Happy Coming to Canada Anniversary! (with an update)

This is the account of events according to my uncle, Thomas Sobek (young man standing to the left in the group photo)

" ...  (on) Sunday March 12 1967. We had stayed overnight in Utrecht, Holland (see group photo) and proceeded to Amsterdam. We boarded a 2-engine BEA (British European Airways) propeller plane to Heathrow.
... it was Sunday March 12 1967. We had stayed overnight in Utrecht, Holland (see group photo) and proceeded to Amsterdam. We boarded a 2-engine BEA (British European Airways) propeller plane to Heathrow. There we boarded a BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) Boeing 707 Jetliner. On the way up the gangway, because Juergen and Andrea (Schmidt) were carrying so many things for "The Baby" (Daniela), a Canadian said to Juergen: "Why did you not bring your fireplace?"

We arrived at Toronto International Airport in Malton (today Pearson) around mid-day. They herded us with some other new immigrants into a reception hall where Daniela punched out a Yugoslav baby of about the same age. The building we arrived in does not exist anymore, neither does the new terminal that was opened up early in 1968. From there we took an Air Canada 48-seat 4-engined Vickers Viscount turbo-prop to London (Ontario) Airport. Juergen, do you remember the taxi we took? I was very disappointed because I expected a luxurious ride. It was the Checker Cab Company (not Checker Limos) that brought us to London's best hotel, 8-storey Hotel London, Dundas and Wellington, $ 7.00 per night, 80 cents for ham and egg breakfast served on silver platters the next morning (I didn't eat the breakfast, I was too cheap). The cab was a rattling light brown 1961 Pontiac Laurentian with retrofit black vinyl upholstery. The driver was a middle-aged Anglo ....

The next morning, Monday, March 13 1967 life in Canada began. "

My father (young man in the middle holding "the baby") followed up on Thomas' recollection with: 

"Well it was much like you (Thomas) remembered. I had forgotten Daniela's right hook to the poor little girls chin. Well she was not that much smaller then Daniela. The most vivid memory is still the cold and the blue sky. And how badly people were dressed, well old fashioned. For Andrea it was particular funny to see young women dressed like her mother dressed 30 years earlier, while she was wearing mini skirts that became fashionable a year after our arrival. I still shiver thinking how cold our bus ride was out to Spivak's plant. And it was so far out of town! For our 50th maybe a party? Its only 2 years away and we could have the party later in the year or in Florida. Think about it. I also remember that the first people we had contact with all spoke Russian or Ukrainian and that our English was better then theirs. I still like to see what ever photos any one has. Juergen"

posted by Daniela Schmidt

So What's So Great About Keller Williams?

I was reminded about why I think Keller Williams is such a great company while at Family Reunion in Phoenix. This event is a demonstration of how to walk the walk. An opportunity to see and meet Realtors who operate their businesses at a high level. It shows to those Realtors not with Keller Williams Realtors why they should join this top-notch training and supportive company.

I was reminded to:
- learn, work and play. Do these all the time and everyday.
- hang with people who want to do the same as above - those "like-minded" people
- be willing to fail
- be willing to get uncomfortable - oh yes! I am uncomfortable!
- to practice and hone my craft
- to follow the money
- to read everyday

Yes, I drank a big glass of the coolade.

BOOYAH!! Keller Williams Realty and Your Real Estate Sales Career

Learn about Keller Williams Realty and Your Real Estate Sales Career Dream

Whether you are new to the idea of Real Estate sales or a tired Real Estate veteran looking for a new way - Real Estate sales is not hard but isn't easy either! - legal - technological - commission income - emotions - and other complexities of the Real Estate marketplace - are challenging. The potential rewards are limited only by your imagination and dedication to success!

If you have the drive and determination, you can count on getting the training, knowledge, guidance and support you need for an exciting career and fulfilling life.

For the beginners: apply for registration and successfully complete the Salesperson Registration Education Program. Go to orea.com for more information. And call me to talk about my first-hand experience.

We want to help you build a career worth having, a business worth owning and a life worth living!

Let's have a confidential conversation and explore if a career in Real Estate...  or a switch to Keller Williams Realty is for you.

What's that Smell? My Rant.

Every time I see an ad for plug-in air "fresheners" I want to throw my shoe at the T.V.

Unfortunately, many real estate home sellers over do it. If a little pleasant odour is good then a lot is better - right?

I sympathize with home sellers who want to put their best foot forward to make their homes as delightful as possible.

I have one suggestion for them. Simply, CLEAN YOUR HOUSE!

Remove garbage, cat waste and dirty clothing. Clean the kitchen and the bathroom. Air out the basement. Mop the floor. And you are good. 

How to tell if you have too many air "fresheners":

1. When the smell can be detected on driveway of the home .... then you have too many air "fresheners".

2. When cat pee smells better...then you have too many air "fresheners".

3. When every available electrical plug has an air "freshener" plugged in...then you have too many air "fresheners".

I have removed up to 8 air "fresheners" from a typical sized home. I put these outside on the back patio. This many "fresheners" in a home makes me rather smell garbage.

As soon as I enter such a home my nose begins a drip. Sometimes will leave with a headache. My favourite are those that have motion detection attached and are aimed to spray directly in peoples' faces. A colleague has described it as an assault and I agree. 

So, clean and tidy your house and de-clutter. Open drapes to brighten the house. But LOSE THE "FRESHENERS"!!!

Thank you for listening.

Original content 

by Daniela Schmidt

My ah ha today from Gary Keller's book "The One Thing"

Today I read Chapter 7 called Willpower is Always on Will-Call in Gary Keller's book "The One Thing".

Ah ha 1.
In that chapter it is suggested that our will-power can let us down because we don't accept that our will power is like a tank of gas. Will power can run out and need refilling. Budget it.

Ah ha 2.
It is not dependent on the strength of our character. Such as "if there is a will, there is a way" implying that if you can't find the way then you have a problem with your will. Character is not enough.

Ah ha 3.
Will power needs to be managed.  We need to plan our lives and work around that. Those who planned for long term over short term gratification will tend to be more successful in reaching their goals. This is a managed use of "will power".

Ah ha 4.
Take care of your health and well-being so that you have a better chance to stick to your long-term goals. Those who are tired or not eating properly will fall for short-term, default gratifications.

Ah ha 5.
Time of day matters. Mornings are the best time for your will power to win as your energy levels are the highest. I think I knew this.

Ah ha 6.
Some of the things that wears down our will power:

• learning new things
• interuptions and distractions
• surpressing emotions
• tests
• trying to impress others
• doing things that we don't like
• selecting long-term over short-term gratification

It makes sense but I didn't realize how this can affect our will-power

Will power is not on-call. We can't bring it up when we want it.  Accept how will-power works and plan your days around it and let it leverage you when it is most powerful.



By Daniela Schmidt

It wasn't me...

http://www.lfpress.com/2013/04/08/5-tonnes-of-nutella-stolen-in-germany 

By Daniela Schmidt

   

My old German home...

 

With my next trip to Germany still in the planning stage, I can't help but remember my last visit. That visit was my first trip back since coming to Canada when I was about 2 years old.

The first video posted here was taken accidentally! Happy accident! Please forgive the lousy set-up. 

My daughter Melanie and I were amazed to see it. We entered the yard and we peeked in the windows. No one was home!

This is the home that my mother and her brother grew up in.  I lived here too - from birth to my first year. Until I saw it I believed that the house had been torn down...yet here it is. It is no longer owned by my family. 

By Daniela Schmidt

Thinking about a career in Real Estate?

Come visit us on our career information night on April 2 at 7:09 pm.

 

By Daniela Schmidt

Message from Dad...

Last home we lived in before coming to Canada in 1967.

Hi Daniela, it just occurred to me that it was on March 13th that we arrived in Toronto. A brilliant blue sky and the coldest temperatures I had ever experienced in my life. The fact that I brought a sunburn with me from Germany did not help nor did the summer suit I was wearing. Your mother was equally disadvantaged with summer or spring clothes. I do remember that her mini skirt turned heads where ever we went. Nobody in London Ontario had ever seen a mini skirt. As far as we were concerned people walked around in pajamas. Big bold colors plaids,shapeless pants and coats with large leather straps and well over the knee. And hoods. We compared with downtown London with scenes out of old british movies. Except for the large cars that moved along at snail pace. Anyway it was quiet the experience. Thought you may be interested since you were a major player. Your Mom had her purse stolen buying a crib for you at Eatons. With most of our money in it. Welcome to Canada. Love Dad
                           ... email from Juergen Schmidt, my father.

By Daniela Schmidt

One Vision, Many Hands...

Everyone at my work place at Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty is getting excited for upcoming Red Day 2013 in May.

Here is a video that tells the story of some Keller Williams Realty offices who joined forces and did good at inner-city elementary schools in need.

http://youtu.be/2hW51gW3FAY

This is our third Red Day at Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty.  We have yet to make a final determination of where our Red Day efforts will be focused has to be set. This video has inspired our enthusiasm.

Since we are still open for community volunteer opportunities ... any suggestions? Plus, anyone who wants to join us is welcome! We always have a fun day of helping and friendship.

The good old days...

... when it came to home affordability. Hard to believe the Real Estate market is not hotter!

Common-law Relationships and Property Rights in Ontario

Photo Art by Andrea Linker

"Strathroy in Snow"

Did you hear the story on the news last week of a couple in Quebec who are splitting up? They were unmarried and at issue was support. The Quebec court said that unmarried partners are not entitled to support.

Although that was about support issues, it did get me thinking about common-law relationships and Real Estate in Ontario.

Many people believe that after 6 months of living together a couple becomes "common-law" married and thus the house owned by only one of the couple becomes "matrimonial property" and any increase in value from start to finish of the relationship is shared 50/50. Except for mitigating circumstances, this is untrue.

I have selected an excerpt from an information booklet published by the Ministry of the Attorney General. It was last revised in November 2012.

     "...Common law couples do not have the same rights as married couples to share the property they bought when they were living together. Usually, furniture, household belongings and other property belong to the person who bought them."

     "Common law couples also do not have the right to divide between them the increase in value of the property they brought with them to the relationship."

    " If you have contributed to property your spouse owns, you may have a right to part of it. Unless your spouse agrees to pay you back through negotiation, mediation, collaborative law or arbitration, you may have to go to court to get back your contribution."

To read more about the Family Law Act, go to http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/familyla.pdf

Keep in mind that the booklet does not contain legal advice or replace the specialized advice of lawyers or other experts.

Common law relationships are not "just like being married". I know of a man who re-mortgaged his home to payout a former live-in girlfriend half the value of his house. Perhaps he felt it was the right thing to do. Most likely he didn't get legal advice and felt he was avoiding a costly lawsuit.

Understand your rights and obligations when making major life decisions and don't be afraid to get legal advice.


What's Happening this Week at KW Lifestyles?

Thinking about investing in Real Estate? 
... Come to our Real Estate Investor Seminar Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at 7:00pm in our training room at my office!

Open to everyone - Call or text me at 519-671-2773 so that I can save you a seat and answer any questions. 

COMING SOON!

Listen up my Real Estate Investors!

My BFF - Susan Jameson, CMA  
will be my Guest Blogger.

Her topic will be of interest to individuals and small businesses who are interested in business and tax advice.

Susan is my "go to" person when I need advice.

I can't wait!  See her blog: 

 http://seajameson.blogspot.ca/2013/01/blog-name-change.html

December 2012 London MLS Listing Stats

232 - Listings

147 - Sales

$259,836 - Average Sale Price