Well I have been filling my blog entries with real estate tidbits and investment   strategies and I thought it was time to share a little bit about me. Everyone   loves to peek inside other peoples lives now and then don't they?? My life has   always been an open book, ask and I shall tell. I am honest and forthcoming and  over the years I have even learned to be somewhat "politically correct" when  need be, but direct and honest with a dash of sarcasm is much more my style!

Where to start... I will be 40 this year! Yikes - how on earth did  that happen?? I'm actually really looking forward to it. I have always LOVED my  birthday, just ask my friends, I usually have a countdown leading up to the "day  the world became a better place", yes that's how I refer to my birthday! lol. I  have been warning my husband for the past few years that he better throw me the  most spectacular surprise party ever for my 40th! I even went as far as to  request Duff from Ace of Cakes to make and deliver my cake. Ok, I know it's a  stretch but a girl can dream can't she?? Send me a message and I'll be sure to  make Steve put you on the invite list!!

What else... I have a beautiful  daughter who just turned 13 months old! She is an absolute joy and came to us  after many years of struggling with infertility. We faced a scare with her when  she was 7 weeks old and spent a week at Sick Kids Hospital (greatest hospital on  earth!) and she was diagnosed with a heart condition called SVT  (Supraventricular Tachycardia) where she has an accessory pathway in her heart  causing it to go tachycardic (fast/racing heartbeat). She takes meds daily and  she will be having some tests done in August to see if she has outgrown the  condition and we can hopefully take her off her meds. She is such a trooper and  has defied all odds to get here so I am convinced that she is going to find the  cure for cancer when she's older - she was sent here for a much greater purpose  than to make me happy. She has had angels guiding her long before we met her and  I know they keep her safe every day.

Honourable mention... of course I  must mention my loving husband. He has been a huge support for me when I decided  to go back to school to get my real estate licence and he really is my biggest  fan! I owe him a huge amount of gratitude for always believing in me and  standing by me while we venture down this new path of our lives. Don't tell him I said so though, it'll go to his head. lol.


My BFF... I think you can  tell a lot about a person by looking at the types of friendships they build over  the years. I met my BFF (ok really - I'm almost 40 and using the acronym BFF!!)  when I worked my first job ever at Wendy's when I was 13 years old. Funny thing  is, we didn't really like each other at first! lol. But here we are 27 years  later, still the very best of friends. She is my rock. When I need to vent or  cry or laugh, she is there. My life would not be complete without her in  it.

So that's a snippit of me and my life. I approach most things in life  with a sarcastic sense of humour and flare for having a good time. I don't take  life too seriously and I don't sweat the small stuff!

So now that you  know a little bit more about me... can I sell your house for you today???? LOL!

To paraphrase an old real estate saying – the three most important factors for a stress-free move are: planning, planning, and more planning. Plan your move at least one month in advance.Set up an expense log, and start lining up  your suppliers – movers, storage companies, delivery of new appliances or  furniture.Don’t forget painters, carpet  installers and other services working on your new house prior to your move-in  date.

Now is the time to minimize the number of items you have to move.Discard unwanted items, hold a garage sale, and collect boxes.Notify friends, relatives, the post office, and companies you do business  with of your change of address.Don’t forget about those companies you might contact only once a year, such as life or car insurance companies.

Contact your real estate lawyer to confirm who will be handling the changeover of various utilities and services.Typically, utilities such as power, gas,  water, etc. are handled by your lawyer as part of the final adjustments on the  sale’s closing.Other services,  particularly cable television, internet and telephone services, you’ll probably  be instructed to handle on your own.Try  to schedule utilities and service connections before you arrive at your new  house – and  book your appointments as far out in advance as possible, especially  if you plan to move at month end, or you might find yourself on a waiting list.  

Make a floor plan of the new house and plan where everything will go.Don’t guess - take measurements of room dimensions and major furniture items and then lay everything out.You don’t want pay movers an hourly rate to move Grandma’s piano four times because it just doesn’t  fit!When you’re packing,label boxes clearly by contents and by room, and on moving day, provide movers with a copy of your floor plan so they’ll know  exactly where to put the boxes for ‘Johnny’s bedroom’.Remember to provide plastic sheets to protect carpets.

Prepare a list of the items you wish to move personally such as jewelry and precious breakables.Pack your pillows, a set of sheets and  blankets, along with your nightclothes, a towel and toiletries to take with you  in your car. Then at the end of a long and tiring day, you can get ready for bed  without having to sort through 50 boxes.You might also pack a lunch complete with utensils, napkins, condiments,  (and perhaps a wine opener?) to enjoy your first meal in your home as a picnic  on the living room floor.And if you  like a cup of coffee in the morning, you’ll want to pack the coffee maker and  all the fixings to take in  your car as well.

These little things can add up to a pleasant adventure on moving day, rather than an exercise in frustration for you and your  family.  I would be happy to discuss this and  other stress-saving tips to help you have a hassle-free move!