2022

Many people decide to move for practical reasons rather than thinking that where you live can have an impact on your goals. For example, some might be required to move due to a work relocation and others may realize that their household has changed and they are ready to downsize or upsize. But, personal goals play an important role too. In fact, when deciding whether or not to sell your property and...

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. With these simple home energy saving tips, you probably won’t notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial. However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement: Plug or fix the...

As you may know, staging involves setting up the furniture, art and accessories of each room so that, overall, your home looks as appealing as possible to buyers. It’s similar to what furniture stores do when they create displays of model bedrooms, kitchens, etc. Consider using mirrors to make the bedroom seem larger and more comfortable.Put a new comforter on the bed.Update the wattage or add a lamp...

Imagine you have a crystal ball that enables you to see what a neighbourhood will be like in five years. Wouldn’t that be handy? You’d be able to get a glimpse of the area’s future before deciding to move there. Unfortunately, that crystal ball hasn’t been invented yet. But, you can still predict the future of a neighbourhood with a fairly high degree of accuracy. One way is to simply take a...

You might be surprised to know which spaces in a home most buyers look at when viewing a property. If you’re preparing your home for sale, make sure to consider the following places that are likely to be checked out:Inside closets. Buyers want to get a sense of the size and capacity of all your closets. Make sure they’re clean and well organized. Avoid the “overstuffed” look.Basement. Do...

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid/electric vehicles (HEVs) increase every year. Because of this, purchasers will demand greater accessibility to charging stations. Of course, the most convenient place to recharge is at home. But not all household electrical services will be able to handle the demand. Homeowners will need to consider the power available in their homes for private charging and...

Imagine you’re shopping for a used iPhone 11 that’s in good condition. You visit a resale website and discover that most are selling for approximately $350. Would you be willing to pay $400? Probably not. The market value is obviously well-established. There would be no reason to pay more. Pricing your home for sale is similar. Your home has a market value and, if you were to list it, buyers would...

The kitchen is one of the spaces that buyers tend to remember. They may forget the size of the third bedroom or whether or not there’s a closet in the front foyer, but the impression buyers form of your kitchen will linger on. That’s why, when you’re selling your home, staging the kitchen to look its best is so important. Here are some tips: Remove cookware, small appliances (like the...

You’ve probably heard the expression, “The early-bird gets the worm.” It refers, of course, to those who get in early and reap the rewards. For example, if you arrive early to a retail store for a big blowout sale, you’re likely to get the deals before the inventory runs out. The stragglers who come later will miss out. Well, this same wisdom can be applied to selling your home. Starting the...

Chances are, you know that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year — even if you suspect the batteries are still good. But that isn’t the only fire safety check you should do annually. Here are some other recommended tips to help keep you and your family safe. Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible.Check your...