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Royal LePage Niagara R.E. Centre, Brokerage
www.SallyDollar.com to view listings
101 LAKEPORT RD
ST. CATHARINES, ON L2N7L7

Calling all first time buyers! New on the market and ready to sell! This 2 bedroom 1 1/2 storey has a warm cottagey feeling with with woodwork throughout. Updated Canac kitchen, gas fireplace, rec room, sun room and large back deck, large shed with hydro! $179,900. With 5% down and an interest rate of 4.39% - payment as low as $790/m PI. View virtual tour at: http://www.sallydollar.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?ListingID=2235511

Bank of Canada lowers overnight rate target by 1/2 percentage point to 1/2 per cent - OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada today announced that it is lowering its target for the overnight rate by one-half of a percentage point to 1/2 per cent. The operating band for the overnight rate is correspondingly lowered, and the Bank Rate is now 3/4 per cent.
The outlook for the global economy has continued to deteriorate since the Bank's January Monetary Policy Report Update, with weaker-than-expected activity in major economies. The nature of the U.S. recession, with very weak auto and housing sectors, is particularly challenging for Canada.
Stabilization of the global financial system remains a precondition for the global and Canadian economic recoveries. The timely implementation of ambitious plans in some major countries to address toxic assets and recapitalize financial institutions will be critical in this regard.
National accounts data for the fourth quarter of 2008 and other indicators of aggregate demand point to a sharper decline in Canadian economic activity and a larger output gap through the first half of 2009 than projected in January. Potential delays in stabilizing the global financial system, along with larger-than-anticipated confidence and wealth effects on domestic demand, could mean that the output gap will not begin to close until early 2010. These factors imply a slightly lower profile for core inflation than was projected in the January MPRU.
The effects of the recent aggressive monetary and fiscal policy actions in Canada and other major economies will begin to be felt in the second half of this year and will build through 2010. Once the global financial system stabilizes and global growth recovers, the underlying strength of the Canadian economy and financial sector should ensure a more rapid recovery in Canada than in most other industrialized economies.
The Bank's decision to lower its policy rate by 50 basis points today brings the cumulative monetary policy easing to 400 basis points since December 2007. Consistent with returning total CPI inflation to 2 per cent, the target for the overnight rate can be expected to remain at this level or lower at least until there are clear signs that excess supply in the economy is being taken up.
Given the low level of the target for the overnight rate, the Bank is refining the approach it would take to provide additional monetary stimulus, if required, through credit and quantitative easing. In its April Monetary Policy Report, the Bank will outline a framework for the possible use of such measures.
The Bank will continue to monitor carefully economic and financial developments in judging to what extent further monetary stimulus will be required to achieve its 2 per cent inflation target over the medium term.
Information note:
The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is 21 April 2009. A full update of the Bank's outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published in the Monetary Policy Report on 23 April 2009.

What this means for real estate is that ITS A GOOD TIME TO BORROW MONEY! If you were thinking of buying a home, and have a stable income, but are hesitating, because of the bad news of the economy, think again! Buy low! Low interest rates and prices comparable to 2006 home prices say, now is the time. Even if you have to sell your home and get less than you thought you may, you will make it up by buying a home that is cheaper than it was last spring/summer.
Call me - I would be happy to go over the numbers with you.

New legislation in Ontario will likely make it mandatory for all resales to conduct a Home Energy Audit. Executive director Elden Freeman says that many NAGAB members have been providing their client home buyers and sellers with this offering for several years. For sellers and selling agents a Home Energy audit helps distinguish improved homes by pointing out conservation improvements. For buyers, an audit as soon as possible after moving provides for energy savings, government rebates and a higher sale price down the road.

Ontario Home sellers face $300 'green' audit
Ontario residents won't be able to sell their houses or condos without first getting a home energy audit which now costs about $300 under the proposed new Green Energy Act. That's one of several measures in the legislation unveiled by Energy Minister George Smitherman to boost incentives for electricity conservation and encourage renewable sources of energy.The legislation was applauded by environmentalists as ambitious, although the David Suzuki Foundation says its green intent is undermined by government plans to build a new nuclear power plant at Darlington. "Most people expect that electricity prices will be going up," Smitherman told a news conference, adding that there are incentives and government aid under the act to help homeowners improve their energy conservation efforts.While homeowners will have to get a private contractor to do an energy audit before selling, there will be no requirement to take any action the measure is simply intended to inform potential buyers what state of energy efficiency a property is in so they can take action if desired. What we've seen today is still too timid compared to what we need in Ontario," Tabuns said, citing as an example that Portugal now requires solar systems in new houses. The higher cost on electricity bills and many of the 50,000 jobs that the government claims the act will create over three years will stem initially from a $5 billion investment to improve the electricity transmission and distribution grid. Government programs, still in the developmental stages, would provide low-interest or no-interest loans to help homeowners pay for the solar, thermal, ground source heat pumps and micro-wind energy systems that will be promoted under the act, which still requires a vote of the Legislature this spring. February 24, 2009-Toronto Star

How Green Is Your Home, Realtors Ask

Every Canadian home should have a mandatory energy evaluation before it can be put on the market. "Within five years, we hope to have mandatory energy audits right across Canada on every resale home," said Elden Freeman, executive director of the non-profit National Association of Green Agents and Brokers, which has 17,000 members. Freeman has begun talks with Ontario officials in the energy and environment departments about energy evaluations as a way to reduce power consumption. "Weak houses would be forced to improve or sell for less money," he said."There's market demand right across the country.". Real-estate agents and brokers are good at "staging" a home to boost its curb appeal, but rarely mention energy-efficient windows, insulation, low-flow showerheads or high-efficiency furnaces, Freeman said.

Sally Dollar is an accredited "Green Agent" and can show you how easy it is to modify your habits and home to save you money now and in to the future. I have tools such as my "Kila-watt" Meter that I share with my clients free of charge so they can see what devices in their home are costing them to run. I have tons of easy tips and tricks including the Home Energy Conservation Kit that I am providing to my clients and friends as my way of contributing to the Eco Movement. I would love to show you how or hear any tips that you may have to save time/money/electricity/power and the environment.

As we head into the years busiest real estate season, in a changing and more competitive market, ensuring that your home is in its best condition will help attract maximum interest. Here are some tried and true steps to follow:
Begin the purge. Put your house on a diet. Give consideration to the appeal of a tidy and organized house and begin removing or donating both the things that clutter your home and the things you don?t want to move with you. Choose a drawer, shelf or storage bin, and begin streamlining, room-by-room, a little bit at a time. Seasonal changes can create great opportunities for sorting unworn clothes. You?ll be happy to have less on moving day and your closets will look bigger to potential buyers. A garage sale is a great way to purge before your homes first showing.
Fix whats broken or damaged. Determine what house maintenance is in order. To pass a home inspection, certain repairs may be unavoidable. Taking care of these issues now will ease your burden later and improve your sales opportunities. Simple repairs are also well worth the effort. Painting those chipped shutters and replacing the broken banister rail will provide a return in creating the right impression for a timely sale.
Think like a buyer. This can be the hardest step since we love our homes and generally assume others will too. Accept that potential buyers have different tastes and consider hiring a house staging professional or fluffer who can objectively determine what needs to change. Consider basic staging techniques such as removing clutter; putting away personal items like photos and trophies; cleaning and sanitizing inside and out, from top to bottom; freshening and neutralizing your colour scheme; making your entrance way appealing; eliminating pet and food odours; enhancing the illusion of space, beautifying your backyard.

Contact Sally Dollar, Realtor. I am your partner in selling what is likely your largest asset. I can assist you in getting your home prepared for sale and in helping you understand the current buying and selling real estate markets. As an experienced, attentive and committed Realtor, I know the market and can put the strength of an established, leading real estate brand to work for you. Its my goal to help you sell your home in the shortest amount of time possible and at the best possible price.
Alternatively, if you have a friend, relative or colleague, who is considering buying or selling, please tell them about me. Your referrals are genuinely appreciated. I will treat your friends and family with the care they deserve so you can be proud you referred me.

©2009 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund.