Bathroom Remodeling Hints: Small Price Tag, Big Impact

Unless you just completed a stunning bathroom renovation with a five-figure price tag, there’s probably at least one thing in your bathroom you’d like to change. Whether you’re dealing with a constantly leaky faucet or the whole room just looks drab and out of date, you can find many ways to make your bathroom beautiful again without breaking the bank or investing a huge amount of time. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Replace your tired old toilet. Upgrading to a sleek, easy-to-clean one-piece toilet is a surprisingly simple way to update your bathroom, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot, either. Toilet installations are often viewed as a job for a professional, but some new toilets are being designed with the do-it-yourself homeowner in mind. The new SAVER toilet from American Standard, for instance, can be installed without using any tools at all – just a simple hand-tightening is all that’s required. Plus, a new low-flow commode like the SAVER can pay for itself in water savings alone.

Clean up your caulk. If the caulk in your bathroom is grimy, prone to mildew, or cracked, replacing it is a great way to freshen up the look of your bathroom. Use a caulk softener, available at any hardware store, to soften the existing caulk and make it easier to remove. Then, a good scraping with a plastic putty knife will do the trick. After the caulk is removed, clean in between the tiles with a bleach and water solution, and allow to dry completely. Then you are ready to apply the new caulk. Tom Kraeutler of the home improvement blog TheMoneyPit.com recommends using a mildew-proof caulk for easier cleaning and longer-lasting good looks. Apply the caulk in between the tiles with a smooth, steady motion, and then smooth the surface with a moistened finger for a more even appearance.

Fancy up your faucets. Swapping out an out-of-date faucet is less expensive and time-consuming than replacing an entire pedestal sink or vanity, but can still have a big visual impact. Whether your style is clean and modern or romantic and ornate, updating your faucets can be easy and stress-free now that many manufacturers are offering easy-to-install bathroom faucets. For example, all lavatory faucets from American Standard and JADO  come with Speed Connect drains that contain only four parts -10 less than conventional drains – and are easy to install in minutes, without guesswork or special materials.

Paint your way to a beautiful bath. Freshening up the color on the walls in your bathroom can be an easy afternoon project depending on the size and structure of your bathroom. Because they are typically the smallest rooms in the house, bathrooms are a great place to experiment with color – if you hate it or change your mind, it’s easy enough to change to something else. Want to keep it simple? Pure white walls, especially when accented with glass and dark woods, are a current design trend.

Think Outside the Box – Literally – To Improve Your Home Value

For years, the conversation about strengthening your home’s value has revolved around interior projects. However, by keeping the focus inside, you might be ignoring one of the most effective ways to bring your property value up: the garden.

When discussing home value, “garden” means more than just flower beds. It includes your lawn, gathering spaces on your property, paths and walkways, in addition to the trees, shrubs and flowers that decorate the space. In a housing market where it’s still difficult to stand out, turning your attention and efforts to these areas might be just the thing that will attract buyers.

It’s a simple concept: A more attractive house is a more valuable house. And since your yard and garden are often what buyers see first, it’s your best opportunity to set the tone as they consider your property and what they’re willing to pay for it. In fact, well-designed landscaping was shown to raise perceived residential property value by as much as 18 percent, in a study recently released by Swedish power tool maker Husqvarna.

In terms of return on investment, maintaining an attractive lawn and garden was shown to return $1.80 per dollar spent. For those who want to improve their home’s value but can’t afford to hire contractors for major interior repairs, garden improvements can be an affordable alternative.

Armed with the right tools, most homeowners are capable of tackling garden projects that can improve their property value, and at a relatively low cost. To get a better understanding of what lawn and landscaping equipment would be most beneficial to your yard, visit an outdoor power manufacturer website like www.husqvarna.com. Simply edging your yard with a string trimmer helps create a clean, finished look outdoors and can be achieved for less than $200.

While many people are reluctant to spend much on their yards – some 65 percent of people spent less than $400 on it annually – keeping return on investment in mind can help you make better smarter decisions. If you want to call in the pros, consider projects that are highly sought-after, like in-ground irrigation systems.

Those not sure where to start can look to the wide variety of gardening websites, television programs and magazines for inspiration and practical tips. Some of the top-ranked garden attributes for improving home value included:

• A well-maintained lawn
• An inviting social area
• Stone paths and walkways
• Decorative trees, bushes and shrubs
• Well-kept hedges
• Nicely designed flower beds

Gardening season and the high real estate season coincide for a reason: Houses look their best surrounded by growing plants and blooming flowers. As the warmer months progress, remember that not only can investing in your garden give you a good return, it could also be the deciding factor in drawing a buyer to your property.

DIY-challenged? Three Easy Tricks for Floor to Ceiling

If you’re among the millions of homeowners who’ve decided sprucing up the home you have is more cost-effective than moving into something newer or bigger, you may be looking for some easy ways to improve your living space. If you’re not a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, you could consider calling in the pros – but that would fly in the face of your efforts at frugality.

