BARBARA GRUMME’S BLOG!

Barbara is constantly looking for ways to improve her service and ensure your home gets sold in this challenging economic climate. Barbara’s success rate is at least 20% higher than other real estate agents. Why? Barbara is Niagara’s only real estate sales agent to use a whole marketing team to bring extra quality and expertise to help her sell your home!

To contact Barbara Grumme
Please call the Century 21 office in Niagara Falls 905-356-9100
Or
Email her at barbara.grumme@century21.ca

The Ontario’s Greenbelt is an area of protected green space, farmland and vibrant communities. It surrounds the Golden Horseshoe and covers 1.8 million acres.
The Greenbelt’s trees and plants filter air pollution, acting as the “lungs” of the region, while its rivers feed sources of drinking water for millions of people.
It preserves some of the best agricultural land in Canada, which in turn provides fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat and grapes for prize-winning wines.
All year round, the Greenbelt provides many outdoor activities like bird-watching, cycling, fruit-picking and skiiing - all this and Canada’s largest network of hiking trails.

The Greenbelt is our living countryside and is vital to our quality of life.

Explore it
Support it
Enjoy it

Visit OurGreenbelt.ca for more information

“The million dollar home is no longer the exclusive domain of the rich. In fact, many typical middle income Canadian families now own million-dollar residence due to soaring property prices,” says Elli Davis, sales representative for Royal LePage in Toronto. “Accessorizing the property with the hottest must-haves in a natural extension of living a luxury lifestyle and a way to stand out from the crowd.”

1. Elevator car lifts, indoor car washes – Luxury homeowners spare no expense for their priceless automobiles. Avid car collectors, especially in city homes where property size is limited, install elevator car lifts to expand garage capacity. Keeping a fleet of cars clean is no small feat. In act, for many it necessitates an on-premise indoor car wash.
2. Walk-in refrigerators – Professional kitchens akin to what one may find in a five-star restaurant have taken over luxury homes. With growing emphasis placed on home entertaining, walk-in refrigerators and multiple ovens, sinks and dishwashers are the norm for even the novice gourmet.
3. Spas, gyms and yoga and Pilates studios – the home gym has undergone a makeover and focus now is on complete health and wellness facilities. Professional-style spas complete with steam rooms and massage rooms overtake the outdated sauna or whirlpool. Yoga and Pilates studios trump stair climbers, treadmills and rowing machines.
4. Wine cellars and tasting rooms – Grand wine cellars often found in Rosedale, Forest Hill or West mount residence are the norm for today’s connoisseur. Individual cellars for red and white wines, as well as specialized tasting rooms equipped with various sinks and buckets for wine sampling are becoming all the rage. 
5. Concierge services – Concierge services are no longer limited to condominium owners or hotel guests. Today’s luxury homeowners use companies specializing in concierge. From accommodate particular hobbies or tasks, which are completely outfitted help to keep homeowners organized, are very popular making dinner reservations to picking up dry cleaning or purchasing opera tickets, concierge services are now a common trend within many luxury neighborhoods. There are several companies that will provide typical concierge services to homeowners, essentially acting as a live-out butler.
6. Media Rooms – media rooms that rival the local public theatre are as prevalent in luxury hoes as the family room. These windowless rooms typically boast a theatre-size screen, surround sound and rows of plush seats to accommodate large groups.
7. Wrapping and Sewing rooms – Specialized rooms to Dedicated rooms for gift wrapping boast everything from ribbons to paper varieties to bags and bows, while sowing rooms have every type of thread, button and zipper imaginable with tables and machines tailored to the home-owner’s needed. 
8. Structured wiring and security – Many luxury residence feature security capabilities (Such as wireless door locking), entertainment options and light settings that can be accessed remotely throughout a home in various rooms. Some properties are even equipped to remotely control security features in far-away cottages or second homes. Another innovative perk for those with deep packets is security systems that allow property owners to view their home while at work, at the cottage or holiday.
9. Home Elevators – As homes are increasing in size, and are being built higher to accommodate several floors, home elevators are becoming an accessory of convenience as well as necessity.
10. Heated driveways, walkways and garages – Manual snow removal is a thing of the past for those in exclusive neighborhoods that favour heated driveways, walkways and even garages. Built on top of heating coils, snow melts as soon as it touches these warm surfaces.

Information by:

Smart Gardening is Niagara Region’s way of helping you practive environmentally friendly lawn and garden techniques.

Niagara Region invites you to attend a free seminar!
“The Grass can be Greener!”
Learn how to grow and maintain a heathly lawn while adhering to the Ontario cosmetic pesticide ban. Other topics such as choosing the right grass, controlling yard pests and ways to save money on your lawn will be covered.

Thursday, April 22, 6 to 8pm - Gauld Nurseries - 8865 Mountain Road, Niagara Falls.

To Register:
Call Niagara Region’s Waste Info Line at (905) 356-4141 or toll free 1-800-594-5542. Space is limited so sign up today!

For more information please visit - www.smartgardening.ca

Even though real estate is great investment, there are potential problem areas that one should be aware of whether you are buying, selling or renovating. Be sure to work with a realtor who knows the potential pit falls, plan time to do the research and have a team of experts on your side. Our Panel of Experts will be on hand to discuss topics from A - Z.

Please RSVP as soon as possible. Call Barbara Grumme at 905-356-9100 or email her at Barbara.grumme@century21.ca 

This event is taking place
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. (Doors open at 6:30p.m.)
At White Oaks Conference Resort - Ballroom A

“Kids for Change Presents”
A Taste of Africa
April 15, 2010
White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa - Imperial Ballroom
7 p.m. to 11p.m.
Featuring Live Cultural Performances by MellowDee
Cassandra Sommers

Private collection of authentic Tanzanian art on display

Live Auction
Silent Auction
Dessert Auction

African insprired food & drink

Tickets $40 in advance

www.kidsforchange.web.officelive.com