Freedom 55 Retirement Living

When you hear the word ‘retirement’, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  A frail person, with an oxygen tank attached to them and living in a residence with constant care with nothing to do but to watch birds fly and the sun come up and then set at the end of the day!

I’m very happy to say that things have changed.  Now, instead of sitting back and watching grass grow, more of us want to use the extra time, energy, and the extra cash that we have received from the sale of our properties.  We want to travel, which is one of the things that is on everyone’s bucket list!

Today, retirees want a home where they can travel from and entertain in.  Health issues are still there but most of us stay fit longer and have access to better medical care than, let’s say, our parents.

Is there a ‘perfect’ Retirement Home?  Probably not.  It becomes perfect when it meets the requirements of aging and changing needs.

When you decide to move to a smaller home or a retirement community, there are many advantages – smaller homes translate to lower costs and less maintenance; and retirement communities ensure your neighbours are of the same generation and have made the same lifestyle decision as yourself.

Staying in your current home is more economical if your mortgage is paid off.  If you still have a mortgage, you’ll need to figure out if your retirement income will be high enough for you to continue the payments.  You should evaluate whether it meets your physical needs.  If it needs remodeling, do you really want to undertake these projects?

You have many choices if you decide to move:

Perhaps a condominium or an apartment is your future.  The condo lifestyle has been a favorite by empty nesters for a long time.  They vary in size and price and have all the facilities that you would want or need.  Perhaps you would like a peace and quiet of waterfront living or even living in the countryside.  Condo life has advantages – short on maintenance, long on amenities, offer more opportunity to socialize.  They are much more affordable and a great way to still own property and downsize at the same time.

How about a Bungalow?  You have the opportunity to own a house with a yard, minimal maintenance, smaller, and everything is on one level!

RetirementCommunities

In this day and age, retirement communities are resort-like.  You have the best of both worlds.  You have condo type living and then you have assistance if you need it.  For example, when you first move in you may not need care and supervision.  But, as time passes, your needs change and these communities have been set up to change with these needs for you.

Giving up a home where you have lived for many years is frightening.  It is emotionally and mentally draining.  It is better to start to plan for this move so that you can make the decision yourself instead of having someone else make the decision for you and you end up where you don’t want to be.

Moving is overwhelming and stressful – especially emotionally.  Once you’ve decided that you’re ready, talk to someone about your options.  The best contact would be to an Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) who has the patience and team behind them for discussions factors that you need to consider:  the daily lifestyle you are looking for; proximity to children or family; type of climate you would like to enjoy; health and medical needs.  After these points are addressed, now we can proceed a little further - what is your budget – this is important.  If you have been careful with your finances you should have enough funds to cover the monthly expenses for a retirement home of your choice.

I have my ASA accreditation and am ready to start to chat about YOUR needs and wants.  I can provide a free estimate ofthe value of your current home and give you information about the type of property will best suit your retirement lifestyle.  Freedom 55 is within your reach.  Call me, Betty, at 416 427 1875.  My team is ready to get things started.

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

March 18 Betty's Pics Of The Week Lorne Park

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.

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

Happy Vacations

As March Break/Reading Week and the summer holiday season approaches, we start thinking about travelling.  Travelling is a wonderful way to see the world.  It doesn’t matter whether you do a road trip, camping trip, or a flight to far off places, a vacation can turn into an experience that you quickly want to forget.  How?  Well, exhausting itineraries, eating an abundance of rich and unfamiliar foods, illness just to name a few.  You need a little advanced planning.

I have come up with a few helpful hints that may help.  I have collected them from others, and have used some of my own, to allow everyone to enjoy the journey.

Be Organized

Putting everything in one folder helps.  That includes, maps, telephone numbers, insurance information, flight times, hotel reservations, tickets to events that you may be attending.  Also, make sure you put photo copies of your personal information like driver’s license, passport and credit cards separately from your pockets or purse.  When you create this second set, give them to someone you trust that is not travelling with you – perhaps a close friend or a family member.  If you need them, they should be able to fax/email them to you if an emergency situation occurs. 

Pack A Medicine Bag

It’s easy to catch a cold or suffer digestive problems when you are away.  Make certain to include some pain and allergy medication.  If you have prescribed medication, make sure to take the bottle with you with enough medication to last the trip and perhaps a couple extra days for the ‘just in case’ scenario.  Some of this stuff cannot be brought on the plane so, if you are flying, make sure.

Use Technology

How many of us travel with our phones and laptops/iPads?  At least one member of the family will have one device.  If you have a cell phone, make sure you contact you provider to change it to holiday mode so that you don’t get a huge bill when you get back.  As for flying, it has become much easier.  You can now check-in for your flight before you leave home and select your seat.  I have scanned my boarding pass directly from the iPad which saves that extra piece of paper. 

Bring Snacks

Make sure you have dry snacks packed.  Fruit and water is always a good idea.  If you’re flying, you may not be able to do that until you get past security.

When travelling, make sure you are as comfortable as possible.  Wear loose fitting clothing and keep a warm sweater handy for those cool breezes. 

Plan ahead and all should be well.  The most important thing to remember, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – your destination – and time with your family and loved ones. 

Enjoy your holidays.  You wait all year for them to come around!

Betty Bartusevcius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
www.bettybart.com

One Size Does NOT Fit All!

Every home has it's own features and therefore it doesn't fit everyone's needs. When your life changes, so do your housing needs. As a homeowner, you will have to decide what are your most important needs and should you continue to love your home or do you move!

Some of the changes could be...new editions to your family which could be children, pets, elderly parent(s), becoming an empty nester, or a home office. To stay or move would depend on emotions and finances.

Should you renovate?

If you are outgrowing your space then perhaps your option would be to finish the basement, an addition may be the answer, or just reconfiguring the floor plan. Perhaps a cosmetic change is in order - paint, appliances, cabinet finishes, flooring, etc.

Love It or List It?

It may save you some money to purchase a ready made home rather than buying brand new. Visit some open houses or talk to a Realtor to do some price comparisons.

What's the real estate activity in your neighbourhood?

This is where a Realtor comes in handy. Get a Market Evaluation done on your home to compare it to those that have sold.

Are you attached to your neighbourhood?

It is a bg change to your family. You may be changing schools, shopping, other amenities.

Are you willing to take on a new mortgage?

If you are up-grading, then you probably will be increasing your mortgage. If you have been fortunate to be mortgage-free, this could be a very difficult decision. If you are down-sizing, it can help you become mortgage-free sooner.

As you can see, each home is particular to each family. Each transaction that I have done is different.   No two transactions are alike!

Would you like to have a evaluation done on your existing property? How about just an Opinion of Value? Give me a call directly at 416 427 1875 or just email me at betty@bettybart.com. Register on my web site at www.bettybart.com for your free home evaluation!

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905 828 3434
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