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https://www.burlingtontoday.com/local-news/icymi-furniture-project-helps-make-a-house-a-home-for-families-in-need-6060134 Nobody should have to sleep on the floor.With that simple motto, members of Rotary Burlington North launched its Furniture Project in 2020. Then, the goal was to support two families in need per month with the furniture and items they needed to make a house a home. They have far surpassed that milestone: to date, the project has provided about 100 clients with gently used, good-quality furniture - and the need continues to grow. Between July 1 and Oct. 22 this year, 36 families accessed the program.  The Furniture Project supports individuals and families who are forced to leave their homes quickly and set up in a new location. Many are referred by women’s shelters or agencies that assist refugees. All find themselves in an unfamiliar place, with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Clinton Howell and fellow Burlington North Rotarian Kate Johnston have been involved with the club's Furniture Project since it launched. Howell said the program faced a few challenges during the early days of Covid restrictions but with the proper protocols in place, they worked straight through the pandemic. “It was deemed an essential service,” he said during a recent pickup day as he and volunteers Linda Howell (his mom) and Bill Leggitt unloaded a trailer full of donated chairs, couches, tables, desks and other assorted items.  The model for the program was inspired by a conversation with Fresh Start Project founder Nancy Milton. Howell said that while Fresh Start, which now operates in six cities, does a great job of providing the basic household items that fill a home’s cupboards and drawers, a gap remained. “The question came up, ‘What do you do for furniture?’,” he said. “There are people who are experiencing furniture poverty.”In-kind and monetary donations give The Furniture Project a solid foundation. Howell provides the use of his trailer for pickups, and the program's $2,000 annual operating expenses are covered by the Burlington North Rotary club.  Volunteers from the 48-member Rotary Burlington North club, along with family members and other community volunteers, make up the Furniture Project's 12-15 core team. Burlington residents looking to re-home gently used furniture, including mattresses, can get on the list for a pickup, Once a month, two trucks are dispatched to homes around the city from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once they are ready to drop off, the volunteers get into some heavy lifting, emptying the trailers, snapping a photo of each item and then finding a spot in one of the two units donated by Access Storage on Fairview Street. The callout for furniture items is done by word of mouth and social media, and it has been successful enough that the program doesn’t need to expand the pickup route outside of Burlington.  The outstanding response from local donors created the need for a system to track the ever-revolving inventory. Howell demonstrated an app that allows volunteers to upload photos of each item and details on where to find it in the storage facility. Clients, all of whom are referred through local agencies and charitable organizations, are provided with a link that allows them to select the items they would like to reserve. They are responsible for arranging the pickup, and some are eligible for assistance from Shelter Movers, a non-profit organization that transports goods at no charge. In some circumstances, volunteers will deliver the items. Recently, Howell was part of a delivery crew after police referred a woman to them who had fled an abusive family home with her two children. When the team arrived at their one-bedroom apartment, they found the unit almost bare, with just a few toys and a mattress on the floor. When they left, everyone had a bed to sleep in. “That’s why we do it,” said Howell, a Re/Max agent. “Now she can move on to other things, like finding a job and figuring out what comes next. That makes it worthwhile for us.” To learn more or make a furniture or monetary donation, contact Howell at 905-537-2246.

