By no means am I an expert on Mortgages. I don't ask Lenders to know every thing about Real Estate. I believe in not trying to be everything to everybody. But there are some basic things you should do when getting a mortgage. SHOP AROUND BUT LIMIT YOUR INQUIRIES SO YOU DO NOT LOWER YOUR CREDIT SCORE. INQUIRE ABOUT PENALTY FEES  SHOULD YOU HAVE TO BREAK YOUR MORTGAGE. TRY TO GET A SHORT AMORTIZATION 20  INSTEAD OF 25 YEARS CAN SAVE YOU A BUNDLE. PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE COST OF MORTGAGE INSURANCE, YOU MAY HAVE ADEQUATE COVERAGE FROM YOUR TERM INSURANCE POLICY. ( THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION MAKE SURE YOU HAVE COVERAGE) HAVE A STRATEGY TO STAY FOCUSED AND MAKE EXTRA PAYMENTS WHERE POSSIBLE. LOW INTEREST RATES ARE VERY IMPORTANT, BUT PAY ATTENTION TO THE PRODUCT YOU ARE BUYING. HOW FLEX... 11/10/2008

Last month, the US gov't announced that it was lending US$85billion to AIG (American International Group Inc.) in exchange for an 80% equity stake in AIG.  The gov't has also increased its credit to AIG by another US$38billion.  The Fed is in the process of also appointing trustees to oversee the US gov't's stake. There have been mixed reactions in the marketplace regarding the US gov't taking an ownership interest AIG, the nations largest insurance company.  AIG subsidiary, AIG United Guaranty, provides mortgage default insurance to lenders, including financial institutions in Canada since 2006.  Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a corporation owned by the Canadian gov't, also provides mortgage default insurance to financial institutions in Canada and has been doing so su... 10/13/2008

Whether you want to refinance your existing mortgage or make use of your Home Equity for any purpose that you desire, the decision to refinance requires proper planning and consideration of several factors.A well qualified mortgage professional can be of great help to secure the best deal for you when you plan on refinancing. With several years of experience in the industry, I can assist you in getting the maximum out of your decision to refinance. From consolidating several debts into one, to lowering monthly payments and getting ready cash-in-hand, refinancing was never this easy! Contact me today and I work with you to find a refinancing solution that best suits your needs. Sincerely,   Gina Burgio, Mortgage Agent VERICO Designer Mortgages Inc. Toll Free: 1-877-34-LOAN-5 or 1-877-345... 09/29/2008

Staging Sold This Home in East Hamilton Mountain!! This client had her home on the market for 3 months with no offers! She took her sign down, and decided to start from scratch to get it in a desirable state. With a small budget, some elbow grease, and the expertise of Platinum Home Staging Design, the house went back on the market and sold within 2 weeks! Platinum Home Staging helped the homeowner prioritze her funds to get her the best return on her investment. Alongside the advice, Julia Fedak of Platinum Home and her assistant enhanced the appearance of the home with just a few rented furniture and decor pieces. LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM BATHROOM   Call Platinum Home Staging Design today to help YOU maximize your return on YOUR home! Platinum Home Staging Design "Design for Living, D... 07/01/2008

The Aldershot Community Festival will be taking place on Saturday, May 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hidden Valley Park.  There will be over 20 crafters and vendors on hand as well as an all day BBQ in support of the United Way.  The Field and Stream Rescue Team will be holding their annual rubber duck race.  It sounds like a great day is planned for everyone.  If entertainment is what you are looking for, Canadian rock band The Kings will be performing.  Remember a few of their hits like Switchin' To Glide and this Beat Goes On?  What a blast from the past! Also performing will be up and coming artist Annie Marleau who will be performing in various venues across Burlington over the summer. The Aldershot Community Festival sounds like a must-do event.  For more information, visit... 05/27/2008

Aldershot, Burlington  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 941 EASTERBROOK Ave, Burlington Ontario, on Sunday February 17 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Minutes To LaSalle Park by The Lake, Burlington Golf & Country Club, Go Train Station & Easy HWY Access.You're Gonna Love This Place!!!Property information Lisa Tollis SRES.Sales RepresentativeSeniors Real Estate SpecialistRoyal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.Hamilton Ontario 905 574-4600Visit www.LisaTollis.ca  for more Listings & Great Information on Real Estate. 02/14/2008

