BlackBerry Z10 - Hands on with the first BlackBerry 10 smartphone

The BlackBerry Z10 packs some unique features and functionality, including an industry-best virtual keyboard

By Al Sacco | CIO US | Published 11:37, 31 January 13

BlackBerry, formerly RIM, officially announced its first BlackBerry 10 smartphones, the Z10 and Q10, at a series of elaborate press events across the globe yesterday. Like many BlackBerry users and smartphone enthusiasts, I have been waiting for BlackBerry 10 for a long time. The fate of RIM and BlackBerry depend on the success, or lack thereof, of the BlackBerry 10 platform. If both BlackBerry 10 and RIM's two new handsets fail to wow potential users, it could be the final nail in the coffin for the company.

I was fortunate enough to get a BlackBerry Z10 from RIM last week, and the device barely left my hands since I got it - except, of course, when I was sleeping, and even then it was only a foot or two away. I put the BlackBerry Z10 through all the paces and I found a lot to like, even love. But RIM's new BlackBerry is not perfect, and one area in particular has me disappointed.

The question everyone wants answered: Can BlackBerry 10 save RIM and get BlackBerrys into the hands of the iOS-or-Android-toting masses? The following review breaks down everything you need to know about RIM's first BlackBerry 10 smartphone, the Z10, and answers that question.

The all-touch BlackBerry Z10 will be available first here in the UK from today on a number of carriers. And the Z10 will be released in Canada on February 5. Unfortunately, the device will not be available in the United States until March, though RIM did say all four major US carriers will carry the Z10. Pricing information will vary based on carrier and country. (BlackBerry CEO Thorsten Heins also said the Q10, which has a physical QWERTY keyboard, is expected in April.)

First up, the good stuff about the BlackBerry Z10 and the BlackBerry 10software.

BlackBerry Z10 positives

BlackBerry Z10 hardware slick and built to last

When I first saw leaked images of the BlackBerry Z10, I was not particularly impressed with its hardware design. But I admit that my first impressions were off base; The Z10 hardware is quite elegant looking, and both well-made and functional.

It has a beautiful, crisp 4.2-inch LCD display with a 1280 x 768 resolution at 356 DPI. In comparison, Apple's iPhone 5 has a smaller, 4in display with 1136 x 640 resolution at 326 PPI. And Samsung's Galaxy SIII's display is larger at 4.8in, but it has a slightly lower, 1280 x 720 resolution. Higher screen resolution doesn't necessarily mean a better overall visual experience, but to my eye the BlackBerry Z10's display is on par with or better-looking than the competition.

The BlackBerry Z10 looks a lot like the iPhone 5. It is similarly long and narrow with rounded-off corners. And it is flat and boxy, unlike the Galaxy SIII and other high-end devices that have notably-curved or contoured rear sides. At 9mm thick, the BlackBerry Z10 is a bit thicker than the 7.6mm iPhone 5. The Z10 is also slightly heavier than the iPhone 5 and Galaxy SIII, but its thickness and weight don't make it feel clunky.

The BlackBerry Z10 is also built to last. It has a thick-plastic bezel that encircles the device and covers its top, bottom and corners, so the glass display doesn't actually reach its edges. This adds a bit of bulk to the device, and you get less screen size than if the display took up the entire front surface, as is the case with Samsung's Galaxy SIII and Galaxy Note II. But those devices are more susceptible to screen breakage, and if they fall and land on a corner their screens could easily break.

The Z10's bezel helps to protect the corners and sides of the display. And the screen itself is seated in another layer of thin plastic, so the glass doesn't extend all the way to its sides. The Z10's battery door is covered in tiny plastic dots, which gives it some texture and style and also makes the cover "sticky" so it doesn't slide too much when placed on a desk or other surface. The battery cover is easy to remove and replace, and it fits sturdily without any slippage or related "creaking."

The device has a removable 1800-mAh battery, something I definitely appreciate. I travel frequently, and I've yet to find a device with a battery that lasts a full day of travel with heavy use. So handsets with fixed batteries just don't cut it for me.

The Z10 comes with 16GB of built-in Flash storage, but it also supports microSD media cards up to 32GB, for a total possible capacity of 48GB. You can remove and replace the memory card without powering down the handset. The BlackBerry Z10 has 2GB of RAM and a dual-core, 1.5GHz processor. I've been using the Z10 for more than a week now, and I've seen little or no notable lag. I purposely tried to open as many apps as possible - the Z10 can run 8 apps at a time - to see if I they affected device performance, but the Z10 stood up to the tests and performed well.

