4th—Hobby Christmas

Bazaar @ Oakview 429-

3984

5th—Remembrance Day Ceremony @ the Town

Office and the Stars Arena

9th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 18th,

19th—Theatre Performance

of “Barefoot in the Park” @

the Oakview

13th—Municipal Election

2000 (get out there and

vote!)

18th—Atom Hockey

Tournament at the Wasaga Stars Arena

24th—Tree Lighting

Ceremony hosted by the

Wasaga Beach Chamber of

Commerce. Start off the

Holiday Season with family

and friends at 7:30 p.m. at

Beck Square. Come out and

sing Christmas carols, have a

drink of hot chocolate or hot

apple cider and watch the

huge Christmas Tree light up!

25th—Wasaga Beach Santa

Claus Parade starts @ 1 p.m.

at the corner of Dunkerron &

22nd Street & goes to the Oakview.

Worth

Checking Out

In

November

The Accessory Dwelling: The Great “Granny Flat” Debate

Compiled for happy clients by:

Bruce Johnson Sales Representative

Mary Johnson Assistant

RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc.

1263 Mosley St., Box 490 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

email: brumar@simcoe.net

www.thehomehunt.com Tel: 705-429-4500

A Lively Source of Real Estate & Community News November 2000

I n addition to granny, a granny flat can contain

some dire pitfalls for a new home owner and

anyone involved in the sale of such a unit. It’s

one more thing for real estate professionals to be

concerned about because the consequences of having an apartment declared illegal can be

disastrous to the purchaser, who may seek redress

from Realtors, home inspectors or anyone who

didn’t issue all the appropriate warnings.

Any separate unit with its own cooking, eating,

sleeping and sanitary facilities in a detached or

semi-detached house or a rowhouse is classified as

an “accessory dwelling unit.” It doesn’t matter

whether it’s a basement apartment for rent or a unit

to accommodate a family member or a nanny.

In Ontario it’s been a roller-coaster ride for

home owners in recent years. In 1994 the New Democratic government changed the law so that

municipalities could no longer ban basement

apartments. In May of last year the Conservative

government reversed the rules and it’s expected

that many cities will once again use zoning controls

to block new accessory units in the years ahead.

However, stringent fire regulations are now in

effect, and any existing apartments that were

occupied in November of 1995 year are

permitted—as long as they meet the new fire code.

There’s also a new registry system, so officials can monitor compliance and new penalties that are stiff

enough to take seriously (fines of $25,000 or one

year in the slammer!).

“I always recommend to the Realtor that he or

she disclose whether or not the apartment conforms

to the fire code, has been fully inspected and is

registered,” says Dave Wall, a professional home

inspector in Oshawa, Ontario.

“It’s a real mine field for Realtors because

under the new rules an illegal apartment is easy to

detect and easy to shut down—or costly for the

new owner to make quick improvements to keep it operating.”

To get a granny flat certified in Ontario requires

inspections by the local fire department and by

Ontario Hydro and maybe another by the local

building inspector. Even if no renovations are

needed to meet the fire code, fees alone will set the

owner back a few hundred dollars. In all likelihood,

according to Wall, renovation will be necessary.

“There are four areas under the fire code that

need to be addressed,” he says. “And

some of them can be onerous if the

apartment was added as an

afterthought in a typical home. For

instance, ceiling tiles and wood paneling in a basement apartment

can run afoul of the fire

containment regulations. Both

may have to be removed or other

steps followed, perhaps even the

installation of a sprinkler

system.”

A professional home inspection cannot certify a

self-contained apartment but a knowledgeable

inspector can identify the magnitude of renovations

necessary to meet the new regulations. He can also

be used to alert the prospective purchaser that the unit entails additional responsibility and additional

liability.

As for what steps a Realtor should take if the

home includes a granny flat, notifying the

prospective purchaser that it may be subject to

stringent regulations is definitely at the top of the

list. In Ontario that would seem absolutely

necessary to avoid a charge of not disclosing

potential problems. In other jurisdictions it might

just be conservative to do so but better to err on the

side of providing more information than less. Fines and other legal consequences of not

meeting the law are just the most obvious problems

facing an owner of a unit that is not certified.

