New-build condos: ideal for business professionals

3 Tips For Selling Your Home

moving into a seniors’ residence

Are you thinking about moving into a private seniors’ residence? If so, you’ll need to sell your current home. Here are three things to consider to help you make this significant transition as easy as possible.

1. First, find the perfect residence. Of course, the facility must meet your needs and budget. However, you must also like the atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to hire a housing consultant to help you find properties and set up tours. Once you’ve secured the perfect residence, your motivation to sell your current home will increase tenfold.

2. Secondly, the process of selling a property can be quite stressful, especially if it’s been decades since you last moved. Enlist the help of family and friends to sort through your possessions.

3. Finally, the most important thing is to work with a real estate agent you trust. They’ll guide you through every step and help take the weight off your shoulders.

Get ready to step into your new life with the support of those around you and a trusted real estate specialist.

Are you often on the road for work? Do you have a busy schedule? If you’re looking for a property that matches your stimulating career and busy lifestyle, a new-build condo could be the perfect fit. Discover the benefits.

Convenient location

Condos are often conveniently located near major highways and public transit routes. If you regularly commute, having these options within reach makes sense.

Amenities

New developments often offer spacious common areas and convenient amenities like heated underground parking, a gym, a swimming pool and electric vehicle charging stations. Does your hectic work life leave you no time to take care of a yard or go to your local fitness facility? Condo living could be the answer.

Wise investment

If you buy a newly built condo, you won’t have to worry about renovating it for several years. This can help you budget and save time managing upgrades. Plus, you can rest easy knowing the building and common areas will be well maintained. Finally, since real estate is a safe investment, you can eventually resell your property at a profit.

Contact a real estate agent to find a condo that will allow you to devote yourself fully to your career.

How to financially prepare for home ownership

Today, becoming a homeowner can be difficult. However, with the right preparation and discipline, you may be able to realize your dream of owning a home more easily than you think. Here are three tips on how to financially prepare to become a homeowner.

1. Focus on paying off debt

When you borrow money to buy a home, lenders will evaluate your credit history and financial situation to ensure you can meet your mortgage obligations. For example, you can boost your credit score by paying off your debt as quickly as possible. It’s much easier to get a mortgage once you no longer owe creditors money.

2. Create a detailed and realistic budget

Although sticking to a budget can feel a bit tedious, it prevents you from making blind decisions you may later regret. A well-thought-out budget must account for several expenses, like your mortgage, municipal and school taxes, electricity bills and home maintenance expenses.

You must also consider the costs associated with purchasing a property, such as moving expenses and title transfer fees. If your budget is in the black, go ahead and make your home purchase.

3. Improve your spending habits

You may be consciously or unconsciously overspending instead of putting money away for a down payment. Implementing healthy financial habits and trimming unnecessary spending could help you save more money. Use credit as a last resort and look for opportunities to save on essentials.

Do you need help managing your debt or saving for a down payment? Consult a professional, like a licensed insolvency trustee, financial advisor or accountant and follow their recommendations.

It is becoming difficult for first-time buyers to own a home, especially when paying high rent. Many families are living on the edge with the high cost of living, so families are buying homes together. On average, a three-bedroom apartment today cost $3,000 monthly to rent. Two tenants can come together and buy a home instead of paying rent, and that will make them co-owners. Co-ownership can be rewarding but be cautious since it is a significant undertaking when sharing a home and a mortgage.

There are many advantages of co-ownership. Families can buy a home because they can qualify easier for a mortgage. They can negotiate a lower interest rate because of their combined financial strength. Another advantage is that the coowners can put a more significant downpayment on the purchase. They can share costs such as repairs, maintenance, improvements, and utilities. Later, the families can use some of the equity to buy another home and reconcile with each other.

There are a few things that we can improve with co-ownership. If one of the co-owners has large debts, poor credit, or a low-paying job, it can affect qualifying for a mortgage. Another problem is that the other owners must carry the shortfall if one party cannot keep up with their share of the financial responsibilities. The next snag is the arrangement to share the home and the duties such as snow removal, grass cutting, and any other maintenance the home may need.

Co-ownership works when all partners carry their weight. Co-ownership is popular among communities where a family will buy a home together. In most cases, siblings will take on an extra job and use the income to pay down their mortgage. At that point, they will buy a second home, and this trend will continue until all the family members own their own home. Co-ownership works best when two partners buy a house together since, with more partners, there is potential for more problems. Each partner should contribute financially towards the downpayment and closing costs. Before buying, the partners should discuss how they will share the accommodation and the cost.

Co-ownership is like a marriage with a prenuptial agreement. The parties must have an exit strategy before buying a home with a partner. What happens if one partner dies? The partners can choose to take title to the property as joint tenants or tenants in common. As joint tenants, if one partner dies, the entire property belongs to the other partner. Joint tenancy is popular among married couples or when a partner wants to give the partner’s portion to the other. Most co-ownership arrangements are made as tenants in common where upon death, their portion of the property’s value goes to their estate and not the surviving partner. Unlike joint tenancy, where all the partners have equal ownership, the tenant in common gives a certain percentage of homeownership according to how much each partner invests in the property.

Use a real estate lawyer to draft a co-ownership agreement. Co-owners can have a cohabitant agreement and an independent property agreement. The cohabi- tant agreement addresses how they will share the property. It describes in detail how the occupant will use the home. When drafting a co-ownership agreement, consider it a rental property where, for example, one may live in the basement while the other is on the upper floor and divides the rental and utility cost accordingly. The cooccupant can open a joint account and pay their share of the monthly instalment. You can use the money from the joint account to pay for the mortgage and other expenses. It is smart to keep three months of reserve cash in the joint account. The property agreement can address the choice of taking the title, the distribution of shares, and what to do if one owner wants to end the deal. In addition, a property agreement must address what to do if one party cannot live up to their financial responsibility and how to handle any disagreement.

A great relationship is the hallmark of a flourishing co-ownership. When the connection is strong, parties do not look upon each other to get the job done. Choose a partner with equal strengths and someone you can trust. If any partners are married, it’s essential to know whether the relationship with their spouse is solid or rocky. If it is rocky, it can affect your partner and ultimately you. Disagreements will happen, but how we resolve the problem is ingenious.

The benefits of co-ownership outweigh the risks. If you add up the amount of rent money you can save, the equity you can build, and the amount of money you can save with shared expenses, co-ownership is a smart choice.

3 Tips For Reorganizing Your Garage

Is trying to find things in your garage starting to feel like you’re doing an obstacle course or treasure hunt? Here are a few tips to make the most of this practical storage space and feel proud to show it off to your visitors.

1. Sort your belongings

Group your belongings into sub-categories, like tools, gardening equipment, games and toys, sports equipment, bicycles and car care products. Next, determine if any items are broken, expired, useless or duplicated. Keep only what you need. Decluttering will give you the motivation to reorganize the space and improve its functionality.

2. Dust and clean

Are your garage floors covered in dirt and grime? Are the walls littered with cobwebs and paint splatter from your latest DIY project? Roll up your sleeves and clean the space from top to bottom. If necessary, apply one or two coats of paint to the walls to freshen up the space.

3. Invest in storage solutions

Shelves, clear plastic totes, metal cupboards, perforated panels and hanging platforms are just some of the furniture and accessories you can use to optimize storage in your garage. Keep the items you use most often within easy reach and lessused items safely stowed away. For safety reasons, leave the floor clear and make the most of the wall and ceiling space.

Visit your local home renovation and hardware stores to find everything you need to outfit your garage like a pro.

What is acetylated wood and what are its benefits?

Wood is used in a wide variety of ways in the furniture, construction and renovation industries. Increased demand for eco-friendly building materials has led to the development of numerous non-toxic processes to treat this versatile organic material, including acetylation.

Process

Acetylation is an environmentally friendly process that protects wood and makes it more durable. It involves treating wood planks with a non-toxic substance with a similar chemical composition to vinegar that prevents moisture from seeping into the wood cells. The result? Boards treated with acetylation become very firm and stable while retaining their original appearance. They’re rot-resistant and easy to maintain, and they don’t attract wood-eating insects like termites.

Applications

Acetylated wood is suitable for many uses. It’s not prone to swelling and shrinking, so it’s ideal for outdoor structures like decks and humid spaces like bathrooms. It can also be used for door or window frames, floors and countertops.

Are you thinking about renovating your home? If you want to reduce your ecological footprint without compromising on quality, think acetylated wood.

Tips for storing your summer clothes

As the days grow colder, it’s time to face the facts: Summer is coming to an end! A change of season means a change of wardrobe. Follow these simple tips to avoid stuffing your drawers, wardrobe and closets with clothes you won’t wear for several months.

Start by gathering all your summer clothes, including shorts, camisoles, light dresses and capri pants. Lay them on a flat surface, and then sort through them. Sell or give away the clothing you no longer wear to friends and family or donate them to an organization.

Have you chosen which clothes you plan to wear again next year? That’s great! Make sure to wash dirty items to prevent them from developing a musty smell over winter.

Remember to give your clothes room to breathe while in storage. In other words, vacuum-packing them in plastic covers or compacting them in cardboard boxes isn’t ideal. Instead, use linen or cotton bags or non-hermetic storage bins. Don’t use thin wire hangers to hang your blouses or shirts, as they can cause stretching. You should also avoid storing your clothes in a damp location like your basement. Finally, use natural solutions like lavender, camphor, cloves and rosemary to keep moths away.

PUZZLE NO. 794

HOW TO PLAY :

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column, or 3x3 box.

WEEK OF JULY 30 TO AUGUST 5, 2023

The luckiest signs this week: PISCES, ARIES AND TAURUS

ARIES

You’ll organize an event that will bring many people together. The full moon will make you more charming, and you’ll be quite charismatic with those around you. In love, you must take a step back to get closer.

TAURUS

You’ll be promoted after a colleague quits. The holidays will allow you to let go and define your plans more precisely. Friends will invite you to go on a nice getaway or rejuvenating trip.

GEMINI

You’ll be interested in participating in the activities in your community or municipality. You’ll take on one project after another. Even if you’re shy and reserved, you’ll follow through on your ideas. Nothing can stop you!

CANCER

Be patient, and you’ll realize your dreams; good things take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day! Collaboration is a great tool for developing your ambitions and goals. Sometimes you must start fresh and rebuild.

LEO

Professionally or personally, you must be patient to reach an agreement. Stop being stubborn with the same people. You’ll win your case if you have to settle something in court.

VIRGO

If you’re struggling with a health problem, you’ll finally get the treatment you need. You could suddenly move up the corporate ladder at work. Your significant other will make a serious commitment to you.

LIBRA

You’ll achieve something great that fills you with pride. You could save someone, if only by listening to them. They’ll offer you their gratitude. At work, you may be given significant responsibilities that are a burden

SCORPIO

Make time for family, especially your children or elderly parents. You’ll give them all your time and devote yourself to them. If you’re in a relationship, it’s important to express how you feel through words.

SAGITTARIUS

You could go back to school, or at least take a training course to benefit your career. Even though you’re short on time and must work hard, you’ll accomplish a remarkable feat.

CAPRICORN

At work, you’ll likely have to put in some extra hours. However, you’ll be generously rewarded. This extra effort will boost your salary and improve your working conditions. In love, you’ll be showered with affection.

AQUARIUS

Just as you’re making a fresh professional start, you’ll discover a more promising position. The salary will be attractive, and you’ll finally be able to save money. Above all, you’ll no longer have to pinch pennies.

Pisces

You’re intuitive and imaginative. You’ll define your priorities and visualize a future that suits you. You’ll have the enlightenment to guide you along this new path.