Richard Silver's Blog

Real Estate: Downsizing with Style and Grace: Part Two

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:22:50 -0700

Thanks for the great response and ideas from the first post on Downsizing...before I add some more thoughts, let's talk about some of the issues generated after Post One:

There seems to be a universal response to the negative naming of the difficult process: Downsizing. However, I remembered with some friendly prodding that Barry Lebow, Founder of The Accredited Senior Agent Designation refers to it as "Rightsizing", a term defined as "to undergo a reduction to an optimal size". I like referring to it as it turns a negative into a positive, so that works for me....Barry's web site at http://www.thesenioragent.com/ has some great resources for seniors who are rightsizing but remember that people rightsize for all sorts of reasons.

Here are some of my further thoughts for today's post: I am a great fan of writing up the plusses and minuses of any major decision. Sit down with your partner and family and decide what rightsizing will mean to you and your lifestyle. With older readers, those with health issues or caregivers, much of the discussion should be based on safety issues. The ruling decision should be based on "Is this the safest place for me to live?".

When it comes to what should stay and what should go, call a professional...and listen to them. The Real Estate business is full of third parties we use called "Stagers" . They pride themselves on showing our sellers how to make their homes look spacious, when they may not be and have a very good unbiased eye. Owners, Family and friends may have vested interest in pieces or history around them and may be tied to "Stuff". My colleague, D'arcy Burkholder of Bosley Real Estate has a great perspective and points out "these are just possessions...ask yourself......Do you own them or do they own you?".

I also hear people say that they are "saving these possions for their children". As I child I heard that excuse used many times...strange that I was never asked whether I wanted those possessions or not. As my mom aged and passed those possessions on to me and my brother they occupied a large armour in my living room and his basement....they seldom got used, and when asked where they were, it became easier to say that they were in the dishwasher....course that never worked with chairs, a sofa or the dining table. The dishes were not dishwasher proof so I got a further talking to...with a gracious helping of guilt.

Ask your children what they want and give it to them now...without an editorial or history...especially if they tell you they cannot use it. Remember that you went through the process at their age, but also remember that this generation is known for not being as loyal as we were and seldom care how long you have had it around. With the recent generation we make a mistake branding ourselves with our History rather than our Services or recent successes. How long something has been around is not as important to them as its utility today.

Today's tips:

Hire a professional Stager and play "does it stay or does it go?" at home.
Have new floor plans done and use your Stager to stage your existing place for sale making recommendations on the new space at the same time.
Get sticky notes to place on what is to go... let your family or friends walk through the "to-go" group while you go for a short walk...if they want something in the "to go" group, it must go today. If it does not disappear, move it out as soon as you can but ...don't move it into a storage locker. Storage Lockers are often a cop-out!

At all times keep in mind where you are moving to and what the pluses of that new space are going to be. Get excited and get packing! Speaking of packing...at all times hide all packing boxes. There is little as depressing as half-empty or half-filled moving boxes. Always make your home a Moving Box FREE Zone!

Feel free to add your comments and suggestions below or read the earlier post at:

Real Estate: Downsizing with Style and Grace: Post One

Real Estate: Downsizing with Style and Grace: Part One

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:18:57 -0700

Up-sizing is real easy to do....we start with very little and at each and every stage we add more...and more. Fast forward a few years and young or old....you look around and find yourself surrounded by THINGS (of course they are Family Heirlooms too)....but do we really need them?

Could we live in less space? Could we live in multiple locations at different times of the year by selling the larger home. Of course...but the enormity of the job ahead hits with major depression and the reality is that Downsizing Sucks!

I thought I would give you some ideas from my home-selling experience that might help you deal with some of the challenges of this new adventure: Downsizing with grace and style.

When I start showing smaller properties to those downsizing, I watch their faces trying to imagine their new lifestyle in terms of their existing furniture, art, entertainment options, cooking, etc....I can see that they are taking all their possessions and mentally cramming them in to tighter spaces. Don't even try! It will never ever work.

Keep what you must but start looking at apartment-sized furniture. Most clients go wrong by not differentiating full size and apartment size furniture when they decorate. A couple of times I've suggested to small space Sellers that we replace existing furniture with more advantageous sized staging and to their credit, they did at great benefit to them.

The issue is the same: When downsizing, try to visualize the smaller space with smaller scale minimalistic accouterments. Start looking at Magazines, TV Shows and web sites that focus on "Living in Smaller Spaces" at HGTV.

It is amazing what you can do....visit the IKEA store or web site and look at what their designers do in managing space. I've been told by my friend and colleague Darcy Burkholder that IKEA now features their staged designer rooms with the square footage noted... to help you grasp the reality of smaller spaces and what can be put in them. A great idea!

Start fresh, reinvent yourself, create a new look, change styles...make it a fun project and approach the next step of your life as a challenge. Don't focus on what you are leaving but on where you are going and the new lifestyle you can create there. You may be very surprised!

More to come but feel free to leave your thoughts and comments!

Real Estate: Downsizing with Style and Grace: Post Two

What I Learned at Inman Real Estate Connect: August 2009 Day Three

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:36:06 -0700

At Last...my brain was overflowing and I was living on a strong coffee high...there was still a good half day and the wrap up to come...the third day was only from 9 to 12 and there was more than enough content...

The day started off with Deanna Brown of Scripps Media of HGTV:

She discussed "Push Pull and Throw"... Which is working for you??

Traditional media is important as a local source but also must get involved with the Consumer. She had these tips:

The consumer is becoming their own media source
Today is less about spending money and more about spending time (too many REALTORS tell me that they do not have time to Blog...but how many times in a year must you explain the same point to many clients ie. When is the best time to sell??)
Tweets need to be valuable to your consumer... any consumer connection should have value...
Become part of the conversation. Engagement is the key and no different than any social involvement...
It is about you engaging in the conversation...
You have to embrace the Social Space. It is not going away..
Set as schedule...Play in all the platforms...Newspapers are the local voice. Spend 10 minutes a day on Facebook, then add Twitter....send out three relevant Tweets a day.
Have fun with Social Media but take it seriously...

The Inman Innovator Awards were given out. These Innovators were honoured:

Nest Realty Most innovative Agency
Closing.com Most innovative site
Ubertor Most innovative web sites
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy Most innovative Blogger
Domus Consulting Group Most innovative Social Media consultants
Frank Borges LLosa (FranklyMLS.com) Most innovative Realtor web site

More Social Media Tools:

www.xobni.com: Free plug in for MSOutlook (great stuff...I've downloaded it and am using it)
www.awayfind.com Get the most important emails to you by text
www.Bit.ly a URL shortner but also gives you follow up
www.Goldmail.com dead simple video email
www.getdropbox.com sends large pictures and files for free

Here are some great tips that were spoken of that morning:

www.paulgraham.com Essayist and Entrepeneurs Understanding Makers and Managers
Assign a dollar value to your time and outsource or delegate anything that is not worth your time
Don't spend time on things that don't scale
Tim Ferriss The 4-Hour Work week...Only check email 2-3 Times per day www.fourhourworkweek.com
www.xobni.com Use Social Connections to learn more about your contacts..3rd time it was mentioned...must say something...

At the start of the Conference, two Technology teams were given 72 hours of less to come up with new innovations:

Morgan Carey Real Estate Webmasters...

Justin from Diverse Solutions: "Agent Scouting Report" An Experiment in Transparency. Very Cool!!! Surfs the Board Data to see how many houses each agent sold, how long, within price range, MLS must approve the Sold Data jlejoy@diversesolutions.com. I suggest you read their report which can be found at http://www.diversesolutions.com/blog/2009/08/12/agent-scouting-report-an-experiment-in-transparancy/ When the audience was asked how many REALTORS would be happy to have a system like that on their MLS, a great number were in favour and Houston Area Realtors HAR.com is already working on a similar project...Are we ready for this kind of transparency?

What are the take-aways from the Conference?

Capacity for creation seems greater...
Need to embrace Video more...
We are living in a mashup world...
Optomistic about the future...
The world did not come to an end when Twitter went down but...(I forgot to tell you that on Day Two Twitter went down)
Twitter: is whispering in another person's ear...."a little birdy told me"
Facebook and Twitter becoming huge...
Social Media is the swell of the Conference..
How do I do it in a way that is effective...
How do I get the best ROI(Return on Investment) out of it...
layers of integration of the tools..
If you suck at Social Media offline, you will suck at it online...one of the best lines yet and so true!!

Great Conference with Great Ideas...One of the best Inmans ever...1700 attendees...It is no longer enough to be a good agent, you must be a great agent...become the better trusted advisors..

Suggestions: Throw out the rules and excuses when you come to a Conference. Be open, listen and learn...

Reposted From: What I Learned at Inman Real Estate Connect: August 2009 Day Three

What I Learned at Inman Real Estate Connect: August 2009 Day Two

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:32:09 -0700

Jeff Turner of RealEstateShows (I am a big fan of both the product and the person) started off the second day with this simple truth:

Provide a great customer experience.

Jeff then spoke of Tech Tools to Leverage Social Media.

Use the tools that help you achieve your Social Media goals:

Look outside the real estate industry. What is happening in other industries...
Move Offline to Online (Find other modes to get the message out). Add clients to Facebook (take your client database and put them on Facebook)
Care deeply about something. (Don't just give lip service...get involved)
Share openly and often. Always be free with your knowledge....
Listen with intent. Are you really listening or thinking about what to say next?
Target someone unreachable (David Armano). Great stuff on David Armano's Blog.
Teach a newbie. Be a mentor.
Meet face-to-face. At the end of the day it is all about the face-to-face, the social media is a way of getting there.

Some great questions were asked through the balance of the day:

Does brand mean anything anymore?
Are they all the same?
Does it matter what brand a REALTOR has behind them?
As "Teams" have evolved within Brands, will they move to be Independents to have more control over the product.
Are Brokerages and Boards/Associations too numbers driven as a profit model?

Discussion about the use of the Amazon Kindle: Harper Studio led the discussion but it was not geared to potential uses in the future of Real Estate however it is interesting to note that usage is increasing exponentially. As a Kindle owner and user, I await applications that will allow listings to be viewed on the Kindle. Newspapers, Blogs and magazine's are now downloading content to the Kindle overnight.

In another Discussion about Boards and market statistics....it was stated that Boards need to explain the data to the members to explain it to their clients...the Skinny. Short videos about the market down loadable to agents web sites and Blogs for content!

Houston Area Realtors HAR.com is now allowing closed Buyers and sellers to rate their REALTORS and the services they provide. They are also working on a REALTOR production analyzer that will be available to the Public and help the consumer shop for an agent by past success in different areas and price range. When I asked Bob Hale, CEO of HAR.comwhy they were moving to that kind of transparency, he rightfully stated that if the Board/Association did not provide this service, it was their belief that a 3rd party would soon be providing it and the quality of data from the trade association would be better.

In discussing tools for surveys Zoomerang.com, Redfincalculates bonus by surveying their Buyers and Sellers (Redfin's Realtors are paid salary) on survey, the ultimate question, since reviews launched conversion rate has increased 100 fold. Before then, they had a lot of people using their web site to search but not converting to online Consultants/Realtors. At the end of the day however, it was suggested that the most important question to ask is:

"How likely are you to recommend this Realtor's real estate services to a friend or family?"

A speaker from MRIS' Homesdatabase.com had a great top 10 for Consumer Focused web sites:

10. Aim for a particular duck: Who is your consumer?
9. Turn the binoculars around: What is your consumer searching for?
8. The Wine is only as good as the grapes: Garbage in, garbage out...
7. Get the big picture and the big pictures...Large photos and lots of them...
6. Don't set it and forget it: keep the content up to date and add more applications
5. If it's real, it's spectacular: if it is worth doing it is worth overdoing...(my words)
4. Build it and they will not necessarily come: make it easy. MRIS describes their site as the most comprehensive Registration-free MLS search.
3. Make it habit forming. Consumers will come back if there is always something to come back to...
2. Show me the money. Make sure that it is benefiting all your members and their Brokers in terms of leads...
1. Stop, look and listen: continuously monitor the site....and ask for feedback...

It was a great second day...and sadly the afternoon was divided into 4 different tracks...try as I might I could not be in all 4 at the same time but...still a great day.

