It’s the Year of The Water Dragon – the mystical creature that stirs excitement for it’s strength, luck, intensity and vitality.  It’s also a sign of authority.

Not only is it called Chinese New Year, it is also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival and is celebrated by Asian populations worldwide.

It is a 15-day marathon of spending time with the family, of feasting and of giving thanks.  There are different customs but most families will gather on New Year’s Eve to clean the house, feast on dumplings, and set off fireworks to usher in the New Moon.  The homes are cleaned and decorated with blossoming flowers that symbolize new life, and tangerines and candy trays that bring good fortune and happiness in the year to come.

Gung Hay Fat Choy to all!!!  It’s going to be a great festival and if you get a chance, please join in and see what it’s all about.  The Toronto Harbourfront Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Chinese Cultural Centre in Scarborough…there’s so much and a lot of it is free.

After doing some searching, here are some DO’s and DON’Ts:
-DO clean your house before New Year’s Eve to rid of the previous year’s bad luck
-DON’T sweep your house on New Year’s Day (you could be sweeping away good fortune)
- DON’T wash your hair on New Year’s Day
- DO wear reds and yellows (colours of good fortune)
-DON’T curse
- DON’T use scissors or knives on New Year’s Day (this could cut off good fortune)
- DO settle your debts before the new year
- DO eat whole fish (abundance), chicken (prosperity), and dumplings (health and fortune)
- DON’T cut noodles
- DON’T cry on New Year’s Day.

Well, enjoy and have a wonder celebration !!!

Betty Bartusevicius,
Sales Representative
Accredited Senior Agent
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
bettybart.com
FINE HOMES IN 905

You may ask, why we ventured, well because the borders for the school were changed, and then changed back after discussions between parents and the school board. This just proves that parents that get involved with their children(s) education can get things done. I kept on top of this information because it was important to my clients.

Now, back to the main story. After about a week of negotiating, we had a deal. There didn’t seem to be anything “wrong” with the home. It was only 10 years old. There was a condition of Home Inspection in the Agreement of Purchase and Sale. Now, there is a reason for home inspections. As Realtors, we know what a home inspector will see and what he cannot see. (He is not Mike Holmes because if he takes it apart he will not come back with a crew to correct the problem). The inspector was quite thorough. He did find a few deficiencies in the home. (I have yet to have a home inspection to be performed and NO deficiencies found irregardless of how small. This is true of brand new homes, also)

Well, as you know, the buyers were a little nervous about 2 of the ‘problem’ areas. Because of these areas, I realized why this home had not sold for such a long time. The Sellers were not going to fix anything. You take the home for the agreed-to price or they will sell it to the next buyer. My buyers truly liked the home but they felt that they were being pressured by the sellers. After a long discussion with my buyers over a period of 2 days, I began my search for someone to assist me making some of the repairs. Of course, I was going to pick up the tab. The deadline for the conditions was coming up.

Fortunately, the repairs that I was going to ‘help’ with could be estimated from the outside and we did not have to disrupt the lives of the sellers. Two of the contractors came in with very high prices. The best that they could do, but still quite high. Then, on the final day, I had Jason come and take a look. Jason was recommended to me by a colleague of mine. Jason and his father were doing work on another street. Jason, of Green City Windows, was very accommodating and met me very quickly. He provided me with 3 different options for making the repairs AND he gave me a great (and extremely reasonable) price.

We shook hands. I called Mr. Buyer and told him the good news. “I will take care of the 2 issues”. He was very excited and told me to come over and he would sign the Waivers.

As a Realtor, I was happy to provide this service to my buyers. When I know that a home and buyer match, I do my utmost to make the deal come together. I had a few sleepless nights worrying on how to help my buyers, but in the end it proves that my perseverance paid off.

I would like to thank Jason Aguiar for his help in closing the deal. If you would like his telephone number or his email address, feel free to contact me directly at 416 427 1875 or email me at betty@bettybart.com. I will highly recommend his company. I’m sure his services could be used by stagers as well.

This is what I do for my “Clients”. If you have any questions regarding the difference between a ‘client’ and a ‘customer’, I can provide that information to you. If you do not want to sign a Buyer Representation Agreement with me, then you will not benefit from the services I provide.

Let me know how I can help YOU!

Give me, Betty, a call directly at 416 427 1875. Let’s sit down and chat. Find out how I can help you in all your real estate matters.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Office: 950 828 3434
Cell: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com
Fine Homes in Nine Oh Five

LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND
EXPERIENCE IS NOT EXPENSIVE! IT’S PRICELESS!

PERSISTANT IN GETTING THINGS DONE!!! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

I have had clients that have had a poor credit score. With proper guidance from a financial expert, the credit scores have been improved and the final result was the purchase of a home.

Many clients are very concerned about what they don’t understand…CREDIT SCORES! Here are some tips to help improve your clients credit scores:

1. Know your score. The score range in Canada is 300 to 900 – the higher the better – and reflects a person’s credit history over the past six years. Only 5 per cent of Canadians have a score of 850 or better. Checking your score periodically can alert you to mistakes as well as credit fraud.

2. Pay your bills on time. Making a credit card payment even one day late will hurt your score. If you’re paying online, send the payment at least three banking days before it’s due to allow enough time for the transaction to be processed. Setting up a small automatic payment to your card issuer each month will ensure you never forget to pay at least the minimum.

3. Never exceed your credit limit. If you’re close to being maxed out, make sure you pay more than the minimum or the interest due could push you over your limit. Going even $5 over your limit could lead to a costly fee from your credit card company and will hurt your score each month it happens.

4. Don’t apply for store credit cards. Even if you’re just after a one-time discount for signing up, these cards, with interest rates as high as 29 per cent, are viewed negatively by the credit bureau and drag down your score.

5. Spread out your spending. The percentage of available credit you’re using each month affects your score, so it’s better to have two charge cards at 50-per-cent capacity each than one that is maxed out.

6. Prioritize your payments. Important as they are, mortgage payments generally are not reported on Canadian credit reports, so it’s more important to make your credit card, loan and lease payments on time.

7. Beware of closing accounts. Even if you’re in a dispute with a lender, make your payments. A missed payment will show up on your credit report, can really hurt your score and is very hard to fix. When closing an account, get it in writing that it was closed with a zero balance.

8. Don’t close unused credit cards. If you have a low-interest card you don’t use, keep it open and use it periodically. Having a zero-balance credit card actually helps to improve a low score.

9. Don’t apply for too much credit at once. Don’t lease a car, sign up for a new cellphone and apply for a loan all in the same month or two. The credit bureau sees this as a sign of financial trouble. Beware, also, of being preapproved by several lenders before you’re ready to buy. Although you can check your own credit rating without penalty, preapprovals from lenders count against your score.

These are just a few points. If you have any further questions, let me get my team in motion to get you the right answers and on your way to your desired results. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how I can help, feel free to call me directly at 416 427 1875.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com

EXPERIENCE IS NOT EXPENSIVE; IT’S PRICELESS!

Help Me Get to 50 Friends on this Facebook Page; Click and Like me Please

DON’T KEEP ME A SECRET!! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

Quality upscale Mattamy built homes ranging from 3700 to 5000 + square feet are arranged on 50 to 75 foot lots. The Majority are freehold owned Detached properties. The addition of smaller Private Roads and the concept of condominium type detached home ownership has finally arrived and is very attractive to occasional residents.

My web site is a sought after resource for the postings of available Watercolours properties. By accessing Watercolours Updates and signing up for the instantly downloadable report, you can receive up to date information of some of the homes that are available in this elegant community and find the activity that has taken place.

Here is a list of of the activity that has taken place in 2010 in this elegant neighbourhood.

Click here to view Properties of Interest

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Fax: 905-828-2829
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com

Help Me Get to 50 Friends on this Facebook Page; Click and Like me Please

PSST: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING A HOME AND NEEDS MY HELP…FEEL FREE TO PASS ALONG MY NAME AND NUMBER TO THEM! ALL INTRODUCTIONS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

this is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

Some celebrations are a large public affair, as the Toronto City Hall party. Others, get together with dear friends and family in an intimate affair sharing a dinner and possibly a toast to the year that was. Others, go for a skate at a public park and take the chill out of their bones with a hot chocolate.

