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2014 Issue 1 Ottawa, ON

Inside This Issue…

Is It A Cold Or The Flu, And What

Should You Do?…Pages 1 & 2

Miette’s Statistics … Page 2

How To Turn Unused Gift Cards Into

Cash…Page 3

Should You Give A Retailer Your

Postal Code?...Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and

You Could Win A Gas Card …Page 4

The Canadian Home Renovation

Plan…Page 4

Is It A Cold Or The Flu? While they may have similar symptoms (sore throat, headache, nasal congestion); knowing the difference is important because the influenza virus can have serious complications, such as pneumonia & can be deadly.

If your symptoms are from the neck up and come on gradually, (EG:

nasal congestion, a stuffy nose or frequent sneezing. A runny nose with

thick discharge. A moist cough), it’s probably a cold, caused by the

rhinovirus or one of 200+ other viruses.

If your symptoms come on suddenly and your body feels weak and

tired, (EG: A high-grade fever (102 degrees or above. Chills, extreme

fatigue, muscle aches, and pain. Difficulty breathing or shortness of

breath) it may be the flu.

What You Should (And Shouldn’t) Do…

If you have a cold:

� Rest and drink water, juice, broth or warm lemon water with

honey to loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which are dehydrating.

� Eat chicken soup. Even the Mayo Clinic says it might help by acting as an anti-inflammatory and speeding up the movement of mucus.

Continued on Page 2…

WWWWWWWWAANNDDAA CCCCCCCCLLAARRKK TTTTTTTTEEAAMM’’SS

Service For Life! “Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…”

With With With With the Holidays behind usthe Holidays behind usthe Holidays behind usthe Holidays behind us it is time to get back to the grind. Miette and I have entered the

Real Estate Ring "Swinging". We have been extremely busy with listing appointments (families getting their ducks in a row), we are answering a pile of questions, and buyers have booked appointments as well. The indicators show that 2014 will be an improved market over 2013, and we will be ready for it.

Nolan is settling into his new home and he is experiencing the "joys of homeownership". His washing machine has broken, his dishwasher decided not to work (I am not referring to Ashley), and the wall oven has to be replaced, oh Joy, oh Bliss! Colton has started phase 2 of his plumbing apprenticeship. He will be at Algonquin College for 6 weeks. Kara Lee has started her second semester at Algonquin as well. Her scheduled classes are a little random, but she likes her instructors.

Brian has not had the opportunity to enjoy the holidays. I do not have to describe how radical the weather has been, it has caused Brian to work every day and every weekend since the middle of December. He had Christmas Day and New Years Day off. We both accept the required hours and the overtime demands when one works for the City of Ottawa Roads Department. There are many others who have businesses or jobs dealing with the snow, freezing rain, thaws, deep freezes, rain etc, they too have had to adjust to the bizarre weather. I lost count the number of frozen pipe calls Colton went to. Brian has decided to use his overtime to travel to North Carolina. I am not sure exactly what he is doing, but it involves seminars & becoming a Certified Technician for the go-karts (I think I'm close on the description).

Mom Joyce has been given a green light (after her hip replacement), she can travel to Texas. Now she has to get her travel insurance in place. Mom Lois has not yet decided where or when she is going to travel. She was set on St. Petersburg Florida, but now she is re-considering.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and prosperous 2014! Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, WandaWandaWandaWanda

Get A Free Report on the Last 10 Homes Sold in Your Area: www.WandaClark.com

A Heartfelt Message To My Special Clients and Friends…

My little secret: I don’t spend my time pestering people for business. I focus 110% of my efforts on giving such outstanding service, people naturally think of me when a friend, neighbour or family member needs a caring and competent REALTOR®. Thanks to those who’ve recently helped build my business with their enduring support &

referrals - Keith & Jean, Michael, Kimberly, Erma - I couldn’t do it without you! -

Is It A Cold Or The Flu? …Continued from Page 1

� Gargle with salt water to relieve sore throat (1/2 tsp salt in 8oz glass)

� Try an over-the-counter medication to ease your symptoms � Don’t take antibiotics (they attack bacteria, not viruses). If your

symptoms don’t improve after a week, however talk to your doctor. � Use a saline nasal spray to rinse the virus out of your nasal passages. � Put a humidifier in your room. Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions � Consider herbal remedies like Echinacea, vitamin C and zinc � Don’t believe the adage “starve a cold, feed a fever” or vice versa.

There’s little scientific evidence either way works.

