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DIY Ideas to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal by Deena Pantalone

Finally, you have the time to start some of the home improvement projects that you always keep delaying, and improving the curb appeal of your home can be done on a small budget. Still, it can make a pretty considerable difference in how your home exterior looks. Whether you’re a renter or a real estate agent, curb appeal is what marks a difference. First impressions are always important since your family, guests, or potential buyers will judge your home from the first second that they lay eyes on it. Here’s how to make your home’s curb appeal look inviting without spending a lot of money. 

Increasing your home’s curb appeal

1. Start with the Front Door

The front door will always inevitably draw everyone’s attention once they walk into your home. It is the front and center of your house that’s why you need to make it look neat and welcoming. You can paint your door using colors that match the facade of your home. Look online or read interior design magazines to get ideas for popular colors like red, turquoise, and navy blue. If you are finished with the painting, consider adding extra touches by replacing house numbers with new ones or another type of decoration that catches the eye and contrasts with the other colors at the front entrance.

2. Upgrade the Exterior Lighting

Some people go through big interior and exterior home improvement projects without thinking about replacing the light fixtures when in fact it will immediately brighten your home's curb appeal. You can’t put all your efforts into improving the exterior of your home without improving the lighting, since it will go to waste once guests come in the evening and can’t see your work. Replacing your exterior lighting is an easy task to do but be extra careful while doing it. If possible, find the electrical panel and turn the breaker off, also avoid touching any wires. 

3. Time for Trimming the Trees and Bushes

If there is something that needs regular care in your home, then that would be the front yard. Keeping your bushes in check is one of the best ways to show how much you love your home. Start by cutting all the weed, bushes, and tree branches, clear a way for your walkways, windows, driveway, and any views of your front entrance. After that, you can go out to the street and take a look at your home, and you’ll be able to see if there is anything still blocking the visibility and hindering your curb appeal. Deena Pantalone shares that this can be a task that you can do yourself and enjoy it as long as you own a pair of shears. 

4. Clean up the Driveway

Clearing up space in your driveway will make your home look bigger, and it does not take away the attention from the main attractive points of your front entrance. If you want to improve the curb appeal of your home, avoid leaving the car parked in the driveway, the trash, or recycle containers. If your home has an asphalt driveway, it would look dull and monotonous, and it wouldn’t add much to the exterior of your home. To make it stand out, you can consider adding a border to the driveway. Something simple like lining bricks or stones on both sides of the driveway may do the trick.

5. Pay Attention to Small Details

There are ways to enhance your curb's appeal just by changing small details in front of your house. Unless you have a reason for not parting ways with your mailbox, and most likely, you don't, consider replacing it with a new one. Fix the fence if you see any signs of breaking or bending and straighten it up. Many homeowners use bushes and shrubs as a fence. Mostly they use native plants that are resistant to the kind of weather where you live. You can also install outdoor flower planters where you can hang them or just have them sit by your windows or your front porch railings. 

First impressions are indeed very important as they can happen between a second or two once your guest or potential buyer enters your home. Learn more here as you venture on making the value of your home higher. 

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Deena Pantalone Toronto 

Deena Pantalone Toronto brings two decades of experience in marketing, sales, and innovation for National Homes Group of Companies. She is the Founder and Managing Partner at Venturon Ltd., a venture capital group that invests in, and mentors North American start-up companies developing innovative technologies, products, and services for the real estate industry. Deena Pantalone also has an educational background that includes studies in Urban Planning at the University of Toronto, a Master’s in Marketing from Schulich as well as Real Estate Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Know more about Deena Pantalone at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVsjuxGvsts.

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5 Benefits of Going To Open Houses by Deena Pantalone Toronto

Virtually everything is available online these days. You probably even searched for your next home online as well. Looking for properties online is kind of fun because you can dream about living in homes that you are not able to afford. You may never see these properties in person, but should you? Yes, especially when you are ready to buy a home. There are benefits in seeing these properties in person, no matter where you begin to seriously search for your next home. Here are the reasons why you need to go to open houses if you are ready to buy a house.  

