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Dan and Rachael Polakovic London Ontario Real Estate Professional

Know Who To Call

MOVING! Sometimes I think it should be a four letter word!

The exhiliration of your purchase soon fades and your closing date approaches. You become nervous and your "To Do" list seems endless.

With appointments with lawyers and mortgage companies, movers and the endless amounts of packing you hardly have time to think about who you have to call and be notified of your move.

Here is a list of important things to think about prior to or just after your move.

1. All utility companies need to be notified to cancel your current service (if applicable) and to ensure the service at your new home is in your name and begins on the day you take possession. Your lawyer may or may not do this, so it is always a good idea to take the extra step and ensure it is done.

In the City of London the companies that need to be notified are:

Union Gas of London (this is the company in London Ontario that supplies the gas to the property. i.e. for heating etc)

1 888 774-3111 www.uniongas.com

London Hydro (this is the company in London Ontario that provides the hydro to the property)

519-661-5503 www.londonhydro.com

Union Energy Reliance ( this is the company in London Ontario that provides the rental service of the water heater. Some homes do not use this service. However, commonly the water heaters are rented.)

1-888-RELIANCE utilities for home purchase www.reliancehomecomfort.com

Prior to closing ( about the week before.. earlier is just fine too. )

2. Home Insurance

Essentially this should be done prior to your purchase becoming firm. You want to be satisfied with your rate and terms prior to making your purchase decision. If you currently have a car or tenants insurance the company you are currently insured under will most likely give you the best deal for having more then one policy with them. If not here are a few suggestions of insurers in the City Of London that you may consider. Check the websites below to find a local agent near you.

State Farm

statefarm canada www.statefarm.ca

The Cooperators

london insurance companies www.cooperators.ca

We do not endorse any of these companies. They are given just as a suggestion to you. A good idea, if you do not have an insurer that you trust to contact them or check your local yellow pages.

3. Don't forget all of the services that you cannot live without! Your phone (both land and cell phone lines), cable, internet.

4. Think of anything you receive by mail (well that you need or want to have sent to you.. leave the solicitors behind) Credit card companies, your bank and other financial companies, magazine subscriptions, newsletters etc

5. Remember to notify your employers and the governement. Now in the City of London you are able to change the address of your driver's license and Ontario Health Card at a kiosk. These can be found in White Oaks mall for example. To change the address on your vehicle ownership you must visit the Ministry of Transportation to do so.

The list of people is literally endless. But don't worry... you will get to them all. As a safeguard you may want to visit a Canada Post outlet in the city. The offer a service that will re-direct your mail from the date and name of your choice from the old address to the new address. The cost is minimal and can be set up for up to a year. This way if anything comes to your old address Canada Post will automatically re-direct the mail to the new address for the specified amount of time. This way anyone you have forgotten will not get a return to sender and you will have extra time to let everyone know.

www.canadapost.com canadapost

So take deep breaths! You are almost there.

And always remember.. if you need help with anything, or if you have any questions. Please feel free to contact us anytime.

HAPPY MOVING DAY!! And Congratulations!!

Dan and Rachael Polakovic

Sales Representatives

Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage

London Ontario

519-854-7626

rachaelpolakovic@rogers.com

www.two-realtors.com

Know The Difference

Symptom

Cold

H1N1 Flu

Fever

Fever is rare with a cold.

Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing

A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.

A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches

Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.

Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose

Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.

Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills

Chills are uncommon with a cold.

60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness

Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.

Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu.

Sneezing

Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.

Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms

Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.

The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache

A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.

A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat

Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.

Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort

Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.

Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

The Truth About The H1N1 Vaccine

With the approval in Canada of H1N1 vaccine and the imminent launch of mass vaccination efforts in the provinces and territories, Canadians may have questions. Here are some answers:

Q: How many shots of H1N1 vaccine will I need?

A: Anyone 10 and older needs only one shot.

Q: How many will my children need?

A: Children six months to nine years need two half-dose shots, given at least 21 days apart. Infants under six months of age cannot be vaccinated.

