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 this guarantee.  The peace of mind from a guarantee like this is a fantastic gift. I can think of none better.

My team and I are committed to results.  In fact, Results Oriented is one of our core values. For more than 37 years people have been coming to us when they want their home sold, at their price and with the least hassle.  We look forward to the next years of Guaranteed Results for area homeowners. 

If you or a friend are thinking about selling, make sure to choose a real estate company you can trust!

A real estate company with experience, proven results and a give-back philosophy!

Gift #2… 
Donations to SickKid’s Hospital on Your behalf.

In last month’s letter, I updated you on our goal of raising $50,000 for SickKid’s Hospital this calendar year. In case you missed it, we donate a portion of our income from home sales to SickKid’s Hospital.  

Since that letter, we have received  referrals. That’s more families wanting to buyer or sell a home, referred to us by clients like you.  This means we have been able to contribute a lot toward this very worthy cause.

YOUR REFERRALS HELP THE COMMUNITY! Keep them coming!

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to my real estate sales team?  Not only will they benefit from our award-winning service and iron clad guarantees but the community at SickKid’s Hospital will benefit as well.

Just give me a call or pass my number on to anyone you know considering buying or selling. My number is  416-571-2724 (ARCI)

They are able to provide this care and keep patient costs to a minimum due in large part to Donations and Sponsorships. Their Research Centre which contributes to many breakthroughs solely relies on donations so it’s crucial they get the monetary support they need. We are proud to be an official sponsor of SickKids Hospital.

So, YOUR REFERRALS DO REALLY HELP THE KIDS… 

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to our real estate sales team? Not only will they benefit from our award-winning real estate service, a very worthy cause will benefit as well. To refer anyone considering buying or selling a home contact Lino Arci or pass Lino Arci’s contact info on to them!  Thank you in advance for your referrals!

Over the decades of helping thousands and thousands of families sell or buy the place they call home, we have met so many wonderful, loving, caring people. We are so grateful. Thank you for reading over this months Homeward Bound, and thank you for referring anyone you know considering buying or selling to my team. They will be in good hands and a very worthy cause will benefit as well. 

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 life of a roof. To keep your house secure, it’s important to regularly evaluate and replace damaged shingles to make sure your home is safe and dry. Learn to properly evaluate, remove, and replace damaged shingles efficiently.

 Repair Or Replace Damaged Exposed Wood

Homeowners face a difficult choice on whether the wood should be replaced or repaired? Wood can rot in places where it can weaken a structure. If the wood is badly damaged and it is possible to replace it with a reasonable amount of work, replacement is the best solution.

 Check The Gutters and Downspouts

Get a head start on prepping your home for the colder seasons. Take a look at these steps of cleaning out your gutters and downspout before fall.

• Gutters and downspouts are installed along a roof’s edge 
  to capture and direct runoff. A clogged or damaged gutter often fails to move water away from the structure efficiently and can lead to puddling, leakage and even structural damage. 
• Clean out and inspect gutters at least twice a year or more frequently if damage is suspected or nearby trees lose enough leaves to potentially clog up the gutter or downspout.
• Always use caution when working on a ladder. Make sure the ladder is firmly planted on even ground and use a spotter.

 Fill Any Low Areas With Compacted Soil

Compacted fills are used beneath foundations where it is necessary to raise the grade of the structure above existing ground or to replace unsatisfactory surface soils.

 Fill Cracked Concrete

They are a natural part of concrete curing and getting hard. There are very good repair options to keep cracks from getting worse, but no good method for making them go away

 Seal Any Deteriorating Brickwork

Any cracks, areas of insufficient mortar, and damage to the brick, should be repaired as quickly as possible. Performing regular checks of your brickwork to identify damaged areas is crucial to prevent deterioration. 

 Check Sprinklers, Faucets, & Hoses

Locate and inspect each of your valve boxes. Are they flooded or dry? They should be dry. If they’re wet, check them carefully for worn parts, loose wiring, or water leaking out between fittings. If you are doing the repairs yourself, estimate and purchase the parts you will need and make the repairs all at once or reach out to your local landscaper or plumber to take care of it.

  Recaulk or Replace Weather Stripping

The best way to check on your weather stripping is to take a lighter or a candle, and hold it roughly an inch from the stripping. Move the light back and forth around the stripping. If you see any wind or airflow, it’s time to replace your weather stripping.

 Patch Holes In Window Screens

Badly ripped window screens should be replaced, but most small tears can be easily repaired. Fill small holes in nylon or fiberglass screens with a few drops of instant adhesive, sealing the damaged area. Mend small tears in metal or fiberglass screens with a dab of clear silicone adhesive.

 Clean And Service The AC Unit

Heating and Air Conditioning equipment, no matter what kind you have, should be inspected, cleaned, and serviced at least once a year. The best scenario is to have the heating system checked in the Fall and the air conditioning checked in the Spring. If you will not do the regular aircon servicing then dirt and dust will get deposited in its filters. This deposition of dust and dirt in the filters affects its working and your air conditioning system will need to invest more effort in its working.

Looking for the perfect family home in Vaughan? Get in touch—we know the local market, inside and out!

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 11^th which somehow seems to fall on or very close to Mother’s Day each year.  So, my mom gets double the hugs and appropriate accolades every May from me and my family.

If you or a friend are thinking about selling, make sure to choose a real estate company you can trust!

A real estate company with experience, proven results and a give-back philosophy!

Unfortunately, My Mom’s Mom is no longer here. I am sure that makes her very sad this time of year.  I am sure some reading this can relate and have similar stories.  For ALL those whose Mom is no longer with us, may you remember the best about them. In addition to that, there are also many who never knew their Mom due to unfortunate circumstance. I bet someone played that role in their life and they too deserve a Happy Mother’s Day!

Regardless, we can celebrate this Mother’s Day knowing Moms both here and no longer here are special in more ways than we can count. 

Especially… the Moms being helped by SickKid’s Hospital.

The reason for the headline is because 30 seconds is about all it takes to think about who you know that may be considering buying or selling the place they call home and to give us a call.  If it is you, then awesome! If it’s a friend or family member, that’s great too!

They are able to provide this care and keep patient costs to a minimum due in large part to Donations and Sponsorships. Their Research Centre which contributes to many breakthroughs solely relies on donations so it’s crucial they get the monetary support they need. We are proud to be an official sponsor of SickKids Hospital.

So, YOUR REFERRALS DO REALLY HELP THE KIDS… 

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to our real estate sales team? Not only will they benefit from our award-winning real estate service, a very worthy cause will benefit as well. To refer anyone considering buying or selling a home contact Lino Arci or pass Lino Arci’s contact info on to them!  Thank you in advance for your referrals!

Over the decades of helping thousands and thousands of families sell or buy the place they call home, we have met so many wonderful, loving, caring people. We are so grateful. Thank you for reading over this months Homeward Bound, and thank you for referring anyone you know considering buying or selling to my team. They will be in good hands and a very worthy cause will benefit as well. 

“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. 

Here are 6 Easy Ways To Live
More Sustainably

#1 – Fix Leaky Faucets

Get Handy! Now is as good a day as any to make one minor repair that can not only save you money but can make a huge impact on the environment. Even if you only have one leaky faucet in your house dripping at a rate of one small drip a minute, that still can amount to more than 30 Gallons of water wasted each year.

Earth Day is the perfect day to grab a wrench and tighten those pipes. And if you have more of a “green thumb” than a “handy bone” then it can be the perfect reminder to call that plumber.

#2 – Turn Down Your Water Heater

It’s easy to set your water heater and just forget about it but in fact, if your water heater is set too high, you might be wasting valuable electricity. Make it a seasonal setting with a higher temperature in the winter and a cooler temperature in the summer to conserve energy more effectively. 

In addition, you can invest in a hot water heater blanket to help your water heater conserve heat and use less energy.

#3 – Switch To LEDs

Switch to LED Lighting this Earth Day! Why? Because they’re brighter, providing better light for workspaces, uses less wattage, have no mercury content, runs cooler than other bulbs, and lasts longer than other fluorescent or incandescent bulbs! LEDs provide environmental benefits, plus savings, safety, and security!

