Welcome to Alton Village, Burlington’s newest residential community! You can find this new neighbourhood in the northeast corner of Burlington, just a short distance from the GTA, Hamilton, Brampton, Oshawa, and Oakville. In this growing community you can enjoy fitness activities, cultural attractions, and the natural beauty of the surrounding agricultural property. Read on to find out what makes Alton Village a beautiful place to live.

Real Estate in Alton Village

Development of Alton Village began in this enviable community in 2006. Today, the majority of the homes are two storey homes, with a balanced mix of detached, semi detached, and townhouse options. The most frequently consulted home builders are Mattamy Homes, Branthaven Homes, Sundial Homes, and Emery Homes. Home prices offer accessible price points for any budget. Apartments and Condos begin at $250,000, Freehold and Semi Detached homes begin at $375,000, and Fully Detached homes begin at $600,000. The upper price point for each home style is approximately double the entry price. Alton Village, Burlington offer homeowners gorgeous, custom family homes to suit the lifestyle of their dreams.

Commuting from Alton Village

Commuters love that the 407 ETR and the QEW Toronto make accessing the entire Greater Toronto Area quick and convenient. Take advantage of the efficient 407, and downtown Toronto is only a 50 minute drive away. Meanwhile, online essay writer Brampton is a mere 30 minutes away, while Hamilton is just a quick 20 minutes down the Queen Elizabeth Way. For those who prefer to use public transit, the GO Train, Appleby GO Station is the closest station to Alton Village making commuting both cost effective, and environmentally conscious.

Alton Village Amenities, Burlington

This is an increasingly popular residential neighbourhood. Those who live there frequently visit the Burlington North SmartCentre at the corner of Dundas Street and Appleby Line for both recreational shopping and daily necessities. Here you will find a Walmart, Winners, Longos, Walk-In Clinic, Starbucks, and perhaps most importantly: a Cora’s! Take the whole family out for dinner at Boston Pizza, Kelsey’s, or the Sunset Grill before grabbing a cone at the local Marble Slab Creamery. Golfers will love the proximity to the Millcroft Golf Club to the Southeast of Alton Village, one of Burlington’s most professional 18 hole golf clubs.

Infrastructure in Alton Village, Burlington

The Alton Village Public School is the neighbourhood’s primary educational institute, and children of all ages are welcome at The Alton Kids Child Care Center where children are encouraged to learn through play! Alton Village is home to The Haber Recreation Centre. This state of the art facility is home to a three storey public high school, the Alton Branch of the Public Library, and a full fitness centre with four gymnasiums! There’s a program or activity for the entire family at the Haber Recreation Center. Alton Village makes it possible for families to engage in a physically active, exciting lifestyle. With Toronto and the entire GTA so close by, there’s no shortage of activities, and festivals for the entire family!

If you are interested in Alton Village real estate, feel free to contact us for more information.

If you are planning on selling your home, you definitely want your home to look as clean and presentable as possible. When buyers walk into a home that has not been staged / prepared for showings or cleaned properly, they get distracted and this can impact the sale. Gutter cleaning professionals are high priority in the fall season as well, so, timely order their services. Just as you clean up all the clutter, dust the cobwebs and ensure that all the rooms are clean and neat, it is also very important to ensure that your windows are sparkling clean which you can easily get done by hiring experts who laver vitres à Laval and also replace/install custom screens with customscreens.com.au. If you notice a crack in one of your windows you can have someone come out for repairing residential window glass.

Impress the Buyers

When you opt for professional window cleaning in Woolcott, they do a thorough job and the windows become spotlessly clean. This also brings in more natural light into the rooms and brightens-up interior spaces and makes your home look cheery and bright.

All of this goes a long way in impressing buyers and it improves the possibility of a successful sale. Ideally, window cleaning should be done 2-3 times a year. Homeowners generally opt for a quarterly cleaning schedule while business owners prefer to have windows cleaned on a monthly basis.

Why Opt For Pre-Winter Window Cleaning?

For those who are wondering whether this is the best time to get windows cleaned by pros from a reputable place like Window Installation Louisville KY– there are a number of reasons why you should get your windows cleaned before winter:

• Though it is possible to clean windows in the winter if the days are clear, getting them cleaned just before it starts snowing is a much better option. It is possible to do an excellent job as the weather permits thorough cleaning and there is no snow to deal with
• The winter will last for a few months and since there is less dirt in the outdoor air during this season, your windows will stay clean for a longer period of time
• At times, the cold will compel you to stay indoors and you will have more time to look at the scenery outside. Having clear glass to gaze through is much better than looking through dirty panes, isn’t it?
• Winter is also about Thanksgiving and Christmas and inviting friends and family over to your home. You will surely want your windows to be as clean as you like the rest of your home to be
• No matter what the season, fingerprints and film from candles & fireplaces as well as dust accumulates on windows. Getting a pre-winter eco-friendly cleaning helps in easing the cleaning job and maintenance become easier
• When you have beautiful cityscape or landscape views outside, you want to be able to enjoy them through sheets of clear glass and getting professional window cleaning is the best way to ensure this.

Though pre-winter might seem like an unlikely time to get windows cleaned, as you can see- there are actually a number of reasons to do so and this is especially true if you are planning on selling your house. Whether you want the windows of your home or business in Woolcott cleaned, getting professionals to handle the job, is recommended and a smart thing to do.

You finally have your dream home and you are going to make an offer when you see the word “deposit” on on the paperwork. Is this just another word for “down payment” or is it something else altogether?

It get’s confusing, but deposits and down payments are two very different things to consider in any real estate transaction.  Although both require saving, they occur at different times during the transaction. Let’s look at what these terms mean and what you need to know and when.

Deposit

If you bid on a property, a deposit is expected to show how serious you are. Similar to a rental deposit, it shows that this is the place you want to live. Once a seller accepts your offer, you make a deposit quickly, usually within 24 hours.

Deposits are usually in the form of a bank transfer or certified check. The deposit amount is decided between you and your realtor and really depends on the local property market. Expect the deposit to be between one and five percent of the purchase price.

If the offer is accepted, the deposit is likely to be held in trust by the listing broker agent. This offers you buyer protection if the seller goes bankrupt. It is also protected by the insurance company, so even if the agency goes bankrupt, you can get your money back.

A question often arises, can the buyer can get the deposit back if there is a problem with the fulfillment of the conditions or if the buyer does not want to go ahead with the purchase? There is no simple answer to this, as every situation is different.

However, the deposit cannot be released until both parties agree. If a condition is not met, the seller may refuse to release the deposit if they believe the buyer is not acting in good faith.

Another thing to consider is that not paying the deposit doesn’t make the deal null and void. If the seller chooses to sell the house to someone else and not be able to get the same purchase price, you can be sued for the difference and the cost of legal fees. Placing an offer on a house is serious business, and you should only ever take this step if you intend to move forward.

Down Payment

Once you have paid the deposit and the offer is in, it’s time to look to the next phrase, the down payment. The down payment is the total amount of money you put towards the purchase price. This amount actually includes the deposit, which you have already made.

Generally speaking, the higher your down payment, the smaller loan you require and the less interest you’ll pay over time. This is where the savings really comes into play which can help you pay a lower mortgage rate!

In Canada, you have to put down a minimum of 5 percent of the purchase price. For example, if you bought a house for $400,000, you would have to put at least $20,000. However, if you want to avoid mortgage default insurance you want to pay at least 20% ($80,000 in this case). Suppose you pay 20 percent, your payment will be deducted from the purchase price, and what is left is the amount you need to finance with your bank. For example: $ 400,000 (purchase price) – $ 80,000 (down payment) = $ 320,000 (mortgage loan amount).

Do you have more questions about buying or selling a home? You’ll find more answers in the posts below:

• Fact Vs Fiction About Working With A Real Estate Agent
• FSBO vs Real Estate Agent Assisted Sales: What’s Better?
• What’s in Your Listing Agreement?

Summary

In short, the deposit is the money you give the seller right away to accept an offer and to show that you are motivated and serious about the deal. The down payment is the amount of cash you pay towards the house. Upon closing day, the deposit gets added to the rest of your down payment. The funds are released to the seller, along with the money from your   mortgage – and you then take possession of your brand new home!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment or give us a call at 905-332-9223 and one of our sales representatives would be more than happy to go through this with you!

Burlington was recently listed by Money Sense Magazine as one of the best cities to live in, in Canada. Not only that, Money Sense ranked Burlington as the third best city to raise a family in. It’s with good reason, as Burlington has a lot to offer, from fantastic schools, close proximity to Toronto, community spirit, and of course dozens of great neighbourhoods. Not every neighbourhood is built the same. Some neighbourhoods cater towards the single commuter, while others are more for senior, or retirement life. In this blog article we’ll examine what the best neighbourhoods in Burlington to raise a family are.

Headon Forest

Headon Forest is centrally located in Burlington. This community was started in the 1980’s when houses were built on lots with large backyards. Backyards and kids go hand in hand as it gives them lots of opportunities to be active in a safe location. Backyards are also perfect for birthday parties, and family events. What we love most about this neighbourhood is that it has mature and tall trees, as well as larger wide roads, making your new home a beautiful place to reside. Notre Dame Roman Catholic High School, as well as a few Elementary Schools are all within walking distance. Ireland Park is also located in Headon Forest, and it’s a great spot for children to play soccer, football, or ride their bikes about in a safe area.

Tansley Woods

Tansley Woods is located centrally in Burlington, so it’s close to everything Burlington has to offer.  If your job is in Toronto, the Go Station is near, or if your work is just down the road in Oakville, you don’t have far to drive on the 403.  This neighbourhood has great family amenities, such as the Tansley Woods Library and the Tansley Woods Park. We’re a little biased too, as our Woolcott office is located in the Tansley Woods neighbourhood.

Palmer

Palmer is an excellent place to raise a family, as again, it’s a mature neighbourhood with a strong foundation and lots to offer. Dr. Charles Best Public School, and Sir Earnest MacMillaian Public School are located here, and within walking distance. Furthermore, there are several parks, and many family oriented businesses, such as dental offices, animal hospitals and family doctors.

Mountainside

The Mountainside Neighbourhood in Burlington is a mix of old and new housing. Here you’ll find Mountainside Park, which offers a lot of activities for kids. Homes in this area reasonably priced, and you’re bound to find something to suit your family size. Schools and churches round out this neighbourhood, adding to a positive community life. Mountainside is also close to the Go Station, making this great if you or your spouse need to commute to Oakville, Mississauga or Toronto.

Brant Hills

Brant Hills is a family oriented area filled with parks, trails and schools. This is a great spot for kids, as it has the Brant Hills Park. Brant Hills is also a hop, skip and a jump away from the Bruce Trail. The Brant Hills Library and Park is also a great selling feature of this Burlington region, as it’s the perfect Saturday or after school destination. If you love golf, you’ll love Brant Hills. It is close to two golf courses, making it ideal for those of us who appreciate getting lost in a round of 18 holes.

Conclusions

With 29 Public elementary schools, 14 Catholic Schools, and 11 high schools, Burlington is a fantastic city to raise children. The city has 115 parks, 3 malls, as well as many local sports teams. For grownups, there are plenty of amazing restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities. Furthermore, the 407, 403 and Go Transit provide quick access to Mississauga, Oakville and Toronto for employment opportunities.

Winter is coming! (ok, I know all you non-Game of Thrones fans must be getting sick of hearing that).  After the epic winter, Burlington realized how cold and expensive winter can be.  However, there are lots of improvements you can make to save a bit of coin by reducing energy costs and maybe put forward towards a nice warm vacation (rather than dealing with the snow and such in Burlington).

Give your Home an Energy Audit

Before trying to reduce your home’s energy costs, give your home a home energy assessment to see the big picture.  If you really want to make a splash in savings, hire a professional energy auditor.  An energy auditor has special thermal technology that can spot where air might be leaking out.  A professional auditor can also review your recent utility bills to recommend ways on how you can save money.

Reduce your Lighting

During the winter, people use more artificial lighting, because it’s pretty much dark out by 6pm.  While energy saving light bulbs are initially expensive, they can save you up to $50 a month in energy costs.  Another way to save money is to use timers, especially for festive light bulbs.  Sometimes it’s too cold out, to go out and unplug those lights, however, turning them off with a timer, can save you more than a few bucks over the holiday season.

Save on Water Heating

Lowering the thermostat on your tankless water heater by a couple degrees can help save between 3 and 5 percent in energy costs. Keeping your water heater at a more mild temperature will slow down corrosion in your water heater and pipes as well. Which will make them operate more efficiently.  Another trick is to insulate your water heater tank and any hot water pipes.  You can buy special foam at the hardware store to do this.  This insulation can also prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter.  Finally, by showering with not as hot water, you save yourself from having dry itchy skin.  The winter in Burlington is rather arid, and hot water strips away natural oils in your skin.  While you’ll miss the extra hot water at first, after a couple of weeks you won’t even notice.

Indoor Heating Savings

It’s really tempting to turn the heat up when the weather cools, however if you keep your house a little cool, and toss on a sweater, you can save big bucks on energy costs.  Or, invest in a smart thermostat, which you can adjust so it turns the heat down when you sleep, or are at work.  A word of note, we never recommend turning off heat completely in a room.  This is because a warm wall next to that cold room might cause the wall to get moist, which creates mold.

Insulation

Adding more insulation to your home can help you save energy.  Attics and crawl spaces are a good place to start.  Meanwhile insulating pipes can go a long way as well.  A home auditor will crawl into a variety of spots and tell you where it is best to insulate.

So there are several tips on reducing energy costs. Spray foam insulating, keeping down the heat, and changing your lighting can all go a long way to ensuring you get through the next winter without breaking the bank.

What to expect when you’re expecting… house guests! The key to a great guest room is to provide all the comforts that they would expect to find at home, but with a personal touch. As a host, it’s your responsibility to fill your guest room with both soul, love and comfort. Here are a few great tips to make the perfect guest room or in-law room.

Functional Closet

A closet isn’t of much use without any hangers, so don’t forget to supply a dozen or so hangers for your guests. Another great idea is put simple hooks on the wall or behind a closet door for coats, scarves or bags. Stock the closet full of useful items as well, like clean towels, fresh bedding and a robe.

Provide Privacy

Part of making your guests feel at home is providing adequate privacy. Make sure the windows have curtains or blinds, so the neighbourhood can’t see everything that is going on in the room. Also, make sure the door can close tightly, dampening any sound that might interfere with a good night’s sleep. You might even want to consider adding a TV with cable or a DVD player. That way, if your guests would like to spend some time by themselves, there is a source of entertainment. Don’t forget to leave a working remote with fresh batteries!

Mirrors

Mirrors are an important necessity for any bedroom or bathroom. Men need a few seconds to check their hair to ensure their bed head is under control. Women, on the other hand, need to do their hair, makeup, as well as make sure their outfit works well with their shoes. We all take mirrors for granted until they are gone, then we’re just never sure if we have anything stuck in our teeth.

Small Gestures

A little gesture can go a long way. Consider leaving a welcome note on the nightstand, or putting a flower arrangement on an end table. Give your guest room an intimate look with some decorations such as a small shelf full of vintage books, or a few paintings to hang on the wall. A non-overwhelming air freshener is another idea for making your guests feel welcome.

Well-Stocked Bathrooms

If the guest room has a separate bathroom, be certain to keep it stocked with lots of extra toilet paper and tissues.  Sometimes little emergencies happen, you know.  Also provide a few simple things like toothbrushes, floss, hand moisturizer, soap, female hygienic products, and hand towels.

Creating the perfect guest room will make your guests feel right at home when they come to visit you. Keeping your guest room clean will also give you lots of practice for when you have to stage your home for sale.

Woolcott Real Estate

For more information, tips and tricks, visit our blog! Our experts at Woolcott Real Estate have virtually endless amounts of information about real estate in Burlington, Hamilton and Waterdown, selling your home, buying a new house, and loving the home you are in! For more information or to get started with our services, get in touch with us today. Some of the best real estate agents are only a phone call away!