Why switch to winter tires when the average temperature drops below 6ºC?
By Brad Sherwin
In the closing days of 2007, the Province of Quebec passed a new road safety act that included a number of initiatives designed to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage on the province's highways. One aspect of the new legislation that has generated significant comment is the requirement that beginning in 2008 vehicles have a full set of winter tires when driven between November 15 and April 15.
The importance of winter tires in driver safety and security is well known by those of us in the auto industry. Indeed, there is a wide consensus among safety experts, police, car manufacturers and knowledgeable observers that the addition of four winter tires makes a real and measurable difference in handling, braking, directional stability and starting traction. Countless demonstrations have made believers out of anyone who witnessed a comparison, in winter conditions, between summer tires and winter tires, or even between all-season tires and winter tires.
Indeed, the rapid advance of new technologies recently introduced in winter tires has made that performance difference even greater. The science of tread design has certainly made a contribution, but it is the development of highly specialized compounds for winter tires that has made the most profound difference in performance.
In the case of the Yokohama Rubber Co., the introduction of new technologies has been driven by research that helped identify the danger zone when temperatures are between minus 6 degrees C and 0 degrees C - the temperature when a thin film of water forms between the tire and ice, and creates some of the most difficult driving conditions. That, in turn, prompted the development of features for dealing with that water like the shelled micro-bubbles and absorptive carbon flakes used in the compound of the new Yokohama Ice Guard IG 20 automobile winter tires, and the Yokohama Geolandar I/T G072 winter tires for light trucks and SUVs. Our competitors likely won't be too far behind with their own new features.
It is also increasingly well known that the purchase of winter tires does not represent a substantial increase in the cost of vehicle operation when measured over the total period of ownership. By switching to winter tires, owners are effectively extending the life of their summer or all-season tires; for every month the winter tire is in use, the tire it replaces is not suffering wear. If most owners keep their vehicles between 48 and 60 months, many would normally have to replace tires once during that period. A set of winter tires and a set of summer or all-season tires would be the equivalent of two sets of summer tires with the benefit of added safety and security.
That said, many Canadians have found that all-season tires suit their needs. Those who live in areas with moderate winters or who do limited winter driving have told us that all-season tires perform well in those conditions. While we still recommend winter tires for winter conditions, we certainly respect their choice.
Quebec is not the first jurisdiction to mandate winter tire use, of course. A number of countries in Europe like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Latvia already require the seasonal use of winter tires, while winter tires are mandatory on certain designated roads in countries like France, Austria and Italy. But it may surprise you to know that we do not expect a substantial increase in business as a result of Quebec's new law. It is important to point out that Quebec already has Canada's highest adoption rate for winter tires. Some estimates suggest 80% to 90% of Quebec drivers already employ winter tires, so the actual increase will be incremental to the industry's volumes. Still, we applaud any initiative to enhance road safety and know the improvement in overall safety will be welcome.
Finally, there is a new and growing factor in the discussion of the role of winter tires that we need to acknowledge: the environment.
It is an accepted fact that the salt used on roads in the winter has a serious - and cumulative - negative impact on our water supply. Thousands of tons of salt are used every year across the country to treat roads, and that salt eventually finds its way into our rivers, lakes and wetlands. The impact is very profound, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas where dissolved salts can harm fragile eco-systems.
Provinces and municipalities are struggling to address this issue. Part of the solution may lie in winter tires. Drivers who don't use winter tires rely on the provinces and municipalities to clear roads to bare condition so they can drive. In turn, provinces and municipalities have relied on salt to help create a road surface where drivers without winter tires have some minimal mobility.
If all drivers took the initiative to adopt winter tires, we could drastically reduce the use of salt on roads, and with it the damage salt does to the environment (not to mention roads, bridges and automobiles). Roads would still need to be plowed and sanded, but it would be a win-win situation: Improved safety for road users and reduced damage to the environment from excessive salting.
Much will be said and written in coming months about the new Quebec law. I hope our perspective helps illuminate the discussion. If you have any questions about this or any other tire issue, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Brad Sherwin is the marketing communications manager for Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. He can be reached at 604-464-6700 x1119. © CarTest.ca.
Editor's note: Winter-rated tires can be identified by a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Do's and Don'ts for Bathrooms
Here are some tips from:
Sharon Hay
Senior Feng Shui Practitioner
www.canadianfengshui.ca
- Keep the toilet lid down, when not in use
- Keep shower curtain closed
- No pictures of people you know in the bathroom (The low chi of the bathroom can affect the people in the pictures)
- No spiritual books in the bathroom (it is not recommended to mix high vibrational information with waste) People magazine is OK.
- Best if toilet is hidden from view upon entering the main door of the home (If not, place visual to distract vision away from toilet, such as a plant or small table) It could affect health or career of the occupants
- Green, brown or beige can be most helpful by reducing the overabundance of the water element
- A bed should not be on the other side of the wall of the toilet plumbing
- The worst placement in the home for a toilet is the very center of the home. Can cause imbalance in the occupant's lives.
- Dripping taps encourage you to waste money, noisy plumbing and cisterns are disturbing on a subliminal level
- Don't have an abundance of mirror and glass in the bathroom as this adds to the overabundance of the water element which drains the energy out of your home
- Real Estate Agents: make sure you put all the toilet lids down before an open-hous
Sharon Hay
Senior Feng Shui Practitioner
www.canadianfengshui.ca
- Keep the toilet lid down, when not in use
- Keep shower curtain closed
- No pictures of people you know in the bathroom (The low chi of the bathroom can affect the people in the pictures)
- No spiritual books in the bathroom (it is not recommended to mix high vibrational information with waste) People magazine is OK.
- Best if toilet is hidden from view upon entering the main door of the home (If not, place visual to distract vision away from toilet, such as a plant or small table) It could affect health or career of the occupants
- Green, brown or beige can be most helpful by reducing the overabundance of the water element
- A bed should not be on the other side of the wall of the toilet plumbing
- The worst placement in the home for a toilet is the very center of the home. Can cause imbalance in the occupant's lives.
- Dripping taps encourage you to waste money, noisy plumbing and cisterns are disturbing on a subliminal level
- Don't have an abundance of mirror and glass in the bathroom as this adds to the overabundance of the water element which drains the energy out of your home
- Real Estate Agents: make sure you put all the toilet lids down before an open-hous
Friday, September 17, 2010
Ottawa Market-
Trending towards a balanced market.
EMC Ottawa South: Ottawa housing market balances as prices remain steady http://tinyurl.com/27bkphc
EMC Ottawa South: Ottawa housing market balances as prices remain steady http://tinyurl.com/27bkphc
Friday, September 03, 2010
Better supply of properties for sale brings balance to housing market; prices rise steadily
Published Sept. 3, 2010 by the Ottawa Real Estate Board
Ottawa, September 3,2010 :
After an HST- influenced dip in sales in July, August saw a return to a more normal number of sales. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,122 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,211 in August 2009, a decrease of 7.3 per cent. Of those sales, 266 were in the condominium property class, while 856 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“The number of sales year-to-date is slightly ahead of last year’s sales for the same period, and last year’s sales volume was the highest ever. This shows the stability of the Ottawa Real Estate Market. ” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “The market is in a balanced position in relation to the number of homes for sale and the demand for properties. This is a good market for both buyers and sellers. I expect to see a normal fall market with longer selling times and stable prices,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $321,969, an increase of 2.1 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $262,999, an increase of 16.8 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $340,294, an increase of 0.1 per cent over August 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
View Full Report
Ottawa, September 3,2010 :
After an HST- influenced dip in sales in July, August saw a return to a more normal number of sales. Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,122 residential properties in August through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,211 in August 2009, a decrease of 7.3 per cent. Of those sales, 266 were in the condominium property class, while 856 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“The number of sales year-to-date is slightly ahead of last year’s sales for the same period, and last year’s sales volume was the highest ever. This shows the stability of the Ottawa Real Estate Market. ” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “The market is in a balanced position in relation to the number of homes for sale and the demand for properties. This is a good market for both buyers and sellers. I expect to see a normal fall market with longer selling times and stable prices,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in August in the Ottawa area was $321,969, an increase of 2.1 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $262,999, an increase of 16.8 per cent over August 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $340,294, an increase of 0.1 per cent over August 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
View Full Report
A home is more than an investment
This week we feature guest columnist Joanne Tibbles, who is the President-Elect of the Ottawa
Real Estate Board. Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board Sept. 2, 2010
The late comedian George Carlin once famously joked that a house is nothing but “a place to
keep your stuff.” Obviously, most homeowners believe that their house is so much more than
that. A home is where we live. It’s where we sleep, shower, read, play, and relax. Some people
work from their homes. Sometimes, a home can be an investment, purchased in the hopes of
making a profit. But just because a home is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your
lifetime doesn’t mean that it’s always a good idea to treat a home as an investment with quick
returns. The cable TV channels are fond of shows where people “flip” homes – buy them
cheaply, fix them up nicely and sell them off at a profit – but in the real world that kind of quick
profit isn’t always a sure thing.
As the real estate market moves toward balance in Ottawa, homeowners may begin to worry that
their homes aren’t appreciating in value as quickly as they once were, and that so-called “bidding
wars” (multiple offers) are becoming less common occurrences. This is only cause for concern if
you absolutely have to sell your home in the next little while. If, like many homeowners, you
bought your home because you love it, it suits your family’s needs, and it provides you with
somewhere to sleep, eat, relax and keep your stuff, then there’s no need to panic.
