Oakville, ON Real Estate News

Oakville, Ontario has been chosen as part of the route that the Olympic Flame will take on it's travels to Vancouver for the start of the Olympic Winter Games on February 12, 2010.  The Torch is scheduled to pass through Oakville on Saturday, December 19, 2009.  Oakville has been one of 1000 Canadian communities chosen for the Olympic Torch Relay.  How exciting this will be for Oakville and fellow residents.  The Torch Relay begins a 106 day Canadian journey on October 30, 2009. This Vancouver Olympics Torch Relay will be the longest one in Olympic history, as it will stretch 45,000 kilometers across Canada. Oakville residents are encouraged to submit their name for the opportunity to participate in the relay through town.  More information can be found on the Town of Oakville site What... 05/01/2009

Here is a dirty little secret about the real estate industry.  To be successful, agents have not 1 but 2 jobs.  One job is to HELP PEOPLE BUY/SELL REAL ESTATE.  This is the obvious one.  What most people don’t realize is that this is really an agent’s second job.  Our first and more difficult job is TO SELL OURSELVES.   Think about it this way - if I can’t sell myself than I will never have any clients and no clients = no pay check.  I love what I do but I can’t afford to work for free.  While I am happy to provide people with information, the expectation is that by doing so you may one day turn into a client.  My job is then and only then to provide you with services you require to buy or sell your home (job #2).  So why am I telling you all this?  I think if I’m being honest, I would ... 05/01/2009

If you have driven through Southeast Oakville at all in the past year, you have probably noticed the “SOS - Save our Schools” signs scattered across residents’ front lawns.  While the slogan has a clever ring to it, the issue of Southeast Oakville public schools is a serious one for the Halton School Board and local residents alike.  At the heart of the debate is the impact that proposed school closures and boundary changes will have on local students.  The Halton District School Board has been listening to residents’ concerns and recently released a multi-page letter to educate impacted homeowners, solicit feedback and ultimately bring progress to the school system.  Clearly this is an issue affecting all existing residents as well as home buyers thinking of moving to the area.  In an ... 05/01/2009

  Warning: Speed Hump Ahead             Double Humps               Speed Humps = Traffic Calmed Neighbourhoods ?               Spring has arrived in Oakville.  How can I tell?  The tulips are starting to open?  The trilliums are spreading throughout  the woods and ravines?  The cafes & restaurants are opening their patios?  All very good indications that spring has sprung.  But you know spring is finally here when the speed humps are relocated  around town in  areas that are now deemed to be "traffic calmed neighbourhoods."  Their arrival means that the snow plows have been retired until next winter.  Speed humps are not to be confused with speed bumps.  Humps are portable, bumps are permanent. I get that.  But "traffic calmed neighbourhood?"  I guess it's a sign of the times.   04/30/2009

In the early afternoon this past Sunday, I was busily working away at my computer when I received a call from my brother, Clayton. He was planning to take his children on a hike to Hilton Falls Conservation Area in Campbellville and wondered if we would like to come along. Hilton Falls Conservation Area is on the list of World Biosphere Reserves as part of the Niagara Escarpment. As I gazed out the window at the rather dreary day and wet windowpane, I wondered if it was such a great day for a hike, however after a short discussion with Louis, we decided to take Clayton up on his offer. Hilton Falls Conservation Area is a short drive from Oakville and Burlington. It took us about 20 minutes to get there and as we drove down beautiful country roads and up over the Niagara Escarpment, I co... 04/28/2009

Eat blueberries and reduce belly fat?  I woke up to this potentially good news  story on the radio this morning and had to check it out.  I found the article in Science Daily.  A study was done on laboratory rats and the research has been released by University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center. I found the results to be very interesting. I always knew blueberries were healthy due to their high level of antioxidants, but this new study suggests that a diet enriched with blueberries may not only reduce belly fat but may  stem the conditions that lead to diabetes.       You have to wonder who comes up with these research ideas.  The thought of putting freeze dried blueberries crushed into a powder into a rat's diet would never occur to me.  I guess that's why I'm not a scientist, but a re... 04/25/2009

I recently had the opportunity of experiencing an enthralling "magic show" by photographer/keynote speaker Steve Uzzell. This visual presention is called Open Roads - Open Minds and Steve guides you through a series of his photographs on a large screen,  all the while talking about his adventures on the open road, both for business and for pleasure. This was not your usual real estate conference seminar. Steve believes that "preparation lays the foundation for magic to happen".  He explained that many times he was ready to give up on trying to get just the right shot but his patience always persevered and, if you look at his work, you will see that indeed, magic did happen. Steve has a passion for taking photos of trucks on the open road.  My favourite photograph is the one below.  If y... 04/22/2009

