RE/MAX has teamed up with the Toronto Blue Jays to bring you an unbeatable giveaway! Enter now for a chance to win exciting prizes - but hurry, the contest ends August 16.


How to Enter

https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/fans/contest-central/remax-bases-covered


Don’t strike out, cover all your bases with RE/MAX & the Jays! 


Tag a friend or colleague who’d love this. 


Grand Prize – The Ultimate Blue Jays Experience:

  • Two tickets to 2 Blue Jays games, complete with 3 nights’ accommodation in Toronto and round-trip airfare and transportation (if applicable)

  • Two replica Blue Jays jerseys & hats

  • Private Lesson with TBJ Academy at Rogers Centre

  • On-field viewing of batting practice

  • $500 Visa gift card

  • $250 The Keg gift card

Secondary Prize (2 winners):

  • Autographed replica jersey & Blue Jays hat

#RemaxTwinCity #REMAXBasesCovered #BlueJays #Contest #RealEstateLife


Rules & Regs: No purchase necessary. Ends August 16, 2025, at 4:59 pm ET. Open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec. Void where prohibited. Official rules at Bluejays.com/Remaxcontest. Sponsored by RE/MAX Promotions, Inc.


Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Blog Post: August 1, 2025

...


August is the perfect time to make the most of Ontario's beautiful outdoor lifestyle. Whether you're a current homeowner looking to enhance your property or a buyer seeking the perfect outdoor space, here are the hottest trends in outdoor living:

Trending Outdoor Features:

  • Extended Decks and Patios: Multi-level outdoor spaces for entertaining

  • Outdoor Kitchens: From simple BBQ stations to fully equipped cooking areas

  • Fire Features: Fire pits and fireplaces for extending the outdoor season

  • Swimming Pools: Both in-ground and above-ground options are gaining popularity

  • Garden Retreats: Dedicated spaces for relaxation and meditation

Making Your Property Shine:

For sellers, well-maintained outdoor spaces can significantly impact your home's appeal. Consider:

  • Landscape Maintenance: Fresh mulch, trimmed bushes, and vibrant flowers

  • Deck Staining: A fresh coat can transform your outdoor space

  • Lighting: Solar lights and LED fixtures create a beautiful evening ambiance

  • Furniture Staging: Show potential buyers how spaces can be used

For Buyers:

When viewing properties, consider the outdoor potential:

  • Yard Size and Layout: Think about your family's outdoor needs

  • Privacy: Mature trees and landscaping add value

  • Maintenance Requirements: Factor in ongoing care costs

  • Expansion Possibilities: Room for future improvements

Ontario's short but glorious summer season makes outdoor living spaces incredibly valuable. Whether you're buying or selling, these features can make a significant difference in your real estate experience.

Photo Credit: 178 Ferris Drive, Wellesley, Ontario
Large and Private Backyard with Mature Trees and Landscaping

Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Blog Post: August 1, 2025




...


Mark your calendars! The Busker Carnival brings world-class international artists to Uptown Waterloo from August 21-24, 2025, featuring acrobatics, comedians, magicians, and fire breathers. This beloved four-day festival transforms the heart of Waterloo into an outdoor theatre, offering free entertainment for the whole family.

What to Expect: 

  • Street Performers: Watch amazing acrobatic displays, comedy acts, and musical performances throughout Uptown

  • Interactive Fun: Many performers encourage audience participation, making it perfect for families

  • Local Vendors: Browse local food trucks and artisan vendors

  • Evening Entertainment: Special evening shows featuring fire performers and magical acts

The Busker Carnival is a wonderful opportunity to experience the vibrant community spirit that makes Waterloo Region such a special place to call home. Whether you're a long-time resident or new to the area, this event showcases the cultural richness and community pride that define our region.

Photo Credit: https://waterloobuskers.com/photos-waterloo-busker-carnival/

Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Blog Post: August 1, 2025



...


August in Ontario calls for outdoor adventure, and there's no better destination than the breathtaking Elora Gorge, just a short drive from Kitchener-Waterloo. This stunning natural wonder offers the perfect escape from summer heat with its dramatic limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and lush forest trails.

Why Visit Elora Gorge in August? 

Perfect Weather for Tubing: August temperatures make the Grand River ideal for tubing adventures. Float down the gentle rapids while soaking up the sun and enjoying the spectacular gorge views from water level.

Hiking Paradise: The gorge features several well-maintained trails ranging from easy riverside walks to more challenging cliff-top hikes. The popular Elora Gorge Trail offers stunning viewpoints perfect for photography and picnicking.

Charming Village Atmosphere: The historic village of Elora provides the perfect complement to your gorge adventure. Browse unique boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops, then enjoy a meal at one of the excellent local restaurants.

Family-Friendly Activities: The Elora Gorge Conservation Area offers swimming areas, picnic facilities, and interpretive programs that make it perfect for families with children of all ages.

Photography Opportunities: The dramatic limestone cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife create countless Instagram-worthy moments throughout the day.

Planning Your Visit

  • Best Time: Weekday mornings offer the most peaceful experience

  • What to Bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, swimwear, sunscreen, and a camera

  • Distance from KW: Just 30 minutes by car

  • Pro Tips: 
    #1 Combine your gorge visit with a stop at nearby Fergus for additional shopping and dining options. 
    #2 Elora and Fergus are popular tourist destinations – please be respectful of the townspeople and local vendors. #3 Elora and Fergus offer 3-hour free parking in their downtown cores, but the parking officials are very, very vigilant. Don't let a parking ticket spoil your trip to Ontario's Most Beautiful Villages.

  • Further Resources: 
    For more info on Elora, visit A Quaint Town with A Legendary Gorge 
    For more info on Fergus, visit A Famous Scottish Place with Small-Town Charm

Make this August memorable with a day trip to one of Ontario's most beautiful natural attractions, right in our backyard!

Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Blog Post: August 1, 2025

...

🐝 Pollinators aren’t just garden guests—they’re the powerhouses behind our food and flowers.

Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds fuel ecosystems and food crops alike—and you can help them thrive right from your backyard (or balcony).

🌸 Here’s how to turn your space into a pollinator paradise:



🌼 1. Go Native

Choose native plants that have evolved alongside local pollinators—they’re more resilient, require less care, and offer the nectar and pollen local species rely on. If native options aren’t available, go for cultivars that closely resemble their wild cousins.
🔗 Learn more: Ontario Native Plants Guide



🌸 2. Stagger Your Bloom Times

Keep the buffet open all season long! Choose a variety of plants that bloom from early spring through fall, so pollinators always have something to feed on.



🌿 3. Mix It Up

Diversity draws a crowd. Include a mix of flower shapes, colours, heights, and scents to attract different types of pollinators.



💐 4. Skip the Fancy Blooms

Double-flowered varieties may look lush, but their complex petals often block access to nectar and pollen. Choose simpler, single blooms for easier access.



🌾 5. Plant in Clumps

Group the same flowers together in clusters. These mass plantings are easier for pollinators to spot and forage.



🐛 6. Add Larval Host Plants

To support the full butterfly life cycle, plant host plants for caterpillars—even if it means a few chewed leaves. Tuck them in less visible areas to keep things tidy.
🔗 Butterfly Larval Host Plants – Ontario Edition 🐛

Supporting butterflies means feeding their babies, too! Here are a few local favourites:

🦋 Butterfly

🌿 Larval Host Plant(s)

Monarch

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)

Black Swallowtail

Carrot, Dill, Parsley, Queen Anne’s Lace

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Wild Cherry, Tulip Tree, Ash

Painted Lady

Thistle, Hollyhock, Mallow

Viceroy

Willow, Poplar, Cottonwood

Red Admiral

Nettles

Common Buckeye

Plantain, Toadflax, Snapdragon

Pearl Crescent

Asters

 Tip: Plant host species in a low-traffic corner of the garden to keep your blooms pretty while still helping butterflies thrive.



☀️ 7. Pick a Sunny Spot

Pollinators love the sun! Choose a bright location and add a few flat stones so they can rest and warm their wings.



💧 8. Provide a Water Source

Pollinators get thirsty, too. Use shallow dishes or birdbaths with pebbles to give them a safe place to drink and land.



🐝 9. Create Shelter

Pollinators need a place to nest and hide:

  • Leave bare soil patches for ground-nesting bees

  • Keep logs or dead wood for beetles and solitary bees

  • Install bee hotels or drill holes in untreated wood



🚫 10. Avoid Pesticides

Even small amounts of pesticide can harm pollinators. Choose natural pest control, and if you must spray, do it at night when pollinators are less active.



🌬️ No Yard? No Problem!

Balcony gardeners can still help:

  • Use containers with nectar-rich blooms

  • Add a windbreak like a trellis

  • Grow shade-tolerant pollinator plants like honeysuckle or columbine


🌻 Bonus: Easy Pollinator Favourites

These plants are pollinator magnets—great for beginners:

Flowers: Anise Hyssop, Coneflowers, Bee Balm, Zinnias, Phlox, Asters, Lavender, Salvia
Herbs: Basil, Mint, Oregano, Thyme
Garden Stars: Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, Milkweed

🔗 Ontario Plant Hardiness Zone Map 


Your garden can be more than beautiful—it can be a lifeline.
So dig in, plant with purpose, and enjoy the buzz of a thriving, pollinator-friendly garden!


Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Blog Post: July 1, 2025

...

🌼 What’s All the Buzz About Pollinators? 🐝🦋🐦


There’s a lot of talk these days about helping pollinators — but what exactly are they, and why are they so important?


🌍 Why Pollinators Matter


Seed-producing plants rely on pollination to reproduce, maintain genetic diversity, and grow fruits and seeds. Nearly all food crops depend on pollination by beneficial insects and animals. Without pollinators, ecosystems — and our food supply — would be in serious trouble.


🤝 A Perfect Partnership


Over time, plants and pollinators have developed a symbiotic relationship:

  • Pollinators rely on flowers for nectar and pollen (their food).
  • Plants rely on pollinators to transfer pollen between flowers, helping them reproduce.


The most well-known pollinators include bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, but they’re not alone - moths, flies, ants, beetles, and even bats also play essential roles.



Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Blog Post: July 1, 2025


...
1
2
3
...
11