Susan Terry
About Susan Terry
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TAKE IT TO THE BANK!
The demand for food donations in the Grey Bruce area will be greater than ever this year.
Local charities, such as food banks, have struggled to keep up with a strong demand that has continued to increase over the last few years.
During the holidays, most people are in a very giving mood but when the new year rolls around, donations usually slow down to a crawl.
To make matters worse, food prices rose sharply during 2022 and are expected to continue rising in 2023 according to Canada’s Food Price Report which means that even more people will have to rely on food banks this year.
There are so many people who struggle to afford nutritious meals during these difficult times which is why our Grey Bruce Food Banks are in desperate need of non-perishable food donations along with diapers, toiletries and cleaning supplies.
In addition to food and toiletries, financial donations are especially important as they offer the flexibility to buy fresh food or to load up on items that are in short supply.
Thanks so much to the amazing people who continue to volunteer their time at our local food banks – your work is truly invaluable!
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH RENOVATION
A little advanced planning will help keep you sane during your renovation.
If you’re thinking about renovating your home, you’ll want to try and consider some of the smaller details before things get underway.
Careful planning will not only allow you to hold onto your sanity during the upheaval but it will also ensure you get the best bang for your buck!
Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help ensure your renovation goes smoothly:
Peace of Mind
Make sure you agree in writing on a reasonable completion date but keep in mind that renovations can sometimes be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances so expect the unexpected.
Clear the Clutter
Take the opportunity before your renovation gets underway to donate any unwanted items to charity so your newly renovated home won’t be full of clutter.
Be Flexible
Accept from the start that you’ll be dealing with a lack of privacy along with dust, noise, mess and disorganization but remember, it’ll all be worth it in the end!
Kidding Around
Set aside a few toys and games to keep the kids occupied and schedule some playdates and local outings so you can escape the construction zone chaos.
Food For Thought
Preparing nutritious meals at the best of times can be a challenge but it’s even harder in a construction zone so prepare a few nice freezer meals for quick and easy dinners.
Stay In the Loop
Misunderstandings between contractors (and spouses) are one of the biggest causes of stress during a renovation so be sure to have an open line of communication and schedule regular progress reports.
Watching your home transform into something new that your family will enjoy for years to come is a very exciting experience but it’s also a major inconvenience.
The secret to making sure you’re not overwhelmed and that everything goes smoothly is to remain calm throughout the process and plan ahead for surprises.
If you go into your renovation prepared with a solid plan of action, your dream home will become a reality before you know it!
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE December 2022
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you’re just curious about what the house down the street sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!
SELLER MISTAKES THAT COST THOUSANDS
You only get one shot at creating that all-important initial buzz so it’s important to get things right the first time.
When selling your home, it’s important to get it right the first time as mistakes mean your home will sit on the market longer and eventually sell for less.
You really only get one shot at creating that all-important initial buzz that occurs when a new home hits the market, so make a great first impression by avoiding the following seller mistakes:
The Price Is Wrong
Sellers are often tempted to price their home way above market value but this tactic usually backfires. The longer a home sits on the market, the more of a stigma it’ll develop, forcing you to repeatedly drop the price.
Restricted Access
Buyers may skip your home if it’s not easily accessible. The goal is to get as many qualified buyers through your home as possible so using a lockbox is key, pardon the pun 🙂
Hanging Around
Homeowners should always leave before showings so that buyers can look around without any distractions. If a buyer feels comfortable, they’ll be able to relax and make themselves literally feel at home.
Stage Fright
Staging starts with an ultra-clean, de-cluttered and de-personalized home. Buyers should be able to envision themselves living in your home which is why photographs, trophies and kids’ artwork have to go.
Rough Repairs
It’s important to tackle any necessary repairs before your home hits the market as buyers will be turned off if your home appears to have been neglected and they’ll wonder what other hidden issues may arise.
Going It Alone
A real estate agent’s job is not only to market your home to the masses but also to act as a 3rd party negotiator to keep emotions in check and help you get the highest price in the shortest amount of time.
Selling your home can be an overwhelming experience and your home is most likely your biggest asset, so when you decide to sell, it’s important to get everything right the first time.
Setting your emotions aside and viewing the sale of your home as a business transaction are critical elements to ensuring your home sells quickly, easily and for the most amount of money possible!
BAKED BRIE & ROASTED GARLIC
Simple yet tasty appetizers are the way to go during the busy holiday season.
It’s not always easy to impress holiday guests but the delicate, mellow taste of roasted garlic paired with creamy baked Brie is sure to be a huge hit. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese
- 2 whole garlic bulbs
- 2 tsp olive oil
- red pepper jelly
- crackers
Start off by slicing the tops off the garlic bulbs and drizzle them with olive oil.
Next, wrap the bulbs in foil, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
While the garlic bulbs are baking, slice the thin rind off the top of the Brie and place the rest of the cheese in the oven for the last 15 minutes.
When it’s done, transfer the Brie and garlic bulbs to a platter and serve with crackers and red pepper jelly. Enjoy!
HELP SUPPORT GREY BRUCE BUSINESSES
Local businesses need our help this holiday season. Here are a few ways we can help support them!
Competition from big box stores and online retailers continues to grow each year so it’s important to support our local, hard-working businesses as they’re the backbone of our community.
The holiday season is usually the busiest time of the year for our small businesses as they rely heavily on the Christmas rush.
If you’re having trouble figuring out what type of gift to get for that special someone, you may need to think outside of the box, the gift box that is!
For instance, a cooking class or a pottery workshop that’s hosted by a local business are a few unique ideas that are sure to please!
A gift certificate to a “best-kept secret” type of restaurant or perhaps a spa treatment is another great way to help support our hardworking local businesses.
If you’re a last-minute shopper, there’s still plenty of time to buy from the wide variety of small businesses in Grey Bruce as orders can often be prepared and picked up right away.
In addition to shopping at local businesses, it’s important to subscribe to their newsletter, tag and follow them on social media, like and share their posts and spread the word to family and friends.
Our small businesses are integral to the character of our community. Buying local improves our community’s economy and helps connect us with our neighbours so this year, make it a point to support our amazing local businesses.
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE – November 2022
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you’re just curious about what the house down the street sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!
ONLY HEART CAN BUILD A HOME
You know what they say – home is where the heart is!
If you’re looking for a new place in the Grey Bruce area for you and your family to call home, reach out so that we can discuss your next move 🙂
WHEN PUSHY COMES TO SHOVY
Clear communication is an important element in any relationship.
Nobody wants to deal with a pushy real estate agent who constantly hounds you for feedback.
At the same time, you don’t want an agent who’s never in touch and fails to serve your needs in a timely fashion.
In the early stages, many home buyers shy away from asking too many questions as they don’t want to waste the agent’s time since they’re just getting started.
The truth is, your agent wants to hear from you every now and then so that they can continue to grow with you as your house-hunting journey evolves.
Everyone’s needs are different though. Some clients require daily property updates while others who are just getting started prefer a more relaxed approach.
Your circumstances may change as time goes by so it’s important to adjust your search criteria as well as how often you receive notifications so that you’re not overwhelmed with unsuitable listings.
Effective communication is essential when it comes to forming and maintaining any relationship and a client/agent relationship is no different.
As long as you and your agent regularly communicate with one another during your house-hunting journey, you’ll feel neither pressured nor abandoned.
If you’re looking to relocate, whether it be now or a few years down the road, please don’t hesitate to reach out so that we can discuss your next move!