NOVEMBER TO-DO's Home Checklist

Laura Gaskill - Houzz

With the winter holidays just around the corner, there is a lot to look forward to (and prepare for) at this time of year. Batten down the hatches for winter weather and get a jump on holiday hosting prep, so you can relax and savour the many simple pleasures of the season, from big family dinners to walks in the crisp air outdoors.

Cummings Architects

Get a jump on holiday prep. If you plan to host this holiday season, take a bit of time now to prepare a few things in advance. Launder and iron the fancy linens (roll up freshly ironed linens on old wrapping paper tubes to prevent wrinkles), drop off the kitchen knives for a professional sharpening or polish some silver — you’ll thank yourself later.

Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Replace floor protectors on chairs. Don’t let dining chairs do damage to your hardwood floors: Check their feet and add or replace floor-protecting pads if needed. Felt pads come in self-adhesive and nail-in varieties; if you’re using the self-adhesive type, be sure to clean the base of each chair foot thoroughly and allow it to dry before applying.

Anne Sneed Architectural Interiors

Deep-clean bathrooms. Aim to schedule a deep cleaning of the bathrooms a week before entertaining, so that a quick surface wipe-down will be all you’ll need to get things looking spotless again on the big day. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, goodness knows there are plenty of other things to worry about — like how you’re going to fit a turkey and five side dishes in the oven!

Interior Options

Check the sump pump. If you have a sump pump in your basement as protection in case of flooding, be sure to check it and make sure it is working properly before the rainy season really gets going, and repair or replace it as needed.

Bohler Builders Group, Inc.

Show some kindness to feathered friends. Nonmigrating birds can use some extra help when wild food becomes scarce and water sources freeze. Stock up now on birdseed so you can keep those feeders full, and consider providing a water source as well — refresh it daily to prevent mosquitoes.

M James Architecture

Remove the last of the fall leaves. Aim to fit in one final raking and gutter-cleaning session once the last leaves have fallen — but before the first snow.

Inspect the home’s exterior and cover gaps. Cover any gaps you find around the exterior of your home that may be large enough for a mouse to enter —it doesn’t takemuch space for these little critters to sneak in. Cover exterior vents with hardware cloth, and attach door sweeps to the bottoms of exterior doors to stop furry creatures from squeezing in when the weather turns chilly.

Wright Design

Stock up for winter. If you live in a region with cold, snowy winters, taking the time now to stock up on winter gear and supplies will mean less stress when that first big storm hits.

• Check snow shovels and ice scrapers; replace as needed.
• If you use a fireplace or wood stove, order firewood.
• Pick up a bag of pet- and plant-safe ice melt.
• Restock emergency kits for car and home.
• If you use a snow blower, have it serviced and purchase fuel.

Moore Architects, PC

Check paths, stairs and railings for safety. Slips and falls on ice and snow can happen anywhere, but they’re even more likely if the footing is uneven or a railing isn’t sturdy. Take a walk around your home’s exterior, paying special attention to walkways, stairs and railings, and make repairs as needed.

www.teambluesky.ca

Prepping Your House for Sale

Samantha Goodman on August 13, 2016

In this day and age where image is everything, getting your house ready to sell is more work than the actual move itself. No longer is a simple clean up job going to do the trick. Now people get rid of their furniture and family photos, repaint, and hire a stager to make sure their house looks magazine perfect.

How much you sell your home for really depends on the amount of time and money you can realistically invest in getting it ready. In a perfect world, we’d all like to be able to stick the For Sale sign in the lawn the day we decide it’s time to move on, but life usually gets in the way and the little things like a broken door knob or a loose stone in the walkway gets ignored. While you may have learned to live with your home’s quirks, prospective buyers do not have any interest in them.

If you are thinking of selling, there are certain steps you need to take before you can put that For Sale sign in the lawn. See below for a list of suggestions and links to HomeStars categories for businesses who can help you cross to do’s off your list.

Repair anything that’s broken or not up to par.

Call in plumbers, electricians, and furnace specialists to fix any leaky toilets or taps, light switches and furnace or air conditioning problems you might have. Fix doors and windows that may have been painted shut. Contact a stone mason to repair loose or missing stones in your walkway.

Paint. 

How are your walls holding up? Are there scuffs marks or little hand prints all over the place? Did your cranberry dining room actually turn out raspberry and you never bothered to change it? Now is the time to give your house a fresh look. Paint is the most cost effective way of improving your home’s appearance. If you’re doing the job yourself, take fabric swatches into your local paint store for colour advice. If you can’t spare the time, hire a painter and ask for their advice on colour. While it might not reflect your personal style, a neutral colour scheme is best and attracts the widest audience.

Declutter. 

Less furniture and knick-knacks add up to a more spacious feel in a room — that also goes for the basement and storage closets. If you’re not sure what to do, hire an organizer. Book a storage locker or hire a portable storage container (the container is dropped off at your door and picked up when you’ve filled it), sell anything that’s too good for a garage sale at consignment shops, craigslist, ebay or other on-line auction houses. Give away goods and clothes to rummage sales, Goodwill or other community reuse centres. For junk that is truly un-usable use a junk hauling company or a moving company to take your stuff to the dump. Hold a garage sale if it’s during prime season (spring or fall), but don’t expect to price your items too high, garage sales are really more about getting the stuff out of your house than making money.

Clean, clean, clean.

Now you can clean your house from top to bottom, including the basement and the attic if they have usable space. Hire a cleaner if you’re worn out from all the prep work so far. Don’t forget about getting carpets cleaned, windows washed and the garden spruced up. The outside of the house reflects the inside and should be as impeccable as indoors.

Hire a stager. 

Depending on what your goals are, how much time and money you are willing to invest, and what the maximum return will be on your house will help you determine whether or not you need a stager. If you’re unsure, ask your real estate agent. An agent will advise you as to whether it’s necessary depending on factors such as your neighbourhood, your target market, and the current state of your home.

You’ve finished prepping your home, the open house is coming up, and you’re completely exhausted and frazzled from all the work you’ve done. If you can in any way swing it, take a mini holiday or go stay with your parents or friends for a few days — especially if you have kids. Imagine trying to keep your now picture perfect home clean and tidy with little ones under your feet. Being out of the picture will take an enormous stress off of you and the family.

Cottage Closing Checklist

Leslie Andrachuk

The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting cooler. It’s that time of year again. Summer is wrapping up, and with the kids heading back to school, time to close up  the cabin or cottage sometime soon and enjoy the lovely cool, fall weekends in the city.

If you have a summer cabin or cottage that is not winterized, this means that the closing up procedure is very important in order to ensure your cabin remains safely uninhabited until next summer. Every cottage is different, but here are some basics to keep in mind in the form of a handy-dandy checklist to make sure you hit everything on the list.

Inside the cabin

Aside from giving your place a good cleaning to prepare for winter, here are some specific tips to make your closing up process a little more organized.

1. Kitchen Cupboards And Fridge

Remove all food from kitchen cupboards and fridge, including dried and canned goods. Defrost your fridge and unplug it. Clean your cupboards and fridge as thoroughly as possible to remove all food particles that might be attractive to animals seeking food and shelter.

Line the shelves in your kitchen cupboards with new shelf paper to prepare for your arrival next spring. Ensure all dishes are clean and put away in their proper places.

Remove all fire hazards including loose papers, newspapers, old rags and chemicals.

2. Beds And Furniture

Mice and squirrels will be looking for a cozy place to make their nest during the winter, and there’s nothing nicer than soft bedding and furniture cushions. Make sure you remove all bedding and place plastic sheets over all mattresses.

Cover any chairs or sofas that have ticking or stuffing with plastic sheets to keep mice and other rodents from destroying your furniture.

3. Water System

If your cabin is not winterized, you will need to fully drain all water pipes prior to leaving. The water supply line can then be filled with non-toxic anti-freeze made especially for supply pipes. And pipes that are carefully wrapped at key junction points are better protected against the cold.

It’s also a good idea to check the inside of your hot water holding tank for residue that can affect water quality and get caught in the faucet screen. If you do not have one already, you might consider getting a water filtration system which can significantly increase the purity level and lessen the wear-and-tear on your cottage water system. You should have your water analyzed regularly by a lab to ensure its quality, especially if the water suddenly displays a yellow or brown tinge.

This is also a great time to thoroughly check your plumbing and faucets to make sure they’re still functioning properly after a summer’s wear-and-tear.

Outside the cabin
Inspect your property and do any landscaping required to prepare your summer home for winter months. Inspect the outside of all your buildings for little holes big enough for critters to use to gain entrance. Plug anything you find with steel wool. If you discover large holes you may want to call a pest control company to come and cover them for you. Remove all garbage and clutter from under your cabin to improve airflow and remove any potential homes for wildlife.

1. Windows

If you have any broken screens or windows, now is the time to repair.

The best way to protect your cottage from animals, weather and potential break-ins is to board up all your windows. It’s definitely more work than just pulling the blinds, but is worth it for your peace of mind.

2. Sporting Gear And Boats

Safely store your boats away from the water. Do not drain gas from the motor, rather use a fuel stabilizer which you should be able to find from your dealer or auto parts store. Store boat motors, lawnmowers and other items with engines in a dry, weatherproof place such as a shed or inside your boathouse. Cover anything that may rust over the winter with a coat of oil.

