Jennifer Zammit's (zammj) Blog

Canadian Dollar and a Rebounding Economy

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:30:36 -0700

OTTAWA - The Canadian economy is bouncing back from the recession stronger than previously believed, despite ongoing worries about the impact of a strong dollar, the Bank of Canada said Thursday as it left interest rates untouched at the lowest level practicable. In July, Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney appeared to go out on a limb in declaring the recession over - one of the first to do so - but now the central bank says even Carney underestimated the rebound. "Stimulative monetary and fiscal policies, improved financial conditions, firmer commodity prices, and a rebound in business and consumer confidence are supporting domestic demand growth in Canada," the bank said in a statement. "Combined with recent information on inventory adjustments and automotive production, this suggests that GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the second half of 2009 could be stronger than the bank projected in July." The unexpected strength will not impact interest rates, however. The bank said it will keep its key policy rate at the 0.25 per cent until at least next July, as it promised to do in the spring. The strength in the domestic economy was borne out by July trade numbers that suggest the return of spending by Canadian consumers, with an 8.3 per cent pop in imports. The troubled export sector didn't fare badly either, gaining 3.3 per cent - 5.9 per cent in volume terms - on the back of auto production. All this was done at a time when the Bank of Canada had been repeatedly warning about the impact on exports of a dollar persistently above 90 cents US, well beyond the bank's expectations of about 86 cents. "To me it shows the bank is increasingly confident in the view... the recession is over and the economy is turning the corner," said Douglas Porter, chief economist with the BMO Capital Markets. "I also think they are slowly but surely downgrading their concern about the currency. I think they just want to make sure it doesn't get way out of line and that's just part of what the verbal assault is aimed at, and they've been somewhat successful at that."" The Bank of Canada gave no new estimates of growth for the second half of this year beyond the prediction it will be stronger than it initially forecast in July. At that time, the bank said the current third quarter would bounce back modestly by 1.3 per cent and the second quarter would rebound to three per cent growth. Most economists now expect the third quarter will see growth between 2.5 and three per cent. The bigger worry, said Scotiabank economist Derek Holt, is what happens next year. Ironically, he says, a bigger immediate bounce could result in weaker growth to come. Holt said he believes many Canadian companies, with the exception of the auto sector, remain stuck with a significant backlog of unsold product and are not yet poised to ramp up production. "That means... any recovery in Canadian production and export activity is likely to remain seriously muted and delayed in comparison to other countries," he said. The bank's statement suggests Carney is still worried about the impact of the dollar on growth in the export sector - primarily autos, auto parts and forestry - but possibly not as much as in the past. "In its conduct of monetary policy at low interest rates, the bank retains considerable flexibility, consistent with the framework outlined in (April)," the Thursday statement read. The April framework was a reference to increasing the money supply through quantitative easing. But Porter noted caution came at the tail of the one-page statement and is more tamely phrased than in previous warnings. He said there was almost zero chance that Carney would intervene in the currency trading, hoping his remarks will be sufficient to keep the dollar from rising too high, too fast. So far, he said, words appear to be working. The dollar was up slightly in morning trading Thursday, gaining 0.07 of a cent to 92.58 cents US.

Home Upgrades With The Best Returns

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:11:09 -0700

Let's face it - the real estate market is still in trouble. While we wait for things to improve, you may want to consider only those changes or upgrades that will guarantee to pay off later when it's time to sell. So, which home improvement projects will give you the most bang for your buck? Here are our top 6: Painting Painting, inside or out, offers the most dramatic results for the least investment. If you plan to hire a professional, you should expect to pay anywhere from $3600 - $6000 for an average interior (2400 sq. ft.) and $5000 or more for the exterior. Landscaping A person will make a decision about your home in 8 seconds -- starting with it's curb appeal. Focus on the yard from the curb to the front door. If budget is an issue, spend most of it on perennials that come back year after year. Windows New windows not only add to curb appeal, they will save you money on your utility bill and make it more energy efficient. Although it can be a big investment, you can be sure to realize a 81% return. Remember: be sure to check with your accountant as you may be eligible for a tax credit. Bathrooms New fixtures can provide a solid return on your investment (68-78%). It is important to think long-term, however, and not get too trendy. A jacuzzi will never make or break a sale! If a new tub is not in the budget, resurfacing is a great option. Kitchens The most important thing to remember when remodeling your kitchen, is to stick to high-quality fixtures (stainless steel and granite). The biggest mistake that most homeowners make is to splurge on fancy appliances and fixtures in smaller homes. You can be sure that you will never get your money back. Basements If done right, a basement renovation will be the best investment you can make in order to increase the value of your home. It can also reap the greatest return -- anywhere from 50 to 100% depending on the quality of the materials. Before you consider any remodel, however, make sure you start with a dry basement and call in the pros if necessary. Upgrades to avoid include: boldly colored finishes and materials or loud patterns -- they can be a put-off to many prospective buyers; tennis courts, basketball courts and swimming pools - they take up too much space and not everyone is a sports fan; wall-to-wall carpeting - wood floors in good condition are usually more desirable; home offices - especially if it eliminates a bedroom; concrete patios - those that are utilitarian can be unattractive, are guaranteed to crack and almost impossible to repair.

Bernadette Flaim, and her partner, Susan Corbo are Interior Redesign and Professional Organizing Specialists as well as Accredited Home Staging Professionals. Their Leonia, NJ-based business, Attention2Detail, provides quality interior redesign, professional organizing and real estate staging solutions for homes and businesses throughout the NY metropolitan area. They can skillfully refresh, refocus and redesign any space, residential or commercial. Whatever the need, the results will be simply amazing! Attention2Detail can dramatically enhance any environment - beautifully reflecting your taste and lifestyle, while meeting all of your design objectives!

