I always picture summer vacation as relaxing around a campfire or spending time outdoors with loved ones. ??These are the memories that flood our minds and sharing experiences actually help us evolve into happier, more productive people.

My team and I love to travel! Each month, we are featuring a new travel segment in our newsletter from one of our team members. ??This week, I thought I’d let you come along with me on my current journey – rowing in Italy!

Here are some of the top reasons why taking a holiday is imperative

I am on a ten day trip with my rowing friends from all over the world. ??I have not been on an overseas holiday this summer and since it was an incredibly busy summer for us, I decided to wait until now.

1. Recharge your batteries

When you run your own business, it is extremely important to schedule in some downtime. There will always be more phone calls to make, more clients to work with and the to do list never stops. This is what I LOVE about having my own business!! But, if you don’t take time out to rest and relax, you will burn out.
Photo: ‘Ready to start at the base of the Swiss Alps’ 

2. Experience something new

New experiences allow us to view life from a different perspective. Try doing something you have never done before every time you go on vacation. It doesn’t need to be anything extreme like sky diving or swimming with the sharks, perhaps just having a massage on the beach is new to you. Whatever you choose, relish in the knowledge that you have done something out of the ordinary as this will help you grow.

3. Focus on something outside of work

Have you ever tried to tackle a problem and feel like you are constantly not finding a solution? The best thing to do is step away from the problem, and basically stop trying to solve it. When we are taking a holiday from work, our minds are in a creative mode as we are living in the moment. When we are seeing new things and not thinking about work, this is when so many of the ah-ha’s appear! So many times when I have been out on a lake, rowing 10,000kms away from my office, and solutions to problems have become clear as day!
Photo: My rowing crew on Tuesday. We are Irish, Austrian, Dutch and Canadian. We rowed 31kms through the rain – smiling the whole way!

4. Bond with family members and locals

It is no surprise that traveling with family and friends is one of the fastest ways to deepen a relationship. You are all enjoying the same experience and sharing the fun of your holiday together. Only people on the holiday with you will be able to recall certain memories. Meeting locals is always a good idea. Using the few words you have in their native tongue will expand your creative brain and challenge yourself in a multitude of ways.
Photos: My rowing friends I met in India a few years ago. So good to see each other again!

Now that school is back and things are a bit less busy, I would love to see your holiday pictures!
All of the images above were taken a few days ago.

Please follow me and my Italian adventure live on Instagram at https://instagram.com/karenpaulteam/

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

After decades of dramatic change and economic crisis, entire villages in Spain have been found up for sale.

Just north of Madrid, many villages are abandoned, and left for dead.

Often, the only people left in these villages are the elderly, and even they are now moving out to be closer to health care.
With the recent economic crisis, and the promise of work in the northern EU countries, workers have fled to secure stability in major cities, and neighbouring countries.

Once supporting much of Spain’s highest population density, a quarter of these villages are now deserted.

These empty villages are hoping to be sold to foreign investment. British holidaymakers and yoga retreat centres have shown interest, but now even North Americans are snapping up these little slices of paradise.

For example, one village up for sale has 100 acres of land, 6 houses, 2 barns and a large cattle barn. Only 6 miles away lie white sand beaches, and some of Spain’s best surfing. Peach, pear, apple, walnut, and fig trees litter the greenspace and the village has it’s own bakery.

The asking price, for the whole village? $230,000.

Other villages that are being given away, for free. All the new owner must do is promise to renovate and bring the houses and village back to life.
This is the first time in 500 years that these villages have gone uninhabited. Local residents are heartbroken as they have good memories of better times, but they are looking forward to foreign investors restoring the beauty.

Don’t want to commit to owning and operating a whole village? ??Some single homes are being sole for as little as $5,000.

With the purchase of these attractively inexpensive homes, everybody wins. Foreigners acquire stunning holiday homes for an amazing price, the locals have their old, historic villages returned to their former glory and Spain receives much needed tourist dollars entering into their economy.

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Karen Paul & Associates | Real Estate
905-333-6234 | karenpaul.com | info@karenpaul.com
Burlington • Oakville • Hamilton • Milton • Niagara

Buying a home is the biggest investment you will make during your life. And when you’re trying to find a home away from home, you need to know what you’re trying to accomplish and how to do it.

The rules are different everywhere you go, but here are nine things to consider when purchasing a home overseas.

Buying real estate abroad can be a great investment

1.  TALK TO OTHERS
   – The easiest way to find and buy a home overseas is to start talking to others that have already been in your shoes. They will help you figure out what you need to do as well as what not to do, based on their past experiences.
2.  TALK TO A LOCAL EMPLOYER
   – If you’re having troubles in the housing market, you might want to talk to your employer in your new country. They often help employees relocate and can be a lot of help in the beginning stages.
3.  INTERNET SEARCH
    – Of course, the Internet is generally the best place to start looking for homes moreoverseas, but it can also be a great way to find out the price ranges so that you can buy a home that’s cost appropriate.
4.  GO OVER TO VISIT
   – To buy a home overseas, you will want to head to the desired location first to see what’s available and where certain homes are. Being in the city will also allow you to get information and questions answered more quickly.
5.  LOCAL REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
    – When you’re in the city, you will want to look for local real estate listings to see how they list their homes as well as what prices and showings you can expect to find.
6.  THROUGH A REAL ESTATE BROKER/AGENT
   – The easiest way to handle an overseas home sale is to have the help of a real estate agent that is based in that area. But as with any important helper, you need to check their credentials and their references to be sure they are legitimate.
7.  LEARN ABOUT THE MARKET
   – You need to get a sense of the bigger picture in the real estate market in the area where you wish to move. This will allow you to spot trends as well as times when buying a home might not be the best idea.
8.  HAVE THE CASH READY
   – Most overseas home purchases will need to be bought with cash because you’re not going to have any sort of credit or financial status in place.
9.  MAKE SURE YOU GET TITLE
    – With different markets, you will want to be sure that you get some sort of legitimate paper that shows that you are the new owner of the home.

Interested in an investment property, possibly overseas? Give me a call, I’m here to help.

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Karen Paul & Associates | Real Estate
905-333-6234 | karenpaul.com | info@karenpaul.com

Burlington • Oakville • Hamilton • Milton • Niagara

September is just around the corner! That means ‘busy”ness and sending the kids back to school.

If you are in the process of moving, of have moved earlier this summer, your kids may be going to a new school. This means a whole new set of friends, surroundings and challenges.

No matter what age, it is tough to change schools, to lose friends and to start over.

Through my 36+ years in real estate I have helped thousands of families who are in the same situation as you.

Here are three great ways to help your kids transition through a move

1. 1. Stay Positive
      Even if this move is not something you’ve wanted or planned for, it is imperative to be honest, yet stay upbeat about your new location. Kids can sense their parents’ energy. Moving is a stressful time and working together helps ease the pressure.

      Highlight the exciting new experiences your child will have at a new school and ensure them that they can stay in touch with old friends.

      Try to find as many silver linings in the situation. Exploring your new neighbourhood, and visiting a new school before the move can help ease the fear of the unknown.

1. 1. Give them Some Control
      Allow your children to be involved and let them makes some decisions along the way. It can be as simple as letting them pick out the paint colour for their room or picking out a special new outfit for school. Anything that will allow them to make some choices and feel like they are taking part in the decision making.

1. Get Involved
   Enrolling your child in local activities is a great way to introduce them to the new neighbourhood. Feeling awkward and new can quickly subside when you feel like an insider. Start visiting the neighbourhood before you move. Knock on the neighbours doors and introduce yourself and your kids. If they have children too, even better!

   There are some great Facebook neighbourhood groups these days – it is important parents get involved too! That will encourage kids to reach out.

Contact us – we would love to help you with your transition!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

So, you want to buy a cottage. And this is the perfect time of year, full of great memory making opportunities.

Spending time outdoors with loved ones is the best one of all! Returning to the wild, relaxing by the water and escaping from the daily grind are all fantastic benefits that cottages offer.

Do you want your own retreat so you can indulge your love of water skiing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming? Do you want a place to call your second home that you can visit on weekends in the summer and the winter?

Here are some things to keep in mind
when you are looking to buy a cottage

• Location
  Where should you look for your dream getaway? This depends on a bunch of factors, not the least of which is how much you can afford. In general, the closer a cottage is to a major city, the more expensive it will be. On larger lakes, the prices will be higher, and some lakes (notably Lakes Muskoka, St. Joseph, and Rosseau in Muskoka) are favoured by the very rich, and prices will be very high.
• Distance from your home. How often you will want to go to the cottage? If you can only get away on weekends, you will probably want to spend no more than two or three hours traveling each way, otherwise your travel time will eat into your lake time!?On the other hand, you may decide that your cottage will be used only for long weekends and vacations, in which case you may be prepared to drive further, to where the cottages may be cheaper and more remote.
• The activities you enjoy. Obviously, if you enjoy swimming, you will want to be on a lake or river. If power boating is your thing, you need to be on or near a lake that is appropriate to the size of your boat.
• Distance from amenities. You need to be sure that you can obtain groceries and other supplies easily. If stores are not close, you will need to plan your menus more carefully, and ensure you bring in all the necessary ingredients. Barbecue chefs should always ensure that they have a full spare propane tank handy in case the gas runs out.
• Do you need internet access? Throughout cottage country, the most common form of access is via dial-up, which means that you will need to be within the telephone service area, and have a line laid on to the cottage. In the last couple of years,the wifi service has strengthened in rural areas, but not everywhere.
• Type of terrain. Do you want rocky outcrops that you can dive off, or do you prefer sandy beaches where the kids can paddle? Most traditional cottage region lakes provide a variety of terrain, with rocky shores in some places, swampy areas and sandy beaches in others. However, on the eastern shores of Lake Huron and lower Georgian Bay, sandy beaches predominate.??2) Cost?Being realistic about how much you can afford will make your experience so much more enjoyable. Discover what you can get pre-qualified for by speaking with your bank or mortgage broker.
• Invest with relatives. If you are planning to visit the cottage every other weekend, or even once a month, you may want to consider asking someone your trust to buy it with you. If you split the cost, chores, renovations and time away, it can be much more manageable, and you can spend some r & r away with your extended family!
• Look at renting options.  It is better for the cottage to be in constant use rather than sit empty. If you are looking for a seasonal cottage, the majority are open from May 2-4 weekend until Thanksgiving. If you don’t plan to be there every weekend, you could consider renting it out to other vacationers. This will help with mortgage payments and keep your cottage in good working order through the summer.
• How many homes do you own? Would this cottage be the first property you own? If you are currently a renter, buying a cottage as your first investment can be a good idea. Typically cottage prices are lower than homes and can make a great first time purchase. When people buy a cottage they typically hold onto it for a long period of time – sometimes they are even passed down through the generations! Compared to a home, where you spend your daily life, a cottage doesn’t need to be upgraded or downsized, as they are usually quite basic and you don’t spend too much time inside anyhow!
•  Investment: ?Do your homework. Some lakes and cottage country areas are more sought after than others. At the end of the day, a cottage can be seen as a nice investment,
• Enjoy your cottage for many years. I have clients and friends who have owned their vacation homes for 30+ years. They watched their children grow up at the cottage and now they share it with their grandchildren. If they decide to sell, they will have made a pretty penny on their investment.
• Do renovations. Updating the cottage as the years pass is a great way to keep your place modern and more enjoyable. Spending time and money making your cottage stand out will help with resale. Take a look at what the neighbours are doing and ask their opinions on updates, and sourcing local workers. Committing to your vacation home is a necessity. Every year, something needs to be done and making sure you allocate time and a sufficient budgets are imperative.

We would love to help you buy the vacation home of your dreams! Contact us today. Now is a great time to buy a cottage for summer 2016!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Karen Paul & Associates | Real Estate

In just 5 short weeks the next generation will be entering into university.

This time of year is always exciting, hectic, thrilling especially for those who are entering into a new phase of life.

I have had a lot of friends and clients through the years who have purchased property in the corresponding town where their child is attending university. The idea is they own the house for the four years their child is in said town and rent out the other rooms, which means their child will live for free and they can make a nice investment in the meantime.

I’ve seen great idea go both ways – good and not so good.

To ensure your investment goes well, I have compiled
four tips to owning student rentals in university towns.

AVOID A FIXER-UPPER.

A fixer upper is a great idea if you have the time, the money, and the patience. Residing in a different town than the property is a big commitment. You will need to maintain a job site from far away, which is often very stressful and difficult. Unless you were buying the property and fixing it up before your child moves in, this is not always a good option.

Your child is entering into a brand new stage of life, with lots of new challenges. Maintaining a home that needs a lot of work is not something that needs to be added to the stress of merging into university.

LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION.

Most university students do not have the privilege of owning a car. The house near amenities and a bus route is imperative. If you choose not to invest in laundry facilities, keep in mind a laundromat needs to be nearby.

If you do not know the city where your child in moving to, spend some time researching the safe, good, desirable neighborhoods and try to purchase a home in one of them. Oftentimes location trumps size in resale.

Usually the closer you get to the university, the more expensive the house. So long as your property is on a bus route that is convenient, the extremely close proximity is not a necessity.

STUDENT TENANCY RIGHTS.

Typically, students live at their location for 8 months of the year. Realistically you should factor a sublet agreement into your lease agreement. This will nip any gray areas in the bud. Most student do not stay in their university town over the summer, or if they are on co-op. Be realistic with your tenants and both of you will benefit in the long run.

A few people I know decided to treat their child like a tenant, rather than a property manager. This gave their child responsibility to pay bills, organize internet and utility hook ups and gave them the ability to learn how to budget financially.

MAKE IT LEGAL

University landlords often make the mistake of making illegal rooms, particularly in basements. Especially for resale value, converting a house into a multiple dwelling units will protect you from bylaw fines, being shut down, and will add great value if you are a registered duplex or triplex.

Universities usually have an accommodation advertisement area in their school newspaper or on campus. Protect yourself and your tenant by having a legal contract. If parents are co-signer, allow them to be involved.

At the end of your child’s university career you may want to sell the property to another parent in your situation, or you may find that keeping it works well for a long term investment.

Our team has great experience selling in multiple university towns all over Ontario and would be very happy to assist you in finding your child’es new home for the next four years.

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Traditionally, the calender used to dictate the best and worst times to sell a home.

Winter was seen as “the wrong time to list” and spring was viewed as optimal.

However, once the word got out and this school of thought became mainstream, things changed.

The truth is, timing is everything.

Aside from nicer weather, a home tends to show better in spring and summer. More buyers may also be ready to buy as they might be using their tax refunds for the down payment. Plus, if they have kids, moving in summer means schooling isn’t interrupted.

WHILE THIS IS TRUE, IT HAS ALSO CHANGED

The general market follows this rule, but there are lots of successful home sales year round now.
Especially in places like Hamilton, Burlington and Toronto, where there are more buyers than sellers, houses are a hot commodity.

Many of my clients successfully sell their homes in the winter. You never know what situations people are in, and the market is always moving forward. It is not always the case, but winter can be seen as more of a buyer’s market due to sellers wanting to move quickly, hence the winter listing.

This summer, we had out busiest June in many years!! The market was so hot (and still is!)

We needed more houses to service all our clients who were looking. Hamilton/ Burlington ran out of homes to sell and plenty of buyers are still looking. This is rare, but it does happen – my suggestion to buyers would be to start the search sooner!

No two homes are created equal. Depending on the size, style, and location of your home, some seasons are more favourable.

Are you thinking of buying or selling this year? I would love to help you determine what time of year would work best for your family! Contact us today!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

The truth is, not all home renovations are created equal.

Remodeling and undergoing extensive renovations is a natural progression of being a homeowner. But there are certain rooms you should focus on to increase your home’s value. Everyone seems to be renovating their homes, so make sure you choose DIY projects that are in your budget and actually earn you money when you choose to sell.

BRIGHTEN-UP THE KITCHEN

As the heart of the home, everyone tends to gather in the kitchen. Most of our home’s big ticket appliances live in this room.
Have you every wondered why everyone gathers in the kitchen during parties? Even if you don’t cook, this social space gets lots of action – so make it a beautiful place to be.

Since the kitchen is low on furniture and can be easily updated with a coat of paint, it’s important to get the kitchen appliances right. Spending the extra money to get the right appliances, counter tops and cupboards are crucial – it is costly to change your mind.

Home buyers love to see a kitchen that is clean, updated and move-in ready, easing the financial burden of having to make their own upgrades.

RENOVATE THE BASEMENT

In Canada, we are very lucky to have basements. Most other countries in the world do not have such a luxury. Being underground, they keep us cool in the summer and cozy in the winter months. Basements are second on our top four renovation list as they can add 25 – 50% more square footage to your home.

If your basement is unfinished, investing the time and money to make it a bright, livable space can essentially double the living space in your house.

Don’t need the extra space?

Why not put an approved rental unit in the basement. This is a great way to cut your mortgage payment in half, and give someone a nice place to live!

UPDATE THE BATHROOM

A newly updated bathroom goes a very long way when you are selling your home. The only room in the house where we spend time cleansing ourselves should be bright, airy, and an enjoyable place to be.

Don’t make the mistake of cutting costs and going cheap here, luxurious bathrooms have been known to sell homes on their own merit. When a potential home buyer walks through your home, they don’t want to be encountered with a “necessary project”.
Make it a nice space for yourself and you will reap the rewards by enjoying it, and earning back your investment when you sell.

SPRUCE UP THE BACKYARD

With only 6 months of nice weather, it is imperative that our outdoor spaces are usable, and beautiful!

Being cooped up inside all winter and all day at work, it’s nice to have an outdoor space to enjoy. Putting time, energy, and hardwork into creating a soothing, colourful backyard should never be overlooked.
With people being so busy these days, more and more homeowners are opting for creating yards with little grass – which is far easier to maintain. Buyers want to visualize living in your home, so making it cozy and well kept are big pluses.

If you are listing your home in winter, be sure to provide your realtor with outdoor photographs of your yard (front and back) in the summer.

If you’re satisfied that these rooms are buyer-ready, have a quick list at other areas to upgrade that can add value to your home:

• FLOORING: Most people are afraid of carpet. It is the toughest flooring type to properly clean, and those with dust allergies often have concerns. Laying some nice tile or hardwood can transform an outdated hallway and add more value for a reasonable price and time frame.
• WINDOWS:  New windows are a blessing. They save money on heat and air, make a home more attractive and eliminate draft. Windows are not cheap, but are well worth the investment.
• DOORKNOBS & LIGHT SWITCHES: Sometimes the smallest details can make a big impact. Replacing 1980s switches and knobs can quickly and simply add an updated feel.
• PAINT: A fresh paint job goes a long way. It can brighten up a room and make it feel newer with just two coats. Not bad for a quick day’s work and $150 at Home Depot.

If you have any questions about your upcoming renovation, we have seen it all! ?Contact Us and we would be happy to assist you!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.

Summer is just around the corner! The weather has been fantastic and everyone is now gearing up for cottage season. I love summer in Burlington. The lake, rowing on the rivers, the hiking, and the crowds of happy people socailizing outside is just amazing!

The first sign of summer in Burlington is our Sound of Music Festival.

My kids used to love going to down Spencer Smith Park with their friends to enjoy it, it always marked the end of school! Now they love taking their kids there. ??There is just so much to see and do for everyone in the family and it really brings our community together. More people visit this festival every year than live in our city!! Last year’s attendance for the 9 days was roughly 230,000 people! Which means it is drawing in lots of tourists and boasts over 100 talented acts, plenty of whom perform voluntarily or for a modest fee.

Bringing such an event to Burlington every year since 1980 has definitely helped put our city on the map, making it not only a great place to live, but a choice place for out of town visitors.
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It has been added to the list of Festivals & Events of Distinction, a group selected by Festival and Events Ontario which represent some of the most well-known and respected celebrations in the province; celebrations which draw both an international and domestic audience.  The list includes festivals such as Luminato, Toronto International Film Festival, TD Jazz Festival Toronto and RBC Ottawa Bluesfest.

The Sound of Music Festival was winner of the Grand Pinnacle 2012 from the IFEA (International Festival and Events Association).  The Grand Pinnacle is the IFEA’s highest award (divided into four budget categories) reflecting the best overall festival or event in the world.

I hope to see you and your family at The Sound of Music this weekend!

Our team of real estate sales professionals is committed to finding you, your dream home.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the Karen Paul team is here to help with any questions.