Spruce Up Your Home

Times change and trends evolve and it's time for a "little upgrading" for your home. Here are some simple remedies to create a stylish home:

Repaint the walls:

Colour use is underestimated. The effects are subtle and significant. Colour sets the mood tone and can turn a room into very appealing or uncomfortable. Remember that natural daylight shows the truest colour. Go beyond your comfort zone and pick, for example, chocolate browns. When selecting a colour, consider the mood of a room, artwork, furniture pieces and flooring.

Replace Flooring

Consider refinishing hardwood to remove scratches and dents. Hardwood always looks stylish and is available in various colours. Bamboo floors are harder than wood floors and offer a unique looking floor. Laminate floors are resistant to stains, scratches and dents. It's easy to install but can't be refinished. Linoleum is low maintenance and hypoallergenic. Porcelain tile is stronger than ceramic and available in variety of colours.

Add some Decor

Perhaps you need to add some pieces like a new sofa or dining table to update the look. Perhaps some modern paintings and new candles/mirror on the mantle. A little change here and there can do wonders to a room. Try it out!

Click here for more information on Rashna Chotai

Remax Press Release Highlights

Low inventory levels set stage for heated Spring market in most major Canadian centres says Remax.

The supply of homes listed for sale has been reduced drastically, housing values are on the upswing and banks and governments are moving in unison toward stricter lending policies.

The overall pressure on sales and price is significant across the board and is not likely to subside unless more inventory comes on-stream.

Recent revisions to lending criteria will add fuel to the fire in the short term. Buyers will step up their plans for home ownership in the next month or so.

Real estate from coast to coast has roared back to life and markets are once again firing on all cylinders.

Click here for the full report

More Inventory Please!

Seriously....there is indeed a huge lack of inventory of homes for sale in Meadowvale Village.

This area is always in demand in a normal market with a good balance of buyers and sellers. But now we have an issue where lack of inventory is pushing up prices to unbelievable levels in this area!

Currently, I have three buyers looking for a home in Meadowvale Village but nothing is available. If you or someone you know are planning on selling, please contact me. My buyers may be the perfect match for your home. Call Rashna at 416-554-7253.

Click here for RashnaCares.com

Mold is Everywhere

I recently attended a presentation on Mold by a home inspection company. I hate mold but it does fascinate me!

But just to backtrack a little...last year my clients conditionally bought a detached property downtown. It turns out that the attic had "mold". Lots of it! Some home inspection companies refer to it as "black substance". All due to incorrect ventilation in the attic. My clients decided not to buy the home as it would be costly to remove the mold professionally. The health effects of mould can range from being insignificant to causing illness.

I finally found a lovely home for them downtown in this overheated market. By the time we made it downtown, most of the homes would be sold well over list. Lucky for them and determination on our side, an open house was cancelled and we were there at the right time!

Another recent mold incident: A few weeks ago I was emptying some boxes in the basement. These boxes were unopened for two years and I was quite curious to see what was in them. I found a few books of sentimental value. But right at the bottom along with a strong musty smell was some black stuff: MOLD! Yikes!

Sentimentality out the window.... I threw out everything. I was actually quite happy to be rid of the stuff but it was difficult for my husband. We corrected the moisture level in the basement to prevent this from ever happening again...not to say that we have any more of these boxes in the basement. That was a great opportunity to get rid of a lot of junk.

Mold can grow on almost any substance based on moisture and a food source being present. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.

I recently bought pita bread from the local grocery store and I opened it up the same day: MOLD! I was quite upset as it ruined my craving for a falafel. And yes I made sure I checked the expiry date before buying it. I returned the pita bread because I wanted them to be aware of this issue and they gladly refunded my money but I couldn't eat pita bread for a while after seeing that gross green mold.

So enough of my mold stories..I could go on... Mold exists everywhere - indoor and outdoors. When buying a home...determine if there are any concentrated amounts of mold as this can cause damage to the building as well as health issues.

The most mold prone areas are bathrooms, closets, laundry rooms, bedrooms and kitchens. I would also include basements as I'm sure there are others who have unopened boxes in the basement with improper air circulation. Dehumidify in warm months since air entering will have a higher moisture content.

The presence of mold is a sign that there is too much moisture in your home - this should be corrected right away. Click here for CMHC information on detecting and cleaning up mold

Do preventative maintenance checks in hidden areas, under stairs, closets, crawlspaces, garages and attics.

Should You Put Your Lonely Sign On The Lawn?

Many homeowners have failed to get top dollar for their home, or priced it too high and watched it sit for months on end. Buyers then tend to think there is something wrong with the home.

Our job as Realtors takes on estimating the value of the house, preparing it for sale, marketing the house, showing the house, negotiating and closing the deal.
We watch the market everyday and where the market warrants it, we can holdback on offers to generate multiple bidding.

Lack of negotiating experience and lack of important information in the selling process can result in possible lawsuits.

Realtors bring value to the table, knowledge of the real estate market and are involved in home sales much more frequently. We are bound by strict ethics. Leave the selling to a Realtor whose experience and knowledge will bring you top dollar for your home.

Who is Rashna Chotai? Click here

National Home Show

The National Home Show presented by Re/Max opens on February 19-28th at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place. More than 700 home and garden specialists will be offering renovation and decorating ideas.
Don't miss it! It promises to be a great show! Click here for more information on the Home Show

Dedicated Villagers

We are truly blessed to be living in one of the finest areas in Mississauga and surrounded by neighbours who are truly committed to keeping our village safe.
Andrea and Steve are "dedicated villagers". Steve contacted our Councillor, George Carlson to bring up some issues happening in our park at Historic Trail & Old Derry Road.
Steve has been clearing beer bottles from the grass near the playground and parking lot and fast food junk many times. Passionate about maintaining safety and protecting our village, Steve requested a step up in police patrol in our park.
Councillor George Carlson acted promptly to ensure that security has been stepped up for this area.
All concerned residents should call the 24 hour Parks Watch line at (905) 615-4060 rather than personally confront suspicious persons inside the park.
Please contact me if you come across any incidences in the park areas that are not being dealt with and we will ensure it gets looked after. It is up to all of us to keep our village beautiful and safe.