Consider Harvest retirement in Tillsonburg

Living independently with some assistance

TILLSONBURG -- I’ve done a little research on retirement homes in Oxford County which provide independent living for our gaining population.

 As we know – I have earned the designation Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), as long as someone continues to be active and is able to live on their own, that is exactly what they want to do and should do.

However, limited assistance is also important for someone who continues to have full abilities in the area of ‘activities of daily living’, but may enjoy the opportunity to socialize more with people of a similar age and interests. In other words, it’s searching for a transition from not necessarily living in a detached home on your own, but maybe having the opportunity to move into a retirement home which offers complete independent living.

In a future writing I will talk about Woodstock’s Oxford Gardens as they are going through a massive renovation to add more than 80 more rooms.

In the south end of the county in Tillsonburg though is the brand new Harvest Retirement Community, owned and operated by Nautical Lands Group. Found on West Town Line Road, this residence is best described as an apartment building and villas in a complex dedicated to seniors.

It’s smartly located near Tillsonburg Fairways golf course and lots of shopping. Anyone who lives in this region also agrees that it is important to live near Highway 3 for short trips southwestward to St Thomas or east to Simcoe.

Nautical has similar retirement destinations in Paris (Queensview), Alliston, Perth (Ottawa area - not Perth County) and Arnprior.

Harvest in Tillsonburg opened its doors in December of 2011. There are about 70 units.

Their 'seniorszen' promotional website notes:

“Nestled in the prosperous community of Tillsonburg, the Harvest Retirement Residence offers a wide variety of apartments and amenities to suit your personal preferences and needs. Spacious one and two-bedroom apartments - all with balconies - there is something for every taste and budget. . .

Live independently in your chore-free home, and you’ll have time to enjoy the people and activities that are most important to you. Then, sleep peacefully knowing that you’ve secured your future with convenient access to supportive services and health care if, or when, you need them.

The physical location of all Nautical Lands Group Retirement Suites are carefully chosen and thought out by our professional design staff to create a unique and serene lifestyle in a natural surrounding. Our individual suites are some of the largest found in the market today. They are oversized to allow for the easy placing of your treasured belongings. From integral design features like oversized suites with balconies and scenic views, to thoughtful details like pet- and family-friendly settings and winter car valet service, your complete comfort and convenience are always our highest priorities.”

Meals are part of the service. Many additional services are offered to residents: assistance with transportation, social outings, medication management, exercise classes, physiotherapy, minimal health monitoring, and housekeeping and laundry assistance.

“We have physio here every day – whether it’s zumba, pilates, or yoga. We do a variety of different programs,” says Krista Watts of NLG in a recent Tillsonburg News story. “It’s included in our package here at Harvest . . . All of our exercise is done by a physiotherapist, so you know it’s safe and it’s done properly.”

While the complex includes a larger apartment residence there are also villas. Some units have two bedrooms, while all have a kitchenette.

The overall facility is staffed 24 hours a day. Monthly rates – I understand – begin around $1,500.

While I have not personally visited Harvest, I did read the many testimonials online.

For more details you can:

1. Call: 1-888-484-5282.

2. Visit www.nauticallandsgroup.com

3. Study the general residential retirement site: http://www.seniorszen.com/care/independent-living/ontario/tillsonburg

By the way, this is not a paid advertisement.

If you are considering selling an home in Oxford County, contact me.

Mark Schadenberg, sales rep

Royal LePage Triland Realty

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

  

Many luxury homes have sold in London

Large homes in exclusive neighbourhoods

The most any Multiple Listing Service (MLS; www.realtor.ca) home has ever sold for near Woodstock is $875,000 and it sold in the spring of 2008 – a large home on 3.9 acres west of the city and near Highway 2.

While that may seem astounding, down the road in London there have been 49 sales higher than $800,000 since Jan 1, 2011, or the previous 21 months.

Brand New Penthouse

Interesting, is that a condominium apartment on the top level of the new Renaissance II building on Ridout and practically across the street from the JLC (Budweiser Gardens), sold for exactly $1 million.

By looking at sales on the London – St Thomas real estate board I can access as a Realtor, I was also able to discover at least 6 more properties which sold for seven digits.

There was a house near the London Hunt golf course, which was billed as having 7000 sq ft of living space, which obtained $1.175 million. The listing remarks noted that it was an excellent value at $1.275 million.

Two residences off Windermere Road were also in this lofty million-dollar range. Sometime when I’m in London and have a little extra time driving around the university, I will be searching out the Medway Valley Heritage Forest.

I found a house in a gated community with an accepted price tag of $1 million in which it was described as being so exclusive it was in an enclave.

I mention these transactions because one of the true gems of London just sold and was given its due in The London Free Press. It sold for under $1 million, but its scenic views of not only the London Hunt golf grounds but London itself, and its seven acres, combine to create a one-of-a-kind estate. The main house has six bedrooms and more than 5,000 sq ft of living space, plus an in-ground salt-water pool with a change house, and a separate 3-bedroom guest house.  

Here’s the (edited) newspaper prose:

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Hank Daniszewski, The London Free Press

Friday, September 28

LONDON -- The Jeffery home high on the west bank of the Thames River north of the Oxford St. bridge is accessed via a private road through the Riverbank golf community. The home, on three hectares of land overlooks the London Hunt and Country Club and most of the City of London.

One of London’s grandest homes has a new owner.

The sprawling family home of Joe Jeffery, former chairperson of London Life, boasts 5,000 sq. ft of living space on a three-hectare property with a spectacular view of the city.

It was listed for $ XXX,XXXX and sold for “close to asking price,” said George Georgeopoulos of ReMax International Advantage Realty, which handled the listing.

He said the new owner is a prominent surgeon who plans to do some renovations.

The new homeowner will have plenty of privacy.

The estate is entered through the gated RiverBend Golf Community just north of Oxford Street West.

Jeffery was chairperson of the board of what was then the country’s largest insurance company, London Life, and headed a bevy of significant business interests, including a law firm.

The house has six bedrooms, six bathrooms and six fireplaces as well an Olympic-sized pool, a guest house and a shooting range in the basement.

“It’s surrounded by Carolinian forest. It’s beautiful. It’s one of the most private sites I’ve ever sold,” said Georgeopoulos.

The home was built in 1964 and the buyer will only be the second owner. Jeffery died in 1999 and his widow Nora moved out a few years ago on her 90th birthday.

hank.daniszewski@sunmedia.ca

Renting or Owning: It depends

Should you purchase a house?
Often large national newspapers will write a feature story comparing renting to ownership of a home. In a smaller community like Oxford County, it certainly make more sense to own than rent.
However, if this area is simply a stepping stone for you, to move to another community, it may not be the best investment to purchase a house.
Here's something published in The National Post, which quotes Royal LePage boss Phil Soper.

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From: THE NATIONAL POST

Why cash rests in your home

Garry Marr | Sep 18, 2012  

It’s a question often on the top of mind for many, especially in this uncertain economy: Is it better to buy than rent?

It’s become the new retirement savings plan — owning a home.

What else is one to make of a country where about half of Canadians said they didn’t make a contribution to a registered retirement savings plan this year but close to 70% of households now own their home.

 “Your money grows tax free,” says Jason Heath, a fee-based certified financial planner with Objective Financial Partners Inc. “Even in your RRSP, there are forced withdrawals and it’s fully taxable [when taken out].”

The main advantage of home ownership is the forced savings it generates. The real estate industry has its tired lines like “you can’t live in your investment” or “you have to live somewhere” but it’s the discipline of payments a mortgage forces that makes it a decent investment for most Canadians.

It’s hardly a rational argument for housing but it’s a practical one. Renting regularly beats out housing for cost but that savings ends up burning a hole in many pockets rather than being socked into an RRSP.

“The age old argument that renting is throwing away money is not valid or consistent if you are away for a year or two for work on temporary assignment, going to school or because you are just retired and want to try living somewhere else,” says Mr. Heath.

Closing Costs Can Count

Housing makes no sense if you are on the move, which is probably why the nomadic among us choose to rent. With real estate commissions about 5% of the sale price, transaction costs can easily be close to 10% in a jurisdiction like Toronto with two land transfer taxes. Imagine a mutual fund with that type of trailer fee.

The other problem with housing as an investment is there’s not much liquidity. We’ve gotten used to homes selling in a couple of days or a week but that’s not the norm. It’s usually more difficult to get out of a housing investment but Mr. Heath says that’s another thing that saves us from ourselves. “It’s a lot easier to take something out of an investment savings account,” he says.

You also can’t ignore the tax benefits that come from home ownership because of the exemption you get from any gains on your principal residence. Put in sweat equity by fixing your house to raise the value and that’s about the only legal way not to pay tax in this country.

Then there’s the leverage. Nobody will let you leverage any other investment with 95% debt to 5% equity. If you are borrowing money at 3% and your investment is going up 5% every year, you can’t lose. What happens if prices reverse?

Soper's statistics

Phil Soper, chief executive of Royal LePage Real Estate Services, said periods of non-price appreciation on a national level have been very short. Prior to 2008-2009, it was 15 years before prices dropped.

“In a typical price appreciating environment you get the leverage effect on borrowed money which works best when the interest costs are low which is what it is today,” says Mr. Soper.

The divide has widened between renting and owning but he adds many families end up turning to buying because they can’t find what they are looking for in the rental market.

But at some point the gap has to grow so large that one has to really take a second look at the home ownership option. A survey from RateSupermarket.ca found average Canadian will have save 12 years to afford the 5% down payment on home which would rise to $553,008 by 2020 based on a 4.9% annual price increase.

“There are a lot more people considering renting for a longer period of time as prices increase and we’ll see if the market flattens,” says Kelvin Mangaroo, president of the RateSupermarket.ca.

Who are most Realtors?
I recently found some interesting stats and figures on exactly who real estate agents are in Ontario. It was info published in the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) newsletter.
There are over 59,000 Realtors registered in Ontario and 58% are men. The average age is 51. That's an interesting demographic because I've worked full-time in real estate for more than 13 years and I'm just 46. I would guess that the Woodstock-Ingersoll board average is around 51, but maybe even slightly lower.
The average tenure is 12 years, so I surpass that number.
The number of Realtors across the province has increased in the past 12 months, but in our board area it has decreased.
The result that 67% of all Realtors work in the GTA is not surprising as that market has been torrid for more than five years.
You can look at all the numbers you want, but at the end of the day, if you want to call a Realtor, call me
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination
Mark Schadenberg
Royal LePage Triland
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

(519) 537-1553
www.wesellwoodstock.com

You should be at 1101 Cree

Raised ranch for your young family
Value, vision, vinyl and vicinity.
This house represents value for your family. Select this 3-bedroom raised ranch in the Algonquin school zone, which is also near St. Michael's school and its expansive schoolyard.
The 1101 Cree Avenue residence in Woodstock is highlighted by an updated bright eat-in kitchen with newer cabinetry and durable counters, and laminate flooring. Newer dishwasher also included. Both bathrooms have also been updated. Most of the entire interior has been recently painted, even the spindles at the front foyer.
Slides, swings or swimming
There is a spacious and private fenced backyard for your trampoline or swing set. Tall evergreens at back of yard for extra privacy. The raised wood deck is 16' x 14', and was almost completely rebuilt by current owner just three years ago. For outside storage, discover the large shed under the deck.
With so many possibilities here for a young family, there is also a true convenience of a lower-level walk-up to the yard.
Improvements or updates? There is also an energy efficient gas furnace and central air, both newer. The roof was replaced in 2011 with quality shingles. The panel box is breakers. Plus vinyl double hung windows.
First choice
With shopping and parks nearby, including Roth Park / Pittock trails in the closeby vicinity, you should be choosing 1101 Cree Ave.
Simply move in and raise your family.
To view, call:
Mark Schadenberg, sales rep
Royal LePage Triland
(519) 537-1553
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Mortgages 101: Of course

Explore the home-buying facts with CMHC and FCAC
Both the Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC; www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca) and Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca) websites have terrific information about buying a house -- interest rates, variable-rate mortgages, high-ratio mortgages, pre-approvals, etc, etc.
The Mortgages 101 section on the FCAC site is a must read for a home buyer as it discusses amortization periods versus interest rates, and then offers suggestions on making additional payments.
When it's time to buy a house, talk to me, talk to your bank and a mortgage broker, ask me for a few referrals. It's a fun process to purchase a home, but -- just like buying a car -- an educated consumer is the best consumer.
If you think there's a 100 questions to be possibly answered on the FCAC site, there's likely 101. Maybe that's why they call it: Mortgages 101.

Mark Schadenberg
Sales Representative
Royal LePage Triland
519 537-1553
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com 

Many exhibits at Access 2012 show

Mobility / ability trade show in Kitchener
With more than 40 exhibits booked, a show in Kitchener appears to be one-stop shopping for anyone requiring assistance with mobility. 

Access 2012 is a trade show at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium arenas complex this weekend (Beginning Friday) for people requiring assistance with mobility and for individuals wanting to 'age in place'.

As a Realtor with the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation, I felt it was important to pass along some contact info, and likely attend.

Here are 2 links if you want to attend. The second link is also to the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo.

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.961240

http://www.ilcwr.org/access2012/contact.html

Free Press spotlights Kilworth / Delaware area

If you drive into the Kilworth area west of London (Some of this Middlesex Centre area is actually inside London boundaries now), you can see some extremely large homes on spacious rural-subdivision lots.

A reporter from The London Free Press has done his homework and has determined that the value of some of these houses can be compared to Halton Hills and other exclusive areas around Ontario. The story is a good read:

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Some London homes are castles

By Norman DeBono, The London Free Press

Sunday, September 16, 2012

KILWORTH -- Its tax rolls rival that of big-city Toronto and top that of many affluent communities.

Its residents are so well-heeled they once openly opposed a development because its $400,000 homes would drag down their property values.

Welcome to quiet, rural Middlesex Centre, the farming community west of London, that has become a centre for monster homes, with the highest property tax assessment in Southwestern Ontario.

The developments are so big, in fact, the municipality is worried they may not be sustainable and is looking to bring more smaller, family homes to the area.

“We are looking at our strategic plan, and council has identified it is a priority to diversify residential development,” said Michelle Smibert, chief administrator for the municipality.

“Middlesex Centre is known for building big houses on large lots and council wants us to become a centre for multi-residential, sustainable growth; a community, attracting young families and seniors.”

Monster homes in communities such as Delaware, Komoka and Kilworth use a lot of land, resources and infrastructure and if the market is not there to support those developments in future generations, the community may be left with homes and lots needing redevelopment, a costly option.

Ward 5 Coun. Frank Berze recalls one new housing development in Kilworth where houses started at about $400,000, and neighbours protested, saying the subdivision would drag down their property values.

“They were really upset by it, they really fought it. It makes you wonder,” said Berze.

Now, Middlesex Centre has an average assessment per capita of $142,300 — that is the total assessed value of property in the municipality, divided by every resident.

By comparison, London’s is $84,000.

Middlesex Centre’s is higher than such affluent communities as Halton Hills, Mississauga, Burlington and Kawartha Lakes and just less than Toronto’s, which is about $145,000. The Ontario average is $122,000, according to BMA Consulting, which offers financial information to communities across Ontario.

Of the more than 80 communities listed by BMA, Middlesex Centre is in the top 20 for assessed value, per capita.

“The risk there is it is all in one class of property. If the economy turns, people may not want larger houses. It does not have a diverse assessment base,” said Jim ­Bruzzese, partner at BMA.

The province is also pushing smaller developments and ­saying larger lots and houses are not environmentally sustainable, using too many resources, said Berze.

“They want to see better land use. I think there is concern for the cost of infrastructure and its environmental impact,” he said.

