The Ontario Home Energy Savings Program (OHESP) is coming to a close as scheduled on March 31st, 2011.

Despite the federal government’s decision to cancel its contribution to OHESP in March, 2010, the Government of Ontario will continue its funding to help residents achieve their home energy efficiency goals until the scheduled close of the program in March of 2011.

Ontario’s updated long-term energy plan, Building Our Clean Energy Future sets ambitious North American leading conservation targets – calling for conservation of 4,550 MW by 2015 and 7,100 MW by 2030, the equivalent of taking 2.4 million homes off the grid. The plan also proposes providing continued support for home energy audits to help Ontarians identify areas where they can improve their energy efficiency.

A new suite of conservation programs for residential consumers is now offered by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), offering incentives, rebates, and in-store coupons to help Ontarians conserve energy and save money. For more information regarding OPA conservation programs, please visit the OPA website at http://www.powerauthority.on.ca or contact your Local Distribution Company (Toronto Hydro for example).

THERE IS STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE:
Just ensure that you have done all your eligible retrofits and have your post-retrofit (2nd) audit done by the March 31, 2011 end-date. Your Auditor will submit the necessary paperwork in order for you to qualify for OHESP rebates.

CLICK HERE to access the OHESP website

And what happened then? Well, in Uxbridge they say, that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!

To be honest, I’ve been a little bit of Grinch these past few years. Things just get too out of control at Christmas. To me the meaing of Christmas is about friends, family, and spending time with people close to you, even those that are not so close. Reminicing about the year gone by, spreading cheer, and getting to know those that you don’t know that well. 

Last year was my son’s first Christmas, my wife asked me to try and be a little bit less “Grinchy”. I obliged and made it through the season, and was glad that she had said something. This year I’ve been a lot less “Grinchy”. My wife and I are expecting our second child in early spring, and I will read the Grinch to my wifes belly, as I did when my son was in there. 

Christmas is what you make it, I saw a sign the other day: If Christmas isn’t it you, it won’t be under a tree…. a little inspring.

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope you enjoy your friends and family

As I walk around my new neighbourhood, I’m enjoying the sites of “KRIS-MAST LIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHTTTTTTTTTS” with my almost-2-year-old son, I’m reminded of both the beauty of the holidays, with the lights, bows, trees and wreaths that adorn each home, but also the dangers these present to our little ones.  Even in a home that is best “baby”-proofed all year round, the Holiday season presents special hazards: choking hazards, open flames, electrical wires…you name it, your baby/kid/pet can get into it!  Here’s some tips for making your Home a little safer over the Holidays:

1. Avoid decorating with real plants (poinsettias, mistletoe, etc)- although beautiful, these Holiday foliage favourites are all poisonous when ingested.  Fake is still fabulous, and a renewable resource year after year!

2. Keep candles out of reach, and burn only when someone is home to monitor the flame.

3.  Consider a screen or dividor around your tree- this will keep curious kids, cats and dogs away from the choking hazard the ornaments present. 

4. Be careful with extra extension cords for Christmas trees and other holiday electrical needs.  The last thing needed is a revisit from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation:

5. During holiday parties, keep food and drinks out the reach of little ones.  That brand new berber carpet isn’t looking for a red wine christening! 

6. Most accidents happen when the house is busy- everything thinks someone else is watching the children or pets.  Make sure you designate someone to keep a close eye when you’re busy in the kitchen or out on the roof stringing lights.

7. Make sure you check your live tree before you take it home to ensure it has not dried out.  Tap the tree branches to see if the needless fall off- if they do, its likely the tree has lost much of its moisture already since it has been cut.  In addition to the nuisance of dropping needles for the entire holiday season, a dry tree also poses a big fire risk.

So you’re thinking about moving, and the Holiday season is just around the corner- do you put your house up for sale, or do you wait until the New Year?  Many people disregard the Holiday Season as one of the best times of year for selling.  How do you ask?  If you observe the Christmas Holidays, your house is typically dressed up with ribbons and bows, a Holiday tree with gifts underneath, and likely greenery and garlands adorning the mantle and staircases.  Your house is aglow with colour, lights, character and scents of the season- what more could make it more “homey”? 

One may think that Open Houses, or showing traffic in general, would be slim pickings during the holiday season.  This is time for parties, and family get-togethers, and marathon trips to the mall to try to check off all the things for each girl and boy on your list!  Who has time to look at houses?  Well, good news for the sellers- your traffic will include only the most serious buyers looking for a home such as yours, and motivated to purchase.

