BARBARA GRUMME’S BLOG!

Barbara is constantly looking for ways to improve her service and ensure your home gets sold in this challenging economic climate. Barbara’s success rate is at least 20% higher than other real estate agents. Why? Barbara is Niagara’s only real estate sales agent to use a whole marketing team to bring extra quality and expertise to help her sell your home!

To contact Barbara Grumme
Please call the Century 21 office in Niagara Falls 905-356-9100
Or
Email her at barbara.grumme@century21.ca

Abestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals exploited commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their asbestiform habit, long, (1:20) thin fibrous crystals. To inhale the  asbestos fibres can cause serious illnesses, including malignant lung cancer, mesothelioma (a type of malignant neoplasm dependent mostly from exposure to asbestos), and asbestosis (a type of pneumoconiosis). Since January 1, 2005 the European Union has banned all types of utilization of asbestos and extraction, manufacture and processing of asbestos products.

Asbestos: For a very reasonable amount of money (approx $ 55.00) you can submit a tablespoon size of your insulation and have it analyzed for Asbestos.  

Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) this was commonly used when producing electrical appliances casing e.g. desk lamps, used in the 1950s. In the 1980s, concerns began to develop about the toxic formaldehyde vapor emitted in the curing process, as well as from the breakdown of old foam.

UFFI: For litigative purposes, a confirmative UFFI analysis can be conducted for approximately $ 150.00.  A UFFI screening analysis (for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen) can be conducted for approximately $ 55.00. 

But one cannot put a price on piece-of-mind and family health & safety.  Should either of the above lab analysis come back positive, there are many reputable Niagara insulation abatement firms who are available to the homeowner for safe, professional insulation removal, disposal and replacement. 

For more information Please contact:

 Niagara Analytical Laboratories for assistance at 905-374-LABS(5227).

CREA is pleased the government didn’t increase minimum downpayments or reduce the amortization period; their impact on housing markets are potentially deep & damaging.

CREA is of the view that the Canadian resale housing market is healthy.  Banks and governments should be cautious interpreting recent statistics, since comparisons are being distorted by recessionary activity a year ago and the subsequent rebound. 

Current trends reflect the release of pent up demand when buyers moved to the sidelines during the recession. Additionally, the HST in Ontario and British Columbia and coming interest rate increases will likely moderate activity and price gains beginning in the second half of 2010..

CREA’s analysis of housing activity on the Multiple Listing Service® Systems of real estate boards across Canada has emphasized that a number of temporary factors have been skewing average price comparisons. Its most recent forecast indicates that national activity and average price will decline in 2011. 

Given these facts, we don’t believe further regulatory moves are required.

Information provided by:

Lynda Kitchen, (Mrs.)

    Executive Officer

    116 Niagara Street

    St. Catharines, ON

    Web:    www.NiagaraREALTOR.ca

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global real estate markets are showing tentative but growing signs of stabilization, according to the recent Global Real Estate Trends report released by Scotia Economics. “Real home prices increased in a number of major developed economies in the second quarter of 2009, including Canada…” said Adrienne Warren, Senior Economist, Scotia Economics “Prices were still falling in many other markets… but generally at a showing rate.” The improving sentiment in global residential real estate markets is sustainable.

To view the Global Real Estate Trends report, visit www.orea.com/ScotiabankReport.

OREA –> Ontario Real Estate Association

Located at the District School Board of Niagara

191 Carlton St. St.Catharines

All families new to Ontario or Canada are asked to come to the Welcome Centre before registering children in schools.

Here you will receive:

▪          Multilingual information on DSBN schools and services

▪          Support in making decisions about your child’s educational future

▪          Assistance completing the registration process so your child can start school

▪          A language assessment by an ESL Teacher as needed

▪          Settlement counseling

Information by: Literacy and Language; community education services – district school board of Niagara 905-687-7000 

call Brandie Lancione for an appointment: 905-641-1550 X 54152

What you need to know before you buy!

First, expiry dates are not allowed on gift cards in Ontario. Second, fees or deductions from the value of a gift card are banned. Although as always there are exceptions.

Here are more things to keep in mind:

• Is the toll-free number or website clearly printed on the card?
• Fees may be charged for personalizing a gift card or replacing a lost or stolen card. Fees may also be charged on mall gift cards - but you must be told about all service fees up front.
• Are there any inactivity fees involved? after 18 months, a mall gift card may charge a fee of $2.50 per month if the card hasn’t been used.
• Does the card have any security features like a PIN or protective sticker/scratch area?
• Did you keep your receipt? Always hold on to your proof of purchase, including the card number!

For more information please visit the MInistry of Consumer Services at www.ontario.ca/consumerprotection or call 416-326-8800 in the GTA or toll-free1-800-889-9768

A large group of 4-year old children are led into a room. Each child is seated and given a marshmallow. “You can eat the marshmallow right now if you want. But if you wait until I come backto eat your marshmallow to go with it.” The giver of marshmallows then leaves the children alone in the room.

The 4-year old who eats the marhmallow is oriented towards the present.

The 4-year old who waits is oriented towards the future.

Yes, we can learn big things from small indicators.

