Well managed custom home decor projects can refresh and transform your living space into the home of your dreams.

Savvy home decorators who make the right decisions can maximise the value of their investment. Homebuyers who make the wrong changes could face expensive changes that could cost tens of thousands of their hard earned dollars or could affect their ability to resell their home.

Here are some of the surprisingly common mistakes that you should avoid.

1. Thinking too big

One of the most common mistakes people make is to automatically assume that “bigger is better”. Sometimes people get so obsessed with square meters that they’ll make quality sacrifices that will cost thousands to fix in the future.

2. Choosing the wrong colours

Selecting your home’s colours before it’s been constructed can sometimes be a risky proposition. It sounds like an easy mistake to fix, just slap some new paint on the walls- right? Many people don’t realize how expensive of a problem this can be to fix- depending on the size of the house, new paint and the cost of labour can ring up to many thousands of dollars.

3. Choosing the wrong lighting

There are many things to consider when selecting your house’s lighting fixtures. Sometimes people select lighting purely on style, neglecting to consider its functionality. Select the wrong kind of dimmers and you’ll pay for the cost and installation of the upgrade.

4. Crossing the wires

Custom home buyers who neglect to consider their wiring needs are more likely to find themselves paying for expensive upgrades and changes in the future. A simple upgrade like adding a power outlet might involve cutting holes in your new home’s walls. Choose the wrong technology wiring solution and you might not be able to operate newer equipment in the future.

5. Being a fashion victim

Most of us have seen examples expensive fashion based mistakes. It could be a fireplace where a homeowner chose gaudy bricks for their very specific tastes. Some bathroom tiles might look fantastic today, but start looking dated long before they need to be replaced. When selecting expensive materials it’s important to consider how they’ll look five to ten years in the future.

6. Selecting the wrong technology

If you’ve ever lived in a house with one of those 1980’s intercom systems then you’re probably painfully aware of the risks of installing the wrong technology. Do your best to make sure that technologies you install are upgradable or can last through the sands of time or you may find yourself stuck with that ugly canary yellow intercom you so hated in your last home.

7. Selecting the wrong builder

Choosing the wrong home builder could be one of the most expensive mistakes you’ll ever make. Most of the above examples of custom home decor mistakes could have been mitigated if the buyers had partnered with the right builder and tens of thousands of dollars could have been saved. Your custom home builder can be a valuable partner or lead you down the wrong path- make sure you choose wisely.

Learn Real Estate Prices in Your Area

It’s no secret that real estate prices can be confusing to some. If you happen to fall into this category, there’s no reason to panic. 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. Honestly, it’s the first step to purchasing the home of your dreams. Why not get started today?

Designing a new home can be a wonderful adventure, there are so many ideas to choose from that your home’s potential is only limited by your imagination.

Below is our giant list of potential home design ideas; read through it, imagine the possibilities, then live the dream.

• Build a staircase with a built-in bookcase, maximizing your use of space while celebrating your love of books.
• Create a secret hidden space in your child’s bedroom, camouflage it with a trapdoor, your kids will play in it for hours.
• Think carefully about the lighting, not just the design but also the impact it can have on your home’s appearance.
• Lower part of the floor in your living room to create a cozy conversation pit, invite your friends over for wine parties.
• Build a nook for your dog under the stairs, give them a special place that’s their own.
• Install network wiring to rooms where you’ll be using computers, quit worrying if your wifi is working or not.
• If you plan to do a lot of entertaining, install two dishwashers instead of one- make cleaning up less of a chore.
• If you live in an area with a lot of bugs, build an in-wall pest control system that gives the exterminator easy access to where they’ll be hiding
• If you have the space, install a walk-in shower and never have to clean a glass door again.
• Build both garbage and recycling bins into your kitchen cabinets- no more bottles rolling out of the blue bin.
• Build a bar into your back deck and create a gathering place you can enjoy with your friends.
• Install a mini-fridge at the edge of a kitchen cabinet and you’ll always have a place to put your beer.
• Put a sink with water jets into your laundry room for a place to wash your delicates.
• Install a central vacuuming system with vacuum baseboards- never have to struggle with a dustpan again.
• Install accordion windows between your kitchen and the back deck, allow the cook to keep up with the conversation while their guests are standing outside.
• Install a double-sided fireplace between your bedroom and master bath, relax in the bathtub beside a cozy and warm fire.
• Add a balcony to your master bedroom, creating a cozy nook for you and your partner where you can drink wine together in your special private place.
• A new generation of home automation technology is becoming available through the “Internet of things” that can save energy, improve your home’s safety, and centrally control your home’s lighting- live the future today.
• Connecting a radiant floor heating system to your home automation system means never having to wake-up to cold tiles again.
• Consider installing solar panels or a solar hot water heating system- you’ll live greener, reduce your bills, and are a good conversation starter at your parties- government subsidies can cover a significant part of your costs.

With so many alternatives out there, it’s important to select an experienced homebuilder that has the experience to guide you through your choices and turn your dreams into reality. Are you ready for a new adventure?

Learn Real Estate Prices in Your Area

It’s no secret that real estate prices can be confusing to some. If you happen to fall into this category, there’s no reason to panic. 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. Honestly, it’s the first step to purchasing the home of your dreams. Why not get started today?

Moving can be exciting as well as stressful. It represents a new opportunity and a fresh start. However, it’s also a lot of work. You have to pack everything you own and then haul it to a new destination. After the boxes arrive, you have to unpack. We know that parts of moving aren’t fun, so we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you move without losing your mind.

Sort out Your Stuff

It’s amazing how many things we accumulate, even in a short period of time. You don’t have to move all of them, though. Before you start packing, go through everything and decide what you’re taking with you, and what you’re either going to donate or throw out. Don’t know how to make the decision? A good rule of thumb is to think back on whether you’ve used that object or worn that clothing in the past year. Are you planning on using or wearing it in the next year? If the answer to either of those questions is “no,” say farewell to it.

Set a Schedule

Another step which will keep you sane during the moving process is setting a schedule. Pull out your calendar and mark off certain dates. Important dates would be when you need to be out of your old home, when you need to be in your new home, when the movers are coming (if you’ve hired them), when you have to turn off the utilities and when you’re signing any contracts or crucial documents. Knowing exactly when those dates are, and what you need to do in preparation for them, will make you less stressed.

Stay Organized during Packing

It might be tempting just to throw things into boxes without rhyme or reason. That attitude will hurt you once you move into your new place, though. Pack items from the same room in the same box. Then, label those boxes. Another helpful tip is to make a list of what you’ve packed in each box. When you’re unpacking, you’ll know exactly which box belongs in which room, and what’s inside of each box.

Get into the Team Spirit

Moving into a new home is a massive undertaking. You don’t have to go it alone. Find a team of dedicated professionals, including a real estate agent, lawyers and movers. These people can take care of many of the small details you might not be aware of in the moving process.

Learn Real Estate Prices in Your Area

It’s no secret that real estate prices can be confusing to some. If you happen to fall into this category, there’s no reason to panic. 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. Honestly, it’s the first step to purchasing the home of your dreams. Why not get started today?

Are you planning on buying a home this year?

Buying a home is an exciting prospect, but it can also be overwhelming. There’s quite a bit you need to know as a home buyer, especially if you’re buying a home this year. We’ve gathered important facts for you about the housing market in 2015.

Canadian Homes Are Expensive

If you’ve spent any time browsing ads for homes, this fact isn’t news to you. But, were you aware that over 40% of first-time home buyers can’t afford a house without their family’s help? In a report published by BMO in April 2015, nearly half of the respondents said that they would not be able to purchase a home without their family’s assistance. A significant factor in the unaffordability of Canadian homes is their rising prices. The cost of buying a Canadian home has risen since 2009.

Home Buyers Have Higher Incomes

In spite of rising home prices, the situation isn’t so grim for Canadians seeking to buy homes. A survey conducted by private mortgage insurer Genworth Canada showed that first time home buyers are wealthier than average. The survey showed that almost a third of Canadians buying their home for the first time had an income above $100,000. The number of first time home buyers with that income in Toronto was 40%, while it was 39% in Calgary. Twenty four percent of first time home buyers in Montreal and 21% of first time home buyers in Atlantic Canada fall into that category.

