Curb appeal puts your home in big demand

(NC)—In a market where sellers are in competition to make the most out of their largest investment, improving your home's first impression is one of the best ways to set it apart from the rest of the pack.

When prospective buyers or renters drive through your neighbourhood, what do they see? This is a really important question that you need to answer because it will help understand what your buyer is going to be looking for in a new home. Once you've answered this, ask yourself objectively if the front of your home is in keeping with the rest of the houses on your block. The first impression is critical in setting the mood for prospective agents and buyers. If your home's exterior looks like it needs work, then people immediately assume that it's a 'fixer-upper'. The opposite is true if your front yard is manicured, the roof is in good shape and the driveway is in good condition. Having a potential buyer walk into your front door in a positive mode can translate into big dollars for you.

Both Virginia Tech and the University of Guelph did studies in 2011 that measured the effect of landscaping on property values, and they both came to the same conclusion. To improve curb appeal, basic landscaping increased the home's value by 5%, but more extensive landscaping including decks and patios increased the homes value up to 15%.

So where do you spend the money?

Set your budget and be realistic about what you're trying to accomplish with it. Keep in mind that you are trying to create an excellent first impression to attract potential buyers. This isn't the opportunity for you to realize your landscaping dreams. Consider a new paint job using a colour scheme that highlights the character of your home. Install a new front door or at least update your door's hardware. Even something as simple as full and healthy planters can make a favourable impact.

One of the easiest ways to improve curb appeal is to have a clean and tidy front yard with a manicured lawn. Maybe this is the opportunity to invest in some new tools to help do the job properly. The best part about this type of investment is that not only will your plants and lawn look better with edging, pruning and cutting, you also get to take your new tools with you once you've sold your home.

The technology for landscaping tools has made the purchasing task much easier as well. Now you can get a hedge trimmer, string trimmer or sweeper & vac all in one system. With the Black & Decker 36V Lithium system, for example, you can use the same battery and charger for all three of those tools. A quick prune of the shrubs with the hedge trimmer, followed by a 'one-around' with the string trimmer and then tidying up with the sweeper will help you to maintain the front yard as short as 10 minutes per day.

The goal is to create an emotional connection at the first glance of any prospective buyer, so before you put that sign on the lawn, be sure to spend enough time at the curb.

www.newscanada.com

A clean home is cheaper to run

(NC)—With spring around the corner, homeowners are sweeping, dusting and vacuuming everywhere to get a clean start on the season.

Did you know that most household dirt goes undetected and over the years it can build up and make it more expensive to heat and cool your home? By following these three simple tips, offered by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), you can clean up, save money, and breathe easy:

• Filter your air: We filter our swimming pools to make sure they're free of dirt and debris – we need to do the same for our indoor air. There are two types of filters that can help you remove stray particles from your indoor atmosphere: mechanical devices that draw air through a filter and electronic devices that use different types of fields to purify the air. Whatever option you choose, proper installation and maintenance is critical so consult a licensed contractor.

• Get rid of dust: Dust gets everywhere. It can even get into your home's air ducts or your furnace's filter. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder, and can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you clean your vents and your ducts, there will be less dust in the air, less work for your HVAC system, and more money in your pocket. You might be able to change the filter yourself and you should do so on a regular basis. Cleaning ducts, on the other hand, takes specialized knowledge, as does maintenance of electronic air cleaners, so engage a reputable contractor.

• Get the latest and greatest: If you've got an older house, the heating and cooling system may be less energy-efficient than current systems, costing you more money than necessary. Regular maintenance will keep these older machines operating to their full potential, but sometimes, the best solution is to trade up to a more energy-efficient, Energy Star rated system.

More information is available online at www.hrai.ca.

For more tips on how to save money this spring, and to find a qualified HVAC contractor in your area, visit www.hrai.caor call 1-877-467-4724.

www.newscanada.com

Renovator, beware: The challenges of finished basements

(NC)—Canadians love to renovate and one of the most popular projects is to finish the basement — otherwise known as the wreck room, the kid's playroom or the man-cave.

Some do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) may consider this type of renovation to be fairly straightforward and easy, but the truth is that it requires careful planning and coordination with your insurance company.

“A basement renovation could involve adding new features into your home — like electrical, plumbing and insulation — so obtaining a proper building permit is very important,” says Tara Lessard-Webb, an underwriter with Desjardins Insurance. “Getting the right advice from the beginningmight mean some additional costs upfront, but it could avoid bigger expenses in the future.”

Here are some other points to remember:

• Whether doing the basement renovation yourself or hiring a contractor, it's a good idea to keep your insurance company informed to ensure that your policy is updated accordingly and that you remain fully covered throughout the project and after it's complete.

• If you're making structural changes or installing new wiring or plumbing, it's a good idea to find a reliable and bonded contractor to ensure everything is safe and done to code. Make sure the contractor's liability insurance is adequate and current.

• If you have water leakage problems in your basement, be sure to fix the problems before you install the drywall, flooring, expensive furniture and electronics. If not, the mould or other moisture-related problems could come back. This may mean that you could end up spending more money to start all over.

Jennifer Kolah, also with Desjardins Insurance's underwriting group, says that potential water damage is probably the biggest and costliest concern with finished basements. All it takes is a heavy rain in short period of time, a snap thaw after a snowy winter, or a prolonged wet period to cause basement water damage. She advises practical protective measures such as installing a backwater value on the sewage pipe from the house and a sump pump drainage system.

“The backwater valve will stop water from flowing back into the house in the event that the sewer system gets overloaded,” she says. “The sump pump will help keep the area under the house dry by pumping water away, protecting the basement from possible seepage.”

Kolah also recommends that homeowners repair any cracks in their foundations and ensure they have good drainage around the house by building up and sloping the ground away from the exterior walls, extending downspouts and keeping eavestroughs clear. Speak to your insurance provider for more tips about finished basements. Or visit Desjardins Insurance at www.desjardinsgeneralinsurance.com for immediate answers.

www.newscanada.com

An investment of a lifetime

(NC)—Owning your own home is an exciting proposition and an achievable goal for most Canadians. The number one reason many become homeowners is pride of homeownership and the stability and security that comes with it.

Buying a home can also be a solid investment and provide tax benefits.

In Canada, you are not taxed on any investment gains made on the sale of your primary residence. So, for example, if you buy your home for $200,000 and sell it 5 years later for $250,000, you do not have to pay income tax on the $50,000 you earned from the sale.

Another advantage is each time you make a mortgage payment, you are putting a portion towards the principal balance of your mortgage, which builds equity in your home. This is a better use of your money than giving rent to a landlord and is a good long-term investment.

Owning a home also means that you can make your own decisions on decorating, home improvements, location, etc. In a recent survey conducted by Genworth Canada, 91 per cent of first-time homebuyers said that homeownership may mean more work but the effort is well worth it.

When it makes financial sense, buying a home is often a wise, secure and emotionally satisfying move to make.

For more information on buying a home visit Genworth.ca

www.newscanada.com