Kitchens and bathrooms

House & Home magazine story
Borrowing something from Canadian House & Home magazine, but the facts are unchanged over the years -- first impressions are important when selling your house, so make sure your Realtor's car is not in the driveway of the main picture online (http://www.realtor.ca/).
Also, renovated kitchens and bathrooms are very important when looking at a return on investment. We improve our homes for personal enjoyment and functionality, but more importantly we want the value of our homes to increase at the same time.
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From:  www.HouseandHome.com

Canadian House & Home magazine

Which home renos will make you the most money: a kitchen, bathroom or exterior?

A few key upgrades can improve the marketability of your home, increase its value and help to sell it quickly. Here are five renos — from minor to major — worth the effort:

Outside

The exterior of a house is its first impression. The roof represents 30% of what is visible, so it can be a big selling point if it’s in good condition, especially on an older home. Black topping a faded driveway will also improve a home’s curb appeal.

Bathroom

Consumer reports show that homeowners see an 85% return on the cost of renovating a bathroom, making it the most important room to upgrade prior to selling. Consider upping a bathroom’s wow factor with luxury features such as marble counters or flooring and high-end showerheads. Replace outdated mirrors and fixtures, and swap coloured sinks, tubs or toilets with white models. Wall sconces positioned on each side of a vanity mirror are more flattering than overhead fluorescent or globe lights. Create a spa-look by sticking to neutral colours for walls and accessories.

Kitchen

You don’t need to install all the bells and whistles of a cook’s kitchen, but replacing older appliances with the best models you can afford will significantly increase the attractiveness of your home. Inadequate cabinets in cheap or trendy materials turn off potential buyers. If yours need to be upgraded, opt for quality finishes, hinges and sliders. Doors should have room to fully open and drawers should pull out smoothly and feel solid. Replace worn countertops with a highly regarded material such as granite, Corian or stone composite in a neutral colour. These add contemporary shine and give kitchens the luxe appearance potential buyers are looking for. Avoid countertop tiles applied with grout, which might need repairs and appear grungy in a couple of years.

Flooring

Replacing worn carpet or flooring increases the hassle-free quotient of a home. Swapping outdated wall-to-wall carpeting for hardwood flooring or laminate makes spaces look larger and more elegant. Light to mid-tone oak or maple hardwood suits most tastes.

Walls

A fresh coat of paint is an easy and cost-effective way to improve a home’s overall appearance. Avoid trendy or bold colours in favour of soft neutrals. The idea is to create a fresh, pristine backdrop in which potential buyers can easily picture themselves and their possessions.

Still need help?

Speak to a local real estate agent or appraiser for helpful advice on improvements that add value to homes in your particular neighbourhood and in general.

Luminary Sales part of memorable fundraiser

This is story I wrote for Sentinel-Review. It was printed last week.

Relay For Life: celebrate, remember, fight back

By Mark Schadenberg

With candles as luminaries, the word 'Hope' is a focal point on the crest of a hill at College Avenue Secondary School.

By 10 p.m. during Relay For Life, the same light will soon guide the way around the entire high school track.

Relay For Life -- June 15-16 -- is all about the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) slogan's celebrate, remember, fight back.

Hope, therefore, is an important acronym as ‘h’ represents hope, the circle 'o' for hugs, 'p' for progress, and 'e' is for the eternal love for those who have passed away from cancer.

At Relay, these candles or luminaries (placed inside a paper bag) are lit at 10 p.m. and surround the track for an evening of pause and reflection. The oval track itself could be another 'o' for an even larger hug. With the theme of Field Of Dreams for the 13^th annual fundraiser, these hundreds of lights represent the integral meaning of the 12-hour benefit.

The message on the outside of the bag can be a dedication in two ways: 'in memory of' someone who has passed away from cancer or 'in honour of' a cancer survivor.

"Even if you are unable to attend (Relay), you can still purchase luminaries to pay tribute to your family members and friends who have experienced cancer," says Tracy Piett, fundraising coordinator for the Oxford unit of the CCS.

"By purchasing a luminary you are helping the Canadian Cancer Society fund cutting edge cancer research, prevention, health promotion, advocacy and support services." 

The fundraising part of luminary sales is an important segment of the $300,000 projected goal for the Woodstock event.

Luminaries are now on sale for $5 each at various locations and also on-line at www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock.

The co-chair of the luminary committee has been involved in Relay since its inception locally. Marie Bowerman was a co-chair 13 years ago when Woodstock held its inaugural event. Losing two close friends to cancer was the reason she became involved.

"At that time I had lost a very dear friend (to cancer)," said Bowerman. "The next 10 years I was the volunteer co-ordinator (for Relay). For the 10th anniversary I co-chaired again and during that time lost another very dear friend.

"The last two years I have co-chaired luminary (sales). Last summer, I lost my brother. We need to keep raising monies for the research for all kinds of cancer.”

Bowerman adds this year’s goal for luminaries is 2,000 -- an attainable number as sales last year were 1,911.

The luminaries this year have changed somewhat, but essentially continue to be a tealight candle inside a bag. The difference is that volunteer Larry Bowerman (Marie’s husband) spent about 100 hours cutting, drilling and sanding wood blocks, to make the bags more sturdy.

For the overall Relay event, it's not too late to create your own team. The Woodstock goal was 75, but that’s been exceeded with 85 teams registered

The CCS is also registering cancer survivors for the Survivors' Lap, which begins the walk at 7 p.m. after an opening ceremony. Survivors can sign up in advance online, at the CCS Oxford office at 65 Springbank North, by phone at (519) 537-5592, or on the evening of Relay (beginning at 5 p.m.) and do not have to be a member of a team to participate.  

Relay For Life continues to grow. In 2010, for example, there were 39,191 registered cancer survivors in the various Victory Laps across Canada.

Relay itself included 200,900 walkers on 21,147 teams, raising about $54 million.

While there were an estimated 36,000 volunteers, the Woodstock event itself will sign up more than 250 volunteers and has a 2012 goal of $300,000.

If you are unable to attend in Woodstock, but want to participate in person, Relay For Life will also take place at Annandale public school in Tillsonburg (June 8-9) and IDCI in Ingersoll (June 22-23).

FAST FACTS

Luminaries are for sale at:

Woodstock farm market at fairgrounds on Saturday: May 26, June 2 and June 9.

Woodstock Print & Litho barbecue on Friday, June 1, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Along with:

Bank of Nova Scotia, both branches
Rochdale Credit Union

Boston Pizza
Swiss Chalet

Old St. Pauls Church
Church of Epiphany
Smith LeRoy Funeral Home
Brock & Visser Funeral Home
Southgate Centre
On Your Toes Dance Studio
Laidlaws
Woodstock Skating Club office at community complex.

Twenty points create a game plan

Working in progress to put up 'Sold' sign

A thorough marketing plan is basically covering all the bases or identifying all the checkpoints.

The end of the plan in real estate is a 'Sold' sign. The best way to attain that is to price your house properly as it will only sell for so much. However, to optimize the sale amount, there are many tasks to get from Point 'A' to Point 'Sale' -- a game plan.

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

1. The 'for sale' sign works 24/7.

2. Never under-estimate the power of Multiple Listing Service and internet. Stats indicate 85% of home buyers are introduced to the house they will buy or the agent they will work with, through internet, mostly www.realtor.ca.

3. The Royal LePage brand is automatic credibility

4. Complete full market analysis on home, describing effective and actual age, recent sales, etc.

5. Market house through personal website of marksells.ca, including several photos (as permitted by vendor).

6. Advertise additionally on company internet (wesellwoodstock.com, royallepagetriland.com, royallepage.ca) with interior and exterior photos, a 'stitched-pictures' virtual reality tour, and a 'web commercial' slide show.

7. Promote through Social Media: Facebook, Twitter (markroyallepage) & Blog (markroyallepage.blogspot.com).

8. Thorough description of home in my email newsletter which currently is sent to about 300 people.

9. Place ad on Kijiji site. Again, we're covering all the bases.

10. Conduct open houses at least once every 3 weekends. No matter price range or location, open houses also gain extra awareness through ads and notation on realtor.ca. A lot of out-of-town people are wandering every weekend around Woodstock.

11. Advertise consistent basis in Oxford Review. Rotation is minimum alternating weeks. Despite my commission split with office -- I am required to pay for these ads.

12. Agents’ MLS tour (Wednesday morning) of new listings. Active agents with active buyers preview the property.

13. Produce flyers (New Listing) delivered in mailboxes in same school zone and/or neighbourhood. Someone nearby may know a possible buyer. These 'postcards' produced by myself but our office does have an in-house marketing dept.

14. Report on results of showings as conducted by the various sales reps.

15. Market updates as competition changes - homes are listed, others adjust asking price, and some sell.

16. Qualifying buyers. Not possible at an open house, but other showings by myself would only be to qualified buyers. Triland has an in-house mortgage broker as part Dominion Lending Services.

17. Always willing to assist with finding contractors, small chores like recycling, and opening up house for out-of-town agents. Lockboxes are very common now with out-of-town Realtors selling in our market.

18. Represent you on all matters relating to offer, especially negotiating and attending formal home inspections.

19. Process successful offer through our office by distributing paper work to lawyers and others.

20. I am active in community -- not just asking for money from community. Current chair of Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee, member of Lions Club, and organizing committee for Cancer Society's Relay For Life, I continue to give back to community I enjoy living in. In turn, this involvement does supply sales leads.

Call me anytime at: (519) 537-1553.

Knights arrive at Memorial Cup event

Current OHL champions last won CHL championship in 2005

By Mark Schadenberg
LONDON -- The London Knights departed Wednesday for the Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec.
At the OHL-champion's last practice Tuesday, Dale Hunter was not at the rink. As announced by Dale on Monday it would be the club's head coach for its past 61 games (29-13 in regular season; 16-3 in playoffs), Mark Hunter, who had the whistle.
Goalie Michael Houser, who was named the Ontario Hockey League's most outstanding player (Red Tilson Award) for the regular season and in the process tied the league record for wins (46), indicated that Dale Hunter, who is club president and majority owner, will be more than just a fan.
"It's another set of eyes watching the games now," said Houser. "We're excited to have Dale back, but Mark is still the head coach, and it will be good to have Dale there in Shawinigan for support."
With Dale Hunter pulling the reins (he owns successful race horses as well as the family's farming interests), the Knights were 20-5-1, but on Nov. 28, the phone rang and the Washington Capitals were calling. Lifting Washington into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference No 7 seed, Dale would also reach Game 7 of the NHL conference semis before losing to the New York Rangers.
On Monday, Dale Hunter announced he was returning to the Knights fold.
For London, the reward for winning the OHL championship, is an opportunity to begin the Memorial Cup in a matchup against the defending champions, meeting the back-to-back QMJHL champion Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday, May 18. It will be day two of the gruelling eight-day tournament to determine the best club in the CHL. The four-team event begins Friday with the host Shawinigan Cataractes drawing the Western Hockey League champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Knights won the OHL title and its J Ross Robertson Cup this past Friday, downing the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 to claim the best-of-seven 4-1.
London's roster is led by NHL undrafted goalie Houser. His MVP moniker doesn't add additional pressure.
"I don't think that adds any more pressure to me. I just tried to do my my job all year and try to win some hockey games," said Houser.
"These are some of the most important hockey games some of us will ever play. We believed in ourselves in the locker room that we had the type of team that could make some noise at playoff time," Houser added.
Mark Hunter describes the lineup as a cohesive mix of both veterans and youth with many '94 and '95 skaters shining before their time. London entered January with established names such as leading scorer Seth Griffith, along with Tampa prospect Vladislav Namestnikov, Bruins draftee Jared Knight, and a solid blueline led by Montreal first rounder Jarred Tinordi, and Team Canada junior and Penguins pick Scott Harrington. Griffith led the Knights in both the regular season (45 goals; 85 points) and playoffs (23 points).
That core was fortified with the arrival of Greg McKegg (Toronto) of nearby St. Thomas and Brett Cook from Erie, along with Austin Watson (Nashville) from Peterborough at the trade deadline. Watson, who won a Memorial Cup in 2009 with the Windsor Spitfires, was the OHL playoff MVP (99 Award) with 10 goals, seven assists and an important defensive forward role in killing penalties.
McKegg says he doesn't feel any additional hometown pressure as Tommy Hughes, Colin Martin and Brett Welychka are other London-area players on the roster.
"Hopefully I can contribute and help win a Memorial Cup," said McKegg, who had 11 playoff points despite missing the entire Kitchener playoff series due to an injury.
"I get to play in my hometown and we won the OHL championship and that was something special, but the Memorial Cup would be the best thing," he added.
The younger players of note are Max Domi (Tie's son), Bo Horvat, Chris Tierney, Josh Anderson, highly touted defenceman Olli Maatta of Finland, and twin forwards Ryan and Matt Rupert. Ryan Rupert's production in the OHL final included four goals versus the Ice Dogs -- all in road wins in St Catharines. Maatta is ranked No 8 in the final NHL Central Scouting tabulations for the upcoming draft, and was tied for the London lead in playoff points with 23, including six goals.
"(Compared to the 2005 Memorial Cup champion Knights) We have a more mixture of younger guys, who have all gelled quicker than we thought they would," said Mark Hunter on Tuesday. (TODAY)
"One thing we've done all year is play four lines and six on defence, and we have the depth in the organization to fill key holes if anyone ever gets hurt. One thing I felt we have done is not wear out our team," added Hunter, who was general manager only and not on the bench in 2005 when the Knights won its only previous Memorial Cup appearance, a title won in London.
"It's a little different now. I'm not grinding my teeth as much now because I'm trying to react to the game at ice level and I'm more involved in the play," said Hunter.
The Sea Dogs earned its way back to the Memorial Cup by sweeping the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final over Rimouski, capping the series with a lopsided 8-0 win. Head coach Gerard Gallant, who played over 600 NHL games mostly with the Red Wings as a player, won the QMJHL title twice as a player wearing a Sherbrooke jersey.
The Sea Dogs' regular season included 50 wins in 68 starts.
Memorial Cup host Shawinigan posted 45 wins in the regular season and after ousting Rouyn-Noranda in four straight were dispatched from the playoffs by Chicoutimi in seven.
Edmonton also collected 50 wins in its 72-game WHL schedule and posted an impressive 11-game win streak to end the regular season and extended that string to a total of 22 during the playoffs. However, the Oil Kings needed seven games to beat Portland in the league final.
After opening the eight-day event versus Saint John, the Knights will faceoff against the host Cataractes on Sunday at 7 p.m. before completing their portion of the round robin on Tuesday against Edmonton.
If a tiebreaker is necessary it would be played on the Thursday, while the semifinal (2nd vs 3rd) is slated for Friday, May 25, and the championship on Sunday, May 27.　MEMORIAL CUP
Full Schedule (Sportsnet TV)
Friday, May 18, 7 p.m.
Edmonton vs Shawinigan
Saturday, May 19, 7 p.m.
London vs Saint John
Sunday, May 20, 7 p.m.
London vs Shawinigan
Monday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Saint John vs Edmonton
Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m.
London vs Edmonton
Wednesday, May 23, 7 p.m.
Saint John vs Shawinigan
Thursday, May 24,
Tiebreaker, if necessary
Friday, May 25, 7 p.m.
Semifinal
Sunday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Final

