With so much shopping being done online, and so many sources to check out, it’s easy to miss the newest products entering the marketplace. Here are some new and different items that may interest you:
A robotic mopper.If you’ve heard of robotic vacuum cleaners, you might be ready for the mopper version. Just add water and cleaning solution, then select the proper scrubbing pad for your floor surface. Now, how awesome can that be?
An anti-fatigue mat made with gel-like cushioning. The mat is designed to help ease foot, knee, and back pain attributed to prolonged standing. This could be ideal for kitchen and workshop environments, as well as offices where workers prefer to avoid sitting all day.
A new digital shower interface. This gadget will regulate your water temperature and pressure at the touch of a button. It even allows you to set a different program for each individual user so everyone can enjoy a personal setting without having to adjust the knobs or handles.
A four-way faucet splitter. If you have an expansive lawn or garden, and don’t want to invest in an underground irrigation system, you can connect up to four hoses to one faucet or hose bib, and set a timer for each one of them. Apparently some of these devices can also detect the moisture level of the soil.
MoveToWineCountry.com does not endorse any specific brands or stores, but if you’d like to find out more about any of these types of products, a quick google search will start you in the right direction.
You’ve heard of the term “curb appeal”. It refers to the initial impression buyers get when they first see your property from the street. If the impression is a good one, it sets the right tone for the rest of the home viewing.
How do you boost curb appeal? here are some proven ideas that you can get done in an hour or so:
Wash both the inside of outside of the front windows. You’ll be amazed at the difference that can make.
Sweep the walkway leading up to the front entrance. Add a new welcome mat. Also, wash down the front door.
If possible, remove cars from the driveway. Let buyers imagine their own cars parked there!
Mow the lawn. Lightly trim the hedges. Weed flower beds.
Remove anything from inside window sills that may look unsightly from the outside. Try putting a couple of flowering plants there instead.
Place any trash bins out-of-sight. For example, put them in the garage or neatly at the side of the house.
If the entrance door hardware is old and worn, change it. New hardware can make a bigger difference than you might think.
Make sure the outdoor lights are working, especially if you’re showing your home in the evening.
Add some flowering plants to flower beds, or buy a couple of portable potted plants and place them strategically.
If your have a power washer, give the walkway and driveway a quick blast. Just be sure it will be dry before the buyers arrive.
These one-hour improvements may seem minor, but anything that helps buyers form a more positive first impression of your home is worth the effort.
Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the days of patio lanterns and strings of lightbulbs. These days, there’s an exhaustive array of options available to illuminate your outdoor space, and make it more appealing and comfortable, particularly in the evenings.
Here are just a few ideas:
Solar garden lights. These lights are on stakes that can be easily inserted throughout the garden. Powered by the sun, they generate enough energy to cast a soft, pleasant glow along walkways or in flower beds in the evenings.
Deck post lights. These are easy to install because they’re designed to sit on top of a standard 4×4 wood deck post. Most are solar powered.
Street-style lamps. As the name implies, these look similar to old-fashioned street lamps. Installation is a little more complex, but still DIY-friendly. They’re eye-catching and have a dramatic impact on the look of your outdoor space.
Portable lantern lights. These are outdoor lights that are portable and often made to look like a decorative fixture for a coffee table or side table. They can be placed anywhere.
LED walkway lights. These are small lights that fit neatly and almost invisibly under stairs and around walkways. Walkway lights not only look good but also improve safety. Most are battery powered.
Planter lights. This is one of the most interesting options. Each one is both a flower pot and a light in one! The pot itself is translucent which allows the light inside to shine through.
Design experts say you should treat your outdoor space as you would any room in your home. Lighting it up for evening comfort and enjoyment is a good place to start.
Have you ever considered selling your home and moving out-of-town? One concern that might be holding you back is the uncertainty involved of finding a home in an unfamiliar place. What are the best neighbourhoods? What are homes selling for in that area? What is it like to live there?
There are many ways to find out.
If possible, spend a day in the area. Walk some of the neighbourhoods. Visit schools and parks. Check out the local shopping and other amenities.
