Top 5 Spring Cleaning Tips

It's spring cleaning time!


Time to expose every corner, tackle every speck of dust, wash surfaces you haven't touched in months, and declutter your home, life and mind.

Easier said than done? You aren't alone. The good news is there are a few steps you can stick to that will help the chore become less burdensome, enjoyable even, freeing up space in your heart, home and mind to tackle those goals you've been meaning to get a jump start on.

Here are some things to remember:

STEP 1: CREATE AN ACTION PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
Rome wasn't built in a day, and thinking you can completely overhaul your home in one afternoon may be a tad bit ambitious. However, making lists of what you hope to accomplish and spreading it out over a long weekend can help you keep things under control and take breaks in between. Get the whole family on board and assign tasks to each member of the household. Remember, many hands makes light work.

STEP 2: HAVE SUPPLIES ON HAND!
Take a quick inventory of the cleaning supplies you have on hand, and what you'll need to pick up. There are plenty of green options for cleaning solutions on the market (and do-it-yourself solutions) that are safe for children and pets, and clean just as well as the toxic stuff. In addition to your cleaning products, consider purchasing plastic bins, closet organizers and other storage solutions for easy decluttering.

STEP 3:  DECLUTTER FIRST
Analyze each room of your home and think about the items you really 'need' versus the ones that are just there for 'memories' or because you've always thought it would come in handy at some point in the future. Items others would get better use out of should be donated, while the remaining items could perhaps be better organized. This is where the organizational supplies from Step 2 comes in handy. Extend the decluttering to your pantry. Retailers and restaurants follow the 'First in First Out' rule, meaning new groceries should always be stored at the back of the cupboard so the ones that expire first are used first.  This makes sense for cleaning house, and also helps with meal planning for a busy family as you'll have a better knowledge of your inventory of ingredients.

STEP 4:  WORK YOUR WAY DOWN
Start on the upper level of your home and work your way to the lower levels, leaving the basement to last. As you clean, you'll likely stir up dust and debris that will eventually re-settle, so to cover better ground and avoid messing up areas that have already been cleaned, work your way downwards. Start with bedroom closets and bathroom cupboards, then move on to principle rooms. Expect to spend a large portion of your cleaning schedule in the kitchen and home office.

STEP 5: FOCUS ON HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS & USE SHORT CUTS
Don't want to clean the entire carpet? Use a spot cleaner to touch up high-traffic areas only. Use multipurpose cleaners to limit the number of different bottles you're carting around from room to room, or implement tools that work double duty, such as clothes steamers to clean curtains and remove wrinkles without having to take the curtains off the windows. Clean smarter, not necessarily harder to achieve efficient results.

And the very best advice of all would be to not put it off. Before you know it, summer will be in full swing and it will be much easier to lean towards cottage getaways over chores any day!

Looking for more information about getting in the swing of spring cleaning, need downloadable checklists or other advice about homeownership? Don't hesitate to contact us. We're always here to help in any way we can!

Happy Cleaning!

- The Stuart Sinclair Team
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
info@thestuartsinclairteam.com 

Halloween safety reminders for the whole family

Don't you just love Halloween? There's nothing like carving pumpkins, roasting seeds, dressing up in costumes and getting a little silly! It's so much fun to watch the kids delight in a sugar rush of ghoulish proportions... and of course, so nice to finally get out and say hello to the neighbours that we don't often get a chance to connect with throughout the year.

Halloween has become an event that lasts an entire week in most GTA, York and Peel Region communities; and while trick-or-treating might be limited to just one night, you can expect to see plenty of spooky things taking place throughout the next few days!

If you plan on being out with the kids on Thursday evening, remember to be safe. Some reminders:

- Review pedestrian safety. Stay on sidewalks and cross at appropriate crosswalks or intersections. Wear reflective clothing and choose face paint instead of  masks that interfere with vision. Bring a flashlight, and have a route planned ahead of time. Have a back-up plan incase anybody gets separated.

- Review door-knocking.  Only go to homes that have a light on, and remind your kids to graciously accept treats at the door, rather than stepping inside any home.

- Review candy safety. No eating anything until an adult has had the chance to inspect it. Never eat anything that is opened or has damaged packaging.

We know, some of these things seem a little obvious... but you can never be too safe. Speaking of which, now would be a good time to remind all the adult party-goers out there to also be responsible this week. If you plan on drinking, please don't drive... take a taxi, have a designated driver, or use public transportation instead.

Looking for information on what's going on in Caledon? Please be in touch. We're always on top of things happening in our community, and are happy to share or provide suggestions.

Whatever festivities you've got planned for the upcoming week, we hope you have a hauntingly good time!

Happy Halloween!

- The Stuart Sinclair Team
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

Horsing around in Caledon - Countdown to Pan Am games is on!

This past weekend was an exciting one for horse enthusiasts in Ontario, as the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament took place at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave. The event was a huge success, with over 800 horses competing, $200,000 in prizes awarded, and some competitors qualifying for the upcoming finals at the prestigious Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. It was also a great taste of what’s to come in the fast approaching 2015 Pan Am Games, another exciting competition that the venue is hosting. 

Caledon Equestrian Park is a world-class facility with a well-earned reputation in the international equestrian community. The hub for all horse-lovers in Ontario, the park has hosted countless World Cup qualifiers, Pan Am and Olympic selection trials, and more than 150 National Grand Prix events. The facility will host dressage and show jumping competitions during the upcoming games of 2015 and is currently undergoing a major renovation that will upon completion include a new stadium, temporary and permanent seating, a new grand prix arena, and new training facilities.

Being referred to as the ‘People’s Games’, the 2015 Pan Am event is expected to benefit the town of Caledon for many years to come, as it will help to create jobs, support the community and keep the local economy on track for generations to come. 

One of the reasons we love living in Caledon is that we too are equine enthusiasts. For that reason, we’re always thrilled to see our community thriving as a direct result of the passion so many of us share for horses.

If you’ve never been horseback riding before, it’s never too late to learn. There are dozens of places in the Caledon area where you can enjoy lessons and trail rides no matter what your level of experience is.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the upcoming 2015 Pan Am Games, would like more information about where in the area you can learn to ride, or if you’d like to share details about an upcoming event that our readers would enjoy, we welcome you to comment below, or give us a call. Your feedback and contributions are always appreciated!


- The Stuart Sinclair Team
info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com


PS- Looking to take your love of horses to the next level? Check out this beautiful Erin property that we’re marketing. Amazing entrepreneurial investment opportunity! For details click here.

Caledon says goodbye to smoking in public spaces

Peel residents, Caledon included, can now breathe a deep breath of fresh air in light of a new by-law that came into effect just yesterday. The new Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law now makes it illegal to smoke within nine metres of any municipally-owned building or public area.

We all know that smoking is bad for our health, but the effects of second-hand smoke from tobacco products can be equally detrimental, especially for children whose lungs are immature, often leading to asthma, ear infections and bronchitis.

Now residents will be able to enjoy outdoor activities, community centres, libraries and playgrounds without having to worry about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

This is one positive step towards a healthier and environmentally friendly Caledon, and something that residents (smokers and non-smokers alike) should be proud of.

In the past 10 years, the rate of smoking has declined with advanced awareness of the negative health impact as well as several other by-laws that have eliminated smoking in restaurants, covered patios, and other public places, and the hope is that this new legislation will also help Peel residents finally butt-out! It is estimated that approximately 15% of Peel residents are smokers.

The strain smoking puts on the healthcare system in our communities is also significant, with nearly 700 deaths and over 3000 smoking-related hospitalizations annually.

In addition to the bylaw’s aim of limiting residents’ exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and relieving some of that strain, it also hopes to reduce litter and encourage smokers to kick the habit.

The by-law is being enforced in full effect with the potential for fines of up to $5000 for those who choose not to comply.

This is a fantastic step towards a healthier and more environmentally conscious Caledon. Here at the StuartSinclair Team, we are proud to be residents of this closely-knit, socially responsible and now smoke-free community!

All the best for a healthy week!

The Stuart Sinclair Team

http://www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

Caledon East appeals to growing families

Caledon East is a highly sought after area to live, with increasing appeal for families who are outgrowing their current homes, or are tired of renting. Located close to fantastic parks, amenities, green space and lakes, this community is blossoming. Another factor contributing to what makes this superb pocket a fantastic place to live, is it’s proximity to services like the Caledon East Community Complex, Soccer Complex, and Community Park, all of which are excellent places for young families who like to get involved and stay active.

With the spring/ summer real estate market well under way, the activity in Caledon, especially Caledon East, has been remarkable. This particular home at 11 Borland Crescent has received enormous attention…

This 4 year old, 4 bedroom detached home is situated on a premium ravine lot and offers excellent curb appeal courtesy of its brick exterior and stone walkway.

The home is tastefully decorated and comprises over 3000 square feet of well laid out living space. Boasting an open concept family room, main floor office, 9 foot ceilings and dark hardwood floors, this home is classic, yet modern. It is truly an entertainer’s delight with a spacious kitchen complete with butler’s pantry plus a bright breakfast area that opens up onto the large 16 x 16 foot deck and private fully fenced backyard. Adding to this home’s function is a mudroom for storing all your seasonal clothing, which also provides access to the property’s attached 2-car garage.

On the home’s second floor you will find 4 spacious bedrooms, each with it’s own bathroom and large closet. Laundry is also on this level, adding convenience to the home’s existing appeal. The home’s basement is partially framed and fully insulated… a blank canvas that can be completed to suit the new owner’s tastes. To learn more about this fantastic family investment, click here.

If you or someone you know is looking for more space in a family friendly neighbourhood to raise your children outside of the city, then this home may be the perfect fit. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to arrange a personal tour. I’d be happy to help in any way I can.


Cheers!


Stuart Sinclair
Sales Representative
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage
Independently Owned and Operated
Tel: 905-857-7653
Email: info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com





MARKET WATCH:

May 3, 2013- The average selling price for April 2013 transactions was $526,335 – up by two per cent in comparison to April 2012. The MLS® HPI Composite Benchmark Price was up by 2.9 per cent.

“The condominium apartment segment in the City of Toronto was a key driver of price growth in April, with both the average selling price and the MLS HPI apartment index up on a year-over-year basis. The improved condo sales picture, with Toronto sales down by only one per cent compared to last year, suggests that interest in condo ownership may be improving," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. To Read More, Click Here.

Build your dream home in beautiful Caledon

What does your dream home look like? It might be a luxury mansion on a treed lot with a dozen bedrooms, or it might be a quaint cottage on a large property with plenty of wide open space for just enjoying the great outdoors.  Everybody has an idea of what they’d like their dream or forever home to look like. Some of us have even planned out the finest details, including the paint colors and the types of vegetables we will grow in our backyard gardens.

If you’re like most 30 or 40 something homeowners, you may spend time thinking about your next step up the property ladder…Perhaps you’ve outgrown your current house, or maybe you’re finally ready to get out of the city.  Have you been thinking it’s time to make your next real estate purchase ‘the one’?

Have you thought about settling in the quaint yet growing town of Caledon? Spacious homes on sprawling lots are at your fingertips in this charming community. More and more urban professionals are making the move to Caledon to build their dream estates, and  as a result, available properties are being snapped up quickly.

This large, nearly 2.5 acre property on Chickadee Lane is the perfect example. Our team’s marketing initiatives, accurate pricing and strong negotiation skills combined got this home sold for over asking in only 3 days on the market. Within walking distance to downtown Bolton, the location couldn’t be better. The property features a 200 foot frontage by 526 foot depth, and the sale price included the barn that is at the back of the lot. Whether the successful buyer ends up renovating the existing home or building new, they lucked out with this fantastic property.

Sorry you missed this fantastic listing? Don’t be! Our team has the latest information about Caledon’s newest properties for sale, and would be happy to help you make your dreams of finding your forever home a reality! Contact us any time!

Stuart Sinclair & Timea Edelenyi
Sales Representatives
The Stuart Sinclair Team

RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage

Phone: (905)857-7653

Toll Free: 1-866-219-7770

Email: info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com