Regina, SK

If you’re like most people, when it comes to getting decorating ideas for your Regina home, you probably turn to magazine pictures or furniture catalogues for inspiration. While these well decorated rooms are beautiful, they are also very safe. Try breaking out of your decorating rut to achieve the unexpected with a few rules, all of which were made to be broken!

Symmetry isn’t always best. While wall art and mirrors should stay balanced, when you balance accessories, it looks boring. Try using the same items mixed up, or find a unique way to group several items. Keeping in mind that less is more, you may even want to take a few things out of your room and bring the remaining pieces together in a new way.

On your dining table, place settings don’t have to match. As the holidays approach, you may be looking for a fun new way to present your entertaining table. Try choosing one unifying element in your table decor (like one color, a texture, or a theme) and mix it up. The informality a mixed table setting creates can make time with family and friends more comfortable.

All of your furniture doesn’t necessarily need to match the scale of your room. While it may be true that large furniture can crowd a small room, one oversized piece, like a sofa, can add substance to a room - just make sure you don’t go overboard (all the rest of the pieces should be in scale with the room). And, if you have smaller rooms, you can immediately make them appear bigger by eliminating clutter.
You don’t have to keep all your decor within one style. Contemporary and traditional furnishings can go nicely together and create a layered look, if they are mixed well. Make sure you choose one look that will dominate the space, and use eclectic pieces as accents.

For more decorating tips, read this online article. And if you’re ready to find a home to house all your decor, give me, Clair Whittington, a call! In the meantime, visit my website for more tips on home buying. I look forward to working with you to find your perfect home!

As colder weather is coming to Regina, we spend more time indoors and many of us use fireplaces to keep our homes warm. With this season, comes an increased threat to the possibility of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow these tips to prevent disaster and keep your family safe.

• Hunt for hazards. Prevention goes a long way - look around your home for hazards and remove them. Consider moving combustible chemicals outside, like paint thinner or gasoline, if you store them indoors. Or use a metal cupboard in the garage. Make sure there is nothing flammable near your furnace, fireplace, or barbecue that could catch fire.

• Get your fuel-burning appliances checked and cleaned. Every year, be sure to have your furnace, hot water heater, and fireplace/wood-stove professionally serviced.

• Never leave candles unattended and be sure to keep them clear of flammable materials, like curtains.

• Check to make sure you turn off your stove top, oven, and barbecue after use. Keep cooktops clear and do not wear loose fitting clothing around stoves, as they can easily catch fire.
• Make sure your home has operational smoke detectors - all homes built after 1997 are required to have them hardwired into the electrical system. Each level needs to have at least one smoke detector, and adding one for every sleeping area is a good idea. Also, be sure the batteries are good by testing the detectors monthly.
• Ensure that you have fire extinguishers that are all-purpose rated on hand, and you know how to use them. Put one in every vulnerable room, like the kitchen, garage, and workshop, and store them upright in a place where they won’t freeze.
• Develop an evacuation plan and discuss it with your family. In the unfortunate event that your home is affected by fire, you’ll want to be prepared. Put together a supply kit that will get you and your family through the first 72 hours of an emergency, and talk about the best ways to get out of your home, including a meeting spot once you’re out.

Find more information about emergency preparedness at www.redcross.ca and www.getprepared.ca.

If you’re in the market to buy or sell your Regina home, give me, Clair Whittington, a call. As your local Regina real estate professional, I have expertise in Albert Park and Grand Coulee. I’d love to help you find the perfect home for you and your family!

All of us have heard people talk about the benefits of organization, and when it comes to our homes, many of us here in Regina in say we could use more. While often considered a lofty goal, decluttering our homes is more than simply creating coloured labels on boxes. Instead, organization can be a crucial first step to living a whole, complete life.

How does a little organization lead to a more relaxed and fulfilled life? So many of us get caught up in the lie that the more we own, the happier we’ll be. It's really quite the opposite - our level of happiness in life is determined by the quality of our relationships, not the quantity of our belongings.

Many people blur the lines between stuff and life - believing that losing some of your stuff translates into losing part of your life. Ask yourself if holding on to that trophy from high school really enriches your life, and if getting rid of it will truly diminish those fond memories. And, do you really need to keep that punch bowl you haven’t used in years just because someday you might need it?

