The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

( The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, June 15,1994 Real Estate Deadlines and Policies Deadline for Wednesday Publication is Monday at 12:00 Noon. Any compensation for mots or omissions by The Canadian Statesman will be limited to the value of the space occupied by the error in the advertisement. v Please phone 623-3303 and ask for the Real Estate Sales Department j Helpful Hints When Considering a Backyard Pool ■ . « • „ mnt : r. n tvnnl UnluMpn rv I' V'itnmîmle Y HU chfltll This article is provided by local Realtors and the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) for the benefit of consumers in the real estate market. market. If you're looking for a way to make the most of dtose long-awaited summer months, a backyard swimming swimming pool can provide a perfect escape escape into your own private paradise. A pool is also a great way to stay in shape and bring family and friends together for some outdoor fun - all in the convenience of your own home. For many homeowners, a pool is a more attractive option than buying a recreational property or taking the family on summer vacations. If it's the right choice for you, there are several factors you should consider before making your purchase. One of the first things you should do is contact contact your local municipal office to find out the rules and regulations on pools in your area such as location, size and fencing requirements. Pool Types There arc two ' basic types of pools: above-ground and in-ground. An above-ground pool is usually less expensive than an in-ground one because because no excavation is necessary. Other benefits of an above-ground pool include easier installation and portability, which gives you the option option to dismantle it at the end of the season or take it with you if you move to a new home. However, the depth of this pool is restricted because it is not constructed constructed below ground. So, if diving is one of your favorite water activities, this may not be for you. This type.of pool also has a limited life span, ranging from five to 10 years. If you and your family arc serious swimmers, you may prefer an in- ground pool which is usually larger and deeper than an above-ground one. Disadvantages include the overall overall expense of the pool, including more expensive fencing, more extensive extensive maintenance and more costly repairs. repairs. If you decide to install an in- ground pool, make sure you use an experienced contractor, preferably someone who is recommended by friends or neighbours. If possible, get two or three estimates before making your choice. Depending on the type of pool you have in mind, it can cost anywhere anywhere from $900 to $25,000. The type of materials you select is a big factor in the price. You can choose from materials such as metal, fiberglass, fiberglass, concrete or vinyl. Concrete or fibreglass arc popular choices, but vinyl vinyl is the most commonly used material. material. No matter what type of material you choose, the pool basin should be finished in white for maximum visibility. visibility. Never use dark colors, since they make it difficult to perceive the depth of the pool. LAWYER Peter E. Heslin, LL.B. Real Estate Wills Mortgages Family Law Pickering-Ajax Bowmanville 1305 Pickering Parkway 36 King St. E. Suite 304 623-5554 Call Toll Free - Region of Durham, and Toronto 1-800-567-3926 Real Estate with Betty Smith OVER AND UNDER SPENDING Some people make the costly mistake of spending more than they can afford when buying a home. Equally painful; however, is the mistake of buying the cheapest possible house and then suffering through its shortcomings and the ongoing repair and operating costs. As Realtors, we do not dictate how much our customers can afford to pay for a home. This is a very personal decision. There arc guidelines for monddy mortgage payments that lending institutions use when qualifying prospective purchasers. But, like height-weight charts these arc only averages or guidelines. Discuss your financial situation honestly with your Banker and Realtor. If you're willing to rearrange your priorities, and are sufficiently disciplined to economize on other expenses, you may be financially able to exceed these guidelines slightly. A good house may seem more costly, but the rewards will be well worth it. Investing in a little more expensive home gives you an excellent hedge against inflation, a better place to live, and a much brighter resale opportunity! Thinking of buying or selling in the near future? Please meet with me first. I can be reached at Family Realty 2000 Ltd., 1 King Street West, Bowmanville 623- 2000 (24 lir. pager). © 85 King St. W. Newcastle 987-4733 214 King St. E. Bowmanville 623-4445 Val Aston © Dorothy Hartford, President of MRS Ed van Realty Ltd., is pleased to announce that VAL ASTON was leading selling agent for the month of May, 1994. Congratulations and best wishes for continued success. Val would like to thank her clients for making this possible. She can be reached at our Bowmanville Office at 623-4445 or at her residence at 623- 4907. Pool Deck Safety, cost of materials and appearance appearance should all be considered when you decide on a deck for your pool. There arc many expensive and inexpensive ways to finish this area. Patio stone, wood, turf, brick or concrete concrete arc some of the many types of materials you can choose from. Concrete Concrete or patio stone arc the most recommended recommended surfaces for a deck. If you have a tight budget, you may decide to use an inexpensive material such as natural grass. However, However, keep in mind that chlorinated • water tends to kill grass, which is why it's not commonly used as deck surface. Insects and dirt are other drawbacks as well PETER KOWAL Real Estate Umlted Broker r f 52 King St. W., Bowmanville 623-2453 SERVING BOWMANVILLE AND AREA SINCE 1955 The Little Office That's Big on Service DON'T WAIT-SUMMER'S HERE! Holiday at your own cottage on Cordova Lake. Great treed lot with 142 foot lake frontage and good swimming for kids I 2 bedroom cottage has air-tight stove and fully equipped kitchen and bath. LISTED AT $89,000. Call today. STARTER HOME Porlect lor 1st timo buyorsl 2 bedroom 1 1/2 storey semi In Control Bowmanvlllo. IMAGINEI Just $73,500. BUILDING LOT Trood lot on Hwy. 2 oast of Nowcosllo with 118 foot frontage and drillod woll. Porloct spot for your dream homol $59,900. No matter which type of material you use, make sure that it's non-slip and easy-to-clcan. You should also make sure the area is large enough to comfortably accommodate guests if you plan to do a lot of entertaining. Pool Accessories Remember to keep aside a portion of your budget for accessories. For example, you should consider installing installing underwater lights if you plan to use the pool for night swinuning and diving. Overhead lights to illuminate the pool bottom and deck arc also important important for night swimming. These lights will enhance the overall appearance appearance of your pool as well. To increase the use of the pool, you may want to invest in a pool heater. Even though they're costly, you'll be able to use the pool earlier in the spring and later in the fall. Gas, oil, electric or solar energy heaters arc available. Don't forget that you'll need maintenance tools to keep the pool clean. A vacuum sweeper is essential lor removing leaves, dust balls and other debris that accumulate in the pool. A pool cover will also prevent leaves and dirt from falling into the water, hi addition, a pool cover will help keep the pool warm at night. Make sure you purchase a water test kit to ensure the pool water is pollutant-free and contains the proper balance of chemicals. You should test the water on a daily basis. It is also a good idea to take a sample of your pool water to your local dealer approximately once a month for a more through analysis. A fence is also essential. Make sure that it's impenetrable by toddlers who may try to squeeze through or, under it. In addition, it should have a latch that is well out of the reach of. small children. You may also want to use a combination lock to keep younger and older children away, from the pool. Other recommended safety items include warning signs, depth markings and a first aid kit. Home Sales Keep Rental Vacancies High Persistently high vacancy rates will linger in many metropolitan areas areas throughout 1994. The forecast is based on an analysis of the April 1994 vacancy survey results released today by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Twenty of 26 centres are forecast to have a vacancy rate of three per cent or more in October October 1994. This will be up from 18 centres in October 1993. As a general rule, a vacancy rate reaching three per cent provides renters renters with a reasonable