Edmonton Real Estate Blog

Homeowners who haven’t listed their property in recent years may be surprised and somewhat skeptical of the advantages of styling or “staging” a home in order to maximize its resale price. However, it is a fact that detailing is very effective. When a professional designer is enlisted to optimize the appearance of a home, it leaves a positive impression on the potential buyers. its not just about style. A proper consultation can identify means of emphasizing a homes best assets, such as improving sightlines with strategic furnishing, or making a room more welcoming with improved lighting, a carpet, or an attractive piece of art. Whether it’s kitchen hardware replacement, new bathroom decor or a fresh coat of paint, property staging is a worthwhile investment. It may require a bit of work, or may involve renting a few items, but is sure to make a home more attractive to potential buyers.

To View & Search All MLS Listed Houses for Sale Visit Us At:

www.EdmontonHomesforSale.biz

Did you know that, next to heating and air conditioning, your lights consume most of the energy in your home? In fact, you can lower your electricity bill quickly – and substantially – simply by being smarter about lighting.

First, consider replacing your conventional light bulbs with the energy-saving variety. You’ve probably seen these at your local home improvement centre. Compact florescent light bulbs, for example, use up to 75% less energy.

Second, lower the wattage in some outlets. Is it necessary to have a 100 watt bulb in the furnace room? Try a 60 watt bulb.

Finally, think before you turn on the lights. Do you really need them on? Perhaps there’s an alternative, such as opening a window blind to let in more sunlight.

Some people know what general paint color they want but struggle with envisioning the exact shade. Others are just scared to commit to color because they’re not sure what works best with their furniture. One of the points about paint I like to make with clients is that the colors you may like may be very different from colors you want to live with.

Some shades translate perfectly to walls. Some, although beautiful, are better saved for fabrics or rugs. Here are some shades of popular, tried and true paint colors along with their exact name and brand, that I think translate very well to walls.

for the complete article click on the following link:

 12 Tried and True Paint Colors for Your Walls

When you see a new home you like on the market, it’s easy to get distracted by all the features you love – the wrap-around backyard deck or the spacious rec room with plenty of space for entertaining. You just need to make sure that in all that excitement you don’t overlook any expensive maintenance issues that could be just around the corner.

Nothing lasts forever. The major components of every home – from the furnace to the roof shingles – need to be replaced eventually. Knowing when such maintenance issues are likely to arise can help you make a smarter decision about the home you’re considering.

How do you do that?

When viewing a property, ask for the age of the major components of the home, such as the roof shingles, furnace, air conditioner, water heater, and appliances. Roof shingles may look merely weathered in spots – and you might think they have years of service left – when, in fact, they’re due to be replaced in a year.

Also pay close attention to the backyard deck, fencing, flooring, and windows. Do any of those components look aged, worn, and in need of repair or replacement sometime soon?

Finally, don’t forget to check the kitchen and bathrooms. Sinks, faucets, bathtubs, showers, and cabinetry have a life-span of about 10-15 years.

Of course, there are things you can’t see, such as wiring, plumbing, venting, and other components of a property that may require maintenance soon. That’s why it’s so important to make any offer to purchase a home conditional on passing an inspection by a qualified home inspector.

Want more ideas on buying the right home for you? Call today 780-634-8151.

A good investment in a renovation should increase the value of your home by at least the amount of money you spent, or close to it. A bad one doesn’t get you much of your money back. Here are some investments that have proven to return their value, or close to it:

· Low-cost improvements that make your home look better: Painting, new wallpaper, and items like new rugs and curtains help to brighten and improve the look of a home, and add value to your house if they are done close to the time of sale.

· New or improved kitchens and bathrooms: Improvements to your kitchen and bathroom seem most likely to increase the value of your home. Keep in mind that these improvements lose value over time.

· Improvements to the living room and the master bedroom: These are also good investments and will usually return most of the money you spent, if not more.

· Investments in more efficient use of energy: Oil, gas, and hydro costs continue to go up. That’s becoming more of a concern when people are looking to buy a home. You can make your home more energy efficient as an investment in its value. Some government programs help reduce the costs of these projects. Also, consider buying appliances that waste less energy.

· Keeping up with repairs. If you do a little at a time, you can avoid doing a lot of expensive repairs at the same time. A reasonable amount to spend yearly is 1% to 2% of the value of your home.

What are some renovations that don’t add much value to my home?

· Swimming pool: Make sure you want a pool before you invest in a pool. The cost of putting in one won’t show up in the price that you get when you sell a home.

· Costly appliances: Most people won’t want to pay an extra $4,000 for your home to pay for a $7,000 refrigerator instead of a $1,200 refrigerator. If you pay thousands of dollars for top-of-the-line appliances, enjoy them. You probably won’t get your money back if you sell them with your home.

· Costly landscaping: The way your home looks from the street can really help interest buyers. It’s called ‘curb appeal.’ But if you spend $30,000 in landscaping, don’t expect to get it all back. Most buyers probably won’t see or appreciate the value.

· Renovating in an area where homes are being torn down: Tear-down activity involves homes being sold, torn down, and replaced by bigger, more expensive homes. If someone is going to buy your home and tear it down, a renovation won’t return any of your money. The buyer will have no interest in the building, just in the land.

Remember: Don’t assume you will get all your money back from a renovation

The key to renovating is to keep the house in good repair and do the renovations you want to enjoy. If you think you might be selling in the near future, focus on renovations that are more likely to get your money back.

Learn more:

: information on a wide range of topics ranging from finding a contractor, to home maintenance checklists

– Resource Centre Worksheets: worksheets and checklists you can use when planning a renovation who belongs to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association

Source:

Early spring is the best time to ensure your central air conditioner is working. Don’t scramble for a service call during the first heat wave. To get started, replace or clean your indoor air filters. Next, follow your manual’s instructions on how to turn off your thermostat and all AC power connections. ( Do not touch or disturb any electrical connections, as some parts may hold a charge.) Next, remove the unit’s outside screen and determine if any motor points require lubrication. Then examine the condenser coils and exterior fan to ensure they are clean and unobstructed.  Remove any debris or was off with the garden hose.  Finally carefully replace all covers  turn on the power, and set your thermostat low enough to start it up. ( only do this step when it is at least 16 degrees Celsius outside ) If it looks, acts or sounds unusual, or if you feel uncertain about its operation, arrange for a pre-season service call.

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

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