Susan Terry
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Time to FALL In Love!
Tackle home maintenance this fall to avoid major repair bills down the road.
Taking the time to regularly maintain your property is critical as it helps protect your most valuable investment.
It’s also much more cost-effective to proactively fix small problems as opposed to fixing them once they’re past the point of no return.
Regular maintenance should be part of your routine so here’s a fall home maintenance checklist to help you make sure your home doesn’t fall apart:
Close the Gap
Fix any cracks or gaps you see in the driveway so that moisture doesn’t seep in and make things worse over the winter.
Draft Defence
Inspect the weather stripping and caulking around your windows and doors to prevent drafts and improve energy efficiency.
Pest Proofing
Check your home’s exterior for gaps or holes, and seal them to prevent rodents and pests from entering your home when the temperature dips.
Branch Out
Prune back trees and bushes to prevent overgrown branches from causing damage during storms and to stop debris from blocking drainage areas.
Gutter Guard
Clear away any debris from your gutters and run a hose down your downspouts to ensure there aren’t any clogs.
Foundation Fix
Make sure water drains away from your home to prevent pooling, which can cause flooding and foundation damage.
Preventative maintenance helps keep small issues from turning into big problems that require urgent professional help. With a little time and planning, you can maintain your home’s value and save money by making it more efficient.
Is It a Good Buy or Good Bye?
Will the Grey Bruce real estate market cool down, level out or gain steam?
No one can be sure what lies ahead for the Grey Bruce real estate market, but there are a few proactive steps you can take if you’re thinking about making a move:
Crunch the Numbers
Ensure you’re financially ready for homeownership. With various additional costs beyond mortgage payments, it’s essential to have a clear understanding before taking the plunge.
Planning Makes Perfect
Plan ahead by researching local amenities such as shopping, restaurants and public transit. If you’re planning to start a family, check out local schools and parks.
Stick to Your Budget
Before starting your home search, make a detailed list of needs/wants so that you’re not tempted to overextend yourself financially later on.
Match Maker
Once you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, you can register to receive notifications of homes that match your criteria as soon as they hit the market!
Market Master
In addition to new listings, you can also receive notifications of recently sold homes. That way, when you’re ready to make an offer, you’ll have a better idea of what similar homes are going for.
An unpredictable real estate market can make it hard to decide whether it’s best to wait around for prices to drop or move ahead quickly before they spike.
It’s completely natural to experience a wide range of emotions during the ups and downs of the real estate journey. House hunting should be fun though, and it will be, as long as you’re prepared.
The key to finding the perfect home is to have a professional on your side who will help guide you along the way, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you ever have any questions about the Grey Bruce real estate market. That’s what I’m here for!
Grey Bruce Real Estate Update – September 2024
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 road sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!
The Feng Shui Way
Creating good feng shui around your home is easier than you may think!
Feng shui is a centuries-old Chinese method for designing the layout of your home to create a balanced environment that promotes happiness and prosperity.
The best part about this design style is that it’s easy and doesn’t cost a fortune. Here are a few ideas on how to improve the overall feel of your home:
The Right Path
Place a few plants on your porch and make sure the path to your front door is unobstructed and welcoming.
Foyer Flow
The entryway of your house should be bright, clean and clutter-free as it sets the tone for the rest of your home.
Cut the Clutter
Fix or get rid of broken items in your home as they can contribute to a cluttered or uninviting atmosphere that breeds negativity.
Power Plants
Add a touch of nature to your home with a few houseplants. Lucky bamboo, jade plants and peace lilies are great choices!
Clear the Air
Open up your windows to let in fresh air and maximize natural light for a more refreshing and uplifting environment.
Mirror Mirror
The strategic placement of a few mirrors can help expand smaller areas and draw extra light into darker rooms.
Feng shui suggests that our physical surroundings have an impact on our emotional well-being, which is why it’s important to be aware of how we arrange our space.
Buyers often feel certain vibes when they enter a home, so if you’re thinking of selling anytime soon, a harmonious feel could be the difference between a quick sale and one that drags on.
Getting the Most Out of Your Agent
Teamwork makes the dream work when you’re out on the hunt for a home!
The relationship between you and your real estate agent should always be honest and productive, which is why having an open line of communication is critical to ensuring a win-win partnership!
Once you’ve discussed and agreed on your agency relationship, it’s time to nail down some effective communication strategies. Communication is a two-way street, so both parties need to be open and honest from day one.
Start by setting clear communication preferences. For example, decide whether you prefer to be contacted via text, email or phone and let your agent know if there are specific times you’d rather not be contacted.
