Happy Valentine's Day! Can you believe D and I couldn't find any Cinnamon hearts at the mall? Maybe they just aren't popular anymore?
We spent a day in town grocery shopping as well as checking out one particular neighbourhood in our research of potential places to move to. There was going to be an open house in the afternoon.
Here's what we concluded. The walk ability of the neighbourhood was great. Everything we use on a weekly basis is within a 15 min radius. We would be getting more in terms of specialty grocers.
The curb appeal was OK. The developments were in a transition zone between commercial and residential.
We both loved the "west coast" architecture. There were 2 bedroom, 2 bath 1450 sq ft condos with outside balconies/patios ranging from 450 - 1400 sq ft. The outside spaces and interior light were fantastic. Pricing started at $364000 with condo fees around $260/month.
Should we wish for single family homes, the prices would be in the $450000 - $700000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 or 3 bath with a double car garage (starter home) in a nice area. Nice area meaning near or part way up a mountain, golf course, winery.
So we would be up sizing in price and downsizing in space. Living up at the resort would be at least $150000 cheaper. Now we know what the price of poker is.
Showing posts with label housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label housing. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Clean Up Continues
Continuing in the spirit of clean up, I called a couple of places to put a stop to flyer delivery to our house, hopefully starting this week.
The process was simple enough. They ask for your name and number and tell you it is instant -- Fingers crossed!
When we go away for a couple of weeks, we pay to put a hold on our mail. But the flyers and local papers keep coming so you end up coming home to a full mailbox.
I guess we can ask someone to come by to pick up mail and flyers and when we had in house cat sitting, that wasn't an issue. Now that we don't, it has become an issue.
I don't like anyone having access to my house, even for checking purposes. Strange, you are probably thinking, but I don't. We don't have anyone check in on our other places either.
I figure I'll just deal with whatever comes.
The process was simple enough. They ask for your name and number and tell you it is instant -- Fingers crossed!
When we go away for a couple of weeks, we pay to put a hold on our mail. But the flyers and local papers keep coming so you end up coming home to a full mailbox.
I guess we can ask someone to come by to pick up mail and flyers and when we had in house cat sitting, that wasn't an issue. Now that we don't, it has become an issue.
I don't like anyone having access to my house, even for checking purposes. Strange, you are probably thinking, but I don't. We don't have anyone check in on our other places either.
I figure I'll just deal with whatever comes.
Friday, January 20, 2012
De Cluttering
D dropped off 2 garbage bags full of our clothing to our local donation center. He said it felt good to be free of it. I think it is a great continuation in our lives to rid ourselves of excess stuff.
Though I'm having trouble with convincing D to part with some books. Since moving over the ebook side of things, my attachment to novels have all but disappeared. However I do own a few beautiful coffee table books I will keep this time around.
Looking around our house with the mindset of potentially moving does make clutter decision making easier. It is a great exercise whether one is moving or not. We've gotten broad quotes on cost of a cross country move. Sounds like a lot to me so I'm thinking less is less.
Though I'm having trouble with convincing D to part with some books. Since moving over the ebook side of things, my attachment to novels have all but disappeared. However I do own a few beautiful coffee table books I will keep this time around.
Looking around our house with the mindset of potentially moving does make clutter decision making easier. It is a great exercise whether one is moving or not. We've gotten broad quotes on cost of a cross country move. Sounds like a lot to me so I'm thinking less is less.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
New Home Buyer Expectations
D and I like to watch real estate shows, especially ones featuring first time home buyers. Once you've seen a couple of them, it is easy to pick out the trend in what people "ought" to be looking for in a new home.
On the flip side, as a fairly seasoned home owners, makes us wonder what's wrong with us because we didn't think to look for some of those list things that are so important to the first timers.
We don't have granite counter tops in any of our properties. Nor was it a requisite for buying a house. There have been some fiery tempers displayed on the show from the lack of them. And what is wrong with Corian? They cost similar to marble but won't stain like marble can.
Those people haven't learned that stone counters don't have anything to do with the quality of food that comes out of the kitchen. Granted, it is a nice look.
