The first summer evening on the patio is often accompanied by the arrival of mosquitos. Rather than retreating indoors, consider your options to create a bug-free area with a screened-in patio or porch.
A big part of the appeal of owning a home becomes ultra-apparent during the summer months when we can spend time outdoors. You can extend your summer enjoyment with screens that are fitted to patio and porch openings. When done right, these options appeal greatly to future buyers.
Set a budget, then exploring a variety of options to fit your pocketbook and tastes. With a wide range of products on the market – from motorized retractable screens to do-it-yourself kits from your local building store – there’s something to fit every budget. Start with a trip to the library and research ideas through books and publications on decks, porches and patios.
As far as dos and don’ts, obtain more than one quote if you are looking to engage a professional service to plan and install your screens. If you plan to do the project yourself, make sure your basic structure is in good shape. If not, be sure to budget for additional material costs and make repairs before you begin. Measure accurately and ask to see assembly instructions in the kit you buy.
As always, if you are thinking about buying or selling in the Cambridge area or have any questions about this article, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call. We're always here to help!
There’s no better way to welcome the warm weather than by creating an outdoor oasis that will leave you itching to spend more time in your garden, while drastically increasing your home’s outdoor aesthetic. With these tips, you’ll have a garden your neighbours can’t help feeling envious of.
Raise the bar. Raised flower beds and boxes are on trend this year. Not only are above-ground gardens practical for growing vegetables and herbs, the eye-catching designs add a touch of personality to your garden. Plus, they’re great for growing flowers in smaller spaces.
Take a walk on the wild side. Gone are the days of perfectly sculpted flower beds with colour-coordinated annuals. These days, wild gardens with lots of texture and colour are in style. Embrace a more natural look by planting options like ornamental cabbage, climbing vines, wild flowers, and moss.
Go green. Late spring is the perfect time to put new trees in the ground. Nurseries are likely to be well-stocked with fresh selections, and the ground will have thawed enough to dig deep. Plus, having young trees on your property will be very attractive to future buyers.
If you are looking to sell your home, or to concentrate efforts on improvements that will enhance your investment, we’d be happy to share additional resources with you. Give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call today at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
Can you believe that Easter is only a couple weeks away? Looking for a great idea to spend time with the kids and get into the Easter spirit? Well then check out these great cupcake decorating ideas from HGTV. The kids....and mom and dad!... will love making and eating these!
As always, if you have any real estate questions or are thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
2020 was a crazy year for real estate and it doesn't look like things are going to slow down any time soon!
Housing demand exceeded expectations in the second half of 2020. The supply of homes available for sale failed to keep pace, driving home prices higher and pushing unmet buyer demand into the new year.
Science has proven that shorter, darker, colder days can impact our moods for the worse, resulting in Seasonal Affective Disorder (“SAD”). Check out this article from HGTV with some great ideas on ways to help you beat the winter blues.
As always, if you have any questions about real estate or are thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We’re always here to help!
Here's a great checklist to help guide you in keeping your home a safe and healthy place to live this winter and year-round. As always, if you have any questions about this or your real estate needs, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott at call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
Winter Checklist:
You may be wondering if it’s a bad idea to list your home for sale in the winter months because the market is slower. But with the delayed spring market pushing buyer demand into the fall, this year has proven different. In 2020, low inventory in many urban markets coupled with low interest rates have demand outpacing supply. As a result, this has created a hot winter market. It’s looking like the colder weather will bring big advantages to both buyers and sellers.
1. Most buyers aren’t just looking Winter homebuyers tend to be more motivated—especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Most people who are looking for a house in the midst of winter are on a deadline—they may have been relocated for work, or they’re taking advantage of time off during the holiday season. Chances are, if they come to see your home in the winter (and during a pandemic), they’re serious buyers.
2 More affordable services Buying or selling a house is no cheap task. No matter what side of the transaction you’re on, you have to pay REALTORS®, home inspectors, lawyers, and moving companies. The good news is, because the winter season is traditionally slower, you’re more likely to find lower fees and better deals. Moving companies, for example, can offer discounts of as much as 30 per cent off their summer prices.
3 A clearer picture It may seem like a drawback at first, but if you’re looking at a property in the off-season, the landscaping will be barren and natural light muted. However, if you can fall in love with a house at this time, it can only get better. On the flip side, sellers won’t have as much landscaping to keep up with—but you will have to make sure your driveway and walkways are shovelled and salted for ice.
Are you considering buying or selling your home this winter? We're here to help you navigate every detail safely and efficiently. Call Jessica, Lisa or Scott at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help.
Moving into the colder months means less sunshine and shorter days. Check out these tips from HGTV on how to brighten your home and bring natural light into your space.
As always, we're here help. If you have any real estate questions or are thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott at call at 519-621-2000.
Looking for a fun way to spend some time with your family? Check out these great Halloween decorating ideas from HGTV. There's something different for every skill and level and it would be a fun way to get your house decorated for the Halloween season!
Let us know if you used any of the ideas. Send us a picture. We'd love to see your finished project!
As always, we're here to answer any real estate questions or to help you buy or sell in the Cambridge area. Give us a call at 519-621-2000. We're here to help!
We know we're all trying to do our part to help keep our homes and areas we share with our loved ones, extra clean during these uncertain times. Cleaning supplies can get expensive and we don't know what's in half of them. Check out this great post from HGTV with some DIY ideas.
Let us know if you try any of them. How did they work?
As always, we're here to help! Give us a call at 519-621-2000 if you have any questions or if we could help you with your real estate needs.
It's that time of year again...the kids are back to school, some in the classroom and others at home. Regardless of where they're learning, they all need to eat. Check out this link from the Food Network with some healthy and delicious snacking ideas! Let us know what you think. Did you try some? Did the kids like them?
As always, we're here to help with your real estate needs. Give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call with any questions.
Covid-19 has been tough for all of us. Trying to deal with the stress and uncertainty has been difficult, and for many, has made life feel like a roller coaster. We thought the attached article might help you deal with these uncertain times and show you ways to lift your mood and energy. Let us know what you think.
As always, if you have any questions or require assistance with your real estate needs, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
The pandemic may have put a pause on your plans to buy or sell, but it still pays to plan ahead. Investing in the right projects will not only guarantee pay back when it comes time to sell your home, but it will also provide a helpful distraction. Here are three outdoor projects you won't regret investing in:
Are you thinking of a kitchen renovation? Check out these great kitchen counter ideas from HGTV. It's amazing how a new countertop can change the whole look of your kitchen and increase the value of your home!
If you have any questions about this or any real estate needs, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
The weather has definitely been heating up over the last few days, so now is a great time to think about your air conditioner. Is there anything you need to do to get it ready? What's the ideal temperature? Is your air conditioner the right size? Is it time for a new one? Check out this article from Enercare with some great tips and answers to all your questions.
Hope these suggestions help you to stay comfortable and enjoy our wonderful summer season!
If you have any questions or are thinking of buyer or selling in the Cambridge area, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
Check out this article from HGTV with some great tips on ways to declutter your home. It also has a link to a spring cleaning checklist that might come in handy. I don't know about you, but I never know where to begin. There's always so much to do this time of year and hopefully these ideas can help with the chore! Happy spring cleaning!
As always, if you're thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area or have any questions about real estate, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We're here to help!
A lot of us are struggling with working from home with our kids. It isn't easy! We want to try and keep them entertained while trying to remain productive at work. Are you going through this? Well check out this great article from HGTV with some helpful hints. Hopefully you can learn something from it to help make your day more productive and a little easier, while enjoying some time with your children!
We're all in this together. We're thinking about you and hoping you are doing well and staying healthy.
If we can be of assistance with your real estate needs during these uncertain times, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always here to help.
Are your kids getting restless during these uncertain times? Are you running out of ideas to keep them busy? Check out this great article from Paper Heart Family with 50 ways for your kids to burn off energy!
We're thinking about you and hope you are doing well and staying healthy.
Excited to see the design trends for 2020? Check out this article from House & Home with some of their predictions. Do any catch your eye? Which one is your favourite?
As always, if you have any questions or are thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help.
Who doesn't need help with de-cluttering their home? Check out this great article from House & Home with some great simple and creative ideas. If you have any questions, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000, we're always here to help!
The time between inking the deal on your first home and move-in day is sure to be filled with anticipation and excitement. You’ll be thinking about the empty rooms in your soon-to-be-occupied home and the promise they hold. But it’s important to give yourself some time in the home to let your ideas evolve into better ones.
By all means visit stores, gather information, ideas, colours and fabric samples to begin your decorating plans. But remember, a truly comfortable and functional home that reflects your personal style will develop over time. These tips will help first-time homeowners to furnish and style their new abode:
1. Resist the temptation to immediately purchase new furnishings. Organize and move in with what you have, placing furniture in rooms and finding places for items that go in closets, cupboards and drawers.
2. Measure and make a plan for each room on paper. Explore options on graph paper and consider using masking tape to mark out dimensions on the floor or walls of any furnishing you might purchase. This will ensure the pieces will work within your available space.
3. Consider unwanted elements. Home ownership affords you the luxury of making choices. If you don’t like a lighting fixture or the wallpaper border in the kitchen, you are at liberty to replace it.
4. Consider any changes you would like to make to flooring. Carpeting from the previous owners may be crying out for replacement. Research and price out replacement options with consideration to available products, the temperature underfoot, and any need for noise reduction.
5. Create a budget. Apply a realistic price tag to your wish list and establish a time-frame to achieve your goals. Do things one step at a time and keep a tally against your budget as you go.
Soon enough, your first home will reflect your style and dovetail with your lifestyle. More information can be found at www.royallepage.ca/realestate/info-and-advice/
If you have any questions or require more information, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
See this great article from Royal LePage with 2019 real estate stats and predictions for 2020. It looks like 2020 is going to be another great year for the Canadian housing market.
If you have any questions or require more information, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott at call at 519-621-2000. We'd love to help!
Plants just help a home "feel homier"! What do you think? Winter can be so dark and gloomy that it's nice to add some natural colour to your home and what better way than adding flowering houseplants to brighten your living space. Check out this informative article from House Beautiful with some great suggestions and inexpensive ideas.
As always, if you have any real estate questions or are thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area, give Jessica, Lisa or Scott a call at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
There's been some changes to the real estate rules and we just wanted to share an article from RECO outlining everything you need to know. Click the attached link to see the full write-up.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact Scott, Lisa or Jessica at 519-621-2000. We're always here to help!
December is just around the corner and so is the holiday season! Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? If not, it's time to find some wonderful gifts for your loved ones. Check out this article from House & Home with great holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list! Hope you find this list helpful!
As always, if you're thinking of buying or selling in the Cambridge area, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help!
We know we've already had our first snow fall, but it took a lot of us by surprise and we didn't get our furnace ready for winter. We're supposed to have a few warm days over the next week, so maybe now's a good time to read this article and get your furnace ready!
This article offers you a step-by-step walkthrough on how to make sure that your furnace is ready to go!
If you have any questions or need some advise about real estate, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're here to help!!
Thanks MoveSnap for this great article about 5 ways your Realtor can help you behind the scenes. MoveSnap is an exclusive white-glove concierge service that helps with every aspect of your move, making it easy, smooth, and stress-free.
If you have any questions about this article or anything real estate, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help! http://www.homesincambridge.com/
Who doesn't need a good night sleep? See this attached article from Style At Home with design tips that will help you fall asleep fast and have the best sleep possible. I think we all need some help with this!
As always, if you have any questions about this article or have any real estate questions, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help!
Home prices continue to rise in Cambridge. Check out the attached Regional Market Summary from the Q3 2019 Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast that was released today. As always, if you have any questions, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica at call at 519-624-2000. We’re here to help. http://www.homesincambridge.com/
Check out the following checklist from Royal LePage Canada. It's got some great quarterly home maintenance ideas to help keep your home looking its best. As always, if you have any questions, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help! http://www.homesincambridge.com/
Thanks to our friends at ACISS Home & Commercial Inspection Consultants for this helpful information on the Kitec Lawsuit. If you have any questions, please call Scott, Lisa or Jessica at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help!
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Who doesn't want their home to look more expensive? It doesn't have to take a million bucks to make it look like it! See the attached article from Style at Home for 7 ways to make your home look more expensive.
If you have any questions or are thinking of buyer or selling in the Cambridge area, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help!
Nothing transforms a space as quickly and easily as a fresh coat of paint! See the attached link from House & Home with DIY projects to elevate your home!
With the weather being so warm lately, maybe now is the time to think about getting an Air Conditioner or upgrading your old unit to make sure you stay cool for the rest of summer. Check out this great article from the Royal LePage website about how to choose the perfect air conditioner. Hope this helps!
As always, if you have any questions about this article or any real estate question, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're always here to help!
Assessing the best return for your investment is paramount when undertaking home improvement projects. This means putting a priority on the jobs that are likely to be more valuable than others.
Summer is an ideal time to get outside and invest your time, money and resources in a project that is going to pay back when it comes time to sell your home. We recommends investing in these top five outdoor home improvements:
1. Build a deck or patio. A deck or patio not only adds visual interest and enjoyment, it is also a way to add to the resale value of your home. There are many designs and approaches to consider so start with a trip to your local library to research ideas and choose an approach that fits your time and budget. Be sure to plan well ahead and to check your municipal building requirements as a building permit may be required for decks above a certain size and height.
2. Install a sprinkler system. On average, homeowners use 50 per cent more water than necessary on their lawns. This increases hydro bills and may subject your basement to seepage and your garden from damage from over watering.
Automatic lawn sprinkler systems are designed to allow proper irrigation through timing and even water distribution. Although there’s an initial cost of installation, you could save money in the long run.
3. Landscape your property.Landscaping is a great way to add visual interest to an outdoor living space. Whether planning a garden or building a pond, landscaping often results in a significant return on your investment. However, always consult a trained professional before tackling a landscaping project to ensure that your project has all the elements of a professional project.
4. Build or replace a fence. Defining the limits of your property is important for a variety of reasons, including privacy, security and safety. Considering your specific needs will help you to choose the right fence. Ultimately, the fence has to fit with how you use your yard. Do your research and consult with neighbours to determine if you can complete the project jointly.
5. Re-shingle a tired roof.A strong, durable roof is an essential component of your home’s overall health and functionality. If your roof is showing signs of wear, such as raised shingles or water seepage, choosing a qualified roofing contractor is a good first step. If you decide to do the job yourself, you’ll want to estimate the materials required accurately, consider disposal options for the old shingles, and ensure that you have plenty of hands available to make light work of a rigorous one-day job.
If you are looking to sell your home, or to concentrate your efforts on improvements that will enhance your investment, additional resources can be found at www.royallepage.ca/realestate/info-and-advice/seller-resources/
If you have any additional questions, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're here to help!
Compact living quarters? Check out this article from House & Home with smart tips that demonstrate how small space living is both efficient and stylish. There are some great ideas here! Let us know what you think. Do any appeal to you? Do you have any additional suggestions? We'd love to hear from you. Call or message Scott, Lisa or Jessica today. We're always here to help with your real estate needs.
Are you thinking of selling your home in the near future? Check out this link on the Royal LePage website to help guide you through every step of the process.
Once you're ready to list or have any questions, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We'd love to help!
Check out this interesting article with great suggestions on things to look for when shopping for home insurance.
If you have any questions about insurance or real estate in general, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're here to help!
Are you a first time home buyer trying to get into the market? Do you think you'll never be able to save enough money for your down payment? You're not alone! The attached article from Royal LePage talks about key trends among first time home buyers across Canada.
If you have any questions or need some advise about real estate, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We're here to help!!
First impressions are so important. Check out this great article on ways to boost your home's curb appeal.
If you're thinking of selling in the Cambridge area, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We'd love to help!
According to the just released Q1 Royal LePage House Price Survey and Market Forecast, Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge Home Prices Continue to See Healthy Gains.
Click here to see the survey and get more information.
If you have any questions, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call at 519-624-2000. We'd love to help!
Did you know that 77% of first time home buyers in Canada are Millennials (those born between 1980 and 1995)? If you fit this category, then you need to checkout this post from Genworth Canada. It contains some great ideas on how to start the hunt for your first home.
If you have any questions or would like us to help with the process, give Scott, Lisa or Jessica a call today at 519-624-2000. We would love to help!
Time to update your bedroom? Check out this post from Canadian Living on 10 Easy Ways to Create a Stylish and Serene Bedroom. Makes me want to get my pyjamas on and cuddle up with a good book! How about you?
Check out this great First Home Guide for first time buyers. It has a quiz to see if you're ready to buy, tips for saving for a down payment, mortgage information and more.
Ottawa is considering a move that would allow first-time home buyers to obtain 30-year insured mortgages, up from the current 25-year limit. What do you think about this? Is it a good move or just making the problem bigger? Check out this Globe and Mail article to see how a 30-year amortization would affect mortgage payments.
And so the search continues and the price keeps going up. Will Cambridge ever get a new multiplex sports facility? See this Cambridge Times article about Cambridge council cancelling negotiations with the owners of the Cambridge Centre mall as the new location for the city’s new multiplex sports facility.
The spring market will soon be here, so now is the time to start thinking about getting your home ready for sale.
When preparing your home for the market, it’s great to know there are some relatively inexpensive improvements that can make a big impact with buyers.
A few well-placed pieces of décor and a clutter-free home are simple things you can do on a budget to bump up interest in your home. Once the fundamentals of a well-maintained home are taken care of, these easy initiatives can seal the deal.
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