Real Estate Bits

Protect Yourself against an interest rate risk by laddering the maturity of your Guaranteed Investment Certificates.

Guarenteed Investment Certificates (GIC's) are a core holding in many Canadian RRSP's. They protect your original investment and provide a guaranteed rate of return, making them attractive when stock markets are volatile. However, GIC's are subject to their own brand of risk - most notably, the risk that interest rates may rise during the investment period. Suppose you lock into a five year GIC at what you think is a pretty good rate. Then interest rates rise by 2 or 3 percentage points. You are holding an investment that is guarenteed to pay you less than the going market rate.

You could lock your funds in for only a year or elect a cashable term of one year or less. The problem there is shorter terms typically offer lower rates. Moreover, the effect of inflation and taxation will often result in a negative real rate of return on this investment. The solution is to set up a GIC Laddered Strategy where the maturities are staggered. So, instead of investing $25,000 in one 5 year GIC, you would invest five equal amounts in five GIC's that mature over 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 & 5 years.

When each GIC matures, you can roll it over into a new 5 year GIC. Eventually, you'll have a portfolio of GIC's earning the best rates, with a portion of your total portfolio coming due every year. This provides the opportunity for re-investment at the best market rates. It also mitigates your interest rate risk and it provides some liquidity on an annual basis. Please give me a call if you would like to discuss this, or any other investment strategy. I'm always available to help.

Interior Perspectives...

"Just like artwork, we gravitate to certain pieces because they evoke a particular emotion within us. It is human nature to want to surround ourselves with things that make us feel good"

As an Interior Designer I am frequently asked about my Designing Style. I find this an interesting question because style is such a personal thing. Although I have my own personal tastes, I must maintain a certain distance in order to ensure the client's needs and preferences are being addressed. Everyone has his or her own personal style. It's just that many have simply not discovered it yet.

We have all, at one time or another, visited a home which left us feeling truly inspired. Every corner of the space exuded the personal warmth and charm of the occupant. Without a doubt, these spaces are the result of many years of acquiring the perfect piece. Often there will be small keepsakes from friends, family and faraway places. This is what leaves a lasting impression. We feel good in these spaces because the owner is willing to share with us what they are all about.

Granted, creating the truly personal space is difficult. It takes time and patience. We are too often guided by popular trends. "Will I like this in the future"? is a common lament. In order to begin, we must first understand one fundamental truth. Personal Style does not come from a magazine or a showroom floor. Personal Style emerges when we are being honest with who we are and expressing it in all that we do. It is crucial to recognize and accept all of our likes and dislikes.

We all have items that we are not particularly fond of. Unfortunately we are influenced by these existing pieces. Perhaps they were acquired during early college days or inherited from a long lost relative. How many of us have tried desperately to pull together a menagerie of mismatched furnishings only to find that now nothing works? The first thing to do in this situation is recognize and work only with the pieces we are truly committed to and disregard all others. Painful? Yes!

So, the next time you are contemplating a purchase ask yourself this question, "Will I derive great pleasure from owning this?" If the answer is yes, then you must indulge yourself. Remember, just like artwork, we gravitate to certain pieces because they evoke a particular emotion within us. It is human nature to want to surround ourselves with things that make us feel good.

Most importantly, don't worry if things do not match. If we spent all our time trying to have perfectly co-ordinated homes it would be an incredibly boring world! Besides, in time, everything you own will have a common element - it is something that speaks to you. And "that" is the key to unlocking your own true sense of style.

Looking at renovating? Please contact us at (905) 602-6800 or E-mail us at - mldesign@infinity.net

Okay, Oaky - Here's "The Joke"

Billy innocently asked his boss - Bruce - one day if he could have a day off work. Bruce was having a particularly bad day and he turned to Billy and said ... "Let's take a look at exactly what you're asking for here, Billy. There are 365 days per year available for you to work. That is 52 weeks per year in which you already have 2 days off per week - leaving 261 days available for work. Since you spend 16 hours each day away from work, you have used up 170 days, leaving only 91 days available for work. You spend 30 minutes each day on coffee breaks, which counts for 23 days each year - leaving only 68 days available for work. With a 1 hour lunch each day, you have used up another 46 days - leaving only 22 days available for work. You normally spend 2 days per year as sick days. This leaves you only 20 days per year available to work. We offer 5 government guarenteed holidays per year so your available working time is now down to 15 days. We generously give you 14 days vacation every year and that ... Billy, leaves you only 1 day available for work and I'll be darned if I'm going to give you that day OFF!

