June 1, 2010 Issue 12

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June 2010 - Vol 18

P R E S E N T E D

B Y

T H E

G O L F I

T E A M

D L O S R E H T O N A ONE 31 Abbott Drive, Hamilton Rob assisted us in selling my father in-law's home. Not only were we impressed by his professionalism and work ethic but his knowledge of the market, deep analysis and insight allowed us to get the best price. Many thanks for your hard work and helping my father in-law.

Charlie

backs onto EscarpmEnt

40 Orchard Parkway GRIMSBY

$579,900

Lake Views Backing onto Niagara Escarpment with views of Lake Ontario completely secluded sitting on 1.83 acres in the heart of Grimsby, beautiful centre hall plan with 4 bedrooms, main floor den & laundry, sun room, gorgeous oak kitchen cabinets, walking distance to downtown, schools and parks. Call Rob today for a private viewing.

Rob Golfi Sales Representative

Visit www.RobGolfi.com for more details.

Sharon Stafford Sales Representative

Heather Reid Sales Representative

Hans Marcelissen Sales Representative

Wendy Murray-Nicholson* Sales Representative

Penny Bryce Sales Representative

Hank Balfoort Sales Representative

Sarah Dallicardillo Administrative Assistant

Sell Your Home with the GOLFI TEAM The GOLFI TEAM is ranked in the Top 100 Re/Max Teams in Canada RE/MAX has over 18,000 Sales Representatives in Canada

Rosemary Fournier Administrative Assistant

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The GOLFI TEAM Real Estate Market Watch

About Rob Golfi

S

ince the inception of his career in 1997, Golfi has Rob recognized that understanding his clients’ needs is essential to providing excellent service.

As business grew, Rob assembled the Golfi Team in an effort to maintain the same level of professionalism clients have come to expect. Shortly thereafter in 2003, the team received the prestigious honour of being among the top 100 Real Estate Teams for RE/MAX Canada, and this status continues to date.

Rob’s experience and aggressive negotiating skills have earned him every major honour awarded by RE/MAX, including President’s Club, 100% Club, Platinum Club, Chairman’s Club, Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and the SRES® designation in 2009.

Having worked with many of the industry’s professionals

by: Rob Golfi

over the years, he has the necessary edge to best negotiate the sale of your home.

Any agent can list your house, but Rob’s knowledge, marketing extensive background and dedication gives clients peace of mind when dealing with the single most important investment in their lives. With years of combined experience, the Golfi Team can provide your home with a level of exposure that most agents cannot. Utilizing a team approach also means that they will likely find a purchaser to buy your home sooner, rather than waiting for other agents to approach you with potential buyers.

Ranked in the top 5 of nearly 2,000 sales agents in the Hamilton-Burlington and Niagara areas, listing with Rob and the Golfi Team is the right choice when choosing someone to represent your best interest. -Å

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June 2010

History of Real Estate The concept of developing an informal association of local real estate agents originated in the United States in the 1880s, and by the turn of the century about 15 real estate Boards had been established. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) was formed in the U.S. in 1908 with 19 Boards and one state Association.

Organized real estate in Canada is almost as old as the country itself. The very first real estate Board was set up in 1888 in the growing community of Vancouver. Back then, a commercial lot on Hornby Street near the Hotel Vancouver sold for $600. The Vancouver Board was active until the start of the First World War, when operations were suspended. It resumed in 1919, and has been operating ever since.

The distinction of the oldest, continuous running Board belongs to Winnipeg; it started in 1903, and the Winnipeg Real Estate Board is the first in Canada to celebrate a 100th anniversary.

A Board was incorporated in Windsor in 1919, and the Toronto Board was incorporated in 1920. Boards in Ottawa, Hamilton, Regina and Victoria followed in 1921. More than half of the existing real estate Boards in Canada were created after 1955, in part because of the evolution of the “Photo Co-Op System” that was introduced in 1951. That was the forerunner of today’s MLS®, introduced in 1962. The Co-op System not only created a need for an organization to establish rules and promote co-operation among agents, but also to provide funds to operate a real estate Board. That’s when technology first changed the real estate industry.

During the final years of the Second World War, leaders of Canada’s real estate industry were increasingly concerned the federal government would continue some wartime measures as a permanent policy, including rent control and other rules relating to property. They realized that only by forming a national organization could the industry hope to make any impact on the federal government's post-war planning.

7 Rideau Gate, 1906, during the Lambert family occupancy On March 2, 1943, 11 Ontario Boards and delegates from Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal drew up the first constitution of the Canadian Association of Real Estate Boards (CAREB). The first CAREB conference, presided over by founding president Charles Purnell of Hamilton, was in Niagara Falls in April 1944. That’s when the term "REALTOR®" was adopted for use by all those who were members of CAREB. In 1955, CAREB concentrated on promoting the concept and organization of the "Photo Co-op Listing" system (now MLS®), and on replacing the sporadically published newsletter with a monthly magazine entitled the "Canadian REALTOR®”. The Canadian Institute of REALTORS® was also established in 1955, in order to encourage the provinces to establish real estate courses. As an incentive, qualified graduates could use the FRI designation, or “Fellow of the REALTORS® Institute”. Correspondence courses were organized for the first time through the University of Toronto, and the first class "graduated" in 1956.

CAREB evolved into what is now known as The Canadian Real Estate Association, and in 1986 the offices were moved from Toronto to Ottawa, in effect acknowledging the increasing importance of CREA's government lobbying activities.

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The Solution Fill in the grid above, so that each row of 9 squares, each column of nine and each section of nine (three squares by three) contains the numbers 1 through 9 in any order. There is only one solution for the puzzle and the numbers shown can NOT be changed.

There are four bird houses in the back yard.

If you make the birds pay rent, the property will pay for itself in no time!"

www.golfiteam.com

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June 2010

The GOLFI TEAM Real Estate Market Watch

Page 3

Grimsby & Lincoln Rob Golfi* just listEd

just listEd

$824,900

pELhAM 3+1 Bedrooms

5 yr old Executive on 27.5 acres, $70,000 in upgrades! 3+1 bedrooms in this open concept.

Brazilian Cherry hardwood,vaulted ceilings.

Gorgeous Maple kitchen w/granite & brkfst bar. Insulated bsmt floor, 3 bay, 1200 sq.ft gar w/heat & hydro.

BEAMSVILLE Local Escape

$69,900

Clean and well cared for mobile home, open concept w/recent updates! Newer shingles, flooring & pantry. Spacious living room & kitchen w/cathedral ceilings. Current park fee $261/mth incl. water, garbage, sewer & snow removal.

just listEd

just listEd

$289,900 BEAMSVILLE Upgrades Galore!

$269,900 GRIMSBY One Floor & More

One of a kind 3+1 bdrm, 2 storey home w/plenty of impressive upgrades! Almost like new. Approx. 2000 sq.ft & backs onto Green Lane. Recently finished bsmt, new flring thruout, beautifully landscaped plus fully fenced priv. yard. The list goes on!

Bright & spacious bungalow situated on oversized treed lot backing on to a lush green space. This well built home feats. beautiful hrdwd flrs, vinyl windows, finished rec rm w/wet bar & spare bdrm.

WatErfront

SOLD R HE ANOT E ON VINELAND $274,900 In Mint Condition!

GRIMSBY $222,900 Bright & Beautiful End Unit!

GRIMSBY $1,075,000 Extraordinary 4 Bedroom Custom

Immaculate 3 bedroom raised ranch in mint condition. Spacious 1250 sq. ft. Lower lvl features updated furnace (’05), shingles (’03) attached 1½ car garage w/inside entry to large foyer plus finished rec rm w/wood FP & eat-in kitchen w/bright bay window.

2 bdrm bungalow only 6 yrs old. Ceramic flrs & backsplash in eat-in kitchen, Living room w/gas FP, laundry hook-up on main level & professionally finished bsmt. Quiet complex w/quick access to the QEW. Won’t last!

Approx 4800 sq.ft w/lakeviews. Oak kitchen w/granite counter-tops, blt-in appls & terra cotta tiles. Large family room, oak hrdwd, dining rm w/vaulted ceilings, living rm w/fp, main flr den, master with 5 pc ensuite & inground pool.

GRIMSBY

$579,900 Lake Views

Backing onto Niagara Escarpment with views of Lake Ontario, secluded setting on 1.83 acres in the heart of Grimsby, beautiful centre hall plan with 4 bedrooms, main floor den & laundry, sun room, gorgeous oak kitchen cabinets, walking distance to downtown, schools and parks.

SOLD R HE ANOT E ON GRIMSBY $289,900 Impressive Top to Bottom!

GRIMSBY $549,900 Great Value - 1 Acre Lot

BEAMSVILLE $349,900 Gorgeous 4 Bedroom

Amazing 3 bdrm home in great area! Fully finished w/recent updates. Bright eat-in kitchen w/large bay windpw, hrdwd on mn lvl & sliding drs from sep. din rm to priv. resort style bckyrd.

New furn(’10), shingles (’09) all vinyl wndws & fully fin’d bsmt.

3 bedroom, 3000 sqft all-brick beauty on 1 acre lot! Built in 1990, features incl. solid oak drs, trim & kitchen cabinets w/granite counter-tops.

Gleaming hrdwd flrs, finished basement, crown molding, 50 yr clay tile roof & 3000 gallon cistern.

Finished top to bottom with huge maple kitchen with breakfast bar & oversized slider to 2-tiered decking. 4 spacious bedrooms, master with ensuite and walk-in closet. Quiet location close to parks in popular Bench Area.

GRIMSBY $609,900 Escarpment Setting Incredible 2900 sq ft all brick 4 bedroom home backing onto escarpment. 9’ ceilings, gorgeous rich hardwoods, gleaming granite counters, gourmet Kitchen. Huge master with luxury 5pc ensuite. Professionally finished basement.

GRIMSBY

$379,900 Open Concept

Wonderful 3 bedroom with upper level family room with gas fireplace. Large kitchen with triple garden doors to pressed concrete patio and fenced yard. Spacious master has 4pc ensuite and walk-in closet.

Quiet Location Loads of potential and priced to move! New roof '09, refaced kitchen, windows '06. Spacious living room, separate dining room. Fenced yard, large 12 x 24 deck and parking for 6 cars!

WatErfront

GRIMSBY $1,499,900 Fabulous Lakefront

GRIMSBY $1,499,900 2 Acre Lakefront

Fabulous waterfront property! Custom built 3000 sq ft home with Lake views every room.

Maple hardwood floors, granite counters, master suite with access to back deck, ensuite and walkin shower. Handicap adaptable!

Huge waterfront lot! 3+1 bedroom home with additional self contained in law suite. Open concept great room with cathedral ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors and floor to ceilingwall to wall windows!

SOLD R HE ANOT E ON Lakefront!!

WEST LINCOLN $229,900 Quiet Country Setting

WEST LINCOLN $285,000 8.9 Acres of Country!

3+1 bedroom in Bal Harbour with gleaming hardwood floors and new broadloom. Great room has wall-to-wall windows and spectacular lake views. Several walkouts to backyard paradise with heated inground pool surrounded by amazing perennial gardens.

1,100 sq ft, 3 bedroom bungalow built in 2002.

Open and bright with high basement that's partially finished with 2 rooms and a rec room that just needs flooring. 3,000 gal cistern, gas furnace and 100amp breaker service. Close to Caistorville Golf Club.

Unique stone front situated on a beautiful rural property that backs onto picturesque Chippawa Creek. 900 ft frontage on South Chippawa Rd offers great seclusion. 3 bedrooms, huge principle rooms, eat-in kit & sun room.

$649,900

$208,400

WatErfront

WatErfront

GRIMSBY

GRIMSBY

Call Today 905-945-0188

48 acrEs

GRIMSBY

$649,900 Country Living

Custom Colonial on 48 acres! 3 bedrooms with full finished attic. Master has 5pc ensuite with euro shower and spa tub plus cedar lined closet.

3/4" oak plank floors, solid birch kitchen with granite counters and cozy fireplace.

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The GOLFI TEAM Real Estate Market Watch

June 2010

www.golfiteam.com Rob Golfi* just listEd

just listEd

just listEd

just listEd

$289,900 EAST hAMILTON In-law Potential

$244,900 EAST hAMILTON 3 Bedrooms

$129,900 hAMILTON CENTRAL Cute & Cozy

hAMILTON CENTRAL Updates

Spotless & spacious home in Riverdale area. All levels finished. In-law potential in bottom 2 lvls w/sep rear walk-up. Hrdwd in upp 3 bdrms & LR. Ceramics in foyer, dining room, Fam rm & lower 2 bdrms. Priv. fenced yrd w/shed.

Very well kept 3 bdrm all brick bungalow w/detached garage. Possible in-law suite w/2nd kit & bath. Prof fin’d lower lvl. Plus updated bath, kit & new furnace (’09). Hrdwd under broadlm. Priv concrete long side drv. Beautifully landscaped & privRW fenced yrd. Quick hwy access.

Lovely 2 bedroom bungalow with a full basement. Updates galore, including newer hardwood floors, shingles, windows, furnace and kitchen. Plus double rear drive and great curb appeal! Come make it yours!

just listEd

just listEd

STONEY CREEk $279,900 Approx. 2000 sq.ft.

STONEY CREEk $272,900 5 Level Backsplit

STONEY CREEk $549,900 Designed with Style!

STONEY CREEk $229,900 Totally Renovated

Marz built ’09. Fully loaded w/hrdwd, maple cabinets, 18x18 Italian glazed porcelain tiles, crown moulding & C/A. Fin. Bsmt w/berber & pot lights. Concrete walls between units for sound comfort.

Spacious all brick 5 levle backsplit w/in-law suite. 2 car garage & large drive fits 6 cars. Inlaw suite has separate entry, newer hickory kitchen, family room with fireplace and walkout to large lot. Newer furnace, central air, garage door plus walk-out to garage from basement

Former Model home. 4 bedrooms, den & loft, eat-in kit, formal living and dining rooms, awesome Fam rm open to 2nd flr. Professionally finshed basment. Amazing landscaping.

Gleaming hrdwds, porcelain tiles, surround sound throughout, tons of upgrades.

Totally renovated Zoned Industrial Residential, ideal for many uses. Quick QEW access , huge fully fenced 75x200 ft lot. Spacious living room w/new laminate, eat-in kit, updated bath. New hi-eff furnace, 2yr old sump pump.

WatErfront

SOLD R HE T O N A ONE

$119,900

Renovated & ready to sell! Get inside this cozy 2 bedroom bungalow. Large priv. fully fenced yard with deck. Updates incl. 100 amp breakers, windows, doors, front porch, roof, soffits, facia, kitchen & bathroom. All appliances included.

SOLD R HE T O N A ONE

WatErfront

WatErfront

SOLD R HE T O N A ONE STONEY CREEk $649,900 Exclusive Waterfront

STONEY CREEk $684,900 On Turtle Pond

STONEY CREEk $377,900 4+1 Bedroom

STONEY CREEk $449,900 3 Bedroom Gem

Waterfront! Rare find on private lane close to Fifty Point Conservation area. 101ft of waterfront, park like setting and solid 3 bedroom bungalow. Substantial breakwall, well treed mature lot, amazing sunrises and sunsets included!

Fantastic contemporary for 3 bedrooms and inlaw with private entrance. Open concept, breathtaking design with quality custom finishes. Very private location backing on to Turtle Pond, a designated nature sanctuary.

Bright and immaculate. Fresh paint, crown moulding, porcelain tile and Kulm Hardwood.

Eat-in kitchen, separate living and dining room.

Main floor den and laundry. New shingles (08) and underground sprinkler system.

Waterfront!! Rare gem, 3 bedroom loaded with character, restorations underway! New kitchen (09), living room with beamed ceiling & pine plank floors 0throughout! Balcony with sliders from all 3 BRs upstairs, amazing lakeviews!

WatErfront

SOLD R HE ANOT E ON hAMILTON $179,900 A Handyman's Dream

EAST hAMILTON $309,900 3 Bedroom Raised Ranch

STONEY CREEk $749,9O0 Gorgeous Waterfront

EAST hAMILTON $129,900 Great Starter Home

Fabulous w/dream garage plus wrkshp.

Stunning kitchen w/brkfst bar, crown moulding, marble counters & slate bcksplsh. Updated furnace & main flr wndws ('10), shingles ('08), plus updated baths & flring. Huge master bdrm, private yard & parking for 4.

Immaculate 3 bedroom with fully finished basement. Spacious living room and dining room. Eat-in kitchen has been updated and boasts ample counter space and cupboards.

Updated vinyl windows, concrete drive and patio in fenced yard.

Investment or In-law potential. 2 renovated separate units plus 1 apartment. Updates include landscaping, newer roofing, decking, flooring, awnings, wiring, plumbing, kitchen and much more. Don’t miss out on this one of a kind opportunity.

Great starter close to all amenities. Eat-in kitchen with door to rear deck and yard.

Spacious living room. 2 bedrooms, one on the main level, the other very private on the upper level. The main floor den has been redone and is quite unique. Easy to maintain sized lot, side drive and shed.Copy

Call Today 905-575-7700

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June 2010

The GOLFI TEAM Real Estate Market Watch

Page 5

Hamilton & Stoney Creek just listEd

just listEd

just listEd

just listEd

$115,000 hAMILTON CENTRAL Renovations Galore!

$223,333 hAMILTON CENTRAL Unique Family Home

$194,500 WEST hAMILTON Opportunity Knocks!

$289,900 WEST hAMILTON Spacious In-Law Suite

Fantastic 3 bdrm, 2 storey home in immaculate condition! Renovations galore & available for immediate possession. Sliding door to rear deck & fully fenced yard. Close to local amenities & quick access to the hwy.

Show and Sell. Ready to move in and grow.

Unique & tidy w/finished bsmt, main flr, family rm, 3 baths, near shopping, schools. Plus lrg deck in back. Perfect family home in desirable neighbourhood.

This investment opportunity awaits you. 3+1 bedroom located within steps to McMaster University. Makes for a great student rental.

Updated wiring, new sofits and new deck in backyard. Don't miss out on this opportunity

Wonderful 3+1 bdrm home located close to McMaster University! Includes a single car detached garage, new roof, eaves and sofits plus lush landscaping. Great for a growing or multfamily as it boasts a spacious in-law suite that incls. a newly updated bath, fam rm w/fp & bdrm.

just listEd

WatErfront

SOLD R HE T O N A ONE

STONEY CREEk $429,900 Lakefront Condo End Unit

STONEY CREEk $689,900 Exquisite Custom Built Home

STONEY CREEk $499,900 Custom Built to Perfection

hAMILTON MOuNTAIN $269,900 Desirable Area

Luxury end unit condo with maple wash cabinetry, granite counters, tumbled marble backsplash, stainless appliances. Maple floors, 9 ft. ceilings, 2 ensuites, private patio overlooking lake. 660 ft. of privacy on the water.

3500 sq ft Gourmet European kitchen w/granite.

Gleaming hardwood & custom tile. Luxurious master suite with 2 sided gas fireplace shared with 5pc ensuite. All 4 bedrooms have walk-in closets.

3+1 Bedrm w/gourmet kitchen & granite cnter tops, travitn flrs, sunken fam rm w/fp & hrdwd in bdrms. Plus California shutters, crown mlding & Cthdrl ceilings. Upgds incl. furnace & c/air (08), pool heater & liner (09) newer wndws, facia & eaves.

Fantastic 1½ storey in desirable neighbourhood!

Feats. gorgeous hrdwd under broadloom, mostly updated vinyl windows, new furnace (‘09), prof. fin’d bsmt converted into an in-law setup w/rear entry. Situated on large fenced yard.

SOLD R E H T O AN ONE

SOLD R HE T O N A ONE WEST hAMILTON $83,900 Condo Apartment

EAST hAMILTON $179,900 Easy to Own

EAST hAMILTON $154,900 Just Move In!

EAST hAMILTON $259,900 Pride of Ownership!

Open and bright bachelor/studio condo apartment on main level. Close to McMaster and hospital. Perfect for student or nurse. Updated kitchen and bathroom. High ceilings. Secure building with front entrance with security camera. Visitors parking. One parking spot.

Exercise room and laundry.

Cozy 1½ storey 3 bedroom home with updates galore! Awesome main floor family room. New ceramics and backsplash in fresh white kitchen.

Master bedroom in converted attic space with ensuite. Oversized detached garage.

Everything is updated, just move in! Refinished hardwood floors, new eaves and facia, furnace (06), C/Air, shingles (09), 100 amp on breakers, mostly vinyl windows. Eat-in kitchen w/French doors to large patio and landscaped yard.

Spotless 3 bedroom family home backing onto park. Hardwood in bedrooms, 2 baths and 2 kitchens and possible in-law setup. Updated windows (09) and 415,000 aluminum roof (08).

Fully fenced yard and walk to schools, shopping and buses.

SOLD R HE ANOT E ON

SOLD R HE ANOT E ON hAMILTON MOuNTAIN $217,900 Spacious 3+1 Bedroom

WEST hAMILTON $279,900 Ideal 3+1 bedroom Home

hAMILTON CENTRAL $154,900 Stunning Starter!

EAST hAMILTON $329,900 4 Bedroom

Brick bungalow! Updated eat-in kitchen w/ceramic floors & backsplash. Huge bedrooms & hrdwd floors thru-out upper level. Newer furnace & C/A ('02). Plus partially finished basement with in-law suite potential.

Potential student rental, minutes to Mac. Upgrades galore – brand new eat-in kitchen ('10) with granite counter tops, new appliances, private sunroom. New shingles ('07). Separate walk-out from basement studio-style apartment.

Stunning 3 bdrm in great location. Newer shingles, windows, doors (’06) & roof. Updated canac eat-in kit, carpet, ceramic, bath & paint.

Plus hydro on breakers, C/A, enclosed porch & side drive. Near park, school & amenities. Move in ready

Bright and open 4 bedroom close to all amenities. Formal dining room and Spacious living room. Eat-in Euro kitchcen has dinette and door to concrete patio and fenced yard.

Family room w/woodstove insert. Main floor laundry.

Call Today 905-575-7700

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The GOLFI TEAM Real Estate Market Watch

Commercial Rob Golfi*

$489,900 GRIMSBY 25 Acres Zoned Private Rec.

$259,900 BEAMSVILLE Prime Commercial

Unique property zoned for private club recreational use; suitable for many types of organizations w/mutual picnic area.

Banquet/dance hall 2500 sqft with 12 ft ceilings, FP, full kitchen facilities, bar area, coat check, bathrooms & spacious bsmt for storage.

Call Rob today at 905-945-0188.

Downtown core storefront with large window, front and back entrances can suit 2 businesses or 1 large one. Rear parking and municipal lot.

New furnace, 2pc bath. 1800 sq ft of business space with GC zoning, plus 2 bedroom apartment on upper level.

Call Rob today at 905-945-0188.

GET MAXIMUM EXPOSURE WITH THE GOLFI TEAM Call Today!

905-575-7700 or 905-945-0188 MenusOnly.com is an online restaurant menu guide connecting you with great restaurants in the Hamilton and Burlington areas. Browse through restaurant menus, view pictures of restaurant dining areas, patios, and menu items, and print local restaurant coupons all in one place.

MenusOnly.com – a perfect dining experience starts here.

Top 10 Things You Can Do with Vinegar Vinegar can be an indispensable tool in any kitchen – this ingredient can clean practically anything plus perform some nifty restorations and maintenance tricks.

It's great for cleaning coffee makers, teakettles and teapots, adding a little into dishwasher and running a rinse cycle ot using a solution with water to clean splatters in the microwave oven. And maybe some people use it to prevent mildew on rubber seals of their refrigerators and cleaning discoloured pots and pans.

Favorite Uses for this Wonder Liquid: 1.

Clean the burned-on mess off a broiler pan by adding 2 cups of vinegar and 1/4 cup sugar to pan while its still warm. Soak the pan for an hour, then clean as usual 2. Mixture of equal parts of vinegar, salt and baking soda may help to open a slow-draining sink. Pour solution down the drain, let it sit for an hour, then pour boiling water of very hot tap water down the drain.

3. Rubber seals on garbage disposals can retain odours. To deodorize it, remove seal and let it soak ion vinegar for an hour.

4. Clean minor stains on white porcelain sink with a sprinkle of baking soda and sponge dampened with vinegar.

5. For tough or aged stains in a white porcelain sink, cover stained area with a paper towels saturated in household bleach (wear rubber gloves and make sure the room is well ventilated) leave paper towels for 1/2 hour or until they dry out. remove towels and rinse area thoroughly. Follow this with cleaning the sink with vinegar to remove the bleach smell.

6. A wooden breadbox tends to become sticky with finger-prints and food. freshen it up by wiping surface with vinegar on a sponge or cloth. Do this periodically to prevent grime buildup. For heavy buildup, try repeated wipes with a sponge dampened with vinegar and sprinkled with salt.

7. Shower curtains or liners can become dulled by soap film or plagued with mildew. Keep vinegar in a spray bottle near shower and squirt shower curtain once or twice a week. No need to rinse.

8. Pour vinegar into toilet and let sit 30 minutes. Next sprinkle baking soda on a toilet bowl brush and scour any remaining stained area. Flush.

9. To dissolve chewing gum stuck in a carpet, saturate area with vinegar and let sit briefly. For faster results, heat the vinegar first. Carefully tug at the gum to remove it.

10. Chocolate stains can be cleaned with 1 part of vinegar and 2 parts of water.

Sponge on mixture and blot with lots of clean cloths until the stain is gone.

June 2010

World Cup Soccer Schedule 2010 www.golfiteam.com

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June 2010

The GOLFI TEAM Real Estate Market Watch

Preparing your House for Sale

MarketWa tch-Dog MarketWatch-Dog

by: Sheri Gamble, Details Event Coordination Inc.

G

etting your home ready for sale can be overwhelming, but before you place your house on the market, there are a few things to do which are a definite must!

Create a good first impression! How does your house look from the street?

That is where prospective buyers will first see your home; and that is where they will form that all-important first impression. Curb appeal cannot be underestimated. Clean up the front yard, remove overgrown weeds, paint if necessary, add some potted plants to your front porch and replace faded or rusted street numbers and mailboxes. Create an inviting and welcoming look that will make prospective buyers want to walk through your front door.

Depersonalize! Remove all personal touches from the home. Eliminating personal items and collectables allows buyers to visualize themselves living in your space. Start by removing personal photos from every area of the home. Also, remove everything on the outside of the refrigerator. It cleans up the kitchen to have the refrigerator free of papers, magnets and photos. Remove most items from countertops replacing with impact pieces in groups of one or threes.

De-clutter! This is the biggest issue with a lot of homeowners. We love to make our house our own, but remember when getting your home ready to sell, you need to look at your house in a new way. Think of your house as a product about to go on the market where it is probably competing with brand new housing. Model homes are depersonalized, de-cluttered and very clean. Aim for that same look for your own home when you’re looking to sell. Clean out closets;

Page 7

remove out of season items; reduce multiple items. If your cupboards and closets are bulging at the seams, prospective buyers may feel it will be the same for them too. Ensure your garage is not a space for collecting all unused or nonseasonal items. Renting storage space is a worthy option to pursue. You’re going to need to pack and move items once the homes sells anyway, why not do it now and make your space look spacious and inviting?

Staging! The final step is staging the home to make the biggest impact for perspective buyers. This is where professional home staging make sense! Often the additional income earned in the sale of the home, far outweighs the cost of staging. Hiring a stager to put the final touches on your home reduces the worry and stress in making the final decisions.

Overall, homeowners need to keep in mind that changes made are for the benefit of selling the home, not to live that way forever. The only goal is to show your home at its very best to potential buyers. Without being distracted, they'll be able to picture themselves in the home you're trying to sell.

Professional Home Stagers can walk you through every step of this marketing process. Remember, home staging is the best way to make a dramatic impact without having to spend a lot of money.

Sheri Gamble and Gwen Kennedy are Home Stagers and Event Planners with Details Event Coordination. They can be reached at 905.632.2602 or via email at sheri@detailseventco.com or gwen@detailseventco.com. Visit their website at www.detailseventco.com.

Each issue, The Golfi Team will showcase a ‘MarketWatch-Dog’; a family companion from one of our current listings.

Well, hello Rusty!

This issue’s MarketWatch Dog is a gorgeous mix of German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Collie - also known as a Designer Dog. With a happy and affectionate disposition, 7 year old Rusty lives in West Hamilton with a nice big fenced yard, however sitting on the lap of luxury has not always been the way for this fellow.

Around the age of 2, Rusty was rescued by the SPCA. Wandering the city eating dirt & grass as nourishment, this poor boy weighed a mere 22 lbs. With lots of TLC and a caring foster family for a month, Rusty’s health improved, as did his weight. At 33 lbs, he was adopted into his permanent home with owners who believe a ‘house isn’t a home without a pet’. Years later, Rusty is a svelte 65 lbs, perfect for his size. Perhaps it’s his frightening beginnings, or all the love & care he has seen, maybe a combination of both, he is truly a very gentle, gentle soul. He is an enthusiastic greeter who loves company and will continue to announce company has arrived long after they are in the door.

Making friends easily, Rusty will sit right beside any guest...very close beside...and offer his gorgeous soft coat for them to run their hands thru and should they stop, he will remind them that this petting session hasn’t ended yet with a not so subtle nudge of their hand. A nice walk along the Bruce Trail is one of his favourite pastimes, along with people watching from the front porch where the ‘regulars’ offer their daily greetings to him and likewise. Of course, a day is not complete without the mail man’s visit or if he’s lucky, a play-date with his girlfriend, Maggie.

Rusty prefers people food over dog food and as soon as his ‘Mom’ gets near the stove or even reaches for an apron, he wants out the door to the yard, only to return when the meal is ready. He figured out a while ago that it’s safest away from this cook and her kitchen, even though he’s quicker than her with that 5 second rule!

Rusty knows 11pm is bedtime and just before the TV is turned off, he will bolt to the bedroom to ensure he gets his spot in the middle of the bed first, a strategic move so this way, BOTH can enjoy his soft coat until Rusty lets everyone go to sleep. He must get plenty of rest, after all, tomorrow is another happy day and, another home cooked meal!

Look for our next MarketWatch-dog in the next issue of Market Watch!

The Golfi team supports SPCA’s of Ontario.

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