INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups cooked white rice, cooled (See Kelly's Notes)

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

• 3 eggs

• 8 small cubes fresh mozzarella

• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs

• Oil, for frying

• 1 cup store-bought or homemade marinara sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and add enough vegetable oil to rise 4 inches in the pot.

Combine the rice, Parmesan and 1 egg in a medium bowl and use your hands to thoroughly combine the mixture.

Form each arancini by taking a small portion of the mixture, squeezing it firmly and stuffing one cube of mozzarella inside each ball. Repeat this process to form 8 arancini.

Whisk together the remaining 2 eggs. Dip each arancini in the eggs and then in the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess.

Once the oil reaches 375ºF, add 2 or 3 of the breaded arancini to the pot and fry them until golden brown and cooked throughout.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried arancini from the pot and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately salt the arancini. Repeat the frying process with the remaining arancini.

Serve the arancini warm with a side of warm marinara sauce.

Make sure you really squeeze the arancini together to make them as compact as possible. This will ensure the arancini hold their shape when frying.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbs. plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 

• 2 carrots, finely diced 

• 1 large yellow onion, finely diced 

• 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 

• 1/3 cup diced tomato 

• 1 1/4 cups dried chickpeas, soaked in water overnight, drained and rinsed 

• 6 cups water 

• 2 fresh thyme sprigs 

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil 

• 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths 

• Kosher salt, to taste  

• 1/2 lb. tubetti pasta, cooked until al dente and drained 

• Freshly ground pepper, to taste 

• Shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for serving 

Directions:

In a 3 1/2-quart Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the 3 Tbs. olive oil. Add the carrots and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add the chickpeas, water and thyme sprigs, increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the chickpeas are tender, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs.

Meanwhile, in a small sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the vegetable oil. Add the rosemary and fry, 
stirring occasionally, until crisp, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season lightly with salt.

Strain the chickpea mixture through a colander, reserving the cooking liquid. Place 2 cups of the chickpea mixture in a wide, shallow bowl and mash until almost smooth. Transfer to a large fry pan. Add the remaining chickpea mixture and 1 cup of the cooking liquid and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and the 1/2 cup olive oil and stir until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

Ladle the soup into warmed bowls, and garnish with the fried rosemary and cheese shavings. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.

How to Clean a RefriDgerator

A clean refrigerator can change your kitchen in more ways than one. Aside from looking nice, a clean fridge can rid your home of odors, expired foods, and unsightly clutter. Here’s how to clean a refrigerator the easy way:

1. Mix together equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Keep this food-safe cleaner in the refrigerator (with a label) so it’s on hand to clean up spills.

2. Spray and wipe up spills as they occur.

Aside from the routine cleaning, give your refrigerator a good in-depth cleaning from time to time with our guide to fridge cleaning. Remove drawers and shelves to clean all the hidden surfaces and clean the door gasket. Refrigerators also benefit from an organization makeover to bring order and eliminate clutter.

How to Clean a Dishwasher

Just because a dishwasher's job is to clean, doesn't mean it never needs a cleaning itself. In fact, you should be cleaning your dishwasher just as often as your shower or sink. To keep foul odors from lingering and to protect against grime buildup, check out our easy steps for how to clean a dishwasher.

1. Fill a dishwasher-safe cup with vinegar.

2. Place the cup on the top rack of the empty dishwasher.

3. Run the dishwasher on the hottest, longest cycle. This will sanitize and loosen food and soap scum.

For a heavy-duty dishwasher cleaning, tackle the tops and sides of the door, and remove all the accessories and removable parts and give them a good scrubbing. Use a soft toothbrush to clean the spray arm and remove any debris caught in the sprayers. Finally, tackle any hard water deposits by using the vinegar cleaning method above, but replace the vinegar with lemon juice.

How to Clean a Microwave

Soup, sauce, and grease splatters coat the inside of your microwave on a weekly basis. All that buildup isn't pleasant to look at or cook with. The good news is that knowing how to clean a microwave is a quick study and easier than you may think. With just a bowl of water, you have a chemical-free way to get your appliance looking like new.

1. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and place it in the microwave.

