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.
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.
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
There are many reasons why you might suddenly need to sell your home. It could be an unexpected work relocation, a change in family circumstances, or simply a desire to move.
Whatever the reason, selling quickly requires some fast action on your part. But that doesn’t mean you need to get into panic mode. You can list and sell your property, quickly while still enjoying the process!
The first thing you need to do is figure out how to make your home show its best. In addition to cleaning and decluttering, that might include getting any needed repairs done, sprucing up the place by painting and perhaps even doing some minor improvements.
How much you need to “stage” your property depends on many factors, including what conditions are like in the local real estate market. For example, you may not need to make each room look like a page from a decorating magazine if you’re in a seller’s market.
So, before you start any work, talk to The Agent DK Team about what needs to be done to make your home ready to be seen by buyers.
The next thing you’ll need to consider is the list price. Your list price is especially important if you want to sell soon. There are many different strategies to get you the most money for your home, and together we will pick the option best for you and your family!
In addition, it’s smart to line up the resources you’ll need, especially if you’re also buying a new home. For example: get recommendations for a real estate lawyer, contractor, mortgage advisor, cleaning service, pet daycare, etc.
The Agent DK Team has year of experience in the local Ottawa home industry, so we can recommend you to reputable professionals we know and trust.
A final tip: If you want to sell quickly, you need to start the process now. Give the Agent DK Team a call at 613-883-5555 to get the ball rolling.
Every April 22, we celebrate Earth Day! Here at the Agent DK Team we believe that caring for nature, plants, and the land is integral to our own health and that individual responsibility lies with each of us! Whether it’s a healing walk through the woods, picking up litter (while walking!), or buying more Earth-friendly products, here are 10 ways that you can help to care for your planet.
Today we Celebrate Administrative Professional’s Day. It’s a wonderful Opportunity to Say “Thank You” to all the hardworking Admins in so many industries! At the Agent DK Team we are especially proud and grateful for Andreas, Silvi & Freda. While organization is key to their success, their flexibility and ability to handle the unexpected in this fast-paced Real Estate Industry make them valuable to our team. Some of their responsibilities include managing appointments, communicating with clients and agents, managing documents & paperwork, planning meetings, corresponding with lawyers and mortgage brokers, coordinating appointments with photos, signs and the list goes on & on! Thank you for all that you do and for working with utmost dedication and hard work! You do what most people cannot on a day to day basis! It never goes unnoticed! And today, like everyday, we say THANK YOU!
Chances are, you know that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year — even if you suspect the batteries are still good.
But that isn’t the only fire safety check you should do annually. Here are some other recommended tips to help keep you and your family safe.
Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible.
Check your cupboard for cleaning products, paints and other liquids that are flammable. Read each label carefully. Use and store each product only as recommended.
If you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen — and you should — confirm that it is still good. Extinguishers are like food. They have expiry dates!
Go over your fire escape plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows exactly what to do if a smoke detector goes off or if there’s a fire. (Don’t have a fire escape plan? Make one!)
Check that all windows open easily, especially upper floor windows.
Check appliances you use often, such as hair dryers, for worn or frayed cords.
Regularly clear away lint build-up in the clothes dryer. Check the outside dryer vent annually to make sure it’s clear and working correctly.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, get it cleaned and inspected by a licensed technician once a year.
Many local fire departments offer homeowners free tips and even in-home advice and inspections at no cost. Contact your fire department and ask about programs available to you.
“There’s no better way to preserve the value of your home than with regular, consistent maintenance. So every time the seasons change, make sure you do a thorough check of your house – inside and out – to make sure you’re keeping it in tiptop shape,” says Scott McGillivray. As homeowners, we all want low-maintenance homes but we want to protect our investment. As the seasons change we need to be diligent with knocking these things off our to-do list.
April is a perfect time to get these things done especially on those rainy days when you are stuck inside!
Here is why seasonal maintenance is important :
Identify Issues: It allows you to identify issues before they become major repairs.
Value : It helps you maintain and add to the value of your home.
Appearance: It improves the appearance of your property.
Protection: It protects your home against weather and other threats.
Minimize Long Term Costs: Maintenance costs are less when you do it regularly.
Fewer Surprises: Fewer unforeseen issues will arise.
Save Time: The more frequently you do it, the less time it will take each season.
Here are the Top 10 Spring Maintenance Items to Consider:
The March 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!
Market Snapshot: The long-term inventory shortage continues to drive prices however, the number of residential properties sold in March of 2021 is over double the number of properties that sold just one year prior. The Spring market sure has sprung! 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 Team to protect your interests, Call The Agent DK Team Today!
Buying a home is an exciting time for both new home buyers and experienced buyers alike. It is a fresh start, with new walls to build your life within. However, once the move begins, things can feel stressful, frantic, and exhausting, especially if there’s extra work to be done while boxes are being piled one on top of another. To make your transition go smoothly, we have compiled a list of 6 things to do before settling into your home. This will undoubtedly save you time and energy that could be put to better use come moving day.
Update Your Information Before officially moving into your new home, you should begin updating your address on your driver’s license, OHIP card, banking information, and any other services that require your place of residence on file. Additionally, you will want to inform your insurance providers to ensure that your home insurance is transferred and appropriate for your new home coverage. You will also want to touch base with utility companies before you move so that your home has electricity and gas set up under your accounts. Lastly, have any internet, phone, or television service providers in to get your systems up and running, primarily if you rely on a good connection to work from home. See here for a change of address checklist, to ensure you don’t miss informing anyone.
Make Your New Home Shine Before the big day comes, set aside some time or hire a company to complete a deep clean of the home. Ensure high-touch surfaces are disinfected, carpets are steam-cleaned, appliances are cleaned out, and that every nook and cranny is spotless and ready for a new life. If the home’s colours aren’t in line with your decor or aesthetic, or you want to rid the home of any lingering smells from pets or smoke, take this time to add a fresh coat of paint to the walls. By the time you move in, it will feel like you were the first family ever to own the home, and the hustle of moving-day will be a breeze.
Make a home maintenance schedule Home maintenance should never be something you skip on when it comes to homeownership. Keeping a regular schedule will ultimately help you protect your investment, and hopefully, minimize any high-cost repairs you may have to do. You can begin the work for this as early as your home inspection report comes in, as it might contain suggestions for work or repairs that should be completed.
Create and organize a filing system for any manuals or instructions, with clear outlines on how frequently you should have large items or appliances serviced or replaced and when to conduct seasonal maintenance. This is also an excellent opportunity to do your research and find a list of local plumbers, electricians, exterminators, landscapers, or snow removal companies that you may need to use in the future.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It is good practice for every homeowner to frequently check both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in good working order. Before moving into your home, checking or replacing existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or their batteries should be one of the first items to check off your list. Home Safety experts recommend changing the batteries every 6 months, so make sure to mark it on your calendar for semi-annual maintenance to be completed. If you are unsure how to test your systems, your local fire department may have some tips or offer free inspections.
Change Your Locks
Getting keys in hand for your new home on closing day is easily one of the best feelings when buying a new house. Everything is real, and a new adventure is about to begin. But for safety reasons, the passing on of keys should stay ceremonial. You never know how many copies of your house keys have been made and how many people may still have them in hand. This can be an easy fix by installing new deadbolts yourself or by calling a locksmith in to do it for you. Make sure if you get copies made that you only give them to necessary persons, and write them down, so you don’t lose track.
Get Familiar With Your Home
Once you become a homeowner, it is essential to get familiar with the systems in your home. Take the time to understand how everything works. Locate the furnace, air conditioning system, circuit breaker, and the home’s main water shut-off valve. Take note of these things during your walkthrough with your REALTOR ® or home inspector, and once in your home, inspect them yourself or hire someone to do a secondary inspection with you so that you know how best to care for your home and protect your investment.
What a beautiful day in Ottawa! In the next few weeks, flowers will be sprouting up, and we’ll hear countless birds chirping and see them flying overhead on a regular basis. We’ll watch the rain fall poetically to renew the Earth surrounding us, and maybe we’ll take the kids and their laughter outside to jump in puddles afterward. Our walks throughout the neighborhood will require less layers with each passing week, and hopefully our fears will shed as well as we see hope continuing on all around us. We all need this shift in season and we hope that we see more positive changes ahead.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This year looks a little different but it doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun and support a good cause.St. Patrick’s Day – Online Zoom Party put on by Rock da’ Houze! Saturday March 20, 2021 starting at 10PM (EST) until 2AM (EST) with a live DJ Performance from 10PM (EST) until 2AM (EST).
Rock da’ Houze is a proud supporter of Mental Health with 10% of all proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association.Get your tickets today and don’t forget to invite your friends to join with you! On the day of the party cast your device to your TV and crank up the volume – you’ll be dancing all night.Get Ready to Rock da’ Houze buy getting your tickets here!
Stittsville is an extraordinary place to call home. One of the many advantages is that everyone is very friendly. As so many families are “new,” there is a real sense of building the neighbourhoods. The entire community pitches in to support local causes and charities, such as the Stittsville Lions Bottle drive for Childhood Cancer/Ronald McDonald House. New families are welcomed to the many clubs, activities and sports teams. The residents of Stittsville are an integral part of what makes this community feel so inviting and friendly. Small communities are unique because it is very easy to make new friends and have you feel at home.
Residents of Stittsville
Stittsville has a full range of residents from families with children, retirees, business professionals, couples without children, and singles. This diverse population is due to the many business opportunities coupled with attractive neighbourhoods and green space, schools, and public transportation. One reason for such a diverse group is the short distance to Canada’s largest technology park, located in Kanata North.
Many military families have also found the area a great place to call home while working at the National Defence Headquarters on Carling Ave and the Shirley’s Bay facilities. Many also work in other areas of Ottawa. Stittsville has many new neighbourhoods that have been specifically developed to cater to seniors. Other neighbourhoods are perfect for single people and families of all ages and lifestyles. Whether you are looking for a bungalow to downsize or a home for your growing family, Stittsville has everything needed to live a healthy and happy life.
Where To Live In Stittsville?
Stittsville has several wonderful neighbourhoods that have just the right home for all types of families; these include:
Old Stittsville, Main Street./Crossing Bridge
Fernbank Crossing
Edenwylde
Fringewood
Granite Ridge
Jackson Trails
Poole Creek
Timbermere
Fairwinds
Deer Run
Crossing Bridge
Bryanston Gate
Amberwood
Potter’s Key
Westridge
Events And Attractions
There are many events and activities in Stittsville. The Stittsville Village Association helps to organize many of the well-attended events such as the annual Parade of Lights (November/December), Canada Day (July 1), and Arts in the Park (June), Cinema under the stars as well as other activities such as the Weekly Walking Group throughout the year. Stittsville’s Carp Road Flea Market is a fantastic place to find just about anything. The Stittsville Public library has many excellent services and activities such as Virtual Genealogy Drop-In assistance and Online Tutoring and Homework Help for Children.
Stittsville 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 this community is Ottawa’s largest outdoor shopping mall, Tanger,. There are several excellent golf courses in the area. However, the Amberwood Village Golf & Country Club has a special place in the life of Stittsville.
Stittsville’s Favourite Restaurants
There is a restaurant for every palette in Stittsville. No matter the restaurant, you will usually run into someone you know. There is an astonishing number of excellent restaurants offering everything from fine dining to pizza and subs. The ALE – the Amberwood Lounge & Eatery offers fine dining overlooking the beautiful golf course. Cabotto’s, located in a beautiful historic building, serves traditional Italian pasta dishes.
The Vietnamese Pho House offers very fresh and tasty meals. There are even several very friendly pubs in the area. The Barley Mow, on Main Street, has a great atmosphere and food. The Brew Revolution has British pasties and beer. At the same time, the Glen Scottish Pub and Restaurant is famous for its Scottish food. Looking for the Mediterranean taste, check out Classic Shawarma: It has donair sandwiches, various platters, combo options and family platters. If you are looking for a sweet treat, try the Red Gables Creperie. Napoli’s, NeXT, Quitters, Maverick’s are also great dining options.
Historic Centre
Stittsville has a long and fascinating history. It was a British Military garrison in the 19th century. The Village started as a small collection of houses and shops located at what is now the intersection of the Carp and Hazeldean Roads. The Village grew as it added a blacksmith, store and an inn. When the Village got its first post office in 1854, Jackson Stitt was the postmaster, so the Village was named Stittsville. After a devastating fire in 1870 that destroyed many farms, the few remaining buildings became known as Old Stittsville. The Village then became a railway centre, and the population increased. The connection of water and sewer systems in the early 1980s caused the rapid expansion of the area. The population has grown very quickly, and Stittsville remains one of the fastest-growing communities in the Ottawa Region. Many areas of natural beauty still surround Stittsville. One way to enjoy the area is to take a walk or bike ride along the Trans Canada Trail.
Full-Service Stittsville
Stittsville 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. Stittsville has many employment opportunities in the area and nearby in Kanata. And a short drive to the Canadian Tire Centre. The transportation connections are outstanding with OC Transpo, and you are always close to the highway. Stittsville is a great place to call home. There are all the stores, large and small, you will ever need, there are community activities and excellent restaurants to enjoy with family and friends.
You will be proud to call Stittsville home
Call The Agent DK Team Today to find your Stittsville Home!
This year, the International Women’s Day organization’s message is “A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So let’s all choose to challenge. How will you help forge a gender equal world? Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.” At Royal LePage & The Agent DK Team, we celebrate women like yourself by raising awareness and celebrating their achievements. The Agent DK Team is proud to celebrate the Powerful Women on our team: Dani, Mel, Alena, Silvi, Freda & Xena! They are constantly moving goals and aspirations forward.
We are lucky to have them as part of our team!
How are you celebrating Women International’s Day? Celebrate International Women’s day with these events!
Buying a home is an exciting time for you, and there are so many choices when it comes to housing styles, are you a bungalow, a stacked condo, a single-family dwelling? Each of these styles of homes can be found in neighbourhoods with different characteristics, making it essential to determine which one is most representative of your wants, needs and abilities. Understanding the importance of lifestyle and personality traits and how they work best with different types of neighbourhoods can save you from the dreaded “Buyer’s Remorse.” So whether you are a working professional, retiree, or if you’ve got a large family, take a look at the list below and determine which style of house you are before handing over that downpayment.
Wondering what style of house you are? Find out here.
Identify Issues: It allows you to identify issues before they become major repairs.
