Positive U.S. housing market could indicate great things for Canada

In a recent article, we addressed the fact that analysts and mortgage pros are a bit concerned by the state of Canada's housing market and likened it to a "slow-motion version of what happened in the U.S." Remember that?

The good news for Americans is that the U.S. housing market is improving – maybe not by leaps and bounds, vast improvements nonetheless. The even better news is that U.S. housing market gains can be a really great thing for the Canadian economy and even stimulate economic growth in many different ways.

According to a recent article in the Winnipeg Free Press, the increased American housing activity and positive change for U.S. homeowners and prospective buyers marks the possible end of the four-year recession and plenty of economic woes. Unemployment rates are still soaring and improving at a snail's pace – if that. However, economic recovery is on the horizon, despite its recovery rate hovering near 1.7 percent annually.

Houses are increasing in value! New homes are being built! That has to mean something, right?

Sure it does. Canadian business owners and residents who work with or sell products to Americans will likely note sales gains as a result, which will then funnel into Canada's economy and potentially reverse all the negative predictions those industry analysts have given.

How American housing affects Canadian residents
Actually, the increasing number of home starts in America has a major impact on Canadians and a key industry: Lumber and wood product manufacturing. According to CBC News, America's improving housing market is actually spurring a rebound for New Brunswick wood products manufacturers. The province reportedly exports 80 percent of its finished wood products to America, and similar companies are preparing themselves for a business boom.

"We've had seven years of poor markets," David Palmer, manager of the York Sunbury Charlotte Forest Products Marketing Board, told CBC. "We purchased [the old M.L. Wilkins and Son Ltd. Sawmill] four years ago, and all during that time period, the markets have been too low to really run the mill profitably. It's only been in the last six to 12 months or so that the prices have come back enough to make it feasible to operate the mill."

Mark Arsenault, president of the New Brunswick Forest Products Association, says that as long as other countries and the U.S. continue buying lumber, wood fibre, wood cabinetry, doors and windows from Canadian companies, Canada and its residents will benefit from the business. The upswing in product demand may even play a small role in increasing employment numbers for Canadian manufacturing plants.

Will this have any effect on the Canadian housing market?
It's a good question, especially because many experts believe that any small shift or downswing in Canada's economy could effectively burst what many believe is a precarious housing industry bubble. However, despite the fragility of the Canadian market thanks to the low interest rates, high home prices and seemingly out-of-control household debt, the American housing market isn't likely to have any effect on Canada's housing market in regard to supply and average home cost.

However, this should not lessen what is really great news for our country – America is the largest consumer of Canadian exports, and prices of exported commodities are expected to continue increasing with time. Not only will this give residents more resources to buy a home, invest in property, save for a rainy day and pay down their increasing debt, but do their part in strengthening the Canadian economy, one Loonie at a time.

http://www.canequity.com/blog/2012-09-positive-housing-market-canada/

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The No. 1 Threat to Kids' Health

Preventing the most common chronic childhood disease takes less than 5 minutes a day—and it could be something you regularly remind your kids to do already.

This pervasive threat to children’s health is tooth decay, and the numbers are rising—even though cavities are largely preventable. In fact, a shocking new survey just released by the Ad Council shows that only 44 percent of American kids brush their teeth two or more times per day, leaving the majority of kids at high risk for costly and painful dental problems.

No time?

The survey finds that many children spend more than eight hours a day on unnecessary activities, like playing video games (1.9 hours), texting (2.2 hours), watching television (2.6 hours a day), playing games around the house or playing on their computers. Parents surveyed also reported that their kids spend more than two hours a day on activities that are “silly or unnecessary.” A tiny fraction of this time could be spent on brushing and flossing.

How bad is the problem?

“Dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease with more than 16 million kids suffering from untreated tooth decay in the U.S.,” Dental Trade Alliance Foundation CEO Gary Price said in a press release. He further added that kids miss more than 50 million hours of school (and parents lose 25 million hours of work) each week.

Decay can lead to complications including tooth loss, severe pain, chewing problems and tooth abscesses. Bacteria from gum disease can also enter the bloodstream, sometimes causing infections in other parts of the body, such as the heart. In rare cases, untreated cavities can actually be fatal in kids. Twelve-year-oldDeamonte Driver died in 2007 from an infection that began with an abscessed tooth, but then spread to his brain.

Although the majority of parents surveyed realized that kids who don’t take care of their teeth properly are at greater risk of oral pain, fewer understood the link between poor oral health and overall health. But tooth decay can be associated with other diseases such as diabetes, obesity and even heart disease. In addition, tooth loss before the age of 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Some Children More at Risk

Low-income children suffer from decayed teeth almost two times as often as those with higher income, which may have to do with how quickly they receive treatment for tooth decay, and how often they brush their teeth. Only 40 percent of lower-income parents report that their kids brush their teeth twice or more daily, compared to 51 percent of parents with higher income. And about half of all children—and two-thirds of adolescents from lower income families—suffer from tooth decay.

But cavities have been on the rise in all income groups, as I’ve reported previously. In fact, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that tooth decay affects over one-fourth of two to five year-old children, and half of kids age 12 to 15.

Prevention is Simple

Only 40 percent of parents surveyed—and 62 percent of parents with kids age 5 or younger—said they regularly help their kids brush their teeth or check to make sure they’ve done a good job. But the simplest way to prevent oral disease is by making sure kids brush their teeth twice a day—and since most kids can’t handle the toothbrush by themselves until they are 4 or 5, parents need to help them until they develop the skill necessary to brush by themselves. After that time, supervising your children to make sure they’re doing a thorough job is advised.

The CDC recommends kids begin using toothpaste with fluoride when they’re two years old—but just a pea-sized dab is fine. (If kids under six swallow too much fluoride, they may develop white spots in their teeth.)

In addition to brushing, flossing daily helps remove food particles that toothbrushes can’t get to. Limiting sugary snacks is also important, especially in small children. Sending your baby to bed with a bottle is a mistake, as the sugar from the liquid can pool around their teeth, attracting bacteria which produces acids that damage teeth and lead to tooth decay.

If your kids are under the age of two, you can actually help prevent tooth decay before they even have teeth. Dentists recommend removing cavity-causing bacteria by wiping your baby’s gum with a damp washcloth.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist when they get their first tooth, or on their first birthday—whichever comes first.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/no-1-threat-kids-health

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Five Essential Steps For the Ideal Bathroom Renovation

Investing in a bathroom renovation is a smart move, improving your living space and increasing the value of your home. In order to ensure your new bathroom meets, and exceeds, all of your expectations you’ll need to plan ahead and follow these five essential steps.

