Jane Nichols

Do you know the 5 Signs of a Stroke?

2012-05-09T22:41:00Z

We all need to know the 5 signs of stroke for many of us will have a stroke or will witness a family member or friend/anyone having one.

I have a family member, my husband who had a stroke on a business trip in Russia. None of his colleagues knew what to look for or how to help him out. He was even left alone for awhile and when he was taken to the hospital, the hospital staff were unware of what had happened. We are somewhat fortune in Canada to have equipment, hospital staff, doctors who are well trained to help stroke victoms but in my case we were less fortune. I was told he wasn't going to survive and to be prepared.

We were lucky for my husband's company has offices in London, England and we took a chance to move my husband to London, England from Russia. I flew to London while he was flown from Russia. Fortunately, he was sent to one of the best hospitals in London. While there he had a couple operations, was in a coma for 2 weeks and hooked up to every type of machine possible to help him. The doctors suggested my children come over to see their father for he might not survive. It certainly was tough going. Eventually he came out of the coma and started to recognize me,had to learn to talk again,eat on his own,walk on his own,wash himself etc. This took him many,many months--probably more then 6 months. We brought him back to Canada 3 months after his stroke. He could not come home for another 3 months. I experienced how poor, understaffed our hospitals are, not able to handle very ill patients. I was expected to spend most of the day at the hospital but of course I would be. However when I did go home for a sleep or other responsibles, I was called saying what should we do with my husband for he was restless etc.I never had to deal with this issue in London for they knew how to handle things. He eventually went downtown to the Toronto Rehab for a month. The Toronto Rehab had many issues, it was overcrowded, not enough staff and family members had to be there alot of the time. I was even appauled what was fed to the patients. One Friday night, they gave chicken nuggets to the patients. I couldn't believe it. I also discovered that not many family members came to visit. This is just awful. What is wrong with our society?

It has been 8 years since my husband had his stroke. I hope no one ever has to deal with what I went through--emotionally;stressful, abusive etc. My husband has never been able to go back to work(which he wanted too so much-couldn't understand it and never will); he has short term memory problems, cognitive issues, no reasoning, His past memory is better than most of us. Unfortunately, he dosen't do much, we have to suggest things. He loves music listens to BNN, uses his computer to read Economist, sometimes goes for walks. Though, the family is so glad to have him still with us. However it can be trying at times. I know it bothers the family that he isn't doing much but in my husband's mind life stands still.

I would love for no one to have a stroke but maybe if we all know the symptoms we can save a life.

Please let me know your thoughts, experiences that you have dealt with. There really isn't much help out there. I have gone to many support groups and even paid for support.

Please take care.

Jane

What are the five signs of stroke?

Stroke can be treated. That's why it is so important to recognize and respond to the warning signs.

If you experience any of these symptoms call 911 immediately or you witness this, please call. You might save a life.

Legalize Basement Apartments

2012-05-01T23:32:00Z

Pressure builds in Brampton to pass basement suite bylaw

Published On Wed Apr 18 2012

Brampton residents are riled up over an issue that has divided the city along cultural lines, with immigrant groups demanding that basement apartments be legalized while others remain steadfastly opposed. "Immigrants want the basement apartments; they need them," says Councillor Vicky Dhillon. "There's intolerance from some people."

The Ontario government has passed legislation that came into effect the beginning of the year and required municipalities to legalize basement apartments. It was seen as a way to help cut waiting lists for affordable housing but many people in Brampton expressed concern that driveways, front lawns and residential streets would be overrun with cars, and garbage would be piled up along the sides of homes.

Councillor Grant Gibson, chair of the city's bylaw committee, says residents are also worried about overcrowding at schools and safety issues, specifically fire code violations.Others question whether property tax formulas could be adjusted to account for additional tenants using municipal services.

While Gibson acknowledges it's a "huge issue in Brampton," he backs away from any suggestion that it has divided the city's immigrant communities from those who have lived there for decades.

Rajinder Saini thinks otherwise. "It's as if the city doesn't want certain people here," says the head of the Parvasi Media Group and host of a popular Punjabi radio show in Brampton.

But Saini agrees with Gibson about the enormity of the issue. "Most newcomers can't afford new houses or high rents."

Major Singh, who has advocated for legal basement apartments for more than 15 years, says the demand goes beyond Brampton's immigrant groups. "Seniors who need affordable housing or the extra income, and single-parent families, are desperate."

Peel Region is experiencing a crisis in affordable housing, with a waiting list of more than 21 years.

Singh says it's also in keeping with the province's mandate for intensification and managed growth across southern Ontario."I started in a basement apartment more than 20 years ago, then I moved up. It's the natural progression for immigrants," he said. Gibson agrees, but questions how the city might guarantee safety standards such as proper fire exits and ventilation for cooking appliances.

Dhillon says there are upwards of 30,000 illegal basement apartments in Brampton, which pose a bigger safety risk because they are unregulated.The province's legislation states municipalities can tailor their legal basement bylaws to suit the community.

