5 Expectations Home Buyers and Home Sellers Should Have in a Market with Low Inventory

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.05.2023

Saskatoon has been experiencing a lack of inventory since the pandemic. While these market conditions vary from residential, acreage, farm, land, and commercial properties, they vary even further within residential. Successful navigation of such market conditions also requires different considerations between condos, townhouses, and houses, reflecting even further variations within those different price ranges. Additional factors that impact these expected conditions include the selling and buying strategy utilized by each respective party. Therefore, the following are general indicators for the public in most cases. 

 

Home Sellers 

• You may not have to get into extensive negotiations. 
• You may have to make little to no concessions. 
• It may sell within the first day or so of listing. 
• You may get multiple offers. 
• It may sell for over asking price. 

Home Buyers  

• You will be competing with other buyers for many of the same homes. 
• It may take weeks or months before you get an accepted offer on a home you like. 
• You may lose out on submitted offers to other buyers. 
• You likely will not get much of a reduction on price.  
• You may have to be flexible with possession, conditions, and other terms. 

For further clarity into what you can expect with your unique situation, please reach out, via text or phone to Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325(REAL), detailing your overall objective.

7 Reasons Why You Should Take Advantage of Spring Selling Season

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.04.2023

The spring selling season is often the busiest and most frantic period of real estate activity in the calendar year. There are many reasons for this. If you are hesitant about selling your home soon, check out why this is the perfect to take the plunge and do it!

1. The Weather Is Ideal

One of the biggest advantages to selling during the spring is the beautiful weather. The sun shines brighter, and the temperatures are warmer, creating the ideal environment for potential buyers to spend time out and about looking at homes. During the spring, people come out of hibernation due to longer days and improved moods. Plus, once they find the perfect home, the conditions are ideal for moving and getting settled into their new space. When you list a home in the winter, you risk having to postpone open houses or individual showings if harsh weather strikes.

2. You Maximize Curb Appeal

Speaking of ideal weather, if you have stunning landscaping, it's hard to show it off when there's snow on the ground and flowers aren't in bloom. Listing a home in the spring means you can wow buyers with curb appeal and perhaps command a higher asking price. The springtime allows you to show your home at its best.

3. Home Renovating Is Easier

The nicer weather is perfect for making those repairs or renovations that will increase your home’s value. Contractors, tradesman, and other businesses are in full swing, meaning there is options for you to use. Use this time and invest to make your home standout!

4. Higher Demand From Buyers

In the spring demand is much higher due to many factors. Most notably, many families are eager to get into their new space before the start of the school year in September. For many families, the ideal time to move is the summer; therefore, to make that happen, they begin looking for a property in the spring. Most homes are larger family homes, and families with kids are the largest demographic in real estate.

5. Houses Sell Faster

With more active buyers, spring also means homes are likely to sell faster, especially if they are priced correctly the first time listed. According to market trends, most people who sell their home in May or June can expect to sell it 18 days faster than the other months of the year. The faster you can get your house off your hands, the less mortgage payments you’ll be responsible for and the sooner you can move into your next space.

6. Competitive Pricing Possibilities

The increase in demand and how fast properties are moving means prices can be a bit higher. The possibility of multiple offers and bidding wars is greater in the spring due to the number of buyers in the market. This is not a guarantee though and is dependent on many factors.

7. More Inventory for You

Lastly, the springtime is great to go house hunting. You’re selling your home, and probably need another one. Many people are listing homes due to the reasons above, meaning there is plenty of options for you to look at. Your dream home could be right around the corner!

If you are ready to list your home during the Spring selling rush, check out my “Sell Your Home” series on Instagram (@saskatoonrealty). It will give you quick and easy tips to prepare yourself, and your home, for the selling journey!

7 Value Adding Renovations to Do Before the Spring Selling Season

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.03.2023

With Spring selling season right around the corner, you are probably wondering how to make your home standout amongst all the competition. Home renovations can be costly, so it is important to understand which home improvements will yield a return on your investment. Here are some ideas that will both increase your home’s attractiveness and overall value.

1. Install a Kitchen Backsplash

The kitchen is full of possible big-ticket item improvements, but backsplash isn’t one that breaks the bank. You can comfortably install a backsplash in just one weekend by yourself, instantly bringing new life to any kitchen.

2. Garage Door Replacement

Replacing a garage door is big for curb appeal, and it’s also a great investment that will recoup the cost (or more) during resell.

3. Siding Replacement

Appraisers typically look at the structural elements of a home and siding usually plays a part in that. Replacing siding increases value instantly due to the high visibility of the upgrade.

4. Finishing the Basement

A finished basement instantly adds value to the home. The amount of added useable square footage comes at a lower cost compared to an addition. Plus, the space can be used for anything a potential buyer can imagine, making it an extremely attractive option.

5. Replace Carpet with Laminate or Hardwood

Hardwood and laminate flooring are comparable in price to luxury carpets but comes without the hassle of continual vacuuming. This type of flooring is also more durable and less prone to damage or staining, making it a very attractive feature to buyers.

6. Manufactured Stone Veneer

A manufactured stone veneer project remains high on the list of valuable home updates. It provides a modern look to any space at an acceptable price whether you’re hiring out the work or going DIY.

7. Expand Outdoor Space

During the summer here in Saskatchewan, people want to enjoy as much of the outdoors as possible. Adding a deck, patio, hot tub, garden, fire pit, or any other addition that gets people outside is a very attractive feature.

Keeping pace with what buyers like and what can increase your resale value can help you decide where to focus your efforts. Talk with a local real estate agent about which renovations increase home value in your area. From there, you can invest in improvements that you will enjoy until you are ready to sell.

8 Home Improvement Projects Perfect for Winter

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.02.2023

Do not let the shorter and colder winter days stop your home improvement journey. Here are some easy and budget friendly home renovation ideas that you can do before springtime arrives.

1. Regrout Your Bathroom

If you’ve been ignoring your bathroom, you can make it up and give it the visual refresh that it needs by regrouting your bathroom tiles. The warmer temperatures and increased humidity of the other seasons could take a toll on your bathroom’s squeaky clean image due to increased hard water stains and mildew, but winter is the perfect time to restore your bathroom tile to squeaky clean.

2. Upgrade Your Living Room Lighting

Soft white lighting and warm lighting tend to work best in living room spaces and can work wonders to transform this gathering space into one that is inviting and welcoming. You get to decide how much or how little you want to do, and ultimately how big or how small of a project you want to make of this endeavor. Make sure to do this it at night when you can see how different placements of light fixtures illuminates your home.

3. Add Energy-Efficient Insulation

The winter season can become costly if you haven’t taken time to ensure that your home is properly insulated. With the high cost of fuel and energy at present, you would be wise to take the necessary steps to upgrade and resolve any insulation issues for your home now, so you could start saving. The winter season gives you the upper hand in terms of identifying problem areas because you can detect gaps, cracks, and open spaces a bit easier thanks to the presence of the cold air. Find the holes and gaps around your walls and floors, then fill them in with an energy-efficient material like spray foam, which expands upon application to take up space and create the desired barrier and block air.

4. Paint

Applying a coat of paint to your walls, cabinets, tiles, etc. can bring new life to your home. Manufacturers offer the best deals on paint during the late fall and winter. Winter also is when professional painters have fewer clients, which translates to lower prices. There’s also less moisture and humidity in the air during the winter, which means paint bonds to surfaces better and dries faster. There’s also no need to open all the windows either with low-VOC paints as it doesn’t need outside air; it just needs circulation.

5. Remove dying trees

If you have a troublesome tree on your property, you could save money by removing it in the winter, particularly in February and March. That’s because tree companies become busy in the late spring and summer when winds and stormy weather requires emergency tree removal.

The colder ground also makes tree removal advantageous during the winter. Frozen ground can keep nearby vegetation in place, making the removal less disruptive to the surroundings (though you may need to wait until the ground thaws to complete the stump removal).

6. Deep Clean Carpets and Upholstery

Hosting family and friends for the holidays can take a serious toll on carpets and upholstery. If you’re dealing with a bunch of new stains and spot cleaners just aren’t cutting it, it’s time to get out the heavy machinery. You can rent a professional-grade cleaner from just about any hardware store, or hire a pro to do an even better job.

7. Upgrade your Bathroom’s Fixtures

There’s nothing like a hot bath or a scalding shower on a cold winter night, and upgrading your bath fixtures is a relatively easy way to make self-care even more enjoyable. Invest in a luxurious high-pressure shower head, swap your old faucets for nicer models, install a bidet, and/or invest in more efficient toilets. Not only will your bathroom feel better but will also improve your overall quality of life.

8. Painting Your Garage Floors This Winter

The benefits of coating your garage floors in paint are numerous. The paint will help keep the floors intact which will benefit the homes resale value. Painting the garage floor will make cleaning your garage feel less like a chore and more seamless. This can also double as an opportunity to clean out any junk you have sitting in your garage. Before painting make sure all dirt is swept off the floor so the paint sticks better. The cold air will help the paint dry faster.

7 Home Resolution Ideas for 2023

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.01.2023

With it being the start of the New Year, it is the perfect time to tackle those household items you’ve been putting off. Use this list to create a plan and improve your home throughout 2023! These often small and/or overlooked items will not only improve your family’s quality of life but will also increase your home’s overall value.

1. Get Rid of Clutter and Organize

The first step toward the house of your dreams involves organization and decluttering. Whether we realize it or not, being locked in our homes these past few years means we have a buildup of odds and ends. There are many ways to organize your home, so choose the method that best works for you.

Start the year with a decluttering session and go through every room in your home, or if you feel the need, bring in a professional organizer. Analyze your current stock of shoes, books, pantry, supplies, equipment and more. Once you say goodbye to the items that no longer serve you, take time to sort and organize what’s left.

2. Invest in Upgrades

Your home is an investment. You’ve put a lot of thought and resources into making it the comfortable and beautiful home that you’ve dreamed of. However, we tend to postpone certain upgrades, like appliances, until our current ones give up. In 2023, consider upgrading to smart home appliances.

More than just looking sleek, having a smart home means you can focus more on your well-being. These appliances connect with your phone, track your daily habits and work seamlessly with your home to operate as a synchronized orchestra.

3. Cut Down Energy Use

Get an energy audit to learn more about your energy use if you haven’t. An energy audit can show you the overall efficiency of your home. You can start making low-cost improvements to save energy and decide on significant upgrades that will save you money for years to come. With so many energy-efficient appliances and solutions, not going greener in 2023 seems like a missed opportunity.

4. Focus on Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is one of the most important indicators of the environment you’re living in. Make it a resolution to maintain your HVAC systems and change furnace filters regularly. Using localized ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens can help you get rid of smoke, cooking fumes and humidity. Invest in air filters around the house to improve overall air quality and breathe clean air.

5. Create a plan for cleaning

Sure, you can declutter and organize all you want. But, without a cleaning plan, your home will never be as organized as you want it. Create a schedule or a routine to clean the house regularly. Every day, do your best to do the dishes, pick up and put away items scattered across the floors, and start with routines as simple as making the bed.

Weekly, you can clean the house divided by segments. For example, you can make Saturdays the bathroom cleaning day and Wednesdays the day you vacuum. Having this written down and even scheduled in your calendar will help tremendously.

6. Design a home gym to help you reach your fitness goals

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to get fit in 2023, improve the odds of following through by creating a home gym. According to HomeAdvisor, a home gym costs around $2,000 on average and up to $15,000 on the high end. A home gym practically pays for itself. Working out from home can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars a year, considering the average fitness membership costs $800 annually. Beyond these savings, research reveals that home gyms recoup 51% of project costs in added value at resale.

7. Pay Attention to Neglected Areas

Lastly, make it a resolution to pay attention to neglected areas. Think about the last time you cleaned your refrigerator coils, the dryer vents, or organized the attic. Cleaning and maintenance jobs like these aren’t usually top of mind. But, doing them will keep your home running more efficiently for longer.

Other chores that fall through the cracks involve your dishwasher, showerheads and air conditioner. Sit down and write down the areas of your home that you often neglect and make it your new year’s resolution to get them done before the end of 2023. Check out this link for 37 ideas on small home improvements/fixes New Year's Resolutions for Your Home | Family Handyman

8 Crucial Snow Removal Tips Everyone Should Know

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.12.2022

When selling your home in the wintertime, it is important to keep your driveway and walkways clear of snow. This makes it easier for potential buyers to come view your home, but also prevents injuries from happening on your property.

1. Safety first when shoveling – before anything else, safety should be your priority even when shoveling snow. The most common injury related to shoveling is on the lower back, while cardiac-related injuries are also reported. With this, here are some safety recommendations that you should follow before and while shoveling:

o Do not shovel if you have a history of heart disease – a clear driveway is not worth it. If you do not have a doctor’s clearance, do not shovel.

o Warm-up – just like with any physical activities, warming up and light stretches should be done first. Start slow and don’t over-exert yourself. Also, do not shovel while smoking or after eating.

o Wear proper clothing – wear layers to make sure that comfortable body temperature is maintained.

o Push don’t lift – to reduce body strain, push the snow with the shovel instead of lifting. In case you need to lift, lift with your legs and not your back. Also, just partially fill the shovel when lifting.

o Multiple trips could be done – you don’t have to do everything in one go. You can shovel periodically to avoid moving a large amount of snow.

o Stay hydrated and rest – make sure you are hydrated while shoveling. Also, don’t over-exert by resting every 20-30 minutes especially if the snow is wet.

2. Choose a good shovel – a bigger shovel doesn’t mean better. Always choose ergonomically designed shovels. A good shovel will reduce strain in your body especially on your back and arms. This is a good investment for you especially if you live in areas with heavy snow.

3. Use your leaf blower – for light fluffy snow, you can bring out your leaf blower from the autumn season and use it on your walkways, driveways, steps, and even cars. But having a snow blower is a good investment especially for heavy and wet snow. Snow blowers could cost up to $500 but will surely make your job easier than just shoveling.

4. Shovel often – fresh snow is lighter and fluffier. If you wait for too long, the snow will become wetter, heavier, and harder to move. If you delay shoveling until the next day, the snow will stick to the ground and could even freeze, raising the effort needed.

5. Use a tarp or canvas painting drop cloth to speed things up – Simply place a tarp or canvas painting drop cloth (or any sturdy cloth) to exposed walkways, sidewalks, porch steps, and even your car when snow is predicted. So, when the snow stops or as you leave the house in the morning, you just need to drag the snow-filled plastic tarp or cloth to uncover a clear path. Work smart!

6. Do not place the removed snow near the foundation – when removing snow from your driveway, roof, or deck, don’t pile the snow to the side of your house. This is to avoid potential issues like cracks in your house’s foundation and frozen pipes.

7. Buy snow melting products – if you want to make your steps slip-free, consider purchasing snow melting mats or pellets. This will avoid an accumulation of snow and ice on your driveway or walkway. An alternative to these products is sand.

8. Remove snow on roofs – Heavy snow could cause damage to your roof. With this, removing snow is important. If you don’t have the right equipment or experience, we recommend that you call in the professionals for safety.

Depending on where you live, snow is something that you must put up with for a extended period of time. Though it may look beautiful, it could also cause inconvenience and extra work. Utilize these tips above to reduce the hassle and to make your home look the best it can be when it is time to sell. Happy Holidays!

9 Key Winter Preparations for Homeowners

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.11.2022

Winter is coming…Preparing your home for winter by completing this home inspection can keep you warm, prevent cold-weather damage, and reduce your energy bills. Follow these tips to ensure your home is ready for this upcoming season.

1. Check your house for leaks and drafts

Leaks and drafts coming in through cracks in walls, doors and windows can prevent proper heating and increase energy bills.

· Put caulk, foam or weatherstripping around moving doors and windows.

· Use bubble wrap or a window insulator kit to seal up windows you won't be using.

· Add a storm door to reduce heat loss at the main entrance.

· Install insulation in your attic to prevent ceiling heat loss.

· Replace poorly insulated doors made of wood with an Energy Star-rated door like steel or fiberglass.

· Cover mail slots and pet doors with insulation or heavy towels to keep warm air in and cold air out.

· Use blackout curtains on your windows, keeping them open during the day to let the sun in and closing them at night to keep the heat in.

2. Get a chimney inspection

Before you use your fireplace or wood stove for heating, have the chimney or flue inspected and cleaned by a professional. This and other types of wood burning appliances can quickly cause major home damage if not maintained properly. A blocked chimney or flue can also increase your chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't forget fresh batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

3. Have your furnace inspected

If you have a furnace, you should have it inspected each year. If your furnace isn't working properly, an early inspection can give you time to buy a new one before winter sets in.

· Additionally, you should also clean your air ducts to ensure proper air flow.

· Also, routinely change your furnace filters to keep it working properly.

4. Cover bare floors

Laminate, wood, and tile floors look great, but they can cause you to lose heat during the winter. As part of your winter home maintenance checklist, consider adding rugs or installing carpet over your bare floors to keep your feet warm and prevent heat loss.

5. Winterize Sprinklers

The sprinkler system should not be overlooked when preparing your home for winter. If you have a lawn service that handles this, have it come to drain and winterize the system no later than October. Winterizing a sprinkler system is also fairly easy to do yourself. It involves shutting off the water, draining the pipes, blowing them free of water, and then opening test cocks on the vacuum breaker to allow air into the system. This prevents trapped water from freezing and cracking the plastic water lines.

6. Trim Tree Branches

The last thing you need is a winter storm to blow over a tree near you house and causing damage. Not to mention, overhanding limbs can cause excess water to seep into cracks in your home’s roof or siding, which is why you want to make sure any tree limbs or branches surrounding your home are at least 3 feet away from the house.

7. Clean your Gutters

Clogged rain gutters or downspouts can damage your home’s foundation or cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. So, after the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. Also, make sure the gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water, tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets, and replace any worn or damaged materials. This will help a lot with drainage when snow beings to melt.

8. Invest in an easy-to-read thermometer

It's always a good idea to have a large, easy-to-read thermometer in a convenient location inside the home. Elders may not feel temperature differences as easily, which can cause serious health issues, especially if they live alone. Having a thermometer and checking the temperature regularly can help you know when to bundle up or if there could be a potential heat loss problem in the home.

9. Ensure Winter Gear is Ready

Get a head start on the snow by making sure your winter gear and equipment is ready to go. Bring out the winter clothes from storage and check their quality. Get your shovels, ice picks, snow blowers, etc. out of the garage or shed. Last, ensure your home and vehicle

4 Staple Tips to Help Sell Your Home During the Fall

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.10.2022

Fall is the time for new beginnings. Utilize these tips to help sell your home during this season, and hopefully give others and yourself a potential new beginning. These tips are affordable and/or require a little work that you can do yourself. Read below to see how you can best show your home during these Fall days:

1. Clean Up & Landscape

Make sure to clean up your yard, front and back. Rake up all leaves when they fall, clean up that dead garden, and wash your walkways and driveways. You want to give the best first impression when potential buyers come to view your home.

2. Lighten Up

Fall means shorter days, with evening light disappearing more and more each night. So, it’s important to brighten up your house. Not only will it help buyers see all your home’s great features, but it’ll make it look inviting from the street:

· Clean your windows and screens on both sides before listing

· Make sure all blinds, and window coverings are open as wide as they can go

· Show your home earlier in the day if possible

· Utilize Outdoor landscape lighting, patio lighting or solar pathway lighting

3. Spooky Décor

If you’re selling your home close to Halloween season, you might want to go easy on the spooky décor. If you want to decorate, use pumpkins or décor that can be easily stored away during showings. Just be sure the festive spirit doesn’t dampen the buying spirit of those viewing your home.

4. Utilize Scent

Our sense of smell is one of the biggest triggers of memories and nostalgia, and what would be fall without a little reminiscing? A nice smell gives people the feeling of cleanliness, coziness, and warmth that you want in a potential home. If you can’t get on board with the popular pumpkin spice, try opting for a blend of essential oils, like cinnamon and orange.

5 Ways to Fall-errize Your House in September

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.09.2022

As the season begins to change, it's time to prep your home for falling leaves, cooler weather, and sadly…winter storms. Tackling a few fall home maintenance tasks now can help ward off issues later in the season, so you can enjoy everything you love about the fall worry-free. You'll save money in the long run by preventing costly (and potentially dangerous) damage to your home. Follow this fall maintenance checklist for reminders on how to prepare your home for this upcoming season.

1. Clean your gutters.

Your roof's drainage system annually diverts thousands of gallons of water from your house's exterior and foundation walls, so it's vital to keep this system flowing smoothly. Clogged gutters can lead to damaged exterior surfaces and water in your basement.

2. Seal up air leaks.

Gaps in caulk and weatherstripping let cold air into your warm home. Sealing up a drafty house can save up to 20% on your heating bills. Inspect windows and doors to find any gaps that need to be sealed.

3. Protect faucets from freezing temperatures

If you live in an area with freezing weather, take steps to ensure that outside faucets and in-ground irrigation systems don't freeze and burst. First, close any shut-off valves serving outside faucets, then open the outside faucet to drain the line. (There may be a small cap on the faucet you can loosen to facilitate this draining.) Refer to the manufacturers guide on how to properly drain your system.

4. Freshen your furnace filter

Furnace filters trap dust that would otherwise be distributed throughout your home. Clogged filters make it harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and increasing your utility bills. Monthly cleaning is all it takes to keep these filters free of debris. Disposable filters can be vacuumed once before replacement. Foam filters can also be vacuumed, but they don't need to be replaced unless they are damaged.

5. Clean your carpets

Fall is an ideal time to clean your carpets. The humid days of summer have passed, but the below-freezing days of winter have yet to arrive. It's the best time to open windows for ventilation, which should speed the drying process

5 Camping Trip Tips While Still Trying To Sell Your House

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.07.2022

Any serious camper knows that having the right gear is essential for a successful trip. From tents and sleeping bags to stoves and lanterns, there is a lot to keep track of and organize. Unfortunately, all that gear can quickly become a cluttered mess that could derail your efforts to sell your house! With summertime in full swing, utilize these tips to ensure that packing (and unpacking) for your trip is as easy as can be:

1. Clean Your Gear

Before storing away any camping gear in your home or garage, make sure to clean it. That includes your tent, sleeping bags, boots, kitchenware, etc. After that, ensure everything is dry before stuffing them into their respective containers. This will ensure that mildew does not grow and wreck any of your camping gear.

2. Storage Bins

Not only do plastic bins provide a convenient and compact way of storing your camping gear, but you can also take the entire plastic box with you on your camping trip. For example, if one box is filled with all your kitchen supplies, from your cutlery and dish soap to your pots and pans, you can simply grab that plastic pin and throw it in your trunk, knowing you have all your kitchen accessories covered. Make sure to label them to know what is in each container!

3. Shelving

One way to keep your camping gear organized is to install shelving in your garage or storage shed. Shelving provides a place to store everything from coolers and duffel bags to fishing poles and hiking boots. In addition, shelving can help to protect your gear from being damaged by moisture or pests.

4. Utilize Your Gear

Take advantage of the space your gear provides. Instead of storing away empty items like backpacks, ice chests, and bear canisters, pack them with smaller items. Can you store your water bottles in your hiking backpack? And then can you put that backpack in your ice chest or bear canister? Consolidating your gear will help you save on storage space.

5. Get Rid of Duplicate Gear

To reduce clutter, get rid of any gear that you do not use or need. If it is broken properly dispose or recycle the item. If the gear is still in decent shape, consider selling or donating it. This will not only declutter your space, but it will also make organizing and packing a lot easier.