Stack canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and any other large water sports equipment somewhere safe and out of sight, and chain together with a solid padlock for good measure.

3. Outdoor Furniture And Cooking Areas

Store any outdoor furniture in the cabin or garden shed, including your picnic table. Clean your barbecue and cover it.

4. Sheds And ToolsDisconnect and remove the propane tank. Store them both in a protected area.

If you have an outdoor garden shed and tools, now is a great time to tend to them so they’ll be ready to help you get the job done come spring. Use your gas-powered tools until you burn all the gas off. Clean all of your equipment and inspect and clean air filters. Spray all moving parts with a lube, and sharpen all blades.

Have a look inside your garden shed and organize it with your freshly maintained tools. You’ll be happy you did so come the spring.

5. Buildings, Roof And Chimney

All sorts of woodland critters will want to make your cabin their home during the cold winter months, but this would obviously not be good for your cabin. Board up your chimney so that animals cannot climb in via the flue and ensure your fireplace damper is tightly closed.

Inspect your roof and replace any missing or broken shingles. Trim overhanging and dead branches to prevent snow buildup which can cause branches to snap, potentially resulting in damage to your cottage.

Clean out your gutters and make sure they are clear of anything that can obstruct drainage when the snow melts in the spring.

6. Dock

Disassemble your dock and store safely. Paint the crib with rust-proof paint to be ready to put it in come spring.

If it’s the correct due date, book a pump or cleaning before your last visit. If your system does not yet need a clean or pump, add some approved “good” bacteria to help break down the waste over the winter months.7. Septic System And Outhouse

If you have an outhouse, remove all toilet paper and give the bathroom area a thorough clean and sweep.

When you leave

• Disconnect all the appliances and then shut off all the breakers. This will make it easier to reconnect in the spring.
• Take photos of your cabin and your property, in case anything happens and you need them for insurance.
• Do a final inspection of all buildings.
• Check and lock all outbuildings
• Take all garbage and recycling as well as all personal belongings
• Lock your cottage.

Closing up the cabin is always bitter sweet, but if you do it properly, all you’ll taste is the sweetness of spring returning when you open back up again next year!

FALL POOL MAINTENANCE

Jessica Graves

We know the calendar has only just turned to September, but as we look forward to the leaves changing and the temperature dropping, it’s never too early to start thinking about protecting your pool for the coming fall season.

We’ve collected 8 tips to ensure you take all the steps needed to ensure your pool can handle the harsh Canadian fall and winter months ahead.

1. Leaves are the enemy.

The first place you want to start when preparing your pool for fall is on the surface level. Make sure to skim the pool for debris and clean out the strainer baskets regularly. This is the time of year when leaves and twigs will be blowing around and the last thing you want is for them to fall to the bottom of the pool and sit there until next summer as some leaves can leave stains at the bottom of the pool. Be sure to skim the pool regularly to avoid a mess next summer.

2. Clean out your filters.

Just as regularly skimming the pool will ensure no fallen leaves or other debris get in, it’s also important to regularly clean your pool filter. Much like the debris that floats on top, filters can get clogged up with leaves and who knows what else. Keep it clean to ensure it’s in working order for next year.

3. Invest in a pool cover.

If you’re a new pool owner, you should invest in a good pool cover. A quality pool cover is essential when protecting your pool from snow and heavy rain. If you already have a pool cover, be sure to inspect it and make sure it’s in good condition after being used last year. Check for any tears or rips, and if you’ve had it for multiple years, consider getting a new one.

4. Maintain water levels.

Making sure your pool maintains a healthy water level is always important. Water will naturally evaporate over time, but if it becomes too low your pump could become damaged. A damaged pump is a costly mistake that is easy to prevent. Be sure to repair any leaks in and around your pool area. Fixing minor issues will ensure that your water levels remain consistent and your pump will not become damaged or broken.

5. Pool heater.

If you have a pool heater, be sure to contact a professional and ensure it’s working correctly. Once a year maintenance is standard for most pool heaters.

6. Prepare for freezing.

Be sure to check your pool’s pipes and pumps. As the temperature drops and water begins to freeze, make sure there’s no leftover water sitting around in your filter, pump or pool heater. Frozen water in pipes can cause them to crack which can be expensive to fix. Get the water out now.

7. Remove, clean and store accessories.

If you have external accessories like a diving board, water slide and ladder, be sure to remove, clean and store them away. The last thing you want is to leave them out all winter and find they’ve become worn and damaged over the season. Store them away now so you can use them later.

8. Drain the water.

Ideally, you should drain the water to about 5 inches below the pool skimmer. Late fall or early winter is a good time to discard any of the pool chemicals you’ve used this past season. You never want to reuse pool chemicals for the following year.

Consider these tips when preparing your pool for fall and winter this year. Did you know HomeStars has an entire category dedicated to pools? Check out our Swimming Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs category here to help you hire your next pool company.

Living with your Cat or Dog in a Condominium

Leslie Andrechuck

Not surprising more and more urban Canadians are choosing condominium over single family home ownership. According to the 2011 Statistics Canada survey, Vancouver has the highest percentage of condominium households at 31.4%, with Calgary coming in second at 20.4% and Toronto sitting at third with 18.7% of residents living in a condo.

Without a doubt, market fluctuations and localized real estate insanity in key markets such as Toronto and Vancouver have only served to make condo ownership more attractive to many segments of the population since 2011. In fact, according to RealNet, an astonishing 57% of new homes that sold in the Toronto area in 2014 were condos.

And since people love their pets, they obviously also want to be able to live with them in their condominiums. In fact, so large is the demand that an informal study by Toronto’s CityPlace development pegged the number of dogs at seven per floor. Smart condo developers are now offering common elements to attract pet owners such as pet spas, doggy daycares and doggy bathrooms, so if you’re a pet lover, look for these developments as you continue your search.

Living with a pet in a condo does however have its challenges. It’s critical to be aware of certain factors that may limit or indeed totally restrict your pet ownership. It’s also important to seek ways to improve your living arrangements with your pet as cleanliness, outdoor access and close neighbours can make life challenging if creative solutions are not thought through.

Let’s start at the beginning. If you’re moving into a new condo and have a pet or are thinking of getting one, make sure you ask the following:

• Are pets allowed?
  • If not, best to consider moving on, not moving in. Knowingly moving into a building that has bylaws in place the do not allow pets can cause you a lot of money and heartache in the end – best to avoid
• If so, how many pets are allowed?
• Is there a weight restriction?
• If you have a dog, is their an off-leash park near your new dwelling?
• Is there a green space very close to your condo to take your dog for quick bathroom trips?

Don’t just assume that seeing a tenant with two large dogs in the elevator means that you can have large dogs, or more than one. Older buildings will often have grandfathered rules and bylaw changes, so make sure you inform yourself about your tenant rights before you move in.

Once you’ve made certain that you can move into your new place with your furry family members, next trick is to optimize your lives. Dogs and cats have different challenges when living in condominiums, so let’s break it down.

Dogs

Toronto condo dweller Madelaine Gileadi has two dogs and lives in a high-rise on the lakeshore in Toronto. Here’s some advice she has for dog owners who are considering condominium living.

1. Always check your condo rules to see if there are any restrictions on what kind of pets/dogs and how many. Condo rules trump city rules for owners.
2. Make sure you go to your condo board meeting! This is when amendments to rules are made – last year, someone tried to pass a rule in Madelaine’s building that all pets had to be carried through the common elements – impossible for the elderly, those with disabilities or large dog owners. It was voted down, but you must participate to have a say.
3. Research vets and emergency vets in the area…since it’s a fairly unregulated industry reading reviews helps a lot!
4. Small breeds (15 lbs and less), most of whom can
   

   
   
   get their exercise indoors are the best for condos. Madelaine and her partner have a bichon-shih tzu mix who doesn’t need exercise, in fact he hates it. Playing indoors is enough, and he loves laying out on the balcony. They do take him out for short walks approx 10-15 min three times a day.
5. Madelaine also has a slightly larger dog (30 lbs) who does need a lot of exercise…in his case, we made sure to buy a condo a short distance from an off leash dog park. Off lease dog parks are great for when you get home from work exhausted but your dog has sooo much energy. They can run around and you can take a seat and relax.
6. In terms of walking your dog, Madelaine and her partner realized after they bought that most of the green spaces around their condo were off limits to dogs which makes it tricky for the late night, last walk before bed. You should also ask other dog owners in the building, before buying, where the best spots are to walk your dog. Madelaine found out through word of mouth too late that there are coyotes who attacked another dog, in the only walkable area adjacent to the building.
7. Baby gates are your friends for keeping your barking and anxious dogs away from the front door.
8. Because a condo is traditionally a smaller space, setting a designated space for your pet that gives them the most visibility will lessen any anxiety.
9. If you can afford to, replace your balcony door with one that has a doggy door (our dogs love going in and out at their leisure). Cats would love this too and in a condo you don’t have to worry about other, unwanted creatures coming in such as raccoons.

Cats

Cats are the ideal condo pet. They don’t need to go outside for exercise, are absolutely fastidious and like nothing more than to lounge around and sleep in the sun. If you’re a traveller, it’s simple and inexpensive for someone to come into your home to clean the litter and ensure your cat has food and water while you are gone. Also, cats do not bother neighbours as they do not go outside, make no noise and never visit common areas.

No matter how much you love your cats however, dealing with smelly cat pee and poo on a daily basis is a downright well…bummer, particularly in a condominium. Managing odour in a small space, and the litter underfoot is a constant battle. The best way to deal with the smell is to scoop the cat’s litter every day and keep the area clean. As for the litter creep and the unpleasant visual aspect associated with seeing your cats’ waste in common living areas, there are other strategies to deal with this.

In a condo, every square foot counts, so it’s important to think deeply about where to put the litter box. Most people don’t want the litter area to be in visual sight (for hygiene reasons as well, especially if you have kids or other pets), so areas such as living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms are off-limits. This restricts your choices to bathrooms, and other spaces that you can use inventively.

Many people have built custom solutions that are pretty cool. Check here to find a cabinetmaker in your area if you don’t have the tools or wherewithal to make your own custom piece. Alternatively, you can look into purchasing cat litter box furniture. Either solution will hide your cats’ litter in attractive furniture, as well as minimize the spread of litter throughout your condo.

Please leave comments with your tips and tricks about how you deal with your pets while enjoying condo living. Good luck with your choice of condominium!

www.teambluesky.ca

Common Myths About the Fall Real Estate Market

There is nothing like lounging on a patio, enjoying the long lazy days of summer with a cold drink in your hand, and myths about the fall real estate market a distant thought. The sounds of children playing in the yard floats through the air, and the sidewalks are full of happy couples strolling through the neighbourhood, taking the time to get to know their neighbours a little better. Before long, the highlights of summer will come crashing down, and your days will be full of back to school shopping, carpooling to sporting events, and re-organizing your sweater collection.

On top of that, new homebuyers and sellers have the added difficulty of navigating the current real estate market with the myths about the fall real estate market floating around. While we hope you are reading this while soaking up everything summer has to offer, because it won’t be long before the tips below will become very handy.

1.) Summer is Over, Why Bother with Curb Appeal?

In a few weeks, summer will come to a screeching halt, but that doesn’t mean the extra attention the exterior of your home has been receiving has to come to an end as well. Make sure your fall curb appeal is exactly where it needs to be by ensuring walkways and gutters are free of leaves and debris, and ensure your lawn is always mowed. With unexpected weather the fall months can bring, keeping your trees neatly trimmed will ensure fallen branches don’t make your yard appear messy and unkempt.

2.) People Spend More Time Indoors, So Focus Your Attention There

Just because fall doesn’t have the heat of the summer, doesn’t mean people stay indoors. With the beauty the changing leaves and crisp fall air has to offer, some people actually enjoy spending time outdoors in the fall more than they do in the summer. Celebrate the season with seasonal home décor around the holidays that will attract potential buyers by making your house feel more like a home.

3.) The Weather is Cold, and So is Your Home

When summer inevitably comes to an end, the first sign will be the plummeting temperatures outdoors. Just because it’s cooler outdoors doesn’t mean your home décor needs to reflect that! Consider a fresh coat of paint in a warmer shade, and don’t be afraid to bring the temperature up a couple degrees to make your guests feel comfortable. If you don’t want to make a large change, a few additions like cozy pillows or throws can go a long way in cozying up your home décor for the cooler months.

4.) The Price Doesn’t Have to be Quite Right

The biggest mistake you can make when selling in the fall is pricing it incorrectly. The first thing you should do is understand the importance of working with a real estate professional, and from there, how to choose the right one for you. Working with a professional will help you ensure your home is priced correctly for the fall market.

5.) Once It Sells, You’re Done!

The paper’s are signed, and the deal is done, so all you have to do is pack up and move, right? Not quite! Leading up to the holidays, everyone is very busy which means you may have issues finding time to pack, finding a company to help you move, or even finding family and friends who would normally be able to lend a helping hand. To eliminate these issues, plan ahead! Make sure your moving date is scheduled firm in everyone’s calendar, and plan ahead to ensure you aren’t left without a solution if someone is forced to back out. A stress free move will make the world of a difference in the first couple days in your new home.

Now that you know the common myths about the fall real estate market, you may have a bit more to think about this summer! Take this time to enjoy everything summer has to offer, but tackle small projects on this list to ensure there are no surprises when fall roles around and the iconic red, white, and blue for sale sign is standing proudly on.

www.teambluesky.ca