Real Estate Bits

Thank you to all of Rosemary's clients who have trusted me with their home financing needs over the years. I would also like to recognize and thank those of you who have referred your friends and business colleagues to my Mortgage Team, as a result of the positive experience and excellent service you have received from us, here at Scotiabank.

Again this year, I am offering a special "Switch Mortgage" incentive program exclusive to my branch at Scotiabank - Yonge and Eglinton. Offered until the end of March 2004, you can have the opportunity to potentially save thousands of dollars by switching your competitor mortgage to Scotiabank. With the recent drop in mortgage rates (January 19/04) we are now seeing all-time low rates.

Even if your existing mortgage rate is closed (and not yet up for renewal), we can still switch your mortgage and show you how we can reduce your cost of borrowing money, thus enabling you to pay off your mortgage debt sooner. By combining both rate discounts and our cashback bonus program - we can get you today's low rates at no cost to you, when you transfer your competitor mortgage to Scotiabank at Yonge and Eglinton.

All we need is a copy of your current mortgage statement and about an hour of your time. My "Personal Banking Team," is ready to hear from you and looking forward to discussing your present financial needs and your future financial security!

"Tricks Of The Trade"

Most of us have way too much "stuff". We know we have too much stuff, but for some intriguing reason it doesn't stop us from acquiring more! When I figure out what that's all about, I'll let you know. I may just get my degree as a Stuff Therapist and leave real estate altogether! But until that time, I'm going to pass along some scathingly brilliant ideas to you about where to put the "things" that are currently cluttering up your home!

1) Clothes Closets. If you're stuck with a small closet in a good sized bedroom, consider sacrificing one wall to build a wall-to-wall closet. Have closet organizers installed to maximize the use of the space. If you can't give up an entire wall, consider some open style shelving about 1.5 feet below ceiling level along one wall. If the only closet you can work with is the existing one, then have a closet organizer put in place. Worth every dime. You may even be able to do it yourself with Home Depot goodies.

2) Most of us are fortunate enough to sleep in a bed! And what is under the bed besides the Boogie Man - space! Many bed linens have an accompanying bed skirt (okay you single guys may not have a bed skirt, but just wait until you find a great girlfriend - it will only be a matter of time). The bed skirt covers the hidden space and it's a terrific place for baskets or covered, plastic storage bins. Also a handy destination for any fold-down exercise equipment you may have. Some bed head boards also come with built-in shelves. Night time stuff disappears.

3) Louis the 14th. wasn't the only person to recognize the innumerable uses for an 'armoire'. It can a wonderful addition to any room in the house and can be used as a clothes closet, home entertainment centre, china cabinet, pots and pan cabinet, book shelf, front hall closet or storage shed, if it's a casual outdoor piece.

4) If you have a window with no view and it's not important for allowing light into your house or condo - consider building shelves over it. You can cover it with a mirrow first, use some built-in lighting, glass shelves or wooden shelves. It can be permanently filled in or done as a temporary measure. It can then be used as a book shelf or for extra storage.

5) The space under the stair case is great for any number of things from powder rooms to coat closets to computer desks or telephone nooks. Build in shelves, benches, tabletops or desks and voila - more storage space!

6) The knee-wall cavity of a third floor room with a sloped roof is just asking to be converted for use as storage. It may not be high enough for clothes to hang properly, but it will work for bins, baskets and boxes. Now before you get out a beer and the old sledge hammer ask a contractor for his opinion!

7) If your staircase to the third floor is a cross stair plan, so that the stairs come up in the middle of the third floor instead of on the side, then shelves can be added around the staircase well & bingo - books and trinkets have a new home.

8) If your kitchen cupboards don't go all the way to the ceiling, consider taking down that dried flower arrangement you did in highschool or the tasteful piece of pottery that Aunt Audrey gave you, and build closed or open shelving up to the ceiling - whichever is in keeping with the design of your kitchen.

9) Baskets - Baskets - Baskets = storage. Now that they are decorative, affordable, durable and fun. Use them everywhere!!! In kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms - there is no stopping you. They can store everything from toilet paper to bath soaps, towels and cosmetics to clothes, books, magazines, perishable food items and even your dog Bozo. They can be stacked, hung, used on or under counters or pushed under tables. They can be built-in or left on a counter or vanity. They can be open or covered and they come in every shape,colour and size imaginable. They are affordable so, go wild - I say and buy some baskets.

10) I haven't even reached the basement or garage yet, or the spaces around your third floor deck or back garden deck, that are just begging for built-ins, but I'm sure you get the idea. The potential for extra storage space is everywhere in your home. Just be creative and before you know it all your stuff will have vanished - and you didn't even know you had magic powers! Look out David Copperfield.

Okay, Okay - Here's "The Joke"

Smith, Jones and White were driving to the train station to catch the 10: 30 A.M. express train to Montreal when their car had a flat tire. By the time they arrived, the train was just pulling out of the station. Smith and Jones sprinted down the platform and jumped aboard. White was a minute too late and with a final whistle blow the train disappeared out of the station. White turned around and walked back along the platform. The conductor patted him on the back and said, "Don't worry - there is another express train this afternoon at 4:30 P.M. and your ticket will be honoured at that platform. White grinned and said, "Oh, don't worry about me - I'll have some lunch and read the paper - the joke is on Smith and Jones - they were just here to see me 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 - Will Return

If your business needs promoting or you know someone who could benefit from a column here, please let me know.

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"

January 2004

Money Matters...

"Tricks Of The Trade"

Okay, Okay - Here's "The Joke"

Ask An Expert?...

Guest Columnist - Will Return