Replacing Windows

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:08:16 -0700

Improve the appearance of your homeNothing improves the appearance of an older home like new windows. Whether you're planning to sell your home, or are just sprucing up the place, you can be confident knowing that you're improving the appearance and value of your home, and the neighborhood. In addition to improving your home's appearance, replacing your old windows can also reduce your heating and cooling costs. Much energy is lost by single-paned windows through the glass and through air leaks around loose-fitting components. Just run the back of your hand around a window on a cold and windy day - you can feel the cool air movement. Stop that air flow, and your home will be more comfortable and energy efficient. The best replacement windows will include features such as double or triple-glazing with argon or krypton gas between the layers, heat reflective or Low-E coatings. These can substantially reduce your heating/cooling bill. Look for the Energy Star logo. In a Consumer Reports consumer rating for replacement windows, the two models rated as Best Buys were the Pella ProLine and the Anderson 200 Series Tilt Wash. Vinyl replacement windows are the most popular choice. Vinyl is water-proof, color-fast, and never needs painting. Vinyl windows are also the least expensive. Alternatives include fiberglass, wood, vinyl-clad wood, and aluminum. In addition to the cost savings, new windows are easier to maintain. Modern windows can be cleaned from inside the home - much safer and more convenient, especially for upstairs windows. And clean windows enhance the view of the outdoors and brighten the indoor space. Be creative with replacement windowsNew windows offer you the opportunity to be creative - to completely change the look of your house. Take a look at such possibilities as bay or bow windows, windows with side lights or palladian windows. Designer glazing with frosted areas, or other designs, can give your home a different look. What to look forThere are many choices of replacement windows on the market. One issue with buying replacement windows is choosing the type that best fits the architecture of your home. If you are uncertain about the best window style, you may want to consult an architect or home designer to determine what type(s) of windows would be best for you. A professional could also be of assistance in helping you comply with local building codes. In addition, an expert can show you possibilities that may significantly improve the appeal and value of your home - possibilities that you may not have considered on your own. Many now have computer software that can show your house with different window treatments. Even if you plan to install the windows yourself, a few tips from a pro could save you some time and effort - maybe some money too. Before making a final selection, you might want to visit a showroom to see them in a typical installation. There you can see just how they operate, and you can ask about maintenance, warranties, etc. In your investigation, be sure to check out what the vendor is offering. Does he/she perform the installation himself, or hire a sub-contractor to do the work? Is the installation crew a local company? How long have they been installing windows? Who is responsible for warranty work? Does the local dealer cover factory defects as well as installation errors? It's in your best interest to identify and resolve any potential problems before they happen. Ask the dealer or installation crew for the names of some recent customers. Give them a call and ask how satisfied they are with the product and the installation.

Cleaning Drapes

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:05:15 -0700

Cleaning fine draperies can be easy and needs only to be done approximately once every three to six months. You invest a lot of money in the draperies in your home, and it only makes sense that a little time every so often to keep them in good shape. Most of the problems with draperies are caused by household dust settling on them. If you have children, food stains and spots can happen from messy little hands, but this is easily resolved as well. Check the Labels on your draperies and clean according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you can find them, try to use cleaners that are natural, colorless, odorless, non toxic and biodegradable. A water soluble is a good option also. By following these guidelines, you will avoid harmful or toxic chemicals and residues to pets and children. For cleaning draperies, it may not always be possible to find natural products, however, if you can use natural cleaning products, you will be less likely to be left with a strong chemical smell and you won't have to block off your house for hours after you clean. Try to select cleaners that are perfume free when cleaning your draperies. There are also some fine products out there that are not necessarily all natural, but when used according to the manufacturer's instructions, can be a fine way to clean your draperies. Monthly maintenance of your draperies is a good idea. You should vacuum once every couple of weeks. More often if need be. Try to remove the dirt and dust on a regular basis and it won't accumulate into a problem. Make sure that your vacuum is in good working condition. Make sure your vacuum bag is not over-full, as this will make your problem worse instead of better. Spot cleaning your draperies is also a good maintenance idea!

Putting Your Summer Garden To Bed For Winter

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:58:17 -0700

The blooms of summer are gone but fall can be an equally beautiful time for gardens. It's also the time to get things ready for winter. Master gardener Joe Lamp'l shares some tips on "putting your garden to bed." Don't think of fall as just the end of the current growing season; it is the start of next year's garden as well. Along with the pleasure of enjoying the garden in the cooler fall temperatures there are important duties that should be addressed as we clean up and clear out. It is also the best time of year to get our gardens in shape for next spring and the growing season beyond. In fact, I look at this time of year as the start of my next year's gardening season. Putting the garden to bed each fall is important for a number of reasons. Besides the obvious of cleaning and tidying up for aesthetic appeal, it's important for reasons that are not so obvious as well. A great spring garden next season begins with steps you should take now. Cutting back and cleaning upMany pests and diseases will persist in the soil and plant debris over winter, if they're given the opportunity. Removing spent annuals and vegetable plants from the garden, improves our chance of eliminating numerous future pest and diseases that would otherwise survive on that dead plant material. As you clean up your fall garden, include the following in your garden to-do list: Cut back perennials. These plants will come back next year because the roots survive, even though the growth above ground dies. Cutting off the dead and spent foliage a few inches above the ground in the fall will not harm the plant. Remove spent annuals and seasonal vegetables. Unlike perennials, annuals do not come back from season to season so there is no reason to leave these in the ground. Pull them up, roots and all, and add them to your compost pile. Remove weeds and leaf debris. These are common places for diseases and pests over winter. The less hospitable you can make the garden for winter hardy pests, the fewer problems you'll have come spring. Compost only the healthy material. As you remove debris from you fall cleanup projects, be sure to add only the pest-free and non-diseased plants to your compost. Destroy any diseased plant material or remove it from you garden. Pathogens and insect pests can winter-over and return next year in a compost pile that doesn't get hot enough. Protect and prepare Take pictures and make notes. As the garden winds down for the season, there is still time to document what was growing there. This is especially helpful for perennials you will be cutting back for the season. As you add more plants, having a record of what was planted will allow you to avoid injuring dormant perennials. Notes are also a great way to document what worked and what didn't. While it is fresh in your mind this is a great time to gather you thoughts. Winterize containers. Not all plants or containers are able to withstand the winter outdoors. Containers can freeze and crack and non-hardy plants quickly die when roots are not underground. Either bring them indoors or at least to an area protected from winds and extreme temperatures. A garage or basement works well in many cases. For added protection, you might want to wrap the container in blankets or plastic wrap, several layers thick. You don't want to encourage new growth during this time, so don't add fertilizer and keep water to a minimum. Get a soil test. Fall is a great time to find out important information about your soil. Most reports include details such as pH level and nutrient analysis. Knowing this information in the fall is the perfect time to act on any deficiencies or amendments that may be necessary. Amend the soil with natural organic materials (homemade compost, manure, blood meal, bone meal, cottonseed meal, greensand, etc). Organic amendments are a great way to improve the long term health of your soil. By adding them in the fall, they have time to break down into a form that plants can use, just in time for spring. Organic material is not only optimal for adding nutrients in a safe way, it also improves the overall quality of soil as well. Structure, texture and tilth are all terms used to describe soil quality. Organic material is an easy way to achieve all the desirable qualities of healthy, productive soil. Add mulch. A fall layer of mulch provides a protective layer over plant's roots and protects evergreen foliage from soil borne diseases splashing back to the plant. In colder climates, mulch should be added after the ground freezes. This will help prevent frost heave and keep soil temperatures more even, while protecting roots. Protect trees and shrubs from pests. Fall is an excellent time to protect your trees and shrubs from certain potential pests next spring. Many damaging insects become active again in early spring, often times before we've had a chance to take action. Systemic insecticides applied to the soil as a drench are taken up by the roots and can be effective for many months. By applying a systemic agent in the fall, the active ingredient will be present in the plant or tree in spring when pest begin to feed again. It's an easy and more environmentally friendly way to control certain pests all year, but especially in early spring. Plant for next seasonFall is also the very best time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, winter annuals, bulbs and cool season vegetables. The soil is warm and the air is cool, so less energy is required of the plant overall. Some annuals such as pansies and snapdragons are ideal for fall planting. Color in the colder months is still possible with the right selections. However, making sure you add them to your garden before the soil gets too cold is important. The warmer soil will allow roots to become established and give the plants a better chance of looking their best. Shrubs can also add color and structure to your garden in fall, just when much of the garden is going dormant. Shrubs with late season flowers such as Blue Mist Shrub (Caryopteris), Scotch Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and shrubs with colorful fruit like Nandina, Pyracantha and American Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) extend interest throughout the season. Evergreen azaleas are also a popular choice, especially the new repeat blooming varieties of Encore azaleas. They bloom in both spring and fall, and by planting now, next fall's display is even better as the plants have more time to become established in the ground. Although not winter hardy in all parts of the country, some gardeners treat them as annuals or over winter them indoors in zones 5 and above. Ornamental grasses and perennials such as Chrysanthemum, Joe Pye Weed, Sedum, and Asters extend the colorful display. By planting them in the fall they have the best chance to grow bigger and better every year. So, while you are putting your garden to bed for the winter, envision the pleasure next spring will bring.

