Spring will soon be upon us! I thought this was a timely topic, as in the not too distant future, many of us will be outside playing in the dirt.
Is there a plot of earth in your backyard that's underused? If so, think about using it to plant a vegetable garden. The benefits of growing your own veggies are numerous - and delicious!
First, vegetables you've grown yourself tend to taste better than those bought at the local grocer, because they're still fresh by the time they reach your plate, not having traveled days to get there. Additionally, store-bought have likely been treated with toxic chemicals intended to help them grow bigger and faster, and to keep pests away.
While making fruit and vegetables more attractive, those same chemicals can, unfortunately, sap them of their nutritional value. Having your own vegetable garden, on the other hand, provides a chemical-free boon to your health. When you can control how they're grown, you can eat vegetables that are nutritious - and eat them more often. After all, when they're right in your own backyard, veggies are more likely to become a bigger part of your diet. Plus, gardening is a great way to incorporate more exercise into your routine, relieve stress and get more sunlight - more vitamin D!
Economics can be another factor in people's decisions to grow their own vegetables. As the cost of produce has climbed, eating healthy has become more expensive. For some, backyard vegetable gardens aren't just money savers, but money makers, too! Grow-it-yourselfers are selling their own veggies at places like farmer's markets and co-ops. If you have a bumper crop of vegetables this summer, you might want to consider doing so yourself. Alternatively, why not can or freeze your surplus veggies and extend the taste of summer throughout the whole year?
Until next time!
The Jamie Dann Team
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Right Way To Complain About Taxes
Now that we are all getting ready to file our Taxes, I came across an interesting article from the Globe and Mail about the right way to make a complaint.
I'm not talking about a complaint, just to complain, but rather, what if the Canada Revenue Agency actually makes a mistake.
Certainly ranting on the phone may not be the best approach.
If you follow these simple steps, you might actually be able to have your taxes re-examined and corrected, if that is what is found to be necessary.
1) Know your rights
2) Be prepared
3) Stay Calm
4) Keep a Record of your Communication
5) Ask the Person on the Other End of the Phone for Their ID
To read the entire article click here. In the article you will find other GREAT links as well.
Happy tax season!
Until next time,
The Jamie Dann Team
I'm not talking about a complaint, just to complain, but rather, what if the Canada Revenue Agency actually makes a mistake.
Certainly ranting on the phone may not be the best approach.
If you follow these simple steps, you might actually be able to have your taxes re-examined and corrected, if that is what is found to be necessary.
1) Know your rights
2) Be prepared
3) Stay Calm
4) Keep a Record of your Communication
5) Ask the Person on the Other End of the Phone for Their ID
To read the entire article click here. In the article you will find other GREAT links as well.
Happy tax season!
Until next time,
The Jamie Dann Team
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
What is the CMHC?
Did you know that the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) website is FILLED with tons of interesting articles?
The CMHC was developed as a government owned corporation in 1946 to address Canada's post-war housing shortage. Since then, the agency has grown into a National institution providing many mortgage loan insurance policies.
On their website, you can find many interesting articles about purchasing, maintaining, and renovating a home, as well as the obvious information about mortgages. They even have a great series of articles entitled "Home Buying Step by Step".
What we have also found really interesting is their Canadian Housing Observer which contains a yearly report of just about any statistic regarding housing trends and conditions, and outlines key factors that influence Canadian markets... To check out the Canadian Housing Observer for 2010 click here.
There is too much information contain in the CMHC's website to talk about here, but do take the time to explore it by clicking here.
Until next time,
The Jamie Dann Team
The CMHC was developed as a government owned corporation in 1946 to address Canada's post-war housing shortage. Since then, the agency has grown into a National institution providing many mortgage loan insurance policies.
On their website, you can find many interesting articles about purchasing, maintaining, and renovating a home, as well as the obvious information about mortgages. They even have a great series of articles entitled "Home Buying Step by Step".
What we have also found really interesting is their Canadian Housing Observer which contains a yearly report of just about any statistic regarding housing trends and conditions, and outlines key factors that influence Canadian markets... To check out the Canadian Housing Observer for 2010 click here.
There is too much information contain in the CMHC's website to talk about here, but do take the time to explore it by clicking here.
Until next time,
The Jamie Dann Team
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Toronto’s Most Expensive Listed Property
We came across a great article recently, talking about the most expensive home currently on the Toronto market – listed at $26.8 million! This “mega mansion” is located in the Bridle Path neighbourhood area of Toronto, owned by Margaret and Lee Ka Lau (who made their money in technology).
The living space of this breathtaking home is more than 40,000 square feet and covers almost 4 acres of land (on a double Bridle Path lot). The home itself is 22,935 square feet and it has a sports complex that is about 17,645 square feet (including an indoor tennis court, bowling alley and indoor pool). The mansion also has a cinema, an indoor putting green and a tunnel from the main house to the sports complex. The home boasts 19 foot ceilings, a 46 foot arboretum and has 13 bathrooms!
To read more about this amazing house and to see beautiful photos, click here. It is truly a magnificent home!
This house is surely a big investment as you not only need to shell out a huge amount for the property itself but the property taxes are $115,341 per year (that works out to $316 per day in taxes alone) – oh it’s fun to dream!
Until next time,
The Jamie Dann Team
The living space of this breathtaking home is more than 40,000 square feet and covers almost 4 acres of land (on a double Bridle Path lot). The home itself is 22,935 square feet and it has a sports complex that is about 17,645 square feet (including an indoor tennis court, bowling alley and indoor pool). The mansion also has a cinema, an indoor putting green and a tunnel from the main house to the sports complex. The home boasts 19 foot ceilings, a 46 foot arboretum and has 13 bathrooms!
