little public service announcement will help prevent at least someone from being defrauded.

Please contact me if you have any questions!

3 Things Buyers Rarely Consider When Purchasing a Home...

Home buyers may be so swayed by the home’s appearance and price that they may be missing out on researching some other important factors about the home that may keep them happy there for years to come.

Here are 3 key factors to consider before purchasing a home which many home buyers don't consider:

1. Nearby zoning and Permits. The surrounding area of a home or neighborhood can change drastically through the years so home buyers shouldn’t always assume that what they see today is what they’ll get a few years from now. Green picturesque landscapes outside their windows may one day be replaced by a row of retail stores or major highway? On the other hand, sometimes change can be viewed as good, such as a recreational park or school nearby.

Also, what if there is an existing permit for a garage to be built which may affect a view or enjoyment of your own property?

To avoid unhappy surprises, though, home buyers should investigate the zoning of any vacant properties near them to give them more of an idea of what the future may hold and also check for existing permits that neighbours may have.

2. Remodeling interference. Home buyers may have big plans for the home they want to buy, but are they sure they’ll be able to do everything on their list? Homeowner association’s may have something to say about home owners who want to change their exterior. They also may have something to say about additions, like adding a garage or a guest house, or even what type of plants you use in your front or backyard. Any home buyers with lofty remodeling goals may want to check with the community or homeowner association beforehand to make sure their plans will be allowed.

3. Sight, sound and smell. Home buyers might want to tune in to any noise that may pose a problem for them in the neighborhood, such as by visiting the home at several different times of day and night. Maybe it’s all quiet in the afternoon but there’s a loud dog barking next door all evening? Also, how’s the traffic at different times of day? The neighborhood may become a cut-through to commuters during rush hour … will that pose a problem?

And finally, home buyers shouldn’t forget to pay attention to the smell. Depending on which way the wind is blowing at certain times, you might pick up a whiff of a manufacturing plant or waste-processing facility.

So buyers should be encouraged to use all five of their senses in deciding the right home for them, and not forget that long-lasting happiness with a home purchase is much more than fancy upgrades.

Please contact me if you have any questions about our local real estate market, need help in finding and purchasing a home or would like a market evaluation of your current home.