Downsizing Tips for Toronto People Nearing Retirement
Posted on March 19, 2010
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It happens to all of us. As we get older, the reality of retirement in Toronto becomes more of an issue.
No doubt retirement can be a great experience. But there are also quite a few decisions to make. One of the biggest is whether and when to downsize your home.
Here are some reasons why you should give some thought to downsizing sooner rather than later.
1. Now that we appear to be clawing our way back from the economic downturn of the last few years, the real estate market still has lots of bargains. In many regions of the country the cost of homes is still low and so are interest rates. If you need to borrow money to get into a newer, more convenient home, this is one of the best opportunities you’re likely to find.
2. You purchased that large home with the over-sized yard because you needed the space. Now that your children are no longer living at home all that space is becoming a burden. There’s no sense having to fork out good money for extra room, extra heat, extra taxes, and the maintenance costs that go with it.
3. These days you can find developments that are designed to support any style of living you can think of. What a boomer should be trying to find is a smaller home with less maintenance. It will cost less and you will have a good deal more spare time to do the activities you’ve always wanted to do.
4. Think about the activities you enjoy doing and make changes accordingly. If you enjoy gardening, be sure to have enough space to plant a garden. Or if you travel a lot, you should get a home with special security so you can leave it unoccupied for extended periods of time. If you want to regularly entertain friends you should have a home with a private entertainment area.
The time will come for most of us when we move from our homes into a more efficient situation. And there are a lot of convincing reasons to do it sooner rather than later.
Who are the best trades people or sub-contactors to work with in Laguna Woods Village?
Posted on March 6, 2010
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Everyone always asks me this question. This is because before a home is listed for sale, it typically needs some “freshening up,” perhaps some new paint or carpet. On the flip side, once a home is sold, the new owners are typically looking to do some remodeling on their new home. As a result of this, I am always on the look out for the best, most reasonably priced, and dependable sub-contractors and trades people that work in the area. This list is a result of that search.
1.) General handyman – Jerry McFadden is my main “go to” man… 949-768-5335
2.) Carpentry – Counters – Countertops – Raise kitchen counter tops – “Doc Stevens” – 949-458-8604
3.) Flooring – Any and all – Bill Hale at Finer Floors – 949-380-1297
4.) Electric – Jim Coutts & Co. – 949-494-1898
5.) Plumbing – add dishwasher – Add Washer/ Dryer – All Star Plumbing – 949-470-0072
6.) Painting – Steve Peek Painting – 949-279-5799 or Juan Kim 714-624-9510
7.) Cabinets – Kitchen and Bath – Reborn Cabinets is a good company: 714-630-2220
http://www.reborncabinets.com/
8.) Tile Installation – Robert Ford: 949-510-1608 or Peter Stapper: 949-458-0885
9.) AC and Heating – Adding a Heat Pump in the living room – Dicksons Air Con. & Heating – Doug Campbell – 800-999-9038
10.) Bath – tub – shower guy – bathtub re-glazing – shower enclosures, etc. – Andy Costello – 949-380-8787
11.) Trudell Moving and Storage – Laura Trudell (or Elizabeth) – 714-843-6466
12.) Scrape ceiling – South County Drywall – Dana Tichenor – 714-235-5682, ofc. 949-679-4411
13.) Complete Kitchen remodel – A Plus Kitchen and Bath – Roger Mangrum – 949-232-8551, ofc. 949-458-2108
14.) House Cleaning – major or minor – Ruben Guzman Cleaning Service – 949-275-4732
Complete home remodeling Contractors:
15.) Coppola Construction – Rob Coppola – 949-282-9881
16.) Bernritter Construction – Steve Bernritter – 949-244-7788
17.) Pulaski and Sons – Kobi Pulaski – 949-233-4338
18.) Pulaski Construction and management – Jon Pulaski – 714-233-4338
If you would like more information about Laguna Woods Village, please check out my web site: www.leisureworldre.com
US Commercial Real Estate Sluggish Till 2011
Posted on March 5, 2010
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Commercial developers and investors in the Chicago area and all across the U.S. are used to seeing commercial real estate activity lag behind the residential sector. They see this lag when approaching a recession and when coming out of one. This pattern is holding again during this recession. Because of the depth and severity of this recession things are even worse this time than usual.