To read more about this amazing house and to see beautiful photos, click here. It is truly a magnificent home!
This house is surely a big investment as you not only need to shell out a huge amount for the property itself but the property taxes are $115,341 per year (that works out to $316 per day in taxes alone) – oh it’s fun to dream!
Until next time,
The Jamie Dann Team
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Canadian Real Estate Industry: Wish List for 2011
2010 was a pretty good year for the Canadian Real Estate market. Although there may still be some improvements needed in terms of the process of buying and selling homes, overall Canada is still one of the most preferred destination of immigrants. I found an interesting article outlining some of one writer’s (a Real Estate lawyer) wishes for improvements that could be made to the buying and selling process to make it less stressful for all involved. A few of his wishes are:
1. Accessibility of information – It could be helpful if insurance companies provided a 20 year history of any claims made on any home.
2. Home Appraisals – It could be helpful if banks conducted home appraisals within 5 days of receiving a home loan application, once an agreement has been signed.
3. Insurance policies – It could be helpful if buyers and sellers were required to have a 5-year insurance policy for structural defects, basement moisture issues, leaks in the roof and mold - perhaps also a 1-year policy to include electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems in the home.
To read how these wishes could make the home buying and selling process less stressful and other improvements that could be made, click here. I think he has some good ideas!
Until next time,
Jamie
1. Accessibility of information – It could be helpful if insurance companies provided a 20 year history of any claims made on any home.
2. Home Appraisals – It could be helpful if banks conducted home appraisals within 5 days of receiving a home loan application, once an agreement has been signed.
3. Insurance policies – It could be helpful if buyers and sellers were required to have a 5-year insurance policy for structural defects, basement moisture issues, leaks in the roof and mold - perhaps also a 1-year policy to include electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems in the home.
To read how these wishes could make the home buying and selling process less stressful and other improvements that could be made, click here. I think he has some good ideas!
Until next time,
Jamie
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mistakes Home Sellers Can Make
Have you ever tried to sell your house and it seemed to take forever for it to sell? Is your house currently listed for sale and has been sitting on the market for quite some time without any interest? Are the offers you are receiving for you home far below your set price? If your answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then you may be interested in reading an interesting article I recently came across outlining five mistakes sellers can make when trying to sell their homes.
A couple of common mistakes sellers can make are:
1. Setting The Price Too High – There is no hard and fast rule in determining the price of a home, however some sellers overestimate the value of improvements made to their home. A REALTOR® will help you assist in assessing the market value of your home in comparison to other similar house listings.
2. Not Presenting The Home in It’s Best Condition – Before deciding to put your home on the market, consider hiring a professional cleaner to make your home show it’s best. De-cluttering the home should also be part of preparing your home for sale as a cluttered home may be perceived by buyers that it does not have enough storage space.
The article discusses other mistakes sellers can make as well. I hope you find this article interesting and helpful! To view the article, click here.
Until next time,
Jamie
A couple of common mistakes sellers can make are:
1. Setting The Price Too High – There is no hard and fast rule in determining the price of a home, however some sellers overestimate the value of improvements made to their home. A REALTOR® will help you assist in assessing the market value of your home in comparison to other similar house listings.
2. Not Presenting The Home in It’s Best Condition – Before deciding to put your home on the market, consider hiring a professional cleaner to make your home show it’s best. De-cluttering the home should also be part of preparing your home for sale as a cluttered home may be perceived by buyers that it does not have enough storage space.
The article discusses other mistakes sellers can make as well. I hope you find this article interesting and helpful! To view the article, click here.
Until next time,
Jamie
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Real Estate Sales for December
Happy New Year! 2010 saw a stabilization of the real estate market in Canada. It may be not have been the best year and did fall short of the previous year, however, overall the market was stable.
Based on the residential sales report from The MLS® System of the Barrie & District Association of REALTORS® Inc., last months sales were above a five-year average for the month. There were 193 units sold in December alone, a distinct increase as compared to the last 7 months. However, compared to December 2009, this data fell seven percent short.
The report also shows a pattern of annual sales. There were 4,105 units sold last year, one percent above 2008 but seven percent below 2009.
According to the President of Barrie and District Association of REALTORS®, Catherine Garbe, 2010 was a solid and stable year for home sales and December was the strongest month. To see more figures and data on December sales click here.
In conclusion, real estate sales in 2010 were satisfactory. Sales may have fallen short in comparison to previous years but there was no drastic decrease in percentage sales. In addition, sales performance for 2010 became stable, maintaining average sales and even increasing sales based on a month to month comparison. With good residential sales activity in 2010, we’re hoping 2011 will be great!
Until next time,
Jamie
Based on the residential sales report from The MLS® System of the Barrie & District Association of REALTORS® Inc., last months sales were above a five-year average for the month. There were 193 units sold in December alone, a distinct increase as compared to the last 7 months. However, compared to December 2009, this data fell seven percent short.
The report also shows a pattern of annual sales. There were 4,105 units sold last year, one percent above 2008 but seven percent below 2009.
According to the President of Barrie and District Association of REALTORS®, Catherine Garbe, 2010 was a solid and stable year for home sales and December was the strongest month. To see more figures and data on December sales click here.
In conclusion, real estate sales in 2010 were satisfactory. Sales may have fallen short in comparison to previous years but there was no drastic decrease in percentage sales. In addition, sales performance for 2010 became stable, maintaining average sales and even increasing sales based on a month to month comparison. With good residential sales activity in 2010, we’re hoping 2011 will be great!
Until next time,
Jamie
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