Just in case you needed one more reason to buy a home in Kingston Ontario . . .
Kingston came in first place in Amazon's 2012 contest
The Most Romantic City in Canada !!
I was born and raised in Kingston so this comes as no surprise to me. I now live just a few minutes outside the City, in the Town of Gananoque which is equally (or greater) romantic but this contest was limited to Cities in excess of 80,000 people. (we have 5200 if we're lucky) 
The fun part is both places are equally gorgeous, both situated on water, Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River respectively. Both are filled with fantastic architecture and amazing history (think War of 1812) (think home of Canada's first Prime Minister). You can easily be within 20 minutes of hospitals, university, college, theatre, world class boating, (Kingston being the fresh water sailing capital of the world - 1976 Summer Olympics) the military base CFB Kingston, and wonderful employment opportunities abound; pretty much a self-sustaining community.
We still have a healthy and thriving housing market that has something for everyone; first time buyers, investors, families, downsizers, vacation property and of course, the multi-million $ luxury market.
I suggest you make a visit to our fantastic ROMANTIC community and see for yourself. Until you can physically get here, take a look at this wonderful website for more information and gorgeous photos
And when you do get here, get in contact with me and allow me the honour of introducing you to your next home!
Congratulations Kingston on being named Canada's Most Romantic City!
The Chew (a tv cooking show) spoke of the 60's being a time when people realized they could afford to entertain at home by way of dinner and cocktail parties. It became a time when food was more than just sustenance. It was a time of the ever popular Avocado Green appliances too.
Then we went thru the seasons of almond, black, white and stainless . . .
Guess what?
Nowadays, many people can't afford to go out to eat so they've come back to home entertainment. Dinner parties are huge again!
Also, the ever popular coloured kitchen appliances are making a comeback. 
Not only have high end Italian kitchens brought back colour such as the vibrant red cabinets (and also avocado green!),
Viking Appliances, for example, now come in such a variety of colours - take a look:
And, if you're not wowed by coloured stoves and ranges, and you're in the market for a new refrigerator, what about these fantastically cool refrigerators by Coolors . . .
From Coolors website:
"With Coolors’ silk screening process, the fridge becomes a unique work of art, featuring images and colors to suit your individual sense of style. Converting your favorite vacation photo into a work of art by one of their masters, you now can ornament your appliances and take them from drab to fab. And you’re bound only by your imagination – choose a coordinating color for the range hood, or a complementary pattern to finish your panels, resulting in a unified and original look. For more kitchen decorating ideas and to check out these cool, colored kitchen appliances, visit Coolors."
These aren't your Grandma's Avocado frigs!!! 
Even though we seem to be traveling back in time with our choices, we're doing it in a fresh new way. So invite your friends round for game nite with fondue and shrimp cocktails - enjoy!
And, if you're looking for a fresh place to call home, give me (Susan Emo - Your Gananoque Realtor) a call and let me help you find the perfect place to have friends over!
photos from Viking and Coolors.
Gananoque, ON
Each month I like to take a look back at my most viewed posts and see what is getting read the most. Often what is getting the most views doesn't match up with the most comments left. This is encouraging to me because I block any comments from non-members to avoid the dreaded spam. So if I'm seeing alot of Views, it tells me that perhaps it is the public finding, and reading my posts. 
But then again, I KNOW it is the Public finding me because month after month it is my Localism posts that get the highest count.
I love it when I get an email from a customer commenting on something they've read online. Or simply thanking me for pointing them in the right direction. Not every message is going to lead to a listing or a sale but they don't need to. I want to be a known name in my community. I love being the Go-To-Gal for information. I really enjoy the relationships that form from being an on-line personality!
I'm not afraid to let my personality show in what I write and I hope those that read me, enjoy it too. Thanks for reading!!
Susan Emo's Top Five for the month of January 2012 are:
Gananoque, On
Of course you want to display your good taste to the world . . .
You want to be known as the trend setter . . .
Of course you can afford it . . . Money is no object!
Unless you are planning on flipping your new investment property.
Then none of the above applies!!
Yesterday. I was approached by an out of area Buyer wanting to invest in a property local to me. There is some TLC required but structurely, the house is solid.
The Buyer starts listing all the things she wants to do with this property and, because her list is so lengthy , she expected the Seller to come WAY down in price.
Did I mention the home is already listed below market value?
So I ask to look at the list of improvements the Buyer thinks is necessary to flip this house and I see items such as:
Everything to make the home look shiny and pretty and new! (This was on top of a new roof, new windows and doors.)
Now improvements such as this would all be fine and well in the city or even in some of our high end rural areas but where this property is situated, there wouldn't be any possibility of this reselling for a profit (it wouldn't even break even)
I took the Buyer on a little tour, compliments of my ipad2, and showed her properties that had sold in the past year as well as any comperition currently on the market in this area . . .
Boy was she shocked!
Her argu
ment was:
"if we make it really really nice buyers will be fighting over it . . . everyone wants a soaker tub in these stressful times"!
My response was "no, if they could afford the price tag you're considering with all the upgrades, they would not be looking in this area - they would want to live over in ABC development. This is where first time buyers and new families are looking and they can't afford your taste!"
This house was already listed below market value considering the condition and the location. It needed basic upgrades but nothing fancy smancy!
Save all the latest trends for the home you're going to live in.
I am happy to say my buyers listened to me are purchasing this property to flip with a specific buyer pool in mind. AND, they are also going to buy another in an area where they can incorporate some of their own tastes and ideas a little bit more.
The rule of thumb is always upgrade to the condition and price the average buyer can afford for that specific area and save your best ideas for your own home!
If you are looking for an investment property or perhaps a home, I can help you buy or sell in various markets; give me, Susan Emo, a call. 
Looking for a home in Gananoque Ontario? No matter what your price range, we're sure to have something for you. (or we can find it!)
As of today, January 15th 2012 this is what we have available for sale within the Town of Gananoque:
Under $100K
$91,900 is the asking price of a 1bedroom, 1 bath Condo, apartment style
$100k TO $150k
$126,900 3 Bedroom, 1.5 bath semi
$134,799 3 bedroom, 1 bath detached, 2 storey
$137,900 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath detached, 2 storey
$144,900 3 bedroom, 2 bath detached, 2 storey
$150K TO $175k
$159,803 1 Bedroom, 1 bath Condo, Apartment style
$165.000 2 Bedroom, 1 bath Condo, Apartment style
$169,000 3 Bedroom, 1 bath detached, 1.5 storey
$169,900 3 Bedroom, 1 bath, detached, 1.5 storey
$169,900 2 Bedroom, 1 bath, Condo, Apartment style
$171,900 3 Bedroom, 1 bath, detached, 1 storey
$175K TO $200K
$184,900 1 + 1 Bedroom, 1 bath, detached, 1 storey
$189,900 2 Bedroom, 1.5 bath, detached, 1.5 storey
$189,900 4 Bedroom, 2 bath, detached, 1 storey
$199,000 3 Bedroom, 1.5 bath, detached, 1.5 storey
$199,900 3 bedroom, 1 bath, detached, 2 storey
$200K TO $225K
$209,999 5 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, detached, 2 storey with in-law suite
$214,900 4 Bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, detached, 2.5 storey
$219,000 1 storey detached property - open space.
$219,900 3 Bedroom, 2 bathroom, detached, 1 storey
$219,900 3 Bedroom, 2 bathroom, detached, 2 storey
$225K TO $250K
$229,900 3 + 2 Bedroom, 2 bath, detached, 1 storey
$239,000 2 bedroom, 1 bath, detached, 1.5 storey
$239,900 3 + 1 Bedroom, 3 bath, detached, 2 storey with 1 bedroom apt.
$239,900 3 + 1 Bedroom, 2 bath, detached, side split
$249,000 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, detached, 2.5 storey
$250K TO $275K
$257,900 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, Condo, Townhouse Style
$267,900 2 Bedroom, 2 bath, Condo, Apartment Style
$269,000 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, detached, 2 storey
$269,000 3 bedroom, 2 bath, semi-detached, 1 storey
$271,900 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath, semi-detached, elevated 1 storey
$275K TO $300K
$279,900 3 BEDROOM, 1.5 Bath, detached, 2.5 storey
$289,900 2 Bedroom, 2 bath, detached, 1 storey
If you are looking for something in excess of $300K, please call Susan Emo, YOUR Gananoque Realtor and I'll find you the perfect place!
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Susan Emo is a member: •Kingston and Area Real Estate Board "KAREA" •Ontario Real Estate Asssociation "OREA" •Canadian Real Estate Association "CREA" •Real Estate Council of Canada "RECO"
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