“If 30 houses share a sewer line versus 10, costs go down.”

He cites the quiet settings, rolling landscape, and locale only minutes from London as reasons Middlesex Centre is attracting the well-heeled. That, and the fact taxes are lower and development charges are about half those in London.

The total residential property tax rate for London is 1.4%, ­compared to 1.1% in Middlesex Centre. Property tax on an ­average London ­bungalow is $3,079, compared to $2,556 in Middlesex Centre.

Development charges may be $30,000 in London and about $15,000 in Delaware, he added.

“We have good parks, ­community centres, there are a lot of reasons,” Middlesex Centre is popular, he said.

Measurement of wealth

Per capita assessment (PCA is the total assessed value of property, divided by population)

Middlesex Centre: $142,300

London: $84,000

Toronto: $145,000

Ontario average: $122,000

Provincial ranking

Of 85 Ontario communities, Middlesex Centre is in the top 20

Average household income

Middlesex Centre: $114,584

London: $76,500

SW Ontario: $82,694

GTA: $114,362

Source: BMA Consulting

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Middlesex Centre assessment

$2.55 billion

5.36% growth from 2011 to 2012, 1.75 points from growth, 3.61 points from reassessment.

Population: 16,000 plus

Source: Municipality of Middlesex Centre

Two condos, Two bungalows, Two 2-storey homes

Light, Lansdowne & Lakeview
Ready to work for you
Whether you want to live in Woodstock or somewhere else in Oxford County, call me to view any MLS (Multiple Listing Service) home on www.realtor.ca
Our office currently has several homes that may meet your ingredients. At Royal LePage Triland Realty, we also promote our listings through www.wesellwoodstock.com.
Here are six active listings from our office (539-2070), which are worth a look. I will note the MLS number, listing rep and asking price. By all means, call the listing rep if you want, but this is an opportunity for me to recognize my office and at the same time advertise myself. I would certainly prefer you call me -- a full-time Realtor with 13 years experience -- all with Royal LePage.
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37 North Park, Drive, Woodstock
MLS: 69886. Asking: $179,900
Rep: Sharon Veenstra
Three-bedroom brick bungalow with a detached garage. Hardwood floors. Recroom runs full width of basement. Like-new paved driveway. Vacant for now possession. On a quiet crescent.
536 Springbank Ave, Woodstock
MLS: 69605. Asking: $229,500
Rep: Joe Matika
Brick bungalow near Pittock Lake walking trails and Algonquin School, with 3 bedrooms, spacious eat-in kitchen, 4 appliances, recently finished lower recroom, and a roof less than 1 month old.
1141 Caen Road, Woodstock
MLS: 69713. Asking: 249,900
Rep: William Cattle
Claysam model home (fully furnished). Brooksdale model is 1515 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, including ensuite to master. Stunning kitchen with island. Builder has more than a dozen lots in current phase.
659 Lansdowne Ave, Woodstock
MLS: 69974. Asking: $224,900
Rep: Lorena Chalkley
Two-storey formal 3-bedroom condo (ensuite to master) in north Woodstock complex which features an inground pool and tennis court. Large eat-in kitchen, 2-car garage, and 1-yr-old furnace.
194 Light St, Woodstock
MLS: 69423. Asking: 237,000
Rep: Monique Giles
All-brick 3-bedroom 2-storey in one of Woodstock's most prestigious older neighbourhoods. Remodelled kitchen, original hardwood and trim throughout, sunroom off living room, and wood-burning fireplace.
450 Lakeview Dr, #25, Woodstock
MLS: 70063. Asking: $293,800
Rep: Lori Goldhawk
Ranch condo townhouse. Fully finished lower level includes office/den, large 3rd bedroom and spacious recroom with gas fireplace. Luxury main-floor living in true open concept layout. Two-car garage.

Mark Schadenberg, sales rep
(519) 537-1553
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Royal LePage: 'Helping YOU is what we do!'

Free Press reporter looks at family farms

Oxford land prices much higher than Chatham-Kent
Growing urban areas and speculation of which farms adjoining Woodstock may become valuable for residential and/or commercial uses in the future is just one of many reasons why the price of farmland is increasing quickly.
I've certainly heard of farms selling for over $16,000 per acre in Oxford. At the same time with demand high, and supply as a constant, taxes are also going up for farmers because their assessments are on the rise.
I was going to make a list a few available farms, but when you factor in the residence, barn(s) and equipment, and sometimes variables like a dairy quota, the numbers are higher than many could relate to. There's currently a large dairy farm on the 13th Line (north of Woodstock) for sale, for example, for $6.5 million.
Here's the London Free Press story:
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Farm land prices soar

By John Miner, The London Free Press

Monday, September 10, 2012

LONDON -- If you have a yearning to buy a farm and get back to the land, it’s going to take deep pockets and a friendly lender to satisfy.

That is if you can even find a farm for sale.

Prices for farms in the London region, particularly the Woodstock and Stratford regions, have shot up hundreds of thousands of dollars in the last 12 months, according to report released Monday by Re/Max.

And in South Huron and Mid-Perth, basic 100-acre parcels are changing hands for as much as $1.8 million, up from $1.4 million in 2011, the Re/Max market trends report found.

“The market is strong,” said Kevin Williams of Re/Max a-b Realty, which has offices in Oxford and Perth Counties.

“We’ve seen land trend higher and it will plateau and then it will go back up again. This rise has been a little quicker than anyone expected,” he said.

Williams said higher crop prices, now treading in record territory, are partly responsible for the increase farm prices.

Another factor is few farms are hitting the market as farmers at retirement age are keeping their farms and renting the land instead of selling, he said.

“That is definitely tightening the supply,” Williams said.

Re/Max is forecasting farm prices in many areas will continue to rise.

While prices in Southwestern Ontario have surged, they are nowhere near the highest prices in the country in the Fraser River valley where farm land is bringing $40,000 to $60,000 an acre, the same as it did in 2011.

The soaring market for farm land, according to the Re/Max market trends report:

Woodstock/Stratford

Prices per acre have moved up to $15,000 from $9,000 just a year ago.

100-acre parcels are the most sought after

Properties sell within 60 days or sooner

Bruce County/Huron County

Prime farmland in South Huron and Mid-Perth commands $16,000 to $18,000 an acre, up from $10,000 to $14,000 an acre

Farmland moves within 15 to 30 days

Local buyers are leading the charge, but there is the odd offshore buyer of land

London-St. Thomas

Price per acre up almost $1,500 an over last year

Farm land selling for $10,500 in Middlesex East, $7,500 in Middlesex West, $8,500 in Elgin County East, $6,500 in Elgin County West, 9,500 in Lambton North and $5,900 in Lambton South

Chatham-Kent

Starting prices range from a low of $5,000 to a high of $16,000 per acre with the most popular price point between $7,000 and $90,000

50 to 100 acre parcels the most coveted

Eight months in the books

WIDREB 2012 numbers trail 2011 & 2010

I always say that there is never a bad time to sell a house. The theory is simple, when the number of buyers is lower, the number of listings is usually also somewhat lower. No matter what the market is like, you must price your house to sell.

The Woodstock-Ingersoll real estate board (WIDREB also includes Innerkip, Drumbo, Sweaburg, Norwich, Mt Elgin, Beachville, Embro, Hickson and all points in-between.) numbers do paint an interesting story when you look at the first 8 months of 2012 and compare to the last two years.

