P eople, people, people… gather around and take heed. It is unlawful to start

construction or demolition on your

property before you get a permit. Save yourself the hassle (and it is a hassle!) when you sell your

home and find out that the beautiful job you did

finishing your basement is now a roadblock to

closing your deal. The Buyer’s lawyer now routinely contacts the

local municipality to see if a final occupancy

permit was granted for your home and—if any work was done after you moved in—to see if a

building permit was granted.

If you didn’t get a permit for your work, the town inspector and Ontario Hydro have the right

to make you open up walls to see things like the

installation of wiring, bathroom fans and

plumbing. You will also be ordered to cease work until the proper permits are in hand and

may face prosecution by the municipality.

Many locals cry foul but consider this: You buy a house where the previous owner finished

the basement himself. You move in and six

months later your new house burns to the ground due to faulty wiring.

Insurance companies will no longer insure

your home if you can’t show them the proper

permits prior to taking possession. The building permit process protects the

interests of the homeowner and the community

at large, and ensures that any new construction or structural change is safe, legal and sound.

In many cases, your contractor will get permits

on your behalf. But remember, the property

owner is ultimately responsible for complying with all building requirements. Never assume

your contractor has applied for a permit.

By obtaining a permit, you can also take advantage of the local building inspectors’

expertise. They can offer suggestions to help

solve construction problems—sometimes before they occur—so try to be around during their

visits (call 705-429-3847 for Wasaga Beach).

You need a permit if you:

construct any new building i.e. new single family dwelling, garage

construct a foundation

repair or add to a building, including porches and decks

remodeling

enclose a porch or add a deck roof

add a chimney, woodstove or fireplace

install a pool (above or in-ground)

install siding or re-bricking

finish a basement

move a building onto a property

You do not need a permit if you:

do non-structural work such as:

eavestroughs, kitchen cupboards, landscaping or fences (Note: fencing by

-laws apply).

build a wooden deck with no roof,

where the finished deck level is 24" or

less above finished grade, regardless of size when not attached to building

(however, zoning regulations apply)

install sky lights, provided not more than

one rafter, joist, or other similar

structure member is cut or removed

replace a window or door provided

openings are not enlarged

add-on cooling systems or air cleaners

furnace replacement

proposed free standing structure is under

100 square feet

replace plumbing fixtures

Don’t risk having to remove a downstairs

bathroom or a new deck because you thought

you’d save a few bucks by skipping a permit. You will have a difficult time selling your home

until the proper permits can be produced. Don’t

get hammered. Get a permit.

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: brucejohnson@remax.net

www.thehomehunt.com Tel: 705-429-4500 Fax: 705-429-4019

A Lively Source of Real Estate & Community News November 2001

To Get in the

spirit

Nov. 23: Tree Lighting Ceremony Sing festive carols, sip hot chocolate and cider at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at

Beck Square (1st & Mosley Street) at 7:30 p.m. For more info call: 429-2247 Nov. 24: Annual Santa Claus Parade Santa Claus is coming to town—the parade starts at 1 p.m. at the corner of Dunkerron and 22nd St., then goes down 22nd St. to Mosley to the Oakview Community Centre,

where Santa has arranged a reception. Contact: Chamber of Commerce 429-2247 Nov. 25: Brunch with Santa At the Oakview from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., a pancake breakfast, magic show, clowns and Santa! Contact: Jim at 429-3899.

Get One Now Or Get Hammered Later

The Building Permit Question

~Bruce

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

This report shows the number of MLS properties listed and

sold in our area during the following time period:

By Area Sales Av.

Price

Av.

Days On

Market

$1 to

$80,000

$80,000 -

$100,000

$100,000-

$130,000

$130,000-

$160,000

$160,000-

$190,000

$190,000-

$220,000

$220,000 -

$260,000

$260,000 -

$300,000

$300,000

& over

Clearview 16 $180,013 71 0 4 3 1 2 3 0 1 2

Collingwood 28 $135,907 102 3 6 6 6 3 2 1 0 1

Town of the

Blue Mtns 9 $206,556 159 2 0 1 0 3 1 1 0 1

Tiny

Township 2 $99,250 80 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wasaga

Beach 23 $151,174 92 2 3 3 6 3 3 2 1 0

October 1st, 2001 to October 31st, 2001

THE “WOW” TRIVIA CONTEST

Win A Wednesday Night Dinner For Two at:

“Name three things you need a building

permit for in Wasaga Beach ?”

Call Bruce at 705-429-4500 to win!

Congratulations to last month’s winner:

Brenda Elkington

Goodies Cafe

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 2001

R.F. Hale Construction

Decks Renovations General Carpentry

705-428-5067

Dr. Kelly Volmers, D.V.M.

91 RIVER RD. WEST, WASAGA BEACH ON L0L 2P0 (705) 322-3459

Medical, Surgical & Dental Facilities For Your Pet

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

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

BROWN’S MOVING, MAINTENANCE & PROPERTY CARE

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

Your Family’s Full Service Lawyer

of Wasaga Beach Inc.

Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative

930 River Road West, Suite 5 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

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

Nottawasaga Chiropractic

TIMLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Al Timlock Box 186

Wasaga Beach, ON Tel: (705) 429-6870

“Building Fine Homes in Wasaga Beach Since 1964”

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

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

Call Michelle or Steve 65 Cedar Pointe Dr., Suite 105

Barrie, ON L4N 9R3

1-800-396-POST -Certified Inspectors -Full E & O insurance -Reports given on site

Ceramic Wall & Floor Tile Installations

Slate Tumbled Stone & Tile By Design

Mike Chapman

Tel: (705) 429-7237

Mobile: (705)725-2294

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

Chiropractor, Acupuncturist

INSTALLATIONS True

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

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

Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative 1263 Mosley Street, Box 490 (705) 429-4500

Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0 “A Moving Experience”

E-mail: brucejohnson@remax.net www.thehomehunt.com

From the Mouths of Babes...

—Kids at a Catholic elementary school were asked Bible

questions. These are some of their answers—unedited!

The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards,

Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten ammendments. Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day but a ball of fire by night. The Jews were a proud people and throughout history they had

trouble with the unsympathetic Genitals. Moses led the hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made

unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients. David was a hebrew king skilled at playing the liar. He fought

with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical

times. Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700

porcupines. The people who followed the lord were called the 12 decibels. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.

Moses died before he ever reached Canada. Then Joshua led the

hebrews in the battle of Geritol. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang

the Magna Carta. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found

Jesus in the manager. One of the oppossums was St. Matthew who was also a

taximan. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony,

which is another name for marriage. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to

stand still and he obeyed him. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption. Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

YEAR-ROUND NEAR BEACH Cute home or cottage very close to sandy beach. 650 sq.ft. on main floor and nearly 500 sq.ft. in fully finished basement. Master bdrm and family room both have new gas fireplaces. Also, 2 bathrooms & frontage on 2 streets. Offered at $89,900

TRULY A REMARKABLE HOME!2,000 sq.ft. of main floor beauty & a 1,562 sq.ft. in-law suite downstairs. Countless upgrades: 2 fireplaces, 40 oz. carpeting, 9’ ceilings, c/air & an inside entry to a dbl-car garage with a finished family room above. Perfect for a family living with elderly relatives. Offered at $229,900

BEACHFRONT LOT! Waterfront lot in Wasaga’s west end. Stone breakwall in place and water/ sewer/ gas at the lot line. There are mature trees, shrubs and perennial flowers and you are close to both Collingwood & Wasaga. This is your chance to own Wasaga beachfront property. Offered at $149,900

GEORGIAN GLEN MODULAR 950 sq.ft. modular home in Georgian Glen Estates. Features include a large living room with a gas f/p, 2 spacious bedrooms, single-car garage, 2 sheds, screened porch & a private parkette next door. $383 monthly land lease includes taxes, water & sewer. Offered at $54,900

SHORE LANE COTTAGE Looking for a family cottage near the beach? You found it here on Shore Lane. 3 bedroom dwelling on a super large lot (75’ x 166’) with town services in and paid for and gas on the street. Soft sands of Wasaga Beach are right across the street. Asking $108,900

NEWER HOME ON ACORN Very well kept 1,005 sq.ft. home (1,700 sq.ft. finished) on Acorn Crescent. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, breakfast nook, central a/c and air cleaner, huge shed and a lovely lot in a newer area of fine homes. Priced to sell at $154,900.

ALL-BRICK HOME NEAR BEACH 2-storey home near the Beaches in Sunward Estates has 1,360 sq.ft. finished on each level. Ideal for 2 families—2 kitchens, 2 wood-burning fireplaces, huge 114’ x 185’ landscaped lot, circular driveway and a huge covered concrete balcony. Offered at $179,900.

NEW HOME ON SMALLMAN This 1,163 sq.ft. new home features a dbl-car garage, gas f/p, eat-in kitchen & municipal services—all on a beautiful pie-shaped cul-de-sac lot. Fully insured with ONHWP & GST included with rebate assigned to builder. All measurements approximate. Offered at $159,900