Hardwood Floors Explained

Thinking about installing wood floors? The first decision you need to make involves the type. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, there are four types:

• Unfinished. This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you.

• Factory finished. As the name suggests, this is flooring that has its finish applied in the factory. Although it is more expensive, factory finished flooring can be installed faster and can be walked upon immediately.

• Solid. This is flooring that is made from a solid piece of wood, top to bottom. The advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over the years, or even decades.

• Engineered. This is flooring that is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. It can be engineered to be very durable and expand and contract less than solid flooring.

The type you choose depends on your needs. Talk to your dealer or contractor about your specific application.

Recognizing potential major expenses in a new home

When you see a new home you like on the market, it's easy to get distracted

by all the features you love – the wrap-around backyard deck or the

spacious rec room with plenty of space for entertaining. You just need to

make sure that in all that excitement you don’t overlook any expensive

maintenance issues that could be just around the corner.

Nothing lasts forever. The major components of every home – from the

furnace to the roof shingles – need to be replaced eventually. Knowing

when such maintenance issues are likely to arise can help you make a

smarter decision about the home you're considering.

How do you do that?

When viewing a property, ask for the age of the major components of the

home, such as the roof shingles, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, and

appliances. Roof shingles may look merely weathered in spots – and you

might think they have years of service left – when, in fact, they're due to be

replaced in a year.

Also pay close attention to the backyard deck, fencing, flooring, and

windows. Do any of those components look aged, worn, and in need of

repair or replacement sometime soon?

Finally, don't forget to check the kitchen and bathrooms. Sinks, faucets,

bathtubs, showers, and cabinetry have a life-span of about 10-15 years.

 

Of course, there are things you can't see, such as wiring, plumbing, venting,

and other components of a property that may require maintenance soon.

That's why it's so important to make any offer to purchase a home

conditional on passing an inspection by a qualified home inspector.

Want more ideas on buying the right home for you? Call or email Ian today
613-222-2662
Ian@royallepage.ca

Light Your Way to a Faster Sale-

 

  

 

Remember the last time you visited an upscale furniture showroom? The

furniture and fixtures on display probably looked great. The colours and

textures jumped out at you. It was a feast for the eyes!

 

There is a good reason for this: Lighting

 

Of course, the quality of the products has a lot to do with how appealing

they look when on display. But smart retailers know that proper lighting is

key to making those products look their best. In fact, some retailers even

hire lighting consultants!

What does this have to do with selling your home quickly, and for the best

price?

 

Obviously, when showing your property to potential buyers, you want your

home to look its very best. Proper lighting can be a big help.

 

When preparing your home for sale, review the lighting in each room and

make sure the space is sufficiently well lit. You want the lighting to be strong

enough to prevent dark or shadowy areas, yet not so strong that it's

uncomfortable for the eyes.

As a rule of thumb, the total wattage of lights in a room should equal the

room's square footage times 1.5. So, if a room is 120 square feet and has

three light sources (ceiling light and two lamps) then the bulbs in each

should be 60 watts.

Pay particular attention to traditionally dark areas, such as the garage,

basement, and closets. Make sure those areas are well lit.

If you have a viewing scheduled during the day, take advantage of natural

light through windows. Open the curtains!

Finally, one of the most important areas is the foyer. Always make sure the

entrance has sufficient lighting. You don't want buyers to think they've

entered the home of classic TV's The Adam's Family!

Want more ideas for preparing your home for sale? Call Ian today.

Making Your Kitchen More Attractive to Buyers-

What's one of the most important rooms in your home? When it comes to
selling your property quickly, and for the best price, the answer is clearly the
kitchen. In fact, one of the most common explanations a particular buyer
gives for not making an offer is, "I liked the house, but I wasn't too keen on
the kitchen."
That doesn't mean you must do a major renovation. However, you should do
what you can to make the kitchen as attractive as possible to buyers.

