Roz's Home Updates

Like-New Forest Hills Split Entry (MLS®) | RozPrince.com

2008-07-16T13:54:00Z

• 1,716 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm split entry - MLS® $227,900

Forest Hills, Dartmouth - Absolutely spotless like-new home in Forest Hills near Auburn High, Sportsplex and amenities. Shiny oak hardwood floors. Country style open kitchen/dining, with 5 appliances included. Huge 4-car paved driveway. 2 full baths - one with skylight. Storage area with set tub and walkout, ideal for small workshop. Spacious living room. Large extended entrance with front closet. Really beautiful. Original owners - have never smoked in house nor owned pets.

Inclusions: Curtains in kitchen, dining, rec. room, security system, satellite dish, rough-in central vac, shed, fridge, stove, washer, dryer, air exchanger.

Property information

Regatta Point Townhouse Condo | RozPrince.com

2008-07-15T15:20:00Z

• 1,700 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm townhouse "2.5 storey" - MLS® $314,900

Regatta Point, Halifax - Captain’s Cove Condominiums in popular Regatta Point around the corner from the Armdale Rotary with yacht clubs nearby and wonderful walking neighbourhood. Interesting 2 1/2 storey condo/townhouse with sunken living room, beautiful oak hardwood, 2 1/2 baths, 3 bedrooms, huge storage/cold room, small private balcony off reading landing, fireplace, security system, vaulted ceiling in master bedroom. An excellent investment.

Inclusions: Appliances, window coverings, garage opener, security sytem.

Property information

Spacious house with Apartment Potential (MLS®) | RozPrince.com

2008-06-25T16:36:00Z

• 2,164 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 4-level split "Side Split" - MLS® $194,900

Southdale, Dartmouth - Very spacious 4 level side split with an ideal home office situation or in-law/apartment potential. Fenced yard, very quiet street hidden away, literally minutes from Southdale Elementary and Prince Arthur Junior High. Propane fireplace in living room. Includes 6 appliances. This home has been very well kept. Roof approximately 10 years old. 1-4 pc bath plus 2 half baths, utility room, walkout to double paved driveway. 4 bedrooms, office area, rec. room and more.

Inclusions: Dishwasher, fridge, stove, microwave rangehood, blinds, fridge & freezer in utility room.

Property information

Updated Split Entry in Prime Locale (MLS®) | RozPrince.com

2008-06-23T16:26:00Z

• 1,900 sq. ft., 2 bath, 4 bdrm bi-level "Split Entry" - MLS® $269,900

Dartmouth, Halifax County - Beautifully updated Dartmouth home in prime location near buses, canoe clubs on Lake Banook, ferry, bridges, Mic Mac Mall, etc. Gorgeous white eat-in kitchen, ash floors in living/dining/hall, fireplace, oil gravity fed stove in family room, 2 bathrooms, charming gardens and mature neighbourhood, lots of vinyl windows, roof shingles replaced 1997, 4 bedrooms, office area, furnace, storage room, laundry. Truly an impeccable home in a fine neighbourhood!

Inclusions: Dishwasher, microwave/rangehood, central vac & attachments, garburator, security system, gravity fed oil stove, garage door opener.

Property information

Building Lot in Established Area of Lawrencetown (MLS®) | RozPrince.com

2008-03-20T13:43:00Z

Lot 13

• lot / land - MLS® $39,900

Lawrencetown, Dartmouth - Excellent building lot in established area of Lawrencetown only minutes from Cole Harbour, beaches and excellent walking and riding trails. Will require a well and septic. Just less than 1/2 an acre. Lawrencetown Road to Sonia on right to Cathy Court.

Property information

RozPrince.com Presents: Neighbourhood Lot / Land for Sale Near Lawrencetown Beaches (MLS®)

2008-02-15T20:19:00Z

Near beaches!

• lot / land - MLS® $39,500

Lawrencetown, Halifax - 22,661 sq. ft. (approx. 1/2 acre) established neighbourhood in Lawrencetown near beaches and great walking as well as riding trails. About 10 minutes from Cole Harbour. Sign on lot so have a drive by.

Property information

Life and Disability Insurances on Mortgages

2007-03-01T12:59:00Z

Life and Disability insurances on Mortgages seem like bad words to most people...They definitely should not be...Yes...your banker or broker is selling you this for a couple of reasons...Of course they may earn a small bonus for doing so and the bank or lender is making money off it however there is something much more important that the clients need to be considering...

The most important thing to think about with this is your ongoing ability to ensure your family is taken care of...If you pass away then the mortgage is paid in full and with disability insurance the payments are paid when you are ill and cannot work...

I hear too often clients reply that " they get the insurance at work" meaning they have some amount of life insurance and disability insurance...The fact is...the majority of people do not know how much of either they have...

I am not trying to get you to automatically take whatever your banker or broker offers...what this would do is inform you that you will need to review your needs with a Financial Planner...

Mostly employers offer small amounts of Life Insurance...and you are able to review this and possibly increase it by your mortgage amount for a similar amount to what your bank is offering...make sure you review this...Banks offer the insurance and it is easy to approve and in place instantly...with other forms it may take months to get an approval...so consider all forms to see what fits your needs best. And is the most cost effective...

Disability insurance is even more difficult to discuss with clients...they never think they will need it and always assume their employer will look after this...however I hear it too often where someone is behind in their payments because they are off work for some reason...Most employers have a small percentage of your income covered...you can top this up with Mortgage Disability insurance to make sure you have the needed coverage...remember just because you may be sick...the bank is not going to let you not pay your mortgage payments...

Yes...they may cost...however they will ensure peace of mind if you are ever in a situation that needs either one...

For example...my very good friend passed away years ago at the age of 28, from an aneurysm...on his first wedding anniversary...and had an 8 week old daughter...I am sure he did not expect this...however he had good life insurance coverage and all his debts were paid off plus his widow had money to live on while she got her life back together...these things happen when you least expect them...and that's what insurance is for...so review your needs...

I am sure we can all think of someone that has been in a similar situation so review your needs...

C.E. (Chuck) Barrington BBA AMP

Mortgage Specialist

BMO Bank of Montreal

www.chuckbarrington.com

The Canadian Monetary Policy

2007-02-16T13:19:00Z

The ultimate aim of Canadian monetary policy is to help our economy achieve its maximum sustainable growth, and thus contribute to rising living standards for Canadians. The best way for the Bank of Canada to achieve this objective, is by working toward a specific, concrete goal—that of keeping inflation low, stable, and predictable.

Inflation control contributes to better economic performance in many ways. First, low and stable inflation allows people to read price signals clearly, which in turn help both individuals and companies to make sound, long-term economic decisions. So that's one advantage of inflation control—greater certainty about the future value of money.

Keeping inflation low and stable gives people confidence—confidence in the future value of their money, confidence in their financial decisions, and confidence in the ability of the economy to withstand shocks and grow in a sustainable fashion.

Interest rates are important to all Canadians. And, with inflation being low and stable, both short- and long-term interest rates have been lower and less volatile than in the past. As a result, borrowing and investment decisions can now be made with greater certainty. And interestingly, in contrast to what might have been deemed possible just a decade ago, interest rates in Canada are currently lower—and long-term rates have become more stable—than they are in the United States.

The good news is, this trend is predicted to continue into late 2008, so the time is great to get out of the rental or move into your dream home, mortgage money is inexpensive and house prices are continuing to exceed the rate of inflation.

Chuck Barrington
Bank of Montreal

Mortgage Specialist
Phone: 902-452-1374
chuck.barrington@bmo.com

Home Buyers Corner: Pre-Approved Financing

2007-02-02T13:21:00Z

Chuck Barrington is a long time employee of BMO Bank of Montreal, and has worked with Roz for years. He will help customize a mortgage solution based on your individual needs and financial goals. He also knows a lot about new construction.

I have been hearing more and more Realtors complain these days about clients not obtaining financing once Purchase and Sale agreements are signed...this is unacceptable...

This information seems to be coming to light after a listing agent asks a selling agent if their client is "Pre-Approved" prior to writing an offer...it appears that some Mortgage Broker companies and banks are talking to potential clients about pre-approved mortgages, however they are not completing mortgage applications to the extent they should be.

What some of them do is take the clients information...and not obtain a "Credit Bureau" until the client actually presents a Purchase and Sale Agreement. I have to say I have never...ever been in this situation...If I have stated a client is pre-approved...then I have taken their information...received their income confirmation and identification and completed a credit bureau to ensure the only thing needed when a Purchase and Sale agreement is received is to approve the home...it's simple to say that this is normally automatic...

Make sure that you are dealing with an experienced mortgage specialist...one that actually gives a pre-approval that cannot be reversed once a home is found...this can be very embarrassing for all...the selling Realtor...the listing Realtor and of course the clients...not to mention all the work the Realtors have completed putting the deal together...

Can you imagine the way the current home owner feels after they thought their home had been sold only to find out the potential buyer did not qualify in the first place.

Chuck.Barrington@bmo.com

www.nsmortgagespecialist.ca

Home Buyers Corner: Looking for a Mortgage Specialist

2007-01-15T19:14:00Z

Chuck Barrington is a long time employee of BMO Bank of Montreal, and has worked with Roz for years. He will help customize a mortgage solution based on your individual needs and financial goals. He also knows a lot about new construction.

When looking for a Mortgage Specialist or Broker make sure the individual has experience...those with many years experience have the expertise to make sure you get the mortgage of your needs...also a mortgage specialist should also be someone to look at all your financial needs...not just your mortgage...they need to know your future needs...and with the overall banking experience of a mortgage specialist they will be able to show you ways to lessen your overall interest costs of holding a mortgage...or any other financial product.

Other helpful hints:

· Are you considering moving before your mortgage matures...this will save on penalties in choosing fixed or open mortgages...

· Do you need to be referred to other quality financial services employees...for banking accounts, lines of credit, auto loans, RRSP's or other investments.

· Are they looking at building a long term relationship or just brokering one mortgage.

· Are they available to discuss your needs after the mortgage closes? Or do you have to call a toll free number to talk to someone you do not know.

· Are they thinking of your needs in the long term...

Many of these hints above are very useful in finding a mortgage specialist/broker that is looking out for you...not the bank or mortgage company and certainly not just to earn a commission. They should be someone you feel comfortable with...and hope to keep a successful long term relationship with.

Chuck.Barrington@bmo.com

http://www.nsmortgagespecialist.ca

Homeowners' Corner: Advice from the Gardening Guru

2007-01-15T16:39:00Z

Lila Smith, owner of "BRANCHING OUT" Plantscaping Company dealing in design, installation and maintenance of plants. Lila worked in real estate with Roz back in the 80's and has remained one of Roz’ great friends for 20 years. She has lived in West Chezzetcook and Porter's Lake. Her true love is gardening. She is just full of knowledge about gardening here in our climate.

My expertise is in exterior and interior plants, placement and care. In other words what grows best where and how it can benefit you in your home and outside as well. In the future I will be giving you tips as to when you should be doing what in your garden to get the most out of your space with minimal effort and expense. Some jobs may require the assistance of a landscape expert but we will try and provide you with the tools to make an impact with the least amount of work involved.

This being the first of the year there is little you can do in your outside garden but this is an ideal time to start designing your outdoor spaces. Looking through the seed catalogues is an excellent way to find plants not normally found at most garden centres. The majority of plants you find in garden centres are usually on everyone else's garden. They are the ones that are the most popular because they are the easiest to grow without much help and can survive in the local climate and growing conditions. If you wish to stand out this year try this tip. The catalogues usually will provide you with the placement and growing conditions of these plants. Some nurseries also have mail order catalogues with plants ready to set in the ground when they arrive at your door.

Stand at your window and view your outdoor space. Is there anything interesting to look at in the winter? There are numerous plants with winter interest. Some with misshapen branches such as the Corkscrew Hazel. If you have a semi-shady spot away from heavy winds the lovely leaves and buds of natures temperature guide, the Rhododendron, with the leaves folding down on cold days and opening wide as the temperature rises above zero. The large buds showing all winter burst into color in masses of giant flowers in the late spring. They don't require a deep hole to plant as they have a very shallow root system so a lot with rocks does not usually create a problem for these beauties. They also come in a number of colors so if you wish to go with a theme you can. There are also different finished growing sizes from the miniature to the very large. Ideal for the acidic soil of the Halifax / Dartmouth area. The Siberian dogwood with its red bark in winter or the papery birch trees white as the snow, trees shrubs or even ornamental grasses can make a dreary winter day an interesting view. The key to any successful garden is your vision and the passion to follow through. As any gardener will tell you there is always something else you would like here or maybe move this one over there. Once you start you'll be hooked for life.

If you are into indoor gardening, hanging plants or floor plants windowsill gardens for herbs or gardening under lights, I will have some tips on choosing plants for the right lighting conditions and even plants that can clean the indoor air of toxins while providing us with moisture for our dry winter skin. Stay tuned for more next month. Valentines Day is not just for lovers but an easy way to remember that our plants need a little extra TLC as the days are getting longer and they now will have the urge to grow. We can fertilize the ones we do have now.