5 Things to Leave for the New Owners of Your Old Home

Selling a home is an emotional event. You are leaving behind a house filled with memories and venturing off to someplace new. The people buying your home are excited to create their own memories in a home that you loved for so many years. Welcome them with a thoughtful gift that will leave a lasting impression.

Here are some ideas for gifts to leave for your home’s new owners.

Personalized Key Rings: Mark this milestone in the new owners’ lives by giving them a special key ring. Engrave it with their initials, the date of the move, or even a special message from you. Not only is this thoughtful, but it’s a practical gift as well.

Mailing labels and stationery: Personalized gifts go a long way. Create mailing labels with the owners’ names and new addresses; if you want to go the extra mile, create personalized stationery for them as well. Leave these paper gifts on the kitchen counter with a nice note to surprise the owners.

Monogrammed Doormat: Doormats are something that may not be at the top of a new homeowner “to-buy” list. Give them a monogrammed one or one that fits well with the decor of the home. They will surely appreciate this gesture.

Practical Items: If you’re skeptical about buying personalized gifts, stick to practical home items. Things like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, unpacking supplies, or even a utensil organizer are useful to new homeowners. They’ll be so busy when they first move in, and these are essentials that they should have immediately.

A Neighborhood Guide: Write a detailed list of your favorite places in the neighborhood. Mention your favorite restaurants, boutiques, gyms and more. They’ll love having your recommendations on hand when they start to explore!

 All of these gestures are incredibly kind and memorable. It’s a nice way to welcome new people into the home and neighborhood you have loved for so long.
 

Maple Syrup Time

Ontario bursts with sweetness during maple syrup season, inviting visitors to explore the local festivals running this April.

In Barrie during April 2025, you can expect the Sweet Maple Festival (April 12th), a family-friendly event at Georgian College with a vendor market, pancake breakfast, and kids' activities. Additionally, you can explore the Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival at the Tiffin Conservation Area (April 5-6.

1. Sweet Maple Festival:

Date: Saturday, April 12th 
Location: Georgian College, 1 Georgian Drive, Barrie, ON 
Activities:

Vendor market featuring local artisans and businesses 
Pancake breakfast (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) 
Kids' area with a special presentation by Zoo to You (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM) 
DIY Toppings Station 
Interaction with animals 

https://www.georgiancollege.ca/news-events/events/sweet-maple-festival/

2. Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival:

Date: April 5-6, 2025
Location: Tiffin Conservation Area
Activities:

Learn about maple syrup production in the past and present
Pancake and sausage breakfast with fresh maple syrup
Zoo to You animal show
Dog agility demonstrations
Tractor-wagon rides
Live music

https://barrierotary.com/spring-tonic/
 

Lucky Charms Bars

Your kids' favorite cereal becomes the base for these adorable treats! Dip them in melted green candy coating and decorate with gold sprinkles and marshmallows for even more adorable sweetness.

As with any Rice Krispies Treat, you have to act fast once the marshmallows are incorporated. It's gets sticky quite quickly, so stir it up and spread it in the pan in a hurry. Using your hands is the easiest way to press the mixture into the pan, but try this tip before you touch the gooey mixture: Wet your hands or lightly spritz them with nonstick cooking spray. This will keep the cereal and marshmallow from sticking to your hands! 

What's in Lucky Charms bars?

They're a dessert bar made with Lucky Charms cereal. There's plenty of butter and marshmallows to help the cereal stick together, along with a little vanilla extract for flavor and salt to break through some of the sweetness. The cereal bars are cut and dipped in a bright green coating, then topped with shiny gold sprinkles—it's one of the cutest little St. Patrick's Day desserts ever!

How many boxes of Lucky Charms do you need?

This recipe calls for 9 cups of Lucky Charms. That means you'll need two (10.5-ounce) boxes of cereal or 1 (18.6-ounce) family size box. Either way, there will be some leftover cereal. Have it for a St. Patrick's Day breakfast!

1. Lightly coat a metal 13-by-9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang for easy removal later. Lightly spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot over low heat; lightly spray the inside of the pot with nonstick cooking spray. (This will help with getting the marshmallow and cereal mixture out of the pot.) Add the butter, letting it melt completely before adding the marshmallows to the pot. Make sure to stir every so often until the marshmallows are melted. The mixture should be completely smooth at this point. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Once the salt has melted into the marshmallow, remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the cereal, 3 cups at time. This helps to make sure the marshmallow and cereal are thoroughly combined.

3. Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Lightly coat your hands with nonstick cooking spray to help keep the mixture from sticking to your hands while pressing it into an even layer. Let the treats cool completely, at least 30 minutes.

4. Once cool, gently pull on the overhanging parchment to lift out the whole treat. Place on a cutting board and cut into 2 1/2-by-3-inch bars. Set them aside on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
5Meanwhile, melt the wafers in a small, heatproof bowl set over a pot of almost simmering water, stirring every so often, until smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat and dip each rectangle into the candy coating diagonally, letting the excess coating drip off. Return the dipped bars to the prepared sheet pan. 

6. While the candy coating is still wet, decorate with a few of the reserved marshmallows and sprinkles. Once all are dipped and decorated, set aside until the coating is completely set.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Open Houses Can Be an Effective Tool for Selling

Hosting an open house is a powerful strategy for attracting potential buyers and generating interest in your home. It provides an opportunity for buyers to experience the property firsthand, ask questions, and visualize themselves living there. When executed correctly, an open house can lead to a quicker sale and even multiple offers.

Why Open Houses Matter

Open houses serve as a marketing tool that allows sellers to showcase their home to a broad audience in a relaxed setting. Some of the key benefits include:

Increased Exposure – Hosting an open house draws attention from buyers who may not have scheduled a private showing.

Encourages Immediate Interest – A well-attended open house can create a sense of urgency and competition among buyers.

Personal Connection – Potential buyers get a chance to walk through the home and visualize themselves living in the space.

Feedback Opportunity – Sellers and real estate agents can gather valuable feedback about the home’s appeal and potential areas for improvement.

Tips for a Successful Open House
1. Enhance Curb Appeal

Since first impressions matter, make sure your home’s exterior is inviting. Maintain the lawn, clean the driveway, and add some fresh flowers or a new welcome mat to create an inviting entrance.

2. Stage the Home

Proper staging can make a home feel warm and inviting. Declutter, depersonalize, and arrange furniture in a way that highlights the home’s best features.

3. Promote the Event

Marketing is key to a successful open house. Advertise on social media, local real estate websites, and use professional signage to attract passersby.

4. Provide Informational Materials

Have brochures or flyers with details about the home, including price, features, and contact information for follow-ups.

5. Offer Refreshments

Small touches, like providing coffee and snacks, can make visitors feel welcome and encourage them to stay longer to explore the home.

6. Be Ready to Answer Questions

Potential buyers will have questions about the home, neighborhood, and utilities. Be prepared with answers to help them make an informed decision.

Final Thoughts

An open house is a valuable tool for attracting serious buyers and creating buzz around your home listing. By preparing thoroughly and marketing effectively, you can increase the chances of securing a great offer. Whether you’re a first-time seller or a seasoned homeowner, leveraging an open house can help make the selling process smoother and more successful.

Valentine Cookies

These simple to make, easy to roll-out, Valentine Cookies holds their shape perfectly while baking, and have a great not-too-sweet, buttery flavor and crisp texture that is perfect for covering in chocolate and sprinkles.

Ingredients: 
▢1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened
▢¾ cups (150 g) sugar
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢½ teaspoon salt
▢1 large egg yolk
▢2 ¼ cups (295 g) all-purpose flour
▢1 cup (170 g) dark chocolate melting wafers
▢1 cup (170 g) white chocolate melting wafers
▢ baking sprinkles for decoration

Instructions:

 1.Combine butter and sugar in a bowl and beat until well-creamed.
2. Stir in vanilla extract and salt, stirring until well-combined, and scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula to ensure ingredients are well-incorporated.
3. Add egg yolk and beat until combined
4. Gradually add flour until well-incorporated.
5. Transfer dough to clean surface and use your hands to form it into a ball.
6. Flatten into a disk (about 1" thick), cover with clear wrap, and chill for 15 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.  Set aside.
8. Once dough has chilled, transfer it to a clean, lightly floured surface and use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll out to ¼" thickness.
9. Lightly flour your cookie cutters and cut out your shapes, transferring them to ungreased cookie sheet.
9. Bake on 350F for 10-12 minutes (look for the edges to be just beginning to turn lightly golden brown) and allow cookies to cool completely before dipping in chocolate.
10. Prep chocolate by placing dark chocolate melting wafers in one bowl and white chocolate melting wafers in another and melting in microwave.
11. Once chocolate is melted, line a cookie sheet with wax paper and, firmly holding the base of each cookie, dip the surface into the chocolate. Immediately after dipping, place on wax paper lined cookie sheet (chocolate side up) and immediately sprinkle with sprinkles of your choice.  Repeat, alternating with white and dark chocolate, until all cookies are covered with chocolate.
12. Allow chocolate to harden before serving.

Why Curb Appeal Matters When Selling a Home:

First Impressions Count

When selling your home, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” tossed around. But what exactly does it mean, and why is it so important? In simple terms, curb appeal refers to the first impression a buyer gets when they see your house from the street. It’s the immediate visual appeal of your home’s exterior, including the yard, front entrance, landscaping, and overall condition. And trust me, first impressions matter—especially in real estate.

In this blog, we’ll dive into why curb appeal is a game-changer when selling a home and offer tips on how to maximize it to make your property more attractive to potential buyers.

1. The First Impression Sets the Tone

When potential buyers drive up to your home, their initial reaction is incredibly important. Studies show that buyers often make a decision about whether or not to proceed with a property within the first 7-10 seconds of seeing it. So, imagine your potential buyers pulling up to a house with an overgrown lawn, peeling paint, or a cluttered porch. Instantly, they could be turned off before even stepping inside.

Good curb appeal creates an inviting, well-maintained exterior that invites buyers to take a closer look. It tells them that the home has been cared for and may be well-kept on the inside too. A well-maintained exterior creates a sense of value and can increase buyers' confidence in the overall condition of the home.

2. It Attracts More Buyers

In today’s competitive real estate market, it’s all about standing out. With online listings and photos being the first exposure most buyers get, curb appeal plays a crucial role in drawing them in to see the property in person.

Homes with great curb appeal tend to stand out in listings and in person. They look well-kept, fresh, and welcoming, which can generate more interest and lead to more showings. More showings mean more chances to sell, and when a property generates significant interest, it can even lead to multiple offers—often pushing the final sale price higher.

3. Curb Appeal Can Increase Your Home’s Value

You might be wondering: Can improving curb appeal actually raise the value of my home? The answer is yes! While it may not directly increase the market value, enhancing curb appeal can certainly boost perceived value. If buyers see that the home is well-maintained on the outside, they’re more likely to assume it’s been cared for on the inside as well.

A fresh coat of paint, a neat lawn, and trimmed hedges give the impression that the house is in excellent condition, which can justify a higher price. According to real estate experts, homes with strong curb appeal often sell for 7-14% more than homes that look run down from the street.

4. It Can Speed Up the Selling Process

The longer a home sits on the market, the more likely it is to become stigmatized as “stale.” Buyers start wondering why it hasn’t sold yet, and that can hurt your chances of getting an offer. Curb appeal is one of the quickest ways to ensure your listing catches the eye of potential buyers early in the process, giving you a better chance of selling faster.

A well-kept exterior suggests that the seller is serious about the property, which can translate into quicker showings and a faster sale. In many cases, homes with excellent curb appeal will sell more quickly than similar homes with lackluster exteriors.

5. It Creates Emotional Appeal

Home-buying is an emotional process. Buyers are often looking for a home that makes them feel a certain way—comfortable, secure, and proud. Curb appeal plays a big role in sparking that emotional connection. A beautifully landscaped yard, inviting front porch, or charming entryway can make buyers envision themselves coming home to a space they love.

When people see a home that looks appealing from the outside, they begin to imagine how it could be their home. That sense of emotional connection can sometimes outweigh the home’s technical details, like its exact square footage or number of bedrooms. After all, people want to fall in love with their homes, not just buy a house.

6. It’s an Easy and Affordable Way to Boost Your Home’s Attractiveness

The great thing about curb appeal is that it doesn’t always require major renovations. Small, affordable upgrades can have a huge impact on how your home is perceived by buyers. Here are some easy and budget-friendly ways to improve curb appeal:

Lawn care: Keep the grass mowed, edges trimmed, and weeds at bay. A neat, green lawn gives your home an instant lift.

Fresh paint or power washing: If your home’s exterior or trim is looking worn, a new coat of paint or a good power wash can make a world of difference.

Add some color: Brighten up the entryway with potted plants, flowers, or even a new welcome mat. Colorful flowers or a vibrant front door instantly make a home look more inviting.

Fix the details: Repair broken steps, clean out gutters, and replace any worn-out or outdated hardware (like doorknobs or light fixtures).

Landscape: Even a few strategically placed shrubs, flowers, or trees can make the front yard look more polished.

These changes don’t have to break the bank but can significantly improve the first impression your home makes.

7. Curb Appeal Reflects the Home’s Maintenance

Buyers want to know that a home has been cared for—both inside and out. If the yard is overrun with weeds, or the paint is chipping, it may raise concerns about other, more costly repairs that could be hiding inside. A well-maintained exterior signals to buyers that you’ve put in the effort to maintain the home, which makes them feel more confident in moving forward with the sale.

A little time and effort spent on curb appeal can demonstrate that the house has been loved and looked after, reducing buyer hesitation.

8. Curb Appeal Is a Competitive Edge in a Seller’s Market

In a competitive market, where there are many similar homes for sale, curb appeal can be the deciding factor that makes one property stand out over others. Buyers often have a limited amount of time to see properties, so homes that look inviting from the outside are more likely to get the attention they deserve. When competing against homes that might be in the same price range or neighborhood, your home’s curb appeal can give you a crucial edge.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Underestimate Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is so much more than just a pretty face for your home—it’s a strategic tool that can boost your home’s perceived value, speed up the selling process, and help you attract more buyers. Whether it’s a simple lawn tidy-up, a fresh coat of paint, or a few colorful flower pots, the exterior of your home sets the tone for everything that follows. So, before you list your home, take a good look at your curb appeal and make sure it’s sending the right message.

After all, first impressions matter, and in real estate, they could make all the difference.

What curb appeal upgrades have you made to your home? Or do you have any questions about how to improve yours? Let me know in the comments!