What is the issue with "pop corn" ceilings that some have? The trend started as a way to diffuse light in a bedroom or dining room so the ambiance is more gentle. But everyone hates them.
I think people just get in their head to like this or don't like that because they hear others doing and saying the same things, instead of thinking for themselves.
A starter home is a starter home. Some of these peoples' budgets almost make me laugh. They expect the world (3 - 4 bedrooms, 2 + baths, great neighbourhood, large amount of green space, hardwood floors throughout, finished rec room, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, large back yard, double or triple car garage) for $125K in Texas or the Mid West (almost doable) or $350K in Toronto. They would be lucky to find a town home in Toronto. I can't believe what you can buy in Texas.
In a pretty small kitchen, granite counter tops are a $3000 - 4000 upgrade. Whereas I'm thinking that same money can go a long way to towards things that would really increase quality of life, like a backyard patio set, BBQ, fence, furniture etc.
On the flip side, as a fairly seasoned home owners, makes us wonder what's wrong with us because we didn't think to look for some of those list things that are so important to the first timers.
We don't have granite counter tops in any of our properties. Nor was it a requisite for buying a house. There have been some fiery tempers displayed on the show from the lack of them. And what is wrong with Corian? They cost similar to marble but won't stain like marble can.
Those people haven't learned that stone counters don't have anything to do with the quality of food that comes out of the kitchen. Granted, it is a nice look.
What is the issue with "pop corn" ceilings that some have? The trend started as a way to diffuse light in a bedroom or dining room so the ambiance is more gentle. But everyone hates them.
I think people just get in their head to like this or don't like that because they hear others doing and saying the same things, instead of thinking for themselves.
A starter home is a starter home. Some of these peoples' budgets almost make me laugh. They expect the world (3 - 4 bedrooms, 2 + baths, great neighbourhood, large amount of green space, hardwood floors throughout, finished rec room, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, large back yard, double or triple car garage) for $125K in Texas or the Mid West (almost doable) or $350K in Toronto. They would be lucky to find a town home in Toronto. I can't believe what you can buy in Texas.
In a pretty small kitchen, granite counter tops are a $3000 - 4000 upgrade. Whereas I'm thinking that same money can go a long way to towards things that would really increase quality of life, like a backyard patio set, BBQ, fence, furniture etc.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Mobile Working Possibilities
It has been a big news week. D got the OK to be able to work remote from anywhere in Canada! We have been working/waiting on this for a few years. Our heads are spinning with possibilities and we have been busy with pro/con lists as well as searching the mls.
One of the potential big issues with leaving Ontario for me is my career. It would mean retirement. I'm not keen on starting again in a different province doing what I have been doing. So that would mean more "fun" jobs what will likely pay no where close to what I've been accustomed to earning.
We have come up with a couple of "sub- full out" move away plans. I call them our chicken/toe in the water plans as a way to make liquidating assets and moving easier.
D and I have different time lines. He would like the move to happen within 3 - 5 yrs. I'm thinking asap because that is how I tend to be. But I also realize the lifestyle we have been able to enjoy with me working too.
We are planning to spend some time with Realtors found in the east and west Canada (leaning west) before making a firm decision. This is shaping up to be an extra interesting year.
One of the potential big issues with leaving Ontario for me is my career. It would mean retirement. I'm not keen on starting again in a different province doing what I have been doing. So that would mean more "fun" jobs what will likely pay no where close to what I've been accustomed to earning.
We have come up with a couple of "sub- full out" move away plans. I call them our chicken/toe in the water plans as a way to make liquidating assets and moving easier.
D and I have different time lines. He would like the move to happen within 3 - 5 yrs. I'm thinking asap because that is how I tend to be. But I also realize the lifestyle we have been able to enjoy with me working too.
We are planning to spend some time with Realtors found in the east and west Canada (leaning west) before making a firm decision. This is shaping up to be an extra interesting year.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Cost : Purchase Price
Our recent plumbing bill brought an important point to light. At first I felt the $332 bill was too high. We were charged a 3 hr labour rate when it didn't take 3 hrs.
Additional time was charged for travel. I was a bit miffed about it. We used someone from out of town because they were good. Next time we'll find someone good locally.