Year                 8 Months         August

2012                756                  104

2011                816                  110

2010                870                  85

The 2010 sales numbers started high and then slowed down due to the introduction of the HST on all real estate services (lawyer fees, inspections, commission, etc)

To summarize, year-end sales totals for the past 9 years are as follows:

2011: 1159                              2010: 1216                              2009: 1080                             

2008: 1176                              2007: 1359                              2006: 1278                                         

2005: 1473 (correct)                2004: 1366                              2003: 1153 

K-W real estate report for August

KITCHENER - There were a total of 495 home sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS (KWAR) in August, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to the 518 homes sold in the same month last year.
On a year-to-date basis, residential home sales remain on par with last year – with a total of 4,492 sales recorded.
August’s residential sales included 322 detached homes (down 7.7 per cent), 35 semi-detached (up 6.1 percent), 37 townhouses (up 32.1 per cent), and 97 condominium units (down 4 per cent).
The average sale price of all residential properties sold in Kitchener-Waterloo and area rose 7.3 percent in August to $314,623, up from $293,303 one year ago (See: Note). Condominium units increased 9 percent to $231,654, up from $212,513 a year ago. Single detached homes sold for an average price of $354,064, a 7.6 percent increase compared to a year ago.
“While sales were down in August, we saw fairly strong price gains last month, says Sara Hill, president of the KWAR. “This was helped along by the fact that three residential properties sold for over one million dollars in August, compared to no sales in that price range last August.”
Also putting pressure on August’s average residential sale price was the increase in the number of homes that sold for more than $400,000. 96 homes were reported sold that came in over $400,000, representing an increase of 37 percent compared to the 70 homes that sold above that mark in August 2011.
Consumers uncertain about current market conditions should work with a REALTOR to develop an effective selling strategy. If you are buying, a REALTOR will negotiate on your behalf and guide you through every step. A REALTOR understands the local market and must, by law, look after your best interests,” Hill explains.

NOTE: The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR.

Terry Fox Run in Woodstock is Sept 16

Gillespie, Lions Club operate Terry Fox fundraiser

At our first Lions Club of Woodstock post-summer-break meeting held this past week, Bill Gillespie confirmed that his goal for the annual Terry Fox Run is $32,000 and 320 participants. The 32 is a common thread for the 32^nd year of this important fundraiser.

My six-year-old daughter Maeghan and I are in charge of the watering (apple juice too) station at the corner of Devonshire and Wellington. Our task is simple – encouragement and hydration, and not necessarily in that order.

To assist, call Bill Gillespie today at: 519 537-7792

This is a segment of the story written by Heather Rivers of The Woodstock Sentinel-Review to promote the Terry Fox Run and its kickoff barbecue held in July. It’s been slightly edited due to the timeframe change.

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WOODSTOCK - Thirty-two years later, Canada and the world is still in awe of this iconic Canadian.

“I don’t think he had any idea what his ripple effect would be, but 32 years later, here we are,” explained Bill Gillespie, organizer of this year’s Terry Fox Run.

Gillespie is dedicating himself to keeping the memory of Terry Fox alive, beginning with a fundraising barbecue (that was held) on July 18, as a lead-up to the Sept. 16 Terry Fox Run.

“He had the vision to see, faith to believe and the courage to do,” he said of his longtime hero.

Besides recruiting volunteers, runners, walkers and participants of any matter, Gillespie is also selling vintage Terry Fox merchandise – t-shirts from earlier years of the Run.

Not Too Late For You To Assist

Gillespie, chair of the Terry Fox Run committee of the Lions Club of Woodstock, said he began organizing the run three years ago in an effort to increase the number of those participating.

Numbers have steadily increased, he said, jumping from 46 participants four years ago to 175 the following year.

Last year, 205 people walked, ran or biked the course that begins at the BDO parking lot on Graham Street (former Armouries building), raising $20,000 for cancer research through the Terry Fox Foundation.

Working To Reach A Goal

Gillespie said this year – on the 32nd anniversary of the Terry Fox Run – he hopes for 320 participants, with a goal of $32,000.

Gillespie, who is a ‘lifetime achievement’ member of the Woodstock Sports Wall Of Fame, has been a huge fan of Fox ever since he spotted him running in the rain down Highway 11 during his cross-country Marathon of Hope in 1980.

“It was unbelievable,” he said.

Fox has also been a hero to countless Canadians for his courage in the face of adversity.

