"I Fell for a Huge Century Home in Need of Major Repairs"

This is something we can many of us can relate to!! I absolutely love this essay and wanted to share.

Published Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011 3:29PM EDT

Robin Albrecht - Globe and Mail 

I swaggered into home ownership with the naive confidence of a first-time buyer. I had a down payment, a spreadsheet of monthly expenses and an IKEA gift card – I was ready.

After a few weeks of looking at well-built, renovated homes in my price range, I grew bored. These houses looked like everyone else’s houses. They had no heart, no character. They didn’t speak to me the way I felt my first home should. I wanted a warm, fuzzy feeling in my gut.

In that moment of weakness, I saw it – a listing for a century home in a charming town just 15 minutes outside the city.

“I like old stuff,” I thought. “I like charming small towns with fall fairs and friendly neighbours. They’d probably bring me a pie the day I move in!” How could I resist? A viewing was scheduled.

The warm fuzzies started as I drove down the street. The house sits across from a huge field and winding river. This field and its adjacent community centre are home to annual bake sales, community breakfasts and theatre productions, and the all-important fall fair. Images of being buddies with the locals and looking out my living room window to see livestock and midway rides flooded my head.

My real-estate agent made a valiant effort to bring me back to reality. “That river floods,” he warned as we turned into the driveway. I barely heard him as I gazed up at the sprawling white house with periwinkle trim. It was already whispering my name.

The front door brought us into a charming enclosed front porch flooded with sunlight. A turn of the glass doorknob (and a gentle shove of the shoulder) revealed everything I hadn’t known I wanted. Creaky hardwood floors, an exposed brick wall, a nook off the family room – perfect for my library and office – and the kitchen, a huge room with original tin ceilings, a functional 1950s Frigidaire stove and a view of the gigantic backyard. This was it.

I was ready to move in immediately, but somewhere in the back of my mind, a little voice prompted a home inspection. I was a knowledgeable and well-prepared purchaser. I knew about these things.

One week later the inspection took place and the results were (mostly) favourable. The roof would need to be replaced in a year or two, a shower wall was mushy and it seemed like some of the electrical work had been a DIY job. Over all, I was told there wasn’t much to worry about and it was a great, character-filled home. A real gem. I agreed wholeheartedly.

The three months before the closing date flew by. Paint colours were selected, furniture was ordered, room layouts were sketched onto many a sticky note. I experienced a few moments of doubt that I considered a natural result of making the biggest purchase of my young life, but was still convinced I had made the right decision.

The first time I really began to wonder if a 135-year-old behemoth of a house was the best choice for a single, 25-year-old woman was when we went for a final walkthrough. My brother pointed out that I wouldn’t be able to put a chair with wheels into the library nook because I would roll back over the home’s sloped floors. I noticed that every surface in the bedrooms was wallpapered, including the ceilings and inside the closets, and that the kitchen counter was abnormally low. I reassured myself that the house was sound, that these were cosmetic imperfections and I didn’t want a chair with wheels anyway.

A month after I moved in, every ceiling in the upper level started to drip when it rained. After hours of chipping decades-old wallpaper from the master bedroom and remudding the walls, water seeped in and effectively melted the work that had been done.

It turned out the previous owners had been less than truthful about their oil heating costs, and I had been unaware buyers can ask to see previous bills. Then an inspection by an electrician revealed $5,000 in work to bring everything up to code. And how had I not processed the fact that my laundry room was in an unheated addition at the opposite end of the house from my bedroom? Those pipes burst soon enough.

It was time to admit I had been blinded by the excitement, distracted by the charm and foolish to ignore the advice of those around me. What had I been thinking? Why hadn’t someone stopped me? In truth, my parents and boyfriend, co-workers and friends had tried, but I was too convinced of my own invincibility to listen. I finally understood why parents get so frustrated with kids who think they know everything. Because kids who think they know everything make ridiculous decisions.

Thousands of dollars flew from what I had considered a well-padded bank account. The roof was replaced, a gas line and new furnace installed. Empty paint cans piled up as I slowly worked through each room and made the house my own. I can stand at my oddly low kitchen sink and watch my dogs frolic in the yard.

A year and a half later, I have learned to appreciate, and more importantly listen to, the opinions and advice of those around me. I still look around and add tasks to a constantly expanding list of improvements. But my roof doesn’t leak, I can afford heat and I love the work I’ve done and the knowledge that my friends and family will stick by me even when I’m being unreasonable. The neighbours may not have brought me pie, but the house didn’t flood this spring and that’s good enough for me.

Robin Albrecht lives in New Hamburg, Ont
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Make your basement rec room chic & inviting.

This post by Sarah Richardson (HGTV) on basement living has some great photos, ideas, etc. for anyone thinking about renovating their basement.

Its very common when working with buyers that their 'must-have' list includes finished basement space. My only 'beef' with the article is that the photos in question do not all appear to be a 'basement' as we think of it - some appear to be above-grade.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/sarah-richardson/make-your-basement-rec-room-chic-and-inviting/article2273585/

Its December 1st!!

