The Canada Mortgage and Hosing Corporation (CMHC) has released their "Rental Market Report" for Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo and Guelph CMAs. The complete 2011 report can be downloaded (PDF) here.

Some highlights of this rental market documents include:

• The average vacancy rate in Waterloo Region and area (Kitchener CMA) moved lower to 1.7 per cent.

When I bought my house in Laurelwood about 10 years ago, it was among the first built on the block in a new section of the neigbourhood. I confess I was, at the time, largely attracted by the affordability of the home compared to some other new construction I was considering at the time (I needed a new home out of consideration for my children's allergies and asthma) and by the proximity to the Laurel Creek Conservation area.

For the first few years we lived with construction dust and building traffic but also enjoyed frequent wild animal sightings on the construction site(foxes, raccoons, deer, snapping turtles, frogs, to name a few.)!

This service includes both the Grand River Transit Service and the Go Transit Service.

Here is a link to use on your web browser: Google Transit

You can use the service on your mobile device here: Google Transit Mobile

The first one can be viewed here: KWhomes.mobi This site will allow to search for properties that for sale on the local MLS® system. You can get the basic details of those listings along with photographs and a map link.

The other version is available to buyers that have obtained a personal "User Code" from a REALTOR®. This version gives you all the features that you obtain by using the above version, plus additional detailed information about each listing.

Contact Tracey today at Tracey-Appleton@ColdwellBanker.ca to obtain your User Code for the second mobile website. After you obtain your code visit KWhomes.mobi, enter your code in the box and press the "Login" button. You now have the details of any MLS® listing in Kitchener-Waterloo and area at your fingertips on your mobile phone, PDA or smartphone!

If you are familiar with QR Codes, here is one that will take you directly to KWhomes.mobi. Try it now!

A fire extinguisher can save lives and property, but you have to use it properly. When used properly, a fire extinguisher can keep small fires from becoming big ones.

If you are attending Conestoga College and are looking for a place to live, here is the first website to check out.