We want to Bring on Spring!

Spring 2014
Bring on
Spring

Enough already! Were ready to say goodbye to one of the nastiest winters we can
remember, and say hello to Spring. Even though, on February 2nd, Wiarton Willie saw his shadow, we are optimistically hitching our wagon to Nova Scotias Shubenacadie Sam, who apparently saw his shadow and is signaling an early spring. With that in mind, weve decided to look forward with thoughts of a new season and all the promise that comes with it! This past winter didnt see large numbers of properties being bought or sold, as many potential buyers and sellers hunkered down and waited for better times and weather. But now both are just around the corner, and we cant think of anyone better able to help market your house, or help you find your new dream home than us. At the end of 2013, Keller Williams Canada released some statistics for the year-todate production figures for their agents across the country. In the category Team with two producing associates the Chris and Lisa team ranked in the top 25 for all of Canada. Let us show you that winning method and give us a call today.

Old Town
Kemptville News

Energy
Efficient Windows

Chris and Lisa

Coupon

Old Town Kemptville News

The bridge on Cty Rd 44 at Bedell
doors Jan. 25th at 31 Clothier St., E. The Branch Restaurant, at 15 Clothier St. E., has completed its renovations and reopened with a new layout.
Page Every Fri. from 6-8 p.m. at 13 Clothier

Mortgage
Tips

Hill is to reopen in February and that means easier access to Old Town Kemptville. If you havent been downtown in a while, come see whats going on. Theres a new, fresh-fish market The Captains Sea Selections at 209 Sanders. On Sat. evenings The Captain hosts recipe exchanges where customers ask questions, and swap cooking tips and recipes. The Fabric Shoppes new owners Brian and Sylvie Sime opened their

Taffy on
Snow

Contact Us

St., the Kemptville Business Incubator and Investment Centre hosts a free and open event called TGIF Ultimate Biz chats insights into improving any business. Grenville Community Connections, at 113 Prescott Street are to hold their Family Day Grand Opening on Feb. 17th.

Energy Efficient Windows

Single pane double pane
thermo pane triple pane windows, plain glass leaded glass low "e" glass wired glass and tempered glass! There's a lot to compare and understand! Some children have been known to shatter a window or two. Tempered glass can prevent this. Fogged thermal pane windows might need to be replaced if their seals are broken. New argon gas-filled windows work well to insulate, while low-e coatings reduce the heat transfer for south facing rooms. There is a lot of information available on the web, but this site http://www.efficient windows.org seems to be one of the best ones out there. We will be happy to show you the different types of windows and glass as we show you around homes, so
be sure to ask us.

----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------

-----------------

5% Rona Discount
Spring is traditionally a time to paint or "spruce-up" your home. Please use the coupon below to stretch your
reno-dollars a bit further; courtesy of the Chris and Lisa team.

Page 2

Mortgage Tips* Your home may be the biggest investment

youll ever make. That means you want to be smart with your mortgage. Although we cant say for sure what mortgage rates will do or how the housing market will shift we have compiled our top tips for the year ahead; sensible strategies for todays homebuyers and owners. Variables are back. Several lenders are offering strong prime minus rates that could save you thousands in interest. And the Bank of Canada is still holding their key overnight rate very steady and very low making variable-rate mortgages a sensible option. Speak to a mortgage professional to decide if a change might better meet your needs. Dont sleepwalk through your mortgage renewal. When your lender sends you a letter saying its time to renew then its time to get an expert second opinion. It could save you thousands. Pay your phone bill on time! Paying your bills on time has always been the most important credit habit. Equifax recently started to include phone companies on credit bureau reports. Look like a good borrower to qualify for a better rate. Keep other good credit habits. Dont let your credit accounts exceed 30 per cent of your limit. Dont cancel an old credit card without getting advice. And dont sign up for store cards: they often have crazy interest rates, and the application triggers a credit inquiry. Mortgage versus total debt. Do you have high-interest debt outside your mortgage that you wont be able to pay off in the next few months? Then think about rolling that debt into a new low-rate mortgage. This one, smart strategy could save you thousands and boost your monthly cash flow.
Page 3

Mortgage Tips Contd

Whats the prepayment penalty? Dont let anyone tell you prepayment penalties are all the same. Theyre not. If you ever need to get out of your mortgage early, the right mortgage could save you thousands. Not all lenders calculate penalties the same way, and the differences can be substantial. If one of you wants to keep the marital home. If you are going through a separation or divorce and one of you wants to keep the marital home, weve got some great mortgage options, including a mortgage to 95 per cent. Your home can be the asset that gives you both a fresh start! A paydown will pay it forward. Take every opportunity to beat down your mortgage principal using any prepayment privileges! Use tax refunds, bonuses, whatever. Or switch to weekly or bi-weekly payments. Every dollar you pay down on principal means every future payment goes further. Thinking renovation? We see what you see. Your reno will add value to your home. Thats why we have a special Refinance Plus Improvements mortgage that lets you refinance up to 80 per cent of the new, post-reno value of your home. Cool deal. Come in for a checkup. Your mortgage needs an annual checkup. Really. Life doesnt stand still, which means your needs may have changed. Even a minor tweak can pay big dividends. *Source: Top 10 Mortgage Tips from Invis News

Taffy on Snow
Nothing says Spring like maple syrup and taffy on snow. Taffy pops are fun and easy to make in your own
home. These simple steps, brought to you by Canadian Living, show you how!

Youll Need
A small pot from the kitchen A candy thermometer A baking sheet About 12 popsicle sticks 2 cups of real maple syrup Clean, untouched snow. Make sure your snow is clean because you're going to eat it!

Directions
Scoop the snow onto the baking sheet and pack it down. In your small pot, boil the maple syrup to "soft ball" stage (235F) on your candy thermometer. Be very careful. This hot liquid sticks and burns - it's EXTREMELY HOT! If your pot doesnt have a pouring spout, carefully transfer the hot syrup into a Pyrex measuring cup. Pour the hot syrup in lines onto the snow. Wait 30 seconds then roll your popsicle stick over the taffy to create a hardened candy pop. Eat it right away - they won't last!!

The Homefront is brought to you free by: The Chris and Lisa Team
Keller Williams Solid Rock Realty, P.O. Box 1706, 148 Prescott Street, Kemptville, ON, K0G 1J0 613-258-6299 E-mail: info@TheChrisandLisaTeam.com

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to tell us what you think about this newsletter, or if you're thinking of buying or selling real estate, please call or email us, or drop into our office in Old Town Kemptville.

This newsletter and information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter. This newsletter is not intended to solicit properties currently for sale.

Page 4