After buying a home, many new owners focus on the inside of their new house. Painting the rooms, upgrading the kitchen and unpacking all of their belongings are usually at the top of the move-in list. But during the warm spring and summer months, homeowners may find that they spend a great deal of time outdoors, playing with their children or barbecuing with neighbors. Creating a warm and welcoming outdoor atmosphere is just as important in making guests and new owners feel at ease, and there are several ways individuals can turn their yards into a great escape, according to MSN...

Steer clear of common home listing mistakes

When buyers start looking for their dream home, many start with the available real estate listings in their area. A home listing is the first place most sellers show off all the best features of their homes, ranging from their master bedroom and bathroom suite to their wraparound porch and deck. Because homeowners may only get a few sentences to advertise their properties, it’s important to make them count and avoid some of the most common mistakes sellers make.

Working with a real estate agent before listing a home is a good place to start....

Completing the Landscape Design

Stone Walls and Retaining Wall Design

Stone walls have been used for centuries as boundary markers, retaining walls and the walls of homes. Today’s stone retaining wall designs bring this art to the present.

Stone and rock walls can be a beautiful way of delineating property lines, increasing curb appeal of a home or simply creating a retaining wall against soil erosion. The various rock wall techniques on the market today give homeowners a choice of a traditional or modern rock retaining wall and appearance.

The History of Stone Walls

New England stone walls are famous throughout the woods of these...

Sell the Benefits of Your Smaller Home

Impress buyers with money-saving and eco-friendly features

If you’re looking at the undulating real estate scene and think your smaller-than-average-home has no shot, think again. Your house is the perfect fit for a lot of people. Anyone looking to save on utilities, taxes and yard work — from first-time buyers to the eco-minded — is going small. Plus, the idea of average is shrinking for a lot of people as those McMansions are proving too big and expensive for a lot of budgets.

So what great things can you highlight about your small home and how? Read on.

Lower Costs

Make...

For most homes, creating a landscape with curb appeal comes down to color, texture and variety in gardens, as well as in the front entry of the house.

One trip to the garden center is enough to overwhelm many homeowners and beginning gardeners. The variety of plants, shrubs and landscaping materials can make any outdoor project challenging. However, creating curb appeal can be simple with just a few simple tips.

The Importance of Year-Round Color in Landscaping

Color is one of the best ways to create interest and curb appeal in landscaping. Although the colors chosen for decorative gardens will depend on the...

When Selling Your Home, Tidy the Garage

When selling your house, knowing the the evolution of garages and the importance of staging the garage will help you make the sale.

In the ‘90s homeowners wanted a big kitchen and a gigantic master bedroom. When the millennium rolled through, houses came equipped with wine cellars, super-sized bathrooms, and laundry rooms rivalling the luxury of five star hotel rooms. These days, the garage reigns supreme!

So what do modern garages have that your grandmother never imagined? In chilly countries, garages with radiant floor heating keep our cars toasty. And the heated floors are covered with...

Landscaping the Hardscape

Learn about different ideas to landscape the hardscape in the entrance of your home.

The entrance of your home is the first thing that guests see when they arrive for a visit; it is therefore important to keep your landscaping up to the standards that you set for yourself and how you want your home to look. Hardscape is the parts of landscape that include permanent areas such as driveways, walkways and front porches.

Driveway

The driveway is the first thing that you and your guests will see when arriving at your home. Instead of having the standard concrete driveway, there...

One small photograph is often what inspires buyers to look at your home. Here are some tips on taking a photograph that does your home justice.

Regardless of if you are selling your home yourself, or selling it with the help of a professional broker or sales agent, there are some steps you must take to impress potential buyers and get top market value. It may seem like common sense, but, according to a 20 year real estate veteran from Rockwood Real Estate Consulting, too many sellers just don’t get it.

Picture Perfect

Start by taking a photograph of your home from the...

Selling Your Own Home: Setting the Stage

When you sell your home, you have to move – but moving things before you sell makes your home much more comfortable for prospective buyers.

In the real estate world, the word “staging” is the short way of saying “presenting your home at its very best in order to attract a buyer.” It is much easier said than done, and, according to Rockwook Real Estate Consulting, even some professional agents and brokers are reluctant to give some home sellers the advice they need.

When you decide to sell your home, either yourself or through a broker,...

Spring Cleaning for the Home’s Exterior

Exterior Home Maintenance After Winter

The spring clean is a traditional deep cleaning of the home at winter’s end and is an important part of home maintenance. Extend spring cleaning to the exterior as well.

Opening windows to let in fresh air, removing dust from ceiling fans, eaves and from behind furniture, cleaning out the mudroom and storing away winter gear; these are all done during spring cleaning. While a homeowner’s thoughts may turn next to landscaping, gardening and flower beds, it’s important not to forget the home’s exterior. Check for and prevent damage after the long...

How To Improve Your Home on a Budget

For most of us who are first-time home buyers, home improvement isn’t something with which we have experience – nor do we have thousands of dollars to spend on construction crews to improve our homes. Chances are your first home isn’t perfect and you’ll likely want to make a few changes to suit your needs. So how can you do home improvement for cheap? Where do you even begin? And what improvements will help you get the biggest return on investment?

For all those answers and more, here are some simple (albeit somewhat labor intensive) solutions...

Preparing Your House For Sale

To prepare your property for listing, take a look at your home with the eyes of a potential buyer. What’s your first impression? What needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired, or tossed out to make your house as attractive as possible? A small investment in repairs, decoration, and organization can add thousands of dollars to your property value.

The following are a few tips to help you sell your house more quickly. Once you’ve read the tip find out the best ways to get your home ready for sale, by taking the home owners quiz which follows...

