1809 Kyle Crt.

• Enjoy living in desirable Hyde Park—close to great schools and all the amenities you could possibly want
• Extended Kitchen with breakfast bar
• All Cabinet doors with upgrade finish
• Ceramics
• Hardwood
• 9' foot ceilings
• 4 pce Master Ensuite & Cheater ensuite
• Crown Moulding in Living/Dining areas as well as Master Bedroom
• Fireplace
• Marble Threshold for ceramic/carpet boundary
• Power & Cable already set up for future LCD TV

October

October Dates

1-31, Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month
1-31, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
4-10, Fire Prevention Week
12, Columbus Day
31, Halloween

What Happended in October?
* On October 15, 1989, 28-year-old Los Angeles King Wayne Gretzky breaks Gordie Howe's points record (1,850) in the final period of a game against the Edmonton Oilers.

* On October 16, 1912, New York Giants outfielder Fred Snodgrass drops an easy pop-up in the 10th inning of the tiebreaking eighth game of the World Series against the Red Sox.

* On October 17, 1968, Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos are forced to return their awards because they raised their fists in a black-power salute during the medal ceremony.

* On October 18, 1977, in the sixth game of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson hits three home runs in a row off of three consecutive pitches from three different pitchers.

310 Millbank Drive

· Enjoy living in desirable Pond Mills surrounded by approx 203 hectares of Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Environmentally Significant Area with 12 km of managed trails and boardwalks. · Hospitals, schools 401 HYWY and Whiteoaks mall are all easily accessed from this lovely neighbourhood.

· 3 season Sunroom

· 2003 Beachcomber Hot tub with new lid

· Breaker box updated 2003

· Deck 20’ x10’

· Siding soffit, fascia, eavestrough windows and doors caped 1998

· Roof 1999

· Air 2003

· Hardwoods throughout main floor and bedrooms

· Front Porch added 2 years ago

Room Dimensions
Living Room 14’4” X 13’9”

Kitchen 11’6” X 10’2”

Dining Room 11’6” X 8’3”

Bedroom 11’0” X 11’2”

Bedroom 9’6” X 8’10”

Master Bedroom 11'0” X 11'10”

Family Room 19’11” X 10’0”

Den 10’6” X 8’8”

Rec Room 9’.0” X 15’4”

All meas. approx. and to be verified by the buyer

July sales down, but prices up

Last month, 904 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), a 4.8-per-cent decrease over July 2008. This includes 734 detached homes (down 1.2 per cent from July 2008) and 170 condos (down 17.9 per cent from July 2008). Year to date, 4,026 detached homes and 923 condos have been sold – down 9.3 per cent and 19.9 per cent respectively compared to the same period in 2008.
Sales in St. Thomas continue to stabilize – 72 homes exchanged hands in July 2009, a 2.9-per-cent increase over July 2008. The average residential price year-to-date in St. Thomas is $183,571, a 1.3-per-cent decrease over last year.
“Although July sales decreased 4.8 per cent over the same period last year, the average residential price for July 2009 actually increased by 4.1 per cent to $219,260,” says Joe Hough, LSTAR President. “Year-to-date for July 2009, the total residential average price is up 0.2% to $213,002, compared with an increase of 1.5% in June ($211,583), a decline of 1.2% in May, 1.8% in April, 2.7% in March, 2.4% in February and 2.8% in January.”
“Sales momentum remains strong going into the second half of 2009,” says Dale Ripplinger, President of The Canadian Real Estate Association. “Chances are good that the number of transactions in the second half of 2009 will surpass levels in the first half of the year.”

Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo (1902- 1977) leader of the big-band era “The Royal Canadian’s” and known for his yearly rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” which is still played on new years at Times Square in New York City, was born in London Ontario.

Housing market fires up

Momentum may be building in the London-area real estate market, with June sales up 5% over the same month last year.

Sales had not been in positive territory since last September and bottomed out last November -- when they were 41% below the same month in 2007.

But last month, the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors (LSTAR) said, 946 detached homes and condominiums sold in June, up from 903 in June 2008.

