Tag: country_us

Put your laundry room in the limelight

The humble laundry room is emerging as an influential part of the home for today’s buyers and renovators. Upstaged by new kitchens and bathrooms, many buyers rarely gave a thought to the laundry room beyond its practical function – until now. New interior designs and increasingly sophisticated washing machines have put ways of doing the…
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What to expect when you buy a fixer-upper

It feels like you can’t turn on the TV and flip through the channels without seeing a home improvement show, but don’t be taken in by their simplicity. Remodelling your home is far more complex and usually more expensive than TV pundits lead you to believe. When they even bother to price the items of…
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Four fun tips for using feng shui to prepare your home for sale

If you’re in a neighborhood where potential buyers might appreciate the ancient wisdom of feng shui, it might be profitable to pay some homage to the art when preparing your home for sale. While there is a unique philosophy rather than science underpinning feng shui, many of its instructions about furniture arrangement make perfect sense.…
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9 mistakes to avoid with a new kitchen

No room carries more influence with a buyer than the kitchen because it’s where the family gathers and many memories are made. The kitchen can represent up to 20% of the entire value of a property, so it’s important to make sure it is both functional and attractive.  With this in mind, I’ve compiled a…
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11 tips to save on the running costs of your home

Maintaining your home should be a mix of love and diligence that sometimes requires a little TLC from your bank account. Staying on top of the chores around your property is key to ensuring it remains comfortable and a refuge from the trials that life throws at us. But it doesn’t take much for the…
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6 signs that tell you it’s time to downsize

It can be challenging to know the right time to downsize your home. It can be a very emotional experience. The family home is full of memories of raising a family and sending young adults out into the world. So, it’s understandable that couples moving towards retirement are reluctant to leave behind the sanctuary that…
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9 ways to avoid a house fire

A fire in your home can happen at any time of the year, but with colder months upon us it’s easy to see how the danger increases with the setting of wood-burning heaters and the use of candles to create a cozy atmosphere. Most fires start in the kitchen and are caused by neglect. You…
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8 step guide to hiring a plumber

As a homeowner, you’ll inevitably have to call in a contractor to deal with electricity or plumbing problems at some stage. It’s one of the ‘pleasures’ of owning property! Choosing the right contractor can feel a little overwhelming. But it is always important that you take swift action to remedy problems, or even ask a…
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8 tips for buying an older apartment

Older apartments are attracting a lot of buyer attention in our area because they can be genuine treasures in the rough.  The trade-off is that sometimes you have to deal with floorplans, fittings and design quirks that architects dropped 20-plus years ago. As an experienced local agent, I find it fascinating to compare the beautiful…
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How to choose the perfect paint color

Whether you’re about to sell your home or renovate, there are few better low-budget ways to add some sparkle than a fresh coat of paint. Many agents recommend homeowners break out the brushes before putting their property on the market because a good paint job hides the bumps and scratches that walls endure over the…
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