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The GTA resale market By David Pylyp

“The GTA resale market is functioning properly. Sales were high as buyers continued to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities. Listings grew as home owners reacted to strong sales and price growth,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “More balanced market conditions will result in sustainable rates of annual price growth in the second half of 2010.”

The average price for April transactions was $437,600 – up 13 per cent compared to the average of $385,641 recorded in April 2009.   Click here for complete details   People who were holding off have now placed the houses for sale. Additional inventory is slowing price increases.

Lack of Inventory is still driving the prices. People out shopping for their second or third residence are not effected. Interest rate worries will pass as the demand for money and financing becomes more relaxed after tax season and topping up your RRSP's. When the HST is in full force there will be bargains! This summer will be HOT!

In an effort to provide better value and understanding Stan Gelman  http://Wiselawyer.ca  had this Land Transfer Tax Calculator created.  Check for yourself how much is TAXES for a purchase in Toronto .  Now add the HST to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Premiums. HUGE!

A few years ago I was having breakfast with an acquaintance of mine who indicated to me her dad had suffered a stroke a few months earlier and, given no known medication at the time was available to minimize the challenges of a stroke the family had decided to try human growth hormones (HGH).

According to my acquaintance HGH worked remarkably well in improving her dad's mobility and his activities of daily living. Her dad still had challenges ahead of him but the family felt his progress on HGH was significantly more than the traditional alternative.

I never had a chance to have a follow up conversation with my acquaintance as we lost touch, but lately HGH has been in the news a fair bit related to a Canadian physician being charged in the USA for prescribing the drug to professional athletes. It has been alleged that a few of our famous athletes had at some point in their careers experimented with the drug.

Anyways, after reading and hearing all the recent reports about HGH I figured I would add my own spin on things. Firstly, I want to share with you some basics about HGH:

· HGH is a protein that is secreted by the pituitary gland and it stimulates muscle mass and cell production. As we age (meaning after 19 years) the pituitary gland produces less HGH and is only secreted during sleep.
· In addition to building muscles and cell production HGH is responsible for strengthening your bones, minimizing fat and, if you take HGH supplements it will firm up your skin / reduce wrinkles.
· HGH promotes rapid recovery to damaged tissues and maintaining a healthy immune system to combat diseases. HGH helps in regulating glucose and insulin levels.

Here are the potential negative side effects to taking HGH:

· HGH use can lead to swelling of the tissue around the joints and for men a chest that looks like a woman's breast.
· HGH use can potentially cause liver enlargement, elevated blood pressure and swelling of the brain.
· HGH can also add to the waistline if overused.

HGH has some wonderful benefits but they are also some ugly side effects and since HGH was only discovered back in the eighties it's hard to say if it's worth the risks.
I will, however, say that anyone who is young or is a senior and is fairly healthy should stay away from HGH. On the other hand, if you are a senior and you suffered a massive stroke, is there any harm in trying HGH? After all, even with regularly prescribed drugs you are taking a risk and the outcome you are hoping for might never be achieved. The choice is yours to make now by having a living will in place while you still have your cognitive abilities.

According to my acquaintance her dad had explicitly said he was open to experimental drugs in the event his health was significantly compromised.

“The GTA resale market is functioning properly. Sales were high as buyers continued to take advantage of affordable home ownership opportunities. Listings grew as home owners reacted to strong sales and price growth,” said Toronto Real Estate Board President Tom Lebour. “More balanced market conditions will result in sustainable rates of annual price growth in the second half of 2010.”

The average price for April transactions was $437,600 – up 13 per cent compared to the average of $385,641 recorded in April 2009. People who were holding off have now placed the houses for sale. Additional inventory is slowing price increases.

Lack of Inventory is still driving the prices. People out shopping for their second or third residence are not effected. Interest rate worries will pass as the demand for money and financing becomes more relaxed after tax season and topping up your RRSP’s. When the HST is in full force there will be bargains! This summer will be HOT!

In an effort to provide better value and understanding Stan Gelman http://Wiselawyer.ca had this Land Transfer Tax Calculator created. Check for yourself how much is TAXES for a purchase in Toronto . Now add the HST to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Premiums. HUGE!

When will you Talk with Mom and Dad about Downsizing.

• Their mobility and memory has been impeded.
• There has been a catostrophic event - slip or fall
• There a medical emergency - Heart attack or Stroke

In my personal life, I was recruited to serve my Father, for a period of five years. The episode began begrudgingly but in hindsight provided the best memories of my Dad and happier moments. I did not expect to alter my perspective of asking his advice to changing his diapers within a two year span. Yet the financial realities of elder care and the direct cost of nursing homes or assisted living centers needs us all to reevaluate how we will deal with these issues. See Video