As a homeowner, costs can really start to add up, so it never hurts to take measures to help you reduce your monthly utility bills. Below are a few ways to do just that!
Electricity Bill: Saving money on your electricity bill can be done multiple ways. Some easy changes include running appliances, like the stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, at night, opting to air dry clothes, or cooking meals in a crockpot or toaster oven. Set aside time throughout the year to inspect the areas around doors and windows and seal any cracks with caulk or weather stripping. Additionally, make sure to unplug electronics when not in use or use a power strip to turn them all off at once.
Water Bill: Your monthly water bill can sneak up on you, but small changes can be made to cut costs. Install WaterSense-certified faucets and shower heads and convert toilets to low flow to reduce the amount of waterused. Make sure to regularly check toilets and sinks for leaks and repair them. Opt for using your dishwasher instead of handwashing and ensure it’s a full load each time. Also, don’t forget to turn off water while brushing your teeth and shaving.
Gas Bill: Investing in some changes up front can make a difference on your natural gas bill long term. Add insulation in your attic and around your water heater and pipes. Make sure to repair any leaks in your ducts, inspect your furnace regularly, and check your home for any blocked vents that could cause your gas heating system to work overtime. You can also reduce the temperature of your water heater.
It may seem inconvenient or difficult to decorate a small space in your home, but there are a variety of strategies to make that smaller area seem much bigger. Here are some interior design ideas to help you maximize the space in smaller rooms in your home.
The first step for making your small space seem bigger is to clear out all unnecessary items in the room. It’s very hard for any space to look big when there is an assortment of unorganized things thrown around the room. You’ll also want to make sure that there are clear walkways that aren’t obstructed by any pieces of furniture.
The color scheme is very important for maximizing the space in a small room. Dark and warm hues can make a room feel closed off or intimate, so it’s important to choose soft colors for smaller rooms. Lighter colors give rooms a more airy, open feeling and this can be enhanced by choosing similar soft colors for the furniture, curtains, or other items in the room. If your room accessories match the color of the wall, the room will seem more expansive.
Let in as much light as possible. Well-lit rooms always seem larger and you can achieve this with thinner drapes or by making sure all windows are unobstructed. If your small room doesn’t have any windows, you can use mirrors to reflect light from lamps and overhead lighting and give the room a more open feeling. Another way to enhance the light is to use transparent pieces of furniture. Light will flow unobstructed when you have furniture made of glass or lucite.
There is no better way to feel like your starting the year fresh than to do a post-Christmas purge and rid yourself of anything that doesn’t bring joy, get used, or you feel would benefit someone else more. Just like your pants after a second Christmas dinner, things can start feeling a bit tight when you’re trying to find space for gifts your family has received, or big discounted purchases you made during Black Friday or Boxing Day sales. Pulling things out of storage, or getting rid of the clothes you haven’t worn in 5 years can clear up space in your home that will leave you feeling better and brighter in the New Year.
As the Holiday Season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and on those who have helped to shape our business in a most significant way. We value our relationship with you and look forward to working with you in the years to come. May 2022 be filled with peace, joy, good health and prosperity – The Agent DK Team
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” — Edith Sitwell
We are happy to announce our new partnership with The Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Team!
The Agent DK Team is proud to be the Exclusive and the Official Real Estate Broker of the Ottawa BlackJacks!!!
We are thrilled for this new partnership and we will be there cheering on our home team from courtside! Some great contests and giveaways will be happening at the games!…
Excited to be part of this great Basketball Team! #HopOn | #OurGame
Kanata is home to a healthy balance of rural and urban properties, featuring an array of amenities that have turned this slice of Ottawa into one of the most desirable communities in the city. Located to the west of the National Capital Commission Greenbelt, with a population of just over 100,000, Kanata is a sought out place to call home, attracting people of all ages, ethnicities, and stages of life. This community easily offers the convenience and kindness of a small town with immaculate green space and rural areas, while having amenities for people who find themselves craving big-city events, attractions and shopping. It’s proximity to the major highways also make Kanata an easy commute for people who work or travel outside its borders. No matter your lifestyle, Kanata is the ultimate suburban neighbourhood that looks to give you what the big city offers, without the travel time that normally coincides.