LEDs are versatile in application and use at least 80% less energy than incandescent lighting, a highly efficient lighting technology! The use of LED lighting has the greatest potential impact on energy savings in all countries. It’s empowering to know that one small change, like replacing a light bulb, could have such a major impact—especially when it can be so simple.

#4 – Start A Compost Pile

This Earth Day when we all show our support for environmental protection. Collecting organic trash and composting helps the environment in many ways. And it’s easy to do!

#5 – Invest In Energy Star Appliances

As homeowners, energy-efficient appliances are essential to help you save money and energy, protect the environment, and enhance your lifestyle. Thus, the more energy-efficient home appliances you use, the lower your utility bills will be while protecting the environment from harmful gases such as carbon dioxide.

Here are the significant benefits of using these helpful home appliances:

• Helps Prevent Greenhouse Emissions
• Helps You Save Water
• Helps Save Money
• Helps Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
• They Can Help Enhance the Quality of Your Life

There are a lot of benefits when you go the energy-efficient way. Using energy-efficient appliances, you’ll not only save money and reduce your monthly energy bills, but you can also help conserve and protect the environment.

#6 – Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

Reduce your waste, Reuse anything you can, and Recycle the things you no longer use.  Look for ways you can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle throughout your home. You’ll save natural resources, energy, and money, and you’ll reduce waste sent to landfills. Keep in mind that cutting your waste might not happen overnight, but it’s important to make the effort. The planet will thank you for it.

While it’s great to have a day on the calendar to mark the celebration of our home, shouldn’t we be grateful for our planet every day of the year? 

Looking for the perfect family home in Vaughan? Get in touch—we know the local market, inside and out!

Give Me 30 Seconds and We’ll Save a Kid’s Life Together.

Welcome to the month of April.  By the time you are reading this, you will be deep into it.  That means I can’t play any April Fool jokes on you.  Never been a fan of those anyway.   When I was a kid, my favorite radio station 96 Rock in Atlanta announced they were going to be changing formats and playing elevator music, and for half the day they did that, only to announce it was a big April Fool’s Joke.

Another BIG deal in April is TAX day! Yep! Deadlines for filing those personal income tax returns.  I don’t think most people mind paying taxes as long as they are being put to good use.  I think it’s the waste that bothers most of us citizens.

Both days I mentioned above are for sure conversation starters, one full of funny stories, the other maybe not so much, but there are a few days more memorable than the day you buy your dream home.  That day is supposed to be fun, exciting, and a great feeling of accomplishment.

If you or a friend are thinking about selling, make sure to choose a real estate company you can trust!

A real estate company with experience, proven results and a give-back philosophy!

Unfortunately, there are some that will have a Spring Time they would much rather forget.

Therefore, we offer guarantees and assurances to our clients. We call this Our Risk Removal System.  Like our Guaranteed Sale Program: Your Home Sold at a Price Agreeable to You or We’ll Buy It*. And our VIP Buyer Satisfaction Guarantee:  If You Are Not Happy With Your Home, We Will Buy It Back!*  In fact, our Exclusive Seller Agreements Offer 10 Unprecedented Guarantees.  In my experience, these guarantees elevate our service and our clients experience. 

And by now, four paragraphs into this month’s Homeward Bound, you are wondering how the headline ties into any of this.  If you are receiving Homeward Bound for the first time, you will notice we give back to those in our community who need help the most. Like our neighbors at SickKids Hospital!

Your Referrals Help Continue the Life-Changing Work by SickKid’s Hospital!

The reason for the headline is because 30 seconds is about all it takes to think about who you know that may be considering buying or selling the place they call home and to give us a call.  If it is you, then awesome! If it’s a friend or family member, that’s great too!

They are able to provide this care and keep patient costs to a minimum due in large part to and Donations and Sponsorships. Their Research Centre which contributes to many breakthroughs solely relies on donations so it’s crucial they get the monetary support they need. We are proud to be an official sponsor of SickKids Hospital.

So, YOUR REFERRALS DO REALLY HELP THE KIDS… 

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to our real estate sales team? Not only will they benefit from our award-winning real estate service, a very worthy cause will benefit as well. To refer anyone considering buying or selling a home contact agent or pass agents contact info on to them!  Thank you in advance for your referrals!

Over the decades of helping thousands and thousands of families sell or buy the place they call home, we have met so many wonderful, loving, caring people. We are so grateful. Thank you for reading over this months Homeward Bound, and thank you for referring anyone you know considering buying or selling to my team. They will be in good hands and a very worthy cause will benefit as well. 

Low-interest rates help with affordability but they won’t be around forever.

It is inevitable that interest rates cannot and probably should not stay this low forever. It could be in the next six weeks or the next six months, but rates will start to creep up. How the market responds when they do will say a lot about how far the real estate market has to go.

Low inventory is pushing prices higher but a real estate agent knows how to negotiate a win.

When you’re buying a house in a hot market, time is of the essence. A beautiful home that is priced well can attract more than one offer. Find an experienced agent who can guide you through the ins and outs of your local market, follow their advice, and you’ll be in good shape, even in a seller’s market.

It’s a difficult market to be picky in but it’s OK to have a wish list.

Just as it can be a challenge to find the right mate, deciding on the right home can be just as difficult. In many markets these days, inventory is limited, and some homebuyers are struggling to find a home that meets all of the criteria on their wish lists. The reality is that homebuyers may need to face the fact that they will need to compromise.

Looking for the perfect family home in Vaughan? Get in touch—we know the local market, inside and out!

Who Cares if the Ground Hog Got it Right, Spring is Still Coming! I Promise. 

Spring is Springing! Yay! I just came inside from shooting a video outside and WOW! It’s nice out! Yes I realize that when you get this and read it that it could be cold and rainy, but those cold days are just about over. Everyone loves Spring, primarily because it means… summer is near!

For many across this great country though, it’s still COLD, grey, and snowy! One thing is for sure, this winter season is coming to an end. It does every year without fail.

Just like the weather seasons come and go, so do the seasons of life. Are you with me when I say that these seasons seem to come and go faster and faster as well as the time?

Some of life’s seasons will be HOT and others will be COLD, some high and some low. The lows we want to move by quickly, the highs we want to stay in forever. But it’s the low points, those tough times, that I have learned the most from. All of the experiences through these seasons make me who I am.

If you or a friend are thinking about selling, make sure to choose a real estate company you can trust!

A real estate company with experience, proven results and a give-back philosophy!

Unfortunately, there are some that will have a Spring Time they would much rather forget.

With all the beauty this Springtime brings, there is also the ugly for some. Just down the street from where I’m typing this, SickKid’s Hospital of Toronto is having to turn some away. For them and their families, Springtime is the furthest thing from their minds. Don’t get me wrong, these families long to see their kids out in the yard playing or riding their bikes – but for now, they are praying for help.

Your Referrals Help Continue the Life-Changing Work by SickKid’s Hospital!

Through our Go Serve Big mission statement we are on a quest to raise $50,000 for SICKKID’S HOSPITAL! SickKid’s Hospital of Toronto is Canada’s most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children’s health in the country.

They are able to provide this care and keep patient costs to a minimum due in large part to and Donations and Sponsorships. Their Research Centre which contributes to many breakthroughs solely relies on donations so it’s crucial they get the monetary support they need. We are proud to be an official sponsor of SickKids Hospital.

So, YOUR REFERRALS DO REALLY HELP THE KIDS… 

Who do you know considering buying or selling a home you could refer to our real estate sales team? Not only will they benefit from our award-winning real estate service, a very worthy cause will benefit as well. To refer anyone considering buying or selling a home contact agent or pass agents contact info on to them! Thank you in advance for your referrals! The best number to reach me at is 416-571-2724 (ARCI).

Over the decades of helping thousands and thousands of families sell or buy the place they call home, we have met so many wonderful, loving, caring people. We are so grateful. Thank you for reading over this months Homeward Bound, and thank you for referring anyone you know considering buying or selling to my team. They will be in good hands and a very worthy cause will benefit as well.