I’ve posted a good deal of information previously about staging your home- essentially, paring down the decor to make the house more neutral.  This is the one time of year that “clutter” is okay, as long as it isn’t over the top.  My recommendation would be to keep those blow-up Santas and 8-foot tall nutcrackers in storage this year, and take out only those decorations that will best showcase your home.   A holiday wreath adorning your front door offers a festive welcome to future buyers, and with a few strategically placed evergreen planters, will certainly add to the curb appeal of your home.  Busy prepping for a holiday party, and there happens to be a showing in the middle of the afternoon?  Perhaps that would be the time to slide the apple pie in the oven, to allow for warm scents of cinnamon and sweet apples to fill the house, and offer an exceptional “welcome home” to your future buyers. 

As an extra feature, consider having a slideshow playing on a computer screen or digital photo frame of the house- indoors and out- during the summer months when gardens are in full bloom, and the back yard is showcased for outdoor entertaining.  This will also help the buyer to picture themselves in their new space. 

Finally, don’t forget to remove snow and ice from all walkways, driveways and patios- both for your safety, and the safety of those visiting the home.

　The Bank of Canada has officially presented the current interest rates- maintaining the target for overnight rates at 1% after 3 straight increases.  This leaves considerable money stimulous in place, and sets mortgage holders up for some low interest payments for another solid quarter. 

Highlights  

• The global recovery is expected to proceed at a more gradual pace than previously anticipated.

• The Canadian economy is entering a period of more modest growth, with real GDP projected to grow by 3.0 per cent in 2010, 2.3 per cent in 2011, and 2.6 per cent in 2012.

• The Canadian economy is expected to return to full capacity and inflation to the 2 per cent target by the end of 2012.

• On 19 October 2010, the Bank maintained the target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent.

• The Bank judges that the risks to the inflation outlook are roughly balanced.

There is nothing quite like your name in print to top off a successful month in Real Estate!  Many thanks to all of my clients who have put their trust in me for their biggest investments!

Have you ever been the not-so-proud owner of 4-wheeled “Lemon”?  Perhaps that used vehicle you purchased looked good on the lot, so much so that you waived the necessity for a certification before signing the deal.  Perhaps you had to replace the brakes a little sooner than you would have liked, or perhaps that break-down on the side of a highway en route to a very important meeting (and in a snowstorm, I might add!) is still etched in your brain.  This is the one time in life when no one is looking to make lemons into lemonade!

Ensuring you have your future property inspected prior to purchase can bring peace of mind when you sign on the dotted line.  A home inspection, completed by a qualified Home Inspector, will provide you with detailed information on the state, condition and quality of the home both inside and out- before you move in!  Any problems or issues will be brought to your attention as the buyer, and allow you time to make decisions about the value of the property, investment requirements for future upkeep, or negotiate on asking price prior to the close of the sale.

A comprehensive home inspection includes:

• a visual examination of the structure from top to bottom
• evaluation of all heating systems, air conditioning system
• evaluation of interior plumbing & electrical system
• roof and visible insulation
• evaluation of the walls, ceiling, floors, windows and doors
• foundation inspection
• basement review for structural integrity

Following the inspection, a great home inspector will provide you with a detailed report, outlining all findings- inclusive of both positive attributes of the home, and the less desired negative “issues”.

Your Home Inspector should be credible, experienced and knowledgeable.  Ensure you carefully enquire about the specifics of each Inspectors’ services, how long they have been in business, what insurance they carry, if they guarantee their inspections, and if they could provide references from previous customers.  Prices vary by geography.  The full inspection typically takes about three hours and will work through a detailed, comprehensive checklist. 

As a Buyer, the Home Inspection should be a necessary condition included in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale (aka- the “offer”), and a valuable service that should not be passed over.   That is, unless you like lemonade!

A good friend of mine, Brady Atkinson, owns his own Home Inspection Franchise (A Buyer’s Choice).   Feel free to contact him for your next property purchase!

Congrats to Trevor, Paula, Robin & Reid on the quick sale of 64 Russell Barton Lane. 

Its always tough to move out of your first family home, but its onward & upward to Third Avenue, Uxbridge!   Let the packing party begin!

22 Wheler Court closed last week- congrats to my good friends Matt, Tanya and Thomas on their move over to Wooden Sticks!  Best wishes in your new home!

As most of my friends well know, for 3 weeks in July, I’m the token bike geek that lives, breathes and speaks “THE TOUR”.  And any of you that are “tour junkies” year in and year out, will breathe a sigh of relief together with me to note that we are more than a week into the start of the tour and not. one. single. Bowflex. commercial.  *Whew!*  Thus said, here’s my favourite “sponsor” spot for 2010: