Friday, October 29, 2010

London Ontario Real Estate - HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Halloween Safety Tips  

  courtesy the Los Angeles Fire Department 

 

BEFORE HALLOWEEN: 

·      Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

·      Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.

·      Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.

·      Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.

·      When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.

·      Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.

·      Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.

·      Plan ahead to use only battery powered lanterns or chemical lightsticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.

·      This is also a great time to buy fresh batteries for your home Smoke Alarms.

·      Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.

·      Review with your children the principle of "Stop-Drop-Roll", should their clothes catch on fire.

·      Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

·      Consider purchasing individually packaged healthy food alternatives (or safe non-food treats) for those who visit your home.
·      Take extra effort to eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Check around your property for flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires or garden hoses that may prove hazardous to young children rushing from house to house.
·      Learn or review CPR skills to aid someone who is choking or having a heart attack.
·      Consider safe party guidelines when hosting an Adult or Office Party.

 

FUN ALTERNATIVES: 

·      Find a special event or start one in your own neighborhood.
·      Community Centers, Shopping Malls and Houses of Worship may have organized festivities.
·      Share the fun by arranging a visit to a Retirement Home or Senior Center.
·      Create an alliance with College Fraternities, Sororities or Service Clubs for children's face painting or a carnival.

BEFORE NIGHTFALL ON HALLOWEEN: 

·      A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

·      Consider fire safety when decorating. Do not overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects, and do not block exit doors.

·      While children can help with the fun of designing a Jack O' Lantern, leave the carving to adults.

·      Always keep Jack O' Lanterns and hot electric lamps far away from drapes, decorations, flammable materials or areas where children and pets will be standing or walking.

·      Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.

·      Do not permit children to bicycle, roller-blade or skateboard.

·      Agree on a specific time when revelers must return home.

·      Along with flashlights for all, older children and escorts should wear a wristwatch and carry coins for non-emergency phone calls.

·      Confine, segregate or otherwise prepare household pets for an evening of frightful sights and sounds. Be sure that all dogs and cats are wearing collars and proper identification tags. Consult your veterinarian for further advice.

·      Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly throughout the community.

·      Adult partygoers should establish and reward a designated driver.

 

WHEN TRICK-OR-TREATING: 

·      Parent or responsible Adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.

·      Remind Trick-or-Treaters:

·      By using a flashlight, they can see and be seen by others.

·      Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.

·      Only trick-or-treat in well known neighborhoods at homes that have a porch light on.

·      Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.

·      If no sidewalk is available, walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.

·      Never cut across yards or use alleys.

·      Never enter a stranger's home or car for a treat.

·      Obey all traffic and pedestrian regulations.

·      Always walk. Never run across a street.

·      Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom).

·      Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.

·      Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will.

·      Never consume unwrapped food items or open beverages that may be offered.

·      No treats are to be eaten until they are thoroughly checked by an Adult at home.

·      Law Enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

 

AFTER TRICK-OR-TREATING:

·      Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible Adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

·      Try to apportion treats for the days following Halloween.

·      Although sharing is encouraged, make sure items that can cause choking (such as hard candies), are given only to those of an appropriate age.

We wish you a safe and happy Halloween!

REMEBER ON SATURDAY NIGHT NOVEMBER 6TH, 2010 AT MIDNIGHT, "CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AND CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES".

" LIFE IS A GIFT -- RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT "

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Fall Colours Help Make London Real Estate Attractive

Mother nature is sure putting on a colour show for everybody this year. It is great when you can enjoy the show from your own back yard as the Grants are doing. It sure makes raking the leaves a little easier.

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London Real Estate & CREA Ratification of Competition Consent Agreement

Good Morning

I am sure that you have read the headlines in the major news papers about the Federal Government "forcing"  the Canadian Real Estate Association to open up its access to the MLS system or Realtor.ca.  We think Michael Polzler of RE/MAX Ontario Atlantic says it best so you are encouraged to read his letter below.  Should you have any questions please call us at 519-667-1800.

The Grants

October 26th, 2010               

CREA ratification of Competition Consent Agreement

Despite all the media hoopla associated with Sunday's vote by CREA members to ratify the Competition Consent Agreement, it will be business as usual for real estate professionals across the country. 

The public will continue to access listings on the MLS system or Realtor.ca, but any posts to the system remain firmly in the hands of local realtors. Under the terms of the new, 10-year agreement, CREA and the Boards cannot prevent or discriminate against 'mere postings' and members who offer 'mere postings.' CREA does not believe that such rules exist today-but if they do-they must be repealed or Boards will lose their license to operate under the MLS trademark.

So all in all, it's business as usual. Sure, consumers have more choices, but then again, they always have. Discount brokers have been around for years. There is a reason why the MLS system is responsible for 90 per cent of resale housing transactions in the country. Canadians rely on the full-service approach provided by the country's 100,000 real estate professionals. Regardless of alternatives, most people require the services of an experienced agent to sell their home.

All we need to do is look south of the border-where the process is similar-for confirmation of that fact. According to the National Post, "the U.S. Department of Justice negotiated an anti-trust settlement with the National Association of Realtors allowing internet brokers and other agents offering discounted commissions to access the MLS in 2008. Two years later, traditional full-service brokers still control between 70 and 80 per cent of the U.S. housing market, and the average commission has increased to 5.3 per cent of the sale price from five per cent in 2008."

In fact, NAR statistics provided by the National Post show 80 per cent of sellers use a full-service broker, managing most of a transaction from listing to closing. Another nine per cent choose limited services that include discount brokerage and 11 per cent opt for the bare minimum of just listing on MLS.

There's a story to be told here. Consumers place value on the services we provide as realtors and that's not about to change. Why? We have the knowledge and expertise to generate results. Few are willing to take chances with their most valuable asset. As Canada's leading real estate organization, we will continue to do what we do best-assisting buyers and sellers with the biggest financial decision of their lifetime.

Take a moment to look at our new marketing campaign on the critical role of a RE/MAX agent. It is easily found on www.FitToSell.ca. This timely campaign demonstrates the value of using a professional RE/MAX agent. It should help offset some of the negative press, until things settle.

As I said, business as usual.

Sincerely,

Michael Polzler

Executive Vice President, Regional Director

RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc. 

 

THE GRANTS  


Connie Grant
Broker, ACCI, FCCI, CRES, CMOC
Associate of the Canadian Condominium Institute
Fellow of the Canadian Condominium Institute 
Certified Real Estate Specialist
Certified Manager of Condominiums
RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 
 
Fraser Grant
Broker, CPM, FRI, CMOC, CRP, ACCI, FCCI
Certified Property Manager
Fellow of Real Estate Institute of Canada
Certified Manager of Condominiums
Certified Reserve Fund Planner
Associate of the Canadian Condominium Institute
Fellow of the Canadian Condominium Institute
RE/MAX Hall Of Fame 

RE/MAX Centre City Realty Inc., Brokerage
675 Adelaide St. N.,
London ON  N5Y 2L4

Phone 519.667.1800
Fax     519.667.1958
Toll Free 1.800.667.1801
Email:  sales@the-grants.com 
Web Page: www.the-grants.com




Thursday, October 21, 2010

London Real Estate ??? SOLD STICKERS ON ??? PROPERTY SOLD @ 1415 COMMISSIONERS RD.

London Real Estate – SOLD STICKERS ON – PROPERTY SOLD @ 1415 COMMISSIONERS RD.

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Another day of just doing what we do best, Selling Homes. What a great day.  Just returned from putting a SOLD sticker on our 4 Sale sign and removing the lock box from a condominium in Byron.  No matter how many sales we have, we are always excited every time we put a SOLD sticker on one of our 4 Sale signs. It is always a great day for the Seller as they can now move on.  The Buyer is always excited looking forward to their new home and meeting new friends in the neighbourhood.  Want to experience this excitement, call The Grants and get started on the road to having a SOLD sticker put on our 4 Sale sign for your home.

“LIFE IS A GIFT – RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT”

 

 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Hyman: Board can sell corporation-owned unit - Yourhome.ca

Media_httpwwwyourhome_ijoxg

Once again Gerry Hyman makes things clear on the condominium front. In this article he provides clear advise on the sale of common element and the the rental of common element for the use as a cellphone antenae. If you have any questions on condominiuims please call The Grants 519-667-1800 or email sales@the-grants.com. Have a great day.

LIFE IS A GIFT -- RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Hyman: Residents not entitled to attend board meetings - Yourhome.ca

Media_httpwwwyourhome_ikmqa

Condo owners elect a board to conduct the business of the condominium corporation. Very interesting article in the Saturday Toronto Star by Gerry Hyman on the rights of an owner to attend board of director meetings.

LONDON REAL ESTATE DETACHED RESIDENTIAL STATISTICAL REPORT FOR MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2010

DETACHED RESIDENTIAL STATISTICAL REPORT FOR MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2010

September 2010 475 detached sold, a decline of 17.0% from the same period in 2009 in which 572 detached sold.

The Y-T-D numbers for 2010 are 5,321 detached sold, an improvement of 2.5% over the same period in 2009.

The average price of a detached sold increased in September 2010 by 2.4% over the same period in 2009.  The good news is that the Y-T-D average is up 6.2%.

If you have any questions regarding the real estate market in London and the surrounding area, please give us a call at 519-667-1800.

Enjoy the beautiful fall colors that nature is presenting to us.

???LIFE IS A GIFT ??? RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT???

Friday, October 8, 2010

LONDON ONTARIO CONDO REAL ESTATE REPORT FOR MONTH OF SEPTEMGER 2010

CONDO RESIDENTIAL STATISTICAL REPORT FOR MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2010

September 2010 114 condo’s sold, a decline of 16.2% from the same period in 2009 in which 136 condo’s sold.

The Y-T-D numbers for 2010 are 1,246 condo’s sold, an improvement of 3.4% over the same period in 2009.

The average price of a condo sold declined in September 2010 by 3.3% over the same period in 2009.  The good news is that the Y-T-D average is up 8.3%.

If you have any questions regarding the real estate market in London and the surrounding area, please give us a call at 519-667-1800.

Enjoy the beautiful fall colors that nature is presenting to us.

“LIFE IS A GIFT – RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT”