If you have been waiting to buy your new Halifax home, wait no longer! On Monday January 17, 2011, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced some changes to mortgage rules in Canada that will become effective in March and April, respectively. The maximum amortization period is now 30 years (down from 35 years) for government-backed insured mortgages, when the down payment is less than 20 percent. This new amortization limit will come into force on March 18, 2011. The maximum amount that can be borrowed when refinancing a mortgage is now 85 percent of the value of the home, down from 90 percent. This new refinance limit will come into force on March 18, 2011. The government will no longer provide insurance backing for home equity lines of credit. Government backing for home equity lines of... 01/18/2011

Life in the military is challanging and demanding on family life as couples are forced to spend many nights apart. Today both Dads and Mums can be away from the kids for extended periods of time. I joined the military when i was 19 years old. I had been with my girl friend Peggy two years. We were apart a lot. All through my basic training and then my trades training as an armed forces photographer. Often while on base in my bunk my thoughts would turn to Peg and long for her company. Memories of those times inspired me to write this poem. I dedicate it to all those in the military apart from loved ones tonight and God Bless you all for the sacrifices you make every day for our freedom. Good Night My Love To lovers apartGood Night My LoveGood night my love, I think of theeAs I dream my ... 01/17/2011

Refinancing and Debt Consolidation Refinancing and consolidating debt can be one of the smartest financial moves you can make for a number of reasons. Managing cash flow is the single most important aspect in relation to protecting your personal credit. I see many couples with substantial equity in their home fall behind on credit card payments. Refinancing at this point may be impossible due to a bad credit report. Debt consolidation the best solution is no longer an option. Proper cash flow management should include adjusting quickly to any anticipated change in cash flow requirements before your credit is affected and your ability to borrow restricted or possibly eliminated. Let us assume you have $10,000 in credit card debt at 18%. That is costing you $1800 per year in interest char... 01/17/2011

Picture this, Roy Thomas has just found you your new Halifax home. It's exciting being a first-time homeowner and your head is spinning with moving, furniture placement and decorating ideas to make this home your own. The last things you're probably thinking about are when to get the septic tank pumped out or where the main water valve is located. Over time you will learn all about your new house and how to maintain it. You may want to undertake some renovation projects to make it more energy-efficient or suitable for your needs. But in the short-term, here are some basic maintenance jobs that every homeowner should know about. Meters and Panels First, familiarize yourself with where the water, gas and hydro meters are located. Usually in newer Halifax homes they can be found outside an... 01/17/2011

If you are like many homeowners, you may have not thought of remodeling until you decided to sell your Halifax home. Many potential buyers will be looking for a "move-in ready" home. This is simply one where they won't have to do any immediate work. There are simple and inexpensive projects that won't take a lot of time but will be sure to sell your property quickly and with the best price. Unbiased Assessment This is your house. It's natural that you have become numb to some simple aspects like paint, overgrown shrubs or even a dirty exterior. Enlist some good friends to critique your home inside and out. Make a list of these things and use it to your benefit to increase your home appeal. Curb Appeal The simple act of cleaning up a property will go a long way to elevate the curb appeal... 01/14/2011

So you have decided to buy a Halifax home as a rental property. Great! The easy work begins, having Roy Thomas find you that perfect property. Once you've purchased your new Halifax property, the real work begins - finding a reliable long-term tenant. The plan seems simple enough: rent out your property to someone else so they can pay the mortgage on it, and, in a few years, you'll own it free and clear. But there's a challenge: finding someone trustworthy who will pay the rent on time and who won't compromise the property's value through neglect or outright wanton negligence. Before you begin, be sure to establish your guidelines from the start. It's up to you to decide what kinds of risks and potential headaches you are willing to take on. Create a list of conditions for your ideal te... 01/10/2011

If you are looking for a small remodel before putting your Halifax home on the market, look to your guest bath. It may be the smallest room in your house but one that potential buyers will look to when deciding to purchase your home. A successful bathroom remodel is a sure bet to provide a good return on your investment. One of the quickest ways to give your bathroom a clean and updated look is to replace the vanity. Usually, it is the room's focal point so it's important to make it your first decision when deciding on purchases for your bathroom. The task at hand may seem simple in theory but bathroom vanities are available in such a large variety of sizes, styles, and materials, the array can quickly make the task daunting. You want to choose the vanity that fits your style, your budg... 01/07/2011

