Many families enjoy skating outdoors in the winter. There are over 50 Outdoor ice skating rinks in Kitchener- Waterloo.

Most of the outdoor ice rinks in Kitchener-Waterloo are run by volunteers from local community groups and neighbourhood associations. Many of these rinks have lights and can be enjoyed in the evening.

So why not get out and enjoy the frosty weather this winter with your family and friends?

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Will we benefit from strong business investment in 2012?

We've invited Assistant Chief Economist, Paul Ferley of RBC, to give our most valued clients and associates his economic outlook for the US, Canada and the Region of Waterloo for 2012.

We would like to invite you to
join us for this free seminar.

By Invitation Only

Tuesday, February 7th

Choose from two sessions:
4:00pm to 5:00pm or 7:00pm to 8:00pm

In the Theatre at
Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty
508 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener

Please RSVP to reserve your seat at one of the two sessions. (Click here)

Space is Limited - RSVP today!

I'm sure that you have heard on the news about the extremely low rates currently available from some Canadian Banks right now!

While rate is important, it may not be the most important factor in your situation.

Here are some of the items you should take a look at when negotiating your next mortgage (and there are more...).

1. The maximum amortization period

2. How long will they hold the rate for you? Can I arrange this mortgage before I start looking for a home?

3. Can you be pre-approved for this mortgage? See #2.

4. Can you make lump-sum pre-payments? How many? To what maximum?

5. Can I choose to change payment size? How much?

6. Is the term closed? Can I refinance or early renew before the term is finished?

7. Can I skip a payment(s)> What if an emergency arises?

If you would like great mortgage advice from a mortgage expert, contact us today and we will be happy to connect you with a mortgage specialist to fit your needs.

Reach Tracey at (519) 500-1226 or Tracey-Appleton@ColdwellBanker.ca.

(From left to right) Tracey Appleton, Peter Benninger, David Tidd and Amanda Taylor at Coldwell Banker's annual Trees for Toys customer appreciation event and toy drive.

On Saturday, December 4th, Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty's Real Estate Consumer Centre on Riverbend Drive was visited by approximately 1200 guests who donated over 400 toys.

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Robert Hunsberger was a November "Achiever" at Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty.

The latest edition of Tracey and Robert's email newsletter was delivered recently to our clients and friends.

View the online version of the newsletter here:
Living in Kitchener-Waterloo.

You can subscribe to our newsletter below:

Below is the most recent press release from the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS (KWAR).

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON (December 5, 2011) - There were a total of 450 residential sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in November, with a total dollar volume of $134,889,762, a decrease of 1.7 percent relative to results in November 2010.

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The Canada Mortgage and Hosing Corporation (CMHC) has released their "Rental Market Report" for Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo and Guelph CMAs. The complete 2011 report can be downloaded (PDF) here.

Some highlights of this rental market documents include:

• The average vacancy rate in Waterloo Region and area (Kitchener CMA) moved lower to 1.7 per cent.

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As many of you are aware we are big supporters of this important community service. Tracey has served on the Board of Directors for a number of years and is currently the Chairperson. The organization offers a variety of services to help woman and their children move beyond violence. They operate two shelters; Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge plus regional outreach services for abused women and their children.

Recently Mary Zilney, the CEO, sent out a letter to supporters with some important news. This post is adapted from that letter.

"Back in early 2011, it was thought that the existing Haven House property would be appropriate for further expansion. Subsequently, a decision was made to proceed with a capital campaign to expand and renovate Haven House.  This information was disseminated back in June."

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We just listed and just sold this home in Laurelwood!

Have a look at our other listings: KW246.com

Open House every Saturday at the

REEP House for Sustainable Living

at 20 Mill Street (near Queen) in Kitchener.

Visit this super-insulated, water-wise century brick home and education centre. See demonstrations of an in-floor heating system, ground-source heat pump, tankless water heater, grey-water system, insulation options and more.

Guided tours of REEP House are available every hour on the hour. Receive free advice from a Certified Energy Advisor to your home energy savings questions.

Currently you can win A FREE Evaluation! Visitors to our Saturday Open House may enter our monthly draw for a free ecoENERGY Evaluation, Solar Potential Assessment, or Electricity Savings Audit!

Date: Every Saturday
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Address: 20 Mill Street, Kitchener

More information: REEPgreen.ca

Parking: REEP House parking is limited. Please park at nearby Victoria Park.

Below is a recent press release from the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS.

October Residential Sales Up

Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario (Nov 3rd, 2011) --   The number of residential real estate sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) increased to mark a gain over October 2010 of 4.9 percent.

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We hope you enjoyed the Wine Tasting on October 27 at Hacienda Sarria as much as we did!

Many thanks to everyone that came out to this event, we raised over $5,000 for Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region to help fund Anselma House and had the opportunity to try some very fine wines.

Thank you for joining us on Thursday, and thank you for supporting Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

If you wish to make a donation to Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, you can do this at this link: WCSWR.org/donate.html

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Here is an interesting infographic from the website 'One Block Off the Grid' (1bog.org).

With energy prices rising every year, what's a homeowner to do? Many green improvements can pay for themselves and more...

Most of the wines presented at the Wine Tasting Event on October 27 are not available in the LCBO/Vintages stores. However, they are available for delivery (by the case) to your home or office. The Vine delivers in Waterloo Region every Thursday.

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Here are some items to consider to better winterize your home in this video from Lou Manfredini and Marvin.com

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Here is the latest press release from the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS (KWAR) for the month of September 2011.

Condominium Sales Remain Strong In K-W

Kitchener-Waterloo, ON (Oct 5th, 2011) - Residential sales to the end of the third quarter of 2011 are behind last year by 2.9 percent. A total of 4,975 homes have sold to date this year through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®, compared with 5,126 during the same period last year.

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Tracey and Robert have sold the backsplit at 185 Silvercrest Drive in the Maple Hills / Westmount area of Waterloo.

More information about this listing: 185 Silvercrest Dr.

Coldwell Banker asked kids "What is real estate"? They gave some pretty good answers...

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When I bought my house in Laurelwood about 10 years ago, it was among the first built on the block in a new section of the neigbourhood. I confess I was, at the time, largely attracted by the affordability of the home compared to some other new construction I was considering at the time (I needed a new home out of consideration for my children's allergies and asthma) and by the proximity to the Laurel Creek Conservation area.

For the first few years we lived with construction dust and building traffic but also enjoyed frequent wild animal sightings on the construction site(foxes, raccoons, deer, snapping turtles, frogs, to name a few.)!

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We received something great the other other day!

It was a copy of a customer satisfaction survey sent to our manager by Coldwell Banker Canada. Coldwell Banker sends a survey to each of our clients after they purchase or sell a home.

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Tracey and Robert have sold the 3 bedroom townhouse at 202 Buttercup Ct. in the Laurelwood / Laurel creek Village area of Waterloo.

More information about this listing: 202 Buttercup Ct.

According to a report from Teranet Enterprises and Generation5, the average person living in the Maple Hills area of Waterloo Ontario speaks English (96%), is married (63%) and has a University or College education (58%).

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In today's highly competitive real estate market, the key to selling your home is being able to attract buyers to your listing. When you're selling your home, it's important to remember that you're in competition with every other similarly priced listing in your area. To win buyers, you need your home to stand out from all the rest.

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Our MLS listings for properties in Waterloo Region all appear on the Realtor.ca website.

Our current MLS listings include:

♦ Relections at Laurelwood

Tracey and Robert have sold this lovely 3 bedroom home.

More information about this listing: 6 Reistview Street

It looks like MCC has a good chance to win this contest! Watch the video and help the cause!

This is a great video produced by Ken Ogasawara and Jonathan Steckley at MCC Ontario in Kitchener. These folks have done a very engaging little video on energy conservation. Congratulations Ken and Jonathan!

They have entered the video in a contest at WattsNext.ca. They are trying to win a solar energy system for the MCC. The winner is the video with the most views... share it and watch it!

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We recently did some calculations in answer to a website visitor's inquiry about the value of homes in the area of the intersection of North Drive and Highland Road West in Kitchener. Here is what we found:

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According to the most recent press release from the Kitchener-Waterloo Association od Realtors (KWAR), the average price for a home in Waterloo Region increased in the month of August, 2011.

August Home Sales in Kitchener-Waterloo Up From Last Year

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (Sept. 7th, 2011) - There were a total of 507 home sales through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) system of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in August. This represents a 7.2 percent increase in residential sales compared to the same month last year. Sales in the month of August included 341 detached homes, 32 semis, 27 townhomes and 100 condominium units.

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The lottery of birth is responsible for much of who we are. If you were not born in the country you were, what would your life be like? Would you be the same person?

IfItWereMyHome.com calls itself "your gateway to understanding life outside your home". You can use their country comparison tool to compare living conditions in your own country to those of another.

You could also use their visualization tool to help understand the impact of a disaster. The Pakistan Flood and BP Oil Spill have been featured. Check out the individual pages to gain some perspective on these events.

Here is an interesting article from HouseLogic.com on the value of maintaining your home:

If you think home maintenance is an unavoidable series of weekend-eating chores, remember the age-old advice of Benjamin Franklin: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." The fact is, proactive maintenance is essential to preserving the value of your home-without it, your home could lose 10% of its value. Regular, routine maintenance enhances curb appeal, ensures safety, and prevents neglected upkeep from turning into costly major repairs.

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You can find Tracey and Robert's property listings on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/Real.Estate.in.KW. Join the page and keep up to date

Tracey and Robert's Twitter page is set up to "tweet" news about the about our listings. Why not follow us now?

The latest updates on our property listing are posted to Tracey and Robert's LinkedIn profiles. Connect with them at: Linkedin.com/in/RobertHunsberger or LinkedIn.com/in/TraceyAppleton

You can fins the videos for our listings on our YouTube channel at  at YouTube.com/RealEstateinKW

Our Featured Listings:

• 185 Silvercrest Dr.
• 96 Nith River Way
• 1921 Line 45

We recently did some calculations in answer to a website visitor's inquiry about the value of homes in Colonial Acres neighbourhood in Waterloo. Here is what we found:

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Here's an article from shine.yahoo.com with 16 Budget-Friendly Home Upgrades for your home.

For the kitchen: the kitchen sink, a new countertop, new light fixtures or a "Splash of Color"

For the bathroom, their suggestions include: refinishing the cabinets, hooks, or a new tile floor

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