Easy Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

As the winter season approaches and the air grows crisp, it's time to start thinking about preparing your house for the season. Once winter blows in, homeowners have to get serious. It is important to consider the fact that the winter season means spending a lot more time indoors. Roofs must shed rain and snow, windows and doors must reject the cold, and the heating system must keep rooms comfortable. If any of these components don't hold up, you might be faced with scrambling around in the wet, cold, and dark to fix them.

By handling these important yet reasonably easy tasks, you can avoid considerable grief later.

1)  Inspect the roof
If possible, go up onto the roof to check its condition. Look for cracked or missing shingles, bald spots on shingles, missing or damaged flashing, and other conditions that might allow leaks. Replace any roof shingles that are missing or damaged. You can also seal minor cracks or tears with roofing cement or do the minor repairs yourself. 

2) Check the gutters
While you're on the ladder, look into the gutters. If they are clogged with leaves and debris, clean them. Gutters prevent basement and foundation flooding and water damage to siding, windows, and doors. When clogged with leaves and debris, they will fill with rainwater and overflow. 

3) Look at the siding
Check the siding for cracks or damage. You can seal up any leaky spots with clear caulking compound. But, if close inspection of the paint reveals problems such as blistering, peeling, wrinkling, or chalking, either touch them up or call a painting contractor.

4) Investigate weather stripping
Also, look to see if windows and doors are effectively sealed with weather stripping. Weather stripping will prevent drafts and winter heat loss. If weather stripping is damaged, it's usually easiest and most effective to entirely replace it rather than to repair it.

5) Check your heating system
Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional. Most furnace manufacturers recommend at least annual inspections. 

6) Sweep the chimney
Have your chimneys inspected by a chimney service and, if necessary, cleaned. Cleaning is generally recommended at least once a year for an active fireplace. 

7) Trim the trees
Trim trees away from the house. Have dead trees and branches removed by professional tree trimmers, or do it yourself.                                    

8) Check the smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors
Buy extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight saving time ends. Also, test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they work, and buy a fire extinguisher or replace an extinguisher older than 10 years.

9) Store plenty of salt
Make sure you are stocked with rock salt, snow shovels, and any other items you will need during the winter. 

10) Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets, remove and store garden hoses,

11) Examine the basement floor and walls for cracks or leaks; seal as needed.
 

If you plan to reside elsewhere during the winter months, you may want to partially shut down your home. In addition to the tips above, consider the following:

• Leave the temperature at its lowest setting, usually between 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, or install a low-heat thermostat to maintain the air temperature at approximately 5 degrees Celsius
• Turn off and drain the water heater; leave a reminder to refill before restarting.
• Keep the electricity on so lights will continue to function (put them on timers).
• Unplug the microwave, clothes dryer, televisions (not on timers), and other appliances not in use.
• To avoid large repair bills and the hassle associated with breakdowns, take the time now to develop an action plan for the coming months. You'll feel secure in your warm home or while you're away from home.

The fall season is a good time for you to start thinking about preparing your home for winter. As temperatures begin to drop, your home will require maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape through the winter. By following the easy steps above, you will ensure to have a warm and comfortable winter at the peace of your home!

Things to Consider When Updating Your Bathrooom

Bathrooms are one of the most used and abused rooms in your home, yet they are also a serene and relaxing retreat to escape for a few moments each day. With that in mind, your bathroom needs to be both functional and beautiful, making it an enjoyable space.

Studies have shown that renovating the main bathroom in a home has an estimated payback of 60% to 65% when the home is resold. But it can cost well over $5,000 to complete, not to mention the significant inconvenience.

Fortunately, there are many quick and inexpensive solutions to make updating your bathroom a simple day or weekend project.

Determine your design style
To make your bathroom your own, first determine how you want your bathroom to work and how you want to feel while you are in your space. Secondly, decide if you are someone who likes to change your decorations to follow seasons or trends frequently, or if you prefer a classic style that involves little or no updating.

Personalize with paint
Painting is an easy and inexpensive way to make a dramatic and instant impact on a room. When choosing a paint colour, find one that is going to inspire you, make you happy, and create a desired mood.

Dark, dramatic colours are great for those who are not up for frequent changes. However, neutrals, available in light, medium, and dark tones, are the most accepting of colours, which is ideal for those who want to continually add the latest colour trends or seasonal decorations.

