Inspections of new Re/Max listings Bridgenorth April 24/2013 (Smith, Ennismore, Lakefield)

 Here is the homes we viewed as an office for our agent walk throughs. Nice group of homes!

Potential New Selwyn Logos

Council is choosing one of these logos. I do not think at this time that the public is going to get an opportunity to choose the logo. My vote would be Concept 1, what would you choose?

Dealing with multiple offers

You may think that having to deal with multiple offers on your home is a wonderful problem. After all, there are so many buyers clamoring to purchase your property!

The challenge, however, is picking the best offer – and that isn't always the one with the highest price.

Most offers come with conditions, such as "conditional on securing appropriate financing" or "conditional on the sale of our current property." You have to consider both the price and the conditions when choosing which offer to accept.

There are other considerations, too. What if someone makes a great offer on your home, but they don't have a pre-approved mortgage and they haven’t put their current home on the market? That kind of offer is risky because it is more likely than an unconditional offer to fall through.

So there's a lot to think about when you're in the seemingly enviable position of dealing with multiple offers. How do you select the right one? The answer is to have a good REALTOR® by your side to help you make the right decision!

Want more tips on finding and buying your next dream home? Call today.

1388 Yankee Line Ennismore (Selwyn Township)

RESIDENTIAL - Unique opportunity to own property bordering on the 13th hole of the Quarry Golf Course. Lots of home here! Views over Chemong Lake and Gifford`s pond on a large country lot. Solid brick bungalow. Outside features include flower gardens, large shed, mature trees, front porch and rear deck for your choice of views. Inside features include 2 bathrooms, gas fireplace, workshop, games room, three bedrooms, main floor family room with walkout to deck. Public access just down the street to Chemong Lake.

Inexpensive ways to reduce your energy bill

You could get upgraded insulation installed in all the walls of your home, or buy a new high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner. These improvements would certainly reduce your energy costs – but they each require a significant investment.

What if you don't have the budget?

There are a lot of little things you can do to make a big difference in your heating or cooling bill. Here are just a few examples:

·         Turn down the thermostat a couple of degrees in winter. (And turn it up a few notches in summer.) Chances are, you'll hardly notice the difference in comfort, and you'll cut your heating/cooling costs by about 5%.

·         Do you need the air conditioner on all the time during the summer months? Consider turning it way up, or completely off, at night when it's cooler outside.

·         Invest in a programmable thermostat. That way, you'll be able to set up a schedule that uses less heating/cooling energy while you’re out of the house.

·         Let the sunshine in through windows in the winter (and block the sun where possible in the summer.) "Passive heat gain" can contribute to up to 20% of the heat in your home. Best of all, the sun is free.

·         Use energy efficient lights throughout your home. These can cut the cost of lighting by up to 40%!

·         Be careful with outside lights, which can use a lot of energy! Turn them off before you go to bed or, better still, use programmable outside lighting that can be set to turn off automatically.

·         These are just a few ideas for reducing your energy bill. If you do some research, you can probably discover many other ways to cut your costs. It's worth the effort!

 

Thinking of Moving? Two Things You Need to Know

If you're thinking of making a move within the next few months, there are two important things you need to know.

The first is the market value of your current property. That's the amount your home will likely sell for on today's market. When you know its market value, you'll have a better idea of how much money will be available to invest in a new home.

The second is an overview of what's available on the market. Which of the homes currently available for sale meet your criteria with respect to type of home, special features (such as a big kitchen or pool), neighbourhood, etc? How much are these homes selling for?

With those two pieces of information, you'll be able to make a better decision.

A good REALTOR^® can get that information for you. Call me today.

How can you tell if a neighbourhood is improving?

When you’re looking for a new home, you want to find one in a great

neighbourhood – or, at least, in a neighbourhood that is on the upswing.

How can you tell if a particular area is improving? Here are some common

indicators:

• Pride of ownership. Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Do you get a

sense that people take good care of their homes? Are the lawns mowed?

Is the landscaping trimmed? Are flowers planted? Homeowners are more

likely to look after their properties when they like where they are living.

• Home improvements. Are people investing in their homes? Are they

getting their driveways re-done? Their windows replaced? Are there signs

of home improvement projects? If so, this is a clear indication that

homeowners like the area enough to invest in their properties.

• Real estate sales activity. Do homes tend to sell quickly in the area? Do

they sell for a good price? If so, the neighbourhood is probably in demand.

If people want to live there, it's a desirable area.

• Business investment. Are businesses investing in the surrounding area?

Is there an increase in the number of upscale shops, health clubs,

restaurants, and other commercial enterprises that often locate near

desirable neighbourhoods?

• Community involvement. Are there signs that the community plays an

active role in the look and lifestyle of the neighbourhood? Are there

neighbourhood picnics, yard sales and other get-togethers? Check

Facebook.com to see if the neighbourhood has a community page.

• City plans. Find out what plans the city has for the area. Will there be road

improvements done in the near future? Are there any major construction

projects on the schedule, such as a new school or community centre.

Although such projects can be disruptive in the short term, they may

improve the neighbourhood – and, as a result, boost the value of any home

you buy – in the long-term.

Of course, the best way to find out the desirability of a neighbourhood is to

talk to a good REALTOR® who knows the area. Call today

Flashback 1991: Zebra Mussels

Published on 30 Aug 2012

It was about 20 years ago now that Zebra Mussels first appeared in the great lakes, brought here in the bilge tanks of ocean going vessels. By the early 90's it had become a serious problem prompting this CHEX report out of Durham Region by Dale Jackson.

Some two decades since it's introduction, the zebra mussel continues to make itself felt throughout Ontario, scientists saying it's presence is likely contributing to beach closings, the widespread deaths of migratory birds, and the slow starvation familiar fish. A very recent study estimates that invasive species including Zebra Mussels extract an economic toll of hundreds of millions of dollars in areas surrounding the great lakes. While the Ministry of Natural Resources admits that eradication of the species is not an option it has allocated fifteen million dollars for the establishment of an "Invasive Species Management Centre" in Sault Ste. Marie in an effort to contain the situation and mitigate damage to the provinces waters and fishery.

Source Chex Newswatch

Virtual tour 665 Garden Road In Ennismore

LOVINGLY CARED FOR RAISED BUNGALOW WITH FINISHED BASEMENT AND GARAGE ON GORGEOUS LANDSCAPED CORNER LOT ON A VERY DESIRABLE QUIET STREET IN BEAUTIFUL ENNISMORE! NOTHING TO DO BUT MOVE IN! THIS HOME FEATURES 3+1 BEDROOMS, EAT IN KITCHEN, LARGE DINING AREA THAT ALSO LEADS TO REAR DECK, LARGE WINDOWS TO LET IN THE LIGHT AND WONDERFUL MAIN FLOOR FAMILY ROOM! FEATURE LIST OF THIS HOME GOES ON AND ON. MANY RECENT UPDATES INCLUDING NAPOLEON ULTRA HIGH EFFICENT GAS FURNACE, UPGRADED WELL, NEW WINDOWS, SHINGLES ON HOUSE AND GARAGE DOOR RECENTLY REPLACED. YOU WILL ENJOY THE HUGE PAVED DRIVEWAY WITH PARKING FOR SEVERAL VEHICLES. DETACHED GARAGE WITH POWER OPENER, 200 AMP HYDRO. THE BASEMENT HAS 4TH BEDROOM, REC ROOM & A LARGE WORKSHOP (SEE DOCUMENTS FOR COMPLETE LIST OF UPGRADES SINCE 2003 OR ASK YOUR REALTOR.)

The new MLS system: 1985!

Below is a great video of future technology that the MLS system made in 1985. It is worth watching. I think Flashback from Graham Hart of CHEX TV is great!

The internet has revolutionised many industries, including the real estate business. By merely logging onto any number of listing sites, web-savy house hunters can instantly see what's available locally or around the world, with the click of a mouse. Its come a long way since 1985, when John Blake filed this report about the latest thing in computer hardware.
All major Realtors now have websites that feature agent and property listings and some have links to everything from financing to furnishings.


Click here for the video!

Buying Gas The Smart Way.

Seen this on Facebook, hope it helps you save some money.

TIPS ON PUMPING GAS
I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we are paying up to $3.75 to $4.10 ...per gallon. My line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon:
Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose , CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline.. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.
Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.
When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.
To have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers. It's really simple to do

2013 Cottage show in April!

This years Cottage life show is going to be a huge show as usual. It is great exposure to our waterfront listings and if you plan to list this year I would say it should be done before this show. Give me a call for more details!

Show Info

Show Dates/Hours
Friday, April 5 11:00am - 8:00pm

Saturday, April 6 9:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday, April 7 10:00am - 5:00pm

AdmissionAdults (18+): $17
Senior (65+): $12 on Friday, April 5 only. Not available online. Purchase at box office with valid ID.
Youth (13-17): $8
Weekend Pass: $24
Kids 12 and under: free
NEW! Friday night special: $12 on Friday, April 5, 5pm – 8pm only. Not available online. Purchase at box office starting at 5:00pm.
Cash only for onsite ticket sales. Watch for a discount coupon and online discount code in the April issue of Cottage Life magazine.

Online TicketsOnline tickets are available now. Order yours here..

Venue InformationInternational Centre, Toronto

Free parking for 5,000 cars

6900 Airport Road at Derry Road
Enter at Halls 1, 3, or 5

Get directions

Exhibitor List

The exhibitor list is posted here. Meet more than 500 exhibitors showing boats, docks, builders, contractors, innovative building products, green solutions, decor and style, arts and crafts, food and entertaining, water toys and fun for all seasons. Plus, view thousands of properties for sale in the Scotiabank Cottage Real Estate Centre.

Features & Special EventsSet some time aside to enjoy free seminars, presentations, cooking demos and more. The schedule will be posted in March 2013.

• The Cottage Kitchen
• RE/MAX Dock Party
• Wildlife Centre
• Main Stage
• Family Activity Centre
• Cottage Workshop
• Cottage Life Booth, including our video diary
• Tree Planting Zone

Show MapThe show map will be posted one week before the show.


DogsWe love cottage dogs, but kindly ask that you leave your dog at home. This includes purse-sized pooches. Service animals welcome.

AccessibilityA limited number of wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the entrances upon request. See the ticket takers for assistance. The International Centre is wheelchair accessible at entrance and restrooms.

Free Child Care
For parents who want to shop without the kids in tow, we offer a free child care service for up to two hours for ages 2+. Located in a secure space adjacent to the Family Activity Centre in Hall 1, your kids will be supervised and engaged with cottage-related crafts and activities. While space permits, child:caregiver ratios apply. See the child care staff for more information. The free child care service is sponsored by Our Kids Media—stop by for their free guide to kids camps.

Show Hours/Day : Friday, April 5 11:00am - 8:00pm

Saturday, April 6 9:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday, April 7 10:00am - 5:00pm

Venue Information :
International Centre, Toronto

Free parking for 5,000 cars

6900 Airport Road at Derry Road
Enter at Halls 1, 3, or 5

Get directions