Happy House Feng Shui – 6 Good Tips

A happy house is not a miracle – it is a result of efforts applied to your home. These 6 simple but good Feng Shui tips will help to make your house happier

Probably among everyone’s wishes is to live happily and healthy in a cozy and comfortable house that is always associated with pleasure and joy. Well, Feng Shui can help in making the wish come true. However, nothing will happen in a minute – making your home a happy place will require some time and effort (both physical and mental). The 6...

Transform your Home with New Floors

How to transform your home with new flooring, this article is focused on laminate flooring, how to install it, and how it works in your home.

One of the easiest ways to add value and beauty to your home is to change your flooring. Changing your flooring can be as easy as picking it out and having someone else install it, or taking on the challenge yourself and learning how to do it.

First, you want to consider the room you are going to re-floor. This is a very important step, because this is going to help...

Renovations on Your Own Home and on Investment Properties

With the house you are living in, if maintenance has not been kept up, you may run into expensive repairs. Your renovations are more personal and you are there while the renovations are going on. So although you are inconvenienced by the noise and the mess, at least you are there to see how the work is progressing.

With an investment property, it’s a bit trickier because you have to meet the contractors at the property and you are not there to supervise the work. No matter how well you know your contractors,...

6 smart steps every new homeowner should take

What could be more exciting than taking the leap from renter to first-time homeowner? You can turn the key in a lock that no landlord has access to, read in a hammock in your own backyard and paint your dining room bright red. Some first-time homeowners get swept up in all the excitement and make mistakes that can jeopardize everything they’ve worked so hard to earn.

Don’t be one of those people: Take a few moments to ponder these seven practical concerns that will help ensure that your first home becomes the place of...

Building Materials that Add Value

When planning construction for home improvement, use the kinds of durable building materials that will add value to your property. Some features of a home need to be both functional and of high quality, but buying the most expensive plumbing materials or roofing your home with tile won’t necessarily be a selling point. It is important to know where to put your money and effort. Three areas of your home that you should focus on to raise its value are the kitchen, bathrooms and exterior.

Kitchen Materials

The kitchen is the center of any home, whether it’s just you and your...

Home Buying and the Importance of Landscaping

The right landscaping is a critical factor when it comes to home sales, for both the buyer and the seller. For the seller of the home, enhancing the landscaping can lead to a faster sale, and even to a higher selling price. For the buyer, the right landscaping can serve as an assurance that the home is worth the price being asked, and it can help to ensure that the home will retain its value as long as the landscape is maintained in its current condition.

On the other hand, many price conscious buyers and...

Revamping Your Master Bathroom

Real estate professionals and decorators advise that the master bathroom is one of the biggest selling points of a home. Those in search of a new home want a master bathroom beyond the basics of yesteryear. People want a tastefully decorated master bathroom that’s a stylish extension of the bedroom, complete with the amenities of the finest hotel.

Before putting your home on the market, revive your master bathroom, and give it a fresh up-to-date look. You don’t have to hire an interior decorator or design professional. There are a number of easy ways to revamp your master...

Decorated to Sell: House-Selling Décor

Before putting your home up for sale, there are many decorating measures you can take to make your place look as great to a potential buyer as possible. Most measures are inexpensive, and some you can take with you when you move. This article offers a wide array of decorative ideas to help homeowners get their asking price when their house goes on the market.

When it comes to paint, most home sellers opt for white, but there are many neutral color choices to consider that may make your dwelling seem more welcoming and less sterile. While...

Is a Fixer-Upper Right for You?

You may be wondering why you would buy a house that needs a little bit of rehab. Sure, houses that are move-in ready don’t have the problems that a fixer-upper might – like an old roof, a dilapidated porch, or dirty shag carpeting. They might be in good condition by all appearances and appraisals with the little luxuries that make new houses appealing. However, fixer-uppers are often the better choice in so many ways.

Price

The most obvious advantage to purchasing a house that needs work is the price. Often, the price will reflect neglect and necessary...

Home Improvements – What are the paybacks?

Trying to decide determine  which home improvement make the most economic sense for your home? If you’re looking to stay in your home for number of years you should probably be looking at improvements that will provide economic benefits over a number of years, such as upgrading insulation or replacing old doors and windows. However, if you’re looking to upgrade your home to sell it, here’s list of the improvement that will make your home more attractive to potential buyers and give you with the best payback on your investment.

Real estate professionals will tell you home buyers will...

Are you ready to build your own house? It’s an immense undertaking but one that has been tackled successfully by many proud homeowners. Before you start thinking about excavating or even about getting an architect to draw up a house plan, you need to take a few preliminary steps.

Meet Your New Crew

You should know that before you’ve moved into your new house, you will have dealt with an entire team of professionals. These include: an architect or design consultant, a site supervisor, land planners, engineers, a purchasing agent, a sales representative, subcontractors, a building inspector and a closing agent. Some...

Benefits of Owning Your Own Home

The life long dream of many couples is the thoughts of owning their own home.  Pride of ownership, the ability to landscape and decorate as they choose, and the very real advantage of building equity is very good reasons to buy your own home.  As in anything, owning your own home has advantages as well as disadvantages.  This article discusses the pros and cons of home ownership.

Probably the biggest advantage of owning your own home is financial.  When you pay interest on the mortgage, the interest paid is tax deductible in most cases.  Paying points,...

A home is by far the largest single investment most people make in their lifetime, and it’s for this reason that it’s important to find just the right custom builder. Whether you’re considering a 900 square foot ranch or the 4,000 square foot home of your dreams, selecting a qualified custom builder that will meet your needs as well as your budget is imperative.

Finding a Custom Home Builder

There are a number of ways to locate a qualified custom builder. Many custom builders have model homes on display for those considering a new home. Model homes enable people to thoroughly inspect...

Common Owner-Builder Mistakes to Avoid

Building your own home is a rewarding and risky proposition. Building a home is usually a first-time venture, and most of the time it is difficult to know what to do and when to do it. This article will explain some of the most common challenges faced by owner-builders.