Year-to-date sales for 2009 are still down about 20% compared to the first half of 2008.

LSTAR president Joe Hough said consumer confidence has been steadily improving and low mortgage rates and federal government incentives are drawing more and more buyers into the market.

Hough noted St. Thomas had an especially good month in June, with 90 sales in the city -- an increase of 32.4% over the same month last year

"I'm feeling very positive. Every month, we're gaining a bit of steam."

A few months ago buyers were gaining the upper hand as the number of homes listed jumped about 25%.

But Hough said the market is getting more balanced and there have even been bidding wars.

"We have seen a few here. When a property is priced right, people recognize that," Hough said.

He said the market is still weighted toward modestly priced homes.

There was more improvement in prices last month. The average year-to-date house price was $211,584, down just 0.7% from the first six months of 2008.

The average price bottomed out in January when it was 2.8% below the same month last year.

The London-St Thomas area is following a national trend with sales and prices showing signs of revival in major markets across Canada.

"Sales activity is now closer to the pre-recession peak than it is to the recent low point reached last January," said Dale Ripplinger, president of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

Hough said homes sales act as economic stimulus. CREA has calculated each home sale generates $32,000 in spinoff spending on furniture, appliances and renovations.

Hough said the revival in resale homes would eventually filter through to the new home construction market as overall demand for housing builds.

"This is going to help everything. I don't think we will see a buying frenzy again but we will see a more stable market."

How to Clean Your Flat-Panel TV Without Damaging the Screen

The screen on your flat-panel television is much more sensitive than the CRT screens that came before it. Plasma, LCD and projection televisions require more care when cleaning them.

• The number one caution: Don't use regular glass cleaner. Chemicals in window cleaner can permanently fog your screen over time and could even remove its antiglare coating.
• Customer service techs at Westinghouse recommend using LCD cleaner, which can be purchased at any electronics store. At MG Chemicals, makers of one widely used LCD cleaner, they say most cleaners are mainly water. If you don't have special cleaner on hand, use a glass of distilled water with a capful of isopropyl alcohol in it. Or use a mixture of equal parts of water and white vinegar. Avoid cleaning products that contain ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid or methyl chloride. These could yellow the screen.
• Whatever cleaning agent you use, never spray it directly onto the screen. Put it on a cloth instead. Spray can get inside of flat panels and damage them. It can also run down, get into the TV circuits and short them out.
• Flat panel screens are made of plastic and scratch very easily. Some makers advise using microfiber cloths such as those recommended for cleaning laptop screens, eyeglasses or camera lenses. These are the best choices. Many cloths and tissues feel soft but are actually somewhat abrasive.
• Don't use paper towels. They can scratch the screen's surface. They can also carry a static charge which could damage the set's electronics, according to the Geek Squad.

How to Clean the Screen

1. Turn the set off so you can see areas that are dusty or oily.
2. Dust the screen very gently. If there is dirt or oil remaining, dampen the cloth with a cleaning agent and wipe gently again. Never press on the screen because it can cause pixels to burn out.
3. The plastic edge of the screen can be cleaned with any multipurpose cleaner, but be careful so the cleaner doesn't contact with the screen itself.

July is for Hot Dogs

Call it a dog, sausage or frankfurter; it's been around since before the 9th century BC. Homer's Odyssey refers to a man by a roaring fire waiting impatiently for his sausage to cook.

In the centuries that followed, many references to the sausage are recorded throughout history. In the 19th century, German immigrants came here and brought their sausages and their dachshund dogs with them.

In 1867, a German butcher opened a stand in Coney Island in New York and sold 3,684 "dachshund" sausages in milk rolls. A cartoon was drawn featuring the sausages, but the cartoonist didn't know how to spell dachshund, so he called them hot dogs. The name stuck.

A study done a few years ago indicated that Americans eat more than 16 billion hot dogs each year. They eat 150 million on the 4th of July alone.

Have a happy Hot Dog Month!!

