Belleville, ON

Tucked away off the beaten track is one of Ontario's oldest and most beautiful, small cities with such a fantastical and intriguing history that it would rival that of many of Europe's oldest cities.
The small city wraps itself around the old limestone-bedded, snaking Moira River with one of the oldest, still-standing, limestone mills, the mill itself the centre upon which the settlement grew.

Named after Lady Arabella Gore, wife of Sir Francis Gore, after their visit to the small settlement in 1816, Belleville boasts some of the finest architectural beauties to be found in the province of Ontario.
One of these timeless treasures rests in the area known as the 'Old East Hill' of Belleville.
Glanmore sits aloof and untouchable amidst century old trees and fine Victorian homes.

Built of a subdued greying, brownish-yellow brick and being of a 2nd Empire architectural style totally unique unto itself, the house appears alive with the spirits of the past and a beating heart all it's own standing testament to an eccentric and lively time in Canada's history.

Built in 1882-1883 for the prosperous banker, J.P.C. Phillips and his wife Harriet, it remained in the same family for three generations before being sold and subsequently being turned into a museum.

Phillipa Faulkner, an artist who was born in the house, is purported to have experienced numerous supernatural occurrences during her days spent living there.
The spirit of Harriet Phillips, herself, is said to still remain walking the halls and frequenting the cavernous victorian rooms of the fine old mansion.
Phillipa had witnessed the piano in the drawing room play of it's own accord and doors that had opened and closed with no visible human entity in sight. She sensed that the spirit behind these occurrences was her Grandmother, Harriet Phillips.

In 1962 Phillipa engaged a Roman Catholic Priest to come into the home and exorcise the troubled spirits who wandered the grand old Belleville mansion.
Family accounts written by Anne Burrows Faulkner, Phillipa's daughter, state that the supernatural occurrences seemed to abate somewhat after that time period, however Harriet's restless spirit never completely left the beautiful old home she had so steadfastly loved.

Glanmore National Historic Site is now open to the public , and houses a magnificent collection of period antiques and art, many of them original to the home.

On my numerous visits to the house, I always feel a certain 'unease' as I walk around the creaking, old rooms and hallways.
There is a strong sense of loneliness and abandonment that seeps into one's pores with a heavy foreboding as one walks from room to room.

In many areas of the home, I've sensed an invisible presence nearby as it observes the comings and goings of the visitors to the house.

As happy as I am to bring visiting friends and relatives on a tour of the stately Victorian home, I experience a great relief when it is time to leave.
The house is beautiful and certainly a timeless Canadian Historic treasure, however it exists in another time and place and hastens to remind you to never leave go of that oppressive and heavy fact.

Upon leaving and re-entering the sparkling, sunlit air, you step back into the present and feel a great sadness for the house and for those who lived there in the past and for some reason, were never able to leave.

Caught in a time warp of their own volition, they serve the gracious home to this day, and make certain it will always remain just as it was over one hundred years ago.

©2008JoSmith

The U.S. real estate market continues to be plummeted by the sub-prime mortgage fall-out and the question I get asked most often by home-sellers these days is "Will we be affected negatively by what is taking place in the U.S.A.?"

I assure anyone I'm conversing with that Canada's real estate market and economy is alive and thriving.
The Canadian employment level is at an all-time high and current interest rates are very stable and appealing to home-buyers. There is an abundance of buyers and a shortage of listings, particularly for first-time buyers.

The sub-prime mortgage fall-out which the U.S. is experiencing, will not occur here as, contrary to that in the U.S., high-ratio mortgages (80% of the property value or higher) from Canadian financial institutions must be insured.
Additionally, sub-prime mortgages represent only 5 % of the Canadian mortgage market as compared to 22 % or more in the USA. To understand what is taking place in the U.S.A., take a moment out to watch this video from 60 minutes which aired last night.
In the article, take a close look at the map and it will give you an idea of just how all-encompassing this debacle has become.

Canadian real estate values, although their rate of increase has slowed slightly, continue to rise and will likely continue to do so over the next 2-3 years.
At that time, we may begin to experience a leveling off of prices once the impact of the coming recession in the states begins to take hold on our manufacturing and export market.

The truth of the matter is that the sub-prime mortgage write-down in the U.S. is currently at a point of over 100 billion USD.
That amount is expected to triple before they begin to see a change in a positive direction.
When we are dealing with figures as high as this, the global economy will feel the waves and along with it, Canada's economy will be impacted.

