Time-of-use pricing has come into effect for smart meter users in Ontario. Time-of-use pricing is designed to encourage Ontarians to shift some electricity use to off-peak hours by better reflecting the way the electricity market works. Prices rise and fall over the course of the day and tend to drop overnight and on weekends based on levels of supply and demand.

Under current rates, Ontario homes with smart meters will pay 5.1 cents per kilo-watt hour (kWh) during “off peak” hours and 9.9 cents/kWh for “on peak” hours. During the winter months, off peak hour rates will be charged from 9pm to 7am, while peak hour rates will be charged from 7am to 11am and 5pm to 9pm.
About a million households are on smart meters across the province. To learn more visit the Ontario Energy Board’s website.

Many people go back and forth on whether or not they should try to buy a home. There are definitely certain economic climates that are better for sellers, and are there others that are better for buyers. As you may have noticed, home prices have come down dramatically in many areas recently. This is due to the current economic climate, and the fact that more homes are on the market than there are buyers. This can mean great things for you! Now is a great time to buy a Mississauga home.

You can likely qualify for more home than you would have just a few short years ago. Many sellers have had to lower their prices in order to entice buyers. That means you can get more home for your money!

Of course, you definitely need a good real estate agent by your side so that you can find these homes, and there are some good bargains out there in you know where to look. Consider contacting Lea Jensen today for a no pressure question-and-answer session to help you wrap your mind around the possibility of buying a home.

People who visit here know that it is an absolutely wonderful place to be. The people who are able to call Mississauga their home often wouldn’t want to ever live anywhere else! If it’s time for you to find your perfect home in Mississauga too, it’s important to firm up what your exact needs are in a home.

First of all, if you have children, schools are definitely something you’ll need to take into consideration. You may want to visit local schools to see what will fit your needs the best. Also, consider how close your new home will be to afterschool activities your children might take part in. Children often enjoy living in neighborhoods so they can easily interact with other children their age.

A huge consideration for many families buying a home (especially in these economic times) is how much they can expect their ideal home to cost. Housing prices are generally lower than they have been in recent years, but you’ll still need to consider what you’re qualified for, and how much home you actually want to spend. Location has a lot to do with the price of the home, and you can get some great deals when you take this into consideration.

Also, think about any special things you might need. For example, determine how much storage space you will want. The layout of the home should also be able to accommodate your daily activities. If you tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and there is no pantry, that would tend to be a problem for you in the long run! As you examine each home, think about your day-to-day lifestyle, what everyone in your family needs, and how much you can afford.

This can seem quite overwhelming! That’s why it is highly recommended that you work with a qualified Realtor to guide you through this process. The right Realtor for you will take the time to examine all of your needs and to find you the perfect home. They will work tirelessly to get you everything you want and need in a home. Sure, these days it’s easy to search for a home yourself on the Internet. However, you’ll be spending a lot of time needlessly searching, and you won’t have access to the listings go super fast that might be perfect for you. Leah Jensen is your Realtor of choice, so give her a call or fill out a contact form today so you can find your next home as quickly as possible.