choice. When rates exceed five per cent for a prolonged prolonged period, choice improves but new rental construction is discouraged. discouraged. These values can vary depending depending on local market conditions. "The forecast of continuing high vacancy rates is mainly due to the large number of renters who bought homes in the first four months of 1994," said Greg Goy, CMHC's Manager of Local Market Analysis. To many of these buyers, the increasing increasing mortgage rates of March and April 1994 signaled an end to the record low rates of the last year. As a result, many people who had been waiting for rates to bottom out decided to buy before mortgage costs Regulations on Downpayments Relaxed for Fed. Insured Mortgages The eligibility requirements for five per cent downpayments on federally-insured federally-insured mortgages have been expanded expanded to make it easier for divorced parents or families who have had to move for employment reasons to acquire acquire a home. The announcement was made recently' recently' by the Honourable David C. Dingwall, Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Corporation (CMHC). The original criteria for the First Home Loan Insurance (FHLI) program program restricted access to 95 per cent mortgage financing to those who have not owned a house for five years. This denied access to the program program to some households who had lost the benefit of previously accumulated accumulated equity due to circumstances beyond beyond their control. CMHC will now consider justifiable justifiable exceptions to the five year eligibility eligibility requirement for hardship situations situations such as: - a marital break-up, including common-law relationships, - changes in geographic locations for employment purposes, and, - loss of equity due to a deteriorated deteriorated housing market, provided the net equity from the sale of the previous house is reinvested reinvested in the new house. increased further. With moving dates from these sales in the spring and early early summer, renter mobility will be high. Mr. Goy added, "High vacancies are forecast to linger in 1994 as more renters have bought new homes. As closing dates for new homes are about four to eight months after the sale and start of construction, the freeing up of rental units will continue continue for some time." Other factors creating higher vacancies in some markets are slow economic growth The April 1994 survey results show that St. John's (10.6%), Ed- mônton (9.1%) and Saint John (8.7%) had the highest vacancy rates in Canada. Edmonton experienced the biggest increase in the vacancy rate compared to a year ago. The rate has gone from 5.5 per cent in April 1993 to 9.1 per cent in April 1994. Other centres experiencing a large increase increase are St. John's (from 7.9 to 10.6%) and Thunder Bay, (from 3.2 to 4.4%). Among all major centres, Vancou- ronto at 1.8 per cent and Ottawa at. 2.5 per cent, have the lowest vacancy ! rates in Canada. The biggest decrcas- • es in vacancy rates over the last year ' occurred in Saskatoon, (from 6.7 to • 4.0%), Sherbrooke (from 8.0 to 6.2%), and Oshawa (from 5.8 to- 4.1%). CMHC's semi-annual survey is; conducted in April and October to, provide vacancy information on pri- ; vately initiated apartment structures - of three units or more in 26 metropol-, itan areas. In October, a national sur- - and high unemployment. ver, with a rate of 1.4 per cent, To- vey of rents is completed. m -- dh = BB NEE ¥ Make A Clean Sweep Of Your Chimney Home maintenance requires a certain degree of organization because so many things around the house deteriorate silently and inconspicuously, not like peeling paint which is highly visible. But when the humidifier on your furnace overloads with salt deposits from evaporated water there is not much in the way of a warning. Only when it seizes up completely are you possibly aware. If it is during a cold spell the air in the house I becomes so dry that our skin itches and our throat I gets raspy and she who, must be obeyed sends ! us down to check out the hur umidifier. Chimney malfunction develops in the same I insidious manner, but the message that ! something is amiss can be a heart stopper: I chimney fire! It is an awesome spectacle that I produces light, heat and sound. J Air roars up the chimney as flames and sparks I shoot out of the top. The neighbors will be I entranced and you will be in a dead panic. To stop i [ it you have to cut off the air supply. A piece of ; I metal that fits perfectly ■: I into the fireplace opening should do the trick, j Failing that you pretty well have to wait until all I the accumulated creosote inside the chimney ... .... ..-t-..., - , ■ I burns off. It will probably not burn down the house burning. It shouldn t take you long to gauge the | ■ . ... . n • !_j nna nr hun ploaninnc llSIlfl V a VAAf ■ by Ben Bramble I from, say, cardboard or something that seemed | innocuous. I Creosote is formed when unburned oils and ■ tars from wood go up the chimney and I condense when they come in contact with the i cold flu. The flu is cold at the start of burning or J when a slow, poorly burning fire is permitted to I sulk away unnoticed or ignored. I What to do? Control the fire so it is clean . burning with proper air and damper control. In a I fireplace you will not likely get very complete | combustion; so some creosote will always get . up into the. flu. ■ Airtight stoves and fireplace inserts come | very close to complete combustion but even . they let some gases escape unburned. I Also, burn only clean, dry hardwood. | Softwoods and scrap lumber is prone to dirty . burning as is all manner of garbage and ■ plastics (which, by the way, give off toxic | fumes.) I Chimneys should be cleaned by ■ professionals who have the equipment and the | expertise to remove the soot but not leave it on ■ your carpets, but get references to have peace ■ of mind about damages and the assurance the | job is done correctly. The frequency of cleaning ■ depends on the frequency and quality of your ■ I but the damage to the chimney is considerable. need after one or two cleanings, usually a year | Bricks may be cracked and mortar loosened, | which means the chimney will have to come down I because it is unstable and also vulnerable to leaking flu gases. A professional will have to | assess it. I This grim scenario was caused by creosote build-up in the chimney, probably over a number | of years. The fire was likely ignited by a hot burst or two apart. _ Spring is a good time of year to call a | chimney sweep because the roof is safe and ■ they are not rushed as they will be in the fall. A ■ competent chimney sweep will give you an | honest opinion as to whether or not you need i his services, but do call one. _ Sponsored by Mulder's Furniture Ltd. Fine Furniture and Quality Broadloom 23King Streets 623-5515 Bowmanville | I CLIP AND SAVE W. FRANK REAL ESTATE LIMITED Over 30 Years Quality Real Estate Service 234 King Street East, Bowmanville Telephone 623-3393 | Toronto Line 686-1035 PERSONALITY, CHARM AND CLASS For Retail, Office or Business you won't find a better spot, excellent visibility, good John shewchuk' parking, easy access, 1,600 623-3393 square feet on King Street. $1,800/month. Call John Shewchuk* (905) 623-3393 or (905) 623-5927. s -- i- r .84 ACRE CENTURY HOME 204' frontage, 3 bedrooms, living room and dining room, 2 baths, Florida room. Leskard. Just listed at $129,900. Call Charlie Reid' at (905) 623-3393 or (905) 983-5914. ; y-W-li Charlie Reid* 623-3393 SUPER FAMILY HOME IN BOWMANVILLE Spotless three bedroom, eat-in kitchen, family room with stove, living room, dining room, 16 x 32' inground pool. Just listed at $142,900. Call Charlie Reid* at (905) 623-3393 or (905)983-5914. wSB II CUSTOM BUNGALOW - ORONO, LESKARD ROAD Oak kitchen, soparnto dining room and living room with stono fireplace, 2 baths, 2 garages, Backs onto open Holds. $184,900. Call Charlie Hold* at (905) 623-3393 or (90S) 983-5914. GORGEOUS BUNGALOW IN ORONO 3 + 1 bedrooms, finished family room and roc room, dock, pool, now carpot, single car paved drive. $143,900. Charlie Reid* (905) 623-3393 or (905) 983-5914. B Iris Fowler* 623-3393 QUICK START - ONLY $67,900. 2 bedrooms, large living room and kitchen, main floor laundry, new vinyl windows in 93. Lot is 50 x 375'. Pontypool. Call Iris Fowler* for an appointment (905) 623-3393 or (705) 932-2621. t < « VARIETY STORE, VIDEOSAND SNACK BAR PLUS FOUR BEDROOM CENTURY HOME A. has newer kitchen, large living room, main floor family room. Located on County Road 38 north of CampbelKord. $179,000. Call Iris Fowler* for an appointment (905) 623-3393 or (705) 932-2621. SCENIC 4 ACRES Very private. Great view. Backing onto Ganaraska Forest. Building permit. Garden Hill area. Just listed at $62,900. Call Ann Van Dyk* (905) 623-3393 or (905) 623-4638. Ann Van Dyk' 623-3393