Buying a Home
RESTORE YOUR HOME
Shopping at the ReStore is a great way to support those in our community!
You’ve probably heard of Habitat for Humanity, the non-profit organization that helps struggling families find affordable housing, but they also operate “ReStores” that sell reclaimed building materials.
The first ReStore was opened in 1991 by five Canadians and there are now more than a thousand locations worldwide!
ReStores are basically an international chain of building supply stores that accept and resell new and used household items and materials to help support those in need.
Aside from raising funds to build houses, the ReStore is a great way for you to save a bit of money now that prices of everything have risen so sharply. It also helps keep millions of tons of materials from ending up in landfills each year.
Every ReStore is different and the inventory is constantly changing. You’ll find items such as windows, doors, paint, hardware, lumber, tools, furniture and appliances – basically everything including the kitchen sink!
The local ReStore is the perfect place to go if you have a passion for restoring and upcycling old furniture as there’s always a never-ending supply of “diamonds in the rough” that are waiting to be transformed into a unique creation!
If you haven’t visited the ReStore yet, you should definitely check it out. It’s always a fun experience because you never know what you’re going to find!
Better still, you’ll be helping to fund future home-building projects for those in need while also doing your bit for the environment – it’s the perfect win-win-win scenario!
CASHING IN ON CURB APPEAL
A few small changes can drastically transform your home’s first impression!
In today’s busy market, the key to getting top dollar for your home is to create huge demand. To get as many people through the door as possible, your home has to stand out from the competition.
There’s no need to completely overhaul your home’s exterior as it’s often the little details that increase the visual appeal of a property. Here are a few ideas that will enhance your home’s curb appeal:
Face Wash
Making a great first impression on potential buyers is crucial, so scrub down your home’s exterior and clean all of the windows.
Your Number’s Up
Replacing your boring old faded numbers with a fresh new number plate is something you should address (pardon the pun) as it’s the first thing buyers see when looking for your home.
Perfect Porch
A well-lit porch with some comfortable chairs and a few hanging baskets will set a tranquil tone for potential buyers as they enter your home.
Light It Up
Solar lights will add a welcoming glow that will make your home stand out at night while dramatically highlighting your home’s best exterior features.
Peeling Paint
It’s important that buyers are able to tell that your home is well cared for so touch up any weathered or flaky bits of paint to give your home a fresh new look.
Fixture Fix
Replacing outdated fixtures such as your mailbox, door handle and porch light is an easy way to update your home’s appearance.
Green Grass
Cut the grass and trim the hedges. Well-kept flower beds show pride of ownership and a few large pots full of bright flowers will accentuate the entranceway.
Cut the Clutter
An uncluttered exterior is as important as an uncluttered interior so put away tools, toys, bikes, dog bones, garbage cans and gardening equipment.
Apply Pressure
There’s no pressure when it comes to sprucing up your deck, fence or driveway as a pressure washer will instantly wash the grime away!
Watch Your Back
When buyers drive by your home, they’ll usually try to catch a glimpse of the backyard so make sure it also gets top-notch treatment!
Just as people judge a book by its cover, buyers make assumptions about the interior of your home based on how the outside looks.
It’s therefore important to make a great first impression starting from the curb. Your efforts will significantly increase the chances of your home selling quickly and for top dollar!
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE April 2022
For detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you’re curious about what the house down the street sold for, please don’t hesitate to reach out – it’d be great to hear from you!
A PIECE OF YOUR MIND
Peace of mind is priceless.
THE GIFT OF THE GAB
Starting a conversation with someone you just met can be intimidating.
Over the past two years, our social game has taken a bit of a hit due to lockdowns, social distancing and a lack of events and get-togethers.
Making conversation can be daunting if you can’t think of anything to say but these helpful tips will have you filling up awkward silences and chatting up a storm in no time:
You Name It
When you’re introduced to someone, use their name right away as people love to hear their name and by saying it out loud you’re more likely to remember it.
Mirror Mirror
Always maintain eye contact to show you’re interested, nod your approval every now and then and mirror their gestures to make them feel more comfortable.
Be Open Ended
Ask questions as people love to talk about themselves but try to always make sure that they’re open-ended questions so that the answers aren’t just yes or no.
Listen Learned
Rather than worrying about how to respond, listen carefully to what others are saying so that you’ll be able to provide a more natural response when there’s a break in the conversation.
Common Ground
Try and find similarities between you and the other person and build upon them. It could be as simple as a hobby you share, friends you have in common or the fact that you live in the same area.
Smile & Be Positive
Most individuals are drawn to positive people so stand tall, smile wide and keep your conversation upbeat instead of sharing your worries and woes right off the bat.
Making conversation is actually really easy — you just need the confidence to pull it off. Instead of awkwardly fidgeting when you’re introduced to someone, try to relax, listen carefully and most importantly, just be yourself!
DREAM HOMES REALLY DO COME TRUE!
House hunting in the Grey Bruce area is supposed to be fun, but it’s important to be properly prepared.
It’s easy for homebuyers to get frustrated, especially in this market, so it’s important to start off with a solid plan and a positive mindset. Here are a few points to consider before you head out hunting for homes:
Finance Forward
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage so you’ll know exactly how much you can afford to spend. It’s important to also set aside money for closing costs such as legal fees and tax adjustments.
Know Your Needs
Make a list of the features your new home must have such as a double driveway and then a separate list of features you’d like to have such as an ensuite bath or walk-in closet.
Future Plans
Think about how long you plan on living in the home and whether or not it has to be in move-in condition or close to schools, transit, shopping, etc.
Keep An Open Mind
In this market, you’ll need to be flexible so when you start your search, try to keep an open mind. When you’ve explored all your options, you’ll be able to narrow things down and focus on your goal!
Location, Location, Location
Determine whether the location of your home is more important than the home itself. You can always update the home but you’ll never be able to update its location.
The Bold & Beautiful
Don’t be put off by the green shag carpet or floral wallpaper as they’re easy to replace. On the other hand, don’t get “taken in” by a well-staged home with expensive furniture.
Ready, Set, Go!
Homes in the Grey Bruce area sell quickly, so when you finally find the perfect place, it’s important to act in a very decisive manner so that you don’t end up with regrets.
Properly preparing yourself before you head out on your house hunting journey will make your experience much more enjoyable so do your best to get everything sorted out in advance.
In the meantime, if you’re thinking about making a move, we can set you up on a custom search to help you get acquainted with the Grey Bruce market. That way, when the perfect home comes along, you’ll be ready to move forward with confidence!
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE – Feb 2022
For detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood or if you’re curious about what the house down the street sold for, please don’t hesitate to reach out – I’m always happy to help!
TORTILLA PINWHEELS: THE EASY APP!
This delicious yet easy-to-prepare appetizer is sure to impress!
If you’re looking for an easy yet delicious appetizer to serve your friends and family, try this simple recipe for tortilla pinwheels. Here’s all you’ll need:
- tortilla wraps
- cream cheese
- grated cheese
- red pepper
- jalapeno pepper
- sour cream
Spread the cream cheese on the tortilla and then dice the peppers and add them on top before sprinkling on the grated cheese.
All you have to do now is roll up the tortillas and place them in the fridge for a few hours. Once they’re chilled, slice the tortilla rolls 1” apart before serving with sour cream. It’s that easy!
The beauty of this app is that you can prepare it well in advance and then just pull it out of the fridge when you’re ready to serve but if you have a bit of extra time, you can also heat them up in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
You can also be creative with the types of ingredients you add as the recipe is very flexible. Just be sure to make enough as it’s the type of snack that people can’t get enough of!
BEST HIKING TRAILS IN GREY BRUCE
Beat the winter blahs by getting out and enjoying the great outdoors!
Most people are sticking closer to home this winter, so it’s the perfect time to get out and explore some of the natural gems that our area has to offer.
Hiking is a great way to get exercise, fresh air and a healthy dose of vitamin D, all while connecting with the great outdoors and beating the winter blahs!
Another big advantage of hiking during the winter is that you don’t have to worry about getting eaten alive by mosquitoes 🙂
Grey Bruce County has plenty of scenic trails in and around the area. In fact, some of the best hiking trails in the province are right here!
If you haven’t visited Grey Bruce’s beautiful waterfalls in winter yet, there’s still time! From Inglis Falls to Jones Falls there’s something very magical about the frozen falls. Please note that accessibility and opening hours are subject to change and that not all of the area’s waterfalls are open during the winter months.
You can also visit Ontario Nature Trails for a full listing of trails in the area, plus details on where to view local wildlife and birds!
If you’re looking to get out for a day trip, there’s a guide that features some of the best trails in Ontario. You can search trails by region and activity, so whether it’s hiking, snowshoeing, geocaching or mountain biking, this guide has you covered.
Whether you’re going hiking on a local trail or heading out further afield, it’s important to be prepared. Waterproof boots and layers will keep you comfortable if the weather changes and don’t forget water and snacks.
Also, always check that the trail is open before you leave and have a look at the conditions as harsh weather can impact the safety of the trail.
Winter can sometimes drag on which is why it’s important to stay physically and mentally active while reconnecting with nature. Whether you’re a walker, hiker or jogger, there’s bound to be an exciting outdoor adventure that will put a smile on your face!