Invest in Ontario!

Just read a great article in Canadian Real Estate Magazine - according to this, 1/3 of Canada's top 100 best neighbourhoods to invest in are right here in Ontario!  Great news!!

http://www.canadianrealestatemagazine.ca/news/item/1400-top-100-neighbourhoods-revealed

I've posted a new listing!

I've posted a new listing!

 

**OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY OCTOBER 21ST 2-4PM ALL ARE WELCOME!**  Exlcusive listing, not on MLS!  Beat the competition and come out to view this beauty!  Better than new! Less than 1 year old, this sparkling masterpiece 'The Bluebonnet' by Pristine Homes 50' series will dazzle you! Gorgeous open flooplan with designer finishes and decor throughout, a true model home.  Breezy entry foyer features ceramic flooring and opens to a convenient laundry room with access to double garage with extra high roof for storage. Rich hardwood flooring flows up an open staircase to a dramatic Great Room with 9' ceiling overlooking a gourmet kitchen complete with centre island breakfast bar.  2 bedrooms on main level each with a 4-pc bath. Builder finished lower level includes a separate in-law suite with kitchenette, living room, bedroom and full 4-pc bath, as well as a full recreation room, 4th bedroom and extra 3-pc bath for the rest of the family. Safe friendly neighbourhood in North Bowmanville close to schools, transit and newly built shopping plazas. 

Cute Bungalow on One Acre!

I just listed a great property - a full acre of land, open grassland in the middle and encompassed along the perimeter with beautiful mature trees. It's like having your own personal park! House was built in the 1950's so it needs a little aesthetic updating, but it's been taken care of and is solidly built and it's bigger than it looks @ over 1100sqft. This would be a great opportunity to renovate and turn into a fantastic country retreat, minutes from everything or potentially rebuild your dream home on a gorgeous scenic lot. Address is 869 Townline Road North, right on the Courtice/Oshawa border, just south of Taunton, and around the corner from a golf course! For more info check out http://www.869TownlineRoadNorth.com

Home Energy Retrofit Grants - Deadlines!

Home Energy Retrofit Grants - Deadlines for Eligibility
January 24, 2011 -- The federal and provincial governments provide grants to homeowners who undertake renovations that improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These programs are coming to a close as of March 31, 2011. See deadlines for eligibility below.

Details

Before undertaking any renovations, homeowners must first have an energy audit of their home performed by a licensed service organization (list of auditors provided at government web site address provided below). The evaluation report provides customized recommendations for renovations to improve the energy efficiency of the home. Once the homeowner has completed the renovations, a second audit must be undertaken within 18 months of the first one to determine the change in the home’s energy efficiency.

Deadlines for eligibility: Home energy retrofit grants are provided by both the federal and provincial governments. Both programs are ending as of March 31, 2011. To be eligible for federal grants, homeowners must have booked a pre-retrofit audit BEFORE March 31, 2010 and have the post-retrofit audit completed by March 31, 2011, or within 18 months of the date of the pre-retrofit evaluation (whichever comes first). Homeowners who booked a pre-retrofit audit AFTER March 31, 2010 can only access grants from the provincial government, but must also complete their post-retrofit audit completed by March 31, 2011.
For more information visit:
http://www.mei.gov.on.ca/en/energy/conservation/ohesp2/
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/grants.cfm?attr=0

Assume the best...

I received an email from Jennifer Allan today - she's a well known real estate coach/guru/positive person - after a hectic few days of crossed wires and mix ups this message really hit home for me. Essentially - many of us tend to assume that when someone's done something to hurt/annoy/inconvenience us, that it was done intentionally. Often this isn't the case, but just our assumption of that can accelerate an already bad or awkward situation into doomsville - Jennifer's suggestion is to choose to assume the best of people - perhaps that which was done wrong to us was not done maliciously or intentionally, but the result of being uniformed, confused, naive...you get the idea. This isn't to mean that we all be pushovers and let the world walk all over us, but I know that when I assume the worst of people it just casts a big cloud over my day - if the physical outcome of whether I assume the worst or the best is the same, and the emotional outcome is that I have a great day and move past a problem or frustration sooner - then I'd rather go with the latter. How about you?!

-Kyla :)

Rental Housing near Durham College & UOIT

Anyone having an interest in homes in the vicinity of Durham College and UOIT are encouraged to review the UPDATED BROCHURE - Residential Housing in the Vicinity of Durham College and UOIT which is available on REALTOR Link® (home page / Board news port) or on the City of Oshawa website (www.oshawa.ca/RRHL) for more details on residential rental housing standards and by-laws.

Newcastle Santa Claus Parade

What a great night....night you say? Yup - Newcastle had our Santa Claus Parade starting at 5:30pm this past Sunday - which was great because the fireworks display was fantastic (save and except for my dog freaking out and almost knocking over the baby stroller) - but also not so great as I thought it was a tad late for kids, especially little ones (maybe I'm a wee bit biased here). All in all it was a great scene - one of the umpteen reasons why I love living here - we have such an amazing community spirit, it's really a very special place in the world to be. To know more about Newcastle and it's residents, check out www.NewcastleLiving.ca - a site that I recently sponsored to help keep us connected (and sell gently used appliances, if need-be HA!)

Cheers,

-K