Montreal, QC

I just received a Montreal casting call for a new home reno show to premiere on W Network in May. Filming will take place in Montreal. So, do you wanna be on TV?

If you've got a room you want to renovate, that can be done in about 2 days, you or your partner is handy, and you wouldn't mind being filmed while you agonize over details, argue over paint colours, smash your finger with the hammer, sweat like a pig, and pull your pants up constantly (no flashing! this is TV after all), then read on.

By the way, if you're accepted, the cost of all materials is covered (the show is partnered with RONA).

Good luck!! Show airs in May.

Here's what they're looking for:

- English-speaking handy men or women (DIY types or pros) in Montreal who have a room in their own home they need to renovate.

- The handyman and his/her spouse would both be featured in the show, so they should both be outgoing. Only one of them needs to be handy.

- The show is about renovation; not home staging or interior decorating.

- The couple should have a specific renovation project in mind but have possibly been putting it off due to lack of time or money. The reno project should be room-specific and should be something which is do-able in a few days.

The show will supply the materials for the reno, and the handyman or woman would be doing the actual work on the room.

Anybody who thinks they might be right for the series should contact Stacey Tenenbaum ASAP at roomreno@gmail.com (Stacey is with Zone 3 Productions www.zone3.ca )

They should send info about themselves, their home, and the reno they have in mind. They should also include pictures of themselves and their room.

My best advice to you, if you want a good shot at this, is to think of your e-mail to Stacey as an audition. You want to stand out, and you want your personality to shine through. Oh, and when they say ASAP, they mean ASAP!

Good luck! And please keep me posted!

Here are the top 5 things I love about Montreal. If you like trying new things, and don't mind flying by the seat of your pants sometimes, you've GOT to visit. Here's why:

1. The Restaurants

We have restaurants on every corner, featuring food of every ethnicity, in every price range. And it's GOOD. Variety is the spice of life, and here Montreal excels.

From the usual Greek and Italian, to sushi and Japanese grill houses, to Ethiopian and Indian, to Polish and Jamaican...you name it, we've got it. And the universal dress code in Montreal is ... jeans and a great top! And great shoes. That'll get you in and comfortable just about anywhere.

2. The Fashion

Montrealers are known for dressing beautifully. The city is home to some great fashion designers, but I'm talking about the way Montrealers, the citizens, dress. From the hair, to the shoes, to the clothing, to the accessories, Montrealers have got it goin' on.

Come downtown and enjoy the show...and maybe you'll pick up some ideas about how to spruce up your own look. We suburbanites do this often : )

3. The Joie de Vivre

Literally translated as "The Joy of Living," there is a relaxed nature to the city (outside of politics, of course), to the way we live, to the way we eat, drink and be merry. It's hard to describe because it's more of a feeling than anything.

The city is full of culture, and music, and festivals. In the summer, we have the Grand Prix, the Jazz Festival, the Comedy Festival, the Fireworks Festival and loads of open air concerts.

It's unlike any other place, and it's based on the mix of cultures: French of course, but also Greek, Italian, Irish, Asian, African, Haitian. Which brings me to my next point...

4. The Mix of Languages and Cultures

Despite what you may read in the newspapers, the vast majority of English-speaking and French-speaking Montrealers get along well. We marry each other, we have friends of both cultures, our kids have friends of both cultures, and we really are, for the most part, one big happy family. There's something very enchanting about being at dinner with friends and hearing the conversation move easily from English to French, back to English again.

I'm not a francophone, and neither is my husband, but our kids go to French school...and their "franglais" is delicious. One morning, my son, Zachary, said to his brother, "Tyler, we're habillé comme hiver!" Translation: Tyler, we're dressed like it's winter. And they don't even know they're doing it : )

5. The Driving

Quebecers know how to drive. That's probably not what you've heard, but I swear it's true.

We're assertive drivers, though, and we don't go easy on the slow among us. With that in mind, here's the #1 tip I can give you if you're ever driving in Montreal:

When merging into a lane, DO NOT SLOW DOWN. You must SPEED UP TO MERGE. We'll let you in, no problem, but not if you're going slower than us.

(This contrasts sharply with driving in Ottawa, where a person's intention to merge into a lane is seen as an affront to the personal space of the drivers in that lane...LOL)

So when are you coming to visit this crazy, fun, special, exciting city? I swear, it'll make you feel young again...

Despite the best of intentions, I really got nothing done over the holidays. As a certain someone was thinking of the time he would have off during Christmas and New Year's as an opportunity to perfect his Guitar Hero performance of all things Van Halen, I was relishing the opportunity to get my Montreal home staging and Montreal real estate business in gear for 2010: to assess how 2009 had played out, input all my expenses, make sure my invoices were all aligned with accounts receivable, lay out my plans for 2010 and the steps involved to get there, etc. You know, all the stuff we business owners really should be doing to prepare for the year ahead.

I got none of that done.

