Bathroom Countertops March 30th, 2009 The right bathroom countertops will provide the finishing touches to your bathroom. There are many materials that you can choose from such as marble, tile or granite.
- Choosing bathroom vanity countertops: With so many bathroom vanity countertops to choose from it can be a bit overwhelming. Look at the overall bathroom design first. Your bathroom vanity countertops don't have to be as durable as kitchen countertops, so price and style are going to be your main concerns.
- What to look for in bathroom countertops: Since durability isn't a key factor when choosing your bathroom countertops, what you need to watch for is a design that complements your bathroom, requires minimal maintenance and is easy to install.
- Consider all options for your bathroom countertops: Don't cut corners with your countertops. This can lead to a finished look you aren't happy with. The bathroom is a relatively small room to remodel, and it's also likely it will only get one facelift, so you should splurge if you feel like it.
If you have a tight budget look at all your options. If you want granite bathroom countertops you might have to settle for a different style of bathtub to offset the higher cost.
The right countertops are key to a finished bathroom that's stylish and modern. What does the average residential selling price mean? March 26th, 2009 The Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors answers some questions:
The average residential selling price is derived by taking the month's dollar volume of homes sold and dividing that number by the unit sale number. The percentage of change should not be used unilaterally as prices vary from area to area.
The average selling price tracks the market trends and identifies changes as they occur. An example is the month of June 2008 when 26 homes sold between $500,000.00 and $750,000.00, 10 between $450,000.00 and $500,000.00 and 32 homes that sold between $400,000.00 and $450,000.00. In December there were 5 homes that sold between $500,000.00 and $750,000.00 and 5 between $450,000.00 and $500,000.00 and 7 that sold between $400,000.00 and $450,000.00.
When the sales figure for the month are divided into the dollar volume of real estate sold for the month the average selling price will be higher if more high priced homes were sold. This number may not be directly impacted by the unit sales number. For example, June's average selling price was $310,386.00 and July's average price was $292,428.00.
There were 27 more sales in July. The difference in average selling price resulted from fewer high priced homes selling in July. For example there were only 12 homes sold between $500,000.00 and $750,000.00, 18 between $450,000.00 and $500,000.00 and 23 homes sold between $400,000.00 and $500,000.00
Most news reports place a heavy focus on "average selling prices" and consumers can easily misunderstand their use. Here's another good example. During the month of August, the average price of a Saskatoon home was $279,366.00. In September it jumped to $297,836.00. This "jump" resulted from a larger number of high end homes which skewed the average up and was not a reflection of actual price increases in the Saskatoon market.
In fact, home inventories were at their highest point for the year creating extremely competitive conditions for sellers.
(If you'd like to read the rest of this article, go to www.srar.ca) Landscaping the green way and saving money March 12th, 2009 With spring hopefully and finally around the corner landscaping can begin! There are many things you can do outside your home that will also help the environment, look great and save you money.
Most home owners have been trained over the years to minimize the number of lights left on inside their home, yet they have elaborate lighting around the pool or in the garden that runs 24/7. By using solar or LED lights, you can dramatically cut down on electrical use and waste.
Here are some other ideas on how you can "go green" outside:
1. Recycle the rain water through the use of cisterns, reducing your draw on city water systems. Switching your irrigation to a drip system makes much more efficient use of the water as it reduces water lost to run off and evaporation on those hot summer days and nights.
2. Native grasses, trees and plants usually require much less irrigation and are much hardier than the more expensive exotic varieties of plants and grasses.
3. If Palm trees don't grow naturally in your area, there is likely a very good reason! So stick with what does grow naturally. This not only cuts down on your costs and helps the environment but takes much less maintenance to keep looking good all summer long.
4. Recycling the garden and household waste in a composter is a great way to go green and save money. By setting up a simple composting system all your yard waste and carrot tops from the kitchen can make a great fertilizer at a fraction of the cost of what you would buy it for in the store.
5. Save water by letting grass grow a little. Rather than keeping your lawn really short, let it grow a few inches and you will have to water it less, not to mention the gas and time out of the lawn chair you will save!
Real Estate Market Evaluations February 6th, 2009 A real estate appraisal or evaluation is an impartial estimate or opinion of value, usually written, of an adaquately described property and supported by the presentation and analysis of relevant data.
Real Estate Appraisals usually include the following:
1. The estimate of value.
2. The effective date of the appraisal.
3. The qualifying conditions.
4. The condition of the neighbourhood.
5. An identification of the property and it's ownership.
6. Other descriptive support material such as maps, plans, charts, photos and etc.
How is the value estimated?
The Cost Approach estimates the cost to build a new building using either replacement or reproduction cost, at current prices, subtracting accumulated deprecation and adding the estimated land value. This approach can be used when estimating the value of both residential and commercial property.
The estimate of value is based on comparing the subject property to other similar properties in the area.
Differences between the subject property and the comparable properties is reflected in either an upward or downward adjustment to the sale price of the comparable properties. This approach to value is used for both residential and commercial properties. Buy now? Sell now? Do I wait? January 21st, 2009 The Saskatchewan Association of Realtors has some information on today's market:
These are some questions asked in a changing real estate market. The answer depends more on your own situation than on market conditions.
The real estate market today is moderating after five record-setting years. That means greater affordability for buyers. It could also mean lower than expected prices for sellers. But if you're selling one home to buy another, chances are you won't lose because you will not have to pay as much for your new home.
Is the Canadian housing market heading towards the same crisis as the United States? The experts say no, because of several fundamental differences. Canada has more conservative mortgage lending practices. Fewer speculative buyers. And not the same glut of housing supply.
Today's real estate market cycle is trending towards fewer homes sold and slightly lower prices. As with all cycles, this will eventually change.
There are lots of references to the real estate market in the media today. Our real estate market is feeling the impact of the global economic slowdown, and the effects of the credit crunch that began in the US in 2007.
Keeping invading pests out!
January 14th, 2009 No one relishes the thought of coming home, turning on the lights and discovering that pests have taken over your home. Unfortunetly unwanted intruders can invade your space whether you live in a single-family home, a condominium or on the 28th floor of a high-rise apartment building.
Once they're settled in, pests can threaten your health and your home. To help, here are some tips on how to pest-proof your home.
- Find and seal all potential pest passageways. Pests can enter through almost any unsealed or poorly sealed opening. To close down these entryways, start by sealing any holes in the walls around plumbing and electrical lines. Use caulking or spray foam to seal penetrations in utility closets, under kitchen sinks or behind toilets and sinks in bathrooms. Caulk any cracks or crevices in cupboards and walls. Ensure your window screens are properly fited and in good condition.
- Make your home as inhospitable as possible for pests by finding and removing any sources of high humidity or standing water in kitchen, bathroom and concealed spaces.
- Avoid leaving food or food waste out in the open. Get rid of dead or dying plants or flowers. Remove any clutter that could provide a nesting ground for bugs, including piles of boxes or other materials left undisturbed for long periods of time.
- Earn your good housekeeping seal of approval. Many pests thrive on dirt and dust, so encourage them to find other accomodations by cleaning your home frequently and thoroughly.
Preparing your house for the winter chills
January 7th, 2009 Just to help you out and save on energy costs, Direct Energy has some ideas for assisting consumers in ensuring their home and its air are clean and energy efficient during the cold of winter.
- Clean those filters: Furnaces and central air conditioning systems are easy to maintain. To prevent breakdowns, it's important to keep the equipment clean. Have your systems checked annually by a licensed professional and replace or clean your filter every three months.
- Don't forget your ducts: Direct Energy says average duct-cleaning removes five to six pounds of dirt from a home's heating and cooling system. Cleaning your ducts will help clear them of any dust or dirt. Duct cleaning should be done every four or five years on average to help maintain a clean home and reduce the amount of dirt, pet hair and allergens in your ducts.
- Replace aging systems: Even if your older furnace and central air conditioning system still seems to be working okay, consider installing a new system before the old one wears out. Not only will this prevent you from avoiding a rushed last-minute decision on an emergency replacement right about the time the thermometer plunges well into minus territory, today's technology provides you with the opportunity to lower your electricity consumption and energy costs as well.
- Clear out your drains: Food, hair and grime are commonly at fault for blocking drains and it can be costly to fix. Clean out your drains on a regular basis to avoid the headache of more serious pipe problems and a heft repair bill. |