Blog by Michael Giesbrecht
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The Latest Options In Outdoor Lighting
October 9th, 2019
Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the days of patio lanterns and strings of lightbulbs. These days, there's an exhaustive array of options available to illuminate your outdoor space, and make it more appealing and comfortable, particularly in the evenings.
Here are just a few ideas:
Solar garden lights. These lights are on stakes that can be easily inserted throughout the gar ...
Open House Ideas For Boosting Curb Appeal
October 2nd, 2019
You've heard of the term "curb appeal". It refers to the initial impression buyers get when they first see your property from the street. If the impression is a good one, it sets the right tone for the rest of the home viewing.
How do you boost curb appeal? Here are some proven ideas that you can get done in an hour or so:
Wash both the inside and outside of the front windows. You'l ...
Cutting Renovation Costs Without Cutting Quality
September 16th, 2019
As you probably know, it's easy to lower the costs of a renovation. Just hire an inexpensive, fly-by-night contractor — and hope for the best!
Chances are, you won't want to take that risk. So how do you ensure you get quality work while keeping your budget in check?
Here are some tips:
Get estimates from at least three contractors. Often prices can vary widely, even amongst contracto ...
How Much Should You Budget For Your Next Home?
September 9th, 2019
If it’s been a while since you last moved, you might be wondering how much you'll need to spend on your next home. That's an important question to answer, even if you're just at the "thinking about it" stage and haven't decided whether or not you'll look for a new property.
After all, knowing your budget might influence your decision.
How should you determine your budget?
The first s ...
Protecting Your Home Gadgets From Hacking
August 30th, 2019
Imagine your coffee maker switching on by itself, staying on for hours, overheating and becoming a fire hazard. That's not science fiction. As more and more appliances incorporate WIFI, the opportunities for hackers to play havoc with your home gadgets increase.
How do you prevent that from happening? Here are some safety tips:
If your gadget uses a password to access the settings, c ...
The 4 P's To Maximizing Your Selling Price
August 13th, 2019
When you sell, you’ll probably want to get the best possible price for your property. Who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, there are many ways to inadvertently leave money on the table – sometimes thousands of dollars.
How do you avoid that possibility? Just remember the 4 P's:
Prep. Do everything you can to prepare your home so that it looks great to buyers. Clean, declutter, fix, make impr ...
How To Buy A Home In A "Hot" Area
July 29th, 2019
Is there an area you'd love to get into that's "hot"? In other words, an area where, as soon as a new home comes up for sale, buyers are clamouring to see it?
It can be intimidating to try to buy into a neighbourhood like that. On one hand, it's the type of area you'd love to call home. After all, there are good reasons why it's so popular! On the other hand, you might be discouraged by ...
Stay Or Move? 5 Questions That Help You Decide
July 22nd, 2019
It can be tough to make the decision to sell. In fact, for many homeowners, it's overwhelming. If you're considering making a move and struggling with the decision, here are five helpful questions to ask yourselves:
1. "What are our practical reasons for selling?"
This question refers to what you'll get by moving to a new home. The reasons could include a bigger backyard, sh ...
Should You Buy A Resale Or A New-Build?
July 15th, 2019
If you're thinking about buying a new home, you may be considering purchasing in a new development. How does that compare to purchasing a resale property?
Buying a newly-built home has some advantages. Depending on the development, you may have leeway in the style of the home and the lot you choose. Also, when the home is built, you'll be moving into a place where everything is brand new ...