Your Real Estate News




Sheila & Stephanie
Realtors

Kempenfelt-Kelly
284 Dunlop St. W.
Barrie, Ontario
705-436-5111 or 1-877-436-5111
1-877-722-8191
www.BarrieAgent.com


Greetings!

Moving to a new house is an exciting life change but it can also be very stressful.  Our first article outlines some strategies that'll help things go smoothly.

Many of us take vacations this time of year so our second article offers some tips on how to "Go Green" while on holiday.

Finally, our third article shares some great advice on how to take care of your cell phone.

Thanks for checking out our newsletter.  Let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding the articles or real estate in general -- we'd love to hear from you!


How to Organize a Smooth Move 
It's important to be as organized as possible when you move into your new home.  Planning ahead is key to a successful move and you’ll find the more organized you are, the less stress you'll endure.

Start by packing nonessential items like pictures and books and keep them out of sight so you’re not constantly reminded of the move.  It's also a great time to donate things you no longer need to charity.  Here are a few packing tips for the rest of your stuff:
  • lay towels between pictures before bundling them up
  • keep items such as remotes and cables together
  • pack your sheets and linens into suitcases
  • water your plants the day before the move
  • unscrew light bulbs from all your lamps
Pack a box of essential items (sheets, towels, toilet paper, coffee, dish cloths, garbage bags) to see you through the first few days in your new home.  Ask your children to add things like stuffed toys and a few books.

Schedule your move with as much notice as possible but try to avoid the last day of the month.  Fridays are also very busy and if something goes wrong, you may have to wait all weekend to get it sorted.  Here are a few other things to consider when planning your move:
  • reserve the service elevator if moving to or from a high-rise
  • ensure your insurance policy covers you during the move
  • submit a change of address form to the post office
  • disconnect and reconnect utilities and telephone services
  • transport photo albums and other personal items yourself
The best way to ensure a smooth move is to write out a plan of action.  Make a "to do" list that clearly states what needs to be done and by when.  If you follow these tips, you’ll have fond memories of the first day in your new home.

Leave Your Footprints on the Beach, Not the Planet 
If you’re vacationing this summer, you'll find it's easy to be environmentally friendly even while you’re away.  Here are some simple ideas to consider:
  1. Picture This - Take digital pictures and write a journal or scrap book to remember your trip.

  2. Fill Up - Use refillable water bottles instead of buying plastic bottles that end up in landfills.

  3. Buy Local - Purchase souvenirs from local artisans instead of mass produced, throwaway stuff.

  4. Eat Local - To fully appreciate the area you’re visiting, take in the local fare -- it usually tastes much better anyway!

  5. Conserve Energy - Avoid having your towels and linens replaced each day and turn off lights, the A/C and TV when you're not around.

  6. Trains, Planes & Automobiles - Trains are a great way to enjoy local scenery plus they're environmentally friendly.  If you rent a car, consider a hybrid.
Tourists often leave huge carbon footprints behind but there are ways to minimize the environmental impact.  Now you can enjoy your vacation knowing that you've done your part for the planet!


Smart Security For Smart Phones 
You’ve probably lost or damaged your cell phone more times than you'd care to remember.  It’s important to protect it just like you would a computer so:
  • regularly back up your data (contacts, music, photos, etc.)
  • delete personal information before recycling your old phone
  • purchase a case to protect it from spills and scratches
  • exercise caution when opening emails and links
  • always protect your phone with a password
Losing personal information can be devastating!  Threats such as loss, theft, damage and accidental erasure are common with mini-computer style smart phones so it’s important to regularly take steps to proactively protect them.




Are you sick of scouring the paper and MLS sites looking for homes? Tired of playing telephone tag with agents only to hear the home's already sold? Sit back, relax and let me do the work for you! Just visit my website and check off the features you're looking for. Whenever a home matching your criteria hits the market, it'll be automatically flagged and emailed to you so you'll never have to worry about missing your dream home. This service is free and there's no obligation! Click here to get started.

Not meant to solicit clients already under contract.