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Happy Spring and Easter Weekend to Everyone!
For anyone who may not know, we are in the midst of a Sellers Spring Market. There are competing offers, not enough homes listed and priced correctly and panicky buyers who want to buy before the interest rates go up and close before the HST (July 1st) which may add up to $1400 to a purchase through most of the professional services needed to close a sale. If you are thinking of selling or know someone who is, my best advice is to do it now, price it well and hop on to the sale train. I am here to provide professional real estate advice - just call me. |
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North St. Catharines Sidesplit Reduced to $224,900
Come and take a look at this ready to move in to 3+1 bedroom sidesplit off of Scott Street. Gleaming hardwood floors, updated kitchen countertops, neutral colours, sliding doors from dining room to fenced backyard. 3 bedrooms up plus a 4th down. Finished rec room, 2 updated bathrooms and a walk out from basement to backyard. View the virtual tour: http://www.sallydollar.com/Listing/VirtualTour.ashx?ListingID=12965181
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Canada's Real Estate Market Expected to Continue Strong Gains into the First Half of 2010
Canada's residential real estate market is forecast to remain unusually strong through the first half of 2010 as economic conditions across the country improve and the stimulus impact of low interest rates continues to stoke demand, according to the Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast. As confidence in the recovery builds in early 2010, increases in average house price levels and overall market activity are expected to continue.
"The Canadian real estate market enters 2010 with considerable momentum from an unusually strong finish to the previous year," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "The stimulus effect of low borrowing costs has contributed to a sharp rise in demand that has driven activity levels to new highs. This demand, coupled with a typical seasonal undersupply of homes for sale, should cause home prices to continue to appreciate significantly during the early months of the year. Improving supply as the year unfolds and easing demand as the cost of home ownership rises should moderate home price increases in the second half of 2010."
In contrast to the difficult months during the worst of the recession, house prices appreciated during the later part of 2009, with fourth quarter price averages surpassing averages from the fourth quarter 2008. The average price of detached bungalows rose to $315,055 (up 6.0%), the price of standard two-storey homes rose to $353,026 (up 5.2%), and the price of a standard condominium rose to $205,756 (up 6.4%). The first two quarters of 2009 saw significant year-over-year price declines across the housing types surveyed and the third quarter provided the first signs of a strong rebound in Canadian home values.
Soper added, "Our forecast is built upon an expectation that interest rates will ease upward before the year's end, which should have a dampening effect on demand, allowing it to come into balance with the supply of resale homes on the market. Further, we expect to see an increasing number of homes listed for sale as the year progresses - as Canadians regain confidence in the economy, they should be more willing to enter into a large financial transaction such as the sale of a home."
For more information, please see the Royal LePage Survey of Canadian House Prices at www.royallepage.ca.
If you are wondering what your home is worth in today's market, please contact me and let me put my expertise to work for you!
Survey of Canadian Average House Prices in the Fourth Quarter 2009
Average house prices are based on an average of all sub-markets examined in the area, except for the smaller markets of Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John and Victoria.
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 Seven Ways to Set Up Your Bedroom for Better Sleep
Your home is your haven, and your bedroom is your retreat. At the end of a busy day, you want to be able to forget about the outside world and focus on getting a good night's sleep. Does your bedroom beckon you with a restful and relaxing ambiance? If not, here are some simple ways to create a bedroom that is comfortable, peaceful, and perfect for catching quality zzz's.
1. Clean and de-clutter
Clean your bedroom to help clear your mind. Tidy away clothes, papers, dishes and anything else that is not conducive to relaxation. Get into the habit of hanging clothes in the closet or putting them in the laundry basket rather than heaping them on the nearest chair. Now all you have to do is vacuum, dust or polish, and you've made a great start.
2. Decorate for relaxation
Keep the colours in your bedroom neutral using soft, light tones. If you prefer a little more colour, you can contrast the walls with deeper, dramatic shades in your accessories, such as pillows and throws. Add some greenery - a healthy plant can act as an air filter and absorb potential toxins from furniture or carpets.
3. Create a breeze
Consider installing a ceiling fan in your bedroom. Ceiling fans can add an attractive decorative touch while providing a soothing breeze and ventilation. Ceiling fans are also great for muffling external noises, so you can drift away to sleep uninterrupted.
4. Lose the lights
Exposure to even moderate levels of light at night can throw off the body's internal clock. Consider room darkening shades or curtains to help keep the light out while you rest. When adding light is necessary, use soft white lights or candles to help create serenity.
5. Play some soft sounds
Classical music can set a tranquil mood. A CD of natural sounds (waves or rain), or even a small water fountain in your room can provide a calming effect and quiet an active mind. Some people find a white noise machine to be comforting as well.
6. Keep distractions out
Keep the computer, T.V., and PDA out of the bedroom. Stimulating the mind before trying to get a good night's sleep is counter-productive. Electronic devices can be very distracting. It's important to make a mental separation between your bedroom and the outside world so you can concentrate on sleeping.
7. Set-up snug bedding
There's nothing more inviting at the end of a day than falling into a comfortable bed with a good quality mattress, clean sheets and plump pillows. Cool cotton sheets are lovely to slip into in the summer, while flannel provides winter warmth and jersey knits offer a happy medium, cozy without being too heavy, suitable for the spring and fall.
Now all you have to do is keep the temperature just right. Most people sleep best in a slightly cooler room. Adjust the windows and/or thermometer to find the optimal temperature for you. Sleep tight!
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 Let Spring Cleaning Come Naturally
Did you know that your home can sparkle this spring without using any chemicals? Choose from a wide array of eco friendly cleaners on the market or simply make your own with household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Here are a few tips to help you become a natural when it comes to spring cleaning:
The Bathroom
Want to bring out a natural shine to your sinks, toilets, and tubs? Create a gentle scouring paste by mixing 4 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water. Generously sprinkle either table salt or baking soda into the sink or tub and use the cut end of half a fresh lemon as a scrubby-pad. Rinse with hot water and your ceramics will be gleaming! Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits.
The Kitchen
Vinegar, a natural antibacterial, has a high acid content which makes it an effective alternative to caustic cleaners for the kitchen. Mix together 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new spray bottle and you have a natural solution that will clean stovetops, appliances, countertops (except marble), and floors. For troublesome stains, add a touch of baking soda to the mix.
To help remove finger marks from stainless steel appliances use a microfibre cloth or try a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth. For microwaves, put a few slices of fresh lemon in an uncovered bowl of water and cook on high for about three minutes. Grease and dirt should wipe away easily.
Windows
Let the sunshine in by washing away winter's grime. Fill a bucket with 25 per cent vinegar and 75 per cent warm water. Put on rubber gloves and soak an old cotton towel in the solution. Rub on windows, and then scrunch up some old newspaper to buff up a shine. If there are any streaks, simply finish off with a dry cloth.
Fabrics and Carpets
Have a stubborn fabric stain? Dab white vinegar onto the stain followed by a mild soap solution such as all natural dishwashing liquid and water. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and blot with a dry towel. Salt can also be used to soak up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink. Simply pour salt on the wet stain, let dry, and then vacuum. Natural ingredients can not only get rid of stains, they'll help eliminate odours from fabrics too!
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| Don't keep me a secret! Who is the next person you know looking to buy or sell? Anytime you come across anyone with an interest in real estate, please recommend me & let me know of their interest. A referral is sending someone you care about to someone you respect. |
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All offices are independently owned and operated, except those offices marked as "Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd." Not intended to solicit currently listed properties. The above information is from sources believed reliable, however, no responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of this information.
©2010 Brookfield Real Estate Services Fund. |
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