      The answer is a definite YES!  When the market slows down, it becomes even more important to make sure that your home stands out from the rest.  During market downturns, homes tend to sit on the market for longer.  This in turn can lead to the dreaded price reduction.Therefore, it is in your best interest to do everything you can to stay one step ahead of the competing listings in your area.  The best way to do that is to have your home staged by a professional home stager.If you feel that you are capable of doing the work yourself, then have a detailed consultation report prepared by a home stager and carry out his or her recommendations yourself.  If you are not able to do that, just call a reputable home staging company in your area and let them take care of everything for you.... 10/03/2007

September 6, 2007 - Hamilton, Ontario) The Hamilton-Burlington area real estate market reported a total of 1,238 unit sales in August, indicating an increase of seven per cent over the same period last year. The total unit sales for the first eight months of 2007 are seven per cent higher than the same period, while units listed are five per cent higher for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB). "The U.S. sub-prime mortgage market meltdown may dent U.S. consumer spending; however, the market remains different in Canada, particularly in the Hamilton and Burlington area," said RAHB President, Mike Cusano. "The Bank of Canada recently revised its economic growth forecast to hold rates s... 09/11/2007

Dark, purplish smudges surrounded his impish little grin as he bent down to give me one of his all encompassing ‘Look at me, Mom’ smiles. As I gazed up at his large brown eyes from where I was intently cultivating a new flower bed, I felt a dread begin to rise in the pit of my stomach. "What were you eating, Iain ?" I quickly demanded to know. I was quite aware that none of my cultivated berries were currently in season and was growing increasingly terrified at what his answer would be. The corners of his mouth began to downturn a bit as he sensed my growing dismay. Opening his tiny clenched fist he revealed a handful of small red berries. I gasped in horror at the sight of what I believed to be the fruit of the Deadly Nightshade."Where did you get these??" , I asked . I was certain the... 07/17/2007

The Importance of Lighting When Designing A Room-The BasicsLighting should compliment your lifestyle and suit you and your families needs.When designing a room, planning for lighting should come after you have already completed the furniture layout.There are three types of lighting;General- also known as ambient lighting. This is lighting that provides overall illumination in a space, and offers a comfortable level of brightness.(eg. ceiling fixtures-potlights, flush or chandelier lighting)Task- is named as such because it provides one with lighting that allows an individual to perform specific tasks in a room such as reading and writing.(eg. table or floor lamps, even mini-pendants in the kitchen)Accent-(mood)  has no functional reason, but adds drama to a space.(eg. picture light, lig... 07/16/2007

THE THREE BASIC GUIDELINES TO A SUCCESSFUL INTERIORWhen you see a beautiful interior that you really admire, observe the following;1. Is is functional?2. Does it express a mood?3. Does it give you a sense of harmony?When you are decorating or designing, these are the most important guidelines to follow.Functional:The function of the living room   ie---typically arranged for conversation.                                           --there should be tables or a surface for each individual to set down a drink or                                               plate.                                        Mood:The room should express a mood that reflects your style, taste and needs.                                                      example:  Modern? Sophisticated? Calming?Harmony:All the va... 07/11/2007

Why is it that we take for granted our own town?  I don't know how many years the CN Tower had been built before I finally went there for a tour.  (I had family out visiting from Australia.  It was on their to-do list of places to see - that's why I went.)I was in Toronto the other day and passing through Union Station.  Tourism Ontario is doing weekly promotions on different cities in the province to encourage travel and tourism.  Wouldn't you know, the day I was in Union Station, Burlington was the featured city of the week.I picked up my free Burlington Visitor Guide although at the time I wasn't sure why I did.  After all, I live in Burlington.  I must know everything there is to see and do there.  Well was I wrong.  I read through the Visitor Guide when I got home.  I had no idea t... 07/04/2007

What is agency?Under agency law, the Realtor legally owes you the duties and obligations associated with agency: utmost care, integrity, confidentiality, and loyalty. A stringent Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice guides all Realtors. It's your assurance of fair and honest representation.A Realtor must disclose, in writing, whose interests he or she represents in any real estate transaction. A Realtor may represent you both as a buyer, and as a seller. In some cases, the Realtor may represent both the buyer and the seller involved in the same transaction.Call Lisa Tollis if you require more help with your real estate needs.Lisa Tollis, Sales RepresentativeRoyal LePage State Realty, Brokerage.www.LisaTollis.ca 06/25/2007

