Grant Money Well Spent To Help Provide Apartments

City of Orillia Grant stimulates creation of new apartments

For immediate release (Jan. 11, 2018) – A downtown business in Orillia received a financial boost this week thanks to the City of Orillia Downtown Tomorrow Community Improvement Plan (DTCIP).

Councillors Ralph Cipolla, Ted Emond and Pat Hehn were on hand Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, to announce $30,000 in funding for the applicant through the third intake of the 2017 DTCIP Grant Program. The program includes a variety of financial incentives designed to stimulate development in the City’s core.

“This grant represents our first grant awarded through the Residential Grant Program,” said Councillor Cipolla. “This funding will directly impact the creation of two new units in the downtown core, so that more people can live and work in Downtown Orillia.”

The owner of property located at 18 Wyandotte St. was awarded the grant to transform vacant space behind and above the existing dental practice into new apartments.

“The program has allowed us to continue our family legacy by giving back and contributing to development in the City of Orillia. Our hope is to give back to the community by providing affordable housing to those in need,” said the award recipient, Kathleen Philip.

“The grant today proves that the program is working to stimulate development,” Councillor Ted Emond added.

Staff will be providing Council with an overview of the program’s success to date through an upcoming report to Council Committee. Through this report staff will also put forward recommendations for implementation of the 2018 DTCIP Program.

Pre-consultations with the City’s Economic Development Department are mandatory and businesses are encouraged to apply to the earliest possible intake as funds are limited for this competitive program. For more information on the DTCIP Grant Program, contact the City of Orillia Economic Development Office at 705-325-4900, or visit orillia.ca/investdowntown.

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

Clamping Down on

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Amazing Backyard Ideas

A little time creating a special area in your backyard not only makes your yard more enjoyable for you but, stepping out a back door can increase interest in your home from potential buyers when it comes time to sell.

A backyard makeover doesn't necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg.  There are some simple and inexpensive touches that can take the backyard from just a yard to a place of pleasure.

Here are a few ideas that I came across that shows how a little creativity without a huge budget can add a nice touch to a backyard.

Backyard Lighting

Rope lighting is more than for the Christmas season.  Strategically placed around your deck or yard, rope lighting adds an incredible mood to your outdoors.

Lighting is a key ingredient to create the mood you want and future potential buyers will love. Be sure to take some pictures of your yard with the outdoor lighting in place in the evening and leave the pictures for potential buyers who might only see your home during daytime showings. It's alway a good idea to keep a file of pictures of your outdoor setting when it is at its best, in case you decide to sell your home during a season when your outdoor creativity isn't visible.

Create A Focal Point

Let your imagination go wild.  Even an old watering can and a string of lights can give a boring backyard a creative focal point.  

A Corner Paradise

Take a corner of your yard and create a little paradise.  Even a small yard with a corner patio area can really make a boring yard come alive. Who wouldn't enjoy an area like this to entertain family and friends or just a place like this to enjoy a quiet morning coffee all to yourself?

Glow In The Dark Paint

With a brush and a little Glow-In-the-Dark paint, your walkway can take on an entirely different look when darkness arrives.

Backyard Firepit

If regulations allow for a wood fire pit, this can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the great outdoors in the summer.

If a wood burning fire pit is not allowed in your area check into gas/propane units.  A large selection is available and one is available to fit almost any budget.

Show Your Creative Side 

Let your mind go wild and create a yard that becomes an oasis.  Your backyard can be one of the most enjoyable areas for you and it can add appeal and value when it comes time to sell.

If you know someone who would appreciate the services I provide for Sellers and Buyers, contact me with their name and I will follow up.  Your referral is greatly appreciated.

Prime Rate Increase Means Loan Rate Increases

Canada's Five Major Banks Boost Rates

The Royal Bank of Canada, TD Bank, Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank and CIBC all announced prime rate hikes today.  The increase in the prime rate will be to 2.95 per cent from 2.7 per cent, effective Thursday, July 13th. 

The prime lending rate is the rate that banks use to set interest rates for variable-rate mortgages and other loans.

Prime Rate

The prime rate increase follows a rate hike from the central bank.  The Bank of Canada raised its key interest rate for the first time in seven years today to 0.75 per cent from 0.5 per cent.  

What's Next

Some forecasters believe there could be another Bank of Canada increase in the fourth quarter this year and marginal increases in 2018.  

To get a clear understanding of what the change means to you, consult with your lender to better plan for your best strategy for establishing a new mortgage and renewing a mortgage in the near future.   

Contact me and I would be happy to supply you with several lender names if you are considering a purchase or are contemplating a change with your current mortgage.

If you know someone who would appreciate the services I provide for Sellers and Buyers, contact me with their name and I will follow up.  Your referral is greatly appreciated.

Habitat For Humanity Building In Orillia

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project

As part of  Canada’s 150th celebrations, Habitat For Humanity in every province and territory is participating in Habitat Canada’s biggest build project ever! The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

Through the help and dedication of community volunteers, future Habitat homeowners will be in celebration for one special week across the country and Orillia is one such location.

Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North 

From July 9 to 14 Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is inviting the community to find out more about how Habitat is bringing communities together to build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.

July 12th Orillia Project Launch

On July 12, join Habitat team members, volunteers, sponsors and families for a groundbreaking event at Habitat's newest project, 499 Bay Street, in Orillia. Come and celebrate Canada's 150th and be a part of making history with Habitat for Humanity in the Orillia area.

Local Businesses and City of Orillia Help

At a special meeting held in June recognition was given to the Orillia area Chapter Committees, volunteers and the first four sponsors which were unveiled including The City of Orillia, Shelswell and Sons,  Walker Industries, and Muskoka Sign and Graphics!

Solar paint breakthrough

Paint an energy harvester

Researchers at RMIT University in Melbourne are working to make paint an energy harvester. 

From Curbed.com comes the word that the paint takes in water vapor much like humidity-absorbing packets of silica gel, but goes even further. 

The new material (synthetic molybdenum-sulphide) also acts as a semiconductor and water-splitting catalyst, meaning that it takes water molecules and separates them into oxygen and hydrogen, which becomes a clean fuel source.

Not quite there yet

The paint isn't quite ready for the market as there are still some things to work out in the way of harvesting the energy, but researchers are saying in the next couple years this will be a source of clean energy for us.   

Best colours for your home

In a 2017 paint colour analysis some very interesting results were uncovered on what a paint colour can do to increase the selling price of a home.  

Here are a few snapshots from the Zillow's study.

Two colours that add up to $5,400 to the value of a home.

Powder Blue

Periwinkle

A bathroom painted in powder blue or a periwinkle shade increased the selling price of an average home by $5,400.  These bathroom colour options were the highest sales premium shades of all colours analyzed.
  
Kitchens showcasing powder blue or periwinkle shades also showed a strong increase in the perceived value of a home. 

Greige can add up to $3,496 to the value of a home.

Greige

For exteriors, neutral tones, such as ‘greige,’ sold for $3,496 more than comparable homes in a different colour.

These front door colours add $1,514 to the value of a home.

Dark Navy Blue

Slate Gray

Homes with front doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray sold for an extra $1,514.

Over using white could lower the value by as much as $4,035.

Be cautious of over using white.  Apparently many buyers dislike having no colour present.   Homes that had no colour whatsoever with only plain white walls sold for an average of $4,035 less.   

Accent pieces can beautifully improve the appeal of plain white walls, but for a vacant home with no furnishings the white walls can work against increasing the perceived value of a home.

The colour of the year.

Greenery

With all the colours that come and go as hot sellers, the one that is in for this year is Greenery chosen as the Colour of the Year for 2017.


Colour Blind

I'm going to be honest with you.  I'm one of the many colour blind men out there, so when I take you through a home I'll rely on your eyesight for the colours and you can rely on me to be always open and honest with all the information I'll provide you with during your search for a home.

Get Jack

If you have a question about the local real estate market contact me.  If I don't have the answer I'll get it for you.