We Canadians often take aim at our friends to the south of us and poke fun at our differences. The numbers below will give you even more insight into the differences between Canadians and Americans, some of them are very enlightening, Enjoy! Mark
SPOTLIGHT ON BEING AMERICAN
Here are some facts about Americans that should prove that Canadians are very similar. First, some money-related statistics.
- 3 out of 4 of us store our bills in our wallets in rigid order with singles leading up to higher denominations.
- How far would you go for $10 million? 25% would abandon their friends, family, and church. 7% would murder.
- 53% prefer ATM machines over tellers.
- 56% of women do the bills in a marriage.
- 2 out of 3 of us wouldn't give up their spouse even for a night for a million U.S. dollars.
- The biggest cause of matrimonial fighting is money.
- 35% give to charity at least once a month.
And some non-monetary statistics:
- 21% of Americans don't make their bed daily. 5% of Americans never do.
- Men do 29% of laundry each week.
- Only 7% of women trust their husbands to do laundry correctly.
- 40% of women have hurled footwear at a man.
- 13% of Americans admit to occasionally doing their offspring's homework.
- 91% of Americans lie regularly.
- 27% admit to cheating on a test or quiz.
- 29% admit they've intentionally stolen something from a store.
- 50% admit they regularly sneak food into movie theaters.
- 90% believe in divine retribution.
- 10% believe in the 10 Commandments.
- 82% believe in an afterlife.
- 45% believe in ghosts.
- 13% (mostly men) have spent a night in jail.
- 58% have called into work sick when they weren't.
- 10% switch tags in the store to pay less for an item.
- 69% eat the cake before the frosting.
- When nobody else is around, 47% drink straight from the carton.
- 85% will eat Spam this year.
- 70% drink orange juice daily.
- 22% skip lunch daily.
- 9% skip breakfast daily.
- 66% eat cereal regularly.
- 22% of all restaurant meals include french fries.
- 14% eat the watermelon seeds.
- Only 13% brush their teeth from side to side.
- 45% use mouthwash every day.
- 22% leave the glob of toothpaste in the sink.
- Nearly 1/3 of U.S. women color their hair.
- 9% of women and 8% of men have had cosmetic surgery.
- 53% of women will not leave the house without makeup on.
- 58% of women paint their nails regularly.
- 33% of women lie about their weight.
- 10% of us claim to have seen a ghost.
- 57% have had deja vu.
- 49% believe in ESP.
- 44% have broken a bone.
- 57% have had deja vu.
- Only 30% know their cholesterol level.
- 14% have attended a self-help meeting (coin club meetings don't count).
- 15% regularly go to a shrink.
- 78% would rather die quickly than live in a retirement home.
- 30% of us refuse to sit on a public toilet seat.
- 54% always wash their hands after using the toilet.
- 39% of us peek in our host's bathroom cabinet.
- 17% have been caught by the host.
- 29% of us ignore RSVP.
- 71% of us eavesdrop.
- Less than 10% are trilingual.
- 37% claim to know how to use all the features on their VCR.
- 40% of us have had music lessons.
- 44% reuse tinfoil.
- 57% save pretty gift paper to reuse.
- 66% of women and 59% of men have used a mix to cook and taken credit for doing it from scratch.
- 53% read their horoscopes regularly.
- 57% have had deja vu.
- 16% of us have forgotten our own wedding anniversary (mostly men).
- 90% of us depend on alarm clocks to wake us.
- 53% of us would take advice from Anne Landers.
- On average, Americans send 38 Christmas cards every year.
- 20% of women consider their parents to be their best friends.
- 2 out of 5 have married their first love.
- Only 4% asked the parents' approval for their bride's hand.
- 1 in 5 men proposed on his knees.
- 6% propose over the phone.
- 67% of us speed up at a yellow light.
- 44% of men tailgate to speed up the person in front of them.
- 25% drive after we've been drinking.
- 80% sing in the car.
- 12% of men never use their car blinkers.
- Only 30% of Americans can flare their nostrils.
- Snickers is the most popular candy.
- 45% of us consistently follow the speed limit.
So you see, we're not so different. Except maybe the last one, because everyone in Canada speeds. And Coffee Crisp is our most popular chocolate bar, which no doubt has something to do with our love for anything and everything coffee.
I have to give credit where credit is due, these numerical funnies come from my friend John R. and he may be reached for more humour at coinman@look.ca.
Have a nice day,
Mark
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
CMHC report on New Home Market Condominium Apartment Starts on the Rise
New Home Market Condominium Apartment Starts on the Rise
Condominium apartment starts
dominated new home construction
during April in the Greater Toronto
Area (GTA). Pre-construction
condominium apartment sales from
the last two years continued to
convert into strong housing starts
last month.
