www.trustedsaskatoon.com is thrilled to welcome SASKATOON WOODWORKS as the latest locally owned, operated and accountable business to our SASKATOON RENOVATION AND DESIGN category on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of excellence.

Alex at SASKATOOON WOODWORKS team join an impressive list of Trusted businesses.The Trusted Partners on board are forward thinkers, innovators and experts in the city and they understand that to make a difference in your business that offering ' just good service' doesn't cut it anymore..they offer remarkable service and they do that as standard!

SASKATOON WOODWORKS

Alex Sipko has many years of craftsmanship under his tool belt, and he came highly recommended to us here at Trusted....he had previously owned a  Kitchen re -facing company in the city and felt that it didn't allow him to do what he loved most...making beautiful things out of wood! He was so busy being a Manager, so he knew he had to go back to hands on work again to feel furfilled. Alex is a Hard working , honest family man who you can Trust ...he is everything a 'stereotypical' contractor IS NOT, be assured  he certainly deserves the Thumbs up from www.trustedsaskatoon.com

Saskatoon Woodworks specialise in wood craft - but they also put the same amount of skill and effort into the stunning renovations they do ..call them about basements, kitchens, bathrooms ..or even your outdoor living spaces! CLICK HERE to see their website Gallery ..or check out their Facebook page where they post pictures of their work for you to drool over!

In Alexs most recent radio ad he says that he Works with WOOD not Words and he outlines what he GUARANTEES if you choose him as your Trusted Saskatoon Renovation Expert.... you will get the job done for price he quoted you ..not a penny more, he will communicate honestly with you from the get go..and will work with you to ensure that you get the service and quality you are looking for and that he promised you ....in fact what he is saying very simply is what every TRUSTED Partner on the Trusted Saskatoon Directory Guarantees ...they are all contracted by Trusted to uphold these 5 important Guarantees!

Lets leave the last word to one of the many Saskatoon Woodworks happy clients....read more on his listing here  they are TRUSTED SASKATOON RENOVATION & DESIGN EXPERTS!

 

"I am pleased to write a letter of recommendation for Saskatoon Woodworks in regards to their workmanship and services provided .I had them help me design a custom glass shower enclosure and found that he was able to create the picture I had in my mind and couldn't be happier with the finished project. I also had them build a deck for my cabin at the lake. I appreciated their ability to communicate issues as they arose and was able to explain in detail how he was going to correct the problems. The end result is a finished product we are very happy with. I would recommend Saskatoon Woodworks for any of your renovation projects."  Sherry S. Saskatoon SK.

 

 

Stay TRUSTED my friends ..SAFE AND TRUSTED SASKATOON!

Marla Janzen is an award winning SASKATOON REALTOR she takes action to sell her client's homes and find them the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She loves what she does and takes great pride in providing excellence in customer service to all of her clients. She is one of our TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERTS listed on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and loves to provide Trusted Tips that help the public! 

As we are gearing up for spring many of us are getting ready to put our current home on the market. Here are some tips to help increase the value of your home and get it ready for sale. If you would like me to do a walkthrough of your home to help you make of things you need to complete or a customized list of things that would be worth doing please email me at marla.janzen@century21.ca  

Increasing your property Value

Understand first of all that there IS a difference between price and value. Price is the amount you are asking for the property. Value is buyer perceived, and this perception of value is influenced by many factors such as location, features, condition, comparison to other purchase option, etc. By attending to details that can have a positive impact on the value, sellers can significantly increase their chance of attracting qualified buyers willing to pay the asking price.Some tips to achieve a positive impact on value are:

•  Perceived size impacts value, even more so than actual square footage. Open floor plans make a room feel bigger than larger spaces with smaller rooms. Showing property that is furniture free, or at reduced clutter, helps to make the space feel bigger.
• Vacancy increases sale-ability. Property is easier to show and easier to sell, and quicker to take possession of when it is vacant at the time it is offered for sale. Evidence of problems to take possession of the property - such as encroachments, or tenants who wont allow buyer tours negatively impact value. Vacancy also helps the buyer walk through the property imagining ownership. Sellers should remove personal trinkets and family pictures as well as being conveniently absent during a buyer tour.
• Cosmetics are important.

