As of June, there was a 23% drop in the level of resale homes in the Toronto area, from June of the previous year. "The pace of home sales has moderated from record levels over the past two months with the prospect of higher mortgage rates, we experienced a record number of existing home sales during the first half of 2010, but these sales were weighted more towards the beginning of the year." said Toronto Real Estate Board president Bill Johnston Despite the fact that overall sales are down from recent highs, real estate sales are persistently high in Canada's largest city. Compared to the first six months of  2009, year- to- date sales were up 23% through June. During June, the average price of a Toronto home hit $435,034, that's an 8% jump, compared to $403,972 during the same time l... 08/09/2010

With all the concern for our planet in recent years, one of the biggest trends in the "green" categories is conserving in the bathroom. As a result of many studies, the Ontario government announced plans to mandate water saving toilets. Many municipalities are offering incentives to residents, to motivate them to switch to energy efficient toilets. Kohler Canada offers an interactive map http://www.ca.kohler.com/savewater/rebates.htm that shows where you can get rebates in municipalities across the country. A survey done in 2008 showed that 88% of people are spending more time and doing more than just the obvious inside their bathrooms, from getting dressed, reading the mail to socializing on the phone and watching TV. There are more people spending from 30 to over 60 minutes a day ther... 08/06/2010

Do you eat, sleep and drink your work? Do you find you're having trouble shutting off your brain at night, thinking of ways to increase business?  You need to learn to disconnect from it all once in awhile or you will burn out. All that brainstorming will do you no good if you make yourself ill.  Force yourself to take a vacation, and leave the laptop home! The work is not going to fall apart in a few short days, and no, going to a conference and bringing the family does not constitute a vacation. If you can't afford that much time, try to take at least one day a week for yourself.  You need time to rejuvenate and recharge. Disconnect and be aware of your surroundings. If your surroundings are work related...leave! Find somewhere totally unrelated to your business. Put work completely o... 08/04/2010

Just because it's on the internet, does not make it gospel. Not every site contains reliable and truthful information.  Unfortunately, not everyone knows this, therefore, leading to students handing in paperwork that result in low grades due to this misinformation. Here is a site that does however provide the most comprehensive-and reliable- web sites a student can bookmark and use to research school projects and homework assignments. These sites will provide reliable and useful information and ease the minds of students as well as parents. Get them off to a good start this fall. High school can be a difficult time as it is for a young student, so anything you can do to make it easier will certainly show in their grades. http://www.microsoft.com/athome/students/studentsites.aspx 07/30/2010

So, sometimes in life we can become overwhelmed. Frustrated and just consumed with the busy constraints of work, family, obstacles and anything else life tends to throw our way. During this time in my life, I need laughter. I need to let loose. I need to have an outlet so to speak, that allows me to discuss things that just stop and give me pause - good or bad. Things that make me laugh. Make me think "Wtf? Did you just really say that? Or what have you... With that being said, I have created such an outlet for myself. Follow me today at http://www.Twitter.com/Got2BKiddingme and receive your daily dose of laughter. Thank you to all of my subscribers, followers, clients, family, friends and so forth. You are the reason I am who I am today and you are the wonderful people who all too ofte... 07/28/2010

How many of you use vinegar to cook and clean with? Do you just drink Coca-Cola or do you also sanitize your toilet with it? If you do, then you know there are many products out there that serve double, even triple duty, so why not make the most of those products and save money to boot! A thin coat of PAM cooking spray on the hood and grill of your car will prevent insects from sticking, before you head out on that long trip. Are your dresser drawers sticking? Use Chap Stick. Try Downy liquid fabric softener to clean those paintbrushes. Colgate toothpaste will remove crayon from walls, Gargle 1 tsp of vinegar in a glass of water to ease a sore throat. More vinegar applications, can be found at this informative site Relieve diaper rash, sunburn, and bee stings by applying a paste of baki... 07/28/2010