Neighbourhoods: Richardson Ridge, Beaverbrook, The Rockeries, Glen Cairn, Blackstone, Katimavik, Hazeldean, Emerald Meadows, Morgan’s Grant, Kanata Lakes, Bridlewood, Kanata North
Real Estate in Kanata: There is Something for Everyone
Kanata is a desired community that many people seek out and is growing steadily. There are a wide variety of homes to choose from within the town; with single-detached, semi-detached, townhouses, condominiums, rural homes, and new builds, the choices are endless, ensuring your wants and needs in homeownership are met. There is something for everyone. There are starter homes, condos for care-free living, estate lots, established neighbourhoods and new communities. Talk to one of our Real Estate professionals here at Royal LePage to see what kind of opportunities we have for you to buy your dream home in Kanata by contacting us today.
Reasons to move to Kanata
Kanata is made up of beautiful urban and rural neighbourhoods.
Kanata is the largest tech park in Canada, known as the Silicon Valley of the North.
A community feel throughout each neighbourhood.
New business and residential developments lead to a growing population.
Many different shopping hubs and entertainment venues for your enjoyment.
Excellent schools, shopping, pharmacies, and restaurants for your enjoyment.
Offers a variety of different homes at more for your dollar than big city Ottawa.
Could moving to Kanata be right for you?
Kanata offers an attractive lifestyle for people of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, and lifestyles. With easy access to the 416, 417 and accessible public transportation options, Kanata is seen as a commuters dream; The ease of access to the highways also offers hassle-free trips to the downtown core or a head-start on those out of town trips heading west. Kanata has the perfect mixture of urban and rural areas; with the National Capital Commission Greenbelt bordering the community, and many parks and trails found in all corners of the town, it is easier than ever to get your dose of the fresh outdoors without traveling too far. Some of the most visited parks and trails include Beaver Pond, Shirley’s Brook Park, Allenby Park, Shetland Park, and Morgan’s Grant Woods, just to name a few. The entertainment available in Kanata is notable, as the community is home to the Canadian Tire Centre, host to the Ottawa Senators, and many other musicians and entertainers alike throughout the year. When you’re not racing to be first in line for ticket sales at the CTC, there are a variety of shopping hubs throughout different neighbours that are sure to provide you with the day to day services you may require. Kanata is the perfect place to call home, featuring many different types of neighbourhoods, so whether you’re looking for a highrise condo, a townhouse, a single home with lots of space, or something more rural, the possibilities seem infinite and the community is filled with things to do for everyone to enjoy.
Kanata Residents and Lifestyle
The residents of Kanata are proud of their community and make newcomers feel welcome with friendly smiles, and tips on the best schools, shopping, recreation, social media accounts, and events in the area. This is an exciting place to live, and they can’t wait to show you why!Kanata has an assortment of residents differing from families with children, retirees, business professionals, couples without children, and single occupants. This diverse population is due to the wide business opportunities coupled with attractive neighbourhoods and green space, schools, and public transportation that is found in the area. No matter your place in life, this business hub filled with beautiful homes and neighbourhoods for people of all ages and lifestyles is a desired suburb for many. So whether you have your heart set on a highrise condo, townhouse, single home in the suburbs or something more rural and green, Kanata has just what you need to make a house into the home you have dreamed of, in a neighbourhood you love.
Moving to Kanata – Ottawa’s Entertainment District
Kanata is home to Ottawa’s biggest entertainment venue; The Canadian Tire Centre hosts many musicians and entertainers all year long, or rather, on days that they aren’t hosting their number one tenant, the Ottawa Senators. The Canadian Tire Centre has seen musicians such as Justin Bieber, The Lumineers, and Pearl Jam, and hosted unique childrens shows like Disney On Ice and Paw Patrol Live. Additionally, many sporting events find their way to the CTC; all of the Ottawa Senators’ home games take place inside these walls, and occasionally, featured events such as the Harlem Globetrotters, Stars on Ice, and Cirque du Soleil take the stage to showcase differing styles of athleticism. Outside of the Canadian Tire Centre, Landmark Theatre in Kanata Centrum is the largest movie theatre in Ottawa and really takes the movie-going experience to a whole new level. Additionally, there are many events that take place in Kanata throughout the year; Wesley Clover Parks provides a great venue and is famous for its winter Magic of Lights drive-through display. The park is host to many additional events throughout the year, such as Snow Day fun, the famous Girls Mud Run, and the National Capital Car Show among a variety of equestrian events that take place throughout the warmer months.Other notable attractions that Kanata has to offer include The Kanata Civic Art Gallery, The annual Kanata North Picnic, and The Eddie May Mysteries dinner theatre, which is the longest-running murder mystery entertainment group in Canada. If you like Sports and Entertainment, you sure won’t feel a shortage in this community.
Great Places to Eat in Kanata
Dining options in Kanata are very exciting, and will not leave you disappointed. With several places to choose from, you may find yourself making adjustments in your grocery budget to take advantage of these great eateries. For local restaurants that will surely have you coming back for seconds, make sure to try Fratelli’s, Cabotto’s, Lapointe Seafood Grill, StrEATS, Kanata Noodle House, The Keg, Zac’s Diner, or if you’re looking for Vegetarian options, Kanata is home to Pure Kitchen Vegetarian Food and Juice Bar with a variety of options that are enjoyed by all. For dessert, be sure to scoop up the goods at any of the local bakeries; La Provence and La Maison du Kouign-Amann have an assortment of mouth-watering pastries and cakes that are sure to please the sweet tooth in your life. Whatever your dining out desire may be, restaurants in Kanata are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, leaving each palate completely satisfied.
Business Opportunities in Kanata
If you’re looking into bringing your business to or starting your business in Kanata, you will be happy to know that Kanata is a business hub with many great innovators, and is home to some of the biggest names in the tech industry. With Ericsson, Nokia, Mitel, and Dell among others putting up shop, Kanata Research Park is definitely known as a hi-tech headquarters, underscoring a prosperous economy for this community. Aside from tech businesses, Kanata is home to over 500 businesses that add to this thriving community; Booster Juice, Big Rig Brewery, and First Air along with multiple locally owned small businesses make this little town stand out among others. If you have any questions about moving your business to Kanata and are looking to rent or purchase commercial property in the area, talk to our Real Estate professionals at Royal LePage today.
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”
When you’re looking at buying a home, there are so many factors that come into play, such as which type of mortgage is best suited for your needs and how much money you’ll need to put down on your house. It can be easy to feel lost in the process.
Mortgage Shopping: What Does a Mortgage Broker Do?
In what has been an unprecedented year in buying and selling, Ottawa Real Estate is remaining hot, and mortgage rates cool. While buying a home and getting a mortgage is a big financial decision, the process of securing a loan leaves even the most experienced buyers with a laundry list of questions. Naturally, you will want a team of trusted professionals on your side to walk you through the options that best suit your unique situation. Allowing yourself some time to properly shop around and do your homework on what mortgage products and features are being offered is essential.
Fortunately, this is where the expertise of a mortgage broker comes to your aid. Instead of spending countless hours researching and setting up multiple appointments, an experienced broker can access their tools to find you great mortgages to compare and choose from, streamlining the process to find what suits you and the needs of your family.
In the past, inquiries about mortgages were primarily done at the bank. While this remains an option today, big banks can often feel intimidating and may leave you with fewer options when it comes to refinancing your mortgage, getting a new one, or accessing the equity in your home. As a result, many buyers are turning to mortgage brokers for help instead.
Lenders have become increasingly competitive in recent years, creating a surge in demand for mortgage brokers. A broker will be able to provide unbiased options with the goal of finding a lender that offers rates and conditions suitable for you.
As opposed to traveling from bank to bank and undergoing hard credit checks, creating an unwanted dent in your credit score, brokers will only run your check once or twice when shopping for your different mortgage products, having a less detrimental impact. Additionally, the mortgage broker is paid by the lenders themselves and not the clients, which makes this a great option for buyers to find the best rates and products available at any time.
Ask The Right Questions
To make the most of comparison shopping, you need to know what options are most important to you. Come prepared and make sure to know what you can afford and how much of a down payment you have. You should also have a list of questions to ask the broker.
What type of mortgage is best for my needs?
a fixed, variable, or adjustable-rate mortgage
an open, closed, or convertible mortgage
What mortgage features and options are best for my needs?
a short or long mortgage term/ amortization period
frequency of mortgage payments
regular or accelerated payments
the ability to make prepayments or lump sum payments
the option to transfer my mortgage to another home if I sell my home
What are my options if I cannot make a payment?
What penalty charges may apply if I want to break my mortgage contract or renegotiate a new one?
Will I have to pay an additional fee if a payment is late?
How can I change the size of my mortgage payments?
What fees are involved in setting up, discharging, or renewing my mortgage?
#HopOn | #OurGame
