Happy Birthday Canada! Here are 144 reasons to be a proud Canadian!

Here are 144 reasons to be a proud Canadian!




From BLAKE DILLON , originally published in Chill Magazine. Modified by Lisa Portolese

1. Neil Young; Basically the epitome of Canadian music, Neil Young has had an illustrious career that has lasted over 40 years and is still going strong.

2. Nickelback; Even though Canadians tend to have a love-hate relationship with this homegrown rock group, their international success can’t be denied. Selling over 35 million records kind of speaks for itself.

3. Trio of Women; Canada has a legendary list of successful female performers. Among the top are Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Sarah McLachlan who have combined for over 320 million sold records.

4. Popular Video; Blink-182′s official music video for their hit “First Date” was filmed in Vancouver. It has almost 14 million views on YouTube.

5. Arcade Fire; Montreal’s infamous indie outfit won a Grammy and a Juno this year.

6. Bieber Fever; Stratford, Ontario’s Justin Bieber cracked Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people this year. He was, after all, the first artist in history to have seven tracks from a debut album top the charts.

7. Jim Carrey; Though this comedian-turned-actor currently resides in America, he is a Canadian at heart(born and raised in Scarborough)

8. No S#!@ Sherlock; Ontario-born Rachel McAdams is reprising her role as the lead female character in the upcoming Sherlock Holmes sequel.

9. Commander Kirk; William Shatner of Montreal, Quebec commanded the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek as a major part of his 50-years-plus career in front of the camera.

10. The Hip; 54-40, Tal Bachman, the Barenaked Ladies, Bryan Adams(all award winning amazing artists)

11. Alexisonfire; These musical revolutionists formed an entirely new genre of music known as “screamo.” They also spawned the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Dallas Green (City And Colour).

12. Rush; This Canadian rock and roll trio is known for its complex compositions, its lyrical mastership and its time on the cover of issue 43 of Chill Magazine. Yeah, we went there.

13. Seth Rogen; This Canadian groomed comedian is known for his blockbuster hits like Superbad, The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Green Hornet.

14. Farley Mowat; This infamous Canadian author received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame this year.

15. Margaret Atwood; Emerging from our nation’s capital, Margaret Atwood has become one of the most-honoured authors in history.

16. Guess Who; The Guess Who are one of the biggest internationally renowned Canadian bands for the hits “American Woman” and “These Eyes.” Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.


17. Who is? Alex Trebek; This Sudbury, Ontario native put Canada on the map by hosting the hit trivia series known as Jeopardy for 27 years.

18. Rick Mercer; This Canadian political satirist’s hit TV show “Talking To Americans” was the highest-rated comedy special in the history of CBC Television, with 2.7 million viewers

19. Cirque du Soleil; Renowned for its internationally touring performing arts show, Cirque du Soleil originated in Montreal, Quebec.

20. Todd McFarlane; This Canadian cartoonist is the mastermind behind the fantasy series called “Spawn.”


21. Ryan Reynolds; Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds was recently cast as the latest star for a superhero blockbuster – The Green Lantern.

22. The Day After Tomorrow; Filmed in Montreal, Quebec, The Day After Tomorrow is currently history’s highest grossing Hollywood film that was filmed in Canada.


SPORTS

1. The Coolest Game On Earth; Though a direct derivative of stick and ball field sports, the first game of ice hockey was played in Canada, by Canadians.



2. Shooting Hoops; James Naismith invented the sport of basketball in 1891 using two peach baskets and a soccer ball.

3. Lacrosse; Our national summer sport is believed to have originated in Canada sometime in the fifth century.



4. High-Five; Five-pin bowling is a variation of regular bowling that is only played in Canada.



5. Paul Henderson; This Canadian right winger scored the most historic goal in hockey history, giving Canada the win over Russia in the 1972 Summit Series.



6. Sid The Kid; Sidney Crosby is the youngest player to ever hit 100 points in the NHL’s regular season. He did so at 18 years old.



7. Steve Nash; This Canadian b-baller is the first and only Canadian to ever win the NBA MVP Award. He did so twice consecutively in 2005 and 2006.



8. The Great One; Upon his retirement in 1999, Wayne Gretzky held 40 NHL Regular Season records, 15 Playoff records and six All-Star Game records. He still remains the only player to ever topple 200 points in a single season – something he did four times.



9. Table Hockey; Strapped for cash, Don Munro got creative in his Christmas gift giving as he turned his wife’s ironing board into the first ever table hockey board.



10. Over And Over; CBC Producer George Retzlaff made in-game bathroom breaks easier with his creation of instant replay.



11. Jordin Tootoo; This tough-as-nails Nashville Predator is the first and currently only Inuit hockey player to play in the NHL.



12. Fox 40; Ron Foxcroft’s pealess whistle was the first to produce stadium-quality decibels and is currently the official whistle of Olympics, the World Cup of Soccer, the NFL, the NBA, the NHL and more.



13. Masked Men; Jacques Plante of the Montreal Canadiens was the first NHL goalie to don a mask.



14. Donald S. Cherry; This suit-a-day television personality has been capturing the hearts of hockey fans since his show, Coach’s Corner, first aired in the early 80s.



15. Joey Votto; While playing first base with the Cincinnati Reds last season, Joey Votto was named to the MLB All-Star Game, was chosen as the NL MVP and was awarded both the Hank Aaron Award and the Lou Marsh Trophy.



16. Martin Brodeur; Martin Brodeur is the only goalie in NHL history to hit 600 wins.



17. Adam van Koeverden; Growing up on the lakeshore of Oakville, Ontario turned out to be extremely beneficial for Adam van Koeverden’s kayaking career, as he went on to make his country proud in winning a gold medal at the Olympics in 2004.



18. Jarome Iginla; This year, Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla became 10th player in NHL history to score 30 goals in 10 or more consecutive seasons.



19. Lord Stanley; The Lord Stanley of Preston, who was the Governor General of Canada at the time, donated this legendary trophy to the NHL in 1892.



20. The Good Ol’ Hockey Game; This famous hockey ditty was written and performed by Canadian country star, Stompin’ Tom Connors.



FOOD 101



1. Maple Syrup; This delicious pancake and waffle topper was originally harvested in Canada.



2. Poutine; This popular menu item is exclusive to Canada.



3. Canadian Bacon; No, not the movie. We’re talking peameal bacon. This brined and coated back bacon is a favourite Canadian meal.



4. Butter Tarts; The earliest known recipe for butter tarts originated in Ontario way back in 1915.



5. Ginger Ale; John McLaughlin, a Canadian chemist and pharmacist, is the proud creator of the world’s favourite brand of ginger ale – Canada Dry.



6. Krafty Fellow; Canadian-born James L. Kraft is famous for founding the food industry giant that we all know and love – Kraft Foods.



7. Smoked Meat; Montreal’s internationally acclaimed smoked meat is the epitome of Canadian savoury foods.



8. Alberta Beef; Alberta is the largest cattle producer in Canada and the fourth largest in North America, just behind Nebraska, Kansas and Texas.



9. Nanaimo Bars; Mabel Jenkins of Vancouver Island submitted the recipe for these dessert bars to a local women’s cookbook in 1950.



10. BeaverTails; In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama came to see what these fried dough pastries were all about. Needless to say, he liked it. A lot.



11. Easy Off; This tough on food and grease spray originally surfaced in Regina, Saskatchewan.



12. Apple A Day; McIntosh apples were the find of an old Canadian farm owner named Johnny Appleseed. Just kidding, his name was John McIntosh.



13. Canola Oil; Canada is known for originally implementing the use of canola oil – one of the healthiest oils around because of its low saturated fat.



14. Ketchup Chips; Ketchup ­– arguably the only flavored seasoning that makes sense on a fried potato chip – is a flavor exclusive to Canada.



15. Fiddleheads; The Canadian village of Tide Head, New Brunswick bills itself as the “Fiddlehead Capital of the World.”



16. Access Bar; Alberta-based inventor Larry Wang created the access bar – a tasty snack designed to help people burn fat.



BOTTOM LINE



1. Tim Horton’s; In Canada, our beloved Tim Horton’s holds 76% of the market for baked goods and 67% of the market for coffee, while Starbucks, who commands the second highest percentage, sits at a measly 7%.



2. All Nighters; We Canadians love our video games. Recognized as a global leader in video game design and development, our gaming sector has generated more than $2 billion in economic activity in each of the past three years.



3. Second Cup; This all-Canadian café franchise is the country’s largest specialty coffee retailer with over 360 locations spread across The Great White.



4. Roger That; Rogers Canada currently has a total equity of over $20 billion.



5. RBC; The Royal Bank of Canada cracked the Forbes global list of biggest companies for its market value of $87.2 billion.



6. Canadian Tire; Ranked as one of Canada’s largest publicly traded companies, Canadian Tire proudly employs almost 60,000 Canadians.



7. American Dollar; It was Canada’s invention of green ink that is ironically used to create American currency.



8. Shopper’s Drug Mart; With 1,149 stores scattered around the country, Shopper’s is Canada’s largest pharmacy chain.



9. Air Canada; This airline giant rakes in $10 billion annually in passenger revenues.



10. Cineplex Entertainment; This film exhibitor is the largest in Canada and owns, leases or has a joint-venture interest in 130 theatres with 1,352 screens.



HEALTHY HABITS



1. The Name’s Bond-ar; Roberta Bondar of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario was the world’s first neurologist in outer space and Canada’s first female astronaut.



2. Deuce Bigelow; Wilfred Bigelow, a famous heart surgeon from Brandon, Manitoba, is known for inventing the pacemaker along side fellow Canadian, John Hopps.



3. Banting And Best; These infamous Canadian scientists are known by diabetes sufferers across the world for their helpful creation of isolated insulin.



4. Dianne Croteau; This Canadian inventor came up with the CPR dummies that are used to train people on how to properly perform the life-saving task.



5. Analyze That; Imants Lauks, a Canadian doctor, invented the silicon chip blood analyzer in 1986.



6. Gas Mask; Newfoundland-born Cluny Macpherson was a famous medical doctor who came up with the original gas mask.



7. Bombs Away; Harold Elford Johns was a Canadian medical physicist noted for his Cobalt-60 “Bomb” – a relatively effective, cheap, fast and powerful method of destroying cancer cells.



8. George Klein; This 20th Century Hamiltonian designed the first electric wheelchair.



9. Hillier & Prebus; As post-grad classmates, James Hillier and Arthur Prebus developed the first ever high-resolution electron microscope.



10. Dr. Dick; John E. Dick was an award-winning Canadian scientist who is credited with first distinguishing differences among cancer cells. His findings thrust cancer research in an all-new direction.



11. Bain of Existence; Dr. Barbara Bain drove the success rate of bone marrow transplants through the roof with her invention of the compatibility test.



12. Germaphobe; Harold Humphrey invented the polypump liquid dispenser to have easier access to hand soap and sanitizer.



13. Lung Transplant; The first successful lung transplant ever took place in Toronto, Ontario.



14. 3TC; Lamivudine, also known as 3TC, was created by a couple of Canadian pharmacologists. This is the most common medicine used to treat Hepatitis B and HIV.



15. Electric Avenue; It was a Canadian medical scientist by the name of Helmut Lucas who invented the first electric prosthetic hand.



TECH TOYS



1. Bell; After immigrating to Canada, Alexander Graham Bell’s extensive studies in speech and sound lead him to inventing the first practical telephone. His legacy lives on via Bell Canada.



2. Canadarm; In over 50 NASA missions, Canada’s massive mechanical arm has never malfunctioned. Talk about an out-of-this-world invention. Get it?



3. RIM; Canadian telecommunications giant, Research In Motion, is best known for developing the legendary BlackBerry smartphone device.



4. Java; This Canadian software developer is best known for his invention of the Java programming language.



5. Synth; Hugh Le Caine, a Canadian physicist and composer, used his studies in electronic sound generation to create the world’s first synthesizer.



7. Quartz Clock; Warren Marrison, a Canadian telecommunications engineer, developed the very first quartz crystal-powered clock.



8. Walkie-Talkie; During the second World War, Donald Hings, a Canadian inventor established the first set of walkie-talkies.



9. Electric Oven; Thomas Ahearn was a Canadian inventor and businessman who led the charge in inventing the electric oven.



10. Batteries; Canadian chemical engineer, Lewis Urry, invented both the alkaline and lithium batteries.



11. Incandescence; Henry Woodward was a major pioneer in the production of the first incandescent light bulb.

12. Morse Code; Frederick Creed was a Canadian inventor who created the typewriter-style device required for customizing Morse code.



13. Fathometer; Canadian-born Reginald A. Fessenden invented the Fathometer in 1919. Today, anglers use this device under a different name – the fish finder.



14. IMAX; This in-your-face motion picture film format was created by the Canadian IMAX Corporation.



15. Kodak; Arthur Williams McCurdy, a Canadian inventor and businessman, foolishly sold his patent for portable film development to America’s Eastman Kodak.



16. Key Frame Animation; A couple of Canadian scientists created key frame animation, collecting an Academy Award for their invention.



17. Wirephoto; William Stephenson, a Canadian soldier, created the first device capable of sending pictures via telegraph or telephone.



MOTOR



1. Snowmobile; Joseph-Armand Bombardier, a Quebec native, is the proud inventor of the skidoo.



2. Snow Blower; Arthur Sicard made clearing the driveway of snow much easier with his creative invention of the snow blower.



3. Kerosene; This combustible hydrocarbon liquid was patented by Abraham Gesner of Nova Scotia. Gesner is now known as the “Father of The Petroleum Industry.”



4. Odometer; In 1854, Samuel McKeen of Nova Scotia designed the earliest version of the odometer. His was attached to the side of a carriage and measured the miles with the turning of the wheels.



5. The Real McCoy; Elijah McCoy was a Canadian inventor that developed the automatic oil cup.



6. Uno Cycle; It was Canadian Ben Gulak that invented this electric-powered unicycle.



7. Jetliner; The Avro Canada C102 was the first commercial jet airliner ever produced, but the second to ever fly. The U.K.’s de Havilland DH 106 Comet beat it to the air by 13 days.



8. All Aboard; It was Canadian George Dorey who made it possible for trains to stop with his creation of the railway car brake.



9. Right Side of the Road; In 1930, John D. Millar, an engineer working for the Ontario Department of Transport thought up the idea of painting lines on roads.



10. John Patch; John Patch of Nova Scotia invented the first marine screw propeller.



HANDYMAN



1. Holmes on Homes; Mike Holmes of Halton Hills, Ontario is a world-renowned handyman for his hit HGTV series, Holmes on Homes.



2. Robertson; Canadian industrialist Peter Robertson coined the original square-socket screwdriver.



3. Multi-Tasking; George Cluthé showed up Peter Robertson by lightening the load of Canadian toolboxes with his handy invention known as the interchangeable screwdriver head.



4. Paint Roller; Imagine completing a paint job without a roller. No thanks. Manitoba-born Norman Breakey made life easy with this practical tool.



5. Nailed It!; Allan Dove hit the nail on the head when he invented the first spiral nail.



6. Green Garbage Bag; Both the original green garbage bag and the modern biodegradable versions were developed in Canada by Canadians.



