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Ten Things Buyers Really Want in Their Next Home By Trusted Regina


The Top 10 Things Buyers Really Want in Their Next Home


There is likely no bigger purchase than a home. There are some things on almost every homebuyer’s list when it comes to looking for their perfect property whether they’re buying for the first time, upgrading or downsizing.

These 10 things seem to be really important to most:


1. Separate Laundry Room.

Most homebuyers want a designated space to do laundry. Having enough storage space for laundry items, as well as being able to fold clothes, is a must. Buyers see it as a huge plus. Most people prefer this space to be close to the master bedroom or at least on the main floor.

2. High Efficiency.

Even when buying an older home, homebuyers look for efficiency in appliances and windows. More people are mindful of their utility bills and look to things to cut those costs.

3. A Patio Or Deck. 

Outdoor living is embraced by most homeowners. 87% of house hunters look for a home with a patio where they can entertain family and friends in the warmer months.

4. A Large Garage.

For more than just the vehicles. A spacious garage can also double as a great storage space. A garage also provides easy accessibility to stored items unlike an attic or shed.

5. Exterior lighting.

Most people take great pride in the time and money they’ve invested in landscaping and would like to highlight that even at night. Next to a patio, exterior lighting is the most desired outdoor feature. That includes spotlight, walkway and pendant lights.

6. A Modern Kitchen and Bathroom.

Most people’s savings will be going toward a down payment, so getting a kitchen and bathroom they won’t have to change is high on the priority list. An eat-in, open-concept kitchen is what most people strive for. These are really attractive to young families with children.

7. Hardwood Floors.

Hardwood floors are cleaner and easier to maintain. Good flooring can last a lifetime if maintained well.

8. Walk-in Closet in the Master.

These types of closets are quickly gaining in popularity among first-time homebuyers. Such closets rank in the top five on the home want list.

9. Walk-in Pantry.

A full-sized pantry used to be a staple in every home in the early 20th century. They went out of favour, but are making a strong comeback. According to statistics, it’s the most wanted kitchen feature among buyers these days.

10. A Separate Dining Room.

Like the walk-in pantry, the formal dining room is back on the want list. A separate dining room is among the top 10 essentials for first- and second-time homebuyers.


Trusted Regina Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management Talk Insurance Needs

Chris Worby and Jeremiah Worby are Trusted Regina based financial advisors and Wealth Management services providers servicing local Regina households and businesses. With over 20 years of experience, Worby Wealth Management has been committed to providing a high standard of financial service to individuals, families and business owners. Worby Wealth Management listens and provides a personalized financial plan.


Insurance Needs

by Jeremiah Worby

What will happen to you and your loved ones if something unexpected occurs?  Do you have contingency plans in place?  Being prepared for the unexpected is something that should be planned for.  Insurance isn’t always for everyone, but if the need arises, having something in place can help alleviate unwanted stress and burden.

Life Insurance

A very unfortunate statistic, but 100% of people eventually die.  Does that mean that you have to buy life insurance?  Well not necessarily.  Everyone’s situation is different.  It can depend on a variety of factors such as age, current and future financial circumstances, possible inheritances, considerations about how much you would like to leave loved ones, and funeral expenses, just to name a few.  


If you do decide that a need for life insurance exists, these are just some of the decisions that need to be considered:

  • Did you want a whole life policy or a term policy?

  • Did you need a joint policy with either first-to-die or last-to-die?

  • What amount of coverage should you get?

  • What monthly premium is reasonable?


Critical Illness Insurance

Critical Illness insurance exists for those who wish to sleep comfortably at night knowing they are covered in case a major medical emergency should ever arise.  Very few critical illness policies are the same.  Some considerations include:

  • Do I only want coverage for only the four major illnesses (life-threatening cancer, stroke, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery)?

  • Are there other conditions that I’d like coverage for (diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.)?

  • How much coverage do I need?

  • How long do I need coverage for?


Disability Insurance

If you’re employed at a high injury risk job, this is a serious consideration to take into account.  Disability insurance can provide protection against loss of income should you become disabled.  When disabled, as much as we’d love them to, your bills don’t just stop.
  • Check to see if you already have coverage through your employer so that unnecessary overlapping coverage isn’t purchased

  • Decide on how much coverage you would like to have

  • Calculate what your monthly expenses will be taking everything into account

  • Would you be willing to change jobs if need be?

  • Would you be willing to cut back on your current standard of living?


Find Out More

Whether you’re 20 years old or 50 years old, proper insurance planning is essential.  Contact Worby Wealth Management to assess your insurance needs today.


Some of the services that Worby Wealth Management can help you with: 

TRUSTED REGINA FINANCIAL ADVISOR Chris Worby from Worby Wealth Management helps you live your dream!


The comments contained herein are a general discussion of certain issues intended as general information only and should not be relied upon as tax or legal advice. Please obtain independent professional advice, in the context of your particular circumstances. This Blog was written, designed and produced by Jeremiah Worby and Chris Worby for the benefit of Jeremiah Worby and Chris Worby who are Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management, a registered trade name with Investia Financial Services Inc., and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Investia Financial Services Inc. The information contained in this article comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Mutual Funds, approved exempt market products and/or exchange traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.

Trusted Regina Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management Discuss Credit Ratings

Chris Worby and Jeremiah Worby are Trusted Regina based financial advisors and Wealth Management services providers servicing local Regina households and businesses. With over 20 years of experience, Worby Wealth Management has been committed to providing a high standard of financial service to individuals, families and business owners. Worby Wealth Management listens and provides a personalized financial plan.


Credit Ratings

by Jeremiah Worby

We’ve all heard the stories from someone we know (though we may or may not like that person) about having been a victim of some form of identity theft.  Identity theft can drastically affect your credit rating, and your credit rating affects almost everything in your financial world.


Whether you’re looking to apply for a credit card, take out or renew a mortgage, get a car loan, or want to borrow a million dollars from that loan shark down the street, your credit rating will greatly impact the interest rate which you might receive for such loans.



There are two major players in the credit rating world of Canada – those being Equifax and TransUnion.  You can, and we suggest you do, go to both these websites and sign-up for their free service to check your credit scores.



Equifax

Directly from their website, Equifax states:
“We are a global data, analytics, and technology company. We believe knowledge drives progress. Our unique data assets, technology and analytics transform knowledge into insights to power decisions that move people forward.”

Here’s a wonderful and short read [they claim it’s 2 minutes but I think it’s way more like 3 minutes :)] from Equifax about what impacts your credit score.

https://www.consumer.equifax.ca/personal/education/credit-score/what-impacts-credit-score/



TransUnion

Directly from their website, TransUnion states:

Our mission is to help people everywhere access the opportunities that lead to a higher quality of life. By helping organizations optimize their risk-based decisions and enabling consumers to understand and manage their personal information, we empower both to take their destinies into their own hands.”

Here’s a true 2 minute read from TransUnion about 5 factors that affect your credit score.

https://www.transunion.ca/what-affect-credit-score?



Find Out More

Whether you’re 20 years old or 50 years old, credit ratings are of utmost importance. Contact Worby Wealth Management to help fix your credit score and set you on the path to success!


Some of the services that Worby Wealth Management can help you with: 

TRUSTED REGINA FINANCIAL ADVISOR Chris Worby from Worby Wealth Management helps you live your dream!


The comments contained herein are a general discussion of certain issues intended as general information only and should not be relied upon as tax or legal advice. Please obtain independent professional advice, in the context of your particular circumstances. This Blog was written, designed and produced by Jeremiah Worby and Chris Worby for the benefit of Jeremiah Worby and Chris Worby who are Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management, a registered trade name with Investia Financial Services Inc., and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Investia Financial Services Inc. The information contained in this article comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Mutual Funds, approved exempt market products and/or exchange traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.

Trusted Regina Shares 6 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Homeowner



6 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Homeowner


Lately we have been spending much more time in our homes than usual. With homes and finances at the forefront of many household conversations, here is a list of 6 things you can do to improve both your home and your finances. 

Pay Off Your Non-Mortgage Debt FIRST!

The general rule of thumb is that you should focus on paying off higher-interest debt before lower-interest debt. You may be paying a higher rate on a credit card or private student loan than on your mortgage, so you'd benefit more by paying those off early.

Don't pay so much toward the higher-interest debt that you risk defaulting on mortgage payments. Yes, credit cards can be expensive, and the issuer may take legal action if you default on card payments. But defaulting on mortgage payments can be an even bigger risk because you could lose your home.

Build A Realistic  Emergency Fund

Owning a home comes with many responsibilities and expenses, some that you can plan for in advance, like property taxes, and some that just pop up unexpectedly. If you haven’t already started saving for those unexpected expenses in an emergency fund or rainy-day fund, the new year is a great time to start! Saving any amount is beneficial in an emergency, but about 3 to 6-month’s salary is usually recommended. A high-interest savings account is a good place for your emergency fund. You’ll still be able to earn interest on your savings, and it’s not entirely locked away in case you need to access the funds quickly.

For some people, work-from-home measures may be in place indefinitely. The lines between your personal and professional life may be blurred during this time. The best way to keep firm boundaries is by trying to maintain a similar routine to when you’re in the office. Ensure you set boundaries to limit overtime work, always take breaks throughout the day, and log off your work computer at the usual end of the workday.


Make Your Home As Energy Efficient As Possible

We live in Saskatchewan, so there's no avoiding heating and cooling costs, and they will only rise as time goes on. Whatever you can do to make your property more energy-efficient is a worthwhile investment! It also makes it more attractive when you decide to sell. 

For tech-savvy homeowners, making your home more energy-efficient with smart thermostats or programmable LED lights can be fun! Even if technology isn’t your thing, minor fixes around the house can help make your home more energy-efficient and save you money. Here are a few things to add to your list:

  • Seal all air leaks around windows and doors
  • Use cold water or energy-saving settings for washing machines and dishwashers
  • Unplug devices and appliances when not in use
  • Lower your thermostat while you’re away from home or in less-used areas of your home
  • Install a low-flow showerhead
  • Opt for energy-efficient window treatments like honeycomb shades

Make Your Home A Space You Love 

Starting off the new year ( or a new week! ) in a clean, organized space is a huge mood booster. With many people working from home now, organized space can also help your productivity. While there’s no right or wrong way to declutter and organize your home, one useful method is to work by room to make the task more manageable. Look at everything you have and split the items into three piles: Keep, Donate, and Toss. Perhaps you could read Marie Kondo's book The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up, she is a Japanese professional organizer with a simple method to declutter your life, from clothes to books to knickknacks. She wants you to answer just one simple question when it comes to any of the items in your house:

Does it bring you joy?

If you answer yes, you keep the item. If you hesitate or say no, you donate it or throw it out. It’s simple, it’s brilliant, and it’s completely intuitive. 

Once you’ve decided what’s staying, you can make sure everything has a designated place to keep things tidy in the long run.

Start A Household Maintenance Checklist 

As with most New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to start the year off strong, but as time goes on, it may become more challenging. Set yourself up for success and stick to your home goals by creating a household maintenance checklist. Create a recurring calendar reminder so you never forget to handle tasks around the house. For example, set a reminder to change your HVAC filter every three months or clean your eavestroughs twice a year. Proper home maintenance is a good way to prevent having to pay for home repairs over time.

Plan To Pay Off Your Mortgage Sooner

Depending on how much you still owe on your mortgage, paying it off may be daunting but don’t be discouraged. Even small steps now can help you become mortgage-free sooner. Start by increasing your regular payments. For example, instead of purchasing a takeout dinner, put that extra $50 towards your monthly mortgage payment. Keep that up for a year, and you’ve already put an additional $600 towards your mortgage and, over five years, an additional $3,000.

Another simple way to pay your mortgage off faster is to put any additional or unexpected income towards your mortgage. That can be anything like funds from a tax return, a bonus from work or inheritance. Before you make any pre-payments, double-check your mortgage pre-payment options with your mortgage lender so you don’t exceed your allowable limits.



Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Answers Questions Regarding Renter's Insurance

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they share what you need to know about renter's insurance.

You have found a place to rent. Fantastic! You have arranged for movers (whether professional or friends to help). Great! You have even downloaded an app to help you decide how to arrange your furniture. Fun! But what about renter’s insurance?

Renter's Insurance

Renter's Insurance, sometimes called tenant insurance, can sound scary, complicated, and worse still expensive. But it does not need to be all that difficult. And often people find it to be less expensive than they first thought.

At Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH, we can help unravel the mystery of renter’s insurance. Most renter’s insurance policies will protect you in two important ways – both your contents and your liability.

Caveat: There are a number of insurance companies that sell renter’s insurance here in Canada. There are similarities between them but also differences. This is not designed to be the definitive word on what each individual policy covers. Rather it is designed to provide a “broad brush” overview of what renter’s insurance does. For specifics on what your policy does, and does not provide, please speak with your broker or agent.

Contents Insurance

The first thing that renter’s insurance does is protect your belongings. There are two major questions that you need to answer when arranging contents insurance.

1. How Much Insurance Do I Need?

This can be a difficult question to answer. After all, most people do not purchase all their belongings at once. We acquire them over time, some new, some second hand. It can seem like an impossible task to come up with how much you have spent on your “stuff”.

When figuring out the amount of insurance that you need – ask yourself the question, “If I needed to buy everything brand new, what would it cost?” Most renter’s insurance policies are based on “replacement cost.” Replacement cost means the amount that it would take to purchase what you had with brand new items.

Many people fall into the trap of thinking, “But my things are old; they are not worth that much.” That may be true, but when it comes to insurance ask the question: "What would it cost if you needed to go on a shopping spree and buy everything brand new?" When thinking of this, remember that most policies will allow you to purchase the same kind and quality as what you had. So, if that old couch is very well made you would be able to purchase the same quality of couch in the event of a claim.

Many insurance companies have a minimum amount of contents insurance that they will provide, for example, $30,000 is quite common. Would that amount be enough? It is a good starting point, but everyone has a unique set of belongings and everyone has a different set of needs.

One tool that is available is a record of your belongings. This can be found on SGI's website. While it is not strictly necessary to complete a record like this, it is a valuable tool in determining how much insurance you need.

2. What Kind of Insurance Do I Need?

Once you have determined how much insurance you require, the next question to ask is what kind of insurance best meets your needs. There are essentially two different types of contents insurance: a more basic form of insurance and more comprehensive insurance.


Named Perils Insurance

The first form of insurance is named perils. It has different names depending on the insurance company. It may be called Pak I or Broad Form. Each company has a different name. So please do not rely on the name, make sure that you understand what it actually provides.

As the name implies, “Named Perils” provides insurance for a specific number of perils. A peril is an event that is unexpected and accidental.

 Common named perils would include:

  • Fire
  • Lightning
  • Explosion
  • Smoke
  • Falling Object
  • Impact of Aircraft, Spacecraft of Land Vehicle
  • Wind/Hail
  • Water Escape
  • Vandalism
  • Theft


  • For a named perils policy to respond, one of the specifically listed named perils would have needed to occur. If something other than one of the specially listed things happened there would be no insurance. Named Perils policies often specifically define some of the terms and restrict what is, and is not, covered by them.

    Comprehensive Perils Insurance


    The second form of contents insurance is comprehensive insurance. As the name implies, this is a much broader form of insurance than is named perils.

    Named Perils Insurance specifically tells you what is covered, Comprehensive Insurance tells you what is not covered. It is often called all-risk insurance as it covers all risks except those specifically excluded.

    Typical exclusions would include:
    • Flooding
    • Seepage
    • Exclusions when the property is vacant
    • Pet Damage
    • Normal Wear and Tear
    There are some day-to-day advantages of comprehensive insurance over named perils.

    • The first is a philosophical difference. With named perils insurance the onus is on the insured (person who purchased the insurance) to show where something is covered. With comprehensive insurance that responsibility is shifted to the insurance company. Unless they can point to a specific exclusion, the insurance company must pay the loss.
    • Accidental Damage – Comprehensive Insurance typically provides insurance for accidental damage whereas named perils does not. For example, if a person dropped a big-screen television or spilled a glass of red wine on the couch most comprehensive insurance policies would provide coverage whereas named perils would often not.
    • Mysterious Disappearance  Named Perils policies typically cover if things are stolen, but not if they are lost. Comprehensive insurance often covers loss as well. If your diamond ring goes missing or the gem falls out of it comprehensive insurance would usually respond and pay the claim where named perils would likely not.
    • Smoke  Some named perils policies provide very restrictive coverage for smoke damage. Comprehensive Insurance provides much better coverage for things like candle smoke.
    So which policy is better for you? Comprehensive insurance is a significantly better policy than a Named Perils policy is. Typically, the price difference, on a renter’s policy, is not that much between the two. If your budget allows for it, we recommend Comprehensive Insurance.

    With renter’s insurance, as with most kinds of insurance, there are a few things to be aware of:
    • Insurance policies carry with them a deductible. A deductible is a portion that you must pay in the event of a loss. For example, if you have a $500 deductible you would be responsible for any amounts up to the first $500 of any claim.
    • Whenever you file a claim you can expect to see your premium increase.
    • Most policies have specific items that they put limits of insurance on. For example, there are maximums that will be paid out for things such as jewelry, stamp or coin collections, or bicycles to name a few. We recommend that you review these with your broker or contact one of our helpful insurance brokers at Campbell & Haliburton.

    Liability Insurance

    Liability Insurance protects you if others are harmed due to your negligence. Liability insurance has two “triggers” that they use.
    • Bodily Injury – Someone gets injured because of what you did or did not do. Suppose you are renting a house and are responsible for keeping the sidewalk shoveled and safe. But if someone slips on the ice and is injured you might be found by the courts to be liable. Your renter’s insurance provides liability insurance to protect you in this situation.
    • Property Damage – Provides coverage when there is damage to someone else’s property due to your actions. For example, if you are cooking and cause a fire the landlord might want you (or your insurance company) to pay for damages to their house.
    Liability Insurance is generally included in a renter’s insurance policy.

    A few things to think of:
    • Cost – In Canada, liability insurance on a renter’s policy is relatively inexpensive. Many policies provide you with $1,000,000 of liability insurance. However, the cost to increase this is generally very low. Since liability insurance is designed to protect you from potentially catastrophic events, we recommend increasing the amount of liability insurance.
    • The Fine Print Some liability insurance policies provide restrictions on when it will pay out. We strongly recommend that you speak with your insurance broker to ensure that you are aware of any limitations.
    Renters insurance is a relatively cost-effective way to not only protect yourself in the event the unthinkable happens.

    Are you ready for a personalized insurance quote? Our easy user-friendly website makes this both easy and convenient. Do you need more information? Please contact Campbell & Haliburton, one of our expert insurance brokers. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

    - Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker

    Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.

    Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957.  Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

    Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

    They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:



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