When it comes down to it, you should decorate your home in a way that makes you feel comfortable, calm and happy. However, if you’re looking for some inspiration, natural wood tones are popping up more and more as people work hard to create a home environment that helps block out modern day stresses.

As a trusted Oakville realtor for more than a decade, Sue Heddle Homes has seen many home design trends come and go.  While natural wood is certainly not new, the next few years may welcome back this neutral option with open arms and see it make a serious comeback in both traditional and modern Oakville area residences. 

Adding Natural Wood Tones to Your Space

Natural wood is classified as a classic design trend, which means it’s very versatile and can be brought into almost any space or paired with any taste. In addition, it’s also easy to mix and match natural wood furniture, although it’s best to stay with three or four wood finishes to avoid looking to muddled. 

Neutral Tones and Colour Palette

Whether you choose to add natural wood with flooring or with furniture, the final result will bring in soft neutral tones that bring any space together and make it feel connected to nature. 

Even those who typically opt for a minimalist décor will appreciate what even a small amount of natural wood can do when it comes to adding dimension without overpowering a streamlined space. For those looking to make small changes, natural wood is ideal for adding more depth to what you already have in your home by adding some subtle sophistication.

Creating Comfort

Another wonderful benefit of adding natural wood to a space is its ability to increase comfort. Natural wood shines when it comes to creating a warm and cozy atmosphere that feels personal but also stylish enough to impress your guests. 

It can offer a bit of a rustic feel if that’s the style you’re after, but it can also add warmth and brightness to minimalistic rooms looking for something to elevate the final look. It really does have the power to create a sophisticated, yet vintage feel all at the same time. No matter your taste, natural wood can do a lot for your home. 

Find the Right Home for Your Family with Sue Heddle Homes

An experienced realtor will help you find a home that meets your needs. Oakville realtor Sue Heddle has the local knowledge and expertise to help you make the most of the current market and navigate the real estate process by making it as stress free as possible. Whether you’re looking for your forever home or want to downsize, you can trust our team to support all of your needs. Contact us or give us a call at 416-906-7998 to learn more about our award winning process.

With almost 15 years experience in real estate in Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga and all across the GTA, Sue Heddle has seen her fair share of ups and downs. In addition to buying and selling homes, Sue has assisted many clients lease out their properties as well. And while bidding wars have been typically reserved for those purchasing property, the recent spike in the demand for rental homes has resulted in the leasing market mirroring the frantic pace of GTA housing sales.

Sue Heddle was recently asked to contribute to a CBC News article that addresses the bidding wars happening for those looking to rent a house. 

Read the full article here.

Listen to the discussion on AM 640.

Watch her Global News interview.

Get The Most Out of Real Estate Transactions With Sue Heddle Homes

The changes in the state of the rental market are just another reason why you need a professional, experienced realtor on your side. Renting, purchasing or selling a home can be stressful, but with Sue's help you'll receive guidance and support every step of the way. 

If you have a rental property and are looking for tenants, contact us. Not only can we help you get the best price, but we'll also:

• take professional photos for your rental listing.
• take care of scheduling and managing all showings.
• market your property to our wide network, increasing the chances of finding a great tenant.
• handle paperwork and negotiations that can be time consuming and overwhelming.

Thinking this might be the year to move or make a housing change? Contact Sue Heddle Homes. With many years of proven success and an unparalleled commitment to our clients, we're ready to help you and your family find the right home for your needs.

Whether you chose a newer home or a home in a more matureneighbourhood, when you bought your current home, you did so based on it having features you love and enough space inside and out to accommodate your family and your lifestyle. However, over time, things change.

Undoubtedly, there will most likely come a time when you start to feel like moving to a bigger home in Oakville or Halton is the next logical step. If you’re still not sure and want more information before you take the leap, Sue Heddle Homes is sharing five signs that it’s time to buy a bigger house.

1. A Growing Family.

New baby on the way? Whether it’s the need for a nursery or you have aging parents or other family members moving into your home, adding more people generally means you’ll need more space. When there are more people in a home, you’ll need space for more stuff and you’ll certainly notice a bigger demand on bathroom space. Expanding families are one of the most popular reasons to move to a bigger home.

2. Desire To Change Neighbourhoods Or Schools.

If you bought your first home in Oakville, Milton or Burlington you may not have been familiar with all the neighbourhoods, but wanted to get into the market so you bought a home that worked with your budget. Now that you know more about your community, it’s time to upgrade your living by choosing a neighbourhood or community that better suits your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. If you have kids about to start school, now can be a great time to upgrade and get into the school zone you want. 

3. Increased Income.

More money in the bank is another great reason to invest in a bigger house. Whether you’re after a larger yard with a pool or more living space for your family, increased income will allow you to be a little more selective about the home you buy. Take the time to consider what you wish were different about your existing home, and make a list of priorities. Working with a professional Oakville real estate agent can really help you create a wish list that will ensure you find a larger home that meets all your needs.

4. Your Current Home No Longer Supports Your Lifestyle.

From hobbies that need more space, to starting a business to welcoming visiting friends and family on a regular basis, if your happiness at home is limited due to your house being too small, it might be time to do something about it. 

5. Is Renovating Really The Best Option?

If you’ve already been thinking about renovation, you really have become aware that your current house may no longer be working for you. Depending on the condition and layout of your current home, undertaking a renovation to create more space can actually be more costly than selling and moving to a larger existing house. In addition, when it comes to a renovation, you also have to think about either living in a construction zone or finding temporary accommodation while the work in being done. Doesn’t sound like something you want to deal with? You efforts may be better used going real estate shopping instead.

Buy A Home In Oakville With Sue Heddle Homes

Sue Heddle Homes knows how important the purchase of a new home is. With more than a decade of experience as a top Oakville realtor, working with Sue means that you’ll get expert advice and knowledge that can make all the difference when it comes to finding your next dream home. And when you find your next home? Sue Heddle Homes can also help you sell your current property quickly as all listings get free home staging and are marketed using effective online tools. Ready to start touring new homes and attending open houses? Create your new home wish list and then contact Sue Heddle Homes at 416-906-7998 to get started.

House hunting can be a very exciting time, but it can also be a stressful time – especially if you're completely unprepared!  When you decide you are ready to start touring homes, make sure you start the process with a plan in hand.  By taking the time to get organized before you start, you will save yourself time and money and make the process much more enjoyable.

So, let’s take a look at what NOT to do!

1.     Not having your financing in order.

How can you really know what price you can afford without being pre-approved for a mortgage?  Sellers may actually be scared away by your offer without pre-approval as they will assume you aren’t really a serious contender. There were some big changes to mortgages recently, so be sure you know where you stand before you start shopping for your next home.

2.     House hunting on your own.

If you are serious about buying a house, you should be working with a professional real estate agent. An Oakville realtor like Sue Heddle will be able to monitor new listings, price changes and other market information that can help you find the house you want. We'll also decipher any listing nuances, help you prepare an offer and negotiate the best price.

3.     Be short sighted.

While it does happen, the chance of you finding the perfect house that has everything on your wish list is not likely.  Focus on your top priorities and be willing to look at the bigger picture. If the house fills most of your criteria, it is worth taking a long and hard look at the property and determining if it will work for your needs.

4.     Ignore the home.

Love the neighbourhood and the décor inside? Don’t let that fool you!  Remember that you are buying the structure on the property and unless you take the time to really inspect it, you might miss some obvious signs that things aren’t what they seem. Take your time and look at the windows, how the flooring is installed, if closet doors open properly and the paint job. 

House Hunting Can Be Enjoyable With Sue Heddle Homes 

With just a few simple steps, house hunting can become an enjoyable experience.  The right realtor can take a lot of the stress and confusion out of the process, so don’t be afraid to reach out to a local real estate agent in your area.  Sue Heddle Homes, an experienced Oakville realtor, has been supporting clients in the Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington area for more than 10 years and would be pleased to help you find your next home.  Contact us to find out how we can help.

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.

Many people made the decision to focus on their space in 2020 as a result of spending so much time at home. Whether you worked with a top Oakville realtor like Sue Heddle Homes to find a new home or decided to undertake renovations, home owners were focused on finding an aesthetic and a layout that was as functional and as comfortable as possible. 

There was a bit of an anything goes approach to home design in 2020 as we faced so much uncertainty and change. As such, some of the trends that made their mark over the last few years are predicted to not make the transition into 2021.  

4 Trends That Won’t Make It Through 2021 

While you should always choose design elements that speak to you and that make you love your space, if you’re looking for inspiration for 2021 design projects, keep reading to learn more about what you may want to consider.

1 - Open Floor Plans.

The pandemic certainly changed the way people used their homes. As such, open concept spaces became less desirable as it was no longer a great fit to have your living room, playroom and kitchen all openly connected. The lack of function and privacy was challenging for many, open concept just isn’t as attractive as it used to be.

In 2021, there will be a larger demand for more distinct rooms with doors, windows, and more flexibility to be able to create private and quiet spaces.

2 - Minimalism

The focus and the increased time spent at home means that spaces need to be much more layered and people want to make use of every inch they have. Leaving spaces designed with a minimalistic feel just isn’t feasible anymore. It’s pretty impossible to have everything put away and leave nothing out when everyone is home more than ever before!

In 2021, watch for spaces that expertly combine old and new, with a focus on matte finishes that support more comfortable and flexible spaces that could be used for multiple purposes.

3 - Neutrals

Since design is about reflecting personalities and the way we want to feel, 2021 will bring out more colour, more visual interest, and more playful designs. People are looking for positive spaces, and to feel joy and happiness when at home, so watch for the addition of bold décor pieces and a renewed interest in colourful art. This upcoming year will see vibrant, expressive colours be the more popular choice and past popular grey tones will take a back seat.

4 - Dark Colours

Along with the exit of too many neutrals, it’s also time to say goodbye to dark colours. Dark colours close in a space too much, especially during this time when people are looking for more of a relaxed vibe. With many people continuing to work remotely in 2021, dark colours are too limiting unless you plan on investing in expert lighting to go along with it. 

Find Your 2021 Home with Sue Heddle Homes

The year 2020 really made everyone re-evaluate what they want in a home, whether that be layout or location. If you’re ready to make a move in 2021 and find a home that works better for your needs, contact Sue Heddle Homes. Sue has been helping people find the perfect home for their family for more than a decade and has extensive knowledge when it comes to real estate in Oakville and the surrounding areas, including rural farm properties.

When you work with Sue and her team, you’ll get the expertise, knowledge and a level of customer service that will make your experience as stress free as possible. If you have any questions or would like to talk about your real estate needs, give us a call today at (416) 906-7998.