Q: I don't like needles and I see in the U.S. that people are getting a vaccine that is sprayed up their nostrils. Can I get the nasal spray vaccine in Canada?

A: No. The company that makes that vaccine, MedImmune, only recently applied for a licence to sell their seasonal flu vaccine in Canada. That application is still in the licensure process, so they cannot sell any flu vaccine in this country yet. In any case, Canada is only buying H1N1 vaccine from one supplier, GlaxoSmithKline. GSK's vaccine is injectable.

Q: Will there be enough vaccine for everyone?

A: Canada ordered 50.4 million doses of vaccine, enough to give 75 per cent of the country two doses. The order was placed when it wasn't yet known that one dose would suffice. That order should be more than enough to protect everyone in Canada who wants to be vaccinated.

Q: Can I get the shot right away or do I need to get in line behind people who are at higher risk?

A: In the early days of the rollout, supplies may be limited and authorities will ask in big centres that people identified as "at high risk" come to the front of the line. The federal government expects about four million doses to be in the possession of the provinces and territories by the end of this week, and two to 3.5 million more each week after that.

Q: Who is at high risk?

A: The World Health Organization has recommended health-care workers have priority access to the vaccine. Canada drew up a priority list that includes health-care workers, pregnant women, young children, people living in remote communities and adults with chronic conditions.

Q: I'm hearing a Canadian study says getting a seasonal flu shot could increase my risk of catching swine flu. Is that true?

A: At this point, no one knows. The study hasn't been published and researchers in several other countries haven't seen the same thing when they look at their data. To be on the safe side, most provinces and territories aren't offering seasonal flu shots until after they give pandemic vaccine. Some are making an exception for people 65 and older, who are at high risk from seasonal flu but lower risk of H1N1 infection.

Q: Can I get a seasonal flu shot this year? Can I get it at the same time as I get the H1N1 shot?

A: The timing of seasonal flu shot programs varies by province and territory. But the Public Health Agency of Canada says it's OK to get both at the same time, if they are given in different arms.

Q: I am allergic to eggs. Can I get a flu shot?

A: The vaccine Canada is buying is produced in eggs. People with egg allergies are generally told not to take flu shots. But Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, says the egg residue left in the vaccine after purification is small and that people with egg allergies who want to get an H1N1 shot can do so. He says, though, they should do it in a setting where they'll be cared for if they develop a reaction to the vaccine.

Q: Will I have to pay for an H1N1 shot?

A: No, your tax dollars already have. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are footing the bill for this program.

Home Renovation Tax Credit Ontario

Canada's Economic Action Plan

Canada's Economic Action Plan's Home Renovation Tax Credit could help you save up to $1350 on home improvements purchased before February 2010.

The Home Renovation Tax Credit is a federal non-refundable tax credit based on eligible expenses for improvements to your house,condo,or cottage exceeding $1000.00 but no more then $10,000.

Be sure to get your contracts in writing, keep your receipts and claim the credit on your 2009 income tax return.

Eligible expenses must be of an enduring nature and integral to your property.

Examples of Eligible expenses:

*Renovating a kitchen, bathroom or basement

* New windows,doors and flooring

* Building an addition, garage, deck, shed or fence

* A new furnace,woodstove,fireplace,water softener or water heater

* A new drivewaypr resurfacing a driveway,re-shingling a roof, or painting a house

* Landscaping - new sod, perrenial shrubs, flowers and trees etc

* Swimming pools (permanent - in ground and above ground)

* Fixtures - blinds, shades, shutters,awnings,lights,fans etc

* Associated costs such as permits, professional services, equipment rentals and incidental expenses

Examples of NON-Eligible expenses:

*Furniture,appliances,tools and audio and visual electronics

* Routine repairs, maintenance and cleaning (eg. furnace cleaning, snow removal,lawn care,pool care, house cleaning)

* Financing Costs

So why not put your tax dollars back into your home?

Brought to you By:

Dan and Rachael Polakovic

Sales Representatives

Realty Executives Elite Ltd Brokerage

London Ontario

www.two-realtors.com

Halloween Safety Tips

Homeowner's Halloween Horrors?
Not if you follow these Safety Tips

As Halloween creakingly creeps around the cobwebbed-corner, many of our thoughts will be on decorating, pumpkin-carving and costume-making. But, before the parade of ghosts and witches comes knocking on your door, here's a helpful list of things that you can do to keep your home and yard safe for all those anxious trick-or-treaters.

  • Clear your yard of ladders, hoses, leashes, flower pots, low tree limbs, support wires and anything that could cause someone to trip.
  • Be sure to keep your outdoor steps, porch and walkways well-lit.
  • Use battery-powered jack o'lantern candles instead of a real flame.
  • If you do use candles, keep them away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.
  • Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations can't blow into a flaming candle.
  • Consider fire safety when decorating. Don't overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects.
  • Remember to keep exits clear of decorations.
  • Remind all household drivers to remain cautious and drive slowly through the community.
  • This is also a great time to install fresh batteries in your home smoke alarms.

Don't Let Your Pets Get Spooked!

Halloween can be a traumatic -- even dangerous -- experience for some pets. Here are some sensible tips to protect your pet on Halloween:

  • Don't leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. To a menacing prankster, an unguarded pet could be an easy target.
  • Halloween candy is not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and foil or cellophane wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
  • Be careful that pets can't knock over a lit pumpkin. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned.
  • Don't dress your pet in costume unless you know he loves it. Otherwise, it puts a lot of stress on the animal.
  • If you do dress your pet, make sure the costume isn't constricting, annoying or unsafe. Be careful not to obstruct her vision!
  • All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room during trick-or-treating hours -- too many strangers in unusual costumes can be scary for a dog.
  • Be careful your cat or dog doesn't dart out through the open door.

Birds Like Hand-outs, too!

Feeding birds in the autumn and winter is rewarding and fun! Following are some helpful hints for satisfying our hungry feathered friends:

Bird Feeding n' Seeding Tips
Black oil and striped sunflower seeds attract the greatest diversity of seed-eating birds to your yard. Sunflower chips are more expensive but eliminate messy sunflower shells. Safflower is a white seed which squirrels and blackbirds don't eat but cardinals, chickadees, red-bellied woodpeckers, mourning doves and others will eat. The more expensive thistle seed is used to attract gold finches, house finches and purple finches. Mourning dove, junco and some sparrows will also eat thistle from a ground feeder or hopper. Peanuts in the shell and peanut pieces are especially attractive to jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, titmice and chickadees. Roasted, no salt and no sugar, are the healthiest peanuts for feeding birds. Birds will even eat peanut butter! Spread peanut butter onto large pine cones, sprinkle bird seed over the cone and then hang it from a tree branch. The same birds that like peanuts also like suet or beef kidney fat. Both are high energy foods and are best during winter months. Whole kernel corn is eaten by blue jays, woodpeckers (and squirrels), while many ground-feeding birds prefer cracked corn. Be aware that cracked corn will rot when wet and that many mammals like to feed on corn.

Potential Feeding Problems
Unclean feeders or rotting, moldy bird seed can cause birds to get sick and spread disease to other birds. Be sure your bird seed is kept dry. Disinfect birdseed feeders with dilute bleach (10%) and water. Feeding songbirds may attract other animals to your yard. Raccoons, squirrels and mice come to feast on birdseed while hawks and cats come to catch a feathered meal. Be prepared to deal with surprise visitors at your backyard feeders.

And Another Thing -- or Two
Remember, fresh water is as important in fall and winter as in other seasons; special heating units can keep bird baths ice-free. Berry and nut producing plants are important sources of natural food. Shrubs and trees, especially those with thorns, are vital for roosting cover and protection from predators and stormy weather. Brush piles make excellent places for birds to hide and roost. Locate your feeders where you can see them but also near protective cover.

The Trivia Block

In 1991, a home-buyer sued his realtor for selling him a haunted house! The New York appellate court declared that the house was indeed haunted, and made the realtor reverse the sale because she failed to disclose that the house she was selling was inhabited by ghosts.

Sounds like the home inspector forgot to mark 'yes' on the "Ghosts, Ghouls and Goblins" form!