Closing your Cottage Checklist

Just got an email from Cottage Country, about closing down the cottage for the season and thought you might like some ideas.

The task seems daunting to the average cottager. But, it's not so bad. Here's a check list to make things easy for you.

■Make sure you have your security system in place.
■Void all water pipes to avoid freezing.
■Shut down the propane.
■Remove all food, and anything that may attract animals.
■Defrost and unplug the refrigerator.
■Place an open box of baking soda inside the refrigerator to keep odors away.
■Scatter moth balls in the attic and anywhere small animals or bugs might gather.
■Anti-mildew boxes can be purchased inexpensively to help prevent dampness.
■Cover windows with shades for storm protection and theft prevention.
■Store the barbecue.
■Store patio furniture.
■Make sure all garden tools are safely put away to help prevent break-ins.
■Check the sump pumps to ensure they're working.
■Organize snow removal.
■Tell your neighbors you're done for the season, and be sure to leave your home phone number so they can reach you if necessary.
■Take summer pictures of your cottage to use for advertising purposes.

Thought these were a good idea...so thank cottagecountry.ca

Welcome to Steve Riddell

Steve Riddell has joined our Exeter office and will be selling in the South Huron, Grand Bend to London area. Steve is a long time resident of Exeter and welcomes his friends, family and anyone looking to buy or sell real estate to give him a call at the Exeter office ..519-235-3777

HST blamed for the slowdown, reports Royal Lepage!

A recent survey conducted by Royal Lepage in Ontario and reported in the September issue of REM says that people in Ontario and B.C. have misconceptions about how the HST affects real estate transactions. Many home buyers incorrectly believe HST applies to the sale price of resale homes. The HST applies to the purchase price of a newly built home and fees for services and commissions associated with any real estate transaction, but it does not apply to the purchase price of resale homes.

Lakefronts are selling!

It has been very active along the Lake Huron Shoreline this past month with good prices and lots of activity. September has been a little slower with the kids going back to school and everyone kind of busy, we are hoping that it will pick up again soon! This lakefront property only took a week to sell and the new owners are really excited to start living the cottage life.

CREA reports that Home Resales are up in Aug.

The Canadian Real Estate Association reported that sales of existing homes in Canada in August rose 4.1 percent from July, the first monthly increase since March, 2010. The industry group said 32807 homes changed hands in August, with most of the monthly gains concentrated in the two biggest markets, Ontario and British Columbia, a reversal from the previous month.

U.S. Housing Starts Rise Sharply in August

Housing starts in the U.S. posted a sharp 10.5% increase in August to an annualized pace of 598K units, greatly surpassing expectations for a small 0.7% gain going into the report. The increase represents the second consecutive monthly gain and the largest since November 2009. As well, encouraging news was also conveyed by building permits which rose 1.8% to an annualized 569K and compared to an anticipated 560K. Today’s report suggests that the housing market is starting to show signs of stabilizing, however, it does little to alter the fact that the level of activity is still indicative of depressed housing market conditions. The weakness in the sector over the summer can partly be attributed to the first-time home buyer’s rebates that ended in April that brought sales forward from the traditional selling season. This is a report from RBC Economics.