Budgeting for and hiring the cheapest contractors may provide more problems than savings. If you are financing the construction of your home, the lender will require written bids for various phases of construction. You will be responsible for finding contractors and soliciting bids for items like excavation, foundation,...

Using Sustainable-Design Architecture in Your Home Renovations

Sustainable-design architecture uses natural sunlight and other resources to make your home more self-sustaining and less dependent on non-renewable energy sources. (The sustainability movement is a key part of the green movement.) This article explains a few key aspects of sustainable-design architecture.

Sustainable Building Materials

You can start by insisting upon materials that are sustainable and not dependent on non-renewable energy sources for their production. For instance, using bamboo flooring instead of oak or other woods can help cut down on deforestation.

Creative Designs

Your design itself can follow the principles of sustainable architecture. Wide, open spaces take less...

Garage Renovations: Making the Most of Your Tiny New Home

In order to take advantage of the deals in real estate and the tax credit for first time homebuyers, many home buyers are settling for houses that may not completely meet their needs. However, if a home doesn’t fulfill your space requirements there are some relatively inexpensive options that you can undertake if your new home has a garage that you can work with.

Most homes have either an attached or an unattached garage; the type of garage that your particular home has will likely somewhat dictate what type of room that...

Get a Real Estate Agent for Foreclosure Properties

When looking to buy foreclosure properties you might be considering doing it by yourself because you see all of the late night commercials about how easy it is to buy foreclosures for no money down and think that you can go it alone. While it might seem easy, in reality, you would probably be better off with the help of a real estate agent. If you have not considered a real estate agent for your foreclosure property needs, here are a few reasons to do so.

Experience

A good real estate agent can present you with...

4 Tips to Building your Real Estate Portfolio

Getting involved in real estate investment and learning how to build your portfolio is important. While it might seem difficult to build a portfolio at first, with a little discipline, it can be done quickly. You do not have to be independently wealthy in order to make it work either.

1. Start Small

Real estate is not a game that you can win overnight. You are going to have to be in this for the long haul. Therefore, you should most likely start out on a small scale and work your way up to bigger things. You could...

3 Tips to Determining Your Real Estate Price Limits

Establishing your real estate price limits is an important part of the buying process. Before you get too far involved, you need to sit down and determine a definite limit to your purchase. Nothing can be more crippling financially than getting in over your head with a mortgage. It can cost you your credit, your financial future, and make things much more difficult on you. Here are a few tips to help you determine your real estate price limits. 1. Look at Your Budget

The first part of the process is to determine exactly how...

5 Things Home Owners can do to Cut Costs

There are a number of things home owners can do to cut costs. Some changes will require a whole new mindset, while others are simple adjustments that you can make right away. If you’re looking for help to trim your budget, consider reducing your expenses in these 5 areas.

Homeowners Insurance

Do everything you can to reduce the cost of homeowners insurance. One way to get the best possible rate on your premiums is to combine your auto and home insurance policies. Insurance companies can and often do reward you with discounts when you purchase multiple...

5 Steps to Getting a Great Real Estate Deal

Getting a real estate deal does not mean finding the cheapest house on the market. You should be looking for the best value, which means the property that offers the greatest potential for profit in the future. You cannot get a deal on a piece of property without following careful steps first.

#1 Research Comparable Sales

It is hard to determine the value of a home based on only factors about the home itself. Instead, you need to know what properties in the area are selling for and how this home compares. You also need to...

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying an Investment Home

If you are considering buying investment home property, there are several things that you will need to take into consideration. Investment homes can provide you with a number of benefits as an investor. However, if you want to make sure that you get the best deal, you will need to ask the proper questions first. Here are a few questions to ask before buying an investment home.

1. Will I Be Able To Sell This Property?

When getting involved with an investment property, you need to consider your exit strategy in the future. Even if you...

If you are thinking about downsizing your home, there are many different things that you will need to consider. Many people are tempted to downsize in order to save money and live within their means. However, it might not always save you as much money as you think. Here are a few things to consider about downsizing your home.

Selling Your Existing Home

The first thing that you will have to do in order to downsize is sell your existing home. Many people fail to consider all of the variables that are involved with this transaction. You will need to be able to...

How to Avoid Investment Home Purchase Mistakes

An investment home purchase is a big step in your financial life. During this process, it is important to avoid making any mistakes when you purchase a home. Here are a few things to consider about how to avoid making a mistake when purchasing an investment home.

Consider the Area

The old saying about “location, location, location” in real estate has some truth to it. When looking at purchasing an investment property, you should take great care in choosing the proper location. If you are planning to resell the house, it will be much easier to sell if...

Renting vs Buying a Home

If you are looking at renting vs buying a home, there are a number of different variables that you will need to examine. Both of these options can present you with some definite advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few things to consider about renting vs buying a home.

Maintenance

One of the big differences between renting and buying is the maintenance. With a rental property, you are not going to have to worry about maintenance. If something breaks, you simply call your landlord and they will have to handle it for you. If you are the homeowner, you...

Why Buy a House? 3 Wealth-Building Reasons

Many people ask themselves at some point, “Why buy a house?” While homeownership is not for everyone, there are definitely some benefits that you can realize by purchasing a home. Here are a few ways that buying a home can help you build wealth.

1. Equity

One of the biggest benefits of buying a house is that you will accumulate equity. When you purchase a home, you will pay down the balance and the home will increase in value. The difference between the amount that you owe and the value of the house will be equity...

3 Things to Look out for when Buying a New Home

It’s important to have a checklist of things to look for when you’re buying a new home. Understanding which repairs will have to be made will help you make an informed purchase offer. Here are 3 things to look for:

1 – Roof

Replacing a roof can be costly. You need to know if that will be required within a few years of buying a new home. It’s also a hassle to find a contractor who will do a good job. Find out if the house’s roof needs maintenance or replacement before you...