If you have the flu:

♦ Try to avoid it by getting an annual flu shot (for those 6+ months old)

♦ Get to a doctor fast. He or she can take swab to see if you test positive for the flu and prescribe anti-viral meds which shorten the length and severity of the illness, if taken within 48 hrs of the symptoms onset.

♦ Don’t take antibiotics - unless you have a complication. (EG: If coughing up green phlegm spotted with blood)

Word of the Month… Studies have shown your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary. Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

Felicitous (fi-lis-i-tuhs) adjective

Meaning: well suited; pleasing

Sample Sentence: We all enjoyed our family reunion, which was a felicitous occasion. Kitchen Tip How do you put out a grease or oil fire on your stovetop or oven? Water only makes it spread. Instead use baking soda or salt. They will absorb the liquid that is causing the flames.

Take The Perfect Nap To sleep during the day without feeling groggy, time your nap one of three ways:

1. For improved alertness and performance, take a 10 to 20 minute power nap, ideally between 1-4 p.m.

2. If you find yourself sleeping longer

than 20 minutes, try to go for a 90-minute nap. This will take you through a full sleep cycle, which aids creativity and procedural memory.

3. Try to sleep less than 45 minutes

or more than 90 minutes because if you wake up during the middle of a slow-wave cycle you may feel more tired.

Quotes To Live By… Do not go where the path may lead; go where there is no path and leave a trail.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

–Benjamin Franklin

I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way.

–Franklin P. Adams

Miette’Miette’Miette’Miette’s Statistics …s Statistics …s Statistics …s Statistics … 610 residential & condominium properties were sold through the Ottawa Real Estate Board Dec’13. 145 Condos & 465 Residentials. (615 Dec 2012 a 0.9% decrease).

Average sale price: $340,021 (a 0.9% increase over Dec ‘12)

The average condo sale price was $245,349 (5.1% decrease over Dec ‘12) The average residential sale price was $369,543 (3% increase over Dec‘12)

The total number of homes sold through the Board’s MLS® system in 2013 was 13,873, compared with 14,326 in 2012, a decrease of 3.2 per cent. The average sale price for residential properties, including condominiums, sold in 2013 was $357,348, an increase of 1.6 per cent over 2012.” “Looking back at the 2013 market, home sales in the first part of the year were, for the most part down, in comparison to the year before,” said new President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Randy Oickle. “The introduction of tighter mortgage rules in July 2012 largely affected the market well into 2013. However, as the year progressed the market began to pick back up, and then leveled out in November and December. Impending mortgage rate increases may have caused the increase in the second half of 2013, as many first-time home buyers jumped into the market in advance of these increases.”

Get A Free Report on the Last 10 Homes Sold in Your Area: www.WandaClark.com

Thinking Of Buying A Home Soon? If you’re planning to buy a home in the next 6 months, you’ll want a copy of my Free consumer guide….

“7 Secrets For Saving Thousands

When Financing Your Next Home” My exclusive report will help you

avoid frustrations and costly pitfalls when buying a home. To get a copy,

call me at… 613-721-7414

Would You Like To Know How Much Your

Neighbor’s Home Listed Or Sold For?

Maybe you’re just curious. Or maybe you want to know how

much your home is worth. Either way, I can help…with no “sales pitches” or run-arounds.

Call me at 613-721-7414 and I’ll give you all the facts.

Brain Teaser… If nine-thousand nine-hundred and nine dollars is written as $9,909, how should twelve-thousand twelve-hundred and twelve dollars be written?

(See page 4 for the answer.)

Real Estate Question? Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or maybe you just need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner or plumber…

Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. And I’m always looking to answer questions you might have about anything relating to real estate or home-ownership.

If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at 613-721-7417. I’m here to help!

Useful Apps For Apple & Android Devices � Canadian Red Cross First Aid

App – Expert advice for everyday emergencies - Available for Apple & Android mobile devices (Free)

� Pocket First Aid & CPR – Updated with CPR info from the American Heart Association and includes 34 helpful videos. ($1.99)

� Card Munch – Converts Business cards into contacts just by taking a picture of it.

Have A Laugh… A policeman stopped a motorist who had just gone through a four-way stop sign and was about to give him a ticket when the motorist said, “Officer you can’t give me a ticket for that!” “Why not?” asked the officer. “Because although I didn’t stop, I slowed down and it’s almost the same,” said the motorist. “But the sign doesn’t say SLOW, it says STOP,” said the officer.

To make his point, the officer pulled out his baton and started hitting the motorist.

“What are you doing!” yelled the motorist. The officer replied, “Do you want me to slow down or stop?”

Turn Unused Gift Cards Into Cash

More than $1 billion on gift cards goes unredeemed annually. If you don’t want the card, you can sell or exchange it at websites like:

♦ www.plasticjungle.com. Sell gift cards worth at least $25 for approved

merchants for a percentage of the face value. Receive your funds through PayPal, by check, or in the form of an Amazon.com gift card.

♦ www.cardpool.com. Use this worldwide exchange to sell your gift cards for cash and earn up to 92% cash back.

♦ www.raise.com. Choose your own price rather than relying on the website to tell you what % of the face value you can earn.

Should You Give Your

Postal Code At A Store?

When you buy something and you’ve swiped your card, the salesperson may ask for your postal code. The store has your name, card number and expiration date, but with the postal code it can figure out your address and phone number. It’s beneficial for both you and the store because the store may send you discount coupons and catalogs.

The downside is in the area of privacy. The store could possibly sell your profile to a data broker, a business that sells information to other companies. You can opt out, however, by just saying “No thanks, I’d rather not” when they ask for it.

Here are three times that you do need to give your Postal Code: 1) Credit cards - for security purposes. 2) When shopping online so they know where to ship your purchases. 3) Gas stations use it as a verification system to fight fraud when you pay-at-the-pump.

Get A Free Report on the Last 10 Homes Sold in Your Area: www.WandaClark.com

CARLETON PLACE 4 BDRM,6 Acre $425,000

WATERFRONT Mississippi Lake year round fishing/hunting getaway lodge. Possible inlaw suite.

OTTAWA $600,000 DUPLEX, 3+2 BDRM Ideal Location! Fronts on Experimental Farm. Option for 3rd unit on lower level. Great investment Opportunity!

Feature Properties

ORLEANS $159,900 1 BDRM RENOVATED

Single looking for something special? Private balcony overlooking park. Harwood & tile floors

CARP $335,000

4 BDRM BUNGALOW Upscale home with quality lifestyle & ease of maintenance. Cathedral Ceilings. Fireplace. Fully finished lower level.

Thanks For Thinking of Me! Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services.

Brain Teaser Answer: $13,212

Best Time To Drink Coffee Do you have a cup of coffee to wake you up first thing in the morning? Turns out your cortisol levels naturally peak between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. So have your coffee between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., which should give you an energy jolt before your body’s next natural energy spike at noon.

Do You Have Any Of These? • Pentheraphobia – The persistent

fear of your mother-in-law

• Technophobia – Fear of technology

• Pteronophobia – Fear of being tickled by feathers

• Arachibutyrophobia – Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth

• Phobophobia – Fear of phobias

THANK YOU for reading my Service For Life!

® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Your constructive feedback is always welcome.

AND…whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, or just want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you…

Wanda Clark & TeamWanda Clark & TeamWanda Clark & TeamWanda Clark & Team Keller Williams VIP Realty, Keller Williams VIP Realty, Keller Williams VIP Realty, Keller Williams VIP Realty, BrokerageBrokerageBrokerageBrokerage

Independently Owned and OperatedIndependently Owned and OperatedIndependently Owned and OperatedIndependently Owned and Operated

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Wanda Clark - Broker

Miette Driver - Sales Rep

Wanda@WandaClark.comWanda@WandaClark.comWanda@WandaClark.comWanda@WandaClark.com

www.WandaClark.comwww.WandaClark.comwww.WandaClark.comwww.WandaClark.com Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.

Real Estate Corner…

Q. Is Home Ownership Right For You?

A. The differences between renting and buying a home are vast, and there's a long list of pros and cons for both. There is no

one best decision for everyone. Before moving forward…

… Here are 4 Questions to ask yourself: 1) Do you have the necessary financial management skills? 2) How financially stable are you? 3) Are you ready to take on the responsibility & costs involved in

homeownership, including: mortgage payments, repairs, & maintenance? 4) Are you able to devote the time required for home maintenance?

Listen to your heart and take an honest look at your lifestyle before deciding!

Though renovations cost money, you don’t have to wait! Ask about The

Canadian Home Renovation Plan that will provide up to 10% of your purchase price to customize ANY home to your taste! It is an easy, hassle free program you can use at the time of purchase of your new home.

Do you have a question you want answered? Just call me at

613-721-7417. Perhaps I’ll feature it in my next issue!

The winner of last month’s trivia question: Garth Kewley How Many Oceans Border Canada

a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4

Answer: c) 3. The Pacific, The Atlantic, and The Arctic. So, let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

Here is this month’s question:

How Many Time Zones does Canada Have?

a) 5 b) 5.5 c) 6 d) 7

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Enter to Win A Gas Card We will draw the winner’s name from all correct answers