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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/2019-10/</link>
        <description></description>
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    <guid>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/home-safety-hazards.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/home-safety-hazards.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>5 Common Home Safety Hazards</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Because people spend a lot of time in their Cimarron homes, it's easy to assume that it's one of the safest places to be. However, any home can also be filled with any number of potential hazards, especially if residents are only so proactive when it comes to maintenance. Before an injury or accident occurs, here are a few common trouble areas to address sooner rather than later.


Floors


The floors of the homes are one of the biggest safety hazards for its residents, especially because few people consider washing the dishes or taking a shower a dangerous activity. But a slip can be more than just an inconvenience—it can end in serious injury. Putting more mats down in the kitchen, bathroom, and hallways can provide the traction people need to stay on their feet. 


Heat


Heat doesn't just have to be the stereotypical unattended candle. Residents have to be careful of space heaters, cigarettes, curling irons, etc. In addition to handling heat with care, homeowners need to be diligent about testing their smoke alarms. Consider buying a smart smoke alarm to receive updates when the battery is low. 


Railings


There are a few important facts to note about the railings in the home:




Glue typically holds the balusters and newel posts together in a railing.


This glue may become loose over time, compromising the stability of the structure.


Homeowners may need to call a professional to see if it's the screws that are loose or the glue has come undone.




Wiring


Wiring isn't actually visible, making it difficult to stop electrical fires before they start. Frayed wiring can be caused by everything from the passage of time to a rodent infestation. Experts recommend having the wiring checked once every five years and the outlets twice a year. 


Poisons


From prescriptions to cleaners, homeowners need to be careful about where they store certain materials and how they label them. Safety-proofing a home will be different for each owner. For some, owners may just need to place items in a locked cabinet. Others may want to invest in a label maker to ensure that the words and dates are clearly visible months later.


A home's safety hazards aren't always obvious to the residents until it's too late. It's why it helps to have an idea of the most common ways people may be injured in their own home. Maintenance starts with being observant, so the more walkthroughs the residents do, the less likely there will be accidents in the home.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2019 06:56:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/deck-installation-roi.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/deck-installation-roi.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>ROI of Deck Installation: A Guide for Homeowners</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Cimarron home buyers love outdoor space for entertaining, and they love home amenities. This may be why they love decks so much: because decks are a combination of both.


A home without a deck can almost always benefit from the installation of a deck, because the deck increases the value of the home. If you're a homeowner who would like to sell your home soon, and you're looking for ways to make your home more valuable to buyers, here's what you need to know about the ROI of deck installation.


ROI of Deck Installation


A typical deck costs between $5,000 and $10,000 to build. The ROI of a standard deck is around 70. This means that if a homeowner installs a $6,000 deck in their back yard, their home is likely to increase in value by approximately $4,200.


Tips to Increase ROI


Of course, ROI isn't always that simple. There are many things that homeowners can do to increase their deck installation ROI. These tips can help.


Use a Licensed Contractor


Deck construction may seem like a fairy simple DIY project, but a lot goes into a deck to make it structurally sound. Hiring an inexperienced professional or an unlicensed contractor could result in construction of an unstable or unsafe structure.


Get a Permit


Because an improperly constructed deck can be a safety hazard, most communities require a permit for construction. In many states, contractors pull the permit before beginning work. In some states, the homeowner might be responsible for getting the permit. Find out your community's requirements, and make sure that your contractor is following the rules.


Failure to get a permit when one is required could result in the addition of a deck that is not safe. It could also reduce the value of your home, which could make it harder to sell. 


Keep Costs Reasonable


The more a deck costs, the harder it is to recover those costs. Home buyers will pay more money for an expensive deck, but they will not pay proportionally more. The more the deck costs, the more the homeowner is likely to lose in the construction. Set a budget and work with your contractor to keep costs reasonable.


Which Is Better: Composite or Wood Decking?


Composite decking is deck material that has been made from wood pulp and plastic. Composite decking can be molded to resemble wood grain, and it can be tinted to be colored like wood as well. However, composite decking is different from wood in that it needs very little maintenance and never needs to be refinished.


Wood is less expensive, but needs regular resealing or it will rot. Homeowners who are installing their deck for their own personal use and aren't planning to move from their home soon may install composite decking because it is easier to maintain and longer lasting. A homeowner who is hoping to sell their home soon and who is installing their deck in hopes of increasing their ROI may prefer wood decking, because it is far more affordable, and recovering the costs will be easier.


Want Advice to Increase Your Home's Value? Contact a Real Estate Professional


If you're a homeowner who would like to make improvements to your home to sell it for more money, contact a real estate professional for advice. Your real estate agent can help you decide what improvements need to be made to your home in order for your home to sell for as much money as possible. Your real estate professional can also suggest ways that you could improve curb appeal or ways that you could stage your home in order to make your home more apealing for buyers. For more information, contact a real estate agent today.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2019 06:37:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/bathroom-upgrades-with-high-roi.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.okotoks.com/blog/bathroom-upgrades-with-high-roi.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Worthwhile Lavish Bathroom Upgrades With the Best ROI</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Bathroom renovations are one of the most popular home remodeling projects owners undertake and are second only to kitchen upgrades. As one of the most utilized and appreciated rooms in the home every day, the desire to have a luxurious bathroom is certainly understandable. Air Ranch homeowners also want to combine lavish amenities with functionality and an expectation of getting a reasonable return on investment (ROI). With that in mind, here are a few lavish upgrades for bathrooms with a good ROI.


Surround the Entire Room in Soothing Stone Walls


Walls in bathrooms may be a second thought that wouldn't appear to have any potential for increasing the value of a home. However, today's buyers looking for high-class amenities want the bathroom to have the look and feel of a spa-like environment—a look that stone walls perfectly deliver. By surrounding the area with a water-resilient natural stone, the space is transformed into an oasis that lays the foundation for other upscale upgrades. While most types of elegant stones will cost a pretty penny to purchase and install, owners can reap up to a 50 return on their investment in these walls down the line should they sell.


Elegant Vanity and Sink Upgrades


A standard single or prefabricated sink of any kind simply adds no value to a home. In fact, it is likely to put off buyers who are looking for a comfortable respite to refresh within. Today's opulent trends include designer freestanding cabinets that serve as both a storage and a base for elegant free-standing sink bowls with over-the-top fixtures. Coloured and ornately painted bowls become immediate focal points of the room, and buyers looking for luxury appeal will take notice.


Another top trend that can be designed with minimalism in mind or present a more futuristic, streamlined look are floating vanities. A floating vanity typically entails one long, singular piece of material such as glass, wood or marble that is placed sideways to create a ‘ledge' where the sinks and other implements will rest. These will appear to ‘float' across the material's surface, and buyers simply love this classy look.


Fabulous Flooring Installations


Again, natural stones are arguably one of the most lavish types of flooring one can buy, but buyers don't seem to mind paying a bit more for a bath with exquisite underfoot materials. Unless the walls are literally set in stone, homeowners can choose any type for flooring, while owners with elegant stone walls will want to choose a material to complement them. Stone flooring with the best ROI include:




Limestone


Slate


Flagstone


Travertine


Marble


Quartzite




With a water sealant and a glossy, nonslip topcoat that brings out each stone's natural beauty, the bathroom will rival that in any luxury home. Boost ROI even more by installing a heating system beneath the floor.


Top-of-the-Line Tantalizing Tubs and Toilets


There are high-end toilets, tubs and shower additions that will make anyone feel like royalty in the necessary room. Toilets are no longer merely devices to use and flush, but rather, using many of today's luxury ‘thrones' is a completely hands-free experience. Features may include night lights, remote controls, self-opening, closing and flushing, and front and rear warm-water washlet options.


Bathing can become a far more enjoyable and sophisticated routine with a bathtub and shower set up that rivals world-class spas. Traditional tubs such as claw-footed baths, corner baths, dual baths, and sunken tubs with the inclusion of jets can have up to a 70 percent ROI, as can luxurious shower spaces. Homebuyers are highly interested in advanced comfort features such as multiple shower heads, steam room options, multimedia-like TVs and music stations, colored LEDs, and aromatherapy.


Enjoy Bathroom Upgrades Now, Enjoy Greater ROI Later


One of the best aspects of upscale bathroom renovations is the ability to soak in the goodness of the space personally, while knowing that these smart investments will pay off in the future.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 2019 09:25:00 -0600</pubDate>
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