New Year’s Eve, we say goodbye to an old friend and hello to a new one. This year we say hello to the start of a new decade.

Wishing all the best of health, prosperity, happiness, and contentment in 2011. Those that I have met and have allowed me in their family circle, thank you for a great experience. I also look forward to those that I am about to meet.

I look forward to guiding you towards home ownership.

Happy New Year to All

Betty Bartusevicius,Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
bettybart.com

Do you know of someone who needs my guidance? Pass along my contact information or let me know on whose door I should be knocking.

I concentrate in Mississauga, in particular Lorne Park, Port Credit, Churchill Meadows, Credit Mills, Sheridan Homelands, Sherwood Forrest, Clarkson, Rattray Marsh, Levi Creek, Meadowvale. Oakville is also across the road. The neighbourhoods here are Joshuas Creek, West Oak Trails, Bronte, Iroquois Ridge, Old Oakville, to name but a few.

I believe selling or buying your home can be a satisfying experience and I have the perseverance, negotiating skills and ability to listen, to make that happen. When you allow me to assist you in your real estate endeavours, you will receive the highest level of professionalism and service. No gimmicks, no high pressure sales tactics – just a quick, efficient and profitable experience in purchasing your dream home or in selling your existing house.

I can provide you with access to some of the finest Mississauga and Oakville real estate on the market today. Some of these homes are featured on Betty’s Pic of the Week that is updated on a regular basis. Take a look at the Watercolours update that I provide twice a month with ALL activity in that prestigious neighbourhood. Condo living, waterfront properties and properties of luxury are all there for you to see.

With the resources on my website and the commitment and experience that I provide, the process of finding your dream home becomes more streamlined and straightforward. Let me provide you with a personal touch that has been slowly disappearing. I have improved my technical skills, but I haven’t forgotten about the human touch.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes in 905
905 828 3434
416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
bettybart.com

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving. Take a moment and think of the things that you are thankful for. I am Thankful to all the people who make, and have made, my life special and rewarding. People like YOU!

Up to now, the once-a-year cleaning chores had been carried out in the spring. Through the years, some of us have shifted many of these to the fall. Starting to clean up will ensure you have a cleaner home during the holiday season. We seem to keep the windows open and just traipse about the house during the warm months. Now, we can sparkle things up and get ready for those warm and cozy times in our homes.

Here are some Fall Clean Ups that you might consider:
Clean the carpets
Clean the attic (if you have one)
Clean the light fixtures
Change the batteries in your fire alarms
Clean your window coverings
Clean all your appliances
Clean your gutters

The latest Market Watch is now available. Take a read on line so that you can save a tree. If you would like to chat further about it, give me a call directly at 416 427 1875. Maybe you have a question about the activity on your street or in your specific neighbourhood. How about sharing a coffee with me and just chatting?

As always, I look forward to your calls, questions, and comments.,

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Fax: 905-828-2829
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com

Help Me Get to 150 Friends on this Facebook Page; Click and Like me Please

PSST: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING A HOME AND NEEDS MY HELP…FEEL FREE TO PASS ALONG MY NAME AND NUMBER TO THEM! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

this is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

From John Scholl:

Thought I’d better pass you another Managing your Money column. This has to do with the income tested pension credits and OAS and how to avoid the clawback.

You know on one hand the CRA says we have the right to organize our affairs to minimize our tax payable , but read this quote defending the clawback.

Quote – “anyone in a clawback situation should not generally be concerned but rather be proud of their ability to be self-sufficient”.