When you decide to update your Halifax home by replacing your kitchen countertops, usually the first task at hand is deciding on materials. A good kitchen countertop needs to be tough, very tough, to handle the rigors it will be put through every day in the average busy family kitchen. One material that is very green, very durable, and increases your resale value may be the last material that comes to mind: recycled glass - a very eco friendly choice. Most of the mainstream countertop options are made from stone or synthetic materials; they are also petroleum based. Petroleum is hardly an eco-friendly thing in any shape of form. Granite uses extraordinary quarrying practices and masses of energy to move the heavy material from one place to another; it's also a less than sustainable buil... 01/03/2011

Hooray! So you have completed the first half of your home staging project and are now ready for the rest to make your Halifax home stand out above your competition. Don't lose steam now, the end is in sight and you will be on your way to having Roy Thomas sell your home soon. Here are the remaining home staging trade secrets: Hire a Handyman Dripping faucets, cracked tiles and moldy caulking around the bathtub can knock thousands of dollars off the price of your home. Just because you may think it's a little fix, don't leave it up to the buyers to repair. Fixing small repairs can put more money in your pocket at selling time. Freshen Up the Walls Your single best investment may be a fresh coat of paint in key areas of your home. Painting the front door and main living areas of your Hali... 12/31/2010

Let's face it. Potential buyers are picky - and rightfully so. After all, buying a home is a huge investment! That's why it's important when selling your Halifax home to use staging to help your home stand out above the competition. You can use a professional stager or do most of it yourself. Look at your budget to decide which you prefer. Home staging involves making a house clean and clutter-free so people can connect with the home. Done right, it helps your place sell faster and for more money. Home stagers perform their magic by playing up the best features of your house and minimizing the worst. They rearrange artwork on the walls, pack up your prized bowling trophies and clear out your son's high chair. Most stagers charge about $100 for an initial consultation; you then have the ... 12/27/2010

Selling your Halifax home takes time and care to get ready. The simple plan is to get your home cleaned up, emphasize its charm, and show off all those great assets. When it comes to getting your home noticed, you'll want to pay close attention. By just doing these simple things before a showing, you will make potential buyers feel more at ease and relaxed when viewing your home. Change with the Seasons When you go out in the retail marketplace, one thing you notice is that the décor changes to match the time of year. The goal is to create a mood, to make consumers want to buy more. Psychological and emotional advertising influences buyers all the time in the retail market; so use it in your home as well. When Roy Thomas lists your home this winter, make sure to have your décor match th... 12/24/2010

For most Canadians, outdoor lighting usually means a welcoming porch light or the security of a floodlit driveway. When selling your Halifax home, one way to make it stand out above your competition is by adding some simple outdoor lighting. You may want to consider illuminating your yard, balconies, patios and gardens - those outdoor "rooms" that everyone sees. Not within your budget? Today, energy-efficient lighting products such as automated controls, sensors and a wide range of fluorescent bulbs and spotlights, not only make it economically beneficial but environmentally sound. The great news you can pass onto those potential buyers is that the lighting has been updated with outdoor lighting retrofits, reducing the annual costs almost in half. By allocating your budget for new outdo... 12/20/2010

You may be selling your Halifax home through the holidays and wondering whether you can still decorate or whether to get a real Christmas tree or an artificial one. As long as your decorating enhances the home and does not clutter so much as to impede the buyer from seeing all the great aspects of your home, go for it! As far as a real or artificial tree, keep in mind some Christmas tree basics when deciding and purchasing. Real vs. FakeThe first thing you need to decide is whether you want a real tree or an artificial one. Today's artificial trees look and feel very realistic and are convenient to unpack, set up, and repack each year. However, real trees smell great helping give that holiday ambiance to potential buyers. Unfortunately there is more upkeep with a real Christmas tree wit... 12/17/2010

