Real Talk!

Listing #10: Single Family home on 1.33 acre

Listed Sept 6, 2010 by Company X for $125,000 and sold Jan 21, 2011 by Company X for $120,000

This property sold in 4 months for 96% of asking price.

The real story (I’m thinking that this should really be “the bigger picture”): This property was previously listed 09/06/10 for $139,900 by Company X and expired. On 06/22/01 this property was listed for $122,900 and sold 10/17/01 for $112,500- also with Company X. A new furnace was installed in 2009, so there wasn’t much of an increase in value, if any, in a decade.

Listing #11: Vacant 26.6 acres with driveway

Listed Dec 12, 2010 by Company Y for $43,900 and sold on 20 Feb 2011 for $39,000

In just over 60 days this property sold for over 88% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was previously listed 20 October 2009 at $ 35,000 and sold on the 30th of October 2009 for $ 33,000 also with Company Y.

Listing #12: Single Family Residence on 1.67 acres

Listed December 21, 2010 by Company A for $104,900 and sold March 8, 2011 by an out-of-town Company for $100,000.

In just over 2 months, this property sold for over 95% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was listed by an out-of-town Company October 8, 2005 for $74,900 and sold January 21, 2006 for $64,000. It was listed again, in 2010 with an out-of-town Company at $109,900 but expired.

Listing #13: Single Family Residence on 2.92 acres

Listed Dec 8, 2010 with Company Z for $129,900 and sold March 8, 2011 by an out-of-town Company for $124,000.

Listed for 3 months and sold for just over 95% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was listing 20 July 2008 for $108,500 and sold for $105,000 on Sept 28, 2008. It was listed for sale with Company Z on August 27, 2010 for $135,000 and expired. It would appear that this listing was actually on the market for closer to 7 months and sold for 91% of what they originally listed for.

Listing #14: Single Family Residential on about 74 acres

Listed Sept 17, 2010 for $149,900 with Company X and sold by Company Y for $144,000 on 07 February 2011.

Listed for 5 months and sold for 96% of asking price

The bigger picture: This property was listed previously with Company D March 3, 2007 for $419,900 and expired. This property was listed with Company D January 25, 2008 for $360,000 and expired. In both cases, the property was listed as 97 acres.

Listing #15: Waterfront Bungalow on a little over ½ acre

Listed January 1, 2011 for $298,900 with Company B and sold March 26, 2011 for $289,000 by Company A

Looks like not quite 3 months and it sold for over 96% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This same property was listed the 1st of March 2008 by an out-of-town Company for $ 337,500 but it expired. This property was also listed by another out-of-town Company 2 July 2010 for $298,700 and expired. This property was listed with Company B October 15, 2010 for $298,900 but expired. When it sold, it sold for just over 85% of the 2008 asking price.

Listing #16: Vacant 13 acre property

Listed 21 Jan 2011 for $32,500 by Company X an sold Mar 28 2011 by Company X for $22,450

about 2 months to sell... at 69% of asking price.

The bigger picture: when I checked this listing number, I came up with 3 totally different listings with the same roll number. The first was the above mentioned transaction. Another was a 6 acre waterfront property listed with Company X on 19 Sept 2005 for $189,900 and sold by Company X November 11 2005 for $183,900. The other listing was a log home on 7 acres listed by Company X on 18 Sept 2004 for $229,000 the civic address was 3 numbers higher than the civic listed for the $ 183,000 sale- this listing expired.

Listing #17: Vacant 13 acre property

Listed 31 Jan 2011 by the same Company as listing #16... for $35,500 and sold by that same Company X on 28 March 2011 for $22,350. This listing has a different end digit on the roll number than listing #16.

The bigger picture: I don’t know, I’m so confused!

Listing #18: Tidy little house on just over an acre.

Listed by Company X Jan 13, 2011 for $62,500 and sold Feb 19, 2011 by Company X for $60,000.

Looks good, pretty well 30 days and sold for 96% of the asking price.

The bigger picture: this place is on the border of another real estate board's area and it may have been listed before- although I did check the other board, it was listed by an office that sometimes gets the roll numbers confused and I can't be sure of accuracy.

Listing #19: Executive Waterfront on 1.14 acre

Listed Feb 8 2011 by Companies C & D for $784,900 and sold 25 Feb 2011 for $685,000 by Companies C & D.

Looks like it sold in under 2 weeks for 87% of asking price.

The bigger picture: This property was listed May 30, 2010 by Companies C & D for $784,900 but expired. So it’s more likely that it sold in 9 months for 87% of asking price.

