10 Ways to get your home ready to sell

Laura Gaskill

Getting a realtor in your home before the process can really give you a leg up!

From minor repairs (fixing a broken doorbell) to major upgrades (replacing the heating system), the list of home projects you could undertake in the name of preparing your home to sell probably seems endless. But with a limited budget and time line, it’s important to zero in on which fixes will give you the most bang for your buck — and, more important, will make the biggest impact on potential buyers. Concentrate your efforts on 10 worth-every-penny areas and you’ll be off to a good start.

D.T. HUBBELL ARCHITECTS

1. Get a pro consult. As part of the sale process, your home’s future buyers will undoubtedly get a home inspection. I can say from experience that it’s not fun to run into surprises during this phase, just when you thought the sale was set to go through. Hiring your own home inspector before you put your house on the market can give you a solid grasp of any potential issues that might come up — and the opportunity to fix them if you feel it’s worth doing so.

Have a conversation with your real estate agent early on too. A savvy agent should be knowledgeable about what buyers in the area are looking for and be able to suggest improvements and staging ideas that fit your budget.

Grayson Construction Inc.

2

2. Remove way more of your stuff than you thought possible. There’s a reason that “Declutter!” is the battle cry of stagers everywhere. A house packed with stuff looks smaller, and it might make it harder for potential buyers to see themselves living there. If you’re moving because you’ve outgrown your current home, you may need to pack up boxes and stack them in the garage, or even rent a small storage unit temporarily. It’s not convenient, but at least decluttering is cheap — even if you do end up renting storage for a few months. 

And remember, your goal is to help your house put its best foot forward. As awkward and inconvenient as it may feel, it’s important to understand that your home’s purpose is no longer to support your family’s lifestyle. You and your home are parting ways, and it’s time for your house to get all dressed up and ready for a few blind dates.

Mackenzie Collier Interiors

3. Completely clean out storage areas too. Yep, potential buyers will be looking in your garage, storage shed and closets, and the less that’s in them, the more spacious those areas will seem. Ideally, aim to leave about two-thirds of your storage areas empty, with nothing stacked or piled on the floor. Use shelving, wall-mounted storage and matching storage containers to keep what’s left neat and orderly.

Katie Hastings Design LLC

2

4. Hire a handyman for a day. Details add up. If a potential buyer walks through your home and notices one or two little things wrong, no biggie. But 10 or 11? That might begin to raise some red flags. Work up a list of all the little things you’ve been meaning to fix around the house (leaky faucet, dings in the walls) and hire a handyman to knock out a bunch of tasks in a single day. 

MainStreet Design Build

5. Make low-cost, big-impact curb appeal tweaks. Give potential buyers driving by a good first impression of your home with a neat, well-lit, attractive front yard and porch. 

Little things like new house numbers, a fresh mailbox, porch lights, planters and door mat don’t require a big investment, but they add up to make a positive impression that just might win over your home’s next owner.

PROYECTO

6. Touch up paint. If you’ve painted a room within the last few years and it still looks good, a quick touch-up could be all it needs. If you do feel you need to repaint, take it on a room-by-room basis. For instance, when preparing to sell my own house, we opted to repaint the bedrooms but only touch up the kitchen and living room — two spaces that already had relatively fresh, neutral paint.

Lindsey Brooke Design

7. Consider small but mighty upgrades. Upgrading items such as light fixtures, cabinet knobs, shower heads and faucets is a budget-friendly, relatively quick move that can have a big impact. Walk through your home and make a list of small upgrades to consider. And don’t limit your list to fixtures — anything that would make a big difference in your space counts, including a crisp white slipcover for an old sofa or a fresh pot of succulents for the dining table.

Fiorella Design

8. Have a clear purpose for each room (and nook). If you have a “spare” room that’s currently filled with a mishmash of exercise equipment and filing cabinets, or an awkward little nook you’ve never quite been sure what to do with, now is the time to get some clarity. 

As a rule of thumb, each room (or nook) should have one main purpose that’s clearly defined by the furnishings in the space. So make that spare room a guest room or an office or a workout space — but not all three. 

House of Nomad

9. Get new soft accessories. Think fresh pillows, throws and fluffy white towels. Updating these soft accessories can instantly make your home look cleaner, fresher and more current. 

And there’s no need to spend a fortune. For a cohesive, well-styled look, choose just one or two main colors and repeat these in accessories throughout the house.

