Evelyn Volk : Blog : Latest Blog Posts

I have sold a property at 39 Beaconsfield WAY NW in Calgary

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:01:30 GMT

I have sold a property at 39 Beaconsfield WAY NW in Calgary on Apr 3, 2024. See details here

Welcome to this incredibly bright and inviting home in Beddington Heights with over 1850 sq ft of developed living space on both levels. As you enter the spacious foyer, you'll be impressed with the open feeling you get from the staircases leading to the main and lower level and with fresh paint and new laminate flooring that graces both levels. The whole main floor has been extensively RENOVATED in 2023 with gorgeous Granite countertops, new cabinets, all new doors, new closet doors and new baseboards. This home boasts large windows in the living room, offering ample natural light and making it the perfect place to relax after a long day. The kitchen features Granite countertops and new ceiling-height kitchen cabinets with a ceramic tiled backsplash. The dining room leads to the patio for you to enjoy the sunny south backyard with back lane access. Step outside onto the deck and you'll be greeted by the massive backyard with several mature trees and shrubs for privacy so you can enjoy your morning coffee or host summer barbecues with friends and family. The 1 full bath and 2 half baths have all been completely renovated with granite countertops, new cabinets and all new bathroom fixtures. The basement has a family room/recreation room and newly renovated half bath and has plenty of storage space with a walk-out that steps out to the backyard. Cozy up and stay warm in the winter months with two fireplaces—a gas-assisted wood-burning fireplace upstairs and a wood burning fireplace in the basement. Recent upgrades includes a newer roof (2014) and a new hot water tank (2023) enhances this home's value. Walking distance to Nose Hill Park and paths and minutes to schools, shopping & transit. Easy access to Downtown, YYC airport, Deerfoot Trail, and Stoney Trail, your commute will be a breeze, allowing you more time to enjoy all the perks of living in this wonderful community. Don't miss out on the chance to make this beautiful home yours!

New property listed in Beddington Heights, Calgary

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 09:01:23 GMT

I have listed a new property at 39 Beaconsfield WAY NW in Calgary. See details here

I have sold a property at 9 Sherview POINT NW in Calgary

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 09:01:22 GMT

I have sold a property at 9 Sherview POINT NW in Calgary on Nov 10, 2023. See details here

Looking for a home in Show Home Condition that’s in a well established neighborhood? This is it! Discover exquisite living in the coveted community of Sherwood. **Check out the Video and Virtual 3D Tour** Step into this luxurious 2 Storey Home with over 2800 sqft of developed living space! This home features 3 bedrooms up & 1 down, 3.5 baths and a professionally developed basement. Well maintained home with modern and elegant contemporary touches with pleasing colour palettes through out. The main floor offers an open concept layout with large windows that invite tons of natural light through out. The stunning kitchen comes with beautiful dark cabinetry, ceiling height for extra storage, a large Quartz Island and Stainless-Steel appliances, Built-in 5 Gas Burner Stove & Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave and features a large Corner pantry and gorgeous hardwood flooring. The kitchen overlooks the bright living room complete with a gas fireplace. Enjoy family dinners in the dining room that’s just off the kitchen and leads out to the deck in the backyard. The main floor also features the mud room with extra storage and 2pc bath. Upstairs has room for the whole family with an expansive Bonus room, large Primary bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet & 5pc Spa Inspired Ensuite with quartz countertop and dual vanities, a separate glass shower & soaker tub with ceramic tile flooring and 2 more generous sized bedrooms. The laundry room is also on the upper floor for extra convenience with an additional sink and room for lots of storage. This level is complete with a 4pc bath with quartz countertop. The fully finished basement is complete and can accommodate both a living room and recreation room, or have a gym/workout area or maybe an office space. This basement also has the 4th bedroom & 3pc bath with the quartz countertop and fully tiled shower with even more storage! Stay cool next summer with the air conditioner, enjoy the low maintenance front yard and the back yard is ready and waiting for your finishing touches! This home is right across from the green space and close to playgrounds, schools, parks, ravines, and walking paths and quick access to Shaganappi Trail, Stoney Trail and Sarcee Trail. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home that’s move-in ready!

I have sold a property at 50 Hawkdale CIRCLE NW in Calgary

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 09:01:23 GMT

I have sold a property at 50 Hawkdale CIRCLE NW in Calgary. See details here

Your future looks bright in this 5 BEDROOM, WALKOUT basement home, sitting on a MASSIVE 755sqm PIE lot, siding pathways & nestled into the mature NW Calgary neighborhood of Hawkwood!! Step inside to high VAULTED ceilings and big beautiful windows, flooding the space with natural sunlight. The spacious Living Room looks out into the front yard that flows into a formal Dining room. As you're drawn into the Kitchen you'll find so much workspace with surrounding countertops & cabinetry, corner pantry, corner windows over the sink, matching appliances & an eating nook that's highlighted by the bay windows w/ garden door to the SW facing back deck! Overlooking the family room, perfect for entertaining, find a cozy FIREPLACE, anchored by built in shelving and another large window to enjoy even more natural sunlight. The Laundry room has great storage and is conveniently located on the main level as well as a 2-pc powder room, both close to the garage entryway w/ large closet. Upstairs, head into the inviting Primary suite with MOUNTIAN VIEWS that hosts a private ensuite w/ a standup shower, corner JET tub "as is", widespread vanity & provides lots of storage, plus a MASSIVE WALK-IN closet! Across the hall are 2 secondary bedrooms, one with built-in desk. There is a linen closet in the hallway & a polished 4-pc bathroom that's easy to share. The FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT provides any family with so much additional living space to entertain guests or stretch out and relax with family. An impressive Rec Room overlooks the backyard & opens out to the scenic backyard space and lower covered patio. Off the Rec room is a quiet Den space, perfect for a home office or hobby room, as well as 2 MORE BEDROOMS, both with lots of natural light, 1 accommodates a WALK-IN closet & these two bedrooms are conveniently separated by a 3-pc bathroom. Additional storage under the stairs is a great place to tuck everything away. The DOUBLE ATTACHED Oversized 20x22'3 garage has high ceilings and a man door to the side of the home. Outside is an enjoyable oasis, that's treed in for privacy, while you sit on the upper deck in the sunshine or the COVERED lower cement patio that takes in the views of a gorgeous water feature & fully fenced, SW PIE LOT backyard. This house is settled into the perfect place within the community and ready for a fresh start with a new family! Please note that the furnaces are original and in working order. Call today for your private viewing!!

Open House. Open House on Saturday, September 9, 2023 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:01:23 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 9 Sherview POINT NW in Calgary. See details here

Open House on Saturday, September 9, 2023 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Looking for a home in Show Home Condition that’s in a well established neighborhood? This is it! Discover exquisite living in the coveted community of Sherwood. **Check out the Video and Virtual 3D Tour**. Step into this luxurious 2 Storey Home with over 2800 sqft of developed living space! This home features 3 bedrooms up & 1 down, 3.5 baths and a professionally developed basement. Well maintained home with modern and elegant contemporary touches with pleasing colour palettes through out. The main floor offers an open concept layout with large windows that invite tons of natural light through out. The stunning kitchen comes with beautiful dark cabinetry, ceiling height for extra storage, a large Quartz Island and Stainless-Steel appliances, Built-in 5 Gas Burner Stove & Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave and features a large Corner pantry and gorgeous hardwood flooring. The kitchen overlooks the bright living room complete with a gas fireplace. Enjoy family dinners in the dining room that’s just off the kitchen and leads out to the deck in the backyard. The main floor also features the mud room with extra storage and 2pc bath. Upstairs has room for the whole family with an expansive Bonus room, large Primary bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet & 5pc Spa Inspired Ensuite with quartz countertop and dual vanities, a separate glass shower & soaker tub with ceramic tile flooring and 2 more generous sized bedrooms. The laundry room is also on the upper floor for extra convenience with an additional sink and room for lots of storage. This level is complete with a 4pc bath with quartz countertop. The fully finished basement is complete and can accommodate both a living room and recreation room, or have a gym/workout area or maybe an office space. This basement also has the 4th bedroom & 3pc bath with the quartz countertop and fully tiled shower with even more storage! Stay cool next summer with the air conditioner, enjoy the low maintenance front yard and the back yard is ready and waiting for your finishing touches! This home is right across from the green space and close to playgrounds, schools, parks, ravines, and walking paths and quick access to Shaganappi Trail, Stoney Trail and Sarcee Trail. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home that’s move-in ready!

Open House. Open House on Sunday, September 10, 2023 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:01:23 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 9 Sherview POINT NW in Calgary. See details here

Open House on Sunday, September 10, 2023 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Looking for a home in Show Home Condition that’s in a well established neighborhood? This is it! Discover exquisite living in the coveted community of Sherwood. **Check out the Video and Virtual 3D Tour**. Step into this luxurious 2 Storey Home with over 2800 sqft of developed living space! This home features 3 bedrooms up & 1 down, 3.5 baths and a professionally developed basement. Well maintained home with modern and elegant contemporary touches with pleasing colour palettes through out. The main floor offers an open concept layout with large windows that invite tons of natural light through out. The stunning kitchen comes with beautiful dark cabinetry, ceiling height for extra storage, a large Quartz Island and Stainless-Steel appliances, Built-in 5 Gas Burner Stove & Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave and features a large Corner pantry and gorgeous hardwood flooring. The kitchen overlooks the bright living room complete with a gas fireplace. Enjoy family dinners in the dining room that’s just off the kitchen and leads out to the deck in the backyard. The main floor also features the mud room with extra storage and 2pc bath. Upstairs has room for the whole family with an expansive Bonus room, large Primary bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet & 5pc Spa Inspired Ensuite with quartz countertop and dual vanities, a separate glass shower & soaker tub with ceramic tile flooring and 2 more generous sized bedrooms. The laundry room is also on the upper floor for extra convenience with an additional sink and room for lots of storage. This level is complete with a 4pc bath with quartz countertop. The fully finished basement is complete and can accommodate both a living room and recreation room, or have a gym/workout area or maybe an office space. This basement also has the 4th bedroom & 3pc bath with the quartz countertop and fully tiled shower with even more storage! Stay cool next summer with the air conditioner, enjoy the low maintenance front yard and the back yard is ready and waiting for your finishing touches! This home is right across from the green space and close to playgrounds, schools, parks, ravines, and walking paths and quick access to Shaganappi Trail, Stoney Trail and Sarcee Trail. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home that’s move-in ready!

New property listed in Sherwood, Calgary

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 09:01:21 GMT

I have listed a new property at 9 Sherview POINT NW in Calgary. See details here

Looking for a home in Show Home Condition that’s in a well established neighborhood? This is it! Discover exquisite living in the coveted community of Sherwood. **Check out the Video and Virtual 3D Tour**. Step into this luxurious 2 Storey Home with over 2800 sqft of developed living space! This home features 3 bedrooms up & 1 down, 3.5 baths and a professionally developed basement. Well maintained home with modern and elegant contemporary touches with pleasing colour palettes through out. The main floor offers an open concept layout with large windows that invite tons of natural light through out. The stunning kitchen comes with beautiful dark cabinetry, ceiling height for extra storage, a large Quartz Island and Stainless-Steel appliances, Built-in 5 Gas Burner Stove & Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave and features a large Corner pantry and gorgeous hardwood flooring. The kitchen overlooks the bright living room complete with a gas fireplace. Enjoy family dinners in the dining room that’s just off the kitchen and leads out to the deck in the backyard. The main floor also features the mud room with extra storage and 2pc bath. Upstairs has room for the whole family with an expansive Bonus room, large Primary bedroom with a spacious walk-in closet & 5pc Spa Inspired Ensuite with quartz countertop and dual vanities, a separate glass shower & soaker tub with ceramic tile flooring and 2 more generous sized bedrooms. The laundry room is also on the upper floor for extra convenience with an additional sink and room for lots of storage. This level is complete with a 4pc bath with quartz countertop. The fully finished basement is complete and can accommodate both a living room and recreation room, or have a gym/workout area or maybe an office space. This basement also has the 4th bedroom & 3pc bath with the quartz countertop and fully tiled shower with even more storage! Stay cool next summer with the air conditioner, enjoy the low maintenance front yard and the back yard is ready and waiting for your finishing touches! This home is right across from the green space and close to playgrounds, schools, parks, ravines, and walking paths and quick access to Shaganappi Trail, Stoney Trail and Sarcee Trail. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home that’s move-in ready!

I have sold a property at 11 Nordegg CRESCENT in Red Deer

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 09:01:27 GMT

I have sold a property at 11 Nordegg CRESCENT in Red Deer. See details here

Excellently maintained Normandeau 4 plex. All units are 2 bed and 1.5 baths with in-suite laundry. There is paved parking in the back (east) with 4 electrified stalls and 2 visitor parking stalls. This location is excellent, as there is a green space behind the building, and an alley on the south and east sides offering privacy, easy access and mature landscaping. Shingles replaced late 2015. Exterior wood trim painted 2022. Decks have had floor boards replaced as needed and have been stained as needed. Owner has done an annual walk through to ensure all safety equipment and code is maintained. Currently rented for a monthly gross of $3821 from all 4 units. Owner pays city bill and splits cost of garbage dumpster with building next door to the north. Tenants pay all other utilities. Larger garden shed on site for owner's equipment ... could be rented for extra storage. Unit 1 leased to Nov 30/23. Unit 2 is leased to Sept 30/23...tenant has been there since June 1, 2011 and would like to assist with minor maintenance if needed. Unit 4 just signed new 6 month lease to Sept 30/23. Unit 3 has new tenant starting April 1/23 ending March 31/24. All tenants are very clean and responsible.

New property listed in Forest Lawn, Calgary

Tue, 16 May 2023 09:02:03 GMT

I have listed a new property at 101 1721 43 STREET SE in Calgary. See details here

Great opportunity for first time buyers and investors! Looking for an affordable condo with low condo fees? This Is It and it's Move-In Ready! With 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, it's on the first floor and higher than ground level, it offers both comfort and privacy. The condo is over 800 square feet and has just been freshly painted throughout with a cool and bright color palette. The kitchen features a central island/eating bar, lots of cabinets, window by the double sink, dishwasher, hood fan and boasts a brand New Fridge and New Stove, making it perfect for cooking and entertaining! The open-concept living room and dining area creates a nice flow, ideal for relaxation and hosting gatherings. Additional features include In-Floor Heating throughout, Corner Tiled Gas Fireplace, Low Maintenance Flooring, In-Suite Laundry Room and Large Storage Unit in the basement to keep your items neat and tidy. The patio glass doors and windows throughout this unit bring an abundance of natural light throughout. The spacious primary and second bedrooms are towards the back of the unit with large windows and this condo is complete with a 4-piece bath. Step outside to your covered balcony, a private retreat for your morning coffee or unwinding after a long day. This unit has 2 entrances: one in the front with additional street parking and to the rear designated paved Assigned Parking Stall. Low stable condo fees of just under $324/month includes Heat/Water/Sewer/Building Insurance/Gas/Parking/ Building Electricity and Maintenance for common areas/Garbage Removal/Cleaning of Building/Grass Cut and Partial Snow Clearing of Front Gate and Sidewalks. Great location that's close to grocery stores, shopping centers, schools and the bus stops are only 1 block away! Restaurants, coffee shops and gas stations are all within walking distance. Easy access to major thoroughfares of Barlow Trail, Deerfoot Trail, Memorial Drive, & Stoney Trail. Don't miss this chance to own this charming condo! Book your viewing today.

I have sold a property at 24 Sunset MANOR in Cochrane

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:01:42 GMT

I have sold a property at 24 Sunset MANOR in Cochrane.

See details here

Sunset Ridge is famous for the views, being a family friendly community, and being a hop, skip and a jump from the Rockies. Homes on Sunset Manor do not come on the market often, and homes like this – walking out onto the pond and trails are especially special. Arguably the best street in the community, welcome home! With over 3300sqf of air conditioned and luxurious developed space – there is plenty of room for your growing family. As a former show home, this layout is perfection while backing onto the 6-acre freshwater pond complete with trails and parks. From the moment you walk into the front door, you will catch views from every angle. An open concept main floor highlights the 9’ ceilings and hardwood floors, featuring a stunning kitchen with tons of upgrades – such as gas range, 42’’ cabinets, quartz counters with centre island, formal dining and a fabulous family room centred around a gas fireplace overlooking the pond. The breakfast nook leads out to the fully screened south facing sunroom. You will spend oodles of time out here. The final touches of the main floor include a walkthrough pantry from the mud and laundry room, garage access and a private powder room. Heading upstairs, the owners retreat is massive, and provides two walk in closets, an exceptional ensuite with soaker tub, dual vanities and stand up shower. This entire suite has stunning mountain and pond views! At the front of the home is an expansive bonus room that can be used in a myriad of ways. Two other great sized bedrooms and a 4-piece bathroom that has additional linen storage are present on this level and afford room for the whole family. Headed to the lower level, you will want to spend all your time here in both summer and winter. Heated in slab floors, fantastic family room that is decked out with the wet bar with island, and room for a gym or games area. Step out into the second fully screened sunroom and listen to the birds and access the expansive sunny south yard. There is also a 4th bedroom and another 4-piece bathroom on this level. Whether you have a teenager itching to get their own space or want to make a welcoming guest retreat – the potential is unmatched. Other wonderful features include on demand hot water and heated floors in the garage. This home is ready for new owners and if you are lucky – it could be yours. Get it today before it’s gone. This home will not last long.

I have sold a property at 234 Tusslewood TERRACE NW in Calgary

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 09:01:22 GMT

I have sold a property at 234 Tusslewood TERRACE NW in Calgary.

See details here

Amazing Home in Tuscany is perfect for the large family. This Must-See 2 Storey Home has over 3300 sqft of developed living space! Located in a cul-de-sac on a massive pie lot with a long driveway great for a RV trailer or extra vehicles! Tremendous value with 4 bedrooms up plus 1 bedroom down, 3.5 Baths, main floor office & a den/flex room in the basement! Well maintained home with neutral colors throughout. Large windows invite tons of natural light throughout. A soaring vaulted entry and central staircase provides a great welcome for guests. To the left is the formal living room and dining room and to the right, a private office, laundry room, mud room with newer washer and dryer off the garage and 2pc bath. The open concept family room, kitchen & dining nook is great for entertaining. The kitchen offers a central island, granite countertops, custom maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash and a corner pantry for lots of storage. The family room is truly inviting with it’s tile surround gas fireplace. Gorgeous hardwood flooring and carpet flows throughout the main level. The dining nook leads out to your covered deck and huge private back yard filled with trees and perennials. Deck and patio roof were completely renovated to existing specs in 2016. Upstairs has ample room for the whole family with a large Primary bedroom and walk-in closet, 5pc ensuite with dual sinks, glass shower & soaker tub and 3 spacious bedrooms with a full 4pc bath. The basement is complete with custom maple cabinets, a large rec room and gas fireplace, wet bar with a fridge and dishwasher, 5th bedroom, den/flex room, 4pc bath and lots of room for storage. The furnace is serviced professionally every year & the hot water tank was brand new in 2019. Fantastic location with schools, playgrounds, shops, resident access to the Tuscany Club, golf courses nearby, transit, LRT and quick access to Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail. Don’t Miss Out on this Beautiful Home and be sure to check out the Virtual 3D Tour!

I have sold a property at 117 Covehaven VIEW NE in Calgary

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 09:01:22 GMT

I have sold a property at 117 Covehaven VIEW NE in Calgary.

See details here

**ATTENTION FIRST TIME BUYERS AND INVESTORS**. Welcome to 117 Covehaven Vew NE! You will appreciate this well maintained, 4-bedroom Bi-level house, located in a quiet family-oriented street in the popular community of Coventry Hills. The home's open layout is abundant with natural light. The main floor Living Room welcomes you with Vaulted ceilings, oversized windows and an elegant stone surround Fireplace feature with built-in TV & entertainment center. Complete with an updated Kitchen with Quartz countertops and stone backsplash updated in 2021, Stainless Steel appliances and hardwood floors. The spacious dining room leads out to a very large deck on a Corner lot with plenty of room to add a garage and still enjoy the backyard. The layout also includes a spacious Primary bedroom, 2nd bedroom and 4pc bathroom updated with Quartz countertop and stone backsplash renovated in 2021. This home has an Illegal Basement Suite and fully developed with 2 more Bedrooms, Living room, 3pc bath and laundry room/utilities room. Downstairs has tons of natural light with all the large windows through out. This property offers a great deal of opportunity for investment: Live upstairs while renting downstairs or rent both units. It is ready and rentable for an extra source of income! Close to all amenities including shopping, schools, playgrounds, restaurants, recreation centre and public transit. This home has been freshly painted, New Roof (2021) & New Hot Water Tank (2020), new furnace heat exchangers in 2020 and furnace was professionally serviced in 2021. The Main Floor Suite is tenant occupied and the Basement Suite is vacant and ready for tenancy. Don’t miss out on this beautiful property!

New property listed in Coventry Hills, Calgary

Sat, 19 Feb 2022 09:01:26 GMT

I have listed a new property at 117 Covehaven VIEW NE in Calgary.

See details here

**ATTENTION FIRST TIME BUYERS AND INVESTORS**. Welcome to 117 Covehaven Vew NE! You will appreciate this well maintained, 4-bedroom Bi-level house, located in a quiet family-oriented street in popular community of Coventry Hills. The home's open layout is abundant with natural light. The main floor living room welcomes you with vaulted ceilings, oversized windows and an elegant stone facing fireplace feature with built-in TV & entertainment center. Complete with an updated Kitchen with Quartz countertops and stone backsplash updated in 2021, Stainless Steel appliances and hardwood floors. The spacious dining room leads out to a very large deck on a Corner lot with plenty of room to add a garage and still enjoy the backyard. The layout also includes a spacious primary bedroom, 2nd bedroom and 4pc bathroom updated with Quartz countertop and stone backsplash renovated in 2021. This home has an ILLEGAL SUITE and fully developed with 2 more Bedrooms, Living room, 3pc bath and laundry room/utilities room. Downstairs has tons of natural light with all the large windows through out. This property offers a great deal of opportunity for investment: Live upstairs while renting downstairs or rent both units. It is ready and rentable for an extra source of income! Close to all amenities including shopping, schools, playgrounds, restaurants, recreation centre and public transit. This home has been freshly painted, New Roof (2021) & New Hot Water Tank (2020), new furnace heat exchangers in 2020 and furnace was professionally serviced in 2021. The Main Floor Suite is tenant occupied and the Basement suite is vacant and ready for tenancy. Don’t miss out on this beautiful property!

Open House. Open House on Saturday, February 12, 2022 2:00PM - 4:00PM Masks are required. All Covid-19 protocols remain in place.

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 09:01:21 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 234 Tusslewood TERRACE NW in Calgary.

See details here

Open House on Saturday, February 12, 2022 2:00PM - 4:00PM Masks are required. All Covid-19 protocols remain in place.

***Open House Saturday, February 12th: 2:00-4:00 PM.*** Amazing Home in Tuscany is perfect for the large family. This Must-See 2 Storey Home has over 3300 sqft of developed living space! Located in a cul-de-sac on a massive pie lot with a long driveway great for a RV trailer or extra vehicles! Tremendous value with 4 bedrooms up plus 1 bedroom down, 3.5 Baths, main floor office & a den/flex room in the basement! Well maintained home with neutral colors throughout. Large windows invite tons of natural light throughout. A soaring vaulted entry and central staircase provides a great welcome for guests. To the left is the formal living room and dining room and to the right, a private office, laundry room, mud room with newer washer and dryer off the garage and 2pc bath. The open concept family room, kitchen & dining nook is great for entertaining. The kitchen offers a central island, granite countertops, custom maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash and a corner pantry for lots of storage. The family room is truly inviting with it’s tile surround gas fireplace. Gorgeous hardwood flooring and carpet flows throughout the main level. The dining nook leads out to your covered deck and huge private back yard filled with trees and perennials. Deck and patio roof were completely renovated to existing specs in 2016. Upstairs has ample room for the whole family with a large Primary bedroom and walk-in closet, 5pc ensuite with dual sinks, glass shower & soaker tub and 3 spacious bedrooms with a full 4pc bath. The basement is complete with custom maple cabinets, a large rec room and gas fireplace, wet bar with a fridge and dishwasher, 5th bedroom, den/flex room, 4pc bath and lots of room for storage. The furnace is serviced professionally every year & the hot water tank was brand new in 2019. Fantastic location with schools, playgrounds, shops, resident access to the Tuscany Club, golf courses nearby, transit, LRT and quick access to Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail. Don’t Miss Out on this Beautiful Home and be sure to check out the Virtual 3D Tour!

Open House. Open House on Saturday, January 29, 2022 1:00PM - 3:00PM Masks are required. Please follow all Covid-19 protocols.

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 09:01:21 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 234 Tusslewood TERRACE NW in Calgary.

See details here

Open House on Saturday, January 29, 2022 1:00PM - 3:00PM Masks are required. Please follow all Covid-19 protocols.

***OPEN HOUSE: SAT JAN 29 1:00 PM-3:00 PM*** Amazing Home in Tuscany is perfect for the large family. This Must-See 2 Storey Home has over 3300 sqft of developed living space! Located in a cul-de-sac on a massive pie lot with a long driveway great for a RV trailer or extra vehicles! Tremendous value with 4 bedrooms up plus 1 bedroom down, 3.5 Baths, main floor office & a den/flex room in the basement! Well maintained home with neutral colors throughout. Large windows invite tons of natural light throughout. A soaring vaulted entry and central staircase provides a great welcome for guests. To the left is the formal living room and dining room and to the right, a private office, laundry room, mud room with newer washer and dryer off the garage and 2pc bath. The open concept family room, kitchen & dining nook is great for entertaining. The kitchen offers a central island, granite countertops, custom maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash and a corner pantry for lots of storage. The family room is truly inviting with it’s tile surround gas fireplace. Gorgeous hardwood flooring and carpet flows throughout the main level. The dining nook leads out to your covered deck and huge private back yard filled with trees and perennials. Upstairs has ample room for the whole family with a large Primary bedroom and walk-in closet, 5pc ensuite with dual sinks, glass shower & soaker tub and 3 spacious bedrooms with a full 4pc bath. The basement is complete with custom maple cabinets, a large rec room and gas fireplace, wet bar with a fridge and dishwasher, 5th bedroom, den/flex room, 4pc bath and lots of room for storage. The furnace is serviced professionally every year & the hot water tank was brand new in 2019. Fantastic location with schools, playgrounds, shops, resident access to the Tuscany Club, golf courses nearby, transit, LRT and quick access to Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail. Don’t Miss Out on this Beautiful Home and be sure to check out the Virtual 3D Tour!

New property listed in Tuscany, Calgary

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 09:01:15 GMT

I have listed a new property at 234 Tusslewood TERRACE NW in Calgary.

See details here

Amazing Home in Tuscany is perfect for the large family. This Must-See 2 Storey Home has over 3300 sqft of developed living space! Located in a cul-de-sac on a massive pie lot with a long driveway great for a RV trailer or extra vehicles! Tremendous value with 4 bedrooms up plus 1 bedroom down, 3.5 Baths, main floor office & a den/flex room in the basement! Well maintained home with neutral colors throughout. Large windows invite tons of natural light throughout. A soaring vaulted entry and central staircase provides a great welcome for guests. To the left is the formal living room and dining room and to the right, a private office, laundry room, mud room with newer washer and dryer off the garage and 2pc bath. The open concept family room, kitchen & dining nook is great for entertaining. The kitchen offers a central island, granite countertops, custom maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash and a corner pantry for lots of storage. The family room is truly inviting with it’s tile surround gas fireplace. Gorgeous hardwood flooring and carpet flows throughout the main level. The dining nook leads out to your covered deck and huge private back yard filled with trees and perennials. Upstairs has ample room for the whole family with a large Primary bedroom and walk-in closet, 5pc ensuite with dual sinks, glass shower & soaker tub and 3 spacious bedrooms with a full 4pc bath. The basement is complete with custom maple cabinets, a large rec room and gas fireplace, wet bar with a fridge and dishwasher, 5th bedroom, den/flex room, 4pc bath and lots of room for storage. The furnace is serviced professionally every year & the hot water tank was brand new in 2019. Fantastic location with schools, playgrounds, shops, resident access to the Tuscany Club, golf courses nearby, transit, LRT and quick access to Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail. Don’t Miss Out on this Beautiful Home and be sure to check out the Virtual 3D Tour!

I have sold a property at 402 323 18 AVENUE SW in Calgary

Sat, 25 Dec 2021 09:01:15 GMT

I have sold a property at 402 323 18 AVENUE SW in Calgary.

See details here

This amazing Top Floor Corner End Unit with spectacular downtown views is located in Mission, one of Calgary's most vibrant & trendy neighbourhoods! A stylish contemporary design offering the best in urban living that’s perfect for any active lifestyle. This beautiful, immaculate 1 bedroom & 1 bath has wrap around windows that allow for tons of natural light to flow in. Open concept floor plan includes 9ft ceilings, large Primary Bedroom with double closets, spacious 4pc bath with deep soaker tub and fully tiled shower + convenient In-Suite Laundry! The sleek Kitchen features Maple Cabinets, Granite Countertops with eating bar, Stainless Steel Appliances & an eating nook with large windows to enjoy the city skyline views! Good-Sized Living room includes a corner electric Fireplace with a French door that leads out to a Balcony with metal railing and includes gas BBQ hook-up. Heat and Water Included in Condo Fees! This Unit comes with 1 assigned Parking Stall and an assigned secure storage locker all within a Heated Underground Parkade + outdoor visitor parking completes this unit. This condo is just steps to 4th Street and 17th Avenue that offer some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, nightlife & pubs. Don’t Miss Out on this Inner-City Beauty in a truly phenomenal location!

New property listed in Mission, Calgary

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 09:01:14 GMT

I have listed a new property at 402 323 18 AVENUE SW in Calgary.

See details here

I have sold a property at 111 Royal TERRACE NW in Calgary

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 09:01:20 GMT

I have sold a property at 111 Royal TERRACE NW in Calgary.

See details here

Step into this exquisite 2 Storey Estate Home with over 3100 sqft of developed living space! This home features 3 bedrooms up & 1 down, 3.5 baths and a professionally developed basement. The main floor welcomes you with a grand 18' ceiling in the entry way, upgraded staircase, hardwood floors & the large windows invite tons of natural light. Entertain in the spacious living room with 9' ceiling and gas fireplace and gourmet chef's kitchen which hosts a custom granite island with breakfast bar, custom built maple cabinets, all Stainless Steel appliances that features Thermador 6 burner gas cooktop & Thermador built-in oven and Bosch dishwasher. The dining room just off the kitchen leads out to the huge backyard. The main floor also features the mud room with custom built cabinets for extra storage, laundry room, & powder room. Easy access with groceries from the garage to the walk-through pantry and right into your kitchen! Upstairs has room for the whole family with an expansive bonus room with a corner office space, large primary bedroom with a walk-in closet & 5pc ensuite, glass shower & soaker tub and 2 more bedrooms. Boasting brand new quartz countertops in the primary ensuite and 4pc bath both with dual vanities. Fully finished basement is complete with custom built home theatre, custom cabinets, recreation room, wet bar, second fireplace, gym area with bamboo flooring, 4th bedroom & 3pc bath with a fully tiled shower & even more storage! The furnace and hot water tank were replaced and installed brand new in 2020. Enjoy the professionally landscaped back yard with mature trees, perennials, beautiful rundle rock edging and lots of room to entertain on your outdoor patio. Walking distance to the trails, natural pond, bike paths, playgrounds, LRT & a quick drive to schools, shopping, restaurants & YMCA sports complex with easy access to all major routes. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home!

New property listed in Royal Oak, Calgary

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 09:01:11 GMT

I have listed a new property at 111 Royal TERRACE NW in Calgary.

See details here

Step into this exquisite 2 Storey Estate Home with over 3100 sqft of developed living space! This home features 3 bedrooms up & 1 down, 3.5 baths and a professionally developed basement. The main floor welcomes you with a grand 18' high entry way, upgraded staircase, hardwood floors & the large windows invite tons of natural light. Entertain in the spacious living room with 9' ceiling and gas fireplace and gourmet chef's kitchen which hosts a custom granite island with breakfast bar, custom built maple cabinets, all Stainless Steel appliances that features Thermador 6 burner gas cooktop & Thermador built-in oven and Bosch dishwasher. The dining room just off the kitchen leads out to the huge backyard. The main floor also features the mud room with custom built cabinets for extra storage, laundry room, & powder room. Easy access with groceries from the garage to the walk-through pantry and right into your kitchen! Upstairs has room for the whole family with an expansive bonus room with a corner office space, large primary bedroom with a walk-in closet & 5pc ensuite, glass shower & soaker tub and 2 more bedrooms. Boasting brand new quartz countertops in the primary ensuite and 4pc bath both with dual vanities. Fully finished basement is complete with custom built home theatre, custom cabinets, recreation room, wet bar, second fireplace, gym area with bamboo flooring, 4th bedroom & 3pc bath with a fully tiled shower & even more storage! The furnace and hot water tank were replaced and installed brand new in 2020. Enjoy the professionally landscaped back yard with mature trees, perennials, beautiful rundle rock edging and lots of room to entertain on your outdoor patio. Walking distance to the trails, natural pond, bike paths, playgrounds, LRT & a quick drive to schools, shopping, restaurants & YMCA sports complex with easy access to all major routes. Don’t miss out on this gorgeous home!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 10:01:00 GMT

Wishing you a Happy St Patrick's Day!

With this busy spring market, there has never been a better time to sell than now. We'll work together to list your home in this new normal to get the best results.

I have modified my business to keep my clients & homeowners safe. I provide professional virtual showings, physical distancing, paperless transactions, priority in sanitization & safety with all appointments. Here are easy steps to list your home.

STEP 1: Stay casual or pj's!

Let’s start with letting me know when your available and we’ll schedule a Zoom call so we can meet virtually. I’ll get to know you & your home goals and with my expertise, I’ll answer any questions to help you, step by step, through the entire listing process.

STEP 2: Get your home ready for sale

- organize

- de-clutter

- clean

- interior & exterior touch ups and repairs

- dispose of any items no longer needed or donate

-curb appeal tips for both front and back yard

If you lack time or resources to do this, we have a list of dependable covid protocol suppliers that can help.

STEP 3: Picture/Virtual Tour Day

We’ll go over how to get the best results for picture day! I understand from experience what a homes’ integrity is, beyond the fresh paint & I help my clients with making informed decisions to maximize the purchase & sales potential of their home.

Choosing my services over many others will be the best decision you can make. I will handle the tough negotiations, I will be honest about your homes’ image & have the experience to share great ideas to allow your home to be the best home on the market!

If you’d like to discuss your DREAM HOME or NEED TO SELL YOUR CURRENT HOME, contact me at 403.815.7310.

EVELYN VOLK

SRS®, ABR®, CCS®

Sellers Representative Specialist

Accredited Buyers Representative

Certified Condominium Specialist

URBAN-REALTY.CA

Credit image: Corefact

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Time to Spring Forward and Get Into Your Dream Home

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 07:59:14 GMT

Credit Image: Corefact

How long do you need to own a home before you can sell it profitably? The answer depends on your individual situation, but generally speaking, the longer you own a house, the more you’ll net from its eventual sale. Sometimes life intervenes, however, and you need to sell after owning a property for only a few years. Here’s how to decide whether buying a home for the short term is right for you.

Length of ownership affects profitability

Conventional wisdom says that you always make money in real estate. Decades of steady population growth in Canada and the United States have generally put upward pressure on prices. But owning a home is not always profitable; sometimes it turns out you’d have been better off financially if you’d rented for the same period.

Interest rates and national and local economic conditions affect property values. Another factor determining whether you’ll make money when you sell a home is the length of time you’ve owned it. Conventional wisdom has it that you need to own a home at least five years before selling it. To make money when buying a home for the short term, your costs of buying and selling that house must be less than the equity you’ll accumulate during the time you own it.

Recovering costs to buy and sell

Making money on a property comes from building equity in it. Equity grows in two ways. One is when property values appreciate because of external factors, allowing you to sell the house for a relatively higher price than you paid for it. The other type of equity — called paid-in equity — is the amount of a property you actually own because of the down payment you made and the principal you have paid during your ownership.

To make money on the sale of a home, your total equity at the time you sell must exceed the costs of having bought and sold that home. These costs include:

The closing costs you paid when you bought the home you’re now selling. You can find these costs listed on your closing statement.
The interest you have paid on your mortgage during your short-term home ownership. Mortgage payments are the same amount each month, but the proportion of that payment that goes toward interest rather than principal shifts over time. In the early years of a mortgage, most of that payment goes toward interest, not toward the mortgage’s principal. This means that you actually build little paid-in equity through your first few years of payments. Check with your lender to determine how much interest you’ve paid.
The costs you’ll incur selling the home. These include money spent to ready the house for sale, real estate commissions, and the closing costs you pay as the seller.

For any home sale to be profitable, the total of all these costs must be less than the price you sell the home for.

Improving your chances of profiting in the short term

If you are shopping for a house and think that because of job changes, a growing family or other reasons you may be buying for the short term, there are a few things you can do to improve your financial prospects.

Buy a home you can more easily afford. Don’t strap yourself buying at the maximum that you can pay. One way to do this is to look for a home being sold by a distressed seller.
Someone who needs to sell quickly because of a job move, divorce, or other difficult circumstance may discount the sales price to speed things along.
If you think you may be buying for the short term, find a home that is offered at a discount because it needs fixing up. But research repair costs before you make an offer. If they’re high, you may not be getting a bargain.
If you put down 20 percent or more on the home when you buy it, you will finance less and save on interest costs.

These tactics can help make it more likely that when you sell after buying for the short term, the equity you recover will offset your costs.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

City of Calgary: Improved sales in February for all four housing sectors

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 08:55:00 GMT

CREB Monthly Statistics: City Of Calgary March 1, 2021

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

City of Calgary: Detached sector listings priced below $600K leads the way in Sellers' Market

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 08:17:00 GMT

CREB Monthly Statistics: City Of Calgary March 1, 2021

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

SELLERS' MARKET IN FEBRUARY LEADS TO RISING PRICES

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 23:15:00 GMT

Credit: Image by pjurisic0 from Pixabay

City of Calgary, March 1, 2021 – With gains in every price range, residential sales activity in February totalled 1,836.

This reflects the best February since 2014.

“Despite continued COVID-19 restrictions, housing activity continues to improve. Much of the strong sales activity is expected to be driven by exceptionally low mortgage rates,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

“Confidence is also likely improving as vaccine rollouts are underway. Additionally, some of the worst fears concerning the energy sector are easing with recent gains in energy prices.”

New listings also improved in February, but the gap between new listings and sales narrowed. This is causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to rise to 65 per cent, keeping the months of supply well below three months.

Conditions are far tighter in the detached sector of the market, especially for product priced below $600,000, where strong sellers’ market conditions are present with less than two months of supply.

The market has faced relatively low inventory levels compared to sales for the past several months and prices continue to trend up. In February, the residential benchmark price rose over the previous month and currently sits four per cent above last years’ levels.

Detached product has the lowest months of supply and is also exhibiting the most significant gains in prices. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the apartment condominium segment still has a relatively high level of inventory compared to sales, which is impacting price recovery for this property type.

HOUSING MARKET FACTS

Detached

Detached sales improved across every price range this month, but the lack of choice in the lower price ranges likely placed limits on the gains in sales.

New listings did rise, but it was not enough to prevent further tightening in the market, as the sales-to-new-listings ratio rose to 71 per cent and the months of supply fell to under two months. This is the lowest months of supply recorded in February since 2007.

Tighter market conditions occurred across all price ranges, but properties priced below $600,000 saw the months of supply fall to just above one month. These conditions are supporting significant price gains in the detached sector, which recorded a February benchmark price of $502,500. This is nearly two per cent higher than last month and five per cent higher than last year. It is also the first time since 2018 detached prices have risen above $500,000, and currently sits under five per cent below previous highs recorded in 2014.

Prices increased compared to last month and last year in every district of the city. However, the magnitude of those increases varied, with the largest year-over-year gains occurring in the South East district at nine per cent, and the lowest gains occurring in the City Centre at under two per cent.

Semi-Detached

Semi-detached sales in February recorded significant gains, pushing sales activity to the highest February levels seen in nearly 13 years. However, like the detached sector, the improvements in new listings were not enough to offset sales, ensuring this sector continues to favour the seller.

With lower levels of supply relative to sales, benchmark prices improved over both last year and last month. However, this was not consistent across all districts. The West district continues to see prices that remain over two per cent lower than last year’s levels. The strongest year-over-year price gains were reported in the South East and North districts.

Row

Despite a significant increase in new listings, improving sales offset the gains and the months of supply fell to three months.

Conditions for row properties are not as tight as what we have seen in both the detached and semi-detached sectors. However, they do reflect an improvement relative to the oversupplied conditions recorded last year. However, when considering activity by price range, pockets of oversupply persist in this market.

Citywide reductions in inventory relative to sales supported some price improvements in this segment. The benchmark price trended up from last month and currently sits just over one per cent higher than last year’s levels. Year-over-year gains did not occur across all districts, as prices remain lower than last year’s levels in the North, North West, South and South East districts.

Apartment Condominium

Driven by product priced mostly under $300,000, apartment condominium sales improved to best February levels recorded over the past six years.

However, the gain in sales was not enough to cause any significant changes in inventory levels. February inventory remained elevated compared to levels we typically see at this time of year.

While the months of supply has trended down in this sector, it remains above five months. This is preventing the same type of price recovery seen in other sectors. On a year-to-date basis, the benchmark price remains similar to levels recorded last year.

REGIONAL MARKET FACTS

Airdrie

February sales reached new record highs for the month.

The largest gain in sales occurred in the $400,000 - $500,000 price range. New listings also increased, but the sales-to-new listings ratio remained elevated at 71 per cent and the months of supply dropped to under two months in February. This is the tightest level seen since 2014.

Persistent sellers’ market conditions have resulted in further price gains in the market. The benchmark price has trended up for the past eight months and, as of February, it is over seven per cent higher than last year’s levels. Most of the price growth has been driven by the detached sector.

Cochrane

Cochrane sales more than doubled compared to last February. This represents the strongest February ever recorded for the town.

New listings also rose for the month, but it was not enough to cause any substantial change in inventory levels and the months of supply fell to below two months. This is the lowest months of supply for February seen since the record low in 2006.

Tight conditions supported price growth in February, as the benchmark price rose to $413,700, a four per cent increase from last year’s levels.

Okotoks

New listings have been trending up from the lows seen at the end of 2020, helping to support a significant improvement in sales in February. February sales reach levels not seen for the month since the record high in 2007.

Inventory levels remain exceptionally low relative to sales and the months of supply dropped below two months. Like other towns around Calgary, the sellers’ market conditions caused prices to trend up. In February, the benchmark price reached $442,600, nearly five per cent higher than levels recorded last year.

Are We Victims of Renovation Hype?

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 06:08:52 GMT

Home renovations is an astounding $326.1 billion annual industry in the United States, with no signs of its growth stopping. Consumers constantly hear the message that their houses somehow fall short…which begs the question: Do our houses really need that much work or are we simply victims of reno hype?

Why Do You Want to Renovate?

First, consider your motives. Have you bought into what someone else thinks of your home? Do you really need stainless and quartz when your black appliances and granite work just fine? While the television remodeling shows are entertaining, they shouldn’t be considered the last word on your own remodeling decisions.

Will Renovations Detract?

Renovations typically aim to modernize, and modernization tends to erase historic details. Also, changing one room often leads to the next…and the next, as redoing one makes the adjoining room look dingy. This can create an artificial need to ‘improve’ more spaces.

Is Renovating Cost Worthy?

Assess your home objectively, and ask if the cost truly makes a substantial difference or if it simply increases your debt. Get at least three estimates from qualified professionals.

Is There Anything Wrong With Your Home?

Critically think about your home’s functionality: Does it heat or cool when needed? Do the roof, doors, and windows keep out the elements? What has broken due to age or normal wear and tear? The answers to these questions will guide you to necessary replacements versus falling under the spell of renovation hype.

Which improvements should you consider?

Some renovations do hold high return on value, increasing the worth of your home. Improving smart technology features, regardless of your home’s age, will mean increased functionality for you and will also attract buyers. Yes, kitchen and bath remodels tend to show a high return on investment but think about doing a moderate renovation to save money while still making the space more usable.

Sometimes, the least noticeable – and most practical – improvements mean more in the long run, such as installing energy efficient doors and windows, or a new roof.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Watering Wisdom: Tips for a Lush Landscape on a Budget

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 05:34:16 GMT

It’s more than a nice feeling to have a lush lawn and showy flower beds — it’s a solid investment in your home. In fact, according to some estimates, landscaping accounts for about 18 percent of the value of your home. But it’s important to be savvy about watering so that your investment doesn’t go down the drain. How much should you water and how often? What methods will cause your landscape to thrive without costing a fortune?

Invest in an irrigation system. Having a professionally designed and installed irrigation system beats dragging the hose and sprinkler around the yard. A professionally designed system will cover your lawn and beds uniformly. Set the control panel to water at the proper time of day for the correct length of time and at regular intervals throughout the week. You’ll waste far less water, save money and save yourself a lot of time.

How long to run the system. How much water do your plants need? Too much water can harm the plants, but water too lightly and you risk your plants and lawn having shallow roots that make them vulnerable to summer heat. Plant roots wick the water up when the first four to six inches of soil becomes saturated. Know your soil. Sandy or loose soils drain water away more quickly than clay-based soils. Set each sector of your system to run long enough to hear a slight squish of wet soil when you step on it.

How often to run the system. Determining factors include the season of the year and in which part of the country you live. During the winter months in northern states with snow, no watering is needed. In southern states the root systems still need moisture in winter, so if you don’t get regular rain, water a few times a month. During the growing season of spring and into summer, especially when the heat cranks up, schedule your system to run just as the plants are starting to wilt but don’t allow the plants to go into distress. In southern climates, you will likely water more frequently, especially in the dog days of summer, but those states also are prone to having water restriction schedules, so be mindful of the rules to avoid a hefty fine.

Best time of day to water. Watering overnight can cause the lawn to stay wet too long and cause disease. Watering during the heat of the day means much of the water evaporates before it can do any good. The best time to water is around sunrise.

More tips and tricks. Mow your grass high. Cutting too low weakens the root system and stresses the grass in summer heat. Be sure to periodically check your system by running shorter test cycles. Broken sprinkler heads can send water straight up or out into the street. Watch to make sure the spray patterns are providing even coverage with no gaps. Adjust heads or call your installer for help. Finally, layer your planting beds with three to four inches of quality mulch to preserve moisture and insulate root systems from winter cold and summer heat.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

5 Tips for Creating a Butterfly Garden in Your Backyard

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 05:20:46 GMT

There’s something magical about the beauty and delicacy of butterflies. Wouldn’t it be fun to have them as frequent visitors around your home? Here’s how to invite them into your yard.

1. Learn your butterflies. Research local websites for butterfly field guides highlighting types native to your area. Pay close attention to the types of plants that will attract them. What they like to feed on and what they like to lay eggs on may differ so make sure your garden offers both.

2. Placing your butterfly garden. Choose colorful, nectar-rich flowers and plant them near a window for easy viewing. Pro tip: What attracts butterflies also attracts bees so you may want to avoid patios or other outdoor seating areas.

3. Water. Butterflies get much of their hydration from nectar, but they still need water. Keep your bushes hydrated, misting them so that water beads on the leaves. Small puddles of standing water also help butterflies find moisture.

4. Sun and shade. Steady sunshine is important for butterflies, but a good balance of sun and shade is ideal. In the early morning, butterflies will often find a sunny place to let the sun warm them. In the heat of a summer day, shade is needed from temperature extremes.

5. Wind protection. Situate your butterfly garden with enough shrubbery and a solid fence or wall next to it to supply a wind shield. Because they are so delicate, butterflies can be carried off in a stiff wind.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Small Space, Big Style: Kitchen

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 04:46:00 GMT

If your kitchen is on the small side, fear not. You, too, can have big style in a small space. With a focus on function, careful material choices, and a little creativity, your dream kitchen is possible — regardless of size. Check out our top five design solutions for tiny kitchens.

Stay focused. When space is limited, make meal preparation — the No. 1 job your kitchen — the focus of your redo. Look for tailor-made appliances, such as reduced-sized refrigerators and stoves, and single-basin sinks. No island? No problem. Consider a butcher block-topped cart that can be rolled out when needed and put away when not in use. Maximize storage by using drawers instead of cabinets.

Keep things clear and open. When counter space is at a minimum, it’s important to keep clutter at bay. Store what you can in drawers. Overhead cabinets may offer storage, but they also can make the room feel closed off. Consider replacing the cabinets with open shelves. Neatly stacked dishes can look surprisingly stylish. If that’s not an option, replace the cabinet doors with glass fronts. The glass works as a visual trick to keep things open and light. You can use this same trick with tables and chairs—the clear versions create the illusion of openness.

Pick great materials. You may discover you can afford options that might be cost prohibitive in a larger kitchen. Great granite? Yes, please. Beautiful hardwood floors or a top of the line faucet? Check. Don’t be afraid of going bold with splashes of color. Be sure to select materials that coordinate with each other. Because your space is smaller, any clashing will be obvious.

Brighten and lighten it up. By keeping your color palette light, adding great lighting, and using reflection to bounce light around the space, your small kitchen will feel more open. A tile backsplash is a great opportunity to add reflection, but mirrors and shiny appliances also work. Include a variety of light sources in your kitchen, from ambient to task lighting. Consider including pendants and other overhead lighting to replace standard builder-grade fluorescent lights. This change alone will make a huge difference. Add unexpected touches, such as under-cabinet lighting.

Go high, go low. Drawing attention to the height of the room will help your kitchen from feeling too closed in. If you have windows, consider hanging window treatments near the ceiling to draw the eye up. And don’t forget about the floors. A beautiful hardwood or cork is a great choice. If these are out of your budget, check your options in vinyl or laminate.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Spring Forward With Lush Landscaping

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 21:21:10 GMT

Springtime is peak season for listing your home for sale. A well-manicured lawn and colorful landscape provide a luring setting for buyers on the hunt so let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Plan for a springtime sale by prepping the landscape the previous fall. Clear any clutter from the yards, trim back shrubs and tree limbs and clean out gutters. Rake the lawn and flowerbeds. In February or March, apply a pre-emergent weed killer. Pro tip: Organic versions are available.

The lawn is fundamental to a good-looking landscape, so when spring arrives, keep it healthy. Aeration improves air supply to roots. If the grass is thin in areas, reseeding can help, but take a sample tuft of your grass to a nursery or grass farm and get an exact match. Apply fertilizer and weed control . Depending on how much snow and rain you received over the winter, be sure that the grass is well hydrated and green. Of course, keeping it well trimmed and groomed is essential.

Showcase your flowerbeds. In spring, lots of blues, reds and yellows bring vibrancy. Plant varieties that have a long blooming period, spring into summer. If you are still trying to sell by fall, yellows and oranges accompanied by pumpkins usher in cooler weather and the coming holidays.

Natural stone edging around flowerbeds creates a transition from lawn to beds. Be sure to lay a good three- to four-inch layer of quality mulch in the flowerbeds to insulate plant roots from seasonal temperature extremes and to retain moisture in the soil.

Run your sprinkler system manually for just a couple of minutes per station. Make sure each area is getting good coverage. Are all sprinkler heads rising to full height? Clear any turf that may have grown over the heads or clogged the nozzles. Look for leaks and redirect heads spraying onto paved areas.

Trim trees, plant new ones. If mature trees have low hanging, unruly limbs, trim them back for a neater and more expansive look to the property. If you have large, blank areas of lawn, consider planting a new tree.

Keep hoses and other implements in the garage or an attractive garden shed in back to keep the yard tidy.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract

Pay Back Time: Which Home Renovations Are Worthwhile?

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 20:51:07 GMT

When contemplating resale, homeowners often wonder what renovations will give them more resale bang for the buck. Let’s take a look at what renovations pay off and some that don’t.

Focus on priorities. Although your house is an investment, first and foremost it is your home. Don’t view renovations solely with dollar signs in your eyes. Think in terms of how a renovation will improve your quality of life as you continue to live there. Take return on investment into consideration, but also think of the pleasure the renovation will bring.

What renovations bring the most value? Renovation rarely reap full pay back upon resale. A smart remodel will add value, but usually not equal to the expense of it. You might automatically think of a sleek new kitchen or bath as the things that bring the best value. Although worthwhile, there are some less expensive renovations that make good selling points for later resale.

For example, adding attic insulation. It might be out of sight, out of mind, but pays off in energy savings. So does replacing old, inefficient heating and air equipment. Toss in energy rebates and tax credits by various levels of government and you get a payback on some of your costs right away. Also, telling buyers that the HVAC system is practically new may relieve a fear of theirs. Adding an automated sprinkler system can save on watering bills through efficiency and also ensure a healthier, more appealing landscape. Improving street appeal is a big plus. A handsome new garage door and front door can also do wonders.

Room renovations. What pays off best? Think about what room remodeling project would bring you the most pleasure. Most often, the kitchen is the answer. A tremendous amount of family time and entertaining is spent in the kitchen and adjoining dining areas.

A good kitchen remodel, with updated counters, cabinets and appliances, pays off in quality of life and resale. Again, you probably won’t recoup all of your financial investment, but it will elevate the overall appeal of the home and perhaps be the deciding factor for buyers.

Bathrooms, particularly the master bath, is the next room renovation with the highest payoff. But another interior renovation to consider is the opening up living spaces in older homes that are more compartmentalized. If you watch home remodeling TV shows, you know that knocking out walls can greatly improve a home’s livability. Consult with a reputable contractor to make sure any walls you want to remove aren’t load bearing.

For warmer climates: Built-in pools. Pools provide lots of family fun, but not much resale return. The addition of a pool may narrow your market among buyers because of the extra maintenance and expense. Parents with very young children also may be skittish of pools for safety reasons.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.The article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Homeowners Associations: Love ‘em or Hate ‘em?

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 20:35:47 GMT

Homeowners associations provoke strong emotions. Depending on who you ask, they are viewed as either the neighborhood’s protector of home values or, in some cases, a small group of residents who take community rule enforcement to the extreme. What is an HOA and why do they exist?

Simply put, an HOA is a private regulatory organization for a neighborhood development. Buying a home in a neighborhood governed by an HOA means that membership is mandatory. An HOA transfer fee is typically charged when a new owner buys an existing house in the neighborhood. These fees are meant to compensate the HOA for its time and expense in assisting with the home’s purchase and sale. For example, the HOA may have to provide copies of the development’s governing documents, HOA financial statements, or documentation of outstanding dues, fees, or HOA liens on the home.

The HOA is created by the developer of the subdivision and for an initial period, while the neighborhood is still being built, the HOA’s directors are the developer and a few elected residents. As the neighborhood is completed, the developers are replaced entirely by elected homeowners.

The HOA has covenants and declarations defining its existence as well as rules and regulations for homeowners. Rules govern things like parking, sheds and other out buildings, animals, landscaping, and acceptable colors a home may be painted. Violations may result in fines. Homeowners pay monthly or annual dues to finance the maintenance of common areas such as parks and pools. HOA’s may have rules for conducting a home business, especially if it involves shipping and receiving or affects neighborhood parking.

An HOA also may have a reserve fund in which a portion of dues is set aside for long-term repairs and improvements. A special assessment may also be charged for emergencies, such as storm, fire or flood damage not sufficiently covered by insurance.

The regulatory power of the HOA is what often provokes resentment. Critics say the HOA infringes on their rights as homeowners to do with their property as they please. Such critics cite the overzealous actions of some HOAs to bully homeowners over minor rule infractions.

Supporters of HOAs argue that the associations prevent homes from becoming run down, which, in turn, protects home values. Supporters also say association rules help keep home prices at their highest by requiring tidy yards and common spaces, and prohibiting unlicensed commercial activities. Association supporters also like the idea of residents self-regulating rather than having local governments do the job which could lead to even tougher restrictions and bureaucracy.

Setting aside their regulatory functions, HOAs oftentimes also provide the organizational muscle for neighborhood activities, such as holiday gatherings, food truck rodeos, sports tournaments and other fun events. The HOA is also likely to distribute neighborhood newsletters, which spread the news about local play groups, book clubs and other neighborhood-based organizations.

Love them or hate them, HOA’s are ubiquitous in modern life. Homeowners would do well to learn the rules for their neighborhood and get involved to play a role in guiding the direction of their organization.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Checklist: March To-Dos for Homeowners

Sat, 27 Feb 2021 07:11:00 GMT

March means warmer days and more sunshine, which is perfect for accomplishing home projects. Yes, it’s time for spring cleaning and fixing.

Inspect the roof. Check for damage from ice and wind. Look for loose shingles and flashing. Check behind chimneys where shingles meet flashing. Inspect the gutters, especially where they attach to fascia boards. Reattach any gutters that may have pulled loose under the weight of ice.

Inspect the attic. Look at the underside of the roof decking, checking for signs of water seepage. Ice can get into cracked shingles, expand and cause a leak upon melting. Replace shingles and backing, if necessary.

Foundation drainage. Before spring rains, check the slope of soil from the house foundation. Build up any areas where soil has eroded. Use small river rock mixed with the soil to better hold it in place.

Clean fireplace. Shovel out ashes and log remnants, then use a hand broom and vacuum to remove the fine dust. Close the damper. If you have a gas log set, consider shutting off the pilot for the spring and summer to save on gas usage.

Prep garden tools. Sharpen shovels, hoes and pick axes. Gas up the lawn mower and weed eater and give them a trial run. Take the insulating covers off the faucets and move hoses into place.

Gardening goals. In March or April, depending on your climate, it’s time to start thinking about a spring and summer garden. Clear raised planting beds of debris, and turn soil. Start seedlings inside. Do not plant until after last frost date in your area.

Relocate firewood. If you have left over wood, move it several yards away from the house. During the spring, a wood pile attracts creatures such as termites, carpenter ants, skunks and possums.

Power wash siding and decks. Over the winter prolonged moisture may create mold and moss on decks and house siding. Rent a power wash machine and give them a good cleaning.

Clean windows. Winter weather leaves dingy windows. Let the sun in with a good cleaning.

Provide nutrients for your landscape. Depending on your climate zone, March or April is the time to apply fertilizer and weed control. Consult local gardening experts.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

High Tech Security Right at your Front Door: The Future is Here

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 07:12:00 GMT

Welcome to the future of the front door. The classic wood door with a knocker will probably always exist, but check out what high-tech gadgets are becoming more widely available: touch screen locks, fingerprint scans, and doorbells that allow you to see and talk to visitors on your phone.

Keypad entry. Perhaps the most low-tech of the new locks is a simple, programmable keypad with digits that light up. The actual locking mechanism is a simple dead bolt. Once programmed, punch in the code and turn a knob to open. Without the code, the outside knob just spins.

Key fobs. Businesses and parking entry gates have used key fobs for years. Now they have arrived at your front door. What a convenience when you’re coming home with an armload of groceries.

Touch-screen locks. If punching actual buttons already seems quaint, how about a touch-screen lock just like you have on a smartphone? Samsung has a sleek model that allows multiple users and keeps track of who comes and goes and when.

Smartphone app locks. You’ve probably seen the commercials showing a wife quizzing her husband about whether he locked the front door before they left. He says yes, then pulls his phone out and remotely locks the door on the sly. This technology also allows you to schedule usage and creates an entry log. It also will send a text message to homeowners whenever the lock is accessed.

Fingerprint readers. For extra secure technology, fingerprint-reading locks can be programmed to accept only pre-screened fingerprints. The Kwikset company sells this lock, which has a handsome traditional look.

Who’s there? New doorbell technology allows you to see visitors who ring the bell and and talk to them on your smartphone.

Old school backup. If you are concerned about a technology or battery failure leaving you locked out, don’t worry. Each lock type has a manual key for emergencies.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Six Easy Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 07:04:00 GMT

For most homeowners, the sting of a sky-high electricity bill is more than enough to prompt their interest in energy savings. Check out these easy methods to help lower your monthly bills.

1. Attic insulation. Most of the heat transference in a home occurs in the attic, whether it’s indoor heat escaping in winter or outdoor heat penetrating during summer. Checking the depth and coverage of your attic insulation is important for all seasons. Measure the depth of your insulation in a few different places. Also look for places over living areas of the house where insulation may be missing. Check online energy conservation sites to see what “R” factor insulation you have and if it is adequate for your part of the country. The “R” factor is a measure of resistance to heat transfer and has a direct impact on your energy usage. If you’re uncertain about doing this job yourself with rented equipment, consider hiring a professional. Ensuring that you have adequate attic insulation gives you more energy-savings bang for your buck than almost anything else.

2. Window seals. Take a good look around the edges of your windows both inside and out. Look for any gaps in caulk or rubber seals. Re-caulk and reseal where necessary. The same thing applies to the rubber seals around the edges of your outside doors. Unless you have old, single-pane windows, you shouldn’t have to worry about replacement window costs.

3. Get a programmable thermostat. Once you have a programmable thermostat you’ll wish you’d gotten one sooner. They make it easy to set the inside temperature to rise and fall on a schedule that mimics your family’s living, working and sleeping schedule. Why heat or cool the home when everyone is at work or school all day? Also, experiment with setting heating and air conditioning temperatures that test the limits of what you find comfortable. Combining this with a willingness to layer your clothing may save you a considerable amount of money.

4. Use fluorescent and LED bulbs. Achieve double savings by switching to fluorescent and LED bulbs. First, they both use a fraction of the electricity of the old incandescent bulbs. In a typical house with fifty bulbs, switching to these more efficient lights can save about $100 per year in electricity costs. Second, fluorescent and LED bulbs rarely burn out. While they do cost more to buy than incandescent bulbs, they will often last for years without needing replacement. The combined energy savings and replacement costs make them well worth considering. No matter what kind of bulbs you use, turn off lights when you exit a room.

5. Run a full load. That goes for the dishwasher and your washer and dryer. Because you’ll be using your machines less frequently, your savings will be considerable — on both electricity and water useage. With less wear and tear on your machines, you also will ultimately save on replacement costs. When you must buy replacement appliances, look for the blue “Energy Star” sticker designating that they have met the federal government’s energy efficiency standards.

6. Cut the power to TVs, audio systems, computers not in use. Lurking in your home are silent energy thieves or so-called power vampires. Even when not in use, TVs, treadmills, computers and other electronics still use electricity to keep internal components powered up. Either unplug them when not in use or put them on a power strip that has an on-off switch you can easily flip.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Steps to Avoid Foreclosure

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:08:00 GMT

CREDIT IMAGE: HelpGuide.org

Foreclosure was likely the farthest thing from your mind the day you closed on your home. But sometimes, life circumstances intervene and leave you unable to pay your mortgage. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help avoid foreclosure. Here’s our guide.

Don’t avoid, communicate

Say you’ve fallen behind on your mortgage payments because of a job loss, financial reversal, divorce, or health crisis. Scared and embarrassed by your dilemma, you may be inclined to avoid your mortgage company’s letters and phone calls. Unfortunately, that’s the worst thing you can do.

You must respond when your mortgage company writes or calls. Better yet, be proactive and contact your lender as soon as you see you are in trouble. A borrower in a tight spot who explains his situation and requests help can often work out a plan with the mortgage company that helps him keep the house.

Steps to avoid foreclosure

Once you’ve shared the details of your situation, your lender may offer you some form of relief to avoid foreclosure.

Your mortgage company may agree to a repayment plan in which you catch up on your missed payments over time. For example, if you missed a few payments but can now resume paying, the mortgage company may agree to let you add a couple of hundred dollars per month to payments to catch up. Or you may be allowed to make up the missed total at a later day under specific terms. These plans are known as repayment or forbearance programs.

If the interest on your adjustable-rate mortgage is about to increase and you can’t pay it, your lender might be willing to delay the increase.
If you have sufficient equity in the home, your lender may be willing to refinance your loan. The missed payments can be rolled into the new balance.

You also may be able to borrow from a government program that grants loans to pay off unpaid mortgage balances. Another option is to rent out your home at an amount equal to your monthly payment. You move to a more affordable place while you catch up on your back payments.

Selling your home may be a way to avoid foreclosure and protect your credit. For this option to work, your house must sell for enough to cover selling costs and pay off your loan balance in full. If the home is worth less than your loan balance, you can request permission from your lender for what is known as a short sale. This option will negatively affect your credit, but not as severely as a foreclosure.

When foreclosure proceedings have begun

If you haven’t been able to work something out, you’ll be served a notice of default. Once that happens, your options narrow. Still, a few remain.

You may still be able to sell your home, or short sell with the lender’s permission.
You can offer your lender a deed in lieu of foreclosure. By surrendering your house to your lender and signing over its title, you save the lender the legal costs and time of foreclosure. This option is simpler than foreclosure but will negatively affect your credit in the same way.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article photo was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Buying New or Used: What’s Your Home Preference?

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:08:00 GMT

Credit: Images by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

The hunt for a new home most often begins with the answer to one simple question. Do I want to purchase an existing home or new construction? Retro with character versus a blank slate? Consider these eight trade-offs before making your decision.

Purchase price. Statistics show that buying a new house may cost up to 20 percent more than buying an existing home, though circumstances in your market may be different. New construction tends to be further from urban centers. Existing homes in the city center will be higher than comparable houses in the outskirts. But not all cost increases are in the house itself. Commuting costs are much higher in the suburbs.

Floor plan. New homes are built with current tastes in mind, which means new construction will offer open floor plans with few walls in the main living areas. Also in new homes, windows are larger, allowing more natural lighting. Vaulted ceilings create an expansive feel. Bathrooms are larger and walk-in closets are commonplace.

Existing homes, depending on age, may have smaller, more defined rooms, smaller windows and lower ceilings. Homes from a couple of generations ago did not have walk-in closets and spacious bathrooms. To open things up will require remodeling, which should be figured into the purchase price.

Architectural style. Part of the appeal of existing homes is the retro look of the architecture. Some older designs have a character that cannot be found in contemporary houses. In neighborhoods from generations past, homes were customized. Or enough time has passed that tract homes have been remodeled.

Builders in new subdivisions may have only a handful of designs. While they will try their best to keep identical homes from being built side by side, a house three doors down might be your home’s identical twin.

Features. New homes offer upgrades, which means buyers may choose to buy more expensive cabinets, counters or tile. In an existing home, update will have to be done after closing, which means dealing with the construction hassle. Electronic features, such as wiring for home theater and smart home technology, can be easily built into new construction. However, retrofitting an existing home is more difficult and expensive.

Lot size and landscaping. Unless you are building a custom home on your own, new subdivisions build houses very close to one another. Older homes have more spacious lots. Trees and landscaping on new construction lots are usually young and sparse, whereas older homes have the beauty of large mature trees and other established greenery.

Timing. With a new construction home, unless construction is underway, buyers must wait up to six months or longer for it to be finished. With an existing home, sales typically close in a month or two.

Maintenance. With new construction, everything is fresh. It will be years before you have to replace or repair even small items. With an existing home, an inspection is vital so the buyer knows the condition of the house and knows when items will need repair or replacement. Any expensive items that will need work soon should be used in negotiations for price concessions from the seller.

Energy efficiency. Newer homes are far more advanced than older homes when it comes to energy efficiency. This is true not only for the structure itself, but also for the systems. Unless they’ve been upgraded over the years, the insulation, windows and doors of older homes will be colder in the winter and warmer in the summer. Heating and air conditioning systems today operate far more efficiently, using less gas and electricity than even just five years ago. The same is true of appliances. An older home may need to be upgraded to get energy bills to a manageable level.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article & the original photo was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Keep an Open Mind When It Comes to Floor Plans

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:06:00 GMT

For several years now, open floor plans have been favorites, and they still top many buyers’ wish lists. While benefits to an open floor plan abound, they’re not the best choice for everyone. Here’s how to decide what floor plan works best for you and your family.

Open floor plans. With an open floor plan, the main floor of the house is dominated by one large room, usually called a “great room,” typically combining the kitchen with a living room. Benefits of open floor plans, which gained popularity in the 1990s, are many. These homes typically have more abundant natural light, which compliments the casual atmosphere you usually find in open plan homes. The feel is more spacious because the square footage isn’t divided into smaller rooms. An open floor plan also lends itself to entertaining, allowing the cook to mingle with friends and family. Finally, an open floor plan encourages family togetherness, making it easier for adults to keep an eye on small children.

Open floor plans have certain drawbacks, however. There is such a thing as too much togetherness, especially if you have a large family. Personal space and privacy are tough to come by. The great room can also be loud at times due to the acoustics of an open space. In addition, it’s hard to hide your messes. Dirty dishes and cooking odors are out in the open.

Closed floor plans. Historically, most houses have been designed with living spaces separated from the kitchen by walls and doors, creating a more formal, traditional feel. Though these rooms may not be as open and light as a great room, a closed floor plan has certain advantages. Defined spaces allow for rooms to perform specific functions. You’ll also have more walls to place shelves and display art. If you love decorating, you might enjoy having a variety of spaces, each with its own style. A big bonus of having a separate kitchen is that it contains the mess and odor of food preparation. Finally, a closed floor plan provides rooms for a quiet escape.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Curb Appeal—Backyard Improvements

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:06:00 GMT

When preparing your home for sale, drive-up appeal is crucial, but don’t overlook the importance of your backyard space, where potential buyers should be able to envision themselves relaxing. Let’s make it shine in six quick and easy steps.

Clean up the clutter. For many people, the backyard becomes a haven for junk when the garage has more than it can handle. That decrepit barbeque grill, the leftover lumber from the fence repair, and any other eyesores need to go.

Clean off the deck or patio. If your patio is dingy, or the deck needs refinishing, try power washing them. Repair any broken or decaying spots, and then apply a new stain and seal. For patios, clean out grass and weeds growing between masonry joints. With very little money and minimal effort, your outdoor space will look nearly new.

Landscaping should accent the living area with lush greens and colors that pop. The lawn should be weeded, well hydrated and manicured. Use colorful potted plants to accent the patio or deck. Trees and shrubs should be neatly trimmed.

Replace or refurbish patio furniture. Most patio furniture can be repainted. Replace tired seat cushions for a fresh look.

Polish and clean the barbeque grill and add a new cover. If you have an outdoor kitchen, make sure counters are clean and free of any cracks or chips. Outdoor refrigerators should be clean inside and out.

Use accent lighting over the patio or deck and along walkways to highlight features of your backyard living space. For less than $50, drape string lights overhead to create a festive setting.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Attention to Home Maintenance Now Will Avoid Big Repair Bills Later

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 07:02:00 GMT

As a homeowner, it’s far better to keep up with routine maintenance than spend big bucks down the road on repairs and replacements. Here’s a handy guide to key maintenance issues and how often they should be completed.

Monthly maintenance.

Change the filters to your heating and air intake ducts, unless you own a systems with one large filter located at the system’s air handler. (These require changing every few months.) Clogged filters put a strain on the system, costing more in monthly utility bills.
Clean the oven.
Run vinegar ice cubes through the food disposal to clean and deodorize it.
Check the clothes dryer vent to make sure it is clear of lint. With the dryer on, go outside to make sure you feel a strong flow of exhaust. If not, you may have a clog.

Quarterly maintenance.

Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press the test button on each one. They should operate as a system, meaning when one is tested and sounds, they all should sound.
Test the auto reverse safety feature on the garage door opener. It should reverse when an object is placed in the door’s path. Similarly, test the door’s electric eye to see if the door reverses when the beam is interrupted by a waved arm or other object.
Deep clean the house. Besides regular cleanings of bathrooms and floors, clean tile grout to prevent mold and mildew. Clean windows inside and out.
Dust the blinds.

Twice per year maintenance.

Change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Change the one large filter in your heating and air system, if you have that type.
Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator to keep it operating efficiently.

Annual maintenance.

Drain the sediment built up at the bottom of the water heater or have a plumber do so. There are several helpful YouTube videos available to learn this procedure.
Clean your gutters after the trees have finished dropping their leaves for the year. Consider getting gutter covers to prevent them from clogging. In some heavily wooded areas or areas with pine trees, this chore may have to be done multiple times per year.
Just before summer, your air conditioning unit should be checked and serviced by a professional. Just before winter, your heater should be serviced.
In the spring, hire a pest control service to eliminate creepy home invaders. This also would be a good time for a termite inspection. Maintain a pest control contract with a reputable company.
Walk around your house, inspecting the roof and looking for areas that need touch-up paint.
In the fall, put insulating foam or Styrofoam sleeves over outdoor faucets to protect from winter freezes.
Winterize your pool system.
Inspect your windows and replace aging caulk that may be pulling away, exposing gaps.
Check your chimney to make sure it is clear and ready for those cozy nights by the fire.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Focus on Rooms That Help Sell a House

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 21:04:00 GMT

Homebuyers are looking for the perfect house, but which rooms are the most important? Here are the three rooms that will help sell a house.

Top Choice: the Kitchen

Easily the key room that helps sell a house, the kitchen should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. A great kitchen allows space for the family to be with each other and prepare meals together. The most important features of the kitchen are its size, an open floor plan, plenty of counter space and cabinetry, and good traffic flow.

A major kitchen remodel improves value, but you may not earn back the investment if you sell soon after the upgrades are finished. Such a makeover is best done at a time when you’re planning to stay in your home for the foreseeable future and can enjoy the benefits of the project. When you sell down the road, the typical inflation of home prices over time will help you recoup your investment.

If you are planning to sell your home soon, focus on making less ambitious changes to the kitchen, such as replacing dated appliances, faucets, and cabinet hardware and updating the light fixtures. Instead of replacing cabinets, painting or refinishing them can be an attractive but less expensive option. You can also make your kitchen appear more spacious by clearing small appliances off the counters and decluttering your decor.

Bathrooms are important, especially the master

A spacious master bath with appealing tile, counters and fixtures is a room that will help sell a house. Home shoppers also value dual sinks and roomy closets in the master bath. If you can’t afford or don’t want to undertake an expensive remodel, you can give your bathrooms a face-lift with new faucets, cabinet hardware, mirrors and updated light fixtures.

It’s important to have at least two bathrooms in a house. A half bath for guests adds value.

A Lovable Living Room

The living areas are also important to family and social life. Sufficient space to comfortably entertain and large windows to allow in lots of natural light make for a living room that will help sell a house. To make the living room even more attractive without spending a lot, create an accent wall with contrasting paint, built-in shelves or interesting artwork. If one wall has a fireplace, choose it for your accent wall. Otherwise, choose the wall buyers see first when entering the room.

If your house has a living area conducive to socializing as well as a formal living room that gets little use, convert the latter into a home office or workspace to help buyers see some of the useful possibilities for the room.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Your Best Home: Kitchen Edition

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 19:55:00 GMT

You’ve probably heard that staging your home will help it sell faster and for a higher price. But why wait to put your best decorating foot forward until you’re ready to move. Do it for yourself, and enjoy. If you later decide to sell, you’ll be ahead of the game.

Here are a few tips to turn your kitchen from drab to a delight.

Deep clean. Wipe clean all kitchen surfaces, including the sink, appliances, tile, and cabinets. Don’t forget the baseboards, exhaust fan, and trashcan.

Eliminate clutter. Start off by evaluating what you use regularly. Clear off countertops and utilize drawers for often-used utensils and tools. If you have dishes you rarely use, store them in the attic or basement. After a year, if you find you don’t use them, sell or donate. Remove refrigerator magnets and other items stuck to the fridge.

Organize your storage. Discard out-of-date items. Donate anything you don’t want or need. Categorize what’s left. Tip: Leave open space for flexibility and a better look.

Refresh. Over time, cabinets and walls start to look dingy or outdated. A new paint color is an easy way to freshen your space. Creamy ivories, neutral greys, even yellows and greens, all work well. Consider resurfacing or painting cabinets. If that sounds like too much work, something as simple as changing cabinet hardware can make a big impact.

Accents pieces. As a final touch, add beauty and interest to your kitchen. A vase of fresh flowers or a handmade bowl filled with seasonal fruit are a nice touch. Use baskets or pretty canisters to store your newly-organized kitchen gadgets and tools. If you’re staging for yourself, it’s OK to display personal items. If you removed lots of artwork from your fridge, consider a frame or hanging system that allows you to display (and easily swap out) treasured photos or children’s artwork. Keep that designer feel by limiting the decor to items you absolutely love.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Six Water-Saving Tips for Homeowners

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:31:00 GMT

Homeowners with an eye on water conservation will be richly rewarded, saving themselves money on monthly water bills and helping their fellow citizens guard against potential water shortages. Here are six ways to tap into savings at the tap.

Low-flow faucet heads. Install low-flow nozzles on all your faucets, particularly your showers. These faucet flow restrictors can cut the flow rate by half in some cases, saving water and money. There is also a device called ShowerStart, which pauses the flow of water, once it is warm, until you step in and begin showering.

Full loads only. In other words, don’t run a half empty dishwasher or wash a handful of clothes. By waiting until you have a full load, you’ll also run your machines less frequently. If your machines are old, consider replacing them with more efficient models that use less water and electricity. Look for the Energy Star label. In the bathroom, set a timer when showering. Long hot showers may feel luxurious, but they’re water wasters.

Low-flush toilet tanks. If you live in an older home, consider replacing your toilets with low-capacity tanks that use less water per flush. As an alternative, place a brick in the tank to displace some of the capacity, saving water per flush.

Check for leaks. Start with your toilets. Put a couple of drops of dye in the holding tank and wait about 30 minutes. If the color has seeped into the bowl, you have a leak and it’s time to install a new flush kit for the inner parts of the tank. To check for leaks elsewhere, go to the meter box in your yard when you’re certain no water is being used. You will see three things: a digital counter showing water usage, a large needle that does revolutions around the whole face of the meter, and a small red or black spinner. Is the little spinner turning? Watch it for a minute or two. If it moves, you have a leak. Take a photo for documentation, then return in an hour to check the digital counter. If it has changed with no water usage, you will have documented proof of a leak. Time to call a plumber to track it down.

Turn off the water. After you wet your toothbrush, turn off the water while you brush. When hand-washing dishes, turn off the water between rinses. When shaving, run a bowl of shallow water and dip the razor in the water between strokes rather than holding it under flowing water. Little things like this add up.

Watering your landscape. The best thing you can do is invest in an irrigation system and learn to use it effectively.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Plants That are Toxic to Pets

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 07:52:40 GMT

Credit Image: longwallpapers.com

Although dogs and cats are carnivores, they sometimes will munch on plants that are potentially hazardous. Here’s a list of some common indoor and outdoor plants that are dangerous to pets and a second list of plants that are pet-friendly.

Plants that can be hazardous to pets.

Azalea can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and possible death.
Baby’s breath, a filler in floral arrangements, can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Begonia, especially the tubers, can cause intense mouth irritation and drooling.
Cyclamen, especially the roots, if your dog digs and gnaws on them, can cause severe vomiting and death.
Daffodils can cause heart arrhythmia, among other nasty symptoms.
Gladiolas are popular in floral arrangements. Keep them out of the reach of pets because they can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
Lilies, especially the “true” lilies such as the Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Easter, Stargazer and Casa Blanca, can cause kidney failure in cats, but are harmless to dogs.
Oleander is beautiful and popular in southern climes. It is also deadly, every part of it, to pets and humans.
Sago palms are another southern favorite and can cause liver failure in pets.
Tulip bulbs are dangerous to dogs that dig and chew. They can cause nervous system problems and convulsions.
Yew is a very popular evergreen, but can affect a pet’s nervous system, cause difficulty breathing, and cardiac failure.

Plants that are safe for pets.

Indoors: Palms such as areca, bamboo and ponytail are safe; African violets; Boston ferns; the succulent Burros Tail; and the flowering plant Bromeliad.
Outdoors: Snapdragons; canna lilies; pineapple sage; coral bells; and creeping rosemary.

What to do if your pet eats a plant? Immediately look up the plant and its level of toxicity to animals. If it is dangerous, take the pet and a sample of the plant to a veterinarian for emergency care.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article's photo was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Your Best Home: Living Room Edition

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 07:18:00 GMT

Ever wish your living room was as stylish as those you see in home-decorating magazines? Or, are you getting ready to sell your home and want a living room buyers will love? By applying the principles of home staging, you can transform your living room into a space both you and potential buyers will love.

Step 1. Start by rearranging the furniture. Maximize the spaciousness of the room without losing that intimate feel. Group seating for easy conversation. A big no-no: Lining up furniture along the walls. Another pitfall: Having too much furniture for the size of the room. Consider removing a piece (or two) to create space if the room feels cramped or lacks flow.

Step 2. Clean every surface. Use a rug cleaner to remove dirt and stains from carpet and upholstery. If furniture needs to be replaced but buying new is out of the question, slipcovers are a good option.

Step 3. Eliminate clutter. Clear off horizontal surfaces and store necessary items in attractive containers. Baskets or bins can be a great way to tidy up quickly for unexpected visits. If you’re staging for yourself, remember that less is more. Display only the best family photos and most treasured keepsakes. If you’re staging for sale, pack away your personal items.

Step 4. Consider color and details. Light, neutral furniture makes a room feel open, while dark, richer colors cozy up a space. Add pops of color and texture with pillows, throws and artwork. Coordinating these accessories help unify a room. Aim for a designer feel — cohesive, but not “matchy-matchy.”

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Finding Ways to Save on Homeowners Insurance

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 07:17:00 GMT

Having homeowners insurance is a necessity, but there’s no reason to pay more in premiums than you must. Here are multiple ways to save money while still staying safe.

Insurance rates are calculated by the insurable risk you pose to the company. Most of the savings listed here reduce risk. Don’t forget: The insurance amount is for the value of the home and other structures — not the land.

Buying new. Newer homes with fire-resistant materials such as fiber cement siding will lower your insurance risk. If you buy an older home, rewiring, new siding and other potential safety improvements will lower your risk profile.

Proximity to fire station and hydrants. The closer you are to the nearest fire station and hydrants, the lower your risk potential.

Protective devices. Having the following devices will help your rates: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, water leak detectors, monitored burglar alarms, internal sprinkler systems, and deadbolts.

No high-risk factors. Insurance companies view pools, trampolines and dangerous dogs as a risk. If you have a pool your rates will be higher for liability coverage and you must adhere strictly to requirements for a fence and locking gates. Trampoline accidents are common, and some insurance companies won’t cover them. Many insurance companies have a list of dog breeds that they consider too risky for liability coverage.

Raise your deductible amount. Your deductible is the portion of a loss that you cover from your own pocket before insurance kicks in. Lower premiums by accepting a higher deductible amount.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Consider your homeowners insurance as protection against catastrophe, such as a fire or major storm damage. Filing small claims will likely boost your rates.

Keep your credit score high. In some states, insurance companies are allowed to check your credit score as one factor in determining your rates. Good credit equals lower risk to the company and lower premiums to you.

Multi-line and multi-year. It is common for insurers to offer lower rates to households that buy auto and homeowners policies. Umbrella coverage may translate to even deeper discounts. Customer loyalty may also be rewarded with discounts.

Lesser-known discounts. Some companies offer better rates to non-smokers. Auto-draft payment will also shave a few dollars off a policy.

Shop and compare. It never hurts to shop and compare rates as your renewal period approaches. Be sure to shop rates for all coverages that would go into a bundled package. Compare having different policies with different companies and whether you can save enough that way, versus bundled rates with all your policies under one provider.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

The Comfy Minimalism of Modern Farmhouse Design

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:18:00 GMT

The modern farmhouse style is one of today’s hottest trends in residential design. The style mixes classic farmhouse basics with modern, industrial and rustic accents to create homes that are both cozy and uncluttered. Is a modern farmhouse living the life for you?

What defines a modern farmhouse interior

Traditional farmhouse style, with its liberal use of wood, color and vintage furnishings, has long been popular. Several years ago, Chip and Joanna Gaines of the HGTV program Fixer Upper updated farmhouse style with modern, minimalist touches, and the popularity of the design took off.

Today’s modern farmhouse style creates uncluttered rooms with an urban edge. The style is defined by open, spacious rooms with plenty of windows providing natural light. Wide wood-plank flooring and natural wood beams traversing overhead characterize the style, as do barn-style doors and walls covered with plank siding known as shiplap. Light fixtures and other design elements often have an industrial feel.

Contrasts of light versus dark play a significant role throughout the modern farmhouse. Shiplap walls, shaker-style kitchen cabinets and trim are often painted white. White subway tile backsplashes look clean and fresh against butcher block or dark granite countertops. Dark-stained floors and black metal elements such as light fixtures and window frames provide contrast throughout the house. Where walls are Sheetrocked, they are painted in soft neutrals such as cream or gray.

Modern farmhouse kitchens often feature open wood or metal shelving or cabinet doors with divided glass. Appliances are stainless steel. Apron-front sinks are commonplace, and hardware is generally dark.

The light vs. dark contrast continues in furnishings. Light neutral fabrics — no bright colors or bold patterns — contrast with dark or black-painted wood. You might see black barstools cozied up to the kitchen counter, or a white distressed dining table with contrasting black chairs. Textural elements such as rugs woven from natural fibers, chunky knitted throws and rattan or wicker seating add warmth to modern farmhouse rooms. Surfaces are left uncluttered. Vintage pieces contrast with modern metal furniture to create cozy, comfortable rooms that appear to have evolved over time.

The outside look

Modern farmhouse exteriors are usually covered at least partially with plank wood siding or board and batten, often painted white with contrasting black-framed windows. Front doors, painted a muted color or made of contrasting natural wood, pop against the white siding. Gabled rooflines complete the look.

Premium prices

With their surging popularity, modern farmhouse style homes may be priced a little higher than other designs. If you’re the seller, you could reap a premium.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

How to Clean Your Home to Reduce Allergies

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 07:17:00 GMT

CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

By Ariel Scotti

Allergy sufferers know too well what havoc indoor and outside irritants can bring into their lives during peak seasons, like the start of spring.

Combating the symptoms of allergies-your family's red, itchy eyes, scratchy throats and noses that are somehow both stuffy and runny-might be as easy as understanding their source and eliminating them from your home. Some of the most common indoor allergens include: dust, mold, insects (dust mites, cockroaches), pollen, pet dander and pollen.

So before you throw all your windows open and air your freshly laundered sheets outside to dry, take in these expert cleaning tips and live sneeze-free-at least while inside. 

DUST AND VACUUM REGULARLY

Easing some of your seasonal or year-round allergy symptoms while at home may be just a deep scrub away.

That's right, to be sniffle-free you need to regularly clean your home which reduces your exposure to allergens. "You should dust and vacuum weekly to stay on top of the various substances that build up between cleanings," says cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk of the Clean Mama blog and author of "Simply Clean." Start by dusting. The best method is to work from top down. This way, you're ensuring that the dust that falls from the top of cabinets and ceiling fans gets swept away by your vacuum once you've reached the bottom.

Another tip, especially for allergy sufferers: use microfibers. "Consistent dusting with microfiber dusters captures the particles and makes the task simple," says Rapinchuk.

When you're ready to vacuum, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends using a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter or a double-layered bag. Another trusty tool: the Swiffer (dry and unscented) is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to reduces your exposure to allergens.

If you can't get rid of your carpets make sure to have them cleaned professionally at least once a year.

TACKLE DUST MITES

Dust mites, microscopic insects that live off human and animal skin scales, reside in almost all bedding materials, including pillows, mattresses, and comforters-no matter how clean or immaculate the home.

Though they don't cause infections, mites are a well-known cause of allergies and asthma. To keep dust mites away from your skin Dr. Dean Mitchell of New York's Ocean Allergy and Asthma  clinic says use an allergy-free cover made from synthetic materials on mattresses and pillows and wash bed linens weekly in hot water. Avoid comforters made from down, and protect your pillows with hypoallergenic covers. If possible, choose hardwood floors over wall-to-wall carpeting (dust mites can't live on hardwood) and leather furniture over dust-mite-friendly upholstered items.

If you do have upholstered items, steam cleaning in between washes helps fight allergens. "If you put anything under a really high-powered steam, it will kill a majority of the bacteria and critters lingering on around," says Dave Briganti, a product manager at Rowenta.

CONTROL MOLD

Mold lurks in damp places like the bathroom, basement and even your windows.

"Clean window tracks with white vinegar between seasons as mold grows in there," warns Rapinchuk. She also recommends cleaning bathrooms regularly and well. For a guide on cleaning your bathroom the right way go here. If you do find mold or dampness on your bathroom tiles, try cleaning it with a solution of ¾ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. Wipe down the surface, then let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.  However, if persists, a professional is the only way to eradicate it. Another tool in your fight against mold is to run a dehumidifier.

DON'T LET THE OUTSIDE IN

Protect that clean space and be careful not to let outside contaminants, like pollen, in.

"Avoid window fans that suck in pollen and outdoor molds into the home and ceiling fans that distribute the air," says Dr. Clifford Bassett, Director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York and author of "The New Allergy Solution." "And avoid line drying your bedding and clothing on high-pollen days outdoors as pollen can stick to fabrics."

Dr. Bassett recommends keeping windows closed during peak allergy seasons like spring, and being careful of what you-and your furry best friend-may be carrying when reentering your home.

"Using inside and outside door mats can help trap pollen," he says. "Wipe off your pets with a damp cloth before they go back inside and change your own clothing, too. Wash your face and hair and wipe down your shoes." And we know it's hard but try keeping your pet out of your bedroom.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

6 Bright Trends in Home Design

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:45:00 GMT

The latest buzzwords in home interiors: bright, cheery and simplified. Say “hello” to white cabinets and light gray walls and “so-long” to dark woods and moody colors.

1. Cabinets painted in light, bright colors, often in white, are seeing a resurgence. Another popular trend is the open shelving look. Typically this look is coupled with white subway tile, a farmhouse sink and a gooseneck stainless steel commercial-grade faucet. Cabinets with glass doors also are popular.

2. Dark granite countertops are being replaced by lighter quartz surfaces with more subtle patterns in both kitchens and baths. The effect is a brighter, cheery look.

3. Hardwoods are still in fashion, but with a darker stain and so-called hand-scraped look, providing contrast with the lighter cabinets and counters. In bathrooms, larger tiles in soft grays are popular with white cabinets and quartz counters.

4. Wall color trends are toward light grays and “greige,” a mixture of beige and gray. These colors blend well with owner’s furnishings but have a little more style than the standard “builder beige” that was so often seen in new homes of the 90s and early 2000s.

5. implification is the overriding trend in bathrooms. Garden tubs are out, replaced by bigger showers with seating. Also popular are larger custom tiles with an accent strip of contrasting smaller tile, inset spaces for shampoos and soap, multiple shower heads and frameless doors. Cabinets and counters follow the same trend as kitchen counters and cabinets with brighter looks and simple lines.

6. Lighting. Of course, all the bright colored cabinets and counters in the world can’t overcome dim lighting. Large windows and skylights are the way many homeowners today are letting the sunshine in. In older homes, owners are knocking out walls, opening up the floorplan, and spreading natural window light throughout the home.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Pollen Season Now Starts Earlier and Lasts Longer Than It Did 30 Years Ago, a New Study Finds

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 07:20:00 GMT

CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

By Nashia Baker I February 12, 2021

Have you noticed that your allergies seem to kick in sooner than you'd expect year after year? You're not alone. According to new research from a team of scientists at Utah School of Biological Sciences, changes in our everyday climate (mainly higher temperatures) have led to pollen seasons starting sooner and lasting longer.

Researchers found that pollen season begins about 20 days earlier and lasts 10 days longer than it did in 1990, the Daily Mail reports. They went on to explain that climate change is "likely to further exacerbate respiratory health impacts in the coming decades."

"A number of smaller-scale studies—usually in greenhouse settings on small plants—had indicated strong links between temperature and pollen," Dr. William Anderegg, the study lead, explained about the changes in pollen over a 30-year timeframe. "This study reveals that connection at continental scales and explicitly links pollen trends to human-caused climate change."

Researchers studied pollen samples from 60 stations around the United States starting in 1990 through 2018. Not only did they note that the length of the pollen seasons differed over time, but they also discovered that there is 21 percent more of this allergen than there was in 1990.

The team analyzed statistics from about 20 climate models to develop a greater understanding of these changes in the allergy seasons, too. They confirmed that climate change is the result of the fluctuations, and it actually accounts for half of the pollen season lasting longer and eight percent of the pollen itself increasing. In turn, as temperatures rise, it's actually making plants produce pollen early. "Climate change isn't something far away and in the future. It's already here in every spring breath we take," Dr. Anderegg added.

This story originally appeared on marthastewart.com

See related Volk Real Estate Blog posted Feb 16, 2021: How To Clean Your Home To Reduce Allergies

http://www.evelynvolk.com/blog.html/how-to-clean-your-home-to-reduce-allergies--7539168

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.