Which Movie Home Do You Wish You Could Own?

10 Movie Homes We Wish We Could Own Source: blog.spout.com

Knowing the First Time Home Buyer

Real Estate Matters – May, 2009.


In today’s competitive real estate market, more and more sellers are looking to target the increasingly important consumer group of the first-time buyer. The first step in reaching this target group is in knowing who this customer is, and then understanding their specialized wants and needs.

Just who is the first time buyer in terms of age, income, marital status, house price range? There’s no one right answer to that question, especially these days. First time buyers come from all ages and all walks of life. Also, their demographic profile can vary dramatically from market to market, and even between different communities in the same major market area. However, there are some interesting trends in the first time buyer demographics:
· As home prices rose, it resulted in young people staying at home with their parents longer in order to save the necessary money for a down payment. Not surprisingly then, the age of first time buyers has risen in recent years.
· There’s been a major shift in first time buyers in terms of marital status. Ten years ago, the vast majority were young married couples starting out their life together, with a hope for a growing family. Today, while couples still represent the majority, we’re also seeing a far greater percentage of young professionals, especially single women, entering the home buying market. These career-oriented people no longer want to wait for marriage before taking their first step on the property ladder. They want to build equity and achieve the dream of home ownership without waiting for the right life partner to come along. This group is a major force in low upkeep urban housing that is seen in the condo market.
· Canada enjoys a very strong positive in-migration population, and these individuals will continue to fuel the first time buyer market.

One trend that we’re now starting to see is an increase in the percentage of first time buyers in the market. With the escalating prices in recent years, some of these individuals were previously ‘locked out’ of the housing market. Now with adjusting prices, historically low interest rates, and help from government initiatives such as the recent increase in the Home Buyers Plan withdrawal plan from $20,000 to $25,000, have resulted in some of the most affordable housing seen in most markets in years. This is bringing a new buyer back into the market, as they are now seeing homeownership come back within their reach.

Want to know more about the first-time buyers market, and the special incentives that are now available to attract and win these buyers? Contact your local Coldwell Banker® real estate representative to learn more.

Signs for optimisn as spring real estate market shaped up

As your Coldwell Banker First Ottawa Realty sales representative will tell you, real estate professionals across the country are feeling optimistic about the positive signs they’re seeing in the market this spring. Existing MLS® home sales activity increased for the second month in a row in March 2009, according to statistics released by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). The number of new listings also continued trending lower in March. This is an important statistic, since the lower supply of listings coming onto the market will continue to keep the demand up for active listings.
Over 31,000 homes traded hands nationally via the MLS® in March 2009. This is an increase of 7% from the previous month, and builds on the 10.3% activity gain in February. The largest sales gains were in BC and Ontario. The number of transactions in March 2009 stands 18% above levels reported in January 2009. It’s a clear indication that buyers are seeing value in today’s market, and are taking advantage of this great opportunity.
Looking ahead, there has been a rapid drop in new construction, which should also help to support the demand for resale properties in the months ahead. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts decreased to 117,400 units in April from 146,500 units in March, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). According to CMHC's Market Analysis Centre, most of the decline has occurred in the condominium segment in Ontario. While some improvement is expected as the year progresses, new home construction is not expected to approach the pace set over the past seven years, which exceeded 200,000 units per year.
This decline in new home construction combined with a drop in new listings coming onto the market should combine to keep up demand for resale properties. As the balance of supply to demand continues has firmed up, and demand for resale properties continues, this also helps support prices and maintain home values.
Want to know more about what’s happening in real estate in your local community? Contact your local Coldwell Banker First Ottawa Realty sales representative, and find out what great opportunities are available in today’s market.

Why use a REALTOR to help you buy a home?

Home buying is a complex process that can be confusing. A REALTOR® can guide you through every step. REALTORS® understand the market, the process and the paperwork. And when it’s time to make an offer, a REALTOR® will negotiate on your behalf. A REALTOR® works for you and must, by law, look after your best interests

On the Internet, you can learn about the home buying process and even begin to look at potential neighbourhoods and properties. You’ll find properties advertised on dozens of Canadian websites, but it will be your REALTOR® who knows if the home you’re interested in is actually under the flight path to the local airport or right next door to a marijuana grow house.
The rewards of home ownership are tremendous. Negotiating the challenging road to home ownership requires the help of a REALTOR®.

