For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
Joanne Hardy
RESULTS THAT MOVE OAKVILLE!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Selling your home with a realtor - Or go it alone?
If you have decided that now is the time to sell your home, you might be thinking: should I hire a Real Estate Sales Representative or do it alone. Have you ever considered repairing your own car? Anyone can buy the tools and parts. However, most of us just do not have the knowledge, training, experience or the expertise and commitment of time to do the job properly. Besides, there are plenty of experienced professionals to do the work for us.........To read more click here
Joanne Hardy
Joanne Hardy
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Sell Quicker and for More by Staging Your Home - Part 2
Staging your dining room as if you were preparing for dinner party. It helps the potential buyer visualize themselves in the home with their dining room.
Before
After
For more information Contact Joanne Hardy jo@oakvilleproperty.com
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Fabulous Home in The Heart of Old Oakville
This rare find offers the complete lifestyle alternative to a condo or the perfect family home...Surrounded by million dollar homes, this home will wow!
For more details and to see this home call Joanne Hardy 416-230-1425.
Monday, April 15, 2013
A beautiful weekend to avoid spring cleaning!
Spring weather is on its way, It is the perfect time to enjoy the patio with your family and friends. If you do decide to stay in for a little bit, here are some tips for Spring Cleaning! I might save the practical application for next weekend though!
Let Spring Cleaning Come Naturally
Did you know that your home can sparkle this spring without using any chemicals? Choose from a wide array of eco friendly cleaners on the market or simply make your own with household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Here are a few tips to help you become a natural when it comes to spring cleaning:
The Bathroom
Want to bring out a natural shine to your sinks, toilets, and tubs? Create a gentle scouring paste by mixing 4 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water. Generously sprinkle either table salt or baking soda into the sink or tub and use the cut end of half a fresh lemon as a scrubby-pad. Rinse with hot water and your ceramics will be gleaming! Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits.
The Kitchen
Vinegar, a natural antibacterial, has a high acid content which makes it an effective alternative to caustic cleaners for the kitchen. Mix together 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new spray bottle and you have a natural solution that will clean stovetops, appliances, countertops (except marble), and floors. For troublesome stains, add a touch of baking soda to the mix.
To help remove finger marks from stainless steel appliances use a microfibre cloth or try a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth. For microwaves, put a few slices of fresh lemon in an uncovered bowl of water and cook on high for about three minutes. Grease and dirt should wipe away easily.
Windows
Let the sunshine in by washing away winter’s grime. Fill a bucket with 25 per cent vinegar and 75 per cent warm water. Put on rubber gloves and soak an old cotton towel in the solution. Rub on windows, and then scrunch up some old newspaper to buff up a shine. If there are any streaks, simply finish off with a dry cloth.
Fabrics and Carpets
Have a stubborn fabric stain? Dab white vinegar onto the stain followed by a mild soap solution such as all natural dishwashing liquid and water. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and blot with a dry towel. Salt can also be used to soak up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink. Simply pour salt on the wet stain, let dry, and then vacuum. Natural ingredients can not only get rid of stains, they’ll help eliminate odours from fabrics too!
Again, I'd save all these tips for after company goes home! Enjoy the chocolate eggs and ham.
"Joanne Hardy"
Let Spring Cleaning Come Naturally
Did you know that your home can sparkle this spring without using any chemicals? Choose from a wide array of eco friendly cleaners on the market or simply make your own with household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Here are a few tips to help you become a natural when it comes to spring cleaning:
The Bathroom
Want to bring out a natural shine to your sinks, toilets, and tubs? Create a gentle scouring paste by mixing 4 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water. Generously sprinkle either table salt or baking soda into the sink or tub and use the cut end of half a fresh lemon as a scrubby-pad. Rinse with hot water and your ceramics will be gleaming! Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits.
The Kitchen
Vinegar, a natural antibacterial, has a high acid content which makes it an effective alternative to caustic cleaners for the kitchen. Mix together 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new spray bottle and you have a natural solution that will clean stovetops, appliances, countertops (except marble), and floors. For troublesome stains, add a touch of baking soda to the mix.
To help remove finger marks from stainless steel appliances use a microfibre cloth or try a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth. For microwaves, put a few slices of fresh lemon in an uncovered bowl of water and cook on high for about three minutes. Grease and dirt should wipe away easily.
