The Desjardins TEAM

Can You Achieve Better Balance?

Here are 10 tips to help you achieve a better balance in your life. Take a moment to read and reflect on these tips -- and then get your life in balance!

1. Negotiate a Change with Your Current Employer. Progressive employers recognize the value of good employees, and many are willing to find ways to help current employees deal with short-term or permanent changes caused by family situations. The changes can include flextime, job-sharing, telecommuting, or part-time employment. Your first step is to research your employer’s policies and methods of handling previous requests. Then go to your boss armed with information and a plan that shows how you will be an even more valuable and productive employee if you can modify your current work situation.
2. Find a New Career. Some careers are simply more stressful and time-consuming than others. If you need more time for yourself or your family, now may be the time to explore careers that are less stressful and more flexible.
3. Find a New Job. Rather than a career change, perhaps you simply need to take a less stressful job within your chosen career. This change may involve working with your current employer to identify a new position, it may involve a full job-search, or it may involve temping or becoming a consultant or starting a freelancing or other home-based business.
4. Slow Down. Life is simply too short, so don’t let things pass you in a blur. Take steps to stop and enjoy the things and people around you. Schedule more time between meetings; don’t make plans for every evening or weekend, and find some ways to distance yourself from the things that are causing you the most stress.
5. Learn to Better Manage Your Time. Avoid Procrastination. For many people, most of the stress they feel comes from simply being disorganized -- and procrastinating. Learn to set more realistic goals and deadlines -- and then stick to them. You’ll find that not only are you less stressed, but your work will be better.
6. Share the Load. Even though we may sometimes feel we’re the only ones capable of doing something, it’s usually not the case. Get your partner or other family members to help you with all your personal/family responsibilities. Taking care of the household, children, or parents should not be the responsibility of just one person.
7. Let Things Go. (Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.) It’s simpler said than done, but learn to let things go once in a while. So what if the dishes don’t washed everyday or that the house doesn’t get vacuumed every week. Learn to recognize the things that don’t really have much impact in your life and allow yourself to let them go -- and then not beat yourself up for doing so.
8. Explore Your Options. Get Help. If you are feeling overwhelmed with your family responsibilities, please get help if you can afford it. Find a sitter for your children, explore options for aging parents, and seek counseling for yourself. In many cases, you have options, but you need to take the time to find them.
9. Take Charge. Set Priorities. Sometimes it’s easier for us to allow ourselves to feel overwhelmed rather than taking charge and developing a prioritized list of things that need to get done. You need to buck the trend. Develop a list. Set priorities. And then enjoy the satisfaction of crossing things off your list.
10. Simplify. It seems human nature for just about everyone to take on too many tasks and responsibilities, to try to do too much, and to own too much. Find a way to simplify your life. Change your lifestyle. Learn to say no to requests for help. Get rid of the clutter and baggage in your house -- and your life.

In the end, the key word is balance. You need to find the right balance that works for you. Celebrate your successes and don’t dwell on your failures. Life is a process, and so is striving for balance in your life.

Do You Know The Rules?

Property Investing - An Eye On Condominiums

The real estate market has cycles.  And as this strong market continues, real estate, and especially the Condominium market, is attractive to investors.  If you're thinking about purchasing a Condominium as a rental unit, here are a few "look-outs" as rules change from one Condo Corporation to another.

Does the Condominium Declaration allow rentals in the building?  If so, how many are allowed and how many are currently in the building?  Is there a formula that the Condominium Corporation uses to determine rental eligibility?

Know the rules.  For example, occupants may not be allowed to park bicycles on the balcony or set up a home-based business.  If tenants break the bylaws, you'll still be responsible.

Read the bylaws so you know what you're responsible for and what you can and can't do as an owner.

If you have any other questions on investing send us an email and we'll set up an obilgation free appointment to help get you on your way to real estate investment success!

14 Things That Took Most Of My Life To Learn ...

by a great writer, Dave Barry:

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."
3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
5. You should not confuse your career with your life.
6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
7. Never lick a steak knife.
8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.
13. A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
14. Your friends love you anyway.

Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Do You Have An Underground Oil Tank?

I am listing my home for sale, but my realtor expressed concerns with the underground oil storage tank that provides fuel supply to my oil-fired furnace.  Why should I worry about the underground storage tank and how can I determine its condition?

Environmental impact is the greatest concern with an underground fuel oil storage tank.  Ask yourself two questions:

• Has any oil spillage or leakage occurred?
• If so, what environmental impact has the leakage or spill created?

Fuel oil spills may have occurred during filling or maintenance activities associated with the tank (i.e. by a fuel oil supply contractor) and are typically easily noticed because they occur quickly and are often above ground.

Fuel oil leakage is usually slow, subtle and unnoticed because it often occurs below ground.  Leaks can be caused by:

• A deteriorating tank, which can be influenced by the tank construction material (i.e. fiberglass vs. metal), tank age, and soil chemistry (i.e. corrosion).
• The quality of workmanship during installation of the tank (i.e. pipe fittings that have loosened).
• The presence and persistence of moisture/groundwater against the tank wall which can physically damage the tank/piping (i.e. due to shifting caused by buoyant forces) or a chemically damaged tank (i.e. corrosion).

Both spills and leaks can have a potentially serious impact on the environment, contaminating soil, groundwater and surface water as well as impairing the safety/health of people, animals and ecological systems.

The main challenge with establishing the condition of underground oil storage tanks is that the tank and piping are not visible.  Aside from obvious indicators like visible oil and persistent hydrocarbon odors, the following tasks can be completed to further evaluate tank conditions:

• Reviewing fuel delivery records for potential increases while taking temperature extremes into consideration.  For example, if fuel delivery rates increase while temperatures remain consistent, there may be a potential leak.  Consulting with your fuel supply contractor may assist you in completing this task.
• Consulting with a qualified contractor to complete a pressure test of the tank and associated piping to establish if holes are present in the tank or piping.
• Collecting soil samples in close proximity to the base of the tank (using soil boring techniques) and analyzing the soil samples at a laboratory for the presence of fuel oil parameters.
• Excavating soil from around the tank to visually inspect the conditions of the tank and associated piping.

If you're concerned with the condition of your tank, it may make sense to forego a potentially expensive investigation and simply replace it with an above ground tank to improve the marketability of your home.  It is important to note some insurance companies are extremely cautious about insuring underground fuel storage tanks since underwriters are unable to inspect underground tanks due to their inaccessible nature.  Discuss the specifics of your situation with us to decide whether you might consider contacting a professional engineer that is an expert in the field of underground storage tanks for further evaluation.

Source: AmeriSpec

Are Staged Homes Misleading To Buyers?

Staging is a hot topic for home sellers, as evidenced by the popularity of TV shows like “Designed To Sell,” “Buy Me” and “Flip This House.” In August 2007, NAEBA released the report “How to not get tricked by staging — and potentially save $5,645 when you buy your home.” The report outlines some of the common staging practices and how they might influence a buyer to purchase the wrong home, or a home that might be hiding serious defects. The report includes examples of staging and cautionary tales from real estate agents working directly with buyers.

“The whole intent of staging is to get the buyer emotionally involved with the home. Our member agents want home buyers to see things logically, to “see past” the staging,” said Jon Boyd President of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents.

“When we surveyed our brokers and agents, 82% of the respondents stated that buyers were likely to get distracted from important issues when viewing a staged home. The most prevalent staging trick reported in the survey was sellers using small furniture to make a room look bigger than it actually is. In addition, a majority of our members have seen staging cover up real problems, such as rugs hiding damaged floors and designer curtains covering rotted window sills. Since staging doesn't increase the intrinsic value of a home, buyers need to be very careful. Remember, you are not buying the pretty furnishings, you are buying the house.” he continued.

Click here to view a PDF of NAEBA's report on home staging

Is Residential Real Estate In Canada Healthy?

Slow and steady growth forecast for residential real estate in major Canadian markets in 2008, says RE/MAX

Mississauga, ON (October 17, 2007) - After posting extraordinary gains in 2007, housing market performance will moderate in most major Canadian centres in 2008, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook 2008 examined residential real estate trends in 18 markets across the country. The report found that while economic prospects will continue to improve next year, few major markets are expected to exceed record sales levels set in 2007. Winnipeg, Hamilton-Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, London-St. Thomas, Ottawa, Sudbury, Saint John, Halifax-Dartmouth, and St. John's are all predicted to buck the trend in 2008, with appreciation ranging from one to seven per cent. Average price is forecast to increase in 78 per cent of markets surveyed next year, with the lowest price increase expected in Edmonton and the highest in St. John's.

"Western markets were first out of the gate in 2007, but those in the East followed suit," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "By year- end, some of the most impressive gains in home sales will be realized in Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Solid economic fundamentals, including billions of dollars in capital projects, a positive unemployment outlook, and solid consumer confidence levels will propel markets forward. A slow and steady growth trajectory, minus the peaks and valleys experienced in 2007, is forecast for next year."

Download complete press release.

Download complete report.

Can I Make My Furnace More Efficient?

I have an older forced-air gas furnace.  How can I enhance its efficiency and keep it operating safely throughout the winter?

As the coldest months of the year fall upon us, a furnace may operate for up to 15 hours a day.  In order to enusre its safe and efficient operation, proper care and maintenance is your best defense against unsafe conditions or non-performance.

Follow the quidelines below to keep your furnace operating safely and efficiently.

• To reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, install a programmable thermostat to allow the furnace to operate at lower temperatures when the home is not occupied or while you are sleeping.
• Clean or replace furnace filters every two months or as required.
• Keep combustible materials or obstructions away from the furnace area.
• Keep cold air returns and heat distribution vents free and clear of obstructions to allow proper flow of air.
• Ensure an adequate supply of combustion air is available for the appliance to function properly.  Combustion air is the air that mixes with fuel to allow combustion to occur.
• Have a professional clean your ducting properly every three to five years.
• Contact a licensed/qualified heating contractor each year to perform routine service and maintenance as per manufacturer's specifications.

In addition, consider replacing your forced-air gas furnace with a high efficiency model.  Did you know that for every $1 spent on gas for a conventional forced-air gas furnace, approximately 30 cents goes up the chimney, while every dollar spent on gas for a high efficiency furnace results in the loss of 10 cents or less?  Upgrading to a high efficiency furnace can provide a substantial cost savings for a homeowner.  A heating contractor or your local AmeriSpec home inspector can assist you when deciding if an upgrade would be a worth-while investment.

Source: AmeriSpec

Should You Be Confident In The Real Estate Market?

October Housing Activity Confirms Consumer Confidence In Real Estate Market

TORONTO,October 18,2007 -- Resale housing activity substantially outpaced mid-October results from a year ago, Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O’Neill announced today.

“There were 3,297 sales reported to mid-month, which is a 10 per cent increase over the 3,007 homes sold during the same period last year,” Ms. O’Neill said. “We are on course to rival October’s best result, which was in 2003 with 7,227 sales.”

In Riverdale (E01) the number of transactions to mid-month jumped 29 per cent compared to the same timeframe a year ago due to strong sales in all housing types.

Streetsville East (W19) saw a significant increase in the sale of semi-detached homes, which helped push overall sales up 48 per cent compared to mid-October 2006.

A combination of strong condominium and detached home transactions drove Willowdale’s (C07) mid-month sales to an overall increase of 83 per cent.

At the northern edge of TREB’s reporting area, Innisfil (N23) saw sales to mid-month double as compared mid-October 2006, driven mainly by the sale of detached homes.

Meanwhile, the average price rose to $399,013, up nine per cent over the $364,364 recorded to the middle of September. This figure is also 13 per cent higher than the first half of October last year when the average price stood at $353,677.

“While mid-month figures simply provide a snapshot of current activity, we are encouraged that sales remain robust. The activity we have seen this autumn shows that consumers continue to have a great deal of well-founded confidence in the housing market,” said Ms. O’Neill. “There’s no question that home ownership is the best long-term investment you can make.”

However, if the City of Toronto imposes a second land transfer tax, this could have far reaching impacts on the City’s economy. “A doubling of land transfer taxes could impact the market and will reduce the amount of money home buyers spend,” noted Ms. O’Neill.

Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They adhere to a strict code of ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Serving more than 26,000 Members in the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Real Estate Board is Canada’s largest real estate board. Greater Toronto Area open house listings are available on www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com.

Clocks "Fall" Back November 4th

Don't forget!

At 2:00am Sunday morning, it's time to set clocks back one hour.  It's also the day to replace the batteries in all of your smoke alarms.

Brand Spanking New!

Don't miss this opportunity ... there is still time to choose some custom finishing on these brand new homes by quality builder Double Oak Homes.  Thousands of dollars in upgrades included.  Only 3 homes left ...

Spencer Creek 'Provence'
2,835 sq. ft.
$639,990.00
YD-MIL2

Rideau River 'Empire'
3,010 sq. ft.
$694,990.00
YD-MIL3

Wilmot Creek 'Empire'
2585 sq. ft.
$580,990.00
YD-MIL1

Call or email us today to book your appointment and get all the fantasic details on these homes!