by Macrealty Marketing Team | Mar 4, 2015 | Other
Spring is here and that means it’s time to start your spring cleaning. But it doesn’t have to be the bane of your existence this year! Here are a few hacks that will help you get through that cleaning faster with these spring cleaning hacks.
1. Use lemons to remove hard water stains
Find instructions on Broccoli Cupcake
2. Coarse salt can help you clean cast iron.
Find instructions on Martha Stewart
3. Get rid of water rings on tables by using a hair dryer
Find instructions on Homemade Mamas
4. Remove soap buildup from glass shower doors by using a fabric-softener sheet
Find instructions on Real Simple
5. Slide an old pillow case over a ceiling fan blade to catch dust and dirt
Find instructions on Real Simple
by Macrealty Marketing Team | Feb 13, 2015 | Other
It’s that time of year again when it’s on all of our minds. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite ways to experience life and love in Whistler…. Happy Valentines Day from Macdonald Realty! Enjoy Romantic Whistler.
Catch a Sleigh Ride
Glide through the snow drawn by gentle, giant Percheron horses. Sip hot chocolate or add a gourmet fondue dinner for a winter night to remember.
Click Here to book your perfect romantic evening out.
Unique Alpine Dining at the Fairmont Whistler
A crackling log fire, warm hospitality and hearty alpine cuisine set the stage for a unique dining experience in Whistler at The Chalet at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler hotel. Click Here for reservations.
Ice Skating Under the Stars
It doesn’t get much more romantic than gliding under the stars in the Whistler Olympic Plaza. The open-air ice skating rink is free to use, and ice skate rentals are available for only five dollars!
Stargaze From the Top of the Mountain
If you’re looking for an adventure – albeit, a romantic adventure – you’ll want to check out the night time snowmobile and snowcat rides up to the Crystal Hut on Blackcomb Mountain. Once you’ve reached your destination, you’ll be treated to a candle-lit dinner. Click here for more details.
Scandinave Spa
If you’re ready for some relaxation, you’ll need to check out this gem of a Spa. The Scandinave is best described as an oasis tucked away in the middle of the woods. A perfect gift or moment to share. Indulge in the traditional spa offerings, like a couples’ deep tissue or Swedish massage. You’ll leave feeling like a million bucks. Click here to create a spa package for the one you love.
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Blog post provided by Shauna O’Callaghan, a REALTOR® with Macdonald Realty in Whistler. Visit her website shaunaocallaghan.com for more information. Oct 8, 2015.
by Macrealty Marketing Team | Jan 6, 2015 | Other
Is your New Years resolution to revamp some of your gadgets? Let 2015 be the year you upgrade the technology for your home! Here are some of our favorite new products to help streamline your daily routine.
(Two Twenty One)USB Wall Outlets
Replace bulky chargers and plug your USB cable straight into the outlet! They are especially useful by the bed, where many of us stash all kinds of USB-equipped devices, such as phones, tablets, and e-readers. That stuff competes for space on a standard duplex outlet that may already be serving a bedside lamp or a clock. Most hardware stores now carry these outlets. Learn how to install one here.
(Masudas)Ring Smart House Controller
Simply called “Ring,” this $269 US wearable device from Japanese company, Logbar, allows people to control a host of household appliances, including lamps and televisions. By pressing a stud on the side of Ring with your thumb, you can draw gestures in the air that turn items off or on.
Source: Logbar
(Moneual)Robot Vacuum and Mop
The Moneual Rydis H67 isn’t just a regular robot vacuum cleaner, it’s also a robot mop too. The $399 product, from California-based Moneual, can be programmed to suck up dust then mop your floor, with full cleaning cycles lasting up to five hours.
Source: Moneual
(USA Today)Child-Proof Outlets
Thousands of children end up in hospital every year after sticking their fingers (and other items) into electrical sockets. San Diego-based Brio believes it has an answer with the Safe, a $49 US wall socket that uses sensors to differentiate between plugs and other objects. The socket only lets power flow if an electrical plug is detected. Anything else stuck into the hole won’t receive a charge, preventing someone from being shocked.
Source: Brio
(PetNet)Smart Feeder for Pets
This new feeder from PetNet features remote feeding so you can control your pet’s feeding from your laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Adjust feeding schedule in real-time, from anywhere or set up automated schedules to manage feeding times, portion sizes, and food dispensing speed. As well receive alerts and notifications on your smartphone about feeding times, meal confirmations and food inventory.
Source: PetNet
by Macrealty Marketing Team | Aug 29, 2014 | Other
Vancouver and British Columbia are at a high-risk of having an earthquake. Be prepared, and learn what you can do to keep you, your family, and your home safe.
For your family:
- Identify objects in your home that could be dangerous during an emergency
- Plan evacuation routes from every room in your home
- Pick two meeting places where you and your family can get back together if you get separated – one close to your home, and one a little further away
- Ask an out-of-province relative or friend to be your family contact person
- Prepare your emergency kits
- Teach family members how to turn off utilities, use a fire extinguisher, and call 9-1-1
- Make arrangements for seniors and family members with special needs
- Save digital copies of important documents — such as birth certificates and financial records — on a memory stick, or make photocopies of them
- Think about what you might be able to contribute to your community; sharing a meal, tools, or a phone charger are especially meaningful in the days after an emergency
For your home:
- Install latches on cupboards
- Refer to emergency preparedness manuals that are available in bookstores and libraries.
- Place large and heavy objects on lower shelves
- Fasten tall furniture to the walls
- Store breakable items, such as glass jars and china, in low closed cabinets with latches
- Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches, or anywhere people sit
- Anchor overhead lighting fixtures securely to the ceiling
- Know the locations of electric fuse or circuit breaker box, water service shut-off, and natural gas main shut-off as you may need to turn them off after the earthquake
- Purchase earthquake insurance
Find more tips at the City of Vancouver website
by Macrealty Marketing Team | Aug 7, 2013 | Other
If you’ve played the game Monopoly then you’ve probably picked up the Chance card that reads, “”Take a walk on the Boardwalk. If you pass Go…””
That’s good advice when shopping for a new home. When you see a property you like and you’re thinking of making an offer, spend some time walking around the neighbourhood. This will give you a better sense of what it’s going to be like to live there.
After all, the last thing you want is to buy a dream home only to find out later that there are issues with the neighbourhood that make living there miserable.
If you have kids, see how far of a walk it is to local parks, playgrounds, schools and community centres.
If you commute, you might also check out the route from the neighbourhood to your place of work. Is there a left turn that is likely to get backed up in the mornings?
Also check out how well the neighbours take care of their properties. Homeowners tend to keep their homes looking good if they enjoy the neighbourhood.
As you walk, listen. Are there noises from nearby high schools, industrial areas, or highways that are going to be unpleasant for you? Find out if the neighbourhood is near an airport flight path, or if there is a railway in the area. (Your REALTOR® can find that out for you.)
If you get a chance, talk to some of the neighbours. Ask what they like most about living in the area. You’re likely to get some candid – and useful – answers.
Finally, spend some time visualizing living in the area. Can you see yourself enjoying what the neighbourhood has to offer?
If so, then buying a home in that area will likely be a good choice for you. A good REALTOR® can help. Call me today.
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Blog post provided by Darin Germyn Personal Real Estate Corporation, a REALTOR® with Macdonald Realty in South Surrey / White Rock. Visit Darin’s blog at Germyn.ca
