Dan Jones

Buying a Water-Efficient Toilet

2012-02-10T05:48:00Z

What to Look for When Buying a Toilet

Whether you’re buying a new home, updating an existing property or just finally taking the plunge and carrying out that bathroom renovation you’ve always wanted, choosing the right toilet can be one of the most important — and most often overlooked — decisions you will make.

A high-quality toilet can help you save money, protect the environment and conserve water, all without sacrificing performance or peace of mind. Choose the wrong toilet, and you could wind up flushing your hard-earned dollars down the drain.

But with more than 1,000 different models on the market to choose from, how do you know what to look for — and which toilet is right for your family?

Canada census shows people moving west

2012-02-09T07:02:00Z

Overall population rises to 33.5 million, with Ontario's growth slowing

The latest census figures show Canada's population at 33.5 million, with more people continuing to migrate to the West.

Western Canada's population has finally surpassed that on the other side of Ontario — a trend that has been decades in the making, but was compounded by the recent recession.

The first barrage of data from the 2011 census, released Wednesday, showed that there were 33.5 million people living in Canada in May of last year — and that for the first time ever, more of them are living west of Ontario than in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

At the national level, there was a healthy 5.9 per cent surge in population from the previous census in 2006, giving Canada the fastest growth pace of all the countries in the G8.

While other countries are struggling to maintain their populations, Canada's is actually picking up speed.

Within the country's borders, however, the pace is far from uniform.

Ontario is still an axis. It's by far the most populous province, with 38.4 per cent of the population. But Ontario's rate of growth continues to slow as immigrants and locals alike set their sights elsewhere.

Now, the West claims a 30.7 per cent share of the total, compared to 30.6 per cent in Quebec and the Maritimes.

Ontario "is still the largest province, but the shift in the centre of gravity to the West is important," said demographer Frank Trovato of the University of Alberta, editor of Canadian Studies in Population.

Statistics Canada's 2011 census website. (Canadian Press)

Every single region is gaining residents because of immigration, and parts of eastern Canada have seen a startling turnaround because of aggressive immigrant recruitment. Newfoundland and Labrador is no longer shrinking, and both Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick have picked up considerable speed.

But even with rising immigration in the Atlantic provinces, the pace of growth east of the Ottawa River is still dramatically below the national average, while the West — especially Alberta — is in full gallop. Saskatchewan has flipped from a period of decline to above-average expansion in just half a decade.

Statistics Canada says the West has proven particularly attractive to newcomers. At the same time, the region is also seeing somewhat higher fertility and is luring many residents from other parts of the country.

"It does create its own momentum," said Don McIver, director of research at the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies.

What's clear is that the recession turned a slow generational population drift to the West into a quick march.

There was a push. The eastern provinces — where employment and aging have been serious challenges for decades — were pounded by the global recession of 2008. Forestry and manufacturing, already in decline, crumbled.

And there was also a pull. Lured by the promise of jobs and wealth linked to the oilpatch, families across Canada and from around the world have upped stakes and settled in the Prairies.

The fastest growing metropolitan areas were both in Alberta — Calgary and Edmonton — while the only metropolitan areas to show a decline were both in Ontario: Windsor, an auto manufacturing centre, and forestry-based Thunder Bay.

The allure of the West is not just oil prices, however. It's also trade routes, said Roger Gibbins, president of the Canada West Foundation.

As the centre of the global economy has shifted from Europe and the United States to Asia, Gibbins said, Canada's Pacific trade routes from the West Coast have become more important than the Atlantic trade routes in the East.

Fertility rates higher in West

"That's just part of the Canadian reality."

The dynamic feeds on itself. The West is attracting more mobile young people who in turn have more babies and make for a vibrant society that catches the eye of immigrants. Fertility rates in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba are tracking much higher than the national average, said Trovato.

The East, on the other hand, is aging, its fertility rate is tracking well below the replacement rate, towns are losing their raison-d'etre, and mobile young people are looking elsewhere for opportunity.

Maritime provincial governments are working hard to bring in fresh blood from abroad, but immigrants are often second-guessing their chosen destinations, and head back home or head West, said McIver.

With population comes power, prosperity and culture. And while Ontario still holds the indisputable title of largest province, momentum carries great significance.

"As in sports, momentum counts for a lot," said Gibbins.

The growing political influence of the West has already been proven by the re-election of Calgary-based Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and in the new seat distribution of the House of Commons. Business leadership is shifting West too, with Toronto ceding ground to Calgary and Vancouver.

