The sun is shining, the restrictions put in place to protect our communities from the spread of COVID-19 are slowly lessening; and we are ready for a ‘new’ normal to begin.

We are pleased to announce that Realstar is preparing to re-open property amenity spaces in accordance with our local, provincial and Federal government guidelines. Amenity spaces will be opened in phases as permitted. While we are excited and recognize the anticipation by residents, some amenities may open while others will remain closed as we work to safely open them. Your patience is appreciated.

In addition to the safety protocols we have become accustomed to, and in an effort to keep our residents and employees safe, when we open the amenity spaces we ask that you follow the protocols below:

	Gyms, pools, patios, social rooms and any other amenity space are to be used at your own risk.
	Guests will not be permitted in gyms, pools, patios, social rooms and any other amenity space until further notice.
	Residents will not use any amenity spaces if they are sick or required to self-isolate.
	Residents will maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet or 2 metres while using amenity spaces.
	Residents are encouraged to wear face masks when accessing and using amenity areas.
	Realstar will provide disinfectant spray and cleaning cloths in certain amenity spaces and residents are expected to clean gym equipment and barbeques after each use.
	Realstar will limit the number of occupants for each amenity space. The occupancy limits will be posted at the entrance to the area.
	Residents are required to wash or sanitize their hands before entering any amenity space.
	Amenity spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis and residents are asked to limit their time in the areas to no more than 60 minutes to allow other residents to use the space.
	Puzzles, books, pool cues, table tennis paddles and other items have been removed from all social rooms until further notice. Furniture will be removed from the pool area.
	Any abuse of the rules may result in the closing of the amenity space

It is through shared consideration for one another that we will continue to be able to enjoy community amenities.

For additional information related to the re-opening of amenity spaces, we encourage residents to check your resident portal and/or email or please connect with your on-site property management team. 

We thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation as we phase in the re-opening of our amenity spaces.

The post Moving Forward! | Realstar is Delighted to Announce the Opening of Amenity Spaces appeared first on Realstar Blog.

The days are getting longer, the sun is starting to shine and the flowers beginning to sprout. As we welcome spring, we are also cautiously optimistic that some guidelines and laws surrounding COVID-19 may be relaxed. We would like to thank you all for all your efforts in maintaining physical distancing and following the recommendations of our local, provincial and Federal governments. These have been challenging times for us all. Realstar appreciates your understanding and cooperation in upholding the protocols currently in place.

Currently there is no change to the status of Realstar common areas within our apartment communities. Closures of all common areas and increased sanitation of high traffic areas remain in place to comply with laws and guidelines and as we work to prioritize the health and safety of our residents, employees and local communities.

We are tremendously grateful to our incredible on-site teams who continue to work diligently to keep our communities clean and safe and provide support to residents. To all of our amazing teams – Thank You!

While we look forward to brighter times where we can once again gather and celebrate together, we thank you for your resilience and ask that you continue to follow your community protocols, maintain physical distancing and ensure you are following all other recommended guidelines, including:

Wash your hands often with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds

Avoid shaking hands

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact with people, especially those who are sick

Stay home if you are sick

Cough or sneeze into sleeve and not hands

If you believe you are infected or might have come into contact with COVID-19, you are encouraged to contact your health care provider immediately.

Everyone has been impacted by COVID-19 and efforts are in place to flatten the curve. It is important to remember we are all in this together and together we will get through it. Be kind to one another and be patient with your neighbours. It is equally as important to remember we are doing this to protect not only ourselves but the most vulnerable – particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions. We continue to prudently work together with the well-being of the global community at heart.

The post Realstar Communities: Brighter Days Ahead appeared first on Realstar Blog.

April 22, 2020 marks the world’s 50^th Earth Day and the opportunity to reflect on global environmental issues – and it will be the first time in history it will be 100% digital! Striving towards a better, more sustainable future for all, there has never been a better time to start making a difference.

This year Earth Day will be celebrated during one of the most prolific global pandemics experienced in generations. Traditionally groups would have gathered to celebrate, discuss and lobby towards movement. This year Earth Day will be commemorated entirely online with countless digital resources available towards awareness and taking action. This Earth Day is the perfect time to start thinking globally and being mindful of actions towards bettering the planet.

GET ENGAGED

• Earth Day Live 2020 – series of discussions & performances
• Animation & Poetry for Our 50th Earth Day – program of short animated films to acknowledge 50 years of Earth Days

INTERESTED IN TAKING ACTION?

There are several habit-forming changes; big and small, that you can start today that will work towards positive and lasting environmental results. Here’s a few:

• Use reusable water bottles and eliminate plastic water bottle waste
• Eat less meat or consider a Meatless Monday challenge and lessen polluting gasses and water usage through production
• Use less hot water showering and doing laundry
• Consider taking shorter showers instead of baths
• Ensure to recycle recyclable items instead of disposing of them in the trash
• Use reusable products rather than disposables
• Change your light bulbs to LED – they last 10 times longer and use two-thirds less energy!

The post EARTH DAY ISN’T JUST ANOTHER DAY – 50TH ANNIVERSARY appeared first on Realstar Blog.

Insurance – one of the world’s longest, most complicated business. At a time where most everything is becoming increasingly complicated; insurance is no exception. Life insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, it seems like there is an insurance for everything – your home included. It can be difficult to justify the additional spend on something so apparently intangible, but it is important to consider the monumental benefits that a nominal monthly or annual fee can provide.  

Although you can not hold it, and the premiums may leave you questioning what you get in return, tenant insurance is something that you may one day reap the benefits of. No one anticipates or truly plans for disaster, and even the most prepared can be left scrambling when faced with it. How can tenant insurance help? It’s important to know the facts:
 

What is Tenant Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

You may not own your home, but you eat, sleep and spend a large amount of time there. Chances are you have filled it with items you are likely very fond of. In the event that something happens to the property or your apartment, it is important to know your landlord’s insurance only cover the property. A tenant’s personal belongings are not included within a landlord’s coverage and it is up to the tenant to ensure they are covered. Without tenant insurance, you could be paying a large amount of money out of pocket for items lost to theft, property damage or living expenses while your apartment or the building is fixed.
 

What does Tenant Insurance Cover?
While there is a seemingly limitless array of plans and coverage out there, it is important to note the basics. Most tenant insurance will cover “your stuff” but others may include added benefit of liability and living expenses.

Contents
Chances are you are attached to the items you have filled your home with. The furniture, clothing and electronics that you have spent many a paycheck acquiring could financially be irreplaceable if all were lost at once. Beyond the losses within the boundaries of your home, tenant insurance can often include theft from your car, or loss of a valuable while on vacation.

Liability
Just because you don’t own your home doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible for any damages or accidents that may happen within it. Should someone – be it a neighbour, a friend or a family member visiting your home and injured themselves, you could be the lucky recipient of a lawsuit. Or if you are found to have caused a fire or flood that spread to neighbouring unit(s), you would be liable to pay out of pocket to repair those damages. Tenant insurance that includes liability coverage can help cover these costs.

Living Expenses
Just as most car insurance covers a replacement vehicle if your car requires repairs after an accident, some tenant insurance will provide a similar arrangement for temporary shelter should you find yourself displaced from your home. If you are a single person, it may be easy to couch surf until your place is made livable again, but the same may not hold true for a family of four. This could include staying in a hotel, eating out at restaurants and even moving expenses.

Realstar Resident Exclusive Tenant Insurance Offering  
It is never easy to anticipate the unexpected, but it is simple to prepare for it with the peace of mind provided through tenant insurance. If you were to add up the cost of replacing every item in your home should it be lost and compare that against the annual fee for tenant insurance, you will likely find it’s worth the investment – even across several years.

We value our residents and as such, all Realstar residents have access to a preferred rate for tenant insurance that costs less than $0.50 a day!  Are you a Realstar resident, protect yourself from the unexpected, purchase your tenant insurance today!

The post Better Safe Than Sorry – The Benefits of Tenant Insurance appeared first on Realstar Blog.

The holidays are supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year”. The weeks surrounding the holidays should be filled with family and friends, laughter, beautifully wrapped parcels, tear jerking holiday music and movies – it’s no wonder that everything seems to magical this time of year. As your calendar begins to fill with social commitments for work, friends and family, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos that the holidays can create. Whether you are hosting a formal or casual gathering for a large or small group this season, following these quick and easy steps can help you stay calm and coast through any stress the holiday season can present.

Manage Your Expectations
First and foremost – manage your expectations. If you are tight on time, perhaps planning an elaborate five-course dinner entirely from scratch and decking ALL your halls with all that sparkles may not be reasonable; not to mention, could leave you hiding in the kitchen polishing off a bottle of wine. Choose a menu and décor that match your lifestyle and that won’t leave you melting into a puddle of stress trying to execute.

Plan Ahead
Once you have selected a theme and a food, plan and organize what you can in advance. This includes making a shopping list (don’t forget to check it twice!) for menu items and party supplies. Buy what you can in advance and save picking up the perishables for closer to the party. You may even be able to prepare some of your items a day or two before the party – this is also a great way to let flavours enhance! Organize your space, clean and decorate what you can in advance to save yourself from having to do everything the night before.

Keep it Simple
Don’t overcomplicate and make things so difficult that neither you nor your guests enjoy your time together. Do one thing well and go lighter on others. It’s easy to get caught up in perfectionism around the holiday season and loose sight of what this time of year is truly about. Take inspiration from some of the best recipes around, a handful of ingredients but delicious nonetheless – less is more.

Spend Time with Your Guests
Most importantly, don’t forget why you are hosting a gathering – to spend time together with your guests. There is nothing worse than being locked away, hovering over a hot stove, stressing and sweating about doing everything ‘just right’. Choose where to focus your energy and efforts. If dishing up beautifully crafted entrees is going to leave you spending the majority of the evening hidden away and stressed, why not set up a self-serve station? This could include taco bars, nacho bars, pasta bars – all manner of bars! Alleviate the pressure of cooking and let your guests customize their food they way they like it – no to mention, a self-serve station is way more fun and interactive. Guaranteed, your guests will have a far more memorable time spending time laughing together then watching the host become unravelled and frazzled.

The post Host with the Most – How to Host a Stress-Free Holiday Party appeared first on Realstar Blog.

Incorporate Items of Special Interest and Nostalgia
Being able to design a space that is uniquely you includes incorporating items and keepsakes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort. For instance, that “well-loved” – but equally tattered blanked your grandmother knitted for you, those cheesy souvenirs you purchased on a recent trip to Peru or the comic book collection you have poured countless hours curating over many years. While these types of items may not fit within the parameters of traditional décor, they may be the difference between the feeling of home versus staying the night in a trendy hotel. There are several innovative ways to showcase your memories within your space.

Create Warmth With Removable Wallcovering And Carpeting
There may be certain restrictions that come with your new place. For instance, the walls and floors may be what they are – but you don’t have to be limited by them. If your lease agreement does not allow for painting, you can consider peel and stick wallpaper. Most are both removable and repositionable, come in a variety of colours and prints and guaranteed to spice up any living space! Choosing to add a great area rug can add a splash of colour and warmth. The addition of an area rug can both make a space more inviting and warmer on your feet!

Go Vertical
Empty spaces can feel cold and uninviting – the same holds true for empty walls, especially plain light-coloured walls. The selection of wall décor is seemingly limitless and can include anything from creative art pieces – purchased or home made, personalized photo galleries and space-enhancing decorative mirrors. Going vertical and adorn your walls with art, photos and mirrors.  

Brighten Your Day
Lighting can drastically alter the vibe of any space. Not many people enjoy the feel of a cold, sterile florescent lighting. There are countless ways to incorporate lighting to create an inviting place to call home. If a major overhaul of fixtures just isn’t in the budget – simply choose bulbs that emit a softer more yellow less white light. Adding a few lamps with dimmers allows you to both inject personality into your apartment while maintaining control over the lighting as you please.

The post Four Simple Ways to Make a Rental Apartment Feel Like Home appeared first on Realstar Blog.