Joy Street Design

10. Get every surface shiny-clean. The importance of a thorough, deep clean when selling your home cannot be overstated. If you don’t want to (or don’t have time to) put in the elbow grease, hire a good cleaning service to get your house ultraclean. Sparkling windows, shiny floors, a spotless kitchen and bath — even a clean exterior — will show off your home in the best possible light.

www.teambluesky.ca

Building an Outdoor Deck - 5 things to consider before

Connor Cherrie

Even though you can't tell by the weather...Spring is here and the perfect time to start planning that new deck.  

Summer is just around the corner and soon enough our dreams of spending our spare time lounging outside will become a reality. Outdoor decks are truly the best way to bring your living space outdoors and are the perfect addition to any home, big or small. Although it may not seem like it, a lot of planning goes into building a deck. Here are a few things to consider before you start your project.

Look Into Laws and Regulations

Before you start the project, look into the building codes and regulations in your local community in order to get an idea of whether or not you need to get a permit for your deck. Every locality has slightly different rules but according to the Toronto Star, if your deck is around 10×10 and over 2 feet above the ground it is sitting on then a permit is generally required. Not only do you want to ensure that your new deck is safe for you and your family, but a permit is necessary if you are looking to sell your home in the future as an inspector will be able to tell whether or not you have one.

Photo courtesy of Sunset

Determine Its Purpose

Before you start on the construction of your outdoor deck, attempt to determine the purpose of it. Is it to entertain? To relax? To garden? To surround your pool/hot tub? By considering all of these options and narrowing it down, you will have a better idea of what materials you should use, where the deck should be placed, as well as the size and shape of the deck.

Photo courtesy of Trex

Decide on Materials

Although many people tend to stick to the traditional material of wood, there are so many other options out there for every budget and style. Be sure to first consider your budget and purpose for your deck, and then with that, decide what material you want to use.

If you are interested in sticking with wood, the most common four types of wood include Ipe, Mahogany, Redwood and Western Red Cedar.

Ipe is not only beautiful, but it is pretty much both weather and bug resistant, meaning that it will need minimal maintenance and upkeep.

Similarly to Ipe, Mahogany is sourced from the rainforests and is a solid option as it will not succumb to harsh weather and rot, and it will also not attract bugs.

Redwood is a relatively soft form of wood compared to the previous two mentioned and can change in colour to gray or black over time and with the exposure of rain. Despite its change in colour, it is another good option for decks as it does not rot.

Finally, Western Red Cedar, a softer type of wood that changes colour over time from a reddy colour to a grey colour. It holds up very well to any type of weather, hot or cold, wet or dry.

If you are looking to do something a little different and want to avoid wood, other popular materials include composite materials (a lot are made to look like wood) or deck tiles.

Photo courtesy of Trex

Location, Location, Location

The purpose of your deck has a lot to do with its location. If you are wanting to use it for gardening or sun tanning, maximum sunlight is important, so attempt to build your deck in a spot that will allow that. If you are lucky enough to have a scenic view, take advantage of it and build your deck in a location that will allow you to take it all in.

Many people tend to build their decks off of their back door due to convenience and also as a way to seamlessly extend one’s indoor living space into the outdoors.

Freestanding decks placed away from the home are also a popular option especially when they are built for the purpose of surrounding a backyard pool or hot tub.

Photo courtesy of Ideal Home

Settle on a Design

Once all of these other details have been considered and decided on it is time to focus in on a particular design. The furniture that you are planning on putting on your deck, as well as any other sort of extras (fire pit, tables, outdoor kitchen, pergola, planters, privacy screens, bar, etc.), should be determined and their location on the deck plotted in order to know how much space you need.

If your deck is elevated, railings must be added for security and they should not be overlooked as they can add a particular aesthetic to the space. Depending on the look you are going for, the 6 most popular materials used for deck railings are wood, aluminium, steel, rope, glass and cable.

www.teambluesky.ca

House Hunting and what to bring with you

Laura Gaskill

Embarking on a house hunt is a little like planning a wedding — both require insane attention to detail and lead to what we hope will be a satisfying long-term commitment. So grab that clipboard and channel your inner wedding planner: It’s time to get organized with these 10 take-along essentials for your search.

1. List of properties you plan to visit. It makes sense to cluster your home search by neighborhood, so you won’t be driving back and forth across town. If you think a visual aid might help you remember which house was which, circle the addresses on a printed map and number the properties to correspond with your notes.

