Archive for October 4, 2007

Laurin Jeffrey | October 5, 2007
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How to speak and understand builder-ease

By Rina D’Angelo – New Dream Homes and Condos

From laminate to low-e, the descriptions of the features and finishes of your new home, though romantically worded, are often difficult to decipher. These definitions will help you crack the builder’s code and make an informed new-home purchase.

WINDOWS

Wood
A great insulator, can be stained or painted and is a standard material for window frames for most residential homes. Exposure to the elements will eventually cause paint to peel and moisture can cause rot though with proper maintenance wooden window frames can last for generations.

Vinyl
Inexpensive, durable, energy efficient and virtually maintenance-free, vinyl is a popular choice for window frames. Colour is continuous throughout the material so scratches are undetectable. As they cannot be painted be sure to choose a neutral colour; light shades are best as darker hues will fade over time.

Fibreglass
Relatively new to the homebuilding industry fibreglass frames are extremely durable and low-maintenance. More energy efficient than wood and they can be painted, however all these perks are balanced by their high price point.

Composite
Usually a combination of wood with an exterior aluminium or vinyl cladding, composite frames combine the low-maintenance features of vinyl with the flexibility to paint exposed wood frames in the home’s interior.

Low-e and Argon Windows
Low-emissivity (or low-e) windows have a thin, transparent coating over the panes to reduce the amount of heat lost through the glass and prevent ultraviolet rays from entering your home. These high-efficiency windows will reduce your hydro bill and protect your furniture and flooring from fading. Argon windows offer similar advantages. Double-paned with a layer of argon-gas trapped in between to reduce conductivity and the emission of UV rays.

Muntin Bars
An aesthetic feature, vertical and horizontal divides are placed between the panes to create the look of old colonial windows. Although attractive some tests have shown that these additions can cause fogging (due to the release of gasses from vinyl muntins exposed to UV light) and can increase the internal temperature of the window thus reducing their energy efficiency.

FLOORING

Engineered Hardwood
Durable and practical this flooring consists of a plywood or high density fibre (HDF) core with a thin hardwood outer layer (veneer). A great option for basements or other areas where heat and moisture are a problem, unlike solid wood, these floors will not warp, can be refinished (though not repeatedly) and are a fraction of the coat of hardwood flooring.

Laminate
Similar to engineered hardwood, laminate floors consist of a HDF core though the finish is a photographic layer with the look of wood. The least expensive option, these floors cannot be refinished but are easily installed and can be replaced.

Solid Hardwood
The real deal…also the most expensive option. These floors can be refinished numerous times, are durable, classic and add to the resale value of a home.

ROOFING

Fibreglass Shingles
Made of asphalt with a fibreglass reinforcing mat they are the most popular choice for residential homes in North America. These inexpensive shingles come in a variety of colours, are durable, low-maintenance and are often guaranteed to last for more than 20 years.

Organic-mat Shingles
More expensive than fibreglass though more durable, they consist of a wood-derived mat coated in asphalt. These shingles are more flexible in cold weather and perform better than fibreglass in tear and nail tests. Also guaranteed to last more than 20 years.

Composite Shake Shingles
All the look of cedar but cheaper and easier on the conscience, this Canadian invention (from Guelph, Ontario), is constructed from recycled materials such as used tires, plastics, flax and hemp fibres. Durable, mold, mildew and insect resistant, these maintenance-free shingles come with a transferable 50 year warranty.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416-388-1960

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Category: Ajax Real Estate, Miscellaneous, New Homes, Pickering Real Estate | Tags: , ,
Laurin Jeffrey | October 5, 2007
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Enjoy urban and rural living in one great location at Altona Woods

From New Homes and Condos

There’s something for everyone at Rosebank Forest Homes’ Altona Woods neighbourhood in Pickering, a colourful and growing community located just east of the Toronto border.

Pickering offers an ideal mix of urban and rural living, so residents can enjoy peace and quiet without having to sacrifice convenience.

Pickering is a great refuge from hectic city life, but easy access to Hwy. 401 to the south and newly expanded Hwy. 407 to the north keep you connected to Toronto and surrounding areas. But in Pickering, your transportation is not limited to your car. Public transit will take you wherever you need to go, and this unique waterfront location enables you to enjoy this tranquil setting.

And there’s lots to see and do around town, from the rural charm of quaint hamlets, the scenic shores and the serene beauty of woodlands and meadows that surround the community to the modern conveniences of a vibrant downtown. Visit the Pickering Museum Village. Take advantage of the new Waterfront Trail, Millennium Square and Splash Park. Go for a stroll across Petticoat Creek Pedestrian Bridge, which crosses over Petticoat Creek. Frenchman’s Bay offers boating, fishing and water sports.

Rosebank Forest Homes’ newest community, Altona Woods, offers exciting designs on deep lots in a natural setting. Semis range from 1,689 to 1,965 sq. ft. and start from $274,990. Detached homes on 32- and 36-ft. lots range from 1,718 to 2,542 sq. ft. and start from $319,990.

The success of this site soared right from the start. This enclave of just 66 homes is selling quickly – 50 per cent of them sold within the first month. So, don’t delay. – get in on the action today.

Architecturally pre-determined house designs and colours ensure a pleasing streetscape. Exteriors feature clay bricks, soldier coursing, brick arches, covered porches, front coach lights and other masonry details as per applicable elevations.