Toronto already has a bylaw that allows basement apartments, while Vaughan, Mississauga and others are quickly moving toward compliance.

"It's a safety issue for a lot of people in Brampton," Gibson says. "I hope the report we get next week will address a lot of these issues. Then we're going to start a series of public consultations into the summer. We want to inform the public, then hear from them and act. We have to move forward with this."

Source: The Toronto Star

Government Buildings are in Need of Repair

2012-04-23T19:33:00Z

Thousands of buildings owned by Ottawa are crumbling and need repair, database shows

Published On Sat Apr 21 2012

The West Block of Parliament Hill in Ottawa is one of 120 fully occupied office buildings run by Public Works that are in a state of serious disrepair. Renovations are expected to be completed by 2017.

Nearly 5,000 federal buildings and homes are in serious disrepair, a national database shows.

The RCMP headquarters in Ottawa, Parliament’s West Block and other office towers in the capital’s core are at “high risk of building system failure,” according to data from the Treasury Board, which monitors federal real estate.

In Ottawa, workers occupying federal offices told the Toronto Star of malfunctioning elevators and undrinkable water.

Michel Duquet, executive director of the Canadian Historical Association, said he is “not at all surprised” that his agency’s former office building at 344 Wellington St. — also known as West Memorial — is classified as critical.

“I remember piles and piles of spring water coolers supplied for free. We couldn’t drink the water there,” said Duquet, whose association relocated to a healthier, new space.

“I did not feel safe when I went into their elevators,” said Lyne Larente, an administrator with Library and Archives Canada, which has also relocated.

Also topping the list:

• More than 2,300 National Defence buildings, including housing for soldiers and their families on military bases in Ontario and beyond.

More than 370 buildings run by the Correctional Service of Canada, including prisons, treatment centres and staff training compounds.

More than 600 structures maintained by Parks Canada, including cottages, recreation halls and amphitheatres.

West Memorial, an official heritage site erected in the early 1960s as a tribute to those killed during World War II, “has not been upgraded in any significant way since then,” said Mélanie Bergeron McAndrew, a spokeswoman for Public Works and Government Services Canada.

It is one of about 120 office sites run by the department that are listed in poor or critical condition.

Currently vacant, West Memorial is scheduled for major renovations within the next five years, McAndrew said.

The federal real estate directory holds data on nearly 40,000 owned and leased government buildings across the country.

An official appointed by the custodian for a particular building, typically a Crown corporation or federal department, must classify the condition of the structure and report that information to the Treasury. Sites may be ranked as good, fair, poor or critical. The ranking is reviewed annually.

Both poor and critical designations describe properties with “serious signs of deterioration.”

The Treasury defines critical sites as those where “operational and maintenance costs are high with frequent emergency maintenance and repair required. Risk of building and building systems failure is high.”

Of 2,302 military buildings operated by the Department of National Defence, 665 are housing units in poor condition.

A hundred of the Canadian military’s substandard housing units are at Camp Borden, 15 kilometres west of Barrie. The base has 744 homes in total.

On a street called Walcheren Loop, an army wife who shares a two-storey home with her husband and children told the Star she has been waiting nearly four years for the Canadian Forces Housing Agency to fix the wonky concrete steps that lead to her backyard.

“Whenever I ask, they always say it’s about budget,” said the woman, who asked that her name not be used.

The Department of National Defence said plans to repair, demolish or replace housing are prioritized case by case.

“Tactical priorities, funding availability, as well as the assets’ overall condition, suitability, compliance and utilization levels are also taken into consideration,” DND spokeswoman Nancy Cook said in an email.

RCMP headquarters — the L.H. Nicholson Building — at 1200 Vanier Pky. in Ottawa has been listed in critical condition for years.

In 2009, as part of the federal Economic Action Plan, Public Works pledged to invest nearly $90 million to repair and restore properties across Ottawa, including the RCMP headquarters. More than $6 million was spent on renovations at 1200 Vanier, it said.

Three years later, the RCMP is moving out.

A police spokeswoman said the building’s “capacity and systems no longer meet the long-term demands placed upon the RCMP in today’s policing environment.”

The new location for the headquarters at 73 Leikin Dr. “has allowed the RCMP to consolidate many of its programs and functions which were located in several facilities around the National Capital Region,” Cpl. Laurence Trottier said.

The last group of about 3,000 employees is expected to move in by the end of this year. The new building is owned by Minto Developments Inc.

As for what will become of the soon-to-be vacant space at 1200 Vanier, Public Works said it is “currently reviewing its options for the future of the asset and, as such, a new tenant has not been identified.”

Public Works is also responsible for the West Block of Parliament, another federal heritage site, which was slated to be part of a $5-billion, 25-year plan to renovate Parliament Buildings.

Renovations hit a snag after reports came out in 2010 that the $9-million contract to renovate part of the West Block went to a Montreal construction company after its owner, Paul Sauvé, allegedly paid off a Tory-connected businessman.

Trottier would not confirm whether the RCMP is still investigating.

Public Works said renovations across the entire building are expected to be completed by 2017.

The National Capital Commission operates more than 200 facilities categorized as poor and critical. While many are agricultural storage facilities, barns and silos, some of the properties are tenanted housing.

Repairs to the homes’ foundations and roofs have been completed in six of the department’s 15 tenanted homes, which are located in the Ottawa greenbelt or Gatineau Park, NCC spokesman Jean Wolff said.

Similar work is underway or remains to be started in the other nine houses, he said.

Just because a National Capital Commission property is graded poor does not mean it is unlivable, Wolff said.

The commission’s director of real estate, he explained, will assign a poor designation to a site if its plumbing lines, for example, are “of a certain age” and not necessarily because the plumbing needs to be replaced immediately.

Many properties were purchased in parkland or greenbelt areas, Wolff said, with the intention of demolishing them once the properties had run their use.

It’s part of a plan to “renaturalize” the land, he said.

Data analysis by Andrew Bailey

Comments what should the Government do about these buildings, should they leave them as is,rebuild, tear down?

Suggested April Maintenance List for Your Home by Ideal Building Inspections

2012-04-11T12:09:00Z

April http://www.hometips.ideal-inspect.com/index.htm
Heating system:	Check Operation
Filters:	Check condition, clean or replace
Roofing:	Safely check roofing and flashings
Drainage:	Check surface drainage
Landscaping:	Spring preparation
Lawnmower:	Perform spring tune-up
Garage door:	Check automatic reverse
Sidewalks:	Check for settlement and trip hazards
Exterior drains:	Clean leaves and debris
Exterior faucets:	Re-open water flow
GFCI:	Check for proper operation
Exterior outlets:	Verify functionality and safety
Basement:	Check for new deterioration, cracks and leaks
Fire and safety:	Check Smoke and CO detector condition and test

This was prepared by Ideal Building Inspections by owner Maurice Pinto.

I find having a list like this helps me keep my house in top repair. Hope you find this useful.

Please let me know.

Thanks

Jane

Have you been scammed??

2012-04-08T19:13:00Z

http://www.lockergnome.com/sherman/2012/03/30/old-scams-never-die-at-least-not-while-they-still-work/

Have you ever been a victim of a scam? I almost was a month ago. Someone called me and told me that there was a complaint of what I was using on the internet. I was taken off guard but I acted stupid ( for I realized it must be a scam and told them they had the wrong number and I then hung up). Afterwards, I felt nerviest and called family members and a few friends to talk about this. They all felt it was a scam. Thank goodness, I acted stupid and quickly hung up!!

Please tell me what has happened to you for all of us most be ready for these scams for they are increasing.

Jane

Spring Energy Savings Programs

2012-04-03T21:37:00Z

Hey, what about saving on energy for our home.

Please write and tell me what you think and if these programs are worth doing.

Jane

Spring Energy Savings Programs

This spring take advantage of these three easy ways to save energy at home.

1. saveONenergy peaksaverPLUS^®

Sign up for peaksaverPLUS^® and receive a free programmable thermostat valued at $250. You can program it from home or anywhere you have internet access.
Depending on how you program your thermostat, you could save up to 10% on your year-round heating and cooling costs.

To learn more about the program and to sign up, visit www.HydroOne.com/peaksaverPLUS or call 1-866-380-6051.

2. saveONenergy Fridge and Freezer Pickup

Have your old fridge and freezer removed and recycled for free. It could be adding up to $125 to your electricity bill every year.

You can book your free pickup at www.HydroOne.com/FridgePickup or call 1-877-797-9473.

3. saveONenergy Coupon Event – Ends April 29

Coupons with values ranging from $1 to $10 are available for a limited time for CFL bulbs, energy-efficient fixtures, timers, dimmer switches, indoor motion sensors, power bars and clotheslines.

More information and participating retailers at www.HydroOne.com/coupons or call 1-888-664-9376.

For other energy saving programs and tips, visit www.HydroOne.com/ConserveAtHome.

From Hydro One

Fraudsters use Realtor Reputations for online scam.

2012-03-28T12:04:00Z

By Carrie Brodi

Realtor Kari Calder has done everything right. An agent with Century 21 Fusion in Saskatoon, she created an attractive and searchable website and built a solid reputation in her community.

But last month her credibility was jeopardized when someone operating from across the world attempted to illegally offer one of her listed properties for rent. Posing as Calder, and armed with little more than a fake Hotmail account and a Kijiji ad, the individual cut and paste text and photos from a syndicated website and posted the home for rent on Saskatoon’s Kijiji website. The offer was too good to be true from the start.

“A large three-bedroom, three-bathroom double-attached-garage home for $1,000 per month including utilities is an unheard of deal in Saskatoon’s tight rental market,” says Calder.

Call it wishful thinking, but many hopefuls still called and some even visited the property, wanting to be shown the interior.

The ad caught up with Calder a few days after it was posted when she received a call from an interested renter who claimed to have been corresponding with Calder for three days prior.

“I am a busy Realtor, but not that busy that I wouldn’t remember having emailed this woman,” she says. Calder asked to see the emails. The return address was her first and last name at yahoo.com. It wasn’t unheard of to see one of her listings posted for rent on Kijiji, but the crime had been taken to a new level through the use of her name.

Shaking and livid, Calder’s immediate concern was for those who may have sent the requested wire transfer of a $1,000 deposit in exchange for – they promised – keys to the home. Her next thought was how this could damage her reputation.

“I said, ‘That’s it. We’re shutting them down. They aren’t going to gain momentum with my name because if they get away with it with me, how many other Realtors are they going to start impersonating?’” she says.

Calder took decisive action, posting a notice about the scam on her website and advising the homeowner to put a notice on her front door. She had the ad removed from Kijiji and notified the local police and the media. Still, people continued to call and visit.

One was Mike Bloomquist, a father who was excited at the prospect of moving his growing family into a bigger home. “I thought it was the break we were looking for,” he says. But as he began to correspond with the crooks, his suspicions grew. “As I read further into their responses, the alarm bells started to go off. For example, they said the owners were in Africa doing ‘God’s work’ and kept talking about needing someone to trust with their home. They also said they had the keys with them overseas and I thought that was really strange.”

Luckily, Bloomquist went the extra step to find Calder’s phone number and verify the authenticity of the ad before going any further. He managed to stay safe, but it isn’t known how many did not.

Calder says this kind of scam is a serious threat to the public and to Realtors across Canada and urges agents to act quickly if this happens to them – or risk serious reputation damage.

“If somebody has sent money and they don’t have a house to go to, they are going to start turning to us as agents, saying, ‘You did this to me’. People always need someone to blame,” she says.

It isn’t much use going to the police after the fact.

“In a situation like this, the police are pretty powerless to do anything,” says Sgt. Brian Trainor, retired fraud detective with the Saskatoon Police Service. “Fraud is a difficult crime to investigate because the perpetrator may be anywhere in the world. Many international frauds are unsolved because of this jurisdictional nightmare.”

Calder says technology is a double-edged sword: both helpful to the process of buying and selling homes and also a breeding ground for identify theft. She suggests watermarking photographs and even keeping the street address private.

“Ultimately, these criminals are only getting more creative and it is up to all of us to be vigilant,” she says. “We need to be good cyber citizens and alert people when we see these frauds. The honest people need to take care of the honest people.”

Article from Rem online written by Carrie Brodi

Scotiabank: Risk of dramatic correction in Canadian Housing market is low

2012-03-13T20:49:00Z

Scotiabank: Risk of dramatic correction in Canadian Housing market is low

Decisions, Decisions: Finding the Perfect OutfitScotiabank released their Global Real Estate Trends report yesterday and while their assessment of the Canadian housing market wasn’t all peaches and cream, it was far from the doomsday prophecies some Canadian publications have been bandying about lately.

The Scotiabank economist behind the report, Adrienne Warren, had this to say about the Canadian housing market:

“We expect sales and prices will be relatively flat in the year ahead. Even with interest rates forecast to remain low well into next year, public sector restraint and a lack of pent-up demand will temper both first-time and move-up buyer activity.”

She added that stronger job and income gains and more positive demographic trends favour Western Canadian housing markets.

In her view, a cooling off period is just what the market need to help re-balance housing valuations thus allowing fundamentals like income to catch up to prices.

Writing on the specter of a housing market collapse, Warren contended that the risk of a major price correction is low barring a major economic or financial shock. She also noted that there is little evidence of widespread overbuilding or speculative buying activity.

“Canada’s mortgage market is sound, and delinquency rates are low,” she concluded.

Warren’s report also addressed the Toronto condo boom.

Citing a historically low level of single and semi-detached home construction, coupled with near-all time high apartment unit construction and population growth, she expects high-density living to become increasingly the norm.

She noted that the “aggregate level of unsold inventory is low by historical standards.” While acknowledging the anecdotal reports of investors accounting for a significant share of Toronto condo sales, Warren predicted that many units currently under construction will not be absorbed but instead returned to the rental market.

Good news for renters considering Toronto has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country.

And that’s your daily(ish) dose of economics!

""Scotiabank released report March 12 --from Scotiabank Economist Adrienne Warren""

TD to Halt Non-Prime Mortgage Lending

2012-03-07T16:10:00Z

TD to Halt Non-Prime Mortgage Lending

Canadians are losing another non-prime mortgage lender.

Effective March 31, 2012, TD’s specialty lending division, TD Financing Services, is exiting the non-prime mortgage business.

A spokesperson said, "With today’s announcement, we have eliminated any non-prime lending in mortgages."

The move was made “As part of a regular review of TD’s secured lending risk management strategies."

“Ultimately, we decided it wasn’t a core part of our focus on building a franchise business,” he said, adding that “The (TDFS) portfolio has not grown to an economically viable size.”

TDFS mortgages comprised just 0.2% of TD’s overall mortgage book, he noted. TD says its TDFS customer base was not in the “tens of thousands,” but rather in the “thousands.”

