Community Experience 
Driving can cause you to miss out on experiencing all your community has to offer.  Strolling through the streets of your neighbourhood offers a more complete perspective as you discover shops and people you might not have had the opportunity to encounter from behind the wheel.  

The Walk to Wellness
According to Time Magazine article “10 Things Your Commute Does to Your Body”, a daily drive commute to and from work “impacts your mental and physical health” and is associated with increased cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure which over time can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke.  Not to mention the toll it takes on your mental health, according to report from the U.K.’s Office of National statistics fighting traffic on a regular basis increases anxiety, puts you a risk for depression and actually declines “happiness and life satisfaction”.   In case you needed any more incentive to re-think a car commute, according to a 2014 study from McGill University, commuters who walk to work tend to be happier overall compared with those who have a lengthy commute. 

Cost vs. Car Share
A major bonus in forgoing a vehicle is saving on all the costs associated with regular maintenance, fuel, insurance, license, registration and parking.  According to the CAA car ownership is the second largest expense after housing for Canadians. On average, including depreciation, owning a vehicle in Canada costs approximately $9,500 annually.   Many would argue that the convenience of having a car is well worth the price tag, yet car sharing services like Modo are a more cost-effective option for those times when you just really need a vehicle.  Unlike traditional car rental companies, Modo bills by the hour or with a full day rate of $50 which is inclusive of gas, insurance and maintenance.  With the flexibility to book on the fly, residents in our Novare, Glenmore Central and Lynncreek Apartments have added incentive with Modo car share services located right on site.   

Central living maybe more costly rent wise but in a vibrant community close to major amenities, you have the luxury of living “car free” without the added stress and expense of owning a vehicle.  “Car free” may become the new “carefree”, healthier approach to urban life.  

The post “Car Free” – The Carefree Approach to Urban Living appeared first on Realstar Blog.

1. Location, location, location
Many first time home buyers “settle” on neighbourhoods they don’t necessarily love because they can’t afford the price tag associated with more central or desirable areas. Renters have more options at various price points within the communities of their choice and they aren’t locked down. When life changes, like having a baby or taking a job in a new city; it’s much easier to up-grade or relocate.

2. Cash in hand
 Real estate is not the only option when investing. Often renters have more disposable cash because they aren’t weighed down by things like initial down payment, repairs and property taxes. On a month to month basis, renting is also less expensive then owning a home after you factor in all the utilities and maintenance. So that extra money can be easily put into investments that offer more liquidity in the short term should you need to access your savings for a sudden expense or that trip to Amalfi coast you’ve been dreaming of.

3. Time is on Your Side
Owning a home comes with extra work which can be physically demanding, as well as, a drain on something most people already feel really stretched for – time. Whether it is regular lawn maintenance or ripping out the early 80’s wood panelling in the basement, the time involved in the general up-keep of a home, coupled with increasing it’s value is something renters just don’t have to contend with. Choosing to opt out of buying a home leaves more time for the important stuff like hot yoga and weekend wine tours.

If the concept of purchasing feels like pressure, then it may be best to hold off and evaluate whether becoming a home owner is really in line with your overall lifestyle preferences. If you think outside the box, there’s more than one way to create a life you love – mortgage or not.

The post Three Big Benefits of Renting appeared first on Realstar Blog.

Despite the January blahs, the New Year is a time when we have a renewed sense of optimism, letting go of the old and making space for the new and improved version of us.  Moving is also a great opportunity to start an exciting, new phase of your life. It’s the perfect time to implement new ways to help keep your fresh start from going stale.  So here are a few strategies to keep the momentum flowing while developing some healthy habits designed to keep your home the sanctuary of rest and relaxation it should be. 

1. Commit to De-Clutter

Studies have shown there’s a very real connection between a person’s overall lack of wellbeing and clutter.   A 2016 study conducted by the University of New Mexico found that “because so many people identify so closely with their home environments, the extent to which it’s cluttered can interfere with the pleasure they experience when being in that environment”.  In fact, clutter has been said to be a reflection of the inner state of the mind and stepping into an environment that is disorganized and over-run with stuff can actually cause a person to feel irritated, exhausted and mentally foggy, which in turn negatively impacts crucial functions like eating, thinking and sleeping.   A separate 2017 study at Cornell University found that people tend to eat more sugary, high fat foods when placed in the chaos of clutter as compared to times when they are in a clean, organized environment.  The study concluded that when a person was subjected to a place where they felt “out of control”, stress levels started to climb causing them to reach for sweets as a source of comfort.   So, in case you thought clutter was just a harmless by product of contemporary life – it may be negatively impacting your overall sense of wellbeing, not to mention your waistline!   A great way to keep clutter to a minimum in your new home is to designate a place for everything.  Having a junk drawer for miscellaneous items is ok and can be a real sanity saver some days but keep it contained to one drawer.   Attempt to apply some order by sorting the junk in some way – drawer dividers or containers are a great way to organize the chaos and commit to clearing out the drawer out every couple of months to prevent a “spill out” to other places.  

2. Start a Schedule

Nothing can put a damper on your weekend like coming home Friday to a sink full of dirty dishes or mountains of laundry spilling down the hall – it doesn’t exactly scream “rest and relaxation” does it?   A great way to avoid this high stress scene is by prioritizing routine chores and designate time to tackle them.   The main thing to remember is be realistic about your time and make a plan that you can easily stick to. It can be a simple as setting aside 20 minutes a night to run the vacuum, put the laundry away or do a quick clear and toss of the fridge to prevent post week pile-up.  

3.  Avoid Procrastination in 24 Hrs or Less

We all have certain things around the house that we dislike doing more than others, things we tend to avoid and put off as long as possible until the smell from the fridge, the piles of clothes in the corner or the dust bunnies down the hall can no longer be ignored.   The trick here is two-fold, give yourself a 24 hr time limit, so you don’t have to do it right away but there’s a limit to how long you can procrastinate and then find a way to take the torture out of these tasks by incorporating an element of enjoyment into them.   A sure fail, simple way to accomplish this is, music, just put on your favourite play list and power through.   Dance party with the dishes may sound corny but it actually works.

The post New Year, New Place – Fresh Start appeared first on Realstar Blog.

1.            Create Some Space

Here’s where you want to get creative and maximize your space to ensure your guests have room to mix and mingle in comfort:

• • • Open up the main entertaining space by clearing out any bulky furniture and moving all seating out of the center of the room
    • Make the most of every surface for serving, for example drape a festive table cloth over a TV stand or sofa table to create a serving station
    • Utilize your front foyer to welcome guests by setting up a side table for hors d’oeuvres or laying out decorative party favors

2.            Pre-Prep

To avoid losing precious counter space in the kitchen, do as much pre-prep as possible so you don’t have the clutter of pots and pans taking away from serving space or preventing guests from fanning out into the kitchen.   Doing as much pre-cooking as possible before guests arrive will also help keep your apartment cooler, so guests won’t feel like they’re celebrating in a sauna. 

3.            Serve a Signature

An easy way to add an element of luxury to your party is by serving a signature cocktail with a festive theme like Mix that Drink’s featured Candy Cane Martini.  Don’t worry if simplicity is more your style, a classic cran vodka is sure to please, just add a splash of festive garnish like fresh cranberries and a wedge of lime to capture that Christmas colour scheme.   A signature drink also saves you from needing a fully stocked bar, but don’t forget to make a virgin version for guests who don’t drink or are driving.  

4.            Decorate to Scale

Your main priority for hosting in smaller, apartment space is your guests comfort but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on décor, just scale it down to size.   If a full sized Christmas tree will eat up too much floor space, why not opt for a mini table top version that doubles as a center piece or use evergreen wreaths to create that same woodsy, holiday vibe.   Again, if simplicity is your style some strategically placed candles and fresh florals will infuse any space with ample warmth and festive charm. 

The post Four Fail Safe Tips for Holiday Entertaining – Apartment Style appeared first on Realstar Blog.

One of the most common issues that can arise between neighbours is noise, so we thought it would be helpful to share a few tips that can help you navigate through times you find yourself faced with loud music or a little late night revelry by taking a diplomatic rather than defensive stance.  

But First Just Knock

The first thing to do when you are jolted awake by a neighbour at 3 am is ask yourself is this a “one off” or a frequent occurrence?   If it’s a “one off” and it’s a weekend or it’s a once a year thing, then it’s reasonable to give your neighbour a “pass” for the offense.  You can live through it for one night.   However, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence, a tried an true method of dealing with late night noise is the universal “courtesy knock”.   It sends an effective signal to your neighbours that it’s time to “turn it down”.  Beyond that, if the noise is becoming a regular Tuesday night and it’s interfering with your sleep then it’s time for a talk.

When it Doubt Give the Benefit

Now this is where things can go sideways if you aren’t conscious of how you communicate.   Before you go barging over in a sleep deprived state it’s wise to take a breath and ask yourself a few key questions?  

1.  Is my neighbour aware that this noise is causing a disturbance?   Could it be that they just don’t realize that the noise is carrying?  
2. Is this noise being caused by a normal, time appropriate activity like young children playing in the afternoon or is it excessive in nature, like moving furniture at 1 a.m.?
3. If I was my neighbour how would I like to be approached about this issue?

When first approaching your neighbour to have a discussion, don’t be aggressive. Give your neighbour the benefit of the doubt and assume that whatever they are doing is unintentional and they simply don’t realize there is an issue. Don’t assume they are terrible, inconsiderate people – assume they just don’t realize.  Once you make them aware of the issue, it should be easy to resolve. 

Face to Face is Best

 The best approach to take with your neighbour is always to have a “face to face” conversation.   Leaving a note can potentially cause more harm than good in that it’s almost impossible to predict how your neighbour will perceive it.   A note is open for interpretation and you run the risk of coming off as “snarky” in tone which will immediately get their back up.    Face to face communication is a much more effective, human way of relating where you have the opportunity to come up with a reasonable plan for resolution.  

An example of this in the case of loud music would be to say “I don’t mind the music, but after 11 it makes it difficult for me to sleep and I have to be up early for work during the week.  Would you be able to turn it down after 11?”  

Don’t Get Your Back Up

In the event your neighbour responds to your issue with the classic “let’s turn the tables” tactic and takes the opportunity to point out how you’re not exactly the perfect neighbour either, it’s best not to get defensive.   Is it a childish move? Kind of.  Is it irrelevant? Maybe.  Is it Valid? Possibly.   Take a quick inventory and try to see things through their eyes.  Admitting to something, even the most minor of offenses, goes a long way in evening out the playing field by effectively saying “hey, ok, I’m not perfect either”.    The best response is to be genuine and say something along the lines of “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I mad a mistake.” Then quickly move on to resolve any issues in a respectful manor.

Be Proactive, Be Kind

Of course the best way to avoid any potential conflict with your neighbours is to do you best to be proactive in the consideration department.   For instance, let your neighbours know in advance if you are having a party.  Give them your phone number and tell them not to hesitate to reach out should the noise level become too much.   And if you’re really feeling neighbourly why not invite them to drop by for a drink? 

The bottom line is a little thoughtful consideration goes a long way in creating a harmonious community – if you know your neighbours have a toddler maybe make an effort to turn down the volume after 8pm, maybe don’t run the vacuum at 11pm?  Kindness is infectious and can spread faster than the gossip about the waring neighbours on the 11^th floor. 

Of course if all attempts at a diplomacy with your neighbours fail, then contact the on-site Resident Manager to lodge a complaint and they will work with you to resolve the situation.   You should never feel like you have to live with inconsiderate neighbours. Here at Realstar we believe your home should be a safe space to enjoy within a comfortable community setting.   

The post Realstar’s Roadmap to Navigating Noisy Neighbours appeared first on Realstar Blog.