In case you are not sure of the title… it's Labour Day. The Backwards Holiday. Every year when it rolls around, I wonder why it is named Labour Day. Since it’s a Holiday intended to be just that, a Holiday – I would think a better name may be Relax Day or Lazy Day or Off Day or Sleep-in Day, maybe even Do-Nothing Day, something other than Labour Day.  After all, we know what Labour means.  And many will likely be celebrating Labour Day by Labouring. 

Labour Day came about because workers felt they were spending too many hours and days on the job.

    In the 1830s, manufacturing workers were putting in 70-hour weeks on average. Sixty years later, in 1890, hours of work had dropped, although the average manufacturing worker still toiled…

Walking into a new home after looking at resale is like walking into a warm lodge from the cold. With a new-construction home, you can choose everything from appliances to paint colors, tailoring the home to suit your needs and preferences. Newly built properties can offer fewer hassles, higher efficiency, and increased customization and you won’t have to rip up the carpet! These homes are desirable because you can customize them as you see fit!

Here are 3 Benefits of Purchasing
A New Construction Home!

#1 - You won't encounter a bidding war because homes are sold at a set price.

Selling a new construction home can offer a great opportunity to find the perfect home for your buyers! You won't have to encounter any more bidding wars of your home…

             You do not have to be a weather person to predict the weather this time of year.  We all know… it is the hottest time of the year.  But that is not all that’s hot.  The economy is red hot too.  By all measures the best economy in 20 years or so. 

             This is GOOD for most reading this, but there will be some exceptions.  There always are.  An example could be someone will sell a house and make out great, meaning a buyer pays a bit more than they would have not too long ago.  And in some areas, the opposite happens.  Seller does not make out that great, but the buyer does. 

Most homeowners who do NOT have to sell of course know this and will hold back on buying or selling.  That will of course impact supply and…

Secure your home before you leave so you can travel with maximum confidence and peace of mind. Locking up might seem too obvious to mention, but an estimated 32% of burglars enter through unlocked doors. Unless you have an extremely low-care yard, the lawn or garden will definitely need attention if you’re gone long enough. Make sure your landscaping professional continues working in your absence, and if you don’t have one, ask a neighbour or hire temporary help. If you live in a wintry climate, consider snow removal as well.

Hide or lock up your valuables, don’t broadcast your plans online, and get your security system ready! These home tips for when you’re on vacation will help ensure that you won’t return to any unpleasant surprises.

#1 - Set…

H A P P Y   F R E E D O M   M O N T H !

We assume the rights of freedom and debate its boundaries in politics, yet how often do we take time to reflect on what freedom means to us personally?

Freedom is not a concept carved from stone; it is malleable and personal, always shifting shape depending on where you find yourself standing and the angle of the slanting light.

My personal definition of freedom is the ability to act based on my convictions without external restriction or retribution. It is the ability to represent myself as I see myself to be, not having to hide or disguise who I am in order to pursue happiness, fulfillment, and growth. It is the power of free self-expression. Personal freedom is one of my top three values.

Of…

In the short term, renting may seem like the best option, but here the perks that owning your own home can create real value for you over time. Buying a home is a great achievement. While it may sometimes seem challenging, the many benefits that come with owning your own home make it all worthwhile.

1. Not Paying the Landlord's Mortgage

Most repayments include principal as well as interest, which means you’re putting some money towards owning more of your home. While renting seems to be cheaper, you won’t get any of that value back in the future. While it might not always feel like it, your mortgage repayments are a way of saving money. When you're deciding whether to continue renting or to buy a home, there's a lot to weigh up. If you decide…

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   D O N A L D ?

You guessed it right. June is Donald Trump’s Birthday Month. BUT why would I mention this to YOU?

Well, since you have been kind enough to be a part of our business, I wanted to take the opportunity to give YOU a gift on Donald Trump’s birthday.  I am sure Mr. Trump doesn’t mind. He seems to have plenty of stuff, so I’d like to celebrate his birthday by giving you (and those you know), TWO very special gifts! Yes, TWO gifts.

Gift #1 is my lifetime home sale guarantee.

Your Home Sold, Guaranteed, at Your Price or I’ll Buy It*

Yes, this is the guarantee I am most famous for. And you will know that whether it’s a super awesome real estate market or a housing recession, I have not wavered from…

Home maintenance can feel like a daunting chore — particularly for a new homeowner who’s never seen a boiler up close, let alone drained one but when your home is your biggest investment, maintaining is a must! It doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Owning and caring for a home is a big responsibility, but the right repair tools and maintenance tips allow for easy living. Smoothly navigate your home with our home maintenance checklist.  

It’s time to renew and revitalize your home maintenance checklist. Check out this comprehensive list of tasks this spring and start planning ahead. Set your reminders, keep careful records, and pamper your home the way it deserves!

 Replace Any Damaged Roof Shingles

Damaged shingles can seriously cut into the…

MIND YOUR MOM

Just about every May I sit down to write Homeward Bound; I write about Mom’s Day. And why not… it is a very special day for very special people.

My Mom used to tell me, seemingly repeatedly, to do this and do that, not to do this and not to do that.  ALL, I recall, very valuable advice. Looking back on it all these many years later, I can say she was, and still is, a very wise woman.

Time reveals, in fact, just about every caring Mother is a Wise Woman. I can see why we carve out a special day each year to acknowledge Moms.  So here is a shout out to all Mom’s – Happy Mother’s Day!!

My birthday is May 11th which somehow seems to fall on or very close to Mother’s Day each year.  So, my mom gets double the hugs and…

"The earth is a fine place and worth fighting for."

People are starting to come around to the idea that we need to become more sustainable to protect the Earth for future generations. Everything you do in your day-to-day life has an impact on the planet, from the food you eat to the car you drive. It involves reducing the amount of Earth's resources that you use to help protect it. To live a sustainable lifestyle you should try to have as little of an impact on the Earth as possible, while also trying to replace the resources you do use. 

Let us all celebrate Earth Day by making a few easy changes the Earth will appreciate. In its simplest form, it’s a day for people to step back, take a deep breath and appreciate Earth in all its splendor.