Down Payments Aren’t Always So High

Many first time home buyers are intimidated by the cost of a high down payment. The good news is, down payments aren’t high in every part of the country. According to a study by Genworth Canada, 63% of first time home buyers paid a down payment of less than 20% of the cost of their home.The median down payment across Canada was less than 12% of the home cost. There’s bad news for people in Vancouver and Toronto, though. The median down payment in Vancouver was 20% of the home cost, while it was 21% in Toronto. Toronto and Vancouver are Canada’s most expensive cities in which to buy properties, so people planning on buying a home in those two markets should save up.

Make the right choice, right away

Whether your buying new homes in Alliston or further out, keep your eyes open and make the decision that best suits your needs before your wants.

At Previn Court Homes, we know that house hunting is extremely important, and we strive to create beautiful homes that will provide long term value.  Since our inception over 40 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.

Believe it or not, Facebook not only affects millions of people virtually, it also affects real estate prices. When the company decided to move its headquarters from one location to another, prices in the area skyrocketed. As you might guess, this phenomenon was both good and bad, for several reasons. Continue reading, to learn more.

Facebook’s Big Move

In 2011, Facebook announced that they would relocate from their long time home in Palo Alto, California to the neighboring city of Menlo Park. They completed their move this year, moving their headquarters to a 430,000 square foot office building designed by Frank Gehry. Since their move, both of these communities have experienced drastic changes in the prices of surrounding real estate.

Pressure in East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto, a city that neighbors Palo Alto, is the most affordable community located in Silicon Valley. The community stands strong after a sometimes painful past brought on by market crises and racially discriminatory practices. Now, the people of East Palo Alto live in fear of losing their homes to soaring real estate prices.

An Outdated Model

In an article on TechCrunch.com, Kim-Mai Cutler suggests that the problem is an outdated model of development. Tech companies are paying $90 per square foot for real estate in nearby Mountain View, which can be very discouraging to developing businesses and startups in search of real estate. But, housing projects and other changes to these cities’ physical infrastructure are slowed by exclusionary zoning and slow-growth policies.

Positive Changes

The city of Menlo Park has approved some changes that could help to keep real estate prices under control. A 394 unit residential complex has been approved, and will be built near Facebook’s headquarters.

In addition, the city plans to add 202 units to their downtown area. Facebook has also taken steps to help out their new home. In February, the company acquired 56 acres of property in Menlo Park, and has made it clear that they are open to doing more with the property than just opening new office space.

Learn Real Estate Prices in Your Area

It’s no secret that real estate prices can be confusing to some. If you happen to fall into this category, there’s no reason to panic. 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. Honestly, it’s the first step to purchasing the home of your dreams. Why not get started today?

Purchasing a home can be confusing. If you’re considering the purchase of a new residence, one of the first questions you’re typically going to ask yourself is “can I afford a mortgage?”

Fortunately, there are many online tools that have been created to help you find an answer. Once you have this answer, you’ll find it much easier to proceed. Continue reading, to find out more about two of these handy tools, which are at your disposal.

Mortgage Qualifier Tool

One of the great things about using an online calculator tool, such as this one, is that you can plug-in numbers to research many different scenarios. A mortgage qualifier tool does just what the name implies. It helps determine whether or not you qualify for a home mortgage based on criteria that include your income and monthly expenses.

To answer the question “can I afford a mortgage,” you simply enter information like the value of the property you’re interested in, the amount of money you’ve saved for a down payment, your preferred annual interest rate and the preferred term of your loan.

When that’s done, the tool asks for things like your annual income, heating costs, car payments and amount of all of your other bills. According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, if your down payment is less than 20 percent, you can only qualify for a mortgage that’s based on a five-year fixed-rate.

Mortgage Calculator Tool

The mortgage calculator tool is used to come up with a schedule for your mortgage payments. It shows you how much money you can actually save by making either pre-payments or paying extra on the principle of the loan.

Many homeowners, who ask themselves “can I afford a mortgage,” are pleasantly surprised to learn how much money can be saved simply by making one or two extra payments per year. Cutting back on things like take-out food and entertainment makes it easy to save up to make the additional payments.

It should be noted that any online calculator does not take the place of professional financial advice. Your particular mortgage lender may calculate things in a completely different way.

What’s Your Next Step?

Now that you’re more familiar with mortgage tools, in general, you probably have additional questions other than “can I afford a mortgage“. If so, this is an excellent time to contact the financial division of Previn Court Homes.

Knowledgeable staff members are waiting to help you find the home of your dreams, with payments you can afford. Why not give them a call to schedule an appointment today? Your new home awaits you!

The first year of living in your first property can be a little tight financially but if you know how to set up a new home budget properly, you won’t have to worry.  If you purchased the house sensibly and handled your money intelligently up until now, don’t stop.  Just because you own the home doesn’t mean you’re home free.

For a rainy day

If you want to survive, the first step is to establish some money reserves.  Seriously, without a little extra in the bank you could set yourself up for some nasty surprises that are hard to recover from.

Consider that your home has to be maintained.  Heating, plumbing, electrical and structural damage can seemingly happen out of nowhere and a good maintenance schedule can definitely help.  You also have to think about the weather.

Seasonal expenses are a part of life and if you’ve got reserves set up to deal with them, you won’t go into a panic as the mercury drops.

Depending on the season you may have to think about certain expenses like:

• Winter:  Salt, shoveling, pipe damage, sealing structural holes
• Spring:  Aerating your lawn, landscaping, gardening
• Autumn:  Eaves troughs, roofing, leaf cleanup

Sometimes not knowing how to prioritize payments alone can cause you problems too.  Set up a budget that prioritizes your mortgage and life necessities.  Paying your debts and housing costs comes first.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves

One important distinction you’ll have to make as a new homeowner is the difference between a repair and an improvement.  You can go all out and renovate to your heart’s content but is that wise during your first year?

House repairs that put you at risk or can lead to further damage are more important than anything else, no matter what your friends or spouse say.  Rushing in will only deplete funds better used as reserves.

That being said, if you do need to have work done, don’t try and save money by hiring a cheap contractor.  You get what you pay for and selecting a contractor who cuts corners can lead to further work being needed.  You also run the risk of violating code with certain unscrupulous individuals and at the end of the day, you’ll be footing the bill – not them.

An ear to the ground

Foresight can save you more money than you’d think.  By taking out comprehensive insurance, cashing in on as many tax credits and getting a professional to look over your taxes you can keep the momentum going from all the smart budgeting you did on the long road to getting your home.

A budget is nothing more than a plan.  When you’ve finally secured your new home you shouldn’t shift gears.  It’s a valuable investment and the best investments are nurtured right up until the end.  Don’t put a new home budget on the backburner unless you enjoy not being able to predict when you’re going to take significant financial hits.

Find a house, within your budget

Clearly, finding a home that meets all your needs, and doesn’t break your budget is also crucial.

Finding the right home for your wants and needs can be very challenging, 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.

Buying a new home puts a huge strain on your finances but knowing about new homeowner tax credits in 2015 will definitely lighten the load.  They won’t singlehandedly take the pressure off but qualifying for enough of them definitely makes a difference.

Different strokes for different folks

Knowing what kind of tax credits are out there is half the battle.  There’s several different kinds but we can break them up into three simple categories:  financial, family, and supplementary.

For your purposes, you’ll want to be focused on the financial but the rest shouldn’t be ignored.   If you qualify, take it.

Some of the tax credits you should check out include:

Financial:

• First Time Homebuyer’s Tax Credit – It helps you out by offering a $5000 non refundable tax credit as long as it’s the first home you’ve lived in and owned in the past four years and the residence is a qualifying home
• Tax Free Savings Account – It’s much easier to save if you have a secure, tax-free account that you don’t have to worry about paying.  Most Canadian banks now offer one.

