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We all can remember Halloween as children, the orange and black paper cutouts, costumes and candies galore! But it is actually celebrated differently in other countries. For many nations around the world, this festive fun-filled day is a celebration of spirits, a time to honour the dead. We in America have turned it into a meaningless night of play, and for some, destruction.

Halloween is believed to date back to about 1745 of Christian origin when the Celtics had Harvest Festivals and Festivals of the Dead. Originally called Hallowmas, it was also known as Triduum of All Hallows, which derives as a religious observance lasting for three days. These three days of Hallowmas includes All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Soul's Day, which lasts from October 31 to November 2 every year. The dates of Hallowmas were established in the 8th Century AD.

The tradition of dressing up in costumes, going door to door dates back to the 1800s in Scotland at Halloween, where children and poor people would sing and say prayers for the dead in return for cakes, fruit and money.

By the 1930s, people turned the occasion into chaos with vandalism and a 'ritual begging' for treats. Even today, the phrase "Trick or Treat' suggests an odious threat.

According to Wikipedia, the earliest known use of the term "trick or treat" appeared in 1927, from Blackie, Alberta, in the following article:

"Hallowe’en provided an opportunity for real strenuous fun. No real damage was done except to the temper of some who had to hunt for wagon wheels, gates, wagons, barrels, etc., much of which decorated the front street. The youthful tormentors were at back door and front demanding edible plunder by the word “trick or treat” to which the inmates gladly responded and sent the robbers away rejoicing."  (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick_or_treat writes "'Trick or Treat' Is Demand," Herald (Lethbridge, Alberta), November 4, 1927, p. 5, dateline Blackie, Alberta, Nov. 3.)

The term 'Trick or Treat' did not start in North America until the early 1950s.

In Austria, people leave bread, water and a lighted lamp on the table before bed.

In Belgium, it is customary to light candles in memory of relatives who have passed.

In Canada, the 1800s brought the arrival of Scottish and Irish immigrants along with their celebrations of Halloween which includes carving jack O'Lanterns, decorating homes with pumpkins and corn stalks, and trick or treating.

In China, Halloween is called Teng Chieh where food and water are placed in front of photographs of dead family members and bondfires and lanters are lit to light the paths for spirits to travel the earth on that night. Buddhist worshippers fold boats from paper which are burned in the late hours to remember the dead and to free the spirits that are stuck on earth and guide them to heaven. Monks chant sacred verses while offerings of fruit are presented.


In Czechoslovakia, one chair is placed for each living family member by the fireside and another chair for each family member's spirit.

In England, many years ago, children made "punkies" from large beetroots and carry them through the streets singing the "Punkie Night Song" and knocked on doors asking for money. In some areas, turnip lanters were placed at gates to protect homes from evil spirits. Other customs included tossing objects into a bonfire to frighten spirits away which was also believed to tell your fortune. In modern day England, the act of "trick or treating" has become a popular tradition among the children although many of the older generation does not understand why they are being asked for candy.

In France, they do not celebrate Halloween and is regarded as an "American" holiday.

In Germany, knives are put away to prevent any harm to the returning spirits.

In Ireland, believed to be the birthplace of Halloween, it is a night of celebration for all. Bonfires are lit as they were hundreds of years ago, children dressed up in costumes to go "trick or treating" in their neighbourhoods, playing tricks on their neighbours, and parties with games such as "snap-apple", treasure hunts, and card games. The traditional "barnbrack", a type of fruitcake, is also eaten on Halloween.

In Japan, the "Obon Festival" celebrates the spirits of ancestors with special foods and bright red lanters hung everywhere. Lanters lit with candles are placed in rivers and seas. A fire is lit every night of the festival to show ancestors the way back to their families. This festival takes place during July or August and not on October 31st.

In Korea, "Chusok" is when families thank their ancestors for their prosperities with offerings of rice and fruits at their tombs. This festival takes place in the month of August.

