Items that remind us of special people, events, milestones and interests are an important part of what makes a home a home. Pictures on the fireplace mantle, for example, showcase family and friends that are important to us. You might also have trophies, certificates, greeting cards, and other mementoes on display in key places.

Of course, all of those things add warmth and meaning to your home.

 

However, if you're preparing your home for sale, it's a good idea to pack those memories away - at least until you've sold your property and moved to your new home.

 

Why? Because those pleasant mementoes that mean so much to you may actually turn off potential buyers.

 

You see, when buyers view your property, you want them to be able to…

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Gearing up for summer? Now is a great time to get your home in top shape for the months ahead. Whatever your weather, caring for your home now will help to ensure a worry-free, comfortable summer.
Follow the checklist below provided by Pillar to Post home inspectors to help you do that.

Modern Exterior by Pleasant Hill General Contractors Faust Construction   OUTDOORS

  • Inspect exterior surfaces for cracks and make any needed repairs.
  • If paint is peeling, cracking, or chipped, repair and repaint now to limit damage to the underlying materials.
  • Repair any damaged caulk around windows and doors.
  • Remove window screens and clean with a soft brush and soapy water. Repair any holes or tears or replace the screen material before…

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The Spring market is in full swing!  Sales are up as we saw 1,424 homes sell in the month of May, which is up 16.8% from last May.  We are also seeing fewer homes for sale as the listing inventory is down by -3.4% when we compare the amount of homes that were on the market this May compared to the same time last year.

So for May 2014... we are at the top end of a "Balanced Market" because the list to sales ratio was 19.64%.  It is a "Balanced Market" when the ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.  It is deemed to be a "Buyer's Market" when we are below 15% and a "Seller's Market" when we are above 20%.

We finished May with 5.1 months of inventory.  Those inventory level tells us that prices are stable and are rising in some areas.  When inventory is…

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The Spring market is in full swing!  Sales are up as we saw 1,104 homes sell in the month of May, which is up 16.7% from last May.  We are also seeing fewer homes for sale as the listing inventory is down by -9.1% when we compare the amount of homes that were on the market this May compared to the same time last year.

So for May 2014... we entered a "Seller's Market" because the list to sales ratio was 23.14%.  It is a "Balanced Market" when the ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.  It is deemed to be a "Buyer's Market" when we are below 15% and a "Seller's Market" when we are above 20%.

We finished May with 4.3 months of inventory.  Those inventory level tells us that prices are rising.  When inventory is around 5 to 6 months, prices are stable and are…

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The Spring market is in full swing!  Sales are up as we saw 1,898 homes sell in the month of May, which is up 11.1% from last May.  We are also seeing fewer homes for sale as the listing inventory is down by -3.8% when we compare the amount of homes that were on the market this May compared to the same time last year.

So for May 2014... we experienced a "Seller's Market" because the list to sales ratio was 26.83%.  It is a "Balanced Market" when the ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.  It is deemed to be a "Buyer's Market" when we are below 15% and a "Seller's Market" when we are above 20%.

We finished May with 4.4 months of inventory.  Those inventory level tells us that prices are rising.  When inventory is around 5 to 6 months, prices are stable and…

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Whether you’re considering minor updates to perk up a room, or a full-scale renovation of your entire home, it’s important to be aware of how renovations might affect your property value, especially if you’re thinking of selling in the near future.

Since most renovations resolve an issue or improve quality of life, many people automatically assume that they also increase a property’s sale price. That’s often true— but it’s not always the case. According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada, “If the value of your house exceeds the average market value in your neighbourhood, your renovations will not yield much return. But if your house value is below the average, you can recover a larger part of the renovation costs.”

That being said, there are…

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If you don't own one already, you may be tempted to purchase a widescreen digital television to enjoy your favourite movies, shows and sports programs. However, it can be difficult to select the right screen size, especially if you've been accustomed to viewing a TV with a traditional 4:3 screen.

When it comes to size, there are many factors that come into play, such as screen resolution and personal preference. However, the last thing you want is to purchase an HDTV that is too small for the room, or so big that it dominates the space.

Here's a tip:

The rule of thumb is to take the distance you'll be sitting from the television and multiple by five to get the screen size you need. So if you'll be sitting eight feet away, you'll want to look at…

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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 a particular buyer gives 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…

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If you have a basement, or even just a crawlspace, the last thing you want is water infiltrating the area. Even a minor leak can cause damage to walls and flooring, and may even lead to mould issues. Here are some precautions worth taking:

  • Every spring and fall, check the grading around your home. The ground should gently slope away from the foundation. Pay particular attention to areas where shrubs and other foliage make the grading difficult to see.
  • Look for cracks in the foundation. Get them fixed right away. Even a minor crack that doesn't appear to penetrate all the way through can cause problems eventually.
  • Check the caulking on basement windows. If it's worn and cracked, it's time for recaulking. The lifespan of most exterior caulking…

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If you're planning to look for a new home sometime in the future, you may be wondering how long the process will take. How much time should you set aside for viewings? How many of the listed homes should you see?

 

Of course, the process varies from person to person. According to the Department of Housing & Urban Development, home buyers view an average of 15 properties before finally choosing to make an offer on one of them. That number may be a good benchmark for you.

 

On a Saturday afternoon, you can comfortably look at three or four potential properties. You can see more if you want to make a full day of it.

 

One factor that impacts the home shopping process is how clearly you know what you're looking for.

 

For example, if…

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