My Tips for Choosing a Home Remodelling Contractor - 02/25/10 01:08 PM
Selecting the right contractor for remodel projects can be a challenge for any home owner. Over the years I've developed my on criteria for selecting contracts.
Regardless of the project budget, these are my recommendations to people interviewing prospective remodelers:
• Ask about their history. How long have they been in the home-remodeling business? Even new contractors (if they are reputable) will have some examples, photos, and references of their work. Many times homebuilders have shifted their focus to remodeling projects and it's important to know if this is the case. Ask for references relating to remodelling as that can be more customer service … (2 comments)

Niagara Region Event Review: Bowl for Kids Sake - 02/25/10 11:18 AM
 
"Great turnout at Bowl for Kids' Sake
This year's Tim Hortons Bowl for Kids' Sake was a success, with approximately 80 teams participating."
I have long been advocating more corporate involvement in community events in the Niagara Region, so it was great to see Tim Hortons sponsoring the Bowl for Kids Sake event. The following article gives more details and claims the event was a success. Great to see, I thought I would share:
http://www.westniagaranews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2466283 
… (0 comments)

Scotiabank lawsuit gets the green light - 02/24/10 03:13 AM
 

Big news this week as the $300 million dollar lawsuit against Scotiabank will proceed in Canadian Federal Courts concerning overtime disputes with sales staff in their nation-wide retail locations.  The claim is for reimbursement of what employees are claiming is unpaid overtime for a variety of workers within the branches of the Bank of Nova Scotia.
I can't help but be reminded of the case a few years ago with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) employees. Knowing how the courts found the competing bank at fault for the same policies, how could Scotiabank not have revamped their … (4 comments)

Harmonized Sales Tax Article - 02/24/10 02:58 AM
I wanted to share this as it is the most comprehensive article I've found on the Tax Harmonization in Ontario. It's a great thing to keep as a reference.
GB
Harmonized Sales Tax has its pros and cons, specialist says
Posted By WAYNE CAMPBELL , TRIBUNE STAFF
The new Harmonized Sales Tax is good for Ontario but does have winners and losers, says a local commodity tax specialist.
Theresa Beninger, Durward Jones Barkwell, gave that message to seniors at Lookout Ridge Retirement Home Thursday when outlining effects of the HST.
The 13% tax, which blends the 8% provincial sales … (1 comments)

Hoping Team Canada can make it up! Very exciting game going on right now. - 02/21/10 08:22 PM
I just had to post something to calm my nerves. What an exciting game so far for hockey in the Olympics. It's the end of the second period and USA is ahead 3-2. I'm not a huge fan of hockey but the whole Team Canada vs. Team USA scenario pulled me in. I know there are a lot of fans on both sides but this is my little cheer for Team Canada, hoping they can somehow manage to make up the difference and win this one! After all, this great little commercial can't be wrong! … (4 comments)

To Retweet or not to Retweet? Question about reposting on Twitter and blogs - 02/19/10 12:55 AM
I'm noticing lately that the trend is to retweet and reblog interesting articles, posts, comments, etc. and I kind of like the idea. I have, on occasion, retweeted the odd interesting message or link, but I rarely see blog entries re-posted. Why is that? Is it just because a blog is more opinion-based and though you might agree with some of the argument you may not totally agree with the author's stance in other areas?  Or is there that worry (that is often unspoken) that by reblogging we are somehow giving away the "glory", so-to-speak, of a great idea and possibly driving traffic towards a … (3 comments)

January home prices up 19% - 02/19/10 12:40 AM
Posted on the CBC News website today, January home prices showed a huge increase. It will be interesting to see what the new mortgage rules change things.
GB

January home prices up 19% for year
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 | 4:03 PM ET Comments60Recommend26  
CBC News
The number of home sales declined 2.8 per cent in January compared with the near record level in December, the Canadian Real Estate Association said Wednesday.
Ontario accounted for about half the national decline, but activity was also down in British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. Conversely, home sales reached new … (3 comments)

Redesigning Websites - 02/18/10 12:59 PM

It's that time again... website redesign time.
This is just my vent this week on the stresses of websites. Don't get me wrong, I love what the web has become in terms of marketing and connecting with people the world-over.  But as much as I love it, I hate the process of getting set up.  I find websites to be much more stressful than any other part of my marketing plan.
I hope my efforts will be worth it and I'll post links for you to comment in coming weeks!
GB
… (4 comments)

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics Success or Failure? - 02/17/10 12:37 PM
I recently heard a news report via 680 news radio station and it was upsetting to hear the number of bloggers and new agencies who felt that the Olympics were a big failure. From the beginning I want to separate the issue of the death of Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia. My heart goes out to his family and if any agency had a part in his death I hope they will be made responsible.
This article is in response to those questioning the way in which the games are being administered. And I can't help but come to the defense of … (11 comments)

Flaherty Changes Mortgage Rules - 02/17/10 12:19 PM
 
This is in line with a discussion I posted earlier this month on my activerain.com blog on the banks lobbying for changes in the mortgage rules. I really feel like these kind of measures were necessary to control the market and protect our economy.
I've copied a link below from the national post as it does well to summarize the changes to the mortgage rules in canada.
GB 
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2570533
Summary of Flaherty's mortgage changes
Paul Vieira, Financial Post  Published: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Related Topics
On Tuesday, the Department of Finance announced three changes to the standards governing government-backed mortgages, that … (0 comments)

Beautiful Country Home on 5.5 Acres for CAD $699,000 - 02/11/10 05:15 PM
 

Beautiful Fenwick Country Home on 5.5 Acres. Completely customized. Gorgeous Napoleon imported wood burning fireplace, Huge Family Room, Enclosed Back Patio overlooking property, Full size pine trees, and Ensuite bath to die for.
Craftsman Beauty! Old world charm with modern conveniences set on 5.5 acres, overlooking cherry orchard. Built by owners in 2007 w/approx 2600 sq.ft. http://www.realtor.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?&propertyId=8884145 MLS: 2011208
… (0 comments)

Coldwell Banker Named to the Training Top 125 - 02/10/10 06:11 PM
 
Coldwell Banker Named to the Training Top 125

http://ow.ly/165Ty
RISMEDIA, February 11, 2010-Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services, recently had three of its companies receive accolades at the Training 2010 Conference & Expo in San Diego. Specifically, Cartus Corporation, Century 21 Real Estate LLC and Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC each were ranked among the Top 125 companies by Training magazine, one of the training industry's premier publications.
Training magazine sponsored its 33rd annual competition that evaluates organizational learning programs and judges companies on elements such as internal best practices, demonstrable results, innovation and … (0 comments)

Have you heard of Foursquare.com? - 02/10/10 09:08 AM
Our in-house social media marketer, Kathryn Harriman, recently told me about Foursquare.com. Though my initial reaction was not incredibly enthusiastic, I have since warmed to the idea of trying out the application, as it just might encourage extra traffic at open houses. My thought was that many people will likely have a list of open houses to see at a given time but they will make sure to attend the one that might award a door prize to those who check in on foursquare.com.
Here's a link to her blogpost on the subject:
http://digitalmarketingcanada.blogspot.com/2010/02/foursquare-next-big-thing-imho.html
 
… (8 comments)

RioCan named one of Canada's Hot Stocks - 02/09/10 05:36 PM
 
It really is a booming market here in Canada.
After a great day on the TSX Index, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust (REI.UN.T) named one of Canada's Hot Stocks by the Globe and Mail:
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100209-713187.html?mod=WSJ_World_MIDDLEHeadlinesAmericas
Online chatter of experts seconding the notion, latest quote "Has the best portfolio of shopping centre properties in Canada. Good yields."
Check it out: 
http://www.stockchase.com/Company-sl--slq-ID-slv-RioCan--Real--Estate--Investment.php
 
… (1 comments)

The Situation in Trenton, Ontario - 02/09/10 05:08 PM
I think I speak for many Ontarians when I say that I'm shocked and saddened to hear of the murders in Trenton by a high-ranking Colonel in the Canadian Army. 
It's scary to think of how long he walked free and continued to move up the chain of command in our armed forces.  My heart goes out to all the families who lost loved ones. 
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gQ3VikNibqASoBkLnDxDYFlQWZeQ
 
 
… (3 comments)

Olympic Fever high at Coldwell Banker - 02/08/10 06:58 PM
I'm very excited with the news of Coldwell Banker's sponsorship at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver!
Participating in SNOW House 2010 with SNOW Magazine is an important investment. Not only will it provide an opportunity for attendees of SNOW House events to view nation-wide listings but they will be able to do so on the newly introduced Microsoft Surface touch screen application. With Coldwell Banker being the first in the industry to develop a real estate application, it will sure to be an amazing experience for those attending.  The house is located in the hospitality suite at the Westin Hotel in Whistler Mountain, and is known … (2 comments)

Canadian Banks Pushing for Stricter Mortgage Rules - 02/08/10 10:51 AM
… (3 comments)

 
Gina Burgio, Hamilton-Niagara-Halton-Peel Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Home & Family Realty)

Gina Burgio, Hamilton-Niagara-Halton-Peel Real Estate

Hamilton, ON

More about me…

Coldwell Banker Home & Family Realty

Address: 1515 Rebecca Street, Suite 21, Oakville, ON, L6L 5G8

Office Phone: (905) 825-7777

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