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, 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                                                                        

Soldier Course  – A soldier course is a row of bricks all oriented in the same
direction which have been placed on their sides so that the long,
narrow side of the brick shows.
Soffit – The underside of an architectural structure such as an arch or
overhanging eaves.
String, Stringer – A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings.
In stairs, the supporting member for stair treads, usually a notched
2 X 12 inch plank.
Subfloor – Plywood or particleboard placed over floor joists as a surface for
application of the finished floor.
Survey Pin-  Metal spikes driven into the ground to mark exactly where the
corners of a property are located.
Thermopane –  A “thermopane” or double-paned window has two panes of glass,
separated by a trapped air space. The trapped air acts as an
insulator, reducing heat loss through the glass.
Tie-Rod Hole – A hole that remains in the foundation once the form tie rods are
removed.
Transom –  A crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fan
light above it.
Tub Skirt – An upward or downward vertical extension of a bathroom fixture.
Weather Stripping – Rubber strips used around all exterior doors producing a
weatherproof seal.
Weeping Tile – A porous pipe used for underground drainage.

Arches –  A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically
supporting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
Bearing Wall – A wall that supports any vertical load in addition to its own weight.
Breaker Panel –  The electrical box that distributes electric power entering the home
to each branch circuit (each plug and switch) and composed of
circuit breakers.
Brush Coating – A cement coating that is applied to the exterior surface of the
foundation wall for aesthetic purposes.
Caulking  – Sealant applied to the edges of windows, doorframes, and in
areas to create a waterproof seal.
Damper – Slats on a floor register or flap inside ductwork that can be moved
to allow airflow to be adjusted.
Downspouts – A pipe, usually of metal, for carrying rainwater down from the
roof’s horizontal gutters.
Eaves Trough –  Gutter on the bottom edge of roof to collect and convey rainwater
to the ground.
Fascia – Horizontal boards attached to rafter/truss ends at the eaves and
along gables. Roof drain gutters are attached to the fascia.
Flashing – Plastic or metal liner behind brickwork conducting water to the
outside of the wall.
Float Rod – Metal or plastic rod in toilet to which float is attached; it is
adjustable and used to regulate water levels in the tank.
Flush Ball  – Flush lever lifts this device on the toilet to allow water to flow from
the tank into the bowl.
Flush Ball Valve – This is an opening in which water flows from the toilet tank to the
bowl.

Keystone – A central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
G.F.I. Outlet – A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI, GFI) is an ultra sensitive
plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms,
kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and “wet
areas”. Has a small reset button on the plug.

Load-Bearing – This is a wall in the house that directly supports the rest of the
structure.
Low E Argon – Low-E argon windows are designed to minimize the effects of the
outside climate on the interior temperature. Between each pane of
glass, low-E argon windows contain argon gas, which is
considerably more effective at reflecting heat than regular air. This
means that unwanted heat is deterred from entering the home and
interior heat is prevented from leaving.
Muriatic Acid – Cleaning agent that can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Overflow Pipe – Tube in the toilet tank that sits upright to prevent the tank from
overflowing if the float rod is not adjusted properly.
Plastic Laminate – Plastic sheeting that is laminated to particleboard.
Quarter Round – A small trim molding that has the cross section of a quarter circle.
Re-pointing – Reapplying mortar between bricks.
Register – Plastic or metal grate connected to heating system, where warm
air is sent into a room.
Risers – Each of the vertical boards closing the spaces between the treads
of stairways.
Shakes – A wood roofing material, normally cedar or redwood, produced by
splitting a block of the wood along the grain line.

Joists – Main supporting wood structure that is beneath the sub-floor

Insulation R Rating – R Values and their metric equivalent, RSI values are a way of labeling the effectiveness of insulating materials.  The higher the R – Value or RSI, the more resistance the material has to the movement of heat. Insulation products that are sold in Canada are labeled with R or RSI values for new construction with different values for different applications.

Ice Dam – This is a build up of ice under your roof shingles at the eave causing shingles to lift.

Hose Bib – Exterior faucet

Most of our buyers are from the south. Why?  Our Price and Superior Location with schools, trails and amenities just steps away. Plus, we are the only builder that offers Brick and Stone consistently throughout  our subdivision.  Our buyers come to shop in our boutique style Victorian Village site, because we are unique. That is the key difference.  We stay away from that typical ‘cookie cutter’ subdivision look.  We are an elegant looking community.  One just has to drive through to see the unbelievable difference.

With Alliston being the next ‘it’ place to live, with lower prices and country feel community we expect to see more and more families from the south.  Some escaping the crazy prices, some escaping the crazy life style that they don’t want their children exposed to.  With Toronto being about an hour commute, Brampton about 45 minutes, Bolton 30 minutes for work, it really is a no brainer.  I would rather commute and raise my children in smaller, friendly, laid back neighbourhood  than a hostile, toxic environment.  What wouldn’t we do for our kids. After all, they are our little loves of our lives.

I have lived up this way since 1996.  I remember first living here, thinking, where am I going to shop?  I need a mall! Help!  As time went on, the mall trips became less frequent, I have it down to maybe once a year, even then I resent that I have to go.  I have discovered local shopping.  I have also discovered a lot of quaint towns within about 50 km radius, where I won’t find the same thing I would find in a mall, plus the different restaurants instead of the boring chain restaurants.  I like to make a day of it.  Walk a lovely down town, stop for a locally brewed coffee, with perhaps a pastry.  Continue on my shopping trek, stop at quaint restaurant for lunch and back out I go. My friends love coming for a visit and we venture out for the day like this.  Everyone becomes in different state of mind, calm.

With our Victorian Village site, I am encountering more and more purchasers who are feeling the same way, and are following  what I had discovered.  They are also now saying they can’t imagine living any where else.  The only regret they have, is not moving here sooner!

Prospective homeowners in Ontario often weigh the pros and cons of buying a new home vs. buying a used home in Alliston. Since buying a home is a major decision, it’s always good to take time. There are always better deals in the market, so nothing should be rushed as far as home acquisition is concerned. The following are the pros and cons of buying the two different types of homes.

The Pros of Buying a New Home

There are many advantages of buying a new home. For one, you get a new house that nobody has ever lived in, so you have the chance to customize it to meet your specific needs. Secondly, new houses usually come with a warranty, so you can enjoy free repairs, modifications and replacements if you discover something missing or damaged when you move in. This can be very helpful. Most builders usually give their clients a one to ten year warranty. The best warranties often cover structural and roofing systems. Other advantages include:

Buying a Used House

New homes usually cost a little bit more than pre-owned homes, so you will have to spend a little bit more to get a brand new house. Since nobody has ever lived in the house, personalizing it can be time-consuming and costly. Other drawbacks of purchasing new properties include:

• Warranties on new units do not usually cover damage due to improper use or wear and tear.
• If you wish to sell the house after a few months or years, you may not like the price because you will be competing with older properties
• New units have little or no vegetation since trees have not had time to grow

The Pros of Buying a Used House

The biggest advantage of purchasing a house that has previously been owned by another person is that it’s an affordable option. They are also:

• Available at a bargain compared to new houses
• Buyers can get bigger discounts by purchasing foreclosure properties
• Older homes often exist in established neighborhoods where all the neighbors know each other, so they feel like home
• These homes were built when land was much cheaper, so they have larger yards and bigger rooms
• The trees and vegetation in older homes are fully grown; some may even be decades or hundreds of years old, so they can provide a natural shade

When buying an old home, you should know that the structure of the building may be compromised. The roof may be leaking or foundation cracked. Older homes may:

• Have a mold problem
• Require renovation or remodelling
• Need replacement of the whole HVAC system because the old unit may be damaged due to wear and tear
• Need upgrading of the plumbing and electrical wiring systems to ensure safety
• Need adjustments and modifications in the garage to accommodate more vehicles

New Home vs. Used Home in Alliston

If you are planning to buy a house in Alliston, it is important that you weigh all the pros and cons of buying the two types of houses. For most people, it’s what they can afford that dictates what they can buy, while for others, it’s their taste and personal preferences. Whatever the case, all factors must be considered when deciding whether to buy a new home vs. used home in Alliston.

While many people are aware of the advantages of a home inspection when buying an older property, few understand the benefits that can accrue through the process of new home inspections.

In a small percentage of cases, factory-produced items fail shortly after installation. Typically, these occasional glitches will be covered under either the builder’s general warranty or the manufacturer’s specific guarantee, yet it is never convenient to be replacing major appliances once the home has been occupied. Getting an unbiased professional opinion on such things prior to moving in can save a world of frustration.

Merits of Home Inspections

One of the biggest hurdles in negotiating over who is responsible for fixing various faults or failings in new homes is the issue of initial culpability. The question can arise as to whether some flaw is a result of workmanship or customer abuse after occupying the property. A new home inspection can wipe out virtually all of the uncertainty by making sure that all of the errors are noted and repaired before the customer ever sets foot inside the house. Although most builders are conscientious about standing behind their product, it can nevertheless take time to get a warranty service crew out to do the work.

Developers have an obvious interest in turning around their capital as rapidly as possible. Anything that delays payment on a project is automatically an item that gets their attention. Since most prospective home buyers are, at best, just slightly familiar with the process of construction and often very excited about getting into their new home, they frequently overlook all other practical considerations. Having a competent new home inspection can furnish the buyers with important ammunition that can be used to get issues addressed rapidly, or even obtain significant reductions in the already-agreed-upon price of the home. Here are just a few things that a good home inspector might find.

• Instead of the 30-year shingles specified in the builder’s contract, thinner but cosmetically indistinguishable 20-year shingles are used. The buyer can then either insist on a significant discount or else force the builder to eat the cost of a very expensive roof replacement.
• Rather than solid hardwood cabinetry, less durable hardwood-veneer-over-composite materials get used. In many cases, this is a substitution that might not be noticed for many years and by then it will be far too late.

• A cheaper brand of windows and doors might creep into the supply line. Once the stickers are taken off, there is only a small chance that this will ever be discovered.

Obviously, a conscientious new home inspection will not just save a great deal of cost and trouble, but it might actually end up making the new home buyer a substantial amount of money in certain cases. The prices charged by home inspectors vary depending on local market conditions such as how fast homes are selling and how much their services are in demand, but most inspections should cost between three and six hundred dollars.

Considering the cost of a new home, this is an insignificant amount to spend on what is, in effect, very valuable insurance. It should also be noted that no reputable home builder ever has a problem with their customers making absolutely certain that they are getting a quality product that will last for generations. New home inspections are the difference between being sure and being certain that a new home is the right move to make.

New home buyer tax credit can seem daunting for those that have never given much thought to the subject. Purchasing a new house requires you to pay attention to many details. However, there are some useful bits of information that can help you understand more about being a first time homebuyer and the details involved. Make sure you assess the situation in the best way possible and steer clear of common mistakes by reading the guidelines below.

Good Market Does Not Equal Good Time to Buy

Just because the market is doing well does not mean that you should be making a purchase just yet. Those that are considering buying a home really need to think about whether they are able to support all the details of home ownership, such as job security and credit scores. You also need to think about whether the location will serve you for the rest of your life, or at least for the next few years. You have to make sure that you are able to live in the new home without any negative consequences.

Who Claims The Credit?

Those that qualify for credit are required to provide documentation that proves the purchase is of your main home. The credit can be refused if there is insufficient documentation. The documentation should include the statement of settlement that displays the names of all those involved, along with the home’s address, sale price in the contract, purchasing date and signatures.

Those that do not have a settlement statement, such as individuals who have bought a mobile home, are required to attach a copy of their sales contract that clearly displays the names and signatures of those involved. Other details that must be included are the purchasing date and address.

What is The Cost of The credit?

There are any factors that contribute to the credit cost. These factors include when the home was purchased, the price of the home and your income. Despite the phrase “credit”, it can actually be looked at as a loan that is free of interest. The amount must be repaid within a period of 15 years, without any interest. The repayment is done in installments of equal amounts. There are some exceptions to the rules so it is best to find out from a lawyer to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.

When Does The Home Cease to be Considered the Main Property?
There are several situations in which the home will cease to be considered your main home, such as:
• Home re-selling
• Transferring of home in a settlement (such as divorce)
• Change home to business or rental property
• Change home to second or vacation home
• Home has been damaged
• Home is taken in foreclosure

When Does The Full Credit Have to be Repaid?

There are certain circumstances in which the entire credit must be paid. These include:
• Not living in the home for a particular amount of nights
• The home is damaged
• Change home to second or holiday home
• Change home to rental or business property
• The main home has been sold to a relative or someone of significance
Finding out the necessary information can help you make an informed decision when it comes to buying your first home.