Category: You and Your Home

Taking care of your home is one of the best things you can do to keep its value. Summer is the best time to detect issues that require maintenance to maintain the integrity of your home. There are some simple but important tips to help you take care of your investment.

Exterior cleaning can be your biggest asset. Start by power washing your siding and decks. It may expose surfaces that need protective coatings from the winter elements. Follow up your pressure washing with cleaning the outside of your windows to remove accumulated dirt and grime, making the windows more functional. While working on the exterior, thoroughly clean your gutters. Make sure that they drain properly so you don’t get pooling in the yard.

The summer months are a great time to get a garage door tune-up to make sure it is operating smoothly and seals out water and pests. If you see pests anywhere in or outside your home, hire an exterminator to eliminate these unwanted visitors.

Check your roof for damaged shingles and the eaves for water damage that can cause further issues to the interior of your home.

Your landscaping should properly direct water runoff around the exterior of your home. Replacing mulch or rocks that have washed away will help ensure that water drains away from the house.

Summer is a great time to do some interior painting. Protect your walls and take advantage of warmer temperatures for drying and odor control. Keeping up with today’s decorating trends by updating your home’s interior will help keep you prepared should you decide to sell.

This advice should keep things in top shape. Contact us by phone or email, and we would be happy to give you more advice on which maintenance tips best benefit your home. We are always here to help.

When you have found your dream home, the goal is to create a purchase offer that the seller will accept. This can be hard to achieve when you don’t know a seller’s motivation or if you’re in a competitive market with multiple buyers. Here are some tips to help you negotiate.

1. Time is of the essence, so respond to a seller’s counter immediately. If you hesitate, another stronger offer may come in and nullify the seller’s counter to you.

2. Evaluate the comps that you have been given and reasonably increase your offering price to make it more attractive to the seller. Stay within the limits of your budget and loan preapproval.

3. If your original earnest money deposit is 1-2% of the sales price, consider raising it to 3-4% so the seller sees that you are serious.

4. Having as few contingencies as possible in your offer assures the seller that there are fewer ways you can withdraw from the sale. Market conditions and the level of risk that you want to take on will determine what contingencies you feel secure about waiving. Loan, home inspection and pest inspection contingencies have the most importance.

5. Keep any requested seller concessions to a minimum because they lower the seller’s net proceeds. Concessions can be closing cost credits or seller paid home warranty plans.

With our experience, we can assist in negotiating terms that a seller may accept. But when negotiations are no longer to your benefit, we will also let you know and advise you to move on. Your best interests are our first priority.

Shopping for a home is an exciting adventure! With all the excitement, clear decision-making can become murky and lead to unexpected costs.

Coming back to the ABCs, your wants and needs will lead you to the right home at the right price that will give you the best life with functional room for growth. The key: you don’t have to have “everything” to “have it all.” Here’s an exercise to keep you aligned with your goals prior to the journey ahead.

Create your list. Take time to get clear with yourself about this big decision. Make a list of everything you could possibly want in your home. Big or small. Long or short. If coupled, your counterpart is included in this exercise.

Order of importance. Next, force yourself to rate each of these facets on your list in numerical order. Ideally, limit these to your top 10.

Divvy it up. There are two types of items on your current list: those that are “heavyweights” and those that are aesthetic. Keep reading for more.

Heavyweights. Anything that includes number of bedrooms, windows, “open floor plan,” “dedicated space for …” and the like are the staples that can’t change without a major investment. These are the items that take priority in your search for a home to avoid costly renovations.

Aesthetic. Subway tile, shiplap, paint colours, lighting … these things can be easily upgraded or changed to suit your style (or even DIYed). Remove these items entirely from your list(s).

Prisoner’s dilemma. This might sound harsh, but it’s the last and final step in getting very clear with your wants and needs moving forward. What can you absolutely not live without? And on the same note, what aspects of your new home will help you thrive best? We know it’s hard, but do another forced reranking of these “must-haves.”

Trust your list. Excellent job! You’ve done the prep work. Now, remember to trust yourselves. Share this list with us so we can better assist you in finding your perfect match. As long as you’ve honestly invested yourself in this exercise, you’ll know exactly when you’ve met “the one.”

At last! Summertime is around the corner, and you can make the most of it by enhancing your outdoor living spaces. With a little thought and planning, you can create your own personal backyard oasis. Here are some ideas.

1. If you don’t have a deck or patio, build one. Not only does this addition give you a great place for gatherings and grilling, in Remodeling Magazine‘s Cost vs. Value report, the statistics show that such an improvement yields a return on your investment of more than 75 percent.

2. Creating attractive privacy screens can easily be accomplished by incorporating fences, trellises and shrubbery around your outdoor deck or patio.

3. Pests can ruin a great time outdoors, so use preventive measures such as citronella candles and employ a pest control company that can spray your yard for unwanted crawling and flying insects.

4. Create a living space with comfortable outdoor furniture for lounging and dining. Be sure to include area rugs for colour and for defining spaces.

5. Well-placed lighting will extend your outdoor experience well into the evening and create a great mood. Tiki torches, string lights and landscape lighting all contribute to the ambiance.

6. Keep it fun and include a fire pit, hot tub or game set for the kids.

Creating the perfect summer oasis will add value to your home and attract more buyers. When you start planning your project, contact us if you would like our professional input. We are here to assist you in the decision-making.

With Earth Day being celebrated on April 22 for the 51st time, protecting our one and only planet is on our minds. What can increase the value of your home, save you money and save the planet? The answer is a simple one: improving energy efficiency. And there’s more good news: special clean energy financing may be available to make it easier to pay for energy efficiency upgrades.

A good place to start is to replace older high-energy-using systems (HVAC) with newer, more efficient ones. If your heating and/or cooling appliances are more than 15 years old, consider replacing them. Your monthly heating and cooling bills will be lower in addition to your home reducing its use of the planet’s energy reserves.

Adding an extra layer of insulation in your attic is a moderate cost that can easily be recouped in a few years through your energy savings. Upgrading windows and doors will better seal in the heating and cooling and contribute greatly to the overall value of your home.

Circulating the air will help reduce your heating and cooling costs. The addition of ceiling fans will accomplish this and, for pennies a day, save a lot of energy usage.

Low-flow plumbing fixtures and upgraded water heaters will contribute to stabilizing water sources for everyone and reduce your monthly water bills.

One-third of a home’s electric consumption comes from lighting alone. Switching to LED bulbs, putting up new energy-efficient light fixtures and installing larger windows for more light will save on monthly bills and add to the value of your home. Energy Star-rated appliances for your kitchen will also contribute to energy conservation.

Whether you’re considering improving the energy efficiency of your home for the planet, to save money or to increase your home’s value, reach out to our office so you can get the best information in determining which innovations make the most sense for your market.

With the great weather and sense of newness spring brings, it is a great time to prepare for and start remodeling projects. Whether you are upgrading, updating or customizing your home, hiring the right contractor will be the key to the success of your project.

A great starting place would be a contractor referral from a friend or family member. Even if a contractor comes to you with good recommendations, it is advised to check their references, licenses and insurance. You still should get at least three estimates and a firsthand look at the contractors’ past work to help assure a good pick. Inquire if the contractor will be doing all of the work or if he or she will be using subcontractors as well.

Once you have selected a contractor, carefully scrutinize the details of the written agreement for the work to be performed. Make sure that every aspect of the project is spelled out, and see how any changes will be handled. The types of materials to be used should be listed and should meet your specifications. The commencement date and estimated finish date must be included with language addressing what your recourse is if the project is not completed per the contract. It is equally important to be indemnified in the event the work doesn’t meet building codes.

The payment schedule should include only a small-percentage up-front cost in the event the work doesn’t get completed. The final payment should be due at completion if the work is done to your satisfaction.

When considering a remodel or improvements, be sure to consult with us to ensure your upgrades are in alignment with your neighbourhood, target buyers and trends to consider when selling your home. Reach out with your questions about remodeling. We are happy to help and can also refer you to contractors.

Even if you are not moving, one of the more challenging parts of home ownership is keeping your home clutter free, knowing how to downsize your spaces and how to practically reduce the number of your belongings. This guide will help you improve your skills so you can get the job done with the outcome you planned for.

Once you know why you need to declutter and downsize, how you do so will make more sense. Take a moment to realize the mental and physical benefits of the task at hand. Create a mental picture of what end result you wish to achieve. Hold on to that idea and enjoy the process.

Start with items that no longer have meaning to you or are no longer functional. They will be the easiest to discard and will create your decluttering mindset and enable you to keep going.

Next are the things that still bear a bit of a question mark as to whether they stay or go. These items may be duplicates of things you have kept “just in case.” Analyze their real value, rarity and usefulness. Doing so will answer the question of if they are worth taking up precious space.

The final step would be to address those pieces that still stir memories. It is hardest to declutter the photos and heirlooms that stir your emotions, especially if they’ll make you feel guilty if you part ways. Consider scanning old documents and photos. Friends and relatives may feel honoured if you pass on small collectibles. Some items can be repurposed to start new lives in your newly created spaces.

It is a learning process to successfully declutter and downsize. Stay focused on your mission. We have guided many clients through the process and can do the same for you.

Elevating your home’s value does not mean having to drain your savings. Take a look at these great suggestions.

Under $200

Outdoors are as important as indoors. Liven up your yard by planting a new tree or some native shrubs. Older carpets and rugs can harbor odor-causing soil, so invest in new fresh floor coverings.

$200-400

For a few hundred dollars, you can enhance the first impression of your home by hiring someone to help detail your yard, especially if it is starting to look rough around the edges. Having things clean and fresh will attract even the most finicky buyer, so indulge in a professional cleaning service to scrub your home from floors to ceilings. Visually decluttering your home and giving it a more spacious feeling can be accomplished by changing out bulky curtains with blinds or shutters.

$400-1000

Revitalizing your kitchen and baths with new tile flooring can often be done for under $1,000 and reap far greater rewards. Consider replacing some appliances, a sink, or a plumbing or lighting fixture in these areas and notice how much your kitchen and baths will shine. Take care of the deferred maintenance issues around your home so buyers will have a positive perception of how it has been maintained.

When it comes to increasing home value without breaking the bank, our sellers have always looked to us for guidance and for professional recommendations. Call or email us today and we’ll help you choose the options that are right for you.

What better way to start the fall season than to have a home maintenance checklist to guide you through the preparations needed to avoid any casualties during the winter season or any unwelcome surprises in the spring? We are providing you with this checklist to show you that getting ready for fall goes far beyond just changing the wreath on your front door.

1. Take a tour of your home and check all of the window and door weather stripping. Any cracked or missing stripping will compromise your heating efficiency and can be remedied with new weather stripping rather inexpensively.

2. Replace your furnace filters as often as every 3-6 months. Air filters are rated and priced per air filtration effectiveness and estimated longevity.

3. Now is a good time to check your gutters and downspouts if you didn’t do so after last winter. Autumn leaves will soon be your gutter’s nemesis, so consider having some sort of leaf guards to save gutter-cleaning time and possible water damage from clogged drainage.

4. Check for concrete cracks that can get worse when water freezes and expands, causing the cracks to widen and the concrete to deteriorate. Patching compounds are an easy remedy and will help maintain the concrete’s integrity.

5. To avoid freezing pipes, drain your outdoor faucets. Stash your hoses out of the weather.

6. When springtime comes knocking, you will enjoy your yard more if your lawn turns green quickly after the cold weather. Be sure and fertilize your lawn prior to winter, and feed your evergreens at the same time.

7. Protect the investment in your outdoor furniture by storing everything or protecting it from the elements with furniture covers, readily available for a reasonable cost.

Please call us with any concerns that we may be able to give you additional guidance on.

You may not be subject to estate tax, which is applied to estates with values that exceed the exclusion limit set by law, but that does not mean you should avoid estate planning.

Here are five tasks for everyone to consider that fall under estate planning.

Check your beneficiaries. If you have filled out beneficiary designation forms for your financial accounts (such as your life insurance), they override any other estate planning documents, so review them and ensure they are up to date.

Create two wills. That is correct: two wills. You need a living will to indicate how you would like to be cared for if you become unable to express your wishes, and you need a last will and testament to explain how you’d like your assets distributed after your death.

Draft two powers of attorney. You also need two powers of attorney to indicate who will handle your affairs if you are incapacitated. One will specify who will handle healthcare decisions, and another will specify who will handle financial matters. You can designate one person to handle both.

Designate guardians if necessary. If you have children, you will want to name a guardian to look after them (day to day and financially) if you are unable to care for them.

Name an executor. When you die, your executor will make sure your assets are distributed in accordance with your will. You can specify a family member or a professional, such as a bank trust officer.

Just be sure to tell your executor that you have named him or her.

