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HERE COMES SUMMER
Spring has sprung and almost gone and Summer is coming fast. Hopefully it will be a nice comfortable time with some time to relax with friends.
Have you done your gardening? Are you are doing any renovations or updates to your home? Call me I have names of people that you can call for advice or to do the work. Do you want to know if doing an update will increase the value of your home? Do you want to know what your home is worth now? I am always here for you or anyone you know.
Remember Always "GET MORE FROM LES " |
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Consumer confidence bolsters housing market but recovery uneven across Canada
After a buoyant, if geographically uneven start to the year, Canada's housing market is poised to moderate as 2010 unfolds, according to the Royal LePage House Price Survey. The post-recession real estate recovery, which began in earnest in the third quarter of 2009, continued unabated in the first quarter of the year. While year-over-year unit sales volumes increased and prices appreciated across the country, a look back at the two year period that spanned the recession's beginning and end shows that some cities have experienced a rollercoaster effect of declining and rising prices, while at the other extreme, home prices in some regions never stopped appreciating.
"The first quarter of 2010 continued where 2009 left off, with more Canadians enthusiastically participating in a rejuvenated residential real estate market," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "One of the earliest sectors of the economy to return to growth after the difficult recessionary period, the housing sector has been a prime beneficiary of low borrowing costs and improving consumer confidence."
House prices were up across all key housing types surveyed by Royal LePage, with the average price of a detached bungalow in Canada rising 11 per cent to $329,209 in the first quarter year-over-year, while standard two-storey homes rose 10.3 per cent to $365,141 and standard condominiums increased 10.9 per cent to $228,963.
"Even in our most frenzied pockets of market activity, the inevitable rise in interest rates coupled with home price appreciation will rein in demand as affordability erodes. Expect house prices to continue to rise, but the rate of appreciation should ebb steadily, month by month, throughout the remainder of the year, as balance returns to the industry," concluded Soper.
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 First Quarter 2010
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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Staying Cool the Green Way
It's cool to be green, and green can keep you cool - especially in hot weather. Here are ten tips for maintaining a comfortable home without relying on the air conditioner this summer.
- Heat rises so make sure your roof is well-ventilated. Consider installing a temperature controlled attic fan that switches on when the mercury rises.
- Ensure proper insulation in the walls and ceilings. In Canada, we tend to think of insulation as a must for winter, but proper insulation also guards against the heat of the day in summer.
- Shade the west side of your home by planting large bushes or trees to mitigate the amount of direct sunlight your west-facing walls receive. Be sure any planting is done a safe distance from the foundation.
- Ceiling fans can cool a room by several degrees. Install ceiling fans in larger rooms and set them to the forward position so the fan rotates counter clockwise. This will help create a wind-chill effect and make you "feel" cooler.
- Venetian blinds or California shutters are both aesthetically appealing and effective at shutting out the sun's glare. Another option is to add heat reflecting film on windows. It will help keep things cool, while reducing ultraviolet rays that can damage furniture and floors.
- Since most summer breezes blow from west to east, open the southwest and northeast windows to allow a refreshing cross-breeze. Open windows at night to allow the cooler air in, and close them in the morning.
- Use a dehumidifier to absorb moisture in the air, as dry air feels cooler. A dehumidifier can also prevent mold, mildew, and musty odours, especially in the basement.
- If you can, minimize use of your stove in really hot weather. Consider using an outdoor barbecue or a slow cooker which emits very little heat.
- Invest in a fold-away gazebo for your deck or garden. It protects from sun, insects, and summer showers when you want to cool off outside.
- Lighten up the exterior paint. Light coloured paint doesn't absorb as much solar energy as darker paint, and is a relatively low-cost solution that can reduce your energy bills.
When summer sizzles, think green, keep your cool - and enjoy!
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Backyard Entertaining on a Budget
Nothing says "bring on summer" quite like a backyard BBQ. It's the perfect mix of friends, the fresh outdoors, and fantastic food! But just because you want to throw a social, doesn't mean you have to break the bank. Here are a few ideas of how to entertain outdoors on a budget:
Food
Send an electronic invitation to your friends to let them know you're throwing a pot-luck BBQ. Create a food list and give guests an idea of what to bring, usually a side dish or dessert. Remember to prepare as much as possible in advance so that you can spend most of your time outside with your guests and not in the kitchen.
Seating & Décor
Arrange several seating areas if space allows. If you're short of chairs, ask friends and family to bring their fold-ups that transport easily. Swing by local garage sales or thrift stores if you need extra tables. Pick up colourful vinyl tablecloths, napkins and decorations at your local dollar store.
Kids & Fun Stuff
Kids love the beach, so buy an inexpensive wading pool and fill it with clean sand. Add plastic buckets, spades, blow-up beach balls, and a croquet set from the local dollar store and they'll be all set. Lay bright beach towels on the grass, or under a tree and the little ones will have their own picnic area too.
Lights & Pesky Bugs
String some white or blue lights around the backyard for nighttime. Place a few tea lights in glass containers and display them around the garden on things like bird baths and paving stones for a magical effect. To stop bugs from crashing your party, stake some tiki torches in the ground or put citronella candles on tables to keep them away.
Favour Ideas
Want to send your friends off with a little gift at the end of the party? If your homemade BBQ sauce is a party favourite, make a big batch, put in sterilized bottles and give to guests. If there is plenty of leftover food, be generous and let everyone take something home for dinner the next day. Don't forget to save some for yourself!
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| Always "GET MORE FROM LES " |
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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.
©2010 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund. |
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