In looking at this week's numbers, it is quite a change in the number of properties that have been taken off the market - 28 listings expired or were cancelled in the past week, representing 8.2% of the available listings. There were a total of 7 properties sold, plus another 7 that went under a lease contract.

The busiest segments of the market this week were the price ranges of $275,000 to $300,000,  and $325,000 to $350,000, with 2 sales each. There were no sales over $375,000.

In terms of market supply, which is the most important factor to consider, we have approximately a one year supply of houses on the market right now. That means that if conditions stay the same and no new properties come onto the market, it will take a year to sell the available inventory.

It's called a Buyer's Market for a reason.

We have to apologize for the delay in posting the final 2008 Statistics - our MLS provider is experiencing a few challenges with the statistical module of the software and has been delayed in providing this information.

Look for a month-to-month update to also be available once the statistical module is working. In the meantime, we will continue compiling our weekly TMO by manually entering the data, listing by listing, into a spreadsheet and calculating for your benefit.

Beware of Invisible Hazards Lurking In Your Home

(NC)—When you hear the word pollution usually the first picture that comes to mind are large clouds of smoke billowing from factory smoke stacks or a line of countless vehicles spewing exhaust fumes. In fact, the majority of people still blame poor indoor air quality on outdoor air pollution. But this is simply not true.

Did you know that outdoor air pollution only counts for a fraction of indoor air pollution? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of the average home can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.

Invisible pollutants produced by common household substances, plus dust and excess humidity that get trapped in today's houses, can increase your risk of chronic respiratory illness and your home's risk of serious structural damage.

Today's well-insulated homes often lack the ability to "breathe" freely. Trapped, stale air and excess humidity can lead to mold build-up, unpleasant odors, condensation on windows, and even structural damage to your home.

Pervasive irritants such as dust, dust mites, cigarette smoke and other pollutants commonly found in household air may increase the risk of chronic respiratory illness, allergies, sinusitis, frequent headaches, coughing and asthma.

According to the Canadian Lung Association the most effective ways to control humidity and remove excess moisture and pollution levels from your home, apart from source control, are ventilation and filtration of circulating air.

The air exchanger manufactured by Venmar Ventilation is the first system to offer a unit that integrates heat recovery ventilation technology with HEPA filtration at an affordable price.

"With our system you can get the best of both worlds," says Gagnon. "It works to provide fresh air through ventilation and at the same time ensures the best indoor air quality by trapping airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander mold and bacteria through its HEPA filter with antimicrobial protection. The HEPA filter traps and removes up to 99.97% of airborne allergens and assists in distributing fresh air throughout the home." More information on the benefits of ventilation is available at www.venmar.ca.

- News Canada

Resolved to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in 2009? Think Packaging


(ARA) – You conserved energy in 2007 by installing programmable thermostats in your home. In 2008, you replaced your home’s incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights. If you’re wondering what you can do in 2009 to further reduce your carbon footprint, just take a look at product packaging.

Americans generated 60 billion pounds of plastic waste in 2006, and recycled just 7 percent of it. Despite our noble efforts, Americans still recycle less than we should. Every day, one landfill closes somewhere in the United States, so reducing the amount of materials that need to be disposed of is a critical part of environmental efforts.

From milk cartons and cereal boxes to household cleaner bottles, the packaging we use in our daily lives generates a lot of waste. In 2009, consider focusing your eco-friendly efforts on reducing the amount of packaging you and your family use and – ultimately – dispose of. Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you visit the grocery store.

Household Cleaners

Traditional cleaners may become passé as more people opt for natural products over harsh chemicals. Even if you are using natural cleaners, however, you can still do more for the environment -- by choosing products that come in environmentally sensible packaging.

Some cleaning product manufacturers, like Arm & Hammer, are offering ways to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging. The company’s new Essentials Cleaners use plant-based cleaners (with other biodegradable ingredients) with a twist -- the “starter kit” includes an empty, reusable trigger-spray bottle and a cartridge of cleaner concentrate. Consumers fill the bottle with tap water, twist in the cartridge and are ready to clean. When they run out, they purchase a refill cartridge and reuse the same bottle.

The bottles can be reused, extending the usable life of the packaging -- and keeping them out of the waste stream. The refill cartridges are also smaller and lighter than a full bottle of traditional cleaner, so it’s less costly to manufacture and transport them, reducing fuel expenditure and carbon emissions.  The two-pack refill cartridge system uses 80 percent less packaging than two traditional 32-ounce cleaners.

“Plastic from household cleaners and containers can generate more waste than many people suspect- 28 billion pounds in 2006 alone,” says David Bach, eight-time national bestselling financial author and green lifestyle expert who wrote “Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth (and Get Rich Trying).”  “Furthermore, people don’t think about recycling their cleaning products, meaning that most end up in landfills.  Reducing packaging reduces the volume of plastic entering the waste stream.”

Cosmetics Industry

Much of the packaging used by the cosmetics industry is plastic and most of that does not get recycled -- from lipstick tubes to eye shadow compacts. Just as consumer demand for cruelty-free products drove the industry to find alternatives to animal testing, cosmetics manufacturers are now offering more environmentally sensible packaging options.

For example, one company has introduced a lipstick tube made of a biodegradable polymer of organic sugars and oils. Other companies are using recycled materials to manufacture packaging or are designing their packaging with easily recyclable materials like aluminum. Some manufacturers are even offering products like eye shadow in reusable compacts -- when the eye shadow is empty, consumers simply dispose of the cartridge and refill the compact with a new one.

Bottled Water

Many bottled water drinkers imbibe in packaged water for their health – bottled water is perceived as clean, healthy and convenient. But until recently, the industry also produced vast quantities of plastic bottles that never made it to recycling bins.

Bottled water manufacturers are trying to turn those numbers around, introducing compactable bottles designed to crumple easily, which makes it easier to recycle them after use. Some companies have also begun making bottles from recycled material. Others market reusable bottles that consumers can fill on their own by purchasing larger sizes of bottled water and filling the smaller, more portable bottles as needed.

Packaging Pointers

Consumers needn’t simply wait for companies to improve their packaging process, however. There are plenty of ways environmentally conscious Americans can help reduce packaging’s impact on the environment, including:

* Shop for items with packaging that clearly states it is made wholly or in part from recycled materials.

* Avoid buying products in packaging that is not recyclable. You can check to be sure a bottle or other packaging is recyclable by looking for the recycling code – usually located on the bottom of the package.

* Choose to do business with companies that minimize packaging. For example, large wholesale club stores may not provide bags because it saves them money, but they’re also helping the environment by curbing packaging.

* Let eco-friendly businesses know you appreciate their efforts, and voice your concerns to those that fall short in the area of environmental responsibility.

* Choose products that have made an effort to improve their packaging and supply chain. Transporting goods through lower-impact transportation options, like railways and barges, produces less pollution than other alternatives such as trucking or air transport.

* Look for companies and brands that have an established history of environmental and social responsibility.

To learn more about Arm & Hammer Essentials, visit www.armandhammeressentials.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Relief for home buyers and renovators

. . . . . .The other major pieces of tax relief are addressed at prospective and existing home buyers. The budget is raising the amount that first-time home buyers can withdraw from an RRSP to $25,000 from the previous $20,000. And first-time home buyers will also benefit from a new non-refundable tax credit of $5,000 for qualified homes that close after January 27, 2009. That $5,000 equates to $750 in tax savings, Ms. O'Hagan calculates.

Those who already homes will benefit from a temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC), worth 15% on home renovation projects between $1,000 and $10,000. O'Hagan says this is worth up to $1,350 on a $10,000 project, which is 15% of $9,000. Note that this is a short-term stimulus that applies on work performed or goods acquired after Budget Day and before Feb. 1, 2010. It's a non-refundable tax credit, which means it can reduce taxes payable but there is no refund if your taxes are reduced below zero.

According to the radio commentary, new sod and landscaping also are covered in this HRTC!

Affordability Options & Getting Into the Home You Want to Buy as a Renter

For a lot of people, it seems the task of finding and buying your dream home, which requires a combination of the right circumstances in your life making it possible for you to step into the home buying process, is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps coming up with the full amount of the required downpayment is proving more of a challenge, or maybe there were some credit bruises in the past. Whatever the case may be, there are often options out there that you didn't know existed.

For example, with the mortgage terms and affordability often being the biggest impediment to home buying, there are a number of down payment programs available in the marketplace, each of which is dependent on your particular situation. Contact me for introduction to our mortgage specialist to help you on your way in this area.

