Chances are, you know that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year — even if you suspect the batteries are still good.
But that isn’t the only fire safety check you should do annually. Here are some other recommended tips to help keep you and your family safe.
Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible.
Check your cupboard for cleaning products, paints and other liquids that are flammable. Read each label carefully. Use and store each product only as recommended.
If you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen — and you should — confirm that it is still good. Extinguishers are like food. They have expiry dates!
Go over your fire escape plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows exactly what to do if a smoke detector goes off or if there’s a fire. (Don’t have a fire escape plan? Make one!)
Check that all windows open easily, especially upper floor windows.
Check appliances you use often, such as hair dryers, for worn or frayed cords.
Regularly clear away lint build-up in the clothes dryer. Check the outside dryer vent annually to make sure it’s clear and working correctly.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, get it cleaned and inspected by a licensed technician once a year.
Many local fire departments offer homeowners free tips and even in-home advice and inspections at no cost. Contact your fire department and ask about programs available to you.
When it comes time to sell your home, the process can be long and emotional, particularly if buying and selling Real Estate is not something you are well versed in. Although private sales may seem beneficial, having a The Agent DK Team on your side can provide peace of mind throughout the entire process.
With the experience and knowledge that the Agent DK Team brings to the table, the benefits and gains will surely be in abundance. See how choosing to work with a Professional Real Estate Team can help you to protect your investment and ensure you get the most for your money.
Selling your home is a big decision, and an emotionally charged one. It can also be a long process, and has many complicated steps to follow in order to ensure everything goes smoothly. Although it is possible to handle all this yourself, it adds stress onto an already stressful time, and can lead to mistakes that cost you thousands of dollars. In order to avoid these risks, many people choose to hire a realtor to sell their home. As in most things, having an expert on call to help you can lead to much better results than you could achieve by yourself. Realtors offer many services to house sellers, and we will discuss some of those below.
Knowledge
One of the greatest tools that a realtor brings to your house-selling is their knowledge. Part of a realtor’s job is to track changing trends in the housing market in your area. A realtor will know how the market is faring, when good times to sell are, what the price trends are in your area, and whether there are any competing houses that are currently for sale in your neighbourhood. Having this information can be extremely helpful when it comes to making important decisions about selling your house, from when to sell, how much to charge, and what selling points to focus on. The more information you realtor has, the better your choices will be, and the smoother your sale will be.
Marketing
A good realtor will provide you with important information to help you make informed choices when it comes to your selling your house. This is not all that a realtor does though. Just as important a task is getting people interested in your home. Realtors will take charge of getting your house listing posted on house-hunting websites and realtor sale lists, as well as having photographs taken that will put your home in the best possible light. Your realtor can also provide advice on how to stage your house to make a good impression to potential buyers, and then host and advertise open houses in order to draw prospects in to see your home in person. In order to buy your home, people need to be aware that it is for sale. That’s something a realtor can help with.
Closing the Deal
Once you have people who are interested in buying your home, you need to close the deal. This process can include any number of offers and counter-offers, then lots of paperwork which must be handled correctly. A realtor can help keep this process smooth, and make sure nothing gets missed or filled out incorrectly. With a transaction the size of a house sale, you want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Having someone who is experience and knows the ins and outs of the business, and knows the common mistakes to avoid, can be very helpful in making sure everything goes right. A realtor can provide that experience and expertise.
With a transaction the size of selling a house, you want to make sure that all your bases are covered and no mistakes are made that could cost you thousands of dollars. Realtors can do that and more, and are a wise investment to make sure your house sells quickly, for the amount you want, and with no additional headaches.
“There’s no better way to preserve the value of your home than with regular, consistent maintenance. So every time the seasons change, make sure you do a thorough check of your house – inside and out – to make sure you’re keeping it in tiptop shape,” says Scott McGillivray. As homeowners, we all want low-maintenance homes but we want to protect our investment. As the seasons change we need to be diligent with knocking these things off our to-do list.
April is a perfect time to get these things done especially on those rainy days when you are stuck inside!
Here is why seasonal maintenance is important :
Identify Issues: It allows you to identify issues before they become major repairs.
Value : It helps you maintain and add to the value of your home.
Appearance: It improves the appearance of your property.
Protection: It protects your home against weather and other threats.
Minimize Long Term Costs: Maintenance costs are less when you do it regularly.
Fewer Surprises: Fewer unforeseen issues will arise.
Save Time: The more frequently you do it, the less time it will take each season.
Here are the Top 10 Spring Maintenance Items to Consider:
The March 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!
Market Snapshot: The long-term inventory shortage continues to drive prices however, the number of residential properties sold in March of 2021 is over double the number of properties that sold just one year prior. The Spring market sure has sprung! If you’re considering a move we’re here to help answer any questions you have, in this market you’ll want a qualified, professional Real Estate Team to protect your interests, Call The Agent DK Team Today!
Buying a home is an exciting time for both new home buyers and experienced buyers alike. It is a fresh start, with new walls to build your life within. However, once the move begins, things can feel stressful, frantic, and exhausting, especially if there’s extra work to be done while boxes are being piled one on top of another. To make your transition go smoothly, we have compiled a list of 6 things to do before settling into your home. This will undoubtedly save you time and energy that could be put to better use come moving day.
Update Your Information Before officially moving into your new home, you should begin updating your address on your driver’s license, OHIP card, banking information, and any other services that require your place of residence on file. Additionally, you will want to inform your insurance providers to ensure that your home insurance is transferred and appropriate for your new home coverage. You will also want to touch base with utility companies before you move so that your home has electricity and gas set up under your accounts. Lastly, have any internet, phone, or television service providers in to get your systems up and running, primarily if you rely on a good connection to work from home. See here for a change of address checklist, to ensure you don’t miss informing anyone.
Make Your New Home Shine Before the big day comes, set aside some time or hire a company to complete a deep clean of the home. Ensure high-touch surfaces are disinfected, carpets are steam-cleaned, appliances are cleaned out, and that every nook and cranny is spotless and ready for a new life. If the home’s colours aren’t in line with your decor or aesthetic, or you want to rid the home of any lingering smells from pets or smoke, take this time to add a fresh coat of paint to the walls. By the time you move in, it will feel like you were the first family ever to own the home, and the hustle of moving-day will be a breeze.
Make a home maintenance schedule Home maintenance should never be something you skip on when it comes to homeownership. Keeping a regular schedule will ultimately help you protect your investment, and hopefully, minimize any high-cost repairs you may have to do. You can begin the work for this as early as your home inspection report comes in, as it might contain suggestions for work or repairs that should be completed.
Create and organize a filing system for any manuals or instructions, with clear outlines on how frequently you should have large items or appliances serviced or replaced and when to conduct seasonal maintenance. This is also an excellent opportunity to do your research and find a list of local plumbers, electricians, exterminators, landscapers, or snow removal companies that you may need to use in the future.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It is good practice for every homeowner to frequently check both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in good working order. Before moving into your home, checking or replacing existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or their batteries should be one of the first items to check off your list. Home Safety experts recommend changing the batteries every 6 months, so make sure to mark it on your calendar for semi-annual maintenance to be completed. If you are unsure how to test your systems, your local fire department may have some tips or offer free inspections.
Change Your Locks
Getting keys in hand for your new home on closing day is easily one of the best feelings when buying a new house. Everything is real, and a new adventure is about to begin. But for safety reasons, the passing on of keys should stay ceremonial. You never know how many copies of your house keys have been made and how many people may still have them in hand. This can be an easy fix by installing new deadbolts yourself or by calling a locksmith in to do it for you. Make sure if you get copies made that you only give them to necessary persons, and write them down, so you don’t lose track.
Get Familiar With Your Home
Once you become a homeowner, it is essential to get familiar with the systems in your home. Take the time to understand how everything works. Locate the furnace, air conditioning system, circuit breaker, and the home’s main water shut-off valve. Take note of these things during your walkthrough with your REALTOR ® or home inspector, and once in your home, inspect them yourself or hire someone to do a secondary inspection with you so that you know how best to care for your home and protect your investment.
Buying a home is a great accomplishment for many, but buying a cottage can feel like a dream come true. With aspirations of kicking back next to the lake and enjoying the solitude that comes with cottage life, residents in Ontario are now more than ever eager to find their own slice of paradise. While the luxury of this second property may offer an excellent way to break from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy some solitude, it is also an ample opportunity to earn income or to begin investing in Real Estate. But before you begin hours of globetrotting in search of the getaway home of your dreams, be sure to consider everything that owning a cottage entails; Speak with your THE AGENT DK TEAM for tips on where to look, what to steer clear of, or for help in finding you that dream getaway. These are all big decisions to be made, and you should wait until you have the knowledge and information needed to get the most out of your property so that you can enjoy it for years to come. In the meantime, here are some considerations that should be made when looking to purchase your first cottage.
What is your Goal?
Prior to your search, ensure that you understand your goal in owning a cottage: Are you looking for a summer getaway spot, or a 4 season cottage to visit year round; Do you desire solitude or is a community with neighbouring properties something that peaks your interest; Is water access a need, or does swimming and other water activities rank low on your list of must haves; and finally, is this property for personal enjoyment, retirement plans, an investment opportunity, or as a means to earn steady income. Once you know exactly what you want, you have a better idea of what it is that you should be looking for.
Costs
It is important to understand that the costs of operating a cottage differ from that of your primary residence. For instance, insurance alone can have higher rates due to the fact you are not there as often to check up on the home, and often have additional stipulations such as checking the property regularly in order to maintain the validity of the insurance policy. Other costs to consider when purchasing a cottage include hydro rates which may be delivered at a higher rate in rural areas, seasonal maintenance, property taxes, garbage disposal and recycling services, and the cost or availability of internet.
Access
Some cottages are very remote, making for unique factors in terms of accessibility. Before purchasing your cottage, it would be important to evaluate how you access the property throughout different seasons or any obstacles that may prevent you from enjoying your experience as a cottage owner to the fullest. Some potential hindrances include whether or not the property is accessible by land, the proximity in which you can park your car, the landscape surrounding the cottage, and whether or not you will have to climb stairs for water access.
Water and Septic Systems
As most cottages are located in rural areas, water systems and septic tanks usually coincide with ownership. Before purchasing your piece of paradise, be sure to understand whether or not the water available is safe for drinking, or if you need to bring your own supply each time you visit; If your cottage water supply runs from a well, you will need to incorporate in your expenses the cost to have the water tested regularly. If there is a septic system that the cottage uses, you should ensure that it is in good working condition and consider the costs that come alongside any regular maintenance; In addition, it would be good to receive proof of previous maintenance, inspections and approval reports obtained by the previous owners.
Amenities
Amenities are usually a big check on every homeowners list of requirements, but can often be prematurely dismissed when on the hunt for a cottage. Cross reference the importance of amenities alongside your list of goals in cottage ownership. If you are looking for a place to retire, you may want to have the essentials within a short drive; If you plan to rent your cottage out for vacations, certain amenities may increase the demand of your property allowing you to charge a higher rate than cottages without.
Rentability
If you are looking to rent out your cottage to others as a means of income through websites such as AirBnB, ensuring your space meets the needs of cottage goers is essential to your success. What would you be looking for when renting out a cottage for your vacation? Things like waterfront access, availability of clean drinking water, accessibility, direction, amenities, and internet access are commonly sought out by renters when planning their vacation. Be sure to take these into consideration when searching for your rural getaway attraction.
Local Laws and Property Restrictions
Once you have purchased your cottage, you may have big dreams to build docks, workshops, or expand and upgrade the dwelling to meet more modern demands. Unfortunately, with building restrictions, by-laws, crown patent and waterfront issues this is not always the easiest process to initiate. In some cases, despite having waterfront access right off of your property, you may not have exclusive rights to the shoreline. Look to your Real Estate professional or Lawyer for help navigating and understanding your rights as an owner in respect to cottage and lake associations, local legislations, and any other official plans or restrictions.
Mortgage requirements
Typically, those who are looking to invest in a cottage already own a primary residence. If this is the case, it is good to understand that you will need a minimum payment of 20% as your down payment on a second property. If your cottage does not have year round access, a larger down payment may be requested among other requirements in order to obtain financing from a lender. Securing a mortgage for a second property will depend largely on the type of property you are looking for, and your income to debt ratio. Be sure to speak with your bank or lender, or Contact The Agent DK Team for help with obtaining information on how to be approved for your second mortgage.
Simple walkway fixes that will make your listed home look more appealing.
Your front walkway is one of the first sections of real estate a buyer will set foot on when coming to see your home. So, it makes sense to make that pathway to your front door as appealing as possible.
The obvious way is to make it as clean and clear as you can. Ensure there are no obstacles in the way, such as overhanging branches, kid’s toys, or potted plants. What you want is a clear, unobstructed and pleasant walk to your main entranceway.
If your walkway needs deeper cleaning, consider a powerwash. There are special detergents available that are designed specifically for stone, asphalt or cement walkways and other outdoor surfaces.
A deep cleaning isn’t a major project. In most cases, the job can be done within an hour. Yet, the result can be stunning.
If you’re selling your home in the spring or summer, another way to make your walkway look better is to add flowers or other plants along the sides. Don’t overdo it. You only need a few flowers or a couple of shrubs to make a big difference. The great thing about adding a few flowers or shrubs is the impact they can have on your entire frontage making it more attractive, and adding to your home’s overall curb appeal.
Making your walkway look better may seem minor, but keep in mind that when buyers make their way to your front door, they’re forming their first and often most important impression of your property. The walkway plays a small but important role in making it a good one.
Want more ideas for making your home show better, so it sells quicker and for a higher price? Call The Agent DK Team at 613-883-5555 for all of your Ottawa Real Estate Needs!
What a beautiful day in Ottawa! In the next few weeks, flowers will be sprouting up, and we’ll hear countless birds chirping and see them flying overhead on a regular basis. We’ll watch the rain fall poetically to renew the Earth surrounding us, and maybe we’ll take the kids and their laughter outside to jump in puddles afterward. Our walks throughout the neighborhood will require less layers with each passing week, and hopefully our fears will shed as well as we see hope continuing on all around us. We all need this shift in season and we hope that we see more positive changes ahead.
This year, the International Women’s Day organization’s message is “A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So let’s all choose to challenge. How will you help forge a gender equal world? Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.” At Royal LePage & The Agent DK Team, we celebrate women like yourself by raising awareness and celebrating their achievements. The Agent DK Team is proud to celebrate the Powerful Women on our team: Dani, Mel, Alena, Silvi, Freda & Xena! They are constantly moving goals and aspirations forward.
We are lucky to have them as part of our team!
How are you celebrating Women International’s Day? Celebrate International Women’s day with these events!
The February 2021 Ottawa Real Estate Board Stats are out!
Market Snapshot: Low inventory is causing properties to “fly off the shelves”. With a record number of sales for the month, residential homes being listed are on the market for an average of 14 days which is a significant drop from the average 30 days in February of 2020.
If you’re considering a move our Experienced Real Estate Agents are here to help answer any questions you have, in this market you’ll want a qualified, professional real estate company protecting your interests. Call the Agent DK Team for all your Real Estate Needs at 613-883-5555!
Buying a home is an exciting time for you, and there are so many choices when it comes to housing styles, are you a bungalow, a stacked condo, a single-family dwelling? Each of these styles of homes can be found in neighbourhoods with different characteristics, making it essential to determine which one is most representative of your wants, needs and abilities. Understanding the importance of lifestyle and personality traits and how they work best with different types of neighbourhoods can save you from the dreaded “Buyer’s Remorse.” So whether you are a working professional, retiree, or if you’ve got a large family, take a look at the list below and determine which style of house you are before handing over that downpayment.
Wondering what style of house you are? Find out here.
With snow and slush dampening your summertime landscaping efforts, you may feel like people won’t be able to get the first impression that your home deserves. Fortunately, there are many different ways to elevate your curb appeal in the snowy season.
Listing your home in the winter may not seem like the most appealing option to sellers, but the fact is that there are more serious buyers in the game during the cold season. See here for 5 ways to attract attention to your listing, and sell your home right this winter. The Agent DK Team is here and ready to help any time of year! Call us at 613-883-5555.
Staging is all about dressing up your home so that it looks its best to buyers. This can involve anything from rearranging furniture and doing some home improvements, to painting and redecorating, to even replacing existing furnishings and other items. The goal is to make key rooms look worthy of a magazine cover!
But is it worth the effort? Can’t you just clean and tidy and, perhaps, do a little painting?
Sometimes you can — especially if your home is in high demand and likely to get multiple offers.
However, in most cases, staging can help sell your property faster and for a higher price.
In fact, studies done by the home staging industry consistently reveal that staged homes sell for an average of 5-23% above list price. (That varies, of course, depending on the local market.)
Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need to do extensive staging. You may, for example, be able to focus on only key rooms on the main floor — where buyers tend to form their lasting impressions — and then simply clean and declutter the other rooms.
When it comes to staging, you have many options. Each home is different and will have different staging needs.
We provide staging services to help get you top dollar! Call Ottawa’s Top Realtors – The Agent DK Team today at 613-883-5555 for more information.
Identify Issues: It allows you to identify issues before they become major repairs.