3 Financial Risks of Home Ownership

Home ownership is generally thought of as a sound financial decision. When you buy a home, you are supposed to be making an investment in your future and your financial position. While in many cases, it is a good idea, there are some financial risks associated with home ownership. Here are a few risks that you will want to consider about home ownership before you go out and buy a house. 1. Risk of Default

The biggest risk associated with home ownership is the risk of default. Buying a home is a very large financial obligation. In...

4 Financial Advantages of Condo Ownership

Condo ownership is generally thought of as a step to home ownership, and there are many reasons it can financially prepare you for the demands of later owning a home. Generally speaking, condos are less expensive than comparable single-family properties. By owning and maintaining a condo first, you can set yourself up for the next step of owning a single-family home.

#1 Lower Down Payment

First-time home buyers in particular have a challenge when it comes to putting down a down payment. They do not have a previous property sale to supply them with income to do this,...

Saving Money with Kitchen Remodeling

Saving money while remodeling your kitchen is ideal for most homeowners. There are many ways to do this in order to avoid getting into debt. When you remodel think about establishing a  budget. Think about what you will need to take into consideration, cost effective changes and what tasks you can accomplish yourself.

Budget

Understanding and structuring your budget is essential when planning to remodel your kitchen as costs can get out of control. The average kitchen remodel can cost upwards of $40,000 to $50,000 dollars when you figure in materials and labor. If you are planning to sell your house at...

Siding’s on the Wall

What do you see when you picture your dream home’s exterior? Do you prefer the traditional look of brick or the more rustic look of wood? These days, almost anything is possible thanks to the many different options available in home siding.

The siding material you choose defines the look and style of your home and serves the important purpose of shielding your home from Mother Nature. Thanks to technological advances in siding materials, longevity and durability have become key elements in their design and can vary over a wide range of budgets.

CURRENT TREND

• New grains, textures and colors. In...

Renovation That Makes Your Bathroom A Class Apart

As the bathroom is an area in our homes that offer us immense comfort and solace, it merits our attention and must be remodelled to suit the dcor of the rest of our apartments. We can utilize a lot of creativity while revamping our bathrooms. We are the persons who can best understand what needs to be done to our bathrooms so that we can impress on it a signature that illustrates our personality. Nevertheless, at times we need professional help – not to decide for us but to implement all that we...

Exterior lighting enhances your home’s beauty

Ten years ago, virtually no one was doing outdoor lighting in a pleasing, effective manner, according to Oscar Peterson, owner of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives Milwaukee. “Today, the practice of outdoor lighting has become much more sophisticated and effective, resulting in systems that are practical and add to the beauty of a home as seen at night.”

For JoAnn Youngman, the decision to replace her driveway and backyard patio was an opportunity to re-landscape with outdoor lighting and transform the exterior of her Whitefish Bay English Tudor.

After a review of several landscapers, she hired Bill Wandsnider of...

Kitchen Remodeling – Top 5 Tips

Remodeling your kitchen will increase the value of your home and offers a very good return on investment.  A freshly  remodeled kitchen can also help increase the pleasure you get from your home and make cooking seem more fun.

Most people spend a lot of time in their kitchens.  In order to make the most of such a heavily-used room, follow these five suggestions before you begin your remodeling project.  If you do, you will end up with the kitchen of your dreams and make it through  the construction process without unnecessary stress or frustration  !

Start...

It’s Simple To Keep Your Area Rugs Appearing Well Kept And Clean

Area rugs are a great way to add decoration to a room and to provide warmth to a cold floor. Area rugscan also protect existing carpet. These rugs are simple to care for and can be a more cost effective option than full carpet. The price for area rugs truly depends on their style and how they were made. A handmade rug will cost much more than a rug that was heavily produced. The latter represents most store-bought area rugs and can change in price .

Area rugs come in various...

The Great Joy Of Having Under Floor Heating

I have just invested in under floor heating for three of the rooms in our house and in this article I will be writing about just how amazing it is to have this type of flooring.

To start with I would like to point out that as a family we are not made of money (we are however not exactly poor). I have recently had a windfall – I was left a tidy sum in one of my Aunt’s will (Auntie Joy). She was a delightful lady who spent a lot of time looking...

Consider Curtains for Decorative Closet Doors

How can you spice up your kitchen’s décor? The answer to that is with decorative closet doors. There are a lot of different kinds of decorative doors but choosing the right one for your needs may prove difficult. The number of styles, types and designs available will simply overwhelm the norm consumer. Before you think about purchasing one, you should do your homework and research the different doors available. They come in sliding, folding, bifold and accordion varieties as well as pivot and swinging varieties. And then there are the different styles like louvered, modern, contemporary,...

Dismiss Any Negative Rumors Regarding Purchasing Wholesale Flooring

If you’re building a new home or just updating or renovating an existing home, you are likely going to be wanting flooring. The concept of flooring in a home brings lots of options to the table. There are a number of opinions about what flooring is best to use, and there are loads of flooring options to accompany those preferences. However , one thing that is normally pretty clear when it comes home flooring is that – irrespective of what you make a decision to go with – it is going to represent...

Kitchen Cabinets and Their Stylish and Functional Essences

Kitchen cabinets are among those important features that afford the kitchen the productivity it should exhibit.  There are factors though that makes them more or less appealing and storage features that makes them more useful.  So whether you are in Queens, Long Island, Staten Island, Manhattan, or Brooklyn; achieving optimal style and functionality through your kitchen cabinets would surely prove beneficial.

Types of Kitchen Cabinets

The primary function of your cabinetry is for storage.  Depending on your lifestyle and the needs of your family, you can opt for a kitchen cabinet type to match these.

•  ...

Homeowners insurance: What’s covered, what’s not, and what to look for

Individuals planning on purchasing a home spend weeks if not months picking the perfect neighborhood, floor plan, and then home before they even consider purchase. In a similar way, buyers will shop around and compare the interest rates offered them on mortgages. Yet, when it comes to homeowners insurance, the norm is to still simply to defer the decision-making to the agent. But just as you wouldn?’t consider purchasing your home without first researching and planning, so also should homeowners insurance buyers consider the major options available when it comes...

How to Make Your Home Green

Ok, so going green is a term we hear thrown around a lot these days. So many products tout the phrase “green friendly,” and nearly every industry in the United States is seemingly trying to capitalize on the trend. With claims of earth- friendly practices assaulting us on nearly every label, it can sometimes seem like a daunting task to distinguish the posers from the genuine article.

However, your home and the practices therein are one of the places where going green is a lot more than hype.  This is equally true for renovations. Many of...

Things Sellers Do That Real Estate Agents Hate

Here are five not-so-great things sellers do that make their real estate agents cross their fingers and hope for the best.

1. Sellers who think their property is unique, thus worth more money.

Sellers consider their homes special; most likely they’ve put a lot of heart, soul, and money into fixing it up. It may be where they started a family or built a lifetime of memories. Real estate agents get that, but trust me, unless it’s the Winchester Mystery House, most properties aren’t that unusual.

When a seller believes their home is unique, however, they...

What Consumers Need to Know About Moving Into Storage

Canadians-on-the-move often need storage to fit their lifestyle choices. Folks should contract with a company that is reputable and that offers physical safety for their stored household effects. Ensuring that your goods are protected in advance is much easier than trying to make a claim afterwards. Here’s what you need to know as you search for storage space.

Make sure you completely understand the services that a moving and/or storage company is offering you, your responsibilities, the liability of the company in case of damage to or loss of your goods, the security...

Show Some Love to the Basement

There is much more to a house than an updated kitchen.

“Wow, your new furnace is SO hot! I love it!”

These are not the words often spoken by friends, relatives or anyone visiting your home (unless it’s me or an HVAC professional).

How often do you daydream about a new roof, or watch HGTV just hoping they would produce a show that focuses on the siding, roof, furnace, plumbing, electrical? My guess is rarely, if ever.

Homeowners typically like to put their money into the sexy stuff – the kitchen, the master bathroom, the paint colors, light fixtures,...

Harmony key to avoiding decorating mistakes

The first-time experience is exciting. But if you are unaware of what you are about to embark on, you must follow some effective guidelines on how to get started. Ayman al-Azbawy, interior designer, lists some decorating mistakes you should not make.

Non-washable wall paint: Select high-performance paint so you can easily wipe off stains. Then you will be able to get rid of accumulated dust and make your walls look like a new with the least effort. All you need to do is sponge your walls periodically with a mild soap solution. In case of severe stains,...

Things to watch for when excavating a home foundation

Backhoes, excavators, track loaders with toothed buckets are not far removed from prehistoric dinosaurs. The giant yellow machines can tear into soil as some animals shred flesh with their talons and sharp teeth. A giant gash in your lot where trees and bushes used to be can shake you to your core.

The good news is that, with a little water, sunshine and a great landscaper, at the end of the project your lot and new home will look fantastic. Just look at other completed homes that have finished landscaping and imagine that’s...

Cork dorks

Once the domain of the uber-elite connoisseur, personal wine cellars are now emerging as a hot new home design feature for both the seasoned and the newbie oenophile.

The benefits of a personal cellar are numerous. A cellar affords tremendous luxury of choice and selection. It offers an opportunity to experience a wine’s maturation process over the years and the personal satisfaction of collecting and consuming a variety of beautiful examples of one of life’s great pleasures.

Add to that the beauty and romanticism of an aesthetically stunning wine cellar and it’s no wonder the trend is growing.

But creating a wine cellar...

Captivating ceilings

The ceiling is the forgotten fifth wall, and few of us consider its design possibilities when we decorate. But in fact, there’s a rainbow of ways you can incorporate it into your decor that make a huge difference to the overall mood and look of the room.

“I’m always amazed that people forget about ceilings,” says Janice Lindsay, principal of Pink Colour and Design and national colour and design consultant for PPG/Pittsburgh Paints. “In some cases, it’s the most important wall, because it’s the canopy.”

While most of us think of white as the traditional choice for ceilings, it actually hasn’t had...

Keeping out or keeping in?

Fencing serves multiple purposes for homeowners

Chip Falk has a long-held affinity for large dogs.

His present companions are Chewy, a purebred Great Pyrenees, and Hershey, a Newfoundland-Great Pyrenees mix. Each tops 100 pounds.

Falk was planning for the two dogs well before his family’s recent move to Brookfield. He had a new 3-foot cedar picket fence built around the backyard of its new home. The fence is useful for corralling the animals, he said, and recognition of his responsibilities as a pet owner.

“We’ve always had larger dogs, so a fence is really a requirement for anyplace we live,”...

10 Ways To Make Your House Show Like a Model Home

If you are trying to sell your home it really pays off to put a little extra effort in to impress your buyers. There have been studies that show it takes buyers only seven seconds to decide whether or not they are going to buy a home once they set foot in a house. That it is why it so crucial to make a good impression and also why “staging” a home for sale is such a fine art.

However not all of us have the cash on hand, or the...

Financial preparedness helps overcome disaster

Proper steps can assist with fallout

The wildfires that swept through Slave Lake in northern Alberta recently devastated families and destroyed businesses, but it also served as a reminder of how quickly a natural disaster can change everything. Victims are faced not only with the destruction of their homes and livelihoods, but also with rebuilding their lives.

Fires, floods, tornadoes, hailstorms – all can throw a family’s life into chaos.

Al Dadswell knows all too well the toll a natural disaster can take on a family. When he went to Kelowna on a business trip with his family, he...

Drawing tenants to an investment property

Some homeowners may decide it’s worthwhile financially to buy a home and rent it out to tenants. Property investment can be lucrative under the best of circumstances, but it could be a challenge to draw qualified tenants to a new rental property for someone who has never owned a rental property before. However, there are a few ways prospective property investors can make their rental home an ideal spot for potential tenants.

Start with a good location

Before the tenant searching process can even begin, homeowners should pick a property that presents the best chance for a strong return on their investment, reports RISMedia. The best way...

“To buy or to rent?” Recent graduates, young couples, relocating professionals and others have all asked themselves this question at one point or another. While each option has its benefits, the decision to purchase an apartment, condominium or house as opposed to renting, is complex and based on a number of factors. According to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors, nearly eight out of 10 respondents believe buying a home today is a good financial decision. The question that remains is whether or not now is the right time to buy a home for you.

For most people, deciding to...

Factors to compare when picking between potential homes

Home buyers can often tell right away if a home they’re looking at doesn’t suit their tastes or needs – but what happens when they’re torn between several options? Sometimes, buying a home isn’t as simple as coming across one’s dream property. Home buyers might have to choose between a couple of different homes, and in those cases, it helps to have an experienced real estate agent to break down the positives and negatives of each. Below are a few factors home buyers should keep in mind when they’re down to the finalists in the home buying process.

Compare maintenance, utility and tax...

How to identify the best real estate investment markets

Some homeowners taking their first step into real estate investing may be unsure where to start. Expert opinions on the best real estate investment markets seems to change all the time, and home buyers may be best served identifying the factors that make up a top investment location.

The potential for price appreciation

According to the Wall Street Journal, favorable investment locations are typically ones that provide the best chance for home price appreciation. Potential returns could vary depending on the investors’ makeup. Some conservative home buyers might be best served buying a home in a relatively...

Knowing the ins and outs of staging can help sell a home

Prior to allowing prospective home buyers onto their property and into their residence, home sellers should spend a considerable amount of time prepping the inside and outside of their homes, according to Realtor Magazine.

Taking the time and putting in the effort to make a home look clean and crisp could substantially improve home sellers’ chances of getting a property off the market sooner than competing homes for sale in the area.

Inside the house

Clearing away unnecessary objects – from tiny knick-knacks to unused furnishings – is vital to improving the aesthetic feel of a home seller’s interior, Realtor Magazine reports....

Preparing a home for a new baby

Many first-time home buyers might also be first-time parents, and they may need to buy a home to find space for their growing family.  While it’s exciting to welcome an infant into the family, it’s important for parents to ensure they’ve prepared their new home adequately before bringing the child home for the first time. That means taking time to walk through their new home and make sure possible threats and dangers have been taken care of.

In the bedroom

Parents can start with safety precautions on the first day of their newborn’s life. Parenthood.com reports parents should only use cribs made after 1992, since they...

Picking the right real estate agent

Home buyers have a lot of choices when buying a home – choosing the right neighborhood, the right house, the right furniture and decor.  However, their most important choice may be right at the start of the process, when they pick a real estate agent. Some home buyers may try to go it alone in the home buying process, but many might find the challenges and twists of the real estate market require professional representation. Additionally, not all real estate agents are the same, making it important to know how to spot the cream of the crop.

Look for an agent with local knowledge

According...

Staying on top of green energy trends

Homeowners are commonly advised to consider energy-efficient improvements before selling a home, but the ever-evolving field of environmental technology makes it tough to stay on top of the most beneficial – and practical – green energy developments. While it might impress the neighbors to convert a standard home into an energy-saving powerhouse, doing so can get expensive and it might not be what prospective home buyers are looking for. Instead, home sellers should focus on a handful of emerging and popular sustainable technologies.

Solar panels

Solar energy continues to be a popular choice among homeowners and home buyers looking to enhance a property’s energy efficiency. The...

Factors that could drain a homes value

Home sellers do everything they can to improve their property’s value before putting it on the market, including staging and renovations.  However, real estate agents warn that some factors could actually work against a home seller and devalue their property. Some of these issues are in their control while others aren’t, but being aware of them might provide home sellers some perspective when it comes time to list their property.

Poor location

Above all, location may be the most important consideration when home buyers look to buy a home. A property that’s far from key services and transportation options or surrounded by unattractive elements such...

A fresh coat of exterior paint could liven up an old home

Real estate agents often press the importance of establishing a property’s curb appeal when working with new home sellers. However, it can be difficult to make a home for sale eye-catching if its exterior paint is drab and derelict. A fresh coat of paint on a home’s exterior can boost a property’s curb appeal, giving home sellers an advantage even before a prospective home buyer walks in the front door. After all, first impressions are important, and an exterior paint job that sparkles - not literally, of course – could encourage one interested onlooker to buy a home.

Decide...

Appealing to younger home buyers when selling a home

While those looking to sell a home don’t want to limit themselves to a small segment of the potential home buyer market, it could be worth their time to focus on marketing tactics that appeal to younger first-time home buyers. That’s because this portion of the home buying market could be the most mobile in the coming years, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Younger Americans are considered to be a top candidate to become home buyers because they’ll need new homes to accommodate their growing families, reports NAHB. As...

Drawing tenants to an investment property

Some homeowners may decide it’s worthwhile financially to buy a home and rent it out to tenants. Property investment can be lucrative under the best of circumstances, but it could be a challenge to draw qualified tenants to a new rental property for someone who has never owned a rental property before. However, there are a few ways prospective property investors can make their rental home an ideal spot for potential tenants.

Start with a good location

Before the tenant searching process can even begin, homeowners should pick a property that presents the best chance for a strong return on their investment, reports RISMedia. The best way...