Canada is in an excellent position, globally, with vast reserves of highly valued and in demand resources such as oil and minerals. Our labour force is strong and our educational system is one of the best in the world.

Canada's strong commodity markets will continue to grow and this will bring a steady rise in property values for the four western provinces.

With close to 80% of all of Canada's exports destined south of the border, a major economic slowdown in the USA will mainly affect the central provinces and the greatest leveling out of real estate values will be felt in Ontario and Quebec.
However, I anticipate Ontario's property values will continue to rise in the coming years due to the steady growth of the population and the balancing from Canada's commodity and energy sectors.

It's an excellent time for buyers to purchase right across Canada with low interest rates, a steady inventory of reasonably priced properties and an economy which will continue to remain strong and show significant growth in the coming years.

©2008JoSmith

There's no need to come down with cabin fever in the unusually snowy weather we've been experiencing in the Quinte and Belleville area this winter. Our communities abound with activities and events for every different age group and interest.

On January 28th George Thomson will be giving a presentation on ferns, one of the most ancient and beautiful plants seen widely throughout the Quinte area forests and natural areas.

The Victorians brought them into their homes and it's a tradition we continue to this day.
To learn more about ferns, make sure to attend the Quinte Field Naturalist's meeting at Bridge Street United Church, 60 Bridge Street East in Belleville. The meeting is held in the Sills Auditorium and begins at 7:30pm.

Cormac McCarthy's novel No Country For Old Men, has been made into a magnificent film and it is playing from January 28th to 31st at the Empire Theatre in Belleville, beginning at 7:30pm each evening.
View the trailer of this adventure filled tale and make sure to schedule an evening out in comfort at the Empire to see it sometime this week. Admission is $9.50 for adults and $7.00 for seniors and children.

Have you always wanted to learn more about the birds of the Quinte Region? Here is your opportunity to take a 6 week course with Terry Sprague at the Quinte Conservation Office on Old Hwy 2 just west of Wallbridge Loyalist Road.

The course will be focusing on the identification of birds through various means and will feature films by renowned naturalists John and Janet Foster. The course will be held every Tuesday evening at 7-9pm from January 29th to March 4th. The cost is $75. To register, email Terry.


The Young Player's Company will be presenting The Mikado on January 30, 31 and February 1,2 and 3rd at Sir James Whitney Auditorium beginning at 7:30pm with Sunday's matinee beginning at 2pm.
Tickets are available at the door for $10 or may be purchased in advance at the Quinte Arts Council. Greenley's Booksellers, O'Connor Jewellery and Frequent Steps.

The lunch begins at noon and takes place in the John M. Parrott Art Gallery. To enter the world of Upper Canada in the days of yore, be sure to attend.

For a fun-filled evening of laughter don't miss The Dance Party of Newfoundland when they come to the Empire Theatre on Friday, February 1st. Shows sell out across the country so reserve your tickets today.

Canada, big, beautiful and looking good with a great future for investors, both personal and business.
Of the G8 countries, Canada boasts not only some of the most attractive, desirable real estate, it can also still be purchased at a VERY reasonable dollar and in many areas, well within the reach of the small investor.

Cast across this vast country are a myriad of the world's last vestiges of clear, clean, freshwater lakes and rivers. Vacation and recreational homes can be found in every province with water-frontage selling for an average price of $380,000.00 in 2006. That figure has steadily risen in the past year.

With a strong, healthy economy and an abundance of in-demand commodities, forecasts into the next 2-3 years show Canada's real estate prices continuing to rise.
Waterfront cottages and vacation homes are showing the strongest and steadiest rise in price as buyers and investors from around the globe flock to Canadian shores in search of their own little piece of paradise.

With thousands of pristine, blue lakes dotting the landscape, Ontario is prime Canadian cottage country and waterfront properties are disappearing at break-neck speed.
Tightening of municipal reins on the severing of waterfront lots, has pumped up the demand for waterfront to a feverish pitch as buyers anxiously watch for a waterfront lot to build their dream cottage/vacation home on.

Added to the fever is the fact that we are becoming more and more a planet of citizens who work from home.

As people shift their offices from the downtown core to their primary place of residence, they are moving out of the city in droves and buying a waterfront home or a cottage that they can live in from spring til fall when they head south before winter hits.

Others are purchasing recreational homes and turning them into year-round residences complete with high-speed internet service via satellite.

