Too many people fall victim to easily avoidable hazards of buying and selling property.It is worth the effort to learn about the home buying and selling process; doing so can save you time, stress and money. Think about hiring the right sales person. It is a good idea to meet with a few different representatives before you decide on which to hire. It is important that you feel comfortable and confident that this is the right person for the job of helping you to find or sell a home. Working with a real estate professional is a partnership. Make sure you communicate your expectations clearly. It is important that you have a mutual understanding of what you are looking for, what elements are deal-breakers and what services the Brokerage is responsible for. Take the time to read and understand the forms you are signing. Nobody likes to read the fine print, but taking the time to understand what you are signing can avoid many problems later on. Make sure all the blanks in the forms are filled in and you get a copy of everything you’ve signed.  Don’t let emotions overtake your common sense when you fall in love with a property. Stick with your budget and be aware of the risk of not having a home inspection, just to win a bidding war. There may be underlying problems which a qualified inspector can identify and save you costly problems in the end. Don’t assume everything is included. The seller may want to take all the appliances with them. The hot water tank or heating system may be rentals that you have to take over. Make sure all the items you expect to be included are detailed as chattels. You can also include a clause asking the seller to pay out any outstanding rental contracts. This is the best way to protect yourself from any surprises in the end. Don’t forget about what is inside and outside the walls. Ask your real estate professional to look into the age of the wiring, plumbing, and heating systems. Ask about extensive renovations and if permits were issued. Spend some time exploring the neighborhood and researching location of schools and amenities. A simple internet search can be very helpful or asking neighbors when you’re concerned about a home with a troubled past. Don’t rely on a verbal agreement. Putting everything in writing forces all parties to be clear about their expectations and can prevent disputes later. It is important not to underestimate closing costs. Land Transfer taxes, title insurance, home inspections and lawyer costs can all add up. You may want to touch up some things such as paint, window coverings, or new appliances. All these things can take a big chunk out of your budget. These tips will certainly help, but the most important advice is to work with a registered real estate professional. They can provide a great deal of knowledge and expertise about the buying and selling process, as well as specific knowledge about neighborhoods and local issues. To help avoid hazards like these, talk to a registered real estate professional.

Adele Youssef, ASA

Real estate sales representative

Manor Windsor Realty Ltd. Brokerage

519-250-8800 / 519-566-6514 

www.sellwithadele.com

adele@sellwithadele.com

It is important for parents and educators to develop a better understanding of the challenges a child may experience at school or home with reading, comprehension, double vision, headaches or eye strain. If the information that is sent to the brain is compromised in some way, it can make learning very difficult. A study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders’ November 2013 issue states that “attention and internalizing problems improved significantly following treatment for convergence insufficiency.” Convergence insufficiency is an eye coordination disorder which can make reading difficult and cause symptoms such as eye strain, double vision, loss of concentration, and frequent loss of place when reading and working up close. All these can play a negative role in learning. If your child isn’t performing up to his or her potential in school or sports, poor vision may be to blame - even if she or he has perfect eye sight. Several visual problems that prevent children from doing well in the classroom can go undetected in traditional eye tests. Some of the common signs of vision problems include headaches associated with using eyes, burning and itching of eyes, nausea after reading, double vision, holding books very close to their eyes, use of finger to keep place, taking a long time in completing homework, and skipping or re-reading of lines. “Good eye sight means you can see the books’ content, but poor vision means you can’t organize the information available to you, and you can’t picture the stories and their events” explains Dr. Moussa.  Successful patients of vision therapy demonstrate enhanced functioning on tasks and develop the visual skills needed to achieve more effectively at school, work, and play. “You should consult your primary-care eye doctor.” advises Dr. Moussa, “preferably someone who has a lot of experience dealing with children.” 

Everyone knows that omega 3's and fish oil is great for the body, that it helps when babies are developing and contributes to an over all health, body and mind.  But can they also be good for our oral health?

To understand why these essential oils could possibly be good for our oral health we need to understand a little bit about what omega 3's are. An omega three and fish oils are forms dietary fats. There are three main types of fats in our diet, they are saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. saturated fats are fats that come from animals or dairy and are contributors to heart disease, these are considered the "bad" fats.  Monounsaturated fats are fats that come from plants and olive oil these are good forms of fats like omega 9. polyunsaturated fats are fats that come from plants oils dairy and some animals depending on the animals diet, these fats are omega 3 and 6's and are all good for you.

monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are often referred to as fatty acids. these fatty acids are key in developing parts of the cell that send messages to other cells telling them to help with anti inflammatory responses. Many adults suffer from gingivitis or periodontal disease. 