2. Heat, uncovered, until the water starts to boil.

3. The caked-on food should now be loosened, so you can easily wipe the surface clean.

How to Clean Your Kitchen Stove and Oven

Oil splatters, seasoning spills, and just about anything else you cook with will inevitably end up on your stove top. The key to cleaning your stove top is to be quick. Before the food bits cook onto the surface, be sure to scrub it away. (Carefully, so you don’t burn yourself, of course!) After cooking and the stove top is cool, give it a good wipe down with an all-purpose cleaner sprayed on a damp cloth. But even if splatters sit for a day or two, there's still hope. Here's how to clean a stove top and get your glass cooktop back to sparkling.

1. Soak the stain in the strongest cleaner your cooktop can handle and let sit.

2. Using a single-edged scraper, carefully scrape the debris while holding the blade at a 30- to 40-degree angle.

3. Wipe the cooktop clean.

You can't clean your stove top and ignore your oven! If you can see built-up grime or worrisome smoke, it's time to get the cleaning gloves out before it becomes a major problem. The good news is that cleaning an oven is easy to master. Check out our foolproof tips for how to clean an oven using natural ingredients.

1. Heat oven to 225 degrees.

2. Place a pan of water in oven. Let sit at least 15 minutes. Turn off oven.

3. Let water cool and mix with dishwashing soap. Dip a sponge in the mixture and scrub the inside of oven.

Cleaning Stainless-Steel Appliances

Cleaning a stainless-steel surface might sound like an oxymoron (shouldn’t stainless mean spotless?), but if you have stainless-steel appliances, you know it's eventually a must. Water spots, fingerprints, and smudges are so distracting in the kitchen, and they build up fast. Before they drive you bonkers, here's how to clean stainless-steel appliances and wipe away those marks—including dark water stains!

1. For water spots: Bring distilled white vinegar to a boil. Lay a vinegar-soaked towel on the water spot for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with the grain. Wipe clean and dry.

2. For fingerprints: Wipe with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol.

3. For extra shine: Rub surface with a soft cloth and a few drops of lemon oil

How to Clean a Washing Machine

You might not think about cleaning the appliance that cleans your clothes, but guess what? "Clean washing machine" should be on your chore to-do list. Wipe down the exterior of your washing machine on the regular and give the inside an in-depth clean every six months. Before you groan, know that this biannual cleaning can be quite easy: it only takes three steps and the washing machine does much of the heavy lifting.

Pour two cups of vinegar in the machine drum and run the longest cycle on the hottest temperature.

Pour two cups of vinegar in the machine drum and run the longest cycle on the hottest temperature.

1. After the cycle is complete, mix 1/4 cup vinegar with a quart of warm water. Use a sponge and toothbrush dipped in the mixture to wipe down the inside of the machine, the soap dispenser (if yours is removable, take it out and let it soak in the vinegar and water before scrubbing), and the rubber seal, if you have a front loader.

2. Run another cycle (hottest and longest again) without vinegar or detergent.

And we can’t mention washing machines without giving nod to their constant companion: the dryer. Clean out the lint screen or filter before every load and clean the lint trap (the compartment where the screen or filter sits) from time to time. You’ll find specialty dryer brushes at home centers that bend to get into the trap compartment. Beyond these routine tasks, check out this dryer cleaning and care guide for annual cleaning and tips on how to remove stains from inside the drum.

Sea Salt Hand And Body Scrub

If your like me the winter months take a toll on your hands. From washing dishes, cleaning, and just regular everyday tasks, your hands can become dry and need some love.

I have the perfect recipe to fix that! I usually use this on my hands, but you can also use it anywhere you feel you need a little extra TLC.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Coconut Oil or Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Lemon
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
Essential Oils if you desire stronger/different scent
Sealable container to store in

In a bowl (or container you will use for storage) mix together 1/2 cup each oil and sea salt.  

• Add the zest and juice of 1 lemon along with a few springs fresh rosemary. 

• Blend together until well incorporated. Add in a few drops of your favorite essential oils if desired.

• Pour into air tight container and use sparingly as an all over exfoliant and body or facial scrub. 

• Note: Due to the lemon and rosemary being fresh and no chemicals for preservation I recommend making in smaller batches and using within 2-3 weeks for best smell and effect.  

