Christmas in Canada

Santa Claus

This jolly old elf originates in the country of Turkey, with Nicholas, born to very wealthy parents in the 3rd century. Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. The anniversary of his death, December 6, AD 343, became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas' Day. This day is still celebrated in Europe. St Nicholas was transported to the new world with the earliest European settlers. 

It's been a long journey from St. Nicholas, who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary kindness and generosity, to North America's jolly Santa Claus. For indeed, St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live. A priest, a bishop, Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the center of his life, his ministry, his entire existence. Families, churches, and schools are embracing true St Nicholas traditions as one way to claim the true center of Christmas'the birth of Jesus. Such a focus helps restore balance to increasingly materialistic and stress-filled Advent and Christmas seasons.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a symbol for peace and joy, the idea of which originated in the ancient times of the Druids. Whenever enemies met under mistletoe in the forest, they had to lay down their arms and observe a truce until the next day.

From this came the custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses as a sign of friendship and goodwill. In the 18th Century, these kisses between a man and a woman were considered a promise to marry. At Christmas a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe couldn't refuse to be kissed. It was believed that if the girl remained unkissed, she wouldn't marry the following year.

Mistletoe Legend
When Balder, the son of the Norse goddess Frigga, was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe by Loki, an evil spirit, she wept tears of white berries which brought him back to life. Overjoyed, Frigga blessed the plant and bestowed to kiss all who passed beneath it.

Poinsettias
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and are named after America's first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He brought the plant to the U.S. in 1828 where it was renamed in his honor. The plant is a member of the purge family and has small yellow flowers surrounded by large, tapering red leaves. The large leaves look like petals and are often mistaken as the flower.

The first association between the poinsettia and Christmas was in the 1700's. The people in Mexico called it the "flower of the blessed night" because it resembled the Star of Bethlehem. The red color also goes with Christmas. Once the plant was brought to the US, it was quickly adopted as the Christmas flower.

Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated in Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Boxing Day falls on December 26th, the day after Christmas. It is also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (the first Christian martyr).
The term, "Boxing Day", may come from the opening of church poor boxes on that day. Boy apprentices collected money in earthenware boxes at the doors of their masters' clients. The traditional celebration of Boxing Day includes giving money and other gifts to charitable, needy people, and people in service jobs. The holiday originated from the middle ages (A.D. 400's-1500's).Nowadays, gifts (boxes) are given to those who provide services throughout the year. People "box up" unwanted clothes and other things and give them to the poor.

The Agency Relationship

Licensees (licensed real estate agents) may or may not have an agency relationship with you. If you are a client, there will be an agency relationship. If you are a customer, there is no agency relationship.
As a client, the salesperson and brokerage have a much higher level of responsibility to you than if you are a customer. The following sections give an explanation of agency and the obligations agents have to both clients and customers.

Seller or Buyer Agency - with you as the client

Most sellers and buyers have agency relationship with the licensees they are using. When you are in an agency relationship with a brokerage, the licensee has the authority to represent you in dealings with others. Brokerages and their salespeople are legally obligated to protect and promote the interests of their principals (clients). Specifically, the licensee has the following duties:

• Undivided loyalty - The licensee must protect the principal's negotiating position at all times, and disclose all known facts which may affect or influence the principal's decision.
  
• To obey all lawful instructions of the principal
  
• An obligation to keep the confidences of the principal
  
• The exercise of reasonable care and skill in performing all assigned duties
  
• The duty to account for all money and property placed in a licensee's hands while acting for the principal.

You can expect competent service from your agent, knowing that the brokerage is bound by ethics and the law to be honest and thorough in representing a buyer or representing a property listed for sale. Both the buyer and seller can be represented by their own agents in a single transaction.

Buyer Agency

A real estate company acting as a "buyer's agent" must do what is best for the buyer. A written contract, called a buyer agency agreement, establishes buyer agency, and explains the following points:

• What services the company will provide
• Establishes a fee arrangement for the Realtor's services
• Specifies what obligations a buyer may have

Typically, buyers will be obliged to work exclusively with that company for a period of time. Confidences a buyer shares with the buyer's agent must be kept confidential. Although confidential information about the buyer cannot be disclosed, a seller working with a buyer's agent can expect to be treated fairly and honestly.

Seller Agency

When a real estate company is a 'seller's agent,' it must do what is best for the seller of a property. A written contract, called a listing agreement, establishes seller agency, and explains the following points:

• What services the company will provide

• Establishes a fee arrangement for the Realtor's services

• Specifies what obligations a seller may have

A seller's agent must tell the seller anything known about a buyer. For instance, if a seller's agent knows a buyer is willing to offer more for a property, that information must be shared with the seller. Confidences a seller shares with a seller's agent must be kept confidential from potential buyers and others. Although confidential information about the seller cannot be discussed, a buyer working with a seller's agent can expect fair and honest service from the seller's agent and disclosure of pertinent information about the property.

Limited Dual Agency

Dual agency occurs when a licensee (one brokerage) is representing both the buyer and seller in the same transaction. Since the agent has promised a duty of confidentiality, loyalty and full disclosure to both parties simultaneously, it is necessary to limit these duties in this situation, if both parties consent.

If you find yourself involved in a dual agency relationship, before making or receiving an offer, both you and the other party will be asked to consent in writing to this new limited agency relationship.

This relationship involves the following limitations:

• The Agent will deal with the Seller and the Buyer impartially
• The Agent will have a duty of disclosure to both the Seller and the Buyer except that,
     - The Agent will not disclose that the Buyer is willing to pay a price or agree to terms other than those contained in the Offer, or that the Seller is willing to accept a price or terms other than those contained in the Listing
     - The Agent will not disclose the motivation of the Buyer to buy or the Seller to sell unless authorized by the Buyer or Seller
     - The Agent will not disclose personal information about either the Buyer or the Seller unless authorized in writing
• The Agent will disclose to the buyer defects about the physical condition of the property known to the Agent
• The Agent may disclose all comparable property information to the Buyer and the Seller at any time
• The Agent will not be required to disclose to the Buyer or the Seller confidential information obtained through any other existing or former agency relationship

When there is no Agency Relationship

You may choose to use the services of a licensee without having any kind of agency relationship. This might occur, for example, when you are being shown a property by the Seller's agent.

The Licensee you choose to work with in this manner has a legal and ethical duty to provide you with accurate, honest answers to your questions and can provide all these services:

• Explain real estate terms and practices
• Provide and explain forms used
• Assist you in screening and viewing properties
• Inform you of lenders and their policies
• Identify and estimate costs involved in a transaction
• Assist you in establishing your range of affordability
• Prepare offers or counter offers at your direction
• Present all offers promptly

A licensee who is not your agent cannot:

• Recommend or suggest a price
• Negotiate on your behalf
• Inform you of his/her principal's top/bottom line
• Disclose any confidential information about his/her principal unless otherwise authorized

You should not provide a licensee who is not your agent with any information that you would not provide directly to his or her principal.

All Buyers and Sellers, whether in an agency relationship with an agent or not, will be given an agency brochure and asked to sign an acknowledgement that they have been provided this agency information and had an opportunity to review it.

If you want me, and the most professional real estate services, please pick up the phone and call.  I'll be right there.

- Thomas