Transforming a room from floor-to-ceiling isn’t as hard as it may sound, even if you’re DIY-challenged. The job can be simple if you start from the ground and work your way up with these easy DIY tasks:

Floors With Flair

Look down. What’s on the floor under your feet? Are you happy with what you see? If you’re living with stained carpet, shabby vinyl or hardwood that has seen better days, it’s time to make a change. If you were a DIY diva, you could refinish those hardwoods, lay some new carpet or rip out that vinyl with your bare hands. But if you’re a DIY newbie, you can change the look of your floor with a lot less effort and skill.

Cover up crummy carpet with colorful area rugs and strategically arranged furnishings. Mask that vinyl that is so “last-decade” with easy-to-install, self-stick carpet tiles or vinyl tiles. Refinishing a hardwood floor may be beyond your skills, but virtually everyone can wield a paint brush and roller. Simply paint tired wood floors in a neutral color – brown, tan, khaki or even white – to create a fresh-looking foundation for your room decor.

Walls That “Wow”

Painting is one of the easiest ways to freshen up a room, and painting walls really requires no special skills. Pick a new color you love – or simply freshen up the existing color. Hit the paint store and ask the staff there for some tips on how to make the job go smoothly.

Wallpaper is another great way to revive a room’s look, but it’s traditionally considered a job requiring some sophisticated DIY skills. Until now, that is. Mural-maker MuralsYourWay.com now carries a line of wallpaper murals that is virtually DIY foolproof. SmartStick repositionable wall murals are backed with a patented adhesive that allows you to easily place the wallpaper on any flat surface (walls, windows, even doors), pull it down, reposition it, even move it to a different wall. The material does not rip or wrinkle and can even stand up to a trip through the washer and dryer. MuralsYourWay.com carries thousands of murals that can all be printed on SmartStick and customized to fit your wall exactly

Wall murals and wall paper are great ways to dress up a room, and now it’s easier than ever to use this favorite technique of top designers.

Ceilings That Snap

When was the last time you looked up at your ceiling — for any reason other than to change a light bulb? It’s an area of room decor that often gets overlooked, but smart interior designers know ceilings have a big impact on how a room looks and feels.

For your purposes, a little color experimentation can probably go a long way. Fortunately, many paint stores and home improvement warehouses now offer free brochures and paint chips that suggest subtle pairings of appealing wall colors with unexpected ceiling hues. Or, if you prefer to play it safe, simply repaint the ceiling white – it’s one of the fastest, easiest ways to make a room feel bright and new.

You don’t need the DIY-skills of a home improvement show pro to upgrade your home and freshen your decor. You can get the job done with a few simple tricks and a weekend of elbow grease.

Why Use a Mortgage Professional

There are generally two ways to get a mortgage in Canada: From a bank, or from a licensed mortgage professional.

While a bank only offers the products from their particular institution, licensed mortgage professionals send millions of dollars in mortgage business each year to Canada’’s largest banks, credit unions, and trust companies … offering their clients more choice, and access to hundreds of mortgage products! As a result, clients benefit from the trust, confidence, and security of knowing they are getting the best mortgage for their needs.  Mortgage professionals work for you, and not the banks; therefore, they work in your best interest. From the first consultation to the signing of your mortgage, their services are free. A fee is charged only for the most challenging credit solutions, and it’’s especially under those circumstances that a mortgage professional can do for you what your bank cannot.  Whether you’’re purchasing a home for the first time, taking out equity from your home for investment or pleasure, or your current mortgage is simply up for renewal, it’’s important that you are making an educated buying decision with professional unbiased advice.

For more information about obtaining a home mortgage in Edmonton, Canada, please contact Chelsea Boychuk at Dominion Lending Centres.

Property Showcase – Countryside Ravines

Today we are previewing a lovely property that is located only five minutes west of Edmonton and is offered by Trevor Wilhauk and Tyson Moroz.

Want a home that has everything you need now and the future? This well planned home is definitely for you!

With many extras and a modern flare unmatched by most. Almost 4000 finished sq. ft. with soaring 20 ft. vaulted ceiling great room and 9 ft ceilings in the lower level. Extensive use of glass tile in bathrooms and kitchen backsplash. European cabinets and 1 1/2″ granite counter tops are a real eye catcher. Massive master retreat has 6 pce ensuite & spacious walk in closet. High-end appliances, top-end fixtures, built-in sound system, zoned in-floor heat, wet bar, central A/C even a wash-up shower in the triple heated garage.

See this home for yourself to appreciate all it has to offer!

Located in prestigious Countryside Ravines on a 1/2 acre lot with city services.  To set up an appointment to view this luxurious property or find out more information please call Trevor or Tyson at 780-968-1068.

Happy New Year!

From Homes & Land Edmonton to each of you – we wish you a Happy New Year!

12 Reason to Use a REALTOR® When Buying or Selling

Smart home sellers realize they need the expertise of a REALTOR® in pricing their home, attracting buyers, arranging open houses, marketing the property and coordinating with inspectors, appraisers, mortgage brokers, escrow officers and other professionals. The process of selling your home can be complicated, but your REALTOR® is there to make your life easier. They know the market, understand local conditions and are trained on the legal and disclosure requirements that come with selling a house.

1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power — that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders — banks and mortgage companies — offer limited choices.

2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you’ll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.

6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing — a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

REALTORS® are required to have mandatory training and are considered the best of the real estate profession

Property Showcase: Harbours Neighborhood in Larkspur (Edmonton Area)

ABSOLUTELY IMMACULATE!!

Custom 2 storey built by Jayman Homes offers over 1650 sqft plus a beautifully finished lower level. As you enter you will be impressed by the openness and brightness with this great room plan. Front flex room and a huge country style Island kitchen features maple hardwood floors, loads of maple cabinets, a corner pantry and a large dining area with lots of windows and a French garden door to the deck overlooking an East facing fully fenced and nicely landscaped yard. Main floor laundry and 2 piece bath. Upstairs 3 bedrooms with a large owner suite with a 4 piece Jacuzzi ensuite and walk-in closet. Basement beautifully finished with a media room complete with a built-in sectional area, a bedroom with an adjacent 3 piece bath, and a den, plus loads of storage. A fully finished double attached garage on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Harbours neighborhood in Larkspur. To view this home, please call Gordie Ell at 780-462-5000 or email Gordie at sales@gordieell.com.

The REALTOR® Commitment – Professionals You Can Trust

A REALTOR® is licensed by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and adheres to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice. They are professionals, trained and tested. A REALTOR® is your guarantee of professional conduct and the best in service.

REALTORS® are there to make the transfer of property as smooth as possible and are in daily contact with buyers potentially interested in your home. Licensed REALTORS® also carry errors and omissions insurance.

MARKET EVALUATIONS
Pricing your home competitively is key to a quick sale. REALTORS® are trained and experienced in providing accurate market evaluations, usually at no cost to the homeowner. Their market analysis and advice will allow the home to be priced according to current housing market conditions.

EXPERTISE
Home buyers choose a REALTOR® to help them pick the right property to suit their needs. They will have community information regarding utilities, zoning, and schools. A REALTOR® will pre-screen potential properties, advise on price, and help navigate the complicated process of preparing an Offer To Purchase. Your REALTOR® can also help you determine your buying power and refer you to qualified lenders.

Home sellers list with a REALTOR® because of their experience in negotiating the best possible price for their properties. But price isn’t necessarily the deciding factor – a REALTOR® will be able to explain the financing, terms, and other conditions you may come across when reviewing potential offers. REALTORS® know how to show your home to its best potential and can provide assistance and advice on preparing the property to enhance its saleability.   Most REALTORS® take advantage of continuing education to enhance their skills and stay up-to-date on the latest marketing techniques to keep them competitive as the market changes. REALTORS® are also educated on the complex laws and regulations that impact the real estate industry.

KNOWLEDGE OF MARKET CONDITIONS
A REALTOR® will have in-depth information about the current market conditions in local areas. Even in the same city, individual neighbourhoods have different housing markets. A REALTOR® will be able to provide information on the number of days homes have been on the market, current homes that are for sale, which homes have recently sold, and the average sale prices for homes in your area.

EXPOSURE
REALTOR® provide a solid marketing plan to get your property sold. Choosing a REALTOR® who creates a full-service proposal including web and print advertising is ideal.

A REALTOR® who is willing to invest marketing dollars on your behalf will give your property the most exposure possible.  Ask your potential REALTOR® where they intend to advertise your home. The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a great start, but additional advertising is always a good idea.  Homes & Land Magazine of Edmonton provides a fully integrated marketing service plan to REALTORS®.

Choosing a REALTOR® who advertises in Homes & Land Magazine of Edmonton not only gives your property exposure in print throughout the City and surrounding areas, but the magazine is also available to view online at HomesandLandofEdmonton.com. Many copies of the magazine are directmailed to targeted homebuyers as well.  Listings advertised in Homes & Land of Edmonton are also available to view on a number of affiliated websites. Homes & Land of Edmonton puts your home in front of thousands of potential buyers everyday!

CONTACTS
REALTORS® are experts in connecting buyers with the home of their dreams. They develop a relationship with their clients that allows them to advise on which potential properties may suit their needs. Their contacts with other REALTORS® will ensure that no property is overlooked in the search for a new home.

TIME COMMITMENT
Marketing and showing properties takes up a considerable amount of time. A REALTOR® is available full-time to show your property to potential buyers. They invest their time so you don’t have to.

REALTORS® have skills, knowledge, experience and a network of resources, and will work with you to secure the biggest financial investment you’re ever likely to make. Whether buying or selling, dealing with a REALTOR® will make your real estate experience the best it can be!

Interview with Terry Paranych

Remote Video Interview with Terry Paranych, Founder and CEO of the Paranych Group of Companies and the driving force behind Canada’s #1 Real Estate Team.