Step 1 – Determine Your Goal

Think about the look and feel of the space you envision. Are you dreaming about a luxurious spa bathroom with space to indulge and relax? Or will your new bathroom need to be built for function, allowing the whole family to make good use of the room daily? Do your goals fall somewhere in between, with certain elements of luxury and a functional flare? Nail down the vision first.

Sketch out your thoughts on paper and clip pictures from magazines or start an online board of images that capture your vision. This exercise will help you shape the space in your mind, which is an important first step in the bathroom renovation process.

Step 2 – Choose the Basic Fixture Types

Keeping your vision in mind, you now need to opt for the basic style and size of fixtures required to fulfill that overall image. Consider the sink and vanity, toilet or bidet and shower or tub. Browse through your local plumbing supply store or shop online for an extensive selection of quality fixtures. You have more choice in fixtures than first thought. Full vanities provide ample storage space, but pedestals and wall mount sinks help create a more spacious feel – which style will suit your vision best? The old tub and shower combo is one option, but what about opting for a soaker tub and neoangle shower or installing a larger walk in shower and forgoing the tub altogether? Take the time to properly make these decisions and your bathroom renovation will be that much better.

Avoid purchasing anything at this point. You’re simply deciding on the basic styles in preparation for the next step.

Step 3 – Lay Out the Elements on Paper to Gauge the Room

Draw your new bathroom to scale and place representations of the desired fixtures around the sketch. Now is probably the time to hire a contractor and get them involved in the project design. Their expertise and knowledge will be invaluable in terms of plumbing issues (do you know where your drain will need to be, depending on where you place the toilet and tub?) and other considerations.

By laying out the space on paper, you should be able to narrow down the dimensions of your new fixtures and get a good idea of the flow and feel of your renovated bathroom. Think about traffic patterns and envision using the room in your head. Will you be comfortable? Is it spacious enough and is there enough light?

That last question brings us to the next step.

Step 4 – Lighting and Flooring Considerations

Although your bathroom is mainly made up of plumbing fixtures, lighting and flooring play a major role in the overall feel and function of the space. Bathroom lighting is essential, and where you have placed bathroom fixtures will dictate the optimum lighting design.

Remember to incorporate natural light whenever possible, without detracting from the privacy aspect. Allow sunlight in through a window or two, and if wall space is at a premium, consider a skylight for much needed natural light.

The type of lighting installed is also important. Track lighting and bright fixtures work well for bathroom tasks, but you can also install a dimmer switch to allow for mood lighting in the room. Wall sconces work to redirect light and create a gentle glow, while pot lights and vanity strips are perfect for over the sink and in the shower task lights. Be sure to use moisture-resistant light fixtures and install a GFI outlet for safety.

Flooring also connects with the lighting to help create a safer, brighter bathroom. Consider the best type of flooring in terms of durability, bypassing carpet and focusing on either tiles or a high quality vinyl. Hardwood and other types of wood flooring are not well suited for the bathroom, where water is a permanent resident and spills are inevitable.

Look for tiles that create a warm feeling, both physically and visually. Many natural stone tiles actually absorb heat and help to create a more comfortable space. Think about whether or not an under-floor radiant heating system would be appropriate for your space. And always have a professional install your bathroom flooring, to ensure durability and an attractive finish.

Step 5 – Budget for the Bathroom Renovation

It seems strange to leave this step for last, but the reasoning is sound. You want a bathroom renovation that fulfills your vision and creates the space your family can comfortably live in. You also want to be sure that all bathroom fixtures installed are of high quality and well placed in the room, both for function and form. The optimum lighting and flooring choices round out the space and create a bright, inviting bathroom no matter the size. Why skimp on any of these vital steps in the name of a budget?

Once you have decided on all of the first four steps, hired a contractor and hammered out the final design, it’s time to finally tackle the budget. Remember that bathroom remodeling projects increase the value of your home and allow for a more efficient and even hygienic living space. It’s important to value this investment correctly and opt for the very best quality you can afford.

Plan for the ideal bathroom renovation by following these five steps. Begin with a well thought out vision and the right fixtures. Move to hiring a pro and laying out the room on paper. Design lighting and flooring that creates a safe, bright space and finally, do your budget. These steps will help you design and build the bathroom of your dreams, a renovation for life.

http://www.handycanadian.com/articles.asp?id=361-Five-Essential-Steps-For-the-Ideal-Bathroom-Renovation 

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Pre-Sell Prep

Are you considering listing your home for sale? One of the first steps is to enlist the help of a real estate agent.

Navigating the waters of real estate alone can be not only stressful, but risky. From under-qualified buyers wasting precious time to contractual loopholes to overpricing your home -- there are lots of selling pitfalls an agent can help you avoid.

"I don’t want to pay a commission!" you say. Research shows that homeowners who sell their homes solo end up selling for less money than homeowners who enlist the expertise of an agent.

Besides, crossing all the t’s in a wordy contract can be a pretty big responsibility, one that is best left to a professional.

Choosing an agent is a matter of personal preference. Some sellers want an agent that is a shark at negotiating, while others want someone who has a good "house side" manner and will be patient and compassionate. Take your time in interviewing potential agents. Ask about marketing plans and for referrals.

Now that you have armed yourself with a great ally, it’s time to prepare your home for sale.

First, have a pre-sale home inspection. Every home will have a list of minor repairs (or major) that need to be addressed. Many buyers want a home that is move-in ready. They don’t want to deal with even a minor headache. Head them off at the pass by addressing trouble areas before they become a problem.

If you end up having large repairs that need to be made, you can then make the decision to address them before listing your home or to at least get estimates for costs. Buyers will appreciate your due diligence.

Next, prepare your home for showings. You may be surprised how quickly you get showings on a new listing, so do your cleaning and staging now.

Clean your home from top to bottom. Remove odors by getting carpets cleaned. Then roll up your sleeves and get to scrubbing! You want every surface to be squeaky clean. You’d be surprised how many potential buyers will walk away from a dirty home.

Stage your home inside and out. Curb appeal is a home’s first impression. Trimming shrubs, pruning trees, and planting seasonal blooms can be a wonderful way to make your entryway feel more welcoming.