Abnormal defaults were not an issue in this decision. "Our existing (non-prime) portfolio has performed quite well with minimal losses."

“To remain competitive, it would have required us to increase (that) risk profile, something we’re not prepared to do.” (The spokesperson suggested that some non-prime competitors have been doing increasingly higher-risk lending and TD has chosen not to follow.)

Brokers were the main source of volume for TDFS. In an email it sent out earlier today, TD said: “TD Canada Trust remains committed to the mortgage broker industry and this announcement does not affect TD Broker Services.”

For existing customers, "renewals will be offered in the normal course of business."

That said, as with any borrower approaching maturity at a non-prime lender, we’d strongly advise TDFS customers renewing after March 31 to contact a mortgage planner to survey alternative options.

This move has no effect on TDFS’s non-prime auto lending business.

Rob McLister, CMT

Posted in Mortgage Brokers News

What are your comments on this article?

What to Expect in 2012

2012-03-07T15:22:00Z

What to Expect in 2012

According to TREB, prices will continue to grow in 2012. TREB’s Market Watch publications now include an MOI (Months of Inventory) indicator, which shows how long it would take to sell all actively listed homes, on average, assuming an unchanged level of sales and no additional homes being listed. It is calculated by dividing the 12-month moving average of active listings by the 12-month moving average of sales. A shrinking MOI is an indication of a tightening market with fewer listings, ultimately creating competition among buyers and rising prices.

The average MOI was 2.3 months over the last 2 years, according to TREB. During years 2000 through 2007 (leading up to the recession) it was 3.0 months. “The low months of inventory over the past two years resulted from very strong sales relative to the number of homes listed. In 2011 in particular, there was a shortage of listings in the GTA. We continue to experience tight market conditions and considerable upward pressure on the average selling price,” said TREB President Richard Silver.

TREB expects the average price to continue rising in 2012 by approximately 4-percent to around $485,000 based on the current tightness of the market and the continued positive affordability thanks to low mortgage rates. A more moderate price increased compared to the 8-percent spike in 2011.

January 2012 So Far

The results of the first two weeks of January are in. Already, we’re seeing increases and the year has barely begun. GTA Realtors reported 1,506 sales during the first two weeks of 2012, representing a 6-percent increase compared to the same period in 2011. New listings were also up, by 3.7-percent, which could be a sign of a balancing market but not quite yet, as the market continues to lean toward sellers’ market conditions.

The average price for the first two weeks was $444,473, an 8.5-percent increase compared to the same period of 2011. Can’t wait to see what the rest of 2012 brings!

Article: from Sutton Admiral Realty Inc Newsletter

What do you think will happen in 2012? Are you planning on buying or selling?

What New Improvements To Your Home Yield the Best Results!

2012-03-04T20:12:00Z

Kitchens & Bathrooms 75%-100%

Interior % Exterior Painting 50%-100%

Basement Recreation Room 50%-75%

Flooring Upgrades (ceramic, hardwood and premium broadloom) 60%-85%

Gas High Efficient Heating Systems 75%-90%

HIgh Efficient Central Air 75%-90%

Gas Fireplace 50%-85%

Landscaping 25%-50%

Swimming Pools with fencing and decking 50%

Source: Appraisal Institute of Canada -- 2004

Do you agree with this? What are your thoughts or Experience with the above?

Spectacular Waterfront Condos in Toronto

2012-02-27T16:23:00Z

Hello All

You might be interested in this fabulous condo development at Parklawn and Lakeshore.

It's a great opportunity to invest or buy for yourself.

Has great layouts and space. Don't miss this opportunity.
Please contact me for Floorplans and Prices.

Call me anytime

Thanks

Jane Nichols

Sales Representative

Sutton Group-Admiral Realty Inc., Brokerage

janichols@trebnet.com

416 420 3454

Spectacular Triple "A" Real Estate

At The Waterfront

The Skyline Suites

of Toronto at the Waterfront

Suites starting from the mid $200,000’s

The City’s Hottest New Waterfront Address at VIP Prices

Glittering panoramic views of the lake and the city

Luxurious resort style living. Steps to Lake Shore Blvd, the Waterfront, and the Beaches with a short 2 minute walk to the TTC. Walk along the

Martin Goodman Trail, visit the marinas, sailing clubs, shops, restaurants and enjoy the city's finest entertainment and cultural amenities.

*10% DOWN year 1 and 2% CASH BACK

This may be best investment secret of 2012

Developed by Times Group Corporation with over 27 years of experience in residential development

A Striking 36-Storey Showcase of Steel and Glass with Panoramic Views of the City and Lake. Second Floor Rooftop Terrace and BBQ Lounge. Luxurious

Lobby With A 24-Hour Concierge, Organically Landscaped with Spectacular Amenities including a State-of-the-Art Gym and Yoga Studio.

It's a 6 Star Condo in a Million Dollar location!

This is your chance to get in early and invest in the cities booming Waterfront Community at VIP

prices

Do not delay. Register today as this event is guaranteed to fill to capacity.

12PM Sharp

Saturday March 10th, 2012

One Day Only Priority Registration

Key West Sales Centre

36 Parklawn Road, Toronto M8V 1A4

(Parklawn and Lakeshore)

Valet Parking

To Register, & for More Information Call Jane Today at janichols@trebnet.com or contact me directly at 416 420 3454.

I look forward to seeing you all at the event.

*10% down year 1: $5,000 with offer, balance of 5% in 30 days, 5% in 90 days, 2.5% in 370 days, 2.5% in 450 days, 5% on occupancy, 2% cash back.

Representations and information contained herein do not form part of any Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Hersh Litvack sales representative, The Hersh Litvack Team, Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc. Brokerage, Times Group Corporation does not warrant or represent any or all of the figures and statements above. No placement of mortgage is guaranteed and it is the responsibility of each purchaser to arrange suitable financing. You are advised to verify all figures and statements and obtain independent legal advice. Price and availability are subject to change without notice 2012 E.&O.E.

Sell Your House in One Weekend!!!

2012-02-19T00:54:00Z

10 Ways To Make Your House Show Like A Model Home, In One Weekend, For Less Than $200

If you are trying to sell your home then it really pays off to go to a little extra effort to impress your buyers. There have been studies that show it takes buyers only seven seconds to decide whether or not they are going to buy a home once they set foot in a house. That it is why it so crucial to make a good impression and also why “staging” a home for sale is such a fine art.

However not all of us have the cash on hand, or the time and energy, to do things that are really going to flip your home over to the next buyer quickly. For instance, not everybody has the cash on hand to install a brand new flashy Jacuzzi complete with freestanding brass towel warmers and new stone tile floors. However you might have the money on hand to install designer faucets, paint the walls and replace the old iron door handles with trendy new crystal knobs.

Here are some quick and easy ways to make your home show like a model home for under $200. These are easy-to-do tips and the type of thing an interior decorator would advise you to do to help “stage" a property so it is more attractive to buyers. The goal of this “top ten list: is to give you hints on how to make your home show better than your competitor’s home on the real estate market!

1. Clear All Clutter

You can get rid of all of the junk in your home for free. Simply get rid of anything you don’t need and haul it away in your car to the nearest dump or Goodwill. This means getting rid of “stuff” in the front yard, back yard, hallway and basement. Studies have
shown that people perceive clutter as

being indicative of a property that is decrepit or not worth much money. They also associate it with decay and the presence of vermin or bugs.

One thing in particular you need to get rid of is ashtrays. People consider houses that have been smoked in to be less desirable and also smelly.

You should also get rid of all junk in your yard. This includes things like broken garden hoses, old equipment and bicycles.

Even things you are actively using should be tucked out of sight before a house showing. This means clearing your kitchen counter of appliances like George Forman Grills or blenders or anything else that takes up counter space.

Outside you should make sure that your garden hoses are coiled up,

your birdbath is clean of leaves and that you do not have sports equipment or bikes laying around your front porch.

2. Get Rid of Evidence of Pets

If you have a dog or cat send them away for the day. Hide the litter box and any evidence of it’s aroma. Make sure there are no dog *** in the front yard. This type of thing, along with its smells can convince a buyer that there are allergens, mites and pet urea in the house. Houses with more pets are also considered to be less desirable than ones with no pets at all.

3. Get Rid of Evidence of Kids

Get rid of strollers on the porch, inflatable kiddy pools in the back yard and any toys that may be lying around in the hallway. Get rid of baby gates and make sure there are no handprints or crayon drawings on the wall. Studies have also shown that homes that have kid’s stuff strewn about are considered to be less hygienic or valuable than those that don’t.

4. Clean Up the Front Yard and Porches

The front yard and porch are very important as that is what your buyer will first see when they approach the home. Make sure that the grass is cut and that the garden is nicely tended.

If you have to, reseed the lawn and plant a few decorative bushes. It also does not hurt to spruce up the front door with a coat of paint and replace the house number plates and the door knocker with new versions.

It also helps a lot to get rid of dead trees or bushes that may be on the property. Many people associate that with bad luck or a lack of caring for the property.

5. Get Rid of Sunken Paving Stones

The path to your front door and the driveway are also very important. Sunken paving stones or missing rocks make your home look ratty and cheap. It is quite easy to buy new stones, level them and redo these pathways. Curved path ways look more contemporary than ones that are at right angles.

6. Paint Rooms That Need It

If you have a wall that looks scratched up, beaten or damaged you are well advised to paint it. This can go a long way towards making a home look less shabby. You should also make an attempt to plaster any holes or crumbled parts of walls in your home as well. If paint is out of the question then you certainly could make a better impression by covering up flawed walls with wall paper.

7. Replace Some Fixtures

If your chandelier or light fixtures look dated, then go to some trouble to replace them. You can also make a home look more contemporary and like it is worth more money simply by making a few cosmetic changes like changing the light switch plates or electrical plates to designer versions.

8. Change the Faucets and Spouts

Sometimes you can make a kitchen or bathroom look really glamorous simply by changing out your old faucets and spouts for glamorous new ones. There are lots of different styles on the market that can instantly transform a sink into a contemporary silver masterpiece of design and many of these fixtures also cost less than $200. Furthermore it can be quite easy to install these fixtures all by yourself.

A tall spigot on a kitchen sink can make it look suddenly very European and modern. Replacing the shower head in the bathroom with something quite snaky, long and silver with several water flow options can also help it seem more luxurious and expensive.

9. Provide Flowers and Greenery

If you have cleared all the clutter, then you should have a home that looks more simple and kind of Zen in nature. One way to augment this air of designer sophistication is to put flowers or vases of tall grasses in every room.

For instance if you have a dining room table it is quite a good idea to put a display of fruit or flowers on the center table to make it seem more glamorous or traditional. It is also quite chic to place a small display of flowers or bamboo in the bathroom. A rose floating in a bowl of water looks nice reflected in a dresser mirror in a bedroom.

10. Provide Some Aromatherapy

It’s been proven that if an item for sale makes some kind of impression on the nose then people are also more likely to buy it. That is true for small ticket items but it is also true of big things like an entire house.

One of the tricks that professional real estate agents use is to simply bake some cookies in the over so the scent of cinnamon and vanilla fills the air as potential customers walk in the front door. This gives a place a more homey effect.

It is also nice to have aromatherapy candles burning in places like a downstairs bathroom where things might be a little dark. Soy candles are especially aromatic.

If you do not want to spend your time baking you can buy all kinds of professional scents for you home that help it seem more cozy or sophisticated. You can even buy vanilla, cinnamon or apple pie scents that mimic the smells of baking. Tropical scents such as pineapple and mango are also used by professional real estate agents and also the owners of clothing stores to encourage people to buy.

Of course if you do have some money to invest in preparing your home for sale, you can also hire a professional to stage your home for you. The benefits of this are usually a faster sale and more money for your property. Many of these organizations can rent you furniture and accessories that can help make your home look better. A home stager can also offer you an objective perspective on what exactly it is that can make your home look fresh, appealing and attractive to others.

With an eye for design and just a few hundred bucks you can usually fix up your home so that it is more appealing to buyers all by yourself. H

Compliments of

Jane Nichols

Sales Representative, Sutton Group-Admiral Realty Inc’, Brokerage

Direct: 416 420 3454to

Not Intended to Solicit Sellers and.or/Buyers under contract

Article from Sutton Group

Roof Inspection and Repair

2012-02-08T16:53:00Z

One of the best bits of preventative maintenance that you can undertake as a homeowner is to periodically inspect your roof. Caught early, small roof repairs and maintenance issues can often be fixed with little time and money, but can also turn into big bills and headaches if left unaddressed.

Think Safety:

Often a visual inspection with the help of a pair of binoculars will be sufficient to give you a general idea of what state your roof is in. If you do need to get up on your roof then be sure to follow these safety tips:

· Never attempt to climb on to your roof during bad weather

· Always have a friend or family member help hold the ladder

· Plant the ladder firmly and make sure that the top extends a few feet above the roof

· Follow the ¾ rule – always have 3 of your 4 limbs in contact with the ladder or roof at all times

· Don’t try to carry up materials while climbing. Use some string or rope to pull up the items you need

What to Look For:

Take a good look at any flashing and caulking. They will wear over time. A strong wind can remove or dislodge flashing and provide an entry for moisture that may accumulate and cause damage to your home. Promptly repair or replace any damaged or missing flashing and caulking.

Loose or missing shingles – repair them immediately. Do a quick visual inspection of your shingles after any windstorm.

With regular or synthetic shingles, look for curling, cracks or buckling. These are signs that repairs or replacements may be necessary.

Asphalt shingles may develop bald spots or granular wear which can be detected by finding lots of granular particles in your eaves.

Check gutters and downspouts for accumulation of leaves and debris. Blocked or partially blocked gutters causing unwanted water accumulation.

If the Damage is Large:

If you do find significant damage to your roof that will require a major overhaul or replacement, calling an independent roofing consultant can save you considerable money and ensure that any work to your roof is done right. An independent roofing consultant does not repair roofs, for a flat fee, they will provide you with an unbiased assessment of your roof and the best plan for how to correct any roofing problems. Many roofing consultants will also oversee roof construction and repairs to make sure that your job is done right without dangerous shortcuts being taken by your roofing contractor.

From Sutton Website

Is Condo Living Right for Your Clients?

2012-01-30T18:29:00Z

Hello

I believe this article will help you in your decision making whether condo living is for you.

Any comments please let me know.

Best regards,

Jane

Is Condo Living Right for Your Client?

Written by Editorial Team of Property Wire Canada on Monday, 30 January 2012

Your client is a single mother who’s married to a job that demands quick turnaround, flexibilityand tight deadlines. Or perhaps your client’s a soon-to-retire couple in their sixties, social activists who enjoy the prospect of living downtown near the causes, projects and people they support.Or it could be a newly married couple, who is hoping to break into the housing market but want to maintain digs downtown near their jobs and friends.

