Susan Hawke

Monday, 11 March 2013

Scrub your home in preparation for a spring sale

(NC)—Thinking of selling your home this spring? The single most effective and budget-friendly way to ensure your home is at its most appealing is to make sure it is meticulously clean, says Ron Abraham, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association.

Abraham says that elbow grease and an eye for editing are the real keys to springing your home to the head of the pack.So what should be on your spring cleaning checklist?

“The exterior, entryway, main living space, kitchen and bathroom(s) tend to make the biggest impression on would-be buyers so make sure to take special care with these areas,” recommends Abraham.

Here's a helpful checklist to guide your spring scrubbing:

• De-clutter: Clutter distracts buyers from your home's features. And don't just throw everything into a closet! This will make it seem like the home doesn't have enough storage space.

• Depersonalize: To help buyers envision themselves in the space, remove personal items like family photos, toys and children's art.

• Make sure the exterior of the home is well maintained – this means snow removal in early spring and landscaping in late spring/summer.

• Kitchens are the heart of any home. Make sure the kitchen is clean (pay close attention to floors counters and appliances), free of last night's cooking smells and appears organized and functional.

• Bathrooms should be sparkling clean, free of clutter and as spa-like as possible (Stocked with fresh towels and soaps, and well-lit).

• Windows should be washed on the inside and the outside – clean windows will really brighten up your home.

• Furniture should be polished, upholstery and drapes cleaned and carpets and rugs steam cleaned.

“Spring cleaning efforts will help prepare your home for sale. Remember, making your home look its best does not require spending a ton of money on costly projects; rather, make sure your home is sparkling clean and talk to your Realtor about else you can do to stage your home for sale.”

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

Friday, 8 March 2013

Sault Ste. Marie Homes for SALE

There are so many excellent homes for sale in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario! I have many wonderful properties to show you.

***Don't forget! FREE Professional Home Staging for Sault Ste. Marie*** Details here.

Area tourist attractions include the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, boat tours of the Sault locks (which connect Lake Superior with the lower Great Lakes), Whitefish Island, the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, Casino Sault Ste. Marie, the Art Gallery of Algoma and the Algoma Central Railway's popular Agawa Canyon Tour Train.

Nearby parks include Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Batchawana Bay Provincial Park and Lake Superior Provincial Park. Winter activities are also an asset to Sault Ste Marie's tourism industry with the annual Bon Soo Winter Carnival, Searchmont Resort as a great ski and snowboard destination, Stokely Creek Lodge (cross country ski resort) and Hiawatha a nearby cross country ski trails. The city also hosts a large snowmobile trail system that criss-crosses the province of Ontario.

A new non-motorized HUB trail is being created around the city (20 km) so that walkers, rollerbladers and cyclists (snowshoeing and cross country skiing in winter) can enjoy the beautiful and convenient circle tour around town. The Voyageur Hiking Trail, a long-distance trail that will eventually span from Sudbury to Thunder Bay, originated in Sault Ste. Marie in 1973. The Roberta Bondar Pavilion was created to commemorate the first Canadian female astronaut to go into space.

The city is also home to the Station Mall, one of the largest shopping malls in Northern Ontario.

Thursday, 7 March 2013

Painted Toad Decor

Painted Toad Decor offers creative affordable decorating options and can work within your budget and schedule! Not sure where to start? Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh coat of paint to transform the look of a room.

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Discover Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie offers many of the advantages of ‘big city' living, but is nestled in natural wilderness. It is a great place to raise a family! Voted as one of the safest cities to live in North America, the Sault offers safe neighbourhoods where the word neighbour still resonates, and has community centres, parks and more to offer the whole family. A thriving arts and entertainment community, top-notch restaurants, and more are right here in the community of Sault Ste. Marie. Community Quality Improvement (CQI) is an organization that has taken an active role in improving community well being. CQI has conducted local research in partnership with community partners to gather information in specific areas, including culture/recreation, economy, environment, governance, health and social well-being. With the information gathered, CQI has created a Quality of Life Report for Sault Ste. Marie.

Community Quality Improvement (CQI) is an organization that has taken an active role in improving community well being. CQI has conducted local research in partnership with community partners to gather information in specific areas including culture/recreation, economy, environment, governance, health and social well being. With the information gathered, CQI has created a Quality of Life Report for Sault Ste. Marie.

Today, the economy of Sault Ste. Marie is based on Essar Steel Algoma (the most profitable steel mill in the world, per unit produced), although diversification through call centers, the TenarisAlgoma Tube mill, and numerous tertiary industries, has broadened the economic base. Interestingly, Sault Ste. Marie is the only region in Northern Ontario that is not supported by a primary industry (like logging or mining).

Sault Ste. Marie has become a place of innovation in Northern Ontario. With multiple scientific research centres, including the Canadian Forestry Service, the Ontario Forestry Research Institute, and the Sea Lamprey Control Centre; the largest wind farm in Canada; and an educational system that spans pre-school to university, the city continues to contribute to the global knowledge base.

Discoverthesault.ca offers links to hundreds of resources for newcomers including:

Settlement services through “The New to the Sault” program and Sault Community Career Centre
Employment Standards Act through the Ontario Ministry of Labour.
The Invest Northern Ontario website – designed to speak to investors around the world.
Local newsletters like The Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporations Newsletter, The Pulse.
Algoma University, Northland Adult Learning Centre and local school boards.
Driver training.

So if you’re looking for opportunity to live and thrive in Canada, make sure you Discover the Sault.

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

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Awesome Things About Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Last year alone, OLG Gaming Centres gave back $110 million to their communities. This helped fund things like college and university campuses, hospitals, community centres, and charities. There are countless stories of how this money has touched the lives of people all over Ontario. Watch this video to see how Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario became an even 'better' place to live, work and play!

Monday, 4 March 2013

March Madness! FREE Home Staging Continues!

You have to believe it! Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario! It's true! Read more 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

Photo source

Friday, 1 March 2013

5 Tips For Selling Your Home

For most homeowners, there comes a moment when their home no longer meets their needs. Fortunately, when it's time to sell your home, there are simple things you can do to make your house stand out among the competition.

1. Think curb appeal.

The first tip for selling your home is to lead with a good first impression. Make sure buyers will want to take a closer look. Consider these curb-altering ideas:

Change out your house numbers, lighting fixtures and mailbox & door hardware
Remove overbearing shrubbery or anything covering the entryway
Take care of weeds and plant new flowers (if it's warm outside)
Remove children's toys and garden figures (flamingos, gnomes, etc.)

2. Make it neutral.

When you're selling your home, buyers need to see a clean slate so they can envision how they'd make each room their own. A few gallons of paint in a neutral color can make a space feel move-in ready. Choose tans, creams and beiges for a look that's warm and inviting.

3. Rent a storage unit.

It will be easier for a buyer to imagine how they'll utilize each room in your home if you remove excess furniture, boxes and personal mementos. Not only will your home appear more spacious, but potential buyers won't feel tied to your brand of decorating. Plus, closet space is a key selling point. The more stuff you can live without for a short period of time, the bigger your home will look.

4. Create spaces with purpose.

Give each space a clear and useful purpose. If you're using a bedroom for storage, remove the boxes and stage it as a guest room or an office so buyers instantly perceive the space's value. If you've already moved out, leave some furniture arranged in simple vignettes to clearly define your rooms to buyers.

5. Take time for quick fixes.

Still think your home needs a little something extra? Try these quick fixes:

Downplay low ceilings by positioning curtain rods three or four inches above windows
Arrange seating arrangements so they frame your home's best features, such as fireplaces or bay windows
Paint dated cabinetry and switch out hardware for an updated look

Making a few changes and investing a few dollars can make a difference when selling your home. Enjoy moving on to a brand new living space! Once your home is on the market, it's time to start searching for your next one.

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