• 5 Advantages of Living in the Suburbs That Nobody Talks About

    Every city has a suburb, and these areas have become hotspots during the course of the pandemic – and with good reason. They provide a great balance between the excitement of city living and the peace and quiet to be had in the outskirts. There are many advantages to living in the suburbs that people know about, like greater affordability in buying or renting, bigger houses, and a close-knit sense of community. But several advantages often get overlooked in comparing the suburbs to the city. Let’s take a look at five of them.

    5 Advantages of Living in the Suburbs

    1. You can enjoy a slower pace of life and a healthier lifestyle. While the suburbs still experience rush hour, there is a huge difference coming from the city. Fewer people spread out means that there are fewer crowds. No more bumping into people as you walk down the sidewalk! The suburbs are much quieter, so you’ll have less stress and sleep disturbances from anything going on outside. Finally, living in the suburbs provides a good amount of distance from the workplace, so you can shut down from work mode at the end of each day and enjoy your family and home life.

    2. There are more options to be out in nature. Cities have slowly started adding more parks so that office workers can enjoy green space during their lunch break or before and after work. However, you are surrounded by concrete everywhere else, not so in the suburbs. Homeowners landscape their yards to have lawns or gardens, and there is always a park a short walk away. There is less light pollution at night than in the city, so you can stargaze or do other nighttime activities. And without the tall buildings blocking your view, there is a lot more open sky.

    3. There is a lot more space. One of the more common advantages of the suburbs is that houses are larger and have more yard space. But that isn’t the only advantage of having more space. In the suburbs, there is plenty of room on the street to park vehicles, a problem that constantly arises in city living. If you have children or dogs, space becomes even more important because they will have plenty of room to run around and play without danger.

    4. Easy access to high-quality foods. Cities tend to have a lot of ready-to-eat options, both healthy and unhealthy. But if you want to prepare your own food and maybe even see where it’s grown, then the suburbs offer plenty of grocery options and farmers’ markets, so you can pick up in-season vegetables, check out local vendors, and get to know your community.

    4. It’s healthy for the kids. When you look at the different sides of raising children, such as education, social life and just having fun, you’ll find it in the suburbs – and then some! Public schools here are highly rated. There are always other kids around to play with, and they can enjoy more independence playing outside since the suburbs are less busy. Finally, the suburbs have plenty of options for getting out and having fun, like going to the pool, heading to the rec center, or spending a day on biking trails or at the park. If the mood strikes, it’s always easy to take a trip into the city for some fun.

    That doesn’t mean there aren’t any downsides to living in the suburbs, and there are certainly many upsides to living in the big city. Like anywhere, there are going to be good things and bad things, and you need to take time to decide if living in the suburbs is the right choice for your lifestyle.

    If you are looking for a quieter lifestyle or are work remotely, then the suburbs are a great choice to savour some peace and quiet, spend time with family and enjoy a great quality of life. We’re here to guide you through the process!

     

    Courtesy of REMAX.ca

    5 Warning Signs Your Home Has Foundation Problems

    The foundation of a house is crucial for supporting your home and keeping it stable, and if it’s well built, it can last a lifetime. Sometimes, foundation problems can have ramifications for the rest of the house. The sooner you know how to look for signs of trouble, the sooner you can address any problems before they escalate. Of course, if you’re on the home hunt, it is always recommended to have it carefully examined by a professional home inspector before you buy it.

    Here are five warning signs of foundation problems to watch for:

    1. Cracks or warping in the exterior walls. Exterior walls are built to allow for a bit of “give.” But as the foundation settles, the walls can lose support. This can lead to cracks, warps, decay, mould, or water stains on the exterior wall. If your exterior wall has siding on it, it can also crack. Crumbling bricks and cement walls are a particularly bad omen and should be investigated immediately. Don’t panic just yet. A certain amount of wear and tear will happen on any exterior wall, so if you see fine, small cracks in the wall, that might be nothing to worry about. Watch for large cracks with a zig-zag pattern or bricks that protrude from the wall, as these will indicate something wrong with the foundation. A professional should be called if the exterior wall starts to pull away from the house because the wall can collapse if it isn’t fixed immediately.
    1. Cracks in the interior drywall. Similar to the exterior walls, the interior drywall should be relatively undamaged beyond normal wear and tear. However, zig-zagging cracks in the drywall or wrinkling wallpaper are potential signs that further investigation of the house’s foundation may be in order. Also, look out for bowing walls, which are particularly dangerous and should be fixed immediately along with the foundation.
    1. Sagging, warping or cracking of the floors. The floors in your house run parallel to the foundation. The floors should not feel like they are “bouncing” or sagging, and look out for cracks in floor tile that are otherwise unexplainable. One way to test the evenness of your floors is to place a marble or other small object at a fixed point on the floor. If the floor is even, it will not roll. If it does roll, that could mean the floor is uneven, potentially because of the foundation.
    1. Issues with the fit of doors and windows. Although doors and windows are fitted to the size of the house, a certain amount of settling takes place, and things like humidity can affect the fit of a door. But this should not happen with every door and window in the house, and it should not happen all the time. If you find that your doors and windows are sticking and not latching correctly or are too loose and won’t stay closed, it could be because their frames are warped from the foundation shifting. Another issue with doors and windows that you should watch for is gaps between their frames and the walls. You can look for gaps in different places in your home, like above the kitchen cabinets or along the countertop where it meets the wall. This can create issues with moisture and temperature, and it can indicate problems with your foundation.
    1. Excessive moisture in the basement or crawl space. If you get a good rainstorm and water collects in the yard around your property, then cracks in the foundation will allow water to collect in your lowest level. The water itself will not ruin your home, but the water vapour and moisture can cause wood rot and mould and attract pests like termites and ants. These result in a musty odour that is hard to cover up.

    If you notice standing water or other signs of moisture in your basement, it could be a sign that you should investigate the foundation as the most likely source of the problem. Then, take the necessary steps to lower the moisture level.

    A certain amount of settling takes place with any foundation, so a bit of cracking, sticking, or moisture might be no cause for concern. However, if you begin to notice more issues with your walls, floors and doors, and they persist for a long time, then it may be time to call in a professional to look at your foundation and find the source of the problem.

     

    Courtesy of REMAX.ca

    How to Make Your Laundry Room More Efficient

    As time goes by, it feels like we only get busier as a society. Small household tasks can seem overwhelming between work, family obligations, and social events. While some people may find peace in spending a day at home, cleaning and getting things in order, others are seemingly always rushing around trying to squeeze small household tasks in before jetting off to the next event. This is where creating an efficient living space can pay off in dividends. Arguably, one of the more time-consuming chores at home is laundry – and the bigger the family, the more laundry there will be, leaving you wondering how to make your laundry room more efficient.

    We will take you through some of the best ways to make your laundry room more efficient to hopefully give you some peace of mind and extra time in your life to do the things you enjoy.

    How To Make Your Laundry Room More Efficient

    Make Use of the Space Above Your Washer and Dryer

    The laundry room can be a great place to store household cleaning products, and by installing cupboards above your washer and dryer, you can make sure any dangerous solutions are kept out of reach of both children and pets.

    In addition, by installing cupboards above your washer/dryer, you’ll have a convenient place to keep laundry soap, fabric softener, and all your other laundry cleaning products. Cabinets and closed-off storage spaces can also double as chalkboards by either using chalkboard paint on their front or installing chalkboards over the cupboard front. This way, your to-do list stays within eyesight and in an area you go to frequently – ensuring no task gets forgotten.

    Invest in Decorative Storage Containers and Label Them

    Aesthetics do make or break a room. After putting time and thought into the decorative aspect of your laundry room, painting the walls, and colour coordinating everything, why would you want to keep the bottle of laundry soap on display in the original packaging? This is where investing in some decorative storage containers can be a game-changer. It will add to the room’s aesthetic, and it will also make you feel better about the cleanliness and state of the laundry room – making the whole task seem far less chaotic.

    A good idea is glass or plastic matching storage containers for all your laundry soaps, fabric softeners, and stain removers. Make sure you put a label on the front of the jar to know exactly what you’re using – the last thing you want is to use fabric softener instead of laundry detergent!

    Create a Sorting Station 

    Creating a good sorting station can remove a lot of stress from the laundry room. You can invest in cute clothing bins that are labeled, so you know what is clean and dirty, or so you can sort your unwashed laundry by washing needs like dry-cleaning, hand wash only, and machine wash. If you have small children who are beginning to learn how to complete small tasks around the house, this is also a great way to introduce them to sorting clothes and can assist you when teaching them how to do laundry.  

    Invest in Hidden Drying Racks

    One of the most space-consuming objects in a laundry room is the drying rack – and sometimes, it feels like we never have enough space for all our clothes that need to hang dry. Installing fold-down drying racks or tension rods is a great way to use the space in your laundry room better while also giving you adequate room to hang dry all your delicate clothing.

    Make Use of the Entire Room

    Who says the laundry room has just to be a laundry room? If the space is big enough, double the laundry room up as either a play space for the kids, a mudroom if it’s off an entry point to the house or a quiet area. To do this, consider installing curtains to cover up the washer and dryer when not in use.

    Laundry is the one task that seems to be never-ending; as soon as you think you’re all caught up, there is always more laundry to be done. Making your laundry room efficient and calming can change your whole outlook on the chore and make it at least a little more enjoyable.

    Courtesy of REMAX.ca

    (SOLD) 270 Scarlett Rd #2005, Toronto, Ontario

    CLICK HERE to contact, or Call 416-453-7673 Ask For Rose Kutzko for more info

     

    270 Scarlett Rd #2005

    Price: $619,000.00
    MLS# W5724018
    Bathrooms: 2
    Bedrooms: 2
    Square Footage: 1000-1199
    Virtual Tour: Click here for virtual tour

    Welcome to Lambton Square!

    Opportunity to customize this bright and spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Penthouse suite and turn it into your dream home! Original condition condo features eat-in kitchen, separate dining area, sunken living room with walk-out to large balcony, tons of closet space & ensuite laundry. Property includes the exclusive use of 1 parking space and 1 storage locker!

    Building amenities include an outdoor pool, car wash, sauna, exercise room, visitor parking, and more. Surrounded by beautifully manicured green space, Humber River, James Gardens, private and public golf courses, walking/biking trails.

    Close to major highways and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Steps to transit and 1 bus to the subway.

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    The Best Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

    It’s no secret that buying or selling a home can be one of life’s most stressful endeavours. With so many unknowns and variables at play, limiting stress during this event can help make the process more enjoyable; one of the simplest ways to help reduce the stress and anxiety attached to purchasing a home is to hire a real estate agent.

    The Role of a Real Estate Agent

    A real estate agent acts as the intermediary between buyers and sellers. The agent will connect the two and handle all legal negotiations to ensure the deal takes place without a hitch. A real estate agent helps clients sell, buy or rent their property. They also may guide the client when it comes to navigating the market, take them on showings, and assist them in the buying, selling, or leasing process.

    While some people choose to buy or sell property privately, hiring a real estate agent has many benefits, which we will go more in-depth on below.

    They Help with Timing

    Timing is of the utmost importance when buying or selling a home, as the market fluctuates throughout the year. Working with a real estate agent can ensure that your property will be listed at the optimal time or that you will be buying when the market is in reach of your budget.

    When selling your home, you want it to be bought quickly as the longer it sits on the market, the less desirable it appears to potential buyers – this is where listing your home at the right time can pay off in dividends.

    When purchasing a home, you’ll want to wait until the market isn’t highly competitive – this means homes are usually priced more accurately. When the market is hyper-competitive, bidding wars occur, and houses can sell for far more than they are worth; as a buyer, this is not ideal – especially when you do not need to buy a home.

    Handle the Paperwork

    Buying or selling a home involves a lot of legal paperwork that needs to be completed correctly – this is where a real estate agent can shine. The paperwork completed by the home seller needs to be precise and accurate. If all information is not disclosed correctly, the seller could be held responsible for fraud, negligence, or breaching the contract. By having a professional do the paperwork for you, you can have faith that it will be completed correctly, and if it isn’t, you won’t be on the hook.

    An Agent has Access to a Large Network of Listings

    Many prospective buyers take to the Internet and begin hunting when looking for a home. However, homes aren’t always listed on the Internet immediately after being put up for sale. By working with a real estate agent, you can be sure to have access to listings as soon as they become available and have first dibs on any highly sought-after property.

    Help Negotiate Prices

    Real estate agents are well-trained in negotiation skills, and a good one will have a proven track record in this area. By working with an agent while buying a home, you could save thousands of dollars.

    As a homebuyer, the process quickly becomes emotional. A real estate agent can help you keep the situation in perspective, preventing you from making emotional decisions that may not be in your best interest.

    By leveraging a real estate agent to be the middleman in negotiations, you can be sure that the communication will be professional yet direct to get you the home of your dreams while staying within your price range.

    Whether you are buying or selling a home, engaging the services of a real estate agent to assist you from start to finish is a complete game-changer. They will help reduce the stress by completing all necessary paperwork, negotiating with the buyer or seller, and keeping you up-to-date on the market conditions, all to ensure you get the most out of your experience in the real estate market.

      

    Sources:

    Courtesy of REMAX.ca

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