As smart technology continues to leap forward, so does its integration into our living spaces. Per Google Dictionary, the definition of “smart” has been expanded to also mean “a device programmed so as to be capable of some independent action.” “Smart” in our homes now means an automated home with artificial intelligence, or AI, connecting to smart home automation and beyond.

In recent years, we have become intimate with the ability to use control devices and appliances with the help of the Internet, but now AI takes us to new heights. Imagine “smart wellness” that can help identify early signs of some illnesses or automation that sets the stage for a perfect night’s sleep, regulating bedroom lighting, temperature, and even the firmness of your mattress. How smart is it that AI can track your grocery-buying habits and automatically keep your shelves stocked by ordering what it knows are your dining preferences?

When it comes to protecting some of the physical aspects of your home, artificial smart intelligence can be set up for things such as leak detection in attics, walls, and basements. Couple that with the ability to detect water loss in your plumbing system, and you can rest easy knowing that water will not cause damage to or create mold conditions in your home.

While monitored home security systems have been around for years, new technology now allows you to be your home’s best security monitor with systems that include facial and voice recognition, smart locks, fingerprint entry capabilities, and customized motion zones, creating fewer false alarms and saving dollars typically paid to security companies.

We look forward to helping you navigate today’s new smart home innovations. If a smart home is on your wish list, we can help you find the available homes that have already taken advantage of smart technology and organize safe showings for you.

Any improvement you make to your home should be done with the forethought of improving its value and increasing its appeal to prospective buyers. One of the least expensive ways to accomplish this is to grab a can of paint and a brush and get to work to create a positive first impression of your home.

According to canadianmortgagesinc.ca, painting the interior of a house can yield 75-100% return on investment (ROI) making it one of the top home improvements to make.

Selecting warm neutral colours can make buyers more easily visualize themselves living in your home. Colour choice will determine if an interior space appears larger and more spacious or smaller and cozier. Light tones can help increase the openness of a small space, while darker tones tend to create more intimacy.

Since buyers seem to home in on kitchens and bathrooms during the hunt for a new home, you will want to prioritize your painting to transform these two areas. The right colours and application will help define important spaces. Consider creating coloured accent wall areas to draw attention to any unique architectural features, such as alcoves, recesses, and soffits.

For exterior painting, focus on the true “first impression” of your home by selecting colours that will appeal to a wide array of buyers. If in doubt, give me a call or send me an email so I can share more helpful hints for increasing your home’s value and marketing success.

A picture is worth a thousand words if it can create a memorable first impression. What better way is there to achieve a positive reaction to the presentation of your home than to start at the curb with your detailing and exterior design features? You want to capture the attention of a casual visitor or prospective buyer from the moment they step foot on your property.

A well-thought-out plan for the curb appeal of your home can increase its value by 10% to 15% and give a buyer a good reason to select your home to purchase.

You will want to create a landscape design that complements the style of your home. A Victorian cottage demands colourful flowering gardens along with a curvy stone walkway, while a craftsman bungalow is more suited for hedges and perennial borders with a paver entry. Whatever the style, the addition of evergreens will provide year-round colour, and deciduous trees will provide great shade and intimacy to a residence when properly placed. Making the right choices for great curb appeal doesn’t need to come at a high price or with extensive upkeep. Flower beds are easily planted and are inexpensive. Selecting plants that do not grow quickly or shed will create a low-maintenance yard.

A major asset to a property’s value is the installation of landscape lighting. The illumination of landscape elements and interesting features of the architecture lets your home command attention 24 hours a day. Another great way to bolster your home’s desirability is to install an irrigation system that will keep your landscaping fresh and inviting, even during the warmest months.

We can help you locate the best sources for creating the wonderful first impression that will be the lasting impression for those who appreciate the attention to detail that you give to your home.

According to Remodeling magazine, a kitchen remodel will generate a substantial return on dollars spent for this kind of home improvement, with an 83% average return. This, coupled with the eventual increase in the marketability of your home, should be a great motivator to step up to the next level in design and function for the area where your family always seems to gather.

You will want to prepare for what lies ahead for being a “stay-at-home” family during your kitchen makeover. Planning ahead will help alleviate the stress that comes with decision-making and the construction process.

Once immersed in the project, you will experience the pros and cons of living on-site while your kitchen is demoed and given new life. You will find that grilling and using an inexpensive microwave will be your food prep salvation, while your laundry sink temporarily doubles as a dishwashing basin and a small rental refrigerator comes to the rescue for food storage. Once you establish a dining area that is removed from the action in the kitchen, you should have conquered the primary “cons” of the dusty disarray.

The major advantage of staying in your home is your direct oversight of the design elements as they come together. It will enable you to tweak things as they evolve from the original concept on paper to better protect your invested dollars. Our experience with clients who have gone through home renovation can guide you to a happy outcome for your kitchen remodel.

Buying a home is probably the single most significant investment you’ll make in your lifetime. When you’re making such a significant purchase, you want to know exactly what you’re getting.

This is the goal of a home inspection. A professional inspector will review the home and point out any potential concerns. Here’s how it works.

1. Arrange for the inspection: Typically, you will include an inspection contingency as part of your offer to purchase the home. This contingency will allow you to order an inspection (at your expense), then determine if you would like to proceed with the purchase, based on the results.

2. Complete the inspection: You should be present during the inspection so the inspector can review any items of concern with you in person.

He or she will inspect all the home’s systems, structural components, and general condition and provide a report that notes any areas of concern.

3. Request repairs: You’ll review the inspection report with your real estate agent and decide if there are any items you would like the seller to address. You can request that the seller make the repairs or provide a credit to cover their cost.

Typical things to address are safety concerns and anything that is not up to code. If the sellers refuse to negotiate, you can decide whether you want to move forward with the purchase or move on to another home.

I’d be happy to connect you with a qualified inspector and help you smoothly navigate this process.

You’ve read the headlines: Build sweat equity. DIY special. Needs some TLC. These homes are far from turnkey, but they can offer good opportunities. With the right renovations, fixer-uppers can be a profitable investment.

But is this type of purchase right for you? To answer this question, consider three important factors.

Your plans. If you’re hoping to get a good deal on real estate and flip it for a profit, this can be a good option. Another great option is buying a fixer-upper and doing the repairs yourself in order to transform the house into your dream home. On the other hand, if you have watched a lot of real estate shows and expect to spend a couple of weekends working on the home and then make big bucks, you’re probably on the wrong path. Keep in mind that renovations are often costly, time-consuming, and far more complicated than they look on television.

Your budget. Consider whether you can realistically afford the renovations. How much would it take to make the home liveable? Would basic cosmetic changes be enough, or do you need a budget for more extensive repairs? If major construction is required, you may qualify for a home improvement loan program. If you’d like more information about current loan programs, I can review what is available and connect you with a lender to check your eligibility.

Your time. Examine your calendar. First, consider if you will have a place to live while renovations are completed. If you’re selling your current home and need to move out by a certain date, you’ll need to make plans for temporary housing. You must also consider the time required to manage this type of project. You’ll need to hire and coordinate contractors, or, if you’re doing the work yourself, you’ll need to budget significant time for your labour.

Think a fixer-upper might be right for you? I can help you find deals in your area. Just give me a call.

Moving is an immense undertaking. Among the myriad tasks on your plate are decisions about what to take with you when you move. Should you bring those living room curtains, or let the new owner enjoy them? Should you try to bring Spidey, your favourite houseplant, to your new home?

These can be tough calls. Following are a few things that most homeowners are better off leaving behind when they move.

Household documents: Do you still have the manual for your refrigerator? Did the furnace you installed last year come with a ten-year warranty? If you have any documents that relate to structural components, utilities, or appliances that are staying with the home, leave these for the new owner. You won’t need them anymore, but the new owners might find them very handy.

Curtains: Sure, you may have chosen the perfect bedroom curtains to match your comforter, but taking curtains with you when you move is usually not worth the hassle. The window coverings aren’t likely to fit on your new set of windows anyway, and buyers typically appreciate when they are included in the price of the home. Even if they want to switch them out eventually, the current curtains will provide privacy in the meantime. And it will give you the opportunity for a decorating fresh start at your new place!

Paint: Do you have a stash of old paint cans from previous renovations? Do not put these in the “go” pile. Often, buyers like to have these on hand to complete touch-ups in the home. Place the cans in a location where the new owners can easily access them. If you discover the buyers do not want the paint, check your local regulations about proper disposal and follow these procedures to get rid of the cans before you move.

Houseplants: If you’re moving a long distance, try to find new homes for your houseplants rather than transport them to your new location. The conditions in a moving truck aren’t conducive to plant life, and the plants are likely to get damaged or die during the move. Consider gifting your plants to your green-thumbed friends and neighbours instead.