“At the age of 40 the group that didn’t eat their marshmallows had more successful marriage, higher incomes, greater career satisfaction and better health than the marshmallow eaters.”

One third of the children ate the marshmallow immediately. One third help out for a short time, then ate the marshmallow. One third waited the 15 - 20 minutes until the giver of marshmallows returned with the promised, second marshmallow.

By Roy Williams, founder and president of The Wizardof Ads  

Taking control of personal safety as a real estate professional

Preventions Do’s

• check credit reports
• check spouse/child credit report
• lock mailbox
• shred all throwaway documnts
• Norton Password Manager
• Memorize PINs. Passwords, SIN#s
• Change passwords semi annually
• Photocopy all documents in your wallet/purse
• Secure all legal documents and account numbers; tax docs, cancelled checks
• Destroy pre-approved credit card offers
• Place mail in secure outgoing mailboxes or at the PO
• Call the post office if you go more than 4 days without mail
• Pay attention to delivery dates of all bills
• Bank Online
• Use automatic bill payment, auto payroll dep
• Eliminate paper statements
• Reconcile billsand statements diligently and timely
• Pay attention to the expiration date of credit cards and look for arrival of new cards
• sign all new cards immediately
• Destroy black carbon credit receits
• Avoid using SIN#s for accounts whenever possible
• Initiate passwords for all accounts, especially credit-cards
• Sign all new cards immediately
• Have bank ordered checks delivered to the bank and not your home
• Get removed from the Direct Marketing Associations lists
• Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers
• Be cautious ordering online and mail-order
• Ask all public and private entities about policies for disposal
• Be aware of people looking over your shoulder at an ATM shoulder surfing

Prevention Don’ts

• Don’t Leave your wallet/purse in your car
• Don’t carry SIN cards, birth certificates or passport unless necessary
• Don’t carry more than 1-2 credit cards
• Don’t keep PIN#s and passwords in wallet/purse
• Don’t use common passwords; Mothers maiden, birth date, last 4 of SIN or phone, Dogs, kids name, consec #s
• Don’t have SIN# or Driver’s license # printed on checks
• Don’t write account numbers on the outside of envelopes
• Don’t list name and numbers on the outside of envelopes
• Don’t list name and number in telephone book
• Don’t communicate personal information over the phone; SIN#, birth date, mothers maiden, CC#
• Don’t have bank ordered checks delivered o your mail box
• Don’t leave reciepts lying around

Using Technology - Computer

• Install virus protection and keep it updated
• Set up automatic security patches through Windows Update
• Use firewlals http://firewallguide.com/
• Use spy removal software http://ww.lavasoftusa.com
• Thoroughly erase data from discarded hard Drives www.killdisk.com or sledge hammer
• Back up Data
• Encrypt wireless connections

Using Technology - email

• Use throwaway email addresses
• Don’t reply to spam
• Don’t request to be taken off spam lists, just hit delete
• Don’t open attachments from those you don’t know
• Be cognizant of what information is contained in your email signature
• Nigerian email scams
• Beware of Phishing and lotteries

Victim Red Flags

• Denied credit for no reason
• Wrong information on credit report
• Mail stops arriving on certain bills or statements don’t arrive
• Bills from companies you’ve never done business with
• A collection agency calls ou for non payment
• You get arrested for something you didn’t do
• Denied employment as a result of a background check

Victim Impact and Effects

• Arrests, false convictions
• Hundreds of hours cleanup
• Financial expense
• Denied credit
• Refused employment
• Psychological trauma

Victims To-Do List

• Consult an attorney
• Document every conversation and contact
• Contact fraud departments of departments of the credit bureaus and initiate fraudulently
• File a police report and send it to all creditors and agencies involved
• contact the Postal Inspector
• If checks were used fraudulently contact check fraud services
• Check your criminal records to see if charges are filed
• Mark all mail correspondence RETURN RECIEPT REQUESTED

Resouces:

Niagara Association of Realtors

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Identity Theft clearing house - www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Credit Bureaus

EQUIFAX canada  & Trans union

• 57% of homes that are between 15 - 50 years old have been re-wired or had modifications done to their home’s electrical system.
• 68% of homeowners report they retain an electrician to do electrical work - 32% do not.
• 58% of homeowners who have done electrical modifications indicate they have little experience.
• 63% of homeowners report that an inspection was conducted.

Information by:

www.esasafe.com

Home Safety - Electrical Safety Authority

• Frayed or damaged extension cords or cord ends can expose wires, resulting in potential shock and fire hazards. Look for: Damaged cords, undersized cords, cords under carpet or furniture and interiorrated cords used outdoors.
• Ovrloading outlets can cause overheating and present potential fire hazards. Contact a license electrial contractor if youare uncertain of the load rating for your home’s wiring.
• Incorrect grounding presents a shock hazard. Look for missing 3rd prongs or 2-to-3 prong adapters. Consult with a licensed electrical contractor if your home’s wiring system requires updating.
• Look up! Always be aware of ovehead powerlines - remember to point these out to family, visitors and contract workers.

Information by:

www.esasafe.com

Home Safety - Electrical Safety Authority