In Mexico, Latin America and Spain, Halloween is known as "El Dia de los Muertos" considered a happy and joyous holiday to remember friends and family who have passed. It is a three day celebration beginning October 31 to November 2 (All Souls' Day). On this day, the dead are believed to return to their homes, so many families build an altar in their home, decorate it with candy, flowers, photographs, water, and the favourite foods and drinks of the deceased. They burn candles and incense to help the spirits find their way home. Relatives also take this time to tidy up the gravesites. Another celebration is to parade a coffin with a live person in it through the streets collecting fruits, flowers and candies. On November 2, the family gathers at the gravesite for a picnic.

In Sweden, "Alla Helgons Dag" is celebrated from October 31 to November 6 and the eve is also celebrated with a shortened working day. The Friday prior is a short day for universities but a day off for school-age children.

However you choose to celebrate Halloween, please make it a safe one!

Sources: wikipedia, www.novareinna.com/festive/world

September Sales Stay Strong

Hope everyone had a great long weekend celebrating the end of summer and coming back to reality!

While we were stompin' around at the Stampede, eating 'Deep Fried Butter' and soaking up the sun at the beach, the road crew was hard at work on the Stoney Trail ring road. Thanks to their hard work, the ring road is 70 per cent complete and anticipated to open on schedule on October 1st. View the Southeast Stoney Trail project website at www.sestproject.ca for more information.

Meanwhile the doors to the South Health Campus Hospital is busy with patients eventhough not all their services are opened as of yet. Below is a list of remaining programs and services scheduled to open in 2013:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (early fall 2013)
• Obstetrics (early fall 2013)
• Women's Health Programs (early fall 2013)
• Additional Pediatrics Clinics (early fall 2013)

For clinics currently opened, please see the SHC Program and Services webpage.

In real estate, we had a pretty busy summer and now that all the kids are back to school and business is back at full speed, the hustle and bustle of the Fall real estate will soon arrive. Inventory is still low and we are expecting a rush of buyers looking for a great property! If you have been thinking of either upgrading to a larger house or something smaller for just the two of you, then now is a good time to buy and sell in this stable market.

Contact me if you want to discuss this some more.

Summer Sales Stay Strong: Seller’s market conditions persist, pushing up prices.  Residential sales within city limits totaled 2,196 units, an 27.5 per cent increase over 2012 and 8.7 per cent on a year-to-date basis. » Click Here

First Time Home Buyers: Are you Average? About 19 per cent of prospective buyers said they would wait longer to buy their first home, a survey by Pollara for BMO Bank of Montreal showed. » Click Here

Memorial Drive Brownstones Project to Replace Heritage Homes:

A new condominium project located along Memorial Drive, just west of the Louise Bridge could mean the loss of 13 heritage homes between 1134 and 1160 Memorial Drive NW. » Click Here

10 Things Home Buyers Hate About Your Home! You’re in the market for a new home, whether you need more space or less, you must first sell your present residence. » Click Here

18 ways your tax refund can be used to add home value: if you're a homeowner and spend your refund making improvements that add value to your house, you can do a little of both. » Click Here

View Full newsletter at https://www.mailoutinteractive.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=479671&p=2863 or sign up to receive your copy once a month and unsubscribe anytime.

Strong sales growth in July

The flood that devastated the Calgary area on June 20 likely contributed to pulling forward sales activity, said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB® chief economist. » Click Here

Update: Calgary realtors see 'crazy' rush of home buyers after flood » Click Here

Calgary by the numbers: Census 2013 results released - As Calgary continues to grow, more people are moving to the ‘burbs. » Click Here
 

12 Ingenious Hideaway Storage Ideas For Small Spaces: The main problem when you have to live in a small space is storage. » Click Here

Survey: Buyers Will Pay More for Good Schools: home buyers said they would be willing to go over their budget by up to 10 percent in order to buy in their preferred school boundaries » Click Here

View Full newsletter at https://www.mailoutinteractive.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=471736&p=ffe1 or sign up to receive your copy once a month and unsubscribe anytime

June sales exceed expectations

Too soon to see impact flood will have on resale statistics

City of Calgarymonthly residential sales totaled 2,317, a six per cent increase over June 2012 figures, and nearly five per cent higher than levels recorded in the first half of 2012. However, the impact of recent flooding is expected to trickle into the housing statistics over coming months.

» Click Here

CALGARY HOME BUYERS, SELLERS IN MUDDY LEGAL WATERS AFTER FLOOD Who's responsible for the cleanup? Whose insurance to use? What happens on the date of possession?  » Click Here

CALGARY LUXURY HOME MARKET ON THE RISE Another reocrd setting luxury home SOLD in Calgary! » Click Here

The Calgary Stampede is selling ‘Hell or High Water’ through its online store with proceeds donated to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund, which is actively providing relief to flood victims. » Click Here

ABC NEWS - HOUSES FROM HELL Watch this video before you start your house hunting search. » Click Here

City Home Sales Hold Momentum

Prices rise as resale market continues to favour sellers

City of Calgary residential monthly sales improved over the previous year, mostly driven by increased demand in the condominium market.

“We’re back to normal levels of activity,” said Becky Walters, president of CREB®’s board of directors. “Last spring was the first time since the recession that we saw more typical levels of sales, and this spring sales recorded further growth.”   » Click Here

BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF SOUTHEAST CALGARY Great Calgary Herald article summing up some of the newer communities in Southeast Calgary including Auburn Bay, Cranston, and Mahoganny. » Click Here

11 WAYS TO ALLERGY-PROOF YOUR HOME Home, sweet, home may be full of sneezes and sniffles if you don’t take some precautions during spring allergy season. » Click Here

IT'S OFFICIAL: CITY PARKS MAKE US HAPPY Landscaping adds value to your property and provides you with a wonderful area for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.  » Click Here

HOW REALTORS HELP: LOOK IT UP Web searches, How To Videos, blogs and the rest of the internet have us believing we can do anything by ourselves. » Click Here

In need of Spring inventory!!!
With low levels and rising home prIces -
It's a GREAT time to SELL!

Single-family prices reach new high

Sellers’ market conditions push up prices across all categories

The benchmark price of single-family homes reached a new high of $452,900 in April, as market conditions that favour the seller finally drove prices above the unadjusted peak of 2007.

“It’s really encouraging to see that the Calgary market remains strong,” said Becky Walters, president of CREB®’s board of directors. “It’s reassuring to both buyers and sellers to see that this area is outperforming many parts of the country.” » Click Here

Table of Contents:

RBC Poll: Top 3 Mistakes Made by Home Buyers

Remodel for Resale, Not to Impress

What Is the Black Stuff Around My Window Sill?

Alberta (re)bound?

YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

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Tightened Housing Supply Curbs Sales Volume

First quarter sales improve in condominium market, while declining in single family sector

The inventory of active homes for sale in Calgary are the lowest March levels in more than five years. The decline in new listings hampered resale sales growth, which declined by more than two per cent in March compared to March 2012. » Click Here

Table of Content:

Alberta economic snapshot for March 2013

Why homebuyers should go short on amortizations

Alberta Real Estate: What $600,000 Will Buy

Foreclosures: Staying in Your Home Longer by Kahane Law

YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

View Full e-Newsletter

Last winter's freezes and thaws have heaved driveways more than usual. Repairing potholes is an inexpensive one day DIY project that can extend the life of your driveway by sealing out rainwater to prevent the asphalt from disintegrating further. Canada's Tool Girl Mag Ruffman provides 6 easy steps for how to repair potholes using materials from Lowe's Home Improvement.

All you need is a bag of asphalt patching compound (also known as bitumen), which is the same stuff that road repair crews use, except it's not heated. Choose a warm day and leave the bag in the sun to warm up so the bitumen is more malleable.

Start by prepping the pothole, using a shovel or trowel to remove loose gravel and debris. You may have to keep removing loose material until you get down to the layer of compacted limestone gravel that forms the foundation of the driveway. Break off and remove any loose chunks around the rim of the pothole too.

Next, use a broom or whisk to thoroughly rid the cavity of dust particles. Then, using a hose with the nozzle set on 'mist', dampen the interior surface of the pothole to wet down any remaining dust. This will ensure better adhesion when you add the patching compound.