Stage rooms so they are clutter free, but still inspire a lifestyle. You want buyers to be able imagine themselves living -- a good life -- in your home.

These are just a few simple pre-sale prepping suggestions. Be sure to ask your agent for other tips that can help you prepare for listing.

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20120919_presellprep.htm

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Keep your pets safe when travelling

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Keep your pets safe when travelling

You’re wise to do some planning when adopting your first dog. As with having a child, when your new addition arrives, you’ll likely be overwhelmed with care and feeding basics.

Like babies and young children, dogs typically enjoy riding in the car. Properly securing canines in a motor vehicle is important to prevent driver distraction, or injury to the animal and any other occupants.

“We cringe when we see dogs loose in the back of vehicles, particularly in a pickup truck, but even worse is a dog perched up on the window sill of the car while sitting in the lap of the driver,” says Steve Kaye, president of the Canadian Police Canine Association.

“It really does hamper one’s ability to operate a car, but I think a lot of people also lose sight of what an airbag does in a collision – it explodes with unbelievable force. A dog in your lap will be forced into your chest or face with a force roughly equivalent to that of a 12-gauge shotgun shell blast. The airbag hits the dog, the dog becomes a projectile at a really high rate of speed and can cause significant injuries.”

As with most provinces, there is no Ontario law stating that animals riding inside a vehicle must be secured. “If the animal is not secured in the back of a pickup truck, however, drivers can be charged under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. And if something happens to the animal, the owner could be charged under the OSPCA Act or Criminal Code for permitting distress on an animal,” says Brad Dewar with the Ontario SPCA.

Some motorists travel with their pets in a caged-off area, which is usually at the back of an SUV, wagon or minivan. This can be effective in keeping a dog out of the passenger compartment area, but Kaye, who works with the Saskatoon Police Service, stresses that the barrier or gate must be correctly installed and able to withstand significant force in the event of a collision. “I’ve seen a number of those in vehicles which are not very sturdy, and a dog really pushing hard against it can knock them over.”

“Our recommendation to anybody transporting a dog is that they put the dog in some sort of kennel which is secured to the floor of a vehicle. That prevents the dog from becoming a projectile if the vehicle is in a collision, and prevents them from coming up to the front driver’s compartment area and impacting the operation of the vehicle,” says Kaye.

You can find plenty of images of contented-looking canines secured with seat belts or customized harnesses, sitting much like human passengers in the back seat of a vehicle. However, is a doggie seatbelt a realistic option to secure your precious cargo?

“If your dog is the kind that would sit with a seat belt on, you can certainly give it a try. I wouldn’t have a prayer of that with any of the dogs I work. In some of the work we’ve done, we found that when you restrain a dog they become more active and fight to get out of the restraint. They’re not comfortable with it, especially for a long period of time. It’s like having someone hanging on to you; for a short time it’s not a big deal but after a while you’ll start to fight to get loose because it gets annoying, and a dog’s really no different,” says Kaye.

A kennel works very well, says Kaye, because the dog is contained, but not restrained. “He’s not tied down to something where he’s going to fight to get loose. He is loose, but in a very very small area. Dogs tend to relax very well when they’re in a kennel as well.”

You’ll want a kennel or crate, secured in the vehicle, which is large enough for your dog to comfortably sit and lie down in. Not only is this a safe method of transport, but with your pet contained it will be much easier to keep the vehicle clean.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-tips/keep-your-pets-safe-when-travelling/article4550993/

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CHECK LIST: WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING REAL ESTATE IN TORONTO

Living in toronto has advantages. Being the 14th most visited city by tourists in the world, toronto not only has the basic amenities for Canadians; it also has the attractions and luxury that was previously only available in cities like New York, London, or Japan. Toronto, being Canada’s economic capital, is among the world’s top financial cities, with a population of 2.5 million. In 2007, a bulk of condo units and home were purchased by foreigners, most of which were Iranians and people from other Asian countries. According to reports, they chose Toronto because of its reputation from being tolerant to other nationalities, and because of its stable economic standing and real estate price growth rate.

However, choosing to reside in Toronto is only half the problem. Toronto is a huge city with a diverse population. While being in Toronto itself is a good choice, choosing where to live in Toronto requires serious consideration of various factors. One of the main considerations is the property’s distance to importance institutions and establishments, such as schools, shopping and entertainment districts, health facilities, among others. A house or a condominium unit’s distance to these establishments should be considered according to the buyer’s lifestyle and needs.

For one, an individual interested in buying a house or a condominium unit in Toronto with children or dependents and relatives who need to go to school must choose a location near schools and universities. For starters, Toronto is home to three major universities: University of Toronto, York University, and Ryerson University. Because Toronto is home to immigrants from different countries, it also has a number of English as a Second Language schools. Considering this is important primarily because of the distance, especially for dependents who are not staying in dormitories. Living too far from the educational institutions could be an inconvenience in the long run for commuters. In line with this, a buyer should also consider the distance of thereal estate property he plans to buy from the location of his job. This is a major factor in deciding what property to buy since one has to take to account his budget for transportation—may it be through private or public vehicles.

The hospitals, too, should be taken in to account. The location of one’s residence should a few minutes away from a health facility. If this is not possible, then one take note of Toronto’s health infrastructures for emergency purposes. Among the public hospitals in Toronto are Mount Sinai Hospital, North York General Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, among others.

The actual status of the real estate is not the only important thing when looking for a property in Toronto. Toronto’s real estate sector is doing very well at the moment, and is expected to do well for the next two years. Buying a real estate property in Toronto is indeed a wise decision. Buyers of real estate properties in Toronto should think about the location of their purchase to fully maximize the benefits the city has to offer.

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Best and Worst Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

Supplements to Survive the Sneeze Season

Flu shots, hand washing, healthy eating, and regular exercise are the best ways to avoid cold and flu.

But sometimes even the most scrupulous germphobes and healthy people get sick anyway. While certain natural remedies can help shorten symptoms—or prevent infection entirely—many people waste money on measures that are all hype. Here's how to know the difference so you can get well faster—without wasting a penny.

1. Omega-3 Pill

The Verdict: Help Take it: All season long

If you don't like or eat a lot of fish, pop an omega-3 supplement daily to reap the fatty acid's impressive immune-fortifying properties. Omega-3s increase the activity of phagocytes—cells that fight flu by eating up bacteria—according to a study by Britain's Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine. Other research shows that omega-3s increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.

