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Oakville, ON Real Estate News

By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
No birds at home in this high rise  but look up in the tree in background. I could see the dark bird from a distance but when I uploaded the photo I noticed the second bird.  How I wish I had a larger zoom lens to get a better shot.  I tried to crop the photo but I can't make out what kind of birds these are. What a surprise as I walked around and saw many lovely painted birdhouses hanging on the trees in Drumquin Park. These bright birdhouses add a great burst of colour on a dull winter day.   This not so colourful birdhouse looks a little older and sadder than the others. This was my favourite.  Someone was very creative and I think any bird would be thrilled to call this stylish pad home. Drumquin Park is located on Britannia Road just west of Trafalgar Road in Milton, Ontario.     
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  Oakville Waterfront - The Soothing Effects of Water on Stress Reduction. Minimizing the impact of things we have no control over is what life is all about. It’s what will help you weather the inevitable storms and come out of them still healthy and with peace of mind.  Stress is the number one killer of the human race. It impacts every single part of our life.  You may not be able to control the stressors in your life, however you can alleviate the damage the stressors have on your body, mind and soul.In difficult times it is more important than ever to practise stress-reducing activities. Riding out the storm is something you have no choice over; however the choice is yours in whether you want to ride it out paddling madly in a topsy-turvy canoe or in the peaceful berth of a sturdy C...
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Lacrosse in Oakville - A Game Older Than Canada.Lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports still being played in the world today. It originated with the native tribes of the north american continent and was one of the main attractions at pow-wows when tribes from all over would gather to partake in food, fellowship and festivities.Strong, agile native men and boys learned to be skilled lacrosse players from the time they were little tykes.It is believed that lacrosse originated in the 12th century amongst the Iroquois and Huron tribes.1000s of men would play lacrosse on fields miles long and a game could go on for days. It was known as the 'creator's game' and had a deep spiritual component in which warriors prepared themselves for war and each player was very proud to be representing th...
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Oakville Children's Acting and Theatre Class Starting February 4th.Every family has one. Some families have many. Little aspiring actors and actresses who keep everyone entertained with their constant shows and costume brigades.  One minute they're Batman out saving the world, the next minute they're a secret agent working on a very important spy case.If your family is blessed with a young actor or two, be sure to register them for Bad Dog Theatre Oakville's new theatre and acting class for 8-10 year olds.The class welcomes beginners as well as those with some theatre/acting experience. Focusing on teamwork, spontaneity and storytelling, it is sure to keep those little active imaginations occupied long after class is finished. Who knows? You might have another Hugh Laurie in your midst!...
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Heath Allen, Oakville Symphony Orchestra's very talented Principal Horn, will be featured in an concert devoted to the music of the great romantic composers.Heath will be performing Dvorak's Symphony #8 and also Richard Stauss's Horn Concerto #1.If you are an admirer of the great romantic composers, you won't want to miss this inspirational event. Tickets can be purchased at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. Call 905-815-2021.Visit the Oakville Symphony's website for more information or call the Symphony office at 905-338-1462.The concert is being held at The Oakville Centre For The Performing Arts located at 130 Navy Street in Oakville.  To view a map showing the location, click here -> The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts It's not too late to reserve your seat for th...
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By David Pylyp
(RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc.,)
I recently had the distinct pleasure to meet and interview Tom Adams Councillor Ward 6 of the town of Oakville. The gentlemen is well spoken, informed, reserved and deserves to be where he is. This conversation lead me to a better understanding of the intricate nature of services provided by the local municipal government and the people that they serve. This goes further than the Community Recreation Center and when will they allow equal hockey ice time to all (it news recently in Toronto) but to the larger issues that speak to governance of municipal assets like land, air and water. Halton Region and Oakville are embarking on the construction of a new hospital at the intersection of Third Line and Dundas; There is a power plant proposal for increased hydro availability near the Ford Pl...
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Oakville Area Writers and Bloggers Invited to Take a Course!Always dreamed of becoming a writer or are you a writer already for a business blog or local periodical and just want to brush up on your skills?Brian Henry will be teaching a writing course called 'Welcome to Creative Writing' for 9 weeks beginning on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010. The course is being held at St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, 1541 Oakhill Drive, Oakville from 12:45 to 2:45 every Tuesday afternoon until March 30th.Brian will guide students through various kinds of writing including short stories, memoir, children's, personal and 'just for fun'.This is a great way to learn new writing techniques. To reserve a spot email Brian Henry at brianhenry@sympatico.ca.I'm signed up for this writing course and looking forward ...
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By Debra Curran
(Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd.)
I must admit it really wasn't until I saw the Julie and Julia film that I understood the power of the Blog. It's actually amazing to think that people can be so enthralled in what are quite honestly, everyday events. But somehow it's like being let in on a secret - and we all love it. We can chat to virtual strangers and find comraderie and learn something new at the same time. I was inspired by Julie and Julia, I wondered what it would be like to share my life with the world and see if anyone (or how many??) would be interested. I must admit my life raising twin girls was interesting, I wish more than anything blogging was invented twenty years ago. I would have had a movie deal by now and haven't quite decided who would have played my beautiful (now grown) daughters, but I do know it ...
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Ontario's New HST Will Cost Greater Toronto Area Homebuyer's and Sellers Millions.Ontario consumers are on the brink of another provincial tax grab, the HST, and it seems that no matter how much lobbiers, business people and the public protest, it will go through anyways. Effective July 1st, 2010, consumers can expect to pay an additional 8 % tax on all services which previously were only charged the 5% GST. This measure of Premier Dalton McGuinty's has the potential to do away with 21,200 construction jobs in Ontario and many of the jobs that support the construction industry. A recent report commissioned by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) states that of the additonal $800 million the new HST tax will cost Ontario buyers of new homes, Toronto area homebuye...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
The Town Of Oakville was founded in 1857 on the shores of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Sixteen Mile Creek.  Today Oakville has become home to close to 170,000 residents with most of the growth in the past thirty years taking place north of the Queen Elizabeth Highway.  Oakville's oldest neighbourhoods lie close to Lake Ontario and the downtown core.  Three designated Heritage Conservation Districts encompass this area.  Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District First & Second Street Heritage Conservation District Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District The Town of Oakville has created an official list of properties that have been identified as having cultural heritage value or interest and they have been added to The Register of Properties of Cultural Heritage Value or Inter...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
As predicted and well publicized by the media, new home construction slowed down in 2009 in Ontario.  The following article was just published in the Ontario Real Estate Association's Edge Newsletter.  Information in the article was provided by the CMHC ( Canadian Housing and Mortgage Association). Ontario home construction slowed in 2009 "Ontario home starts moderated in 2009, although they began to recover during the second half of the year, CMHC reported in January. Ontario all area home starts declined to an estimated 50,500 units in 2009, down from 75,076 unit starts in 2008. Residential construction for the year was down largely due to weaker activity in the multi-family home segment, which includes town home and apartment dwellings. Meanwhile, construction of new detached housing...
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First Time Home Buying in Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga - Choosing the Right Sales RepresentativeThere are many things to consider when you've begun to seriously consider the purchase of your first home in the Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga region.Preparing through research and asking questions ahead of time will not only save you an abundance of time and money down the road, it can also make the difference between calling your first home 'home sweet home' or your first initiation into a property ownership nightmare. Preparing now will make the whole process smooth and enjoyable and you'll have something to celebrate in the years to come as you settle into your own private sanctuary. Your first step towards buying your first home in Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga should ...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
I've done my share of promoting the Town of Oakville with my past blogs and photos.  I happened to find this video on Youtube that I thought I would share. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton narrates this short snapshot of our beautiful  and vibrant town.  I find it very easy to promote Oakville's virtues to out of town clients. Leafy neighbourhoods, quality schools and a charming downtown core are just a few reasons to call Oakville home.  
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
Winter - You either love it or you hate it.  Or you have never experienced it.  The dictionary describes winter as: Usually the coldest season of the year in which the sun shines most obliquely upon any region. The calendar tells us we are only into our third week of winter.  Spring won't show it's face until March 21.  Living in Oakville, Ontario you get to experience four distinct seasons.  Oakville is in an enviable location for winter sports. For skiers, there are many modest ski hills in the area.  Glen Eden provides fun for the whole family and is located in Milton, Ontario, just a twenty minute drive from Oakville. Chicopee in Kitchener is also less than an hour's drive.  For those who prefer more mountainous slopes, Blue Mountain near Collingwood is a perfect spot for a day trip...
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Oakville Real Estate Market Report for 2009 Compared to 2008.Real estate sales in Oakville, Ontario have steadily increased in 2009 when compared to the same months in 2008. Oakville property sales started very low with 71% fewer sales in January 2009 than in January 2008. The market picked up a bit as spring approached, however still showed a negative percentage difference from 2008 sales until May of 2009 when the number of sales reached 7.9 % higher than in 2008. This was a reflection of growing consumer confidence coupled with low interest rates and relatively low home prices as compared to 2008. As the year progressed, property prices only rose by a total of 3% over 2008. The low prices held while interest rates reached the lowest they had been in over 40 years by the middle of 200...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
The number of home sales in Oakville, Ontario in December 2009 increased by 106 % over last December.  The year end numbers show that the Oakville real estate market is alive and well.  Not only were the number of sales up, but both the average and median sale prices rose from the previous December. All indications point to a healthy balanced market for the New Year.  Interest rates remain at an all time low and first time buyers are driving the market.  Inventory is low in Oakville resulting in many listings selling with multiple offers, often over list price. Sales Statistics - Oakville, Ontario - December 2009 Compared to December 2008 Number of Sales: 163 - Up 106 %   Average Sale Price: $531,893 - Up 27%   Median Sale Price: $465,100 - Up 38% Average Days On Market: 32 Year To Dat...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
Winter has arrived and I enjoy taking my dog for long walks outdoors.  As the temperature has been dropping, so have the length of our walks.  I started thinking perhaps I needed another layer of clothing to keep my legs warm. Now I've seen men's long underwear and it isn't pretty.  It's thick and bulky and I assumed that the women's version, if there was such a thing would have been created equally as unappealing. I decided to have a look when I was in The Bay at Oakville Place.  Lo and behold, there they were.  Ladie's long underwear.  There were so many different kinds it was mind boggling.  These were upper end designer duds with a retail sale price of $30. - $35.  I shook my head and kept walking.  Warmth is one thing.  Paying a ridiculous price for it is another.  So off to Walmar...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
Oakville's downtown shops and boutiques are full of wonderful gifts to surprise your loved ones with this holiday season.  Many of the shops will gift wrap your purchases in a way that I could never duplicate.   At this time of year there is nothing more enjoyable than to stroll down Lakeshore Road on a cold, frosty evening and gaze into the brightly lit storefront windows.  These magic Christmas displays offer a wonderful photo opportunity. Although my hands were frozen by the time I got my fill of festive fotos, I finished up my Friday evening outing with a frothy, foamy latte from one of the many downtown cafes and coffee shops. Peeking in the many downtown Oakville restaurant windows, it was evident that many a company Christmas party was in full swing.  My evening of window shoppi...
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By Jenny Kotulak, Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate
(RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage)
I was speaking to a new agent recently and she was looking  very frazzled and tired looking.  She got very busy, very quickly upon entering the business.  She  prospects by regularly knocking on doors, cold calling and sitting at  open houses,  borrowing them from other agents if she has no listings. She does all the things expected of a new agent who starts in the business with no client base.  Upon asking her how things were going, she told me she was out late working on an offer at 1:00 a.m. that morning.  I remember doing the same thing early in my career but I just don't function very well late at night and I try to avoid the 11:59 p.m. offer response time. I find I have to be alert when working on offers so that I don't miss something or make any mistakes.  No two offers are ever ...
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The final countdown is upon us in Oakville, Ontario (and elsewhere) as we head into a busy weekend of last minute shopping and festivities.I'm almost finished my shopping after a whirlwind day yesterday braving the congested roads and bitter cold. The stores are not as busy as I remember them being many years ago, before the advent of gift cards.On everyone's wish list this year in Ontario is an item of great need, the bluetooth. No longer is it legal to talk on a cell phone while driving and if you know of anyone with a cellphone, this would certainly be a welcome package under the tree. Every year I prepare gift baskets for those family members who seem to have everything. I line a big wicker basket with a colourful Christmas tea towel and fill it with a variety of teas, smoked oyste...
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