Many homeowners dream of having a yard of their own. There are many benefits to having and maintaining a yard with your house, that are both private and public. Although a yard can be aesthetically pleasing, they also come with a few other upsides that often get glossed over or forgotten:

If You Have Kids

The first, and most obvious, is play. If you have kids, yards are a great way to let them play outside safely. Rather than having to pack and unpack for a trip to the park, you can leave your kids outside in the yard with their own toys and under your supervision.

Similarly, if you have a dog, taking him or her for a walk can be awkward depending on your schedule, but a yard could cut down on walktime without cutting down on playtime. They can also be educational, teaching children about the seasons and about growing vegetables and other edibles. Gardens provide people an important opportunity to maintain their cultural heritage through growing plants that are important in their culture’s food or rituals.

Going “Green”

Several psychological studies have found that exposure to green plants has a positive effect on stress levels, especially in urban areas. They allow the mind to rest, something we rarely get to do today. In the American Journal of Community Psychology, researchers Brogan and James write that plants contribute substantially to psychosocial health.

The second is both aesthetic and financial. Depending on what you plant in your yard, it could affect the value of your home. For example, planting a tree could have a massively positive effect on your home across the board. In a study carried out by Indiana’s Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, a healthy 15 ¾-foot-wide silver maple could add two and a half thousand dollars to the value of your house.

According to a 2010 Forest Service study in Portland, trees added an average of nearly nine thousand dollars to a sale price, and reduced the time on the market by two days. They also remove dirt, smoke and other pollutants from the air, improving air quality so you can enjoy your garden.

Trees will also cut down on heat retention, enhance night-time cool downs and improve water conservation, allowing you to reduce your water bill and keep your garden beautiful. They also disperse water vapour through transpiration, lowering heat and supporting plants.

Want a Yard or Garden? Think About Moving to Alliston, Ontario

Simply pick up the phone and call the experts at Previn Court Homes.

Scheduling an appointment is the best way to get all of your questions about the real estate market answered. It’s the first step to purchasing the home of your dreams. Why not get started today?

For many years, condos were offered as the ideal home. With advertising all over the city, it’s easy to see why many people agreed, but times are changing. People are beginning to see the numerous issues faced by those who live in condos.

Size

Condos are small. For a single, they may have a decent amount of space, but for a family, there is rarely, if ever, enough space. In 2013, the average size for new condo units was about 739 square feet, 1.6% lower than 2012’s average. For comparison, the average size of a new unit in 2010 was 797 square feet and in 2009 it was 816 square feet. A decade ago, the average size was 1,006 square feet. Condo’s are steadily getting smaller, as developers continue trying to cram as many people as possible into as small of an area as possible.

Privacy

As the condos continue to shrink, privacy is one of the first things you’ll lose. Everyone has a horror story about a nightmare neighbour who plays music too loud, or has dogs, or is just messy. But you shouldn’t have to live like that. If a neighbour chooses to let their property fall into disrepair or impact on your private space , that’s their own decision, but if it is negatively impacting on your home and privacy, then it’s no longer a matter between a  lessor and a tenant, but between you and them. Condo living exacerbates this.

Amenities

Many condos are advertised as coming with gyms, pools and other amenities, and costs are usually included in rent. The downside is, if you do not or cannot use these amenities, you are still paying for them, and you cannot avoid these payments. As a result, your rent could be artificially inflated by something you are not in control of and may not even want.

Garden

Gardens can be beautiful, and many homeowners dream of having their own garden. This can be quite difficult to do in a condo. Sure, you can scatter a few plants around your condo to add some life and colour to proceedings, or have window boxes installed, but this is limited. Even if your condo does come with a garden or a green area, it is controlled by your lessor. You have no say in how it looks.

Control

Most condos in a building are cookie cutters, they look the same regardless of floor or number. Although you can change the furniture or the interior, you can’t change it too much. When you enter and when you leave, the condo itself will remain the same. You cannot install a new living area, or make any changes you would prefer. By owning your own house, you can do whatever you want with it.

Want a Yard or Garden? Think About Moving to Alliston, Ontario

Simply pick up the phone and call the experts at Previn Court Homes.

Scheduling an appointment is the best way to get all of your questions about the real estate market answered. It’s the first step to purchasing the home of your dreams. Why not get started today?

Property taxation is a major source of funding for the municipality, school boards and county, which require the funding to support their programs and deliver their services to the public. Depending on what kind of property you hold and what amenities it has, you could be paying substantially more or less than your neighbours.

If you are living in Toronto, unfortunately you are probably paying much more than you would be elsewhere. A multi-residential home in Toronto costs 1.7265482% in taxes. The same building in New Tecumseth costs 1.495112% in taxes. Now factor in a much smaller cost of land.

It goes on. If you’re a business owner, you pay 2.7665397% if you have a general commercial building. In New Tecumseth, you pay between 2.248089% (occupied) and 1.573663% (vacant) in taxes.  If you have industrial properties, you pay a flat 2.8273363% in taxes, but in New Tecumseth, it’s between 2.830112%(occupied) and 1.839572% (vacant).

A fraction of a percentage could equal the loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Flexible Payment Options

Right now, New Tecumseth allows you to pay property taxes in the following manner:

• In person at the Administration Centre, 10 Wellington Street East, Alliston; by cash, cheque or by INTERAC.
• Mailed to 10 Wellington Street East, Alliston, Ontario L9R 1A1 (cheques only)
• After hours payments may be deposited by cheque only through the slot on the south door of the Administrative Centre at 10 Wellington Street East, Alliston, Joint Operations Centre, 6558 8th Line, Beeton and at the Tottenham Community & Fitness Centre, 139 Queen Street North, Tottenham.
• Through telephone/internet banking, ABM’s (automated bank machines) and at the counter of most financial institutions, as long as the micro-encoded tax stub accompanies the payment.
• Payment through the internet.

Property Tax, with No Real Property

As well as having to pay a higher rate of taxes, your home will also be limited. If you’re living in Toronto, odds are good you don’t have your own backyard or place to entertain guests outside. In the depths of summer, it’s patio and barbeque weather, and a yard (either front or back) is ideal for having friends over. In winter, it’s ice rink and snowball weather, and having a yard gives you and your family the opportunity to do it yourself and avoid the lines.

Additionally, paying less taxes obviously will reduce costs, freeing up your finances for other things, like further improving your house or taking vacations.

Interested in Buying Property in Alliston?

Buying a home is one of the most important investments you’ll ever make in your life, which will impact how comfortable your family is both in the house and financially in the future.

At Previn Court Homes, we know this decision is an important one, and we strive to create beautiful homes that will provide long term value.  Since our inception over 35 years ago, we have constructed in excess of 1500 homes in Canada, and in the process made the dreams of 1500 families come true. Take a tour of our incredible models, or contact us today for more to let us know your needs in terms of bathrooms, bedrooms and budget.

Every year, so many people are drawn to the lights, the sounds, the people of downtown Toronto. As the song says “Things will be great when you’re downtown!” Unfortunately, many people are getting a sharp wake-up call due to sudden and unexpected rent hikes and a high cost of living.

Downtown condo realtor Andrew la Fleur estimates condo rents in the core have jumped 10 to 15 per cent just in the last year. Although an estimated 32,000 new condo units have been built in the Toronto over the last five years, construction hasn’t been enough to keep up with demand. Tighter mortgage lending rules and high house prices have forced many would-be buyers to rent longer, which is leading to a shortage of strong rental properties.

Escape Toronto Traffic

There are also the other issues of city life, from nightmarish traffic to the risk of crime to pollution. Traffic jams are an increasingly large problem, and the TTC is struggling to meet the demands of the citizens. If you own a car, you have to pay extra for parking, on top of paying your already high rent. For too many, this is too much and they are forced to make very tough decisions. Many choose to stay, struggling with debt, but others opt-out, giving up on downtown living in favour of something less stressful.

Consider Alliston in Simcoe

So, is it time to move out and up? The town of Alliston in Simcoe county is just ninety minutes away from Toronto, and enjoys beautiful scenery, affordable property prices and lower property taxes, making it an ideal candidate for those working in Toronto who are looking for something stable and secure. There are two public elementary schools, two Catholic elementary schools and one high school, with two parks, several pools and numerous residential areas, so young families can rest assured that they will be well taken care of throughout the year.

Commonly called the “potato capital of Ontario,” Alliston can boast of thousands of acres of farmland and is now the home of Honda Canada manufacturing, with three major factories, and numerous other businesses are proud to call Alliston home. In the 2011 census, the town grew by 23%, more than 4 times the average in the county of Simcoe. Many of them commute to and from Toronto, to avoid the costs and stresses of everyday life there.

With Alliston, it’s possible to have your cake and eat it, working in downtown Toronto while living affordably with much more freedom than city life offers.

Are You Interested in Buying a Home in Alliston?

Are you tired of living in downtown Toronto? Are you considering buying a home in Alliston? We can help. With over 35 years of experience, we have built homes for over a thousand families, including detached, townhome, and unique attached single units, and we can help you find the perfect home for you.

Contact us to let us know your desired number of bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as your budget, and we’ll send you priority updates and special offers on our beautiful new homes.

An Autumn in Alliston

The town of Alliston offers a variety of great events that everyone from ages 3 to to 103 can enjoy. This fall, a variety of shows, events and workshops bring the community together to enjoy one of the most beautiful times of the year.

Splash’N Boots

Winner of the 2013 SiriusXM Indies Canadian Children’s Group of the year and moninee for the 2014 and 2015 Juno for children’s album on the year, Splash’N Boots are making an appearance on November the 1st at The Gibson Centre.

This event consists of a live musical performance that the entire family can get into. They’ve shared the stage with such children’s music luminaries such as Sharon, Lois and Bram, as well as Fred Penner.

After numerous sold-out concerts across the world, including Dubai, Australia and Spain, this duo brings their highly acclaimed act back to Canada for the delight of the children of Alliston.

32nd Annual Sugar Plum Fair Craft Show & Sale

One of the biggest events of the year is the Annual Sugar Plum and Craft Show and Sale, which offers more than 100 vendors who sell some of the finest crafts and artisanal foods from around the region.

This year, the event takes place on November 14th and 15th, giving people two whole days of browsing fantastic items with fellow members of your neighbourhood.

Women’s PROBUS Club

One of the more popular recurring events during the fall season is the PROBUS club for women, which meets on the final Monday of each month at the Nottawasaga Inn. This gives retired and partially retired members of the community an opportunity to gather and discussed shared interested amongst themselves.

Open Studio @ The Gibson

Artists of all skills and backgrounds are welcome to join artist-in-residence Greg Hindle at The Gibson Center. On Tuesdays between 10 am and 3 pm, the artist provides advice and mentorship to everyone who attends. The cost of this even in $7 for members of The Gibson Centre and $10 for non-members.

Talk of Alliston Toastmasters Club

This toastmasters club provides a venue for those who wish to improve their oratorical skills in all sorts of different situations, from small talk in social situations to speeches and workplace presentations. This club meets at the Alliston Library on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month between 7-9 pm.

Quilting Corners Quilt Guild Meeting

On the first Tuesday of each month during the fall, the Quilting Corners Quilt Guild meets from 7-9 pm. During this monthly event, presentations, workshops, demonstrations and contests take place. A membership to the guild costs $35 and the attendance of each event costs $5.

Are You Interested in Moving to Alliston?

Does the events in Alliston interest you? Would you like to move to Alliston? We can help. With over 35 years of experience, we have built homes for over a thousand families, including detached, townhome, and unique attached single units, and we can help you find the perfect home for you.

Contact us to let us know your desired number of bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as your budget, and we’ll send you priority updates and special offers on our beautiful new homes.

Do You Really Need to Downsize?

One of the more difficult decisions that homeowners must make at one time or another is whether or not their current property matches lifestyle needs. In particular, those who retire often considering downsizing into a small condo rather than dealing with maintaining the home they already own.

Typically, downsizing is considered one step closer to freedom. However, there are consequences that homeowners need to consider before getting rid of their current property in favour of a smaller living space.

Cramped Quarters

One of the most obvious drawbacks of downsizing your home is the significant reduction in space. Moving from a house to a condo can reduce the square-footage of your home by as much as a third or more.

This makes it more difficult for you to host family gatherings and other social events that you may be accustomed to hosting. You also have to make difficult decisions in terms of the furniture, art and other cherished items that you choose to bring with you. Instead of enjoying these and other objects you’ve collected over time, many of these will have to be stuck in storage, sold or given away.

If you’re used to having a large kitchen or a spacious bathroom, downsizing will require an adjustment on your behalf to get used to your new surroundings.

Unexpected Costs

Saving money is one reason why some home buyers want to downsize into a condo. However, the costs involved in selling and moving may end up eating into the savings more than expected. Commission and taxes reduce the profit of home sales.

Condo fees represent another siphon that sharply reduces the profitability of downsizing. Living in a downtown condo, especially often increases the cost of living in terms of energy, fuel, food and other day-to-day necessities.

Moving away from your old neighbourhood may make it more difficult for you to keep in touch with family and friends. Rather than entertaining your loved ones at home, you may have to travel long distances to visit them instead, especially if you’ve chosen a small space in a densely populated downtown neighbourhood.

The lack of green space is one of the biggest complaints that people register against condominium living. People tend to feel more relaxed when surrounded by some sort of greenery, whether it’s a lawn, garden or trees. Condos are typically built in a concrete jungle setting, which you may find off-putting.

Rather than downsizing into a condo, you can opt to switch into a newly built home through a developer like Previn Court. There’s no need to rush into a smaller space when you have the option of living in a home that doesn’t force you to compromise the lifestyle that you love.

Ready to Downsize?

When it comes to downsizing, buying a new, smaller home is the best course of action.  At Previn Court Homes, we know that home buyers are looking for a residence that will make them feel both physically and financially comfortable.  Learn more about our beautiful affordable new homes to buy, or contact us to register for priority updates and special offers, and find the perfect home for your budget.

WE ARE INTRODUCING A SPACIOUS NEW DESIGN FOR OUR 50′ LOTS.   “THE VICTORIA” 3 CAR TANDEM GARAGE, approx. 3500 SQ FT FAMILY HOME WITH 4 BEDROOMS,  3.5 BATHS, GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTERS…AS ALWAYS OUR STANDARD BRICK AND STONE, 8′ HIGH STEEL INSULATED GARAGE DOORS, 8′ X 8′ PATIO DOORS, 8′ HIGH FRONT DOOR WITH 3/4 DECORATIVE GLASS INSERT…Please come in or phone Sharon or Giovanna for a sneak peak at our preliminary drawing.  

One of the biggest drivers of the Canadian economy has been the constant growth of the biggest real estate markets in the country. Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary have seen massive gains spurred by international investment in real estate.

During the past decade, compared to other countries, the Canadian economy has been relatively stable due to the strength of our banks, which weathered fluctuating economic conditions admirably.

However, as the Canadian dollar dives and housing prices continue to shoot through the roof, many experts worry about the impending burst of Toronto’s condominium bubble.

Skyrocketing Prices

Despite a real estate market that already features runaway prices, the costs of purchasing a home continues to rise beyond expectations. The Toronto Real Estate Board released numbers that showed a 10 percent rise in Toronto house prices.

However, the price of a single family home increased by 15.9 percent, implying that the demand for this type of housing is much greater than the demand for condos.

Economists at TD Bank agree, projecting a price reduction of three or four percent for condos over the next couple of years. Currently, they note that when measured on the basis of price per square foot, the Toronto condo market has already stopped. In fact, the gap in prices between condos and single-family homes reached a record of $289,000 over the last year.

As a result of these price trends, purchasing a condo in Toronto appears to be the riskier bet in the near future when compared to single-family homes.

Record Rate of Building

In addition to price uncertainty, the Toronto real estate market will experience additional stress due to the rate of new units becoming available, increasing stock as prices fall.

During the first two months of 2015, three times more units than average were completed, consistent with the pattern of frenzied construction over the past decade or so.

Many of these units are sold to investors who initially plan on renting the units out, although experts believe that many will change their mind and simply sell their investments, further pushing prices down.

Relatively few new single-family homes are built, which means that their value as an investment will be secure in the near future. Condos, on the other hand, will witness an excess of tens of thousands of units.

Avoiding the upcoming condo bubble in Toronto is key to ensuring your real estate investments remain profitable. Builders such as Previn Court provide an excellent option to escape the madness of the Toronto real estate market.

Are You Interested in Buying a Home in Alliston?

Are you tired of living in downtown Toronto? Are you considering buying a home in Alliston? We can help. With over 35 years of experience, we have built homes for over a thousand families, including detached, townhome, and unique attached single units, and we can help you find the perfect home for you.

Contact us to let us know your desired number of bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as your budget, and we’ll send you priority updates and special offers on our beautiful new homes.

There’s a certain peace of mind that real estate buyers enjoy when they purchase a newly built home. The uncertainty involved in buying an older construction revolves around how the prior owners treated the house.

Occasionally, previous occupants try to hide shoddy construction or previous problems with the home by falsifying records or performing slapdash renos. Even a good inspector misses a well-obscured flaw, which results in you having to invest in more time and money to fix it yourself.

Guaranteed Quality

Purchasing a newly built home greatly increases the likelihood that you will be fully satisfied with the quality of your home. The use of new material results in better durability and more efficient use of energy, particularly during the summer and winter seasons.

The quality of hardware and technology installed in new homes also tend to be superior compared to older builds. Stainless steel kitchen appliances, and wireless built-in speakers provide examples of modern amenities that provide solid functionality while improving the look of the home.

Flexible Customization

Builders work with home buyers to implement interior and exterior designs that match the needs of you and your family. Prior to completion, you’re able to plan all aspects of the final product, including floor plan, materials, appliances, paint color and a wide range of other details and home accessories.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of arranging every single aspect of a new home, builders also offer a wide variety of pre-set plans that take care of all the necessary details.

You Know What You’re Getting Into

The majority of new home constructions are undertaken by builders with a solid track record of success. Unlike smaller outfits, experienced builders are more likely to have an extensive network of contractors and suppliers who help create better builds.

The knowledge that you won’t have to perform any significant repairs or heavy duty maintenance on the home for a long time is another attractive aspect of purchasing a new home. Modern materials and design also reduce the amount of work required to take care of your home.

New homes often have warranties attached to them, so in the rare case that something is wrong with the build, the seller is responsible for making sure that everything is fixed according to expectations.

A recent survey showed that 41% of real estate buyers prefer newly built homes, which shows that many people prefer to avoid the risk of moving into an existing development. Contact a professional, experienced builder such as Previn Court to learn more about how new build neighbourhoods cater to your lifestyle.

Are You Interested in Buying a New Home in Alliston?

Finding the right home for your wants and needs can be very challenging, especially when there are lots of unknowns such as whether an appliance will break down or if the electrical will need to be replaced. At Previn Court Homes, we recognize the peace of mind that a newly built home provides, and our friendly staff takes the time to introduce you to all of the features of our quality residences.

With over a thousand homes built over the last few decades, and plans to build thousands more, we know how to create houses that families call home, and we invite you to explore our models.  Contact us to learn more about our homes, or register for priority updates and special offers, and let us help you find your dream home.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!