Here are some ideas:
First, clear the countertops. Put away the toaster and other items. You want
to make the entire countertop area seem as spacious as possible.
If the cabinetry is old, you can spruce it up by installing new knobs, handles
and other hardware. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling can also
make the kitchen look like it has had a major renovation – and it will only cost
you a few hundred dollars. According to an article on the website HDTV.com,
"The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new
cabinet hardware."
Replacing the countertops is a more expensive renovation, but it may be
worth it if the current counters are old and worn.
Finally, when preparing your kitchen for a viewing, make sure it's clean and
tidy. The garbage and recycling bins should be empty. Buyers will open
cabinets so make sure items on shelves are neatly organized with the front
labels facing forward.
There are many other ways to make the most important room in your home
look great to potential buyers. Call Ian 613-222-2662 or email ian@royallepage.ca today for more ideas.

Ottawa resale market on the up and up

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board

OTTAWA, September 5, 2013 -
Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,219 residential properties in August through the
Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,145 in August 2012, an increase of 6.5
per cent. The five-year average for August sales is 1,202. “It has been one year since the Canadian Government introduced the new mortgage rules, and although the Ottawa market has been slow moving since the beginning of the year, this month’s numbers are quite the opposite,” says Tim Lee, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. “With both residential and condo units sold up a respectable amount since last year, it breaks the downward cycle. In addition, average sale prices softened out in August, creating a welcomed lull in inflating property prices.” August’s sales included 272 in the condominium property class, and 947 in the residential property class.
The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, townhouse, etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums,
sold in August in the Ottawa area was $348,519, a slight increase of 0.4 per cent over August 2012. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $257,494, a decrease of 5.4 per cent over August 2012. The average sale price of a residential class property was $374,663, an increase of 1.8 per cent over August 2012. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have
increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. “Inventory on hand has decreased since last month, and is starting to return to more normal levels,” says Lee. “Ottawa continues to be a healthy, balanced market, and as always, a great city to live in. With a strengthening economy and historically low interest rates, Ottawa consumers remain in a very enviable position.” Talk to Ian an Ottawa area REALTOR® today for help with buying and/or selling a home.

June sales indicate consistency in the Ottawa market

Ottawa Real Estate Board July 5, 2012

Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,660 residential properties in June through the Board's Multiple Listing Service® system, compared with 1,719 in June 2011, a decrease of 3.4 per cent.

June's sales included 365 in the condominium property class, and 1,295 in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.), which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

"Although there is a slight decrease in the number of residential properties sold this June, compared to June 2011, it seems to be the norm throughout the years," says Ansel Clarke, President of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. "For the past 10 years, with the exception of June 2011, sales have consistently and marginally decreased from May to June. This shows stability in the market, and also represents a continued steady market."

The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in June in the Ottawa area was $352,800, a slight decrease of 0.1 per cent over June 2011. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $278,447, an increase of 0.8 per cent over June 2011. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $373,756, a slight decrease of 0.4 per cent over June 2011. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

Bathroom décor blues?

