Susan Hawke : June 2014

Friday, 27 June 2014

Cool off with a sensational smoothie

(NC) Summer stirs up memories of hot days and cool treats – and there is no better way to cool off than with a refreshing fruit smoothie. With lemon, strawberry and almond beverage, it tastes rich, but is actually good for you.

Strawberry Lemonade Smoothie

Ingredients

3/4 cup (175 ml) Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze almond beverage

2 cups (500 ml) halved strawberries

1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest

3 tbsp (45 ml) fresh lemon juice

1 packet no-calorie sweetener, optional

3 ice cubes

Directions

Blend all ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

Yield: 2 Servings

Nutritional Analysis

Per serving: 69 cal, 8 g sugar, 2 g fat, 4 g fibre.

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

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Unleash your inner chef with time-saving innovations

(NC) Do you dream of being the next contestant on a reality cooking show? If you think your culinary skills could take on Chef Gordon Ramsay, you're not alone. There are millions of aspiring, in-home chefs who want to improve their skills. And whether you are a self-proclaimed expert or new to the kitchen, the following four tools will be sure to help unleash your inner chef, while saving the preparation for your favourite meals:

1. Blend Up Creativity

Did you know that investing in the right blender can actually help you do the work of more than 10 different kitchen appliances? Take your culinary skills from ordinary to extraordinary with a Vitamix Professional Series 750. It can do everything from making ice cream to grinding grains, kneading dough and making whole-food juice and even hot soup. This model features five pre-programmed settings—Smoothies, Frozen Desserts, Hot Soups, Puree and Cleaning—to help home chefs make gourmet meals like the pros. Available at specialty and online retailers and vitamix.ca, the Professional Series 750 comes with a full seven-year warranty and recipe book with more than 200 chef-tested recipes ensuring success, regardless of your current culinary skill level.

2. Smart and Savvy Storage

Like most professional chefs, you'll be preparing foods that are not canned or frozen, so having the latest in storage innovation is a must. Many homeowners are now integrating a commercial refrigerator into their kitchens to help food maintain its freshness longer. Extra-large-capacity refrigerators are available that can actually store up to 34 bags of groceries, eliminating the hassle of running to the store for odds and ends during the week. Other chef-inspired features on newer models include metal cooling to help seal in flavour and maintain a constant temperature. LED lights and interactive displays also make it easy to view the current settings and update your shopping list electronically.

3. Hands-Free Innovation

As the workhorse of the kitchen, we have dozens of daily interactions at the sink. So why not give your kitchen a functionality facelift and upgrade your faucet into the digital age? Motion-activated faucets, like those with Moen's easy-to-use MotionSense technology, are growing in popularity and are perfect for when your hands are full preparing dinner. With a simple wave of your hand, filling a large pot or pan or turning the faucet on and off has never been so easy. Even cleaning dirty dishes can be more efficient and—believe it or not— enjoyable.

4. The Heat is On—Get Cooking

When preparing a meal for guests or family members, time is of the essence and the heat is on to cook amazing food. No pressure, right? With the latest innovations in induction cooktops, you can stress less and enjoy your cooking experience. Newer models turn up the heat in the kitchen, allowing users to boil water in only 90 seconds. In addition to the professional temperature control, a warming feature is available to keep your food at the right setting as you make the finishing touches to your meal before serving.

With the help of these key kitchen appliances, you'll expand your culinary creativity and skills in no time.

Monday, 23 June 2014

Top 15 Home Updates

Find out how the top 15 home improvements rank, plus get tips on maximizing the return at resale. 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

Thursday, 19 June 2014

Home Inspection Process

When you purchase a home, it's often recommended that you have a home inspection done. In fact, a typical Agreement to Purchase Form will include a standard preprinted clause with respect to home inspections. This is one of the most common conditions in an offer to purchase a property. When real estate markets are extremely active and you really want a particular home, skipping the home inspection and not placing this kind of condition in an offer can be tempting. Before you make the decision, consider the benefits of a home inspection.

If there is a Seller Property Information Statement (SPIS), you may receive a copy and have a general sense of comfort about the history of the property. However, you should keep in mind that the person selling the home may not be aware of property defects and that the information provided in the SPIS is based only on their personal knowledge.

Similarly, the broker or salesperson representing you in the transaction may have the experience to identify visually obvious defects, but underlying problems can exist.

A qualified and experienced home inspector will examine the major systems in the home such as:

Electrical
Roofing
Plumbing
Heating/Air Conditioning
Foundation
Septic Systems

Many home inspection companies encourage you to attend the inspection and ask the inspector questions during the process and about the results of the inspection. The decision is yours to make, but you will be better informed and able to assess whether or not you want to invest in any upgrades or repairs that might be needed

RECO does not regulate home inspectors. For information about home inspectors and home inspection services you can speak to your real estate broker or salesperson or refer to the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors website or the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors website.

SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTIONS
Ontario's Ministry of the Environment recommends that home buyers have a septic system inspected prior to finalizing a sale on a property. This condition may also be requested by your financial institution. A time of sale inspection may help protect you against future unexpected costs. The inspection process might involve pumping the tank and examining the leaching bed for any signs of problems. A septic system inspection may be conducted by a licensed septic system installer, a licensed sewage hauler or a professional engineer.

Your Septic System: Protecting your Investment and the Environment

For more information, visit the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's Clean Water website.

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Top 10 security tips for your new home

(NC) – Moving to a different neighbourhood is an exciting adventure, but it's also a stressful time as we check off, one by one, all of the tasks necessary to turn a new house into a home. Be sure to add security measures to your list say advisers in this field.

Police investigations show that many intruders actually have a key. Always assume that several other people probably have a key to your new home, therefore replacing the entry locks as soon as possible is as important as hanging the drapes, placing the furniture in your rooms, and purchasing decor enhancements.

Take a look at this handy Top 10 checklist, courtesy of Schlage, a leading name in door security hardware:

1. Examine all doors and windows to make sure the frames are sturdy and reliable. Get them fixed if they are in need of repair.

2. Change the exterior locks with the most advanced deadbolts and front entry handlesets available. The new ANSI Grade 1 Touchscreen Deadbolts operate by simply entering a code to lock and unlock it, no keys required. Fully-loaded features include the auto-lock option, built-in alarm, kick-in and anti-pick resistance. This electronic deadbolt is smart as well. Once synced wirelessly with a Z-wave service provider, it will give you a menu of home control from your web-connected devices.

3. Tour the new house with a critical eye looking for broken or aging door frames, flimsy window locks, and broken locks. Even the most beautiful locks can be quite affordable.

4. If the house has an alarm system, change the access codes and advise the alarm service of your new ownership. Did you know that the most advanced electronic deadbolts come with a built-in alarm? See schlage.com.

5. Walk around your yard at different times of the day to judge shadows, deterrent lighting, and the safety of entering and exiting from different doorways.

6. Sensor lights or dusk-to-dawn lighting deters criminals while you're sleeping.

7. Trim back bushes and trees to prevent thieves from hiding. Store ladders in a locked garage immediately.

8. Hire only accredited tradespeople to work on your home; ask for their credentials and references.

9. Find out emergency service phone numbers and locations.

10. Join the local neighbourhood watch.

Monday, 16 June 2014

Dreamy Outdoor Shower Designs

Such a simple luxury!

Check out these designs......here.

Friday, 13 June 2014

Extraordinary Contemporary Kitchens

In case you’re wondering how can you tell a contemporary kitchen design from any other kitchen design, the answer is very simple. A contemporary kitchen design will have a lot of straight lines and sharp edges. The amount if detail would be lowered to a minimum, that is for most contemporary designs which are also called minimalist designs. So, overall, a contemporary kitchen looks very simple and clean.

- Architecture Art Design

I have some great pinboards over on my Pinterest!

http://www.pinterest.com/susanhawke/

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

Good Climbers: Blooms and Vines a Trellis Loves

Clematis
Moonflower
Sweet Pea
Morning Glory
Bouganvillea
Climbing Hydrangea
Dutchman's Pipe

More 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

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Color Chats Benjamin Moore

Color Charts is a great blog for paint colour ideas and inspiration. It is a great tool when you are editing and preparing your home for sale - home staging - or for once you move into your new home.

I really liked the post called 'Mad About the Beige'

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

Monday, 9 June 2014

Curb appeal starts with your driveway

(NC) When homeowners envision the 'curb appeal' of their property, favourite features such as landscaping, windows and even decorative pieces come easily to mind – but what about the driveway? Is yours attractive, or is it an eyesore?

This summer, don't wait for the kid with the vat of black goo and a $10 roller brush to take care of the driveway for you. Take matters into your own hands and do it yourself.

“Although a door-to-door service may seem simpler, the materials used are often not designed to last or preserve your driveway the way we need them to,” explains Lawrence Genga, the senior director of marketing and research and development at Rust-Oleum Consumer Brands Canada. “When homeowners are proactive with the right products and do a driveway reno themselves, it not only improves the look, but also the life of their driveway.”

As your driveway gets older, it will fade and crack. Canada's winters are cruel to asphalt, with buckling, heaving and salt all doing their best to turn it into a grey sponge. A fading driveway can be an indicator that the asphalt is breaking down. As a homeowner, your best first step is to inspect the surface– not just the colour, but the quality. Check for cracks, loose patches or low spots that puddle and can indicate poor drainage. Make sure there isn't a big dip outside your garage and that the driveway hasn't settled away from the house either.

If you encounter bigger issues related to the foundation you may need to call in the professionals. However, if a driveway is simply in need of a little TLC, there are effective products such as EpoxyShield Driveway to help homeowners tackle these issues themselves.

“EpoxyShield Driveway is a line of high-quality products designed to help clean, repair and beautify your driveway and to help you do it right the first time,” Genga continues. “From small repairs such as filling cracks, to bigger projects such as levelling issues or complete re-coating, this product is helping homeowners to improve the look and performance of their driveways – without all the headaches.”

Thursday, 5 June 2014

Decorate with Brass! It's 'in' again.

Brass, once passe and brassy is back!

Thousands of brass pins here.

Martha Stewart tends to say it best.

I'm having an OPEN HOUSE

Click on the balloon below to get the details.

Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Online Magazines That Inspire My Decorating

I love that we can easily find ideas online. One magazine I enjoy is Lonny. Here is the June issue.
(and the images are from Lonny)

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

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