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SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!
In the last few weeks we have been treated to some very nice weather, the warmer temperatures & sunny days have been bringing people outdoors to get an early jump start on Spring Cleaning & preparing their Lawns & Gardens.
SPRING CLEANING... NATURALLY
Freshen up your home naturally with products that won't harm your family or the environment. Simple, natural products like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, soap, water and a bit of elbow grease will cover most of your cleaning needs. |
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| Featured Listing |
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4 Mericourt Road Hamilton Ontario (West)
SEARCH NO MORE! PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP. BE IMPRESSED THE MOMENT YOU WALK INTO THIS SPACIOUS 1 1/2 STOREY, 3+1 BEDROOM, 3 BATH HOME IN DESIRABLE WEST HAMILTON, MINUTES TO McMASTER UNIVERSITY & CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. THIS HOME FEATURES A NEWER WINDOWS & DOORS, HUGE LIVINGROOM | DININGROOM WITH BEAUTIFUL GLEAMING NATURAL CHERRY HARDWOOD FLOORS. GORGEOUS UPGRADED KITCHEN WITH PLENTY OF CHERRYWOOD CABINETS, SLATE FLOORS & UNDER CABINET LIGHTING. BRIGHT FULLY FINISHED LOWER LEVEL, WITH A COZY WOOD STOVE + AN EXTRA BEDROOM. POSSIBLE IN-LAW SUITE OR UNIVERSITY STUDENT RENTAL WITH REAR ENTRANCE. FULLY FENCED YARD, DETACHED GARAGE & PARKING FOR 4 CARS. EXTENSIVE UPGRADES IN THIS HOME! BONUS 6 APPLIANCES INCLUDED. CLOSE TO ALL AMENITIES, PARKS, SCHOOLS, PUBLIC TRANSIT, ANCASTER, DUNDAS, DOWNTOWN HAMILTON, EASY ACCESS TO Q.E.W, MINUTES TO GO TRAIN STATION. GREAT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!
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Economic Downturn and Dampened Consumer Confidence Caused House Prices to Dip During Fourth Quarter
During the fourth quarter of 2008, Canada's real estate market posted a decline in both unit sales and house prices, according to a House Price Survey released by Royal LePage Real Estate Services. The combination of a global economy in recession and shrinking employment figures did much to dampen consumer confidence, diminish home sales and cause house prices to drop.
Of the housing types surveyed, the average price of detached bungalows dipped by 4.8 per cent to $319,640, followed by standard condominiums, which decreased by 5.2 per cent to $233,230, year-over-year. The average price of standard two-storey properties fell by 6.3 per cent to $376,140, year-over-year.
"For many people, deciding to hold off on buying a home at the end of the year was an easy decision to make. With consumer confidence in tatters, many were reticent about making any large purchases. However, waiting on the sidelines during the normally slow winter market is one thing, sitting out the seasonally busy spring market is quite a different story. Activity levels should rise as the year progresses," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services.
Looking ahead, Soper concluded, "the balance of 2009 should see gradual and continuous improvements as the effects of low mortgage rates along with efforts by governments and central banks to get the economy back on its feet again begin to take hold."
For more information, please see the Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices at www.royallepage.ca..
If you are wondering what your home is worth in today’s market, please contact me and let me put my expertise to work for you!
Survey of Canadian Average House Prices in the Fourth Quarter 2008
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Detached Bungalow
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Standard Two Storey
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Standard Condominium
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| 2008 Q4 Average |
Annual Change |
2008 Q4 Average |
Annual
Change |
2008 Q4 Average |
Annual
Change |
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Halifax |
$215,000 |
6.8% |
$259,667 |
12.1% |
$159,500 |
7.4% |
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Charlottetown |
$157,000 |
3.3% |
$188,000 |
4.4% |
N/A |
N/A |
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Moncton |
$150,000 |
-0.7% |
$126,000 |
-6.7% |
N/A |
N/A |
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Fredericton |
$162,000 |
4.5% |
$210,000 |
6.6% |
$133,000 |
5.6% |
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Saint John |
$225,064 |
14.5% |
$294,695 |
15.6% |
N/A |
N/A |
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St. John's |
$190,050 |
20.5% |
$261,800 |
19.4% |
$203,000 |
23.0% |
| Atlantic |
$190,921 |
10.3%
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$238,310
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12.4% |
$174,183 |
19.8% |
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Montreal |
$261,372 |
1.2% |
$334,850 |
-2.2% |
$200,284 |
-1.3% |
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Ottawa |
$321,333 |
4.1% |
$317,083 |
3.5% |
$207,167 |
5.2% |
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Toronto |
$411,483 |
-8.2% |
$513,417 |
-6.8% |
$299,675 |
-2.3% |
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Winnipeg |
$219,650 |
2.4% |
$247,029 |
4.0% |
$132,083 |
3.7% |
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Regina |
$274,167 |
19.6% |
$238,260 |
19.7% |
$172,917 |
20.1% |
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Saskatoon |
$300,000 |
2.6% |
$328,750 |
2.3% |
$194,250 |
-5.2% |
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Calgary |
$410,333 |
-4.5% |
$408,263 |
-11.6% |
$257,189 |
-9.5% |
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Edmonton |
$301,429 |
-10.5% |
$337,075 |
-8.9% |
$206,854 |
-14.0% |
| Vancouver |
$743,750 |
-6.5% |
$837,500 |
-6.4% |
$405,000 |
-5.4% |
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Victoria |
$425,000 |
0.0% |
$433,000 |
-5.0% |
$265,000 |
-9.2% |
| National |
$319,640 |
-4.8% |
$376,140 |
-6.3% |
$233,230 |
-5.2% |
Average house prices are based on an average of all sub-markets examined in the area, except for the smaller markets of Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John and Victoria.