Information for buyer http://http://www.howrealtorshelp.ca/pdf/buying.pdf

Coldwell Banker On Location

New Coldwell Banker 'On Location' YouTube Channel First in Industry to Fully Tap Power of Video for Real Estate Search and Insights
First Branded YouTube Channel to Use Dynamic IP Lookup to Generate Specific Local Results and Help Consumers Learn About Real Estate Issues That Matter to Them


PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 04, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today launched an innovative branded YouTube(TM) channel designed to offer consumers a new way to search for and interact with real estate information and listings. Named Coldwell Banker On Location (www.youtube.com/coldwellbanker), the channel was created to more fully tap into the power of video for real estate search and discovery, and to drill deeper into the local insights that consumers want.
To create On Location, Coldwell Banker Real Estate closely collaborated with both YouTube, a Google subsidiary, and Google to develop a customized framework and user experience - offering what is arguably one of the most comprehensive and immersive brand channels on the YouTube platform. On Location is the first branded YouTube channel to use dynamic IP lookup to search for videos, which automatically serves up local results when visitors first hit the site.
An Emphasis on Video and Local Content
Two areas of strategic focus set Coldwell Banker On Location apart from other real estate Web sites. First, it showcases the power of video to bring real estate more vividly to life - offering behind-the-scenes looks at towns and neighborhoods, smart tips and timely news on real estate topics, and video listings of homes for sale. Second, content posted to On Location has a strong emphasis on local information and insights, so consumers can dig deeper into the areas of the country that interest them most.
Supporting this highly localized perspective is one of the more unique aspects of Coldwell Banker On Location - the ability to search for videos through a special map feature that has been developed specifically for the site. The map 'widget' is a prominent feature at the top of the On Location site and the main starting point for consumers searching for a home, a specific area of the country or more information on a real estate topic.
At launch, Coldwell Banker On Location will be the first YouTube brand channel to use dynamic IP look-up, so visitors to the site will automatically be shown video search results from their own area / zip code. Then by clicking the link "Browse By Map," consumers can enter the city / state or zip code of their choosing - which will immediately pull up all videos posted to On Location associated with that area. These video results are displayed as icons on the map.
Each search will return a wide range of video results, including video listings, spotlights on that local community and Coldwell Banker sales associate/representative profiles. Consumers can click through to view specific videos - as well as connect back to the main Coldwell Banker Web site to learn more about a specific property for sale.
"Video is a critical part of how today's consumers want to explore real estate, and we intend to use it to an extent never before seen in our industry," said Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "On Location provides an exciting new platform for our vast network of thousands of sales associates to directly share the kind of local insights and knowledge that is invaluable to consumers hoping to learn about a new area."
Gillespie noted that the site will appeal to a broad range of consumers. "You might be a first time homebuyer deciding between a few different towns in your area, someone about to relocate across the country, a Boomer thinking ahead to where to retire, or simply a person who's dreaming about your ideal home. No matter what stage you're at in your life or the real estate process, On Location has the insights you need served up in an exciting new format," he said.
"Coldwell Banker On Location is about building the Web's richest array of real estate video content that is also the richest in local insights," said Michael Fischer, senior vice president of marketing, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. "It's the combination of these two missing pieces of the puzzle that make this site so exciting. In addition, Coldwell Banker Real Estate is the first in the industry to put the full power of its brand and network behind a tool that represents the future of real estate - the video listing."
"Every month, millions of people search on YouTube for real estate content," said Sam Sebastian, Classified and Local Advertising Director at Google. "Consumers are hungry for real estate-related videos. I'm thrilled that Coldwell Banker is developing such a substantial innovation for real estate video. I look forward to seeing Coldwell Banker build On Location into one of the most active destinations for real estate search, discussion and engagement."
Some of the video and written content for On Location will be supplied by a select group of content providers, including the Associated Press, CNN, Reel Productions TV, This Old House and TurnHere. Coldwell Banker On Location will complement the company's main Web site at http://www.coldwellbanker.com/ - including the 'Learn' section which features educational content as well as news articles and updates on the real estate sector. It extends the company's already robust social media strategy, which includes Facebook pages for the brand and its two founders, Colbert Coldwell and Arthur Banker, a Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/coldwellbnkr) and profiles on Flickr and FriendFeed.
In addition to using YouTube as a platform, Coldwell Banker Real Estate is using the Google family of ad networks and channels for promotion of On Location. This includes both Google and YouTube search ads, YouTube banner promotions and Google TV.
Development of the On Location site was a collaborative effort by Coldwell Banker interactive agency partners, FD Kinesis and Bootstrap Software, Inc.
To see a video about Coldwell Banker On Location please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1AKZDhUrLY
YouTube is a subsidiary of Google Inc.
About Coldwell Banker(R)
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker(R) organization has been a premier full-service real estate provider. In 2008, Franchise Times magazine's prestigious Top 200 issue ranked the Coldwell Banker system No. 1 in real estate for the ninth straight year and 12th among franchisors in all industries. The Coldwell Banker System has approximately 3,500 residential real estate offices and 105,300 sales associates in 46 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker System is a leader in the industry in residential and commercial real estate, and in niche markets such as resort, new home and luxury property through its Coldwell Banker Previews International(R) division. It is a pioneer in consumer services with its Coldwell Banker Concierge(R) Service Program and award-winning Web site, http://www.coldwellbanker.com/. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services. Coldwell Banker(R) is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Each office is independently owned and operated.

SOURCE: Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC

Eco-chic Flooring

Eco-chic Flooring By the HGTV.ca Editorial Team

It wasn't so long ago that all floors were covered in either hardwood or wall-to-wall carpeting. This tradition seems to be changing with our growing concern for the environment. There are too many trees being chopped down, and synthetic padding and carpet glues are considered invisible villains.
The flooring industry has worked creatively to design and construct alternatives using renewable resources that are both beautiful and affordable.
Bamboo and cork floors and natural fiber carpets are a trend that is here to stay. Not only do these materials have time-tested durability, but their natural colours and textures traverse all decorating styles.
Bamboo is, in fact, a grass that functions as timber. The plant is not harmed by harvesting and regrows into maturity in four to seven years. (It takes a red oak tree 120 years to mature). Bamboo flooring is available naturally and in pre-finished colours such as amber and cherry, and it accepts many different stains so you can match it to your home's furnishings. It can be installed like hardwood and sanded and refinished as well.
Cork is one of the best sound-proofing materials and is used for this purpose as a substrate on walls and ceilings as well as floors. To harvest the cork, the outer bark of the cork oak tree is cut away, but the tree is saved, and regrowth occurs in ten years. The cell structure of cork is waterproof and airtight which makes the product durable and resistant to moisture, decay and damage. Cork tile floors have natural shade variations that add to their unique appeal. They are an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms as well as playrooms. Seal natural cork with either beeswax or water-based varnish. Tiles and planks come finished and ready to install.
A new floating floor system consisting of planks that click together with a tongue and groove construction is taking the flooring industry by storm. Along with wood, both cork and bamboo laminates are available in this system and can be cut and assembled in intricate designs or simple motifs so you can create your own style. Because floating floors do not require glue or nails, they can be picked up and removed to another location, which is beneficial for renters or people on the move.
Carpets are also going au naturelle. Popular sisal is made from the rope-like fibers of the agave cactus spun into yarn. These fibers are naturally flame retardant, anti-static and sound absorbent. Sisal carpets are a good choice for allergy suffers as they repel dust. Sisal is available in a range of qualities; the better quality is softer and a more luxurious choice for bedrooms where bare feet can explore the soothing texture.
There are other natural fiber rugs to look for. Seagrass, hemp, cornhusk and bamboo are combined and woven into patterns that show off their innately beautiful colours and textures. The fibers are smooth and comfortable to the touch, are durable and repel water.
If you are adventurous, it's possible to design your own look with these natural carpets. They can be stained, you can stencil a design that will be soaked in by the fibers, or you can paint over carpets that have already been sealed. Add colourful borders by introducing another fabric, such as linen, but make sure the fabric is as durable as the rug. Experiment with the many choices of natural flooring and floor coverings. Their inherent beauty will inspire you.

Earth Conscious Condos

Earth Conscious Condos
By: Deborah Birkett

The hottest trend in the highly competitive condo market is the green condo: sustainable, environmentally responsible developments. More than just a way to stand out from cookie-cutter competition, green condos offer genuinely alternative building and design practices which promote health, cost savings and environmental stewardship.
With naturally evocative names like Verve, Element, Radiance, and The Silva, green condo projects are springing up all over Canada. Top Toronto builder Tridel, no stranger to awards, won the 2006 Green Toronto award for its "Naturally Better" program intended to "promote healthy, environmentally friendly, sustainable condominium living." Toronto developer Shane Baghai offers luxury projects featuring discreet wind mills, solar power panels and hybrid generators that will create condo communities that can sustain themselves during power shortages or failures.
What makes a condo "green"? There are many paths to sustainable building and design. Some are literally green: condo roofs, planted with grasses and succulents that provide extra insulation and help clean the air. Other features include alternative power generation, geothermal heating systems, deep lake water-cooling systems, water-saving plumbing, high-efficiency lighting, increased use of natural light, extensive recycling/waste diversion facilities and hot water that's heated on demand.
Other green condo incentives include car-sharing memberships and individual utility metering, which allows condo owners to monitor their water and electricity use and take advantage of off-peak discounts.
Why buy a green condo? The environmental benefits are numerous: they reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which means greater sustainability. Due to their high residential density, every green building is a meaningful contribution to the effort to conserve energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The health benefits are significant, too. Better filtering and circulation create better indoor air quality, improving life for all residents—not just those with respiratory problems. Buildings that implement energy-saving, cleaner technologies also improve the outdoor air quality for everyone. Irritant-free finishes, laminates, paints and textiles add to the health benefits.
Even better, this all adds up to money in your pocket. You might imagine that, like some pricey organic foods, a green condo must cost a lot more. Developers—and buyers—have been pleasantly surprised to find that green buildings can cost as little as 1 to 4 percent more than conventional buildings. But once built, they cost far less to run, for both management and residents, so you're not spending big money on utilities. Buyers can expect excellent resale values, too.
Considering a green condo? Look for strong implementation of the kinds of energy-saving, environmentally friendly features discussed here. Check out the bottom line: if you're going to pay extra up front, the builder should be able to substantiate the savings you can expect. Energy-efficient light bulbs and a low-flow showerhead are steps in the right direction, but they do not a green condo make.
If health concerns are your primary motivation for buying green, ask about the materials and finishes used, as well as air quality technologies. Developers should be able to provide information about how their choices for the project support and promote healthy living.
Investigating green condos? You'll encounter the term LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). It's a rating system administered by the Canada Green Building Council to provide builders with standards for sustainability. LEED ratings (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum) reflect the degree to which projects have met certain performance benchmarks and prerequisites.
There are already a couple of LEED-certified projects in Canada: Radiance @ Minto Gardens in Toronto, and The Silva in North Vancouver. You'll be seeing more of these in the near future, especially as some cities are starting to embed sustainability requirements in their building regulations. But there are several innovative green developments out there that may lack LEED certification; if you're interested in a more eco-friendly condo, don't overlook these projects.
What if you've already purchased a not-so-green condo? Happily, there are hundreds of environmentally-friendly products on the market to help you finish and furnish your place with style. You can choose paints and carpeting that are low-VOC, meaning they don't emit as many volatile organic compounds. Or forget about carpeting altogether, and invest in appealing flooring made from bamboo, a highly renewable resource. Insist on energy-efficient appliances which carry the EnergyStar label, which identifies the appliances that are the most energy efficient in their class.
Earth-friendly alternatives exist for every room in your condo. In the kitchen, some attractive options include recycled aluminum sinks, natural cork flooring, formaldehyde-free cabinetry, and countertops made of Vetrazzo, a mix of coloured concrete and recycled glass. In the bath, recycled glass tiles, organic cotton towels, nontoxic porcelain tiles, low-flow showerheads and water-saving toilets are more ecologically responsible choices.
When it comes to furnishings, there are many beautiful and unique options. Companies such as Toronto's Urban Tree Salvage make pieces of furniture from salvaged wood. They produce stock and custom pieces in maple, elm, oak, walnut, willow and catalpa. Many companies are doing similar work with reclaimed and salvaged materials, and with little effort you can find stylish, eco-friendly furniture and accessories to make your condo greener.

