Assigning your new apartment condo ?

Lots of stories about 40-storey condominium projects

By Mark Schadenberg

When buying and selling stocks, you are essentially trading for current market value of an intangible item – pieces of paper – something that appears as a few lines in a computer ledger of your personal equity. You can accrue profit while you own it and collect even more dollars when you sell it (assuming the value has increased).

What about buying or selling a condominium unit in Toronto which is under construction or possibly not yet under construction? You look at blueprints and make a purchase. You could buy a 1,000 sq ft 2-bedroom apartment condo in a 40-storey complex that won’t even provide occupancy for two years. One year later, while hard hats are the only people occupying the structure, you could sell your condo for a profit.

The buyers may be happy because they are buying for less than the new ‘market value’ and are still receiving a brand new residence and likely one with a preferred view as it was purchased much earlier in the development stage. The seller is happy because they have made a profit.

While I fail to fathom most of what occurs in the GTA real estate world, I certainly believe this practice should not be permitted. It costs millions to build these massive condos, including the purchase of the land to begin with, but then beginning on day one of occupancy, the owners are paying condo fees into a ‘rainy day’ reserve fund when likely a good portion of the original purchase price should have included future improvements (i.e gymnasium, in-house theatre or perhaps a gazebo).

                       ()()()()()()()()()

New website meant to shine light on underground segment of condo sales

'Assignments' seen as the Wild West of condo sales

By: Susan Pigg TORONTO STAR Business Reporter

Published on Wed March 13, 2013

TORONTO -- A veteran Toronto real estate agent is launching a new MLS-like website aimed at opening up the underground condo assignment market.

The new site, AssignmentListingService.com, is meant to provide a centralized listing of assignment units now largely being sold via word of mouth or through unregulated online sites such as Craigslist and Kijiji.

For now, it’s largely restricted to Realtors for a fee but, over time, it’s hoped more public listings will be accessible to the public as resale properties are now on Realtor.ca

“What we’re trying to do is add some transparency to the process,” says Jamie Johnston of downtown’s ReMax Condos Plus Corp. “I don’t know how big this is going to be, but it’s important it be an orderly market.

“Right now it’s the Wild West.”

Assignments are typically brand new condos or units still being built that buyers purchased years earlier in the pre-construction phase. By “assigning” — or flipping — them to new buyers before the project is fully occupied and registered, the initial buyer is able to pocket considerable profits and pass some or all of their closing costs to the new buyer.

The new buyer gets the benefit, in many cases, of being able to actually walk through a never-lived-in unit rather than having to buy from blueprints, although the uncompleted building can still be, as Johnston puts it, “a war zone.”

The secondary buyer can also snag a bit of a bargain: Assignments tend to sell below market value, or at least they did before condo prices started slipping last fall.

But these deals can also be complex and risky and the sector largely unregulated. Many Realtors and lawyers avoid assignments because the contracts and fees are far more complicated than normal resale deals.

It can also be more difficult to determine the real value of the units because any comparables sold in the building seldom show up on the resale Multiple Listing Service.

On top of that, most developers’ contracts forbid initial purchasers from marketing their units on MLS or other online services, for fear they will compete with any units the builder has yet to sell.

Some developers charge $5,000 to $7,000 for the right to assign units.

Many allow it free but forbid marketing the units on MLS or other public online services. Buyers found violating that rule can have their units seized and lose their deposits, but developers usually back down as long as the unit is pulled off public sites, says real estate lawyer David Feld.

Johnston anticipates that up to 8,000 assignment units could come on the market annually across the GTA over the next few years as developers start to build the record 28,000 condo units sold in 2011. Market research firm Urbanation believes the real number will be substantially lower than that as buyers opt to hold on and rent out units in the softening market.

Johnston’s aim is to not only provide a centralized listing service for assignments, but also real estate and legal experts knowledgeable about the specifics of this small but important segment of the growing condo market.

He believes that because www.AssignmentListingService.com is quite different and separate from the resale MLS computer listing service, it won’t violate most developers’ rules.

Feld isn’t so sure, as someone who’s seen the assignment market from both sides — he’s handled many such deals and is now quietly trying to find a buyer for a brand new townhouse he bought in the preconstruction phase.

“They aren’t voodoo. You’re getting something new with the added bonus of actually seeing it first,” says Feld. “But, ultimately, it’s the builder that is in control.”

Buying or selling in the Woodstock area?

Call: Mark Schadenberg, sales rep

Royal LePage Triland Realty Brokerage

(519) 537-1553

Entry-level house with split entry

Here is your Cree Ave home
By Mark Schadenberg
I know it's a long weekend, but this could be the best time to buy a house.
Attractive interest  rates and the spring market.
While some home sellers were smart to keep their property on the market through the winter as there are always buyers looking, some folks waited for the snow to melt.
1101 CREE AVE, WOODSTOCK
MLS: 70165
Asking: $172,500
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, March 30, 2-4 p.m.
I'm surprised that after a recent price reduction, this 3-bedroom raised ranch didn't sell quickly.
For a young family it receives an almost perfect score -- newer roof (2011), energy efficient furnace, central air, vinyl windows (Many double-hung for easier cleaning) and breaker panel box, plus updated kitchen with bright cabinets and a dishwasher, plus both bathrooms renovated. Current owners also re-built the back raised wood deck and installed a roof so you can bbq in the rain.
The property itself is large enough for that backyard trampoline or summer splash in an above-ground pool. Privacy galore with tall evergreens. Lot is 55 feet wide. You can also access your yard from both the patio doors off the eat-in kitchen and a lower level walkup.
Location is important here as Algonquin school (K-8) is just a short walk away, and St. Michael's separate school is even closer as you can see the schoolyard from the living room window. Sobey's Plaza is a convenience with a Rexall, Subway, Scotiabank, pizza outlet, and pet store. Cree Avenue is also a relatively quiet crescent -- not a thoroughfare like Springbank, Lansdowne or Devonshire.
If you have no children yet, this would be the ideal address to start your family because there's always value in a detached home (not a semi or condo townhouse).

Just A Phone Call Away

Looking to buy or sell anywhere in Oxford County, call me

Thinking village lifestyle or a Woodstock subdivision, call me

Searching in a higher price range or entry-level home, call me

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

Mark Schadenberg

Sales Rep

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

(519) 537-1553

Nominations for sports wall close April 1

Recognizing local sports achievements and contributions

By Mark Schadenberg

The Woodstock Sports Wall of Fame is once again inviting audience participation.

The Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC) is accepted nomination up to April 1 from the public. There is a formal nomination form on the city‘s website (www.city.woodstock.on.ca found under ‘boards and committees’ and then recreation advisory.), but a letter and photo of your nominee will suffice.

The sports wall of fame began in 1996 as part of the grand opening of the Southwood Arena at the Woodstock District Community Complex. Since then, athletes, teams and builders of sport locally have been recognized in diving and swimming, lawn bowling, 5-pin bowling, baseball, badminton, basketball, football, figure skating, golf, horse racing, hockey, soccer, gymnastics and wrestling.

“That’s only the beginning of the list,” notes long-time WRAC member Dan Gray. “Woodstock has a great history in sports accomplishments and many many people who donated hundreds of hours as volunteers to help create the great sports community we have today, including coaches and founders.”

Last Saturday in October

The sports wall induction for 2013 is slated for Oct. 26 at Goff Hall.

The WRAC will consider nominations under six categories – female athlete, male athlete, team, builder of sport, historic (Dating back more than 40 years), and lifetime achievement. In the team and athlete categories the main criteria can be described as a provincial championship or competing at the highest level possible in their respect sport.

“There are many athletes from Woodstock who have yet to receive due recognition for their accomplishments,” says Dan Molinaro of the WRAC. “Please consider nominating a deserving individual athlete or team for this year's wall of fame ceremony.”

WRAC member Don Fulkerson says you can draw a parallel to the display of plaques at the complex to the local history depicted at the Woodstock Museum.

“Recognizing our athletes for their passion and commitment conveys a sense of pride in our community,” added Fulkerson.

In submitting a nomination, it is possible to suggest some be honoured for lifetime achievement – perhaps someone who has already been inducted in another category.

Mark Schadenberg is chair of WRAC, which is a group of 10 civic-minded volunteers – a committee appointed by City Council.

Making sense out of Money Sense mag poll

Finance publication lists Woodstock at 128 in Canada

By Mark Schadenberg

Money Sense magazine (www.moneysense.ca) must truly believe it rains less in Burlington compared to Woodstock.

I wrote about the Money Sense magazine last year and its rankings of best Canadian cities to call home.

Burlington and Oakville both had lofty positions then and continue to. Both are great communities – don’t get me wrong – they have terrific amenities and both are close to Toronto and Hamilton without actually feeling like a megalopolis.

Burlington is No. 3 and Oakville No. 5 in the Money Sense statistical calculation.

The other three in the top five are Alberta centres – Calgary, St Albert and Strathcona (in that order).

Where is Woodstock? Our geographical position at the 401 / 403 intersection has gained our community new industry in recent years, including Toyota, Sysco and Nova Steel, but in the Top 200 list The Friendly City falls from 68^th to 128^th in the rankings.

Complicating Methodology

Now, getting back to whether weather is a factor. The number of rainy days is one of several criteria Money Sense uses in its table. When it gathers up the crumbs from Canuck communities it positions Woodstock at 128. Some of the other weights on the scale include: whether you can ride a bicycle to work, how many days above freezing a city enjoys, what is the unemployment percent, how many doctors serve the area, what are the crime stats, and what is the average home price. Look at the magazine website link below to fully understand all the criteria.

My question is this. How does any city move up or down a chart by such significance in just one calendar year? The magazine does have a complicated methodology explanation.

Also, top news stories out of London’s economy always discuss their high unemployment numbers, yet The Forest City is 15^th on the list.  

Locally, Tillsonburg is listed as 113 (and that’s up from last year) and Ingersoll is 130.

Other highly touted Ontario cities (top 30) include:

6. Ottawa

10. Newmarket

13. Halton Hills

14. Stratford

15. London.

19. Kingston

22. Milton

23. Vaughan

26. Richmond Hill

28. Toronto

Maybe most surprising in the Top 200 list is that Summerside, PEI, is at 199

Also in our neighbourhood, Guelph is 41, Waterloo is 46, Kitchener is 68, Cambridge is 82, Brantford is 101, Haldimand is 138, and Norfolk is 170.

Finally, the lowest (worst ranked) Ontario community is Temiskaming at 178.

http://www.moneysense.ca/best-places-2013/

 

Great Community

Woodstock is a great place to reside and raise a family

To find out what Woodstock does offer, call me anytime

Mark Schadenberg

Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

(519) 537-1553

Bicycles, mayors, industry and energy

Watt's Up at local museum 

Woodstock Museum attracts touring shows to augment their on-going displays 

By Mark Schadenberg

This past Saturday, and during the March Break, I took my two children to the Woodstock Museum National Historic Site in Downtown Woodstock.

The museum in fountain square at 466 Dundas Street (Use the door on east side of the building, which was once city hall) has many on-going displays surrounding the city’s history, including the original council chambers. I stared for quite a while at the pictures of past city councils and noted many names that I did not realize were past mayors of Woodstock, including Trevor Slater, Joseph Sudworth, Hugh Richardson, James Kintrea, William Grey and John McWhinnie. Of note, all of those individuals have parks named after them just like more modern mayors such as William Dutton, and Les Cook.  

Before leaving for this educational trek, I noted on Twitter that I was going to see a Penny Farthing bicycle (pictured). I knew from previous visits that The Friendly City has a storied past in cycling, including cycling races back in the 1800’s.

The museum (www.woodstockmuseum.ca) features many old maps of this community, recognition of the importance of railways in our past, a pictorial industry timeline chart, recollections of world conflicts including the barracks at Woodstock Fairgrounds, and of course a display about my favourite Woodstock person of yesteryear – Klondike Joe Boyle.

Energy & Electicity

The second floor of the museum is where you usually discover the touring shows. The current attraction is Watt’s Up Renewable Energy, which is a hands-on educational show created originally by the Waterloo Region museum, and is calling Woodstock home until June 29.

There are many reasons why your family should attend – it’s free, it’s fun, you learn and it’s a great way to interact with your children. For example, and as they say ‘proof is in the pudding’, your child can ride a bicycle (Not the Penny Farthing one though) and see how this can create energy. The overall display includes explanations on solar power, wind turbines, hydro-electric dams, and dynamos.

An easy-to-understand sequential series of pictures explain the footprint of our ecology.

There is also a set of blocks for the younger set to build a puzzle.

Reducing energy consumption is a task for the whole family to aspire to.

The local presentation of Watt’s Up is sponsored by Hydro Woodstock. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more info, contact (519) 537-8411 or curator Karen Houston (khouston@city.woodstock.on.ca)

You can see by reading The Sentinel-Review story (See link for full version) that with the teachers’ dispute pertaining to extra-curricular activities, students are currently enjoying fewer field trips. This is a free family adventure.

     ()()()()()()()()

Museums also victims of labour dispute

By Tara Bowie, Woodstock Sentinel-Review

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Edited Version

WOODSTOCK -- Students aren’t the only victims in the ongoing labour dispute between the public school teachers’ unions and the government.

For months, staff at local museums and the art gallery have watched visitor numbers dwindle because teachers are not allowed to participate in voluntary activities such as field trips.

“The frustrating thing is that we’re ready to go,” Jennifer Beauchamp, curator at the Oxford County Museum School, said during a phone interview. “We’re ready to swing into what’s typically the busiest time of year for museums, with the nice weather and the end of the school year, and where are they?”

The museum school’s annual Canadiana Challenge had to be cancelled because volunteers were not allowed to go to classes to host the competitions.

In Woodstock, the story at the museum and art gallery is the same.

Patricia Deadman, curator of the art gallery, said January and February school programs were down about 300 participants over last year.

She admitted the decline was a concern knowing the gallery is still new at its Dundas Street location and visitor numbers are part of the equation at budget time.

“It’s kind of out of our control but it does affect everyone,” she said. “There is a definite ripple effect throughout the community and other organizations being effected.”

Karen Houston, curator at the Woodstock Museum, said the effects of the labour dispute can be seen more starkly this year because, last year, more than 7,000 students participated in school programs and outreach programs. That number represents almost a third of the overall number of visitors to the Woodstock museum.

“That’s huge, that’s huge for us,” she said. “We are aware of the fact this has a huge impact on the things we do.”

Until last year, the number of students involved in those types of programs was about 4,000. Staff at the museum put in a lot of time to make sure marketing efforts to schools were on target, and that the types of exhibits they were choosing fit into curriculum.

“It is one of those things we have sort of ramped up over the last couple years. I am aware that these things happen. These things happen but we have to figure out a way to continue drawing people in,” she said.

Although they still do some school tours with the Catholic and the private boards, the museum has put extra effort in this year to reach out to seniors.

 “You have to kind of think of different ways to reach different audiences,” Houston said.

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/03/19/museums-also-victims-of-labour-dispute

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Rep

Royal LePage Triland Realty

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Chuck Phelps guest speaker for cancer society

Relay Rally is March 20

By Mark Schadenberg

Is there a better way to get ready for competition, than to host a rally?

The Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) Relay For Life in Woodstock is set for June 14-15 at College Avenue Secondary School – the battle against cancer or as the slogan says: Celebrate . . . Remember . . . Fight Back. The local theme for the 14^th annual event is ‘Carnival For A Cure’.

This year’s Relay Rally is Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 p.m. at Quality Inn Hotel & Suites on Bruin Blvd.

The 2012 Relay For Life raised over $310,000 -- the seventh highest total raised by an individual event in Ontario. Province-wide the total last year was $17 million. The Woodstock event attracted 87 teams and the goal is to surpass last year’s numbers, by raising a hopeful $320,000.

Team recruitment chair Beth Boulard notes that one way to further increase participation is the number one. 

“If each team asks one more person to join their team our event grows larger and larger,” said Boulard.

“The Rally is also a great opportunity for the community to learn about Relay and why we have the event, to learn what the Cancer Society does with the money raised and to hear a cancer survivor’s story.”

The keynote speaker knows a lot about a personal battle versus cancer. Chuck Phelps, who has spoken on stage before the Survivors’ Victory Lap at the last two local Relay events, has been fighting back since a diagnosis in late 2010. Despite “35 shots of radiation” and chemotherapy, CT scans and several operations, the Phelps message is in a positive motivational fashion.

After his first operation to remove a brain tumor in December of 2010, the original prognosis was not favourable.

“The doctors told my sister that I probably wouldn’t be able to see or walk again after the surgery,” Phelps explained. “But about 10 days later, I walked out of the hospital.

“My talk at the Rally will be about two things. Firstly, I was living a normal life until I woke up with a headache one day. I’m going to talk about my story, but I’m also going to talk about the fact that you can’t put a value on all the research that is going on and the work being done to find a cure is absolutely remarkable.”

Phelps says Relay For Life is a true friendship event.

“We can all get together and hang out and talk about life’s struggles and fighting cancer,” says Phelps. “The bottom line though is my cancer is terminal – it doesn’t get fixed, but we need to keep fighting and stop (cancer). ”

Picture: Chuck Phelps

Lots Of Information

The Relay Rally will also be set up similar to a trade show where prospective Relay For Life participants can sign up a team, and find out more details about camp sites, the Fight Back Zone, registering as a survivor, buying a luminary (The luminary ceremony is at 10 p.m.), signing on as a corporate sponsor, along with an education table with more information about the CCS locally.

Woodstock Relay co-chair Kim Whitehead summarized at last year’s event what the fundraiser is all about.

“It changes people’s lives,” she said to The Sentinel-Review. “Cancer survivors get a chance to get together and talk to each other and know that they are not alone. It’s about celebrating all the victories we’ve won and remember in our luminary ceremony those we’ve lost.”

For more details on the Relay Rally, contact the CCS office today at (519) 537-5592. To register for Relay For Life or to sponsor someone online see: www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock.

Other lead-up events to Relay For Life include two captain’s meetings (April 18 and May 15, both at 6:30 at Fanshawe College). The Relay Fundraising Day is Saturday, May 11, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Foodland / Zellers parking lot, which is an event featuring bake sales, garage sales, silent auctions, kids’ activities, a car wash, barbecues, and many other types of fun fundraising ideas.

If you are unable to attend the Woodstock Relay For Life, June 14-15, you could join in on the Tillsonburg Relay, June 7-8, or the Ingersoll Relay, June 21-22.

Siemens doubles its numbers in Oxford County

Tillsonburg plant to hire 150 more

Factory builds blades for wind turbines

For Siemens on Monday it was almost an announcement of the arrival of a double double.

The pair of doubles has nothing to do with coffee, but rather wind turbine contracts as 150 new jobs in Tillsonburg will double the workforce now building the blades for wind power projects. Currently there are 150 employed with Siemens (www.energy.siemens.com or www.siemens.ca) in Tillsonburg.

More will also be hired at a Windsor facility building the towers for wind turbines. The triple bit of good news is that more will also gain employment in Chatham at a factory dealing with the mechanics of the same.

These new jobs are great news for Oxford County (Tillsonburg) and area, but naturally the debate on windmills creating hydro continues.

I – for example – prefer the advancements made in solar heating which we have seen everywhere. The idea is simple – take your house off the hydro grid and actually create power for network supply by installing solar panels. I know of a family where the electricity created by solar panels is utilized in their heated ceramic tiles.

Siemens, by the way, was created only in 1980 in Denmark specifically to be a company concentrating on creating hydro outside of nuclear energy and hydro dams. Siemens has also created off-shore wind farms.

Here is The London Free Press story:

       ()()()()()()()()()()()

Windfall — massive contract boosts hiring

By John Miner, The London Free Press

Monday, March 18, 2013 

TILLSONBURG -- The job boost promised for Southwestern Ontario by the wind energy industry moved closer to reality Monday with Siemens announcing it has been awarded its largest Canadian order ever for 124 massive turbines.

“We’re ramping up,” said Jacob Andersen, vice-president, wind power, Siemens Canada. “We’re very excited that we’re moving forward with this. The future in Ontario is positive.”

Andersen said Siemens is hiring for its Tillsonburg turbine blade plant, increasing the workforce from about 150 to 300.

The hiring comes with the awarding of the contract from Samsung Renewable Energy Inc. and Pattern Energy Group LP for the supply and commissioning of 124 wind turbines for the South Kent wind project.

Though the blades are being built in Tillsonburg, towers for the project will be constructed by CS Wind Corporation in Windsor also is expected to add 150 jobs.

Other generator components for the South Kent wind farm will come from the United States and Europe.

Siemens also is establishing a maintenance and distribution centre in Chatham.

The facility will include a training centre focused on developing and maintaining the technical skills required for Siemens service technicians.

Chatham was chosen as the location for the centre based on its proximity to Siemens’ customer base at wind farms in the province as well as its local government support of renewable energies and local investment.

Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope said the facility will employ more than 20 people.

Andersen said Siemens expects to deliver the first blades this summer for the Chatham-Kent wind farm. Start of power production from the wind farm is expected in the spring of 2014.

The Ontario Liberals came under fire last year for the slow pace of hiring for green energy manufacturing plants in London, Windsor, Toronto and Tillsonburg.

Chris Bentley, the energy minister at the time, in turn blamed delays in the realization of hundreds of jobs on opponents using procedural manoeuvres to slow approvals.

On Monday, current Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli congratulated Siemens for winning the contract, saying it will help supply Ontario with clean renewable energy and support good jobs in Southwestern Ontario.

Outspoken green energy critic Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton scoffed at the jobs being added by Siemens and CS Wind.

For every job created by the Green Energy Act four jobs are lost in Ontario because of higher energy bills, he said.

“It has been a complete disaster. We need to end the Green Energy Act as soon as possible,” he said.

“I hear every day from businesses in Southwestern Ontario that life is more difficult and business is more difficult because of energy bills going through the roof.”

  

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/03/18/windfall--massive-contract-boosts-hiring

Your Neighbourhood Credit Union expands

Former Standard Tube employee credit union evolves into YNCU

Now located On Dundas Street -- Downtown Woodstock

By Mark Schadenberg

Since I often write about brand new businesses in your Woodstock area neighbourhood, today I pen a plug for an expanding business locally – Your Neighbourhood Credit Union (www.YNCU.com).

Previously located at the corner of Oxford Street and Ingersoll Avenue as a financial institution concentrating on the money needs (savings and mortgages, etc) of Standard Tube (ArcelorMittal) employees, YNCU is now located on Dundas Street in Downtown Woodstock.

Today was part of their grand opening week at 400 Dundas Street, so I couldn’t resist the opportunity to chat with branch manager Steve McGregor, find a cupcake with orange icing, and sip a coffee.

While I am not currently a member of YNCU or Rochdale or another credit union, I can certainly understand that advantages certainly exist.

Credit Union Advantage

Requesting some paraphernalia, Mr. McGregor returned with both a leaflet and a brochure, summarizing what YNCU describes as ‘Member Advantage’ or ‘The Credit Union Advantage’ and how his credit union can assist in your financing and mortgage needs, and overall planning and saving as well.

One product, which had been emailed to me already by McGregor, is a cash back mortgage product, which features an attractive interest rate of 4.75% for a client with a good employment background and clean credit record, but lacks a strong down payment to become a homeowner. It's in essence a cash back mortgage, but call YNCU for full details.

Someone with 5% down can – in theory – qualify for a 5-year fixed rate hovering around 3.0% currently, but if you lack a down payment and don’t want to continue paying rent, YNCU might have the product ideal for your situation.

Feel free to call Steve McGregor at 537-8121 x 242. He lives in Oxford County, so if you call me first (I’m always looking for more buyer clients), I’ll give you his home number.

As a Realtor, our task is to sell homes – sure, but providing information is part and parcel of our role. When you have decided to move – whether you’re a first-time buyer or second or third time, or negotiating a new mortgage because your current term is soon to end, talk to your current bank, visit a credit union, and discuss your options with a mortgage broker, so you can find your fit as all possibilities have their merits.

Also, talk to me about the value of your current home or to assist in creating your wish list for a house.

As for YNCU, according to their handouts, they have a mortgage with a variable rate that offers protection as there is a defined ceiling rate pre-determined from day one, so your rate will fluctuate as the prime rate hovers, but there is security in how high the rate could move up to. That sounds good to me.

Skimming through the pamphlet, which I didn’t get any orange icing on, I see the YNCU offers a 180-day guarantee interest rate on new construction, features home equity lines of credit, permits lump sum annual payments, and free orange pens.  YNCU has a full range of services you expect from a financial institution – term deposits, mutual funds, credit and debit cards, deposit protection, tax-free savings accounts, and of course financial counseling.

Stakeholder / Shareholder

At the end of the day, you’re also a member (shareholder), which gives you some say in the operations of your branch, including annual meetings and dividends. You are a member – a stakeholder – and could be voted in as a member of the board of directors.

You can also find YNCU in many neighbourhoods, including Stratford, Shakespeare, Paris, Brantford, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Mitchell and Windsor.

Looking for a house with your Your Neighbourhood Credit Union mortgage?

Contact me anytime:

Mark Schadenberg,  Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Woodstock, Ont

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Miller Zell to call Woodstock home

IDI leases large portion of building to Atlanta-based firm

By Mark Schadenberg

In terms of North American commerce, IDI stands for Industrial Developments International.

However, in Woodstock, IDI means intelligent destination and insight.

Great news from Woodstock City Hall can be read about in the local development office’s website of www.cometothecrossroads.com (lmagyar@city.woodstock.on.ca) or in the local daily: www.woodstocksentinelreview.com.

What is Miller Zell? They will soon be employing more than 30 locally in its 80,915 sq ft leasing of a major portion of the IDI warehouse built in Commerce Way business park along Parkinson and bordering the 401/403 interchange.

Miller Zell (www.millerzell.com) is a retail leader in space design concepts for large department stores such as Walmart, using the slogan: ‘Making The World A Better Place To Shop.’ MZ in not unknown to this area as they have Canadian locations in Mississauga (National headquarters) and even New Hamburg.

"Woodstock offers us the perfect location from which to serve all of our customers" said Doug Foley, Vice President of Business Development for Miller Zell in the ‘crossroads’ website press release.  "Our new facility is literally located at the intersection of two of Canada's most important transportation routes, Highways 401 and 403, and in close proximity to several key US-Canada border crossings. Our company has been experiencing strong growth in the Canadian market and has outgrown our current facility. When it came time to search for new space, Woodstock was a natural choice".

This is also not a long-term wait for arrival, as Miller Zell is taking possession of its space now -- immediately

Miller Zell is based in Atlanta and began expanding into Canada in 1996 to coincide with the Walmart expansion northward, but their clients include Home Depot, Home Outfitters, Sears, Rogers Communications and Yankee Candle.

Woodstock mayor Pat Sobeski noted this announcement is good news because just like the Sysco food distribution centre now under construction, it allows Woodstock to welcome another industry not automobile related.

There certainly is a sense that Oxford can not afford to put all its eggs into the car basket even though Toyota and Cami (GM) are flourishing at present.

“We are pleased to see such a unique business become part of our community,” said Sobeski in the ‘crossroads’ story “Miller Zell is a well respected company and is indicative of Woodstock's continued effort to diversify the local economy".

UTRCA to prepare Thames River park master plan

Erastus Burgess trained horses

His land is important to Woodstock's history and future 

By Mark Schadenberg

I’m not sure what Erastus Burgess would have thought, but the former thoroughbred horse trainer from Woodstock will see the lands that still bear his name as Burgess Park locally be under debate one more time.

Burgess, who was inducted in the Woodstock Sports Wall Of Fame in 2008, was honoured then based on training and owning race horses in the 1880s era. In 1885, Burgess was the trainer and owner of Willie W -- winner of the Queen's Plate in a time of 2:58.0 when the race was contested over 1.5-mile oval. The jockey's name was William Jamieson. Burgess was also trainer of 1880 Queen's Plate champion Bonnie Bird, and 1881 winner Vice Chancellor. 

Erastus Burgess died in 1916, but locally he is remembered.

A few recent years ago, the Burgess / Standard Tube parks were part of local controversy when the Sally Creek subdivision was attempting to negotiate control of a significant portion of the acreage to complete the design and build of an 18-hole golf course. The course today is still nine holes.

The Burgess property is recognized by its entry to trails along the Thames River on Tecumseh Street just below the Highway 59 / Vansittart Ave train/river bridge.

UTRCA To Write Report

The City of Woodstock at a council meeting last Thursday (March 7) announced it would be writing a cheque for $60,000 to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) to conduct a master plan study of the entire 227 acres. With the trails behind ArcelorMittal (Standard Tube historically) and bordering both sides of the Thames River decimated by the emerald ash borer, now is the time to determine the area’s exact future.

First and foremost – in my opinion – a roadway must be built that connects the Sally Creek subdivision (likely at Fairway Road) westward to The 11^th Line which is also the west boundary of the city, as a small subdivision is currently in the final drawing stage there. Without this suggested artery, the access to both Dundas Street and Downtown travelling south, the Alder Grange neighbourhood to the east of Highway 59 and the Sally Creek residential area itself would be cumbersome. In other words, the 11^th Line is in Woodstock, so it must also be connected to the city.

The request for UTRCA to pen a master plan report for City Council was made by Brian Connors, director of Woodstock parks and recreation, stating: “The master plan is a long-range guideline document for the management and protection of the area. The purpose of undertaking a master plan . . . is to formalize the management strategies that have been implemented over the years and to provide new direction for the restoration and preservation of this significant area, balanced with recreational demands of local residents.”

If you have wandered through these (former) trails by bike or on foot you will realize what a treasure exists here, but how much work has to be done to re-forest and maybe to some degree re-focus sections of the lands which are currently fallow farmland.

The Connors report indicates the project will need four phases, but will begin this month.

Making Contact

Want to learn more about Woodstock as a destination to call home, contact:

Mark Schadenberg

Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Full-time Realtor with more than 14 years experience.

Romeo & Juliet and Fiddler On The Roof

Shakespearean festival in Stratford announces 2012 deficit

By Mark Schadenberg

It is certainly possible that the toughest entertainment business is the movie theatre game as you open the doors everyday to your 7-plex (Woodstock) movie house and just hope the movies in current release will attract a crowd.

You can’t sell popcorn and nachos with a fake cheese dip if all the movies available are a disappointment.

Avid movie folks will still see just about everything and anything as it arrives on the big screen, but most will want a good review, a popular cast and positive word-of-mouth advertising.

On the flip side, could you imagine operating an entire stage theatre festival season in a slow economy – fewer disposable dollars available for entertainment.

At The Stratford Festival (www.stratfordfestival.ca; 1-800-567-1600) in 2012, there was a reported deficit of $3.4 million due in part to a reduction of about 5% in total ticket sales.

The 2013 lineup appears to be very strong with Shakespeare productions of Romeo & Juliet, Othello, Measure For Measure, and the old ‘pound of flesh’ (0.4536 of a kg) Shylock show known as The Merchant Of Venice (Starring this time Brian Bedford and Tom McCamus). If you add in Fiddler On The Roof, rock opera Tommy, Waiting For Godot, Three Musketeers (Alexandre Dumas), and Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, this calendar year should be a strong rebound.

Having said that, the 2012 lineup was strong (Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Pirates of Penzance, 42^nd Street), but the number of visitors was down and a news story I watched on local CTV stations noted that theatre fans were also simply watching fewer shows – maybe picking the best three to enjoy instead of a longer list on stagings.

Could it be possible that the crowds are seeing the same show too often? My speculation solely as The Merchant Of Venice was last produced as recently as 2001 when Al Waxman was slated for the marquee lead role before passing away and being replaced by Paul Soles. Also, Brent Carver starred in Fiddler in 2000.

At the end of the analysis, it’s a difficult juggle between which shows are the most recognizable and well-known storylines that draw a significant audience, compared to which lesser-known Canadian playwrights deserve a major boost with a summer Stratford season appearance.

Also, are there enough attractions in Stratford (championship golf courses, etc) and quality high-end hotels to create a one-destination vacation. Or, do visitors spend two nights in Stratford on their way to Toronto or perhaps Niagara-On-The-Lake and The Falls. Does the Stratford Festival advertise itself in southern Ontario with the increase in stay-cations? One can not say the prices are too high because this is the best level of acting and overall productions available anywhere.  

I was just three years old when The Who recorded Tommy, so the pinball wizard is a draw to all demographics now. Tommy along with Fiddler and The Bard are great anchors for 2013.

Here’s the press clipping from the Stratford Beacon-Herald:

            ()()()()()()()()()()()

Stratford Festival looking for box office turnaround

By Donal O'Connor, The Beacon Herald

Saturday, March 9, 2013

STRATFORD -- Despite acclaim from theatre critics and audiences the Stratford Festival experienced a 5% drop in attendance in its 2012 season that has resulted in a $3.4 million deficit.

