MAY NEWSLETTER

Owning a Pool

Does a pool add value to my property? Before diving in…read this first!

When it comes to determining if a swimming pool adds value to your home, the reviews run from hot to cold. 

 

On the nay side, home experts say as much as you treasure that gorgeously expensive water feature in your backyard, when it comes time to sell, others may hate it, especially those who have young children because they see it as a big safety hazard. Families with middle-aged parents and teenagers are more likely to be smitten by thoughts of splashing around in the hot sun.

 

Then there are the ongoing maintenance and security costs of owning a pool. Not only will your energy costs shoot through the roof, so will your maintenance expenses. Pools cost approximately $1,000 to $2,000 per year to operate.  Having a pool also raises your homeowner’s insurance rates.

 

But…if you do love the water and plan on using a pool frequently, and have no immediate plans to move, then that kidney-shaped dream may be a good decision for you. 

 

Also, if you live in a neighbourhood of pricey homes, not having a pool may be a deterrent. This has more to do with keeping up with the Joneses – those neighbours in your upscale locale whom already have pools. But you’re not likely to get significantly more money for your house because of its pool; you’re just as likely to be viewed favourably.

 

Aesthetically speaking, pools, especially inground ones, are the crème de la crème in pool options. And with our fascination of bringing our living space outdoors, the sparkle of blue water and the sound of splashing and laughter that emanates from this luxury item, can’t be beat as a focal point.

 

If you love to entertain, there’s nothing better than hosting parties that centre around the pool. Pools are also great for cooling down on a hot summer’s day and for doing exercises such as water aerobics.

 

Expect to pay between $30,000 and $50,000 for an inground pool. Your costs could also run higher given associated expenditures for landscaping.

According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, the average recovery rate of a pool investment is low and stands between zero and 25 per cent.

 

Bottom line: don’t expect to recover the full cost of putting in a pool, especially with our Canadian weather when our summers seems to be getting shorter and shorter. A pool adds value to your own family’s lifestyle if you truly love diving in and soaking up all the good things a pool has to offer. If you’re truly only doing it for investment purposes, then do your research and make your decisions based on the facts.

Any questions give me a call

Todd Fryer

Broker 

Century21 Aberwin Realty

905 869-3473

It’s never too early to start preparing your lawn for summer. As the days begin to get warmer dedicating a few spring hours to your lawn, will help produce that beautiful lush grass you will love all summer. Adding that little extra pizzazz to your home, a healthy summer lawn begins with spring maintence.

Start Early
Even if it still feels a little chilly, it’s never too early to begin your lawn work. Cold winter temperatures require you give a little extra love at the beginning of spring. Be aware winter can also alter the pH of soil, encouraging weed growth. Check your soils pH level (aiming for a neutral 7) and balance as needed. Early weeding, fertilizing and mowing will also help produce that beautiful lush green lawn.

Know Your Soil 
The first key to a beautiful lawn is determining the type of soil you have and how to best work with it. Simply grab a handful and determine if it is tightly packed, holds its shape or runs through your fingers.
Claylike Soil is sticky and does not break. This causes trouble for plants trying to establish roots.

Sandy Soil runs through your fingers, unfortunately water will also slips through quickly, preventing roots from absorbing essential nutrients.
Loam Soil holds shape until crumbled. This is ideal for plants as roots can push through the soil, while still being thick enough to hold water and nutrients. Don’t get discouraged if you find you have claylike or sandy soil. Adding compost will help you create a more loamy texture. Adding grass and plant clippings through the season will also keep your soil loamy.

Keeping it Lush
Choose a lawn seed that compliments the sunlight your grass receives and do not be afraid to re-seed throughout the season if you notice rough patches. Be diligent with weeding to prevent grass from competing with weeds for water and nutrition. Cutting grass when it reaches 4 inches will prevent stress on your lawn. If you find grass loss in high traffic areas, simply poking through dense soil will help to regenerate grass. In terms of nutrition, always water lawns early in the morning to prevent heat evaporation or frying and use a time release fertilizer to ensure nutrient absorption all summer.
Most importantly, remember to take time and kick your shoes off to enjoy the wonderful benefits of your lush green healthy lawn.
 I hope you find this information useful as there is nothing more pleasant then the feeling of soft grass between your toes on a beautiful summer day.

Any Questions always feel free to call me.


Todd Fryer
Sales Representative
Century 21
905 869-3473
www.toddfryer.com

What is the role of a real estate agent?

You wouldn't dream of designing a home without an architect or even making a complicated meal without a recipe, so why make the biggest purchase of your life without the help of a trained professional? A real estate agent is an indispensible ally when buying or selling a home.

 Realtors must be registered with the Real Estate Council of Ontario and complete a training program which will allow them to become a licensed real estate agent. With a real estate agent on your side, it's just a matter of signing on the dotted line. 

 Real estate agents do much more than hammering For Sale signs onto front lawns. For buyers, your first meeting with an agent will likely be spent answering questions. They need to know exactly what you are looking for in a home in order to start your search. Your agent will then begin sending you current listings that match your criteria, usually via email. 

 When you see a home you would like to tour, your agent will contact the seller's real estate agent and arrange a viewing. You are welcome to tour as many homes as you like before buying. Don't ever feel pressured into making a decision.

 
 Once you have found THE house, your real estate agent will meet with you to discuss the terms of your offer, including price, conditions and a closing date. This is when the paperwork and negotiations come in. Your agent will act as an intermediary between you and the sellers until an agreement has been made. If the deal goes through, your agent will then submit all necessary forms to your lawyer and your mortgage lender.

Your real estate agent also plays a big role when selling a home. Their first responsibility is to advise you on a competitive price for your home. They will suggest ways that you can effectively stage your home in order to entice the most buyers and arrange for photographs to be taken of your home. It is then your agent's job to market your property. They will advertise your home in multiple real estate publications and online websites (including their own) and will likely submit your home to the multiple listing service (MLS) where it will be seen by thousands of other real estate agents and potential buyers. Your realtor will arrange showings of your home and take the lead in negotiations when dealing with offers. Check out on My website the Over 100 Actions Todd Completes When Selling Your Home


Any Questions always feel free to call me.


Todd Fryer
Sales Representative
Century 21
905 869-3473
www.toddfryer.com

How to avoid costly renovations that won’t pay back   The sights and sounds of hammering and demolition fill your home and this can be an exciting thing, or in some cases lead to renovations gone wrong! So many times home projects that you thought would be a smart investment end poorly with little opportunity to recover the costs when the time comes to sell your home. It may leave you wondering, “What was I thinking?!” Many homeowners put countless hours each year into home improvements. There are some obvious eyesores that need to be upgraded like used-to-be-trendy faux paint treatments, but then there are those home renovations that sounded like a good idea at the time that may actually end up devaluing your home when it comes time to sell. So before lifting any tools, do your research and find out how the project will affect the value and choose upgrades that will boost your sale price. Looking back some people ask themselves, “where did we go wrong?” One of the most common mistakes is with redecorating. Any extremely trendy or personality-specific decorating choices can work against you in the future when selling your house. Paint colours that are too bold such as red, orange, purple and black, as well as too many walls covered in wallpaper are usually not the most appealing choices to potential buyers.  You don’t want to do anything that’s too trendy, even if at the time it’s the latest and coolest thing, as it will probably only last short term. Instead, make choices that will last for years.  Another big mistake when renovating is purchasing cheap materials to work with. This is just setting up for disaster, as you get what you pay for. Cutting corners in the wrong places will show. Never go for the cheapest! There are several upgrades that people believe will add value to their home, when in fact it does the exact opposite. Swimming pools and hot tubs are a good example. It seems like a luxury item to add to your home, but many potential homebuyers view them as dangerous and expensive to maintain. Wall-to-wall carpeting is another thing that may be a turn-off for some, as it has been shown that carpeting harbors allergens and dirt. So as a homeowner sometimes you have to choose between an improvement that you want and one that would prove to be a better investment. Think twice about costly upgrades and renovations that will not add value to your home.  Its your money! Lets try and keep more of it. Any Questions always feel free to call me. Todd Fryer Sales Representative Century 21 905 869-3473 www.toddfryer.com

APRIL NEWSLETTER

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Negotiating Interest Rates

 
 Would you ever buy a car or book a vacation without shopping around? Well the same theory applies when choosing a mortgage rate. The First thing you need to know is it is possible to negotiate with lenders for a better rate. It just requires them to take a lower commission. Always keep in mind a quote is just a quote, until you are accepting an offer.

Be informed. A mortgage contracts is a beneficial agreement between you and your lender. Shop around and know what’s available. Another way to do this is to learn the language. Knowing what you are looking for and the terminology, presents you as an educated shopper. Don’t give people the chance to present you with a less than perfect offer because you don’t understand the terms. 

Also know your own strengths. If you have a good credit rating, strong assets and documentable income, you are eligible for a great rate. Don’t be intimidated. You’ve worked hard and deserve to be treated fairly.

Shop around. Remember you are looking for what suits your financial situation best. Likely your bank will offer you a great rating, as a valued customer, but don’t stop there. Talk to multiple institutions. 

Mortgage brokers provide a free service, so make use of that as well. When doing this, always get a written quote. You want to be clear what is being offered.

Banks usually have great customer service policies. Don’t underestimate the value of being able to negotiate with someone. 

More than a rate. A great interest rate is important, but there are other things to consider. Associated costs and terms can drive up your closing price. You’re looking for the lowest total. Also you don’t want to be surprised down the road. Learn about penalties for making extra payments and what happens if you sell your house before your mortgage is paid in full.

Hidden cost of appraisals and document fees may seem minor when spending thousands, but you’ve earned this money. Often your home bank can waive these fees. It’s worth asking. The lender is being paid by you, let them earn it. 

Give yourself extra time. Pressure to close can leave you scrambling. Taking the time to compare rates and bottom lines is a huge advantage. This is your purchase, settle it the best you can on your terms. 

 Realize you are just another mortgage to the leaders do not be intimated. Ask for a discounted rate and be prepared to move on if they will not come down to a lower rate. By asking for a discount you can save thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage.

Its your money! Lets try and keep more of it.

Any Questions always feel free to call me.

Todd Fryer
Sales Representative
Century 21
905 869-3473
www.toddfryer.com