Drury Design

4

2. Notepad and pen. Whether you want to make general notes on what you thought of each home or sketch out a quick floor plan so you don’t forget later, a notepad and pen are key. Note what you like as well as what you don’t like about each home, and then review your notes once you’ve had a chance to rest. Of course if you prefer to take notes digitally, that’s fine. Go with whatever makes you comfortable.

Denton Developments

3. Slip-on shoes. Taking shoes off is sometimes requested, both at private showings and open houses, so it helps to be prepared. Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, and nice, comfy socks to keep your feet warm.

Sculptures, LLC

4. Checklist. Facing a day packed with open houses can leave the best of us feeling flustered. Come prepared and stay focused by bringing a checklist with the main points you want to remember to look for at each property. When you get home, this will also make it much easier to do a side-by-side comparison of the houses you saw.

5. Camera. Your smartphone is completely fine and may even be preferable to a big, clunky camera for this purpose. With permission, aim to snap a photo of the front of each house you visit, plus each main room. Then you can share the photos with someone who couldn’t be at the showing, or use them to refresh your own memory when all those properties start to blend together.

6. Helpful apps. Downloading an app or two before you leave on your house hunt can enhance your search. From traditional real estate apps that help you search homes for sale, to more specialized apps like Sun Surveyor, which can help you understand the solar orientation of a home (which could be important if you’re hoping to use solar power), pick one or two that will helpfully fill a niche in your search.

Denton Developments

7. Measurements. Do you have a piano, large painting or big piece of furniture that you would be heartbroken were it not to fit in the new place? Measure it before you begin house-hunting and bring the measurements — and a measuring tape — with you when you view properties. There’s no need to break out the measuring tape at every open house, but when you’re seriously interested in a particular house, it can be worth getting to this level of detail.

Wall Control

8. Flashlight. When you want to get a closer look in that dark basement or scope out the potential of an unfinished attic, the built-in flashlight on your phone will get you only so far. You may not end up using it, but a small but powerful flashlight is a smart extra to have stashed in your bag, just in case.

Rachel Loewen Photography

9. Stakeholders. There’s certainly an argument to be made for not bringing kids along on those initial house-hunting trips. Having little ones fall in love with a home that won’t work for you will only make tough decisions harder to make. However, once you’ve narrowed down the search to a handful of solid choices, getting input from everyone who will be living in the house is invaluable. 

In fact, just having your kids (or parents, if you’ll be sharing a multigenerational home) along may help you see things you wouldn’t normally notice, like potential safety or accessibility issues — or positives, like a great tree in the backyard perfect for fort-building.

Jette Creative

10. Personal priorities. When it comes to homebuying, it’s nearly impossible to get everything on your wish list — and it’s easy to get charmed by special features that you hadn’t even considered (“Oooh, a pool would be nice!”). This is where your personal priorities come in. Make a list of your top three to five priorities in a house, and refer to this list when you’re comparing the homes you’ve seen. 

Homeowners To-Do List for April

Laura Gaskill


Bring on Spring!

With lengthening days and milder temperatures in many parts of the country, April is a wonderful time to freshen up the home inside and out. To get sparkling windows, a clutter-free garage and more, here are 16 tasks to make the most of the first full month of spring.

B. Jane Gardens

1

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

1. Keep mosquitoes at bay. Having warmer weather and longer days means we’re entering mosquito season. Take preventative measures by regularly checking your property for standing water and emptying it. Any open containers (empty flowerpots and saucers, a wheelbarrow) can become mosquito breeding grounds when filled with rainwater, so store items like these upside down or in a shed.

2. Inspect paths and driveway. Repeated freezing and thawing can take a toll on asphalt and concrete. Check your driveway and paths for cracks, scheduling repairs as needed.

Jackson Design & Remodeling

6

3. Clean out trash cans and recycling bins. Take empty cans outside and spray them with a hose to start. Spritz inside and out with the cleaning spray of your choice. Let the bins sit for a few minutes before scrubbing them with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse with the hose and leave them upside down to dry.

4. Check safety devices. Test batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing them as needed. It’s also a good idea to periodically check for recalls of your home safety products; you can find up-to-date listings at Recalls.gov.

Studio McGee

2

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

5. Clear clutter. Create more space in your home by clearing out unloved items. If you have a lot to get rid of, set a date to hold a yard sale. Or contact a local charity to schedule a pickup — some will send a truck free of charge if you’re donating large items like furniture. If you have a lot of one type of item (for example, books or baby clothes), look for a consignment shop in your town where you may be able to sell them.

6. Schedule cooling-system maintenance. If you have central air conditioning, be sure to schedule professional maintenance before the start of summer. A properly maintained system cools better, uses less energy and lasts longer.

One Girl Interiors

7. Spruce up the front porch. Clean the porch floor, exterior windows, windowsills and front door. Wipe cobwebs from the ceiling and high corners. Lay down a fresh doormat, and plant a pot of flowers. If you have porch furniture, clean it off and wash the cushions.

8. Test sprinklers and irrigation system. Don’t let the first sign of a malfunctioning irrigation system be a drooping garden! Take the time this month to test each part, adjusting or repairing as needed. And if you don’t already have drip irrigation for your garden, consider putting it in — a properly installed system can save time and water.

Jamie Keskin Design

1

9. Wash windows. Welcome the spring sunshine by clearing dirt and grime from windows inside and out. After cleaning the glass, take an extra moment to wipe the window frame and sill.

10. Clean and inspect screen doors and windows. Pollen and grime can also build up on window screens, so it’s a good idea to clean them once a year. For a quick cleaning, leave screens in place and vacuum with a dusting attachment. For a deeper cleaning, remove screens (mark which is which if cleaning multiple windows) and gently scrub with warm, soapy water. Rinse and let dry. 

Before putting up window screens and screen doors, inspect each one for holes and rips — even small tears can let in mosquitoes. If you find any holes, repair them with a screen patch kit (available at most hardware stores).

Organized Living

4

11. Clean out the garage. Can you park your car in your garage? If not (or if it’s a tight fit), it may be time to make some more space. 

Clear out the junk, and schedule time to take unused paint, motor oil and other hazardous items to a recycling center that accepts them. (If you’re not sure where to go, search Earth911 to find a center near you.) Once your garage is cleaned out, consider adding wall-mounted storage to keep things neat and off the floor.

Strand Design

12. Wash siding. Using a regular garden hose, attach a siding cleaning kit (available at most home improvement stores) to clear away winter grime from your home’s siding. If your siding could use a really deep cleaning, it can be tempting to use a pressure washer to get the job done quickly. But if you do, use it with care: Consumer Reportsadvises avoiding any pressure washer that comes with a 0-degree nozzle, because it can be too dangerous (to you and your house) and wider nozzles can get the job done just as well.

Sundeleaf Painting

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month

13. Clean gutters and downspouts. Having your home’s gutters and downspouts cleaned (and repaired if necessary) is one of the first important tasks to schedule this season. Clogged gutters during a rainy spring can cause water to pool, potentially damaging the roof and siding.

Tara Bussema

2

14. Boost curb appeal. Spring is a wonderful time to make upgrades to your home’s exterior, and even small changes — like putting up bold house numbers and a shiny new mailbox — can make a big impact. 

If you’re planning to put your house on the market this spring, increasing curb appeal can help lure in potential buyers, making it especially important.

Westover Landscape Design

2

15. Maintain wood decks and fences. Keep outdoor woodwork in top shape by staining or resealing it each spring. Check gates, fencing, decks, railings, pergolas and other outdoor structures, and make repairs as needed.

16. Keep an eye out for termites. From now through May or June, be on the lookout for these winged insects. “Termites swarm in the spring,” says Victor Sedinger, certified home inspector and owner of House Exam Inspection and Consulting. “If there’s a bunch of winged insects flying out of a hole in the woodwork, that’s probably termites.” If you notice any, call a licensed professional pest-control company.

www.teambluesky.ca

March Home To-Do List

Laura Gaskill

The first official day of spring is March 20. So whether there’s still snow on the ground or flowers in bloom, you can rest assured that nicer weather is on its way. Usher in the new season with a bit of spring cleaning, some fresh flowers and — if you can get outdoors — a little dirt under your fingernails.

Lauren Ramirez Styling & Interiors

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

1. Make mirrors and table lamps shine. Use a duster or soft rags to remove dust from table lamps and wipe down mirrors with a damp microfiber cloth. These freshened-up surfaces will enhance the light throughout your space.