It's now become the norm, to design and develop "walkable neighbourhoods" to meet the demand of buyers.  With today's population becoming more and more environmentally friendly, with more concerns for conserving energy, as well as our own health care, we are finding ourselves walking everywhere.  A neighbourhood with a high walkability score has shown that the property value goes up $3,000 for every one point of the walk score.  What is a "walk score"? Check out this site to find out: http://ezinearticles.com/?Get-Moving-in-a-Walkable-Neighborhood&id=4407640 One requirement making the top of a homebuyers list these days is "walkability". In fact, here is a website that will tell you what the walkscore is for your neighbourhood, or one you may be interested in relocating to. http://www.w... 07/26/2010

Do you have the type of audience or following that are too shy to give you feedback, making it difficult for you to know exactly what people are interested in hearing about? Well here is a little strategy for finding out what people in your niche want to know about, so when you publish your articles and/or blogs, it will seem like you've read their minds.  You need to look for forums where others like you would get together to discuss and trade information and queries in your particular niche. For example, Go to Google and type in: forum, and then your niche, such as; advertising, fly fishing, real estate, etc., you get the picture.  Google will then give you a large list of forum sites containing your requested information.  Check out some of these sites and in the search field type in... 07/23/2010

Here are five tips to help parents separate fact from fiction regarding credit score myths and financial behaviours that could be passed down to future generations. • Practice what you preach. Becoming dependable when paying your bills with keep your credit in good standing which will help you down the road when it comes time for a major purchase such as a home, or car. It will give you the best possible chance to receive a loan with better interest rates. Lead by example. • Start early. When your kids start asking for money, that's the time to sit them down for a "money talk". They need to be aware that "credit" is not free money and there are consequences to treating it that way. Explain interest rates, and how to make credit work for them, not against them. • Make credit a family aff... 07/21/2010

In today's tough economy, email marketers are facing extremely hard times. It has resulted in fewer sales, staff cutbacks, less spent per sale as well as difficulty in meeting revenue goals. Considering all this, there has been no cutbacks in the expectations of marketing performance and ROI. In order to compensate for the deficits, they have been asked to do the exact opposite. There are opportunities out there that can drive performance and ROI in the coming year. You just have to know where to look. Knowing the top trends, having the proper tools, and making them work for you is essential. Below is free guide which shows you how to take advantage of these opportunities: Download the Free Guide: 10 Trends that will Make or Break Your Email ROI This Year   In this guide you will find: ... 07/20/2010

Our yards, and how well kept they are, say a lot about how much we care for the simple things in life. It's an extension of us. Although not all of us may have been blessed with a "green thumb", we are still all capable of producing a yard and garden that is the envy of the neighbourhood. In this article you will find: Tips for watering: - how much is too much? - when should you water?   Tips for bigger blooms: -what type of fertilizer to use?   Tips for a lush lawn: -controlling weeds. -to what height should the lawn be cut?  Follow these tips and you too can sit back, take pride and enjoy the beautiful surroundings you've created!   For full details: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100603_greatyards.htm       07/09/2010

Finding the perfect cottage can be more complicated than you think. There is as much to consider as if purchasing an urban home. There is location, shopping amenities, medical access, electricity costs, condo vs cottage...just to name a few, and then of course there is the cost. One option many cottage owners are turning to is fractional or shared ownership. This saves them from paying all year round for a cottage they are only getting use out of a few weeks of the year, and possibly a few rushed weekends. You must prioritize your list of must haves, and decide what you can live without, without compromising what's non negotiable.....your happiness! For more details and a full list of items you should consider:  http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20100601_criteria.htm 07/07/2010

Did you know that the original music for our Canadian national anthem was composed by Calixa Lavallée, in 1880? Did you also know, that the original French text, was written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier, when translated, went like this?  O Canada! Our fathers' land of oldThy brow is crown'd with leaves of red and gold.Beneath the shade of the Holy CrossThy children own their birthNo stains thy glorious annals glosssince valour shield thy hearth.Almighty God! On thee we callDefend our rights, forefend this nation's thrall,Defend our rights, forefend this nation's thrall.  In 1906 in Toronto, the music was rewritten by Whaley and Royce, and an English translation, supplied by Toronto doctor Thomas Bedford Richardson, was included. On July 1, 1980, the "O Canada" as we know it, was procl... 06/30/2010

JUST IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T DECIDED JUST YET WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE FOR CANADA DAY, HERE IS MY SUGGESTION:  Canada Day is fast approaching; do you have your festivities planned?  Glen Williams Park in Georgetown is hosting a vast array of activities. They are starting with a pancake breakfast, a parade in between, and ending with their fireworks display at dusk. With plenty of other fun throughout the day. So come on out, enjoy, and play safe! For full schedule of events, see below: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K4PJwOs2uAA/TBaSFR3ePtI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/ypCrMckytc4/s1600/2010-CanadaDayParadeSched.jpg 06/28/2010

Here are 5 points to consider before making your purchase.  •1.    Transportation. How is the access to public transportation, like trains and buses?  •2.    Schools. Are there schools close to home so that your kids do not have far to go if they need to walk?  •3.    Shopping. How is the availability of stores fulfilling your everyday needs? Are the locations near the house? Is there a supermarket, restaurant, or mall?  •4.    Health and security: Is the police station and hospital close enough for comfort?  •5.    Gallery & library culture. We often forget that these can be a big part of our school age children's needs when we are considering a good home location.  These are just a few generic tips you should consider before making that purchase. You can include in this list anything... 06/28/2010

Here is some useful advice to share with your clients when confronted with this question: If they're not married or don't have a formal business agreement, then it's not a very good idea to buy a house together. For every one success story there seem to be a dozen disasters. It's not worth the headache or heartache that can result from this. So if they've been living together for less than a year, or just recently engaged and someone says to them "hey, why don't you buy a house together now and be ahead of the game?" Tell them to run! Of course some couples will argue "But we are different, we're in love, we're never going to break up...well naturally, how many couples get together thinking they ARE going to break up?...none. Then down the road a spell...BAM! They didn't know each other... 06/25/2010

Communicating with co-workers from home is definitely different from working in the office. Use these five tips to improve how you communicate with co-workers from home.   1. Make appointments By setting an appointment time to make a call to your co-worker, you can be assured that they will be prepared and more focused on the conversation. This will give them time to do some prep work beforehand to make the call more productive.   2. Stay focused in phone conferences It's easy to lose focus when meetings get long, but keep multitasking to a minimum during phone conferences. The other party can almost certainly hear the distraction in your voice.  3. Attend weekly staff meetings If you work at home full-time, try to plan at least one weekly meeting to keep in touch with others.   4. Stay... 06/21/2010

Here's wishing all you father's out there, a very Happy Father's Day! And to all who are looking for something fun to do with Dad, check out Halton Hills first annual "Big Daddy" Fathers Day Festival. Join the only festival in all of Canada to celebrate Father's Day!  For more information and events schedule check out link below . Festival running from June 18 to the 20th. Hope to see you there! www.bigdaddyfestival.ca 06/18/2010

I want to pass along an e-mail I received with some very helpful tips on staying safe. Please share this information with your loved ones. I realize it's quite a lot to read, but well worth the time. TAE KWON DO - The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! IF A ROBBER ASKS FOR YOUR WALLET/PURSE, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you...chances are that he is more interested in that than you. THEN RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. IF EVER YOU ARE THROWN IN THE TRUNK OF A CAR, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out of the hole, and start waving like crazy...the driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has actually save lives. DO NOT JUST SIT IN YOUR CAR. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping,... 06/16/2010

According to The Real Estate Investment Network, Calgary is the best place in Canada residential real estate investing. A couple of years ago, Calgary went through one of its best real estate periods in Canadian history, but then during an economic downturn, its market is making a foreseen correction resulting in more affordable housing. 2010 should show to be a continued adjustment period as the provincial economy is balanced for another growth spurt. The report confirms that relocating to Calgary combined with the "renewed affordability" will help motivate the local market in years to come. Coming in a close second to Calgary is Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge, and continuing down the line are:  Edmonton, Surrey, Maple Ridge, Hamilton, St. Albert, Simcoe Shores (Barrie-Orillia), Red Deer... 06/15/2010