RATES: Current as of January 27^th, 2012
5 YEAR (March 30^th Closing): 3.15%
4 YEAR: 2.99%
VARIABLE RATE: 2.90%
SECURED LINE OF CREDIT: prime + 0.50%
Don’t forget we still have 40 year amortizations on conventional mortgages.

Visit www.rates4less.com to see if you qualify! 

RATES: Current as of January 23^rd, 2012
5 YEAR (March 30^th Closing): 3.15%
4 YEAR: 2.99%
VARIABLE RATE: 2.90%
SECURED LINE OF CREDIT: prime + 0.50%
Don’t forget we still have 40 year amortizations on conventional mortgages.

Visit www.rates4less.com to see if you qualify! 

RATES: Current as of January 18^th, 2012
5 YEAR (March 30^th Closing): 3.15%
4 YEAR: 2.99%
VARIABLE RATE: 2.90%
SECURED LINE OF CREDIT: prime + 0.50%
Don’t forget we still have 40 year amortizations on conventional mortgages.

Visit www.rates4less.com to see if you qualify. 

RATES: Current as of January 17^th, 2012

5 YEAR 30 DAY QUICK CLOSE: 3.24 %
3 YEAR 30 DAY QUICK CLOSE: 2.89 %
VARIABLE RATE: 2.75 %

Don’t forget we still have 40 year amortizations on conventional mortgages. 

visit www.rates4less.com to see if you qualify 

Though our calendars suggest we're well into the month of January, the warm weather suggests spring is in the air! It's doubtful this warm streak will last, but take advantage of the mild temperatures while you can and prepare your home for when the winter weather finally arrives. One of our favourite websites, The Daily Green, has some great ideas on how to keep your home toasty warm and save energy - and money - while you're at it. Some suggestions include how to (quickly and easily) make your own draft stopper for doors to using the cool temperatures to make your own fridge! Read the full list here, and get ready to bundle up!

The holiday season often brings many gatherings of friends and family...which also often means many frantic days and nights of cleaning your home before guests arrive. Save your pennies, and the environment, by mixing up some of your own green cleaners to help with the task. Most of the items you'll need are things you may have on hand already, like lemons, vinegar and baking soda. In no time at all your house will be sparkling and your guests - and wallet - will thank you. 

Here's a tip that some of our clients swear by for cleaning windows and mirrors:
 
Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water and pour into a used spray bottle (another chance to recycle/upscycle!). Apply to windows and mirrors, then scrub with newspaper - YES, newspaper.


Read more at www.thedailygreen.com

It's been another busy week for The Nicolson Team, including an accepted offer, new buyers, and a new listing in Hespeler that you can check out in the Featured Listings section of our website. If you like what you see, come by our open house this Sunday, December 11th beween 2-4 pm to view it for yourself! If you're eager to take a look, give us a ring at 519-620-0333 to book a showing. Our current newsletter is out as well, full of useful tips on how to increase your home's value, how to keep your home safe and more! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a month!

Finally, in the spirit of the season, we will be announcing a NEW CONTEST tomorrow, Saturday December 10th.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get all the details.


Have a fantastic and safe weekend! 

Despite the lack of powdery white snow, Holiday season is in full swing. On top of the usual (pleasant) chaos of parties and family gatherings, we have been busy preparing to wrap up 2011 and looking forward to some exciting new changes in 2012. A few things we've been up to lately:

1) Our November "Grow that Mo'" contest has come to an end and the winner is...GAVIN WESTROP! You can check out all the entries on our Facebook page. We have donated $100.00 in Gavin's name to the Movember. Thank you to all who participated by sending in photos of you sporting a mustache, and also to all those who voted. We will continue to hold more contests in December and into the new year, as well as working on some new incentives for our clients starting in 2012. Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to stay up to date.




2) Our monthly Market Watch newsletter is available through our website - subscribe for great real estate information, tips and tricks including 11 Things You Must Know When Finding a Home and How to Protect Your Home When You're Away (very useful for those travelling a bit further away to visit family and friends).

3) Even though the winter months are typically a slower time for the real estate market, we have been busy posting many new listings in our Featured Listing section on our website. There are properties that are great for investors or first time buyers, and even some leases as well! If you're not quite ready to purchase a home, we can still help with your rental needs.


And finally, in the spirit of holiday generosity, we wanted to share with you an initiative that the City of Cambridge is running - from December 1st - December 14th, you can pay for your parking tickets with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy of equal value to your ticket. We're certainly not encouraging you to get a ticket in the first place, but should you find yourself in that unlucky situation it's a great way to change it for the positive. You can find out more details at www.cambridge.ca/parking.

Happy Holidays!

It’s that time of year when summer begins to wind down and we all are bombarded with flyers, signs and commercials for new shoes, backpacks, notebooks (computer or paper) and juice boxes. This year, when stocking up on back to school basics, remember that there are many in our community who struggle to provide classroom essentials for their children. The Cambridge Self Help Food Bank is nearing the end of it’s “Backpacks for Bookworms” program, with donations being accepted until distribution on August 24^th. Items of need include backpacks for all ages, scientific calculators, binders, lined paper, math sets, duo tangs, highlighters, pencil crayons, pens and pencils. Donations can be dropped off at the Food Bank, located at 54 Ainslie Street South. If the looming deadline is too quick, the food bank is always in need of the following items throughout the year:

- small peanut butter
- canned pasta
- pasta sauce
- apple juice
- cereal
- powdered milk
- canned fruits and vegetables
- basmati rice
- flour
- oil
- shampoo
- toothpaste


For more details on any of the Cambridge Self Help Food Bank’s programs, please visit their website or call 519-622-6550.

If you're like most Ontarians, you are probably trying to make the most of our (all too brief) summer, and that includes spending as much time outside as possible. If you have been lounging on your deck, or if you are planning on building a deck, here are some important saftey tips courtesy of Jeffrey Brookfield of AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service.

Jeffrey Brookfield Business Owner   905-838-3000 519-585-2224 800-794-5880   Visit our website  E-mail me    Schedule your next inspection or energy audit online      _________________________________________________________________________________________________   If You're Building a Deck this Summer (or own a deck),   you should read this.   Decks are more popular than ever as homeowners take advantage of their outdoor spaces.    Gone are the ordinary square decks in favour of more complex designs and new building materials.   Although it's great to add more interest to your deck design, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Make certain your deck is properly secured to the structure of your house and not just to the brick veneer. If your deck is more than a few feet off the ground, make sure you use 6"x6" support posts.  Typically, 6"x6" posts will look much better than 4"x4" posts and will provide for a stronger deck. Check with your local building department for the requirements in your area. Ensure that you have no horizontal members on your railing (other than the cap).  All spindles should be vertical with a maximum spacing of 4".  This will prevent children from either falling between the spindles or climbing over the railing. You may need a building permit.  Check with your municipality.  Don't look at a building permit as a cost and aggravation, but as an opportunity to have a second set of eyes review your plans and ensure that everything is designed and built properly.  For more information on deck safety, download our Free Ask the Inspector Report.   *  *  *   Get a Free Home Inspection (or ecoENERGY Evaluation) + Home Warranty   Through an exclusive arrangement with CIBC, homebuyers can get a free AmeriSpec home inspection (or home energy audit) and a bonus home warranty.  Find out how to get your free home inspection.   Schedule an ecoENERGY Home Energy Evaluation and you could access up to $5,000 in tax-free Federal incentives.  Find out how.        Ask the  InspectorSM - your source for inspection answers.  Send your questions to Ask Jeff     AmeriSpec is a registered trademark of AmeriSpec, Inc. AmeriSpec services provided by independently-owned and operated franchises depending on location. Not all services and programs discussed herein are available at each office. Check with your local office regarding availability of services. See inspection agreement for details regarding scope of inspection and exclusions. Due to the general nature of the advice in this material, neither AmeriSpec, nor its individual franchises assumes any responsibility or accepts liability for any loss, damage, or injury which may be incurred as a result of any action inspired by information, advice or suggestions through this material.   Copyright © 2011 AmeriSpec, Inc. All rights reserved.