On an unadjusted basis, total housing
starts through the first four months
of 2008 were up by approximately
47 per cent compared to the same
time period a year earlier. Condominium
apartment starts were
nearly three times the levels compared
to the same time period a year earlier. Low borrowing costs and
steady job growth in the past couple
of years induced more homebuyers
to purchase condominium apartments
at the pre-construction stage.
The lower price tag for condominium
apartments, compared to
that of more expensive singleconstruction
of this housing type
has become less popular, CMHC’s
2008 Renovation and Home Purchase
Survey found that single-detached
homes have remained the housing
type of choice for many households.
detached homes, was especially
attractive to first time buyers.
Single-detached home starts remained
virtually unchanged on a
year-over-year basis, edging lower by
less than half a per cent for the first
four months of the year. While the construction of this housing type has become less popular.
Condominium apartment starts
dominated new home construction
during April in the Greater Toronto
Area (GTA). Pre-construction
condominium apartment sales from
the last two years continued to
convert into strong housing starts
last month.
On an unadjusted basis, total housing
starts through the first four months
of 2008 were up by approximately
47 per cent compared to the same
time period a year earlier. Condominium
apartment starts were
nearly three times the levels compared
to the same time period a year earlier. Low borrowing costs and
steady job growth in the past couple
of years induced more homebuyers
to purchase condominium apartments
at the pre-construction stage.
The lower price tag for condominium
apartments, compared to
that of more expensive singleconstruction
of this housing type
has become less popular, CMHC’s
2008 Renovation and Home Purchase
Survey found that single-detached
homes have remained the housing
type of choice for many households.
detached homes, was especially
attractive to first time buyers.
Single-detached home starts remained
virtually unchanged on a
year-over-year basis, edging lower by
less than half a per cent for the first
four months of the year. While the construction of this housing type has become less popular.
Read more about:
- Interest Rates
- Power of Sale Properties
- Price Trends
- or Search the MLS and more at my website
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com
- Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
- On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
- See seasonal housing patterns
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
CMHC reports on National Vacancy Rates
National Vacancy Rate Unchanged at 2.6 Per Cent in October 2007
The average rental apartment vacancy rate in purpose
built apartment buildings with three or more units in
Canada's 34 major centres1 was unchanged at 2.6 per
cent in October 2007 compared to a year ago. The
centres with the highest vacancy rates in 2007 were
Windsor (12.8 per cent), Saint John (5.2 per cent)
and Moncton (4.3 per cent). The centres with the
lowest vacancy rates were Kelowna (0.0 per cent),
Victoria (0.5 per cent), Greater Sudbury (0.6 per
cent) and Saskatoon (0.6 per cent).
Strong employment growth, solid income gains, and high
immigration levels continued to support strong demand
for both ownership and rental housing. The rising gap
between the cost of home ownership and renting also
kept demand strong for rental accommodation. However,
modest rental construction and increased competition
from the condominium market offset the strong
rental demand, keeping the rental apartment vacancy
rate unchanged from a year earlier. Condominiums are
a relatively inexpensive type of housing for renters
moving to home ownership. Also, some condominium
apartments are owned by investors who rent them out.
Therefore, high levels of condominium completions have
created competition for the rental market and have put
upward pressure on vacancy rates.
The highest average monthly rents for two-bedroom
apartments in new and existing structures were in
Calgary ($1,089), Vancouver ($1,084), Toronto
($1,061) and Ottawa ($961), followed by Edmonton
($958) and Barrie ($934). The lowest average monthly
rents for two-bedroom apartments in new and
existing structures were in Trois-Rivières ($487) and
Saguenay ($490).
Year-over-year comparison of rents can be slightly
misleading because rents in newly built structures
tend to be higher than in existing buildings. However,
by excluding new structures, we can get a better
indication of actual rent increases paid by tenants.
The average rent for two-bedroom apartments in
existing structures increased in all major centres
except Windsor where the average rent in existing
structures was essentially unchanged for a second
consecutive year. The largest rent increases occurred
in markets where vacancy rates were quite low.
Rents in existing structures were up 18.8 per cent in
Edmonton, 15.3 per cent in Calgary, 13.5 per cent in
Saskatoon, 7.7 per cent in Greater Sudbury and 7.0
per cent in Kelowna. Overall, the average rent for
two-bedroom apartments in existing structures
across Canada's 34 major centres increased by 3.5
per cent between October 2006 and October 2007.
