"Real Estate Bits - 2"

May 2004

Money Matters...

Presented By: Glen Travers - Manager - Scotiabank
(416) 932-3034
E-Mail: glen.travers@scotiabank.com

"Is Self-Employment Right For You?"

Working for yourself can bring many rewards - freedom, flexibility and the chance to follow your dreams. But it can also bring new risks and uncertainly that may not be suitable for everyone. Careful research and sound planning can help you to meet these new challenges and make the most of your business idea.

Do You Have What It Takes? Striking out on your own can bring numerous rewards, but also a host of challenges. A recent survey of Self-Employment in Canada identified the following disadvantages to being self-employed:

Uncertainty - Insecurity - Long Hours - Income Fluctuations - A Lack Of Benefits - Stress.

To find out if you have the right temperament to deal with these challenges, ask yourself the following questions & be "really - really" honest when you answer them:

Are you confident you can succeed?
Are you a risk taker?
Are you a good decision maker?
Are you organized?
Are you flexible?
Can you market yourself?
Can you market your product or service?
Are you willing to work long hours?
Are you willing to take responsibility for all aspects of your business?
If you answered "no" to more than a few of these questions, you may want to reconsider the idea of self-employment. If your desire is still burning bright then read on.

Are You Lonesome Tonight? Many people who become self-employed initially start off working from their homes. Technology and instant communications have made this possible, particularly for information-based services such as accounting, graphic design and consulting. But if you have been in the workforce for some time, working from a home office will be a big adjustment. One common complaint among those just starting out is the lack of social interaction. No one will be there Monday morning to ask about your week-end, or to toss around ideas when you're stuck on a problem.

You may want to join a professional association in your area of expertise. Joining a group of like-minded individuals can help you stay on top of industry developments and make business contacts. Another good idea is to take the time to schedule lunches or coffee meetings with former colleagues or friends outside your home - especially when you're just starting out.

Next Month - Setting Up Your Business.

Please don't hesitate to call me if you would like to chat about your mortgage or your financial portfolio. (416) 932-3034.

Regards,

Glen.

"Tricks Of The Trade"

"A Few Thoughts On Landscaping"

I've seen homes with gardens that were planned and carried out by professional landscape architects. They were breathtaking - the picture of perfection - and they were incredibly expensive to create. Professional landscaping is not cheap, but if your budget will allow, the results are second to none. Over the years, I've also been in small, personally created courtyard gardens that were enchanting. If you're like some of us, you may combine professional advice with your own hard work to get the garden you want. Or you may want to be adventurous and tackle the entire job on your own. Whatever the case with your landscaping needs - the following tips may come in handy:

1. Find a great garden centre. One that gives a year guarantee on the plants and shrubs. Buy all your plantings and soil at the same place and insist on strong healthy plants. Don't buy the puny little shrub that no one else wants.
2. Find a professional, "recommended" landscape architect, if that is the route you plan to take. Visit some of his gardens.
3. Research the available light in your garden so you know what will grow well in the outdoor spaces you have. Zones for light and healthy growth exist for a reason.
4. Make a plan of the finished product - front, back or side gardens.
5. Think about how much time you have to maintain your garden. Do you like to work in the yard for days, or putter about a bit as you sip coffee and snip a few roses? Do you like to get your hands dirty?
6. What kind of garden appeals to you? Grass? Flowers? Shrubs? A Combination?
7. What about - Decking? Patio Areas? Fencing? Arbours? Trellises? Gates? Pathways? Garden Sculpture? Lighting?
8. Where will the BBQ be located? Where will the outdoor furniture go?
9. Do you want to create an outdoor room? What about an awning?
10. How much space exists for sun and shade?
11. Do you want, or have room for, a water feature?
12. Do you want the fences, decks and wood features to be painted, stained or allowed to age naturally?
13. What is your garden style? Is it, or should it be, an extension of your indoor style?
14. What type of garden furniture appeals to you?
15. Do you plan to dine and have parties in your garden?
16. Where is the water source for hoses? Can you afford an irrigation system in the garden?
17. Do you have or want a pool? If so, plan the yard and the landscaping and fencing well. It's a big commitment.
18. Plan the colours well in a flower garden? Where will the spring bulbs go? What perennials do you want? What annuals will you use to fill in between the blooming of your perennials?
19. Visit a few well maintained parks or gardens. Edward's Gardens is a magnificent garden and a great walk. So is Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Get ideas for trees and shrubs.
20. Buy some garden magazines and cut out every picture you like and then study them for ideas.

Above all else - have fun with your garden projects. It's incredibly rewarding to see the finished product and to know that you played a great part in its creation.

Regards,
Rosemary ...

Okay, Okay - Here's "The Joke"

Cecil had just finished reading a book on ice-fishing. He was really eager to try it and convinced he would be an amazing ice-fisher. He followed the book's instructions to the letter and drew out a circle the proper size on the ice. He had just finished cutting a hole in the ice when a voice thundered out of nowhere and said, "There are no fish in there now. There have never been any fish in that hole and there never will be any fish in that hole". Cecil looked heavenward and with a trembling voice said "God, is that you"? "No, you idiot", boomed the voice, "It's the Rink Manager".

Guest Columnist

~ Guest Columnist - Lyn Travers & Tracy Bankuti ~

"Fresh Coat"

Two Ladies In Painting

(905) 642-3037 or (905) 642-1067

E-Mail: helenltravers@hotmail.com

Tracy Bankuti & Lyn Traves have over 30 years of combined experience in the interior painting, wallpapering and decorative consulting business. Tracy and Lyn established Fresh Coat to satisfy homeowners seeking a cost-efficient, highly reliable, "one-stop" and convenient home decorating solution.

"We started Fresh Coat because we know how chaotic and disruptive it can be to take on a major renovation project", said partner Tracy Bankuti. "That's why we are emphasizing our professional partnership and our reliability. Our clients have very busy lifestyles". She explains that by combining their talents and resources they are much more efficient than a single tradesperson. "This means we get the job done in half the time, and more importantly, we are in and out with far less interruption to the homeowner".

Lyn was quick to add that the Number One improvement, according to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, that a homeowner can do to maximize "payback" when selling their house is Interior Painting and Decoration (73%). "It's easy to see why we feel so strongly about what we are doing", says Lyn Travers. "We have helped many clients get top dollar for their homes prior to listing them. We have also helped our clients transform interior rooms, hallways and ceilings with a clean, fresh coat of colour or wallpaper accent".

Fresh Coat specializes in all techniques of interior, residential painting. They are experts in providing decorative consulting in both colour and pattern selection to complement your home space and personal furnishings. In addition, they offer wallpaper treatments and the latest in faux finish applications.

Tracy and Lyn would be happy to provide you with client references and a no-obligation cost estimate. Please call.

Regards,

Tracy & Lyn.

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!

mail@rosemarywright.com  and I will get you an answer or connect you with the Appropriate Expert.

• 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.

Please Call Me With Any Real Estate Questions.

I’m Always Here To Help!!!

-Rosemary Wright...

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.

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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.