Toronto a 2nd thought

"All economic eyes in the past were very much on how well Toronto was doing," Gibbins said. "That's changing…. Toronto is a second thought."

The same economic thrust is at work within Canada's regions, with big cities gaining relentlessly over small towns and rural areas, analysts say.

Large metropolitan areas ballooned by 7.4 per cent between 2006 and 2011, far above the national average of 5.9.

"Seven in 10 Canadians live in these large metropolitan areas, and that's increasing in each census," said Statistics Canada's Jane Badets, director general of social and demographic statistics.

The areas around the three largest cities — Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver — now claim 35 per cent of the country's total population.

Smaller towns only grew by 4.2 per cent over the census period. And rural areas stalled, showing only a 1.7 per cent expansion.

Young job-seekers in small towns see their local mill closing down and job opportunities drying up, so they move to the nearest city. That's why Halifax grew at a healthy 4.7 per cent clip over five years, while Nova Scotia's population is stagnant, said McIver.

Tug of the city

"Nearly every county is in decline except Halifax," he said.

Federal and provincial regional development programs have done very little to reverse the tug of the city, he added.

"You can't create jobs where they're not economically viable. I think it's unwise to put the focus on preventing people from making the economic advance that they would if they moved."

Similarly, the downtown cores of Vancouver and Toronto are expanding and flourishing, while the older suburbs are becoming havens for poverty, said Glenn Miller, vice-president of education and research at the Canadian Urban Institute.

"The concern is that the attractive parts are going to continue to get more attractive, which puts pressure on them. And it becomes harder to attract investment to the less attractive parts. And this has social implications," Miller said.

But too much population growth has put intense pressure on real estate and social programs in Vancouver and Victoria, and caused congestion in Toronto, he added.

"What you hope for is a balance."

Single Story For Sale in Penticton Main North

2012-02-09T06:51:00Z

• 850 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm single story "Single Family Home" - MLS® $240,000 CAD

Penticton Main North, Penticton - Located in one of Penticton's re-development areas, this family home is located close to schools, recreation areas, transit and the new Okanagan Events Center and is minutes to Okanagan beach. The main floor of home offers an open kitchen with plenty of cupboard space, which extends into the eating and dining area. Living room and ample sized bedrooms complete this home. The yard is partially fenced and completed with a single detached garage. Ideally, this property is perfectly suited to the first time home buyer or an investment property that will one day be constructed into multi family housing. Currently rented for $1100 per month, tenant wishes to stay!

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Apartment For Sale in Penticton South

2012-02-09T06:41:00Z

• 1,542 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm apartment "The Kensington - Cherry Lane " - MLS® $359,900 CAD

Penticton South, Penticton - This 2 bedroom plus den 6th floor condo has a very attractive, spacious floor plan with a huge bedroom on each side. The bedrooms both have a walk-in closet, the master has a 4 piece ensuite with easy step in bath tub and the guest bathroom is just steps away from the 2nd bedroom. Enjoy the den/office for added convenience and the eat-in kitchen has plenty of room. There is newer designer style paint, newer lighting & fixtures, crown molding in the living room and lots of storage. The nice east exposure is great for morning sun and relaxing on the huge deck. The clubhouse is nearby and offers many activities all year round to take part in as much as you desire. Contact Listing Realtor all appts.

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Price Reduced on 14712 Prairie Valley Road in Main Town

2012-02-09T06:29:00Z

Main Town, Summerland - Announcing a price reduction on 14712 Prairie Valley Road, a 2,125 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $280,000 CAD - Price Reduction!!.

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Price Reduced on 1137 Ash Street in Okanagan Falls

2012-02-09T06:13:00Z

Okanagan Falls, Thompson Okanagan - Announcing a price reduction on 1137 Ash Street, a 1,592 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $319,900 CAD - Huge Price Reduction!.

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Kitchens Sell a House

2012-02-08T07:29:00Z

It's a tool used by house flippers all across the nation. Stagers know its power. Real estate agents push its importance. What is this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate? A kitchen can sell a house.

A kitchen is the heart of a home. This is true all across the globe. The old saying that the "stomach is the way to the heart" carries a lot of truth. Kitchens are where we spend much of our time and most of that is with our families. It's the room where we nourish our bodies and our spirits.

Kitchens are integral to entertaining and in today's age of open floor plans, they're a focal piece of many family rooms. It's because of this that kitchens play such an important role in the buying and selling process.

This one room is the showpiece of the house. You'll see it every day and your guests will see it during most visits. This means buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens.

Kitchens, however, can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. These projects can also be the most labor and time intensive of all home renovations. It's not just a new layer of paint.

Instead you find a complicated array of flooring, tiling, cabinets, and counters. This means buyers may want a home with an up-to-date kitchen but they aren't willing to tackle this problem themselves. Most buyers want a kitchen that is ready to use the day they move in.

What do buyers look for in up-to-date kitchens? A lot of this depends on what price range your home is in.

The main thing to remember as a seller is to not price yourself out of your market. If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade to granite, travertine, and marble at the price tag of $40,000+. You simply won't find a buyer.

Scope out the competition. Use open houses in your area or MLS listings to find out what your competitions' kitchens look like.

Do area homes have new solid wood cabinets and granite counters in today's designer colors? You'll be wise to consider making the same move. Are they including new stainless steel appliances and add-ons like dishwashers, wine-coolers, and trash compactors?

Are you in a higher-end neighborhood? It's time to think high-end. Your older home may have a highly functional kitchen, but a buyer will take one look at your formica counters and white appliances and become lost in the stress of how much money and time it would take to remodel. If you don't want to put in the time yourself to make upgrades then you'll have to make concessions in the price.

Don't become overwhelmed, though. Sometimes a kitchen update can mean doing just a few minor changes. Change the paint color to a warm, neutral tone. Get rid of any clutter. Update your appliances, paint your cabinets, change the pulls, or get a high-end looking counter for a fraction of the cost (faux-granite or lower end granite). You might even save a bundle by doing much of the work yourself.

The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home. Do a little research and find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with area listings.

http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=5567487729211539472&ids=dj0Te3gRdzkPe3wSc3cPczsRdiMQc3oVczwQcPAVdz8MdPwMdPkRb3sOdj8RdjAPcz0UcPcVdPASdjkIczsQejcRcj4Oej8TdPwQdPoRdiMTdz4Uc3AOe3gScjkPcPsTdzkR&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod2-b-ttl-1&ut=0SIr1xGSs1VR41

Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards

2012-02-08T07:26:00Z

Capital Economics expects the housing crisis to end this year, according to a report released Tuesday. One of the reasons: loosening credit.

The analytics firm notes the average credit score required to attain a mortgage loan is 700. While this is higher than scores required prior to the crisis, it is constant with requirements one year ago.

Additionally, a Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey found credit requirements in the fourth quarter were consistent with the past three quarters.

However, other market indicators point not just to a stabilization of mortgage lending standards, but also a loosening of credit availability.

Banks are now lending amounts up to 3.5 times borrower earnings. This is up from a low during the crisis of 3.2 times borrower earnings.

Banks are also loosening loan-to-value ratios (LTV), which Capital Economics denotes “the clearest sign yet of an improvement in mortgage credit conditions.”

In contrast to a low of 74 percent reached in mid-2010, banks are now lending at 82 percent LTV.

While credit conditions may have loosened slightly, some potential homebuyers are still struggling with credit requirements. In fact, Capital Economics points out that in November 8 percent of contract cancellations were the result of a potential buyer not qualifying for a loan.

Additionally, Capital Economics says “any improvement in credit conditions won’t be significant enough to generation actual house price gains,” and potential ramifications from the euro-zone pose a threat to future credit availability.

http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=5567733516482908167&ids=dj0Te3gRdzkPe3wSc3cPczsRdiMQc3oVczwQcPAVdz8MdPwMdPkRb3sOdj8RdjAPcz0UcPcVdPASdjkIczsQejcRcj4Oej8TdPwQdPoRdiMTdz4Uc3AOe3gScjkPcPsTdzkR&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod2-b-ttl-0&ut=3XlrKEJyb-VB41

Lot / Land For Sale in Naramata

2012-02-08T07:11:00Z

• 456,073 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm lot / land "vineyard" - MLS® $1,850,000 CAD

Naramata, Penticton - This exceptional piece of Naramata Lakeview paradise offers 10 acres of a variety of revenue producing options as well as an executive style main house as well as a second home that is suited. There are approximately 4 acres planted in grapes that are sold to a local winery, a large fenced pasture area complete with a barn and a creek. There are many areas throughout the property left to enjoy the gorgeous gardens and pathways. The views are evident from almost every room in the house offering everything that the Okanagan ( Naramata) is famous for, the lake, vineyards, mountains and a gorgeous sky! Call for more information. See duplicate Single Family #135149

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2 Story For Sale in Naramata

2012-02-08T07:04:00Z

• 2,850 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story "Single Family" - MLS® $1,850,000 CAD

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Apartment For Sale in Penticton Main North

2012-02-08T06:38:00Z

• 780 sq. ft., 1 bath, 2 bdrm apartment "2 story" - MLS® $198,000 CAD

Penticton Main North, Penticton - All you need and more in this 2 bedroom unit centrally located close to shopping, transit and seniors facility. Well run strata with only 10 units. Pets and rentals allowed. Incredible roof top patio for summer BBQ's and outdoor living. Secured parking plus storage unit. This building is close to the Hamlets and could offer some of the benefits of assisted living while still retaining ownership. Details with L.R.

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2 Story For Sale in Kaleden

2012-02-08T06:30:00Z

• 2,949 sq. ft., 5 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $687,000 CAD

Kaleden, Thompson Okanagan - Short drive to Penticton, this phenomenal home on 6.40 acres provides all that country living has to offer with all the luxuries of an exclusive neighborhood. From your first step into this impeccable newer home, you will feel the warmth that few homes offer. The open floor plan features a gourmet kitchen with island, allowing you to prepare meals and socialize with guests while all gathered in the oversized dining area or relaxing in the spacious living room that features a river rock fireplace & beautiful oak hardwood floors. The expansive master bedroom offers a walk in closet and luxurious ensuite bath. Also on the main level are an additional bedroom & a cozy den. The lower level offers a complete self contained in-law suite with a separate entrance as well as another guest bedroom and bath (rent $1100) Garage suite also rents for $725. Owner has main floor of home. Enjoy the sunny Okanagan days in the salt water pool or relax in the hot tub or wood fired sauna.

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Price Reduced on 312 Falcon Drive in Penticton Main North

2012-02-08T06:14:00Z

Penticton Main North, Penticton - Announcing a price reduction on 312 Falcon Drive, a 1,400 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $359,000 CAD - Price Reduced!.

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Price Reduced on 106-102 Forestbrook Place in Penticton Main North

2012-02-08T06:07:00Z

Penticton Main North, Penticton - Announcing a price reduction on 106-102 Forestbrook Place, a 1,300 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $350,000 CAD - Hugh Price Reduction!!.

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New Okanagan prison to be built on Indian reserve land

2012-02-07T06:54:00Z

The B.C. government is building its newest prison on Indian reserve land.

Premier Christy Clark is set to announce on Monday that a 360-cell correctional facility will be built on Osoyoos Indian band land by 2015.

Four communities bid to host the Okanagan prison, which will bring an estimated 100 permanent jobs plus stable tax revenue.

The location of the prison was a divisive issue in some communities, but Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band said his community widely endorsed a zoning plan to create future home for the prison.

The band has invested $9-million in creating an industrial park that he hopes will also entice other clients.

“It comes down to jobs,” he said in an interview. “Here in the Okanagan, on the reserve or off the reserve, jobs are the Number One issue.”

Because first nations are over-represented in the population of B.C. prisons, he said the new facility could better reflect that reality by hiring more first nation prison workers.

“Hopefully, by having this prison on an Indian reserve, we can elevate aboriginal programming,” he said. “I know a lot of native people are going to show interest in the jobs here.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/new-okanagan-prison-to-be-built-on-indian-reserve-land/article2328186/#content

Dan Jones

Buying a Water-Efficient Toilet

What to Look for When Buying a Toilet

Canada census shows people moving west

Overall population rises to 33.5 million, with Ontario's growth slowing

Related

2011 CENSUS How does your community compare? Use the maps to explore the numbers and see how different regions stack up

Fertility rates higher in West

Toronto a 2nd thought

Tug of the city

Single Story For Sale in Penticton Main North

Apartment For Sale in Penticton South

Price Reduced on 14712 Prairie Valley Road in Main Town

Price Reduced on 1137 Ash Street in Okanagan Falls

Kitchens Sell a House

Housing Crisis to End in 2012 as Banks Loosen Credit Standards

Lot / Land For Sale in Naramata

2 Story For Sale in Naramata

Apartment For Sale in Penticton Main North

2 Story For Sale in Kaleden

Price Reduced on 312 Falcon Drive in Penticton Main North

Price Reduced on 106-102 Forestbrook Place in Penticton Main North

New Okanagan prison to be built on Indian reserve land