Usually the "man" is taking money out of your pocket, not offering to help you put more into it. In this tough economy everyone is looking to save money, and very few are looking at how spending it can benefit them. However there may be no better time to make that house a mansion.

The government is currently entertaining so many grant programs it's a small wonder more people aren't cashing in on the money train, and buying a ticket to a nicer property or a spruced up house. There are currently grants for everything from replacing that furnace that older then your grandfather, that water tank that leaks all over your basement, or that roof that is now equipped with a sky light, just not the good kind. There are grants for purchasing your property, like first time home ownership programs for down payments, closing fees, land transfer taxes extra. There are even small grants for doing renovations, that are completely "frivolous" like putting in that dream kitchen you've always wanted or a new bay window, these fixes not only look great they can add so much value to your home.

Now not all the money you put out is repayable by the government grant gravy train, some is out of pocket, but the money you save will have you laughing all the way to the bank.

There is one program in particular right now that encourages home owners to do those small fixes, for up to $1,300 dollars. What you do is simple, you save your receipts for any home improvement costs you incur from January 2009, until February 2010, you declare things that are eligible - up to ten thousand dollars on your tax return in 2010 and get some bang back for your buck up to that magic number of $1,300, or basically the equivalent of taxes you have already paid.

What does this all equal to you, incentive to do more improvements, the ability to afford improvements, or the ability to justify those improvements you've been putting off due to the economy. Much like an end of the season sale these deals won't last forever so cash in now, cash in fast!

There's nothing quite like owning your own home. Creating a place that you can call your own can be a challenge with many ups and downs.

Gathering relevant information is your first step to home ownership.

How much can you afford? What kind of home are you looking for? You'll find all the information you need by consulting the right pit crew.

Any sports fan can tell you that having the right people on the team makes all the difference, it means the difference in winning a game or winning the championship.

Defining search parameters is like developing a great game plan, so know where your looking how to look and how to find what you are looking for are first steps. Almost 80% of all home searches today begin on the Internet. With just a few clicks of the mouse, home buyers can search through hundreds of online listings, view virtual tours, and sort through dozens of photographs.

Now that you're looking you're going to need a pit crew!

To Head up your pit crew you'll need a great Crew Chief, someone to make the whole operation go smoothly for you; in this case we're talking about the realtor. Picking someone you can trust to steer you away from those crashes in the left turns is invaluable. By crashes we're talking about the lemon houses, the bad deals, or even to point out the houses defects. Mostly they are there to get you into the home of your dreams, thus winning your own personal championship.

Your pit crew for buying a home consists of a few less members than a NASCAR TEAM, however, here's an idea of people to consider filling in the some of the positions of your house buying team.

 A mortgage broker, or lender, to help you get the right mortgage for you is almost as important as finding the right house. These are the guys that change your tires and keep everyone in your car running smoothly, they help you figure out how much you can afford, what payment structure is right for you.

Next your home inspector or as I like to call him you're spotter. He's the guy that sees the accident up ahead and prepares you for it. Whether he's directing you away from debris in the corner or a leaky roof he's there to let you know about issues before the occur so you can make informed choices when it comes to the purchase of your home. Another member of pit crew is your jackman or your lawyer.

The Jackman in NASCAR is the guy who gets you out the door safely after raising the car so that the tires can be replaced he signals you to leave the pits. Your lawyer in your house buying pit crew does much the same thing, by making sure all claims to your house other than your are lifted before signing that dotted line, making your home your responsibility.

You will always be the driver on the house hunting team so keep it in mind that staffing yourself with the right team will make you the best driver you can be, and get you to where you want to be going FAST!

Now is the time to Invest in Realestate in the Windsor and Surrounding Area.The Windsor Essex County market offers Duplexes ,Tri-plexes and Multi unit buildings as well as Condominiums and Single Family homes at great low prices.With interest rates historically low and prices dropping down to what once was in the 1980's. As well, Power of Sale and Foreclosure opportunities are many, what are you waiting for.

As well the affordability of Real estate here in the Windsor area make it a great place to retire to. Sell your current home take the equity from that home to buy a similar home for considerably less and the rest can be socked away to assist you in your retirement living.

Has the market bottomed out? Who knows! Besides when you can see the bottom ,it's too late you've missed the boat.The only way you can see the bottom is after the market rises.Do yourself a favor and call for a free list of homes.Compare and save.

The Canadian mortgage market has been free of the drama characterizing the US stage due its more conservative lending practices.   To save Canadians from the traps of no money down mortgages, the government banned both 100 percentage mortgages and 40 year terms "to reduce the risk of as US-style housing bubble in Canada."

Mortgage brokers, however, claim that the rules can easily be sidestepped. According to Innis mortgage broker Paula Siemens, borrowers have several ways around the new rules.

