Moving to Niagara Falls???? The trials and tribulation of a house search in Niagara Falls www.silvaredigonda.myshopify.com

Oh wow...... a mixture of emotions aside from the threats from Donaldo Trump. I spent about three days searching for a house in Niagara so let me share. This is what I wanted. A garage, a front porch, finished basement apartment and bungalow. Location, location, location - a priority - walk to falls each day. I left the day before I was to meet with my agent. I drove directly to the house I believed had it all, except that it had another floor or half a floor. There was some school nearby which didn't warm me, but it was a good location for finding everything I would need like a hair salon, coffee shops etc.....My motivation a walk to the falls. I thought it checked most of my check list. I parked in the driveway and noticed that the adjacent drive did not lead to my possible backyard but to an entry for another house, beyond my back yard. Talk about being hard to find that home. It had just sold. Good luck on skip the dishes finding you. Not as enthused about the house as I was, I wanted to give it a chance. I was sure everything else would work out and I would love it. The day next the house was my first to explore. What looked like a well formed house, turned to be a house for an elf. The kitchen couldn't hold a normal size fridge and that kitchen would have worked in the basement but not as my main. The upstairs bedrooms were tiny and I don't think my bed would fit inside. The basement - well, tiny, tiny, tiny and there was no way a kitchen would fit and the bedroom - well maybe a double bed if it was inflatable. What a disappointed. But wait, my agent said she didn't think my car would fit inside garage. Ok, next........The next two days was a constant from 10:00 to 3pm checking one house after another with no breaks including lunch. Some houses I just said no before even going inside, usually because of all the high voltage structures which of course were not depicted on MLS. What I do when I search is then do another search to look at the area and there is where you spot what they don't want you to see. All the houses I saw were from 50 -100 years old to 150 years old except one which was 30. That house was cute but it had four levels. The owner was there and she told me that she saw how I walked and the house was not for me, much to the dismay of my agent who never heard an owner say that before. There are always firsts, that is how we learn and grow. As you know I have been having difficulty with my legs which Veteran Affairs is investigating to see if it is related to my 20 years of service. Actually, I thought I was doing pretty well. I have improved which is positive for me. My physiotherapist has told me there is no structural damage and I can really cut down seeing him - all positive. No one is encouraging me to go back to the gym, so I just do my exercises and walk - it's all good. But almost each house that I was at, had no snow or ice removed and my agent was slip sliding away in fromt of me. So me thinks I did pretty good. Back to houses. The houses I saw looked old and tired even though the owners did their best to make it look nice. One had a small dog named Jelly Bean (not the singer of course) which I was hoping to see and Jelly Bean was supposed to be home, but wasn't. Another hopeful house with a lovely backyard had a dead mouse in the basement. "You don't want to see the rest of house?" Guess what I said. "NO". The basements - God almighty. I took a glimpse of one which looked like a cave literally. Actually a cave looks nicer. That was the top of the staircase looking down into nothingness - next. The basements were mostly of what may be seen in a horror movie. One basement had a moat containing a moat of water circling around the entire basement with one side having massive aluminum rings. Pass. My agent was trying to figure out what it was for. Don't care. Pass. I told my agent that my own house was starting to look better all the time. After the second day my agent told me she had no more houses to show me and would I consider a condo or living in Chippawa? Now Chippawa is a place people from Niagara always recommend when I talk to them, mainly because they live there. It's nice and quiet. Well speak about quiet. I don't think my stay could have been quieter. River Road and Clifton was bare of people. Is this Trumps doing? Are Americans afraid to come over the border because Canadians are booing them at the games? I don't agree with that. Americans are our friends and family and Trump does not represent all Americans. Many disapprove especially his attack on us. I'll save him for another day. I don't like what you are doing Trump. Aw Dictatorship is the making - watch and learn how it is done. Anyhow, the house search was not fun. Also, a few had tenants in it and that for me is an automatic pass. I will never be responsible for people being forced out of their homes. I told my agent that I had considered condos but they had to be close to the falls, have a pool and no pet restrictions. I guess they don't have that. They do have a trailor Park, Dave's. I took a drive around and a fellow vet nodded as I drove around. Of course I did the same. Dave's Trailor Park seems like an easy fix. They don't want Niagara residents and is cheap. I could use it something of a cottage. It has a pool and is pet friendly. It is far from the Falls. So I was just about to resign myself that there was no place in Niagara Falls for me, when my agent all excited told me that a house had just come on the market and she was eager to show me. She said it was closer to the Falls than my first hopeful house. At this point I didn't expect much and was trying to please her more than actually thinking I would care for the house. She is a nice person and spent so much time trying to find something. Ok, we drove to the place and yes, location - great. It is about 2 km or less on my meter and about three houses from River Road. Ok, check. It has a porch - check. I can sit and look at River Road gorge. Open door - I am in love. The house is airy and bright and open and it has a bathroom on the main floor for guests and (clients). It has a beautiful kitchen with a lovely walkout to the yard. It has stairs but they take breaks to the second floor where there are three large bedrooms etc......Basement? Nightmare city of course. If it was the first house I saw I would probably have to pass. But, after days of checking out basements what made this one scary is how narrow the stair case is. I decided that I didn't want to go down there ever again as long as I shall live. What did I do? I put in a conditional offer, than we got a counter offer and I said that is it. No more counter offers take it or leave it. So they have until 8pm to respond. I do love the house. It looks like a happy house and not gloomy and dark. So, if the owner who uses it as a B&B wants to play more game it is game over. I will take a break and re-examine what I want. If it is not this house, I probably won't make the move to Niagara. People don't seem to shovel their properties. We shovel our properties in Toronto people. If we don't the city will and send us a bill. I can't believe that the majority of houses seen didn't have their property cleared of snow when they are trying to sell it. Talking about basements - one house had two basements with two different doors leading to them. The agents selling that house couldn't explain why or what the? They hadn't been there in six months? A lot of empty houses which Niagara can tax like they do here and get some money, plus give people a place to live. My evenings were spent relaxing in my room on the 16th floor looking out at the beautiful scenery. When watching television, I would see the yellow elevators of the tower move up and down throughout the night. The Ferris Wheel stops around 11:00. The Niagara Resort is expensive but the falls???? It is worth the experience. Late at night someone from the yellow elevator moving upwards shone a light into my room. I am not the scenery. You think you can lay on a bed fully clothed on the 16th floor? Nope, appears not. Wish me luck. If I don't get this house, it is probably a pass for Niagara. My objective was to be able to take a walk to the Falls, but I can't look at another spooky basement. I have posted a few photos from my room.

