Saturday, 10 December 2011

Christmas Contest

MANY THANKS from Tony Marino and his team of professionals, for entering our "Christmas is Coming" contest.  

Stay tuned for our "Spring is Springing" contest where there will be great prizes and lots of chances to win!
Make sure you are "subscribed" to our website to not only enter our contest, but to receive informative Real Estate news and advice!!

Merry Christmas and all the best to you and your family in 2012!!!

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Be careful when you Shovel Snow!

With the white stuff coming down today, we at The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate thought we take a couple minutes and tell everybody to be careful when you shovel snow.

In the 18 years in real estate I have had to shovel out a few sidewalks, driveways, and  front steps to get homes ready to be shown. Let me tell you, it's not always fun.

When you stop and think about it, you can be pushing a couple hundred pounds of snow sometimes depending how large the driveway, front walk and steps are.  The simple way of moving all that snow safely is to take small manageable sized shovel fulls of snow and pace yourself.  Take your time, don't rush!  Every year you hear the stories on the news of someone having a heart attack from shovelling snow.

Pick a shovel that is light, plastic is the best, and one with a scoop.  You want to push the snow if you can, as mentioned above in small manageable loads, if you have to lift, bend at the knees and lift with your legs and not your back.

If the time has come that you can't shovel your own snow,  hire a service to do it for you,  there is nothing wrong with doing that.

Enjoy yourselves this winter and be safe!



      

Thursday, 3 November 2011

What to do.... To Renovate or Not?

 The other day while I was just about to step out to an appointment my phone rang and a very polite lady was on the other end of the line.  She had phoned to ask if her and her husband should update their electrical in their 100 year old home.  The cost would be roughly $17,000.  They knew they wouldn't get that money back, but wanted to know what to do!? 

The answer was simple. Do it.  The fact of the matter is, it is getting harder for buyers to get insurance on homes that have tube and knob wiring. The $17,000 dollar touch is painful and the simple truth is you are not going to get your money back on that, but can offset some of the cost by adding renos or updates that look rich but are inexpensive!

I suggest you go to www.TonyMarino.ca and click on the "Selling" link, in there is a chart that points out to you which updates to pick that will give you a good bang for the buck.

Redoing older hardwood floors is much less expensive then replacing them but the impact could be priceless, paint your wall some nice warm earth tones that give richness, declutter your home,  especially the closets, kitchen cabinets, counters and such.  The list when you look at it is mostly costs a lot of elbow grease.

If you don't know where to start, call or email The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate, we would be glad to sit down and go over a marketing plan that has a easy to follow chart.  Please remember "Helping you is what we do".  We can be reached at 942-2583 or houses@mts.net.          

Monday, 24 October 2011

Fall Yard Clean Up Tips

We here at The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate had a phone call the other day asking a good question.  The age old question " Why do I need to rake up my leaves?"

I stopped and thought about it for a minute my answer was because of two reasons;  one reason, was simple enough because if you live in the city your neighbours might not be to pleased with you if your yard looks unkept and leaves from your yard are blowing into their neatly raked yard.  The second reason is the more important one to you, if you don't get those leaves of the lawn, what will happen is that the leaves coupled with snow will actually smother your lawn.   

The leaves that you rake up can be put to good use.  You can cover perennials after they are cut back in the flower beds to protect them from frost over the winter.  The best use for raked up leaves though (apart from the kids jumping in the pile)  is composting.  Every year people run to the garden centers to buy peat moss and top soil and such, well if you start composting you can save yourself some money.  You can get the composting bins from the city at a low price or go to a gardening centre or home improvement store for some fancier ones that make it easier to turn the pile.  You can even build your own if you want. It's easy all it takes is some chicken wire and a few stakes. 

Step 1)  Found a spot in your yard away from everything.

Step 2) With a hammer pound four- 4 foot stakes into ground about 12-16 inches into the ground should be fine. Position the stakes into a square with each stake being 24 inches apart. from the other.
NOTE: CALL MANITOBA HYDRO "CALL BEFORE YOU DIG" LINE BEFORE YOU PUT STAKES INTO GROUND.

Step 3) Wrap chicken wire around your stakes attaching wire to stakes using cable ties.

Step 4) Put leaves into bin. Try to flip piles every so often. 

Before you know it you will your own organic rich fertilizer.

Please email us if you have an questions about this or if you have any ideas to share with us.

   

    

      

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

House Fall Maintenance Part 1

We here at The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate have always said you need to maintain your home to help keep its market value, with that being said here is the first in a series of inexpensive ways to maintain your home.  Enjoy, and if you have any questions or any ideas please send them to us houses@mts.net.


The Eavetroughs on your house are a very important part of your home but unfortunately they are always forgotten until there is a huge rain storm.

Living were you have large trees is going to mean leaves in the eaves and the key thing you always want to make sure that the eaves are clean and downspouts are not clogged up.

A good rule of thumb is to give your eaves a good cleaning when all the leaves have fallen from the tress that are close and surround your home.  You tend to want to do this before the end of October, if possible (any later and there is always the chance of snow).

You will need a good quality ladder.  You can purchase them at any home improvement stores.  Look at the load rating of the ladder it is important,  less expensive ladders are rated for lighter loads, ask for help, if you have any questions.  Always be careful when using a ladder!!! Follow the safety warnings and the instructions!!!

Now before you get started you are going to want to have small pail or bag to put the leaves and other debris from the eaves into.  A eave shovel will help you with your task, pair of work gloves so you don't cut yourself on any anything sharp round off your list.

Start cleaning from one end and work your way along the eaves, making sure to re-position your ladder as you go, you NEVER want to work out of a safe reach zone.  Once you have cleaned out the eaves it is always a good idea to flush the downspouts with water. The best way of doing this is snake the hose into the downspouts (not deep that you can't get it out) The screws that hold the downspouts together are short and shouldn't damage your hose, but you will need to judge that yourself. Turn the water on, any debris should come out at the bottom. 

It is important to note if you are not comfortable on ladders or heights, phone around to find a company that can provide this service for you.

You should always clean your eaves and downspouts a couple to a few times a years depending the amount of trees around your home.

Stay tuned for more helpful hints and remember be safe.



   

              

Friday, 14 October 2011

Home for sale in North Kildonan

The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate is proud to present 100 Vryenhoek Crescent!   Showing Start Oct. 14th. Offers presented Tuesday October 18th at 7pm. "Wow" is what you will say when you step foot into this fantastic three bedroom home. Gleaming red oak select A grade hardwood floors thought out most of the main floor greet you when you step into the home. The well sized L-shaped living room/dining room layout is perfect for any family. The Main bathroom has been updated and is bright and cheerful. The modern white and bright kitchen has plenty of counter top space & even a spot for a table, the upgraded Austrian laminated floor finishes off the kitchen. The Master bedroom is a good size. The two conveniently located spare bedrooms are also well sized. The lower level is finished with a recroom and has a half bath. There is an updated furnace and roof. Sump pump. The back yard is landscaped with fruit trees and flower gardens. Oversized single garage. Steps away from De Graff Park. Close to bus, schools, Oma's Bakery and shopping. This home is worth a look!!!  Take a tour of this fine home on line at www.TonyMarino.ca or call The Tony Marino Team at 942-2583 to set up your private showing today!                   

Monday, 3 October 2011

711-175 Pulberry Street, Winnipeg

The Tony Marino Team of Royal Lepage Top Producers Real Estate has justed listed this wonderful condo in St. Vital!!!  You will never tire of the breathtaking view this corner South West, 7th floor, condo has to offer. Along with this view, you also get one very well maintained, spotless, 812 sq ft, two bedroom, one large bathroom condo to call home. The modest kitchen features Oak cabinets, fridge, stove, dishwasher & a large size pantry with enough room for a small freezer and all your little extra's. Well maintained building with laundry facilities on each floor. Underground parking and storage locker available at an additional charge. Very close to all sorts of shopping, restaurants and transportation. An excellent place for anyone to call home. Call The Tony Marino Team at 942-2583 or email us at houses@mts.net to set your private viewing.  There will be two open houses this Thanksgiving weekend,  one on Sunday October 9th 1-3pm and the other will be on Monday October 10th 1-3pm. Please come down and meet Lee Ann Dueck and Tony Marino, we'll be happy to talk to you and and answer all your real estate questions.  The Tony Marino Team has been "Taking the Mystery out of Buying and Selling your Home™" for over 21 years. Visit our new and improved website at www.TonyMarino.ca for more information on this fine home.                    

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Fall yard Clean-up

Fall yard Clean-up

Fall is here, which means it’s time to clean up your yard and prepare for the cool days ahead. So we at  The Tony Marino Team of  Royal Lepage Top Producers Real Estate thought we give you a little advice.  A little work now will lead to a big payoff when spring arrives. The most efficient way to start is at the top, by pruning trees, trimming hedges and cleaning gutters. After that, work your way down. Protect your deck by cleaning and staining it, close the pool and start composting. Finish on the ground with a little lawn maintenance, garden sweep and overall assessment. Use the following checklist to make your annual fall yard cleanup easy and enjoyable
.
Step 1: Clean your gutters
Now is a good time to clear leaves and debris from your gutters. Ensure proper drainage of your roof to avoid costly leaks before the cooler wet weather hits. Use a small garden trowel to scoop out the gunk. If the dirt is solidified, soak it first to loosen it, then use a garden hose to rinse it out through the downspouts. If there’s a clog, use a plumber’s auger to free it.

Step 2: Prune trees and hedges
Trim overgrown areas and remove dead limbs before they weaken and fall under winter snows in the North and heavy rains in the South. Thinning your trees now may save you a roof-repair bill in the future. For higher or heavier tree cleanup, use a chainsaw.

Step 3: Protect your deck
With summer traffic in your backyard slowing, now is a great time to use a pressure washer to clean the mold, mildew and grime from your deck before sealing it. Once your deck is clean and dry, protect it from costly moisture damage during the cooler wet months ahead. Use weatherproofing wood stain.

Step 4: Start a compost pile
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 24 percent of an average household’s yard trimmings and food waste ends up in landfills. A great way to reduce your impact is to compost. When clearing the garden, remove all blackened plants such as zinnias, petunias and marigolds (Tagetes) and add them to your compost. Remove plant stems on any perennials that may have had diseased foliage, such as peonies (Paeonia) and lilies (Lilium). Put them in garbage bags or cans to avoid spreading weeds and disease. Good sanitation now will result in fewer problems next spring.

Step 5: Pool Maintenance
Closing the swimming pool for the season is a great weekend project: Clean the bottom with a pool vacuum hose. Use a net to remove floating debris and leaves. Balance the water chemistry. Shock your pool and add an algaecide. Lower the water level to 4-6 inches below the skimmer and close valves. Drain the lines and plug them with winterizing plugs. Fill the skimmer line with antifreeze and place a skimmer guard in the skimmer to prevent costly damage from ice forming. Protect your pool with a winter cover.

Step 6: Till your vegetable garden
In the North, it’s time to clean and clear your vegetable garden. Dig out old vegetable plants and add them to your compost pile. Till the plot thoroughly, then add several inches of compost to nurture the soil for spring planting. Work the compost into the soil to help it breathe and allow rainwater to pass through more easily.

Step 7: Get the grime off your tools
As the gardening season slows, give your tools a polish. Spend a few minutes wiping them clean to remove debris and dirt. Apply a light layer of oil to keep them from rusting during the cold season so they’ll be ready to use in the spring.

Step 8: Do a little lawn maintenance
Fall lawn care will yield maximum results in the spring. Apply herbicides to control weed infestations. Aerate compacted soil or use a rake to remove thatch. Use fall lawn fertilizer to improve soil conditions for when spring growth begins. Mow grass blades no more than 1/3 of its length at once. To clear dried grass clippings, leaves or dirt from your driveway, patio or deck, use a blower. Leaf blowers make lawn work quick and easy. For small lawns use a handheld model. For large, opt for a more comfortable backpack blower.
Step 9: Give your garden bed a clean sweep
As the growing season slows, give your flower garden a clean sweep and prepare it for spring. Spent plants, debris and weeds can be a welcoming and warm environment for fungi and bacteria to grow and a great place for insects to lay eggs. Clearing it now will save you costly springtime repairs. Once your garden is clean, feed your soil by adding fertilizer, compost and organic topsoil; use a tiller to mix it together. When you’re finished, cover the garden with pine-bark mulch, to prepare it for next spring.
Step 10: Assess lighting needs
Now that your yard is in tip-top shape and clear of debris, take a look around. Inspect your outdoor lights to ensure that they’re working properly and replace those that aren’t. If you don’t have landscape lighting, now’s a great time to add it to your space. As the days get shorter, the right lighting can bring your garden to life at night. Go for low-voltage or solar lighting systems, since they’re an affordable and earth-friendly way to illuminate your yard, walkway, patio, driveway and garden.

We hope this tips help. 

 

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

343 Ferry Road

Great investment opportunity!!!  Located on the corner of Ferry and Ness.  Four Residential units and one commerical unit.  Great money maker!!!  Must be bought with 345 Ferry Road (a vacant lot).

Close to everything.

Don't delay call The Tony Marino Team of Royal Lepage Top Producers at 989-6900 for more details and to set up your private viewing of 343 Ferry Road today.  

Thursday, 11 August 2011

81 Moore Avenue, Winnipeg

Showing start on August 11th, Open House August 14th 1 - 3 pm, Offers August 15th @ 7pm. Fantastic family home with four bedrooms on second floor. Maple kitchen cabinets with built in oven and cook top and microwave oven, plenty of counter top space, open to dining room. Patio doors form dining room to large back yard. Large living room with large windows to let plenty of sunlight in. Hardwood floors on main and second flr with cork flooring in kitchen and hallway on main floor. The main floor has a two piece bath. The second floor features a large master bedroom with a bay window with window seat, large closet with access to five piece main bathrm with corner jetted tub. The fully finshed basement has a large L-shaped recroom. The laundry room has a shower and laundry sink. The good sized single attached garage has an opener with access door to back yard. The backyard is fenced and private. Close to St. Vital Park and St. Vital Mall, all levels of schools and only minutes away from bus stop and golf course.  For your private showing of this fine home in St. Vital please contact The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate at 204-942-2583 or 204-792-8525.  To view photos of this two storey family home please go to www.TonyMarino.ca or email us at houses@mts.net.  This home is waiting for you!!! 

Monday, 18 July 2011

810 Mulvey Avenue

Showing start July 14th,  Offers on Tuesday July 19th at 7:00 pm. Looking for a house with Character?? You will find it in this 1430 sq ft well cared for 1 3/4 Storey home in desirable Crescentwood. Beautiful original oak wood work is throughout the whole home with original hardwood floors on main and second floor. This home offers 3 bedrooms, a den, eat in kitchen with a separate formal dining room open to the living room and a front porch. (front porch and attic space are not included in total sq footage) Upgraded windows, new high eff furnace in 2006, new Kitchen in 2005. Updated circuit breaker box. Basement and attic are insulated. Parking pad for 2 cars. Close to schools, playground, shopping and transportation. Call The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate at 942-2583 for your private showing. More information on this fine home go to www.tonymarino.ca

386 St. Anne's Road

386 St. Anne's Road...Start showing July 21st, Open House July 24th 1-3 pm, offers July 27th. Lots of space for any family to move around - in this 1120 Sq ft 2 story Townhouse. This home offers 3 good sized bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a main level patio with a tasteful lattice fence for privacy and a upper level balcony off the master bedroom! The upstairs bathroom is large enough for 2 with double sinks! Well laid out kitchen with an eating area and a huge living room. The full basement is partially finished with a rec room, laundry room (with a sink), a workshop/storage space and a half bath with enough room for a future shower! Great location facing St Anne's Road with the bus stop almost at your front door. Close to schools and shopping! Call Lee Ann Dueck of the Tony Marino Team with Royal LePage Top Producers Real Estate for your private viewing at 782-8536 or come down on Sunday July 27th for the open house. There is more information on this fine home on www.tonymarino.ca.

Sunday, 12 June 2011

New Listing In North Kildonan-- 100 Vryenhoek Cresent

S/S June 9th, Offers June 14th @ 7 pm. Open house Sunday June 12th 2-4 pm. Amazing opportunity to purchase this 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath solidly custom built bungalow right from the original owner! Featuring a yard that even an experienced horticulturist would be jealous of with soaring Linden trees, lilacs & endless perennials. This home has an updated Kitchen with new flooring (2010) an updated Bathroom, original hardwood floors on main. Newer furnace, hot water tank and sump pump. Shingles replaced in 2010. Great neighbourhood, close to schools and parks. Tremendous opportunity to make this well cared for house with its mostly original features, your home. Tony Marino Team. Call Today 942-2583 or email houses@mts.net

Thursday, 5 May 2011

Business Opportunity!!! Call Today!!!

Restaurant and Lounge Priced at only $514,900

Completely renovated and new addition added to this once in a life time opportunity in Grand Marais, only minutes from Grand Beach! This Restaurant and Lounge just needs a few finishing touches to be ready for the summer beach crowd. Possession can be immediate. Outside patio with a privacy fence. Life long composite decking for the walk way. Take out windows. Nothing overlooked. Call The Tony Marino Team of Royal Lepage Top Producers Real Estate for more details, toll free at 1-866-989-6900 or visit www.TonyMarino.ca

Thursday, 28 April 2011

19 Chancery Bay...$339,900

This House is a must for any family!  This well maintained 1670sqft three bedroom, two storey has a formal living room/dinning room combo, large eat in oak kitchen with main floor laundry, dinette area with patio doors to a deck overlooking a large back yard. The main floor continues with a sunken family room with a brick facing wood burning fireplace, and two piece bathroom. The second floor has a large master bedroom with a walk in closet and three piece en suite. There are two other good sized spare bedrooms, and a four piece main bathroom.  The basement is finished with a huge rec room and closet that contains the rough ins for a future bathroom. The sump pump is newer. The furnace is serviced regularly. The shingles were replaced two years ago. The front is clad in timeless brick with a cedar siding. The front drive is concrete and the double attached garage is 22'x 22' with a opener. The home is located in River Park South, only minutes away from parks, schools, shopping and bus services. This house is must see!!!! July possession date.  Please call The Tony Marino Team of Royal LePage Top Producers at 204-792-8525 to view this home or visit http://www.tonymarino.ca/ to see photos of this home of for more info.