During the Fall and Winter months we see our utility bills increase as we use more resources to heat our homes and stay cozy. However, without even knowing it, you can waste money by overlooking a few simple areas of your home. Here are a few tips to help you save on your energy bills this season.

1. Fix leaky faucets

If you live somewhere where you pay for your water consumption separately, you can be washing money down the drain- literally- with something as simple as a leaky faucet. To check, make sure your faucet is completely closed; if  drips of water continue to come out, check the washer or valve cartridges (in washerless models) and replace them if they are damaged or worn. 

2. Check your toilets

The same as above applies. Don't flush money away by having your toilet leaking water. To check, simply add some coloured bowl cleaner into the tank and wait several hours to see if it leaks into the bowl without flushing. If a leak is present, consider replacing the stopper in the bottom of the tank. 

3. Turn down your hot water tank

You might think you'll notice a difference in water temperature, but chances are you'll only notice a lower utility bill. You don't need to have your tank set to the highest heat to get the water to a satisfactory temperature. It can be surprising to see how much it's costing you to simply maintain the water at a certain temperature.

4. Look for drafts around doors & windows

You're spending hard- earned money to heat your home, and you don't want the warm air escaping through cracks around doors and/ or windows. If you notice a draft, chalking around frames can solve the problem. In some cases you may need to repair or replace windows or doors that are cracked or damaged.

Having an energy- efficient home not only saves you money, it's also a selling feature when you go to sell. Even at this time of year there is still plenty of competition in the market, usually with motivated sellers. Set your home apart and pay attention to details. For more info about selling at this time of year and to book an appointment, contact us today.

Image Source: Remodelaholic

In part 3 of our series of homestaging tips, we're talking about three spaces that tend to be very personal: the bedrooms, bathrooms, and home office. All of these spaces have the ability to make a good impression with buyers, but a little attention to detail can go a long way.

De- cluttering and cleaning up these spaces is important, and don't be afraid to shy away from a few simple and budget- friendly DIY projects to freshen these spaces and make them more appealing to buyers. A fresh coat of paint and updates can convince a buyer your home is right for them, especially when it means less work when they move in. 

Show off how beautiful your bedroom is with a be that is made and looks cozy. 

Simple touches- such as fresh paint and a few modern accessories

can help make a good impression with buyers.

Bedrooms:

- Clean & de- clutter; remove items from dressers and surfaces so the mess isn't distracting to potential buyers

- Dust and make sure light fixtures don't have any burnt- out bulbs (also make sure they're all the same, ie warm or cool light)

- Allow natural light into the room & turn on lights 

- Make beds berfore a showing and remove any toys and clothes from the floor

- Make sure closets are tidy and organized to showcase storage space

- If you don't have a headboard, consider making a simple & inexpensive one (check out these DIY projects for ideas)

Even if your home is older, painting the cabinets and changing the hardware is a great cost- effective way to update

this room. Putting out fresh towels and a few decorative touches can help highlight this space.

Bathrooms:

- Clean toilet & sink; remove any stains and residue (make sure to put the toilet seat down)

- Wipe faucets and counters; make sure the mirror is streak- free

- Clean out the tub and make sure the sower curtain is clean

- Put out fresh towels to make the bathroom look tidy 

- Remove any laundry and garbage

- Light a candle or spray some air freshener to make sure the bathroom smells fresh and clean

- Ventilate the room every day to help keep it smelling fresh

Showcase a home office by keeping it tiday and organized. Help buyers picture themselves working in the space

and make it warm & welcoming.

Office:

- Put away any personal paperwork; if you have a locked filing cabinet, make sure you file any documents you don't want people to see

- Tidy the desk and remove any untidy paperwork and clutter

- Make sure bookshelves are dust- free and organized

- Turn on a desk lamp if you have one to make the room feel cozy

- Tidy and/ or hide chords that can be a tripping hazard or are untidy

No matter the age of your home, a little attention to detail can make the difference between an interested buyer and a non- interested buyer. A clean and tidy home is essential to help it appeal to buyers, but a few added touched can really make it feel like home. If you're thinking about selling, we'd love to be the realtor team to help! Contact us today to book an appointment.

Image Sources:

HomeDIt

Involving Colour

Pink Little Notebook 

In part 2 of our series of homestaging tips, we're focusing on areas of the house that families spend a lot of time and have potential to make a big impact with buyers: the kitchen, family room, & dining room.

Read on for some great tips to help set your home apart from the competition.

Make sure your kitchen is free of clutter, is tidy, & bright to show off it's full potential

Kitchen:

- No dirty cloths or towels

- Tidy the inside of drawers and cupboards where needed

- Keep counter and island surfaces clear of clutter

- Take away items from above the fridge (such as cereal boxes), microwave, cabinets, and windowsills

- Remove magnets, etc from fridge

- Clean grout of tiles using a grout cleaner or bleach

- Scrub the sink & make sure it is clean and free of dishes

Make eating areas warm & inviting:

add little touches or set the table to make it look ready for guests

Dining Area:

- Remove items that create clutter & refine what decorations you have

- If you have a table with a leaf, make the space feel more spacious by removing it and extra chairs from table

- Clean sideboards and cabinets to showcase a few pieces, not a lot of disorganized clutter

- Dust surfaces

- Consider setting the table to make it look inviting; or simply add some fresh cut flowers and candles in the centre

Sometimes a simple DIY can take a room from 'bla' to 'WOW!'

Family Room:

- Be selective with what artwork and photos you keep on walls

- Make sure pictures are level & dust- free

- Remove clutter & make sure space is tidy and appears spacious

- Especially for small spaces: remove extra furniture that can make the space feel cramped and crowded

- Make sure floors are clean; vacuum carpets, and dust/ sweep hardwood & laminate

- Add storage with a simple weekend DIY using pre- fab shelves and crown molding to really make a statement (see photo above)

We hope you find these tips helpful. If you're thinking about selling your home and need some advice to help it sell fast and for the price you're looking for, we'd love to be the real estate team to help! Contact us today to schedule a meeting and get started.

Image Sources:

Chic Coastal Living 

Traditional Home

Flea Chic

When you're getting ready to sell your home, paying attention to details can make the difference between a quick sale and a waiting game. By spending a little bit of time and money to help your home present well to buyers you can save valuable time and add value to your home. By staging your home you can help potential buyers see the potential of your house and help them visualize living there.

Here's a great example:

A client friend of ours recently sold her home and we asked her to provide some advice from her experience, here's some of what she had to say:

Make people feel welcome & at home with an inviting entryway:

If you need help selling your home, we'd love to be the team to sell it for you. Have questions about the process and how to get your house ready? We're happy to make your home selling experience a fast and stress- free experience. Contact us today to set up a meeting and get the ball rolling!

Image Sources:

ActiveRain

SomewhatSimple 

This beautiful custom home boasts more than 4,500 square feet of living space on a 9,500+ square foot lot. If you've been looking for your dream home but don't want to move far from shopping and schools, this Sullivan area home is perfect for you.

Here are some of the features that make this 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom home so unique:

A gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and- BONUS!- a wine cooler:

Formal dining room with French doors leading to a wrap- around covered porch:

Plus a stunning entryway with 20 foot high ceilings and showstopping staircase. You have to come see this home for yourself!

An added bonus are the 3 suites in the home with a current income of $4,500/ month-  perfect mortgage booster!

If you would like to view more photos, click here. You can also see a virtual tour of this home here. 

Don't miss your chance to view this beautiful home for yourself and make an offer before it's too late. Contact us today to book a private viewing!

If you're thinking about moving, we're always happy to help- we'd love to help you sell your home quick and for the price you're hoping for. 

Well it's officiailly Fall!

Now that the warmth and sunny days of Summer are behind us, it's time to make sure the outside of our homes are ready to face the elements of the cooler temperatures. It's important to get the exterior of your home ready before the weather gets too cold and wet.

Here's a great list from Decor and the Dog to help keep track of tasks:

And to help you narrow down your to- do list, here's some tips from Right At Home to identify areas to focus on:

Clean gutters and drainage spouts.

  Protect yourself first by always wearing gloves—animals or insects can hide in gutters. A gutter scoop is a convenient tool for removing leaves and other debris. Then place the garden hose in the downspout to flush it out.

Inspect your roof.

  Look for signs of deterioration (loose shingles, rotting wood, cracks, etc.). Carefully trim heavy branches that are hanging over your roof. (A falling branch could hurt someone, cause a blackout or damage your roof. If you're using your chimney, flying sparks could possibly ignite overhanging branches.) If the branches are near power lines, call a professional tree-trimming company to do the trimming; they may need to ask your power company to temporarily disconnect your power before they start working.

Check all windows and doors.

  Remove summer screens and install storm windows and doors. Inspect and repair any loose or damaged windows or door frames. Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to reduce drafts too. If you discover signs of deterioration such as moisture on surrounding walls or dry-rot damage, call a certified home inspector or restoration specialist immediately.

Clean your heating system.

  Replace the filters in your furnace. (Swift recommends doing it monthly if you have allergies.) Check for air leakage around the joints. And consider having an air-conditioning and heating specialist check your entire system before winter sets in. If you don't already have one, install a carbon-monoxide detector near all appliances that burn fossil fuel, but be sure you install it in an area where you'll hear the alarm if it's triggered.

Check the smoke detector.

  Some people wait until they reset their clocks during Daylight Savings Time to inspect their smoke detectors, but if you missed it in the spring, don't wait another month—check them now. Press the button to make sure it beeps and replace batteries if necessary. Most smoke detectors signal with an automatic beep when the battery gets low, but it's always good to check on an annual basis. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years; batteries should be replaced every six months.

Secure the cracks.

  From skunks to insects to other critters, your home can fall prey to unwanted invaders. Before they start seeking shelter from the cold, inspect the perimeter of your house for cracks or holes where they could enter and then seal well. Clean and lubricate the garage-door hinges, rollers and tracks to make sure the door closes securely. If you detect evidence of animal activity, such as urine odors, unexplained gnaw marks, feces or footprints, consult an exterminator.

Are you thinking about sellingyour home this Fall? We hope this will help you get ready to list your home. If you have any questions or would like help selling your home, contact us today!

Image Sources:

Home Depot

Decor and the Dog

Just reduced!

This 900+ square foot penthouse is waiting for it's next owner! With 2 bedrooms plus den, this beautiful apartment is complete with an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances & granite counters. Come see it for yourself!

Ammenities include 2 parking spots, in- suite laundry, and exercise room. Everything you need in a condo!

It makes a great first impression...

And how about that kitchen???

To view the virtual tour, click here; for more info about this listing and photos, click here.

If you would like to book a private viewing or are interested in similar properties, contact us today!

We are pleased to present this beautiful new listing in the Daventry townhouse complex!

This spacious townhome has been completely updated and boasts more than 1,600 square feet with 2 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms complete with vaulted ceilings, a walk- in closet in the master suite, and walk- out patio with private yard. 

We will be hosting an open house this Sunday from 2- 4pm so make sure you come and see it for yourself!

If you would like to book a private viewing or are interested in similar properties, contact us and we'll help you find the perfect home for you!

Click here to view virtual tour. 

For more photos and info about this listing, click here.

We hope you're enjoying what's left of August! We've been keeping busy adding some more listings to our late- Summer offerings. See below for two properties just listed!

5780 144St, Surrey

6 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms

4,500+ sq ft on a 9,500+ sq ft lot

This home is beautiful inside & out! See below.

Click here to view more photos & information about this beautiful home.

14412 58 Ave, Surrey

Land only- the perfect opportunity to custom- build to suit your needs!

5,600+ sq ft ready for you to add your personal touch!

For more information about this listing click here

If you are interested in either of our listings, or have any questions, feel free to contact us. We're happy to help any way we can!.

We're wrapping up the Summer with some more great listings! We're working hard to help sell these great properties to buyers like you! Click on the links below to see the info on 3 properties we just listed. To see more of ours listings, click here.

#18 6238 192 St, Surrey

A great family complex with updates throughout.

3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1,378 sq ft

14412 58 Ave, Surrey

Great opportunity to purchase a piece of property!

5780 144 St, Surrey

Spacious home on large 9,500+ sq ft lot.

6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 4,582 sq ft

Thinking about selling? We'll help you sell your home fast and find your next dream home. Contact us today to get the ball rolling! We look forward to hearing from you.

Image Source: ComFree

This weekend we're featuring 2 great properties in Langley. Take a look at these great places ready for you to make them home!

307 20727 Douglas Crest, Langley

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms in a 55+ complex

Doesn't this look cozy?

For more info on this listing, click here. 

302 19774 56 Ave, Langley

2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 928+ square feet

Top floor unit with vaulted ceilings- come see the view for yourself!

For more info about this listing, click here.

If you are interested in apartments, or somewhere to make your retirement home, contact us today and we'll help you find the place that's right for you!