Now dump enough bitumen into the pothole to slightly overfill the cavity. If the patching compound is stiff and chunky, you can soften it with a hair dryer or heat gun.

Use a length of 4" x 4" lumber to tamp the loose asphalt into the pothole, paying special attention to the edges of the patch; the more tightly compacted they are, the less likely they are to break down under the usual driveway wear and tear.

You may need to add more bitumen as you tamp to make sure the patch is level with the surrounding driveway surface.

After the patch is done, sweep some dust over the top of it to prevent it from sticking to tires or shoes while it cures. You can also drive over it a couple of times to make sure it's well-compressed.

For tips on how to complete other home DIY projects, visit and shop online at www.lowes.ca.

www.newscanada.com

Calgary's Resale Condominium Market Shows Signs of Life

Double digit year-over-year condominium sales growth

Total residential sales for the month of February 2013 totaled 1,711 units, a one per cent decline over the previous year. Accounting for the leap year in 2012, activity in the single family market resembles last year’s activity. However, even with one less day in the February 2013 figures, condominium sales have made significant gains increasing by 13 per cent relative to February 2012.  Click Here

Table of Content:

What makes Alberta, Canada an attractive place to live, work and invest?

Understanding (Legal) Contracts

Spring Cleaning Guideline

Finding Real Estate at Below Market Prices

Calgary's Resale Market Continues to Improve

January sales and prices rise over previous year

Residential real estate sales in the city of Calgary started the year on a positive note, increasing by 15 per cent over the same month in 2012.

Total sales were 1,230 units, a significant increase over the 1,068 units last year. But sales remain well below January levels recorded through the peak years of 2003 to 2008.

“While activity is typically slower in the winter months, recent improvements in single-family new listings helped support improved sales in that market,” said CREB® President Becky Walters. “Overall indicators put the market in balanced conditions.”  Read more...

Table of Content:

The Best Times to Buy or Sell a House

Calgary aims to make strides toward improving walkability

Whats a piece of advice you would give to a first time homebuyer?

Phone App Would End Need for Spare Key

The surge in migrants to the city has fueled increased demand for rental accommodation. Demand is expected to remain high for two reasons: migration will remain strong and mortgage rule changes will cause some prospective first time buyers to remain in the rental market longer. The apartment vacancy rate dropped from more than 3% in 2010 to 1.3% in October 2012. With no significant additions in rental demand, vacancy rates are expected to remain low this year at only about 1.5%. Tighter vacancy rates and rising rental rates will help support demand for ownership, and it is anticipated this will have a significant impact on the condominium market.

View my full Preferred Client Report

Watch for our advertisement in tomorrow's Calgary Herald celebrating CIR's Five Top Producers from each office out of 700+ Realtors!  Thank you to all my Clients for your continued support!

This morning CREB released its annual 2013 Economic Outlook and Calgary Regional Housing Market Forecast. The report states that Calgary will see moderate growth, influenced by Alberta's exports, oil and gas, immigration and more. Read the full report here.

Happy New Year!

Just wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and hope your holiday season was enjoyable and full of lasting memories!

I am very excited to enter the real estate market of 2013 - I know it's going to be a great one! And since the new year is all about countdowns, that is the focus of this month's newsletter. I hope you enjoy!

Cheers,

Barry

Best And Worst Real Estate Markets In Canada

The Canadian Real Estate Association released its latest home sales data on Monday, showing a nearly 12-per-cent year-on-year drop in the number of home sales in November.

But what emerged is a picture of many, very different housing markets. Though the overall numbers were negative, two of every five local markets actually saw a pick-up in the number of sales.

To figure out which markets are strongest and which are weakest, we looked at CREA’s total dollar value statistics, which measure the market by adding up the value of all sales in a given area. Click Here

Table of Content:

Calgary's top 10 most expensive homes

Top 10 ways to win a real estate bidding war

10 questions you must ask before you invest in a rental property

Top-10 worst New Year's resolutions

10 low-stress gift-shopping tips for those who wait until the last minute

Something seems funny about you today, Gentle Reader. Your palms are sweaty. You appear to be having difficulty breathing. And you’re so jumpy and uneasy.

