Susan Terry

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veggies-2016

A Guide for Growing Your Own Veggies

Eating local doesn’t get any closer than your own backyard!

There’s nothing more delicious than a summer meal made from sun ripened vegetables and herbs from your own Port Elgin or Southampton garden. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about growing your own veggies this year:

  1. Small & Sunny – Start with a small area if it’s your first year. Make sure it’s a sunny spot and if you’re really short on space, use pots or window boxes.
  2. Planned Planting – Plan your garden according to your family size. Food prices are on the rise so it makes cents to grow produce that’s expensive to purchase at the store.
  3. Go Organic – Growing your own produce is the best way to ensure your vegetables aren’t full of chemicals. It’s also less expensive, more convenient and very rewarding.
  4. Succession Success – If you stagger planting times for a single crop or plant a different crop after one has harvested, you’ll enjoy a continuous supply of fresh vegetables throughout the season.
  5. Child’s Play – Gardening with your kids is a fun learning experience that will inspire them to try new veggies. Pumpkins are great as they can decorate their very own jack-o-lantern at Halloween!

Not only is gardening cost effective and fun but it’s also an excellent stress reliever. Your local nursery will have a variety of seeds, plants and other tools to help you get started. If this is your first year gardening, make sure you keep notes on which vegetables do well so you can plan ahead for next year.

phone-2016

Smart Cleaning for Smartphones

Most of us forget to clean up after of our most trusted companion!

Studies have shown that a smartphone is actually more contaminated with germs than a public toilet seat! Gross, right?

Cleaning every day with a microfiber cloth will reduce dirt, grime and bacteria. There’s some debate on whether a homemade solution of alcohol and water is safe as some “experts” say it may harm your phone while others say it’s fine.

To be on the safe side, you can purchase a cleaning solution made specifically for smartphones that will remove all the nasty germs. For the serious germophobes, there are chargers that will completely sanitize your phone while it charges!

lawnmower-2016

Top 10 Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Spring’s the perfect time for taking care of outdoor maintenance!

The arrival of warm weather signals fun in the backyard with friends and family. The last thing you want to deal with are unexpected home repairs so here’s a list to help keep you on track:

  1. Clear away debris and dead foliage from flowerbeds.
  2. Inspect hose connections to ensure there aren’t any leaks.
  3. Replace damaged window screens and weather stripping.
  4. Clean your fireplace and/or wood-burning stove and flue.
  5. Make sure your lawn mower, weed wacker and other tools are in good working order.
  6. Clean and repair your patio furniture and inspect your deck for loose or rotten boards.
  7. Trim back shrubs and vines that are growing near your air conditioning unit and dryer vent.
  8. Inspect and clean your gutters and make sure downspouts drain away from your foundation.
  9. Patch up any cracks you find around your foundation and driveway before they spread further.
  10. Inspect your roof for cracked or missing shingles and trim branches that hang over top of your roof.

Proactive home maintenance helps prevent small issues from getting out of hand. Your Port Elgin or Southampton home is a huge investment and minimizing repair bills will help you realize your highest rate of return. When you’re done, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the lazy days of summer knowing that everything’s been taken care of!

Port Elgin Real Estate Listing Expert Susan Terry stats

Grey Bruce Real Estate Market Report

Home sales repeat last year’s April record!

Residential sales activity recorded through the MLS® System of the REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound came in even with last year’s record level in April 2016.

Home sales numbered 274 units in April 2016.  Sales of all types of properties numbered 340 units in April 2016, up 4.9 per cent from the previous April.

The average price of homes sold in April 2016 was $254,938, up 8.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis.  On a year-to-date basis the average price of home sales in the first four months of 2016 was $253,914, rising 6.5 per cent.

New residential listings on the Association’s MLS® System numbered 604 units in April 2016.  This was a decrease of 8.5 per cent compared to April 2015.  Active residential listings totalled 1,514 units at the end of April, down 27 per cent from the same time last year.

The number of months of inventory stood at 5.5 at the end of April, down from 7.6 months at the end of April 2015 and below the long-run average for this time of the year.  The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

The dollar value of all home sales in April was $69.9 million, up 8.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis.  The total value of all properties sold in April 2016 was $88.5 million, an increase of 10.3 per cent from a year earlier.

Port-Elgin-Real-Esate-News-slack

THE NEW WAY FOR TEAMS TO COMMUNICATE

The rapid growth of this hot new messaging app is insane!

Slack is a hugely successful messaging app that was built to help workplace teams share files and communicate with one another.

Slack is also a great communication tool for families.  It’s like having your own private social network!  You can use it to update grocery lists, co-ordinate calendars, schedule appointments and to privately share photos and videos.

Whether it be for business or pleasure, this hot new app is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a productive way to communicate and share information with a specific group of people.  Let me know what you think! Contact Susan Terry, Port Elgin Real Estate Expert.

