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Will it have an impact on Real Estate ? As a result most of us are already getting affected. Its the time to market but to move ahead very carefully. We got to control our expenditures very juditiously.

This is what happend in a single day. Its like one short fired and 74,000 jobs lost !

Read this story and see who are the latest in row to join the so called recession?

On Monday, employers in the US and internationally announced tens of thousands of layoffs in an indication that the economic crisis is accelerating and spreading throughout the American and world economy-and far outpacing governmental measures to respond. Among the major layoffs:

* Caterpillar Inc., the world leader in heavy construction equipment, announced 20,000 layoffs for the first quarter of 2009.

* The drugmaker Pfizer Inc. said it will lay off 8,000 workers, the first casualties of the firm's $68 billion takeover of rival pharmaceutical corporation Wyeth.

* SprintNextel, the cell phone carrier, will cut 8,000 jobs, or 14 percent of its workforce, by the end of March. It eliminated 4,000 jobs little more than a year ago.

* Home Depot Inc., the largest US home improvement retailer, said it will cut 7,000 jobs and shutter 34 of its Expo home design stores.

* General Motors, the embattled auto giant, announced 2,000 more layoffs affecting plants in Ohio and Michigan, where the unemployment rate has already climbed past 10 percent.

* Texas Instruments Inc., after announcing a precipitous decline in profits, said it would eliminate 3,400 jobs.

* Phillips Electronics, the Dutch electronics giant, said it would cut 6,000 workers from its worldwide workforce.

* Corus Group, a steelmaker, said it would eliminate 3,500 jobs, 2,500 of which will come in Britain.

* The Dutch bank ING announced the elimination of 7,000 jobs after it reported its first-ever quarterly loss.

Take a quick trip around the world to learn how different cultures celebrate the season.

People around the globe celebrate Christmas in their own unique ways. Here is a glimpse into how some cultures mark the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Down Under
Christmas in Australia takes place during the summertime. Of course, the hot weather doesn't prevent Australians from celebrating Christmas. They're just more likely to celebrate outside. Many families eat their midday Christmas meal in their backyards and sometimes even at the beach. And when Santa makes an appearance, he's usually wearing his swimming suit.

Australia's most breathtaking Christmas tradition, Carols by Candlelight, also takes place outside. At outdoor concerts held in cities and towns throughout Australia, people sit on blankets, light candles and sing Christmas carols together.

Australians decorate their homes with "Christmas Bush," a native plant with cream coloured flowers that turn a shiny deep red around Christmas.

Christmas in Africa
Whether rich or poor, Christians in Africa celebrate the birth of Jesus with immense joy and passion. These celebrations centre around church services and the lively processions following Christmas Eve services are filled with song and dance.

In Ghana, churches start preparing for Christmas many months in advance and some say it feels like the entire country is actually getting ready for the birth of Jesus.

Eating and visiting family and friends is also huge part of the holiday. For instance, Kenyans typically celebrate by roasting a goat and eating the delicious meat hot off the grill. Those who can't afford to purchase or slaughter a goat often pool resources with family and friends.

Many people in Africa, of course, cannot afford to give gifts. If gifts are exchanged in poor communities, they generally consist of practical things, such as schoolbooks or soap.

Las Posadas
The major Christmas celebration in Mexico starts nine days before Christmas and is called Las Posadas. Each night, a group of neighbours re-enact Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

Carrying small, lit candles and images of Mary and Joseph, these "pilgrims" travel from house to house looking for lodging. They are refused by each "innkeeper" until they reach the home of the family hosting La Posada that night.

Once inside, they gather around a nativity scene to pray and sing traditional Christmas songs. Then, the nightly festivities begin and children take turns trying to break open a piñata filled with peanuts, tangerines and candy.

Christmas in China
The Christian population in China is relatively small and Christmas is not a public holiday. However, Chinese Christians light up their homes with pretty paper lanterns and hang paper decorations-chains, flowers and lanterns-on "trees of light."

Christian children also hang muslin stockings for Dun Che Lao Ren (Christmas Old Man) to fill with gifts and treats. Many non-Christians also exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas, especially in urban areas where Christmas displays and decorations have become commonplace.

Peace blessing in Iraq
Iraqi Christian families take part in a special ceremony outside their homes on Christmas Eve. Family members hold lit candles while one child reads about the birth of Jesus from an Arabic Bible.

After this, the family sings songs around a bonfire of dried thorn bushes. If the thorns turn to ashes, it is said the family will enjoy good fortune in the coming year. When the fire burns out, everyone jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.

Following another bonfire at church the next day, church officials march behind their bishop who carries an image of Jesus. The Christmas service concludes when the bishop blesses a member of the church by touching him with his hand. That person touches the person next to him and so on until everyone at the service receives "the touch of peace."

What to Expect From a Real Estate Professional

An Explanation of the Process A REALTOR® will not take it for granted that you know all the ins and outs of the buying/ selling process. Instead, he or she will provide you with a full explanation of what to expect and that's important so you're not faced with any surprises along the way. An Assessment of Your Needs One of the first questions a REALTOR® will ask is, Why are you moving? A REALTOR® will also explore any time constraints you might have (perhaps imposed by the need to relocate for employment), your financial situation and any future plans. A Plan to Find Your Dream Home A REALTOR® will help you identify what you want in your new residence. A pool? A garage? An extra room? A particular building design? What about the neighbourhood? Proximity to schools or work? A REALTOR® will compare your needs, wants and budget with what is available on the market and make recommendations that save you time and effort. He or she will also accompany you as you view houses and help you assess their suitability and price. As an expert on a property, a REALTOR® can provide facts on the neighbourhoods, the cost of heating, the condition of the furnace, and so on. In other words, he or she will work with you to achieve your dream. Access to Properties for Sale Multiple Listing Service® or MLS® is an exclusive service accessible only through a REALTOR® and it can be a valuable tool. Through MLS®, the details of a wide variety of listed properties are made available to the REALTOR® you work with. That can save you a tremendous amount of time and effort in your hunt for the right home. If you are interested in learning about what is available on the market please check out my Toronto Listings page, which enables you to preview properties for sale. Knowledge of Financing Options REALTORS® have extensive knowledge of the financing choices available to home buyers and there options and obtaining financing at the most attractive prevailing rates and terms. A Skilled Negotiator REALTORS® are experienced in arranging fair deals. He or she will assist in negotiating an offer, acting as a mediator to head off potential conflicts between you and the seller, and draw up a legally binding agreement. Honesty and Integrity Most real estate professionals in our province are member of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and only members of OREA can call themselves REALTORS® When you work with a REALTOR®, you can expect not only strict adherence to provincial laws, but also adherence to a Code of Ethics. And that code is very important to you because it assures you will receive the highest level of service, honesty and integrity. Highest Professional Standards Before receiving a real estate license, candidates must successfully complete an extensive course of study developed by OREA on behalf of the Real Estate Council Ontario. That is only the beginning: in the first two years of practice, licensees are required to successfully complete three additional courses as part of their articling with an experienced broker. In addition, all licensees must continue to attend courses throughout their careers in order to maintain their license. Interested in Buying a Home? If you are interested in buying a home please feel free to fill out the form below or call me and I would be more then happy to answer any questions you might have.

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