Gingivitis is characterized by inflammation of the gums, bleeding and redness. when this is not taken care of it can progress in to periodontal disease. periodontal disease is when the gums become unattached, bone loss occurs which allows teeth to move freely in the mouth and possibly come out. so how are these essential fatty acids a benefits to our mouth? when taken regularly these fatty acids help reduce the inflammation of the gums and help keep the gums attached. this in turn helps reduce the amount of bone loss so patients can have there teeth for longer.

To see the benefits of these essential fatty acids patients should consume two tablespoons of flax seeds, walnuts, soybean oil or canola oil and at least two servings of a fatty fish a week.

Windsor, ON – Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) will be celebrating our annual International Women’s Day Gala on Sunday March 8th, 2015 at St. Clair Centre for the Arts. 

For more than 26 years, WEST has been providing training to visible minority and immigrant women who are trying to champion their situational barriers and reach their employment goals. Each year WEST provides training and support to approximately 2,000 women and their families within the Windsor & Essex County area.

On Sunday March 8th, 2015 WEST’s IWD Gala will be an opportunity to commemorate our participants, businesses and community partners within the Windsor & Essex County area, who demonstrate a commitment to embracing diversity in our community. This year theme is “Working Towards Women’s Equality Today and in the Future.” The event will highlight the accomplishments achieved by women in the past, present, and future; advancing women further towards equality.  

During the event, WEST will recognize Journey Towards Success Recipients. The Recipients are WEST clients, who have gone on a challenging journey and been successful in achieving their goals, as well as Community Partners that have demonstrated a belief in the WEST mission and continue to actively support women on their journeys toward success.

WEST is pleased to announce Saadia Muzaffar as the Keynote Speaker for our IWD Gala 2015.

Saadia is the founder of TechGirls Canada (TGC), a national organization focused on building community and amplifying ideas around women’s leadership in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. TGC provides leadership and community to hundreds of non-profit and industry groups working to engage more girls to pursue a career in Technology. The organization is continuously working to break down silos; advocate for resources, funding, private and public sector partnerships opportunities along with catalyze joint programs.

In addition Saadia is the Senior Director of Marketing for AudienceView. AudienceView has been providing business solutions to the entertainment industry for more than 10 years. “It is a complete

 e-commerce solution that enables organizations to offer a true shopping experience.” 

For more information about Saadia Muzaffar visit: 

TechGirls Canada at http://www.techgirls.ca/ , or AudienceView at http://www.audienceview.com/

All proceeds will go towards providing training to women in Windsor & Essex County, as a result ‘investing in our community’.  

Tickets are $85 person and includes a full dinner. If you would like to purchase a ticket, please contact us at 519.256.6621, or via email at iwd@westofwindsor.com. Also, tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite at

 http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-womens-day-gala-2015-tickets-15137721332?aff=es2&rank=190

We look forward to you joining us at this year’s celebration! 

Media Contact & for more information, please contact:

Rose Anguiano Hurst, Executive Director

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST)

Phone: (519) 256-6621, ext. 222

Fax: (519) 256-3963

Email: rose@westofwindsor.com

Website: www.westofwindsor.com

Many of you will likely experience a Cold or the Flu during this winter season. There are certain symptoms unique to the Common Cold and the Flu. If you are experiencing the Common Cold you likely have a runny nose with clear mucous at the start of your cold that changes to a yellow-greenish colour towards the end. You may also have a stuffy nose. You may also have a mild sore throat and a mild to moderate dry cough. Your cough may become productive, meaning that you are coughing up mucous as your cold progresses. Your cold usually lasts 5 to 7 days but may last up to 2 weeks. 