While there are signs in many markets across the US – and even in the Chicago area – that the economy is starting to revive, commercial real estate activity continues to lag. And according to a February National Association of Realtors Commercial Real Estate Outlook it is not likely to turn around until some time in 2011.
Commercial real estate developments rely on consumer confidence, unemployment rates, and the vibrance of the retail sector. Until these turn positive again developers and investors are hesitant to enter the rental market.
According to one survey almost nine out of 10 survey participants said new commercial activity does not exist in their regions, and just about everywhere commercial rentals are down.
The availability of commercial credit also continues to be a big problem. A small number of banks say they will start expanding their commercial lending this year, but most are continuing to stay out of this market.
Office vacancies across major commercial markets in the US are expected to rise from 16.3 percent in Q4 of 2009 to 17.6 percent in Q4 of 2010. Vacancies are expected to start down in 2011, but only slowly.
Total office rentals declined 12.7 percent in 2009, and are expected to decline a further 7.2 percent in 2010. The trend in industrial rentals is expected to follow a similar path – declining a further 9.6 percent in 2010.
The only bright spot in commercial real estate is apartment rentals. As people downsize or are pushed from their homes due to economic factors they often turn to apartments. Multifamily vacancies are expected to decline to 6.6 percent from 7.4 percent in Q4 of 2009. However, average multifamily rental will continue to decline by about 3.4 percent in 2010.
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Handling Basement Drainage Problems
Posted on March 4, 2010
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One of the most frustrating problems of London home ownership is a leaky basement. Water leaks can be caused by a wide range of things, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Installing a sump pump is often the first “solution” tried by home owners with leaky basements. While this is necessary and can prevent a bad problem from getting much worse, it does not really get to the heart of the issue.
What causes water leaks in the first place is a combination of two things: poor drainage around your foundation, and inadequate sealing of your basement walls and floors. Your basement is like a reverse swimming pool. When there are cracks or weaknesses in the walls or floor, the water outside will try to get inside.
To stop this water flow the first thing you should try to do is improve the drainage of the low lying areas around the ouside of your foundation. Here is an excellent overview of some inexpensive exterior drainage solutions including french drain and dry well installations.
Sometimes the best approach is to install an interior drainage system. with an interior drainage system water beneath the floor or at the base of your walls is collected by a drainage pipe under the floor and carried to your sump pit. For a description of how this works see this article about interior drainage systems.
BlogEasy Helps You Create a Useful Real Estate Blog
Posted on February 18, 2010
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The biggest problem involved in maintaining a useful real estate blog is adding new, interesting and well-written content on a regular basis. BlogEasy solves this problem.
Here are three most important features of BlogEasy.
1. We write it, you post it – BlogEasy members have access to new articles published on a daily basis. Articles can be customized and localized.
2. Post right from BlogEasy – No need to log into your blog. Select the article you want, add your local modifications, post it directly to your blog – right from within BlogEasy.
3. Build links – Links to your blog are the most important thing for getting ranked in the search engines. The more you use BlogEasy, the more links you can get from other members.
The Dangers of Being a Postman
Posted on February 17, 2010
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In this blog post called A Postman’s Job Has Its Risks the author bemoans how a local postal delivery person has to tolerate the on-the-job possibility of being snarled and hissed at by friendly little pets.
We may laugh sarcastically at this – “Ah the poor postman” – but then, were you ever threatened while on your job by a big angry dog?
Should we be surprised that postal delivery people want to be compensated in some way after they’ve been attacked.
Let Bob Make You a Perfect Sandwich
Posted on February 15, 2010
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When it’s time to eat what is the first thing you think of? When lunchtime rolls around most people prefer a sandwich to fill them up. And it’s no wonder because a sandwich is about as versatile as it gets. Be cleaver and creative with your lunch meats, cheeses or other fillings, and make your lunch time sandwich a treat to look forward to.
For an outstanding sandwich or sub visit Bob’s Pantry and Deli – the best Ravinia Deli going – deli sandwiches, Italian subs, garden and Caesar salads, gourmet coffee. For delivery call 847-432-DELI.
If you’re watching your calories, instead of a swipe of mayonnaise across your triple-decker club, try a fat-free spread such as mustard to bring a robust taste to any sandwich. Just by making a few small changes on your lunch time plate can keep your waistline under control, while still enjoying your favorite midday meal.
