Spring Landscaping

Once the first official frost is no longer a threat, don’t you just want to run out into your yard and start spring landscaping? All winter long the excuse of it being too cold, or everything is covered with snow is no longer an issue. Now that spring is here, gardening, landscaping and increasing your curb appeal is on most people’s minds.

Plan out your strategy for your landscaping in advance. Are you going to break it up in phases, or are you going to hire a landscape professional to help you plan? Ask for guidance from your local nursery or neighbors who have beautiful landscaping! They can probably give you as good of advice as a professional. Once you know what type of plants you’d like at your home, map out, or stake out the area in which your plants will be planted. Estimate enough room for pedestrians walking around, as well as growth and future maintenance of your landscaping. Ensure walkways will have safe areas for footing, and tall plants will not obstruct view lines from inside your home.

Unlike a paint color in your home, once it’s up you’re done, landscaping requires maintenance and care. From pulling weeds, watering and pruning, to occasional replacement of dead plants, etc… Once again, plan what plants will suit your maintenance schedule. Consider hiring a professional gardener or lawn service to take care of your yard if necessary.

Landscaping your outdoor home is one of the joys of springtime, which many people look forward to. You will be surprised how much you enjoy your landscaping once you have planned it in advance. Go ahead, get going, before you know it, summer will be here!

Spring Clean Up typically includes:

• Cleaning up debris, such as leaves and papers from the yard
• Cultivating, weeding, and tilling the soil of flower beds and gardens
• Re-edging flower beds and gardens
• Trimming of plants and shrubs where necessary

Are you looking for a pool for the summer? There are homes out there with oasis backyards. Let me show them to you. Are you looking for a starter home? Yup, I can find that for you too!

Just a few ideas. Remember, if you are thinking of selling your house this year, the outside is just as important as the inside. Buyers will make a decision within 15 seconds of arriving at your property as to whether they even want to see it. Also, if it shows nicely outside it will sell quicker and the profits will be higher.

The latest Market Watch is available on line. You can get a hard copy at any time, but let's save a tree or 2. What other questions do you have at this time? Feel free to phone or text me directly at 416 427 1875 with all your Real Estate questions. I'll be happy to assist you.

Let's hope that Spring is now closer than ever.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative  ASA
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
OFFICE:  905 828 3434  ~  DIRECT: 416 427 1875
EMAIL: betty@bettybart.com

WEB SITE: www.bettybart.com
not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

The Benefits Of Condo Living

Whether you have reached an age where owning a detached home with a large home is too much to handle or if you are a first-time home buyer, are you ready for condo life?

What's the biggest difference from freehold homes?  You own your unit but you share ownership of the land, building, and common areas (areas used by all).  You share your costs with member of your condo association, and the board of directors or a property management company who make the big decisions.

With so many condo popping up on the market right now, and so many new ones going up in Mississauga and Toronto, you have to decide whether this is the smart choice for you.

Let's look at the benefits of Condo Living:

1) Someone handles all the outside work.  For example: snow shoveling, landscaping, outside repairs to the building.   Your condo maintenance fees will cover all this.

2) Many major costs are shared.  A portion of the condo fees will go to a 'Reserve Fund'.  When a property is well managed this fund could cover window replacement, roofing - and this would be done without any cost to the owners.  However, if it is poorly managed and falls short, a 'special assessment' will be done and the costs will be shared equally among owners.

3) Lifestyle. Condos allow you to own your space rather than rent.  Some condo developments cater to specific groups - young professionals, families, or seniors.

4) Amenities.  Would you get a theatre room, gym, or swimming pool in your average and affordable detached home?

5) Customization. Unlike renting, you are free to paint, renovate, etc.

6) Price. Depending on where you choose to live, this may the affordable way for you to own a home.

7) Location.  If you are looking at prime real estate in a major city, a condo may be the practical solution.  All your amenities are nearby.

8) Security. Some buildings offer 24 hour security or a doorman.  You may feel safer with neighbours close by and you worry less if you travel frequently.

If you own a townhouse or a condo unit in a community in the 905 area code and would like to sell your residence, click here and get a free market evaluation of your home.

Are you a buyer?  If you would like more information regarding what is currently available for sale, please feel free to contact me directly by calling or texting Betty Bartusevicius at 416 427 1875.

Compliments of:
Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative   ASA
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site:  www.bettybart.com

What's Your Future Lifestyle?

You have finally decided that you want your own home.  It's a dream that many have as home ownership is very high on the list of "Things I Would Like".  Planning for this right from the first step will help in the process.  And, before you know it, it WILL become a realty.

