A quick lesson in wood floors

Thinking about installing wood floors? The first decision you need to make

involves the type. According to the National Wood Flooring Association,

there are four types:

 

•Unfinished

This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you.

 

•Factory finished

As the name suggests, this is flooring that has its finish applied in the factory. Although it is more expensive, factory finished flooring can be installed faster and can be walked upon

immediately.

 

•Solid

This is flooring that is made from a solid piece of wood, top to

bottom. The advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many

times over the years, or even decades.

 

•Engineered

This is flooring that is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. It can be engineered to be very durable and expand and contract less than solid flooring.

 

The type you choose depends on your needs. Talk to your dealer or contractor about your specific application.

When is it time to talk to a REALTOR®?

When is it time to talk to a REALTOR®?

 

Many people only see a doctor when they're sick or have some other health

concern. On the other hand, some people visit a doctor regularly for check

-ups, to ask questions and get advice, and to maintain good health.

 

Which do you think is the better approach? Obviously, the second one!

 

The same thing is true when it comes to real estate. Even if you have no

current plans to buy or sell a home, there are many reasons to talk to a

REALTOR® regularly in order to maintain your good "real estate" health.

For example, you can:

 

•Get an assessment of the current market value of your home, so you

can make an informed decision about whether to stay or move.

 

•Ask about the state of the local real estate market (which may be

vastly different than what you hear on the national news.)

 

•Find out what homes are currently selling for in the area.

 

•Learn what's currently available on the market, especially in

neighbourhoods you would like to live in and that are within your budget.

 

•Ask for a contractor recommendation. 

 

In fact, it's a good idea to have a chat with your REALTOR®

once or twice a year, even if it's just to say hello. 

 

You want to build a relationship with a good REALTOR® who understands (and cares about) you and your needs. That way, when it does come time for you to make a move, you're dealing with a REALTOR® you already know and trust.

 

Don't have a good REALTOR®? Call today!

 

Team Metherall

RE/MAX All-Stars Keswick Realty Inc., Brokerage

Light Your Way to a Faster Sale!

Light Your Way to a Faster Sale!

 

Remember the last time you visited an upscale furniture showroom? The

furniture and fixtures on display probably looked great. The colours and

textures jumped out at you. It was a feast for the eyes!

 

There is a good reason for this: lighting. 

 

Of course, the quality of the products has a lot to do with how appealing

they look when on display. But smart retailers know that proper lighting is

key to making those products look their best. In fact, some retailers even

hire lighting consultants!

 

What does this have to do with selling your home quickly, and for the best

price?

 

Obviously, when showing your property to potential buyers, you want your

home to look its very best. Proper lighting can be a big help.

When preparing your home for sale, review the lighting in each room and

make sure the space is sufficiently well lit. You want the lighting to be strong

enough to prevent dark or shadowy areas, yet not so strong that it's

uncomfortable for the eyes.

 

As a rule of thumb, the total wattage of lights in a room should equal the

room's square footage times 1.5. So, if a room is 120 square feet and has

three light sources (ceiling light and two lamps) then the bulbs in each

should be 60 watts.

 

Pay particular attention to traditionally dark areas, such as the garage,

basement, and closets. Make sure those areas are well lit.

If you have a viewing scheduled during the day, take advantage of natural

light through windows. Open the curtains!

 

Finally, one of the most important areas is the foyer. Always make sure the

entrance has sufficient lighting. You don't want buyers to think they've

entered the home of classic TV's The Adam's Family!

 

Want more ideas for preparing your home for sale? Call today.

How to Choose the Right Size HDTV

How to Choose the Right Size HDTV

 

If you don't own one already, you may be tempted to purchase a

widescreen digital television to enjoy your favourite movies, shows and

sports programs. However, it can be difficult to select the right screen size,

especially if you've been accustomed to viewing a TV with a traditional 4:3

screen.

 

When it comes to size, there are many factors that come into play, such as

screen resolution and personal preference. However, the last thing you want

is to purchase an HDTV that is too small for the room, or so big that it

dominates the space.

 

Here's a tip:

The rule of thumb is to take the distance you'll be sitting from the television

and multiple by five to get the screen size you need. So if you'll be sitting

eight feet away, you'll want to look at HDTVs with screens that are in the 35 -

45 inch range.

 

A good electronics dealer can help you make the best choice.

 

Making Your Kitchen More Attractive to Buyers!

Making Your Kitchen More Attractive to Buyers!

What's one of the most important rooms in your home? When it comes to

selling your property quickly, and for the best price, the answer is clearly the

kitchen. In fact, one of the most common explanations a particular buyer

gives for not making an offer is, "I liked the house, but I wasn't too keen on

the kitchen."

 

That doesn't mean you must do a major renovation. However, you should do

what you can to make the kitchen as attractive as possible

to buyers. 

 

Here are some ideas:

First, clear the countertops. Put away the toaster and other items. You want

to make the entire countertop area seem as spacious as possible.

If the cabinetry is old, you can spruce it up by installing new knobs, handles

and other hardware. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling can also

make the kitchen look like it has had a major renovation and it will only cost

you a few hundred dollars. According to an article on the website HDTV.com,

"The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new

cabinet hardware."

 

Replacing the countertops is a more expensive renovation, but it may be

worth it if the current counters are old and worn. 

 

Finally, when preparing your kitchen for a viewing, make sure

it's clean and tidy. The garbage and recycling bins should be empty. Buyers will open

cabinets so make sure items on shelves are neatly organized with the front

labels facing forward.

 

There are many other ways to make the most important room in your home

look great to potential buyers. Call today for more ideas.

How Long Does it Take to Find a New Home?

If you're planning to look for a new home sometime in the future, you

may be wondering how long the process will take. How much time

should you set aside for viewings? How many of the listed homes

should you see?

 

Of course, the process varies from person to person. According to

the Department of Housing & Urban Development, home buyers view

an average of 15 properties before finally choosing to make an offer

on one of them. That number may be a good benchmark for you.

On a Saturday afternoon, you can comfortably look at three or four

potential properties. You can see more if you want to make a full day

of it. One factor that impacts the home shopping process is how clearly

you know what you're looking for. For example, if you're certain you want a three bedroom backsplit,backing onto a wooded area or ravine, in an upscale neighbourhood,

then the process is going to be fairly simple. You're just going to view

properties that closely meet that criteria. But if you're the kind of person who simply says, "I'll know it when I see it", then you'll need to look at several homes on the market. That

means carving out plenty of room in your schedule for viewings.

 

A good REALTOR can help you understand what's available on the

market and which homes are worth seeing. He or she can also help

you determine how long the process will likely take, and show you

ways to make the process go more quickly and smoothly.

Looking for a good REALTOR? Call today.

 

Team Metherall
RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc. Brokerage

5 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly

5 Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly

 

There are several reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly. For

example, a job change may require a speedy relocation to another city, or

you may have purchased another property and don't want to be stuck too

long with two mortgages.

 

Here are some tips that can help get the sold sign on your front lawn

sooner.

 

•Be realistic with price

If you set the listing price higher than the current market value of your home, then you're 

not going to get many, if any, viewers. You want the list price to be attractive, which

means listing at the current market value.

 

•Get things fixed

You probably don't have time for a major renovation. So just make sure everything in your home is in good working order. Deal with any obvious maintenance issues, such as a

leaking faucet or a gate hanging precariously on one hinge.

 

•Ensure your home shows well, inside and out side

Eliminate clutter. Trim hedges. Make sure every room has adequate lighting,

especially the basement. Imagine that a special guest is visiting your

home, then clean up and prepare accordingly.

 

•Be flexible with viewing times

You want as many potential buyers as possible to see your home. So don't restrict viewing times to just Saturdays. Make sure your home is as "available" as possible for showings. This may cause you and your family some inconvenience, but the reward will be selling your property sooner.

 

•Work with a good REALTOR®. 

Find an agent who understands the area and the local market well.

He or she will be able to recommend a variety of strategies that will help sell your home faster, and for a good price. 

 

•

Of course, there's no way to guarantee that you'll sell your home within the time frame you want. But these tips will certainly increase the chances that you will.

 

Thinking of SELLING YOUR HOME? Looking for a good REALTOR® who knows the area well? Call today.