Dwell Well by Dede, Niagara Falls, ON Videos

Don't shy away from inviting guests over just because you have a small apartment, kitchen, or dining room! I've put together a list of a few ways you can pull together a perfect party where guests will embrace the charm of your cozy space. ① Clean & minimize your clutter Designate a space for coats & bags, and declutter as much as possible. The less clutter, the larger your space will feel. ② Keep decor low-key Try using simple centerpieces such as a small bouquet or dried flowers in lieu of large centerpieces, and keep the color scheme monochromatic or neutral to lessen the visual clutter. ③ Get creative with seating & repurpose rooms Don't be afraid to get creative by pulling tables together or transforming the living room into the dining room, or use a bench in lieu of dining room chairs in order to squeeze extra seats around the table. A coffee table can instantly become a "dining area" when covered with a solid white tablecloth. Cozying up with close friends during a meal can make the experience much more memorable and fun! ④ Split up appetizers and / or outsource part of the meal If you're short on space in the dining room, put a few apps on the coffee table and the dining room buffet to discourage guests from congregating in one spot. Have a small kitchen? Pick up part of the meal from a local restaurant to give you more space to entertain (and less cleanup), or make it a potluck dinner, and have each guest bring part of the meal! With a little planning and creativity, you can open your home to loved ones and create cherished memories regardless of square footage. However, if you're thinking it may be time to find a larger home, I'd love to help. Shoot me a message and let's discuss how we can find you your perfect entertaining space before the holiday season next year!

Believe it or not, the holiday season can be a great time to sell your home and is often overlooked as a prime time to sell. Although there may be fewer buyers in the market, the people who are looking are much more serious about finding a home within a specific timeframe, especially this year due to the pent-up demand and the lack of inventory in the market. Below are a few tips if you're selling your home during the holiday season, to help you sell quickly, and for top dollar. ➊ Simple staging for the holidays. Homes can look their BEST during the holidays, but it’s important not to go overboard. Think clean and cozy. Too many decorations or anything too large can distract buyers and make your home feel too crowded or cluttered. Minimizing décor will make your home feel more spacious. It is also a good idea to avoid offending buyers by opting for general decorations rather than items with religious themes. ➋ Focus on curb appeal. During these winter months, your lawn may not be that lush green that it usually is during the summertime, and your trees may be barren. Add a fresh coat of paint where needed, get a new festive welcome mat, hang a wreath on the front door, add fresh mulch to the flowerbeds, and make sure all of your shrubs are trimmed. ➌ Price competitively. Pricing your home correctly is crucial whenever you decide to sell, and the holidays are no different. Listen to your agent, as they are the local expert. They will compare similar homes that have recently sold with similar features and benefits to land on a price. It's important not to overprice your home expecting a lower offer, as that can backfire badly. ➍ Get professional photos & video. Have photos / video taken before your holiday decor is on display. Make a good first impression by getting lots of flattering, high-quality photos of your home. Most people are starting their home search on their phones, so professional photography is crucial in making an impact.

MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY ✨ Gratitude is not a feeling, but a decision; we must consciously choose to practice it in order to see it in our daily lives. Gratitude does not mean pretending everything is fine or being in denial about what is going wrong, but rather choosing to focus your time and attention on what you appreciate. Being grateful allows you to shift your perception and focus from negative thoughts to positive ones. Life moves at a fast pace, and sometimes it can be hard to slow down and appreciate the little things, but it's important to slow down and be thankful for what you have in this moment of your life, count your blessings, and acknowledge all that you receive, both big and small. Here are a few things that you can do daily to practice gratitude: • Keep a daily gratitude journal • Share your gratitude with others • Remember and acknowledge the difficult times — find gratitude in your challenges. What did you learn from that situation? How have you grown? • Appreciate everything. Gratitude doesn't have to be saved just for the "big" things in life. • Share your gratitude with others. When you are grateful for what you already have, you'll end up having more.

The holidays are an opportunity to celebrate family, friends, and good food, however, it can also be stressful when it comes to hosting the festivities. So I've put together a list of how you can elevate your dinner this year as a host, and impress your guests so that you can focus on what's most important — the food. ➀ Spruce up your entryway decor. Although the dinner table is the focal point, your front door and entryway are what set the overall mood of the home, and are your guests' first impression. Buy a festive welcome mat and a fresh wreath for the front door, and dedicate a space for guests' coats and shoes. ➁ Decide on a color scheme. Do you have china you need to dust off? If not, Target, Walmart, and even Amazon have some great, inexpensive pieces that can add a pop of color and elevate the table setting. Or, keep the dinnerware simple, and decorate with a particular color scheme or pattern! ➂ Add a statement centerpiece. Beautiful table settings are key to any holiday celebration. A great centerpiece can uplift the entire dining room and set the overall mood. Pro tip: work with your local flower shop to decorate with seasonal blooms. Another great option is to use glass pillars with candles to create a cozier mood. ➃ Beautify the table. Add a tablecloth, runner, or fun placemats. Coordinate with cloth napkins and some festive napkin rings. Don't forget holiday place cards! You can make them extra special by adding a small note to each table setting. ➄ Cozy up your living room. Since this is the spot everyone usually migrates to after dinner, prepare your living with subtle touches, such as a vase of fresh flowers and a few pumpkins placed around as decor. Layer in extra pillows, blankets, and throws that will make your home feel extra cozy.

Just saying... 👻

Purchasing a house is a huge commitment and can often seem very intimidating, especially to first-time homebuyers, which is why it is so important to have an agent on your side that you trust. So if you are thinking about buying a home, whether it's in the next month or the next year, know that I'm always here to answer any real estate questions you may have. After all, this time of year, I'm full of pumpkin spice and real estate advice!⁣ 🎃

Looking for great spots to take the kids trick-or-treating this weekend? Hit up one (or all) of these trick-or-treat locales to stock. up on all of the candy and make the most of the spookiest night of the year! 👻 LIST A FEW PLACES THAT DO AN AWESOME JOB WITH TRICK OR TREATING. Could be a neighborhood, downtown area, mall, church, etc. 👻 👻 Stay safe and have a spook-takular Halloween! Hope to see you out and about!

Spooked by spiders and other critters in your home? Changing weather conditions can push pests like mice, ants, and other insects into your home in search of food and water. This is why it's important to proactively treat for pests at least once or twice a year. I typically encourage my buyers to get on a pest control plan with a local company. They will come out and treat your home to prevent unwanted bugs and critters... and preventative treatment is much less expensive than trying to get rid of them after they've entered your home and caused damage. At the very least, take the time to clear leaves away from your home and out of your gutters, and seal any cracks or holes before cold temperatures arrive. Need recommendations for good pest control companies with treatment plans? Message me!

The market has been very competitive over the past two years, which has discouraged many buyers who have lost out on bidding wars or watched prices appreciate and interest rates increase. I get it, I see it firsthand, and know how emotionally draining it can be. The truth is, there is no perfect time to buy a home. The best time to buy a home is when YOU'RE ready. Have you ever heard the phrase "the best time to buy a house was 5 years ago?" ... that's pretty accurate. If your income is stable, you have your down payment saved, and you're ready to put down roots, don't let the competitive market or fear of the higher interest rates deter you. If you have questions about whether or not now is the time to buy, I’d love to help. I am here to help you whether you are thinking of buying now, or in 5 years.

It's (almost) the holiday season! Are you ready to host? I've put together a few quick tips to help you prepare for holiday guests and gatherings, so you can make sure your home is show ready: ✔️ Refresh your guest room with a new pair of sheets and bedding / pillows. Clean out the closet to make room for your guests' clothes, luggage, etc. ✔️ Purchase or refresh your guest towels, organize bathroom cabinets or linen closets, and stock the bath with toiletries like toothpaste, shampoo / conditioner, fall-scented hand soap, and plenty of toilet paper. ✔️ Purchase extra dishes, cups, and napkins so that you don't have to resort to paper or plastic. ✔️ Deep clean the bathrooms! A clean house is a welcoming one. ✔️ Set up a self-service coffee station. Some guests rise early, some stay up late — make it easy for them no matter how early they wake up. ✔️ Write a welcome note. A handwritten note shows that you're excited for your guests. Welcoming guests into your home during the holidays is one of the joys of the season, so make sure you're prepared so that you can enjoy your guests and stress less!

Every year around this time, many homeowners wonder if they should keep their properties on the market or take them off, or if they haven't listed their homes yet if they should wait until after the holidays, or even the spring to put their homes on the market. If you're wondering whether or not you should wait until the holidays are over to sell, I've outlined a few reasons why you should consider listing your home NOW, rather than waiting until next year: • People that are looking at this time of year are usually serious buyers • There is generally much less inventory during this time of year so you have less competition • Homes are very cozy during the holidays • There are always people relocating to the area • Increasing interest rates could decrease buyer demand in 2023. With interest rates on the rise, homeownership is becoming less affordable. So it's likely that fewer buyers will be in the market for a home. If you're thinking of selling, send me a message. I would love to grab coffee and discuss how I employ evidence-based marketing strategies to sell your home quickly and efficiently, no matter the time of year.

We all love a good cup of Starbucks, but there's something magical about the local cafe that roasts their own signature beans with the baristas who specialize in perfectly engineered espressos. ☕ Tell me your favorite local coffee spot I should know about! I'm always looking for new places to meet up with clients.

Although we are experiencing a slight shift in the real estate market, we are still seeing many multiple offer situations in various areas and price points. However, multiple offer situations do not have to equal waived contingencies. My job as your agent is to make sure you are protected when buying the largest investment of your life, and to help educate and advise you on ways that you can submit a winning offer without having to worry about getting yourself into a money pit. The key to writing a winning offer is to be flexible with your terms (no, it does not always come down to just price). Is there a settlement date the sellers would prefer? Do they want a lease-back until they find another home? These are things your agent should be asking. The second most important factor is to lean on your agent for guidance... we can review comparable homes that have recently sold to help you end on a price, as well as advise you on the best terms. As your agent, I can help you navigate our current market, and give you the resources and guidance you need to make educated decisions. Shoot me a message and let's get the conversation started!

If you're thinking about selling, there are a few things you should consider fixing before listing your home to avoid spooking potential buyers. By tackling these three repairs, you can increase your home's value and ensure a smooth sale. 1. Water / Plumbing Issues. Water issues are often expensive to repair, and if left untreated, mold can grow and spread to other areas of a home and may cause health troubles. Make sure that you are repairing any water or plumbing issues, and remediating any mold BEFORE listing your home for sale. This includes things as small as a leaking faucet, to as large as a leaking roof. 2. Structural Issues. Structural and foundation issues can be caused by a multitude of things — termites, water, age, etc. and can cause concern for potential home buyers. These issues can threaten the structural integrity of your entire home, so make sure you have any structural concerns addressed by a structural engineer (and repaired if necessary) before listing your home for sale. 3. Electrical Issues. Electrical issues are no laughing matter — they’re responsible for over 50,000 fires every year. These repairs can be as small as fixing faulty light switches, to replacing old wiring (note: knob and tube wiring should ALWAYS be replaced). If you’re looking to maximize your profits, work with an agent who can help you prepare your home for the market. Message me if you’re considering selling your property — I’d love to connect and help you net the most money possible!

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can hinder us and hold us back from achieving the goals we set in life. Do you ever catch yourself saying "but what if I fail?" or "what if I'm not good enough?"... we have all been there. We avoid at all costs those things that make us uncomfortable. It’s a natural human reaction to have those thoughts occur when you set big goals for yourself, goals that will make you grow as an individual and stretch your current way of thinking. To make positive change, you have to be willing to be vulnerable. You need to muster the courage to acknowledge and tackle your fears. Imagine the possibilities and opportunities if you just got out of your own way.