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Choosing the Right Condo Type for Your Lifestyle
Ontario offers several condo ownership structures, and understanding their differences helps buyers choose what suits them best. The Condo Reference Guide breaks these into four main categories: Standard, Phased, Vacant Land, and POTL.
Standard condos offer shared amenities and predictable maintenance costs. Vacant land condos appeal to those wanting independence with some shared services. POTL homes provide freehold ownership while still tying owners to shared elements like roads or private utilities.
Leasehold condos (less common) offer long-term occupancy without land ownership.
Each structure comes with different agreements, fees, and ownership rights. Buyers should review legal descriptions, status certificates, and fee structures early to avoid surprises later.
Do you have that one appetizer everyone asks you to bring? 🦀✨
Do you have that one appetizer everyone asks you to bring? 🦀✨
Last weekend, I made my go-to crab and shrimp dip —
a recipe I originally found on YouTube
(I’ll link the video below).
It’s one of those easy, reliable dishes
that always gets comments when I bring it to a dinner party.
Simple ingredients, great flavour,
and it comes together quickly.
I seasoned the shrimp with Old Bay and a little chili,
picked up lump crab from @AnchorsontheRidge here in Ridgeway,
and used a mix of Gouda, cheddar, cream cheese,
spinach, onions, and a splash of white wine to finish the base.
I doubled the recipe so I could freeze one for the holidays —
something quick to pull out when company comes over.
Warm, comforting, and such a crowd pleaser.
Do you have a signature appetizer
you always bring to gatherings?
👇 I’d love to hear yours.
Recipe source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gi9lKvjhyA
#forterielife #forterie #forterieliving #niagararegion #homecooking
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #joyinthejourney #simplejoys
#slowlivingmovement #foodiefriday #appetizerideas #holidayhosting
#realestatelifestyle #lakeerielife #supportlocalniagara
⚠️ What if the fear of missing out is the thing causing the wrong decisions?
⚠️ What if the fear of missing out is the thing causing the wrong decisions?
This isn’t about saying no to great homes.
Sellers panic because they think a home will disappear if they don’t react immediately.
But until you’re sold, you can’t buy it anyway.
Rushing leads to premium pricing, unrealistic expectations, and stress.
Walking Blue shows me the value of the right pace.
Selling first isn’t missing out — it’s preparing properly.
When your sale is firm, the foundation is solid and the right home becomes a real option.
📲 DM me if you want a step-by-step plan for selling and buying with clarity.
#FortErieRealEstate #NiagaraRealEstateMarket #SellFirstBuyNext #SellerEducation #MarketFacts #RealEstateStrategy #KnowledgeBroker #BarbaraScarlett #C21HeritageHouse #FortErieHomesForSale #NiagaraHomes
What the Latest CMHC Data Means for Niagara Sellers
Months of inventory across Niagara have climbed, as indicated on page 16 of the CMHC Symposium report. Semi-detached dwellings now show 10.6 months of inventory, while townhomes and single-detached homes are at 6.8 and 6.9 months respectively.
For sellers, this means longer market times and greater need for strategic positioning. Benchmark prices (page 15) continue to decline year-over-year but remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Buyers are comparing more properties and are willing to negotiate. Sellers should focus on pricing accuracy, condition, and presentation. Realtors can use this data to help clients set realistic expectations and make decisions aligned with current local trends.
Big Change in Canada’s Federal Budget 🇨🇦 (Good News for U.S. Property Owners)
Just a quick update from this week’s Federal Budget here in Canada:
The government has officially removed the 1% Underused Housing Tax starting in 2025 and onward. This tax previously applied to many non-resident owners — including Americans with property in Canada.
If you or someone you know owns a home here, this is helpful news and removes a yearly cost and filing requirement going forward. (Note: 2022–2024 filings still remain.)
If you’d like a simple breakdown or have questions about cross-border ownership, feel free to reach out anytime.
Have a great Sunday!
Bill 60: What Investors Should Pay Attention To
Ontario’s Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act (2025), introduces several changes to landlord-tenant processes. These include:
• Unpaid rent notices shortened to 7 days (from 15)
• Personal-use evictions now require 120 days’ notice, with compensation no longer mandatory
• Appeal windows reduced to 15 days
• Adjustments to fixed-term lease renewals
For investors, these changes mean more predictable workflows and potentially fewer procedural delays. For homeowners considering renting out existing properties, the reduced notice periods and simplified personal-use eviction rules may remove barriers that previously discouraged them.
Realtors can use this update to support discussions with clients debating whether to sell or rent—especially in a market where months of inventory are rising and some owners are evaluating different exit strategies.
CMHC Data: Niagara Rental Market Shifting
The CMHC Symposium charts show an interesting shift in Niagara’s rental landscape. Page 7 indicates that advertised rents in St. Catharines–Niagara fell by 4.9% year-over-year, reflecting cooling rental demand.
One major contributor is increased supply. Page 8 shows 16 purpose-built rental units per 10,000 population currently under construction in the region—significantly more than prior years.
At the same time, the region is experiencing a significant decline in international students, down 25.8% year-over-year (page 10). This reduces rental pressure, particularly in St. Catharines where post-secondary populations play a key role in demand.
For investors, this means future rent growth may moderate. For renters, it may bring greater choice and stability. Understanding these dynamics helps set realistic expectations around rent, investment returns, and vacancy conditions.
Do you ever just look in your fridge and let the ingredients decide the meal? 🍽️
Do you ever just look in your fridge and let the ingredients decide the meal? 🍽️
Last week, I had boneless chicken breasts to use up,
some green beans, kale…
and a memory of the Chicken Cordon Bleu
my mom used to make when we were young.
I didn’t have the traditional ingredients,
so I improvised.
I butterflied the chicken,
pan-fried it with a little butter and olive oil,
and used stove top stuffing
because this truly was a last-minute idea.
A bit messy while filming with one hand —
but sometimes the best meals are.
I layered deli ham on top (ran out halfway through,
so I mixed in another kind — still delicious),
then skipped the oven step
and made a quick white sauce right in the pan:
butter, garlic, broth, a splash of non-dairy cream,
and all those browned bits scraped up
for extra flavour.
Green beans with spices
and a simple kale salad on the side —
and dinner was done.
It wasn’t planned,
but it turned out to be such a comforting meal.
A little nostalgic, a little improvised,
and very much worth making again.
Do you ever recreate dishes from memory
even when you don’t have all the ingredients?
👇 I’d love to know your version of “just make it work.”
#forterielife #forterie #niagararegion #homecooking
#balancedliving #lifeinbalance #simplejoys #joyinthejourney
#slowlivingmovement #foodiefriday #dinnerathome #realtorlife
#realestatelifestyle #comfortfoodmoments #creativecooking
⭐ Two-Week Real Estate Wrap-Up
⭐ Two-Week Real Estate Wrap-Up
A busy and productive couple of weeks across Fort Erie and Niagara.
Here’s what’s been happening lately:
🔑 Firm Deals – Congratulations!
466 Belleaire Blvd (Seller & Buyer)
18 Court St
70 Dodds Court
So happy for everyone involved — thank you for the trust.
🏁 Closed Deals
75 Ventura Dr #51
16 Meadowbrook Cres
Wishing each client all the best in their next chapter.
📉 New Price Improvements
Three great opportunities now live on the market:
🏡 690 Bridge Street — $349,900
• Peaceful semi-rural setting
• Large 120’ x 160’ lot
• Bright sunroom (guest room potential)
• One-floor living + main floor laundry
• Minutes to QEW + U.S. border
🏡 15 Malkin Avenue — $579,900
• Side-split in Lakeshore neighbourhood
• Updated flooring, kitchen + bath
• Eat-in kitchen, dining room, breakfast nook
• Finished lower level + storage level
• Attached garage + close to beaches & parks
🏡 544 Rosehill Road — $849,900
• 0.66-acre property, beautifully maintained
• 4 bedrooms (2+2), vaulted ceilings, updated kitchen
• Three-season sunroom overlooking mature gardens
• Walk-out basement + attached/detached garages
• Near Lake Erie, Friendship Trail + uptown amenities
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or want market clarity for 2026, I’m always here.
#FortErieRealEstate #NiagaraRealEstate #ScarlettRealEstateGroup #BarbaraScarlettBroker #JustSold #ClosedDeals #PriceImprovement #FortErieHomes #NiagaraRegion #RealEstateUpdate #MarketWatch #FortErieLiving #C21HeritageHouse #HomeBuyers #HomeSellers #NiagaraHomes #LocalRealtor #RealtorLife
What Buyers Should Know About POTL Properties
POTL (Parcel of Tied Land) properties blend freehold ownership with shared access to common elements such as private roads or shared utilities. According to the Condo Reference Guide, POTL properties can be identified by terms like “CECC,” “undivided interest in common elements,” or “POTL.”
Although owners hold the freehold land, they also share responsibility for the operating costs of the privately maintained areas. These fees differ from traditional condo fees; they cover items like snow removal, road maintenance, and shared systems, not building insurance or reserve funds.
Buyers often assume POTL homes are fully freehold, only to discover later that legal obligations exist through the CECC. For Realtors, reviewing the legal description and explaining the implications early prevents surprises during closing.
POTL properties can be appealing for clients wanting low-maintenance living without traditional condo rules, but they require careful explanation.
