While housing starts are down across the nation, the GTA, and Peel Region, Brampton city staff are reporting 32% and 11% increases, for the first 6 months and first 10 months of the year (vs the same period last year), respectively. City staff are forecasting the housing starts number to drop to 5000 for 2008, and taper down further in 2009 and 2010. Meanwhile, 2008 estimates for industrial, commercial, office, and institutional construction have been revised upwards to 5 million square feet. Source: Housing starts soar in Brampton (Brampton Guardian) 10/05/2007

Autumn has arrived with all its splendor and you can still enjoy the use of your outdoor rooms, even when the evenings turn chilly.  The addition of a clay Chiminea or copper fire pot will add warmth and create wonderful atmosphere for you and your guests.  A few cozy and colorful blankets draped over the Muskoka chairs will look inviting. Large ornamental lanterns will brighten your pathways.  Several potted mums and a few cheery pumpkins will serve as your accessory pieces.Now bring on the spiced apple cider or a steaming bowl of carrot soup to warm the soul. Everyone will be happy to spend an hour or two outside for an enjoyable evening. Enjoy ! 10/04/2007

Brampton, Ontario was declared as one of the safest cities in the world by the World Heath Organization (WHO). Brampton is the first city in the Greater Toronto Area and only the 10th city in North America to receive this prestigious designation. This designation recognises that government, community groups, volunteers and businesses are prepared for any disasters which may strike and are working together to reduce injuries in the workplace. It also recognises that the city has programs in place to make the roads safer from death and injuries and the streets safer from crime.More details about the designation can be found on WHO website at http://www.phs.ki.se/csp/safecom/brampton.htm. Check out the official website for the city of Brampton at http://www.city.brampton.on.ca/home.tafWant... 09/26/2007

According to RealNet Canada, new home sales in the GTA are still quite healthy, with the price index up 5.1% for low rise projects, and 1.7% for high-rise projects. (June 06 vs June 07) In Brampton, there's quite a bit of inventory, particularly for detached homes in district W24 (east of Highway 410) where the price index was about $440K (compared to $392K in district W23, west of Highway 410). In contrast, the inventory of semi's, townhomes, and apartments is higher in W23 than W24. 08/04/2007

It took nearly two months for a contractor to finish the fence (PT wood) around our property.  The project dragged on and on ... it felt like he was chasing me for money, while I chased him to get the job done, and done right.  Of the many lessons learned -- the belated benefit of 20/20 hindsight -- the most important decision is selecting the "right" fence contractor.  Don't decide solely on price.  And never, ever let one of your neighbours make the final decision for you (and others)... Anyway, here are some danger signs.  Please feel free to add to the list! Contact InformationContractor gives you his cell phone number as the only means of contactContractor excuses: lost my cell phone, dropped it in a hole, bought a new cell phone, ... Contractor doesn't answer his cell phone and if... 08/03/2007

Compared to the first five months of 2006, resales in Brampton are up 10% for the same period, with over 60% being detached homes. Also of note is the average price of detached homes is up 4%, while semi's are up 3%. Source: Brampton sales up 10% over last year, mostly detached properties (National Post) 07/24/2007

"BRAMPTON the BEAUTIFUL: Not 'just another suburb,' this bustling, burgeoning city of close to half a million aims to reclaim its earlier reputation as the Flowertown of Canada." read the headlines on the "Living Here" section of the National Post (Saturday, May 19, 2007). Some Brampton highlights:Population: 436,000 - ranked 11th largest city in Canada by sizeVisible minorities make up 40% of the populationAverage household income: $82,318 (2005)More than 3,000 acres of parklandHome to some of the GTA's largest manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and logistics companies, employers are welcoming the influx of new residents.  This has boosted resale home activity and new home construction alike.  And while the city struggles to keep up with infrastructure upgrades to meet growing dem... 07/19/2007

Habitat for Humanity usually builds from the ground up, but this time the Brampton group will move, renovate and restore a 140 year old home - turning it into a semi-detached dwelling for two families in need.  What an exciting project it will be.http://www.bramptonguardian.com/brampton/lifestyle/article/28989"Construction of homes from scratch is the usual route traveled by the charity. This half-kilometre trip on Monday, July 23, may seem like a short trek, but it is a big move into uncharted territory. In the end, it is hoped the cost will be the same as building from the ground up, but that won't be known until the work is completed.""The house is made of triple brick and weighs approximately 360 tons. It will be loaded onto 64 temporary tractor-trailer wheels for the slow move up t... 07/09/2007

The purchase of a new home (or any home for that matter) should be an exciting time in a young family's life, but this Brampton couple has been through hell aparently. http://www.thestar.com/living/article/225230They have been battling with Tarion (the private corporation that regulates Ontario builders and provides warranties on new houses and condos), which ironically is supposed to protect consumers, for more than 2 years over issues that include sloping floors, bulging walls and missing support beams!Buyer beware ! 06/17/2007

It's amazing what even a small group of protestors can do.  Just 15 people (residents and members of Greenvisions) attended a demonstration to prevent the extension of Cottrelle Boulevard which would run through a forested area that included 16 mature trees which would have been marked for destruction.  One of the trees saved by this environmental group is a 200 year old Buroak, one of the largest in the region.Some argue that the road extension is not even required !http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/article/24556  05/20/2007

