Kitchen Design Ideas – Do's And Dont's For 2014

 

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms of your home. It is where you prepare all of your meals and it is often a hub of family activity. When you host a party, the action often ends up in the kitchen.

Where drinks and snacks are enjoyed into the early hours of the morning. It’s crucial that your kitchen functions well because you will use it every day, but you also want to make it beautiful and stylish.

Renovating and decorating your kitchen can also be one of the best ways to increase the resale value of your home. If you are planning on a kitchen makeover:

Here Are Some Dos And Don’ts To Keep In Mind:

• Don’t forget to consider the proportions of everyone who will use the kitchen. Don’t choose kitchen stools that are too high for your kids to sit on, or cabinets that your wife cannot reach.
• Think carefully about storage space. What do you need to store and how much room do you need? You might want to store away your blender and toaster and other small appliances as well, so that they don’t have to clutter up the counter all the time.
• If you are selling your home, a neutral tone will appeal more to the majority of buyers.
• Another popular trend is green and environmentally sustainable elements within the kitchen. Recycled, renewable and energy-efficient products are in abundance at the moment and these options will not only save you money, they will be much better for the environment.
• Instead of placing your microwave on the counter, it makes a lot more sense to fit it in seamlessly with your cabinets. This will allow you to free up counter space in your kitchen.
• Be careful not to over design – it’s a common decorating mistake. Keep things simple and know when to stop, so that you don’t have a kitchen that looks overwhelming and cluttered.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind if you are giving the kitchen of your home a makeover for 2014. For more helpful tips and information, contact your trusted mortgageprofessional.

 

Consider the spring thaw before you’re standing in it

By: Bryan Baeumler  

Spring is less than a week away but, before he hits the road, Jack Frost this year has one final, parting prank: ice buildup.

When it melts — and it will — excess water this year could result in some costly damage to your foundation or basement.

“Leaks happen when people neglect to get out there and clear the ice dams off their roofs, or shovel snow away from their foundations,” says home renovation guru Bryan Baeumler in a conversation with Alex Nino Gheciu. “That should be the focus around this time of year.

“After the thaw, of course, there’s plenty more stuff to do around the house.”

Putting the 'Spring' Into Your Home – Home Renovations

Putting the 'Spring' Into Your Home – Home Renovations
 

Posted by: Diane Alvernaz

At DLC Metro City Mortgages we get many clients who call us looking to refinance their property to help them pay for home renovations

As spring time rolls around, home owners inevitably start to look around at their homes and consider what improvements they might make next. Whether you’re looking to add to the value of your home, or you’re just looking to enjoy a makeover, a home renovation might make sense for you.

According to the CMHC, over 36% of home owners renovated their homes in 2011 (spending an average of approx. $14,000) & 37% of home owners indicated that they intended to undergo a home renovation in 2012 across the 10 largest urban cities in Canada

In order to finance your home renovation of choice here are the basics you should know: 
 

Consider the Type of Home Renovation

Home Renovations Typically Fall Into Three Segments:

Lifestyle renovations:

• these home renovations improve your home and your way of life, ex; building a sun room for pleasure, or converting unused attic space into living quarters to meet your changing needs.

Retrofit projects:

• these home renovations focus on your home’s shell or mechanical systems, Ex; upgrading your insulation, replacing your furnace, or putting on new siding.

Maintenance and repair renovations:

• these types of home renovations protect the investment you have made in your house, ex; caulking windows, re-shingling your roof, or replacing your eaves troughs. 
   
• Decide what kind of contractor you need:

A general contractor manages the project, hires the tradespeople and takes care of the permits. If it’s a smaller job, choose a specialized contractor who handles specific projects (like bathrooms or windows) and does the work himself.

• Interview and get quotes from at least three:

Ask about experience, talk to past clients and visit past projects. Make sure each contractor has a license, liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and a clean Better Business Bureau record. Then ask for a detailed plan, including timeframe and cost.

• Get everything in writing:

Include a list of materials and brands, labor to be performed (is site cleanup included?), warranty, permit obligations, and how client changes will be handled.