Family:

• Home Care Services Tax Relief – GHST and HST exemptions to individuals with a wide range of disabilities.
• Medical Expense Tax Credit – Supporting a dependent relative by claiming anything over 3% of their net income.
• Children’s Arts Tax – Up to $500 of eligible expenses can be claimed for your child’s programs.

There are definitely a few more tax credits you can pile on but those are the main ones.  In terms of money, if you’re seeking more of a sizeable amount without going to a lender there is an alternate way.

Opening up the reserves

Did you know that you could use your RRSP to finance your home?  If your home qualifies, you’re allowed to withdraw up to $25,000 from your RRSP as long as you’re a first time homebuyer (like the credit above).  If you’re purchasing the property with your spouse and you both qualify as new homebuyers, you can actually combine both withdrawals for a total of $50,000.

There is a bit of a catch.  The thing with withdrawing from your RRSPs is that unless you intend to set up repayments over the next 15 years or less, the money you gain will count as income.  In a way it’s sort of like taking out a loan from your future RRSP fund.

Fixing the odds in your favour

Making the home buying process easier is about using every resource available.  Tax credits make it easy but there are other things you can do to make sure your money doesn’t go to waste.

Consider preapproved loans to bolster your chances of gaining confidence with the seller.  A home inspection can make sure your investment is in good shape and energy efficient, saving you money on bills.

Either way, simply being aware of new homeowner tax credits available in 2015 is enough to give you an edge.

Find the perfect home

Clearly, finding a home that meets all your needs, and doesn’t break your budget is also crucial.

Finding the right home for your wants and needs can be very challenging, 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.

House hunting is a daunting task, and most of the homes you’ll come across won’t be what you’re looking for. Besides knowing what you don’t want in a house, there are a number of mistakes you could be making during your search for a new home, which could either make your process longer, or result in you purchasing a home with which you’re not happy.

If you want to get through the house hunting experience smoothly, and end up with a home instead of just a new house, try and avoid the mistakes we identify below.

1.  Doing It on Your Own

Realtors exist for a reason.  It isn’t that you’re not qualified (you’re probably not), it’s that you don’t have back-up. Besides the fact that it isn’t safe to wander into a random house for sale, the seller can pressure you into an unfair deal.  Your realtor can look into the value and check the place out for you and the representation won’t allow the seller to take advantage of you.

2.  Rushing Through the Viewing

When you’re visiting a prospective home, don’t let anything hold you back from scrutinizing every nook and cranny.  Your realtor won’t care, it’s their job to find you a right fit.

It’s too easy to miss glaring damage, deceptive storage space or entire rooms.  Don’t stop on account of the sellers – they were warned you were coming.

3.  Expensive Tastes

If you’ve fallen head over heels for the place you’re checking out and the price is slightly outside of your budget, don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s only a bit more than you were prepared to pay.

The reason why you should be disciplined and stick to your budget is a little thing called interest.  Whatever the amount outside of your price range, you will have to pay interest on it and it’ll be stretched over time.  This can really hurt your wallet and you’re better off stashing the money in an emergency fund.

4.  Getting a Fixer Upper

Don’t overestimate your construction skills because you watch a lot of home reno TV shows.  Unless you’re a contractor, odds are you’re going to severely underestimate how expensive it will be to flip your shabby looking home.

5.  The Terrible Trio:  LAM

Lead, asbestos and mold.  They’re all deadly and we’re afraid of them for good reason.  The thing is, unless your house was built yesterday, it’s going to have some of these elements somewhere, and being too skittish around any of these could mean missing out on the right home.

Sellers and realtors are by law required to disclose the presence of any of these.  Lead paint is only dangerous if peeling or at a junction and asbestos can be easily removed.  The cost of removal can usually be deducted, too.

Looking for a Brand New Home with No Surprises?

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.

 OUR SPECTACULAR 3RD PHASE 40′ LOTS HAVE ARRIVED!!!!          STUNNING BRICK AND STONE HOMES  2310 sf  – 3050sf FROM $459,900   IMAGINE…A COMMUNITY WHERE SCHOOLS, SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS, TRAILS…ARE ALL WITHIN STEPS FROM YOUR HOME.