The majority of my family members balance their time between their lakefront properties and their homes in the centre of a city or town and this has been a traditional lifestyle for a very large number of Canadians.

With prices rising as they are, and waterfront becoming scarcer, more investors than ever before, from around the globe, are seeking recreational property in Ontario.

In addition, it's a dream of many Ontario families to own a recreational property for summer use and many are now realizing that dream as they take on second jobs, or move into smaller primary residences in order to purchase their 'home-away-from-home'.
The eastern townships of Ontario still have many opportunities for recreational property ownership at a reasonable cost, well within the reach of the average family/investor in Ontario.

If you are an investor or someone who is considering purchasing your own waterfront utopia, the Royal Lepage Recrational Property Report for 2007 is an excellent place to start as you consider the locations that fall within your desires and means.

As a lifelong resident of Ontario, I have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to Ontario cottage country and welcome any inquiries you may have as you begin your search.



There are many legalities and issues to be aware of when purchasing a waterfront property and choosing a REALTOR® who is experienced and knowledgeable in the purchase and sale of waterfront homes and land, is paramount.

Staying abreast of the properties that become available as we head into spring, will grant you a better chance of making a wise investment choice when it comes to buying waterfront in Ontario. If you would like to kept aware of the waterfront properties that meet your desires and means as they become available, feel free to contact me.


I will arrange to have all new listings emailed, faxed or mailed to you as they appear on the market. This just may be the year that you find your own shangri la away from the hustle and bustle of the city or make a very wise investment choice that will bring great dividends in years to come.

©2008JoSmith

It was winter and the back yard appeared to be many small rolling hills of picturesque, sparkling white beauty.
Little did we know, when we decided to purchase our first home so many years ago, that those small hills were actually piles of trash that the current owner had not been bothered to take to the local dump during the course of her ownership of the property. As they say, hindsight is golden.

There are many things to consider when you've begun to seriously consider the purchase of your first home, and preparing through research and asking questions ahead of time, will not only save you an abundance of time and money down the road, it can also make the difference between calling your first home 'home sweet home' or your first initiation into a property ownership nightmare.

Preparing now will make the whole process smooth and enjoyable and you'll have something to celebrate in the years to come as you settle into your own private sanctuary.

You've been browsing the internet for homes for sale in your area and reading the local real estate newspapers and have found some properties that you can picture yourself living in.
Can you afford to own one of these properties?

Your first step towards Ontario home ownership should be to meet with a real estate sales representative who will be able to give you a list of recommendations for mortgage pre-approvals and advise you as to the current mortgage rates you can expect to pay should you purchase at this time.

Real Estate Sales Representatives are in regular contact with mortgage brokers and bankers and know who is offering the best rates and the best buying incentives. Often a REALTOR will be able to locate a better rate for you than your own bank is willing to give you.

When considering which real estate sales representative to call, go with someone who you feel comfortable with.
You may have met them at an open house or gotten to know something about them through reading their online articles or viewing their website or perhaps a family member or friend has recommended someone to you.

It's very important to feel that you can trust your real estate sales representative to take care of your needs and to be fully present for you during the entire transaction. Asking to see letters of testimonial from previous clients is an excellent way to guage the level of service you can expect to receive.

The right Sales Representative will guide you through every step of the transaction and be there to answer all of the questions you might have or concerns that may arise.

They'll provide you with pamphlets on mortgages and home-buying, maps of the areas you're interested in, recommendations on trustworthy and dependable professionals who you'll need along the way (such as lawyers, home inspectors, mortgage professionals, etc), listings of suitable homes and will be there with you as you preview every home that meets your requirements.

They'll point out potential problems with particular properties, advise you as to the desirability of the areas you wish to search in, and prepare and guide you through all of the legalities of your agreement of purchase and sale when you've found the house that's right for you.

They'll make sure you're protected on the contract and will advise you as to which clauses should be included in the purchase contract and will be there every step along the way to make sure each condition is satisfied as required.

Choosing a REALTOR® is the most important decision you'll make in the homebuying process next to the actual choosing of the home itself, and choosing carefully will make all the difference between a smooth and enjoyable home search or one littered with pitfalls along the way.

If you're considering buying your first home in the Belleville, Quinte or Prince Edward County regions of Ontario, I'd be more than pleased to meet with you and discuss your desires and questions as you begin on the exciting road to home ownership.

Other Articles in This Series:
Land Transfer Tax Rebate-Rebates For the First Time Homebuyer in Ontario, Canada