This is what the house looks like now.  Just about everything looks different and it makes me curious to know what they’ve done inside.  Anyone care to fill me in?

If you see a property of any kind that you think deserves some notice for a transformation, let me know and I’ll feature it here on the blog.  Inside or out.  Thanks.

One featured a speaker from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) who spent a couple of hours educating a room full of REALTORS® about the property valuation process and governing legislation.  Another meeting featured Don Mathieson, the Mayor of Stratford as the guest speaker.  He was outstanding and inspiring as he told the story of how his community attracted a university through a public-private sector partnership of astounding cooperation and potential.  But it was the last meeting that really, really got me excited.

Robert Voigt is a Community Planner with the Town of Collingwood and he’s been charged with the task of developing Urban Design Standards for the community.  Before you gloss over, let me tell you that his work is of huge importance to your life.

I think that one of the things citizens of Collingwood and the Georgian Triangle struggle with is the growth pressures that arrived about a decade ago.  Our communities are growing and changing before our very eyes.  How we move about town, what we see, how we feel and our sense of place have all changed or been challenged.  As politicians changed, so did the directions of growth depending on the feelings of a majority of those 9 people sitting around the council table.  It would appear that is about to change.

Today, the town has committed to developing Urban Design Standards, not guidelines, that will become by-laws governing the future form of development in Collingwood.  At the same time, Collingwood has an existing Official Plan, a Strategic Plan,  a Sustainable Community Plan and soon a complete community plan to begin integrating all of these elements into a better decision making model and process.   If you have some time, it really is interesting to read through these links and they give great insight into the direction the town and area are heading.

But back to Robert and his project.  In his presentation, he said dozens of things that made my heart sing.  As the original chairperson of Collingwood’s Vision 2020 committee, I have a deeply felt interest in the way we will evolve and Robert’s work is a direct reflection of what people expressed during the visioning process almost a decade ago.  He talked about things like the height of buildings, the width of streets and the things make a town auto dependent verus pedestrian friendly.  With a few strokes of his pen, he took real examples of buildings in Collingwood that could be altered with small changes that would make huge differences.  He talked about intersections, trees, transit and public art.  He “de-layered” the town through a series of maps showing different aspects of the town.  One was waterways.  Did you know there are 16 points in this town where we cross water?  I had no idea.

So here’s my thought.  Go and read through the strategic plan, sustainability plan and complete community plan.  I promise it won’t take more than 20-30 minutes.  Then go to Robert’s blog and read through his posts.  I’ll bet you won’t be able to stop and it will get your heart beating as you begin to see his ideas and concepts in a very real and applicable way.  You’ll be glimpsing our near future.

Despite the fact that Collingwood is surely one of the prettiest towns in the province, the folks living in Olde Towne  would likely tell you that their view to the west is anything but pretty.

On the north side sits an empty lot and an abandoned, boarded up old rooming house.  On the south sits the neglected Tremont Hotel and the construction site for the new library. In the distance you see an auto body shop and overhead, a jumble of utility wires.  There is hardly anything redeeming in site.

There is however,  a new movement underway and this sad little corner downtown may soon become one of the more admired corners of our fair town.

First, the new library and municipal building is well underway now.  After an agonizing public delay and process, the new building will have a design that is sympathetic and in concert with the 19th century heritage stylings of our historic downtown.  Blending old and new, this fabulous library will earn the coveted Gold Level, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
 
The Tremont was also the subject of much debate and discourse.  In recent years, this municipally owned building was falling deeper into disrepair (we call that demolition by neglect) while heritage enthusiasts pleaded for its survival.  Today, it is rumoured that the town has entered into an agreement with a private interest to restore the building into a mixed commercial-residential complex.  If so, it would be a perfect example of creative and adaptive reuse of  a building that preserves a cultural heritage asset and brings new life and function into its purpose.

Generally speaking, it seems that one or two new developments in an area spurs interest in improving other properties nearby.  Given the scale of these two large redevelopments at St. Paul and Simcoe, I think the folks in Olde Towne may have a much better view ahead.

A few weeks ago, it was a real treat for me to visit my clients, Dr and Dr Vecchio at their Inner Harmony Chiropractic Clinic and to see a green commitment in action.  You may recall from earlier posts  that Dave and Melissa have a special touch when it comes to renovating and, they’ve done it once again.

When they bought this building last year, it had been home to a lovely older couple for many, many years.  The Vecchio’s could envision modifying the property into a live/work space with a longer term view of an exclusively commercial space.  They brought in Paulette Clement who has a master’s degree and many years of experience in the area of Feng Shui as well as a professional design background.  I have to say it was fascinating to hear her thoughts and really in hindsight, they were spot on.

Since then, the Vecchio’s have done a marvellous renovation that has been 90% green.  Here are some examples of what they did:

•  Purchased materials from the Habitat for Humanity Restore in order to recycle and reuse wherever possible.  They found things like tiles, wood, mirrors and old doors that could be put to reuse
• All paints and finishes are low VOC including the floor stain which is a non-toxic, water-based formulation made by SamaN.
•  I found the unique, textured  finish on the reception area walls of particular interest.  Made from American clay, it comes in a powder from eco Inhabit in Meaford.
• Most windows were replaced with Energy Star approved windows
• They used natural slate in the entry and bathrooms while the old existing hardwood floors were refinished with low VOC, water-based stain.
• The unique reception area bench was made with wood reclaimed from an old park bench and old doors!
• A half wall made of natural stone product separates the waiting area from the clinical area allowing light and air to flow freely through-out
• The reception desk was reused from another business
• All of the original wood trim was salvaged

“Meet” Melissa in this quick 1 minute video:

After having the audit, you have 18 months to complete the recommended work after which time, the auditor will come back to re-assess your home.  In our case, we have a few areas to concentrate on:

1. Improve our attic insulation up to an R50 value
2. Seal air leaks predominantly behind outlets and around pipes
3. Replace two of our toilets
4. Replace two windows

I estimate that our costs will be roughly as follows:
 1.  Attic Insulation: $800 (DIY style)
 2.  Air Sealing: $60
 3.  2 new toilets $400
 4.  2 new windows $800
  TOTAL           $2060.00

If we do this recommended work, the rebates we will be eligible for include:
 1.  Attic Insulation: $600
 2.  Air Sealing: $300 (plus a possible bonus of $150 if we exceed targets)
 3.  Replace 2 toilets $200 ($100 each)
 4.  2 new windows $120
  TOTAL $1220.00

So in terms of the bottom line, our net investment in these improvements will be under $850.00.  But wait…  We can also claim these under the new Home Renovation Tax Credit reducing our net outlay by up to a further 15%.  Not bad!  On top of that, I calculate that these changes will reduce our home operating costs by about $350-$400.00 annually. 

We’ll make our home more comfortable, improve our home’s resale value, save on energy bills AND help to have a cleaner environment.  Gosh, is there any reason NOT to do this?

There are many other rebates available that I have not listed here but the local Environment Network website has a complete list of the consolidated Federal and Provincial grants available.

I’ll keep you posted on our own progress as this evolves.  So far, we’ve purchased outlet and door gaskets and insulating foam.  Hubby has his “Honey Do” list set for today.

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Drs. Vecchio (yup, there are two of them) have done it again.  After transforming their last home, they took this tired older home and did it again.  Applying concepts of Feng Shui and old-fashioned good taste, they have transformed their new abode into a welcoming home and business.

Their Inner Harmony Family Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is located at 272 Ste. Marie St one block east of the main street in Collingwood’s downtown core.  The area is an emerging commercial district with many recent residential to commercial changes.

Congratulations Dave and Melissa.  You’ve done it again!

When it’s time to buy or sell real estate in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Georgian Triangle area, contact Marg, an experienced and competent Broker who’s ready whenever you are!

This gal purchased a run-down condo that had the right bones, a fabulous location and a good price.  Then she set her mind to making it hers and here are the results:

Isn’t that amazing?  It looks like an entirely different place and rest assured, she has improved the resale value well beyond her investment.  Hat’s off to her and congratulations on this transformation!

When it’s time to buy or sell real estate in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Georgian Triangle area, contact Marg, an experienced and competent Broker who’s ready whenever you are!

Could he have meant two months?  Since that first post, the lawn has been aerated, top dressed, over-seeded and naturally fertilized.  Nature has been most cooperative with abundant rain but quite frankly, our lawn is looking better than most who are only now on their first year of chemical withdrawal since the pesticide ban came into effect in Collingwood.

Look at these pictures.  I can’t believe how far it’s come.  My husband says it’s “juicy.” 
So far, so very good.

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When it’s time to buy or sell real estate in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Georgian Triangle area, contact Marg, an experienced and competent Broker who is ready whenever you are!

We replaced the driveway with one made of stamped concrete and we lined it up to the side of the property.  We filled the old driveway in with top soil and seed.  We put in a huge front garden which is totally organic and thrives although we’ve been known to battle a few aphids, ants and slugs.  But alas, the lawn has gone to weed.  We’ve not been the best at watering and, I’m not sure the blades are always sharp on the mower.  John hand fertilized and we even had a commercial fertilizer, not weed killer, applied but the truth is, it now looks sad.  And the grubs have come too.

They say that landscaping can add as much 20% to a homes value and while we’re not at that level, I do think there is a big difference in value between having bare soil versus something attractive at the front of your house.

Not only is Collingwood pesticide free now (hooray!) but we wouldn’t use them anyway despite the fact that I think we’re one of the only ones on our street that may feel that way.

So, here’s what we’ve done.  We hired Jerome at Garden Holistics to come in and do some soil testing.  The results were dismal.  He then recommended a plan that involves top dressing, aerating, over-seeding and adding a custom, natural fertilizer blend.  It’ll take a few years perhaps but he feels pretty confident it will work.  So confident that he has agreed to let me follow the story of the lawn’s reaction right here on the blog.

The pictures in this post were all taken this week. 

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When it’s time to buy or sell real estate in the Collingwood, Blue Mountain or Georgian Triangle area, contact Marg, an experienced and competent Broker who is ready whenever you are!