Oakville Realtors also have the luxury of knowing that in this fine city, the people enjoy a rich cultural heritage and a long and upstanding history for acceptance and change, without fearing that they will change the atmosphere or attitude of its residents. Here home is definitely, where the heart is. And, there are definitely many hearts that call Oakville home, especially Oakville Realtors! I know that so many people and places have made Oakville a spectacular place for me to spend my time.
"Not Your Average JO"
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Tip for Buyers...
It pays to make Bi-weekly or weekly payments.
Most mortgages have the option to allow payments to be made on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This option may be desirable for two reasons. The first is it can save you money as you can expect to pay off your mortgage about 4 years sooner. This can save you dramatically over the life of your mortgage. The other reason why these options are so popular is that if your employer pays you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, you can simplify your budgeting by making the payment line up with the way you paid.
Check out more tips for buyers on my website. http://www.johardy.com/.
"Not Your Average JO"
Most mortgages have the option to allow payments to be made on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This option may be desirable for two reasons. The first is it can save you money as you can expect to pay off your mortgage about 4 years sooner. This can save you dramatically over the life of your mortgage. The other reason why these options are so popular is that if your employer pays you on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, you can simplify your budgeting by making the payment line up with the way you paid.
Check out more tips for buyers on my website. http://www.johardy.com/.
"Not Your Average JO"
Monday, April 12, 2010
Eco-Smart Gardening
Even if you don't have a particularly green thumb, you can make a difference. Check out these tips on being Eco-smart!
Eco-smart gardening makes a lot of sense. It can help reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote environmental sustainability, and even save you a little money. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
De-fuel. According to Statistics Canada, using a standard gas mower for one hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a new car 550 kms. For a greener alternative, try using push reel or electric mowers and cordless trimmers. These non-gasoline powered solutions help eliminate harmful emissions, are quieter, and can save you anywhere between $55-550 in annual fuel costs.*
Cut high. Set your lawn mower so it cuts high (approximately 7-8 cm from the ground) to encourage the growth of deep roots. Taller blades and deeper roots make grass more naturally resistant to insects, help control crabgrass, and conserve moisture better by shading the soil.
Grow up, not out. For condo dwellers and those who lack landscape space, growing vertical plants or herbs on the side of your building is a great alternative to a traditional garden. Vertical plants require minimal care, help cut down on noise, and will improve air quality around your living space.
Waste not, want not. 50 per cent of water used for gardening in Canada is wasted as a result of overwatering.** To prevent water waste, use the soaker instead of the mist setting on your hose. This delivers water directly to the base of the plant and reduces water loss due to evaporation. If using a sprinkler, keep the water low to the grass and make sure it doesn’t fall on nearby sidewalks or driveways.
Let it rain. Rainwater, not chemically-treated tap water, is the best source of nutrients for growing your plants and collecting it is always a good idea. Creating your own rainwater collection system can be as easy as setting up jars, bowls, or barrels to collect and store water for drier periods. You can also take advantage of rainwater by positioning downspouts so that water flows directly onto planted beds, lawn areas, or directly into your rainwater collection system. Either way, you can watch your plants grow up, and your water and utility bills go down.
"Not Your Average JO"
* Analysis based on data from Environment Canada.
** Natural Resources Canada.
Eco-smart gardening makes a lot of sense. It can help reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote environmental sustainability, and even save you a little money. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
De-fuel. According to Statistics Canada, using a standard gas mower for one hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a new car 550 kms. For a greener alternative, try using push reel or electric mowers and cordless trimmers. These non-gasoline powered solutions help eliminate harmful emissions, are quieter, and can save you anywhere between $55-550 in annual fuel costs.*
Cut high. Set your lawn mower so it cuts high (approximately 7-8 cm from the ground) to encourage the growth of deep roots. Taller blades and deeper roots make grass more naturally resistant to insects, help control crabgrass, and conserve moisture better by shading the soil.
Grow up, not out. For condo dwellers and those who lack landscape space, growing vertical plants or herbs on the side of your building is a great alternative to a traditional garden. Vertical plants require minimal care, help cut down on noise, and will improve air quality around your living space.
Waste not, want not. 50 per cent of water used for gardening in Canada is wasted as a result of overwatering.** To prevent water waste, use the soaker instead of the mist setting on your hose. This delivers water directly to the base of the plant and reduces water loss due to evaporation. If using a sprinkler, keep the water low to the grass and make sure it doesn’t fall on nearby sidewalks or driveways.
Let it rain. Rainwater, not chemically-treated tap water, is the best source of nutrients for growing your plants and collecting it is always a good idea. Creating your own rainwater collection system can be as easy as setting up jars, bowls, or barrels to collect and store water for drier periods. You can also take advantage of rainwater by positioning downspouts so that water flows directly onto planted beds, lawn areas, or directly into your rainwater collection system. Either way, you can watch your plants grow up, and your water and utility bills go down.
"Not Your Average JO"
* Analysis based on data from Environment Canada.
** Natural Resources Canada.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thinking about buying a home? Tips on organizing your finances
First time home buyer? Here are some answers to questions you might have.
Down Payment
How much will I initially need to purchase my new home?
You will need enough funds to cover your down payment and closing costs, as well as the remaining balance on the cost of the home. This can be sourced through financing or other means.
A larger down payment means greater savings.
The money you pay up-front for a house is the down payment. Down payments are typically a percentage of the purchase price of the home. The source of money for your down payment is often either your savings or the net proceeds from the sale of a home you already own.
The larger your down payment, the more you save in the long run. A larger down payment:
Reduces the amount of your monthly principal and interest payment
Reduces the total amount of interest you pay over the life of your mortgage
Your Mortgage Specialist can help you compare mortgages, determine which mortgage is right for you, and show you money-saving strategies.
Closing costs
Closing costs are the legal and administrative fees and disbursements associated with buying your home. These costs are in addition to the purchase price of the home. They can vary widely depending on:
The property being purchased
Services required
Taxes
Applicable insurances
Closing dates affecting interest adjustments
The balances of any prepaid expenses
Ask about the Home Buyers' Plan
The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets a first-time buyer withdraw up to $20,000 from RRSPs for a home purchase, subject to certain repayment conditions. For more information, check the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website.
Down Payment
How much will I initially need to purchase my new home?
You will need enough funds to cover your down payment and closing costs, as well as the remaining balance on the cost of the home. This can be sourced through financing or other means.
A larger down payment means greater savings.
The money you pay up-front for a house is the down payment. Down payments are typically a percentage of the purchase price of the home. The source of money for your down payment is often either your savings or the net proceeds from the sale of a home you already own.
The larger your down payment, the more you save in the long run. A larger down payment:
Reduces the amount of your monthly principal and interest payment
Reduces the total amount of interest you pay over the life of your mortgage
Your Mortgage Specialist can help you compare mortgages, determine which mortgage is right for you, and show you money-saving strategies.
Closing costs
Closing costs are the legal and administrative fees and disbursements associated with buying your home. These costs are in addition to the purchase price of the home. They can vary widely depending on:
The property being purchased
Services required
Taxes
Applicable insurances
Closing dates affecting interest adjustments
The balances of any prepaid expenses
Ask about the Home Buyers' Plan
The Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets a first-time buyer withdraw up to $20,000 from RRSPs for a home purchase, subject to certain repayment conditions. For more information, check the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency website.
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