2023

One of the true hidden gems among the small towns of Southwestern Ontario lies just outside of Stratford, and a little under an hour’s drive from Kitchener-Waterloo.  Positioned between more heavily-travelled Ontario highways, one typically would need to be deliberately seeking St Marys out to arrive in its charming downtown – but this town will make such a journey well worth your...

When buyers view your property, they’re likely to visit each room and look around. Their imagination is turned on high. Often, within just a few moments in a space, they’ll form an impression — ideally, a positive one! So, how do you ensure each room shows well? Here’s what buyers want to see: 1. Space. Buyers will often mentally fit their furniture into a room when they see it. So,...

There are few certainties in this world, but there are surefire ways to sell your property faster regardless of market conditions. These strategies have been proven time and time again. So, if you’re thinking of selling this year, take a good look at these recommendations: Clean and tidy up. Making your home “guest ready” is the easiest way to ensure buyers are impressed during a...

This week we’re making a return to our continuing series of profiles on the smaller towns and communities dotted throughout Chestnut Park West’s predominant market area.  We’re also making a return to Wellington County, and to the township of Centre Wellington – Fergus, to be exact.  An independent town until 1999 when it merged with the Village of Elora and a handful of other surrounding small...

The more consumers increase their use of online shopping using a variety of sites and payment methods, the more susceptible they become to fraud. These include false threats or enticements from scammers posing as retail, bank and credit card companies. With personal profiles being shared more frequently, it stands to reason that hackers will gain increased access to email addresses and other contact...

There’s no doubt about it. The more “move in” ready your property is, the more attractive it will be to buyers. There is always an advantage when buyers can imagine living in the home without having to make any major repairs or improvements — at least for the short term. But, does that mean you need to get every big issue dealt with before you sell? Not necessarily. Say, for example, your...

Remember the last time you were in a furniture store or other major home retailer? Remember the fully decorated displays of furniture, appliances and other products? Some of those may have even been organized as model rooms. What did most of those displays have in common? Chances are, they were well lit. In fact, in the retail industry, there are professionals who specialize exclusively in...

Of the many population centres and market towns which surround our portion of Southern Ontario, the City of Woodstock is one of the larger ones within a 45-minute drive of Kitchener-Waterloo.  As the the seat of Oxford County, Woodstock has a population now north of 40,000 residents. In recent years, it has become an increasingly popular option for would-be homebuyers exasperated by spiraling costs of...

New countertops have always been a major contributor to kitchen makeovers, and the range of choices has never been greater. Beyond laminates and tile, or natural stone, wood and bamboo, some durable acrylics have become quite popular.  But, there are also newer composite materials that offer advantages. These advantages might make them an ideal compromise between natural and synthetic countertops....

When you purchased your current home, chances are it was a good match for your lifestyle. It had the space you needed, the features you wanted, and a location that worked for you. But for most people, lifestyle and needs evolve through the years. Kids get older. Jobs or careers change. People take on new hobbies and other interests. As a result, the home that was ideal a few years ago may not fit...