The device has standard headset- and micro-USB-ports, which means you don't need any sort of proprietary headphones or charging cords. The same cannot be said for all of the popular devices on the market. The Z10 also has a standard mini-HDMI port, which makes it easy to connect your device to an HDTV or monitor to watch videos, listen to HD-quality audio, share a presentation or show anything else on your device's display. (The Z10 does not come with a mini-HDMI to HMDI cord, though.)

The Z10's speaker is loud and provides relatively clear audio, so it works well for speakerphone calls. Call quality was average or better in my experience using AT&T's network in and around Boston. The Z10's cellular radio didn't drop a single call, and at one point I placed a six-hour test call to evaluate battery life.

On the subject of battery, RIM says the device should get up to 10 hours of talk time on 3G. I placed my test call in an area with full LTE coverage and full HSPA+ coverage, and my device showed the 4G icon during my call. I only got 6 and half hours of talk time before my Z10 powered down. As for normal, daily use - frequently checking email, using apps and placing the occasional call - on LTE and Wi-Fi where available, I got more than 16 hours of battery life, which is more than I get from my Galaxy SIII.

The device I reviewed is an AT&T BlackBerry Z10, and it runs on the carrier's LTE network, making it the first LTE BlackBerry smartphone. And as is standard for high-end smartphones today, the Z10 has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also has NFC, and it comes with a Smart Tags app that lets you customize your own NFC tags to launch web pages or frequently-used apps or services.

The volume-up and volume down keys for the Z10 are on one side, with a mute key between them. The keys can be used to adjust call volume, media volume and to mute calls. You can hold the volume-up and volume-down keys while listening to music to skip through tracks. And holding down both keys simultaneously for a couple of seconds captures a screen shot. A single button atop the device puts it to sleep, restarts and powers it down, depending on how long you hold the key and what on-screen options you choose.

Now, on to what I liked about the brand-spankin' new BlackBerry 10 software....

BlackBerry 10 software innovative and efficient

RIM's BlackBerry 10 software is composed of three main UI components: Application home screens, which show all of the applications on your device, and any folders you create to organize them; an Active Frames screen, which shows open apps in dynamic windows that change and update with new information; and the "BlackBerry Hub," a central inbox where you find all of your various messages and notifications. RIM calls the process of navigating through these components "BlackBerry Flow."

The heart and soul of BlackBerry 10 is the BlackBerry Hub and it's a standout feature. You can easily access the BlackBerry Hub when you're using a specific application or while you're navigating home screens by sliding your thumb up from the bottom of the display and then to the right, to pull the active page to the side and "peek" at your Hub. If you want to open a message or notification you just continue your thumb's leftward motion until the Hub takes up your entire display and click on the message or notification of your choice. If there are no pressing messages, you can slide your thumb back to the right and return to whatever you were doing.

http://www.computerworlduk.com/in-depth/mobile-wireless/3423670/blackberry-z10-hands-on-with-first-blackberry-10-smartphone/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

New touchscreen BlackBerry in Canadian stores Feb. 5; RIM changes its name

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Canada’s smartphone pioneer will have a new BlackBerry in Canadian stores next Tuesday, the start of a new chapter for a rebranded company that’s seen its once dominant position trounced by the competition.

The BlackBerry Z10, a touchscreen model, will be the first to hit the shelves while the BlackBerry Q10, which will have a physical keyboard, will follow in April — a move that was signalled last year by the company.

Research In Motion (TSX:RIM) made the announcement Wednesday at a splashy unveiling in New York City, where it also let it be known the company will now go by the name BlackBerry.

The new BlackBerry models are widely seen as a make-or-break product for the company — the BlackBerry 10 devices were originally due for release last year.

Chief executive Thorsten Heins took to the stage at Pier 36, a massive entertainment venue on the shores of the East River, to unveil the two phones. Both are powered by the new BB10 operating system.

Heins called the event a “new day in the history of BlackBerry.”

“We heard you loud and clear,” Heins told the audience, in reference to the keyboard model. “We built this for those people who said they just had to have the physical keyboard typing experience.”

The BlackBerry Z10′s price will vary by carrier, but the company said it will sell for around $149.99 on a three-year contract. Pricing for the physical keyboard model was not released.

Rogers, Bell, Telus, Virgin, SaskTel, Koodo, and Fido are among the carrier partners, while Walmart, Future Shop, Best Buy, and The Source are some of the retail partners.

Canadian specific apps include offerings from the NHL, CBC, Tim Hortons, Air Canada, RBC, and ING Direct.

The new phone launch is BlackBerry’s attempt to regain its position in the highly competitive North American and European smartphone markets, which are now dominated by iPhone and Android devices.

While the first hurdles to overcome are the opinions of tech analysts and investor reaction, the true measure of success — actual sales of the phones — is still weeks away.

Among the features being touted at Wednesday’s event:

— As you type, the operating system predicts what word you want and you can swipe to have it auto-completed.

— BlackBerry Hub acts as one place for all incoming messages, email, BBM, social media.

— BlackBerry Balance then allows one phone to operate as both a business and personal device entirely separate from each other.

— Apps have been divided into two sections by tabs at the top of the screen, labelled Personal and Work.

— The new BlackBerry will also let users seamlessly shift between the phone’s applications like they’re flipping between pages on a desk.

BlackBerry also announced that singer Alicia Keys is joining the company as its new global creative director. Heins noted that Keys brings a “vast network of relationships in the entertainment, social media and business communities,” to the company.

RIM shares had gained as much as four per cent ahead of the launch in Wednesday morning trading. But the stock later fell almost seven per cent from Tuesday’s closing price, down $1.08 to $14.63 on the TSX following the start of the presentation.

Trading volume was heavy — 14.3 million shares traded hands before noon.

The stock had declined over the past two sessions — 3.4 per cent Tuesday and a 7.6 per cent drop on Monday.

But that was viewed merely as profit taking as the stock has staged a huge comeback since hitting a fresh 52-week low of $6.10 last September. As of last Friday, RIM’s share price had soared 50 per cent during January alone.

The BlackBerry has dramatically lost marketshare in recent years after a series of blunders.

Several network outages left customers without the use of the smartphones they had come to rely on, while the BlackBerry’s hardware hadn’t received a significant upgrade in years.

In the coming weeks, BlackBerry will launch an advertising blitz to promote the phones, including aggressive social media campaigning, which includes plugs from celebrities on their Twitter accounts, and a 30-second advertisement on the Super Bowl, the most watched television program of the year.

The rebranded company will also come with new ticker symbols. On the Toronto Stock Exchange, BlackBerry will trade under the symbol BB while on the Nasdaq the ticker will be BBRY.

— with files from Michael Oliveira in Toronto.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/technology-news/rim-to-debut-new-blackberry-smartphones-in-a-heavily-hyped-unveiling/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Is the secret to happiness hiding in your fruit bowl?

Need more happiness, energy and calm in your life? A new study suggests it could be as easy as adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet.

After analyzing the food diaries of 281 young adults for 21 days, researchers at the University of Otago in New Zealand say they found a day-to-day relationship between those who reported a higher fruit and vegetable consumption and positive mood.

"On days when people ate more fruits and vegetables, they reported feeling calmer, happier and more energetic than they normally did," said lead author Dr. Tamlin Conner in a statement.

Furthermore, researchers point out that eating more fruits and veggies actually predicted improvements in positive mood the next day, suggesting that healthy eating has a direct impact on mental well-being.

The study was published in the British Journal of Health Psychology on January 24.

Meanwhile, like another study published before it out of the University of Warwick in England, the Kiwi scientists said that young people need to eat seven to eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day to notice a meaningful, positive change.

Similarly, the magic number provided by British scientists in their study was seven -- that is, mental well-being peaked among those who ate seven portions of fruits and vegetables a day.

To achieve this food goal, Conner suggests filling up half your plate with vegetables at each meal and snacking on whole fruit like apples. 

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/is-the-secret-to-happiness-hiding-in-your-fruit-bowl-1.1129418#ixzz2JIpZS9Oa

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

40th Tony Roman hockey tournament in Markham Saturday

The success of something can easily be measured if it can withstand the test of time.
The Tony Roman Memorial Tournament certainly falls into that category.
Especially since this year’s annual event, to begin Saturday, will mark its 40th anniversary,
Named in memory of the former mayor of Markham, the tournament was created to give house league hockey players an opportunity to compete in a tournament format setting they might not otherwise experience.
That was a vision Roman had in making this event a reality. 
As in each of the past tournaments, this year’s on-ice action will take place at eight arenas in Markham and Thornhill.
Close to 230 games are scheduled to be held and will feature more than 2,000 players, ranging from mini mite (age four) to juveniles (age 20) representing the Markham Minor Hockey Association, Unionville Minor Hockey Association and Thornhill Minor Hockey Association.
The opening ceremonies are to take place at the Markham Civic Centre’s outdoor rink (101 Town Centre Blvd.) at 11 a.m.
In addition to those festivities, the tournament will incorporate free family activities, including wagon rides, puck shooting, crafts and public skating.
Admission to the tournament games is free.
The championship finals for each of the divisions are to be played Feb. 3.
For further tournament information, log on to tchl.org

http://www.yorkregion.com/sports/sports/article/1570128

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

CIBC: Toronto leads Canadian cities in economic momentum

Toronto is ranked first in CIBC World Markets‘ Metropolitan Economic Activity Index.

A report published today by Benjamin Tal, the Deputy Chief Economic of CIBC World Markets, noted that Toronto outperformed all other Canadian Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) in economic momentum as of the third quarter of 2012.

In the report, Tal wrote that he was impressed that Toronto has maintained its first place ranking for more than a year.

“Given that our index measures momentum as opposed to a level of activity, Toronto’s ability to maintain momentum for such a long period is impressive,” Tal wrote.

Toronto’s impressive run in the number one spot was amplified by the fact that the city has consistently ranked in the top five for more than seven consecutive years, only dropping to number seven briefly during the 2009 recession.

While the city did not place first in any of the CIBCWM’s sub-measures of economic momentum, it ranked high enough in many of the categories to give it the edge over other cities in the overall measure. The report cited a recovery in the manufacturing sector, construction activity in residential and non-residential segments and high employment growth as the primary factors driving the strong economic momentum.

Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg and Saskatoon rounded out the top five for Q3 2012.

Check out the chart below to see how the CMAs stacked up against one another in the CIBCWM’s Metropolitan Economic Activity Index:

http://blog.buzzbuzzhome.com/2013/01/cibc-toronto-economic-momentum.html

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Build Your Personalized Brain Training Program

1. Memory

2. Attention

3. Speed

4. Flexibility

5. Problem Solving

Your Personalized Training Program

1. Memory

Select all aspects of your memory that you want to improve

•  Recalling the location of objects 

•  Keeping track of several ideas at the same time 

•  Learning new subjects quickly and accurately 

•  Remembering names after the first introduction 

 

You have the power to change your brain

Scientists have discovered that the brain can reorganize itself when confronted with new challenges, even through adulthood. Based on this research, Lumosity's exercises are engineered to train a range of cognitive functions, from working memory to fluid intelligence.

2. Attention

Select all aspects of your attention that you want to improve

•  Improving productivity and precision at work or home 

•  Avoiding distractions 

•  Concentrating while learning something new 

•  Maintaining focus on important tasks all day 

 

Scientifically demonstrated benefits

Scientific studies have shown that Lumosity training can improve your ability to dynamically allocate attention, which sharpens memory and processing skills.

3. Speed

Select all aspects of your processing speed that you want to improve

•  Reacting quickly 

•  Decision-making in time-sensitive situations 

•  Adapting to changing environments 

•  Speeding up cognitive processes 

 

Designed by neuroscientists

Lumosity exercises are designed by neuroscientists and are based on independent scientific research from institutions like Harvard, Stanford and Berkeley.

4. Flexibility

Select all aspects of your mental flexibility that you want to improve

•  Communicating clearly 

•  Multi-tasking quickly and efficiently 

•  Thinking outside the box 

•  Avoiding errors 

 

A simple, convenient training program

Research shows that training just 10-15 minutes a day on Lumosity can lead to dramatic improvements over time.

5. Problem Solving

Select all aspects of your problem solving skills that you want to improve

•  Making quick and accurate estimations 

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Build Your Personalized Brain Training Program

1. Memory

2. Attention

3. Speed

4. Flexibility

5. Problem Solving

Your Personalized Training Program

1. Memory

Select all aspects of your memory that you want to improve

•  Keeping track of several ideas at the same time 

•  Remembering names after the first introduction 

•  Learning new subjects quickly and accurately 

•  Recalling the location of objects 

 

You have the power to change your brain

Scientists have discovered that the brain can reorganize itself when confronted with new challenges, even through adulthood. Based on this research, Lumosity's exercises are engineered to train a range of cognitive functions, from working memory to fluid intelligence.

Next

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Re/Max: Housing market will get lift over next 2 years from repeat buyers

A Re/Max survey says 70 per cent of home sales in the next 24 months will be to repeat buyers with some previous experience as owners.

The real-estate marketing organization says second-time or multi-time purchasers will be more fiscally conservative and don’t plan to over-extend themselves.

And it says slightly more than 80 per cent of potential buyers surveyed believed that housing values in their area will rise or remain the same.

Re/Max says 42 per cent of those surveyed said they expected to spend between $250,000 and $500,000.

The findings are in line with other research that found first-time buyers had been discouraged by stricter mortgage rules since last summer and affordability issues.

But the survey found first-time buyers aren’t sitting totally on the sidelines and will make up a third of the market.

The survey also says almost one in five buyers will be single.

“Purchasing patterns have evolved, with a more conservative, fiscally responsible purchaser moving to the forefront,” Gurinder Sandhu, executive vice-president and regional director of Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada.

Re/Max says second-time and multi-time buyers became a more important part of the market in the latter half of 2012.

“While affordability took a hit in 2012, homeowners with considerable equity remain confident and well-positioned. They will be the driving force fuelling the bulk of home sales in the months ahead,” Sandhu said in a news release.

While some buyers intend to downsize or make lateral moves, many of those trading up have amassed considered equity, he said.

Not surprisingly, of those putting down 30 per cent or more, 45 per cent were aged 55 and over, the survey said.

Sandhu noted that first-time buyers are experiencing a period of adjustment.

The survey indicted that singles would be the most cautious buyers with 47 per cent of purchasers intending to spend under $250,000.

Of the buyers planning to spend $500,000 to $1 million, almost half resided in Ontario, while the remaining 50 per cent were almost evenly divided between British Columbia and Alberta.

“Regardless of income, gender, age, or location, most Canadian respondents shared considerable confidence in Canada’s housing market,” Sandhu said.

“This stands as perhaps the greatest indicator that home buying intentions will remain healthy and stable. Combine this with an economic engine that is expected to gain momentum, and the outlook is most certainly positive.”

The national survey, hosted on the Angus Reid Forum in December, was conducted among 1,109 prospective purchasers who intend to buy within the next 24 months.

Re/Max is a leading real estate organization with more than 19,000 sales associates throughout its 750 independently-owned and operated offices in Canada

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/remax-housing-market-will-get-lift-over-next-2-years-from-repeat-buyers/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Tips to Clean Hardwood Floors

Clean wooden floors are amazing to see in houses. They give a classic touch to any room and can even increase the value of your house if the right hardwood flooring is used. However, they can be prone to things like warping or disfiguring if not maintained correctly. Spills and leaks have to be taken care of immediately, and you need to know the proper way to clean wooden floors.

Tip 1: Know What Kind of Finish Your Floor Has

Wooden flooring has different finishes, and therefore different ways to clean wooden floors. If you own flooring that has a urethane or polyurethane surface-sealed finish, then it makes the job so much easier. For these surfaces, the finish already provides a thin, protective plastic layer that keeps the flooring dirt-proof, water-proof and stain-proof.

All other kinds of finishes for hardwood flooring such as oil-treated, lacquered or varnished, and even untreated floors, have basically the same properties and cleaning requirements.

Tip 2: Stick to the Cleaner That Is Right for Your Floor Type

Cleaning wooden floors is easy once you know what type of finish they have. As mentioned earlier, surface sealing floors are already water and stain resistant, so it's very easy to clean them. Just sweep with a broom, and then mop with a soap and water solution.

For most other types of flooring, there is a wide range of hardwood floor cleaners available on the market. You can either spray them onto the floor, or they may come in liquid form that needs to be applied with a cloth mop.

For oil-treated floors, the best protection from stains and water is wax, which comes in paste form and liquid form.

Tip 3: Avoid Water or Moisture

At first, we may instinctively think that the best way to clean hardwood flooring is to mop it with water and soap. By no means should you do this. Avoid cleaning wooden floors with water or water-based cleaners. Wooden floors are able to absorb water into them. When the flooring absorbs water, its actually swells and expands. This is not good especially if wooden planks are close together. This leads to warping of the wood and can even crack and splinter it. At this point, you will need to completely replace the flooring, which only adds up to your costs.

As soon as you spill water on wood flooring, don't hesitate to clean it right away, before any permanent damage is done to your flooring.

Tip 4: Revitalize Your Urethane Finish with Screening

As stated earlier, surface sealing keeps hardwood flooring durable and resistant to water and stains. However, even surface sealing wears down after a certain number of years from frequent treading. What you can do is to get a professional contractor to screen your wood flooring. This means taking out the urethane finish by using abrasives, without destroying the original wood underneath. After the screening, fresh coats of urethane or polyacrylic are applied successively on the floor to give it a new and fresh coat of floor finish that can withstand more years of wear and tear.

Tip 5: Sweep and Buff Your Floor Regularly

When sweeping your floor to remove the dust and dirt, use a broom that has fine, soft bristles broom to clean your wooden floors and keep dust and dirt away that can abrade the surface of your wood flooring.

Feel free to use a vacuum cleaner to get dirt out of hard to reach places such as grooves on the wood.Lastly, don't hesitate to buff your wood flooring every once in a while with a clean cloth or a piece of cloth at the end of a mop. This will keep the flooring shiny and looking like new.

Tip 6: Keep Wooden Floors Clean With Entryway Rugs or Mats

A simple and elegant way to keep dust and dirt out of your room is to place decorative rugs or mats on your entryways. These rugs can serve a double purpose. When you and your guests enter your room, your shoes rub against the rug, and the dust and dirt your shoes may bring from the outside cling to the rug and stay there, leaving you free to walk all over your floor. Not only do they keep the dust out, but they also prove to be very decorative and pleasing to the eye.

Knowing how to properly clean and maintain your wood flooring will go a long way for you and your house. Your family and friends will simply love the classic touch that wooden floors simply have, and you will reap the benefits of increased property values.

If you need professional help with cleaning wooden floors, as well as screening, then use handycanadian.com for references on how to do it and professional assistance through local contractors that can help you with your home project.

http://www.handycanadian.com/articles.asp?id=131-Tips-to-Clean-Hardwood-Floors

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Canadian homebuyers more experienced, financially prudent moving forward, says RE/MAX

Mississauga, ON -
Tighter mortgage lending rules, in conjunction with the fallout of the US housing meltdown and the European debt crisis, have triggered a shift in the Canadian homebuyer mix and mindset. The new Canadian real estate consumer is experienced, fiscally-responsible, and ready to move forward over the next 24 months.
That’s the takeaway from the RE/MAX Canadian Homebuying Trends Survey conducted among more than 1,100 prospective purchasers late last year.

National findings include:
Almost one in five purchasers is single
More than two-thirds are second or multi-time purchasers
Four out of 10 purchasers between the ages of 18-34 have a downpayment of 20 per cent or more
Just over 80 per cent of buyers believe housing values in their area will rise or remain the same

Changing market conditions have clearly prompted the shift in the homebuying activity from coast to coast. Once dominated by first-time buyers, the survey found that second and multi-time buyers will lead the charge for housing over the next two years. Experienced purchasers now represent 70 per cent of homebuyers, while first-time buyers are sitting at 30 per cent.
Spending will be reined in—with 38 per cent of purchasers indicating they’ll spend under $250,000 and 42 per cent indicating they will spend between $250,000 and $500,000. In Ontario, fewer buyers will fall under the $250,000 price point—at 31 per cent—and more buyers will be active between $250,000 and $500,000—45 per cent.
Greater fiscal responsibility is evident across the board. In fact, 40 per cent of younger purchasers, aged 18 to 34, are expected to put down 20 per cent or more. Serious equity gains have been a contributing factor.
Consumer demographics continue to evolve, shaped by new realities. Single buyers have emerged as a force in the market, representing almost one in five purchasers. Forty-Five per cent are female—a stat that truly demonstrates how far we’ve come, as the number of successful, young female professionals entering Canadian housing markets climbs.

