When you work with The Gordon Team you get two agents working for you to help achieve your goals. Whether that is getting the best price for your home, purchasing investment property, buying your first home, downsizing or finding your dream property! Our passion and dedication to help people buy and sell homes is deep rooted in the community. Sisters, Emily Gordon and Kim MacDougald (nee Gordon) are lifelong residents of Grimsby Ontario.&nbsp; Both now residing in Lincoln Ontario we have seen so many positive changes and growth in this region. West Niagara boasts some of the most amazing communities around! Whether you choose to live in Grimsby, Lincoln or West Lincoln all of these communities offer such a unique and welcoming experience. Home to some of the best landscapes, wineries, schools and community services you won’t be disappointed. One of our core statements is to “Love Where You Live”&nbsp; because when you buy a house its not only about the bricks and mortar that you will live inside of. Its about the communities surrounding your life outside of the house, that will truly make you feel at home! That is our goal, to help our clients find their home within the perfect community.

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Beamsville

Fonthill/Pelham

Grimsby

Lincoln

Niagara-on-the-Lake

St. Catharines

Stoney Creek

West Lincoln

East Hamilton

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Get your house and yard in order now, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the summer days ahead<h3>With warmer days coming up, there is plenty of incentive to get those outdoor spaces ready to enjoy. From scheduling house painting to organizing your outdoor cooking tools, tick these 11 items off your to-do list so you can get to the good stuff: hanging out around the grill, kicking back on the porch and savouring nicer weather.</h3><h4>Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less</h4>1. Check outdoor lighting. Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or repair as needed.2. Give potted plants some TLC. If you have potted plants that stay indoors over winter, bring them out once the danger of frost has passed. To help your plants acclimatize, find a protected spot out of direct sun for the first several weeks outdoors.3. Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures. Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Make a plan to re-grout or re-caulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well.4. Check safety devices. Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years — even if they still appear to be in working order, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary.<h4>Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend</h4>5. Get ready for grilling season. Giving your grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools (tongs, spatula, skewers) and pick up charcoal or propane if needed.If you have a natural gas BBQ, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes.6. Maintain and repair garden paths. Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken steppingstones.7. Clean walls and touch up paint. Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.8. Clean items on open shelves. Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen (where cooking grease can be an issue), wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.9. Thoroughly clean the laundry room. Run the washing machine with a specialty tub cleaner (or with vinegar for a natural solution) on a hot water cycle. Wipe the rubber rim inside the washer and dryer doors and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies.10. Pressure Wash and re-seal or re-stain your deck. Use a deck cleaner suitable for the type of material your deck is built out of. If you don't have a pressure washer, rent one or borrow one from a friend / neighbour. Ensure you leave enough time for the wood to thoroughly dry on a hot sunny day before re-sealing or re-staining.11. Clean siding / exterior doors / windows etc. While you have that pressure washer out, turn it to the rest of the exterior surfaces of your home. Removing all the winter dirt and grime build up. Leaving your home with a fresh summer ready shine!

To-Dos: Your May Home Checklist

10 important questions you should ask a contractor before signing on.Working with a contractor, in lieu of DIY, can be the difference between a successful home renovation or repair and a botched project. Yet, finding a contractor for your home can be easier said than done. You want to make sure the person you hire has adequate experience, can give you the best value for your buck, and communicates in a clear and transparent way. How can you be sure you’ve made the right choice when hiring a contractor?1. Do they hold a valid license if required in your province?2. Are they insured?3. Do they have sufficient experience for the particular work you need to be done?4. Will they be doing the work themselves or be hiring sub-contractors?5. Are those sub-contractors licensed and insured…<a href="https://www.realtor.ca/blog/speed-date-your-contractor-10-important-questions-to-ask/25337/1363">THIS ARTICLE CAN HELP YOU AVOID SOME OF THE COMMON PITFALLS THAT MAY AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF YOUR PROJECTS AND YOUR WALLET.</a>

Speed Date Your Contractor: 10 Important Questions to Ask (Re-blog from Realtor.ca)

Monetary and tax policy could present risks to the housing market, however(re-Blog From Investment Executive.com)Despite soaring prices, Canada’s housing market is more stable than it looks, a new report says, though monetary and tax policy could upset the balance.The national average home price climbed by more than <a href="https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/average-home-price-hit-record-816720-last-month-as-supply-began-to-rebound-crea/">20% year over year in February to a record $816,720</a>, leaving many to worry about affordability and whether rising interest rates could spur a correction.<a href="http://download.remax.ca/PR/REMAXUnlockingTheFuture_Chapter1.pdf">A report released Tuesday from CIBC</a>, the Conference Board of Canada and Re/Max noted the anxiety caused by the last two years’ housing market frenzy, but said the market could settle with the appropriate mix of monetary and tax policy.The report looked at various scenarios for housing over the next five years. In the first, the Bank of Canada raises interest rates at “a reasonable schedule” of four times per year to keep up with growth and contribute to a “less heated” market. Housing would remain expensive but price growth would flatten somewhat, the report said, and gradual rate increases wouldn’t affect mortgage payments.“Canada’s housing market is far more stable than many people and industry watchers perceive,” said CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal in the report.“Yes, there are specific caveats, such as prolonged inflationary pressure, that could upset the balance, but should the BoC stay pragmatic and consistent, the next five years look entirely sustainable for Canadians.”<a href="https://economics.cibccm.com/cds?ID=34860d51-5844-4979-9b0a-d80ca7f551fe&amp;TYPE=E">A separate report from CIBC</a> released Monday predicted rate increases in Canada would stop in the 2.25% to 2.5% range.However, the housing report noted the risk of over-tightening. With inflation at the highest level in three decades, Tal said a more aggressive Bank of Canada that raises rates eight times per year could lead to a recession. In that scenario, housing demand would fall and existing homeowners would have a harder time paying mortgages, he said.Finally, the report examined what could happen if the federal government removed the principal residence exemption. The Liberal government has not said it’s considering such a policy. The report suggested the policy could be introduced as a response to pandemic deficits and the hot housing market.Jamie Golombek, managing director of tax and estate planning with CIBC Private Wealth, said in the report that a capital gains tax on the sale of a primary residence could be applied on a prorated basis, determined by the home’s value or or how long it was owned. Such a move could incentivize sellers and, in the short term, increase inventory.However, it could also have broader economic consequences.“The primary homes of Canadians represent the greatest store of value for most homeowners and removing a significant portion of that value by eliminating the exemption could cool the market in profound ways,” Golombek said.“While it theoretically will improve government coffers, it would be a blunt blow to the net worth of Canadian households, which in turn could dramatically swing the housing market from hot to cold.”<a href="https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/canadian-parents-gave-kids-10-billion-for-homes-over-past-year-report-says/">A CIBC report last fall</a> found that parents gave their kids more than $10 billion for down payments over the previous year.Removing net worth from older Canadians with a change to the principal residence exemption could disrupt the transfer of wealth and erode affordability, Tuesday’s report said.<h3><a href="https://www.investmentexecutive.com/news/research-and-markets/canadian-housing-market-more-stable-than-many-believe-report/">READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE INVESTMENTEXECUTIVE.COM</a></h3>

Canadian housing market more stable than many believe: report

No, Houses don't sell themselves these days, otherwise our jobs would be easy!We’ve all seen the videos, read the stories, and gasped at the images of people who thought they could conquer a project that would have been better left to the professionals. There are entire Pinterest boards reserved for those who have failed, and compilation videos on YouTube.While we are always ones for instilling confidence in others, we also want to make sure that all options are considered before attempting any DIY project. Especially when this project comes to your home, which is likely your largest investment. The decision to sell your home yourself does sound appealing, but many people who choose this option do not take into consideration all of the risks involved before making their final decision. Below are five questions you need to ask before you decide to sell your home yourself:<blockquote>
Is there enough time in the day? If you already have a full time job, family, or time consuming engagements, finding the time to not only prepare your home for sale, but actually sell it is a large commitment you need to be ready for.</blockquote><blockquote>
How well do you know the market? The real estate market is constantly moving, adjusting and changing. There are trends you need to stay on top of, and information you need to know in order to successfully sell your home yourself.</blockquote><blockquote>
Can you get the exposure you need? If the only thing letting people know your home is for sale is the sign on your front lawn, your pool of prospective buyers is extremely limited. You need to know how to market your listing to create high exposure and gain the attention of many potential buyers.</blockquote><blockquote>
Have you practiced your negotiation skills? One of the many benefits of using a licensed Real Estate Agent is their experience when it comes to negotiating an offer. Just because you have an offer does not mean your job is done. Knowing the things to negotiate to ensure a successful sale will make a big different in the final outcome.</blockquote><blockquote>
Do you understand your legal responsibilities? There is more to selling a home than simply putting a sold sign on your listing. There are many legal steps that need to be considered to ensure both you as the seller and the buyer are covered.</blockquote>If you answered no to any of these questions, or are unsure of the answers, it is wise to consider speaking to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheGordonTeamNiagara">The Gordon Team, RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.</a>, to discuss how we can assist you in selling your home, and further showcase the benefits of using our full professional service.

What Are The Risks of Selling a Home Yourself?

Pragmatic policy across interest rates, immigration and taxation could deliver a stable, albeit expensive Canada housing market through to 2027<ul>
<li>-RE/MAX Canada launches chapter one of Unlocking the Future: 5 Year Outlook Report in partnership with CIBC and The Conference Board of Canada</li>
<li>This series of reports, done in collaboration with relevant area experts, will be issued through 2022 and will leverage specific “what if” scenarios related to economic policy decisions, climate change, the future of on-premise work and technology, and how they may impact the housing market in Canada</li>
</ul>The Canada housing market reflects more than just a commodity or an investment that is measured month-over-month or quarter-over-quarter. And while it is a key economic indicator, the vast majority of existing and prospective homeowners see their home as a long-term financial, as well as emotional, investment.<h4> </h4><h3><a href="https://blog.remax.ca/canada-housing-market-outlook-to-2027/">READ MORE HERE</a></h3>

Re Blog - RE/MAX - Canada Housing Market Outlook to 2027

CIBC's Benjamin TalBenjamin Tal, deputy chief economist at CIBC, talks to BNN Bloomberg about which homeowners are protects for the next few years against rising rates and which of them are most exposed to the risks. He also talks about monetary policy out for the Bank of Canada from here.<h4><a href="https://rem.ax/37VBPPZ">WATCH HERE</a></h4>

Delayed effect of interest rates carries risk of 'overshooting' on hikes:

Autumn is the golden season – the sun, the foliage, and a great time to sell your home.There are also some fall real estate market myths floating among the leaves. If you’re thinking about listing your home for sale, we dispel some common fall real estate myths and offer useful tips to help turn that “For Sale” sign to “Sold.” ➡ <a href="https://blog.remax.ca/fall-real-estate-selling-myths/">READ MORE HERE</a>

Fall Real Estate Selling Myths

Autumn is almost here, and your lawn will need some care before winter arrives.Among turf care experts, it's a well-known fact that the best way to ensure a thick, green, and healthy lawn in the spring is to give it some well-timed care in the fall—in other words, right now.<h4><a href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/lawns/21015165/lawn-care-musts-for-your-fall-yard?fbclid=IwAR2m0vQHDe70SUBFH26QzGL4zij35b0CO-pKKTkIAloj7GZix73qOYAZefM">READ MORE HERE </a></h4>

Fall Lawn Treatment: 7 Musts for Your Yard

Use these expert tips to help make the right purchase for your home.Whether you're building a new home or want to renovate your current space, one of the biggest showpieces in the kitchen is your cabinets. As you begin planning your remodel, you'll need to choose from either stock kitchen cabinets or custom cabinets. <a href="https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/cabinets/styles/stock-cabinets-or-custom-cabinets-kitchen-renovation/">READ MORE HERE FROM THE BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS ARTICLE </a>

Should You Buy Stock Cabinets or Custom Cabinets for Your Kitchen Renovation?

In a number of ways, townhouses are a comfortable middle-ground between condominiums and detached and semi-detached houses.Townhouses are more spacious than high-rise condos, but they don’t carry the same maintenance needs or costs as detached/semi-detached houses. In fact, townhouses draw on many of the quality of life benefits of condominiums that condo owners take for granted.It’s this combination of affordability, convenience, and space that has made — and continues to make — townhouses “an increasingly popular option for would-be buyers.” Use our list below to see if the top benefits of owning a townhouse match with your homeownership needs.1. Low Purchasing CostWhile actual pricing will vary with location and size, townhouses generally cost less than single detached houses. As you might imagine, a lower purchasing cost will mean a smaller mortgage and, in turn, lower monthly payments. However, it’s worth noting that many townhouses belong to communities led by Condominium Corporations, which may ask for monthly maintenance fees as well.<h4>2. Minimal Maintenance Needs</h4>But don’t let those maintenance fees detract you from a major benefit: minimal upkeep work.We all know how much of a hassle it is to shovel snow from the driveway each winter. But in a single detached or semi-detached home, you have to do it or pay someone to do it for you, always.That’s not necessarily the case for townhouse owners. Like high-rise condominiums, many townhome communities are managed by Condominium Corporations that will ask for a maintenance fee every month.In exchange, the community will shovel snow, clean the area, conduct general repairs (e.g., to common areas), and other essential services.3. Space &amp; FlexibilityWhile you’ll get the maintenance benefits of high-rise condos, townhouses also offer the benefit of much more space and flexibility than a condo suite.Indoors, you’ll get a multi-level home with multiple, reasonably-sized bedrooms, full bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, and, potentially, a basement.It’s the added space that attracts a lot of new and young families to townhouses. Unlike high-rise condos, townhouses offer room for kids to play and grow and for you to do more at home.Townhouse owners are property owners. Everything within the house as well as the immediate proximity — i.e., the front yard, patio, garage, driveway, etc — is yours. You can set-up a grill for outdoor cooking, a patio, a basketball net, and more.4. PrivacyWhile your townhouse will share walls with neighbouring units, you’ll still get privacy.In fact, because you own the entire vertical, you don’t have to deal with neighbours below and/or above you, which should offer noise reduction compared to a condominium.You can also utilize your garage unit at-will, e.g., house your car as well as store your things.5. Safety &amp; SecurityThough townhouses offer privacy, that doesn’t mean you’re all alone!Because of the close proximity between townhome units, you and your neighbours are going to be quite close. The amenities of many townhouse communities will offer you a chance to make friends and acquaintances as well.You can use those relationships to ensure that someone is always watching out for your home and kids, especially when you’re unable to (e.g., due to work or a trip). This is vital for seniors who may be in need of immediate help in certain situations.6. Quality of Life AmenitiesTownhouse communities managed by Condominium Corporations may offer amenities such as a gym, tennis and/or squash court, swimming pool, and play area for kids (just like many condominiums). In high-end or luxury townhouse communities, you could get even more.Not only do these areas offer an opportunity to meet and interact with your neighbours, but they’re also convenient and improve quality-of-life in terms of health, leisure, and community-building.7. Strong Rent PotentialThe above all apply to those who intend to live in townhouses.However, buying a townhouse doesn’t always mean having to live in one. If you’re intending to buy a townhouse for renting-out, then these benefits will translate over to the rental market.

7 Benefits of Owning a Townhouse

As the weather begins to warm up (fingers crossed!), now’s the time to start brainstorming easy makeovers and DIY projects for the backyard. Armed with a bit of creativity and elbow grease, you can turn your property into an outdoor oasis.Spending much more time at home these days, people are always looking for ideas on how to make it more fun, and enjoyable. We love checking out articles and advice on how to utilize the space you have! This HGTV Article about projects you can do in the Backyard is fun.<h3>
<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/paint/photos/10-ways-to-transform-backyard-1947365/">CLICK HERE</a> to check it out! </h3>

10 Ways to Totally Transform Your Backyard Just in Time for the Warmer Weather

A lot of people set aside a whole weekend for spring cleaning. But what about maintenance checks for warmer weather?Spring is that time of year when we give our homes the once over and assess any damage after the winter months, figure out what needs to be done, and schedule the work so our homes are in tip-top shape by the end of fall.Use the spring home maintenance checklist below to get your home spring-ready.  <h4><a href="https://makeitright.ca/holmes-advice/home-safety-maintenance/spring-home-maintenance-checklist/">CLICK HERE TO READ MIKE'S FULL CHECKLIST</a></h4>

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

For Canadians, every change of season brings with it around-the-house chores to check off your to-do list. To help you get the outside of your home ready for the summer, we’re sharing eight tasks you can manage to do in a weekend or two. Do the whole list and you’ll be ready to kick off summer with a clean and tidy outdoor space ready for enjoying the warmer days to come!<h4><a href="https://www.realtor.ca/blog/8-outdoor-spring-cleaning-tasks-you-can-do-in-a-weekend/18383/1363">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON REALTOR.CA</a></h4>

8 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Tasks You Can Do in a Weekend

As work and life dynamics shift due to COVID-19Did you know that the housing market rebound has so thoroughly exceeded expectations that it’s making real estate companies to overhaul their forecasts? The RE/MAX Canadian Housing Market Outlook (Fall 2020) came out last week and it surveyed agents and brokers across Canada in an effort to take the market’s temperature heading into the final stretch of 2020. Here are the details. 🏘️Article link ➡️ <a href="https://bit.ly/3aT0Mc3">https://bit.ly/3aT0Mc3</a> <a href="https://blog.remax.ca/canadian-housing-market-outlook/">READ THE RE/MAX FALL 2020 OUTLOOK REPORT HERE</a>

Canadians showing more interest in suburban and rural homes for sale

Homeowners getting ready to put their house on the market know that this is the time to put their home’s proverbial best foot forward. But the to-do list can be overwhelming, especially if the house is large, old or if regular maintenance has been deferred. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/reginacole/2020/08/11/before-an-appraisal-tackle-these-projects/#7dd93ad81720">CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME</a>

Before An Appraisal, Tackle These Home Projects

Homebuyers and sellers need to remember that all housing markets are local, and it’s more important than ever to tap into the ground-level expertise of a professional real estate agent, who can best advise you on market trends, and counsel you on the timing of the transaction, and the price.<h3> </h3><a href="https://blog.remax.ca/what-you-should-know-about-the-fall-real-estate-market/?fbclid=IwAR11v2ZDlD4tUs0CrNHhS9cFzFRYD04xUbQhY_9xvMtjRv3CGE63cE2zXog">READ MORE HERE</a>

What You Should Know about the Fall Real Estate Market

Making the move from one home to the next isn't a strait line!We often get the question from people "Do I put my house up for sale before I start looking for my next house?" or "Should I find my perfect home before I put mine up for sale?" There is not a definitive answer for these questions. So many factors come into play. <ul>
<li>Current market conditions </li>
<li>Absorption rates in the areas you are buying / selling</li>
<li>Personal finances</li>
<li>Types of properties you are looking at or selling</li>
</ul>Licensed and experienced Real Estate professionals can advise you on all of these factors and more! <h4><a href="https://www.reco.on.ca/buyer-seller-news/im-thinking-its-time-to-upsize-to-a-bigger-home-is-it-a-better-idea-to-buy-the-new-home-before-i-sell-my-current-place-or-vice-versa/">READ MORE HERE </a></h4>

Do I buy first or sell first?

Are you a first time home buyer? Did you know that there is a new incentive program to assist you in your purchase?The Incentive enables first-time home buyers to reduce their monthly mortgage payment without increasing their down payment. The Incentive is not interest bearing and does not require ongoing repayments.Through the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, the Government of Canada will offer:- 5% for a first-time buyer’s purchase of a re-sale home- 5% or 10% for a first-time buyer’s purchase of a new constructionLearn more here ➡️ <a href="https://rem.ax/aplacetocallhome">HTTPS://REM.AX/APLACETOCALLHOME</a>A Place To Call Home

Canada`s New First Time Home Buyers Incentive Program

Protect your interests in the biggest transaction of your lifeYou are allowed to work with your own realtor when you buy a new build home, directly from the builder. As you visit presentation centres, you may find scale models and glossy brochures showing the planned development, a variety of floor plans, examples of fixtures and finishes, and friendly sales representatives who are eager to help.But, it’s important to remember that the salesperson working at the presentation centre is representing the builder. While the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA 2002) mandates that registered real estate professionals treat all parties in a transaction with fairness, honesty, and integrity, those folks will be working with the builder’s best interests in mind. Additionally, if the representative is a full-time salaried employee of the builder, they may not be registered with RECO. So always bring your realtor when buying a new home from the builder.Much like a professionally-staged resale home, it’s easy to get caught up in the beautiful features being showcased at a presentation centre or model home. Before you start selecting floor plans and paint colours, consider working with a registered real estate professional to represent you during the buying process. Having a knowledgeable professional protecting your interests is a smart move.Contact <a href="https://old.realintro.com/gordonteam@rmxemail.com">THE GORDON TEAM - RE/MAX ESCARPMENT REALTY INC.</a> today to learn more about the new construction homes in your areas of interest

Bring your Realtor when buying a new home from a builder!

In Niagara, the Falls are just part of the appealAgain, a blessing of location, Niagara is within 800 km of two provinces, nine states and 130 million people on both sides of the border. This means opportunities for business. The trade that flows across Niagara’s borders totals more than $100 billion annually, and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across Canada and the U.S. The infrastructure network to support this trade activity comprises five international bridges, multiple railways and the Welland Canal, linking Lake Erie into the St. Lawrence Seaway system.<a href="https://myhomepage.ca/niagara-falls-just-part-appeal-aug2019/">READ MORE HERE FROM CONDO LIFE</a>

Niagara Ranked 5th Region to Buy Real Estate in Canada

Grimsby, Lincoln and Niagara on the Lake rank in the top 25!Anyone who lives in Niagara West won't be surprised by this because we are familiar with what these amazing communities have to offer!  <h3>#2 Grimsby, Ontario</h3>Population: 28,631Regional Unemployment Rate: 4.7%Median Household Income: $98,669Average Household Net Worth: $880,615Total Days Above 20°C: 121Crime Severity Index 5-year average*: 53<h3>#8 Niagara on The Lake, Ontario</h3>Population: 18,652Regional Unemployment Rate: 4.7%Median Household Income: $93,425Average Household Net Worth: $1,255,495Total Days Above 20°C: 128Crime Severity Index 5-year average*: 53<h3>#21 Lincoln, Ontario</h3>Population: 24,891Regional Unemployment Rate: 4.7%Median Household Income: $96,064Total Days Above 20°C: 121Crime Severity Index 5-year average*: 53Average Household Net Worth: $975,321<h4><a href="https://www.macleans.ca/economy/canada-best-25-communities-2019/#gallery/25-best-communities-in-canada-2019/slide-1">READ MORE - MACLEANS TOP 25 COMMUNITIES IN CANADA</a></h4>

MacLean's 25 best communities in Canada 2019

Developers and planners say current uptick is just the beginning as the commuter link to the GTA starts to pay dividendsNiagara Region home values have jumped 47.13 per cent over the last three years, these prices are rising faster than anywhere else in Canada, the Canadian Real Estate Association reports. (Over the same period, GTA prices rose by 25.30 per cent.) New homes account for much of this growth, with the Niagara Region Planning and Economic Development Committee reporting that investment in building construction grew by 56 per cent from 2015 to 2018, compared to 19 per cent for Ontario as a whole.<a href="https://nationalpost.com/life/homes/go-train-fuels-niagara-housing-boom?fbclid=IwAR3_3LqPXgfbOIOOhZmvsSfYBXUmD9Ve6wJJq0Glhwttui6CaOT40I4Qhoo">READ MORE FROM THE NATIONAL POST</a>

Go Train fuels Niagara housing boom

Published January 2, 2019Nestled on the bench of the Niagara Escarpment, nearby Tawse Winery stretches out over 200 acres.<h3>Beamsville boasts diversity, new opportunities; 'We are a small town that thinks big,' says local business owner</h3>When you arrive in Beamsville, one thing is certain: you successfully made it to ‘wine country.’The community, which is part of the Town of Lincoln, is located along the southern shore of Lake Ontario and is smack-dab in the middle of the fruit-belt of the Niagara Peninsula.It is a quaint, cozy, and laid-back community, with a population of just under 12,000. Checkered throughout the area are lots of century-old-style brick homes, farms, orchards, vineyards, breweries and distilleries, and the downtown remains frozen in time with local shops – bakeries, barbershops and clothing stores, to name a few – that have remained intact for many years.“We are a small town that thinks big,” says Curtis Fielding, who helps run a family business, Fielding Estate Winery.He moved here from Minden-Haliburton, Ont., in 2005 to help open up the winery, and the rest is history.“Running a business here is just awesome,” explains Fielding. “We started from square-one and today we are a widely-known family operation that keeps on growing. I just love it here; it is home now and what I really like about the community is that everyone is so friendly and everyone gets along really well. There is great synergy here among businesses and everyone supports each other in so many ways.”He adds, “I have children and now with all the growth happening I know that they have a future here and this is very promising.”The area is popular among tourists year-round. The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), which connects Buffalo, NY, and the City of Toronto, has an interchange, which makes it easy for visitors to access. What many people enjoy while visiting here is the local restaurants, the history and the copious offerings of wine and craft-brewery tours.What is also fascinating with the community is its rich history. Beamsville was named after Jacob Beam, a United Empire Loyalist, who emigrated from New Jersey to the area in 1788. The community is also home to scores of Dutch and United Empire Loyalist families, which is evident in the architecture of the homes, businesses, and the Anglican and Dutch Reformed churches.And let’s not forget the hockey heroes who hail from here. They include: William Fairbrother, the inventor of the hockey net; Bill Berg, former player for the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs and now a widely- known NHL broadcaster; Paul Laus, a former defencemen for the Florida Panthers; and Ryan Christie, former player with the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames.The town also salutes Ralph Reid and Lloyd Southward who were notable Lancaster pilots during World War II and who both were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.According to Sandra Easton, Mayor of the Town of Lincoln, Beamsville is poised to grow in a smart direction while ensuring its history remains intact.“Our history is what makes us special, and we are now excited about the growth that is about to happen with new development and more businesses moving to the area,” she explains.“If you are a business, you will want to invest here because you would be considered unique and you would bring benefit to the eclectic mix of businesses involved in agriculture, wine, craft beer, manufacturing, and retail. This is a place where you would be important to our local economy and you would be highly valued,” says Easton.She adds, “There is a lot going on here and there is no shortage of diversity and new opportunities. And our community is growing, which is very exciting.”The growth she is referring to is new development that will definitely attract millennials, business owners, and empty nesters.One example is Cachet Beamsville, which is focused on housing communities for families and which will offer easy access to major transportation routes, existing or planned amenities, schools, shopping, and lifestyle.“With the influx of hundreds of new residents, Beamsville’s existing and future merchants and service providers will see a major boost in business opening up opportunities for growth and expansion. In fact, the local grocery is already making improvements in anticipation of this growth,” says Desi C. Auciello, President of Cachet Group of Companies.“Affordable ground-based family-size homes and yards are and will continue to be a major draw. As our millennials continue to mature and start families, the desire for a family home will be a natural progression. Cachet Beamsville will offer the benefit of living in an established close-knit community in new family-size townhome or singles at an affordable price,” he explains. “Living in Beamsville will open doors to all the amazing amenities the region has to offer including vineyards, hiking trails, cuisine, festivals and still be in proximity to all the big city amenities as and when you desire.”If you call Beamsville home, then you also have access to great educational institutions, which is also big draw for new residents. Close by is Brock University, Niagara College and The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Then there is SPARK Niagara Academy that is helping drive innovation in the area through workshops and professional development programs for kids, youth, and adults.“We have a great environment that offers everything you need,” says Easton. “We have Beamsville Bench with wineries, breweries and distilleries, and there are lots of cycling tours available and trails for walking and hiking. If you flew over the area in a helicopter, you would see how much greenspace there is; everyone loves to be connected with nature. That’s right, we have it all here.”