Some easy blunder to avoid when buying a house in 2013-14

When you decide to enter the home buying market, it can be an exciting experience. But even for those who are not first-time homebuyers, easy mistakes can be made that result in you spending more than necessary, missing out on a great opportunity, or not getting what you thought you were buying.

To avoid these minefields, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has listed five of the most prevalent oversights people make in the home buying process.

 

First Blunder-Being unclear on how much you can afford

An especially common misstep does not know what you can afford. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's "Are you financially ready?" will take you step-by-step in helping you determine:

 

◦How much you spend now

◦How much you can afford

◦Your maximum house price

Once you have an idea of how much you can afford, and how much of a mortgage you'll need to get, a mortgage payment calculator can help you get a feel for:

◦the approximate payment to be made according to the payment frequency selected,

◦roughly how much interest you'll end up paying, and

◦when the mortgage loan will be paid off.

Remember, there's more to home buying than just the house price. The OREA reminds house hunters to keep in mind that money will be needed for land transfer taxes, closing costs, home inspections, moving expenses and unexpected incidentals-all which should be factored into your budget.

 

2nd Blunder-.Not getting pre-approved for a mortgage

"Many sellers will require a potential buyer to get pre-approved," says Patricia Verge, board member of the OREA. "When there are competing bids on the house of your dreams, pre-approval could give you the edge."

Pre-approval means that a lender has reviewed your finances and determined how much of a mortgage they believe you can afford. Although it is not a guarantee of approval for a mortgage, the confirmation by the lender (you'll be given a certificate of sorts) tells the seller that you're likely able to produce the money needed to buy the house.

 

3rd Blunder- Not knowing what you want

 

Know what you're looking for in a home, but keep in mind that what you're looking for in a home often extends beyond its walls. People usually have an idea of how many bedrooms and bathrooms they want, but forget to ask questions like:

◦Are schools, grocery stores and banks nearby?

◦How easy is it to get to work?

◦What size of yard is important?

◦What's important in a "neighbourhood"?

OREA recommends that you create a list of needs, wants and must-haves by thinking about a day in your life and what you need out of your home, and its location, in order to live the way you want to.

 

 

 

4rth Blunder- Relying solely on the seller's home inspector

Getting a home inspection, independent of the seller's inspection (if they have one) is something OREA says people often fail to do. "Ensure that you have a qualified and bonded home inspector perform a full inspection as part of your offer. An investment of a few hundred dollars could save you thousands down the road," says OREA board member Phil Dorner.

According to the CMHC, a home inspector's role is to inform you about the property's condition. The home inspector will tell you if something is not working properly, needs changing, or is unsafe, as well as if repairs are needed, and maybe even where problems may have occurred in the past.

5th Blunder-.Allowing emotions to get in the way of effective negotiations

Too often when a person feels they've found the 'perfect' house to make their home, these feelings find their way into the decision and negotiation process.

Try to keep your emotions in check and avoid doing something that could hurt your wallet down the road (like not getting your own home inspection) or dragging you into a bidding war that you may not be able to afford.

Buying a home is a big purchase, a long-term purchase and you'll want to ensure that it's a purchase you can live with.

How to write a superb essay for MBA or other exams

Free tips to good essay for MBA or other tests

This is my first blog on passing MBA exam.In this blog you find how to write a good essay for MBA or other tests. The essay is one part of your application over which you have total control. The admissions officers regard essays as an opportunity to find about you as a person. The rest of your application tells them your educational history: your grades, your test scores, and your attainments. Thus they already have a quantitative picture of you. Now they want to know what makes you qualitatively different from other applicants. So, in a nutshell, a successful essay will show them that you are an articulate and distinctive person.

Both the essays you write and the references you submit are vital parts of your application. The references contain information about you told by someone else, but the essays give you the opportunity to tell the admissions committee what matters most to you. Your essays are your opportunity to talk to the committee. Imagine yourself addressing real people and telling them what you hope to achieve and convincing them of your potential. The keynote here is sincerity. Just as a person can judge you by the way you talk to them, the admissions tutors can read between the lines to see what kind of person you really are. They are experts at detecting lies, omissions and exaggerations, so it is always best to be straightforward. I think that the following sums up what is needed.

Reflective, insightful essays help us envision the individual behind all of the experiences and accomplishments that we read about elsewhere in your application. Please remember that we are reading the essays taking into account all the information contained in your application. Our goal is to understand what motivates you and how you have become the person you are today.

Five stages to constructing a superior set of essays

Stage 1 (List of topics)

Each school application will require anywhere from two to six essay responses. The first step is to print out the list of topics for each school and study them carefully. It is of utmost importance to understand the questions and answer them properly: You cannot get away with submitting a generalized essay. Each component of the question must be addressed and you must not stray off the topic. For example, consider an essay that asks:

"Discuss the accomplishment of yours which required the most effort to achieve. What intermediary steps where necessary? How did you overcome challenges along the way?"

 In your response you must cover not only what you did, but also how you did it. You must focus on only one accomplishment.

Stage 2 (Use your own response)

Take each essay in turn and think about your response. You can discuss your ideas with friends, colleagues, advisors and parents before starting to write. Each essay should convey a correct balance between factual information and analysis of the information. The essays are there to get at something more than your experiences; they should reveal your passions, aspirations, ideas and values.

A misleading piece of advice you often hear is, "Tell the admissions committee what makes you unique." This can lead students into thinking they have to write about exciting events (skydiving, appearing on TV, winning awards, etc.), and some are even led into inventing experiences. However, this is not at all what is required. What actually makes you unique is the way life experiences, even of the more mundane kind, have made you what you are. A typical essay might ask you,

Describe a difficult personal or professional challenge you have faced. What did you learn from this experience?  Do not be tempted into inventing something dramatic: focus on introspecting about what you learned from a real experience.

Stage 3 (Read your draft 3-4 times)

Write a first draft of each essay. Look at the draft again the next day. If you are convinced that you have done your best, show the essay to someone whose opinion you value. Once you have feedback you can think about rewriting. Before rewriting ask yourself whether you have spent enough time on explaining how your outlook on life has been influenced by whatever situation you are describing, or how you have arrived at crucial decisions. Take a typical essay that asks you,

Present a 5-year career plan, including your professional goals and how you intend to implement them. Discuss how you believe your education at our school will influence your plan. The committee is looking for a �thoughtful self-assessment� of your goals. Not all of your plans will be worked out to the last detail, but a realistic examination of what you hope to achieve is needed here. Do not forget that the business school wants to see that they can actually help you achieve your goals.

You don't have to have your entire life mapped out, but applicants often find it difficult to address why an MBA is required to achieve their goals if the goals themselves are ill-defined. Illustrate why, of all the choices in your life at this time, pursuing an MBA is the best way for you to achieve your personal and professional aspirations - the answer might surprise you! Finally, explain why you believe that Stanford is the right MBA program to help you reach your goals.

Stage 4 (Improve after feedback)

Rewrite your essays in light of the feedback you receive, then get a final edit of punctuation, grammar etc. from an expert. This way the essays portray you, and are your own original work, but are not spoiled by distracting errors. Check that you have not exceeded the word limit on any of your essays. If you have gone over the word limit, do some pruning at this point. Being concise is one of the qualities they are looking for!

 

Stage 5 (Print and read again)

When you believe you have finalized all the essays for one school, print out the whole set and read them all at one sitting. Evaluate the entire set in light of the whole application. Ask yourself whether the set as a whole conveys all the necessary information. Have you told the committee everything that they need to know? Most schools offer an optional essay in which you can write about anything else that you need to explain to them: use this opportunity only if you feel sure there is an important need for it. Once you are satisfied with your content take a final look at the presentation. Check that you have followed all directions about formatting and used a standardized layout throughout. Unless otherwise directed, a 12-point font and standard typeface (Arial or Times New Roman) are probably the best. Justified text looks better (unless you are specifically asked for left-aligned text.) Make sure your number the essays properly, and follow any other instructions you are given exactly.

One final point: make sure you allow enough time to complete the essays to the best of your ability. Never leave them to the last minute or you will be jeopardizing your whole application. Do not underestimate the importance of essays; they can make or break your chances of going to the business school of your choice.

A Guarantee Mantra to sell your home in 2013 (To do checklist)

Free hot selling tricks to sell your home in 2013.

With competition so fierce and so many homes for sale, here is to do checklist of to have your home in ready condition and ensure you receive maximum price. Here are some hot selling tricks to sell your home in 2013.

Give outdated Kitchens a paint /backsplash facelift

A nice Kitchen helps sell a house however, don’t invest in a total renovation. Renovations are costly, and you won’t recoup your costs unless you find your exact décor a buyer is looking for. Bring an out-of-date Kitchen up to speed with tasteful paint colors, new ceramic tiles and new lighting. A modern backsplash and sleek countertop will always spruce up a kitchen.

Improve the lighting (new energy efficient)

Replace any old light fixtures ASAP. How can you tell if it has to go? If it’s over 15 years old and looks it – yet isn’t a vintage (50-75 years old) or antique piece (older) – it should probably go.

Make the Home smell nice (first impression)

Make sure your home has a nice aroma, not too strong but appealing to the masses. Bake cookies before showings; use cinnamon sticks and fresh flowers. Make sure the home doesn’t smell of pets or smoke. Smoke is a silent killer and will be a deal breaker even for buyers that smoke.

Good Paint makes a house new

Dollar for dollar, a fresh coat of paint gives you more bang for your decorating buck than anything else. Even if your current palette is relatively new, any scuffs or wear marks will channel an unkempt vibe. Make sure colors are warm, neutral and inviting.

 

De-clutter change look bigger

Take the collectibles off the mantel, put the mismatched armchair into storage (or better yet, donate it) and pare your closets down to what you’re actually wearing this season, packing away the rest. The more you store onsite, the more cluttered and small your home appears and the less you will get for it.

Bathrooms a facelift good idea

A nice bathroom helps sell a house, but don’t invest in a total renovation. Renovations are costly, and you won’t recoup your costs unless you find your exact décor a buyer is looking for. Bring an out-of-date bathroom up to speed with fresh warm paint, new ceramic tile and new lighting. Buy neutral new shower curtains, a simple new bath mat and vanity set, and have fresh flowers in the room during open houses and showings.

Spruce up the front yard

Refresh your front yard according to the season. In spring, summer and fall, trim back dead plants and foliage and plant attractive annuals or perennials in flowerbeds. In winter, keep the walkway shovelled and cut back any tree or shrub branches damaged by heavy snowfall. A pair of planters flanking the front door and filled with seasonal arrangements instantly conveys pride of ownership.

Make sure to check backyard

Simple fixes will make the most of your existing yard layout. Replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, or stain and sealant if the finish needs it. Weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for color when in-season. If kids’ toys are taking over the space, put some in storage. Think “tidy,” “update” and “refresh”: never do anything costly or major like adding a swimming pool or pond, which may put off potential buyers.

Window Coverings-fresh look to a room

Dated window treatments need to come down, (if it’s over 10 years old, get rid of it). If privacy isn’t an issue, just leave the windows bare to maximize natural light and make the room’s dimensions seem more generous. Otherwise, buy basic-issue cotton or linen drapes. Always tie drapes back during viewings and open houses.

Replace old floors 

Out dated floors will always give the home an old feel and will repel a buyer from your home. Refinish scratched hardwood, replace soiled carpets, replace linoleum with ceramic tiles and try to stay away from Laminate floors, unless in the basement. Carpet in the basement is always the best option.

How to elude those Sleepless hot Summer Nights in 2013

Mantra for Preventing Sleeplessness in summer

We all experience this sleepless problem in summer time. In this blog you will see some simple tips get healthy sleep in summer time.

Sleep plays an important role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. Sleep helps your brain work properly. While you're sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day. It's forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information.

Studies show that a good night's sleep improves learning. Whether you're learning math, how to play the piano, how to perfect your golf swing, or how to drive a car, sleep helps enhance your learning and problem-solving skills. Sleep also helps you pay attention, make decisions, and be creative.

Studies also show that sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain. If you're sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change. Sleep deficiency also has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.

Preventing another sleepless night means adjusting what you do in the morning, afternoon and evening. That way, you’ll help ensure sleeplessness won’t prevent you from having the energy, positive attitude and mental focus to do what you want:

1. Sleep at the same time

Wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day — even on the weekends. That’s the start of developing good habits that aid sleep.

2. Sleep-only zone

Declare your bedroom a sleep-only zone — that helps tell your body that bed equals sleep.

3 Practice stress management

Regular deep-breathing exercises and meditation will help relieve the stress you may not even realize is keeping you up at night.

4 Exercise regularly

Get active with stretching, strength and cardiovascular exercise to help keep your body strong and healthy. Just make sure you don’t exercise too close to bedtime as it may keep you up at night.

5. No daytime naps

Avoid naps — especially in the evening.

6. Checklist

Do a bedroom check — Make sure your bedroom is primed for sleep. Black-out shades or curtains will help keep light and noise at a minimum. Also ensure your bedroom is kept at the right temperature — cool or warm, but comfortable.

7. No big meal

Avoid eating large meals before bedtime — digesting a large meal while in bed could keep you up.

8. No coffee time

Avoid caffeine — it’s wise to not have any caffeine (caffeinated tea or coffee, energy drinks, chocolate) after 3:00 pm.

9. Danger of taking liquids

Limit your liquids before bedtime — that way, your sleep won’t be disturbed by the need to go to the bathroom.

10  Warning- nicotine and alcohol

Avoid nicotine and alcohol — you may fall asleep easier after a drink or two but it’s likely that you’ll wake up in the middle of the night. Nicotine will increase your heart rate — exactly what you don’t want before going to bed.

11. Relaxation time

Establish a relaxing bedtime routine — Stick to a routine that will help you relax. Doing the same thing every night before going to bed will help put your body in sleep mode.

12. No electronics devices near bedroom

How to minimize your Arthritis pain without pills

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. A joint is the area where two bones meet. There are over 100 different types of arthritis.

Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage normally protects a joint, allowing it to move smoothly. Cartilage also absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint, such as when you walk. Without the normal amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation), and stiffness.

Research shows a positive relationship between arthritis and exercise:

A 14-year study published in Arthritis Research and Therapy, analyzed aerobic exercise and its impact on joint pain. Researchers found that exercise was associated with a substantial and significant reduction in pain, among men and women of various shapes and sizes.

A 2003 study published in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatology found that patients with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) can safely improve their level of physical fitness using a regular strength and endurance training program.

Long-term studies have shown that people with inflammatory arthritis can benefit from moderate weight-bearing activity, and reduce the bone loss and small joint damage associated with this condition, without increasing pain or disease severity.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, strength training can help people with arthritis preserve bone density and improve muscle mass, strength and balance.

 

What are the best activities should be incorporated into your exercise program:

1.         Flexibility training

2.         Strength training

3.         Aerobic exercise

1.Try some Flexibility Training

 

Stiff joints hurt your ability to perform daily tasks, like buttoning a shirt or opening a can. But stretching will improve your range of motion, resulting in greater flexibility and less pain. Stretch every major muscle group daily, paying particular attention to the joints affected by arthritis to help prevent joint stiffness and soreness.

Choose the stretches that work for you and do them on a daily basis.

Avoid bouncing during stretches. A stretch should be slow, controlled, and not pushed to the point of pain.

2. Try some Strength Training

Weak muscles are common in people with arthritis. This decrease in strength is often caused by inactivity (due to the pain of arthritis) or medication side effects. Muscular strength is important because it decreases the stress on your joints, absorbs shock, protects your joints from injury, and helps improve your overall mobility. Before you start a strength training program, talk to your doctor for recommendations based on your condition and the degree of inflammation you experience.

Try to perform strengthening exercises every other day. Start slowly and master the form of each exercise without weights, then move up to light weights that you can control.

Try isometric exercises. These safe and effective moves contract your muscles but don't move the joint (i.e. holding a bag of groceries). They're great for people with very painful joints because they build muscular strength with very little joint motion. Some examples of isometric exercises in the Fitness Resource Center include: Isometric Biceps Hold with Towel and Isometric Shoulder Hold with Towel. But you can modify any exercise to make it isometric by holding the position without repeating the movement. For example, Dumbbell Squats and Forward Lunges become isometric when you lower into the squat or lunge position and hold it there instead of performing the up and down motion.

Avoid strength training if you are experiencing joint swelling or pain. Resume your activities when the swelling and pain subside.

3. Aerobic Exercise

Weight-bearing activities like walking strengthen your bones, improve your balance and coordination, and help you maintain a healthy weight. In addition to these physical benefits, aerobic exercise helps improve your mood and reduces tension and stress. Aim for 3-4 sessions of aerobic exercise each week.

Try exercising in water

Water exercise is gentle on the joints since water acts as a cushion. Warm water also raises your body temperature, which causes your blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation.

Try walking

Walking is an easy and safe way for people with arthritis to strengthen their muscles and joints.

Avoid overdoing it

Although exercise has many benefits for people with arthritis, it is possible to do too much. Vigorous exercise that aggravates inflammation in the joints is harmful. If exercise-induced joint pain lasts more than two hours, you've done too much. (Arthritis Research and Therapy)