But what I wanted to get to was this. Even though the bill was $100 higher than I was expecting, the cost of our house maintenance as a percentage of the cost of our house is actually pretty small.
When we started to think in those terms, it was easy to evaluate our other properties in the same way we would consider car reliability. So our main house is like the Honda of homes. Very reliable, minimal maintenance costs.
The cottage and ski condo has been higher maintenance relative to its cost so more like German cars -- fun but there is a much higher cost to maintain. With respect to the ski condo, we haven't had to fix anything per se but I'm using the yearly condo fees as the measure.
Over the 9 plus years of cottage ownership, we've replaced the well, the pump, the stove (fridge is next) and the roof. Some people may add the cost of gasoline to get there and back. And in our case, we have the monthly cost of the Turbo Hub.
I'd like to think that most of the big capital costs for that location are done and should last a long while. Other things like newer windows and bathroom are a want and not a must have, just like landscaping.
Additional time was charged for travel. I was a bit miffed about it. We used someone from out of town because they were good. Next time we'll find someone good locally.
But what I wanted to get to was this. Even though the bill was $100 higher than I was expecting, the cost of our house maintenance as a percentage of the cost of our house is actually pretty small.
When we started to think in those terms, it was easy to evaluate our other properties in the same way we would consider car reliability. So our main house is like the Honda of homes. Very reliable, minimal maintenance costs.
The cottage and ski condo has been higher maintenance relative to its cost so more like German cars -- fun but there is a much higher cost to maintain. With respect to the ski condo, we haven't had to fix anything per se but I'm using the yearly condo fees as the measure.
Over the 9 plus years of cottage ownership, we've replaced the well, the pump, the stove (fridge is next) and the roof. Some people may add the cost of gasoline to get there and back. And in our case, we have the monthly cost of the Turbo Hub.
I'd like to think that most of the big capital costs for that location are done and should last a long while. Other things like newer windows and bathroom are a want and not a must have, just like landscaping.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Settled In
I've been out west for the last couple of days. Takes a day or two to roll with the rhythm of this place. The snow is squishy and easy to ski on.
It will be a green Christmas back home with local ski resorts not at full opening yet. I feel bad for those businesses because they are relying on holiday business and I know a few kids who were looking forward to the holiday time ski and snowboarding camps. Not to mention the tobogganing and tubing fun.
I'm also wrapping up final 2011 expenses with what's left of income. We are anticipating some more expenses next week ie. new convection oven and pillow for me. On the list for this location was a new TV but to our surprise, we found out it wasn't the TV to be blamed for the bad picture.
It was the quality of the cable here. They must have fixed/upgraded it because the picture is much better so no new purchase needed. We are rocking a 22" CRT from who know how long ago -- came with the condo.
Merry Christmas to my fellow bloggers and readers. Here's to another great year!!!
It will be a green Christmas back home with local ski resorts not at full opening yet. I feel bad for those businesses because they are relying on holiday business and I know a few kids who were looking forward to the holiday time ski and snowboarding camps. Not to mention the tobogganing and tubing fun.
I'm also wrapping up final 2011 expenses with what's left of income. We are anticipating some more expenses next week ie. new convection oven and pillow for me. On the list for this location was a new TV but to our surprise, we found out it wasn't the TV to be blamed for the bad picture.
It was the quality of the cable here. They must have fixed/upgraded it because the picture is much better so no new purchase needed. We are rocking a 22" CRT from who know how long ago -- came with the condo.
Merry Christmas to my fellow bloggers and readers. Here's to another great year!!!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Preparedness
I just got off the phone with my insurance company. We went over some scenarios I had with respect to the different types of potential water damage.
In order to be mostly covered (mostly because there are exclusions we cannot buy coverage for), we would need to to upgrade our coverage by about $240/yr. I said yes.
A couple of friends of ours found themselves in flood damage situations recently. One had the right type of coverage and the other one didn't and is currently spending a lot of money just in the clean up phase of their basement.
We have a hybrid of coverage of our friends'. As we all have different insurers, our respective packages are slightly different. So the exercise was partly topping up and adding on to our existing policy.
Next up will be re-evaluation of our extended health care and life insurance policies. Each year, for one month, D's company allows such change. We will be coming up to that time shortly. I've been given the chart with all the categories but haven't the time to really look at it yet.
In order to be mostly covered (mostly because there are exclusions we cannot buy coverage for), we would need to to upgrade our coverage by about $240/yr. I said yes.
A couple of friends of ours found themselves in flood damage situations recently. One had the right type of coverage and the other one didn't and is currently spending a lot of money just in the clean up phase of their basement.
We have a hybrid of coverage of our friends'. As we all have different insurers, our respective packages are slightly different. So the exercise was partly topping up and adding on to our existing policy.
Next up will be re-evaluation of our extended health care and life insurance policies. Each year, for one month, D's company allows such change. We will be coming up to that time shortly. I've been given the chart with all the categories but haven't the time to really look at it yet.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Home Maintenance Update
Well the partial roof replacement has been done and we got the bill and it has been paid. There was a little glitch of being charged $60 more than invoiced but I believe it was just a slip of the hand when entering the amount. They are correcting it.
Yesterday we got a quote for our driveway replacement. The concrete company representative arrived first and we were pleasantly surprised at the $6400 quote. In our minds we thought it was going to over $10000.
He told us that people have this idea concrete is really really expensive when it turned out to be maybe about $1500 more than asphalt. That was his guess. The asphalt company hasn't provided their quote yet.
I just want an idea for budgeting purposes. Have not decided when to get it done. Outside of the main roof which we've already saved for, central air conditioning unit (to come someday), the driveway is the last of the big things on our house maintenance list.
Yesterday we got a quote for our driveway replacement. The concrete company representative arrived first and we were pleasantly surprised at the $6400 quote. In our minds we thought it was going to over $10000.
He told us that people have this idea concrete is really really expensive when it turned out to be maybe about $1500 more than asphalt. That was his guess. The asphalt company hasn't provided their quote yet.
I just want an idea for budgeting purposes. Have not decided when to get it done. Outside of the main roof which we've already saved for, central air conditioning unit (to come someday), the driveway is the last of the big things on our house maintenance list.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Housing Comparables
A new organic butcher has moved into our area and I'm looking forward to stopping by to see what they have. Since our last butcher moved we haven't had easy access to organic meat so we just cut back.
Now that it looks like we may have a good option again, we are hoping to go back to organic but continue at our lower consumption levels.
D and I really like real estate shows on TV. When I see couples our age or younger searching for housing in the $800K - 1.2 mil range I get fascinated at how they do it. Makes me feel like I am missing out on something.
So D went and calculated that an $800K mortgage paid bi-weekly over 25 yrs is not far from what we had been paying. So I guess if we really really wanted to, we too can afford to own something that expensive.
In reality, if I had to spend a million on real estate, I wouldn't do so on one property. I'd own a main house, a cottage/city bolt hole and an apartment in Nice/Amsterdam.
Based on what we already know of real estate costs in those places, it is very doable and would give us more joy than just one mansion. It helps to know our home when found in a city location would cost at least $700K and up.
Now that it looks like we may have a good option again, we are hoping to go back to organic but continue at our lower consumption levels.
D and I really like real estate shows on TV. When I see couples our age or younger searching for housing in the $800K - 1.2 mil range I get fascinated at how they do it. Makes me feel like I am missing out on something.
So D went and calculated that an $800K mortgage paid bi-weekly over 25 yrs is not far from what we had been paying. So I guess if we really really wanted to, we too can afford to own something that expensive.
In reality, if I had to spend a million on real estate, I wouldn't do so on one property. I'd own a main house, a cottage/city bolt hole and an apartment in Nice/Amsterdam.
Based on what we already know of real estate costs in those places, it is very doable and would give us more joy than just one mansion. It helps to know our home when found in a city location would cost at least $700K and up.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Surprise!
I was surprised (in a not so good way) yesterday afternoon when I noticed our furnace fan wouldn't come on.
Normally I would turn the central fan on and most of the time the resultant air circulation is such that air conditioning isn't needed. But something was wrong.
I called D and we decided to contact the heating contractors who installed our furnace 3 years ago. We have a high efficiency Lennox furnace with a 10 yr warranty.