We are almost 4 months into the year and the sales numbers are heading into the right direction. With respect to residential units sold, there has been a 34% increase over last month! The average residential sale price in Oakville has also risen by 3% from last month. The Town of Oakville is a beautiful lakeside community with a strong heritage, preserved and celebrated by residents and visitors alike. Founded in 1857, this striking town has become one of the most coveted residential and business centres in Ontario, and for good reason: Great neighbourhoods Great places to do business Quality schools A full-service acute care community hospital Proximity to Lake Ontario and recreational areas Easy access via QEW, 403, 407 and GO Transit Charming shopping districts in the downtown core I... 04/16/2009

By definition, a neighbour is someone who lives close to you.  But close is a relative term. For urban dwellers your neighbour may live in the condo next door and you meet and greet them in the elevator or mail room.  In the suburbs your neighbour lives beside, across, behind  and down the street from you. In rural areas your closest neighbour may live a mile away. If you are lucky, you have great neighbours.  Great neighbours help and look out for each other. They are friendly and considerate but still respect your space and privacy.  They make a point of saying hello,  they don't yell when your child's ball lands in their yard, and they offer to pick up your mail and papers if you are going away. Great neighbours make great neighbourhoods.  They form their own nieghbourhood watch syst... 04/15/2009

It was a relatively balmy 48 degrees F ( 9 celsius) in Oakville today.  The sun was shining bright so it was a great opportunity for my friend an I to take our dogs for a walk downtown and by the Lake (Ontario).  It seems we weren't the only ones who had the same idea.  Lakeshore Road was full of people, dogs, strollers, cars, bicycles and motorcycles.  People were feeding the ducks and geese at the harbour.  Bad idea as the Canada Geese end up staying here for the winters now and making lovely messes in our parks.  My dog just loves to eat and roll in their droppings. A young couple was enjoying a picnic lunch on the rocks overlooking the lake.  Still a little chilly by my standards for picnics, but they were having fun.  I think everyone was just happy to get out and get a small taste... 04/10/2009

On an early, autumn day last year, Louis and Iwere driving along Lakeshore Road as it meandered through the cities of Burlington and Oakville, admiring the many grand waterfront homes and the majestic trees that towered overhead.Exploring the many side streets that lead to the water's edge, we happened to turn down a small road that led to a quiet, lakeside neighbourhood where a peaceful cemetary lay in the middle. Gazing at the old gravestones that lay scattered under 200 year old oaks and pines, I felt myself entranced at how such a halcyon place had survived all of these years while the city had grown up around it. The blueness of Lake Ontario caught my eye, where the road ended, and I noticed the cemetary lay along the shore with some headstones very close to the eroded embankment.B... 04/09/2009

A report has just released called Toronto as a Global City - Scorecard on Prosperity. This report comes from the Toronto Board of Trade, which is Canada's largest local Chamber of Commerce.  Data for the report was compiled from 25 specific indicators for the Toronto Region and 20 other International Metropolitan Areas.  Overall Toronto ranked tied for 4th place, and received a C rating.  Calgary, Alberta, Canada ranked first with an A score, followed by Dallas in the the number 2 spot with a solid B.  I have listed the overall ranking scorecard below but take a look at the whole article for full details.  My community, Oakville, Ontario is considered in part of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).  We are distinguished by our telephone area codes, with Toronto proper being considered the "4... 04/08/2009

The area of Westoak Trails is located in Northwest Oakville.  The boundaries for this neighbourhood are Dundas Street to the north, Upper Middle Road to the south, Bronte Road to the west and the Sixteen Mile Creek to the east. For real estate purposes, this large area has been divided, with the area between Third Line and Bronte Road now being considered Westmount. Sitting just north of the Glen Abbey area, this subdivision is a mix of detached and  semi-detached homes, freehold townhomes, condo townhomes and condo apartments. This area continues to expand north to Dundas Street with new home construction still underway. Many different builders have left their mark in this neighbourhood. Mattamy with the "wide lots", Greenpark, Markay, DiMarco, Tanglewood are just a few.  A number of ... 04/06/2009