Advantages of going to open houses before buying

1.You’ll Learn What Your Money Can Buy

What you want and afford may not be the same thing. You can’t understand the realities of the real estate market until you see it for yourself. By looking at what's at the market at any given time, it will allow you to see what kind of property you can buy with the money and potential financing that you have. Your expectations can be managed once you do begin your serious house hunting. Also, looking at available homes will help you and your agent find something that suits your needs.

2. You’ll Meet Realtors

You will meet a variety of realtors by going to open houses. This will also give you ample opportunity to interview real estate agents. You might even get one of them to work with you to help you find your dream home. Watch how the showing agent works and interacts with their open house attendees, and if you like what you see, you will probably get along with him or her as your buyer.

3. You’ll Learn How Much Competition is in the Market

If you find out that you are viewing open houses with other people at the same time as you are, it could be a sign that there’s stiff competition for homes. A large number of open house attendees can mean that the current prices are high due to supply and demand for housing. It means that you may have to submit an offer that’s higher than the price to close the deal.

4. You’ll Have the Opportunity to Learn About Different Neighbors

Going to open houses will take you to neighborhoods that you may not have thought of living in. Deena Pantalone Toronto added that you will get an idea of what the different neighborhoods are like when you spend time viewing the different open houses around town.

5. It Will Show What You Can Live With and Without

It’s easy to fixate in your mind the features and amenities that you need to have in your next home. It is equally easy to decide what the deal-breakers are. But, if you start viewing properties in person, you will find that it can become a bit more open-minded regarding what your list of “must-haves” needs to be.

Before buying a home, make sure to attend open houses to find a house that suits your needs. Of course, find a good agent that helps buyers clear up misconceptions and understand anything that might be confusing about the buying process. Visit here to find one that you can seek assistance in buying your new home.

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5 FAQs of a First Time Home Buyer by Deena Pantalone

Buying a home may be your most extremely valuable dream, yet that does not imply that you’ve become indiscreet in your methodology. Some people go straight into purchasing procedures without considering the difficulties and dangers that will have a lasting effect over the long haul. Buying your first home is a big decision, that’s why it makes sense to become knowledgeable as possible about the process. Here, we will share the inquiries made by first time home buyers that can help you understand your circumstances fittingly. 

Frequently asked questions by first time home buyers

1. Should I purchase or lease?

This is the first thing you should consider in light of the fact that needing to buy a house is something. Especially because it involves a crazy amount of cash. It means that you need to gauge your choices cautiously, and things like money-related circumstances and other prompt budgetary requests are needed to be considered before landing at any end. 

2. Am I truly prepared to purchase?

This is the augmentation of the point above, but this time you have to investigate it in an increasing itemized way. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before settling on a choice of housing. 

Do I have a consistent source of salary?

Is my present pay sum enough for the future?

Is my installment history great?

Am I equipped for paying the home loan, assessments, utilities, and protection?

Where am I able to discover the advances?

3. Where can I discover the advances?

There are different types of moneylenders accessible in the market such as government moneylenders, credit associations, customary banks, and considerably more. The diverse banks have different expenses and diverse loan fees that will enable you to locate an ideal moneylender as per your monetary capacity. That’s why before you choose a residence, verify that you have a loan specialist. 

4. Do I have enough cash to pay the installment?

Some moneylenders anticipate that you should pay 20% of the sum as the initial installment. You need to have enough spare money to pay that sum. Also, it can decide the measure of financing cost that you will pay upon the bank’s arrangements and advance period.

5. Do I need a specialist?

An accomplished specialist like Deena Pantalone can help you in finding the correct property. Specialists know about the nearby market, and they can offer it to you at the best cost. What’s more, they can enlighten you with bits of knowledge into the region. Be that as it may, you still need to locate a neighborhood operator. You may believe that you don’t need the help of anyone when choosing a house, but at this point, you should find one. Remember that you need to have guidance and basics in your methodology in purchasing a home. 

If there are questions that you need to ask, then ask them out. The more informed you are as a buyer, the easier it is for you to find a home in the future. If you want to ask more questions, click here. Being prepared and well-educated can make a difference. 

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#TipTuesdays: Window Edition with Deena Pantalone

Deena Pantalone explains how to lubricate window pivot points and tracks. The video shows the basic spring maintenance that helps sustains the best quality of windows. The first thing you need to do is remove the screens, bring it to your laundry place, rinse, let it dry, and put it back. Then, lubricates the pivoting points of your window from top to bottom. Deena Pantalone Toronto is the Founder and Managing Partner at Venturon Ltd. that invests in and mentors North American start-up companies. She has been with National Homes for 20 years and responsible for all philanthropic efforts for the National Homes Group of Companies. 

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How to Tell If You’re Fit to be a Homeowner by Deena Pantalone

There will come a moment in your life where you will reflect if you’re ready to buy a house or not. This is undeniably going to be a milestone, especially if you have been renting for quite some time now. Not only does this show a good financial health, but it also means you’re finally ready to settle down. 

Though owning a home definitely comes with a  myriad of benefits, you should also expect some drawbacks. One good example would be the heavy financial responsibility.  But despite the financial obligations, you’ll find that many homeowners are quite happy with their purchase and the new chapter of their life that comes with it. 

How to tell if you’re finally ready to be a homeowner

You Have Enough Money to Make a Downpayment 

After years of scrimping, it’s finally paid off. You now have enough money to make a downpayment. 

To put simply, according to Deena Pantalone, a down payment is basically an up-front payment for a portion of the home’s total price. Depending on the lender you chose, you must put down as much as 20 percent or as little as 5 percent. Consider also to budget in additional costing which include Realtor fees, title-related fees and home inspection fees. Once you’ve paid for those fees, you’re one step close to your dream home. 

Ready to Take Care of a Home

Most homeowners could agree that buying a house is a labor of love. This means that without a landlord to take care of the inconveniences, the job is left to you. Everything from changing light bulbs and mowing the grass to dealing with plumbing problems will be your problem. The good news is, you can still hire a reliable handyman. For additional services like pest control, pool cleaning, lawn care, etc., trusting the professionals could make a big difference. 

Feel free to ask  for recommendations from any friend or relative as well. The good ones are usually well-known, with active websites and social media pages you can check out for yourself. 

Wasting Your Money on Rent

One of the biggest cons of renting a home is that you’re practically throwing away money which could have been used for a better cause. You will eventually feel sick and tired of spending their hard-earned money on something temporary, which is why they’d opt for buying a new home instead. 

Unlike rental payments, your monthly mortgage payments go towards building equity in your home. Take note that building equity is basically one of the most important benefits of owning a home. The more money you put towards it, the closer you’ll get to owning the home. 

Wanting to Stay in a Place for a Substantial Period of Time

If you’re just like everyone else who’s sick of moving, then settling down in your own property  should provide you peace of mind. For instance,  a landlord could raise the rent or terminate you unexpectedly. Renting does not offer a feeling of security. 

Buying a home will mark a new chapter in your life, so it’s really critical to make smarter decisions. If you’re new to this and simply don’t know where to start, feel free to sit down and talk with the industry experts.  Learn more. 

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How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent by Deena Pantalone Toronto

Often, the best real estate agent is an experienced professional who listens to your concerns and knows their market. It’s important to take note that the person might not necessarily work at the largest brokerage, close the most transactions, or make the most money. They have a saying that  20% of the agents do 80% of the business. The goal should be finding one among that 20% to work for you and it really isn’t as complicated as you think. 

Steps in finding the perfect real estate agent when home buying

Realtors vs. Real Estate Agents

Every realtor is licensed to sell real estate as agents. However, not all real estate agents can be called realtors. As a matter of fact, 

All Realtors are licensed to sell real estate as agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors. In fact, less than half of all real estate licensees are Realtors. Realtors belong to the National Association of Realtors, and they pledge to follow the NAR Code of Ethics. This is a complete list including 17 articles and underlying standards of practice. 

Search Online for Agent Listings

There are currently plenty of websites that can refer agents to you, but that's no assurance of quality. There are agents that are  often simply those who have paid the site owners a fee to be listed in their directories. 

