With Valentine’s day around the corner, you’re bound to hear the word “LOVE” quite a bit. But one of the most famous sayings, “Home is where the heart is” rings true now as much as in years past.

Buying a home is a lot like falling in love. What does it actually take to fall in love with a home? It’s when you begin casually going to a few open houses, seeing your options, and figuring out what really matters to you. The space you share with those you love often has special features that bring warm feelings the moment you walk through the door. Once you establish your deal breakers (for example, must have two bathrooms, a great kitchen, and a beautiful backyard) you hire a realtor and begin to narrow down your choices. Eventually, you find The One. Things get serious. The next thing you know, you’re signing contracts and pledging to spend the rest of your life (or at least a good chunk of it) with your dream house.

While the home buying process is an exciting roller coaster of emotions, moving in and settling down isn’t always fun. It’s important to fall in love with your new place as soon as possible, and hold on to those good feelings you had when you signed your contract. You bought a house. Now it’s time to transform it into a home.

So, regardless of whether you’re starting the journey or you’ve arrived at the home of your dreams, here are a few ideas to help you squeeze, snuggle and cuddle even more LOVE out of your happy home. Give them a try and you’ll find yourself falling in love in no time.

#1 – Rekindle Your Love Affair with Your Home

A good, deep cleaning can re-kindle your love affair with your home. Look at a good clean as more of an entire afternoon experience and not a chore. 

Few things are more powerful than a fresh coat of paint. Painting the walls is a way to express your personal aesthetic and put your unique spin on your new home. It’s also the quickest way to transform a room, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Choosing a dark or deep color, like maroon, will add intrigue and warmth to space, while bold, bright colors have the power to put a smile on your face.

#2 – Simplify Your  Living Space 

If you don’t LOVE it… Donate it… Sell it… Recycle it… or Toss it! Don’t let a modest budget keep you from making changes. Sometimes the biggest impacts happen in the smallest places. The positive effects will be almost instantaneous.

 

#3 – …Or Fill your Home with Things You Love!

Go all-in & fill your home with more of the things you LOVE & that remind you of LOVE. While clean and organized are ideal, it shouldn’t be at the expense of your vision. Our homes should meet all of our needs, including our need be reminded of the things that make us happy.

Adding splashes of your story mixed w/ your personal style & personality energizes your home – and can remind you why you fell in love with it in the first place. Family portraits, news clippings, handed-down art, or simply an image, depiction, photo of a period or place that is significant to you & makes you smile when you see it.

 

#4 – Give Your Home Flowers

A beautiful vase filled with bright blooms doesn’t have to be limited to special occasions. When you have fresh flowers in your home, every day feels special. And you don’t have to invest in a dozen red roses, either.

Rosarium is one of Vaughan’s best florists! They provide reliable delivery throughout the gta at a reasonable rate throughout the year. So making this a weekly habit won’t break the bank.

LOVE THE HOME YOU LIVE IN FOR VALENTINES DAY!

Remember that life is too short not to LOVE the home you’re in…

We hope this list has inspired you to fall in love with your house! If you’re ready to take your relationship to the next level and buy a new home this year & Call us Today! Lino Arci Team is the ultimate matchmaker and will help you find your dream home in no time. 

 

 

There are three primary housing situations available: purchasing a condo, buying a house, or renting an apartment. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Take a look at the advantages of each—which are also usually the disadvantages of the others.

Advantages of a Condo to a House

• Condos are less expensive than Houses

  – The average condo price is less than the average GTA house price

  – A lower price means a lower down payment and a lower monthly payment.

• No repairs and maintenance on the exterior

  – While homeowners are busy mowing their lawns, painting the house, trimming hedges, cleaning gutters, raking leaves, and shoveling snow, condo owners are busy hanging out at the pool, taking weekend trips, or simply relaxing at home.

  – The exterior of a condo is owned by the homeowner’s association (HOA) and maintained both. The owner takes sole responsibility for the interior. But anything outside the front door is of no concern to them. That free up time (and money) for other endeavors.

• Amenities

  – Larger quarters in condominiums are frequently filled with shared facilities. This could involve swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums, golf courses, park areas, pet parks, and trails for jogging.

• Location

  -Since condos are smaller, and packed more tightly, they are also closer to amenities. Condo owners also have shorter commutes than homeowners, who live more usually in rural suburbs and outlying areas.

Advantages of a House to a Condo

• Having some Land

  – Technically speaking, owning real estate entails land. By definition, condos don’t have it while detached houses do. It’s one of the prime benefits of owning a home. Yes, we need to maintain the property. But you can build a private pool, create a garden and host backyard parties.