Is Brampton running out of space or did someone just decide to go vertical ??  There are now some high-rise condos under construction which, in my opinion, just don't fit in with the landscape.  I have a cousin who flys a small airplane and he tells us that Brampton is one of the "greenest" areas to fly over.  Let's keep it that way!http://www.thestar.com/Athome/article/211812   05/13/2007

When it comes to curb appeal - first impressions are everything.  Good landscaping can make all the difference. Strategically placed shrubs, trees and the right combination of colours will compliment the exterior of a house or building and add $$ to property value. Walk across the street and view your house from different angles - does the existing landscaping help or hinder your house? Draw up a plan - plan before putting any money in to your landscaping.  Work with existing trees and shrubs. Sometimes existing plant material just needs to be pruned to provide a neater look. Shrubs and trees should not interfere with windows or walkways. If they do, cut them back or pull them out. Walk across the street again - where can you use colour? For immediate impact annuals provide a great hit ... 05/11/2007

Studies show that working in a cluttered office not only impedes your productivity but it adds unnecessary stress and embarrassment. Even if your clients never see your office you will feel better and more professional if it is organized and efficient.Courtesy of Cherri HurstHurst Class Organizing416.241.7618Here are Ten Steps to Organizing Your Office:Pick an area of your office that you want to start on. It could be the top of your desk, desk drawers, filing cabinet or bookshelves. Keep the area small so the task is not too daunting.Go through each item, deciding if you should keep it or not. Ask yourself why you are keeping it? When will you use it? Have you ever used it? Keep the garbage can, recycling box and a donation bag handy and throw out the empty pens, recycle the duplicate ... 05/11/2007

The following article was provided by my colleague Cherri Hurst of Hurst Class Organizinghttp://www.hurstclass.com/416.241.7618The sun is shining and I have been waiting all week to... organize my kitchen? I am not big on Spring Cleaning but turn that into Spring Organizing and you will have my full attention. On a day like today it might be a little tough, even for me, to get motivated so I concentrate on how great it will feel when I am done. I also think it will be nice not to have to take my life in my hands when I open a cupboard door.Some people equate getting organized with having a tooth pulled. Well, when was the last time you went to the dentist without an appointment? It wouldn't work, right? The same thing applies to organizing. It just won't happen unless you put aside some... 05/11/2007

Your home is typically one of the largest assets you will ever possess.  With cottage season and long awaited road trips in the forecast, be sure that you protect your property and piece of mind while you're away.  Or if you plan to move over the summer months, you might want to equip your new residence with some state-of-the-art security.ADT is the largest monitoring company in Canada and the world.  The company is now in its 130th year and they currently monitor about 600,000 homes across Canada.U.S. statistics for the year 2004 show that one burglary occurs every 14.7 seconds and indicate that residential robberies are up 3% over 2003.You are 3 times less likely to be burglarized in Canada if you have an alarm system. Is your home secure?· Use motion sensor lights in the front and re... 05/11/2007

Here is the link to the official "City of Brampton" website for all that you need to know about living, working and playing in Brampton -http://www.city.brampton.on.ca/home.tafAnd this link provides you with an online community news digest and events calendar, which is brought to you by Brampton Media Corp.  Sign up for their very informative weekly newsletter -http://www.brampton.com/  05/05/2007

Once again, there is something to be said for reading the newspaper online.  I do enjoy the Brampton Guardian because it brings me all of the local news and events I might need to know.  However, it is delivered three times per week with a stack of grocery and department store flyers that go straight to my recycling box.  This recycling box weighs as much as an elephant I'm sure ... and if our pickup day is windy these papers get "delivered" all over the neighborhood once again !http://www.bramptonguardian.com/  04/29/2007

Not having lived in Brampton all my life, I was eager to learn more about this city's history.  I found all the facts and more at Wikipedia.org - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brampton,_OntarioAs of the 2006 Census reading, the population of Brampton was at 433,806 - so don't believe the highway signs leading into the city.  The ones that I have seen indicate something along the lines of 350,000 and 385,000 ! 04/29/2007

Based on a QUICK review of the local advertised listings in my city, the AVERAGE selling price for homes is currently:Condo Apartments - range from $120,000 to $200,000Condo Townhomes - range from $150,000 to $230,000Freehold Townhomes - range from $200,000 to $252,000Semi-Detached - range from $240,000 to $300,000Detached - range from $300,000 to $370,000 It would be interesting to see some other locations for comparison. 04/11/2007

I always love to browse and enjoy the thrill of finding old treasures.  If you are in the Ontario Region, you'll like these links with a handy list of antique shops and flea markets. http://www.antiqueshopsa2z.com/ontario.htm - If you navigate back to the home page on this one, it looks like a complete North American directory ! http://www.ontariosauctionpaper.com/dealers.html http://www.localyardsales.com/antiqueshops/antiqueontario.html   And here's a reminder of some tips for effective haggling (... I mean shopping) ! http://www.waybacktimes.com/top10fleamarkets.html     03/29/2007