Winter is coming! (ok, I know all you non-Game of Thrones fans must be getting sick of hearing that).  After the epic winter, Burlington realized how cold and expensive winter can be.  However, there are lots of improvements you can make to save a bit of coin by reducing energy costs and maybe put forward towards a nice warm vacation (rather than dealing with the snow and such in Burlington).

Give your Home an Energy Audit

Before trying to reduce your home’s energy costs, give your home a home energy assessment to see the big picture.  If you really want to make a splash in savings, hire a professional energy auditor.  An energy auditor has special thermal technology that can spot where air might be leaking out.  A professional auditor can also review your recent utility bills to recommend ways on how you can save money.

Reduce your Lighting

During the winter, people use more artificial lighting, because it’s pretty much dark out by 6pm.  While energy saving light bulbs are initially expensive, they can save you up to $50 a month in energy costs.  Another way to save money is to use timers, especially for festive light bulbs.  Sometimes it’s too cold out, to go out and unplug those lights, however, turning them off with a timer, can save you more than a few bucks over the holiday season.

Save on Water Heating

Lowering the thermostat on your tankless water heater by a couple degrees can help save between 3 and 5 percent in energy costs. Keeping your water heater at a more mild temperature will slow down corrosion in your water heater and pipes as well. Which will make them operate more efficiently.  Another trick is to insulate your water heater tank and any hot water pipes.  You can buy special foam at the hardware store to do this.  This insulation can also prevent your pipes from freezing in the winter.  Finally, by showering with not as hot water, you save yourself from having dry itchy skin.  The winter in Burlington is rather arid, and hot water strips away natural oils in your skin.  While you’ll miss the extra hot water at first, after a couple of weeks you won’t even notice.

Indoor Heating Savings

It’s really tempting to turn the heat up when the weather cools, however if you keep your house a little cool, and toss on a sweater, you can save big bucks on energy costs.  Or, invest in a smart thermostat, which you can adjust so it turns the heat down when you sleep, or are at work.  A word of note, we never recommend turning off heat completely in a room.  This is because a warm wall next to that cold room might cause the wall to get moist, which creates mold.

Insulation

Adding more insulation to your home can help you save energy.  Attics and crawl spaces are a good place to start.  Meanwhile insulating pipes can go a long way as well.  A home auditor will crawl into a variety of spots and tell you where it is best to insulate.

So there are several tips on reducing energy costs. Spray foam insulating, keeping down the heat, and changing your lighting can all go a long way to ensuring you get through the next winter without breaking the bank.

What to expect when you’re expecting… house guests! The key to a great guest room is to provide all the comforts that they would expect to find at home, but with a personal touch. As a host, it’s your responsibility to fill your guest room with both soul, love and comfort. Here are a few great tips to make the perfect guest room or in-law room.

Functional Closet

A closet isn’t of much use without any hangers, so don’t forget to supply a dozen or so hangers for your guests. Another great idea is put simple hooks on the wall or behind a closet door for coats, scarves or bags. Stock the closet full of useful items as well, like clean towels, fresh bedding and a robe.

Provide Privacy

Part of making your guests feel at home is providing adequate privacy. Make sure the windows have curtains or blinds, so the neighbourhood can’t see everything that is going on in the room. Also, make sure the door can close tightly, dampening any sound that might interfere with a good night’s sleep. You might even want to consider adding a TV with cable or a DVD player. That way, if your guests would like to spend some time by themselves, there is a source of entertainment. Don’t forget to leave a working remote with fresh batteries!

Mirrors

Mirrors are an important necessity for any bedroom or bathroom. Men need a few seconds to check their hair to ensure their bed head is under control. Women, on the other hand, need to do their hair, makeup, as well as make sure their outfit works well with their shoes. We all take mirrors for granted until they are gone, then we’re just never sure if we have anything stuck in our teeth.

Small Gestures

A little gesture can go a long way. Consider leaving a welcome note on the nightstand, or putting a flower arrangement on an end table. Give your guest room an intimate look with some decorations such as a small shelf full of vintage books, or a few paintings to hang on the wall. A non-overwhelming air freshener is another idea for making your guests feel welcome.

Well-Stocked Bathrooms

If the guest room has a separate bathroom, be certain to keep it stocked with lots of extra toilet paper and tissues.  Sometimes little emergencies happen, you know.  Also provide a few simple things like toothbrushes, floss, hand moisturizer, soap, female hygienic products, and hand towels.

Creating the perfect guest room will make your guests feel right at home when they come to visit you. Keeping your guest room clean will also give you lots of practice for when you have to stage your home for sale.

Woolcott Real Estate

For more information, tips and tricks, visit our blog! Our experts at Woolcott Real Estate have virtually endless amounts of information about real estate in Burlington, Hamilton and Waterdown, selling your home, buying a new house, and loving the home you are in! For more information or to get started with our services, get in touch with us today. Some of the best real estate agents are only a phone call away!

When buying a home, if it’s a seller’s market (meaning more buyers than sellers) it’s entirely possible to get into a bidding war. These wars can get out of hand, especially if both parties are competitive. However, getting into a bidding war can mean you end up paying thousands extra for a house that just might not be worth it. Woolcott Real Estate understands this all too well. Our team of local real estate agents have compiled a few tips to help you survive a bidding war when buying a home.

Understand the Neighbourhood Market Value

Here’s a secret: no matter what the list price, a home will generally sell for what it’s worth. To find the true value of a home, talk to a local real estate agent. They know each neighbourhood like the back of their hand, and that includes the prices of houses that have sold in that area previously. Talking to an expert will give you a good idea of the house’s worth, and this will help you approach the bidding war with a fair offer.

Put in Your Best Offer for the Property

When you’re up against two or three other bids, give your best offer right away. This offer should be the most you’re willing to pay for this home comfortably that doesn’t reach outside of your budget. If you don’t get the house, at least you don’t have to wonder about what would have happened if you put in a better bid. Your local real estate agent will be more than willing to help you through any negotiations and build a strategy for submitting an offer.

Nix Your Conditions

If you have a long list of conditions on your bid, maybe remove a few to make your bid more appealing. For example, if you want certain items in the house, like their stove, or washer/dryer. Another condition might be for them to paint the trim before they move. If your bid is more trouble than it’s worth, they might accept another offer.

Be Prepared to Walk Away

Again, the best way to avoid a bidding war is to not let the war get personal. You should never be too desperate for a house, or else the seller might toy with you to squeeze more money out of you.  Learn to walk away if the war erupts and find a new property within your budget.

Working with Woolcott Real Estate

Are you thinking of selling your home and/or buying a new house? The experienced team of local real estate agents at Woolcott Real Estate are here to help. To gain the expertise and assistance of some of the best local real estate agents on the market, get in touch with us today! We can help you sell your house or find houses for sale in Hamilton, Flamborough, Waterdown, Burlington, Oakville, and surrounding areas.

As far as we’re concerned, one of the best things about fall is the changing scenery. As temperatures begin to drop, the rich colours of autumn come out in full force. We can’t wait to pull on our coziest sweaters and check them out! As Hamiltonians, we have access to some pretty incredible places where we can do just that. This city has more than its fair share of parks, green spaces, and nature sanctuaries—making it an ideal for nature lovers at this time of year.

If you’re searching for the perfect place to see nature’s splendor this fall, here are five spots in Hamilton that should be at the top of your list…

1) Gage Park

One of our all-time favourite green spaces in Hamilton is also one of the best places in the city to see fall colours. Gage Park is home to over 100 species of trees—which is pretty incredible when you think about it. At this time of year, all that foliage takes on warm autumn hues that you simply have to see to believe. The best part is, the incredible facilities at Gage Park mean you can enjoy the beauty of the season while doing some of your favourite things. Take a stroll through the gardens, play a softball game, or watch the kids have fun on one of the playgrounds.

