Sinclair Homes is proud to introduce the Nestings Community! Simcoe’s newest home community is synonymous with luxury bungalow living, embracing nature and healthy living inside and out. Whether you are looking put down roots to start your family, or you are looking to scale down and are gearing up for a safe, happy and quieter days in your life, you will find the Nestings Community is a perfect fit for you. Here are 5 reasons you will love “nesting” into your new Sinclair home.

Simcoe Is The Best Of Both Worlds

You get the best of both worlds living in this friendly neighbourhood town. Residents are drawn to its small-town charm and its large selection of amenities for all ages. Relax on some of Ontario’s most beautiful beaches as Lake Erie is just a 15-minute drive. Take a trip into nearby big cities such as Hamilton, only 40 minutes from your new home or Toronto and Niagara Falls, just 1.5 hours away. A major attraction is Simcoe’s low cost of living providing more opportunities for a balanced lifestyle.

Norfolk County was named on Maclean’s list of Canada’s safest places to live in 2019! Which is why Simcoe is the perfect town for your growing family and aging in place.

Feel Good In Your Home

Sinclair Homes’ energy-efficient homes program is a testament of quality built homes. In addition to the functional home designs, maximizing living space and homes with curb appeal,  Sinclair Homes are built for a healthier living inside and out, affordable luxury, lower carbon footprint on the environment, lower operating cost of living and much more.

Plenty of Room for Family

The new luxury townhomes at the Nestings Community offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom bungalofts, perfectly fitting your active lifestyle, with beautiful guest rooms for your grandbabies when they visit. Or impress your friends or family with the grand living space, tall ceilings and the loft overseeing the living room below.

New Builds Are an Ideal Option

Moving into a new build fitting to your family and lifestyle needs takes a lot of stress out of the moving process. You deserve to enjoy yourself, your family and your new home. Living in the Nestings community means more time to relax and enjoy your new home, location, and community. Renovations and maintaining the home for resale are no longer a concern when you’ve moved into your new home at the Nestings. Nesting’s sense of community will make your transition into a new neighborhood feel that much more comfortable and safe.

Sinclair Homes is on Your Side

Whether you are looking for room to grow, or a place to retire, Sinclair Homes has the expertise and experience to offer you new-build options that fit your lifestyle. Learn more about the Sinclair Homes family-friendly business here.

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Avoid Excessive Moisture

Steam cleaners, wet mops, and standing water can cause irreparable damage to laminate floors. Water causes swelling, warping, and separation — which can even void your warranty! It’s important to wipe up all spills as soon as they happen. We also recommend that all pet dishes have a waterproof mat underneath to prevent spillage.

Spot Clean

Laminate flooring is low maintenance. It doesn’t require a heavy-duty cleaning if you tend to wipe up small messes and stains as soon as possible. For stains such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick or ink, use acetone on a clean cloth. Then wipe the area down with a damp cloth to remove any leftover residue.

Avoid Anything Abrasive

Steel wool and strong cleaners with harsh chemicals can scratch and damage laminate flooring, so it’s best just to stick to soft cloth materials when cleaning. If you need to scrape away a stain, like candle wax or chewing gum, try a plastic credit card and gently scrape with care.

Remove Your Shoes

It’s not advised to wear your shoes inside, especially on laminate flooring as shoes can leave scratches and create the need for more frequent cleaning. Another great tip is to keep your pets’ nails short and put pads on the bottom of your furniture to help protect your floor.

Use Gentle Cleaning Products

We recommend that you use a gentle cleaner like the Shaw Floors cleaner for hard surfaces. You can spray this cleaner directly onto your floor and lightly wipe it away with a terry cloth mop or soft cloth.

We understand that it may be tempting to create a DIY household cleaner using products like baking soda, lemon, or essential oils, but we deter all of our homeowners from doing that in order to prolong the life of their laminate floors.

Repair Kits Can Work

Scratches are likely to happen over time in a busy household. If you need to repair a small scratch, you can pick up a repair kit at your local home centre, like Home Hardware or Canadian Tire. Repair kits will work well and are available in a range of colours.