7. Lawn Care; The lawn sprinkler is a Canadian invention that was developed in 1871.



THE GREAT OUTDOORS



1. Niagara Falls; Home to about a 2,600-foot wide stretch of waterfalls, this city is one of the major tourist attractions of the world.



2. Buzz Off; Canadian inventor Charles H. Coll is credited with the original creation of insect repellent.



3. Birch Bark Canoes; These trusty Canadian vessels have stayed afloat for centuries.



4. CN Tower; The tallest tower in the entire western hemisphere calls Toronto, Ontario home. It is one of Canada’s most visited tourist attractions.



5. The Rockies; British Columbia’s beautiful Rocky Mountains bring out sightseers from the four corners of the world.



6. Jurassic Park; The Dinosaur Provincial Park is a World Heritage Site located just outside of Calgary, Alberta and is one of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil locales.



7. The Great Lakes; These lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes on the entire Earth in total surface and volume.



DRESSED TO CHILL



1. Wonderbra; Canadians can lay claim to creating the best fashion accessory ever. The Wonderbra.



2. Lululemon; This infamous yoga apparel company began in Vancouver.



3. Parasuco; These international denim giants began making their patented jeans in Montreal, Quebec.



4. Flying Low; Gideon Sundback made getting in and out of your trousers a little easier with his invention of the zipper.



CHARITABLE WORK & ACTIVISM



1. Babe-Watch; Pamela Anderson, former Baywatch star and current vegan activist, is a proud representative of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and is born on July 1st(Canada Day)



2. Terry Fox; This determined cancer patient embarked on a nation-wide one-legged jog to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Today, he lives on through the globally annual Terry Fox Run.



3. Free The Children; This international charity and youth movement was created in 1995 by Craig Kielburger – a native of Toronto, Ontario.



4. Michael J. Fox; Suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 1991, this Back To The Future star basically abandoned his acting career to pursue a cure for the degenerative disorder.



5. David Suzuki; This Japanese-Canadian is renowned around the planet for his vast activism with climate change.



LAST CALL



1. Standard Time; Sir Sanford Flemming was a Canadian engineer known for proposing the worldwide standard time zones.



2. Jolly Jumper; This bouncy Canadian invention has kept babies smiling (and barfing) for years.



3. Assassin’s Creed; This multi-platform video game series was developed by Ubisoft Montreal. The series has sold over 28 million units.



4. It’s In The Game; EA Canada is the proud developer of the NHL series and has been producing the video game annually since 1991.



5. Newsprint; Nova Scotia’s Charles Fenerty developed the wood pulp process for making newsprint.



6. Plexiglas; Polymerized Methyl Methacrylate was invented by William Chalmers in 1931.



7. Trivial Pursuit; This classic board game was both invented and first played in Montreal, Quebec.



8. Foghorn Leghorn; The first steam-powered foghorn was invented by Robert Foulis in Saint Jon, New Brunswick.



9. G-Suit; The first anti-gravity suits were developed by a team led by Wilbur R. Franks at the University of Toronto’s Banting and Best Medical Institute in 1941.



10. Safety Paint; Neil Harpham invented the highly reflective safety paint used to illuminate the street lines at night.



11. Retractable Carton Handle; Canadian inventor Steve Pasjack created this nifty handle found on pop, juice and beer cases today.



12. Able Walker; Norm Rolston helped our grandparents get around a little easier when he patented the able walker in 1986.

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IT’S OFFICIAL. MILTON IS THE HOTTEST MARKET IN THE GTA!!!

REAL ESTATE MARKET SHOWING NO SIGNS OF COOLING OFF!!!




I’m giving you my report a little early because of the holiday weekend coming up. After reviewing the latest sales figures from the Toronto Real Estate Board, so far in June 2011 there have been 9,398 sales for the month. We should end up at approx 10,000 in total. June 2010 there were 8,422 sales so we have experienced an approx 18% INCREASE in the number of sales compared to last year.



Currently there are only 18,435 homes for sale on the Toronto Real Estate Board, compared to 23,923 at the end of June 2010. There are almost 1,000 active listings set to expire in the next 3 days so the number for sale will be probably around 17,750. That’s REALLY LOW and represents about a 30% drop! Think about this for a minute. The number of sales is increasing and the number of homes for sale is decreasing. Currently there is less than a 2 month supply of homes for sale in the Toronto Area.







In little old town of Milton, the market is even hotter. IT IS NOW OFFICIAL. Milton is the hottest market in the GTA! There are currently only 201 homes for sale and there will end up being about 180 sales reported in June. It’s almost down to one month’s supply. I don’t think things have ever been more tilted in the favour of a seller than it is in Milton right now. That’s hotter than the hottest areas of Toronto like The Beach, Bloor West Village & Lawrence Park.







So the question remains .... what will happen to the market? My prediction is that prices will continue to increase slightly until at least the end of the year. Below are 4 situations that could reverse this trend, cause the market to cool down and prices to level off or drop.







1. The number of Buyers (the number of sales) will need to drop. That surely doesn’t seem to be the case.



2. Mortgage rates will need to go UP significantly! Nobody is predicting this any time soon.



3. Inventory levels will need to go UP significantly. They keep dropping at an alarming rate and there’s a surprisingly low number of new listings coming on the market.



4. Our national or local economy will need to SUFFER significantly. The economy in Canada and particularly in the GTA seems to be getting better. Despite the scary messages from political parties wanting to get into power, things are pretty darn great. I am SO happy to live in this Country.



Have an awesome Canada Day on July 1st and wonderful July 4th!



Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage.

http://www.lisamovesyounow.com/

(905) 568-2121

Pasta with Pesto(the low carb, healthy version)

This has the LP YUM factor of 10!

I have modified this recipe for simplicity.

1 zucchini

1 tsp of Pesto Sauce(homemade or pre-made i.e Classico Brand)

1 tsp Romano or Parmesan Cheese(Fresh no fillers)

Hot Chili(optional)

Okay, you can spend hundreds on some fancy kitchen gadget or just grate it by hand. It takes 5 minutes.

Grate the the raw Zucchini

Spoon in the Pesto

Add the cheese and chili

you are done!

Makes a great snack or side dish

Perfect for Diabetics.

How I am doing after the car accident and gaining 150 pounds? Well, I quit smoking August 13th, 2009...I have lost 50 pounds and just started power walking and going to Curves.....I am almost off the Metformin and controlling my blood glucose by staying active.

I am using techniques that I have learned from Dr. Bernstein, Newtopia and Dr. Poon, sometimes it takes a Village. I thank you all!

Stay posted.

Helping YOU is what I do.

Real Estate, Music and Acting have been a part of my life for decades but like all of you, I am not one dimensional. Hoping that my journey back to health will inspire someone else.



Who is Bob Lefsetz?

Check out his piece on Clarence...Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress

Betty Fox Bio

Betty Fox Bio


In 1977, when her son Terry’s leg was amputated due to osteogenic sarcoma, Betty Fox

had no idea how the experience would change her life. When Terry revealed his plans

to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research, Betty and the family

responded with support and encouragement. Through phone calls, television and

newspaper reports, she followed his every step during the 143 days he ran his

Marathon of Hope.

When cancer spread to Terry’s lungs and it became clear that he would not survive the

disease a second time, Betty found the news very difficult to accept. When he died in

1981 and The Terry Fox Run was established, she was asked to take an active role in

the development of the organization. Although reluctant, she did take on the role of

Honourary Chairman, together with husband Rolly (also an Honourary Chairman),

realizing how important it was that a family member safeguard Terry’s integrity and

principles.