Good thing I called because I found out that that particular model and year has known issues with its control board.
They were able to send someone the same day as they were in between seasons and it literally took only 20 min to diagnose and replace and voila, we have a working unit again all covered under warranty.
I was nervous not knowing the extent of the problem and how much it was going to cost. Same kind of nervousness I get at the auto mechanics.
Normally I would turn the central fan on and most of the time the resultant air circulation is such that air conditioning isn't needed. But something was wrong.
I called D and we decided to contact the heating contractors who installed our furnace 3 years ago. We have a high efficiency Lennox furnace with a 10 yr warranty.
Good thing I called because I found out that that particular model and year has known issues with its control board.
They were able to send someone the same day as they were in between seasons and it literally took only 20 min to diagnose and replace and voila, we have a working unit again all covered under warranty.
I was nervous not knowing the extent of the problem and how much it was going to cost. Same kind of nervousness I get at the auto mechanics.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Updates
Our home window got replaced yesterday and we were told the partial roof is coming up in rotation likely when I'll be gone so D will supervise the job. Nice to see things come together.
I forgot to comment on using our Nexus iris scans to get through customs coming home from our last trip. We need more practice centering our eyes but it was pretty fast when you don't have to answer verbal questions or line up.
One tip. If you are travelling as a couple or family, use separate machines. D waited for me to get done thinking he was using the same "program" since we have one family declaration card. The machine doesn't know that nor cares so we could have been done at the same time.
Now that I have my tablet, I've been considering getting a Boingo account for airport internet access as I'll be hitting 4 airports this next trip.
Upon further research, it is only reasonable in north america. European prices and global plans are much higher so not really worth it for my casual use. I'll just use wifi when I can get it free, like at Pearson.
I'll be leaving tomorrow for my next adventure. Back in 2 weeks.
I forgot to comment on using our Nexus iris scans to get through customs coming home from our last trip. We need more practice centering our eyes but it was pretty fast when you don't have to answer verbal questions or line up.
One tip. If you are travelling as a couple or family, use separate machines. D waited for me to get done thinking he was using the same "program" since we have one family declaration card. The machine doesn't know that nor cares so we could have been done at the same time.
Now that I have my tablet, I've been considering getting a Boingo account for airport internet access as I'll be hitting 4 airports this next trip.
Upon further research, it is only reasonable in north america. European prices and global plans are much higher so not really worth it for my casual use. I'll just use wifi when I can get it free, like at Pearson.
I'll be leaving tomorrow for my next adventure. Back in 2 weeks.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Update
We have a theory that our cell phone provider (Bell) must turn down their reception on holidays and weekends in cottage country because our turbo hub and cell phone doesn't work well at all then.
I cannot confirm it and D will get around to calling them to find out but if anyone knows, please let me know. We are happy it works on work days as D works remote from there a few Fridays a month. Guess that is the most important thing.
But, since we are paying for all the other days of the month, it would be nice to access it.
Going up on a Thurs night has really changed our cottaging experience. We don't run into the type of chaotic traffic like we used to. It will likely prolong our cottage ownership as well. I've found myself less apt to want to sell this year.
By the way, the cottage roof looks really good. Due to the postal strike we just noticed the check for the work was just cashed yesterday, 3 weeks later. We are still waiting for the work at the house to be done. Our turn ought to be at the end of the month.
Everything is paid for via investment accounts set up for that purpose. Luckily those types of capital expenses won't (knock on wood) come around for another few decades so there is plenty of time to save up for the next round.
I cannot confirm it and D will get around to calling them to find out but if anyone knows, please let me know. We are happy it works on work days as D works remote from there a few Fridays a month. Guess that is the most important thing.
But, since we are paying for all the other days of the month, it would be nice to access it.
Going up on a Thurs night has really changed our cottaging experience. We don't run into the type of chaotic traffic like we used to. It will likely prolong our cottage ownership as well. I've found myself less apt to want to sell this year.
By the way, the cottage roof looks really good. Due to the postal strike we just noticed the check for the work was just cashed yesterday, 3 weeks later. We are still waiting for the work at the house to be done. Our turn ought to be at the end of the month.
