Happy Holidays in Oakville, Ontario Canada

December is here and Christmas is around the corner. Temperatures have recently dropped with windchill back to -10 C. Toronto has escaped some heavy snowfall that has occurred in surrounding areas to the North so far. As of December 7, there is still no snow on the ground.

The neighborhoods around Oakville are starting to look festive as more and more homes get their decorations up. Stores seemed quite busy on the weekend and many
popular toys and games such as the new Xbox Kinect was sold out in several places including Wal Mart and Toys R Us. Why is it that when manufacturers know there will be demand for their products before the holidays that they always seem to not be able
to feed their supply chain properly? Oh well, can always try shopping online!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2011 from Oakville Ontario, Canada.

Oakville Takes a Moment of Silence on Rememberance Day

Moment of silence observed in Oakville.

Today on November 11, a pause for silence was observed in many parts of Oakville commemorating Remembrance Day and remembering our fallen heroes who helped to give us the freedoms we rely on today.

Some community locations are holding memorials and exhibits. The 2010 Remembrance Day Ceremony and Exhibit in Oakville is being held at the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate on 8 Navy Street in Downtown Oakville. The Exhibit is called the Shadows of War Exhibit and will continue throught November 21, 2010.

This exhibit focusses on the participation of Oakville residents in the two World Wars. There are military uniforms, pictures and memoribilia. Further information is available at the Oakville Museum website (oakvillemuseum.ca).

Today at 10:30 there was a veterans march from Bronte Legion that proceeded to the Bronte Cenotaph on Lakeshore Rd. W. The two minutes of silence was observed at George's Square at 11 a.m. which culminated in a wreath laying ceremony.

Our Towne and Province is proud of the men and women that served this country and we are thankful for all we have today as a result of their valient efforts.

Mayor Burton Re-Elected in Oakville 2010

Mayor Rob Burton Re-Elected in Oakville

Mayor Burton stood his ground during the recent election and heated debate that was televised on Cogeco cable. In the end, Mayor Burton won the election by a comfortable margin over Ann Mulvale who was a previous Oakville mayor along with two other candidates.

Mayor Burton stopped in to support the Grand Opening of Fortelli for Men hair salon located at 1540 North Service Road W. #11, L6M 4A1 Oakville, Ontario right before the election. A little barbershop banter suggested he would look nice for his acceptance speech, which turned out to be true.

We wish Mayor Burton of Oakville continued success in leading our Towne and thank him for supporting small business even in the middle of a hard won election.

Oakville Mayor Race October 2010

The final stretch for the 2010 Oakville, Ontario Canada race for mayor is here.
It seems it is mainly a two way race among 4 contenders: Incumbent Mayor Rob Burton vs. ex-mayor Ann Mulvale.

There has been quite some political wrangling making headlines during this local campaign with some confusion about the main issues as being spun by challengers.

It is quite easy to blame any current administration for budget issues and a common ploy to gain sympathy among community members. But this time, the two main front runners in the campaign based on casual observation and discussions with community members have both had a chance to show their colours. Mayor Burton has served the Towne and community very well and despite the huge financial crisis we all had to live through, our community has made out very well thanks in part to the local leadership. Previous mayor Ann Mulvale also had a chance to prove what she was capable of during her previous mayorship, so there are no surprises regarding the governing style of either candidate.

If you are an Oakville resident, help keep our community a strong one and let your voice be heard on election day. Voting locations throughout Oakville, Ontario open at 10 a.m. on Monday October 25, 2010.

Elections being held include Mayor, Town and Regional Councilors, Halton District School Board Trustees and Regional Chair among others. There are also advance voting locations available. The campaigning has been fierce and there have been numerous opportunities to meet and listen to the candidates and also see them on Cogeco cable tv. (The Mayoral debate was aired October 14, 2010).

Good Luck to Mayor Burton for his re-election and to all of the candidates. Vote Oakville!

Oakville SEO

Local businesses in Oakville, Ontario are turning to a local Oakville SEO company called Webmad Internet Marketing and Design for website optimization and online lead generation.

Webmad understands the local GTA market and helps local businesses maximize their effectiveness of website campaigns and attract qualified visitors to local company websites.