King Of The Castle

Prince Edward could be your castle

I work at home; many people work at home.

If you think of a versatile home, what are some amenities you might think of?
A work-at-home would be important to me, and others. The house could also include a main-floor bedroom in case the family purchasing required an in-law suite. A large backyard with a pool would be a requirement, so that beyond the pool there was still room for a large wood deck and perhaps a garden.
With a check mark in all three of these areas, 25 Prince Edward Road, Woodstock, would be a good choice for your family.
Less than 10 years old, this 2-storey has 3 bedrooms on the second floor, but also has a main-floor room currently set up for crafts/quilting, which could fit the bill for a bedroom, if needed.
The spacious 2-car garage is set up -- at present -- with about half of its space as an office with a gas fireplace and private-entrance door so clients wouldn't need to enter your house. If your employment required (or benefited from) an at-home office -- sales, physiotherapist, or an accountant perhaps -- again 25 Prince Edward would be your destination.

   Zodiac The large pie-shape backyard is also only about one-third occupied by its fenced-in above-ground pool. For a young family, the Zodiac Royalty above-ground pool would be quite a splash as its 26' x 13' with a depth of four feet. Those dimensions make it ideal for morning laps and weekend volleyball with a group of neighbours.
Prince Edward Road is in the popular south Woodstock neighbourhood of larger family homes, which is actually a very quiet crescent. As the home is situated on the outside of the bend it creates a lot of 32' foot frontage, but is actually 124 feet along the back, and features a depth of 139 feet at its deepest point.
The brick house, with a focal point stone peaked facade, has terrific curb appeal with its front dormer directly above the front door.
The main floor features a bright white (cabinetry) eat-in kitchen with peninsula and then a dinette leading to patio doors and eventually to the large back wood deck. The formal living room has a vaulted ceiling. The main floor also includes a family room area with sparkling newer hardwood, main-floor laundry and a 2pc powder room.
The second floor highlight is the master bedroom with a long walk-in closet. The main bathroom includes a jetted tub and a separate shower. There is also a small sitting area open to the foyer below.
Listed at $299,900 (MLS: 69-105), the home also includes central vac, central air, security system, water softener, and will be sold with its washer and dryer.

  Boston Pizza & East Side Mario’sThe location is also top notch as Southside Park and pool, and the city's twin-pad arenas community complex are both very close. If you're not from Woodstock, you should know the complex has a highly regarded gymnastics club. Woodstock also has a brand new hospital just a few blocks away, plus expansive box mall shopping and countless restaurants on Norwich Avenue, two high schools in the vicinity, and a 9-hole golf course along Cedar Creek. With the 401-403 hub in Woodstock's south corner, this house would be a terrific option for a family member commuting.
For your viewing, contact me soon.
Mark Schadenberg, sales representative
Royal LePage Triland Realty
(519) 537-1553, cell & text

www.marksells.ca
www.royallepage.ca
www.wesellwoodstock.com
www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com
www.royallepagetriland.com

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com Twitter: markroyallepage

