Winter 2011-12 Newsletter

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Winter 2011/2012 TheHomeHunt.com Vol. XVI, Issue I Bruce Johnson Photo © HomeHunt the with Bruce Johnson

description

A lively source of real estate information for Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Blue Mountain and Tiny Beaches.

Transcript of Winter 2011-12 Newsletter

Winter 2011/2012! TheHomeHunt.com! Vol. XVI, Issue I Bruce Johnson Photo ©

HomeHuntthewith Bruce Johnson

Table of Contents:

HomeHuntthewith Bruce JohnsonWinter 2011/2012

Cover Photo:

Santa and Mrs. Claus

make an appearance at

the Wasaga Beach

Santa Claus Parade.

Click here for photos.

BRUCE JOHNSONSALES REPRESENTATIVERE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc., BrokeragePHONE(705) 429-4500TOLL FREE(888) 741-8888

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Johnson Family TreeFeatured Properties2012 Housing ReportMary’s Staging ReportWinter MaintenanceArea Happenings Joke & Trivia ContestThe Big PictureHot Links Assorted Information

Living on the EdgeWasaga Beach and Collingwood are definitely for people who love all the seasons but let’s face it - Georgian Bay fun is guaranteed when you mix sun, water and time with friends and family. We’re in the school-age years with Holly and Jossy so summers are extra precious for us.

nnn

Recipe for HappinessA Johnson Family Recipe for Happiness is in a sort of “test kitchen.” Side effects include decreased winter doldrums, increased learning & FUN!

4 Family members4 Hungry minds2 Supportive elementary schools1 House in Southern Costa RicaSmidgeon of time (carve it out)Equal amounts curiosity + patienceLimitless sense of humour

Mix above ingredients (add coffee and chocolate to taste) and let it simmer. Especially good served with Abandon over the Holidays!

Part of the magic of the holiday season lies in taking a moment to express gratitude and affection for all the people in our lives who mean so much.

One of the best benefits to working and living in a community as small as ours is that real estate clients and friends are not often in separate categories in our database.

Thank you so very much for your continued presence in our lives. Our focus on

building relationships earned us the 2011 Favourite Real Estate Team award for our area and we are very proud of that! Warmest wishes for

great health and happiness over the holidays and may 2012 be especially peaceful and fulfilling. Above all, please stay in touch!

Holiday Wishes FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS

L O O K I N G B A C K , L O O K I N G F O R W A R D . . . Y E T L I V I N G F O R T O D A Y !

2 0 1 1 H O L I D A Y E D I T I O N

THE JOHNSON FAMILY TREE PAGE3

FEATURED PROPERTY PAGE4

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

Surround yourself with beauty in this 2,900 sq. ft. (1,555 sq. ft. on the main level) 4 bedroom, 3 bath home on Red Pine Crescent.

Situated on an oversized and professionally landscaped lot backing onto Crown land, this pristine home has three covered decks and is close to shopping, doctors, schools and recreational centres in west-end Wasaga Beach.

While the skylight, windows and custom lighting bring life to the gorgeous maple flooring, gleaming stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry, the curved railing leads your eye to the

open-concept dining nook, kitchen with breakfast bar and tiled backsplash and a living area with a beautiful oak mantel surrounding the gas fireplace.

The home also features generous storage space, a laundry room leading to an attached two-car garage, a jetted corner bath in the master ensuite and a fully finished basement with a “special something” to fall in love with at every turn including a rare basement walkout: perfect for an in-law suite.

There’s also parking for four cars in the large paved driveway and two more in the garage.

MLS 20115759

$358,800

11 Red Pine in Wasaga Beach

SOLD!

FEATURED PROPERTIES PAGE5

MLS 20112611 $308,800

This beautiful 5-bedroom, 3-bath home in a quiet, west-end Wasaga neighbourhood is close to schools, shopping and trails. This large bungalow has a 2,034 sq.ft. on main level and a fully finished basement as well. Click the link:

26 Briarwood Place

Beautiful 2 bedroom 2 bathroom home in Park Place gated adult community featuring over 1,000 sq.ft. of living space with a welcoming front entrance with a covered porch to keep you dry or shaded. Click here for full details:

47 St. James Place

MLS 20114828 $189,900

Park Place!

Wasaga Sands

MLS 20113723 $349,900

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

Wasaga Sands paradise...found! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath all-brick custom bungalow sits majestically on an estate-sized lot in one of Wasaga Beach`s premier golf course subdivisions. Click below for more info:

12 Rigby DriveSOLD!SOLD!

Zancor Home

MLS 20113460 $199,900

This very well-kept 1,550 sq.ft townhouse comes with central air, natural gas f/a heating, central vac, ceramic flooring and a welcoming open concept kitchen with breakfast bar. Click here for full details:

46 Admiral Road

Townhouse

SOLD!

Canadian  residen*al  real  estate  defied  conven*onal  logic  and  outperformed  expecta*ons  in  2011,  pos*ng  another  solid  year  of  housing  ac*vity  virtually  across  the  board.    The  trend  is  expected  to  carry  forward  into  2012  as  Canadians  con*nue  to  demonstrate  their  faith  in  homeownership,  despite  concerns  over  the  European  debt  crisis  and  its  impact  on  the  global  economy,  according  to  a  report  released  by  RE/MAX.    

The  RE/MAX  Housing  Market  Outlook  2012  examined  trends  and  developments  in  26  major  markets  across  the  country.    Eighty-­‐eight  per  cent  (23/26)  an*cipated  average  price  increases  by  year-­‐end  2011—with  percentage  hikes  ranging  from  one  to  16  per  cent.  The  forecast  for  2012  shows  the  upward  trend  modera*ng,  but  s*ll  ahead  of  2011  figures.    

Overall  home  sales  are  expected  to  remain  on  par  or  ahead  of  last  year’s  levels  in  85  per  cent  (22/26)  of  markets  in  2011—including  Saskatoon  with  a  year-­‐over-­‐year  percentage  increase  of  13  per  cent  and  an  eight  per  cent  up*ck  in  Calgary,  Winnipeg,  Hamilton-­‐Burlington  and  Sudbury.      

Almost  half  of  Canadian  markets  will  match  the  2011  performance,  while  the  remainder  should  post  increases  ranging  from  one  to  five  per  cent  next  year.    

By  year-­‐end  2011,  an  es*mated  460,000  homes  are  expected  to  change  hands,  up  three  per  cent  from  the  447,010  units  reported  in  2010.    Sales  are  expected  to  climb  one  per  cent  to  464,500  units  in  2012.    The  value  of  a  Canadian  home  is  set  to  climb  to  $363,000  this  year—an  increase  of  seven  per  cent  over  the  $339,030  posted  one  year  ago.    By  year-­‐end  2012,  the  average  price  in  Canada  is  forecast  to  appreciate  two  per  cent  to  $371,000.

The  Canadian  housing  market  has  demonstrated  tremendous  resilience  in  recent  years,  but  2011  stands  out.    Instead  of  responding  to  economic  concerns  both  here  and  abroad  with  a  retreat  in  sales  and  prices,  residen*al  real  estate  markets  actually  experienced  an  upswing  in  the  vola*le  third  and  final  quarters.    

While  clearly  not  impervious  to  the  impact,  Canadian  consumers  are  intent  on  making  their  moves  now,  in  advance  of  higher  housing  values  and  rising  interest  rates  down  the  road.

Improvement  in  both  provincial  and  local  economies,  especially  during  the  second  half  of  2012,  should  serve  to  further  s*mulate  home-­‐buying  ac*vity.    Calgary,  Saskatoon,  and  Halifax-­‐Dartmouth  will  likely  lead  the  country  in  unit  sales  in  2012,  each  with  a  projected  increase  of  five  per  cent.    Regina,  Greater  Toronto,  Saint  John,  Moncton,  and  St.  John’s  an*cipate  a  three  per  cent  increase  in  home  sales  next  year.

The  economic  underpinnings  support  ongoing  demand,  par*cularly  as  job  crea*on  efforts  con*nue  and  unemployment  rates  edge  down  further.    Na*onally,  we  remain  on  an  upward  track,  and  the  confidence  consumers  have  demonstrated  

OUTLOOK FOR 2012BALANCED HOUSING MARKET SET TO RETURN

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

2012 CANADIAN HOUSING REPORT PAGE7

in  housing  over  the  past  decade  will  prove  well  founded  once  again  next  year.    

The  rising  belief  in  homeownership  is  key,  especially  among  Genera*on  X  and  Y—some  of  whom  are  making  their  moves  sooner.    Boomers  and  re*rees  are  changing,  too.  They’re  healthier  and  more  ac*ve,  with  longer  life  expectancy.    Overall,  we’re  seeing  an  extension  of  the  homeownership  cycle,  and  it’s  great  news  for  housing.

While  *ghter  supply  levels  contributed  to  steady  price  apprecia*on  in  most  major  markets  across  Canada  this  year,  an  increase  in  inventory  more  in  line  with  years  previous  should  ease  upward  pressure  on  average  price  in  the  year  ahead.    The  highest  apprecia*on  is  expected  in  Regina,  where  values  are  forecast  to  increase  eight  per  cent,  followed  by  Greater  Toronto,  Halifax-­‐Dartmouth,  and  St,  John’s—each  pos*ng  a  five  per  cent  gain.

 Overall,  81  per  cent  of  the  markets  examined  are  forecast  to  set  new  records  for  average  price  next  year.    Noteworthy  milestones  include  Greater  Vancouver,  which  will  break  the  $800,000  threshold,  as  well  as  Regina  and  Kitchener-­‐Waterloo,  which  will  reach  the  $300,000  mark.

While  prices  will  remain  on  the  upswing,  buyers  will  benefit  from  greater  selec*on  moving  forward.    Stability  or  modest  growth  will  characterize  sales  ac*vity  while  GDP  moves  forward  at  a  more  muted  pace  in  2012.    Whether  markets  will  meet  or  poten*ally  exceed  projec*ons  will  hinge  largely  on  consumer  confidence.    An  unexpected  call  for  interest  rate  hikes  could  also  serve  to  bolster  sales.

Other  highlights  include:

★ Popula*on  growth  and  immigra*on  are  major  factors  expected  to  prop-­‐up  housing  

demand  and  household  forma*on  in  the  coming  years.    Since  2000,  Canada’s  popula*on  has  experienced  double-­‐digit  growth  of  11  per  cent.    By  2031,  over  42  million  people  are  expected  to  call  Canada  home.  

★Investment  will  also  con*nue  in  Canada’s  major  centres,  with  income-­‐producing  proper*es  at  the  top  of  the  most  wanted  list.    Low  vacancy  rates  and  stock  market  vola*lity  

reinvigorated  this  segment  of  the  market  in  2011  and  the  very  same  factors  are  forecast  to  influence  sales  moving  forward.

★ Condominiums  are  expected  to  gain  an  increasing  share  of  the  marketplace,  par*cularly  in  Western  Canada  and  Ontario.    A  focus  on  higher  density  urban  growth  is  impac*ng  purchasing  paierns  and  introducing  new,  affordable  op*ons—cri*cal  to  the  aiainability  of  homeownership  as  prices  con*nue  to  move  upward.

★ Housing  stock  in  major  Canadian  centres  will  improve  as  municipali*es  focus  on  redevelopment  and  revitaliza*on.    

Please  click  here  to  view  the  full  report:

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

Bruce

Kitchen Renovations:Upgrades  That  Make  Sense  Now

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

Ever wonder why "kitchen parties" occur every time you have guests? Sure, that`s where the food is, but it is also because the kitchen is naturally the hub of every home. It's typically a well-lit, energized zone where we get refresh and regroup after a busy day. It is a room with real value for every family, large or small. Highest ROI

RE/MAX commissioned a study and learned that kitchen upgrades can deliver a 44% higher return on investment over the other popular renos you might consider. HomeGain also recently studied DIY project returns and came up with a telling graph.Another cool chart (click here) breaks down average ROI by the home’s price range. The Appraisal Institute of Canada posts this warning on its website: “If the value of your house exceeds the average market value in your neighbourhood, your renovations will not yield much return. But if your house value is below the average, you can recover a larger part of the renovation costs.”If you’re not sure of your home’s current market value, contact Bruce. Yes I’m biased but I haven’t seen a more detailed yet easy-to-digest assessment of a home’s current market value than this one that Bruce does free of charge for his clients.

From the studies I’ve read, there are a few no-no’s when it comes to renovating your kitchen with an eye to selling soon. The reason you won’t see a return on something like, say, high-end designer stainless steel appliances, is that the average buyer will not pay more for your house because of them,

and in fact may choose a less expensive house because you are trying to get a return on a feature they wouldn’t deem necessary. It’s like trying to ask more for a convertible car from a buyer who is just not a “drive-with-the-top-down” kind of person.

Top Three Ways to Waste Your Kitchen Reno Dollars

1. Install a sky light2. Rip out and replace cabinets3. Knock out walls and/or add square footage

OR...you could put those hard-earned bucks to work and consider the following....!No-Fail Kitchen Renovations

✴ Whether you're working with a contemporary kitchen or more of a country feel, stainless steel

!

