Give Your Home an Inexpensive and Fun Makeover This Summer

Many homeowners want to change their home’s decor but think they can’t afford it. Some even feel they should use the money to pay off their mortgage. However, revamping your home decor doesn't have to cost you a bundle. All it takes is creative thinking—colours, placement, and the mood you want to set. You'll be surprised how small changes can add flavour to your lifestyle without spending a lot of money.

Simplicity is bliss
Less means more in terms of style and overall look. Clutter-free spaces make your home appear larger in size. So the first step of any makeover should be to tidy up. Store away any item that you will not need for the season like heavy blankets and clothing.

Cover your furniture
Slipcovers give any room a fresh new makeover. Not only do they conceal old upholstery, but changing the entire colour palette of the room becomes a snap. In addition, slipcovers are inexpensive and easy to clean.

Dark colour furniture creates a warm, cozy feeling in the winter but might be a bit too much for summer. Simply toss on a white slipcover to create a cool atmosphere for those humid days.

The trick with slipcovers is to use them to match furniture pieces—both in colour and style. Change the hues in your room to transform the mood. Turn an old couch into a beautiful new sofa. The possibilities are endless.

Add flair with pillows
It is always a wise investment in furniture to go with neutral shades because the classic look will never go out of style. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice fashion for function. Pillows are an excellent way to bring current design trends into your home without breaking your budget. Select pillows in different sizes, patterns, and textures to add some flair to your rooms.

Get an area rug
Area rugs are a great example of how you can creatively redecorate your home without making permanent changes. Area rugs do two jobs; they make your room cosier and add a touch of sophistication.

Don’t invest in expensive and huge carpets. Select something that won’t challenge your space, but rather complement it.

Create ambiance
Beyond creating a very romantic mood in your home, candles are an easy way to make your environment more pleasing to the eye. Don’t be a slave to symmetry. Buy candles in all shapes and sizes from pillars to tea lights. Choose your colour palette based on the season: autumnal burgundies and browns for the colder months, peaches and pastels for summer time.

Bring the outdoors inside
What better way to bring the outdoors in than growing a windowsill garden right in your own home. Select your own seeds, from petunias to lush marigolds. You're guaranteed cheerful blooms all year round!

Not only do plants add grace to your look, but research shows they also improve your health. Plants work hard to clean your air of toxins and reduce stress.

Add flavour to walls
People have a love/hate relationship with wallpaper. Truthfully, there is nothing easier to install than wallpaper to create that instant wow-factor. Nowadays wallpaper coverings have come a long way in both patterns and colours, so you really can find a style that suits your tastes. You don’t need to wallpaper your entire living space; instead, select one of two parallel walls to cover that will complement your existing decor.

Make it picture perfect
You can make a bold statement in your home’s décor by simply picking up a few basic and inexpensive picture frames. Then, buy a whole selection of patterned wrapping paper (yes, the kind you use to wrap presents!) to frame. It’s an easy and interesting way to add a bit of interest to an otherwise standard-looking wall.

Create visual effects
Place large glass jars or carafes of various sizes around the house. Fill with delicious home-baked cookies, pastas, legumes, and other colourful food, or display vibrant fresh blooms. You can even fill the jars based on the season. For example, cinnamon hearts in February and candy canes at Christmas.

Lighten up your space
Lighting is the most important aspect of a home makeover. The right mix of lights can bring a room to life. Pay attention to your kitchen since it's the gathering spot in most homes.

If you've given your home a complete makeover and it still doesn't feel right, the problem may be your selection of lighting.

By incorporating some of the above ideas, you can inexpensively transform your home into a comfy, cozy haven that you will be proud to share with your family and enjoy with friends.

If you are thinking of making a move or just curious about what I may have to offer, please feel free to contact me at any time. It will be my pleasure to answer your questions.

Contact Zeenia Kola at 905-828-3434

Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

Contact me by email: http://www.zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:

http://www.zeeniakola.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm

Ontario - Record-breaking number of resale homes sold in May

Toronto, June 2, 2009 – Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 9,589 sales in May which is almost 2% up from May 2008—the first annual increase since December 2007.

“The resale housing market in the GTA has remained resilient in the face of challenging times globally,” according to TREB President Maureen O’Neill. “Many home buyers have taken advantage of extremely low mortgage rates.”

The average price for May transactions was $395,609—down less than 1% compared to the same month last year.

“The average resale home price has moved in line with last year’s level because of tighter market conditions experienced this Spring,” stated Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis. “Home sales have increased strongly relative to new listings, bolstering home prices.”

Ottawa, June 3, 2009 – Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,969 residential properties in May through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,896 in May 2008, an increase of 3.9%. That number also represents a 19% increase over the 1,594 sales recorded in April 2009.

Of those sales, 348 were in the condominium property class, while 1,621 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e., detached, semi-detached, apartment, etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.

“This was the best May on record for residential resale home sales in Ottawa,” said Board President Rick Snell. “Homes in every price range are selling well, from starter homes to luxury properties. Homebuyers and sellers are showing a lot of confidence in the Ottawa real estate market,” he added.
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in May in the Ottawa area was $312,045, an increase of 5.3% over May 2008. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $231,351, an increase of 4.6% over May 2008.

The average sale price of a residential-class property was $329,368, an increase of 4.7% over May 2008. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.


For a complete copy of the Market Watch visit www.zeeniakola.com

If you have any questions or observations please do feel free to contact
Zeenia Kola
905-828-3434
or
email me at : zeenia@zeeniakola.com

Cafe Restaurant in Downtown Brampton for sale!

Cafe Business With Liquor License and selling Draft Beer. Very Well Managed With Endless Potential. High Sales. Fully Equipped Kitchen. Located In A Busy Plaza With Ample Parking For Customers. Price Includes All Existing Chattels. Vendor Will Train. Easy Operation.
http://www.zeeniakola.com/search/feature.cfm?ml_num=W1546821
Excellent Seating For Approx 36. Can Be Converted To Any Type Of Restaurant. Premise Has Backdoor For Delivery. Shows Well And Clean. Number Of Customers Growing Everyday.
For further Information contact:
Zeenia Kola
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Ph No: 905-828-3434
Email: zeenia@zeeniakola.com
Website: www.zeeniakola.com
or
http://www.zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

Open House near Churchill Meadows

4 Year New Upgraded Daniels Built 3 Bedroom 'Strauss' Semi-Detached House With Builder Finished Basement In Modern Churchill Meadows Neighborhood.Walking Distance To Oscar Peterson Public School.9-Feet Ceilings,Painted Walls,Upgraded Kitchen With Granite Counter Tops,Upgraded Cabinets,Frigidaire Pro-Series Stainess Steel Appliences(Gas Stove)!,Cabinet Lights,Upgraded Electrical Fixtures,Upgraded Blinds,Upgraded En-Suite Washroom.

I am having an Open House this Sunday, April 19th, 2009 from 2p.m. to 4p.m at 3167 Eclipse Avenue (Eglinton and 10th Line)

Can't Make it!!! No problem!!!

Contact Zeenia Kola and set up a date when you are free to see it!!

Don't miss this opportunity!!!

For further information on this property or any queries in regards to real estate contact:

Zeenia Kola
Ph: 905-828-3434
or
http://zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

For free Market Evaluation : http://zeeniakola.com/agentprofile/homeevaluation.cfm

March Resale Housing Results Bring Positive News

In March 2009, Greater Toronto Realtors reported 6,171 sales - down 7 % from March, 2008, representing the smallest year-0ver-year decline in the last five months. The average price for March transactions was 362,052 - down less than 5% from the same month last year.

The Toronto Real Estate Board President Maureen O' Neill comments, " The Greater Toronto housing market has stood up very well given the challenging economic times the world has experienced in recent months."

Infact, over the past two months, the situation in the housing market has improved. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales increased to 65,600 in March - up 36 % from the ten year low reached in January.

Sales in March increased at a rate over and above what would be expected from the normal spring-time bump. A greater number of households have taken advantage of increased affordability in the housing marketpalce.

For a complete copy of the Market Watch visit www.zeeniakola.com

If you have any questions or observations please do feel free to contact
Zeenia Kola
905-828-3434
or
email me at : zeenia@zeeniakola.com

Basement Built Not to Leak. But Not Waterproof.

With the "spring thaw" about to hit, you may experience a basement leak. Not because of a permanent but because on a rainy night , or during a warm day, a clogged eaves trough has water running over the edge and pooling beside the foundation wall.

Impossible to fix in an instant, there is a solution. Be prepared by getting a 4 x 8 foot sheet of 1/8" Masonite Board from your local Home Depot or home building supplier. If an eaves does overflow and causes pooling - lean this lightweight, flexible board against the wall and over the "pond" at a 45 degree angle, so dripping water flows away from your home. It's a quick-fix $ 10 solution for a dry basement until the rain stops and outdoor repairs can be made.

Contact Zeenia Kola at 905-828-3434 and let me share my real estate knowledge and thoughts with you.
Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

Contact me by email: http://www.zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

I can help you save time and money by shopping smarter:

http://www.zeeniakola.com/createnewclientuserid/whyregister.cfm

OPEN HOUSE AT 7209 Fayette Circle, Mississauga

I am having an Open House on 7209 Fayette Circle (Major intersection Derry and Copenhagen) on April 4th and 5th from 2p.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a Beautiful Upgraded Raised Bungalow On A Premium Landscaped Lot! Lots of Upgrades!!!
http://zeeniakola.com/search/feature.cfm?ml_num=W1565113
Upgraded Kitchen
Upgraded Main Bath.
Upgraded Insulation.
Upgraded Two Tiered Deck.
Upgraded Ceramic Flooring.
Gleaming Hardwood Flooring On Main Floor.
Beautifully Finished Lower Level With Walkout
Recreation Room,Gas Fireplace&Large Above Ground Windows.
Windows Are All Tiltable For Easy Clean!
Entry Into Garage From Lower Level!
Ceramic Foyer,Kitchen,Landing Area&Main Bath Flooring,
New Roof Shingle'09

It is located in a friendly neighbourhood and close to the Go Station.

If you cannot make it for the Open House but would be interested to see the place, you can contact Zeenia Kola at 905-828-3434 or email at zeenia@zeeniakola.com
or
http://zeeniakola.com/AgentProfile/contactme.cfm

If you are looking for a free market evaluation you can contact me or

http://zeeniakola.com/agentprofile/homeevaluation.cfm

Looking forward to meet you.