25999 King St., Carlisle

The Perfect Compromise
Solid Custom home of approx 3000sq’ of finished space, built with pride on just over 1.35 acres.
Room for the Boy Toys
Enjoy fishing in the Nairn Creek & Quiet Country living in the historic hamlet of Carlisle; 20 minutes North West of London.

A great place to raise a family!

Watch Out BlogEstate!

Welcome to my new BlogEstate,

I'm new to blogging but I think it's a pretty cool, eco-friendly way to share my newsletters and information about the London and area Real Estate market.

I will be regularily updating my blog with new market information, listings and fun facts about London. Also check back for new opinion polls, recipes and helpful home owner tips like how to keep a weed free garden, or spring cleaning advice!

Let's get started!


Selling Your Home: Why Use a Realtor?

Some homeowners are tempted to try selling their property without the help of a real estate agent (this is called FSBO: For Sale By Owner). The reality is that selling real estate is a complex and highly specialized field. If you are like most, your home is your biggest asset. An agent will help steer you clear of the many pitfalls, and most importantly, will save you time and money. Here are just a few of the advantages of working with an agent:

• Your agent knows real estate values in your neighbourhood and will help set an agreeable and competitive price on your home.
• Your agent will establish a marketing strategy for your home ensuring that your property is exposed to scores of potential buyers.
• Your agent takes care of the many tasks involved in selling a house (everything from putting up the for sale sign and taking care of paperwork). This saves you time and ensures that the transaction is simple and low-stress for you.
• Your agent is an expert in the home selling process and as such will advise you of your rights, options and obligations.
• Your agent is an experienced negotiator and will work to get you the best price possible.
• Your agent has access to all of the latest tools, technology and tricks of the trade.
• Your agent can recommend the best ways to improve your home's curb appeal.
• Your Royal LePage agent has the support of a national firm and a network of contacts and expertise.

Go Green—Ways We Can Cut Waste

1. Reduce waste by using Bounty Select-a-Size sheets. They are 45%
   smaller than regular Bounty sheets, butstronger when wet than the next leading 2- ply.
2. Before you hit PRINT, consider if you really need a hard copy. If so, use both sides of the paper. Add ‘Think Before You Print’ footer to your emails.
3. Pour left-over wine into ice cube trays and freeze. Use the next time you need to cook with wine.
4. The faster the flow, the more water that's wasted, even with low-flow fittings on your taps and shower.
5. Up to a third of the drinking water that comes into the average home goes straight down the toilet. To reduce the volume per flush, put plastic bottles filled with water into your cisterns.
6. Use the water used to boil veggies, to make stocks or soups. Or, pour it on your garden when it's cooled.
   
   By taking small steps and using products that help produce less waste, you’re helping to keep trash out of landfills.

Market Report

Last month, 864 homes exchanged hands in the jurisdiction of the London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® (LSTAR), including 698 detached homes (down 15.4% from May 2008) and 166 condos (down 15.3% from May 2008). Year to date, 2535 detached homes and 579 condos have been sold – down 15.2% and 23.8% respectively compared to the same
period in 2008.

“May sales have increased by 7.5 per cent over April’s sales,” says Joe Hough, LSTAR President. “It’s very encouraging to see sales continue to increase month over month.”
Hough says the average residential price is also improving. “Year-to-date for May 2009, the total residential average price is down just 1.2% to $209,920, compared with a decline of 1.8% in April, 2.7% in March, 2.4% in February and 2.8% in January.”

Hough says the federal government incentives announced in the last budget, including the increase in the maximum withdrawal allowed under the Home Buyers’ Plan to $25,000, and the First Time Buyer Tax Credit, have helped spring sales.

“REALTORS® know that several factors have led to this market situation,” says Dale Ripplinger, President of The Canadian Real Estate Association. “First, price adjustments in some markets have helped affordability. Second, lenders do have money for people and properties that qualify, although some are being more stringent. The third factor involves consumer confidence, which has risen in the housing market through the Spring.

CREA Chief Economist Gregory Klump says: “In the recessions of the early 1980s and 1990s, sales activity bottomed out before the job market or even the economy did. Improved affordability may result in Canadian existing home sales leading the economic recovery this year.”