Also, be clear on which features are essential for your new home. Ranking your priorities will help your agent conduct a much more targeted search that will produce more relevant results.
That said, it’s important to always keep an open mind as it can be a good idea to “look outside the box” and consider homes that don’t always entirely match your criteria.
If you’re selling your home, make sure you point out any aspects of your home that could either help or hinder the sale. Agents can offer great advice on staging so show them everything no matter how insignificant.
For instance, that tiny crawl space that you weren’t even thinking of mentioning which is packed full of storage could be marketed as a unique selling feature that buyers could fall in love with!
Finally, let your agent know if your needs change and don’t ever hesitate to ask questions. If for whatever reason you’re not completely satisfied with the way things are going, be completely honest so you can resolve the problem straight away before any hasty decisions are made.
The key to any successful relationship is communication, and the partnership between you and your agent is one that will hopefully last a lifetime, so it’s important to get it right.
With that in mind, please don’t ever hesitate to get in touch with any real estate questions you may have. That’s what I’m here for and I’m always happy to help!
Bank of Canada Rate Update
Bank of Canada announces third consecutive policy rate cut.
The Bank of Canada reduced its target once again for the overnight lending rate from 4.5% to 4.25%.
The move was announced on Wednesday, September 4, and was widely expected by financial markets, making it the Bank’s third rate reduction since the onset of the pandemic.
Canada’s economy picked up in the second quarter of 2024, according to the Bank of Canada, although early indicators show a softening in economic activity. The Bank also stated the labour market continues to slow.
The Bank of Canada continues to focus on elevated housing costs as a significant contributor to inflation; however, it also mentioned both headline and core measures of inflation have moderated and are close to historical norms.
Although excess supply in the economy is helping to lower inflation, the Bank is also monitoring housing and services costs that are pulling inflation in the opposite direction.
The Bank stated future monetary policy decisions “will be guided by incoming information” and its assessment of whether further rate cuts are necessary to keep inflation in check.
The Bank of Canada will make its next scheduled interest rate announcement on Wednesday, October 23 and will publish its full outlook for the economy and inflation in its next Monetary Policy Report at that time.
Grey Bruce Real Estate Update – August 2024
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 place down the road sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!
Getting Ready for School Daze
Going back to school can be a big adjustment after the lazy days of summer.
Getting back into the school routine after a peaceful summer can be hectic. Here are a few tips that will help make the transition a little easier:
Shop Early
The first few weeks of school are very busy and unpredictable, so be sure to purchase your back-to-school items as early as possible.
After School Plans
Start discussing extra-curricular activities, homework routines and household chores so that you can organize your fall schedule ahead of time.
Have a Hub
Hang a calendar in a central spot where everyone can write down their activities and attach a folder for notices and permission slips so that everything’s in one place.
Sleep Easy
Ease back into the school routine by gradually adjusting bedtimes (and wake-up times) a week or so before school starts to help everyone get back into the routine.
Be Positive
Returning to school is an emotional adjustment for children so help them stay positive and ensure you’re around to help put them at ease.
Back to school doesn’t have to be about forgotten lunches, unlabelled belongings and lost permission slips. With a little pre-planning, you’ll be able to enjoy the rest of the summer knowing that September will be smooth sailing.
Relocation, Relocation, Relocation
Moving to a new city for a new job can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience.
The prospect of relocating to a new city for work means you’ll need to be well organized as there’s usually not much time to get acquainted with the new area.
Before you make your move, consider factors such as workload and travel expectations, along with job opportunities for your spouse and schools for the kids. Here are a few other points to keep in mind:
Time Is Money
Investigate the cost of living in your new city and create a budget and a detailed timeline to help you stay focused and on track.
Recon Mission
Plan a trip to familiarize yourself with the local area. If it’s too far to visit in person, check out a few community websites to get a better feel for the area.
Take the Credit
Employers often provide relocation packages to help offset expenses such as temporary housing and moving costs. There may also be certain tax credits available.
Professional Help
Arrange a home evaluation to find out what your home’s worth, and ask to be referred to an agent in your new city who can help get you acquainted with the local market.
Smooth Move
The best way to ensure a smooth move is to write out a plan of action that includes a detailed checklist that clearly states what needs to be done.
Deciding whether or not to relocate can be stressful. Not only are you trying to negotiate a new career but you’ll also be starting a new life in an unfamiliar place.
However, if you pay close attention to all the details and plan everything out in advance, you’ll set the stage so that you’ll be able to enjoy a smooth move.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or need any real estate advice!