Five Considerations When Shopping for One’s Ideal Collingwood Home

 

From the aesthetic to the practical, home shopping is a large process but can be an enjoyable one when carried out with patience and preparation. As long as one has a good idea of their preferences and needs, the following essential aspects can be incorporated and planned effectively.

Desired Features

Aside from functional needs, one’s dream home likely will have some specific features and amenities. This could be having a clawfoot bathtub separate from the shower, a specific number of bedrooms, or modern innovations like under-floor heating, to name a couple of possibilities. Being somewhat picky in this instance is not such a sin, as having one’s ideal living space is an important investment to be enjoyed. 

Desired Style

The larger style and construction of a home is another essential factor. There are those who prefer living in condos or townhouses. However, separate and individual homes allow for much more customization, especially on the outside. From elaborate historic properties to strictly modern abodes to the many that fall somewhere in between, there is a huge array of aesthetics out there. It’s up to each home shopper to decide where they would feel most comfortable and proud to reside.

Location and Size

Apart from the actual property and house, home shoppers must also take into consideration the surrounding community and background. It is absolutely crucial to investigate the offerings of each area where home candidates are located, lest one move and realize the location is less than ideal. Some are not too picky about the community into which they move, while others put a lot of importance into having local nightlife or cafes within walking distance. 

Similar to neighborhood and community considerations, the land on which a home lies is permanent. Some features, like plants and landscaping, can be altered significantly, but other factors, like backyard size, are inalterable. The size of the home itself and the space layout is also important to consider for one’s needs. 

Age and History

This one ties into style, although there are also many practical aspects of a home’s age. Older homes often have an alluring charm and a deeply rooted ambiance, though they can be more costly with upkeep. Newer homes, on the other hand, typically incur minimal costs as far as repairs, etc., are concerned and can feature newer innovations from the simple to the luxurious. These homes don’t have the same “lived-in” feel as older homes, so one’s preferences are the deciding factor.

Costs

Finally, the practical matter of costs is crucial, as one’s means decides the range of homes available. Financial planning for a house includes the cost of the house itself, of course, how much one can put forth as a down payment, and one’s options as far as a mortgage loan. Costs also include utilities, taxes, commission for any real estate professionals, and any potential association fees. Once one has submitted an offer on a home, the realtor can further assist with this planning process, requesting that the current owners disclose an estimated picture of the actual costs of living on the property.

Collingwood Cares for its Community

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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5 best places to visit in Collingwood

Located on the southern shores of the beautiful Georgian Bay, Collingwood is one of the most popular vacation destinations in entire Canada. Just a two hours long drive away from Toronto, Collingwood is the best place for an outdoor adventure.

1.     Visit the scenic caves

 

The beautiful Scenic Caves in Collingwood are one of the most popular places in the city. Located near the Niagara Escarpment and just a few minutes away from the popular Blue Mountain Resort, the Scenic Caves are perfect for all those who are looking for an adventure in the city.

The highlight of this place is the caves and the caverns, together with rock formations within the caves. Ontario’s longest footbridge is also located in the area. You can also enjoy various fun activities in the area with zip line adventures and activities for kids, such as wagon rides and playgrounds.

2.     Walk along with the Collingwood Arboretum

Besides the various hiking trails available along the Georgian Bay, Collingwood also has beautiful places near its shores, such as the Collingwood Arboretum. This beautiful place is perfect for a stroll along the shore.

With various sculptures along the way, together with trees and plant species, tourists can find it to be an incredibly relaxing place. There is also a park near the area, called Harbourview Park, which offers opportunities to view the birdlife.

3.     Hike at the Blue Mountain Resort

Located west of downtown Collingwood just at a 10-minute drive, the Blue Mountains offer various slopes for the tourists to ski, bike, and hike at. First established back in the 1940s, the area covers 800 acres of land.

The blue Mountain Resort attracts over a million visitors every year. With 36 ski and snowboard trails, two bases, and 15 chairlifts, it is the third busiest ski resort in Canada. There is no wonder why this area is also a very popular location for residential homes, as the Blue Mountain Village lies just nearby the resort.

The resort is operational all year around. When the snow melts, it becomes one of the best places for mountain biking in the country. The resort is also a base for various hiking trails, with the village organizing many festivals, concerts, outdoor movies, and others get together all year-round.

4.  Craigleith Provincial Park

 

The Craigleith Provincial Park is one of the best places to experience the beautiful geology of the area. Located just halfway between Thornbury and Collingwood, the park is perfect for an outdoor adventure. It continues to attract geologists and scientists from all across the country. More than 450 fossils have been found in this area, probably millions of years old.

The park was first established in 1967, and since then, it has become a very popular place among the tourists and residents of the area. It is also very easy to launch kayaks and canoes in the area. It is also a very popular place for fishing, together with on-site camping on weekends.

What’s So Special About Collingwood, Ontario

Collingwood has its roots in historic shipbuilding and has gradually developed from these origins. The city and neighbouring communities benefit from the gorgeousness that is the shoreline of Lake Huron. Alongside these invaluable offerings, Collingwood also has intricate architectural features, ample culture and things to do, and year-round events for residents and visitors. The city capitalizes on the proximity of its offerings by showcasing the town through various engaging walking tours. Collingwood is also the source of the most industrial employment in the South Georgian Bay, offering job opportunities and more affordable housing than in other areas in and around Toronto.

The Shoreline

The Port of Collingwood and the harbour area on Lake Huron are home bases for all kinds of exciting activities and opportunities to socialize. This includes exploring beautiful forested coastlines, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, charter tours, and quintessential sunset walks. There is also a community amphitheatre located by the harbour, as well as the Living Water Resort and Spa, the 400 Gallery intended to showcase local art, the Collingwood Labyrinth at Harbourview Park inspired by the centuries-old labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral in France, and the Collingwood Museum. The quaint downtown is only about half a mile away from the harbourfront docks.


The Look Up Tour

This special tour is perfect for those passionate about history and architecture. Collingwood lays claim to varied, intriguing architectural forms, including those based on styles popular pre-20th century in the United States, Britain, and France. These feats of construction are further made special through the use of local craftsmanship and materials. Among the possible styles of buildings and homes across town are Italianate, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Regency, and Beaux-Arts.

Food Galore

Collingwood is home to an impressive variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, specialty foods stores, and breweries. Among the culinary possibilities for residents and visitors are the Ashanti Cafe and Roastery, featuring coffee sourced from East Africa, and Tesoro Italian Restaurant. There is also a community Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning downtown. The city is passionate about supporting local enterprises and businesses, including local food sources and places to eat.

 

The Importance of a Home Inspection

For anyone looking to buy a new property, investing in a home inspection is one of the most important things. We know what you’re thinking: the money aspect of things. Buying a property is overwhelmingly expensive on its own, but when you add a home inspection on top of it, you pay even more. But, when you look at things in the long run, a home inspection can end up saving you thousands of dollars. Want to find out how? Read on! 

As a buyer, you need to figure out if there are any significant issues with the property you intend on buying. And, this needs to happen before you close on it! How does a home inspection help you, though? What you can do is use it as a contingency in your purchasing agreement so that if and when the home inspection is conducted and reveals that there are significant defects involved, you can back out on your offer. That being said, all of this needs to happen within a set timeframe. A reliable realtor will go out of their way to put this clause in your contract. 

Coverage of a Home Inspection

It is important to note that you should visit the property in person to check out the defects yourself even after the inspection has taken place rather than rely on photos. Think you have a good home inspector? Here are a few things they should be doing for you:

They will figure out if a particular problem is a safety issue, is a significant defect, or a minor one. 

  • They will find which items must be replaced, repaired, or serviced. 
  • They will analyze factors that seem okay for now but may need monitoring down the line. 

What a Home Inspection Doesn’t Cover

Effective as they are, home inspections cannot figure out everything wrong with a particular property. An inspector searches for visual clues that might indicate a much bigger problem. It is also important to note the things that a home inspection does not cover. Here are some of them:

  • The space behind electrical panels
  • The insides of pipes or sewer lines
  • Inside chimneys
  • Inside walls

Are Home Inspections Worth It?

How much you’ll spend on a home inspection will vary depending on who you hire, the size of the property you are choosing, and the region it is in. While home inspections are not the only solution to steering clear of red flag homes, it pretty much gives the potential buyer an idea of what they will have to spend on when they buy the property, should that be their decision. That being said, they are worth the money that you spend on them. Without them, you would never know what structural damages are in a property. When you are in the league of a reliable realtor with an excellent track record to prove themselves, all of this will become much easier for you.

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Ask The Right Questions Before Refinancing Your Mortage

Refinancing your property may sound like an excellent idea, but the deeper you look into it, you will find that it isn’t the most reliable option for every homeowner out there. You may fall into the category that is better suited for refinancing, but you can’t know that for sure until you ask yourself these key questions to figure out of you are making the soundest financial decision of your life. 

Have I Accumulated Enough Home Equity For This?

To figure out what your home equity is, you must determine the current market value of your home and what you owe on your mortgage. The difference between the two is your home equity. Most homeowners out there need at least 20 percent home equity in order to qualify for refinancing without having to go through private mortgage insurance. When you add PMI to your new loan, you essentially lose the benefits of refinancing altogether. 

