There are unwelcome guests that most homeowners dread. They come into
your house, eat, sleep, make a mess, and never leave willingly. Each one
has at least six legs and sometimes flies.
They are, of course, insects. They’ve been freeloading in homes since
homes were invented. Here are some practical ways to keep these
unwelcome guests out:
• Find out how they got in. Look for gaps around windows and doors,
and cracks in the basement. If you find a spider web, there's likely an
insect entryway nearby.
• Watch out for standing water near the foundation of your home. Make
sure rain gutters drain water well away.
• Eliminate clutter. Insects love warm, cluttered, moist areas.
• Check the seal around dryer vents and other vents, pipes and cable
wires going through the wall. Reseal if necessary.
• Rinse recyclables before putting them into a bag or bin. Few things
are more tempting to a bug than the dark, moist, sweet insides of an
un-rinsed pop can.
If you do end up with a serious insect problem, call a professional
exterminator.

Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was
disappointing? Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade
was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn't look like a
tempting place to eat.
It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression
has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will
likely be with the expectation of being disappointed.
This scenario often plays out in the real estate market as well.
A buyer drives up to a home for sale and quickly forms an impression based
on what he sees "from the curb". That's why you'll hear real estate experts
talk about the importance of "curb appeal". It's one of the most important
selling points of a property.
If you plan to put your home on the market, you obviously want your home
to look as attractive as possible from the street. Fortunately, there are many
simple things you can do to improve curb appeal.
For example, you can trim shrubs and hedges, plant flowers, clean the
walkway and driveway, paint the front door and garage door, and clean the
exteriors of the windows. All these projects are relatively easy and
inexpensive. Yet, each can make a dramatic improvement to how your
home looks at first glance.
Don't be like the great restaurant that’s hidden behind an unkept façade.
Make sure your curb appeal reflects the overall value of your property.
Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price?
Call today.

You would have to visit your local pharmacy or science lab to rival the
number of potentially dangerous chemicals in the average home. You likely
store everything from fertilizers and acidic cleaners to gasoline and
corrosive drain openers.
Obviously, it makes sense to ensure that everyone in your home uses and
stores such items safely.
For example, laundry detergent packs – which have become popular
recently – are attractive to children. Keep them locked and out of sight. You
should do the same with all laundry products. Even exposure to fabric
softener pads can cause skin irritation to a child.
Always read and follow the labels on household chemical products. Use and
store them as directed.
Keep corrosives, such as harsh cleaners and drain openers, separate from
other chemicals and in a place where, should they leak, they will cause
minimal or no damage.
Also, never put a chemical in anything other than its original container. You
don’t want to take the chance that paint thinner stored in an old water bottle,
for example, is mistaken for water!
Finally, make sure you have the phone number to your local Poison Control
Center in a handy place, such as your fridge door. (You can find a list of
numbers at www.CAPCC.ca in Canada and www.AAPCC.org in the U.S.)

"Staging" your home is all about making the space in your home as
appealing as possible to buyers. You may already know the basics, such as
eliminating clutter. Here are some other tips that are less well known yet
very effective:
• Chandeliers. Surprisingly, these are one of the simplest ways to
make a foyer, dining room or living room dramatically more eyecatching.
You can buy a good-looking chandelier for a few hundred
dollars.
• New linen. This is something many home sellers don't consider, but
should. Replace any worn linen – sheets, coverings, towels, and
even oven mitts with new ones. Believe it or not, new linen makes a
big impression on buyers.
• Pedestal sinks. It may not be practical for you to replace a bathroom
sink. However, if you are doing a renovation, keep in mind that
pedestal sinks – especially in small washrooms – are a big hit with
buyers.
• New appliances. A brand new fridge, stove and dishwasher are
motivating selling features to buyers. That's because new appliances
make the whole kitchen look brand new.
• Avoid multi-use rooms. Have a spare bedroom that doubles as a
home office? That's a turnoff to buyers. Whenever possible, stage
each room so that it has a singular purpose. A guest bedroom, for
example, should be only that.
Want more tips on how to stage your home so that it attracts buyers? Call
today.

The first known use of stairs was in ancient Egypt during the building of the
pyramids. Chances are, some workers back then tripped and fell on them.
Some 3,000 years later, injuries on stairs are still a big problem.
According to the Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, the insurance
cost of injuries from falls on stairs is second only to automobile accidents!
Clearly, it's a bigger problem than most people imagine.
So how do you prevent trips, falls and other mishaps on stairs?
The most common way is to use handrails. In fact, most trips and falls occur
when people aren't able to regain their balance because they are not
holding a handrail.
Another source of accidents are items, such as toys, left on stairs. Some
people have the bad habit of using stairs as a temporary shelf for books,
magazines, mail and other items. That’s not a good idea!
Always be careful when carrying heavy items on stairs. Even an overloaded
laundry basket can be a hazard. If it's too heavy or you can’t see over the
top, it’s too full.
A lot of this is common sense. However, because injuries on stairs are so
prevalent, we need to use our common sense more often.

Imagine you're viewing a potential new home. You walk in the front door
and are instantly impressed. You explore the property room by room and
like what you see.
Then there's something you notice that's not quite right. An odour. You
realize that it's likely cat dander and, now that you've identified it, you smell
it everywhere. Suddenly the home doesn't seem as attractive as it did just
moments earlier.
The owner of the property is probably so used to the smell that he doesn't
even notice it. Neither does anyone else in the household.
So, when marketing your home for sale, be scent sensitive. Think about the
odours that you may have become used to but others are likely to notice.
Even odours you think are pleasant, like the strong scent given off by some
house plants, may not be pleasing to everyone.
An odour can easily distract a buyer from appreciating the good qualities of
your property. Pay particular attention to garbage bins (which can smell
even when empty), pets, kitty litter (even when fresh and unused), the
kitchen (especially after cooking), perfumes, and closets.
The smell of cigarette smoke is particularly unpleasant to many people. Its
odour can linger even on an outside deck or patio.
Bottom line? Don't assume buyers won't notice certain smells. They will.
Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price?
Call today.