Talk to someone who lives there. This will give you firsthand insights into the area. You can facilitate this through a Facebook post where you ask to chat with a local resident.
View current listings in the area online. Most listings include helpful data on safety, demographics and other information.
Get a handle on home prices by finding out what a home like yours is currently selling for in that area. That will give you a baseline to determine what you can expect to pay.
What’s the bottom line? There’s no need to let uncertainty about finding a home in a different town or city hold you back.
When to know about buying in Oliver? Give me shout, I’d love to help you out!
If you haven’t sold a home before, the process can seem complex and even intimidating. It really isn’t. In fact, the steps to selling your property – quickly and for the best price – are straightforward, although not necessarily easy.
Here’s a bird’s-eye view of the steps to expect:
Determine what your property will likely sell for on today’s market. This is referred to as the Current Market Value.
Decide on a list price. Doing this properly is crucial. If you set the price too high, you’ll discourage buyers from seeing your home. On the other hand, if the price is too low, you may be leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
Prepare your home for sale. This involves cleaning, de-cluttering, fixing and staging so that your property wows potential buyers.
Market and promote the property to the marketplace. This needs to be done effectively to maximize the number of qualified buyers who find out about and become interested in your listing.
Show your property to buyers interested in seeing it.
Negotiate offers effectively so that you sell your property for the best price and conditions.
Make a deal and begin the transaction paperwork!
Of course, you don’t have to do it all alone! As your real estate sales associate, I will do most of the heavy-lifting for you. I’ll be by your side throughout the process, helping ensure your home sale is trouble-free and successful.
What’s one of the most important rooms in your home? When it comes to selling your property quickly, and for the best price, the answer is clearly the kitchen.
In fact, one of the most common explanations buyers often give for not making an offer is, “I liked the house, but I wasn’t too keen on the kitchen.”
That doesn’t mean you must do a major renovation. However, you should do what you can to make the kitchen as attractive as possible to buyers.
Here are some ideas:
First, clear the countertops. Put away the toaster and other items. You want to make the entire countertop area seem as spacious as possible.
If the cabinetry is old, you can spruce it up by installing new knobs, handles and other hardware. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling can also make the kitchen look like it has had a major renovation – but will only cost a few hundred dollars. According to an article on the website HGTV.com. “The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware.”
Replacing the countertops is a more expensive renovation, but may be worthwhile if the current counters are old and worn.
Finally, when preparing your kitchen for a viewing, make sure it’s clean and tidy. The garbage and recycling bins should be empty. Buyers will open cabinets, so make sure items on shelves are neatly organized with the front labels facing forward.
There are many other ways to make the most important rooms in your home look great to potential buyers. Contact me today for more ideas.
Are you planning on doing some work around the house this year? Maybe you want to do some painting or get some needed repairs completed. Maybe you’re planning a major improvement, like a new kitchen or bathroom.
Whatever you have in mind, I might be able to help. How? Well, I’m well-connected in the local “home” industry. I know a lot of very good, reputable professionals and companies. Chances are, if
you’re looking for, say, a home improvement contractor, I could give you a name.
I enjoy helping valued clients like you. As your real estate sales associate, I’m committed to being of service not just during a move, but in the months and years afterwards as well. It’s one of the reasons I send you these helpful updates. I hope that as a result of my service you’ll also think of referring me whenever a relative or friend asks you for a real estate sales associate recommendation.
Have you ever considered selling your home and moving out-of-town? One concern that might be holding you back is the uncertainty involved of finding a home in an unfamiliar place. What are the best neighbourhoods? What are homes selling for in that area? What is it like to live there?
If you haven’t sold a home before, the process can seem complex and even intimidating. It really isn’t. In fact, the steps to selling your property – quickly and for the best price – are straightforward, although not necessarily easy.
Are you planning on doing some work around the house this year? Maybe you want to do some painting or get some needed repairs completed. Maybe you’re planning a major improvement, like a new kitchen or bathroom.
