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 Whether you’re dealing with a constantly leaky faucet or the whole room just looks drab and out of date, you can find many ways to make your bathroom beautiful again without breaking the bank or investing a huge amount of time.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 Swapping out an out-of-date faucet is less expensive and time-consuming than replacing an entire pedestal sink or vanity, but can still have a big visual impact.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.
Bathroom Upgrades That Will Freshen the Room and Save You Money
When you sit back to relax in the tub, or take time to preen in front of the bathroom vanity, do you often feel that the setting just isn’t giving you the comforting and spa-like experience you wish you could feel at home?
Sure, you take good care of your bathroom – you’ve scrubbed the faucets to make them as shiny as you can and everything works the way it has for many years. But maybe it’s time you gave your bathroom a refreshing change – one that not only gives you the luxurious feeling of comfort and elegance, but also that benefits your wallet and the environment.
You may be surprised to learn that bathroom showers, toilets and sinks account for about 75 percent of the water used in the home. If you haven’t replaced any of your faucets or toilets for many years, you may be not only struggling with keeping these older fixtures looking clean and fresh, you may also be paying a lot of extra money to keep them running.
Consider your toilet. Older toilets can use as much as 5 gallons of water per flush, while stylish modern toilets are designed to cut that amount by more than a third. And some models, like the new high-efficiency Aquia Wall-Hung Dual Flush HET, which uses TOTO’s Dual-Max flushing system, can use as little as 0.9 gallons per flush. These qualities earn this toilet the EPA WaterSense label for being water efficient. And being wall hung makes sense aesthetically – by hiding the tank in the wall and lifting the toilet from the floor (making cleaning a breeze), you can save a total of 9 inches of precious room space.
Now take a look at your vanity and see your faucet for what it is. If the faucet has been around for many years, excessive use may have corroded some of the metal finish, or even worn away the hot and cold labels. A new faucet would not only freshen the look of the vanity, but also give your bathroom a beautiful new look. Standard bathroom faucets use 2.2 gallons of water per minute, newer models are available that provide the robust drenching needed to clean your hands while only using a modest 1.5 gallons per minute. One is TOTO’s chic Aquia Single Handle High-Efficiency Faucet, available in heights to match your sink selection (undermount, self-rimming, or vessel).
Finally, check out the showerhead in your tub. You may already have upgraded your showerhead once since 1992, when it became a requirement that showerheads use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. But newer models allow you to save even more water. The average person showers for eight minutes each day, so switching to a high-efficiency showerhead can save a family of four more than 8,700 gallons of water each year and reduce the demand on their water heater, saving them enough energy to power their television for a year. The Nexus High-Efficiency Showerhead from TOTO offers an invigorating showering experience with a responsible 1.75 gallons per minute water volume being consumed – which is a 30 percent savings over the legal limit.
Freshening up your outdated plumbing fixtures is a great step toward creating a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom. Not only will you be able to enjoy the comfortable and beautiful bath space, but you’ll also know that the changes are benefiting your pocketbook and the environment.
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.
Property Showcase – Managen Homes of Edmonton
Today’s feature property is by Managen Homes of Edmonton, Alberta.
Managen strives to help our clients make a Lifestyle decision. Our homes are designed to reflect the needs, tastes and individuality of each homeowner. As a specialized builder, building under 20 homes a year. We pay attention to details and we strictly monitor the construction process, so the completed home is not a surprise.
Design, quality and construction go hand in hand. Our clients have one thing in common – they want a home that reflects their individuality, their lifestyle and their creativity. It’s a creative outlet where we are continually challenged and excited by satisfying people and giving them what they want. We enjoy it. We love it.
Our designs are bright, open and airy and sometimes require additional engineering considerations, but quality is never sacrificed.
We maintain a simple business philosophy: Life´s too short; as long as we´re here, why not enjoy it!
For more information on our homes or to set up a viewing of one of our showhomes please give us a call at our main office at 780-430-7176 or call Paul directly at 780-699-5583. We also encourage you to check out website at http://www.managen.com
Property Showcase – Bridgewater Properties, west of Stony Plain offered by Janet Greer of Re/MAX Spruce Grove
This 4 bedroom and den, 1690 sq ft walkout bi-level home is located on 1.01 acres Lakefront at Bridgewater Properties, just 10 minutes West of Stony Plain.
The kitchen has lots of oak cabinets, countertop stove & built-in oven. The dining room is nice & bright with garden door to the huge deck. The living room has gorgeous hardwood flooring, built-in oak cabinets & an airtight woodstove insert in the brick facing fireplace.
The master bedroom has a cedar feature wall, 3 piece ensuite & a huge walk-in closet. The other 2 bedrooms are a good size with one that could also be used as a den as it has garden doors out to the deck.
The ceramic tile on the main floor has infloor heating-very comfortable in the winter. The walkout basement is fully finished with family room, wet bar, 4th bedroom with walk-in closet & 3 piece bath w/double shower.
This home also has vaulted ceilings thru-out & a newer septic treatment plant. Along with the double garage there is lots of room for RV parking. Enjoy this great family home with gorgeous view!
Please call Janet Greer at 780-962-8580 for your private showing.
Mortgage Brokers – Professional Mortgage Expertise
Variable rates, fixed rates, amortization and term, CMHC, pre-qualification, compounding interest, prime rate…What does it all mean?
For most home buyers, navigating the mortgage highway is, to say the least, a daunting experience. And if you’re a first-time home owner, the process can be downright terrifying.
So, where do you turn? A qualified mortgage broker can be a great source of information about all types of mortgages. Plus, they have the ability to shop around and personalize the mortgage that best fits your needs.
Brokers deal with a large variety of lending institutions, and are usually able to obtain discounts on most rates, as well as provide you with an unbiased objective opinion on what type of loan will work best for each individual situation.
Because of the wide array of lenders they deal with, brokers are usually more successful in attaining loans for clients with lower, non-salaried, or unconventional income.
Mortgage brokers are often more knowledgeable about the process than a typical loans officer at a bank or credit union who only deals with mortgage applications as a small part of their job.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta oversees the industry and its members adhere to a strict code of ethics and educational principles that provide them with a professional standard of practice. In order to be licensed by the RECA, potential brokers must write the Provincial Qualifying Exam and achieve a grade of 70% or higher.
Brokers charge a fee for their service which is typically paid by the lending institution. Most lending institutions pay similar rates, so the main focus of the mortgage broker is to find you the best rate and the best product. If there are any fees to be paid by the purchaser, the broker should let you know in advance.
When choosing a mortgage broker, enquire if they are licensed with the RECA, check with friends and family for any recommendations, and above all, ask a lot of questions.
How many years of experience do they have? You should find out how accessible they are. Can they meet with you during the evening or on weekends? Will they come to your home? Find out how long it will take for your approval to come through. Ask them how many options they will be prepared to give you.
It’s also a good idea to get quotes from two or three different brokers to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
A mortgage broker will help you decide which type of loan is best, fixed-rate or variable interest, inform you of the interest rate you will be paying, break down all the costs associated with the mortgage, and advise you as to whether or not there will be a prepayment penalty should you want to close out the mortgage early.
Finding a broker that you respect and trust will help guide you through the mortgage financing process with ease.
Property Showcase – Cumberland Neighborhood, Kerri-lyn Holland of RE/MAX River City
Today we are featuring a home in the Cumberland neighborhood in Edmonton presented by Kerri-lyn Holland of RE/MAX River City.
This is a beautiful one of a kind home backing onto a stunning lake!
Over 2400 square feet of living space with fully finished walk out basement, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms just to start.
As you walk in the front door you are welcomed by the floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the lake. A formal dining room, large family room and an incredible kitchen with a butler pantry and a private office off of the kitchen.
Upstairs you will find the master suite, with incredible features one of a kind ensuite and walk in closet. The 2 additional bedrooms on the second floor are a great size and across the walk way from the master suite. Downstairs in the walk out basement you will find another family room, 4th bedroom, full bathroom and floor to ceiling windows looking at the lake.
Outside is stunning, the view is as unique as the home is inside. Everyone will fall in love with this former lottery home. $699,900. Please call Kerri-lyn Holland to find out more about lovely property at 780-439-7000.
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Kerri Anderson
Homes & Land of Edmonton was launched nearly nine years ago; one of the first in Canada. I was very excited to begin working with Homes & Land of Edmonton as a Sales & Marketing Consultant, and I believe so strongly in our product, that I have since purchased the franchise. I have a strong background in sales, marketing, and publishing, with a reputation for providing superior customer service. I am proud to offer Edmonton and area Real Estate Professionals an excellent forum for promoting their listings.
