June is a month we enjoy so very much here in Canada, and undeniably, this June will be one that we really embrace after a thoroughly cold, wet and disappointing spring.  Surprisingly, the real estate market performed quite well despite the delayed spring weather conditions, proving once again how resilient Canadian buyers and sellers are! We predict that the summer months will be strong this year for resale home sales, perhaps even markedly stronger than last year. The new home market however, could remain another story, as sales continue to struggle and traffic remains low at sites across the area.

The June market for 2019 should see a continuation of reasonable conditions with fair, balanced pricing. The first time buyer segment is still fueling the entire spectrum, but that is no shock to us, since the Durham Region boasts the most affordable housing in the GTA. Many entry level buyers have had to adjust their expectations as multiple offers are once again a factor in the lower price points. Overall, it has been heartening to see that the first four months of the year show gains across the board over 2018. 

This month’s newsletter is jam packed with festivals and events that we don’t want you to miss out on! We are so fortunate here in the Durham Region to be able to enjoy such entertainment right within our own backyard. We do hope you get out and take in some of our local attractions and celebrate what it means to live in such a world class community!

For all your real estate needs, and those of your loved ones, friends and neighbours, you can count on us to provide you with the best in class service you deserve. Thank you for your trust!

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 Father’s Day BBQ’s, they are simply being there, doing what loving families do. 

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. 

We are on a mission to raise $25,000 for Make A Wish Canada.  Their work in helping kids fight thru and survive nasty debilitating diseases like cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia is second to none! Make A Wish Canada is not for profit and survives on sponsorship and donations. We are committed to donating a portion of our income from home sales to this very worthy cause.  

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, neighbours, 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.

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.  

Pickering Ribfest: June 1 & 2, 11am-11pm, The Esplanade Park, Pickering 

The Rotary Club of Pickering presents a foodie’s dream festival of ribs. Fun for all! Visit www.pickeringribfest.com for more information.

Fashion Paws: June 2, 2pm-5pm, Cullen Gardens, Whitby - This event supports the Durham Region Humane Society and includes live music, food trucks, face painting, photo booth, local vendors, games, prizes and a furry fashion show.

Brooklin Spring Fair: June 1, 9am-10pm, June 2, 10am-4pm, Brooklin Fairgrounds 
A historic and traditional fair with all you would expect to find! Don’t miss it!

Brooklin RAM Rodeo: June 2, 11am-4pm, Brooklin Fairgrounds
See rodeo events on the track all day long!

Pickering Dragon Boat Festival: June 1 & 2, 8:30am-4:30pm, Brian Hanscome Park, Pickering 
23rd Annual Dragon Boat Challenge! A race day with vendors and entertainment for the whole family.

Museum Open House: June 2, 12pm-3pm, Uxbridge Historical Centre, Uxbridge 
An Open House featuring workshops, events and exhibitions!

Pickering City Centre Farmer’s Market: June 4, 9:30am-4:30pm, Pickering Civic Complex parking lot 
Every Tuesday until October 1, the tradition continues of a unique outdoor community market! For full details visit: www.pickering.ca/farmersmarket.

Millennium Square Free Public Stargazing: June 7, 6pm-11pm, Pickering Millennium Square 
Everything gets underway at 6:00pm with solar-filtered telescopes providing views of sunspots and prominences. Millennium Square is located at the south end of Liverpool Road, Pickering. 

Spring Art Festival: June 7, 5pm-8pm, June 8 & 9, 10am-4pm, Scout Hall, Port Perry - Port Perry Artists Association Annual Spring Art Festival - Original artwork by local artists in a variety of styles and media. Free admission, refreshments and daily draws!

Rockin’ Rotary Ribs & Brews: June 7, 8, 9, 12pm-11pm, Clarington Fields, Bowmanville 
Known for bringing the best ribs, local food, craft beer and entertainment to Clarington! 

10th Annual Doors Open Clarington: June 8, 10am-4pm, various locations 
This event allows the public to view heritage properties with historical significance. Visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/en/clarington  

Teddy Bear Picnic: June 8, 12pm-2pm, Clarington Museum, Bowmanville 
An afternoon of free family fun of games and activities. Bring your favourite stuffies!

Turtle Walk: June 8, 10am-12pm, Orono location (to be determined) 
Free and fun for the whole family, this event raises awareness to save Ontario’s turtles. Crafts, activities and live turtles! Visit www.turtlewalk.ca for all the info.

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

A great publication that is put out every year, the Our Oshawa report is now available. Here’s some facts that I think you should know about:

Metrolinx, the operator of GO Transit, is moving forward with the eastern expansion of the GO Rail system, with 2 proposed station sites supporting the downtown revitalization mandate as well as transportation to Oshawa’s three post-secondary institutions. The project is expected to bring up to 21,000 jobs. Construction will include the two new GO stations in Oshawa, two new stations in Clarington, a 20 km extension of the GO line from Oshawa to Bowmanville, and one new layover facility.

A complete revitalization of the historic Genosha Hotel commenced in the spring of 2018, adding 86 luxury residential units and 1,000 square meters of ground floor commercial space. The project will be complete in 2019.

New developments are proposed and underway to help the city welcome over 5,000 new residents to the downtown core. The first implementation of the Oshawa Downtown Streetscape Design Vision – the King Street East Pilot Streetscape Project – is moving forward, with construction scheduled to begin this summer. The project involves widening the sidewalk on the north side of King Street East to create space for pedestrians, outdoor patios, cafes, amenities and businesses. 

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 

Teddy Bear Picnic: June 8, 12pm-2pm, Clarington Museum, Bowmanville 
An afternoon of free family fun of games and activities. Bring your favourite stuffies!

Turtle Walk: June 8, 10am-12pm, Orono location (to be determined) 
Free and fun for the whole family, this event raises awareness to save Ontario’s turtles. Crafts, activities and live turtles! Visit www.turtlewalk.ca for all the info.

Sunday Fun-Day: June 9, 11am-5pm, The Whitby Curling Club, Whitby 
50+ vendors, horses, petting zoo, face painting, farmer’s market, food trucks and a silent auction! Admission is just $2.00!

Food Truck Friday: June 14, 11am-10pm, Downtown Bowmanville 
Food trucks from across Ontario roll in for one day only, so get in line early to enjoy some of the best eats available!

Kars & K9’s: June 15, 10am-3pm, 1970 Concession Road 9, Clarington 
A dog friendly classic car show with prizes, silent auction, DJ and activities for you and your furry friends!

VARAC Vintage Grand Prix: June 13-16, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville 
40th Annual Vintage Racing Festival with beautifully restored cars from the past 50+ years of motorsports. Visit www.varac.ca for ticket info.

Port Perry Dragon Boat Festival: June 15, 8am-6pm, Palmer Park, Port Perry 
A great event in support of the Port Perry Hospital Foundation and the Scugog Lake Stewards. Visit www.alkame.ca/festivals/port-perry

Oshawa’s 15th Annual Peony Festival: June 15 & 16, 10am-4pm, Children’s Arena, Oshawa 
Over 400 types of peonies on display both in the garden and inside the arena. Artisans, live music, food and gardening seminars! Awarded Top 100 Festival and Event in Ontario for seven years in a row!

Zephyr Community Garage, Bake, BBQ & Book Sale: June 15, 8:30am-4:30pm, 310 Zephyr Rd, Uxbridge 
Drop by and enjoy a good old fashioned day in Zephyr! 

Durham Carifest: June 15, 11am-9pm, Ajax Downs, Ajax 
Durham Carifest is an annual family friendly festival that celebrates and promotes the diversity of the Caribbean culture here in the Durham Region. Tickets in advance and at the door.

Father’s Day Fiesta Parade and Concert: June 16, 12pm-7pm, Memorial Park, Oshawa 
The annual celebration of the start of Fiesta Week in Oshawa with lots to do and see!

45th Annual Fiesta Week: June 17-22, Various locations around Oshawa 
Enjoy the cuisine, sights and sounds of a variety of multicultural pavilions across the city. Visit www.fiestaweek.ca for hours, showtimes and locations. Passports are $5-$10. 

Multicultural Day and Family Breakfast Party: June 29, 11am-5pm, Pickering High School, Pickering 
The Durham Caribbean Festival invites you to this free, all day event that celebrates with music, food, costumes and activities! 

Brooklin Summer Craft Show and Sale: June 30, 9am-3pm, The Old Brooklin Community Centre, Brooklin 
Lots of unique local vendors, fantastic bake sale and raffle!

Aiden Becomes Canada’s Prime Minister

"The pride I have witnessed in Aiden’s eyes this week is truly a gift."