Georgetown, ON

Good Morning Everyone,

I just have a quick question and I hoping someone could share their two cents.

I currently have an active blog that I use regularly on Wordpress.com. As a Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA), I am considering transferring all my posts on wordpress to active rain. I believe in being consistent in one location opposed to trying to maintain several networking sites. I would like to make more of a contribution to active rain considering this is where my prospective clients are at. :)

Here is my question:

Do you think it would be beneficial for me to transfer my currently blog from wordpress.com to active rain and continue to use *just* my active rain blog account from now on?

Your opinion in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay (REPA)
Http://www.NessLindsay.com

"Giving you the freedom to sell homes"

When you dream of your dream home, what do you see? Each of us has a vision of what it will be, but getting as close to that vision as possible is a practical, step-by-step process that begins with finding a REALTOR^®. A REALTOR^® is your best ally throughout the home buying process. He or she can provide expert advice and help you determine how much you can afford, what kind of home you can buy in that price range, and where it may be located.

You've no doubt heard the phrase: location, location, location. That's because it's the most important factor in making any real estate purchase. To find the right location you must think of where you want to live both in broader terms and in more detail. First of all what type of area do you want to live in?

Urban: Urban communities offer the broadest range of housing types, but generally at higher prices than similar-sized homes in non-urban locations. jerri@johnsonassociates.ca

Suburban: The suburbs are typically made up of newer neighbourhoods, schools and shopping centres. Prices may or may not be lower than those of the central city, but you often get more square footage, larger rooms and bigger lots.

Smaller towns and cities: A slower-paced lifestyle and lower taxes and housing prices are often big draws to Ontario's smaller communities. There are fewer types of homes available and the number for sale could be limited. www.shesells.org

Rural: A stream flowing over a few acres sounds appealing and your housing budget will often buy you more in a rural setting than any alternative above.

Features
Once you've considered the broader location options above, it's time to think about the features you need and want in a home. Prepare a shopping list. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? One or two-car garage? Large backyard or small? List the features you are looking for as needs or wants.

Comparing homes and locations
Now you want to match the type of home you'd like with the location. Start reading the real estate ads in local newspapers and REALTOR^®-produced publications. These ads will give you an idea of the communities that best match your criteria for home and location. Drive through the communities that are likely candidates.

Check out the types of homes available, how well the neighbourhoods are maintained, the availability of schools and shopping, recreational and religious facilities. Be aware of drawbacks: highway noise, train tracks, airports and large industrial centres. Drive through the neighbourhoods at different times of the day.

Attend open houses in the areas you are exploring. You'll begin to understand which best suit your needs and which are in your price range.

Open houses also provide an excellent chance to meet the REALTORS^® hosting the events. Chances are that you'll select a REALTOR^® from among those you meet at these open houses.

You'll find the services of a REALTOR^® invaluable in helping you locate the home that's right for you

jerri@johnsonassociates.ca

www.shesells.org

articele from OREA

A lack of storage space is a common concern for many homeowners. Although a bigger problem for older homes, even new homes with all their closets and cupboards can seem cramped and cluttered.

There is a difference between not enough space and an ineffective use of space. The solution is to maximize all the space you have available. Most closets can hold much more than they do if they are properly organized. Not to mention all the valuable storage space lurking in nooks and crannies throughout your home.

Getting organized has become big business these days as busy people try to cram as much as possible into their lives - and their closets. A number of "organizer" stores have opened up dedicated entirely to storage solutions. The Ontario Real Estate Association and your local REALTOR^® offer the following tips and suggestions to help you make the most efficient use of your "space."

Closets
Professional organizers suggest emptying your closets completely before attempting to organize them. If you're like most people, you'll probably find some "hidden" treasures in your closets - things you either forgot you had or thought you had lost long ago. The trick of course is to purge as much as possible before trying to restore anything.

A variety of closet organizing units are available and you will definitely need to assess your storage needs before purchasing one. Also be sure to measure your closets carefully to ensure a proper fitting organizer.

You can also choose to create your own organizing "system" in your closets. For example, if you have two walls in your closet, you can add two rods, one above the other to hang shorter clothing such as pants, shirts and skirts. Install a shelf (or two) above your clothing rods and you have storage for boxes and items that don't get used frequently. The floor space of your closet is a good place for shoe organizers, luggage or storage boxes.

Storage boxes

SheSells.Org

Article taken from orea

Just like you take a car for regular tune ups to ensure it continues to run smoothly, your home also needs some special attention. There's a lot more to keeping up a house than cutting the grass and clearing snow from the driveway. Ensuring your home "looks" good and is in proper working order, not only makes it more attractive and comfortable, but it can also increase the market value of the property.

Homeowners who plan to move within a few years are often reluctant to invest time and money on improvement projects that may not pay them back. But unless these improvements are very specialized, any project you choose - from fixing leaky faucets to installing new energy efficient windows - will start to pay you back in energy savings and comfort long before you sell.

The wisest improvements you can make to any home are those that keep it running smoothly and bring it up to the standards of other homes in the immediate area. And these don't need to break your budget.

Easy maintenance, repairs
Start with simple repairs that don't cost a lot and you can do yourself: securing loose tiles, adjusting a door, installing a lock, repairing a leaky faucet or pipe, and so on.

It's also a good idea to locate and read your gas, electricity and water meters on a weekly or monthly basis. This will help you gain an understanding of seasonal increases and decreases in consumption and enable you to take measures to become more energy and water efficient. The savings could be substantial.

You should have your furnace inspected and serviced annually to ensure there are no problems and change or clean the filter regularly. Also, inspect the smoke and carbon dioxide detectors around your home. You want to be certain that these will work in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Bigger upgrades
While replacing leaky faucets can drastically improve a bathroom's appearance and cut down on water usage, sometimes it takes a lot more than that to bring an old bathroom, for example, to an acceptable standard.

A bathroom tune up can pay big dividends. The first items to replace should be the fixtures -- the sink, faucets, vanity, bathtub, shower, and toilet. This is where you will add value and save money by opting for a water-efficient fixtures and energy-saving devices.

The floors, walls and accessories are not an essential part of a bathroom tune-up, but you can save time and money when you do the complete overhaul at once, rather than one piece at a time.

If the decor in your home is bothering you, don't decide right away to rip everything out. All it may take to make your home look more attractive and in better repair are small improvements such as: refacing cabinets and counter tops, changing the colour scheme, repainting, hanging new wall coverings and installing new lighting.

Other good major home improvements include replacing old carpets and flooring with new, more durable products; adding a garage or a carport if your home does not have one; installing central air conditioning; repairing or adding a fireplace; upgrading your basement space; replacing old windows with new energy-efficient ones; adding terraces, wooden decks and fences that add privacy; and investing in landscaping that adds value and is easy to maintain

Articel taken from Orea

Moms, Dads and Grandparents of Halton Hills!

Here Some Halloween tips and a joke or two.

I found over the years that treating your kids to a spooky and fun Halloween dinner by black candle light for example made them less likely to eat tooo many candy on Halloween night. Just food for thought,LOL.

Keep walkways lit to your home and please make sure that your candle lit pumpkins are away from where costumes may catch the flame.

Make sure you review the basic everyday saftey tips on traffic and talking to strangers.

It is best to send an adult or older teenager with them so you know they will be OK.

Secure emergency identification discreetly within Halloween attire.

Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

Kids may know what is right and wrong on their own but peer pressure can be a bad thing.

Now for a smile and have a safe and happy Halloween!

And do you know why the Skeleton didn't cross the road?

Because he didn't have the guts!