This is a great gift item that can be put into decorative jars or bottles you grab at your local dollar store and decorated with a pretty ribbon and gift tag to make the DIY Lemon Rosemary Salt Scrub a gift everyone on your list will love and beg for more of. 

8 Shades of grey

 One of the best things you can do to give your home an update, would be painting.  Its relatively inexpensive and can make a lasting impression.   What is one of the first things you notice when looking at a home,  the colour palette.  Just like fashion, homes tend to follow trends as well.   The best option is always to pick something that is neutral and gives your home a clean, fresh feeling.  

My favourite "go to" is always Benjamin Moore.  It is an easy to use paint, that cleans up well and lasts well with normal wear and tear.

The new palette seems to be the greys.  Its warm, clean pretty much the perfect colour.   But with any colour comes different shades and this is what can throw off many homeowners looking to repaint.  The most popular grey at the moment "Revere Pewter" by Benjamin Moore.  In fact, I love this colour so much I painted my main floor Revere Petwer!

Above are some of Benjamin Moore's more popular greys.

Ways to Increase your homes value on a budget

There are many different ways you can "spruce" up your home before you  list.   Here is a list of some ways you can without breaking the bank.  

- Spruce up your front yard

- Give your walls a fresh coat of paint

-Purchase new handles for your cabinets

- Re-caulk your sinks and tubs

- Deep clean your home, even hiring professional cleaners for a "Big Clean"

- Purchase new shades for old lamps,  or light fixtures

- Purchase new faucets or fixtures for bathrooms and kitchen

- Update your carpeting

- Declutter and remember less is best!

7 Reasons To List During The Holidays

When people think of the holidays the first thoughts that come to mind are, food, Christmas music, mall congestion, family, days flying by......    The one thing people don't think of are listing their home?

Here are the reasons why you SHOULD list during the holidays.

1.  While there may be less buyers out there, people who look for a home during the holidays are serious... they are ready to buy!

2.  There are fewer homes for buyers to look at during the holidays which means less competition for you... less competition means more money$$!

3.  After the holidays the supply of listings increases substantially which lowers the demand for your home... more competition equals less money!

4.  Your home shows better when decorated for the holidays

5.  Many buyers have more time to look for a property during the holidays (as opposed to a normal work week)

6.  You can still remain in control, you can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown.

7.  You can now sell for more money and not have to physically move until January or February... as opposed to just starting the whole pro

Pros and Cons of  "for sale by owner"

Pros of Listing Your Home "For sale by owner"

1. You save the realtor commission.

The biggest benefit of listing your "home for sale by owner" is the money you save by avoiding the realtor commission. This means that you may be able to make some extra profit on the sale of your home, or may be able to reduce your asking price in the hopes of a quick sale.

But don’t forget the buyer’s agent. You may still need to offer that commission in order to encourage agents to present your home to their clients.

At the end of the day, the money you save on a for "sale by owner" home listing may be less than you first think.

2. You control the sales process.

By going "for sale by owner", you put yourself in charge of almost the entire selling process.

That means you decide on the listing price, and can control when your house is available to be shown and who you show it to. And since you will be the person showing your home, you won’t need to vacate whenever a realtor brings through a prospective buyer.

You are also in charge of negotiating any sale, which means you can look out for your bottom line.

Cons of Listing Your Home "for sale by owner"

1. You control the sales process.

How can being in control be a bad thing?

Let’s start with setting the right price. Do you have the experience and market knowledge to price your house to sell?

Once you’ve decided how much you want, it’s up to you to find potential buyers. After you list your home in the  data base and put up your yard sign, generating interest in your home is entirely in your hands.

2. Advertising can get expensive.

Even after you generate interest, you’ll need to prepare your house for viewing.  Do you know how to stage your home to appeal to potential buyers? Do you know how to decide if it’s worth your time and money to invest in some fresh paint, or new kitchen cupboards?

And that is just the beginning....

3. You need to show your own home.

If you work, being available to show your home during working hours can be a challenge. You may waste a lot of time dealing with unqualified buyers, or curious neighbours.

You also need to feel comfortable welcoming complete strangers into your home, and potential buyers often look with a critical eye. It can be difficult to hear what others think about your house.

4. You need to be an expert negotiator.

You may enjoy the challenge of negotiating directly over price and terms, but if things don’t go smoothly there is no buffer between you and the buyer. Are you able to remain emotionally detached from your home and view the sale as a simple business transaction? 

5. Your mistakes may cost you.

If you decide to pursue "for sale by owner" realty, it’s important to understand the process and the legal details so that you can protect yourself from potential post-sale disputes. Even small mistakes have the potential to wipe out anything you save on realtor commission.

Guide to staging

With the competition on the housing market it is always a good idea to give your home a little sweep through before you list.  The  "less is more" definitely applies here.   New tentative buyers want to imagine themselves in the home and with their belongings, and you want to make the space as large and inviting as possible.  This way you attract as many people as possible.

Here is a streamlined guide on what to do for each room

KITCHEN

• Remove most items on counters, leave some items, not many eg. coffee machine or your "too pretty to use" mixer

• Add a glass bowl with some bright fruit, lemons, green apples something to add a splash of colour

• Stain or paint any dated cabinets if possible

• Replace old kitchen hardware, knobs and fixtures

DINING ROOM

• Remove table leaves to enlarge the area

• Properly set the table with dinnerware

• Hang light coloured curtains, floor to ceiling

• Open blinds to let in neutral light

• Use 100w bulbs to make run appear brighter

LIVING ROOM

• Remove all unnecessary furniture

• Pull furniture if possible away from the wall

• Replace dark curtains, natural light is best!

• Group smaller, like art together

• Remove or tuck away all cords or wires

BEDROOM

• Remove or hide TV or any other entertainment system (think serene space)

• Fresh white textured linens on beds

• Add new throw pills

• Beds should NEVER be pushed into the corner

• Clear out book shelves and built-ins

BATHROOM

• Put away all toiletry items, toothbrushes, shampoo

• Hang new white towels, hang in threes

• Apply new caulking if needed around bathroom

• Put away waste basket

• New bottle of hand soap on counter

• ALWAYS keep toilet seat down

ENTRYWAY

• Clean and paint front door

• Add new and attractive house numbers

• Pack away any shoes and coats not needed, keep it clear

• Add new welcome mat to entryway

DON'T FORGET:

• Pack away family portraits

• Store away old magazines

• Mirrors always a good choice to open up a space

• Clean all windows inside and out

• Don't hide all belongings in corner or closet, they will open them!

Six Things you didn't know as a renter that can save you $$ as a homeowner

Surprise home repairs are the worst! And can come at the worst times.  Luckily there are some repairs that you can avoid with regular maintenance.

1.  Vacuum Dryer Vent Pipe - Lint is a fire hazard.  Clean once a year (yourself, or a professional).  Make sure the vent flap is open when operating

2.  Change Air/ Furnace Filters - Dirty filters raise your energy bill by 5% - 15%.  Change at least every 90 days

3.  Maintain Your Sump Pump - 1 inch of water = approx $7,000. in damages  Check power supply and drainage annually and before a big storm.  Every 3 months;  check for broken or missing parts, Check pipe connections, Clean screen

4.  Clean Your Gutters - Faulty gutters cause water daamage to foundations.  Repairing damage can cost thousands. Remove leaves, debris up to 4 times a year.

5.  Winterize Plumbing - Flooding cleanup from a burst pipe ($5,000 and up!)  Wrap pipes in unheated spaces with foam insulation or heat tape.

6.  Keep A Tidy Yard - Cities can fine for overgrown yards.

Pitfalls of first time homebuyers

Buying your first home is a huge investment and requires a lot of planning.

Some common mistakes fist time home buyers make can cost them time and money.  Below are the most common mistakes 

and misconceptions made by first time home buyers.

LACK OF CREDIT - Check / monitor your credit and fix any problems before you start looking at houses.  You typically require a credit score of 620 to qualify for a mortgage.

NOT KNOWING HOW MUCH THEY CAN AFFORD - Find a home with a monthly down payment you can afford.  Talk with a mortgage broker!  Find out what monthly payment you can qualify for at todays mortgage rates.

LACK OF CASH TO WORK WITH - You will need enough cash put away to cover most if not all of the following:  Down payment, earnest money deposits, inspections and appraisal, closing costs, prepaid interest, typically 2 - 6 months reserve equal to you new home payment, upfront escrows for property taxes and homeowners insurance.