2) Bayfront Park

It’s one of the most picturesque spots in the city. At an impressive 16 hectares, Bayfront Park is known for its scenic water views and thriving natural landscape—which includes gorgeous shrubs, wildflowers, and (you guessed it) trees. If you’re in the mood to see some colours this fall, we suggest making your way along the Waterfront Trail. Whether you explore on foot or on your bike, you’ll enjoy deep reds, fiery oranges, and vibrant yellows. Put simply, Bayfront Park is the perfect place to enjoy all that autumn has to offer!

3) Dundas Peak

It doesn’t get more breathtaking than Dundas Peak. Nature lovers come from all over the province to see fall from this vantage point, and it’s easy to see why. Looking down into the Dundas Valley, a sea of colourful treetops glisten and sway below. “Awe-inspiring” is the only way to describe it. FYI, there are plenty of great hiking trails in the area, so you might want to bring your most adventurous friends if you’re planning a visit! Whatever you do, don’t forget to stop, take a deep breath, and enjoy the view from the top.

4) Albion Falls

If there’s anything as majestic as leaves changing in autumn, it’s a spectacular waterfall. Combine the two, and you’re in for one of the most incredible views you’ve ever seen. At any time, watching the sparkling water cascade down the Niagara Escarpment at Albion Falls is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. But in the fall, when everything takes on a golden hue, the experience is truly magical. If you’re looking for the perfect viewpoint, head to the platforms on the north side of the falls.

5) Royal Botanical Gardens Arboretum

If you’re a tree lover, you need to check out the arboretum at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Here you’ll find over 10 kilometres of trails, which are ideal for immersing yourself in nature. Our favourite route—especially in autumn—is the Native Tree Walk. It’s the perfect way to see gorgeous local foliage as it changes. To get the most from your walk, look closely at the labeled collection of native trees along the way. If you’re feeling peckish afterward, you’ll also be happy to learn that the Royal Botanical Gardens is the site of two charming restaurants and a teahouse.

Interested in learning more about life in Hamilton? Curious about some of the beautiful homes on the market here? Get in touch—we’d love to show you what makes life in this community so great!

Are you ready to become a landlord? Renting out a home is a great way to bring in some income—one that can provide a more flexible lifestyle than most forms of employment. It’s no wonder so many investors are looking to get into the market. Having said that, if you’re thinking of taking on a tenant, understanding your responsibilities is crucial. Doing so will allow you to make a more fully-informed decision—and maximize your potential success!

If you’re thinking of becoming a landlord, here’s what you need to consider…

Picking the right home to buy

While it may be tempting to purchase something in a hot local neighbourhood, the home prices in these areas can leave buyers with a negative monthly cash flow. In many cases, you’ll be better off opting for an attractive property outside the core. Of course, it may take a little bit longer to rent out a place in a community that’s not considered prime. That said, doing so often results in additional cash flow. House prices in these communities tend to be significantly lower, while average rents are often similar to those you’ll find in more popular neighbourhoods. Not only that, but you’ll see value appreciation as the area develops over time!

A lot can happen in the market over a few short months. Our recent posts will help you make more informed investments:

• How to Sell an Investment Property
• Tips For Buying Your First Home During A Changing Market
• How To Negotiate A Real Estate Contract
• Fact Vs Fiction About Working With A Real Estate Agent

It’s not a 9 to 5 job

Landlords don’t punch time clocks, and they don’t work regular hours. Some days, the job is straightforward. Others, it’s bound to be labour intensive and exhausting. It’s just the nature of the work—your responsibilities can change in a flash. For example, you might plan to swing by your property for a short visit when (unexpectedly) you encounter a tenant with a small plumbing leak. From there, you’ll need to decide whether to handle the issue personally, or call a plumber to assess the situation. Either way, addressing the problem immediately could turn your ten-minute visit into a three-hour ordeal!

Meeting your potential tenants

We’ve all heard stories about nightmare tenants. The ones who damage property, generate endless noise complaints, and (in extreme cases) stop paying rent altogether. What can you do to avoid them? Fortunately, there are a few steps landlords can take to protect themselves. Our in-house leasing expert (Justin) can review potential tenant credit reports (available through agencies like Equifax and TransUnion) along with references from employers and past landlords. Using this information, he’ll assess whether there’s any undue risk associated with renting to a particular tenant. In addition, he can set up a one-on-one meeting between the two of you to see whether you think you’ll be a good fit.

While being a landlord may be stressful at times, it will also allow you to act as your own boss—and enjoy all the personal freedom that goes along with it. Another possible reward? The relationships you may develop with your tenants. Put simply, providing a home for another human being is a true accomplishment—one you can be truly proud of!

Finding the perfect home can be stressful, especially if you have kids. It’s not just the house, condo, or townhome you choose that matters, but the neighbourhood as well. From parks and playgrounds to nearby grocery stores to an overall family-friendly vibe, there’s no shortage of factors to consider. But for most parents, local schools are near the top of the list. The good news is, here in Hamilton, there are plenty of places for your children to get a fantastic education—from kindergarten through grade 12.

If you’re looking for the right school for your kids, here are five of Hamilton’s very best options for your consideration…

1) Mountain View Junior Public School

Searching for a highly supportive educational environment for your child? Consider Mountain View Junior Public School. This Stoney Creek learning institution offers a variety of literacy and math programs, which contribute to its students’ solid academic performances. Attendees score above average on tests administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), and a good deal of that success comes from the school’s balanced approach to learning. Kids get daily nutrition and exercise breaks—and when it comes to extracurriculars, they have their fair share of options!

2) Orchard Park School

If you have older kids, you might want to consider sending them to another Stoney Creek mainstay—Orchard Park School. First off, the staff here is seriously devoted to preparing students for college, university, and adult life. They offer a variety of post-secondary prep courses, along with programs to get kids ready for career paths as diverse as hospitality, robotics, and fashion. For students who need a bit of academic assistance (or just some peace and quiet), the school’s Homework Club offers a friendly workspace and free tutoring services. Given the supportiveness offered by Orchard Park teachers, we think there must be something in the water in Stoney Creek! (Forgive us, we couldn’t resist).

3) Islamic School of Hamilton

Fraser Institute school rankings are considered the most comprehensive in Canada. Last year, the organization gave the Islamic School of Hamilton an extremely impressive score of 9.9. These hallowed halls fared even better the year before, receiving a perfect 10—effectively making it the best elementary school in Ontario. In addition English language instruction, students here take Arabic and French studies. Put simply, if your child is the right fit for the Islamic School of Hamilton, they’ll receive the finest private education available.

4) Norwood Park Elementary School

With a high percentage of students who are at or above the provincial standard for reading, writing, and math, Norwood Park Elementary School is one of the best places for your children to learn the fundamentals. If you value advanced French skills, there’s yet another reason to consider this Hamilton institution. The Immersion program here is truly impressive—and the school even offers a fun annual event known as French Cafe. In one of the highlights of the year, 8th grade students serve pastries and refreshments—all the while practicing their second language!

5) Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School

If you’re hoping to give your kids a high-quality, faith-based education, look no further than Corpus Christi Catholic Elementary School. Students here excel when it comes to the basics, such as reading and writing. Their performances are equally impressive when it comes to recreation (in particular, the volleyball and hockey teams are top-notch). But it’s the school’s family life courses that really set it apart. Rooted in Christian values, they’re part of what makes Corpus Christi so special in the eyes of Catholic parents!

Interested in learning more about life in Hamilton? Curious about some of the beautiful homes on the market here? Get in touch—we’d love to show you what makes life in this community so great!