Homes at Altona Woods are not only incorporated into their natural surroundings without disrupting its beauty, designs also bring the outdoors in with a second-floor balcony, as per plan.

The indoors are just as impressive as the out. The 36-ft. detached Shellbark is just one of the great designs you’ll find at Altona Woods, featuring stately nine-ft. main floor ceilings and decorative ornamental columns (as per plan).

The purchaser has a choice of quality imported ceramic tiles in the front foyer, kitchen, laundry room, breakfast area, powder room and in all bathrooms. Untiled areas on the main and second floors feature luxurious 35-oz. carpeting.

The gourmet open-concept kitchen features a raised breakfast bar (as per plan), perfect for a quick bite and a coffee. The purchaser has a choice of laminated countertops and custom quality cabinets. For even more storage options, some models even include a pantry.

The main staircase, open to below, is finished with natural oak railings, pickets and posts (as per plan), which leads you up to the second level, where you’ll find four spacious bedrooms, including the master with walk-in closets, and three full baths, including the luxurious ensuite with a raised oval tub and separate shower, both clad in ceramic tiles (as per plan). Welcome to your refuge from the world. All bathrooms feature your choice of laminated countertops and cabinets in vanities (as per plan), oversized plate mirrors, vanity lighting and white fixtures.

The laundry room on the main floor includes washing machine connections, a receptacle for a clothes dryer, a single-basin laundry tub and dryer vent cap, for your convenience.

Homes also offer an optional side entrance and access through the garage.

Take advantage of the fantastic bonus package, which gives purchasers the Rogers Cable Bundle plus a security alarm system; a choice of five appliances or air conditioning; or $3,000 in upgrades.

Project: Altona Woods
Location: Pickering
Housing Type: Detached homes on 32- and 36-ft. lots
Starting Price: From $319,990

New Homes & Condos Magazine is an excellent source of housing information for those looking for information on new homes in Ontario, Canada. We offer the most up-to-date information on new communities across the Greater Toronto Area.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416-388-1960

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Category: New Homes, Pickering Real Estate | Tags: , ,
Laurin Jeffrey | October 4, 2007
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Title Insurance

Article courtesy of Insurance Community

All of us cherish to have our own home… “Home… sweet… Home”. But only being an owner is not enough. I need to perform my task as an efficient home owner. I have to protect my home from heat, light, rain and all other perils as my home protects me from all disasters. But for me to protect my home, the best way is to insure my own home. But is the home I purchased really my own home? Am I really the owner of the property? These are the questions that many a times creep up. This mainly happens if there is a dispute in the legal documents about the ownership of the home over time. To protect ourselves from such ownership disputes, we, the home owners can sign up with the title insurance policy.

What is a title insurance policy?

Title insurance is a security policy that covers all losses you may suffer due to the title of the property. Your home might have undergone several ownership changes before you have purchased it. There might be some legal complications regarding the actual owner of your property. May be someone might have forged a signature while changing the title .Or there may be pending unpaid tax issues. Title insurance assures you complete security against any such mishaps. The company promises to reimburse you for any legal fees related to such issues.

What does the title insurance cover?

The basic three things that title insurance covers are: Owners, Lender’s and Extended Coverage.

What does basic owner’s title policy cover?
1. Forgery, fraud
2. Title of the property
3. Encumbrances or judgments
4. Restrictive covenants
5. Defective recordation
6. Invalid signatures on documents

What does basic lender’s title policy cover?
1. Defects and other unavailable documents
2. Mechanic’s liens and unrecorded liens
3. Unavailable easements and access rights

What does the extended owner’s policy cover?
1. Subdivision maps
2. Covenant violations from previous owners
3. Violation of building permit rules of the previous owners
4. Damaging Structure from mineral extractions
5. Living trusts
6. Variety of encroachments and forgeries after title insurance is issued

How does it help me?

Title insurance is not compulsory by law but every mortgage lender would value a title insurance policy while they grant you a loan.

How does it work?

Generally title insurance pays for all those losses that you would have to suffer for the consequences that have occurred much before the date of the policy. The coverage in that terms ends from the time the policy have been issued and extends back to an undefined time.

How long does the policy last?

Your policy would last till you as the owner of the property, or any of your inheritors have any problem with the property. And now if you sell it, the immediate owner would have to purchase a new policy.

Would the title insurance protect me against any false claims that arose after I purchased the property?

In normal terms a standard policy does not.

Would my title insurance rise with the rise of my property value?

No, but if your property increased in value you have an option to purchase an extra coverage on the same policy just by paying an extra fee. And the extra coverage would be counted from the date of purchase of the original policy.

Is a title insurance policy affordable for a low income borrower?

Yes. The title insurance premium is cost effective and very much affordable by the low income borrower.

Am I guaranteed that I would be able to sell my property if an unforeseen claim rises?

It might be possible that you would not be able to sell a property till the claim is settled by the insurer

Can I purchase title insurance on my own?

Yes you have the right to purchase it on your own. However in most cases people leave it up to the agent, lender or the attorney.

Limitation of title insurance

The insurance would assure you security up to the amount of the mortgage but it does not protect your equity in the property. For this the owner of the property would require to have a title policy for the full value of the home.

However the policy features and premium rate greatly varies from state to state.

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Contact the Jeffrey Team for more information – 416-388-1960

Category: Miscellaneous | Tags: , ,
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