Windsor, ON

Thinking of buying or selling your home? Here's some interesting data from August, 2008 from the Windsor-Essex Board of Realtors.

Compared to a year ago....

Market Activity is down 3.44% YTD and 11.94% in August. 7880 homes have been listed this year vs. 8161 last year.

Sales are down 6.58% YTD and 18.18% in August. 3404 home have been sold this year vs. 3181 last year.

For the 389 homes sold, the average price is down 1.35% YTD and 5.10%. Average selling price YTD was $164,280 vs. $165,068 last year, while the average selling price in August was $166,099 vs. $170,018 last year.

In terms of home sold by price category,

$ 60,000 - $99,999 73

$100,000 - $119,999 45

$120,000 - $139.999 52

$160,000 - $199,999 71

$200,000.- $299,999 83

$300,000 - $399,999 22

$400,000+ 10

Although this chart does not indicate how many listings fell in each price category, the numbers suggest that sellers of low to moderate priced homes are more likely to sell, while buyers can find plenty of good, affordable homes in the area.

What kind of home is most likely to sell?

Ranch 76

Raised ranch 73

2 Story 63

1 ½ Story 48

Bungalow 47

South Windsor had the highest number of listings and sales for the month.

Your Windsor home awaits. For information about the latest listings in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com.

It's a week before Halloween, a popular holiday that in modern times means donning costumes, decorating your home in orange and black, carving a pumpkin, and trick or treating - maybe for UNICEF or maybe for a stock of candy that children hoard and parents raid for their favorite chocolate bar.

Though it's generally considered a fun time, it's also a great time to start a new tradition in your household or in your life. Take a look at this link to blog posted by Ann Arbor, MI realtor Kathy Toth: http://activerain.com/blogsview/750995/Ghosting-It-Forward-Pay-It-Forward-for-Ann-Arbor-NeighborsFriends-before-Halloween

In the spirit of the movie Pay It Forward, the Ghost It Forward project promotes anonymous acts of kindness to friends, neighbors, and total strangers. For more information, check out the link above or go directly to Ghosting It Forward.

Don't think there's a ghost of a chance you can own a home? For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com.

Giant Tiger is Canada's favorite discount store. Founded in Ottawa in 1961 with a $15,000, investment, it has grown to over 184 locations across Canada, with 106 locations in Ontario alone. Some stores are company owned, but the majority are franchised operations, a reflection of company philosophy that customers are better served by local owners.

Giant Tiger carries fashions, home accessories, toys, specialty foods, and housewares. Just as Oprah Winfrey boosted Target's fashion appeal by softening the "t" at the end so it sounds French ("Tar-gay"), Giant Tiger fashion customers refer to the store as "GT Boutique." The company responded by printing bags with this name for fashion purchase.

Employing over 6,500 people in Canada, the chain has undertaken a major expansion in the Greater Toronto Area since 2005 by opening six stores in Bradford, Brampton, Markham, Mississauga, Newmarket, and Scarborough. The store also operates as Scott's Discount and Chez Tante Marie in some areas.

Aside from being a popular place to shop, the chain has distinguished itself for beatifying the local areas with colorful exterior mural Since 1991, Mural artist Pierre Hardy, a native of Ottawa, has created outdoor art that often features tigers, as well as local points of interest. Giant Tiger locations which offer his works of art include: Ottawa, Smiths Falls, Pembroke, Prescott, New Liskeard, Napanee, Mont Laurier, Campbellford, Picton, Cornwall, St. Jerome, Deep River, Lakefield, Granby, Shawinigan Sud, Saint-Jovite, L'Annonciation, Listowel, Shawville and Gavenhurst.

There are two Giant Tiger stores conveniently located in Windsor. For information about great places to live in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com.

Stunning, modern approx. 6 yr. old east end home situated on a quiet, residential street. Completely updated in the last year. Main floor features custom kitchen with breakfast bar, open concept living/dining area, 4pc bath and 3 bdrms including MB with 4pc ensuite and walk-in closet. Lower level features large family room with gas fireplace, 3pc bath, 2 additional bdrms or office/library/workout room and laundry room. Freshly painted in neutral tones. Many upgrades incl: finished/painted garage, central vac, oversized basement windows, built-in speaker system throughout, porcelain tile, alarm system, infra-red doggie door. Must see to appreciate all the extras. Backyard is your own personal paradise! Immaculate. Maintenance free living at it's best! To arrange a personal viewing call Kim directly at 519-819-9617

Windsor's Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House is the perfect place for finding treasures for your new home or selling items that you prefer not to take to your next home. They have a showroom that is over 11,000 square feet filled with an assortment of unique, antique, and nearly new items. As Southern Ontario's largest personal property liquidation company, they not only have retail consignment sales, they also provide auction services, eBay sales, and appraisals by an accredited appraiser.

Visit Holland Consignment Shoppe & Auction House on the web and then head over to their showroom at 1407 Ottawa St, at the corner of Ottawa and Moy, behind the TD Bank. Parking is along the side of the building. The store is open Monday through Saturday.

Need a new home to put those treasures in? Or need to sel the old one you're cleaning out?

For information about properties in Windsor, call your Prudential Select Real Estate Agent Mark Tesolin at (519) 972-5505 or visit http://marktesolin.com.