home renovation: 5 Secrets To Selecting Interior Lighting - 04/05/16 07:00 AM
Lighting is, perhaps, the most important element in decorating. The right lamp, chandelier or ceiling fixture can instantly make a room more attractive and inviting. The wrong lighting, unfortunately, can have the opposite effect.
Here are five secrets to making the right choice:
How much lighting is required in a room? To calculate, simply multiply the square footage by 1.5. Therefore, a 12′ x 16′ living room would require 288 watts of lighting (12 x 16 x 1.5 = 288). How big a chandelier do you need? Simply add the dimensions of the room together. So a 12′ x 16′ area could … (2 comments)

home renovation: Don’t Over Improve Your House Before You Sell - 03/08/16 09:50 PM
If you're considering selling your house, you might be tempted to sink some money into home improvements. After all, gleaming new hardwood floors or a stunning wrap-around deck will make your property sell a lot faster, and for more money. And you'll more than recover your investment with the higher selling price. Right?
Maybe not. While those types of upgrades will certainly make your house more attractive to potential buyers - and may nudge the selling price up a little – you may not recoup all of your costs.
That's why major home improvements should be done for your own personal enjoyment, not … (3 comments)

home renovation: Be Ready To Move - 01/19/16 07:54 PM
You’ve spent a lot of time shopping for the perfect property. You made an offer, held your breath and – hurray! – you got the home! But now you’ve realized that you have to move in four weeks – and you’re far from prepared.
Don’t add stress to what was otherwise a smooth process. Make sure you have these things in place well in advance:
A good real estate lawyer. Selecting the right lawyer can take time, so you don’t want to leave this task to the last minute.
A reputable moving company. Start looking into moving firms right away to ensure you pick … (1 comments)

home renovation: Home Renovations That Pay Off - 01/15/16 04:53 AM
There are two main reasons why homeowners invest in a home renovation or major redecorating project: They want to enjoy the results of the new kitchen, bathroom, flooring or other improvement they’ve made; and/or, they hope that the money they spend will come back to them – at least in part – when they sell their home.
So which projects are most likely to increase the resale value of a home? A story by Joanne Cleaver, featured on MoneyWatch.com last year, identified five renovation projects that give you the most bang for your renovation buck.
Floors. Old, scuffed or dated flooring tends to … (1 comments)

home renovation: Giving Buyers a Grand Entrance - 01/14/16 05:05 AM
The front door is usually the first feature of a house that buyers see and feel. How do you ensure it makes a grand first impression? That’s easy.
Put on a fresh coat of paint. Replace worn or faded door handles and locks. Install a brass kick plate at the bottom of the door. Clean the exterior door frame. Make it shine. These may seem like little things. But they can make a big difference to the first impression your house makes on potential buyers.
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
www.MarinaG.ca … (1 comments)

home renovation: Inspect Your Walls Before You Sell - 01/09/16 12:03 AM
Say you’re trying to sell a used car. Imagine that it’s a desirable make and model. The mileage is low. Overall, it’s in great condition… except, that is, for the body. Unfortunately, there are a few areas where the paint is scratched and there are a couple of dents and rust spots, too.
Are you going to have trouble selling that car? Probably. That’s because potential buyers will have trouble seeing past the condition of the body and appreciating the true value of the vehicle.
The same thing can happen when you’re trying to sell your home.
Everything about it could be wonderful, but … (2 comments)

home renovation: Getting your Professional Team Together - 12/18/15 09:45 PM
When preparing to sell your home, you may need to hire several professionals in addition to your REALTOR®. You may consider a plumber to fix a dripping bathroom shower, a home inspector to make sure there are no “issues”, and an attorney to handle all the legal matters.
By hiring the right professionals, you will improve your chances of having everything go smoothly. You’re more likely to have your home sell quickly, and at the best possible price. Hiring the wrong professionals will have, well, the opposite effect!
How do you hire the right professionals?
Qualifications. Ask what specific degree, certification or training they’ve … (1 comments)

home renovation: Staging the Outside of Your Home - 12/15/15 07:58 PM
You’re probably familiar with the term “home staging”. It involves cleaning, de-cluttering, reorganizing, and decorating specifically in order to make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Furniture stores do something similar when they “stage” a bedroom suite in a showroom.
Most sellers focus their staging efforts on the inside of their homes. But the outside is important too. After all, a property’s exterior is the first thing potential buyers see. So you want to make sure that the first impression is a good one.
Here are some ideas on how to make sure that happens.
When preparing your home for sale, imagine you’re … (1 comments)

home renovation: Buying a Home That Needs Work - 11/30/15 07:43 PM
When you’re shopping for a new home, you may come across properties that require repairs or renovations. Are these houses worth the added expense? Will you get your money back if you decide to sell the house in the future?
According to market studies, certain renovations and repairs do add more value to a home than the repairs typically cost. These include kitchen and bathroom renovations, new or improved landscaping, and electrical and plumbing repairs.
 
Your Real Estate Connection:
Marina Gavrylyuk
Real Estate Agent with Sutton Group Summit Realty
www.MarinaG.ca
Marina.Realtor
RentListingService.com - Condos and Houses for rent
… (0 comments)

home renovation: 7 Simple Repairs That Will Help Sell Your Home Faster - 11/08/15 03:21 AM
There’s a lot of competition in the housing market these days. When you put your home up for sale, you’re bound to be up against several other similar listings. That’s why it is important to make sure your property is in a good state of repair so that it makes a good impression on potential buyers.
Here are some things that may need your attention or the help of a reputable contractor:
Doorways. Inspect all your entry systems closely. Look for sagging screens, cracked glass, squeaks, and aging or broken aluminum parts. Consider giving your doors a fresh coat of paint.
Roof. Check for … (3 comments)

home renovation: Don’t Be a Victim of Home Improvement Scams - 10/05/15 11:46 AM
There are lots of reputable home improvement businesses that rely upon “person-to-person” marketing to get new customers.
Unfortunately, there are also some undesirable contractors whose plan is to relieve you of your possessions and/or money while performing substandard, overpriced services that are void of any guarantee. Below is a short list of uninvited proposals you may encounter. Always remember that if you didn’t ask the sales representative or contractor to come to your home, you should exercise caution when providing personal information or access to your home.
Painters, window cleaners, carpet cleaners, etc. Lawn and yard care services Roofing and other repair … (2 comments)