By Marcie Geffner

If you’ve ever watched “Antiques Roadshow” on PBS, you’re already familiar with the concept of an appraisal. The idea is similar in the realm of real estate valuations. Each property is unique, and the appraiser relies on his or her general expertise and specific research to arrive at an opinion of value. Appraisals are an infrequent experience for most consumers, who consequently tend to have some misconceptions about the process and the results.

Here are some myths and facts:

• Myth: The primary purpose of an appraisal is to make sure the buyer doesn’t pay too much for the house.
• Fact: An appraisal provides valuable information for the buyer and the seller, but the appraiser’s primary mission is to protect the lender. Lenders don’t enjoy owning overpriced property any more than they relish lending money to irresponsible borrowers. That’s why the appraisal takes place before the lender grants final approval of the buyer’s loan.

• Myth: Appraisers use a specific formula, such as one using the price per square foot, to figure out exactly how much each home is worth.
• Fact: Appraisers weigh the location of the home, its proximity to desirable schools and other public facilities, the size of the lot, the size and condition of the home itself and recent sales prices of comparable properties, among other factors.

• Myth: Good housekeeping can improve a home’s valuation.
• Fact: Appraisers aren’t interested in dirty dishes or dusty dressers, but they do notice such signs of neglect as cracked walls, chipped paint, broken windows, torn carpets, damaging flooring and inoperable appliances.

• Myth: Anyone who has a clipboard and business cards can be an appraiser.
• Fact: Federal law requires states to establish minimum standards and licensing practices for real estate appraisers. In California, for example, trainees must take several courses, pass an examination and complete 2,000 hours of supervised experience.

• Myth: Appraisers have no obligation to reveal home defects to buyers.
• Fact: If the buyer is applying for a mortgage that will be insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the appraiser must survey the physical condition of the home and disclose potential problems to the buyer. No such obligation exists for non-FHA mortgages.

• Myth: An appraisal is identical to a home inspection.
• Fact: The FHA disclosure requirement notwithstanding, an appraisal isn’t a substitute for a professional home inspection. The appraiser formulates an opinion of the property’s value for the lender, while the inspector educates the buyer about the condition of the home and its major components.

• Myth: If the appraiser’s opinion of value is lower than the purchase price, the buyer won’t be able to purchase the home.
• Fact: A transaction can sometimes survive a “low” appraisal if the seller reduces the purchase price, the buyer makes a hefty downpayment or a separate escrow account is set up to fund repairs that will increase the value of the home. On rare occasions, an appraiser will reconsider his or her opinion if new evidence supports a higher valuation.

© 2000 by Marcie Geffner. Reprinted by permission.

The spread between fixed and variable rates is extremely low by historical standards. And we can no longer rely on a long-term down-trend in rates. Given that, the historical advantage of variable is less applicable today.

Since rates only have one way to move – up – a lot of people are now wondering if they should lock in to a fixed rate mortgage. Is it a good idea? Probably, but it depends. Here are four things to consider before locking in to a fixed rate mortgage.

What does a Fixed Rate mean? The interest rate on a fixed rate mortgage stays the same throughout the life of the loan. Typically, the standard for fixed-rate loans is the 5 year fixed rate loan although you can choose to go as long as 10 years is some cases. You can also find fixed-rate loans with shorter pay-off periods. When loan periods are shorter, you will have higher monthly payments, but slightly lower interest.

When are Fixed Rate Loans better? The advantage of the fixed rate mortgage is that the payment is the same each month. This is important especially when interest rates are unpredictable. When interest rates rise, people with adjustable rate mortgages are faced with increasing monthly mortgage payments.

A fixed-rate loan means you will always know how much your home payment will be each month, regardless of what is happening with the economy or current interest rates.

What’s the downside of Fixed Rate Loans? The disadvantage is that the interest is generally a little higher than an adjustable rate. With a fixed-rate loan, you’ll always pay the same amount of interest. That is great when interest rates are climbing, but if they drop below your interest rate, you will continue paying the higher amount of interest. Of course, you can always refinance a fixed-rate loan in order to get down to the best fixed rate mortgage but this may not always be an option.

