Susan Terry
About Susan Terry
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AN APPY LIFESTYLE
The right app can help kick-start new habits that will change your life!
If you’re looking to make some changes this year, your smartphone may hold the answers. Here are a few apps that are worth a look:
Duolingo
If learning a new language is on your to-do list for 2022, the Duolingo app is an absolute must!
Happify
This app is designed to help you overcome negative thoughts by offering a series of games that train your brain and build skills to help increase your happiness.
Done
The Done app is an intuitive and enjoyable way to help you manage your time and focus on your tasks. It displays monthly progress snapshots and also highlights your success streaks to keep you motivated.
TAKE IT TO THE BANK!
The demand for food donations in the Grey Bruce area will be greater than ever this year.
During the holidays, most people are in a very giving mood but when the new year rolls around, donations usually slow down to a crawl.
Local charities, such as food banks, have struggled to keep up with a strong demand that has continued to increase since the beginning of the pandemic.
To make matters worse, collecting food donations has been a real challenge since their usual fundraising events had to be postponed.
On top of that, food prices are expected to rise by up to 7% in 2022 according to Canada’s Food Price Report which means that even more people will have to rely on food banks this year.
There are so many people in the Grey Bruce area who struggle to afford nutritious meals during these difficult times which is why the Salvation Army Food Bank is in desperate need of non-perishable food donations along with diapers, toiletries and cleaning supplies.
In addition to food and toiletries, financial donations are especially important as they offer the flexibility to buy fresh food or to load up on items that are in short supply.
Thanks so much to the amazing people who continue to volunteer their time at the food bank. Your work is truly invaluable!
GOAL SETTING STRATEGIES
Whether your goal is to buy a home or give up a bad habit, it’s important to track your progress.
I’m a huge believer in lists, whether it’s going to the grocery store or packing for a trip. The best thing I love about lists though is the satisfaction of crossing things off!
Studies have shown that a surge of dopamine is released each time an item is crossed off a to-do list which then fuels us to tackle other tasks. It’s basically a snowball effect that helps us get things done.
Listing and tracking your goals is the best way to hold yourself accountable so to make things easy, here’s a downloadable goal planner and to-do list to help you easily chart out the days, weeks and months ahead.
Goals are often financially related, such as saving up for a downpayment to buy a home, but there’s more to life than money so it’s important to also set goals for the following areas:
- family (ie. spend more time with family)
- physical (ie. work out on a regular basis)
- spiritual (ie. volunteer more often)
- social (ie. join a networking club)
- mental (ie. learn a new language)
Once you have a general idea of what your goals are, use the following guidelines to fine-tune them:
Step Up
Specify the steps you’ll need to take in order to achieve each goal and then break down large goals into achievable, “bite-size” pieces.
Write On
It’s important to write your goals down and place them by your computer, bathroom mirror, car’s dashboard, etc.
Seeing Is Believing
Take time each day to close your eyes and visualize yourself achieving your goals and enjoying the rewards that follow.
Goal setting is like therapy as it provides us with a focused direction and a sense of purpose. Your enthusiasm will increase as you start to achieve your goals which, in turn, boosts your self-esteem.
Planning out your goals helps to reduce the stress that comes from feeling powerless and out of control. If you make it your goal right now to take control of your future, 2022 may just be your best year yet!
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE
Grey Bruce MLS® home sales set a new full-year record in 2021.
The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound totaled 155 units in December 2021.
This was down sharply by 23.6% from December 2020.
Home sales were 2.8% above the five-year average and 8.4% above the 10-year average for the month of December.
On an annual basis, home sales totaled a record 3,503 units over the course of 2021. This was a minor increase of 3.8% from the same period in 2020.
The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.
The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $534,800 in December 2021, a jump of 30.8% compared to December 2020.
The benchmark price for single-family homes was $535,200, a substantial gain of 30.4% on a year-over-year basis in December.
By comparison, the benchmark price for townhouse/row units was $466,600, an advance of 41.6% compared to a year earlier, while the benchmark apartment price rose by 34% to $384,000, from year-ago levels.
The average price of homes sold in December 2021 was a record $830,982, a jump of 48.5% from December 2020.
The more comprehensive annual average price was $650,944, a significant increase of 35.2% from all of 2020.
The dollar value of all home sales in December 2021 was $128.8 million, a gain of 13.4% from the same month in 2020. This was also a new record for the month of December.
The number of new listings was down sharply by 21.4% from December 2020. There were 114 new residential listings in December 2021.
New listings were 8.4% below the five-year average and 24.7% below the 10-year average for the month of December.
Active residential listings numbered 256 units on the market at the end of December, a substantial decrease of 16.1% from the end of December 2020.
Active listings haven’t been this low in the month of December in more than three decades.
SURVIVING THE STRESS OF THE SEASON
Christmas is just around the corner so it’s time to start getting ready!
It’s easy to get stressed out during the holiday season but a little advance planning will make it easier for you to relax and enjoy yourself! Here are a few ideas that’ll help relieve the seasonal stress:
Shop Early
Shopping ahead of time (with a list!) means less stress later on. You’re also more likely to stay on budget rather than panicking at the last minute and overspending.
Shop Local
Our local businesses have been through a lot but you can help reduce their stress this holiday season by hitting the local shops instead of buying from the big box stores.
Keep it Together
Keep wrapping paper, tags, tape, scissors, cards and stamps in one central spot. If you wrap as you go instead of doing it all at once, it’ll help get you into the Christmas spirit!
Expect the Unexpected
Make sure to have a few pre-wrapped “stand-by gifts” on hand for those unexpected occasions when a gift is needed immediately.
Although the holiday season is full of joy and laughter, it also comes with increased demands that can weigh heavily upon us. If you manage the pressure by planning ahead, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the season instead of just surviving it.
#GIVINGTUESDAY IN GREY BRUCE
How are you going to give back on #GivingTuesday?
#GivingTuesday is a global social movement that takes place each year on the Tuesday that follows the frenzied shopping days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday which means this year, it’ll fall on Tuesday, November 30th.
This worldwide event was created 9 years ago in partnership with the United Nations Foundation to encourage people to give back to their community through charitable donations and volunteer activities.
It’s been such a huge success that last year in Canada, a record-breaking $36 million was raised in the 24 hours that #GivingTuesday took place!
Local charities need our support more than ever so consider making a donation to your favourite local charity or perhaps volunteering your time at the local food bank.
Even the smallest acts of kindness can make a huge difference so if you know someone who’s struggling, consider reaching out and brightening up their day by raking their leaves or picking up their groceries.
#GivingTuesday is the perfect way to give back with small acts of kindness, especially now that we’re heading into the holiday season. Learn more about how you can help those in need when Tuesday, November 30th rolls around.
GIVE YOURSELF SOME CREDIT
It’s essential to know your credit score before you start shopping for a home.
The home of your dreams has finally hit the market! You anticipate it’ll be easy to get a mortgage but if your credit’s not in great shape, your dream home may remain just a dream.
It’s important to have a clear understanding of your credit score long before you get pre-approved for a mortgage and start shopping for homes.
A solid credit score makes you more attractive to financial institutions which means you’ll enjoy better rates and terms that can save you thousands of dollars in interest! Here are a few steps you can take to improve your credit score:
Order It Up
Order a fresh copy of your current credit report from Equifax so that you can review it.
Clean It Up
If there’s a blemish on your report, reach out to the creditor so that you can try and clear it up.
Consistency is Key
Lenders look for a long track record of consistent payments so if you’re trying to establish a solid credit score, it’s best to start early.
Know Your Limit
It’s important to show that you’re responsible with your credit so don’t continuously max out your cards.
Payment History
It’s extremely important to pay your bills on time. If you’re consistently late, it’ll raise red flags and dramatically affect your credit score.
Number of Applications
The number of times you’ve applied for credit can affect your score so don’t apply for credit unless you plan on using it.
How Much You Owe
Lenders don’t want to lend to someone with a whack of financial obligations so pay off smaller debts and avoid any big credit charges such as a car purchase before buying a home.
Knowledge is power when it comes to your credit score so find out where you stand ahead of time, even if you don’t think there are any issues.
If you know your credit’s in need of repair, start fixing it right away as a good credit rating will entitle you to preferred rates which can amount to thousands of dollars in interest savings.
Finally, it’s never too early to start thinking about your mortgage options as there may be certain plans you could qualify for if you apply for them in advance so please reach out so that we can discuss your options.
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE
REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound MLS® home sales moderate to more normal levels in October.
The number of homes sold through the MLS® System of the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound totaled 301 units in October 2021. This was a substantial decline of 21% from October 2020.
Home sales were 3.5% below the five-year average and 6.2% above the 10-year average for the month of October.
On a year-to-date basis, home sales totaled 3,095 units over the first 10 months of the year. This was a gain of 6.2% from the same period in 2020.
The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) tracks price trends far more accurately than is possible using average or median price measures.
The overall MLS® HPI composite benchmark price was $526,600 in October 2021, an advance of 32% compared to October 2020.
The benchmark price for single-family homes was $527,800, up sharply by 31.8% on a year-over-year basis in October.
By comparison, the benchmark price for townhouse/row units was $448,100, a substantial increase of 38.4% compared to a year earlier, while the benchmark apartment price was $369,400, a jump of 31.4% from year-ago levels.
The average price of homes sold in October 2021 was $657,322, up by 26.1% from October 2020.
The more comprehensive year-to-date average price was $640,909, a substantial increase of 36.4% from the first 10 months of 2020.
The dollar value of all home sales in October 2021 was $197.9 million, a slight reduction of 0.4% from the same month in 2020.
The number of new listings saw a substantial decline of 12.9% from October 2020. There were 291 new residential listings in October 2021. This was the lowest number of new listings added in the month of October in more than 15 years.
New listings were 12.6% below the five-year average and 14.5% below the 10-year average for the month of October.
Active residential listings numbered 452 units on the market at the end of October, a decline of 7% from the end of October 2020. Active listings haven’t been this low in the month of October in more than three decades.
Active listings were 39% below the five-year average and 66.5% below the 10-year average for the month of October.
Months of inventory numbered 1.5 at the end of October 2021, up from the 1.3 months recorded at the end of October 2020 and below the long-run average of 5.2 months for this time of year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.
DUDE, WHERE’S MY CAR?
Deserted parking lots are stereotypically the stomping ground for car thieves.
The truth is though, you’re more likely to be a victim of an opportunistic thief who’s looking for loose valuables that are left in unlocked cars.
However, some thieves are far more sophisticated as they use modern-day methods such as relay technology that boosts the signal of a key fob that’s in the owner’s home. This then allows the thief to simply unlock the car and drive off.
Auto theft can happen anywhere and at any time so it’s important to be proactive. Here are a few helpful tips that’ll make your car less of a target:
- park your vehicle in a secure garage
- equip your vehicle with GPS tracking
- use a steering clamp to deter thieves
- store key fobs in a frequency shielding bag
Imagine if you went to hop in your car and instead found an empty parking spot. A few proactive steps such as the ones above can help you avoid that horrible feeling as the more time and effort it takes for a thief to steal your car, the more likely they are to move on.