Paul and Diane Laflamme

Check out Diane Laflamme on Goggle+

2012-02-27T09:19:00.001-08:00

Check out the latest Real Estate News when you google,

Diane Laflamme on Goggle+

Paul & Diane Laflamme

Royal LePage Village
514.715.4514

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, MARCH 4TH

2012-02-27T08:46:00.000-08:00

2915 Coachman, Saint-Lazare

MLS 8698019

$398,000

This lovely 4 bedroom home has a main floor family room, open concept kitchen, living room and dining room. The house is located on a quiet, child safe circle in Saddlebrook. This home is ideal for families with young children. Features: 2 full bathrooms, 4 bedrooms, mezzanine on 2nd level can be used as an office, library or den, finished basement, main floor laundry room, spacious 2 car garage, back deck off the family room and outside cabana for storage.

Open House, Sunday, March 4th

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Please drop in!

Paul & Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

450.458.5365

Women as the breadwinners: Turning the traditional model of gender roles in marriage on its head

2012-02-26T15:43:00.000-08:00

When Nicole Winchester has to work late from home, her husband Gary slips a hot meal between her and her laptop. On a typical week, he’ll do the shopping, the dishes and most of the cleaning. The laundry is also his domain, mainly because he likes it done just so.
Ms. Winchester hasn’t the time for (or admittedly, the interest in) the domestic sphere. She’s too busy as the breadwinner in their Toronto household, having brought home significantly more bacon as a television producer during their seven year marriage thus far.
He’s got the more flexible, albeit lower paying, job and therefore has more time for these duties, she said. He’s also relieved she has the education and work experience to be the high earner in their house — something that jarred Ms. Winchester at first.
“I was a little surprised because you always expect men to have that sort of issue, or at least you’re taught to expect that,” the 37-year-old said. “But Gary’s never had an issue with me making more money. He’s been like ‘If you make more money than me, that’s awesome — then we have more.’”
In the last few decades, women have come to gradually outpace men in education, with women making up 60% of university graduates in Canada, and in earnings growth, with the average total income for women in Canada increasing at nearly twice the pace of men’s. And as this outpacing across North America only seems to accelerate, working women are poised to eclipse men as the primary household breadwinners — a cultural shift that is changing the dynamics between husband and wife, turning the traditional model of gender roles in marriage on its head and even shaping the way younger generations view an institution at risk.
What happens in a new order that’s still in transition, when the hard won equality among partners is surpassed as mom rushes off to work while dad takes the kids to the playground, wonders Washington Post reporter Liza Mundy, author of the forthcoming book The Richer Sex: How the New Majority of Female Breadwinners Is Transforming Sex, Love and Family, due out in March.
“We want to marry somebody with the same degree set we have, we want equality and we want parity,” Ms. Mundy said in an interview this week. “It is sometimes, for some women, unnerving when they find themselves pulling ahead of their partner.”

Provided The cover of The Richer Sex: How the New Majority of Female Breadwinners Is Transforming Sex, Love and Family, by Liza Mundy.

She cites 2009 United States labour bureau data which shows the percentage of working wives who outearn their husbands has increased from 23.7% in 1987 to 37.7% in 2009 and that has likely increased since then because of the economic downturn, researchers say. In Canada, the proportion of wives who were primary household earners rose from 11% to 19% between 1967 and 1982 and continued to rise until about one in four, or 29% of households, were dual earner in 2003 —in many households, women were the big earners, according to the most recent figures. “The continued rise suggests that women in the role of primary breadwinner is not likely a temporary phenomenon,” Statistics Canada analysts Deborah Sussman and Stephanie Bonnell wrote in 2006.
Based on this incredible rise between 1987 and 2009, Ms. Mundy projects that by 2030, a majority of working wives and single mothers supporting their households will outearn the traditional breadwinning male. While men are still the top earners as a whole, today’s baby-boom executives will be retired in 20 years, she said, paving a clear path for the next generation of educated women.
Many of the women she interviewed for her book said they had harmonious homes — that of course times have changed and the household is run by pragmatics: Whose career is taking off, who has the highest earning potential, who actually likes cooking and cleaning and making the beds? They’d figure it out, and the house would run smoothly from there.
But some tensions were impossible to ignore: Sure, men had their insecurities, but the ones women expressed were most interesting, Ms. Mundy said.
“It can be disconcerting, even if you’re proud of it,” she said. “Some women don’t want to get trapped as the primary breadwinner. They feel they’re going to lose flexibility and choice in their lives — maybe if they want to stay home with the kids it’s going to be less feasible? They are getting their head around the idea that they’re providing.”
One woman told Ms. Mundy she had lost her feelings for her husband after she went to work and he became the caregiver at home, saying she “respected him less as a man.”
“I interviewed this one really progressive feminist who admitted ‘Sometimes, I know it’s wrong, but I just had these spasms of thinking ‘It’s my money, not our money,’” Ms. Mundy said.
Ms. Winchester admits to feeling that way too sometimes. She and her husband have been paying down debt, but when she wants to buy something for herself, she can feel a fleeting wave of resentment that she cannot.
“I know it [seems like a] childish thing, but at the same time I’m thinking ‘I make the money, why can’t I buy an iPad?’ That was my thing — if I make this money, why can’t I go out and buy a computer if I want to?”
http://news.nationalpost.com/author/sboes/

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH

2012-02-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Open House - Today!!!

Sunday, February 26th

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

143 Main, Hudson

Please drop in

2915 COACHMAN, SAINT-LAZARE

2012-02-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

New Listing!

2915 Coachman, Saint-Lazare

MLS 8698019

$398,000

This home is a pleasure to show.

Call us for a viewing.

Paul & Diane Laflamme

514.715.4514

514.793.4514

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL

2012-02-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

Check out page 15 in The Your Local Journal Newspaper.

Here is the link:

http://www.yourlocaljournal.ca/pdf/issue_wi.pdf

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Royal LePage Village

514.793.4514

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH

2012-02-24T08:30:00.001-08:00

143 Main Road, Hudson

MLS 8671865

$699,000

Open House, Sunday, February 26th

Visite Libre, Dimanche, 26 fevrier

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Please drop in!

This fabulous country style cottage is in a private quiet location. This is in fact a new home. Based on the frame of the original farmhouse, the building retains the integrity of a classic Hudson home. The farmhouse was then enlarged with the addition of a barn that was on the property. The barn was lifted, moved and placed on a new concrete foundation that was attached to the original house. This provides an exterior look and feel of a 100 year old farmhouse. The wrap around porch, the surrounding farm land, and privacy of the setback from Main Road completes this unique and charming property.

The interior was carefully thought out by the current owner who is an experienced home re-modeler. Taking full advantage of modern building techniques and incorporating only the best of new and recycled materials resulted in a unique and stunning home. All work was done by professionals. The blend and flow of the contemporary design and the classic features make this home a must see for the buyer looking for somewhere special to call home.

This home boast many features such as: connection to the Hudson sewer system, beautiful landscaping, huge out door patio with outside kitchen, rebuilt chimney (2011), granite kitchen counters and 3 full bathrooms. The east wing could be used as an inter-generational apartment. It is air conditioned with heat pump. It has a huge master suite with dressing room and /or nursery. Bright and sunny with natural light all day. The fully finished heated garage with ceramic floor could be used as artist's studio. This house represents a rare opportunity to own a home that blends the charm of old style country architecture with current building techniques and creature comforts.

Mary Kay's hot-pink mansion for sale

2012-02-22T13:54:00.000-08:00

The sprawling Dallas home of Mary Kay Ash, founder of the immense Mary Kay cosmetics empire, can now be yours for a mere $3.3 million. Not sure whether a gigantic mansion made of pink is worth that much? Encompassing over 11,800 sq. ft., you'd only be shelling out around $278 for each square foot. That's not so expensive, right? That price point is quite a steal when you consider the mansion went on sale in 2007 for $5.7 million. The mansion comes complete with roughly an acre of land, which should be plenty for anyone with a passion for yard work.
Obviously, the mansion in Dallas, Texas has a lot more going for it than just its size. While the house is technically a single family home, it sports 8 baths, 7 fireplaces, and 6 bedrooms. The master bedroom is over 320 sq. ft. itself, so you should be able to fit most of your bedroom set — or the entire contents of your apartment — in that room without too much trouble. Plenty of landings and sweeping ceilings serve to enhance the mansion's use of space and leave plenty of wall space for hanging pricey artwork.

The home also boasts an incredible pool. The pool area features a cabana, cleaning system, and its own separated hot tub. The luxurious external swimming getaway is filled with columns, gorgeous tile, and even a couple statues to make sure you get that classical feel. Swim a few dozen laps to help stay fit and trim, or just lounge on the side to let your day's stress melt away. You could easily host a party or reception in this space alone, providing both cover from the sun and the chance to enjoy the sky in the same space.

Mary Kay Ash founded the cosmetics company in September 1963 after being passed over for a promotion in favor for a man she'd trained herself. Since then, Mary Kay Inc. has become an immense empire, nationally recognized for its success in cosmetics. The founder considered the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have done to yourself) to be a guiding principle of her organization, and was well-known for her charitable efforts. Mary Kay Ash died in November 2001, 38 years after creating her company. Her legendary home carries on her spirit of living life to the fullest.

The home was designed by Dallas Design Group in 1984. Other noteworthy features include gorgeous wood carvings, 40' ceilings, and geothermal heat and air. Mary Kay herself actually moved out of the mansion in her later years. The mansion had an intermediate owner who enjoyed a more classical look, populating the mansion with antiques and oriental rugs, which is why many of the rooms have less pink that you might imagine.

Why pink? That was the trademark color of Mary Kay and her organization. Successful Mary Kay representatives could even win themselves pink cars through great performance. The color surrounds the entire home, which could at least partly explain why realtors have had to drop the price so much through the years. If pink walls weren't enough, the buyer of this home will find even a pink quartz toilet. That's right, the $3.3 million mansion even has a pink commode.
When you're ready to disappear into your own pink mansion, you can maintain your privacy inside the heavily treed lot, tucked away behind an iron fence and automatic gate. Mary Kay's opulent mansion might not suit every taste, but it has a lot to offer for its $3.3 million asking price. Just remember: home is where the pink is!

By Michael Gray, Tecca

February 17, 2012

WANT A DATE? BUY A HOME

2012-02-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- When it comes to dating, home ownership can be the ultimate aphrodisiac.

In a survey of 1,000 single people, more than a third of women and 18% of men said they would much rather date a homeowner than a renter.

Only 2% of women said they preferred to date a man who rents, while only 3% of men said they would choose a woman who rents over one that owns her home, according to the survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive for real estate site Trulia. Both sexes also clearly prefer it when there's no roommate in the picture; 62% of survey respondents, men and women, prefer to date singles who live alone.

I'm home! Adult children move back in with parents

And there was bad news for the growing number of boomerang kids -- the young adults who went off to college, graduated and then wound up back in their old bedrooms. It's going to be hard to find love, except (perhaps) from your parents. Less than 5% of all singles surveyed said they would date someone living in their childhood homes.
"That's a real deal-breaker," said Michael Corbett, a spokesman for Trulia. "If you're still living with your folks, you're dead-on-arrival for dating."

The home they could love

Trulia also asked which home features are the biggest turn-ons. Number one turned out to be a master bath. Men (64%) love that private sanctum almost as much as women (75%) do.

Cool and unusual homes for sale

Walk-in closets were cited by 55% of men and 72% of women and gourmet kitchens got 51% of the male vote and 62% of the female. Hardwood floors, outdoor decks and home theaters also came in high on the list.

Interestingly enough, hot tubs got a lot less love from respondents. Only 26% of men and 22% of women cited the old standby in the science of seduction as an amenity they would truly want.

By Les Christie @CNNMoney February 14, 2012: 5:30 AM ET

NO HOUSING BURSTING BUBBLE: BMO

2012-02-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

There is a soft landing in sight for the Canadian housing market, according to BMO economics.

Compared to the recent rash of concerns raised by various groups about an overvalued Canadian housing market coast-to-coast, BMO is bucking the trend, suggesting that such reports either miss the market in their simplicity, or are not entirely true.

“Like any issue that is as broad and complex as housing, an analysis of both the pros and cons can provide valuable perspective. In our view, the housing boom will more likely cool than correct, even in condo-driven Toronto—the target of many scary headlines.”

They do believe that the housing market will experience a slowdown; contrary to many of the alarmist news, BMO feels that, “With the exception of a few regions, valuations remain only moderately high across the country, especially when low interest rates, demographics, construction costs, land-use regulations and foreign capital inflows are considered.”

Unlike interest rates drop further, they don’t expect the boom to continue- but neither do they expect the floor to fall out from under the market either. With the continuation of low interest rates, levels of affordability continue as well.

The whole concept of the housing bubble bursting centres in the relationship between somewhat stagnant incomes in this country, juxtaposed with levels of household debt ramping up, as well as property values escalating at a fairly quick place.

The only region that they do concede is in a dangerous position is Vancouver, where property values continue to skyrocket, as Asian investors continue to grab up properties.
BMO responds to concerns about an oversupply in the condo market in centres like Toronto, but suggest that these concerns are not totally founded in fact either, mostly because of a low vacancy rate coupled with a rising demand for rental accommodation for an influx of immigrants to the centre.

“Although the cost of owning a new Toronto condo exceeds the rental income derived from the unit, expected steadier price growth ahead should allow rents to eventually catch up, reducing concerns that investors will dump their units. In Toronto, the condo market has effectively supplanted the rental market due to a lack of new apartment buildings and low rental vacancy rates.”

Furthermore, thanks to low interest rates, home ownership remains within reach for the bulk of Canadians, in most centres- and is expected to continue to stay that way as well. BMO is not without its warnings though, suggesting that there could be a material shock in the wings, especially in the event of an interest rate hike.

BROKER'S LUNCHEON & INSPECTION AT 143 MAIN, HUDSON

2012-02-20T09:59:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Broker's Inspection & Luncheon

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

143 Main, Hudson

Beautiful Video of Alberta, Canada

2012-02-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a beautiful video done by Alberta, Canada. The quality of this video is amazing. You’ll probably watch it several times.
This is fast paced but the hi def scenery is awesome in what is as close to 3D without wearing special glasses. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ThFCg0tBDck

Team Laflamme - Connected To Your Community

2012-02-18T10:12:00.000-08:00

Testimonial from Client Shelley Lamonde

Diane and Paul Laflamme are excellent realtors.Their honest personality and professionalism, hard work and attention to detail will bring success to you whether you are selling or buying a home. I found that their extra personal touch facilitated the sale of my home. They are a pleasure to know.
Shelley Lamonde

Saint-Lazare, Quebec

February 18, 2012

We are never too busy for your referrals.......

Connected to your community

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

514.715.4514

2012-02-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

Searching for a New Style? Look Back to the Future

Retro, short for retrospective, is the trend for 2011. It’s a decorating style that evokes the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s. So if you’re trying to find the next big thing in interior design, look no further than the past!
Retro furniture is all about good wood, such as teak or rosewood, and great design. Look for simple shapes, such as chairs with smooth, tapering legs, or long, low sideboards with minimal decoration. It can be found anywhere from chic furniture stores to local thrift stores and yard sales.
Fabric with geometric shapes and patterns can be used as drapes, table cloths, and cushion covers and they complement the simple furniture designs nicely. For the floor, shag carpeting has made a comeback, but scale it down to area rug size to maintain a balance in design.
Shine a light on your retro motif with throwback lamps. Lamps with long, narrow, and articulated necks are popular again, as are lamps with multiple bulbs that can be pointed in different directions. The 60’s lava lamps have made a re-appearance, as well as pendant lights, which come in all shapes, finishes and colours.
As for accessories, retro is colourful and definitely eye-catching. For the kitchen, look for melamine dishes, vintage Pyrex in vivid yellow, green or turquoise and ceramic containers with wooden tops. Consider a sunburst clock in the living room if you have a plain wall begging for attention.
If your style is contemporary, retro is particularly effective. Pronounce a single wall of your room with a 1950’s or 60’s graphic-print wallpaper, pick a colour from the pattern and co-ordinate fabrics and paint for a contemporary fusion. Wall graphics or giant stickers, are an alternative to wallpaper – simply chose your pattern, peel them off and be creative!
Retro is a fun style and is especially effective with just one or two pieces. As well as creating interest, you’re adding a slice of history to your home.

Housing cools as sellers hold back.

2012-02-16T09:19:00.000-08:00

Housing cools as sellers hold back. Too many people who are listing are expecting prices well above the market. The hot housing market that powered the country's post-recession recovery is slowing to a crawl.

The Canadian Real Estate Association said sales dropped and prices moderated in January, with the weakness spread among more than half of the country's cities. Sales in Vancouver and Toronto slowed to a crawl, with few houses available to would-be buyers.

The low number of listings means there could be a rush of sellers trying to capitalize on the spring market, keeping a lid on the bidding wars that have driven prices sharply higher in some of the country's largest markets.

“There is really a lack of product,” said Phil Soper, president of Brookfield Residential Real Estate Services, which operates Royal LePage. “We expect that to pick up considerably, and by the end of March Break you'll really be able to gauge the Canadian market's health. Or lack of health.”

Canada's sizzling property market has made headlines around the world, and so far defied some predictions that it's a debt-fuelled bubble bound to pop. Forecasts for home prices for the next several years vary wildly – with economists and analysts predicting everything from a 25 per cent drop to modest gains.

The latest figures suggest a levelling off. Home sales across the country were down 4.5 per cent in January from December, the sharpest monthly decline since July, 2010.

Average prices were 2 per cent higher than a year ago at $348,178, the smallest year-over-year increase in the past year.It's not the first sign that the much-talked-about slowdown may have arrived.The Teranet-National Bank index, an alternative measure of price gains that lags CREA by several months, showed prices dipped 0.2 per cent in November, marking the first drop since the fall of 2010.

In Toronto, the bidding wars have largely given way to a market where houses sit longer and sell for closer to their asking price, said Richard Silver, president of the Toronto Real Estate Board. But hot neighbourhoods continue to fetch top dollar, especially considering the lack of listings.
Matthew Slutsky, chief executive officer of real estate site BuzzBuzzHome.com, has been trying to buy a house in one downtown neighbourhood for months. Along with his wife Carlie Brand, he's been popping letters in mailboxes imploring their owners to consider a sale.

“I really hope it's the calm before the storm and more listings pop up,” he said. “Right now it feels like we are auditioning for a house, and I don't know if I want to wait and see what happens in the spring.”

There's been a sense of unease surrounding Canada's housing market for more than a year. The federal government tightened its mortgage qualification requirements to try to prevent buyers from taking on too much debt in a low-interest-rate environment, and the Bank of Canada has issued a steady stream of warnings about high levels of household debt.

The fear is that rates will rise as the economy improves, and many people who could afford their house when interest rates were low may find those same houses unaffordable as rates rise. Financial turmoil in Europe also has many market watchers concerned, with any default in Greece expected to have ripple effects around the world.

Lenders such as Gerry Soloway, CEO of Home Capital Corp., have cautiously tightened their lending standards in recent months as the economy wobbled. But he doesn't see prices crashing any time soon, even if things slow down considerably. “I just don't see the catalyst for a big price drop,” he said.It's a theory echoed by Ross McCredie, CEO of Sotheby's International Realty Canada, who recently had 16 buyers check out a $2.5-million home in Toronto.

“We are finding if the home is priced right and a quality home, it is moving fairly quick,” he said. “Too many people who are listing are expecting prices well above the market. We are spending a lot of time with our agents to ensure we are only taking on listings at the right price.”

Steve Ladurantaye
Globe and Mail

http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Ft%2Eco%2FlyK5L258&urlhash=ue5L&_t=NUS_UNIU_SHARE-lnk&trk=NUS_UNIU_SHARE-lnk

ROYAL LEPAGE QUEBEC AWARDS GALA

2012-02-16T07:27:00.000-08:00

Royal LePage Quebec Awards Gala

Royal LePage Village Hudson Award Winning Brokers for 2011

February 3, 2012

Jan Englesman (owner) Patricia Wright - back

Roselyne Groleau Parker, Paul Laflamme & Diane Laflamme - front

Missing - Margaret Lagimodiere, Janet &Tania Ellerbeck

NEW LISTING!

2012-02-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

2915 Coachman, Saint-Lazare

MLS 8698019

$398,000

This beautiful cottage is situated on a quiet child safe circle in the heart of Saddlebrook. Come visit a lovely inviting home which has 3 finished levels. The open concept kitchen is filled with sunshine. Features: Living room, dining room, kitchen, main floor family room, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, finished playroom and office & double garage.The backyard is private and quiet. From this location you do not hear the highway yet you are minutes from Highway 40.

It is easy to be active in this community. All residents have access to parks, cross country skiing, horse trails, hiking trails and bicycle paths. You can downhill ski at Rigaud Mountain which is a 15 minute drive or sail on Lake of Two Mountains in the summertime. If you prefer to golf, there are several private and public facilities.

There are excellent private and public schools nearby, child care facilities, new medical center in Hudson, fine restaurants, great shopping and organic farms.

The sportspex offers a gym, skating arena and indoor soccer. The community library is one of a kind. It gives center stage to books as well as promoting cultural activities happening in and around the community.

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Royal LePage Village

514.715.4514

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

2012-02-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

Back in Canada - in need of a home....Proof of income, credit worthiness needed for a mortgage

2012-02-13T13:01:00.000-08:00

If you have spent some, or perhaps all, of your working life away from Canada, coming back to this country and buying a home can pose challenges.

As with any customer, a lender will want proof of income and credit worthiness before approving a mortgage. "They are required to prove they have already secured employment," says Ayaz Bhanji, a mortgage broker with Mortgage Intelligence in TO.

If you worked in Canada prior to moving overseas, or used a Canadian credit card, you will likely have a credit rating in this country, Mr. Bhanji says.

"In the absence of that, banks would be willing to look at credit references from the country where they were working indicating they had been dealing with them for several years and their credit ratings were satisfactory," he says.

David Kuo, district vice-president for Toronto at HSBC Canada says using an international bank can facilitate credit checking, as well as ease international money transfers.

"Sometimes they see a house they like in Canada and they might need to put a deposit down right away," Mr. Kuo says. If they have already left their previous country of residence, it can be difficult for them to verify a money transfer.

Strict money anti-laundering rules mean Canadian banks must know exactly where the money for your deposit has come from.

"For a large amount of funds being transferred into a Canadian account, the bank will need verification as to what the source of those funds were," Mr. Bhanji explains. "Some kind of paperwork that shows, say, they had property in Europe and they've sold it and these are the proceeds. A wire transfer from the originating bank helps as well."

Mr. Bhanji says if a buyer has more than 20% to put down and does not need an insured mortgage, some lenders will allow a degree of flexibility as the returning Canadian gets re-established in the country.

"When we have a returning Canadian in a professional field who expects to be employed soon and has a minimum 20% down payment, because the mortgage does not need to be insured, the lender is able to exercise their own judgement," Mr. Bhanji says. "If they have good credit history, 20% to 25% down - so more liquidity - the risk for the lender is much smaller than for a high-ratio mortgage. They may request you deposit six months' mortgage payments in an account and they will register a small lien within the bank. Those [funds] are a back-up security for the lender."

Mr. Kuo says many customers do not bring all their money back to Canada at one time. Such clients can benefit from having part of their mortgage closed at a low fixed rate and another portion at a higher rate, but open for early repayment.

"For example, the mortgage is $200,000 and I might have $50,000 slowly coming in from selling a property overseas," Mr. Kuo says. "I would lock in $150,000 [to a low fixed rate] and leave the $50,000 as an open mortgage or line of credit."

© Copyright (c) National Post

SPRING MARKET

2012-02-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

La valeur de réalisation réelle de votre propriété est comme tout autre type d'investissement. Il est nécessaire de la controler. Tous les propriétaires devraient faire évaluer cet avoir propre une fois l'an. Le moment idéal ne serait-il pas maintenant?

The equity in your home is like any other investment. It needs to be monitored. All homeowners should have their equity evaluated once a year. Now may be the perfect time.

Thinking of selling? Call us for a free market evaluation.

Paul & Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

514.715.4514

O/H - VISITE LIBRE, DIMANCHE 12TH FEVRIER

2012-02-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

VISITE LIBRE - DIMANCHE, 12TH FEVRIER

2:00 - 4:00

191 CAMERON, HUDSON

Cette maison nouvellement construite est situé à Hudson. Caractéristiques: Principal salon étage, salle à manger, cuisine, buanderie, salle de bains attenante et "walk in closet", salle de jeu fini et garage double. Planchers de bois franc et céramique sont sur 2 niveaux. Garantie de l'Abritat. Occupation immédiate.

- Venez visiter cette maison modèle située à Hudson.
- Construit avec la qualité à l'esprit, cette maison de nouvelle construction a un salon ouvert concept de chambre / salle a manger et planchers de bois franc.
- La cuisine et la salle à manger ouverte sur une terrasse magnifique, qui est idéal pour les fêtes d'été et des barbecues.
- Le 2ème étage dispose d'une grande chambre des maîtres avec salle de bain attentante - magnifique et "walk in closet".
- Les 2 autres chambres se partagent une deuxième salle de bains.
- Cette maison est proche de nombreux services et un accès facile à l'autoroute 40.
- Tout cela en plus une garantie de 5 ans pour un bon prix.
- Mettez celui-ci sur le haut de votre liste.

143 Main Road, Hudson

2012-02-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

New Listing!

143 Main Road, Hudson

MLS 8761865

$699,000

This fabulous country style cottage is situated in a private quiet location. This is in fact a new home. Based on the frame of the original farmhouse, the building retains the integrity of a classic Hudson home. The farmhouse was then enlarged with the addition of a barn that was on the property. The barn was lifted, moved and placed on a new concrete foundation that was attached to the original house. This provides an exterior look and feel of a 100 year old farmhouse. The wrap around porch, the surrounding farm land, and privacy of the setback from Main Road completes this unique and charming property.

The interior was carefully thought out by the current owner who is an experienced home re-modeler. Taking full advantage of modern building techniques and incorporating only the best of new and recycled materials resulted in a unique and stunning home. All work was done by professionals. The blend and flow of the contemporary design and the classic features make this home a must see for the buyer looking for somewhere special to call home.

This home boasts many features such as the following: connection to the Hudson sewer system, beautifully landscaping huge out door patio with outside kitchen, rebuilt chimney (2011), granite kitchen counters and 3 full bathrooms. The east wing could be used as an inter-generational apartment. It is air conditioned with a heat pump. The spacious master suite with has a dressing room and /or nursery. It is bright and sunny with natural light all day. The fully finished heated garage with ceramic floor could be used as artist's studio. This house represents a rare opportunity to own a home that blends the charm of old style country architecture with current building techniques and creature comforts. This is a beautiful home.

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

450.458.5365

514.793.4514

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2012-02-10T16:38:00.000-08:00

Royal LePage Quebec Awards Gala

February 3, 2012

Follow me on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/#!/DianeLaflamme/

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH

2012-02-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Open House at 191 Cameron, Hudson

Sunday, February 12th

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

MLS 8614803

This stunning brand new home has an open concept on the main floor. The Master Bedroom has a walk in closet and an ensuite bathroom. The basement has a finished playroom. The backyard is private. Quality construction. Listed for just $395,000 + taxes. Come visit!

Montreal sees 25-per-cent drop in condo starts

2012-02-09T11:20:00.000-08:00

Softer local housing market contrasts with strong markets in B.C. and Ontario

Condo construction, a key driver of new housing in the country's largest cities, slowed in Greater Montreal, with starts dropping 25 per cent in January, year over year, after four consecutive months of gains, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Wednesday.
"We were expecting that the starts would come down in 2012 because we're seeing a lot of active listings in the resale market," CMHC market analyst David Lan said.
"It's going to be up and down as the year progresses and in the end we'll probably see a downward trend."
But while Montreal's weaker results appear to reflect a softer housing market in 2012, the construction of new homes continues to outperform expectations nationally, especially in B.C. and Ontario, with Toronto condo starts soaring 134 per cent, year over year, in January.
Nationally, housing starts decreased by one per cent in January to an annualized pace of 197,900 units, with urban single starts dropping 7.8 per cent and multiple urban starts rising slightly by 0.4 per cent, the CMHC said.
Economists were expecting a larger drop, to 194,000 units.
The decline in January housing starts stemmed from weaker numbers in Quebec, where the seasonally adjusted annual rate of urban starts decreased 34.4 per cent, along with a 35.4-per-cent drop in Atlantic Canada.
"While activity can be expected to pick up slightly, the pace anticipated for 2012 will be well below the rate observed in 2011," said Kevin Hughes, CMHC senior economist for Quebec.
Analysts caution that January's results cannot be generalized for the entire year, and that new home construction will ease nationally in 2012.
Despite the "surprisingly persistent strength within the urban multiples component" a note by RBC Economics anticipates that "residential construction activity will continue to ease at a fairly gradual rate over the forecast horizon, reaching an annual pace of (183,000) in 2013."
But January's 28-per-cent increase in urban starts in B.C. and an 11.1-per-cent jump in Ontario are still raising the spectre of overbuilding in certain markets.
TD Economics said, "the Canadian housing market is slightly overbuilt and overpriced," in a note by economist Diana Petramala.
"While housing continues to surprise on the upside, we caution that this pace of homebuilding is unsustainable," Petramala said.
"Housing construction is running at a pace that is well above what would be consistent with demographic fundamentals, particularly in the condo market.
"The result has been a large overhang of newly built and unoccupied multiple units, putting significant downside risk to home building once interest rates begin to rise."
She noted however, that an anticipated rise in interest rates by mid-2013 and labour market weakness should "keep further growth in check" over the next two years.

By ALLISON LAMPERT, The Gazette
alampert@ montrealgazette.com
twitter.com/RealDealMtl

Home Prices: Montreal's Stable, Toronto Up, Vancouver Down

2012-02-08T06:37:00.000-08:00

The latest message on home prices in big Canadian cities is that they’ve edged down just slightly over the past six months, with the exceptions of Toronto, where prices keep rising modestly, and Vancouver, where they’re drifting down more rapidly than in other places.
This information comes to us courtesy of the new, more accurate measure of home prices just made public by the Canadian Real Estate Association. CREA’s new Home Price Index seeks to hold the quality of a benchmark home steady, so an unusually large, or small, number of home sales in pricier neighborhoods or cities can’t throw the numbers off track.
The most stable big market in the country is Montreal, where the moves up and down made visible by this more precise measure have been very small. The average price for all Montreal home types inched up by 2.2 per cent over the past year, with Calgary moving a tiny bit faster, up by 2.7 per cent. Vancouver gained 5.7 per cent and Toronto — the new hot market in Canada — rose 7.6 per cent.
Over the year, though, there have been periods of rising prices and falling prices in every city but Toronto, which has replaced Vancouver as the country’s hot market and where prices keep grinding higher — although less rapidly than in the early part of last year. Toronto prices were up by 1.9 per cent over the six months ending in January, compared with declines of 1.1 per cent in Vancouver, 0.8 per cent in Calgary and 0.5 per cent in Montreal.
While there are some worries about overpricing in the Toronto market, “at least Toronto’s price growth is slowing,” comments economist Sal Guatieri at BMO Nesbitt Burns. Guatieri’s chart illustrates the shift of price gains from Vancouver to Toronto over the past year.
In month of January, Montreal prices led gains, up by 0.7 per cent. It was followed by Toronto’s rise of 0.3 per cent and Vancouver’s microscopic increase of less than 0.1 per cent. Calgary was down by 0.1 per cent.
You can find home price information for cities tracked by the new index here.
The Gazette

1738 RUE VERSAILLES, SAINT-LAZARE

2012-02-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

1738 Rue Versailles, Saint-Lazare

$549,000

$2,400/mo Rent

MLS 8591543

This is a beautiful home. It has been well maintained and it has 3 finished levels.
- Enter this inviting home and you will love the layout.
- The main floor and second floor have nine foot ceilings plus hardwood and ceramic flooring.
- As you step into the house from the front door there is an open nook which is presently being used as an office
- The kitchen is filled with sunshine. This open concept kitchen has ample counter space and pantry.
- The dinette holds a good size kitchen table plus it has a separate entrance to the front porch.
- The dining room is adjacent to the kitchen and opens onto the living room.
- The living room has a built in wood burning stove.
- The spacious family room is on the second level has a separate staircase from the kitchen area. This room can be used as an office, bedroom, den, home theatre room or teenager's hideaway.
- There is a practical separate laundry room on the second level as well as one in the basement.
- The second level has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
- You enter the ensuite bathroom via the walk in closet. It has a separate shower and therapeutic bathtub. This home features high end plumbing and hardware.
- The second bathroom is shared with 2 bedrooms. It also has a therapeutic bathtub.
- The professionally finished basement has several rooms which can be used as offices, spare bedrooms or playrooms.
- The septic system for this home is for a 3 bedroom home.
- There are 2 central vacuum units plus accessories.
- The property has a grand pave-uni double driveway.
- The 2 car garage has ceramic tiles and separate door.
- The backyard is private and it is fenced. There is a raised patio with steps leading to pavé-uni walkways.
- All blinds and curtains are included.
- Electric forced air heating and heat pump.

Paul & Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

514.793.4514

450.458.5365

2560 JULIEN, SAINT-LAZARE

2012-02-06T07:53:00.000-08:00

2560 Julien, Saint-Lazare

MLS 8617843

$399,000

Welcome to Paradise!

This is a very interesting intergenerational home. Completely private living area on the main floor with a separate entrance, family room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Ideal for parents, visitors or children returning home. Family room has a slow combustion wood burning fireplace. The house is filled with sunshine and the backyard is private. This colonial style home with curb appeal has a pine kitchen with walk in pantry.

It has a perfect dining room for formal or family dining. The living room is spacious and it has a wood burning fireplace. Bright 4 season sun room off the dinette with magnificent view of the backyard and very large deck, partially wraps around the above ground pool. The oak staircase leads to 4 bedrooms on the 2nd level.
Master bedroom has a spacious closet and a beautiful ensuite bathroom. It has an updated main bathroom, one linen closet and one walk in closet which is handy. The basement patio door opens to ground level. The pellet stove is used in the winter as supplemental heating.

It is easy to be active in this community. All residents have access to parks, cross country skiing, horse trails, hiking trails and bicycle paths. You can downhill ski at Rigaud Mountain which is a 15 minute drive or sail on Lake of Two Mountains in the summertime. If you prefer to golf, there are several private and public facilities.

There are excellent private and public schools nearby, child care facilities, new medical center in Hudson, fine restaurants, great shopping and organic farms. The sportsplex offers a gym, skating arena and indoor soccer. The community library is one of a kind. It gives center stage to books as well as promoting cultural activities happening in and around the community.

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

514.715.4514

ROYAL LEPAGE QUEBEC AWARDS GALA

2012-02-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

The annual Royal LePage Awards Gala was held at The Chateau Royale, Laval on Friday, February 3rd. It was a successful evening as Royal LePage went all out to celebrate the performance of the top Brokers in Quebec.
Paul and I would like to personally thank Royal LePage Village for treating us to a first class event. We are thrilled to be working under the umbrella of Royal LePage Village and would like to acknowledge the fact that we very much enjoy working with our collegues in Hudson, L'Ile-Perrot and West Island. It was an honour to attend this fabulous evening!

2011 was a good year. Our hard work paid off. Paul and I achieved the Director's Platinum Award. The threshold level required to attain the Director's Platinum Award is the top five percent of each residential market's sales representatives' earnings. Earnings are defined as gross closed and collected commissions in the preceding year.

The majority of our business originates from repeat clients and referrals. We would like to sincerely thank our friends and clients - and clients who have become friends, for choosing us to buy or sell their homes. It is our pleasure to help you.

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Branchés sur votre communauté

Connected to your community

Grandma's Coming To Live With Us

2012-02-03T12:22:00.000-08:00

Grandma’s Coming to Live with Us
When different generations live together under the same roof it can be a very rewarding experience for all members of the family. Sitting down together to have a meal, talk, or watch a movie is a great way to keep a family close. However, everyone likes to have their own space now and then, so if you’re planning a home renovation to accommodate grandparents, here are some tips to ensure that the new space is comfortable and senior-safe.
Kitchen. If your renovations include a small kitchen, keep it simple with a counter top range, microwave, toaster and electric kettle. Heavy items should be stored in lower cupboards, and a non-slip footstool should be handy for easy access to upper shelves.
Bathroom. When possible, it would be ideal for grandma to have her own bathroom. Walk-in showers are easier than tubs for elderly people to get in and out of. For added safety install some slip grips on the floor and put in a shower bench and hand held showerhead. A toilet riser base, plus a grab bar on the wall, will make life easier and safer for grandma too.
Fall Prevention. Falls are one of the biggest worries for seniors, and the major tripping hazards are pets, wires and rugs. For this reason, thick cushioned carpeting is preferable to slippery rugs or hardwood flooring. To reduce the risk of accidents keep rooms and high-traffic areas clutter-free.
Furniture Safety. Secure bookcases and heavy furniture to the walls and try to avoid furniture with sharp corners; choose round or oval tables if possible. Grandma will likely want to keep some familiar pieces, but depending on the size of her new place in your home, it may be wise to share excess furniture with other family members, put it in storage, or even sell it.
If a grandparent is relocating to an entirely new area to move in with you, try to make the transition as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Consider looking into senior programs in your community. A good starting point may be your local Recreation Centre. Everyone likes company in their own age group from time to time, and if grandma is happy, you’ll be happy too!