STUCK IN A LEASE AGREEMENT - Negotiate an early exit from the lease,  expect to pay approx. 1.5 months worth of rent plus loss of security deposit to break the lease,  try to avoid finding sub-leasers or paying off the entire lease.

LESS THAN FULL COMMITMENT - Finding a home isn't a "honey to do list" type of weekend project.  On average it takes 12 weeks of searching before finding the right home.  Keep communication active with your Realtor and Lender.

CAN'T FIND A HOME - Find a home that fits your needs, not just your tastes. Make a list of the basic essentials that your home needs to have, if you find that right home, pounce on it!

SMALL DOWN PAYMENT - Determine a down payment that fits your budget.  If you put less than 20% down, you will have private mortgage, insurance, on the loan, which increases your monthly payments.

LENDER COMMUNICATION - Keep your lender in the loop during the entire proces:  especially if you make other large purchases or sudden career changes.

TOO BUSY AT WORK - Find ways to be available during the week for your Lenders and Realtors.  Even if it means spending your lunch break returning phone calls

EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT TO A HOME - Your new home has NO feelings.  Don't get emotionally attached to that kitchen.  Stick to the facts.

NOT GETTING AN INSPECTION-  Home inspections are a NO BRAINER  get one.  Make sure the home you want to buy is in good standing.  Get a true idea of what work needs to be put into the home so you are prepared and do not get in over your head. 

Top Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Agent

Education An Experience - You don't need to know everything about buying and selling real estate if you hire a professional that does.

Agents Are Buffers -  Agents take the spam out of your property showings and visits.   

Neighbourhood Knowledge - Agents either possess intimate knowledge or they know where to find the industry buzz about the neighbourhood.

Price Guidance - Contrary to what some people may believe, agents do not select prices for sellers or buyers. They guide you through the process while showing you comps to make sure your home is priced at the right number, to get the right interest.  Ultimately the client select their own selling price.

Market Conditions Information -  Real Estate agents can disclose market conditions which will govern your selling or buying process.  Many factors determine how you proceed.

Negotiations Skills & Confidentiality  - Top producing agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction.

Answers Questions After Closing -   Many questions can pop up that may have been overlooked  in the excitement of closing.  Good agents are always ready to assist.

7 Things To Ask At An Open House

We have done many an open house and we can always tell which of our open house guests are there because they are actually interested in the house or are what we call "Nosey Neighbours".

One way to definitely tell are the questions they ask.

Here are the MUST questions to ask if you are interested in the home

1.  Can you tell me more about the house?  Pretty simple right?, not always!

2.  What shape is the home in?  When was the roof done?  How old is the furnace?  When did they do any upgrades? These are questions you need to ask, you may need a new roof, or may need to look into changing windows depending on when they were changed.

3.  What is the neighbourhood like?  Even asking about neighbours and the families that will surround you.  Do they have young kids? An older area?

4.  When are the sellers looking to close?  This is an important one, depending if you need to sell your home or arrange financing.

5. How much do the utilities usually run?  This isn't a question we run into a lot but the month to month expenses added to your mortgage can make a difference on how much you are able to spend.

6.  How much traffic can you expect in this area?  Is it a quiet neighbourhood?  School area?

7.  Has there been a lot  of interest in the property?  This question is tricky, many an agent will say that there has been a lot of interest in the property in order to generate your interest.  Just  remember that this will be your home,  it has to be right for you.

The only moving checklist you will ever need

8 Weeks Before The Move

• Keep, Sell, Give, or Trash - Go through your home and decide which things are worth the trouble to move. Which you could potentially sell, which you might want to donate, and which you should throw away.

• Investigate Companies To Help With Your Move - Professional movers, Truck rentals for a DIY move, Maid service to clean after you have moved out.

• Create A Binder - Gather important information and documents regarding your move, such as estimates, moving company estimates, purchase or rental agreements for your new home, an inventory of items that could potentially get lost or damaged during the move.

• Create An Inventory Of Your Home - Focus on the important and/or valuable things to you. You will be using this list t the end of the move to make sure that everything made it safely. It's also a good idea to take pictures of the items that may get damaged to show their condition prior to the move

• Plan What Will Go Where In Your New Home - If you can, acquire a floor plan of your new home. Plot out where you intend to place your furniture. If there is a piece that won't fit , best to figure out now, before you go through the trouble of moving it.

• Organize School Records - If you have children, arrange to have their records transferred to the new school they will be attending.

6 Weeks Before The Move

• Slow Down On Your Grocery Shopping - Start using up the things that you don't want to move, such as perishable and frozen foods, cleaning supplies, paper goods, etc.

• Begin Gathering Boxes And Other Shipping Containers - You can order specialty containers, such as wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes You can also gather boxes from stores that have discarded them or from friends who may have recently moved.

5 Week Before The Move

• Sell What You Can, Where You Can - If you have a significant amount of items that you have decided to sell, organize a garage sale to get rid of them. You can also sell any extra items online

• Donate Anything That Is In Good Condition That You Were Not Able To Sell - Give to friends, or donate to a local charity. Make sure to get receipts for the approximate value of donated items for potential tax deductions later.

• Throw Away Anything That You Will Not Be Moving, Selling, Donating, Or Giving Away - Be aware that there may be a limit on what you can put on the curb each week, so you may need to do this over the course of two or three weeks.

4 Weeks Before The Move

• Select Your Moving Company - Assuming you will be using one, and confirm your appointment. Make sure to get written confirmation of the appointment, costs, and any other details. When getting an estimate (it will be more accurate if you have them actually come to your home) be certain to inform the representative of any additional stops at storage facilities to pick up any additional furniture, moving items into the attic or garage, and whether you have any furniture that may require special care in moving, eg. piano

• Reserve A Rental Truck - If this is a DIY move, make sure you reserve your truck rental

• Start Packing - Start with things you will not be actively using before you move, such as books, specialty kitchen appliances, out of season clothing

• Label Each Box - Label each box as you fill it, indicating which room in your new home it belongs. This will facilitate the move-in process on the other end.

• Separate Valuables - Jewelry, important documents, etc. Keep them in a box that you will transport personally.

• Change Your Address - Post office, banks, credit card companies, doctors offices, insurance providers, lawyers, magazine subscriptions, etc.

3 Weeks Before The Move

• Cancel / Transfer Utilities - Contact your current utilities providers and confirm the days the will each be disconnected. Then set them up at your new home.

• Arrange Childcare - If you have small children, arrange for a babysitter on moving day.

2 Weeks Before The Move

• Schedule Days Off - Arrange to take the day off from work on the day of your move.

• Confirm Your Truck Rental - Re-confirm your truck rental with the movers or your truck rental.

• Dispose Hazardous Materials - Such a gasoline and propane, prior to moving.

1 Week Before The move

• Set Aside Things You Will Need On Your First Night In The New Home - Put together a box or two of things that you will want/need on your first night in the new home. Label it something along the lines of "Pack Last". This way it will be the last thing in the truck, and the first thing out on the other end.

• Double check all of the details - Reconfirm appointmennts with the movers, including times and what you expect to be done. Also IMPORTANT make sure they have your number, incase of delays or complications. If it is a DIY move, remind everyone who has offered to help

• Plan your payment method - If you haven't already arranged payment with a credit card make sure to have cash handy. Don't forget to tip the movers.

• If you will be moving your refrigerator, and or freezer, now is the time to empty, clean and defrost it.

Moving Day

• Do A Final Walk-Though Of Your Old Home - Are all the windows closed and locked? Have you left anything behind? Are the heater and/or air conditioner turned off? Is the water shut off? Have you turned in all the house keys and garage door openers? Have you arranged for all the utilities to be disconnected with their respective providers? Are all doors locked and closed? Is there anything you may have forgotten?

Welcome To Your New Home!

Real Estate Terms Everyone Should Know...

Appraisal - The estimated value of the property.

Certificate of Title - Document that ensures the property is legally owned by the person who claims it.

Closing Costs - All the fees and expenses associated with closing on a home, usually around 6%  of the cost of the home.

Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) - A study of how comparable local homes have sold to help determine a reasonable price for a property.

Contingencies -  Conditions that must be met in order for the offer on a home to proceed.

Due Diligence - Actions that a responsible buyer must address in to  protect the real estate investment.