Windows
Let the sunshine in by washing away winter’s grime. Fill a bucket with 25 per cent vinegar and 75 per cent warm water. Put on rubber gloves and soak an old cotton towel in the solution. Rub on windows, and then scrunch up some old newspaper to buff up a shine. If there are any streaks, simply finish off with a dry cloth.
Fabrics and Carpets
Have a stubborn fabric stain? Dab white vinegar onto the stain followed by a mild soap solution such as all natural dishwashing liquid and water. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and blot with a dry towel. Salt can also be used to soak up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink. Simply pour salt on the wet stain, let dry, and then vacuum. Natural ingredients can not only get rid of stains, they’ll help eliminate odours from fabrics too!
Again, I'd save all these tips for after company goes home! Enjoy the chocolate eggs and ham.
"Joanne Hardy"
Monday, April 8, 2013
Global blog - Hopskotch Through Continents
Check out how they do real estate across the globe!
I’d like to start off by saying, who wouldn’t want to own a piece of property that borders on two continents?? You could have one foot in Europe and the other in Asia…well sort of, if you’re in Istanbul. Mind you, if you’re planning to buy in this city, you should have a substantial down payment…like 90%??!! Most residents of Istanbul don’t use mortgage services at all, and if any financial help is acquired, it is in most cases a small loan. How do they buy real estate and have that much cash on hand?? Wait for this…They SAVE it! If they can only afford a small apartment with the money they have…that’s what they buy. Then they save more and when they can afford to upgrade they do. A world away from the real estate business here in Oakville, where a large portion of the transactions taking place require financing. At the end of the day, we could use a few saving tips from our friends out in Istanbul. To me That is Not Average.
Check out more international blogs at http://www.yourglobalblogger.com/
"Not Your Average JO"
I’d like to start off by saying, who wouldn’t want to own a piece of property that borders on two continents?? You could have one foot in Europe and the other in Asia…well sort of, if you’re in Istanbul. Mind you, if you’re planning to buy in this city, you should have a substantial down payment…like 90%??!! Most residents of Istanbul don’t use mortgage services at all, and if any financial help is acquired, it is in most cases a small loan. How do they buy real estate and have that much cash on hand?? Wait for this…They SAVE it! If they can only afford a small apartment with the money they have…that’s what they buy. Then they save more and when they can afford to upgrade they do. A world away from the real estate business here in Oakville, where a large portion of the transactions taking place require financing. At the end of the day, we could use a few saving tips from our friends out in Istanbul. To me That is Not Average.
Check out more international blogs at http://www.yourglobalblogger.com/
"Not Your Average JO"
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Energy Efficiency Checklist
In this era of rising energy prices and global warming, it makes sense that our homes should be as energy efficient as possible. An easy way to do this is to know where your home is likely to lose energy and then take corrective action to minimize the impact.
I have an energy efficiency checklist that I would be happy to share with you free of charge. That way, you'll be ahead of the game when it comes to energy conservation.
Home Energy Checklist
What You Can Do Today...
- Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid the risk of accidental scalding.
- Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less!
- If you own a waterbed, make sure you make your bed today. The covers will insulate it and save up to one-third of the energy it uses.
- Begin using energy-saving settings on your refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer/dryer.
- Make sure you check the age and condition of your major appliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy-efficient model before it expires.
- Examine your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents. These new bulbs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day. Measure the clearance in your fixtures to make sure they will accommodate compact fluorescents, which are slightly larger than incandescent bulbs.
- Clean or replace the filters in your furnace, air-conditioner and heat pump.
...This Week
- Visit the hardware store. Buy a water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and compact florescent bulbs.
- Rope caulk your leaky windows.
- Assess your heating and cooling systems. Determine if replacements are required, or if there is a way to make them work more efficiently to provide the same comfort (or better!) for less energy.
...This Month
- Look over your electricity and fuel bills. Target the biggest bill for energy conservation remedies.
- Crawl into your attic or crawlspace and inspect for insulation. Is there any? How much?
- Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.
- Seal up the most noticeable air leaks in your house - the ones that whistle on windy days or that feel drafty. This includes windows and doors, but also unnoticed culprits like utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, as well as unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. All the little, invisible cracks and holes may add up to as much as an open window or door, without you ever realizing it!
- Install a clock thermostat so you are able to set times for your house temperature to be lowered, such as when you are out during the day, and through the night.
- Schedule an energy audit (ask your utility company or local energy office) for more expert advice on your home as a whole.
...This Year
- Insulate. If your walls aren't insulated, have an insulation contractor blow cellulose into the walls. Bring your attic insulation level up to snuff.
- Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.
- Upgrade leaky windows. It may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or to boost their efficiency with weather stripping and storm windows.
- Reduce your air conditioning costs by planting shade trees and shrubs around your house - especially on the west and south sides. Know that you are making a difference!
I have an energy efficiency checklist that I would be happy to share with you free of charge. That way, you'll be ahead of the game when it comes to energy conservation.
Home Energy Checklist
What You Can Do Today...
- Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid the risk of accidental scalding.
- Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less!
- If you own a waterbed, make sure you make your bed today. The covers will insulate it and save up to one-third of the energy it uses.
- Begin using energy-saving settings on your refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer/dryer.
- Make sure you check the age and condition of your major appliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy-efficient model before it expires.
- Examine your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents. These new bulbs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day. Measure the clearance in your fixtures to make sure they will accommodate compact fluorescents, which are slightly larger than incandescent bulbs.
- Clean or replace the filters in your furnace, air-conditioner and heat pump.
...This Week
- Visit the hardware store. Buy a water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and compact florescent bulbs.
- Rope caulk your leaky windows.
- Assess your heating and cooling systems. Determine if replacements are required, or if there is a way to make them work more efficiently to provide the same comfort (or better!) for less energy.
...This Month
- Look over your electricity and fuel bills. Target the biggest bill for energy conservation remedies.
- Crawl into your attic or crawlspace and inspect for insulation. Is there any? How much?
- Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.
- Seal up the most noticeable air leaks in your house - the ones that whistle on windy days or that feel drafty. This includes windows and doors, but also unnoticed culprits like utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, as well as unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. All the little, invisible cracks and holes may add up to as much as an open window or door, without you ever realizing it!
- Install a clock thermostat so you are able to set times for your house temperature to be lowered, such as when you are out during the day, and through the night.
- Schedule an energy audit (ask your utility company or local energy office) for more expert advice on your home as a whole.
...This Year
- Insulate. If your walls aren't insulated, have an insulation contractor blow cellulose into the walls. Bring your attic insulation level up to snuff.
- Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.
- Upgrade leaky windows. It may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or to boost their efficiency with weather stripping and storm windows.
- Reduce your air conditioning costs by planting shade trees and shrubs around your house - especially on the west and south sides. Know that you are making a difference!
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
Joanne Hardy
Friday, March 29, 2013
Buying Oakville Property
Buying an Oakville property is buying into a community that enjoys diversity while enjoying a rich cultural heritage with many waterfront events and festivities. This community has no qualms with letting new comers know they would love to have them. If you are looking for a wonderful place to bring up healthy children, Oakville has some of the best schools and can provide a safe place for your children to play, while providing you and your spouse the best any city has to offer if you are looking to start a family or making plans to retire.
And, when you finally find that Oakville property that is just right for you, don’t waste any time putting in an offer; after all, with all the great things this community has to offer, property doesn’t stay on the market long around here.
And, when you finally find that Oakville property that is just right for you, don’t waste any time putting in an offer; after all, with all the great things this community has to offer, property doesn’t stay on the market long around here.
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
"Joanne Hardy"
Monday, March 25, 2013
Oakville MLS Listings
The MLS Oakville home listings will show you an area that is rich in parklands, featuring more than 2,400 acres of prime real estate land developed into luscious green landscapes featuring blooming gardens, walking and hiking trails, and bike paths that span many neighbourhoods. Walking not your thing, then take a bus, a cab, or the go-train.
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
"Joanne Hardy"
Friday, February 22, 2013
Why Buy Oakville Property?
Why buy Oakville property, good question and an easy answer. Oakville property is reasonable, as it is just far enough outside Toronto that people with an average income of around $89,000 dollars can afford to invest in some of the great real estate buys available. Oakville offers a quiet living to most people, but also has a major tourism industry, which drops more than 88 million dollars each year into the city businesses through dining out, theater, performing arts, dance, music, festivals, golf courses, and shopping. These tourists’ numbers generally range around 1.4 million, so if you run a small business in this community you are bound to enjoy some of these spoils. Not to mention Oakville property throughout the city is less than an hour from the United States and has immediate access to 401, 402, 407, and the QEW, which makes coming home quick and easy.
The other great thing about Oakville property is the natural parkland that can be found throughout the city. These parklands include natural hiking trails, biking paths, beautiful creeks, scenic vistas, soccer fields, playgrounds, and much more. And, if that is not enough check out the great waterfront where you can see yachts travelling in and out of the marinas, find lots of water activities and sailing boards, stretches of long sandy beaches where you can sunbath or paddle the hours away. Then at the end of the day, stop and enjoy a spectacular sunset lighting the night skies with crimson reds and gold
Joanne Hardy
The other great thing about Oakville property is the natural parkland that can be found throughout the city. These parklands include natural hiking trails, biking paths, beautiful creeks, scenic vistas, soccer fields, playgrounds, and much more. And, if that is not enough check out the great waterfront where you can see yachts travelling in and out of the marinas, find lots of water activities and sailing boards, stretches of long sandy beaches where you can sunbath or paddle the hours away. Then at the end of the day, stop and enjoy a spectacular sunset lighting the night skies with crimson reds and gold
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
Joanne Hardy
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Oakville Property
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
Joanne Hardy
Monday, February 11, 2013
Using MLS Oakville
Using MLS Oakville you can quickly find the right home for you in a community that still cares and annually enjoys more than 1.4 million tourists who spend more than 88 million dollars dining out, shopping, enjoying leisurely activities, recreational fun, and night time recreation. These tourists know that Oakville offers them something no place else can...a great place to visit and look forward to retiring in. Many of these people annual check out the housing market, and the MLS Oakville listing seeking the home that is just right for them, after their work years have passed by.
Maybe it is time, you too checked out MLS Oakville for your retirement home; after all, Oakville welcomes new residents with open hearts and arms. And when you are looking for your ideal home don’t forget to check out the area for its natural splendour. There are more than 140 kilometres of trails, naturally flowing creeks, and around 17 kilometres of waterfront property, some of it for sale.
Retirement home on a lake with spectacular sunsets...should you be checking out MLS Oakville today? Many splendid neighbours would love to have you and your loved ones join them.
Maybe it is time, you too checked out MLS Oakville for your retirement home; after all, Oakville welcomes new residents with open hearts and arms. And when you are looking for your ideal home don’t forget to check out the area for its natural splendour. There are more than 140 kilometres of trails, naturally flowing creeks, and around 17 kilometres of waterfront property, some of it for sale.
Retirement home on a lake with spectacular sunsets...should you be checking out MLS Oakville today? Many splendid neighbours would love to have you and your loved ones join them.
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
Joanne Hardy
Monday, January 21, 2013
2013 Polar Bear Dip
CP | By Linda Nguyen, The Canadian Press Posted: 01/01/2013 11:49 am EST | Updated: 01/02/2013 12:24 am EST
About 800 participants at this year's largest charity gathering, the Courage Polar Bear Dip, stripped down to their skivvies or donned outlandish costumes before jumping into Lake Ontario in Oakville, Ont.
According to organizers, the event, held just west of Toronto at Coronation Park, first began in 1995 and has since raised a total of $1,060,000 for the charity World Vision Canada. Read more...
The “Amber Coast”
Who wouldn’t want to take haven in a place referred to as the “amber
coast”? Nothing short of desirable is the idea of hiding away in the
green mountains or soaking up the sun on the spectacular beaches. If
you love the idea of sneaking away to the Caribbean hideaway, you must
obtain Dominican residency. First step…get a residence visa! Tourist or
business visa won’t do here; you must have a residence card to own a
piece of this beautiful place. Read more...
Jo Hardy
Monday, January 14, 2013
Oakville, A Great Place to Run a Business
Oakville can easily boast the over 1.4 million visitors that stop by annually and spend more than a whopping 88 million dollars in tourist revenue, which in turn is reinvested in the businesses the tourist visit. Talk about a great place to run a business. Tourists to this area enjoy shopping, theatre, music, dance, and many other entertainment venues, making this a great place to purchase a house for sale Oakville, and a lively and entertaining place to set up a small business.
Besides all these great things, Oakville has some of the best waterfront festivals in all of Ontario with the majority of them being free to the entire family. Tourists flock here in droves to partake the festivities.
Joanne Hardy
Besides all these great things, Oakville has some of the best waterfront festivals in all of Ontario with the majority of them being free to the entire family. Tourists flock here in droves to partake the festivities.
For more information and to sign up to my newsletter click here.
Joanne Hardy
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