• 9 Tricks for Organizing Your Kitchen Counter

    9 Tricks for Organizing Your Kitchen Counter,Mike McCarthy Realty

    For many Canadians, the kitchen is the hub of the home. It’s a gathering place for chats over coffee or tea, catching up on what’s happening in family members’ lives. As such, things could get a little disorganized when it comes to kitchen—kids leaving the peanut butter and jelly out, dirty dishes waiting to be […]

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  • 7 Eco-Friendly Decor Items for Your Home

    7 Eco-Friendly Decor Items for Your Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Homeowners are becoming more aware of environmental issues and many are consciously trying to do something to make things better. They are using more environmentally-friendly materials in their homes and are even choosing decor items that meet their environmental goals. If you have been thinking about playing your own part in aiding the environment, here […]

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  • 3 Beginner Houseplants to Freshen Up Your Space

    3 Beginner Houseplants to Freshen Up Your Space,Mike McCarthy Realty

    We’ve all been the person who kills a houseplant (or two…or three) well before their time. With a busy schedule, it can be hard to remember watering instructions, and before you know it, you’re waking up one morning to a wilted plant beyond saving. But don’t despair! There are plenty of plants ready to weather […]

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  • Year-Round Home Decorating Hacks

    Year-Round Home Decorating Hacks,Mike McCarthy Realty

    People spend hundreds of dollars and hours of time decorating for the holidays. Doesn’t it seem silly to do all that for a single month of festivities? Here’s a secret: it doesn’t have to be the holiday season, or even winter, for you to steal some of these cozy decorating ideas. WreathsA wreath with pine […]

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  • Electric vs. Water-Based Heated Flooring

    Electric vs. Water-Based Heated Flooring,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Living in Canada means one thing—for at least half the year, the weather is cold, leaving your home cold. Heated flooring has become a popular option to help deal with cold feet throughout the icy Canadian winter. If you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in one of the greatest home luxuries of all, […]

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  • 4 Tips for Efficiency During a Remodel

    4 Tips for Efficiency During a Remodel,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Congratulations! You’ve chosen to undertake a remodelling project. Follow these tried-and-true tips to declutter before the renovation to make everything easier once it’s all said and done. Embrace the minimalist within. Even if you bought your fixer-upper in the country specifically because it offers you more space than a high-rise in Toronto, downsizing is always a […]

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  • 7 Ideas to Up Your Home's Curb Appeal

    7 Ideas to Up Your Home's Curb Appeal,Mike McCarthy Realty

    How your home looks when purchasers pull up to it may actually help them to instantly fall in love. Curb appeal matters to most Canadian homeowners and first impressions can be everything. A home’s exterior may mean the difference between a purchaser stepping on the gas or hesitating from the get-go. Take care of the […]

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  • How to Create a Luxury Spa in Your Home

    How to Create a Luxury Spa in Your Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    There are few experiences more relaxing and revitalizing than a trip to the spa. An increasing number of homeowners are realizing the benefits of an in-home spa. If you’ve ever dreamed about having a luxurious space all of your own, there has never been a better time to consider integrating a personal home spa into […]

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  • 3 Steps to Prepping Your Lawn for a Home Sale

    3 Steps to Prepping Your Lawn for a Home Sale,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Most real estate agents will tell you that curb appeal is a big part of selling a home. This includes your lawn too, whether it’s in the front or the back of your home. Keep it looking good all year-round with these tips: Rake leaves and cut the grass. If you’re selling your home in the […]

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  • 5 Simple Ways to Pet-Proof Your Luxury Home

    5 Simple Ways to Pet-Proof Your Luxury Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Most Canadians agree that it just wouldn’t be a home without a beloved pet curled up at your feet or snuffling around the kitchen as you prepare dinner. If the thought of a pet getting into trouble in your new luxury home makes you wince, however, you’re not alone. Follow these tips to keep your […]

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  • 3 Ways to Stage an Unused Basement

    3 Ways to Stage an Unused Basement,Mike McCarthy Realty

    What happens when you’re getting ready to stage your home and find yourself grappling with … gasp … an unused basement? For a home that’s staged to the tenth degree and set up to showcase its gleaming marble and lavish entertainment spaces, a basement that’s sitting empty is kind of a downer. Here’s how to show off […]

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  • Converting a Portion of Your Home into an Income Suite

    Converting a Portion of Your Home into an Income Suite,Mike McCarthy Realty

    For new homeowners especially, the idea of renting out a part of your home to offset the mortgage payments is incredibly appealing. In a market that is unaffordable for the average young couple, it seems like a potential way to get into the market when your budget isn’t huge. While becoming a landlord does come […]

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  • 5 Essentials All Adults Need in Their Homes

    5 Essentials All Adults Need in Their Homes,Mike McCarthy Realty

    No matter how old you are, buying your first home can feel like the true threshold to adulthood. Here’s how to upgrade your new home so it reflects a new stage of your life and kisses the rental lifestyle goodbye. Framed ArtBand posters and oversized flags taped onto the wall have a certain aesthetic to […]

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  • Staging Your Outdoor Living Space for Luxury Buyers

    Staging Your Outdoor Living Space for Luxury Buyers,Mike McCarthy Realty

    If you’re selling a luxury home during the Canadian spring or summer, you’ll be courting buyers who are already imagining how they might use outdoor space to its fullest. Admiring city skyline views on a rooftop terrace, maybe. Or entertaining friends and family in a lavish garden. Extending your home’s living and entertaining space into […]

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  • 3 Colours You Should Never Paint Your Bedroom

    3 Colours You Should Never Paint Your Bedroom,Mike McCarthy Realty

    A true luxury bedroom should be many things: spacious, tranquil, opulent. Unfortunately, there’s almost nothing that ruins this sentiment faster than a retreat painted a shade that’s outdated or simply doesn’t convey these elements. If you’re staging or refreshing a bedroom in preparation for a home sale, make sure you never opt for these shades: […]

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  • How to Make the Most of Your Renovation Budget

    How to Make the Most of Your Renovation Budget,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Has it been years since your home has had an update? Are you sick of the dated fixtures and flooring? Are you eager for three-pane windows so you can avoid the cold during the winter? Maybe it’s time to renovate. But renovations take time and money. And, when it comes to your home, you’ll want […]

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  • 4 Bedroom Design Mistakes to Avoid

    4 Bedroom Design Mistakes to Avoid,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Your bedroom is the room in your home where you will spend a large portion of your time in. It goes without saying that it should be a beautiful space you love being in. All too often, we get trapped into buying things just because they look luxurious but they don’t actually add value to […]

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  • 4 Things to Avoid When Selling Your Home

    4 Things to Avoid When Selling Your Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Selling can be just as stressful as buying, especially if you live in a desirable neighbourhood. The housing market is notoriously competitive, with flurries of “for sale” signs appearing on front lawns every day. If you’re trying to sell in a hurry, you’ll want to avoid these mistakes. Pricing too high or too low. It might […]

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  • 5 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

    5 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly,Mike McCarthy Realty

    While many can associate eco-friendly trends with a certain look that isn’t as desirable as you might want in your luxury home, there are many ways to improve the environmental impact of your home without losing style. Here are a few options to consider. Install a green roof. While we see these on many corporate buildings, […]

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  • Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Your Home

    Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Your Home,Mike McCarthy Realty

    Going the DIY route when taking photos of your home to sell? Listings with photos tend to generate much more interest than those without. If you’re tackling the snaps yourself, however, don’t fall victim to these common mistakes: Shooting at NightWhile it’s sometimes true that time is at a premium, if you can find time […]

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