Confidence underpins the Canadian housing market, with 83 per cent of purchasers believing that housing values in their area will rise or stay the same over the next 12 months. Homebuyers were most bullish in Ontario, where that figure rose to 85 per cent. Optimism in the province continues to be propped up by sound real estate market fundamentals and an improving economic outlook.

While the homebuying mix may be different, the mantra is the same. Homeownership remains a key component of the Canadian Dream. It’s a common thread among all Canadians—a goal to which we aspire—and that’s not likely to go away anytime soon.

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
Independently Owned and Operated
905-477-0011 905-888-6222
 

click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Are avocados good for me?

The question

Are avocados really good for me? I read about how they are nutritious and have good fats, but I always feel gassy after eating one.

The answer

Avocados are a very nutritious food (they’re a fruit actually). It’s true they’re high in fat – 84 per cent of the calories (325) in an avocado come from fat (30 grams). But as you read, avocados contain mainly “good” fat called monounsaturated fat (the same type of fat found in olive oil). In fact, two-thirds of the fat in an avocado comes from monounsaturated fat.

A diet high in monounsaturated fat from avocados has been shown to lower LDL (bad)cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. Monounsaturated fat can also help reduce inflammation in the body.

There are other reasons why avocados are good for you. They’re packed with potassium and deliver lutein and zeaxanthin, two phytochemicals that guard against cataract and macular degeneration. Avocados are an excellent source of folate, a B vitamin that keeps the DNA of your cells in good repair. Half of an avocado provides one-quarter of a day’s worth of folate (the recommended daily intake is 400 micrograms). And they also supply a little vitamin E to your diet.

Avocados are also an exceptional source of fibre, which can cause digestive problems for some people. One avocado has 13.5 grams of fibre – half a day’s worth for women (and one-third of a day’s worth for men)! But everyone tolerates foods differently. While some people feel gassy and bloated after eating an avocado, others don’t experience digestive upset.

You shouldn’t have to eliminate avocados from your diet to solve your gas problem. Reduce your portion size from one whole avocado to one quarter or one-half to see if that helps. Here are a few suggestions to enjoy smaller portions of avocado and still benefit from their nutrition.

Spread whole grain toast with ripe avocado instead of butter or margarine. Add black pepper to taste.

Add chopped avocado to black bean soup or tacos for garnish.

Mix diced avocado with chopped red onion, tomatoes, cilantro and fresh lime juice to make a salsa to serve with grilled fish or chicken.

Add slices of avocado to a sandwich instead of cheese.

Combine sliced avocado, sliced fennel, orange segments and fresh mint for a refreshing salad. Top with fresh chopped parsley and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

Leslie Beck, a registered dietitian, is the national director of nutrition at BodyScience Medical. She can be seen every Thursday at noon on CTV News Channel’sDirect (www.lesliebeck.com).

Click here to submit your questions. Our Health Experts will answer select questions, which could appear in The Globe and Mail and/or on The Globe and Mail web site. Your name will not be published if your question is chosen.

The content provided in The Globe and Mail’s Ask a Health Expert centre is for information purposes only and is neither intended to be relied upon nor to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/ask-a-health-expert/are-avocados-good-for-me/article7524624/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

A Zoo Wintertime Adventure

Yes it's fun to visit the zoo in the winter!



While many think of January and February as the 'gloom of winter,' the Toronto Zoo proves there is life to the season! Don't let a little cold stop you. In many ways, the zoo can be more fun in the winter!



Visiting the zoo doesn't have to be 'just' a hot weather activity. It's still a great place to visit when temperatures get colder. Skiing, snowboarding and ice skating aside, zoo animals love to keep busy during the wintertime too! Check out daily Keeper Talks and find out which animals keep warm during the winter months with some "COOL" ideas. Zoo keepers work together to create engaging "enrichment" activities, such as games, puzzles and even snowmen for the animal's enjoyment!



And if you do get a bit chilly, head 'south' into one of the Zoo's tropical pavilions - Indo-Malaya, Americas, Australasia and the African Rainforest -  where you can get up close to all kinds of exotic animals. Or, take a walk through the award-winning Tundra Trek exhibit and meet some playful polar bears.


When the temperature drops, many of you may wonder "How do all the different animals react to cooler temperatures?" Well, these creatures are incredibly adaptable and in many cases modifications to their exhibits allow them to enjoy the winter temperatures  Take the African Savanna animals, most species have acclimatized to the weather with help from the keepers (who provide extra shelter when necessary). There are also indoor facilities for all animals onsite in the event that wind chill is in the forecast. Currently, all pavilions at the Toronto Zoo are open, and these animals enjoy tropical climate all year-round. We should all be so lucky!



Sure, coats, hats, and gloves will help everyone stay comfy but if you're in still in need of some warmth, check in at the Zoo's Peacock Cafe for a Hot Cocoa treat. And don't forget your camera. It's cool to have pictures of animal footprints in the snow. 



So don't save your zoo visits just for the summer - it's still a great place to visit when temperatures dip! For more info, visit www.torontozoo.com.

http://www.toronto4kids.com/January-2013/A-Zoo-Wintertime-Adventure/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Brain Warmup Exercises for Author Creativity

Some people tend to favour one hemisphere over the other (if you’re left handed it’s usually – though not always – your right side) and vice versa but the real key to creativity is to get both of your so-called “logical left” and so-called “intuitive right” sides firing on all cylinders – and working in unison. This is when real magic can happen

Rather than go on about loads of science stuff here (Google “Brain Hemispheres” if you’re really that interested) I’m going to suggest a few activities and games you can play to get your brain working better for you. I suggest that you spend about 5-10 minutes doing this warm up – before you get started with the specific creativity approaches I’ll introduce next.

Brain Warm Up 1 – Juggle – needs hand-eye coordination – uses both hands (hemispheres) and gets them working together – is lots of fun. Try doing it while counting at the same time or if you have different coloured items call the colour out as it passes the centre. If you can’t juggle then learn – it’s a really good brain exercise.

Brain Warm Up 2 - Dance - moving your whole body in time to music is another great way to get your brain working in sync. The more complicated the movements the better but try to feel the music too for that all over brain warm up. Plus it makes you feel good!

Brain Warm Up 3 - Draw – if you tend to be logical detail oriented get doodling. Even if your drawings are rubbish you’ll still get the benefits. It will help re-awaken your latent visual and intuitive side and get it in balance with your already strong logical and pragmatic side.

Brain Warm Up 4 - The Colour Game – Look at the following image and say the COLOUR not the word – out loud. This creates a right brain (colour) – left brain (word) conflict which is great for warming up your two hemispheres and getting them working together.

If you want to know more about the creative power of the right side of your brain then I highly recommend“Drawing on The Right Side of The Brain” by Betty Edwards – you’ll also get pretty good at drawing too!

http://publishingacademy.com/authors/get-book-ideas/brain-warmup-exercises-for-author-creativity/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

No! The real estate market is NOT dead. Sales are up!

I know there have been many conflicting reports and the media has been spinning some very negative stories in the news. Well, the market is still chugging along and sales are UP!

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 1,469 sales through the TorontoMLS system during the first two weeks of January 2013. This result represented an increase of 2.4 per cent over the 1,435 transactions reported during the same period in 2012.

I’ll keep an eye on things as the month progresses and report back to you early in February. What we ARE seeing is that the number of new listings coming on the market is a bit higher which will increase the inventory and give more choices to the buyers. Sellers and their agents will need to be aware of this. The great news is that the sellers who stick close to the real market value, still have a great chance of selling ... contrary to what you may hear or see in the news.

Who do you listen to? There are multiple opinions on what’s going on out there. If you’re confused and want to get a clearer picture, please give me a call. If you know anyone who needs help with real estate and is looking for a good agent, I have one in mind!

Asif

A referral is sending someone you trust, to look after someone you care about.

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
Independently Owned and Operated
905-477-0011 905-888-6222
 

click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Sleep on your right side for better dreams

Can your sleeping position influence the steaminess of your dreams? One study says yes!

Forget about beauty rest: New research says your sleeping position can influence the steaminess of your dreams. People who snooze on their stomachs are more likely to have racy thoughts at night than those who doze in any other position, says a study published in the journal Dreaming. Lead author Dr. Calvin Kai-Ching Yu, an associate professor at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, says that risqué dreams may occur because of the even amount of head-to-toe pressure we feel when we lie on our fronts.

Try it tonight: For the sweetest dreams, flip onto your right side. Studies also show that right-siders have more positive “dream emotions” (and fewer nightmares) than left- side sleepers.

http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/sleep-on-your-right-side-for-better-dreams/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan