Home Projects to Ready Your Home for Summer

Home Projects To Ready Your Home For Summer

With the spring season now in full bloom, summer approaching quickly, and social distancing guidelines leaving you a little stir-crazy, you may be feeling anxious to spend time outdoors and keep yourself busy while waiting for restrictions to be lifted. Fortunately, when you have to #StayHome, you might be able to find some time to work on some home projects that may have otherwise been neglected. Because home projects are usually essential or seasonal tasks to ensure your home is properly maintained, this can also be a great learning opportunity for kids who are currently unable to attend school, and trying to learn from home instead. If you don’t have kids, then this is the perfect time to hone your skills as a handy homeowner.

Whatever the case may be, it is important to remember to keep your projects within your abilities; if you do not feel comfortable or safe performing a task, there are plenty of reliable contractors available for essential services, or who can be booked once businesses begin to reopen. In the meantime, here are some ideas for home projects to get you started while taking advantage of your time at home, so you can ensure your house is in great shape this summer.

Clean Out Your Gutters

The gutters on your house should never be neglected, as they can cause damage to your home if they get clogged. Before summer gets here, make sure to clean out your gutters and make way for a worry-free summer season.

Tidy Up Your Deck

Your deck is an extension of your home that can be just as beautiful as the inside. Take some time to clean and organize your deck, and maybe add a coat of stain to brighten it up a bit. Once it is deemed safe to socialize again, your family and friends will be more than impressed with how amazing your deck looks in the summer sun.

Pruning

It is important to prune any dead or damaged stems as soon as you see them. Additionally, any spring-flowering leaves and shrubs, such as lilac trees, should be pruned in late spring, once they have finished blooming. It is important to research specific plants to see when the best time to prune is, as some, such as Daylilies require autumn pruning instead of spring.

Air Conditioners

Air Conditioners are great for providing us with cool, temperature-controlled environments throughout hot and humid summers. The problem is, without proper care our air conditioners might not be working as efficiently as they should be. It is important to have your filters changed once a year, and even call in a specialist if you have any concerns, to ensure your system is performing at its best.

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

There is no better time than the present to increase your home’s curb appeal! Put a fresh coat of paint on the exterior of your home, or reseal your deck or fences to preserve the longevity and keep your home looking fantastic all year-round.

Screen Maintenance

Don’t let those pesky flies into your home this summer! Ensure your screen doors and windows are up to par by inspecting them for rips, tears, or holes in the material. You may need to do some patchwork or replacement but you will be able to keep the bugs out and breeze in all summer long.

Taking care of household tasks are important life lessons that everyone can benefit from learning, and practicing. Take some time to research your projects to ensure you have the appropriate gear and equipment, as stores and businesses may have limited stock, hours, and curbside pickup availability; try to be as resourceful and economical as you can during these times of uncertainty. Doing this on your own or getting your children involved can teach both you and them some valuable lessons and life skills that will certainly come in handy down the road. Life might feel a little off-beat right now, but taking advantage of this time and staying positive will ensure you come out on the other side feeling maybe more accomplished (at least, with your home projects) than you did before.

Happy Victoria Day!

In Honour of Queen Victoria’s Birthday, we wish you all a safe and Majestic Long Weekend from all of us at The Agent DK Team!

Featured Community: Richmond, Ontario

Richmond is a beautiful bedroom community for the larger urban area of Ottawa. Richmond has a lot to offer from the Jock River, historical buildings and shops, new developments and established neighbourhood. Be sure to check out these shops, restaurants and hidden gems in this historical little town. It is a place you will definitely want to explore.

Could Moving to Richmond be Right For You?

Richmond was a former municipality and now is part of Ottawa. Living in Richmond is truly the best of city and country living. It is part of the City of Ottawa with all of the big city facilities. At the same time, it retains a welcoming country atmosphere. In Richmond, if you do not know your neighbour, you will very quickly. It has grown from a charming village to a bustling multi-faceted community without losing the small-town charm. Richmond is just 36 km from downtown Ottawa. If you are interested in any type of home in Richmond, contact the Royal LePage Team in Richmond. They have a unique understanding of the area. Richmond is the perfect “village” for singles, new families, larger families, multi-generational families and retirees. There are charming older homes and brand new builds with all the amenities. While it is just a few minutes to the Queensway, home prices are lower than in other Ottawa neighbourhoods. OC Transpo, route 283 connects you to downtown. The village houses all the usual stores and services, including an LCBO, banks, drugstores, grocery stores, a hardware building centre, and several restaurants. There is a powerful sense of community in Richmond. A large part of it is because of The Richmond Village Association. It is a non-profit organization created to represent the interests of Richmond residents. Led by volunteers, they are passionate about seeing Richmond prosper while maintaining its unique heritage.

Reasons to Move to Richmond

A welcoming community that is proud of its history and has retained the friendly village atmosphere

All services are available and centrally located, including schools, pharmacies, health care resources, sporting and recreational facilities

Excellent road and bus connections to the Kanata North High Tech park and downtown Ottawa

Ideal for remote working from home, while close to the office when required

Close to the Canadian Tire Centre for Ottawa Senators games and many entertainment events

Excellent selection of older and brand new single homes, duplex homes, seniors’ bungalows and many new homes in different developments

Richmond Residents and Life in the Village

Richmond has all the outdoor and indoor sports and recreational facilities a family will ever want:

Sports teams include the Bell Warriors Football Club and the Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Assoc, and the Richmond Munster Minor Softball Assoc.

Richmond is in the beautiful Rideau River watershed

The Rideau Trail, which is part of the Trans Canada Trail, passes through Richmond from Kingston to Ottawa

The Jock River runs through the village on its way East to the Rideau River

The Marlborough Forest is excellent for hiking, snowmobiles, mountain biking and has ski trails

The Goulbourn Skating Club, Richmond Curling Club, Richmond Centennial Golf Course, the Richmond Community and the 4H Club and the Richmond Walking Club are all active groups in the village.

Events And Attractions

There are many events and activities in Richmond. There is something for every family member: The Richmond Village Association plays an essential role in some of these events: the Richmond Spring Clean-up, Village-Wide Garage Sale, Richmond Family Fun Day, Richmond Fair Parade Float Entry, Winter Wonderland Banners, Reveal Lighting of the Park Ceremony, Santa Claus Parade, Lighting of the Park and the Lighting of the trees with Christmas Lights.

The Richmond Fair is the largest spectator event held on an annual basis within the surrounding community. Promoting agricultural awareness within the City of Ottawa. the fair is an excellent opportunity for members of the community to showcase their arts, crafts, livestock and produce. This fair hosts days of entertainment featuring rides, games, live entertainment, demolition derbys and much more. Over 30 different communities come together to organize this fair and a variety of other events on the fairgrounds throughout the year.

Richmond is very fortunate to be just minutes away from The Canadian Tire Centre. It is the home of the Ottawa Senators. It also hosts many world-class musicians and entertainers and unique children’s shows like Disney On Ice and Paw Patrol Live. Located only minutes from the village is Ottawa’s largest outdoor shopping mall, Tanger. There are also several excellent golf courses in the area.

Richmond’s Favourite Restaurants

There are many excellent restaurants in Richmond. The village is so friendly you will probably know most of the customers whenever you drop in. These include:

Royals Restaurant Dining Lounge is an intimate restaurant specializing in excellent choices for breakfast or lunch. It is well known for its quality, portion size and very fair prices of all of its meals

CC’s Corner is one of the favourite coffee shops in Richmond. Its world-class coffee is from the local roaster, Little Victories. In addition to the great coffee, they serve super lattes, donuts, cinnamon rolls, ham and cheese croissant

My Thai Village Restaurant has excellent Thai food and also serves breakfast on the weekend. Many say it is the best Thai food in the area, with Pad Thai and their curry being very popular

Chinhon Restaurant serves outstanding Chinese food. They provide in restaurant dining, a buffet on weekends and their top-rated take-out options. The General Tso’s Chicken is one of the many favourites.

Richmond Gourmet offers a wide variety of lunch and dinner dishes with weekly specials based on the owners’ account of the freshest and most interesting food they’ve been able to obtain on the market.

Danby’s is known for their fun and inviting atmosphere, specializing in roadhouse comfort food. They are always ready to host a variety of events such as their own live music nights and dart leagues.

Call this Special Village Home

Richmond is genuinely unique in the Ottawa area. It has dramatically grown from a small country village to a vibrant part of Ottawa. While it has kept the country friendliness and charm, it is just minutes away from everything that Ottawa offers, from great jobs, shopping, medical, education and all-season recreational facilities. Richmond is one of the fastest-growing and exciting communities in Ottawa. It has everything you will ever need or want. Additionally, there is beautiful green space and the fantastic Trans Canada Trail on your doorstep. This village has everything you and your family will ever need to be happy in your home and the community.

Historic Richmond

Like many areas of what now is the City of Ottawa, Richmond was founded by the British Army in 1818. The village was named after the Duke of Richmond, the newly appointed Governor-General of Upper Canada. Both Scottish and Irish soldiers were settled in Goulbourn and Beckwith. Richmond Road was built in 1818 by soldiers who had fought in the War of 1812. Richmond homes were first built of local stone, and many can still be seen in the village. Richmond is famous for the story of The Duke and the Fox. On August 26, 1819, the Duke visited the new community named in his honour. Earlier in Quebec, he had been bitten by a fox. He died on August 28, 1819.

Full-Service Richmond

While the population of Richmond is minimal in comparison to other suburbs of Ottawa, the amenities within the city are here to serve. Richmond is home to excellent local schools in the public and catholic sectors for both elementary and secondary students. Additionally, there is beautiful green space with an array of trees blanketing the area at Richmond Lions Community Park, and the Richmond Youth Centre that hosts many recreational programs which encourages the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Perth St, McBean St and its surrounding side streets are also home to many different types of local businesses and specialty stores that cater to most of the needs of its residents and homeowners. Here you can find hairdressers and barber shops, medical clinics, massage therapy, restaurants, karate, yoga, fitness centres, office supply stores, florists, grocers, a hardware store, and much more. Provided all the excellent benefits of living in the city of Richmond, most residents don’t mind venturing into the neighbouring Stittsville and Manotick communities for needs that exceed what is provided here, if and when the need presents itself.

Thinking of Renovating Your Basement?

Is it time to Renovate your Basement? When you walk downstairs to your basement, do you look around and think we could turn this into a much more comfortable living space? Does watching the home renovations shows on TV give you some exciting ideas helping you visualize what your basement would look like? It might be time to renovate your basement. This project will increase the value of your home. This will be extremely important should you ever decide to sell, especially in the current market environment.

When you walk downstairs to your basement, do you look around and think we could turn this into a much more comfortable living space? Does watching the home renovations shows on TV give you some exciting ideas helping you visualize what your basement would look like? It might be time to renovate your basement. This project will increase the value of your home. This will be extremely important should you ever decide to sell, especially in the current market environment.

There are many reasons to renovate your basement:

Have more livable space for your family
Dramatically increase the functionality of the entire home
Have a play area/schoolroom for the kids
Build a suite for an extended family member with a kitchenette
Have an office if you plan on working from home in the long term
Given the high price of buying a new home, it may be a smart move to renovate your basement
Increase your living space without dramatically increasing the size of your mortgage
Build a room to rent out to increase income
Have a games rooms, wet bar, home gym or family theatre

What is Behind the Basement Walls?

Before starting any personal or builder renovation ensure to have professional contractors inspect:

Check the electrical panel in the home to ensure it can take any increased load
Verify that there are no water issues in the basement walls and floor
If you increase the number of bathrooms, make sure the septic system is up to date and can take the increased load
If your septic system is affected, you must contact the Ottawa Septic System Office
Have the foundation inspected for any cracks or structural issues
Check that the HVAC system can support the new spaces

Do We Need a Building Permit?

