Happy Long Weekend!

Enjoy! Play safe! If you hear anyone saying 'they're buying or selling', let me know! Thanks!


Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Smaller can be Big

Smaller means fewer carrying costs. 

Smaller means more to save. 

Smaller means less work. 

Smaller means more time. 

Smaller means less stuff. 

Smaller means more family.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

10 ways to turn off a would-be homebuyer

10 home sales killers

1. Dirt
2. Odors
3. Old fixtures
4. Wallpaper
5. Popcorn acoustic ceilings
6. Too many personal items
7. Snoopy sellers
8. Misrepresenting your home
9. Poor curb appeal
10. Clutter

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

The 80/20 Rule

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Does the Outside of Your Home Draw Potential Buyers Inside?

The first impression of a home is the biggest – and usually happens before prospective buyers even park their car at the curb. If you're preparing to sell your home, be sure to spruce up the exterior. And now's a good time to do it, because spring and summer are the busiest selling seasons.

The main goal is to add instant curb appeal without breaking the bank (or your back). Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Front door:  The quickest way to make your home stand out is by painting your front door a fun, bright color. Choose an inviting shade that complements the exterior - and for some added style, install decorative house numbers or a vintage mail slot.
• Front porch:  Create a relaxing spot on the front porch; not only does it make use of vacant space, but instantly adds charm. Two rocking chairs and a bistro table will do just the trick, or if you’re up for another project, refurbish an old glider and side table.
• Landscaping:  This can be as easy, or as hard, as you’d like it to be. Landscaping has endless options, which ultimately depends on the size of your home. For a quaint home, adding a few flower boxes to the main windows will quickly add some color and instant charm. For larger homes, planting a few trees and shrubs will enhance the ambiance of your home. Whichever design you choose, be sure to include some perennial plants that will come back year after year. Prospective buyers always appreciate that.
• Accents: Small, detailed accents can make a big impact and provide a great return on curb appeal. Accentuate the architectural design of your home by adding lights along the front path, decorative flowerpots on the steps, or an ornate doorbell to the freshly painted door.
• Remove clutter: Arriving at a home with odds and ends strewn across the yard raises an instant red flag to prospective buyers, and implies that the interior of the home is at least as bad. By keeping the exterior of your home tidy, you'll easily draw buyers who are eager to see more great features inside.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

9 Tips for Making Your Move Stress-Free

Buying a new home is exciting – and a big deal. If you’re searching for the perfect place, or you’ve already found it and are under contract, the next step in the process can feel more tedious: moving.

Moving can be stressful, a bit expensive and plenty chaotic. But with some planning, help from friends and a little organization, it doesn’t have to be as hectic as you imagine. Here are some tips to take the stress out of your move:

1. Make a plan of attack – Whether you're moving across town or across the state lines, you’ll probably want to rent a truck. Do you have willing helpers to assist in the move, or will you need to hire some help? If you’re moving farther away, you’ll probably want professional help. Figure out what your moving needs are, and ask friends or your real estate agent for references to a trusted mover. Also, stock up on boxes, packing tape, permanent markers and packing peanuts/bubble wrap.

2. Prioritize your packing – As you start packing your current home up, designate a few boxes for each room that you’ll need quick access to. For example, you’ll want to keep personal toiletries, shower curtains and liners, a first-aid kit and other necessities easily accessible for the bathroom. Label these boxes “Open Now” so you know which boxes are filled with the essentials – and which ones can wait until later.

3. Don’t go it alone – Packing is a monumental task. Invite some friends or relatives over, buy some pizza and make it a packing party! Delegate the tasks you feel most comfortable entrusting others with, like packing up DVDs, books and other non-fragile items. A little help goes a long way to saving you some time – and sanity.

4. Don’t take it all – If you realize you have 10 boxes of clothes and you haven’t worn half of them in a few years, it’s time to part ways. Create three piles: a “keep” pile, a “sell” pile and a “donate” pile. If time permits, hold a moving sale to unload some of the items you don’t want anymore. Bonus: Selling items before you move gives you extra money that you can put toward moving expenses. Added bonus: You reduce the clutter.

5. Forward your mail – Believe it or not, people forget to do this all the time! It’s easy to change your address with the U.S. Postal Service. Simply visit the USPS website, and in a few steps you’re done!

6. Turn off your utilities – Check with your local utility providers, as well as other services (trash pickup, newspaper delivery, cable/Internet, phone), to inform them that you’re moving. They’ll need to know an exact date for your move so they can transition or cut off service. You don’t want to be billed for charges after you move!

7. Change your address everywhere else – Contact your bank, credit card companies, healthcare providers, schools, etc. to give them your new address. Although your mail will be forwarded, you still want to update your contact information as soon as possible to avoid missing important bills or letters.

8. Be flexible – Closing day can be unpredictable, and sometimes there are delays. If you’re scheduling movers or arranging for help, you might want to pick a day or two after closing to avoid a moving-day headache.

9. Consider hiring a professional housecleaner – Sellers don’t necessarily leave their homes in sparkling condition when they leave. If time and budget permit, hire a housecleaner to make your new home move-in ready. It’s one less thing for you to worry about!

Ready to search for a new home? I'm ready to help you find your perfect fit.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

De-cluttering is the secret to an organized home

(NC) Everyone has a pantry that could be organized more efficiently, or a spice drawer that could use a little attention, but whipping your home into shape actually has more benefits than simply visual appeal. Experts say that an organized space may, in fact, reduce stress and create a more enjoyable living environment.

“Clearing the clutter not only allows for a more attractive space in the home or office, but creates a more manageable lifestyle,” says Hellen Buttigieg, a certified professional organizer, life coach and author ofOrganizing Outside the Box. “My clients are shocked to find how dramatically an organized space can reduce stress and free up time to engage in more meaningful activities.”

To avoid the energy-drain and dysfunction of clutter, there's an easy solution: start labelling. Try a compact, easy-to-use label maker such as the Brother P-Touch PT-D200 model.

According to a new Léger Marketing national survey, commissioned by Brother Canada, 75 per cent of moms agree that implementing a labelling system in the home or office would make life easier and save time in the long run. Take a look at these ideas for different places in your house:

Kitchen

• Label spices. Avoid licking your finger every time you need to choose between sugar or salt.

• In the pantry, label specific types of flour, baking products, pasta, and cereals so the family knows what they are pulling out, and make meal prep easy.

• Store and organize instruction manuals and warranty cards in a file folder, label and sort according to each room in the home.

• Keep track of permission slips, registration forms, and schedules in a file folder. Label a tab for each family member and organize by sporting activities, school events, medical information, and other important paperwork that needs to be accessible in a snap.

Home Office

• Keep tax information organized for easy reference. Label files in the cabinet for receipts according to month; subcategorize by type of expense: medical, transportation, business expenses, etc.

• Neatly store unused power cords in a basket and label to identify which device each cord belongs to.

Laundry Room & Front Entrance

• Personalize hooks in the laundry room so kids know where to drop their backpack, raincoat, and scarf when they arrive home from school.

• Label baskets for scarves, hats and gloves to make winter dressing a breeze.

Once you start labelling you'll see how fun and easy it is to keep your home neat, organized and more functional.

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Susan 

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Creating A Budget Backyard

"They've done most of the work entirely on their own. The most challenging part?  Hauling 3.5 tons of pea gravel.  It took 70+ trips back and forth with the wheelbarrow!" - Apartment Therapy (see the whole story here)

Like A Hawke,
Susan

 Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

5 Features that Today's Homebuyers Want Most

1. Proximity to Work
2. Energy Efficiency
3. Lots and Lots of Storage
4. Quality of space, not quantity
5. Connection outdoors and to the community beyond

Read all the details here.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

10 Paint Colours to Help Sell Your Home

Neutral colors sound like a big snooze, right? Sure they do. But the point is to sell your house, not style it for a spread in "Martha Stewart Living." Everyone, from real estate agents to decorators, recommend painting the interior of your house in neutral colors. Why is that? For one thing, a new home buyer always sees dollar signs. They don't want to buy a house and then have to spend additional money to fix it up or paint it. Moreover, some people have very strong reactions to bright colors. Neutrals will keep the "yuck" factor to a minimum.