This all started as one of my usual “number crunching” exercises and then... well... things got interesting.

First off, I did a search on our data system: sold residential properties, search dates from Jan 1, 2011 to April 24, 2011. The search came back some 95 properties.

& so began my research.

It’s no wonder that MLS data is skewed. If you just looked at the results of the search, the statistics look so very good...

but if you look below the surface, you get the real story.

Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if the original price shown had been the result of price drops during the term listing- that’s not recorded by our system... and sometimes, some companies don't list the expiry date...

& although it is hard to say what the information tells us... I’ll lay what I can out as best as I can and give you my impressions...

I do not intend to make any inference with regard to the Companies or sales representatives involved... I am simply looking at what statistics can suggest...

In order to make things comfortable, I will only provide the data for a few of the properties each day for the next little while. That will be easier on the reader... and I won't have to come up with new ideas for my blog for a while... so, it's a win-win... and that's the way I like things!

(please note: I am going to label listings and sales with company X or D or whatever... they don't stand for any particular brokerage, this is simply to alert the reader to changes in company representation)

Listing #1: a single family home on about 31 acres

Listed: January 14, 2011 with Company A Sold: April 9, 2011 asking $159,900 sold by Company A for $140,000

looks like it took about 3 months to sell... and went for about 87.5% of asking price... but

The rest of the story: listed July 29/04 and expired Oct 31/04 $164,900 with Company X, listed June 13/05 for $159,000 and sold Oct 14/2005 for $150,000 with Company X, listed Feb 12/07 and expired Oct 12/07 $189,900 with Realtor Y, listed Feb 8/08 with Company L at $199,900 and cancelled, listed Jan 7/10 and expired Jan 30/10 $195,000 with Realtor A.

So... it had been purchased in 2005 for $150,000 after being on the market for about a year and a half.... then, it sold again, in 2011 for $140,000 and it had been exposed to market in ’07,’08 and then more recently in January ’10. Note: The listing in 2010 mentions that all offers should be conditional on a mutual release from a previous offer. Ultimately, the market value dropped $10,000 between 2005 and 2011... and it really took longer than 3 months to accomplish the sale

Listing #2: an alternative style single family home on 100 acres (being sold by financial institution)

Listed Jan 20/11 for $197,900 Sold Feb 26/11 for $183,000 “as is” by Company C

Appears to have sold in just over a month for a bit more than 92% of asking price.

The rest of the story: listed 3 Nov 2000 for $139,900 and cancelled by Company D, listed 15 May 2001 at $139,900 and sold 17 October 2001 for $120,000 by Company D. Listed 29 August 2006 for $284,900 expired, listed August 13, 2007 with an out-of-town Company at $299,000 and expired. Note: the property in 2011 was in serious disrepair, possibly a prior grow-op situation. One would think that there had been some major work done between October 2001 and 2006, but there wasn't. The lenders were out-of-town... and there was something odd going on.

Listing #3: a single family home on 126 acres

Listed 19 August 2010 with Company A for $239,000 and sold Feb 17, 2011 for $220,000 by Company A.

Seems to have been on the market about 6 months and sold for 92% of asking price. In this case, it would appear that the property was listed at an appropriate price in order to attract a sale within 6 months.

The rest of the story: This property was listed May 28, 2004 by Company E for $169,900 and sold May 26, 2004 for $161,000. Between sales, there was some serious renovation/redecoration including a new kitchen. The value increase represents about 35% over 7 years, less whatever was paid for that new kitchen, etc.... so... ummmm... whatever.

Listing #4: a single family home on 100 acres

Listed March 22, 2011 with Company A for $269,900 and sold April 5, 2011 for $253,000 by a Company with another nearby board.

Listed for just a couple of weeks, this property sold for almost 94% of asking price.

The rest of the story: This property was also listed 13 April 2010 with Company A for $297,700 and expired. It ultimately sold a year later for 84% of this original asking price.

Listing #5: Vacant Waterfront Lot 14.47 acres with 840’ of shoreline and boat access

Listed: 27, Sept 2010 for $69,900 with Company B and sold 19 April 2011 for $66,000 by Company B.

7 months to sell for 94% of asking price....

The rest of the story: This one is very confusing.... There was a 7.49 acre lot with 1400 ft of shoreline and seasonal access- listed with the same tax roll # and it was listed May 4, 2004 for $119,900 and sold June 21, 2004 for $106,500 (not with Company B)... so seven years later the property is twice the size but was listed for almost half the money? Something is not right. There would need to be further investigation in order to really understand this transaction.

