A panel of experts from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) board of directors advises against making hasty or uninformed choices by avoiding five common errors:

1. Not knowing what you can afford
Barbara Sukkau, president of OREA and a Realtor based in St. Catharines, says that mistakes made in a competitive environment can be costly and restrict lifestyle choices.

“Many people don’t know that there’s an easy way to calculate how much house they can afford to determine, regardless of competing bids, what lifestyle they want to maintain within the market,” says Sukkau. “In addition to the cost of the home, potential buyers should consider the land transfer tax, closing costs, moving costs and leave room for any unforeseen extras.”

In fact, Realtors often use a calculation called the Gross Debt Service Ratio. Sukkau explains how to calculate what you can afford at http://bit.ly/OREAaffordabilty.

2. Not preparing your finances, or getting pre-approved 
“Many sellers will require a potential buyer to get pre-approved. When there are competing bids on the house of your dreams, pre-approval could give you the edge,” says Patricia Verge, OREA board member working out of Ottawa.

“Pre-approval can take up to a few days after you provide your bank with things like verification of income and down payment,” Verge adds.

If a buyer meets the lender’s requirements, then written confirmation of pre-approval will be provided. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, this pre-approval is time sensitive and is not a guarantee of receiving a mortgage loan.

Verge also cautions buyers against using their pre-approval as a final budget. “Potential buyers should balance their debt load and other financial commitments with what the bank is willing to lend,” she says.

3. Not knowing your must-haves
Tom Lebour, OREA board member working out of Mississauga, notes that his clients aren’t always sure about what they’re looking for.

“Clients often fail to consider what amenities are in the neighbourhood they’re looking to buy in, especially when relocating from the city to the suburbs. How ‘walkable‘ is a neighbourhood to places like grocery stores, schools and banks? This feature is important to many homebuyers, but they can fail to think about it in the excitement about the number of bathrooms a house has. Create a list by thinking about a day in your life and the various things important to you and your family.”

4. Not getting a home inspection 
“I always advise buyers to have their own home inspection done, even if the seller offers the results of a previous inspection and even if others are keen to put in an offer,” says Phil Dorner, OREA board member working out of Belle River.

“Ensure that you have a qualified and bonded home inspector perform a full inspection as part of your offer. An investment of a few hundred dollars could save you thousands down the road.”

5. Getting emotions involved in negotiations 
Buyers and sellers will often let their emotions get the best of them, says Mike Douglas, OREA board member from Barrie.

“Emotions can get in the way of negotiations because sellers inadvertently assign real value to their memories, which don’t hold financial value for the buyer. We do our best to help our clients keep their emotions out of the equation,” Douglas says.

For more tips, visit orea.com and order your free books on home buying and selling. Or, check out Barb Sukkau’s video on what a Realtor can do for you.

Highlights:

• Sales activity rose in October, marking the highest level since January.
• Actual (not seasonally adjusted) national sales activity in October stayed in line with the 10-year average for the month, as it has most months this year.
• Year-to-date sales are also even with the 10-year average.
• The number of newly listed homes remained little changed from levels in the previous three months.
• While the combination of stronger sales and stable new listings resulted in a slightly tighter balance of supply and demand, the national housing market remains firmly rooted in balanced territory.
• The national average price posted a 5.5 per cent year-over-year gain in October, the smallest increase since January.

Homes sold through MLS® Systems of real estate Boards and Associations in Canada rose 1.2 per cent in October 2011 from the previous month. While national sales activity levels are still best described as average, the monthly rise in October sales built on the 2.5 per cent gain in September, and lifted activity to the highest level since January.

Just over half of all local markets posted monthly sales increases, led by gains in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

“There was no shortage of headline news in October about global financial market volatility and economic uncertainty, but it doesn’t appear to have dampened homebuyers’ spirits,” said Gary Morse, CREA’s President. “Interest rates are at low levels and are likely to stay that way for some time to come. Homebuyers clearly see the opportunities that the current interest rate environment presents. That said, all real estate is local, so buyers and sellers should consult their local REALTOR® for an understanding of opportunities in their housing market.”

As has been the case in most months this year, actual (not seasonally adjusted) national home sales in October stayed in line with the 10-year average for the month. Although up 8.5 per cent from levels one year ago, the gain in large part reflects last year’s nascent pick-up in activity following a mid-year lull.

A total of 397,561 homes have traded hands via Canadian MLS® Systems so far this year. This represents an increase of 1.8 per cent from levels in the first 10 months of 2010, but is directly in line with the 10-year average for the year-to-date figure.

The number of newly listed homes remained little changed in October compared with levels recorded in each of the previous three months.

“The prevailing economic outlook for Canada is one of slower but still positive economic growth, with heightened caution about investment and hiring decisions,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Consumer confidence and the housing sector are being supported by low interest rates and high employment levels, but their prospects depend on how Canada’s economic outlook evolves in response to global economic risks and outcomes in the months ahead.

Home sales activity over the past couple of months suggests buyers are confident that the Canadian economy will remain relatively unscathed by global economic risks, since every home purchase is a homebuyer’s vote of confidence in the future. That confidence is no doubt rooted in the success of coordinated fiscal and monetary policy responses that helped quickly pull Canada out of the last recession, and a stated willingness and ability to carry out further policy actions if need be.”

While the combination of stable new listings and stronger sales made for a slightly tighter balance between supply and demand in October, the national housing market remains firmly rooted in balanced territory. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of market balance, stood at 53.4 per cent in October, up from 52.8 per cent in September.

Based on a sales-to-new listings ratio from 40 to 60 percent, about 60 per cent of local markets in Canada were in balanced market territory in October. Of the remaining markets, there was a handful more seller’s markets than buyers’ markets.

The number of months of inventory stood at six months at the end of October on a national basis, little changed from the end of September (6.1 months). It has remained stable at about six months since April. The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is another measure of the balance between housing supply and demand.

The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average price for homes sold in October 2011 stood at $362,899. This is up 5.5 per cent from October 2010, making it the smallest increase since January.

Highlights:

• Sales activity was stable from July to August, but posted another big year-over-year gain reflecting weakened demand last summer.
• Year-to-date sales pulled ahead of 2010 levels for the first time this year, and remain in line with the ten-year average.
• The number of newly listed homes was also little changed from July to August.
• The national housing market stayed firmly entrenched in balanced territory.
• There were more balanced local markets in August than at any other time on record.
• The national average price posted another year-over-year gain in August, but has moderated from elevated levels earlier this year.
• Upward skewing of the national average price is diminishing due to fewer expensive sales and a declining share of national activity in Vancouver andToronto.

For a second consecutive month, national home sales activity held steady in August 2011 when compared to the previous month. Among major urban centres, Toronto and Ottawa posted a monthly increase in activity while Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver saw activity decline slightly.

“The housing market in Canada remained on a firm footing in August when compared to volatile financial markets,” said Gary Morse, CREA President. “Through their actions, homebuyers are showing that they remain confident about the stability of the Canadian housing market, and recognize that the continuation of low interest rates represents an excellent opportunity to buy their first home or trade up.”

Actual (not seasonally adjusted) sales activity came in 15.8 per cent above national levels reported one year earlier. This was the largest year-over-year increase since last April, but largely reflects weakened activity one year ago.

A total of 324,030 homes have traded hands via Canadian MLS® Systems so far this year. While this stands only marginally above levels in the first eight months of last year, it nevertheless marks the first time this year that year-to-date activity has pulled ahead of 2010 levels.

As has been the case for much of this year, the year-to-date sales figure continues to run in line with the ten-year average.

The number of newly listed homes nationally was also little changed from July to August. This kept the national housing market firmly planted in balanced territory. The national sales-to-new listings ratio, a measure of market balance, stood at 51.6 per cent in August, unchanged compared to July.

Based on a sales-to-new listings ratio of between 40 to 60 per cent, 70 per cent of all local markets in Canada were in balanced market territory in August – a greater percentage than at any other time on record. There were just 12 buyers’ markets in August, which was the lowest figure so far this year.

The number of months of inventory stood at 6.2 months at the end of August on a national basis, which is little changed from the end of July (6.1 months). The national months of inventory figure has been stable at about six months since April. The number of months of inventory represents the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity, and is another measure of the balance between housing supply and demand.

The actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average price for homes sold in August 2011 stood at $349,916. This is 7.7 per cent above its year-ago level, which marked the low point for 2010.

The national average price has moderated compared to earlier this year, with sales activity in Vancouver, and more recently in Toronto, exerting less of an effect on the national average. Their share of provincial and national sales activity reached unusually elevated levels earlier this year, but has since receded in line with normal seasonal variations.

“Once again, economic and financial market headwinds outside Canada are keeping interest rates lower for longer,” said Gregory Klump, CREA’s Chief Economist. “Those headwinds will likely persist until, and indeed after, fiscal quagmires in the U.S. and Europe are resolved. In the meantime, the Bank ofCanada will have ample reason to delay raising interest rates further, which is supportive for the Canadian housing market.”

“Our research indicates that Canadians don’t stay in one home too long,” says Farhaneh Haque, Director, Mortgage Advice, TD Canada Trust. “Before making the decision to move, explore all your options and ensure that your new home will suit your changing needs and lifestyle.  It might be more affordable to renovate and make your current home work for you.”

The top five features that Canadians felt they compromised on when they purchased their previous home that they are not willing to budge on this time are price (34%), layout of home (33%), features of home (31%), garage or sheltered parking (30%) and number of bedrooms (28%).

“If you are dissatisfied with something like the layout or features of your home, a renovation can be a convenient option to save the hassle and expense of moving. A Home Equity Line of Credit will allow you to use the equity you’ve built up in your home to finance the renovation.  Further, if you do ultimately decide to sell, the renovation could increase your resale value,” says Haque.

Fifty percent of repeat buyers considered a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) and are just as likely to say they would like to have it simply as a cushion (46%) as for the purposes of a renovation (45%). Thirty percent would use the line of credit for investment purposes.

Timing is everything: Canadians think it’s a good time to buy – and to sell

In this year’s survey, Canadians were more likely to say that investment opportunities and market conditions played a factor in their decision to buy another home (both at 21% versus 15% in 2010). The large majority (82%) plan to sell their current home and of those who are selling, four in five expect to sell at or above asking price (78% versus 66% in 2010).

Among those who have purchased a second home and do not plan to sell their previous home, 42% will keep the first home as a rental property.  More buyers this year than last indicated that they will stay in their current home and the new home they purchase will be a rental property (32% versus 20% in 2010).

Interestingly, there was a big increase this year in the number of buyers who said that rather than selling their current home, a family member will move into it (12% versus 4% in 2010).

“Buyers should keep in mind that if they are expecting to sell above asking price, it’s likely they will need to also buy at above asking price,” says Haque. “A home is, obviously, a very big purchase – especially if you will not be selling your previous home to put towards the cost. A mortgage expert at your bank can walk you through your financing options and show you strategies and products that may save you money and provide flexibility over the course of your mortgage.”

Canadians are savvier sellers than last year

The report showed that 63% of Canadians have a mortgage on the home they are moving from and 69% will take out a mortgage on their new home.

In 2010, nearly three in ten Canadians (27%) who planned to sell their home didn’t know they had options when it came to their mortgage.  This year, that number decreased to only 9%.  Thirty-eight percent of sellers say they will bring their mortgage with them and 14% say they will use it as a selling feature. Although they say they are aware of the options, 39% haven’t considered what they will do.

“It’s just as important to consider your mortgage options as a seller as when you are buying. You may be overlooking your mortgage as an important selling feature of your home or you may be able to save money by keeping your low rate and bringing your mortgage terms with you. Talk to an expert to find out what option might work for you,” says Haque.

Three-dimensional entertainment is the hottest trend, both at home and in theaters, and it doesn’t show signs of abating any time soon. If you’ve already decided to make the commitment to a 3-D TV, it probably makes sense to create an optimum viewing environment so you can get the most enjoyment out of your investment.

Whether you’re creating a 3-D home theater from scratch or upgrading an existing home theater to 3-D, you should keep a few considerations in mind. The home entertainment furnishing and accessories experts at Sanus offer some advice for your 3-D home theater:

Bigger is better

While advances in high-definition viewing mean you can now get a great image on virtually any size set, when it comes to 3-D viewing a larger screen will provide optimum enjoyment. Choose the largest screen you can afford and that you have space for. You’ll also need to arrange seating to allow more distance between the larger 3-D TV and your eyes, to help minimize eye strain. Sanus recommends positioning a TV so your eyes are level with the middle of the screen. For most people, this is between 40 and 60 inches off the ground.

A wall mount that provides a full range of motion, like the VLF311 Super Slim, will make it easier to achieve the proper distance and viewing angle for your 3-D TV. Plus, wall mounting a flat screen more closely evokes the movie theater experience.

Dark is desirable

Minimizing light is important for any home theater, but even more so for 3-D viewing. No matter how good your 3-D set is, if the room is too bright your enjoyment of the images will suffer; 3-D images are significantly less bright than 2-D ones. If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated home theater room, paint the walls in dark colors. Use carpeting to eliminate reflection off floors, and room-darkening blinds or drapes to cover windows.

Be aware of items in the room that might create reflections such as glass or lights near the screen. Move items away from the screen that might distract your vision. For example, if you choose to wall mount your 3-D TV above a fireplace, remove everything from the mantel beneath it and cover the glass fireplace screen with something nonreflective.

Functional furnishings

After spending the money on a 3-D TV, it would really drag down your home theater experience to have components like your 3-D Blu-ray player sitting on the floor. Furnishings made to house components not only create a neat, orderly environment, they can help protect and preserve expensive electronic equipment.

You can find a wide variety of home theater furniture, from speaker stands to devices that mount components on the wall, at sanus. Finally, don’t forget to include a dedicated place to store and charge your 3-D glasses. These costly, delicate devices are essential for 3-D viewing, and it will be more cost-effective in the long run to spend a little bit of money creating a safe spot in which to house them, than it will be to keep replacing lost or damaged ones.

Original article ARAContent

An average home goes for $373,000 nationwide, while in Vancouver the average price is $815,000. But BMO senior economist Sal Guatieri says a correction in Vancouver will likely be less severe than previous ones.

“Four corrections in the past three decades saw declines averaging 21 per cent. However, if interest rates stay low and wealthy immigrants continue to pour into the city, prices could stabilize sooner than in past downturns,” he said in a statement.

Vancouver’s house prices have nearly tripled in the last decade. The BMO report says demand from China has been strong, because of fewer travel restrictions and stricter purchase rules and high prices there.

Vancouver’s prices, after only being a tad higher than those in Toronto in the early 2000s, are now 71 per cent higher than those in Canada’s largest city.

The BMO report says average housing prices across the country have doubled in the past decade, to a new high hit in April.

“Prices are 5.1 times median family income and housing costs an extra two years of gross income compared to 2001, when the boom began and valuations were closer to historic norms,” Guatieri said.

The report says historically low interest rates have yet to make housing affordability a major issue yet, but that could change if there’s even a moderate rise in interest rates.

The report compared Vancouver’s market to those in Toronto and Calgary. Toronto’s prices should be stable in a low interest-rate climate, the report says, but could soften if rates increase in the next few years. Calgary’s housing prices have doubled within the last four years, but have yet to hit the highs set before the recession.

“Barring a sharp pullback in energy prices, Calgary’s house prices stand a reasonable chance of growing alongside incomes in coming years,” Guatieri said.

Average home prices in April 2011: (10-year change in brackets)

• Nationwide: $373,000 (122 per cent)
• Nationwide (without Vancouver): $337,000 (111 per cent)
• Vancouver: $815,000 (188 per cent)
• Calgary: $412,000 (127 per cent)
• Toronto: $477,000 (91 per cent)

The Right Cut: Starting off with a quality steak is the first step. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you do want the best you can get for what you can afford. Talk to a butcher or visit a farmer’s market and take advantage of their knowledge.

Ready For The Heat: Let the meat come to room temperature and then rub it with olive oil. If you’re using a less-tender cut, you can marinate it ahead of time to tenderize the meat. Many cooks prefer to save the seasoning until the meat has cooked, while other lightly season before it hits the grill.

Grill Time: Get the barbecue very hot with the lid closed, but cook the steak with the lid open. When the barbecue is hot, put the steaks on. A quarter-turn after a few minutes will result in attractive cross-hatched grill marks. Flip only once during cooking, when the grill-side of the meat is about 75% cooked. This is usually when juices begin to bubble up on the red top. With experience, you’ll learn when a steak is reaching your desired level of doneness, but a meat thermometer can help until you get there.

Rest Period: Once your steak is nearly done, remove from the grill and tent with foil. Let it rest for five minutes so juices are reabsorbed into the meat. Serve and enjoy.

Original article via newscanada.com

Composting is not only good for the garden; it’s good for the environment. Roughly one-third of household waste is made up of organic material which can be composted. By diverting kitchen scraps and lawn and garden clippings from your regular household waste stream, you can make a significant reduction in the amount of garbage going to local landfill sites.

How it Works

A rich, dark, soil-like material, compost is formed when microscopic bacteria which live in soil and wastes begin to eat away at organic matter, causing the compost pile to heat up. Once enough heat is generated, the wastes start to break down.

The amount of time it takes for compost to form depends on what’s in the pile and how regularly it’s turned. It’s very important to keep the pile moist, but not wet.

The material should be turned every two or three weeks or when it becomes compacted or develops an odour.

Compost Material

Things you can compost include leaves, wood ash from fireplaces or woodstoves, coffee grounds, tea bags, nut and egg shells, lawn and garden clippings, fruit and vegetable wastes and leaves.

Be sure not to put in materials like pet wastes, charcoal or coal ashes, dairy products, fats, oils or oily foods, meats, bones or fat. It’s also a good idea to steer clear of throwing mature weeds in your compost pile because they could contaminate the compost and, eventually, your soil.

Your compost heap can be as simple as a small, three-sided bin, or as fancy as a covered, multiple-bin unit. You can make your own composter quite easily with some lumber as seen in the photo.

Getting Started

To start with, make sure you place your compost bin in a well-drained area of your property. When starting your compost heap, put down a layer of kitchen and yard wastes first, then add some soil, along with some commercial compost or manure to give the process a little extra help in getting started. Once these initial layers are formed, continue to add organic material, along with shovelfuls of soil.

Be sure to turn the pile so that everything decomposes. Turning the pile on a regular basis ensures that air is circulating, and that the pile is not overly moist or dry. You can avoid compost odors by always covering wastes with a layer of soil about one inch in thickness. Experts also suggest that no layer of material exceed a depth of four to six inches.

Also keep in mind that it takes longer for large pieces of material in a compost heap to break down. Try to restrict pieces of waste to one inch or less in size; these are ideal.

When your compost is ready to be used, it will be crumbly and soil-like in appearance. You may want to use a screen to sift out any large pieces of material which haven’t fully decayed.

Applications

Compost can be used to prepare garden beds before planting. It can also be used around trees and shrubs. As well, you can make a nutrient-rich solution for your garden plants out of compost and water. You can spread it over your veggie garden, like this one located close to the composter. A fenced-in garden keeps away woodland critters that may munch away your prized veggies.

This fenced garden and timber edged-composter is located in Marmora, at a rural log home and chalet on 1.5 acres. The estate is listed for sale at $699,900.

REALTOR® is a registered trademark of REALTOR Canada Inc., a company owned equally by The Canadian Real Estate Association and the National Association of REALTORS® and refers to registered real estate practitioners who are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association. Used under license. Source: Ontario Real Estate Association.

For many people, just the act of digging in the soil can be very uplifting. But equally satisfying is the beauty a well-kept garden can add to your home. If you are thinking of selling your home, landscaping can actually increase your home’s “curb appeal” and “saleability.”

Even if you don’t consider yourself a green thumb, you can enjoy the art of adding colour and life to your garden. And, there are plenty of places to turn for tips and advice. Your local library or bookstore will have a variety of books and magazines to help you and the Internet has an abundance of gardening information as well.

Where to begin

You may be looking out the window at a lot of dead plants, leaves and debris leftover from the winter. The first job for most people will be a thorough clean up of your yard, planters and flowerbeds.

Create a plan

Take care to plan your garden before you start buying flowers and shrubs. Because garden centers are so busy at this time of year, it’s a good idea to bring along a sketch of what you want your garden to look like. Consider sunny and shady areas of your yard and decide where you want flowers, shrubs and vegetables to grow. Also be sure to think about a colour scheme, varying heights and widths of plants as well as blooming schedules. You don’t want the whole show to take place in early spring or summer.

Your local garden center can help you choose a combination of perennials, shrubs and annuals that will provide continuous colour throughout the entire growing season and into the fall. Many will even provide landscape design services free of charge provided you purchase the plants from them.

When to start

Once you start seeing tulips and other spring bulbs come into bloom, the soil is usually warm enough to start digging. The ground should also be thawed enough to divide and move perennial flowers and herbs, plant shrubs and trees and to start rejuvenating your lawn. It’s also a good time to prune bushes.

Spring gardening tips

Here’s a few more tips to get your garden growing this spring – check with your local garden center for more advice:

• Prepare your flower beds by deeply digging the soil and adding composted manure. Loosen heavy clay soil by adding peat moss.
• Plant perennials now and enjoy them for years to come. Pay attention to different blooming times and plan for a sequence of color all season long.
• Tidy up your spring bulbs by removing faded flowers. Don’t cut down the leaves of your spring bulbs until the foliage turns brown. Bulbs need their leaves to replenish food reserves for next year’s flowers.
• Plant summer flowering bulbs such as Freesia, Gladiolus, Dahlias, Lilies and Anemonies.
• Plant annuals and vegetables once all risk of frost has passed.

A well-planned and maintained landscape will beautify your home and provide an oasis for the senses. Here is a home with gardens that have become an extension of the home’s living space – outdoors. This century home in Campbellford is within walking distance to shops, schools, restaurants, walking trails and waterfront parks along the Trent Canal. The gardens include privacy decking and landscaped patios to create outdoor rooms to enjoy living beyond the indoors. Asking $194,900.

REALTOR® is a registered trademark of REALTOR Canada Inc., a company owned equally by The Canadian Real Estate Association and the National Association of REALTORS® and refers to registered real estate practitioners who are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association. Used under license.

Source: Ontario Real Estate Association.

Providing a food source is the way to lure them to your sight lines to enjoy their antics and beauty.

Landscaping for wildlife is gardening with food sources that attract various species of birds, squirrels and other mammals in mind. Native plants require the least amount of care, and are a good source of fruits, seeds and nectar.  Birds play an important part in planning your natural habitat garden. Study the various bird species in your area, and what types of food source they prefer. This way you can select a variety of shrubs and even perennials that can attract the bird species you enjoy observing.

You will end up creating a naturally sustainable environment since natural scarification of seeds birds have eaten occurs during digestion. The seeds are passed in excrement, landing where it will surly grow to produce fruit and nectar for the next generation.  It is your choice to keep the new plants or treat them as weeds.  You may transplant them once they have started growing if you don’t like where the birds planted them. Berry-bearing native vines are another plant you may see sprouting up in your habitat.

The wildlife part of you landscape may appear a little rugged, compared to traditional clipped lawns and manicured flower beds. You can designate a section of your garden design to be the “wildflower” or “natural habitat” garden.  Edge it with rockery to define the edges, or create a pond, or timber fencing or create a “gateway” with trellises and vines to make a transition to your personal nature reserve.

If you have a sunny open area, wildflowers that attract butterflies can produce a magnificent display of monarchs and other species.  Six hours of full sunlight daily is generally listed as one of the requirements for most annuals and perennials that butterflies prefer as a nectar source. The butterflies also favor sunny locations.

Consider adding a birdbath or butterfly hibernation box to your butterfly garden. These are additions that are both useful and pleasing to the eye. Butterflies need water, especially on hot summer days. A flat rock placed in the middle of a birdbath gives butterflies a place to drink. Hibernation boxes provide some shelter from the elements even though very few species of butterflies actually hibernate. Popular also among butterflies are large, dark, flat rocks placed about the garden for sunning.

Other elements to add to your wildlife garden are bird feeders with various seed types to attract the different bird species. A humming bird feeder with a water/sugar mix to attract the tiny elusive humming bird. And for country estates where you can have the magnificent deer browse through, there are bags of deer feed available to scatter out to invite them to dine at your own back window.

Remember, if you start a feeding program, these animals will begin to become dependent on you. If you leave for a winter holiday for an extended period of time, make sure you make arrangements not to interrupt your established refill schedule of seeds and feed!

Here is a home set on its own wildlife refuge: 5.95 acres on the shores of Belmont Lake. Expect visiting fauna such as red squirrels, deer, otters and varieties of waterfowl at the waterfront.The back gardens harbour several bird feeders that attract Chickadees, Blue Jays, Cardinals and a friendly Red Squirrel. The nature boardwalk was built across wetlands where nesting Wooducks, Mallards and even a Loon can be seen out in the open waters upon approach to the deeper lake waters.  This home set in its own nature retreat is available for $509,900.

source: www.backyardwildlifehabitat.info

Low interest rates and a recovering economy continued to fuel activity in Canada’s housing markets over the past year, which has led to country-wide increases in average home prices. In the first quarter of 2011, the national average price of a detached bungalow rose 4.3 per cent year-over-year to $341,355, while standard two-storey homes rose 3.5 per cent to $379,388 and standard condominiums rose 4 per cent to $237,919.

“The rate at which Canadian homes are appreciating may well have peaked for the next year or so,” said Phil Soper, president and chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services. “We expect house prices will continue to creep up, but most of the excess demand created by the initial drop in interest rates has been satisfied, and affordability continues to erode slowly, allowing the listings supply to catch up. In most markets, lower single digit percentage increases are more likely for the balance of the year.”

In the first quarter of 2011, certain markets such as Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax continued to experience significant price gains compared to the same period a year earlier, largely due to favourable regional demographic shifts and healthy local economies.

“Canada’s real estate market has maintained momentum coming out of 2010, indicating that the post-recession recovery is continuing,” Soper added. “While low interest rates continue to drive demand, the tepid pace at which employment levels are improving is tempering the rate of home price appreciation in many Canadian cities. The exception to this trend can be seen in markets like Vancouver, where foreign buyers, particularly from China, are driving demand in select mid-to-high priced markets, and driving up the regional average reported home prices at a surprising pace. In Montreal and Halifax, demand from first-time buyers and purchasers of luxury homes are creating significant year-over-year gains in home values.”

Among the best performing markets in the first quarter of 2011, Vancouver’s standard two-storey homes increased 9.7 per cent year-over-year to $1,083,750. Detached bungalows in Montreal rose 7.6 per cent year-over-year to $276,343 and standard condominiums in Halifax rose 13.1% year-over-year to $191,500.

Meanwhile, year-over-year price appreciation softened in St. John’s where the market is cooling down after an extended period of double digit price increases. In Saint John, detached bungalows dropped 6.3 per cent year-over-year to $178,000. While the medium-term prospects for the housing market in Alberta’s major cities remains very positive, the city of Calgary in particular is still adjusting to the rapid pace at which home prices appreciated in the middle of the past decade. The average price of a standard two-storey Calgary home was down 2.1 per cent year-over-year to $423,122.

Regional Market Summaries

Halifax witnessed the largest year-over-year price gains in Atlantic Canada, and some of the highest gains nationally, including the largest increase in standard condominiums rising 13.1 per cent.

Montreal continued to post strong gains as standard condominiums posted a year-over-year increase of 8.7 per cent, while detached bungalows rose 7.6 per cent.

Ottawa’s first-time buyers continue to drive the housing market as the region saw year-over-year price appreciation ranging between 5.2 to 5.9 per cent across all housing types surveyed this quarter.

Toronto’s detached bungalows and standard condominiums made healthy gains increasing 4.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent respectively. Demand for detached bungalows was driven by first-time buyers concerned with potentially rising interest rates and developers who are rebuilding or renovating the homes into larger units.

Winnipeg’s standard two-storey homes posted strong year-over-year gains rising 7.1 per cent to an average price of $297,125, second only to Vancouver in growth and tied with Halifax for this housing type.

While Saskatoon’s housing market posted modest changes, the three housing types surveyed in Regina made healthy year-over-year gains ranging from 3.2 per cent to 5.4 per cent.

Edmonton’s housing market stabilized with year-over-year price changes ranging from minus 1.8 per cent to increases of 2.3 per cent.

Calgary’s house prices saw modest year-over-year depreciation across all three housing types surveyed as a result of an increase in inventory. This coupled with low interest rates has presented attractive opportunities for potential buyers.

Driven by low interest rates, single family homes in Vancouver again dominated house price gains as two-storey houses rose year-over-year by 9.7 per cent. Although inventory is down slightly from last year, listings are keeping pace with demand.

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

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.

Royal LePage Q1 2011 House Price Survey – Data Chart

How much will it cost?

Kitchen renovations can cost you anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 for a cosmetic facelift with no new cabinets, plumbing or electrical changes. Look to spend at least $10,000 if you choose new low-end cabinetry, counters, appliances, flooring, paint, and some minor structural changes. However, the sky’s the limit when it comes to a new kitchen and you can expect to pay $20,000 and up for high quality cabinets, custom work and many upgrades.

Keeping costs down

There are ways to cut costs when updating your kitchen without sacrificing quality.  Regardless of what you do budget, you should get the best you can afford. If your budget is tight and smaller projects are what you’re aiming for, here are a few ideas with the main goal to create a bright and open modern space:

Resurface or repaint old cupboards

Paint is inexpensive and can transform wooden cupboards in a matter of hours. Try a new painting technique, or a textured look, or a zesty combination of colours. You can also resurface old cupboards with wood laminate, or one of the new, non-traditional plastic-based materials that resist chipping, denting and staining. Formica counter tops, for example, provide the look and feel of expensive solid surfacing at about half the cost.

Use more glass

Replace a few cabinets with glass ones. Glass and mirrors in a room add the illusion of more space, as well as glamour — especially if you add interior lights to your new cupboards.

Change your hardware

Simply adding new cabinet and drawer handles can change the look of a kitchen! With the many choices in colour, size and style of drawer knobs and handles, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Floor and wall facelifts

Paint, wallpaper and flooring in a variety of textures, styles, colours and patterns can easily spice up a bland kitchen. Stencil a border around a window,below a ceiling, or between the cupboards and the counter tops and you can change the mood overnight.

Be innovative

A good kitchen should not only look great, but stand up to daily wear and tear. It should function well and enable people to move freely between it and related areas of the house.

A great room with kitchen was built as an addition to a 35 year old home. The renovation increased the home’s total square footage.  The bright open-concept room with large windows, a walk-out to a balcony, many pot lights, neutral colours and gleaming porcelain floors have created a modern open feel to an original older-style home.  This Trent Hills home is currently for sale at an asking price of $329,900.

If you plan to completely remodel the kitchen, be honest about your ability. You may want to leave this important job in the hands of an expert who can do the work quickly and professionally. A kitchen designer/contractor can suggest unique ideas and come up with creative solutions to particular problems. Finally, be sure to get at least two bids on the work you plan to do and compare these carefully.

REALTOR® is a registered trademark of REALTOR Canada Inc., a company owned equally by The Canadian Real Estate Association and the National Association of REALTORS® and refers to registered real estate practitioners who are members of The Canadian Real Estate Association. Used under license. Source: Ontario Real Estate Association.

“In a more balanced housing market, it makes sense that younger and first time homebuyers are waiting to assess all of their options and do their research before buying a home,” said Bernice Dunsby, director of Client Acquisition, Home Equity, RBC. “It’s also important to get expert advice on what you can afford and leave yourself with a little extra wiggle room in your budget so you don’t become house poor, as home maintenance and lifestyle costs can add up.”

The poll found that younger Canadians are more likely to purchase a home than other age groups, as 43 per cent (aged 18-34) are looking to buy in the next two years, compared to the national average of 29 per cent. Older Canadians are much less likely to buy in the next two years, including those aged 35-54 (29 per cent) and over-55 (17 per cent).

When looking for advice on purchasing a home, younger homebuyers (aged 18-34) are more likely to use real estate websites (55 per cent) or family (48 per cent) and friends (35 per cent). The majority of older Canadians, aged 45-54 and over-55, are more likely to rely on a real estate agent as their choice for advice, at 71 per cent and 74 per cent respectively. “Being prepared and working with a mortgage specialist will help you buy with confidence and give you expert advice on current financing options,” added Dunsby. “Having a mortgage pre-approval is a critical component of buying a home, particularly for younger homebuyers. It presents you as a serious purchaser to both realtors and sellers.”

According to the poll, younger Canadians (aged 18-34) are most concerned about having a good down payment (23 per cent) and rising real estate prices (23 per cent) when looking to buy a home. Canadians aged 35-54 are most concerned with rising prices, as 24 per cent are worried about mortgage rates and 25 per cent about home prices increasing. Canadians over the age of 55 list increasing home prices (36 per cent) as their biggest worry when deciding to purchase a home.

While 43 per cent of younger Canadians (aged 18-34) are paying off their mortgage faster than they expected, two-thirds (66 per cent) say it is larger than they would like it to be.

5 tips for Canadians looking to buy a home:

Leave some wiggle room: Line up your paycheque and compare it to your total costs. Make sure that you have enough left over for new furniture, repairs and costs of living. Do a spending analysis to see what the total costs of homeownership would be relative to your lifestyle and build that into your plan (i.e. if you enjoy eating out or going to the gym).

The power of the pre-approval and stress test: Make sure you have your financing in order before you start your search – it will show sellers and real estate agents that you’re serious.Mortgage pre-approvals have no obligation and help lock in your interest rate. Work with a professional mortgage specialist to test your mortgage for potential mortgage rate and cost increases to make sure you can handle it.

Don’t overbuy: Be realistic in choosing a home that’s within your means and make concessions on what you’re looking for. Set aside a budget for ongoing home maintenance and potential cost increases (for utilities, taxes and fees). Online tools and calculators can help you plan your budget.

Look at payment flexibility: Look at a mortgage that provides you with the option of doubling up your mortgage payment or putting down a lump sum payment once a year. Doubling up your mortgage payment just once per year can save you tens of thousands in interest costs and take years off your mortgage amortization period.

Don’t forget closing costs: Closing costs are typically one to two per cent of your final purchase price. Build this into your budget along with the cost of new appliances, utility and cable hookup and moving costs.

Types of homes are Canadians looking to buy?:

Younger Canadians (ages 18-34)

• Detached house 59 per cent
• Condo/loft 15 per cent
• Semi detached house 10 per cent
• Townhouse 10 per cent

Mid-range Canadians (ages 35-54)

• Detached house 71 per cent
• Condo/loft 10 per cent
• Semi detached house eight per cent
• Townhouse seven per cent

Older Canadians (55 and older)

• Detached house 68 per cent
• Condo/loft 15 per cent
• Semi detached house five per cent
• Townhouse five per cent

Each heat source has its advantages and disadvantages and the cost often depends on the state of the economy and the cost of oil at the time. The best thing to do is to have two or more different heat sources in your home to offset the one that is most expensive at the time.

The old oil furnace is being phased out with lighter, cheaper heating models. Oil tanks are considered environmentally risky in case of leaks, need to be upgraded to be insurable every 15 years and if not stored outside, leave a residue fuel smell inside the home. You can get fireplaces that connect to your oil tank for an additional heat source besides the central furnace heat.

Electric heat is clean, has no smell, is quiet and easy to use.  An electric fireplace is easy to plug in wherever you have an electric outlet to create instant ambiance in a room.  This is a simulated fireplace experience, and is really a fancy electric heater for a room that could use supplementary heat.  If you move from your home, this type of ‘fireplace’ is considered furniture and you can take it with you and plug it in at your new house!  There are many smart-looking electric “fireplaces’ with polished wood frames and mantels you can shop for at the local furniture store.

A traditional fireplace that requires a chimney is not considered the most efficient type of heat for a home

A traditional fireplace that requires a chimney is not considered the most efficient type of heat for a home, but often considered the most romantic and visually appealing. Modern wood fireplaces now have built-in fans to distribute the heat into the room rather than losing it up the chimney.  And modern wood-stoves are built to radiate heat in the home. The most attractive classic fireplace would be a natural stone, floor-to-ceiling architectural element with large wood mantelpiece that dominates a room.

This fieldstone fireplace is located in an Ontario open-concept home with great-room, which allows plenty of height and space to display the centrally located two-sided wood fireplace. An additional wood fireplace is located in the lower level to take advantage of the massive chimney built through the home. The home is available for sale at $389,000.

Many other types of heaters, try to mimic the wood fireplace or wood-stove “look” and ambiance. If you live in a municipality that offers natural gas lines, then it would be advantageous to connect to this source. Newer high-efficiency gas furnaces or stoves don’t need a chimney but can exhaust from a side wall vent, need a draft hood, electric ignition and powered exhaust system.

You can install a compact natural gas fireplace model or one that looks like a ‘wood-style’ stove.  If there is no natural gas line installed in your area, as most rural areas in Ontario don’t, then we often see propane cylinders and tanks set just outside the home for the interior gas stove. The propane tanks are refilled by a gas truck a few times through the year as required.

This wood-style gas stove is located in an Ontario bungalow originally designed to be heated with electric baseboard heaters

This style of gas stove creates an ambiance in the family room as if it were a wood stove, but there is no no mess or chores to lug in wood logs from the outdoors. This supplemental heat source is from municipal natural gas lines, for a consistent fuel source for clean and efficient heat and has enhanced the home’s value which is currently for sale at $224,900.

Astrid Hood

If you have any questions about locating properties in Ontario please feel free to contact our realty expert Astrid Hood of Remax Eastern Realty Inc., Brokerage at astridhood@remax.net or by toll free at 1-800-567-4546

Follow Astrid on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/AstridHoodRemax

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Re/Max reported that buyers were asked to rank home renovations in terms of their relative value and importance. In this study, for homes in the $140,000 to $250,000 price range, bathrooms, kitchen taps and plumbing offered a return in investment (ROI) of 67% to 70%.  For homes in the $250,00 to $400,000+ price range, the ROI for bathrooms, kitchen taps and plumbing was around 43% to 54%.  Based on these figures and your home’s value, you can decide how much it would be worth for you to invest on your home’s bathroom prior to listing it for sale.  Your neighbourhood Re/Max REALTOR® will be able to research your neighbourhood home values.  Your REALTOR® can discuss the features of your property and how it stacks up against comparable properties in the local area.

Create a spa-like environment in your bathroom.

Even smaller fixes will make a big difference when it is time to stage your home to present it for sale. According to Ontario Real Estate Association’s, “How to Sell Your Home, A step-by-step guide for home owners”, if you are not up to major renovations you should at least make sure that:

• every surface is sparkling clean
• the counter tops are organized, free of clutter and there is fresh soap
• sinks are spotlessly clean, faucets working properly and leak-free
• tub and shower surfaces are free of dirt, stains and tile grout clean
• towels are stain-free and hanging neatly
• shower curtain is clean and in good repair
• toilet is extra clean and working properly
• cupboards are organized and clutter-free
• medicine cabinet is clean, organized and personal items removed

For a home that is a higher investment value, Re/Max recommends your goal should be to create a spa-like environment in your bathroom.  The adjacent photo displays a clean and modern bathroom with soaker tub with relaxing jets.  The use of brights lights and mirrors create an illusion of a larger space.

The use of bright lights and mirrors create an illusion of a larger space

The room is clutter-free with minimal personal items on counter-tops or in cabinets.  The room has a privacy panel between toilet and jet-soaker tub.  There is a separate vanity table in an adjoining powder room with another sink, framed mirrors and mirrored walk-in closet.  The highlight of this elegant bathroom are the heated Italian porcelain floors that warm the toes and will make a buyer surely fall in love with this home.

The home and guest chalet with this luxury bathroom is located in Marmora, Ontario and is available for sale for $850,000.

Astrid Hood

If you have any questions about locating properties in Ontario please feel free to contact our realty expert Astrid Hood of Remax Eastern Realty Inc., Brokerage at astridhood@remax.net or by toll free at 1-800-567-4546

Follow Astrid on TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/AstridHoodRemax
Visit Astrid’s Facebook page: http://facebook.com/AstridHood

In order to answer these questions we must look at the products that we are selecting as green and find out if indeed they really are. Questions we need to ask include:

When is “green” really “green”?

Where did the product come from?

Many people are misled when it comes to green or natural products. Just because you are buying a product made from natural, renewable wood doesn’t necessarily mean it is green.

Where was the wood grown? If it comes from Canada and is from a renewable source then we should be able to define it as green. However, if it comes from another country then you have to take into account things such as transportation. If wood is bought in from say Scandinavia, then although the raw product is green, the process of getting it to the end user is not. You must think about the road and air transport used to get it to its destination and factor this into the products overall green value.

How was the product produced?

If the product is made in a factory then it will have an impact on its green value. The longer the processing time the more energy is used. The machinery used also needs to be taken into account. Is the company fuel efficient, does it pollute, what type of transportation does it use? All these things should be considered if you really want to buy truly green products.

If a product is labeled recycled, how much of the product actually is? It may be as little as 10% or it could be the entire product.

Green energy efficient vehicles are currently all the rage. But again we must consider the whole picture. There is much controversy over whether so called green vehicles are really green. Again you need to take into account the manufacturing process of not just the vehicle itself, but the battery used to run it and the disposal of the vehicle components after use. The misconception is that an electric car is good for the environment, but ask yourself a question. Where does the electricity come from to charge the battery? Currently 70% of electricity comes from fossil fuels, hardly a advocate of green energy or non-pollutants.

Perhaps once alternative energy sources are used more widely and are proven to be green in themselves, then this in turn will make the use of electric vehicles more truly green and energy efficient.

How will you eventually dispose of the product?

When we first buy a product we are not always thinking ahead as to how we will dispose of it. Is the product recyclable? Is it biodegradable? If it is a product with a limited life cycle, how often will you need to replace it? A product with a five year lifespan that is biodegradable will have less impact on the environment than a product designed to last ten years but is not biodegradable or recyclable.

How are you going to dispose of that battery cell in your vehicle once it has exceeded its lifespan?

Summary

Green really is in the eyes of the beholder. Green to one person is not necessarily green to another. There are many things that need to be taken into account over and above the end product for us to consider it truly green.

Just because a product is labeled “green”, “eco” or “natural” it doesn’t necessarily mean very much. There are very few regulations in place relating to what can and cannot be classified in such ways.  Even the term recyclable doesn’t always mean what you think it does. Just because a product is able to be recycled, doesn’t necessarily mean it will be. This only happens if you dispose of it correctly and the company collecting it does actually have the processes in place to recycle into new products, or pass to a third party who can. Some things we think are recycled end up in land fills just the same.

So, maybe buying green isn’t as easy as we think it is, but hopefully new regulations and procedures will be introduced in the future so that we all know exactly what we are buying.

The following information to help you make sure your new home will fit your needs, preferences and price range:

• When shopping around for a new condominium, it is important to ensure that you are aware of what is and what is not included in the purchase price. For instance, are there amenities such as pools and parking? How is access to such amenities paid for? Are finishes within the units included in the purchase price? Are there other charges over and above the purchase price you should be aware of? Are utilities (gas, electricity and water charges) covered in the monthly condominium fees or not? All such questions must be considered to ensure that you can compare the overall costs associated with different condominiums.
• Every condominium also comes with its own set of rules, regulations and by-laws. These can range from restrictions on the number of occupants allowed to live in each unit to limits on pets, noise, parking and times when certain amenities may be used. These rules are designed to ensure that the condominium is properly operated and maintained. They can also help protect the rights of each owner and ensure that the living environment stays peaceful and harmonious. To decide if you can live by these rules, make sure to obtain and read a copy of them before you make any firm decisions. This information should be readily available from the seller, property manager, Board of Directors or the condominium’s governing documents.
• The boundaries of each individual unit can vary considerably from one condominium to another. In some condominiums, the boundaries of your unit could end behind the interior drywall of the dividing walls. In others, it might only go as far as the wall’s centre line.This can be an important distinction, so find out where your ownership will end, especially if you’re planning to carry out any alterations or renovations.
• For a freehold or bare or vacant land condominium, the individual unit encompass the entire house, including the exterior walls, roof and even the land surrounding it. Before making a purchase, make sure you understand exactly where your unit’s boundaries will begin and end.
• Your condominium may also include some “exclusive use common property elements.”These are areas that are outside the boundaries of your unit but reserved for the exclusive use of the unit owner. Common examples include balconies, parking spaces, storage lockers, driveways and front or rear lawns. While these spaces are for your exclusive use, there may be restrictions on how and when you can use them.

For example, you may not be able to park a boat, RV or commercial vehicle in your assigned parking spot, or there may be restrictions on what you can place on your balcony. If you feel there may be a potential conflict regarding what you want to do with any of your common property elements, try to clear it up before you sign on the dotted line.

There is a unique family compound, affectionately named ‘Ravenstone‘ that is set among the pines on the serene Crowe River that passes through Marmora, Ontario.  The original owner, Howard Gorsline, was a business man originally from Prince Edward County, Ontario, who chose a prime lot for his own waterfront estate in the community of Riverside Pines.  The home was contracted to be erected by master builder Gordon Wannamaker of Belleville, Ontario, from hand-selected logs to truly reflect Howard’s love of nature.

The main home is a 3,200 square foot log house that features a foyer with vaulted ceiling and unique stone and log work which provides a wonderful entry hall into the house.  There is an open-concept oak kitchen with granite counters, a butcher block work island, a large pantry, built-in appliances, eating area and adjacent dining room, all overlooking a 47 ft by 23 ft ‘Great Room’ with a massive floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace dividing the living area/family room and Irish Pub.  This room has vaulted post & beam ceilings and walnut pegged oak floors to lend a warm rustic atmosphere to the games room/pub.

The rich wood tones one expects to find in a bar are echoed in the window and door framing

Howard Gorsline himself was a carver – his decoys and those of his great grandfather (Sanford Grosline) can be found in the books ‘Decoys of the Thousand Islands’ and ‘Decoys of Prince Edward County’.

The games room contains a large display of decoys and other birds  lined up all around the pub on a display rail adorning the interior log walls. Bar stools are hand crafted from wood branches still with their original tree branch character - knots and bumps included. Vertical log siding lines the bar counter, polished wood bar counter tops and ornate scalloped wood trim creates an enchanted inviting feel as you sidle up to the ”Pub”.

The adjoining games room sports a hand-crafted traditional shuffle-board table. As well, there is a truly unique rocking horse carved by Howard, and many pieces of his hand-crafted furniture placed cosily next to the charming stone fireplace. But it is, after all, a bar. Taking that into consideration, there is a refrigerator, wine cooler, icemaker, sink, and plenty of storage space for glassware. The rich wood tones one expects to find in a bar are echoed in the window and door framing, fireplace surround and cabinets throughout the log crafted home.

Another prized possession in this home is a wood bas-relief carved picture of the house done by well-known artist, John Meyers. Along the riverbank Howard Gorsline built a totem pole that depicts animals and birds indigenous to the area that can viewed from the pub/games room through the large picture windows.  This  one-of a-kind log home with Irish Pub, can be yours for $850,000.

Astrid Hood

If you have any questions about locating properties in Ontario please feel free to contact our realty expert Astrid Hood of Remax Eastern Realty Inc., Brokerage at astridhood@remax.net or by toll free at 1-800-567-4546
Follow me on TWITTER:  http://twitter.com/AstridHoodRemax
Visit my Facebook page: http://facebook.com/AstridHood

Your Clothing

Many Canadians will tell you that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. In many ways this is true, as if you dress correctly for the weather conditions then you will fare better that someone who isn’t.

Layers are the key as weather can change quickly and without warning, so if you wear layers you can peel them off when the weather gets warmer or add layers as it gets colder.

If you are a visitor to Canada or perhaps this is your first winter here as a newcomer a good tip is to buy winter clothing when you are actually in Canada as the clothing here is made for the conditions experienced. If you buy a warm coat from say the UK, it might be OK for the odd day when the weather dips to -1°C, but will it cope when Canadian temperatures dip to -20°C? Many clothing and footwear items in Canada actually state the temperature they are made to cope with. They will also state if they are water and/or wind repellent.

Buy a coat that has a hood and can be secured tightly round the neck, make sure it is tightly woven to keep out the cold and that the fastening at the front has both a zipper and another fastening over the zipper such as buttons or Velcro to stop the wind entering the garment.

Go for layers of lightweight, loose fitting clothing as this will trap body heat and keep you warmer than a single thick layer. Always wear a hat, as much of your body heat is lost through your head. Gloves or mittens are also a must and many can be purchased in thin, lightweight fabrics that are also very warm, but allow more movement, such as Thinsulate™.

Footwear is another important consideration. You will need boots that are both warm and waterproof. Again many boots and shoes will show the temperature they are designed to withstand, some of them with quite frightening temperatures such as -60°C. A high-legged boot is a good idea for snow conditions and if you can tuck your pants into the top it is a bonus as it will stop you getting wet clothing.

Your Home

Preparing your home for winter is as important as preparing yourself. Make sure your roof is sound and all your plumbing is adequately protected.

A generator is often a good investment. There are several types of generator, ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. If you lose power in the winter, or indeed any time of the year you can switch to generator power. Depending on the size and type of generator purchased, this will keep anything electric going in your home from just a few lights and sockets to the whole house. Remember if you buy a house that has a well, you will have an electric well pump. This will fail if the power goes and you will have no water. A generator can keep the well pump going during a power outage enabling you to obtain water from the taps, flush toilets etc. The key things to keep going during a power outage are some sockets for items like kettles, lights, well pump, heating system and possibly the freezer.

An emergency kit is always advisable in the home containing things such as a flashlight, extra batteries, extra fuel for your generator, camping stove, water supply, medication etc. Make sure everyone in the family knows where things are kept and how to use the generator, although children should always be supervised. Make sure animals are well cared for and also have an ongoing food and water supply. In case you end up being house-bound for any length of time you should stock up on food and drink items that are non-perishable, such as canned food.

Your Vehicle

Make sure you vehicle is ready for the winter and if needed take it into the garage for a winter tune-up. Regularly check tire pressure, engine oil, wiper and washer fluid, antifreeze, battery etc.

Winter tires are also an important addition to your vehicle. These tires are made to cope with snow and ice and your car will perform better in these conditions if winter tires are fitted. Many Canadian vehicles are fitted with all-season tires, but these often do not provide enough traction during the winter. Some provinces, such as Quebec, require the fitting of winter tire by law. Book your tire change early in the season to avoid delays at the garage.

You can also purchase winter wiper blades, which are designed to cope with snow and ice better than regular wiper blades.

Make sure you have a “winter kit” in your vehicle at all times. This should include things such as snack bars, water, flashlight, batteries, warm blankets or sleeping bags, shovel, snow chains, ice scraper, toilet paper, cash, cell phone charger, maps etc. You should also make sure you have sufficient warm clothing in case you need to walk any distance. Also if you have children, make sure you have games or books in the car to keep them occupied.

Only drive in severe weather conditions if absolutely necessary and always let someone know your route and expected time of arrival, just in case. Make sure you have relevant phone numbers programmed in your cell phone in case of emergency.

Winter Conditions

Wind Chill Index

Wind chill is the temperature that your skin will feel regardless of the actual recorded temperature. For example if the actual temperature outside is -5°C, but the wind chill is -18°C, you will feel as cold as if it were actually -18°C.

For temperatures of 0 to -10°C you will simply need to wear warm clothing. For temperatures of between -10°C and -25°C there is a risk of hypothermia if exposed for long periods. -25°C to -45°C there is not only a risk of hypothermia but of frostbite too. In temperatures of -45°C to -59°C, exposed skin can freeze in minutes and for temperatures exceeding -60°C there is extreme danger when exposed for even a few seconds.

Canadian weather forecasts always include the wind chill factor and you should use this as a guide to how cold it will be and react accordingly.

Freezing Rain

This is snow that is super cooled as it falls and freezes on impact. This ice is very heavy and can build up on overhead cables, trees etc and cause then to fall creating dangerous conditions and power outages. Because the freezing rain hits the ground as a rain droplet it means that a thick layer of ice is formed, making for very dangerous driving conditions.

Blizzards

Blizzards are severe storms combining snow and high winds with very low visibility. These can be dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers due to both the poor visibility and drifting snow. Blizzards are typically classified as having winds in excess of 40 km/ph with snow or blowing snow and visibility of less than a kilometer for at least four hours.

Winter Related Conditions

Frostbite

Frostbite damages the body’s tissue during extreme cold. Wind chills of minus 20°C can cause frostbite in half an hour. Symptoms include loss of feeling and pale appearance to extremities such as fingers, toes, ears etc. Medical help is needed immediately symptoms are detected and the patient needs to be gradually warmed up with blankets or body heat from another person. Never rub the affected area as this can cause more damage.

Most people will recover from frostbite, although severe forms may result in loss of the affected area. The key is to warm the patient gradually and not expose them to sudden temperature increases.

Hypothermia

This is a condition caused when the body starts to loose heat quicker than it can make it. For most people a drop of 2°C on their normal temperature will induce hypothermia. Normal body temperature is 37°C.

Symptoms include shivering, cold, pale or blue skin, slurred speech, numbness and confusion, eventually leading to unconsciousness. Treatment is needed urgently and the patient needs to be kept as warm as possible.

Treatment depends on severity and can range from simply getting the patient out of the cold conditions and warming up to more severe cases that require hospitalization.