Canadian Job Market Weakest Ever - CIBC Says

2012-02-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

The latest data show that the employment market in Canada is the weakest it’s ever been.
According to a CIBC index more and more Canadians are working for themselves. Many fewer are able to secure full-time employment, the rate of which has slowed down considerably. The loss of jobs is made worse by the lessening of the quality of the few jobs that are available.
The employment quality index has fallen over one whole point from 2011. Year-over-year, the greatest drops were seen in Ontario, and the greatest growth in employment was seen in Alberta.

CIBC says that the “quality and quantity of jobs are falling in tandem.” The surge of self-employment does much to mask the health of the overall economy, as these jobs are often less stable, and produce less revenue.

The report says, “From a quality perspective, the surge in self-employment reduces the overall quality of employment—largely due to the fact that, on average, a self-employed person earns 10%-15% less than a regular employee.”

CIBC warns too that, while the Real Estate market is not expected to crash, they fully expect it to slow down, the impact of which will be substantial on the overall economy.

“While a housing market crash is not in the cards, it’s likely that real estate activity will level off soon. But even if house prices land softly, the impact on the economy in general, and construction jobs in particular, will be far from gentle. Real estate has been an important engine of economic activity, with the number of high quality construction jobs rising by 3.5% in 2011.

That is more than double the pace of employment gains seen in the economy as a whole. That momentum will be lost when the housing market levels off,” the report says.
With the economy expected to soften as well, CIBC feels that prospects for a robust employment picture in the short term are few.

http://propertywire.ca/news/national-news/1679-canadian-job-market-weakest-ever-cibc.html

Why it’s a good time to buy a home

2012-01-30T18:21:00.000-08:00

Look no further, Canada is a safe haven in a volatile world

by Mark Weisleder

I believe there has never been a better time to buy a home. I’ve been in the industry for 28 years as a lawyer and I haven’t seen so many positive signs for housing, whether you are thinking or buying or locking in a mortgage.

Here’s why:
Mortgage rates at historic lows: They can’t get any lower. Four- to five-year fixed mortgages at 3 per cent are unheard of. It is lower than the variable rate that most Canadians have been paying for years. Rates have nowhere to go but up, either later this year or next. If you are paying a variable % rate, lock in now.

Canada’s appeal: This country has everything going for it — a stable banking and political environment, steady real estate market, the natural resources people want and few social tensions. That makes us a safe haven in a volatile world.

Our immigrant draw: Because of the above, we’re a draw for immigrants, often wealthy ones. When they get here, they need a home. So in my view while the real estate market may level off in some areas of Ontario, it should stay strong in most of the GTA and likely Canada’s other large urban centres as well.

Mortgage defaults: According to CMHC, more than 99 per cent of Canadians pay their mortgages on time. It’s quite a different picture in the United States where 7 million homes are in foreclosure and perhaps another 7 million homeowners are under water. This represents almost 15 per cent of all homes. So while the American housing market will likely be weak for the next few years, this should not occur in Canada. Our banks are not dumping homes onto the market, so there is no downward pressure on prices.

Recourse Mortgages: In many U.S. states, if you can’t pay your mortgage, the only thing the bank can do is foreclose; they cannot sue you for any shortfall. So when homes go under water, owners give the keys back to the bank. In Canada, loans are almost all Recourse, meaning if you don’t pay and there is a shortfall, the lender can sue you for the difference. This is another reason why, in my opinion, even if times do get tough, Canadian homeowners will find a way to make the payments until things improve.

Income-to-price ratio: Another misleading statistic is that in major markets, like Toronto, the average price of a home is now 4.6 times the income of the average Canadian. This same statistic was found just before the U.S. and U.K. markets went into the tank. However, if you look at median incomes of Canadians against the median cost of homes, this average comes down to around 3.5, which is not dangerous. Using averages are wrong. A person receiving social assistance will not buy a home, and should not be included in any relevant statistic.

High consumer debt: The warnings about rising debt ratios must be examined carefully. The governor of the Bank of Canada is worried that the average personal debt ratio is now 156 per cent in Canada. This means a household making $100,000 per year, owes $156,000, two-thirds of which is mortgage debt. Why is this so bad? At an interest rate of 3 or even 5 per cent, the amount needed to service the debt is manageable. Most people do not pay off their mortgages in one year. Still, this is another good reason to consolidate your debt now, at these low interest rates, and lock in.

No guarantees: Nobody can predict the future and there’s always the possibility of a major economic shock. Yet, in a U.S. presidential election year, politicians will do whatever is necessary to prevent it. If the economy goes into the tank, so do re-election chances. The U.S. is already showing signs of economic recovery.
No matter what, do not take on a monthly payment higher than what you can afford. Meet with your lender or mortgage broker in advance to figure out what you can afford before you start looking for a home. It may be the best time to buy, but you need to buy smart.

Mark Weisleder is a lawyer, columnist, author and speaker to the real estate industry. You can contact Mark at mark@markweisleder.com

VENDU - TERRAIN A SAINT-LAZARE

2012-01-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

Un beau grand terrain boisé au coeur de la région équestre de Saint-Lazare est vendu!
Another listing sold! We listed a beautiful wooded lot on Mtée Harwood and we now have an accepted offer!
The spring market is here. Call us if you have any questions. We'll be happy to help you.
We are 2 Real Estate Brokers - working full time to meet your needs!

Paul & Diane Laflamme

Courtiers immobilier

Royal LePage Village

514.793.4514

Branchés sur votre communauté.
Connected to your community.

Parts of Canadian Housing Over Valued: Mark Carney

2012-01-26T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Bank of Canada is joining the chorus of voices that are saying some markets in Canada are overvalued, and possibly in danger of correction.

In an interview broadcast on CTV over the weekend, Mark Carney weighed on the danger of overheating markets, and touched on the possibility of government intervention.
In the interview, Carney said that he believes that measures taken to date to tighten the mortgage market have been effective, and at this point in time more is not necessary. However, with the continued existence of low interest rates, the possibility of an asset bubble in some vulnerable centres, with home equity possibly over leveraged does exist- and does cause some concern.

Carney is not ruling out intervention, but said that they were very much adopting a “wait and see” policy. Last week Jim Flaherty told reporters that, while there is potential concern still existing in the Canadian property market, and while the government is certainly keeping a close eye on the situation, intervention at this point in time is likely not necessary.

Many have predicted that 2012 will see a cooling in the housing market, despite a continuation of low interest rates. Threats from a dragging economy, recessionary trouble in Europe and fears over employment will cause the market that has been robust to moderate.

Those analysts that have predicted market moderation are largely feeling that overvalued markets will not crash necessarily, but will land softly, and that market values will drift down gradually due to market fundamentals that exist already.

Some do feel that the market will continue to shine this year. Royal LePage predicts that the market will continue to climb in 2012 and that a gradual market slowdown will not even appear until 2013, which is when most put the next rate hike at.

In his CTV interview, Carney commented on the fragility of the export relationship with the US, and that Canadian exporters should seek out alternative partners, as trouble continues to brew in the US.

www:propertywire.com

DUPLEX - 3852-3854 HOTEL DE VILLE IS SOLD/VENDU

2012-01-24T09:29:00.000-08:00

3852-3854 Hotel de Ville

Le Plateau, Montreal

Sold in 14 days!

For Results

Call Paul and Diane Laflamme

Working Hard To Successfully Sell Your Home!

Royal LePage Village

450.458.5365

EUROPE BIGGEST THREAT TO CANADIAN ECONOMY

2012-01-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

We know the effect of economic slowdown in Canada, and Mark Carney says that he is fairly certain of the cause as well.

In their quarterly monetary report, the Bank of Canada said that the Euro zone and the recession that they are encountering is the single biggest threat that faces the Canadian economy at the moment. And this is no idle threat either- there has been, and will continue to be, significant impact on the Canadian economy.
Carney estimates the loss in output this year will be in the range of $10 Billion.

Other countries around the world are essentially footing the bill for the financial carnage that continues to run through the troubled Euro zone. Carney puts the cost at around 0.6% of the Canadian GDP. Furthermore, the cost could mount significantly if the financial fallout is not fully contained by European leaders, who have shown a bewildering complacence.

The report says, “The outlook for the global economy has deteriorated and uncertainty has increased since October. The sovereign debt crisis in Europe has intensiﬁed, conditions in international ﬁnancial markets have tightened and risk aversion has risen. The recession in Europe is now expected to be deeper and longer than the Bank had anticipated. The Bank continues to assume that European authorities will implement sufﬁcient measures to contain the crisis, although this assumption is clearly subject to downside risks.”

At a press conference following the release of the report, Carney told reporters: “"Europe is the biggest external threat to Canada without question."
Carney went on to say that, even though Canada is essentially doing much that is right and responsible to manage the economy, these headwinds persist and continue to land impact, through no fault of a direct action or inaction domestically speaking.

While Canada does continue to feel some pain from the troubles that continue in Europe, we do suffer less than some countries like the U.S., because the Canadian exposure to the threatened European banks is limited.

With the force of these headwinds continuing to blow, the BOC does not expect the economy to return to full capacity until 2013.
“The Bank estimates that the economy grew by 2.4 per cent in 2011 and projects that it will grow by 2.0 per cent in 2012 and 2.8 per cent in 2013. While the economy appears to be operating with less slack than previously assumed, given the more modest growth proﬁle, the economy is only anticipated to return to full capacity by the third quarter of 2013, one quarter earlier than was expected in October.”

http://www.propertywire.ca/news/national-news/1662-europe-biggest-threat-to-canadian-economy-boc.html

Team Laflamme - Connected To Your Community

2012-01-20T09:59:00.000-08:00

Open House/Sunday, January 22nd
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

2560 Julien, Saint-Lazare

$399,000

191 Cameron, Hudson

$395,000 + taxes

New Construction

PAUL & DIANE LAFLAMME

ROYAL LEPAGE VILLAGE

LIVING AND WORKING IN YOUR AREA

We Are Connected To Your Community

I WISH YOU A GOOD DAY!

2012-01-19T18:08:00.000-08:00

This video on Gratitude and Happiness was created by Louie Schwartzberg. It's beautiful.
I wish you all a very, very good day.......everyday.

http://youtu.be/gXDMoiEkyuQ

More about Facebook

2012-01-19T09:37:00.000-08:00

Why Facebook is about to get much more annoying....
At a press event scheduled for Wednesday, Facebook is expecting to roll out two new features that advertisers may love, and many users will also find interesting, but they’ll also make the social network much more annoying.
First of all, the company has announced it will roll out the Timeline feature in the next few days to all users.
What does that mean?
It means the current profile and wall format will be replaced with a much sleeker design with large photos, that keeps a historical record of everything a user has done.
I love the Timeline feature, but I know from experience that many Facebook users hate when the company messes with the look of the program.
Whenever it does, the complaints on Facebook are incessant.

Another new feature coming to Facebook is the open social graph. This is an opt-in feature, because if it weren’t, it would be a tremendous invasion of privacy.

The open social graph will allow people to share just about everything they do on the Internet with their Facebook friends.
So if you read this blog, your friends may see that posted on your Timeline (don’t worry: if people see you read this blog regularly, they’ll think you’re brilliant). If you watch a video, the link will be posted. If you make a purchase … you get the idea.
The problem with the open graph, however, is that while it’s a boon to advertisers, it will be more of an annoyance for most Facebook users.
Luckily, the news feed will be spared. This information will be limited to a person’s Timeline, according to this report.
That’s good, because a news feed is for important information like daily location check-ins at Second Cup and hundreds of daily Farmville and Mafia Wars updates. No. I don’t care that you have a flock of sheep!
Will the open graph be a huge step forward for Facebook? The company sure hopes so, but it seems every attempt at getting people to engage more with brands online has been met with only limited success. Have any businesses really seen major boosts by encouraging users to check in? If you see your friend frequents a particular coffee shop, will that make you more likely to visit it as well? Perhaps, but it may be one of 100 factors that influences your decision.
A new study has shown that
while Canadians research their purchases online, many think that Facebook should just be reserved for personal connections. They see advertising as an intrusion, kinda like if someone interrupted a conversation between friends to sell them beer.
http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/01/18/why-facebook-is-about-to-get-much-more-annoying/

Bank unveils lowest rate in history

2012-01-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

The lowest mortgage rate in Canadian history could add a few more months to a spree of record housing sales in Canada, a Queen's University real estate expert says.

The Bank of Montreal announced late Thursday it had dropped its five-year, fixed-rate mortgage by 0.5% to 2.99%.
"That is pretty significant," said Dr. John Andrew, director of the university's executive seminars on corporate and investment real estate.

The mortgage rate is only available until Jan. 25 and comes with conditions, including a 25-year amortization period. Borrowers can also only make lump sum payments of up to 10% of the principal each year.

Andrew said the restrictions that come with the new rate are in line with the federal government's insistence on responsible lending.
"Overall, it's a cheaper loan but it is harder to qualify for," Andrew said.
The restrictions would make it impossible for those few people who could receive a loan at the record-low interest rate and rapidly pay it off in two or three years.
"The reality is very few homeowners can afford to do that," Andrew said.

The record-low mortgage rate could be enough to entice new home buyers to enter the market. It will also benefit home owners looking to refinance their existing mortgage.

Andrew said the limited time offer is likely in place because other banks will follow suit and slash their mortgage rates.

By Friday, Toronto Dominion Bank responded, dropping its four-year, fixed rate mortgage to 2.99 per cent. That offer is in place until Feb. 29.

It's designed to prevent consumers from being upset when interest rate goes back up near the end of the month, Andrew said.

Andrew said economists have already begun to question how long housing prices in Canada will continue to climb. He said some banks have predicted a plateau in housing sales and inventory in the coming months.
Even at 2.99 per cent, Andrew said banks should still make money because they have been able to sell bonds internationally at record levels at interest rates even lower.
Selling a bond at a lower interest rate indicates investors have more confidence in Canadian bank bonds, Andrew said.
"That spread represents bank profit," Andrew said.
A week ago, BMO sold $1.5 billion worth of bonds at a rate of 2.54%.

eferguson@thewhig.com
The Kingston Whig Standard

By Elliot Ferguson

Boomers land impact on housing industry

2012-01-13T21:30:00.000-08:00

There is strength in numbers; that we know. But what is truly remarkable is the force that vast numbers can apply on reshaping a society- and in this case, an industry.

The concept of home ownership and idyllic living in this country has experienced a major paradigm shift, and is really on the cusp of things to come, mostly because the largest demographic group- the Baby Boomers- are swinging their demographic weight around again- this time to land squarely with a material impact on the housing industry.

As a real estate professional, part of getting into this market, is to understand where this group is coming from, where they are going and the mechanics of the impact they wield on the marketplace, namely condominium living, home renovations and development of Senior Citizen health care institutions.

A New Model for Housing
According to CMHC’s recently released “2011 Canadian Housing Observer”, which examines and characterizes housing trends in the country, the proportion of senior citizens in the total population is expected to grow from 14% currently to a staggering 24% by 2036. This trickles down to a material impact on the market, as CMHC points out: “Demographic pressures account for much of the variation in the rate of housing construction in different parts of Canada…As people age, their needs are likely to change due to disabilities, medical conditions, changes in their household composition, and/or changes in their financial situation. Population aging therefore requires various forms of housing, a range of models of coordinating housing with support services, and community planning that respond to the needs of seniors and enhance their quality of life.”

While many seniors are electing retirement outside of urban centres, many more are electing a return to the urban core, for a number of reasons. “Economies of scale, the existence of a well-developed construction industry, the often relatively low cost of construction compared to rural and remote communities, and the presence of a wide range of community organizations, seniors groups, faith-based groups, and other civil society institutions interested in serving seniors are all factors that support the provision of housing and supports for seniors in urban areas.”

It’s not just the big urban centres that are drawing this demographic; smaller urban centres are holding great appeal, and are becoming increasingly more popular. In fact, data states that the senior proportion of the population in smaller urban centres has climbed to 16%, and is expected to increase over coming years.

“The result is a growing availability in urban areas of housing designed specifically for seniors and of services that meet the needs of seniors who are aging in their homes, as well as projects based on innovative partnerships that integrate housing and support services.”
What is emerging as well, is that many of these senior households are, or will be single households, which will impact not only space requirements, but must also incorporate elements like affordability on single income, as well as possibly social or care requirements.

Aging in Place
When Judy Garland said famously as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home", she very much hit the thematic nail on the head for the aging Canadian population. If the choice were theirs to make, CMHC’s Housing Outlook report suggest that there are many seniors who are choosing to stay put, and make appropriate renovations to their existing dwellings to meet their changing needs, rather than downsizing, or moving to retirement housing. The data in their report demonstrates “that a large majority of seniors are choosing to age in place; that is, to continue to live in their current home and familiar community for as long as possible even if their health changes. Some seniors choose to downsize and/or to relocate in order to have better access to services or to live closer to family members, and then age in place in their new home.”
There is also growth in technology to facilitate and extend independent living, including the development of tools, like, “smart sensors which remind seniors to turn off appliances, record patterns of use, and alert caregivers when the senior’s use of the appliances indicates a potential problem… Another example is monitors for seniors with serious medical conditions to enable them to continue living at home without sacrificing needed care.”

Barry Gordon, Broker of Record, Gordon's Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage says that the goal for many is to remain put for as long as possible, and sometimes major renovations are not necessary; small touch ups that lend peace of mind may be enough in the short term, “In my experience many seniors do their best to keep the core components as low maintenance as possible. They tend to get the windows, roof, furnace, updated- things that could catch them in an emergency if not kept up or that could drive the cost of heating up. They are prepared to spend to maintain their peace of mind. This can extend to bathrooms but not so often kitchens and most often don't get into the elaborate. Not so many really do a big renovation but rather make their home more comfortable and problem free. “Many try to remain where they are as long as they can, and then look at the relocation options. In the past few years, governments have tried to ease the pressure on Long Term Care homes and hospital discharge beds by introducing a variety of supports that help seniors remain in their homes longer. These programs have no doubt had some success, but one of the perhaps unanticipated results is that more seniors are holding off on a move to a retirement residence as an option. Instead, they resist moving at all until they require Long Term Care.”

And as Gordon suggests, sometimes the decision to move closer to amenities and to health care is accelerated by events like the loss of a driver’s licence and associated loss of freedom and mobility.

The Rise of the High-Rise
There has been a surge both in condominium interest and development, partly to meet the growing need to support a rising immigration populations in major centres, as well as property investor demands, but it is no coincidence that the popularity of the housing type is increasing in sync with Baby Boomers approaching and entering retirement.
This shift towards housing taste and requirement is changing the physical landscape of housing in the country. Not only is land scarce in many major urban centres, so developers are moving outwards rather than sprawling upwards, but many retirees are favouring the simplicity of living associated with condo living, and are doing so in vast numbers. CMHC reports that “over half of all housing starts in Vancouver, 48% in Montréal and 45% in Toronto were intended for condominium tenure.”

Gordon says that there is definite appeal for a specific part of the demographic,” I think the Boomers are moving the condo market in the big cities more than the smaller centres. Early boomers in a big market like Toronto where houses have become so expensive, find themselves with a small fortune in their home-one that can get them a pretty comfortable condo. In smaller markets we see those with good pensions moving more toward condos as their perpetual income gives them the comfort of being carefree about being able to pay the condo fees and the taxes. These folks also often enjoy a few months away in winter as long as their health holds. Condo living makes it easy to turn the key without worrying about a vulnerable vacant house.”

http://propertywire.ca/features/features/market-intelligence/1642-boomers-land-impact-on-housing-industry.html

Royal LePage Predicts Further Home Price Appreciation Contrary to Recent Talk of Decline

2012-01-12T20:32:00.000-08:00

http://www.royallepage.ca/en/media/120112-house-price-survey-q4-2011-market-survey-forecast-real-estate-market-update.aspx?toolstips=1052&relatedcontent=1074

National real estate price correction not likely until 2013 at the earliest

TORONTO, January, 2012 –The Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast released today showed the average price of a home in Canada increased between 3.6 and 6.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the previous year. Royal LePage expects average price growth to continue through 2012 and predicts national average prices to increase by 2.8 per cent by the end of the year.
Despite calls in some quarters for Canadian house prices to soften in 2011, the market proved resilient as demand created by low interest rates and a relatively stable national economy created upward pricing pressure for all housing types surveyed. Further, recent high profile reports forecasting significant house price declines in 2012 are not supportable. Nationally, consumer confidence in the housing market was high in the fourth quarter as real estate brokers witnessed an unusually high quantity of multiple offer situations, including over the holiday season, compared to same period in previous years.
In the fourth quarter, standard two-storey homes rose 4.2 per cent year-over-year to $375,427, while detached bungalows increased 6.1 per cent to $344,392. Average prices for standard condominiums increased 3.6 per cent to $234,680.
“In the recovery period following the 2008-2009 recession, I found myself repeatedly speaking of ‘irrational exuberance’ in the Canadian housing market,” said Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “Expectations were too high and the pace of expansion unsupportable. With this report, I find myself in exactly the opposite position. Widespread calls for a major real estate correction in 2012 simply can’t be justified. The industry has significant momentum entering the year, and buoyed by the stimulative effect of very low interest rates, we expect the market to continue to expand – albeit at a slower pace.”
While 2011 was a very strong year for price growth, over the past five years, including the recessionary period, Canada’s average home prices have grown by only 3.5 per cent compounded annually, well below the long term average rate of appreciation. Canada’s GDP has also grown modestly over the same period and the economy is expected to expand by approximately two per cent in 2012. While unemployment remains stubbornly higher then pre-recession levels, sustained employment at today’s levels in a low interest rate environment can be expected to support continued average house price appreciation across the country.
Canadians remain confident in their real estate investments. Throughout 2011, buyers took advantage of low rates to enter the housing market or move-up to homes that better suited their family’s needs or wants. All regions included in the Royal LePage Market Survey Forecast anticipate positive average price growth in 2012. This includes the relatively expensive Toronto and Vancouver regions, where rising home prices have consistently out-paced the other urban centres.
”We believe calls for falling prices and more affordable housing in 2012 are unlikely to materialize,” said Soper. “While this will comfort the seventy per cent of Canadians who are homeowners, there is cause for concern when house price growth outpaces increases in wages and salaries for an extended period of time. Coupled with more restrictive mortgage regulations that have made it more difficult to obtain financing, those who aspire to own a home may find it increasingly difficult to enter the housing market and, in some regions, it may leave people out entirely.”
Regionally, Royal LePage expects to see cities with commodity-based economies, such as Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg, outperform larger urban centres such as Toronto and Vancouver. Royal LePage has forecast Calgary’s average house prices to climb 3.6 per cent in 2012. In 2011, the largest average price increase was seen in Regina, where average prices for standard two-storey homes rose 19.5 per cent year-over-year.

Regional Market Summaries

In Halifax, strong consumer confidence and low interest rates led to healthy year-over-year price appreciation for all three housing types surveyed. Average price gains ranged from 4.5 to 6.7 per cent for the housing types surveyed. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Halifax are forecast to be 3.4 per cent higher than 2011.
First-time buyers and consumer confidence helped push Montreal’s prices up in the fourth quarter of 2011. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Montreal are forecast to be 1.3 per cent higher than 2011.
A strong local economy and low interest rates resulted in healthy year-over-year price appreciation in Ottawa with gains ranging from 5.0 to 6.7 per cent. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Ottawa are forecast to be 3.3 per cent higher than 2011.
Lack of inventory in Toronto produced strong year-over-year price appreciation in 2011. Average price gains ranged from 3.4 to 7.2 per cent for the housing types surveyed. Migration and low interest rates also continue to drive real estate prices. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Toronto are forecast to increase 2.6 per cent over 2011.
Immigration and low interest rates produced healthy year-over-year price appreciation in Winnipeg’s real estate market with average price gains ranging from 3.7 to 5.0 per cent. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Winnipeg are forecast to be 4.2 per cent higher than 2011.
Lack of inventory and strong demand drove average year-over-year price gains in Regina. Price appreciation ranged from standard condominiums posting a 7.9 per cent gain to standard two-storey homes posting a 19.5per cent gain, the largest gain among housing types surveyed across Canada. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Regina are forecast to be 5.0 per cent higher than 2011.
Calgary witnessed modest year-over-year price gains in two housing types – standard two-storey homes and standard condominiums, while the detached bungalow rose 6.2 per cent. Lack of inventory for detached bungalows was cited as the reason for the increase. Edmonton, posted modest gains for all three housing types surveyed, which ranged from 1.3 to 3.2 per cent. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Calgary are forecast to increase 3.6 per cent, while Edmonton house prices are expected to increase by 2.6 per cent compared to 2011.
Vancouver continued to experience some of Canada’s largest year-over-year price increases ranging from the standard condominiums rising 10.7 per cent to detached bungalows rising 14.1 per cent. At the end of 2012, average house prices in Vancouver are forecast to be 2.3 per cent higher than 2011.
Royal LePage’s quarterly House Price Survey shows the annual change of prices for key housing segments in select national markets. Click here to view the chart .

About the Royal LePage House Price Survey

The Royal LePage House Price Survey is the largest, most comprehensive study of its kind in Canada, with information on seven types of housing in over 250 neighbourhoods from coast to coast. This release references an abbreviated version of the survey, which highlights house price trends for the three most common types of housing in Canada in 80 communities across the country. A complete database of past and present surveys is available on the Royal LePage Web site at www.royallepage.ca. Current figures will be updated following the complete tabulation of the data for the second quarter. A printable version of the fourth quarter 2011 survey will be available online on February 10^th, 2011.
Housing values in the Royal LePage House Price Survey are Royal LePage opinions of fair market value in each location, based on local data and market knowledge provided by Royal LePage residential real estate experts.
Canadian Housing Trends - Royal LePage 2012 Market Survey Forecast
Royal LePage Q4 2011 House Price Survey - Data Chart

About Royal LePage

Serving Canadians since 1913, Royal LePage is the country’s leading provider of services to real estate brokerages, with a network of 14,000 real estate professionals in over 600 locations nationwide. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, dedicated to supporting women's & children’s shelters and educational programs aimed at ending domestic violence. Royal LePage is a Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc. company, a TSX-listed corporation trading under the symbol TSX:BRE.

Penguin saved a long way from home.....

2012-01-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

http://www.busseltonmail.com.au/news/local/news/general/penguin-saved-a-long-way-from-home/2416813.aspx

WHEN Kelly Laflamme and a few friends went to Yallingup break Shallows last week, they could never have guessed what they were about to find.
“We saw something in the ocean and we were wondering what it was,” Kelly said.
“It was struggling so hard in the water, going in and out of shore.”
Finally, it made it into shore and Kelly discovered what it was – a juvenile male Rockhopper penguin, which are normally foreign to this region.
“I was blown away! I thought it was a duck at first,” Kelly said.
“We didn’t know what to do – I was so surprised.
“We took a few photos but he was falling all over the place – we noticed his balance was off and he seemed very discombobulated.
“We called the rangers and they told us to bring him to the vet.
“We wrapped a towel around the little guy and made our way over to the Dunsborough vet’s office.”
The penguin was very lucky that Kelly and her friends saw him.
“He had blisters and sunburn on his feet and a huge bruise on his head,” Kelly said.
“If they hadn’t brought it in it would have definitely died,” said Dunsborough veterinary nurse Melanie Mothersole, who treated the penguin on Friday.
The bird, which was also extremely dehydrated, was treated by the vets for its injuries.
“The day after it was found it seemed a lot brighter,” Melanie said.
The penguin was transferred to Busselton for further rehabilitation, before being moved to Penguin Island in Perth.
Rockhopper penguins are generally found on islands off the coast of South America and Africa, to the south of New Zealand on the Auckland and Antipodes Islands, as well as on islands off the coast of the Antarctic, including Australia’s Heard and Macquarie islands.
“Obviously a current has taken it (away from home),” Melanie said.
“You hardly ever see them down here – I saw one about eight years ago which washed up at Canal Rocks, but this is the next one I’ve seen.
“It was so lost and a long way from home,” Kelly said.
Kelly, who has lived in Dunsborough for the past year, but is originally from Canada, said it was quite an experience.
“It’s the first time I’d ever seen a penguin in the wild,” she said.
“It was really an amazing thing – I’m so happy that we saved him.”

Kelly's friend Olivier (Oli) Labelle....also a Canadian living in Western Australia.

Hot Options: Tips for Choosing the Right Fireplace

2012-01-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hot Options: Tips for Choosing the Right Fireplace
Whether it’s coming inside after hitting the slopes, playing ice-hockey, or walking the dog on a brisk night: there’s nothing better than curling up to a nice, warm fire. A fireplace will keep you cozy on cold winter nights, but it should also be safe and energy efficient. If you’re looking to add a new fireplace to your home or upgrade an existing one this season, make sure you know all the options available.

Wood-burning
Wood-burning fireplaces are great for those who love the majesty of an open fire, the smell of burning wood, and the sound of crackling logs. However, you may not know that older wood-burning fireplaces are not very energy efficient and can actually pollute the environment. The good news is that there are newer, safer, and more advanced wood-burning fireplaces available. Look for models that are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)*, as they emit 90% less smoke than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and distribute heat better in your home.
Electric
Electric fireplaces are the perfect way to set the mood, and temperature, at the flick of a switch. They are safe, convenient, low-maintenance, and cost little to install. Although electric fireplaces probably won’t add to the value of your home like other types might, they are great for small spaces and don’t require a chimney or outdoor venting. Most models also come with the option of having the decorative fire turned on while the heating element is off: a great feature if all you’re looking for is a little ambiance.
Gas
Gas fireplaces are popular options because they are clean burning, efficient, and don’t even require a chimney. Although they may not offer the same flame sensation as real wood-burning fireplaces, gas is more energy efficient and you won’t need to worry about cleaning up woodchips or ashes. They also distribute heat better and provide a constant supply of fuel, even if the power fails. Look for models that have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating; the higher the rating, the higher the efficiency.
Other Options
If you already own a fairly old or outdated fireplace, there are still options available. Electric and gas models, for example, are easy to upgrade or replace entirely if you’re looking to make your fireplace more energy efficient. Similarly, you can purchase inserts for traditional wood-burning fireplaces that cause less harm to the environment and improve heating efficiency. And if you want to experience an open fire a little closer to nature, consider buying an outdoor fireplace. Outdoor fireplaces come in many shapes and sizes; just make sure to check your local municipality’s by-laws for safety regulations.

Happy New Year! We wish you good health, happiness and laughter...lots of laughter.

2012-01-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when many of us set goals. I know I have.
Watch this video and you'll soon see that all your dreams are possible. The question that changed Amy Purdy's life is, "If my life were a book and I were the author, how would I want this story to go".

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_purdy_living_beyond_limits.html

Apple to hold ‘important’ event in New York this month

2012-01-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

Don’t expect the iPad 3 or a full-sized Apple TV to launch at a New York City press event Apple Inc. will reportedly hold in late January.
Kara Swisher, the AllThingsDigital writer who first reported on the possible event late Monday, said the event will likely not be a large scale affair.
According to Ms. Swisher, the event will likely feature an announcement related to the Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s media or publishing properties, which include the iTunes music store, the iBookstore, the App Store for mobile devices and the iAd advertising network.
Eddie Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet software and services, is responsible for all those divisions and is said to be the executive involved in the event.
Last year, Mr. Cue was also involved in another New York event to help launch News Corp.’s The Daily, an iPad-only digital news publication.
Since then, Apple has focused on expanding its New York presence, most notably with the opening last month of a massive Apple Store (or megastore according to The Washington Post). The company has also been refurbishing its flagship retail location on fifth avenue and recently opened an iAd office in the city.
Apple has yet to publicly announce a replacement for Andy Miller, who was vice president of mobile advertising before he left the company last August to join a venture capital firm. Still, a high profile media event related solely to a new hire is unlikely.
The iAd unit has been struggling over the past year, sources told the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper, as the service does not offer enough flexibility to be useful. So a revamped iAd product is possible.
But TechCrunch writer Alexia Tsotsis had another source say the event is related to iBooks, so a new content initiative or publishing tie up could be in the works as well.
Apple officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Financial Post, though they did wish Ms. Swisher a “happy, happy new year.”
Until the company has something more to say on the matter, the company’s ardent customer following will undoubtedly be providing plenty of their own theories.

Posted in: FP Tech Desk, Media Tags: Andy Miller, Apple, Apple Inc., Apple late September event, Eddie Cue

Growing older, with all the amenities

2012-01-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

The housing market may look a little up and down to Toronto architect Drew Laszlo as he designs the latest homes for clients.
But that’s because one of the top requests he’s getting is for elevators. It’s phenomenon that may be symbolic of the changes in Canadian demographics. Once the domain of high-rise buildings or mansions, the elevator is making its way into everyday homes — albeit for people in the high end of the market who can afford it.
“It’s getting more and more common on a daily basis,” Mr. Laszlo says about the elevator trend. “I used to see it once in a blue moon but now when [he designs] a new house, they either want it or are giving it serious consideration.”
The cost can run upwards of $20,000 but it almost makes financial sense for an aging Boomer population that realizes once stairs become unnavigable, they’ll be forced to move to either a hard-to-find bungalow or a condominium tower.
Meeting the needs of the aging Boomer population is expected to become the dominant theme of the housing industry in 2012 and for decades to come.
A study from the Conference Board of Canada released in the fall of 2011 predicted that by 2030 about 80% of new housing demand would come from consumers in their golden years. Those people will either end up in condominiums or will need to make alterations to existing homes.
“What I hear from people is they want to grow old in their homes,” Mr. Laszlo says. “They know their legs will go at some point. In speculative houses, the builders want them more and more because when it comes time for resale, it’s something people will remember. If you are building a house for $1,000,000, what’s another $20,000?”
The elevator is also a bit of a status symbol but one the moderately rich can afford. They are usually about five feet by five feet or about the size of a closet — and can be roughed into a house and not installed until a later date.
“You don’t even know it’s there, it looks like another door,” says Mr. Laszlo, who notes having something the size “of a closet” means sacrifices on all all floors. “The Boomer can now buy a house because he knows it can have an elevator.”
So what else do Boomers want? Bathrooms. It seems they cannot get enough of them as they deal with children living at home longer and parents moving in with them.
“You have four bedrooms, you have four bathrooms,” Mr. Laszlo says.
Flexibility is something most people seem to be craving in the Boomer population as they deal with issues previous generations may not have faced, says Paul Johnston, the broker of record for Block development in downtown Toronto.
Treasure Hill Developments has come up with a complex with 37 homes that each include a concept called in-law suites. The name is misleading because it’s not just for in-laws: It is essentially a self-contained apartment as large as 750 square feet within a four-storey 3,700-square-foot home.
“What we are providing is flexibility. It could be finished entirely separately as a suite, it could be finished as gymnasium or workout room or it could be used as an at-home office. It is totally accessible with a separate entrance,” Mr. Johnston says. “People’s needs within their homes have changed a lot.”
But the biggest need people have and will continue to have seems to be more space, says Hugh Heron, of Heron Homes, who has been in the industry 60 years.
“When we were building homes in 1967 that were just under 2,000 square feet, the industry said we’d never sell them,” he recalls. “In those days, it seemed like a huge house. Back then the en suite was a basin and a toilet. Fast-forward to today and that single family home is 4,000 square feet and en suite bathrooms are just unbelievable.”
He says the biggest change in the past decade has been the growth of condominiums, as affordability chases people either out of the city or up in the sky.
“Governments wants density, particularly in Toronto, so a lot of this stuff is going to go high instead of low,” Mr. Heron says.
The Building Industry and Land Development Association says about 60% of the housing in the greater Toronto area sold in 2011 has been high-rise. It’s a trend being seen in other large markets such as Calgary, Altus Group said in a recent report.
And even though condos are becoming the home of choice, their pricing keeps going up and forcing the industry to make them smaller so people can afford them.
“If you look at the resale market in 2003, the average unit that traded was over 1,000 square feet and now it’s just under 900 square feet,” says Ben Myers, vice-president of Urbanation Inc., about Toronto’s market.
The shrinking condo trend will continue.
“It’s going to go down further when some of larger buildings being built now start to register,” says Mr. Myers, adding 600-square-foot condominium apartments have started to become the norm.
The high price tag for housing has consumers looking for breaks on costs and energy bills have come under the microscope. It used to be property taxes that buyers always wanted to know but energy costs are becoming something people are considering.
“We have an industry capable of building environmentally advanced housing,” says John Kenward, chief operating officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
New requirements across the country that homes be built to meet certain energy standards could dramatically change how people view homes, he says.
On Jan. 1, Ontario will require houses to be built to what was called the R-2000 standard, which involves strict technical requirements for energy efficiency, indoor air quality and environmental responsibility.
A national code is coming into place later in 2012 and most provinces are expected to adopt the code in time for 2013. Once that happens, the codes won’t just be voluntary but mandatory.
What it will do to house prices is anybody’s guess but it could create a price differential between new homes and existing homes, Mr. Kenward says.
“The world is going to change because of the new codes,” he says.

Posted in: Personal Finance Tags: Baby Boomers, bathroom, Drew Laszlo, elevators, home renovations, housing industry, housing market, moderately wealthy, wealthy

Men and women are different homebuyers too

2011-12-28T06:48:00.000-08:00

It is a well known fact that men and women tend to have different approaches to many situations, and purchasing a home is apparently one of those situations. While purchasing a home had been traditionally a male domain in decades past, women have emerged on the home buying scene, with expressed housing needs and tastes. Also, statistics show that over the last decade, the face of the homebuyer has shifted somewhat, with many more single women opting to jump into the homeownership pool, rather than waiting to be part of a couple. According to a Royal Lepage survey, upwards of 30% of single women own their own home.

Keeping in mind that men and women may approach a property differently, there are certain things that a REALTOR® must consider when assisting a buyer to select a property, according to Sundaybell, an online company specializing in matching homebuyers and sellers with their ideal agent.

Although men and women tend to look for different things when buying a home, there is also much they have in common. And that's where the value of working with a real estate professional comes in. "A good REALTOR® will take both parties' concerns and preferences into account, and find a compromise solution that addresses everyone's wants and needs," says Andrew Brest, VP Marketing of Sundaybell Inc. Lee Redwood, Sundaybell's VP Sales agrees. "A part of an agent's job is to sometimes act as a bridge between partners, helping them to understand the other's point of view."

Differences in preferences between men and women, and the presence of them in the marketplace has caused some to take notice; Coldwell Banker did a survey to explore fully what these home buying differences were, and if Realtors should be tailoring their marketing and support efforts.

Some key differences that the survey revealed were that women tended to make decisions more quickly. 70% of women knew straightaway upon viewing a home that it was the one for them, whereas only 62% of men felt that sure, that quickly. Men apparently needed a little more “tire kicking”, and required more return visits than their female counterparts to finalize a decision.
It terms of location being an important factor, only 37% of men felt that location was one of the most important things when buying a home, compared to 55% of women respondents. In the matter of security, men and women found some common ground, both valuing it as important.

Caution in the wind for 2012 mortgage forecast

2011-12-27T07:21:00.000-08:00

A new year invariably brings thoughts of change, predictions for the future and forecasts of good or bad or something in between.When it comes to the Canadian mortgage industry, experts point to a vulnerable global marketplace as a backdrop for the tepid economic predictions being issued by Canadian economists.

As a result, experts are calling for what might be described as a cautiously optimistic outlook for 2012 with the emphasis on cautiously. Expect a number of challenges.
Toronto mortgage agent David Larock thinks 2012 will be marked by less borrowing overall. “I think 2012 will be a tough year for economies everywhere, including Canada,” Larock says, “and with our domestic mortgage rates already at record low levels, there is little scope for further reductions in borrowing costs to stimulate our real estate markets the way they have over the past several years.” Larock believes that will naturally work to slow borrowing and, if that doesn’t occur, he suspects another round of mortgage rule changes as federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tries to rein in overall consumer debt levels.
In March, Flaherty effectively removed marginal borrowers from the market by reducing the maximum amortization on a mortgage from 35 years to 30 years, reducing refinancing of mortgages from 90% to 85%, and withdrawing government backing from HELOC’s. However, the impact on the market was quite negligible.
Leslie Penney, a St. John’s mortgage broker, suspects the government will crack down on mortgages once again next year. He thinks that because lately he’s noticed that insurers are scrutinizing and requiring more documentation on many deals that wouldn’t have been requested previously. Regardless, Penney believes if the government is truly concerned about household debt it should consider enforcing tighter guidelines with respect to credit cards and lines of credit, which are just too easy to obtain and may get out of control.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this should be the area to focus on to reduce consumer’s vulnerability to increased debt and subsequent economic changes,” says Penney.
While Flaherty’s mortgage changes did not bode well especially for first-time buyers, Calgary mortgage broker Tyler Tost expects low interest rates will save the day come 2012. He believes rates will stay low in order to stimulate the economy and the housing market, which he expects will continue to grow throughout next year. “When money is this cheap that’s obviously when people get their foot in the door,” says Tost. “They realize it may not get any better than this.” He’s even heard rumblings that interest rates could continue downward. “There’s talk that fixed rates could drop lower yet,” says Tost. “I don’t know how much lower they could go, but there’s indicators that there’s room in the bond market that rates could drop further.”
Penney, however, doubts rates will fall further especially during the early part of the year. “Again, there’s just so much volatility, and with Europe on the brink of a recession, it will certainly delay any rate hikes in the short term,” he says.
“Europe faced tough choices. But as so many economists have predicted, 2012 will start slow; however, we’ll have to hang tight to see what will transpire later in the year. With some economists predicting a drop in Canadian housing prices of 5 to 10 %, appraisals will likely become more contentious, says Larock. He points out that appraised values tend to agree with market values in a real estate market that’s rising, but in one that’s dropping values come in lower than market values and therein lies the problem. “This will be an issue for purchasers with small down payments who are hard pressed to come up with more money, and for refinancing borrowers who are looking to pull equity out of their homes,” he says. “Also, I expect to see fewer ‘drive-by’ or casual appraisals and more full appraisals, which are more expensive and which borrowers are often required to pay for.”
For that growing segment of self-employed Canadians (approximately 16 % in 2010, according to Statistics Canada), borrowing money in 2012 will be more difficult, says Kristian Harris, a mortgage broker with MonsterMortgage.ca. Traditional lending institutions loosened their lending rules about a decade ago, says Harris, which was good news for the approximately 2.7 million Canadians who are self-employed. But with OSFI cracking down recently expect banks and traditional credit unions to pull in the reins. The problem for this segment of the population is that they whittle down their incomes in an effort to pay less in income tax, but that bodes poorly for them when it’s time to get a loan. “It’s going to make it tougher for these people to get mortgages,” says Harris. “Of course, there will always be a lender will to loan them money, but they’ll have to pay higher rates.”
Larock believes it will be game on between banks and non-bank lenders as competition heats up between the two thanks to expanded staffing, product offerings and improved contract terms that make their contract terms and conditions more competitive. The banks have the brand recognition and huge advertising budgets, says Larock, but rely on a lot of inexperienced advisors, while non-banks generally have better offerings and more experienced planners in their corner, but they spend almost nothing on advertising.
But Penney believes this extra competition could actually be good for business for both sides. “This may be good for two reasons. Once, they believe that the mortgage business has a positive outlook and should experience growth and they want to ensure they get their share, and two, the more that come into the business on the bank side may end up increasing our presence as well. If the banks didn’t believe we were getting some of their business they wouldn’t increase their presence.”
Larock also believes mortgage professionals need to pay closer attention to smarter, technology-savvy consumers, who can learn and acquire knowledge online as opposed to putting their faith in a mortgage professional. “The mortgage experts who embrace this trend and help to educate clients during their decision making process will thrive,” he says, “and those who don’t or can’t will find it tough sledding.”

Our Holiday Wish......

2011-12-22T10:45:00.000-08:00

Check out: http://www.yourlocaljournal.ca/pdf/issue.pdf
Page 22.
Paul and Diane Laflamme
Royal LePage Village
514.793.4514

http://www.wimp.com/wonderfulworld/

2011-12-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my friend, Louise from from Charlottetown, P.E.I. sent me this link. I do receive many beautiful videos from friends, however this one really stands out. At this time of the year, we take time to reflect upon all the things we are grateful for.
Have a great day!
http://www.wimp.com/wonderfulworld/

www.stlazarehomesforsale.com

2011-12-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Royal LePage Village

450.458.5365

514.793.4514

www.stlazarehomesforsale.com

www.paulanddiane.ca

Expect a fairly stable real estate market in 2012, says Pundits

2011-12-20T07:32:00.000-08:00

Experts are calling for a bit of a mixed bag in Canadian real estate for 2012. Housing market prognosticators say next year will be marked by bursts of growth in certain hot regional markets throughout the country combined with a cooling trend in other areas, namely that of robust markets such as Toronto.
Look for mixed market signals in Canadian real estate as a market theme in 2012 as cities like Halifax and Edmonton and Calgary will begin to feel a marked increase in demand for real estate purchases, with average price increases beginning late in the year, according to says Vancouver real estate consultant Don Campbell. Toronto’s hot market will start to ease off next year, although its condo real estate market will remain stable.
“Sophisticated homeowners and investors will have to dig a little deeper, especially in 2012 and 2013, to find out how their region is performing because Canada is really going to be a tale of regions over the next few years,” says Campbell, a real estate investor and author. “Where one region is booming, the next may be underperforming.”
Expect price moderation in Toronto in the neighbourhood of five to 10 per cent, says Todd Hirsch, a senior economist with ATB Financial in Calgary. “There could be a little more worry of a small bubble (bursting) in Toronto,” says Hirsch, “because the Ontario economy in 2012 will likely cool off a bit, not tremendously, though. You won’t see a recession.”If you’re thinking the same for Vancouver, think again, advises Hirsch. Given that Vancouver is the destination of choice for Asian investors, prices there will remain far higher than what they are in Calgary and Toronto. This will likely continue into 2012, predicts Hirsch, who expects the Chinese economy will moderate next year although not enough to prevent its citizens from wanting to invest in Canada’s west coast real estate market.
But the markets in Toronto and especially Vancouver, which comprise approximately 40 per cent of Canadian real estate, should be eyed carefully by home buyers or investors. According to Campbell, time lines should run short at 12 to 18 months or long at five years or more as statistics show signs of market turmoil in the medium term (19 months to four years) as interest rates begin to edge up, inventory outstrips population demand. That’s when speculators will try to dump properties and market confidence will be lower. In Calgary and Edmonton expect stable prices, says Hirsch.
Saskatchewan is where you’ll find the best real estate deals in the country with the average house price in Saskatoon running at $320,000. That province also has the lowest unemployment figures in Canada with unemployment pegged at three per cent in Regina.
Halifax and St. John’s are stand alone in Atlantic Canada as those two cities experience an unrivalled economic boom right now. House prices in those cities could actually gain a little in 2012.
As for the rest of Atlantic Canada, notes Hirsch, much of it is a depressed economy in which its rural areas are being hollowed out as residents leave the countryside for jobs in urban areas.Quebec City’s economy is faring not too badly these days as its house prices are undervalued at about one third below the national average.

Still, growth in Quebec will be a bit sluggish in 2012 with no real strong real estate gains. While its economy will be sluggish, keep in mind the province’s housing prices are not as overvalued as in Toronto so you won’t see as much deflationary pressure as in Toronto. While the province is not looking at a recession in 2012, the year will be economically softer.

Strong real estate markets will be in Canadian regions where job growth continues, low unemployment rates continue to drop and where there’s a migration of people with jobs (as opposed to retirees), says Campbell, who cites Halifax, Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge, Hamilton, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, St. John, Dawson Creek and Surrey as having the most stable markets.“Many Canadians will be fooled into thinking that their home value is either increasing or decreasing because of reports that are released discussing the ‘Average Price in Canada,’ “ he says, “producing either a false sense of confidence or a false sense of doom, depending on the report of the month.”

According to CREA, the national housing market is edging closer to being a seller’s market.“The Canadian housing market is proving resilient in the face of ongoing global economic and financial uncertainty, to the benefit of Canadian economic growth,” said Gary Morse, CREA’s president. “That said, some housing markets are picking up, while others are holding steady or consolidating.”
A quarterly economic forecast by TD Economics economist Francis Fong indicates that the low interest rate environment coupled with slowing jobs and income growth, especially in the first six months of 2012, will hold back resurgence in housing activity. Expect a slight pullback in homes sales and prices to the tune of one to two per cent. “Looking ahead, 2012 will likely be a much more subdued year for the housing market,” wrote Fong in her report released this week.

www.propertywire.ca

APPLE STORE - CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ITS BEST

2011-12-18T16:12:00.000-08:00

The staff at the Apple store in Fairview Shopping Center are amazing. If you want to see real customer service, this is it! The Apple employees are helpful and they know the Apple products inside and out. Today I watched the staff serve clients from all different age groups and backgrounds. Not only were they courteous but from their body language I could see they were listening, had eye contact, were smiling and were patient. The Apple employees love their products but most importantly, they like what they are doing.....helping people. Every time I am in that store, I "feel good". I like to be with people who make me feel good.
I ♥ Apple.
Yes, in 2012 - I'm buying a Mac.

5 Food Safety Tips for the Holidays

2011-12-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Tis the season! The holidays are a wonderful time of goodwill, giving thanks, and gathering around warm fires with loved ones. The holiday season also includes festive celebrations centered around delicious food. Holiday parties are often times of inviting friends and family members to a buffet. Since buffets involve foods being left out for long periods of time, you may find a few unwanted guests showing up to your party--bacteria! A bacterium, which is an invisible enemy that can't always be seen, tasted or smelled, can multiply rapidly in warm, moist environments, including food surfaces. When you consume a food that is out of the "time-temperature safety zone," you expose yourself to harmful bacteria that can potentially cause food-borne illnesses. But there's no need to be a Grinch--you can enjoy the festivities of the holiday season while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe with some easy food safety tips.

Use Safe Food Handling Practices

The first step in preventing food-borne illnesses is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after handling food. Also make sure to clean your kitchen surfaces, dishes, and utensils. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and produce.

Cook Foods to the Proper Internal Temperature

You'll need a food thermometer to ensure that your foods reach the safe minimum internal temperatures.

All raw beef, pork, lamb, and veal steaks, chops, and roasts should be cooked to 145° F. Allow the meat to rest for about 3 minutes before you carve and serve it. These meats can certainly be cooked to a higher internal temperature if you prefer.
All raw ground beef, pork, lamb and veal should be cooked to 160° F.
All poultry should be cooked to 165° F.

Keep Hot Foods Hot and Cold Foods Cold

Hold hot foods at 140° F or warmer using chafing dishes, slow cookers, or warming trays. Hold cold foods at 40° F or colder by storing them in bowls of ice.

Use the Two-Hour Rule

Never allow foods to remain out on the buffet for longer than 2 hours. Monitor how long foods have been sitting out, and promptly refrigerate foods before they reach the two-hour mark. Discard any foods left out for 2 hours or more.

Be Egg-stra Safe around Eggs

You will eat a variety of foods during the holidays, many of which are made with eggs. Uncooked eggs can contain a dangerous bacterium called Salmonella enteritidis. You may be whipping up cookies, cakes, pies, and other tasty treats that include eggs in the recipes. The amazing aromas may entice you to lick the spoon or bowl, but avoid the temptation if the recipe contains raw eggs.

Following these simple food safety tips will ensure that you and your family remain safe during the holiday season. Bon appétit!

Kari Hartel, RD, LD is a Registered Dietitian and freelance writer based out of St. Louis, MO. Kari is passionate about nutrition education and the prevention of chronic disease through a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Kari holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University and is committed to helping people lead healthy lives. She completed a yearlong dietetic internship at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, IL, where she worked with a multitude of clients and patients with complicated diagnoses. She planned, marketed, and implemented nutrition education programs and cooking demonstrations for the general public as well as for special populations, including patients with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, obesity, and school-aged children. Contact Kari at KariHartelRD@gmail.com.

When is the best time of year to sell a house?

2011-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

Is there such a thing as a best time of year to sell a house? Certainly, seasonal factors come into play when trying to sell a home, but there are other things to consider as well, like the tug and pull of supply and demand, as well as unique local market conditions.
No matter when a home goes on the market, one should take a few things under consideration that will likely affect not just the ability to sell a property, but more importantly the ability to get your asking price. Timing, it seems, is everything.
The Economy
While the economy does not follow the predictable ebb and flow of the seasonal changes in real estate and in buyer attention, the economy, it’s state and it’s prospects boil down to property values, and consumer confidence. When the economy is under fire, people are nervous about their jobs. There is generally a reluctance to spend, accumulate debt or make major purchases.
The market will tell you what a home is worth. The problem is, during an economic downturn, the market may value your home lower than you had hoped, or than from when you started.
That may succeed in removing a number of buyers from your pool. For those that must buy a property though, the economy will play less of a factor in the decision to purchase, but it may give them power at the bargaining table, and it may be more difficult to get the desired price. Interest rates figure into this as well. The lower they are, the more your pool of buyers may increase as well, as the cost to borrow comes down and people, in theory can borrow more.
Springtime
In a country like Canada, where there are four distinct seasons, seasonal influences play a large part in creating good selling conditions.
Wintertime brings with it a series of challenges, among them the weather, holiday distractions and lack of interest from buyers.
When the snow thaws though, and greenery re-emerges from the ground, buyers tend to re-emerge as well. The spring tends to be the peak of the market, simply because the timing suits people in general. The weather is more favourable, properties generally can be better displayed, and moves and property closings can more reasonably be managed through the summer months, so for those with families relocating is less disruptive.
According to data, home sales begin in February, with closings peaking through late May, June, July and August- and this has been a consistent trend since the early 2000’s. For sellers then, they will likely have the opportunity to engage more traffic and interest in their homes.
Patience is a Virtue
While the springtime may typically be a more optimal time to sell, there will typically be more competition on the market. Sometimes, if a seller is flexible on their dates, it may be advisable to wait until the spring market to list, simply because of the flood of buyers onto the market. Often, a property will sell for more, and sell much faster because of volume.
As there will be more properties on the market, the seller really needs to take time to make their property stand out, using the slow winter months to actively prepare their homes to list. For some, it can take weeks, or even months to de-clutter and re-organize their properties to best reflect the space, and the positive attributes.
Even though you may list in the spring, the selling process begins now- behind the scenes. Think staging before selling.

Take your Winter Garden from Drab to Fab

2011-12-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Take your Winter Garden from Drab to Fab
A garden is our little piece of paradise, a place to appreciate nature in its changing seasons, and winter is no exception. With a little planning you can go outside and enjoy the fresh air and exhilaration of your garden right through the winter.
Create colour by incorporating some evergreens into your garden setting, including pine, fir and holly. Leave tall grasses or plants untrimmed as they’ll look sensational dusted with snow, especially red dogwood. Add more visual interest with bright bird houses, bird baths and statuary. Condo owners with balconies can create a mini garden: put winter kale and branches in a planter and surround with your favourite green boughs, which can last up to three months.
Sit outside on your garden furniture and soak up some sun out of the wind. By treating and protecting your wood or metal furniture it can be left outdoors so you have a front row seat to winter’s wonder. Take the chill off the air with an overhead patio heater, which will keep you warm and comfortable and also provide light for nighttime. If permitted in your municipality, a fire pit adds an extra glow, especially when you sit around it with your favourite people toasting marshmallows, or sipping cups of hot chocolate.
Winter lighting adds an extra dimension to your garden or balcony. Solar lights provide a soft glow to a snowy landscape, or simply wrap a small tree or bush with a string of white LED mini lights. Lights add an element of wonder to dark winter nights.
Too tired to go outside after a long day at work? A hot tub in your garden is a perfect place to unwind and wash your troubles away, or to soothe aching muscles after shoveling mountains of snow from the driveway. Picture yourself immersed in hot bubbling water as snowflakes fall around you.
Taking time to sit and relax is good for you, and the quiet serenity of a winter garden is perfect for reflection or meditating. Take your camera outside and capture the sights of a Canadian winter in all its wonder. Snow has a way of making everything look magical so don’t miss out on the special experience of being out and about in your own winter wonderland.

Thank you to Royal LePage Village Owners/Managers!

2011-12-05T11:49:00.000-08:00

The Royal LePage Village Christmas Party was held on Saturday, December 3rd at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in L'Ile-Bizard.
www.rmgc.org
There were Real Estate Brokers from 4 offices (DDO, Pointe-Claire, Hudson and Pointe-Claire). The night flew by...cocktails, dinner and dancing in a beautiful surrounding. The Owners/Managers of Royal LePage Village , Stuart Jones, Grant Staley, Greg Clarke and Jan Inglesman treated all Brokers to a fabulous evening. What a class act!

Two prizes were handed out.......one was a Sony Camera and the main prize was a IPad 2. GREAT news... I WON IT!! I AM SO HAPPY!!

Thank you Stuart, Grant, Greg and Jan. I can't wait to use my new iPad 2. I am confident it will help us manage and increase our business. Paul and I look forward to another successful year in real estate. 2011 was a good year for us and we are eager to continue working at full speed and full time in 2012.

We have been working in real estate for over 10 years and we can offer you our experience which will exceed all your expectations. Regardless of how large a task (to buy or sell a home) we are eager to rise to the challenge to use our knowledge and tenacity to overcome all obstacles.

The majority of our business originates from repeat clients and referrals. It is our goal to satisfy the needs of all our clients and we dedicate many years to building lifetime relationships.

If you have any real estate questions, call us. It will be our pleasure to help you.

Canadians work hard to ditch their mortgages early

2011-11-30T06:54:00.000-08:00

Lines of credit, personal loans also levelling off

While mortgage repayments can be spread out over 30 years, the CMHC reports the average amortization period for mortgages insured by the national housing agency is under 25 years, and the loan-to-value ratio of those homes was 80 per cent or less. As of Sept. 30, the outstanding loan amount per household for all homeowner loans was $159,740, slightly above the figure for the previous year.

"CMHC analysis shows that a substantial percentage of CMHC-insured high ratio borrowers are ahead of their scheduled amortization," the agency said. "Accelerated payments shorten the overall amortization period, reduce interest costs, increase equity in the home at a faster rate and lower risk over time."
The agency's mortgage arrears rate is 0.42 per cent, in line with industry trends.
Rules brought in by the federal government in March, in response to historic levels of household debt, which reduced amortization periods on certain mortgages, and limited the amount that can be borrowed when a house is refinanced, cut refinancing activity by 31 per cent from last year, the CMHC said. The agency's homeowner purchase mortgage insurance program showed a year-overyear decrease of 12 per cent.
"The level of household debt remains a concern, but there are encouraging signals," it says. "There has been a significant deceleration in the growth of mortgage credit since March, particularly in recent months, impacting the growth rate of total household credit. Growth in personal loans, lines of credit and credit cards has levelled off in recent months."
The agency notes general economic conditions have been favourable in 2011, with stable mortgage rates, a healthy housing market and a declining unemployment rate.
"Overall arrears levels and arrears rates have been improving and (mortgage insurance) claims volumes have been lower than expected," it said. "Given current economic forecasts, it is expected that trends will improve moderately going forward, although both downside and upside risks remain."
While housing sales have slowed since January, the CMHC expects sales for the year to fall within a range of 423,600 to 470,100 units, and next year's sales to be somewhere between 406,100 and 509,000 units. Prices should "modestly grow as market conditions are expected to remain in the balanced market range," it said.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canadians+work+hard+ditch+their+mortgages+early+CMHC/5786956/story.html#ixzz1fCSsJukp

Thinking about selling or buying?

2011-11-29T19:48:00.000-08:00

Paul & Diane Laflamme

Paul and Diane are Real Estate Agents who have experience that exceeds all expectations.
Regardless of how large the task, Paul and Diane will rise to the challenge to win the day by using their knowledge and tenacity to overcome all obstacles.
Paul and Diane live in Saint-Lazare therefore they are familiar with the surrounding areas.
Paul and Diane know the market. They have a wealth of knowledge about urban and rural living plus they are master negotiators.
Diane & Paul accredit their success to excellent full time service, commitment and a knowledgeable and personable approach to their clients
Paul and Diane offer bilingual service.
Paul and Diane are consistent top producers. They are able to produce winning results for home buyers and sellers alike.
With much of their business originating from repeat clients and their referrals, Paul and Diane have dedicated many years building lifetime relationships.
Paul and Diane are community oriented. They can help you discover that community.
Paul and Diane…..more than just agents.

http://www.stlazarehomesforsale.com/30sec_eng.htm

http://www.stlazarehomesforsale.com/30sec_fr.htm

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

2011-11-27T09:08:00.000-08:00

For Sale

3852/3854 Hotel de Ville

Montreal, QC H2W 2G5

Property Type: Duplex

Year Built: 1900

Property Use: Residential only

Building Type: Attached

Repossession: No

Total Number of Floors: 2

Certificate of Location: Ordered

Cadastral Designation: 2004070

2011 Municipal Taxes: $3,634.14

2011 School Taxes: $789.65

Municipal Evaluation: $409,600

Revenue: 2^nd floor = $500/month (unheated – electric heating)

Revenue: 1st floor = tenants moving out.

Lot Size: 25 ft x 59 ft approximately

Lot Area: 1488 square feet approximately

Possession Date: June 2012

Heating: Gas (1^st floor) & Electric (2^nd floor)

Energy System: Hot Water Heating – 1^st floor

Major Improvements:

Tar & Gravel Roof: November 2005. Cost: $7,780.29

Hot Water Tanks Replaced: 2 hot water tanks replaced - 2010

Exterior Stone Work: Exterior stone work rebuilt in October 2010. Cost: $24,776.06.

Balcony: Installation of new balcony (back of house) on 2^nd level in 2008.

Chimney: Chimney repaired: 2005

Exclusive Listing:

Broker: Paul Laflamme & Diane Laflamme

Royal LePage Village. 514.793.4514

Apt: Call Listing Broker

Declaration: Brokers, Paul & Diane Laflamme declare that they are related directly to the owner. A Disclosure Form must be filled out prior to receiving an offer.

Warranty: This property is being sold without any legal warranty of quality, at the buyer’s risk.

A Vendre

3852/3854 Hotel de Ville

Montreal, QC H2W 2G5

Genre de propriété: Duplex

Année de construction: 1900

Utilisation de la propriété: Résidentielle seulement

Type de bâtiment: En rangée

Reprise: No

Nombre total d’étages: 2

Certificate of Location: Commandé

Cadastre du Québec: 2004070

2011 Taxes Municipales: $3,634.14

2011 Taxes Scolaires: $789.65

Evaluation Municipale: $409,600

Revenus: 2^nd étage = $500/mois (non chauffés – chauffage électrique)

Revenus: 1st étage = les occupants se déplacera

Dimensions du Terrain: 25 pieds x 59 pieds environ

Superficie du Terrain: 1488 pieds carrés environ

Prise de Possession: Juin 2012

Energie/Chauffage: Gaz (1er étage) & électrique (2^e étage)

Mode Chauffage: Chauffage à eau chaude & électrique

Rénovations Importantes:

Goudron & Gravel toit: Novembre 2005. Coûts : $7,780.29

Réservoirs d'eau chaude: 2 réservoirs d'eau chaude remplacé - 2010

Extérieur Mur en pierre: Extérieur en pierre reconstruit en Octobre 2010. Coût: $ 24,776.06.

Balcon: Installation du nouveau balcon (à l'arrière de la maison) sur 2ème niveau en 2008.

Cheminée: Cheminée réparé: 2005

Exclusive Listing:

Broker: Paul Laflamme & Diane Laflamme

Royal LePage Village. 514.793.4514

Apt: Appelez le courtier inscripteur

Déclaration: Courtiers, Paul et Diane Laflamme déclarent qu'ils sont liés directement au propriétaire. Un formulaire de divulgation doit être rempli avant de recevoir une offre.

Garantie: Cette propriété est vendue sans garantie légale de qualité, aux risques de l'acheteur.

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

2011-11-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

3854 Hotel de Ville, Le Plateau, Montreal, Quebec
$539,000
Beautiful Duplex in the heart of Le Plateau
Open House - Dimanche, le 27 novembre
2-4

https://twitter.com/#!/DianeLaflamme

2011-11-23T10:15:00.000-08:00

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH
3852-3854 Hotel de Ville, Le Plateau/Montreal
This well maintained Duplex is in the heart of the Le Plateau area.
Please drop in.
Vendor says SELL!
dplaflamme@videotron.ca

4 Ways to Eat Healthy During the Holiday Season

2011-11-23T07:46:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a time for us to gather with family and friends to celebrate. For better or worse, with celebration comes food. If you have been working very hard at eating healthy, losing weight, or maintaining your weight, this may be a difficult time for you. The last thing we want to do is over-indulge in all the delicious food that surrounds us during the holiday season. What are some things you can do to avoid over-eating and sabotaging all your hard work?

Prepare Yourself Before the Party
One of the biggest mistakes you can make before heading to a party is to skip a meal or arrive hungry. By eating a light, healthy snack before leaving your own house, you can set yourself up to make better choices.Try a low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, or a small bowl of whole-grain cereal with skim milk.

Bring a Healthy Holiday Food
If you are hosting the party, you have control of the ingredients that are added to the favorite holiday recipes - but as a guest, it is not as easy. However, just because you are a guest does not mean you can not offer to bring a healthy, low-fat dish to add to the selection. Most hosts will welcome an additional dish, and the other guests may enjoy having a healthier option to choose. Consider a simple dish like roasted string beans, or if you offer to bring dessert, consider a pumpkin pie without the crust or baked apples.

Be Mindful During the Party
The first thing you should do is remember what the celebration is about. Your mind should be focused on enjoying the time with your family and friends. During mealtime, fill your plate up mostly with vegetables. Try not to over-indulge, but you should not feel like you have to avoid any item. Choose items that are your favorite in smaller portions, and eat slowly to savor every bite.

Avoid drinking beverages that are high in sugar and calories, or at least limit your intake to a single drink. Alcohol adds extra unwanted calories and, if too much is consumed, it lowers inhibitions, which can lead to overeating. Try consuming water with a lemon or lime, skim milk, or diet / sugar-free beverages.

One great way to avoid snacking throughout the party is to plan fun activities to participate in with other guests, such as games or making crafts. If it is available, set up a tournament with a gaming system that is interactive. That is a great way to burn some calories and avoid the buffet of snacks sitting out on the counter or table.

Keep Moving
This time of the year should be enjoyable. However, you need to keep physically active, maybe now more than ever. Physical activity reduces stress and gives us more energy. Try fitting in a workout before the party because, more likely than not, you will be tired from all the celebrating afterwards. During the party, go on a brisk walk with some of the other guests or, if there are children around, toss a ball outside. This can give you a burst of energy and a chance to catch up.

If you like participating in races, sign yourself up for a seasonal 5K run/walk or some other fitness event that will keep you focused and motivated to stay active.

Remember: The holidays are for celebrating with family and friends. If you must splurge one, two, or even three days during the holiday season, then that really is not going to ruin all of your hard work. It takes an extra 500 calories each day, or 3,500 calories a week, to gain a pound. All the extra snacking can really add up, but you can easily pass up all the treats in the office and keep goodies out of your own home. If you do this, you can feel good allowing yourself to enjoy the foods you look forward to every year.

About the Author:
Amy Reidenbach is a registered dietitian with a desire to help others learn about nutrition. She has many years of experience in the food service and health care industries. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin - Stout and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition from Eastern Michigan University. Amy uses her personal life experiences to fuel her passion for nutrition and the overall well-being of those around her.

www.fitday.com

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

2011-11-22T06:48:00.000-08:00

3852/3854 HOTEL DE VILLE, LE PLATEAU/MONTREAL

Thinking of moving or investing in real estate?
Here is some information.
Beautiful duplex for sale in prime location in Le Plateau/Montreal.
$539,000.
Municipal Evaluation is $409,600.
Features: hardwood floors, high ceilings, newer kitchen and bathroom, bright kitchen with entrance to back deck, roof redone in 2005 and many more updates.
2nd floor is rented...main floor tenants are moving ~ early summer of 2012.
Email me for more information. dplaflamme@videotron.ca or 514.715.4514.

Royal LePage Village Charity Auction - Wednesday, November 23rd

2011-11-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

The Charity Auction for the Fireman's Christmas Basket Fund is this Wednesday, November 23rd at Hudson Village Theatre, Hudson. Preview is at 6:30 p.m.
For more information please call 450.458.5365
Please come out and help out!
Merry Christmas!
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113891415390962

Encan de Noel. Au profits des fonds des paniers de Noel des Pompiers.
Mercredi le 23 novembre 2011, Village Theatre, Hudson

Homebuyers find bat colony in attic, onus was on seller to warn buyers

2011-11-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

Every month, Quebec judges and regulatory agencies issue dozens of rulings that, without making headlines, set the ground rules for business in Quebec.

Here are a few of the offbeat and/or consequential rulings rendered in recent weeks.

A bat problem isn’t something you can omit telling a potential buyer about when selling your home, two former owners of a Montérégie property learned the hard way.

They were ordered to pay a total of $37,126, plus interest, to a young couple that purchased the house for $91,500 in 2009.

The buyers didn’t have the property inspected professionally or even take a look in the attic (whose trap door was screwed shut), but testified the owner actually mentioned to them during a visit not to worry about bats, because they came from a church nearby.

In fact, exterminators had been to the house twice before attempting to rid the house of bats, Quebec Court Judge Pierre Bachand noted in his judgment.

The buyers had their first encounter within days of concluding the purchase agreement. A bat was flying in the house at 3 a.m., terrifying the woman, whose husband had gone to work in Alberta. She went to her parents’ home and didn’t return until her husband came back and removed the bat.

Two days later, there were two bats in the kitchen, and the couple left again, this time checking into a motel. An exterminator was summoned the next day. He told them a colony of 400 to 500 bats was established in the attic and, since they couldn’t be killed, they’d have to be caught and moved.

Because of its size, he estimated the colony already had been there four or five years. And their presence meant all the insulation would have to be removed, since it now contained guano. As it turned out, it also contained asbestos, further complicating removal.

Buyer and seller worked together to clear the attic, filling 20 bags, but relations soured after that and the matter ended up in court.

The seller said he’d bought the property from his aunt in 2008 for $75,000. He said he hadn’t inspected the attic either, because the aunt told him there was nothing to see.

The aunt told the court she lived in the house one year, renting it after, and her only encounter with a bat was when one grazed her face in the night, and she killed it. But she admitted she subsequently paid for an attic fumigation at the request of a tenant.

Judge Bachand said there was no doubt the bats were a hidden vice, because the size of the colony meant it had been there a while and anyone living there during the summer months would have been aware of it because of the noise and smell.

The fact the trap door was screwed shut suggested someone knew about the problem, as did the open upstairs windows when the couple made their second pre-purchase visit.

“An owner doesn’t have to declare the fortuitous presence of one bat in a home. It’s a different story when you had to combat the presence of bats with an exterminator on two occasions and there were 100 bats in the colony the second time,” Judge Bachand said.

“Who wouldn’t check the attic if they’d been advised more than 100 bats previously resided there and they had the habit of returning to the same spot year after year? Nobody. If the (previous) owner had checked, he’d have realized it was infested when he bought.”

Judge Bachand ordered the seller to pay the buyers a total of $37,126, plus interest, to cover the cost of repairing and decontaminating the property, lost salary, inconvenience and damages, and the seller’s aunt to pay him $21,805 for not disclosing the problem to him.

The Quebec Order of Chemists filed suit against an award-winning Montreal university professor for “letting himself be described as a biochemist” in articles and news stories on several websites while not registered as such in the province, but Justice of the Peace Pierre Fortin didn’t buy it and acquitted him of all five charges in Quebec Court.

The professional order claimed the prof had “usurped” a title “reserved solely” for its members in good standing.

“While we do take into consideration that these articles were not written by you, the quantity of these occurrences leads us to believe it may be more than the indiscretion and carelessness of a journalist,” the order told the professor in a letter entered in evidence.

Fortin disagreed. He said the articles were written by sources outside the professor’s control and there was no evidence he deliberately used the designation, or knew he’d be so described by someone else and consented to it.

“One presumes a professor and researcher of his calibre has better things to do than surf the Internet and Google himself every morning to ensure the articles that mention him don’t give him a title he doesn’t have,” Fortin wrote, adding he wouldn’t convict someone for the actions of others he couldn’t influence or control.

Conviction would have triggered a minimal fine of $1,500 per charge.

By Paul Delean, The Gazette
pdelean@montrealgazette.com

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH

2011-11-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

2560 JULIEN, SAINT-LAZARE
$399,000
MLS 8617843

Very interesting intergenerational home. Completely private living area on the main floor with a separate entrance, family room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Ideal for parents, visitors or children returning home. Family room has a slow combustion wood burning fireplace.

House filled with sunshine and the backyard is private.

Colonial style home with curb appeal + pine kitchen with walk in pantry.

Perfect dining room for formal or family dining.

Spacious living room with wood burning fireplace.

Bright 4 season sun room off the dinette with magnificent view of the backyard and very large deck, partially wraps around the above ground pool.

Oak staircase leads to 4 bedrooms on the 2nd level.

Master bedroom has a spacious closet and a beautiful ensuite bathroom.

Updated main bathroom, one linen closet and one walk in closet which is handy.

The basement patio door opens to ground level. The pellet stove is used in the winter as supplemental heating.

It is easy to be active in this community. All residents have access to parks, cross country skiing, horse trails, hiking trails and bicycle paths. You can downhill ski at Rigaud Mountain which is a 15 minute drive or sail on Lake of Two Mountains in the summertime. If you prefer to golf, there are several private and public facilities.

There are excellent private and public schools nearby, child care facilities, new medical center in Hudson, fine restaurants, great shopping and organic farms.
The sportsplex offers a gym, skating arena and indoor soccer. The community library is one of a kind. It gives center stage to books as well as promoting cultural activities happening in and around the community.