Listing #6: A waterfront cottage/home on nearly an acre

Listed April 2, 2011 for $280,000 with Company X and sold April 16, 2011 for $263,500 by a Company with a nearby board.

Two weeks to sell... wow... and they got about 94% of asking price.

The rest of the story: listed July 7, 2008 for $309,000 with Company A and expired, listed June 14, 2010 for $288,000 and expired with Company X. So actually, the property took a lot longer to sell... and went for about 91% of their original asking price.

Listing #7: 300 Acres with Bungalow

Listed 22 Feb 11 $289,000 by Company B and sold 22 Feb 11 for $245,000 by Company B

WOWZER... at first glance, it appears that this property sold the same day it was listed for nearly 85% of the asking price.

The rest of the story: listed 4 August 2008 as 248 acres for $219,000 with Company B expired, listed 15 January 2009 as 248 acres for $199,900 and sold 09 April 2009 for $189,000 with Company B. Listed 13 January 11 as 300 acres at $289,000 with Company B then withdrawn. HUH? Looks like this property was exposed to the market for a lot longer than a day... I guess that gave it time to grow. So, ya, we would really need to do more investigation to understand this transaction. You can hardly go by the current sale alone.

Listing #8: Waterfront cottage with seasonal access

Listed 17 Jan 2011 for $379,900 with Company D and sold 11 April 2011 by an out of area Company for $330,000

3 months to sell... and almost 87% of asking price....

The rest of the story: was listed April 28, 2010 for $399,900 with an out of area Company and expired
(possibly the Company that ultimately sold the property.) Still, it took closer to 9 months for this property to sell and it went for 82.5% of the original asking price.

Listing #9: Waterfront home or cottage on 2 acres

Listed 8 Jan 2011 by Company D for $449,900 and sold 13 April 2011 by Company E for $420,000

appears to be about 3 months to sell and 93% of asking price.

The rest of the story: Listed March 23/10 at $517,900 with a Company from a nearby board and expired. Listed June 24, 2010 for $487,500 by same Company and expired... it's a shame that they didn't give that Company the larger price reduction. The property ultimately took 14 months to sell and went for 81% of the original asking price.

It's been a long couple of months. We've been dealing with losing Fabe's dad, Alphie... which has profoundly affected the entire family and our community... maple syrup season was difficult... we really missed him. Perhaps it is the stress, but Fabian has been going through a series of his cluster migraines.

They started when he was 19 and he had them every day for three years. Cluster migraines are nothing like regular migraines. Studies tell us that they are 20 times more painful than childbirth. They can last from 1/2 an hour to several hours. They lead to serious agitation and fear. They have been nicknamed the "suicide headache".

Fabian has tried all of the "so-called" pre-emptive remedies... and went through all kinds of experiments, nothing helps.

This morning, Fabian did a "you tube" search and found a few interesting videos of people with similar problems. If you've never known anyone who had them, it's interesting to check them out. We found it interesting that the sufferers seem to grab the same side of their heads... they complain about their eyes and nose... Fabian says his hair and skin hurt.

Check these out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNouKvGCqIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzpcPeoPnW0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAf_QFmTPkw&feature=related

Clusterhead by J.D. Fletcher

It's very difficult when someone you love goes through cluster headaches. You feel absolutely useless. There is nothing that can relieve the pain. There is no sleep. The disease affects approximately 0.1% of the population, and men are more commonly affected than women.

The pain of cluster headaches is markedly greater than in other headache conditions, including severe migraines; experts have suggested that it may be the most painful condition known to medical science.

There is an organization called OUCH (organization for understanding cluster headaches)...

Some people have said it's like that cold ice cream headache that you sometimes get... only it lasts for three hours without relief!

Attacks usually are severe and unilateral and typically are located at the temple and periorbital region. Some people get stuffy nose... flushing... sick stomach.

There is currently no cure for CH and treatment is hit and miss at best. What works for one sufferer may or may not work for another. Treatments that worked last cycle may not work during the next. Treatments that have not worked in the past, may work during future cycles.

We have a motorcycle trip planned, leaving the 5th of May... Route 66... I haven't started packing... I have a feeling that there may be a delay.

Ontario has a lot to offer when it comes to rural living: mountains, lakes, forests and valleys... but rural Ontario is much more than just a pretty place. It is home to agriculture, forestry, mining, logging and manufacturing... and more than four million people- and a growing number of people want to shed city life and become part of a rural community.