I STILL haven't heard how the HGTV filming went for our cousins. I think they are purposely avoiding me since they don't want to be bombarded with questions - but they can't avoid me at Christmas!!!

Since its December 1st, I think its officially acceptable for me to hand out Christmas cookie tins and mail out Christmas cards. I can't wait - I love doing it!!! I actually hate snow, so I have to find something to make me happy over the winter months (aside from browsing travel websites!)

Happy December 1st! Go buy or sell a house!

Rick Mercer bought because he couldn't afford rent!

I often say to people that for the most part, buying is cheaper than renting. Of course there ARE exceptions - pricy, 'hot' cities like Vancouver or New York make buying almost for the super-rich. Generally speaking, however, buying is more affordable - and hopefully it helps you build equity in the meantime. If buying wasn't a better option, do you think so many people would be landlords?

This article appeared in yesterday's Toronto Star - it is an interview with Rick Mercer about money, and he talks about when he was 19 he bought because it was cheaper than rent! Of course, like many people, he had "a hand up" from his parents (help with the downpayment). Very cool to see that even celebrities needed help at one point.

By Emily Mathieu | Sat Nov 26 2011

The Toronto Star

Comedian and commentator Rick Mercer’s distinct take on Canadian politics and social issues can be caught on the Rick Mercer Reportevery Tuesday at 8 p.m. on CBC. In our series on the financial habits of notable Canadians Mercer told the Toronto Star’s Emily Mathieu about his $19,500 row house, why trying to make a living in show business is a gamble and why entertainers, thanks to the nature of their industry, tend not to retire.

How did your childhood influence your attitude toward money?

My parents were pathological about living within their means and there simply wasn’t a lot of money. So as a family there were no trips to Florida but lots of camping trips, the driveway wasn’t paved (still isn’t) but there was money for music lessons, the house is small and had one bathroom for a family of six but it was paid for.

For people who had relatively little money my parents didn’t actually stress about money because they avoided debt. They certainly made a lot of sacrifices. As kids we knew that they would help out with post secondary education, for example, but the entire time I was growing up I doubt my father ever paid more than a thousand dollars for a truck, and he would paint them with a brush. I can’t actually think of anything that my father needed that he bought new.

Even now if I mention to Dad that I went to Canadian Tire and bought a lawn mower I know what he is thinking “Hmm, bought a new lawn mower, fool and his money”.

What was the best financial advice they passed on?

My father said never loan money to friends or at least never loan money and expect it back. If you are in a position to help a friend that’s great and you are in fact obligated to, but don’t expect it back. He was adamant that allowing a friendship to be damaged because of bad feelings around money is inexcusable.

What was your first big purchase?

My first house. I was 19 years old, I paid $19,500 for a very skinny row house, attached on both sides, attached to 20 other houses and a Chinese take out. The house was essentially condemned; it came with a huge binder of work orders from the city of St. John’s.

I was the cliché of a starving actor and actually couldn’t afford to live in an apartment. Owning the house allowed me to live on my own and concentrate on working in comedy. My cousin and a few friends rented rooms for $75 bucks a month. I financed it with $4,000 down which was money that my parents had planned to give me for university. I had payments of $300 dollars a month on a $15,000 dollar bank loan. The down payment from my parents was a hand up that changed my life.

How do you prefer to pay, cash, card or debit?

I have no preference. But I’m careful to pay off my cards monthly. Which I understand is a luxury.

Do you bank online?

Very little.

What has been your savviest investment?

Canadian Banks. Boring old Canadian Banks back in the early 90s.

Have you learned any financial lessons the hard way?

Yes I have and the tip I would give for anyone who is playing around in the market is to avoid people with hot tips.

What advice would you give to people about to enter the entertainment industry?

It depends on what area. There are lots of very good stable jobs in the entertainment industry. It’s an exciting industry. That said if a young person says they want to be a professional actor or musician I generally say don’t. A person doesn’t become an actor, a musician or a dancer because other people encouraged them, they do it because they have to, it is in their blood and they can’t imagine doing anything else.

If you can imagine doing something else you should probably concentrate on that. Being an artist or a performer is a very difficult life, there is no job security. In show business you can’t make a living but you can make a killing, it is a big gamble.

Was there a moment in your career where you felt you had achieved financial security?

Yes and no I don’t care to elaborate.

Do you worry about retirement?

I don’t worry about retirement but I do worry about not working. One of the great things about being an actor or a writer is you never have to stop working. I look forward to playing a crotchety old man.

But all actors worry about not working. When I bump into Gordon Pinsent he will talk about work, where the next job is, etc. He’s worked more than almost any actor alive, he could have retired comfortably decades ago but he is an actor and that’s what actors do, they worry about their next job.

Can money buy happiness?

It certainly doesn’t hurt. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. Money can mean not having to worry about paying the bills and there is no doubt about it for the vast majority of people that is the number one cause of stress in their life. But it all comes back to living within your means.

I’m sure there are people with massive salaries and five million dollar cottages in Muskoka they visit for two weeks a year stressing about bills at the end of the month. So one thing we do know is money can’t buy smarts.

Are money and success the same thing?

Absolutely not.

O.M.G.

OMG. My husband's cousins have posted on Facebook that they are being filmed by HGTV today for a new tv show.

I have never felt a jealousy so intense!! My lifelong dream of being an HGTV star is so close - and yet so far!!! Some day, I'm going to BE Sandra Rinomato. Not just be LIKE her, but I'm going to BE her. She has to retire at some point.

I have absolutely NO idea what specifically they are being filmed for - I think they are doing some renos, so it may be related to that - but I still think its super cool. Plus, I've always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes - I'm curious to see if the final product is 'staged' or is actually the process they go through. Do they get paid? SO many questions!!

I'm going to pester them with this blog post in hopes that they will sit down for me and tell me every.single.detail. of what happened.

Stay tuned, friends!!

How To Squeeze a Gym into your Small Space

Home Body: How to squeeze a gym into your small space

November 20, 2011The Toronto Star

LIZ BRUCKNER

The problem with working out in a small space is twofold: Quarters are tight and equipment is large. Thankfully, making a few changes to your home’s setup — and choosing strategically sized fitness gadgets — can help even the coziest areas yield a workout worthy of the gym.

Clear the clutter. The easiest way to transform a cramped living room into one that welcomes a workout is to move bigger pieces — like coffee or side tables and chairs — out of the way. “All you need is an area that’s six feet by six feet to get a good workout,” says Andre Potvin, Vancouver personal trainer and president of INFOFIT Educators School for Fitness Professionals. If you’re able to lie down without bumping into furniture when facing north/south and east/west, he says you’ve got more than enough room.

Pull double duty. Sometimes the key to incorporating exercise equipment into small areas lies in choosing the right multi-tasking pieces. Toronto-based interior designer Marisa Arpaia loves stability balls for this reason. “They’re great to use as a chair in a home office, and as an addition to Pilates, yoga and core-strengthening workouts. And because they’re easily deflated, they can magically disappear when company shows up.”

Shrink it. It’s not just furniture that’s downsizing of late — fitness gear is shrinking too. According to Dai Manuel, chief operating officer for Fitness Town, two products taking off for the home market are Power Plate Vibration Training, a machine that promises body toning and cellulite reduction in mere minutes a day, and Functional Trainers, a space-conscious multi-functional machine that offers a complete workout via hundreds of different exercises. “Both of these systems have been gaining momentum for the past two years as in-home fitness solutions because they’re effective and take up very minimal space,” Manuel says.

Think like a trainer. There’s a plethora of collapsible or compact pieces of fitness equipment that can be easily hidden or stored away, so channel your inner trainer and follow the ‘in the bag’ technique. “If I’m training a client in their home, I only bring what fits in my bag,” says Potvin. The pieces making the cut: a stability ball, two sets of resistance tubing and PowerBlock dumbbells, which are portable, compact and can offer weight equivalent to that of an entire rack of dumbbells. “Each of these pieces are versatile, easily stowed and ideal for an at-home gym,” he says.

Avoid the oversized. Unless your last name is Beckham and you have a large personal gym at home, think twice about cluttering up your space up with clunky treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines. While some are folding and can be tucked away in a closet or even under a bed, in many instances, says Arpaia, these machines end up being used as an expensive laundry rack and not for much else.

Pass on fads. As with fashion, certain pieces of fitness equipment have a decidedly ‘flavour-of-the-month’ feel to them. “Kettle bells and medicine balls fall under the ‘not necessary at home’ category for me,” says Potvin. “They can be great fitness tools, but working out with them requires quality instructions about precise techniques before someone attempts to use them on their own.” His suggestion: Stick with the classics, and don’t waste your money — or space — on pieces that are best left at the gym.

See a professional. You’ve stocked your home with the best small-space equipment. Now what? “The most important thing I suggest people do when they’re trying to dedicate themselves to a fitness routine — in or out of their home — is hire a trainer,” says Potvin. Even if it’s for one session a month, you’ll not only be walked through proper technique, that single session can set you up for a month of training and ultimately lower the chances of you giving up on workouts because you’re not sure which moves to perform.”

The snow is falling!

The snow is officially starting to fall. I'm sure we will have lots of 'melts' from here until Christmas, but it is becoming a lot more common to see snow than rain. The trees have lost most of their leaves, and the air is definitely crisp. I wish I could say I like winter - I honestly admire people who do. I've tried - I took up skiing, snowshoeing, I even went winter camping with my Girl Guides last year. We spent most of it bundled up inside with the heat on :)

It seems as though when the snow starts, people stop looking at houses - they've got too many other things to think about! Christmas, New Years, holiday parties....who wants to go to an Open House when they can go shopping?! (well, I still prefer Open Houses, but I'm weird.....) So the housing market definitely slows down, but it doesn't die completely - its actually a great time to buy if you're looking! Realtors are slower so you definitely get 150% of their attention, you are less likely to end up competing, and there is usually an abundance of houses to choose from. Plus, you can have a move-in date of early spring, and whats more fun than moving into your new house before summer?! Especially if it has a pool!!!

If you're thinking of buying or selling this winter, don't be scared off by the weather! The real estate market is always moving, and you never know when you're going to find the perfect house :)

Have a great weekend!