Is My Credit Score Good For It?

Mortgage lenders will lend to individuals with credit scores as low as 500, but it is getting tougher and tougher out there, especially in the economic conditions we live in today. The fallout from the pandemic on the credit market was hard, and as such, lenders now have stringent requirements that borrowers must adhere to diligently obtain any kind of financing. As such, you must find out what your credit score is with the help of several paid online services.

What Are My Financial Goals Long-Term?

Figure out why you want to refinance in the first place. Each homeowner requires refinancing for different reasons. Many of these wish to obtain refinancing to reduce their monthly payments and increase their cash flow. If this is what you want long-term, you must use a mortgage calculator to figure out what your monthly payments will look like once you successfully obtain refinancing from a lender.

How Long Will I Stay In This Property?

If you are going to refinance, you should know that it generally costs around 3 to 4 percent of the overall loan amount. Before you make plans with the money you obtain from refinancing; you should ask yourself just how long you are willing to live in this property. To do this, count just how many months it will take you to come up with the closing costs.

Do I Know the Terms of My Current Mortgage?

If you are a borrower with an adjustable-rate mortgage, you should switch to a fixed-rate mortgage loan as part of the refinancing agreement. With this, you will have some peace of mind knowing that the interest you pay along with your monthly payments will not change until your mortgage lasts. Get in touch with a realtor immediately so that they can advise you of your options when you are either looking to refinance or purchase a new property altogether.

 

Staging vs. Not Staging: Before Your Condo is Listed

When you are gearing up to sell your home, you go through a range of emotions such as stress and excitement. It is a huge decision to make, after all! You have to stage your home before you list your condo up for sale, and it should be one of your priorities. You won’t only get a fast sale by stating your condo properly but will receive a good value for it on the market. Home staging statistics prove that potential buyers are willing to pay top dollar for it when your condo is properly staged.

There are several staging techniques that you can incorporate in your staging strategy in order to enhance the appearance of your condo and transform it into a more welcoming environment for any potential buyer out there. In order to stage your condo, you can add proper lighting, have plants in every room, incorporate beautiful artwork on the walls, invest in some mirrors, and add just enough accessories to the condo to make it look high-end and polished. The gist of it all is that potential buyers need to envision themselves living in the condo you were trying to sell.

Staging Allows Buyers to Envision Your Condo as Their Condo

When you’re trying to sell your condo, it should be your goal to make sure that anybody who enters there can see themselves living in the property. To do this properly, you must de-personalize your property. Remove any picture frames containing family photos, your children’s toys, or your pets’ toys from the condo. For individuals or families trying to sell properties rather than condos, it also helps to increase your curb appeal by removing anything outside in the garden that might make the property a little personal.

You might think that it adds an emotional value to your property, and while for some, it may work, for most buyers out there, it will not be effective.

Top 3 Ways to Get Started with Commercial Real Estate

It can prove to be a bit of a challenge to get into commercial real estate for first-time investors. It doesn’t matter if you have invested in residential real estate before because commercial real estate is a whole new ball game that overwhelms even seasoned residential investors. Sure, it is an intimidating world to enter, but it is worth it. So, how do you get started? Take a look at these top 3 ways to get started with commercial real estate. 

Figure Out How Much Money You Can Invest

Before you go too deep into it, you need to assess your current finance and see just how much money you can invest in a property. Decide whether you’d like to invest in a commercial property on cash or will you be seeking a loan down the line to boost your initial investment money set aside. 

If you wish to purchase commercial properties with the help of a loan, it helps to get in touch with your local bank to find out what your options are. You may have to let the bank know how much you have put aside to determine how much loan you would qualify for an investment property. 

Do Market Research: Its More Important Than You May Think 

So, by now, you’ll have figured out your finances, how much you can invest, and just how much you can borrow from a bank for an investment property. The next step is to gain an insight into the real estate world around you or in other locations. Perhaps there is a commercial sector you already have your eyes on, such as apartments, offices, or retail stores. You can do one of two things or both; you can do it yourself or hire a professional to investigate on your behalf. DIY is good, but professional help is even better. 

Experts Are Better Than Beginners: But Together, They are Unstoppable 

At this point, it would be advisable to get in touch with a reliable realtor near you that has an in-depth knowledge of commercial real estate and can steer you away from potential red-flag investment properties. It is okay to do some research on your own, but having a realtor by your side can boost your chances of finding an investment property that will earn you a lot of money down the line. 

 

When hiring this professional, look for their track record. How many properties have they sold? Do they have a long list of clients? Are they well-known in the area? A good realtor will earn your confidence fast and be very clear with you regarding your options, so keep an eye out for them! 

 

Everything You Need to Know About Residential REITs

Real estate investment trusts are crucial if you work diligently to build an equity or fixed-income portfolio. They offer incredible diversity great returns, all at very low risk. They help individuals generate a dividend income while they appreciate, making them a great alternative to investing in stocks or bonds. Don’t even think about putting your money away in the form of cash because cash, when it sits idle, depreciates, and that is not something you want. 

With the help of a reliable real estate agent and an online broker, you will be able to invest your hard-earned money into real estate investment trusts. 

REIT is a specialized kind of company that deals with real estate assets. These companies that also invest in commercial properties are known as equity REITs. REITs that invest in mortgages and mortgage-backed securities are known as mortgage REITs. 

Residential REIT

A residential real estate investment trust owns and operates rental properties, including urban high-rise and low-rise apartment buildings. Their focus is mainly on owning properties that appeal to single families and students.

 

Residential REITs focus primarily on developing new properties from the ground up; then, some grow through acquiring new properties. Both forms of residential REITs increase the value of properties by buying in. Some REITs also do a combination of both. 

Investing in Residential REITs the Right Way

If you’re looking for a short-term investment, residential REITs are not ideal for you. However, if the long-term investment is more your thing, you must invest in residential REITs the right way. In the short term, REITs are impacted by the housing market, but the impact is not as severe over long periods. If you’re investing in REITs, plan for a minimum of 5-years ahead as an investment. 

Residential REITs Offer Diversification

You can easily diversify your portfolio with residential real estate investment trusts. Try to invest in multiple ventures and not tie all your money in stocks because when they slump, as they often do, so will your spirits. When you invest in residential REITs over a long period, a portion of your investment portfolio will continue to appreciate and be secure. 

Residential REITs resist Recession

If you’re looking for an investment protected from the recession, then residential REITs are the way to go. Even if the economy is in the gutter, people will always need places to live in, and as such, will want to either buy or rent. This has less to do with unemployment and more to do with basic needs. 

 

So, have you made up your mind and would like to learn about whether or not the residential REITs are your next investment option? It might help to get in touch with a realtor to discuss your options. It is better to do this sooner rather than later so your realtor can lay out all of your options in front of you and help you make an informed decision. 

 

Pumpkin Season Recipes

Fall is the perfect time to try out all sorts of new recipes, especially pumpkin. Recipes can range from something as simple as pumpkin muffins to something as special as pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, or even pumpkin soup. This pumpkin includes pumpkin recipes appropriate for all occasions, ranging from Thanksgiving to Halloween.

Pumpkin Pie Recipes

This pie is a Thanksgiving favorite! It’s so delicious. “It tastes just like pumpkin pie!” says one of our taste testers. And it uses only five ingredients, plus a bit of salt, which you probably already have at home. See the full recipe here

Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

These pumpkin muffins are so tasty you’ll have to hide them from your kids. They are moist and flavorful, though they are actually pretty healthy, too! See the full recipe here.

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This pumpkin bread is one of my personal favorites—it’s super easy to make and will keep for at least a week in the fridge. We’ve been eating it all week for breakfast! It’s a sweet bread, so if you’re looking for something savory to serve with spaghetti or chili, this isn’t it. See the full recipe here.

Harvest Pumpkin Soup Recipe

This pumpkin soup recipe is absolutely delicious and easy to make. In just fifteen minutes you can have a piping-hot bowl of this in front of you, so you can enjoy it even on busy weeknights. The ginger and cayenne give this soup a nice kick—don’t think that because there’s no meat involved that it isn’t filling! See the full recipe here.

Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe

Everyone loves cupcakes (except for the ones who hate them, of course). These pumpkin cupcakes are perfectly sweet without being too much so. The cinnamon is just enough to give it that fall flavor that you love, but not so much that it’s overpowering. See the full recipe here.

Candied Bacon Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

Here’s a fun snack idea with a fall twist: candied bacon pumpkin seeds. These are easy to make, and the salty/sweet flavor of the caramelized bacon with the crunch of the pumpkin seeds will have your mouth watering in no time. See the full recipe here.

Pumpkin Pie Wontons Recipe

These little pillows of goodness are inspired by everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving dessert. With just a few ingredients, these are easy to whip up in no time, and they’re perfect for fall parties or just when you want something sweet. See the full recipe here.

That’s a wrap for our roundup of some amazing pumpkin recipes from around the web! Enjoy your pumpkin fix.

For those who are considering moving this pumpkin season, there are many properties available close to the changing leaves.

 

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