There are real benefits to living in the country, but it is important to understand the challenges you may have not thought about.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture website says “Life in the country is frequently romanticized, not only by real estate agents, but by people considering a move to the country.” Well, I don't personally romanticize country life... but I see a lot of clients/customers who do... and while many stay, some don't. The funny thing is, it's usually the ones that didn't think they'd like it, who stay.

So, yeah, I'd have to say that country life is somewhat romanticized... Rural living can offer many people an ideal way of life. Some however, may prefer the hustle and bustle of city life. Everyone is different and you may not know which will suit you until you have lived there a while.

People arrive in rural and small town Ontario via a number of different paths- predominantly, it's folks who want a quieter pace of life and people who enjoy nature. Basically, the people in rural communities enjoy a less concentrated, less congested setting. 20% of Canadians live rurally- and of these, only 2% live on farms.

The good news is that in spite of what many people are nervous about: overall health indicators show few differences between rural dwellers and city dwellers. Studies indicate that rural residents seem less susceptible to ischemic heart disease, breast cancer, non food allergies, asthma and back pain.

Women’s fertility is higher in rural areas.

There is more of a sense of community in rural areas.

People who move to rural Ontario find communities that instantly reach out to them. Socially diverse and active, rural communities offer endless opportunities to get involved. The lower cost of rural living, complete with a full array of social and economic amenities, form an inviting lifestyle alternative to big city living. Wide open spaces, fresh air and healthy living are seen as some of the major benefits of country life. With plenty of natural resources, culture and recreational opportunities, rural living is both rich and rewarding.

You are offered the space you need to contemplate ideas and commune with nature... but let's make no mistake here.... living in rural Ontario can be challenging.

Living in the boonies, you have a far way to go to connect with neighbors... and you might have a farther distance than most to find simple services such as a grocery store, doctor or a gas station. This can be stressful in an emergency and just plain frustrating in everyday life. People who live in the country nowadays are actually more hooked on automobiles than those who live in the city, since there are long miles of highway between one's home and other destinations such as shops or a job.

Unemployment rates are much higher in rural areas... there are greater percentages of low-income earners in rural areas. Employment conditions, incomes, and education levels are all far better in urban areas. Mortality due to motor vehicle traffic accidents is three times higher in the country than in the city, and the rate of death by suicide (particularly in men) is higher in the country, too.

Smoking rates are higher in rural areas, stomach and lung cancer, are also more prevalent. Believe it or not, the regular use of alcohol is more common in urban areas. Overweight and leisure-time sedentarity are more prevalent in rural areas.

Residents of rural communities are more likely to have a family physician than residents of cities, however, rural residents are also less inclined to consult physicians (both general practitioners and specialists), and even less likely to use the services of dentists and orthodontists

Many rural citizens are living either on pensions or on welfare, or something similar. Teen parents are more common in rural settings. A provincial study in 2004 (Small, Rural and Remote Communities: The Anatomy of Risk) says “The study's bottom line: "Most communities in the periphery cannot be self-sustaining, economically, socially or fiscally," making the fate of their residents one of welfare dependency.” Most people under retirement age, struggle with seasonal employment as many businesses close down during the winter. The main industry is frequently "tourism," which is sometimes quite a struggle.

Much of rural Ontario is accessed by gravel roads which are maintained and repaired as timely as possible, but there are times when travel becomes difficult. Winter snow fall can sometimes make it virtually impossible to travel, rains can cause gravel roads to become slippery and develop washboards. A 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended if you are living in hilly areas and you must learn to give yourself ample time to travel during unfavourable weather. Remember, regular travel on gravel roads may result in increased vehicle maintenances costs.

High speed wireless internet service is not available in many areas in the county unless you get a "hub" or satellite service. Fewer and fewer areas rely on dial-up, but some still do. Electricity, propane, cable/satellite and telephone services may be provided by private companies and service calls may take longer than in urban areas.

If you have young children, you will need to make sure that your property is on the school run, or can be incorporated into it. You will also want to know what time the bus will collect and return your children- you need to be sure your children can cope with the travel time.

Severe snowstorms or heavy snowfall can cause roads to become impassable. Crews will be out in full force, but that does not mean your front door to the nearest highway will be snow-free in a matter of hours. During the winter months, make sure you are well stocked with supplies such as food, water, wood, and/or propane. Water from the spring melt and summer storms can sometimes pool or cause flooding before finding natural drainage courses. Local conservation authorities can also provide valuable information about water flow patterns at times of flooding. There may be potential flooding of homes and other rural buildings when snow melts or heavy rainfall occurs.