“When he was in the cancer ward, he couldn’t believe the pain and suffering people were going through, especially younger people,” Gillespie said. “He decided that if a person with one leg could run the Boston Marathon, then he would run across Canada and raise money for cancer research.”

Gillespie said he admired Fox for his commitment to remain true to his principles and “be accountable.”

At the end of every day’s run during the Marathon of Hope, Fox would make a pile of stones so he knew the exact location where his run ended and marking where he would begin the next day.

“He believed in being true to yourself and being true to everyone else,” Gillespie said.

Money raised through the Terry Fox Run goes directly to cancer research through grants to doctors and researchers worldwide.

“Thanks in part to the Terry Fox Foundation, 82% of childhood cancer is now curable,” Gillespie said.

But, as Gillespie points out, there is still work to be done.

“That means one in five don’t get cured,” he said.

Excitement at Ingersoll's Cami
Exciting news for Ingersoll, is exciting news for everyone in Oxford County and anywhere in southwestern Ontario.
The fact that Ingersoll's Cami plant could be receiving a massive expansion with the addition of a hybrid vehicle on its assembly line, there is an automatic (standard also) trickle-down to real estate, grocery stores, moving companies, movie theatres, and ice cream shops.
Here is a London Free Press story discussing some of the timelines and factors in a Cami upgrade.

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Hybrids fuel expansion talk

Norman De Bono, The London Free Press

Tuesday, August 21, 2012 9:47:09 EDT AM

INGERSOLL - Cami Automotive is driving toward a possible plant expansion and brand-new vehicles in 2015.

The Ingersoll automaker is likely to add a hybrid version of its Equinox and Terrain crossover utility vehicles and work has already begun to lay the groundwork for an expansion, likely to be announced next spring, say sources close to GM Canada.

"There is a new vehicle planned for Cami, and it may be a hybrid," one source told The Free Press.

It's too early to say if the new vehicle would significantly boost production or the number of workers. Hybrids have been low-volume sellers so far and the plant is now at full capacity, with about 2,800 employees.

A recent move by GM to get municipal site-plan approval for work at the plant may be a sign of future growth, said Bill Mates, Ingersoll's director of economic development.

"If they are going to all this trouble, it may be," he said. "We are all excited here about the possibility of something happening."

That work may centre around a new, expanded paint and weld facility, said the source.

Expansion isn't a surprise to industry analysts, who say North American vehicle sales will hit about 15 million next year, near pre-recession levels, and all automakers are gearing up to meet demand.

"It is highly likely they will get a variation of a hybrid, the chance of a (Cami) expansion is pretty high," said Kim Korth, president of IRN Inc. in Michigan, which does industry forecasting.

"They will be guarded about this now, because they are in talks with (the Canadian Auto Workers on a new contract), but Cami is making a very popular product."

While the CAW is in talks with GM on a new collective agreement, Cami is delayed and doesn't come up for bargaining until next year.

CAW employees at Cami have also heard rumbles of an expansion and new vehicle, said Bob Scorgie, a CAW committee member at the plant.

"It is hard to know what is true and what is not - there is a lot of stuff being said," he noted.

"I am sure we are significant players in GM. I hope we get a fair contract for everybody and that there is a plant expansion."

Site-Plan Approval

As for the site-plan approval, the automaker is doing the work at the plant to be ready, in case new product comes along, said Faye Roberts, GM Canada's communications director.

"We have done some exploratory work, to make sure we can compete when future allocation decisions are made. But there is no news at this stage," she said.

The work includes taking soil samples, rerouting of power, and waste-water treatment, she added.

Cami may not get a full hybrid, but "a form of hybrid technology" using partial electric and gasoline, added Korth.

It would be the Canadian auto industry's second hybrid, with Toyota planning to launch a Lexus hybrid sport-utility vehicle at its Cambridge plant.

Although GM's Terrain and Equinox are also to be built in Spring Hill Tenn., at GM's former Saturn plant, Korth said she doesn't see Ingersoll losing production to south of the border since "there is more than enough demand to support those plants."

E-mail norman.debono@sunmedia.ca, or follow NormatLFPress on Twitter.