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Forecasting 89 Each year I make a forecast on the forthcoming year in real estate I happened look at last year s forecast and it went almost exactly as planned For first in months if HH 1 said sale would match those of 87 In last half of year sales would run ahead of the previous year tral Canada would again be strong Western Canadian mark els would lie mixed and Atlantic would remain soft The only point I missed was large price increases experienced in South em Ontario in the firs four months of thcycar lo try again This year will be mure difficult forecast Last year most experts were i agreement and I h i u n folded pre much as predicted the self fulfilling prophesy This year experts are all over Ihcplace How long will expansion phase of the business cycle last Some arc predicting il willcnd in Others say we are heading into a major Interest rale forecasts are also confusing Some economists sec rates slowly rising with inflation Others actually sec rates dropping One indicator of the f u d i recti on in interest rates is the yield curve The y Id rvc is a son of rates for the same level of risk from the short term through to ten years and beyond Right now the curve flat As and year mortgages arc almost iden What does that mean On one hand it means thai experts are not expecting any measurable change in rates over next six months other hand it means that no one knows where they ore going in the next six months Count me as pan of the latler group Earlier this year I thought gage rates would jump by up to new year Now I think so At most they 1 softens the Federal Government has room to back off the rates But interest rates arc only part of the story As I said last year it the demand side the number of buyers REAL ESTATE AND YOU Jamie Johnston that really determines the market And buyers by a large degree are mflu by psychological as well as economic fat lor Free Trade will be psychological boos favourably on Canada and this in turn will stimulate Canadian investors Implementing wilt be staged over yens so any negative adjust menu to industry can be minimized Real estate activity tends to mirror the underlying economic factors of the area We arc now starting to sec the involvement of a twotiered real market The major urban centres plus Southern continue to experience expansion Smaller centres rem am so ft when local economics stag Look at B for example The ermartetand the lower mainland excellent real Thcreslof was off a reflection of local So what do I expect for real estate markets next year The overall and interest tales will be neutral Individual geographic real estate markets will show an even greater range of diversity than in 19RS Each market will then be even more heavily pendent on how strong or weak its local economy is So you should be in a better lion this year than the experts to predict activity in your own real estate market ask yourself What arc the major employers doing Are they expanding standing still or reducing their force The answers will tell you where your real estate market heading For a free copy Moving Cnackllat plaaao contact tha Canada TruatRa- you REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK Wednnday December IMS Page I Spas and hottubs now as common as the backyard swimming pool NC The daily nlual of soaking in hot pulsating water is no longer only a past time for the rich or adventurous According to statistics from the dian Swimming Pool and Spa Assucm linn unit sales of spas and well exceeded in The reasons arc many Installing a spa in your backyard or basement is not but will provide many if not all of the pleasures of owning a pool backyard value family exercise Thcthera- value of Ihe American Associa tion similarioCanspaNSPI initi ated a spa benefit awareness program in conjunction the American Foundation Sales in Eastern Canada have sur prisingly now surpassed the unn sales sales up until a few years ago While installations in Western Canada have always been outdoors most Eastern Canadian installations have been indoors I reccn t years where there has been a dramatic shift to outside installations even in colder climates Industry experts state that the thnll of enjoying your spa under the of the starlit nights especially amidst a light snowfall is what is all about Regardless of whether you are pur chasing a spa For home value entertainment fam logcthemess health the pleasure of a quick soak before your shower in the mornings or a relaxing moment with your loved one in the guarantees the ever increasing lanly of spas is nol a fad but here The equipment and benefits are identical Spas can be installed indoors above ground half Smaller models require a floor area less than Portable spas can be moved indoors in winter or to the collage in the sum mer while built ins are permanently fixed in place Expensive alterations to your home be electrically connected filled and enjoyed in a matter of hours Ventilation fans are not absolutely necessary in indoor installations as a floating cover retains heat and keeps humidity to a minimum Heating costs are minimal can be less than a month indoors and IcsslhanSI months for outdoor installations staircase For those installa tion two piece models are available Some spa purchasers can qualify for a tax deduction Contact your family doctor if you believe you qualify Hot swirling water massaging pul sating jets in a wide range of sizes shapes and colours can be yours for as litileasS3 costs and financing For tha nam of a CANSPA In your area contact Tha Canadian Spa and Pool Aaaoclatlon Air port Road Sulla 305 Mlaalaaauga Ontario L4V 180026321 if ifi ft Spas arc losedby all ages for differ cm reasons love the bubbles andlliecompanionshipofthcirparcnts Seniors and athletes enjoy the peutic value A spa and a hot tub arc the same product only Ihe hot tub has a wooden tank whereas a spa is acrylic or con their spa Most spa cm i and ever day Maintenance a few minutes each Most available in depths go through any door and thej in widths that allow passage di Christmas is that wonderful time of year filled with the laughter of children and the warmth of friendship We look for forward to a wonderful holiday and we hope that all our loyal friends and patrons will have a great holiday too We enjoy working with you and we take great pleasure in wishing you the best of the season KING Rapraaanialrra 8731056 BILL McKEOWN Salaa Rapratantallra 8732437 4579788 ft ft ft ft ft ft RESTAR REALTY GROUP INC REALTOR NETWORK OP THE STARS