CMHC's October 2007 Rental Market Survey also
covers condominium apartments offered for rent in
the following centres: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton,
Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec. In 2007,
vacancy rates for rental condominium apartments
were below one per cent in four of the seven centres
surveyed. Rental condominiums in Vancouver had
the lowest vacancy rate at 0.2 per cent. On the other
hand, Québec and Montréal registered the highest
vacancy rates for condominium apartments at 2.4 per
cent and 3.8 per cent in 2007, respectively. The
survey showed that vacancy rates for rental condominium
apartments in 2007 were lower than vacancy
rates in the conventional rental market in Vancouver,
Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa, the same in Edmonton,
and higher in Québec and Montréal. The highest
average monthly rents for two-bedroom condominium
apartments were in Toronto ($1,533), Vancouver
($1,435), and Calgary ($1,217). All surveyed
centres posted average monthly rents for twobedroom
condominium apartments that were higher
than average monthly rents for two-bedroom private
apartments in the conventional rental market in 2007.
The average rental apartment vacancy rate in purpose
built apartment buildings with three or more units in
Canada's 34 major centres1 was unchanged at 2.6 per
cent in October 2007 compared to a year ago. The
centres with the highest vacancy rates in 2007 were
Windsor (12.8 per cent), Saint John (5.2 per cent)
and Moncton (4.3 per cent). The centres with the
lowest vacancy rates were Kelowna (0.0 per cent),
Victoria (0.5 per cent), Greater Sudbury (0.6 per
cent) and Saskatoon (0.6 per cent).
Strong employment growth, solid income gains, and high
immigration levels continued to support strong demand
for both ownership and rental housing. The rising gap
between the cost of home ownership and renting also
kept demand strong for rental accommodation. However,
modest rental construction and increased competition
from the condominium market offset the strong
rental demand, keeping the rental apartment vacancy
rate unchanged from a year earlier. Condominiums are
a relatively inexpensive type of housing for renters
moving to home ownership. Also, some condominium
apartments are owned by investors who rent them out.
Therefore, high levels of condominium completions have
created competition for the rental market and have put
upward pressure on vacancy rates.
The highest average monthly rents for two-bedroom
apartments in new and existing structures were in
Calgary ($1,089), Vancouver ($1,084), Toronto
($1,061) and Ottawa ($961), followed by Edmonton
($958) and Barrie ($934). The lowest average monthly
rents for two-bedroom apartments in new and
existing structures were in Trois-Rivières ($487) and
Saguenay ($490).
Year-over-year comparison of rents can be slightly
misleading because rents in newly built structures
tend to be higher than in existing buildings. However,
by excluding new structures, we can get a better
indication of actual rent increases paid by tenants.
The average rent for two-bedroom apartments in
existing structures increased in all major centres
except Windsor where the average rent in existing
structures was essentially unchanged for a second
consecutive year. The largest rent increases occurred
in markets where vacancy rates were quite low.
Rents in existing structures were up 18.8 per cent in
Edmonton, 15.3 per cent in Calgary, 13.5 per cent in
Saskatoon, 7.7 per cent in Greater Sudbury and 7.0
per cent in Kelowna. Overall, the average rent for
two-bedroom apartments in existing structures
across Canada's 34 major centres increased by 3.5
per cent between October 2006 and October 2007.
CMHC's October 2007 Rental Market Survey also
covers condominium apartments offered for rent in
the following centres: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton,
Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec. In 2007,
vacancy rates for rental condominium apartments
were below one per cent in four of the seven centres
surveyed. Rental condominiums in Vancouver had
the lowest vacancy rate at 0.2 per cent. On the other
hand, Québec and Montréal registered the highest
vacancy rates for condominium apartments at 2.4 per
cent and 3.8 per cent in 2007, respectively. The
survey showed that vacancy rates for rental condominium
apartments in 2007 were lower than vacancy
rates in the conventional rental market in Vancouver,
Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa, the same in Edmonton,
and higher in Québec and Montréal. The highest
average monthly rents for two-bedroom condominium
apartments were in Toronto ($1,533), Vancouver
($1,435), and Calgary ($1,217). All surveyed
centres posted average monthly rents for twobedroom
condominium apartments that were higher
than average monthly rents for two-bedroom private
apartments in the conventional rental market in 2007.
Read more about:
- Interest Rates
- Power of Sale Properties
- Price Trends
- or Search the MLS and more at my website
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com
- Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
- On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
- See seasonal housing patterns
Monday, June 02, 2008
How can you save on the mortgage interest paid
This page will give you ideas and examples on how you can lower the amount of interest you pay on your mortgage
Owning a home gives you many options. You get to choose the carpets, the paint colour, renovations and additions you make on your house. You also have opportunities to choose how you pay down your mortgage. Here are six ways to shave interest and time off your mortgage:
- Increase your mortgage payment frequency
- Shorten your amortization period
- Increase your regular mortgage payment
- Choose a mortgage with a prepayment option
- Invest your tax refunds and cash windfalls
- Keep your mortgage payments high
1. Increase your mortgage payment frequency*
If you increase the frequency of your mortgage payments from monthly to bi-weekly, your payment amount is halved. By making a payment every two weeks you then make one additional payment every year. That will cut your interest cost over the life of your mortgage.