basement.

Update on Moving to Niagara Falls

It has been busy, exciting etc..... I have checked out houses galore on MLS and the possibility of a move this spring/summer seems to be in the cards. I have removed my name from the Toronto Island List and that is indicitive of my seriousness. I now have an agent representing me in Niagara as well as one in Toronto. I will be able to keep my cell phone (business number) and hopefully my home phone number (private) as well. The house I had been interested in sold before I got to see it with the new agent. The agent with the attitude there, sold his listing for less than what I was willing to pay and he knew it. The homeowners never even knew. Attitude should never get in the way of business. He didn't want me to do an inspection of the house, nor conditional. His and the owners' loss. Now, my eyes are on a house that has been in the market for a while. I won't tell you what it is, just in case you buy it first. I will tell you this, I would be surrounded by B&Bs, and I am ok with that. I just may post a sign that I am selling my books. I have to figure out the rules of Niagara Falls first. This search will also be a mini holiday for me. I like looking at houses and what better than in Niagara. That's all for today. Valentine's Day is quickly arriving so don't forget to buy your loved one a nice treat!

Writer's Corner (notes) www.silvaredigonda.myshopify.com

I have been ignoring my books - Colpa Mia. Let’s take a break from what is happening in the world and talk books. What I do when I complete writing my book is mail it via registered mail to myself. I do this so if any company claims the book is theirs, I have proof that I had it before they got their hands on it. Or you can copy write it. People like spending less. Bundle is appealing to promote your book. Doing events, book signing, hair salons, dog salons, book clubs is to name some. Book clubs like questions (my bad. I have no questions.) Facebook (minimum). It is hard to set ourselves apart. Hard covers are 2 1/2 more costly and not practical. You should be making at least a dollar a book profit. Market local book stores, local libraries, local colleges. Take note that if you have a contract that states "make available to bookstores"

, it means catalogue only (not physically). Don’t be fooled by language. Make sure you keep rights to your book. Under traditional publishers you retain rights. Regarding editors - pick three at once because there are time lines for editors. Check your budget. Some charge pages, or paragraphs etc….Pick someone who cares about your project. Many books that are very good, never become successful, because there are so many books. There are so many scams out there. You must have a contract. What are they delivering?

CLARK W. - Up Here, in Canada

Niagara Falls - Imsa coming!

I have been talking about moving to Niagara Falls for years. It has been my plan to retire there, go for my walk to the Falls and then return home to write. I was waiting for my final pet to go to heaven before making the move and it is now. I emailed Al Sinclair, a real estate agent who talks about properties on CP 24 Hot Properties and I am glad I did. I had tried once again to connect to someone selling my dream house and I felt I was dealing with a car salesman. You know how frustrating that can be. Anyhow Al Sinclair set me up with someone he works with in Niagara Falls and so the move is now or never. It looks like I am going to have to move there because staying at the Fallsview, otherwise is very expensive. It used to be very cheap when our government controlled it but no more. They sold to the Americans and not even breakfast is included. My priority is living close to the Falls. Imagine being able to stroll along the Falls and stop at Tim Horton's for a coffee while watching the roaring waters. Toronto will always be my hometown. I love Toronto and the people and I cannot blame Toronto for leaving. Yes, the crime in our city is out of control but that is the government's fault. Yes, we have too many people for our city but this is where people want to be. Taxes are going up once again by Olivia Chow and it is not her fault. She said she was going to do this before being elected. I just saw a sofa yesterday at a community centre at the entrance. Apparently all of the city communities got this. I don't think of this as an expense for a reason to raise my taxes. Oh well people voted for this so now you have to live with it. Of course all my social networks etc...are here. I sell my books here. I love going to Word On The Street where I sell most of my books. How practical will that be in Niagara? People always ask me why I want to go to Niagara and try to talk me out of it. One person begged me not to move. "Everyone you know is here. People care about you. You are going to spend all your money, outlive your money and you will lose your social network." She is a sweet elderly woman, whom I am very fond of. Anyhow, everyone has an opinion as you all know. As a family, in my childhood we always went to Niagara. My parents would give myself and my sibling tickets to go to the attractions and that was such fun. I have gone to Niagara during every season and just love it. It is also just a walk into the United States which I did with my mom when I was a child and she had no passport for us. It was just a casual walk but we got back in. I don't think that would be wise to do now. I have a picture somewhere about that. So you are going to see less of my blog because as you can imagine I shall be very busy trying to do everything and preparing. I have one property in mind due to it's location to the Falls but I was preferring a bungalow and it isn't. However, it's a contender and I can see myself in there. It is modest and I could also use a portion of it as a B&B if I like. But I wouldn't be considering that just yet. I can work anywhere in Ontario and all I need is my computer. Though I have a separate home office right now, the house I am considering won't have that. That is ok. So, this is why I am only writing this entry, this week. I want to still write to you one day at least a week and should be able to manage that. Good talk.

Thoughts of the week........OMG

Well, I just posted the clip of a line up for a doctor in a community in Ontario. I watched it on the news and that was disturbing. It made sense that when I had to go to the hospital there was a 10 hour wait for triage only. I left deciding I would be more comfortable dying at home, if it came to that. Triage is supposed to be done immediately to determine the seriousness. At least that is how it was done in the military for disasters. No surprise that someone out West died in the emergency room waiting. Global news this morning reported that half of Canadians are $200. or less away from not being able to pay bills. What was not mentioned was who and how the poll was conducted. I also heard CDC on CNN concerned about changes regarding dissecting the organization and other concerning problems. OMG. CDC is so important to the world. I was thinking of the difference between Trump and Putin. Actually, I was thinking of the similarities. I was thinking about Israel and Hamas and how we allow Terrorists to prosper. I was reading in the Catholic Registar (Dec 22, 2024, pg 37), that since 7 Oct 23, there has been a 93% rise in hate crimes in Toronto. Jewish schools in Montreal have been shot at (it has happened here in Toronto as well. Glorification of terrorism and violence are heard in the streets, praising the Oct 7 attack by Hamas and its affiliates who murdered 1,200 people in Israel. Because civil authorities failed to do something, it was taken to the courts. What was happening at the universities against the Jewish community sickened me. During Christmas this year a family member asked, "Have the Jewish community not suffered enough?" I too became a verbal target from an American post for not falling for the crap that Hamas was constructing. They don't like it when they fail to gain support. We really need to do something to stop all these radicals from recruiting. Were my thoughts all negative? Not at all. Wait. One more thing. How can I forget? Our Mayor is raising our taxes again. I have reached a point that when I hear her speak or Trump is talking, I change the channel. I have also swore more this year when I am alone than my entire life? Not really, but at least I will have something to say when I go to confession. That will be a new one. Oh before I forget, there was that poor woman who got scammed out of what 750,000 or 850,000 because she thought she had formed a relationshop with Brad Pitt and he needed the money because it was all tied up because of his divorce and he couldn't get to it. Women and men out there, do not give away your money to people. I have already had at least two so called "celebrities" actors wanting to connect. Yeah right! Do your research. I am glad to say I have never been on a blind date and never used a dating site - ever! If you do, keep your money people. People try to scam me at least once a week. That is why protection is really needed nowadays. Now, the good stuff. Oh no there is more..........What's his name - Elan Musk? He called our Prime Minister a girl. What is wrong with girls? What is wrong with women? I love being one. I think he looks more like a girl than Trudeau. Trudeau is handsome and normally polite as are most of our politicians except what is his name Polierre? Yup, our next Prime Minister. Yup, just a moment while I go bang my head. I know of people who are going to vote for him, who can't stand him, because they want change. Change is indeed needed but in what direction are we going to go? Rob Ford bought a baseball cap which says "Canada is not for sale". Wait I have to go bang my head again. Boy, oh boy oh boy. Anyhow, that is all I can say about my thoughts of the week. The good stuff? We have great people in Toronto. We have many who have left and many more who will but I am and always will feel a kinship to the people here. They come from all over the world and settle here. Many give so much back to our city and country. My tip for the week? Balance your life. Get enjoyment from it. Nature is so important. Spend time with her. Love your family and or surround yourself with positive people. Go have fun. That's enough for now because I want to have some fun. Why don't you buy one of my books if you have any money. silvaredigonda.myshopify.com

Hundreds wait in the snow to get a family doctor in rural Ontario - How did this happen?