You are selling your Halifax home over the holidays and can feel the stress upon you. To combat the stress, you may be tempted to take it off the market during the holidays but most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. You may be surprised to learn that the holidays are actually a wonderful selling period. Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are usually very motivated to buy. Remember, they are putting their holiday activities on hold to look at many homes each day. Their schedules are just as busy and they wouldn't be looking at homes unless they were serious to buy before the end of the year. Many Halifax buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after ... 12/15/2010

Buying your Halifax home can be an exciting time and certainly one of the most important decisions you will ever make. You've researched your budget, neighbourhoods, "want" list and are ready to get financing. However, when it comes to mortgage rates, no amount of research or advice can trump your individual threshold for risk. Basically, there are three flavours of mortgage loans: fixed, variable and a combination or hybrid mortgage. You must now decide which mortgage is best for you and your lifestyle. Understanding the different types may help you make the decision more easily. Variable-Rate Mortgages Variable-rate mortgages are linked to your financial institution's prime rate, which is based in turn on its cost of borrowing as set by the Bank of Canada. The central bank makes its d... 12/12/2010

Before Roy Thomas puts your Halifax home on the market, be sure to utilize every small quirky room or space that you have been leaving as just left-over space. Unusual interior spaces such as enclosed porches, sunrooms, dormers, and even room under the staircase, add to the unique charm of your home. They are also perfect places for innovative design. You may be using these spaces as an "everything" room which includes an office, craft room, and mass storage all mixed together. Instead, define a focused usage for buyers, such as an office. Buyers will appreciate the added space and the fact that it's already defined and finished for them. Build it, don't buy it. If space is at a premium, I prefer everything to be built-in. If you designate space for everything you want to store, it will... 12/06/2010

How can you tell when it's time to buy your Halifax home? Everyone has an opinion on whether it's better to rent or buy their own home. Only you, however, can decide if you are ready for the responsibility of homeownership. Looking at the advantages and disadvantages to both renting and buying can go a long way in helping you decide which is the best option for you. Renting Advantages Price: Renting can be cheaper than buying. No long term commitment: Although some landlords are looking for a year lease, this can be negotiable down to a month-to-month contract. Virtually maintenance free: If anything goes wrong, other than what you or your guests have caused, all you have to do is call the landlord to get it repaired. Easy to leave: Selling isn't something you have to deal with. If you ... 12/03/2010

Rain gardens are a great way to add the green factor to your Halifax home. They are attractive, easy and relatively inexpensive to design and build, and will be one of the first things potential buyers will notice as they pull up to view your home.  Basically, rain gardens are planted or stone covered beds specifically designed to receive storm water and allow it to be absorbed into the soil.  They effectively reduce storm water runoff from your roof, driveway, and all other hard surfaces in your yard. This will ease strain on the municipal sewer systems and prevent harmful pollution from entering lakes and streams. When building a Halifax rain garden, there are two main points to consider: the water must drain into the soil and not stand in the bed for more than two days; and the garde... 11/30/2010

When looking to sell your Halifax home in today's market the best edge to get your home noticed above others is to highlight its green factors. Of course, staging is an important element as is adding cost effective updates, but making your home green will leave a positive impression on buyers. What makes a property green isn't just having greater insulation and lower energy bills. It also includes water usage, how the home itself makes use of rain water, the kinds of vegetation in and around the property, the construction materials and methods used on the property, alternative sustainable energy resources and more. Things you can do before putting your home on the market can include simply upgrading appliances, and installing efficient toilets, shower heads and a new efficient furnace. ... 11/24/2010

For most Canadians, a home is much more than a financial investment - it's a lifestyle choice. If you are ready to buy a Halifax home but don't know if you can afford it, here are some goals to achieve before buying your new home.  Determine your Net Worth Count up your total assets, and then subtract your liabilities. If you are going to buy a home with your spouse or partner, it's important to include their finances as well. This will allow you to see what your budget will be for a Halifax home. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) has a calculator that can help.  Generally, your monthly housing costs should not exceed 32% of your gross monthly income. These expenses include mortgage payments, taxes and utilities. Do not forget to include maintenance fees if you own a condo. Next,... 11/20/2010