Fake It Until You Become It - Happy - 04/29/12 07:18 AM

There is some advice that is so generic that it seems silly to write about it.  However, I recently was introduced to someone who had just moved to the city.  Like everyone else that she was meeting, I asked how her how she was doing and how she liked Ottawa.  I certainly did not expect to get a long diatribe of all that bothered her.  All I wanted to do was get away from her and her anger – sorrow – loneliness – feeling of resentment – etc,  etc.  What I wanted to hear was that she was coping and … (41 comments)

Seven Things to do After You Get the Key to Your New Home - 04/27/12 08:52 AM

You have just left the lawyer’s office with the key to your new home.   The lawyer has ensured that you have insurance for the house and that the title will be transferred in due course.  Everything is set up for you to go to what is now your new home.  What things should you go within the first few days or weeks?
Quick Walk Through
1.  Be ready to do a quick walk through of your home – before you move in any boxes, furniture etc.   You want to see: that the home is move-in ready; that the owners have … (13 comments)

When Neighbours Go Bad - Fences - 04/26/12 05:40 AM

 
There was an article in the Ottawa Citizen today about a family that built a solid wood fence in the front yard to screen off the neighbour and the neighbour's garbage bins.  The fence is solid and over 8 feet high - in the front yard.  So, someone complained and the by-laws have kicked in.  According to the article, if no one complains, even if the fence does not meet the requirements, the city will not take action.  However, when there is a complaint, the by-law officers show up and the fence needs to be changed.  I expect the … (49 comments)

The Influence of a Few Good Home Stagers - 04/21/12 02:01 PM
One of my favourite pastimes is to look at all of the work of the ActiveRain stagers.  Just when I think that I have my home the way I like it, along comes a theme or a noticeable trend and I start getting the itch to make changes.  For example,  I have noticed that poppy pictures are, dare I say it, popping up in the after photos of a lot of the Home Stagers.  Just a few sample:  
 Julia Fedak,  Valerie Sagheddu,  Maureen Bray,  Peg Barcelo-Jackson , Kristine Ginsberg,   Cathy Tarrant, and  Kathy Nielsen 
I have been on the hunt for my own poppy … (20 comments)

Just beginning. A trip to IKEA - 04/18/12 06:14 AM

 
Last weekend my brother was visiting Ottawa.  We drove past the new humongous IKEA (supposedly the biggest one in Canada to date).  He said that Winnipeg (where he lives) is currently in the throes of a growth spurt, including the construction of (yes, you guessed it) the biggest IKEA in Canada.  LOL  Big or smaller, those stores are amazing.  Some queuing expert has figured out how to get us in and out in the most expeditious fashion possible.  Also, the stock has gone uptown.  It used to be that the cheapest of the cheap could be purchased in a … (19 comments)

I have often walked down these streets before - 04/14/12 08:58 AM

Now that the good weather is here, I am out almost daily walking in my neighbourhood, walking down those streets where I have walked before.  I just might be Freddy, looking for Eliza.  There are many “Fair Ladies” on these streets.  These are homes that have been around for 60 to 100 years.  Over time, many have become dilapidated and a bit worn down at the edges.  These are the homes where the owners were “The Dolittles”.  From time to time, someone will come along, like Henry Higgins, and decide that something can be done with these houses.  They make … (24 comments)

Great Exterior Presentation - 04/14/12 07:58 AM

I like the way this house is presented.    
 
 
I took the photo while on a walk this week so you can see that the trees are not yet out, the flowers have yet to bloom and the grass is just now turning green.
Once the trees are out it will be impossible to have a good photo of the house from this angle.
I have walked past it over the years and would love to drop in and just tell the owners that they do a great job presenting their home to the public.
I think … (17 comments)

The Butt Stops Here - 04/13/12 01:27 PM
Today was perfect for a long walk through the park with my camera.  
I thought, when I took this photo, that there are going to be even more of these cigarette butt boxes soon.  
The City of Ottawa has increased the number of places, such a public parks, were you CANNOT smoke.  
Effective April 2, you can no longer smoke on public patios or at parks and beaches.  This is 24/7.
 As a former smoker (and we are the worst) this is good news.  The lower the exposure to smokers, the lower the temptation to smoke. 
 
… (18 comments)

Happy Easter! - 04/08/12 08:54 AM
Now that Lent is over, time to roll up the shirt sleeves and start downing the chocolate and all those goodies.  We had the Easter Egg Hunt yesterday afternoon and it was fun to see if the kids could find all of the candy.  
Remember, the chickens were involved but the pigs were commited to making your Easter Supper a good one.  
 

… (14 comments)

Top 10 Odors That Homebuyers Hate - 04/06/12 11:47 AM
The Scott Loper Team has provided such a thorough analysis of what types of smells can offend Buyers (okay and Easter guests to our homes).  It is certainly worth a read.
Via The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group - Harleysville & Conshohocken PA):
Every home has a predominant odor (sometimes there are competing odors) and most homeowners are so used to the odor(s), that they cannot perceive it.
However, according to researchers at UC Berkeley, it takes less than a hundred milliseconds for a person walking into a new environment to determine if an odor is pleasant … (9 comments)

You Can't Always Get What You Want - 04/05/12 07:21 AM
Even the Rolling Stones know this.

You can't always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need.
When you are shopping for a house or for furniture for your home there are going to be some limitations on getting what you dream that you want.  These can be budget, location and  condition for the house.  They can be budget, room size, style, availability and a whole lot of other factors that will start you narrowing down a furniture purchase.
Sometimes I look at those huge homes with front foyers that … (21 comments)

Applied Elbow Grease - Before Your House is on the Market - 04/03/12 03:57 AM
There is so much to do to get a home ready to sell.  You, the Seller, have been told to turn your home into a salable product.  Of course there are lists and ideas on what to do that your agent will give you or you will find here in AR.  Today, I want to focus on the appliances in your kitchen.  In some areas, such as Ottawa, the norm is that the appliances will be included.  Even if they are not, Buyers are snoops.  They look everywhere INCLUDING inside your appliances.  Walk into your kitchen, as though you are a … (25 comments)

Just because it was recommended on HGTV - 04/02/12 04:03 AM

There are a myriad of home improvement shows on television.  Homes are improved, updated, changed and sold and it all looks so terrific.  I recently saw one of these shows and the "paint expert" recommended a Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172 colour for walls.  He said it had a hint of green.  I have a lot of green in my home and thought - wow, I could do grey walls that would update my home and still be okay with the furniture and furnishings that I own.  Off we went to the paint store and got a small paint chip to … (106 comments)

A Penny Earned is No Longer Income - 04/01/12 03:44 AM

This is not an April Fool's Joke. 
On Thursday, the Canadian Federal Government announced that the Mint will no longer be producing the penny and that it will be pulled out of circulation.  Apparently is cost 1.6 cents to produce a penny.  Millions or maybe billions of pennies are in jars and couches, the bottom of purses and on sidewalks (where no one thinks it worthwhile to stoop and pick them up).  We grumble about the amount of change in our pockets so we should be happy that one of our coins is going out of circulation.  However, the penny … (76 comments)

 

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