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The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Saturday, March 5,1994 17 Lighten the Load Before You Move by Paddy Bateman A very common mistake that people people make when they move is that they feel since they're moving, everything they own has to move with them. "That can sometimes become pretty expensive but there seems almost to be a compulsion to load everything - to fill the truck, if you will - regardless regardless of whether they're ever going to use it again," says Mike Mason, who is president of Allied Van Lines, and an outspoken advocate of planning a household move. "Instead of having a garage sale before they pack," adds Mason, "there's an almost compulsive tendency tendency to move everything, and then do die weeding-out at their new home. I just can't understand why they don't do it beforehand and save themselves money." Here's just a few of the things that Mason's professional staff have seen people pack and move over the years: full garbage pails; clothes that will never fit again; books that never get read; dated food from the refrigerator that will go bad before it arrives; lawn mowers and yard tools when they're moving from a house to a 17th floor condominium; wood for the fireplace when the new home doesn't have one; and piles and piles of stuff from the basement and attic that defy both description and valua- • tion. "I'd say conservatively that people people transport between 500 and 1,000 pounds of items in the average household household move that they'll never use: again, throw away immediately upon their arrival, or put up for sale in their new driveway within a month of their arrival," says Mason. "And that's costing them money they could certainly certainly put to a better use." How does one fight the compulsive compulsive thoughts of "I just might need that someday?" Or "I'm sure the children children will want that in a year or two?" It's not easy, say the experts, but it's a battle that has to be undertaken if you're going to make a sensible, cost-efficient move. Start by making a list. Jot down the differences between your old home and the new one, and be tough on yourself. Sentiment is important, but when it starts costing you money, it's time to get practical. Some exam- • pies? Well, how about a move from a four-bedroom home to one with three? What are you going to do with the furniture from die extra room? Store it on the porch or in the garage? Unless it's expensive, or a family heirloom, consider selling it, or giving giving it away to a charitable organization organization so you can get a tax deduction. Moving from a house to a high- rise condo? What are you going to do with the lawn mower, mulcher, rakes, shovels, etc.? Out to the garage sale immediately or give them to someone who can use them! Gone from an ultra-svelte size four to a more comfy size eight or nine? Still got those size 32 jeans, when the belt's snugging out at 36 and seriously pushing 38? Maybe it's time to make up a package for Goodwill. Goodwill. Let's talk about books; a box of them weighs a ton, and pound-for- pound they're probably the most expensive expensive items in the house to ship. If you're not gong to read them again, or if they don't have some intrinsic value, consider giving them to your local hospital or library. They'll be very welcome gifts, and you'll have the clean conscience you need to go out and buy more of them Of course, if you don't need something right away, or if you're not going to use it in the near future or save it for your heirs, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to turf it out. For those things of value, either dollar-wise or sentimental, that you don't have room for, Mason suggests professional storage. "Most movers offer short or long-- term storage of household goods as an added service to their clients," he says. "And that's probably the most economical way to keep those items that are important to you, and still make sure they'll be in pristine condition condition when yoti want them again." Even though a household move can be traumatic, it doesn't have to be. Every professional moving company company has consultants on staff whose job it is to make the move easier for you. A frank heart-to-heart talk with any of them about what you want to keep, and why, will generally always save you money. Call a professional. Real Estate with Betty Smith CAVEAT EMPTOR The principle* of "Caveat Emptor" ("let the buyer beware") applies to Real Estate transactions exactly as it does to other purchases. Inspection is at the purchaser's risk and this is why you cannot be too thorough or ask too many questions when viewing homes. When you eventually make an offer to purchase on a home, you are in effect agreeing to accept it in "as is" condition, unless of course, otherwise stated in writing, in your agreement. It will be presumed, therefore, that you have taken into account all defects when determining the offer price. As a vendor however, you do have a responsibility to deal fairly with Purchasers and Realtors. If a buyer is prevented by you from making a proper inspection of your property or is misled by deceit, fraud or misrepresentation he will probably have recourse through the courts at a later date. So the message is quite simply put, "let the Vendor beware" also! We desperately need listings for our spring market! If you're seriously thinking of selling in the near future please meet with me first. I can be reached at Family Realty 2000 Ltd. (formerly Family Trust Real Estate) 623-2000 (24 hour pager). Re: High Ratio Mortgages - There was a printing error in last week's column. It should have read: "The phrase 'High Ratio' refers to C.M.H.C. insured mortgages, arranged through a lending institution, where the loan amount exceeds 75% of the price of the home." Over FRANK! S5 Real Estate Service 234 King Street East, Bowmanville Telephone 623-3393 Toronto Line 686-1035 REALTOR W FRANK REAL ESTATE LIMITED REALTOR Helen Bonnet* fiP'j.qqQQ BOWMANVILLE-$134,500. 4 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, eat-in kitchen with oak cabinets, rec room, living and dining rooms. Move-in condition. Helen Bonnet* 623-3393 or 623-8536. : wmw :•••• • Iris Fowler* 623-3393 VARIETY STORE - CAMPBELLFORD Also videos and snack bar. 4 bedroom century home has newer kitchen, large living room, main floor family room. Located on County Road 38, North. $179,000. Iris Fowler* 623-3393 or (705) 923-2621. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH J PEACEFUL COUNTRY LIVING 22 acre farm. 1600 sq. ft. lovely bungalow plus steel clad barns. Treed with stream. $239,000. Newtonville north. Iris Fowler* 623-3393 or (705) 923-2621. GREAT BOWMANVILLE NEIGHBOURHOOD Quick commute to 401; huge master bedroom. Fireplace in rec room. Great workshop 10 x 14' with heat and hydro. $116,900. Doreen Tlllson* 623-3393 or 432-4804. Tom Turner* 623-3393 CENTRAL BOWMANVILLE Older 3 bedroom brick home in good condition. Preferred neighbourhood close to business centre. Paved drive. Vacant. $117,500. Tom Turner*, 623-3393 or 623-5510. I , *88>.»2 « l d«i«* Arleen Handley _ 623-3393 RESTORED BEAUTY $159,500. Elizabethville on County Road 9. 4 bedroom century brick home overlooking pond and large treed yard. Call Arleen Handley* 623-3393 or 797-2306. Charlie Reid* 623-3393 ONE OWNER - LAWRENCE CRES. Bowmanville. 4 bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, finished basement with stove, 16 x 32 pool. $145,900. Charlie Reid* 623-3393 or 983-5914. Terry Witherspoon* SPOTLESS 4 BEDROOM coo qqqq EXECUTIVE HOME # Thousands spent in upgrades, including landscaping, landscaping, intercom system, large master with ensuite, brick fireplace in family room. $174,900. Newcastle. Terry Witherspoon* 623-3393 or 983-8296. Real Estate with Betty Smith HIGH RATIO INSURED MORTGAGES The phrase "High Ratio" refers to C.M.H.C. insured mortgages, arranged through a lending institution, where the loan amount exceeds 75% of the price of the home. Conventional mortgages, represent less than 75% of the home value, and do not require mortgage insurance in most cases. CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION, (C.M.H.C.) is the government agency that administers this insurance for the lenders,, thus enabling them to advance funds with virtually no risk. In case of default by you, the mortgagor, the property is transferred to C.M.H.C. and thç lender is reimbursed. Of course there arc extra costs involved in arranging a High Ratio mortgage, and these are borne by you, the borrower. The insurance fees, calculated on a sliding scale, are usually added to the principal amount of the mortgage, and therefore must be taken into account when arranging financing. For further information on insured mortgages (not to be confused with mortgage life insùrance, which is taken out by the borrower for his own protection) contact a knowledgeable Realtor, your nearest C.M.H.C. office or any registered lending institution. If you're thinking of buying or selling I would welcome the opportunity of working with you. Buy or sell through me in 1994 and you will be eligible to win a shiny new Grand AM SE. Call me for details. I can be reached at Family Realty 2000 Ltd., 623-2000 (24 hr. pager). Rob Perkin Ken Hockin Hockin's Home of the Week Brad Hockin Al Beard :!ltl >< iljr, Jack Ricard OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MARCH 6/94,1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Al Beard 987-4035.501 Regional Rd. 42, Newcastle. Hockin ■■ ■ 1 ■■■■' -- -- « in i t Ken Hockin Real Estate Ltd. Realtor 123 King Street East, Bowmanville 623"4115 ■y- Bill Whyte