Reposted From: http://torontoism.com/2009/08/15/what-i-learned-at-inman-real-estate-connect-august-2009-day-two/

What I Learned at Inman Real Estate Connect: August 2009 Day One

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:27:42 -0700

It's true, I am an Inman Real Estate Connect Junkie! Last week I sucked up as much information as I could in San Francisco and was upset when they offered four tracks on the second day afternoon because I could not sit in on four presentations at the same time...sick?? Sorry if the information below rambles but...trying to get bits and pieces from the best minds in the field...

So. Day One started off with Bloggers Connect:

Jim Cronin of the Real Estate Tomato started my day off with some simple tips and tricks to improve your blogs:

Search "Easter Egg" on RETomato.com or click here. Great suggestions about links images and abbreviations. Add it in the title link. Edit Alternate text... <Abbr> add related posts to the bottom of your article...calls to action...ask the expert questions and search for homes... Read it to get the full scoop!

Widgets:

www.vflyer.com very cool marketing tools...
cut and paste the code into the sidebar using widgetbox.com.
Diverse solutions has excellent IDX widgets for your Blog...

The WordPress Plugin:

He had great explanations of My category Order, wordpress.org, Cforms II, Facebook Connect, Akismet, ListingPress (embeds MLS on my web site).

Facebook:

Be engaging, be conversational and add media...post on posterous.com...organizing Facebook friends for coffees! Set meetups offline, Ricardo Bueno and Craig Donato were great examples...promote other people's content..

Promoting your listings on Facebook:

Facebook Marketplace: housing...posting is free...fueling conversations. Comment wall...add a new tab.
Blog.oodle.com newsfeed on Facebook. www.facebook.com/martketplace or www.oodle.com
Make sure there is Social in Social Media...
fish where the fish are...should I push my facebook people to my Blog or keep them on Facebook? Keep people in Facebook!

Some Thoughts from Sonia Simone (brilliant): copyblogger.com

What is it about your brand? What is the hook? It is for relationships and trust!
Resolve Underlying Objections! I don't like Real Estate People! I don't lake Salespeople!
Write articles and content about barriers...
Blog is part of a system. You have to be great to compete.. Personal and entertaining...friend and Authority...authority rules,
cookie content: content is too good to give away...that is where you want to be...
write your blogs for your consumers not other Realtors...more content geared to your prospect.
Specialized..communicate toward a perfect customer for your market.
Who is your perfect customer? Write special reports: Downsizing Gracefully...Write special reports: Getting your paperwork in order to list...
FAQ really FRO frequently asked objections...
Email newsletter!! aweber.com, have valuable content to give...is your blog a Ginger or a Maryanne? Use the hit reality show. Read Big Red Fez. Be transparent...

The Nicholays: Twitter: Nicole and Reggie have wonderful insights!

Closing business in 140 Characters, www.localtw eeps.com
@RealtorTed, twitter how-to's, username, people connect with people,
customize the background. Twitbacks.com, twitterpinch.com @cyberhomes...
fb 140 www. Twables/fb140 : Follwo your Facebook friends on Twitter
twitterlocal.net, www.nearbytweets.com, www.twellowhood.com,
Become the Trusted advisor: listening, responding, broadcasting.
Be meaningful! The Tweet Plan: stay on track...make a topic list, identify resources, schedule drips , be spontaneous...google news...
Hootsuite.comget the Hootlet (amazing)
Farming Twitter: demandspot.com sign up for RSS feed..very cool Real-Time Lead Generation for Real Estate
Monitoring and measuring: hootsuite, cligs (helps you understand your traffic), and bit.ly (shortens URLs), tweetbeep ( Twitter Alerts by email) and twilert

MORE Twitter Apps: From the Nicholays

Cutting Edge Tactics for the Wired Agent: Ian Watt, Vancouver BC,

Outsources a lot of things, google Apps, google docs, Wiki,
Amanda: altos research consumer-friendly market research. Give your business personality!
www.chicagohomepartner.com
Be compassionate...do what you do best and outsource the rest!

Rob Hahn (he is very smart) and Kris Berg (Blogger par excellence)...spoke of the value of independence...

Brad Inman's Opening Session: more positive...with Morgan Brown

"cost to rent and cost to buy is getting smaller"
"absorption rate is going down"
technology Trends: Trade Off by Kevin Maney (book), the middle ground is a wasteland
travel agency service coming back... More service...
look for new opportunities,
unlocked information,
social search..

Tools From Morgan Brown:

www.Issuu.com you are the Publisher
www.viralheat.com track what people are saying about you
www.drop.io real-time sharing
www.jimdo.com create a free website
www.feedmingle.com create your own Google News
www.mailchimp.com easy and fun email marketing
www.screentoaster.com record whatever is on your screen
www.geochirp.com GeoChirp helps you search for people Twittering for specific things in a specific area
www.tumblr.com helps you create sites
www.usertesting.com gives you Feedback about your site
www.99designs.com allows you to have people bid to design your projects

Read Byte.snack.meal by Nick Bilton www.Bytesnackmeal.com coming out in 2010. Check it out online!

That was the end of Day one and because there was so much information....we will move on to Day Two next...

Reposted From:

http://torontoism.com/2009/08/12/what-i-learned-at-inman-real-estate-connect-august-2009-day-one/

Province of Ontario’s Bill 150: the Green Energy Act

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:13:25 -0700

Years ago both the Toronto Real Estate Board and the Ontario Real Estate Association started lobbying the Government of Ontario to institute Green policies throughout the Province. However, what the Provincial Government has proposed in its' Green Energy Act has some very fundamental flaws which should be looked at:

At present, in Bill 150, the Province is moving ahead with mandating energy audits on Residential Real Estate, making it part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Condominiums, Commercial and Industrial properties however will be excluded....should they not be included as well?
The Bill stipulates that an Energy Audit must be done but does not stipulate whether it is the responsibility of the Buyer or the Seller to bring the house up to sufficient levels and does not say what those levels are.
The Bill totally forgets the houses on the street that do not change hands for 30 or 40 years and have old windows, low efficiency furnaces etc. and what of residential properties that don't come on the market because they pass from one person to another in an estate?

