Tag: collingwood real estate

How to Offer Competitively on a Collingwood Home

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Collaborating with a trusted realtor is essential for potential buyers in the Collingwood area ready to draft an offer on a home. This ensures the following key factors are considered, making the complete proposal comprehensive, informed, and as competitive as possible. 

Calculating a Reasonable Price

To get a good grasp of what constitutes a fair price for a property, interested buyers must consider factors like how much similar properties in the area have sold for and how the state of the local market sways room for negotiation. Giving serious thought to one’s budget and financial planning is also crucial, as the loan amount one is approved for is not necessarily cohesive with actual affordability. Furthermore, it is helpful to remember that homes on the market for longer typically have owners more open to accepting negotiated deals, which newer listings often mean sellers are stricter with their offer expectations.

Determining the Earnest Money Deposit

Potential buyers must pay an up-front cash amount, ensuring that, if they back out of a deal for reasons unrelated to their written contingencies, sellers get to keep the sum for the inconvenience. Shrewd individuals interested in landing the property need to consider the importance of this initial financial aspect, as generous deposits of 1-2% or more can help an offer attract more attention.

Contingency Consideration

Contingencies are essentially stipulations officially set forth by potential buyers. One type of stipulation allows interested individuals to withdraw their offer if the home is appraised at a lower value than originally thought. Another common contingency is used to ensure the potential buyers’ rights to back out if their applied mortgage loans are denied. Still, others give buyers the right to lay claim to property but only buy once their former owned home has sold. Whatever a prospective buyer finds appropriate to include in their formal offer, contingencies protect them from legal issues or losing their deposit if they back out of a deal because of listed reasons.

Composing the Offer

With the support of their realtor, interested parties must include comprehensive and accurate details in their written offer in order for it to be effective and truly competitive. Apart from complying with any pertinent local regulations, offers must include essential elements like the names of every individual on the future title, the offered price and downpayment (including the earnest deposit), and any concessioned closing costs requested of the seller. Of course, negotiations usually follow the turning in of an offer, something further facilitated by the expert advice of a seasoned realtor.

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Collingwood Cares for its Community

by Collingwood InfoUncategorized

Collingwood, ON invests in its residents and offers many recreational opportunities. This includes activitihttps://www.pexels.com/photo/faceless-multiracial-sport-team-stacking-hands-on-court-5384623/es explicitly geared toward public health and wellness. As Collingwood wants to see its residents thrive and maintain a healthy and connected lifestyle, programs like communal, environmental events, and activities to engage kids are critical features of the city all year long.

Communal Activities and Physical Education

The city of Collingwood lays claim to an outdoor train trail, which is made further engaging to both residents and visitors with the StoryWalk. Originally developed as a concept by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, this helps to engage children, especially in the US. Along the trail, metal and plexiglass protected stands feature pages from a children’s storybook, making fresh air and exercise with the family that is much more inviting. Another great outdoor activity for children is the “Imagination Playground,” which allows kids of all ages to play classic games, like Jenga and Connect Four, but in giant sizes to harness whimsy. There are also opportunities to create new games among the children themselves, encouraging creativity for free and outdoors.

Furthermore, Collingwood’s activity kits geared toward the community’s children promote fun, exercise, and development. Each activity kit, which comes to 20 in total, comes in a bag filled with activity cards and equipment meant to encourage the use of specific skills at home or outdoors. The main goal is to promote “physical literacy,” or the development of essential physical movement skills to have a fulfilling and healthy childhood experience.

Geared toward both adults and kids is Geocaching, a great way to interact with the community out of doors. Essentially, a GPS facilitates a treasure hunt, which features caches or containers along with the city trail system. Each contains small tradable items and a logbook to sign, promoting community connectedness. Also, during the winter, the Central Park Arena is used to host Sunday skates for all ages and levels of ability. Furthermore, adults looking for more gentle exercise, especially the elderly, can benefit from virtual Chair Yoga, offered every Monday and Thursday morning for free. 

