The Nightmare Next Door

Their weeds are tall enough to get on the scary rides at the carnival. Their house is a retina-roasting goldenrod colour. They seem to throw loud parties on every day that ends in Y, and you're grateful if the worst things you find in your bushes are empty beer cans. Their renovation has been going on so long that you're beginning to forget you ever had a view of anything besides their dumpster. Maybe they just have so much junk strewn around outside that you can't tell if they're having a perpetual yard sale or evacuating.
Nightmare neighbours: if you're trying to move away from them, it can be difficult to convince anyone else to live near them. How are you supposed to sell your house when you've obviously got problem neighbours? No matter how delightful your home is, no matter how well it shows inside, potential buyers are probably going to notice the three rusty boat-tailed Buicks on the lawn two doors down.
The first course of action should always be to try to discuss the problem tactfully with your neighbours. Approach them with the benefit of the doubt: they probably don't realize how their behaviour is affecting you. Don't assume they are horrible, selfish people. Avoid speaking to them in a state of anger, if at all possible; this will only escalate any conflict. And don't make threats.
Explain that you are trying to sell your home and ask if you can discuss ways to make the sale go more smoothly. Be tactful, and have a few reasonable solutions ready for the problem(s) at hand. For instance, if their yard has been sorely neglected, and they're unable to do anything about it because they're dealing with serious illness or other problems, you might offer to pay for a lawn service to shape things up. No, it's not your responsibility, but it's a very small investment in getting your house sold.
If your neighbours are violating a bylaw, and you can't find a resolution by dealing with them directly, you can involve bylaw officers. They will investigate complaints and try to achieve voluntary compliance with local bylaws. Failing that, they have the power to issue tickets, order impoundments, and to initiate court proceedings. This can take some time, however, and if you're trying to sell your house, results may not occur quickly enough. If you can foresee selling your home, and think you'll need bylaw enforcement, contact officials as early as possible.
If the problem doesn't come under the purview of bylaws—for instance, it's a matter of aesthetics (the bungalow painted goldenrod, or the Christmas decorations that are merrily twinkling in August), you may not have much recourse. If your neighbourhood, development or building is governed by a homeowner's association, ask for their assistance. If you can't get cooperation from your neighbours on aesthetic issues, focus on protecting your view through the creative use of privacy fences, landscaping and window treatments.
Finding it impossible to come to a resolution with your neighbours? Consider mediation before pursuing legal action. A skilled mediator can help disputing parties find common ground and workable solutions they may not have discovered on their own. Mediators don't make decisions about who's right or wrong, but can help parties come to an agreement. And mediation is typically far more affordable than legal action. Many communities offer mediation services on a sliding scale or even free, through volunteer mediator programs, and they usually handle lots of "problem neighbour" cases.
As a last resort, you may have to call the police or take legal action. A lawsuit will typically take a fair bit of time and money, and police involvement usually sours relations permanently. These are desperate measures, but such action may allow you to get your house sold.
Finally, don't forget to spread good neighbour karma yourself.
Make the effort to welcome new neighbours with a friendly note or visit, and perhaps a modest housewarming gift such as a small houseplant or fresh baked goods. Such gestures can go a long way to establishing warm relations and smoothing over future difficulties.
Maintain your property's exterior. You don't have to hire a gardener, but keep the lawn trimmed, fix the shutter that's hanging at a 45-degree angle, and repair the roof before the shingles start hurling themselves to the ground. No matter how much you look at the outside of your house, your neighbours have to look at it more. Don't let it be an eyesore.
Be courteous: whether you are planning a big party, building a fence, removing a tree, or commencing major renovations, it's basic courtesy to inform your neighbours about the situation. This way, they can make plans to avoid the situation or offer input on how you can minimize the effect on them. Take responsibility for your actions: if building your deck means their car is covered in sawdust for weeks, you might give them some car wash coupons. If your new Doberman is terrorizing their tots, maybe you need to build a dog run.
Communication and courtesy are the keys to positive relations with your neighbours.

How to Make a Smart Real Estate Purchase

We’ve all heard the horror stories – people paying way too much for a house, not getting an inspection and then finding a million (expensive) problems with the place. I’ve seen it countless times with homeowners on Income properties and from talking to eager real estate investors.
Here are my top five tips for making a smart real estate purchase so you don’t get burned!

1. Stick to Your Budget
   It’s easy to get carried away here, especially if you make the mistake of looking at houses outside your price range. The important part is to have a plan. Don’t just think about your mortgage payments every month; also think about your monthly carrying cost and be honest about your lifestyle. Consider how much you spend every month on eating out, clothing, etc. There’s nothing worse than being house poor because you weren’t honest about your spending habits.
2. Don’t be Afraid to Walk Away
   A house is an emotional purchase, since it’s where you’ll be living, raising your children and making a home for yourself. But it’s crucial to keep emotions out of the equation as much as possible. You should love your house, but you should love it because it’s in good condition and because the numbers work. Always get a home inspection and if you can’t afford it (or the work it requires), walk away!
3. Give Every House a Chance
   I do most of my real estate browsing online, as do most people now, but you can’t always judge a house by the virtual tour – good or bad. If you see something online and it has bad pictures (or no pictures) but it’s in the right neighbourhood or in your price range, go look at it! Chances are you can get a good deal because so many people will skip it without photos online.
4. Think Long-Term
   Before you jump into a real estate purchase, ask yourself: “What is the purpose of this property for the next 5-10 years?” Depending on your mortgage, you may have to lock in for a certain number of years, and if you think you’ll be moving in less than 5 years, I’d suggest looking at alternatives. You never want to be forced into selling your house.
5. Have a Support System
   Having a real estate agent who understands your financial and personal situation is key, and great advice from a mortgage specialist and lawyer can be invaluable to the home-buying process. But what many people forget is to have a personal support system in place when they go house hunting. Advice from those close to you – family members, a partner, friends – is just as important to help keep you on track and avoid getting carried away. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a house, so having the personal support will keep you grounded.

Choosing A Mortgage Broker vs. A Bank Loan Officer

Credit Rating
Before you buy a home it's best to do some research and get your finances in order. Your credit rating is an intrinsic part of getting a mortgage. Most prospective buyers often aren’t aware that in their effort to shop around and get the best deal, they can lessen their chances of even being approved. Each time your credit rating is pulled by a bank or a credit union, it is considered a credit application, regardless of whether or not you end up engaging that bank, and your credit rating is affected.
Mortgage Brokers

We advise you to engage a mortgage broker. Your mortgage broker will pull your credit history once and then use that one “pull” to market you to prospective lenders (major banks, credit unions, finance companies, private lenders and trust companies), so that you can get the best financing and terms to suit your needs.

A mortgage broker saves you time and energy and provides personalized service, sometimes with flexible hours. They offer specialized knowledge and will work hard on your behalf and do all the negotiating for you. They can help you improve your overall rating by advising you which credit cards to use and which to leave idle during the process. A mortgage broker costs you absolutely nothing because they are paid by lending institutions, not you.

Depending on your province, mortgage brokers must be licensed and are therefore subject to strict requirements. Accredited Mortgage Professionals (AMPs) must take on-going education courses in order to maintain their accreditation.

A mortgage broker will review your financial situation and discuss with you your future plans and risk tolerance, and help you choose the right type of mortgage for you. They will assess your situation and create different scenarios for you. They will tell you the maximum dollar amount you can consider paying for a house for the payments you can afford, and what your weekly, bi-weekly or monthly installments will look like. They can also assist you by creating a strategy so you can pay off your mortgage sooner.

You can often find a good mortgage broker via your real estate agent, who has a vested interest in their clients getting the best rates and terms.

Bank Loan Officers

The loan officers at a bank, credit union or other lending institution are employees who work to sell and process mortgages and other loans originated by their employer. They often have a wide variety of loans types to draw from, but all loans originate from their lending institution.

The loan officer will work within banking hours and he/she will take your application and try to find a home loan that suits your needs. If your personal credit is approved, the officer moves forward to process the purchase.

With a full range of personal banking solutions, your bank can help you reach all of your financial goals, from day-to-day banking to creating borrowing and investing strategies. Banks and credits unions may also offer bonuses like cash back, reduced fees or point program rewards for bundling your mortgage, credit card and bank accounts.

We advise you to do your research and find the best professional to help you achieve your goals.

Freehold vs. Condo

Condos can be a great choice for many people, including first-time buyers looking to get into the market and build equity. A condo unit can be a good starting point since it is usually less expensive to own and carry than a traditional house. Condos can also be the right decision for people making their choice based on lifestyle. These buyers primarily choose this type of home because there is no yard work, snow removal or roofing repairs to be done, while others are looking for the extra security that comes with being high up in a secure building.

