Click on the following link to read the article: Home Sweet Investment
This is how the rich get richer and how the general public can become wealthy and create a secure retirement plan. The fact is, the majority of people that invest their money in a stable real estate market like the GTA are making money off of their property.
Some people think that to take this money out and reinvest it they have to sell their original investment to get their money out. This is NOT TRUE. There are a lot of other options for people. For starters, they can refinance their home. All this means is that you are swapping one mortgage for another. When you do this you can take out some equity and use it how you please. This allows you to keep your original investment and invest some of your equity where ever else you choose. Another option is taking out a home equity loan. This is where you take home equity out of your property while keeping the same mortgage. The interest rate is very competitive. Your LTV (loan to value) needs to be 80%.
While using these options you have the chance to leverage your money and invest it in other ventures. Then you have the opportunity to make more money. Real estate is a sound investment. If you can leverage your money in multiple properties, you are bound to finish ahead.
Friday, 1 November 2013
How to Slash Moving Costs
Click on the following link to learn about: 6 Ways to Slash Moving Costs
Nobody likes moving. Personally, I hate it. It is such a pain. You have to pack and unpack and by the end of it you will most likely be tired and have a sore back. However, if you buy a new home, it is bound to happen. Here are some of the ways you can slash some of the expenses:
Moving Yourself: Well, I did this a couple times and it sucks. I ended up damaging a bunch of stuff which probably cost me more in the long run compared to if I had just hired reputable movers. In addition, I had to take the day off work which also meant money lost. If I had worked that day, it would have probably been the same costs as me hiring movers and a lot less headaches...and backaches. However, I am a 27 year old woman, if you have a bunch of brothers or strong guy friends, you could have a completely different experience. They would be strong enough to move everything with out damaging it and probably will save you money.
The biggest advice I can give is to really research the moving company! One time I looked and just hired one off of kijiji. What a mistake! At first I got an amazing rate and they set up an appointment with me and the experience seemed to be perfect....until the actual moving date. The movers showed up a couple hours late, which was a huge problem because we were moving from a condo and had to reserve the elevator for a specific time slot. then the movers took our stuff, put it in the truck and said that thy had to increase the actual quote to compensate for a bunch of fake charges. It ended costing twice as much as they originally said and turned into the move from hell. After researching this "moving company" and contacting the better business bureau, I found out that this was an ongoing scam and that the people were crooks!!! It ended up taking way more time than it should have and the stress was enormous. In conclusion, RESEARCH YOUR MOVING COMPANY and make sure you GET SOMEONE REPUTABLE even if it costs more. Make sure they have been in business for a long time and check the online reviews. It is 100% worth the money.
Another place where you can really save money is on silly things like boxes. If you go to U-Haul and buy boxes they are expensive. Instead, plan ahead and go to major department stores and ask for boxes, where you can get them for free. You can end up saving over $500 just on boxes. Use that money on something you can use again, not recycle right after.
The other important advice I have is to get insurance on your belongings. Things happen. I know you probably don't want to dish out any more money, but when you get a rip in your 5000 dollar couch, you will be thankful. Better safe than sorry.
Nobody likes moving. Personally, I hate it. It is such a pain. You have to pack and unpack and by the end of it you will most likely be tired and have a sore back. However, if you buy a new home, it is bound to happen. Here are some of the ways you can slash some of the expenses:
Moving Yourself: Well, I did this a couple times and it sucks. I ended up damaging a bunch of stuff which probably cost me more in the long run compared to if I had just hired reputable movers. In addition, I had to take the day off work which also meant money lost. If I had worked that day, it would have probably been the same costs as me hiring movers and a lot less headaches...and backaches. However, I am a 27 year old woman, if you have a bunch of brothers or strong guy friends, you could have a completely different experience. They would be strong enough to move everything with out damaging it and probably will save you money.
Another place where you can really save money is on silly things like boxes. If you go to U-Haul and buy boxes they are expensive. Instead, plan ahead and go to major department stores and ask for boxes, where you can get them for free. You can end up saving over $500 just on boxes. Use that money on something you can use again, not recycle right after.
The other important advice I have is to get insurance on your belongings. Things happen. I know you probably don't want to dish out any more money, but when you get a rip in your 5000 dollar couch, you will be thankful. Better safe than sorry.
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
Tips for Settling into Your New Community
Click on the following link to read about: Tips for Settling into Your New Community
- When you move in to a new neighbourhood or community, go and introduce yourselves to your neighbours. Go above and beyond and bring a bottle of wine and let your neighbours know who you are. This will impress your neighbours and set things off in the right direction. Home ownership isn't a temporary thing so its good to build positive relationships with your neighbours.
- Go to community and neighbourhood events. Street barbeques and neighbourhood parties are a great way to meet people. May sure you are very outgoing and say hi and introduce yourself to as many people as possible.
- Go out of your way for your neighbours. When my husband and I moved into our new home, our neighbours came over and helped move our appliances into our home because we were having trouble getting them through the door. They took everything apart and put everything back together. It took hours even though they didn't know us. My other neighbour cuts our grass for us. Our neighbours always went above and beyond for us and we try to do the same. It really has made our living environment much more pleasant
- Explore the neighbourhood. Find some places that you like and like going to regularly. Chances are, other people like that place too and you can introduce yourself.
- Join a gym or classes are a great way to meet people and a great way to feel connected to your community.
- Volunteer. Find some way to make the community and the world a better place. You will feel great that you are contributing and making a difference and also feel more rooted to your community because you are actively working on making it the best it can be.
Clear the Clutter and Sell Your Home
Click on the following link to read: Clear the Clutter and Sell Your Home
We have been talking a lot about this in our other blog posts. Clutter stops the sale of your home. It disables the potential buyer from being able to see the true potential and beauty of your home. Simply put, clutter is a visual turn off. I always advise my clients to give their homes a contemporary look. Contemporary to me is the basis of simplicity. Clearing the clutter is just cleaning up. Your tables should not be piled with books, nick knacks, magazines, or your favorite lip gloss. PUT THINGS AWAY! Everything in your home should have its own place, and if it doesn't, then it is time you get rid of it.
Keep you furniture to a minimum. This means essentials only and in this case less is definitely more. The space will look more open and spacious and its easier for a potential buyer to visualize how they would make this home theirs. With too much stuff potential buyers can just see the clutter and it acts as a mental block.
You entry room should be simple and clean. Put away all your shoes, coats, umbrellas, and toys. Make it look neat. This is a buyers first impression of the house so make an effort to spruce it up. Have a nice table with fresh flowers and a mirror. Make the entry way inviting so that they want to see the rest of your home.
Book shelves and shelving systems should also be neat. Try to go for the magazine look. On book shelves, there should be books neatly displayed like in a library. Make sure it is not a junk shelf and go through your books and recycle any of them that you don't want anymore. This also goes for any old magazines or news papers that you may be hanging on to. Its time to recycle them!
Keep everything off the kitchen counters, bathroom counters, desks, and dressers. Put everything away!
Clean out your closets and make sure clothes are hanging properly and are not clutter. Make the floor space clean and visible.
Bathrooms need to be cleaned properly. Nobody wants to see your personal hygiene products. Put them all away and out of sight!
We have been talking a lot about this in our other blog posts. Clutter stops the sale of your home. It disables the potential buyer from being able to see the true potential and beauty of your home. Simply put, clutter is a visual turn off. I always advise my clients to give their homes a contemporary look. Contemporary to me is the basis of simplicity. Clearing the clutter is just cleaning up. Your tables should not be piled with books, nick knacks, magazines, or your favorite lip gloss. PUT THINGS AWAY! Everything in your home should have its own place, and if it doesn't, then it is time you get rid of it.
Keep you furniture to a minimum. This means essentials only and in this case less is definitely more. The space will look more open and spacious and its easier for a potential buyer to visualize how they would make this home theirs. With too much stuff potential buyers can just see the clutter and it acts as a mental block.
You entry room should be simple and clean. Put away all your shoes, coats, umbrellas, and toys. Make it look neat. This is a buyers first impression of the house so make an effort to spruce it up. Have a nice table with fresh flowers and a mirror. Make the entry way inviting so that they want to see the rest of your home.
Book shelves and shelving systems should also be neat. Try to go for the magazine look. On book shelves, there should be books neatly displayed like in a library. Make sure it is not a junk shelf and go through your books and recycle any of them that you don't want anymore. This also goes for any old magazines or news papers that you may be hanging on to. Its time to recycle them!
Clean out your closets and make sure clothes are hanging properly and are not clutter. Make the floor space clean and visible.
Bathrooms need to be cleaned properly. Nobody wants to see your personal hygiene products. Put them all away and out of sight!
Buying a Home in the Winter
Click here to read about: Buying a Home in the Winter
Although moving your life in the depth of winter does not sound to appeasing, it definitely has its advantages. There are less people looking for homes during winters, which means that there is less competition and therefore less bidding wars and multiple offers. However, there is also less inventory, which isn’t always a bad thing as in turn could end up saving you a lot of time.
Sellers who list their homes during the winter are quite frequently motivated sellers. They have a reason to sell – whether it is because they have somewhere else to go or they need to release their property investment. This could mean that you might get a better price on the home or that the sellers are more willing to negotiate the terms and conditions of the offer. It also gives the buyers more time to make the right decision. Working in the busy spring markets you don’t have time to think or you will lose your opportunity. Homes sell very quickly so you see the home and if you like it, you make an offer right away so that someone else doesn’t get it first. However, in the winter, you have a little bit more of a grace period to make sure you are making the right choice for you and your family. Sellers also know that the people who come through their homes on snowy, wintery days are serious buyers. Nobody is there just to pass time and look at some nice homes, but are there to look for their new home.
In addition, industry professionals typically have more availability. This works great for people, especially first time home buyers. Realtors will be able to really attend to details and make every client a top priority.
All in all, buying a home during winter is a good plan as the advantages outweigh the latter. If you want to start looking for you new home this winter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sellers who list their homes during the winter are quite frequently motivated sellers. They have a reason to sell – whether it is because they have somewhere else to go or they need to release their property investment. This could mean that you might get a better price on the home or that the sellers are more willing to negotiate the terms and conditions of the offer. It also gives the buyers more time to make the right decision. Working in the busy spring markets you don’t have time to think or you will lose your opportunity. Homes sell very quickly so you see the home and if you like it, you make an offer right away so that someone else doesn’t get it first. However, in the winter, you have a little bit more of a grace period to make sure you are making the right choice for you and your family. Sellers also know that the people who come through their homes on snowy, wintery days are serious buyers. Nobody is there just to pass time and look at some nice homes, but are there to look for their new home.
All in all, buying a home during winter is a good plan as the advantages outweigh the latter. If you want to start looking for you new home this winter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Astra Mulawka
Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate - Signature Service
Office:905-896-4622
Astra Mulawka
Better Homes and Gardens
Real Estate - Signature Service
Office:905-896-4622
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