in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 1 0, 20 18 | 34 Advertorial Know when it's time to sell the cottage Cottages or cabins have become synonymous with Canadian summers and spending lazy days at the lake with family and friends is a treasured pas time. But as life changes, it may be time to sell the family vacation home. As one of the most sentimental and valuable family assets, before you de cide to put up the 'for sale' sign, there are a number of factors to carefully consider: C erta in ty : Think through all options before deciding. Speak with the whole family about what the cottage gives or demands of everyone. Although there are many happy memories there, it is important to remember that memories remain even once the property is sold. Fam ily a n d ta x e s : There are options to help keep the cottage in the fam ily. You could consider selling it to your children, but if they intend to pool their financial resources together, a law yer might be needed to help navigate the process. You could also gift the cottage to them in your will. For both paths, it's important to be aware of the tax implications. P ra c tic a lity : Vacation home seek ers often look for the whole package, including furniture, dishes and tools. While selling your cabin's contents may make for a more lucrative deal, there may be items that you want to hold onto for sentimental or practical reasons. Work with a real estate agent and specify items you don't want in cluded in the sale. Plan a h e a d : " Parting with your cot tage requires plenty of discussion and professional assistance," says Paul Scanlan Jr., branch manager, of Arbor Memorial. "Completing the sale is a good time to take care of other estate matters, like updating your will and pre planning your final arrangements. Get organized today and then get ready for new adventures tomorrow. (NC) Embellish the yard with a pond U s e u n d e r - t h e - s t a i r s p a c e Adding a pond to your property is an excellent way to embellish your outdoor space and give it personality. To incorporate a pond that harmonizes with the rest o f your landscaping, keep these tips in mind. Location: Determine the ideal spot for your pond. First of all, you'll need to con sider sunlight, because your water feature might house various living species (plants, fish, frogs, etc.) with different needs. Make sure that your pond will receive enough sun light for flora and fauna to thrive. Further more, avoid placing your pond next to a tree, because its roots may eventually damage it. Size: After finding the perfect spot for your water feature, you'll need to determine its size and shape. To choose the appropriate size, consider how big your yard is. If it's rel atively small, a giant pond would only make it feel more cramped. The opposite is also true: a tiny pond might go unnoticed in a sprawling yard. Remember that your pond should complement your yard and that everything is a matter of balance. Preformed models (made of fibreglass, resin or polyester, for example) in various sizes and shapes are available on the market; you're sure to find one that perfectly matches your yard. Finishing touch: Once you've set up your pond, you'll be able to highlight it with plants, a sculpture, solar-powered lanterns, a rustic bench, or any other accessories you'd like. (NPT) Think the space beneath your staircase is lost? Think again. There are many smart ways to turn it into a useful part o f your home, regardless o f the configuration of the space. Here are a few ideas to get you inspired. 1. Storage space: Take advantage of the space beneath the stairs to create storage -- you can never have too much storage. Between kitchen cabinets, alcoves, modular storage units, baskets, bookshelves and be yond, there's no shortage o f options when it comes to neatly tucking away items of all kinds out o f sight. You could even turn each individual stair into its own practical drawer. 2. Exhibition space: Have enough stor- age? Then why not put in a glass display cabinet or some shelves to display souve nirs from your travels, family photos, art work, or whatever else you'd like to show case? 3. Cozy space: A well-defined space like the one under your stairs is ideal for a home office, a reading nook, a minibar or a cloak room (with a cubby for each family member, for example), among many other potential uses. 4. Secret space: Hiding a powder room under the stairs is w ithout a doubt an inge nious use of space. A secret playroom is an other option tha t's sure to stir up your little ones' imagination. 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