If you want a better bet,consider researching the top real estate companies in your area. Go to those websites and look up profiles of individual agents at offices near you. Look for details of their experience, but don't necessarily rule out newbies.

Attend Open Houses

There’s a good chance of you meeting real estate agents in a nonthreatening working environment and interacting with them simply by going to open houses. You can also collect business cards and make notes about the agents you meet.

Be sure to pay  attention to how the agent is showing the home if you're thinking about selling. Deena Pantalone Toronto says you should look for someone who is polite, informative, and who appears knowledgeable. You want someone who hands out professional-looking promotional material about the home.

Track Neighborhood Signs

It’s crucial that you pay close attention to the for-sale listing signs in and around your neighborhood. Remember the day they go up and when they disappear or a "sold" banner is slapped on it instead. This tells you how quick or slow the agent closes a deal. 

Check Out Print Advertisements

There are good reasons why real estate agents run advertisements. First, they want to sell specific real estate. Second, they want to promote themselves. You can start by looking into our local community newspaper for house ads in your targeted neighborhood, then check the websites of the agents who are advertising. 

Ask the Pros for Recommendations

Asking your friends and family for referrals is common sense. But you should also consider asking other real estate professionals. Good agents are happy to refer buyers and sellers to associates, especially if the service you need is not a specialty of theirs. For instance, some agents sell only commercial or investment property meanwhile others are more inclined to new home builders. Feel free to click on this link to learn more about this topic.

Finally, you should put together a list of your top three possible agents. It's OK to ask them for references, then check those references. Furthermore, you should also  interview them as well to determine which of them you feel most comfortable working with.

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How to Tell If You're Ready to Own a House by Deena Pantalone Toronto

You might be at some point in your life where you’re wondering whether or not you’re ready to be a homeowner. The pressure can be a little too much, considering how major this milestone is going to affect your life in more ways than one. 

There is absolutely no doubt that owning a home comes with quite a list of benefits, but there will also be some drawbacks. This could be the financial responsibility that you’ll bear. But despite this, there are also many homeowners who are quite happy with their decision. 

Signs to look for before buying a house

Enough Money for a Down Payment

Perhaps the most obvious requirement when purchasing a home is enough money. After months, or even years, of saving, it has finally paid off. You’re ready to make that downpayment. 

Basically, a down-payment is an up-front payment for a portion of the home’s total price. This depends on the lender of your choice but typically, you’ll need to  put down as much as 20 percent or as little as 5 percent. Be sure to factor in some additional costing such as realtor fees, title-related fees and home inspection fees. After you’ve finally paid those fees, you can assure that you’re one step closer to your dream house. 

Ready to Look After & Maintain a Home 

The majority of homeowners could agree that owning a home is definitely a labor of love. Without a landlord to cater to the inconveniences, chances are you’ll have to do them yourself. From changing light bulbs and mowing the grass to dealing with plumbing problems will be your problem.

You’ll be in need of home maintenance too, so be sure to opt for a reputable handyman. For additional services like pest control, pool cleaning, lawn care, etc., trusting the professionals really makes a difference. 

Ready to Settle Down for a Long Period of Time

Tired of moving? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. The good news is,  owning a home allows you to feel settled in that renting simply cannot provide. For instance, according to Deena Pantalone Toronto,  a landlord could raise the rent or terminate you unexpectedly. Renting does not offer a feeling of security, learn more. 

Tired of Wasting Your Money on Rent

One of the biggest disadvantages of  renting a home is that you’re practically throwing away money which could have been used for a better cause. At some point, you’ll get tired of spending your hard-earned money on something temporary, which is why they’d opt for buying a new home instead. 

But unlike renting, you can be sure that your  monthly mortgage payments go towards building equity in your home. Remember, building equity is basically one of the most important benefits of owning a home. The more money you put towards it, the closer you’ll get to owning the home. 

Buying a home is going to be one of the most significant investments you'll make in your life. Never rush into making your any decision and take all the time you need. Also, hiring a reputable real estate agent can make the hunt for the perfect home a lot easier. You can consider that too. 