Preparing to buy an investment property

It’s hard not to hear the rumblings. Experts and talking heads repeatedly say real estate can be a lucrative investment, especially for home buyers who buy at the right price and secure affordable financing.  However, for someone who has never done it before, real estate investment can be a tricky topic. Bankrate.com offers a few tips for homeowners who think they are ready to become a real estate investor.

Determine goals

The term “real estate investor” covers a wide breadth of roles. There are people who want to be a landlord and dote over their own property’s day-to-day care and management. Others simply...

Survival Tips for Small-Space Living

Tips and tricks to help space-starved downtown dwellers stay organized

Living downtown gives you easy access to cultural events, great food and public transit, but higher property prices mean you’ll likely end up with a relatively small space to come home to. With some organization, however, you can survive (and even thrive) with meager square footage.

Conquer Clutter

There’s nothing that makes a small space feel cramped more than having too much stuff. Curbing your clutter before you move in will keep you from getting overwhelmed on moving day.

How do you choose what to keep and what to pitch?...

Managing Buyer’s Remorse

I’ve heard it said that the last day either Buyer or Seller is truly happy with the price and terms of the transaction is the day the offer is accepted. I would say that’s the last moment either side is happy.

That same night, or the next morning at the latest, the buyer sits wide-eyed in bed thinking they paid too much for the place. The seller gets their agent on the horn and complains that they were bamboozled into accepting way too little for the home. Whether you call it second guessing yourself, the ‘hindsight-is-20/20′ phenomenon, or Monday morning quarterbacking,...

Anti-Checklist: What Not to Do When You’re Making an Offer or Negotiating

Disparage the Property, Its Location, Condition, etc. — Don’t even bother trying to justify a lowball offer. (Believe me, the seller and their agent were well aware that there’s an electric tower in the backyard when they set the asking price.)

Ask, or Care, How Much the Sellers Paid for It or Long They’ve Owned – Fair market value is what it is, regardless of how much money the seller is making on the home. When you sell the home, you will not be willing to take less than your home is worth just because...

Always Have a Back-Out Plan: Contingencies You Must Have

When you’re buying a home, Plan A is always to buy the home on the terms in the original contract. Plan B is to buy the home after renegotiating some of the terms. Plan C is the contingency plan: if there is an irresolvable flaw in the condition of the home, the home doesn’t appraise for the purchase price, or your lender refuses to fund your loan for whatever reason, you can back out of the transaction with no penalty (other than the money you’ve spent on inspections) so long as you have...

Don’t Let an Imperfect Home Inspection Scare You Away

Unless it’s new construction, no home will be in perfect condition

he property inspection is a critically important part of the homebuying process. Most buyers like to know that the home they will be purchasing is structurally sound and that the systems are safe. That sounds reasonable enough. Yet, as a working agent, I often see the inspection process nearly derail the transaction, and not for the right reasons.

Don’t forget why you came

Any inspector or agent will tell you that the purpose of the home inspection is to investigate conditions which may rightly affect...

Home Inspection 101

Inspection, schmection. Who is inspecting what, and for who? Here’s a glance at how home inspections are supposed to work:

1. Every house should be inspected. Otherwise, you’re relying on the seller to be honest enough to tell you every thing that’s wrong with the house.

2. You hire the inspector, not your real estate agent. You want him to work for you.

3. You can hire your own inspector. A real estate company often has a list of home inspectors from which you may choose. This does not mean you have to use one from the list.

4. You will sign an agreement with...

Negotiating Tips for Homebuyers

Remember these tips during the deal-making process of your home purchase:

#1: BE QUICK ON THE UPTAKE It is critical to respond to counteroffers as soon as possible and to avoid making a counteroffer with any term that is not truly a deal breaker. Delays in responding leave space open for another buyer to step in and create a bidding war, or even more likely, for the seller to perceive that other serious buyers might be out there. A seller’s mere perception of a hint of a whiff of the scent of a potential bidding war is a homebuyer’s number...

Negotiate Like a Pro

Drop these ineffective strategies to get to the dotted line

Whether you’re doing it alone or with an agent, negotiating can make you want to pull your hair out. And the seller’s hair. And the hair of innocent bystanders.

In the interest of preserving the peace, why not learn from the mistakes you made the first time around and negotiate a deal that’s a winner for all involved? Good negotiating isn’t about hurting the other side; it’s about knowing the seller’s motivations and your own, and striking a deal that satisfies them both as fully as possible.

Mistakes beginners often make...

Make an Offer They Can’t Refuse

Don’t forget the details that will seal that deal

If you’re using an agent, he or she will shepherd you through this part of the deal. If you’re going it alone, you’ll have to come up with a starting offer based on your own research. Be very specific in your offer about any improvements or repairs you want the seller to make before closing or about any appliances or other items you understand to be included in the deal. Spell it all out. Be painfully clear.

Terms to know:

a. Counteroffer. The seller may accept your initial offer, no...

How to Make an Offer for a House

Formulating an offer is not a precision endeavor. Unless you are buying a new home, or a home or unit in a development where identical units have sold very recently, there is definitely an element of crystal ball-style prognostication involved in trying to make an offer the seller is likely to accept without paying more than you have to for your home. It’s not a total guessing game, though; there are some basic steps you and your Realtor can take to arrive at a price range and other terms that make sense.

Step 1: Comparative Market...

Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers

Sellers don’t always disclose the whole truth to potential homebuyers, especially if they’re eager to sell (or “motivated” in real estate lingo). But you can’t afford to get a professional inspection of every house you tour. So before you spring for the pro, narrow down your choices by doing your own pre-inspection to spot potential problems.

1. Mass Exodus From the Neighborhood Don’t let a home’s curb appeal keep you from glancing down the street. Are there several other homes for sale? Are nearby businesses boarded up or vandalized? Get the scoop from the neighbors. If everyone else...

Look for Signs of Poor Maintenance

Maintaining a home is one of the hardest jobs of being a homeowner. Mowing the lawn, picking up leaves, clearing out the gutters and cleaning the siding are not exactly easy chores. And some people aren’t cut out for it.

Taking over a neglected home can be costly, so make sure you know what you’re buying before you sign on the dotted line.

For instance, flowers in the yard give a house curb appeal, but flowers in the gutters could mean neglected upkeep. If they let their gutters turn into planters, what other chores have they been ignoring?

And...

Young Professionals Embrace Buyer’s Market

While some people are running away from real estate in today’s market, 20- and 30-somethings are diving in. What are they looking for? A bargain place, in a trendy neighborhood, with long-term investment value.

The housing downturn hasn’t scared off young professionals, who are buying in urban areas, looking down the road at marriage and families, and planning for potential future payoffs. This generation is also showing more flexibility than previous ones, exploring partnerships with their peers and possibly renting out their places as needed.

Even Manhattan’s skyrocketing real estate prices haven’t slowed young professionals down. Jason Haber, a sales...

Questions to Ask Before Buying A Home with a Friend

The answers to these six questions can make or break your decision.

1) What is your Vision of Home? Ask anyone you’re considering teaming up with for a house purchase to write a Vision of Home and fill out the Wants & Needs Checklist. Discuss the differences and similarities between theirs and yours. Especially discuss what you want your living space to be like, physically speaking — everything from location, to the type of building, to the architectural style, to cute/old/charming vs. cool/new/modern. EVERYTHING. And make sure you know each other’s must-haves and deal-breakers.

2) Will you...

Take These Pointers When Buying a Second Home

Brush up on location, lifestyle and finances while searching for your retreat

Buying a second home has become one of the fastest growing trends in the Canada. It can seem like a daunting task, but with a few essential steps you can learn how to turn buying your second home into a sane, reasonable venture.

Assess Your Lifestyle

• Think about what spot you love the most and the amount of time you will be spending in your vacation home.
• If this house will be for weekend getaways, anything more than two hours may seem like a long...

Anti-Checklist: What Not to Do While House Hunting

Don’t just pick up the phone, call the number on the sign, and go by yourself. First, it’s unsafe. Second, you can end up looking at a bunch of properties that don’t meet your search criteria or price range, wasting your time. Third, it can make sellers think you are unrepresented and, thus, that they have the greater bargaining leverage from the get-go. Let your Realtordo her job; if you drive by an interesting property your Realtor hasn’t mentioned to you, call your Realtor with the property address and phone number from the sign, and...

Love at First Sight?

Get the lowdown to get a prince of a residence

Houses are like spouses — some grow on you over time, some strike your heart like a thunderbolt. But true love is true love, so don’t worry about how it happens. Look at available homes with open eyes and an open mind, and evaluate each one as thoroughly as possible.

1) Location, location, location. a. What’s your job commute going to be like? Is the traffic heavy or light at the times of day you’ll be on the road? b. How’s the school district? Even if you don’t have kids, the quality...

Just as dogs have breed-specific health issues, so do houses. Certain architectural styles are notorious among home repair professionals for having characteristic troubles ranging from the minor to the critical. Use the information noted at the end of each list of architectural details to pinpoint areas that you will want to really check out when you see homes of this style during the house hunt. Consult it again during the inspection phase should you make an offer on a house built in that style.

Bungalow

• One or one-and-a-half stories
• Wood, brick or stone exterior finishes
• Rectangular building with low profile
• Simple facade with few decorative details
• Projecting, covered...

How to Write Your Vision of Home

Your “Vision of Home” statement is not simply a vision of a house or even of several houses, but a statement describing the desired state of your life after you buy your home — all elements of your life, including where, how and how much you live, work, play, rest, etc. Doing some soul-searching at this point can have a huge impact on the endgame, which is a combination of (a) success at the enterprise of buying a home, and (b) wellness (financially and otherwise) throughout your career as a homeowner (which lasts way longer...

How to Choose a Neighborhood

5 steps to finding a place where you belong

If houses are like spouses, a neighborhood is like the extended family. But while you can have a good marriage and still dread holidays with the in-laws, you’ll never love a house if you don’t like your neighborhood.

How can you choose the right community? Become a neighborhood detective. Figure out what you’re looking for, do research and find a neighborhood that fits your description. You don’t even have to wear a trench coat — but it probably wouldn’t hurt.

STEP 1 — Profile Your Perfect Neighborhood

Before you start scrutinizing...

Build or Buy? Making the Right Decision

It’s more than deciding on the right carpet-tile combination

Upgrading to a new home? You can buy a brand-new home in one of three ways: buying a house already built on spec; having a semicustom home built as part of a development (you can choose from a set palette of finishes and upgrades); or having a purely custom home designed and built to your specifications.

But don’t get so caught up in the sparkling new paint and granite countertops that you forget to make a good deal!

Evaluate the pros and cons of a new home

• New homes are...

Don’t Raid the Couch Cushions and the Cookie Jar

When you’re deciding how large a down payment you can afford, remember to leave yourself some padding. The home-buying process, moving and the first months of home ownership are fraught with unexpected expenses.

Examples:

• Appraisal fee. You often have to pay this fee out of pocket as part of the loan approval process. Depending on your location, the fee can run anywhere from $200 to $1,000.
• Professional home inspection. Costs range from $300 to $800 for typical homes, but they can go higher depending on the age and type of structure. More specific inspections, such as those for structural...

Figure Out Your Financial Strategy

Know what you want from a home before buying one

You’re looking for money to buy a house. But before you approach any lenders, figure out your financial strategy. Ask yourself these questions:

• How long do I plan to live in this house?
• Where do I see myself in five or 10 years?
• Do I have to or want to make home improvements?
• Do I want to keep cash on hand for other investments?
• Can I take financial risks?
• Do I want to be debt-free?

Now that you have a reasonable picture of your financial philosophy, shop around and evaluate your options. Don’t rush into...