MARY’S STAGING REPORT PAGE9

appliances continue to hold a lot of interest. Still, buyers are first and foremost on the lookout for quiet, energy-efficient appliances, so if you opt for stainless steel, make sure they have a high Energy Star rating and remember you are getting them for your own enjoyment as much as for resale value.

✴ In cabinetry, look at fine-grained maple, stained or natural, over the traditional heavy, golden oak look of the past. That doesn’t mean replace oak cabinets, it just means that to appear to be more on-trend, ask your home stager for ways of updating the old 80s cabinets without the use of a sledge hammer!

✴ Laminates and marble are great choices for countertops, but granite continues to be the most popular surface of all. This is one area where it really does depend on the price range your property falls under. Ecocountertops, a local company that sprays over old countertops and cabinets, is a great solution for sellers of lower or mid-range homes.

✴ For faucets, check out the latest models in today's new, brushed nickel finishes. Repeat the finishes in cabinet pulls and knobs and even in pendant light fixtures over the kitchen island or breakfast bar. These are my go-to pick–me-ups for tired kitchens as they are a relatively inexpensive way to nudge buyers to view your house as up-to-date instead of old news.

Ideally right away for good feng shui, but definitely before you put your house on the market, maximize the return of upgrades to your kitchen by making sure you put the following on your must-do staging checklist:

Þ Repair or replace broken or warped shelving;

Þ Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls;ÞRepair any water damaged surfaces or areas; retouching with paint if needed;ÞReplace any missing or damaged tiles;ÞRe-touch or repaint kitchen if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor;

Þ Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free;Þ Repair, resurface or replace damaged

countertops;Þ Fix any leaky faucets;Þ Re-caulk damaged caulk on sinks;Þ Clean tile grout until it is stain-free, or re-

grout;Þ Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry;Þ Fix sticking doors and drawers and tighten

or replace wobbly hinges Þ Replace dated or non-functioning appliancesÞ Touch up any scratches and polish hardwood

flooring

Read this article for Mike Holmes’ no-nonsense approach to renovations.✴

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

~ Mary

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

Keep The Home Fires Burning

ave  you  seen  the  Farmer’s  Almanac  prediction  for  the  bitterly  cold  winter  we’re  in  for  in  2012?  No  doubt  we’ll  be  relying  on  at  least  one  source  of  heat  to  get  us  through  to  the  spring  thaw.    Sipping  hot  chocolate  by  the  woodstove  or  reading  a  novel  with  the  Aireplace  Alickering  in  the  background,  the  last  thing  you’d  expect  is  a  nasty  chimney  Aire  or  a  life-­‐threatening  buildup  of  carbon  monoxide  in  your  home.  

Faithfully  maintaining  your  Aireplace  and  chimney  assures  that  the  Aire  is  burning  as  innocently  as  it  appears.

With  today's  new  technology,  Aireplaces  come  in  many  varieties.  Consumers  can  purchase  for  their  homes  an  electric,  stand-­‐alone  model,  a  traditional  wood-­‐burning  Aireplace  or  a  gas  Aireplace.  All  types  require  the  appropriate  maintenance  in  order  for  them  to  be  enjoyed  safely  for  years  to  come  and  to  prevent  accidents  and  Aire.  

Each  type  should  be  treated  with  care  and  regularly  inspected  to  ensure  that  all  parts  are  in  good  working  order.  It  is  best  to  have  a  professional  inspect  your  gas  or  wood-­‐burning  Aireplace.

Wood-­‐burning  FireplacesWood-­‐burning  Aireplaces  require  special  maintenance  in  order  to  ensure  safety.  A  hearty  open  Aire  can  draw  three  to  four  hundred  cubic  feet  of  air  right  up  the  chimney  every  minute.    That’s  air  you  have  paid  to  heat.  Also  it’s  air  your  furnace  needs  for  proper  combustion:    if  you  have  the  Aireplace  going  in  the  dead  of  winter  and  the  

furnace  is  also  operating,  you  could  be  creating  a  dangerous  level  of  carbon  monoxide  gas  in  your  furnace  or  Aireplace.

