Every July, Canadian’s come together to celebrate our amazing country but now that the fireworks are over, you can show your Canadian pride at home. There are many options for decor that is truly Canadian; whether it’s iconic and historic brands or patterns and imagery, there is something for everyone when it comes to Canadian style at home. Here are some examples: Hudson’s Bay Stripes The symbol of the iconic Canadian department has become very trendy in recent years and now there are a variety of items adorned with the famous stripes. The most famous is of course the blankets
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On Canada Day, we must take a moment to think about what makes us truly Canadian. Put on your thinking toque, grab a caesar, double-double, or pop, while we consider some of those truly Canadian terms that we use around the home almost every day. But fear not, there’s no need to cause a kerfuffle; all Canucks will know what you mean, eh?  Eavestrough: Did you know that most of the World refers to these as gutters? Eavestrough is a 100% Canadian term. We wonder if this applies to the term “eavestroughing” for listening in on someone’s conversation? Hydro: Referring
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While lots of work is being done at all levels to ensure that the City of Ottawa as a whole is as eco-friendly as possible, there are a few communities that are leading the way. Everyone can make a difference, no matter where you live, but these neighbourhoods were designed with the environment in mind. Each is different but all are making a big impact. Greystone Village Located just minutes from the downtown core in both a scenic and historic setting, Greystone Village is Ottawa’s only public LEED-ND candidate community. LEED certification is given to projects that meet strict guidelines
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10 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home Being eco-friendly doesn’t need to be hard or even expensive. There are little things that we can all do around the house that can have a significant impact on the environment. It doesn’t need to happen overnight but every step counts in the journey towards preserving our planet. Here are 10 simple things that you can do around your home to make a difference: Turn the thermostat down a degree or two in the winter, and up a degree or two in the summer; your energy consumption will go down as will your
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Everyone knows spring tends to be the real estate “busy season” but that doesn’t mean that you are too late to list your home now that we are coming into summer. Summer can be a great time to list, specifically in the greater Ottawa area. Buyers purchase homes year round and there are certainly advantages to listing your home in the summer. Here are 6 reasons why summer is the perfect time to sell your home: 1.Active Buyers are More Serious. Although there may not be as many buyers in the summer, active buyers tend to be more serious when
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In the last few weeks, parts of the Ottawa area have seen record flooding and with the water slowly receding, it’s now time to think about the next steps. Whether you are a homeowner affected directly or just want to lend a helping hand, there is still a lot that will need to be done. Here is what you need to know, but for the most up to date information on everything flood related, it is important to check www.ottawa.ca regularly for updates. Homeowners Affected by Flooding:   Keep Sandbag Walls Up for the Time Being – with heavy rain
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It may seem tempting, to try and save money on commission, to sell your home yourself but it’s important to consider all the factors. In a lot of cases, sellers who choose to go this route do not come out ahead so let’s look at why.   What are You Really Saving? Let’s use as an example a 5% commission of the sale price of your home that you may pay to a full service real estate company for their services. When you list your home for sale with a Real Estate Professional, what you may not know is that
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Earlier this year, Netflix launched Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, a wildly popular series based on Marie Kondo’s bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. The series outlines, in a step by step guide, the Konmari method of cleaning and organizing and it has had everyone talking (and purging!) Second-hand stores have seen a surge of donations unlike they have ever experienced before and people are saying goodbye to many of their possessions with hopes of finding joy living in a more minimalist lifestyle. Whether you are preparing your home to list or just want to de-clutter, purging can
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How do you know if you’re ready to move? Besides deciding that it’s something you want to do in the new year, and planning for the big transition, how can you be sure it’s the right call? Has your family grown too big for the house? Perhaps it’s not by choice but due to work. Are you interested in downsizing? Here is a checklist you might want to review before you go looking for a new home. Looking For More Space? Homeowners often change properties because they outgrow it, this comes with starting a family, or expanding it. Whether this
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