One of Woodstock artist Shelley Malcolm's newest works 'in residence'

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

My kitchen adventure- fait d'accompli

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

My kitchen adventure- in progress...... I should have had more children!

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

My kitchen adventure.....

I have disliked my kitchen cupboards since the first day I looked at this house over ten years ago. Thank you to Mrs Sibbick for your encouragement! and we are now painting. Out with the bad 1990's oak (which looks quite alien in my otherwise dark wood 1917 arts and craft home) and in with the bright and freshly painted painted cabinets. My son Taylor and I have started and I will post our progress.....here are the before shots- the kitchen is already slightly dismantled. Tayor is not only a hairstylist but is a trained carpenter. He did my tiles last summer. We even have my ten year old son Jack priming. My husband is hiding at the office!

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Richwood in Oxford County

I spent a lovely afternoon over the Holidays visiting a family in one of Oxford County's most beautiful and well restored older homes. The Georgian was built in 1850 by a lumber family from upper New York who came to Oxford County for the abundance of wood. The current family have owned the home for almost 100 years. They have lovingly cared for each detail.

The Regency Cottage is still part of a large working farm. I love Oxford County cottages both the Regency style and the more humble Ontario cottages.

Richwood is east of Woodstock and has a very unique feel of old Oxford with the surrounding dairy farms and old homes.

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Photo taken by my son in Woodstock on December 27th as the torch ran down Dundas Street and in front of my office.

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

To all of you with whom I have worked in 2009 and to all those I hope to work with in 2010- all the best for a wonderful Christmas!

I am grateful for the space you hold in my life and I wish you all the best in the year to come.

Bettianne


Image by Otterville artist Sue Goossens





Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

I saw my Bill Hodgson tree being pelted with snow this afternoon and I started to wonder what Bill is working on now....  Bill left Oxford about two years ago (he had to I sold his house) and is living with his amazing wife in London. Bill's web site provides images of his previous work- the colourful trees in downtown London, and some more current work. I was happy to see a photo of this amazing staircase I saw in progress while visiting him last winter. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see Woodstock commission a piece of Bill's for a public space in our City?

More about Bill....
Bill Hodgson has had a lifelong interest in metal work. This translated into going to trade school for welding in his native PEI. After he finished the two-year course, he worked in a general shop for a year and then worked for a shipyard in Georgetown, PEI. However, after a year in the shipyard, he decided it wasn’t what he wanted to do for the rest of his life so he hooked up with a friend who had a “disco” set-up for school dances and ended up traveling around the East Coast creating/maintaining lighting rigs for bands on the road.

After five or six years of this, Hodgson turned his efforts to theatre, working at Theatre Calgary for two years. This was where he met his wife Andrea. In 1983, he and Andrea moved to Toronto, Ontario where he worked for Toronto Free Theatre as Technical Director/ Production Manager for five years. He then joined the stage hand union, IATSE local 58 and worked at The Canadian Opera, National Ballet and Canadian Stage Co. building scenery for the stage and on such large scale shows as Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables. In 1997, he and his young family moved to Ingersoll, Ontario so his wife could take a job at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario.

At first Hodgson created pieces in his basement. As things got busier, however, he rented a shop for his blossoming business. Hodgson is now on his third shop and things have been busy enough for him to keep creating.

Although Hodgson is interested in doing his best when working on a piece in terms of craftsmanship and finishing, he resists the urge to make things ”perfect” or create perfectly symmetrical mass-produced pieces. Each piece he creates is unique and even when he gets an order to make a duplicate of a piece he has already created, he cannot exactly replicate the piece because each work is unique and the process he goes through in making each piece is always different.

Hodgson draws his inspiration for his pieces from organic forms and from his customer’s ideas or requests. Hodgson’s work transforms mild steel and wood into functional yet imaginative works.

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker

"I'm never too busy for your referrals"

RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage

521 Dundas Street, Woodstock

0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300

bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

I'm totally inspired by this........

Patrick Dougherty, Artist but alas, not from Oxford County

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Cheer on the Olympic Flame- Woodstock, December 27th

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Canadians believe......

Amid one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, the one safe harbour proved to be housing. Not stocks. Not bonds. Real estate.
Why? The answer is really quite simple. Canadians believe in real estate.
Housing has proven itself a resilient and tangible investment that provides both a hedge against inflation and long-term appreciation. Buyers demonstrated their commitment en masse in 2009-taking advantage of rock-bottom interest rates and greater affordability levels-to drive housing sales and/or average prices to new heights. This year's real estate performance has been nothing short of remarkable.
The surge in sales has allowed residential real estate markets to play a key role in leading Canada out of the downturn. It is estimated that a total of $46,400 in ancillary spending are generated by the average housing transaction in Canada. With 465,000 resale homes expected to change hands by year-end 2009, that represents a $21.5 billion boost to the economy-not to mention the countless jobs and tax revenue housing supports. Going forward, the real estate sector is expected to have an even greater impact.
While markets are firing on all cylinders from Vancouver to St. John's, recovery is still in its early stages, and there could be some bumps along the way. As such, it's important to stay focused and be prepared. This is the ideal time to start sowing the seeds for next year, starting with your client base. Take heed of events that have occurred during the latter half of 2008 and 2009. Just one year ago when the market virtually ground to a halt, the agents who used their time resourcefully came out of the gate the fastest when business picked up.
The New Year is sure to bring new challenges and opportunities. Preparing your business is the best way to lay a solid foundation for the future-no matter what may lie ahead. One event that you won’t want to miss is the RE/MAX Kick Start Annual Sales Rally, January 18th and 19th. Over 4,000 Sales Associates will come together to learn from some of the industry's best speakers who will help you take your career to the next level. Registration is now open and I invite you to use the following link to register www.remaxevents.ca
Going forward, the fundamentals look positive and the New Year is poised to be a busy one. Canadians will continue to demonstrate their commitment to homeownership. As recovery continues, real estate will remain at the forefront. A little forethought will ensure that 2010 brings progress and prosperity.
Wishing you and yours a very happy and healthy holiday season,

Sincerely,

Michael Polzler
Executive Vice President and Regional Director

RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada Inc.

Bettianne. M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Women’s Employment Resource Centre (WERC) is having a bazaar/sale for those of you that still have last minute shopping left to do. The main day of the sale is Dec 17th from 10 am to 4 pm @ WERC; 424 Dundas Street but we will hold over the sale until the 18th if there are any items left. So mark the 17th down on your calendar to have an opportunity for the best items. Please feel free to forward this to friends and co-workers.


Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Learn more about the Oxford Community Foundation

Oxford Community Foundation

Enhancing the quality of life throughout Oxford County

by fostering community philanthropy.

Granting to: Education, Health, Leisure and Recreation,

      Cultural and Environmental projects here in Oxford

 

Information:  Call 519-539-7447 #229

E.-mail  info@oxfordcommunityfoundation.org

Web Site  www.oxfordcommunityfoundation.org

                              Giving Today-Growing Forever 


Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Housing Market Outlook 2010- from RE/MAX "The Voice of Real Estate"

Housing performance expected to accelerate in 2010, as economic stability returns to Canadian markets, says RE/MAX


Mississauga, ON (December 3, 2009) - In the midst of one of the most tumultuous economic periods in recent history, residential real estate has proven to be a safe harbour, with sales and average price expected to post gains in most major Canadian cities in 2009, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.

The RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook for 2010 examined residential real estate trends in 23 markets. The report found that sales are forecast to recover in almost all major centres by year-end 2009, led by an anticipated 45 per cent increase in Greater Vancouver. Two markets -- Ottawa and Quebec City -- are expected to hit historic highs in the number of homes sold. Average price should post new records in 65 per cent of markets surveyed this year. As economic performance ramps up across the country, so too will residential real estate. Eighty-three per cent of markets (19/23) are expecting sales to increase over 2009 levels while housing values are forecast to escalate in 91 per cent (21/23) of Canadian centres in 2010. The remaining markets will match 2009 levels.

Approximately 465,000 homes are expected to change hands nationally in 2009, a seven per cent increase over one year ago. Canadian housing values are forecast to close the year at $318,000, up five per cent from $303,594 in 2008. By year-end 2010, the number of homes sold is predicted to climb another two per cent to 475,000 units. The average price of a home is also expected to experience an uptick, rising two per cent to $325,000 - the highest level in Canadian history.

"2009 was without question the year of the house," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Real estate not only defied industry and analysts' predictions in 2009 -- it's performance went well beyond the realm of expectation by boosting consumer confidence levels and ultimately kick starting the national economic engine. While low interest rates were a principle factor driving home buying activity, no one can discount the value that Canadians place in owning a home."


Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca

Slide Show of Woodstock's Altadore Estate

A beautiful slide show of the Altadore Estate that used to sit in Old North Woodstock. I'm not sure if I actually remember it- or remember photos. But many of you do....   Thank you Glen Edmiston.

click on title for embedded link

Bettianne M. Hedges, BA, Broker
"I'm never too busy for your referrals"
RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd. Brokerage
521 Dundas Street, Woodstock
0ffice 519-536-7535 ext 300
bettianne@oxfordcountyhomes.ca