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"Real Estate Bits - 2"

January 2006

Money Matters

Presented By: Nino Pasquariello - Manager - Scotiabank

(416) 932-3885 Ext. #7000

E-Mail: nino.pasquariello@scotiabank.com

The Essentials Of A Successful RSP
Why We All Need An RSP

A registered Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) is an investment in your future. It's really that simple. Canadians are living longer and spending much more time in retirement than ever before. Investing inside an RSP is the best way to help ensure that you'll have enough money to last during your retirement years. Consider also these great reasons to make your RSP a priority:

• Your RSP contribution is tax-deductible.

• The money in your RSP grows tax-free.

• It's never too late to start- and the sooner you do - the more you'll have at retirement (the power of compound returns).

Did You Know ... You can use the money in your RSP towards the down payment on your first home? Or to cover some of the education expenses if you decide to go back to school?

Getting Started ... With all the investment options available - where do you start? As with all important things - it's best to have a plan. The plan that's right for you will depend on your age, your time horizon, how comfortable you are with risk and your retirement goals. This is known as your "Investor Profile". Knowing the type of investor you are will help determine the best type of investments to hold in your RSP.

Finding The Right Investment For You ... There are3 major types (also known as classes):

1. Cash for liquidity.

2. Fixed Income.

3. Equities for growth.

Your RSP should hold a combination of these asset classes, in proportions that you're comfortbale with, and that will help you meet your goals.

Whether you're just getting started or are re-evaluating your existing RSP, there are financial tools and expertise available to help you determine the right asset allocation mix, based on yourneeds.

Please call me if I can be of assistance. I am happy to schedule a meeting with youto discuss your individual requirements.

Regards,

"Tricks Of The Trade"

"Oh Dear - New Trends!"

Being of sound mind and body (relatively) - I have finished my year end professional and personal re-cap and put the experiences of 2005 into their proper perspective. This little exercise was followed by a reasonably well-drafted plan for 2006. Quite naturally said plan is securely tucked away in a 3 ring binder. (A man I once worked for said to me one time - "You and those ridiculous 3 ring binders" - what he didn't know about organization could fill a lengthy tome). "Great", I thought - "Now I'm ready to rock and roll. I'm a woman on the cutting edge. Sharp, in the know, confident in my abilities - a middle age babe". But wait - what am I seeing and reading and hearing? The media has a message for me. "THERE ARE NEW TRENDS". Yikes!

All of a sudden my personal and home styles have to change. I need a whole new wardrobe - shoes - handbags. I need to buy a dress. What? I need to get rid of my bling (as if), buy wedge shoes, a lace blouse and a giant purse. The soft, neutral paint colours that cover my walls are passe. I need to paint a wall in my house black or maybe red. I need to be aware of the Spanish and Mediterranean influence in my life. Be bold - be dynamic - be unafraid to express myself. Being the shy and withdrawn woman that I am - this is obviously going to be a tough spring.

However - help is on the way! I've learned a thing or two over the years. Style is not about constant change. It's about really "owning" who you are and being comfortable in your own skin. Not to say that it's not fun to change your hair, wardrobe and home style - because it is - but this usually comes with a price tag and most of us aren't in a position to call in the painters, carpet guys, furniture experts and wardrobe consultants every spring. "Now that we have "Metro-sexuals" and the most recent statement I heard that "Men are the new women" - with their manicures and facials - I wouldn't dream of offering any pearls of wisdom about personal fashion - but here are a few sane guidelines for the home that work for me.

• If you want to change your home but don't know what to do - call a professional Designer and hire him/her for a 2 to 3 hour consultation. The Designer doesn't have to manage your projects. You want their ideas and then do you the leg work yourself or turn it over to a contractor you know and trust. Explain that you want "elements" of the newest trends but that a black wall (even thought it may be dramatic) embedded with sea shells in just not your style. How about a couple of black throw cushions for the sofa.

• PAINT! The least expensive way to change your home. It covers a myriad of sins. Don't be afraid to replace a soft neutral room colour with one of the new bold tones. You can always change it back and you can do the work yourself. During my "orange phase" - I once had a kitchen painted "pumpkin".

• Buy what you love for your home. Who cares if it's no longer "in vogue"? The style police do not know where you live.

• Change rooms around. Move furniture from one room to another. Store some pieces in the basement or in your locker and then bring them back out in a year or two.

• Change the flow of your home for winter and summer use. The cozy sofa by the fireplace can be moved to a different wall for summer. Now you're going to be lounging on the deck on a striped chaise. "Oh dear - are stripes in or out?" You don't care because you love stripes!

• Buy fresh cut flowers or indoor plants regardless of the season. They never fail to make people smile.

• Ask trusted friends how they feel in your space. Friends have fresh eyes. They visit - you live there. A buddy can often give you a great idea about a room that you hadn't thought of.

• Let home decor magazines be your guide not your guru. Even though turquoise bathroom fixtures came - went - and then became retro, you may not want to walk down the retro path. It too will change.

• Make well thought out decisions for your major rooms and your most expensive pieces of furniture and then have fun with the rest.

• Think about room functions and change them around or combine them. What about a little TV for the kitchen or a small bar fridge and a coffee maker for the master bedroom. A dining room table can double as a work station for projects when necessary. You get the idea!

Now that my work here is done - I'm going to change my bedroom around and sleep head facing west instead of to the north. I can feel a strong western style on the way. It may be a cowgirl influence - no, wait I see a totem pole and a giant warrior canoe and by gosh I want to be ready for the next big trend!

Happy "snow days" for now - but remember, Spring is on the way!

Regards,

Rosemary ...

Okay, Okay - Here's "The Joke"

Remember The Old "Double-Dog Dare You"
These Are Some For The Office

One Point Dares

• To signal the end of a conversation, clamp your hands over your ears and grimace.

• Walk sideways to the photocopier.

• While in the office elevator gasp dramatically every time the doors open.

• When in the elevator with one other person, tap them on the shoulder and pretend it wasn't you.

• Don't use any punctuation in your memos.

• Use highlighter on your computer screen.

Three Point Dares

• Say to your boss, "I like your style", wink, and shoot him with double-barrelled fingers.

• Kneel in front of the water cooler and drink directly from the nozzle.

• Shout out random numbers while someone is counting.

• Every time you get an email, shout ''email!".

• Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over his or her caffeine addiction, switch to espresso.

Five Point Dares

• Walk into a very busy person's office and while they watch you with growing irritation, turn the light switch on & off 10 times.

• For an hour, refer to everyone you speak to as "Dave".

• During the course of a meeting, slowly edge your chair towards the door.

• Stop walking - skip everywhere you go.

• Ask people what sex they are. Then say - "Are you sure?

Guest Columnist

Paul Schuster the "Fire Guy"
73 Gray Cres. Richmond Hill Ont.
L4C 5V4 (905) 884-4423

Your Fire Code Retrofit Specialist - Serving The Residential Industry
Protecting Your Interests by Protecting Their Investments.

Working Smoke Alarms - It's the Law!

TORONTO (December 13, 2005) - A Fire Code amendment requiring smoke alarms on every level of Ontario homes will save lives and reduce property damage will take effect on March 1, 2006.

"If a fire occurs in your home, smoke alarms can give you and your family the precious seconds you need to safely escape.

" With this amendment, the Fire Code now requires homes to have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas. It covers single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or rented.

"In about 50 per cent of fatal, preventable home fires, there was no smoke alarm warning. It is critical to have working smoke alarms on every level to give occupants the precious seconds they need to escape a fire."

 Municipal fire departments across Ontario have been informed of the amended regulation and will be enforcing it effective March 1, 2006.

For homeowners, tenants and individual landlords, non-compliance with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235.00 or a fine of up to $25,000.

REMEMBER - Only WORKING smoke alarms save lives !
Test YOUR smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors today.

Regards,

Paul.

Ask An Expert?

 These are just some of the professionals who can help you with your home ownership concerns. If you subsequently choose to establish a business relationship with any person/company then you should be sure to define the specific details of the relationship or business contract before you proceed.

• Ask A Lawyer?
• Ask A Painter?
• Ask A Surveyor?
• Ask A Designer?
• Ask An Accountant?
• Ask A Tradesperson?
• Ask A Home Inspector?
• Ask A Financial Adviser?
• Ask A Colour Specialist?
• Ask An Insurance Broker?
• Ask An Interior Decorator?
• Ask A Web-Site Designer?
• Ask A Kitchenware Retailer?
• Ask A Landscape Designer?
• Ask An Employment Lawyer?
• Ask A Banker/Mortgage Broker?
• Ask A Firecode/Retrofit Specialist?
• Ask A Garden Sculpture Specialist?
• Ask A Basement Waterproofing Specialist?

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.

Business Referrals: 

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.

Please Call Me With Any Real Estate Questions.
I'm Always Here To Help!

Rosemary Wright

Sales Representative - Sutton Group-Bayview Realty Inc.

Bus: (416) 483-8000 Fax: (416) 463-0159

Web-Site: www.rosemarywright.com

E-mail: mail@rosemarywright.com

Direct Page: (416) 582-1216

"Professional Service With A Personal Touch"

This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. If you wish to be removed, please reply to this e-mail with the words: "Remove from Newsletter" in the subject line or call me at (416) 483-8000 to request removal.

The intent of the newsletters - "Real Estate Bits " & "Real Estate Bits -2" is to provide information to you regarding real estate. Personal details such as your name, contact information and address are never revealed to anyone without your consent. In accordance with the new Privacy Act, your consent must be given (either implicitly or explicitly) to receive these newsletters. If you do not want to receive my newsletters - please notify me. My newsletters are not intended to solicit Buyers or Sellers who are currently under contract with any Broker.

The information and opinions contained, statistics and articles are courtesy of TREB, CMHC or other individuals or companies and are believed to be reliable, but their accuracy is not guaranteed. Sutton Group-Bayview Realty Inc. and Rosemary Wright accept no responsibility whatsoever for any loss arising from any use or reliance on the accuracy and timeliness of the information contained herein. Every endeavour is made to ensure accuracy. These newsletters do not render financial, legal, accounting, home inspection or professional advice. They are for general educational purposes only. They do not offer do-it-yourself advice. We encourage you to always contact the appropriate professionals or specialists to address your individual needs.

E&OE