After you, and your Realtor, have done the preliminary work - finances are in order, planning process to determine your 'dream' home - you are finally able to start the finding/buying process.

What Is Your Future Lifestyle?

How many bedrooms do you require?  How long are you planning to stay in this home?  You might only need 2 bedrooms now, but if you are considering a family, perhaps your first home should have at least 3 bedrooms.  If you are a season buyer and are looking to make a move with small children, mainly because of school preference, will this home be large enough for you or do you need something larger?  Will your budget allow it?  Do you need something larger?  What is the commute time?  Do you want to drive or use public transportation?  Is there a chance that you might be transferred? 

Do You Prefer a Maintenance Averse Lifestyle?

Do you prefer brick/stucco over a wood/siding home?  One type needs maintenance every few years while the other is relatively 'maintenance free'.  What about the garden?  Do you like, or even have time, to garden?  Perhaps you should be looking at smaller yards?

What about the 'fixer-upper' home?  You find a home in the perfect neighbourhood that is well below what you would expect to pay for a home in that particular neighbourhood and think: "It just needs a coat of paint,  new flooring, few repairs and I have the perfect home".

Think again.  No home is perfect.  And, if it's priced that far below market value in the neighbourhood, perhaps you should take a more intensive look at what needs to be done.  Do you want to do this yourself or are you going to hire someone to do the work for you?  Can you afford to do the work?  I remember when we did our renovations, the minute we took one wall down we found many problems and the cost was always more than you first estimated.

Always connect with a Realtor, and I hope it's me, to find out the values and what has been going on in that neighbourhood in the last few years. 

Feel free to contact me directly by calling or texting me at 416 427 1875.  Check out my web site at www.bettybart.com and sign yourself up in the Home Match system to see if there's something there that you might like to see.  Let's chat!

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative  ASA
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

OFFICE: 905 828 3434

DIRECT: 416 427 1875

EMAIL: betty@bettybart.com

WEB SITE: www.bettybart.com

each office is independently owned and operated
not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

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 with correct contact information, 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

You can get this list immediately with site sign up.  Fill in the form with correct contact information. 

Contact me directly at 416 427 1875 at your convenience for more information and more information on living in Mississauga…either freehold or condominium.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
Cell: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com
Fine Homes in Nine Oh Five
Toll Free: 1 866 838 3434

Home Buying Advice

Are you looking to buy a new home?  Whether it's your first-time home buyer or whether you are a seasoned owner/buyer, it still is an exciting experience.  Yes, there are days when you think that it will never happen.  But, I can guarantee it, when you enter that right home, all your fears will be laid to rest.

We all know that the appearance of the home from the outside helps make a decision if we even want to go in and take a look.  You have been told, and have read, by many that a buyer makes a decision within the first couple of minutes of arriving at a listed property.  Well, what happens when you get inside?

In my experience, most women will head towards the kitchen...checking out storage, closets, powder rooms, areas towards the kitchen...dragging their husbands with them.  The homemaker, spends most of his/her time in this area and the family room.  These rooms are vital to them.  For some reason, and I'm not being prejudiced, the husbands tend to want to look at the garage (will our cars and toys fit?).  Also, the basement, and it doesn't matter if it is finished or not, is another aspect of the home that interests the husbands.  After these two areas are looked at, then we head toward the bedrooms.

Both parties get to look at, and agree or disagree, about these particular areas of the home.  But there is one area of the purchase that both, husband and wife, will spend time looking at.  It's the outside of the home.  Most ask questions about the age and condition of the roof, age of the windows, is the property graded correctly (away from the home), condition of the furnace and air conditioning units, electrical panels, and there are a few more things on the list. 

The home inpsection will answer a lot of your questions, but also your Realtor will be able to ask the Listing Agent if there are any problems with water seepage, plumbing, electrical (aluminum wiring), etc.

When you are looking at the home, don't focus on the cosmetic issues.  There's no point of arranging and completing a beautiful, and at times costly, home renovation only to have it ruined by water damage.  Make sure that your caulking around the windows is well done to save you energy costs.  .  Make sure your structure is sound and the outside is complete before you begin the work on the inside.  We only have a few months of the year that we can work and complete outside maintenance.  We can do work inside on those cold months.

If you are considering purchasing a home, or selling your house, give me a call so that we can sit and chat about what's involved in both of these processes.  I can be reached directly at 416 427 1875.  You can text this number if you prefer.  Or, if you don't want to talk to me right now, you can email me at betty@bettybart.com.  Visit my web site at www.bettybart.com and take a look at free information that I provide. 

Home Maintenance

Congratulations! You’ve purchased a new home and are all moved in! There’s been a lot to take care of, like emptying boxes, loading up cabinets and drawers, and maybe even painting and decorating, but here are a few around-the-house tasks you may not have thought of that need to get done.

The secret to a well maintained home is to start early. Now, don't get nervous, it's not all work, work, work. Doing your home maintenance bit by bit is a great way to accomplish it all, but over time so that there's plenty of room for relaxing too. Also, preventative maintenance now, will reduce the liklihood of unwlecome (many times costly) surprises down the road.

What to do when you first move in!

Change the locks, reprogram garage door opener codes, and check that all window locks operate properly. If there's a security system, learn how it operates and sign up for any maintenance or monitoring plans that that yours requires.  At least re-key the locks for the all outside doors if changing the locks is not on your agenda.  This should be planned prior to the day you get your keys so that you can feel truly safe in your new home!

Locate emergency shut offs. Know how to shut off the power, water, and gas in your home.   If the cold weather is settling in, make sure your outside water taps are shut off and drained.

Have a "fix it" kit. Get a toolbox and stock it with all your frequently used home repair tools and supplies and a first aid kit. 

Change the batteries in smoke alarms and CO monitors. 

Check pilot lights - in your fireplace and/or gas stove.

A Few Days/Weeks Later:

Perform necessary seasonal maintenance. Do this when you have time. 

Change filters in you furnace.

Address items that need attention that were mentioned in your home inpsection report.  If something on this list can wait and do in time, then do so.  Like I said earlier, it's not all 'work, work, work'.

Well, welcome to Home Ownership.  Remember, keep up with little repairs and it won't be so daunting.  Enjoy your home!  Getting yourself settled will take a few months and don't be surprised if a year from now, you are still changing things around.  There will come a day when you want to paint and put your finishing touches on your new home.  ABSOLUTELY!!!  If  you need some help, I can arrange for a home stager to come in and talk to you about decorating and give you some ideas.
It's these little things that I will help you with that makes me stand out!  I will keep in touch!

If you're a First Time Home Buyer, or a seasoned home owner, feel free to give me a call and let's chat.  Call be directly at 416 427 1875.  I have enough patience and passion in working with Clients in Real Estate to go around.  I truly love what I do!

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
FINE HOMES IN 905
416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
www.bettybart.com

PERSISTENT AND PATIENT IN DELIVERING RESULTS!!  ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

Retirement Living In Mississauga

As the years start to slip by us, we start wondering whether we have saved enough for our retirement and look forward when our time will become our own.

We look forward to being able to go on outings to the casinos or even to sporting events.  If you are a golfer, or like me pretend to be, those snowbird trips south sound more and more appealing.  So, if we're going to participate in all of this activity are you ready to downsize from the family home?

The decision to make a move from your current residence into a retirement community is a difficult one.  We hear horror stories about the treatment of the elderly in some of these homes.  We don't want to put our parents into them, and we certainly don't want to live in them!

This type of move is one of the biggest challenges we, as Canadians, have to face.  And, we do it with our heals dug into the ground.  How does anyone expect us to leave our home where we have so many memories and prized possessions that we have collected over the years.  These possessions are dear to us, to others they are just things.  But as the years go by, we may in fact need more assistance with the day to day routines we currently do in our lives.

I watch my mother, and at times, yes, she is capable of living alone, but then there are those times and days were it not for my sister living so close that she is incapable of handling things on her own.  She becomes forgetful and lost.

Boomers of this day and age are starting to change things a little bit and now are starting to plan ahead.  Do you really need that huge yard and it's upkeep?  Do you use ALL the rooms in your home or just 3 possibly 4?  When was the last time you went to the basement to check out those boxes that are neatly packed in a row?  Have you become a storage facility for your children, if you were so blessed, because they don't have the space to keep their 'memory boxes' in their own place?

Many mature buyers and sellers have unique requirements, inclusive of needing knowledge of future housing options, transition to your new home, taxation and estate regulations, and there's more.

Let me help you make the best decisions for YOU when it comes time to make a change in your residence.  Don't let the years slip by and find yourself making this decision due to CIRCUMSTANCE instead of BY CHOICE.  Making the change due to circumstance is not the most satisfying way, nor the best solution.

I have a team in place that could guide you in your move.  Call me today and let's set a time to talk about your options.  Click here to find out the great Retirement Communities that are available in Mississauga.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative  ASA

RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

Direct: 416 427 1875
Toll Free: 1 866 838 3434
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com
Fine Homes in 905

PERSISTANT AND PATIENT IN DELIVERING RESULTS! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract