The name “February”, comes from the Latin word “februarius” which means purification. It’s a month where people can leave the holidays behind and take a breath of fresh – albeit cold – air. 

February is the month that transitions us into spring as it is the third month of winter, so the meaning and symbolism really demonstrate a purified transition. Fun fact: this year, February will pass without a single full moon. The last time this happened was in 1999!

February’s birthstone is the Amethyst, the stone of spirituality, wisdom and security. February’s flower is not the Rose, surprisingly, but the Primrose and the Violet, representing faithfulness, loyalty and watchfulness. Giving a bouquet of violets says, “I’ll always be true”, while a bouquet of primrose says, “I can’t live without you.” Both are perfect for the month of love and romance! 

For the less romantically inclined, February is also home to the largest American sporting event of the year, the Super Bowl.  This year marks Super Bowl 52 and will see it played out on February 4th at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a halftime show by Justin Timberlake.

In our local real estate market, we are keeping a watchful eye on buying patterns and sales trends to ascertain how much influence new government policies and changes to federal mortgage lending guidelines are having on consumer behavior. As we saw in 2017, the volatility of the market was largely a result of poor provincial government policy decisions that psychologically impacted the entire marketplace while intending to target only the foreign investor. Statistics now prove what we actively selling professionals already knew: the foreign investor portion of the market affected us on a minuscule level, especially here in the Durham Region, while the government’s sweeping reforms sent our market into a tailspin. As 2018 emerges from the storm, there are definite patterns at play that can be used to both a buyer’s and seller’s advantage with the right counsel.  We are only just a phone call, text or email away from serving you and your loved ones at the highest level of experience, knowledge and competence.

Groundhog Day is celebrated in Canada and the United States every year on February 2. Legend has it that watching a groundhog emerge from its burrow can determine the weather forecast for the coming weeks. Accordingly, if it is a sunny day and the groundhog sees its shadow, it goes back to sleep for six more weeks of winter. If the weather is cloudy and the groundhog does not see its shadow, it stays outside, meaning that the worst of winter is over and spring will soon arrive. Approximately 10 communities in Canada maintain this tradition today, attracting the attention of tourists and media alike, with the famous Wiarton Willie taking a lot of the spotlight here in Ontario since first becoming popular back in 1956. 

The origins of Groundhog Day date back to medieval Europe, where a relationship was established early on between the waking of hibernating animals and the end of winter. According to European beliefs, spring’s arrival could be predicted based on the  awakening of such animals. European settlers, particularly German immigrants, brought this belief with them to North America, predominantly to Pennsylvania, introducing the tradition in 1887. Thus the famous Punxsutawney Phil! 

So how accurate is it? Well, Canadian winters are much longer than European ones, and even Wiarton Willie has to be awakened from hibernation every year to make his prediction. While there is a kernel of truth in the theory that sunny days in the winter are usually associated with Arctic air, which is colder and drier, while cloudy days are associated with coastal air which is milder and more humid, Canadian meteorological data proves that the groundhog’s success rate is actually quite low. But hey, it’s a great excuse for a festival and the movie is great!

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 Parents with kids fighting for their life are most likely NOT thinking about writing valentine’s and buying chocolates.  They are simply just being  there, doing what a real 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.

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.

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.  

In December, the Durham Region Association of REALTORS reported 545 residential sales in the Durham Region, a 38% drop from November 2017.

The average selling price in Durham for the month of December was $575,064, increasing by a miniscule $163 over November 2017, and showed just a nominal increase of almost 1% over December 2016’s average of $570,957. The trend towards a balanced market and a return to similar pricing seen in the latter half of 2016 clearly continues.

The amount of new listing inventory coming onto the market between November 2017 and December 2017 was 711 units, with the Durham Region finishing the year with 1308 active MLS listings as it entered 2018. The average days on market for December 2017 were 26 for all home types. 

The Durham Region saw a total of 11,136 sales in 2017, with Oshawa leading the way with 3,183 of those sales, the highest percentage at 28%. The overall average sale price for Durham Region in 2017 came in at $628,005, with the average list-to-sale ratio finishing at 105% with an average days on market time for the year sitting at 15. 

The average detached dwelling sold for $638,751 and sold for 98% of list price in 28 days. A total of 358 units were sold.

The average semi-detached dwelling sold for $469,903 and sold for 98% of list price in 22 days. A total of 36 units were sold.

The average link dwelling sold for $508,713 and sold for 99% of list price in 18 days. A total of 15 units were sold.

The average freehold townhouse sold for $489,863 and sold for 99% of list price in 22 days. A total of 67 units were sold.

The average condominium apartment sold for $380,004 and sold for 98% of list price in 27 days. A total of 28 units were sold.

The average condominium townhouse sold for $408,013 and sold for 99% of list price in 26 days. A total of 41 units were sold. 

Average Selling Prices 

for December 2017:

Durham Region: $575,064

Oshawa: $480,434

Clarington: $530,632

Whitby: $629,315

Scugog: $689,250

Ajax: $647,722

Pickering: $656,104 

Groundhog Day

Superbowl Sunday

Valentine’s Day

Family Day

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.  

1. ACTS OF SERVICE. Take over a chore for your beloved or surprise them by simply doing something thoughtful just for them. This simple act of kindness will be greatly appreciated.

2. THE CLASSIC MIX TAPE. Make a mix playlist — a collection of favorite songs or songs with a specific theme that will delight your sweetheart.

3. NO TECH 24. Turn off your tech for 24 hours. Give your darling the gift of your undivided attention for Valentine’s Day.

4. HAND WRITTEN CARD. Write a special letter to your someone special, telling them exactly what you love about them or your favorite memory with them. Nothing says I love you like your own words.

5. LITTLE LOVE NOTES. Hide notes or candy hearts where you know your honey will find them, like taping a love note to her steering wheel, tucking one into his wallet or hiding one under her breakfast plate.

6. CHOOSE POTTED OVER STEMS. Miniature rose plants and other flowering plants last longer and are considerably less expensive than the traditional dozen long stem red roses which only last days.

7. DIY GIFT BASKET. Hit the local dollar store and look for themed coffee mugs, red, white and pink dishes, candles, decorations and more. Fill them with candy and other treats and wrap it all up in cellophane! Ta-da!

8. MAKE A PHOTO ALBUM. Printing a photobook of your favorite pictures together creates a memory for a lifetime and with so many online options, they’re a snap to make and totally budget friendly.

9. TAKE A TOUR. Make a map and take the love of your life on a scavenger hunt for small presents and thoughtful notes that you have hidden around your home.

10. TAKE A RIDE. Jump in the car and drive down memory lane, re-visiting some of your favorite places shared together. Pack a winter picnic, grab a coffee and go!

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

Crushing records set in 2015 by a wide margin, Oshawa surpassed the previous threshold by $22.5 million in Construction Value for 2017, coming in at a whopping $581,271,600 as of November 30.

Surpassing the 2015 record by 205 permits, Oshawa logged the Highest Number of Building Permits ever at 2, 161.

In Highest Residential Value, Oshawa beat out the 2015 data by nearly $5.5 million to finish at $459,906,300 at the end of November.

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. 
 

I hope you and your loved ones have an extra special Holiday Season filled with much joy and happiness. 

With all my appreciation.

Geoff Appleton sales representative Remax Jazz Inc Brokerage

P.S. The story of this young person enclosed may cause you to look at your loved ones differently.  It did me. Check it out.

The Toronto Light Festival runs until March 4 and is the city’s first ever light art festival, set to transform the picturesque historic Distillery District with thousands of lights in 44 buildings across 13 acres. And it’s free!

Free Public Swim for P.A. Day, February 2, 1pm-3pm, Courtice Community Complex, Courtice

Free Public Swim for P.A. Day, February 2, 2pm-4pm, Diane Hamre Recreation Complex, Newcastle

Brooklin Vision Free Skate, February 4, 1pm-2:30pm, Legends Centre Oshawa

Second Marsh Valentine’s Fundraiser, February 9, 6-11pm, Jubilee Pavilion, Tickets Available

Share the Love—Valentine’s Dinner and Dance, February 10, 6-11pm, Oshawa Italian Club, Fundraiser for St. Vincent’s Kitchen, Purchase Tickets

Trios College Free Skate, February 18, 1pm-2:30pm, Legends Centre Oshawa

Family Day Free Public Swim, February 19, 2pm-4:30pm, Courtice Community Complex, Courtice

Family Day Free Public Swim, February 19, 2pm-4:30pm, Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre, Bowmanville

Family Day Free Public Swim, February 19, 2pm-4:30pm, Diane Hamre Recreation Complex, Newcastle

Free Family Day Magic Show, February 19, 2pm-3pm, Courtice Community Complex, Courtice

Lovell Drugs Day Free Fun Swim, February 19, 12:30pm-5pm, Legends Centre Oshawa

Synchronized Skate Championship, Feb 23-25, Tribute Centre Oshawa, Purchase Tickets 

For Mariana, her wish to go on a cruise in 2013 was about more than simply having a dream fulfilled; it was a life-changing experience. Mariana was diagnosed in Grade nine with leukemia, but at the age of 17, and after three years of treatment, Make-A-Wish® sent Mariana and her family on a Caribbean cruise, which marked a turning point in her life. To summarize her experience, she says: “I love what they did for me. I love how they opened the doors for me to live my dreams and to try and be more than what I thought I could be before my wish.” Seeing the impact that Make-A-Wish had on the lives of so many children not only made Mariana feel special, it made her feel a part of a wider community; one that would change her way of thinking and the course of her life.

In May 2013, Mariana and her family departed for their cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas cruise liner. Mariana felt this would be the perfect wish experience because she'd get to spend time with her whole family and celebrate the end of her cancer treatment. Once aboard the ship, Mariana was excited not only by the scale of her adventure, but also by the fact that the ship’s staff was raising funds to support Make-A-Wish on their journey, in partnership with the wish granting organization. The cruise ship flew the Make-A-Wish flag during their time at sea, and Mariana was invited to participate in the fundraising activities. 

Mariana recalls that when they reached $8,000 of their goal, she was invited to push the captain into the pool; when they reached $9,000, she was rewarded with throwing a pie at the captain’s face; by $10,000, Mariana was invited to dress up and visit the salon to shave one of the hosts’ heads! The spirit of camaraderie was amazing, and when the program raised more than $11,000, Mariana was invited to speak in front of the passengers. “In the end, everyone applauded my little speech and made me feel like a celebrity," she says. "I recall a couple of people pointing at me, and smiling or waving... I never told them that I had cancer, or that I was a Make-A-Wish child, but they all supported me nonetheless.” Mariana was amazed by the generosity of everyone aboard the ship, and she felt, for the first time, strong, confident and able to take on the world.

Mariana is now cancer-free and attends Brock University, where she is completing her third year of study in the creative writing honours program. She hopes to become a fantasy novelist and write stories that people living with cancer can connect with. She wants to help people in treatment cope with what is happening to them, so that they can feel happy and accepted. 

More than anything, the experience has made Mariana believe that she can help others facing the same difficulties, whether through her writing or through the newfound confidence that has allowed her to stand up and speak publicly on behalf of those in need, “It might have been a small wish, but I got to see how many lives Make-A-Wish has impacted by granting them their one true wish," she says. "So just being a part of that community made me feel really special and helped me see that we are really making a difference.”