The 2010 Winter Olympics begin!

The 2010 Winter Olympics begin!

Did you know… This is the 21st Winter Olympics and it’s the third Olympics hosted by Canada? This year the Winter Olympics is being held in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 1976 Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics and in 1988 Calgary hosted the Winter Olympics.

Who, what, where and when… From February 12-28, over 80 nations will compete in 15 different sporting events including, men’s and women’s hockey, curling, speed skating, snowboarding and more. It will take place in downtown Vancouver, suburban Richmond and three hours north in Whistler.

Interesting fact… This year will mark the first time that the energy consumption of the Olympic venues will be tracked in real-time and available to the public. Energy data will be collected from the metering and building automation systems of nine of the Olympic venues and is being displayed online through the Venue Energy Track project.

How much will it cost… Well, as of late 2009, the total operating costs of the XXI Winter Games is estimated around $1.76 billion CAD! It is expected that approximately $580 million CAD will come out of taxpayers’ pockets. Although a lot of money is going into hosting this years Winter Olympics, the tourism industry will explode once light shines on the beautiful British Columbia.

I wish all of the athletes the best of luck and I’d love to hear from you about your thoughts on the Olympics! If you have any real estate related questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Time is running out!

It's hard to believe that the month of January is almost over.. Time is flying by and soon the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be starting! I also want to remind everyone that January 31st is the last day you are eligible for the Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC). The credit may be claimed on eligible expenses exceeding $1,000, but no more than $10,000, for a total credit of up to $1,350.

Renovating can be a great way to add value to your home. Whether you are considering selling your home, or you are hoping to make your home a more comfortable environment for you and your family, right now is a great time to start those renovations!

If you are looking to sell your home for top dollar, my recommendation is to utilize the HRTC and consider doing some renovations.

Paint! Having your home freshly painted in neutral colours attracts buyers and gives your home a calm, relaxed feeling while making your home look great.

Renovate your kitchen. Alongside cabinetry, counter tops and flooring, consider changing the hardware. A simple piece of hardware can help modernize almost any kitchen.

How are your floors? It is the perfect time to put in those hardwood floors you have always wanted.

Take advantage of the HRTC while it is still in effect! Ensure before you make purchases, that the renovations are eligible for the credit!

Last but not least, I want to encourage everyone to please help Haiti and all those that have been affected by the earthquakes. Please visit www.redcross.ca or any other website accepting donations to help.

Skiing in Tremblant

I hope that the New Year has started off as good for everyone as it has for me. I just got back from a great trip in Mont Tremblant where I was able to get on the slopes and enjoy some skiing.

I also got the chance to take a look at their real estate market. I learnt that their market is moving well. When arriving back home to Ottawa, it was apparent the trend wasn't just in Tremblant, but Ottawa as well.

The 2010 Ottawa Real Estate Market.. Outlook Good!