Would it not make more sense to mandate a date in time that all homes in Ontario would have have to have Energy Audits and achieve certain goals, much like we do with our cars and emission standards. If the Government is serious about this Bill, and they say they are, then move forward with a plan that can really do something and not a plan that will affect only a small portion of the properties and further stigmatize people for Buying or Selling property in a very difficult economy.

It seems that Governments, with the City of Toronto Land Transfer Tax, the Provincial Harmonized Sales Tax, and The Green Energy Act, as well as the Feds with FINTRAC/Money Laundering, Privacy Legislation and Do Not Call Registry, have decided that the residential property owners through the Real Estate transaction and with the assistance of their REALTOR and Lawyer are the new police force to deal with the Government's responsibilities. Government is forcing too much on the Real Estate Transaction that has no place being there.

Energy audits are a great idea and if the Province is really serious about change then treat everyone the same and not just the politically expedient!! What they are proposing sounds good but is less than half by any measure.

RELATED POSTS: Here is a recent article by Lawyer Rober Aaron in the Toronto Star.

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/04/12/province-of-ontarios-bill-150-the-green-energy-act/

Susan's Award Winning Rib Recipe

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:09:27 -0700

There are times when this blog must deal with really important issues and this is one of them: FOOD!!

My friend Susan, a great cook, but also a dynamite Business woman ( those are not divergent in one person, however, I digress)...is known far and wide for her Award Winning Rib Recipe. I have made it a couple of times at home, though it seems daunting at first, the most difficult part is getting all the spices together for the rub that begins the process. This Rub can also be used will Chicken and Seafood and when making the Ribs try them with Beef Prime Ribs as well as Pork (just don't tell my grandmother as she kept a Kosher home).

Susan has graciously consented to allowing me to Blog her ribs as the only thing I'm am known for is my almost Flawless Popcorn...that recipe will follow at a later date. Make these ribs and you will be really glad that you read this very important blog...so will your friends and family!! Let me know what they think!

A Social Media Primer

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:06:15 -0700

As Social Media gets more and more popular, many REALTORS are jumping on the bandwagon, writing blogs, Twittering, and appearing on Linkedin and Facebook. While all of that is great, there are some basic questions that you should be asking yourself before you had down what you might think is a shortcut on the Information Highway.

Have You Established Your BRAND?

Do you have a personally branded web site and email address? Many REALTORS assume that being part of the Broker Brand is enough but what if you should change brokerages or if your brokerage gets bought?

www.yourname.com and that your email address is yourname@yourname.com It means that for the past years you have used this URL and email address on all your advertising, signs and cards and have driven clients to your site as being the place for expert information on you, your market and Real Estate issues. Your site or Blog has become the location where the local Guru, you, can answers all questions pertaining to Real Estate and the neighbourhood you work in. It is the reservoir of pertinent information about the kind of houses you sell and issues you deal with as well as constantly updating market statistics.

How updated is your database?

Over the past years have you been growing your database so that it includes up-to-date email addresses? For some reasons, REALTORS and their clients will update you about changes of their phone numbers but not their email addresses even though more communication is occurring online. Most Internet users think that the answer to SPAM is changing their email addresses frequently rather than installing firewalls and SPAM filtering software.

Does your database break down your contacts in terms of Spheres of Influence?: REALTORS, Buyers, Sellers, Service providers and do you have a history of contacting all of these people by email? Have you culled your snail mail database asking them if they would rather be contacted by email? Have you been sending out regular snail mail with market updates?

Are you attuned to the social media consumer?

If you expect that you are going to get this consumer to give you 100% undivided attention you are going to be disappointed. This is the ADD generation, myself included, so it is not just an age thing. We are used to ?channel surfing? quickly until we find what interests us. We have gone from surfing TV to the surfing Internet, so you had better be concise, topical and easy to understand. It is not economy that has made Twitter messages not longer than 140 characters and if you want to sell something you have limited space and time to get the message out. You must be engaging to engage customers in Today's economy.

Are you really ready to be transparent?

If you cannot let something be viewed in the public eye, maybe you should not be doing it. If your friends keep filling your Facebook photos with pictures of you after too many drinks maybe they are trying a Facebook intervention. You do have some control over who can view your profiles on the social media sites but if you are a person with a public persona, maybe table dancing at someone?s birthday party is not a good idea.

If you have strong views on any topic make sure that you can back them up with information and leave yourself open for input and discussion. The greatest thing about sharing views on the Internet is that as time passes and more information comes to light or your thoughts change, you can always revisit your posts, changing them and linking to supporting documentation or even a mea culpa. Also, from time-to-time you will get comments from the public on a position that you may have taken and you realize from the comments left that you did not explain your position well and you can go back and further explain.

The next step?

Social media is a great door to open, once open you may not be able to close it, and may find that you have quite a need to say publicly what you have been telling clients privately for years. Don?t assume that you can not write: you speak in an original manner and the great thing about this kind of communication is that you are best when you approach topics with your own thoughts and in your own voice.

Before you jump into the traffic make sure that you have some of the basics down. Spend the time to develop your brand remembering that your contacts are your best promoters. Be honest, giving succinct information and commentary that allows your true self to emerge.

You may find that underneath the Clark Kent/Lois Lane exterior lives a Social Media Super Star waiting to get out!

Real Estate: My New Job as a Tax Collector

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:15:22 -0700

In yesterday's Ontario Budget, the Liberal Government, in a effort to help the business community has heaped more taxes on Homeowners. After last year's City of Toronto Land Transfer Tax(doubling the existing Tax but only in the 416 Region), there will now be further new taxes when you buy and sell homes.

Previously, services such as Lawyer's fees, Home Inspection and Realtor's Commission were only subject to the Federal GST but now the Province in "Harmonizing" taxes has decided that these fees should also be subject to the Provincial 8% as well making the new HST, as it is called, 13% by the beginning of 2010. The Province may call it Harmonizing but it looks more like another tax increase to me, especially when by adding taxes to services that were never taxed before and lessening the administration of these taxes, there is no counter balance being offered in dropping the new HST to a lower than 13% rate.

It is the REALTOR that has to remit the GST and it is the REALTOR that will now have to remit the HST. At present, my assistant works hours each week dealing with my GST as there are rebates available for all the goods and services that I already pay GST on. We will deal with this as we will also have to deal with the Provinces new plan to make Energy Audits part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale but I have some problems with the Government's handling of all this in a DEMOCRACY:

1) Have there been assessments of the impact of Businesses that are newly subject to the HST? If so, where is the transparency to release these studies to the consumer...

2) If the Ontario Government is giving household's making under $160,000 a year a first year series of cheques amounting to $1,000 per household, then is the assumption that these new taxes will amount to increases of $1,000 per year? If that is the case, what happens in the second year and is that $1,000 taxable?

3) What happens to residents in the core of the City where the average sale price means that very few properties would be exempt under the $400,000 exemption? These are the same tax payers who are still smarting from the Miller Land Transfer Tax that was permitted by the Provincial Government and has had a further chilling effect on the Real Estate Market in the City of Toronto. New Homes over the exemption price will now be liable for a %13 tax and increase of 8% over the existing 5%. That should really dampen the building of new larger condominiums and homes....buying new construction of $1,000,000 will mean a tax of $130,000 before the Land Transfer Tax and other any other services...

4) Why was this new stealth tax brought forward so quickly in Ontario and without public consultation? What has been learned from the experience of other Provinces who have move to an HST?

5) Does the Province not know that the sale of a house usually puts at least $33,000 into the economy in terms of renovations, painting, purchase of appliances? Is the timing right for this kind of hit?

If I appear somewhat shell-shocked it is because with everything I read about the Harmonized Sales Tax, I find more and more to question and wonder where the Public discussion has been. I am a big believer in transparency and discourse in any major change that Government proposes and wonder why there seems to have been so little of it in the case of the HST...

Please feel free to add your thoughts and get the discussion going below and check out the article in Today's Globe and Mail, the press release from BILD (the Toronto Home Builder's Association) and the press release from the Ontario Real Estate Association.

Reposted from: Real Estate: My New Job as a Tax Collector

The Big Secret of Moving Day…

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:07:16 -0700

I often get asked about what happens after the conditions are lifted and the Agreements are off to the Lawyers...from that point on, usually one week after the signing of the documents, the Buyer's lawyer busies themselves with searching the title for any glitches and the Seller's Lawyer prepares the transfers, gets ready to pay out any existing mortgages, leans or deal with any encumbrances. The Realtor is out of the loop usually except for visits by the Buyer to the property for measurements and if problems arise at the lawyers office they may well not be aware of them, so try to keep them informed.

It is important that the Buyer and Seller keep in contact with the Lawyer's office and that the Lawyer's secretary have all the client's phone numbers and emails etc. I wrote two posts previously that explain the costs for both the Buyer and the Seller and they are noted below. Bosley Real Estate Ltd. has a great checklist that you should keep at hand as you move towards closing.

The Big Secret of Moving Day:

It will be the worst day of your life! If you plan that when things go right you will be thrilled and when they go wrong you will not be terribly surprised. Normally however, it will be the latter of the two. A couple of hints from my own experience...the Moving company will usually only insure what they pack....the shorter the move the more difficult it will be...if it looks to be an easy move: you are fooling yourself...never depend on friends: hire professionals...

Toronto Real Estate: Closing Costs For Buyers!

Reposted from: The Big Secret of Moving Day...

Toronto Real Estate: The Globe and Mail DREAM of the Week.

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:25:11 -0700

Every Friday the Globe and Mail has their Real Estate section and today' s Home of the Week is 2 Aberdeen Avenue, a property that I listed and sold earlier this week. It is a great article about the history of the house and its different incarnations over the years, with previous owners, each showing the house a lot of love.

However, the real story here is one of dreams. The owners of Aberdeen had a dream that included owning a Horse farm close to the city that would allow them quick access to their work...the buyers of Aberdeen had a dream to own a large Victorian on a quiet street. Sure there were the normal discussion of costs and there were numerous stars that had to align before both could achieve their dream but both parties were encouraged to calmly keep the dream in their minds.

Too many people today are so caught up in the "market" that they are forgetting "Real Estate". Every house should achieve a dream for the Buyer or the Seller. Maybe it puts you in a bigger house with a main floor family room or in a better school district for your Family or closer to your friends. The thought of buying or selling only because it is/was a "good deal", or moving down to wait out the market when it means two year of putting your family life on hold, does not make sense.

Focus on your dreams, work to achieve them and do what you can to keep them alive. Real Estate is not stocks and bonds: it can keep you warm at night and make you feel great at the end of a long hard day!

Toronto Real Estate: The News is Getting Better!

Over 700 Homes Recently Insulated with Urea Formaldehyde Insulation with Government Grants.

Toronto Real Estate Board: March 5th, 2009 Press Release.

Reposted from: Toronto Real Estate: The Globe and Mail DREAM of the Week.

Toronto Real Estate: The News is Getting Better!

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:00:59 -0700

Toronto Real Estate Board: 2,565 RESALE HOUSING TRANSACTIONS SHOWS RATE OF DECLINE SHRINKING

TORONTO, March 19, 2009 -Greater Toronto REALTORS® announced 2,565 transactions in the first half of March compared to 3,183 during the same period last year. The annual rate of MLS® sales decline was the smallest in five months. Mid-month March MLS® sales increased compared to the 2,044 sales experienced in the first half of February.

MLS® sales follow a recurring seasonal trend, with transactions generally increasing between January and May and then decreasing between June and December.

"As we move into the spring market, it appears that we are seeing stronger demand for ownership housing in the Greater Toronto Area," said TREB President Maureen O'Neill. "Buyers are reacting to the market's strong foundation of affordability."

The average price for MLS® sales was $365,499 compared to $385,405 last year. "Affordability has improved over the past few months due to a combination of lower home prices, near record lows for mortgage rates and rising earnings," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

Average weekly earnings for the Toronto CMA, as reported by Statistics Canada, have been rising on a year-over-year basis over the past year. For example, in February 2009, average weekly earnings rose by approximately 2.5 per cent compared to February 2008.

For a complete copy of the most recent Market Watch Report visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com

Reposted from: Toronto Real Estate: The News is Getting Better!

Toronto’s Garbage Problem….Garbage Bins Take Over Our Victorian Landscape Downtown!