Since that time, Betty has been involved in all aspects of The Terry Fox Foundation,

particularly commercialization issues and protection of Terry’s name and image. She

was honoured to have the opportunity to visit schools, communities and companies

during her bi-annual cross-Canada tours each year to share Terry’s story and inspire

listeners to follow their own dreams. It is estimated that Betty spoke to more than

400,000 school children alone during her 25 years of touring, leaving each and every

child with the inspirational story of the Marathon of Hope. The final words of every

speech, “Never, ever give up on your dreams”, have become her memorable hallmark.

In recent years Betty has vetted many proposals and welcomed opportunities to

enhance Terry’s legacy. The 25th Anniversary year in 2005 introduced new books, a

new movie, and a new fundraising initiative called The National School Run Day, all

made possible under the careful and watchful eye of Betty. With the introduction of

The Terry Fox Research Institute in 2007, together with the Foundation’s impressive

record of fundraising for cancer research, Betty has ensured that Canadian cancer

research continues to forge discoveries and save lives.

In 2010 Betty was honoured to take part in the Vancouver Olympics by acting as a flagbearer

in the opening ceremonies, representing her son Terry in a way only a mother

could. Together with Rolly, she carried the torch into the opening ceremony of the

Paralympic Games, partaking in a breathtaking tribute to Terry and his inspirational

influence on all athletes. Throughout the 30th Anniversary year she continued to take

part in events that honoured Terry, culminating in her participation on Terry Fox Run

Day in Barrington, Nova Scotia, an opportunity for Betty to once again express her

gratitude and appreciation for the magnificent support of Canadians for Terry’s dream.

Betty and Rolly Fox have three other children: Fred, Darrell, and Judith and nine

grandchildren.

RECO AGM will stream a live broadcast Thursday June 16th, 2011

To accommodate registrants who are unable to attend RECO’s Annual General Meeting in person, RECO will stream a live broadcast of the meeting. Visit the RECO website at www.reco.on.ca on Thursday, June 16 at 10 a.m. where you will find a link to view the formal portion of the meeting including the remarks of the Chair, President/CEO and Registrar.




The Question and Answer portion of the AGM will not be broadcast live. Instead, it will be recorded and posted on RECO’s website by June 20, 2011.



Registrants will not be able to vote or submit questions by conference call or video conferencing. However, individuals who cannot attend the AGM can e-mail their questions in advance to AGM@reco.on.ca. Please e-mail your questions by end of day, June 14. Questions submitted in advance will be read and responded to, with time permitting, by a RECO Director or staff member. Questions raised by registrants should be of general interest. Matters related to an individual, a specific situation or regulatory actions against a specific member will not be addressed at the meeting.



Information about RECO’s 14th Annual General Meeting:

Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.

Meeting begins at 10:00 a.m.



The purpose of the meeting is to:



◦Present the annual report and report on the affairs of the Council over the past fiscal year

◦Present the financial statements and the report of the auditors

◦Appoint the auditors of the corporation until the close of the next annual general meeting of the corporation

◦Install the newly elected directors of the corporation

◦Vote on proposed changes to RECO By-Law No. 9: “It is moved that RECO By-Law No. 9, being the Election of Directors By-law of the Real Estate Council of Ontario, be amended by deleting and adding those provisions in the Synopsis of Changes mailed to members”.

Voting on agenda items will take place only at this meeting. By-law No. 11, Section 49 provides that there is no right to vote by proxy or mail-in ballots.



To be eligible to vote at this meeting, RECO members must show:



◦Original certificate of registration from the Real Estate Council of Ontario; and

◦One piece of photo identification.

Further details are available on RECO’s website at www.reco.on.ca or on MyWeb at https://myweb.reco.on.ca.

Why I Love Liberty Village in Toronto

Liberty Village is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Liberty Village has experienced phenomenal growth from 2004 to the present in terms of new condos/lofts, office space, a new park, and a multitude of new shops and restaurants. It has been dubbed by many the "hottest" neighbourhood in Toronto.



It is bounded at the north by King Street West, the west by Dufferin Street, the south by the Gardiner Expressway, the east by Strachan Avenue, and the northeast by the CP railway tracks.

The Liberty Village name was introduced as a positive 'brand' by the property owners and developers in the area in conjunction with the City of Toronto and the neighbourhood aims to distinguish itself from Parkdale.

 Its location is considered one of its finest assets being a 5 minute walk to the Lakeshore, 20 minute walk to the financial core and a 10 minute walk from the entertainment/fashion/gallery districts of King St. West, West Queen West, Ossington, Dundas St. West and Wellington St. West.


It has been dubbed by many the "hottest" neighbourhood in Toronto.

It has become a trendy neighbourhood for young professionals and artists pushing farther west for less established areas, while still remaining a short walk or streetcar ride from the core. Many old factories have been repurposed as lofts while others have become restaurants, gyms, furniture stores and galleries, as this area was primarily a former heavy industrial area.

The Toronto Carpet Factory Building on Mowat Avenue and its surrounding campus of industrial structures is an example of 1900s' turn of the century industrial architecture and currently houses a mixture of design, technology, media and marketing companies.

Old storage and factory spaces at Liberty St. and Hanna Ave. have  been converted into commercial spaces that comprise Liberty Market. The Market houses design firms and collectives, media, technology and marketing firms, and an eclectic mix of retail stores. Structures from the old Inglis Factory and the former Massey Ferguson Head Office surround the heart of Liberty Village, further testifying to the industrial history of the neighbourhood.
Artscape, a non-profit urban development organization that revitalizes buildings, neighbourhoods, and cities through the arts has a strong presence in Liberty Village, providing mixed live/work spaces for local artists. Its influence can be seen throughout the neighbourhood and maintains the valued tradition of a neighbourhood that was once dominated by artists searching for affordable living and studio spaces.


Liberty Village is known for its successful Art and Design studios, but media and technology companies also have a strong presence in the community. Many Canadian and US design and technology firms have located to Liberty Village, creating many jobs for the increasing number of citizens that have moved into the growing neighbourhood.

Offices are mostly concentrated in the west end of Liberty Village. New residential developments are currently focused on East Liberty Street, which begins east of Hanna Avenue. Over 20 new restaurants have opened in the past 3 years, providing the residents and workers in the community with many eclectic places to dine and enjoy their developing neighbourhood.


A documentary film on Liberty Village titled "Liberty Village - Somewhere in Heaven" was produced and directed by David Sloma for Rockin' Films. The film was released in 2006 (before much of the current development was completed) and features interviews with longtime Liberty Village residents Corky Laing (who provided music for the soundtrack via his band Cork), Taffi Rosen photographer/videographer, as well as other artists, business owners and workers in the area. The film was made in part with the support of the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) through their Filmmaker Assistance Program

Why would anyone look to the U.S. housing market for guidance or leadership on anything?

Canada's real estate industry has been changing its rules to open up competition. Madame Commissioner, why not do Canadians a favour, and look more closely at the obvious companies that appear to be fixing prices? Last time I checked, the major oil companies were all charging virtually the same price per litre of gasoline, give or take half a cent per litre.



As I read the latest application by the Competition Bureau against organized real estate, I thought of the great line used by Ronald Reagan when he won the debate over Jimmy Carter in 1980. “There he goes again,” or in the commissioner’s case “there she goes again.” Let me start by disclosing that besides being a lawyer, I also educate buyers, sellers and real estate agents on how to safely buy and sell a home.


In the first application, launched in February 2010, the commissioner, Melanie Aitken, decided to go public with a complaint about access to Multiple Listing Service (MLS), even though she was told that the real estate boards across Canada were in fact meeting to clarify their rules to permit access.



The boards clarified their rules in March 2010, permitting access to the MLS system without having to use a real estate firm for the entire transaction. Still the government persisted in their court application, until the matter was settled last October. The settlement was exactly what the boards implemented the previous March. In my opinion, the whole process was a waste of taxpayer money.



Now the competition bureau states that the rules of the Toronto Real Estate Board prevent private brokerages from setting up virtual offices, denying Canadian consumers more choice when buying real estate. They point to selective data from the U.S. on the issue, but conveniently leave out the rest of the important U.S. data.



In the U.S., buyer agent commissions are normally 3 per cent. Some real estate brokerages such as redfin.com, through their own website, make available all local listings, including historical data to buyers who visit their website. This is referred to by the Bureau as a “virtual office website.” It allows consumers to see what homes in the area sold for and how long a listing has been on the market.



When Redfin started around 9 years ago, they advertised that if a buyer found a home on their site and decided to use a Redfin agent, Redfin would give back 2 per cent of the 3 per cent buyer commission, so the actual commission payable by the buyer would be 1 per cent. Redfin lost a lot of money.



Today, Redfin advertises that buyers can get back “up to 50 per cent” of the buyer agent commission when they use Redfin. I get nervous when I see the words “up to.” That means a minimum buyer commission of 1.5 per cent and possibly more. In addition, the National Association of Realtors has released results for 2010 that show that even with all of this information available to buyers, only 10 per cent of real estate deals in the U.S. are done without a realtor.



In Canada, buyer commissions are negotiable, but in many regions, they are 2.5 per cent. So I suppose the commissioner is looking at potential savings of at most 1 per cent, without taking into account all the rest of the services provided by buyer agents.



The Toronto Real Estate Board is legitimately concerned about how to protect the privacy and integrity of all listing information, before permitting it to be used on private websites. We have already witnessed situations where listing information has been fraudulently posted on Kiijii and similar websites, and unsuspecting buyers or tenants are paying money to intermediaries who claim to be representing the seller or landlord.



Personal information could conceivably be taken and used by fraud artists who commit identity theft. I understand that the real estate board intends to adopt new policies to make sure that when this private information is used by a registered brokerage on their own private website, they agree to follow all of these guidelines.



Sellers will have to be informed that when they list their property, it may appear on these other private websites as well. In particular, every consumer who visits these private websites will have to enter some personal information themselves, like a legitimate email address, so that there is a record as to who is using the site. This should work to discourage the fraudsters.



I expect that these new policies will be implemented by the Toronto Real Estate Board by the end of the summer, with no need for any further taxpayer-funded competition tribunal proceedings, where only lawyers make money.



Finally, why would anyone look to the U.S. housing market for guidance or leadership on anything? This is the same market that almost caused the collapse of the world’s financial system two years ago and is still at historic lows.



Last time I checked, the major oil companies were all charging virtually the same price per litre of gasoline, give or take half a cent per litre. Madame Commissioner, why not do Canadians a favour, and look more closely at the obvious companies that appear to be fixing prices?



This article by Mark Weisleder- a lawyer, author and speaker to the real estate industry. If you have any questions about real estate issues, email mark at mark@markweisleder.com

I am gonna Blog about my BLOG...it is boring me, is it boring U2?

How to write an exciting blog

by ~lexidh

How to write an exciting blog in 15 easy steps!

1: First you need a very cool username! Your real name doesn't do. Something with "sex" "666" "devil" "tears" "angel" or a lot of XxXxX in it should do.


2: Live an exciting life and write about that. If you don't have a great life, make up stuff you COULD have done during the day.



3: Update at least once per day. You don't get those all important pageviews if people don't come back every day.



4: Provoke your readers. Politics is a great way to do that. If you live in the US; write about why you support Bin Laden. If you live anywhere else; write about why you support Bush. If that fails you can pretend to have homophobia, hate _all_ animals, be a racist or become a nazi.



5: Tell about your sex life. If you don't have one, make one up. The more sex partners, the better.



6: Take and post a lot of pictures, often. Clothes are no good, try to aviod those. If you don't own a camera you should steal other peoples pictures. You should at least get a webcam to show off yourself, and your cat/dog/whatever. If you are eating something, take a picture of that too.



7: If another blog you read writes about something you find stupid, don't let the author get away with it! Write your arguments in your blog and use a lot of nasty words that you link back to the blog in question. Remember to put that person down for weeks, and comment in that blog all the time with links back to you putting them down. Use trackback if possible.



8: Write horrible things about your friends, family and coworkers. Don't leave anything out!



9: Involve yourself in a huge project your readers can follow, like getting pregnant, build something large, plan a wedding or take over the world. And at all times you should "diet". Never lose any weight, but complain about your weight while you keep your regular diet. If you gain weight you have a perfect opportunity to rant!



10: Tell EVERYONE you meet about your blog, both online and offline. Lots of readers and comments is the most important thing of all!



11: Post a lot of lyrics that seem to have a deeper meaning. That makes you look reflected and smart.



12: Take ANY survey you can find and post them in your blog. If it's a long time since you found a new one, make one up! If it spreads to other blogs you are well on your way to total popularity! And take a lot of tests and post the results in your blog. Remember to fake the results if you think the fake results makes you look better.



13: Fake depression. Pretend to want to kill yourself every week. That gives you a lot of those all important comments! You should also write something depressing poetry of your own once in a while, and don't update your journal with more than that piece of depressing poetry all day.



14: You don't have to spellcheck. Typoos, l337-74lk and shrt wrds work just as well as proper english.



15: Have a link to your wishlist in your blog at all times. Your readers may want to buy you something if they feel sorry for you or think you are supercool.

IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET GOING TO “TANK”?

IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET GOING TO “TANK”? .... NOT ANY TIME SOON!!!!!!!




I want to keep you updated with the Greater Toronto Area Real Estate Market. After reviewing the latest sales figures from the Toronto Real Estate Board, in May 2011 there were 10,046 sales for the month, which is exactly what I had predicted 2 weeks ago.



Here’s where it gets really interesting. Currently there are only 18,481 homes for sale on the Toronto Real Estate Board, compared to 25,414 at the end of May 2010. That’s about a 27% drop! Insane! With the current inventory and how fast we are selling them, we have only a 1 ½ month supply of homes. The buyers out there don’t have very many choices. In Milton the supply is even tighter.



Is this market going to last forever? Of course not! Is the real estate market going to “tank”? Not THIS year.... that’s for sure!! The question remains, how long can the market keep going like this? There will be very little change unless one of the following things takes place.



1. Mortgage rates will need to go UP significantly! Nobody is predicting this any time soon.

2. Inventory levels will need to go UP significantly. They keep dropping and there’s a surprisingly low number of new listings coming on the market. We keep waiting for more listings, but it’s not happening.

3. Our national or local economy will need to DROP significantly. The economy in Canada and particularly in the GTA seems to be getting better. Love him or hate him, Prime Minister Harper has been able to keep the wheels on the road. So far we seem to be “bullet proof” compared to what is going on in other parts of the world. Thank God, we’re Canadian!


Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage

30 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Bus (905) 568-2121

Res (905) 238-3434

Cel (416) 953-9714

LisaMovesYouNow@Rogers.com

www.lisamovesyounow.com



"The referral of your friends and family is the greatest give you can give me. Thank you for your trust!"

Selling Your Own House: Wisdom and Folly

Selling Your Own House: Wisdom and Folly



October, 2010, the Canadian Real Estate Association ratified an agreement with the Competition Bureau. The agreement allows homeowners to negotiate the level of service they receive from their real estate agent. The most basic level of service now permits a willing Agent to post a property on the Multiple Listing Service, then leave the homeowner to handle the rest of the transaction.



On the surface, this is an attractive idea. By hiring a posting-only Agent, a Seller gains the exposure of an MLS posting for a nominal fee. However, anyone thinking of selling their house in this way should be aware of the impacts of operating this way.



When it comes to marketing a property, a posting on MLS is just the start. A full-service Agent will do a great deal more than using print, media and the web to advertise a listing. Most importantly, they engage the confidence of other full time professionals. The full service Agent representing a Buyer may interact confidently with the full service professional representing the Seller and both are likely to stay focused on bringing Buyer and Seller together. When the focus widens to include concerns about who gets paid what by whom, confidence in the process is weakened on both sides of the table. The risk is that the Seller will either net less on the sale or not get a sale at all. Many disappointed do-it-yourselfers wind up signing with a full service Agent who then gets the job done. If time is a valuable commodity to a Seller, the cost of perhaps having to start again ought to be factored into the cost/benefit analysis.



Few homeowners are experienced in pricing a home accurately, or in adjusting that price to changing market conditions. Fewer still are comfortable with negotiating an offer to receive the best possible price. If an offer is made, the majority of Buyers will have an Agent negotiating for them, pitting the homeowner against an experienced professional.



In a full-service scenario, after the deal is signed the Buyer's deposit is held in the Brokerage's trust account. Without an Agent, Seller and Buyer will have to decide where the money is to be placed. Before the deal closes, Buyer visits may have to be scheduled, and in the case of condominiums, Status Certificate packages obtained. Without a full-service Agent, this is up to the Seller as well. Finally, if there is a problem in the closing of the deal, an Agent will drop everything to straighten it out. Full-service professionals have a wealth of experience in handling objections and solving problems both pre and post-sale. Solo Sellers may find themselves standing in front of a very steep learning curve that is interfering with their normal routines and responsibilities.



There is an old homily that says "The lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a client." If a doctor gets sick, the objective analysis of a colleague is likely to serve him better than his own subjective and perhaps emotional, diagnosis. Why then, would a homeowner want to sell his house himself?

Article By R Peter Russell


Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative


Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage

30 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Bus (905) 568-2121

Res (905) 238-3434

Cel (416) 953-9714

LisaMovesYouNow@Rogers.com

www.lisamovesyounow.com



"The referral of your friends and family is the greatest give you can give me. Thank you for your trust!"

*not intended to solicit buyers or sellers already under contract*

BUYING WITH MOM & DAD (New Toronto Real Estate Show)

Brand new show, from the producers of quality real estate programs Property Virgins, Property Brothers and the Unsellables, is now in pre-production.



They are looking for families, buying real estate for, or with their adult children. (Examples - Parents contributing to the purchase of their child's first home or purchasing a condo for their child attending University; or aging parents moving in with adult children.)



Each episode features a family, maneuvering through the drama and excitement of property purchase, with their unique family dynamic and the agent who guides them on their journey.


A television appearance fee of $2,000.00 for each family and $1,000 for the assisting agent.



A time commitment of about 4 days is required and we will do our best to shoot over the course of 3 weekdays and 1 day on the weekend. The shooting schedule would not be determined until the participants are approved by the Producers and the Network and officially booked.



The next step, is an informal telephone interview, followed by an audition, conducted in the participants' home.


Please don't hesitate to contact my friend Melissa with with questions or concerns. If you are a buyer than call me! Thanks.

mcassin@cineflix.com

Also, here is something fun,  my friend Tal Bachman is back in studio- check out www.reverbnation.com/talbachman. for free downloads and tour info.




Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage

30 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Bus (905) 568-2121

Res (905) 238-3434

Cel (416) 953-9714

LisaMovesYouNow@Rogers.com

www.lisamovesyounow.com



"The referral of your friends and family is the greatest give you can give me. Thank you for your trust!"

2011 Summer Events -Free Access Days

2011 Summer Events

Casa Loma wants you to see our fabulous gardens and we offer you the opportunity to do so for free.

The Gardens are free* from May through October on the following dates only:


Six Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:

May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8,

September 12 and October 3
Tuesday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.(to 7:00 p.m. from Sept. 12 on): May through October.

*Free access to gardens, does not include entrance to Estate Buildings.


All Events are subject to change without notice. http://www.casaloma.org/

Skip the lines and buy your tickets online!


THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSUEM DISCOUNT and FREE ACCESS Opportunities.

http://www.rom.on.ca/
Receive half price general admission on Fridays starting at 4:30 pm. General admission to the Museum is free on Wednesdays after 3:30 pm.

Groups of 20 or more paid guests receive discounted rates and can customize their visit with special add-ons. Learn more!

The Royal Ontario Museum’s Community Access Network (ROM CAN) provides free tickets to communities and individuals who may not otherwise visit the Museum.

Art Gallery of Ontario AGO- Special Discounts

http://www.ago.net/


FREE Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8:30 pm (Permanent Collection only. Excludes surcharged exhibitions.)



FREE for Ontario teachers with valid ID from the Ontario College of Teachers (Permanent Collection only. Excludes surcharged exhibitions.)



FREE AFTER 3 for Ontario high school students with valid student ID, Tuesday to Friday after 3 pm (Permanent Collection only. Excludes surcharged exhibitions.)



SAVE on groups of 15 or more!



......Please email me with  more summer saviing ideas for fun things to do in Toronto and Mississauga and other Surrounding areas.

New condo Buying

New Condo Buying


Like all markets, real estate experiences fluctuations in activity. One constant in the Greater Toronto Area though, is the growing number of condominium transactions.



Combining affordability with carefree living and the latest amenities, condominiums are attracting more buyers than ever before. In June 2010 for example, condominiums comprised nearly 33 per cent of all sales. By contrast, at the same time a year ago they comprised nearly 29 per cent of transactions.



While many buyers retain the services of a real estate professional when buying a resale condominium, some aren’t aware that it is equally important to consult a REALTOR® when considering new construction developments as well.



When choosing a new condominium suite there are a number of variables of which you should be aware, and your REALTOR® can guide help you steer clear of any potential pitfalls.



Your purchase agreement may for example, allow your builder to substitute the gleaming stainless appliances you expect with black or white alternatives. It goes without saying that finishing features may not be the same as those displayed in the presentation office but you should also be aware that even room sizes and ceiling heights can be altered to make model suites more attractive. Even parking facilities might not be what you expect.



While every agreement should, of course, be reviewed by your legal counsel, your REALTOR® can help you identify features that are most important to you, so that your agreement provides for those specifics.



If your priority is a spectacular view, your REALTOR® can advise on zoning in the surrounding area that could affect sightlines in future.



Given that REALTORS® have many contacts in the community, they might even be able to give you insight into current owners’ experiences with your chosen developer.



Using their access to RealNet, a database that includes 99 per cent of all developments greater than 15 units in size in the GTA, your REALTOR® can also help you compare a developer’s value proposition to others currently available in the market.



While a provision to withdraw an offer does not apply to resale condominium transactions, the purchase of a new condo allows, through legislation, for a 10-day cooling off period in which you are entitled to rescind your offer should you decide to explore other options.



Given that many new condominium purchases involve buying into nothing more than a concept and that emotions are heightened when the majority of your financial resources are involved, it’s wise to have a REALTOR® on your side who is familiar with the many variables and can safeguard your interests throughout the process.



For more information on how a REALTOR® can help you find a condo that is perfectly suited to your needs, talk to a REALTOR® and visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com where you will find neighbourhood profiles, GTA open house listings, information on government programs for homebuyers and more.