Look for purified fish oil capsules that contain at least 1 g combined of EPA and DHA.

2. Astragalus

The Verdict: Help Take it: All season long

This Chinese root is shown to stimulate the white blood cells that fight infection, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. A study published in 2007 found that astragalus appears to boost immunity in mice. And a pilot study suggests that the herb may have similar effects in people. However, keep in mind that astragalus may take 6 to 8 weeks to reach its full effect.

3. Echinacea

The Verdict: Hype

If taken at the start of a cold, this herb might shorten duration and severity of symptoms. But some brands don't contain the amount of echinacea listed on the label—and some formulas have none at all. Possible side effects include wheezing, rash, and diarrhea.

4. Vitamin D

The Verdict: Help Take it: All season long

This power nutrient may effectively boost immunity and help prevent colds, a Harvard study shows. People with the lowest vitamin D levels were 36% more likely to have upper respiratory infections, compared with those with the most D. (Asthma patients with low levels of D were nearly 6 times as likely to get sick as those with the greatest amounts.) Adequate amounts of D help produce cathelicidin, a protein with virus-killing qualities.

Since it's tough to get enough from sunlight or diet (fish and fortified dairy are the best sources), you'll need a supplement to attain optimal levels, says study author Carlos A. Camargo Jr., MD. Aim for at least 1,000 IU daily.

5. Cold-fX

The Verdict: Help Take it: When you feel sick

Consider taking this supplement, which contains North American ginseng extract, when you feel a cold coming on. Subjects who took two daily capsules of Cold-fX (available online) caught half as many colds as a group taking a placebo, according to a study by the Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases at the University of Connecticut. When they did get sick, their symptoms lasted less than half as long. This particular ginseng variety contains compounds that increase white blood cells and interleukins, proteins the immune system relies on.

6. Airborne

The Verdict: Hype

Experts say this supplement, a blend of blend of Zinc, Ginger, Echinacea and other vitamins, minerals, and herbs, does nothing to repel germs on an airplane or anywhere else. It also contains large amounts of vitamin A, which could be toxic if taken several times a day.

The company was fined $23 million in a class-action lawsuit in 2008 for false advertising. It has since changed its packaging from saying it treats colds to calling the supplement simply an immune booster.

7. Zinc

The Verdict: Help Take it: When you feel sick

The research on this mineral is conflicting. Still, "30 mg taken at the very start of a cold will shorten it by about half a day," says David L. Katz, MD, MPH, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. Look for Zicam or Cold-Eeze. By slowing the multiplication of the virus in the nose and throat, these products appear to shorten colds.

But don't overdo it. While even a slight deficiency in zinc, which is needed to produce white blood cells, can increase your risk of infection, more than 50 mg daily can suppress your immune system and block absorption of other essential minerals.

8. Vitamin C

The Verdict: Hype

There's certainly no downside to eating a lot of C-rich foods, such as red peppers and citrus fruits. But taking a vitamin for extra protection won't help. A 2007 review of 30 studies found no evidence that vitamin C supplementation prevents colds in the normal population. Plus, megadoses can cause kidney stones, upset stomach, and even internal bleeding in children.

http://www.prevention.com/node/27572#ixzz26MUDjobp

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Do's and don'ts of washing your car

For many vehicle owners, the weekend act of washing a car by hand is a therapeutic act as beneficial for the person's state of mind as to the vehicle's appearance. That's good, because frequent washing is also the best way to maintain a new-car finish. But as simple as washing your car may seem, there are some things to watch for so that you don't accidentally scratch or degrade the finish. Here are some basic car-washing tips.

When should I wash the car?

Don't... wait for a layer of crud to accumulate before washing. Dead bugs, bird droppings, and chemicals from the atmosphere all leach acids that can strip away wax and eventually eat into your car's paint. If left too long, they can cause damage that requires sanding and repainting the area to correct.

Do... wash off dead bugs, bird droppings, and tree-sap mist as soon as possible. Other than this, a weekly car wash will keep the finish in its best shape. In addition, if you live in an area that suffers from acid rain, rinse your vehicle off after a period of rainy weather. Otherwise, acidic chemicals in the rainwater will be left on the surface after the droplets have evaporated, leaving a mark that can permanently mar the paint.

What kind of products should I use?

Don't... use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent, or glass cleaner on the paint. These aren't formulated for use on a car's paint and may strip off the protective wax.

Do... use a dedicated car-wash product, which is milder and specifically designed for use on automotive paint. Apply the suds with a large, soft natural sponge or a lamb's-wool mitt. See our car wax report for tips and advice on all types of waxes.

Grease, rubber, and road-tar deposits picked up from the road often accumulate around the wheel wells and along the lower edge of the body. These can be stubborn to remove and may require a stronger product, such as a bug-and-tar remover. Use a soft, nonabrasive cloth to remove these deposits, as they can quickly blacken your sponge.

Use a separate sponge to clean the wheels and tires, which may be coated with sand, brake dust, and other debris that could mar the car's finish. Mild soap and water may work here; if not, a dedicated wheel cleaner may be required. Be sure the cleaner is compatible with the type of finish (paint, clear-coat, chrome, etc.) used on the wheels. A strong formula intended for mag wheels, for instance, can damage the clear coat that's used on the wheels that come on today's cars. To be on the safe side, choose a cleaner that's labeled as safe for use on all wheels.

Are there any general guidelines I should follow when washing a car?

 

Don't... wash your car when the body is hot, such as immediately after driving it or after it has been parked in direct sunlight for awhile. Heat speeds the drying of soap and water, making washing more difficult and increasing the chances that spots or deposits will form.

Don't move the sponge in circles. This can create light, but noticeable scratches called swirl marks. Instead, move the sponge lengthwise across the hood and other body panels. And don't continue using a sponge that's dropped on the ground without thoroughly rinsing it out. The sponge can pick up dirt particles that can scratch the paint.

Do... rinse all surfaces thoroughly with water before you begin washing to remove loose dirt and debris that could cause scratching. Once you begin, concentrate on one section at a time, washing and rinsing each area completely before moving on to the next one. This ensures that you have plenty of time to rinse before the soap dries. Start at the top, and then work your way around the car.

Work the car-wash solution into a lather with plenty of suds that provide lots of lubrication on the paint surface. And rinse the sponge often. Using a separate bucket to rinse the sponge keeps dirt from getting mixed into the sudsy wash water.

