For over 30 years CENTURY 21 Canada has been encouraging their System members to support Easter Seals and help send kids with disabilities to Camps where they can experience something truly special. When we hear about how an office who’s been inspired to make a difference, it’s nice to share their story.

Stephen Chow, owner of CENTURY 21 Atria Realty Inc., was lucky enough to attend summer camps throughout his childhood. He remembers his time at camp with fondness, but as a kid, he took it for granted that going to camp was just “something you did.”

He realized how lucky he actually was after meeting the Easter Seals Youth Ambassador, Melissa, during the CENTURY 21 Canadian Conference in September 2011. Melissa attended the Conference with her mother to share her story about how Easter Seals Summer Camps had made a difference in her life. Loving to share her joy with hugs, she was inspiration to all who met her.

Inspired by the courage Melissa has, Stephen hoped to try and make a difference for at least one child with disabilities in 2011. He brought the challenge to his team at CENTURY 21 Atria Realty, and a fundraising committee, made up of sales professionals and support staff, was created. They’ve been tasked to come up with ways they could fundraise for Easter Seals.

A silent auction and raffle was planned for their 2011 Christmas party. Held at the Shangri-la Banquet Hall & Convention Centre in Markham, the event was well attended by staff and various business partners along with a special guest, an Easter Seals Youth Ambassador. Stephen and his team raised $3677.08 for Easter Seals and one lucky raffle winner, Scott Nguyen went home an extra bit of cash.

CENTURY 21 Atria Realty has set a goal of raising $5000 in 2012. Their first fundraising event is coming up on Valentine’s Day.

We wish Stephen and his team at CENTURY 21 Atria Realty the best of luck in raising funds for Easter Seals. It’s truly a cause worth championing.

I’m often shocked at some of the photos that end up on Realtor.ca. I’ve seen photos of dirty clothes piled on the floor or toys littered across a living room. I wouldn’t want my friends to see my place like that, let alone having sellers view my listing publicly. Having good listing photos is very important in marketing a home to sell. This is why we’ve enlisted photography specialists, Obeo to help us write a piece on what you can do to make sure your listing is presented in the best light possible.

15 Tips on How to Best Prepare a Home for Real Estate Photography

Homes that show professional, high quality photographs have proven to sell for more money. In a post on our blog, ObeoSphere, a study done by the Redfin Corporation discovered that listings marketed with photos from a high end DSLR camera gained anywhere from $1000 to $100,000 more at closing! Given this information, it’s pretty shocking that only 15% of luxury properties in the United States are marketed with DSLR photos.

“How should I prepare the home for the photo shoot?” you might ask. To ensure your listing photos come out gorgeous, here is a list of things to think about. Below you will find the many tips we have accumulated through the years. Be sure to consider these if you’re thinking about listing your home or if you have a client who wants to sell!

1. Have the lawn mowed, leaves raked, bushes trimmed.
2. When in season, flowers can add a gorgeous pop of color.
3. Remove all vehicles from the driveway and front of the house.
4. Make sure all garbage cans, hoses, garden tools etc. are put away.
5. If you will be doing any twilight photos, be sure to check all outdoor lights. Change out dim or broken lights.
6. Remove your “cute” yard decorations like garden gnomes and animals. 
7. Remove any “clutter” inside the home, and put away toys, clothing, dishes, towels, etc.
8. Make the beds.
9. The counter tops in the bathrooms and kitchen should be as clean and as empty as possible.
10. Make sure the kitchen sink is empty and all dishes are put away.
11. Hide the trash cans.
12. Hide personal photos.
13. Replace any light bulbs that are out.
14. Remove any decorations or magnets that are on the fridge.
15. Before the photographer arrives, turn on all lights and open all blinds in rooms to be photographed.

If you’re considering hiring a professional to photograph your home, make sure you do some research. Your Realtor may have recommendations on someone in your area. At Obeo, most of our photography packages consist of both still photos and panoramic images. These can be in any area of the home. Common panoramic shots may include: kitchen, master bedroom, family room, living room, exterior (front or back), or any special feature of the home that cannot be adequately captured with a still photo.

Still photography may include secondary bedrooms, study, office, loft, and will include all main areas of the home. Our real estate photographers will choose shots that they feel best show off the home, but will be happy to take any photos you are the homeowner request.

Obeo’s real estate photographers all shoot with DSLR cameras, wide angle lens, and extra lighting. The cost of Obeo’s professional real estate photography varies across the county so get your Realtor to contact our local representatives for pricing. If you have any questions, please call one of our amazing customer service reps at 800-729-6236 or visit our website at www.obeo.com.

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, bringing in the year of the Dragon on January 23, 2012. In Chinese tradition the dragon is a highly regarded being. It’s believed to stand for power, luck, success and happiness, but it’s also thought of as mysterious and unpredictable, bringing unexpected happenings throughout the year.

If you’re superstitious, your luck will depend on your zodiac sign and how it fairs with the Dragon. No matter what, 2012 is looking like a very exciting year in real estate, but I know I can always use a little more luck along the way.

In preparation for Chinese New Year, here are certain superstitions that are supposed to help bring luck to you during the rest of the year.

Cleaning out the Old

Cleaning the entire house before New Year’s Eve is very important. The act represents the clearing out of the old to make room for the new. This ensures that the old misfortunes are cleared out to allow for a clean start to a new year. This means every inch and corner of a home is dusted, washed and wiped down.

All cleaning materials are put away on New Year’s Eve and should not be used at all on New Year’s Day. At the stroke of midnight, windows and doors are opened to allow the old year to escape. There is no cleaning on New Year’s Day so put up your feet and relax. Chinese superstitions believed that cleaning your home will sweep away the good luck of the family, especially if you sweep things out your front door.

Decorating for Luck

Homes are decorated with symbols of luck and good fortune. Bright reds and golds are often used, symbolizing wealth and happiness. Tangerines (with the leaves intact), persimmons, and oranges are placed in the home along with red packets of candy.

Family members gather for a feast on New Year’s Eve. They’ll often eat foods that play on words of wealth and fortune. For example, the word for “dried oysters” in Chinese sounds like “good tidings” and black moss seaweed represents wealth.

Looking Forward

If you’re in the Chinatowns across Canada during this time, you’ll most likely hear firecrackers being set off. It is believed the loud noise scares the bad spirits away so that you can start a clean slate in the New Year.

During the 15 days of celebration, people are encouraged to visit one another and put aside past grudges. Children will receive red packets from their elders to bring them luck and prosperity. Other gifts include fresh flowers, representing rebirth and new growth.

Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate change so enjoy the ride ahead. May the year of the dragon bring you great luck and prosperity.

Mold is a common occurrence in homes, but it can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces if it is not controlled. Mold begins growing indoors when spores come in contact with wet surfaces or substances. Once established, mold can be very difficult to remove successfully - so prevention is the key.

MOLD PREVENTION
Mold cannot grow in the absence of moisture. Moisture can take the form of leaks, spills, condensation, and humidity, so controlling sources of moisture is the most important step in mold prevention. Here are some ways to avoid creating conditions in which mold will thrive: 

• Look for signs of leaks in supply and waste lines for bathrooms, kitchens, utility sinks, and laundry areas. Have any leaks fixed and dry the area thoroughly.
• Check the condition of grout and tile on shower walls, floors, and around bathtubs. Repair damaged grout, and seal it to prevent mold from being absorbed.
• Increase ventilation to the outside by using exhaust fans, attic ventilation.
• Regularly empty and clean drain pans and hoses for air conditioning units and dehumidifiers.
• Check for roof leaks that allow water to enter attic spaces or build up under roof shingles.
• If possible, lower the overall humidity in the home to decrease condensation and create a less mold-friendly environment.

Places that tend to stay damp, such as showers, may be more difficult to keep entirely free of mold but it can be minimized. Diligent cleaning, opening a window or using a ventilation fan are often enough to keep mold at bay.

MOLD REMOVAL
Once mold has become established in the home it can be difficult to eradicate. Depending on the location and severity of the mold problem, a homeowner may need to engage a professional certified in mold remediation to remove it. A qualified professional will also take preventive measures to lessen the likelihood of recurrences.

Angela Slager is with CENTURY 21 Heritage House Ltd. in Woodstock, ON.

Home buyers are often faced with the question of “Should we buy a new home or an older home?”  There are, of course, pros and cons to either option. Consider some of the following when deciding on which option suits you the best:

New Home Advantages

• Modern designs accommodate current lifestyles. For example, some new homes will have larger rooms, an open concept, or more closet space
• Newer technology in materials and construction, therefore more ecologically sound – may translate into lower heating costs
• If the home is being built, you may get to choose all the finishes and many builders will customize for a bargain 
• Often your neighbours will be new to the area as well - the common situation can a 'neighbourhood friendliness'   

New Home Concerns

• There are only specific areas where new homes are typically built
• You may have to put up with immediate area construction until the remainder of the lots are completed
• First years may include waiting for landscaping, fencing and amenities
• The first year in a new construction may result in issues (for example settlement cracks in walls)

Older Home Advantages

• A wider range of areas and homes from which to choose from
• Existing landscaping, fencing, mature trees
• Better ratio of house to lot size
• Existing schools and amenities

Older Home Concerns

• May need some updating
• May not have a master bedroom large enough for a queen or king bed
• May not have an ensuite bathroom 
• Potential challenges may not be apparent upon purchase (for example: leaky roof)

If your preference is a new home, then consider:

• Buying a home that is 2 - 4 years old.  That way you benefit from the advantages and minimize the disadvantages of both
• Using a realtor even if you're buying directly from a builder.  Your realtor can negotiate to ensure you get the features you want for the best possible price!  

Linda Giovanniello is with CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. in London, ON.

Adding a splash of colour to your home in the form of art can be both inspirational and an easy way to change up the look of each room.

There’s a quote by Roy Adzak about the individuality of art; “Good art is not what it looks like, but what it does to us.” 

Art is choice, and more often than not an expensive one at that, and can change the vibe of your space. Make sure each piece speaks to you and your family before you shell out the big bucks.

Choosing art that you’ll want to look at every day is a difficult process and should not be taken lightly or done on impulse.

And the fact that there is no shortage of choice in the art world is both good and bad. With so many options, you’re sure to find something that suits you and your space, but it can sometimes be overwhelming.

Whether you’re planning on framing the piece yourself or buying the art finished and ready to hang, you’ll need to take the time to research and peruse.

There are some basic rules that go along with art choice for the home:

1. Be sure you love the art, not just the colours.

Choose art that everyone living within the household appreciates in one way or another.

Take your time. Simply trying to fill space will result in dissatisfaction over the long term.

2. Keep within your budget.

Choose pieces for the right locations. If you have a large space, choose a large piece of art, or a grouping of smaller pieces that complement each other. If you have a wall that is usually viewed from a distance, make sure to choose art that is best viewed from further away.

Find art that matches the flow and functionality of each space. For example, a piece of art in the bedroom should be relaxing and meditative while art in the living and dining space should lean toward energetic and vibrant.

3. Support local artists when possible. 

Paul Baron is with Leading Edge Realty Inc. in Scarborough, ON.

With interest rates at an all-time low, many Canadians are taking advantage of the savings by refinancing their mortgages to consolidate debt, make home renovations, invest in real estate or other ventures, or moving up the property ladder.

The following are ways to take even further advantage of this excellent rate environment by paying down your mortgage faster.

Tip #1: Prepay early in the mortgage
Make extra payments as early as you can after getting a mortgage because the loans are interest-heavy upfront and the faster you pay down your principal, the more interest savings you will accumulate over the long run. Within the first five to seven years of your mortgage is where the largest portions of interest payments are contained. This not only will save you thousands of dollars in interest payments, but it will also increase the speed at which you are accumulating equity in your property. Many mortgage products allow you to make up to 20% more in payments per year.

Tip #2: Make an annual lump sum payment
Whether you use your tax refund, receive an inheritance, or get a Christmas bonus, you should apply as much as possible directly to your principal. Most lenders allow you to pay 20% in lump sum payments per year without penalty. A mortgage specialist can help you determine exactly how much you can prepay and what maximum percentage of your principal you are allowed to pay without penalty each year.

Tip #3: If your payments go down, don’t lower the payment amount
If you are on a variable-rate mortgage and the rates go down your payment will also often go down. Instead of making the lower mortgage payments, however, it’s best to call your lender and let them know that you would like to continue making payments for the original amount. A mortgage specialist can help you determine if there is a charge for making the extra payment. Even with the charge, in some cases, it is still worth it and will help you pay down your principal faster.

Tip #4: Round up your payments even if it’s just a little
If your monthly mortgage payment is $776.22 and you were to round up your payment an extra $23.78 a month to $800 – that’s less than a dollar a day – you would effectively reduce your mortgage amortization from 35 years to just over 32 years right away or from 25 years to just over 23 years.

TIP #5: Increase your payments with your pay increases
If your income increases, try not to keep your mortgage payments the same. Although the disposable income is a joy to spend on unnecessary luxuries in the short-term, the long-term benefits of being mortgage free faster and saving those interest payments will far outweigh the short-term joys. Pretend that your income did not increase and maintain the lifestyle that you are currently living.

Tip #6: Increase the frequency of your payments
You can also change the way you make your payments by opting for accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments. Not to be confused with semi-monthly mortgage payments (24 payments per year), accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments (26 payments per year) will not only pay your mortgage off quicker, but it’s guaranteed to save you a significant amount of money over the term of your mortgage. Basically, with accelerated bi-weekly mortgage payments, you’re making one additional monthly payment per year.

Craig Rushton is with CENTURY 21 In Town Realty in Vancouver, BC.

CENTURY 21 Canada has been a proud supporter of Easter Seals for over 30 years. Since 1979, CENTURY 21 Canada has supported Easter Seals by raising millions of dollars for families living with disabilities across the country.

It's great to hear stories like the one below and know that many CENTURY 21 Sales Professionals are getting out into their communities to raise funds for children with disabilities and Easter Seals.

This story was originally posted by Easter Seals on the CENTURY 21 Kids to Camp website. One of our offices in Pembroke, Ontario, CENTURY 21 Neville Realty has had an incredible year and hopefully this inspires others to give back to their community.

With the support of a strong team driven by the passion to support a worthy cause, it is incredible what a group can accomplish. When CENTURY 21 Kids to Camp started in 2008 CENTURY 21 Neville Realty, of Ontario, got involved right away. Serving smaller markets, away from events like The Easter Seals Drop Zone and 24 hour Relay, the team at Neville Realty set out to create their own fundraising program – a series of community events with the goal of sending 5 kids to camp.

The year’s events kicked off on July 24th, at Century 21 Neville Realty’s golf tournament for Easter Seals raising a total of $5,640. The event took place on a beautiful day and for all involved was a huge success!

Throughout the year other funds came through Century 21 Neville Realty’s; hot diggity dog Friday’s, agents contributions, garage sales, and other fundraising initiatives.

The team at Neville is so supportive of the Easter Seals cause that participation in organizing the events stretches beyond the Realtors themselves. Seth and Sophie Genoe (children of Angela Genoe) are the team’s youngest supporters who have taken up the job of selling cookies at the hot diggity dog Friday’s… they have volunteered for 3 hot diggity dog Fridays and at their last day they raise over $100 themselves from their efforts.

All the effort pays off as well, as the Neville Realty team has blown away their 2011 goal totaling more than $16,000 raised this year. From the entire Easter Seals family, a huge thank you goes out to everyone at CENTURY 21 Neville Realty.

Has your CENTURY 21 office been fundraising for Easter Seals this year? Be sure to click on Report Fundraising in the menu bar above to tell us your story.

Canada has recently pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, stating that it would be too costly for the country to meet the targets that were put in place. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has argued that the Kyoto Protocol, which excludes the world’s two largest producers of greenhouse gases – China and the United States - would hurt Canada’s competitiveness on the global market. So is that it? What can we, as citizens, do to fight climate change?

Though the country has pulled out of the green initiative, people can still help sustain our environment by making greener choices in their lifestyles and homes. It’s as simple as switching to cold water while washing clothes or reusing shopping bags instead of getting a bunch of plastic bags on your next trip to the supermarket.

Living greener includes the three ideas behind waste reduction. Like the universal symbol for recycling denotes, waste reduction includes reduce, reuse and recycle.

Reduce

Reducing our consumption and waste production is the most effective way of keeping our environment clean. This can include reducing our garbage by doing things like composting or buying less bottled water. We can keep

Using less energy is good for our environment and our wallets! One of the easiest ways to save energy is switching to cold water when washing our clothes. There’s a common misconception that hot water is the best way to clean clothes, but in fact, that’s not entirely true. Cold water can get most clothing as clean as hot water will. By reducing our use of hot water, we can save a lot of money on our energy bills.

You can also use less harmful chemicals to clean your home. It’s easier on the environment and much easier on our health as well! There are a lot of eco-friendly products out on the market, or you could substitute chemicals for natural cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda.

Reuse

We’re starting to see reusable bags everywhere, from grocery stores to retail clothing store. They’re a fantastic alternative to plastic bags. Did you know it takes 4x as much energy to create plastic bags?

Bottled water is actually really bad for our environment. It takes 26 bottles of water to make a one-litre bottle. You can greatly reduce your consumption of bottle water by getting a reusable bottle like the aluminum or BPA-free pitchers and bottles.

Composting is also a way to reduce the amount of organic waste that goes to our landfills. It’s a great source of nutrients for household plants and your backyard garden. You can spend a fortune on plant food and soil so that you have beautiful plants all year long or you can create your own for free!

Recycle

Recycling is actually third in the waste reduction hierarchy (represented by the recycling symbol). Reducing and reusing is often encouraged before moving to recycling, but when you have to consume, it’s better to purchase recyclable packages.

Recycling programs are available in many regions of the world. If you’re not already participating in a recycling program, check with your municipality to see how you can.

Every Day Should Be Earth Day

Just because Canada isn’t a part of an international initiative to combat climate change doesn’t mean we can’t continue to help create a better community and living environment for ourselves.

Century 21 Canadian Conference 2012

September 19, 2012 - September 21, 2012

Where?

The CENTURY 21 Canadian Conference 2012 hotel is

Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel!

Address: 1201 Boulevard Réné-Lévesque West

Montréal, Quebec H3B 2L7

Canada. Phone Number: 514-878-2000

TO REGISTER CLICK HERE

CENTURY 21 Canada's special conference rate is $185*/night (Regular single and double rooms), and $235*/night ('Club Level' Single and double rooms). Please note that this group rate is available until August 18, 2012. Subject to Availability.

*Rates do not include taxes application at the time of the event currently:

• Lodging tax (3.5% per room, per night), Federal sales tax (5%), Provincial sales tax(9.5%). These taxes are subject to change without notice.
• Rates will be available 3 days prior and 3 days after the event dates (September 18-21), subject to availability of guest rooms at the time of reservation.
• Extra person charge (3rd and 4th person) sharing a room is $30.00 CAD per person, per night. Additional charge for additional bedding (cot) is $30.00 per room, per night.

PRICING INFORMATION

Conference Package: (Wednesday, September 19 - Friday, September 21)

All conference packages include the following:

• Welcome reception
• Access to Supplier Expo and Networking Extravaganza
• Lunch on Thursday day and "Fun Night" in the evening
• ALL Conference Sessions

Delegate Registration = $388 - For any CENTURY 21 System member. Owner, Manager, Sales Representative and Support Staff must register at the Delegate rate.

Guest Registration = $197 - For anyone who is not a CENTURY 21 System member.

Unassigned Packages = To secure the current rate, you may want to buy an "Unassigned Package". Once you know the individual who will be attending the conference, you MUST email the Conference Coordinator to assign the package. You cannot assign these packages online.

Leadership Day: (Wednesday, September 19)

This is a full day workshop that is separate from the Canadian Conference. It is designed for Brokers and Managers, thus only Brokers and Managers are allowed to register for Leadership Day.

Other Optional Items:

Networking Table = $50 each - 2' x 4' table, draped will be available to you to display your marketing materials. Your display materials MUST fit on your table. Should your materials require more than the allowable space, please contact conference.coordinator@century21.ca for the networking booth option and prices.

Easel = $25 each - a stand to display any cardboard display or signs

PRICE LIST

Admission Items

Delegate Registration

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 388.00

Guest Registration

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 197.00

Optional Sessions

Leadership Day

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 120.00

Optional Items

Unassigned Guest Registration

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 197.00

Unassigned Delegate Registration

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 388.00

Networking Table

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 50.00

Networking Easel

Total (before applicable taxes)

CAD $ 25.00

Terms of Service

Refunds

All registrations are NON-REFUNDABLE

Transfers

Registrations are transferable ONCE at no charge.

Subsequent transfers will be charged a $50.00 Transfer Fee.

All transfers must be requested in writing to the Conference Coordinator by end of business Friday, August 31, 2012.

Transfer requests received after August 31, 2012 are not guaranteed and are subject to a $50.00 Transfer Fee.

Unassigned Packages

If you have purchased an 'Unassigned Delegate Package' or an 'Unassigned Guest package'; both Delegate and Guest must be assigned by end of business Friday, August 31, 2012. Assignment requests received after September 6, 2011 are not guaranteed and are subject to a $50.00 Late Assignment Fee.

Privacy Policy

The information you provide on this form will be collected, used and disclosed only for the purposes of this Conference.

Photos and Videos: CENTURY 21 Canada may use photos or recordings taken during the CENTURY 21 Canadian Conference 2012, which may include your voice or likeness, in CENTURY 21 newsletters, printed and digital promotional materials, and on social networking Internet Sites (including but not limited to Facebook, You Tube, company blogs, and twitter.)  Unless you advise us by e-mail toconference.coordinator@century21.ca stating that you object to any or all of the particular uses outlined above, we will proceed on the basis that you have consented to the use of any photographs and recordings that were taken for the purposes set out above.