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Monday, December 17, 2012

December's Night Sky News

Jupiter Brightens 
The planet lies in Taurus the Bull, and is about 30 times more brilliant than the brightest star in that constellation, Aldebaran the Bull’s eye. Look for Jupiter in the east at sunset, you cannot miss it. Jupiter is a great target for beginners. You’ll be able to spot its dark equatorial cloud belts and lighter zones with a small telescope and even be able to see its four major moons with binoculars if you steady them. I remember like it was yesterday, almost 15 years ago. Jupiter was in the same location in the sky with Saturn closeby and the Northern Lights dancing around the pair. What a beautiful sight!
Comet ISON
If we are lucky in the fall of 2013 we may see this comet become bright enough to be seen in daylight. Discovered on September 21, 2012, comet ISON has an orbit similiar to the Great Comet of 1680 which could be seen in daylight. It might burst into brilliance as it rounds our Sun, or become a dud. I love comets, so let us wait and see.


www.jeffreyboylin.com

Friday, December 14, 2012

Good News For Home Owners and Buyers!

Sales Dip in November while Selling Prices Increase

Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 5,793 sales in November 2012 – down by 16 per cent compared to November 2011.

Transactions have been down on a year-over-year basis since June, after being up substantially in the last half of 2011 and the first half of 2012. Some buyers pulled forward their decision to purchase, which has impacted sales levels in the second half of 2012.

I've heard buyers say they will wait for property prices to fall. Mistake! You can see from this report that although the average price only rose by 1.6% anually, in fact property values for what the average buyer seeked this year, rose on average by 6%. I don't see this trend stopping. I believe in the Town of Georgina we can expect the average increase in house prices in 2013 to out pace the average increase of the Toronto Real Estate Boards benchmark price index. The reason is affordable average sale prices to begin with and a safe quick commute to the work place. There has never been a better time to buy a home. Speak to a Realtor who can actually interpret the statistics.

Stricter mortgage lending guidelines, including a reduced maximum amortization period and a purchase price ceiling of one-million dollars for government insured mortgages, have prompted some buyers to move to the sidelines. This situation has been exacerbated in the City of Toronto because the additional upfront Land Transfer Tax takes money away from buyers that otherwise could be used for a larger down payment.

The average selling price was up by 1.6 per cent annually to $485,328.

The moderate annual rate of price growth compared to previous months was largely due to a different mix in detached home sales this year compared to last, particularly in the City of Toronto. The share of detached homes that sold for over one-million dollars was down substantially, which influenced the overall average price.

The MLS detached benchmark price, which tracks the price for a home with the same attributes over time, was up by almost six per cent in Toronto, suggesting that market conditions for low-rise homes remain quite tight despite a changing mix of sales.

Seasons Greeting!

Jeff


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Tonight through Dec 17! The Geminid meteor shower peaks the night of December 13/14, when you could see up to 120 meteors per hour.
The Geminids are so named because of the general direction where the meteors appear to radiant from. That is, the boundary of the Constellation Gemini the Twins. Look east well above the horizon and look for the brightest object you can see. That bright orb will be Jupiter. Gemini is the constellation just to the left and below. After midnight, look generally straight overhead and high in the western sky. This is when you will be most likely to see the most meteors.
 Geminid meteors are relatively slow moving, and many leave smoke trails that can last a number of seconds. In 2012, the shower will be active from about December 4 to 17, but the peak (the best time to see them) occurs the night of December 13 and the morning of December 14. The Geminid meteor shower has a long duration so observers should see an excellent show all night. You will need a darker site to observe from.
The Geminid shower is one of the most active of any year and usually produces a good percentage of bright meteors, so it's worth watching. This year, however, conditions are excellent.
“You don't need optical aid to observe this Shooting Star Event. Your eyes alone work best for meteor showers because they don't restrict your field of view, although binoculars will help you follow any long-lived smoke trails.  
Give your eyes time to adjust for the night sky and stay warm.