If you have the Flu, you will be experiencing some similar symptoms as a cold but with some differences. You will likely have a runny nose without any congestion. You may have a sore throat and will likely have a dry cough. With the Flu, you will have a fever, body/headaches and will also feel very tired. Your symptoms will last for 10 days.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for the Common Cold or the Flu. Once you catch the virus you’ll be stuck with it until it runs its course. However, there are medications that can be used to treat the symptoms and help you feel better. Your Pharmacist can provide you with medications to treat these symptoms. There are certain things you can do to prevent catching the Common Cold or Flu. Hand-washing is one of the most important and effective prevention methods. Always wash your hands after touching door handles, public telephones etc. You should also carry around a bottle of alcohol sanitizer to use after you wash your hands or if you cannot get to a washroom.  The most effective way of NOT catching the Flu is to get your Flu shot. Although you may hear that the flu shot will actually make you sick (there is a small percentage of people that do experience this), the flu shot works. It is safe and effective. Speak with your pharmacist if you have questions regarding the Flu shot. If you already have a cold or the Flu, make sure you take precautions to prevent spreading.  Use the same precautions as you would to PREVENT catching a cold or flu. Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid public places so take a sick day from school or work. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.

No matter what your age, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy by brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and seeing your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. Enforcing good oral hygiene habits early in a child’s life is essential for his overall well-being. According to a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cavities in children between the ages of two and five has escalated by 15 percent. Proper oral hygiene habits in kids must start as early as the child begins to bottle feed. This is when babies are prone to baby bottle carries. Baby bottle carries are cavities that are a result of drinking formula breast milk or juice from a baby bottle. Baby teeth should be cleaned using a washcloth, young babies should eventually have their teeth and tongues brushed using soft brushes on a regular schedule. It is important for parents to teach children the proper way to brush their teeth with toothpaste that has fluoride in it, to take them for regular dental check-ups, and to serve food that will maintain optimal health. Kids should eat foods that will strengthen their teeth, such as milk, cheese, and vegetables. Good oral hygiene starts at a young age but must be maintained for a life time. As children get older they should be encouraged to take good care of there teeth. Teenagers care a lot about how they look. Help your teen understand that bad oral hygiene can lead to stains, bad breath , missing teeth and many other dental problems. As we get older it becomes more important that we floss regularly to remove plaque from under the gum line. If we don't take special care to remove this plaque it can harden into tartar and will only be able to be removed with a professional dental cleaning. Tartar under the gum line can also lead to problems such as gingivitis which is an early stage of gum disease. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush them. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist before serious problems develop. Advanced stages of gum disease may lead to tooth loss but in the early stages can be reversed. A beautiful healthy smile can last a life time with these simple guidelines. 

Windsor Sylvan Learning

Word problems take math concepts, such as arithmetic, geometry and algebra, and relate them back to the real world.  But somehow, in the conversion from numbers and symbols to the written word, even students adept at math can become confused and discouraged. In fact, children often find it easier to solve a problem that explicitly asks them to multiply two numbers rather than tackle a word problem that requires the same mathematical skills.

In addition to knowledge of core math concepts, word problems also require strong reading comprehension skills. Before a child can solve a word problem, he needs to be able to translate the problem into a math equation.

Once a child deciphers a word problem and is able to convert it into a simple equation, most students can easily calculate the answer. Unfortunately, determining the right equation is often the most challenging part of problem-solving. By applying reading comprehension skills to their math homework, students are better able to solve word problems correctly. 

To help children boost their critical thinking and word problem-solving skills, the math experts at Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offer parents the following tips to help their children decode word problems, gather key information, solve equations and check their answers:

1. Read the question carefully. Ask your child to read and reread the question to make sure that he understands what he is being asked to solve. Encourage him to read the question aloud and pay close attention to the final question of the word problem.

2. Understand the problem. Encourage her to simplify the word problem by highlighting the main words and important ideas. Have the student ask herself the following questions: What am I being asked to do? What are the important facts? Do I have enough information to solve the problem?  What operation will I use? 

3. Convert the verbal statement into a mathematical equation. Help him break the word problem into manageable, ordered steps. It's a good idea to do the work step-by-step, particularly if it’s a complicated problem with several parts. It's easier to keep the pieces of the problem in order if he works this way and easier to avoid mistakes. 

4. Generate the result. Encourage her to solve the mathematical problem using a technique such as drawing or mentally acting out the problem. After she finishes, make sure the results make sense and that she writes the answer in the appropriate units (e.g., hours, metres, kilometres, etc.

Written By: Muhammad al-Maghout

(1934- April 3, 2006) / Translated By: Reda Mansour

By Adele Youssef.

