Pam Daniels: November 2011

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Pros and Cons of Buying a Timeshare

PROS

Affordable. Owning a property in key vacation spots becomes more affordable when the cost is shared by several persons.

Maintenance Worry-free. You don’t have to worry about the upkeep and maintenance of the property on your own. Someone else will take care of it for you.

Vacation Guaranteed. No more fussing about accommodation reservations for you and your family. Your very own villa, apartment or condominium will be waiting for you once you are vacation-ready.

Savings Galore. Large families will not have to spend several hundred dollars for their accommodation. No more paying for more than a few hotel rooms if you have a whole house waiting for the whole family to enjoy. You can also prepare healthy and yummy meals in your very own kitchen instead of spending unnecessarily on overpriced food in touristy restaurants.

Extra Source of Income. If the property is leased out to other holidaymakers, it can serve as a good source of additional income.

CONS

Availability. The property may not always be available when you feel like having it for yourself. Since you are sharing it with several other timeshare owners, you need to set your vacation schedule in advance.

Maintenance Cost. Although you will not have to personally worry about the upkeep and maintenance of the property, it doesn’t mean that you will not be paying for its cost. Most time-share properties have steep maintenance fees that members have to pay on a yearly basis.

Taxes. Your tax payments do not stop after the purchase of the property. There are annual taxes that you need to take care of. It can be quite costly, especially in prime tourist destinations.

Repetitive. You and your family may tire of going to the same place year after year. If your family prefers variety, you may want to factor it in your decision.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

75 Questions To Ask Before Renting An Apartment

Locating an apartment your perfect apartment can be hard. If you know exactly what you want you’ll have to ask questions to ensure your getting it. Here are 75 questions and tips to get you moving in the right direction.

How much will rent increase each year?
Have breaking and entering ever been reported for one of your units?
What are my options for paying the rent ex. check, cash, money order, credit card etc.?
Do you have registered sex offenders living in this complex?
How are maintenance request handled?
Ask a random tenant, what they think of the apartment complex.
How is the parking? Assigned parking or first come first serve.
I have pets how much is the monthly fee?
Do policeman live in the complex?
How much is the security deposit?
How much is the application fee?
Monthly rent; what is the late charges date? (i.e. Rent due on the 1^st the 6^th day of the month)
Does the apartment come with pest control?
What is the lease start and end date?
Does apartment have AC (find out what type of system being used; turn it on during your walk thru and check vents for proper air flow)?
When will I get my security deposit back?
Do I get reduce rent for referring a friend?
Does the front door have a deadbolt installed?
Is the maintenance worker swamped with maintenance request?
Will rent be higher for a short term lease?
Are there washer and dryer hookups?
Do other tenants look respectable?
Will rental be freshly painted prior to move in?
Where can I submit a complaint about management or maintenance, if I have one?
Is there a community bulletin board or other way for residents to communicate?
Do you have a No Alteration policy for the apartment?
Are there any move-in specials?
Is there a fire extinguisher in the apartment or nearby?
Does apartment manager live on site?
How is mail delivered to the apartment (what happens to large packages and registered mail)?
What’s the average dollar amount for utility bill (gas, water, electric, and sewer)?
How is trash handled for large items such as a sofa, mattress, or computer desk?
Which fees are non-refundable?
Where do guest park their vehicles?
What personal documents will you need from me prior to signing of the lease?
Can I paint the walls or ceilings?
Do pipes freeze in the winter?
I would like to rent month to month is there an additional fee?
Is there a fee for early termination of lease?
Are storage units available?
How good is the cell phone reception from my apartment?
Rent is collected on what day of the month?
If a tenant moves out prior to the 1^st of the month will tenant be charge the full amount of rent?
Is there a place for tenants to wash their car?
What are the seasonal challenges for this apartment (i.e. it rains and apartment floods, pipes freeze during winter)
When the lease is up, will it automatically convert to a month-to-month agreement, or will I be obligated to sign a new lease?
Are there enough windows in the apartment?
Do windows lock properly?
How many electrical outlets in each room?
Is there a BBQ grill on site?
What role does the landlord play if mold is found in apartment?
What security features are installed for this community?
Does front door have a peep hole? (rare not to have but worth checking)
Does carpet need to be clean?
What are the hours of operation for the fitness center?
Has there ever been a fire/flood in this apartment?
I’ve been locked out of my apartment is there a number to call to be let back in?
Security cameras caught a break-in on tape, can the recording be used as evidence?
Is subletting allowed?
Are smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms installed for apartment?
Is it safe to walk or run in the neighborhood at night?
What freeways are the closest to apartment?
Will my car insurance rates increase once I move in?
Is the stove gas or electric?
How many complaints have been filed against the landlord or the rental company?
Can I take pictures during tour of property and apartment?
Are there cracks in the walls or ceilings?
Is there a sprinkler system for apartment?
Is the apartment furnished?
Is the water pressure normal in the kitchen and shower (also check to see how long it takes water to turn hot)?
Do all doors open/close easily?
Where is the trash collected?
Is it difficult to add someone to the lease once it has been signed?
You have furniture: How wide are your doors (make sure it will all fit)?
What is the minimum credit score to rent an apartment?

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Reupholstering Your Chair

Don’t throw out that outdated chair just because it no longer matches your other furniture…Reupholstering is easy and adds a coordinated finish to your decor. Here's how to reupholster a chair:

Note: Instructions are for spring-cushion chair. If your chair does not have springs, not all steps will apply.

Supplies
• Upholstery-weight fabric, 148 cm (60 in) wide. To determine how much fabric you'll need, use the old fabric piece as a guide. If there is no old piece, measure the width and length of the seat surface. If seat is round, treat it as a rectangle, measuring at the widest point. Add to this measurement the thickness of the polyester batting and foam. Allow extra if using patterned fabric.
• Burlap
• Jute webbing
• Twine
• Polyurethane foam (1 ½ in think, or thickness or original chair padding)
• Polyester quilt batting (5/8 in to 1 in thick)
• Piping cord
• Packing needle (curved upholsterer's needle)

Tools
• Staple remover
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Webbing stretcher (available at upholstery supply store for about $20)
• Staple gun
• Trimming knife or scissors
• Glue gun
• Tape measure

Instructions
1. Remove old fabric, stuffing, webbing, tacks and staples; set aside springs to reuse.

2. Turn chair upside down. Measure and mark on frame positions of new webbing strips. Space between webbing strips should be a little less than width of webbing strip. Cut webbing strips to length, adding 6 in. When attaching webbing strips to frame, attach front-to-back strips first; then attach side-to-side strips, weaving over and under front-to-back strips. For each webbing strip, fold back 1 end of strip 1 ½ in; staple strip to chair frame through folded end, stapling on angle for maximum strength. Fasten other end of webbing strip to spiked end of stretcher vertically against opposite side of chair frame. Using stretcher as a lever, stretch webbing strip taut by pulling stretcher down until it is horizontal to work surface. Staple webbing strip; fold back 1 ½ in flab and staple again. Trim excess webbing. Continue with remaining strips of webbing.

3. Turn chair right side up; place springs, equally spaced and not more than 4 in apart, where webbing strips overlap. Using needle and twine, fasten each spring to webbing with 3 stitches looped around bottom coil. With twine, lash tops of coils to each other. Use staple gun to fasten twine to frame.

4. Cut burlap 4 in larger all around than surface of seat frame. Centre burlap over seat frame and staple to centre of back rail of seat frame, then pull burlap tightly over springs and staple at centre of front rail of seat frame. Pulling burlap tight, staple to centre of side rails. Starting at centres and working toward corners, staple burlap all around frame, pulling burlap taut as you go. Trim burlap to 1 in beyond seat frame; finger-press excess burlap up toward centre. Secure burlap to spring tops by stitching with needle and twine.

5. Cut polyurethane foam and polyester batting to size of seat frame. Cut fabric 5 in larger than stuffing material. Position foam and batting on burlap. Centre fabric on seat and staple at centre of outside face of back rail. Pull fabric firmly to pack down filling and staple at centre outside face of front rail. Repeat at side rails. Starting at centres, staple to within 4 in of corners, pulling down fabric firmly before stapling. At each front corner, fold in fullness to create pleat, then staple forcefully. Make a V-cut in fabric at each back corner. Fold under raw edges around backrest corners and staple to frame. Trim excess fabric.

6. Cover piping cord with fabric or purchase braided trim. Using hot glue gun, glue on piping to cover staples.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Low Down Payment Options

The minimum down payment is 5 per cent however, lenders typically require mortgage loan insurance if a buyer has less than 20 per cent to invest. The cost ranges from 1 to 3.25 per cent of the loan amount, either paid upfront or tacked on to the principal balance. It might be pricey, but it can enable qualified borrowers to get into the market before they would otherwise.

For more information on your Low Down Payment Options please feel free to give me a call
905-456-1000 ex.3426 or email me pdaniels11@sympatico.ca

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Monday, November 7, 2011

BLINDS, PANELS, SHADES AND SHUTTERS

Windows are great for letting light in, but sometimes, you want to keep the light out and the privacy in. Enhance your level of privacy and safety at home by adding the fresh look of blinds, shades or shutters to your window treatments. Below are a list and description of different treatments you can apply to your windows. With so many different types of blind designs to choose from, you won't have to forsake style for security.

Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, allow sunlight to filter into your home without sacrificing privacy. They are constructed from layers of fabric that filter light while keeping heat and cold out, so they provide great insulation. The material is also very easy to clean, and they are available in roller models and remote controlled models.
Roller shades are classic and have a bad reputation for being unreliable. However, today's technology has made them more durable, so they are less likely to get stuck or jammed. Roller shades come in blackout and filtering types for different lighting preferences.
Venetian blinds, also known as horizontal blinds, are the standard light-control window blind. They are usually made of plastic, composites or vinyl and operate on a pull string or turn switch. Modern Venetian blinds have wider slats than earlier models, and many now come in wood and faux wood versions.
Roman shades are drawn up from the bottom by cords or strings and create horizontal folds when raised. When lowered completely to cover the window, the shade panel is completely flat. Roman shades are made in bamboo styles, woven fabric, solar materials and others.
Vertical blinds are the most common and inexpensive kind of blinds. They are great for tall windows or sliding glass doors, because they hang down in adjustable panels that are controlled by a string or turn switch. When opened, they hang perpendicular to the window, allowing light in. When closed, they overlap one another to keep light out. They come in varying widths and materials, from aluminum and plastic to textured, fabric-colored selections.
Window panels are often confused with curtains, because they are panels of fabric that operate on a top and bottom track of the window. They commonly cover closet doorways and sliding doors and are also commonly used as room dividers.
Woven wood blinds filter light through the weaves in the material, eliminating all natural light. They are often made from bamboo or some other natural material, but they can be dyed different colors for variety. Many woven wood blinds come in roller-shade or Roman-shade styles.
Traditional shutters, also known as colonial shutters, control light with 1 ¼-inch slats. These slats can be adjusted (with a centered piece of wood when closed and as doors when opened) to determine the amount of light the users want in. Shutters are available in interior and exterior models, are often made of wood or another sturdy material and can be painted a variety of colors for dramatic effect.
Plantation shutters work the same way as traditional shutters, but they have slats ranging from 2 ½ to 4 ½ inches. They are also usually a basic color, such as white or cream. Traditionally, plantation and colonial shutters are more formal than other blinds and shades options.