My grandmother passed away last week at the golden age of 93 and with her went the last of her generation in my family. Her passing rekindled many fond memories of youth. I had the good fortune to spend a great deal of time with my grandparents as a child. My grandparents' lives and attitudes were forever shaped by the Great Depression and World War 2. They were ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on April 21, 2009
Signs are all around us that rapid change is increasingly common in today's global economy. The ability to adapt will be the key to survive and even thrive. Research at the University of Waterloo has Waterloo Region at the forefront of nanotechnology. The future looks bright! http://news.therecord.com/business/article/521205
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on April 16, 2009
We live in a wonderful community. Part of what makes it great is the commitment of its' volunteers. From time to time, I'd like to feature an individual who is making a difference in our daily lives. Should you like to recognize someone, contact me Mailto: jeff.gingerich@century21.ca 519-505-4488
Today, it's Waterloo Minor Hockey Coach Ken Barnes. This past season, Ken ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on April 6, 2009
There's an old fable about a chicken who thinks the sky is falling because he got hit in the head with a falling acorn. The moral of this fable is to have courage and not to be a "chicken". This "disaster is imminent" message is a common theme in the media today. It appears the residents of Waterloo Region know better.
In what can best be described as a stable market, ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on April 3, 2009
Waterloo's top employer Research in Motion(RIM) defied analyst's expectations today in announcing fiscal 4th quarter profits easily eclipsed last year's results. RIM now has 25 million subscribers and is growing market share in the midst of a sluggish global economy. These results are a huge positive for the local economy and for Wateroo Region real estate. For the full ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on April 2, 2009
There is an emerging trend for city folk to become town and country folk. The reasons for this trend are many and varied. For some, it comes down to price - more house and land for less money and lower property taxes. For others, they want to escape - the houses that are too close together, the noise, traffic, air pollution, litter and crime. Others see their ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 30, 2009
I am the basis of all wealth, the heritage of the wise, the thrifty and prudent.
I am the poor person's joy and comfort, the rich person's prize, the right hand of capital, the silent partner of thousands of successful people.
I am solace of the widow, the comfort of old age, the cornerstone of security against misfortune and want. I am handed down through generations, as a possession of great ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 28, 2009
In the latest budget, the Ontario Liberal government intends to harmonize the Provincial Sales Tax(PST) with the Goods and Services Tax(GST) effective July 1, 2010. Century 21 Home Realty supports the Ontario Real Estate Association in strongly opposing this tax increase. We cannot afford added costs involved in buying and selling real estate at a time when ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 28, 2009
An analysis of early March MLS sales activity in Kitchener-Waterloo point to a relatively healthy market. Unit sales for the first 2 weeks of March totalled 151 versus 225 for the same period in 2008 representing a 33% decrease.
However, the average sale price year-over-year declined by less than 1% and the list-price to sale-price ratio was a robust 97.6%. The average days on ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 19, 2009
Preliminary sales figures for February 2009 point to mixed results. The Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board saw 290 residential sales which paled by comparison to the 405 sales in February 2008. This equates to approx. a 28% decline in unit sales making it the lowest total recorded in this decade.
However, in my opinion, the glass is half full. Active listings ...
Posted by Jeff Gingerich
on March 3, 2009