Wildlife is wonderful but can also cause accidents- you need to be particularly observant at dawn and dusk on country roads. In Ontario, you are most likely to encounter raccoons, porcupines, skunks, foxes, deer, squirrels and rabbits. There will also be an abundance of birds. Raccoons, although quite cute can be a nuisance. They raid bird feeders, often destroying them in the process. They may take up living in attic spaces and old sheds. They can damage property and can present a health hazard if they carry diseases such as rabies. Remember, most animals can be aggressive, particularly females with young.

Bugs are more abundant in rural areas. Blackfly season lasts about 2-3 weeks... and you really do get used to it. An electric fan on the porch does wonders! The little creeps don't fly well in the wind.

Even well forested properties require maintenance. Wind storms and lightening can bring down big trees that block roads, trails and paths. When you move to the country, you need to be prepared to trim back the foliage, too.

Seeing deer roaming in your yard can be quite magical, but they may like to eat your shrubs, trees or plants and shrubs and their hooves can do lots of damage to your lawn. Mice are pretty active all year round and will find nice warm places to live and raise their young. To make sure your property is “critter-free” you should make sure all holes and joints in the building are sealed. Animals and birds will sneak into the smallest of places.

Livestock– and I mean everything from pigs to cows and horses– the critters that live on farms can be unpredictable... they may charge at you, without warning. You should never approach them, unless invited by the farmer. You must keep in mind, the countryside may appear to be “wide open spaces,” but in reality there are laws that prohibit people, without permission, from trespassing on farmland or any other privately-owned land. Farmers are not required to post "private property" signs- although sometimes, you will see a tree with a big red dot painted on it... & that is another way of saying keep out!

Farmers often find it necessary to take precautions to protect their birds and animals from predators be they coyotes, wolves or domestic dogs. Pet dogs and cats should not be allowed to run at large in the country. If they do, they may end up in a trap or the victim of a bullet if found chasing or threatening farm animals. Mismanaged garbage disposal around a rural residence can be interpreted as an invitation to skunks, black bear, deer and other wildlife to stop by for a meal. Each of these animals, and a host of others, can pose a threat to humans and their pets if they are given this invitation.

Although the idea of looking out of your window to see horses and cows grazing in the adjacent field may sound appealing, there are things to consider when living next to a farm or farms. Animals smell, it is a fact that if you have a barn or field of wild stock nearby you will notice it. There is the smell of the animal itself and also the smell from manure- you need to be prepared for this, if your property is close to farmland. Farming can be noisy at any time of day or night. During planting and harvesting time; farmers may work 24/7 using noisy machinery. Not to mention the noise the animals may make.

Farms can be dirty places because of dust. Many rural roads are nothing more than dirt tracks and in dry weather they can get very dusty. This is compounded when you have machinery in fields throwing up even more dust. Also when tractors and other farm machinery exit farm land and travel on the local roads, they stir up the dust as well as leaving large amounts of mud and other debris in the road. You must not forget that living near a farm, may mean that chemicals and pesticides are being used. If you are sensitive, you need to find out if neighbouring farms are organic or not.

Some rural roads will not be maintained. If this is the case, you need to have your own plough or contract someone to do it for you. Often, rural roads that do have snow-ploughing service have to wait a little longer than town roads to be cleared. Some rural roads will get used (legally or not) for the use of all-terrain-vehicles (ATV’s) or snowmobiles in the winter, which can be very noisy and annoying and some properties are bordered by the recreational trail, too.

Power outages are more frequent in rural locations than in towns or cities. While service is usually restored fairly quickly, you might want to invest in a generator for longer periods of electricity loss. There are many different types and sizes of generators ranging in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. You will have to decide if you simply want to keep the essentials going or have the whole place run as normal. Many rural dwellers live without a generator for back up.

Around here, we do not have access to natural gas, so many people heat with wood, propane or oil because it usually costs less than electricity. More and more people are exploring solar, wind and other alternatives, too. In some areas, electricity is not available and living "off the grid" is the norm.

Most rural property is serviced by well for water supply and septic systems for sewage. You need to know a little bit about these systems. Oh, there's a long list of stuff... that's why a good Realtor(c) is so important!

Studies report that Canadians feel vacation deprived. We have busy, stressful lives and most of us crave some quiet time for relaxation and renewal. Cottage ownership is up and there are more people attracted to the market than ever before.

Cottage life used to be somewhat rugged or rustic. Upscale cottages might have had a small black and white television in the corner... or a telephone and it wasn't unusual to see spiders or evidence of mice. Many had outdoor bathroom facilities.

