Jenny Kotulak Oakville Real Estate

Yes it's time to reveal the photo answer to my last Name That Photo posting. I don't really need to reveal the answer, as it was guessed by many smart people. I only have to post the reveal photos.

I zoomed in on the base of Tews Falls in Dundas, Ontario to take the photo. There is a great hiking trail between Tews Falls and Webster's Falls (see a previous post for photos) I recently found out that Hamilton, Ontario is the Waterfall Capital of The World due to the number of different types of falls in the area. Dundas lies just on the outskirts of Hamilton about a half hour drive from my home.

I am now on a mission to check out many of the other waterfalls in the area. Next on my agenda, when I get a chance will be the Devil's Punchbowl.

I had no idea that there was such a beautiful waterfall located so close to Oakville, Ontario. Webster's Falls is located in nearby Dundas, Ontario close to Hamilton. From Webster's Falls you can follow a trail to nearby Tews Falls. What a wonderful place to spend an early fall afternoon.

I look forward to writing a future blog post with more photos and tales from Webster's and Tews Falls.

Jenny Kotulak Photos

Copyright 2009

Windows of the World Photography

WoW 2009

It was a chilly 56 degrees F. with a strong wind just before sunset this evening when I spotted this brave? soul taking to Lake Ontario with his surf board at Bronte Beach in Oakville. Yes, Lake Ontario, where the current temperature was hovering around 67 degrees F.

Living on Lake Ontario for all these years, I must say I never really thought too much about all the related statistical information. I did a bit of research and here are a few interesting facts and figures.

• Lake Ontario is the 14th largest lake in the World
• It ranks 4th among the 5 Great Lakes in maximum depth, but average depth is second only to Lake Superior
• It is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area.
• Lake Ontario is 193 miles long and 53 miles wide
• The average depth is 283 feet and the maximum depth is 802 feet
• The water surface area is 7,340 square miles
• Shoreline length is 712 miles

Lake Ontario lies 325 feet below Lake Erie at the base of Niagara Falls. Champlain first called it Lake St. Louis in 1632. In 1660 Creuxius changed the name to Lacus Ontarius. Lake Ontario in Iroquois means Beautiful Lake.

There were no boats to be seen on the lake this evening. There were lots of fishermen. And one lone surfer. Summer is over. But it didn't matter to this fellow as Lake Ontario was making waves.

September is here and it's the second most popular time of the year to sell a house. We all know about the spring market. But did you know the spring market starts earlier now? Late February used to be the beginning of the spring market when people began to get cabin fever and went house shopping.

Now the spring market starts heating up about the middle of January unless we have an unusually hard winter and people are snowed in. Some sellers whose homes were on the market and didn't sell take them off the market for the holiday season and in January they are re-listed along with new to the market inventory.

But back to the fall market. Most sellers listing their homes in the early fall market want to be moved before the holiday season starts so that they may enjoy the festivities in their new home.

What can you do to your home to make it shows at it's best in the fall season?

1. Get new pillows for your sofas and chairs. Textured fabrics in warm jewel tones will warm up your room. Add a luxurious throw.

2. Add new candles to your room with great fall scents like pumpkin or apple spice. Do not leave candles lit if you are away from your home for a showing.

3. Change your artwork or decor. Vivid paintings will brighten up your rooms on dark, dull days.

4. Change your bedding. Replace your summer duvet cover with a warm, cozy comforter with an extra woolly blanket laying at the bottom of the bed.

5. Add an area carpet to hardwood floors in living room and bedrooms.

6. Buy some new luxurious towels and hang them just for showings.

7. Change your shower curtain and liner and don't forget the bathmat.

8. Add a new fall wreath to the front door.

9. Place some seasonal plants in an urn or in the garden.

10. Rake the leaves and clean up the deck or patio. Throw away old hanging baskets.

And don't forget, your house doesn't need to be on the market to make use of the tips above. Making seasonal changes to your decor gives your home a fresh new look and puts you in the mood of the season. All of this can be done with a limited budget. Go searching in the basement, crawlspace, garage (do you know what's in there? You would be surprised at what you can recycle. Remember the glassware, vases, candles you received as gifts? Now might be the time to find a "home" for them.

Many sellers are nervous about listing their homes for sale in the late fall. They fear that there won't be any buyers looking to buy during the holiday season. My answer is that although there may be fewer showings, they are usually quality showings. Usually people looking at homes during the holiday season are serious buyers. Another bonus to having a home on the market at this time of the year is that they show well with trees, lights, wreaths, holly, fireplace decor and roaring fires ( most are gas or electric today, but they still have the same effect). Again if you do have a woodburning fireplace DO NOT have a fire going if you leave the house for a showing.

Watch Your Step

Photos by Jenny Kotulak. Windows of the World Photography. WoW 2009.

Photo location: New Dundee, Ontario

Explore Backroads Ontario and enjoy the rich history Ontario has to offer.

Photos may be used with permission.