Wait, wait! I know what’s going on! Have you procrastinated about doing your holiday shopping? Again?

Hoo-boy.

(All of you ultra-organized, non-procrastinating readers out there, bear with me for a few minutes. You just might be able to use the following information to help someone you love!)

Deadline-pushers, stop despairing.These quick tips can help you survive another holiday season and elate your friends and family as well.

1. Do your online shopping TODAY. If it’s important to you that people on your gift list have actual items in their hands by Dec. 25, then today’s the day to start clicking. Many online retailers promise to deliver presents by Christmas Day if you place your order by Dec. 20 using two-day shipping. Some lenient retailers will continue to guarantee on-time delivery if you use overnight shipping by noon Pacific time on Dec. 22. You can quickly check the shipping sections of stores’ Web sites to find out which deadlines you’ll have to hit.

2. Send electronic gift certificates or gift cards. Another option is an online gift certificate that gets sent out via e-mail. Many retailers offer them, and their convenience to you is unparalleled – so long as you feel reasonably comfortable that your recipient won’t mistake your electronic gift for spam. Some retailers allow the certificates to be used only on their Web sites, not in their stores, so make sure the person on the receiving end is comfortable shopping online. You’ll often have until around noon on Dec. 24 to order the e-gift cards and guarantee their timely arrival.

3. Buy tangible, plastic gift cards. Everybody from the drugstore to the electronics store to the coffee shop is offering gift cards these days, so you have plenty of opportunities to look thoughtful by tailoring your gift-card purchases to certain individuals. Just be sure to read the fine print before you buy. Some cards have onerous expiration dates and fees, particularly those bearing the logos of major credit card companies. Fees have become less common with gift cards sold by specific retailers, though. If you’re not comfortable just handing over a card, wrap it inside a mug or put it in the arms of a small stuffed animal.

4. Shop on Dec. 24. Most non-procrastinating types relax on Christmas Eve day – meaning traffic at the malls should be thinner then. Of course, this approach only will work for presents you can give in person locally, not for gifts that need to be mailed.

5. Think food and drinks. Consider “splurges” that your loved ones might not get for themselves – and that also won’t require you to step foot into a crowded mall. Some ideas: nice bottles of booze and liqueur; a case of wine; caviar; prosciutto; gourmet cheeses; fine chocolate; premium olive oils; hard-to-find hot sauces.

6. Order magazine subscriptions. Know someone who loves cooking? Get him or her “Cook’s Illustrated.” Travel? “National Geographic Traveler.” Outdoor and adventure sports? “Outside.” Smart budgeting and money decisions? “Consumer Reports” or “Kiplinger’s Personal Finance” magazine. (You get the idea.) You can buy a current issue of the magazine in question, wrap it up so it looks fancy, and let your loved one know there are 12 more where that came from.

7. Give the gift of yourself. For a gift that’s both personal and easy to execute on a deadline, create “coupons” for services you can provide in the weeks to come. You can give coupons for an amazing multi-course meal, babysitting services, pet-care services, massages, Web site building, car repairs, painting and other handyman services around the home. Just be careful not to over-promise; you’re sure to be remembered for giving a “gift” and failing to deliver on it.

8. Opt for practical ideas. You can get large quantities of items your recipients are sure to use, such as art supplies for art lovers, prepaid calling cards for friends who travel a lot, or specialized emergency kits. For someone with chronic car problems, give a flashlight, gas can, jumper cables, flares and a membership to AAA.

9. Donate to charity in someone else’s name. Through the nonprofit Charity Checks, you can order a check in any dollar amount, then let your recipient select a charity from among 800,000 in the United States. Go to http://www.charitychecks.us/ or call toll-free 1-800-854-5601. (Once again, if you want your gift to show up by Christmas Day, it’s best to place your order by Dec. 20. You might be able to get away with waiting until Dec. 22 to order, so long as you’re willing to pony up for overnight delivery.)

10. Save on speedy mailing. The Priority Mail service offered by the U.S. Postal Service delivers packages in the United States within two to three days for less money than major delivery companies. The flat rates for packages weighing up to 70 pounds are $4.05 for an envelope and $8.10 for a box. To take advantage of this deal, though, it’s best to head to the post office today so your package will arrive by Saturday, Dec. 23.

Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/16268325/ns/today-money/t/stop-despairing-holiday-procrastinators/

How to buy a furnace

Many people buy their first furnace without even realizing it. They buy a house with their furnace already installed. Many people buy their second furnace with the same amount of thought -- they open their phone book and call the first HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) contractor on the list. This strategy is likely to net you a furnace that will keep your house warm. But you are also likely to spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more than necessary.

Are you paying the best price for your furnace?

There are several ways to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a new furnace.

Encourage several HVAC contractors to compete for your business. However, keep in mind that you rarely want to make your decision based on up-front price alone. Choosing a reputable HVAC contractor is as important in determining your overall satisfaction and cost as choosing an appropriate furnace.

Many public and private entities in the US and Canada offer rebates and financing incentives for the purchase of a furnace. Make sure you find out whether your purchase qualifies.

How do you choose the most appropriate furnace?

Savvy furnace shoppers generally consider several criteria:

1. Is your furnace correctly sized?
2. Are you buying an appropriately efficient furnace?
3. Are you getting the best price for your furnace?

Is your furnace correctly sized?

An oversized furnace -- one whose capacity is too large -- costs more to operate than a correctly sized furnace. This is because oversized furnaces cycle on and off too often -- and cycling on and off is more expensive (and less energy efficient) than running consistently for a long time.

The only way to know if your furnace is correctly sized is for your HVAC contractor to do a load calculation. A load calculation takes into account the size of your house, the insulation value of your windows, the amount of insulation in your walls and roof, and a host of other criteria to determine the appropriate furnace capacity.

Ask your HVAC contractor if s/he performed a load calculation before you accept the furnace they recommend. If you are replacing an old furnace (as opposed to buying a furnace for new construction) some contractors may argue that you should simply buy a furnace that's as large as your previous furnace -- but this assumes that the previous contractor selected an appropriately sized furnace. Request that they perform a load calculation, and find another contractor if they refuse.

Is the efficiency of your furnace appropriate for your house?

High efficiency furnaces typically cost more to install than low-efficiency furnaces. However, they tend to cost less to operate on a month to month basis as they use less fuel to generate the same amount of heat. The amount of time it takes for the ongoing efficiency savings to offset the higher up-front costs is known as the "payoff period". In many cases, once you take the payoff period into account, high-efficiency furnaces are cheaper than low-efficiency furnaces.

However, that's not always the case. Your 90% efficient furnace will cost you more than your 80% efficient furnace if you move to a new house within the payoff period. And depending on which furnace you choose, the payoff period may be surprising long! You need to consider a number of factors such as your climate, how long you plan to own your home, and whether rebates for a high-efficiency furnace are available.

Source: http://www.furnacecompare.com/buying_a_furnace.html

Calgary leads Alberta home prices

Calgary buyers are reaching deeper into their pockets for homes than their counterparts in Edmonton, says CMHC economist Lai Sing Louie.

In all forms of the Battle of Alberta, I fully admit to being a biased Calgarian. Whether it be the sports rivalry or nuances like who has better restaurants or more polite drivers, I’ll turn to the Stampede City 10 times out of 10.

So, it wasn’t a head-scratcher when I saw recent Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. statistics point to a higher average price for single-family homes in Calgary than in our northern counterpart.

What’s worth noting is the widening gap between Alberta’s two biggest cities. In 2009, a few years into the economic downturn, the price difference seemed like pennies. Click Here

Table of Content:

Smart Investments

Experts List the Top Home Security Tips for the Holiday Season

'Plan before your party,' Alberta RCMP kick off holiday Checkstop campaign

Best of Google Maps "Street View"