Toronto Condos

Are There Advantages to Living in a Property with Lots of Generations?

Do you live in a house with your kids and your mother and father? For some cultures this is a very common scenario and in Canada it is becoming more common throughout every culture. You many think this is a very good thing or the thought of it may fill you with terror, but there are negatives and positives to living with extended family. I want to show you a couple of them in this feature. If moving in with extended family is something you are looking to do shortly, hopefully this article can give you an insight into what to expect.

Let's begin by looking at the positive side.

-sharing the financial burden of owning a property, is one of the good points of this type of living. With large homes, where families only meet in a couple of rooms, then it probably won't make as much financial sense.

-you are living with your whole family surrounding you. A warm family environment with good, close relationships is another benefit.

-the financial pressure of babysitters or childcare could be alleviated, when there is lots of individuals living under one roof there is bound to be someone who is available. The older generations are able to support or advise the younger generations, especially with regard to bringing up a kid.

-the older generations may have health problems, consequently the younger members of the home can support them to living independently as much as possible. On the flip side, the older members could cook while the younger generation is at work – reciprocal help is the key.

-the older individual can feel lonely, primarily if they are housebound or have lost their life partner. We all need a shoulder to lean on at times, living with your whole family can help assuage that loneliness of becoming older.

Let's now think about the bad side.

-some of you might feel like they have no real independent time, like they are never really alone.

-parents and grandparents could feel that you are intruding in their lives, or you may feel that they are intruding in yours all the time.

-disagreements about bringing up the children (the grandparents are treating them too much and so on).

worries of being compared to other family members is not a nice emotion to feel, primarily if it's your partners family you are living with and not your own.

-different generations see things in a different way, so this could be a hard adjustment to deal with. Naturally, it is important to live in a house, which is capable of accommodating more generations Forest Hill real estate is great for this.

Rules need to be set up before entering into this kind of situation, there are lots of other points to think about that I haven't covered, as a family it's up to you how you deal with it. Honesty is extremely important, though. If you know you could never dream living in such a property, do not do so just because your husband or wife wants you to. When all said and done, if you are miserable then other people are going to feel that, which makes for a very strained home and relationships could break down.

Overpricing Is Not Smart

There are so many seemingly amazing houses for sale everywhere around us. That is nothing unusual, is it? Unless the their 'for sale' sign is there for way too long. Why aren't these homes, in spite of their wonderful look, sold already? Think about it. 

If you guess it is because of their location, you may be partially right. Even if the house is stunning, in case it is too far away from basically everything or its not surrounded by anything nice, the beauty of the house itself is pretty much meaningless. This only happens occasionaly, though. There usually are many different reasons. The fact that many of these homes are overpriced is the main one. 

Buyers, naturally, do not want to offer on such homes. They do not want to offend the seller by offering a price that is way below the asking price and they might also think it is embarrassing for both sides. It is expected that the sellers know if they are asking too much. Unsurprisingly, people think the sellers do realize what they are doing and hence they just do not want to sell their place for less money. They would have dropped the price some time ago already, if they would be willing to do so. 

My advice to you is, if you are trying to sell your home and nobody has offered on it so far, even though the property has been on sale for some time, think about whether the price you are willing to sell it for is unrealistic. A simple way to figure it out is to ask your real estate agent or a person who is a specialist for your area. In case you have almost no showings, no contract in spite of showings or, as mentioned, no offers at all, you are probably overpricing your property. It is understandable that you like and value it, but be realistic, who is going to buy it if it is unreasonably expensive? 

People are not that silly. If the sellers actually want to sell their overpriced homes, their have to lower the price in the end anyway. It is thus smarter to start off with a "normal" price and do not spend long months waiting and worrying that the home will never be sold.

Your Garden in Summer

There are many people who enjoy summertime more than any other season. The weather ought to be warm and very nice. You can spend long evenings outside having a barbeque, or just talking in your garden full of flowers. The garden, yes. Attention should be paid to it during summertime, too. It probably needs even more care than usually. And a little different kind of care than usually. So what is essential for having a beautiful garden which will survive the summer just fine? 

Watering and fertilizing is the key! When the weather is extremely hot, the soil dries out and it just needs to be watered. Late evening, when the temperature cools down is the best time watering, as the overheated soil will not be unpleasantly shocked by extremely cold water. Also, fertilizing is quite important. Do not be too active with either of these activities, though. They might be harmful if you do them too often. 

Another essential activity is pruning! Many people are afraid or feel bad about cutting even those parts of flowers or trees which really need it. That is one of the greatest gardening mistakes one can make, I think. Do you see a dead head? Well, that is the most obvious sign that the flower needs pruning. No time for long consideration, just act! The flower would probably end up completely destroyed otherwise. 

Make your garden look nice! Some bird houses, water fountains, wooden wheels or gnome sculptures are an essential part of many gardens. You have probably seen them in hundreds of gardens, I'm pretty sure, so why not to have them in yours? Actually, they could be a great source of water or shadow and hence not only attractive but also very practical. Nowadays, there are so many of opportunities to make a garden look fabulous, just open your eyes and search a little! You don't need to go far, there sure is something right next your home. Just as an example, garage sales, might offer many interesting and nice items for the garden. 

In case you are leaving for a holiday, do not forget to ask relatives or friends to look after you garden for you! 

Leaving it with no supervision during a hot, dry summer for even a couple of days, might just completely kill it.

To buy, or to rent, that is the question!

Which dreams did you have as a youngster - occupation, holidays, children, house, marriage? Becoming an adult and have our own place to live in is a dream that is not so clear-cut nowadays. Living in your own house does not necessarily mean owning it, it could also be rented. You could buy your own property and what you are paying out goes towards owning a house, unlike renting. Whether buying your house or renting, they have their own its plus points as well as disadvantages.

Pay Rent to a Landlord

This is one of the more easier ways of moving into your own house. You browse around, like the look of it, you agree terms with a landlord, it's your new home. You move in and you live there for as long as you sign the tenancy for. Obviously you are going to have to hand over the rent each month and any security deposit straight away. Most agreements say the landlord is liable for repairs, so you don't even have to think about them. Even refurbishing the home is paid by the person who owns the property. The biggest downside, is probably the fact that the place is not your own and it is very likely that you will have to move out at the end of the day. Often you do not have the rights of when you have to vacate the property. Many individuals feel some kind of a bond to the property, get used to it and are sorry to leave. Certainly if you are one of those individuals that enjoying moving, then this would be an bonus point for you. In simple terms, if your rent period expires and you want to move, you just do, you do not have to sell the house and so on. But with any good thing, there is always a negative point, one of the big ones with renting is you can't do want you want with the property and would have to ask permission that could or could not be given.

Real Estate Purchase

To start off with it may be hard. One of the big hardships is that large loan you may have had to take out which could take years to pay off. Once you have bought the house it doesn't end there, what about decorating it to your own personal style? Including the mortgage charges, you have to pay fees for the house, all the improvement and running costs and also home insurance. Nevertheless at the end of the day you are now the title owner. You can decorate it or alter it in anyway, it's yours to do with as you please. You can do want you want to the building, within reason, you don't have to get consent to change it. Be wary, though, sometimes repairs may be very expensive even if they seem to be insignificant in the beginning. Moving properties is not going to be easy compared to moving from rented places. When you move house often you have to rent the home out or sell it. The property could take a while to sell or rent out, specially if the market conditions are not very good. However, as a realtor, who specializes in one of the most astonishing areas in Toronto - Bridle Path - I believe with home ownership comes a special feeling!

Renting accommodation is potentially the best option for you if you like to wander and don't intend to stay in one place very long. The financial outlay of buying a house takes at minimum a couple of years to start paying off. In the beginning, it seems like you only have to pay out with no benefits.

Multi-generational Home

Do you live with your children AND parents or grandparents? Even though the scenario of 3 or more generations living together may be more usually seen in older movies, the truth is that it is now becoming more common than it was just few years ago. Of course, multiple generations homes have many positive, but also many negative sides. I hope to show you some of them in this article. In case you are trying to figure out whether to move in with your children and grandchildren, this might be, at least a little, helpful.

Positives

-it may be a very economic solution -not always, though, as sometimes such homes are so big that they are basically separate and the only common room is the kitchen

-the family spends lot of time together

-it can create a great family atmosphere and close relations

-there are less problems with who will take care of small kids if the parents urgently need to leave (no need for a babysitter and useful advices from the older generation regarding bringing up the youngest ones)

-the members of the younger generation might help with shopping or housework the older are not able to do anymore

-on the other hand, the older generation could for instance cook while the young are at work- mutual help is essential

-many older people feel quite lonely - living in the same house as their kids and grandchildren could prevent these feelings; they always have someone to talk to, to spend some time with and so on

Negatives

-lack of privacy, private life, there is always someone there

-too significant interference in each others' lives

-disputes about bringing up the youngest members of the family (parent usually have a feeling that the grandparent are spoiling the kids too much)

-too good relations between children and their parents is not always such a fantastic thing (no woman wants to be compared to the mother of their partner - e.g. "my mom is the best cook in the world")

-having to adjust to more people and respect the needs of more generations - it is quite difficult at times, due to big differences

It is extremely toughto name general good and bad sided of multiple generations homes. It all depends on mutual relationships among the family and strict rules right from the start. Honesty is very important, though. In case you believe living in such a home is definitely not for you, then do not do it. Yes, your parents really want it, but what about you? Ignoring how you feel and your own wishes in the matter is a recipe for disaster.

Planning to Buy a Second Home?

It is very common to be an owner of a so called second home used mainly for vacationing. It would be very surprising if you did not know about anyone who owns such a "holiday home". BUT: after actually buying the house, quite a few people suddenly realize it is not what they expected it to be - it might not be used as often as predicted, it might be taking a lot of money, and so on. Some just become quite depressed about the whole situation. In this article, I want to offer you some tips on what to avoid and how to enjoy your second home as much as possible.

Most importantly, you should consider (realistically) whether the house is really needed. If you think so, try to figure out why and for approximately how long. Yes, it would be nice if you could spend all your free time there for the rest of your life, but it probably will not happen. You do not have the same wishes, needs and abilities as you are getting older. For instance, if you can afford to take care of a home when you are in your 20's, it does not mean you will be able to do so at the age of 60. Think it through properly. If the house is not going to be used for a longer time (you may just want it for a summer or two), it perhaps is better to just rent one. You do not necessarily have to buy it.

Financial matters are another big issue. Do not forget that even though it is just a second home, you have the same responsibilities as if it was your main home - you have to pay for it just like you have to for your first home, perhaps take a loan from a bank etc. Also, since second homes are often located near the beach or in the mountains, they may be more susceptible to problems than houses in the city. Insurance can be very expensive and it is an almost essential part of a vacation home. Briefly put, responsibly consider whether you can actually afford a second home. In case you know you do not have sufficient amount of money, it is not the smartest thing to borrow. Owing money is not really nice and do not forget that second homes are not necessary for anyone's life.

True, second homes are certainly popular nowadays, but people may face disappointment after buying them due to not thinking it through properly. Hopefully the tips offered in this article will help, in some way, to prevent dissatisfaction with your weekend home. If you own a second home and want to share your story, just leave a comment. I would love to read it.

Are You Leasing a House or Are You Leasing a House Out?

Almost everybody has been either in a position of a landlord or of a tenant, at some point during their life. Only a couple of lucky people have always been owners of their property and never had to experience living in someone's property. On the other hand, there are people who own an extra property for rent. Not everything in life is perfect and it is not unexpected for occasional arguments or disagreements between the tenant and landlord taking place. So whether you are a landlord or a tenant, here are some ideas on making it run a little bit better:

Settling your rent on time is one of the first important rules of being a good tenant. Nothing is this life is free, so if a landlord is providing you with a property then you should not make them wait for payment Try and keep the property in decent condition, this means keeping it clean and tidy, including the backyard Even though it is not your house so you are not abusing your own property, try to take care of the house just like it was your own. If you are thinking about sharing the house with other individuals make sure you read the agreement and only share it with as many people as the agreement allows.

As a landlord you have a duty of care to the renter, so make sure the house is in good condition. Any services to the house should be safe as not to cause a problem to a new tenant; also make sure that bits such as windows are not broken. Try to pay for gas, water or electricity (if you are liable for these) on time so that there will be no awful surprises for the tenants – it won’t be acceptable if suddenly there isn't running water. Do not keep the spare keys, a tenant is not going to be happy if you turn up without notice and let yourself it, it is now their home. You need to honour the tenants right to privacy, even if it is your house , they are paying you for the right to live there.

As a Forest Hill Houses expert I believe the most important thing to think about is put everything the tenant and the landlord settle on, on tenancy agreements. For an idea, I write down who is going to deal with the repairs or paying for the electricity. Make a decision on pets To avoid issues in the future, it is important that these details are sorted out before the tenancy starts and make sure you stick to them.

Tips on Selling Your House Successfully

Experts are there to help you sell your home, but if you want to do it without their help you could make several mistakes. Rather than fall into the pitfalls when selling your home, I hope that by reading this report it will give you an insight into avoiding common issues.

In other articles I have mentioned the exterior of your home, this is the first impact a possible buyer is going to have and could determine whether or not they want to invest in it. The inside of the home is what buyers are coming to see, but that doesn't mean the exterior is not important. The garden, shed, patio and general state of the exterior of the home is crucial. So if you don't want to sell, just leave the outside in a mess with the grass uncut and paint peeling off the property.

While you may love your animals, a probable purchaser may be wary of them. First of all, it is not acceptable for viewers if a dog keeps jumping all over them as soon as they step inside the house. As well, some animals may smell really disgusting. Pet cages need to be cleaned just before the viewer turns up. Make sure you dispose of the waste in an exterior bin and air the room so it smells clean and fresh. Nasty smells can be really discouraging to possible viewers.

