BARBARA GRUMME’S BLOG!

Information by Rebbecca Cook from “The Globe & Mail”

July’s month-over-month drop in sales 27% confirms fear that end of government incentives to spur home buying would kill the resurgence of the real estate sector

The U.S. housing market has taken a sharp turn for the worse. In July, the number of existing single-family homes that changed hands slowed to a pace not seen in 15 years, plunging a record of 27% from a month earlier, the national association of Realtors said. The drop was much worse than economists had predicted. Government incentives to spur homes buying expired this spring, housing sales would fall with a thud. Economic uncertainty is no the rise. The grim data sent investors scurrying for the protection of safer assets, hurting stocks and pumping up government bonds.

Renewed weakness in housing will set off alarm bells for those who fear the U.S. economy could be heading into a double-dip recession, though most economists still believe that’s unlikely.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has lowered it’s forecast for homes sales via the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Systems of Canadian real state Boars and Associations. The revision reflects a weaker than expected start to the year in recent developments that pulled forward the timing as to when sales are expected to ease in other provinces.

Additionally, changes to mortgage regulations announced in February are expected to marginally impact activity. The changes prompted some homebuyers to finance their home purchase before the new regulations took effect in April, which pulled forward a number of sales that would have otherwise take place at a later date.

“Interest rates are expected to rise slowly and at a measured pace during a new era of government spending restraint, so home financing will remain within reach for many homebuyers,” said CREA President Georges Pahud.

CREA had previously forecasted sales would remain at elevated levels through the first half of 2010 before easing in the second half of the year and over 2011. While forecasted trend for activity has not changed in CREA’s revised forecast, it as been pulled forward, with the fourth quarter of 2009 marking the peak of national activity. This has had the effect of lowering the forecast for national activity over the rest of the year.

MLS Statistic Report

Residential (Single family) Activity by Area

[MARCH 2010]

Sales/listings                 Average Sale Price      %’age

Area                       YTD                           MONTH                     Change

Saturday, May 15,2010
Club LaSalle
111 Arthur Street, St.Catharine’s, ON
3:00pm - 7:00pm Free Admission
8:00pm - ?? $5.00 Admission

3:00pm - 7:00pm come out and enjoy cultural entertainment, and traditional foods, with a free admission. Then starting at 8:00pm there will be an African/Caribbean Dance Music Night. Admission is $5.00/person, free under the age of 12. This is a cultural event of diversity representing the African/Caribbean communities, it will be done in both English and french. This family event will include a variety of ethnic foods. Entertainment including live music, drumming and dancing to represent the various cultures.

Information by:
Niagara Folk Arts Festival
www.folk-arts.ca
905-685-6589

Next seminar that is coming up for the “Love your life seminar series” is First Impressions by Nyla Hasan.

In this interactive workshop you will learn to:

*Dress to make the best first impression
*Becoe a compelling communicator
*Get your point across using effective body language
*Command respect and get attention without saying a word
*Feel balanced and relaxed in any situation

Sonsored in part by:
Accelerated Health and Wellness Centre
&
White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa

Primary Sponsor is Barbara Grumme

Please contact Barbara at 905-356-9100 or at barbara.grumme@century21.ca if you wish to attend this free seminar!!!

Seminar is being held at White Oaks Conference Resort - Ballroom A
Wednesday May 12, 2010
Doors open at 6:30 Seminar starts at 7:00pm and will end at 9:00pm

The Ontario’s Greenbelt is an area of protected green space, farmland and vibrant communities. It surrounds the Golden Horseshoe and covers 1.8 million acres.
The Greenbelt’s trees and plants filter air pollution, acting as the “lungs” of the region, while its rivers feed sources of drinking water for millions of people.
It preserves some of the best agricultural land in Canada, which in turn provides fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and grapes for prize-winning wines.
All year round, the Greenbelt provides many outdoor activities like bird-watching, cycling, fruit-picking and skiiing - all this and Canada’s largest network of hiking trails.

The Greenbelt is our living countryside and is vital to our quality of life.

Explore it
Support it
Enjoy it

Visit OurGreenbelt.ca for more information

Smart Gardening is Niagara Region’s way of helping you practive environmentally friendly lawn and garden techniques.

Niagara Region invites you to attend a free seminar!
“The Grass can be Greener!”
Learn how to grow and maintain a heathly lawn while adhering to the Ontario cosmetic pesticide ban. Other topics such as choosing the right grass, controlling yard pests and ways to save money on your lawn will be covered.

Thursday, April 22, 6 to 8pm - Gauld Nurseries - 8865 Mountain Road, Niagara Falls.

To Register:
Call Niagara Region’s Waste Info Line at (905) 356-4141 or toll free 1-800-594-5542. Space is limited so sign up today!

For more information please visit - www.smartgardening.ca

Even though real estate is great investment, there are potential problem areas that one should be aware of whether you are buying, selling or renovating. Be sure to work with a realtor who knows the potential pit falls, plan time to do the research and have a team of experts on your side. Our Panel of Experts will be on hand to discuss topics from A - Z.

Please RSVP as soon as possible. Call Barbara Grumme at 905-356-9100 or email her at Barbara.grumme@century21.ca 

This event is taking place
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. (Doors open at 6:30p.m.)
At White Oaks Conference Resort - Ballroom A

“Kids for Change Presents”
A Taste of Africa
April 15, 2010
White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa - Imperial Ballroom
7 p.m. to 11p.m.
Featuring Live Cultural Performances by MellowDee
Cassandra Sommers

Private collection of authentic Tanzanian art on display

Live Auction
Silent Auction
Dessert Auction

African insprired food & drink

Tickets $40 in advance

www.kidsforchange.web.officelive.com

Simple steps
Start by being informed. Educate yourself about influenza strains, vaccination risks, and the public health laws that may require you or your children to undergo either mandatory vaccination or quarantine. (This is just in case things are blown completely out of proportion.)

Take care of your health to reduce or eliminate your risk of contracting the flu. The key is to keep your immune system strong by following these guidelines:

* Eliminate sugar and processed foods from your diet. Sugar consumption has an immediate, debilitating effect on your immune system.

* Take a high quality source of animal-based omega 3 fats like Krill Oil.

* Exercise. Your immune system needs good circulation in order to perform at its best for you.

* Optimize your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency is the likely cause of seasonal flu viruses. Getting an optimal level of vitamin D will help you fight infections of all kinds.

* Get plenty of good quality sleep.

* Deal with stress effectively. If you feel overwhelmed by stress, your body will not have the reserves it needs to fight infection.

* Wash your hands. But not with an antibacterial soap. Use a pure, chemical-free soap.

This is the best time to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

If your smoke alarm, or carbon monoxide detector is over 10 years old it is recommended that they be replaced. They have a life span of about 10 years.

This is also a good time to get into the habit of testing your smoke alarm on a regular basis.

A candle will smolder after it is blown out. This smoke should activate the smoke alarm if placed directly below it.

REMEMBER; Only WORKING smoke alarms save lives!

Test YOUR smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to-day.