K-W Real Estate Market Update

The Kitchener-Waterloo real estate market is constantly changing, so please reach out for detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you’re just curious about what the house down the street sold for. It’d be great to hear from you!

Halloween Fun In K-W

Do you have what it takes to brave these spooktacular Halloween events?

Saying goodbye to summer can be hard, but the beauty of fall colours and a variety of thrilling Halloween events in and around the K-W area will hopefully help revitalize your spirits!

For instance, Screampark returns to Bingemans with a variety of horrifying attractions, including the Crypt of Terror, The Twisted Woods, No Man's Land and more!

There’s also the legendary Fear Farm, which features a number of frightening haunted attractions to explore on their 100-acre farm, including Woodsboro Asylum, The Stalking Dead and Hiller House.

If you’re looking for some fall family fun that won’t scare you half to death, check out Snyder’s Farm during the day, as they offer acres of fun for the entire family!

Aside from picking pumpkins and enjoying fresh baked goods at Snyder’s Farm, there are various attractions to keep the little ones busy, including an animal barnyard, corn maze, hayride and farm play area.

There’s a lot going on in and around the Kitchener-Waterloo area this Halloween, but whatever you end up doing, here’s to you having a spooktacular time!

Reaping the Rewards of Renovations

Before swinging the hammer, it’s important to nail down your renovation goals.

With housing costs high, homeowners are thinking carefully about whether to renovate or sell.

Renovating your home can be exciting, but before you start tearing down walls, ask yourself one key question: Why are you renovating in the first place?

For example, are you staying put in your current home for 10+ years so you can enjoy your updates, or are you looking to add value because you plan on moving soon?

Or are you perhaps looking to make your older home more energy efficient? Whatever the reason, here are a few points to consider if you’re thinking about renovating your home:

Street Smart
The key to generating a decent return on your investment is to renovate in line with the other homes in your area so that it’s not over-improved.

Future Proof
Building an addition can make sense if you plan on staying put for a while, but it may not always be a wise investment if you’re thinking of selling in the near future.

Kitchen Capital
It’s important to renovate the right areas of your home. The kitchen, for instance, will often yield the greatest return on investment.

Royal Flush
The bathroom is another worthwhile area of the home to invest in. A few simple cosmetic upgrades and a new coat of paint can help create a spa-like atmosphere.

Window of Opportunity
Energy-efficient windows, especially on an older home, are an attractive feature to buyers. They’ll also significantly reduce your utility bills if you plan on staying in your home for a while.

Go Green
An eco-friendly home is a healthy home, so use paints that have zero VOCs. If you’re thinking about replacing the floors, consider environmentally friendly materials such as bamboo or cork.

Think Outside the Box
Investing in landscaping will usually drive up your home’s value. Some well-placed trees and shrubs will also reduce your utility costs by providing shade and shelter from the wind.

If you decide to renovate your home, don’t forget to snap some before-and-after photos. Seeing the transformation unfold is one of the most rewarding parts of renovating!

Home renovations don’t have to break the bank, as small, budget-friendly upgrades like swapping out hardware, lighting or a fresh coat of paint can make a huge impact.

If you’d like some advice on which updates will add the most value to your home, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. It’d be great to hear from you!

Reduce Your Bills & Chills

Winter may bring chills, but energy bills shouldn’t give you the shivers.

Higher energy bills are a harsh reality, but a few small changes can make a huge difference to your bottom line.

You don’t need major renovations to make your home more energy efficient. With just a few smart tweaks, you can take control of your energy use, keep your home cozy and hold onto your hard-earned cash.

Here are a few energy-saving tips that will help you reduce your bills and chills this winter:

Make Some Adjustments
Turning your thermostat down by just a few degrees can add up to huge savings. If you throw on some slippers and a cozy sweater, you won’t even notice the difference!

Seal of Approval
Seal up any leaks around your windows and doors to help keep the cold air out. Older windows can be temporarily sealed with removable caulking so that they can be opened up again in the spring.

Full of Hot Air
Change your furnace filter on a regular basis and consider having your furnace tuned up. Routine maintenance will increase its efficiency and prevent general wear and tear.

Fan-tastic Idea!
Set your ceiling fan to run clockwise at its lowest speed. This will pull cooler air upwards, which then pushes the warmer air that sits up near the ceiling back down for you to enjoy.

A Bright Idea
Open up the curtains and blinds during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat up your home, and then close them at night to keep the warm air in.

It doesn’t take much time or effort to implement these energy-saving solutions around the home, but it’s often the simple things that are overlooked.

If we change our daily habits just slightly, the results can add up to huge savings!