1601 SHALES ROAD ON DRAPER`S LAKE, KINGSTON ONTARIO FOR SALE - $1.1MILLION An enchanting retreat rich in serenity just the way nature intended. A haven of over 7 acres of pampered privacy with 733' of clean shoreline on Draper Lake just 20 min from Kingston.   Second best wasn't an option to the builder and this custom build will live up to your very high expectations.   Sky high ceilings make the rooms come alive with light. Gourmet extravaganza kitchen with high end Miele built in appliances and a cheery breakfast nook.   Window wrapped dining with room enough for a family banquet opening to a sunroom that invites lazy afternoons.   Both Living Room and Family Room center on their massive stone fireplaces, one wood-burning and the other propane.   Retreating to the relaxing Master Sui... 06/23/2014

SOLD in 10 DAYS! I'm happy to report that the selling season is alive and well in the Spring 2014 market! St Lawrence River waterfront is moving even though the snow and ice is still with us. If you're thinking of selling this year, please don't hesitate:  we have many motivated Buyers who are looking for more inventory from which to choose. This is one that I sold this week; an exclusive listing on Treasure Island, minutes outside of downtown Kingston, and was priced at $1,400,000   EXCLUSIVE TREASURE ISLAND HOME OverviewMapsPhotosDescription $1,400,000 Single Family Home Main Features 4 Bedrooms3 Bathrooms Location 1579 St Lawrence AveKingston, ON K7L 4V1Canada Our recent listings RUSTIC CABIN WITH GORGEOUS RIVER VIEWSOWN A LOCAL LANDMARK!EXECUTIVE OASIS ON THE ST LAWRENCE RIVERDENAUT... 04/05/2014

I am so excited to introduce you to my new floor plan tool!  I love providing my Sellers with that little bit extra and I've ramped it up even more with my new and improved floor plan option.   There is so much that can be done with this tool and I love that it is inter-active too. There are 2D floor plans and 3D as well -  simply click those tabs.  Main floor, Upper floor too! If you want to see the floor plan without the photos on the left side, simply click the left side arrow at the top and they will disappear! When you're in the floor plan, click on the "Cross"  icon and you'll see the photo of that room. 3D can be rotated, zoomed and minimized.   I also have the option of sending clients the floorplan with a full library of furniture to be placed - like an Adult Doll House !!  Wal... 03/24/2014

I'm always interested in all the different areas that make up our Kingston and Area Real Estate Board and how each is doing compared to the others. I like to see how many properties were listed as "Active" meaning "for sale" at the beginning of the year as compared to month end. How many actually Sold as compared to Expired or Canceled? As you can see, especially in Area 22 East Sir John A, many (32) of the Active Listings were Canceled and put back into the system as "NEW" for the new year.  This only skews the Days on Market Stats we try to use.  For example:  123 House on ABC Street came on the market in July 2013.  It did not sell so the Seller and their Realtor cancel the existing listing and create a new one showing it coming on the system as new in Jan 2014 instead of July 2013. ... 03/01/2014

How did Real Estate Sales in  January 2014 compare to January 2013 in the Greater Kingston and Area Real Estate Board?    Do you want to know what is selling and in what price range?  Take a look at the breakdown: It seems the most compelling price range in our Greater Kingston Area is still the $260,000 up to $349,999. range even though the number of homes sold fell by 10 in the past year.  It was nice to see an increase in homes sold up to $500K though and we're still seeing our high end homes sell, many come off the system for the winter months.  I'm quite interested to see our February numbers so stay tuned and I'll post them as soon as they're available. Bye for now, Susan Emo     02/19/2014

Years ago, my husband and I would attempt to eat out at a special place on Valentine's Day yet we would always return home dissatisfied with the food, service or both.  So for years,we've always stayed at home and cooked from the heart, in our own kitchen with music blaring and good times being shared. This year, with health issues plaguing us and simply being exhausted, we thought we'd try dining out again.  For 2 weeks we've tried to decide on where to spend the evening.  Finally, after much soul searching we realized we'd not be happy with the crowds and the food that would be so obviously rushed and not enjoyable so we sat down and came up with a menu we could enjoy at home and yet, still make it a dining pleasure without a lot of work. This is the menu for Emo's Eating Emporium for... 02/13/2014

HGTV.ca's DREAM HOME OF THE WEEK is none other than our listing at 13 Sarah Street in Maitland, Asking $1,675,000 Your home says a lot about you. So how do you feel about being called elegant, classy and beautiful? This 5 acres estate overlooking the St Lawrence River presents a remarkably wide façade made all the more expansive with the east and west wings. What can’t be seen from the front is how the north wing rambles on at great length, incorporating what used to be kitchen, summer kitchen and servants’ quarters.  This elegant and commodious stone structure has high ceilings,  generous moldings, rooms sized for antiques, most of which will remain.  In addition to the large 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath Main House, there is a generous Suite with 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath, another full Kitchen and Li... 02/04/2014

I am honoured and excited at being accepted into the prestigious group 100 Women Who Care Kingston. 100 women, 1 hour, over $10,000 Raised, 4Xs a yearSimple, but powerful ! Picture it . . . 100 Women Who Care in Kingston, committed to local community causes, get together for a 1 hour meeting every quarter. A local charity is jointly selected and then we each write our personal cheques for $100 to the chosen charity. Do the math kids . . . That totals $40,000+ raised each year that stays in the community of Kingston and 4 worthy causes benefit each and every year! The great idea that started in Jackson, Michigan in 2006 is still spreading! Take a look at this list of groups I am excited and hopeful that I can eventually bring this to Gananoque and the 1000 Islands too! Look this up in yo... 02/03/2014

With all the free information that is available to both Buyers and Sellers today, I am still shocked by the attitudes of some of the Sellers we come across in this business. On our MLS we are permitted 30 photos to attractively display the niceties of each home.  We are further allowed to link a Virtual Tour with the listing showing even more of what makes this property special. Yet, we still come across listings with one (1) photo only.  It might not even be a current photo at that! I believe in asking why when I see this, or even worse, when I am interviewing a possible Seller and they tell me they'll not permit more than one photo of their home to be displayed. Many times I am told by a Listing Agent or by a potential Seller, that "any more than one photo will keep Buyers from bookin... 01/19/2014

It is great to hear that people are moving out of Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal and looking to relocate in a smaller City, Town or Village in Eastern Ontario. We are the place to be whether you're considering Kingston, Gananoque or Brockville or all points in between!   You get far more bang for your buck and the pace of living is calmer and more reflective.  Yet, if you're worried about culture shock, we're still close to Canada's major cities by road, rail or air. Did you know the International Bridge to New York is only about 5 minutes from where I live?  Great for heading to the slopes or the sunshine in the winter. Don't just take my word for it, check out the video below:   12/26/2013

Sadly, Kingston Ontario received worldwide press coverage yesterday with our horrific fire in a new construction building.  There was even a harrowing helicopter rescue of a man trapped up on the crane towering over the inferno!  A Senior's Home and many residences were evacuated and a nearby hotel was also caught up in the blaze.  A gas station across the road was a major concern as the heat of the fire was setting parked cars on fire. It caused more stir than usual considering it was being built to house upon completion, approx 485 residents, many of whom would have been students.   Thank goodness the fire happened prior to completion of construction!  That in itself is our Christmas Miracle - no one was killed!! And now the finger-pointing and blame game begins. It seems this buildin... 12/18/2013

Anyone who knows me understands that I have a zero tolerance when it comes to drinking and driving.   If you want to have a drink, make other arrangements to get home.  It is quite simple. Arrange for a designated driver, call a cab, stay overnight at the party/hotel.  There is always another way to get home.  You don't want it to be in an ambulance or worse, a hearse! This guy in the film clip below has had 5 (FIVE)  D.U.I. charges.  His friends decide to teach him a lesson and I just love it - so funny! So as the season unfolds, please make arrangements to get yourself home without being behind the wheel if you've been drinking. And remember, you could still be legally impaired the next morning too if you've not given yourself enough time to sleep it off!   Around here you will see th... 12/10/2013

These days, one of the most popular topics up for discussion is "How much is the price of Gas?" On December 1st 1913, the first drive-up gasoline station opened . . .   I can only imagine that people were asking the same question back then too! "The station sold 30 gallons of fuel that first day -- less than 1 percent of the average volume at fueling stations today -- at 27 cents per gallon, equivalent to $6.37 per gallon today when adjusted for inflation."    from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Today we have apps for our phones such as GasBuddy or sites like FIND CHEAP GAS  Do you think 100 years ago, they would ever have dreamed the world would evolve to this? Is it just a coincidence that also on December 1st 1913, the first continuous moving assembly line was introduced by Ford ? By th... 12/01/2013

Dear Susan Emo, We would like to move soon and have heard that we shouldn't list our Kingston home for sale in December.  We would really like to get moving on this though.  (pardon the pun) What do you suggest? Sincerely, I.Want.To.Move. Dear Mr. Mover, I can certainly guarantee you this . . .  If you do not list your home for sale in December, you will definitely NOT sell it!  Many people falsely believe that we have a true and definite Selling Season and anything that falls outside of this so called Selling Season will sit, unsold.  This is no longer true.  In our Greater Kingston and the 1000 Island area, 120 homes SOLD in December 2012 and a further 142 SOLD in January 2013. I have found that my most serious Buyers come out this time of year.  I have even written an offer on Christ... 11/28/2013

Who wants to be moved into a new home in Kingston, Gananoque or 1000 Islands for the holidays this year?   Yes, you can take possession of any of these 3 homes and be celebrating Christmas in a home of your own this year. I have 3 homes listed for sale that are currently vacant so no worries about a Seller being able to move out in time. #1 is on Arthur Street in Gananoque.  This is a spacious 4 bedroom, 2 bath home and the asking price is $234,900  Check out the photos here   #2 is on Quabbin Road in Mallorytown.  Charm and quality galore!!!  This is priced at only $310,000.  Check it out here   #3 in located on The Point Road in East Kingston on Carpenter's Point.   Gorgeous waterfront home in an exclusive execturive community with offers invited at $1,295,000.  You're going to love t... 11/27/2013

I love game of every kind . . . I've enjoyed kangaroo, ostrich, bear, moose, buffalo and all game birds etc but I am not a hunter, nor is my husband, nor my Father, nor any of my brothers. So, when I'm not traveling, I rely on the best clients on the planet to gift me with game. Today I was given a Venison Roast of about 3 pounds and it is slowly marinating in a Ziplock Bag of Goodness!!! This particular marinade is made up of minced and chopped garlic, grated and chopped fresh ginger, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and dijon mustard that I just throw together and then massage into the meat.  Another one I like is Korean Bulgogi served with whole wheat Asian noodles : 4 green onions, chopped 2 tablespoons grated ginger 4 cloves of garlic, mashed and chopped 2 tablespoons toasted... 11/26/2013

Today, the 2nd Monday is October, is the day Canada celebrates Thanksgiving.  It is thought to be earlier than our Southern neighbours due to our "Harvest" being earlier in the colder north.    With so much extended family, many Canadians tend to have a few days of celebration for different branches and many of us just get turkey'd out!!! This year, as I've shared in earlier posts, I made the decision to be turkeyless and instead we celebrated yesterday with a Roast Pork cooked by one of my brothers. The day was glorious, weather-wise, food-wise and people-wise !  Full Menu here if you need ideas The view of the street from our sunporch was actually glowing in Autumnal glory . . .  we do live on the prettiest street in town!  i love that the fabulous fall foliage is right at my fingerti... 10/14/2013

There are days when I get the feeling someone is watching me. - not a good feeling! Of course when they're watching me online and reading my blog posts, that is a big positive!  That's what makes the phone ring, so I thank each of you who clicked onto my blog posts and read what I had to say.   My most viewed blog posts for last month, in reverse order;     DO YOU DESERVE AN ISLAND RETREAT? MAKE IT HAPPEN TODAY! with 2385 views and 136 clicksFARMERS' MARKET POTATO SALAD IN THE KINGSTON AND 1000 ISLANDS  with 2765 views and 165 clicksSTUNNING STATELY HOME SITTING ON 3.5 ACRES IN SYDENHAM-now only $675K with 2232 views and 174 clicksWHEN YOU OFFEND SOMEONE, DO YOU APOLOGIZE OR BLAME?  with 261 views and 219 clicksWHY DO YOU CARE HOW I DRESS IN MY BUSINESS? with 1656 views and 1632 clicks ... 09/15/2013

Kingston, ON When we read the following description, my military clients were certain that this home would be included on their House Hunting Trip: Greenwood Park, bike/jog to CFB Kingston. This 5 bedroom, with 3 full baths, home is better than the day it was built. Gorgeous hardwood floors, spacious kitchen with island, master bedroom with ensuite, mainfloor laundry, and entertaining deck to fenced yard. Lower level has 2 bedrooms, den/office and a great sized recroom for teenage gatherings. Bring all the kids belongings, unpack and put your feet up, move in condition. 1.5 car garage with entrance to home, curbed and paved double drive. This home will pleasantly surprise you for size.   When we entered the kitchen, the family was S.O.L.D. - what a space for creating family feasts!! I l... 09/08/2013

Tis the season for Farmers' Markets.  In Kingston, you will find them in the Market Square Tues, Thurs and Sat.  In Gananoque in the Townhall Park on Thurday evenings and scattered throughout the area, you will find fresh veg stalls along the roads and highways! Take advantage of the fresh goodness that is available to us right now.  This is what we enjoyed over the long weekend using our own yellow grape tomatoes: Farmers' Market Potato Salad Look for a mix of red, purple, and yellow-skinned potatoes to prepare this stunning salad. If you can't find them, substitute small red potatoes like I had to below. You can serve this dish at room temperature just after it's tossed together, or make it ahead, refrigerate, and serve chilled.  (I prefer room temperature as the flavours seem to be ... 08/06/2013