- Fresh paint will always add more value than it costs.

- Clean or new carpet/flooring adds more value than it costs.

- Landscaping adds more value than it costs. At the very minimum, make the entrance area neat.

- If you can, add some colorful flowers and new sod.

- Take care of the obvious! The spot on the ceiling from the roof leak takes thousands of dollars from the perceived value and the offer price.

- Condition affects value.

Do a seller's home inspection to identify and fix the problem BEFORE closing. No point holding up your check a few extra days; plus a failed buyer's inspection could cost you the sale. Buyers will often bargain down your asking price to accomodate for property condition and repairs. If you can, remodel/update the kitchen and master bathroom. These two areas have a big impact on home buying decisions.Strategic renovations impact value and your bottom line. Don't spend more money to renovate the place than you can recapture in value on the sales price.

Find Marla Online at http://www.century21.ca/marla.janzen  she is a Century 21 Fusion Realtor Sakatoon based at 703 Circle Drive, Saskatoon..or checkout her listing in REAL ESTATE SASKATOON here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com  , Marla Janzen is your SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

Stay Trusted my friends SAFE and TRUSTED of course!

 

 

BARIATIC SURGERY : Reclaim a Healthier Lifestyle

As the only permanent weight loss solution, Bariatric Surgery can help you to reclaim a healthier life and look and feel the way you dream of… Our weight loss surgical centers of excellence feature Board Certified Physicians and Surgeons in gleaming facilities with only the most advanced technologies and services. As the world leaders in weight loss procedures, our partnered hospitals and clinics are dedicated to making your surgical experience as relaxed and stress free as possible and they guarantee the highest level of patient safety.

There are several different surgical bariatric options available to our clients, and while bariatric operations are major gastrointestinal procedures which alter the capacity and/or the anatomy of the digestive system, the reality is that losing weight permanently isn’t easy and it doesn’t happen overnight. You will need to make healthy changes that become a permanent part of your lifestyle.

Get connected to real people that have had weight loss surgery. These people are proud to share their stories of how their health has improved, they will discuss their past connection to food and the transformation they have experienced post-surgery, as well be there as a support system to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Our relatively low-cost pricing for VSG Gastric Sleeve (gastrectomy), the NEW Gastric Plication, Gastric Band (lap band) and Gastric Bypass surgeries allow you to get the first-class treatment you desire within your budget. The cost of surgery differs depending on the procedure you select and the destination you choose. Each option is affordable and full financing is available.

We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you on a road to health and happiness!

check out listings here in the Saskatoon Health & Wellness Category on THE Saskatoon directory of excellence.

Trusted SASKATOON HEALTH and SURGICAL WEIGHTLOSS experts right here in Saskatoon!

 

 

HERE IS A VIDEO OF GASTIC SLEEVE SURGICAL PROCEDURE ..WARNING THIS IS real surgery

 

 

Important Tax Information for First Time Homebuyers:

 

Do you Qualify for a First-Time Home Buyers' (FTHB) Tax Credit? The costs associated with purchasing a home, such as legal fees, disbursements and land transfer taxes, can be a particular burden for first-time homebuyers who must pay these costs, as well as save money for a down payment. To assist first-time homebuyers with the costs associated with the purchase of a home, the Government of Canada introduced a FTHB Tax Credit in 2009 — a $5,000 non-refundable income tax credit amount on a qualifying home acquired after January 27, 2009. The Credit will provide up to $750 in federal tax relief starting in 2009 to eligible individuals.

To find out if you are eligible, please visit: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhbtc-eng.html 

To obtain more information on the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit visit the Canada Revenue Agency website at: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gncy/bdgt/2009/fqhbtc-eng.html  

Find TRusted Saskatoon Mortagge Brokers here in the SASKATOON MORTGAGE Category on THE Saskatoon directory of excellence.

www.trustedsaskatoon.com is the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of Trusted experts...yet we are MORE than just a Saskatoon Directory, we are a growing library of resources across many many categories.

Stay Trusted my Friends SAFE and TRUSTED SASKATOON Of course...always PURELY POSITIVE!  

