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CARPET BARN / CARPET ONE 9.000x98 COL=4C 72591 5 I F 0 / & T U P S F G P S Z P V S Q F S G F D U G M P P S ? $ F S U J G J F E * O T U B M M B U J P O 4 Q F D J B M ' J O B O D J O H " W B J M B C M F 4 U P S F # V Z J O H 1 P X F S 4 B W F T : P V . P S F . B J O 4 U S F F U " O Z U P X O t ' P S G S F F N F B T V S F B O E G J O B O D J O H Q S F B Q Q S P W B M W J T J U $ B S Q F U 0 O F D P N t $ B S Q F U t - B N J O B U F t 8 P P E t 7 J O Z M t 5 J M F t . P S F 26 Guelph St., Georgetown 905 877-9896 1-800-CARPET-1 Locally owned & operated by neighbours you know & trust CARPET BARN Certified Installation & Special Financing Available For free measure and financing pre-approval visit www.CarpetOne.ca kabinet pro 905-702-7719 27 Main St. S., Georgetown We provide top quality custom cabinets & countertops at competitive rates with unsurpassed service. *FREE ESTIMATES* FOR STYLE AND FUNCTION THAT IS ALL ABOUT YOU! Georgetown and surrounding areas premier choice for quality kitchens and baths for over 25 years. Our focus is a work space that is beautiful, functional, and designed just for you. Let us turn the heart of your home into a comfortable, inviting space for friends and family to enjoy for years to come. We measure, install and guarantee! Computerized design. Free on-site consultation. Ask us for our references - its probably someone you know! Home, Lawn and Garden, Wednesday, July 23, 2008 3 Your cottage has always been an impor- tant part of your lifestyle and now that retirement is just around the corner, youre thinking of making cottage life your year- round life. But a cottage built and outfitted for part-time occupancy isnt always the ideal abode for full-time living, especially through your senior years. So youre also probably thinking renova- tion. And if thats the case, youve got some more thinking and planning to do. Here are a few tips to get you started on a cottage retirement reno plan that works for you. Construct an enduring design for liv- ing This is going to be your retirement home, so plan for the long-term. Select durable, low- or no-maintenance materials. Consider such age-friendly modifications as access ramps, wider doors, lower counters and easy-to-use bathroom facilities. An architect and/or reputable contractor can help you make the right choices. Set a budget and stick to it Changes during construction are very costly. Explore your financing options You may choose to do the renos yourself or hire a professional either way, youll have to pay for them. Your financing options include: Using your credit card for a small reno keep in mind, credit card interest usually exceeds 18 per cent. You should plan to pay the balance to zero when the statement arrives, saving the interest costs. . Taking out a personal loan at an inter- est rate and payback schedule you work out with the lender. Obtaining a personal line of credit or a secured line of credit based on your equity in the property, which typically charge interest only on the funds you use each month and allows you to borrow funds as needed. Arranging a construction loan. Often necessary for larger projects, the loan is based on an appraisers evaluation of the fin- ished residence, with money usually released at specific points during construction. Refinancing your mortgage which can allow you to borrow up to 80 per cent of your cottages appraised value. Using your investments or retirement funds. Proceed with caution: you may be shortchanging your retirement lifestyle. You could lose money by cashing out invest- ments in a down market or by spending investments that cant be replaced at the same interest level. And borrowing from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) may not only trigger an immediate tax hit, youll also lose years of potential growth. Your professional advisor can help you make the right cottage reno financing choic- es for the retirement lifestyle of your dreams. Article courtesy the InvestorsGroup Renovating your cottage