(NC) The fierce winds and fluctuating temperatures of an unpredictable Canadian winter put a strain on every household. There’s little wonder that autumn becomes a frenzy of renovations, upgrades and last-minute projects. But before any of those changes take place, an equally important step in winter preparation is the completion of any end-of-summer maintenance.

According to RONA experts, “Transitioning into winter isn’t just about getting ready for the cold season. It’s about wrapping up the summer and getting organized. Remember your end-of-summer chores to keep your house beautifully preserved for the next warm season.”

Here is your checklist for three key areas of your home:

Doors and windows:

• Keep your home’s heating system in good shape and your heating bill down by addressing any leaks and holes that create drafts in your home.

• Replace the weather-stripping and caulking where needed around doors and windows as these are key areas for heat loss during the winter months.

• For older doors and windows, consider upgrading to energy efficient options that will create a tighter seal. If you have an older home, a professional can do a blow-test that may be beneficial for helping to identify problem areas.

• Run water through your gutters to see if it comes smoothly through the downspouts. Any clogs should be removed before the water backs up and causes damage. Leaks and cracks can be repaired with a fresh bead of caulk. Also, check each piece to make sure it is secured tightly to the building.

Pipes:

• Remove, drain and store all outdoor garden hoses.

• Turn off all exterior spigots so that water left in the pipes does not freeze and break the pipes.

• Consider replacing spigots with freeze-proof faucets, particularly if your home is older.

• Wrap pipes in foam to insulate them.

Machinery:

• Don’t forget to clean and maintain tools such as lawnmowers and other motorized tools. Some lawnmowers have a new feature on the hood where you can attach either a garden hose or a pressure-washer so that it will clean the clippings off from underneath the hood.

• Take time to ensure that your household is equipped with sufficient shovels and de-icing salt. You will be happy you did it before that first big snowfall.

• If all you can remember from last winter is back pains from all the shovelling, consider getting a snowblower. To maintain the snowblower, test it to see if it runs, check spark plugs, replace gas filters, and take it to a professional for a tune-up if necessary.

By taking these proactive steps, you’ll reduce your risk of repairs in the below-freezing weather. The key is to get them done before the warm weather disappears into a hazy summer memory.

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Many people who try to sell their own home end up using a REALTOR® in the end anyway. Before anybody decides to fly solo through this complex, time consuming and financially perilous process, they should consider these questions.

Will you really “save” the real estate commission?

When buyers see a home for sale ‘by the owner’, they see a bargain. They imagine the REALTOR®’s fee going into their pocket, not yours.

How many potential buyers will you reach?

Selling a home takes more than just hanging a “For Sale” sign. How will you promote your home? Will you write your own ads? How will you use the Internet? MLS® and the corresponding web site www.REALTOR.ca have changed the way people search for homes, and it’s hard to court buyers without it.

Do you have the time?

Promoting a home is a full time job, and you may already have one. Will you be able to take calls at any time? How about screening the callers to figure out if they’re purchase tramadol 50mg suitable candidates? Not everybody who calls is even suitable to walk through your home, but how do you tell?

Do you know the market well enough to get the most for your home?

Lacking years of experience, the average do-it-yourselfer is merely guessing at their listing price. Often they set the price too low and miss out on thousands of dollars, or they price their home too high and drive away willing buyers.

Do you have the negotiation skills to keep a deal on track?

When an offer comes in, emotions can run high with so much money on the line. This is why direct seller-to-buyer deals often end in disaster. REALTORS® keep it professional and are indispensable when it comes to bargaining with buyers.

With decades of experience in the Edmonton market, there is no comparing the expertise that you will receive from Norm Cholak.

Call Norm today to talk further about selling your home at 780-991-1313.

Courtesy of howrealtorshelp.ca

(NC)— In today’s real estate market, a coat of paint and a good cleaning aren’t enough for a quick sale at top dollar. You need to inspire the buyer’s imagination and make them want to live there – and that is where home staging comes in.

When staging, the three rooms that can make or break a sale are the kitchen, master bedroom and family room. Buyers have the high expectation for these spaces, so they should be the priority. The family room is often the first stop on the tour and it provides a huge opportunity to create impact, easily.

• Add a fireplace – this one element creates an inviting focal point with wow power. If you don’t have an existing fireplace, electric is the way to go –and this change can be yours in a flash. Innovative companies like Dimplex, for example, offer a number of designer options for every décor style. The plug-and-play designs make installation a breeze.

• Paint – You’ve heard it before, a fresh coat of paint will give your rooms a clean, inviting look. White or neutral is a safe bet, but consider creating an accent wall surrounding your fireplace for real impact.

• Remnant rug – A new rug can warm up the room, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Check out carpet showrooms, as you will usually find remnants of carpet that have been bound. A neutral rug will help to ground the space.

• Accessories – Clean and modest is key. Simple groupings of pillows, candles and frames, and a throw will make the space appear polished, but lived in. Personal photos and half burnt candles are a no-no.

• Flowers – People love seeing live plants and flowers in the family room. It gives a sense of life and good energy.

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(NC) Condominium units represent an affordable, versatile and popular option in the housing market, especially for first-time buyers and empty nesters. Approximately half of all new housing stock in Canada is made up of multi-unit dwellings (which includes condominiums), according to Statistics Canada’s most recent census data (2011).

“Many people don’t realize that when they purchase a condo, they aren’t just buying a home – they’re also buying into part of a business,” says Ray Leclair, the vice president of public affairs at LAWPRO. “You become part of the business of running the condominium corporation.”

With this in mind, Leclair offers the following tips and considerations for prospective condo buyers:

1. Be prepared for close community living and restrictions.

Condos may pose lifestyle restrictions you would not encounter in a detached home. Issues can range from noise from neighbouring apartments, to restrictions on pets, limitations on the use of your balcony and even restrictions on window treatments (acceptable curtains or blinds). Condo bylaws, rules and regulations outline your rights, and reviewing them with a real estate lawyer can provide greater clarity and insight.

2. Play an active role in the management of your condo corporation.

There are different ways you can get involved with the management of your condo corporation, including attending annual owners’ meetings, voting on the board of directors, or even joining the board or various committees. The board of directors in a condo is responsible for managing the assets (e.g. reserve fund) and business of the corporation.

3. You are responsible for the condo’s assets – and its liabilities.

Similar to the shareholders of a for-profit corporation, owning a condo unit means you own a “share” of the assets and liabilities of the condo corporation. While the monthly common expense/maintenance fees you pay to the condo corporation and insurance will often cover liabilities that arise, this may not always be the case. A special assessment could be imposed on you by the board of directors which may represent a nominal or substantial amount (e.g. repaving the underground parking garage or repairing the pool).

Prospective condo buyers are encouraged to discuss these issues with their real estate lawyer before signing an agreement of purchase and sale, to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to condo ownership.

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(NC)—First-time buyers have a lot to consider as they forge into the world of home ownership. According to the recent RBC Home Ownership Poll, four-in-10 Canadians are looking to purchase their first house within the next two years – and many wonder where they should begin.

“Purchasing a home is often the biggest financial decision in a person’s life, so it’s important to take your time, set realistic goals, assess all the costs and get the right advice before you buy,” said Rachel Wihby, a strategy manager for first-time home buyers at RBC. Take a look at her answers to the most commonly asked questions:

1. Am I ready?

A home purchase is an emotional and financial journey that marks a key milestone in life. Are you ready for the responsibilities and upkeep associated with owning a home? Do you have a stable income? Have you saved up enough for a down payment? Be honest with yourself about your current lifestyle to gauge your readiness and ability to put together a good down payment.

2. Can I afford it?

While you may feel pressure in a competitive market to just buy something, fight that feeling and buy only when you find a property that meets your needs and lifestyle within your price range. Review your household income and current debt and remember to budget for closing costs, land transfer fees, property tax and everyday expenses. Talk to your bank about a mortgage pre-approval so you know exactly how much you can borrow and afford.

3. Who can help me?

Most often, first-time homebuyers turn to family and friends who have already been down the same road. Your realtor or banker can help you get a sense of the market and financing options. Arming yourself with more information and planning ahead can help you confidently navigate this first time journey so you can land the home of your dreams.

More information is available online at www.rbcroyalbank.com/mortgages/first-time-home-buyers.

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(NC) You’ve found your dream home, made your down payment and closed the deal. Now, with moving day just around the corner it’s time to really get organized. “Mail forwarding, utility changes and packing supplies are just a few items you will want to get ready for. Plan your move in a series of stages for a more seamless and stress-free process. We recommends the following tips for your big move:

Weeks prior to moving:

• Book a moving truck well in advance of your moving date to ensure availability.

• Redirect all essential services to your new address.

• Update your contact information and provide a forwarding address to your bank, insurance company and place of employment.

• Begin packing and designate an area within your home to store for packed materials.

Days prior to moving:

• Label your moving boxes for ease of organization when unpacking and clearly mark boxes with the room they are to be brought to at your new address.

• If you are disassembling your furniture, keep all bolts and screws in a labeled bag or container.

• Keep important medical and insurance documents separate from other moving boxes.

Moving day:

• Be sure to set aside any personal items and valuables that you will need during the day or immediately when you are in your new home.

• Manage your moving inventory by making a list of all boxes and items to be moved. • Check them off as they are delivered to your new address.

After the move:

• Inform your automobile insurance company of your new address. Your insurance company will have a limited grace period for this change, so be aware of your timeframe.

• Get to know your neighbours and surroundings so that you can feel settled and comfortable. Moving can seem a daunting task, but with the right planning and preparation, you can make moving day a success and begin enjoying your new home sooner. More information can be found at www.royallepage.ca.

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(NC) Fall is an important transition season for home renovation projects. As the summer holidays come to a close and the heat subsides, many homeowners find themselves ready to start preparing for home renovation projects.

A CIBC poll conducted by Harris/Decima revealed that more than one-third of Canadian homeowners plan to take on some form of home renovation project this year. The average project is expected to cost just over $15,000. If you’re planning to do it, be sure to have a clear vision of the project at hand and the goals you want to accomplish.

Are you unsure about what projects are worth your time and money? Fortunately, a number of remodeling projects offer the potential for a high return on investment, but the two most sought after tasks often involve renovating your kitchen or bathroom spaces.

It isn’t always necessary to gut an entire kitchen. Strategic updates such as refinishing cabinet surfaces, installing new light fixtures or adding a backsplash will make a dramatic difference. It’s also worth considering upgrading the kitchen faucet. One of the hardest working appliances in the kitchen, the faucet can also speak to the style and mood in this popular room, say the management at Delta Faucet. Their eye-catching inventory has a variety of styles, finishes and cool technologies that can complement any space ranging from country-chic to modern sophistication.

Bathroom updates are also favoured for yielding a high return on investment. To maximize the lifetime of your renovation, be sure to select neutral colours and finishings. It’s also worth considering adding a second sink where possible. Similar to the kitchen, sometimes smaller, strategic updates can add just as much impact. Updates such as a new coat of paint, a new showerhead or a new toilet can spruce up any space.

www.newscanada.com