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.

▪         Selecting your wall colour before choosing your flooring or fabrics is a common mistake

▪         Hanging a dining room chandelier too far from the table. Go with 3 feet from the table to the underside of the chandelier.

▪         Hanging artwork too high. The rule of thumb should be to hang your art work at eye level.

▪         Hanging mirrors in dark corners of a room. This common mistake only enhances the darkness of that corner.

▪         Painting ceilings a bright white is a common mistake. Soften the ceiling by using an antique or off-white colour.

▪         Purchasing furniture that does not fit your space. Ensure you measure the space, the openings and consider turns into the space before purchasing the new items.

37% of the survey respondents saw an increased demand for multi-generational homes, while in Canada the number was even higher at 45%.

In Canada, 52% of all Coldwell Banker survey respondents cited health care issues as the No.1 reason why home buyers or sellers would move into a house with other generations of their family. Financial drivers followed closely behind (45%), while less than 1%cited a strong family bond as the main factor. John Geha, president of Coldwell Banker Canada, says:

“With two or three generations living under one roof, families often experience more flexible schedules, more quality time with one another and can better juggle caretaking responsibilities as healthcare issues arise.”

Communicating with family is key to successful transition. “Talk to everyone involved and determine how comfortable people are with sharing bathrooms, office space or common areas, and let that guide your search,” Geha says. “All of these topics are incredibly important in finding the right kind of home to fit the family – like one that has four bathrooms or one that has three.”

The company says extended families purchasing a home together should consider signing a written contract outlining everything from finances to chores and childcare. Each family should assess their situation individually and find a plan that works best for them.

*INFORMATION BY REM

• Peaches, plums and other pitted fruits generally can be stored right on a counter at room temperature. These fruits are usually picked before ripe, and they will continue to ripen once you bring them home. If fruits are very ripe, them place them in a perforated plastic bag and put them in the top part of the refrigerator.
• Bananas are another fruit that is picked before optimal ripening, hence the green bunches you often find at a store. Bananas should be stored at room temperature until they are ripened. Again, if very ripe, bananas can be put in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. The skin will turn brown, but it won’t affect the flesh of the fruit.
• Apples should be stored at room temperature and away from other fruits and vegetables. They produce a gas that can ripen other produce very quickly. 
• Moisture is the enemy of most produce. You can store celery, carrots, lettuce, or cabbage in a crisper drawer in the refrigerator, but they should be kept dry and used quickly. Line the bottom of the drawer with an absorbent paper towel and be sure not to keep produce in tightly sealed plastic bags. Eventually moisture will rot these items or at least cause them to become soggy.
• Root vegetables such as potatoes, yams and onions do best at room temperature and away from the floor, or anywhere vermin may be present. A cool, dark place, such as a pantry cabinet, would be effective. Refrigeration may compromise the taste of many root vegetables.

Information was by Home and Garden Advertising Feature à Niagara This Week

▪         Avoid larger pieces of furniture. This only makes the space feel even smaller.

▪         Built-in furniture helps you maximize your small space. For example, book cases or window seats with built-in storage work really well.

▪         The open space or ‘negative’ space is just as important as the furnishing

▪         Avoid contrast in colours, rather, select similar color tones so spaces flow from room to another. This flow will create a sense of rhythm and continuity making the spaces appear larger and longer.

▪         Avoid an abundance of clutter and too many non-essentials in small spaces. Streamline your selection of furniture. 

Information was by Kickstarters.ca

▪         Turning down the thermostat one degree and reduce your energy costs by about 4%

▪         Conserve more energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star Rating.

▪         Repairing leaky fixtures will reduce as much as 10 lost gallons of water each week.

▪         Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets will reduce water consumption and the cost of heating water by as much as 50%.

▪         Use compact fluorescent light bulbs

▪         Select carpeting and window treatments made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are free of toxins.

▪         Employ a strict recycling program in your house, such as green bags in the kitchen for all that food waste. Wine bottles can now be recycled at your local beer store. Use two recycling bins, one for paper and the other for bottles and cans.

Information was by Kickstarters.ca

▪         Go with a fixed price, not a time and materials contract. The fixed price is the guaranteed price that the contractor must adhere to while a time and materials contract allows them to bill as they go based on how much time and materials they spend. The latter can become very hard to control and costly.

▪         Include start and finish dates

▪         Include an overall schedule of progress and billing schedule so you know ehen you should be billed throughout the process.

▪         Including a section on dispute resolution, for example, Arbitration can be a much faster and less costly process

▪         Include warranties and time to correct deficiencies. Ensure you put in a clause re: holdbacks which allow you to retain a percentage of the final bill to cover construction deficiencies.

Information was by Kickstarters.ca

▪         Educate yourself by reading books on the type of renovation that you are planning so you can ‘talk the talk’ with a contactor

▪         Clip out pictures of designs and details that you like

▪         Get a detailed quote from at least 3 contactors and follow up with a minimum of 3 references

▪         Ask to see proof of insurance and licensing paperwork. The pros keep them handy!

▪         Make sure you get everything in writing: contracts, cost breakdown and percentages that they expect to hill, overall project schedule.

▪         Get a permit. It is one of the only ways to protect yourself

▪         Don’t give more than 10% down, use a 10 – 15% hold-back with the final payment to cover final deficiencies and clean-up after the contractor thinks he is done.

Information was by Kickstarters.ca

Information was by Kickstarters.ca

Information was by Kickstarters.ca