Having to toss the tenant out is also obvious. But

consider that insurance coverage or insurance

claims may be denied, mortgages may be denied or

nullified, and a tenant that is injured may have

grounds for a civil suit.

Not all jurisdictions are as tough as

Ontario...yet. But a Realtor can meet his or her

professional obligations and avoid getting tangled

up in a lawsuit just by issuing a caution. And it’s worth doing so, whether the client is a vendor or a

purchaser.

A self-contained apartment can add real value to a

home, particularly if the purchaser wants to have a

family member near—but not too near—or if the

purchaser requires rental income to offset mortgage

payments. Indeed, it’s the very reason some people

buy such a property.

—Provided by Pillar to Post

OUR SERVICE PLEDGE

As product and service providers we are 100% committed to a level of excellence that will make

you say “WOW” and keep you coming back. We

are aware that if we don’t exceed your expectations the first time and every time, you may be just a “satisfied customer”....and that’s not enough. Our desire is to have you so satisfied as clients that you will make a point of referring us to your friends, family and business associates.

Window on Wasaga Homeowner Service Centre November 2000

Frequently Called Numbers

Ambulance Office: (705) 429-4655

Arena: 429-3321

By-Law Department: 429-2511

Chamber of Commerce: 429-2247 Fire Department Office: 429-5281

Hydro Office: 429-2517

Library: 429-5481 Municipal Office: 429-3844

O.P.P. (Police): 911 (emergency only)

Provincial Park Office: 429-2516

Public Works Department: 429-2540

A good realtor keeps you up to date on current market conditions and trends within the area real estate

market. This report shows you the number of MLS properties listed and sold in our area recently:

By Area Sales Average

Price

Av. Days

on

$1 to

$80,000

$80,000 to

$100,000

$100,000-

$120,000

$120,000-

$140,000

$140,000-

$160,000

$160,000-

$300,000

Over

$300,000

Clearview 16 $149,331 104 1 2 4 4 1 2 2

Collingwood 35 $155,279 84 0 5 6 4 7 12 1

Town of the

Blue Mtns 13 $281,988 72 1 1 0 2 0 5 4

Tiny

Township 6 $88,583 89 2 2 2 0 0 0 0

Wasaga

Beach 21 $146,268 91 3 1 3 6 2 6 0

Total Sales Statistics from Oct. 1st, 2000 to Oct. 31st, 2000

THE “WOW” TRIVIA CONTEST

Win A Wednesday Night Dinner For Two at:

“Where will this year’s Wasaga Beach

Remembrance Day ceremony be held?”

Call Bruce at 705-429-4500 to win!

Congratulations to last month’s winner:

Isaac Baird

Goodies Cafe

CALL 1-800-396-POST

Michelle Reichart 65 Cedar Pointe Dr., Suite 105

Barrie, ON L4N 9R3

33 Ste. Marie St. 1263 Mosley St. P.O. Box 490 Riverbend Plaza Collingwood, ON Wasaga Beach, ON L9Y 4B2 L0L 2P0 (705) 445-9300 (705) 429-5199

Fax: (705) 445-2269

The advertisers herein are owned and operated independently. The Publisher cannot and does not guarantee or assume any liability for the services advertised.

BRIAN GREASLEY, B.Sc., LL.B. Barrister and Solicitor

BROWN’S MOVING, MAINTENANCE & PROPERTY

We do it all for You! Moving & Storage

Yard Maintenance

Home & Trailer Washing

Odd Jobs

Loads of topsoil/gravel

DAN BROWN: (705) 429-4323 Toll-Free Pager: (416) 550-2960

862 Mosley Street

Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

Tel: (705) 429-6166

http://www.tdbank.ca/Your Home 24 hours, 7 days a week: 1-800-9TD-BANK

Your Family’s Full Service Lawyer

WE’RE HERE TO HELP MAKE IT EASIER

of Wasaga Beach Inc.

Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative

BANK

NORLITE

Financial Services YOUR RE/MAX APPROVED

MORTGAGE BROKERAGE

Residential / Commercial Mortgage Consultant

1226 Mosley Street, Unit #2,

Wasaga Beach, Ontario L0L 2P0

DIRECT LINE: (705) 429-5492

Res: (705) 429-3112

Fax: (705) 429-1175

DONNA M. MULLEN

587 River Road West, Suite 8 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

Dr. Mardi Charlton B. Sc., D.C., Dip. Acu.

Chiropractor, Acupuncturist

Ph. (705) 429-5073 Fax: (705) 429-8168

Nottawasaga Chiropractic

W.D. Redick & Associates Inc.

John Redick Sales Representative

47 Ste. Marie St.

Collingwood, ON L9Y 3J9 Bus: (705) 445-0301 Fax: (705) 445-1400

587 River Road West

Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0 Bus: (705) 429-7600 Fax: (705) 429-7610

TIMLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Al Timlock Box 186 Wasaga Beach, ON Tel: (705) 429-6870

“Building Fine Homes in Wasaga Beach Since 1964”

R.F. Hale Construction

Decks Renovations General Carpentry

705-428-5067

RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc. Independently Owned and Operated

Bruce Johnson Sales Representative 1263 Mosley Street, Box 490 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0 email: brumar@simcoe.net

www.thehomehunt.com Published by Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative, RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc. Not intended to solicit properties currently listed.

Tel: 705-429-4500 “A MOVING EXPERIENCE”

TWO BEACHFRONT LOTS

Two picturesque beachfront lots in

Wasaga’s west end beach area. Stone

breakwall already in place, and

water, sewer and gas are all at the lot

line. Each lot is beautifully situated

and brimming with mature trees,

shrubs and perennial flowers. If

you’ve ever dreamed of owning a

beachfront property, this is your

chance! See listing office for

encroachment information. Each lot

is listed at just $179,900.

*Note: If you’ve been tracking the price of beachfront the past few months, you

know this is a scarce commodity.

DEAL OF THE MONTH Well decorated 1,111 sq.ft. home with detached garage

in a quiet cul-de-sac. This

home offers a full finished basement, 3 bedrooms, 2

baths, ceramic floors, central air, a fully fenced

rear yard and a 10’ x 10’

garden shed. Offered at

$131,900. Call Bruce today

for more information on

this beautiful home.

How To Know If You Are Ready To Have Children:

THE MESS TEST: Smear peanut butter on the sofa and

curtains. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all

summer.

THE FEEDING TEST: Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill

halfway with water. Suspend from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal into the

mouth of the jug, while pretending to be an airplane. Now dump

the contents of the jug on the floor.

THE TOY TEST: Obtain a 55 gallon box of Legos (or you may

substitute roofing tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the

house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or

kitchen. Do not scream because this would wake a child at

night.

THE DRESSING TEST: Obtain one large, unhappy, live

octopus. Stuff into a small net bag, making sure that all the arms

stay inside.

THE GROCERY STORE TEST: Borrow one or two small

animals (goats are best) and take them with you as you shop.

Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or

damage.

THE AUTOMOBILE TEST: Forget the BMW and buy a station wagon. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the

glove compartment. Leave it there. Get a dime. Stick it into the

cassette player. Take a family size package of chocolate chip

cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Run a garden rake along

both sides of the car. There ... perfect.

THE PHYSICAL TEST (Men): Go to the nearest drug store.

Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself.

Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the head office and

arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store.

Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last

time.

BUILDING LOT AVAILABLE Here’s a lot with water, sewer & gas

at the lot line. Partially cleared with

a useable garage on it. Vendor will

remove mobile home unit currently

on property. Quiet street, close to

schools, stores and a short walk to

the beach. Offered at $29,900.

LOT NEAR THE BEACH! You’ve been waiting for this

building lot! Super close to the pure

sand beach on 27th Street N. Lot

measures 68’ x 93’ and has water

and sewer connections (locals paid).

Lot has some mature trees and is

centrally located. Asking $64,900