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Saskatchewan economy to lead the country in 2010

01-12-10
Shah Ahmed
Shah Ahmed: Real Estate Agent in Saskatoon, SK
  • view my blog
  • Office: (306) 341-2739

Saskatchewan economy to lead the country in 2010

Saskatchewan is expected to lead the country with an economic growth rate of 2.9 per cent in 2010, according to the average of nine leading economic forecasters.

After ending 2009 with a new record population and the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, Saskatchewan is forecast to start the next decade with the strongest economic growth record in the country in 2010.

Saskatchewan Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff says while Saskatchewan was not immune from the economic downturn in 2009, it came through the recession very well compared to other provinces.

Cheveldayoff noted that Saskatchewan had positive job creation in 2009 while most other provinces were losing jobs. Saskatoon and Regina had the two lowest unemployment rates among Canadian cities. Saskatchewan's population hit an all-time high and is growing at its fastest pace in over 50 years. There are more people and more jobs in Saskatchewan. People are earning more, and they are keeping more of what they earn, thanks to lower income and property taxes. All things considered, 2009 was a strong year for our province and its people, and 2010 should be even better. And Saskatchewan is expected to lead the country with an economic growth rate of 2.9 per cent in 2010, according to the average of nine leading economic forecasters. Saskatchewan had the best job growth rate in the nation in 2009 and the lowest unemployment rate in Canada for the last six consecutive months. Record-setting population numbers and stellar job growth are two important components in a strong economy. We are also seeing some good news on the construction front, which indicates a fair amount of optimism for business and consumers. Construction sites were busy this year, with October building permits in the province showing the highest percentage increase in the nation. Urban housing starts for November were also positive, reaching some of the highest levels in decades. Ken Cheveldayoff "I know that as we enter this new decade, we can reflect on the many success stories in the Saskatchewan economy and look forward to even better prospects in our future!"

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Water Saving Tips for Your Home Shah Ahmed REMAX SASKATOON.

09-22-09
Shah Ahmed
Shah Ahmed: Real Estate Agent in Saskatoon, SK
  • view my blog
  • Office: (306) 341-2739

Small Pic

Water is our most precious resource on earth; every living organism is dependent on it for survival. Less than 30% of people around the world have access to safe drinking water. As the climate changes, we will likely see that access to clean and safe water will become more important than ever.

While access to clean water is not an issue for most Canadians, it makes sense to be more water conscious for the following reasons:

  • Lower water and energy bills by reducing your metered usage.
  • Enhanced drinking water quality by maintaining higher levels in our lakes.
  • Less environmental impact by deferring the need to supply water from new sources and by reducing the energy and materials required to treat and deliver water.

We all can take immediate steps starting in our own households to more efficiently use water so there is enough to go around.

Be water conscious
Just like you think about saving energy by turning off your lights, switching off the power strip and charging your phone with your solar charger, you should be just as conscious about conserving water. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, use less water when hand washing dishes, don't use hot water to defrost food, and take shorter showers. We all know these things and mean to do them, but sometimes we forget. Program these simple changes into your daily routine and be conscious about water use.

Fix leaks
A dripping tap sends your money down the drain. If your tap is leaking one drop per second, you are wasting over 9,460 litres of water per year. You can fix this problem by replacing a simple washer. Even if you have to change the entire tap, it'll cost less than what you're wasting. Also, check your toilet, it might be leaking too even if you don't hear it. You can check for a leak in your toilet by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank. If within half an hour the coloured water has disappeared from the bowl, you'll know you've got a leak.

Use low water flow fixtures
Low flow showerheads and faucet aerators save up to half of water used without compromising your shower quality and washing experience. Also, take the opportunity to install a low-flow toilet and save even more money! Since 30% of the water consumption in your home is from toilet use; the older the toilet, the greater the use. Old toilets use at least 16-20 litres per flush. However, more recent models use about six litres or, if you install an ultra low-flow head, your toilet will use as little as three litres of water per flush-a big difference for huge savings!

Wash full loads
Use your appliances efficiently by washing only full loads of dishes or clothes. Wait the extra meal to have enough dishes or another day until you have enough clothes to make running that appliance worth it. While some appliances have settings for smaller loads, most do not, and use just as much water to wash a few things as it does to wash a full load.

Replace old appliances
Energy Star rated appliances save you energy, water, and money! Energy Star rated washers use half the water and energy per load of older models. If you're looking for a new washing machine, frontload washing systems have a much larger capacity and save a lot of water and energy. Also, take the time to look at investing in a dishwasher. This might surprise many but washing your dishes by hand in your sink uses more water than running an Energy Star rated dishwasher. Hand washing your dishes twice daily uses about 70 litres of water while a dishwasher, filled to the maximum, uses only 30 litres.

Saving water saves you money
From leaky taps and running toilets to watering your lawn, there are many things around your house that drain your money if you are not aware of them. You can be green and save water and money by following the above steps-use less and you'll save more!

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QUESTION ABOUT MORTAGES, SHAH AHMED REMAX SASKATOON

08-30-09
Shah Ahmed
Shah Ahmed: Real Estate Agent in Saskatoon, SK
  • view my blog
  • Office: (306) 341-2739

Mortgage rates are at their lowest in years. Here are a few issues to consider, whether you are taking a new mortgage on a home purchase, or re-newing your mortgage term.

You want to make sure you get the best interest rate. If you go to the financial institution you are currently dealing with, you will most likely be quoted the "posted rate". This rate is generally up to 1% higher than you should have to pay. Doing some competitive market research before hand can be helpful to negotiate a better rate.

Open vs Closed Mortgages

When selecting a mortgage, you can choose to pre-pay it in part of full at any time without any penalty. This is called an "open" mortgage. You pay a slightly higher rate for an open mortgage, as the lender has no certainty if you will pay it off before the end of the term. Alternatively, you can lock a mortgage for a period of time at the same rate, e.g. for 3 or 5 years. This is called a "closed" mortgage. If you pre-pay a closed mortgage before the term is over, you will have to pay a penalty.

Fixed vs Variable Interest Rate

When you take out a mortgage, it could be at a fixed interest rate for the duration of the term, e.g. 5% for the 5 year term, or it could be at a variable rate. This is generally set at the prime bank rate or below that, and can vary weekly based on any change in the prime rate. Generally, a variable mortgage is lower than a fixed mortgage. Some people prefer rate certainty for the term so they can budget accordingly. Others prefer to monitor mortgage rates and convert to a fixed rate mortgage if the rates start going up.

Monthly Payments vs Accelerated Mortgage Payments

Many people routinely pay their mortgage payments monthly. However, if you pay more frequently than that, e.g. every 2 weeks or every week, your savings on interest over time is phenomenal.

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