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:57:18 -0700

Garbage Bins Take Over Over Victorian Landscape Downtown!

Sunday is one of my favourite mornings. We get up early, get the dog on his lead, grab a few fetch-balls and of course, poop bags, and head over to the Lower Riverdale Park with a quick stop at Jet Fuel Cafe' for our Latte's. Every second week our neighbor Helen and her dog join us and we have a longer walk to the Brickworks or through Riverdale and the Danforth.

This last week the three of us could not get over the Garbage containers that have taken over the landscape. Downtown Toronto is full of Victorian Homes which are mostly semi-detached or attached and are on streets that seldom have back alleys and if they do, they are seldom passable with garbage trucks. So now instead of looking at Victorian detail we were busy looking at the Garbage containers in front of homes. Try as they might, they are hard to hide and are a blight on the beautiful Downtown Streets that we have known for years.

Were our Aldermen asleep in Downtown Toronto?

How could this have happened? Before moving ahead with this monumental change in the City's Garbage program were there no test areas (the program started in Scarborough)? I have heard that certain streets have been given exemptions, after the fact, and have been able to go back to bags, however they have to go and buy special tags from Home Depot or local Hardware Stores.

Were we asleep?

At the same time the City has hit us with a Tax increase, they are also passing on the cost of Garbage to the Homeowner. It is now outside of the Property Taxes when before it was part of the included. Isn't that a Tax Hike?

Mr. Miller has also increased the licensing fee for your car in the 416 Region, yet another tax. They have brought in a second Land Transfer Tax within the Toronto City limits which has put a further cost on Toronto Homeowners.

What about all the Ontarians living in the bedroom communities that come to the City everyday to earn their money, using our garbage services and our roads. In New York City when faced with the same issues, the City added an income tax payable where you work. Why should those of us who live in Downtown Toronto keep paying for services for those who come here to earn but do not pay taxes here?

It is time to wake up and look at some alternatives, especially with a Mayor and Councillors who want to penalize car and homeowners.

Reposted from: Toronto's Garbage Problem....Garbage Bins Take Over Our Victorian Landscape Downtown!

Real Estate: A Sad Story of Mould

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:59:01 -0700

A few years back my sister-in-law in Quebec City bought a to-be-built Condo from plans. It was a perfect space for her and her young daughter and we spent a few weekends there helping her decorate, hang pictures and connect new appliances. It was a great apartment and her first-ever home purchase but within a few months of living there, her young child started having problems breathing and was hospitalised a couple of times.

At the same time, Patricia noticed that the windows were leaking and the builder was called to do some repairs. Opening up the drywall revealed black mould throughout the apartment and the Quebec City officials quickly condemned the apartment. Patricia and her daughter became homeless and some of their clothes, furniture and possessions were rendered unusable.

Almost 4 years later, she still owns an unsaleable Condo, is responsible for the Mortgage but cannot live in it nor rent it out. She is suing the Builder, but that has been ongoing with lots of delays in Court. The Condominium Corporation, which first viewed her as a "troublemaker" and offered no support, is now fighting many fights with the builder who will eventually reinvent himself under another Company name.

This sad story points to the fact that Mould is a serious issue. It is just a sign that there is a water problem that must be dealt with first and foremost. If you do not deal with the water issue, you are throwing good money after bad. In the Toronto Region I would contact Carson Dunlop Consulting Engineers for advice on all the steps that you need to take. Just be aware that the big mistake homeowners often make is attacking the symptoms without eradicating the problem.

It might be time to get out that magnifying glass, Sherlock!!

Ontario's Green Energy Act to Mandate Energy Audits!!

Toronto: The Scoop on Termites

Reposted from: Real Estate: A Sad Story of Mould

Technology: IPhone vs. Blackberry or Touch Screen vs. Qwerty

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:54:40 -0700

I have been a "Crackberry" for years...It is so bad that I have a second Blackberry in waiting in case my first one needs fixing...

However, I have been going back and forth over the IPhone or the Blackberry Storm (both are the cool touch screen models). While I have really enjoyed my Blackberry Bold, it is not touchscreen and just does not seem to be as cool as a cool techie like me should be using....but here is my reasoning:

I send a lot of text messages, emails, SMS's and have even been known to Blog and write articles on my Blackberry Bold. I tried to write an email on a friends IPhone when they first came out. I found it really hard to do and even though I was encouraged that there was a training period for you to establish a bond, I found myself spending more time in spellcheck...I have had some REALTOR friends who have gone to the IPhone or Storm only to come back a few weeks later. Surfers love them but Texters are frustrated.

The visuals on the IPhone and the Storm cannot be beat and the coolness is great. I guess I will have to wait for the next iteration which will probably be a combination or Touchscreen and Qwerty keyboard. At the rate of Technology, that should be soon.

IPhone and Storms users, feel free to convince me by adding comments below:

Related Posts:

What's In A Real Estate Blog??

What's Really New About Web 2.0?

Gary Vaynerchuk at Inman Connect NYC 2009

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/03/13/technology-iphone-vs-blackberry-or-touch-screen-vs/

Over 700 Homes Recently Insulated with Urea Formaldehyde Insulation with Government Grants.

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:39:59 -0700

The Federal Government gave out grants to be used to insulate over 700 homes across Canada. The substance used, RetroFoam, has been found to contain Urea Formaldehyde and was purchased from the United States. Urea Formaldehyde has been banned in Canada since the early 1980's. The insulation was quite controversial as it is easy to insert but to remove it means that the interior walls will need gutting and chemical washing which is a very expensive procedure to remove. Health Canada has sent out an advisory. There is also a RetroFoam Class Action suit for Homeowners available for sign up online.

Of note as well in the United States but it may also cross over the border to Canada is the issue of Chinese Drywall. Noticed originally in Florida it has apparently spread to over 21 States. There was a shortage of Drywall and a lot was imported from China after 2002. Here is a news article to give some background but it will be interesting to see whether this Chinese Drywall issue will appear in Canada. Since the story below, it has grown to include over 21 States.

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/03/06/over-700-homes-recently-insulated-with-urea-formaldehyde-insulation-with-government-grants/

Cabbagetown: What’s in a Starbucks??

