Stepping Stone In My Journey

I have been looking at the transformation pictures of friends and ladies that want to share their journeys with me and reading all the great news about the amount of weight they have lost AND the changes in your bodies that they have noticed.

I am so proud of each and every one of you. My progress did not happen near as quickly as it did for the rest of you. 2 1/2 years later, I am 'almost' at the part of my journey where I can finally smile. I get very frustrated when those around me complain on how fat/big a certain part of their body is. When it truly isn't.  Is it that they just want the attention?  Are they looking for compliments?  Do you honestly feel that you are making me feel better?  I do NOT comment and I try to avoid any sharing of anything that I have done. I am still uncomfortable wearing proper fitting clothes. Yes, I do like loose fitting but it is great to be able to go into a regular store and buy something and it actually fits. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 10...my BMI started at 36.6 and was last read at 25.4 - this was my proudest number.

I have been told that I have motivated a few to start their own journey.  That is my proudest moment.  These ladies are at the point in their lives where I was 2 1/2 years ago.   From these ladies, I get positive reinforcement.  They don't complain that they haven't lost.  We support eachother.   We laugh at the same things about ourselves without making ourselves uncomfortable to what is being said. 

This is something that I had to get off my chest.  Enjoy your journey.  Each and every one of you have to do your own.  Remember, I also have a mental journey and I need support just like you do. 

Until next time

BETTY

Betty's Pic Of The Week Updates

10th of October 2011 and the new updated lists for listings in Lorne Park, Oakville, and the updated activity list for Lorne Park are out.  Need more information?  Contact Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative, Accredited Senior Agent of Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage.

Betty's Pic Of The Week Lorne Park Oct 10

Prestigious Lorne Park is located east of Clarkson, south of Erindale, west of Port Credit and the Credit River, and north of Lake Ontario. The area is noted as mainly residential.


My web site is a sought after resource for the weekly postings of available Lorne Park properties. By accessing Betty's Pic of the Week and signing up for the instantly downloadable report, you can receive up to date information of some of the homes that are available in this elegant community.

Here is a list of Homes for Sale in the Lorne Park Community of Mississauga. I will be updating this list on a regular basis, so please feel free to come back several times and see what's new.

Click here to view Properties of Interest

There are more homes that are available. Do you know someone who is thinking of selling? Give them my information and have them call me directly at 416 427 1875. Do you know someone who wants to move into the neighbourhood? Let me provide them with my personal touch!!!  I am also including an up to date Market Watch.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Accredited Senior Agent
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com/

PERSISTENT IN ACHIEVING RESULTS!! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

this is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

The Buyers Representation Agreement

With all the media exposure and all the talk about the Buyers Representation Agreement, the BRA, I thought that I would also add my thoughts and opinions. Do you agree with them? Keep the conversation going and call me directly at 416 427 1875 to discuss.

Home For Sale, Lorne Park, Mississauga

This home is located in prime Lorne Park location. Offering a spectacular backyard wuth an award winning Bonavista Pool-Hot Tub. A cabana with a 2 piece washroom. This backyard offers complete privacy. This home was given the Award Of Merit For Excellence In Urban Design. The living room has a cathedral ceiling and a 2-sided fireplace. Walkout from the formal dining room to a covered porch. Enjoy an eat-in centre island in the kitchen that also offers a pantry, computer desk and walk-out to patio and pool. All bedrooms have ensuites. The finished basement includes a games room, a wet bar, a recreation room, a gas fireplace, a 5th bedroom, and a gym.

For more pictures of this lovely home click here.

Also inclluded are the fridge, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in oven, built-in microwave, 2 central air conditioners, 2 furnaces, central vacuum & attachments, 2 garage door openers and remotes, electric light fixtures, security system, sprinklers, night lighting, inrgound pool and hot tub, cabana with 2piece.

If not this home, perhaps I can show you something else? If you would like to know the market evaluation of your home, click here, fill in the short form and I will call you. How easy is that?

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com

Help Me Get to 150 Friends on this Facebook Page; Click and Like me Please

PSST: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING A HOME AND NEEDS MY HELP...FEEL FREE TO PASS ALONG MY NAME AND NUMBER TO THEM! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED
this is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

Canada - A Great Place To Retire

Canada Day is our annual opportunity to proudly celebrate Canada’s history and heritage and our achievements as a nation. On that happy holiday, many of us will likely pause for a moment to consider why living in Canada and being a Canadian is so great. Each of us will have our own reasons and, of course, there will be many we all share.

One shared reason you may consider - Canada is a great place to retire! Maybe that’s because a comfortable retirement is something we take for granted but when you look at the many benefits available to Canadian retirees – benefits not available to retirees in many other countries – it’s clear we have much to celebrate:

- All wage earning and self-employed Canadians are eligible to receive either Canada Pension Plan or the Québec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP) retirement benefits, which are indexed for inflation. There are also CPP/QPP survivor and dependents’ benefits as well as a lump sum death benefit. A couple can choose to share CPP/QPP benefits for tax purposes.
- Canadians can take advantage of the tax-deferred, compound growth benefits of Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income
Funds (RRIFs). Any Canadian resident who receives periodic payments from a registered pension plan can potentially reduce their taxes by splitting pension income with a spouse/common-law partner. Those over age 65 who receive RRIF income are also eligible for the federal and provincial Pension Income Credit and can allocate up to 50% of their RRIF income to a spouse for tax purposes.
- Those who have lived in Canada for at least 40 years after age 18 will receive the full monthly Old Age Security (OAS) benefit, which is indexed for inflation. Canadian residents who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 will receive a prorated OAS monthly payment.
- Seniors with a lower income may be eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), a tax-free monthly payment, which is indexed for inflation.
- Canadians can invest in Tax-free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) that generate tax-free investment income that does not affect income-tested federal benefits.
- Every tax-eligible Canadian gets the Basic Personal Tax Credit and those over age 65 also receive an Age Credit. Other tax credits that can benefit retirees include the Medical Expense Credit, the Dependent Credit, the Disability Credit, and the Caregivers Credit. There are also generous tax credits for those making charitable donations.
- And, of course, Canadian retirees have access to a wide range of health care services at little or no direct cost.

Yes, Canada is a great place to retire! But to make your retirement all it can be, you need a plan that includes retirement income from other sources such as your company or personal pension plan and your own investments. Your professional advisor can help make sure your first day of retirement is as much a cause for celebration as the first day of July.

Than you for this article, information, and reminder or our retirement:

John Scholl CLU,CGA, B. Mathematics, Consultant - Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
& Investors Group Insurances Services Inc.
Wealth Management & Financial Planning
Phone: (905) 450-2891 X529
Toll Free: 1 (866) 799-2223 x529
Cell (416) 731-3660
Fax: (905) 450-9747

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
Fine Homes in 905
416 427 1875

Home Improvement Values

2008 will go down in history as a year that started as a Gold Rush and ended up making us anxious for the year to end. At this time of year and with the doom and gloom wind blowing around us, let's just read a good book, take some courses to learn something new, and surround ourselves with friends and family that will put a smile on our faces and make us feel good inside.

If you are thinking of buying in the prestigious Lorne Park check out the information on my web site regarding this great community. As well, Churchill Meadows is a family community with elegant and fine homes that are newer. Newer schools and a great new community centre make it appealing to many new home buyers because this community offers freehold townhomes and semi-detached that appeal to many first-time home buyers. The community of Sheridan Homelands is well known throughout Mississauga. There are schools that are within walking distance from most of the neighborhood and many parks for organized baseball and soccer during the season.

With 2009 just around the corner, we can start to think about our spring projects. As I sit here and look out my window and see snow/rain and clouds making things dreery, I take a few minutes and think about the landscaping, the garden, and the repairs that I may have to to the home when the warmer weather is back. These would include hanging older windows and doors, possibly a new roof, maybe remodelling a bathroom or kitchen. You may think about finally finishing that basement to give yourself extra room for your family. Many times I suggest to my clients, or prospects, that if you are considering listing your property it is a good idea for me to come by and just make suggestions as to how to improve your property in the least expensive way to make it more appealing to today's buyer. Also, if you are considering selling within the next year, then I think it's a good idea to get these suggestions so that you can do improvements, or repairs, at your leisure instead of having to delay that time for a FOR SALE sign to go onto your property. As you can tell by the tone of this letter, I do work more with buyers as a buyer's agent and first-time buyers.

I did some research regarding the renovations that will give you the greatest return when selling your property. Of course, you may disagree and other agents will have their own opinion. I got this information from the Appraisal Institute of Canada's 2004 Home Renovation Survey.

The top three renovations that get you the most money are:

1. Bathrooms -- 75% to 100% return
2. Kitchens -- 75% - 100% return
3. Interior and exterior painting -- 50% to 100% return. Of course this is the least expensive thing to do.

Other renovations and their average rate of return (the value they add compared to what they cost) include:

• Replacing roof shingles -- 50% to 80%
• Replacing the furnace and heating system -- 50% to 80%
• Renovating the basement -- 50% to 75%
• Adding a recreation room -- 50% to 75%
• Installing a fire place -- 50% to 75%
• Up-grading flooring -- 50% to 75%
• Building a garage -- 50% to 75%
• Replacing windows and doors -- 50% to 75%
• Building a deck -- 50% to 75%
• Installing central air conditioning -- 25% to 75%

Well, the above information should keep you busy researching what you would like to do to your home for a couple of months anyway. You may decide not to do anything except wait for the warm weather. That's fine, too.

Do you want to know what your house is worth? Let's share a cup of coffee and talk about the market.

Contact Betty Bartusevicius to chat or for more information at 905.828.3434 or directly at 416.427.1875.

Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

Contact me by email: http://www.bettybart.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:
http://www.bettybart.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm

There is no time like the present to begin your investigations into a property purchase or sale that will lead to sound decision-making.

Experience is not expensive; it is Priceless.