When rinsing, use a hose without a nozzle and let the water flow over the car from top to bottom. This creates a sheeting action that helps minimize pooling of water.

How should I dry the car when I'm done?

 

Don't... let the car air dry, and don't expect a drive around the block to do an effective job. Either will leave watermarks, which in areas with hard water are the minerals left after evaporation. In addition, don't use an abrasive towel or other material that can leave hairline scratches in the paint.

Do... use a chamois (natural or synthetic) or soft terry towels. If you choose towels, you may need several. It's best to blot the water up instead of dragging the towel or chamois over the paint. The drying process can be speeded up by using a soft squeegee to remove most of the water on the body, but be sure the rubber is pliable and that it doesn't pick up bits of dirt that can cause scratches.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/do-s-and-don-ts-of-washing-your-car/index.htm

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Feng shui a mystic force in Vancouver real estate

For a realtor trying to survive the currently sluggish market, there might be no sight as disheartening as that of the unyielding feng shui master who shows up with the buyer to assess the property.

The master, is, after all, probably going to get the last word.

The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, which is, roughly, about creating a harmonious environment, can have a major impact on a sale in the Lower Mainland. Feng shui master Johnson Li knows all about that, having shot down many a potential purchase.

Mr. Li has been a feng shui master since arriving in Vancouver 20 years ago. He divides his time between the Lower Mainland, Hong Kong, China, and places like Victoria and Seattle, where he’s called upon to assess homes for occupants or would-be buyers.

Feng shui got plenty of media attention in the late 1980s, when a wave of Taiwanese buyers was purchasing and renovating properties based on the system. Today, it’s still alive and well and has spread beyond the Chinese demographic, with devotees from other cultures opting to let feng shui guide their choices.

Mr. Li acknowledges that he is one of the most expensive feng shui masters in Vancouver, but his rate is even higher when he works in China. Here, he charges $8,800 to assess commercial properties; $3,800 to assess houses, and $2,800 to assess apartments. His fee is not to assess only one property for a client, but rather, as many properties as necessary until he finds one with good feng shui. He says that he once rejected more than 100 listings until he settled upon an appropriate house, which must have been an interesting situation for the buyer’s realtor.

The practice is not limited to Chinese buyers, says Mr. Li. He has clients who are Caucasian and East Indian. In Surrey, a Polish family requested his help when they couldn’t sell their house after six months without action. After his recommended changes to the house, he says they sold two months later.

Patricia Coleman is a feng shui practitioner who caters mostly to a non-Chinese demographic in Vancouver. She has guided homebuyers and has “feng shui’d” houses to make them easier to sell.

“I have a lot of western clients,” she says. “It’s not just about trying to sell a house, but making the right decision. It’s a huge purchase. You need to ask, ‘Is it the right one?’

“Every culture has an understanding of placement and energy.”

Faustina Kwok, who lives in Richmond with her naturopath husband Martin, says their new house was built according to feng shui principles that she believes will increase its value. They also “feng shui’d” her husband’s clinic. However, when it came to the house, she wasn’t willing to forgo a good floor plan and flow for feng shui, Ms. Kwok says. She’d been inside “feng shui’d” houses that felt odd because the flow was off. But she was willing to move the driveway, and add a partial wall so that the master bedroom wasn’t in direct view of the front door.

“We just did the big modifications, like where the toilet shouldn’t be,” she says. “You don’t want to flush your fortune away. At least I take comfort knowing my toilet is not in the wrong place,” she says, laughing.

Although growing in popularity, it’s still a largely misunderstood practice, says Mr. Li. Some people think that the popularity of an address that includes the number eight is feng shui, but that’s more about superstition. Feng shui grew out of something far more practical, he explains.

“It is the art of looking at places that are safe or not, gauging whether they are a habitable place,” he says, seated in his Kingsway office, surrounded by his extensive library, a translator at his side. “Feng shui means the study of surroundings.”

Mr. Li has stopped the sale of many houses, and he’s witnessed attempts at feng shui by builders who were shrewdly, or naively, anxious to appease the Chinese market. Mr. Li explained how he once kiboshed the sale of a newly built home in West Vancouver. The builder had hired another feng shui expert to help design the house, which included a giant vertical aquarium as well as an indoor Koi fishpond. Mr. Li took one look at the aquarium and pond and gave a thumbs-down on the pricey property. His clients took his advice and walked. The builder was so furious, he says, that they asked him to put his reasons in writing.

As he poured another round of green tea, he explained that it’s a basic feng shui principle that you don’t want water above your head. As well, a Koi pond inside a house is not a good thing, he added.

When asked to explain, Mr. Li chuckled and said, “Because it will smell like fish.”

As for the feng shui practitioner who’d allowed such missteps, he explained that unfortunately, because so many consumers want instant and easy answers, there are a lot of unscrupulous practitioners who don’t know what they are doing. He doesn’t like doing assessments for developers and realtors because “they use him to make money.”

He recalls a realtor slipping him a red envelope as he was doing his assessment. The envelope was stuffed with a substantial amount of money, which he later turned over to his clients.

Emily Lo says she trusts Mr. Li for all her real estate purchases, even if it irritates the realtors, who often try to persuade her to use Mr. Li’s report as one of the subjects to sale. However, she’d prefer to get his opinion upfront, after the initial walk-through.

“He has the power of veto, and if you are paying that amount of money, you are going to trust what he says.”

Gastown realtor Ian Watt says the issue of feng shui comes up about once a month.

“A lot of my Chinese clients are really big into that,” he says. “It’s amazing, because it does affect real estate for a certain demographic. Everybody over 50 cares for sure.”

He has a client with a condo on Pacific Boulevard currently on the market, and the client refuses to let him close the window during showings.

“It’s on Pacific Boulevard, which is very noisy. The traffic sounds don’t help,” he says. “They want the window open all the time, and it’s something to do with feng shui.”

Anna Chen, who co-owns the unit with fiancé Dan, can explain. Her uncle is a feng shui master who visits from Taiwan, and he told her to keep the window open in order to sell the unit. Ms. Chen, who is 32, said that she was reluctant to believe in feng shui throughout her 20s, but now that she’s older, she’s starting to see its value.

“I think it helps. I’ve seen it help. So that’s why I asked my uncle to help me to sell the place, and also to help us buy the next place. Now, when we go to a new condo listing, sometimes I ask him to come with me. He told me the direction of the entrance and everything will affect health and fortune, how much you can make, or are you going to lose.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/real-estate/feng-shui-a-mystic-force-in-vancouver-real-estate/article4529893/

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Hijacking The MLS; The Competition Bureau's Attack On Your Privacy - Asif Khan's Top Read Articles

With another round of the Competition Bureau's discriminatory attack on Canada's Real Estate Industry underway, take a look at our top two blogs that expose the truth about this topic.

Hijacking The MLS - Asif Khan
http://remaxallstar.wordpress.com/2011/07/11/hijacking-the-mls/

It begins again.  The Competition Bureau has once again attacked the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) in yet another attempt to hijack its prized Multiple Listing System (MLS) . 
In an efforts to sway public opinion to their side, the Competition Bureau continues to tug at the consumers’ heart strings by stating that TREB is preventing or impeding the entry of innovative business models and imposing restrictions on real estate brokers who wish to use the Internet to more efficiently serve home buyers and sellers.  The Bureau goes farther in it’s attempt to garner public support by making promises of lower fee structures on the horizon.  The allegations in the “Amended Notice Of Application” are comical at best.  The Bureau has come out and demanded that TREB break Federal laws and allow the private information of their clients and customers to be available to anyone and everyone on-line.  This would be a dream come true for fraudsters, who undoubtedly are looking on with anticipation of better days ahead for their “businesses”. 
The Bureau alledges that TREB gives greater information to members that operate from “bricks and mortar” offices than it does those that operate from virtual office websites - “VOW”.  How absurd is that statement alone?  Each member has the same access to the same information regardless of the type of office structure they belong to. The key to receiving the benefits of membership, is to being a member. As for what is allowed to be published to the general public, Federal Privacy Laws dictate that, not TREB nor any other Board. 
In discussing this issue with many consumers, the issues obviously have not been made clear.  A smoke-screen of “lower fees” is being raised and the real allegations are lost.  Let’s expose some of the allegations from the Bureau’s application.  The following are some of TREB’s Rules and Policies that the Competition Bureau has a problem with as per their application to the Competition Tribunal.  The statements from the Bureau’s Application are in blue, followed by my interpretation in red:
25. To become a member of TREB and have access to the TREB MLS system, a broker must agree :to be bound by TREB’s By-Laws and TREB’s MLS Rules and Policies and must execute an Authorized User Agreement (“AUA”). The terms of these rules, policies and agreements, as imposed and interpreted by TREB, are referred to in this Application as the “TREB MLS Restrictions”.

In essence, the Bureau is stating that the very rules and regulations that TREB members must adhere to are “Restrictions” for non-members.  Members that go through the necessary educational courses, pay fees associated with membership, obtain insurance to work in the industry, take an oath to protect the integrity of the industry and the privacy of their clients as part of their fiduciary duties, and follow the rules and regulations imposed by the governing body are said to be “restricting” others that do not comply with the above from entering into this exclusive membership.  If you’re a member at a golf club and refuse to follow the dress code alone, you will be refused membership.  Why is this even a concern with TREB membership? 

 

26. TREB members are bound by TREB’s MLS Rules and Policies, which include the following provisions:

RULES

R-101

Use of the MLS® System is subject to the provisions of the Authorized User Agreement as amended, restated or replaced from time to time.

This is a standard rule for any progressive membership organization, corporation, club or even credit card issuer.  Enough said!

 

RULE 400 – ADVERTISING

R-430

Members other than the Listing Brokerage may advertise an MLS® Listing only when an MLS® Listing Agreement so indicates and Members have received specific written permission from the Listing Brokerage prior to each occasion of advertising.

The Listing Agreement allows for a seller to authorize members to advertise their property.  Often the property listing details upgraded features, makes and models of appliances, and contains pictures of the furnished home showing valuable decorations and electronics that may be in place.  In order to maintain the sellers’ privacy and protect their belongings as best we can, the ability to control where and when the property is advertised should remain in the control of the seller/sellers’ agent. 

 

R-431

Members shall not use any marketing materials prepared by or created for another Member, including but not limited to, photographs, floor plans, virtual tours, personal marketing materials or feature sheets without the written consent of that Member who created or purchased the material.

In any other industry, materials created by another individual/company remain the property of the company/individual and are protected by Copyright Laws.  The Competition Bureau would like TREB to break Copyright Laws and allow the use of any materials created by a member to be made available to everyone without the consent of the Member that invested the money and effort to create the same. 

 

POLICIES

RULE 500 – TREB COMPUTER SYSTEM

P-501

Any Member wishing to obtain access to any MLS® data (whether for office use or individual use by a Broker or Salesperson registered with a Brokerage) shall enter into an MLS® Access Agreement, or such other agreement as TREB may require from time to time.

The Competition Bureau has a problem with TREB having an Access Agreement to allow members to use their own MLS System. 

 

P-508

TREB in its sole discretion, may terminate or suspend a Member’s user name and Password code in the event of any unauthorized or improper use of the MLS® Online system.

The Competition Bureau is questioning TREB’s right to terminate or suspend a Member from using the MLS System if they are found guilty of fraudulent or improper use of the system.  Buyers and Sellers should be very afraid of their personal information getting in the wrong hands.  The ability of TREB to monitor and control access to the classified information that our clients trust us with plays an integral part in the safety of our clients and their families.

 

27. Further, each member of TREB must agree to the following material terms of AUA:

(a) In section 2, TREB grants a broker member a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the TREB MLS system;

(b) In section 2, the broker must unconditionally agree to access and use the MLS system “for the exclusive and internal use” by the broker;

(c) In section 3, the broker may make “Copies” of the information in the MLS system but such Copies are limited to paper printouts and electronic copies of reports “generated from” the MLS system;

(d) In section 4, brokers acknowledge that the MLS Database (as defined in the AUA) has special value “due to access only by TREB members and users authorized by TREB”;

(e) In section 4(c), the MLS Database is considered to be confidential property of TREB and requires that the user “not circulate or copy … the MLS database … in any manner except to authorized users… and except to persons or entities who desire or may desire to acquire or dispose of certain of their rights respecting real estate”;

(f) Section 4(d) prohibits members from using, copying, reproducing, or exploiting the database for the purposes of “creating, maintaining or marketing, or aiding in the creation, maintenance or marketing, of any MLS database … which is competitive with the MLS database … or which is contrary to the By-Laws, the MLS Rules and the MLS Policies …”

By wanting to see a change in this rule, the Competition Bureau is asking TREB to break Federal Privacy Laws set out by the Privacy Commission.  This battle should be between the Privacy Commission and the Competition Bureau.  TREB seems to be caught in the crossfire as two arms of the government can’t seem to decide on what is considered to be private information vs. public information.

 

28. TREB’s MLS Rules and Policies (as outlined in paragraphs 25-27), on their face, and as interpreted, applied, and enforced by TREB, prevent brokers from offering innovative, Internet based services such as VOWs to their customers.

Arguably, this could be the most absurd statement in their allegations.  However, this is the focus of their attack on TREB.  Members have the same access and availability of information, what is released to the general public has to conform with Privacy Laws regardless whether the member is operating from “bricks and mortar” or “vow”s. 

 

29. For example, TREB considers the display of a listed property on a VOW to be “advertising” that property for sale. TREB Rule 430 requires “specific written permission from the Listing Brokerage prior to each occasion of advertising”. According to TREB’s interpretation

of Rule 430, to operate a VOW with the necessary full inventory of current properties for sale, a VOW broker would have to obtain specific written permission from each brokerage in the GTA, for each occasion of advertising, potentially for the up to 25,000 new listings that are added to the TREB MLS system each month. This creates a practical barrier to entry that makes it virtually impossible to operate a VOW.

The Competition Bureau is requesting that TREB break Federal  Laws – Privacy and Copyright Laws – and allow its membership to violate their fiduciary duties to their clients. 
The Bureau would like to see pending sold data available to everyone and disagrees with TREB’s reasoning to withhold the same.
The Competition Bureau is requesting that TREB release pending sold data to be available to everyone.  This is absolutely ridiculous and should never happen as it will jeapordize a seller’s ability to maximize return on their largest asset – their home.  If your home is sold conditionally, the Bureau would like the details made public.  What if the conditions are not met and the deal falls through?  Now the price that you’ve accepted has become public knowledge?  How does that affect your negotiating ability for the next deal?  This is just absurd, and has nothing to do with competition, commission rates, “bricks and mortar” or “vow”s. 
The Bureau is masking this discriminatory attack on Realtors by continued claims of trying to bring down the cost of buying/selling real estate.  Has any seller NOT been able to negotiate a rate to their satisfaction by interviewing a handful of the 30,000 plus Realtors on the Toronto Real Estate Board along with the numerous low-fee/minimum-service alternatives currently available to them?  Don’t be fooled by this smoke screen.  This feels like an attempt to injure the livelihood of a certain percentage of the population by limiting, reducing or regulating their ability to earn a living.  Is this constitutional?  Should Realtors stand by and appease the Bureau by breaking Federal laws, Copyright laws, and exposing their clients to fraud and misrepresentation?  Maybe it is time for TREB, its members, CREA, all other real estate boards and their memberships to put an end to this discriminatory bullying and file a class action suit against the Competition Bureau.  
This is not about saving the consumer a dollar.  It is an ego driven, manipulative attack on an industry that has been in the spotlight over the past few years for fueling our economy and leading our nation away from the economic turmoil that is devastating many countries today.  If you had to make a name for yourself, you’d want to be associated with the hottest industry at that time, wouldn’t you?
I’d like to reiterate that this is not about fees, nor is this about competition.  With the thought process that went into this from the start, the Competition Bureau may as well have singled out Mercedes Benz owners as being non-competitive.  Why should “Anita” be able to drive a Mercedes, and not her neighbours.  Regardless of if Anita furthered her education, worked hard, saved and purchased the vehicle on her own and for her family, all her neighbours should have equal access and should be able to use the vehicle without Anita’s consent. The Bureau would gain public support by stating that if they “car-jack” Anita’s Benz and force her to share her car with everyone in the neighbourhood then all luxury car manufacturers would be forced to lower prices on their vehicles down the road. 
As I drove home tonight, I passed gas station after gas station serving up a litre of unleaded gasoline for $1.29.  Be it Petro Canada, Shell, Esso, or even the independents, 95%, if not all, are at $1.29/L tonight.  If the Competition Bureau is concerned about price fixing and noncompetitive behaviour, maybe they need to focus their efforts and put tax-payers’ money to better use.  It is time that they investigate a real anti-competitive and fixed price industry.  However, they won’t.  The government gets a cut on every litre. 
Lost in the shuffle is the fact that they also get a cut on every Real Estate transactions through Land Transfer Taxes.  Oddly enough, Land Transfer taxes are a percentage of price as well.  Should we lower the rates for Land Transfer taxes now that property values have increased so much over the last 20 years?  Is the focus really to save the consumer some money?  Stay tuned.  We’ve only just begun. 

The Competition Bureau's Attack On Your Privacy - Asif Khan
http://remaxallstar.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/the-competition-bureaus-attack-o...

1. 75% of Ontarians want their personal information such as name and final sale price to be kept confidential and not released to the general public
2. 70% of homeowners do not want their personal contact information released to the public
3. 67% of Ontarians oppose any measure to make personal contact information such as name and address available to others who are not subject to professional code of conduct.

The public entrusts Realtors with their personal and private information and it is up to Realtors to protect their clients’ personal information. As TREB President Richard Silver states “this is why TREB and Realtor Members are fighting for the privacy of our consumers.”.

The mandate of the Competition Bureau does not, or at least should not, supersede Privacy Laws, especially since the violation of such laws could prove detrimental to the general public. Should public safety be jeopardized in lieu of information accessibility at any time? Furthermore, what does this have to do with “competition” anyway? Is there a good reason for your neighbours to know your mortgage details or sensitive property access information? In today’s “Do Not Call List” era, should your name and contact information be available for all to see just because you’ve listed your home for sale? Should your pending sale price be disclosed to the public thereby eliminating any leverage you would have to attain the best price possible should your “conditional sale” fall through?

As a Realtor, I take my role to protect my clients’ best interests seriously. I am at a loss to explain the Competition Bureau’s high-handed and unethical behaviour. When is it okay for the safety of the general public to be hijacked by the government and how is this deemed to be appropriate by calling it a “competition” issue? In today’s society, we have enough identity theft, mortgage fraud, and targeted domestic violence without more personal information floating around cyberspace. At some point protection of the consumer has to remain a priority.