Knights win 2nd OHL title

London to compete for Memorial Cup

Story I wrote for The Canadian Press after last night's London championship.
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LONDON -- After beating the IceDogs to become top dog in the OHL, the London Knights next opponents are the SeaDogs.
London is the 2011-12 Ontario Hockey League champions, edging the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 Friday at the John Labatt Centre, winning the best-of-seven final 4-1.
The Knights claim their first J Ross Robertson Cup since 2005 and just its second in franchise history, and will begin play May 18 in the Memorial Cup round robin in Shawinigan, Que, versus the defending CHL champion, and current QMJHL champion Saint John SeaDogs. London won the Memorial Cup in 2005 when it hosted the tourney.
"With such a young group of players, we didn't think we would win this early -- this year," said an elated Mark Hunter, who wears several hats -- head coach, general manager and vice president of the London Knights. "We also knew though that we had the right players in the mix like (Jarred) Tinordi, Harry (Scott Harrington), Seth Griffith, Vladdy (Vladislav Namestnikov), and of course (goalie) Michael Houser.
"I'm very proud of all my players. After I took over, the players seemed to really buy into what I was teaching," said Mark Hunter, who on Nov 28 assumed the head coaching duties when brother Dale Hunter was hired as head coach of the Washington Capitals. London had 20 wins in 26 starts at the time, and ended up 49-18-1, so were 29-13 with Mark Hunter at the helm.
Younger ('94 and '95) players referred to for the Knights include Ryan Rupert with four goals in the five-game finals, plus Max Domi, Chris Tierney and defenceman Olli Maatta who was tied for first on the club in scoring in the post-season with six goals and 23 points.
After a scoreless first period in the decisive game, London's Austin Watson slipped the puck past IceDogs' goalie Mark Visentin in a scramble in the crease. The play was rather innocently set up by Scott Harrington taken a shot from an impossible angle, but Visentin was unable to locate the puck on the blue paint.
London went up 2-0 at 1:48 into the third as Seth Griffith buried a pass from Vladislav Namesnikov on a 2-on-1. For both Griffith and Watson it was their 10th of the post-season. For Watson, who had previously won an OHL title in 2009 with Windsor, used the goal to help him earn the playoff most valuable player trophy, the 99 Award, named after Wayne Gretzky.
The lone Niagara goal was by Tom Kuhnhackl 7:53 into the third period.
Niagara would outshot the Knights 27-22 on the contest, but were 0-for-4 on the powerplay including an inability to beat Houser during a pivotal four-minute advantage when it was still scoreless early in the second. The double minor had been assessed to Knights' defenceman Jarred Tinordi.
Houser would stop 26 of 27 pucks for London, who were 0-for-3 on the powerplay.
OHL commissioner David Branch pointed out to the loud arena that London won 16 of 19 playoff games.
In the series, Niagara won the opener 3-2 in double overtime and led Game 2 at one point 2-0 before London took control, skating to a 5-3 victory
Proud of winning the playoff MVP, Watson described his elation, saying the Knights are a team that had its doubters.
"The biggest thing is winning the OHL championship. We worked so hard for an entire year and grew together so much after the trade deadline," said Watson, who had 10 goals and seven assists in the playoffs.
"Bringing the OHL championship to London is awesome.
"We have to give Niagara credit, they never quit," continued Watson. "Even going down 3-1 in the series Niagara gave us a tough tough game."
Captain Tinordi said the bench stayed composed down the stretch in maintaining its late lead.
"We're confident in our team, we're confident in Houser and we were confident in all our guys playing the right way and staying with the game plan."
The Memorial Cup will also include host Shawinigan and the WHL champions, either Portland or Edmonton.
"The ultimate goal is to win the Memorial Cup," said Harrington. "We were always confident in our capabilities and everyone (on our team) came to play every night."
For Niagara, it was a club with 12 NHL drafted players and after a slow start of just three wins in 10 starts to begin the season, entered the playoffs with 44 wins in its final 58 games. Coach Marty Williamson also lost in the 2010 finals as head coach of the Barrie Colts.

Building a highway through a farm ?

Thriving B&B threatened by Strasburg Road extension
Terry Pender, Waterloo Region Record: April 29.

KITCHENER — Monika Ruttkowski drives a vintage tractor over farm fields around her 140-year-old stone house with a worried eye cast to the north.
Strasburg Road will be extended southward to carry thousands of vehicles a day in and out of a large new subdivision called Doon South Phase II. The preferred route at this point will cut her property in half. The four-lane road will pass within 25 metres of the house where she operates a thriving bed and breakfast. A roundabout will be located just north of her home.
After buying the fieldstone house in 1984, she and her husband spent more than $300,000 on renovations and additions. Wedding receptions, retreats and corporate meetings are held there. Tourists from the U.S. and Europe regularly stay there when taking in plays in Stratford.
"Already, I am booked to the end of September," Ruttkowski says during an interview at her dining room table.
At least once a month there is a knock at the door. A developer’s representative wants to talk about buying her 40-hectare property. Ruttkowski always refuses.
Born in Germany near the beginning of the Second World War, she has childhood memories of fleeing with her mother on roads of refugees. After growing up in the bloody chaos of mid-20th-century Europe, Ruttkowski and her late husband wanted a peaceful place with a little farm where they could run a bed and breakfast, grow their own food and enjoy the company of travellers.
"This was the dream for us," Ruttkowski says. "I have moved enough, this is where I want to stay."
Just below her property is a woodlot and marsh — the headwaters of Blair Creek, the only remaining cold-water trout stream in the city. Trilliums and other wildflowers are blooming there. Whitetail deer, turkeys, raccoons, beavers, squirrels, turtles and other wildlife are frequently seen on the property, which includes a large, spring-fed pond. An environmental assessment now underway has identified five possible routes for the extension of Strasburg Road. Part of this area is a significant-groundwater recharge area, and the preferred route for the roadway goes right through this sensitive landscape.
"It makes no sense," says Alison Jackson, one of Ruttkowski’s supporters. "You can run a bus right through their arguments."
The city’s environmental advisory committee formed a special group to study the issue, and it rejected the preferred route identified in the draft environmental assessment. Jackson says the city should go with the first alternative identified in the environmental assessment, which has the road to the west of Ruttkowski’s property skirting the edge of the groundwater recharge areas and the headwaters of Blair Creek.
Developers have long-eyed this area of south Kitchener. They took the city to a provincial tribunal that rules on land-use disputes — Ontario Municipal Board — to speed up the process for planning new subdivisions.
Homer Watson Boulevard and New Dundee Road provide access from the east and south. The Strasburg Road extension will be needed for access from the north and west. The extension will cost an estimated $15 million to $17 million and construction is years away.
While she waits for the studies to be finished, Ruttkowski fears she may be forced by the city to sell her land in the future to make way for the road.

Bysham commercial lots return to city inventory

This Woodstock city council policy make lots of sense
There are many great ways to attract new large-scale business to Woodstock, and I think Len Magyar, Brad Hammond and others at the development office have it right (led by a City Council passed initiative) – own a lot of the available industrial property yourself to hold down the cost of commercial land in and around the city.
Could you imagine how difficult it would be to lure a manufacturer to Woodstock if the cost of 1 acre was more in Woodstock than it was elsewhere on the 400 series of highways, perhaps London, K-W/Cambridge or even Strathroy?
Market value is sometimes defined as ‘how much someone is willing to pay for a property’? If that is the question, the answer would be to maintain price tags.
Other factors obviously exist as well – infrastructure and services, skilled employees, proximity to related employers, and location location location.
The reason I include this opinion is that the City has a policy of literally forcing developers to build on land they purchase within three years, or the City has the option to buy it back. It’s win-win actually as the City holds the land inventory controls, while a developer isn’t over-leveraged on land it has no use for at this time. The same developer could come back – if ready to stick a shovel in the ground – to re-purchase the property.
Here’s the Sentinel-Review story from the May 7 edition:

