Are you thinking of downsizing to a condo but stuck on what to do with all that extra stuff?   Well you’re not alone.  The downsizing population has enjoyed living in their large spacious homes that offer plenty of storage options.  Over the years we can certainly collect a lot of things that don’t serve any purpose today.  The biggest step for most of us is to be able to emotionally detach ourselves from our collection!

When moving to a condo you know that you will be able to live a lifestyle of freedom from all that hard outdoor work.  So with that in mind you can easily step into your garage to target those snow shovels, snow blower, lawnmower, and collection of tools and trinkets that are adorning the shelves.  Imagine the relief of purging all that extra stuff by donating or selling all the unneeded items.

Next is your basement, I am sure it has seen its collection of boxes and totes filled with different items that more than likely only serve as a reminder that you need to dust again.

Do we really need that second set of living room furniture?  The extra end tables or set of 6 chairs from the old kitchen set?  Let it go… it will be happy that it’s in a new home where it will be loved and used. The great feeling of donating to the less fortunate is another gratifying feeling of downsizing.

Have a garage sale, stop by the donation centres or pass it down to your children.

The magazine Style at Home offers 10 great tips for downsizing.
1.     Write a list of all the items you love and can't live without

2.     Start thinning out your belongings at least three months before the move.

3.      Get a feel for the size of your new rooms by comparing them to rooms of similar dimensions in your present home.

4.      Heavily edit areas with items that don't have as much sentimental value.


5.      Don't throw anything in the garbage. Recycle, reuse,

So whether you are just thinking of downsizing or have already purchased that condo and getting ready for the upcoming move, hopefully these tips will save you time and stress!

Visit the link to view the complete list.

http://www.styleathome.com/homes/real-estate/top-10-tips-for-downsizing/a/308 

 

Cambridge residents urged to get active 

The City of Cambridge and Active Cambridge are hoping to get residents off the couch and being more active and eating healthier.  A great way to do this is to enjoy the many City of Cambridge trails. Walking the trails is a great activity for young and old and a great way for families to be active together.

"The search is on to find the community which best embodies "Live Right Now" says Lisa Fender , CBC producer.  The national broadcaster is using social media to get communities more active. In 2010 dozens of communities came together to share experiences and support each other, resulting in Canadians collectively losing 1.6 million pounds.

For more information you can visit the city website www.cambridge.ca  or  www.activecambridge.ca and follow the link to "Live Right Now" site.

Construction has begun for this 59,000 sqft, 500 seat theatre.  The theatre is being built at 46 Grand Ave., in behind the South Works Mall.  With the new theatre coming to town it will create opportunity for tourism, create jobs,  help boost dowtown Cambridge and showcase local talent. 

The Theatre will be within walking distance to our new RiverFront Condominiums.  Imagine enjoying the show and being able to walk home to your new condo unit.

For more information on the theatre and to check out some pictures, click on the link below.

http://draytonentertainment.com/aboutus/cambridge_performing_arts_comp

On Monday, Dec. 19 at 7pm take part in this magical event and celebrate Christmas.
Members of the public will be walking  from City Hall through historic downtown Cambridge and return to City Hall for the event's finale. 
Bring your cd's, mp3"s and play your music as you enjoy the 45 min walk with different music.  Your eyes will be treated to light installations along the route.

For more information on this click on the link.

http://www.cambridge.ca/community_services/phil_klines_unsilent_night
 

Revitalization and new construction are a marriage that works in Real Estate. Downtown Galt and Options for Homes are at the start of a great relationship.  Options for Homes, a non-profit company, focuses on building condominium developments as a community within existing neighbourhoods.

Downtown Galt’s picturesque views and historic buildings coupled with the modern conveniences that a new condo community offers, is the recipe to make a successful investment.  A builder who  is mindful of costs by keeping marketing and model suites to a minimum and then passing the savings onto its unit owners, is the type of development a savvy home owner looking for investment return is wise to consider.  Differing from traditional home builders with high overhead costs to recoup though selling prices, Options For Homes provides their unit owners the luxury of lower than average condo fees and ongoing structure that works for both live-in residents and investors alike.

Taking their model from the builds in Toronto before them, investors have gained significant equity appreciation by purchasing units early, at pre-construction pricing.  One unit owner from the ‘The Village by High Park’ was quoted in the book, Investing in Condominiums, by Brian Persaud and Randy Ramadhin, as saying, “it was a successful pre-build purchase”.  This purchaser did his due diligence and realized that ‘the Junction’ neighbourhood was going through a revitalization, similar to what is occurring in downtown Galt.  Being sold on the neighbourhood and benefiting from Options for Homes reasonable deposit structure, he was able to get a unit secured for deposit much lower than other comparable buildings on the market.

After moving in, he remembers thinking to himself how happy and fortunate he was with the decision he made. He was able to enjoy the fresh modern, and highly efficient conveniences of a new building while living in a neighbourhood steeped with history, character and charm.

Downtown Galt and the revitalization of the core area has just started. Riverfront condominium is poised to be one of the premier buildings that garner attention by leading the way for further development, economic prosperity and, mostly,  where people will love to call home.  

 Mark this on your calendar.  A fun filled day for the whole family on December 3rd.
Bring the kids and have them visit with Santa.  Enjoy a Free horse drawn trolley ride through historic downtown Galt.  Kids can drop off their letters for Santa.  Enjoy food, carolers, and all the vendors at the market.  Kids can come and do crafts.
Bring along a donation for the Cambridge food bank, help those in need.
Check out the link for more information.

What a way to get into the Christmas spirit.

http://www.cambridge.ca/relatedDocs/Wake%20up%20with%20Santa%20Poster%20-%202011.pdf