Re-claim Your Space and De-Clutter

Re-claim your Space and De-Clutter

Start with your closets

• Pull everything out of your closet. Breathe.
• Clean closet surfaces thoroughly.
• Install additional storage bins shelving, if necessary.
• Organize all clothes into three bins: 1) Keep 2) Toss 3) Donate. A good rule of thumb is if you haven’t worn it in the last 12 months, you’re likely not going to wear it again. If it isn’t damaged or torn (or an undergarment), then give your clothing new life by donating it.
• Swap over clothes for the season. Trade those winter parkas for cool linens and store last season’s clothing in an air-tight bin in your basement or garage. Don’t forget to label your bins!
• Organize your racks by colour or any other arrangement that makes sense for you—business attire vs. casual, etc.
• Move on to the next closet – repeat above!

The keep/toss/donate exercise is also fun to play with the kids, not to mention a great lesson on giving back to the community and unwanted gently used clothing and coats. 

Next to the Bedrooms

It’s time to say goodbye to chairs doubling as clothing storage and reclaim your bedroom. By decluttering your bedroom, you’re encouraging your body to utilize the space for what it was meant for: rest.

• Remove old bed linens, drapery and pillows. Refresh with soft sheets and neutral bedding and pillows.
• Clear out unnecessary clutter.
• Organize your shelves.
• Now is a good time to clean and dust – Vacuum and mop floors. Don’t forget to clean under the bed and behind all the furniture.
• How do the walls look? Would a fresh paint colour brighten the room?

The Living Room

An organized family is a happy family and we promise a little DIY organization will work wonders for your living area. When your space is decluttered, it feels larger and is much more conducive to quality family time.

• Polish wood furniture and touch up scratches, clean, vacuum and dust.
• Organize books and movies. Sort them alphabetically if you’re feeling inspired.
• Declutter and donate old toys, books, knick-knacks that do not have sentimental value.
• Pump up your accent colour with new pillows and throws for the couch
• Would a fresh coat of paint give the space a new look!

TIP: Add personalized storage bins for the kids. Having their own dedicated place to store toys will help instil a sense of ownership and responsibility in their area.

The Kitchen

This one might be a doozy, but it has to be done. Empty and clean fridge and pantry. Would a new backsplash or lighting help with cleaning and tasks?

• Change your water filter and replace old sponges and dishcloths. Repace the dishrack if it is old.
• Empty and organize cupboards and drawers. We recommend starting with the cupboards hiding your food storage containers and mug collection. Toss any unused or battered cutlery, kitchen utensil pots and pans.
• Clear your countertops of unused stuff and reclaim some counter space.

TIP: If you’re finding a lot of unused spices in your pantry, consider purchasing a spice rack you can add to the kitchen counter or wall—get inspired!

The Bathrooms 

• Organize washroom cabinets.
• Throw out expired makeup, skincare products and outdated medications in the medicine cabinet.
• Bleach or disinfect tubs, sinks and toilets.
• Deep clean grout lines, paying close attention to any mould buildup.
• Clear the showerhead and faucets of buildup.
• Spackle any holes and touch-up paint in high-traffic areas in the corridors and bathrooms. Repaint if necessary.
• Replace old bathmats, shower curtains and remove unnecessary counter stuff
• Splurge on new towels! Use the old towels for rags or drying the car!

The Garage and/ or Storage Shed

• Keep/toss/sell all garage contents.
• Declutter shelving and wipe.
• Sort and store power tools.
• Label storage containers.
• Hang bikes, sports equipment and whatever is not in use for the season.

There is such satisfaction in reclaiming your space and getting rid of the clutter! Try it!

These tips will also help get your home ready for a sale!                    

Enhance your home’s value with some simple DIY de-cluttering.

Contact Janine for more ideas to help you sell your home faster for more money.

Why White is Decorator’s Favourite

White is still the best neutral paint colour to update your walls.

White painted walls might seem last century with the strong trend of gray paints never-ending, but white walls are a classic and can never completely go out of style. They are very on-trend!

Choose a shade of white paint that is soft rather than stark or brilliant.

Make the most of white walls, colour can be added through furniture, textiles, paintings and decorative objects.

You can change the entire look of your room simply by changing your accent colours, metal finishes and textures.

White paint is practical on so many levels. It looks fresh, crisp and new and is a great contrast for different colours, wood flooring, grays and black.

Walls look better what a flat or eggshell sheen. Use flat white paint on ceilings and baseboards or trim often look best in semi-gloss or satin finish.

The wrong white paint can look flat and cold. It can create shadows, and make rooms look smaller and lifeless.

Where all white can look one dimensional, furniture in similar or muted tones will make your rooms feel lighter and larger and pops of colour add contrasts.

Best White Paint Colors

Popular white wall paint colours for living rooms include:

• antique white paint
• eggshell white paint
• linen white paint
• bone white paint
• china white paint

Each paint tone has a slightly different base and undertone.

One white loved by so many is Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White: Good warm white wall colour with no gray, green, blue undertones. Another good choice is Cloud White for a nice warm white.

Simply White is a great, slightly fresh, warm approach to white. It has a yellow undertone, but not so much that it’s obnoxious. It adds a touch of life, without adding too much ‘colour’. It’s a popular choice for kitchen cabinets if you want a bright white, but not stark look, but is touch-and-go with greyish marble because of the yellow in it.

If you would like more tips advice about getting your home or cottage ready to sell don’t hesitate to contact me. Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker, Re/Max All-Stars – Lakes, Town & Country Home, Muskoka  janinescott.com

 

Muskoka named by Expedia as one of the World’s Top Honeymoon Destinations!

According to a recent article published by Expedia.ca, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada is considered one of the best honeymoon destinations on the planet, going toe-to-toe with a who’s who list that includes Banff, Belize, and BC’s Sunshine Coast.

We’ve known for a while that Muskoka is one of Canada’s hidden gem romantic getaways, but it would appear that our secret is now out.

Heralded as a honeymoon destination across all-four seasons, Muskoka was credited for its stunning scenery and having no shortage of just the two of us activities to enjoy. Expedia suggested fun adventures for your honeymoon that included snowboarding at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area in the winter, kayaking the Muskoka River with Liv Outside in the summer or sipping local flavours with Brew Tours or Muskoka Lakes Winery year round.
The opportunities for fun together are literally endless! We’ve compiled a few more suggestions of couples activities that are both outdoorsy and exciting, and a perfect day spent together:

~Sunset Dinner cruise aboard the Lady Muskoka or Muskoka Steamships
~The famous Cruise and Dine with Port Cunnington Lodge & SS Bigwin
~Lake of Bays Scenic Drive driving tour, beautiful all year round but especially during the fall
~Romantic dinner date at Bigwin Island’s Marine Dining Room. Renowned for their culinary excellence, your dining experience includes a ferry boat ride to the island
~Zip line and aerial games course at Treetop Trekking for couples that love adrenaline
~Hike an island paradise at Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Pampered couples treatments at one of our resort spas
S’more date around the campfire, the quintessential Muskoka experience
~Live concert at the intimate Peter’s Players
~Peaceful boat ride of Muskoka’s famous lakes. Dock at one of Muskoka’s beautiful downtowns for an ice cream trip or a lunch date
~Arts at the Albion gallery tour in downtown Gravenhurst, a beautiful art gallery that showcases Muskoka’s many talented artists
~Sunset hike to Huckleberry Rock
One thing is certain, Muskoka is both beautiful AND fun, just like your new marriage!

Of course Muskoka is not just for honeymoons, visit anytime of the year!

Discover Dwight, Muskoka

Stay and Play
You can also browse through the many romantic getaway packages, and select one of these great resorts for your romantic retreat. Resorts of North Muskoka
https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/muskoka-named-by-expedia-as…/
#Dwight #LakeofBays #Muskoka #ForHoneymoons #Weddings

 

Spring Brings New Market Outlook

Brighter days ahead for spring housing market, despite impact of regulatory changes!
New stress test regulations prompt Canadian home buyers to increase budgets, re-evaluate home features or delay their purchase
Toronto/Kelowna April 10, 2018 // RE/MAX has released its 2018 Spring Market Trends Report, revealing that more than one in four Canadian home buyers are feeling pinched by the stress test, according to a survey conducted by Leger. However, projections for the spring market show optimism, with most markets expected to remain stable or improve.

The average residential sale price in the Greater Toronto Area dropped to $753,747, down almost 10 per cent from $834,144 in January and February of 2017. With move-up buyers driving the market — many of whom are making their second or third transition — alongside a booming condominium market, prices should continue to soften throughout the year. Areas surrounding the GTA, including Brampton and Durham region, continue to be viable options for young families seeking affordability. Not all regions in Ontario are being affected like the GTA. In Ottawa, the average residential sale price in January and February was $388,289, up four per cent from $373,841 during the same period in 2017.

Despite all of the factors involved, the spring market across most of the country is forecasted to strengthen as we head into the warmer months. Supply is still low in many markets, and while the prices may not reach the same levels as this time last year, we are expected to see continued healthy price appreciation from the earlier months of this year across many regions in the country.
If you would like to know the value of your property now, contact Janine Scott, Real Estate Broker for a no hassle market evaluation. You can count on 22yrs of experience in the Muskoka marketplace!
Re/Max North Country Realty Ins, Brokerage
 Read More:
#SpringIsComimg #LakeofBays #Huntsville