Whatever your reasons for considering a condo, it's important you start out by knowing what you're buying into. Some people don't have a clear understanding of what a condominium really is. They use the term “condo” as synonymous with “apartment,” however the term “condo” refers to the form of ownership and has nothing to do with the physical characteristics of the unit. In fact, a condo doesn't have to be an apartment at all. A condo can also be a townhouse, a link home, or any type of multi-unit residential dwelling or commercial property with shared areas. These areas, or common elements, can take the form of a swimming pool, rooftop lounge, exercise room, front lobby, parking garage etc. The cost of operating and maintaining these common areas is jointly shared by the individual unit owners in the form of maintenance fees that are usually paid monthly. The cost is determined by the condominium corporation which is made up of unit owners like you and since there is a certain degree of control over maintenance costs, I recommend getting on the board and becoming one of the decision makers.

Condominium ownership offers many advantages, such as the potential to build equity, title, and privacy within your unit. With a condo, you can count on the fact that your property is being well maintained with little effort on your part.

On the other hand, freehold units offer other advantages over the condominium option. You have more freedom to alter your property to suit your needs, and since you are responsible for upkeep, you have a bit more control over your maintenance costs. You can keep expenses down by cutting your own lawn and shoveling your own drive. You will have to budget accordingly for big expenses like a new roof or furnace.

Condos have rules and by-laws that govern such things as pets and what colour your neighbour can paint his garage, and by law a portion of the maintenance fee goes towards a reserve fund. Sometimes, the need for such rules, by-laws and a reserve fund become evident when the complex begins to age and can negatively affect resale values. There's a lot to consider when choosing a condo or freehold home; be sure to ask your realtor for help.          

Moving House

It’s a done deal. You’re finally moving into a new home. But while the excitement builds, so does the anxiety about your getting your stuff to your new digs. Whether you’re relying on your own muscle-power or hiring professional help, a little moving know-how will get you there with as little stress and few unnecessary expenses as possible.
Start early. Make a checklist of things that need to be done before moving day. First off, there’s a whole list of companies and organizations that need to know your new address and when it will take effect. Arrange for change-of-address notification with Canada Post. Update any government documents, such as your driver’s license. Call your insurance company to update your homeowner’s policy. Inform utility companies (including cable and phone), newspaper and magazine subscription departments, and often-missed health-care professionals (such as your doctor and dentist) about your move.
Put Canada Post’s online service to work for you. At www.smartmoves.ca you’ll be able to file your change-of-address notification with a few clicks of the mouse. Pick an E-card to send to friends and family, let Canada Post know which government offices and business your want to notify, and generate helpful checklists to keep your move on track. You’ll also have access to exclusive offers and special discounts.
Trash it or save it. Moving is the perfect time to edit your belongings. Make a list of the things you don’t want to move with you. Dispose of those shabby university-dorm bookcases, that haggard flea market easy-chair, or meaningless memorabilia before you buy packing tape. If your pile of rejects is high, arrange for a trash removal service to cart it away for you.
If you’re moving into a smaller space and not ready to part with larger items that you don’t have room for, consider putting them in storage. Check under “moving and storage” in the Yellow Pages for a local facility. Also note that if you’re using professional movers, they may offer storage services.
Hire your wheels. If you’re moving on your own, arrange for your van or truck as early as possible, especially if you’re moving during summer months. The rental company will be able to advise you on what size of truck you’ll need and offer moving equipment for an extra fee. Things like a dolly, furniture pads, and proper packing material might be worth the extra cost.
You’ll also want to take the time to sign a contract and know exactly what you’re paying for. Moving day is not the time to be quibbling over a verbal agreement.
Get professional help. If you’ve decided to hire movers, don’t go with the first moving company you contact. Get estimates from a few companies since you’ll be trusting them with practically everything you own. When you review the estimates, make sure you’re getting prices for the same services and take special note of how precious items will be handled. Some moving companies will not move pianos, chandeliers, or sensitive electrical equipment but may recommend a special service for you to investigate. You’ll also want to note their insurance coverage. Exactly what will you get if your inherited dining suite is chipped or scratched?
Pack it up. If you’re hiring a professional mover, you may be lucky enough to avoid packing since some will pack everything for you. If, on the other hand, packing is a chore with your name on it, invest in proper packing supplies. You may even want to check the Yellow Pages under “moving supplies and equipment” to rent or buy supplies. Some even offer plastic bins for the environmentally-minded.
Good boxes go a long way in making your move smoother, but don’t forget about reinforced packing tape, a tape gun, bubble wrap, packing paper (since newsprint can discolour light coloured items), and a marker to label boxes. To avoid back and muscle strain, keep packed boxes under 25 kg and label all sides, top, and bottom. To prevent damage, don’t over- or under-pack boxes.
Like all complicated endeavours, a little planning is a great stress-buster. It makes move-out day go by that much more smoothly, and move-in a dream.

