Oct
6
Conquering the Clutter
Filed Under Home Tips, Selling | Leave a Comment
It’s a tough market out there. If you want to have any chance of selling your home, you need your house to look its best. One of the simplest - and most important - ways to boost the appeal of your home is to “de-clutter”. I know it can be a difficult process but going through your entire house and removing all unnecessary items is crucial step.
The blest place to start your Campaign Against Clutter is in the kitchen. Your kitchen should look spotless, open, and inviting. Go over the countertops and remove anything that you don’t use anymore. That means everything - toaster included. Then go through the kitchen cabinets and remove anything you don’t need there. In a perfect world, the buyer would be able to see your cabinets and drawers completely empty to get a feel for how much storage space they would have. Obviously, that won’t always be possible but make sure you keep it down to the bare necessities. And ALWAYS take the trash out of the kitchen before a buyer comes over.
Go through every room of the house this way, starting with the rooms that your buyer will see first. Try to look at every object in each room objectively. If you don’t need it, if you don’t use it every day, pack it up in a box and put it in storage somewhere, or get rid of it completely. Take all of your personal items out of the house - photographs, diplomas, trophies, collectibles - anything that could distract buyers from looking at the house itself. Also, remove any excess furniture that you can. You want all your rooms to look as spacious as possible.
When you think you’ve cleared out as much of your clutter as you possibly can, take a breath and then take a step back. Can you do more? Is anything left? Invite a friend or neighbor over and get their unbiased opinion, or ask your selling agent.
Think of your house as a model home. You want it clean, tidy, depersonalized and clutter-free. When a buyer comes through your door, they should be able to envision themselves living in your house. Whenever possible, try not to hinder that vision by reminding them that you are still living there. Removing the clutter will remove the distractions and will let the buyer focus on the things you really want them to see.
Remember, you don’t want a buyer to be looking at your home, you want them to be looking at THEIR home. Conquer the clutter and you will have made a big step towards that goal.
Sep
29
Home Tips
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Nearly every single house that I inspect has at least one “Saddle Valve” installed. These are small valves which are attached to plumbing piping by way of ‘piercing’ the piping and being clamped into place with nothing more than a rubber bushing to provide a seal between the saddle valve and the pierced piping to which it is attached.
These valves are commonly used when a ¼ inch water supply line is required for a humidifier or a refrigerator with an icemaker inside.
Sadly, these valves are not very reliable as they are prone to leakage. Some jurisdictions in North America are starting to ban the use of saddle valves. You are encouraged to know the location of these valves in you home, and monitor them regularly for leakage. Typical installation locations are on the cold water supply piping coming into the top of your water heater, or under the kitchen cabinet on the cold water supply piping leading to the faucet of your kitchen sink.
Should these valves start to leak, it is recommended that they be replaced with a brass “Ball Valve”. The installation for this valve requires some plumbing skills and knowledge. This task requires medium skills and some specialized tools (such as a torch, solder and flux, or special crimping tools for installation on plastic water supply piping). This job is best done by a professional plumber. These ball valves (and their soldered or crimped installation) are higher quality, more reliable and rarely leak.
Written By: Kevin Hawes
Assured Home Inspections in Calgary, AB
Mar
12
Check Your Homeowner IQ Part 1
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Check your know-how on various homeownership related matters. See how many questions you can answer correctly. (The answers are listed below.)
1. Which cut lumber is thicker: a 2-inch by 4-inch board or a 2-inch by 6-inch board?
2. Which is thinner: a termite’s waist or a flying ant’s waist?
3. Which is colder: 30 degrees Celsius or 30 degrees Centigrade?
4. Which is typically hotter: the air supply temperature of a warm air furnace or the air supply temperature of a heat pump?
5. Which is longer: a six penny nail or a ten penny nail?
6. Which wood is denser: oak or pine?
7. Which will freeze first: hot or cold water?
8. Which produces more light: a 20-watt compact fluorescent bulb or a 60-watt incandescent bulb?
9. Which is lighter: natural gas or propane gas?
Here are the answers:
1. They are the same thickness.
2. A termite’s waist is thicker (probably from eating your house).
3. Both these measurements indicate the same temperature, although the Centigrade scale was formally changed to Celsius in 1948.
4. A standard furnace delivers hot air in the 130-140 degrees F range while a typical heat pump’s temperature range is 90-100 degrees F.