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National Homes’ #TipTuesdays: Deena Pantalone Talks About Fireplace Edition

Deena Pantalone shows the proper cleaning of the fireplace. As seen in the video, National director of marketing & innovation, Deena Pantalone discusses how to do appropriate fireplace maintenance, including glass cleaning and replacing safety screens. It says that you need to clean your fireplace periodically, replace the safety screens, and just wipe out the dust. You are the blueprint of the team. That is why Deena Pantalone of National Homes always give bright ideas for living. For 20 years, she is responsible for developing the marketing strategy for the National Homes Group of Companies. To learn more helpful tips, stay tuned every Tuesday.

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Top 5 Reasons Why Buying a Home is Better than Renting by Deena Pantalone Toronto

Finding a good home also comes with the crucial decision of renting or buying your own place. However, due to budget constraint, many people see renting as a more attractive option. If you’re the type who wants a long-term investment, then buying your own home has some significant advantages that you’ll need to consider. 

It’s plain to see that homeownership is a big financial decision. It’s important to take some time before you finally decide on which path you should take. 

Why buying a home is better than renting

1. Buying Can Be Cheaper than Renting in the Long Run

Renting in Canada can cost around $1,000 and $1,190 a month. But repaying  the principal and interest for a mortgage  can save you a good amount of money every year. That money you have saved up can go to short-term savings.

Rent is money you’ll never get back. You’re basically paying for a property you don’t own and you’re also not building equity. In the end, that hard-earned money goes to building your landlord’s wealth and future, not your own.

In other words, owning a home is a smart and sure fire way to build lifelong wealth.

2. It’s Yours 

One of the top satisfactions you’ll get is knowing the property is yours. You have the freedom to choose what you make of it in whatever way you see fit.  

Having that much freedom to do what you want with your home gives you breathing space to plan and transform it into your dream house. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about rent increases or eviction notices. You’ll also give you and your family better security knowing the home is yours.

Having a property to your name ensures you full control and helps give you peace of mind. 

3.You’ll Be Forced to Save

If you’re thinking about buying a home, saving up for the downpayment is necessary. Doing this will help motivate you to get your finances in order. Moreover, you’ll need the right discipline to create a budget and stick to it so you can save the money you need. 

Homeowners are known to be more financially secure because it takes discipline to be able to save the amount needed as a down payment for their home. According to Deena Pantalone Toronto, having your own property allows you to shift your focus from saving for next month’s rent to saving for your future.  Contact us.

4.You Are Building Wealth With Time

There’s simply no asset that builds your wealth more consistently than real estate. This same principle also goes for the home you own. Real estate properties are known to appreciate or increase in value as time passes. 

Purchasing your own property and taking care of it for a long time ensures its value to increase over the years. This is the reason why you hear of celebrities growing wealth even further by investing in high-value properties.

5. You Can Take Out a Second Mortgage in Case of an Emergency

Your home is considered an investment. This means you can sometimes use it to take out a second mortgage wherein you can borrow from the equity you’ve accumulated on the home you own. 

You can do this through a home equity loan or a line of credit. Furthermore, a second mortgage is a kind of secondary loan being added to your current mortgage. You, as the homeowner, can use this as a secondary financial backup for emergencies or financial tie-ups. 

An important note to keep in mind however, is that you have to be wary that since your home is considered as collateral for the loan, if you are unable to keep up with the payments, the bank has all the rights to repossess your home.

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Deena Pantalone Toronto 

Deena Pantalone Toronto has been with National Homes for 20 years, and she is responsible for all philanthropic efforts for the National Home Group of Companies. She has contributed on behalf of National Homes both time and financial assistance to a broad spectrum of causes. These include such worthy helping initiatives and numerous school associations. She is also a Managing Partner and Director of Marketing & Innovation at the National Group of Companies. She plans and oversees all marketing, sales, innovation, architecture, design and public relations activity for National Homes’ communities, condos, retirement residences, commercial and land development, throughout Canada and the USA. For more information about  Deena Pantalone Toronto check her website at https://myhomepage.ca/deena-pantalone-national-homes-feb-2019/.

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Deena Pantalone Toronto

Deena Pantalone Toronto has an educational background that includes studies in the Urban Planning University of Toronto, a Master’s in Marketing from Schulich as well as Real Estate Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. This led her to be the Founder and Managing Partner at Venturon Ltd., a venture capital group that invests in, and mentors North American start-up companies developing innovative technologies, products, and services for the real estate industry. Deena Pantalone Toronto plans and oversees all marketing, sales, innovation, architecture, design and public relations activity for National Homes’ communities, condos, retirement residences, commercial and land development, throughout Canada and the USA. Get to know more about Deena Pantalone Toronto at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/fashion/party-photos-of-the-week-buddies-meet-in-toronto-the-beat-goes-on-in-calgary/article20738495/.

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Deena Pantalone Toronto

Deena Pantalone Toronto plans and oversees all marketing, sales, innovation, architecture, design and public relations activity for National Homes’ communities, condos, retirement residences, commercial and land development, throughout Canada and the USA. Her educational background includes studies in Urban Planning at the University of Toronto, a Master’s in Marketing from Schulich as well as Real Estate Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Deena Pantalone is also a Managing Partner and Director of Marketing & Innovation at the National Group of Companies. in addition, she is also responsible for all philanthropic efforts for the company. Visit her website at https://myhomepage.ca/deena-pantalone-national-homes-feb-2019/ to know more about her.

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Deena Pantalone Toronto

Deena Pantalone Toronto is the Founder and Managing Partner at Venturon Ltd. that invests in and mentors North American start-up companies that develop innovative technologies, products, and services for the real estate industry. She has been with National Homes for 20 years and responsible for all philanthropic efforts for the National Homes Group of Companies. Deena Pantalone is a strong supporter of numerous essential community institutions and initiative. She also contributed on behalf of National Homes both time and financial assistance to a broad spectrum of causes. Get to know her more at https://dolcemag.com/tag/deena-pantalone.

[blog-about-real-estate]

Deena Pantalone Toronto

Deena Pantalone Toronto plans and oversees all marketing, sales, innovation, architecture, design and public relations activity for National Homes’ communities, condos, retirement residences, commercial and land development, throughout Canada and the USA. Her educational background includes studies in Urban Planning at the University of Toronto, a Master’s in Marketing from Schulich as well as Real Estate Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Deena Pantalone Toronto is also a Managing Partner and Director of Marketing & Innovation at the National Group of Companies. in addition, she is also responsible for all philanthropic efforts for the company. Know Deena more by following her at https://twitter.com/deena_pantalone.

[blog-about-real-estate]

Deena Pantalone Toronto

Deena Pantalone Toronto has an educational background that includes studies in the Urban Planning University of Toronto, a Master’s in Marketing from Schulich as well as Real Estate Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. This led her to be the Founder and Managing Partner at Venturon Ltd., a venture capital group that invests in, and mentors North American start-up companies developing innovative technologies, products, and services for the real estate industry. Deena Pantalone plans and oversees all marketing, sales, innovation, architecture, design and public relations activity for National Homes’ communities, condos, retirement residences, commercial and land development, throughout Canada and the USA.

[blog-about-real-estate]

Deena Pantalone Toronto

Deena Pantalone Toronto has an educational background that includes studies in the Urban Planning University of Toronto, a Master’s in Marketing from Schulich as well as Real Estate Development at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. This led her to be the Founder and Managing Partner at Venturon Ltd., a venture capital group that invests in, and mentors North American start-up companies developing innovative technologies, products, and services for the real estate industry. Deena Pantalone Toronto plans and oversees all marketing, sales, innovation, architecture, design and public relations activity for National Homes’ communities, condos, retirement residences, commercial and land development, throughout Canada and the USA. Get to know more about Deena Pantalone Toronto at https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/fashion-and-beauty/fashion/party-photos-of-the-week-buddies-meet-in-toronto-the-beat-goes-on-in-calgary/article20738495/.