6 Fun and Affordable Ways to Update Your Outdoor Space

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.06.2022

Summer is right around the corner so you will want to prepare your outdoor space to enjoy the warm weather! There are a number of ways to instantly upgrade your deck, patio, or backyard for $250 or less. Some require a little creativity. But none of the following suggestions demands specialized tools or skills that the average homeowner doesn’t already have:

1. Portable Fire Pit – Fires add ambiance and a focal point and are perfect for gathering around at night. They also keep pesky bugs away.

2. Customized Lighting – You can hang string lights from trees, along fences, or along the wall of your home, setting the stage for romance or parties. Mason jar and lantern lights can be set on tables, pillars, and posts, and around trees and garden areas for instant ambiance. Lights can be found on Amazon at an affordable price.

3. Party Bar Cart – A fun investment that brings the party to your outdoor space. Stock it with beverages, snacks, ice, and cups to ensure you do not have to go in and out of the house.

4. Revitalize Your Deck – As decks age, they tend to fade in colour. Give the surface a nice wash and scrub to remove any dirt or grime, then add a new layer of stain to bring it back to life.

5. Garden and Greenery – Planting flowers and other greenery around the yard brings life to any area. Make sure to only use appropriate plants that are suitable to the environment so they can thrive.

6. Mirrors – A well placed mirror can make any outdoor area seem bigger and brighter. Faced towards gardens or other greenery will make your outdoor space and home more vibrant.

These are only a few suggestions on how to create an amazing outdoor area for you to enjoy this summer. The goal is to be creative and not break the bank. With a little bit of exploring and searching, you will find the perfect ways to make your deck, patio, or backyard a place you will want to spend all the hot summer days in.

Spring Cleaning 101

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 02.05.2022

After a long winter, spring has finally sprung! But before you open the windows to let in that fresh spring air, you must clean them first. This month we are talking about spring cleaning! If you are planning on selling your home, spring cleaning is an important task you should take. Setting aside time each year to deep clean your home is important to keep your home healthy, organized, and happy. Here are some tips to help you along the way.

Through spring cleaning, you can remove dust, mold, and mildew before it becomes a major problem. Giving your entire home a run through is important so start with tasks that apply to all rooms like:

· Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures

· Clean windowsills and window tracks

· Vacuum curtains and window blinds

· Wipe down baseboards and shoe molding and dust corners for cobwebs

· Test batteries in all your smoke detectors

· Disinfect doorknobs, cabinet handles and light switches

· Kitchen Spring Cleaning Checklist

· Clean all large appliances, small appliances, and surfaces in your kitchen

Once you have finished the general task, tackle each room separately. Approaching your house room by room is the most effective way to deep clean it. Create cleaning checklists for each room to help you get organized and to remind you of the areas that need extra attention. Feel free to skip the areas that have been cleaned recently and focus on the parts of your home that were neglected over the winter.

Last, use this opportunity to declutter. Overtime we tend to accumulate a lot of stuff that just sits in our homes. While cleaning, keep track of what you can throw away, recycle, sell, or donate. Decluttering will help your home feel cleaner and relaxed.

Top 5 Garden Tips To Improve Your Home’s Showing Value

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.04.2022

With Spring and Summer right around the corner, let's explore how a well-spruced and aesthetically pleasing garden enhances the value of your property, especially if you plan to sell it anytime soon.

1. De-clutter & Maintain: Just like the interiors of your house, your garden also must be de-cluttered and maintained. Winter is harsh on your gardens, especially in Saskatchewan. Harsh winters can affect the fences and trellis along with large shrubs and trees. Once the winter ends, make sure you repair the damaged structures, clean fallen leaves, and remove other debris to prepare your garden for the beautiful spring and summer months.

2. Make It Colourful: Humans are genetically predisposed to colours and therefore it plays a big role in triggering emotions in us. To make your garden attractive and a great place to relax and unwind, opt for colorful flowers.

3. Add Focus Points: When someone walks into your garden, what is the first thing they see? The answer to this question can determine the chances of selling your house. For example, if a beautiful fountain is the focus area of your garden, it is sure to boost your property value and the chances for it to sell. That's why it's important to have a clear focus area that is stunning and attractive for even passers-by.

4. Paint The Fence: This is a cheap way to spruce up your garden and make it more inviting for you and your guests. The best part is you can do it by yourself too!

5. Add Yard Furniture: When you add some garden furniture, it is sure to spruce up the entire place and make it more inviting to your guests. It also shows that the area can also double-up as a cozy place for you to relax and read a book or maybe even listen to some music at the end of a long day.

BONUS: Don’t have a garden, no worries: The same principles apply to plants that are displayed outside in your yard or in your house! Plants make a home feel inviting and provide a warm aesthetic to any area. https://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/sellersadvice/item/1038117-5-ways-a-home-garden-can-boost-the-aesthetic-value-of-your-house?rtmpage=null

10 Spring Maintenance Tips When Listing Your Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.03.2022

1. Get Your Ducts Cleaned – It will help to provide cleaner breathing for in the home by removing all old materials in the air that have built up over the winter.
2. Service The Furnace and Central Air – Annual services are recommended for the most effective mechanical maintenance to prolong each respective lifespan.
3. Change Furnace Filters – Depending on the amount of people and pets in your home, you will want to change your furnace filter every 90 days give or take.
4. Wipe Down All Surfaces – Dust settles in the most unwelcome places year-round but it is particularly important to remove it when you have the ducts cleaned.
5. Wipe Down Vents – Often overlooked, bathroom vents and kitchen vents can get covered by thick layers of dust due to their excessive use which is not a good look!
6. Change Fire Detector Batteries – Put new batteries in and test them before reinstalling, this is also an annual recommendation.
7. Eavestrough Clearing – You always want water to flow away from your house which means allowing it easy access through the eavestrough, don’t forget to lower those down troughs!
8. Aerate & Overseed Lawn – Although your house may sell prior to the lush green grass coming through, you will want to prepare for a beautiful lawn in the event the house does not sell for a few months (disregard for condos).
9. Wash Windows – The one maintenance item that will improve both the interior and exterior simultaneously which is highly effective in improving showing quality.
10. Power Wash – Taking the time to power wash your home exterior and driveway will provide an outstanding yet subtle elevation to your curb appeal.

Note that your home may require less or more home maintenance items. Every home is unique and an in-person Home Listing Consult is recommended. Call or text Tanya at 306-380-7325 for your complimentary consult to help sell your home for top dollar.

5 Minor Items, With Major Impact, That Home Sellers Forget To Replace

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.02.2022

1. Furnace Filter – Change your furnace filter and leave the package nearby in clear view of the furnace. You will want to book an appointment with your tenant for this if the home is a rental.
2. Weather Stripping – Especially if you live in a location where you experience all four seasons, you will want to ensure you have fresh weather stripping on all exterior doors of the property.
3. Caulking – Take a close look at the caulking throughout your home, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Often times it is deteriorated or discolored and is a very inexpensive replacement cost, usually around $5, and fresh white caulking is outstanding for improving showing quality.
4. Smoke Detectors – While this is not immediately impactful during showings, these will be tested during a home inspection so make sure they are functional, and you have the appropriate amount for the size of your home.
5. Light Bulbs – Even if the room is only used for storage, a missing light bulb in any space will disrupt the flow of a showing and trigger a flag in the mind of potential buyers. Although the flag may be small, considering the cost of light bulbs, it is a worthy replacement.

What To Expect When Selling Your Home In 2022

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.01.2022

1. A Seller’s Market – Unless another global event alters the real estate market, like that of the pandemic, you will most likely experience Seller’s Market conditions in 2022. It is crucial that you work with a REALTOR® to capitalize on these conditions by following a sales strategy that is unique to your home type and location.
2. Numerous Showings – Depending on your sales strategy, you may have to vacate your house for the entire first day of it being on the market for back-to-back showings. You might also have showings before it hits the market or numerous showings throughout the first week of it being on the market before you get an offer. Be flexible with your schedule for this reason.
3. Pandemic Precautions – Hundreds of thousands of homes have been safely sold since the pandemic began. Talk to your REALTOR® about any specific precautions you would like taken during showings, however the most common include masks, sanitize, minimum attendees, and lights to be left on.
4. Aggressive Offers – Prior to the pandemic, offers coming through over asking price were almost impossible short of a “Presentation of Offers” scenario but in 2021 offers at or over asking price became the norm. Of course, this is an expectation that is entirely dependent on your sales strategy which includes pricing according to market data.
5. Competing Offers – If your sales strategy was successful, you will end of receiving more than one offer on the first day. You can discuss the pros and cons of each offer with your REALTOR® to ensure you are cognizant of any terms that might diminish the value of the offer. Remember that the highest price does not always equate to the best offer.
6. Unqualified Offers – Sometimes during the hustle and bustle of buying a house, buyer’s overlook due diligence such as working with an experienced mortgage broker and/or REALTOR® so make sure your REALTOR® is screening for qualified buyers. An unqualified buyer can waste weeks of valuable market time and effectively lose several thousand dollars in would-be equity.

Call or text Tanya LaRose at 306-380-REAL(7325) to start your home selling process now for 2022.

5 Disastrous Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Your First Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.12.2021

1. Unrealistic Expectations – Securing your first home and your dream home in one shot is nearly impossible. In fact, very few First-Time Home Buyer’s fall in love with their property at the beginning. Sometimes they have very old finishes, shingles that need replacing, or some other item(s) that need updating. Be prepared to be underwhelmed but remember that most homeowners level up every five years or so and get closer to a home that has everything on their Wish List!
2. Shopping Mortgage Brokers – While it is recommended that you review your options for lending institutions, as well as interviewing the mortgage associate directly, it is not recommended that you complete a full mortgage application process with each one. Each time you complete a mortgage application, your credit will be pulled therefore damaging it more with each additional application.
3. Using Numerous REALTORS® – You will end up exhausted, confused, and there will be a lot of wasted time. The importance of using one professional is that there is one strategy that is being utilized to bring your real estate dreams to reality. You have full confidence in that professional and they understand your objectives clearly. You may even run into one of the other REALTORS® you were using during negotiations, so you lose your negotiating leverage.
4. Furniture Shopping Before Possession – Picture this… you bought your dream home! Your possession date is in one month, so you decide to go furniture shopping and complete a full charge at your favourite furniture store. New couches, new bedroom set, table and chairs, your new home will look stellar. A week later, your possession date rolls around but it is not completed because your debt ratio is no longer approved by your mortgage lender.
5. Viewing Homes Before Your Mortgage Qualification – You are wasting your time, your REALTORS® time, the sellers time, and the selling REALTORS® It is like going to a golf tournament with no clubs, it makes no sense and is an act in futility. You are also setting yourself up for disappointment in the event where you fall in love with the home, but you cannot make an offer because your finances are not in order.

For more tips on how to make your first home purchase a success, contact Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325.

Top 5 Things To Avoid When Preparing To Sell Your House

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.11.2021

1. Selling Without A REALTOR® - The instant gratitication of bypassing REALTOR® fees may be appealing, however it can be misleading in the big picture. The benefits of a skilled REALTOR® to the sale of your home typically includes selling at a higher price, more time available for yourself, and less stress. Often times homeowners will attempt to sell on their own, only to hire a REALTOR® due to frustration or failed deals, which means they spend even more money!
2. Extensive Renovations - While some renovations or upgrades are great for resale, some are completely unnesseccary in the sense that the money put in will not directly add to the resale value. Yet another reason why it is so important to use a REALTOR®, you can save money before your house even hits the market.
3. Forgetting To Clean - Clean is a subjective term so ensure that you clean the home even more than you usually would to satiate even the most discriminating buyer. Clean it with disinfectant, tidy it so everything is put in its place, and purge as much as possible so the space appears larger. One of the most efffective buyer turn-offs during a showing is a home that looks and smells like it is not clean.
4. Forgetting Staging - Furniture placement to sell is sometimes different than furniture placement to live in. You can consult your REALTOR®, a professional staging company, or a Feng Shui professional for more tips on this. It is a direct factor in showing quality and showing quality is a direct factor in the amount buyers will offer.
5. Keeping Up Family Photos - Depersonalizing your home is crucial so buyers can picture themselves in the home. Often times putting up more mirrors may allow for this visualization even more so. Along with taking down family photos, home owners should also take down any heavy religious or cultural decor, as this also play a considerable psychological factor during showings.

 

5 Safety Measures to Selling Your House During a Pandemic

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.10.2021

1. Mask Requirement – As the mask mandates have been fluctuating since the pandemic began, those guidelines are followed by the real estate industry as well. Even if the provincial mandate is removed for masks, a homeowner can still request that masks are required in their home.
2. Hand Sanitizer – While many home buyers already keep hand sanitizer readily available, sellers are welcome to keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at the front door for use during showings.
3. Leave Lights On – Homes look their best when they are well-lit. Therefore, to make sure your home looks its best and reduce unnecessary touching, leave the lights on before you leave for your scheduled showing time. Open those window coverings too!
4. Leave Doors Open – Again, to minimize unnecessary touching - leave bedroom, bathroom, and closet doors open. Between the hand sanitizer and minimal touching measures, you should have added peace of mind.
5. Minimal Attendees – Prior to the pandemic, it was not uncommon for home buyers to bring mom, dad, and the kids for additional perspectives. Given the intricacies of the pandemic, it is now recommended that only the most crucial attendees and signing authorities are in attendance during showings.

For more tips on preparing your home to sell, call Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325. Stay safe out there!

Why Saskatoon? 5 Reasons Saskatoon Real Estate is an Excellent Investment – In A Nutshell. (Part 1)

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.09.2021

1. POST-SECONDARY – Saskatoon attracts students from all over Canada and further. From the University of Saskatchewan to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, many post-secondary options are available which produces a high demand for student housing. Multi-unit developments, suited homes, and homes with multiple bedrooms are in constant motion in on the Saskatchewan MLS® making it easy for investors to capitalize on this demographic.
2. CURRENT ATTRACTIONS – Did you know some of the artifacts found at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park are older than the pyramids? Saskatoon truly has some gems that are unique all on their own. Search the list created by the team at Tourism Saskatoon and you will be impressed: https://www.tourismsaskatoon.com/things-to-do/
3. UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS – Between a state-of-the-art library and a $12.9 million downtown festival venue, Saskatoon is coming out of its shell in a big way. It is no surprise that Saskatoon’s average population increase has been consistent at 2% annually. Read more about some planning here: https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon-city-councillors-to-mull-12-9-million-downtown-festival-site-1.5304032
4. FESTIVAL CITY – Let the good times roll as Saskatoonians thrive on festivals and celebrations that take the city by storm almost every month of the year in Saskatoon. The most concentrated number of festivals take place during the summer including RibFest, Food Truck Wars, YXE Beer Wars, Fringe Festival, Jazz Festival, Taste of Saskatchewan and so much more! Look at the list, although many are continuously added on a regular basis, and choose your favourite: https://www.todocanada.ca/festivals-in-saskatoon/
5. REAL ESTATE REBATES – The City of Saskatoon offers numerous rebates to home-owners and home builders. Many of them are incentives for continued growth, and geared toward the new development sector, however if that is an option for you as an investor, the value tied into these rebates are worth taking advantage of. The details of these programs can be viewed here: https://www.saskatoon.ca/business-development/land-development/rebate-program