Ask people what kind of lifestyle changes they want to make in their lives
and many will say they want to have more fun, spend more time with family, or play golf more often. In fact, these types of lifestyle goals have become more and more popular on wish lists.

So, how exactly do you have more fun?

As ridiculously simple as that question may seem, answering it can be more difficult than you might think. Since most people don’t define “fun” specifically enough, it’s hard to determine how to reach that goal. They might want to go out dancing more often, but what does that mean, specifically?

If you don’t clearly define a goal, you might never achieve it. So, an effective technique to ensure you have more fun in 2020 is to be as specific as possible about what that means. For example, instead of making “go dancing more often” your goal, choose a specific goal like signing up for a 10-week salsa class, or going to a club one Saturday night a month.

Turn fun into a specific goal and you’ll have more of it!

Want to make your bathroom look fantastic without having to do a major
renovation? There are a lot of projects you can do yourself. In fact, there are some improvements you can get done in less than a day that will transform the look and feel of your bathroom.

Check out these ideas:

• Update the sink. If you have some basic plumbing knowledge, this is a project you should be able to do on your own. A new sink can make the entire vanity look like new.

• Buy new decor. New shower curtains, towels, window coverings, mats, etc. can transform the look of a bathroom.

• Install new hardware. Replacing cabinet hardware may not seem like much of a change. However, it can have a surprisingly big impact. Shiny new hardware is like jewelry. It stands out.

• Replace the vanity mirror. Even if there are no scratches, an older mirror is like an old pair of glasses. It can become foggy. No amount of cleaning will make it any clearer. When ordering a replacement mirror, be sure that your measurements are exact.

• Paint. There’s no doubt about it. A fresh coat of paint makes any room look better.

These bathroom improvement projects can make a huge impact on the look of your bathroom. And, they can all be done affordably and in just
a day or two.

*Morris Marketing*

As surprising as it may sound, there is a North American hardwood floor manufacturer that has introduced a flooring product with properties that can actually convert unhealthy chemicals found in the air of your home into fresh breathable air.

The basis of this claim is in the formulation of the product’s pre-finished coating, which is treated with a compound that neutralizes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that emit from synthetics like paint, plastic furnishings and other artificial materials. The neutralizing effect is said to be triggered when natural or artificial light strikes the flooring surface. The light
creates a reaction between the coating and any VOCs that come in contact with the floor as a result of normal air circulation from heating and air-conditioning or human activity in the room.

This may be very reassuring news to homeowners and families who are in environments that have had recent décor changes that include new synthetic furnishings, or have undergone significant renovations involving exposure to raw building materials, which can often release VOCs.

This so-called “Pure Genius Smart Floor” is available through
specialty flooring stores.

*Morris Marketing*

Some homeowners dismiss persistent reports about our increasing susceptibility to extreme weather conditions and the growing risk of weather-related damage. While it’s true that, statistically, it’s unlikely you will ever be in the direct path of a hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire or lightning bolt, it’s short-sighted to underestimate the broader effects of such occurrences.

For example, large-scale power failures can happen to any community, as can water table contamination. Furthermore, municipal systems reliant upon valuable computer data to deliver services could fall victim to unpredictable stoppages, causing anything from mild inconveniences to disastrous disruptions.

Having an increased awareness of these possibilities simply means you can ensure you’re prepared in case such an event befalls you and/or your family. For example, every home should be equipped with a comprehensive first aid kit and a fire extinguisher, as well as several days’ worth of potable water, and at least a week’s supply of canned foods and essential medications.

Furthermore, be sure to have cash on hand, and let your family know where to meet, or how to stay in touch during an emergency.

There are many storage options for your household items. For example, receipts and other paper records can be stored in a file box. Seasonal items, such as winter clothing, can be put in the basement. You can even rent a local storage unit to help with decluttering.

But what about stuff that exists electronically? These days, many important records — vacation pictures, tax receipts, home videos, school
documents, etc. — are in the form of PDFs, JPEGs, and other electronic
formats.

Having those reside entirely on your computer is risky. What if your computer crashes? Someone smart once said, “A computer file isn’t a file until it’s in two places.” So, the solution is to store your important electronic documents in a second place.

Here are the most common options:

• Portable storage. These are data storage devices that fit in the palm of your hand. For most homes, 1T (terabyte) of memory is plenty.

• Cloud storage. Box, DropBox, and iCloud are the biggest players here. The advantage of storing your documents “in the cloud” is that, unlike portable storage, you can’t damage or lose it.

• Large backup units. These larger units continuously backup your files so
you don’t even have to think about it. Whatever option you choose, the
important thing is to have a duplicate or backup of your important files, so you never have to worry about losing them.

*Morris Marketing*

If you have a home that is overdue for a renovation, you might be worried that it will be difficult to sell as a “fixer-upper”. In fact, you might delay listing your property for that reason.

The good news is, you don’t need to fix up everything in your home to prepare it for sale. You can be selective and choose only those projects that
are most likely to help your home show well and sell quickly.

Here are some projects to consider:

• Repairs. Few things stand out more during a viewing than something in
obvious need of repair. That includes minor issues, like a dripping bathroom faucet, as well as major concerns, such as the central air conditioning unit not working. Get these repairs done.

• Painting. Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable DIY projects you can do. Yet the impact it can have on your home is stunning. Some
rooms are completely transformed by a fresh coat of paint.

• Kitchens & Bathrooms. Buyers love to see great looking kitchens and
bathrooms. In fact, there are even magazines devoted just to those rooms!
You don’t necessarily need to do a major renovation of these spaces, but
a makeover can be a good idea. Consider replacing sinks, countertops, and/or cabinet hardware.

• Floors. If the floors in any of your rooms have become worn and unsightly, look at options for refreshing them. Consider replacing carpeting, refinishing hardwood, and/or getting tiles professionally cleaned and polished.

• Outdoors. Sometimes you can compensate (a little) for a less-than-ideal interior by sprucing up the outdoor space. Explore ways to improve your deck or patio, walkways, and landscaping.

Even if your home is older, you can make it more attractive to buyers with any one of these projects.

Want more ideas for finding eager buyers for your home? Call today! 416-779-8732

*Morris Marketing*

Regardless of whether the overall housing market is up or down, there can be fierce competition when it comes to buying a home in a desirable neighbourhood. So, if you want to live in such an area, how do you gain an advantage?

Here are some tips:

• Schedule viewings of homes for sale in the neighbourhood as soon as they go on the market. Have you ever heard the expression, “The early bird gets the worm”? It’s often true.

• Arrange to get alerted, via email or text, to brand new listings the moment they happen.

• Make sure you have your financing pre-approved, so you can make a quick and credible offer right away.

• Prepare your current home for sale, so you can list it quickly (if it isn’t already listed.)

• Know how to make an enticing offer that a buyer will take seriously. It’s not always the highest price that wins the deal.

Even in a competitive market, you don’t want to end up overpaying. That’s why savvy offer preparation, presentation and negotiation are also keys to getting the home you want.

*Morris Marketing*

Imagine you’ve found the “perfect” condo. It’s the type you want, the size you want, and has the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want. It could very well be your next dream condo.

But, will it fit your lifestyle?

That’s a question worth asking before jumping in and making an offer. Of course, the type, size and features of a condo play a huge role in your lifestyle. However, so does the area. For example, if you love playing golf on summer weekends, knowing there’s a course nearby will definitely put a smile on your face.

So, when shopping for a new condo, make a list of neighbourhood features you know will impact your lifestyle. List activities you and your family like to do, but also jot down conveniences, such as an easier commute to work.

Those affect your lifestyle too.

Ideally, you want to see the perfect condo and say, “Not only is this a great condo, it’s also in an area that will provide us with a great lifestyle too.”

When you’re able to say that, make an offer!

*Morris Marketing*

When you’re in the market looking for a resale home, you’re bound to come across listings that advertise “move-in-ready”. That simply means that there is little, if any, work that needs to be done after you’ve purchased the home.

You should expect that it is freshly painted, there are no maintenance issues and everything works.

That can be a big advantage when buying a new home. You can move in and start enjoying the place right away! However, some listings may be priced a little higher because they are move-in ready. They also tend to show better and, therefore, attract more buyers – increasing the likelihood of multiple offers.

Is it worth paying a little more for a move-in-ready home? It depends. Consider the following:

1. What is the value in terms of convenience and time-savings of not having to do a lot of clean up, painting and other work when you move in?
2. What is the cost savings from not having to get repairs, renovations and other work done by a contractor or other professional?

When you factor those in, paying a bit more for a move-inready home may be a bargain!

*Morris Marketing*

Unlike the single-use batteries we are constantly replacing in our remote control devices, the batteries found in most computers, laptops, and smartphones are rechargeable. In almost all cases, that means they are very likely to contain harmful chemicals, heavy metals and/or rare earth minerals.

If not disposed of properly, their toxins will eventually leach
into the soil and water table that we rely upon to survive. Furthermore, if consumers continue the trend of replacing portable devices frequently, there will be more and more batteries disposed of, some that may not even be depleted of their power.

Of course, tossing batteries in the trash is never a good idea. Fortunately, rechargeable batteries are recyclable. In fact, there are many recycling programs in effect that not only help protect the natural environment, but also recover some of the more expensive elements of the battery that have often been imported at great cost.

So, check with your local electronics retailer, your municipal solid waste management department, or your local government office. Chances are you’ll easily locate a facility that accepts expired or partially used batteries
from your personal devices and ensures they’re disposed of safely and efficiently. In some cases, you may even get a credit towards a replacement purchase.

*Morris Marketing*