Ask An Expert?...

As promised this space is reserved just for you. Please send any questions you have to my e-mail. You get to have a free telephone consultation with the "Expert" of your choice. If you subsequently choose to establish a business relationship with that person/company then you should define the specific details of any business contract with that person or company!

Guest Columnist..

What Is Great Photo Sessions?

Great Photo Sessions is a photo business that offers a unique service to its customers ... studio portrait setups, taken in your home or business. This approach creates a very comfortable, relaxed atmosphere, which cannot be matched in any photo studio environment. A professional digital camera and lighting equipment are used to capture the images. During each photo session, approximately 40 shots are taken from which to make final selections. (Double this amount are taken in a group or pet session!)

Immediately after the photo shoot, your images are loaded into a laptop computer for high resolution viewing. Your selected images are then printed on the spot using specialty photo papers and archival print processes.

Hugh McLaren has over 22 years of commercial photographic experience. Check out our website (above) to view a sample of past and present work. Your session assures quality, creativity and convenience. Sessions are available in your home, business or other location of your choice - where everyone is relaxed and comfortable. A truly customized and personal photo session - tailored uniquely to you!

How Does It Work?

1) The first step is to decide if you want a traditional portrait, which is shot against a textured, fabric backdrop or else an "in-environment" session - in which case, the background would consist of your home, business or other setting rather than the fabric backdrop.

2) The Photograper now scouts the location for the best area for the shoot (with your input). Lighting equipment is set up, lighting tests are done, the set is finalized and the the photo shoot begins.

3) Once shooting begins - from 40 to 100 shots will be taken, depending on the subject matter and type of shoot. With this number of frames taken, numerous expressions and moods can be captured, from which to make your final selections.

4) Upon completion of the photo shoot, the images are loaded into a laptop computer for immediate and full-screen previewing. During this time you will choose your selections with the photographer.

5) Your selected images are then further processed, with fine tuning adustments like cropping, shading and re-touching being made in Adobe Photoshop. The power and versatility of this optional re-touching are only limited by your preferences and imagination. Speak to Hugh for further information on the powerful abilities available to you with Adobe Photoshop.

Your photo shoot not only includes on-site set up and shooting, but your final prints are produced and delivered to you on-the-spot! The selected images are sent from Photoshop to the colour high-resolution printer for printing. This commercial printer uses chrome inks, which aside from the stunning colour and brilliance they produce, also have a life expectancy of about 80 years ... longer than most of us will be around!!!

Another nice touch is in the choices of photographic papers available from which to create your final prints. My personal favourite is the print on canvas fabric - a real fabric with a "painterly" feel and appearance. Other types of print paper media include matte suede, parchment or watercolour paper. The choice is yours!

As a final service, included with your package, your images are then converted to thumbnails and large previews, so you can view them within your own web-browser. These thumbnails and image files are burned onto a CD Rom and delivered with your final prints. These images can, among other things, be sent to friends via E-Mail or used for your other personal needs.

Sirens With Saws - "Tip Of The Month"

When cutting flimsy sheet material (vinyl, paper underlay, plastic vapour barrier) draw a line where you will making the cut. Hold the sheet tight at the start of the line and start the cut a few inches in from the beginning of the line. Cut to the end of the line and then go back to cut the few inches at the start of the line. This way your cut will be accurate, as you will be holding both sides of the material while making the cut.

The above article(s) provide information that is of a general nature only and is never intended to be a substitute for advice specific to your particular concern. No one should act upon such information without appropriate advice and/or consultation.

Client & Networking referrals are the foundation of a successful real estate agent’s career. Over many years in this industry I have enjoyed the confidence & repeat business of my clients. I appreciate your on-going support and want you to know that I will always look after friends & colleagues you refer to me with professionalism, care and respect.

Rosemary Wright and Sutton Group Bayview-Realty Inc. cannot be held liable for information herein contained. The comments made by the parties to "Real Estate Bits -2" are for general educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, personal or business advice - nor is it do-it-yourself advice. We encourage you to always contact the appropriate professionals or specialists to address your individual needs.

"Real Estate Bits - 2"

February 2003

Money Matters...

Interior Perspectives...

Okay, Oaky - Here's "The Joke"

Ask An Expert?...

Guest Columnist..

Sirens With Saws - "Tip Of The Month"