BACK TO SCHOOL DAYS!

Welcome September, the 9th month of the year, boasting 30 days and the longest name of any month! Heralding many beginnings, including the Autumn season and the start of the academic year, September is also famous for kicking off the college and professional football season. The September birthstone is the Sapphire, known for representing trust and loyalty, and its flowers are the Forget-Me-Not, the Aster and the Morning Glory!

Once the kids are settled back into their regular school routine, we should see a slight uptick in the housing market locally. The massive gains of the first quarter are aging into a historic and brief anomaly in our marketplace, the likes of which we may not see again in such a robust fashion. The deluge of inventory that followed has somewhat subsided into a more reasonable pace and the listings-to-sales ratio is leveling to what we can predict to soon be “normal” or “balanced”, the kind of market conditions we experienced in 2011 through to 2013. In real estate, September can be somewhat of a transition month, where activity picks up in the later weeks. It’s a month that requires strategy to navigate, especially if a move is planned for the early winter. There’s a great window of opportunity for about 6 weeks each Fall, but each year it looks slightly different and the season overall can be fickle, just like Mother Nature! If you, a friend or a loved one has made plans to move in the next few months or into early 2018, now is the time for a confidential appointment with us to discuss a game plan that serves your best interests and capitalizes on our insider knowledge, to net you the most money in the least amount of time possible.

This is not a time for real estate amateurs or a market for the inexperienced. Trust our team to work for YOU.

 Our business is your business!

SEPTEMBER HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

1. Have the heating and cooling systems serviced. Change the air filters in both and consider changing the air filters in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry exhaust vents for a healthier winter season. 

2. Inspect the roof and repair damages and/or leaks. Clear leaves, pine needles and debris from gutters and examine the downspouts to ensure optimal water flow. Check the flashing around the chimney and any roof openings like skylights.

3. Examine your grounds before they are covered with snow and ice. Check walkways for cracks and loose paver material. Fix any problems before they become winter hazards underfoot.

4. Check and repair all interior and exterior faucets for leaks. Broken pipes in the winter are no joke!

5. Have the fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned.

6. Trim tree limbs away from the roof and chimney. There should be at least a 10 foot clearance around all sides of your chimney flue. Ensure the chimney cap is screened from entry by animals and debris.

7. Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture. Power wash and when dry, store covered.

8. Service, sharpen and clean garden power tools

9. Clean and lubricate garage doors and openers.

10. Fertilize the lawn to prevent spring weeds and winter lawn damage.

Source: todayshomeowner.com and freshhome.com

To All the Families out there…

Right now, there are kids who are trying to beat the Cancer Monster and other debilitating diseases.  The Parents with kids fighting for their life are most likely NOT thinking about back to school shopping.  They are simply just being  there, doing what a real 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 pass along our business card to them.

2. 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.

3. 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. 

The Highs Lows and Ooohhs of the Market

In July, the Durham Region Association of  REALTORS reported 749 residential sales in the Durham Region, a 25% drop from June 2017.

The amount of new listing inventory  between June 2017 and July 2017 dropped by 733 units in the Durham Region, finishing at 1906 new listings compared to 2639 the previous month. In July 2016, the new listing inventory was only 1459 units, 447 less than this July.

The average selling price in Durham for the month of July was $569,748, representing a drop of 7% from June. However, it still represented a 4% increase over July 2016, when the average selling price in Durham Region was $547,496.  Here’s how that average price breaks down for last month:

The average detached dwelling sold for $624,375 and sold for 98% of list price!

The average semi-detached dwelling sold for $463,130 and sold for 99% of list price!

The average link dwelling sold for $477,648 and sold for 100% of list price!

The average freehold townhouse sold for $521,572 and sold for 100% of list price!

The average condominium apartment sold for $365,280 and sold for 100% of list price!

The average condominium townhouse sold for $384,694 and sold for 100% of list price!

Homes continue to sell well, with an average market time of 20 days, the longest average so far for 2017.  

  

Industry Stats

Average selling price in the Durham Region for July 2017: $569,748.

Average selling price in Oshawa for July 2017: $467,057.

Average selling price in Clarington for July 2017: $501,076.

Average selling price in Whitby for July 2017: $689,338.

Average selling price in Scugog for July 2017: $667,424.

  September Dates to Remember
September 4: Labour Day

September 8: International Literacy Day

September 10:  Grandparents Day

September 13:  International Chocolate Day

September 19:  International Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 21:  International Peace Day

September 22:  Autumn Equinox

September 29:  World Heart Day

FAMILY FUN AROUND DURHAM 

165th Orono Fair, September 7-10, Orono Fairgrounds
Celebrating Canada’s agricultural heritage with a packed line up of shows and events including live entertainment, concerts, midway, arts & crafts, food vendors etc.

153rd Uxbridge Fall Fair, September 8-10, Elgin Park, Uxbridge
A family oriented agriculturally based event. Poultry, livestock, produce, home craft exhibits. Live entertainment, midway, multiple food vendors and more!

Brooklin Harvest Festival, September 9, 10am-4pm, Grass Park
Join the fun at Grass Park (41 Baldwin St., Brooklin) for entertainment and activities for the whole family!

Port Perry House Tour, September 16, 10am-4pm
Come and tour some of Port Perry’s finest homes in support of local charities. For ticket information contact willowwynne@hotmail.com

The 32nd Annual Uxbridge Studio Tour, September 16-17
The Uxbridge Studio Tour invites you to discover the beauty of North Durham as you enjoy a self-guided tour of 25 unique artist studios featuring 64 remarkable artists! For details go to www.uxbridgestudiotour.com .

Whitby Heritage Day, September 30, 10am-4pm, Downtown Whitby
Enjoy the celebration of Heritage Day in the heart of town!

Doors Open Oshawa, September 30, 10am-4pm
Doors Open Oshawa is an annual event where you can explore different heritage and cultural sites in Oshawa. Spend the day discovering local history first-hand and celebrate our community heritage. www.oshawa.ca for details.

 

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

 

ECONOMIC MOMENTUM: OSHAWA

Here’s an excellent article written August 4, 2017 by Michael Lewis, Toronto Star: 
Oshawa shifts into overdrive – Blue-collar city is retooling and on track to post one of the fastest-growing economies in Canada
It’s not your grandfather’s Oshawa.
The long-time home to GM Canada has evolved into a health sciences and education hub – and one of the nation’s top performing urban economies – thanks to what the Durham Workforce Authority calls a “creative push for growth” after the credit crunch and global auto sector implosion in 2008. 
The city, along with Windsor, is expected to boast the fastest-growing economy this year among 15 medium-sized census metropolitan areas analyzed by the Conference Board of Canada in a report published Thursday. What’s more, the growth isn’t just about cars.While GM remains a major employer and has unveiled new investment in Oshawa this year, health sciences, the professions, construction and retail have become key to what the report calls “red hot” jobs growth in the city about 60 kilometers from Toronto.
The city has seen the growth of nearly 30,000 jobs since 2011, including a record 18,000 in 2016.“We’ve reinvented ourselves as a community,” said Oshawa Mayor John Henry, adding that the city has made strategic investments in universities and colleges, boasting 20,000 full-time students at three post-secondary institutions, as well as the largest, multi-specialty medical group practice in Canada.The investment has helped the city on the eastern edge of the GTA attract and retain young people. Along with business investment that includes Costco’s 2012 construction of a 146,500-square-foot outlet at the former site of the north General Motors plant at Ritson Rd and William St.Henry said Oshawa has a diversified economy with roots in advanced manufacturing and transportation, in part by virtue of its natural deep-water port on the shores of Lake Ontario.“We’re multi-phased,” Henry said. “We’re more than the auto industry.” GM Oshawa employs about 3,000 workers, down from more than 23,000 in the 1980s – before free trade changed the automotive landscape in the 1990s leading to more plants in Mexico, China and Korea. Officials say as many as 8,000 auto jobs have been lost in Durham Region since 2007, as GM suppliers such as ACSYS Technologies went out of business. The economy in the city of more than 170,000 people is expected to grow by 2.5 per cent this year, the same figure forecast for Windsor, according to the conference board report. The remaining six Ontario cities in the report will post growth under 2 per cent.“The weaker Canadian dollar and solid U.S. demand continue to provide a lift to many southwestern and eastern Ontario metropolitan economies, especially their export-oriented manufacturing industries,” said Alan Arcand, the board’s associate director of municipal studies. The local construction sector is expected to be among the region’s top performers on the strength of non-residential projects, while services output is expected to post solid growth, the report says.

 

Source: www.durhamregion.com

Remember Our Promises to Buyers and Sellers!

 Labor Day is All Wrong!

I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE POWERS THAT BE GOT THE NAME WRONG  LABOR DAY.  SINCE IT’S A HOLIDAY INTENDED TO BE JUST THAT, A HOLIDAY – I WOULD THINK THE PROPER NAME WOULD BE RELAX DAY OR LAZY DAY OR OFF DAY OR SLEEP IN DAY, MAYBE EVEN DO NOTHING DAY, SOMETHING OTHER THAN LABOR DAY.  MOST CELEBRATE LABOR DAY BY DOING JUST THAT – LABORING. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND BANK’S TYPICALLY CLOSE UP SHOP ON LABOR DAY, BUT ACCORDING TO RECENT STUDIES THE MAJORITY OF NORTH AMERICANS ARE LABORING ON LABOR DAY. PROBABLY A GOOD THING! SO TO CELEBRATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AND THE AFFECTION FOR LABORING, I HAVE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE: I WILL BE LABORING, BUT FOR A VERY SPECIAL REASON.  RIGHT NOW, SOMEONE YOU KNOW MAY BE CAUGHT IN A CATCH 22.  THEY ARE NERVOUS ABOUT MOVING OR THE OPPOSITE, DESPERATE TO MAKE A MOVE.  THIS IS WHY WE HAVE DEVELOPED A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR THOSE YOU KNOW THAT ARE CONSIDERING A MOVE. FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, ANYONE YOU KNOW CONSIDERING MAKING A MOVE TO A NEW HOME, WE WILL GUARANTEE A MINIMUM $5,000 SAVINGS FOR EVERY $250,000 IN SALES PRICE ON THE HOME PURCHASE OR I WILL PAY THE DIFFERENCE*.  
THE REASON WHY I CAN MAKE SUCH A SPECIAL OFFER IS SIMPLY BECAUSE OUR TRACK RECORD OF SELLING HOMES AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE ALLOWS US TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST DEAL ON THE BEST HOME FOR OUR BEST CLIENTS. WITH A GUARANTEE LIKE THIS, YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, WORK ASSOCIATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING A MOVE CAN NOW DO SO AND AVOID THE UNCERTAINTIES OF OVER PAYING. 

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 pass along our business card to them.

2. 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.

3. Of course you can always call me direct as well at 905-728-1600. 

 

 
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.

Alexis Meets Taylor Swift

The Story:

At a very young age, frequent visits to the hospital and the doctor’s was the norm for Alexis. Her illness even got in the way of school because she was either too tired or too sick to keep up. If anything kept her spirits up, it was the music of her favourite singer, Taylor Swift. And what was once a dream of Alexis’ to meet the famed star, eventually turned to a reality. 

Wish Granted:

On the day of her wish, Alexis was driven to the concert stadium in a stretch limo with her parents. Alexis was overjoyed watching her idol in concert, playing and singing the songs she only heard at home. But the highlight of the concert was the surreal moment when Taylor came down the aisle and gave Alexis a big hug.

Wish Impact:

Shortly after Alexis was granted her wish, she went into surgery. But it was the power and magic of that special wish that helped Alexis fight through the difficult times and her recovery.

 “When we had tough days in the hospital and during recovery we were able to tell Alexis to think about her wish.”

~Alexis’ Mom