Everything is paid for via investment accounts set up for that purpose. Luckily those types of capital expenses won't (knock on wood) come around for another few decades so there is plenty of time to save up for the next round.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Roofing Tip
Because of our upcoming getaway, we will not be able to see the result of the cottage roof replacement until the end of the month. Which brings me to a valuable roofing tip.
Make an effort to visit a roofing supply place where they have moderately large samples of the various shingles up on display. Not the hand held boards with a couple of shingles, or worse, the page with a 2 inch version of the shingle.
You really don't get the full effect of the colour or texture until you see a few rows of it installed like it would be on your roof.
For the cottage, we didn't know about contractor roofing supply places so we went to a local home supply center and agonized over the mini samples they had. I had pictures of our existing roof on my Blackberry and D and I must have looked like fools looking at the phone and holding the tabs up the light...
When we finally made it to the proper roofing place, we were able to see the real thing. Thankfully, we made a great choice for the cottage and had we gone with the other one, it would have been great too (phew!).
For the house, it was trickier in some ways. As we are doing a partial replacement, we were looking to match the colour with what is currently the rest of the roof as we like that colour. Once we saw the 2 colours this roofer recommended, it was a no brainer. We only liked the one.
For those who wish more details, we went with a 30 yr shingle for the cottage and a 50 yr shingle for the house. It was what was recommended to us.
Make an effort to visit a roofing supply place where they have moderately large samples of the various shingles up on display. Not the hand held boards with a couple of shingles, or worse, the page with a 2 inch version of the shingle.
You really don't get the full effect of the colour or texture until you see a few rows of it installed like it would be on your roof.
For the cottage, we didn't know about contractor roofing supply places so we went to a local home supply center and agonized over the mini samples they had. I had pictures of our existing roof on my Blackberry and D and I must have looked like fools looking at the phone and holding the tabs up the light...
When we finally made it to the proper roofing place, we were able to see the real thing. Thankfully, we made a great choice for the cottage and had we gone with the other one, it would have been great too (phew!).
For the house, it was trickier in some ways. As we are doing a partial replacement, we were looking to match the colour with what is currently the rest of the roof as we like that colour. Once we saw the 2 colours this roofer recommended, it was a no brainer. We only liked the one.
For those who wish more details, we went with a 30 yr shingle for the cottage and a 50 yr shingle for the house. It was what was recommended to us.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Home Maintenance Update
We will be flying Air Transat to Venice. They offer a direct flight from Toronto vs. the last time I few, which was via Amsterdam.
The price was lower than the major carriers but more importantly, the flight times worked better but we won't be receiving any extra points. As this is my first dealing with them, I'll report back my opinions after.
A message arrived from the cottage roofer (while we were outside painting) letting us know the job has been completed. And most importantly, there were no surprises or extra expenses.
We were mildly concerned that boards would have to be replaced. I wasn't joking when I described the previous roofing job as somewhat a "disaster". I'm just grateful it lasted until I was ready to have it replaced.
We allotted $4500 to the job (just in case there were extras) and we will be needing just over $4000. So the $500 extra will be shifted towards our partial home roof and window replacement which is in the $1500 cost range.
It is so nice to have big jobs like this completed, especially when you are relying on others to do it. We just faxed through the signed agreement for our house job and the estimated time when our job will be completed is in the 4 - 6 wk range.
By then we hope our outdoor painting will be completed. Our goal is to avoid strenuous outdoor work during the high humid times. I certainly feel for those professions who are at the mercy of extreme heat.
The price was lower than the major carriers but more importantly, the flight times worked better but we won't be receiving any extra points. As this is my first dealing with them, I'll report back my opinions after.
A message arrived from the cottage roofer (while we were outside painting) letting us know the job has been completed. And most importantly, there were no surprises or extra expenses.
We were mildly concerned that boards would have to be replaced. I wasn't joking when I described the previous roofing job as somewhat a "disaster". I'm just grateful it lasted until I was ready to have it replaced.
We allotted $4500 to the job (just in case there were extras) and we will be needing just over $4000. So the $500 extra will be shifted towards our partial home roof and window replacement which is in the $1500 cost range.