According  to  the  Hearth  Patio  and  Barbecue  Association  (HPBA),  

preventative  maintenance  is  essential  when  using  a  wood-­‐burning  Aireplace.  The  HPBA  advises  that  the  chimney  be  inspected  each  year  and  cleaned  by  a  professional  to  check  for  obstructions  or  a  buildup  of  creosote.  The  chimney  should  be  capped  to  keep  animals  from  getting  inside.    The  Aireplace  should  be  kept  clean,  and  any  ashes  removed  should  be  put  in  a  Aire-­‐resistant  container.  If  the  walls  of  

A  Yearly  Check-­‐up  Keeps  You  Safe

WINTER MAINTENANCE PAGE10

H

WINTER MAINTENANCE PAGE11

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

the  chimney  appear  not  to  be  clean,  it’s  time  to  call  the  chimney  sweep.  Creosote  buildup  (see  photo  at  right)  over  time,  or  from  burning  green  or  softwood  such  as  pine  can  cause  a  chimney  Aire.

Gas  FireplacesA  gas  unit  inserted  into  an  existing  wood-­‐burning  Aireplace  is  more  efAicient,  eliminates  overheating  of  the  room  and  is  cost-­‐effective.  There  are  natural  gas  and  propane  models  that  don’t  require  a  stainless  steel  Alue  liner  or  even  a  chimney.    Fresh  air  for  combustion  and  exhaust  gases  comes  through  a  small  pipe  from  the  outside.  Gas  Aireplaces  must  be  installed  by  a  professional  and  should  receive  routine  maintenance  to  keep  them  in  good  working  condition.  If  a  Aireplace  of  this  type  malfunctions,  then  it  can  be  a  dangerous  situation.  Gas  Aireplaces  should  have  their  fan  and  air  passages  cleaned  and  vents  checked  to  ensure  that  they  are  clear  and  working  properly,  their  output  adjusted  and  their  logs  cleaned.  Batteries  should  be  checked  in  the  carbon  monoxide  detector.

Electric  FireplacesElectric  Aireplaces  are  among  the  safest  varieties  to  have  in  your  home,  but  they  also  require  care  and  maintenance  for  proper  functioning.  When  you  set  up  your  Aireplace,  make  sure  you  do  not  place  it  on  thick  carpeting,  as  it  can  block  the  air  inlets  that  can  

interfere  with  the  heater.  This  measure  can  prevent  a  Aire.  The  unit  should  be  inspected  regularly  to  make  sure  that  the  thermostat  is  working  properly  and  that  the  inside  of  the  unit  is  clean.  Make  sure  to  unplug  it  before  cleaning  or  maintaining  the  unit.  

So  keep  those  home  Aires  burning  bright  and  enjoy  the  peace  of  mind  that  comes  with  doing  annual  Aireplace  maintenance.    The  Farmer’s  Almanac  predictions  may  or  may  not  come  to  pass,  but  when  it  comes  to  your  family’s  safety,  leave  nothing  up  to  chance.

~ Bruce

WASAGA BEACH HAPPENINGS PAGE12

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The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

COLLINGWOOD & BLUE MOUNTAIN HAPPENINGS PAGE13

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s!

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

Contest!

To Win:The first person to email Bruce wins everlasting glory... and a Cineplex Night Out! Good luck, Home Hunters! You must be a member of our Facebook Business Page so click here to visit the page and hit the “Like” button:

“Who Lives Here?” Contest

JOKES & CONTEST PAGE14

David received a parrot for his birthday. This parrot was fully grown with a bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was an expletive. Those that weren't expletives were, to say the least, rude.

David tried hard to change the bird's attitude and was constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, and anything else that came to mind. Nothing worked. He yelled at the bird and the bird got worse. He shook the bird and the bird got madder and ruder.

Finally, in a moment of desperation, David put the parrot in the freezer. For

a few moments he heard the bird squawking, kicking and screaming and then, suddenly, all was quiet.

David, frightened that he might have actually hurt the bird, quickly opened the freezer door. The parrot calmly stepped out onto David's extended arm and said, "I'm sorry that I offended you with my language and actions. I ask for your forgiveness."

David was astounded at the bird's change in attitude and was about to ask what changed him when the parrot continued, "May I ask what the chicken did?"

Congratulations to our last speedy winner:Michelle Millson

Big Hint!Click Here!

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

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Bruce Johnson Photo ©

Johnson’

s Treehouse

THE BIG PICTURE PAGE15

Nothing you do for a child is ever wasted.

~ Garrison Keillor

The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”

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The Home Hunt: 1263 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 1A5 | 705-429-4500 x226 “A Moving Experience”