The fall in attendance has not been a secret but the official accounting for the Festival's 60th season was presented to members Saturday at the theatre's annual general meeting.

The revenue shortfall occurred in spite of donor contributions to operations totalling $13.3 million – the highest in the Festival's history – and the transfer of $2.3 million from the Endowment Foundation.

Treasurer Dan Bernstein reported that expenditures were about $57.7 million and revenues, including government contributions of 5.4 million, amounted to about $54.3 million.

Undaunted, artistic director Antoni Cimolino noted in his address that the theatre has faced and surmounted economic challenges before.

“It is often in the face of adversity that we achieve the most clarity – a principle that is right at the centre of drama, from the ancient Greeks to William Shakespeare and to plays that were written yesterday,” he said. “Hard times have a way of stripping away superfluities and requiring us to confront the essence of who we are and what we're doing.”

Cimolino outlined a vision for the Festival that includes seeking out the most talented theatre artists in Canada and from around the world and providing them with unsurpassed opportunities to hone their skills even further.

And citing the Laboratory program that he'll introduce this year, he suggested it will enhance the Festival as a home for the re-invigoration of the classics and work-shopping of new large-scale works with a potential to be staged around the world.

In a written address to the board, past artistic director Des McAnuff expressed regret the 2012 season did not do as well at the box office as it did critically.

Although it was not an unreasonable decision to stage 14 productions for the theatre's 60th season, he said, it proved to be “overly ambitious.”

In a message delivered by board chair David Goldbloom, McAnuff challenged the Festival to find new ways to attract philanthropic gifts and other sources of revenue such as grants from foundations and governments so that the theatre is less reliant on ticket sales and market conditions.

“It must be more widely recognized that the Stratford Festival is one of the great artistic institutions of Canada and a formidable cultural resource in North America,” he said. “In a healthy society a leading theatre is not a luxury.”

Also addressing the membership at the AGM was Festival executive director Anita Gaffney who cited a number of special events and marketing initiatives designed to attracted new audiences and re-attract lapsed patrons.

Gaffney said there's already an 11 % increase in U.S. ticket sales so far this year, a 100% increase in “lapsed patrons” and some increase in new patrons as well.

The average number of tickets that people are purchasing is also up, she reported.

"I think we're seeing some very promising signals for the season ahead.”

General Motors invests $250 million in Cami

Great news for Ingersoll auto assembly plant

By Mark Schadenberg

INGERSOLL -- The Cami car plant in Ingersoll is a shining example of the southern Ontario economy’s strength in automobile assembly.

This past week it was announced that General Motors will be investing $250 million into the factory that builds Equinox and Terrain vehicles and thereby reinforcing Cami as a significant player in the Oxford County economy.

In The London Free Press, Ingersoll CAW Local 88 boss Mike VanBoekel, said it best: “It is fantastic news, it reflects on our membership, we got this thanks to their work.”

Quality workmanship at Cami 

Another report from the national CAW boss echoed VanBoekel’s comments as CAW National president Ken Lewenza, said: "New investment in infrastructure is difficult to obtain in today's economic climate. This success can be directly attributed to the quality work of CAW members at Cami."

Cami employees more than 3,000 already and that number should grow as the GM plant expansion will permit the building of other car designs in a more versatile body shop.

“Conversion of the Cami Assembly plant to a flexible manufacturing facility will provide Cami with the ability to produce multiple global architectures and body styles,” Kevin Williams, president and managing director, General Motors of Canada, said in a statement included in the Free Press story as written by Norman DeBono.

“We have had a strong start to 2013 with customer demand for our newest vehicles driving improved sales,” added Williams, “This is strong confirmation that our investing in manufacturing flexibility, finding ways to bring new products to market faster, is the right strategy.”

Cami started 26 years ago

Cami Automotiove was established back in 1986 as an association between GM and Suzuki, and quickly became known in the SUV world for its Geo Tracker and Suzuki Sidekicks.

By 1993, Cami had already built 500,000 vehicles. Other cars to roll off the assembly line previously include the Firefly, Metro, Vitara, Torrent and XL7.

According to links I read online, Suzuki departed from the shared agreement in 2009, giving General Motors sole possession.

A widely released Canadian Press reported noted the market share of GM. According to DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, General Motors brands currently account for about 14 per cent of Canadian sales of passenger vehicles and light trucks.

As of February, GM Canada was third in national sales volume — trailing Chrysler/Fiat and Ford. Together, the three U.S.-based auto companies accounted for about 47.3 per cent of Canadian sales in the first two months of 2013.

            ()()()()()()()()()()

For the full story see this link from The London Free Press:   http://www.lfpress.com/2013/03/08/cami-investment-secures-next-generation-vehicles

    

           ()()()()()()()()()()

Another reason why Woodstock, Ingersoll and Oxford County should be on your house hunting shopping list.

Contact: 

Mark Schadenberg, sales representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

(519) 537-1553