10 Things You Shouldn't Miss Out On In Barrie   Barrie is a beautiful city located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe in Central Ontario. It is a popular tourist destination as it offers a range of activities for people from different age groups. Here are the top 10 things you shouldn't miss out on your visit to Barrie:   1. Explore the Barrie Waterfront Barrie's waterfront is one of the City’s biggest draws! With a beautiful scenic area, and miles of walking and biking trails. It offers stunning views of the lake, and you'll also find several restaurants, cafes, and stores. We have 3 beaches and numerous parks. During summer, it is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and other water sports activities.     2. Attend Events and Festivals Barrie hosts several cultural and music events throughout the year, such as Barrie Waterfront Festival, Kempenfest, and Barrie Film Festival. These events are an excellent way to experience the community's culture and traditions, meet new people, and have fun.     3. Get Outside During the Winter Months. Barrie has lots to do during winter time and a winter wonderland for those who love the outdoors. Go skiing, tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and lots more! There are a few known resorts within the city and surrounding areas including Snow Valley, Horseshoe Resort, Blue Mountain and Mt St Louis Moonstone.       4. Take in a Hockey Game. Ice hockey is the biggest sport in the city with games taking place at our own arena. The arena sits over 4000 people and it’s where the Barrie Colts call home. The arena also holds multiple special event throughout the year as well so there’s always something going on even during the off season.     5. Tour a Craft Beer Brewery. Barrie is home to a few craft beer spots. Learn how beer is made and try a variety of different styles. All tours include a tasting so learn and taste all the different brews you could imagine. Stay and try out some delicious food after your tour as well since all our breweries also have on site restaurants.     6. Visit the MacLaren Art Centre The MacLaren Art Centre is a public art gallery, located in Downtown Barrie and features Canadian contemporary and historical art exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. With over 26,000 square feet of gallery space, it's the perfect destination to explore the diverse range of Canadian art.     7. Our Massive Spirit Catcher. Right along the shores of Kempenfelt Bay we have a 21m high by 25m wide sculpture that was originally created by Ron Baird for the 1986 EXPO in Vancouver. Influenced by the iconography of Indigenous oral traditions in the Pacific Northwest, the work references the Thunderbird. Originally installed at False Creek in Vancouver, the 20 tonne Corten steel Spirit Catcher was purchased by the Helen McCrea Peacock Foundation of Toronto and was donated to the Barrie Gallery Project (later the MacLaren Art Centre) in 1987 in hopes to inspire local art and artists.     8. Visit the Barrie Farmers' Market If you enjoy fresh produce and handmade crafts, then the Barrie Farmers' Market is a must-visit destination. Located at City Hall, the market is open from May to October, offering a wide range of fruits, vegetables, artisan bread, honey, and more, from local vendors.     9. Shopping Barrie has a multitude of shops and boutiques ranging from small local businesses to more traditional shops like malls, flea markets and stand-alone spots. If you’re looking for some fun and unique gift stores, head to the downtown area for all the best one of a kind finds.     10. Enjoy an Amazing Nightlife. Our downtown is home to some of the most amazing restaurants and bars the city has to offer. A fun night out is always waiting for you downtown. Start with a great meal, a few specialty drinks, watch some local artists and bands perform or head on over to do a little dancing, end your night with a starry walk along the waterfront. You’ll find everything you need for a fun time at Barrie’s downtown core.     Barrie, offers a diverse range of activities that provides something for everyone. So why not plan a trip to Barrie, or better yet, plan your move here and experience all that it has to offer? The city welcomes you!

Top Podcasts All Homeowners Should Listen To   Podcasts have become an indispensable resource for people seeking in-depth knowledge and entertainment, especially for homeowners. From DIY tips to expert advice, certain podcasts cover topics that many homeowners might find helpful in caring for their properties. Here’s a list I’ve compiled of podcasts every homeowner should listen to.   The Money Pit Home Improvement Show: A popular podcast series that covers everything related to home improvement and repair. The show is the largest home improvement radio program in North America and is a lively two hour call-in show that is entertaining and informative, delivering a wide variety of solution-based expert home improvement and home décor advice. https://www.youtube.com/moneypit   The Home Design Chat with Nancy:  This podcast series features interviews with leading architects, designers, and builders to help homeowners create beautiful and functional living spaces.  Home Design Chat with Nancy Hugo, certified kitchen designer, covers all aspects of every room in the home. Kitchens, baths and whole-house remodeling, appliances, plumbing fixtures, flooring & countertop materials, and lighting are some of the topics. In addition, they cover aging-in-place, security systems, smart homes, backyard kitchens, window coverings, water treatment units & even wine pairing. Some of the favored topics are trends in kitchens, baths & interior designs, colors of the year & what they think of HGTV's suggestions for your home. View NancyHugo.com for design ideas. https://open.spotify.com/show/73HpHJWKIvPqEUig7i4OI4         The Handyman Pros Radio Show: This podcast series provides tips and advice for homeowners who want to tackle DIY projects around the house. Two professional handymen discuss how you can save time, money, and aggravation on home repair, maintenance, and improvements. The content addresses common problems and challenges of property ownership. Topics include strategies and techniques for home management, do it yourself (DIY) tips and tricks, home technology, maintenance, real estate investing, and more! More information is available @handymanprosradioshow.com. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC13dN0ZCxyEd_GDsIGlejMQ       The Home Repair Tutor: This podcast series provides step-by-step instructions for DIY home repairs and maintenance. The Home Repair Tutor Show is a home improvement podcast that saves you time and money by teaching you home improvement skills.These no fluff, 10-15 minute podcasts are packed with pure home improvement tips you want. Jeff Patterson shares concepts, skills, and tools he's learned over the last decade. Episodes are around 10 minutes and subscribers get a fresh episode every week. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/home-repair-tutor/id965752980       The Home Staging Show: This podcast series provides advice and tips for homeowners who want to stage their homes for sale, featuring interviews with home staging experts and real estate agents. The Home Staging Show is the longest running podcast dedicated to all things home staging and real estate. You can find out more about the show at staged4more.com/podcast. https://open.spotify.com/show/4URnEUGZzYzphcxM8IhHgA       From DIY tips to expert advice, these podcasts provide valuable information that will help you take care of your home. So, tune in and listen to these episodes and start making your home better. Remember that regular maintenance and upkeep can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Don't be afraid to tackle home improvement projects yourself, but also know when it's time to call in the professionals. Keep learning, keep improving, and keep loving your home!  

6 Home Renovations That Will Get You an ROI at the Closing Table   Renovating your home can be overwhelming, especially deciding what projects to start with and which ones are even worth investing in. Home renovations can be a great way to increase the value of your property, but not all renovations are created equal. If you're looking to get the most bang for your buck, here are 6 home renovations that will get you a return on investment at the closing table:   Kitchen Remodel: A kitchen remodel can add significant value to your home, especially if you update appliances, replace outdated cabinets, and install new countertops. If this seems like it will be way too expensive to take on this sort of full remodel, start off small with a few budget friendly ways to improve your space such as, replacing your backsplash, resurfacing your cabinets, updating your hardware, fresh coat of paint, some new bar stools or dining furniture, changing the light fixtures, updating the countertop or changing your floor. Even these smaller changes can make a world of difference!       Bathroom remodel: Much like the kitchen, a bathroom remodel can also add significant value to your home. Things like separate soaker tubs, larger showers and double sinks are a great way to make this space a tranquil area you'll love to spend time in. Again, there are some great budget friendly ideas you can do to make it a beautiful space without breaking the bank or diving into a complete overhaul. Things that can be done are very similar to the kitchen such as new vanity, new faucets, updating hardware on existing vanity, some vanities can be repainted, fresh coat of paint, changing the floor, update the light fixtures, retiling existing showers or simply adding a new decor theme will make this space much more inviting.       Energy-efficient upgrades: Replacing old windows are a great way to add value to your home and installing energy-efficient windows, doors, and appliances can save money on utilities and make your home more eco-friendly. Replacing windows has several additional bonus factors as well such as enhanced security and safety, reducing dust and allergens, noise reduction, curb appeal and easier maintenance. Many companies offer bulk discounts or even financing options. There are even a few different Government grants you can take advantage of for these types of retrofits.       Exterior upgrades: Upgrading your home's exterior with new siding, a fresh coat of paint, or a new roof can make it more attractive to potential buyers. A new roof is a great way to add value to your home and protect it from the elements. Most buyers notice the roof before anything else as this can be a huge deterring factor in the decision making process if they anticipate having a large expense right away or will leverage the roof condition during negotiations. You won't make major ROI off a roof however it's definitely something that can be used as leverage and can sometimes even make or break a deal.       Landscaping: A well-maintained lawn and attractive landscaping can make a big difference in your home's curb appeal. If people drive by your home and are not impressed, they won't want to go inside. You want to make your home feel welcoming and inviting. People are known to judge how a house is kept simply based on how a yard is kept; if you don't take care of what everyone sees, how likely are you to take care of things nobody sees? Simply putting down grass seed on your existing lawn can make an older tired lawn rejuvenated. Stay on top of weeds so they don't overtake the yard and adding a bit of colour to your garden areas or adding some planters to your porch area a great touch.       Laundry area: Doing simple laundry area updates or renovations can bring a dark and dingy space to life. Improved efficiency and convenience are great for ROI for this space. By optimizing your layout and storage, this can reduce how much time is spent on doing these boring chores and increase the overall productivity. Adding a folding station/table that can go above your washer and dryer is a simple way to increase efficiency. Decor and paint are great budget friendly ways to update this space. You can easily add some shelving above your appliances and add some baskets to make the space more enjoyable.     By investing in these home renovations, you can increase the value of your property and potentially receive a higher return on investment when it comes time to sell. Hopefully you got some inspiration from some of these ideas! Stay motivated and create a "To-Do" list to help you with your home renovations. Taking things one step at a time is key to not breaking the bank or getting overwhelmed and leaving things half done.