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The Renovation Dilemma

January 17, 2012 - One of urbaneer.com's special strengths is assisting homeowners assess the extent of upgrades, renovations, and/or styling they might want to execute in advance of coming to market for sale. After all, every property has its own unique set of circumstances that will determine the right enhancement to achieve the highest return on investment…
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Staging Nightmare

October 17, 2011 - While I understand, and as a realtor participate, in the heightened media-induced obsession to 'stage' properties for sale using home furnishings that are 'aspirational' (though, at urbaneer.com, we prefer to implement 'Style Enhancements' which are less contrived and more personable - click HERE for an example - ), sometimes the staging effort is executed all WRONG! In fact, there are occasions where staging makes…
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How Green Does Your Garden Show?

July 25, 2011 - As a realtor operating in both the freehold and condominium markets, one shortfall a lot of sellers make is investing insufficient capital and landscape design elements to showcase their outdoor space. Whether you have a small patio or a private back yard, homeowners would be wise to visually merchandize the opportunities and benefits…
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On Trend

May 31, 2011 - If you're a regular reader of my blog, you know I recently moved back into my newly renovated not-quite-complete soon-to-be-swish digs in Little Italy's converted Movie House. Click HERE for the last installment on the 'Yucky Part of Renovation' saga. I'd really love to begin my reveal of its spectacular transformation to you but the…
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Smooth Move, I Hope

January 07, 2011 - First, one of the joys of blogging is finding pics that appropriately convey what you're trying to say. Once I had decided to call this blog 'Smooth Move' I googled my title and these were four of many images that came up in the search engine. My apologies in advance if I'm using your…
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We Flip Flapjacks, Not Houses

October 27, 2010 - I'm all for renovators improving property for resale and putting a profit in their pockets, but sometimes they shoot themselves in the foot by making poor design choices that are too taste-specific or, as the case may be, devoid of taste at all. I recently showed a downtown dwelling that featured…
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The Globe and Mail’s Home Of The Week

September 17, 2010 - So The Button Factory is up for sale! After a thirteen year love affair with my Home, the time has come to venture forth and build a new house. I'm still looking for the site, but I think it's time I be bold and let the universe know I'm ready to roll!…
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What’s That Glow About You?

September 10, 2010 - I'm all about mood lighting. Yes, I appreciate one should have task lighting for cooking (I don't - I just light extra candles), enough wattage by a vanity to put makeup on (not that I ever do), and spot lights for security (instead I hang bags of tar and feathers with a tripcord above my…
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The ‘Can’t Touch This’ Market

June 14, 2010 - Lately it's been a challenge bringing buyers and sellers together to create a meeting of the minds when negotiating a real estate transaction. As the bidding wars diminish buyers are wanting to negotiate with sellers yet, after years of increasing property values, sellers are reluctant to let go of their properties for anything less…
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Summer Time Beef

June 07, 2010 - As summer rolls in with another warm breezy weekend (including a lashing night time thunder storm), by end of day Sunday my neighbourhood was filled with the sound of chatter, clinking glasses and the scent of steak grilling on the barbecue. Everyone is embracing their 'summer rooms', whether that be their patio, garden, deck…
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