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Tara's Tips

Summer is a fine time to tackle the exterior maintenance that homeowners often put off during winter's inclement months. It's smart to get started on major exterior projects well in advance of putting your home on the market. Buyers will have more confidence in the value of a well-maintained home.

Roof - Are the shingles curling or warped? Did the roof leak this winter? Now's the time to make repairs ... or even re-roof. Consider your roof's age and any history of problems, and then decide. A new roof can be attractive to buyers who don't want to deal with repairs in their new house. Roofs vary widely in longevity depending on materials and how they've been maintained, so buyers should arm themselves with knowledge when looking for their next home.

Windows - Do the windows fall shut, leak or fog up in cold weather? New windows can be an aesthetic improvement, necessary maintenance, and a smart investment all rolled into one. Inefficient windows and doors account for about 25% of the average household's energy bills, according to government estimates. When choosing windows, consider materials, style, function (casement, picture, double-hung, etc.), and of course, cost.

Paint - Does the exterior paint have cracks, blisters or wrinkles? Then you may need to touch up or even paint the entire house. Fresh paint improves a home's appearance and protects it from the elements. People often have an emotional reaction to color, so experts recommend homeowners use a neutral color that appeals to the biggest number of buyers.

 

No matter which side of the border you call home, July is a great time for a patriotic celebration. Canada Day (July 1) and America's Independence Day (July 4) also mark the unofficial kick-off of the summer outdoor entertaining season.

One of the hottest new trends takes outdoor entertaining to a whole new level. Beyond the simple barbeque on the back lawn, many people are now choosing the comfort and convenience of adding an outdoor kitchen to their homes.

Here are a few ideas to help you decide if an outdoor kitchen is a good choice for your home and lifestyle:

• According to building experts, one popular outdoor kitchen configuration is an "island" built into the deck or onto one side of the house

• Outdoor kitchens typically include a barbecue grill, space for tools and sauces, a small refrigerator and a sink

• You can create a basic outdoor kitchen for under $2,000 with items from your local home improvement store

• Homeowners with a larger budget may choose a custom outdoor kitchen that includes a tile backsplash, icemaker or even temperature-controlled wine cabinet

Whether you choose to entertain in your cozy new outdoor kitchen or opt for a simple barbecue on the lawn or patio, have a safe and happy holiday celebration!

 

Whether you're a new homeowner or a long-time resident, making major home repairs or improvements can significantly add to your personal enjoyment, as well as significantly increase your home's resale value.

Where should you start? Here are a few key facts from recent studies to help you decide which renovations will increase your enjoyment of your home, and which to choose for their return on investment value (or both!):

Your best choices:

• Which investment provides the highest resale payback? In most areas of the country, a new air conditioning or heating system is worth up to 100% of its cost when it's time to sell
• Remodelling your kitchen or bathroom offers a more than 90% return on investment in resale value
• Adding a deck can add up to an 86% bump in resale value
• Replacing the windows in your home can produce a 60 - 70% payback

To consider carefully:

• Experts say that putting in a swimming pool usually provides only up to a 40% return on investment
• The two remodelling investments with the least resale value include finishing off your basement and upgrading your landscaping -- generally offering only a 30 - 60% return

Whether you do the work yourself or hire a contractor, making renovations to your home can be a source of pride and pleasure, as well as a smart financial investment.

 

It’s easy to measure the value of conventional home improvements, such as remodelled kitchens or baths, because they appeal to many homebuyers. You can compare them across homes to analyze the return on your investment. The added value of a “wired” home is harder to measure, but it may be an improvement worth considering.

A wired or connected home is defined as a home specifically designed to accommodate computers, home entertainment systems, special lighting, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC), home security systems and other elements linked to a centrally controlled network.

Some buyers will pay more for connectivity, and a wired home may sell faster than a home that is not connected. However, the wired home isn’t likely to receive a higher appraised value yet.