 

 

Tip provided by Tamara Mezzo- who was a Previous Trusted Saskatoon Mortage Broker

This weekend in Saskatoon the annual 2012 Homestyles show had 1000's of people through it's doors..people planning renovations, home improvemnets big and small..as well as some planning on building their own home, and doing all the research possible before they decide which home builder to TRUST with their DREAM HOME Plans! ... www.trustedsaskatoon.com  the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of expert's  FaceBook fan Kris asked Trusted a great question that is very fitting at this time ..and we share this answer we received back from Heather at DECORA HOMES!

 

DISTINCTIVE, CONTEMPORARY...DECORA HOMES They build to reflect your personality, they design to meet your needs...They build relationships DECORA HOMES...it's ALL in the details.

SASKATOON HOME BUILDER QUESTION
Kris wrote: "I'd like to ask the homebuilders what their biggest challenge is in earning a clients trust, and what strategies do they use in order to help their clients make the choice to work with them instead of the numerous other homebuilders in this city?"

Hi Kris. Great question! My name is Heather Kehoe and I am a Sales Representative/Interior Coordinator with Decora Homes Ltd. DECORA HOMES is a custom home builder and we pride ourselves on customer service, quality product and workmanship with unique and custom home design. In the home building market it can be confusing and overwhelming trying to find someone who is reputable,reliable and trustworthy,especially when you have so many options. I have included some important points to look at when you are choosing a home builder and what I believe makes DECORA HOMES stand out from other builders and how we build trust and rapport with clients,subtrades,suppliers and other builders.

1. How did you feel when you first met the homebuilder or sales representative?

What was your first impression or gut feeling. Did you feel comfortable and were your questions answered to your satisfactory. I am a true believer of "go with your gut feeling". Clients have often told me that they knew after our first meeting if we were the right fit for them and that we were very honest and straightforward on what they could expect if they built with DECORA HOMES.

2. Ask for references and referrals and contact them.

A reputable builder should offer to take you to the homes/and or renovations that have been done by the builder/contracter. Check the quality and speak to the clients who purchased the home or had the renos done. Find out what they have to say about the builder and how their experience was. References and referrals are how a business grows. At DECORA HOMES we give all our clients references and take them into clients homes to show them different plans, if required.

3. What associations are they a part of and what is their warranty?

DECORA HOMES-Saskatoon and Region Home Builders Association,Canadian Home Builders Association, Energy Star Particpant, Exclusive 10 year Home Warranty and has been Given the Thumbs up by Trusted Saskatoon.com  

4. Has the builder had any complaints or lawsuits,etc filed against them?

There has never been any lawsuits/complaints filed against DECORA HOMES.

5. Does the builder/contractor have a service manager and project manager?

These are key components to a successful build or renovation. This assures that the project timelines and possession dates are followed, product arrives, is inspected and is accounted for, the tradespeople are arriving to their jobsites on their scheduled dates, trades and suppliers are following quality and safety standards and install of product is completed as per blueprints and plans. The service manager also communicates with the clients to provide service during and after the build to followup on any warranty or touch ups that need to be looked after. Service and followup are key!

6. How long has the builder/contractor been in business?

Is it their fulltime job, or is it part-time or a hobby? DECORA HOMES is a fulltime custom homebuilding company and has been in the constuction and masonry business for many years.

7. Who are the sub-trades and suppliers that they use and how long have they been working with them?

This is very important. Having established a committed working relationship with your trades and suppliers shows trust, loyality,consistency and reputablity.At DECORA HOMES we have excellent working relationships with our trades and suppliers and have worked together for several years. We understand how each other works and have a great deal of respect for each other. This is very evident when we take our clients into see our supplies or when they come onsite to meet the trades.

8. What locations do they build in and how many homes do they build a year?

DECORA HOMES currently has lots available in EVERGREEN,ROSEWOOD,GREENBRYRE ESTATES AND THE CITY OF MARTENSVILLE. We are also currently building acreage and estate properties, as well we have previously built in the Town of Warman,Willowgrove and Hampton Village. We purchase numerous lots throughout the city of Saskatoon on a yearly basis.

9. Awards and recognition.- Has the builder/contractor had special recognition for quality, customer service, uniqueness,etc?

Decora Homes Ltd was recently awarded a 2012 Bridges Award and is nominated in 3 categories for the 2012 SABEX Awards in May, and we were nominated several times when contacted by the team at www.trustedsaskatoon.com . At DECORA HOMES we make it a priority to know and understand the clients budget and expectations. We communicate constantly with our clients. We are honest with each other and if there is a question that I cannot answer on the spot, I will find out the correct information for the customer and get back to them ASAP! At DECORA HOMES the customer is involved throughout the whole process. From blueprint design, to picking product and colors, electrical walkthrough to final inspection.

10. Does the business owner come on site? What is his/her involvement in the company?

At Decora Homes, Rick and Rhonda Iula make it a priority to meet and build a relationship with each and every client, and are in the office and on the job site on a daily basis We ask clients about past experiences they have had with builders/contractors. What did they like/dislike? We ask them what their main concerns are, and focus on creating a truly enjoyable homebuilding experience.

11. Does the builder/contractor use any online tools? At DECORA HOMES we use an online marketing tool targeted towards builders, trades, suppliers and clients. Clients can log into their buildertrend account and have access to their account 24/7. Each client can view a calendar of what is scheduled to be done at their home daily, which trades are at their home that day and changes to schedule. They can also send messages to us, or suppliers, view what products they have picked, access and approve change orders, view and add pictures, and see documents such as plans, quotes,etc. It is also a easy and reliable way for trades,suppliers,project and service managers to communicate.

12. Does the builder have an dedicated Sales Representative/Interior Coordinator to assist clients from beginning to end through their build or renovation?

At DECORA HOMES my job is to assist clients in creating and designing the home of their dreams. For most people this is the largest investment that they will make in their life, and it is extremely important that there is constant communication between myself and the client and that they are informed and involved in all decisions regarding their home. Every client is different therefore everyone's ideas and home will be unique. I work directly with the client to establish rapport and a relationship built on trust and honesty. I take the time to get to know my client, what is important to them in a home, what type of floorplan would idealliy fit their lifestyle/household , what are their likes/dislikes. Together we design or make alterations to a floorplan. We work together to create the home or renovation they have envisioned within their budget. One of the benefits of my job is I get to spend time with the clients and suppliers, assisting the client in picking out all their product, getting quotes, coordinating samples,etc. For some clients this can be the most daunting part of a build /renovation. I schedule adequate time with the clients and suppliers to go over the plans in detail, and make sure timelines are followed. I confirm all product from shingles to flooring, stucco to plumbing fixtures. I love this part!! Assisting a client with kitchen cabinets, granite, flooring,plumbing,etc and watching everything come together is amazing!

Thank you again for your question! Feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns! Sincerely, Heather Kehoe , Decora Homes.

Find Decora Homes online HERE , or check out their listing under SASKATOON HOME BUILDERS on the Saskatoon directory of Excellence they are a TRUSTED SASKATOON HOMEBUILDER

Enjoy this Decora Homes Video where you can meet the team and clients in their Decora Home!

 

 

Here we share a Trusted Tip on the Saskatoon Directory of experts.

What Should I Tell My Kids About When To Fight?

“I don’t want my kids to be victimized, but I also don’t believe that violence is the right solution to problems. How do I tell them where to draw the line?”

What to tell kids about fighting is a question many parents ask us. At Momentum, we believe that fighting is a last resort. We also believe that people do have the right to fight if this is the only way they can protect themselves from being harmed.

Before we teach children and teens how to fight in our self-defense workshops, we coach them until they are successful in practicing skills that will make fighting unnecessary most of the time including:

■using their awareness

■projecting a powerful, respectful attitude

■staying in charge of what they say and do no matter how they feel inside

■noticing and leaving a potentially unsafe situation

■setting strong verbal boundaries

■managing emotional triggers in order to stay calm and make wise choices

■leaving in a calm, polite, powerful way

■shouting

■pulling away

■running to get help from an adult.

We tell our students, “When we started , many people told us NOT to teach kids to fight. They said that kids would misuse these skills when they were annoyed or upset. We want you to promise that you will ONLY use the physical self-defense skills we teach you when you are about to be hurt and you cannot leave and get help.” Each student looks the instructor in the eyes, shakes hands, and says, “I promise!” we teaches both emergency-only physical self-defense skills like an eyestrike; a heel palm or elbow to the face; and a knee to the groin — and “bullying self-defense skills” like a shin kick; a heel palm to the solar plexus; or a pinch to the thigh or upper arm. We make a distinction between bullying self-defense and emergency self-defense because leaving is different in a situation like school, where kids really don’t have a choice about being there.

When kids are stuck in a situation where they are constantly physically threatened and the school is not able to stop it, we believe kids have the right to protect themselves. Because families have very different values about where to draw the line when it’s another child who is being aggressive, we tell our students to talk specific problems over with their parents to get guidance about when they can use their bullying self-defense skills. When it’s a chronic situation, like having another kid pull your hair or push you around, and the adults in charge do not seem to be able to stop it, sometimes one strong move can end months or even years of harassment. When I was a child, there was one girl who spent years leading other girls in shunning me in elementary school. One day she cornered me in the bathroom, saying she was going to dunk me into the toilet to clean my dirty face. When pushed to the wall, I kicked her in the shins and left. I should then have gotten adult help, but this was, of course, long before Kidpower. Fortunately, even though this girl and her friends complained about me to the teacher, the teacher believed me and not them. After that, all the bullying stopped, and some of this girl’s followers even eventually became my friends. Often just knowing how to stop an attack yourself physically can give the confidence to use other self-protection tactics more effectively.

One shy boy was constantly being shoved and tripped by a couple of other kids in his school. After his Kidpower class, he used his awareness to avoid most of these problems. When a bigger boy came after him anyway, he yelled, “STOP! GO AWAY!” The bigger boy was so startled that he stopped and left quickly. As a parent, you can tell your children that they might get in trouble with the school if they fight to protect themselves from being hurt by another kid, but they will not get in trouble with you. Timothy Dunphy, our other program co-founder, told his daughter that, if she got suspended for protecting herself (NOT for starting a fight), he’d stay home and play with her. Be sure you’ve practiced all the other skills first so that your children have these choices firmly in place We recommend rehearsing with your children how to make a report to the adult in charge if they have a safety problem, especially anytime they need to use a physical bully defense skill, using a calm, controlled voice rather than a whiny voice. For example, “Excuse me, I need help. We’re having a problem. Jeff kept pushing me and pushing me. I tried to leave, but he kept following me. I told the yard duty, and she believed Jeff instead of me. Jeff got mad that I told. He said he would hurt me. He was coming at me with his fist, so I kicked him in the shins. Then I left to get help from you. Please call my parents.” No, talking to an adult like this is NOT natural for kids, or for anyone. Strong communication skills are learned behaviors, and they are skills every child deserves to have. Even very young children can learn, with practice, to communicate more clearly.

Advocating for your kids can make a big difference in the outcome. One mother wrote to her daughter’s middle school principal, “You have not protected my 12-year-old daughter from being harassed at school. I have told her that, the next time a boy tries to grab her breast, she can use one of her bully physical self-defense skills to protect herself. If you punish her, I’ll fight it all the way to the school board!” The next time a boy tried to grab her daughter’s breast, the girl moved away and shouted, “LEAVE ME ALONE! I MEAN IT!” When the boy kept trying to grab her, she knocked him flat with a heel palm to his solar plexus. The boys in her class stopped bothering her, and she did NOT get into trouble. Again, we believe that fighting to be should be the last resort. Reacting automatically to aggression with aggression, rather than with conscious choices and target denial, can be dangerous. Teens and young adults, especially boys, need to know that it takes more courage and is more manly to “not fight” than to fight. This knowledge could save their lives, because teens and young men are at greatest risk of violence from competitive attacks by other young men. The good news is that the “Everyday Safety” self-protection skills work most of the time and are almost always the safest choice. And that, if you need to fight to protect yourself, one strong move stops most attacks.

 

Stay Trusted my friends..SAFE AND TRUSTED SASKATOON!

article shared by Trusted Saskatoon  as a Tip- http://www.kidpower.org/blog/when-to-fight/

www.trustedsaskatoon.com has met one of it's main objectives this week..we are now able to brag that we have at LEAST 1 Trusted option in the 40 categories on the directory..Outdoor Living & Recreation ( our newest Category and one that our Facebook fans requested  )  has it's first Trusted listing ...20 of our categories are full ( 3 Trusted options) and we have other categories covered with pour banner advertisers - Pest control - Kreepy Kritterz, Jewellers- Batemans, Auctioneer- Bodnarus, Home Inspection - Across the board, Martial Arts- Momenmtum, Mould Remediation- Got Mold? and there are more business coming on board in Categories and as banners soon...this means we are able to offer the Saskatoon public a better service ongoing..as our SASKATOON Directory of GUARANTEED Trusted  locally acountable excellent businesses grows each week ..don't forget to check out all the wonderful TRUSTED TIPS that our Trusted local experts provide

It's been a long time coming but oh my goodness was it ever worth the wait to welcome our first SASKATOON OUTDOOR LIVING & RECREATION expert on the Saskatoon Directory... PREMIUM HOME LEISURE is our Officially Exclusive Trusted SASKATOON SPA and OUTDOOR LIVING & RECREATION Business and we will tell you why they belong on the directory and what sets them apart from everyone else in their industry....we tell you why you should call PREMIUM HOME LEISURE them FIRST, to avoid disappointments elsewhere!   

PREMIUM HOME LEISURE

There are lots of places in Saskatoon that sell hot tubs ..and there are many reasons you can choose the type of hot tub you buy ...but NO WHERE else in Saskatoon will you find a company that has more of a foundation of honesty, integrity and expertise than Premium Home Leisure . Sara the founder of Trusted had the joy of getting to know Rick (the manager of Premium)in her previous role, and watched and listened to how he operated with clients and potential client then... it was obvious to her that Rick cares about people and he is invested in making sure that each person that comes through the doors is looked after to the best of his ability ..there is NO FINE Print at Premium, they listen to their clients...what you see is what you get...and if you haven't been in their showroom recently ( situated on the corner of Idylwyld and 22nd), then it may surprise you to see everything they do!!!

Infra Red Saunas ( we want one), Pools, Billiard tables, Ping Pong, AMAZING BBQ and outdoor living equipment....accessories and of course a wonderful selection of STUNNING JACUZZI Spas to suit all and any budget. Premium Home Leisure ( previously called Premium Jacuzzi ) are Saskatoons official Jacuzzi dealers and they are renowned for having the BEST JETS in the hot tub/spa world..and the people we spoke to that have a Jacuzzi tub are just THRILLED with them, and wouldn't go anywhere else or choose another brand! 

Check out this LINK to see what can happen if you DON'T Choose a TRUSTED HOT TUB DEALER  

One of the things that came up many times when we surveyed their clients as part of the Trusted Verification prcess ( everyone gave them 10 out of 10's by the way) was that the relationship started when they bought something from Premium and that they are blown away by the amazing customer service and ' service ' that they get if anything needs fixing or servicing..they don't ignore or avoid ..they react quickly and follow up to ensure that their clients are totally satisfied with their purchase from Premium! We are proud to have them on the Saskatoon directory of Excellence and we know they desereve all the promotion we are going to give them..TRUSTED Promotes the BEST other directories just list the REST ..and here is yet another prime example of just that ..check out Premium Home leisure listing here they are your TRUSTED SASKATOON SPA and SASKATOON OUTDOOR LIVING & RECREATION EXPERTS! !  

 

www.trustedsaskatoon.com  LOVES giving away prizes to our awesome Facebook fans as often as we can, and the latest contest was a Purrrrrrrfect example of that!

Here are the contest details: TRUSTED 'CATS' CONTEST!!

Trusted Saskatoon knows that the businesses featured on the Directory truly are the 'CATS Miaow' in this city....so the next contest involves one of those wonderful Trusted partners! Clare from Saskatoon said " They are very efficient, courteous and well trained"about one of the Trusted businesses ....Tell us which business it is by looking on the directory and you and a friend could be going to CATS at TCU PLace next Sat March 24th! This is a $200+ PRIZE !!!!! YOU MUST EMAIL the answer to Trusted Sasakatoon.com (sara@trustedcanada.com or through the contact us section of the website) ..don't forget your name and contact details......winner announced Thursday 22nd MARCH at 8pm!

The answer that 42 of our wonderful and very Smart fans got correct was:

COUNTRY WIDE MOVING AND STORAGE :

Cam and the Countrywide moving team deserve all the kudos they get ...they are a locally owned and accountable business and they really do an exceptional job of moving & storage (and that is an industry with HORROR stories! We know we hear them all the time!!) ..you can find them on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of  excellence under the SASKATOON MOVERS & STORAGE CAT-egory.....they are a TRUSTED SASKATOON MOVER and they Guarantee you will have a great moving experience!

Now for the cynics out there that DO NOT Trust us when we say WE CAN indeed be TRUSTED when randomly choosing winners …we thought we would video the winner being chosen in the MOST random manner we could think of !!

ENJOY!

 

 

 

 

 

Trusted Saskatoon Real Estate TRUSTED TIP

Six Simple Things You Can Do to Ensure a Smooth Home Purchase Buying a home can be an emotional, time-consuming, and complex process. There are a few things that you can do to help make the process go as smooth as possible:

1. Check your credit. Before you apply for a home loan, regardless of your credit, it's a smart idea to obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus and review the information. If there are errors or things that need to be addressed, it's easier to address them before you have found a house, than after you have found a house and are trying to close your loan. If you know that there are a few blemishes on your credit, let your lender know what they are, why they are there, and why you are a still good credit risk. Lenders look at your credit to determine how likely you will pay back the loan. If you had extenuating circumstances - like a loss of a job or medical bills - let them know so that they understand that it is not likely to happen again in the future.

2. Get approved before you buy. An approval means that a lender has reviewed your credit history, verified your assets and employment, and has approved your loan before you have found a home to purchase. As long as the home appraises for at least the purchase price, the loan should close. Getting approved also gives you an advantage over other buyers. Your firm approval makes it easier for you to negotiate on the price of a home, than a person who is not approved or is pre-qualified. While getting pre-qualified may sound official, it is really just getting an idea of what you can afford. Its having a person plug in a few numbers that you give them - your monthly income and your monthly debt - and getting an approximate payment calculated. From the payment, the calculator can approximate the house price range that you can afford. No information is verified. Because your assets, income or credit is not verified, a pre-qualification has little value when purchasing a home.

3. Find a great buyer's agent. Traditionally real estate agents represent the sellers in a transaction. When you are not working with a buyer's agent, they are less likely to negotiate the best price or contingencies for you. A buyer's agent's job and fiduciary responsibility (meaning legal duty) is to you, the buyer. Before working with an agent, establish if they are a buyer's agent or a seller's agent. After spending a lot of time with a Realtor, it's natural to feel like you're a team. But if they are not negotiating for you, then they are not on your team.

4. Learn about the neighborhood. Often times the house you find may be in a neighborhood that you're not familiar with, which is ok. It just means that you'll have to do a little more research. If you find a house that you like, ask for a list of the neighborhood properties that sold in the last year. How does your home rank? Is it at the top of the price range? If so, it might be hard to resell. Is it average or on the low end? If so, great - as the other home prices go up in value, they will pull your home's value up as well. Check out the schools - are they sought after? A good school district means your neighborhood will always be valued by families which is a great reassurance to purchase, not to mention the value-add if you have school-age children. Next, contact the police station and obtain crime statistics? Are they acceptable to you? Sometimes, if they won't give them to you, it could be a cause for alarm. Talk to the neighbors. The more people you talk to, the better sense you will get of who makes up the neighborhood and how they will effect your time spent in it. Check out the location of the shopping, police and fire stations, schools, and air traffic overhead. These are all things that might affect your property value or quality of your life.

5. Protect Yourself. Ask your Realtor for a copy of the documents you will be asked to sign if you decide to buy the house. Read them ahead of time so that you'll understand the questions that you will be asked, the things you need to know, and the decisions you will need to make.

6.) Have reasonable expectations. There is a lot of money at stake. No house is perfect. Understanding and remembering these two statements will help diffuse the negotiation stage, the inspection stage and the closing stage. Emotions are high for both buyers and sellers. - The seller may have loving memories and years of sweat equity in the house. Maybe they are being relocated and don't want to go. Understanding their motivations for selling will help you appreciate their situation and predicament during these emotional times. There is a lot of money at stake for all the parties involved (and that includes the realtors) - Just remember that market value (the value of a home) is the price that a willing buyer and a willing seller can agree to. If you can not agree on a price, ask yourself: Is there something you missed? Are there comparables that support the price that they want? Are there motivations that might factor into the price they are demanding? In the end, does it matter? What is the house worth to you today and what do you think you can reasonably sell it for based on the amount of time you plan to spend in it? Think about the answers to those questions before you make your move. No house is perfect - Always get an inspection. It might be a few hundred dollars, but it's worth it. It's the inspector's job to find any problems with the house that could cost you thousands to repair down the road. Some inspectors have a tendency to over play the importance of their role and the items that they find. Get objective opinions that you trust before making a decision on an inspection report. Likewise, if an inspector says a foundation is cracked but its nothing to worry about - get a second opinion. Ask a handyman for an idea of how much repairs will cost and how complicated they are. The home buying process is an emotional, complex and time-consuming process, but it is worth it. Nothing compares to owning your own home in a neighborhood that you choose.

Check out Trusted Saskatooon Realtors on their listing here in the SASKATOON REAL ESTATE Category on THE SASKATOON DIRECTORY of excellence.

 

The O'Reilly insurance Saskatoon goal is to be the natural choice for all your insurance needs; to take care of the "what if" in life. Their team of professional staff are eager to serve you and they offer all lines of insurance.Their specialists can customize your insurance portfolio to meet your specific needs and they review their clients' needs annually to ensure their coverage still meets their needs. Declan O'Reilly is your Trusted SASKATOON INSURANCE expert

Here Declan O'Reilly himself shares a Trusted Tip about your Home Insurance !

Is Your Home Insurance Keeping Up With Your Home?

These days most of us are watching what we spend and major purchases are often something we save for over a long period of time. That's why it's becoming increasingly important to protect our assets—they're tough to replace. One of the best ways to protect what you've worked hard for is to make certain your home and personal property are adequately insured. While most of us have home insurance, we tend to pay little attention to the details of exactly what it covers and whether it's enough. Most policies cover your home and contents against losses from fire, vandalism, burglary and other perils, however the exact nature of the coverage varies from one policy to another. For example, some policies automatically insure contents for a percentage of the building limit. For example, if your building is insured for $120,000 and your policy allows for 75%, the contents would be insured for $90,000. This is where some people make a mistake. Ninety thousand dollars sounds like a lot of coverage but when you do a quick inventory of your belongings and add up what it would cost to replace them, you might be astounded at the result. And $90,000 is often not enough. Here are three ways to make sure you have enough coverage. First, add replacement cost coverage to your policy. This ensures your loss will be paid based on current cost of replacing or repairing the item, without any deduction for depreciation. It's comforting to know that if your ten year old bedroom suite is destroyed, you'll get enough money to replace rather than simply the amount it's worth today. Second, review your policy to see if there are any limits on items like jewellery, furs, or coin collections. For example, the limit on jewellery can range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on your policy. Since these items may be worth more than your policy's limit, it's advisable to insure them separately based on their appraised value. Third, to help determine how much personal property coverage you need and to help provide proof of ownership in the event of a claim, take stock of the contents of your home.

There are several ways to record this information.

• Write down a description of your possessions room by room and keep any receipts with the list.

• Videotape a walk through your house, verbally describing the items you're taping—include serial numbers and purchase dates.

• Take pictures of the major items and attach a receipt to the back of the photo.

It's important to update this record on a regular basis. It is wise to leave it in a safety deposit box so that if your home is damaged or destroyed, your record won't be destroyed along with your other things. Some insurance companies have developed inventory forms to make the job easier. The key with any type of insurance protection is to identify your needs and with the help of your insurance company, design a policy to meet those needs. Once this is done, you should review your policy annually to make sure your insurance is keeping up to the value of your home and contents. Give Declan and his friendly team a call today or drop in and see them at 101 - 407 Ludlow St. Saskatoon...you can find them on www.trustedsaskatoon.com  in the SASKATOON INSURANCE category or online at www.jdor.ca they have a new Facebook Page and their newly renovated offices are definitley worthy of a visit ....to get a quote or simply see the art hanging there ......they are Trusted SASKATOON INSURANCE Experts.

O'Reilly Insurance-the natural choice.