What's selling and What's not?

Real Estate Matters – May, 2009

What’s selling and what’s not?

In today’s challenging real estate market, people are full of questions about the real estate market. As your local Coldwell Banker First Ottawa Realty sales representative will tell you, one of the first questions most consumers ask is ‘What’s selling these days?’

If you’re thinking of selling, you’ll be pleased to know that homes are selling when they’re well-prepared for sale and priced right. The reason is because people buy and sell homes for lifestyle reasons. Births, marriages, new jobs, retirement and other demographic factors all drive the market, even in times of economic downturn. However, in today’s increasingly competitive market, you need the advice of a full-service professional, who knows market conditions and a home’s competition and can use this critical information in readying your home for sale.

In today’s market, successful sellers are those who have become more realistic in setting their asking price. They understand that a home isn’t a winning lottery ticket; it’s a place to raise a family and build equity over time. Your local Coldwell Banker First Ottawa Realty representative can give you the straight facts on what comparable homes are selling for right now in your market. They can show you actual sales activity so you know what prices the market will bear. They can also talk to you about time on market, and let you see for yourself what’s not moving. They can also answer the all-important question of why it’s not moving.

Make no mistake, prospective buyers are out there. They’re recognizing that there is tremendous value in today’s market as lowered mortgage rates and adjusting prices have resulted in some of the best home affordability we’ve seen in many years. It’s just a matter of knowing how to create a pricing and marketing strategy that will maximize your chances to attract buyers and win offers.

If you’re thinking of selling, why not talk to your local Coldwell Banker First Ottawa Realty real estate professional. Together, you can develop a strategy to get you a great result. Then the next time someone asks what’s selling in your neighbourhood, the answer will be – your house!

Non- toxic paints on the up and up

Benjamin Moore/The associated press
This photo shows a child's bedroom painted in Natura Sunburst. Among the features of the Natura line
is the fact that it is a zero-VOC (volatile-organic-compound) paint.


Spring often brings the urge to clean, perhaps to liven up a room with a fresh coat of paint. Now that can be done with eco-friendly paints that don’t give off noxious odours.The non-toxic arm of the household paint world is booming, and many companies have entered the market.AFM’s Safecoat brand is the granddaddy of the non-toxic paint business, having been in the market for 25 years. Boutique brands, including Mythic and YOLO Colorhouse, have cropped up in recent years, and industry giants tout their own non-toxic, latex brands.Sherwin Williams has its Harmony line, while Home Depot sells Freshaire Choice. Benjamin Moore already sells its low-toxic Aura but is rolling out a new, zero-VOC interior paint called Natura that it says will be available in all of its nearly 3,000 colours.“Everyone is trying to paint a green face on themselves,” said David Johnston, 58, of Boulder, Colo., a building consultant who wrote Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy and Energy-Efficient Home Construction (Taunton, 2008).“That ‘new house smell,’ as much as we’ve come to love it, is really a flag that there’s something in the air that we don’t want our kids to breathe,” said Johnston.VOC refers to volatile organic compounds, those chemical additives that make regular paint work its magic: They help it roll on smoothly, dry fast and prevent mildew. Some of these chemicals are natural (but still toxic), such as formaldehyde, which is added to curtail chipping.Not all paints have the same types and frequency of VOCs, which can cause smog and deplete the ozone. Some of the compounds have been linked to cancer, and the paint smell that lingers for days or weeks after painting is the “off gassing” of these chemicals.The Environmental Protection Agency reports that exposure to paints high in VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness and vision problems, among other symptoms, depending on what chemicals are in the paint, how long the exposure is and a person’s age (kids are more vulnerable). These paints are regulated, to some degree, and cannot include more than 250 grams per litre of VOCs.Non-toxic latex paint is not regulated. The most eco-friendly paints have zero VOCs, but some paints are low-VOC, with 50 grams per litre.So how does a consumer know if a paint brand really is non-toxic?Industry insiders suggest a simple sniff test: If the paint smells noxious, it has VOCs, perhaps a lot of them. If it’s odourless, or smells like fresh milk, then it’s likely a non-toxic paint.