I was speaking with a home buyer last week and she was advised by her financial planner that she would be better off renting versus buying.  We discussed the many pros and cons but what eventually swayed her decision to purchase was freedom and individualism. When you rent, you are normally limited on what you can do to improve your home. You have to get permission to make certain types of improvements. Nor does it make sense to spend thousands of dollars painting, putting in carpet, tile or window coverings when the main person who benefits is the landlord and not you. When you own a home, however, you can do pretty much whatever you want. You get the benefits of any improvements you make, plus you get to live in an environment you have created, not some landlord. If you are moving... 10/31/2010

Are you aware that upcoming changes to the Canada Pension Plan will have a major influence on what age you retire. - The Timing of Your Retirement Will Have Critical Financial Consequences on Your Lifestyle - Changes to CPP Could Mean up to $100k More if you Retire at 70 Instead of 60 - Important to Consider Non-Financial Factors that Could Affect Retirement Planning As you can see, don't leave this to chance or say, it's not going to effect me, I've got lots of time yet. The BMO Retirement Institute has written a great article that will better advise you on the changes.   10/30/2010

I finished watching the documentary Inside Job which unravels the causes of the 2008 financial meltdown, the collusion with regulators and the sad irony is that it is continuing even today. You will see how banks, insurance companies and rating agencies colluded to jack up revenues which in turn is causing the rest of the world have financial challenges. A word of caution. Do not bury your head in the sand! Academics colluded, mortgage lenders colluded and maybe even your neighbour! Most of us in the real estate business have seen first hand the sad turn of events for families, there has been a lot of tonque wagging about who is to blame and the 'not me' adage. Now you know 10/29/2010

Almost half of baby boomers are planning a move and many of them will not be able to do so mortgage free. A recent survey by TD Canada Trust in their Boomer Buyers Report of Canadians between 44-64 who were thinking of moving, four-in-five are downsizing to either save money (46%) or to be able to afford more luxurious features (34%) The majority of boomers say it is important that they pay off their mortgage before they retire, only 44% have been able to. It may come as a surprise to some but 25% of boomers have a long way to go in paying off their mortgage because their mortgage on their home is around 75% of the value!If you are thinking of downsizing or concerned about the value of your home, why not talk to a real estate professional for some sound advice. 10/29/2010

                                           Lambeth is a few minutes to London, great shopping, dining and social events are all close by. The 401 and 402 highways are 3 minutes away and within a 20 KM drive are 6 golf courses!     Schools and churches are close by along with professional services. Lambeth has homes from an entry level to executive homes and condos. Houses in Lambeth, a neighbourhood in South West London have received a lot of activity in the period from January 1, 2010 to October 28, 2010.Present listings vary from as low as $194,000 up to $769,000 which really explains the diversity of Lambeth and basically two neighbourhoods, one in 'downtown Lambeth' and the other what I call the Outer Drive neighbourhood. 98 houses in Lambeth sold with the average being on the marke... 10/28/2010

Houses in Old South and Wortley Village neighbourhood that are listed for sale are selling quite well with 25 sales in October alone! 175 houses have sold in Old South  from January 2010 to October 28, 2010 and on average homes were on the market for 25 days and averaging 99% of the asking price of $254,188!     At present there are 42 resale houses in Old South/Wortley Village listed for sale from as low as $181,000 up to $800,000 +. For an up to date list of houses for sale in Wortley Village and Old South London. we are just a click away! 10/28/2010

Home buyers should be aware of these dates when the Bank of Canada announces the Key Policy Interest Rates. Here is the Bank of Canada's 2011 schedule of eight dates for announcing decisions on its key policy interest rates. Tuesday, 18 January 2011Tuesday, 1 March 2011Tuesday, 12 April 2011Tuesday, 31 May 2011Tuesday, 19 July 2011Wednesday, 7 September 2011Tuesday, 25 October 2011Tuesday, 6 December 2011 There is one remaining 2010 date and that is on Tuesday, 7 December 2010. All announcements will continue to be made at 09:00 (ET).   10/27/2010

Houses & Condos in Pond Mills have sold quite well from January of this year to October 26,2010 with both houses and condos getting 97-98% of the asking price.Condos have been averaging 48 days to sell with houses in Pond Mills only 34 days! The average selling price for a condo in Pond Mills is $121,874 which was 97% of the asking price(47 sales) and  with houses averaging $194,324 which was 98% of the asking price(65 sales). As you can see, Pond Mills has some very attractive prices and for anyone wanting quick access to the 401 or industry in London, this is the place. Some great schools, shopping and other family amenities are all close by. For up to date information and some great buys, maybe we should get together. As well, as with all averages, there are pockets in Pond Mills whe... 10/26/2010

Stoneybrook Heights, Stoneybrook Acres, Masonville, Uplands, Tallwood, Northridge & Windermere are distinct family neighbourhoods in London Ontario.Stoneybrook is east on Richmond Street and west of Adelaide Street and bi-sected by Fanshawe Park Road . Stoneybrook Heights is north of Fanshawe Park Road, Stoneybrook Acres is south of Fanshawe Park Road and both offer easy access to all that London has to offer. Western (UWO, The University of Western Ontario) is close along with Brescia, Althouse, London Science Centre, University Hospital and Research Park, Windermere and other great London attractions. Masonville area homes and condos as well as in the Stoneybrook neighbourhood , sales have been quite active with 121 sales at 97% of the asking price of $390,328and only 34 days on the m... 10/26/2010

What's Happening in East London - The Wiggles are Here Today! October 26!Show times at 2:30 & 6:30 Click on the link below to save $5 off the ticket price SAVE $5 10/26/2010

          Mention the word Oakridge to residents of London and you'll hear great words about these family neighbourhoods of Oakridge Park, Oakridge Acres and Oakridge Meadows. Quick access to all that London has to offer yet private enough with large lots, greenery and privacy to enjoy your home, family and friends. Oakridge is bordered by Springbank Drive to the south, has Hyde Park Road, Sanitorium Road and Oxford Street West running through it and is west of Wonderland Road. Great shopping, schools, parks and service providers in this safe comfortable neighbourhood of London. Easy access to UWO (Western), it's hospital, research park and sports venues like the JLC, Grand Theatre, events in the park and more. Enjoy the walkways and fauna in the Sifton Bog. For more detail information ... 10/24/2010

       Condos in Byron start from $149,000 which would be a townhouse style. Depending on your budget, you have a choice of high rise condos, attached or detached condos, one floor bungalows and more. Houses in Byron start in the low 2s and offer a wide range of styles and distinct streets and character. Why not take a drive out to Byron and experience a lifestyle that most only dream about! Byron is proving as usual to be a popular and desirable neighbourhood with its amenities, schools, safety and proximity to all that London has to offer.         So far this year, house and condo sales in Byron have been quite active (October 25, 2010) with 191 houses selling on average for $333,985 which was 98% of the asking price and homes were on the market for an average 44 days.  49 condos sold... 10/24/2010

Summerside House & Condo Sales in London Are Doing Quite Well Sales of 2 storey and one floor homes in Summerside in south east London have been very active year to date with 85 houses selling. The average selling price of a 2 storey house was $263,179 being 98 % of the asking price ! There were 20 condos that sold at an average sale price of $214,355 which was 98% of the asking price. Houses such as 2 storey and bungalows were on the market an average of 80 days while condos took an average of 40 days to sell! At present there are 15 resale 2 storey houses for sale in Summerside starting from $220,000 - $340,000 and 2 condos for sale starting from $165,900 - $263,900. Summerside as well offers new homes as well, some alreay near or completed or lots where you can have your home built. ... 10/24/2010

 Houses and condos have been selling quite well in Riverbend, a neighbourhood in west London off of Oxford Street West and nestled between the Hunt Club and The Riverbend Golf Community.  There have been 39 houses sold in Riverbend since the new year with the average sale price of $450,797 which was 97% of the asking price of $463,866. Two storey homes led the way followed by one floor cottages and ranches.  As with both condos and houses, the average days on the market were 66 days. At October 24 there are 53 re-sale homes for sale in Riverbend & Riverbend West and 9 condos all under 4 years old and ranging in price from as low as $359,000 up to $749,000. There are many model homes and condos to view if you prefer new. Condos in Riverbend start at $288.000 and on average you can expect... 10/24/2010

The Stoney Creek neighbourhood of London is a fast growing area of London in the North East.So far in 2010, 118 homes have changed hands with the average selling price of $270,005 which was 99% of the asking price and a great way to judge the real estate market is by taking note that the average home took only 35 days to sell! 48 condos sold within 41 days on the market at an average price of $172,582. With new schools and new construction, Stoney Creek is vibrant and yet, if nature and conservation are part of your routine, see what The Stoney Creek Watershed is all about. 10/23/2010

I was reading an article yesterday about QR code and how popular and fast this technology is growing in North America and how good it is supposed to be. Here is what it is supposed to do: A QR Code simply put is a bar code that allows people with smart phones such as iPhones, Androids, Blackberry's and others to quickly scan the QR Code using a free QR Reader, and be taken to a website with content and more information about a particular property or agent. Not being a techie I am looking for some opinions and ideas. I personally like the potential it offers. Here is the rest about it. 10/23/2010

What's Happening in East London - 2010 Fall Arts and Craft Show and Sale! This weekend October 22-24th. It is taking place at the Western Fairgrounds in the Canada Building. Admission is just $6. Click on the link below for coupon to save $1. Print a coupon  10/22/2010

Thanks to Canada's Economic Action Plan, you can fully deduct the cost of eligible computers (including systems software) in one year! By taking advantage of this capital cost allowance (CCA) it will mean freeing up capital more quickly, modernizing, and being more competitive. Major suppliers of computers have some great offers out there and combined with price cuts and the tax advantage presented, act before January 31, 2011 and you will be a winner! To learn more about this or other tax cuts go here. 10/21/2010

Lunch for a Bunch is a Christmas Shopping Extravaganza A fundraising event in support of the Women's Community House  being held Monday, November 15, 2010 from 3:00pm-9:00pm at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, London. I thought I knew what Women's Community House was about when I was asked to help on this project. I knew where they were located and I helped gather donations of pasta and paper products in the past. I was sure it was a shelter for women. Like, I bet, most people I never thought of their kids. How did I miss that?? Lunch for a bunch. Food for kids. How could you not help?  All funds raised during the event will go towards ensuring the children who are sheltered at Women's Community House have nutritious meals. A healthy lunch helps a child focus and contributes to their s... 10/21/2010

What's Happening in East London - Haunted Village Hayrides! October 22,23,24 & 28, 29,30 Visit Fanshaw Pioneer Village to enjoy the best of Fall! Local Playwright Jason Rip has written the play " The Donnelly Massacre" This is an ADULT oriented haunted hayride. Tickets: $10 each Not recommmended for youth under age 10. Advance Tickets required: Call 519-457-1296 after September 1st 10/21/2010