The Oakville neighbourhood known as  Morrison lies within the following boundaries.  Chartwell Road to the west, Maple Grove Drive to the east, Lake Ontario to the south and Cornwall Road to the north. This prestigious area is well known for its large properties on leafy, mature treed crescents and courts. The  streetscapes have undergone a major transformation over the past ten years.  Small bungalows built in the 1950's and 1960's have been demolished and replaced by oversized homes and estates. Lakeshore Road is dotted with a mix of Century homes and new construction.  Even lakefront homes have been razed to make room for custom residences. The future of some of the local schools in the area are in jeopardy due to lower enrollments and the need for refurbishment. The well known inde... 04/01/2009

I read the following article today with interest.  I was in Las Vegas in Nov. 07 sitting by the pool at the Planet Hollywood Hotel and the City Center, under construction, towered above in the skyline.  At the time I questioned why Las Vegas needed another mega hotel/commercial complex.   The spectacle of Las Vegas becomes so real when flying over at sunset in a helicopter.  It was my first visit, part business & part pleasure.  I attended the National Association of REALTORS Conference for a few days and then spent a few more days exploring the area.  After the conference I was happy to get in a rental car and head for the mountains.  What amazing scenery.  Reaching St. George Utah on the other side of the mountains was like finding an oasis in the desert.  All of a sudden there were t... 03/27/2009

I heard on the radio today that it was National Proposal Day.  Huh?  I knew it was the first day of Spring, also known as Vernal Equinox but have I been missing something all these years? I didn't know there was a particular day of the year that men ( or women) were supposed to pop the question to their loved one.  So I plugged it into Google and I get a lovely calendar with occasions for every day of the year practically. Did you know that today March 20 is also Great American Meatout?  National Agriculture Day?  Snowman Burning Day?  The late Fred( Mr.) Rodgers birthday and Independence Day in Tunisia? Being Canadian I'm afraid I don't know what Great American Meatout is.  Does anyone else?  I admit we did have snowmen in our community over the winter but I'm not quite sure where the ... 03/20/2009

College Park is a neighbourhood in Oakville aptly named after Sheridan College, world renowned for it's animation program,which is located in this area.  The boundaries of College Park stretch from the Queen Elizabeth Way to the south, Trafalgar Road to the East, Upper Middle Road to the North and the 16 Mile Creek to the West. Homes in the far west have backyards that overlook the ravines of the Glen Abbey Golf Course. This particular pocket of stately homes on cul-de-sacs was originally known as The Enclaves. Some homes in this area also back on to portions of the Oakville Golf Club located on Sixth Line.  Other properties edge on to the Sheridan College grounds.This neighbourhood is a mix of older bungalows, split levels, semi-detached, and townhomes plus larger 2 storey, double car ... 03/17/2009

Buying, renovating homes key to stimulating economy The Federal Budget 2009 announced several incentives to get Canadians spending by buying a first time home, or renovating the one they are already in. Some of the budget highlights include: Providing first-time home buyers with additional access to their Registered Retirement Savings Plan savings to purchase or build a home by increasing the Home Buyers' Plan withdrawal limit to $25,000 from $20,000. Assisting first-time home buyers by providing up to $750 in tax relief to help with the purchase of a first home. Implementing a temporary Home Renovation Tax Credit that will provide up to $1,350 in tax relief, reduce the cost of renovations for an estimated 4.6 million Canadian families, and provide needed stimulus to the economy. Provi... 03/14/2009

  Is it a little tougher to sell a home in Oakville right now? Definitely and there are a variety of reasons why. First off there is more inventory available. Secondly the buyers are not making rushed purchases. The pressure is off. We are seeing very few multiple offers. It's simple really. More listings available, less buyers buying. The pendulum has swung back to to a buyers' market. The ball is in the buyers' court. No matter how you describe it the buyers are in the drivers seat. So what does that mean? Buyers are waiting and watching. I am finding there are a couple of different types of buyers out there right now. The ones who are sitting and watching homes, waiting for price reductions and the others who are going ahead and making offers on properties but offering on their terms... 03/10/2009

Macleans magazine has just published their findings of Canada's most dangerous communities to live in. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was named the most dangerous city, according to the magazine, followed by  Winnipeg, Manitoba, Regina Sask., Prince George, B.C., Edmonton, Alberta, Chilliwack, B.C., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Vancouver, B.C., Surrey, B.C. & Victoria, B.C. As Maclean's explains their Methodology "Maclean's obtained annual crime data from Statistics Canada for municipal police services with the 100 largest populations in the nation. Using 2007 rates per 100,000 population for six crimes-homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, vehicle theft, robbery plus breaking and entering-Maclean's calculated the percentage difference from the national rate for each of the six crimes. In con... 03/10/2009