It is so nice to have big jobs like this completed, especially when you are relying on others to do it. We just faxed through the signed agreement for our house job and the estimated time when our job will be completed is in the 4 - 6 wk range.
By then we hope our outdoor painting will be completed. Our goal is to avoid strenuous outdoor work during the high humid times. I certainly feel for those professions who are at the mercy of extreme heat.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
All Coming Together
I'm late with my bi-yearly dental check up so it's off to the dentist for me today. Yuck! I'm not a fan and am one of those people who gets nervous at the sounds of dental drills.
The roofer I have been waiting for has answered my questions and we will be firming up our contract with him after we decide on shingle colours this weekend. Am so relieved to have it so close to completion -- At least on my end.
I've figured out where the monies will be coming from. The roofer up north does not take credit card but the local one here does so at least I get some points out of it.
I just got notified our $50 gas card courtesy of MasterCard is on its way. After my car expense next week, I'll be getting another one from Visa too.
The roofer I have been waiting for has answered my questions and we will be firming up our contract with him after we decide on shingle colours this weekend. Am so relieved to have it so close to completion -- At least on my end.
I've figured out where the monies will be coming from. The roofer up north does not take credit card but the local one here does so at least I get some points out of it.
I just got notified our $50 gas card courtesy of MasterCard is on its way. After my car expense next week, I'll be getting another one from Visa too.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Home Maintenance
D and I had a really productive day yesterday. We were so into our garage door and surround painting, we managed to totally miss the men's French Open final and our talked about screening of X Men First Class.
The garage results are great, even though we are only at the first coat. We have a wooden garage door, so not only is it heavy but also requires a lot of prep -- scraping, sanding, filling, priming.
Managed to get a small sunburn at the back of my neck from it all. We were invited to a friend's house for dinner so it was great to get some good work in and not have to cook.
D's cottage spring cleaning went well. He worked extra hard this past week. I'm a lucky girl to have someone who is willing to do all that physical labour.
He told me that one of our neighbours up there discovered his well had run dry and was not a happy camper, to say the least. His is a 200 ft drilled well which translates into "expensive to replace".
I can only imagine how stressed I would be if it were me in his shoes. We had to replace our well 8 yrs ago because the pipe got clogged after a couple of decades but they just popped a new one in the same place.
Our next door neighbour had to try twice before finding water. I wouldn't want to find myself in a place where we had to consider a shared well situation. Not because I do not wish to help out a neighbour, but from a resale perspective.
I know I would hesitate to buy a property that had a shared situation, well or driveway, for that matter.
The garage results are great, even though we are only at the first coat. We have a wooden garage door, so not only is it heavy but also requires a lot of prep -- scraping, sanding, filling, priming.
Managed to get a small sunburn at the back of my neck from it all. We were invited to a friend's house for dinner so it was great to get some good work in and not have to cook.
D's cottage spring cleaning went well. He worked extra hard this past week. I'm a lucky girl to have someone who is willing to do all that physical labour.
He told me that one of our neighbours up there discovered his well had run dry and was not a happy camper, to say the least. His is a 200 ft drilled well which translates into "expensive to replace".
I can only imagine how stressed I would be if it were me in his shoes. We had to replace our well 8 yrs ago because the pipe got clogged after a couple of decades but they just popped a new one in the same place.
Our next door neighbour had to try twice before finding water. I wouldn't want to find myself in a place where we had to consider a shared well situation. Not because I do not wish to help out a neighbour, but from a resale perspective.
I know I would hesitate to buy a property that had a shared situation, well or driveway, for that matter.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Getting There
We have firmed up with the one roofer and am waiting for the other one to answer some questions prior to firming up. It's all good.
Haven't figured out which account to use for payment of the smaller job yet. The other one is going to be paid for from our non tax acct.
The only other job slated for this summer is new attic insulation at the cottage. I have a call out to a company for more info and an estimate.
At home, the biggest job this summer will be exterior painting -- garage & sun room. All the paint have been bought. Just waiting on mother nature to cooperate. Can't wait! It's going to look great when completed.
D's annual spring cleaning weekend happens this weekend, sans me as I apparently get in the way and complain too much about the noise...
