In This Issue: Message from the Editor | Summer Makeup Tips | Additional Costs of Buying a Home | Upcoming Artisan Shows | Recommend a Business

 

Message From The Editor

 

Welcome. We hope that you have enjoyed this lovely summer weather. In this month's issue we have a great article from In Transition on how to keep your makeup looking fresh despite the humidity and summer heat, and the conclusion of a 2-part series on real estate by Don Bassindale.

 

Call for artisans: this is our 4th year organizing home studio artisan shows, which are advertised in the local media, online and by invitation. We are looking for participants to join us so please pass along the invitation. Visit www.ihighlyrecommend.ca/artisans.htm or email Brooke for more details.

 

What distinguishes I Highly Recommend from other business directories is the underlying foundation of trust. We are unique because all companies listed in the directory are invited to join based on a recommendation or 3rd party referral. If there is a business you would recommend, we appreciate your input.

 

Most small businesses rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from clients, friends and associates. For the members of I Highly Recommend, we make it easy to share great experiences with others. Just remember ihighlyrecommend.ca and a key word about the business and we make it easy to find who you are looking for with our search function.

 

Summer Makeup Tips

 

Summer is the time where the "less is more" concept applies. Keep it light.

 

This series of quick tips will keep you looking beautiful and fresh in this humid summer heat.

 

• Use an oil-free foundation with SPF and dust with a little loose powder.
  • Never use your hands to apply foundation.
  • Opt for a tinted moisturizer with SPF.
  • Reapply loose powder only to reset your makeup. Pressed powder tends to cake and clump.
• Blot any perspiration or oil build-up with non-powdered blotting papers or substitute a clean tissue.
• For a simpler evening look, apply a shimmer loose powder to the arms, neck and enhance the lips with a soft gloss.
• Use blush sparingly, letting your sun-kissed cheeks grab the attention.
• For the eyes, a soft, shimmery neutral does it.
  • Keep eye shadow from creasing and eyeliner from smudging or fading, by using a Transformer* by Stains and Shimmers to set them.
  • Use an Eye Lash Extender* by Stains and Shimmers with waterproof mascara to make your lashes look full.
  • Apply mascara to lower lashes first. This will prevent smudging that results from wet upper lashes.
• As for lips, they should be drenched in sheer colours.
  • Apply lip balm with sunblock first.
• Freeze melted eye/lip pencils and lipstick for 10-15 minutes.

 

When you are in a hurry:
1. simply apply sunblock to your face
2. highlight cheeks, nose, chin with a cream blush stick (dust lightly, with translucent powder)
3. apply mascara and lip gloss and you are ready to go!

 

For more suggestions or information about custom blended cosmetics, contact Gabriella from In Transition. tel. 905.664.9438, web: www.intransition55.ca.

 

Additional Costs of Buying a Home

 

In addition to the balance of the purchase price of your home due on closing, there are other costs you need to be aware of. Here are some of the costs that you will need to budget for:

 

At time of offer:

 

Deposit: Depending on the price range of the home you buy, the deposit can vary from $5,000 to $50,000.

 

Building Inspection: This is performed by a professional Building Inspector prior to your purchase being ‘firm.’ An inspection of an average size home should cost somewhere between $375 & $425. This is money well spent & will give you an excellent idea of the condition of the home you have purchased & provide you with guidelines for future home maintenance.

 

Status Certificate: If purchasing a condominium you will need to order a Status Certificate from the company that manages the condominium. This will cost $100 (incl. gst). It should be a condition of your offer to purchase - not only obtaining the document but for your lawyer to have a couple of days to review it. This document provides a wealth of information, not only on the financial condition of the Condominium, the status of the Reserve Fund, and the status of the unit you are buying, but also the rules & regulations, by-laws, proposed special assessments, etc. that you need to be aware of.

 

On Closing:

 

Lawyer Fees: Every real estate transaction requires the assistance of a lawyer to review the offer to Purchase, search the title, prepare the mortgage documents and take care of the details on the day of closing. If you do not have a lawyer it is wise to contact several lawyers and ask them about their fees as early in the home search process as is feasible. Lawyers' fees can vary depending on the complexity of a transaction. Keep in mind that fees can be negotiated.

 

Disbursements: In addition to his bill the lawyer will give you a bill for disbursements on closing. This covers such items as reimbursing the seller for taxes, utilities, condo fees and other items that have been pre-paid by the seller. Obtaining documentation & other miscellaneous costs incurred by the lawyer during the process.

 

Land Transfer Tax: Regardless of the price of the home that you buy, you will have to pay Land Transfer Tax. This tax is applied in most provinces and ranges from 0.5% - 4%. In Ontario you'll pay: 0.5% on the first $55,000, plus 1% on the amount from $55,000 - $250,000, plus 1.5% on the amount from $250,000 - $400,000. On the amount above $400,000 you will pay tax of 2%.

 

CMHC Insurance Fees: If you are planning on taking a high ratio mortgage i.e. putting a down payment of less than 25% your mortgage will have to be insured through CMHC. These charges will be added to your mortgage & your payment may be slightly higher as a result.

 

Appraisal Fees: This is the cost of having a licensed appraiser evaluate the market value of the home that you have purchased. Your lending institution requires this to ensure that mortgage you require can be secured against the home. i.e. that you are not borrowing more than the home is actually worth. This fee is approximately $350 + gst. Sometimes this fee is waived by the lending institution but it is always a good idea to include it in your budget.

 

CMHC recommends that you budget on 1.5% - 4% of the price of the home to cover the closing costs.

 

If you have any question or concerns on the information in this article, or real estate in general, please contact Don Bassindale, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp. 905-338-9000 or by e-mail don@donbassindale.com. Please visit Dons website www.donbassindale.com for more information.

 

Upcoming Artisan Shows

 

Given the escalating costs of craft shows, Sasha Walsh from Good Fur You! and Brooke Gordon from Bonnets & Bags , started organizing small venue shows. This is our 4th year organizing these events, which promote local artisans. If you know someone who is interested in participating at these events, our online invitation is available at www.ihighlyrecommend.ca/artisans.htm.

 

Recommend a Business

 

I Highly Recommend is a directory of local small businesses in your community. We are built on a network of trust and rely on your recommendations and referrals. If there is a business that you highly recommend, be it product or service, please contact us.