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Ron Thomson, Sentinel-Review
WOODSTOCK　-　
City council Thursday authorized staff to re-acquire the industrial lands from Conros Corporation. The city will purchase the lands at 90% of the original purchase price subject to any adjustments at time of closing
The lands encompass virtually all of the vacant lands in the Bysham Park Business Community. As a condition of sale the purchaser was required to build a minimum 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility on the subject lands within three years of the date of closing.
"Of course that did not happen," said development commissioner Len Magyar. "There were things that happened to delay their plans and in the end they looked more to be a developer and build buildings for lease and of course that never happened, as well."
With the condition not met and as a result of non-performance, the municipality is now in a position to reacquire the subject lands. Similar to the majority of Woodstock’s land sales the city reserves the right to buy lands back at 90% of the original purchase price for a period of 10 years in the event of non- performance.
Conros formally asked the city to proceed with buying the subject lands back as per the conditions of the original agreement.
"We’re now in a position where we can acquire the lands back," Magyar said. "The Conros group has asked us to acquire the lands back at this point in time to pay taxes on the property."
The city sold 49.5 acres of industrial land in the Bysham Park Business Community in March 2006 to Conros. At the time the sales agreement was approved by council, the negotiated price per acre on the subject lands was $34,500 per acre for a total sale of $1,675,545. The City of Woodstock will purchase the industrial lands back at $31,050 per acre.
The lands are fully serviced and will be brought back to market in short order. Buying these lands back will immediately address a current limitation of available small-scale industrial lots within the Woodstock market place, Magyar said.
"The good news is that if we take these lands back it will in very quick work give us an inventory of small industrial lots for sale," he said
To accommodate the buy back, council approved $1,500,000 in the 2012 capital budget from the industrial land reserve for this purchase. However, there is a shortfall in the industrial land reserve compared to the amount budgeted so the balance of funds will be withdrawn from the hydro reserve. This amount is estimated at about $340,000.
Council has also already approved $65,000 in the capital budget for cleaning up the subject lands so that they have some curbside appeal to potential purchasers.Bysham Park industrial lands are back in the hands of the City of Woodstock.

Triland listing option to consider

Lots of possibilities on your shopping list

I certainly promote my listings in this space sometimes, but now I'm making a case to consider others agents' listings.
Royal LePage Triland in Woodstock currently has many good options in purchasing a home -- every price range -- new and old -- large and small, so this is an effort to advertise some MLS listings belonging to others in our office. I will name the sales rep with the listing and the MLS number if you want to see more details at www.Realtor.ca, but I would always suggest you give me a call for a viewing on any of these possibilities.
528 Springbank Ave
MLS: 69-047, Asking: $234,000
Listed by: Sharon VeenstraTwo-storey home for a growing family in Algonquin School zone and is just a few steps away from Pittock walking/cycling trails. Fenced backyard to romp and play! There is a good size eat-in kitchen and separate dining room. Enjoy the barbecue on the deck through the patio doors from the kitchen. Three ample size bedrooms on second floor. No need to carry laundry to basement as the laundry nook is on the main floor along with a two-piece washroom. The basement has a large family room and another room which would be ideal for an office or a workout area. Newer water softener ('07), furnace ('08) and shingles ('08). It's a good option for your family, and to top it off the basement piano is included.
570 Tatham Blvd
MLS: 68-829, Asking: $599,000
Listed by: Lynn RoutlyPossibly the best newer luxury home available currently in Woodstock with its view of Pittock Lake and attention to detail in all amenities. Over 3800 sq ft on its main 2 levels. Kitchen includes an over-abundance of maple cabinets, separate butler's pantry with wine-cooling fridge, and several high-end stainless built-in appliances included. Living room open through to second floor with three-turn oak staircase. Second floor includes immense spa-like ensuite to master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, private wood-deck balcony and panoromic view. Three more bedrooms and two more full bathrooms (ensuite and a jack-and-jill style). Large pie-shape lot too! Visit virtual tour on realtor.ca.
253 Robinson St
MLS: 69-282, Asking: $168,900
Listed by: Marty MillardNot often is it possible to buy a 3-bedroom bungalow on a 75 x 100 lot in this price range. It's a cute red brick bungalow with hardwood and ceramic flooring. Neutral colours and move-in condition. The dining room is designed to an optional 3rd bedroom. You can enjoy the backyard off your wood deck (appears to be almost brand new) overlooking the neighbourhood. The home includes newer shingles (2010) and many newer windows. Nice south Woodstock location with a short walking distance to Southside Park, two elementary schools and the community complex. The home could be sold with four appliances plus a water softener.
32 Jubilee Place
MLS: 68-742, Asking: $197,000
Listed by: Peter VandersarOne of the city's true gem cul-de-sac locations off Hughson Street and in the Winchester (formerly called DM Sutherland) public school area. Bungalow with 4 (3+1) bedrooms, gleaming hardwood floor in living room, and a detached garage. The garage was just built in 2011 -- single door, but actually 1.5-cars wide and driveway is doublewide. House also features newer roof (2011), shed (2010) and furnace (2008). Four appliances are also included. Spacious lower recroom. The basement bedroom is 18' x 10' so it could also be a good office or hobby (crafting or quilting, etc) room. Good choice for first-time buying family as this red brick home is in a central location.
225 Fairway Road
MLS: 69-169, Asking: $329,900
Listed by: William CattleThinking of retiring to a townhouse-ranch condo complex. Re-consider and purchase this freehold ranch in the Sally Creek adult community, which includes a 9-hole golf course, on-site bistro and community centre. This 3 (2+1) bedroom 3-bathroom ranch (with main-floor laundry) is highlighted by its many upgrades -- open concept great room (through to dinette and stunning kitchen) with tray ceiling, and master bedroom with luxury ensuite. Unique layout and decor, including colour choices and window treatments. Fully finished basement terrific for entertaining. Enjoy the 22' x 20' wood deck with pergola and professional landscaping. If you're thinking about selling in the near future, call me as my marketing plan truly does have a list of 20 things I do to assist in selling your house.

Mark Schadenberg
Royal LePage Triland Realty (519) 539-2070, office
539-4319, home; 537-1553, cell & textwww.marksells.ca royallepage.ca wesellwoodstock.com
www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com www.royallepagetriland.com Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage, sales rep.

