Plan and $ave

As we all know gas prices keep climbing.  As a real estate agent I am often driving around Peterborough showing property and presenting offers and I'm sure you are feeling the crunch of gas prices too so you are in luck.  This is a link that displays current gas prices around the city, this way if you are planning to head to the west end of town for the afternoon and gas prices are cheaper there, you can save a few bucks and fill up there!  Check out this link and start saving now!

Jane Ross
-sales representative

That's What He Said

Jane, John and Ashley Ross comprise an excellent team.  Their skills are many and complementary.  They were friendly, readily available, listened carefully to their client’s concerns and exuded an aura of trustworthiness.

- S. Finn Gallagher

 Thank you Finn, it was our pleasure to work with you and sell your home.  All the best in your new place.

Sales Representatives

-Ashley, Jane and John Ross

Sales Representatives that SELL

The numbers are in and Bowes and Cocks sales representatives are very productive!  Check out this chart to see the most productive sales representatives are at Bowes and Cocks!  Call 705-742-4234 to speak with Bowes and Cocks sales representatives Jane and John Ross to help you with your next sale.

-Jane Ross
sales representative

Government To Introduce New Mortgage Rules

Government to introduce new mortgage rules: 

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is expected to introduce new regulations on Monday designed to reduce Canadians' skyrocketing household debt levels. 
Flaherty will announce the new measures at a news conference scheduled for 8 a.m., before North American markets open. 

CTV News has learned that Flaherty will unveil three new rules: 

• *Mortgage amortization periods will be reduced to 30 years from 35 years.

• *The maximum amount Canadians can borrow to refinance their mortgages will be lowered to 85 per cent from the current 90 per cent.

• *The government will withdraw its insurance backing on lines of credit secured on homes, such as home equity lines of credit.

According to a government official, the rules are aimed "at encouraging responsible lending and borrowing and encouraging people to increase their home equity."

"The rules are designed to significantly reduce interest payments to help Canadians get rid of their mortgages before they retire," CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported Sunday evening.

The new rules comes on the heels of a Bank of Canada announcement that Canadians' domestic debt burdens had hit the highest levels on record. The bank said earlier this month that the ratio of household debt to disposable income has reached 147 per cent.

Canadian household debt is now at $1.4 trillion, while mortgage delay payments have increased by 50 per cent," Fife said.

"In fact, the International Monetary Fund says household debt is the number one risk to the Canadian economy."

How To Make A Budget

Many people make resolutions for the New Year, this year I did something I hadn't done before, I made a budget for myself.  In the past I always had a budget in mind, but I never put it to paper...or an excel document.  I'm curious to see if my estimates are close to my actual spending.  I made this budget to help prepare myself for home ownership and to ensure my savings are on track.  If you have ever wanted a budget, but don't know where to start or even what categories should be included I have just the link for you.  It's from the CMHC Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation website, if you are interested in home ownership make sure to browse this site as it has great information on it.  Ready to make your own budget click here!

-Jane Ross
Sales representative

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

From our family to yours Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Thank you to everyone who made 2010 such a succesful year.  We look forward to another one in 2011.

O' Christmas Tree

If you've checked out my blog before you know that I like to report on unique things to do in the Peterborough area. Well, I have a new one to tell you all about! This past Sunday my dear friend Jessica and her husband Allan came to visit me and pick out and cut down their first Christmas tree as a married couple. We got in the jeep and were off to the Mackenzie Tree Farm located at 1962 Settlers Line a few minutes outside of Peterborough.

Once we arrived we were greeted by a nice man who directed us towards the hay ride. After a few minutes the hay wagon/tractor arrived and we were off to get a closer look at the trees.

We were given a saw and told about where to find different types of trees. There were pine, spruce and Scotch Pine Christmas trees at the farm and they all had a wonderful scent. It didn't take long until we found the perfect tree!

To my surprise Allan was able to cut the tree down in a matter of two minutes. I was shocked; I thought we were going to be there a while. We packed it onto the sled and headed back to where the hay wagon dropped us off.

There we each enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate WITH marshmallows and sat by an open fire to warm up while they manually wrapped it up for us.

Our Christmas afternoon was wonderful and the tree only cost $40. This farm is family run and turns out the mother Joyce is my parents neighbour! The family were very kind and this farm is truly a labour of love as each tree takes 10-15 years to grow, needs to be tended to and it is not a farm that makes a large profit considering the work involved. Don Mackenzie, the man who started the farm passed away in May 2005 and his family has kept up the farm in his honour. Don started selling the Christmas trees as a hobby after he retired from teaching. For each tree sold $3 goes towards Teachers for Kids. If you're looking for a great way to spend this upcoming weekend make sure to visit the Mackenzie Christmas Tree farm, it's only open two weekends a year, and it is a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit!

For more info check out this article http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=818122

-Ashley Ross

Sales representative