Re-Districting Toronto MLS – Coming July 5

Re-Districting TorontoMLS – Coming July 5


July 5 will see the fulfillment of a major objective: the replacement of our old MLS® districts with easier to understand community names.
 
Our 86 alpha-numeric districts are not only arbitrary, they’re out of date.
 
Many of them were drawn when places like Markham and Vaughan were mostly rural and not the bustling communities that they are today. Not only do the current district names not make sense to your clients, you can’t use them to accurately target what your clients want.
 
It is almost impossible to target a search in our MLS® system to a specific neighbourhood, which means that many of your search results are not what your client is after. Re-Districting will solve these problems, replacing the code numbers with true geographic areas, giving your searches greater clarity and a tighter focus.
 
On July 5, community, or neighbourhood names, are replacing the districts. Their names and their boundaries were provided by government bodies with REALTOR® input.
In this way, the names will make sense to the people who live in the area and REALTORS® who work in the field.

Greater Toronto Area Real Estate Market Update and Victoria Day!

I want to keep you updated with the Greater Toronto Area Real Estate Market. After reviewing the latest sales figures from the Toronto Real Estate Board, it looks like:

THIS MARKET IS SIZZLING!!!! INVENTORY NUMBERS ARE VERY LOW!

So far in May 2011 there were already 4,812 sales for the month! At this rate we should hit approx. 10,000 total sales in TREB for May. We will meet or exceed the number we hit in May 2010.

Here’s where it gets really interesting. Currently there are only 18,430 homes for sale on the Toronto Real Estate Board, compared to 25,414 at the end of May 2010. That’s about a 35% drop! What does that mean? Well, in many areas it’s getting even more frustrating for buyers and prices are still climbing. Although there are many areas experiencing more normal conditions, some of the hottest areas in the Toronto area include The Beach, Bloor West Village, North Toronto and Milton.

The question I get asked most often is, “What do you think will happen this year?” We made it thru a federal election and the wheels didn’t fall off the economy. This market had been going straight up for over 10 years now. When will it stop? Doesn’t look like it will be this year! There are 3 main conditions that will cause our market to remain strong while other areas seem to stagger.

1. Our inventory levels are very low and should remain low. We won’t have a huge influx of new listings or see anything close to other areas around the world as far as “distressed properties” coming on the market. Buyers won’t be able to sit back to pick and choose.

2. Mortgage interest rates are very low and should remain low for quite some time. Although we may see marginal increases over the next while, home ownership will remain very affordable.

3. Our economy is very strong and seems to be improving. Canada is a shining star in the world economy.

Please feel free to share this information with your clients and friends. We all know that an educated consumer is our best customer.

Have an awesome fun and safe Victoria Day Long Weekend. For my readers South of the border, this is a holiday about a Queen. The Queen Mum. She was recently portrayed in the fantastic movie "THE KINGS SPEECH"

What are your plans this weekend? Camping, BBQ/Cookout, house cleaning or just lazing around the house.

Whatever your plan, if you are a in Canada, you will have an extra day. Victoria Day or May 2-4 weekend is this coming weekend. This weekend to me is the official start of summer. Time to take the Christmas lights down! :) ....


This weekend I plan on taking it easy. I have two open houses scheduled that I am really looking forward to.

I normally like to either go to a cottage or camping.   In terms of working on Victoria Day, I find that if the weather is nice, people like to go out and look at houses so it could be a busy work weekend for me as well. I hope so, I love what I do.
I think the drive-in would be a good thing to do on a long weekend like this. I will post some other suggestions for you later in the week of things going on in Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke and Toronto.

Until next time, have a good one!



Lisa Portolese, Sales Representative
Royal LePage Kingsbury Realty, Brokerage
30 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Bus (905) 568-2121
Res (905) 238-3434
Cel (416) 953-9714

LisaMovesYouNow@Rogers.com
http://www.lisamovesyounow.com/ (new website being updated this week)

One Minute for Madeleine-4 year anniversary of her kidnapping.

One Minute for Madeleine-4 year anniversary of her kidnapping.  Please help find Madeleine McCann and other missing children around the world

Why does the search continue?

•There is absolutely nothing to suggest that Madeleine has been harmed.

•Madeleine is still missing and someone needs to be looking for her.

•She is very young and vulnerable and needs our help.

Her best chance of being found, is by being remembered. Please take a moment to review her picture and what she may look like today.

Please join this facebook group http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=2736840716

http://www.findmadeleine.com/

This is a good time to buy but not a time to rush as we expect the buyers’ market to continue all through 2011.

Spring was, was not, was, then went away but is almost here and the real estate market does show signs of a spring awakening.

On February 7 and 8th most major Canadian banks raised their 5 year interest rate for mortgages by .25%. More recently some banks have slightly raised the long term rates due to a low supply of mortgage money but rate increases do not appear to be likely until at least the Fall due to the upcoming Canadian election.

With low rates, this year is a good time to buy. We suggest that it is a good idea to list properties for sale now in the early spring market, before there is more competition in your neighbourhood.

Continuing instability in the Arab world, have created uncertainty, a higher Canadian dollar and higher fuel prices but otherwise the world’s economy appeared to be in less danger of slipping back into recession until the earthquake/tsunami/radiation crisis hit Japan.

I believe there will be even higher oil prices once lost nuclear energy is replaced by oil and Japan moves into rebuilding. Ontario’s economy has done better than many others.

We will have a federal election in May but it should not affect the Canadian economy’s performance or affect the real estate market in Ontario. Stock markets rose and gold speculation reduced in the early new year showing support for improved economic indicators in the USA and the approval of major tax cuts as a further stimulus to the economy. We have been living this year in a more optimistic world but not necessarily safe from recession yet as seen by stock markets falling in Canada and worldwide after the Japan crisis evolved. The recent move to well above parity for the Canadian dollar is actually a danger sign especially for Ontario where the high dollar is bad for exports.

Last year’s real estate slowdown started once the HST was effective. Last year the major Canadian banks began to raise longer term mortgage rates during the last week of March and again in mid April 2010 as the long term bond rate went up due to speculation of higher rates coming. Most people thinking that tough times were over, were expecting that the official Bank of Canada interest rate would begin a serious increase in rates from their recession low of .25% and the present 1% official rate, but that was not in the cards.

There is good reason to continue to hold rates low when serious unemployment as part of a weak recovery in the USA, problems in Europe and concern over restraint in China have kept the Canadian dollar from jumping and hurt commodity prices for minerals and oil which are so important to Canada’s economic performance. This continuing world downturn is the real force that will slow pressure for rate increases in Canada.

High interest rates would help raise the Canadian dollar (now at $1.03) far above the US dollar and hurt the Canadian manufacturing sector which is the main part of Ontario’s economy. With the Libya crisis and oil prices over $100 per barrel, rising with concerns about peak oil (Saudi Arabia running out?) and the environmental danger of offshore drilling, we can expect the Canadian dollar to continue to rise to dangerous levels due to higher valuation of Canadian tar sands oil reserves even without an interest rate increase over the next several months.


Much real estate activity has been driven by fear of big increases in interest rates. People want to lock into a long term mortgage while rates are still fairly low. This probably makes sense if you can get a 5 year rate of 4% or less. The reality is the economic crisis is far from over and long term mortgage rates may fall a little again giving even better terms for a locked in mortgage rate in the future. This is a good time to buy but not a time to rush as we expect the buyers’ market to continue all through 2011. Make offers conditional so you can have someone qualified inspect the property first and be satisfied you wish to proceed once you know the condition of the property and likely future costs related to the property deficiencies.


The real estate market was hot early in 2010 in our local areas of Pickering, Ajax and Whitby and other popular places in the City of Toronto. The mild weather and absence of snow in Southern Ontario certainly helped keep the market alive last winter. The busy winter market of 2010 was unprecedented and the big question now is what will happen beyond this Spring in 2011.

