Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Here’s another reason to be jealous of your coworker who just got promoted: He’s also less likely to have heart disease, according to a new study in the Economic Journal.

People working in departments with higher promotion rates have a 20 percent reduced risk of developing heart disease, according to a new study. The reason? Researchers speculate that “favorable shocks”—or being surprised with good news—can positively affect your health.

Sure, your department might not promote as frequently as the one upstairs, but that doesn’t mean you have to start worrying about the fate of your ticker—yet. Are you spending your 9-to-5 in a healthy environment? Take a look around the office and see for yourself. (And to find out how filthy your workplace really is, read The 6 Dirtiest Places in Your Office.)

1. Do you have canine colleagues?
According to a Virginia Commonwealth University study, bringing your dog to the office not only zaps your stress, but relieves your coworkers, too. Researchers found that employee stress significantly rose on days that owners left their pups at home. “Pet presence may serve as a low-cost wellness intervention readily available to many organizations,” says Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D., a management professor at VCU. And the pooch initiative works: Mega-successful companies like Google, Amazon, and Clif Bar & Company have adopted a “dog-friendly” policy by welcoming man’s best friend into the office.  (Discover more reasons Why Every Man Needs a Dog.)

2. Do you decorate your domain?
It’s a bad sign when your company’s cubicles look more like bunkers with with bare walls and bleak desks. Your mental health drops if your office doesn’t encourage originality, according to research from the University of Exeter. One study shows employees who have control over their workspace are happier, healthier, and 32 percent more productive. So even if you despise your office-mate’s cat posters, let ‘em hang—they’re still good for company morale. (Need a manly way to decorate your space? Learn how to Pimp Your Cube.)

3. Do you take the stairs?
If there’s always a huddle waiting outside the elevator, your office is in bad shape—literally. Skipping out on exercise for just two weeks elevates your risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers asked participants to forgo the stairs and use motorized transportation instead in every situation possible, and after just 14 lazy days, participants had higher levels of glucose and fat in their blood streams than before. Your move: Duh—take the stairs! And if you’re looking for a quick way to boost productivity around the office, consider this: You’ll also save about 15 minutes a day if you ditch the dumbwaiter. In one recent study, it took doctors about 13 seconds to climb a flight of stairs versus the 37 seconds it took to ride the elevator the same distance.

http://news.menshealth.com/healthy-offices/2012/07/03/

Here are ten things you need to know.

1. Keep a good driving record

The single best way to keep your premium low is to build a good driving history. Accidents and convictions stay on your driving record for years. It’s the number one thing insurance companies use to determine your rate.

2. Shop around

Many people think all insurance companies charge about the same for the same coverage and driving profile. Not so. Rates vary significantly.

This is primarily because insurance companies assess risk independently. They all consider such things as where you live, the type of car you drive, how long you have been licensed and your driving record to build a risk profile. But each company has different claims and loss experience and so rates can vary significantly from one company to the next for the same car and driver for the same level of coverage.

3. How brokers work

You may also think that your broker is able to shop the entire market for the lowest rate available, but he or she isn’t. He or she is limited to providing quotes from the limited number of insurance companies he or she represents, typically no more than four or five. An insurance company agent can’t shop the market at all and is only able to provide you with the rate available from the single insurance company he or she represents.

Since there are more than 30 companies selling car insurance in Ontario alone, the only way to be sure you are getting the best rate is to get competitive quotes from as broad a sample as possible. There are a number of online sources that can help including ours, InsuranceHotline.com.

4. Consider increasing your deductible

A deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance company will cover any expenses related to a claim. Generally, higher deductibles translate to lower premiums. This means increasing your deductible can be an effective way to lower your rate. However, it’s important to realize you must be comfortable paying the higher out-of-pocket cost if something happens to your car and you need to make a claim.

5. Review your coverage

Depending on the value of your vehicle, you may want to speak to your broker or agent about the type of coverage you require. For example, if you drive an older model, you may want to consider removing or opting out of collision and comprehensive coverage which typically represents a significant portion of your premium.

6. The Porsche factor

The type of car you drive is another important factor used to set your rate. Generally speaking, new cars cost more to insure than older cars, sports cars more than family sedans and insurance companies look at statistics on theft, safety ratings, and claims history of each when setting their rates.

Visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada to see the difference in the frequency of theft and claims for various cars and to better understand how your choice will affect the amount you pay for car insurance.

7. Ask for discounts

The worst thing that can happen is the insurance company can say no. Some of the more common discounts are for bringing all your insurance needs to the same insurer, maintaining a clean driving record and installing an anti-theft device.

8. Accident forgiveness coverage

Accident forgiveness coverage protects your driving record and rate increases in the event of an “at-fault” loss. Costs for this coverage can vary from one company to the next, but it could save you hundreds of dollars on your next renewal.

Check if this coverage is offered by your insurance company and consider the additional cost as a way of buying “insurance” on your driving record. Some companies may even provide it free of charge.

9. Loyalty can be costly

Some insurance companies may offer discounts if you’ve been with them for a long time and there are benefits to not moving too frequently. But a loyalty discount can give you a false sense of security and may distract you from finding a better rate. In some cases, the savings associated with switching can outweigh any loyalty discount. The only way to know for sure is to shop around.

10. Drivers training

New drivers should take an accredited driver training course. It not only prepares you to become a better driver, but usually qualifies you for a significant discount with many insurance companies.

This article wsa prepared for Moneyville's launch. Andrew Wicken was  the general manager ofInsuranceHotline.com , a free online insurance rate comparison service.

InsuranceHotline.com , which is partly owned by The Toronto Star, is one of three free comprehensive online services that offer free insurance quotes. The others are MyInsuranceShopper.ca, which is run by Ontario’s independent insurance brokers and Kanetix.ca a private company which has been in business since 1999.

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/848315--car-insurance-10-things-you-need-to-know

The question

I’ve been battling a nasty summer cough, sniffles and sore throat for three weeks now. Aren’t colds suppose to be mainly a winter problem?

The answer

Having to deal with irritating cold symptoms after getting through our long Canadian winter can be frustrating and confusing. The reality is, however, we can all get colds in the summer, and they can linger longer than winter colds.

While summer and winter colds may feel different, they are caused by the same viruses. The most common bugs that cause colds in the winter are rhino/corona and parainfluenza viruses and in the summer, enterovirus can join the mix.

Enterovirus, like the others, is spread through droplets dispersed by coughing, sneezing and fecal-oral contamination. Beyond the regular cold symptoms such as runny nose and cough, enterovirus can also cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.

As in the winter, though, the key to colds is to prevent them in the first place. Viruses can survive for hours on surfaces and are easily transferred to the eyes, nose and mouth through touch. So take special precautions to regularly wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer after touching contaminated surfaces.

But some summertime activities do increase the risk of contracting a cold. For example, we tend to travel more during summer. When we travel in enclosed spaces, such as planes and trains, we share the air with others who may be sources of infection. The chance of catching a cold is directly related to the number of hours exposed, so being on a long-haul flight heightens the chance of catching a virus compared with a shorter trip.

In addition to travel, we tend to get out more and interact with others in the summer, which also increases our exposure to viruses.

Another risk factor for summer colds is air conditioning. While air conditioning makes our lives more comfortable, it also exposes our body to recirculated air. By breathing in this recycled air, we can irritate the lining of our nose, thus breaking down our natural barrier and allowing entry for viruses.

While summer is meant to be a time of fun and relaxation, the stress of entertaining and travel can also have an impact on our immune function.

Another factor in catching summertime cold has to do with the heat. In very hot weather, we may change our sleep patterns or lose more fluids than normal, leading to dehydration. Both of these situation weaken our body’s ability to fight off infection, which is why summer colds may linger longer.

Finally, for those of us who suffer from allergies, the spring and summer months can take its toll on our respiratory system. Allergies can also trigger a reaction in the nasal and sinus passages, making us more sensitive to viral infection. If you suffer from allergies, treating them with antihistamines, nasal saline or steroid sprays can help decrease the irritation of the protective barrier in the nose and decrease infection.

If you do get a cold, take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest and hydrating well. Colds typically last approximately five to seven days. Antibiotics do not help with viral infections, so focus on treating your symptoms with analgesics, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen and nasal saline sprays.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/ask-a-health-expert/cough-i-cant-quit-this-summer-cold/article4400016/

Statistics Canada says municipalities issued $7-billion worth of building permits in May, up 7.4 per cent from April and the highest level since May 2007.

The jump followed a 4.4 per cent decline in April.

The agency says the increase was largely due to higher construction intentions for institutional buildings in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan and for multi-family dwellings in British Columbia.

The value of residential building permits increased 8.5 per cent to $4.1-billion, following four consecutive monthly declines.

Non-residential construction intentions rose 6 per cent to $2.9-billion after a 7-per-cent decline the previous month.

The value of building permits increased in seven provinces in May, led by British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/housing/building-permits-hit-highest-level-in-five-years/article4394018/

by Phoebe Chongchua

Go ahead and down a cup of Joe—just don’t make it the 20-ounce Venti variety.Drinking coffee may lower your risk of heart failure, as long as you’re not drinking too much of it, found researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

The scientists reviewed five studies that analyzed the relationship between coffee consumption and heart failure risk. Of the more than 140,000 participants included in the studies, those who regularly drank about two 8-ounce cups of coffee had an 11 percent lower risk of heart failure than those who didn’t consume the java.

However, the risk increased among study participants that averaged five or more cups a day.

“Moderation is key,” says Elizabeth Mostofsky, the study’s author and a post-doctoral research fellow at Beth Israel. (Get more easy-to-follow nutrition advice by signing up for our free Eat This,Not That! newsletter.) 

So what in coffee shields your heart? Researchers think it might have something to do with java’s healthful compounds like antioxidants. “These may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, a well-known risk factor for heart failure,” says Mostofsky.

Although current heart failure prevention guidelines warn that coffee may be dangerous to heart health because it raises blood pressure right after consumption, habitual coffee drinkers develop a tolerance to the beverage’s caffeine and no longer experience this spike, she says. But don’t chug two cups of coffee as your first line of defense against heart failure, warns Mostofsky. Researchers still need to determine the appropriate brew strength and whether caffeinated or decaffeinated works best. 

http://news.menshealth.com/protect-your-heart-with-coffee/2012/07/02/

Summer is the season for major car-battery problems. Heat, not cold, shortens battery life, says the Car Care Council.

Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, this damaging the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate. That’s slow death for a battery.

True, there are more road service calls in cold weather for dead batteries that cause starting failure. That’s when a battery’s output is diminished because of sluggish electro-chemical action that gives the battery its power. Also, colder temperatures increase thickness of the engine oil, making the engine harder to turn over. These factors lead to harder starting.

“An average of one out of four vehicles gets a new battery every year,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “Sooner or later all batteries have to be replaced, but having to so prematurely can involve more than the cost of a road service call and a new battery, it can be inconvenient as well.”

To get the most life out of a battery, White suggests the following:

Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

http://www.carcare.org/2012/03/hot-weather-the-true-culprit-behind-car-battery-trouble/

Via: REM

Competition Commissioner Melanie Aitken announced today that she will resign on Sept. 21. She will be leaving in the middle of the evidentiary portion of the long-awaited Competition Tribunal hearing between the Competition Bureau and the Toronto Real Estate Board, which begins Sept. 10.
Aitken was appointed in 2009 for a five-year term. No reason was given for her resignation.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to work at the bureau for the past seven years, with over half of that time as commissioner,” says Aitken in a statement. “At the outset, I identified clear goals to reinvigorate enforcement at the bureau and, with the help of the bureau’s dedicated staff, I believe we have accomplished what we set out to do and positioned the bureau to continue its valuable work well into the future.”
A news release from the Competition Bureau calls Aitken a “tough enforcer and a vigorous proponent of protecting and promoting the forces of competition.”
It says her tenure as commissioner includes a long list of accomplishments.
“Canadians today have access to more competitive markets, such as real estate services, and are better protected against misleading representations, including those resulting from fine-print disclaimers,” says the release.
Aitken joined the bureau in 2005 as assistant deputy commissioner of competition, mergers, and was appointed senior deputy commissioner, mergers in May 2007. She served as interim commissioner from Jan.12, 2009 to Aug. 4, 2009, when she was appointed as commissioner for a five-year term.
Prior to joining the bureau, Aitken was a commercial litigation partner at Bennett Jones LLP. From 2001 and 2003, she worked as senior counsel at the Department of Justice (Federal), on secondment from her partnership at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP in Toronto.

For Articles on the Competition Bureau vs Realtors, click the link below:

http://bit.ly/NlCaH6

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max Hall of Fame
Re/Max Chairman's Club
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
905-888-6222

Name change takes effect on Canada Day