• Agree on a payment plan:

Include down payment amount (anything under 15% is reasonable). Work out a payment schedule and make sure payments sync with the work that’s been done. 

 

Maximize Your Living Space

Lately, we're enjoying our gardens, terraces, balconies or any outdoor space we can claim as a temporary refuge. With the vast array of outdoor furniture available, our outdoor spaces can now rival our equivalent indoor spaces because they have the benefit of being surrounded by decorating's most beautiful accessory: nature. Here, we'll show you what to shop for to ensure you buy the right pieces for maximum enjoyment.

Measure Your Space

Before you head out to shop, measure your space -- take into account length, height and depth, so your furniture doesn't encroach on any passageways or become part of your flower bed. Next, think about what you want it to be: a conversation area, an intimate seating area, a quiet corner of contemplation for one, etc. Consider the style of your furniture: Do you want a loungey modern sectional in a dark, all-weather rattan; do you want a more traditional ensemble made of metal; etc.? Finally, think about the amount of exposure to which your furniture will be subjected. Regardless of their technological properties, outdoor cushions subjected to the elements will show wear over time; consider bringing cushions inside regularly or, better yet, buy a water-repellant cover that you can use to protect your investment.

Large Areas

If you're lucky enough to have a space large enough for multiple sitting areas, the world is your oyster. Many outdoor sets are modular and allow for multiple configurations. If your budget is a little looser and you like the idea of modularity, consider creating an outdoor area that looks just like an indoor living room, that you can dress to the nines with colourful throw cushions; pair it with a couple of single seats and you've got yourself a conversation area that you'll dream about all winter.

Swing Benches

Swing benches are wonderful outdoor furniture options that can be shared for conversation or enjoyed solo with a book. The swing has a unique design that could fit in almost any setting.

Outdoor Lighting

To heighten the sense that your outdoor living area is a bona-fide room, add some portable lighting,

Teak Chairs for Small Spaces

Very small areas — the ones that only accommodate one person or two in close proximity — can become the most special. If your nook can fit only one piece of furniture, consider the tried-and-true Adirondack chair: its generous arms double as a table and the shape allows for a relaxing sitting position. A simple, more upright teak chair can also work.

The Humble Bench

This amazingly utilitarian piece of outdoor furniture can be placed on a wide pathway to provide seating while still allowing circulation. Benches can be economical options as most are sold in kit form, so you do the labour. Tip: Boost the wilderness quotient with a bounty of potted greens and shrubbery.

Add a Little Curb Appeal to your Home!

It's what’s outside that counts! Check out these 11 exterior upgrades that will give your home simple but effective curb appeal.

Your home’s curb appeal sets the tone for what potential buyers expect of the home they’re walking into, explains Darren Brand. “Since most people’s buying decisions are based on an emotional response, the curb appeal starts the love affair, or terminates it immediately,” he says.

But you don’t have to completely overhaul the exterior of your home in order to sell. Just pick and choose what you think will have the most impact and go from there.  No matter what state the economy is in, dealing with curb appeal issues are important since even in good times, you could be leaving money on the table by not doing needed work. When times are tough, there are also a lot less potential purchasers and a lot more competition, so you have to make your home stand out in a crowd.

Here are 11 simple ways to improve your home’s curb appeal for maximum impact.

1 Start with the most obvious things
If you can only do a few things to spruce up the exterior of your home, start with the most glaringly obvious. For example, if your garden is overrun with weeds, the front lawn hasn’t been cut in so long that you need a machete to get to the door and remnants of last spring’s garage sale still adorn the front porch, mow the lawn, pull the weeds and get rid of the mess. A messy front yard will be the first thing a potential buyer sees and it might tell them not to look any further. You don’t have to have a prize-winning rose garden to attract potential buyers, just a yard that looks tidy and well cared for.

2 Add planters
Adding planters (even store bought, ready-made ones) can go a long way toward creating the perception of a well loved home. They not only add colour to a porch or patio, they’re eye-catching and give the impression you spend time improving your surroundings.

3 Ensure consistent window treatments
Matched blinds and curtains can add a lot to the perception of quality and thought put into a home, says Darren. “A lot of people don’t even think about how this interior element affects the look of the exterior.”  He also stresses the importance of washing your windows; this is also something that has an impact on the inside as well as outside of your home.

4 Wake up your driveway
Since the driveway is one of the first things prospective buyers will notice, it’s a good idea to freshen it up.  Adding a sealer can refresh a tired driveway. This is an inexpensive makeover that can be accomplished in a short time by almost anyone, Darren says.

5 Add cedar mulch
Adding cedar mulch goes a long way to freshening up flowerbeds even in early spring when plants are small or non-existent. The mulch can be any shade but Darren suggests red to add a nice punch of colour.

6 Create a welcoming porch
An empty porch can look stark and cold. If you have a porch large enough to accommodate furniture, set up a welcoming grouping such as two exterior club chairs and a table or a bistro set for dining. It’s also a good idea to add some colour with plants in containers.

7 Put down new sod
A lawn in poor condition does not create a good first impression and is something you should consider replacing if you’re trying to sell your home.  It’s a lot faster to put down new sod instead of seeding and waiting, Darren says.

8 Add mature plants
When working on flowerbeds, adding larger mature plants is a lot easier (and in some cases, less expensive) than buying several flats of annuals, says Darren. Larger, more mature plants also tend to have a greater impact.

9 Spring for new accoutrements
Adding a new mailbox, house light and house number is a cheap and cheerful way of updating your home’s exterior.

10 Repaint
Giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint can do wonders for curb appeal. Darren suggests painting your house in the colour of homes in a more expensive neighbourhood as a great way to create the perception of quality while doing something you probably already need to do.

11 Replace windows
Replacing windows is expensive but has a definite impact on curb appeal, says Darren.  It can make your home look polished and give the impression you’ve upgraded more than just the windows.

March Break Boredom Busters

Find tips for keeping kids busy -- and happy -- the whole March Break.
By Dee Van Dyk


"I'm bored”. There's nothing to do."

Those words are enough to make a parent's heart sink like a stone. Spring Break, or March Break, is just around the corner and a week of unstructured time could be a kid's recipe for boredom. However, a little planning around your personal time and budget, and you can craft a unique and interesting March Break plan for your family. Check out the ideas below to get you started.

1. Involve your children in the planning
Kids are more likely to actively engage in the activity if they have had some say in it. Have everyone write down their interests and then pull together lists of activities to do based around those interests.

2. Check out what's available in your community for day camps
Working parents often scramble to work out childcare arrangements over March Break. Check out community leisure centres, the library, planetarium and zoo for day camps that meet your child's interests.

Community centres will often put together special March Break programs, as well. Hockey, dance, cooking, writing and art camps give parents and children a wide scope of activities to choose from.

Again, this is an opportunity for kids to take some ownership of their time and interests. Older kids can do Internet research for themselves to find programs that appeal to them.

3. Put together an activity jar
Injecting a little fun and excitement doesn't need to be time consuming or expensive. Draw up a list of activities that your child enjoys (a trip to the park, paint-by-numbers, Cranium, Monopoly, an afternoon story, a trip to the movies) and put them in a jar. Then have your child pick an activity each day. It doesn't really matter if they are activities you might do anyway -- it's fun to pick out of the jar and be surprised!

4. Involve your extended family
Is March Break a good time for your child to spend with Grandpa and Grandma? Think back to when you were a child. Did you bake with Grandma or build a birdhouse with Grandpa? Chances are, both your parents and your child will enjoy a little quality time together. You might even choose to front the money for tickets to the movies or the zoo.

5. Be a tourist for a day
Many people have never been to the city sights in their hometown. Take a look at your surroundings with fresh eyes. What sights and venues bring tourists into your city?

Do some research; plug into the Internet to search your local tourism link for ideas for things to do locally.

6. Band together with other parents to fight spring break boredom
Divvy up the Boredom Busters with other parents. Whether it's a trip to the zoo, a morning craft time, an afternoon at the playground, or an evening at the movies, joining forces with other parents in the same boat can make a week of planned activities more manageable for all involved.
And finally:

7. Have a backup plan
The weather is always variable this time of year, so have a backup plan for outdoor activities. The only thing worse than a bored kid is a wet, cold one!

CMHC to Increase Mortgage Insurance Premiums

OTTAWA, February 28, 2014 — Following the annual review of its insurance products and capital requirements, CMHC will increase its mortgage loan insurance premiums for homeowner and 1 – 4 unit rental properties effective May 1, 2014.
The increase applies to mortgage loan insurance premiums for owner occupied, self-employed and 1-to-4 unit rental properties, including low-ratio refinance premiums. This does not apply to mortgages currently insured by CMHC.
CMHC’s capital management framework is consistent with international practices and Canadian guidelines for mortgage insurers. Increased capital targets are consistent with Canadian and international industry trends and makes the financial system more stable and resilient.
“The higher premiums reflect CMHC’s higher capital targets” said Steven Mennill, CMHC’s Vice-President, Insurance Operations. “CMHC’s capital holdings reduce Canadian taxpayers’ exposure to the housing market and contribute to the long term stability of the financial system.”
For the average Canadian homebuyer requiring CMHC insured financing, the higher premium will result in an increase of approximately $5 to their monthly mortgage payment. This is not expected to have a material impact on the housing market.
Effective May 1^st, CMHC Purchase (owner occupied 1 – 4 unit) mortgage insurance premiums will increase by approximately 15%, on average, for all loan-to-value ranges.

Loan-to-Value Ratio	Standard Premium (Current)	Standard Premium (Effective May 1st, 2014)
Up to and including 65%	0.50%	0.60%
Up to and including 75%	0.65%	0.75%
Up to and including 80%	1.00%	1.25%
Up to and including 85%	1.75%	1.80%
Up to and including 90%	2.00%	2.40%
Up to and including 95%	2.75%	3.15%
90.01% to 95% – Non-Traditional Down Payment	2.90%	3.35%

CMHC reviews its premiums on an annual basis and, going forward, plans to announce decisions on premiums in the first quarter of each year. The homeowner premium increase follows changes CMHC made to its portfolio insurance product earlier this year.
As Canada’s national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 65 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable housing solutions that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.
For additional highlights please see attached backgrounder and key fact sheet.
Information on this release:
Charles Sauriol, Media Relations
613-748-2799
csauriol@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Follow CMHC on Twitter @CMHC_ca

Backgrounder

• Mortgage loan insurance helps protect lenders against mortgage default and enables consumers to purchase homes with a minimum down payment of 5% with interest rates comparable to those with a 20% down payment. Mortgage loan insurance is typically required by lenders when homebuyers make a down payment of less than 20% of the purchase price.
• CMHC mortgage loan insurance premium is calculated as a percentage of the loan based on the loan-to-value ratio. The premium can be paid in a single lump sum but more frequently is added to the mortgage principal and amortized over the life of the mortgage as part of regular mortgage payments.
• CMHC reviews its premiums on an annual basis and has adjusted them several times since being commercialized in 1998. Adjustments have included both increases and decreases to the premiums.
• CMHC’s new premium rates will be effective for new mortgage loan insurance requests submitted on or after May 1, 2014. The current mortgage loan insurance premiums will apply for applications submitted to CMHC prior to May 1, 2014, regardless of the closing date. As is normal practice, complete borrower and property details must be submitted to CMHC when requesting mortgage loan insurance.
• The increase applies to mortgage loan insurance premiums for residential housing of 1-to-4 units. This includes owner occupied, self-employed and 1-to-4 unit rental properties, including low-ratio refinance premiums.
• In 2013, the average CMHC insured loan at 95% loan-to-value was $248,000. Using these figures, the higher premium will result in an increase of approximately $5 to the monthly mortgage payment for the average Canadian homebuyer. This is not expected to have a material impact on the housing market.

95% Loan-to-Value

Loan Amount	$150,000	$250,000	$350,000	$450,000
Current Premium	$4,125	$6,875	$9,625	$12,375
New Premium	$4,725	$7,875	$11,025	$14,175
Additional Premium	$600	$1,000	$1,400	$1,800
Increase to Monthly Mortgage Payment	$3.00	$4.98	$6.99	$8.98

Based on a 5 year term @ 3.49% and a 25 year amortization

*Premiums in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec are subject to provincial sales tax — the sales tax cannot be added to the loan amount.

85% Loan-to-Value

Loan Amount	$150,000	$250,000	$350,000	$450,000
Current Premium	$2,625	$4,375	$6,125	$7,875
New Premium	$2,700	$4,500	$6,300	$8,100
Additional Premium	$75	$125	$175	$225
Increase to Monthly Mortgage Payment	$0.37	$0.62	$0.87	$1.12

Based on a 5 year term @ 3.49% and a 25 year amortization

*Premiums in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec are subject to provincial sales tax — the sales tax cannot be added to the loan amount.

SPRING MARKET SUCCESS:
TIPS FOR HOME BUYERS

Spring is finally here and this is a busy time for the real estate industry. Before you start to look for a home, make sure your credit report is in order! We can advise on how to check your credit and remedy any errors or problems. Below are some more tips for new homebuyers to follow to ensure their homebuying journey is a successful and enjoyable one!


Rising Rates? Get Pre-Approved: We can easily arrange a pre-approval. You’ll get a rate hold, which protects you against rising rates for a set period while you house hunt. And whatever the rate trends, a pre-approval will give you a good sense of how much you can afford. We can not stress this enough. Get a pre-approval before you begin house hunting!

Decide on your Priorities: What do you need in a home? What are your wants? Thinking about this carefully before you start to look at properties will help you search much more efficient.

Find a Good Realtor: A good real estate agent working for you exclusively makes all the difference when checking out new neighbourhoods and identifying suitable properties.  We can refer you to amazing real estate agents who specialize in the property you are seeking and which neighbourhood you are planning to live in.

Have the Property Inspected: You need to know exactly what you’re buying. If major repairs are needed, this could impact the purchase price.

And finally…Contact us, your Accredited Mortgage Professionals who are dedicated to not only obtaining the lowest rates, but the BEST product that suits your needs! We love what we do and we are with our clients throughout the life of their mortgages.

Happy House Hunting and Have Fun!

Check out this super cute easy Valentine's Day Recipe!

Valentine Bark

By mamacancook on January 11, 2007

Photo by Rollin in the Dough!

6 Reviews

• 
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Servings: 10

About This Recipe

"Needing something quick to make for your child classmates or your co workers to think of them for Valentines day? Try Valentine bark--Quick, fast and easy to make."

Ingredients

• 18 ounces white chocolate chips ( a bag and a 1/2)
• 1 cup red heart red cinnamon candies

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees.
2. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet (preferably with sides).
3. Sprinkle morsels onto parchment paper.
4. Place in oven until morsels melt (about 5 or so minutes-I don't really time it-I just check on the morsels).
5. Spread morsels evenly over the parchment paper with a spatula.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon heart candies.
7. Allow to cool (for quick cool I place the pan in the freezer for about 5 minutes).
8. Break apart and divide into baggies if giving for gifts.
9. Makes about 10 snack size baggie servings.

Young savers using TFSAs to purchase homes: survey

Young savers using TFSAs to purchase homes: survey

By Darah Hansen | Pay Day – Mon, 13 Jan, 2014 3:46 PM EST

Younger Canadians, more than ever before, are using their Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) to save money to buy their first home.

That’s one of the key findings of a newly published survey by ING Direct. The survey looks specifically at TFSA contributions, asking Canadians of all ages how and why we are saving money.
Retirement continues to be the top reason for using the tax-free program, with 46 per cent of contributors ticking this box.
Not so with younger adults. Nearly 40 per cent of contributors between the ages of 18-34 years see TFSAs as a great way to make the leap into home ownership.
It’s true the program was originally intended to help Canadians shelter their earnings in a bid to live life to the fullest past the age of 65. Yet, the liquidity of a TFSA allows for different savings goals other than those intended.
“It’s often the first place people will go to pull money out,” said Lee Helkie, a Toronto-based financial advisor with Helkie Financial and Insurance Services.
It's this kind of flexibility that is attracting more of the young crowd. Peter Aceto, president and CEO of ING Direct, said most clients, regardless of age, contribute to a TFSA with an eye on retirement.
The bonus?
“If there is a bump in the road, if something unexpected happens in life, you can have access to those funds without there being a penalty,” he said.
But saving is saving and that’s not an attribute we hear very often about Millennials. Isn’t this the “entitled” generation – the folks who get the rap for jumping from job to job and expecting the bank of Mommy and Daddy to bail them out when they get into trouble.
Helkie said she’s encouraged to learn younger Canadians are able to put any money aside.
Given they are among the lowest earners in the country, “the fact they are even thinking about saving is terrific, to be honest,” she said.
But she, like others in the financial field, would like to see more Canadians commit to the program over the long term.
A TFSA is the place “to get the best bang for your buck, and grow some wealth in a tax-free environment,” she said.

Confusion reigns
And yet, many Canadians still don't understand how to harness the power of this savings tool. A report released last week by BMO found TFSAs are increasingly popular with 48 per cent of Canadians contributing to the program, up from 23 per cent in 2012.
But the poll also found that fewer than 20 per cent of Canadians know the annual contribution limit, 10 per cent have over-contributed since opening an account, and only 11 per cent can correctly identify the various types of investments that are eligible to be held within a TFSA.
Larry Moser, vice direct consultant with BMO’s investor line, said confusion over the contribution limits, and assessed penalties if they are exceeded, are keeping people from more fully embracing the program.
“I think there is still a bit of a learning curve when it comes to penalties that can be charged if you over-contribute to a TFSA. If you take money out, you can’t put it in again until the following calendar year,” he said.
The BMO study revealed that although the annual contribution limit is $5,500, TFSA holders plan to contribute an average of $3,625 this year.
When looking at how Canadians are contributing, the ING survey showed a lump-sum deposit one to two times a year is most popular (52 per cent), while 26 per cent contribute to their TFSA on a monthly basis.

Single Ladies Buying Homes

 

Single Ladies Buying Homes

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that a greater number of women are now taking the reins when it comes to home purchases. There’s a growing trend among single women – and, more precisely, professional single women – who are becoming independent homeowners. While many of them may be putting off marriage, they’re not waiting around for Mr. Right before taking the plunge into home ownership.

Women are looking for ways to become financially independent, and investing in real estate and building equity for themselves are ways to invest in their future – building financial security.

Women are taking advantage of historically low interest rates and recognizing home ownership is often more affordable than renting.

Seeking expert advice

One of the amazing things about women looking to invest in real estate is that they’re getting more advice before they make the decision to enter the market. They’re seeking out mortgage experts and real estate agents, and building a plan for the perfect entry into the market. They’re making lists of areas in which they’re interested in purchasing, itemizing amenities they would need in their ideal neighbourhood, ensuring they have all the facts around closing costs and fees associated with making the purchase, and securing a mortgage.

Buying a home is likely one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make in your lifetime, and can feel overwhelming. That’s why working with a professional mortgage agent, real estate agent, home inspector and so on is essential. You’ll be working with these professionals closely – possibly for months – so interactions should feel comfortable, and they should be knowledgeable and responsive even to the smallest question.

The more prepared you are, the smoother the experience will be so do a little research on your own over the Internet to get a good idea of what types of properties and areas are of interest to you. Make a list of questions to ask your mortgage agent or realtor – and keep it on hand so you can add to it as more questions arise.

Interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in history and they have nowhere to go but up. Industry professionals believe that as rates begin to rise, they’ll continue to rise for some time. There has never been a better time for women to make the decision to get into the real estate market to find the perfect place to call home.

Contact me today for a free discrete and informative evaluation of your current mortgage needs @ andreajohnston@mortgagesbyandrea.com . Can you afford to wait?