Archives for Lifestyle

Everything You Need to Know About Trees

Everything You Need to Know About Trees   With the recent Ontario wide storm so many trees were toppled over and caused a lot of property damage. So we thought it would be a good time to talk about how to properly care for your new trees, if you’ve chosen to replant some of the […]


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Mother's Day from a Distance

  Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and while many of us generally take this time to visit and surprise our Mothers with gifts of appreciation, good food, and laughs with the family, the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic still has us practicing social distancing measures, limiting our interactions. While this certainly isn’t how we thought we would be spending Mother’s Day this year, there are still ways we can adapt and celebrate; With accessible technology, plenty of local and online buying options, and a touch of creativity, there are still lots of ways to brighten the day
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Video Chat Platforms: Social Interaction During Social Distancing

The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic has created changes and challenges in the way we conduct our normal daily activities. While we used to enjoy taking a break from the busy world outside of our homes, we are now being asked to make that break our new reality by staying inside and practicing social distancing measures in order to do our part to flatten the curve and stop the spread of this virus. While the importance of this effort cannot be argued, it is recommended that we seek out alternative methods of social interaction to stay connected with our
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The Season of Giving – Gift Ideas for all the Homeowners in your Life

Coming up with gift ideas for the people in your life can be difficult sometimes.  We have put together a gift-giving guide for those people that have moved into a new home or a new condo.  Perhaps you are the one that has moved this year if so we included some ideas for little gifts for your new neighbours around the holiday season.   Homeowners Buying gifts for the new homeowners in your life can be an exciting gift to shop for and the possibilities can seem endless! Toasters, towels, and linens at every corner! If your homeowner hasn’t registered
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Ottawa's Most "Luxurious" Neighboourhoods

Ottawa’s neighbourhoods are diverse and most offer something for everyone. If you are looking for luxury, it’s all around us with little pockets throughout the city. Large lot sizes in rural areas and even within the city allow for beautiful large custom homes and these opportunities are popping up everywhere! Below you will find a list of some of Ottawa’s most “luxurious” neighbourhoods but it’s also important to remember that just like there are luxury homes all over, there are more moderately priced opportunities to own in these neighbourhoods as well. Each of these neighbourhoods offer unique opportunities and homes.
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Coolest Luxury Upgrades (and what they cost!)

Luxury homes offer just that – luxury – and many of them feature a variety of amenities to make life easier and add convenience. Here are the top 10 sought-after amenities for luxury homes compiled from interviews with Royal LePage agents across the country. Just in case you’re interested in upgrading your current home, estimated costs for each item is also included. Car Lifts and Indoor Car Washes Estimated Cost – Car Lift – $2,500 to $6,000 Indoor Car Wash – $30,000+ If you have a luxury home, it only makes sense to have space to park your luxury cars.
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#TenYearChallenge

Recently social media has been filled with people taking the #TenYearChallenge. The premise is simple, share your profile picture from 10 years ago side by side with your current one. It’s a fun way to look back at the past and see how much we have all changed. We thought it would be fun to take our own #TenYearChallenge and see how things stack up in Ottawa Real Estate  compared to ten years ago. Setting the Stage: Ottawa in 2009 2009 in Ottawa had its highs and its lows. Larry O’Brien was mayor and some of the highlights for the
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Holidays on a Budget: A Financially Friendly Guide to “Decking the Halls”

The holidays are just around the corner, and we will soon be covered in a blanket of snow, with marching bands leading parades, and Santa’s village bringing long lines to the malls. While the excitement builds up, we are often left wondering how we can possibly save money or limit our spending without compromising the spirit of the season. With just a few practical tips and tricks, embracing the magic and togetherness of the holidays without breaking the bank is not only a practical goal, but attainable as well. Here are a few budget friendly ways to “deck the halls”
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Readying Your Family for an Emergency

Readying Your Family for an Emergency September 21st, 2018 is a day our community won’t soon forget. The stories we’ve heard from those affected by the tornadoes that touched down in the City of Ottawa-Gatineau were nothing short from terrifying; the photos we’ve seen from the storm’s aftermath have been undeniably bone-chilling. It has been a devastating reality that the residents of our nation’s capital weren’t quite ready to face as thousands upon thousands of families were left without power – and, worse – homes. Yet, in the same breath, we have witnessed some incredible acts of heroism and unity
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Reverse Mortgages: What to consider when considering a reverse mortgage

Reverse Mortgages What to consider when considering a reverse mortgage… Reverse mortgages allow homeowners to use the equity in their home as a loan, it’s a  financial strategy that is getting more common. This may be in part because a large segment of Canadian Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964) “is on strong financial footing and on a clear path to being mortgage-free, if not already.”  But what exactly is a reverse mortgage, and how does it work?  Let’s examine the concept of a reverse mortgage, and some of the benefits and downfalls. What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a
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