I’m confident that my fellow Realtors feel the same way and will share this with their clients to help bring awareness to this matter. How can you help protect the consumer? Visit www.ProtectYourPrivacy.ca

Asif Khan, ABR
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
 
click here: http://bit.ly/Phzcqe

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan

Five money saving tips for new home buyers

When buying a new home, you probably have a "To Do" checklist longer than a loan application. But there are a few things you should put above "Do Happy Dance in Front of Co-workers who Rent."

Like "Find Ways to Save Money."

The good news is there are several ways you might be able to save a little green. From major moves like refinancing your mortgage, to more humble acts like bundling your Internet and cable with one company, the savings potential for new or prospective homeowners is big.

So, before putting on your dancing shoes, check out these five tips that could help you save.

Tip #1 - If You Can, Get a Shorter-Term Mortgage

If you’re still shopping for mortgage loans, or if you’re already thinking of refinancing (replacing your existing loan with a newer one), choosing a 15-year loan term - rather than a 30-year term - could be a smart financial move.

This means you could pay off your house in 15 years instead of 30 years. And that has some advantages, as well as some challenges.

On the plus side, a 15-year loan typically means a lower interest rate, says Fred Arnold, a member of the National Association of Mortgage Professionals (NAMB) board of directors. He says most lenders offer a rate that’s at least a half percent lower than the rate for a 30-year loan. This means you could pay much less in interest over the life of the loan.

How much? Here's one example:

If you borrowed $250,000 for 30 years at 4.5 percent, you would pay $206,016.78 in interest over the life of the loan, in monthly payments of $1,266.71. However, if you borrowed $250,000 at 4.0 percent for just 15 years, your monthly payments would rise to $1,849.22, but the total amount of interest would only be $82,859.57. That’s a savings of more than $120,000...a good chunk of change, wouldn’t you say?

As for challenges, because you are paying off the loan in half the time, your monthly payment will be higher, as the example above shows. So be sure you can afford it. And if you’re comfortable with it, Arnold says you could be on a strong financial path.

"Your payments might be higher, but it requires you to be disciplined and in many cases that’s how people become very wealthy," says Arnold, who adds that if you can’t afford to go all the way down to a 15-year loan, there are also 20- and 25-year options from some lenders.

Tip #2 - Get Rid of Your Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

If your down payment was less than 20 percent of the value of your home, it’s very likely your lender required you to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI), a policy that protects any losses the lender might take if you don’t make your loan payments.

And unfortunately, the PMI isn’t cheap. According to a mortgage consumer guide published by the U.S. Federal Reserve System, which oversees national monetary policy and banks, PMI could cost anywhere from $50 to $100 per month.

Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of that? Good news: you can. The first way, of course, is to put 20 percent down when you buy a house. But if you couldn’t or can’t, don’t worry, you still have a shot at losing the insurance.

According to the Federal Reserve, when you make enough payments to gain 20 percent equity in your home (based on the original purchase price), you can send a written request to your lender to cancel the PMI.

The Federal Reserve adds that federal law requires your PMI payments to automatically stop once you reach 22 percent equity in your home - again based on your original purchase price and with a clean payment record.

Finally, you should know that PMI is different than LPMI, which stands for lender's private mortgage insurance. Some lenders buy LPMI and charge you a higher interest rate to cover the expense. According to the Federal Reserve, this type of insurance does not automatically cancel; instead, you must refinance your home to possibly get rid of it.

Tip #3 - Shop for the Best Home Insurance Rate

Buying a home is probably one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. This means you should take some time to not only get the best rate on your home insurance policy, but also the best policy for your lifestyle and home.

Keep in mind that this is the insurance that protects you against financial loss from such things as theft, fire, flood, and other liabilities on your property. So, it’s important to get the right policy.

To do so, there are some key things to take note of.

To start, it’s important to purchase enough insurance in the event of a total loss of your home, says the Insurance Information Institute (III), which provides insurance information to the public, media, and government regulatory agencies. In addition, they say, remember that your home insurance also covers your possessions, so include them in your estimate.

Then once you get that all squared away, you need to make sure you’re getting the best rate possible. One way to do this, says the III, is to take the highest deductible you feel comfortable with. The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in.

For instance, the III says in their Home Buyers Insurance Checklist that "Since most people only file a claim every eight to 10 years, having a higher deductible saves money over time and preserves your insurance for when it’s really needed."

Tip #4 - Consider a Home Contractor for Some Projects, But Not All

We know. Your new home is great...but you want to make it even greater with some do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. After all, if you provide the sweat, you'll save a lot of money, right?

Well, maybe. Unless you’re a builder yourself, you might be in for sweat, tears, and a more expensive project. That’s why you may want to consider hiring a contractor.

But what’s to fear about not hiring a professional and doing it yourself?

"The unknown," says Dean Herriges, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). "The unknown that is obvious to a professional but is not to the average layperson can cause a lot of problems for people trying to tackle a project themselves."

He says that often, the new homeowner will open up a wall and inadvertently create a major electrical, plumbing, or structural problem. Then, it’s going to cost even more than the original project to get a professional to fix it.

He adds, however, that there are some projects that are well within the skill set of a non-tradesman, including small roof repairs and paint jobs. As for the rest, think long and hard before deciding to tackle it yourself. Because really, wasn’t finding and buying the house stressful enough?

Tip #5 - Consider Bundling Your Internet, Cable, and Phone

There's nothing like watching that first big game in your own home. But before you call the cable company, there are a few things you should know, especially if you plan to use the same company for two or more of your digital services—also known as bundling. And if you do it right, bundling could save you some money, says Consumer Reports Magazine Senior Editor Jeff Blyskal.

First, he says to remember that the cable company saves money when you bundle because they only need one cable to deliver your cable TV, Internet, and home phone services. Bundling these three services is typically called the "triple play," and it stands to reason that you should pay less for that than if you ordered each service individually. In fact, Blyskal says the savings could run from 40 to 60 percent, depending on your area and the amount of competition.

However, if you don’t need a home phone (the third part of the triple play) and decline the service, don’t expect as big a discount on the other two services. You should still enjoy some savings, though, says Blyskal.

Unfortunately, though, this discount usually only applies for a limited time, typically anywhere from six months to two years, he says. So, bargain hard now for the longest term at the lowest rate; this is when you have the power since they want your business.

http://homes.yahoo.com/news/tips-for-new-homeowners-to-save.html

Posted via email from Markham Real Estate Today with Asif Khan