What a bunch of hooey. I’m sorry but unlike CPP which is funded by a pool generated by CPP contributions from an employee and employer, the OAS is paid from general tax revenues. In other words, I’ve been paying for other seniors OAS all the years I’ve been working and now they feel justified in not paying out my share. Did you know they want to change the time honoured (ahem) name from OAS CLAWBACK to OAS REPAYMENT ( I guess the visual of a claw raking in your money would get us too riled up)

MANAGING YOUR MONEY

Steer clear of the clawback

The government obviously loves seniors, as they receive benefits from a variety of tax assisted benefits and tax credits not available to others. However, these benefits are income-tested, in that there may be claw-backs on Old Age Security (OAS) payments and the Age Credit. OAS is a monthly benefit available to most Canadians age 65 or older. However, you will be required to repay 15 per cent of the amount by which your net income for tax purposes – including your OAS pension – exceeds $66,733. If your taxable income exceeds $108,152, you will lose your entire OAS benefit to the clawback.

Age Credit is a non-refundable tax credit available to Canadians age 65 or older. For 2010, the maximum amount that can be claimed as an Age Credit is $6,446, but this amount is reduced by 15 per cent of your net taxable income in excess of $32,506and disappears completely once your taxable income reaches $75,479.

Steering clear and keeping more – strategies that work for you

The key to avoiding OAS and Age Credit clawbacks is to keep your taxable income to the absolute minimum required to meet your needs – using strategies like these:

Pension income splitting
You can allocate up to 50% of ‘eligible pension income’ – including payments from a Registered Pension Plan (RPP) at any age and Registered Retirement Income (RRIF) payments at/after age 65 – to your lower earning spouse, which usually reduces your family’s overall tax bill and clawbacks.

Other income-splitting strategies
You can gift or loan assets to your spouse for investment purposes, contribute to a spousal RRSP (if your spouse is under age 71), and/or change who pays for daily living expenses and who invests. Withdraw the minimum for your RRIF. RRIF withdrawals are fully taxable, so consider withdrawing only the minimum each year. If you have a younger spouse, base your withdrawals on their age – this will produce a smaller minimum withdrawal.

Invest in TFSAs
Contributions to Tax-Free Savings Accounts generate tax-free investment income. As well, payments from a TFSA are not taxable, so do not result in clawbacks. Seek non-registered investments that offer preferential tax treatment. Only 50% of the capital gains generated by equity investments are taxable income, which may result in less of your income being subject to clawbacks.

Another strategy to consider is tax-advantaged or switch funds, which allow you to buy and sell investments without paying any taxes on capital gains until you leave the fund structure. This allows you to defer tax payments to a year when your income is lower.

With the right strategies you can pay less tax, avoid clawbacks and preserve your wealth. But talk them over with your professional advisor to be sure you are following all of the often difficult tax rules and doing what’s best for you.

Regards
John Scholl, CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter),CGA, B. Mathematics, Financial Consultant – Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

Feel free to contact John Scholl for further sound information. Call me at 416 427 1875 to get the telephone number and allow me to direct you to John.

Thank you John, for a great article.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
bettybart.com

For more pictures of this lovely home click here.

Also inclluded are the fridge, cooktop, dishwasher, built-in oven, built-in microwave, 2 central air conditioners, 2 furnaces, central vacuum & attachments, 2 garage door openers and remotes, electric light fixtures, security system, sprinklers, night lighting, inrgound pool and hot tub, cabana with 2piece.

If not this home, perhaps I can show you something else? If you would like to know the market evaluation of your home, click here, fill in the short form and I will call you. How easy is that?

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com

Help Me Get to 150 Friends on this Facebook Page; Click and Like me Please

PSST: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING A HOME AND NEEDS MY HELP…FEEL FREE TO PASS ALONG MY NAME AND NUMBER TO THEM! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED
this is not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

Enjoy the article. If you have any questions after you have read it, feel free to contact me at 416 427 1875 or Kristian at 416 818-1645.

Interest Rates Go Up

…even with .25% increase the variable is still attractive at 2.35%…
Carney hikes rates, cites uncertainty.

Bank of Canada governor leaves room to pause at next meeting following three straight increases in benchmark

Jeremy Torobin

Ottawa — Globe and Mail Update Published on Wednesday, Sep. 08, 2010 9:03AM EDT Last updated on Wednesday, Sep. 08, 2010 9:24AM EDT

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney raised his benchmark interest rate for the third straight time Wednesday, but left himself room to pause at his next scheduled decision by saying that while borrowing conditions in Canada remain “exceptionally stimulative,” the overall economic climate is fraught with “unusual uncertainty.”
In the statements on his decision to lift the overnight rate by another quarter of a percentage point to 1 per cent, Mr. Carney reiterated – arguably more strongly than in the past – that future moves will depend on developments around the world and, in turn, how they are affecting Canada’s export-heavy economy.