Over the life of your fixed-rate loan, you will pay a substantial amount of interest. In fact, you will probably pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest. There are ways to manage your mortgage so that it is an investment that works for you, and you can do this by talking to a mortgage specialist.

Should you have a Fixed Rate Mortgage? You should discuss your particular situation with a talented mortgage specialist. Generally, you’ll find that fixed rate mortgages are the right choice if:

• You think interest rates are low • You can afford the payment for the house you want • You need to budget for and predict monthly payments • You will keep your home for a relatively long period of time

The best fixed rate mortgage works for you and your lifestyle. If you’d like the peace of mind that comes with a stable interest-rate payment, then a fixed-rate mortgage may be the ideal choice. Borrowers often choose fixed-rate mortgages when interest rates are low and are expected to rise.

The consequences of identity theft can be staggering. Victims spend extensive time closing bad accounts and fixing credit records. Clearing your name could be an expensive and lengthy process. You could be denied loans and jobs—and, though unlikely, you could even be mistakenly arrested as a result of crimes committed in your name.

How can an identity thief get your personal information? Identity thieves can get your personal information by:

• Removing mail from your mailbox or fraudulently redirecting your mail.
• Stealing personal and private information from wallets, purses, mail, your home, vehicle, computer and websites you’ve visited or e-mails you’ve sent.
• Retrieving personal information in your garbage or recycling bin by “dumpster diving”.
• Posing as a creditor, landlord or employer to get a copy of your credit report or access to your personal information from other confidential sources.
• Tampering with automated banking machines (ABMs) and point of sale terminals, enabling thieves to read your debit or credit card number and Personal Identification Number (PIN).
• Searching public sources, such as newspapers (obituaries), telephone books, and records open to the public (professional certifications).
• Buying the information from a dishonest employee working where personal and/or financial information is stored.

How do you know if your identity has been stolen? Some of the signs that your identity might have been stolen:

• Bills and statements don’t arrive when they are supposed to—they may have been stolen from the mailbox or someone has changed the mailing address.
• You receive calls from collection agencies or creditors for an account you don’t have or that is up to date. Someone may have opened a new account in your name, or added charges to an account without your knowledge or permission.
• Financial account statements show withdrawals or transfers you didn’t make.
• A creditor calls to say you’ve been approved or denied credit that you haven’t applied for. Or, you get credit card statements for accounts you don’t have.
• You apply for credit and are turned down, for reasons that do not match your understanding of your financial position.

How can you protect yourself from identity theft?
Think about taking care of your identity on a regular basis just like you take care of your health. You need to make it harder for thieves to obtain or use your personal information. Here are a few suggestions:

• Sign all credit cards when you receive them and never lend them to anyone. Cancel and destroy credit cards you do not use and password protect your back account, credit card and other online accounts. Never keep a written record of your PIN numbers in your purse or wallet.
• Carry only the identification information and credit cards that you actually need. Do not carry your social insurance card; leave it in a secure place. This applies also to your passport unless you need it for traveling out of country.
• Pay attention to your billing cycles and follow up with your creditors and utility companies if your bills do not arrive on time.
• Carefully check each of your monthly credit card statements. Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards and any discrepancies in your monthly statements to the issuing credit card company.
• Shred or destroy paperwork you no longer need, such as bank machine receipts, receipts from electronic and credit card purchases, utility bills, and any document that contains personal and/or financial information.
• Secure personal information in your home or office so that it is not readily accessible to others, who may have access to the premises.
• Do not give personal information out over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you are the one who initiated the contact and know the person or organization with whom you are dealing.
• Order a copy of your credit report from the major credit reporting agencies at least once every year. Check with the credit bureaus to see whether there is a charge for this service. Make sure your credit report is accurate and includes only those activities that you have authorized.

