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<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:25:25 GMT--><rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Muskoka Real Estate Blog</title><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/</link><description></description><lastBuildDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:59:36 +0000</lastBuildDate><copyright></copyright><language>en-CA</language><generator>Squarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)</generator><item><title>Government of Canada Takes Action to Strengthen Housing Financing</title><category>CMHC</category><category>Jim Flaherty</category><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>canada housing market</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:54:17 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/18/government-of-canada-takes-action-to-strengthen-housing-fina.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6741435</guid><description><![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>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6741435.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Standard Forms Explained in Plain Language</title><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>Standard Real Estate Forms</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:25:45 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/11/standard-forms-explained-in-plain-language.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6651997</guid><description><![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>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6651997.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Muskoka Real Estate January 2010 Statistics</title><category>Market Stastics</category><category>Muskoka Real Estate Statistics</category><category>average sale price</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:18:12 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/2/9/muskoka-real-estate-january-2010-statistics.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6633374</guid><description><![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>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6633374.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Economic Instability Number One Fear For Canadian Home Buyers: Royal LePage</title><category>Consumer confidence</category><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>Real Estate Market</category><category>Royal LePage</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:19:40 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/economic-instability-number-one-fear-for-canadian-home-buyer.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6317609</guid><description><![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.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6317609.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Remodeling That Pays</title><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>ROI</category><category>Remodeling home</category><category>do-it-yourself renovations</category><category>renovations</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:07:28 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/remodeling-that-pays.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6317559</guid><description><![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]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6317559.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Top Ten Things to Know When Home Buying</title><category>Buying a home</category><category>Muskoka Real Estate</category><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>Top Ten</category><category>bidding</category><category>home inspection</category><category>pre-approved mortgage</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:39:38 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/13/top-ten-things-to-know-when-home-buying.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6317439</guid><description><![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.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6317439.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Muskoka Real Estate Statistics - 2009 Year in Review</title><category>Market Stastics</category><category>Muskoka Real Estate Statistics</category><category>Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka</category><category>Top Real Estate brokerage</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:46:36 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2010/1/3/muskoka-real-estate-statistics-2009-year-in-review.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6210524</guid><description><![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>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6210524.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Season's Greetings!</title><category>John Aben</category><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>donation</category><category>huntsville memorial hospital foundation</category><dc:creator>Michelle Gibbons</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:51:10 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/14/seasons-greetings.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6063288</guid><description><![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>]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6063288.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>Home Renovation Tax Credit – Don’t miss out!</title><category>Home Renovation Tax Credit</category><category>News &amp; Information</category><category>Rebates &amp; Refunds</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:33:13 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/11/home-renovation-tax-credit-dont-miss-out.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6042200</guid><description><![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.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6042200.xml</wfw:commentRss></item><item><title>﻿﻿The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is In!</title><category>HST</category><category>HST real estate</category><category>News &amp; Information</category><dc:creator>John Aben</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:13:18 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/2009/12/10/the-harmonized-sales-tax-hst-is-in.html</link><guid isPermaLink="false">351626:3740276:6036699</guid><description><![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.]]></description><wfw:commentRss>http://www.muskokarealestateblog.com/muskoka-real-estate-blog/rss-comments-entry-6036699.xml</wfw:commentRss></item></channel></rss>