August Stats for London and St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:54:46 -0700

August stabilizing Last month, 747 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), a 2 per-cent decrease over August 2008. This includes 600 detached homes (down 1.2 per cent from August 2008) and 147 condos (down 5.2 per cent from August 2008). Year-to-date 4,619 detached homes and 1,069 condos have been sold - down 8.4 per cent and 18.2 per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2008. Sales in St. Thomas doing well - 75 homes exchanged hands in August 2009, a 50 per cent increase over August 2008. The average residential price year-to-date in St. Thomas is $183,571 a 1.2 per-cent decrease over last year. Poulopoulos says that both the number of sales and average price are stabilizing with sales only down 2% over last year and average price up .3% year-to-date from 2008. This is good news. "Homebuyers recognize that interest rates and prices have bottomed out, and are taking advantage of excellent affordability before prices and interest rates move higher," says Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) President, Dale Ripplinger. "Home sales through the MLS® systems in July provide clear evidence that sentiment about making major purchases continues to improve," says CREA's Chief Economist Gregory Klump. "Activity may level out over the rest of the year as home prices and mortgage lending interest rates creep higher." The number of sales and average prices year-to-date for August 2009 were: Type Units Sold Average Price $$ Change from YTD 2008 Total Detached 4619 $225,751 .7% decrease Total Condo 1069 $156,815 2.3% increase Total Residential 5688 $212,795 .3% increase The average residential price year-to-date for August 2009 is $212,795. The following table compares year-end average home prices in LSTAR's jurisdiction over the past 10 years: Year Prices 2008 $210,888 2007 $202,256 2006 $188,942 2005 $178,058 2004 $166,138 2003 $152,586 2002 $142,106 2001 $136,636 2000 $134,593 1999 $131,899 August residential sales year-to-date over the last 10 years: Year Sales 2009 5688 2008 6350 2007 7009 2006 6494 2005 6401 2004 6567 2003 5913 2002 5968 2001 5209 2000 4804 The best-selling house style in LSTAR's jurisdiction for the month of August was the two-storey, followed by the bungalow, the ranch, and the townhouse condo: House Style Units Sold Average Price 2 storey 172 $292,569 Bungalow 143 $171,548 Ranch 83 $248,957 Townhouse Condo 76 $152,183 Homes in LSTAR's jurisdiction continue to maintain their affordability compared to other major Ontario and Canadian centres. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association's Residential MLS Report for July 2009 (the most current available), the average price year-to-date for: 􀂃 London and St. Thomas was $213,932; 􀂃 Calgary was $379,192; 􀂃 Durham Region was $274,585; 􀂃 Edmonton was $320,164; 􀂃 Hamilton-Burlington and District was $285,858; 􀂃 Kitchener-Waterloo was $273,895; 􀂃 Ottawa was $299,961; 􀂃 St. Catharines & District was $218,287; 􀂃 Toronto was $386,329; and 􀂃 Greater Vancouver was $568,021. The London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® is a professional organization committed to serving the real estate needs of the community and to providing its Members with the services and education required to promote excellence, knowledge and a high standard of ethics and business practices. The Association's jurisdiction includes Middlesex and Elgin Counties, home to nearly 500,000 residents. The Multiple Listing Service® is a cooperative marketing system used only by Canada's real estate boards and associations to ensure maximum exposure of properties for sale. All of LSTAR's listings may be found on the public website at www.REALTOR

Prepping Your Home For Sale

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:38:37 -0700

Space sells. In home staging one of the goals is to make small spaces seem more... well... spacious. Here are some tips to make a small room seem bigger. Clear out the clutter! Can't reinforce this enough. Less is more. If a shelf is completely full then nothing on it stands out and it gives the impression that there is not an inch of spare space. A buyer will think that there is no room for their belongings in the home. Pack up the collections. Create small groupings of two or three items and have tons of free space to show off shiny surfaces. Which leads me to the next tip... Make it shine, all of it. Surfaces should sparkle and reflect light. Pearly or light paints on walls are another bonus. We've all heard that light paint makes rooms look larger. It's tried and true. How about making walls look taller? Make the room look bigger still by hanging window treatments as close to the ceiling as possible all the way down to the floor. It is very dramatic! Clean your windows (everything shines and sparkles remember).Â Be sure to let in the light and expand the view by opening blinds and curtains during showings. Views and space help sell a home. This is one people have trouble with, make sure the furniture is to scale with the room.Â Too big of furniture can dominate a room. Too small can look cheap or out of place. Make sure there is space to walkÂ with a good traffic pattern. Professional interior designers and home stagers will choose the right furniture for the room and arrange it in the best way possible