•·         They can use a non-Canadian bank. US Bank Wells Fargo makes 100% loans available to Canadians.

•·         They can borrow the down payment to comply with Canadian banking rules that allow loans up to 95% of the mortgage balance.  The loans might come from friends or family or lines of credit or cash advances from credit cards.

•·         They can use a cash-back mortgage offered by some banks. That gives the borrowers 5-7% back upon closing.  Those banks try to prevent borrowers from using the cash for down payments, but if a mortgage applicant raised the money from family and friends for the down payments and then later repaid his sources with his cash-back funds, the loan would still be in place.  The cash-back mortgage usually comes with a higher interest rate.

Banks resist no money down deals because the borrowers have less at stake if they fall on hard times.  Just because there are ways around the no money down ban does it mean this option makes good sense for most people, aside from possiby young professionals with high credit scores and large earning potential.

Stable, equity-backed loans are part of what has kept Canadian banks sound in comparison to their southern neighbors in need of bailouts.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com

Headlines in several Canadian newspapers report that consumers are nervous buying a condo out of fear that what they contracted for will not be built.  A more substantial fear is that due to current oversupply, condominiums are getting harder to sell.  In Toronto, 22,654 condos were sold in 2007, but only 16,000 are expected to be sold this year.  While the long term outlook for the condo market is good, building starts are expected to decline by 6% as prices decline.  For current owners in Ontario, this news should be only mildly upsetting as prices will actually increase by 3-5%.  Western markets in Calgary and Vancouver, where housing is somewhat overvalued, may not only see an end to double digit inflation in condo prices but a 3-5% decrease.

Condominiums are popular in Canada because they meet the needs of a very urban population.  As of 2006, 80% of Canada's population was centered in cities compare to 62% in 1951.  Condos offer style and convenience in an environment-friend package that uses less land and resources.  They sell for half the price of a detached bungalow in Vancouver and a third of one in Calgary and Ontario, as well as cost less to maintain.  Since the median age of the population is increasing, the convenience of condo living has a secure future in Canada.

Though prices and supplies of condominiums might be declining, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill is optimistic that the impact of these declines will be greater stability in the future.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com.

Everyone loves a bargain, especially in housing where a few percent off adds up to thousands of dollars.  In a buyers' market, where some sellers who need to move their homes are facing the prospect so of having their time in the market longer and ultimately selling for less, it's tempting for buyers to overestimate how far down sellers will go.

So, as a buyer, what's the best way to get the best price?

Dream a little but be reasonable.  Even in a buyers' market, it's unlikely that you will get a $500,000 home for $250,000.  Doing a little neighborhood research will reveal what other comparable homes in the area have sold for.  This should tip you off that you may get the home for $50,000 less.  If a $450,000 is out of your pricing comfort zone, it's time to start looking at more affordable homes for your price range.

Don't insult the seller.  Some sellers may overvalue their homes because of what they've put into them, what they speculated the home would be worth, or just because it's theirs.  Few sellers react well to a buyer who comes in, exaggerates all the flaws in the home, and then makes a lowball offer.  The seller may need a little reality therapy, but if you want the house, you are probably not the one to give it. (Here's the time to look to your agent.)

Consider the "negotiablity" factor.  Economist Jonathan Miller out into words what everyone knows to be true.  There's usually a difference between what homes list for and what they sell for because sellers usually list in anticipation of having to come down in price.  Sellers have a price in mind that hope (or need) to clear.  Occasionally a seller will say their price is "firm," but the buyer can reasonably expect a little wiggle room.  How much depends on why the seller wants to move and his level of urgency.  A seller who's been transferred, who's had the house on the market a long time, who's in financial difficulties, etc., might be more motivated to sell now than someone who just wants to upgrade.

Consider hiring a professional negotiator.  Negotiating is a skill.  Not all parties in a real estate transaction are natural negotiators who can remain impartial enough to persevere through the give and take. A professional negotiator not smitten with "house love" might be able to strike a better deal.  There's some risk in negotiating - seller may take a better offer, may reconsider selling, or may refuse to yield - but a professional with less emotional stake in the house usually knows when to quite bargainling and when to suggest you pull out your checkbook if you want the house.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com.

If the economy makes you want to run to Fantasyland, now you can at discounted prices. With stock prices dropping 6.1%, income off 13%, and hotel bookings down, Disney amusement parks announced discounts on vacation packages to any of its parks.  For vacations booked by December 20, a 7 day vacation is available for the price of a 4 day vacation - a 34% discount.  Vacationers who visit between January - March, 2009 will also get a free $200 gift card redeemable for food and souvenirs.  (All trips must be taken in 2009, with blackout periods around Easter vacation and part of the summer.) Thirty percent discounts are also available on hotels rooms  (without tickets) for those who don't want to stay the whole week.

Discounts at Disney are unprecedented.  Though the discounts do not affect the hefty daily ticket prices if purchased separately, they are applicable to the value priced rooms and vacation packages which makes a Disney vacation more affordable for families.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com

Recent good news reported here about the thriving Canadian auto industry is threatened by bad news from Detroit: the US auto is in such bad shape that the big three automakers are lobbying  for a $25 billion low interest loan from the government.  Without aid, predicts the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, MI, the US economy would lose over 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs plus $100-150 billion in taxes.

Over the past few years, the Canadian auto industry has regrouped through job cuts and increased efficiency  measures.  The cost reduction efforts are expected to result s in a $155 million profit this year - even though production is likely to be down by 4.6% and revenues down 10% due to falling demand.  Improved efficiencies and cooperation from labor unions have brought projects such as the Dodge Hybrid minivan, the Nissan-Chrysler partnership, and electric car production to the Windsor horizon. By 2012, the industry is projected to earn profits of nearly $1.5 billion.

The plight of US automakers is due to slumping sales, the lowest in a decade, but the auto industry is a vital part of the world economy.   Since Canada produces many goods for US automakers, further declines in the industry would impact the local economy as well.  The research report from Ann Arbor suggests that further declines in Detroit would necessitate the involvement of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to preserve Canada's automotive sector.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com

For recent articles on developments in the Canadian auto industry, see A Secure Future for Windsor Assembly Jobs  and Hybrid Minivans on Our Horizon.

For the 92,999 cars and 22,300 trucks that cross the US-Canadian border each day, crossing the border will be more difficult once the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative takes effect in June, 2009.  A response to homeland security concerns, the US is installing scanners and radio frequency identification cards at each customs lane at the 39 ports of entry. These units will be operational by December, 2008 at most ports and by April at Sarnia and Sault Ste. Marie.

Those travelers who have NEXUS cards or enhanced driver's licenses embedded with a radio-frequency chip will present the card for scanning and the customs inspectors will know the citizenship, residency, biographical information, and photo of the driver before he reaches the booth.  Other citizens will need to provide passports. 

Customs inspectors will warn those without the proper documents of what to bring in the future. The border checks aim to detect security risks, but also facilitate legitimate travel.  As Chief Ron Smith, head of boarder protection, Detroit field office of the Department of Homeland Security, put it "If we said ‘Your don't have this so you have to go home,' the border would shut down and we'd be hurting the economy." Those without the proper documents will be quizzed by customer officials to see if residency and citizenship can be determined and warned to bring the right documents the next time; if not, they will be turned away. 

Currently, the states of Michigan, New York, Washington, Vermont, and Texas either offer enhanced driver's licenses or are preparing to.  In Ontario, the issue is still under discussion in the legislation, but licenses and photo id's for non-drivers are expected to be available before spring.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com

Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit organization that offers  handmade items from artisan co-operatives in developing countries, has a great store in Windsor, right at 3225 Sandwich Street.  In addition to handicrafts, the selection also includes Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, dried fruit, and sugar, and have recently added jams and preserves from Swaziland in South Africa.

The concept behind the project developed in 1946 when a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) worker Edna Ruth Byler brought home some beautiful embroidery from Puerto Rica.  The pieces were made in sewing classes by women who helped to learn a trade to bring their families out of poverty. Byler found the pieces so popular among friends and neighbors that she sought items and agricultural products from other developing countries to sell.  For 25 years, this effort was managed from Byler's basement before the MCC took it over and named it Selfhelp Crafts, By 1996, the project had attracted many customers, supporters, and volunteers and became known as 10,000 villages.

The organization strives to help workers around the world become self sufficient through their labor.  Its goods are sold at Fair Trade prices so that the artisans receive the decent wages for their labor. When items are ordered from artisan groups, a price is set and the artisan receives half of the money upfront so that they have money for supplies.  The balance is paid before the items are ready to be shipped. Teen Thousand Villages is a member to the International Fair Trade Association, a worldwide network committed to social justice and the well-being of disadvantaged producers.

Ten Thousand Villages has 49 stores throughout Canada, including there one in Windsor. almost entirely staffed by volunteers The Windsor store is a project of the Global Resource Centre, which is a lending library with educational materials on the developing world, the environment, labor, and such issues as women, poverty, globalization, etc. It also has a computer with a Jaws program, which is available for use by the visually impaired and the blind.

In addition to the stores, 10,000 Villages holds festivals in different areas to promote the products and culture of the 36 countries of origin.

You can find out more about them or order online at www.tenthousandvillages.com.

For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com