Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Happiness — the often elusive, but always desired state of being. The reason why we’re not always happy is simply because we aren’t always present to the miracle of life. Millions of years after the creation of the Universe, and then the earth, after Homo sapien evolved out of monkeys, our sperm had to jump through hoops in order to be the one out of millions. That’s one reason to always be happy.

I know, I know, thinking about our creation isn’t always the most practical way for us to get happy. I’m all about being practical as well, and besides learning the ability to switch happiness on whenever I want, there are other things I do that put me into a much happier state.

“Happiness is being the creator of your experience, choosing to take pleasure in what you have, right now, regardless of the circumstances, while being the best you that you can be.”
~Alex Shalman

1. Define Happiness.

To come up with the definition above, I’ve interviewed nearly 100 people in a series that I called the Happiness Project. I read books on happiness, and I attended self-improvement seminars on happiness. The distilled version that you see now seems like a no-brainer, but ask yourself a simple question — are you following it?

2. Appreciate Now.

Whenever I’m in the moment, and I’m really present to what I’m feeling, seeing, hearing, or doing, I experience a sense of euphoria. It isn’t often that in our fast paced society we are able to stop ourselves from thinking about the future, or dwelling over the past, so a nice dose of now is a refreshing change.

3. Improve Yourself.

Did you know that a shark must constantly be moving forward to circulate water through it’s gills in order to stay alive? They even move forward while they’re sleeping. Metaphorically speaking, we humans have a similar problem. If we don’t move forward physically, mentally, and spiritually, we become weak, stupid, or broken. Our obligation to ourselves is to improve.

4. Become Accountable.

“I don’t have to answer to no one.” — Have you ever heard someone proudly state that phrase? It may be true, you might only have to be accountable to yourself and no one else, but it may not be the best way to live, not necessarily. When you make yourself accountable to someone else, by telling them your goals and desires, they can keep on top of you and make sure you get things done. This will enable you to get to your goals more efficiently, raise your self-esteem, and create joy in your accomplishments.

5. Don’t Become, Just Be.

If your constantly thinking into some future where you can be happy, you’ll be in the habit of trying to be happy. If you are trying to do something, you are doing it, you’re trying to do it. Instead, if you just become happy with your current situation, you can be happy any time and place.

“When you’re working on being happy, you are the type of person that created the possibility that you are not currently happy.”
~Roger Smith (Landmark Education)

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/5-steps-to-happiness.html

Low mortgage rates helped make owning a house largely affordable in the first quarter of 2013 and the risk of a sharp upturn in rates remains low, RBC Economics says in a new report.

Owning a home in the first quarter still took a bigger-than-normal chunk of the average household’s income, but the situation has not worsened since early 2010, according to RBC’s latest Housing Trends and Affordability report.

Housing affordability measures were unchanged in the first quarter of 2013 from the fourth quarter of 2012 in two of three categories RBC tracks: standard two-storey homes and condominium apartments.

For two-storey homes, the index level was 48 per cent, while for condos it stood at 28.1 per cent. The higher the level, the less affordable the home is.

In the third category – detached bungalows – there was a slight rise of 0.3 per cent to 42.5 per cent.

While Canada’s housing market still faces “somewhat higher-than-usual stress,” recent affordability measures don’t suggest that alarm bells should go off or that a “significant nation-wide price correction is imminent.”

But manageable affordability levels may not continue if interest rates rise substantially, says the report by RBC chief economist Craig Wright and senior economist Robert Hogue.

“Exceptionally low mortgage rates have been the main factor preventing affordability from reaching dangerous levels in recent years; yet, we believe that the likelihood of a surge in rates is slim at this stage.”

It’s more likely that low interest rates will go on for the next two years, and when they do rise the increase will be due to a stronger economy that is generating more robust household income gains, says the report.

“This will go some way to offsetting any negative effects on affordability from rising rates.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/mortgages/low-rates-help-keep-home-affordability-stable-report/article12089897/

Mental decline as you age appears to be largely due to altered connections among brain cells. But research has found that keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells and connections. You could even generate new brain cells.

Low levels of education have been found to be related to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s later in life. This may be due to a lower level of life-long mental stimulation. Put another way, higher levels of education appear to be somewhat protective against Alzheimer’s, possibly because brain cells and their connections are stronger. Well-educated individuals can still get Alzheimer’s, but symptoms may appear later because of this protective effect.

You don’t have to turn your life upside down, or make extreme changes to achieve many of these benefits. Start with something small, like a daily walk. After a while, add another small change.

Keep your brain active every day:

• Stay curious and involved — commit to lifelong learning
• Read, write, work crossword or other puzzles
• Attend lectures and plays
• Enroll in courses at your local adult education center, community college or other community group
• Play games
• Garden
• Try memory exercises

http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_stay_mentally_active.asp

Ever since the U.S. housing bubble burst, it’s no surprise that foreign buyers have flooded the U.S. housing market.  Both the Canadians and the Russians are leading the pack, but in different ways.

“Canadians tend to be very value oriented,” says Jed Smith, managing director, quantitative research for the National Association of Realtors. ”The buyers are generally not wealthy, although obviously they can afford a second property. In contrast, Russian buyers are believed to be more affluent and looking for upscale, expensive properties. They are generally seeking properties that establish a presence or image.”

According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, foreign buyers accounted for $82.5 billion, or 8.9 percent, of the $928 billion spent on U.S. residential real estate from April 2011 through March 2012.  Foreign investment in real estate has helped the U.S. housing recovery tremendously since the crash, and Canada being a top investor in the U.S. market, is leading the way in aiding this recovery.

Besides Canada, who else is buying?

The “BRIC countries” — Brazil, Russia, India and China — are the fastest growing and largest emerging market economies in the world to date.  Today’s low prices and the potential for appreciation make U.S. properties particularly attractive to the BRICs, as does political stability. BRIC countries combined account for 22% of the foreign buying activity in the U.S. and Canadians account for 24%. Even though Russia only accounts for 2% of the buying activity they’re attracting a lot of attention.

In Russia, the nation’s 80 billionaires account for 7 percent of the total population of people with a net worth of $30 million or more, but they own 84 percent of that group’s $640 billion in wealth.

There is much publicity around Russia and other BRIC countries because they are showing the fastest global growth in billionaires.

Unlikely companions in the U.S. housing market

Flashy Russians are headlining international news with stratospheric real estate purchases by self-made billionaires, while understated Canadians quietly buy 12 times the volume.

What Russians are lacking in quantity, they’re making up for in high priced trophy properties in the U.S. Conversely, Canadians have been a dominant purchasing force in states like Arizona and Florida. Canadians see an opportunity to scoop up a home that could be used for vacations now and retirement later, as opposed to spending record breaking amounts on the most opulent real estate the U.S. has to offer.

The Russians

Russians get more media attention because they buy the sexy, high ticket trophy properties. Russian billionaires have been making news for snapping up some of the swankiest homes in the U.S.  Forbes reports that Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev’s daughter bought an $88 million penthouse in New York City after spending $100 million on Donald Trump’s Palm Beach palace in 2008; Yuri Milner was reported to have ‘overpaid’ by 100 percent on a $100 million Silicon Valley mansion in 2011; and an anonymous Russian buyer put down $47 million for one of Miami’s most expensive sales ever.

Edward Mermelstein, a Manhattan attorney who guides foreign buyers through the purchase process says that one of the reasons for this buying spree is it’s much easier for someone from Russia to get a visa in the U.S. than in the U.K. For instance, Mr. Marmelstein says “particularly in the $20 million-plus market, there are a disproportionate number of Russian buyers.”

The political climate in Russia is also a contributing factor to the growing number of Russians looking to purchase real estate outside their country. Russians are looking in markets perceived as safe or that are positioned for appreciation, which is why the US is a prime purchasing target.

The Canadians

Buyers from Canada tend to be more diverse, representing a wider range of income and have been cited as searching for homes from the lowest to the highest ends of the market.

About 24 percent of foreign buyers in the U.S. are Canadians, making them the largest share nationally, according to the latest report by the National Association of Realtors.

According to Realtor.com, Canadians account for the most international search activity on the listing site every month in nearly all of major U.S. metro areas.

According to a report by Florida Realtors, a statewide trade group, from July 2011 to June 2012, Canadians accounted for 19 percent of total home sales in Florida. In that year, sales to non U.S. residents reached an estimated $10.7 billion, out of a total of $58 billion. Canadians accounted for 31 percent of these foreign purchases, putting them in the top spot. In comparison, Russians only made up 2 percent of the sales.

Bob Krawitz of RE/MAX Signature in Chicago says that Canadians have also been buying up properties in the mid-western U.S., “The close proximity to Canada makes it an easy place for Canadians to invest money.” Interest runs along all price points, from properties that can be fixed up and rented out to seven-figure mansions.

So Canadians may be interested in buying a $2 million pied-a-terre or a less expensive winter residence, but are they willing to make eight digit real estate investments in the U.S.?

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/05/08/canadians-and-russians-penetrate-u-s-housing-market/

When you’re spending thousands to remodel a kitchen or bath, you want those updates to last a while.

Still, with a couple of exceptions, these five kitchen and bath trends offer lasting value:

1. Kitchen cleanliness.

By clean, we’re talking design, not germs. Kitchens are going clean, contemporary, and horizontal (open shelves, long and horizontal pulls, thick countertops). Even in a classic kitchen, go with simple, flat cabinets rather than highly carved cabinet details, says designer MaryJo Camp of Design Camp, Denver, N.C. 

HL tip: This is a trend to get on board with. A simple, tidy, fresh appearance will have broad appeal if you decide to sell.

2. Color is out. 

This year, colors are cycling out, Camp says, except for black and white used together. 

HL tip: Practically speaking, black and white are hard to keep looking good. Black kitchens show every scratch and white cabinets show every speck of dirt.

Regardless, color is fickle; choose what’s best for your space. 

3. Dark wood is where it’s at.

If you’ve had white cabinets, you know they show every speck of dirt, which can drive you crazy unless you have a cleaning fetish. Combine those white cabinets with another up-and-coming trend: dark wood. Or if your budget can handle the hit, go with specialty woods like mahogany or zebra wood that can make an island look like a piece of furniture.

HL tip: Alternatively, you could invest your money in more kitchen storage and functionality than trendy decorative elements that might not stand the test of time.

4. Appliances that blend in.

The more open our kitchens get, the more we want them to look like the rest of the house. That’s fueling a trend away from the big pro range and ginormous stainless-steel refrigerator and toward concealed, high-performance refrigerators and dishwashers. Induction cooktops, which use less electricity than electric cooktops, are growing in popularity, Camp said.

HL tip: When you buy appliances, look for the Energy Star label or go even deeper on energy performance ratings with Consortium of Energy Efficiency.

5. Ageless design gets easy.

What the Baby Boom wants, the Baby Boom gets. And Baby Boomers want to live in their homes forever. That’s led manufacturers to create DIY remodeling products with built-in universal design features — like toilet paper roll holders strong enough to hold your weight as you arise from the throne.

If you wanted a no-threshold shower five years ago, you had to have it fabricated as a custom piece, said Mary Jo Peterson, a Brookfield, Conn., designer. Today, companies sell no-threshold shower kits with trench-style drains covered with grills so you can roll yourself right in. 

HL tip: We love the trend to universal design-ready remodeling products. To get started, check out our four universal design product ideas from anti-scald valves and door handles.
 

Custom Built Model Home In Prestigious Devonsleigh Neighborhood In Richmond Hill. This Beautifully Appointed Executive Home Has It All Including A Walkout Basement To A Stunning Tree Line Ravine Lot. Spacious Formal Rooms With The Finest Of Details Including Hardwood Throughout The Main And Second Floor. The Chef's Kitchen Is An Entertainers Delight Including Granite Counter Tops And Pot Lights. This Home Is A True Must See!! Virtual Tour Attached!

More information at www.asifkhan.ca 

The Victoria Day long weekend exodus is well underway, with drives hitting the roads early on Friday morning to get a head start on the holiday.

“This is the official kickoff to the summer,” Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Dave Woodford told CityNews.

“A lot of people are heading to the cottages and trailer parks for the first time. Part of our job is to make sure those vehicles and those people are safe.”

Click here for a list of Victoria Day fireworks & events across the GTA

Click here for Toronto-centric events

The OPP and other officers across the province are out in full force for Road Safety Week, which coincides with the long weekend.

Police are watching for impaired drivers, distracted drivers and those who aren’t wearing their seatbelts.

They’re also reminding drivers about off-road safety.

“That’s one thing we really don’t talk a lot about but 12 people last year lost their lives on trails,” Woodford said

“We are focused on ATVs. A lot of people use them at their cottages and there are laws with using those off-road vehicles.”

Eight people in 2012 were killed on the roads and two more died on the waterways, Woodford added.

Water safety – whether you’re swimming or boating – is also a concern.

“What’s consistent, year after year, is that 80 per cent of those people who drown are men, and 80 per cent of those people who drown while boating did not have a lifejacket on,” Barbara Byers of the Lifesaving Society told CityNews.

Boatsmart advised cottagers to make sure that their boats carry safety equipment, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, whistles and buoys.

Not having enough life jackets on board can result in a $200 fine and boating without a licence carries a $250 fine.

http://www.citynews.ca/2013/05/17/victoria-day-long-weekend-exodus-underway/

Walnuts

People who ate a small handful every day improved their working memory by 19 percent, according to a Spanish study. Polyphenols in walnuts are thought to reduce improve communication between neurons.

Coffee

A recent British study found that 20 to 30 milligrams of caffeine can boost brainpower—that’s less than a cup of coffee.

Fish

They’re packed with omega-3s—and people with the lowest levels of omega-3 fatty acid in their blood cells had smaller brains compared to those with high levels, according to a recent study in Neurology.

Spinach

Filled with magnesium, these greens can help dilate blood vessels, boosting blood flow throughout the body and brain, according to Japanese researchers.

Olive Oil

Fatty acids and polyphenols help to reduce inflammation in your joints and cells.

Flaxseed

They may be small, but they’re big in terms of protein and fiber. Add them to yogurt or cereal to give your brain a boost.

Mussels

These bad boys have some of the highest levels of the vitamin B12 which helps insulate your brain cells—important as you age.

Did you know? Mussels house 27 grams of protein in a quarter-pound serving. 

Dark Chocolate

Not a whole bar—just a few ounces of cocoa can help you concentrate improving blood flow to the brain. Stick with as pure as you can get.

Greek Yogurt

t’s loaded with calcium, which when in low supply can lead to anxiety, irritability, and slow thinking—all brain functions.

Asparagus

Research shows that almost half of people with depression have low folate levels. Asparagus is packed with the nutrient.

Peppermint

Gum or teas, the smell has been associated with an increase in alertness and memory functioning by acting as a stimulant, researchers believe.

Oranges

Your body can’t make vitamin C—and a team of Oregon-based researchers recently found that the retina cells—many of which are the same type your brain is filled with—could burn out when denied C.

Berries

Flavonoids in berries may cut your risk for Parkinson’s disease because of their anti-inflammatory powers, research suggests.

http://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/brain-foods

The question:

I have beautiful, new walls and lots of art. Aside from a picture rail, what is the least-damaging way to hang art?

The answer:

The words “beautiful, new walls” are intoxicating, as they evoke pristine, freshly painted or papered surfaces. In a way, the walls themselves are art, so I can see why you want to protect them.

Hanging paintings or prints can be messy. You could hire a professional to hang your art, but if you are a do-it-yourselfer, find some gloves, a level and a buddy to help. Be careful not to scratch the walls with the frames and be sure to use proper hooks – not nails. Ideally, use two hooks per piece to share the load.

Another option is to forgo hanging and simply lean the art against the wall; you can brace the bottom of the frames on the floor or shelf where they sit to prevent slipping. Alternatively, you could hang art from cables in the ceiling. Your walls will escape without a scratch and it will give your room a certain Cirque du Soleil appeal.

Architect and interior designer Dee Dee Taylor Eustace’s new e-book, Dee Dee’s Rules, is available on iTunes. Follow her on Twitter@ddtaylordd. Have a design problem? E-mailstyle@globeandmail.com.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/how-can-i-hang-art-without-ruining-my-walls/article11747162/

Watch a much-anticipated movie, attend an event to raise awareness for Mental Health Week, and check out an a cappella performance.

1.  See The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, directed by the theatrical genius Baz Luhrmann (he skillfully adapted Romeo and Juliet and dazzled audiences with Moulin Rouge), hits the silver screen this weekend. Enter the world of fame, fortune, glitz and glam, as you follow the infamous fictitious lives of Nick Carraway, Daisy, and Jay Gatsby played by an A-list cast including the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire. Opens May 10.

2. Honour thy mother

Whether it be with a delicious, yet easy-to-make homemade brunch, a list of 50 reasons why you’re thankful she is your mother, or one of these great Mother’s Day gift ideas; this Sunday, make it about her. She deserves it.

3. Get vocal

Two weeks ago, NYC subway commuters caught an intimate a cappella performance by the charismatic crooner Michael Bublé as he busked the West 66th street subway stop. (Swoon!)  This weekend, ears in Toronto will be just as fortunate with a series of a cappella performances taking place at the Harbourfront as Toronto Sing Arts Fest takes the stage.  Inspired to sing? Us too. Thankfully there are a number of lady barbershop groups to join and all you have to do is show up in tune on a Tuesday!

May 9 – 12, Toronto Sing Arts Fest

A cappella rehearsals on Tuesdays:

Sea Belles, 7pm, Saint John, NB

Valley Voices, 7pm, Kentville, NS

Lionsgate Chorus, 7pm, Vancouver BC

Nickel City Sound, 6pm, Sudbury ON

Click here for more chapters/rehearsal times.

4. Raise awareness

This weekend marks the last few days of Mental Health Week. Join the fight to help raise awareness by attending a variety of cultural events that will inspire everything from creative thinking and full stomachs, to a lot of laughs. Top picks:  “Spring Forward, Recovery Through Art,” an exhibition of artwork by artists who have lived with mental illness; a BBQ and Dance sponsored by Apple; a night of comedy with Big Daddy Tazz & Guests, and a day of stress management sessions mixed with live entertainment and zumba at De-Stress Fest 2013.

May 10 – 31, Spring Forward, Recovery Through Art, Richmond BC

May 10, Big Daddy Tazz & Guests, Portage la Prairie MB

May 10, BBQ/DJ Dance, Ottawa ON

May 11, De-Stress Fest 2013, Edmonton AB

5. Get registered

After-school sports are not just for teenagers! Beach volleyball season is upon us, bringing a coastal vibe to major cities and small towns. And what better way to meet new people and work off the winter weight than over some friendly competition while soaking up some sun (SPF required), with your toes in the sand.

Registration now open:

Not So Pro Sports, Toronto ON

VBC Outdoor Leagues, BC

Halifax Sport and Social Club, Halifax NB

Club Montreal Sport and Social, Montreal QC

http://www.chatelaine.com/living/canada-events-and-attractions-five-cool-things-to-do-this-week-may-10-to-16/