Wednesday 20 June 2012

Splash On Some Colour

Splash on some colour!
Painting Tips
Sometimes lighting and shadows can make choosing a paint color a little tricky. Try these tips for getting it just right!
1. Look to your favorite home-decorating magazines and tear out color schemes and ideas that appeal to you and take with you when shopping for paint.
2. Know that color is usually more intense on walls than it seems on a sample card. Play it safe and go a shade or two lighter.
3. Yellow and rosy tones give a room a warm feeling. Greens, blues and grays give a cooler tone.
4. Avoid snow-white except in ultramodern, minimalist environments, because it will seem too harsh, giving a sterile, operating-room effect. It's better to go with a white that contains a hint of peach, beige or pink.
5. Keep bold color schemes for areas such as bathrooms and dining rooms where you don’t spend as much time. That way if you tire quickly, changing it won’t be as large of a project!
6. Take fabric with you if you're matching it, either a swatch,
pillow or curtain panel for example.
7. Start small, buying just a quart or so of paint, and then paint a section of wall with a paintbrush or roller, or test the color on a good-size (perhaps 3 feet square) plywood or wallboard scrap, or on a piece of cardboard; set it against the walls in the room as the light changes (including artificial light) and evaluate
it for a few days.
8. Test a two-tone scheme, such as wainscoting in one color and walls in another, by painting two boards or painting one board in both colors.  Repeat the test, tinkering with colors in small amounts until you're satisfied. While th¬e cost for sampling various paints can add up, it is still better than applying the wrong color to an entire room and having to repaint!

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Calgary Real Estate Sales Growth Lead Canada

According to a report recently released by the Canadian Real Estate Association on May 15th, Calgary’s MLS listings have risen 30% since last year. Nationally, sales have also risen, but at a much lower average rate of about 11%. New listings in Calgary have risen by 4.4%
since last year.
Compared to the rest of Canada, the average price increase of a home in Calgary remained relatively modest at 0.7%. The national average was reported at 0.9%. It is estimated that housing prices as a whole will not see more than a further 2% increase this year (TD Economic).
Looking at Alberta as a whole and real estate as an economic indicator of economic recovery, real estate sales have increased by 23.5% from last year..

Sunday 3 June 2012

Possible Red Flags When buying a Home

If every transaction and home was squeaky clean, then we really wouldn’t need lawyers, home inspectors, Realtors and other professionals to assist and protect us through the process. There are hundreds of things that can be problems in a house or with the deal itself. Below are a few red flags that should pique your attention when buying a house.
PLEASE NOTE: These items are only red flags. They are not necessarily problems in themselves, but should trigger a little more research.

Current Owner Assumed Their Mortgage – Assumable mortgages have been an easy way for unscrupulous people to purchase homes without using a bank.

Low Down Assumable Offered – The terms of the mortgage may be horrible, or the house may be over priced.

Stained Basement Items – Water stains on any item in the basement should be questioned.

Newly Finished Basement – This is a common way to hide past problems.

Odd Smell – Could be mould, mildew or caused by water or a past drug operation.

Exterior Cracking – Any unsealed opening on the exterior can cause water entry.

Slope Toward the House – The yard should move water away and not toward the house.

Attached Homes Without Condo Fees – If something happens to the roof or another shared item, who is responsible for the cost? Does your neighbor even have the money for half the expense? Can they paint their half pink?

Hot Water Tank Damage – Any sign of wear and tear on a hot water tank should be addressed very quickly.

Dirty Furnace Filter – The furnace is likely working overtime, and what else haven’t they fixed?

Cold Spots – This can be poor insulation or improper construction.

Swellings Around Windows and Wall Seams – Possible water entry.

Water Staining – Uhhhh… probably water.

Restrictive Covenants on Title – This could restrict the ways you can use the property, or what you can build in the future.

No RPR or Survey – This is the only protection you have to ensure that the house is built in the proper location on the lot and that you are getting the amount of useable land you paid for.

Newly Built Deck or Fence – Is it in a legal location and does it have a permit?

Soft Shower Walls – Could be rotten from long term water leaks

House Feels Small – The square footage listed may not be accurate.

One Agent Represents the Seller and the Buyer – It is impossible for a single agent to get the seller the highest price possible, and the buyer the lowest price possible. This is a conflict of interest. (Dual Agency)

Ask lots of questions and be sure to get accurate information from trusted professionals. Your team of pros is the best protection here.

This article has been written by Lindsey Smith of the Entyro Service Group in Calgary AB

Saturday 2 June 2012

WHEN AND WHAT TO REMODEL

WHEN AND WHAT TO REMODEL:
When remodelling your home, any major repairs must yield increasing returns.  For example, if you spend $1,000 to enhance part of your home, it must yield more than $1,000 when you are ready to sell your home.  These areas show increasing returns:
• Bathroom remodelling
• Master suite addition
• Bathroom addition
• Family room addition
• Roof replacement
• Window replacement
Hiring A Remodelling Contractor
• Get written estimates from at least three contractors
• Check references, including past clients
• Call local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints
• Make sure your contract is clear and specifies what the job entails, including time, price and changes
• Do not pay in full.  Make a down payment on services rendered.
• Check that all permits, licenses and insurance needs are met by the contractor
• Many contracts have a 3-Day Rescission
to protect you should you change your mind!
• Ask who will do the work.  Will it be the contractor or what portion will be sub-contracted?
• Ensure that all work completed complies with local building codes and/or regulations.
• Hold contractors responsible for clean up and any damage that occurs during work completed
• Guarantee that materials used are what you requested
• Once you are satisfied, then make the final payment