Many people struggle with where to begin when it comes to being more environmentally conscious. With everyone spending more time at home, why not start there? You don’t have to buy new energy-efficient appliances or install solar panels, but small changes in your home can go a long way in helping reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some simple ways to make your home eco-friendlier, so you can contribute to a sustainable environment while saving money!
1. Avoid Wasting Water
One of the simplest ways to make your home more eco-friendly is to cut down on your water waste. Simply turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, and check for leaks. Conserving water will not only help the environment but your bills will see a considerable decrease. While we are on the topic of water, switch to a water filter or a reusable water bottle to cut down on single-use plastic bottles.
2. Natural Cleaning Products
It is time to embrace natural cleaning products because they are equally effective, don’t contain any harmful chemicals, and are far better for your health. You may see the price tag on natural cleaning products and be scared off this tip, but many of your daily cleaners can be made at home. Check out this list of homemade cleaners you can make with ingredients you already have.
3. Repurpose Jars
Upcycle your glass jars into many uses throughout your home to start living a zero-waste lifestyle. Many of your favourite grocery items come in glass jars – pasta sauce, pickles, jams – and they make the perfect reusable container once you have finished off the delicious food. These are far better for the environment than plastic containers and will save you cleaning time and money. You can use glass jars in the kitchen for fermenting, storing food, or as shakers. Plus, they can be used all around your house for gardening, storage containers, and fun crafts. The creative opportunities are endless.
4. Eliminate Paper Towels
Paper towels and napkins are an easy go-to in a busy kitchen but switching to cloth towels or rags will save you money and help you live a sustainable lifestyle. These can be re-used many times and easily washed once they get too dirty. Try making your own rags by cutting old shirts or towels into smaller pieces.
5. Reconsider Your Laundry
Start washing your clothes in cold water. Washing with cold water will help cut down your energy consumption as a lot of power goes towards heating the water. Cold water will also help preserve your clothes’ condition and colour. If you want to make your clothes last even longer, hang-dry them! Get an outdoor line or collapsible rack to make hand drying a breeze and let you skip the dryer. But if the dryer is a must, switch single-use dryer sheets or use a reusable wool dryer ball for fewer wrinkles, softer clothes, and less drying time.
6. Plant a Garden
Plants and edible gardens help contribute to a sustainable environment and make a fun hobby! Adding greenery around your home will help produce more oxygen and reduce CO2, making your air cleaner and your décor more beautiful. As well, try adding an herb or vegetable garden to add homegrown flavour to your meals. Edible gardens can be held in any space, big or small, and will save you time and money on trips to the grocery stores. Plus, a backyard garden reduces the use of produce plastic containers. When watering your plants, use collected rainwater to reduce water consumption.
7. Switch to LED Bulbs
Invest in LED light bulbs to help make your home more eco-friendly. These energy-efficient bulbs may have a higher price tag, but they will save you money in the long run by using less energy and lasting longer than incandescent bulbs. With so many LED bulbs to choose from, check out this guide to help your pick your perfect match.
8. Unplug Electronics
This tip is as simple as it sounds– unplug not-in-use electronics. Chargers, TVs, and other electronics use energy even when they are powered down, so unplug them to lower electricity consumption. Try plugging electronics into a power bar to easily power down with no hidden energy consumption. Plus, the power bar’s ‘on’ light makes it obvious when electronics are draining power and makes turning off accessible and painless.
9. Reuse Instead of Buying New
Moving or redecorating? Instead of buying new or throwing away unwanted pieces, try online marketplaces or thrift stores. This is a great, eco-friendly way to easily get rid of or find home pieces while saving money. You can also try refurbishing old items for a fun and creative DIY project that the whole family can participate in.
Monthly Feature
DIY Project: Reusable Oilcloth Bowl Covers
This eco-friendly DIY oilcloth bowl cover will keep food fresh and eliminate wasteful, plastic saran wrap. Get DIY Project Here
Recipe: Heirloom Tomato and Zucchini Galette with Honey + Thyme
This extraordinary and savoury galette uses ingredients you can grab at your local farmer’s market and will be your new go-to sustainable dish.
August 12, 2021 – The 16th Annual Showcase of Celebrities Golf Tournament raised a record-breaking $60,000 last month in Barrie. Despite a rainy day for golf, supporters and a team for CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty hosted an incredible event with an even more exciting result.
The tournament took place in early July at Bear Creek Golf Club in Barrie, ON with 180 golfers over 3 shotgun times. Part of the remarkable amount raised at the event will purchase 4 pieces of mobility equipment that kids in their community have been desperately waiting for. The remainder of the generous donations will help support children living with disabilities and get them access to essential specialized equipment.
After the rainy game, the players enjoyed a social event with hockey celebrities Doug Gilmour & Kirk Muller, plus TSN broadcaster Ken Reid. The three hockey greats shared stories from their NHL playing, coaching, and refereeing days. Attendees also heard from guest speaker, Daniella Altieri, the 17-year-old Easter Seals Ontario Ambassador. She gave a heart-warming speech about the need for inclusiveness among people with disabilities and how Easter Seals has had an incredible impact on her life. Altieri’s passionate speech left attendees emotional and was met with a standing ovation.
“Hearing from Altieri and other Easter Seals children in our community gives us the motivation to continue our relentless fundraising efforts,” says Theresa Kerr with CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty in Barrie “A big thank you to our team, organizers, volunteers, and attendees for their support in helping create a more inclusive and accessible society that includes and honours the contributions and potential of Canadians of all abilities.”
CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty’s determined effort in supporting Easter Seals and creative fundraising events throughout the years has earned them the #1 C21 Easter Seals fundraising company for 7 consecutive years.
Vancouver (August 11, 2021) – House prices across Canada have grown significantly over the past year, particularly in Atlantic Canada and more recreational locations, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The fifth annual Price per Square Foot survey is being released by CENTURY 21 Canada and shows that real estate continues to be an excellent investment for Canadians. While real estate is most often dependent on the local market, the past year has seen widespread increases in prices from coast to coast.
In its annual, nationwide study, CENTURY 21 Canada compared the price per square foot of properties sold between January 1 and June 30 this year, compared to the same period last year.
“Looking at the prices across Canada, there isn’t one region that hasn’t seen price growth in the past year,” says Brian Rushton, Executive Vice-President of CENTURY 21 Canada. “When the pandemic began in 2020, the market became unchartered territory. But because of low inventory and high demand from buyers looking for a larger space, prices have steadily climbed for the past year, particularly detached homes. Over the past couple of months, that growth has slowed and condo prices have started increasing again– it’s still a seller’s market from Victoria to St. John’s.”
When COVID-19 began to take hold in spring 2020, the belief was that the market would struggle. However, after an initial dip, pent up demand for housing, particularly detached homes, increased prices throughout last fall and earlier this year, in part due to a lack of supply. As evidenced in the data, prices in central major metros have been softer than those in traditionally less expensive markets like Owen Sound and Atlantic Canada.
Rushton says prices have moderated over the past couple of months. “This is typical of what we see through the summer months, but all signs are pointing to another busy fall as inventory across the country continues to be low with plenty of buyers waiting to make a move as soon as they can.”
Regional highlights:
Atlantic
Atlantic Canada has long been seen as the most affordable region in Canada for housing. But over the past year, prices have consistently increased with work from home becoming a viable option for many workers. Halifax has seen the biggest increase in prices, but Charlottetown, Fredericton, Moncton, and St. John’s are all seeing double-digit increases.
“Because we are still affordable, people are flocking here,” says Paul Burns, Manager at CENTURY 21 A&T Countryside Realty. “Between people from Ontario finding that they can afford a home in Atlantic Canada, newcomers increasingly locating here, and locals who want to stay, this region is seeing prices we’ve never seen before.”
British Columbia
BC real estate is the most expensive in the country and remains so again this year. Prices in the outskirts of the city saw the largest increase with Chilliwack prices up over 40 percent to $406 per square foot, Delta up 38 percent to $50 per square foot and White Rock/South Surrey up 44 percent to $625 per square foot. Kelowna also saw solid increases with prices up anywhere between 20 and 30 percent, depending on what home type the consumer is choosing.
Quebec
Real estate in Quebec has been strong for several years now. Yet again, prices increased significantly since last year, with the price of a detached house in Montreal’s downtown and southwest rising 41 percent to $1350 per square foot while townhouses increased 22 percent to $937 per square foot and condos 16 percent to $935. Over the past five years prices in Montreal have essentially caught up to those in Vancouver and Toronto. “Montreal saw affordable prices for many years, but people saw the value in this city and the cost of a home is now on par with other major cities in the country,” says Mohamad Al-Hajj, owner of CENTURY 21 Immo-Plus in Montreal.
Ontario
2019 to 2020 saw modest growth in Ontario, and the past year has seen even bigger increases. Most notably, the prices in Owen Sound and Grey Bruce are up more than 80 percent. “Demand has been off the charts,” says Mike Seiler, owner of CENTURY 21 In Studio Realty. “Our clients are moving up from Toronto now that they can work from home. People are also realizing how much more space you can get once you get out of the metro area.”
Suburbs have all seen double-digit increases in prices, with the highest in those communities that are just a little outside a regular commute. “Now that people are commuting a few times a week rather than every day, they’re willing to be a bit further from their jobs in order to secure a bigger home at a more affordable price,” says Eryn Richardson of CENTURY 21 Heritage Group.
Prices in downtown Toronto condos were actually slightly down for the first six months of the year, but are coming back strong. 2021 started with lower prices than we saw in the initial pandemic, but have increased as the year went on. Ottawa condos were also down year over year but, they too are rebounding as 2021 continues.
Prairies
Prairie house prices have seen some growth, although they are the slowest growing areas of the province. Saskatoon homes are up nearly twenty percent to $314 per square foot although condo prices remained flat and Regina properties only saw minor increases in prices. Winnipeg saw the biggest gains with homes up as much as twenty percent to $293 per square foot for a house and $241 per square foot for a condo.
Alberta
Many markets in Alberta saw decreases in previous surveys but are up anywhere from three to fifteen percent depending on the city and home type. Like many markets around the country, detached homes have seen the largest increases compared to other home types. Red Deer and High River saw the highest house increases, with prices at $289 per square foot and $271 respectively. Condos in St. Albert are the other standout in Alberta real estate with a nearly 19 per cent increase to $251 per square foot, which is still among the most affordable in the country.
Even Yellowknife properties have seen an increase in prices. Both houses and duplexes have seen double digit increases while other house types have seen more subtle changes.
“This is the fifth consecutive year we have done this survey and, while previous years showed that real estate is a local story, we have seen widespread increases across the country this year,” says Mr. Rushton. “Real estate is security—both emotional and physical—and after the pandemic people continue to want to invest in the places they want to spend the most time.”
CENTURY 21 Canada’s annual survey of data on the price per square foot (PPSF) of properties gathers and compares sales data from its franchises across Canada from January 1 to June 30 of each year. By looking at the price per square foot at the same time each year the firm is able to get a good idea of how prices have changed over time for similar properties. This year’s survey compares 2020 prices with this year’s results.
August 10, 2021 – Jennifer Bacon and Dean Michel, REALTORS® with CENTURY 21 Granite Realty Group, and fellow supporters plunged into the early spring cold waters for the second annual ‘Jump In The Lake Challenge’ to help raise over $50,000 for the Kawartha community.
The funds raised will go towards helping build the Coboconk Wellness Centre, a much-needed health hub that will include everything from after-hour care to dental, physiotherapy, and much more. “The Kawartha Lakes community has committed to raising $1 million,” says Jennifer Wilson, General Manager of the Coboconk, Norland & Area Chamber of Commerce, “Thanks to Dean and Jennifer, we are well on our way as we officially launch the community fundraising campaign this summer.”
The Jump In The Lake Challenge sprouted from business coach David Greenspan’s appeal to find a unique and exciting way to motivate others. When COVID-19 hit in 2020, their local food shelter was greatly impacted by increased food prices, limited volunteers due to safety measures, and rising demand for help. Recognizing the pressing need for funds, Dean made a creative pledge to jump in the chilly waters of Balsam Lake if he received $500 in donations. With the overwhelming support, he then challenged his wife Jennifer to jump in if they reach $1,000. The community quickly rallied together and raised over $15,000 and almost a dozen members took the plunge in early May 2020.
The second annual challenge has quickly evolved and grown. The 2021 Jump In The Lake Challenge was one of the largest fundraisers the community has ever had, with over 600 donations and over 35 people joining the icy jump. Dean and Jennifer credit the growth to the increased promotional efforts that helped created anticipation around the event. The two REALTORS® shared their story on a local radio station and CBC Ontario. Their local municipality, City of Kawartha Lakes, helped with signage and online collateral, even making branded beach towels and shirts for the participants.
To ensure everyone’s safety, participants were asked to participate in the challenge from their respective areas instead of one central location and share their jumps online. This safety measure became a great opportunity to expand the challenge to other communities as participants could jump into their nearby lake, ocean, pool, or even ice bath. Brandon Nimigon, the broker at CENTURY 21 Granite Realty Group Inc, joined this year’s challenge from his community in Haliburton and even created a fun wager with Dean to see who could raise the most money. The loser had to stay in their respective lake for a full minute, so they had plenty of motivation to push their fundraising efforts. Brandon fell just short and respected the wager but challenged Dean to a rematch next year.
“We want to thank everyone that participated, donated, and helped spread the message,” says Dean and Jennifer. “Giving back to our community is so important to us and it was inspiring to see how our community members rallied around this great cause. We loved seeing how many people took the plunge and had such a good time while jumping into the cold water or cheering family and friends on during the event.”
There is already much anticipation for next year’s Jump In The Lake Challenge with the community and outside members already pledging their chilly dip. “Our hope next year is to expand to other areas of the province and inspire others to do something similar in their community,” says Dean and Jennifer. You can learn more about the 2022 Jump In The Lake Challenge at http://kawarthalakeside.com/challenge
Seasonal cleaning is not only reserved for spring; Summer is a great time to give your home a deep clean to prevent heat, humidity, rain, and more from taking a major toll on your home maintenance. We’ve gathered a list of simple summer cleaning tips to keep your home fresh and tidy.
1. Eliminate Dust
With the beautiful sunshine, dust is far more noticeable floating in the air and accumulating on your pieces. Take the time to fully dust your home, concentrating on your blinds, curtains, and ceiling fans. No duster? No problem! Use an old sock to easily clean between blinds and a pillowcase to sweep dust from ceiling fans while catching falling debris. Plus, to keep your cold air flowing, clean the air conditioner filter with a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and grime.
2. Get Spotless Windows
Summer is the perfect time to thoroughly wash your windows and screens. The sun displays the dirty grime well so you’ll be able to easily see your hard work pay off quickly. Depending on how dirty your windows and screens are, you may have to use a combination of cleaning products, vacuuming, scrubbing, and power washing to get them looking good as new. This cleaning tip will be well worth your effort when you get an unobstructed view on a beautiful sunny day.
3. Eliminate Odors
The warm weather can cause an increase in foul smells. Be sure to clean your garbage disposal, trash cans, and recycling bins to prevent unwanted pests, troublesome mold, and unpleasant odor. Clean your disposal by pouring baking soda and vinegar into your drain, letting it sit for 5 minutes then following with boiling water. Be sure to wash out your bins with bleach and water then sprinkle baking soda on the bottom to absorb any bad odors.
4. Organize Your Garage
With many large and bulky storage items outside for the summer, now is the perfect time to organize your garage and storage area. Start by decluttering and donating any unused items. Then organize your pieces by category (season, tools, etc.). Finally, decide on the best layout, keeping frequently used items in easy to reach areas. Containers, cabinets, and pegboards make great storage solutions and will help you stay organized.
5. Revamp Your Outdoor Living Area
With the patio, deck, or front porch being a go-to spot for outdoor social gatherings, you’ll want to make sure this area is ready for entertaining. Use an old broom to sweep up rubble, brush away spiderwebs, and dust off debris. Wipe down patio furniture and wash patio cushions (follow washing instructions on the tag). And pressure wash your driveway or concrete patio to ride any unwanted weed growth and make it look brand new. These will help boost your curb appeal and make outdoor entertaining a breeze.
6. Clean Your Grill
Along with outdoor entertaining comes outdoor cooking, make sure you are properly cleaning your grill to ensure a tasty meal every time. Some quick BBQ cleaning tips are to clean and scrape grates while they’re still warm and give it a quick clean after every use. This will make it easier to clean and save you time and hard work later on. Check out this DIY grill cleaner spray to make your cleaning easy, your food taste better and your BBQ last longer.
7. Wash Your Gardening Tools
After a full spring season of gardening, your tools have seen some wear and tear. Get your gear in tip-top shape so they last you many seasons to come. Remove any dirt or debris, and soak the tools in warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry. This quick and simple cleaning tip is the first step in building a flourishing garden.
8. Bonus Tip: Check for Leaks!
With outdoor faucets and hose being used now more than ever, it is very important to check for any leaks. Most leaks are easy fixes, but if gone unnoticed they can lead to high water bills!
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DIY Project: DIY 3-Ingredient Cleaning Spray This vegan, non-toxic, 3-ingredient cleaning spray will make cleaning easier, create a healthier environment, and save you money. Get DIY Project Here
Recipe: Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad with Peaches This delicious, savory-sweet dinner will make anyone a salad-lover. Get Recipe Here
July 13, 2021 – Kerry Pfannmuller, the owner of CENTURY 21 Leading in Spruce Grove, Alberta, is acquiring CENTURY 21 Evolve in Edmonton, after the unfortunate passing of the previous owner, Dan Gitzel. Kerry always had the vision of expanding into the Edmonton area, and when the Gitzel family asked him to take over, it was an opportunity he could not pass up.
“I plan to bring the same level of passion and care for the REALTORS® that Dan did. He was deeply respected by his agents and I want to continue that feeling in the new office,” says Kerry. He has already updated the office with new technology, signage and furniture, so agents are proud to bring clients into the space.
Pfannmuller is well established in both real estate and the Alberta market. In 2008, he decided to utilize his 10+ years of real estate experience and acquired a brokerage with another brand. He started with only five agents then grew to ten agents when they merged with another office in 2017. In 2018, Kerry switched to CENTURY 21 Canada and has since built the office to 38 realtors. He has no plans to slow down– with all 16 agents from CENTURY 21 Evolve joining his company, he’d like to continue his growth to have 70-80 agents in the Edmonton office alone.
Kerry has no worries about meeting this ambitious goal, saying “CENTURY 21 is the best-kept secret in the industry and I want to help people see that. When I was affiliated with another brand, I could never recruit a C21 agent and now I know why!” CENTURY 21 sales reps get a free CRM, website, presentation tools, a Marketing Centre that allows agents to show off their properties with a click of a button, and much more.
Because of all the tools, Pfannmuller has a concierge to efficiently onboard new agents. The concierge spends time setting up agent’s profiles, websites, tech platforms, and more. They also teach agents how to use all the provided tools so that they have no downtime when switching from another brokerage.
Additionally, Pfannmuller has two certified coaching licenses and will incorporate their thorough training into the new office. His goal is to educate and provide the tools so the agents can increase their productivity, reach their goals and be successful from day one.
Although CENTURY 21 Leading’s expansion is due to an unfortunate event, Kerry’s passion and relentlessness will continue to drive the success Dan started with CENTURY 21 Evolve of providing the gold standard of real estate to the Edmonton area.
Kerry Pfannmuller, owner of CENTURY 21 Leading in Spruce Grove, Alberta
July 7, 2021 – Easter Seals Ontario has wrapped up its 45-day Golden Heart Virtual Challenge in partnership with various CENTURY 21 offices to support Easter Seals kids. Thanks to their unstoppable effort, over $50,000 was raised for Easter Seals children and youth in Ontario, surpassing their initial goal.
To help raise funds for accessibility and mobility equipment, participants were required to move 221km from May 1 to June 14 by running, walking, biking, rolling, swimming, or even working out. Participants moved 24,582km in total!
“We love supporting Easter Seals year after year,” says Theresa Kerr of CENTURY 21 BJ Roth in Barrie, Ontario. “Even with all of us separated physically it was important that we came together in some way to support these kids and provide what we can for them.”
Since the pandemic, many kids living with physical disabilities were stuck at home without the mobility and accessibility equipment they require to move around and complete basic functions. All the funds raised through the Virtual Challenge will help purchase this urgently needed equipment to help Easter Seals children and youth make the most of their abilities and live their lives to the fullest.
A special thank you to all the CENTURY 21 Canada members and offices that contributed their time and fundraising efforts in support of Easter Seals Ontario. Five different offices contributed to this challenge:
Their relentless commitment to helping their community has assisted in creating a more inclusive and accessible society and qualified the following agents for the Golden Heart Award – earned when an individual C21 member raises a minimum of $2,100 for Easter Seals.
Golden Heart Award Winner during the Virtual Challenge 2021:
Kim Mugford– CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd. Brokerage, Innisfil, ON
Theresa Kerr – CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd. Brokerage, Barrie, ON
Eryn Richardson – CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Brokerage, Newmarket, ON
Jeff Gingerich – CENTURY 21 Heritage House Ltd. Brokerage, Kitchener, ON
Debbie Bekker-Fawcett – CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Brokerage, Bradford, ON
Cheryl Ferguson – CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd. Brokerage, Angus, ON
George Lavallee – CENTURY 21 Heritage House Ltd. Brokerage, Kitchener, ON
Merilyn McCart – CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Brokerage, Newmarket, ON
Gizella Nyulas – CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Brokerage, Richmond Hill, ON
Andrea Peterson, with Easter Seals Ontario adds, “Not only did we make all of our goals, but we also surpassed them! Words are not enough to express the appreciation we have to each of you for stepping up and helping our Easter Seals Kids.”
Warmer weather and longer days means you’re spending more time outside, so spend some time making your backyard into your dream oasis. Since the pandemic, the backyard has been a place to relax, exercise, explore new hobbies, connect with friends and family, and much more. Elevate your space, whether it be a tiny balcony or abundant garden, with these 2021 backyard trends so you can enjoy your private area all summer long.
1. Flexible Furnishings
With social gatherings being mainly held outside, multipurpose furniture has been a big trend in 2021. These pieces may have hidden features, such as storage or coolers, or can be converted into another use, like stools transforming into a side table. Multipurpose furniture makes hosting socially distant gatherings easy. You can store commonly used items, drinks and blankets to have ready whenever your guests need them without even needing to get up!
2. Private Retreats
Backyard privacy is an increasing priority in 2021, however, not every home comes with the luxury of built-in seclusion. There are many ways you can add privacy to your outdoor space, from extra greenery to umbrellas, screens or pergolas. Depending on your space any of those covers will help provide privacy from your neighbours, shade you from the hot sun, and shelter you on the colder days.
3. Social Curb Appeal
Although this may not be an addition to your outdoor space, 2021 has made front yards the popular hangout spot for social-distanced gatherings and quick hellos. The front area is a perfect space to sustain social connections while staying safe. Try adding a comfortable bench, a bistro set, or a porch swing to make your front yard warm and inviting.
4. Outdoor Cooking
With everyone spending more time outside, outdoor kitchens are also a rising trend. From a portable BBQ to a full independent kitchen, these outdoor cooking facilities increase convenience and allow you to enjoy the sunshine for longer. And don’t forget about outdoor dining! Add furniture so you can savor the meal in your outdoor space as well.
5. Tasty Gardens
Gardening began to be very common last year with people looking for new hobbies and ways to get outside. This year, we see that trend increase with more people who are climate conscious. Edible gardens can come in all shapes and sizes, so they are perfect for any backyard or patio no matter the size. Check out this list of vegetables to plant in the summer.
6. Outdoor Entertainment
Incorporating technology into the outdoor living area increases in popularity every year. People continue to find ways to bring the entertainment outdoors with music, tv, and even work from home stations. Try adding portable speakers to play your favourite album and a compact projector to stream the latest movie outside. Be sure to include a Wi-Fi booster so your connection stays strong while entertaining in your backyard.
7. Season Extending Solutions
Canadian summers can be very short-lived. Fire pits and heaters are the perfect solution to keeping you and your guests warm even when the sun goes down, or as the days get colder. If you are looking for a less-costly investment, use outdoor rugs and throw blankets to add extra warmth.
8. Ambiance Lighting
Another great way to extend your time outside is through lighting and this is a trend we never want to see go away. It lights up pathways for safety, accents your favourite garden piece, and sets a beautiful ambiance. Adding outdoor lighting will expand your backyard living and entertaining. When choosing your lighting opt for lower-watt, golden bulbs for a peaceful atmosphere.
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DIY Project: Criss Cross Outdoor Planters Create these simple criss-cross pattern planters to add elegance to any patio. Get DIY Project Here
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Keeping your house clean can feel like a never-ending chore. But with many clever cleaning hacks that use ingredients and tools from around your house, this once tedious task will become effortless. We are sharing our top 10 quick and easy home cleaning tricks that will save your time, energy, and money!
1. Polish Stainless Steel with Olive Oil
Olive oil is a cooking go-to, and it can also help clean your home! Use oil on a soft cloth, rubbing in circular motions, to buff out any dirty stops on stainless steel. This is the perfect hack to make your pots, pans, and appliances look brand new.
2. Freshen Up Your Garbage Disposal with Lemons
Garbage disposal do a lot of dirty work and often get missed on regular cleanups. To keep it clean and deodorized, add slices of fresh lemon with hot water to your running garburator. Use this hack for a quick refreshing scent right before guests arrive!
3. Remove Carpet Stains with Clear Alcohol
Carpet stains taking your time, energy, and money to remove can be a task of the past. Instead of using toxic, expensive cleaning solutions opt for clear alcohol. This could be rubbing alcohol, clear vodka, or even white wine! Pour your alcohol of choice onto the stain, then easily blot it away.
4. Baking Soda and Vinegar are the Dream Team for a Clean Bathroom
Baking soda and white vinegar are a staple solution for any cleaner. They can clean almost anything around the house, especially in the bathroom. Using this combination with water can clean your tub, toilet and even unclog drains. Check out this step by step guide on how to unclog your drains with this powerful cleaning solution.
5. Steam Clean Your Microwave
With stuck-on food and strong odors, microwaves can be even the most advanced cleaner’s nightmare. Instead of spending hours scrubbing away splattered food, steam clean your microwave to save you time and effort. Simply microwave a bowl of water in a microwave-safe dish on high for 5 minutes, then easily wipe away softened food with a sponge. Add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil for a fresh scent!
6. Don’t Forget to Sanitize Your Sponge
Your cleaning tools need cleaning too! Sponges can collect a lot of bacteria, so quickly sanitize them by putting your wet sponge in the microwave for 30 seconds. This will remove any bacteria making it good to continue using to clean your dishes and more!
7. Remove Pet Hair with Rubber Gloves
Pet hair seems to stick to everything, and no matter how many times you swept, vacuum, or lint roll there are still leftover hairs from your furry friends. Don’t waste your money on expensive hair-removing tools instead use rubber gloves. Rub down any accumulated hair areas and the elasticity will trap the hair onto your gloves. Then simply run the gloves under running water to dispose of the mess. This cheap trick will save your time, money and a lot of frustration towards your furry companions.
8. Dust Ceiling Fans with a Pillowcase
This hack may sound a little odd at first, but it will quickly become your new favourite cleaning method. Slide your pillowcase over a fan blade then swipe out. The dirt, dust, and grime will fall inside the pillowcase keeping the mess contained while cleaning the fan. Once you finished all the blades shake out the pillowcase outside then wash it. This cleaning trick will save you a lot of time cleaning the fallen debris and leave your home dust-free!
9. Wipe Down Blinds with an Old Sock
Put all your un-paired socks to use! Stuff your hand into an old sock to easily wipe down each blind. For an added clean, dip the sock into an equal part vinegar and water solution, to effortlessly remove any dirt or stains.
10. Clean Your Dishwasher
A dirty dishwasher can’t properly do its job to clean your dishes, so make washing your dishwasher part of your cleaning routine. Use baking soda and vinegar to remove built-up food, grease, and soap scum. Check out this 3-step guide to easily clean your dishwasher.
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HUB21, powered by MoxiWorks, gives agents an edge with suite of real estate technology
Key Takeaways
CENTURY 21 Canada REALTORS® now have access to MoxiWorks’ exclusive real estate technology solutions through HUB21.
This partnership arms agents with the tools necessary to enhance and elevate their communication and marketing efforts.
SEATTLE, Wa. – MoxiWorks, the leading real estate technology platform announces today their new partnership with CENTURY 21 Canada, the pioneers in Canadian Real Estate franchising. The partnership gives CENTURY 21 Canada REALTORS® access to MoxiWorks’ suite of technology through a new platform called HUB21. This platform, powered by MoxiWorks is now available to all CENTURY 21 Canada Realtors.
HUB21, powered by MoxiWorks, puts the power of easy to use technology in the agent’s hand. MoxiWorks’ technology is built by real estate for real estate with an emphasis on sphere selling, making agents great with the people who already know, like and trust them. Agents can now stay focused on building relationships that drive business instead of having to worry about figuring out cumbersome technology.
“We deliver the gold standard– to our franchisees, agents and consumers,” said Brian Rushton, Executive Vice President of CENTURY 21 Canada. “Our new HUB21 platform, powered by MoxiWorks is incredible technology. Not only does it have everything an agent needs to be successful, the different segments of the platform work together, meaning our agents can spend time understanding their clients’ needs and delivering an excellent experience.”
HUB21, gives CENTURY 21 Canada Realtors access to MoxiWorks’ best-in-class suite of software solutions and open-cloud network including their productivity dashboard and CRM proven to increase annual GCC by 41% on average, their industry leading presentation tool and CMA, marketing automation center, fully robust and customizable website platform, and company intranet. Access to all of these features and more will arm CENTURY 21 Canada Realtors with the tools necessary to enhance and elevate their communication and marketing efforts with their clients.
“During the pandemic, the need for technology solutions in the real estate industry became more vital than ever before,” said York Baur, CEO of MoxiWorks. “We are thrilled to be able to work with CENTURY 21 Canada and their agents to help further all the great success CENTURY 21 Canada has already seen.”
Currently, MoxiWorks powers over 800 brokerages and more than 400,000 agents across North America, accounting for more than 20% of the transactions in the U.S. Their partnership with CENTURY 21 Canada through HUB21 will further expand their influence and reach.
MoxiWorks is a comprehensive open platform system for large residential real estate brokerages that serves over 800 brokerages and more than 400,000 agents nationwide that account for more than 20% of the transactions in the U.S. MoxiWorks’ customer retention over the past seven years stands proudly at 96%. Their integrated tools are centered on sphere methodology that increases agents’ repeat and referral business by 54%, while lowering overall technology, training, and support costs for the brokerage. The open platform known as the MoxiCloud has tools from more than 50 partners that integrate to create unique brokerage solutions. Find more information at moxiworks.com.
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