Preserving Community Health and Environment

Collingwood knows that disposable water bottles are a severe issue to the modern environment worldwide. The city does its part by encouraging the refilling of reusable water bottles all around its community. Water fountains providing fresh and clean drinking water for free are located all around the city and in schools. These refill stations encourage further engagement by displaying a digital counter at each fountain, showing how many bottles have been refilled since their installation in 2017. Collingwood also participates in the BlueW program, which guides residents and visitors to places that provide clean and free municipal drinking water rather than expensive and wasteful bottled water.

The community also promotes healthier eating habits by installing health-conscious vending machines around town. These feature alternatives to greasy and sugary foods, offering cheese, crackers, apple sauce, and fresh fruit cups instead.

Collingwood as a community also knows the value of spending time outdoors. Through their ” Walk or Wheel ” slogan, the city encourages more travel by foot or using physical modes like bikes and skates through their “Walk or Wheel” slogan. The city also provides planning materials through “Walk a Block” and “Map My Route” to encourage exercise while traveling safely to and from schools. Gardening is similarly important to residents, particularly as it relates to healthy eating.

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This Summer and Spring Avoid Season Allergy Flare-Ups

by Collingwood InfoUncategorized

Lady suffering from seasonal allergiesAllergic Rhinitis. Hay fever. Seasonal Allergies.

Different names for similar symptoms, including: 

  • Persistent sneezing. 
  • Relentlessly scratchy eyes. 
  • A dry, squeaky sore throat.  
  • Ferocious itchiness, all over. 

It’s enough to drive anyone insane. 

Sigh. Or, in this case, wheeze. 

No matter how exciting it is to consider that spring is just around the corner, pesky seasonal allergies always seem to put a dampener on the fun. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you’re in good company, because so does nearly  25% of the Canadian population. 

Ways to reduce allergy Flare-ups this Spring and Summer

Help reduce the amount of seasonal allergy-related suffering this pollen-packed spring and summer by remembering to:

  1. Change clothing before you come into your home. That goes for shoes too! Clothing attracts pollen, and dragging it around the house on clothing only exacerbates allergies.
  2. Wash your hands when you come in from outside. What is a no-brainer task (for most of us) is a necessity for hay fever sufferers. Pollen can stick to your hands, and one absent-minded itch of the eye with a pollen-saturated hand can prompt some major suffering.
  3. Keep in mind there are two significant types of pollen trigger seasonal allergies: tree and grass pollen. Figuring out which triggers their allergies can help hay fever sufferers avoid the outdoors during pollination times. Early spring, in April and May, is when pollen counts from trees are the highest. June and July are when grass pollen takes over. 
  4. Check out these tips for keeping your house clean during showings; it applies to allergy sufferers too. As funny as comparing the two may be, eradicating pollen from your home is a lot like getting ready to have your home shown;  it boils down to diligence and a take-no-prisoners attitude.

This summer is uniquely challenging because we have to figure out how to sneeze into a mask, on top of battling hay fever. Just like sneezing before COVID, sneezing requires etiquette when possible.

sneezing in a mask etiquetteCOVID- Era Sneezing Etiquette

  • Stick with what works, which means many experts suggest it is still ok to sneeze into your elbow with a mask on. Just make sure your sneeze is as contained as possible and no moisture has gotten on your clothing. 
  • Try to keep social distancing intact to protect others around you. The idea is to keep others’ germs and particles away from you and keep your germs and particles away from others.
  • If the idea of sneezing while wearing a mask makes you feel like you’re“wearing your sneeze,” make sure you have backups. After a particularly juicy sneezing fit, find a place to switch your masks safely. 

Try not to feel too badly. It can be a harrowing experience to sneeze in public during a pandemic. Though we can’t see smiles with masks on, remember there are others around smiling at you, probably relating to the embarrassment you feel because they suffer from hay fever too.

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Increase Your Home’s Value With These Three Renovations

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Are you thinking about selling your home? One of the best ways to heighten your home’s value and get more money upon sale is by renovating. While you can paint and add in new curtains, other more extensive renovations will be more strategic and offer long-term benefits.

Now, these renovations don’t need to be ultra-expensive, but they do require an investment. If you have some areas of your home that may be lacking in modernity or visibly in disrepair, spending the money to renovate will not only increase the value, but it will get your home sold quicker.