Tips For Adjusting Children To A New School

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:33:52 -0700

Whether your child is moving to a new neighborhood or making the leap to middle or high school, the first few weeks may be filled with anxiety as well as excitement. These 10 tips will help your child make a smooth transition to your new school. 1. Make it a team effort. If you're choosing among a few schools, talk with your child about what each school has to offer. When it comes time to select specific classes, make sure your child is part of the process. 2. Keep a positive focus. As the first day draws near, begin talking to your child about her expectations, hopes and fears for the upcoming school year. Reassure her that other children are having the same feelings and that she's sure to have a great year. Present school as a place where she'll learn new things and make friends. 3. Encourage school involvement. Though you don't want your teenager to become over-committed, it's important to encourage participation in one or two activities that particularly interest him. He's more likely to engaged academically if he feels connected through a school activity, club or sport. Talk to him about his goals for the school year and how he might like to be involved in school outside of the classroom. 4. Get enough z's. If your child has enjoyed a vacation of late nights and lazy mornings, getting him up for school on the first day can be difficult. Help make this transition easier by starting his school-year sleep routine a week or two in advance. 5. Take a trial run. Take some time before the start of school to make sure you and your child know where to go and what to do on that first morning. Show your child where the bus stop is, or, if she walks, map out the safest route to school, avoiding vacant lots and places where there aren't a lot of people. Warn your child to always walk with a friend and scout out safe houses to go to in case of emergency. If you can find out what classroom your child will be in, visit the classroom ahead of time so she knows exactly where to go in the morning. You may even want to call the school in advance to find out about any special first-day procedures. 6. Stock up on supplies. On or before the first day of school, make sure you or your child finds out what school supplies and materials are required. Most schools should provide a handy list for the lower grades, but if not, take it upon yourself to ask and then purchase the items as soon as possible. Middle and high school students should bring a notebook and pen or pencil on the first day. 7. Prepare the night before. To avoid the morning rush, organize what you can the night before. Lay out clothes, make a lunch and assemble any supplies your child may need. Be sure to get everyone up extra early so you'll have plenty of time to calmly get ready and get out the door on time. 8. Get a healthy start. Encourage your child to eat a good breakfast and pack a healthy snack to help her get through the day. 9. Accompany your little one. Even if your elementary school child will be riding the bus regularly or walking to school, you may want to take him yourself on the first day, particularly if he seems nervous. 10. Introduce yourselves. Young children are often shy with a new teacher. If you take your child to school on the first day, you might want to go into the classroom and introduce your child to the teacher. Let the teacher know about any special interests or challenges that your child has. Reading books together about school is a good way to establish the reading habit and to start conversations about school excitement and fears. Gook luck!

The Law of Polarity - London, Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:19:41 -0700

The Law of Polarity states that nothing can exist without its opposite. If hate exists in someone, then love must exist as well. If you see low potential in someone, then high potential must also exist in that person. "Failure" in life must be accompanied by the seeds of success. If something is really awful, then the possibility must exist for it to be awesome! Further, the Law of Polarity states that, in fact, these opposites are simply different manifestations of the same thing! When you hear successful people talk about how they got where they are, what do you hear? Do they say that they just opened their eyes one morning and success was all around them? No, their stories are full of how their failures taught them and directed them toward success. You may have heard the story about the young man who asked the wise man, "How did you get to be so wise?" "By making wise choices," the wise man answered. "How did you know they were wise choices?" the young man countered. "Why, by experience, of course," the old man replied. "How did you get experience?" the young man asked. "By making poor choices!" the wise old man exclaimed. Knowing that every challenging experience contains the seeds of its opposite (success) makes life a constant learning experience and a great adventure. Challenge yourself this week to find the learning or the opportunity in every single event in your life.

Puppy Pawlooza in London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:48:22 -0700

Puppy Pawlooza... the name says it all! It's a festival for dogs!We have a star-studded lineup of fun activities for you and your canine friend. Pawlooza has rows of vendors selling unique items for your dog and cat... many of Ontario's rescue organizations will be showcasing their furry friends that are up for adoption... there are free puppy trick classes, free dog obedience classes, free trick demos, free pet psychic demos, doggie dock diving, free agility demos, free pet nutrition demos, free first aid demos, and free dog safety demos for children. There are also food vendors, live music, a children's play and craft area... and lots of prizes, contests, free samples, a silent auction area, and more! Check out our events and contests page for more info.Pawlooza is a fundraising initiative by two not-for-profit organizations : the Animal Rescue Foundation and Leads. All of the time put into planning and running the festival is donated and all of the proceeds of the event are split between ARF and Leads. Go To www.pawlooza.com for more details.

How Do We Identify Time Wasters

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:40:55 -0700

This month I was dealing with a couple who came into my office responding to a Homes and Land magazine ad. For two weeks, they attended the office every morning where I would go over potential listings for their specific property requirements. I put them under contract and then proceeded to keep helping them. When they would find something they thought would work (based on the property size) they would have me set up an appointment and we would go and view the interior together. These were all rural properties so it would take me up to the entire afternoon to see three. We probably viewed about 12 altogether over the period of time. They connected with my mortgage broker and all seemed well. They narrowed it down to 2 properties and decided to put an offer on one that was $25K less than listing. They told me it was negotiable. The offer signed back halfway and I thought they would be excited. Instead I got a "no - thats not acceptable." The other agent explained that after mortgage and commissions the Seller would have nothing left however her children banded together and came up with another $5K to close the gap and I still got a "no". It became clear to me that my clients were being unreasonable, they had no intention of dealing with the Offer and it was just a waste of time. When I discussed this with the Broker for advise on how to identify these types, I was told that it appeared that they were just using me to entertain them as they were in town for the summer and leaving for Arizona in September. These were retirees. How do you identify them - what are the markers? Please help me not get caught in this trap again. Advice?

Tips On Reducing Heating and Cooling Demands - From London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:59:18 -0700