After discussing the possible renovation with several trusted contractors and before applying for a building permit, always ask for a 3D Visual of the project. It is much easier for you and your family to visualize the new space when you can see what it will look like ahead of time.

Some of us are capable of completing home renovations without a contractor. If you can complete the work yourself, you must ensure that all the permits and inspections are completed correctly. Not following the required steps can negatively impact the ability to get house insurance and may delay your home’s sale.

It is your responsibility to ensure that a building permit is obtained. You may authorize your contractor to apply for the permit, but you should ensure that they have the permit prior to starting any work. Many owners prefer to apply themselves to ensure the City receives the permit application. Both the owner and the contractor are responsible for the process and are equally liable under the Ontario Building Code Act.

What Will it Cost to Renovate?

As you are working with your contractors, make sure you are given options to manage the cost. The final plan should meet your requirements and hopes while respecting your budget. One of the current challenges is that the cost of building materials, in particular wood, has skyrocketed in the last year. This trend is expected to continue, so moving quickly may be advised. There are also many green initiatives to help save some money along the way & be environmentally conscious.

The cost of any basement renovation depends on many factors:

The square footage of the renovations
The number of rooms
If new egress windows are required
Addition of a bathroom or kitchenette
The scale of electrical or foundation work needed
Quality and therefore the cost of the finishes, including the floor choice
Any environmental issues such as mould and asbestos that would require professional remediation action
Interior and exterior structural alterations
Adding or removing walls for new rooms
Any additions or extensions to a plumbing system
Structural foundation repairs and drainage tile replacement
Structural repairs or alterations
Septic system upgrades

Keep A Contingency Fund

The cost of basement renovations is generally less than for the rest of the house. There are usually fewer high-end finishings. Depending on the scope of the renovation, the building materials are more durable, like the floors, and therefore less expensive. In addition to the building material costs, you should keep at least 10% to 15% of your budget in reserve because of potential hidden issues that may arise.

Is This the Time to Start?

Today many homeowners are very interested in finishing their basement. This is because a finished basement provides extra living space and increases the home’s value. Are you planning to remodel your basement? This may be an excellent time to turn the unused area of the basement into a new and exciting space for your family.

It’s National Real Estate Day!

Tuesday, May 17 has been declared National Real Estate Day! It’s “a day for all Canadians Realtors and their clients to celebrate the benefits of home ownership,” says the board.

It’s a day to commemorate the Canadian dream of home ownership!

If you are looking for a way to build a solid financial future, owning a home is a great approach that also provides shelter. If you purchase a home that you can afford, you’ll find that home ownership can provide you with a return on your investment in the future.

To all fellow REALTORS®, today is #NationalRealEstateDay. Thank you for helping Ontarians achieve the dream of home ownership. We at The Agent DK Team recognize your hard work and dedication to this profession every single day.

Luxury Home Market

We are proud to say that Royal LePage Team Realty continues to hold the Number ONE spot for Luxury Home market share in Ottawa and a number of our trading communities, based on total volume sold at the Ottawa Real Estate Board. Based on volume sold from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021!

Ottawa’s neighbourhoods are diverse and most offer something for everyone. If you are looking for luxury, it’s all around us with little pockets throughout the city. Large lot sizes in rural areas and even within the city allow for beautiful large custom homes and these opportunities are popping up everywhere! Below you will find a list of some of Ottawa’s most “luxurious” neighbourhoods but it’s also important to remember that just like there are luxury homes all over, there are more moderately priced opportunities to own in these neighbourhoods as well. Each of these neighbourhoods offer unique opportunities and homes. It’s important to work with your agent to ensure that you find the right property, no matter what you are looking for!

Rockcliffe Park

Close to the center of the city, Rockcliffe Park is one of Ottawa’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. The area is zoned as a Heritage Conservation District which will ensure that its charm is maintained for years to come. The community is made up of primarily large and opulent 19th Century residences on large properties. The area is also home to a variety of political residences including the Governor General’s residence and Stornoway, the residence for the leader of the opposition. In 2016, the population of Rockcliffe Park was 1932 people and the benchmark price for a single family home in August 2017 was just over $1.5M.

Cedarhill Estates

Located directly adjacent to Barrhaven, Cedarhill is an enclave of stunning luxury homes in Ottawa’s west end. It is comprised of approximately 100 custom built homes, all sitting on 1 acre lots and it was established in 1979. The area has a strong community association who ensure community flower beds and common areas are maintained. Homes in this neighbourhood can be some of the priciest in the entire city!

Manotick

Manotick is a larger community of almost 5000 people located in the city’s south-west end. Property values are high in comparison to other parts of the city but there are a variety of options outside of the luxury market as well. Manotick is home to some of the city’s most stunning luxury homes, specifically along the Rideau River. With a combination of large old historical homes and new modern mansions, there is something for everyone.

Westboro

Up until the turn of the century, Westboro was largely an industrial neighbourhood but given it’s proximity to the city’s core and the significant gentrification that has occurred, Westboro has become a hub for luxury and style. With high end boutiques, new condos, and trendy restaurants now lining Richmond Road, Westboro homes have seen a significant increase in value. Most homes in the area were built between 1900 and 1970 but more and more infill properties are popping up as the lot sizes can be large in some parts of this area. 71% of the houses are detached. With a total population of over 22,000, this area continues to grow year over year!

These are just a few of some of Ottawa’s more luxurious areas but there are lots of opportunities for luxury in most areas of the city. To see what’s available in your area, contact The Agent DK Team today!

Eid Mubarak

We are wishing you a very happy Eid full of joy, prosperity and happiness. Eid Mubarak!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to every mom out there!

May you feel celebrated and loved today and every day. Thank you for all that you do!

Ottawa Real Estate Snapshot – April 2021

The April 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!

Market Snapshot: The strongest April on record. With more sales and accelerated price increases the continued lack of supply is apparent. The pandemic has homeowners focusing on living space, driving the demand for change. If you’re considering a move we’re here to help answer any questions you have, in this market you’ll want a qualified, professional real estate company to protect your interests. The Agent DK Team is here to help you with all your real estate needs. Call us anytime at 613-883-5555!

Ontario Education Week

This week is Education Week in Ontario and the theme is #StrongerTogether.

We have seen a lot of changes in our kids over the last year. A big thank you to all of our teachers, principals and support staff for adapting to all of the changes and continuing to teach, support and shape our kids. We appreciate everything you do for them. This is a fitting theme as this past year has definitely reinforced our understanding of how important public education is for students, for families and for staff.

Together, we have navigated so many transitions and worked together to support student learning and well-being.

#StrongerTogether

May the 4th Be With You!

Happy Star Wars Day to everyone from all of us at The Agent DK Team!

Mental Health Week May 3-9

Mental Health Week is a Canadian tradition where schools, communities, and workplaces come together to celebrate, protect, and promote mental health. This year’s theme is #GetReal about you how you feel.

The pandemic has resulted in a high degree of uncertainty and disruption to our lives, and it is not unusual to feel a heightened degree of anxiety and worry about the potential impact on your mental health.

This week, let’s name, express and deal with our emotions— even the uncomfortable ones. Because heavy feelings lighten when you put them into words. Embrace all of your emotions—whether they feel good or challenging or difficult. It’s all part of being human. This week—and every week after—don’t go uncomfortably numb. #GetReal about how you feel. And name it, don’t numb it.

There are some great articles to read so that you help yourself #GetReal https://mentalhealthweek.ca/info-articles/

Also the Government of Canada has put together some webinars, social media live broadcasts and resources to help you or someone you know who is having a hard time https://www.canada.ca/…/mental-health-week-2021.html

Happy Orthodox Easter!

From our Family to yours wishing you a wonderful Orthodox Easter! Χριστός ἀνέστη! 🐇🐣💜💛💚❤️🐣🐇