<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:08:45 GMT--><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><title>Muskoka Real Estate Blog</title><subtitle>Muskoka Real Estate Blog</subtitle><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/</id><link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/"/><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/atom.xml"/><updated>2010-02-18T17:59:36Z</updated><generator uri="http://www.squarespace.com/" version="Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)">Squarespace</generator><entry><title>Government of Canada Takes Action to Strengthen Housing Financing</title><category term="CMHC"/><category term="Jim Flaherty"/><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="canada housing market"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/18/government-of-canada-takes-action-to-strengthen-housing-fina.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/18/government-of-canada-takes-action-to-strengthen-housing-fina.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-02-18T17:54:17Z</published><updated>2010-02-18T17:54:17Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[<p><strong>Ottawa, February 16, 2010</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced a number of  measured steps to support the long-term stability of Canada's housing market and  continue to encourage home ownership for Canadians.</p>
<p>"Canada's housing market is healthy, stable and supported by our country's  solid economic fundamentals," said Minister Flaherty. "However, a key lesson of  the global financial crisis is that early policy action can help prevent  negative trends from developing."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fin.gc.ca/n10/10-011-eng.asp" target="_blank">click to read more...</a></p><p>Source: Government of Canada Takes Action to Strengthen Housing Financing (http://www.fin.gc.ca/n10/10-011-eng.asp)</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Standard Forms Explained in Plain Language</title><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="Standard Real Estate Forms"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/11/standard-forms-explained-in-plain-language.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/11/standard-forms-explained-in-plain-language.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-02-11T19:25:45Z</published><updated>2010-02-11T19:25:45Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[<p>The commonly-used real estate forms available for download below offer clause-by-clause  plain language explanations of the legal terminology used throughout them. Understanding  what you are signing is essential to having a successful transaction.</p>
<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/storage/real-estate-forms.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1265920372677" alt="" /></span></span></p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Muskoka Real Estate January 2010 Statistics</title><category term="Market Stastics"/><category term="Muskoka Real Estate Statistics"/><category term="average sale price"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/9/muskoka-real-estate-january-2010-statistics.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/9/muskoka-real-estate-january-2010-statistics.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-02-10T02:18:12Z</published><updated>2010-02-10T02:18:12Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/storage/market-stats/jan2010-total-number-of-sales.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1265768496769" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p>Similar start to the Muskoka Real Estate market this year over last with a total of 43 sales of single family or recreational waterfront properties.</p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Economic Instability Number One Fear For Canadian Home Buyers: Royal LePage</title><category term="Consumer confidence"/><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="Real Estate Market"/><category term="Royal LePage"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/economic-instability-number-one-fear-for-canadian-home-buyer.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/economic-instability-number-one-fear-for-canadian-home-buyer.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-01-14T02:19:40Z</published><updated>2010-01-14T02:19:40Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[Buyers remain nervous about the economy but few believe house prices will drop again, according to Royal LePage Advisor Survey

TORONTO, December 15, 2009 – As the Canadian real estate market continues to rebound from a steep decline a year ago brought on by the recession, home buyers remain nervous about the stability of the economy, according to a survey of 1,225 Royal LePage agents and brokers across Canada. However, few buyers think home prices will decline again.]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Remodeling That Pays</title><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="ROI"/><category term="Remodeling home"/><category term="do-it-yourself renovations"/><category term="renovations"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/remodeling-that-pays.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/remodeling-that-pays.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-01-14T02:07:28Z</published><updated>2010-01-14T02:07:28Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[Reach for a Roller and Add Flair to All Fixtures: Royal LePage Identifies Top Renovations with Best ROI

Whether doing-it-yourself or hiring a professional, interior painting, hardwood flooring and kitchen upgrades amongst top renovations]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Top Ten Things to Know When Home Buying</title><category term="Buying a home"/><category term="Muskoka Real Estate"/><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="Top Ten"/><category term="bidding"/><category term="home inspection"/><category term="pre-approved mortgage"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/top-ten-things-to-know-when-home-buying.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/top-ten-things-to-know-when-home-buying.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-01-14T01:39:38Z</published><updated>2010-01-14T01:39:38Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[1.  Don’t buy if you can’t stay put 

If you can’t commit to remaining in one place for at least a few years, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner.]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Muskoka Real Estate Statistics - 2009 Year in Review</title><category term="Market Stastics"/><category term="Muskoka Real Estate Statistics"/><category term="Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka"/><category term="Top Real Estate brokerage"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/3/muskoka-real-estate-statistics-2009-year-in-review.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/3/muskoka-real-estate-statistics-2009-year-in-review.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2010-01-03T19:46:36Z</published><updated>2010-01-03T19:46:36Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[<p>Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the real estate market in Muskoka and area. It&rsquo;s my job to provide you with the right information for you to make an informed decision. The following charts will give you a quick look into the 2009 Muskoka Real Estate Market but don't hesitate to contact me if you would like more details.</p>
<p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><img src="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/storage/year in review '09 rev.002.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1262725609839" alt="" /></span></span></p>]]></summary></entry><entry><title>Season's Greetings!</title><category term="John Aben"/><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="donation"/><category term="huntsville memorial hospital foundation"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/14/seasons-greetings.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/14/seasons-greetings.html"/><author><name>Michelle Gibbons</name></author><published>2009-12-14T21:51:10Z</published><updated>2009-12-14T21:51:10Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[<p>The holidays are a time for family and friends, and a great opportunity to celebrate the wonderful things that have happened throughout the year.</p>
<p><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><img src="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/storage/J Aben Jr 003.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1260850567062" alt="" width="511" height="359" /></span></p>
<p>I'd like take a moment to thank all of you who I've had the opportunity to work with this year. In the spirit of the season, I'm proud to support our community by making a donation to the <a class="offsite-link-inline" href="http://www.hdmhfoundation.ca/" target="_blank">Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Foundation</a> in your name. Thank you for helping to make this possible.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong style="font-size: 140%;">From my family to yours, wishing you the very best of the holiday season and a happy New Year.</strong></em></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Home Renovation Tax Credit – Don’t miss out!</title><category term="Home Renovation Tax Credit"/><category term="News &amp; Information"/><category term="Rebates &amp; Refunds"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/11/home-renovation-tax-credit-dont-miss-out.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/11/home-renovation-tax-credit-dont-miss-out.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2009-12-11T18:33:13Z</published><updated>2009-12-11T18:33:13Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[Are you thinking about selling your home? Renovations are a smart way to increase your return on investment. The 2009 Ontario Home Renovation Tax credit provides even more incentive to get to those projects that will make sure your property is market-ready.]]></summary></entry><entry><title>﻿﻿The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is In!</title><category term="HST"/><category term="HST real estate"/><category term="News &amp; Information"/><id>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/10/the-harmonized-sales-tax-hst-is-in.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/10/the-harmonized-sales-tax-hst-is-in.html"/><author><name>John Aben</name></author><published>2009-12-11T00:13:18Z</published><updated>2009-12-11T00:13:18Z</updated><summary type="html" xml:lang="en-CA"><![CDATA[Most people in Muskoka don’t get excited about moving in the winter months, and thoughts about purchasing a cottage tend to creep up closer to spring; however, you may want to reconsider in light of recent tax changes that will take effect in July.]]></summary></entry></feed>