The over sized garage has tons of storage and a separate entrance.
Roof reshingled in 2009.

Electric forced air heating.

Hydro:May 2010-May 2011 =1857.48

2 wood burning fireplaces & one pellet stove were cleaned in May 2011.

Septic cleaned 09/11.Satisfactory report System for 3 BDR home.

Hospital plan for Vaudreuil-Dorion renews cries for saving green belt

2011-11-18T07:31:00.000-08:00

Old-growth forest in Vaudreuil-Soulanges no place for health centre, nature groups say. An all terrain vehicle trail runs through the Chaline forest in the southeastern corner of St. Lazare that is being considered for the new hospital and cegep, Initial surveys suggest half the 650-hectare site is either too wet or unstable. Thursday, November 10, 2011.

MONTREAL - A proposal to establish a new hospital centre in the midst of an old-growth forest in Vaudreuil-Soulanges is the perfect illustration of why the Montreal region needs a protected green belt, local environment groups say.

"I do understand that (Vaudreuil-Soulanges) needs a hospital, but in terms of the long-term benefits this forest is providing, it just doesn't make sense to tear it down and build a hospital here," said Jean-Patrick Toussaint, Science Projects Manager with the David Suzuki Foundation (Quebec).

"This is the very reason why we are pushing for the idea of a green belt in the Greater Montreal area - and not just a ring around the city but a network of connecting green areas and waterways.

"We have to protect what's left of these natural habitats and woodlands that are providing us with billions of dollars of eco-services a year."

The regional county municipality of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, a fast-growing suburb just off the southwestern tip of Montreal Island, is the only community in Canada with a population over 100,000 people that doesn't have its own hospital.

Environmental groups say the county has other options than to build the hospital centre - as well as schools and housing - in one of the largest intact forests in the region.

The 640-hectare forest, which has no official name and is currently zoned agricultural, is bounded by the CP rail line to the north, Highway 540 to the east, the CN rail line to the south and the municipal boundary between Vaudreuil-Dorion and Cèdres to the west. The Quinchien River runs through it, as do several creeks and streams.

Toussaint says the forest is biologically diverse, large enough and old enough to be considered regionally significant and be protected under proposed green belt legislation.

Quebec's health minister announced in 2009 that Vaudreuil-Soulanges would get its hospital, and in the spring of 2010 asked the county and its health services centre to recommend a location. They hired a private firm to do a survey of available lands.

The firm concluded there were no appropriate vacant sites in the county zoned for institutional development, but that if the forested area could be rezoned from agricultural, it would be wellsuited.

Most of the land is in the municipality of Vaudreuil-Dorion, while 60 hectares are in St. Lazare.

The land is privately owned. The MRC has requested an interim control regulation from the province, which means no development is allowed while the hospital project is being studied.

The county is requesting a zoning change and will present the Environment Department with studies in the next few weeks to back that request.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Metropolitan Community is in the process of drawing up a land-use plan that is likely to include a network of protected areas. That plan is supposed to be presented to the provincial government by the end of the year.

"Now is the time to shine a light on these dark places, and for the public to make it clear that projects like these have to be revisited," said David Fletcher of the Green Coalition, a conservation group.

Guy-Lin Beaudoin, director general of the MRC of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, said the proposal to build a "regional institutional hub" in that as-yet undeveloped part of the region is not without environmental merit.

He said 60 to 70 per cent of the 640-hectare forested area would be preserved under the county's proposal. In addition to a hospital, the MRC wants to build a high-density "regional institutional hub" on the site, including educational institutions (primary, secondary, CEGEP and university), a pharmacy, offices, housing and neighbourhood services like stores and cafés, all accessible by public transit.

"We are looking to balance the needs of the public - both health needs and environmental needs - and we want to plan this development with public transit and density in mind, in accordance with the new land-use plan," he told The Gazette last week.

He said the Environment Department will be looking at studies of the site provided by the MRC in the next few weeks and will likely order more studies to be done.

"And of course, if the (environment) minister says 'No way, José', it stops right there," Beaudoin said.

Toussaint points out the firm studying potential sites was restricted by the county administration to consider only vacant land of more than 25 hectares. There are built sites that size in the county that are currently underused, he said, pointing to an almost vacant 12-storey office tower surrounded by a vast parking lot at de la Cité des Jeunes and de la Gare Blvds.

Beaudoin said this site is not appropriate because it is not as accessible and is located near a gas pipeline.

Retrofitting an older building into a modern hospital would be much more expensive and complex, he added.

Environmental groups say that kind of thinking discounts the long-term economic and ecological costs of tearing down a forest.

Toussaint points to a 2008 Ontario study by the David Suzuki Foundation that estimated the economic value of protected green spaces and farmlands, in terms of the "ecosystem services" they provide. That study put the value of these services - including water filtration, flood control, carbon storage, waste treatment, wildlife habitat and recreation - at $3,571 per hectare annually.

"Whenever(politicians) see a site with no infrastructure on it, it is considered undeveloped and without value," said the Green Coalition's Fletcher. "But there very definitely is something there.

"This land is already developed, with an ecologically valuable forest. It's nature's development and it's exactly what we are sadly lacking."

mlalonde@montrealgazette.com

How to help your house lose weight

2011-11-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

Clutter diet will simplify daily life, author says
By Mary Beth Breckenridge, McClatchy News Service

Chances are you know how it feels to put on excess pounds. You're uncomfortable. Nothing fits right. Everything seems to take more effort. Sharon Kreighbaum believes that's how it is with houses, too. The Hudson, Ohio, resident has written Is Your House Overweight?

Recipes for Low-Fat Rooms, a guide to putting a home on a clutter diet. The book, released Tuesday, helps readers streamline their homes and set them up in a way that simplifies day-to-day life.

The book's premise is that a bloated house is an uncomfortable one. Clutter gets in our way, increases our stress and wastes our time, energy and resources.

The self-published book grew out of Kreighbaum's work as an interior designer and home stager, as well as her early experience as a kitchen designer.

She also was inspired by a few people in her life, she said.

One is her husband, Mark, whom she described as a minimalist. Another is a cousin in California whose home was devastated by an earthquake, but who decided not to replace many of her possessions because she realized she didn't need them. The third is her brother, a priest who once lived in a monastery in Italy with just one closet and one dresser.

He always looked sharp, even with a limited wardrobe, she said. "He had such a full, rewarding life living without stuff."

Kreighbaum said she's incorporated those lessons in her work, and she's seen the difference decluttering can make in her clients' lives. One couple even lost weight after their house did, probably because decluttering lowered their stress and freed space in their kitchen so they could more easily cook and eat healthy at home, she said.

A clutter-free home, however, doesn't have to be a spare one, Kreighbaum insisted. After all, she loves surrounding herself with beautiful things just as much as her clients do.

"You can live with luxury, but just enough that it's not clutter," she said.

Clutter, she said, comes from indecision. Things accumulate because we haven't decided how to handle them or where to put them. Then, she said, we set ourselves up for the frustration and wasted time of continually searching for things.

So one of the keys to Kreighbaum's approach is assigning everything a home, which should be where you use the item or where you need it - your purse and cellphone near the door, for instance, and your dishes within reach of the dishwasher.

Another is deciding which activities you want to happen regularly in each room and then keeping in it only the things that support those activities. In a kitchen, for example, that might mean putting the everyday items in easy reach, storing seldom-used serving pieces in less accessible spots and finding other homes for the backpacks, mail, paperwork and other things that tend to accumulate there.

Think of it as living like you're on vacation, Kreighbaum said. Even the most luxurious hotels and vacation homes contain only the things their guests will need during their stays.

"Any more than that and we wouldn't be able to relax and unwind," she writes in the book.

Decluttering saves money, too. Not only will you stop buying things that don't enrich your life, she said, but you'll also have a better handle on what you do own so you won't spend money on duplicates.

TIPS FOR A CLUTTER-FREE HOME

- Declutter with a friend. He or she can provide objectivity and encourage you to keep going.

- Declutter a room by taking everything out and then sorting items into four laundry baskets marked "keep," "move" (to another room, that is), "throw away" and "donate." Return to the room only the things that you love and that serve your needs.

- In a pantry or kitchen cupboard, store like items together. You can see at a glance whether you need more of something, so you won't overbuy or come up short.

- A single, large item makes a bigger decorative impact than a lot of small items.

- Display special items by themselves - for example, hang a painting over a mantel that has nothing else on it. It will command more attention without the other distractions.

- Gifts and inheritances can be the biggest stumbling blocks to decluttering. Remember that when someone gives you a gift, the intention isn't to burden you with it. If it doesn't enhance your life, it's OK to sell it or give it away. Taking a picture of it first leaves you with a lasting memory.
© Copyright (c) McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

November 11, 2011

2011-11-10T18:50:00.000-08:00

REMEMBRANCE DAY

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Quiz: What's Your Fashion Style?

2011-11-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

Ladies Home Journal
Find out what your likes and dislikes say about your signature fashion style.
By Lisa Kovalovich

http://www.lhj.com/lhj/quiz.jsp?catref=lhj108&quizId=/templatedata/lhj/quiz/data/WhatsYourStyleQuiz_09202002.xml

http://www.lhj.com/style/fashion/clothing

Mrs. Claus' Cookbook

2011-11-08T06:13:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again....soon anyway.
Check out these links:

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/MissingRecipe.asp

http://emailsanta.com/clock.asp

The view of the city from Mount Royal takes your breath away...

2011-11-06T06:43:00.000-08:00

I do love Mount Royal..... especially at this time of the year. I have so many wonderful memories of the mountain, park, Beaver Lake and more. It's important to take time to enjoy the scenery....Montreal is so beautiful.

http://montreal.com/parks/mtroyal.html

Thinking about selling or buying?

2011-10-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Paul and Diane are Real Estate Agents who have experience that exceeds all expectations. Regardless of how large the task, Paul and Diane will rise to the challenge to win the day by using their knowledge and tenacity to overcome all obstacles.

Paul and Diane live in Saint-Lazare therefore they are familiar with the surrounding areas.

Paul and Diane know the market. They have a wealth of knowledge about urban and rural living plus they are master negotiators.

Diane & Paul accredit their success to excellent full time service, commitment and a knowledgeable and personable approach to their clients

Paul and Diane offer bilingual service.

Paul and Diane are consistent top producers. They are able to produce winning results for home buyers and sellers alike.

With much of their business originating from repeat clients and their referrals, Paul and Diane have dedicated many years building lifetime relationships.

Paul and Diane are community oriented. They can help you discover that community.

Paul and Diane…..more than just agents.

Halloween is around the corner!

2011-10-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Baby, it's getting cold outside!

2011-10-29T05:11:00.000-07:00

Now's the time to winterize your home.

There's nothing better than cozying up on your couch during a winter blizzard while you're warm and comfortable inside. And there's nothing worse than feeling cold winter drafts all around you because you didn't take the time to winterize your home.

Fall is the perfect time for homeowners to prepare their home for the inevitable cold and snow, and one of the most beneficial ways to keep heat in and cold out is by winterizing your windows and doors.

But before you pull out your caulking gun, pick up the phone and get an energy audit.

"The audit will tell you exactly where the issues are in your home," says Francois Hamann, president of Eco Insulation in Markham, Ont. "It's a federal program, so homeowners will get money back depending on what upgrade they're doing. They might as well take advantage because it really is the best way to make sure your home is ready for winter."

If you notice the snow around your home is melting faster than your neighbours or you have large icicles hanging from your home, there's a good chance your attic is poorly insulated. Hamann says one of the most important places to winterize is the attic: poorly insulated attics are responsible for 25 to 30 per cent of a home's heat loss. Hamann says most homes don't have an attic with an R-value (insulation value) rating higher than 24, but to properly insulate your attic a minimum rating of R40 is needed.

"If your attic isn't properly insulated, you'll experience pockets of air where it's colder in your home," says Hamann.

He notes the best way to insulate the area is with cellulose insulation, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly product that performs well in extremely cold temperatures.

To winterize windows and doors, using high performance spray foam insulation and caulking will ensure there is no air leakage. Replacing door jamb weatherstripping and re-caulking the exterior of windows are low-cost options that can make a big difference to your bottom line.

If your windows and doors are beyond repair, they should be replaced with new energy-efficient options.

Technical advances mean today's best windows allow heat to come in while preventing it from escaping. Adam Jones, owner of MAXgreen Windows and Doors Ltd. in Calgary, advises homeowners to invest in triple-paned (or triple-glazed) windows for ultimate efficiency.

A triple-pane window provides more insulation and is more energy-efficient than the double-pane window (or dual pane), not just because of the added barrier but because this extra layer allows another surface to be given a low-emittance (low-E) coating. Essentially a low-E coating hinders radiant heat transfer: very little heat will be lost from the inside or gained from the outside.

He also advises homeowners to invest in crank-style windows over the builder-grade sliding variety. "Sliding windows commonly found in new construction don't seal quite as tight as casement (crank) windows," says Jones. "Although crank windows might cost 15 to 25 per cent more than sliding windows, they'll save you more in home efficiency."

Although some homeowners swear by storm doors to block out wind and cold, Jones says investing in a high quality fibreglass door is more beneficial when it comes to winterizing your home.

"Fibreglass doors are less likely to warp," says Jones. "And the inside of the door is injected with foam so it insulates better and keeps heat in."

Many homeowners might not think of the garage when they go about winterizing their home, but organizing the space is imperative if you want to utilize the garage over winter.

During the hot summer months, the garage is frequently used as a workshop for home projects and the car is parked on the street or driveway. But when the weather grows cold, homeowners generally want to shelter their cars from the elements. And to do that, they have to get everything off the floor.

Because the car often takes up most of the garage, walls and ceilings are the most valuable storage areas.

"Use the height in your garage to store things used less often, such as seasonal decorations and tires," says Rick Scully, chief transformation officer of Nuvo Garage in Toronto. "You can buy ceiling baskets that hang from the ceiling where you can store items."

The walls are ideal for storing frequently used tools and new garage storage products are available for this purpose.

"They are basically heavy-duty PVC wall panels that homeowners can insert hooks in," says Scully. "The hooks and panel are so strong, you can hang anything from ladders to lawn mowers on them."
© Copyright (c) Postmedia News

O/HOUSE - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30TH

2011-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

1738 Versailles, Saint-Lazare
MLS 8591543
$549,000
Open House on Sunday, October 30th. 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Please drop in!
Municipal Assesssment is $507,200
Quality built home in beautiful Sandcastle area of Saint-Lazare.

LIFE IS BETTER WHEN YOU'RE PREPARED

2011-10-25T12:03:00.000-07:00

We work with only the best
Contact Manulife Financial for your future.
Financial Advisor - Jonathan Showers 514.421.7090 x 264

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

2011-10-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful day!

16 SURPRISING SOURCES OF PROTEIN

2011-10-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Protein does more than just build strong muscles. It also strengthens bones, increases satiety, protects against heart disease, and helps support a healthy immune system. We also know that consuming plenty of protein is an essential component of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. When most people think about protein, foods like chicken, beef, pork, and eggs usually come to mind. But there are several hidden protein treasures that can help you meet your needs while also helping you cut back on your meat intake.

Beans

Beans are well-known for being high in fiber, but did you know they are also high in protein? Beans are a wonderful source of protein, ranging from 10-18 grams per cup cooked, depending on the type. They're also versatile and economical. Dried beans are very inexpensive and can be incorporated into a variety to dishes. Diets that include beans may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Another bean bonus: A recent study found that people who eat beans weighed on average 7 pounds less and had smaller waists than those who didn't eat beans. To reduce some unpleasant side effects, rinse beans in water to reduce their gas-producing effect.

Quinoa

Another surprising source of high-quality protein is quinoa. Quinoa, a seed that's commonly thought of as a grain, was originally cultivated by the Incas in South America but is gaining popularity worldwide. A quarter-cup of cooked quinoa provides 5 grams of protein. It is especially rich in the amino acid lysine, which is important for tissue growth and repair. Quinoa works well in soups and salads and can easily serve as a substitute for rice in most recipes.

Soybeans

Soybeans are the only vegetables that are a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine of the essential amino acids--amino acids that our bodies can not make and must be obtained from food. In fact, soybeans produce more than two times as much protein per acre of land than any other crop of vegetable or grain. Soybeans are used in a multitude of foods, including soy milk, tofu, tempeh (fermented soybeans), soy cheese, soy yogurt, soy nuts, edamame (green, immature soybeans), mature yellow soybeans, miso (a thick paste made from fermented soybeans and barley or rice malt--used in Japanese cooking to make soups or sauces), textured vegetable protein ('TVP'--used as a meat alternative), and others. The protein content of soy foods varies, ranging from about 25 grams for a ½-cup serving of TVP to 4 grams for a 2 Tbsp serving of miso paste.

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are also a meat-free protein source. A one ounce serving of most nuts and seeds provide about 6-9 grams of protein.

Other Protein Sources

Other lesser known protein sources include:

Cottage cheese (14 g per ½-cup / 4 oz. serving)
Dried spirulina seaweed (8.6 g per 1 cup serving)
Bagels (7.2 g per small bagel, 3" diameter)
Oatmeal (6 g per 1 cup cooked)
Bulgur (6 g per 1 cup cooked)
Brown rice (5 g per 1 cup cooked)
Spinach (5 g per 1 cup cooked)
Baked potatoes (4.5 g per medium potato, skin included)
Peas (4.5 g per ½ cup serving)
Avocados (4 g per avocado)
Broccoli (4 g per 1 cup cooked)

SPACE SAVER MAKEOVERS FOR HOUSES & CONDOS

2011-10-25T07:34:00.001-07:00

Are you constantly misplacing household items like your screwdriver or tennis racquet? If so, perhaps your household needs a little re-organizing. Whether your home is a compact condo, cozy semi, or spacious detached, we can all benefit from a periodic check-in to see if we are making the best use of our space.

For house owners…
Take a peek inside many Canadian garages and chances are you won’t see a car. Garages and basements often become a dumping ground for all the things we rarely use. Here are five quick ways to makeover your garage and/or basement:

Clear the clutter! Have a yard sale, sell your unused goods online, or donate items to your local charity.
Add tall utility shelving to free up floor space, keeping any hazardous cleaning, garden, and automotive supplies out of reach of children by placing them on the top shelves.
Store lesser used items on utility shelving in plastic storage containers with lids to keep out dust and moisture. Use bigger bins on casters for more frequently used items and roll them out of the way, such as under a worktable.
Clear off your workbench and use a wall or pegboard to hang frequently used tools and store the rest in a tool chest. Use jars or plastic bins for storing and organizing smaller items like nails, screws, and nuts.
Hang skis, bikes, brooms, shovels, wheelbarrows and other unwieldy sport, garden, and household items off purpose-built wall hooks or in specialty containers to keep them free from damage.

For condo owners…
Even in the smallest of condominium units, there is often under-utilized space. Here are a few ways to help you optimize it:

Transfer your music collection to a digital format and sell your space-hogging records and CDs.
Keep out-of-season clothes and spare linens in vacuum-sealed storage bags under the bed. Use hooks for bathrobes, clothes, purses, or even jewellery.
Use decorative baskets for small items like magazines, hats, scarves, mittens, and children’s toys to keep things neat and organized.
Open or floating shelving will create the illusion of space while providing stylish storage for household and decorative items.
Invest in multi-functional furniture versus individual pieces which can take up valuable floor space. For example, a padded ottoman can be used as coffee table, storage space, and extra seating.

O/H - SUNDAY, OCT 23RD at 2756 STEEPLECHASE, SAINT-LAZARE

2011-10-23T08:42:00.000-07:00

2756 Steeplechase, Saint-Lazare
MLS 8568808
$329,000

The ideal family home or retirement home in Saint-Lazare. This 3 bedroom bungalow has a large living room, dining room with fireplace and good size kitchen. The basement is finished with bedroom, bathroom, office and playroom. Double garage.
Please drop in!

EARN AEROPLAN MILES WHEN BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME

2011-10-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

New Fall Promotion!
Buying or selling a home requires hard work, knowledge and experience. Let us guide you through the process and enjoy the added benefit of earning Aeroplan Miles along the way.

Earn Aeroplan Miles when you use our service to buy or sell a home. Use the Aeroplan Miles you receive from your real estate transaction with us as you see fit. Are you craving a getaway? A big-screen television? Perhaps you'd rather get appliances for your new home or dine out in style? It's your decision!

Email us for more information: dplaflamme@videotron.ca

Canadian housing market called 'bright spot' in economic news

2011-10-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

Prices for existing homes continued to moderate in September, with year-overyear gains the smallest since January, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association.

The average price of a home sold across the country was $352,581, a 6.5-per-cent jump from a year earlier.

Sales activity rose 2.7 per cent in September from August, and 11 per cent from a year earlier but the Ottawabased group, which represents about 100 boards across the country, continued to describe the market as balanced.

"The national housing market tightened in September from the month before, but remains firmly entrenched in balanced territory," the group said in a release.

Sales for the first nine months of the year are now 1.2 per cent ahead of last year's pace.

Toronto led a number of other major markets boosting September sales. It was the highest level for national sales since the government tightened mortgage rules again earlier this year.

"The Canadian housing market remains a bright spot against a backdrop of mixed headline news about the global economy," said CREA president Gary Morse. "Low mortgage rates continue to draw buyers to the housing market, while recently tightened mortgage regulations are working as intended."

CREA said new listings nationally have changed very little over the past two months, but that the figure was affected by an averaging out of markets.

New listings rose in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Oakville and Vancouver, but were offset by fewer new listings in markets like Edmonton and the Fraser Valley.

Nationally, the sales-to-new listings ratio was 52.8 per cent in September, up from 51.6 per cent in August, and still considered a balanced market. CREA says almost two-thirds of Canadian markets have a sales-to-new listings ratio of 40 per cent to 60 per cent, which is considered balanced.

The number of months of inventory, which is based on how long it would take to sell current listings based on the current sales pace, was 6.1 months in September. It was 6.2 months in August.

Gregory Klump, chief economist for CREA, noted housing has remained stable in face of market volatility, which has contributed to Canadian confidence.
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Canadian+housing+market+called+bright+spot+economic+news/5564736/story.html#ixzz1b8qnkHH3

HALLOWEEN IS COMING....

2011-10-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

Halloween is right around the corner. It's easy to send out Halloween cards and gifts using the SEND OUT CARD system.

www.sendoutcards.com/dianelaflamme
514.715.4514

O/HOUSE - 2560 JULIEN, SAINT-LAZARE

2011-10-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

Open House this Sunday, October 16th at 2560 Julien, Saint-Lazare. MLS 8617843. $409,000.

Beautiful intergeneration home has a separate entrance, family room, kitchenette and bedroom on the main floor. This quality built home, nestled on a lovely wooded 24,986 sq foot lot, is waiting for you. Enjoy the view in the 4 season sun room which has access to the backyard deck, surrounding the above ground pool. This is paradise.
Very interesting intergenerational home. Completely private living area on the main floor with a separate entrance, family room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Ideal for parents, visitors or children returning home. Family room has a slow combustion wood burning fireplace.

The house is filled with sunshine and the backyard is private.
It is easy to be active in this community. All residents have access to parks, cross country skiing, horse trails, hiking trails and bicycle paths. You can downhill ski at Rigaud Mountain which is a 15 minute drive or sail on Lake of Two Mountains in the summertime. If you prefer to golf, there are several private and public facilities.

There are excellent private and public schools nearby, child care facilities, new medical center in Hudson, fine restaurants, great shopping and organic farms.
The sportsplex offers a gym, skating arena and indoor soccer. The community library is one of a kind. It gives center stage to books as well as promoting cultural activities happening in and around the community.

DOUBLE YOUR CONDO PLEASURE

2011-10-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

You could try to cram all your stuff into a one-bedroom condo, or you could pay the same price and get more space. Single condo buyers are being encouraged to buy two-bedroom suites because while one-bedroom units increased in value at a rate of 24%, two-bedrooms increased by 31%.

By Jennifer Febbraro, National Post

Remember the not-so-good old days when a single woman would be cautioned against buying her own condo just in case Prince Charming came around? Today, that same buyer is being encouraged to purchase a two-bedroom condo, though not exactly for the same reasons.

"I may decide to go the route of getting married and having kids," says Netta Scalzo, a recent purchaser of a two-bedroom condo at the Station Condos right next to Wilson station, "but the real reason I bought was because it was cheaper than buying a one-bedroom downtown. So it was almost like getting the second bedroom for free!"

This fact hasn't been lost on Station developer, Brandy Lane Homes. Company president, David Hirsh, conducted a survey of his last project, Loggia at Queensway and Islington, to compare the appreciation in dollars over a three-year horizon between differently sized units. What he discovered came as no surprise; the one-bedroom units increased in value at a rate of 24%, but the two-bedrooms increased by 31%.

A similar study by RealNet, an information company that tracks Canadian real estate facts, confirms this price appreciation, though the study was conducted over a two-year period. RealNet president, George Carras, explains: "What you'll see is an overall trend in the GTA of a greater price increase on two-bedrooms. There's a 17% increase for one bedrooms and a 22% increase for two - that's a 5% difference, but it can mean thousands of dollars in extra investment return."

Mr. Carras says the advantages to pushing your finances for that initial purchase far outweigh the disadvantages: "From a value perspective, you can't deny that the two-bedroom unit is a better investment. Even if you don't necessarily need a two-bedroom, because the general size of condo units is shrinking [due to the increased costs of building], sometimes a two bedroom gives you the kind of square footage that a one bedroom gave you many years ago."

As for Mr. Hirsh's study, he had an ulterior motive - to be able to confidently market the two-bedroom units to buyers with the hard stats to back up his claims. "In our guts, we just knew it was going to be a better investment potential for a two-bedroom condo," Mr. Hirsh says. "So for Station, we crunched the numbers and visually laid out the figures so buyers could clearly understand their options."

A snazzy ad for Station condos, for example, breaks it down: "We checked out 10 one-bedroom suites at different downtown condos. We averaged the size and price and guess what? A two-bedroom, two-bath, 937-squarefoot suite at The Station is bigger and less expensive than a one-bedroom, one-bath, 598 sq. ft. condo downtown."

Another plus to the two-bedroom, Mr. Hirsh says, is that in over 70% of the two-bedroom suites at the Station, there are walkout balconies from both the living room and bedroom. On average, the balcony from the two-bedroom-plus-den boasts 140 sq. ft., so it's basically like getting another entire extra room added to your already spacious home.

But Station is not the only one using the two-bedroom deal as a marketing strategy. Ads for the Mercer feature a broad-maned lion lounging across a brown shag rug, as the headline reads "King Size Living at King and John." The Mercer also offers a financial incentive of $15,500 to purchasers of a two-bedroom condo. "That's essentially 30 months of us carrying the weight of that larger unit for them," says Stephen Price, president of Graywood Developments, developer of the Mercer. "It can mean a lot, especially for those who weren't intentionally coming in to purchase a larger unit. But sometimes when we break down the numbers for them, the logic is there and it's undeniable."

Mr. Price espouses an old adage when speaking of the two-bedroom condo purchase: "Have you heard this one before?" he laughs. "It's a bit of an oldie. We used to always say in the real estate business -buy your second home first." The principle, he explains, is that one should not just accommodate his or her current lifestyle needs, but rather anticipate what may lie ahead in the future. "When you add up all the transactional costs of upgrading in Toronto," Mr. Price says, "it just makes more financial sense to buy larger in the first place."

And it's a changing demographic of who exactly is attracted to the two-bedroom. "We're no longer just seeing empty nesters," Mr. Price says. "But siblings or friends banding together or a new couple anticipating a small family. In many cases, you'll even see parents and a college-age child." In the latter case, the student will occupy the suite during their university years, then relocate once they've found a job. A few productive years of collecting money from a renter later -the parents, now on the brink of retirement, will downsize from a family home into the condo. What's optimal for the parents is they've gotten in on the condo market early on, making the difficult transition even easier for an older couple.

While many new condo buyers often have a knee-jerk reaction to buy downtown, many are reprioritizing space over location. "Of course, I initially thought I want to live downtown," says Ms. Scalzo, a young schoolteacher. "But I couldn't imagine living in such cramped quarters. I opted for the two-bedroom a little farther away, but it's ideal for me." It also didn't hurt that as a regular TTC user, she was right next to Wilson station and especially close to some regular shopping stops, like Costco, Best Buy and Second Cup.

"Sure, you get the immediate gratification of urban vibrancy now if you buy downtown," Mr. Hirsh says. "But at the Station, just 20 minutes from downtown, urban vibrancy is coming. All it requires is a little patience, a little bit of vision."

For most buyers, given the kind of square footage they are getting in exchange, envisioning a great lifestyle in this neighbourhood becomes easypeasy. Sometimes, bigger really is better.
© Copyright (c) National Post

Fall fairs 2011: Sales, bazaars, dinners and other cozy gatherings

2011-10-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

MONTREAL - What's better on a cool fall day than sitting down to a warm bowl of homemade soup, freshly made pierogies or a slice of torten or apple upside down cake? These are just a few of the things you'll find at some of the Christmas sales, bazaars and fall fairs listed below. Well, I guess the only other thing would be to find one of the many treasures they offer, too! So take a peek and plan your route - it's a wonderful way to spend a weekend and help out a good cause.

OCTOBER 13

Boîte de Noël, 34th annual juried sale of arts and crafts by more than 50 artisans, 6 to 9 p.m., Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, 1350 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval. Tea room. Admission is $2.

YMCA book sale, to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., 11885 Laurentien Blvd., Cartierville. Books for everyone.

Annual art show and sale, featuring the work of more than 70 artisans, 7 to 9 p.m., St. Paul's Church, 377 44th Ave., Lachine.

OCTOBER 14

YMCA book sale, to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., 11885 Laurentien Blvd., Cartierville. Books for everyone.

Boîte de Noël, 34th annual juried sale of arts and crafts by more than 50 artisans, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, 1350 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval. Tea room. Admission is $2.

Annual art show and sale, featuring the work of more than 70 artisans, 2 to 4 p.m., St. Paul's Church, 377 44th Ave., Lachine.

OCTOBER 15

YMCA book sale, to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 11885 Laurentien Blvd., Cartierville. Books for everyone.

Boîte de Noël, 34th annual juried sale of arts and crafts by more than 50 artisans, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, 1350 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval. Tea room. Admission is $2.

Annual art show and sale, featuring the work of more than 70 artisans, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., St. Paul's Church, 377 44th Ave., Lachine.

Bazaar, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Southwest United Church, 1445 Clemenceau Ave., Verdun. Crafts, books, white elephant. Refreshments.

Craft fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Residence l'Alto, 1700 St. Louis St., St. Laurent. Handicrafts, art, baked goods.

Rummage sale, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Matthias Church, 131 Côte St. Antoine Rd. Linens, clothing for the family, toys, housewares.

Fall fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Maisonneuve Presbyterian Church, 1606 Letourneaux Ave. New clothing for the whole family, housewares, books, baked goods. Light lunch.

Everything 4 kids sale, 9 a.m. to noon, Cedar Park United Church, 204 Lakeview Ave., Pointe Claire. Gently used clothing, toys for babies and children.

Annual bazaar, sponsored by the 50 Plus Club of N.D.G., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6870 Terrebonne Ave. Something for everyone. Lunch from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Arts and crafts fair, sponsored by The Cercle de Fermières St. Jean Baptiste Marie-Vianney, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Marguerite d'Youville Church, 130 St. Jean Baptiste Blvd., Châteauguay. Handknits, weaving, jewellery, natural beauty products, woodwork.

Book fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. James Anglican Church, 328 Pine St., Rosemère. Books, games, CDs, DVDs. Hotdog lunch.

Book sale, sponsored by the Friends of Beaconsfield Library, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield. Books for everybody!

OCTOBER 16

Boîte de Noël, 34th annual juried sale of arts and crafts by more than 50 artisans, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, 1350 Lakeshore Dr., Dorval. Tea room. Admission is $2.

Craft fair, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Residence l'Alto, 1700 Saint Louis, St. Laurent. Handicrafts, art, baked goods.

Arts and crafts fair, sponsored by The Cercle de Fermières St. Jean Baptiste Marie-Vianney, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Marguerite d'Youville Church, 130 St. Jean Baptiste Blvd., Châteauguay. Handknits, weaving, jewellery, natural beauty products, woodwork.

Book sale, sponsored by the Friends of Beaconsfield Library, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield. Books for everybody!

OCTOBER 18

Early Bird Art and Gourmet vernissage, sponsored by the Auxiliary of the Montreal General Hospital, 5 to 9 p.m., Livingston Hall Lounge, sixth floor. Admission is $25. Original art, gourmet foods, preserves, handknits, jewellery, collectibles.

McGill book fair, 1 to 9 p.m., McGill University, Redpath Hall, 3461 McTavish St. Thousands of used books in both languages, CDs LPs, DVDs and sheet music.

OCTOBER 19

Early Bird Art and Gourmet sale, sponsored by the Auxiliary of the Montreal General Hospital, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Livingston Hall Lounge, sixth floor. Original art, gourmet foods, preserves, handknits, jewellery, collectibles.

McGill book fair, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., McGill University, Redpath Hall, 3461 McTavish St. Thousands of used books in both languages, CDs LPs, DVDs and sheet music.

Pre-Christmas bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Montreal Chest Institute, 3650 St. Urbain St. Arts and crafts, baked goods, garage sale. Light lunch.

OCTOBER 20

Early Bird Art and Gourmet sale, sponsored by the Auxiliary of the Montreal General Hospital, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Livingston Hall Lounge, sixth floor. Original art, gourmet foods, preserves, handknits, jewellery, collectibles.

McGill book fair, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., McGill University, Redpath Hall, 3461 McTavish St. Thousands of used books in both languages, CDs, LPs, DVDs and sheet music.

OCTOBER 21

Fall fair, 1 to 9 p.m., St. Willibrord Church, 325 Willibrord Ave., Verdun. New household items, clothing, crafts, baked goods.

OCTOBER 22

Fall fair, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., St. Willibrord Church, 325 Willibrord Ave., Verdun. New household items, clothing, crafts, baked goods.

Used book sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 2000 Bourgogne St., Chambly. Pocketbooks and hardcovers for the whole family. Lunch.

Festival de l'Artisanat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sign of the Theotokos Orthodox Church, 750 St. Joseph Blvd. E. Arts and crafts, books, baked goods. Lunch, $7.

Fall fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dorval Elementary School, 1750 Carson Ave., Dorval. Over 20 artisans display their wares, baked goods, raffle. BBQ lunch.

Family fun day, sponsored by the leadership students of Place Cartier Adult Centre, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 257 Beaconsfield Blvd. Handicrafts, garage sale, haunted house, baked goods. Hot lunch.

Fall bazaar, sponsored by the Parish of St. Cuthbert, St. Hilda and St. Luke, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 6341 de Lorimier Ave. Christmas crafts, books, white elephant, jewellery, baked goods. Light lunch at 12:30 p.m.

Animatch pumpkin and bake sale, 11:30 to 2:30 p.m., Château du Chien, 6B deLourdes in Pointe Claire Village. Halloween decorations, raffle, baked goods.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Fall+fairs+2011+Sales+bazaars+dinners+other+cozy+gatherings/5535601/story.html#ixzz1aa8iPeXz

Paul and Diane Laflamme

Check out Diane Laflamme on Goggle+

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O/H - VISITE LIBRE, DIMANCHE 12TH FEVRIER

143 Main Road, Hudson

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I WISH YOU A GOOD DAY!

This video on Gratitude and Happiness was created by Louie Schwartzberg. It's beautiful. I wish you all a very, very good day.......everyday.

http://youtu.be/gXDMoiEkyuQ

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Happy New Year! We wish you good health, happiness and laughter...lots of laughter.

This is the time of year when many of us set goals. I know I have. Watch this video and you'll soon see that all your dreams are possible. The question that changed Amy Purdy's life is, "If my life were a book and I were the author, how would I want this story to go".

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_purdy_living_beyond_limits.html

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Thank you to Royal LePage Village Owners/Managers!

Two prizes were handed out.......one was a Sony Camera and the main prize was a IPad 2. GREAT news... I WON IT!! I AM SO HAPPY!!

We have been working in real estate for over 10 years and we can offer you our experience which will exceed all your expectations. Regardless of how large a task (to buy or sell a home) we are eager to rise to the challenge to use our knowledge and tenacity to overcome all obstacles.

The majority of our business originates from repeat clients and referrals. It is our goal to satisfy the needs of all our clients and we dedicate many years to building lifetime relationships.

If you have any real estate questions, call us. It will be our pleasure to help you.

Canadians work hard to ditch their mortgages early

Lines of credit, personal loans also levelling off

Thinking about selling or buying?

OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH

This video on Gratitude and Happiness was created by Louie Schwartzberg. It's beautiful.
I wish you all a very, very good day.......everyday.

This is the time of year when many of us set goals. I know I have.
Watch this video and you'll soon see that all your dreams are possible. The question that changed Amy Purdy's life is, "If my life were a book and I were the author, how would I want this story to go".