And if you need to trim a few more calories here and there, try substituting chicken for ham, or lean turkey for beef. And don’t forget to add a cup of hot coffee to top off the perfect meal.
Spice up your lunch hour with an array of healthy full-flavored delights such as a towering turkey club made from skinless turkey breasts or one of the double meat selections when only the biggest will do. And vegetarians will please their pallet with a generous veggie sub, bursting with cheeses, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, oregano, pepper and ranch dressing. And if a tasty gourmet sandwich plate is not to be, there’s always the classic peanut butter and jelly treat by popular demand.
No matter what kind of sandwich craving you have a deli can solve your problem. Stop at a deli like Bob’s Pantry – a Ravinia deli – for a gourmet deli sandwich. And when its lunch on the run, a carry out is the fast and efficient way to get you back to the office on time.
Emergency Atlanta Tree Removal
Posted on February 11, 2010
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Think about what it is like after a severe Decatur storm destroyed a cluster of trees located in the yard next to yours. Indeed, after a storm, there is always a big clean up process that all property owners face.
When you need emergency tree removal Atlanta contact Atlanta tree trimming and Atlanta tree removal from Southland Tree Service. Call today for a free estimate from Atlanta tree removal experts – 770-598-3778. Prices are guaranteed.
That’s where an Atlanta expert tree service comes into the picture. A good tree service has experienced arborists on staff that can come out and access the situation on your property. When it comes to trees, Greater Atlanta tree experts have seen everything.
A good tree expert service can act as a medical doctor would in an emergency involving human beings. Some trees will require a simple trim to survive, while others may need to be removed.
With trees and storms the damage is usually of six different types. These include branch failures, crown twists, lightning damage, root failures and stem failures. In the Atlanta area, there are approximately 50 to 70 days of storms during the year, and these storms definitely take their toll on trees.In the Decatur area, there are approximately 50 to 70 days of storms during the year, and these storms definitely take their toll on trees.They will do everything they can to save your trees, but safety of you, your family and other people involved comes first. At typical problem is where a tree has fallen on a power line causing a real risk.
When you need emergency tree removal Atlanta contact Atlanta tree trimming and Atlanta tree removal from Southland Tree Service. Call today for a free estimate from Atlanta tree removal experts – 770-598-3778. Prices are guaranteed.
In such a case it is obvious that the tree must be removed as soon as possible by experts with the proper equipment. Not only that, they must have knowledge of power lines and electricity to safely rectify what could be a potentially dangerous situation.
When a Greater Atlanta storm hits feel confident, that after careful inspection by tree experts, your trees will be tended with an eye to saving as many as possible. No matter what the time of day or night these experts can get the job expertly attended to.
The BlogEasy SuperLink Program
Posted on February 6, 2010
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Here’s how the BlogEasy SuperLink program works – This is a program to help build inbound links to your blog(s).
1. Every time you publish 10 BlogEasy articles we will give you one SuperLink credit.
2. For every SuperLink credit we will create a special SuperLink article that will be posted only on your blog. Or we can use a recently published post of your own as a SuperLink post.
3. Then we will create a synopsis of that SuperLink post with a link pointing to your site and make that synopsis available to our members in the BlogEasy article list.
4. Each time a BlogEasy member publishes the synopsis on their site they create a link pointing to your site.
Can you see the potential here? Publishing BlogEasy posts not only gives you high quality relevant content, but it is an awesome way to build inbound links from just the kind of sites the search engines consider the most important – other active real estate sites.
Go ahead. Sign up for the free 5 day BlogEasy trial right now**
New Articles added to BlogEasy – Feb 4
Posted on February 6, 2010
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The following article has been added to BlogEasy for use by BlogEasy members:
Left in the Dust By Technology
Real Estate Trends
Social Security and Retirement
Retirement
Linknet Products- Review of Apple iPhone 4
- Review of Samsung Captivate Android SmartPhone
- Using Content from Other People to Get Traffic
- Video Review of Blackberry Torch 9800
- Writing Articles is a Pain in the Butt
- iPhone or BlackBerry – Which is Better?
- If You’re in Business You Need a Slogan
- Why Article Marketing Is Worth Doing
- Using Facebook Groups and Pages to Promote Your Business
- Facebook Ads Give Local Business New Options