Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

12 Universal Skills You Need to Succeed at Anything

via Marc and Angel Hack Life Practical Tips for Productive Living

12 Universal Skills

There are a lot of skills you don’t need. You can be happy and successful without knowing how to rebuild a car’s engine, program a web application, or replace drywall. Sure, these are useful skills to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary.

There are other skills, however, that can’t be avoided – skills that tie into various aspects of everyday life, that are not only useful, but totally indispensable. For instance, you can’t get far in today’s world without being able to read or write. And today the ability use a computer proficiently is simply assumed.

In this article we’re going to skip the super basic skills like reading, driving, and using a computer, and discuss twelve slightly more advanced skills that are woefully under-taught, and universally applicable. Let’s take a look…

1. Prioritizing and time management. – If success depends on effective action, effective action depends on the ability to focus your attention where it is needed most, when it is needed most. This is the ability to separate the important from the unimportant, which is a much needed skill in all walks of life, especially where there are ever increasing opportunities and distractions.

2. Keeping a clean, organized space. – Successful people have systems in place to help them find what they need when they need it – they can quickly locate the information required to support their activities. When you’re disorganized, that extra time spent looking for a phone number, email address or a certain file forces you to drop your focus. Once it’s gone, it takes a while to get it back – and that’s where the real time is wasted. Keeping both your living and working spaces organized is crucial.

3. Critical thinking and information analysis. – We are living in the information age where, on a daily basis, we are constantly exposed to an ever growing and rapidly changing pool of information. Being able to evaluate this information, sort the valuable from the trivial, analyze its relevance and meaning, and relate it to other information is a priceless skill with universal applicability.

4. Logical, informed decision making. – Decision making is simply knowing what to do based on the information available. Being able to respond quickly and effectively with the information you have in your head is essential to accomplishing anything.

5. Using Google proficiently for online research. – You don’t have to know everything, but you should be able to quickly and painlessly find out what you need to know. Google is a gateway to nearly infinite knowledge; it has indexed websites containing information on just about everything and everyone. If you’re having trouble finding something using Google, it’s time to learn a few new tricks.

6. Basic accounting and money management. – It’s a simple fact that our modern society is governed by the constant exchange of money. Money allows you to maintain a roof over your head and put food on the table each night. Knowing how to properly manage your money – tracking and recording your expenses and income, saving and investing – is not only an important skill for thriving, it’s an important skill that helps you survive.

7. Effective communication and negotiating. – Give the people in your life the information they need rather than expecting them to know the unknowable. Don’t try to read other people’s minds, and don’t make other people try to read yours. Most problems, big and small, within a family, friendship, or business relationship, start with bad communication. Speak honestly, and then give others a voice and show them that their words matter. And remember that compromise and effective negotiating are vital parts of effective communication.

8. Relaxation. – Stress leads to poor health, poor decision-making, poor thinking, and poor socialization. So be attentive to your stress level and take short breaks when you need to. Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity, and allow you to reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.

9. Proficient writing and note-taking. – The written word isn’t going away; it is used in every walk of life. Learning to write proficiently so that others can understand you is critical. Also, using your writing skills to take useful notes is one of the most productive things you can do, regardless of the task at hand. Writing things down – taking notes – helps us remember what we hear, see, or read when we’re learning something new, or trying to remember something specific.

10. Relationship networking. – In a world dominated by constant innovation and information exchange, relationship networking creates the channel through which ideas and information flow, and in which new ideas are shared, discussed and perfected. A large relationship network, carefully cultivated, can be leveraged to meet the right people, find jobs, build businesses, learn about new trends, spread ideas, etc.

11. Positivity. – Research shows that although we think that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act. A great attitude always leads to great experiences. People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times. Be positive, smile, and make it count. Pretend today is going to be great. Do so, and it will be.

12. Self-discipline. – Self-discipline is a skill. It is the ability to focus and overcome distractions. It involves acting according to what you think instead of how you feel in the moment. It often requires sacrificing the pleasure and thrill for what matters most in life. Therefore it is self-discipline that drives you to succeed in the long-term.

What did we miss? What are some other useful life skills that are universally applicable? Leave a comment below and let everyone know.

Photo by: Zack Schnepf

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

You Know Summer Is Approaching When LA Franks Open! (TAG: LA Franks, Cambridge, Water St., summer, comfort food, landmark, hot dog, fries, ice cream, milkshakes, Mill Race Park))

LA Franks marks 20th year of serving comfort food in Cambridge

LA Franks Frank's partners, Blair Bender and Russ Thomas with Grace Floto in the window.

Philip Walker/Waterloo Region Record

CAMBRIDGE — Blair Bender can look out his bedroom window at dawn and predict how long the line-ups will be at sunset outside LA Franks, his cheeky little hot dog shack by the Grand River.

“If I see the sun coming up and it’s warm, it’s a Franks kind of day . . . we get slammed,” he said.

This month, it opened for the 20th year along Water Street, in a little stone building that was once part of the massive Turnbull Knitting Mills at Park Hill Road. After the 1974 flood, the city and Grand River Conservation Authority razed homes and factories along the river to install flood walls and berms. Part of the project was creating Mill Race Park overlooking the passing water.

In 1993, Bender was running Café 13, a fixture then as today on nearby Main Street. He saw a family and business opportunity in the lonely building in a city park. He signed a lease with city hall.

Bender wanted to give his children some front-line business experience — if they wanted it — and offer a chance for them to save money for college or university. Lisa and Adam became partners, went to school, and can still be found working the order window.

And they inspired Bender when naming the hot dog hut. “L is for Lisa. A is for Adam. F is for the frankfurters.”

Bender sold Café 13 in 1998. Today, he runs LA Franks in partnership with Russ Thomas, his former lead chef at Café 13. Family of both partners take turns in Franks. Other teens hired on became like family, staying for five, six or seven summers, Bender said.

In all, 14 owners and staff keep it working seven days a week, May through September. This year, Franks opened three weeks early in April, with hopes warm weather would linger. It didn’t, but when the sun did come out, customers did.

“Regulars see us opening as a right of passage for summer,” Thomas said.

“There’s anticipation,” Bender said.

LA Franks started with a miniscule menu posted outside and a little water boiler to cook wieners and warm the buns. Within a few weeks, Bender was shopping to buy a restaurant-grade hot dog cooker to keep up with demand.

Over the next couple over years, business grew. A deep fryer for potatoes. A big grill for gourmet burgers. Mixers over the ice cream cooler to make malted milkshakes from scratch.

Early on, toppings were loaded on dogs and burgers in the kitchen; soon self-serve gourmet condiments had to be moved outside to keep the line-ups moving.

Don’t look for green salads on the menu, or veggie burgers. They’ve flopped.

“A burger and milkshake are comfort foods… this is a hard place for vegetarians,” Bender said.

There’s a surprising sophistication to the fast food created inside the thick stone walls.

“We’re always experimenting,” Bender said.

This year, for example, the fries are now 9.5 mm thick, down from 11.1 mm last year.

“It doesn’t sound like much, but it makes them crisper,” Bender said.

Fries are cut by hand in plain view, then “double dipped” in hot oil. The first hit blanches the chips, preserving a soft interior and preventing blackening while awaiting a customer. The second dunk puts on the crunchy finish, ready for dipping sauces and malt vinegar.

“By June, we’ll be going through almost a ton of potatoes a week,” Thomas said.

Then there’s the “holey burger,” which looks like a meat doughnut inside the bun. It’s no gimmick. It’s cooking smarts intended to efficiently serve customers a better burger.

“They cook twice as fast and stay juicy,” Bender said.

Bender was born in Timmins, but his family moved to Elmira when he was a toddler. In 1973, he was working for the Ali Baba steak house chain and opened the location on Hespeler Road.

He’s smitten with old Galt along the Grand River. A long-time downtown business booster, he laments the way politicians and absentee landlords hurt the one-time economic powerhouse. Like downtowns everywhere, suburban and big-box shopping malls bled away customers, one-way streets scared away pedestrians. Long-standing family businesses withered.

Now, with the Drayton Theatre set to open by year’s end at the south end of downtown he awaits local and out-of-town theatre goers on the streets. It’s up to savvy business owners to take advantage.