Recognizing the connection between physical clutter and emotional clutter will go a long way toward freeing you up to be more effective, efficient, and happy. Eliminating clutter and getting organized removes the stuff that is standing between you and the best life you could be living.

If you’re ready to tackle the clutter in your home, start with these tips:

1. Start by doing a thorough inventory of things rarely used (how many times in the past year?) and take a second look at your available space. Get rid of things you haven’t used in the past year - chances are, you don’t need them anyway.
2. Invest in furniture that doubles as storage space (like an ottoman with wheels, which can be used as a stool, seat, tray, and storage).
3. Rearrange kitchen shelves and counter space so healthier foods and cooking utensils are more accessible and put fine china on top shelves or pack them away to make room for the dishes you regularly use.
4. Declutter your home office - clear your desk of unnecessary papers (throw them away or file them). An uncluttered work space maximizes your efficiency - you’ll get more done in less time.
5. Clean out your garage by removing broken or unused items and install a wall unit or another storage system to protect what you must keep.

More ideas can be found in this online article and the book It’s All Too Much, by Peter Walsh.

If you take inventory and realize you need to buy a home that better fits your needs, I’d be thrilled to be your real estate expert! Give me, Clair Whittington, a call! In the meantime, visit my website for more tips on home buying. I look forward to working with you to find your perfect home and enrich your life!

There is plenty to do and see in the city of Regina, which is also the capital of the province. Whether you’re entertaining visitors to our lovely town, or are looking to learn more about the rich history of the RCMP, the Heritage Centre is for you!

Using state of the art exhibits, multimedia technologies, and engaging programming, the Centre tells the story of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police including the Force's role in the development of Canada, the role of the RCMP in policing over 200 communities across Canada, the challenges of serving as Canada's Federal Police Force, and the role the RCMP plays internationally.

The RCMP Heritage Centre has completed construction in May 2007, development of 10,000 sq.ft. of exhibits, a 27-minute multimedia show, a 2,000 sq.ft. temporary exhibit gallery and a 2,800 sq. ft. community programming room. An additional 8,000 sq.ft of exhibits will be developed which includes three new exhibits: The RCMP Musical Ride; The RCMP in Popular Culture; and Stories from the RCMP, implementing a series of outdoor interpretive elements, including enhanced educational and public programming, and also completing several architecture elements intended to enhance the visitor experience.

The RCMP Heritage Centre is located at 5907 Dewdney Avenue (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) on the historic grounds of the RCMP Academy, ‘Depot' Division, and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Price of admission for adults is $12, and children 2 and under are free. For more information about the RCMP Heritage Centre, visit their website.

Whether you’re new to the area, or a Canadian native, there is always something to do in Regina that is new and exciting. If you’re considering a move to our city or want to find the best Regina home for your needs, let me, Clair Whittington, show you around and help you find the perfect home for you. Backed by the full weight of Exit Realty Fusion, I’m ready and able to provide the most professional and knowledgeable real estate service possible. I look forward to hearing from you!

According to a recent survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate, women make up their minds faster than men when looking to purchase a home. When asked how long it took before they knew the home was a good match for them, 70% of women made up their mind the day they walked into a house, while only 62% of men did. Also, 9% more men than women needed two or more visits to a house in order to make their decision.

Additionally, some other differences between men and women were that women would rather live closer to their extended family than their job, men would prefer to be closer to their work. And, when considering how to use an extra 12 x 12 room for anything they wanted, besides office space, men were four times more likely to want an entertainment centre than their counterparts.

Men and women aren’t always different in their home buying approach, however. The study also revealed that both genders are becoming increasingly concerned with having office space in their homes (which is a relatively new trend), and both men and women say that having insecurity about the home’s safety is a deal-breaker.

This study underscores the importance of considering your mate’s needs when purchasing a home together. Assuming your needs will be the same as your partner may add some bumps to the road of home ownership, so be sure to discuss all of your wishes ahead of time. Also, be sure to communicate your needs clearly to your real estate agent, who can help you determine the most important factors for you in your home search as a couple.

If you’re ready to begin the journey toward owning a home, I’d love to give you my professional advice and assistance! Check out my website and free buyer’s guide, then give me a call! I look forward to working with you!