One example of a payment-lowering method is to lengthen the ammortization period for the mortgage, or the amount of time the loan it would take to pay off the loan if you never changed the rate, payment frequency, etc. While a 40-year ammortization is no longer available, 35 years is common, and might just make the difference of you buying a home or not qualifying because your ratios are outside the accepted parameters.

Another option, especially if you have high income potential in a year or two, due to your new work as, say, a doctor, lawyer, etc., is to start out with a short-term interest-only mortgage, and then switch over to a regular mortgage after a couple of years. Yet another option could be to have your mortgage split into a part variable rate and part fixed rate, the result of which is that your overall interest rate would be lower.

If you used the blended approach, you can reduce the interest costs greatly without gambling on interest rate fluctuations. With today's interest rates in simple terms, you could be borrowing at 4%.

What if the downpayment is your challenge? There are a number of ways a skilled mortgage broker can provide assistance in that area. A few of the options are through credit lines, cash back programs, and deferred closing cost plans, all of which can help pay your land transfer taxes (which the government helps you with anyway), closing costs, etc.

But what if you don't want to take advantage, or don't qualify to take advantage, of some of these options? If you have some minor credit blemishes, or for whatever reason, won't be ready to get a mortgage and buy your home for another 12 to 18 months, we can still get you into the home you want to buy now. Yes, without getting a mortgage, and without your coming up with the entire downpayment a mortgage can require, we can still get you into a home that is one you would buy now, if you could. Contact us for full details on how you can move into the home of your choice now.

We are launching a series of FREE workshops for home buyers in February 2009, where we will go into more detail of how some of these programs work. If you would like to be advised of the seminar schedule, send us an email.

Top Ten 2009 Gardening Trends






(ARA) – Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend to grow-it-yourself (GIY). From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new mantra as folks turn "back to the future" to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good.

"It’s a resurgence of gardening for the greater good -- for the earth and our wallets," says Susan McCoy, trend spotter and president of the Garden Media Group (GMG). "The most exciting movement seems to be that gardening is popular again, particularly among younger homeowners," she adds.

GMG’s gardening trends for 2009 reveal a resurgence in perennials, growing native plants, creating "blended" gardens using vegetables and herbs in flower beds, cultivating with best practices, planting to attract wildlife and going local.

"The urgent commitment to environmental sustainability and the basic desire to make our homes our havens is reflected in all gardening trends for 2009," predicts McCoy.

What’s in: Eco-boosting
What’s out: Conspicuous consumption
One simple way to be an eco-booster is to create natural habitats for wildlife with native plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. Look for eco-friendly plants like the line of native plants from American Beauties (www.ABNativeplants.com) or the Knock Out family of roses (www.TheKnockoutRose.com), which are drought- and disease-resistant, and require little care or chemicals. Go organic with peat-free soil from The Organic Mechanics Soil Company (www.OrganicMechanicSoil.com) that supports sustainable practices and feeds plants from the soil up.

What’s in: Grow-it-Yourself (GIY)
What’s out: Having someone do it all for you
Tranquil moments may be few but the recent rise in gardening reconnects us with nature, family and friends as we share our bounty. With the increase in demand for year-round fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers markets are seeing an upsurge in business, community gardens have waiting lists, and plant swaps are on the rise.

What’s in: Blended gardens
What’s out: Segregated gardens
Plant mint and fragrant thyme varietals in between cracks of stone pathways and grow strawberries for a delightful edible groundcover around trees. Fruit-bearing shrubs and trees provide color, privacy and fruitful bounty mingling among veggies and perennials. Garden centers are reporting an increase in demand for fruit-bearing shrubs like blueberries and raspberries as ornamentals. Briggs Nursery (www.BriggsNursery.com) is introducing the first-ever pink blueberry, "Pink Lemonade."

What’s in: Locavore
What’s out: Big carbon footprint
Buying local is all the rage. Gardeners are aware of their role as naturalists and conservationists, and are looking for native plants that thrive in their own backyards. “Native plant cultivars are selected to perform better in specific areas under local conditions,” says Steve Castorani, from American Beauties Native Plants. “When you select a plant that is native to the local area, it will thrive with little to no water, fertilizer or effort.”

What’s in: Water
What’s out: Water
For the first time, water is in and out. Whether bringing in fountains, endless waterfalls, or fish ponds, the soothing sounds of water can turn any backyard into a private oasis. Costa Farms (www.CostaFarms.com) offers plants that drink responsibly like succulents, cactus, yucca and ferns, which are easy, conserve water, and add sizzle to your landscape. The Knock Out family of roses, from bright red to sunny yellow, is drought-resistant.

"Water features such as fountains are showing up not only in the garden but on tabletops, and sometimes more than one in the garden," says Jon Carloftis, a renowned garden designer. He likes the classic and contemporary options from Campania International (www.CampaniaInternational.com) to bring the sight and sound of water into gardens without a lot of fuss or maintenance.

What’s in: Outside inside
What’s out: Outside only  
From bean sprouts on kitchen countertops to green walls laden with herbs and micro-greens, plants are decorating spaces as "art- in-motion." Tropical plants like bromeliads and orchids create instant beauty and give a boost of oxygen and clean the air.

"It’s easy to expand your home’s boundaries and add indoor charm to your patio, deck and garden using great indoor plants like ferns and palms. And ornamentals continue to be fashionistas beautifying containers, landscapes, mixed or mass planted," McCoy adds.

What’s in: Info lust
What’s out: Lack of knowledge
Lack of time and knowledge have been primary reasons people hesitate to garden. Not anymore. Novices and experienced gardeners hungry for inspiration, information, and instruction are packing master garden classes for instruction and gardening "how-to" tips. Gardeners are gobbling up information from friends, classes and workshops, local garden media, magazines, and the Internet and sharing their success stories with bloggers and friends

What’s in: Quick and simple
What’s out: Over-the-top and complicated
As time-starved consumers try to juggle busy schedules most seek quick and simple solutions to meet their gardening needs. Containers are no longer a trend but a garden staple in large and small spaces.

Select natural materials like cast stone and terra cotta containers and accessories that are perfect eco-friendly accents. "Big and bold is ‘in’ and square is the new round," says Peter Cilio, creative director for Campania International.

What’s in: Global colors
What’s out: Safe colors
The 2009 color forecasters predict a funky mix of colors that reflect a jambalaya of world cultures. Today’s main color influencers are our global connectivity, cultural unity, and environmental responsibility.

"Colors are bold, crazy, exaggerated, and in-your-face, almost like pop-art, and reflect a playful spirit in the face of world events," says Donna Dorian, former style editor of Garden Design Magazine.

Be uber-trendy with anything red this spring from the Carefree Spirit shrub rose and true red rhododendron "Trocadero" to tropical red Sun Parasol Crimson mandevilla.

What’s in: Worldly
What’s out: Cookie-cutter
Americans have embraced the world bazaar of vibrant colors, textures, sights and sounds. Asian, African, Indian, and Mid-Eastern influences are showing up in patterns, textures and colors.

"As we travel more, we tend to bring more of our memories home -- creating escapist retreats," says John Kinsella, brand director for terrain (www.terrainathome.com).  

For a complete look at the GMG 2009 Garden Trends, visit www.GardenMediaGroup.com or subscribe to www.GardenPlot.Blogspot.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The latest issue of the Milton Real Estate Total Market Overview is now online in a much more user-friendly format - no forms to fill out, no downloads, just visit http://MiltonRealEstateNews.com and you'll find it through the Discussion Board.

Decorating Trends for 2009: Economy, Nature and Fashion Influences


(ARA) - What’s in store for home decorating in 2009? No matter what your taste, you’ll find a hue in the 2009 forecast of popular paint colors to suit your style. Since the average consumer spends two to three months planning a painting project, now is the ideal time to review your options, see what’s predicted to be popular and choose that perfect color.

Color Influencers
Looking to 2009, color experts are seeing three top drivers of color trends -- the economy, nature and fashion.

“It’s not surprising that the primary driver of our 2009 color forecast is the economy,” says Donna Schroeder, Dutch Boy color marketing and design manager. "During an economic slowdown, consumers traditionally become more conservative when decorating, oftentimes shifting to neutral colors when painting. However, even with the slower economy, we still expect to see the use of brighter paint colors as accents to the always-popular neutrals."

In addition to the economy’s influence on consumer color choices, the mainstreaming of the green movement is creating a renewed consciousness and sensitivity to the environment. The focus on bringing the outdoors into the home has once again made its way into the color forecast. The desire to incorporate basic elements of nature into interior design is still very prevalent.

In contrast to the two more serious drivers, the economy and nature, consumers still want to have fun when decorating their homes. So, many of the bolder and brighter clothing and fashion accessory colors seen on the fashion runways and in retail outlets are also reflected in the forecast.

2009 Color Forecast
All of the colors in this year’s forecast can be found within Dutch Boy’s Color Simplicity System. The five color themes for 2009 are:

Handmade
Look to this color palette to bring a personal homemade sensibility to your decor. Simple patterns and authentic colors are reflected in the desire to simplify, conserve and repurpose.  Colors in this palette include: Dried Stem, Beloved, Sidewalk Square, Mandarin Cove, Tulip Stem, Creamy Camel, Bull Frog and Espresso Latte.

Honest
Clean, natural colors capture the essence of ecology and preservation while the honest simplicity and sustainable sensitivity complement today’s contemporary styles. Colors reflect a raw, pure and organic feel.  Colors in the Honest palette include: Remember the Alamo, Western Cactus, Berber Carpet, Northern Climb, Not So Neutral, Sea Monster, Route 66 and Twisted Knot.

Dream
Conjuring up images of mystery and fantasy, the soft, floral-inspired colors found in this palette give an enchanting aura to any home. Feelings of whimsy and magic abound in these colors. Colors in the Dream palette include: Amethyst Gem, Purple Ash, Clover Bed, Concrete Thought, Beautiful, Flip-Flop, Pink Satin and Forest Hill.

Ancestry
Connecting with roots and heritage, the Ancestry trend palette lets you embrace your culture with a variety of warm colors that are anchored to a vibrant, global community. Colors in the Ancestry palette include: Infinity Pool, Young Sprout, Fresh Linen, Bronze Beauty, Mount Royale, Classic Red, Carmel and Distinguished Navy.

Construct
Bold and simple, linear and structured, these colors enhance a home’s architectural features and add a sense of Euro-modern geometry and order to any room. Colors in the Construct palette include: Dried Thyme, Sullen Mist, Rocket Red, Founding Father, Guess Hue, Laguna Blue, Pumpkin Stem and Empire State.

For more information about how to choose the perfect color, please visit www.dutchboy.com, or call (800) 828-5669.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tips for Selling Your Home in Winter

by Brandon Cornett

Most real estate experts agree that it's best to sell your home during the warmer months of spring and summer. For one thing, home buyers with children will often plan their house hunting / home buying process for the summer, when their children are out of school.

But what if you can't sell your home during the spring or summer? What if it's just not in the cards? Perhaps you cannot afford the home any more and you need to sell it fast, regardless of the season. Or maybe you have a job transfer that requires you to move during the winter months.

Whatever the reason, you need not despair. While there are certain challenges to selling a home during winter, they do not by any means make it impossible. On the contrary, if you follow the selling techniques and tips in this article (and the advice provided by your real estate agent), you should be able to sell your home in the winter nearly as easily as you would in the summer.

Contrast the Cold With the Warmth

Emotions play a big role in the home buying process. Granted, the buyers will be most concerned with the size of the home, the number of rooms, and other tangible items. But "gut" feelings and first impressions go a long way as well. So even in the coldest winter months, you can put this knowledge into practice. In fact, you can even take advantage of the winter cold!

The best way to do this is by showcasing the warmth and coziness of your home. By doing this, you will create a favorable first impression that the buyers will take with them throughout your house. Let's look at an example of this concept in action.

Imagine This Realistic Scenario

Local home buyers John and Jane visit your home while house hunting. It's cold outside, with wind and rain on top of that -- the kind of conditions that make you want to hunker down someplace warm. John and Jane open the front door and enter the home. The house is well lit and exudes warmth. Candles burn atop the mantle. A fire crackles softly in the fireplace. The smell of gingerbread cookies (recently baked on offered on a glass plate) permeates the air.

Doesn't that feel inviting? It will be the same way for buyers. So just by showcasing the warmth of your home, you have increased the likelihood of selling it. You are creating a favorable first impression by literally welcoming the buyers in from the cold.

You can think about it in terms of both psychology and physiology. The first physical impression will be one of warmth and relaxation, just as soon as the buyers walk in. This will lead to a favorable mental impression as well, and the buyers will carry this impression with them through the rest of the home.

Conclusion

Some people will tell you that selling a home fast during winter is impossible. We say it depends upon two things -- (A) the amount of effort you put into it, and (B) the type of real estate market you are in. So one cannot say across the board that selling a home fast in winter is impossible. It is a case-by-case situation. Use the tips provided in this article, follow the expert advice of your real estate agent, and you have every chance of selling your home during winter!