Add a little Las Vegas-styled flourish to the historic vistas and old Galt would boom, he said. He remembers suggestions years ago of pumping water from the river up to pipes on the Canadian Pacific Railway trestle, creating man-made, illuminated waterfall.

“Can you imagine that at night? They’d come from miles to see it,” Bender said.

kswayze@therecord.com

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

Friday, April 27, 2012

Real Estate Trusts Surge Near Five Year High

Corrects location of analyst in seventh paragraph of story published April 24.)

Canadian real estate investment trusts have rallied to the highest levels in five years as rising occupancy and investor demand for yield outweigh concern the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates to cool the market.

Real Estate Trusts Surge Near Five-Year High

Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

The S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index has climbed to within 0.2 percentage point of a March 13 peak of 162.75, the highest level since July 2007, fueled by dividend yields almost twice the average for the Standard & Poor’s/TSX Composite Index. The gauge has gained 6.3 percent this year, beating the 0.3 percent increase in the broader index.

The investors in properties from shopping centers and office buildings to rental apartments have benefited as the 10-year Canadian bond yield fell by more than half, boosting the value of their holdings. The national office vacancy rate fell to 8.2 percent in the first quarter from 9.3 percent a year earlier, according to CBRE Group. Apartment vacancy dropped to 2.2 percent in October from 2.6 percent a year earlier.

“Fundamentals are very strong in Canada,” Michael Missaghie, a portfolio manager at Sentry Investments, said in an April 16 phone interview. “Both occupancy and rents continue to improve,” said Missaghie, whose firm has C$7 billion ($7 billion) under management. “The REIT sector is one of the only places you’ll be able to get a sustainable yield in the Canadian investment landscape.”

The REITs have rallied even as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty warned of the risks of record consumer debt and soaring housing prices that some investors say may be inflating a bubble in the condominium markets in Toronto and Vancouver.

Biggest Gainers

Artis Real Estate Investment Trust (AX-U), which focuses on retail and industrial properties in Western Canada, has surged 17 percent in 2012, the biggest gain in the Canadian REIT index, while Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust (BEI-U), an apartment and residential properties owner, has rallied 16 percent, the second-biggest increase in the measure. Dundee Real Estate Investment Trust (D-U), an owner of office properties in Canada, has jumped 13 percent.

The REITs have benefited from a drop in the 10-year Canadian bond yield from 4.7 percent in 2007 to 2.04 percent April 23. Yields at current levels push capitalization rates lower, boosting net asset value, Jimmy Khing Shan, an analyst at GMP Securities LLC in Toronto, said in a telephone interview. The cap rate, a measure of investment yield, is a property’s net income divided by purchase price.

“A lot of investors have probably already hedged a 100 basis point rise” in the bond yield, Shan said. “If we get to 3 percent and we see a further sharp rise in rates, I think we should be a little bit worried about REIT valuation.”

Yield Retreats

The Canadian REIT index had slipped 2.2 percent from its peak by the end of March after the 10-year Canadian bond yield surged as high as 2.29 percent. As the yield retreated, the REIT index surged back to 0.2 percentage point below the March peak.

“With interest rates moving higher, people thought to move away from Canadian REITs so they’d be more exposed to growth in an improving economic environment,” Missaghie said. “When the 10-year bond yield crept lower again, money flowed back in. Now there are a few fundamental factors that are going to stay in place for the rest of the year and keep valuations where they are, if not even higher.”

The Bank of Canada, while keeping its benchmark interest rate at 1 percent, reiterated on April 17 that the consumer debt burden is among the country’s biggest domestic risks, and higher interest rates “may become appropriate.” Property prices in Toronto and Vancouver almost tripled over the past decade.

Rental Apartments

While these concerns may lead to restrictions on real estate financing, the government’s efforts to curb consumer debt may work in favor of REITs that own rental apartments, Brad Cutsey, an analyst at Dundee Securities, said in a telephone interview.

“It sounds like all policies are geared towards tightening underwriting standards,” said Cutsey. “That makes it harder for first-time homebuyers to purchase. They’ll stay in the rental pool longer.”

Cutsey said units of Transglobe Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust (TGA-U) are cheap compared with the industry. The REIT trades at 12.5 times funds from operation, lower than the average of 15.5 times for the 13 stocks in the S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index.

Development Cycle

Canadian office construction is “primed for a development cycle,” Heather Kirk, an analyst at National Bank Financial, said in a telephone interview. She sees Calgary, Toronto andMontreal as major growth areas.

Office property values probably will rise 20 percent this year in Calgary and about 10 percent in Toronto and Vancouver, according to CoStar Group Inc. (CSGP), fueled by a boom in the oil and gas industry.

Cutsey said Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust (CUF-U), which owns office properties in the Quebec area, is attractively priced. The REIT trades at 14.4 times FFO.

Retail property is the asset class with the least potential to gain, according to Cutsey. RioCan, which specializes in shopping center investments, trades at 21 times FFO, 35 percent higher than the index average.

“Retail is more fully priced,” said Kirk, the highest-ranked analyst covering RioCan, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “There are certainly positive drivers, but with where a lot of stocks are priced right now, you’d probably have to pay up for it more than you would in other sectors.”

Adding to Earnings

Some Canadian REITs are driving growth through acquisitions, which generally add to earnings and help cash flow growth, Kirk said. Dundee completed the purchase of Whiterock REIT for C$1 billion ($1 billion) on March 6, a move that bolstered its office presence in Toronto. Cominar acquired the 85 percent it didn’t already own of Canmarc REIT for C$1.5 billion on the same day.

“If you look at what’s happening in terms of internal growth, rents moving up and space being leased out, the market is healthy,” Kirk said. “If the next couple of quarters see solid growth in adjusted funds from operations, we could certainly argue for the stock prices moving higher even on the assumption of stable multiples.”

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

Thursday, April 26, 2012

7 Springtime Home Spruces to Boost Buyer Interest

One of the first things many homebuyers look for are the unmistakable signs of

something called ‘pride of ownership.’ As a whole, it’s a relatively intangible concept: there are just homes that have it - reeking of their owners’ love and meticulous care for the property -- and homes that, well, don’t.

I’ve watched firsthand as buyers who like a cute home that is in generally good shape literally talk themselves into looking at a more homes once they start to notice one rickety gate, which snowballed into a nitpicky laundry list of little, tiny fixes the seller had left undone. The challenge is that between deciding whether and when to sell, staging, interviewing agents and determining a list price, it can be tempting for homeowners to fall into the trap of deferring maintenance on a home they might sell soon.

Whether you plan to put your home on the market next week or next year, here is a short list of home maintenance items you should put on your Spring to-do list, stat, if you want to attract qualified buyers and let your home sweet-talk them into making a sweet offer:

1. Banish chips, scuffs and the like with a fresh coat of paint. I believe that eliminating nicks, scuffs and scratches on any painted or finished surface is one of the cheapest, easiest and most impactful spruces a seller-to-be can do. That’s because these little tiny blemishes create a shabby appearance on a home that might otherwise be in great shape, but can be entirely banished with a good washing and some fresh paint.

This goes for interior and exterior walls, floors, and especially any sort of trims that are painted white, as is common with crown and floor moldings - scuff marks and blemishes seem to pop out from these items. Also, the edges of cupboards, doors and drawers are places where chips and nicks are so common that homeowners overlook them, but can be super visible to buyers who visit your home for the first time.

2. Brighten, polish and replace all trims. One day, I’ll do a scientific study, and I predict the results will reveal that if you put two identical homes side-by-side and give one a set of tricked-out trims - exterior shutters, front door, eaves - even your house numbers, door knockers, kickplates and other exterior hardware - people will rate the house with the beautiful trims way higher on the ‘pride of ownership’ scale than you’d expect.

Go stand on your own curb to get the buyer’s-eye view of your home, and then drive around your own neighborhood or the nicest part of town and flip through some home improvement mags or websites for ideas. If you can add attractive trims, freshen up the ones you have or paint them to create an unexpected but attractive color combination with the body of your house, you can skyrocket your home’s standing on my (newly invented) ‘pride of ownership’ scale.

3. Furry, drippy, noisy or broken HVAC systems. Maintaining your heating and air conditioning systems is not that expensive, but buyers think it is. In fact, your furnace and AC are precisely the sort of major household machinery that intimidate first-time home buyers. So, if they show up to the open house or a private showing of your home in June and the AC is making a funny knocking sound or just flat out doesn’t work well enough to keep the house cool, buyers might perceive that as a more serious red flag than it truly is.

Does your AC has that furry ‘science experiment’ look to it? Not only are you paying for the energy it’s probably wasting to push the air pass all that dust and dirt, the gross-out factor will have even the hardiest buyer wondering what else might be wrong with your home.

On the flip side, letting prospective buyers know that your home’s HVAC systems have been recently maintained or upgraded is a nice touch that makes itself obvious during showings and allows buyers to breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to concerns about short-term repair bills and the comfort level of family members who may have allergies and asthma.

Side note: if your AC does make a funny sound you might be so accustomed to you can’t hear it anymore - check in with your agent unless you know as a matter of fact that your AC is in tip-top shape. One more side note: if you live someplace where it gets cold around the holidays and you don’t plan to list your home until wintertime, right now may be the ideal time to have your heating system serviced. Off-season repairs and maintenance are often discounted.

4. Mend and tend to your fences, gates and screens. These items may not jump out at us in our own home - in fact, these are things I often see sellers skimp on or run out of time and money to tend to. And it’s easy to rationalize your way out of dealing with them, as they seem like relatively inexpensive fixes for buyers to make themselves. But screens with holes in them and gates that don’t budge or hang off their hinges are precisely the sorts of things I’ve seen make buyers walk back through a home looking for other flaws; and anything to do with fences makes them envision neighbor disputes over bills. You have the power to avoid sparking these concerns in the minds of house hunters by mending these items this Spring.

5. Doors, cupboards and drawers. One creaky door or squeaky cupboard does not kill a deal. But keep in mind that in some homes, other than the lights, these are the only functioning systems of your home that house hunting visitors will almost certainly use during the course of a viewing. Making sure your entry, interior closet and cupboard doors are in good cosmetic shape and that they work well and don’t stick is an easy, inexpensive way to position your home as a (literally) well-oiled machine.

One point of clarification – it’s less the case that buyers will notice, ooh and ahh over your smoothly sliding drawers than that they will notice and grow concerned if they don’t.

6. Have everything cleaned and washed. Even the most immaculate of housekeepers can realize a massive refresh to the look, feel, smell and the overall air quality of their homes by having professional cleaners come take a tour through the place. Springtime is a great time to ask your agent for referrals to the best local vendors to power wash your house, windows and driveway, as well as to have your carpets, rugs and window coverings cleaned. For those who are on a tight budget, many vendors offer Spring cleaning promotions for these services right about now (and if your budget is even tighter, there are products you can buy and machines you can rent to do these things yourself – just make sure you account for the value of your time).

7. Shred it up. Some might say this is more like Spring cleaning than home maintenance, but I’ve noticed that the clutter of boxes and boxes of paperwork, old file cabinets and the like have a tendency to contribute to the sense that a listed property might be unkempt, the aura of stagnation. If you have no cash to do anything else on this list, one thing you can do for free is to go through all your files and boxes, get rid of old papers and shred anything with sensitive information.

Just think – you’ll have to do it anyway when you move, so this is like giving yourself a head start and your attic, basement office or other rooms a fresh start. You can count it as a staging tactic as well, as it gives the rooms at issue some added visual white space, making them seem larger!

Buyers: What items that fall under simple home maintenance catch your eye when sellers have – or haven’t – addressed them?

Sellers: What else is on your spring home to-do list?

via Trulia

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

Monday, April 23, 2012

SPRING CLEANING TIPS

Here Comes the Sun

Spring is here. At times it's felt like summer and other time's winter again but none the less, it's spring. No matter what the temperature, there's no avoiding it. It's that time of year again when you start working on the spring to do list around your house. Whether you're thinking of selling or staying put for a while, there are a few simple things you can do this spring to keep your house well maintained, updated and looking great.

Paint is the cheapest and easiest way to update your home but the transformation will blow you away. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update your home and make it look new again. Maybe you just want to freshen up the existing colour but if you're looking for a change, it's always good to know what's popular in design color. www.benjaminmoore.com/en-ca/for-your-home/colour-trends-2012. Cleaning and painting your baseboards and trim is a spring clean-up must, in my opinion. You will be amazed by the difference this project can make. Your home will instantly look clean, fresh and crisp.

Curb appeal is something to begin in the spring. Powerwash the exterior of the house, driveway and deck to get rid of all signs of the harsh winter. Painting your front door a bold attractive colour will help to make an impression before your guests even enter your home. Spruce up your garden beds and place a simple urn with a flower arrangement on the front porch to add colour and beauty.

Washing your windows inside and out will keep them looking great and let the light in. It's time to pull the patio furniture out of the garage and clean that while you're at it. If there are rust spots, now's the time to touch them up before the damage is more extensive. Give your barbeque a good cleaning too...if you're patio furniture is out, chances are you'll be lighting up the grill.

Inside it's a great time to declutter. Pack away all your winter outerwear. Be picky about what you keep. If you didn't wear that ski jacket at all this year, chances are you won't next year either so take the opportunity to donate it rather than allowing it to take up precious space in your home. Bulky winter clothes like knit sweaters can also be packed away to free up some space in the closet. Run everything through the wash before you pack it so any dirt or stains don't sit on the items while they're being stored. And that way, they'll be ready for you as soon as you need them next year.

It may be time to remove old caulking around areas such as the bath tub, sinks, faucets and even windows to replace with new caulking for a clean and efficient seal. Caulking around areas with water is important to avoid any water damage. And the windows should be caulked to provide energy efficiency in your home. While you're thinking of efficiency, you should probably book your seasonal HVAC appointment to be sure your home heating and cooling system is working properly. Having your ducts cleaned will decrease the dust in your home and help to keep those allergy symptoms at bay. Should you need the name of any of the trades listed above just send me a quick email and I will forward the contact information to you.

If you do happen to catch the spring market fever, you'll be that much closer to listing by completing these spring cleaning projects. If you're thinking of some bigger redecorating of renovation projects, it's always wise to consult a real estate professional for some advice on the projects that will give you the best return on your home and I am always glad to be of help. Happy Spring Cleaning!

via Dave Walker Barrie Ontario

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Don't give up (you're on the right track)

Wrestling with a puzzle, a project or a problem, the likeliest reason to give up is the belief that it can't be done. What's the point of persevering if it's actually impossible to succeed?

"It can't be done," we say, throwing up our hands. Not "I can't do it," or "It's not worth my time," but "It can't be done."

In the year after Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile, the record was broken again and again. Once people realized it could be done, it wasn't an impossible task any longer. And that's why there's a flood of tablets on the market, many from companies that had what they needed to build the first one, but didn't until Apple showed them the way.

Two things you might take away from this: First, there's solace in finding someone who has done it before, whatever "it" is you're trying to do. Knowing that it's possible and studying how it was done can't help but increase the chances you'll stick it out.

Second: huge value accrues to the few able to actually do a thing for the very first time.

via Seth Godin

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

Thursday, April 5, 2012

April Newsletter

Real Estate Word -- Buying a College Crib for Your Kid

April 2012

Your Real Estate News

Clare DeJong
Sales Representative

Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage
766 Old Hespeler Rd.
Cambridge, Ontario
519-623-6200 or 1-866-623-6205
www.SellingCambridge.ca

Hi there,

If your teen's heading off to college or university this year, now's the time to start thinking about accommodations. This month, we discuss the option of purchasing an investment property for them to live in and manage.

We also offer a few kid friendly activities that don't include the almighty flat screen as well as some tips on how to give your home a good spring clean.

Thanks so much for checking out this month's newsletter. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding the articles or real estate in general -- it'd be great to hear from you!

Life is good,
Clare

In This Issue...
Buying a College Crib for Your Kid
Inspiring Ideas to Help Unplug Your Kids
Spring New Life Into Your Home

Buying a College Crib for Your Kid

There's an air of excitement when your kids move out to study at college or university. It can however be very expensive! Purchasing an investment property for your child to live in and manage can be a great way to offset those expenses.

With interest rates at historic lows, it's a great time to finance an investment property but you'll still need to evaluate both the local market conditions and your long-term plans. It's important to determine whether you plan on renting it out after your child graduates as this will affect the rate of appreciation.

The idea is to cover the mortgage payments with the rent collected from roommates while your child manages and maintains the property. You'll have someone on site to cut the grass and perform other general types of maintenance as well as collect the rent. These chores can be performed in return for a reduction of their rent.

Ensure you thoroughly investigate the local real estate market and check out zoning laws regarding rentals. Specific purchasing details such as co-signing the mortgage or listing your child on title should be discussed with your financial planner and mortgage advisor. There are pros and cons to different ownership scenarios so you'll want to examine what makes sense for your individual situation.

Purchasing an investment property that's managed by your child is not a decision that should be taken lightly but it's certainly an option worth considering. Just make sure you do your homework so you're able to carefully weigh up the risks and rewards. When you crunch the numbers, you may well find that purchasing a campus crib makes great sense!

Inspiring Ideas to Help Unplug Your Kids

Children rely on video games more than ever before so it's not easy to come up with new ideas to amuse them. Here are a few activities that will ignite their creativity:

Make a Personal Puzzle - Cut an old photo into various different pieces and have them put it back together again.
Egg & Spoon Race - Give your children a spoon and an egg and see how quickly they can cross the finish line without dropping it.
Build a Fort - Drape blankets over chairs to create a cool fort. Once they're comfortable in their new abode, drop by with some 'fort warming' snacks.
Cache In - Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game! Participants register online and then try and find the hidden cache with the help of a GPS device.
And...Action! - Putting on a play is a great way to exercise a child's imagination. They can take turns writing, acting, designing costumes and even filming.

It's often the simple things that stand out in a child's memory and sharing these special times with them will allow you to feel like a kid again too! Keep a special diary to record fun conversations and always make sure to have a camera on hand so you can treasure the moments forever.

Spring New Life Into Your Home

Spring has finally sprung which means fresh scents, chirping birds and new life in the garden! It's time to bring that spring fresh feeling into your home but before you open up the windows and roll up your sleeves, here are a few tips:

create a spring clean checklist that involves the entire family
clean one room at a time so you're not overwhelmed
rejuvenate your houseplants by putting them in the shower
throw out any expired items you come across
vacuum and flip your mattresses and clean under the beds

With a clean, fresh home under your belt, you'll be all set to enjoy the summer months that are just around the corner. So what are you waiting for? Open up the windows, turn on the music and get started!

Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit my website and check off the features you're looking for. Whenever a home matching your criteria hits the market, it'll be automatically flagged and emailed to you so you'll never have to worry about missing your dream home. This service is free and there's no obligation! Click here to get started.

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

"Too long"

You're going to hear that more and more often.

The movie, the book, the meeting, the memo... few people will tell you that they ran short.

(Shorter, though, doesn't mean less responsibility, less insight or less power. It means less fluff and less hiding.)

via Seth Godin

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Do your homework when choosing a mover

Family packing for a move

For some consumers, the most daunting aspect of the buying or selling process is the move itself.

Moving is not only labour-intensive, but it can also unleash a range of emotions at a difficult time. If the catalyst for the move is a family death, divorce or other major lifestyle change, a bad moving experience can rub salt in the wound, aggravating an already challenging situation.

Many resources are available to determine whether a mover is reputable. The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), the Better Business Bureau, and any of the major national van lines (such as Allied, Atlas, Mayflower, North American or United) are all good sources. Also check out the Consumer Beware page through the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services for movers to avoid.

One of the best tips is to place more weight on reputation than price, says John Levi, president of CAM. With about 350 members across the country, CAM represents Canada’s largest moving companies, many small to mid-sized movers, national van lines, suppliers and many international movers. It also works with government agencies to represent member issues and with consumers to provide referrals and assist with complaints.

"Many people don't realize that their prime concern should be a having a good moving experience, not getting the cheapest price,” says Levi, who has been with CAM for 16 years. Be sure your clients understand that the lowest quoted price does not actually guarantee the lowest cost or a good-quality job, he advises.

Consider the value of your possessions as well as the potential cost of loss, damage, tardiness or claims, he says. All of those factors should be weighed to determine the move’s total price tag, and doing some homework before selecting a mover is well worth the time.

Because the moving industry is largely unregulated, Levi warns that choosing a reputable mover is vital in avoiding problems. His organization receives about 150 complaints a year about movers. The most common complaints pertain to overcharging, lateness, damage or loss, but issues also arise with inexperienced crews, poor communication, and failed promises.

To join CAM, a mover must be in business for more than a year, be reputable, and undergo a due diligence and verification process. The association checks out companies through the Better Business Bureau and asks other members to offer a fair opinion on potential members.

Loss or damage claims can end up being drawn out for years, says Levi. Consumers who take steps to do some preliminary research usually avoid claims, he adds.

Many problems are preventable. A good mover should be prepared to answer questions and provide clear expectations about the move for the individual or family. Consumers can spare themselves grief simply by asking potential movers questions such as:

What is your experience with moves like mine? How experienced is your crew? What is the bottom-line price? What is the not-to-exceed price, including all charges and taxes? What happens if loss or damages occur, and how will we be protected?

The most important step, often overlooked, is getting an in-home estimate. “Consumers can get sweet-talked over the phone by a company that claims it can do the job,” says Levi. “Unfortunately, that’s an invitation to disaster. If movers are willing to give you an estimate by phone, don’t hire them. If they can’t see your place or belongings, they have no idea how the move will go.”

An experienced mover will visit the consumer at home and examine furnishings and possessions, give a more reliable estimate, and outline difficulties that might occur during the move, he adds.

Remember that damages sometimes can’t be helped, adds Levi. “There isn’t a mover around who hasn’t scratched, nicked or lost something – it happens,” says Levi. “Moving big objects through small openings means these things sometimes occur, but the crux of the matter is how the mover deals with the issue. A good mover gets the repair done quickly or pays the consumer for loss or damage if the claim is valid.”

Written estimates are vital, he adds. “Make sure that you get the company’s promises in writing,” warns Levi. “If they won’t put it in writing, don’t move with them. It’s as simple as that.”

John Levi, president of the Canadian Association of Movers, says these steps will help consumers to have a Packing for a move positive moving experience.

Pick three – Choose at least three companies and then check them out. Ask questions and check their reputation through available resources (see below) before settling on one.

Match them to the job - Choose a mover with the resources and crew to suit your situation. A large family move across the country and a one-bedroom condo move across town are completely different. Verify the company’s capabilities with CAM, or you may end up paying more than you thought -- or learning that your mover can’t do the job and has handed it off to someone else.

Invite them over - Refuse to accept an estimate delivered by phone, fax, text or email from a mover who has not assessed the space in person. An on-site estimate is essential.

Get it in writing - Get every promise made in the moving estimate in writing, along with dates of the move and specifics on what will and won’t be moved, and who will be doing the packing. If you promise to de-clutter and pack, you must follow through or else extra charges may be added.

Book well in advance – After you’ve chosen a reputable company, ensure that the mover has lots of time to meet your expectations.

Schedule with care – Avoid booking a move the same day as a property closing or a popular moving date. Closing dates have their own problems. There may be a deadline to vacate on one side of the move, while keys or titles are not ready on the other. Such delays can mean movers sit and wait at a site, creating extra costs and stress. Avoid the first and last days of the summer months like the plague. These are a mover’s busiest times, and steering clear of those dates will boost your chances of getting an experienced crew.

Be realistic – Damage and loss can happen, although good movers will do their best to prevent or minimize them. Ask questions about company policies on loss and damage and discuss concerns about particular items with them.

For more information - Before hiring or recommending a mover, you can contact the following organizations:

Consumer Beware page, Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services website
Better Business Bureau
Canadian Association of Movers - 1-866-860-0065

via EDGE Newsletter OREA

Posted via email from Selling Cambridge with Clare DeJong