Concerned about Condensation on Windows?
If you see a haze of condensation on your window, should you be concerned? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on a number of factors.
First of all, an occasional build-up of condensation is normal and often the result of fluctuating humidity in the home. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about. If you’re using a humidifier, try adjusting the levels. If the humidity is being generated naturally, try placing a dehumidifier nearby. Also, remove any plants and...
If you take care to price your home correctly — that is, at a price that is in line with what similar properties in the area have sold for recently — then you have a good chance of selling it at or near your asking price.
That doesn’t mean you won’t get a low-ball offer. You might. So what do you do when that happens?
First, understand that the buyer may not necessarily be trying to steal away your home at a bargain-basement price. He might simply be mistaken...
How do you make sure there are no unexpected maintenance or repair issues after you purchase a home? Answers here:
Say you’re viewing a home and are impressed with how it looks. The walls are freshly painted. Everything seems bright and new. You’re considering making an offer.
Then, while standing on a mat in the kitchen, you hear a squeak below your feet. You lift the mat and see that some tiles are broken. Obviously the mat was there to, literally, cover up that defect.
A few broken...
Will the neighbourhood go up in value?
When you purchase a home, you’re hoping it will continually go up in value — just like a good investment.
However, there’s something else that you want to see go up in value as well: the neighbourhood. In fact, the neighbourhood plays a key role in what the home will be worth in years to come. If the neighbourhood goes down in terms of desirability, so will the market value of the home.
That’s why, when shopping for a new home, it’s...
When you’re thinking of selling your home and buying another, you face the inevitable question: Should I list my property first or buy my new home first?
Let’s take a look at both options.
If you attempt to buy a property before listing your home, you run into a couple of challenges.
First, sellers may not take you seriously as a potential buyer. After all, you haven’t put your own home up for sale. As far as they’re concerned, you might merely be...
Closing day is an exciting time. After all, you’re moving into your new home! However, it can be stressful as well. The last thing you need is to be confronted with something you don’t understand. So here is a quick list of common “closing day” terms.
• Disbursements. This is the allocation of funds to the appropriate parties, such as the seller. Your lawyer will take care of this for you.
• Possession. This is the moment on closing day when you are...
Upgrades That Hold Their Value
Do you have a renovation project in mind – and wonder how much value it will add to your home? Remodeling Magazine recently did a study of renovation projects, comparing costs to added value. Here are some of the results:
Replacing a main entry door has a return on investment of over 95%.After all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things a prospective buyer notices.
Adding a new deck also adds a lot of value. Depending on the materials used, you can expect...
If you’re relaxing on a Caribbean beach, or enjoying a bus tour through historic Paris, the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Most people know the basics of keeping a home secure while away. Here are some additional tips that are easy to miss:
• Tell your kids not to boast about your fabulous vacation plans, especially on social media. The fewer who know that the house will be empty, the better.
• Ask a neighbour to pick up any mail and flyers...
Types of lighting for the home.
You probably don't think buying a lighting fixture for a room is all that complicated. It isn't. However, it does require you to consider which types of lighting you may need.
According to the Lighting Association, there are three types:
1. General lighting. By far the most common, this is the type of lighting that is designed to create a functional brightness that spreads throughout a room. A good example is a main ceiling light.
2. Task lighting. As the name implies,...
Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was
disappointing? Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade
was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn't look like a
tempting place to eat.
It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression
has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will
likely be with the expectation of being disappointed.
This scenario often plays out in the...
5 Unusual (but effective) Home Staging Ideas
"Staging" your home is all about making the space in your home as
appealing as possible to buyers. You may already know the basics, such as
eliminating clutter. Here are some other tips that are less well known yet
very effective:
• Chandeliers. Surprisingly, these are one of the simplest ways to
make a foyer, dining room or living room dramatically more eyecatching.
You can buy a good-looking chandelier for a few hundred
dollars.
• New linen....
Most move-up buyers decide to sell their home and put the equity they’ve built up towards their new purchase. But others – those who can afford to – choose to retain their current residence as an investment...
What home buyers love to see.
Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your home if they see a lot of
things they love about it. So what do buyers love to see?
One of the main things they like to see is a lot of space. Of course, you can't
change the size of your rooms, but there is a lot you can do to make small
spaces in your home seem more spacious.
Buyers also love to see a clean and uncluttered home. Think of how inviting
a hotel room looks at first glance, with everything neat and organized....
Be Sure to Plan for the “Pet Issue" When you go to Market.
If you have pets, you probably adore them. They're part of the family! But
when you're preparing your home for sale, you need to think about how
you're going to deal with the "pet issue".
Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as
you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet
ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells.
So be sure to make a plan for how you’re...
Pack your memories away
Items that remind us of special people, events, milestones and interests are
an important part of what makes a home a home. Pictures on the fireplace
mantle, for example, showcase family and friends that are important to us.
You might also have trophies, certificates, greeting cards, and other
mementoes on display in key places.
Of course, all of those things add warmth and meaning to your home.
However, if you're preparing your home for sale, it's a good idea to pack
those...
Taking the "scary" out of real estate.
Even homeowners who have moved a few times can be intimidated by the real estate market in general, and the buying and selling process in particular.
First of all, making a decision to sell your home can be difficult. There are so many questions, such as:
• Is "now" a good time to list?
• How much can you expect to get for your property?
• How long will it take to sell – and what if it doesn't?
Then there's the buying and selling process:...
Bathroom upgrades using overlays
If you're considering a bathroom update, you're probably familiar with the
typical approaches, such as replacing a countertop or toilet, or removing all
the fixtures and finishes to complete a floor-to-ceiling renovation.
However, there is another, far less expensive way to make an older
bathroom look brand new: using overlays.
An overlay is simply a new surface applied over an existing one. For
example, instead of replacing an old and worn bathtub – which...
5 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly
There are several reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly. For
example, a job change may require a speedy relocation to another city, or
you may have purchased another property and don't want to be stuck too
long with two mortgages.
Here are some tips that can help get the sold sign on your front lawn
sooner.
• Be realistic with price. If you set the listing price higher than the
current market value of your home, then you're not going to get
many, if...
How to Choose the Right Size HDTV
If you don't own one already, you may be tempted to purchase a
widescreen digital television to enjoy your favourite movies, shows and
sports programs. However, it can be difficult to select the right screen size,
especially if you've been accustomed to viewing a TV with a traditional 4:3
screen.
When it comes to size, there are many factors that come into play, such as
screen resolution and personal preference. However, the last thing you want
is to purchase an HDTV that...
BC to see biggest jump in housing resales in 2014
British Columbia is forecast to have the biggest jump in housing resale activity in 2014 in Canada, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
CREA expects B.C. to see an increase in resale activity of 8.3% year-over-year—well above the anticipated national growth of 1.3%. While this means the province will be the biggest contributor to the expected growth across the country, the association said this is due...