Here in London Ontario, we get snow in the winter and some pretty hot and humid days in the summer. These can be pretty demanding on our HVAC systems. Here are some tips on reducing the demand. We also currently have a government sponsored renovation tax credit that will pay you back up to $1350 on home renovations up to $10,000 in value. There is a pretty wide berth on what you can do but primarily it has stimulated the door/window and blown cellulose insulation industries. Here are some tips that will help reduce the load on your heating and cooling systems so that they do not have to work so hard, resulting in further reductions of your heating and cooling costs. Insulating - In the summer, the attic is the first layer of defense between your homes living space and the sun. In the winter, the attic is the final layer between your heated air and the frigid air outdoors. The most economical thing you can do is to add additional layers of insulation to your attic or have more insulation blown in. As insulation ages and compacts, its R value drops, so even if your home was insulated well when it was built 30 to 40 years ago, it needs to be topped off to compensate for natural compression and also to make up for the fact that utility costs have risen dramatically since the time the home was built. Attic Ventilation - During the summer, your attic crawl space can easily exceed 130 degrees. Proper venting, such as installing a 'ridge vent' can be helpful in allowing the heat at the attic's highest level to more easily escape. Another great method is to install solar powered exhaust vents that only turn on at 100 degrees or higher and use only the power of the sun to provide this extra ventilation. Since there is no wiring necessary, any basic carpenter or handyman can install this for of vent. Exhaust Systems - Your bathroom fans, stovetop fans and clothes drier are all items that exhaust your heated or cooled air outside, requiring that air to be drawn in from the outside, resulting in hot humid air or cold frigid air being sucked into your home when you least desire it. For your clothes drier, on extreme temperature days, such as summer days at 90 degrees and greater or on winter days at 20 degrees or lower, do not use the clothes drier during the extreme end of that days temperature cycle. For example, in the summer, the heat of the day peaks between 3pm and 6pm, so run your drier earlier in the morning or much later at night. Likewise in the winter, the night temperatures may be frigid and drop into the single digits. Run your clothes drier only during the afternoon and early evening when the air is the warmest of the day. For your bathroom exhaust fans, replace the simple on/off switch with a timed switching device of no more than 30 minutes. It is necessary to ventilate the bathroom, but it's totally wasteful to find that the exhaust fan ran all day while at work, etc. For your stovetop exhaust fan, during the winter, only use this fan if you have actual smoke to exhaust. Do not use it to exhaust steam since your home already lacks moisture in the winter and so the steam will perform no harm and will actually improve breathing conditions in the home. In the summer, this line of thinking is reversed since you definitely do want to exhaust the steam, so in the summer, be sure to run the fans to exhaust the steam and smoke and do your best to remember to turn them off when not in use. Temperature Settings - If you raise of lower the temperature settings too much in order to save energy, it can become uncomfortable in your home and that can only lead to associating energy efficiency with something that is undesirable...and then you might stop being efficient altogether. Heating systems are generally designed to provide your home with the capacity to maintain 70 degrees indoors when it's 0 degrees outdoors. By eliminating drafts and simply wearing long sleeve shirts during the winter, you can easily reduce your homes temperature setting to 65 degrees and be totally comfortable. Any lower than that and you may start feeling uncomfortable. Cooling systems are generally designed to provide your home with the capacity to maintain 75 degrees indoors when it's 95 degrees outdoors. Since the main discomfort issue in the summer is humidity, you can be comfortable in your home at higher temperatures since the homes humidity levels are reduced when running the air conditioner. By eliminating unnecessary exhaust and door openings and closings, you could increase your homes temperature setting to 78 or 80 and be totally comfortable if you dress lightly and keep drapes drawn that favor the suns side of your home. For either heating or cooling, you can alter the temperature settings from 5 to 10 degrees max for when you are not going to be at home for 8 to 12 hours. Making an alteration of any greater amount only leads to your system overworking to recover and this is inefficient. If you are going to be away for days, you can reduce the heating to 55 degrees or raise the cooling to 90 degrees and this will prevent freezing issues or baking issues. Note: I find that many individuals turn off their central air conditioning when not at home and then will often return to their sweltering home later that day. In the same way that you would not turn off your heat, don't turn off the AC if you are retuning later that day. Instead, set the thermostat to 90 degrees and allow it to maintain that temperature so that the unit does not have to work so hard to remove all the moisture and humidity at days end when the outdoor temperatures are excessive and outdoor humidity levels have peaked.

Tips on Striking The Work/Home Balance

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:52:43 -0700

Tip #1: The 2/3 rule of childcare One of the most frequent comments home-based entrepreneurs hear is, "Oh, that's great. You work from home-you have no childcare expense." Anyone who says this to you obviously hasn't tried this arrangement! While most work at home parents do enjoy spending more time with their children, it's tough to run a business and meet your children's needs 24/7. Pitching an idea to a client while your two year old throws a tantrum isn't exactly professional. Nor is it realistic for you to ask your children to "be good" for hours at a time while you work. If you worked in an office outside the home, you wouldn't take your kids to work with you-they would be bored and distract you. It's no different when you work from home. The 2/3 rule of childcare is a good compromise. For example, if you work 24 hours a week, plan to have someone care for your child 16 hours. This will guarantee you some uninterrupted time to do the work that requires intense concentration, attend meetings or have phone conversations. Plus, with the right provider, your child will enjoy spending time with other children and learning new things-instead of watching you work. For the remaining 8 hours you need to put in per week, decide when is the most realistic time to do it-nap time, in the morning before the kids wake up, after they go to bed or when your spouse gets home. Don't be afraid to experiment-you may need to find out by "trial and error" which arrangement works best for you and your family. Tip #2: Declare some evenings "work-free" It is far too easy to always be working when you work from home. Your computer is just steps away. So is your business line, your fax machine, and your "to do" pile. Draw limits-remember, just because you work from home doesn't mean you should be "on-call" twenty-four hours a day. If your business line rings after your scheduled hours, don't answer it. If you suddenly think of a work task you need to do, jot it down and put a note on your desk. Now you can stop worrying that you'll forget the task by tomorrow. Schedule a couple nights each week just to relax. Watch a movie, go shopping, play a game with your children, go to a park, and enjoy your friends and family. Whenever possible, leave the house. Since you spend the majority of your time in your home-either working or taking care of your children-you need a change of scenery to keep you fresh. Tip#3: Use your laptopEven if you don't work five days a week, you need to stay connected to your work world on your "off" days. With the real-time speed of the internet, potential clients and customers expect quick replies. Make it a habit to check your email in the morning and the afternoon. Use a laptop and take it to where your kids are playing or watching TV. Check your email, catch up on industry news and browse your newsgroups. Since you are physically present, your kids won't feel you have abandoned them and you can spend a few minutes catching up. Tip #4: Pretend you work 10 miles away. When working from home, distractions are all around you. It's really easy to see all the things you need to do around the house and walk away from your work, promising yourself you'll just do the dishes or vacuum the living room. The problem is that once you start doing this, you keep finding other tasks you "need" to do, instead of working. So don't start them! Working at home requires discipline and commitment. Set yourself up for success. Make sure your office looks like one. Frame your diploma and any certificates you've received and hang them on the wall. When you're in your office, shut the door. If household noises distract you, turn on a sound machine. If you prefer music, listen to internet radio-you can choose the type of music you want to listen too, plus there are no distracting commercials! If your home phone line rings, ignore it. Say no when a friend asks you to watch her kids "since you're home." If you are ever in doubt how to handle something, ask yourself, "would I be able to do this if my office was in another building 10 miles away?" If you can't say yes, then say no. Tip#5: Enjoy your off-daysDon't spend all your "days off" catching up on laundry or running errands. Periodically schedule "field trips" with your children (and spouse if they're able.) Go to a museum, the park, or a friend's house. Be flexible. Every once in a while laze around in your pajamas, just like the kids, and watch cartoons with them. Do yoga with your kids or bring them to the gym with you. Running a business and raising children can drain your energy. Get a workout in several times a week to keep up your stamina. Avoid being consumed by your "busy-ness." Embrace the flexibility you have in your life-you may not always have such a luxury as your business grows. Tip#6: Prepare for the unexpectedIt's going to happen at some point or another-your babysitter skips town without notice or one of your kids has a stomach virus and can't go to school. As luck would have it, this usually happens on a busy day when you are on a tight deadline. While your world may have stopped because your child is sick, no one else's has. The key to getting work done on days like these is to spend a large chunk of time giving your children your undivided attention. If they are well, go on a special outing with them-take a walk or go to a playground. If they're sick, play a game or do a puzzle. If you give them 100% of your attention for a couple hours, they are much more likely to play by themselves later so you can get your work done. When you begin your work, allow your children to watch a special movie, play with a favorite toy, draw, or let them do an easy craft. They will enjoy the special activity, and you will meet your deadlines. The Right MixWhen you effectively meet the needs of your business and your children, you will experience less stress and gain confidence in your abilities as both an entrepreneur and a parent. Realize that occasionally one of the plates you're spinning will become heavier than the rest and your life will temporarily become unbalanced. That's normal. But by following these 6 tips, you will achieve harmony that allows you, your family and your business to prosper.