Like most home products, candles are safe as long as you use them
properly. The problem is thinking that as long as a candle doesn't fall over
or come into contact with anything flammable, it is okay.
However, according to the National Candle Association (candles.org)
there's more you can do to ensure candle safety.
• Do not place candles where they can be knocked over by pets. (Cats
can be particularly fascinated by the flickering light.)
• Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before burning. A long wick can cause the
candle to drip.
• Don't burn a candle all the way down. At about two inches, put the
candle out.
•
• Despite what you see in movies, don’t try to bravely extinguish a
candle with your fingers.
• Avoid using a candle during a power outage. Use flashlights instead.
• Never use a candle as a night light next to your bed.
And, of course, never leave a candle burning unattended. If you need to
leave the room, put the candle out.

When some people think about selling their home, they imagine all the
things they will have to do: paint the kitchen, clean closets, prepare for
viewings, find another home, arrange financing, start packing, etc. It can all
seem very overwhelming very quickly.
In fact, the long to-do list you imagine you’ll have to deal with may dissuade
you from making a move!
It doesn't have to be that way.
There are many ways to make selling your home and buying another
relatively simple and easy.
Sure, there will be some work to do. You may need to prepare your property
so that it looks appealing to potential buyers – cleaning, decluttering, doing
some repairs, etc. Of course, you will also need to view some properties for
sale in order to find your next dream home.
But those activities may not be as time-consuming or difficult as you had
imagined. In fact, you and your family might actually enjoy the experience –
and see it as an adventure.
The trick is to work with the right REALTOR®, someone who can guide you
through the process, show you the shortcuts, and generally make things
easier for you.
It's a little like baking your first cake from scratch. The task seems daunting,
unless you have a master baker by your side to guide you step-by-step
through the process. Then it's a lot easier, and even fun!
That's what a good REALTOR® can do for you. Looking for one? Call
today.

Some people can live in their homes for years without ever experiencing a
power outage. In fact, even in areas prone to serious storms or snowfalls,
power loss doesn't happen that often. No wonder so many homeowners are
caught unprepared when it does.
To make sure you're not caught unprepared, follow these tips:
• Replace batteries in unused flashlights every six months.
• Keep candles and matches in a handy place. Monitor them closely
when lit and always blow them out before going to sleep.
• For computers and phones, consider purchasing a power backup.
(Some models provide up to 8 hours of power for two or three
devices.)
• Know the address of your local fire station and nearest community
centre. These are the most common places to find help during a
power outage.
When the power does go out, make sure the stove is turned off. You don't
want an unattended burner or gas leak when the power finally comes back
on.

Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your home if they see a lot of
things they love about it. So what do buyers love to see?
One of the main things they like to see is a lot of space. Of course, you can't
change the size of your rooms, but there is a lot you can do to make small
spaces in your home seem more spacious.
Buyers also love to see a clean and uncluttered home. Think of how inviting
a hotel room looks at first glance, with everything neat and organized. Of
course, your home isn't a hotel, but the more neat and attractive you can
make each room, the better.
One thing buyers don't love to see is potential maintenance issues. So as
much as possible, get things fixed or updated.
In fact, the more "finished" and "move in ready" your home looks, the more
likely a buyer is to make an offer.
Don't forget the surrounding neighbourhood either. A buyer may not take
the time to explore the area, so be sure to make a list of the most appealing
features. You might want to take a picture of the brand new playground just
down the street or print off a local map showing nearby shopping, theatre
and other points of interest.
It's not about creating a false impression. Rather, it's about making your
home look its best and drawing attention to its most enticing features.
Want more home selling tips? Call today.

If you have young children, or expect a visit from friends or relatives with
little ones in tow, it pays to ensure your home is free of hazards. The last
thing you want is an injury that could have easily been prevented.
Here are some basic childproofing tips.
•
• Remove everything that is toxic, hot or sharp, from within reach of a
child. (For example, the leaves of some types of house plants are
toxic.)
• If possible, keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
• Install plug-in covers in electrical outlets. (These are inexpensive and
can be purchased at any hardware store.)
• Block or gate off areas where kids may fall.
• Remove "pulling down" hazards, such as a heavy plant that a child
can pull off a table.
• Make sure there are screens on all open windows.
•
Finally, watch your pets. Even the most gentle dog or cat can act
unpredictably around children – especially if they're not used to them.

When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it's important that you
read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand
any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer.
An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are
"conditional upon arranging financing" and "conditional upon passing a
professional home inspection." However, there may be other conditions as
well.
You should be aware of – and fully understand – all of them.
In addition, the wording of an offer may change during the back and forth
negotiations that often happen. Aside from changes to the price, other
clauses may be added, removed or reworded as well.
A good agent will always ask you to initial changes. This is done primarily to
ensure you know and approve of what you're signing.
A recent newspaper article tells the story of a buyer-seller legal dispute that
resulted in a six-figure judgement against the seller. This was due, in part, to
a lack of understanding of one of the clauses in the agreement.
You don't want that to happen to you. Take the time to carefully review and
understand an offer.
Want to make sure everything goes smoothly with your next move? Call
today.