Outlined below are three renovations that will almost always make your home more valuable. If you speak to a realtor, they can outline some other options for increasing your home value, but these three tend to stand out when it comes to renovations.

Update Your Roof

If your roof is clearly not in good shape with shingles buckling and missing, you need to replace it. When investing in a new roof, several materials tend to be more attractive than others. You may want to get steel or new, more defensive shingles. In some cases, you may also want to consider adding solar panels onto your roof, as this will increase the value and make your home very desirable to younger buyers. While this can be considered a more expensive investment, you’re sure to make this money back upon the sale of your home.

Fix Up Outdoor Spaces

You can add more liveable space onto your property by fixing up any outdoor areas. If you have a deck with some rotted wood or a poor layout, you may find it beneficial to replace it with something more structurally sound and spacious. By replacing decks in the back of your home or your front porch and adding in other outdoor landscaped areas, there will be more reasons for potential buyers to get excited. If you want to show off these newly redone areas, make sure you list your home during the summer so potential buyers can appreciate the quality of work.

Remodel Outdated Bathrooms

Everyone is looking for new and modern bathrooms. People want somewhere they will enjoy spending time each morning and before they go to sleep. The bathroom plays a vital role in personal routine and tends to be one of the first things people look for when buying a new home. The best way to approach bathroom renovations to start with the most outdated first. In some cases, you may want to add another bathroom in the basement, as this is a quality that potential buyers often seek.

While considerable time and financial investments, renovations will boost your home’s value and get it sold in a quicker timeframe. If you aren’t looking to sell just yet, it is still an excellent tactic for building equity. Not to mention, you will probably enjoy living in a renovated more so in the time leading up to your departure. 

Make sure you call a Collingwood realtor once you decide to list. They may also recommend some other renovations so you can list your home for more. 

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Get Ready For Spring With Some Landscaping Ideas

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate / Collingwood things to do

Getting ready for spring is usually easier to talk about than doing it. While you can clean your house and get rid of old belongings, sometimes it helps to think about the exterior of your home.

Spring is a time when you can take control of your yard before things start to get out of hand. You can lay the foundation of a beautiful garden so that come summer, everything looks incredible.

Collingwood soil has long been coveted for its nutrient density and its ability to sustain all sorts of plant species. Despite this, many people don’t know how to get started on landscaping. If you want some tips for how to achieve a yard you’re proud of, there are three simple things to do that are not too cumbersome and don’t require you to hire a third-party contractor.

Get Rustic With Vintage Pieces

Adding rustic elements to your garden can create a whimsical feel. You may want to opt for a cast-iron weathervane or a driftwood fence. If you go to any antique store throughout the Callingwood area, you are bound to find a ton of different knickknacks and features that you can add to your garden.

Similarly, if you have things in your home that you’re thinking about selling, you could consider adding them to your garden. Of course, you don’t want to be putting rustic elements everywhere, but adding a few here and there is a great way to add personality to your home and make your house stand out in the neighborhood.

Use Lighting To Your Advantage

It’s common for someone to spend countless hours and a large amount of money on landscaping jobs only to forget to add lights. Lighting doesn’t need to be expensive, and it can transform your yard. When choosing lighting, you can opt for small solar-powered lights that line a cobblestone path, or you can put in spotlights that shine onto one specific part of your garden that you’re proud of.

Some people also put the spotlight shining on their home, which can create a luxurious effect. If you have a small backyard patio and garden lights, it’s a great way to brighten up darker areas at night and create an inviting atmosphere where you can relax and look up at the stars.

Add Year-Round Greenery

When landscaping, you shouldn’t just think about perennial plants and greenery but also evergreen trees. You want plants that will keep their color all year round so that your yard doesn’t look completely dead when winter comes. When looking for this type of greenery, trees like cedar, pine, and juniper will be your best bet.

You can also walk around your neighbourhood and look for yards with shrubs and trees that have maintained their color throughout winter. You can then purchase these same plants to plant in the spring.

While winter still has a bit more life in it left to give, it doesn’t mean you can’t start thinking about the spring. By getting your mind focused on your yard’s potential, you can keep the winter blues at bay and get excited about living in one of Ontario’s most remarkable areas.

