This Fall, Don’t Forget Your Comfort!

If you have an integrated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (A/C) system that uses the same distribution channel for all functions (e.g. central forced air), now is the time to make sure your ductwork and filtration are in good working order. Running your A/C during the summer can cause moisture to build up in or around the unit, which could allow irritating mould to grow and then circulate throughout your home when your fan is turned on. So check both your heating and your A/C for signs of mould.

Also, where possible, check for air leaks in the ductwork, particularly in bends and connections, as leaks could allow moisture to enter or collect in the system, and therefore give mould a chance to grow. Next, be sure to install clean HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to help catch undesirable air contaminants.

Finally, if you think you have mould growing in your heating and air distribution network, get a professional to examine and/or clean your system before starting your furnace fan.

Should I stay or should I go? Deciding whether to relocate or remodel

Deciding whether to stay in your current home or look for a new one is tough. So tough, in fact, that there is a reality TV show about it! If you’re struggling to make that decision, here are some tips that can help:

• Find out the current market value of your home. This will give you a clear idea of how much your property is likely to sell for in today’s market.
• Find out how much you can afford to invest in a new home. This is calculated, in part, by how much of a mortgage you qualify to receive.
• Determine whether your current home still suits your needs. Do you need to move up to a larger place? Downsize to a smaller property?
• Figure out whether this is the right time to move to a neighbourhood that you’ve always dreamed of living in.
• Assess whether your neighbourhood has changed in a way that you don’t like.
• Decide whether you are still happy where you live. Is it time for a change?

A good REALTOR® can help you answer these questions and provide the information you need to make the right decision. Call me today so see what your best strategy is for getting the most amount of money for your much loved home.

Take care,
Paula Mitchell
905.454.8900

Barrels to Belize: Special Delivery!

We were able to ship 11 barrels to Belize containing clothes & shoes for children and adults. The contents were distributed to the very needy in various villages. We have put some pictures together so you can see for yourself the difference you make.

We are once again starting to fill barrels, and are hoping to send them Oct 23rd. We appreciate your continued support to help the less fortunate.
If you are able to round up kids/youth shoes, sandals, bedsheets , pillow cases, pillows, socks , kitchen stuff such as cutlery, pots and pans etc., school supplies and school bags.( lightly used is perfect) no used undergarments please.

My husband and I will be going to Belize in January to help and mentor youths that we are currently supporting. Its through these youths that we have come to know the need of the poorest people. You can drop off any items you want to donate to your prospective offices. We greatly appreciate it.

Rob and Paula

Our August: Real Estate Style

The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 7,600 sales through the Toronto MLS® system in August 2014. This result was up by 2.8% compared to 7,391 transactions reported in August 2013. Year to date sales through the end of August amounted to 65,454, which represented an increase of 6.5% compared to the same period in 2013. The average selling price in August 2014 was $546,303, up 8.9% in comparison to the average of $501,677 reported in August 2013. The year-to-date average price through August was $562,504, which represented an increase of 8.5% in comparison to the same period in 2013.

The number of listings in August were down in comparison to last year, while the number of sales increased. This means that sellers’ market conditions remained in place with a lot of competition between buyers.

Considering Your Kitchen Improvements

Kitchen renovations are considered one of the most rewarding home improvements you can make, partly because they bring immediate lifestyle and efficiency benefits, and partly because they often show a financial payback upon resale. If you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen, give considerable thought to the latest design and appliance options. Whether or not to incorporate the
newest trends is often a matter of personal taste, so it’s wise to do your research and be clear about your style and functionality preferences before you commit to a final layout.

Once you’ve made informed decisions, you’ll be able to properly plan your plumbing, electrical and lighting to best support your needs. For example, island sinks, dual convection ovens (plus a multipurpose microwave), an induction cooktop, an energy-saving dishwasher and a “smart” refrigerator are all worth considering, and will impact on how well your kitchen works and how it is configured.

Likewise, your flooring, natural lighting, seating and storage arrangements will be just as important as countertops for efficient kitchen operation. So, before you get too excited about all the available options, be sure to visit as many websites and stores as possible to learn about all the latest ideas and to get information on all the pros and cons.

That kitchen is from our very own listing: 38 Brookhaven Crescent, Orangeville. Call us today for more information on this incredible home!

Useful Household Tips

The internet can be a source of inspirational and unusual ways to use ordinary household items. Here are just a few examples:
1. Ketchup can be used to clean copper.
2. Lubricate a stuck zipper track by applying a drop of olive oil with a cosmetic swab-tip.
3. White vinegar will remove tea stains from a cup and coffee stains from your carafe, but be sure to rinse them thoroughly.
4. Minor drain clogs can be cleared with half a cup of salt, followed by a quart of hot water.
5. If you break a drinking glass, a slice of white bread will pick up the tiniest shards from the floor.
6. Electrical tape can temporarily seal a leaking drain pipe. (Unlike water supply pipes, drains work by gravity, not pressure.)

Be sure to keep an eye out for more tips and tricks, coming soon!

Making Your Home Buying Checklist

In The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right, author Atul Gawande explains how checklists have significantly improved everything from air travel safety to surgery survival rates. They help pilots, doctors – and everyone else – remember important steps, criteria, and other details that might otherwise be missed. A checklist can be particularly helpful when shopping for a new home. It will help you focus on what you need to see and know, and then help you make the right decisions.

Have you ever viewed a home on the market and forgotten to check something important, such as the property tax expense or the age of the furnace? By having a checklist, you’ll be sure to get this information – and, at the very least, save yourself some time.

There are many ways to create a checklist. You can make one up on your computer and print copies as needed. Alternatively, there are many checklist apps available for your computer, notebook or smart phone. (The basic versions of most of these are free.)

What should you put on your checklist?
Your REALTOR®, who specializes in this neighbourhood, can help. Call me, Paula Mitchell, at 905-454-8900 today!

But What About the Pets?

If you have pets, you probably adore them. They're part of the family! But when you're preparing your home for sale, you need to think about how you're going to deal with the "pet issue". Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as
you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells. So be sure to make a plan for how you’re going to deal with your pets.

It's a good idea to keep pets out of the house during viewings. Even if your dog or cat is friendly, some buyers will be uncomfortable around them. So, you'll need to decide where your pets will go when buyers view your property. Consider a local kennel or "pet day camp". "Can't I just take my dog out for a walk?" you might be asking. You could,;
however, you may not always be available to do that during a viewing. So have alternate plans available.

You should also consider how you will deal with pet dander and everyday pet odours. You're probably used to them. Unfortunately, some buyers will be turned off or even be allergic. So, in addition to cleaning your home before a viewing -- especially in those areas where pets spend time like a favourite cushion or scratching post – consider using specialty air sprays available on the market that will neutralize pet odours.

Finally, it's a good idea to advise buyers that they're viewing a home with pets. That way, they'll be more forgiving if they catch a whiff of cat dander.

Need more tips on preparing your home for sale? Call your favorite GTA Realtors at the Paula Mitchell Group today at 905-454-8900!

Tips to Help You Prepare for a Major Move

Whatever the reason or situation, if you’re planning a move in the foreseeable future, remember that advance planning will make a big difference in how smoothly things go, and how quickly you’ll be able to adjust to your new lifestyle and/or surroundings. Here are a few basic steps to follow:

1. Reduce clutter well in advance of moving day. Sorting early means less packing, moving and unpacking. This is critical when downsizing. Since sorting could involve sentimental items, or belongings of grown children now living elsewhere, it’s best separated from the stress of moving day. If necessary, consider renting storage space for these items.

2. If your next home requires a major renovation, consider bridge financing that will allow you to carry two homes at once, thereby making the transition much easier.

3. In addition to predictable one-time costs, such as legal fees, tax adjustments and movers, consider new long term costs, such as utilities, parking, commuting, and insurance fees, especially when moving to or from a more densely populated area.

Happy moving!

Throwing the PERFECT Valentine's Day Party

While most couples spend February 14 with just their significant other, a couple's party can be a very fun and different way to celebrate heart day. Here, we offer some tips and suggestions for throwing a great couple's party on Valentine's Day or anytime of year!

Keep the invitation list fairly short and sweet -- including just family and close friends. While it seems that being part of a couple would be one of the requirements to make the invite list, don't count out your single friends! Let them know they are welcome to bring dates, or use this as an opportunity to play matchmaker -- set them up with other singles that you think they might jive with. However, it is probably a good idea to introduce them before the party so they can get to know each other a bit and decide whether or not they would like to meet up again at the party.

Keep the theme classy, but that doesn't mean it can't be sensual -- Decorate simply with a few candles (unscented!) and elegant floral arrangements. Set up the main entertaining room with intimate sitting areas as well as a dining table with enough seats for each of your guests. Include place settings and name cards. Place a small token on each place, such as a sachet, a small bottle of bubble bath or even some sexy dice.

Go all out when it comes to the food -- Eating, especially with your hands, or feeding one another can be an erotic experience. Set the stage for a little couple's flirtation by serving fondue (cheese with veggies and bread for an appetizer; chocolate with fruit, cheesecake and brownies for dessert). Incorporate foods that are said to be aphrodisiacs — such as caviar, figs, oysters and truffle mushrooms, into the menu. Don't forget the cocktails! Serve sexy sips such as Sex on the Beach, champagne (another aphrodisiac), wine with dinner and ice wine with dessert.

Line up after-dinner entertainment or activities -- If your entertaining space allows, create a makeshift dance floor and turn the music up after dessert. Play a fun board game or a TV game such as the Newlywed Game DVD edition. If the group you've invited is pretty tight-knit, you can even make up your own game personalized for your guests. Make a list of questions, with at least one question that can be attributed to each couple. For example: "We had an ice cream bar at our wedding instead of the traditional wedding cake. Who are we?" Tally the number of correct answers each guest had and offer a sexy prize for the winner!

A couple's party can be a great way to share this special holiday dedicated to love with those you love the most – your friends and family. Since many couple's do dedicate the actual day to on another, consider hosting your party the day before or the day after Valentine's Day.

DIY Winterizing Your Home

An experienced home inspector will tell you that winter maintenance is an essential part of homeownership; this is especially true in Canada, where average yearly snowfall ranges from 21 to 111 inches.1 It’s important to prepare your home for winter, because the damage caused by leaks and freezes could cost you thousands of dollars. Fortunately, winter home maintenance is actually fairly simple. In fact, it’s more dependent on proper planning than on DIY know-how. We’ve made it even more straightforward with this easy-to-follow checklist.

1. Restock Winter Essentials

Before the first big snowstorm of the year, make sure to stock up on winter essentials, including: salt, ice melt (deicer) and winter windshield washer fluid. While you’re at it, tune up your snow blower and make sure your shovel is in good condition.

2. Seal Drafts

If you feel any drafts around your windows or doors, seal them now before you waste money on extra energy costs. You can purchase a sealant kit, or use caulk, window glazing putty and weather stripping, to kiss those chills goodbye.

3. Protect Your Floors

Make sure you have appropriate mats and boot trays near the entrances to your home. Having a designated spot to wear and store your winter boots will prevent your floors from being damaged by water and salt, as members of your household and holiday visitors enter your home.

4. Test Your Heating System

Whether you have a wood stove, electric baseboards, or a super efficient geothermal heat pump, it’s important to make sure your heating system is in good working condition, before outside temperatures drop. If you’ve looked at the weather forecast and know the temperature is supposed to fall below freezing, turn your heating system on a week beforehand. If there are any problems, you’ll have a few days to contact a repairperson, before you really need your heat.

5. Turn OFF Exterior Faucets

Frozen pipes inside your home can be a nightmare, but did you know that exterior faucets pose the same risk? To avoid a frozen (and potentially burst) outdoor faucet, drain your exterior faucet before temperatures dip below freezing. Also, make sure to put away your garden hose for the winter to protect it from the winter conditions. If you don’t have a frost proof faucet (most older homes don’t), you should turn off the indoor shut off value to prevent any water from reaching your outdoor faucet, where it might freeze and cause problems.

6. Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams (pictured above) are caused by snow on your roof melting from the heat that is rising from your home. The snow melts and travels down your roof, where it hits your gutters. Because of the temperature difference, the water will then freeze and block the downspout, preventing proper drainage from your home. Unfortunately, this could cause future melted snow to leak into your home, rather than drain away from it. Get up on your ladder one last time before the year is over and check for ice dams (look for ice-clogged gutters and icicles). If you notice any, you can solve the problem temporarily by buying heated cables that will melt the ice and prevent more from forming. For a permanent solution, make plans in the spring to fix the problem by increasing the insulation in your attic.

If you’re a new homeowner, and you’ve just finished paying for the closing costs on your new home, it may be tempting to skip winter home maintenance – don’t. If you don’t properly prepare your home for winter, you may find yourself stuck with costly repairs come spring. By planning for and accomplishing these tasks before the brutal cold hits, you can ensure your home will be well prepared for anything our Canadian winters throw at it.



Originally posted on ClosingCosts.com