Debt To Income Ratio - In order to qualify for a loan, your monthly debt cannot exceed 43% of your monthly income.

Earnest Money Deposit - Payment made to the seller with the offer to show serious intention.

Escrow - An account where all closing costs are collected while the lender approves the deal.

FICO Score - Numerical Value assigned to lenders based on their credit history.

Fiduciary Duties - The responsibilities of the broker that the real estate agent works for .

Good Faith Deposit - payment made to the lender with the offer to show serious intention.

Loan To Value Ratio - How the lender determines if the loan is worth the risk associated with it.

Mortgage - Simply put; the home loan.

Pre-qualification - The process to determine if a borrower is qualified for a loan; amount is approximate.

Payment Terms - Principal, interest, taxes PMI, etc.  all the buyer really needs to know is the monthly and cummulative totals.

Looking at Homes?  Online vs. In person

Online:  IT'S HUGE!  Photograghers can use a wide angle lens to make everything look as large as possible

In Person:  Is this a room or a closet??  Buyers are often surprised by how much smaller the home appears in person

Online:  It Looks Like A New Home!  HDR image processing can make a home appear brand new.

In Person:  Strong pet odors, mold, and sewer/septic issues are surprises that you cannot experience online

Online:  It Looks So Peaceful!  Home staging creates a peaceful environment, but those items can distract you from other details

In Person:  Did I Just Hear A TRAIN??  It's smart to hangout in the neighbourhood for a few hours to know the real area experience

Online:  I Have A Good Feeling !  Online listings will rarely show flaws in a property.  It's ALL positive information.

In Person:  Is That A Chicken Farm In The Neighbours Backyard?   Stranger things have happened!

Shopping Tips To Remember:

Don't Get Too Attached. Wait until you visit the property.

Find A Good Realtor. Find one who will point out the pros AND cons on each home you look at.

Try To Be Patient. Impulse decisions in real estate can cost major dollars and have life altering effects.

Choosing the right neighbourhood

One of the most important decisions you will make, aside from finding the perfect house would be finding the right neighourhood.  Depending on your lifestyle you may decide you need a kid friendly area or something more quiet away from everything.

1.  Choose an area before you start your house search...

To save time and stress, narrow down  1 or 2 dream neighbourhoods before you even start looking for a house.

2.  Talk to the Neighbours!

More important than you might realize.  Speaking with residents about the area, asking questions and expressing your concerns is a good way to get a general feel for the neighbourhood you are looking into.

3.  Don't Settle.

Buy the worst house in the best area or the best house in the worst area.  Its all about the neighbourhood, and what you can afford.

4.  Get Schooled.

If you have children make sure you consider the schools!  Check ratings and do your research.

5.  Take A Walk

Walk or drive around the area to see how far the closest shops, schools, and other amenities.

Remember this is going to be where you live!  You want to make sure you spend the time investing in researching the area as much as how much money you can afford to spend.

Things NOT to do when planning to buy a house.

Just because you have been pre-approved and have your future dream home under contract doesn’t mean you can sit back and assume the home is yours. While the hard work of finding the perfect home, and getting your financials in order seems to be over and the waiting process begins there are some things you need to remember:

• Don’t Apply For A New Credit Card!

Remember that when you apply for a new credit card it can be BAD and look poorly on your credit rating.  WAIT.

• Don’t Buy A New Car!

If you would like to live in a new car instead of your dream home, then go ahead a let the car shopping begin.

• Don’t Furnish The Home Before You Own It!

We know you have already picked out that new couch, dining table, or flat screen TV. But avoid buying them until after you close on your home

• Avoid Changing Jobs!

Although job changes can provide better pay or a chance for advancement, it could also delay getting your home.

• Don’t Close Any Credit Accounts!

It makes sense to clear up your finances by cancelling unused credit cards and transferring balances to other cards to get a lower interest rate when your offered them.  Don’t do it.  This can be a bad move for your credit score.

• Don’t Spend Your Savings!

You will be needing cash for a down payment and closing costs.

All the items mentioned above can negatively affect your credit score and can alternatively mean not being able to retain financing for your new home.  It is always better to err on the side of caution.  And if you are unsure it is always a good idea to speak with your financial advisor, that's their job!