Knights change coaches; keep winning

Hunter family hailed for their coaching abilities
Did you know that on the four days that Both Dale Hunter and Mark Hunter have been coaching playoff games, the Capitals are 4-0 and the Knights are 4-0. Here's a story I wrote about the Hunter family and Knights hockey for Canadian Press (It was circulated on Sunday, May 6):
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By Mark Schadenberg
LONDON -- While the London Knights are in a battle to win the Ontario Hockey League championship versus the Niagara IceDogs, now knotted 1-1 in the best-of-seven, the Washington Capitals are competing against the New York Rangers in the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinal.
The common thread is Dale Hunter. As majority owner of the Knights he continues to be listed as club president even though he was hired as head coach of the Capitals back on Nov 28.
"We certainly miss his leadership here," says Knights governor (lawyer) Trevor Whiffen, who was quick to continue. "Dale is the ultimate leader in the dressing room on game night, but everyone else here has done their best to fill the gaps very nicely."
London rolled out a smooth transition to Mark Hunter as head coach, as he added one more name plate to his office door along with general manager and vice president. Mark Hunter won a Stanley Cup in 1989 with Calgary and played more than 600 NHL games with stops also in Montreal, Hartford, St Louis and Washington.
Within days of Dale's departure, the club promoted NHL veteran and former Knight (1975-78) Rob Ramage to full assistant coach from status of a consultant coach who was on ice at practice only, but not on the bench in games. The club was already utilizing assistant general manager Misha Donskov on the bench as an assistant coach, along with Dale's son Dylan, who was an OHL star when London won its only Memorial Cup in 2005.
Donskov has been on staff for four years and sees more similarities in Dale and Mark than any differences.
"The word I always like to use about the coaching change is seamless," says Donskov. "When Mark stepped in, he obviously already knew all the guys. Dale and Mark share all the same philosophies. They expect the players to be accountable, and from the standpoint of systems, their expectations are the same -- be responsible on defence and play all three zones."
With the evolving coaching staff, the Knights maintained its course, completing the OHL regular schedule first overall with 99 points (Mark won 29 of 42) and the CHL's No. 3 ranked club, including 49 wins.
Dale Hunter's mark on the bench was 20-5-1 before answering the call to the NHL.
"Dale is the ultimate warrior and motivator," says Whiffen. "He played 19 years in the NHL -- a dozen years with Washington and (five) of those as team captain, and has over 1,000 games and 1,000 points."
Dale Hunter's NHL career, which started in Quebec City in 1980 and ended in the spring of 1999 with the Colorado Avalanche, actually included 1,407 games and 1,020 points.
Whiffen recalled that almost at the same moment Dale Hunter was accepting the Capitals post, another client and friend was relieved of his duties.
"I helped Bruce Boudreau negotiate his contract with Washington and after he's let go by George McPhee, Bruce is calling me to commiserate," said Whiffen. "I had just talked to Dale (about unrelated matters) the night before. For me, it was a surreal day."
Under Boudreau's helm the Capitals had won four straight Southwest Division regular-season pennants and had started the current campaign with seven consecutive victories. However, at the time Boudreau was dismissed they were in the midst of an eight-game stretch of losing six, and falling to a tie for eighth in the conference at 12-9-1.
Under Dale Hunter, Washington moved up to the No 7 seed in the final East conference standings thanks to a 30-23-7 record with Dale at the helm.
With the pressures of OHL playoffs continuing, everyone in the Knights dressing room is also glued to the Capitals' results.
"There's a lot of Washington Capitals ball caps in our dressing room," added Donskov, who recalled the recent sweep of the Kitchener Rangers for the OHL Western Conference final, clinching the series on the road. The Knights bus has a satellite connection, so on the coach down the highway, the Knights were watching their former coach eliminate Boston.
"Instead of celebrating (our conference championship), everyone was watching Dale's game go into overtime. You could hear a pin drop on that bus," said Donskov. "The bus erupted when Washington won in OT. It was an awesome scene."
As London's bench boss, Dale had amassed quite a resume -- 451 wins and the fastest-ever OHL coach to reach both the 300- and 400-win plateaus. An impressive list of Knights reached the NHL from Dale's rosters, led by Corey Perry, Rick Nash, Dave Bolland, Brandon Prust, Rob Schremp, Marc Methot, Sam Gagner, Patrick Kane, Sergei Kostitsyn, plus current Capitals John Carlson and Dennis Wideman.
If there is more interest in London now focused on the progress of the Capitals, the media in Washington has taken notice of the OHL as Washington Times reporter Stephen Whyno spent a few days in London and wrote a four-part series on Canada's "New York Yankees" of junior hockey."A championship (in 2005) sure helps, but it doesn't make a franchise," wrote Whyno. "No, the Hunters built a perennial contender and a season-ticket base that now exceeds 7,000 by unearthing and cultivating talent that's hard to match around junior hockey. Mark Hunter puts about 50,000 miles on his diesel truck every year driving around to find the next Knights superstar."
Upon returning to Washington, Whyno asked Dale Hunter about his on-going dedication to the Knights. Dale responded by saying he talks or texts hockey with Mark, Dylan and Misha several times a week and still finds a way to track the Knights.
"I put (the Knights games) on my computer and I watch it at night," said Dale Hunter in the Times article. "If (the Capitals) don't play on a Friday night, I'll sit in my room and watch (the Knights)."
Donskov confirmed about talking to Dale often.
"Dale is always just a phone call away. I still talk to him a couple times a week."
On Saturday night, London came back from a 2-0 deficit for a 5-3 victory to even the OHL final 1-1. On the same day and in a much different league, the Capitals edged the Rangers 3-2 to tie the NHL Eastern semifinal 2-2.
London/Niagara Championship Connection
Before his nine years with London as franchise governor, Whiffen played an integral role with the IceDogs as part of the initial group, including Don Cherry, who applied for a Mississauga OHL franchise in the late 1990's. However, after the 2006-07 season, and with the St. Michael's Majors moving into Mississauga, the IceDogs relocated to St Catharines.
Only a few years later, with hockey circles somewhat small, the IceDogs are attempting to win its first OHL title (lost in finals to Guelph in 2004) against London.
"I was the one who wrote the expansion bid for the (Mississauga IceDogs)," said Whiffen during Game 1 of the championship series, adding he was the club president for four years for Cherry and general manager for two seasons.
About the only resemblance to the expansion IceDogs is the club's logo continues to use a dog similar to Cherry's famed Blue, a white bull terrier.
"I was more involved with the IceDogs back then compared to the Knights now, but I've been with London now for nine years, and even though I still have some affinity for the IceDogs organization, I am now a London Knight," says Whiffen.
The OHL final continues Monday, May 7 in London for the J Ross Robertson Cup.

Knights or IceDogs, who will win?

London and Niagara compete for OHL championship
Game 1 in OHL finals is Thursday, May 3

The London Knights are 12-2 in the playoffs and have won their last seven post-season games to claim the Western Conference crown, while the Niagara IceDogs are 12-3 in winning the Eastern Conference.
This is the preview story I penned for The Canadian Press:

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By Mark Schadenberg
LONDON -- With a dozen players drafted by NHL teams, you might think the lower seeded team in the Ontario Hockey League championship, the Niagara IceDogs, would be favoured to win.
The London Knights owned the OHL's top point total in the regular season at 99 (49-18-1) to earn home-ice advantage in the finals, have compiled a playoff record of 12-2, including currently enjoying a seven-game win streak, and even witnessed a seamless coaching change back in November, so many knowledgeable junior hockey fans would be smart to select the Knights to win the finals and hoist the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
The OHL champs also receive an invitation to compete for the Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec, May 18 - 27.
The IceDogs, which are based in St. Catharines, completed its road to the Eastern Conference title (Bobby Orr Trophy) with 47 regular season wins and playoff victories over Oshawa, Brampton and Ottawa. During the 68-game regular schedule, Niagara earned the league's best goal differential mark of 291-169 versus 277-178 produced by the Knights.
Along the way, Niagara goalkeeper Mark Visentin (Coyotes prospect) set a new league all-time record for shutouts in one season with 10, while compiling a microscopic 1.99 goals-against-average. Making those numbers even more impressive is that Visentin missed several weeks with Team Canada at the world juniors. Staying with that event, Niagara's roster has five national team members -- Visentin, brothers Freddie (Sharks) and Dougie Hamilton (Bruins), Ryan Strome (Islanders) and Jamie Oleksiak (Stars).
"We're excited about this series and we're eager to get it going," said IceDogs head coach and general manager Marty Williamson by telephone during a Wednesday press conference.
With players at NHL camps to begin the regular season, Niagara started with just three wins in 10 starts.
"We got off to a rough start, but we stayed the course," explained Williamson. "We believed in the team we had. We added a couple players at the deadline and we continued to get better as the year went along."
The Knights' trek to winning the Wayne Gretzky Trophy for the Western Conference crown included eliminating Windsor, Saginaw and Kitchener.
"At the end of the day, this is a championship series between two good teams," said Mark Hunter, vice president, general manager and head coach of the Knights. "Niagara has a potent offence, so we will have to match their speed and keep the tempo up."
The London coaching change occured on Nov. 28 when the club was 20-5-1 and Dale Hunter accepted the head coaching role with the Washington Capitals. Mark Hunter, who was behind the OHL's Sarnia Sting bench for more than four seasons and the AHL's St. John's Maple Leafs for one, assumed the reins and maintained the Knights atop the OHL overall standings.
It could be argued both club's have a netminder as its top talent as London's Michael Houser was named the league's amost outstanding player Wednesday (Red Tilson Award), tied the league record for wins (46) in a season, appeared in 62 of 68 contests, and was tied for second in shutouts (6).
The Knights offence has been paced all season by Seth Griffith, who like Houser has not been drafted by a NHL club. Griffith notched 45 goals and 85 points in the regular season and leads the post-season numbers with eight goals and 19 points.
The emerging player of the playoffs is defenceman Olli Maatta of Finland, who was the No 1 overall CHL import pick last summer, and also has 19 playoff points for the Knights, including five goals. Maatta is also the current CHL player of the week and is No. 8 in the NHL central scouting final 2012 rankings.
With IceDogs' Strome and Dougie Hamilton missing portions of the OHL regular season, it was captain and overager Andrew Agozzino who led Niagara with 88 points in the regular season. The club's overwhelming depth now has Agozzino sixth in team production in the post-season, trailing Strome (21), Canucks draftee Alex Friesen (21), Freddie Hamilton (21), Dougie Hamilton (19) and Blackhawks prospect David Pacan (18) leading the way. Steve Shipley (Sabres), Brett Ritchie (Stars), Brock Beukeboom (Lightning), Mitch Theoret (Islanders) and Tom Kuhnhackl (Penguins) are also claimed by NHL clubs via the draft. Theoret has only three post-season goals, but supplied the overtime winner in the opening game of the Eastern final over the 67's.
London's key to victory could be the addition of Greg McKegg to the lineup as the Maple Leafs draft choice missed the entire Western final with an undisclosed injury, but the Knights have confirmed he is now healthy and ready.
The Knights will also rely on the defence of Canadian world junior Scott Harrington (Penguins), plus captain Jarred Tinordi (Canadiens), and reliable play of Tommy Hughes and overager Brett Cook, along with forwards Vladislav Namestnikov (Lightning), Austin Watson (Predators), Jared Knight (Bruins) and an impressive list of yet-to-be-drafted forwards in Max Domi (Tie's son), Bo Horvat, Andreas Athanasiou, Josh Anderson, Chris Tierney, and twin brothers Ryan and Matt Rupert. Watson's 14 points is third on team scoring in the playoffs, but he is also relied upon strongly for killing penalties. Watson was acquired from Peterborough at the January trade deadline.
London last won the OHL title in 2005 and would also earn a Memorial Cup title that spring.
The Niagara / Mississauga IceDogs have never won an OHL championship. As head coach in Barrie, Marty Williamson lost in the 2010 final to Windsor. The last St Catharines based team to win the Robertson Cup was in 1974, the Black Hawks, which later became the Niagara Falls Flyers. 　
OHL Finals
Game 1: Thursday, at London, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, at St Catharines, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, at London, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, at St Catharines, 7 p.m.
x-Game 5: Friday. May 11, at London, 7
x-Game 6: Sunday, May 13, at St Catharines, 2
x-Game 7: Monday, May 14, at London, 7
x- if necessary.

Knights goalie is OHL's most outstanding player

Houser named Red Tilson winner
John Gibson, Jack Campbell, Scott Wedgewood, Petr Mrazek, Mark Visentin and Michael Houser are likely the top six goalies in the Ontario Hockey League.
Two weeks ago, Houser is named the goaltender of the year. Today, he's named the most outstanding player in the OHL and picks up the Red Tilson Award. I think the debate has been decided in favour of the London Knights goalkeeper.
Here's the story I submitted to The Canadian Press:

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By Mark Schadenberg
LONDON -- A goalie's job is to be the last line of defence and find a way to win games.
After tying the Ontario Hockey League record for regular-season victories, Michael Houser of the London Knights was named Wednesday as the recepient of the Red Tilson Award as the league's most outstanding player.
The announcement was made just one day before the Knights begin the OHL championship series against the Niagara IceDogs.
It is safe to point out that one of the reasons London is still playing, including 12-2 in the playoffs, after a first overall regular season (49-18-1), would be the workload and abilities of Houser.
In a 68-game schedule, Houser made 62 appearances, earned 46 wins (tying the OHL record of Andrew Engelage with Windsor in 2009), led the OHL in minutes played (3,698), was tied for second in shutouts (6), third in GAA at 2.47, and fourth in save percentage (.925). Houser's best stretch was Dec. 30 to Jan. 22 when he won nine straight starts, including shutouts over Sarnia and Owen Sound during that time.
Already recognized two weeks ago as the OHL goaltender of the year, Michael Houser admits he has no time now to enjoy winning the Red Tilson trophy.
"I can enjoy the awards in the summertime. Now, it's about winning hockey games," said Houser at a press conference hosted at his home rink, the John Labatt Centre.
"I play with a great supporting cast," Houser added. "I have guys blocking shots or killing penalties in front of me. (My teammates) play hard every night and they make my job a lot easier."The most outstanding player award is voted on by the media -- broadcasters and writers. The earlier top goaltender recognition, meanwhile, was voted on by the clubs.
"(Michael) is a leader both off and on the ice," said London head coach and general manager Mark Hunter. "He is definitely one of our hardest workers setting an example for the rest of the team. He is one of the biggest reasons we finished first overall and have made it all the way to the OHL championship series."
In the voting process, players received five points for a first-place selection, three points for a second-place vote and one for a third-place selection. On the 80 ballots received, Houser was first on 30 of them for a total of 182 points. The second highest total of 164 points went to Michael Sgarbossa of Sudbury, who won the scoring title (with 102 points), while Tyler Toffoli of Ottawa was third (106) and Mark Visentin of Niagara was a close fourth (104).
The prolific season of Houser included making 30 consecutive appearances from Oct. 16 to Jan. 17, and also passing Gene Chiarello as the franchise's career all-time leader in wins. Back in the 2009-10 campaign, Houser was named to the OHL's all-rookie team.
London captain and defenceman Jarred Tinordi noted how important Houser's most valuable player status is."The defence worked hard in front of him, but he certainly bailed us out a few times."
In attendance at the press gathering -- to also kick off the OHL finals -- was commissioner David Branch, who talked about Houser's ability to thrive in the league after arriving in London from Wexford, Pennsylvania as an undrafted free agent. As time moves forward, Houser's resume now includes not being drafted after two opportunities by NHL clubs as well. Houser has attended prospects camps operated by Vancouver (2010) and Philadelphia (2011), but is still unsigned.
"Micheal is a great story. He will continue to show hockey experts what a special person and special player he is," said Branch.
The last goalie to win the Tilson honour was Andrew Raycroft with the Kingston Frontenacs in 1999-2000.The most recent London Knight to claim this hardware was Corey Perry in 2005. Although he ended his OHL career with London in 2009, John Tavares won the Tilson in 2007 with the Oshawa Generals.
For the award, which the OHL bills as its most prestigious individual accolade, each club was permitted to nominate one player.
London's championship opponent, the IceDogs, gave its nod to goalie Visentin, who earned a league-record 10 shutouts and sparkling 1.99 goals-against-average.
The award is named in honour of Albert 'Red' Tilson who died in action while serving in the Second World War. Tilson had won the league scoring title in 1942-43 with the Oshawa Generals.
Among the other nominees from around the OHL were: Tanner Pearson (Barrie), Brandon Saad (Saginaw), Stefan Noesen (Plymouth), Mike Halmo (Owen Sound), Brendan Gaunce (Belleville), Tobias Reider (Kitchener), Kerby Rychel (Windsor) and Nail Yakupov (Sarnia).
The award was won last year by Ryan Ellis of the Windsor Spitfires, who was just the fourth defencemen to win in the now 68-year history of the trophy and played in 32 games as a NHL rookie this past season with the Nashville Predators.
Other recent and noteworthy recepients include Tyler Seguin (2010) and Cody Hodgson (2009).

Waiting game - waiting for exam result

Sitting in classroom for SRES designation
The SRES OREA course I participated in at the end of April, taught me a lot about CMHC programs, Gen-X, CHIP, SAFE, ADL, NORC, HELOC, SKIING, RRIF and ISL.
I somewhat reluctantly write about the program now because I have yet to receive my course marks. To receive the SRES designation I need 80 percent on the final exam, and those results are still pending.
So, what is SRES?
Seniors Real Estate Specialist is an accreditation I can add to my business cards, in essence informing the consumers, and in particular those older than 50, that I have passed an intensive course dealing specifically with needs and requirements for home buyers and sellers in this life stage.
It certainly doesn't mean I will be concentrating all my efforts on empty-nesters, but the information acquired will assist myself in understanding the demographic of this generation. It is about empathy through understanding.
The course, which was offered in London, included more than 60 real estate sales reps and most of them had travelled from as far away as Barrie and Brampton to learn the subject material.
Topics ranged from 'aging in place' to NORC (Naturally Occuring Retirement Communities) to CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Communities). The best example locally of aging in place is the Southgate Centre and the various walking trails we have along the Thames River, and communities that offer volunteer opportunities.
The term ISL is 'independent supportive living', and would be best described as the format of Oxford Gardens.
Did you know that the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC is a multi-faceted federal government agency best known for offering mortgage insurance to families with less than 25 percent of a downpayment on a house they financially are qualified to purchase) offers grants to families who create garden suites for families to assist in the caring of aging family members in the home. SAFE is an acronym standing for safety, access, fits needs, and ease of use. The term ADL covers a person's ability to continue living on their own as the letters represent Activities of Daily Living such as hygiene, dressing, doing laundry, eating and mobility.
The course mentioned a long list of important activities: health, driving, walking, family, volunteering, working, hobbies, seeing and hearing.
When it is time to maybe sell the home a family was raised in, terms such as downsize, declutter and disband are discussed.
As far as finances are concerned, the SRES course discussed reverse mortgages from both a positive and negative angle, and retirement income timetables such as converting an RRSP into a RRIF (register retirement income fund) at age 71. A reverse mortgage sounds like a great idea as at the age of 60 you can receive the cash value of up to 50 percent of the home's value, but there are legal and appraisal fees, and the interest compounds over time. The good news is that it is your money and your principal residence, so you receive the money tax free. Through their marketing efforts in print and TV, most people are familiar with CHIP (Canadian Home Income Plan) reverse mortgages. The loan is repaid when the house is sold, but in theory the equity in the home does decrease gradually. Another option is a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit).
Estate planning, power of attorney and the process of probate were also explained.
Most seniors spend a ton of time travelling and therefore still spend a ton of money. The course (with tongue in cheek) referred to this as SKIING (Spending the Kids' Inheritance). When is a good time to buy a condo, so you can spend the warm months at a home in the south?
We know we have an aging society. One number tossed out is that by 2015, 48 percent of the workforce will be between the ages of 45 - 64, and that includes myself. Statistics Canada compiles the numbers for the oldest cities in average age and other concrete numbers. For example, the senior capital of Ontario is Peterborough. Next on the list are communities like Haliburton, Niagara-On-The-Lake and Elliot Lake.
With age, however, the wrong thing to do is to paint with a big brush as there are many youthful 80 year olds.
The SRES course forced me to be a sponge as a lot of terms -- demographics (Active Retirees, Baby Boomers, Generation X) to finances to lifestyles -- were tackled. The next step is to take the 147-page manual and use its concepts in my daily career as a full-time Realtor.