Neutral colors, such as creams, also make a home look smashing in online photographs, which is the first place people check when searching for a house to buy. However, like everything else, there are exceptions to the rule. Unlike dining rooms or living rooms, bathrooms can be painted in more fun and whimsical colors [source: AZ Central]. And, don't make the mistake of painting the entire interior of your house white. You might think that white is a neutral color. It's not. White is a bright, and bright is not always beautiful [source:Gulliksen].

Get the whole story here.

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Home Staging Tips

Keep only a few appliances on your counters and add in a simple bowl of colorful fruit to introduce interest and brightness to your new neutral palette. Replacing or refinishing outdated cabinets can make a significant difference in how your kitchen appears to buyers. Remember to update cabinet hardware, as well.

If your appliances are old, replace them with new appliances. Generally, home sellers who replace tired kitchen appliances regain their investment completely. Remember to remove drawings, photos and magnets from your refrigerator.

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Home Staging Tips

Give your house a neutral palette that will appeal to home buyers and give your home a calm, welcoming feel. If your walls are painted a bold or bright color, consider painting them warm, light tones of tan, beige or gray. Those colors encourage home buyers to envision their own personal effects and furniture fitting nicely in your home with minimal work.

Like A Hawke, Susan Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Decorate with the new neutrals this fall

A warm neutral paint colour like Benjamin Moore's Hidden Cove combines perfectly with cool gray neutral accessories in this living room

(NC) Classic neutrals are a hit with interior designers as the seasons change. For a fresh look that brings the home to life, designers are re-interpreting how to use them for the most appeal. Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore, offers her easy tips on the best ways to combine neutrals for a modern look on this classic palette:

Combine Different Shades

Choose one neutral colour, whether it is a cool grey, a creamy white or a warm taupe, and combine several shades and tints of the colour to add visual interest, texture and depth to a room. Pictured here, the living room incorporates various values of gray ranging from light to dark. Accessories such as cozy throws or pillows in various textures like cable knits and stripes add another layer of depth.

Design Mixology

Don't be afraid to combine warm and cool neutrals. There is a definite design trend that allows for this combination, giving the space a rich complexity. Illustrated in the photo is a warm neutral paint colour called Hidden Cove and it is the perfect match to Chateau on the baseboard trim. Steely gray in the soft furnishings and warm tones in the wood pair well, giving the space a well curated, lived in look. Grech says that both colours are from the Colour Stories collection (by Benjamin Moore) and are available exclusively in Aura premium quality paint.

Pops of Colour

As the weather cools, Canadians naturally want to bring in the rich colours of the season into the home. A neutral space is the perfect canvas to highlight fall's colour palette. When entertaining guests for holiday dinners, beautiful accessories this season, like hot metals in copper and gold become the focal point against a neutral backdrop. Finish the look with chic white dishware for a modern feel.

Painted Furniture

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing what furniture to refresh with paint. A dresser can be repurposed in the front entrance to store keys, mail and other odds and ends. An up-cycled cabinet for the living room looks beautiful when topped with picture frames and vases of different shapes to keep the look interesting. Designers often choose the Benjamin Moore colour Cloud White as the perfect neutral for painting furniture. It's slightly toned which makes it flattering in nearly any design situation. “When it comes to application, our Advance paint is easy to apply and dries to a hard, durable surface for years of beautiful wear,” says Grech. “A satin sheen is perfect for more traditional pieces while a high-gloss finish feels more sleek and modern.”

More information about the reinvigoration of neutrals is available online at www.BenjaminMoore.ca.

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Susan 

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! 

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Embellished walls are a design hit for fall

Be bold in your bedroom design choices. Benjamin Moore paint transforms this room for a dramatic look using various painting techniques.

(NC) The bedroom is often the last room to be made over in the home. This private space takes a back seat when gathering places such as kitchens and living rooms require immediate attention. And yet, it doesn't take much to create a dramatic, relaxing bedroom retreat.

This look can be easily created with various painting techniques that make the walls the focal point of the room. Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore, shares her tips on how to bring a unique, embellished look to the bedroom with easy to replicate paint and design techniques:

The New Wallpapering Effect

Wallpaper gives an elegant and lush look, but removing it can become a labour-filled task. One way to get the textured, patterned effect of wallpaper, simply by using paint, is with a patterned paint roller. Start with a warm base coat and then choose a complementary colour to create the painted pattern. The final result will look glamourous and is a cinch to achieve. Patterned paint rollers in varying designs can easily be found online.

Pattern on a Faux-Tin Roof

The bedroom walls don't always have to be the main focal point. A beautifully patterned ceiling using faux-tin evokes an unexpected, embellished look reminiscent of the Art Deco era. Once applied to the ceiling, they can easily be painted over in a complementary colour to the room, or painted with an antiqued finish for a more traditional look. In this photo, the colour Yukon Sky from the Benjamin Moore Natura line was used on the ceiling to add detail and interest. Grech says Natura is ideal for bedrooms because it contains zero-VOCs and virtually no odour. Homeowners can settle back into their room for a good night's sleep the same day they paint.

“No matter whether you are applying a new paint technique to the walls or to the ceiling,” she emphasized, “don't shy away from bold design choices to create a dramatic look in the bedroom.”

More information and bedroom design ideas are available online at www.BenjaminMoore.ca.

Like A Hawke, 

Susan 

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! 

You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada

Secure your home with the most advanced devices

(NC)—The latest in electronics is giving our households improved security, better options for our budget, is quickly making keys a thing of the past – and is now letting us control our premises from a smart phone. Instead of hiring a security service, for example, install deadbolts with a built-in alarm. The first of its kind, this keyed-entry lock lets you hear instantly when someone goes in or out, tampers with it, or tries to force their way in, says the innovator, Schlage. Details are at schlage.com. While on the website take a look at the other options for a keypad entry. This latest deadbolt technology, for instance, lets you add controls for lights, heating, cooling and more. If security management is important while you're away, connect your mobile device to an optional subscription-based service called Nexia Home Intelligence. It gives you camera surveillance, plus the ability to lock and unlock your doors, to pre-schedule the security monitoring for specific times every day, and to receive text alerts when the alarm is triggered.

Like A Hawke, Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

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Considering taking in renters? Read this first

(NC) – Renting out a room in your home, a basement apartment or purchasing an investment property can be an appealing way to help with the mortgage, utilize extra space or make a real estate investment.

According to Phil Dorner, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association, beyond the additional income, a rental property can be a valuable asset to your investment portfolio, as well as useful for family needs (including housing an aging relative or perhaps as a home for college-aged children close to campus).

“While there are clear benefits, before you consider becoming a landlord, make sure that you have a good grasp of what getting into the rental property business really entails,” says Dorner.

Here are a few tips for prospective landlords to get started:

• Read the Residential Tenancies Act: Know your rights and responsibilities as a landlord. Understanding the Act will help protect you as a landlord and also provide clarity on the roles and responsibilities between landlord and tenant.

• Screen tenants: Choose tenants carefully. Make sure that you have prospective tenants fill out an application. Be sure to check references and carry out a credit check through a credit bureau.

• Talk to your insurance company: Notify your home insurance company to avoid liability.

• Ensure your rental suite is legal: Make sure your suite complies with municipal bylaws. If the suite is not up to standards, you will not be able to get insurance.

• Learn from other landlords: Do your research and talk to successful landlords who can provide precedent. Tapping into the expertise of successful and experienced landlords is invaluable for first timers.

Understand the responsibility and time commitment necessary in being a landlord and, if you are considering renting out a room in your home, make sure that you are comfortable making concessions in terms of your personal space and privacy.

If you are planning on purchasing an investment property, speak to your Realtor about your goals so that you can be sure that the property you choose is appropriately situated, outfitted and conducive to attracting high quality tenants.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

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Give your child an inviting space to study

The ocean isn't far away with the ocean-themed bedroom featured above and neither is a good night's sleep, thanks to the Hunter Douglas Duette honeycomb shades. To help ensure child safety, the shades are equipped with the LiteRise cordless lifting system.

(NC)— Along with a fresh pack of crayons and pristine notebooks, your children will likely appreciate a fresh look for their rooms. Sally Morse is the director of creative services for Hunter Douglas, a leading name in Canadian window treatments. Take a look at a few of her best tips to do a makeover easily:

A special place – Since it's important for your child to have a special space in his or her room dedicated to schoolwork, you can use moldings, a screen, or even a curtain to separate the space from the rest of the room. A closet may even be converted into a study area with storage transferred to an armoire or under-the-bed containers. Wherever the study area is, make sure it is equipped with a good work surface and outlets for a computer and task lamp.

Create an appealing atmosphere – Take a cue from your child's special interests to select a theme for decorating their room and creating an inviting setting they'll look forward to spending time in. Some examples:

• Ocean - If your child thought their vacation at the beach was pure heaven, they can return there in memory with a beach-themed-bedroom. Use watery blues on the walls and sand-coloured floors. Wallpapers, posters and prints with beach scenes also add to the seashore setting.

• Animals – For the child who is crazy about animals, select wallpaper, posters and prints featuring those they are most interested in. Whether inspired by the jungle or a favorite stuffed toy, animals can, with a child's imagination, turn into pleasing imaginary playmates.

• Sports – Sports enthusiasts of both sexes will enjoy having mementoes of their favorite sports, whether in the form of trophies, room accessories or team pennants. Skates that have been outgrown can become decorative elements on shelves. For the child who developed a passion for rowing, oars painted in bright colours can be transformed into wall décor.

• Gardens – Stencil, paint or glue flowers on lamps, headboards and walls to help recreate the natural beauty of an outdoor garden inside the room.

• Stars and moonlight – A little night owl will enjoy seeing the planets on the ceiling and perhaps a few shooting stars that decoratively land on walls and furniture. Natural light can be transformed with the right window treatment to help create an ethereal mood across the room.

Sleep tight – Be sure your child can sleep soundly with window treatments that block out the light and noise. Hunter Douglas, for example, offers an array of light-blocking designs and all of its window treatments are rated for sound absorption.

Be safe – Above all else your child's room needs to be a safe haven. Use window guards and safety netting to help prevent falls, corner and edge bumpers to prevent injuries from sharp edges and outlet plugs to prevent electrical shocks. On the window fashions, minimize the safety hazards of operating cords with the LiteRise cordless operating system.

More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca.

Like A Hawke,
Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

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Experience the health benefits of honey

(NC) Healthy ingredients are the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. Whether it be a minor addition for flavour, or an increased dosage that completely transforms a meal, finding healthy ingredients that are both nutritious and delicious can enhance your diet and your life.

Honey is a diverse ingredient that can be supplemented or added to your favorite food and beverage to enrich the taste and fill your meal with the natural source of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids 
that honey provides. Many Canadian consumers are opting for honey as an alternative to sugar.

“The natural anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial properties of good quality honey make it an ideal replacement for its heavily processed, refined sugar counterpart,” says Greg Mohr, Director of sales and marketing at Bee Maid.

Chai Honey Tea

Ingredients:

½ cup BeeMaid liquid honey

2 cups Water

2 Black tea bags

2 tsp Vanilla extract

½ tsp Ground ginger

½ tsp Ground cinnamon

½ tsp Ground all spice

2 cups Milk, soymilk or milk substitute

Directions:

To make Chai Tea base, in a medium saucepan, combine honey, water, tea, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and allspice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Remove tea bags. Cover and refrigerate Chai Tea base.

To serve hot: Combine equal parts of Chai Tea base and milk. Heat on stovetop or in microwave.

To serve cold: Combine equal parts of Chai Tea base and milk over ice cubes.

Tips: This recipe can be Doubled or trippled easily. Chai Tea base may be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

For more information and recipes, please visit www.beemaid.com

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Susan 

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! 

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5 easy ideas to organize – and maximize – a small bathroom

(NC) The bathroom serves a variety of uses from a functional space to a serene sanctuary,from a storage facility, to a grooming salon. And, whether you enjoy it yourself or share with the family, every bathroom is in need of one major thing – organization. To keep it feeling more serene and less insane, here are five easy ideas to help improve your organization, maximize space, and even add a bit of style:

• Take Back the Tub. From shampoo and shower gel, duckies and boats, the bathtub often needs to store a variety of items. While shower caddies or shelves are an ideal solution, you can also make your own. Reuse your straight shower rod – but install it across the back wall of the tub. Next, use shower rod hooks to hang a variety of plastic baskets to create instant storage for each member of the family.

• Maximize with Dual-Function. Dual-function products are perfect for smaller baths, since they offer added benefits, without taking up more space. Update your current toilet paper holder, towel bars and in-shower shelves with newer versions that integrate a grab bar. Moen, for example, offers stylish grab bar designs featuring a paper holder, a towel bar and two shelf designs – all in a variety of finishes to help you update these bathroom basics while adding storage, safety and style.

• Shelves for Storage. Don't limit the vertical surfaces of your bathroom for mirrors and décor, especially if you don't have a closet. Try installing wall shelves. There are a variety of options – from smaller, decorative shelves that can hold perfume and toiletries – to larger hotel shelves that provide the perfect storage location for towels.

• Hidden Helpers. While space underneath the vanity offers room for storage, this hidden area is a glutton for disorganization. Remove everything and toss any items you don't need. Next, use baskets or bins to create a place for everything. Don't forget that the back of the doors can also be an added location to install a hook or shelf.

• Hotel Inspiration. Take note when you're in a hotel at the many amenities they offer and incorporate them into your bathroom for added functionality and organization. Did you love using the wall-mounted mirror? Enjoy the convenience of storing the hair dryer on the wall? Moen tells us they have a variety of bath accessories like the Arris wall-mount magnifying mirror that allows you to obtain hotel luxury at home – so install and enjoy.

With a few simple projects, your bathroom can achieve maximum use of space, style and organization. More information is available online at moen.ca.

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Susan

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them!

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How to modernize heirlooms with the right coat of paint

(NC) Everyone knows that home renovations have the potential to be time consuming, expensive, and often take much longer than originally planned. With a busy family schedule of physical activities, homework, and appointments, it can be difficult to find time to give your home that fresh new look you know it desperately needs.

For those with limited time but a penchant for projects, there is an easy solution for turning what often feels intimidating into a simple weekend endeavour that will not only rejuvenate your home, it won't break the bank. Why not update a favourite piece of furniture?

An antique sideboard, a beloved dresser or a pair of tired-looking side tables can be transformed into modern pieces with just a little TLC and a fresh coat of paint.

Design blogger Kelly James of Jax Does Design, says, “You can breathe new life into an old piece of furniture with some elbow grease and paint. Better still, the end result is going to be a brand new custom piece of furniture designed by you.”

There are a wide variety of paint options available from hybrid and latex formulas, to matte and gloss finishes. James points to the Ultra Cabinet & Furniture line (by Para Paints) as the top choice for her projects since it resists stains and is durable while giving a smooth and even finish. While James favours a water-based primer for an easy clean-up, she cautions against going for ease over function, as the primer can affect the finish of the final product.

Tips for painting reclaimed furniture

•Always remember to thoroughly clean the piece with either a good dusting and/or warm soap and water

• Sand down the surface to remove loose bits of the old finish and to give the primer a rougher surface to adhere to

• Use the appropriate primer for the surface of your chosen piece

• Invest in a high quality brush or foam roller to ensure the smoothest finish possible

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Decorate with the new neutrals this fall

(NC) Classic neutrals are a hit with interior designers as the seasons change. For a fresh look that brings the home to life, designers are re-interpreting how to use them for the most appeal. Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore, offers her easy tips on the best ways to combine neutrals for a modern look on this classic palette:

Combine Different Shades

Choose one neutral colour, whether it is a cool grey, a creamy white or a warm taupe, and combine several shades and tints of the colour to add visual interest, texture and depth to a room. Pictured here, the living room incorporates various values of gray ranging from light to dark. Accessories such as cozy throws or pillows in various textures like cable knits and stripes add another layer of depth.

Design Mixology

Don't be afraid to combine warm and cool neutrals. There is a definite design trend that allows for this combination, giving the space a rich complexity. Illustrated in the photo is a warm neutral paint colour called Hidden Cove and it is the perfect match to Chateau on the baseboard trim. Steely gray in the soft furnishings and warm tones in the wood pair well, giving the space a well curated, lived in look. Grech says that both colours are from the Colour Stories collection (by Benjamin Moore) and are available exclusively in Aura premium quality paint.

Pops of Colour

As the weather cools, Canadians naturally want to bring in the rich colours of the season into the home. A neutral space is the perfect canvas to highlight fall's colour palette. When entertaining guests for holiday dinners, beautiful accessories this season, like hot metals in copper and gold become the focal point against a neutral backdrop. Finish the look with chic white dishware for a modern feel.

Painted Furniture

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing what furniture to refresh with paint. A dresser can be repurposed in the front entrance to store keys, mail and other odds and ends. An up-cycled cabinet for the living room looks beautiful when topped with picture frames and vases of different shapes to keep the look interesting. Designers often choose the Benjamin Moore colour Cloud White as the perfect neutral for painting furniture. It's slightly toned which makes it flattering in nearly any design situation. “When it comes to application, our Advance paint is easy to apply and dries to a hard, durable surface for years of beautiful wear,” says Grech. “A satin sheen is perfect for more traditional pieces while a high-gloss finish feels more sleek and modern.”

More information about the reinvigoration of neutrals is available online at www.BenjaminMoore.ca.

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Susan 

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Houseplants Are Back!

A few plants in each room give your space a healthy, green - fresh-air feel! Great idea for staging. More ideas here. 

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Susan

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10 Common House Plants and How to Care for Them

Ten common house plants and how to care for them.

Philodendron	Leaves droop	Too hot and dry / soak thoroughly, move to a cooler spot.
	Leaves turn yellow	Too wet / check drainage holes, let dry between waterings.
Ficus	Leaf drop	Too wet / allow soil to dry before watering. Too cold / move to brighter, warmer place.
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)	Brown leaves	Hot, dry air / use cool mist humidifier.
	Lanky leaves	Too dark / move to brighter spot.
Boston Fern	Spindly fronds	Pot is too big / let it get root bound. Fertilize.
	Brown fronds	Dry air / use cool mist humidifier.
African Violet	Spots on leaves	Water on leaves / remove spotted leaves, water plant from the bottom to avoid getting water on leaves.
	No flowers	Too dark / increase light intensity and fertilize.
Aloe-vera	Leaves topple over	Too rootbound / repot, or divide plant.
	Leaves wither	Too dry / water a little more often.
Dracaena (dragon tree)	Leaves droop	Direct sun / move to more filtered light.
Parlor Palm	Brown leaf tips	Dry air and soil / mist and increase water.
Schefflera	Blackened leaf tips	Soggy soil / reduce water.
	Leaf drop	Cool air / move away from drafts.
Spider Plant	Brown scorch marks on leaves	Leaf shine damage / clean with pure water
	Rotting in center	Too wet / allow to dry before watering.
	Brown leaf tips	Too hot & dry / move away from direct sun, water more often.

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Susan

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