Home Sales
DON’T GET LEFT OUT IN THE HEAT
If your A/C’s going to fail, it’ll likely happen in the middle of a heat wave.
If your air conditioning fails during a heat wave, you could be stuck roasting for days until a technician’s able to come out and when they do, the repair cost may make your blood boil!
A neglected air conditioner will be both unreliable and inefficient so it’s important to have it serviced regularly to help ensure its optimum performance.
The service check should include a full inspection as well as checking the amp draw of the compressor, cleaning the coils, adjusting the belts and topping up the fluid.
Regularly servicing your air conditioner will prevent wear and tear plus it’ll increase the efficiency of your unit which will in turn reduce your electricity bills.
Don’t leave it until it’s too late. Schedule your check-up today so you can avoid being left out in the heat.
SAFETY TIPS FOR THE QUE
It’s that time of year when the kitchen starts to slowly edge its way outside!
There’s nothing quite like the mouth-watering aroma of a backyard BBQ but safety is key. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so that your food sizzles safely:
Light It Up
Always light a BBQ with the lid open. If it doesn’t ignite right away, turn the valves off and wait a few minutes before retrying.
Pests’ Nests
Insect nests are the number one cause of BBQ fires so make sure you regularly clean the burner tubes to prevent blockages.
Make Room
Place your grill on a stable surface in an open, well-ventilated area away from buildings, trees and any flammable materials.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Make sure apron strings, scarves and other clothes don’t dangle over the grill and always use long-handled utensils to avoid burns and splatters.
Turn It Off
Always remember to turn the gas off at both the grill and tank as soon as you’ve finished cooking.
Now that the safety stuff’s out of the way, it’s time to focus on the food! After your amazing steak dinner, tantalize your taste buds by serving up a mouth-watering melody of grilled fruit. It’ll be the perfect finale for your backyard feast!
SETTING THE STAGE FOR YOUR SALE
You only get one chance to make a great first impression when selling your home!
When you put your home on the market, your goal is to sell it quickly and for the most amount of money possible. Properly staging your home will create an amazing first impression that will generate a huge buzz!
Staging isn’t so much an expense as it is an investment. Not only is your home likely to sell for a higher price but it will probably sell much faster which is important because homes that sit on the market for too long can generate an irreversible stigma which diminishes its value.
Staging starts with an ultra-clean, de-cluttered and de-personalized home. Buying a home is an emotional decision, so it’s important that buyers are able to envision themselves living in your home which is why photographs, trophies and kids’ artwork have to go.
A professional stager also ensures your home is inviting to buyers by enhancing the functionality and flow of each room. They can remove and store furniture so the house looks as spacious as possible and also use lighting and other tricks to warm up the feel of your home.
A properly staged home will also look much more appealing to those who are browsing homes online, which will in turn help to generate more showings and create more demand.
If you want to try and stage your home yourself, you’ll need to go beyond the basics but start by cleaning your home inside and out including the front yard, the porch, the garage and the back garden.
Buyers have a tough time visualizing themselves in unfurnished rooms so turn your craft room back into a bedroom or transform an awkward nook into a reading spot by setting out a comfy chair and nice lamp to give it a comfortable feel.
Buyers will also be snooping through your cupboards and closets as storage space is usually an important factor so don’t forget to stage those areas as well.
A well-staged home is much more likely to make a great first impression and capture the hearts of homebuyers.
Whether you pay a professional to stage your home or do the work yourself, staging is a worthwhile investment that will massively increase the odds of your home selling quickly and for top dollar!
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE – June 2023
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you’re just curious about what the place down the road sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!
THE POWER OF LEMON AID
The lowly lemon can make quite an impact around the house!
Load up on lemons if you’re looking for a powerful, environmentally-friendly cleaner that can tackle virtually any household chore! Here are a few ways they can make your home naturally sparkle:
- use lemon juice to remove stains on countertops
- mix lemon juice with baking soda to create a scouring paste
- soak carpet stains with lemon juice for 20 minutes, then rinse and blot
- heat a bowl of water with sliced lemons in the microwave before wiping it down
A great tip for squeezing as much juice as possible from your lemons is to microwave them for 30 seconds, wait a minute, then cut and squeeze.
Lemons are an excellent alternative to traditional toxic cleaning solutions and they’ll fill your home with a refreshing citrus scent that won’t leave a sour taste behind!
WATER DOWN YOUR RELAXATION
Your backyard’s the perfect place to take a break from the hectic pace of everyday life.
After a long day, picture yourself unwinding in your backyard, reclining on a lounger, and being serenaded by the soothing sound of flowing water.
Adding a water feature to your garden not only transforms your backyard into an oasis of tranquillity, but it may also increase the value of your home!
Depending on the design, water features can also create an environmentally-friendly haven for wildlife such as frogs, birds and butterflies.
It’s important to first plan out your vision to ensure your water feature will seamlessly integrate with your landscape and environment.
Water features can be as simple or elaborate as your budget allows, ranging from a simple tabletop fountain to a full-scale babbling brook.
Solar-powered fountains are an excellent choice for those seeking an environmentally-friendly option. By harnessing the sun’s rays, you’ll lower your electricity bills and you also won’t get tangled up in electrical cords.
If you have small children, safety should be a priority. Also, if you plan on digging, make sure to click before you dig so that you don’t cut through any pipes or cables that are hidden beneath the surface.
There’s something about the flow of water that naturally soothes the soul. Once you’ve put the finishing touches on your new water feature, find a comfortable seat, close your eyes and enjoy your very own piece of paradise!
GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR
Rental properties can be a great way to get your foot in the door, so to speak.
If you already own a home, purchasing a rental property in the Grey Bruce area may be easier than you think, depending on the equity you’ve accumulated over the years.
However, if you’re new to the real estate world, purchasing a home with a separate rental unit is a great way to get your foot in the door, pardon the pun.
It’s much easier to afford a property if you have someone else paying the mortgage and the best part is, you don’t have to put up with an annoying roommate who leaves the kitchen in a mess as you’ll have your own separate unit.
Maintaining a rental property is also much easier if you live on-site as you’ll be able to cut the grass and keep an eye on things.
Finally, owning a rental property means you can deduct a portion of your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance costs when tax time rolls around.
It’s important to treat your rental property like a business though to ensure its success. For instance, having an emergency fund is essential as you’ll be responsible for issues that require immediate attention such as a broken furnace or a burst pipe.
Being a landlord isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re not living at the property, but it shouldn’t stop you from pursuing your real estate investment dreams as you can always hire a property manager to take care of things for you.
As with any property purchase, it’s important to seek professional advice to help ensure you buy the right property, in the right location, for the right price.
If you’re a business-oriented person who’s able to think long-term and plan for the unexpected, managing your own rental property might be the perfect fit. Just reach out so that we can discuss your next move!
GREY BRUCE REAL ESTATE UPDATE – May 2023
Please don’t hesitate to reach out for detailed stats that are specific to your neighbourhood, or even if you’re just curious about what the house down the street sold for – it’d be great to hear from you!
HOW TO HOST A CLOTHING SWAP
It might be time for a change – a change of clothes that is!
If your closets are bursting at the seams, you may want to think about organizing a clothing swap! Here are a few tips to ensure its success:
- organize clothing by type and size
- create space for a few private change rooms
- have a few full-length mirrors with decent lighting
- refreshments, a few chairs and music are a nice touch
Hosting a clothing swap is a great way to update your wardrobe and meet new people while also being eco-friendly.
It’ll be a win-win for everyone if you ask attendees to bring a small food bank donation plus any remaining clothing can also be donated to a local charity.