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:27:01 -0700

Later on today, between 4 and 7 PM there will be a fundraiser for the Cabbagetown Youth Centre to open the new Starbucks at the corner of Aberdeen Avenue and Parliament Street . The Youth Centre is a great cause that the Community has supported for years and needs some help to replace their existing roof and assist in their programs.

Today's event in also in aid of the opening of the Starbucks. Let me preface this by telling you that for years, when media has interviewed me about where the next up-and-coming area might be found, it was easy for me to say,"Look where Starbucks is opening and you will have the latest hot spot!"

I would not refer to Cabbagetown as up-and-coming...but came. For years we have led the City in renovation and restoration of existing housing stock and sometimes thoughtful development of infill. We have a very strong Cabbagetown Preservation Association which has acted well in protecting our streetscapes east of Parliament Street. We also have a BIA which has tried its best to entice stronger commercial influence, not an easy feat when Dollar Stores are less costly to refurbish and open.

I have mixed feelings about Starbucks on Parliament Street. We are already overflowing with Coffee shops but the existence of a Starbucks may say a lot to potential Lessees hoping to venture onto the Parliament Street Strip. Let's hope so.

Here's my question:

Does a Starbucks on the Cabbagetown retail strip mean that Cabbagetown has finally "made it"? Does it increase the neighbourhood cachet??

I would love to see your thoughts in the comments below:

***However, a quick note about the new building that houses Starbucks: I would have assumed that the nice covered area at the rear of the building was for parking but in the last few weeks a massive double HVAC System has appeared in the location and it beyond me how parking for the units above can be accommodated. In walking around this morning, I also spoke to one of the neighbors who complained about the noise that these units are making...and that is before the building is occupied above the ground floor.***

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/03/12/cabbagetown-whats-in-a-starbucks/

Toronto Real Estate Board: March 5th, 2009 Press Release.

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:48:27 -0800

Greater Toronto REALTORS® Reported 4,120 Resale Housing Transactions in February

TORONTO, March 5, 2009 - Toronto Real Estate Board Members reported 4,120 sales in February 2009 compared to 6,015 sales recorded in February 2008. The average home price was $361,305 last month compared to $382,048 during the same month last year.

"A considerable number of transactions continued to take place in February 2009. Motivated buyers and sellers, who were aware that market conditions changed over the past few months, were able to negotiate transactions acceptable to both parties," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O'Neill.

On a month-over-month basis, sales and average price were above January levels of 2,670 and $343,632 respectively. The housing market is seasonal. Traditionally, in the first half of every year, sales and average price climb to their highest levels in late spring before trending lower from July onward.

"While the economic downturn has had an impact, the GTA housing market is resting on a solid foundation. Current home prices and mortgage rates suggest that GTA homes have become more affordable on average," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "A greater number of home buyers could take advantage of this affordability once their positioning in the economy becomes more certain."

Typically the spring real estate market tends to experience more activity and with the Canadian economy experiencing a period of low mortgage rates and strong immigration, this trend could continue. According to Statistics Canada, Canada welcomed 247,202 permanent residents in 2008, 70,000 more than in 1998 and well within the government's planned range of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents for 2009.

The TREB President pointed out that Greater Toronto REALTORS® are an integral part of the real estate transaction process. "TREB Members are uniquely positioned to help home buyers and sellers adapt to changing market conditions," added Ms. O'Neill. "In addition, TREB continues to advocate public policies that do not threaten affordability but support home ownership in the GTA such as lower taxation and less regulation."

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving over 28,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada's largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are now available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.

Reposted From: http://torontoism.com/2009/03/04/toronto-real-estate-board-march-5th-2009-press-release/

Ontario’s Green Energy Act to Mandate Energy Audits!!

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:44:47 -0800

The Ontario Government has recently had first reading of Bill 150, The Green Energy Act. Although, I applaud the decision to bring forward GREEN Issues at this time but I have some concerns: 1) At present, the dust has not settled on who will be the group to set levels of energy efficiency. There are a number of groups fighting to make their "seal of approval" the acceptable level. I think that will be easier said than done but this should not be rushed into to be fashionably GREEN. 2) With somewhere just over 400 Registered Building Inspectors in the Province as yet untrained in this newer area, how the Government expects to make this new law mandatory on the sale of property is beyond reality. 3) At present the Ontario Government does not mandate Building Inspections or Seller Property Information Sheets in the sale of Property in the Province. Are we not leapfrogging over these important issues that have long been a part of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale and can lead to great controversy.

I would like to think that this Bill is not just today's fashion or window dressing to cover over some of the major issues that the Province of Ontario is facing.

The Toronto Real Estate Board recently said:Under the proposed Green Energy Act, home owners would be required to provide information regarding the home's energy efficiency prior to the sale or lease of the property. Energy efficiency information about the property would have to be determined and provided by standardized methods established by the provincial government. The Province has not yet provided information on these details. The legislation, if passed, would allow the provincial government to prescribe:

· what energy efficiency information has to be provided and in what manner;

· the cost of home energy efficiency audits;

· the types of residences that these requirements would apply to; and,

• under what circumstances and at what times these requirements would be effective.

Here is the response to the Government from the Ontario Real Estate Association.

To be clear, I like the goal but I see it as premature as a mandated program by the Government and worry that without proper attention it could open a can of worms.

REPOSTED FROM: http://torontoism.com/2009/03/02/ontarios-green-energy-act-to-mandate-energy-audits/

Over 700 Homes Recently Insulated with Urea Formaldehyde Insulation with Government Grants.

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:35:44 -0800

Cabbagetown: Darrell Kent Remembered

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:25:38 -0800

This is my favorite photo of Darrell Kent. It was taken only minutes before he died, 20 years ago. He was on holiday in Brazil, had a drink in one hand, a cigarette in the other and minutes later had a massive aneurysm that took his life. He had been living with a Brain tumour for the preceding two years and knew that an unpleasant time was awaiting him as the tumour grew.

