As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, it's time to ensure your home is ready to face the challenges of winter. Whether you live in a snow-covered wonderland or a milder climate, taking these steps to winterize your home can save you money on energy bills and prevent costly damage. Here's a quick guide to getting your house ready for the winter season: Inspect Your Roof: Start at the top by...
When you’re selling your property, you want buyers to see it at its best. But, a percentage of potential buyers will only be able to see your home in the evening. If it’s getting dark by the time they arrive, your home may not look as good as it does during the day. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to compensate. Start with lighting. Make sure your home is well lit during an evening...
When buyers view your home, how do you want them to feel? Do you want them to feel like they’re intruders or a nuisance? Of course not! You want them to feel welcomed. So how do you create that impression? Here are a few proven ideas: The foyer. This is where buyers first set foot in your home. It’s where they form their first impressions. So, make sure the foyer is tidy and feels spacious....
At some point, every home needs to be upgraded to become more functional for the family members who live there – or for resale. However, a major renovation can be frustrating, unless you’re working with a reliable, knowledgeable general contractor. Here are some suggestions to help make your project go smoothly: 1. First, do your homework in advance. Identify needs and wants, such as design...
Say you’ve found a house for sale in an area that’s unfamiliar to you. How do you figure out if it’s going to be the ideal neighbourhood? The first step is to take a walk. Stroll the neighbourhood and explore. If you get the chance, chat with homeowners and get their opinions of the area. Ask what they love about it. Also ask what they don’t like. Next, determine how the neighbourhood is...
If you’re thinking of selling this fall, this is the ideal time to start the process. The earlier you get ready, the more successful your sale will be. It will likely go a lot smoother, too. So, with those benefits in mind, here is a quick checklist that will guide you in preparing to list this fall: • Financials. Find out how much your home will likely sell for in the current market. That...
You may be excited about selling, but do your other family members share your enthusiasm? Kids can often be hesitant about, or even resistant to moving. That can make the selling process more stressful. The good news is, there are ways to get everyone in the family keen on the idea. One effective technique is to get everyone involved in the planning process, especially kids. Seek their input. Keep...
The 2020s may become known as the decade in which we re-evaluated our homes, and found ways to make them better serve our needs. Part of that assessment has already begun, especially amongst seniors who desire greater independence and want to continue to enjoy comfortable, productive lives in their own homes. Enabling their wishes in as safe an environment as possible often requires support from other...
When a buyer opens a cabinet door in your kitchen, it’s not an invasion of privacy. The buyer simply wants to get a sense of the available space. So, you can expect some buyers to explore cabinet space, especially in your kitchen and bathrooms. That’s why making sure cabinet space looks clean, organized and spacious is so important. Consider these tips: If you store a lot of items inside a...
As you may know, curb appeal refers to how your property looks from the street, where potential buyers first see it. Your home’s curb appeal can have a big impact on the sale of your property. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a buyer to drive by a listing, rather than stop, because they don’t like what they see. So, how can you improve your home’s curb appeal quickly? One way is to do some...