Tag Archives: predictions

Kingston, ON Housing Market 2011 – My Predictions

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Here are my five predictions for the Kingston housing market in 2011.

1. The number of new MLS listings of existing homes during 2011 will grow by 5.5% to a projected 6,890. The number of sales of existing homes will decline slightly (-3.1%) to a projected 3,100. The market will be getting a little more competitive for sellers. If you are listing your home in 2011, consider measures such as staging to help ensure it will be one of the 45% of listings which will actually sell.

2. The rate of price growth for homes will stabilize to follow inflation in 2011. Don’t assume past price growth rates still apply and make the mistake of initially pricing your home too high.

3. Overall new housing starts will continue to decline gradually reflecting demographic demands. The decline in starts for single detached homes will be partly offset by increased starts for multiple unit dwellings.

4. The population of Kingston area is projected to grow by 500 net, particularly in the 45 plus age group. Bungalows, condominiums and maintenance free home features will continue to be popular.

5. Mortgage rates are expected to remain flat. Unemployment rates are expected to remain below 6% and employment will gradually begin to increase in 2011. Our present level of activity in the housing market is projected to be quite sustainable.

These predictions are based on CMHC semi-annual report “Housing Market Outlook, Kingston, Fall 2010″. You can download the full report here: https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/catalog/productDetail.cfm?cat=99&itm=19&lang=en&fr=1294067907339

Colour Trends for 2011 – Some Interesting Links

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bright coloured clothes on a line

2011 Colour Trends are more cheerful

While the colour guru’s have already planned our palettes far into 2012 and beyond, most of us don’t pay much attention to what we can expect for the new year until right around the end of the old one. Here is the forecast for colours in 2011. They are not so much trendy as they are simply building on previous trends developed over the past two or three years.

Several companies release useful information on predicted colour trends. None conflict. They are just different ways of describing what’s happening. In each release for 2011, there are a selection of bright and clear hues as well as many sun faded, dusty shades.

Pantone has declared Honeysuckle Pantone 12-2120 their colour of the year. It’s a vibrant pinkish red. You can download the Pantone Spring Palette here http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/FCR_SPRING_2011.pdf You’ll see it’s a mix of warm and cool colours which will combine with last winters colours to give your spring wardrobe a lift.

Branding experts at Landor Associates have released an interesting report predicting trends many areas, including colours. It’s available here: http://landor.com/index.cfm?do=thinking.article&storyid=837&sct=8&s=8&a=229 Colour expert, Jack Bredenfoerder, catalogues his predictions using an analogy to fire. He tells us we’ll see fire-inspired reds, oranges and ambers, and lighter golden browns. Bright clean blues continue, more aquatic and watery in balance to the fire colours. Greens are reminiscent of the forest floor. Grey’s continue in charcoal, smoke and ash and graphite black. Some taupes and browns are back. The purples will take on more lavender and blue tones as you might see at the bottom of a flame.

If you subscribe to the newsletter on this blog, http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/ you can download the Sensational Color for Your Home 2010/2011 Trends Report. It’s well illustrated with examples of the 2011 colours used in various rooms.

Benjamin Moore’s website shows three collections in their Envision 2011. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=fh_color_hiddenPage&np=public_site%2Fapplications%2Fcolor_collections%2FEnvisionColor2011#/view_swatches/view_all/2116-20/ Their colour of the year is vintage wine, a rich hue with deep brown base and hint of smoky violet.

Sherwin Williams has four downloadable colour cards for their four palettes. Start here http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/paint_colors/explore/paint_color_trends/2011/index.jsp You’ll see there are two with bold and bright colours and two with soft and faded.

ICI-Dulux colour of the year 2011 in this teapot

ICI-Dulux colour of the year 2011 in this teapot

ICI/Dulux has a downloadable Color Futures 2011 report here: http://www.colourfutures.com/ It’s a good one to provide ideas on how to combine the various new colours into room schemes. Be sure to also download the Notebook from the same page. Their pick for colour of the year is a light airy citrus yellow with a slight green edge.

While the colours have evolved a little from the previous year they are not abruptly different. However, I find the overall feeling much more optimistic compared to the drab greys and near blacks that have predominated in our stores all winter. It will be uplifting to watch their arrival.