:: Revolutionary new device saves on home Energy ::

Being, or at least appearing to be environmentally conscious has taken hold in Canada and the US. It is inevitable that once you have a mindset shared by a significant number of people, politicians begin to take notice and of course being the capitalist society that we are, so does the business community. An entire industry is emerging, catering to the growing masses who are more likely to hug than cut down the hundred foot Oak leaning precariously over the kids bedrooms.

I am all for any efforts that result in the reduction of damage we are doing to the planet though I am often frustrated by the approaches and attitudes taken by many who purport themselves to be the new caretakers of mother earth.

The glass half full result of high gas prices is increased demand for more energy efficient and alternate sources of transportation. My car gets good gas mileage. I am not ready to stuff my 6'4" carcass in to a smart car that looks like it came from a Kinder egg but I am making efforts in other areas.

The energy efficient fluorescents light bulb will soon completely replace the incandescent bulb. I am just waiting for environmentalists or someone in a position of power to come to the realization that "hey, fluorescent bulbs contain mercury." That mercury turns to carcinogenic dust for us to breath when we break one on the kitchen floor and at some point millions upon millions of them will be spent and making their way into our landfill. I guess we will cross that bridge when we come to it.

I have wandered here. What I really wanted to do in this post was point out that in one hour a typical clothes dryer will negate the energy savings gained from using 20 energy/flourescent bulbs 24/7 for an entire month. One of the best energy efficient devices man invented hundreds of years ago and it has been cast aside for the sake of perceived style. The clothes line.

Many residential areas have restrictive covenants banning the use of clothes lines. These were put in place back in the day when people were more concerned with seeing Mrs. Jones bloomers on the line than they were with pollution or energy prices. Most of these rulings are still on the books today though most people are unaware.

Some might respond here by saying "I'm not hanging my clothes out in that dirty air". Guess what?, that air is cleaner now than it was 60 years ago when most of us were burning leaded fuel and many were burning their garbage and heating their homes with coal and oil. The bigger difference today is our pollution covers a much greater portion of the planet, including the polar regions.

What is wrong with using a clothes line? It has a Norman Rockwell kind of aura to it and if millions of Americans and Canadians were to use one for at least part of the year, think of the savings to our pockets and to our environment.

gimmeshelter.ca HotBarrieListings.com BarrieHomeworth.com mikemontague.com

:: Barrie Town Houses - A good first step ::

It makes good financial sense for first time buyers to consider a town home as the first home they own.

As average home prices in Ontario increase the percentage of first time home buyers who financially qualify to purchase a detached home in good liveable condition decreases leaving townhouses and condos as the feasible option for those who want to enter into home ownership.

On the plus side, a townhouse typically requires less maintenance cost and effort, less energy to run and taxes take a smaller chunk out of the wallet than a detached home of equal square footage. Be prepared to lay out a minimum of $50,000 more for a detached home as well.

Homes above the $300,000 mark in the current Barrie market are taking longer to sell and owners are experiencing a growing discrepancy between list price, and the eventual sale price. Townhouses on the other hand are continuing to increase in value and in demand.

Town home values should continue along this trend for some time and it’s a safe bet that a town home purchased in Barrie today will witness higher percentage value increases in each of the next few years than homes in the higher end of the price range in Barrie.

That equity gain puts you in better stead with lenders down the road when the time is right to trade up to a bigger home. Realizing the dream of being able to own and comfortably carry the perfect home is a more likely possibility for those who recognize the steps to get there.

Many who skip those steps find the dream short lived when they have left themselves no financial buffer zone to ride out economic fluctuation. The first step is to get into the market today at a price that doesn't put you in a financial strait jacket and let that investment move you closer to the home you really see yourself in.

Barrie has a large assortment of townhouse developments dispersed throughout town.

If you want to learn more about Barrie Town homes and or receive updates on townhouses for sale in Barrie, give me a call I’d be glad to help you out.

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:: Fear of Commitment leads to weak relationships ::

Am I now giving couples advice on my Real Estate blog?

No, but I got your attention didn't I?

This post is directed at the thousands of people who will
be retaining the services of a Realtor to purchase a house this year.

Get a Buyer Agency Agreement Signed at the earliest opportunity!

What is the benefit to a buyer?

Well consider this. Suppose you walked into a busy TV store and like the dozens of others that day, when asked "Can I help you?" You reply "I'm just looking thanks"

The sales person will offer a few words on what you are looking at, become distracted by the next person to walk in the door and leave you to figure out the difference between digital ready and high def all by your self.

Imagine if you told that same sales rep who asks if you need help "Yes I want to know everything you can tell me about your Plasma TVs, and before I leave I am going to buy one and I am going to buy it from you".

That sales rep is going to trip over him or herself to provide you service and not likely even notice the other customers coming into the store. He/she is going to give you the information you need to make an informed decision and likely be more receptive when you try to negotiate the price that you want to pay.

In Real Estate, agents deal daily with inquiries from potential home buyers by email, by telephone, from people walking into the office or coming into an open house. The good agents treat everyone as a potential client even though most have a contact manager list as long as their arm of potential buyers with question marks beside their name that they cant bring them self to remove from the list, just in-case.

The reality is many buyers will jump around from agent to agent until they are ready to make an offer on a property. Most agents will try to divide their time and efforts evenly amongst the more recent of "potential buyers" on the list.

If you find an agent who has earned your trust why not tell them you want to sign an agency agreement and work exclusively with them?

How will this benefit you?

You have effectively told the Realtor "I am serious about buying and any time effort and expense you commit to me should eventually result in a home purchase".

You have just separated yourself from 99.9% of the other people who are vying for time with a Realtor and he/she is going to go out of their way to accommodate your needs, your schedule, and provide you all the information you need to make an informed decision and insure a smooth and rewarding purchase.

By blending with the masses and not forming a good business relationship with one Realtor or by waiting until you think you have found a home you want to put an offer on to settle on a Realtor, you only deny yourself the advantage of having the knowledge and input of a professional negotiator and facilitator on your team who may end up saving you thousands of dollars.

Someone who knows the ropes and the neighborhood, who can provide you with timely information on market conditions, all listings and their sales history and often give you a heads up on homes that are not even listed yet.

Buying a home is the biggest financial decision in most peoples lives. Make a sound business decision and commit to using the services of one Realtor from the start of your home buying journey.

gimmeshelter.ca HotBarrieListings.com BarrieHomeworth.com mikemontague.com

:: Flipper Nation :: Episode 1: The first flip

The trend these days on cable television is real estate related how-to shows on buying, selling, fixing and or flipping property. A refreshing shift from the graphically detailed medical shows saturating the television a few years back and much easier to watch while eating dinner.
Here for your entertainment is episode one of Flipper Nation. A "mini series" with characters almost life like that follows their efforts to become Real Estate Moguls. Any similarities to known persons, living or otherwise could be coincidental.

Click here to view Episode II

:: Barrie's Best Recipes ::

I just looked at the temperature this sunday afternoon and it is zero degrees outside. I was thinking there must be some good recipes floating around Barrie for favorite winter meals. I know I make the best chili. (I have some on the stove right now)


Share your secrets for winter soups, stews, chili or any other favorites. This portion of the blog could grow into Barrie's own online recipe book.

:: Barrie's Favorite Places to Eat ::

Everybody has their favorite places to eat, be it a classic dinner for two, sampling some international fare or just a favourite haunt serving tasty wings or a good burger and fries.
Share your favorites and what it is that puts them up front for you. I am still on the hunt for the best breakfast in or around Barrie, any tips? It used to be you made the trek to Toronto where the choices in cuisine seem unlimited but Barrie has come into its own and offers a growing list of up-to-score places to eat. Let's hear your opinions.