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

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.

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

 

How To Sell Your House & Make Top Dollar In A Seller’s Market

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 31.03.2021

Contact A REALTOR® - Contact not just any REALTOR® but a REALTOR® you have intentionally chosen. It is the great thing about the real estate industry - you can pick your home team (e.g. mortgage broker, home inspector, etc.). Do your research to see who will best fit with your personality, needs, wants, and client-care expectations. How do they give back to the community? Questions like these can help you if you are interviewing many potential REALTORS®. Just remember to hire only one so that you do not sabotage your home buying process. 

Prepare Your Product – Just as you would organize and adjust a rack of clothes to sell in a clothing store, you should do the same with your house to the same scale. Buying a basic functioning rack, arranging the clothes in an orderly manner, and possibly even color coordinating is guaranteed to attract more buyers. In the same way, if you need to update a vanity, touchup paint, and purge "stuff" from your house, it will help it to attract more buyers. It is important to strategize preparations because buying a gold plated rack to sell $10 shirts will not make the shirts sell for $80, which then minimizes profit. In other words, your can over-renovate. Most importantly, remember nobody will buy a $100 jacket if they can get the exact same jacket for $50 elsewhere - it is called "Market Value" and is applicable in real estate as well. Being conscious of marketing strategies like these, and implementing them, will ensure you get top dollar for your home. 

Accommodate Showing Requests – Often if there is a tenant, a homeowner may have difficulties approving showing requests. However, in a Seller’s Market it may be worth your while to list it for sale vacant due to the low supply, high-demand, and quick possessions being common factors. Alternatively, if your property has been listed properly, you could be inundated with a few dozen showing requests in a matter of days. Although it can seem daunting to have to constantly be leaving your house, you can rest assure that you are taking every step to ensure it gets the most exposure resulting in a top dollar offer. You can also rest assure that organized real estate abides by local and provincial safety regulations which are enforced by REALTORS®.

Presentation of Offers – While it is a great option if your property has the highest buyer demographic with the lowest supply, it can also drive buyers away. You can always drive away a pool of buyers by forcing timelines upon them. You are also limiting yourself to the pool of buyers at any given time. Whereas if you can capitalize on an entire season, like a busy spring season, one buyer might offer $40,000 above another buyer but several weeks apart. It also confuses buyers sometimes when it is listed low for the Presentation of Offers and it does not sell, then the price is raised which deters more buyers. Often times, a good old fashion market value listing is the most successful option. Your trusted REALTOR® can advise you on strategies like this, and more, to decide on what will be most successful for your unique property. 

If you would like to learn more about capitalizing on the Seller’s Market (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/real-estate-homes-hot-market-1.5951774), call or text Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325. 

Top 5 Highlights Of The Saskatoon Real Estate Market From 2020

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.01.2021

1. The 2nd Busiest Year Ever – Strictly speaking in terms of market
   data, 2020 has been the second most active year for Saskatoon residential real
   estate in the history of Saskatchewan MLS®.
2. June Explosion – While the pandemic caused an
   audible pause at the end of the first quarter in the 2019 real estate industry,
   much like most other industries, the market activity had a huge explosion
   starting at the beginning of June. The activity far exceeded that from the
   following year, and each following month after June in 2020 continued with the
   same acceleration.
3. Sharp Market Shift – Over the past several years in
   residential real estate, Saskatoon has been in an extreme Buyer’s Market
   with seemingly no end in sight. Of course, no one saw the pandemic coming which
   resulted in a sharp shift to an extreme Seller’s Market. Typically, this
   kind of Market Shift happens very slowly over numerous years, so the industry
   is doing its best to keep up but over the past few months demand has exceeded
   supply.
4. Golden Houses – It should be noted that the conditions
   of this Seller’s Market are most applicable to houses, also known as Single
   Family Dwellings. The condominium inventory is not moving quite as quickly
   as a house under 500k. Theoretically speaking, if these trends continue into
   2021, it would be the ideal time to downsize. A homeowner could capitalize on
   selling for top dollar for their home (if advised properly in sale preparations
   by their REALTOR®) and possibly get a great deal on a
   condo. It would also be an opportune time for parents to invest in a condo for
   their children who are going to post-secondary school.
5. Cabin Fever – Fascinatingly enough, the Market
   Shift is a result of two primary factors: low mortgage rates and, for lack of a
   better term, cabin fever. Homeowners who are confined to their own home for
   months on end have proven to get restless enough to either renovate their
   current home (i.e. lumber and other home products shortage) or move into a
   different home simply for the sake of a change in setting.    

If you
are thinking about selling your home in 2021, contact Tanya LaRose at 306-380-7325
for assistance in the most successful sale possible.

5 Ways To Use Christmas To Help Sell Your Home

Tanya LaRose 0 comments 01.12.2020

1. Consider Your Street – If everyone on your block lights up the exterior of their home, you may want to consider matching that level of cheer. A first impression as “The Grinch” might not bode well during showings, drive-by's, and/or open houses.
2. Keep It Real – Although considered “high-maintenance”, a real tree appeals to two sense: sight and smell. Two important aspect of successfully selling a home. The warmth psychologically triggered by a real Christmas tree is worth every effort to keep the tree alive over the holiday season.
3. Keep It Classic – The overall theme you set for both exterior and interior decorations should be classic. Classic colours like red, white, and green or gold. No new holiday characters that anyone over the age of 30 will not recognize. Simply put, think “Miracle On 34^th Street” for décor inspiration.
4. Sending Out Christmas Cards – If you are a savvy Christmas card sender, you can always note a reminder to your family and friends that you are trying to sell your house. Family and friends are great networks to tap into for potential buyers that you normally would not have access to.
5. Depersonalize Decorations – Just like every other day of the year, decoration should always be depersonalized in a home that is listed for sale. No names on the stockings or personalized tree ornaments. Ultimately we want to keep family photographs to a minimum, heavy religious symbol lessened, and any potentially offensive décor removed.