The one thing about participating in the real estate market that confounds most consumers is the terminology and jargon that must be learned. But, as with any business, in order to be successful as a buyer or seller, it is necessary to become familiar with certain concepts and words.

The real estate business is somewhat unique in that it is not confined to one particular set of dealings. Instead, it encompasses a number of professions: financial, legal, governmental, building trades, and of course, real estate itself.

So, from A for amortization to Z for zoning regulations, here is a quick run-through of some the important real estate terminology you’ll encounter:

Amortization: The number of years it will take to pay off the entire amount of a mortgage. In Ontario, most mortgages are amortized over 25 years.

Appraisal: An estimate of a property’s market value. This is used by lenders to determine the amount of your mortgage.

Assessment: The value of a property set by the local municipality. The assessment is used to calculate your property tax.

Assumable Mortgage: A mortgage held on a property by a seller that can be taken over by the buyer. The buyer then assumes responsibility for making payments. An assumable mortgage can make a property more attractive to potential buyers.

Blended Mortgage Payments: Equal or regular mortgage payments consisting of both a principal and an interest component.

Broker: A real estate professional licensed in Ontario to facilitate the sale, lease or exchange of a property.

Bridge Financing: Money borrowed against a homeowner’s equity in a property (usually for a short term) to help finance the purchase of another property or to make improvements to a property being sold.

Buy-down: A situation where the seller reduces the interest rate on a mortgage by paying the difference between the reduced rate and market rate directly to the lender. Or, the difference can be paid to the purchaser in one lump sum or monthly instalments. A buy-down can make a property more attractive to potential buyers.

Closed Mortgage: A mortgage that cannot be prepaid, renegotiated or refinanced during its term without significant penalties.

Conventional Mortgage: A first mortgage issued for up to 75 per cent of the property’s appraised value or purchase price, whichever is lower.

Debt Service Ratio: The percentage of a borrower’s gross income that can be used for housing costs (including mortgage payments and taxes). This is used to determine the amount of monthly mortgage payment the borrower can afford.

Easement: A legal right to use or cross (right of way) another person’s land for limited purpose. A utility’s right to run wires or lay pipe across a property is a common example.

Encroachment: An intrusion onto an adjoining property. A neighbour’s fence, shed or overhanging roof line that partially or fully intrudes onto your property are examples.

First Mortgage: The first security registered on a property. Additional mortgages secured against the property are termed ‘secondary’.

High-Ratio Mortgage: A mortgage for more than 75 per cent of a property’s appraised value or purchase price.

Listing Agreement: The contract between the listing broker and an owner, authorizing the Realtor to facilitate the sale or lease of a property.

Mortgage: A contract between a borrower and a lender where the borrower pledges a property as security to guarantee repayment of the mortgage debt.

Mortgage Term: The length of time a lender will loan mortgage funds to a borrower. Most terms run from six months to five years, after which the borrower will either pay off the balance or renegotiate the mortgage for another term. Payments are calculated using the interest rate offered for the term, the amount of the mortgage, and the amortization period.

Multiple Listing Service (MLS): A comprehensive system for relaying information to Realtors about properties for sale.

Open Mortgage: A mortgage that can be prepaid or renegotiated at any time and in any amount without penalty.

Partially Open Mortgage: A mortgage that allows the borrower to pre-pay a specific portion of the mortgage principal at certain times with or without penalty.

Realtor: A trademarked name describing real estate professionals who are members of a local real estate board and the Canadian Real Estate Association.

Transfer Taxes: Payment to the provincial government for transferring property from the seller to the buyer.

Vendor Take-Back Mortgage: A situation where sellers use their equity in a property to provide some or all of the mortgage financing in order to sell the property.

Zoning Regulations: Strict guidelines set and enforced by municipal governments regulating how a property may or may not be used.

Source: Reprinted with permission from OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association)

An expert REALTOR® gives you support to buy or sell a house. They are an ally who'll help you make the most out of your home. REALTORS® can guide you through every step of the process, explain the current market, help navigate complex paperwork and offer invaluable advice. 

Before you Buy or Sell, call a REALTOR® you can trust to be with you every step of the way.

Adele Youssef, ASA

Real Estate Sales Representative 

Manor Realty Windsor Ltd. Brokerage

Address: 3276 Walker Road Windsor, Ontario N8W 3R8 

Phone: (519) 250-8800