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28 - Real Estate: The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday A pril 5, 2006 To buy or not to buy Are you ready for home ownership? For many Canadians, reaching a decision to buy or rent a home is not always easy. Each can have its advantages, depending on where you are in life. If you rent, you are not tied to one place. It's m uch easier to pull up stakes and move. Generally, you are not responsi ble for the costs associated with m aintaining a rental home and you don't have to worry about property tax and the other costs that come with it. However, owning a home can have considerable advantages. Here are a few: 1. Equity. As you pay off your mortgage, you are building equity in your home that can be borrowed against for other financial goals like buying another property, investing or financing a child's education. Some* financial institutions have equity plans that can let you take advantage of lower borrowing costs using the equity you've built up in your home. 2. Investment. Many will agree that buying a home as opposed to renting has its advantages, and can provide greater financial security long-term. Buying low and selling high can also result in a substantial return, one that could be re-invested into a larger home. 3. Renovations. Renting can often be somewhat restrictive. Usually you have to get your landlord's permis sion to make any changes to the home that you're renting. On the other hand if you own your home, you have greater flexi bility to change or modify any room to suit your needs. W hether it is som ething as sim ple as changing the colour of the walls, to adding a new room, you can customize your home and make it uniquely yours. Also, renovating can often increase the value of your home and, therefore, can be seen as an invest ment. Many Canadians continue to rent because they believe that they can't afford to buy. rIn today's m arket, with more affordable housing and lower inter est rates, the gap between the cost associated with renting or buying a home may be closer than you think. - News Canada TRANQUIL & DISTINCTIVE Recently constructed 11,000 sq. ft. lakefront home surrounded by lush ravine & river mouth. Total living area is comprised of 20 rooms including 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths, 2 powder rooms & 4 fireplaces. Also boasting an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, elevator, state of the art home technology & home theatre room 2 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 ON THE SHORES OF LAKE SIMCOE Amazing 15,000 sq. ft. custom built home on a magnificent 2.67 acre waterfront lot on Lake Simcoe. .Great floor plan. Highest"quality finishings throughout. Infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, private boat House-Room to land helicopter. One of the finest locations on the LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Stunning C/B home on one of the most desired streets in Oakville. Appr 8,000 sq ft + 4,000 in the fully fin lower level. Exceptional craftsmanship, thru out the entire home. Separate nanny suite. Large premium lot w/Gunite pool, hot tub & waterfall. la k e $7,500,000 $4,995,000 NEW LISTING THE "DEBBIE TRAVIS" HOME The home Oakville is talking about! Built for Debbie Travis's new show airing in the spring^ Warm, contemporary styling -featuring many luxury finishes not yet available to the market. Loaded with bells & whistles and extremely well designed and finished. Stunning kitchen, great room and library WALK TO THE LAKE & HARBOUR Magnificent 3,700 sq. ft. French Country Home on a beautiful, private lot. Soaring ceilings throughout the home. Wonderful blend of new construction with Old World charm. Gorgeous pool with waterfall, bar and cabana. LAKE VIEWS Totally refurbished home on an amazing oversized lot. Stone & stucco exterior. New kitchen & baths, pot lighting, granite countertops, vaulted ceilings, hdwds & custom stone fireplaces. Rare indoor pool. Great family neighbourhood. $1f999,500 $1,699,000 $1,649,000 NEW LISTING YOUR OWN PRIVATE OASIS Situated on a quiet court cputh "r lakeshore. N ew ly rebuilt bungak v/ _ ^ \t op Ti Yyaulted fam rm &large breakup ."fell \\ ^rgi \ir Itos overlooking the rear gardens. \ k yj-^pacious master retreat with luxwfouslwi and a W/0 to the scenic lot with mature trees. $1,195,000 "OLDE OAKVILLE" Over 3000 sq ft of new home by Dolmen". Extensive mouldings, built-ins & custom closets. Hdwd and limestone floors, copper eaves and downspouts. Main floor den/guest room. Extra height finished lower level. Beautiful treed canopied street. SOUTH EAST OAKVILLE Expanded & renovated bungalow featuring an 0/C kit to a 2 storey famrm addition. Bright sun room/office. Large MBR w/ensuite & W/l closet. Beautiful baths with stone floors, walls & c/tops.Tantastic pool sized lot with great landscaping.. Newer windows, doors, roof & stucco. $1,179,000 $1,150,000 EM GREAT FOR FAMILIES! Spectacular custom built home located on'a quiet court in South-east. Large principal rooms. Open concept Kit/fam rm w ith.w /o to huge deck. Amazing MBR boasts cathedral ceiling and new ensuite bath. Fully finished lower level. Close to E . J. James, St. Vincents and St. Mildreds schools. NEW PRICE CHARACTER HOME Impressive character uprm tally renovated throughout p \ \ rc C pdition boasts cathedral ceii. \ vlil I \l w< V J o covered deck. New kitchen " \ --^rbryT'granite tops and limestone flodfenProfessionally finished lower level. A must see! EAST END BUILDING LOT Sales Representative $959,000 $899,000 Over 1/2 acre ravine lot on a much sought after street backing onto Morrison Creek and steps to Oakville's shops and restaurants. Nestled amongst mature trees and situated amongst multi-million dollar homes. Ideal opportunity for custom building. New survey is available. $839,900 Gntuifc MILLER REAL ESTATE LTD. r# 1 group in Canada! for Century 21 in 2005 ^ DON GOODALE* BRAD MILLERS 905 845-9 180 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V iew our lis t in g s & vir tual tours at w w w .G o o d a le M ille r G r o u p .c o m