Feed your lawn - starting now

Water is important for lawns, but that’s not enough. Gardening experts tell us the best plan is to apply a good fertilizer every other month from April to October.

“It’s really as easy as that, aroundthree or four times per growing season,” says Scott MacDonald at Scotts Canada, a leader in this field. “The objective is to establish a strong and deep root system. Early spring is the right time to begin, but not too early.”

Here’s a handy little checklist from Scotts Advantage:

• Early Spring: Wait until the sunshine has dried off the initial sogginess. Usually by late April or so, roots are strengthened sufficiently to benefit the most from a feeding. This would also be the right time to consider repairing damaged patches and overseeding your entire lawn to improve overall health.

• Late Spring: Fertilizing again 6-8 weeks later and before the heat of summer gets too intense is also vital. By now lawns are actively using up stored energy, so feeding helps to replace the much-needed nutrients and prepare it for the heat and drought of summer.

• Early Fall: As the days cool off towards the end of summer, lawns are ready to grow again, so fertilizing at this point provides the necessary nutrients to recover from summertime heat, insects, and foot traffic.

• Late Fall: Late autumn is probably the most important feeding of the year. The cool nights, plenty of rain and morning dew create ideal growing conditions, so the fertilizer will strengthen roots, improve winter hardiness, and protect it until spring.

“Be selective when you buy fertilizers as some contain fillers like sand, gravel or sawdust, as much as 30% or more,” MacDonald cautions. “Whereas others, like the Scotts Turf Builder line with the all-in-one particle, are pure food. Every granule is 100% nutrition so you get what you pay for.”

www.newscanada.com

March 22, 2010 – March 28, 2010

Here’s a look at the Real Estate Market in Vaughan over the last 7 days:

Vaughan Real Estate Market Overview

There were a total of 177 homes listed in the 12th week of 2010 and a total of 92 sales. The breakdown of new listings includes 36 condos, 18 townhomes, 18 semi’s or links and 105 detached homes with 26 being priced under $500,000, 80 priced between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and 11 priced over $1,000,000.

The breakdown of sales includes 12 condos, 15 townhomes, 13 semis and 52 detached homes with 8 selling for under $500,000, 43 selling between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and 1 selling for over $1,000,000.

Here is the breakdown for week 12:

Condos

• 36 Condos Listed
• Low: $259,900
• High: $674,900
• 12 Condos Sold
• Low: $266,000
• High: $515,000
• Low Days On Market: 1
• High Days On Market: 106
• Low % Of Asking Price: 94%
• High % Of Asking Price: 104%

Townhomes

• 18 Townhomes Listed
• Low: $329,900
• High: $598,000
• 15 Townhome Sold
• Low: $345,000
• High: $520,000
• Low Days On Market: 4
• High Days On Market: 49
• Low % Of Asking Price: 99%
• High % Of Asking Price: 104%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 7

Semi-Detached (includes Linked Homes)

• 18 Semis Listed
• Low: $359,900
• High: $518,900
• 13 Semis Sold
• Low: $395,000
• High: $535,000
• Low Days On Market: 1
• High Days On Market: 25
• Low % Of Asking Price: 95%
• High % Of Asking Price: 105%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 5

Detached Homes (under $500,000)

• 26 Detached under $500,000 Listed
• Low: $409,900
• High: $499,900
• 8 Detached under $500,000 Sold
• Low: $440,000
• High: $495,000
• Low Days On Market: 1
• High Days On Market: 25
• Low % Of Asking Price: 97%
• High % Of Asking Price: 111%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 4

Detached Homes ($500,000 – $1,000,000)

• 80 Detached between $500k – $1,000,000 Listed
• Low: $509,000
• High: $949,999
• 43 Detached between $500k – $1,000,000 Sold
• Low: $514,000
• High: $940,000
• Low Days On Market: 1
• High Days On Market: 116
• Low % Of Asking Price: 93%
• High % Of Asking Price: 106%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 10

Detached Homes ($1,000,000 and up)

• 10 Detached over $1,000,000 Listed
• Low: $1,049,000
• High: $2,590,000
• 1 Detached over $1,000,000 Sold
• Low: $1,275,000
• High: $1,275,000
• Low Days On Market: 32
• High Days On Market: 32
• Low % Of Asking Price: 91%
• High % Of Asking Price: 91%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 0

See the weekly review from last week
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Looking for a more detailed report on Vaughan Real Estate including a list of homes for sale or sold in your neighbourhood?

See The Video & Get Your Copy of the Vaughan Real Estate Report

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Fence Me In

Good fences make good neighbours – and the right fence can really make your yard. These steps can help you find a style that works for your space.

Step 1: Determine your needs

First, figure out the purpose of your fence. Do you want it to…

• Provide privacy?
• Beautify your yard?
• Keep kids or pets in?
• Comply with pool safety standards?
• Define your property lines?
• Add to the value of your home?

Determining your needs can help you choose the right fence for you.

Step 2: Choose your style

Private:  A solid-board fence blocks an unattractive view completely, but it also cuts out light and breezes and can make you feel boxed in.

Semi-private:  This style, which can have subtle spacing, louvers or lattice to let in light, is friendly, comfortable, and makes your yard feel bigger.

Open:  Great if you want to enclose your property but don’t want to block it off visually.

Step 3: Select your material

Your options are limited only by your imagination and, of course, your budget.

Chain-link:  Definitely the most cost-effective choice, but not necessarily the most aesthetically pleasing. It’s good for defining boundaries, keeping kids and pets in, and maintaining a sense of openness. If you’ve got a big yard and a small budget, this is the way to go.

Wood:  Styles range from split rail and picket fences to board-on-board styles that look great on both sides and offer privacy, yet let in air and light. The downside to wood? It needs regular maintenance to look good over time.

PVC/vinyl:  Vinyl fencing looks just like painted wood, but you’ll never need to paint it – all you have to do is clean it once a year.

Iron, aluminum or steel:  Use it if you want an open, formal look. Aluminum, which looks like wrought iron but is less expensive, is the most budget-friendly choice. If cost isn’t an issue, custom ironwork is an excellent way to incorporate a fence or gate that’s completely unique.

Natural “fencing”:  Hedges and shrubs reduce noise and dust better than a fence, are less expensive, and look lush and beautiful. You’ll just have to be patient while your “fence” grows in.

A great-looking fence adds tremendous value to your home – whether it’s resale value or your own enjoyment of it over the years. Think carefully about your needs and your personal style, then go ahead and build a fence you’ll love.

Be nice to your neighbours

Talk to them before you do anything. Choose a design that looks good from both sides, and make sure you know exactly where your property lines are.

Think outside the box

You may not need to surround your whole yard to get the privacy you want. Consider using a fence to screen in a sitting area or create an outdoor room.

In February, the Canadian Composite Index of Leading Indicators rose 0.8 per cent, after a revised 0.7 per cent increase in January. It was the ninth straight month that the index has remained in positive territory. Nine of the 10 index components increased, with only the average weekly hours worked, which was down 0.8 per cent, bucking the trend.

On the consumer-driven side of the economy, much of February’s overall advance can be traced to strength in the housing component of the index. A strong rebound in consumer-related sectors has been the driver of economic recovery to date. However, for recovery to be sustained, goods producing sectors associated with trade must start to contribute more to growth.

Improvement in trade will be dependent on economic recovery in the United States – Canada’s single largest trading partner. The latest leading indicator release contained good news in this regard. The US leading indicator also increased for the ninth straight month. The improving economic situation south of the border has arguably spurred increased orders for goods manufactured in Canada, with new orders for durable products increasing by over six per cent in February.

Moving forward, however, it will be important to watch the impact of the high value of the Canadian dollar vis-à-vis the US. A strong currency relative to our trading partners’ has been generally seen as detrimental to trade and by extension Canada’s manufacturing sector.

Click here to view the entire Release

Source: Statistics Canada with economic commentary by Jason Mercer – TREB Senior Manager of Market Analysis

March 15, 2010 – March 21, 2010

Here’s a look at the Real Estate Market in Vaughan over the last 7 days:

Vaughan Real Estate Market Overview

There were a total of 172 homes listed in the 11th week of 2010 and a total of 71 sales. The breakdown of new listings includes 17 condos, 22 townhomes, 28 semi’s or links and 105 detached homes with 20 being priced under $500,000, 84 priced between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and 11 priced over $1,000,000.

The breakdown of sales includes 11 condos, 11 townhomes, 9 semis and 40 detached homes with 14 selling for under $500,000, 25 selling between $500,000 and $1,000,000 and 1 selling for over $1,000,000.

Here is the breakdown for week 11:

Condos

• 17 Condos Listed
• Low: $249,000
• High: $630,000
• 11 Condos Sold
• Low: $232,000
• High: $515,000
• Low Days On Market: 3
• High Days On Market: 37
• Low % Of Asking Price: 95%
• High % Of Asking Price: 100%

Townhomes

• 22 Townhomes Listed
• Low: $348,800
• High: $509,990
• 11 Townhome Sold
• Low: $355,000
• High: $514,500
• Low Days On Market: 2
• High Days On Market: 19
• Low % Of Asking Price: 98%
• High % Of Asking Price: 105%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 6

Semi-Detached (includes Linked Homes)

• 28 Semis Listed
• Low: $369,900
• High: $498,800
• 9 Semis Sold
• Low: $402,000
• High: $486,000
• Low Days On Market: 2
• High Days On Market: 16
• Low % Of Asking Price: 96%
• High % Of Asking Price: 105%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 6

Detached Homes (under $500,000)

• 20 Detached under $500,000 Listed
• Low: $398,000
• High: $499,900
• 14 Detached under $500,000 Sold
• Low: $435,000
• High: $493,000
• Low Days On Market: 5
• High Days On Market: 24
• Low % Of Asking Price: 94%
• High % Of Asking Price: 108%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 6

Detached Homes ($500,000 – $1,000,000)

• 74 Detached between $500k – $1,000,000 Listed
• Low: $509,900
• High: $949,000
• 25 Detached between $500k – $1,000,000 Sold
• Low: $510,000
• High: $965,000
• Low Days On Market: 1
• High Days On Market: 213
• Low % Of Asking Price: 94%
• High % Of Asking Price: 107%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 5

Detached Homes ($1,000,000 and up)

• 11 Detached over $1,000,000 Listed
• Low: $1,059,900
• High: $1,498,000
• 1 Detached over $1,000,000 Sold
• Low: $1,400,000
• High: $1,400,000
• Low Days On Market: 12
• High Days On Market: 12
• Low % Of Asking Price: 93%
• High % Of Asking Price: 93%
• Number Of Properties Sold For Full Price Or More: 0

See the weekly review from last week
______________________________________________________________________________

Looking for a more detailed report on Vaughan Real Estate including a list of homes for sale or sold in your neighbourhood?

See The Video & Get Your Copy of the Vaughan Real Estate Report

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