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Eco-Smart Gardening Offers Clever Solutions
Eco-smart gardening makes a lot of sense. It can help reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote environmental sustainability, and even save you a little money. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
De-fuel. According to Statistics Canada, using a standard gas mower for one hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a new car 550 kms. For a greener alternative, try using push reel or electric mowers and cordless trimmers. These non-gasoline powered solutions help eliminate harmful emissions, are quieter, and can save you anywhere between $55-550 in annual fuel costs.*
Cut high. Set your lawn mower so it cuts high (approximately 7-8 cm from the ground) to encourage the growth of deep roots. Taller blades and deeper roots make grass more naturally resistant to insects, help control crabgrass, and conserve moisture better by shading the soil.
Grow up, not out. For condo dwellers and those who lack landscape space, growing vertical plants or herbs on the side of your building is a great alternative to a traditional garden. Vertical plants require minimal care, help cut down on noise, and will improve air quality around your living space.
Waste not, want not. 50 per cent of water used for gardening in Canada is wasted as a result of overwatering.** To prevent water waste, use the soaker instead of the mist setting on your hose. This delivers water directly to the base of the plant and reduces water loss due to evaporation. If using a sprinkler, keep the water low to the grass and make sure it doesn't fall on nearby sidewalks or driveways.
Let it rain. Rainwater, not chemically-treated tap water, is the best source of nutrients for growing your plants and collecting it is always a good idea. Creating your own rainwater collection system can be as easy as setting up jars, bowls, or barrels to collect and store water for drier periods. You can also take advantage of rainwater by positioning downspouts so that water flows directly onto planted beds, lawn areas, or directly into your rainwater collection system. Either way, you can watch your plants grow up, and your water and utility bills go down.
* Analysis based on data from Environment Canada.
** Natural Resources Canada.
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3 Ways to Improve the Air and Water Quality in Your Home
When it comes to the elements that make a house safe and comfortable, none are as important as air and water. Poor air and water quality can cause discomfort, damage your home's structure, and even affect your respiratory health. Here are three easy ways to obtain better air, better water, and better health:
- Increase Ventilation
Proper ventilation reduces the concentrations of indoor air pollutants and provides healthier air quality in your home. Start by making the most of exhaust fans or opening windows when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher in order to let moisture escape your home quicker. If you have a garage, install an exhaust fan to the outdoors to prevent car fumes from entering your home. Make use of ceiling fans that draw up and distribute cool air from the floor on warmer days, and circulate warm air that collects near the ceiling on colder days.
- Use Water Softeners to Combat Hard Water
While safe and suitable for drinking, hard water, or water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium, can still have its setbacks. Harder water creates mineral build-up that can clog pipes and appliances and leave a soapy film on bathtubs and shower tiles. It can also be tough on your hair and skin, and deteriorate the quality of your laundered clothing.
Try using a hard water conditioner that traps minerals during the wash to soften your laundry and eliminate build-up on your dishes. In the bathroom, use an easy-to-install soft water filter on your showerhead to help prevent dry skin and reduce soap scum build-up. For a more complete solution, consider installing a water softener system in your home. This will not only benefit your skin, laundry, and dishes, it will also help eliminate mineral deposits in pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
- Balance Humidity
If the air in your home is too dry or stuffy, it can irritate your skin and cause respiratory problems. On the other hand, too much moisture in the air can cause mildew, dust mites, and other conditions that can trigger allergies. That's why balancing humidity is important. Humidity is normally measured by the amount of moisture in the air using a hygrometer. As a rule of thumb, the recommended humidity in your home should be between 30 - 50%*.
If the air in your home is too moist, a dehumidifier will help prevent a damp environment and protect walls, floors, and furniture from water damage. If the air in your home is too dry, a humidifier will add moisture and relieve dry skin and many allergy and asthma problems. It will also reduce cracked paint and plaster occurrences, as well as prevent wood floors from warping.
* Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
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| "Ready To Move?....Let's Get Started!" Call Lisa Tollis Today! For All of Your Real Estate Needs. 905 574 4600. OH! By The Way I'm Never Too Busy For Your Referrals. I Would Love To Help Any Of Your Friends, Family or Neighbours. Thank You! "I Love Referrals!" |
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All offices are independently owned and operated, except those offices marked as "Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd." Not intended to solicit currently listed properties. The above information is from sources believed reliable, however, no responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of this information.
©2009 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund. |
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