Search engine optimization used to be just optimizing your on-page text for search engines. Today not only does the on-page text need to be focussed and optimized, but off-page factors such as quality links, social media representation, email marketing campaigns, online reputation management and other factors determine the successfulness of a given local website.

There are different tiers of promotion and online marketing, so starting with even a simple service will get your website and business noticed more in the Oakville, Burlington Ontario area.

For further details, contact Webmad Internet Marketing and Design in Oakville at (905) 582-4357

Hot Tub Parts Canada

Whether you need a new hot tub pump, hot tub blower, spa ozonator, plumbing parts, electronics or other spa part, replacing a component is still much cheaper than buying a new spa.
In this economy, even buying a complete new skid pack or spa pack with everything mounted on there including pump, blower, heater, electronics etc.., you can save thousands over the cost of buying a new spa.

Buying hot tub parts in Canada is as easy as surfing the internet. Online ordering has become much safer with reputable online parts houses like Canada's The Hot Tub Superstore.

Many times if there is an issue with a spa, don't panick but call a local repair professional. They will isolate the component for you that is causing the problem (probably by unplugging all of the components plugged in to the spa pack and then plugging in one by one until they discover the problem component). Don't try this at home, it takes experience to work on electrical devices of any kind as it is not worth the risk of electrocution. Whenever actual service is performed on the electrical part of the spa, power down spa first.

Consumers should know though, that the actual exchange of parts in a spa is fairly straightforward, but can be complicated by access issues - getting to the part or removing it.
This is the time it was a good idea to leave room all around the spa so it can be accessed from any side to complete a repair.

Canada's Hot Tub Superstore Launches Website

Canada Gets TheHotTubSuperstore.com for Hot Tub Supplies

There is a new online hot tub parts store with thousands of hot tub parts and accessories in town called The Hot Tub SuperStore.com .

Based in Ontario, Canada, The Hot Tub Superstore ships spa filters, covers, parts, accessories, pumps, electronics, plumbing parts, fragrances and just about anything else hot tub related to all Canadian provinces and to the States.

Popular items not only include spa fragrances and rubber ducks, but also spa covers, air blowers, ozonators and a host of hot tub repair parts.

Visit www.thehottubsuperstore.com for further details.

Hot Tub Marketing Guru Website

The new Hot Tub Marketing Guru.com website is dedicated to helping pool and spa business owners to get more hot tub sales in a slow economy. Backed by experts that have been selling spas for over 15 years, this site will become a treasure trove of information for hot tub spa professionals to help them revive their business using the power of internet marketing.

Hot Tub Spa Marketing made easy. We hope the new site is able to save some businesses and help internet savvy hot tub marketers grow their business as the economy recovers.

Heat Wave Rolls Through Oakville Ontario

Southern Ontario just finished getting over the relatively mild Earthquake when the heat got turned up. From a record breaking rainfall record in June 2010 to a record breaking heat wave, Southern Ontario welcomed the Queen of England to scorching heat and a power outage caused by a transformer fire.

Nevertheless the Queen enjoyed her stay prior to continuing her travels to the States.

In many parts of Oakville, the heat exceeded 43C with the Humidex factored in.

Air conditioners were struggling to keep homes cool. Relief is in sight by the weekend with somewhat more normal temperatures for July.

5.1 Earthquake felt in Oakville

Earthquakes are not very common in this region, although they do happen because of fault lines located in Southern Ontario, but this 5.1 earthquake that rolled through Oakville yesterday was centered north of Ottawa, Ontario.

A slight rolling sensation lasted about 15 seconds and felt like a local 3.5-4.0.
There was no damage locally, but some broken dishes and even a guy that fell off of his ladder while working on his house near Ottawa.

So you don't need to live in California to experience an earthquake. Earthquakes can happen, even in Oakville, Ontario!

Canada Spa Parts Source

Refilling the hot tub after the winter and finding any issues? If you need a pump, heater, circuit board, plumbing parts or just about anything else for a hot tub, rather than pay expensive import duties and shipping from the States, a local Canadian parts distributor not only helps you get the right part, but also refers local service technicians.

Canada spa parts are easy to get when you know where to find them. Basic troubleshooting includes dividing and conquering. Checking up stream vs. down stream components until the culprit is identified. A spa technician is experienced in tracking down problems and can get you bubbling again soon...

First Time Home Buyer Ontario

First Class Mortgages helps first time home buyers get a low interest rate mortgage in Ontario, Canada. They understand the unique situation of first time home buyers and provide step by step assistance in getting your loan approved at the best possible rates.



Take advantage of historically low interest rates in Canada and start building your real estate nest egg today.

Oakville Business Directory launches

A new business directory featuring local Oakville Ontario businesses and services has launched their new website. From finding a local mortgage broker to information on after school activities and dance programs, the Oakville Business Directory focusses on only business located in the Towne of Oakville, Ontario Canada.

Mortgage Oakville, Milton, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto – Housing Outlook

The housing market in the GTA is coming back strong. Despite the woes in the U.S. housing market, Canada’s housing market is leading the financial recovery. Due to near historic low interest rates, many people are finding it more affordable to buy a home than to rent.

Mortgage Oakville

If you are looking for a mortgage in Oakville, Milton, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto or southern Ontario, I can help you find the best rates and product for your needs. With over 25 years experience in the financial sector, I work for you – the client. I shop your mortgage over many lenders: banks, trust companies, financial companies, even private lenders, so I can offer you better service and rates than the banks –at no cost to you.

Now is a great time to buy in Oakville, Milton, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, Toronto and the golden horseshoe area since prices are expected to continue to rise, as are interest rates. After July 1st, the HST will come into effect – making new homes more costly and increasing the cost of services that accompany a home purchase (legal fees, real estate fees, etc.) The average price of a home sold in Toronto in February 2009 was $361,305. That went up to $431,509 in February 2010 – an increase of 19%.

The number of sales was up 76% during the same period, spending half as many days on the market. With the aging population, builders are starting to change the way homes they build homes. Senior friendly homes, eco-friendly , energy efficient homes, and bungalow/loft homes are increasing in popularity.

Before you begin to shop for a home, call Marcelle for a free and confidential mortgage consultation. I can pre-qualify you so you can shop with confidence and move quickly on hot new listings. Let me find the best mortgage for your needs at the best rates. Rates can be guaranteed for up to 120 days. I am always available outside of regular banking hours.

For more information on Mortgage Oakville or Mortgage Burlington etc., call Marcelle Tiqui at First Class Mortgages at (905) 208-7070 . I can get your mortgage approved within 24 hours!! Apply online at http://www.marcelletiqui.com/.

Canada Mortgage Rules - New Mortgage Rules

The new Canada mortgage rules are creating some last minute shuffling of real estate portfolios with a new era of more responsible lending.
A confluence of factors is creating an urgency on the part of home buyers in Canada to act now before interest rates begin their awaited ascent.

In preparation of the coming interest rate normalization or hikes in Canada, many banks have already begun to ratchet rates upward. Over the last year, the Bank of Canada’s stimulus efforts have kept home mortgage borrowing costs at historic lows.

The new legislation that takes effect April 19, 2010 will impose tighter conditions getting a mortgage. For example, anyone that wants to purchase a home with less than 20% down will then have to qualify based on the posted rate for a five-year mortgage instead of qualifying for lower short rates. This especially affects first-time home buyers who are trying to capture the best interest rates and terms before things get harder.

New Canada Mortgage Rules include:

1. Borrowers have to be able to qualify for a 5 year fixed rate no matter what term they pick
2. The new refinance maximum is 90% of your home's appraised value
3. 80% maximum insured financing on rental properties

At least some of the considered measures did not pass legislation including minimum 10% down on 30 year mortgages etc...

Another factor that may influence the current positive real estate market in Canada is the coming HST or harmonized sales tax. Although the HST does not apply to the pre-owned home market, it does affect real estate commissions and other taxable closing costs which can add another $3,000 or more to buying a home in Ontario.

There are also rules that will require self-employed individuals to support their income claims with tax returns if they have been in business for over 3 years in some places. More details to follow on how getting a Canadian mortgage may be a little more difficult in the future.

One Canadian mortgage broker, First Class Mortgages Burlington, Hamilton Ontario is seeing an increase in self-employed individuals applying for an Ontario mortgage. For now, rates are low and it seems like a great time to buy.

Lease to Own Homes Canada

Sandstone Management Inc. Canada is a rent to own home company in Newmarket helping Canadians buy their own home instead of renting. In addition to lease to own homes across Canada and especially in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, they also offer rentals, townhouses, duplexes, commercial property and other rent to buy home options for Canadians.
Visit Lease to Own Homes Canada for further details or see their Rent to Own Homes Canada Google maps profile.

Interior Decorator Oakville

Interior Decorator Oakville Ontario Canada

A good interior decorator can help realize your vision for your home by helping with everything from colour selection, furniture placement, lighting consultation to accessory placement and decor.

If you are in the Oakville Ontario area, Divine Home Staging and Decor is a local Oakville Interior Decorator that can provide local interior decorating services.

Oakville Weather

Well, it's official. As winter 2010 comes to a close, the Oakville Ontario area only received about 1/3 of the normal annual snowfall this year. Shiny new snowblowers went largely unused this winter with the limited snowfall totals.

Now, mid-March there is a little rain and an average temperature of 11 C next week.

What a great winter this has been!

Remember to set your clocks back this Sunday (Spring Forward), and have a wonderful start to Spring 2010.

OakvilleBusiness.com

Why Now is a Great Time to Buy Real Estate in Southern Ontario

Buy Real Estate in Ontario Canada Now in 2010?

There is no question that Ontario, Canada had been hard hit by the latest recession. Factory closings, job losses and a cut back in consumer spending has negatively affected the economy in Southern Ontario.

However, according to the Bank of Canada, economic recovery is solidly entrenched. It expects to keep its key policy rate at a record low of 0.25% until mid 2010. The central bank expects Canada to grow 3.3% this quarter, followed by expansion of 3% next year and 3.3% in 2011. Canada gained 79,000 jobs in November – an indication that our economy is on the road to recovery.

Mr. Ryan Brecht, Action Economics’ senior North American economist, expects the central bank to aggressively begin hiking its policy rate starting in the second half of next year. He believes the Central Bank will raise the rate 175 basis points before December of 2010, for a policy rate of 2%, or "more normal levels."
Therefore, the record low interest rates currently available are expected to remain until mid 2010, but will probably rise after that. If you are planning a large purchase, like a home, you would be wise to lock in interest rates while they are at these historic lows. A small rise in interest rates can result in thousands of dollars in additional interest you will pay for the same mortgage.

In addition, property prices dropped in Canada during the recession. Prices are coming back and sales have been strong in the last few months. Prices for homes are also expected to rise over the next few years.

Since buying a home is probably the biggest investment you will ever make, you will want to shop for a great home and a great mortgage.
Although adjustable rate mortgages have historically been a better deal over the course of the mortgage, a fixed rate mortgage is probably your best bet while the rates are so low.

First Class Mortgages Ontario Mortgage can help you secure a great rate since they deal with many lenders including banks, trust and financial companies, credit unions, etc. Think of how much effort it takes to find a home. It only makes sense to call and find the best possible financing. With access to many products and the latest deals, First Class Mortgages, Burlington Ontario can often get you multiple offers. You fill out one form and your information is shopped across all lenders with only one lookup on your credit score. Best of all – you pay nothing for the service.
So take advantage of this perfect time to invest in a new home. First Class can find you a great rate mortgage, and even recommend other professionals (lawyer, mover, decorator, real estate agent, etc.) to help make your move easy.
Call First Class Mortgages today at (905) 529-4554

Oakville Business in the New Year 2010

Small businesses in Oakville have a more positive outlook for the local economy in 2010. Local Oakville real estate has also made a significant comeback in the face of historically low interest rates and increasing demand.

Conversations with local business owners show that they are once again in the mindset of expanding their businesses now that they feel they are on a firmer economic footing after the globel economic debacle caused by excessive speculation and unbridled bank and financial industry greed. Thankfully, here in Canada our banking structure is sounder, the mortgages written require some "skin in the game" from all participants, and exposure to this was less than most other countries.

We wish all local businesses in the GTA, Oakville and Burlington a very successful, healthy and prosperous 2010!