Freshen up
Replace your grey and mouldy old shower curtain with a nice new one. Plastic or fabric shower curtains are inexpensive to buy, incredibly easy to change, and provide a great way of adding a splash of colour to dull décor. Something as simple as hanging a clean new shower curtain can have a big impact on your bathroom’s appearance.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, replacing your shower curtain with a glass shower door or screen is a great way to add the wow factor. Frameless shower doors made from tempered glass are ideal for a sleek, modern look, whereas those with a chrome, brass, or gold-plated frame can look stunning in a more traditional-themed bathroom. Be practical when choosing a shower door and think about how it will open. A folding door that opens outward looks grand and elegant, but is likely to bang into your sink or toilet if you have a small bathroom. If your shower is above your bathtub, a space-saving sliding door is a good choice.

Install a new vanity cabinet
Bathroom vanities come in all sorts of different styles to suit bathrooms of all themes, from decorative furniture styles to minimalist contemporary designs. Bath vanities usually consist of a base storage cabinet with an inlaid sink on top. They are great for making the most of a small room and provide useful storage space. An attractive bathroom vanity will be a focal point of your bathroom and can work wonders at giving the whole room a stylish new look.

Replace your existing bathroom cabinets or simply paint the doors for a quick and simple makeover. Wall-mounted bathroom cabinets tend to attract our attention as they are at eye level, and a tatty or old-fashioned cabinet can really tarnish a bathroom’s appearance. Wall cabinets come in a huge range of sizes and styles, from wooden ones made from cherry, walnut or oak to those with hand-painted, distressed or laminated finishes. In a small room, having a mirror on a cabinet door is not only useful, but can help create an illusion of space.

Add a classy mirror
Be particular and stylish here. If storage is not a concern, forgo the medicine cabinet. Don't limit yourself to traditional bathroom mirrors that are found everywhere. There are endless possibilities for creating an interesting new look with an elegant mirror.

Finish your look with coordinating finishes
One of the easiest ways to create a professionally designed look in your bathroom is to coordinate the metal finishes. Get rid of ugly or worn-out taps on your sink and bath. Often, there is no need to go to the hassle and expense of fitting a new bathroom suite. Simply installing stylish new bathroom faucets can give a tired bathroom an instant lift. Bath and sink faucets come in a surprisingly large variety of styles and finishes, from brass-plated Victorian styles for period homes to sleek-looking chrome for the contemporary bathroom.

Coordinating the finish throughout a room is a great way to pull it together. Be sure not to stop with the faucet -- change your drawer pulls, knobs, towel bars, faucets, showerheads, accessories, and even your framed artwork. Not everything needs to be exactly the same finish, but be sure the tonal colours are relatively the same hue.

Add accessories and personality
Accessories are a great way to pull together a bathroom design as well as showcase your personality and individuality. Adding complementary or contrasting colour towels, bathmats, and shower curtains can brighten up your bathroom and create a finished and cohesive look. In addition, accessories such as toothbrush and cup holders, towel bars, and soap dishes are available in coordinating finishes to match your faucets can add not only style, but also additional storage solutions to avoid clutter.

Lighten up
Light is an important element in the bathroom, yet it is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. Most bathrooms are equipped with fluorescent lighting fixtures, which give off an unattractive blue tint to people and their surroundings. Change out the fluorescent lighting and swap it with halogen, which is the closest to natural sunlight. An additional way to add light is to add a mirror, since it’s like adding a window to a room. Even if you do have a window, position a mirror opposite the window. The natural light will reflect off the mirror and flood the room with bright white light in addition to expanding the visual plane to give the illusion of expanded space.

Whether you are decorating your house to sell, or planning on staying where you are, it's time to freshen up that bathroom you've always hated with a whole new look.

Tips for First-Time Home Buyers

The pride of home ownership is the number one reason why Canadians desire their own home. No landlord is looking over your shoulder. And you can make home improvements knowing that any appreciation that results will be to your benefit. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It's making an investment in your future.

Home ownership is the cornerstone of financial independence and security. It may seem a daunting prospect to younger people or first-time buyers, but it is achievable.

Like many would-be homeowners, you may be wondering how you can possibly afford to buy your first home. Even if you think you can’t afford a home, these saving tips and financing strategies can take you there sooner than you think and turn you from a renter into an owner.

Develop a culture of saving

The first priority for you should be to develop a culture of saving. This not only helps you in budgeting and planning for the future, but also satisfies banks and other lending institutions that you have a clear commitment to save.

Start an automatic savings plan

Saving for a down payment can be a financial challenge, but it’s a step forward to owning your dream home. Make saving automatic by setting up an automatic savings plan at your bank to regularly move a specific amount of money directly from your chequing account to a savings account. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save and how quickly the “pay yourself first” approach adds up.

Borrow from yourself

The federal government’s Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP) lets you borrow from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to help purchase your first home. You and your partner can each withdraw up to $20,000, provided it’s not locked-in and the money has been in the RRSP for at least 90 days.  You have to repay the loan in installments over the next 15 years to avoid a tax hit. 

 Take a holiday from tax

If you open a new Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), you won’t pay any tax on earnings, which will help you compound your savings. You can contribute up to $5,000 a year to a TFSA, and save for anything you like, tax-free.

 Review your mortgage options

Once you make the decision to purchase a property, the next choice is the type of loan to suit your budget. The two most common types of loans are the variable interest rate loan and the fixed interest rate loan.  

You can now choose to pay back your mortgage over 25 or 30 years, instead of the traditional 20-year amortization period. This means you will pay more interest over the long term, but you can reduce monthly payments to get into your starter home. You can always change this later, once your income rises and you can pay your mortgage down faster.

 Get into a starter house

Try to be as flexible as possible when choosing your first home. Unless you are status-conscious, your first home doesn’t necessarily have to be your dream home. You could settle for a starter home, which you can afford with a small down payment and easy mortgage instalments. There are plenty of lower-priced houses out there in need of repair, with some "Do-It-Yourself" projects where you can add more value to the house. Just be careful not to buy a property where the cost of repairs will eat up any profits you might make when you sell.

In just a few years, you will build enough equity in your starter home to make it easier for you to sell and move into your dream home. Buying your first home is an exciting process. After all, your home could be the largest asset you’ll ever own. Being able to finance most of its cost will take a load off your back in the future.

Remember to look at the big picture. While buying a house is a great way to build wealth, maintaining your investment can be labour-intensive and expensive. When unexpected costs for new appliances, roof repairs, and plumbing problems crop up, there's no landlord to turn to, and these costs can drain your bank account. So consider whether you're ready for the expense and effort of homeownership before making the commitment..

Tips for Surviving Home Renovation

Home renovation can be exciting, but they are often stressful, especially if you have to stay at home while the work is being done. With careful planning, it is possible to survive major renovations. Even though your daily routines may be derailed, you can minimize the inconvenience and give yourself room to collect your thoughts even amid a storm of drywall dust, flying wood chips, and noxious odors. 

The tips offered below can help you anticipate the problems that can arise with almost any remodeling project. Use this knowledge to short-circuit the stresses that are a natural part of changes to your home.

Prepare the house. Move anything you don’t want damaged (art, furniture, and electronics) into a part of the house not being worked on—or move it into temporary storage. Store your clothing in plastic garment bags, and protect floors with heavy-duty cardboard or construction paper taped at the edges. Most importantly, make sure you completely seal off work areas with industrial plastic sheeting.

Plan for everyday life. Your house may be in disorder, but you'll still want hot meals, a snug bed, a refreshing shower, and clean clothes. Seek safe harbor away from the confusion by staying at a motel, taking refuge with a kind relative, or even moving into a travel trailer or recreational vehicle. But don't go so far away from home that you lose touch with the project.

If you must live at home during remodeling, rearrange rooms before work begins. To prepare for a kitchen makeover, move your microwave and refrigerator to a place where they can still be used. If the water will be turned off for long periods of time, order bottled water and scout out a place for showers. A bedroom may even become a combination living room/kitchen for a while.

Plan for waste removal. There's no way to avoid a mess when remodeling. But the tide of rubble, trash, and dust can be contained. Before the swing of the first hammer, work out waste logistics with your contractor. Hang tarps in doorways to seal off rooms where remodeling is underway. Establish a plan for handling waste materials so they will be routed away from sensitive areas, such as gardens or porches, and hauled away on a regular basis.

Prepare for the unexpected. Keep the lines of communication open and stick to your plans as much as possible. Small project changes often lead to unexpected service charges. Have a contingency budget of 10 to 20 percent of the total project budget. Any contractor will confirm that you never really know what you are dealing with until you cut into the walls. This is when you may find rusted pipes that need to be replaced, horrific electrical systems, insulation issues, or mold. A contingency for these types of things makes such discoveries a bit more bearable.

Keep your sense of humour. Surprises will happen during renovation. Things will get dirty, noisy, and it may take longer to complete than you anticipated. Communicate with your contractor and try to resolve these challenges calmly and with an open mind.

Waterloo Region Home Sales Moderate in September as Market Continues to Balance

WATERLOO REGION, ON (October 3, 2025) —In September, a total of 502 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone).

 This represents a 4.7 per cent decrease compared to the same period last year and a decline of 25.0 per cent compared to the average number of homes sold in the previous ten years for the same month. 

“The September housing market continues to reflect broader economic conditions, with sales remaining below both last year’s levels and the ten-year average,” says Christal Moura, spokesperson for the Waterloo Region market. “While sales volumes have moderated from last year, this shift has created a more balanced market where buyers can take time with their decisions.  Well-priced properties continue to attract attention, and experienced REALTORS® are helping both buyers and sellers navigate these changing conditions successfully.”  

Total residential sales in September included 325 detached homes (down 4.1 per cent from September 2024), and 91 townhouses (down 5.2 per cent). Sales also included 51 condominium units (down 13.6 per cent) and 34 semi-detached homes (up 6.3 per cent).  

In September, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $753,162. This represents a 4.7 per cent decrease compared to September 2024 and a 3.2 per cent increase compared to August 2025.  

• The average sale price of a detached home was $858,872. This represents a 5.9 per cent decrease from September 2024 and an increase of 1.4 per cent compared to August 2025.  

• The average sale price for a townhouse was $606,871. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase from September 2024 and an increase of 1.8 per cent compared to August 2025.  

• The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $442,086. This represents a 8.9 per cent decrease from September 2024 and an increase of 2.0 per cent compared to August 2025.  

• The average sale price for a semi was $621,026.  This represents a decrease of 5.1 per cent compared to September 2024 and an increase of 0.5 per cent compared to August 2025. 

While prices have softened compared to last year, the market is finding its balance. Buyers now have more choice due to inventory levels well above the ten-year average. Moura believes that the fundamentals of our region—its diverse economy, dynamic technology ecosystem, and strong talent base—remain solid foundations of our housing market. 

There were 1,469 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, an increase 11.0 per cent compared to September last year and a 32.9 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for September.  

The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of September was 2,094, an increase of 22.2 per cent compared to September of last year and 79.5 per cent above the previous ten-year average of 1,167 listings for September. 

The total inventory across the market increased by 29.0 percent, resulting in a 4.0-month supply of all property types by the end of September. Condominium apartments had the highest inventory, with 7.3 months’ supply, followed by townhouses with 4.8 months’ supply and detached homes with 3.3 months’ supply. The number of months of inventory represents the time it would take to sell all current inventories at the current sales rate. 

The average time to sell a home in September was 32 days, which was the same in the previous month. In September 2024, it took 28 days for a home to sell, and the five-year average was 19 days. 

View our HPI tool here to learn more: https://www.cornerstone.inc/stats/

What is Rent to Own?

Rent-to-Own is becoming a popular way for selling a property, especially in areas where the market is slow. We are seeing more and more companies advertising that they have a house or condo for sale, and offering to do Rent-to-Own. But not a lot is known about exactly how it works, and to whose benefit.

Rent-To-Own is very similar to a car lease.
With a car lease, you put down a deposit and make payments for a specified period of time. At the end of the lease, you have the option (not the obligation) to purchase the car for a predetermined price.

Rent-to-own works in much the same way. A buyer puts down a “purchase option” deposit, usually less than the traditional 5% required by the bank, and makes a monthly payment. And a portion of the rent is credited towards the future down payment.  The end purchase price is predetermined at the time of signing.

The Rent-To-Own agreement involves two contracts; one contract will be a regular lease contract, and the other will deal with the purchasing part of the agreement. This contract will be for a period of time that is agreeable to both the seller and the buyer, usually anywhere from one year to three years. The buyer will have to pay the regular amount of rent, and in addition, they will have to pay a monthly installment that will be credited towards the down payment.

There are usually clauses in the contract that state if the buyer is late or misses any payment, the contract is null and void. As well, the buyer may be responsible for repairs and maintenance; however, sometimes the seller will accept responsibility for major maintenance issues.

What are the benefits of Rent-to-Own?
A Rent-to-Own agreement can be an excellent option for people who want–but are not financially ready–to become homeowners. A Rent-to-Own agreement gives them the chance to get their finances in order (by improving their credit score and saving money for a down payment, for example) while “locking in” the house they’d like to own. If the option money or a percentage of the rent goes toward the purchase price, they also get to start building some equity.

One thing to keep in mind is that house prices are always changing. The calculations are based on today’s prices, and it can be next to impossible to calculate what the house may be worth in the future. Sometimes this is addressed by agreeing to a certain percentage increase for each year of the term, and sometimes sellers will ask you to agree to pay the appraised value of the house at the end of the term. In this case, you may have to pay a little extra at the end of your term to meet the 5% down payment.)

A Rent-to-Own agreement allows potential buyers to move into a house while getting their finances in order to purchase the home in the future. It’s not without risks, since they could end up losing money if they don’t (or cannot) buy the property when the lease expires. You must be confident that this particular real estate deal is of benefit to you, and that you can afford to take the risk of not being able to follow through with the contract. If there’s a good chance you won’t be able to qualify for a mortgage or secure other financing by the time the lease expires, you should instead continue renting (with a “normal” lease), building credit and saving for a down payment. Then, when you’re ready, you can choose from any home on the market in your price range.

Not every seller will structure the Rent-to-Own in the same way, but as in any real estate deal, you can always try to negotiate the terms that are not satisfactory to you. It is very important that you get independent legal advice for any contract that you sign.

9 Easy Ways to Create Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is a term used to describe how your home looks from the exterior and how appealing it looks when viewed from the curb. This includes areas such as the lawn, patio, front door, exterior paint, trees, shrubs, and more. In a simpler sense, curb appeal is what the buyers initially see the moment they step out of their car.

 Curb appeal contributes greatly to the desirability of a home. Most real estate agents confirm that curb appeal can affect a buyer’s decision to purchase a home more than the square footage or the price of the home. It often means the difference between a house sitting for months or selling in a few weeks.

If your home is not particularly attractive from the outside, there are many ways to improve the curb appeal of your home without shelling out thousands of dollars in renovations. There are dozens of small, inexpensive home improvements that you can do to your house to add instant curb appeal. Adding curb appeal to your house not only makes it easier to sell, but it also gives your house that nice and finished look in which you can take pride in.

The following steps will help to quickly create curb appeal for your home.

1. Tidy up. Make sure you don't have old rusty junk lying around the yard, unless it is being used stylistically in a garden. Get rid of things that are just lying around. This would probably be the first step in improving the look of your lawn. Remove items such as old rope, boots, cracked pots, worn hoses, wrecked flower boxes, and other things.

 2. Trim up. Cut the grass and edge the borders with a weed trimmer. Take care to get rid of all weeds, including ones by the walls and around the mailbox post. Add a layer of mulch to cover up dull areas in the landscaping or flower beds.

 3. Build a healthy and green lawn. Adding some starter sod can make a big difference very quickly. Sod can be bought at lawn and garden stores and comes in rolls or squares. After you lay it across your yard, water it well, and you'll immediately have a lawn, with roots taking hold within two weeks.

4. Add some colour to your yard. Planting flowers will enhance the curb appeal of your home. Buying colourful plants that have already started blooming will immediately make a difference. They can either be planted in pots or in the ground. Use your imagination and choose flowers that bloom in colours that look good with your home.

5. Paint. Giving your home (trim and shutters too) a new coat of paint easily breathes new life into its appearance. However, make sure you select a colour palette that matches the architectural style of your home. For example, if you live in a historic home, you’ll want to stick to an authentic palette.

6. Update your front door. Greet guests in style with an eye-catching front door that makes a statement. You can find exterior doors in a variety of materials, from traditional wood to sturdy steel. The key is to select a door that suits your home’s architectural style. If your current door is in good condition, you can make it stand out by painting it a bold colour or adding windows, sidelights, moulding,s and more.

7. Illuminate paths and walkways with outdoor lighting. Install lighting fixtures that will complement the style of your home as well as help to create dramatic effects. Use fixtures with built-in motion detectors to enhance safety.

8. Add decorative accents. Top your exterior off with finishing flourishes such as trendy new house numbers that are clearly visible from the street. And while you’re at it, why not add a new mailbox? Or frame windows with new shutters?

9. Dress up your front porch or entry. Make sure you have an inviting place for potential buyers to sit and admire the landscaping. Even a small space has room for a chair or bench and a round table, or a stool to place a drink on. An outdoor accessory or two is fine, but keep it simple and uncluttered.

Keep in mind that simplicity is the key to creating curb appeal. A few flower beds that border and define walkways, curbs, and lawn areas, and a few flower pots next to the home are often enough.

Remember: Breaking projects up into small, manageable chunks —as your time and budget allow—is the best way to go, because even just a few design tweaks can make a big impact on your home’s curb appeal.