Wednesday, June 27, 2018 / by Alayne Keates Administration To Geoff Appleton & Associates
Home'Ward Bound July 2018
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA
Canada Day is a time to celebrate with our neighbours, friends and family the gift of our independence, our unique and merited culture, and our famed, world renowned values, but it’s also a time to reflect and be grateful for the raw natural beauty of this magnificent country of ours. From the East Coast to the West, the majesty of our great land is apparent in every scenic vista our eyes behold: towering forests, crystalline lakes, awe-inspiring mountain ranges, breathtaking ocean cliffs, and a dazzling blanket of stars overhead every night, including the ever-wondrous aurora borealis in the far north reaches of this massive country we call home.
July is the prime month to travel, explore and enjoy our very own country, with weather that is undeniably the most pleasant of the year. Warm with occasional humidity, July is far more temperate than August and less “buggy” than June, offering incredibly long daylight hours and cooler evenings that are ideal for summer campfires and making s’mores. It makes perfect sense then to embrace our wide array of outdoor activities like, boating, camping, and fishing. Whether it’s a bike tour of wineries in Niagara-On-The-Lake, a lobster supper in Nova Scotia or zip lining through the Okanagan, Canada really is ours to discover!
In real estate news, we as an industry continue to combat the Municipal Land Transfer Tax, or MLTT, on behalf of homeowners across the province, as it has reared its ugly head again in the GTA. While the local resale market has maintained moderate activity, the new home market has suffered substantial setbacks, with sales at a 20 year low. How will this affect your buying and selling decisions? Well, perhaps a personalized check up on your property’s current market value and a detailed look at the market are in order. Call us anytime to chat, visit or grab a coffee together to keep you in the loop. We are here to protect your most valued and treasured asset: your home.
Thanks again for all the business you continually send our way! Our business is your business, and we thank you for it!
Spotlight on Educational Developments In Oshawa!
The universities and colleges of Oshawa continue to see tremendous growth and expansion of infrastructure, services and housing, while new elementary and secondary schools keep being added to the roster to serve our impressive population growth. UOIT’s new $33.5 million SIRC (Software and Informatics Research Centre) is a hub for research in health and business analytics, IT security, networking, gaming, and software engineering.
The $35 million CFCE (Centre for Collaborative Education) at Durham College has broken ground and will comprise a 75,000 square foot building embodying the College’s commitment to working with its partners in creating a new facility where students, employees and the broader community can work together in ways that transcend the traditional concepts of education.
UOIT has announced plans for a new $100 million Centre for Advanced Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE). CARIE will act as a catalyst for a new cluster of advanced manufacturing, research and development in strategic industries such as nuclear, electrical, and alternative energy systems, automotive and transportation, new materials and robotics.
Trent University Durham is expanding with 2 new buildings – a $38 million academics building and an $18 million student residence. The academics building is scheduled to be completed by this September.
2 new public schools are slated to open their doors and welcome students this September: Forest Hills Public School will service the rapidly growing community of Taunton, and Northern Dancer Drive will service the equally rapidly growing community of Windfields.
To All the Families out there…
Right now, there are moms and dads out there struggling for their kids, wondering how to bring joy back into their lives as they fight debilitating illnesses. These families aren’t planning celebratory long weekend activities, or firework displays, they are simply being there, doing what loving families do.
This is where you can help…
As you probably know Make A Wish Canada does great work in helping Kids fight through and survive nasty diseases and cancers. And as you know Make A Wish® depends on sponsorships and donations to provide top care while keeping family costs to a minimum.
So, YOUR REFERRALS REALLY DO HELP THE KIDS…
Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to my real estate sales team? Not only will they benefit from our award-winning service, you can rest assured a very worthy cause benefits as well!
I want to make it easy to refer your friends, neighbors, associates or family members considering making a move, so here are your options:
1. You can go to www.ReferAFriend.info and enter their contact info on line or forward the link to who you know considering a move.
2. Of course you can always call me direct as well at 905-728-1600.
Remember our promises to buyers and sellers!
Home Sellers Receive this guarantee: Your Home Sold at Your Price or We’ll Buy It!*
Home Buyers Receive this guarantee: Guaranteed 100% Satisfaction With Your Home Purchase or We’ll Buy It Back!*
Life moves fast for some and we are eager to make the Home Selling and Buying experience a smooth rewarding one. Over the years of helping families sell their home and/or buy another, we have met some wonderful, loving, caring people. People like you! So your referrals, those you know considering a move, that we help – you can rest assured that not only will they get the award winning service we are known for, but that a portion of the income we receive will go toward a very worthy cause.
JULY DATES TO REMEMBER
July 1: Canada Day
July 4: US Independence Day
July 15: Ice Cream Day
July 18: Nelson Mandela Day
July 18: National Hot Dog Day
July 21: National Parks Day
July 24: Cousins Day
July 30: International Day of Friendship
The Highs, Lows and Oohhs of the Market
In May, the Durham Region Association of REALTORS reported 859 residential sales in the Durham Region, a 7.6% decrease from the reported 930 in April. On a year-over year basis, sales were down by 33%.
The average selling price in Durham for the month of April was $597,485, an unfortunate slide backwards of $12,328, or 2%, from April 2018, which saw the average price in Durham break through the $600,000 barrier for the first time since June 2017.
The amount of new listing inventory coming onto the market in May 2018 was 2,247 units in Durham Region – another very significant month in terms of inventory. This represents an almost 18% increase over April 2018. Flashback to May of last year when the new listing inventory was a whopping 3,271 units, a number just shy of 1,000 more homes coming onto the market than May of 2018!
The average days on market for May 2018 is 19 days, a number that indicates we are stabilizing around a 20 days on market average.
Here’s the average price breakdowns for May:
- The average detached dwelling sold for $660,582 and sold for 99% of list price in 19 days. A total of 541 units were sold.
- The average semi-detached dwelling sold for $498,841 and sold for 99% of list price in 15 days. A total of 54 units were sold.
- The average link dwelling sold for $536,213 and sold for 99% of list price in 22 days. A total of 40 units were sold.
- The average freehold townhouse sold for $536,138 and sold for 99% of list price in 17 days. A total of 120 units were sold.
- The average condominium apartment sold for $420,618 and sold for 99% of list price in 23 days. A total of 49 units were sold.
- The average condominium townhouse sold for $406,271 and sold for 99% of list price in 21 days. A total of 53 units were sold.
SOURCE: DRAR
INDUSTRY STATS
Average Selling Prices
for May 2018:
Durham Region: $597,485
Oshawa: $503,263
Clarington: $517,862
Whitby: $643,199
Scugog: $762,918
Ajax: $636,655
Pickering: $730,793
Uxbridge: $752,872
Source: DRAR
The Vertical Neighbourhood:
A Closer Look at High-Rise Condos
The perfect marriage of home and community for many, the high-rise condominium lifestyle affords the owner a myriad of amenities and services – a truly carefree way of living. Condo residents opting for this version enjoy the best of privacy in their suites while being able to partake of a variety of social activities and full use of public spaces shared by all, where they can relax, interact, exercise, learn and entertain. From woodworking studios to libraries, indoor pools and gymnasiums to outdoor gardens and barbeques, car washing stations to tennis courts, and theatres to billiards rooms, the condominium lifestyle can tick every box. Of course, not all are created equal; condo offerings run the gamut in features, styles and sizes to fit every and any pocketbook. But the basics are pretty attractive: exterior and common area cleaning, upkeep and repair are all handled through a monthly maintenance fee; parking is usually underground so you never have to contend with the elements; and there’s an intrinsic feeling of safety and security derived from the restricted access afforded in a condo tower.
The truest sense of community forms within the walls and spaces of a condominium high-rise; like-minded people, often with very similar goals and interests, and certainly lifestyle preferences, meet and mingle within the confines of elevators, hallways, lobbies and parking lots and the best of neighbourly relationships develop. A shared and invested interest in the well being of the condominium overall puts everyone on an even playing field and builds the foundation for connectivity between unit owners. Best of all, the turnkey function of a condo allows the owner the freedom to travel or be absent for extended periods of time without the responsibilities, repercussions and costs that a typical single family dwelling would incur.
For more information on how condo living might suit your real estate needs, just give us a call!
Remember Our Promises to Buyers and Sellers!
Home Sellers Receive this Guarantee: Your Home Sold at Your Price or We’ll Buy It!*
Home Buyers Receive this Guarantee: Guaranteed 100% Satisfaction With Your Home Purchase or We’ll Buy It Back!*
Life moves fast for some and we are eager to make the Home Selling and Buying experience a smooth and rewarding one. Over the years of helping families to sell their homes and/or buy another, we have met some wonderful, loving, caring people. People like you!
So your referrals, those you know considering a move, that we help – you can rest assured that not only will they get the award winning service we are known for, but that a portion of the income we receive will go towards a very worthy cause.
One of Durham’s Key Sectors . . . Health Sciences
Durham Region is well positioned for growth in the health sciences sector! With an educated workforce, new and developing programs, as well as leading-edge research at local universities and institutions including Lakeridge Health, Durham Region has established itself as an emerging hub for health and biosciences. Companies that locate here have the benefit of merging research, development and business collaboration in a vibrant and diverse business setting. The UOIT Faculty of Health Sciences offers a number of life sciences degree programs. UOIT’s Canada Research Chair in Health Informatics is leading an international neonatal intensive care data mining initiative. Disability prevention and rehabilitation is also a field of excellence at UOIT. Durham College’s School of Health & Community Services offers certificates in a variety of areas, including addiction and mental health, dental hygiene, fitness and health, and a BScN in nursing. It’s no wonder that the Health Sciences sector is putting Oshawa on the international stage!
Source: durham.ca
Why I Support, Make A Wish ®
I grew up right here in Oshawa. Born in Oshawa General Hospital. I remember when I first heard about a young person close to our family suffering from a nasty disease that was granted A Wish from Children's Wish Foundation . This was the turning point in this persons recovery. It was then that I began to pay closer attention to the work they do. Since then, I have learned that it is a collection of hard working professionals all coming together for a common cause. That cause is to help young people over come unfortunate health issues that life sometimes throws our way. I take pride in supporting in a way that I can, the good work these people do at Make A Wish . My team rally’s around our annual goal of raising money and donating portions of our income to help Make A Wish in their quest to heal young people when they need healing. My team and I are committed to providing outstanding results for buyers and sellers referred to us by our past clients. I have discovered that Make A Wish shares similar commitments to their patients. And since their services survive on sponsorships and donations we are happy to contribute and proud to support them.
Sincerely,
Geoff Appleton
Your Referrals Help the Kids
Over the years of helping families sell their home and/or buy another, we have met some wonderful, loving, caring people. People like you! So your referrals, those you know considering a move, that we help - you can rest assured that not only will they get the award winning service we are known for and the guarantee to back it up, but that a solid portion of the income we receive from the transaction will go toward a very worthy cause.
Not only will they benefit from our award winning service, you can rest assured we are also donating to a very worthy cause.
Again, it’s easy to refer your friends, neighbours, associates or family members considering making a move:
1. You can go to www.ReferAFriend.info and enter their contact info on line or forward the link to who you know considering a move.
2. Of course you can always call me direct as well at 905-728-1600.
With all my appreciation.
Geoff Appleton sales representative Remax Jazz Inc Brokerage
P.S. The story of this young person below may cause you to look at your loved ones differently. It did me. Check it out.
Whitby RibFest: July 6-8, 345 Victoria St W., Whitby
The famous event is back in town once again! Bring your appetite and head on down to the tastiest cook off ever! Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Whitby.
Newcastle Arts Festival: July 7 & 8, 10am-4pm Newcastle Memorial Arena
Over 60 vendors with live art demos, musical entertainment and activity area for the kids!
Port Perry Concerts in the Park: July 8, 15 & 22, 6:30-7:30pm, Palmer Park
Bring your lawn chair or blanket and head to the gazebo by the water at beautiful Palmer Park for free concerts all summer long!
Enniskillen Butter Tart Fest: July 14, 9am-4pm Enniskillen Public School
Top Butter Tart bakers from across Ontario are bringing over 50,000 butter tarts to the 5th year of this event!
Grandpa Henry’s Picnic: July 15, 12pm-4pm, Heritage Gardens of Henry House Oshawa Museum
A free family event, this annual picnic offers a vacation back in time! Enjoy horseshoes, croquet, Victorian style experts, delicious homemade ice cream and an education on bees!
Summer Night Market: July 19, 5pm-9pm, Memorial Park, Oshawa
The City of Oshawa and the Oshawa Downtown BIA present a family friendly evening featuring music, food, shopping, artisans and other entertainment.
The City of Oshawa and the Oshawa Downtown BIA present a family friendly evening featuring music, food, shopping, artisans and other entertainment.
Free Public Swim: July 21, 1:30pm-3:30pm South Oshawa Community Centre
Join Healthy Kids Community Challenge for a “Power off and Play” free fun swim!
24th Annual Wooden Boat Festival: July 21, 9am-5pm, Port of Newcastle Marina
Displays and vendors and some of the most beautiful boats in and out of the water that you will ever see!
Kabrel Becomes a Racing Champion
Kabrel’s childhood hasn’t been as carefree as that of other kids he knows. He lives with a metabolic disorder that affects his daily life and means that he has to think about his health more than most 12 year olds would.
When Make-A-Wish volunteers visited Kabrel to talk about what he might wish for, his fascination with cars was apparent and his choice was clear from the beginning. Kabrel wanted to feel the adrenaline rush of racing down a speedway in a real race car.
On race day, the track was surrounded by enthusiastic fans holding signs and cheering loudly for Kabrel. He was officially welcomed to the track by an honour guard of drivers as he walked to the pits. He learned how to change a tire like a pro and was outfitted in his customized red ‘Bad Boy Kabrel’ racing suit, helmet, and red shoes. Kabrel climbed into his race car with Erica Thiering, a NASCAR Whelen All American Series Provincial Champion, for his big moment.
Once the green flag was waved, Kabrel and Erica roared around the track, eventually edging ahead of their competition. Kabrel won the race and brought home a special souvenir - a winner’s trophy with his name on it!
Kabrel’s mom says that his wish was truly special for him, “It was something just for him and he loved it.”