London Ontario Continues To Prosper

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:09:03 -0700

A report on the state of downtown London to be presented to the City of London planning committee Monday (July 20), paints a prosperous picture for the city's core.The report was released Friday (July 17), and shows more than 1,000 building permits worth $320 million have been issued for downtown London since London City Council adopted its Millennium Plan for downtown renewal in 1998.The State of the Downtown Report, also notes that since 2001 private builders have invested $150 million in new residential construction and a further $50 million in building upgrades. The number of Londoners living downtown jumped from 2,510 in 1996 to 3,430 in 2006, a 37 per cent increase."Economic indicators for income, labour force participation and education ... point toward a growing affluence in the residential population downtown," the report states.Other highlights of the report:*Current Value Assessment has increased 22% since the 1990s.*The proportion of 20 to 44 year olds (58%) is much greater downtown than in the rest of the city (36%).*Almost 50% of the downtown work force is employed in business, finance and administration or sales and service.*Some 42% of downtown residents walk or bike to work. Another 14% use public transit.*An average of 11 new businesses open every year.*Office vacancy rates have fallen from 25% in 1993 to 15% in 2008."The Millennium Plan worked and it worked as planned," said Janette MacDonald, manager of MainStreet London. "Downtown London is the envy of many communities and, while there is still much work to be done, we are pleased with the results so far."City officials said the report will provide valuable background information as the city hosts a series of Public Visioning Sessions to discuss the new Downtown Master Plan. That plan intends to build upon recent successes downtown and establish a framework for ongoing revitalization.The first visioning session will be held Wednesday, July 29, at Museum London from 6 to 9 p.m. To read the terms of reference for The Master Plan, visit online (see link).

Yelp.Com for London, Ontario - Refer Your New Clients Here For Most Cities

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:35:41 -0700

Check out this website. You can refer your clients to it and it will provide most services locally to that location and it maps it out for you as well. It is good for United States and Canada. http://www.yelp.ca/search?find_desc=&find_loc=London+Ontario&rpp=10&cflt=realestate

Prices Up in London, Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:42:18 -0700

July sales down, but prices up Last month, 904 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), a 4.8-per-cent decrease over July 2008. This includes 734 detached homes (down 1.2 per cent from July 2008) and 170 condos (down 17.9 per cent from July 2008). Year to date, 4,026 detached homes and 923 condos have been sold - down 9.3 per cent and 19.9 per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2008. Sales in St. Thomas continue to stabilize - 72 homes exchanged hands in July 2009, a 2.9-per-cent increase over July 2008. The average residential price year-to-date in St. Thomas is $183,571, a 1.3-per-cent decrease over last year. "Although July sales decreased 4.8 per cent over the same period last year, the average residential price for July 2009 actually increased by 4.1 per cent to $219,260," says Joe Hough, LSTAR President. "Year-to-date for July 2009, the total residential average price is up 0.2% to $213,002, compared with an increase of 1.5% in June ($211,583), a decline of 1.2% in May, 1.8% in April, 2.7% in March, 2.4% in February and 2.8% in January." "Sales momentum remains strong going into the second half of 2009," says Dale Ripplinger, President of The Canadian Real Estate Association. "Chances are good that the number of transactions in the second half of 2009 will surpass levels in the first half of the year."

The number of sales and average prices year-to-date for July 2009 were: Type	Units Sold	Average Price	$$ Change from YTD 2008
Total Detached	4,026	$226,225	-0.7%
Total Condo	923	$155,326	1.2%
Total Residential	4,949	$213,002	0.2%

Safety On The Job - London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 07:05:35 -0700

Yesterday a Realtor doing an Open House in London Ontario. Here are some tips from OREA regarding saftey on the job. REALTORS® face more on-the-job risks than many other business professionals because of your frequent contact with strangers in various public and private places. We are committed to helping REALTORS® stay safe while working with prospects and clients. Learn how to be safe at open houses, in your car, at the office and showing properties. Here are the of the basic safety rules you should follow every day: Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times. Don't put your home phone number on your business card. Never advertise a property as vacant. Always take your own car for showings. Let potential buyers take the lead when exploring a home, with you following behind. Always have new clients meet you at your office the first time. Find out as much as you can about prospects. Know your sales area. Preview the property. Trust your instincts. If you're suspicious, it's better to walk away from a listing or a showing.

Harmonized Tax Will Slam New Homebuyers - London, Ontario Canada

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:59:01 -0700

Ontario's new homebuyers would face a massive tax grab under the proposed harmonization of the federal GST and Ontario PST, a new report released today concludes. The report on the implications for sales tax harmonization on new home buyers in Ontario was written by veteran housing analyst Frank Clayton, PhD, of Canada's largest independent real estate consulting and advisory firm Altus Group, for the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD). BILD is the Greater GTA affiliate of the Ontario Home Builders' Association. The report looked at nine Ontario municipalities and three different home types. It revealed tax increases for single detached homes ranging from $8,957 (Windsor) to $17,049 (Ottawa) in markets outside the GTA, and from $24,566 (Mississauga) to a whopping $46,676 (Toronto) within the GTA. "All told, harmonization of PST and GST without any offsetting measures by the provincial government would rip $2.4 billon dollars out of the pockets of new home buyers, slamming the homeownership door shut in the face of many Ontarians," said Stephen Dupuis, President and CEO of BILD. BILD Chair Leith Moore added that the proposal for GST/PST harmonization couldn't come at a worse time and runs completely contrary to the Province's efforts to stimulate spending and jobs. "There's no point putting the gas pedal to the metal from a stimulus standpoint while braking equally hard with the other foot, but that's what harmonizing the sales tax on housing amounts to," Moore said. Meanwhile, Ontario Home Builders' Association president Frank Giannone said harmonization is a "poison pill" for housing. "Housing is the only product that keeps on paying property tax after it is consumed. So to cripple the new home buyer market at this time not only damages the provincial economy, it also hurts governments in terms of revenues. In addition, the HST would also add additional tax to future renovation projects, and we all know tax increases drive consumers into the underground economy and into cash deals. It makes no sense," he said. Dupuis explained that builders are not fighting harmonization, but fighting for fair treatment of housing under a harmonized sales tax regime. "The reason housing gets hit so hard is that it is the biggest of the big ticket items and it's not currently directly subject to PST, for good reason," he said. "As matters currently stand, builders are paying an average of two per cent PST embodied in the price of each new home and they're prepared to keep on paying at that rate, notwithstanding all the other taxes, fees and levies they must endure. "What home builders are not prepared to do is to sit idly by while home buyers are hammered to the tune of $2.4 billion due to harmonization. That's not on," Dupuis concluded. (CREA 11/03/09)

Housing Market Firing Up In London Ontario, Canada

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:45:49 -0700

Momentum may be building in the London-area real estate market, with June sales up 5% over the same month last year. Sales had not been in positive territory since last September and bottomed out last November -- when they were 41% below the same month in 2007. But last month, the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR) said, 946 detached homes and condominiums sold in June, up from 903 in June 2008. Year-to-date sales for 2009 are still down about 20% compared to the first half of 2008. LSTAR president Joe Hough said consumer confidence has been steadily improving and low mortgage rates and federal government incentives are drawing more and more buyers into the market. Hough noted St. Thomas had an especially good month in June, with 90 sales in the city -- an increase of 32.4% over the same month last year "I'm feeling very positive. Every month, we're gaining a bit of steam." A few months ago buyers were gaining the upper hand as the number of homes listed jumped about 25%. But Hough said the market is getting more balanced and there have even been bidding wars. "We have seen a few here. When a property is priced right, people recognize that," Hough said. He said the market is still weighted toward modestly priced homes. There was more improvement in prices last month. The average year-to-date house price was $211,584, down just 0.7% from the first six months of 2008. The average price bottomed out in January when it was 2.8% below the same month last year. The London-St Thomas area is following a national trend with sales and prices showing signs of revival in major markets across Canada. "Sales activity is now closer to the pre-recession peak than it is to the recent low point reached last January," said Dale Ripplinger, president of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Hough said homes sales act as economic stimulus. CREA has calculated each home sale generates $32,000 in spinoff spending on furniture, appliances and renovations. Hough said the revival in resale homes would eventually filter through to the new home construction market as overall demand for housing builds. "This is going to help everything. I don't think we will see a buying frenzy again but we will see a more stable market."

Selling Your Home With Pets Present, London, Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:32:16 -0700

Almost everybody loves pets except the home buyer who is buying your house. Don't ask me why, but that's often how it works out. Home sellers who adore their pets -- and I count myself as a huge pet lover -- have a hard time imagining the negative attitudes others harbor against pets. So, while this might be a bitter pill to swallow, if you want to get top dollar for your house, pay attention to how much you might lose with a dog or cat in residence. Why Don't Home Buyers Like Your Pet? Nervousness. Pets make some people very uncomfortable. Not everybody grew up with a family pet or enjoys outings at the zoo. Fur and four legs does not a human make. Fear. Real and irrational. It's not only dogs that instill fear in people. All kinds of silly wives' tales and superstitions involve cats. Inexperience. Pets are not always predictable. Your pets aren't their pets. They imagine yours bite, jump, vomit, claw, spit-up hairballs or are just plain hyper and bad. #1 Preferred Pet Solution You're not going to like this but I'll say it anyway, fully realizing that this very excellent piece of advice is likely to fall on deaf ears. The best thing to do to ensure top price for your home is to relocate your pets while your home is on the market. Putting them in the back yard, in the garage or in another room that you keep locked is insufficient, and it's not fair to them. You need to remove them from the house. Let a friend or relative care for Fluffy and Spike. Board them at a kennel. Send them on vacation. Overcoming Negatives Associated with Your Pets If you shrug off all professional advice and absolutely refuse to move your pets out of the house, then at least minimize the objections and nuisance factors, real or otherwise: Cat Litter Boxes & Dog Potty Pads Keep them out of sight and impeccably clean. Nothing turns off buyers faster than opening the door to the laundry room and being greeted by a full or stinky cat box. Carpet & Floor Pet Stains Hire professionals to remove the stains. Buyers will spot them and form unfavorable opinions about the rest of the house. If the stains can't be removed, then remove the floor covering and replace it. Pet Odors and Smells Cat urine is the worst. Without question. The. Worst. Bring in a neighbor to do a whiff test. Do not use air fresheners. People with allergies will react. Enzyme Eaters - Go to your vets and ask them what they use to combat a skunk attack. The same thing will reduce other pet odours. Remove Signs of a Pet You may be required by state law to disclose that pets have lived in your home, but you don't need to advertise that pets live at your house. Removing signs that you have a pet is simply smart practice. Why turn off a buyer at the get-go? It's those first impressions that are so all-fired important. Do not put photos online showing your cat asleep on the bed Seal up doggie doors Put away food and water bowls when not in use Vacuum religiously, every day, sometimes twice a day Pick up pet toys and put them away Pack up cat trees and other signs of cat paraphernalia (you know who you are) Remove photos of pets from refrigerator, walls and table tops Pack up all cages, carriers and other tell-tale signs Showing Your House Put your pets into a carrier and attach a note warning buyers not to disturb them. The last thing you need is somebody sticking their hand inside the carrier and getting bit or scratched. You can't predict how your pet will react when locked up and alone.

Recession over in Canada Reported by The Bank of Canada today from London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:02:27 -0700

OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada is declaring the recession essentially over, saying Canada's economy will begin growing this summer after nine months of stagnation and lead most of the industrialized world next year. The rosy assessment - despite numerous cautions and caveats - rippled through the markets Thursday, lifting the loonie and many stocks. "We believe the economy will grow this quarter," bank governor Mark Carney told a news conference. "Things are unfolding a little faster in terms of the recovery in (consumer and business) confidence and financial conditions." However, experts say the renewed growth after three quarters of economic shrinkage - two straight declining quarters is the technical definition of a recession - won't lead to job growth until much later, when companies regain confidence and begin hiring again. Earlier, the bank had dropped its April call for a one per cent contraction this quarter and now says the economy will instead expand by 1.3 per cent annualized. That will be followed by a three per cent advance in the last three months of this year, and three per cent growth next year. But Carney also issued a caution that recovery "is not a foregone conclusion," and that the economy remains dependent on massive government stimulus and his own conditional pledge to keep the policy interest rate at the historic low of 0.25 per cent until mid-2010. Without such interventions in Canada and around the world, economies would still be spiralling downwards, he said. Even with recent improvements, Carney said the part of the economy that impacts Canadians most directly - jobs - will continue to deteriorate even as output perks up. Economists say that's because employers are unlikely to take on new workers until they are certain demand will last. ""It is going to be a tough, long, hard slog to get this country back to full employment and Mr. Carney is hinting at that we are not out of the woods yet," agreed, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, repeating his call for expansion of employment insurance benefits." Statistics Canada calculates 370,000 jobs have disappeared since October, and some economists believe more than 500,000 will be lost before labour markets begin to recover. While more optimistic than most forecasts, Carney concedes the bounce-back is modest by historical standards. In fact, he does not have the economy returning to full capacity until mid-2011. Currently, the bank estimates the Canadian economy is operating 3.5 per cent below capacity. Still, the markets chose to see the bright side of Carney's new outlook. The Toronto stock market surged more than 243 points Thursday, while the Canadian dollar gained more than a full cent on currency markets to close at 92.04 cents US. The latter result won't please the central banker, who again voiced his concern that a stubbornly high-priced loonie will cut into the recovery because it will price some Canadian exports out of world markets. Many economists doubt that the central bank would intervene to reign in the loonie, however, although the bank's governing council has not ruled out action. Carney also said there remains a risk that the fragile financial systems in the United States and Europe may contain more unpleasant surprises, such as last September's collapse of Lehman Brothers, and deliver another body-blow to the economy. But the most likely scenario, he said, is that the Canadian economy will keep advancing over the next two years without a pronounced fall-back in 2011 once the tens of billions in federal and provincial stimulus spending is exhausted. In an event in Toronto, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told reporters he believes the economy is entering a period of modest growth. "Consumer confidence is relatively strong and growing, we are seeing good home sales numbers (and) some improvement in retail sales," he explained. Coincidentally, the Conference Board of Canada issued results of its latest consumer confidence survey Thursday, showing the index rose modestly in July. It was the fifth straight monthly improvement. Flaherty reiterated his contention that Canada went into the slump later than the U.S. and will rebound more strong. The Bank of Canada fully agrees. In fact, it sees Canada rebounding at more than twice the rate in the U.S., which it expects to grow only by 1.4 per cent next year. Europe's recovery will be even weaker, with a 0.7 per cent advance next year. The strongest engine of growth globally is China, expected to rebound to 8.3 per cent growth next year, almost two points higher than predicted three months ago. The bank credits Canada's ability to grow out of recession earlier than it thought in April to a sooner bounce-back in commodity prices and underlying strengths in the economy, including a relatively stable financial sector and households that were less indebted than in the United States. As well, wage increases have remained relatively healthy at about three per cent annually than might have been expected given massive layoffs, falling inflation, and production cutbacks. But the bank also sees future improvements for Canada's export sector, which it says will disproportionately benefit from the U.S. recovery starting next year. Just as Canadian exports of autos and wood products were hardest hit during the downturn, they will be boosted more than other industries once demand returns in the U.S., the report states.

London, St. Thomas Real Estate Board Presidents Message for July

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:09:07 -0700

Here is an interview with the President of the London and St. Thomas Real Estate Board. This gives a lot of great detailed information about London's market. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6ybgwgisqY

Personal Safety Tips from London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:36:36 -0700

Follow this link and watch this video regarding self defence. Stay safe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spd9sp62EWs

Lots of Rain In London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:46:43 -0700

London Ontario has had more than it's share of rain this year and last. In fact, we were cutting grass well into October and haven't put a sprinkler out for two years. This is a typical week forecast for us. Yesterday was my sister's birthday party and we typically spend it in the pool but yesterday, we were in sweaters and jackets. When will summer in London Ontario start! Long Term Forecast Updated: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 10:00 EDT MondayJul. 20TuesdayJul. 21WednesdayJul. 22ThursdayJul. 23FridayJul. 24SaturdayJul. 25


	Isolated showers	Isolated showers	Cloudy with showers	Isolated showers	Cloudy with showers	Scattered showers
P.O.P.	30%	60%	60%	40%	60%	70%
High	25°C	25°C	25°C	25°C	25°C	25°C
Feels Like	-	33	35	32	34	32
Low	11°C	14°C	15°C	18°C	17°C	12°C
Wind	NE 5 km/h	E 20 km/h	SE 15 km/h	SW 20 km/h	SW 15 km/h	S 20 km/h
24-Hr Rain	less than 1 mm	1-3 mm	5-10 mm	close to 1 mm	2-4 mm	close to 5 mm

Lots of Rain To Be Had In London Ontario

Jennifer Zammit, A.C.C.I. (Realty Executives Elite Ltd.) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 02:41:46 -0700

London Ontario has had a tremendous amount of rain over the past two summers. In fact, other people I know in London haven't had to water their grass for over 2 years and we are still having it cut well into October. Yesterday was my sister's birthday party which we typically spend swimming but this year, we were in sweater Long Term Forecast Updated: Sunday, July 19, 2009, 10:00 EDT MondayJul. 20TuesdayJul. 21WednesdayJul. 22ThursdayJul. 23FridayJul. 24SaturdayJul. 25


	Isolated showers	Isolated showers	Cloudy with showers	Isolated showers	Cloudy with showers	Scattered showers
P.O.P.	30%	60%	60%	40%	60%	70%
High	25°C	25°C	25°C	25°C	25°C	25°C
Feels Like	-	33	35	32	34	32
Low	11°C	14°C	15°C	18°C	17°C	12°C
Wind	NE 5 km/h	E 20 km/h	SE 15 km/h	SW 20 km/h	SW 15 km/h	S 20 km/h
24-Hr Rain	less than 1 mm	1-3 mm	5-10 mm	close to 1 mm	2-4 mm	close to 5 mm

s and jackets. Here is the next week's forcast for London Ontario. When will summer start?