Example:Mortgage amount: $200,000Interest rate: 5%Amortization: 25 years
| Total number of payments | Regular payment | Total payment | Total interest | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | 300 | $1,163.21 | $348,963 | $148,963 |
| Bi-weekly payment | 650 | $536.27 | $348,577 | $148,577 |
| Interest saved | $386 |
2. Shorten your amortization period*
By shortening your amortization period to less than 25 years you can create big-time interest savings.
Example:Mortgage amount: $200,000Interest rate:
5%Payments: bi-weekly
| Years | Number of payments | Total payments | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 650 | $348,577 | $148,577 |
| 20 | 520 | $315,072 | $115,072 |
| 15 | 390 | $283,411 | $83,411 |
3. Increase your regular mortgage payment*
Increasing your regular payment helps you reduce your mortgage principal faster. And that means you save interest. Better still, you'll be mortgage-free that much sooner. A Citizens Bank mortgage lets you increase your payments up to 20% each year without penalty.
Example:Mortgage amount: $200,000Interest rate: 5%Amortization: 25 yearsPayments: bi-weekly
The table below shows the effect of increasing mortgage payments after only one year. Imagine what could happen if this was done in each year of your mortgage term?
| Scenario | Bi- weekly pymnt | Total pymnts | Total intrst | Intrst saved | Yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No increase in payments | $536.27 | $348,577 | $148,577 | N/A | 25 |
| Increase payments by 5% at end of first year | $563.27 | $334,776 | $134,776 | $13,801 | 22 |
| Increase payments by 20% at end of first year | $643.27 | $306,799 | $106,799 | $41,788 | 18.5 |
4. Choose a mortgage with a prepayment option*
A prepayment option gives you the right to prepay specified amounts of your mortgage principal. A Citizens Bank mortgage lets you prepay up to 20% of the original principal. You can do this once each mortgage year without penalty. This may seem like a small thing, but even $100 applied against your principal will save you interest.
Example:Mortgage amount: $200,000Interest rate: 5%Amortization: 25 yearsPayments: bi-weekly
| Scenario | Total payments | Total interest | Interest Saved | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No prepayments during normal term | $348,577 | $148,577 | N/A | 25.0 |
| Prepayment of $100 at end of each year | $346,307 | $146,307 | $2,270 | 24.7 |
| Prepayment of $1,000 at end of each year | $328,872 | $128,872 | $19,705 | 22.0 |
5. Invest your tax refunds and cash windfalls
If you find yourself suddenly richer, think about investing the money rather than spending it. If you have a mortgage, you should consider making a lump-sum mortgage payment against the principal. Or, you could contribute the extra cash to your RRSP.
6. Keep your mortgage payments high
When the time comes to renew your mortgage and interest rates are down, the temptation is often to lower your monthly payment. But that can be short-term thinking. The short-term benefits will eventually be eaten up by extra interest charges.
If you're already making high mortgage payments, the smart choice is to keep them high. That way you'll pay off your mortgage faster. Your reward will be big interest savings over the life of your mortgage.
If you decide at some point to decrease your mortgage payments, you can do so at any time. You may, however, need to pay a small mortgage modification fee.
Note: CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)If you hold a mortgage secured by CMHC, be aware of its limitations. CMHC mortgages do not offer you the flexibility to lengthen the amortization in the event that you find your payments are too high. When flexibility is important to you, consider using other techniques.
In conclusion
One of the best methods to pay down your mortgage quicker is to reduce your original or current amortization period and use accelerated bi-weekly payments. With these two options you will pay your mortgage off in about 17 years versus 25 years!
Read more about this: http://www.mississauga4sale.com/Lock-In-Short-Term-Long-Term-Mortgage.htm
All the best,
Mark
Read more about:
- Interest Rates
- Power of Sale Properties
- Price Trends
- or Search the MLS and more at my website
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark ArgentinoP. Eng. BrokerSpecializing in Residential & Investment Real EstateThinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987( BUS 905-828-3434›mark@mississauga4sale.com8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com
- Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
- On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
- See seasonal housing patterns
Friday, May 30, 2008
CMHC comments on Ontario holds on despite manufacturing woes — Despite
Ontario holds on despite manufacturing woes
—Despite concern of a recession, Ontario managed to pump out growth of 2.1% last year. The manufacturing sector remained in contraction mode as output declined for a third consecutive year. The role of manufacturing in the economy continued to fall as well. In 2002, manufacturing accounted for 22% of Ontario's GDP compared to 18% in 2007.
Widespread strength in other sectors — including a vibrant consumer and a healthy construction sector — helped offset the decline. Job markets are being watched closely for signs that cracks are emerging. Despite weakness concentrated in the manufacturing and finance-related sectors, most other sectors are still adding jobs. However, a lion's share of the offset is coming from public sector job gains.
Read more about:
- Interest Rates
- Power of Sale Properties
- Price Trends
- or Search the MLS and more at my website
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com
- Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
- On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
- See seasonal housing patterns
Thursday, May 29, 2008
CMHC reports that Growth in house prices will slow as housing market becomes more balanced
Growth in house prices will slow as housing market becomes more balanced
For 2008, the demand will moderate.
Existing home sales, as measured by
the Multiple Listing service (MLS®),
are expected to decrease by 8.5 per
cent to 475,900 units. In 2009, the
trend will be similar with another
decrease to 465,000 units (-2.3 per
cent). MLS® sales will step back given
a moderating demand due to rising
mortgage carrying costs.
Despite a slowdown of MLS® sales
and a general ease on the market,
demand remains strong by historical
standards. For 2008 and 2009,
growth in the MLS® average price will
remain above inflation. Prices will
reach $323,000 (+5.1 per cent) in
2008 and $333,500 (+3.3 per cent)
in 2009.
It will be interesting to see if this comes true!
Mark
For 2008, the demand will moderate.
Existing home sales, as measured by
the Multiple Listing service (MLS®),
are expected to decrease by 8.5 per
cent to 475,900 units. In 2009, the
trend will be similar with another
decrease to 465,000 units (-2.3 per
cent). MLS® sales will step back given
a moderating demand due to rising
mortgage carrying costs.
Despite a slowdown of MLS® sales
and a general ease on the market,
demand remains strong by historical
standards. For 2008 and 2009,
growth in the MLS® average price will
remain above inflation. Prices will
reach $323,000 (+5.1 per cent) in
2008 and $333,500 (+3.3 per cent)
in 2009.
It will be interesting to see if this comes true!
Mark
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
New Anti-Money Laundering Regulations in Canada
New Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
The Issue
The Department of Finance and FINTRAC are currently proceeding with an aggressive plan to implement new anti-money
laundering and anti-terrorist financing (AML/ATF) regulations in mid 2008 and 2009. New regulations affecting the real
estate industry take effect on June 23rd, 2008.
REALTORS® have consistently supported the federal government's efforts to monitor, document and report known
suspicious and illegal activity since 2002, and have been meeting regularly with officials since 2005 to develop a clear
implementation protocol for the adoption of the new requirements. Despite this, licensees are being asked to perform
functions that they are simply unable to do.
We also believe that neither the federal government, our industry, nor the general public is adequately prepared for the
June implementation deadline.
Our Concerns
Among the major concerns that REALTORS® have are:
• The Federal Government is unprepared for the June 23rd, 2008 deadline – placing REALTORS® at risk of noncompliance.
The interpretations and guidelines for the new regulations remain incomplete.
• Huge loopholes in the legislation still remain. For example, the private sale market is not captured under the
regulations. As a result, criminal activity can and will continue to operate through these channels.
• Government will be forcing salespeople into a law-enforcement role.
• REALTORS® will be required to identify the client of a cooperating Broker. This will leave unsecured private
information in every real estate office.
• Under the new rules, REALTORS® will now be required to ask for and verify the identity of private buyers or sellers –
individuals with whom they have no legal or contractual obligation.
• REALTORS® do not have the tools to identify beneficial owners, third party participants, or assignees.
• The industry is not prepared, in terms of procedures or security resources, for the major increase in personal
information that will evolve with the new regulations.
Recommendation:
REALTORS® urge the government of Canada to
delay the enforcementof the new anti-money laundering and
anti-terrorist financing regulations until such a time that guidelines are clear for all concerned. Industry must be given an
appropriate amount of time to properly prepare - and thus continue to function as a partner with government in combating
criminal activity.
REALTORS® urge the government to
rescind the requirement for identifying and recording the personal information
of any individuals with whom they have no legal relationship. They also call on the government to close major loopholes in
the regulations by regulating the private sale and For Sale By Owner Industries immediately.
REALTORS® call upon the Government of Canada to
initiate a public campaign to educate the general publicwith
respect to the mandatory new client identification, record keeping, and reporting requirements as authorized under the
Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.
Read more about:
- Interest Rates
- Power of Sale Properties
- Price Trends
- or Search the MLS and more at my website
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com
- Thinking of selling in the next 3 to 6 months? Would you like a Complimentary & Quick Over-The-Net Home Evaluation ?
- On-Line Real Estate Newsletter sign up
- See seasonal housing patterns
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
CMHC reports Housing starts will begin to trend lower in 2008
Housing starts will begin to trend lower in 2008
Despite positive economic fundamentals,
housing activity will continue
to trend down over the next
year and a half. Most of the pent-up
demand that built up during the
1990s has now been fulfilled and
residential construction activity will
gradually move in line with Canadian
demographic fundamentals. Higher
home prices and the resulting
increase in mortgage carrying costs
will temper homeownership demand,
particularly in western provinces.
