Giving Buyers Grand Entrance

The front door is usually the first feature of a house that buyers see and feel. How do you      ensure it makes a grand first impression? That’s easy.

  • Put on a fresh coat of paint.
  • Replace worn or faded door handles and locks.
  • Install a brass kick plate at the bottom of the door.
  • Clean the exterior door frame. Make it shine.

These may seem like little things. But they can make a big difference to the first impression your house makes on potential buyers.

It is often said that first impressions make the most impact. This is true not only when you meet a person for the first time, but it’s also true when you first step into new surroundings.

Anchor your entry

Stepping into your home, let’s anchor your entry first with a colorful area rug. Although the size and shape of your foyer must be considered, in most entrances a round shape will look the best. This makes the entry look more inviting, and will add color and softness.

For larger foyers, a round or octagonal table on top of your vivid carpet centers your entry. Glass top tables with an interesting wrought iron base is a good choice, since the transparency of the table takes up less esthetic space and shows off your carpet.

For that final dramatic effect, display a floral arrangement that adds height to the foyer and will lead the eye upwards to a sparkling chandelier hanging over the floral arrangement.

Early Morning Thought

file-2016-10-26-10-47-34-amWell I was sitting back enjoying my early morning time, I thought about how many people start their days like I do – Early!
It seems to me that I never was an early riser when I was in my 30’s, but I believe that in my early 40’s is when I seen the light (literally the early morning light!).
You know, it is safe to say that everything you do in life, whether it is a success or a failure, you learn from it.

I started to sell Mary Kay cosmetics in my early 40s. My Director was great and shared with us all the wonderful things that this company had to offer. I was reading one of the Mary Kay Ashe books and she talked about the 5’clock club. That is when I started to like my early morning times. Mary Kay Ashe said she got more done at that time than any other time of the day.
So, moving forward, I eventually stopped selling Mary Kay as I never got the pink car I wanted (haha) and I set my sites on selling Real Estate. Since I have been in this business, I have met coaches and speakers who talk about the early morning “Me time”. They say the most successful people in the world (ie., Tim Cook, Bob Igor, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintor) are up around 4:30 – 5:30am.
For me, I love to get my coffee, light my candle and read my book. Now those who know me know that I am always reading! I usually have at least two books on the go at all times. One motivational book (my early morning) and then my “fluff” book.
Reading, meditating, doing my “TO DO List” and drinking my coffee, that is how I start my day.
So how do you start your day?
Do you give yourself time to “start the day”?
Do you do your best thinking at this time?

Happy Thanksgiving

So here I sit Sunday morning, getting my Thanksgiving thoughts on.. I have all the preparation done so that my meal can be served by 3pm today. I so want to be prepared so I can enjoy my houseful of company. Between cousins, grandchildren and sons and daughter in laws, my house will be full in a few short hours.

As we all gather around today , you must stop and think about what you have to be thankful for.. I see so many of my friends that are sick or have loved ones that are battling some disease or another. I see my grandchildren worrying about school, friends girlfriends (cannot believe I wrote that) fitting in , and worry about things that are crazy.. BUT that is a part of life.

For me I am thankful for my family, seeing my 3 sons living their life , being good fathers and partners. I am thankful everyday just for the idea, their lives may not be perfect for someone else but for them, they are great…Sure everyone has struggles and we are not without them but it is how we manage to come out of them, that is what makes us better people.

I am thankful or my husband , for putting up with me but also giving me a wonderful family of his to share.

I am also thankful for my health, and especially about my mind and how is revolves .sometimes scary!!! but most times it delivers a good message to get up , pick up and move on!!!

I am fortunate enough to have so many friends and family that help me along the way.. So SEE , I am a happy person today and everyday as I remember and think what I am thankful for.. Life is good .. enjoy it and just be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving..

 

New Mortgage Rules Effective Oct. 17, 2016.

Hi there, I see that we have some new rules for all you Buyers old and new.. So I called my friend Sheena Paon, Broker of Mortgages at Premiere Mortgages and this is her message to me.

“Good Morning all! I decided to write one big email to all my clients and contacts regarding the NEW Mortgage Rules coming into effect Oct 17th.

Best way to describe what is happening is this…. currently and previously when we “qualified” a buyer or person for a mortgage we used the discounted rate, which right now is about 2.35-2.44 percent for a 5 year fixed term. NOW.. new rules will dictate that we have to use the posted rate, which right now is 4.64% for a 5 year fixed.

IMPORTANT PART>>>Add in too! Clients would still get lower rate. But MUST qualify on the posted rate. 

What does this mean… More people will not be able to buy, or qualify for a mortgage since we have to use 4.64% after Oct 17th. It is going to be so important that any one you come in contact with understands this and has gone to see their Mortgage Broker for their mortgage pre-approval!

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!”

Thank you Sheena for your valuable information.  If you have questions or concerns regarding this please do not hesitate to contact myself or Sheena at her toll free number 1-888-561-2525.

For even more information, check out this link below:

http://www.fin.gc.ca/n16/data/16-117_2-eng.asp

 

Kind Regards,

Sheila Cashin-Cormier

Real Estate Advisor

RE/MAX Nova

 

Purchase Plus Improvements,

I was asked the other day what the term “Purchase Plus Improvements” means to someone who buys a resale home. So I went to my friend Diane Smith Mortgage Broker at  Invis for the answer.

Many homebuyers looking at older properties find themselves in a common predicament: they’ve found a property that suits them, but it needs some costly and immediate upgrades.

Many buyers add the costs of those immediate renovations into their mortgage, instead of racking up credit card bills or selling investments to pay for the upgrades.  Known as a “purchase plus improvements” mortgage, this type of mortgage covers the sale price of the home, plus any renovations that would increase the value of the property, with as little as 5 per cent down.

If you’re buying a home but want to add a second storey, finish a basement or redo a kitchen, it can make a lot of sense to add those costs to your mortgage.  That way you can spread your payments over the life of the mortgage and have a cost-effective way to get your dream home.  You can also use your pre-payment privileges to pay the renovation off faster.  The process is quite simple:

Obtain cost estimates for the upgrades
Once you have found a home, you need to get detailed written quotes from licensed contractors on the renovations you plan, outlining the scope and all costs.

Get your appraisal
An appraisal with two separate values will be required: first the value of the property “as is” and the estimated value of the property once the improvements are completed.

Renovation costs are included in your mortgage
Your lender will add the estimated costs of the renovation into your mortgage.  For example, with a 5% down payment, your mortgage broker would apply for 95% of the “as improved” market value, which will be higher than the actual purchase price.  The committed amount of the mortgage will be advanced to your solicitor, who will be instructed to hold back the renovation funds until the work has been completed and inspected.

Complete your upgrades; funds are released upon completion
Once an inspection from an appraiser confirms all work is complete and a copy of the building permit (if applicable) has been received, the balance of the mortgage funds will be released to you to pay for the renovations. There are a few options for carrying your expenditures until the funds can be released.  Some major home improvement retailers offer “no payment” options for up to six months.  Larger contractors may also be willing to finance the project short-term if they see the documentation for purchase plus improvements financing.