Haven't figured out which account to use for payment of the smaller job yet. The other one is going to be paid for from our non tax acct.
The only other job slated for this summer is new attic insulation at the cottage. I have a call out to a company for more info and an estimate.
At home, the biggest job this summer will be exterior painting -- garage & sun room. All the paint have been bought. Just waiting on mother nature to cooperate. Can't wait! It's going to look great when completed.
D's annual spring cleaning weekend happens this weekend, sans me as I apparently get in the way and complain too much about the noise...
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Musings
D and I have decided to give a couple of those daily deals a try. One is for a Japanese restaurant and the other a fun day out at an amusement park.
We are hoping our experiences will allow us to save on our usual monthly outings and get us out to new places. Guess exposure is the point of the deals. Maybe we'll find some new favourite spots.
For some reason, I've caught the moving bug. It's not like me to feel this way. I tend to enjoy buying places but selling them is a nightmare for me.
I think I just like the exercise of wondering what type of house would I like now, knowing what I know now? In reality, it is more accurate to say what else would I like in addition to what I already have?
My current answer would be a larger garage and driveway. A finished basement preferably with a walk out to the back yard. A larger, more private lot, perhaps in the country.
Of course that would mean I would have a larger commute again. And the price tag for those additional features translates into an extra $150K than what our home would be worth. And depending on where we go, property taxes could skyrocket. Country living can also mean well water and septic systems.
On a travel note, caught wind of a great trip to Scandinavia and Russia this summer...I'm giving myself 24hrs to sleep on it...
We are hoping our experiences will allow us to save on our usual monthly outings and get us out to new places. Guess exposure is the point of the deals. Maybe we'll find some new favourite spots.
For some reason, I've caught the moving bug. It's not like me to feel this way. I tend to enjoy buying places but selling them is a nightmare for me.
I think I just like the exercise of wondering what type of house would I like now, knowing what I know now? In reality, it is more accurate to say what else would I like in addition to what I already have?
My current answer would be a larger garage and driveway. A finished basement preferably with a walk out to the back yard. A larger, more private lot, perhaps in the country.
Of course that would mean I would have a larger commute again. And the price tag for those additional features translates into an extra $150K than what our home would be worth. And depending on where we go, property taxes could skyrocket. Country living can also mean well water and septic systems.
On a travel note, caught wind of a great trip to Scandinavia and Russia this summer...I'm giving myself 24hrs to sleep on it...
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Extra Long Weekend
After what has felt like getting one's teeth pulled, I have gotten one contractor to look at our sunroom roof and window. No quote yet, didn't bother to get up on the roof and it has been 1 1/2 wks.
Next week is our third quote attempt. (Remember our first quote never materialized with no phone call.) Hopefully this company will be a bit more professional. Otherwise D and I will be learning how to do it ourselves...and I'm serious about that.
I updated our NetworthIQ listing this morning and the numbers have dropped by about $11K as the markets have taken a bit of a beating. I had no real sense of the size of the drop until I plugged the numbers in. Numbers can be so harsh!
We haven't been up to the cottage since our dead tree was removed (hope that has been done too!). This is a long weekend for us Canadians and mine starts today as I'm off til next Tues.
It is also D's annual attempt at opening it. Crossing fingers and toes! Also keeping them crossed for decent weather. We'd like to go to the drive in one of the nights...yummy french fries and onion rings...
Have a great weekend everyone!
Next week is our third quote attempt. (Remember our first quote never materialized with no phone call.) Hopefully this company will be a bit more professional. Otherwise D and I will be learning how to do it ourselves...and I'm serious about that.
I updated our NetworthIQ listing this morning and the numbers have dropped by about $11K as the markets have taken a bit of a beating. I had no real sense of the size of the drop until I plugged the numbers in. Numbers can be so harsh!
We haven't been up to the cottage since our dead tree was removed (hope that has been done too!). This is a long weekend for us Canadians and mine starts today as I'm off til next Tues.
It is also D's annual attempt at opening it. Crossing fingers and toes! Also keeping them crossed for decent weather. We'd like to go to the drive in one of the nights...yummy french fries and onion rings...
Have a great weekend everyone!
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