It was so appropriate of Darrell who loved a good time, had a boisterous laugh and at the same time was one of the most Community oriented people you would ever meet. He loved Cabbagetown and since the early seventies had been a force in the Community, renovating houses, working as a Realtor, and then leading a brokerage firm that stretched from Cabbagetown, to the Beach, to Bloor West Village and Bloor/Bathurst. He had great vision and saw in the Community, houses and people what they could be. He was the Cabbagetown Community cheerleader, doing whatever he could to encourage the atmosphere that he grew up with in small-town Saskatchewan.

A small group of us met for breakfast at Chew-Chew's on Carlton Street at Sherbourne and had a couple of hours laughing and talking about the "old days and told Darrell stories". We all realized that we gained from knowing and working with him. He loved life, loved to Party, but as one guest said, he knew the right time to leave the Party too!

If you have any Darrell stories to add to this post please feel free to comment below.

Related Posts:

Cabbagetown: Laurier Avenue Goes Green

Call for Entries Cabbagetown Nuit Blanche Proposals: February 18th, 2009

Toronto Real Estate: Cabbagetown

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/02/28/cabbagetown-darrell-kent-remembered/

CMHC: The Toronto Real Estate Scene

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:19:00 -0800

This morning at the Toronto Condo Network meeting our guest was Dana Senagama, Senior Market Analyst for Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation who presented a report on the GTA Housing Market 2009/10 . Please pardon the point form but here are some of the notes that I took on issues discussed:

Resale Market:

CMHC is predicting a 20% decline from last year to 60,000 Units. However, the historical average is 62,000. Fewer full time jobs in 2009. Forecast of unemployment in the 8% range however in the last housing recession was over 11%. Rates heading still lower whereas in the last downturn the rates were up. No interest rate hikes soon as well as lots of money being pushed into the economy. Long term mortgage rate history is just above the lows of the 1950's.

If you have a job and income it is a great time to spend and to buy. A slowing economy has tightened the credit market.

Arrears as a share of the of the total number of mortgages: In Canada it is under .3 of 1%. The US is twenty times higher. Exposure to sub-prime mortgages is under 5%, in the US, it is 35%.

We do have a Buyers Market in Toronto. In the GTA the sales to new listings ratio favours the buyers. Look to an average of 100 days on the market on average. Prices are coming down. Sellers have to be more competitive. Downward pressure on Condo prices. Toronto has not been as volatile leeding up to this cycle. With all the activity the prices rose on average 5% per year in Toronto whereas other centres like Calgary showed over 10% per year increases.

New Home Market:

They are trending lower as well as new home construction. Sales of new Condos will be dropping.

Condominium Apartment Market:

About 30% of total purchases are investors. Long term investors represent about 19% of this 30%. CMHC figures show more owner occupied units than in the last downturn. There is a very low vancay rate of those condominiums. Growing trend on youth to the newer condo properties rather than purpose built rentals. They like the amenties.

As unit completion goes up so will listings and prices will decline in the Condo market. App. 17,000 units. In a good market that would have accounted for a one year absorbtion rate which in this market becomes a 2 year absorbtion rate.

We are coming to the end of a housing cycle and supply needs to be absorbed before the market will head back up, however the indicators seem to show that it will be a short-lived Downturn. Let's hope!!

More information can be found on the CMHC web site...

Mayor Miller's Recession Budget? What About Cuts First?

CREA News: MLS® home sales to decline further in 2009, rebound in 2010

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/02/27/cmhc-the-toronto-real-estate-scene/#more-1883

Cabbagetown: The Latest News From Regent Park

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:15:23 -0800

There is a recently updated site by Toronto Community Housing with all the information you would like to know and are asking about Regent Park . There is a lot of information so enjoy spending some time getting the scoop.

Here is the link to the Condominium project by Daniels at Dundas and Parliament called One Cole.

Cabbagetown: Darrell Kent Remembered

Cabbagetown: Laurier Avenue Goes Green

Cabbagetown: Dog Stolen From In Front Of The Cabbagetown Butcher Shop.

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/02/24/cabbagetown-the-latest-news-from-regent-park/

Toronto: The Scoop on Termites

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:23:39 -0800

Toronto is a great City and over the years we have had lots of groups come here to enjoy our diversity. One group that appeared in the 1930's is growing by millions as we speak; Termites.

These subterranean visitors cost millions and have been studied extensively. As a Downtown Realtor, I view them as ubiquitous as cavities and candy with no end in sight for eradication. You can move them away from your home but they are a continuous issue that need to be approached realistically and without fear. The best remedy is to get rid of any wood soil contact, get a termite warranty from some of the companies that offerthem, and like going to a dentist have regular check ups.

Here are some links to help you:

Univerity of Toronto Urban Entomology Program

Abell Pest Control

Aetna Pest Control

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/02/24/toronto-the-scoop-on-termites/

The Canadian Economy: An Outsider’s Viewpoint

Richard Silver (BOSLEY REAL ESTATE LTD.) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:58:46 -0800

Fareed Zacharia of CNN has written an article for February's Newsweek that is a must read for all Canadians, especially our "naysayers". It is in the US Edition and is called a Worthwhile Canadian Initiative. It is an outsider's view of the Canadian Banking system and the Canadian Economy in general. I suggest you have a read and make sure that it gets around. It is time we were less insecure about our position in the World.

However, I am not a total "pollyanna". We are definitely in a recession in Canada, however, unlike the naysayers I don't see us going down the road that the US has travelled, especially in housing. In the States, they talk about the absorption rate of the Housing stock. With the exception of the Toronto Condo Market, if all proposed buildings moved ahead, and they wont, we do not have anywhere near the stock of Housing that exists in the United States. Even though we have had job losses, mortgages have only been available to Canadians with a 31 to 33% Gross Debt Service ratio. In the United States, the GDS ration was once 60% (because of Mortgage deductibility) and now the American lenders are moving to the Canadian standard.

For too long Canadians feel that if it happens in the States, it will happen here. Sometimes your next-door neighbors have different issues, values and goals than you and are more frivolous with their finances. It does not mean that what happens in their home will be repeated in yours and we should stop that assumption.

Read the article and pass it around and if you would like a real eye opener read Leonard Brody's, Everything I Needed to Know about Business- I Learned from a Canadian

By Leonard Brody, David Raffa, Inc NetLibrary

Reposted from: http://torontoism.com/2009/02/22/the-canadian-economy-an-outsiders-viewpoint/