Here's what I did get done:

Skating with my family and friends on the outdoor rink in the Old Port of Montreal on Christmas day. It was magical.

Laughing with my dear, sweet in-laws, who are going through some terrible health issues and yet have managed to retain their sense of humour.

Escaping to Ottawa with my husband and two boys for a few days. This involved touring the Museum of Civilization, seeing the IMAX movie Wild Safari (AWESOME!), and driving to the Prime Minister of Canada's house -- we didn't get invited in : ( Here's a shot of one of the First Nations' carvings in the Great Hall of the Museum. It is huge and awe-inspiring.

Seeing old friends in Ottawa, visiting with their kids who are growing up way too fast, and enjoying the company of people who have known us for so long, none of our conversations with them need an update on context. Know what I mean? We can talk about anything, and they know where we're coming from and why.

Looking through the great pictures we've taken over the last year and reminiscing about where we were when we took what shot.

Celebrating New Year's with our great friends and letting the boys stay up to toast the New Year with us.

Speaking on the phone with family who live too far away for my liking.

Reading a great book: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

Talking about my business plan for 2010 with my husband, the best business and time management coach anyone could ask for. Here he is with our sons, pointing to a 1970s picture of a crab fisherman at the Museum in Ottawa and asking, based on the hair, "Is that you, Grandpa?"

Snuggling for hours with my boys (all three : ), covering them with kisses, and looking into their eyes and really LISTENING to them.

Yup, I got nothing done over the holidays. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do...

Divided And Undivided Condominiums Together In One Complex In Mile End, Montreal

Most recently, I was involved in 2 condominium sales of a different nature. The "Villeneuve" project is a renovation/restoration project of some 47 units on 3 Streets in Montreal. The buildings are triplexes (3 units per building). On Villeneuve Street, in the Mile End sector of Montreal, it extends from Jeanne Mance eastward to the next Street which is Esplanade. Bordering this row of buildings on both Jeanne Mance and Esplanade are 2 semi-detached buildings on each Street.

A unique feature of this complex: a boiler heating building at the back with a studio condo unit newly added within. This is the central water boiler heater for all units within the complex. I understand this was the first and now only remaining exterior central heating unit left in Montreal and therefore quite unique, adding to the historical value of the complex.

The interesting part for the real estate community is how the complex was re-structured by the renovator to allow current renters to remain while the complex was slowly renovated for resale.

Consideration had to be given to the city's requirement to maintain the boiler room building within the complex and to respecting the province’s laws. To accomplish this, a Horizontal condominium association was formed to account for the common areas within the complex including the boiler building. As the renovator's intention was to sell off all the units, they then created an undivided structure for each triplex (building with 3 floors, 3 units). This was called the Vertical condominium association and there is one for each building.

A little segue here for explanation: The law in Quebec does not allow a building to be a divided condo unless there is a resident owner for each unit within a building. Should a condo association agree to allow its owners to rent out their condos then it is okay as it is within the rules of the government’s definition. This undivided status allowed the renovator to sell off one unit at a time within a building.

The way this was done was for the renovator to own unsold units, rented out or unoccupied, and for new condo owners of units to own the building together within the undivided category. Once all 3 units in a building are sold, they can then apply to be converted to divided condo status with the government. For more information on the difference between Undivided and Divided condominium status in Quebec, please read my blog titled: “Condominiums: What are the Types of Co-Ownership in Quebec”.

Photo below:

The photo at left shows the old storage sheds restricting views out the back. The photo at right is the most recent. The balconies were opened up and smaller storage sheds installed. A new fence, balconies, stairs and courtyard and other improvements have rejuvenated the outside space and complex. Above the old boiler room, black framed door and window at bottom, has been converted and sold as a condo unit.

Two major North American holidays have already passed this summer, as time flies quite quickly. These holidays were Victoria Day for Canadians and Memorial Weekend for Americans. For many of us, these holidays are considered the beginning of summer although, not officially. Many homeowners who are preparing to sell their home are faced with having guests stay with them during their transition. This leads to guests from out of town temporarily staying while the open house is taking place and while potential buyers are busy looking at every aspect of your home.

Your guests might not have their quarters in tip top shape. After all, they are on a vacation and tend to be more laid back as they should be. This is where staging a guest room is very important. What can be done to make your guest room while it is being occupied, still conform in unity with the entire house? This is very simple. Allow guests to know about home staging and what it entails and why you are using it. Explain to them that they must tidy all possessions left unattended within their room. These include luggage, digital camera, laptops etc. Personal belongings need to be placed away from the potential buyer's eye.

Towels should be clean and fresh. Spraying or burning any form of lavender scents are perfect for the bedroom as they are associated with slumber. Having the bed made at all times will also be a big bonus to potential buyers and the current homeowner.

In Montreal, the summer is so short that despite having your home for sale you can still enjoy and welcome guests despite your home being listed on the market.