Competition from the existing
home market will increase as housing
markets move toward balanced
conditions, giving homebuyers more
choice. This, in turn, will dampen
spillover demand from the existing
market into the new home market.
These trends will dampen new
home construction. The number of
starts is expected to decrease to
214,650 units in 2008 and 199,900
units in 2009.
Interesting news from CMHC!
Mark
Despite positive economic fundamentals,
housing activity will continue
to trend down over the next
year and a half. Most of the pent-up
demand that built up during the
1990s has now been fulfilled and
residential construction activity will
gradually move in line with Canadian
demographic fundamentals. Higher
home prices and the resulting
increase in mortgage carrying costs
will temper homeownership demand,
particularly in western provinces.
Competition from the existing
home market will increase as housing
markets move toward balanced
conditions, giving homebuyers more
choice. This, in turn, will dampen
spillover demand from the existing
market into the new home market.
These trends will dampen new
home construction. The number of
starts is expected to decrease to
214,650 units in 2008 and 199,900
units in 2009.
Interesting news from CMHC!
Mark
Monday, May 26, 2008
How to Get Rid of a Telemarketer
Excerpts from How to Get Rid of a Telemarketer
Identifying a Telemarketer
Each time the phone rings there is a chance that a telemarketer looms on the other end of the line. To successfully rid yourself of
an annoying sales call, you must remain prepared to act immediately. Therefore, identifying a telemarketer as soon as-or better
yet, before-you pick up the receiver is essential to implementing effective anti-telemarketer techniques. Follow the procedures
outlined on the following pages to prepare yourself to handle unwanted calls.
1. Recognize the Ring
Always consider the activity you are engaged in when the telephone first rings. There is at least a fifty percent chance that you
are about to have an encounter with a telemarketer if you are:
Watching your favorite TV show.
Taking a bath.
Changing a diaper.
Eating dinner.
Engaged in "marital relations."
Leaving the house, late for an engagement.
Reading in the bathroom.
Napping.
Painting the ceiling.
Burning cookies.
June Says: Hi there, readers! Do you have call waiting? If you're talking long-distance with an old friend and
someone "beeps in," chances increase to eighty percent that the new caller wants to sell you something!
2. Recognize the Greeting
To deflect a sales call effectively, you must be able to identify a telemarketer and hang up (or take charge of the call--your
choice) before he or she can squeeze off seven words. If a caller answers your greeting in any of the following ways...
Four Steps to Hanging Up
Let's cut to the chase: many of you bought this book simply because you want nothing more than to rid yourselves of phone
pests. Your compassion as a human being, however, may prevent you from simply hanging up. (This may also be a sign of
codependency: by speaking to telemarketers, you are also acting as their "enabler.") Whatever the case, you need to know
how to hang up quickly and effectively. Remember, to really help those on the other end of the line, we must discourage them
from pursuing their current careers. Once you've correctly identified a telemarketer, use the four steps on the following pages to
gain the confidence you need to free yourself from sales calls.
Step 1. Interrupt the Telemarketer.
This is perhaps the hardest step, most often because once a telemarketing pitch begins, it's hard for anyone to get a word in
edgewise. It is, however, one of the most important aspects of phone solicitation deterrence: confronting telemarketing calls
relies on actually speaking.
Beginners may wish to employ an "apologetic" approach: "I'm sorry, but I must hang up the phone now. This is very difficult for
me. I'm going through a four-step program to help me learn to hang up on telemarketers. I don't blame you for the call or your
unfortunate career choice-I hope you'll understand."
If you succeed with Step 1, proceed directly to Step 4. If not, go to Step 2.
Step 2. Walk Away.
If you can't bring yourself to interrupt a telemarketer, simply set the phone down and walk away. You can rest assured the
caller will keep right on talking and never know you've gone.
Were you able to lay down the phone for at least one minute? Congratulations! You're making progress.
Now go back to Step 1 and try again to interrupt the caller, but this time speak before listening to the caller's voice-this way
you give yourself the illusion that you're not actually interrupting.
If you couldn't set the phone down for at least one minute, proceed to Step 3...
Efficient Escape 1:
Confuse the Caller
If you're confident a telemarketer looms on the other end of your ringing phone, answer by saying: "Hi, I'd like to place an
order to go," and continue by reading your favorite Chinese restaurant take-out menu. If the telemarketer doesn't on his or her
own, HANG UP!
Efficient Escape 3:
Create a Technical Difficulty
Interrupt by ignoring the telemarketer and saying, "Hello? Hello?" Click the reset button twice quickly, without hanging up, and
repeat "Hello? Hello?" Follow by saying, "Well, whoever it was, they must have hung up." Then HANG UP! If they call back,
repeat. If they call back more than three times, tell them you were just kidding, compliment them on their persistence, and
HANG UP immediately!
