When you’re looking for a new home in Caledon, you want to find one in a great neighbourhood, or village as they are more locally known. Here are some common indicators that a village is improving:

• Pride of ownership. Take a walk around the neighbourhood or village. 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?
• 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. 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 village in Caledon is to talk to people who live and love the area they live in.  Check out the small, quaint villages of Inglewood, Cheltenham, Alton, Terra Cotta, and Belfountain on my website.

Do you get distracted by all the features you love when you see a new house on the market? It's easy to get distracted by all the bonuses – the wrap-around porch or the spacious finished recreation room with plenty of space for the kids or entertaining. However, you need to make sure that within all that excitement you don’t overlook any expensive maintenance issues or potential hazards that could be just around the corner.

Unfortunately nothing lasts forever. The major components of every home – from the furnace to the roof shingles – need to be replaced eventually. If you are aware of when such maintenance issues are likely to arise, this can help you make a more informed decision about the home you fell in love with.

Here’s what you can do when viewing a property:

Ask for the age of the major components of the home,

• roof shingles - roof shingles may look merely weathered in spots – and you might think they have years of service left – when, in fact, they're due to be replaced in a year.
• furnace,
• air conditioner,
• water heater,
• and appliances.

Also pay close attention to the backyard deck, fencing, flooring, and windows. Do any of those components look aged, worn, and in need of repair or replacement sometime soon?

Finally, don't forget to check the kitchen and bathrooms. Sinks, faucets, bathtubs, showers, and cabinetry have a life-span of about 10-15 years.

Of course, there are things you can't see, such as wiring, plumbing, venting, and other components of a property that may require maintenance soon. That's why it's so important to make any offer to purchase a home conditional on passing an inspection by a qualified home inspector.

Want more ideas on buying the right home for you? Call or email me today. www.liveincaledon.ca

One of the most heart-breaking things about the real estate business is helping an elderly person or couple sell the family home before they are really ready to let it go.  Mobility issues are one of the main reasons mature adults move and is a key driver behind the demand for bungalows and bungalofts.  While this stage of life is good for the real estate industry there are alternatives that people may want to consider.

An elevator sounds extravagant but can be a cost effective way to keep a person in their home once they find the stairs are too challenging. An elevator can be installed in about the same space that a closet would need and can run right from the basement to the second or third floor.  Even the most well-planned bungalows have basements that end up as storage space that needs to be accessible.

I had a home for sale last year that had an elevator in it.  It was of interest to people with disabilities as well as multi-generational families that had elderly parents living in the home. It had been installed when the mother developed mobility issues but the family did not want to leave their neighbourhood or move into a bungalow.  It was in a 2 storey house and was positioned so that all of the existing rooms were still beautiful and functional.

There is currently a unit for sale right now in Legacy Pines, in Caledon, that has an elevator in it.  Last year, when I had a buyer for the active adult community located in Palgrave, I didn't even think to scan the multi-floor condos for my client.  You'd think I would know better, but I won't make that mistake a second time!  The split-level townhouse is priced at $439,900 which is substantially lower than the bungalows in this popular neighbourhood and it shows very nicely.  It is not my listing, so you won't find it in the featured listings on my website, but it is available to me to show.

If you are thinking it's time for you or a family member to make a move due to mobility issues, check out the idea of putting in an elevator. It could be helpful now and I suspect it will be a hot selling ticket in the future.

For more information on in home elevators & lifts, check out this link to CMHC
Canada Mortgage & Housing

Canada Custom Elevator serves the GTA: Canada Custom Elevator

When you are shopping for a new Caledon home, you want to find a great property that has all the features and characteristics you want and dream of – your Bucket List for a home. Like, a large deck surrounded by picturesque unique Caledon landscaping ... a beautiful updated kitchen with gleaming marble countertops... a cozy finished basement with warm fireplace....

You should look for the ideal home. You deserve it! But some home buyers make the mistake of becoming fixated on finding the "perfect" property, and passing too quickly on those homes that don't quite measure up.

Why is that a mistake? Look beyond the home, some of those less-than-perfect properties have the potential of becoming your next dream home.

There are benefits; first of all, a home that is lacking some desirable features, such as a finished basement, will probably cost less in the end. Those savings could be more than enough to cover any needed upgrades or renovations.

If you look at a home in terms of its potential, rather than the features it has now, there will be more desirable properties available on the market for you to consider.

If you are determined to have a large wrap-around deck for entertaining, for example, don't cross off homes that don't have this feature off your list yet. Instead, view these properties with potential:

• Could the backyard be big enough to accommodate a large deck?
• How would a deck look if added to the property?
• How much would such a renovation cost?

One thing is for certain, you want to find a home that has all the features and characteristics you want. If you work with http://www.liveincaledon.ca there is a good chance you'll find a property that has most of them.

Always keep an open mind. Sometimes a "diamond in the rough" can – with an upgrade or renovation – become a home you will treasure for years.

How Much House Can You Afford?

Here are two reasons why it is so important to know how much you can afford to spend on a home:

Firstly, you don't want to buy a beautiful Caledon property and then find out, only after you’ve moved in, that you can't financially maintain it. Maintaining a country property comes with the knowledge of how to maintain a country property. You don't want to have to resell under stressfull circumstance.

Second, you don't want to settle for a country property that's less than ideal, when you really could have afforded the "Caledon Dream Home" you've always wanted.

So how do you figure out how much you can afford to pay for your next home?

The first step is to come and talk to me. I can help you gain a clearer understanding of how much your current home will likely sell for in today's changing market. That amount, together with other financial resources you might have (such as savings), will help determine your down payment.

The next thing we will need to figure out is your mortgage. I can certainly help you find a lender who will take a variety of factors into account – income, credit rating, debts, expected down payment, etc. – to calculate the maximum amount of mortgage for which you can qualify.

For example: with the proceeds of the sale of your home combined with your savings, your expected down payment is $150,000. If the lender authorizes a mortgage of $350,000, then you can afford a $500,000 home.

Of course, that doesn't mean you will need to spend that much. A home that meets your needs in terms of property type, features, and neighbourhood, may in fact cost you less.

I can work with whatever amount you can afford and show you homes on the market that most closely meet your needs.

Start your 2013 off right, contact me to find your country dream home in Caledon!

House Hunting Shopping List

You will want to make the process of shopping for a new home as productive and enjoyable as possible. Besides, you'll be on a quest to find your next dream home. That's why it's important to take the right things with you:

• A camera, so you can take pictures of the features you like in the properties you see.
• A notepad, to take notes.
• Measurements of your largest pieces of furniture you want to move with you, so you can confirm they'll fit in the rooms of properties you like.
• A measuring tape.
• Some energy boosting healthy snacks and beverages, (especially important if you're taking the kids along!).
• A map of the area, so you can check out local parks and other neighbourhood features. *Google map where you are going and catch other attractions on the way or while you are in the area
• Clear driving directions to each of the properties you want to see.
• One of the best ways to shop for a home, and actually enjoy the experience,is to work with a great REALTOR®.

Home Safety: More Than Locked Doors and a Security System

When it comes to home security, most homeowners think about door locks and alarms. These are very important, however, there is also a lot you can do around your property to prevent the possibility of a break-in.

One important part of home security is outdoor lighting. Your home doesn't need to be lit up like a baseball diamond at night, but your exterior lighting should illuminate your yard enough to be a deterrent to burglars.

Some burglars hide around the property and wait for someone to arrive and open the door so they can use that opportunity to force their way into your home.

Security experts suggest that you walk around your property and look for areas where someone could hide, such as behind tall shrubbery like a cedar hedge or behind a shed. Make sure these areas are well lit.

Pay particular attention to lighting around exterior doors, especially the back door.

Home security experts also recommend that exterior lighting be installed with a timed dimmer. The lights can then be set to cast a bright light in the early evening, and then a dimmer light throughout the rest of the night.

Lights installed with motion detectors can also be effective in certain areas. The sensors will cause the light to turn on or brighten when someone comes onto that part of your property. Generally, thieves will flee as soon as they see a light turn on.

Do you hide a spare key under the front door mat or in a flower pot? No matter how clever you think you are, experienced thieves know all the common hiding places. So, if you need to have a spare key available, put it in a small combination lock box and hide the box. That way, if a burglar finds the box, he still won't be able to open it and access the key.

Last night, the Village of Inglewood Association voted in 2 new co-chairs to replace the president and vice-president who have lead the group for as long as I can remember.  Roger Crathern told the group a few months ago that he was ready to step down as president, but there didn't seem to be anyone eager to take his place.  When this issue hit the agenda for last night I was afraid we were going to be into a tooth-pulling session.

What a wonderful surprise when it was suggested that Kate & Karen take over as co-chairs - and everyone, including Kate & Karen, agreed that it was a great idea.  So....just as easy as that, we have 2 new co-chairs of VIA.

The reason I am writing about it is that Karen and Kate are part of the young, 30ish generation that have been taking more and more responsibility for creating the kind of community they want their families to live and grow up in, while helping the retiring generation transition out of their long-held roles as the village leaders.

Inglewood is once again alive with young families who have a vision of the community they want to create plus the drive and energy to make it happen.

People like Karen, Kate and Mark brought VIA into the computer-age by starting an Inglewood Village website, a Facebook page, an email list to notify people in the village issues/event and new ideas such as the Outdoor Movie Night.

From what I am hearing, this is only the beginning; their minds are racing with new ideas and there are many people in the background who are happy to help make things happen - young and old alike!

Each village in Caledon has its own personality; Inglewood is a dynamic village that offers homeowners and residents lots of opportunity to come together as friends and neighbours, making Inglewood a very special place to call home.

School started again this week.  In Caledon, that means the school buses are on the streets again.  Many people who are considering buying a home in Caledon don't realize that because most of our children are bussed to school, in the winter, the roads are cleared very early in the morning.  This is great news for commuters and people who provide emergecy services for a living as they can be assured that the roads will be passable even if there has been a snowfall.

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.