5. A six-penny nail is 2 inches long and a ten-penny nail is 3 inches long.
6. Oak wood is approximately 50% denser than pine wood.
7. While hot water will cool to a lower temperature faster than cold water, cold water will freeze first.
8. An energy efficient 20-watt CFL bulb can actually produce more light than a standard 75-watt incandescent bulb and is expected to last 10 times longer.
9. LP (liquid petroleum) gases, which include Propane, are heavier than natural gas. Since LP gases are heavier, they will accumulate at low points and pose a higher risk.
Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. Improve your Homeowner IQ by subscribing to the complimentary HouseMaster Homeowner Electronic Newsletter. This monthly how-to newsletter is full of household information and maintenance tips. It pays to be informed. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at housemaster.com.
This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither HMA Franchise Systems, Inc. nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances.
© Copyright 2008 HMA. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of HMA Franchise Systems, Inc.
Jan
14
Here is another great home tip for you that you can use weekly, or even daily!
Baking Soda is very useful… But did you know…
Clean Your Produce
You can’t be too careful when it comes to food handeling. Wash fruits and vegetables in a pot of cold water with 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda. The baking soda will remove some of the imputities tap water leave behind. Or you can put a small amount of baking soda on a wet sponge or brush and scrub your produce. Give everything a thorough rinsing before serving.- Make your own Dishwashing Detergent
The dishwasher is fully loaded when you discover that you are out of your favorite powdered dishwashing detergent. What now? You can make your own… Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 tablespoons borax. You may be so pleased with the results you might switch for good… - Deodorize Your Dishwasher
Eliminate odors inside your automatic dishwasr by sprinkling 1/2 cup baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher etween loads. Or pour half a box of baking soda and run the empty machine through its rinse cycle.
I hope you find these tips helpful…
If you have any Real Estate needs, please contact us directly.
Regards,
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Email Us!
Article Source:”Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things” Readers Digest
Dec
10
Home Tip - Club “Versatile” Soda
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Here’s another Home Tip for you today…
Club Soda not only can make a drink great but it can also be very helpful over this Christmas season…
Make Pancakes and Waffles Fluffier
If you like your famous breakfast foods, pancakes and waffles, fluffy, substitute club soda for the liquid called for in the recipes. You’ll be amazed at how light and fluffy your breakfast treats turn out.- Clean You Car Windshield
- ok… not super helpful in the winter but it works!
You may want to keep a spray bottle filled with Club Soda in your trunk or garage. Use it to help remove bird droppings and greasy stains from the windshield. The fizzy water speeds the cleaning process. - Tame The Tummy
Cold Club Soda with a dash of bitters will work wonders on your upset stomach caused by indigestion, a hangover or eating too many Christmas delights during this festive season!
Hope this tip helps you around your house.
If you are in need of any assistance in Real Estate, please contact us directly!
Regards,
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Article Source:”Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things” Readers Digest
Dec
4
Here we go….
1. Chocolate - any kind….bars, candy, cookies.
2. Mandarin oranges or exotic fruit such as star fruit
3. Lottery tickets
4. Lipstick - buy a wild shade of red
5. Cozy mittens or gloves
6. Personalized or Christmas print coffee mug or tea cup
7. Tire gauge
8. Picture frames - buy a plain wooden frame and wrap it with Christmas wrap, glue on Christmas ornaments, paint on holly leaves or apply Christmas stickers.
9. Silly Putty - fun for any age!
10. Baseball, golf ball, rubber ball….
11. Night light
12. Christmas ornament - home-made or store-bought
13. Unique kitchen gadget like an egg slicer, grapefruit spoon, garlic press, etc.
14. Deck of cards - search for one with unusual artwork
15. Hair accessories
16. A book or magazine
17. Magnifying glass
18. Gum or penny candy - buy the stuff that takes you back to when you were a kid
19. Potpourri - create your own easy sachet by placing potpourri in a lace handkerchief, gather the kerchief and tie with a silk ribbon
20. Novelty shoelaces
21. Stamp pad and stamps
22. Batteries
23. Decorative wine stopper
24. Journal or diary
25. Modeling clay
26. Touque or a scarf - hand-knit or purchase in a store - you can add your own personal touch to store bought by stitching on ribbon, bows, buttons or beads
27. Yo-yo
28. Home made cookies
29. Wallet or business card holder
30. Travel games
46. Coupons for fast food, or admission to museums or other attractions
32. Underwear or socks - be racy or pedestrian, your choice
33. Candles - and there are so many to choose from
34. Slinky
35. Popcorn seasoning or spices
36. Nail polish
37. Toothbrush
38. Airplane sized bottles of liquor
39. Packets of flavored hot chocolate or cider mix
40. Die cast metal car
41. Stationary or note cards
42. Bath beads, bubble bath or scented soap - make your own or go shopping
43. A copy of the gift recipient’s favorite recipe - you can add some of the ingredients, too
44. Stickers
45. Pencil or pen - try a pen with purple ink, a giant pencil, a fountain pen, a twig pencil, etc.
46. Desk or wall calendar
47. Keychain
48. Soap dish
49. The hottest hot sauce you can find
50. Seeds - try heirloom seeds or native wildflower seeds
51. Fishing lures
52. Glasses case
53. Coloring book
54. Coasters
55. Incense
56. Paper pouches in novelty shapes
57. Craft supplies - paints, brushes, wooden cut-outs, embroidery thread, beads, doll heads, kits, etc.
58. House plant tools or decorative watering can
59. Sports water bottle
60. Vase
61. Mouse pad
62. Exercise bands or hand weights
63. Snow globe
64. Cold mask (the kind you store in the fridge and wrap around your face to relieve aches and stuffiness)
65. Travel mug
66. Photos of the gift recipient as a child
67. Christmas theme costume jewelry
68. A tool - hammer, screw driver, pliers, etc.
69. Harmonica
70. Sewing, knitting, woodworking, needlework patterns
71. Poster
72. Kaleidoscope
73. Decorative bottle opener or cork screw
74. Silly straws
75. Flashlight
76. Address book
77. Cedar balls for keeping closets and drawers fresh
78. Blank diskettes, cassettes, or CD’s
79. Piggy bank
80. Kite
81. Jar of homemade jam or syrup or canned fruit
82. Decorative tea towels or hand towels
83. Hand held calculator
84. Jigsaw puzzle or other puzzle game
85. Tarot cards - they only work if you receive them as a gift!
86. Small wooden trinket box
87. Small stuffed toy
88. Napkin rings
89. Model airplane kit
90. Personal radio
91. Sidewalk chalk
92. Personalized birth chart or horoscope book
93. Thermal lunchbag
94. Sheet music
95. Film for the gift recipient’s camera
96. Gift certificate for fresh flowers
97. Paperweight
98. Fridge magnets
99. Travel maps
100. Long distance calling card
101. Bird Feeder
Have Fun…
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Email Us!
Article Source: www.Craft-Central-Station.com
Dec
1
Christmas Tip Part 2 of 3
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Now that it is officially December 1, 2007… Christmas is almost really here now… Here’s the second tip for this holiday season!
Decorating Your Home…
Most people, whether family or visitors, probably spend more time together in the living and dining rooms of your home than any other room. With this in mind, make these rooms focal points for your Christmas decorations.
- Decorate your stairs’ railing
Hanging swags or other greenery along your stairs’ railing adds a nice touch. Make this arrangement even more decorative by running white or colored lights through the greens. - Displaying gifts and ornaments
Ornaments and gifts don’t just belong on and under a tree. Wrap empty boxes with holiday wrapping and bows, and pile them on a table, in corners, or atop shelves. Ornaments can be used in displays, and smaller, attractively wrapped gifts with ornamental ribbons and bows can be placed anywhere that needs that “Martha Stewart” touch. - Mistletoe
For flirts and romantics, a sprig of mistletoe in a high-traffic area can keep things interesting. - Candles
Place candles on mantles for natural lighting, and turn down adjustable lights to provide more ambient lighting for the proper holiday mood.
Experiment with candle placement. Clusters of candles on tabletops will draw the eye to a central location; distributing them over the length of a table draws the gaze across the room. - Paintings/Mirrors
Use garlands festooned with ribbons and bows to adorn paintings and mirrors. - Fireplace
Decorate the hearth with nature’s finest. Arrange boughs of spruce and pine with rosy apples, wine-red cranberries and holly for color. - Mantle
Adorn the mantel with groupings of short colorful candles and tall elegant ones surrounded by red berry clusters. - Walls
Hang delicate snowflakes from light fixtures and wall sconces. Hang walnut clusters from pretty bows and attach to boughs throughout the house.
Have a Merry Christmas, and may your home be filled with joy an laughter this season…
Regards,
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Email Us!
Article Source: www.celebrating-christmas.com
Nov
27
Being Clutter Free can be Worth Thousands
Filed Under Home Tips, Selling | Leave a Comment
In listing and viewing many homes, there is a trend that we have seen. If your home when listed is clutter free, you will be getting top dollar for it. We have walked into too many homes where there is a large mess in a particular room, the floor hasn’t been vacuumed (in quite a while) and in general it is very cluttered. In some cases, the home could be sold for up to $10,000 more, if it was only cleaned!
We here are at The Chamberlain Group have a staging and cleaning team that will come into your home, assess your current clutter status, give advice, and help clear out, clean, pack boxes etc. to have your home in, or as close to show home condition. We will not move, or change anything that you do not agree to first.
When you are doing the cleaning around your home, and would like to donate or drop off some clothing, household items etc. We have compiled a list for you of the different locations around Calgary.
- Goodwill:
105 – 10426 MacLeod Trail SE (225-2258) Drop off : 9:00am – 9:00pm (Mon-Fri), 9:00am – 6:00pm (Sat.), 11:00am – 6:00 pm (Sun.) - Canadian Diabetes Clothesline:
(call for pickup – 1-800-505-5525) – you will need to call ahead to see when they will be picking up in your area… they also have a drop off box at the Shawnessey Zellers locations – where you can drop off anytime. - Salvation Army Thrift Store:
2840 Glenmore Trail SE (279-9035) – they take donations of clothing, small household items, Tuesday through Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm…if you are dropping off furniture or large items, they would like you to call ahead to ensure there is room in the store. - Women in Need:
134 – 71 Avenue SE (255-7514) – they take donations of clothing, shoes, blankets, books, dishes, etc. and Christmas Decorations. There are large metal doors at the back of the building and you would drop off items between 9:30am – 4:00 pm.
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Downloadable Home Cleaning Schedule
I have come across an online copy of a house cleaning schedule that you are able to download found at numsum.com… Check It Out!
Clutter Free Forever.com
I have also come across a great online digital book written by Stephanie Roberts. Stephanie is a professional. And I’ve included excerpts from her “Clutter-Free Forever” digital book and Home Coaching Program here for you.
If you would like to find out more about Stephanie’s ‘Clutter Free Forever’ ebook and Home Coaching Program - go to www.clutter-free-forever.com.
Clutter-Clearing and Your Authentic Self
What Clutter-Clearing Can Do For You
Clutter’s Side Effects
When “Just Do It” Isn’t Enough
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Happy Cleaning!
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Email Us!
Nov
27
Christmas Tip Part 1 of 3
Filed Under Home Tips, Real Estate General | Leave a Comment
Here are some great tips and things to consider as the Christmas Season comes around the corner…
Perhaps you should consider a fake tree… (They are much safer and cleaner)
A Real Tree To Do List:
• A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground.
• Cut 1 inch off the trunk to help absorb water.
• Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate.
• The stand should hold at least 1 gal. of water.
• A 6′ tree will use 1 gallon of water every two days.
• Mix a commercial preservative with the water.
• Check the water level every day.
• Secure the tree with wire to keep it from tipping.
• Keep tree away from floor heaters, fire places, or other heat sources.
• Use only UL-listed lights, and no more than 3 strands linked together.
• Use miniature lights–which have cool-burning bulbs.
• Turn off the Christmas lights when you sleep, or if you leave your home for very long.
• Never use candles, even on artificial trees.
• Clean the tree stand to improve the tree’s water intake, use one cap-ful of bleach to a cup of water.
• Dispose of the tree properly.
We purchased our first “fake” tree last year… when both of us grew up with a real tree… and I can honestly say that we will never go back. The ease of care and set up, out weighs the mess any day…
Have a great Holiday Season!
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Email Us!
Nov
22
Home Tip - The Wonders of Alka Seltzer
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There are many wonders in this world… but did you know…
Alka-Seltzer can be used around your house for various tasks.
- Clean Your Coffeemaker
Fill your percolator or the water chamber with water. Plop in four tablets, let them dissolve, and run a cycle through the machine and this will clean out our coffeemaker. - Unclog a Drain
Drain clogged again? You can have instant relief with this tid-bit! Drop a couple of tablets down the drain and chase it down with a cup of vinegar. Wait a couple minutes, then flood the drain with ‘hot’ water. This is also a great way to get rid of a odor in a kitchen drain. - Soothe Insect Bites
Mosquito or other insect bite driving you nuts? Take a half glass of water, drop a couple tablets in, dip a cotton ball into the water and dab the cotton ball on the bite. CAUTION: Don’t do this if you are allergic to ASPIRIN, which is a key ingredient to Alka-Seltzer tablets.
Until next time…
Jared & Rebecca Chamberlain
www.ChamberlainGroup.ca
Email Us!
Article Source:”Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things” Readers Digest
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