Windsor, ON

On Monday, Windsor City Council will consider rezoning land, 160 acres, that for decades belonged to the Chrysler van plant on Pillette Rd. This is the last big hurdle before being able to market the property to corporate investors. Conversion of the lands into smaller parcels of serviced land is hoped to bring new industrial investment and a rebirth in the city's industrial sector by attempting to encourage people to start up smaller sized companies. Among projects for the smaller land parcels are warehousing, logistics, research and development and light assembly companies. Chrysler will keep once parcel of 25 acres to use for storing minivans and other vehicles.

Production at the former Chrysler plant started in 1976 and ended in June 2003. The plant in it's prime employed 2,200 employees and built 424 full-sized vans per day.

These lands have been renamed Grand Central Business Park.

Follow the link below to view the presentation provided by the developers, Rosati Group.

http://www.grandcentralpark.com/gc-home.html

The effects of the U.S financial crisis is having an impact on the ability of some Windsorites to obtain a mortgage and in some cases to renew an existing mortgage. Because property values have dropped between 5-8% on many homes, the equity in a home has in some cases disappeared. This is making it increasingly difficult for some homeowners to get necessary credit approval. Unfortunately, some homeowners who purchased a home within the past 3-5 years may have a bigger problem when renewing their mortgage when it becomes due. This is especially true if their initial mortgage was 100% financed. Consider that a $150,000 home bought 5 years ago may only have a value of $138,000-$143,000 today (not always the case, but for example purposes only). During the first 3-5 years, the homeowner only sees the principal decreasing minimally, with the majority of the monthly payment being applied to the interest portion. A bank and other lenders will not mortgage a home for more than it's current value. Therefore the homeowner must be in a position to apply a large cash payment towards the principal to provide approx. 20% equity in the home to qualify for a renewal of the mortgage. This could cause many Windsorites to lose their homes. This can occur even if the homeowner has never missed a payment and has good credit.

As well, new mortgage rules go into effect on October 15. There will be no more 100% financing and 40 year ammortization terms. New buyers must have 5% down and the longest ammortization term will be 35 years. The credit score requirement will be raised as well as the likelyhood of more documentation to support the facts of employment, other income etc.

1. If your mortgage is due for renewal within the next year it is strongly suggested that you make an appointment with a mortgage specialist to see what can be done to help you TODAY. KNOW THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME!
   
2. If your plan is to sell your existing home in the near future in order to buy a newer or larger home, it is strongly suggested that you have a Comparative Market Analysis completed by a Realtor who is familiar and experienced in your market. Keep in mind that you may be selling your home for less than you anticipated but you are also buying a new home for less than you would have in a different market. It is also very important to know, or to atleast have a good knowledge of the amount of proceeds from your sale that will be applied to your new purchase. Your credit must remain in good standing. Do not make any large purchases and pay off as much credit card debt as possible. You must still get PRE-APPROVED for your new purchase !
   
3. If you plan to get into the housing market within the next year, you must have a very good credit rating. Do not make any large purchases and pay off as much credit card debt as possible.
   
4. If you are not PRE-APPROVED, you must get PRE-APPROVED. IF YOU ARE A SERIOUS BUYER, YOU WILL NOT HAVE A PROBLEM PROVIDING PROOF OF BEING PRE-APPROVED.

For more mortgage information visit: www.mortgageteam.ca

For a free no obligation Comparative Market Analysis contact me directly by calling: 519-819-9617 or feel free to email me at: sellwithkim@gmail.com

There is mortgage money available ! There are many pre-approved, serious and motivated buyers who have done their work ! We all know there is a large selection of homes, with motivated sellers, to suit everyone's tastes. The housing market in Windsor is still active ! Both Buyers and Sellers have work to do and if you do it, you will be better off at the time of negotiation and you will succeed in receiving what you want !

There's an old phrase that has never gone out of style, but has often times been forgotten.....

BE PREPARED !

Solid Brick Ranch For Sale in Central Area

SPECTACULAR FAMILY HOME !

$149,900

Spectacular family home situated in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood, where neighbors look after each other ! Same owner for 35 years ! 2 minutes to EC Row. This home features the original plaster construction, a beautiful kitchen eating area combo leading to livingroom, 3 bedrooms and large 4 piece bath. All appliances stay ! Newer vinyl windows and C/A, roof and furnace replaced in 2007. For the men: enjoy a 2 car (20x24) heated garage/workshop equipped with a 220 amp service. Nice landscaping. Yard can easily accommodate a pool and deck ! Bring your furniture and move right in !

Property information

Hiram Walker

In the 1850's, Hiram Walker sensed a temperance movement growing in the United States. In 1858, he decided to build a distillery across the banks of the Detroit River, which became famous for it's Canadian Club Whisky. Not only did Walker build the distillery, but he built employee housing too ! This area became the Town of Walkerville, later amalgamated into the City of Windsor in 1935. Today, this area continues to enjoy the recognition of being the desireable neighborhood of Walkerville, with many of it's historic building still is use.

In 1920, Prohibition was in full swing in the U.S and the proximity of Walker's distillery made it the hub of smugglers and gangsters who used boats to transport the whisky across the Detroit River. There are pictures on display in the museum of the Detroit River frozen over and smugglers driving their cars across the ice to bring Canadian Club to thirsty Americans ! Not many people would associate Windsor with Al Capone, but it's true and it's even been said that several cases of Canadian Club were in the warehouse when Al Capone was ambushed in what became known as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

Originally known as Walker's Club Whiskey, it wasn't until 1882 when the Canadian government passed a law which required distilleries to guarantee a whiskey's age and to be labelled for it's country of origin.

Walker then renamed his premium brand, Canadian Club.

This week marks the 150th anniversary of Canadian Club !

Celebrating the colorful history of Whisky and Walkerville !

Willistead Manor

The Home of Hiram Walker and his family. Today it's a museum.

Windsor-born journalist Kim Zarzour and author Sharon E. McKay co-wrote a 514-page book entitled Good To Go: A Practical Guide to Adulthood. The book provides tips on how to do everything from boiling water to managing your finances. It's geared toward young adults trying to make it on their own for the first time.

The book was in part inspired by McKay's son who contracted scurvy because he thought he could survive on chicken wings and beer. Zarzour felt her children, although they are teens still living at home, could also benefit from such a book.

Zarzour recalls two incidents when her teenage son's cooking attempts demonstrated a need for such a book. In one episode, Zarzour's son was trying to heat up some boxed chicken nuggets and asked "What's a cookie sheet?" Zarzour wonders, "How did I not remember to teach him what a cookie sheet was?"

Another exchange involved her son asking "What's a tsps?" Zarzour asked, "What do you mean tsps?" Her son responded, "It's spelled TSP." Zarzour replied, "Teaspoon, honey."

Zarzour thinks today's youth aren't incompetent, they're just being micromanaged. Parents are too busy shuttling kids to hockey practice and cello lessons to teach them how to clean and cook. Also, kids don't usually take home economics in school or learn practical skills in organized groups such as Brownies or Scouts anymore. Zarzour now wishes she'd taught her kids more about living in the real world.

The book, published by Penguin Canada, sells for $24.