The last two years have changed the way people view and use their homes. As such, it should come as no surprise that the trends unfolding for 2022 in the landscaping space focus on pampering ourselves at home. The second dominate trend is bolstered by our increasing interest to preserve our planet by making simple changes on our own properties to support the environment.

Regardless of what your own backyard goals are for 2022, it’s fun to learn about the trends that are shaping decisions, and think about possibly incorporating them into your own space. While some are more unique and aesthetic, you may also get ideas on how to add convenience and practicality to your backyard too. 

4 Trends to Consider Adding to Your Backyard Space

From improving the plants and flowers you have in your backyard to incorporating additional living space for your family to enjoy, read more about the trends influencing backyards in 2022.

1. Edible gardens.

With the rising cost of food and a growing interest in farm-to-table eating, growing your own food is bigger than ever. In addition to getting fresh fruits and veggies, you get a chance to 

teach your kids about sustainability, make less trips to the grocery store, and customize your garden to grow the produce you like best. Plants in raised beds are the top choice for incorporating this trend into your outdoor space.

2. Flowers and plants that offer rich colours and jewel tones.

This is the year to choose bold, vibrant colours in jewel tones to add positive energy to your backyard landscaping. Red, orange, magenta, lime, and deep purple are expected to be big in 2022. Ask your local nursery about crocosmia, salvia, allium, freesias, and cannas – all great options for adding bold colour.

3. Dahlias.

Colours are key but if you’re looking for the top option in 2022, dahlias are it. With more than 100 varieties, these flowers are robust and easy to care for. They look good in planters as well as in your backyard garden. They also bloom for a long time and make great cut flowers, allowing you to enjoy them throughout your home.

4. Creating an outside room.

Since most of us have spent more time at home in the last two years than anywhere else, homeowners will continue to improve their outdoor space in 2022. Adding an outdoor kitchen, fireplace, or pergola helps create the feeling of an additional room. Strategically planted shrubs and plants can add privacy, and strings of lights add the ambiance. Outdoor rooms designed for gathering promote the connection and socialization we’ve all missed so much.

Sue Heddle Homes Can Find the Space You Crave

So many of the 2022 landscape and backyard trends revolve around continuing to make your space feel as comfortable and relaxing as possible. If you’re looking to find a home that will help you enjoy time together with family and friends, Sue Heddle Homes can help. With more than a decade of experience, Sue has expert industry knowledge coupled with local market insight that can help you find what you’re looking for. Let us support all your real estate needs and find a home that works for your family. Contact Sue today!

The start of every new year typically gets people thinking about goals and plans for the upcoming 12 months. While there are many areas you can focus your efforts, don’t forget that you can apply these same ideas to your home! 

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home in Oakville or have been living in the same place for decades, make this the year you dedicate some time to making your home the best it can be. 

How To Help Your Home This New Year 

When talking about home improvements, most assume it means renovations or perhaps a home décorupgrade. While those may be part of your plans, there are many other ways to improve the safe and functionality of your home without any major overhaul plans. In fact, investing time and effort into the ideas listed below will keep your home in good condition and help you retain your home’s value.

Take a look at a few ways to improve your home in 2022:

1 - Pay attention to your home’s exterior.

If you’ve set aside money to invest in your home, it should first be spent on your home’s exterior. If you have problems with the roof, the foundation, windows and doors or the insulation, it will only be a matter of time before those issues start to cause major problems. Take a proactive approach and address concerns as soon as they are known.

2 - Clear out clutter.

From boxes that haven’t been unpacked in years to items no one uses anymore, clutter takes up space that could otherwise be used for a better purpose.  Clutter makes it harder to create a relaxing home environment, and also makes it harder to see potential issues in your home, particularly in basements or garages. Make a strategy and then make this the year you tackle all the unwanted and unneeded things in your home.

3 - Go green

Think about what you can do in your home to reduce your carbon footprint. Are you consistent about turning off lights when you leave the room or keeping your heating and cooling systems at reasonable temperatures? This year, make it a priority to switch out your lights for LED bulbs, learn more about low-flow plumbing options and using solar power. 

Trust Sue Heddle Homes to Help You Find the Home You Want 

If you’ve recently realized that the time has come to move and find a new home, Sue Heddle Homes can help. With more than a decade of experience helping clients successfully buy and sell homes in Oakville and the Halton area, you can trust Sue to deliver on your expectations. With free home staging and an award-winning marketing strategy, our clients are able to maximize their real estate transactions. Backed by HGTV’s Scott McGillivray, you won’t find a better Oakville realtor than Sue Heddle! Call 416-906-7998 and let’s get started.

Making the decision to complete home renovations comes with lots of things to consider. As a top Oakville realtor, I’ve seen plenty of beautiful home renovations and some that look like things just didn’t go as planned. Whether you’re thinking of selling your Oakville area home soon or simply want to upgrade the space you have, there are a few things you can do to make sure the renovation process goes as smoothly as possible.

Depending on the type of renovation you’re considering, time of year may play a factor. While most contractors work all year round, it may be easier to do an addition on your home or renovate your kitchen when not dealing with winter weather and freezing temperatures. 

Simplify Home Renovations with These 3 Tips 

There are a lot of things to consider before you begin any home renovation project. It’s important to be prepared, do your research and have realistic expectations on potential costs. 

Renovation does, however, allows you to add value and functionality to your home, so here are three tips you can follow to make sure that your project goes as smoothly as possible:

1. Get a written and signed contract.

Even if you’ve vetted a contractor and have heard positive testimonials from friends or family, it is critically important that you get a signed written contract before any payment is made and any work commences. Any reputable contractor will also see the value in a written contract and it should be a standard part of their process. If it’s not, move on and find another contractor. A written contract helps keep everyone on the same page and avoids disputes about payment, budget, work to be completed and timelines.

2. Keep your expectations reasonable.

Budget and timelines are almost always different than originally estimated. This can be as a result of things discovered once the work begins, supply issues, or the simple fact that you decide to add or change your plans. A common suggestion is to add about 20% leeway to your initial budget so cover unexpected things that may come up.

3. Understand that you’ll be living in a construction work site.

You have to be ready for dirt and debris when you’re planning a renovation project. Although your contractor will do their best to keep the mess contained, understand that there will be way more dust than you’re used to. Consider installing another air filter, cover up as much as you can, and even remove items, if possible, to avoid having to clean them once the project is complete. 

Is it Time to Buy or Sell?

Not everyone wants to undergo a home renovation. If it’s not something you want to do but you need to change your space and make it work better for your needs, perhaps it’s time to buy or sell.  Sue Heddle Homes is your best option when it comes to finding a home or selling your current home at top dollar. With more than a decade of experience and a proven track record, you can trust that I’ll help you find what you’re looking for. If you have real estate needs in Oakville or anywhere in the Halton area, get in touch today and let’s get started!

Announced in late May, the government of Canada has launched a new program that offers Canadians grants of up to $5,000 for completing energy-saving home upgrades. From upgrading heaters, to installing solar panels or replacing drafty windows and doors, the program aims to help keep our air clean and our environment healthy. 

Worth about $2.6 billion over seven years, the grants will help approximately 700,000 homeowners lower their bills and keep houses warmer during our cold winter months. If you’re interested in accessing these funds and improving the efficiency of your Oakville area home, keep reading for more information on how the program works. 

How Do I Access the Canada Greener Homes Grant? 

For those home owners who are keen to get started right away, here are some details on how to participate in the Greener Homes Grant initiative.

• Visit the program website to learn more.
• Register and book your pre-retrofit evaluation with a certified adviser.
• An adviser will visit your home and determine which energy-saving measures would qualify for reimbursement.
• If you choose to proceed, you can then hire a licensed contractor to complete the retrofits. 
• After the completed work passes an inspection, homeowners will be reimbursed.

If you want to register for the grant by phone or if you need any assistance or advice, you can call 1-833-674-8282. 

Helping You Make the Most of Your Oakville Home 

With more than a decade of experience, top Oakville realtor Sue Heddle knows how to help you make the most of your home! Whether you’re looking to find a larger home for your family or want to downsize, our team is ready to help. In addition to your real estate needs, be sure to check our blog regularly for helpful tips on home maintenance and renovation, real estate and community news. If you’re thinking of buying or selling this year, contact us at 416-906-7998 and let us help you find success.

We’ve talked before about the difference between a deposit and a down payment, but those who are in the market to buy a home in Oakville, Milton, Mississauga or Burlington also need to be prepared to handle the many other costs that can come with buying a home. Working with an experienced Oakville realtor can set you up for a smooth buying experience and help you understand what costs may pop up and when. Potential costs when buying a home should be carefully considered ahead of time in order to avoid financial difficulty in the future.

Since buying a home in Oakville or the GTA will have a large impact on your bank account, we’ve laid out potential costs that may also be associated with your purchase. Take the time to explore the costs and do your homework so that you’re well aware of how much funding you will need to add to the purchase price of your home, based on the market you’re in.

Have You Added These Home Buying Costs Into Your Budget? 

As mentioned above, you will need to be prepared to have both a deposit and a down payment. You will need to put down a deposit as a security measure to ensure you don’t lose the house to another interested buyer. The amount of your deposit will become part of your down payment once you have purchased the home. A down payment is required to be at least five percent of the sale price, however, a 20% down payment will help you avoid paying mortgage loan insurance. 

Other costs you need to be prepared for include:

• Land transfer tax. The cost will vary depending on your municipality, the size of the land and other factors. First time home buyers may be eligible for a rebate on land transfer tax up to $4,000. 

• Appraisal fee. An appraisal will typically cost between $200 and $350.  

• Home inspection. A home inspection should be considered a necessary step in your home buying process and will normally cost an average of $350 depending on the size, age, and condition of the home. 

• Property insurance. You may already have property insurance for the home you are currently living in, but it’s important to do your research and find a reasonable quote for your new property, as the cost may increase significantly depending on the difference in property type.

• Mortgage insurance. You can get mortgage life insurance, which would pay the mortgage in the event that anything was to happen to you or your partner. There is also mortgage loan insurance if your down payment is less than 20% of the total house cost. 

• Legal fees. Ensure your lawyer’s quote includes all related expenses related to closing. Legal costs can range depending on the complexity of the transaction.

• Moving costs. Whether you decide to move yourself or higher professional movers, be prepared to cover your moving costs. Even renting a truck for a few days and feeding friends and family is still an expense that shouldn’t take you by surprise.

• Miscellaneous costs. As with any major change, there will be additional costs that you didn’t plan on. When creating your moving budget, it’s a good idea to allocated $500 - $2,000 for miscellaneous costs.

Let Sue Heddle Homes Help You Buy Your Next Home  

Buying a home can be such an exciting time, especially when you have the right realtor on your side. Sue Heddle Homes has more than a decade of experience helping clients find their next home and making the process stress free and transparent. If you’re ready to move forward with your real estate needs, call Sue Heddle at (416)-906-7998. Recognized as a top realtor in Oakville, Halton and the surrounding regions, Sue Heddle Homes has what it takes to help you find the right house for your needs.