Showing posts with label Schools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schools. Show all posts

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Do you need a degree to sell real estate in Ontario?

I receive questions from people who are thinking of becoming a real estate agent. Here is one below with my answer.
Hello my name is AC and I live in Prince Edward County. I was googleing and I came across your web page and I have a few questions as I am considering real estate a career. First, do you need a degree in order to legally sell in Ontario? Second, what do you think is the most legitimate way to receive your license?

If you can find the time to reply I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

AC
Hi AC,
You live in a beautiful part of the Province, just gorgeous!
You do not need any degree obtain your license, but you must have your real estate license to sell real estate in Ontario unless you are working for a builder or a corporation that buys or sells real estate.
The best place to begin is http://www.orea.com/index.cfm/ci_id/10346/la_id/1.htm and this will show you all the necessary steps on becoming a real estate license.
I wish you the best in all your endeavors!
Mark

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

How to make the move as easy and stress free as possible

How to Create a Smooth Move for Your Family

Moving to a new community may be one of the most stress-producing experiences a family faces. Frequent moves or even a single move can be especially hard on children and adolescents. Studies show children who move frequently are more likely to have problems at school. Moves are even more difficult if accompanied by other significant changes in the child's life, such as a death, divorce, loss of family income or a need to change schools.

Moves interrupt friendships. To a new child at school, it may at first seem that everyone else has a best friend or is securely involved with a group of peers. The child must get used to a different schedule and curriculum, and may be ahead in certain subjects and behind in others. This situation may make the child stressed, anxious or bored.

Children in kindergarten or first grade may be particularly vulnerable to a family move because developmentally they are just in the process of separating from their parents and adjusting to new authority figures and social relationships. The relocation can interfere with that normal process of separation by causing them to return to a more dependent relationship with their parents.

In general, the older the child, the more difficulty he or she will have with the move because of the increasing importance of the peer group. Pre-teens and teenagers may repeatedly protest the move, or ask to stay in their hometown with a friend's family. Some youngsters may not talk about their distress, so parents should be aware of the warning signs of depression, including changes in appetite, social withdrawal, a drop in grades, irritability, sleep disturbances or other dramatic changes in behavior or mood.

Children who seem depressed by a move may be reacting more to the stress they are experiencing than to the relocation.

If the child shows persistent signs of depression or distress, parents can ask their family doctor to refer them to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or therapist. The psychiatrist or therapist can evaluate and treat the child's emotional problems which may be associated with stress and also help parents make the transition easier for the whole family.

While preparing for possible difficulties, remember that many good things can come from a move. The family may grow closer; parents may learn more about their children from going through the experience with them; and children may enjoy a new sense of independence and accomplishment. With the proper attention from parents, and professional help if necessary, moving can be a positive growth experience for children, leading to increased self-confidence and interpersonal skills.

Making the Move Easier:



Explain clearly to the children why the move is necessary.
Familiarize the children with the new area with maps, photographs or the daily newspaper.
Describe advantages of the new location that the child might appreciate such as having their own room, a new playground, a nearby beach or an amusement park.
After the move, get involved with the children in activities at your church or synagogue, school, scouts, YMCA, etc.
If a son or daughter is a senior in high school, consider the possibility of letting him or her stay with a trusted family until the school year is over.
Let children participate in designing or furnishing their room.
Help children keep in touch with friends from the previous neighborhood through telephone, letters, e-mail and personal visits. Information for this article was provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Read my moving checklist http://www.mississauga4sale.com/moving-checklist.htm

Read more about:Homes for Sale

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

Homes for Sale

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Fraser Institute 2008 Report on Ontario's Elementary Schools is out



Fraser Institute 2008 Report on Ontario's Elementary Schools is out


The Report Card on Ontario's Elementary Schools: 2008 Edition collects a variety of relevant, objective indicators of school performance into one, easily accessible public document so that anyone can analyze and compare the performance of individual schools.


The Report Card assists parents when they choose a school for their children and encourages and assists all those seeking to improve their schools.


You can find all of the reports at this link



Read more about:Homes for Sale



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


Homes for Sale

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Choosing the right School for your Children


Choosing the Right School for Your Children

For many families, a move to a new state or community means making difficult choices. Choosing from among the wide array of options of appropriate day care for younger children or schools for the older ones can be a complex and time-consuming chore. Parents need to examine their own basic values, their child-rearing and educational philosophies, and each child's needs when making decisions that will affect their child's future.

For many parents, choosing the best schools for their children determines other life choices. Newcomers usually investigate the public school systems thoroughly before selecting an area in which to settle. Each school district determines its own curriculum, requirements, and special programs. However, individual schools within a district can differ because of variations in student bodies, individual principals and teachers, and parental involvement. Neighborhoods with higher income levels and percentage of parents with college educations generally have schools with better test scores and a larger percentage of students going on to college. Real Estate agents are a good source of information in this area.

In comparing school districts and individual schools within each district, the following general questions should be asked:

Is the physical location of the school adequate and secure?
What is the school's teacher/student ratio?
What teaching methods (traditional, open classroom, team-teaching, etc.) are used?
Observe classes if possible.
What arts programs are offered?
What are the special education facilities and programs in each school/jurisdiction?
Is homework given and, if so, how much each night?
Is there an adequate sports program?
What extracurricular clubs and interest groups exist?
Parents of elementary school children should ask other questions:

Can a young child walk to school safely without crossing main roads?
Is transportation available?
Is there sufficient space for recreation and adequate playground supervision?
Are there after-school and extended day programs? Parents can use school profiles and interviews with principals or counselors to answer the following questions:
Does the school have a good orientation program for new students?
What courses are included in the basic curriculum?
What elective courses are available?
What Advanced Placement courses are offered?
Is there vocational education for those students wishing to take a trade, skill or career course?
How have students scored recently on standardized tests (such as the S.A.T.)?
What percentage of high school students go to college? How are college and career counseling handled?
Private schooling is another option to be considered Classes are usually smaller, children may receive more individual attention, and college-bound students are given more personalized counseling. Schools sponsored by religious organizations are often less costly than other independent schools, but their classes tend to be larger.

Students interested in private schools should begin the application process early as the most competitive schools have February deadlines. Since many of the most selective schools require interviews, families should consider scheduling interviews before a formal application is made. It is unwise to apply to only one school. Because of space limitations, many bright children are denied entrance to the more popular schools. Some Catholic schools give priority to families that are members of the parish. Applying to four or five schools should prevent disappointment.

Home Playground Safety Checklist


To make sure your home playground is a safe place to play:

Install and maintain a shock-absorbing surface around the play equipment. Use at least 9 inches of wood chips, mulch, or shredded rubber for play equipment up to 7 feet high.
Install protective surfacing at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment.
Never attach - or allow children to attach - ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
Check hardware for open "S" hooks or protruding bolt ends, which can be hazardous.
Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs; these spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
Make sure platforms and ramps have guardrails to prevent falls.
Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
Remove tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
Regularly check play equipment and surfacing to make sure both are in good condition.
Carefully supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.


More about schools in Mississaug and the GTA


Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) Average Prices and Graph

For more information please contact A. Mark Argentino

A. Mark Argentino, Broker, P.Eng.,
Specializing in Residential & Investment Real Estate
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
2691 Credit Valley Road, Suite 101, Mississauga, Ontario L5M 7A1

BUS. 905-828-3434
FAX. 905-828-2829
E-MAIL: mark@mississauga4sale.com
Website: Mississauga4Sale.com