Home values in the Ottawa area have historically increased at a steady pace as the years go by.
Since 1956, the average sale price on homes sold via Ottawa’s MLS® system has only decreased
five times, and never by more than 4.3 per cent (way back in 1961). Average home prices
increased by somewhere between two and eight per cent in 32 of those 54 years, which gives you
a much better idea of how the Ottawa housing market generally operates. Slow and steady
growth is our hallmark here, bolstered by a stable employment market whose backbone is, of
course, the federal government, but that also is not dependent on industry for its stability.
Double-digit average price increases, on the other hand, are rare, occurring in only ten of the last
54 years. History has shown that over the long term, prices will generally rise here in Ottawa, so
housing remains a great long-term investment - but it may not be the best market for a quick
flip. If you do need to sell after a shorter time period, an experienced real estate professional who
knows the Ottawa market can help you sell for a price you’ll be happy with. He or she can also
advise you on up-and-coming neighbourhoods where a home may be more likely to appreciate in
value over the short term. Contact a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board at
www.OttawaRealEstate.org.
Buying a home you can live in and enjoy for the long haul is never a bad idea, and will likely
turn out to be a good investment. Plus, it gives you somewhere to keep your stuff
Real Estate Board. Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board Sept. 2, 2010
The late comedian George Carlin once famously joked that a house is nothing but “a place to
keep your stuff.” Obviously, most homeowners believe that their house is so much more than
that. A home is where we live. It’s where we sleep, shower, read, play, and relax. Some people
work from their homes. Sometimes, a home can be an investment, purchased in the hopes of
making a profit. But just because a home is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your
lifetime doesn’t mean that it’s always a good idea to treat a home as an investment with quick
returns. The cable TV channels are fond of shows where people “flip” homes – buy them
cheaply, fix them up nicely and sell them off at a profit – but in the real world that kind of quick
profit isn’t always a sure thing.
As the real estate market moves toward balance in Ottawa, homeowners may begin to worry that
their homes aren’t appreciating in value as quickly as they once were, and that so-called “bidding
wars” (multiple offers) are becoming less common occurrences. This is only cause for concern if
you absolutely have to sell your home in the next little while. If, like many homeowners, you
bought your home because you love it, it suits your family’s needs, and it provides you with
somewhere to sleep, eat, relax and keep your stuff, then there’s no need to panic.
Home values in the Ottawa area have historically increased at a steady pace as the years go by.
Since 1956, the average sale price on homes sold via Ottawa’s MLS® system has only decreased
five times, and never by more than 4.3 per cent (way back in 1961). Average home prices
increased by somewhere between two and eight per cent in 32 of those 54 years, which gives you
a much better idea of how the Ottawa housing market generally operates. Slow and steady
growth is our hallmark here, bolstered by a stable employment market whose backbone is, of
course, the federal government, but that also is not dependent on industry for its stability.
Double-digit average price increases, on the other hand, are rare, occurring in only ten of the last
54 years. History has shown that over the long term, prices will generally rise here in Ottawa, so
housing remains a great long-term investment - but it may not be the best market for a quick
flip. If you do need to sell after a shorter time period, an experienced real estate professional who
knows the Ottawa market can help you sell for a price you’ll be happy with. He or she can also
advise you on up-and-coming neighbourhoods where a home may be more likely to appreciate in
value over the short term. Contact a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board at
www.OttawaRealEstate.org.
Buying a home you can live in and enjoy for the long haul is never a bad idea, and will likely
turn out to be a good investment. Plus, it gives you somewhere to keep your stuff
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Still a seller’s market in Ottawa; prices rise steadily
Ottawa, August 5,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,149 residential properties in July through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,578 in July 2009, a decrease of 27.2 per cent.Of those sales, 294 were in the condominium property class, while 855 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Last July saw a record high number of sales in Ottawa, which was the result of pent-up demand as the market came out of a downturn. What we see this year is a return to more seasonal sales volumes,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The ratio of listed properties to sold properties indicates that Ottawa remained in a seller’s market last month, and sale prices continued to rise at a steady pace, as they generally do here in the national capital,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $321,827 , an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $249,674 , an increase of 15.2 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $346,638, an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,590 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
View Full Report
“Last July saw a record high number of sales in Ottawa, which was the result of pent-up demand as the market came out of a downturn. What we see this year is a return to more seasonal sales volumes,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The ratio of listed properties to sold properties indicates that Ottawa remained in a seller’s market last month, and sale prices continued to rise at a steady pace, as they generally do here in the national capital,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in July in the Ottawa area was $321,827 , an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $249,674 , an increase of 15.2 per cent over July 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $346,638, an increase of 7.1 per cent over July 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,590 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.
The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
View Full Report
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