If you’re looking at Alliston homes for sale or got property on the mind, you’re no doubt asking yourself the age-old question:  Do I buy new or used?  Both options have been argued ‘till the cows come home but there are some things you just can’t get unless you go for a place that’s new and shiny.

1.  It’s Easier

A used home doesn’t have to be a real fixer-upper for it to need some work.  The fact is, older homes are decaying.  The building materials could be nearing the end of their lifespan and may need serious repairs.

This goes for wood and ceilings which often need work.  New homes don’t have this problem.  In new homes, things like flooring, carpeting and trim don’t need replacing.

2. More Comfort!

There’s something called the ‘building envelope’.  This is the combination of insulation, windows, materials and seals that keep conditioned air inside and it plays a huge role in how energy efficient your home is.

Newer homes are built to newer code and have to be far more efficient than was the standard before.  The materials and construction of your new home will no doubt make for a comfier space.

3.  It’s Safer

Newer homes really focus on safety with features like:

• Hard-wired smoke detectors with backup batteries
• Circuit protectors
• Safety glass
• Fire retardant flooring/carpeting
• Hazardous areas like stairs designed according to the latest building code

4.  Get It Your Way

One huge advantage of buying a new home is getting the chance to tweak it.  A lot of homebuilders will allow you to decide on layout, colours and even the location if they have various lots!

Short of building it yourself, this is as much freedom as you’re going to get.  In an old home you’d be looking at an expensive renovation.  Speaking of money…

5.  Avoid Breaking the Bank

Let’s talk financial latitude.  Homebuilders do a lot to make sure you close on the sale like offering flexible financing.   Besides mortgage perks and other incentives, there’s the wiggle room.

You’re less likely to convince someone who’s lived in a house for years that it’s worth less than they think it is.  Big homebuilders are less concerned with making a few concessions and dropping the price by thousands because they don’t take as hard a hit.

6.  Peace of Mind

It’s hard to put a price on knowing that you’re making a safe investment.  Quality is always a concern with an old home and no matter how good the home inspection looks there are some issues that are almost guaranteed to come out of thin air.

Ready to Move into Your New Home?

When it comes to the best return on your investment, buying a brand new home is going to ensure that you end up with an entity that will have increased value in the future.  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.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? MORTGAGE RATES ARE EXTREMELY LOW.  BUYING A HOME IS MORE AFFORDABLE THAN EVER. BANK OF MONTREAL HAS A 3 YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE AT 2.14%. NOT ONLY THAT, WHEN YOU BUY A NEW PREVIN COURT HOME, BANK OF MONTREAL WILL GUARANTEE YOUR RATE FOR 18 MONTHS. NOW THAT’S PEACE OF MIND, KNOWING THAT THE RATES WON’T GO UP FOR THAT LONG OF TIME PERIOD, PLUS IF THE RATES GO DOWN WITHIN THE 18 MONTHS YOU WILL RECEIVE THE LOWER RATE. BMO WILL ALSO OFFER AN EVEN BETTER RATE WITH A QUICK 90 DAY CLOSING. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SWEET DEAL. CONTACT OUR MORTGAGE SPECIALISTS FOR FUTHER DETAILS.                                                                     

MICHAEL WOLLENBERG: TOLL FREE 1-800-316-1432, CELL 705-345-0073, E-MAIL Michael.wollenber@bmo.com

DONNA WISEMAN: 705-326-3731 CELL 705-345-0073 E-MAIL donna.wiseman@bmo.com                         

Whether you’re searching high and low for new homes in Alliston or elsewhere, you’re no doubt wondering if it’ll save you any money compared to a used one.  It’s surprising just how much modern engineering can benefit your wallet and make those utility bills a lot less scary to look at.

Full of Hot Air

Living in a country with extreme seasons means we use a lot of energy to power our homes.  How much is used doesn’t depend on the weather as much as it depends on the home itself.  It’s important to know that whether you realize it or not, your home is leaking air.

Don’t panic; this isn’t as bad as it sounds!  You won’t feel it anywhere besides your bank account.  You see, because your home is cooled or heated (depending on the season), escaping air results in losing energy and heat.

Newer homes don’t really have this problem.  To illustrate the point, the Canadian Home Builder’s Association ran simulations and studied old homes.  If all the cracks and spaces in a typical mid-70s home were to be brought together, you’d have a hole 21 inches wide!

In homes made to the latest Ontario building code, that home would shrink by over two-thirds.  That means less money seeping out of your home.

Stepping on the Gas

Homes heated by natural gas can be costly due to a lot of the structural inefficiencies in older homes.  Homes didn’t become energy efficient on their own; homeowners fed up with pricey energy bills drove a lot of the changes.

It shows, too.  The CHBA’s analysis showed that the same home we talked about built in the mid-70s consumed 7948 m3.  In an identical house built to 2012 standards, gas consumption was about 1695 m3.  Based on average gas rates the change in gas consumption equals over $1300.00 saved a year!

Being Efficient with Your Wallet

Energy efficient homes aren’t just creating a stir with homeowners either.  With 17% of the energy in Canada being used in homes the government and lenders have taken notice.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation is one such group, making it easy for homeowners to finance their home.  The CMHC’s mortgage loan insurance allows a minimum down payment of 5% on home purchases and it’s all tied in to how energy efficient your home is.

Additionally, if you’re using CMHC insured financing to purchase a new, energy efficient home, a 10% refund on the insurance premium and longer amortization are possibilities if the home meets the requirements.

Maintain Less

At the end of the day, new homes in Alliston or elsewhere can and will save you money, especially when it comes to utilities.  While arguments can be made for saving money by buying a used home, the cost of renovations, inspections and maintenance make going for something that’s built to the latest code and energy efficient the more logical choice.

If you’ve been feeling the winds of change and mulling over downsizing, it pays to know what to look for, whether that’s a new home in Alliston or beyond.  There are plenty of reasons to find a smaller space, from the kids moving on to getting away from costly bills, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds.  What’s the best way to go about it?

Doing It for the Right Reasons

Repackaging your life is no small task.  Before you do, you should take a good look at your situation and make an informed decision.

The first thing you should analyze is your expenses.  You most likely have room you don’t need.  This means paying more in utilities to keep the heat inside and the elements outside.  Downsizing to a new home means a much more energy efficient space.

If the move feels right, start looking at homes objectively.  Don’t let attachment cloud your vision and make you jump into a new place because it looks great at first glance.  Condos the size of a shoebox are creatively branded as “cozy” and “secure”.

Get familiar with all the details of your prospects and know what you’re looking to gain and you’re well on your way to ‘smart-sizing’ to a better home.

Comfortable Fit

So, you’ve narrowed down a list of places that look interesting.  What should you look for?

The easy answer is:  Whatever fits your lifestyle.  Picture what you want your day-to-day to look like in your new place.  Some things that stand out as pluses include:

• Condo or house?  If you need more than two rooms, look for a small house.
• Perimeter:  Do you intend to mow a massive lawn?  Hire a gardener?  Shovel a long driveway?
• Location:  How far are you willing to go for groceries?  Is there a doctor nearby?  Do you want to be isolated or be in the thick of it?

You’re giving up space so you might as well gain some convenience.  Don’t forget to treat yourself; reduced property taxes, maintenance costs and mortgage mean you can start thinking about all the things that were out of reach before.

Getting down to It

Downsizing takes a fair bit more planning than moving in to a great big space.  You’ll have to jettison some of the clutter weighing you down and really think about what you’ll want for the new place.  A great way of doing this is to take a home inventory and mark what should make the trip and what should stay behind.

Do this a few months before moving day and you’ll have pace of mind.  Paying a visit to the new space and laying it out the way you want it also mitigates the chaos of moving and can give a lot of confidence.

PLEASE  FOLLOW ALONG TO  THE AMAZING  BLOG BELOW.  JUST COPY AND PASTE THE LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER.  ANOTHER HAPPY PURCHASER WITH THEIR AFFORDABLE BRICK AND STONE HOME BY PREVIN COURT HOMES IN OUR VICTORIAN VILLAGE COMMUNITY – ALLISTON.  IMAGINE…  A COMMUNITY FILLED WITH AMENITIES JUST STEPS AWAY… GIBSON TRAILS, EXISTING SCHOOLS AT OUR SUBDIVISION, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, RECREATION CENTRE, PARKS…

http://allistonwonderland.blogspot.ca/

Moving in to a new home in Alliston or anywhere else is a big step when worrying about costs but most people aren’t aware at just how much you can save.  Even though your home is fresh off the press, if you look past initial costs you’ll be spending a lot less.

Wear and Tear

The first way a new home will cost you a lot less than an older one is by not having the constant need to fix things.  After all, it is new.  A lot of the time, despite meticulous home inspections, older homes will need a lot of work before you can move in.

Maintenance costs can come at you from all angles in an older place.  From replacing a carpet to getting newer appliances, a lot of components of the home can be at varying stages of decay.  The roof, plumbing, even the foundation are all likely to need work.

This can all add up to thousands of dollars pretty quickly but it doesn’t even touch on how much it will cost making the home energy efficient.

Springing leaks

Your furnace and air conditioning has to work harder if your home is leaking air.  How energy efficient it is depends on whether it has had expensive adjustments made.  Of course with new homes, this isn’t as much of a problem.

Homeowners have caught on and new homes are built according to the latest building codes.  This means your energy bill is a lot lower and in some cases, old homes have maintenance costs almost double that of new homes!

Keeping HVAC filters fresh month-to-month and making sure windows are in a good state in your new home is a lot less expensive than getting the whole place up to standard.  Some homebuilders have taken it a step further though, designing the building itself to naturally store and produce energy.

Elegant Design

One of the greatest advantages of buying a new home is having a hand in the layout.  As more and more homeowners crave low energy costs, homes are being built to store energy in new and ingenious ways.

Things like placing the home to take advantage of passive solar gain, using the latest thermal insulation and airtight windows mean the need for a heater or cooling drops drastically.

Living half the year in the cold means that heating can really get expensive.  Luckily advances in building materials mean that you can save as much as 75% on heating and energy, it’s just up to you to look.

Homebuilders are more and more eager to do what they can to assure you, the buyer, close on the home and are comfortable.  You can’t really get this kind of customization in an old home without spending a fortune.

So while the initial cost of new homes in Alliston or elsewhere is often held against them, in the end it’ll cost you a lot less to live in one.

LEAVE THE CAR AT HOME. ALL THE RESTAURANTS LISTED BELOW ARE ACTUALLY WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR VICTORIAN VILLAGE COMMUNITY BY PREVIN COURT HOMES IN ALLISTON.

BISTRO BURGER JOINT  – 70 Victoria St East, Alliston 705-250-1016

Hands down one of best burger places to go. Local succulent beef so very tasty.  Also to try is the Trout Burger.  Absolutely delicious and a favourite!  This is not from a can, this is fresh and  beautifully done, love it. Poutine fries also great.

BISTRO 77  – 77 Victoria St East, Alliston 705-435-7177

 Fresh Local and Organic Ingredients. Bistro style food at it’s best.   Set in a turn of the century home filled with old world charm but with up-to-date bistro food.  Perfect for a romantic dining experience or group function.

ALBA LISA MEXICAN – 527 Victorian St. East, Alliston 705- 435-0009

Authentic Mexican food, fresh local ingredients, GMO and preservative free from tasty salads, vegan soups, tortillas …A must to try!  They have just added a lunch menu as well as adding more items to their dinner menu.  Now open Mondays as well.

SPRING BASIL – 214 Victoria St East, Alliston 705-435-2000

Ambience is simple but it is the food that is the main attraction.  Flavourful Asian cuisine Try the Mango shrimp and Chicken curry, Fried Chicken dumplings… oh and the Pineapple rice.

INDIAN FLAMES – 33 Paris St (off Victorian St), Alliston 705-435-3393

Tandora is wonderful as is the Chana… Butter Salmon with Naan too. Very friendly staff as well.

THE WELL – 81 Victoria St, Alliston 705-250-9355

What a lovely, quaint atmosphere. The Well offers an array of baked goods plus gluten free baked goods as well.  They also serve organic coffees.  Hurry in for candy cane hot chocolate  yummy!

MALIKAI BISTRO – 3 Church St (off Victoria St), Alliston 705-434-1688

Great place for lunches  and treats.  Try the Tortilla soup, the scrumptious Hamburger wrap,Sticky Asian drumstick, Chicken paprikash… After lunch have one of their many desserts such as home made apple pie.  Malikai also carry gluten free treats too.

YUKI SUSHI – 16 Paris St (off Victoria St) Alliston 705-250-6254

A hidden gem in Alliston. Extensive choices on the menu.  If you are not too sure what to order, have the Yuki Bento, it has a little of everything from sushi, sashimi,soup, salad…fresh and wonderful.

Of course there are the stand-by favourites: East side Mario’s, Crabby Joe’s, Shoeless Joe’s, CW Coops, Pita Pit, Swiss Chalet, Dairy Queen, Pita Pit, Subway…all great too! AGAIN ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM OUR VICTORIAN VILLAGE COMMUNITY BY PREVIN COURT HOMES. NO NEED TO MAKE LENGTHY DRIVES, SO LEAVE THE BEAST AT HOME, and I am not speaking about your mother in-law!

(705) 250-6254

 WE WILL BE CLOSED SUN DEC  21 THROUGH UNTIL SAT JAN 3

We, at Previn Court Homes are excited to announce the release of 3 New Spectacular Designs to add to our 32′ Collection.  These homes will a have 16′ Wide Garage with One Large Steel Insulated Garage Door, Choice of Elevation at No extra cost, Double 8′ High Front Doors with Choice of Decorative 3/4 Glass Insert, 9′ Ceilings, Rounded Corners…and of course our Standard Brick and Stone. The Yorkshire being 2070 sq ft 3 bedroom with computer/office area on the second floor $394,900. The Kingston is 2130 sq ft 3 bedroom home with large master bedroom with retreat/office/den $394,900. Our final New Design is 3000+ sq ft. It is called The Sutton. The Sutton is a 3 story, has 4 bedrooms all with walk-in closets, 3.5 Bathrooms, 2nd floor Sunken Family Room…superbly ideal for the growing family.  They also come with $5,000 Décor dollars to use towards, perhaps upgrading tiles, cabinets…you decide.  Closings for these amazing designs would be Fall 2015 – January 2016.  

Please contact us Sharon and Giovanna and we will gladly send you information. previncourt_alliston98@rogers.com   

Oct 30 – Nov 16                                                                                                                          Catch a hilarious play at the South Simcoe Theatre Dirty Rotten Scoundrels based on the comedy movie written by Dale Launer.  box office 705-458-4432 www.southsimcoetheatre.com

Nov 15 – 16                                                                                                                                  The 31st Annual Sugar Plum Fair Craft Show and Sale at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston. Crafters who will showcase there unique handmade specialties from food to crafts.  Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. Adults $4 children under 12 free.

Nov 22   Alliston’s Annual Santa Claus Parade                

Nov 27 – Dec 7                                                                                                                          South Simcoe Theatres wonderful production of A Christmas Carol

box office 705-458-4432 www.southsimcoetheatre.com

Nov 29 – Dec 21  All aboard The Santa Claus Express departing from The Tottenham train station.          

                                                          Reservations and ticket prices are available online        www.steamtrain.ca