At Sinclair Homes, we build our homes as if they were our own. Our homes include high-end materials like laminate flooring, stone counters, and added sound-proofing. If you are in the market for a new home, take a look at our current communities or reach out to us here.

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Peace & Quiet Is Important

At Sinclair Homes, we understand how important it is to have peace and quiet in your home, which is why we take this very seriously when building our communities. Our priority is to ensure that our homes are as soundproof as they possibly can be.

What Does Sinclair Homes Do Differently?

The Ontario Building Code requires that the shared walls inside a home must have a minimum sound transmission class rating (STC) of at least 32. This number represents how well the sound is able to travel between the walls. The higher the number, the better the soundproofing. At Sinclair Homes, our minimum STC rating is 57.

In addition, all “party walls” or conjoining walls in between our townhomes are comprised of two independent walls, so there is no solid surface for sound to transmit across. This also includes the garage. This method of building our homes comes at a slightly higher cost, but the results are worth it.

Are Our Homes Soundproof? Here’s The Bottom Line.

When we are doing walk-throughs with potential buyers, we’ll prove the level of soundproofing in our homes.

By turning on some music, we’ll do a live test to demonstrate that you will not be able to hear it in the unit next door. As an added bonus, smell transmission between units is nearly nonexistent! You may not have thought about that and now you know you don’t have to!

The bottom line is that we do not hear the typical customer complaints that normally come with owning a townhouse that was built with a single stud wall, because we build differently.

If you have any further questions about our homes, or are interested in viewing a home in our Westwood Trails Community in Simcoe, please feel free to call us at 226-476-2227 or contact us here. We’d love to show you around!

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You own the land

Different from most condominiums, when you purchase a townhouse that is part of a vacant land condominium, you own the four walls & roof of your home as well as the land that your house is on.

You have more flexibility to do what you want with your property

Because you own your unit as well as the land, you have more freedom to do what you want with your home’s exterior and outdoor space, similar to a detached home, however with some controls to maintain continuity throughout the development, this can be discussed in more detail with a member of our team.

Townhouses are low maintenance

By living in a townhouse community, you will be able to take advantage of many of the benefits that come with condo living — including having your landscaping and snow removal looked after for you. You will still have the flexibility to do what you want with your outdoor space, but you can enjoy the reduced responsibility of having to mow your lawn or worry about other labour intensive duties.

The maintenance fees are fixed

Townhouses have much more affordable maintenance fees than your typical condo. Many condominium owners pay several thousand dollars a month without ever knowing how much those fees could fluctuate in the future. Sinclair Homes’ community Westwood Trails in Simcoe offers very affordable maintenance fees that do not exceed $140 a month.

Townhouses are more affordable

In today’s competitive real estate market, townhouses are becoming the most obvious choice for many people due to their affordability, especially for first-time buyers. They are also an attractive option for retirees and downsizers, to simplify their lives and realize some of the hard-earned equity built up in their larger, more expensive detached homes.

Townhouses are more energy efficient

A townhouse requires less heating than a detached house in general because of the shared walls. Sinclair Homes townhouses are built to go above and beyond most ENERGY STAR standards and are 20% more energy-efficient than a regular new-build home. For more information about Sinclair Homes ENERGY STAR details, read our blog post here.

Experience a sense of community

Condo communities tend to be tight-knit because they involve more interaction and sharing of amenities. The same can be said for townhouse communities. You’ll be able to enjoy the freedom and benefits of your private home and yard, but also enjoy living in a close-knit community.

Moreover, if you are a snowbird or someone who likes to travel, you have the freedom to lock up and take off! You can rest assured that your neighbours will be able to easily keep an eye on your place in your absence.

If you are interested in a townhouse in Ontario, visit the Sinclair Homes website to view our new-build communities and current vacancies. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us here.

The post What Are The Benefits of Living In a Townhouse? appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

Small Town Charm

There’s nothing like the charm of a small town like Simcoe. If your dream is to live in an idyllic place where neighbourhoods are close-knit and everyone watches out for one another, look no further.

Take a stroll down Norfolk Street and you will quickly fall in love. Simcoe’s residents take pride in rural living and appreciate the sense of community and well-being that their tranquil town has to offer.

Great Amenities

Simcoe has many great restaurants and craft breweries to enjoy.

If you enjoy spending time on the links, then you’ll enjoy the Norfolk Golf & Country Club where members go to enjoy a round and socialize with other golf enthusiasts.

Norfolk County is also home to many events and festivals including the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, Friday the 13th Motorcycle Rally, Simcoe Christmas Panorama, and the Port Dover Summer Festival, to name just a few.

Location, Location, Location

A top benefit of living in Simcoe is the quiet, easygoing lifestyle where traffic jams and road rage are a rarity. Conveniently located, it’s easy to get away and enjoy a weekend trip of shopping or sightseeing as Toronto and Niagara Falls are only 1.5 hours away.

If you’re a beach bum and love to spend your summers by water, Simcoe is only 15 minutes from Lake Erie and some of Ontario’s most beautiful beaches!

It’s Safe

If you need any further convincing that Simcoe is a great city to put down roots, Norfolk county made Maclean’s list of Canada’s safest places to live in 2019.

If you’re looking to make the move into a luxury townhome in Simcoe, register here to view our newest community at Westwood Trails.

The post Top Benefits of Living In Simcoe  appeared first on Sinclair Homes.

Maximized Kitchen Storage

The kitchen is the heart of every home. The kitchen is also where most people struggle with organization and complain of not having enough space. When designing your kitchen, consider lower cabinets with slide out drawers for pots and pans. We also recommend installing taller and deeper cabinets with accessible corner cabinets for extra storage, and built-in recycling and composting waste bins.

Inspired Lighting

Incorporate task lighting, like pot lights, in functional areas of your home. Consider installing task lighting above a kitchen island, in a rec. room, or where ceilings are vaulted. Installing lighting underneath overhanging cabinets is both a functional and high-end touch that everyone appreciates. Consider taking it a step further by installing occupancy or motion sensors. These motion activated lights are convenient and provide additional safety in the evenings. Last, but certainly not least, add dimmers for ambiance. This will ensure that you’re able to control the mood of your home’s lighting.

Upgraded Bath

For many, the bathroom is synonymous with relaxation. Investing in your bathroom is the ultimate in self care. For you, this could be the addition of luxurious stone counter tops, and upgraded bathtub or shower in your en suite. Consider heated tile flooring and a beautiful his-and-her vanity with upgraded faucets. Splurging on at least one room in your home where you spend a lot of quality time is money well spent.

Add-ons to Covet

In addition to the elements above, the Sinclair Design Team has a few extra items that you’ll want to add to your wish list.

• Solid oak staircases are one of our must-haves because they’re beautiful, they stand the test of time, and can be sanded and stained to exactly your preference.
• High-quality engineered wood floors are another must-have because they’re more durable and offer many chic options to choose from.
• If you prefer tile, we recommend considering large format tile flooring. This style is offers a more modern style that all your house guests will surely admire.

Stone counter tops are the ultimate in luxury and are a standard install in all Sinclair Homes’ kitchens. We highly recommend investing in a quality counter top like granite or quartz in your bathroom as well and opting for an under mount sink. Just as it sounds, under mounted sinks are installed from below your cabinets, creating a smooth and streamlined look.

If you’re in the market for a new home, contact us to set up a viewing of the townhomes in our Westwood Trails community. We’ll work with you to make all your custom must-haves for your new home come true!

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1. They’re Only for the Rich

It’s entirely possible to have a modern home that lives up to all your expectations of style and quality without blowing your budget. High-end finishes and vaulted ceilings are nice, but there are many options that look and feel just as beautiful without breaking the bank. New build homes are the choice of many middle-class families because of the freedom and flexibility to customize the interior to suit your lifestyle.

2. There Are Hidden Costs

We’ve all heard the rumours about hidden costs when working with a builder. Sinclair Homes is a family-owned and operated company that prides itself on transparency. You will never receive an unexpected bill. In fact, the closing costs, which are usually paid to a private lender or big bank, are included in our cost — so there are no surprises.

3. All the Houses Look the Same

Designs are inspired by current trends and tend to change through the decades. Take a drive through any older neighbourhood and you’ll notice this. It’s important to us and our residents that Sinclair homes have a cohesive look and feel that is unique to each community.

4. You Don’t Know What You’re Getting

At Sinclair, we will work with you every step of the way to ensure that we turn your ideas into reality. This begins with detailed floor plans, digital simulations, and customizable updates. If you’d like to check the progress of your home, schedule a walk through with us. We’re happy to accommodate you and give you peace of mind with your new build home.

If you’re interested in more information about Sinclair Homes, take a look at our portfolio and get in touch.

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One of the most important aspects of designing your home is choosing a colour scheme, from the paint on the walls to the cabinets, and right down to your furniture. Sinclair Homes’ designer, Joanne, has helped us put together a list of things to keep in mind when choosing the colours for your new home:

1. Determine your style

Before you make any colour decisions, it’s important to figure out your decorating style. Do you prefer a traditional look or country feel for your home? Do you lean towards classic looks that never go out of style? Perhaps you like a contemporary or modern feel for your home. Being able to give your personal style preferences a name will help you focus your decision-making.

2. Decide on a colour scheme

Narrowing down the type of colour scheme you like will be helpful for making specific colour decisions. Decide whether you prefer a colour scheme with neutral browns and taupes, neutral and cool greys (this is one of our most popular choices!), or bright and bold colours. It’s also important to consider whether you prefer light or dark colours. Be sure to take your new home’s layout into account when considering colours. Joanne suggests sticking to lighter colours to help your home feel spacious in areas where there is a lack of natural light.

3. Start with the main living areas

Choose the colours for the walls, floors and accents in your living room and kitchen, then work your way to the bathrooms and bedrooms.

Expert Tip: Contrast your cabinets with the countertops or flooring. The darkest colours should be on the bottom to ground the room, working your way up to the lighter colours. You can also contrast warm with cool, such as warm wood floors with cool grey furniture.

4. Incorporate your furniture

If you’re buying new furniture for your home, choose all of the colours for the walls, cabinets and floors first, then shop for furniture that works within the space. If you’re working with existing furniture, bring in a couch cushion, or photos of your wood furniture and accent pieces like rugs or artworks. This will make it easier to work with a designer to come up with the perfect colour scheme to match your furnishings!

5. Add some black to the room

One of Joanne’s favourite design tips is to add a little bit of black to each room when possible. Black accents are timeless and trendy all at once, and add a ton of style to your space. Cabinet hardware, faucets, door handles and light fixtures are all great ways to add black to a room without disrupting the rest of the colour scheme.

6. Use the 60-30-10 rule

If you’re having trouble getting the right proportions for your colour scheme, the 60-30-10 rule will help. The dominant colour should take up about 60 percent of the space on the walls and floors. The secondary colour is for your furniture and cabinets, and should make up about 30 percent of the space. The last 10 percent is for your accent colour, which can include things like accessories or an accent wall.

At Sinclair Homes, our team of experts is here to help you design the house of your dreams. Check out our latest development, Westwood Trails in Simcoe — it could be your new home!

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1. Amp up your curb appeal

The first thing potential homebuyers see is the front of your house, and there’s nothing more important than that first impression. You don’t have to completely renovate the front of your house or re-landscape, but freshening it up can have a big impact. Make sure to mow your front lawn, trim bushes and trees, put some pretty planters on your porch and rid your garden beds of weeds. Consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint.

2. Clean your home’s exterior

In addition to making the landscaping look fresh, you should clean the front of your home as well. This means making sure your windows and doors are clean, and don’t forget about the siding and gutters. If your home doesn’t look well-maintained, potential homebuyers may begin to question whether important interior maintenance has been neglected.

3. Declutter your personal items

Personal items are what makes your house a home, but when it comes to selling, they can be a distraction. Try to remove some of the personal items from your home, like framed family photos or anything that could be seen as clutter. It’s okay to have a few personal touches here and there, but it’s important that potential homebuyers can picture themselves living in your house.

4. Clean every surface

Putting your home on the market is a great opportunity to give it that deep-clean you’ve been avoiding. Make sure to clean every surface in your home, from ceiling fans and light fixtures to baseboards and countertops. Every surface in your home should be dust- and grime-free before you welcome potential homebuyers.

5. Organize storage spaces

While it’s not typically one of the first things people look at when they visit your home, storage spaces are one of the most important features. Go through all of your closets, cupboards and anywhere else you store items and make sure they look organized. Even if you have ample storage space, if these spaces are disorganized they’ll look small and may put people off from making an offer.

6. Neutralize colours

As with the personal items in your home, brightly coloured rooms may not be attractive to potential homebuyers. Whether it’s a lime green bedroom or a bright pink bathroom, try to neutralize the colours in your home wherever you can. Making your home appear as much like a blank canvas as possible will allow visitors to picture themselves in your home.

7. Get rid of odours

One of the first things people notice when they walk into your home is the way it smells — or doesn’t smell. You may be used to the way your home smells, but it could be off-putting to visitors. Try to neutralize odours from your pets, and freshen your home up with scented candles, fabric sprays, fresh flowers, freshly baked cookies or an essential oil diffuser.

If you’re thinking about moving, Westwood Trails at Simcoe could be your new home! Learn more about this exciting new development from Sinclair Homes.

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Here’s how to get the kitchen of your dreams in your new home:

1. Upgrade appliances

When you purchase a new build home, the standard appliances may not be the top of the line, but your builder should be able to give you options for upgrading. This is an area that’s worth the extra money. Opt for stainless steel appliances or modern matte black finishes with features like built-in ice dispensers so your kitchen has all of the modern features you need.

2. Choose sleek, modern hardware

One of the best ways to personalize your kitchen and give it an upgrade is to choose sleek, modern hardware for your cabinets and drawers. Your builder will likely have a range of options for you to choose from so that you can put your stamp on your new kitchen, even down to the smallest details.

3. Built-in, personalized touches

Do you have a collection of beautiful dinnerware or serveware that you want to showcase? Consider upgrading to glass-fronted cabinets. Maybe you’re a wine enthusiast and you’d like to show off your collection with a built-in cabinet or rack. Perhaps you would benefit from extra shelving on an island or peninsula to store and display your collection of cookbooks. Whatever your hobbies or personal tastes, you can design your kitchen to reflect your style.

4. Upgrade to a kitchen island

Depending on your builder and the layout of the home you choose, your kitchen may not come with a kitchen island, but it should be an option to upgrade. Kitchen islands never go out of style, and they are useful in so many ways, from providing extra storage and seating, to giving you more counter space for food preparation and entertaining.

5. Upgrade the lighting

Good lighting is essential in any room of your house, but it’s most important in your kitchen. Your new build home likely has all of the lighting essentials included — a ceiling light and pot lights, for example — but you may want to consider upgrading. Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to add extra light and create atmosphere in your kitchen. You may also want to upgrade the builder-grade ceiling light to a light that fits your personality and becomes a feature of the kitchen.

6. Upgrade sinks and faucets

Upgrading your sinks and faucets isn’t just a great way to add beauty and personality to your kitchen — you can also increase functionality. Choose a faucet finish that you like, whether it’s on-trend matte black or brushed metallics, and consider whether you’d like a pull-down faucet or any other added features. If you’ve been dreaming of a ceramic farmhouse sink, now is the time to add it to your plan  to ensure your kitchen is designed to accommodate the upgrade.

Sinclair Construction has been building homes in Ontario since 1979. Check out our current project, Westwood Trails in Simcoe, and find out if it could be your next home.

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