Efficient Escape 7:
Rehearse Your Vegas Act
Interrupt by breaking into song during the telemarketer's pitch. Don't stop until they hang up. If they remain on the line, soften
your voice, creating a "fade away" effect and hang up after a few bars. Show tunes and anything by Ethel Merman tend to be
the most effective, but nothing clears your phone line faster than your own rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love
You." Leave the hanging up to the telemarketer.
Elaborate Encounter 1:
The Old Codger/Old Crone
If the caller asks, "Is this the man [or woman] of the house?" Tell them, "Just a minute, please." and pretend to hand the phone
to "dad" or "grandpa" (or "mom" or "grandma") as the case may be. Then use your best "old codger" (or "old crone") voice and
bombard the caller by repeating "Huh?" and "Speak up!" If they persist, go into a pointless, meandering, story that begins:
"Why, back in my day we didn't " Add drool-laden "slurp" noises for effect. The phone salesperson will soon give up.
Elaborate Encounter 6:
Vacuum Sales
Is the telemarketer offering a "free," one-room carpet cleaning? Excellent! Don't pass this one up! Simply tell them to "Come
right over! Right now! Because, believe it or not--what timing! This is great! You see, I'm fleeing--er, moving out of
state--very, very soon. Everything is set to go, but this house is a rental and I'll never get the deposit back if I don't get this
carpet cleaned. How soon could you guys get here? It will get blood stains out, won't it? How about identifiable fibers, like hair
or that DNA stuff? You know, like in the O.J. trial? Say, you don't think he really did it, do you? You want to know my
theory?" Again, run with this one as long as you can.
Elaborate Encounter 15:
Veggiebabble
Based on the theory that you don't have to actually be psychotic to act crazy, this routine causes most telemarketers to question
their career choice. When a telemarketer begins a pitch, arbitrarily begin inserting the names of vegetables as they try to speak.
After the first or second "rutabaga" or "broccoli" they should respond by saying, "What?" Reply by naming another vegetable
("okra" and "Brussels sprouts" work particularly well). The salesperson will begin laughing uncomfortably and hang up. You
win.
How to Get Rid of a Telemarketer also features a dozen more escapes and encounters, Telecommunication Specialist Bob
Schuck's guide to the modern Touchtone phone, a profile of a typical telemarketer, and even other jobs that utilize
telemarketing skills.
Enjoy,
Mark
Identifying a Telemarketer
Each time the phone rings there is a chance that a telemarketer looms on the other end of the line. To successfully rid yourself of
an annoying sales call, you must remain prepared to act immediately. Therefore, identifying a telemarketer as soon as-or better
yet, before-you pick up the receiver is essential to implementing effective anti-telemarketer techniques. Follow the procedures
outlined on the following pages to prepare yourself to handle unwanted calls.
1. Recognize the Ring
Always consider the activity you are engaged in when the telephone first rings. There is at least a fifty percent chance that you
are about to have an encounter with a telemarketer if you are:
Watching your favorite TV show.
Taking a bath.
Changing a diaper.
Eating dinner.
Engaged in "marital relations."
Leaving the house, late for an engagement.
Reading in the bathroom.
Napping.
Painting the ceiling.
Burning cookies.
June Says: Hi there, readers! Do you have call waiting? If you're talking long-distance with an old friend and
someone "beeps in," chances increase to eighty percent that the new caller wants to sell you something!
2. Recognize the Greeting
To deflect a sales call effectively, you must be able to identify a telemarketer and hang up (or take charge of the call--your
choice) before he or she can squeeze off seven words. If a caller answers your greeting in any of the following ways...
Four Steps to Hanging Up
Let's cut to the chase: many of you bought this book simply because you want nothing more than to rid yourselves of phone
pests. Your compassion as a human being, however, may prevent you from simply hanging up. (This may also be a sign of
codependency: by speaking to telemarketers, you are also acting as their "enabler.") Whatever the case, you need to know
how to hang up quickly and effectively. Remember, to really help those on the other end of the line, we must discourage them
from pursuing their current careers. Once you've correctly identified a telemarketer, use the four steps on the following pages to
gain the confidence you need to free yourself from sales calls.
Step 1. Interrupt the Telemarketer.
This is perhaps the hardest step, most often because once a telemarketing pitch begins, it's hard for anyone to get a word in
edgewise. It is, however, one of the most important aspects of phone solicitation deterrence: confronting telemarketing calls
relies on actually speaking.
Beginners may wish to employ an "apologetic" approach: "I'm sorry, but I must hang up the phone now. This is very difficult for
me. I'm going through a four-step program to help me learn to hang up on telemarketers. I don't blame you for the call or your
unfortunate career choice-I hope you'll understand."
If you succeed with Step 1, proceed directly to Step 4. If not, go to Step 2.
