Jack-o-lanterns on wooden table with tea lights

Halloween is just around the corner—and there’s much to do in and around the Durham Region to celebrate the spookiest night of the year. From ghost walks to pumpkin carving, there’s something for everyone in the days leading up to Halloween.

For those seeking thrills and chills, and for those searching for something a little less scary, here are our picks for the top 5 Halloween events in Durham in 2022. 

Pumpkin Carving Contest: St. Paul’s United Church

St. Paul’s United Church, located at 178 Church Street in Bowmanville, hosts a multitude of family-friendly events. This year, they’re hosting a pumpkin carving contest—and all ages are welcome! Show your artistic side and create the spookiest pumpkin in all of Durham Region! 

Pumpkins and…

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Clean, modern farmhouse kitchen that has been artfully staged

It’s a big step to decide to sell your home! There’s so much that goes into the process—and a great realtor can help you every step of the way.

For those who want to take more of a hands-on approach to some aspects of selling your home, there are a few things that you can do yourself—such as home staging in preparation for either photography or an open house. Here are our 4 home staging tips that will absolutely wow your potential buyers!

Less Is More

The biggest tip is to declutter your home. Store away paper, bills, knick knacks, personal photographs, and other small items, taking particular care around any desk/home office areas, bedrooms, and bathrooms. 

Ideally, you want your home to be neat and tidy, and yet also be as much of a…

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Friends enjoying food at an evening food truck

Craving some delicious eats while on-the-go? Searching for something to satisfy your hunger at the speed of light? Food trucks are a great way to try something delicious while also supporting local businesses.

There are numerous food trucks zipping around the Durham Region. We’re here to give you the scoop on the ones (or entire locations!) that you don’t want to miss. 

Batoota’s Food Truck: 381 Taunton Road East, Oshawa

This one is a bit underrated! Oshawa residents love this food truck in particular for its excellent service and great food! 

Batoota’s encompasses a wide variety of menu options, from Dutch to Egyptian—and even Caesar salads. But no matter what you order, it’s guaranteed to be delicious. Their crowd favourites include the…

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University student friends outside in city

Long hours of studying before an exam. The first difficult presentation in a course. Cheering on the athletes at the big game. For university and college students, this is what post-secondary education is all about—and they’re said to be some of the best years of your life.

But what about the future? Is it a good idea to purchase a home while still getting a certification or degree? It’s not an easy answer. Let’s go over the things you should consider. 

Durham Region Housing Market Analysis

One of the greatest considerations you should take into account before purchasing a home is the real estate market in your ideal area. But here are some of the facts: Durham Region, like the rest of the GTA, has seen housing prices increase over the past…

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Aerial of suburban homes and street

The community of Brooklin, Ontario is part of the Durham Region and is found within the town of Whitby.

This historic community has seen a boom in economic growth and development over the years, as many buyers, particularly families, have moved into the area. Brooklin is known for its welcoming community, easy access to major highways, and safe residential neighbourhoods. The community hosts numerous events and festivals during the year, especially during autumn and winter. 

Consistently growing in population, Brooklin offers residents an escape from the big city lifestyle, and instead offers a mixture of suburban and rural living—although you’re never far away from fun and excitement. 

A Long History

Primarily made up of peaceful,…

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People discussing home selling offer at table

Selling your home is a huge undertaking! There’s so much that goes into the process. But if you find yourself in the fortunate situation where you have multiple offers on your home, what are your next steps? How can you make the best decision? We’ve compiled some important steps to help you pick the best offer for your home. 

Discuss Offer Expectations

When you’re starting the process of listing your home, one of the first things you want to ask yourself is this: What are my offer expectations? What do I hope to sell my home for?

If you have a partner or family members who are involved in the process, it’s important to discuss this with them, too. They can likely provide some additional insight, and you can all get on the same page.

A real…

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realtor_dan_plowman_team_exploring_durham_region_apps_on_phone

Our phones are on us pretty much 24/7. They’re likely the first thing you check when you wake up, and the last thing you check before you go to sleep. Why wouldn’t you use it to make your life easier? 

From transit to food, there are simple ways that you can better connect with your community. So whether you’re new to the area or just spending some time in the Durham Region, here are a few apps that will help make your life more convenient. 

Ridesharing and Delivery Apps

If you’re new to the Durham Region or even to Ontario, you might wonder which apps are most popular for ridesharing and delivery. By far, Uber (and by extension Uber Eats) and Lyft are the most frequently used in the area, as well as DoorDash and SkipThe Dishes. 

However,…

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Home with sold sign out front

If you’re about to begin the process of selling your Durham Region home, or if this is simply something you’ve been considering, then you’ve probably asked yourself the question, “Well, how much can I get for my home?”

Of course, this is a difficult question to answer! The short answer is that this depends on a wide variety of factors, particular to each individual property. However, if you’re feeling particularly lost in regards to how to price your home, we have a few tips that can help steer you in the right direction!

Know Your Home’s Worth

The very basis of understanding what to price your home comes from what exactly your home is worth. That being said, this isn’t always any easy thing to figure out. Some things that will affect your…

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happy realtor women from dan plowman team in a home for sale

You’re preparing to purchase a home in Ontario. Congratulations on such a huge step! Because this is likely one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make, you’ll want to be sure that you’re safe and protected. That’s where home insurance comes in!

Home insurance helps protect you in case of an accident—and there are many different policies you can choose from. We’ll help answer a few of your most frequently asked questions.

The Basics of Ontario Home Insurance

Although no, you’re not required to have home insurance by law, it is definitely recommended (and a lot of the time absolutely necessary!) that you purchase home insurance for your property. The fact is, mortgage lenders and banks usually prevent you from completing the purchase on your…

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Pickering Bungalow for Sale

New Durham Region homes for sale pop up nearly every day, so there is always something to search for if you're in the market for Southern Ontario real estate. We're constantly seeing new properties that excite us for their ideal locations, great design elements and potential to be a new family home or investment property. From beautiful detached homes to luxury properties and sleek townhouses, you can find a wide range of Durham Region real estate for sale. These are just a few homes that have recently come on the market that we think you should know about.

Beautiful Modern Bungalow in Oshawa

954 Greenleaf Circle, Oshawa

Ideally located in North Oshawa, this beautiful modern bungalow has a wealth of features that will appeal to all…

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