• Greater self-determination and self-expression 

  – Uniformity is one of the inherent disadvantages of a condo. Since you don’t own the home’s exterior, there’s absolutely nothing that you can do about it. A house is a whole different story. It is easy to customize a home, in a way a condo never can.

• More improvement opportunities

  – If one of the ways you want to raise your ROI investment is by upgrades, a house may offer more options, whether it’s adding bathrooms, finishing the basement or adding extensions.

• Generally easier to sell than a condo

  – Literally speaking, a condo can be a tough sell in a bad housing market. For the most part, a condo is a substitute house. They’re the kind of property people buy only in the most robust markets. But detached houses on privately owned lots tend to be more liquid in all kinds of markets.

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

Updated: January 2023

Most home buyers have a pretty long list of “must-haves” that they want to include in their search for a new home. Being near to great schools is one of these important factors. An up-to-date Top 5 list of Vaughan Schools is in order.

Vaughan has no shortage of great schools where your little ones can get a top-notch education. With a bit of consideration and some guidance from the right real estate agent, you can ensure that your next home is close to the one that’s ideal for your family.

In addition to the great schools, there are countless reasons why Vaughan is the perfect place to raise your family. Click here to learn more!

Public schools in Vaughan are administered by the York Region District School Board. Due to covid closures many are in a virtual learning environment. Schools are schedule to re-open on Feb 21/21. More updates on the YRDSB website listed above.

Here are the top five Vaughan schools that every parent should know about:

1) Michael Cranny Public School (Grades K-8)

Without a doubt, Michael Cranny Public School is one of the best schools in Vaughan, Ontario. This Maple elementary school receives an impressive score of 8.9 out of 10 from the Fraser Institute, an organization widely considered to provide the most comprehensive rankings in Canada. Not only that, but the vast majority of students tested by Ontario’s EQAO scored at or above the provincial standard for reading, writing, and math.

The school is located a short distance off Major MacKenzie Drive in Maple, and is next door to Divine Mercy Catholic Elementary School. There are a number of parks within walking distance, like Crieff Parkette, Melville Park, Lions Park, and MacKenzie Glen District Park. The school is even within walking distance of Canada’s Wonderland to the southwest.

Michael Cranny serves students from K to grade eight. It also offers a program for gifted students from grades four to eight.

Put simply: if a very strong academic program is what you’re looking for, you can’t do better than Michael Cranny Public School.

2) Herbert H. Carnegie Public School (Grades K-8)

Of course, there’s more than one top-notch school in Maple.

Another great option for parents who are thinking of moving to the area is Herbert H. Carnegie Public School. This small educational institution has earned a ranking of 8.3 from the Fraser Institute. Its staff is focused on providing not only a great curriculum but a warm and supportive environment for students.

The school follows a “Future ACES” creed:

• A – Attitude, Ability, Action, Achieve

• C – Co-operate, Courage, Confidence

• E – Empathy, Example, Education

• S – Service, Sportsmanship

Engaged caregivers will be happy to know that the school also strongly encourages parental involvement.

Herbert H. Carnegie is located a short distance northeast of central Vaughan. Directly adjacent to the school is Twelve Oaks Park which includes tennis courts, a skatepark, and a playscape.

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Looking to buy a home that’s perfect for your growing family? Check out these other blog posts for helpful tips. 

• How to Budget For Buying a Home in Vaughan
• How to Buy a Home in Vaughan
• Taking the Risk Out of Real Estate

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3) Glenn Gould Public School (Grades K-8)

Are you considering a move to Woodbridge? If you’re checking out places to educate your children in the neighbourhood, then put Glenn Gould Public School near the top of your list. First off, it has received great EQAO scores—especially in writing.

Glenn Gould Public School also provides a comprehensive and well-balanced curriculum, which is centred around not only the fundamentals, but daily physical education and technology-based instruction as well. And educators at Glenn Gould also support eco-friendly, student leadership, and mental health initiatives.

Glenn Gould Public School is located in the Vellore Park area of Vaughan. It is adjacent to Hillside Park and sits within a very friendly and walkable neighbourhood. Just a short distance north, across Teston road, is the scenic, semi-rural countryside that occupies the limits of the Greater Toronto Area.

If it’s a well-rounded educational experience you’re searching for, consider this Woodbridge school.

4) Pierre Berton Public School (Grades K-8)

Pierre Berton Public School is another fantastic option for students in Vaughan. It’s hard to go wrong with a learning institution that has a Fraser Institute ranking of 8.5. That said, this Woodbridge school distinguishes itself in a variety of other ways.

The staff’s approach to education at Pierre Berton is a prime example of the ethos of excellence they aim to instill in their students. By emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the teachers at Pierre Berton provide a strong foundation for the future success of their students.

Pierre Berton School lists the following as its core values:

• We recognize and celebrate excellence, and the heart-felt efforts and contributions of our community.

• We strive for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all our programs, practices, facilities, and people.

• We value dedication and commitment.

• We value and will respond in an appropriate manner to the voices, ideas, and understanding of all our community members.

• We believe it is the right and responsibility of everyone to ensure a safe nurturing community.

• We embrace the spirit of innovation that acts to realize opportunities to transform our vision into reality.

• We are all responsible for our words and actions.

The school also benefits from a fantastic location, within walking distance of the Kortright Centre for Conservation. And a short way up the road is Pierre Barton Park, with one of the best playscapes in the area. A little over a kilometer to the east is the Vellore Village Community Centre offering a range of programs and facilities, including an indoor pool complex.

5) St. Gregory the Great (Grades K – 12)

Clearly, Woodbridge is a hotspot for good schools, because just a short distance south of Pierre Berton is St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy.

Located in Weston Downs, this is an ideal place for families who want to provide their children with a Catholic education. St Gregory the Great has received a score of 8.7 from the Fraser Institute. Students receive a comprehensive education that’s rooted in Catholic values—and impressive by any standards.

One of the major draws of St. Gregory is its Italian Extended Day Program. Given the cognitive benefits of learning a second language, parents who are considering this Woodbridge school may want to look into the program.

So there you have it. Some of the best schools in the Vaughan area. Have a look below for the summary.

The Best Schools In Vaughan Ontario

• Michael Cranny Public School

• Herbert H. Carnegie Public School

• Glenn Gould Public School

• Pierre Berton Public School

• St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy

Bonus Schools that are also rated highly in the Vaughan area:

• Nellie McClung Public School (Grades K-8) – rated 7.4 by the Frasier Institute.

• EEC Le-Petit Prince (Grades K-8) French School – rated 9.7 by the Frasier Institute.

Ready to find the perfect home for your family? As the #1 real estate team in Vaughan, we can help! Call us at 416-571-2724 or send an email to info@arciteam.com to be in touch. 

So you are looking to purchase an Ontario home with easy access to Toronto?

The trouble is that whenever you find a home that is appealing, it’s sold before you get a chance to see it. Indeed in some cases, it is sold before you can even inquire. This further compounds the stress of trying to find the right place, and win the purchase.

The hurdles seem to come much sooner in the buying process these days which makes the home hunt less enjoyable for any home buyer.

But what if you could get access like an agent to homes that meet your criteria before anyone else knows about them?  This would be a game-changer for some families and would benefit home buyers that have limited time to search, or have financial time limit crunches pressing in on them.

The good news is that the technology exists to help you overcome these obstacles. This VIP service is being implemented by some brokerages to help their clients meet this need and get them that home of their dreams in a timely fashion.

The Lino Arci Team is forging a pathway in this area with their VIP Home Buyers Advantage Program.

How Can I Get VIP Access To Homes For Sale in Vaughan?

The model works by giving early access before home listings hit the market. The Lino Arci Team tailors a custom home finder search based on your stated needs. The service scans new listings that are not yet public and presents the options to you as a prospective buyer.

Another feature is the “distressed sellers” connection which gives access to homes that may have sellers with a high motivation to sell. Reasons include:

• • foreclosures,

• • absentee owners, or

• • home owners that are into a new mortgage while still trying to sell their previous house and thus carrying two mortgages.

Are There Any Guarantees?

The Lino Arci Team’s VIP Home Buyers Advantage has several connected guarantees that help give you confidence as the buyer. This includes a home buy-back guarantee, cancellation guarantee, and the “Love it or Leave it” guarantee.

You can view more details here Lino Arci Home Buyers Advantage Program.

Another interesting option is the customized loan program using the in-house mortgage broker and some intriguing payment options to help ease the home buying process. You can find out all the details you need by contacting the Lino Arci team.

#cta-contact#

Every year, the New Year arrives, brimming with possibilities. Promises and resolutions are abundant. A new year means New Year’s resolutions and more often than not they are usually more personal. But, why not make some New Year’s resolutions for your home? Don’t waste a minute of your time and start now! They say home is where your heart is but a lovelier, better organized, and more comfortable place to live will surely work wonders. 

Here are 4 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home:
#1 – Organize and Declutter

Get Rid of unused items and be thoughtful about what you bring into your home. Decluttering an entire home is a big job. The best way to tackle it is in stages—focus on one room, one space, or even one zone within a room.  I recommend donating your stuff AS you’re decluttering. … Consider donating the ‘good stuff’ instead of enduring extra work and frustration trying to sell it.

Remember this: Your stuff is not ‘too good to donate‘ — so let it go and get on with life.

#2 – Create a Safe Place

Before you know it, you’re surrounded by toxic air you can’t notice with any of your senses. Install your carbon monoxide and fire detectors on every floor. Keep at least one fire extinguisher & fire blanket somewhere in your home.

Establish an emergency exit plan with your family.

#3 – Minimize your Bills

When it comes to saving money, small changes can go a long way. Certain changes in your home could substantially reduce your electricity bills, as well as helping the planet. Install LED bulbs and turn off lights when you leave the room. Investing in an energy monitor can really show you where your power (and your money) is going. 

Simple things, like unplugging chargers when you’re not using them, can also make a difference.

#4 – Create a System for Cleaning

Make a weekly to-do list for cleaning the house. Creating a routine is one of the best ways you can keep you home for the long haul. Sticking to both a morning and evening routine and keeping up with a weekly cleaning schedule will do wonders for your home. 

Rather than putting tasks off for a later time, just push through and get it over with now. This is also a great way to increase your productivity each day! Keep clutter to a minimum and keep your home looking and feeling just a little bit tidier. This is the first step to keeping your home clean.

We provide you full access to our exclusive staging, decluttering, moving, packing & cleaning services!

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

Winter is one of the seasons that allow us to showcase our properties in a cozy and inviting light, so why not make the most of it? It’s essential to brighten up your home for Winter open houses and visits. Make sure every room is well lit!

Once temperatures begin to dip and the holidays arrive, both home buyers and inventory drop off sharply. Yet even though the cold weather months aren’t the best time to sell, sometimes circumstances demand it. If you’re one of the unlucky few trying to sell your house during this time of year, take these special measures to make your listing stand out.

Here are the best ways to make your home stand out during winter.

#1 – Stay warm

This is not the time to save a few bucks on your heating bill. You want to create a feeling of welcoming warmth and you can’t do that with a chilly house. If the home is vacant, keep the heater on a timer so the property is warm during showing times.

#2 – Lighten up

It’s even more important to make sure each room is well-lit during the darker winter months. Table and standing lamps are quick fixes for a dim room.

#3 – Highlight seasonal features

Build a fire. Arrange some plush throws and fluffy cushions on the sofas in your finished basement. If your home has features that make it a cozy place to spend the winter, be sure to highlight them..

#4 – Show off your landscaping in photos

To help prospective buyers look beyond winter’s snowy or brown lawn, and envision the property in warmer months, display photos of the house taken when things were green and blooming. Make a few flyers or a photo album and leave them out (and open) where buyers are sure to see them.

#5 – Clear the way to a sale

Make sure the driveway, walkways, and porch are safe and free from snow and ice. Be sure to shovel your deck and patio so buyers can walk out and imagine enjoying them in warmer times.

Purchasing a home might not be at the top of everyone’s list during this time of year, but there are still people out there on the hunt. Follow these tips for a successful house sale this winter.

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

Property Spark researched hundreds of Canadian groups & teams’ social media channels and went through a certain process to select the best. Property Spark began with finding Canadian groups & teams through different mediums and then looked at objective data regarding the Canadian real groups & teams’ social media presence across various social media channels. Lastly, PropertySpark made sure that all the Canadian Real Estate groups & teams who made it to the final list have great social media presence based on subjective variables.

They’ve been ranking top agents, groups and teams on social media since 2016 we are extremely honoured and very proud to be chosen as one of the Top 40 Canadian Real Estate groups & teams that are the best of the best when it comes to social media for Real Estate in Canada.

The importance of social media for real estate really can’t be overstated. Social media is an absolute goldmine for real estate businesses. It’s important to have a diverse content calendar. Grow and engage your followers with these contents.

Property photos

Social media for real estate is highly visual in terms of content. Stunning, high-res property photos are central to so many real estate business’ social strategies. Not only do eye-popping photos encourage “likes” and shares, but also compel followers to get in touch.

Success stories and client testimonials

One of the biggest benefits of real estate social media posts is the ability to highlight success stories to connect with clients.

Company milestones

Beyond social, awards and accolades are another way to highlight real estate business’ track record. We’re not shy about talking up our business’ accomplishments, But instead, we are proud of our achievements no matter how big or small it is.

Industry and market news

Helpful content and industry reports are one way of keeping clients in the loop. This shows that you’re an active participant in your industry.

New listings and properties

Perhaps the most obvious type of post to publish is your latest listings via photos and captions. Don’t forget to incorporating multiple photos of each listing and using the contact information as a sort of call-to-action.

Home tips and renovation ideas

Renovation ideas and inspiration are both fair game for your prospective buyers and past clients alike. Any sort of educational content on home maintenance serves multiple audiences and once again highlights your know-how.

 

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