Step 2. Walk Away.
If you can't bring yourself to interrupt a telemarketer, simply set the phone down and walk away. You can rest assured the
caller will keep right on talking and never know you've gone.
Were you able to lay down the phone for at least one minute? Congratulations! You're making progress.
Now go back to Step 1 and try again to interrupt the caller, but this time speak before listening to the caller's voice-this way
you give yourself the illusion that you're not actually interrupting.
If you couldn't set the phone down for at least one minute, proceed to Step 3...
Efficient Escape 1:
Confuse the Caller
If you're confident a telemarketer looms on the other end of your ringing phone, answer by saying: "Hi, I'd like to place an
order to go," and continue by reading your favorite Chinese restaurant take-out menu. If the telemarketer doesn't on his or her
own, HANG UP!
Efficient Escape 3:
Create a Technical Difficulty
Interrupt by ignoring the telemarketer and saying, "Hello? Hello?" Click the reset button twice quickly, without hanging up, and
repeat "Hello? Hello?" Follow by saying, "Well, whoever it was, they must have hung up." Then HANG UP! If they call back,
repeat. If they call back more than three times, tell them you were just kidding, compliment them on their persistence, and
HANG UP immediately!
Efficient Escape 7:
Rehearse Your Vegas Act
Interrupt by breaking into song during the telemarketer's pitch. Don't stop until they hang up. If they remain on the line, soften
your voice, creating a "fade away" effect and hang up after a few bars. Show tunes and anything by Ethel Merman tend to be
the most effective, but nothing clears your phone line faster than your own rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love
You." Leave the hanging up to the telemarketer.
Elaborate Encounter 1:
The Old Codger/Old Crone
If the caller asks, "Is this the man [or woman] of the house?" Tell them, "Just a minute, please." and pretend to hand the phone
to "dad" or "grandpa" (or "mom" or "grandma") as the case may be. Then use your best "old codger" (or "old crone") voice and
bombard the caller by repeating "Huh?" and "Speak up!" If they persist, go into a pointless, meandering, story that begins:
"Why, back in my day we didn't " Add drool-laden "slurp" noises for effect. The phone salesperson will soon give up.
Elaborate Encounter 6:
Vacuum Sales
Is the telemarketer offering a "free," one-room carpet cleaning? Excellent! Don't pass this one up! Simply tell them to "Come
right over! Right now! Because, believe it or not--what timing! This is great! You see, I'm fleeing--er, moving out of
state--very, very soon. Everything is set to go, but this house is a rental and I'll never get the deposit back if I don't get this
carpet cleaned. How soon could you guys get here? It will get blood stains out, won't it? How about identifiable fibers, like hair
or that DNA stuff? You know, like in the O.J. trial? Say, you don't think he really did it, do you? You want to know my
theory?" Again, run with this one as long as you can.
Elaborate Encounter 15:
Veggiebabble
Based on the theory that you don't have to actually be psychotic to act crazy, this routine causes most telemarketers to question
their career choice. When a telemarketer begins a pitch, arbitrarily begin inserting the names of vegetables as they try to speak.
After the first or second "rutabaga" or "broccoli" they should respond by saying, "What?" Reply by naming another vegetable
("okra" and "Brussels sprouts" work particularly well). The salesperson will begin laughing uncomfortably and hang up. You
win.
How to Get Rid of a Telemarketer also features a dozen more escapes and encounters, Telecommunication Specialist Bob
Schuck's guide to the modern Touchtone phone, a profile of a typical telemarketer, and even other jobs that utilize
telemarketing skills.
Enjoy,
Mark
Sunday, May 25, 2008
PROTECTION TIPS for preserving your Identity
PROTECTION TIPS
While the Identity Watch program is an excellent way to guard your identity and protect your credit, no one is completely safe. Take the following steps to further minimize the risk of identity theft.
- Get a shredder and destroy any unneeded charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, cheques and bank statements
- Cut up expired charge cards that you're discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail
- Monitor your financial records and credit rating
- Don't share personal information on the Internet unless you've initiated the contact or know who you're dealing with
- Promptly remove mail from your mailbox
- If you're away from home and can't pick up your mail, call Canada Post to request a vacation hold
- Shield your computer from viruses and spies by updating firewall and virus protection software
Read more about:
- Interest Rates
- Power of Sale Properties
- Price Trends
- or Search the MLS and more at my website
Thank you for reading my blog and if there is anything else I can help you with please don't hesitate to contact me,
Mark
A. Mark Argentino
P. Eng. Broker
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
Thinking of Selling? Best Mortgage Rates Current Home Prices Search MLS
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.
Providing Full-Time Professional Real Estate Services since 1987
( BUS 905-828-3434
›mark@mississauga4sale.com
8 Website : Mississauga4Sale.com
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