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Selling In The Spring?

Are You Planning on Selling This Spring?

We know the winter is not over yet and that the weather man is calling for a long spring, however it is the perfect time to start executing a game plan if you are planning to sell soon. After a long winter, the warm weather and cherry blossoms seem to trigger the moving bug in many people. Here are the three most important tips to get your home ready to sell this spring for top dollar.

Curb Appeal

Curb Appeal is SO important in the spring. Make sure those bushes are freshly trimmed, new mulch and a well-kept lawn will present a positive picture to buyers. Make sure you get rid of dead leaves, branches and any weeds in your yard. First impressions are EVERYTHING.


Spring Cleaning

Clean like you’ve never cleaned before! Your home needs to create a bright ambience for your visitors. Deep clean the windows, remove cobwebs, scrub sliding door/window tracks, ceiling fans, light fixtures, above cabinets/range hoods, baseboards. Anything that doesn’t typically get cleaned in day to day life. You can always refer to online deep cleaning guides if you are unsure of where to start!


De-Clutter

De-clutter your home to the best of your ability. You want your home to feel light and spacious when potential buyers are walking through or viewing it online. Clutter and excess personal items will get in the way of buyers imagining themselves living there. Store personal photos, remove knick-knacks from tables/shelves and remove everything from your counters.  It may feel like quite the task but consider it as your first step in packing your home to move into your next home! 


What are you doing to prepare your home to sell this spring? If you want to learn more about how we can help you sell your home stress-free during the spring months, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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January 2023 Market Report For Our Communities

New Year, new stats! January saw a big dip in sales activity which skewed a lot of statistics this month. We saw a 23% decrease in sales activity compared to 2022 with just over 100 properties sold across our region. Staying in line with the last 6 months of 2022, active listings continued to surge, across our communities we saw 305% rise in active listings. There’s lots of opportunities for Buyers right now as we’re seeing so many new listings and at the same time, property sales slowed down last month.

In our local communities, we saw sale price decreases in Midland, Penetang and Tay but a large increase in Tiny. However, it’s important to note that there were limited sales to base this information off – Sales Activity was down almost 23% across the region with only 29 sales in our communities. As we head deeper into the new year and look to the spring market, we expect a re-balancing of the market to continue with more opportunities for buyers but also attractive sales prices for sellers.

Trust your local experts to guide you through the process and take advantage of the current market. Ask us about our FREE Home Market Analysis to determine exactly how much your Home is worth in today’s Market.

All data correct as of February 2nd, 2023, data gathered by the Ontario Collective based on January 2022 vs January 2023.

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Winter Renovations?

Completing Renovations During the Winter Months? 

The slower winter months are the ideal time to complete renovations for some homeowners, the cold months mean there is less to do outside of the home and more people focus on fixes within. We have compiled a list to help you stay within your budget during your winter renovations. 

1. Figure Out Your Main Priorities

Take your time and slowly save up if you haven’t already, it is beneficial to pay in cash so that you can avoid incurring more debt. By making a checklist of what must be done rather than what you would like to be done, you will be able to make improvements without borrowing excess money. It will make you feel good without adding more debt and having an improved living space.


2. Take a Close Look at Your Utilities

Rather than simply swapping your name onto the property’s current utility bill, be sure to shop around for a better deal. If you are able to find another utility company that can provide the same service for less money, you will have more in the long run to spend on the changes that you want made. Other than utilities, you may also be able to get a better deal on your internet, cable/satellite, or insurance provider.


3. Be Accountable

Tracking your spending and making a budget to see where your money is going is highly advised. Quite commonly, people may be spending more money monthly on things such as takeout than they realize. Create a budget and plan ahead. You may consider making a spreadsheet and planning a year ahead. You will feel great when the year is done and you have held yourself accountable.


4. When Thinking About Purchasing New

Think about what is best for you when it comes to new appliances, furniture and other large ticket items. Search online marketplaces where there are always options to buy and sell. You may have inherited a stove that you can sell, to help you afford the new one that you have been looking forward to. Or you may even be able to find the one you have been dreaming of at a discounted price. You can also check with friends, family and neighbours to see if they are getting rid of any things that you may need. There is no shame in repurposing someone else’s kitchen cabinets or using someone’s leftover construction materials. You have the opportunity to save yourself some big bucks if you are open to doing some research.


5. Remember The Important Improvements

In addition to setting aside money for your upgrades, make sure to budget for when things go wrong. The average homeowner will experience needing a new roof, furnace or maybe upgrading from your gravel driveway. Some professionals suggest setting aside 2% of your home’s value for maintenance every year.


What winter renovations are you doing this year? Do you have any tips of your own?

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An Update From Georgie

Back in the Summer, the Midland and District OSPCA gave us the chance to name an animal in their care and we picked the name “Georgie”, a nod towards Georgian Bay and a symbol of what connects all of our communities. 

We couldn’t be more proud to learn that our name was given to this brave, strong little guy with a story of resilience that inspires us all. After facing multiple surgeries, an amputation and a difficult start to life, Georgie was adopted and was given a fresh start at having an amazing life!

The OSPCA recently sat down with Georgie’s Mom to discuss what it means to adopt a cat like Georgie, his bond with other pets and his rambunctious personality!

What was it about Georgie that made you want to adopt him? 
Georgie was brought into my friends work, tiny and injured. I had been hoping to adopt a cat for a while – originally intending on adopting an older cat but when my friend sent a picture of him, so small and fuzzy but so hurt, my heart just melted and I wanted to keep him safe. You could tell how sweet he was because even though he must have been in so much pain, he was still gently licking her coworkers hand. 

• How is Georgie doing now, after his leg amputation? 
Georgie is doing really, really well. He has lots of energy, absolutely loves toys (or anything he can get his paws on), people-watching from our front window and cuddling with his 90lb bernese mountain dog sister, Bellatrix. He is incredibly fast when he gets the zoomies and loves to climb on whatever he can. I’m not sure he even remembers his other leg – and not having it certainly doesn’t keep him out of trouble. 

• Can you describe Georgie’s personality? 
Georgie is rambunctious, adorable, hilarious and an absolute sweetheart. He makes me laugh out loud several times a day just from being so silly. And when he runs out of energy, his cuddles are the best. You can find him nestled up to me or Bella in a tiny little ball or sprawled out completely. There’s often no in-between 

• What is it like to have Georgie in your home and part of your family?
Having Georgie here just feels like home. I’ve always loved cats and they were always part of the family so it feels right. He adds liveliness, humor and happiness and I’m so grateful for the little guy. He’s almost always at the front door to say hello when I return and always says goodbye on my way out. And his relationship with my 2 year old dog has been so heartwarming to watch – and hilarious. Cats really do seem to rule the house. 

• Why do you think it’s important for the community to help animals in need, like Georgie?
Helping those who are vulnerable, frightened or hurt is always the right thing to do. It’s no different with animals. They have feelings, experience pain and provide the world with so much love and warmth. They deserve our love and warmth in return.

I’m so grateful for the woman who found him, those who transported him to the Midland SPCA, those who donated to the SPCA to help cover his extensive medical costs, those who cared for him and made sure he’d make a great recovery and of course my friend for sending me his picture. I’ve only had him for few months but I couldn’t imagine life without him now.

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Meet Georgie

The Midland and District OSPCA recently gave us the chance to name an animal in their care and we picked the name “Georgie”, a nod towards Georgian Bay and a symbol of what connects all of our communities.

We couldn’t be more proud to learn that our name was given to this brave, strong little guy with a story of resilience that inspires us all.

Our kitten, Georgie was found abandoned at the side of a road in Orillia recently.

A passerby happened to see the hurt feline and came to his rescue, taking him to the Orillia OPP detachment.

“An officer rushed the kitten to the Mariposa Veterinary Hospital in Orillia,” said Robin Elliott, the community development coordinator for the Midland Animal Centre.

Georgie, was found to have suffered extreme nerve damage to his right front leg. He had also lost the skin on his chin and abdomen area.

“To give Georgie the best chance at a pain-free life, amputation of his leg was recommended,” said Elliott.

The cat also needed extensive stitches to try to reattach the skin around his chin and abdomen, Elliott explained.

The approximately 14-week-old kitten was transferred to the Allandale Veterinary Hospital in Barrie for surgery and is now on the road to recovery.

The good Samaritan who found Georgie generously donated $400 toward his emergency care and the OPP also held a fundraiser at the detachment in Orillia, raising $750, said Elliott.

It’s “an amazing story of collaboration and love,” she said.

However, more money is needed to cover the cat’s veterinary costs. It’s estimated about $500 more is needed and Elliott is hoping local pet lovers might step up to support the effort.

To make a donation, call the centre at 705-534-4459 or donate online at www.ontariospca.ca and specify the Midland Animal Centre for the fund allocation.

Elliott said the Midland facility is looking after the cat’s care because the Orillia Animal Centre already had a “major medical case” and did not have the capacity to take on another one.

Whatever happens, it looks like Georgie will have a safe and secure future. Elliott said the cat is recovering in his new “foster-to-adopt home” of a friend of the OPP officer who originally rushed him to the vet.

Officials urge people who are unable to look after their pets to contact their local OSPCA or animal rescue agencies. 

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Award Winning Team!

We had an amazing night at the Keller Williams Advantage & Experience International Awards Night! We are so proud to have walked away with a Quadruple Platinum Award and #2 in GCI and #3 in Units – such incredible accolades in just our second year as a team!

As proud as we are, we are even more thankful to our communities and clients for trusting us to navigate and help them achieve their Real Estate dreams and goals.

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FSOGB Raises $10k For Canadian Cancer Society

We loved going Pink throughout October and today, we are so proud to be able to donate $10,000 to the Canadian Cancer Society Ontario to help support all the amazing work they do.

Thank you to everyone who shared our Pink posts, talked about our Pink signs and supported us through Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We already can’t wait to see our Pink signs back up across the community next year!

Big “Thank You” to Mike Cillis and his team at North Simcoe Signs for helping provide us with our beautiful Pink signs that were seen across all of the community.

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October 2021 Market Report For Our Communities

Winter is coming and the market is shifting. Across the region we saw 123 sales logged which was down 32% on this time last year. This comes as for the first time in a while, we saw a 7% rise in Active Listings. However, inventory is still incredibly low – down more than 60% than pre pandemic continuing 2021 theme of low inventory. With less options on the market, we continue to see house prices rise as the new average house price sits at $768,624 – up around 20%. As we move towards winter, buyers will become even more motivated so expect to see prices continue to rise.

Across our communities, we saw these trends continue. Midland’s average price rose 23% compared to last year whilst Tiny’s average price edged towards the $1m mark at $935k. With low competition, it’s still a great time to take advantage of the market and achieve maximum price for your property.

Trust your local experts to guide you through the process and take advantage of the current market. Ask us about our FREE Home Market Analysis to determine exactly how much your Home is worth in today’s Market.

All data correct as of November 12, 2021, data gathered by the Ontario Collective based on October 2020 vs October 2021.

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For Sale On Georgian Bay Supports Breast Cancer Month Awareness Again

As October nears, so again does the Canadian Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Once again, For Sale On Georgian Bay will be proudly supporting this amazing cause for the month of October. 

Last year, we raised $8,500 during October and this year, we’re looking to raise even more!

We will be turning all of our For Sale signs across the community bright pink along with all of our social platforms, so be on the look out as we help raise awareness about Breast Cancer. Special mention to North Simcoe signs in Midland who last year were incredibly kind and generous in donating 50% of the printing costs of our Pink Signs. Thank you for your help and support towards this cause. 

Did you know that the latest stats from the Canadian Cancer Society indicate that 1 in 8 women will develop Breast Cancer. Awareness and early detection is crucial, combine that with the better therapies that we have access to now, means that we’ve seen a 44% decline in the Breast Cancer death rate since 1988. Despite this, the number of Breast Cancer diagnoses is estimated to increase 25% between 2015 and 2030 and that’s why it’s so important to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

We will be rolling out all of our Pink items across the month of October and making regular donations in aide of the Canadian Cancer Society so stay tuned, get involved and think PINK! 

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May Market Report In Our Communities

This time last year, the market was getting used to all the covid restrictions and was repsonding well, but a year on – the market is hotter than ever! Year over year, we saw large spikes in home prices across our region. Compared to last May, we saw a huge 51% increase in sale prices across our communities. In Tiny alone, we saw an 84% increase in sales prices.

As we still experienced restrictions and lockdowns across Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny and Tay, we saw the trend of low inventory continue. Active listings are down over 50% compared to 2020. With low competition, now is the time to take advantage of the market and achieve maximum price for your property.

Trust your local experts to guide you through the process and take advantage of the current market. Ask us about our FREE Home Market Analysis to determine exactly how much your Home is worth in today’s Market.

All data correct as of June 5, 2021, data gathered by the Ontario Collective based on May 2020 vs May 2021.