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The success and growth of the Cottage Show over the past four years is due largely to a growing trend in the conâ€" sumer exposition industry â€" shows that are directed at specific target markets, says Cowan. As the tremendous number of "baby boomers" begins to approach middle age, the number of cottage owners is expected to grow steadily over the next decade. For further information about the Cottage Show contact Ron Cowan at (416) 636â€"5056 or (800) 387â€"5291. 1 .« « Pickering Trade Centre hosts 1994 Cottage Show More than 250 exhibitors specializing in items specifically for the cottage are busy preparing for The 4th Annual Cottage Show, set for Feb. 4 to 6 at the Metro East Trade Centre in Pickering. "If it‘s for the cottage, it‘s at the Cottage Show," says show director Ron Cowan. The show offers oneâ€"stop shopâ€" ping for cottage owners or for those thinking of buying their first cottage. By bringing together the "true cottage experts" at the Cottage Show, Cowan has attempted to ensure that cottagers are able to comparison shop in one venue for the best selection and prices for all of their cottage needs. The Cottage Show houses under one roof as many cottage industry experts as possible â€" from realtors to contractors, log home builders and renovators to dock builders, as well as, exhibitors of boats, canoes, hot tubs, wood stoves, home furâ€" nishings and outdoor clothing. Of course, cottage country contractors eager to build your dream cottage will be in attendance, as will cottage country realtors exhibiting property listings from across Ontario. earching for and buying a home for the very first time can be somewhat like taking a roller coaster ride; you don‘t always know what to expect â€" except that there will probably be a few bumps and jolts along the way. "This year, we will be emphasizing the underâ€"$99,000 cottage," says Cowan. "There are a lot of quality cottage properâ€" ties available and they‘re closer and more affordable now than people think. There are deals out there." what to expect â€" except that there will probably be a few bumps and jolts along the way. When you conâ€" sider that buying a home is probably going to be the sinâ€"â€"tion . about gle, largest purâ€" chase most of us will ever make, it‘s little wonder that the process can be somewhat frightenâ€" ing and a little overwhelming to most people. The 128â€"page guide originated two years ago in response to research showing that potential firstâ€" time buyers wanted a lot more informaâ€" the ho meâ€"b uy in g process. Now in. its fourth printing, the easyâ€"toâ€"read book has been revised to reflect lower interâ€" est rates and downâ€" payment requireâ€" To help you sort through the process and have a better idea of just what to expect, the Ontario Real Estate Association _ is offering firstâ€"time purchasers copies of its popular, free â€" and recently revised book â€" called "How to Buy Your First Home." Now in. its fourth printing, the easyâ€"toâ€"read book has been revised to reflect lower interâ€" est rates and downâ€" payment requireâ€" ments. For instance â€" at an interest rate of 9% â€" the cost per thousand (based on a 25â€"year amortizaâ€" tion period) is The First Time $8.28. So, if you purchased a home with a mortgage of $100,000, â€" your payments at this rate would be $828 per month. Some lending institutions are now offering shortâ€"term mortgages (usually six months) at even lower rates. Based on a 25â€"year amorâ€" tization, monthly payments at 7% would be $700, at 6% they would be $600. ty to qualify for the mortgage in the first place. Generally, the lower the interest rate, the greater the amount you can borrow to finance your purchase. Unlike some other books about homeâ€"buying, "How to Buy Your First Home" is designed to be userâ€"friendly and makes no assumpâ€" tion that the reader has any previous knowledge of the ho meâ€"b uy in g process. It provides the basic building blocks to help you start your home search with confiâ€" dence. * Deciding what kind of home you can afford; * Investigating the marketplace; * Selecting and working with a lawyer; e Making an offer to purchase; * Arranging a mortgage and other costs; + Having the home inspected; and *+â€" Completing the transaction. * Making the decision to buy; 6 o o o o e o 0o 6 o o o o o o o 0o o a 6 o o o o o 6 6 understand _ the importance _ of working with a realtor and what you can expect from these profesâ€" sionals. It will also help you shop for a mortgage more effectively and talk intelligently with your banker. A what volunteers do. #f| You can make a CANADIAN %\1 difference. $E"| $ Please volunteer. Call your nearest office of the Canadian Cancer Society. OREA booklet helps to deâ€"mystify process of buying that first home realtor can help you with any quesâ€" tions you may still have after reading the book. For a free copy of "How to Buy } Your First Home", call 1â€"800â€"563â€" HOME. f 4