This winter has not been like last winter in any way especially the weather. Recent developments continue to show that the economic crisis is not over and unemployment is a very serious concern. While technically the recession was over by the end of 2009 the recovery remains questionable. There is a huge and growing Government deficit both Federal and Provincial which will take many years or major Government spending cutbacks to repay once the effort is made. Right now interest rates remain at historic lows and incentives for first time buyers have brought new buyers to the real estate market. There was a rush to be ahead of the Ontario HST which adds 8% provincial sales tax to the GST of new home purchases (over $400,000), all real estate commissions and all legal fees which started in July 2010. Utility and fuel costs have risen because of the HST. Higher taxes associated with home ownership, purchase and sale have already slowed the market. The 905, 519 and 705 areas are significantly benefiting from the City of Toronto’s Land Transfer Tax which adds considerable cost to a home purchase in Toronto (except for first time buyers).

Toronto is reviewing the Land Transfer Tax and taxes in general with a penny pinching mayor. This May, if Rob Ford succeeds, draw some people back to the city or at least slow down the exit from 416 to 905 many have been making. At the same time this may cause fearful minorities and those requiring social services to exit Toronto which could become less friendly with the new group in charge at city hall.

The auto sector is doing very well now and jobs have been preserved at GM and Chrysler who were in bankruptcy situations. Ford has grown stronger to become the number one auto manufacturer. In Oshawa people at GM are working overtime and extra shifts to build new Camaros. Impala production in Oshawa has been renewed along with new Cadillac models and the made in Oshawa Camaro continues to be produced below demand levels. GM and Ford are benefiting greatly from increased sales in the fast growing market of China. Toyota’s vehicle problems have helped GM as well and GM is now actually making a profit.Its recent sale of shares went very well and they are holding their price. We project further growth and stable housing prices in the Durham Region buoyed by GM’s recent success. This should spill over to Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes areas which are designated for growth by Province of Ontario plans. Signs are now up and an announcement made for the full extension of the 407 Highway to Highway 115 which will make the commute to and from the Kawarthas easier which will attract home and cottage buyers. We expect a housing boom to spread into Peterborough and the Kawarthas in the coming two years with greater volume of real estate sales and higher prices.



Announcement by Canada’s Finance Minister Jim Flaherty of tighter rules for qualification for an insured high ratio mortgage has made a greater than originally expected impact on the market and not just by keeping borderline qualified buyers out of the market. With the tie of qualification to long term interest rates the new rules force home buyers to qualify for a mortgage at the high 5 year posted fixed rate even if they are selecting a discount, variable or lower short term rate. Many who can easily afford to buy a home are not qualifying because of the requirement for bigger down payments and that they qualify for the highest rate mortgage now offered. This will put a damper on house buying by people who can barely afford it and in the long run it should stabilize the market. There was some panic going on in late 2010 which was unwarranted and there is now less talk of “bubble bursting”.



Condominium sales in Toronto have weakened because there are so many new projects opening in excess of demand. We believe the fear of there being too many new ones being built is unfounded in the long run as condominiums reflect a lifestyle change which is beginning to extend to the baby boomers. This is an excellent time to get a good deal in the condo market. There is likely to be a decrease in new condo projects which will once again tighten supply before too long. There has been little activity in the cottage market for a few seasons but it picked up a little last year with no boom. Lower priced cottages have been selling as have those with price drops. Reasonable pricing is the key as the market has many cottage options in Ontario with a wide range of prices. The best cottage investments would be properties close to the GTA where the drive is not too far noting the rising price of gasoline. Cottage areas east of Toronto should benefit from easier access. More cottage owners are looking to get rental income and it appears renting is more affordable for many people than buying. Cottage buyers will be attracted by the opportunity to rent out their cottage some of the time to offset costs. Buyers for all types of properties need to be cautious of overpaying and need to think of the future when they may have to renew large mortgages at a higher interest rate.



I predict that the Ontario, Canada real estate market will be positive through 2012 despite negative factors including the HST. Canadians always seem to adjust quickly to new taxes. I do expect a continuing slow but steady market with no “crash”. Royal Lepage on January 6, 2011 issued a report predicting a 3% rise in housing prices nationally for 2011. Most home buyers now are locking into longer term mortgage rates that are sometimes much higher than short term rates. I believe you will save if you get a lower variable rate now as I predict any rise in rates will not be as large as the current spread between long term and variable rates. What you do depends on your willingness to take risk and how important certainty is to your budgeting. As well if your bank will give you a low five year rate as some banks are now offering it may be to your advantage.

If you have any questions about the real estate market, just give me call (416) 953-9714 or (905) 568-2121.

Don't toss out that towel! How to Get Rid of Mold in Towels and Clothing : )

 How to Get Rid of Mold in Towels and Clothing

Tossing damp towels and clothing into a laundry hamper or beach bag might seem convenient at the moment, but it can lead to mold. Mold stains and scents can be difficult to remove from laundry unless you use the proper techniques. You don't have to scrap your moldy towels and clothes in favor of buying new ones. There are simple ways to remove mold and mildew.

Difficulty:ModerateInstructions

things you'll need:

Water

Washer

Dryer

Bleach

Laundry detergent

Clothesline (or other means of hanging clothes outside)



1 Fill your washer with hot water, the appropriate amount of laundry detergent and one cup of bleach. Use chlorine bleach for whites and color-safe bleach for non-white towels and articles of clothing.

2 Add the clothes or towels as the washer is filling with water (after you have added the detergent and bleach).

3 Let the clothes or towels soak for 30 minutes before continuing the washing cycle.

4 Remove the towels or clothes from the washer once they finish washing and place them in the dryer. Dry for 30 minutes on the hottest setting. The heat from the washing and the drying, combined with the bleach and detergent, should kill mold spores.

5 Hang the clothes or towels outside in bright sunlight, preferably in an area where they can receive a breeze. Try to leave them hanging outside all day. This should help to remove any remaining moldy scent.


Tips & Warnings

Prevent mold and mildew in clothing and towels by washing wet or damp items immediately or hanging them in a well-ventilated place to dry out until you can wash them.

HST and Resale Housing

TORONTO – March 21, 2011 - Revenue Minister Sophia Aggelonitis and Toronto Real



Estate Board President, Bill Johnston, today released a video explaining to prospective



buyers the facts about the HST and the housing market.



The video highlights the fact that there is no HST on the purchase price of resale homes.



Sales tax did not apply to the purchase price of resale homes under the previous PST, and



it does not apply under the HST.



For new housing, additional tax only applies to the portion of the price above $400,000.



The Ontario Enhanced New Housing Rebate means that buyers of new homes receive a



rebate of up to $24,000 regardless of the price of the new home. Buyers of new homes



priced up to $400,000 (about three-quarters of new homes built in Ontario) on average



pay no more – and possibly even less – tax than under the previous PST, where sales tax



was hidden in the price.



“Buying a home is one of the most important investments a person will make in their



lifetime. That's why I'm pleased to be working with TREB to provide information about



purchasing a home in Ontario."



— Minister of Revenue Sophia Aggelonitis



“REALTORS® are happy to help inform the public about the HST. It is important that



the public understands that HST does not apply to the purchase price of a resale home.”



— Bill Johnston, President, Toronto Real Estate Board



QUICK FACTS



 The HST does not apply to the purchase price of resale homes.



 Sales tax did not apply to the purchase price of resale homes under the previous PST.



 In addition to not having HST on resale homes, a refund of Land Transfer Tax of up



to $2,000 is available to first-time home buyers of resale homes.