Dirt is another thing that will put people off buying your home. Leaving, for example, dirty pots on the table or your clothes all over the chair are not a brilliant idea if you are looking to find a buyer. Of course, you may think the visitors did not come to look at your clothes and they do not care your home is not quite clean, but trust me, they do. Consider what you wouldn't want to see when looking around for a new house and then decide whether you would buy a property in this state. I would be out of that home quickly and would never look back!

Make sure personal items such a shoes and jackets or newspapers and magazines are hidden away. Family photo's and the kid's painting masterpieces need to be kept to a minimum. Let the purchaser envision the family house, their family home, rather than yours. It is hard to envision yourself living in a house that is filled with personal possessions belonging to someone else. Your potential purchaser could look in drawers, so avoid stuffing your personal possessions inside them, as doing this can be as harmful to a possible sale as leaving them out.

Is there anything else you can think of to help individuals sell their house? Have you viewed a house and disliked something so didn't get it? Let me know if there is anything else that could be beneficial to include in this piece.

If you have any question concerning selling a home, contact Elli Davis from Toronto Luxury Homes

Another great source for Toronto market news

Bad Neighbors: How To Deal With Them?

Think of two possible situations. First - you have just moved into your house and it seems to be almost flawless. The only problem it has are the neighbors. Second - you have lived in your place for ages, it is just fine and you have absolutely no plans to move away. But suddenly, new neighbors move in and unfortunately their presence is not very pleasant. What to do in those situations? How do you solve the problem of bad neighbors? The aim of this article is to provide an answer to that, so read further to find out more. 

If you are the new neighbor (and therefore the first scenario occurs), you should do a little research about the neighbors and the neighborhood before you actually move there. Ask someone who lives in the area already. It is unlikely that the owners of the home you are planning to buy are going to admit they are moving because of the neighbors. But ask other persons living there, you probably will find out something of your interest. It certainly is worth a try. 

If, on the other hand, you have already moved years ago and the second scenario occurs, remember that a diplomatic and calm attitude is important. Many people are not satisfied with their neighbors but going to their house and yelling at them is not going to solve the problem. At first, think about why exactly you are unhappy. You might be just too spoiled. Also, think about whether you are not doing something irritating, too. 

Are you convinced it is the neighbors who are in the wrong? Go and talk to them then. Just remember, approach them with a calm attitude. You could, perhaps, invite them over for a coffee or a barbecue party so that you can get to know each other. Not only that is is less difficult to talk to a friend and tell them about your problem, but they also might be nicer and more considerate after becoming friends with you. 

Of course, it may be that the neighbors are ignorant and they are not willing to agree on anything with regards to the problem you have with them. Are they too loud and lots of people are complaining? What about a petition? Make it and ask for the signatures of all the unsatisfied neighbors. You will also need some actual evidence (pictures, for instance) that they are wrong. When you know all this, go and visit their house once more. In case they are just ignorant and do not want to listen to you at all, contact their landlord. The final step would be to solving it through legal channels.

Investing in a Property - Single Females

A Few years or decades ago the idea of a (single) woman purchasing a house herself would have been absolutely unimaginable. Today there are many women out there that can now afford to purchase their own property by themselves Looking at the statistics, there is a steady growth and increase in popularity for single professional women to invest in their house.

The difference over the years has moved women away from the stereotype, uneducated, stay at home wife and mother. There may always be more men than women that go to university and have lucrative professional jobs, but the gap is slowly closing.

Rather than just take my word for it, let's have a look at a few recent polls. There were 44% of women who think that financial security and house ownership go hand in hand, subject to the 3rd annual TD Canada Trust Women and Home Ownership Poll, at the end of 2009. Since 2008 that signifies a 21% jump. Not paying rent to live in a house was the 2nd most popular answer to the question about benefits of property ownership. 38 percent of females voted for this option. With a rise from 13 to 38% this is quite a telling change amongst the women asked.

The general age of a first time property buyer is said to be 29, of which over 80% are single women, according to the IPSOS-Reid poll. Looking at the figures in more detail, we also see that 80% of those women have no children and half have got university degrees.

As a (female) Toronto realtor I see This will probably be positive, but there is unsatisfactory news as well. In spite of this very amiable trend, men, even in the same jobs usually earn slightly more than women, no matter whether they are better or worse. Statistics still show that women buying properties by themselves have more chance of running into problems, such as paying off a mortgage, than their male counterparts or if they were part of a married couple.

picture by Tizzie