Real Estate Blog

What You Need to Know About Home WarrantiesWhen it comes to filing a claim for faulty workmanship or improper appliance installation, a homeowner might be surprised at what their warranty does and doesn't cover after they've purchased a home. This is partially because no one takes the time to read every clause and partially because a warranty in Ontario will not necessarily be the same as a warranty in Quebec. Homeowners should have a general idea of the underlying principles though, so they can get the most out of their warranties.

How It Works

The home warranty process is all about proof and circumstance. So even if it's clear that a construction worker busted a pipe during their time on the job, homeowners need to check to see if this particular event is covered under the warranty.

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Outdoor Living Space IdeasOutdoor living spaces are one of the many hot new trends in home construction. These unique, fun outdoor structures add value to the home and improve quality of life for members of the household. Homeowners who would like to install an outdoor living space in their backyard must decide which features will make their space most functional and enjoyable.

Shelter

Every outdoor living space needs overhead shelter of some kind. A good shelter will provide shade on hot afternoons, so members of the household can sit outside even when it's very warm. Some homeowners want to spend time outside even when it rains. For these homeowners, the shelter must also provide water protection. Shelter can take many forms. A pergola with a vine growing on it will

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How Can Homeowners Spot FoundationFoundation damage can be a serious problem. Homeowners who recognize the signs of foundation damage and who know what to do about it can help protect their home's value. These FAQs can answer many homeowner questions about foundation damage, the warning signs and what to do if the home has damage to its foundation.

What Causes Foundation Damage?

There are many things that can cause foundation damage. Soil settlement, presence of moisture and lack of moisture can all force foundations to shift, crack and become unstable. In addition, some new homes will experience foundation trouble as a result of freeze/thaw cycles that cause the ground to expand as it freezes. Noticing these conditions is one way Crystal Shores homeowners can quickly

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How to Get the Best Returns from Your Home Energy ProjectsMost homeowners want their home to be as efficient as possible, but it's not always clear what the best path is to get to that destination. After all, even the most energy-conscious individual isn't likely to spend $15,000 for solar panels if they're planning to move out in six months. To really understand how to get the most out of the energy projects a homeowner takes on, they need to learn more about the actual state of their home as well as the average returns for each project.

Insulating the Home

Homeowners who want to make their home more efficient typically can't go wrong with upgrading the insulation. This step isn't as simple as it sounds, but the effort is minimal compared to the nearly guaranteed returns of over 100%. Most experts

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DIY or Hire A ContractorHomeowners seeking to save money often make home improvements themselves. However, not all home improvements make good DIY projects. Homeowners who are thinking about taking on a home improvement project as a DIY must consider a variety of factors including budget, ability and risk.

Consider Ability and Experience

Homeowners must consider the relative difficulty of each home improvement project, and must then choose the projects that match their abilities. For example, a homeowner who is new to DIY and home improvement may be able to handle small projects like house painting, hanging blinds or putting up a shelf. Homeowners who have a lot of DIY experience may be able to take on more challenging projects like fixture installation, duct

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Curb Appeal Tips for Home SellersWhile it may be an old adage that people "shouldn't judge a book by it's cover", curb appeal helps sell houses. Homeowners hoping to put their home up on the market soon, boosting curb appeal can help sell their house more quickly. There are many different ways that homeowners boost curb appeal in the days or weeks before putting their house on the market. Landscaping improvements, home upgrades and yard work can all help prepare any home to be seen by buyers.

Make An Upgrade

Some of the most popular home renovations are home improvements that boost curb appeal. These high-ROI home improvements make any home appeal to buyers from the outside and more functional as well. Below are some of today's most popular home improvements.

  • Install a
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A Guide to Home ShowingFor all the schools of thought when it comes to selling a home, there are a few basic ground rules that sellers should follow if they want to make a good impression on homebuyers. This is especially true if sellers are showing their home to a demographic with disposable income. These buyers are far more likely to make their decision based on instincts rather than price. Unless the seller is planning to sell the home as a fixer-upper or to a flipper, they can use the following tips to lay the right foundation.

Work Outside In

Cleaning up the outside of the home is the best place to start because curb appeal will go a long way. At a minimum, the outside of the home (including the lawn and garden) should be as clean as possible. Recent trends show

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How to Choose Energy Projects with High ROIsThere are probably a lot of energy-efficient upgrades homeowners would do for their homes if they had the money. Sadly, most of us have to concentrate on certain home improvement projects that yield the highest return on investment (ROI.) For businesspeople, the ROI usually boils down to how much profit a particular investment will generate, but a homeowner isn't always driven by that type of net gain. Whether a homeowner cares more about the environmental impact of their home or their power bills, they can use these tips to decide which projects are right for them.

Ask a Pro

Starting with an energy evaluation will tell a homeowner which areas of their home are the most efficient and which areas are falling short. The costs of an evaluation

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Tips for Buying a Fixer Upper PropertyBuying a fixer upper property is a big commitment. For some homeowners, it can also be a bit scary. Before going through with the purchase, it's important to know what kind of repairs a property will need and how much money those repairs will cost. After identifying issues on the property, working with contractors and professionals can help you decide whether or not a property is right for you. These tips will help you move forward with the process.

Get An Inspection

When you're thinking about buying a fixer upper, the first step after viewing the house is to get an inspection. A professional inspector can help you identify problems with the property that might otherwise go unnoticed. When the inspector walks through the house, walk with him or

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10 Easy Landscaping Tips For Home SellersGood landscaping is critical for maintaining curb appeal and attracting home buyers. As a home seller, there are many things you can do to keep your landscaping looking its best while it's on the market. These ten easy landscaping tips are important for maintaining good curb appeal.

Plant Colorful Annual Flowers

Colorful flowers help attract attention from home buyers the moment they turn onto your street. The more colors and variety, the better. Annuals tend to be the easiest to grow because they require no fertilizer and grow very quickly.

When choosing flowers for your home's landscaping, check the growing requirements for each type of flower to ensure that it is planted in the appropriate place in the yard. Providing flowers with the

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