All it takes is a little creativity to go from drab to fabulous By: Ian Ponting Are you getting that same drab feeling every time you enter your bathroom? Perhaps it’s time to make some changes. Redecorating a bathroom does not always require extensive work or money. In fact, significant changes can be accomplished with just a few accessories and a creative touch. So stop researching contractors, worrying over expensive renovations and fretting about what you’ll do without your bathroom while it is under repair – and consider implementing these quick, inexpensive and imaginative redecoration techniques. A good place to begin is with your bathroom lighting. Adding more light to a room can actually give the illusion that the room is larger than it actually is. One simple way to do this is by increasing the size of the light fixtures. For example, if you have a three light fixture, make your room brighter with a five light fixture, or increase your light bulb size to achieve the desired brightening effect. If there is ample counter space or room for furniture, lighting can be greatly improved with a small table lamp, which also adds elegance and warmth. Furniture usually only works in bathrooms that are large enough to not appear cramped. But if you are blessed with a big bathroom, try moving an old cupboard or chest into an empty corner. It can add style and storage at the same time. A chair or bench also adds panache and functionality to large bathrooms, as it provides the perfect place to sit while manicuring your nails or waiting for a bath to draw. If you have a smaller bathroom, limit the amount of accessories lying around. Storage space is likely a premium, so finding room for a cabinet or a bin is probably impossible. In this case, consider installing a shelf or two on the wall behind your toilet where you can store extra toilet paper and towels, as well as smaller toiletries, like shampoo and hairbrushes. To keep these items organized use display containers, which can often be found in a kitchen. For example, a ceramic jar can hold cotton balls while mugs can be used for holding makeup brushes. Baskets are also great for hiding miscellaneous items. If your bathroom can benefit from a new colour, why not spend a weekend painting. Before you begin, decide if you’ll be matching the wall colour with the rugs and fabrics already in your bathroom, or if you’ll be purchasing new materials. An easy and imaginative alternative to painting is stencilling, which can be done around the ceilings, window areas and mirrors. Artwork can also do wonders to spice up bare bathroom walls. Try some inexpensive framed prints, which can be used to complement any decorating theme. There are an assortment of affordable but luxurious touches that can be added to your bathroom. Radio or compact disc players can be used to play soothing sounds and add tranquility while scented candles can provide a relaxed and refreshing aroma. A built-in hair dryer may at first seem lavish, but think about how much you appreciate it in a hotel restroom and you might find that it is worth the money. So if you feel it is time to give your bathroom a new and improved look, remember that it doesn’t have to include bulldozers and bricks, just a bit of creative thinking.

Jeanne D'Arc Roundabout-

Construction starts August 16. Preview it on this site. http://tinyurl.com/39c3oym

Closet space tricks

Courtesy of The Ottawa Real Estate Board July 1, 2010 Face it: everyone has stuff. Some of us have more or less than others, but the fact is that we all need a certain amount of clothing, shoes, dishes, bedding and towels in order to go about our daily lives. Naturally, we need somewhere to store all of that stuff, and in most modern homes, the closet is designated for that task. But what if your home has tiny closets or, in older homes, none at all? The Ontario Real Estate Association has put together an excellent list of ideas for making your home’s closet space work for you, not against you – and many of these options are very inexpensive. Read on: • Make your closets serve a variety of purposes. Try adding a shelving unit to a clothes closet where you can store pantry goods and other items. • Always try to incorporate a variety of shelving units in a closet. These give you space to store small items such as shoes, scarves, handbags and even books. • The ceiling space in closets is seldom used. Consider adding a shelf or a compartment to store bulkier i ems such as luggage or blankets. • Invest in a shoe rack that can be incorporated into your closet. Whether it sits on the floor or hangs from the door or is part of a shelving unit, a rack will not only keep your shoes together, it will give the whole closet a more organized appearance. • Plan to store out-of-season clothes in boxes or elsewhere. Use the closet only to keep those items you wear regularly during a season. • If closet space is still tight and there are few open spaces in your home that can be turned into closets, try adding an armoire or wardrobe. This was the furniture piece used for storing clothes back when there weren't built-in closets. It's still a popular and practical item in many homes today. • Try turning an entire wall in a room into a storage area. There are many systems available that can be easily installed. You can close them up by adding doors, or keep them open and airy. • Kitchens are where you can be most creative in finding extra storage space. To get the best use of kitchen closet space, store as much as possible outside the closets. That means hanging anything that can hang from the ceilings and the walls. Custom-design closets and cupboards for the specific goods each will hold. This may include drawers for knives, shelves for different size cans, jars, etc. • Adding a shelving rack to the inside of a closet door can make even the shallowest closet seem deeper. • In a child's room, don't limit yourself to the space inside the closet. Use lots of bins, stacking baskets and shelving units throughout the room to store and toss things in. As you can see, you have many options even if you are closet-poor. So if you’re looking at a home that you love but find the closets tiny, remember these ideas and don’t let a lack of storage be the only reason you don’t buy the home of your dreams

Inventory Increases, Market Balances in June [2010]

Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board July 6, 2010 July 6, 2010 : Inventory Increases, Market Balances in June [2010] Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,615 residential properties in June through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,897 in June 2009, a decrease of 14.9 per cent. Of those sales, 418 were in the condominium property class, while 1,197 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. “For the first time in 2010, inventory increased year-over-year in June, by almost six per cent. The Ottawa housing market is now moving towards balance, rather than the seller’s market we have been in for most of the past year,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Sales last month were very close to the five-year average for June, so what we see here is a return to the stable, steady market conditions that Ottawa tends to experience. Home sale prices continued to grow at a healthy rate in June,” he added. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in June in the Ottawa area was $326,572, an increase of 6.4 per cent over June 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $256,969, an increase of 8.3 per cent over June 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $350,878, an increase of 7.4 per cent over June 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.

Lovely Home-

Check this one out in Sunridge. 2030 Legrand

Hottest April on record for resale housing market

May 5, 2010 : Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,841 residential properties in April through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,591 in April 2009, an increase of 15.7 per cent. Of those sales, 425 were in the condominium property class, while 1,416 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. “Last month’s sales blew away the record for April, which is always one of the busiest months of the year for our market,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “The increased sales activity may be partially due to buyers trying to avoid the impending HST and the mortgage changes that came into effect on April 19, but also demonstrates that consumers feel confident about our local economy,” he added. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in April in the Ottawa area was $332,979, an increase of 11.6 per cent over April 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $254,220, an increase of 17.4 per cent over April 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $356,617, an increase of 11.7 per cent over April 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,590 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association. The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area and now online at www.OttawaRealEstateGuide.ca.

Ottawa Housing Market Soars into Spring -

Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board April 7, 201 : Ottawa housing market soars into spring Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,499 residential properties in March through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,161 in March 2009, an increase of 29.1 per cent. Of those sales, 327 were in the condominium property class, while 1,172 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. “The spring market kicked off early and strong this year, possibly boosted by the unseasonably warm weather and absence of snow in March,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Inventory is still lower than at this time in 2009, but has begun to increase slightly in recent months,” he added. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in March in the Ottawa area was $329,767, an increase of 15 per cent over March 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $240,409, an increase of 15.1 per cent over March 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $354,698, an increase of 15.1 per cent over March 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,540 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®. The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.REALTOR.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area and now online at www.OttawaRealEstateGuide.ca.

A Great Start to 2010 for Ottawa’s Housing Market

Source: Ottawa Real Estate Board Ottawa, February 3, 2010 : Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 713 residential properties in January through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 529 in January 2009, an increase of 34.8 per cent. Of those sales, 156 were in the condominium property class, while 557 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. “These numbers are more in line with what we might expect for a typical January, whereas 2009 started off abnormally slow due to uncertain financial and market conditions worldwide,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Although listing inventory remains low, we expect that will change as we head into the spring market and interest rates remain low,” he added. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in January in the Ottawa area was $320,966, an increase of 11.4 per cent over January 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $259,273, an increase of 22.5 per cent over January 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $338,244, an increase of 8.2 per cent over January 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,540 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®. The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area. Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

January 2010 Newsletter-

Click here for my first Newsletter of 2010: http://www.royallepagemc.ca/11/20911/272327/272327.html

2009 a record year for resale home sales, despite slow start

Still a Seller's Market but the astute buyer/realtor combination will find you the right home. Ottawa, January 6, 2010 : Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 689 residential properties in December through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 467 in December 2008, an increase of 47.5 per cent. This brings the total number of residential properties sold through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system in 2009 to 14,742, up 7.4 per cent from 2008 and setting a new record. The previous record of 14,565 sales was set in 2007. The average price for all of 2009 was $303,888, an increase of 4.9 per cent over 2008. Of December’s sales, 185 were in the condominium property class, while 504 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties. “Ottawa’s housing market felt the chill of the global financial crisis last winter, but sales warmed up even before the spring weather arrived, and over the course of the year Ottawa had five record-breaking months of sales. Listing inventory was at a low level throughout 2009, which led to many multiple-offer situations,” said Board President Pierre de Varennes. “Ottawa’s housing market bounced back very strongly from its brief downturn, and we ended the year ahead of the previous annual sales record, which certainly no one expected back in January,” he added. The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in December in the Ottawa area was $307,807, an increase of 13.1 per cent over December 2008. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $246,062, an increase of 17.9 per cent over December 2008. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $330,471, an increase of 12.8 per cent over December 2008. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,540 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association and thus are entitled to use the term REALTOR®. The MLS® system is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate through real estate services provided by REALTORS®. MLS® commercial and residential listings are available for viewing on the Board’s internet site at www.OttawaRealEstate.org and on the national websites of The Canadian Real Estate Association at www.mls.ca and www.ICX.ca. Information about listings and open houses is also available in the Board’s weekly newspaper, Ottawa Real Estate Guide, available free at 700 locations across the Ottawa area. Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).

Convent Glen 4 Bedroom-

Lovely new listing in Convent Glen. 4 Bedrooms with main floor family room and finished basement. Shows beautifully and priced at $349,900. Exclusive for now but contact me for details.

Making Your Home Your Winter Getaway

Canadian winters are famed for two things: their coldness and their length. While some people are able to break the winter monotony with ski trips or vacations to warmer climates, if your budget (or maybe just the price of gas) is keeping you at home this winter – don’t despair – there are plenty of ways of enjoying your home as a winter getaway. If you think about it, when you go away you’re usually looking for a change of scenery and different activities to participate in. So, when thinking about how to make your home your winter getaway – think about ways of temporarily changing your surroundings and plan activities you can do in and around your home. Changing your surroundings is easier and less expensive than you think – if you think “accents”. The infusion of fresh cut flowers, the addition of candles or even putting out a large bowl of fresh, luscious fruit, can change the feel of your living or family room. (You might want to put away a few of the toys and old magazines first, since clearing a bit of the clutter of your daily life will also make the room more inviting.) If you’re looking for inspiration, think of what you first notice when you walk into your favourite ski chalet, hotel lobby, or restaurant – the warm glow of candlelight or a fireplace, soft music playing in the background, small flower arrangements on tables and in corners, etc. Changing the smell of a room is another way of transforming it and mentally transporting yourself somewhere else – and we’re not necessarily talking about expensive aromatherapy oils. It could be something as simple as unplugging or putting away your normal air fresheners and brining out a tray of cinnamon-infused apple cider or mulled wine. Or, if a change of season is what you’re aiming for, candles smelling of lilac or freesia will help bring you back into your springtime garden. To enjoy your home as a winter getaway you have to change your behavior a bit too – you have to get away from your regular routines and normal activities. This means leaving your work (including household chores) behind and filling the time with some other planned activity. Sometimes this isn’t as easy as it sounds, since being in your home reminds you of aspects of your daily routine – but with a little commitment, you can do it. Once you and the other members of your household have “booked” the time off for your vacation at home, it’s time to consider various activities. In deciding what to do, there are two basic decisions. First, do you want a group activity – like a game or having friends over – or do you want to pursue individual pastimes – like reading or doing needlework? Second, do you prefer to do something fairly passive – like watching a movie or reading a book – or something more active – like preparing a gourmet meal or making and decorating cookies? (more) The key to enjoying group activities is to be creative in finding ways of involving everyone. For example, if you want to play a game but some in the group are a bit young or lacking in certain skills, make them members of a team and put them in charge of rolling the dice or moving the pieces. Or, if you’re planning a movie night – make it a double-header, starting with a family-oriented film and moving on to the more serious film after the little ones have gone to bed. And remember – just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you’re limited to indoor activities. If it’s snowing, for example, nature is providing you with the primary tools for snowball fights and snowman or snowfort building. You might even make a game of it by challenging your neighbors to a friendly game of snowball target practice against a fence or tree, with the promise of hot chocolate for both the winners and losers afterward. Using your home as a winter getaway – whether just for a weekend or for a more extended vacation – can be a wonderful way of relaxing. You’re far from the crowds and you don’t have to worry about driving in dangerous conditions. Why not give it a try this winter – you might just find that in doing so you’re creating new traditions you’ll carry forward for many winters to come.

How to make a festive Christmas wreath

1) Gather evergreen pieces about 40 cm long. (Be sure to ask permission from landowners first.) Use wire cutters to cut pieces into hand-size lengths. 2) Pile three or four pieces together to be wired to the wreath form. 3) Attach one end of your floral wire to the wreath frame and holding a length of greenery on the front of the frame, wind the floral wire around the end of the boughs and the frame. 4) Don't cut the floral wire. The idea is to use a continuous length of wire to secure the lengths of evergreen to the form. 5) Next, secure a second length of evergreen on the back of the frame, several centimetres further along the wreath form. Tie it in place with the floral wire. 6) Secure a third bunch of greenery on the front, overlapping the first, the fourth on the back, overlapping the second. Continue in this manner until the wreath is complete. 7) Secure the final length of evergreen with an extra twist, and cut floral wire. 8) Trim uneven pieces with wire cutters. 9) Decorate with ribbons, cones, or other items

Great Time to Sell-

Convent Glen remains a very popular area in which to live. So popular in fact very few listings have come up this year. Those that hit the market sell rapidly. Contact me if you are planning to buy or sell, I have many years experience working in your neighbourhood. Add Life to Your Home for a Fall or Winter Sale By Ian Ponting The fall and winter is often a great time to put a home on the market. With the summer holidays over and kids back to school, buyers often have more of an inclination and time to shop around for a home. So, during the fall season, take a little extra time to make your home stand out to prospective buyers and prepare your home for viewing. Make your home even more appealing to potential buyers by adding life and colour to in the interior and exterior of your house with plants and flowers. You may not associate fall with flowers coming into bloom, but there is an easy to grow and colourful plant that can make your home stand out in the crowd – and mum’s the word! Chrysanthemums! These gardeners’ favourites are hardy and easy to maintain - simply plant them and let them grow. Yellow, orange, white, red and purple chrysanthemums are available at nurseries and gardening centres now. These perennials will bloom constantly until the snow comes and will survive to flower again next year. Spruce up your front doorway with another fall favourite, spirea. This flowering shrub produces whitish and pale pink flowers or green and purple foliage and looks great in large pots on your doorstep. A fall wreath on your front door gives a warm, inviting look to your property and makes it stand out in the neighbourhood. Make a good impression by raking the leaves from your lawn! Make sure there are plenty of lights on or put them on a timer. Potential buyers may cruise by your neighbourhood day or night. Brighten up every room with flowers or green foliage. Your flower shop or corner store will stock a variety of hardy, green leafed house plants that are attractive and easy to care for. Three very popular, eye-catching and easy-to-care-for houseplants are Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen and Dracena. Indoors, make a point of tending to greenery before a showing. Sad looking plants will not impress visitors. Wipe dust off green foliage and remove drooping, brown or dead leaves. A sickly looking plant may be evidence of cold draughts or excessive dry heat in your home. The days may still be warm, but the nights are cooler, so check the caulking around your windows and doors. If visitors see that you care for your plants and flowers, they will also be confident that you care for your home. For the classic touch, fill a clear glass vase with assorted fresh cut flowers. Ask your flower shop for an assortment of lilies, larkspur, snapdragons, alstromeria and gladioli. Lilies add an instant and very pleasant fragrance when there is less fresh air circulating in your home. Cut flowers will appeal to more than one of your prospective buyers’ senses and leave a lasting impression. The secret to distinguishing your home for sale at this time of year is to add life with plants and flowers. Remember, ‘mum’s the word!