What should you do if you’re a victim of identity theft?
If you are a victim of identity theft, you should take three immediate steps:

1. Contact your bank or credit card company if you have had your cheques or credit cards stolen or wrongfully obtained.
2. Report the matter to your local police even if the crime ultimately may be investigated by a law enforcement agency from a different jurisdiction.  In addition, a creditor may want to see a copy of a police report regarding the fraudulent transaction prior to correcting your credit account or credit report.
3. Report your identity theft case immediately to the appropriate government and private-sector organizations. Keep copies of correspondence and documents related to the theft.

When buying a home, one important feature to consider is the condition of the roof. Generally, if the roof is more than 15 years old, chances are you’ll have to replace it soon. This cost should be factored into the purchase price of a home.

Whether you are purchasing a home or concerned about the condition of the roof on your existing home, spring is by far the best time to do an inspection. This is when winter damage is fresh and the dryer weather ahead will provide the conditions needed to replace, patch or re-roof.

Depending on the roofing materials used, look for obvious damage – cracked tiles, missing shingles, warped or gapping wood shakes. With asphalt roofs, look for thin, weather-worn shingles. On a warm day, gently bend a few shingles back.  If they’re not flexible, or if they crumble, consider re-roofing.

Before re-roofing with asphalt shingles, lift a few shingles that are located away from the edge to see if there is another layer of shingles below. If there is, you’ll need to have all the layers of old shingles removed before re-roofing. However, if the roofing material is less than 15 years old and there are only a few bad spots, you may only have to patch these up.  Asphalt shingle repair is simple and inexpensive. This is a job you may want to do yourself.

Roofs can be deceiving. Sometimes you cannot spot the damage from the outside. If you suspect a problem, inspect the roof from the attic or crawl space. Check for dampness and dark water stains.

Roofing materials When it comes to roofing materials, asphalt shingles still offer the greatest versatility and continue to be popular among homeowners. Available in a vast array of colours and textures, asphalt shingles can conform to any roof shape. Compared to some roofing materials, they are inexpensive, easy to install and repair.

As a roofing material, wood shingles and shakes are less popular these days. While many homeowners prefer the bold, traditional, sculptured look wood shingles and shakes give a home, concerns have been raised about how well they can resist fire.

Also popular, especially in warmer climates, are cement and clay tile which come in a variety of colours, shapes and textures. However, these can be both expensive and heavy and not the best choice for many homes.

Some companies now offer high-tech alternatives to traditional roofing materials. These combine versatility, light weight and durability with high fire, weather, insect and mold resistance properties.

Lightweight aluminum roof shakes, for example, also help lower energy costs by keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Other high-tech roofs use fibre-reinforced cement that weighs about the same as wood or premium shingles and comes in slate, shingle or wood shake forms.

Some use earth stone granules and acrylic resins bonded to aluminum or galvanized steel bases to capture the pleasing look of tiles or the rich textures and strong lines of wood shingles.

These new roofing materials often come in a variety of colours, shapes, textures and sizes. They are generally more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles. But, in most cases, the extra cost is well worth it and some are backed by a 50 year guarantee.  Most will look as good 20 years and more from now as the day they were installed.

What is the MLS®? The MLS® is a set of privately owned databases run by real estate boards across the country which allow home sellers to list their property under the approval of certain real estate brokerages. A brokerage is a company that employs real estate agents: the intermediary between the buyer and the seller.

The MLS® is a sophisticated computer database of properties indexed by price, location, type of home, number of bedrooms, amenities and so forth. Photos of homes may also be available on-line and, over the past year, many real estate boards have added their MLS® listings to the Internet through www.realtor.ca.

Although managed separately, the systems are linked via computer so REALTORS® can access listings in most other areas. The MLS® makes the real estate industry unique by allowing and encouraging a high degree of cooperation among sales people.  No matter which real estate company your agent works for, using the computerized MLS® system, your agent will enter the criteria you want in a home and generate a list of all the homes that meet your needs. These homes might be listed by agents from several other companies.

Before the computer era, the MLS® system was managed manually through an immense amount of paperwork. Real Estate Boards printed daily ‘listing sheets.’ While these catalogues may still exist, they have largely been replaced by a high-speed computer program that allows REALTORS® to check up-to-the-minute information on every current listing.

The MLS® is very effective tool. Last year, sales across Canada from MLS® listings totaled an amazing $58 billion.

The benefits of MLS® Many home buyers will find themselves first viewing the MLS® material at their Realtor’s office to preview potential properties and narrow the list further.  Through the MLS®, you can literally view details of thousands of homes without leaving your agent’s office.

This gives the home buyer an extraordinary amount of choice and flexibility. The search for homes doesn’t have to involve driving around neighbourhoods looking for “for sale” signs. Nor does it mean relying on homes listed only in newspapers or real estate magazines. With the MLS®, an entire spectrum of available properties is at your Realtor’s fingertips. Even if you’re moving across the country or to a distant part of the province, the MLS® can be used to scout homes in advance, greatly reducing the worry that often comes with relocation.

The major benefit of MLS® to consumers is that it allows the Realtor to use his or her skills to full advantage. Realtors are experts at determining what it is a potential buyer wants in a home–and a large part of the Realtor’s job lies in finding properties that suit these criteria. With the MLS®, a Realtor can search the database for homes that suit budgets, location preferences and family requirements, and quickly put together a short list of suitable homes.

For home sellers, the MLS® provides a greater exposure and also helps setting selling prices by comparing your home to similar houses sold recently in your area. It may also help to sell your home faster.

Using the MLS® cuts through the complexities, exposes your property to those most likely to purchase it, and makes sure you won’t waste time showing your home to those who aren’t truly interested.

By Lois B. Morris

There go your comforting daily routines, your sense of order and control, your privacy. Here come chaos, dirt, dust and destruction. Frustrations mount: The framers show up but the materials haven’t arrived. The crew moves to another job, right in the middle of yours. Costs are soaring out of control. And there’s the gnawing fear: What if you don’t like the result?

Can you even trust these people?

The stresses and possible disasters inherent in a remodeling are legion. How you handle your responses to crises as they happen is key. Managing anger is the most important thing you can do to keep the project on track and relationships intact.

Preventing problems

To forestall the worst disasters from happening in the first place, prevention is your best strategy. Even before you get to the planning stage, evaluate your gut reaction to the person you’re considering to head your project. Something about the way he or she relates to you may set off an alarm.

“Trust your hunches,” advise Portland, Oregon, family therapists Ivan and Jeri Inger.

They should know – they’ve remodeled their house four times and rebuilt their office building from top to bottom.

Then, with your contractor and remodeler, discuss every contingency you can think of:

• How much say do you want to have in all stages of the project?
• Who makes what decisions?
• What if there’s a difference of opinion or something isn’t working out?

“The more time you spend on these details before you start, the better off you are,” Ivan says.

Humor helps

Someday you’ll look back at this and laugh. Really.

The Ingers say a sense of humor may be the ultimate coping tool. “Everything awful that happens will become a good story that you can regale your friends with,” says Ivan.

Here’s an example. During one of the Ingers’ major renovations, their bedroom was unusable, so the couple slept on a sofa bed in the dining room. Jeri had come down with the flu overnight and was so sick by morning that after Ivan went to work, she pulled the covers over her head and went back to sleep.

Suddenly, something startled her awake. She stuck her feverish head out of the covers. A strange man’s face stared directly over hers.

At first she was terrified – then “I howled with laughter,” Jeri says. It turned out the man was the electrician, and he was reaching over the sofa bed to reach the circuit box. He had no idea she was there and was just as frightened as she was.

Chillin’

During the Ingers’ first extensive renovation back in the mid-1970s – when their kitchen, living room and dining room were completely gutted – the contractor wanted to finish the new, octagonal living room with “cottage cheese,” a stucco-like material that would cover up cracks and mistakes.

It was definitely not in keeping with Jeri’s vision. “I got very upset, very emotional,” she remembers.

What Jeri couldn’t do – at first – was coolly express her firm opposition. It was a memorable life lesson. “That’s when I finally learned how to say ‘No,’ ” Jeri says.

The Ingers have found that men and women often handle anger differently.

For women: Find a way to be coolly assertive when there is a difference of opinion with remodeling professionals, who are usually male. Don’t let your emotional reactions get in the way. Step back, take a deep breath, and just say no. Try to express your thoughts – not the emotion.

For men: Underlying competitive, control issues tend to heat things up between men and contractors. Back off, take time out, and come back to the problem later with a cooler head.

Another anger management tip: To help take the edge off, try to take the long view: These annoyances are just small change compared to your long-term gains.

If something starts to get your goat when you’re in the thick of the project, ask yourself if you are really reacting to the cumulative stresses and strains of it all. And if that’s the case, plunk yourself in your neighbor’s hot tub for half an hour – before you mangle the sensitive relationships with your remodeling professionals or your family.

Copyright © by Move, Inc.

“Measure twice, cut once.” Anyone about to decorate, renovate, or build should give this carpenters’ credo a broad interpretation—”Plan ahead.” Before you actually begin a project, whether large or small, you should be sure you understand what is involved, and know how it will be accomplished. You’ll probably start with a dream that seems perfectly clear — say, a freshly decorated living room—but you’ll quickly realize that many questions must be answered before you begin. You’ll see too that the answer to one question may affect the answer to another, so take your time and think things through.

 Defining your goals

What is the desired result of your decorating project? The answer may seem so obvious—you want the room to look wonderful and work well—but the question is not as simple as it seems.

• Why are you undertaking this project? Is it because you don’t like the way the room looks, or because it no longer works well, or both? Has there been a change in your life circumstances that affects the way you use your home? Marriage, children, an empty nest, a parent coming to live with you, a change in your health, the need or desire to work from your home?
• Does the room need a cosmetic update, or a complete redo? If cosmetic, how extensive? Do you simply hate the wall covering, or do you want to replace all your furnishings? Can you work within existing walls, or do you need to make structural changes? Will you need building permits or a zoning variance?
• How is your future tied to this house? Do you plan to live there a long time? Is the house an investment? What are the economic ramifications of your decorating or home improvement project? Will this project increase the value of the house, or price it out of its neighborhood? Will you be able to get the investment back should you decide to sell? Are you trying to fix up the home so that you can sell it in the near future? If this is not your long-term home, you may want to consider how other people will feel about the aesthetic choices you make—the bright carpeting you love may strike a potential buyer as prohibitively expensive to replace.

In decorating, the “how” goes hand-in-hand with the “why” and “what.” You’ll want to be sure you are able to follow through with your goals so those dreams turn into reality.

• Can you do the designing or planning yourself, or will you need or want outside help? Do you envision wanting materials or furnishings that are only available through designers or contractors?
• Will you be doing the work yourself? Do you really have the necessary skills? The tools? The time? If the job is extensive, are you prepared to coordinate subcontractors for the parts you cannot do?
• Where will you live while the work is under way? Are you prepared to live with the mess or inconvenience? These questions are particularly important if you are remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, and the answers will affect your costs — if you are moving into a rental or eating out for weeks on end, calculate these expenses.

Making a budget

“How much will it cost?” may be your first question, but “How much do you want to spend?” is just as important. To make a budget, list all the materials you’ll need, the services (labor) you’ll be using, and any permits required. Then list the cost of each item, including any shipping charges or taxes. Add these figures to find the total cost; to be safe, add 15 to 20 percent as a contingency figure.

 Making a budget is not a one-step process. You can’t begin without having some idea of your goals and game plan, because you can’t list the cost for items you don’t know about. At the same time, you can’t have a final plan until you know if it is within your budget. Follow the steps below to calculate the potential cost of your project, then evaluate and revise your choices as necessary.

• To begin your budget, you’ll have to learn the prices of potential materials. So go shopping. Visit showrooms, home centers, the lumberyard, or whichever vendor is appropriate. Get catalogs—many appliance and cabinet manufacturers have 800 numbers, and showrooms will often photocopy information for you.
• Include the small details such as hardware and bathroom fixture controls, which can be costly and add up when used in multiples.
• Include the hidden components—nails, glue, electrical wire.
• Do your math—calculate how much of everything you’ll need.
• Talk to professionals to get a general idea of costs for the job you have in mind. They won’t be able to give you a firm bid until you have your plans in hand, but they can advise you of usual costs.

Because of the mechanics, fixtures, and appliances involved, kitchens and baths are usually the most expensive rooms to renovate. The illustrations above show the typical allocation of funds for remodeling either space. Bear in mind that, whatever the room, structural changes have a significant impact on the total budget for the project.

 Consider also that you often get what you pay for, and invest in the best quality that you can afford—particularly if it is something that is not easy to change later.

 You will probably revise your goals and plans several times before you arrive at a workable budget. The more informed you are about the available options, the more easily you will be able to select the ones that are right for you—in terms of both their cost and quality.

© Move, Inc. All rights reserved

While we all use energy differently, in general, energy is mostly used for heating and cooling the home, with hot water coming in second.

Good energy habits help you save money and the way we use energy plays a big role in how much we’re paying for it. For example, if you leave the hot water running constantly while you’re shaving, you’re using a lot of hot water just to rinse the razor a few times.

Simple choices we make every day can go a long way to help us manage our energy use, cut costs and protect the environment around the year. Here are a few tips to help you conserve energy in your home.

1- Choose off-peak hours
Take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours. Consider running your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lowest.

2- Use the dishwasher and washer wisely
Try to cut down on power by air drying instead of using the heater. Try washing your clothes in cold water to save hot water costs.

3- Use a programmable thermostat to reduce energy use.
Install a programmable thermostat to automate your heating and cooling. It makes it easier to reduce your energy use when you’re not home and when you’re sleeping.

4- Use your appliances properly
Did you know that an uncrowded fridge works more efficiently than a crowded one? However, a freezer works best when they are two-thirds full. When you’re using the dishwasher wait to do a full load. A half-empty dishwasher uses the same amount of energy as a full one.

5- Consider caulking and weather stripping
Plugging up air leaks is relatively inexpensive and delivers a great return summer and winter. Look for cracks around windows and doorframes. Also check the sill plate, where your home’s foundation meets the frame. It could be a big source of air leaks.

6- Find your top 10 locations for compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs
It pays to replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with CFLs. They use 75% less power and last up to 10 times as long.

7- Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances
Save energy and fight climate change with ENERGY STAR qualified products. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. Switching to these appliances is not only good for the environment, but is easy on your pocketbook. Although these appliances may cost more, you can reduce your energy bill by approximately $80 per year.

The age, condition and efficiency of your appliances plays a big role in how much energy you use, so it’s important to keep them in good working order, and at some point, consider upgrading to the most energy-efficient models.

Retirement isn’t what it used to be. These days, rather than sitting back and watching the roses grow, more of us want to use the extra time, energy, and any cash released from the sale of a property to travel the world or fulfill some other lifelong ambition.

Today’s retirees want somewhere they can perhaps travel from and entertain. Health issues are still there but more people now stay fit for longer, have the spending power, and have the force of numbers to drive change. A whole new home market is growing up to meet their varied demands.

Ideally, the perfect “retirement” home is one that provides for the inevitabilities of aging and accommodates changing needs. The closer the home matches your needs, the less chances are of a subsequent move.

Whether you decide to downsize to a smaller home or move to a retirement community, the advantages are obvious—smaller homes translate into lower costs and less maintenance. Retirement communities also ensure like-minded neighbours. The lifestyle decision is yours.

Moving can be an overwhelming experience both physically and emotionally, however, preparing yourself for your move can make all the difference in the world. Once you’ve determined that you’re ready to take the plunge, there are many options available to you.

Before you make a decision about where to live in retirement you need to consider many factors: the daily lifestyle you want; proximity of children, or other relatives and friends; the type of climate you enjoy; and your health or medical needs. Ideally you should consider these personal and lifestyle factors first. Then you need to face reality. What can you afford? Your choices may be limited to cost, however, if you have planned your retirement carefully, you should have enough funds to cover the monthly expenses for whatever retirement home you choose.

Should I continue to live in my current home after retirement?
Staying in your current home will probably be much more economical if the mortgage is already paid off. If you don’t own the house free and clear, you’ll need to figure out if your retirement income will be high enough for you to continue the payments.

If you want to continue living in your home—as most people do—you should evaluate whether it meets your current and future physical needs. If it requires repairs or remodelling, do you want to undertake these projects, and can you afford the cost? For example, if you or your spouse has a medical problem, you may need to consider constructing entrance or exit ramps, modifying stairways, installing railings, support bars, or other modifications to bathrooms, and grading the ground to provide access to the house.

If you decide that you should move, there are many options available:

Condos and apartments
A condominium lifestyle has been a favourite of empty nesters and retirees since its inception. Condominium apartments and townhomes are available in virtually every price range and neighbourhood. Some of the more upmarket developments have their own swimming pools, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and bowling greens. Others are set in the countryside, by lakes, or are even child-free for those who want peace and quiet.

Condo life has many advantages. In addition to being short on maintenance and long on amenities, condos offer more opportunities to socialize. You will meet neighbours in the halls, the lobby and the laundry room. Condo living is a good choice for low-key, sociable types who enjoy getting to know other residents.

On average, condos are much more affordable than houses, making them an excellent fit for individuals who want to lower or limit their housing costs. Clearly condos are the economical choice for retirees hoping to downsize.

Bungalow living
Bungalows provide empty nesters and retirees with the best of both worlds: the opportunity to own a house and a yard with minimal maintenance.

The “bungalow living” concept has surged in popularity in recent years, especially in smaller communities outside major centres. Many empty nesters and retirees are considering the sale of their larger, more expensive homes in the city to purchase less expensive bungalows in more rural areas.

Retirement communities
Retirement communities offer retirees the amenities often associated with condominium living, smaller homes and the opportunity to live with like-minded individuals.

Current day retirement communities are resort-like in nature. The focal point of these communities is the clubhouse, where a variety of amenities including fitness facilities, tennis courts, game rooms, swimming pools, and in some areas, golf courses are available. For the most part, they’re built in rural areas that are close to large urban centres, but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

These communities are designed to help you with the assistance you need. For example, when you first move in, you may not need a large degree of care and supervision, but as time passes, your needs might increase. This is how retirement homes and communities operate today. They attempt to steer completely clear of the stereotypical convalescent or old folks home. Yet as you progress, should you get sick or need surgery, be assured that all necessary care will be there to assist you.

Giving up the home where you have lived for many years may seem frightening. Mentally, emotionally, and physically it is better to start to think and plan for such an eventuality before you are forced into somewhere you really don’t want to be.

If you’re uncertain about the alternatives available to you, you may want to speak to your Real Estate Agent. He or she can provide you with a free estimate of the value of your home and help you to determine what type of property will best suit your retirement lifestyle.

A new front entry upgrade instantly improves your home’s curb appeal and is a smart investment that saves energy and adds value to your home. In a recent survey released by the National Association of Realtors, the replacement of an exterior door held the most value and recouped the most cost of any exterior improvement project.

Many advances in the past ten years have made new front entry doors more energy efficient. For example, the new steel and fiberglass front entry doors have dense cores that make them more effective at insulating your home and resisting heat build up compared to solid wood doors. As an added bonus, the majority of these new front entry doors are not easily dented or dinged, nor do they warp or split like a traditional custom entry door, making them somewhat maintenance-free as well as perennially visually appealing.

Here are a few tips to consider when choosing your entry door to ensure you find the perfect fit for your home.

1. Door Styles
A front door reflects the personality of a home and the family who lives there. The style is one element of your home’s design, so it should compliment and enhance the overall look and feel. Style can be casual, traditional, formal or artistically reflect influences from around the world.

In most cases, the front door is the focal point and you should choose a door style with supporting glass accents, door trim, light fixtures and shrubs to create a front entry that captures the eye. If the door plays a supporting role to more intricate landscaping, you might select a simpler door style to play a role within the larger image you’re creating.

2. Consider Your Environment
You need to consider the environment that your door will face. Your entry door is the first line of defense against the elements. If your door cannot stand up to the wind, snow, rain, heat, cold and more you will lose money in energy costs every year. Your entry system is comprised of more than just a door – the components that make up the system (the frame, sill, hinges, lock, and more) also determine how efficient and durable your entry door is. With premium components your door can withstand the elements and last for years.

3. Wood, Fiberglass, or Steel?
There are three basic options for entry door material – wood, fiberglass, and steel. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, it is important to consider each carefully and determine which suits your needs best.

• Wood – Wood doors are considered the go-to choice for high-end projects. Since wood has an implication of being upscale it’ll make any home appear more extravagant and sophisticated. Natural wood textures can complement any number of architectural styles and bring undeniable character and charm to a home. Remember though that continuous care, maintenance and a professional grade finish are musts to ensure long-term performance and beauty with a wood door. Key factors in wood door performance are adequate roof overhang, minimal sun exposure, and proper sill height.
• Fiberglass – Fiberglass doors offer durability and beauty. There are hundreds of fiberglass options available that offer the look of real wood, but unlike real wood, fiberglass will not expand or contract as the weather changes. Fiberglass doors offer superior durability, resisting denting, splitting, cracking, and warping to offer long-term performance. Properly finished, most fiberglass doors can go years without needing a paint or stain touch-up.
• Steel – The most affordable option for entry doors is steel. Steel doors may offer excellent strength, security and insulation, but are very susceptible to denting resulting in difficult and expensive repairs. Compared to wood and fiberglass, steel doors do not stand up as well to normal wear and tear.

4. Components, Accessories and Features
As stated earlier, your entry door is about more than just your door slab. It is about all the components, accessories and features that make up the entry system. There are a number of features to consider before purchasing an entry system:

• Security – When it comes to security, consider the material you chose and the lock accessories available. While steel is often touted as stronger than wood or fiberglass, the difference is not significant. Regardless of which door material you choose, make sure the door slab fits tightly into the frame and make sure the door is fitted with secure, high quality door locks. Multi-point locks provide superior security and help prevent warping, wind deflection and drafts which help keep heating cooling costs low and the elements out.
• Door Frame (Head, Jamb, Mull, Sill) – A continuous frame system provides a consistent foundation to maximize stability and functionality. Make sure that your frame is going to stand up against the elements. Look for wood composite systems that won’t absorb water like real wood as this will help prevent rotting and warping.
• Glass – If you can imagine it, you can get it. There are hundreds of glass options to choose from – clear glass, decorative glass, full view, half view, single sidelite, double sidelite, arched, rectangular, and the list goes on. Glass can add beautiful character to your entry system, however make sure that you research the energy and privacy ratings before purchasing so you are not surprised later.

5. Do Your Research
With thousands of manufacturers, hundreds of dealers, and endless options to choose from, research your options before making a purchasing decision. You want your entry system to last for years to come so don’t skimp out and go for the lowest price – find the best value. Make sure the system you choose reflects your style, fits your needs, and will hold up to the environment. Your entry system is one of the most heavily used and visible parts of your home.