Once your offer to purchase has been drafted, it will be presented to the seller as soon as possible. The seller can accept your offer, reject it, or make a counter offer.AcceptanceAn accepted offer means the seller has agreed to all the terms and conditions exactly as set forth in your offer to purchase.RejectionA rejected offer means the seller did not agree with any of the terms and conditions set forth in your offer to purchase.Counter offerA counter offer means the seller agrees with some of the terms and conditions of your offer, but not all of them.The seller then makes a counter offer. The counter offer may change the price, the closing date, or add or delete conditions.Once you have received a counter offer you have two choices. You can accept the new terms and conditions or re... 06/25/2007

                                                                                  It’s an exciting time. Your offer has been accepted. You can’t wait to move into your new home. But don’t start celebrating yet. There is one final stage involved in purchasing a home -- closing the deal. Closing is the point at which ownership and usually possession of the property is transferred from the seller to you. It takes place after the parties involved agree that all legal and financial obligations have been met. Your lawyer and your REALTOR will do much of the work, but here’s a checklist that will show you what to expect as the process unfolds: Make sure a copy of the signed Agreement of Purchase and Sale is sent to your lawyer right away. Your REALTOR will usually do this for you. Your lawyer... 06/22/2007

Buying your first home is an exciting process. You determined how much home you can afford, you saved your down payment, you and your REALTOR found the perfect home and your offer was accepted. While the purchase price of your home is the largest cost you will encounter, there are other costs to prepare for when buying a home. It’s a good idea to budget some extra cash to cover the cost of obtaining a mortgage and “closing” your real estate transaction. Here are some of the extra cost items you should consider: Appraisal fee Mortgage lenders will usually loan a percentage of the home’s purchase price or the market appraisal of the property, whichever is lower. The appraisal is either done by someone on the lender’s staff or by an outside professional approved by the lender. The cost of... 06/22/2007

 Shopping for a new home is an emotional experience. It’s also time consuming and  comes with a myriad of details. Some buyers, however, caught up in the excitement of buying a new home tend to overlook some items. Their home purchase turns into an expensive process. These errors generally fall into three areas: Paying too much Losing a dream home to another buyer Buying the wrong home When you have a systematic plan before you shop, you’ll be sure to avoid these costly errors. Here are some tips on making the most of your home purchase: Bidding without sufficient informationWhat price do you offer a seller? Is the seller’s asking price too high? Is it a deal? Without research on the market and comparable homes, you could lose thousands of dollars. Before you make that offer, be sure yo... 06/08/2007

Thinking about purchasing a home of your own? Keep these critical considerations in mind: How long you plan to live in the home.If you purchase a home and get a job transfer or decide to move after only a short time, you may end up paying money in order to sell it. The value of your home may not have appreciated enough to cover the costs that you paid to buy the home and the costs that it would take you to sell your home. The length of time that it will take to cover those costs depends on various economic factors in the area of the home. Most parts of the country have an average of 5% appreciation per year. In this case, you should plan to stay in your home at least 3-4 years to cover buying and selling costs. If the area you buy your home in experiences an economic up turn, the length... 06/08/2007

Let's face it.  When the time comes to sell your home, my guess is that you'll think yours is the one that will be swept up the minute the sign is on your lawn.  Or in more modern lingo, the minute it hits the net.  It's human nature.  We all think that way, regardless of market conditions.The large grey elephant that you painstakingly painted on your dining room wall inspired by your summer vacation may be a selling feature to you.  However, not everyone else is going to feel the same way.  The same goes for dear old Aunt Edna's life-size portrait prominently displayed right in the foyer.  When you think about it, the portrait intimidates you.  What do you think it will do to prospective buyers?  They'll be out the door before you know it!Being able to stand back and take an impartial ... 06/06/2007

How to save for a down payment Owning your own home has a lot of payoffs, especially these days when mortgage rates are still among the lowest in 30 years. There are also many housing options available in a wide range of prices. Simply put, you can carry a home of your own for no more than what you would pay in rent. And, unlike renting, your payments go toward increasing the equity in your home. So, what’s stopping you? For most people who have never owned a home before, it’s the initial down payment and the ability to keep up with the monthly financial obligations (mortgage payment, insurance, utilities, maintenance). The effort to save for and buy a home may require you to make significant changes in your way of life. For most people, it means changing their spending and lifestyle h... 05/29/2007