Today's consumer is very particular. These days, buyers want a cottage that echoes the feel of an all-inclusive resort. They are put off by your auntie's old chesterfield and those hand-me-down beds. They want pristine, absolute cleanliness, gourmet kitchens and high speed internet.

Vacationers are becoming more sophisticated. They are comfortable with small spaces- but only if they live large. Today's buyers seek boutique style & they really want high-quality presentation, preferred locations and marketable properties that can be acquired below market value.

While nature-based, outdoor activities are part of the equation, today's cottager wants their "place" to reflect their respect for the environment and resonate with rustic charm, while offering superior modern amenities. They ask about four piece baths (preferably more than one), indoor & outdoor hot tubs, swimming pools, central air conditioning, dining rooms, larger kitchens, games rooms, groomed walking trails, satellite television, wood-burning fireplaces and integrated tech spaces.

Kitchens are expected to have bread makers, microwaves, quality coffee makers, blenders, juicers and ice-cream makers. Buyers today want more than one outdoor space. There should be a deck (complete with state-of-the-art barbecue) and a cabana or pergola or cabana-like space for comfortable, shaded lounging. Today's buyers are interested in handcrafted wooden furniture, comfortable king or queen-sized beds, and screened porches overlooking the water.

Bedrooms must be inn-like and exceptionally clean looking.

Organic floor coverings are preferred. Glossy finishes on wood floors are the best and even better if the floors have a bit of a vintage feel, being somewhat distressed. Muted tones of travertine is alright, too. All doors should be solid and well-fitted. Cabinetry should be modern, with clean lines and finishes. Plain, vintage-style metal, ceramic or glass knobs on cabinets and doors complete the look.

Interior colours should be neutral and natural. This year, touches of bold pink honeysuckle are the rage- with simple, minimalist decor. Colour blocking and bold feature walls are in.

High ceilings, beamed ceilings or bright ceilings are a must.

The exterior of the cottage should look organic... and should be eco-friendly and maintenance free. Windows should be abundant, new, high-quality and lockable.

Today's buyer doesn't want to see piers... slab on grade works, basements are better- especially finished, walk-out lower levels. Roofs should have the proper pitch that doesn't require shovelling and a tastefully muted colour of metal is preferred.

Mixed shorelines- of rock and sand are okay. Some buyers prefer just rock or just sand. Weeds are not okay. Clean, clear water is required- and there can be no mushy stuff under foot. Level lots are preferred- a gentle slope is sometimes acceptable. A view is important- some nice little, treed, unoccupied islands and western exposure is best. Easy, year round (township maintained) road access and lots of parking is a must- however one shouldn't have to hear or see the road or vehicles.

Garages, bunkies and boat houses should complement the main cottage. They should blend into the landscape and be maintenance free. Any landscaping should appear to be natural, uncontrived and organic in flavour. The satellite dish should be discreetly hidden. Everything should look like it belongs in the setting and garbage pickup is preferred.

They want a good, solid dock and a speedboat to go tubing, touring or water-skiing. They want a kayak &/or canoe. They'd like to be close to the local cliff-jumping spot.

The lot should be totally private and they don't want to be bothered by others, playing on the lake. There should be a very quaint store or town nearby. The sort of place where you can browse for treasures or rare deals in antiques.

& a shop with an excellent selection of organic foods and treats.

This year, the town of Maynooth, Ontario, celebrates the 150th anniversary of the opening of its first post office. Beginning April 1st, there will be monthly events, including storytelling, oral history, art shows, photography, art & artefacts, as well as musical entertainment. The events culminate on the actual anniversary, October 1st.

EVERYTHING FITZ

Originally known as “Doyle’s Corners” after Michael Doyle (the first store-keeper), the name was to be changed to Tara but was rejected. Oxenden was selected as the replacement name for the town, but this too was rejected. In the late 1860’s-1870’s the town officially became Maynooth, named after the village in County Kildare, Ireland.

Maynooth, in Kildare, is approximately 25 kms west of Dublin City. Maynooth is a historic spot. It is Má Nuad, the plain of Nuada and associated with the Fitzgeralds. This association began in 1176, Maurice Fitzgerald, head of the family, was granted ‘The Barony of Naas’ by Strongbow. Soon, Maurice Fitzgerald, the Baron of Offaly, began to fortify the spot where a small tributary joins the Lyreen river.

The Fitzgeralds became extremely powerful in the area, and were given the title Earl of Kildare in 1316 by the King of England. Their title was eventually elevated to Duke of Leinster. Thomas FitzGerald, his son, Gearóid Mór, and his grandson, Gearóid Óg, were in turn appointed Lords Deputy of Ireland.

The Lord Deputy ruled Ireland in the name of the King of England from this castle, and was the most powerful man in Ireland, making Maynooth one of the most important medieval sites in Ireland.

The spectacular ruins of Fitzgerald’s Maynooth Castle lie beside St Patrick's College, this huge structure housed generations of the Fitzgerald family, the rulers of Kildare. The great keep had risen before 1200, and in 1248 a chapel is mentioned in the complex of buildings.

When Gearóid Mór FitzGerald died in 1513 he had made provision in his will for the building of a College, bequeathing 491 acres of land for that purpose. His son, Gearóid Óg, Ninth Earl of Kildare, established this College under licence from the Archbishop of Dublin, William Rokeby, dated 6 April 1518. The College of Saint Mary was established near the Castle and the Castle Chapel was rebuilt as the Collegiate Church, in 1521.

St. Patrick's College was built in 1521 in an elegant gothic style and then was closed during the Protestant reformation by reopened in 1795 when the penal laws suppressing Catholicism were finally relaxed. The College was founded because in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it had not been possible to educate Catholic priests in Ireland.

The institution was built on a site previously founded as a college by the earl of Kildare, in the 16th century. Since then, Maynooth has developed into the largest Roman Catholic seminary in the British Isles and is now part of the National University of Ireland.

In 1535, Henry VIII called Gearóid Óg to London by Henry VIII who was uncomfortable with the Fitzgerald hold on Ireland. Enemies of the FitzGeralds quickly spread false rumours that he had been executed by Henry, hoping to inspire Og’s son, Silken Thomas, to revolt. The plan was successful and at the beginning of the insurrection his followers murdered the Archbishop of Dublin.

Maynooth Castle fell to the English forces during one of the first occasions on which artillery was used in Ireland. Twenty-five of the defenders were executed on the spot before the present gateway of the Castle. After the attack, Silken Thomas FitzGerald was capture and removed to be lodged in the Tower of London with his five uncles. They were executed for treason at Tyburn on 3 February 1537.

The sole survivor, a child half-brother, was spirited abroad into Italy. His restoration began in 1552 and he was the founder of a line that was content with the new pattern of court nobility. Since then, the Castle has been expanded and restored many times.

After the attack on the site in the 1640s, the FitzGeralds left Maynooth Castle and were never to live there again. They lived at Kilkea Castle, an outpost of Maynooth, for some time before eventually settling at Carton Estate, their home until the 20th century. The FitzGeralds also built Leinster House, now the seat of the Dáil, as their town house in Dublin.

The Carton Estate consists of 1100 acres, surrounded by a five-mile wall and remained in the Fitzgerald family until 1949. Carton has now been re-furbished as a hotel, while the grounds are occupied by two of the finest golf courses in Ireland. One of the interesting houses hidden away in the grounds is the shell cottage, so named because the walls of one of its rooms are completely covered with seashells.

A significant restoration was undertaken by Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, in 1630-35, after his daughter had married George FitzGerald, his ward. In 1635 the united arms of the Boyles and FitzGeralds were placed over the main gate.

The Fitzgerald family crest is quite unique, in that it features monkeys on each side of the coat of arms. The monkeys are said to have been incorporated into the Fitzgerald crest in the time of John FitzThomas, the 1st Earl of Kildare. As an infant, he was sleeping in a bedchamber at Woodstock Castle, an outpost of Maynooth near Athy, when a fire broke out. In the confusion of the fire, the infant was thought to have perished in the fire.

However, it was discovered that an ape, normally kept in chains as a pet, had broken free and had rescued the baby, keeping him safe in one of the towers. Out of gratitude to the animal, the Fitzgeralds incorporated monkeys into their family crest and adopted the family motto of ‘Non Immemor Beneficii’ (‘Not Forgetful of Favours’).

The Ontario village of Maynooth is home to descendants of the Fitzgeralds. Everything Fitz is a family band featuring high-energy fiddling and percussive step dancing. Julie, Kerry, and Tom are all champion fiddlers who play intricate 3-part fiddle harmonies as well as solo improvisations on fiddle and mandolin. Additional instrumentation includes Pat on percussion, along with parents Pam and Paddy providing accompaniment on piano and bass guitar.

Always an audience favourite are the award-winning step dancing routines performed by all four siblings.