“Any further reduction in monetary stimulus would need to be carefully considered in light of the unusual uncertainty surrounding the outlook,” the central bank said, tweaking language in the all-important last line of the statement that accompanied its previous two rate hikes, which referred to “considerable” uncertainty.

Unlike the previous two statements, on June 1 and July 20, Wednesday’s decision included no mention of debt problems or belt-tightening in Europe. However, Mr. Carney left little doubt that the sputtering U.S. recovery is now the No. 1 risk to the global and Canadian recoveries, saying in the second paragraph of his statement that the rebound in private demand south of the border is being crimped by stubbornly high joblessness and that “recent indicators suggest a more a more muted recovery in the near term.’’

As a result, the central bank said, the global bounce-back from the worst downturn since the Depression is “proceeding but remains uneven, balancing strong activity in emerging market economies’’ (such as China and India, though the central bank didn’t name them) against “weak growth in some advanced economies.’’ At the same time, the central bank appeared to downplay the effect that the global turmoil is having on Canada, calling the country’s 2-per-cent annual growth rate in the second quarter “slightly softer’’ than what policy makers had expected, even though their latest forecast in July was for a 3-per-cent pace.

The Canadian recovery will be “slightly more gradual’’ than the central bank expected in July, but consumer spending and investment have “evolved largely as anticipated,’’ it said, reflecting the fact Mr. Carney’s forecasts have warned of a slowdown for several months because of factors such as the fading impact of government stimulus and the cooler real-estate market.

In the future, consumption growth will “remain solid’’ and business investment — which has a surprisingly strong pickup in the second quarter, Statistics Canada data last week showed — will “rise strongly,’’ the central bank said. For now, as the U.S. recovery proceeds in fits and starts, investor demand for safer investments such as bonds is pushing borrowing costs down and helping consumers and companies, the bank noted.

“Financial conditions in Canada have tightened modestly but remain exceptionally stimulative,’’ the central bank said.

In its July 22 forecast, Mr. Carney said inflation will stay near the central bank’s 2-per-cent target throughout the projection period, and the economy will return to full capacity at the end of 2011. On Wednesday, Mr. Carney said inflation — which has been tame in recent months — has been in line with his expectations and the dynamics surrounding prices in Canada “are essentially unchanged.’’ All of that suggests Mr. Carney and his deputies are still rather uncomfortable with an overnight lending rate so far away from what most economists consider “neutral,’’ or about 3.5 per cent to 4 per cent.

Still, the continuing emphasis on risks from abroad and on the uncertain nature of the global recovery indicate policy makers are trying to signal to remind investors that the central bank reserves the right to pause at its next decision, on Oct. 19, to spend more time assessing how the situation in Canada and abroad is unfolding. Mr. Carney would explain such a move in a new forecast the following day.

Central bankers in Japan and Australia this week indicated that fears about the durability of the U.S. rebound are weighing heavily even on the minds of policy makers whose countries aren’t quite as dependent on the world’s biggest economy. The Reserve Bank of Australia kept a pause in place on Tuesday, despite having the biggest spike in economic growth in the country since 2007, and the Bank of Japan highlighted “uncertainty’’ about the U.S. in saying that it is prepared to add more stimulus if needed.

As you can see by this article, there still may be another rise in interest rates again. Rumors abound that it will be in December. So, if you are ready to invest in a home, maybe it’s time to sit down and see if it’s a possibility. I’m here to help.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Fine Homes In Nine Oh Five
Office: 905-828-3434
Direct: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com

Help Me Get to 150 Friends on this Facebook Page; Click and Like me Please
PSST: IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING A HOME AND NEEDS MY HELP…FEEL FREE TO PASS ALONG MY NAME AND NUMBER TO THEM! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED