Wendy Helfenbaum

realtor.com

Capture That Vacation Vibe: Sell Your Home by Stealing These 8 Hotel Design Secrets

You know the feeling you get when you check into a high-end hotel—the kind with sumptuous bedding, chic décor, and breathtaking views? The feeling of never wanting to leave?
That vibe comes by deliberate design: Everything in that hotel was artfully staged to create a welcoming, luxurious environment to make guests feel pampered.
Now, imagine a potential buyer walking into your home and feeling those same feels. If you can re-create a high-end hotel experience in your house, buyers will swoon...

movatohome.com

Inspired by his travels: Artist Paul Ygartua

Paul Ygartua is a creature of habit, yet he’s in a state of constant reinvention. The artist, who was born in Bebington, England and is based in Vancouver, France, Spain or the U.K. depending on the time of year, paints about 10 hours a day, often completing a new work in that time.

movatohome.com

Short Move, Big Change: A couple downsizes to the most unlikely place -- their own backyard

Once upon a time, a tiny guesthouse built in the late 1890s sat in the corner of a wooded backyard in St. Lambert, behind a larger, brick-clad family home. The 600-square-foot shack was in such terrible condition that in 2008, when Jean-Luc Gagnon and Marie-Hélène Larouche bought the property it sat on, the deed of sale included a demolition permit, courtesy of the city.

Next Avenue

Late Bloomer: How one woman fled corporate life and found her soul in the soil

One February day in 2006, Jan Bills’ brother, Michael, popped by her home in Southeast Michigan to return some luggage he’d borrowed for a fishing trip. Out of nowhere, he suggested they start a business together, and Bills just laughed it off.
“I said ‘No, I can’t, the timing’s not great, and I have a good job with benefits,’” recalled Bills.
Undaunted, her brother replied with one of his trademark quips, “Can’t never could.” One month later, Michael died of a massive heart attack. He was 49.

realtor.com

Inspectors Can Predict the Future—and 8 Other Common Home Inspection Myths You Should Never Believe

After seeing dozens of duds, you’ve found the perfect house. You’re all set with pre-approved financing and a grand vision of how you’ll make this place look fabulous. Best of all, after some nail-biting negotiations, the seller has finally accepted your offer.

You’re done, right?

Well, not quite yet. There's still the home inspection—arguably the most important step of the home-buying process. Simply put, it can make or break the sale.

mcgillnews.mcgill.ca

City builder

Nancy Shoiry could have chosen many lucrative paths after becoming an architect. Instead, she followed her heart. Shoiry heads up a City of Montreal agency that you probably aren’t familiar with – but it’s one that plays a vital role in everything from the availability of affordable housing in the city to the construction of major new developments.

movatohome.com

To Infinity & Beyond: Vanishing-edge pools provide a luxurious outdoor experience

The most successful optical illusions trick the eye into seeing something magical. Infinity pools – where water flows over one or more edges, making the pool appear to blend with a larger body of water beyond – became popular in Europe in the 1990s, especially at hotels. Over the past 10 years, this type of pool has become a must-have outdoor element among North American homeowners with large swaths of land, Instagram-worthy views, and deep pockets.

realtor.com

Hands Off? 5 Rules for What You Can—and Can't—Take When You Sell Your House

When standup comedian Nathan Brannon moved into his newly purchased home in rural Washington state, it seemed the joke was on him: The previous owner had left the pegboard on the garage wall, but had taken all the pegs.
“When I first saw the pegs were missing, I was superconfused; I mean, what are you going to do with just pegs?” Brannon recalls. “Now I have a pile of yard tools on the floor in front of the pegboard.”
Brannon isn't the only home buyer to discover that sellers sometimes take t...

family vacation critic

10 Ski Resorts That Are Better in the Summer

If your family of snow bunnies sheds tears when the snow melts and the skis get stored away, we've got great news for you. An increasing number of top ski resorts have invested big bucks to become year-round destinations for active families, offering a ton of fabulous outdoor experiences that'll make your kids forget about hurtling down the moguls at top speed. Whether your gang wants to zipline, hike, spot wildlife, swoop down alpine slides or jump in a lake, there's plenty on tap to tire everyone out!

costcoconnection.ca

Sunshine State of Mind

Florida offers of wealth of things to do, see and eat.

metropolismag.com

On Tap: How the Humble Faucet Became Modern

When marrying flawless function, clean lines and a jolt of sparkle in today’s modern kitchen, sometimes a traditional curved faucet just won’t do. The BLANCO PANERA™ faucet – which recently snagged a 2017 iF Award thanks to its striking, angular silhouette – offers an innovative alternative to the same-old lines of fixtures seen in most other showrooms.

ignitemag.ca

Show me the money: How to monetize your event app

Planners seeking to generate new revenue streams and sponsorship opportunities can look straight down at their mobile event app. Since between 50-90% of attendees use the technology to navigate conferences and tradeshows, sponsors understandably want to reach them where it counts: in the palm of their hands. Here are some effective ways to drive more revenue from your event app.

ignitemag.ca

How to create buzz-worthy, exclusive pop-up events for your crowd

Experiential. Unexpected. Exciting. Pop-up events are, well, popping up in many business sectors, including conferences and incentives. Staged in unique settings—think warehouses, parking lots or storage containers—pop-ups are designed to be memorable, one-time-only activities.

One+

Excite, Entice & Engage: CVB marketing campaigns that are driving success with groups

To cut through all the noise in cyberspace and in meeting planners’ inboxes, convention bureaus around the world have had to become incredibly creative. After all, everyone claims to be cutting-edge, state-of-the-art, and ‘bucket list’-worthy. But as today’s event organizers juggle increasingly long lists of expectations with smaller bottom lines, CVBs are coming up with new ways to entice, excite and engage people’s imaginations.

realtor.com

Greener Acres? 7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home in the Country

Chances are good you've probably imagined—at some time or another—what it would be like to give up your daily grind, uproot, and move to the country. Buying a home in the country would mean space for days, Instagram-worthy views, lower crime rates, and fresh air. Sounds idyllic, right?
Well, rural living can be a dream come true. But if you're not adequately prepared for it, it could instead become your own personal country nightmare.