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

Some Canadian Real Estate Factoids . . . .

• In the first half of 2008, $56-billion of new mortgages in Canada (more than half of new mortgages) had 40-year amortizations. Two U.S.-based mortgage insurance companies, Genworth Financial and American International Group, are reportedly asking the Canadian federal government to raise existing government guarantees of private mortgage insurance to 100% from 90%. The federal government guarantees 100% of the mortgages insured by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
   
• The TD Canada Trust Homeowner Confidence poll reports that 92% of Canadian homeowners are staying put and not considering selling their homes. Of those surveyed, 53% are going ahead with planned renovations or plan to do even more home improvements.
   
• According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, the median price of all condos sold in November, 2008, fell to $226,000 from $241,000 in November, 2007. Sales dropped to 906 from 1,837 a year earlier. In December, 2008, the number of condo suites listed for sale increased to 4,637 units from 4,366 in December, 2007. The average number of days it took to sell a unit in 2008 climbed to 43 from 33 a year earlier.
   
• According to Cushman & Wakefield LePage, the industrial vacancy rate in Canada was an estimated 5.8% at the end of 2008, much lower than the doubledigit vacancy rates in many American cities. Vacancy rates increased 0.7% in small markets and climbed even less in major markets like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver last year. The national industrial vacancy rate is expected to rise 0.7% in 2009.
   
•  According to the Toronto Real Estate Board, sales of existing homes in Toronto fell 45% in December, 2008, from December, 2007. The average price dropped to $361,415 from $394,931 a year earlier. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., housing starts in Toronto rose 27% in December from a year ago. Total housing starts reached a record level in 2008, boosted by a 137%
  jump in condo starts, while low-rise starts fell.
   
• According to RealNet Canada Inc., the downtown core submarket in Toronto had sales of 143 condo units in November, making it the second-hottest area for condo sales in the GTA. The average price in the downtown core submarket is $745 per square foot, fourth highest among all GTA submarkets.
   
• According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association, existing home sales in the province fell by one-third to 68,923 units in 2008 from 2007. The average home price increased 3.5% to $454,599 for 2008. Prices dropped 11% from a peak of $483,291 in March to $429,210 at the end of the year. In
  December, 2008, sales were down 49% from a year earlier and the average price declined 6%.
   
• ......

  A major real estate firm, in a separate report, blamed the depressed level of consumer confidence, along with the slide into recession, for a slump in home sales and prices in the final quarter of 2008.

  "The combination of a global economy in recession and shrinking employment figures did much to dampen consumer confidence, diminish home sales and cause house prices to drop," Royal LePage Real Estate Services said in releasing details of its latest house-price survey.

  The average price of a detached bungalow dipped by 4.8 per cent from a year earlier to $319,640, standard condominiums fell 5.2 per cent to $233,230, and the standard two-storey home declined 6.3 per cent to $376,140.

  However, price trends varied dramatically across regional real estate markets, it said, noting that Regina and St. John's, N.L., posted double-digit gains, while the larger cities that have seen the greatest increase in prices this decade, including Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, recorded declining house prices.

  But the real estate giant also released survey results suggesting the market could get a lift from the fiscal stimulus in the budget.

  Nearly half of Canadians — 49 per cent — agree that the economic stimulus in the budget will have a positive impact on Canada's real estate market, it said.

  "Political actions taking place south of the border are also likely to buoy the country's economic conditions," it said, citing another survey finding that 82 per cent of Canadians agree that the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama will have a positive impact on consumer confidence here.

  The news out of the U.S. on Monday, that home sales unexpectedly rose 6.5 per cent last month, raised hopes that the deep housing market depression there, which triggered the global recession, may be easing.

  "Though unlikely to mark the bottom of the housing downturn, the report at least suggests the market is not spiraling downwards in response to mounting job losses and tightening credit standards," said BMO Capital Markets economist Sal Guatieri. "An upward trend in home sales that gobbles up supply and stabilizes prices would be an important signpost of economic recovery, but that is likely still some ways off."

  There was also an unexpected year-end increase in the index of U.S. leading economic indicators, which tends to signal the short-term direction of the economy.

  However, analysts noted that the increase in the U.S. index was narrowly based, largely reflecting a surge in money in the U.S. economy, and that the trend in the index continues to signal recession.

  In Canada, the reports of an improvement in the mood of consumers came amid a continuing flow of announcements of the levels of spending stimulus that will be in the budget, with Infrastructure Minister John Baird saying the government will spend $7 billion over two years on new infrastructure, bringing total promised new spending to more than $13 billion.

  "This is clearly having some impact on consumer confidence as nearly half of all Canadians believe the steps the government is taking to stimulate the economy . . . will positively impact the country's real estate market," said Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. ....... (Vancouver Sun)
   

• In the Milton area, we are seeing buyers starting to buy after delaying decisions for the past 5 to 6 months. Part of this is, I think, they have decided that the 'sky is falling' reporting of mainstream media has not proven true. Another factor is the incredible interest rates available, and a third factor is the excellent deals available on homes today. Buyers realize that they cannot time the bottom of the market, and don't want to be left thinking and waiting when the market does turn back up.

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!

5 Top Blunders of Internet Home Buying

How to avoid the common pitfalls of online real estate searching

While the painful real estate swoon appears likely to extend well into 2009—at least—the number of Americans using the Internet to find the home of their dreams is poised to keep on climbing. According to the 2008 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 87 percent of home buyers used the Internet to search for homes in the past year. That's up steadily from 84 percent in 2007, 80 percent in 2006. But despite its mounting popularity, the Internet home-buying process can present a host of pitfalls. To help make your online real estate searching more effective, here's a look at the top five Internet home-buying blunders and what you can do to avoid them. Read the 5 Top Blunders HERE

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

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

Winter Wake Up for Your Basement

(ARA) – A few years ago you finished your basement. You put in all the hard work to make it a perfect retreat and lounge. But you haven’t done a thing with it since. So often, people finish their basements and then forget about any upkeep.

Though the basement is often viewed as a rugged recreational room, it still deserves the same decorative and functional attention as the rest of the home; and the winter months provide the perfect opportunity to tackle some of those projects.

These simple tips will help renew and rejuvenate your basement by making it more usable, durable and inviting for your family and friends. Plus, each project is affordable and won’t require excessive work to accomplish. Most can be completed in one weekend, or a few evenings after work.

Paint in the Winter? Yes, You Can
One of the best ways to make your basement look brand new is to repaint. A fresh coat of paint will re-energize the room and provide a whole new feel. And, with newer paints having very low VOC (volatile organic compound) content, it’s safe to paint even with the windows closed.

Additionally, many of today’s low-VOC paints, like Pratt & Lambert’s RedSeal Porcelain, are also extremely durable, which is essential in a basement. This green-certified latex interior paint is actually scrubbable. Tiny porcelain beads in the paint don’t allow stains to penetrate the wall surface, making it simple to clean up. So whether your 2-year-old splashes his grape juice on the wall, or a Sunday football game ends in a celebration of flung nacho cheese, wall cleanup will be quick and easy.

Light it Up, or Down
Basement lighting can be tricky. Trying to balance the volume of light emitted from fixtures ranging from a single pull-chain bulb to fully-integrated recessed canister lights is no easy task. Simple dimmer switches are one of the easiest ways to make sure you can balance a basement lighting scheme at any point in the day.

Dimmer switches allow for a multitude of lighting options, whether you have a windowless basement that is completely lit by artificial lighting, or even if you have a fully finished walk-out basement with large windows and sliding glass doors. Dimmers can be purchased at any hardware store and are quickly and easily installed even by novice electricians and homeowners.

What’s Under Foot
Generally, because basement flooring is set on top of concrete slabs, most people opt for heavily padded carpet so they won’t feel the rigidity and hardness of the slab. The problem, however, is basement carpeting can become very dirty, worn and outdated rather quickly. The good news is that even if you already have carpet installed, you can update the flooring to a more modern, sophisticated pattern relatively simply and inexpensively.

Tarkett’s FiberFloor resilient flooring offers what homeowners desire most in their basements: resistance to water and moisture, scratches, scuffs, stains and indentations. And, it’s easy to clean – a basement must. Resilient sheet flooring offers an attractive option for a high-end appearance with the latest styles and patterns in a wide array of colors, designs and textures. Plus, after tearing up the existing carpet, all you need to do is roll out the sub-floor padding and then lay the floor.

The Good Kind of Mold-ing
Decorative architectural elements such as baseboards and crown molding can add dramatic effects to a basement, but many homeowners are concerned that using these molding pieces will shrink the appearance of the room.  Though it is true that most basements have lower ceilings than the rest of the home, some simple, thin, crown molding creates a very polished look in a basement.

Accenting the crown molding with color-matched baseboards easily turns the basement from a modest recreational area to a coveted destination area for your family and guests.

Each of these basement remodeling options is easily accomplished, no matter how cold it might be outside. The basement is most often a multi-use room, and these simple projects will certainly improve the room’s usability, quality and appearance.

For more information about Pratt & Lambert’s RedSeal Porcelain visit www.prattandlambert.com.  For more information about Tarkett flooring, visit www.tarkett.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Garden Superstars for Spring 2009

(ARA) - From picture-perfect roses to containers that are works of art, spring 2009 promises wonderful color and exciting new products for garden lovers everywhere.

“People want shrubs and plants that look great, are easy to grow, are good for the environment and perform well in their gardens,” says Susan McCoy, garden writer and trend spotter. “That’s just what the new products this spring promise to deliver.”

McCoy reveals a few of her favorite garden superstars for spring 2009 to help scratch that itch to get out in the garden after a long winter.

Let the Sun Shine  

McCoy loves “Sunny Knock Out," the newest addition to the Knock Out Family of Roses (www.TheKnockOutRose.com). It lives up to the Knock Out reputation for blooming continuously with little to no effort, and is naturally resistant to rust, mildew, blackspot, Japanese beetles and rose midge, making it easy to avoid harsh chemicals. It is bright yellow, the latest trendy color, and has a mild, sweet fragrance. From Canada to the Gulf states, you can expect the same profusion of sunny blooms on this compact shrub that grows up to 4.5 feet tall, making it perfect to mix in flower beds, for mass plantings or as a specimen plant.

Tropicals Sizzle in Your Garden

Add lots of color right up until fall’s first frost with the new Sun Parasol Crimson mandevilla. This easy tropical from Costa Farms (www.SunParasol.net) has huge crimson red, bell-shaped velvety blooms that cover the 12- to 15-foot vines, making it perfect for hanging baskets, containers, climbing up a trellis or in a landscape. Available in “Pretty” and “Giant” sizes, Sun Parasol Crimson comes in a 10-inch hanging basket or a 6-inch pot with or without a trellis. Either way, the saucer-sized blooms will add some tropical zest to your garden landscape, decks, patios and apartment balconies. Plant these beauties in six to eight hours of sun each day.

Pot up Some History  

For instant garden style, McCoy loves the latest “designer” containers and accessories from Campania International (www.CampaniaInternational.com).  The 2009 Chicago Collection reflects the city’s prairie style and art deco traditions with clean lines and minimal design. If you appreciate historical craftsmanship, the 18th century Colonial Williamsburg collection contains an array of garden containers, including cast-stone replicas of urns that blend a refined look with a contemporary feel. From window boxes to birdbaths, their accents will add an elegant touch inside or outside your home.

Grow ‘em Right

Start your containers off right with peat-free, organic potting soil. The Organic Mechanics (www.organicmechanicsoil.com) “Container Blend” is made of 100 percent organic materials from recycled agricultural waste products. With this rich potting mix, you’ll water less but your container plants will flower more and look greener. Plus the nutrient-rich product is reusable, a real cost benefit for gardeners. Perfect for all your containers, hanging baskets and window boxes, it is available this spring in Mid-Atlantic garden centers and Whole Foods stores.

Go Native, Go Local

Be a star in the garden this spring with American Beauties native plants (www.ABNativePlants.com), and the wildlife will thank you for providing food and shelter. Plus you’ll be making a contribution to the National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat program. But don’t get these natives confused with roadside “wild” flowers. These shrubs, trees, vines, grasses and perennials were hand-picked for their beauty, and their minimal need for fertilizer, water and pest control. The newest is “Iron Butterfly” Vernonia lettermannii, from Dr. Alan Armitage. This brilliant purple ironweed attracts butterflies in a wide range of soils and conditions.

Tickled Pink  

This first-ever pink blueberry -- “Pink Lemonade” -- is a sweet new introduction from Briggs Nursery (www.BriggsNursery.com), and one of the most exciting new plants McCoy has seen in years. The pink blueberry bush provides delicious fruit rich in antioxidants plus four seasons of color -- white flowers in spring, bright pink fruit in summer, great fall color and finally dusky auburn stems in winter. Growing about five feet around, this ornamental shrub looks great as a hedge border or stand-alone shrub with the added benefit of tasting great in cereal and pies, or to feed the wildlife.

Drowning With Love

Did you know that the No. 1 reason indoor plants die is people love them so much they over water them? That’s why McCoy loves the WaterStik -- a no-brainer watering system that tells you when to water and when not to. Just insert the WaterStik into the container, and it blinks to tell you if it needs more water, needs you to stop watering or anything in between. For this and other state-of-the-art plant irrigation systems, visit: www.Waterstik.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Monday, January 12th, 2009, I spent some time previewing properties. For me, this is a fairly fast process, as I will focus on a fairly narrow price range, which in this case was freehold properties up to $270,000. It took my assistant and I an average of 6 minutes per house, including driving time etc. When I am previewing properties, I'm looking for finishes, upgrades, and value for money. I make a few quick notes on the MLS printout, and then give the property a rating out of 10. I am fairly tough on these properties, as I am looking to find the Best Buys for my clients. I look at the properties from an investor's point of view, so that makes me even more demanding of them.

One thing that was clear to me in this round of inspections is that there are some really great buys to be had in this price range. There are some houses out there with very high-quality finishes that show extremely well, and so I'm left wondering why some are languishing on the market for months.

I've decided that we can partially look to the media for this; all they ever talk about is doom and gloom in the housing market, yet these same homes would have been selling at $295,000 and up to $310,000 just 4 to 6 months ago. They are great buys! But we don't hear about that.

I think another problem is that mortgages are much tougher to get these days. However, a great mortgage broker can certainly get most people into a home. Why are so many people relying on their bank still?

I think another issue is that too many agents have bought into the doom and gloom scenario. Great agents will tell you that the market is always great, because they know that different markets favour different types of buyers and sellers.

So, to borrow from Gary Keller, "there's a reason they call this a Buyer's Market!"

I'll be releasing a new video in the next couple of days, giving exact cost details for a couple of sample properties in this price range, including monthly carrying costs and potential positive cash flow amount. Stay tuned for that.

I originally read this post on ActiveRain, a real estate blog, and immediately contacted the author, Lane Bailey, for permission to 'Canadianize' it and give a link back to his site. I like the ideas in this post. Lane's site is here.

Ok, I have written about it before, but it is time again to talk about why "I bought it for 20% under list" means absolutely NOTHING in the world of real estate.  

This is a common misconception... but still a misconception.  As an agent, I hear buyers (investors or people looking for a family home) talk about how they only want to pay X% of the list price.  Their fear is that if they are paying more than X%, they might be paying too much. 

It doesn't matter.

For some, X=70, for others it is 90.  But... it still doesn't matter. Let me explain...

Imagine if you will that you are in the market for a nice car... to drive.  I happen to be selling this driveway art Jeepster.  It is listed for $45,989.00.  But I'm willing to make a serious deal.  I will sell it to you for half.  So, for $22,994.50 you can own this pretty gem.  It is one of a kind...  And it is 50% off. 

Ok, you decide that maybe you should look around.  Maybe there is another good deal out there.  And then you run across a nice Pontiac G8GT.  It looks nice and everyting, but the dealer is holding firm on their price.  Despite the fact that there are 4 on the lot that look exactly the same, they are convinced that they can get $34,090... which is within "dinner" of the full list price.  

Obviously this is a no brainer, right?  Choice "A" is rare, heavily discounted and cheaper.  Why would anyone spend another $11k+?

Right?

Hold up...  I'm obviously not being serious... and the example is extremely over the top.  But the basic premise still holds true.  List price isn't a measure of actual value.  List price is just a number.  Sure, it is a number that was reached based on the professional advice of a real estate agent, maybe an appraiser and the seller.  Right? 

Sorry, but...

Right now in Milton, ON, about 1 in 8 homes listed ends up selling within the first 4 months, at which point the seller is usually tired of it all and gives up.  That's right, there are EIGHT times as many homes coming on the market as there are getting sold out of the market (in fact, less than 5% of the homes available are sold in any given week).  The rest languish, are withdrawn or expire. Many of them are nice homes.  But here is the problem... they aren't good deals. 

Here are some examples:

• A bank owned property that needed $50,000 worth of work to make it average for the neighborhood... but it was priced about $30,000 below homes that were ready to go. 
• A property from an over-leveraged private seller that was priced $50,000 over the neighborhood comps, because that was what he needed to get in order to retire his debt. 
• A property that the seller is "testing" on the market.  They don't really need to sell, but "if they get their price" they would love to buy another home. 

How many properties like this have we seen?  In the case of the first one, a low-ball might get the property... but for the rest it would be pretty fruitless. 

On the other side of the equation:

• A bank owned property that is priced $30,000 BELOW neighborhood comps... needs NOTHING to be ready to go.  The bank knows that they need to price it astoundingly if they want to get it sold fast. 
• A property that belongs to an estate.  The previous owner had a paid off mortgage, and the heirs want it gone because they "want their money." 

Now, every once in a while these kinds of sellers will price it high because "they want negotiating room"... but it is MUCH more likely that they will price it to grab the buyers attention.  That means there isn't 20% to take out of it. 

The point is simple...

Many of us agents... as well as our clients... get caught up in the idea that there is a percentage off of the list price that can make the property a "good deal".  But, it just isn't the case.  The reality is that there are properties that are cheap... and lousy deals.  there are properties that are not cheap... and are great deals.  There are properties that are bargains at full price, and there are some that would be a rip-off at half price. 

Final example...  There are homes being sold in Detroit and Cleveland for as little as $500.  in some cases these are killer deals and the banks are perfectly willing to lose money just to make them go away.  In other cases they are over-priced.  A relative just looked at one of these homes and what he found was that the $500 property needed $40,000 in reapirs and when he was done he might be able to rent it for enough to cover the mortgage... but selling it would leave him upside-down for at least as long as it takes that market to come back... decent homes are selling for $30,000 on the same block. 

List price isn't directly tied to value, just like the truth isn't directly tied to politicians.

When they say enough, something is bound to turn out to be true.

I'm curious, what gives with the media these days? The latest things I've been reading and hearing are full of more doom and gloom about the real estate market in Southern Ontario.

Well, there's a problem with this!

First off, the media operates on the scare principles, which we are all aware of. Good news doesn't sell, right? I can live with that; it's why I don't pay much attention to anything they have to say about my chosen profession. What really frosts me, though, is the narrow perspective they take on the housing market.

Sure, as a seller right now, it may not be the best time to put your house up for sale if you just want to see how much you can get for it. But houses are still selling, often with multiple offers, if they have been handled by the right professional Realtor in the first place.

And what about the other side of the transaction, the buyer? Surely it must be a good time to be buying right now? Well, I sort of get the impression that the media thinks you should wait. Maybe prices will go down a couple of thousand dollars more. Well, maybe they will, but maybe they'll go up a few thousand dollars too.

And what about the investor market? As mortgage qualifications get more and more strict, more and more people are having to turn to renting. This has had a strong influence on rents, and has also created lots of interest from first-time investors. Why leave equity sitting in the bank when a tenant will pay your mortgage for you?

Nope, I'm sorry, Mr. Media, conversations with agents clear across the GTA have me convinced that this is an excellent real estate market, no doubt about it.

If you're interested in investing in real estate, whether first-timer or seasoned investor, visit http://MREISeminar.ca and find out when our next Millionaire Real Estate Investor Seminar is.