The Merry Micks are another of this family’s talented and entertaining groups. Consisting of Paddy Fitzgerald (and his wife Pam), Catherine Rull (nee Fitzgerald), Tony Fitzgerald (wife Julie) and Gloria Leveque (a relation as well) and sometimes featuring children, Greg, Tom, Kerry, Julie and Pat. The group has performed for the Maynooth Celtic Festival, St. Patrick's Day parties, local fairs and church functions. They feature instrumentation ranging from fiddles, guitars, drums, mandolins, accordions, flutes and rattles. Their voices are strong and well-blended, their songs are traditionally Irish and folk-based. Between songs, the group keeps the audience laughing with jokes and stories of their heritage.

Fabian (my partner) descends from the same Fitzgerald branch, on his mother’s side. *

Regular readers of my blog will appreciate that I have a great interest in history and genealogy. & I'm excited that I currently represent the seller of a historic home, located in Maynooth, Ontario.

Somewhere around 1867, John McAlpine married his first wife, Bridget Ellen Moran. Five years after their marriage and just three days after the birth of their fourth son, Patrick, Bridget passed away. Unable to cope with four infants, John was assisted by his dear neighbours and close friends- Pat Fitzgerald* and his wife Elizabeth (nee Leveque). About two years later on June 27th, 1874, John married Ann Ward and she became mother to John’s four children and later they had twelve more.

Around 1907-08, Ann and John built a handsome, 10-room, frame house close to Maynooth Station, to accommodate business men and labourers brought there by the newly established railway service. John died in 1917 and for many years after, the business was operated by his daughters Elizabeth, Annie and Bridget. They continued to grow their own vegetables on the property. John’s wife, Ann stayed there until her death on March 6th in 1930 and daughter Annie continued on, until her death on the 17th of May in 1970.

In the early days of operation, the boarding house was also a place of commerce. Using a large room with shelves and counters, travellers would display their wares and the merchants would travel from miles around and order from these samples.

*Marie Eve Yantha (nee Fitzgerald) is the gr-gr-neice of Patrick Fitzgerald & Elizabeth Leveque.

In the 1970s, the house was purchased by Don Mosielski and his wife Elizabeth who renamed it the “Silver Owl”. Don was an architectural consultant and he converted the second floor to a self-contained apartment while preserving the Victorian integrity of the home. The Mosielski’s operated a jewellery shop and studio on the lower level of the house.

In the 80s, Gladys Ivany and her sister Barb Layland operated an interior design and upholstery business in the house and later, Gladys and her husband George, made the house their home for almost 20 years. The most recent owner has operated a bed & breakfast and gallery from the property but finds it is time to move on.

The beautifully-maintained “McAlpine House” exudes the elegance of country Victorian splendour. Treasures, such as the original woodwork and tin ceilings have been lovingly preserved. An impressive 3000 sq ft, the house is nestled on nicely landscaped gardens with a fairy-tale arched bridge and pond that lead to the gazebo. At the far edge of the property, sits the McAlpine’s original 28’ X 32’ barn, in its glory.

Maynooth is an amazing little town, it has a thriving arts community and a well-developed business association led by Joey Shulman a former Toronto theatre publicist. Shulman moved from Toronto to the Banff School of Arts for three years (with his partner, Barry Siegrist) before moving to Maynooth in 1988. They operate the successful Wildewood Bed & Breakfast (so named in honour of Oscar Wilde). Both are very active with events throughout many sectors of the community.

Currently, Shulman is directing "Fiddler On The Roof", a musical production scheduled for April 7th-10th and 14-17 at the new Town Hall. The performances will benefit the Canadian Cancer Society as well as six local charities (HART, Hospice House, Community Cares North Hastings, the ANAF, and Maggie's Womens Resource Centre).

This photo of Maynooth is courtesy of TripAdvisor (Maynooth Farmers Market)

The business association is also very involved with the Maynooth Loggers Games (formerly known as Maynooth Madness)which is slated for the Labour Day weekend and is spin off from the historic and well-known Maynooth Autumn fair. Festivities include the 7th annual mud-run, parade, rummage & craft sale, fall fair and many fun events, including chair carving and cross cut sawing.

Maynooth has an annual Santa Claus Parade, a local farmer's market and other regular activities that exemplify an exciting and active community! There are plans to refurbish the old Maynooth Station Railway building, located in a field adjacent to the McAlpine House.

Located about a mile outside the main business district, Maynooth Station is a place steeped in history and McAlpine House is nestled in its quiet serenity. There are so many possibilities for this special property. It is beautifully situated close to Algonquin Park and centrally located, in cottage country, between Ottawa and Toronto.

A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself ”

ACK!

Dear Jody,

There are endless things that I could say...

then, you already know.

Love Jody

P.S.

I'm happy to see the end of this 30 day challenge