_ â€" ~ es ~ larcade I sound systems m Christmas begins at Bronte Park Sunday Spruce Lane Farmhouse staff celebrates the Christmas season at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. Starting Sunday, Dec. 11th and running through to Sunday, Jan. 1st (Closed Dec. 25th and 26th) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, travel back in time to Christmas in the country. Spruce Lane Farmhouse will be decorated in Victorian finery, while the aroma of festive treats will fill the air. Favorite toys from the turnâ€"ofâ€"theâ€"century will be displayed around the Christmas tree. put the finishings touches on the Farmhouse decoraâ€" tions. Monday, Dec. 12th, from 1â€"3 p.m., will be our annual carol sing to the accompaniment of the pump organ. Sunday, Dec. 18th you can tour the Farmhouse by lamplight from 6â€"9 p.m. The Playford Players will once again entertain you with the sounds of hammered dulâ€" cimer and guitar, Christmas baking on the woodstove will scent the air, and mulled cider will be served. Children will enjoy taking part in our taffy pull on Oakville Beaver Weekend, Sunday, December 11, 1994 â€" 10 Conservative treatment of dental This is an Excellent Time To Buy a First Home. The 1994 real estate market has been a frenzied rollerâ€"coaster ride. March sales surged 80 percent from those a year earlier. By summer they had slumped below 1993‘s pace. Why? Rising interest rates. In its fall of 1994 Toronto Real Estate Forecast, CHMC said conâ€" sumers accelerated their home buying decisions during February to June, to take advantage of preâ€"approved mortâ€" gages. In effect the market "borrowed" activity from the second half ‘of the year. Fewer buyers means a stagnant fall market, today‘s reality. The salesâ€"toâ€"listings ratio also shows how the pendulum swung from seller‘s to buyers‘ market in 1994 (a balanced market ratio is 1:5 â€" for every house sold, 5 are listed for sale.) In March, when ‘the ratio was below 1:4, strong demand and a shrinking inventory made homes at lower levels hard to find. By September it had jumped to 1:8, buyers‘ market territory. As a key indicator on the economy at large, real estate is usually the engine pulling the economy out of recession. Job creation and higher incomes are vital to stimulate and sustain housing demand. With out them, any flurry of activity is shortâ€"lived. That‘s exactly what happened the last few years. Only improved affordâ€" ability inspired real estate sales. As a result, the market became extremely vulnerable to change in prices and interest rates â€" why its vitalâ€" ity has been sporadic. As long as the jobless recovery perâ€" sists, so will a sluggish housing market, one highly susceptible to interest rate gyrations. Improved affordability, though, has meant great opportunity for first time buyers. In fact, they‘ve been the major force behind the Toronto housing market in the 1990‘s. And those conditions (plus others) mean it‘s an excellent time now for firstâ€"time buyers to make a move, despite the spring rate jump. Preâ€"approved mortgages shield buyâ€" ers from rate increases for 60 to 90 days, yet let them benefit from any drop in rates. Three incentive programs exist for firstâ€"time buyers â€" 95 per cent mortgage financing; the Ontario _ Home Ownership Savings Plan; and the Home Buyers‘ Plan that allows up to $20,000 to be borrowed from an RRSP. If rates stabilize or even fall and job prospects improve, 1995 could be the year of the longâ€"awaited turnâ€"around. Real Estate The Bottom Line Dan Cooper is an awardâ€"winning Associate Broker with Countrywide Town Centre Realty Inc. and can be reached at 338â€"6550. ADVERTISEMENT From Sunday, Dec. 11th to Sat., Dec. 17th, help us _ New Year‘s day from 1â€"3 p.m. Many thanks to all our clients for their patronage during the past year! L ie N 3 hourly rate ®© NO additional charge for nights or weekends ®© Locally owned [ operated ‘v' Maw%m| OFF}\ With this 5 / COUPON ALL PLUMBING LABOUR REQUIRED TO COMPLETE YOUR RENOVATION, I REPAIR OR INSTALLATION | CALL (416) 381â€"0378 FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! Please mention this ad when you call. Offer expires March 31, 1995 and does not include any required parts. cavities 5_/ (3) > -g:n'gn;g}gns bn habits management V ... WHEN, WHY AND HOW Topical Auoides and preventive Assure sealants C ®@ Minor repairs o in amenging with intorcepiive," We t installations orthodontics ... HELPING FACES GROW NJ % % 4 % % %%% %% %# .Draln serVIGe DR. KEN HUNE AND 3. KAKEN McBHERSON @ 24â€"hr.emergency e *"@uneane "" |) § hk : pentai caour Q YÂ¥ @© Master Plumber ; 125 CROSS AVE. C y 844â€"0872 32 e @ Seniors‘ discount NEW FAMILIES WELCOME A '.. o L indA