As a real estate professional with more than 15 years of relocation experience, keeping up to date with the Real Estate market is crucial for any successful real estate agent. As such, I have recently completed an in-depth course to earn my "Accredited Senior Agent" designation. With more than 90,000 REALTORS® in Canada, having this designation has allowed me to increase my knowledge base with Real Estate in the Greater Toronto Area.

The "Accredited Senior Agent" designation signifies a sense of longevity within the Real Estate market, with extensive training to help serve families and individuals with special considerations.

The "Accredited Senior Agent" designation has provided me with significant knowledge on how to train and deliver excellent service to mature and senior markets, as well as their families who may require special consideration. I also have also acquired knowledge of transition moving, real estate tax planning and information of the pros and cons of reverse mortgages.

There are many circumstances that must be considered when in the process of purchasing or selling a home. With the "Accredited Senior Agent" designation, I am able to successfully assess and help you through your real estate questions step by step, with the fantastic information I have acquired through taking this course.

Even with more than 90,000 REALTORS® in Canada, less than half of 1% have earned the "Accredited Senior Agent" professional designation. I feel incredibly proud and privledged to have acquired this knowledge to better serve my clients, and provide excellent service.

I look forward to assisting you or your referrals in any real estate plans they may have.

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Welcome to Kellandy Run, a beautiful property nestled within the Churchill Meadows neighbourhood of Mississauga. Elegant open concept floor plan with gourmet kitchen. Finished basement that can be used as a recreation room, play space or office!

For more information or to book your private viewing, contact me today! Visit www.mariagoulart.ca for more great listings!

Maria Goulart Sales Representative Better Homes & Gardens R.E. Signature Service 5636 Glen Erin Dr #10, Mississauga, ON L5M 6B1 Office: 905-363-4622 Direct: 905-277-6911 Email: maria.goulart@ssbhg.ca www.mariagoulart.ca

January 23rd, 2012 marks the Chinese New Year and the "Year of the Dragon".  The Chinese New Year is the longest and most celebrated tradition in the Chinese calendar, also known as the "Spring Festival".

The fifteen day celebration kicks off January 23rd, and the GTA has a wide variety of festivities you can attend, here are just a few:

• CIBC Lunarfest: Toronto's Harbourfront Centre is displaying a giant lantern aquarium, in addition to showcasing Asian art, workshops, games, and delicious treats! Admission is free!!!
• Scarborough Civic Centre Celebration: See a variety of classical dances, singing, martial arts, including the Lion Dance & Dragon Dance. January 29th from 2-4pm. Admission is free!!!

Don't forget to check out local banquet halls and Chinese Community Centres for different performances!

Happy New Year!!!!

Featured Mississauga Condominium:
Miracle in Mississauga

About “Miracle in Mississauga” Condos:

The Miracle in Mississauga condominiums most unique feature being boasted are the expansive windows that allows the opportunity of a beautiful Mississauga city view, along with stunning lake views to the south.  The suites are well laid out, very much open concept and come with an array of finishes that are elegant, modern, and luxurious.  Some noted finishes include granite countertops with stainless steel appliances. Hardwood laminate flooring throughout main living are

as including living room, hallway and dining room lead to plush carpeting in the bedrooms and den. In addition to the luxurious living space, the surrounding community is one to explore. Located near the Erin Mills Town Centre in the Erin Mills neighbourhood, the Miracle in Mississauga is close to all amenities including access to major highways, public transportation, shopping centres, parkland, fantastic educational options for stud

ents between kindergarten and post-secondary, and hospitals.

“Miracle in Mississauga” Amenities

• Complete fitness centre (including indoor swimming pools, saunas, exercise room)
• Virtual Golf
• Theatre
• Rooftop Terrace
• Billiards Lounge
• Entertainment Rooms w. Catering Kitchen
• Stunning lobby with 24hr. concierge

About “Erin Mills”

Miracle in Mississauga is located within the heart of Erin Mills, one of Mississauga’s planned communities. Erin Mills boasts a variety of amenities and quick access to everything you need! Easy access to both Mississauga Transit, GO Transit in addition to being nearby major highways including Hwy 401, 403 & 407 from Erin Mills Parkway.  In addition, you’ll be steps away from Erin Mills Town Centre, one of Erin Mills’ largest shopping centres – nearby there are theatres, schools, recreational complexes and fantastic restaurants!  Erin Mills also has a wide variety of greenspace, including a city-run dog park, nature trails, soccer fields and more! Take advantage of the greenspace! Erin Mills also is home to Credit Valley hospital, one of Mississauga’s major hospitals.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Miracle in Mississauga condos, please contact me today! Call me at 905-277-6911 or email me at maria.goulart@ssbhg.ca.

The most recent Toronto Real Estate Board's MarketWatch reported the second-best year on record under current TREB boundaries for 2011. December helped push sales, with a total of 4,718 transactions over the month. Overall sales for 2011 came to 89,347 - which indicated a 4% increase over 2010. One of major factors in the transaction records for December and throughout 2011 are due to the current low borrowing costs seen. With rates still hovering at near record lows, it allows buyers to continue to be confident in being able to afford and maintain the household expenses, as explained by TREB President Richard Silver: “Low borrowing costs kept Buyers confident in their ability to comfortably cover their mortgage payments along with other major housing costs". Silver also went onto say, “If Buyers had not been constrained by a shortage of listings over the past 12 months, we would have been flirting with a new sales record in the Greater Toronto Area".

The average selling price for the month of December also increased by 4% to an average price of $451,436. Overall throughout the year, there was an 8% increase from 2010 at $465,412 for the 2011 year. What can buyers and sellers expect in the coming year? TREB's forecast for 2012 indicates an average selling price of $485, 000 which is a 4% annual rate of price growth, considerably moderate.

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If you are planning to buy, sell, or lease within the next year or so – give me a call (905) 277-6911. I can provide sound real estate advice, as I have over 15 years of relocation experience. Contact me today!

With the new year upon us, it often brings new resolutions to work on.  Many resolutions may include quitting smoking, being more active, and having a more active role in family life. However, home resolutions are very popular as well.  Here are three New Years resolutions for your home for 2012:

1. Ensure your home is organized

Clearing clutter is an easily and relatively inexpensive way to help organize your home and keep it clean and streamline. Without even realizing it, many of us accumulate an immense amount of “stuff”. While some is usable, not everything can be kept. Too much clutter is a turn off, as it makes your home more jam packed. It also makes things more difficult to find.

Going room by room and going through things that you don’t use on a typical basis will help clear clutter. It can be helpful to go through with a few different bins: keep, donate, trash. Some individuals also employ a “yardsale” bin if they are planning an upcoming yard sale to try and make profit.

A simple way to store important items without making too much clutter is to use decorative furniture that also have storage space, or little baskets that can easily be hidden out of view.

2. Create a weekly chore list to keep your home clean

If you have individuals in the household that can help out with keeping your home neat and tidy, employ everyone in this! It’s easy for many persons to do their part in small jobs and keep chores manageable while keeping the home clean.

On a daily basis, dishes should either be washed or at least put in the dishwasher every night. The same can be said with dirty laundry – they should always be put in the hamper.  An easy t0-do is to appropriately hang jackets or loose clothes.  Making sure everything is put away appropriately is easy to do and is a large part of ensuring things in your home stay neat and tidy.

On  a weekly basis, set aside some time you’d like to take to clean the entire home. Having a portable container with necessary cleaning products are helpful, as you can take it from room to room. Start with smaller items before moving onto larger items – for example, it’s easier to focus on smaller tasks like dusting and wiping counters, before sweeping or mopping floors.

3. Lower your carbon footprint

It doesn’t take much to make a big difference in your home in terms of reducing the cost of your energy bills and ultimately creating a much smaller home carbon footprint.  Here are some simple things to remember to do as a resolution throughout the year, and it will easily become habit.

• Turn off lights when you leave a room not in use
• If you have a programmable thermostat, dial down the heat or air conditioner when you know there isn’t anyone home
• Compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads often help reduce energy consumption and are often have long warranties
• Run big machines such as the dishwasher & washing machine only when full!
• Energy consumption is based on what is plugged in; to reduce this turn off power bars when there is no use for them
• Take advantage of your city’s green bin if available, if not – try composting! It’ll reduce your load and create great fertilizer for any garden you may have

What are you planning to do this New Year's Eve?

If you're planning to stay in Mississauga and looking to go out, the city of Mississauga is hosting a FREE event for people of all ages!  Experience a magical New Year's Eve at the newly renovated Mississauga Celebration Square!  Not only will there be a Kids' Zone, there will also be a fun skate party happening!!!

The City of Mississauga will also have live acts throughout the night starting at 8 p.m., including local resident DJs and some headlining acts: The New Cities and Stereos to help Mississauga ring in 2012!

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If you'd like to attend something a little bigger, the city of Toronto is hosting it's 27th New Year's Bash, presented by CityTV.  This event draws in thousands of individuals, and hosts big time musical acts such as Howie D, Everest, Anjulie, & more! The show kicks off at 10 p.m. and will also be broadcasted live on CityTV! In 2011, it was the most watched NYE special in Canada with more than 5 million viewers across the country!

What are you planning to do New Year's Eve 2012?

(polls)

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors and let every new year find you a better man.”

~Benjamin Franklin

With the new year upon us, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a great year of health, happiness and success.  The same can be said for our current Real Estate Market.  Recent MarketWatch reports from TREB indicate that a strong 2011 fall market will help push sales into the new year, allowing the market to balance out.

“We have seen strong annual sales growth through the 2011 fall market. The increase in transactions has been broad-based, with strong growth across low-rise and high-rise home types throughout the Greater Toronto Area,” said Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President Richard Silver. “The market has also become better supplied, with annual new listings growth outstripping that of sales. As this trend continues into 2012, we will see more balanced market conditions.”

In addition, many sources are projecting interest rates to remain very low for the next year, and possibly into 2013. Currently, Prime Rate is sitting at 3.00%, and many rates hovering around that mark.

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If you are planning to buy, sell, or lease within the next year or so – give me a call (905) 277-6911.  I can provide sound real estate advice, as I have over 15 years of relocation experience.  Let’s start of 2012 with a bang and make it a great year!