There are few things more beautiful than cut flowers in a vase. They instantly brighten any room. That is, of course, until they wilt and die. So how do you make cut flowers last as long as possible? Here are some ideas: Cut the bottom of the stems before you put the flowers in the vase. An angled cut is best as this will enable the flower to draw in more water.Add a fertilizer to the water. Most...
Say you’re shopping for a new home. Your goal is to find the ideal property, in a neighbourhood that is just right for you, within a price range that you can afford. What do you need — at minimum — to get started? If you’re looking for ways to get your ducks in a row, here are some things to prepare: A property wish list. What does your ideal home look like? How many bedrooms does it...
When you’re selling your home, several viewings of your property may be scheduled on the same day. That can be a good thing because it can create increased excitement about your listing. To prepare for a multiple viewings day, follow these tips: Clean and prepare your home the day before. That way, you’re not scrambling to get things ready in the morning.Confirm the time of the first...
Imagine you’re viewing a home for sale. You venture to the basement, check out the furnace room, and notice the water heater. Is it owned or rented? As a potential buyer, you’d want to know. Now imagine a property you’re viewing has a brand-new gas fireplace. Nice! Is it under warranty? Is that warranty transferrable to you if you buy the home? Again, you’d want to know. So, when you’re...
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...