Searching for homes online

With the prevalence of the internet more information has become available to the average home shopper or seller. But is that enough when it comes to your largest investment?

Many people are under assumption that public real estate websites have the same information that is available to real estate professionals. Not so. The truth is realtors have access to a great deal more valuable information than what the public sees when they visit websites like mls.ca. There is information like how many times the property has been offered for sale, and when, and for how much, how many times it has sold in the past years and so on. Real estate agents will also have access to the listing date, expiry date, required deposit and vendor information that play a vital role in determining value or developing a negotiation strategy. This information could make the difference between getting your offer accepted and not.

Realtors also have access to information such as what similar houses in the area have sold for, how often they become available for sale, how long it takes on average for a home to sell in the area.

Each buyer is unique, each property is unique, as is each buying or selling experience. It's because of this that the most important value of a realtor that will never be available by simply performing an internet search is the knowledge and expertise they bring to the table that allows them to interpret the information of your unique situation. You may look at a piece of information one way and a professional will see it from a completely different angle—an insiders' perspective.

Moving Checklist: What to do and when to do it

Moving into a new home is an exciting time but it can also be stressful. Don’t despair. Whether you’re doing it yourself, asking friends for a little help or hiring professionals, here is your moving guide to help get you through it.
As Soon As Possible:

• Start early. Investigate and research moving companies and/or truck rental companies.
• Hire a moving company or if you're doing it yourself, reserve a moving truck. Be sure to get written confirmation of all your costs and details of your move for your records.
  TIP: Weekends and holiday long weekends are busy times for movers and truck rental companies. Book far in advance (at least 2 to 3 months) to ensure you get a moving truck for the day you need to move.

2 Months Before Moving Day:

• No sense moving what you don’t want to keep. Go through your home and determine what you want to keep and what you want to throw out or donate.
  TIP: If moving in spring or summer, earn some extra cash and hold a moving sale to help get rid of items you don’t need or want for your new space.
• Make a list of items in your home that need extra attention while moving or special packing instructions (i.e. computers, televisions, fine china, etc.)
• If you have children and you are moving to a new school district, start arranging the school transferring process.
• Order boxes and moving supplies (packing tape, bubble wrap, tissue paper, stock up on newspaper, etc.) required for your move.

1 Month Before Moving Day:

• Time to start packing! To make it easier, begin with the items in your home you do not use regularly. Be sure to clearly label or number your boxes to make the unpacking easier.
• As you pack, make note of items of significant value (i.e. stereo systems, flat screen televisions). Depending on your insurance agreement with your moving company, you will need to declare items of value in case items are lost or damaged.
• At your local postal office, fill out a change of address form with your new address.
• Inform the following companies and institutions about your new address:
  o Banks
  o Cable and phone providers
  o Insurance companies
  o Hydro and utility companies
  o Credit card companies
  o Doctor and dentist offices
  o Any subscriptions you may have
  TIP: Many companies now offer the convenience of changing address information online.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Confirm your reservations with your movers or truck rental company.
• If required, cancel or transfer your newspaper delivery service.

1 Week Before Moving Day

• Most of your packing should be done one week prior to moving day.
• Set aside the items of importance you wish to transport to your new home yourself (i.e. jewellery and passports).

A Few Days Before Moving Day

• Re-confirm arrival time of your moving truck. If moving yourself, re-confirm your reservations with the truck rental company.
• Prepare a detailed map and directions for your movers including a cell phone number you can be reached at on moving day.
• Pack a travel bag with the items your family may need on moving day such as tooth brushes, change of clothing, medications, hair bushes, soap, toilet paper, paper plates and cups, aspirin, etc.
• If you are moving yourself, start dismantling beds and other large furniture.

Moving Day

• Make a note of all utility metre readings (new and old home).
• It’s important to be present when the truck is being loaded and unloaded just in case your movers have questions.
• Before the movers leave, check your belongings and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items.