 

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How To Stay Social, Active, & Outdoors This Winter

by Collingwood InfoUncategorized

With the days getting colder and with outdoor activities being more limited, people are wondering how to navigate the months ahead. While you will want to stay active and social, with indoor gatherings limited, you might have some trouble. During a year that has seen multiple hurdles, finding ways to interact from afar while outdoors will undoubtedly be more challenging this winter.

If you and your family or group of friends are trying to rethink the months ahead and find ways to stay safe and connected while simultaneously enjoying the fresh air, you might need some help. Thankfully, Collingwood is a perfect spot to make the most of the outdoors. 

Explore Collingwood Area Hikes

The Collingwood area is a natural wonderland and home to many popular destinations that attract Canadians from coast-to-coast. For those currently living in the Collingwood area or thinking about relocating here from the city, luckily, there are many hiking trails that you can still enjoy during the winter months. 

Many people often balk at the idea of hiking in the winter, claiming it will be too cold or snowy. If you prepare, though, you can make it just as fun, if not more so, than hiking in the summer. Prepare yourself some hot drinks, bundle up, and put on a good pair of waterproof shoes. Once you eliminate potential discomfort, you can head out and enjoy the Georgian Trail, Loree Forest Loop, The Beaver River Trail, or one of the many other scenic hiking spots. 

Lake Skating

While there are many outdoor rinks and community centers that offer places to skate throughout the winter, it does not compare to the wild feeling of skating across a glass lake with nothing but trees and snow surrounding you. Skating on lakes can be an excellent activity for the whole family, but you have to make sure it is cold enough before settling on a destination. 

There are various places to get ice thickness reports, which can let you know if it’s safe to skate. When it’s cold enough, you can skate on Georgina Bay, Lake Simcoe, or you can head to Eugenia Lake just a bit south of Collingwood. 

Campfire Cookouts

There’s something special about having a roaring fire amidst a snowy landscape. The smell of the fire, the cool air on your cheeks, and good company at your side can transport you to another time and place. There are many places to have a bonfire throughout Collingwood, whether it’s at your friend’s country house or a provincial park. 

Once you have a spot, call up some friends and have a socially-distanced cookout. You can wrap up some sweet potatoes in foil, roast sausages, or even throw some hamburgers on a grill. A cookout will be an excellent way to get a hefty dose of fresh air and social time. 

As you look ahead to the winter months, rather than get discouraged by the various pandemic-restrictions, try and look on the bright side. There are still great ways to get together with friends while also enjoying the fresh air. 

By checking out the Collingwood hiking trails, lake-skating, and having a campfire cookout, you can be sure your winter won’t feel too different from past years.  

 

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Build a Life You Don’t Need a Vacation From

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Build a life you don’t need to take a vacation from: that’s the mantra that many are putting into effect in 2017. Part of building that dream lifestyle is finding a home that lets you be on vacation 2/47, 365 days a week. Stop looking, because 120 Brooker Blvd in the Blue Mountains is that home that will be the perfect retreat each and every day.

Whether your family is into winter activities like skiing, snowboard and snowshoeing or into warm-weather activities like mountain biking, swimming and hiking, this house is the perfect home base. Located steps away from Blue Mountain Village and a short drive or hike from Georgian Bay and all of Southern Georgian Bay’s best trails and hikes, your family can bike, ski, boat or simply lounge while living here.

With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, this 2100-square foot ski chalet has enough room for your large family and their guests. Gorgeous views of the mountain through the large windows in the open concept living space are just what you need after a long day at the office. Warm up by the gas fireplace when the weather is cool or sit on your large deck when the weather is warm.

The Blue Mountains has a rich history of being a place where everyone comes to ski, but there is so much more to enjoy. Of course, you can’t forget about all of the fantastic places to eat and things to do in the area, because location is truly what makes a home worth it. Ever wanted to try your hand at rock climbing, there are many great opportunities here for that as well.

Priced at $885,000, just try to compare that to what you can get in Toronto for under $1 million and you’ll realize that Blue Mountain can truly be your home.

If you would like to book a viewing of this fabulous home and see if your lifestyle needs a little something, contact Paul Casey at 705-606-2510 or by email at [email protected]. What are you waiting for?

 

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New Additions to Collingwood

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

With the summer season, also comes the season of construction, but for many, that isn’t a bad thing. In Collingwood, there are a number of new and interesting developments that will only make the city a better place to live, work and play. From something for the kids to something for the adults, here are some of the best new construction projects happening in the Collingwood area!

New skateboard and BMX park

The kids are going to love the newest addition to Heritage Park in Collingwood, with construction to be completed by October. The ground was broken just a few days ago in anticipation of the building of the skate park. The cost is approximately $300,000 but will provide area teens with a fun, safe and interesting place to hang out and practice their tricks.

New paramedic station

With the increase in population in Collingwood, the current paramedic station built above a garage wasn’t adequate. A new 5,900 square foot facility will be built at the corner of Ontario and St. Paul streets and will include five garage bays and be fully accessible. The cost will be $3.6 million for the new station, including the land and it will be completed by the fall of 2018.

New condominium complex

The former Admiral Collingwood school site will now be a condominium and commercial complex. The property, located at the corner of Hume and Hurontario streets has been through a lot of hand-wringing and finally has a plan. The development will include unique and upscale condos, with construction set to start in 2018 and occupancy to be available in 2019.

Collingwood’s Harbourfront Plan

While it is going to take many years to come fully into fruition, Collingwood’s Harbourfront Plan is definitely a huge boon to the city. You can expect to see new pavilions in Harbourview Park, a non-motorized boating hub, cafe, skater’s lounge, skating trail, splash pad and more in the next few years. Sunset Park will also see some major developments with a new EnviroPark.

Whether you are just looking to visit Collingwood, or want to come here to stay, these major developments are helping to make our town a wonderful place to live and play.

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How Airbnb is Affecting Collingwood’s Real Estate & Rental Market

by Collingwood InfoCollingwood Real Estate

Collingwood is a town with a population of almost 21,000 residents who live here year-round. But, we also have a very thriving visiting population of those who come here to experience all that Collingwood and the Blue Mountains have to offer. While those visitors are here, they inevitably need somewhere to stay. While there are a number of hotels and other types of rental accommodations, short-term accommodations can be had by using a service such as Airbnb, an online marketplace that advertises vacation rentals in homes and apartments. The owner of the home or apartment sets up the accommodations and uses Airbnb to coordinate bookings. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Airbnb started off as a way that owners could rent out a room or their entire dwelling to those looking for affordable short-term stays, but it has evolved to a giant marketplace where people are purchasing dwellings with the purpose of renting them on an Airbnb service. This is technically a direct violation of the service and is causing larger problems within the real estate market.

Because of the sheer number of properties being used for short-term rental purposes, affordable long-term rental housing is being eaten up. Vacancy rates are dropping while rents are increasing. The short-term housing market is much more lucrative for property owners, so there are even stories of people being evicted and being replaced by short-term renters through these types of services.

collingwood rentals

Implications for Collingwood

In Collingwood, where tourism is a large part of the framework of the town, this could amount to a significant issue, as it is in other tourism-heavy cities in Canada. Airbnb has over 300 listings for the town of Collingwood and the Blue Mountains, with everything from entire cottages to private rooms. Located throughout the town, including in typically suburban neighbourhoods, it is easy to see that short-term rentals could affect the long-term rental market in Collingwood.

Even in 2014, vacancy rates were incredibly low and were even called disastrous, with rents rising along with the decreasing rates. Airbnb’s impact could very well decrease the number of affordable rental units for residents in Collingwood, while supplying them with raised rents.

Another issue that should be looked at is the fact that there is already fewer and fewer homes for sale all over Canada and by having investors purchase properties for investment purposes, it can encourage the shut-out of other buyers. With increased competition for a limited amount of homes, buyers will have a harder and harder time finding an affordable home to buy.

Done correctly, Airbnb can be a viable option for those looking to help with mortgage costs and daily living expenses, when they rent out a vacant room in their home or their house while they are away. Considering the number of first-time homebuyers in the market and the increase in house prices, new buyers could supplement their incomes, without affecting the long-term rental market.

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