8 Friday, April 5, 2024brooklintowncrier.com The 2024 Ontario Budget released on March 26 is now the third consecutive provincial budget to be tabled without funding for an urgent ly needed new hospital in Durham Region. This is unacceptable, especially considering Premier Doug Ford's statement made Feb. 15 that "there's going to be a Whitby hospital" and noting that a planning grant would be issued "very shortly." I remain hopeful that this funding will be announced promptly, and I will continue to advocate at every opportunity. The Town of Whitby launched a community advocacy campaign on Feb. 7 focused on the need for a new hospital, and our community has rallied behind this cause. Thousands of Durham residents have signed our call-to-action letter or contributed a personal story about why a new hospital matters to them. I share the deep frustration and disappointment of our residents, who are telling the Province loud and clear that we need a new hospital - and whose voices are being ignored. In January 2022, an independent, expert panel selected a site in Whitby as the preferred location for a new Durham hospital. Since then, we have seen zero action from the Province. A new hospital is not guaranteed until the Ontario government provides the $3 million planning grant needed to start the project. Durham is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada, with a health care system that is already stretched to the limit. The Province has mandated that Whitby build 18,000 new homes by 2031, but isn't investing in the necessary infrastructure to support this growth. As Whitby's mayor, as a Whitby resident, as a longtime health-care worker, a mother and a grandmother, I urge the Province to do the right thing and bring more healthcare close to home in Durham. Mayor's Statement Re: Hospital Grant Direct: 905 655 7236 Office: 905 239 4800 Eleanor KingEleanor King B. N. B. N. RealtorRealtor Maurice KingMaurice King B.E.D.S., B.Arch.B.E.D.S., B.Arch. RealtorRealtor What others are saying... "Trusted advisor!" | "Customer Focused!" | "Local Expert!" | "Professional!" | "Knowledgeable!" "Hard Working!" | "Accessible!" | "Dependable!" | "Patient!" | "Reliable!" "Well Prepared!" | "Honest!" | "Strong Negotiator!" "Superb Service!" Want to know what's happening in the market? Want to Know the Value of your House? Call Us Now! 905.655.7236 There is no cost or obligation! Your Trusted Source to Buy, Sell or Invest! 905.655.7236 view 1000's of Homes for sale at KingHomeTeam.com or KingOfBrooklin.com MARKETING YOUR HOME FOR ALL IT IS WORTH! Move May /24! Quality Finishes! Townhouse Pre-Construction Sale! **Photo similar to house being built Not intended to solicit those under contract. HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE If you're thinking about listing your home for sale this spring, you're likely already familiar with staging, a term that means ensuring it looks its best and appeals to most potential buyers. The King Home Team: Royal Heritage Realty knows firsthand that professional staging works. Most buyers can't see beyond what's in front of them so staging allows them to visualize a property as their future home. Research shows staging decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market and increases a home's dollar value. We offer a pre-home inspection to give you an idea of what you can do to prepare your house for sale. Our list of recommendations typically begins with decluttering and depersonalizing. While we all accumulate stuff over the years, clutter is distracting for buyers and will draw their eyes to your belongings rather than the spaces themselves. At the same time, cluttered spaces look smaller and untidy. Pack up family portraits, knick-knacks and very personal belongings but don't just store them in a box in a closet, as buyers will look in there too and you don't want your closets to feel cramped. Investing in good storage will make rooms and closets feel well organized and neat. Cleaning is another important part of staging. A clean, odor-free home feels well cared for and will feel fresh and welcoming. It's also important to complete any DIY jobs that are on the go and to tackle minor repairs, such as a dripping faucet and holes or cracks in a wall. A fresh coat of neutral paint can also pay dividends, brightening rooms and making them look bigger while giving an overall appearance of a well-maintained home. While we don't recommend major renovations, such as a kitchen, bathroom or basement because you may not get a full return on your investment, you may want to consider replacing dated or damaged countertops, sinks and flooring. You may even want to give cabinetry a fresh coat of paint and new hardware and install modern light fixtures. It's often been said that you only get one chance to make a first impression and that begins with the front of your home. Staging your front yard can include power washing the house, windows and walkways, giving the front door a fresh coat of paint and new hardware, mowing the lawn, planting fresh flowers, trimming greenery and weeding the garden. The King Home Team is happy to do a complimentary, no-obligation walk- through of your home and provide initial recommendations. Professional staging, complete with furnishings and accessories, is included in our services. We also offer a wide variety of services to ensure your home shines, including handyman, garden, cleaning, window cleaning, painting and driveway blacktop services. While important, staging is just one part of selling your home. Timing is also key. The King Home Team has experience in all kinds of markets and appreciates that changing market conditions can be confusing. Whether you're thinking of selling and/or buying, we're here to help you understand what those conditions mean to you. If you find yourself in a financial bind when it comes time to renew your mortgage and are considering downsizing, please know we'll provide valuable advice and will work with your budget to meet your needs. Please visit our website at www.kinghometeam.com for a longer version of this article, including additional staging tips. Search 1000's of Homes. Find SOLD details in your neighbourhood at search.Look4DurhamHomes.com Move April /24! Loads of Extras! Thinking of Making a Move? Call us for similar results! 905.409.6730 Pre-Construction Bungalows for Sale! 40 and 50 ft Lots! For outstanding resultsCall 905-409-6730 Need local realtor to negotiate on your behalf?Call 905-409-6730