Mailen Design

2. Refresh the entryway. As the weather thaws, begin putting away mittens and wool hats and make room for those mucky spring boots. Clean or replace the doormat, clear off the hooks (or hangers, if you have a coat closet) and be sure to put out an umbrella holder stocked for spring showers. A clean boot tray lined with river stones will help water drain away from your footwear.

Nick Callaghan Photography

3. Remove winter layers. Feeling a bit stifled under a pile of thick duvets? Swap out heavy winter bedding for lighter-weight quilts and coverlets. Also consider changing deep-pile rugs for flat-weave or natural-fiber versions for the warmer months.

Coverlet, Duvet, Quilt, Comforter: What’s the Difference?

James Hardie Building Products

6

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

4. Clean up patio furniture. Outdoor furniture can get really grimy over the winter, so be sure to give everything a good scrubbing before you start using it for the season. Launder washable outdoor cushion covers and replace worn-out pieces if needed.

5. Tune up lawn and garden tools. Sharp tools get the job done. Take your lawn mower and clippers in for a sharpening and tuneup before you begin work in your garden. 

Browse outdoor pillows and cushions

Arkitekturfotograferne / Martin Tørsleff

6. Clean slipcovers and soft furnishings. Smaller slipcovers and washable rugs can be laundered at home; drop off larger pieces with professionals. When laundering items at home, be sure to read the instructions carefully and err on the side of caution. Most items such as curtains and slipcovers can be put back while damp — for the best fit and to prevent wrinkles.

7. Dust high corners and baseboards. Using a vacuum attachment or the duster of your choice, remove dust and cobwebs from those high and low spots we often miss during routine cleaning.

Danielle Sykes

1

8. Make a garden plan. There’s still time to get your garden growing! Sketch out a plan and jot down ideas for this year’s plantings, as well as any ideas you have for changes to the hardscape, such as putting in a new path or fence. Start some seeds indoors or pick up seedlings at your local nursery. Check botanical gardens for plant sales too, as these can be great places to find native plants that do especially well in your region.

Seeds or Seedlings? How to Get Your Garden Started

Atelier 616 Interiors, LLC

2

9. Get ready for tax time. Tax-filing deadline isn’t until April 17 this year, but getting your ducks in a row this month will make things a lot less stressful. Sort through paperwork, update your files and gather all important documents in one place so you’re ready to go.

Touijer Designs

4

10. Simplify the table. Cupboards feeling overstuffed? Simplify your life by paring back on dishes and glassware, letting go of mismatched and chipped pieces and sets you no longer love or use often. Keep a basket of fresh cloth napkins within easy reach of the table to make it more convenient than grabbing paper napkins, and invest in a living centerpiece (potted succulents work well) that will stay fresh and green with little maintenance.

10 Ways to Make Magic with Succulent Centerpieces

Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.

7

11. Spring-clean the kitchen. Give your kitchen a fresh start by cleaning some of the areas we often skip during quick daily tidying: Clean small appliances; wipe grease and grime from the range hood, backsplash and light fixtures; clean grout; and vacuum hard-to-reach places (like under the stove) using an attachment.

How to Keep Your Stainless Steel Clean

12. Streamline meal planning. Collect your favorite recipes in a binder (or online) and come up with several weeks’ worth of meal plans using your go-to favorites, plus shopping lists. When life gets busy, at least you’ll know what’s for dinner.

Simply Home Decorating

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month

13. Treat yourself to spring blooms. Spring flowers such as daffodils are plentiful and inexpensive this month, so keep an eye out for bargains. And if you have blooms popping up in the garden, why not snip a few to enjoy indoors?

How to Grow Daffodils for Cheery Spring Color

Amy A. Alper, Architect

14. Plant a tree. Spring and fall are the best times to plant trees because wet weather and cooler temperatures make it easier for root systems to get established. Be sure to check with a nursery to determine which species will do best in your microclimate and to get detailed planting instructions. If your area has a late date of last frost, you may need to wait until all threat has passed before planting. 

15. Inspect your home’s exterior for winter damage and make repairs as needed. Once winter storms have passed, carefully inspect the exterior of your home. If you had an ice dam on your roof during the winter, now is the time to repair any damage it caused. Ice dams form when the edges of a home’s roof are colder than the upper regions (where more insulation sits below the roof), causing ice to form around the eaves. The best way to prevent them is by upgrading insulation and ventilation in the attic.