The Bower Blog

Reminiscing About Life, Love Etc. Etc. Etc.

I have a whole entry category called This and That Musing; the reason for this is that I daydream quite often.  Sometimes I think about things in the past, particularly about my son Skyler and stepson, Beau.  Other times I dream about the dogs I've had.  We all have ebbs and flows in our life, ups and downs-rarely do I focus on the downs, simply because I can't change it.  The only thing I can do is learn from it, take it with me and carry on.  Like breast cancer.  Yucky time in my life-have friends and family members who are dealing with it.  One in 9 women in our country will have a b.c. scare to some degree or another.  One in nine.  So what to do?  Actively support those that do, and support the causes around it.  End of story.

This morning I saw a post from my nephew, Sam.  He is becoming a profound young man.  He is 16 now (where does the time go?) and is experiencing his first love.  I love reading his posts.  Last week, he posted about being disabled and how it does not stop him from doing everything.  I told him on facebook that it should be "disabull...t" and he can do ANYTHING". In the true spirit of Sam and all of the young texters and facebookers and tweeters, he sent back "OMG, Aunt Cheryl, ur the best, LOL, OMG."  Now if I wasn't so hip, I wouldn't have a clue what all that meant, but I did.  (for years I thought LOL meant "lots of love" and couldn't figure out why business associates were signing their emails with this!") LOL to you Samuel.

Yesterday I was looking out my window and one of my neighbours was getting work done by Laird and Son (heating and cooling contractors).  Many moons ago, when I separated from Skyler's dad, I was struggling with money. It was a particularly hard and painful time in my life.  Laird and Son were my heating oil providers.  I had to make a call to them that I intended to pay for the oil they had provided but I would have to pay it in small installments.  The owner of the company called me and said to "take as long as you want and don't worry about it".  I paid that bill over 4 months and refer this company any chance I get.  There is a human side to them that I appreciate very much.

When I was a teenager, my father had given me a 1967 Pontiac to drive around in.  It started to overheat one day on the Gardiner Expressway, with no soft shoulder to pull over on.  I was in terrible peril.  A Grand and Toy truck pulled up behind me (he was on delivery) and put on his flashers and flares until CAA arrived.  I will always appreciate the man who helped out-I was too upset to get his name.  Thank you Grand and Toy truckdriver-you saved my bacon.

Anyway, just some musing for a Friday morning.  We're all delivered good, bad and ugly things in our lifetime-it's just a question of how you want to deal with it.  Make lemonade out of a lemon.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

Canadian, EH?

What makes us destinctly Canadian versus people who speak the same language as us, south of the border?  Well, for one, we have a different kind of patriotism.  We're all about hockey, Stompin' Tom, Blue Rodeo, Jann Arden, Sarah McLachlan, Barnaked Ladies, The Guess Who.  We don't appear to have the same attachment to the national flag as our neighbours but I tell you, when there is a playoff game that involves a Canadian Team, or the Olympics last year or even today, when a Quebec movie got nominated (Incendies, Director Denis Villeneuve, one of the top 10 film makers to watch), I get goose bumps for my flag and cry when listening to Oh Canada! 

 

I think we are a funnier people too.  Look at Martin Short, Dan Ackroyd, all of those crazy Canuck Second City folks.  Look at Russell Peters, internationally acclaimed comedienne, basing his humour on the differences we have in our society.  And speaking of that, when Elton John came to town a few years ago, he sang the praises of Canada as a liberal, open-minded country and wept about how he was also so happy to be here because of our tolerance (referring to the acceptance of gay marriage).

Whatever it means to be a Canadian, I'm one and I'm damn proud of it.  See my shoes above.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

 

MoM LoVe

Last weekend I spent 15 hours in the emergency room with my partner.  He could not breath.  The staff was incredible and went above and beyond the call of duty to get to the bottom of his ailment.  He was put on a ventilator for 1 1/2 hours and that seemed to clear up the mess inside his lungs.  Four days later, the same hospital called saying they had found something on his lung in the X-Rays.  They immediately booked him for a catscan.  Turns out the spot was on his ribs, not in his lungs, but better that doctor had called.  What a conscientious gesture!

This morning, my lovely son text me saying he couldn't breath-he has ashma.  I was extremely worried; I know text is somewhat impersonal, but this is the way young people communicate these days.  I asked what he had taken; he gave me the list and I toddled over to the Shoppers Drug Mart at Woodbine and O'Connor to get some help.  Although the pharmacist there was not the friendliest, she did ask the most important questions so as not to mix medications and put Skyler is further peril.  I bought a large tea at McDonalds and trundled up the 4 flights of stairs of Sky's home at Victoria Park and Queen Street.  (He has a fantastic apartment overlooking the lake!-breathtaking-the view and the climb up)  Anyway, "my baby" was in bed.  I gave him a tylenol for cold and flu (my personal life saviour), a buckleys dm cough sirop and his tea with sugar.  He seemed markedly better as I left.  As a side-bar, spoke a bit too soon.  We were at the Albany Clinic today (January 24)-apparently Sky has a virus-$220 in meds later, he's back at home, signed off work and watching videos while popping the pills.  Oh, well. 

Sometimes I think you start to feel better once someone pays attention to you.  I have been sick as an adult and gone over to my moms.  She makes me soup and toast, covers me with a blanket and we watch old movies and fall asleep on the couch.  Together, comforting. 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

And Life Moves on In Real Estate/Economy World.....

We as Real Estate Agents are often bombarded with emails once there is a change in mortgage or economy information.  Sometimes I think it's a competition!  I hesitated to relay anything to my blog followers early in the week simply because there were actually a number of things happening that affect our world and wanted to relay them all at the same time. 

The first thing is that Mr. Flaherty, our Finance Minister, initiated further changes in the mortgage industry which will take effect March 18, 2011.  One of the reasons Canada has not experienced the horrific melt down the U.S. has is that we have really good financiers watching our back in an effort to reduce the exposure consumers have to household debt, based on recent statistics.  So what does it mean?

First of all the maximum amortization period will again reduce from 35 years to 30 years for government backed mortgages (when buyers have less than 20% down payment).  This means more down payment.  Secondly, Flaherty announced he will decrease the maximum amount you can refinance against your home from 90% to 85%.  This may impact consumers looking to consolidate debt or take equity out of investment.  Lastly, he is withdrawing government insurance (like CMHC) on lines of credit secured against homes-it is not widely used and should not affect the market very much.

The SECOND bit of important news is that the Bank of Canada (BoC) will keep interest rates low for a while.  There will be no prime rate change, leaving variable rate mortgages and credit lines untouched. 

The tightening of the lending and borrowing environment may reduce financial flexibility in the short run and potentially flatten the upcoming spring real estate market.

I suspect there will be the usual flurry of activity prior to March 18th's changes-while people still purchase with the 35 year amortizations, however product (homes) are in short supply as it always is this time of year.  Anyone listing right now will do well as a result of the old supply and demand syndrome.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

 

RIP Sargent Ryan Russell

I have many clients who are police officers, firefighters and emts.  It was with great sadness that we, as a city watched the solemn procession of police officers and other emergency personel from across Canada and the U.S. pay their last respects to Ryan Russell this afternoon.  What a loss for his mom and dad, wife and child.  I was deeply touched by the outpouring of emotion from our city, in tribute to one of many who put their life on the line every day to protect us.  Think about it.  At any moment, they can loose their life protecting us.  What a selfless job. 

With the criticism of the handling of the G20 summit in Toronto in the summer, Sargent Russell's death is a sober reminder of why the police have to be vigilant in emergency or high emotion situations. 

The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is setting up a fund for Sargent Russell's son, Nolan.  You can donate to this through www.CIBC.com 

RIP Ryan.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

Why NOW is a great time to buy or sell a home

So you've stuffed your face with turkey or latkes, you've had more holidays this year (Christmas fell on a weekend so most people, unless they are in retail, had loads of time off) and you've connected or reconnected with family.  With all this leisure time, you may have had heart to heart discussions about your future, holidays, jobs, finances or housing.  If you're young, you may have had a discussion with a parent about your goals.  I know my son did; he is in the restaurant service industry and he would like to buy a home or condo soon.  He's 27 and it's that time.  He'd also like to retire me in 3 years!  Boy, would that be awesome!  On the flip side, you may have an aging parent and it's time for them to move out of the family home and into an apartment or condo.  Your family may be expanding or you may be entering into the empty nest phase.  Any way you slice it, we live in a large city that is in a state of constant flux.  So why is January and February a great time to sell?

After holidays of any kind, we settle into a sense of routine.  Since our market slows down around Hannukah and Christmas, if we have decided on a change in residence and we've entered into our normal routine, we are anxious to have some of our plans come into play.  This happens every year.  The only thing is, some agents advise listing after March break.  Since this is the advise, the plans you have made are on hold for a few months.  The good agents I know get their selling people geared up for January and February simply because of the principle of supply and demand.  Pent up demand, limited supply-this creates a flurry of activity on existing listings.  Remember, people wanna buy after they make a decision. 

As an FYI, I have a great detached listing coming on the market at the end of January; just being staged now.  Thank you wonderful client, for listening to my advice; I think this will work favourably for you as a result.

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

 

 

My little Fur Baby, Enjoying the snow

 
What a lovely little boy!  Eating, biting and frolicking in the snow!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Heard the meow of Elmo Bower at 7:36 a.m. and made my way out to the foot or so of winter beauty.  My, it's lovely!  Elmo loves the snow;  he's only 12 pounds of white fluff and looks like a snowball.  As a result, you can't see him and the snow comes up to his belly when walking.  He frolicks, bites the snow and makes snow angels, rolling around.  He has a biscuit when he comes in and promptly curls up and konks out.  It's a dog's life!

As I look out my office window, I can see the neighbours all bundled up, hauling snow.  I've done one round; it looks like we'll be out there soon and even dust off the snow plow.  Although the snow is not heavy in weight, there's lots of it.  We are well equipped in Toronto to deal with snow-when I hear about NYC and Europe being paralyzed with transportation, I feel fortunate to be in a city that prepares for this. 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

Canadian Housing Prices Set To Rise In 2011

A new survey says Canada's real estate market is heading into a stronger-than-expected year that will likely see home prices steadily rise, while overall transactions moderate.

The report indicates that average home prices are expected to rise three percent to $348,600 in 2011, while the number of transactions is predicted to fall two percent.  The survey also found that average house prices rose between 3.9% and 4.6% in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The price appreciation is expected to continue a moderate and steady climb throughout the year.

Activity in the housing sector was helped by low borrowing costs in the fourth quarter of last year and the report says that trend will likely continue into the first half of 2011 as homebuyers weigh the possibility of rising mortgage rates later this year.

2011 is expected to unfold much like 2010, when close to 60 per cent of sales volume occurred in the first half of the year in anticipation of interest rate increases that never materialized.

The housing market dip was sparked by a credit crunch that developed in the U.S. housing and lending industries, and gradually spread across the globe, causing a recession in the late summer and early fall of 2009.

The domestic real estate market has been much quicker to recover than its American counterpart, largely in part because of a more stable banking industry, historically low interest rates and improving consumer confidence.

(exert from Moneyville Toronto Star January 6, 2011)

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

Awesome Things in and around Toronto

Thought I'd list a few of my new favourite things (Oprah doesn't hold a candle to me when I'm on a research binge!). Some of the things are places and things that have been around for awhile but they remain awesome; other things are new and I'm rooting for the people to do well in their businesses.  Here we go!

1.  Summerhill Market (www.SummerhillMarket.com) 446 Summerhill Avenue in Rosedale.  Not sure why I didn't know this existed but my friend Linda told me about it over the holidays.  It is a boutique grocery store, much along the lines of Pusaterris or Brunos but it's so much more.  The prepared foods are a really good deal and delicious.  The chicken or beef meat pies are the best I've ever had.  They even have de-shelled (is that even a word?) lobster, vacuum packed, which one day I will treat Mr. Davidson to.

2.  Culinarium (www.Culinarium.ca) 705 Mount Pleasant Road.  I have heard this business is struggling a bit, but what an awesome place!  Locally grown, organic food, gourmet stuff and the best green salsa I've ever had (albeit $8.00 a small jar-yikes)  The salsa chips are terrific, the vegetables are great and the meats are local and organic.  Yummm.

3.  Alarm Force (www.alarmforce.com) Over the holidays, my son's Grandma (on his dad's side) fell on a sidewalk.  She is 82 and still active however....she's 82.  We did some research and Alarm Force seems to have the best program for seniors with monitors and buttons they can press if they are in trouble.  It costs about $28.00 a month and if you are concerned about a senior loved one being on their own and needing help, this is worth the monthly monitoring fee.

4.  L'il Britches Bakery (www.lilbritchesbakery.com) Not food!  My client Trisha started a business whereby she makes cakes out of diapers.  They are the cutest, most creative things I've ever seen.  They are wrapped just like a cake and can be customized to fit a client's specifications.  One of my other clients is having their second child and they are into sustainable gardening.  My "cake" included lots of felt vegetables and was so cute.  Contact:  Trisha@lilbritchesbakery.com

5.  Kai Kids (www.KaiKids.com) My friends, Nancy and Peter developed this on-line eco friendly "store" that sells products for children and moms.  They deal in organic products which include bamboo.  A lot of the stuff is local and/or imported from the U.K.  Check it out!

6.  Gardiner Museum (www.GardinerMuseum.on.ca) Every Wednesday and Friday night from 6-8 (Sundays 1-3) you can go to the Gardiner Museum and drop in to a Clay class.  Learn to throw clay on a wheel or simply do a clay hand moulded project.  Jamie Kennedy's eatery is also there.  Yum.

Finally, I'd like to mention again my winter Crocs.  They have a big maple leaf on the toe (the only ones I've found so far).  Purchased some winter crocs for Skyler's gramma.  She loves them, they are so toasty.  When I figure out how to post a picture of them on this site, I'll show them to you!

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com