Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Our homes harbor more than just our families and possessions. Home is also where pollutants, allergens, and other irritants accumulate and thrive, with possible harmful effects on our health. There are simple steps homeowners can take to improve the air quality in their home and increase their comfort and well being.

HANDLE HUMIDITY
High humidity is one of the main contributors to mold and dust mite growth, both of which adversely affect indoor air quality. Keeping indoor humidity below 50% will help prevent further infestation, although once mold gets established it can continue to grow even at lower humidity. To reduce humidity levels in the home, always use ventilation fans in kitchens and bathrooms, make sure the dryer is vented to the outdoors, and address any leaks or condensation issues. Consider using a dehumidifier in especially humid locations such as basements, which usually have poor air circulation and are prone to dampness.

DUST UP THE DUST
Reducing dust in the home can also improve air quality. Dust can be comprised of pollen, mold spores, lint, animal dander and even bacteria. While it’s impossible to completely rid a home of dust, there are ways to control it. Purchase a quality vacuum cleaner and use it regularly. Many vacuums are now available with HEPA filters that trap small particulate matter and keep it from being blown back into the room. Change or clean furnace filters regularly, according to manufacturer’s instructions. High quality furnace filters are more expensive than ordinary types, but are more effective at filtering dust, pet hair, and other particles.

GO AHEAD AND VENT
Opening doors and window whenever possible can also help with indoor air quality. The home will have better air circulation and “breathe” better, and of course homeowners will enjoy fresh air on a nice day.

CHEMICAL SENSE
Many cleaning products are now available in less toxic and environmentally friendly formulations. Manufacturers have made significant improvements to these products over the last few years, and many “green” cleaners and detergents now do an equal or better job than their conventional counterparts. Dispose of old paint, pesticides, and other products so they aren’t leaking fumes into your home. Homeowners should check with their local trash collection company for instructions on how to properly dispose of such items. Check for leaks or damage to packaged household products such as cleaners and solvents, and dispose of accordingly.

By taking these relatively easy steps, homeowners can truly make their home a breath of fresh air.

Source: Pillar to Post Home Inspections

The look of the kitchen is changing — already granite countertops and dark wood cabinets are starting to look a little late 90s. If you’re thinking of renovating or building a house (or just like looking!), here are five of the top trends for modern kitchens. And the best part? Some of these are things you can do right now, without spending much money at all.

For the complete article click on the following link http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-new-kitchen-5-top-trends-184706

When you put your home on the market, it’s important that you make the indoor living space as attractive as possible to potential buyers. The foyer should look spacious and inviting. The bedrooms, neat and uncluttered. The basement, clean and well lit.
All good advice.

But don’t forget the outdoor living space. That too has a significant impact on how quickly your home sells and for how much. You want to make the area around your property, from the front walkway to the backyard deck, as attractive as possible.

How do you do that? Here are some tips for sprucing up your outdoor living space that can be easily implemented.

• Trim the hedges. Like a haircut, it gives your landscaping a clean, styled look.
• Place flower pots in strategic locations, such as next to the front steps and on the deck or patio.
• Fix anything that’s loose or squeaking, such as fence gates, shutters and deck railings.
• Remove anything unsightly, like garbage bags and piles of garden cuttings.
• Sweep all walkways, especially the one leading to your front door.
• Wash the outsides of your windows. (No need for ladders, buckets and scrub brushes. Most home improvement centres now sell window washing kits that hook up to your garden hose.)
• Check to make sure everything works: water taps, electrical outlets, exterior lights, etc.

You can probably get most of this work done in a single weekend. It’s worth it. Making your outdoor living space look great will dramatically increase your home’s appeal to potential buyers.

To view & search MLS listed homes visit us at www.EdmontonHomesForSale.biz

What is interior design? As the name implies, it’s all about designing a living
area – such as a bathroom or basement – while taking into account your
needs, tastes, and budget, as well as the characteristics of the space itself.
If you’ve ever sketched out an idea for a renovation – to add a wall, install
hardwood floors, or paint – then you’ve done interior design, as least at an
amateur level. Home improvement contractors, when they make
suggestions about how to renovate a room, are also acting as interior
designers.
According to the Association of Registered Interior Designers, “Interior
Designers will analyze your needs and budget, prepare and present
conceptual solutions and then manage the implementation of the project.”
Although hiring an interior designer may seem like a luxury for many
homeowners, it can actually be quite affordable. Plus, consider that your
interior designer can manage your project from concept and design all the
way through to a finished renovation – including managing the renovation
work itself.
How do you find a good interior designer?
In Canada, check out Interior Designers of Canada at www.IDCanada.org.
In the U.S., visit the American Society of Interior Designers at www.asid.org.
Both websites have search tools to find qualified registered interior
designers in your area.
A REALTOR® who is an expert in the local market can also give you a
recommendation.
When reviewing possible interior designers, take a close look at their
portfolios, which are usually in the form of pictures of completed projects.
Consider the style of work they’ve done for other clients, as it is likely that’s
what you can expect for yours.
According to an article in The Epoch Times by Lloyd Princeton, it’s also
important that you get along with the interior designer. You’ll be working
closely with that person. If you have a gut feeling that you’re not going to
like him or her, then you won’t be satisfied with the result – even if the
design is actually good.

It’s summer and even though they are selling their house, your clients may be going on vacation. Share these useful tips with them to ensure their house and your listing is protected.

When your mailbox is full, it’s an indication the house or apartment is vacant. Consider replacing a small mailbox with a larger one to keep your mail out of sight. If you are going to be away for more than two days, ask Canada Post to hold your mail and call the newspaper office to stop delivery until you return. Have a neighbour hold any free newspapers and junk mail for you. A pile of papers and mail is a clear sign your home is vacant.

Burglars can pick up on all sorts of signs that you’re away. The “lived-in” look can fool them. Arrange to have someone mow the lawn or shovel the walk, clear your car off if it snows, or park a car in your driveway if you’re taking yours. You can even ask a neighbour to put a bag of garbage at your curb on garbage day.

Give a trusted neighbour a spare set of keys and tell him or her:

• when you’re leaving and returning,
• where you’re going,
• how you can be reached in case of emergency (a phone number),
• when you expect to return, and
• if anybody will be at your home (gardener, repair person).

Ask the neighbour to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and simply to check your house once in a while. A house that is dark 24 hours a day is a telltale sign. Set lights on timers in various rooms. Timers are inexpensive and effective, especially the multiple-program type.

Have the lights go on and off at different times each day, so a burglar can’t pick up on a pattern. Using timers on lights or certain appliances gives your home a “lived-in” look that thwarts robbers. Motion sensor lights outside can also startle a burglar and make him flee. Consider installing them at the front and back of your house.

Don’t advertise that your home is empty by leaving notes on your door saying you’re away. People sometimes do this when they’re expecting deliveries, but if a burglar reads it you may just as well leave the front door open. Ensure your doors and windows are securely locked. Don’t forget about the garage; unplug the overhead opener. Make sure you take the key out of the door when you lock up. You’d be surprised how often people forget! To be extra safe, place a block of wood in the lower track of sliding doors or windows to prevent them from being forced open.

Burglars know all the hiding spots for valuables. If you can’t bear the thought of a favourite piece of jewelry being stolen, put it in a safety deposit box while you’re gone. Your insurance company will help if you suffer a loss, but sentimental items can never be replaced.

Take an inventory of your goods and ensure it is in a safe place away from your home. If you do suffer a loss, it will make filing a claim much easier. It’s difficult to remember how many CDs you have, what the winter boots look like and what the pattern of Granny’s silver was. Use a tape recorder, video camera or digital camera to speed up the process. Or use a company that specializes in videotaping belongings.

Remember your homeowner’s policy will cover your possessions temporarily removed from your home – that includes the contents of your suitcase – so keep track of what you’ve packed.

Courtesy – Insurance Bureau of Canada and Marsh’s Private Client Services

Whether you want to build a shelving unit or a deck, intsall a dimmer switch or a dishwasher, you needn’t be intimidated by the idea of doing some minor repairs around the house on your own – especially since it can save your some money in the process. Thanks to the internet, home repair and installation instructions are no longer limited to the product manual. There are plenty of self-help videos and web logs (blogs) to walk you through just about any do-it-yourself projects, and help save you money in the process.

Two popular websites are DoItYourself.com and DIYnetwork.com, but there are many others that can be easily found online via your favourite search engine. A word of caution: always refer to a new product’s manual, or the manufactor’s and/or retailer’s website before you begin.

They are more likely to provide item-specific instructions, and make you aware of any warranty limitations that may be casued by using third party instructions.

Source: Serge’s Preferred Client Update – No. 5, 2012

Market “timing” isn’t the only factor that influences how quickly your house will sell or for how much.

The preparations you make before listing your house on the market will also have a big impact on your success. Consider these questions: How well is your house staged? Is it in a good state of repair? Is it priced correctly based on local market conditions? Is it listed and promoted so that all REALTORS® and their clients understand the advantages your house and neighbourhood have to offer?

Sure, there are peaks and slower cycles throughout the year. And, there are economic periods when the real estate market is either heating up or cooling down. But you don’t have any control over those factors. Plus, you can never accurately predict exactly where the market is within each cycle.

What you can control is how well you prepare your house for sale so that it’s desirable to as many potential buyers as possible.

So when is the best time to sell your house? When you want or need to sell it.

Want to find out how much your house will sell for in today’s market? Call today.

Most people feel confident about the basics of home security. For example:Keep all doors locked. Have a light on in the house while away. Never hidea key outside in an obvious place, like under the mat.

• Yet, almost a million and a half properties get burglarized in North America each year. So how can you prevent that from happening to your home? Here are a few less known home security basics:

• Actually, never hide a key outside. Thieves know all the hiding places. Instead, make sure all family members have a key.

• Two-thirds of home burglaries occur during the day. So be extra vigilant about making sure doors and windows are locked while you’re away during the day.

• Surprisingly, most thieves are not daring. They are 2.7 times more likely to target a home without an alarm system

•Thieves will attempt to force entry through sliding-style doors and windows first. So make sure these have a locking bar or extra bolt lock.

• Surprising, 40% of household burglaries do not involve forced entry. The thief is able to slip in through an unlocked window or door.

• Don’t show off possessions! An imported racing bike parked next to the garage, or expensive audio equipment clearly seen through a window, is an invitation to burglars.

• Take a look at the lighting and landscaping around your property. Are there spots where a thief could easily hide? If so, make some changes.

• When planning a trip, have a trusted neighbour pick up newspapers, flyers and anything else that may accumulate at your door. Your local police department may have more tips and special programs for keeping your home secure. Give them a call.

Have you seen the television show where the host –an experienced contractor – comes to a home to fix a bad renovation? Episodes typically feature leaking bathroom showers, fallen decks, creaky flooring, and other examples of shoddy workmanship. For the homeowners, it’s a nightmare. That’s why it’s so important to select a reputable renovator – one who has the experience and track record to do the job right.

How do you do that? Here are a few tips:

Make sure the contractor can give you the full name, address and phone number of his company. If he only has a truck and a cell phone, that’s a red flag.

Ask him to provide you with the names of at least three customers he’s done work for in the area.
(Then phone those references!)

Some specialty contractors, such as kitchen and bath renovators, are certified or licensed by a professional trade association. Ask the contractor for credentials.

Beware of contractors who offer you a lower price if you pay cash. They’re probably trying to avoid taxes, which suggests that they’re not entirely honest.

Make sure the renovator has experience with your specific type of project.

Search for the company on Google.com. If there are any customer complaints online, you’ll find them in the search results.

Don’t hire the first contractor you meet, regardless of how impressed you are. Speak to at least three. Ask lots of questions. Take your time. Finally, use your common sense. If you don’t have a good feeling about the contractor or if they don’t give you clear answers to basic questions about pricing, schedule, and warranty, then move on.