Furniture Project Helps Make A House A Home For Families In Need

TRREB's opposition to a recent editorial published in the Globe and Mail: Canada's Wild Housing Market Is Making a Case for the Country's Most Unpopular TaxThis is great news in my opinion. There are not many tax free savings vehicles in Canada, especially not with the power of a principal residence real estate investment. For most Canadians, the principal residence is there only hope for a retirement nest egg one day. There have been talks by the federal political parties of considering a capital gains tax on the principal residence and there have been numerous petitions launched by the Canadian Taxpayers Federations. TRREB has been in opposition of any new capital gains tax for principal residences.A short update on TRREB's opposition to a recent editorial published in the Globe and Mail: Canada's Wild Housing Market Is Making a Case for the Country's Most Unpopular Tax. A senior economist with one of Canada's largest banks and others are urging policymakers to include a capital gains tax on a principal residence as a policy option when reviewing the housing market. TRREB, along with CREA and other associations in our industry, has come out against such a proposal.Since TRREB posted our position to Members, Toronto MP Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary for Housing to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, has reached out to us to reaffirm that the federal government has no plans to consider introducing a home equity tax. You can watch the 30-second video response from the Hon. Ahmed Hussen, the Minister responsible for the Housing portfolio, on this very question. Just Google it!TRREB has voiced their opinion on this issue with the media. Here are some highlights of the news coverage:<ul>
<li><a href="https://storeys.com/trreb-no-capital-gains-tax-principal-home/">Toronto Storeys</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.realestatemagazine.ca/a-capital-gains-tax-is-not-a-panacea/">REM – TRREB/CREA Op-Ed</a></li>
<li><a href="https://torontosun.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-march-29-3">Toronto Sun – TRREB Letter to the Editor</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/letters/article-march-27-taxing-capital-gains-on-home-sales-makes-excellent-sense-a/">Globe and Mail – TRREB/CREA Letter to the Editor</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.canadianrealestatemagazine.ca/news/capital-gains-tax-on-your-principal-home-should-be-a-nonstarter-334574.aspx">Canadian Real Estate Magazine</a></li>
<li><a href="https://financialpost.com/real-estate/why-tinkering-with-the-capital-gains-exemption-is-the-nuclear-option-for-housing-market-intervention">Financial Post</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=2166187">CP24 Interview – TRREB President</a></li>
</ul>Let's hope all federal political parties pledge during the next election to NOT consider the implementation of a principal home equity tax!TRREB will continue to keep you informed on any further developments on this issue.Content of this article was adapted from a letter written by:Lisa PatelTRREB President

Government Says It's Not Considering a Capital Gains Tax on Principal Homes

Source: RE/MAX Canada, January 12th, 2021This article is a terrific summary of things to know when buying a home. It covers the down payment, tips for being prepared for your mortgage, how to get the best financing rates, first time home buyer incentive programs, the importance of working with an agent and why a home inspection is a good idea. Happy house hunting!Are you in the market to purchase a home in Canada? This will be the biggest buying decision you will make in your lifetime, and not something to be cavalier about. Make sure to equip yourself with the knowledge, resources and experts who can guide and support you along the way. While buying a home can be a taxing experience, it is also a highly rewarding one! Unsure where to begin? We have compiled a list of the six most important things you need to know to buy a home in Canada.#1 Have More Than A Down PaymentDo you have a down payment for the home of your dreams? Congratulations. You are one step closer to achieving home ownership.But if you are still working toward accumulating a minimum down payment in the Canadian real estate market, you should know some of the specifics. Federal regulation now dictates designated percentages in relation to the purchase price.In other words, the federal government wants you to have some skin in the game.That said, here is what you need to know about how large a down payment you’ll need (at minimum):<ul>
<li>$500,000 or less: Five per cent</li>
<li>$500,000 to $999,999: Five per cent for first $500,000 and 10 per cent of any amount exceeding $500,000</li>
<li>$1,000,000 or more: 20 per cent</li>
</ul>#2 Get Pre-Approved for a MortgageTrying to buy a home without a mortgage pre-approval is kind of like trying to hit a target in the dark. You do not know how much you can spend when shopping the market. Furthermore, who knows how long the current record-low interest rate will be in place – although the Bank of Canada (BoC) said it will not be raising rates in the near future.Our advice on the matter of mortgage pre-approvals is don’t delay! One benefit of getting a mortgage pre-approval is that your lender will lock in the current interest rate for up to 120 days. If rates increase, your lender should honour the current rate. If they fall, so too should your guaranteed rate.#3 Shop Around the Best RatesInterest rates have never been lower. The BoC has brought its benchmark rate to 0.25 per cent in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the central bank lowered the five-year mortgage rate to below five per cent.Why does this matter? It will determine how much you will pay on your mortgage every month, in principal and in interest.#4 Check Out First-Time Homebuyer IncentivesThe Canadian government offers the First Time Home Buyer Incentive (FTHBI) , which is a loan to encourage them to achieve the home-ownership dream. First-time homebuyers can borrow:<ul>
<li>Five per cent of the price of a resale home,</li>
<li>Five or 10 per cent of the price of a newly constructed home, and</li>
<li>The loan is interest-free and repaid at any time within 25 years or when the home is sold.</li>
</ul>Do you qualify? Well, you must be a first-time homebuyer, have a household income of less than $120,000, and the mortgage is capped at four times the maximum household income of $120,000.Let’s be honest: in today’s ultra-competitive and expensive real estate market, many Canadians are struggling to finance their purchase of a home, particularly for those living in the major urban centres. This program could help lessen some of that financial strain, making housing a little more accessible to those with no current equity.In addition, there’s the federal first-time Home Buyer’s Plan which let’s each first-timer borrow up to $35,000 from their RRSP, interest free, to boost their down payment or to put toward other purchase-related costs. Provincially, some regions also offer a Land Transfer Tax rebate#5 Work with a Real Estate AgentHomebuyers do have the option of going solo in their search for a property, whether detached, semi-detached, townhome, condominium or otherwise. But without the benefit of experience and expertise on your side, the process can be complex and you risk missing some potential red flags. Working with an experienced real estate agent can significantly ease the stress associated with buying a home in Canada’s competitive markets, and could potentially even save you money!So, what are the advantages of working with a licensed real estate agent?<ul>
<li>You have better access to homes in and out of the local market.</li>
<li>Realtors know the neighbourhood and the market conditions.</li>
<li>An experienced real estate agent has advanced negotiating skills.</li>
<li>Real estate agents understand the incredible amount of paperwork that is associated with buying a home.</li>
<li>Realtors offer the guidance and support you need for the biggest buying decision you will ever make in your life.</li>
</ul>#6 Do a Home InspectionUnfortunately, due to bidding wars and strengthening demand, many homebuyers are ditching home inspections out of fear of losing out on the property. This may have various consequences that could hit your pocketbook. From moisture and mold in the basement to foundation issues, you could be on the hook for costly repairs and renovations once you receive the deed to the house.No matter what the situation may be, we always recommend getting a home inspection before you acquire any property. This could save you money in the long run, and provide you some assurance that you made the right decision.Home ownership is a dream for most people. It provides a place to plant roots and raise a family, but it is also an investment that could fund your children’s college tuition or your future retirement. The Canadian real estate market is booming, but that does not mean you’re too late to enter the market! Ensure you’re equipped with everything you need to know to buy a home in Canada, by working with an experienced real estate professional.Have more questions about the home-buying process, or ready to move forward with your purchase? Contact Clinton today, (905) 639-7676 or by e-mail clinton@clintonhowell.ca

The 6 Most Important Things You Need To Buy a Home in Canada

You Hire the Right Real Estate AgentThe real estate market is never steady, and fluctuations are the norm. It’s challenging for a layperson to keep track of the ups and downs in the market when investing in a property. Professionals like real estate agents guide you through this daunting process and help you make a well-informed decision as there’s always a risk involved, irrespective of whether you are buying or selling a property.A realtor researches active, pending and sold listings, completes, submits, and files paperwork, such as real estate documents, agreements, and records with the proper state agencies. He also plans and coordinates appointments, open houses, showings, and meetings with clients and other real estate agents.To help you invest in the right property or get the best deal for your home purchase or sale, here’s a list of top five things to look for when hiring a real estate agent.Strong online presenceIt’s crucial to review your prospective realtor’s website and read testimonials about past work. You would want to ensure that you are dealing with someone professional and that uses his or her experience to get you the best deal.Quality of listingsLook at the quality of the agent’s current listings and marketing materials. Especially look at the quality of the photography and write-ups. This will be the type of quality that your listing will have. Also, make sure that they are listing on your local board and TREB as there are a lot of Toronto buyers looking to move west of the city.Positive referencesAsk for a couple of references from friends and family. References will tell you a lot about your agent, whether his services are worth your money or not, and whether he lives up to the expectation of his clients. Talking to previous clients is one of the most efficient ways to get feedback about the realtor.Quality over quantityDon't be fooled by the size of the real estate team as all you need is one agent to do an excellent job for you. Teams are easy to hide bad service behind. Also, if you are dealing with multiple people of a team, often you don’t have a single point of contact if you have a query.Often, people hire a real estate firm thinking they’ll get assistance from a particular realtor who is highly skilled and experienced. However, it’s not always the case, as one of the team members may be assigned to you.ResponsivenessHave the agent paged by their brokerage and see how quickly you get a response, this is a strong indication of the commitment to service.If you’re looking for a real estate agent in Burlington, Waterdown, Ancaster and surrounding areas, contact Clinton Howell. He specializes in buying as well as selling properties. He ensures he is good at whatever he does and his clients get top dollar for the quickest turnaround. To contact him, please click here.

A Five-Point Checklist to Help

AND FOR TOP DOLLAR!I pulled this article from Calgary Living because it is bang on. Some simple thoughts and ideas, but all so true and they make a BIG difference. This is the process that I walk my client's through and the ones that spend the time and the money to see this through do better in terms of being on the market for shorter time and for getting higher prices. Especially in the market we are in now where there is a lot more listings and as such more for buyers to choose from, your home needs to stand out as "the one". Happy reading! Clinton Howell Perhaps you’re wishing to upgrade to a larger home and have your eye on one in particular. Maybe you just can’t afford the home you currently own. Regardless of your reasons for wanting to sell your home, you likely want to do it as quickly as possible. Here are seven simple things you can do to make your home more attractive to home buyers and decrease the amount of time it spends on the market.Start At the CurbFirst impressions matter in all areas of life, but especially in real estate. Put some energy into your lawn and plant flowers in beds. Power wash or reseal driveways and sidewalks. Hang a wreath on your door to make it more welcoming. These small measures will make your home more attractive and give the polished first impression you’re looking for.Clean ThoroughlyMany people are balancing careers and/or family. It’s easy to let smaller cleaning tasks go when time runs short. However, a sparkling clean home is much more attractive to home buyers. Many assume that a unkept home may be poorly maintained in other areas. Scrub, polish, and shine your house; it will pay off in higher appeal and a faster sale.Upgrade Your FloorsFloors take up a huge amount of square footage and are often one of the first things a person notices when they walk into a room. Replacing worn out floors can add immensely to a home’s appeal. If you don’t have the funds to replace flooring, consider refinishing, steam cleaning, or other cheap remedies. At the very least, cover worn areas with throw rugs.Touch Up PaintDingy or chipped paint makes a home look poorly maintained or, worse, damaged. Patch and touch up any nail holes, chipping, and other imperfections. Scrub the fingerprints and scuffs off walls and mouldings. If the paint cannot be salvaged, consider painting over walls that are less than perfect. You can even choose a tasteful accent colour for one wall rather than painting the entire room.Consider Other AestheticsMany sellers focus on the appearance of a home while forgetting the other four senses. However, these will all contribute heavily to a potential buyer’s impression of your home. Smell, for example, is easily fixed with a few candles or some air freshener spray. Many real estate agents even recommend baking shortly before a showing so the house smells of cookies or pie.Fix squeaky doors and other loud items; play soft classical music that gives a calm ambience. Make sure the home is at a comfortable temperature and not stuffy. Most sellers, and even agents neglect these particular details, so use this to your advantage and stand out when selling your home.Catch Up on Minor RepairsLeaky faucets, squeaky doors, running toilets, and other repairs can pile up quickly. While small issues such as these seem like no big deal on their own, they can add up to make a home appear poorly maintained or even a fixer upper. Potential buyers may wonder whether major repairs were also put off or neglected. Take inventory of your home and note anything that isn’t in perfect working condition. Fix these items so potential buyers will see only your lovely home and not a bundle of problems.Take Staging SeriouslyStaging is very important. The way a home is arranged can make it look larger, more stylish, and more appealing. The first step to staging is to remove all clutter. Rent a storage unit if you must, but get rid of all knick-knacks, papers, and anything that distracts from your home. In addition, most people arrange their furniture more for easy usage than for attractiveness.Now is the time to move things in a way that showcases aspects of your home that you wish to be noticed, even if it makes daily living a bit awkward. Lastly, get rid of family photos and other personal items. You want for people to picture their own lives in your home. Make your house a blank canvas where potential buyers can paint their own masterpiece.We’ve all heard the horror stories about homes that languish on the market for years. The good news is you can avoid this fate if you make your home as attractive to buyers as possible and avoid common pitfalls.Calgary Living, August 17th, Jeff S.

7 TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME FASTER

The markets are quite balanced at the moment. Appointments are at similar levels to 2019. Prices are slightly higher than they were a year ago at this time. On average buyers are negotiating +\- 5% off of the asking prices and properties are taking 2-1/2 to 3 weeks to sell after approximately 14 showings.  What is happening in the local real estate markets? Get the latest updates on the Burlington/Oakville/Hamilton areas, watch my WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE on FB, Instagram and LinkedIn.

CLINTON HOWELL, RE/MAX ESCARPMENT, BROKER - WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE - AUG 24th/22

Ryan &amp; Kait ST. Pierre - Buyer and SellerClinton is simply the BEST! We cannot say enough positive things about his service, professionalism, and dedication to help us find our dream property and sell our current home for more than we ever thought possible! Clinton not only brings his sharp knowledge of the current market and trends, but also brings his business, financial, and other industry experience to the table. The combination results in an agent that KNOWS his stuff. We joked with Clinton that we probably should have paid him way more commission than what he earned! He’s that good! In the current market, you need strategy to make offers that will win the property. We were not prepared for how competitive it really is. Clinton helped us find and win the perfect home for our family, out of 25 other offers! Bidding wars are where he shines! He coached us throughout the entire process and knew exactly what to offer to win the property. We are moving to the perfect location for our growing family, and still can’t believe we will get to call it “home”. When it came to selling our current home, Clinton went above and beyond with advertising and marketing, and helped us stage and prepare for a competitive sale. The process was so straight forward and seamless. Clinton literally worked sunrise to sunset (and beyond) for us. He did far more than would be expected from a realtor. He was in constant communication with us and always put any worries at ease. Our house sold for WAY more than we ever thought possible (we never doubted him, but he far exceeded any expectations!). Above all, Clinton brings heart and passion to what he does. You can tell he loves what he does, but loves helping his clients find their dream home most of all. We felt so taken care of by him and trusted his judgement more than our own. Clinton spent so much time to help us buy and sell, and we truly can’t thank him enough for his genuine care and support. You will never need to look any further for another realtor. We have already recommended Clinton to our families that are looking to move, and will sing his praises to anyone else looking for an agent. He will start as your agent, and end as your friend. THANK YOU, Clinton!

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

CHAIRMAN’S CLUB TEAM

HALL OF FAME

What's Happening Around Town In June?Happy June my friends, and thank goodness the warmer weather has finally arrived and the golf courses are now OPEN! So much to look forward to this month with so many of our favourite places re-opening for business. June is another month with a terrific mix of virtual and in-person events happening around town. From the Florida Georgia Line Drive-in Concert, to the Rotary Club of Burlington's Drive-thru Lobsterfest, you need to click on our Community Events Calendar (link below) and get planning! We build our monthly Community Events Calendar each month for your fun and convenience - quickly and easily find worthwhile events to enjoy.To view our complete June Community Events Calendar, click this link: <a href="https://www.clintonhowell.ca/clinton-howell-june-events-calendar-2021/">https://www.clintonhowell.ca/clinton-howell-june-events-calendar-2021/</a>

June 2021 Community Events Calendar

MARCH 2021<h4>Virtual Visits – March Break Activities Hosted by Joseph Brant Museum</h4>When: March 15 – March 19, 2021Where: Sign up online (See link below)Looking for a way to keep your kiddies entertained this march break? Joseph Brant Museum is hosting ‘Virtual Visits’ – weekly one hour Zoom sessions featuring live instruction by a Museum Educator who will guide a series of creative, fun, hands-on activities that relate to a theme. Programs are designed for children aged 8-12.<a href="https://calendar.burlington.ca/Event/Index/96e7d0c1-9388-4770-acca-acbc00a67b60">https://calendar.burlington.ca/Event/Index/96e7d0c1-9388-4770-acca-acbc00a67b60</a><h4>Participate in the Annual Taste Of Burlington</h4>When: February 18th – March 31st, 2021Where: Sign up online (See link below)Taste of Burlington Winter dining is back in a new format, Take Out only! 55 Burlington restaurants have come up with some fantastic menus and specials for you to enjoy, so we encourage you to #TakeOuttoHelpOut.<a href="https://tasteofburlington.ca/take-out-program/">https://tasteofburlington.ca/take-out-program/</a><h4>Virtual Around The Bay Road Race</h4>When: March 25th – April 25th, 2021Where: This event is virtual!The oldest running road race in North America goes virtual with a fun new race category called The Hammer. The Hammer category combines the times from each of the individual distances — a 2K, 10K, 15K and the signature event, the 30K. All participants who complete the full Hammer distance will receive a medal and souvenir t-shirt!<a href="https://bayrace.com/">https://bayrace.com</a><h4>Black Owned Business Virtual Market</h4>When: March 6th 2021Where: Virtual Marketplace (See link below)Black-owned businesses in the greater Hamilton area, Halton and Peel will be showcasing their products and services in a virtual marketplace! This event is in collaboration with Black Halton Voices, ACBN, BLK OWNED HAMONT and the Edge.<a href="https://tourismhamilton.com/event/black-owned-marketplace-2">https://tourismhamilton.com/event/black-owned-marketplace-2</a><h4>Gluten Free Goodness Expo: Spring Market</h4>When: Sunday March 7th 2021 10:00am – 4:00pmWhere: Ancaster Faitgrounds – 630 Trinity Road, Jerseyville, ONSample, sip and shop all the gluten free goodness from 40 vendors all under one roof!All COVID-19 Safety Guidelines will be in place!<a href="https://gfgoodnessexpo.ca/show-details">https://gfgoodnessexpo.ca/show-details</a><h4>An Evening at the Brant Inn</h4>When: Friday March 12th, 2021 7:00pm-9:00pmWhere: Online via ZoomIn the 1940s and ’50s, Burlington’s very own Brant Inn was host to some of the most famous entertainers in the world. Join us for “An Evening at the Brant Inn” for a joyful glimpse into our past. Your ticket includes a take-out dinner prepared by Pepperwood Bistro Brewery &amp; Catering, dessert from COBS Bread Headon Forest, a beverage by Nickel Brook Brewing Co., dance lesson and demonstration by danceScape via Zoom, and live musical entertainment broadcast from the Joseph Brant Museum.<a href="https://theheartofontario.com/experience/an-evening-at-the-brant-inn/">https://theheartofontario.com/experience/an-evening-at-the-brant-inn/</a><h4>Participate in Taste of Oakville</h4>Where: February 15 2021 – March 6 2021Where: Sign up online (See link below)Oakville restaurants will be offering prix fixe lunch and dinner menus for takeout and delivery, so residents can support local safely while experiencing our favourite local flavours. Visit their website to see if your favourite Oakville restaurant is taking part this year!<a href="https://www.atasteofoakville.com/">https://www.atasteofoakville.com</a><h4>At Home In Bronte: Winter Edition</h4>When: December 3rd 2020 – March 31 2021Where: Heritage Waterfront Park – 2368 Lakeshore Rd W, OakvilleAt Home in Bronte: Winter Edition is an outdoor art show which showcases 50 professionally painted Muskoka chairs throughout Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park and the business district. Each art chair has a hidden lighthouse icon waiting to be discovered!<a href="https://visitoakville.com/events/at-home-in-bronte-winter-edition/">https://visitoakville.com/events/at-home-in-bronte-winter-edition/</a><h4>AGH at Home</h4>When: March 1st – March 31st, 2021Where: Virtual Tour (See link below)AGH at Home is designed to deliver engaging exhibition and collection content for visitors to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes! Regularly updated with at-home activities, AGH Magazine articles, and behind-the-scenes videos, this platform brings the art gallery experience straight to your fingertips.<a href="https://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/agh-at-home/">https://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/agh-at-home/</a><h4>Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Skating</h4>When: Please visit website for weather updates (see link below)Where: 47 Discovery Drive, Hamilton, ON L8L 8K4Looking for a way to get out and active? Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink is now open and free for all participants! Make sure to check out their website to review the Covid-19 protocols! Enjoy!<a href="http://www.hamiltonwaterfront.com/hamilton-waterfront-outdoor-rink/">http://www.hamiltonwaterfront.com/hamilton-waterfront-outdoor-rink/</a><h4>2021 New Balance Chilly Half Marathon</h4>When: March 1 – March 31, 2021Where: This event is virtual! (See link below)The New Balance Chilly Half Marathon, Frigid 10K and Frosty 5K are going virtual in 2021! Run or walk your choice of event anytime between March 1st and March 31st, 2021. New this year – everyone registering for the 2021 New Balance Chilly Half Marathon, Frigid 10K and Frosty 5K will receive a New Balance technical shirt!<a href="https://calendar.burlington.ca/Event/Index/420bbe12-3f2f-4204-bbd1-acac00f18b29">https://calendar.burlington.ca/Event/Index/420bbe12-3f2f-4204-bbd1-acac00f18b29</a><h4>Skiing and Snowboarding at Glen Eden</h4>When: Please visit website for weather updates (see link below)Where: Kelso Conservation Area – 5234 Kelso Rd, Milton, ON L9T 2X7Hit the slopes! Skiing is a fun event for the whole family to enjoy. It’s also a great way tp stay active! This small resort for skiing &amp; snowboarding offers 12 trails &amp; a terrain park, plus dining options. Reservations are required, visit their website for more details! Enjoy!<a href="https://gleneden.on.ca/">https://gleneden.on.ca</a><h4>Tobogganing in Burlington</h4>Tobogganing is a popular winter activity that promotes active living and family fun in the community. The city of Burlington has designated 6 safe sanctioned sights in the city!<ul>
<li>LaSalle Park, east of the parking lot</li>
<li>Tyandaga Golf Course, at hole #4, on west slope</li>
<li>Central Park – hill northwest of community garden</li>
<li>Brant Hills Park, southwest of tennis courts</li>
<li>Nelson Park, east side of park, north of Centennial Bike Path</li>
<li>Lowville Park, hill at southwest end of park</li>
</ul><a href="https://gleneden.on.ca/">Learn more: https://www.burlington.ca/en/live-and-play/outdoor-play.asp</a><h4>Crafternoons with Dianne Pearce: Oakville Virtual Events</h4>When: Tuesday’s at 3:45 pmWhere: This program is virtual! (See link below)Join the Town of Oakville’s talented Dianne Pearce for this free virtual drop-in crafting activity. Using materials commonly found around your home, Dianne will instruct participants through fun, easy and creative crafts suitable for any age. Parental assistance is encouraged for small children.<a href="https://www.oakville.ca/culturerec/free-virtual-rec-programs.html">https://www.oakville.ca/culturerec/free-virtual-rec-programs.html</a><h4>For the Love of Cooking with Chef Laura Strath: Oakville Virtual Events</h4>When: Wednesday’s at 5:30 pmWhere: This program is virtual! (See link below)This one is for the Foodies! Join us for a fun, lively discussion and take away some handy tips that you can apply in your own kitchen right away. Each week will feature a new topic.<a href="https://www.oakville.ca/culturerec/free-virtual-rec-programs.html">https://www.oakville.ca/culturerec/free-virtual-rec-programs.html</a>

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

Clinton Howell is a very effective Realtor and a pleasure to work with. We whole heartily recommend him. We really appreciated his personal touch, his exceptional responsiveness and his intelligent approach to all aspects of both buying and selling real estate. Clinton also possesses superior negotiating skills, which has helped close our deals in a very satisfying and timely manner, every time. The value Clinton adds is worth far more to us than the cost of his commission.

INNOVATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESSBy Erika SimmonsCan small business entrepreneurs survive in this new information age? With the world at consumers’ fingertips, it is an ongoing challenge for small businesses to differentiate themselves in order to survive.The Canadian economy relies on the success of small businesses. In fact, 70 percent of our private sector jobs are employed by small businesses. However, thousands of new companies enter and exit the market every year. Many companies fail because they lack knowledge of the market, do not know their consumers, and fail to be innovative. Indeed, The Conference Board of Canada’s 2015 Innovation Ranking Report gave Canada a C-Grade for innovation and ranked the country 12 out of 19 as compared to its peers.One key way for businesses to begin to think innovatively is to use a multi-business strategy that draws on collaboration and networking. After interviewing a number of successful small business entrepreneurs, a trend for operating multiple related businesses was uncovered. This multi-business strategy works, as it offers customers greater networking value. In other words, many of today’s entrepreneurs must wear different hats to be successful.After spending the day with one successful entrepreneur, Clinton Howell, I experienced the power of the multi-business trend first hand. Howell has over 20 years of success, building custom home theatre and automation companies, including the acquisition of his Howell &amp; Associates Inc. flagship company by Best Buy Canada. Howell is also the founder and owner of H2 Systems Inc., a very successful company in Halton and across the GTA.Howell is now the Director of Custom Residential Sales and Marketing with Design Electronics. Just recently H2 Systems Inc. and Design Electronics merged to form a strong powerhouse, offering homeowners across the GTA and beyond with the best when it comes to home automation and integration services.“In today’s market customers are looking for constant innovation as a value-add since the digital economy has created a savvier and knowledgeable consumer,” explains Howell. “This is terrific since it pushes me to offer more value to my loyal customer base.”Howell has met the consumers’ call for innovation by combining his custom home automation and interior consulting businesses with a real estate business to offer customers a full service experience that meets their home needs. Since becoming a Sales Representative with RE/Max Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage, Howell’s career continues to flourish in many ways.“By taking this approach I am able to provide my years of experience creating a better lifestyle in your home to now helping my customers market their homes as well,” says Howell.Howell has not let the rapid changes in technology hamper his innovation. Rather, he has taken advantage of new forms of networking platforms through social media to promote his businesses, merging his customer base.Not only does he integrate the websites for his individual companies, but also he uses Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to connect with his customers on a more personnel and visual level, appealing to a younger generation of consumers.Howell’s ability to wear many hats and innovate across complimentary businesses has created a niche for his success.He has long been known as an innovator in his own right. To date Howell and his past companies have won 17 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyle Awards for home theatre and home integration installations, which is impressive to say the least. And he has also been heavily relied on as an expert by many notable media outlets: Hoss Magazine, The Toronto Sun, The Toronto Tribune, CHCH News, Halton Insider News – YourTV (Cogeco TV News), The Burlington Post, Chill Magazine, The Examiner, and CNN International Report News, to name a handful.Even better, he is now a well-known face and expert on TV, and has made a number of appearances on HGTV: The House of Bryan and Leave It To Bryan, hosted by Bryan Baeumler; Custom Built, hosted by, Paul LaFrance; and Moving the McGillivrays, hosted by Scott McGillivray and his wife Sabrina. He has also appeared on the W-Network with the widely acclaimed twin TV stars Jonathan and Drew Scott.He is also a painter and is widely known in the community as a devoted philanthropist. Local charities and organizations he has helped support include The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, The Art Gallery of Burlington, The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts, The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, SmileZone, Easter Seals Ontario, and Alexandria-Marie (Burlington’s Little Fighter suffering from rare form of brain cancer).Howell sums up his secret to success quite nicely. “I enjoy wearing many hats around businesses ideas I am passionate about … this is exciting. If you’re not passionate about your business I think the load would feel more like spinning plates,” he laughs.

CLINTON HOWELL

RE/MAX Escarpment's exclusive Luxury WebsiteI am excited to share with you a brand new website that has been developed by RE/MAX Escarpment to feature luxury property listings in the area. The decision to invest into this site was to help our Realtors showcase their high end and luxury listings as well as supporting them in listing presentations. This rich and robust site now offers up listings by community, lifestyle and includes an international link to our luxury platforms Mansion Global and The Wall Street Journal. Check out our Brokerage’s International properties by clicking on Mansion Global or The WSJ and searching the city in the search bar. I hope you are as impressed as we are with the results!www.therenownedcollection.com

TheRenownedCollection.com

– even before energy production, saysThis is the way of the future for sure. Wouldn't it be amazing to live in a house that looks after its own hydro generation from the roofing system that you had installed?! Imagine all of the savings and how healthy that is on the planet in reducing your carbon footprint. I am so looking forward to this technology becoming affordable to the masses!Elon Musk made quite the announcement today. During the special shareholders meeting to approve the merger with SolarCity, which they approved by 85%, he said that he was coming back from a meeting with the SolarCity engineering team about the solar roof and that he now feels confident that they could deliver the product at a lower cost than a regular roof – even before energy production.That’s different from what the company was claiming before the meeting today.And it’s an incredibly bold claim since if it turns out to be true, no homeowner would have any reason not to choose a solar roof when buying a new roof.Since unveiling the new products a few weeks ago, Musk and Tesla officials have been referring to the solar roof’s price as “less than the price of a regular roof when accounting for energy generation” – meaning that it will cost less than a regular roof when you account for your savings on your electricity bills.It made sense. Solar energy is already competitive in several markets and while the price of the solar roof could be more expensive than a regular roof as an upfront investment, those electricity savings would quickly add up and made the product competitive with normal roofing solutions.But now claiming that it would cost even less than a regular roof upfront is a completely different game.Musk said during the meeting earlier this afternoon:“It’s looking quite promising that a solar roof actually cost less than normal roof before you even take the value of electricity into account. So the basic proposition would be ‘Would you like a roof that looks better than a normal roof, last twice as long, cost less and by the way generates electricity’ why would you get anything else.”That’s including the labor costs and without subsidies for solar, Musk added.The CEO claimed that it is achievable because the current roofing supply chain is “incredibly inefficient” – emphasizing that no one looked at the roofing supply chain for a while. He also echoed some comments made recently by Tesla CTO JB Straubel about the cost of products being linked to their weight when produced in volume.He said that the glass developed by Tesla for the solar roof tiles weigh “a third, a quarter and sometimes even a fifth” of other current concrete and ceramic roof solutions. Musk calculated that because of the weight and fragility of the current products, logistic costs and breakage are important parts of the total cost.Musk added that there are “huge gains” to be made by “cleaning up” that supply chain. While it remains to be proven, it has the potential to significantly accelerate the deployment of solar capacity by opening the market to homes that need to have a new roof, which is 5 million homes every year in the US alone.The end price to the customer will obviously vary depending on the price of the house and the difficulty of the installation.Tesla expects to start producing the solar roof in volume starting next year. The company unveiled 4 different versions of the product and it plans to release them one or two at a time starting in 2017.Tesla’s new residential solar and energy storage solutions are quite innovative. You can visit Tesla’s website if you wish to take your place in line for when they become available, but solar and energy storage prices are highly dependent on your market (electricity cost, gov incentives, etc.) and your property. We suggest to get quotes from more than one installer to make sure you get the best energy solution for your place. UnderstandSolar is a great free service to link you to top-rated solar installers in your region for personalized solar estimates for free.