Tomorrow Americans head to the polls for the US Presidential election and it will be interesting to see what the outcome will be. It is surely promising to be a long night. Hopefully Americans will make an educated choice and choose to get "Fired Up" and move "Forward" while voting for the next President of the United States.

Since I can't vote in the US Presidential election, I figured it would be ok to show who I would be supporting...Who do you think should win.

http://www.barackobama.com/  

I came across an article from the Globe and Mail earlier this month regarding bathroom renos. To remove a bath tub or not to remove a bathtub...that is the question.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/decor/will-ditching-my-only-tub-sink-my-homes-resale-value/article4599267/     

I thought this was worth sharing especially after having this discussion with a client that wanted to take out their only bath and put a double wide shower in its place. I had to remind them that they needed to think of re-sale value. Even if you don't like a bath, the Buyers might. More often than not, you can get away with having a bathtub in one and then a shower in the other bathroom. But if you only have one full bathroom, I will highly recommend it being a shower/bath set up to satisfy both types of purchasers.

Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? Come out to downtown Cloverdale for a safe and fun way to take your kids Trick or Treating in the Cloverdale Halloween Costume Parade this Saturday from 12:00-3:00pm. Stop by the HomeLife table to say hi and get some of our yummy chocolate treats! Or come out just to see all the cute little kids in their adorable Halloween costumes.

For more details and where to go to register visit the following link:

http://www.cloverdalebia.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=13&domain=1&webdir=cloverdale

For some other great Halloween events for adult and family fun visit the following link:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Dare+check+these+Halloween+events/7444133/story.html

Some great fall gardening tips from Art's Nursery in Port Kells. One of 2 garden centres I get all my flowers from year round!

http://www.artsnursery.com/blog/october-2012-in-your-garden#.UId6DMXA818

The title of the following article is what caught my eye. My husband having worked in the restaurant business while we went to University developed an appreciation for good wine...the funny thing is he doesn't drink. But that doesn't stop him from admiring homes that have wine cellars and wanting to have one in our next home. But as the article makes mention to, there's a lot to consider when building a wine cellar.

http://life.nationalpost.com/2012/08/29/fellers-and-their-cellars-toasting-a-trend/

How important is a wine cellar to you? Do you like to enjoy a fine glass of wine after work or with dinner? Is a wine cellar a must have when purchasing your new home?

 Who doesn't love FREE movies???

Looking for something fun to do with your kids this weekend? Something fun and FREE??? Why not head to an early morning show at your local theatre and watch one of the many FREE family movies that Cineplex is showing for their Starlight Community Day event. Enjoy a FREE movie and get a regular popcorn, regular drink and candy for only $2.00. With all the proceeds going to Starlight Children's Foundation. Movies start at 9:00am.

Visit the following link for the movies playing at your local theatre tomorrow morning.

http://www.cineplex.com/Promos/Starlight/Community.aspx

Yesterday, my eldest had the honour and privilege to be a part of We Day Vancouver 2012. She attended with approximately 30 other students and teachers from her school. They all had an experience of a lifetime and heard speakers like "Desmond Tutu" and "Magic Johnson" speak, encouraging social change. This day will be one she will remembers and will likely share with her children one day.

"We Day is an educational event and the movement of our time—a movement of young people leading local and global change."

Her school like many others has taken part in the Me to We program which is partnered with Free the Children. They have helped to build schools in Africa and to provide clean water for these communities. The students who have taken part in We Day or Me to We programs are taking active roles in social justice initiatives in their schools.

The Story behind Me to We started in Ecuador over 10 years ago when the co-founders and brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger helped to build a school for an impoverished community. It was their experience and how the community and surrounding communities came together to make this school happen (when the Kielburgers feared it wouldn't) that brought about the Me to We mentality. Their main objective was to make the world a better place and that's exactly what the movement has achieved and will continue to do so through our children and hopefully through our children's, children and so on and so forth!

Be the Change you wish to see in the World!

How much do you think your home is worth? Do you think your home is worth more than your neighbours???

The argument made in this article is whether or not SOLD prices should be made public. Some people in our industry fear that should the public gain access to SOLD prices then they won't need Realtors... As if that is the only reason we are needed. Realtors offer a wealth of knowledge and I commend the author of this article for sharing a little bit about why it is important and always will be important to hire a knowledgeable Realtor to work for you and look out for your best interests.

Regardless of whether or not SOLD prices become public knowledge. Sellers will always think their home is worth more than it is because of the emotional value attached to their home and more importantly...bottom dollar. Every Seller wants this information private, but as a Buyer they want to know so that they can try and get the very best deal...Working with a realtor who is skilled in negotiations will be your better bet in ensuring you get the best price for your home, whetehr Buying or Selling.

The internet is full of medical information to help you diagnose your medical conditions...does that mean you won't ever go to a Doctor again? Of course not!

Have a read of the following article and let us know what you think, should SOLD prices be made public knowledge?

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1266560--should-your-home-s-selling-price-be-made-public