Port-Elgin-Real-Esate-News-towels

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS THAT WILL NOT BREAK THE BANK

Updating your bathroom doesn’t have to be a pricey project. There are various ways to refresh a tired looking bathroom on a budget.  Here are a few simple and inexpensive bathroom makeover ideas that will add value to your home without breaking the bank:

  1. De-Clutter – Your bathroom will look cleaner and larger if you remove clutter.  Throw out anything that’s expired and place items you rarely use in drawers.
  2. Simple Spa – Create a room you can unwind in by rolling up plush towels in wicker baskets and adding some aromatic candles to create a natural, spa like atmosphere.
  3. Upcycling – Add some creative charm with reclaimed wood and revamped furniture.  An old wooden ladder for example makes a great towel holder.
  4. Tropical Paradise – Breathe some life into your bathroom by adding a few plants.  It’ll create an oasis like feel and they’ll love the humidity.  Consider a hanging basket if space is tight.
  5. Accessorize – It’s easy to make an impact with small details so add some pizzazz by updating the shower curtain, drawer handles and towel racks.

It’s easy to update your bathroom without committing to a full on renovation and hopefully the ideas above will help inspire you.  Don’t forget about the power of paint coupled with a beautiful, unique piece of art as this is another powerful yet simple way to freshen up a blah bathroom! Let me help you sell your Port Elgin or Southampton home.

Port-Elgin-Real-Esate-News-home-inspection

AVOID HEADACHES AND HEARTACHE WITH A HOME INSPECTION

Buying a home can be emotional, especially if it’s love at first sight!

Imagine that you’ve finally found your Port Elgin or Southampton dream home and you’re feeling on top of the world!

Now think how you’d feel once you’re all moved in only to discover it’s nothing but a money pit.  Hidden surprises are the last thing you want to deal with.

It’s easy to overlook potential problems when you find a home you love as you tend to focus all your attention on the positive features.

Your mind’s made up and you just want to put in an offer as quickly as possible so you don’t lose it to another buyer.  However, taking the time to have the home professionally inspected will help you see the full picture.

Home inspections help identify both existing and future problems.  There’s no such thing as a perfect house so don’t be alarmed when minor issues arise.  Look at it more as a valuable learning experience as most inspectors will discuss the home’s systems and offer advice on how they should be maintained.

Home inspections aren’t just for buyers.  Sellers often have inspections completed before they put their property on the market so they’re not caught off guard and forced into a vulnerable position.  Knowing your product is key when it comes to sales so it’s important to be fully aware of any existing problems beforehand so they can be dealt with accordingly.

Not everyone chooses to have a home inspection but if you want to avoid buying a home riddled with problems, it’s a worthwhile investment.  Choose a certified home inspector who comes highly recommended and ensure the cost includes a written report.  The knowledge and peace of mind you’ll gain is well worth the expense.

Let me help you find that perfect Port Elgin or Southampton home.

susan-terry-home-inspection

HOUSE HUNTING BEYOND THE WOW FACTOR

Don’t wait until you move in to discover your home’s a money pit!

Buyer’s remorse is an awful feeling but it can be absolutely devastating when it’s a huge purchase like a house. To avoid this from happening, it’s important to not let your heart rule decision making process.

Ensuring the home of your dreams comes without hidden structural issues and problems is key to a successful purchase. Getting a home inspection is important but you’ll still want to be aware of the following areas:

  • Rotting Roof – Roof leaks can be very difficult to spot. If possible, inspect the celling area of the attic as it will be much easier to identify water stains.
  • Water Damage – Check window seals and stains on ceilings. If possible plan a visit just after or during a rain storm so you can really investigate the home.
  • Deferred Maintenance – Routine home maintenance that has been put off can be a red flag. If certain issues aren’t caught early on, they can result in costly repairs.
  • Basement Woes – An inspection of the basement will help you determine the age of the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems and how well they’ve been maintained. Also, be on the alert for musty smells.
  • Cracking Up – Check hard surface flooring for large cracks and also focus around windows and corners. Go outside and examine the size and proximity of trees as roots can cause big problems.

Buying a home can sometimes be stressful so check your emotions at the door and do your due diligence in order to avoid ugly surprises after you’re all moved in. It’s also important to budget for any unexpected home expenses that might come up post-purchase. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Port Elgin Real Estate Listing Expert Susan Terry stats

GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT

Grey Bruce area home sales set new November record!

Residential sales activity recorded through the MLS ® System of the REALTORS ® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound came in well above year-ago levels in November 2015.

Home sales numbered 200 units in November 2015, jumping 28.2 per cent from November 2014. This was the best November on record by a considerable margin.

On a year-to-date basis sales activity was running 16.1 per cent ahead of the same period last year. With one month left to go in 2015, activity is running just 21 sales below the 2007 record. Sales of all types of properties numbered 249 units in November 2015, up 23.9 per cent from the previous November.

The average price of homes sold in November 2015 was $257,437, rising 10.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis. The year-to-date average price figure was $244,774, up 7.7 per cent from the first 11 months of 2014.

New residential listings on the Association’s MLS® System numbered 240 units in November 2015. This was a decrease of 12.4 per cent compared to November 2014. Active residential listings totalled 1,574 units at the end of November, down 11.4 per cent from the same time last year.

The number of months of inventory stood at 7.9 at the end of November, down from 11.4 months at the end of November 2014 and below the long-run average for this time of the year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

The dollar value of all home sales in November was $51.5 million, up 41.6 per cent on a year-over-year basis. This was a record for the month of November and marked the first time dollar volumes had surpassed $40 million in this month. The total value of all properties sold in November 2015 was $63.3 million, an increase of 26.7 per cent from a year earlier.

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