What each of these examples has in common is that they would make perfect condo dwellers.But just because their profile seems to fit well with condo living doesn’t mean they have the personality for it. So how do you go about determining if a condo is right for your client? You start by finding out if your client is right for a condo.“I’ve had many clients who hated condo living,” says Toronto Century 21 real estate sales rep Laurin Jeffrey. “But it’s what they can afford, which is not always what they want.” Being close to restaurants, bars, museums, public transportation and your job are big pluses of condo living. And given that nearly 50 per cent of residences sold in Toronto last December were condos, it seems a lot of people agree. But Jeffrey believes those who buy condos are doing so mainly for economic reasons.

“They are often the first-time buyer who can’t afford anything else,” he says. “When your budget is under $300,000, a condo is your best bet. And even then, it’s getting hard to find a condo for that money.”

If privacy and independence are big issues your client might want to reconsider buying a condo, recommends Kelowna mortgage broker Julia Krause, who’s been a member of her townhouse’s strata (a multiple housing property in B.C. comprising condos or townhouses or a mix of both as is the case with Krause) council for 12 years. Condo living can be difficult for people who don’t like rules and who are accustomed to doing what they want when they want to. Residents, for example, can’t simply park where they feel like parking or plant shrubs where they think they’ll look attractive.“You need to have respect for your neighbours because you’re in closer proximity to them,” says Krause. “Privacy is sometimes an issue too.” Krause recalls former neighbours who virtually lived outside. Whenever her husband, a cigarette smoker, ventured outside for a puff, he was confronted by the neighbours each and every time which started to annoy him. Fortunately, the neighbours moved. Because of the way the housing corporation is set up, there can be a level of small-mindedness among some of the homeowners. When an issue arises with a homeowner complaining of, for example, someone parking in the wrong spot, the housing council issues a letter to the target of the complaint informing them of the issue and requesting that they not repeat the wrongdoing.“The person who got complained about will sometimes go around looking for other rule breakers so there’s a degree of pettiness,” admits Krause. “We can never get condo owners to get on the stratan (housing) council. They won’t do it. But they sure want to complain.”

Krause advises realtors not to assume they can rent out any old condo as many strata councils have limits as to the number of renters allowed in the multiple dwelling (Krause’s corporation allows a maximum of three). If an investor is interested in purchasing a condo with the intention of renting it out contact the condo council to determine what’s permitted. Don’t assume that because you pay condo fees that pre-empts you from never having to lift a finger while living in your unit. Krause has received some strange calls such as residents complaining that their fridge has died or that someone left trash in the hallway.“A lot of people who buy these units are coming out of rentals and they think it’s just the same,” says Krause. Be sure to check the condo’s financial situation, she urges. Pay attention to contingency funds for emergencies and make sure the complex or building is insured for replacement value.“If you can, go to the condo without your realtor and hang around and ask people how do you like living here,” she says. In Vancouver, where the average detached home price in the city’s sought-after west-end is over $2 million, it’s clearly not a question of whether condo living is right for you, says Remax sales rep Sam Wyatt. “It’s the norm here,” Wyatt says, adding that the average sale price of west Vancouver condos in December was over $640,000. “People either get used to it or they move out to the suburbs.”

For those of you who still aren’t sure if your client is right for living in a condo get them to take the following test provided by www.sphinxlegal.com:

1. My privacy is: ___ Not important to me. ___ Somewhat important to me. ___ So important I used to be a hermit.

2. My need to be in control of my living environment can best be described as: ___ NOT a ontrol freak. ___ Need to be in control, at least to some degree. ___ As a matter of fact,someone DID die and make me king.

3. Amenities such as swimming pools and tennis courts are: ___ Very important to me. ___ Not that important to me. ___ I’m not the athletic type.

4. I would respond to the following statement, “I like mowing the lawn, landscaping, and gardening,” with: ___ Are you kidding? ___ I don’t mind it. ___ I love working outdoors.

5. The following describes my position on doing my annual maintenance chores exactly on time: ___ I thought gutters flushed themselves out. ___ I am on top of it, give or take six months. ___ I have a laminated schedule taped on the refrigerator.

6. Home resale value is important to me: ___ Because I may be moving within the next three years. ___ But I expect to be here for a while. ___ Even though I plan to live here forever.

7. Living in an urban environment is: ___ Vibrant, exciting, and convenient. ___ Something I can either take or leave. ___ Not for me—ive me the country life.

8. Meeting and interacting with many different types of people is: ___ Very important to me. ___ Relatively important. ___ I hate people.

Total all your points, giving yourself 1 point for each first answer, 2 points for each second answer, and 3 points for each third answer. Evaluate your score as follows: 8 to 10 points:Future president of condominium association 11 to 20 points: A good candidate for CID life 21 to 24 points: Thanks for thinking about buying a condo.

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