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The Mortgage Monitor |
December 2011 | |
 The Bank of Canada's Governor Mark Carney seems to have made it into most of my newsletters since June this year and in December's newsletter, his name comes up again.
That's because I want to keep you informed about what is going on in the world and how that affects our Canadian Mortgage Market. If you want to read even more, click here to read a speech Mr. Carney gave December 12th in Toronto.
Many of you know I love conducting my real estate investor workshops, showing people that there are different alternatives to growing wealth. I also think it's important for young to learn financial responsibility, if you do too, read the article about how the board game Monopoly can teach children about money. What a great way to have fun with the kids.
The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. I've been feeling the spirit of Christmas for a couple of weeks now putting up decorations and planning dinner parties. Most of all I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my family, dear friends and most importantly, my husband. I wish you and your loved ones a Happy Holiday, filled with love, peace and prosperity!  Enjoy the read. |
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Warning of 'more pronounced' downturn in Europe, Carney holds the line on rates
Europe is hurtling toward a recession that will be worse than anticipated just weeks ago, darkening the outlook for Canada and its key trading partners.
The United States will feel the pinch of both the European slump and its own troubles, despite signs that Canada's chief export market is getting back on its feet. Emerging markets, especially those that export heavily to Europe, are also slowing down. And while Canada trades far less with Europe than with countries like the United States and China, it will still feel the sting of a weaker global backdrop through "financial, confidence and trade channels," the Bank of Canada says.
Click here for the full story |
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What Monopoly can teach kids about money
The other day I played a game of Monopoly with two of my grandchildren and their mom. But it wasn't the old Monopoly that I remembered. This is a sleek new 21st century version where properties cost millions of dollars and you use a debit/credit card for transactions instead of paper money. My nine-year-old grandson acted as banker, inserting our cards into an electronic banking unit to record purchases, rent payments, passing Go bonuses, tax payments, and the like. We moved our tokens (based on each of the six continents) around a board which featured world cities like Montreal and Taipei in place of Boardwalk and Baltic Ave. Instead of utilities like Electric Company and Water Works, we bought Solar Energy and Wind Energy. Click here for the full article |
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What does $819,000 buy you in Toronto versus Stouffville?
Each week in The Grid's Here & There, we compare how far your real-estate dollar goes in downtown Toronto versus outlying areas one hour or less outside the city. This week: get your fill of the 'ville..
A semi-detached home at Pape and Danforth with 1000 square feet of living space costs the same as a 2500 square foot detached home in Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Click here for full details on the homes and more photos |
Toronto among most risky places to drive
The GTA is the worst place to drive in the province, according to the latest Ontario Safe Driving Study.
The good news, in the survey conducted by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, is that Ontario drivers have improved overall over the past two years, as evidenced by a 7 per cent drop in collision rates between 2007-2009 and 2009-2011.
The study examined collision frequencies in 45 communities in the province and ranked them based on Allstate Canada claims data for 2009-2011, and then compared them with data from 2007-2009. |
Contact Me
 
Michelle Brienza
email
website
Phone: (416) 410-5761
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