That’s why it’s usually smart to highlight wired features when marketing your home, even though research hasn’t yet confirmed that they add value.

 

Did you know that moving is one of the top five causes of stress? Helping your children cope with stress during and after the sale of your home will help alleviate some your own stress as well.

Here are some tips from the experts to help the transition go smoothly for your kids:

• A child should be informed of a move shortly after the decision has been made, according to Shari Steiner, co-author of the "Steiner's Complete How-To-Move Handbook." Discussing the possibility of a move only causes unnecessary anxiety.
• To minimize the stress that children feel when moving, parents should get children involved in their favourite activity--whether it be a sport, academics or drama--before the move actually occurs. Children can do research on the Internet to find out about events, teams and other interesting facts about their new area.
• Give children a chance to become familiar with the new area before moving. Taking a vacation or short trip to the area lets children get to know their new environment ahead of time.
• Allow children to stay with relatives or friends during the actual packing and loading. Most children don't react well to seeing their possessions packed into boxes and taken away.

 

With the onset of the spring season, most people begin to long for the outdoors. Gardening and landscaping are top of mind for many of us during this time.

Whether you hire a landscape architect or a gardener, or enjoy working in the garden yourself, now is the time to get started. You can create a beautiful natural environment or plant for privacy, in the ground or in pots on patios and balconies. The current trend in landscaping and landscape design is to use native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses.

The other trend is to create outdoor living spaces. These places can help extend your living space and allow you to enjoy the beauty of your garden, deck, patio, or balcony more often.

Today, a simple area can be transformed into an outdoor living space with fabulous outdoor furniture, a fireplace, fountain or even a traditional barbeque. Some builders enhance outdoor areas by turning them into outdoor rooms, complete with full kitchen.

These ideas can increase your enjoyment, provide a fun area for entertaining, and may even add value to your home.

 

When you're in the market for a new home, you probably have an idea of how you want it to look. But keep in mind that a home that is not in "pristine" condition may still have great potential.

Here are some tips to help you look beyond bad decorating and hideous wallpaper to see a potential jewel:

• Floor plan: The floor plan is extremely important. Look at the flow and how you will use your home. A good floor plan can make up for a lot of much needed paint. Rearranging a floor plan can be an expensive proposition.
• Walls and floors: The walls and floor make a huge first impression. Paint is relatively inexpensive, so picture the colors you would choose. Carpets can be removed or replaced, hardwoods refinished. Linoleum is not very expensive. These types of minor fix-ups can make a huge impact on look and feel.
• Kitchen: The kitchen is the most popular room. Paint and new appliances can cure many ills. The most important thing to consider is whether or not it has enough space to suit your needs.
  

Remember that unless you're building your dream home, you will probably never find the "perfect" home. So when making an offer, keep in mind the things you can't live without, the small things you can look beyond, as well as your budget .

 

Now that springtime is around the corner and more light shines through the windows, many people take the time to make their homes sparkle with a thorough spring cleaning. If you're considering selling, it's essential to get your home in shape.

A clean home is more appealing and commands top dollar.

Whether you're a buyer or a seller, or just a proud homeowner who wants to enjoy your home, here are some tips that will help you through the basics:

• Wash windows, inside and out with vinegar and water to avoid streaking.
• Launder all throw rugs and have your carpets professionally cleaned... or rent a carpet cleaner to do it yourself.
• Scrub all walls, painted doorways and trim with mild soap and water.
• Use lemon oil or another appropriate wood polish to moisturize and protect your home's paneling, woodwork and hardwood floors.
• Scrub tiles and laminates. Bathrooms and kitchens should be cleaned thoroughly to really make them shine... and don't forget the top of the refrigerator!

This kind of thorough cleaning may take some time and hard work, but the results are well worth the effort.

 

The remodelling industry is booming! Homeowners spent over a billion dollars to remodel their homes last year. Rising home values and lifestyle changes have played a major part in the home improvement craze.

The latest trends in remodelling are:

• Comfort colors - Natural shades are increasingly popular.
• Large kitchens - The average size of a kitchen is growing. It used to be a place to prepare and eat meals. Now it's the focal point of the home.
• Luxury bathrooms - Sumptuous details such as granite floors and counters, spa-like tubs with whirlpools, and televisions make bathrooms an indulgence.
• Laundry rooms - No longer just for dirty clothes, they can be a status symbol complete with high-tech appliances. The space is even used for crafts or as a mudroom.
• Specialty rooms - Trendy "extra rooms" can be custom-designed as wine cellars, media rooms, libraries or gyms.

Regardless of current trends or hot new design ideas, the goal of remodelling is to make your home a comfortable and functional place to live, ideal for your lifestyle.

If you'd like more information on remodelling or the newest home trends, please feel free to email or call.

 

The decision to rent or buy a home is often a difficult one, and there are pros and cons to both sides. Many people choose to buy a home because they want:

• A place to stay where rents won't be arbitrarily raised.
• An opportunity to decorate their space the way they would like.
• A place of their own where they can build equity. Homes have historically appreciated in value, so homeowners may add to their wealth.

These are compelling reasons to buy, and the wide range of loan programs today allow more people to afford their own home.

Of course, some people prefer to rent because they don't plan to stay in one place for a while, don't feel they can afford to buy, or are not interested in the maintenance responsibilities that go hand-in-hand with ownership.

According to a recent National Association of Realtors report, a typical renter household accumulated $42,000 in net worth over approximately 20 years, while a typical homeowner household had accumulated $167,000 over the same period.

There were other factors that played a role in the accumulation, but those accounted for only $20,000 of the difference. While home ownership isn't for everyone, it can be a wise decision in the long term.

 

According to the latest reports from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the United States, as well as the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), 2005 should be another strong year for the North American housing market, based on growing population and a strengthening economy. Relatively attractive interest rates could still allow more first-time homebuyers into the market and entice move up buyers to make their moves.

Over 33 million people across North America earn a living by working from home. They can often use the same technology available in a commercial office space... without paying rent.

More home buyers today want home offices, but telecommuters and entrepreneurs aren't the only ones looking for home office space. Some people just prefer to be "wired." Thus, a home office has become a requirement in most houses.

Many people equip an extra bedroom or a corner of a basement or family room to serve the purpose. Families often choose a large family room for office space where parents and children can gather to use the Internet, do homework or play computer games. Others turn their once-formal living room or dining room into a den or home office.

No matter what space you choose, upgraded wiring and multiple electrical outlets are essential. Well over half the population uses high-speed Internet connections such as DSL and cable, compared with only about one-third last year. Creating a high-tech workspace in your home office can make the room especially useful for you, not to mention attractive to potential buyers in the future

Winter holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, but you should also take a few minutes to think about home safety so your holidays are free from accidents and injuries.

Here are some useful tips:

 

The approaching holidays are often a time to reflect on the people we love, what is important to us and all the things that we have in our lives to be grateful for, including another banner year for home owners. With interest rates falling to their lowest levels in years and remaining low, many people have been able to buy their first home, move up to a dream home, downsize and use the extra money in creative ways, or make the move from a condo to a single family home.

Choosing a real estate professional to handle the purchase or sale of an asset as large and important as your home naturally required careful consideration.

In fact, agents build their business on repeat customers and referrals, earning your trust by consistently providing exceptional personal service, interpreting the marketplace and economic climate, and helping individuals and families build strong communities.

We appreciate the trust and confidence you place in us to handle your real estate needs. As we take a moment this holiday season to reflect on all the things we're grateful for, please know that we are thankful for your business and the opportunity to be of service to you... now, and in the future.

 

As the Internet continues to simplify the way people do research on buying or selling their home, there are many good reasons to choose an agent who can harness the power of technology to provide you with exceptional service. A tech-savvy agent can: