As of 2021, the average Home price in Canada is over $700,000. For many people, this has served as a large obstacle to overcome.

For others, it has proven to be a great investment opportunity. Regardless of how much you pay for your home, there are certain home improvement projects that can help increase resell value.

We've put together a brief list full of the best home improvements you can make. Let's take a closer look.

1. Kitchen Renovation

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, so it's no surprise that a kitchen renovation can have a big impact.

Whether you choose to upgrade your appliances and countertops or completely gut the space, any investment in this area should pay off when you resell. Common renovations include adding new cabinets and hardware, updating the flooring, and changing the lighting.

This is especially useful for kitchens that have an outdated look. Modern appearances are often more appealing to buyers.

2. Bathroom Remodel

When people view potential homes, bathrooms are usually at the top of the list when it comes to areas of concern. A bathroom that is too small or outdated could make it home more difficult to sell.

However, making a few simple updates can have an immediate impact on its value and resale potential. Replacing old fixtures and updating the style are great ways to improve a bathroom with minimal effort.

You should also consider adding a half-bath or features like heated floors, walk-in showers, and soaking tubs.

3. Garage Conversion

Not everybody parks their car in their garage. Many of those that do also have extra space to work with. Converting garages into additional living space is a great way to add value to your home.

You could use the extra square footage for an office, bedroom, or even a game room. This also works especially well in older homes that lack built-in closets and storage areas.

Garages also make great spaces for home gyms or workshops.

4. Adding a Deck

For those who have the space for it on their property, adding a deck is one of the best renovations you can make.

Not only does it provide extra outdoor living space, but it also boosts the curb appeal of your property. A deck is also quick and easy to install compared to other home improvement projects.

Features like railings or lighting can help increase its visual appeal. Decks can serve as a great method for entertaining guests or enjoying the outdoors.

5. Energy-Efficient Windows

Traditional windows can be a source of air leaks and energy loss. Replacing your windows with energy-efficient models provides added comfort and reduces your energy bills. Energy-efficient upgrades are also an attractive feature to potential buyers, as they won't have to install these upgrades themselves.

It's worth noting that reducing your energy bills will also help reduce your carbon footprint.

6. Landscaping

There are countless opportunities to make your home’s exterior more attractive.

Elements like outdoor lighting, walkways, and flowerbeds are an easy way to increase your property's curb appeal. Consider adding trees or shrubs that can provide shade in the summer and protection from harsh winter weather.

If you have a sizable yard, consider creating a garden or outdoor living space. These are all great ways to boost the value of your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers.

Even if you only have a small amount of space to work with, there are many options to spruce up your property. These can include planters, seating areas, and small water features.

7. Basement Remodel

Homeowners have a large amount of potential when it comes to updating their basements.

From strengthening the walls and floors to adding insulation, there are numerous ways to improve this area. Doing so is a great way to add extra living space and make use of unused square footage. Common renovations for a basement include finishing walls, adding heating and cooling systems, installing waterproofing materials, and upgrading the lighting.

It's not uncommon for people to take things a step further. To clarify, some homeowners convert their basements into special areas, such as an entertainment room, a home office, or even an extra bedroom. These renovations can add considerable value to your home.

For example, there's a large difference between a home that has a traditional basement and one that has converted the basement into a home theatre.

8. New Front Door

Although simple, replacing your front door can do a lot for the overall look and feel of your home.

Not only does it add curb appeal, but it also provides increased security and energy efficiency. This is because modern doors have better locks and insulation than older models. When shopping for a new door, consider the style, material, and weather sealing of each option.

If you are looking to make an upgrade on a budget, look into painting or staining your existing door instead of buying a new one. This way, you can enjoy all of the same benefits without spending a fortune.

This can also serve as a great afternoon project that you can enjoy with a friend or family member.

9. HVAC Upgrades

Many people overlook their HVAC systems when it comes to renovations. However, they can have a huge impact on the energy efficiency of your home. Upgrading an outdated air conditioning unit or furnace will save you money on your monthly bills.

It also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere.

This is a result of it using less electricity and natural gas while running. It's worth noting that new models are quieter than older ones, which means less disruption to your everyday life.

A newer unit often comes with several features that increase energy efficiency and reduce wear. This can help extend its lifespan, saving you even more money in the long run.

10. Smart Home Technology

When it comes to modernizing a home, smart technology is one of the most popular options. Smart home automation systems can increase comfort and convenience while also providing security.

These systems enable you to control nearly every aspect of your home with your smartphone. As an example, these systems could include automated lighting, climate control, and extra security features (such as remotely locking doors).

Smart home technology is a great way to monitor energy usage and water consumption.

11. New Roofing

This is one of the more expensive items on the list.

However, a new roof can have a huge impact on the value of your home. It helps to protect your house from weather damage, making it one of the best investments you can make.

When choosing a new roofing material, there are several factors to keep in mind. These include longevity, cost, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. Regardless of what you choose, the installation must be performed correctly and meet all building codes.

How Do I Get Started?

The majority of home renovation ideas are possible to handle on your own.

Not everybody has the experience, skills, or tools required, though. You also run the risk of injuring yourself during the project.

The best way to get started on your renovations is to hire a professional contractor. They can help you assess what needs to be done and provide an estimate for the cost. It's also important to do your research and find out which materials are best suited for your project.

When searching for a professional, consider their past reputation. You should take a look at customer reviews and get quotes from a few different contractors.

This will help ensure you find the most qualified person for the job.

Before you move forward, come up with a list of ideas for the renovation project.

You can then prioritize the list based on budget and time constraints. Your contractor will also help you determine which projects would be best for your home. For example, it might not be worth remodelling your basement if there isn't much space to work with.

Prioritize These Home Improvement Projects

Coming up with the best home improvement projects might seem complicated at first. Be sure to keep the above guidelines in mind so you can make the best decision for your property. From here, you will be on your way toward maximizing your home's resale value and improving your quality of life.

Looking for more information on how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you.

The average cost of a home in Canada is about $796,068, 11% higher than what it was last year. A home is easily one of the biggest investments most people make in their lives, Plus, with ever-rising house prices, most people are unwilling to play hit-or-miss with the houses they buy.

In most cases, house buyers will ask for a home evaluation, and even have a home evaluation checklist before buying the home in question. The same goes for people looking to sell their homes, given that they want them to fetch the highest prices possible. So what's all the fuss about home evaluation, and what does it entail?

These are both excellent questions, and we have all the answers you need right here. In today's post, we'll compile the ultimate home evaluation checklist and show you what home evaluation looks like in practice. But first, what is home evaluation?

What Is a Home Evaluation?

A home evaluation is the process where a real estate professional evaluates the value of a home to determine its market price.

If you're buying a home, an evaluation will let you know if you're paying too much or if the home is worth the asking price. If you're selling one, it helps prepare your home for sale.

The home evaluation process usually takes between two and four hours. The evaluator will look at the home's condition, size, and features. They'll also look at comparable homes in the area to get an accurate idea of the home's value.

Once the evaluator has all this information, they'll provide you with a report that includes their findings and their valuation of the home.

The Ultimate Home Evaluation Checklist

Having a checklist at hand during the home evaluation will help ensure that the home valuer gets all the crucial touchpoints. A typical home evaluation checklist should look at:

The Home's Condition

One of the first things any home evaluator will look at is the home's condition. This includes everything from the home's foundation to its roofing. The home valuer will also check for signs of water damage, mould, and pests.

They'll also take a close look at the home's electrical system and plumbing to ensure that everything is up to code. All of this information will be included in the home evaluation report.

The Home's Location

Home valuers also look at the home's location, particularly its proximity to schools, hospitals, and other amenities. The closer the home is to amenities, the more expensive it's likely to be. However, this may not be the case for high-value properties where owners want a bit of privacy.

The home valuer will also look at the crime rate in the area and whether or not the home is located in a flood zone. As you'd expect, homes in areas with high crime rates and flood zone areas fetch a lower price.

The Home's Age

It's hard to base the value of a home on its age. That's because some homes are decades old but are in pristine condition because of proper maintenance. On the other hand, you might find a new home that's only a few years old, but in deplorable condition.

That said, valuers still consider the home's age during the evaluation. Generally, new construction homes will fetch a higher value than older homes.

The Home's Size

Valuers will also look at the home's square footage and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. In some cases, the valuer also checks the size of the parking lot and garage.

Generally, larger homes with more bedrooms and bathrooms will be valued higher than smaller homes. The same goes for homes with larger lot sizes.

The Home's Design and Features

Another important aspect that home valuers look at is the home's design and features. This includes things like the home's layout, finishes, and fixtures.

Homes with unique or luxurious designs and features are usually valued higher than homes with more basic designs. Outdated homes fetch a lower price because they don't attract a lot of buyers. However, this will also depend on the home's location and tons of other factors.

The Home's Interior and Exterior

The home valuer will also take a close look at the home's interior and exterior, starting with the flooring and its paint job. They'll also check the home's windows, doors, and insulation to ensure that they're up to code.

Because taste is subjective, it's hard to pin a price on the home's interior and exterior. However, homes with expensive interior and exterior materials are more expensive than those with basic ones. You'll see this clearly on the home evaluation report.

Any Home Improvements

It's common for home sellers to make a few improvements before putting their homes on the market. This is an attempt to attract a higher selling price for the house.

It's common to see massive improvements in the bathroom and the kitchen. These are rooms with immense improvement potential, and they're where most home sellers make a killing. The valuer will check these rooms and the rest of the house for major improvements that may mark up the home's price.

Any Signs of Water Damage

Water damage is pretty common in homes, especially those in flood-prone areas. As such, home valuers always keep their eyes peeled for any water damage. Given that homeowners spend about $1,143 to $4,422 to repair water damage, even a little water damage could greatly devalue a home.

The home valuer will check for water damage in all parts of the house, including the basement, crawlspaces, and attics. They'll also look at the home's plumbing and drainage systems to ensure that there are no leaks.

Any Signs of Infestation

Another thing home valuers look for are any signs of infestation. This includes termites, rodents, and other pests that could damage the home or make the occupants uncomfortable.

Norway rats are among the most common household pests in St. Alberta. Signs of these critters include rat droppings and teeth marks on electric cables. The valuer will lookout for these signs and flag the home if they discover these signs.

Thankfully, there are no termites in St. Alberta, Edmonton. However, the valuer will check for any signs of "moisture ants," which also plough through rotting wood in buildings.

Either way, any sign of pest infestation will greatly devalue a home. That's because it costs a bundle to permanently get rid of these pests. Not to mention the repairs the house buyer will have to conduct.

The Home's Safety

A home safety evaluation will look into how safe a house is for occupation. This is important for home insurance purposes.

The home valuer will check for any safety hazards in the home, such as loose railings, open wiring, and slippery floors. They'll also take a look at the home's security system to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements.

The home valuer will also check for any environmental hazards in the home, such as asbestos and lead-based paint. These materials can be harmful to the occupants' health, hence decreasing the home's value.

Homes with major safety hazards are valued lower than those without any safety hazards. This is because home insurance companies are likely to charge higher premiums for these homes. Plus, no one wants to live in a home that's considered unsafe.

What Happens During the Home Evaluation Process?

Now that you know what home evaluators look for, it's important to understand the home evaluation process.

A home evaluation (not to be confused with a home appraisal) is conducted by a professional home valuer who inspects the property inside and out. They'll take note of any major repairs or improvements that need to be made, as well as any safety hazards present in the home.

The home valuer will also check for any signs of water damage, infestation, or environmental hazards. All of these factors will be taken into consideration when determining the value of the home.

The home evaluation will take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the size and type of your home.

Once the home evaluation is complete, the valuer will generate a report detailing all of the findings. This report will be used to determine how much the home is worth on the market.

If you're selling your home, it's important to have a home evaluation conducted before listing the property. This will give you an accurate idea of what your home is worth and how much you should expect to get for it.

It's also a good idea to have a home evaluation conducted if you're considering making any major improvements or repairs to your home. This way, you'll know exactly how much these improvements will increase the value of your home.

House buyers should also consider arranging an evaluation so they don't pay more for a house that sells way above its market price.

The Ultimate Checklist for Your Home Evaluation

Use this home evaluation checklist to check all the boxes during your next home evaluation. While it's tempting to skip the home valuation during the buying or selling process, doing so may work to your detriment.

It's a good idea to follow through with the home valuation so you know you're getting your money's worth. Home sellers can also do the same to plan for improvements before selling their homes.

Looking to buy or sell your home in St. Alberta? Browse our selection of homes for sale in the area today.

After a long Canadian winter, it's that time of year again! With spring in full fling, it's time to get some sunshine and spend hours outdoors.

With the advent of summer, many people will be hosting outdoor events in their backyards. To get ready for your new full social calendar in the wake of a year of isolation, is your lawn looking up to the task?

If you're wondering how to get your lawn ready for spring, we've assembled some tips for your spring lawn preparation!

It doesn't matter if you're selling, buying or renting your home here are some tips for a beautiful lawn.

Start With Basic Cleanup

Over the winter, twigs, leaves, and other debris likely accumulated in your lawn. Take the time to do a thorough job to get your lawn tidied up.

Avoid using your lawnmower for this job though. Debris will likely clog your mower, so you should use a leaf blower or a rake. If you don't get all the debris out of your lawn, it can prevent the proper absorption of fertilizer.

If you have gardening plans, you can use this mix as mulch. If not, perhaps a gardening center near you can use it. After you clean up your lawn, it's time to assess how to fix your lawn in spring. 

Apply Lawn Care Products

To kick off your spring lawn care schedule properly, start with some fertilizer. This will nourish your grass and ensure that you have a full, gorgeous lawn in the summertime.

Then, apply pre-emergent. This serves as an herbicide that prevents crabgrass and other pesky encroachers from popping up later on. This is the start of your spring lawn preparation, and you should apply both products again six to eight weeks later.

After the six to eight-week mark, apply weed killer afterward. It's important to note, though, that many lawn care products combine weed killer and pre-emergent. This can make your schedule easier and cut down on costs.

Investigate Sod and Ground Covers

After the basics have been accomplished, it's important to take a bird's-eye view of your situation. Would you like to expand your lawn, or does your current landscaping situation need to be redone?

The best spring lawn care steps involve seeing what needs changing in this new season. Maybe you need mulch and wood chips for your landscaping in order to make everything look neat and tidy. If you're wondering how to get your lawn ready for spring, taking the time to plot visual appeal is crucial.

Or you may need boulders to create focal points or to add some visual interest. Sod ground covers are also a great option, especially if you have a knowledgeable supplier that will walk you through the growth process after initial installation. 

If you need help with installation or upkeep, spring lawn care services are available for all of your needs.

Know How to Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring

If you're wondering how to get your lawn ready for spring, take it slow! Implementing a plan will save both time and money.

Spring lawn care is a great way to raise your property value, and we're here to help! Check out our blog today.

The Canadian housing market is going through a period of unforeseen high activity. With the global coronavirus pandemic still driving more people than ever to work from home, thus demanding more space, real estate prices have skyrocketed. There has never been a better time to sell your home for its maximum value.

However, if you want to get the best value for your home, you need to ensure your home is properly staged. What is home staging? How can it help your home sell faster than any others on the market? Here's what you need to know about this critical part of the home sale preparation process.

What Is Home Staging?

Let's dive right into the heart of the matter: What is home staging? In essence, staging your home means making it look the best it can for potential buyers.

It's the process of making your home look showroom-ready so that buyers can project themselves into it. This makes it a crucial piece of the home selling process.

Why Staging Your Home Is Important

Now that you know what home staging is, you might wonder, "Why is this so important?" As mentioned above, staging your home gives buyers a neutral canvas on which they can project themselves and their life needs. 

Over the years, your home adapts to the needs of you and your family. However, those needs may not match the needs of the next family to use the house. You don't want to show buyers how you live. Rather, you want to let them imagine how they could live.

Additionally, staging your home means maximizing its benefits while minimizing its weaknesses. You want to put the best properties of your property forward while covering and accounting for any weaknesses it may have.

How to Stage Your Kitchen

Your kitchen will need the most work of any room in your house as far as staging goes. The reason why? The kitchen is the most important room in your house. Kitchens sell homes or make people pass on them more than any other room.

In order to put your best culinary space forward, you should make use of the following kitchen home staging ideas:

Clean, Declutter, and Organize

The first step of staging any room in your home is to clean it, organize it, and bust clutter. Alphabetise your spices and keep their labels facing forward. Make sure you have no dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher, since buyers often open and examine those spaces. Clean every inch of the kitchen so that it's spic and span. Potential homebuyers will notice anything you try to overlook.

Update Appliances Where Possible

The appliances in your kitchen can make or break your home's value. You can have a beautiful kitchen flow with plenty of light and space. However, if the buyer will need to replace all of the appliances with new ones, they may well pass on the home itself. After all, if they have the choice between a home that's already up to date and one they'll need to invest in, the choice is pretty clear.

How to Stage Your Living Room

After your kitchen, your living room is one of the most important rooms to stage. The living room creates the atmosphere of the overall home. Here are some home staging living room ideas that will help you sell your home fast:

Depersonalise, But Don't Leave Walls Empty

As in the kitchen, you need to ensure that every inch of the living room is cleaned from top to bottom. However, unlike the kitchen, you'll need to put more work into depersonalising the living room.

This means removing pictures of the family and any evidence of pets in the home. If you've gone for dramatic colours in your living room, you may need to repaint or redecorate it to more neutral tones to make it more appropriate for 'everyone'.

However, you shouldn't leave the walls barren. Empty walls can make a space feel hollow and depressing. This is the perfect space for those "Live, Laugh, Love" signs.

Highlight Desirable Features

Does your living room have a fireplace? A sliding door leading out to a patio? A skylight? Each of these is a desirable feature, so you want to make sure your living room gets arranged to highlight them. Don't hesitate to decorate with a pop of colour on the fireplace mantle to draw the eye to it.

Pare Down on Excess Furniture

Staging your home is one case in which the adage "less is more" applies. You want to make sure your living room's walkways are clear and easy to navigate. Bulky furniture should either leave the space entirely or get placed to maximize space. You don't want your living room to look small or cluttered.

Decorate and Accessorise in Threes

If you place any decorations on the shelves or the coffee table, make sure to do so in odd numbers. Threes and fives look the most appealing to the eye, so keep that in mind as you arrange your smaller decorations.

Make the Room Smell Nice

Lastly, while this is not a necessity, filling your living room with a pleasant scent can make it stand out in a buyer's mind. You want to ensure any unpleasant aromas get dealt with at their source, lest you drive the buyer away. However, by making the living room smell nice with flowers, diffusers, or air fresheners, you can make it stand out in a buyer's memory.

Scent memories are the strongest type of sense memory, after all.

Getting Back to Basics

So, what is home staging and why is it important? Staging your home helps it to sell for the maximum value on the market, letting you get the best price you can. It lets buyers visualize themselves in your home and helps it to sell faster.

If you need some more tips on getting your home ready to sell, don't hesitate to reach out to Bermont Realty today! Our helpful agents are on standby and will be happy to assist you!

Buying commercial real estate is one of the most excellent investments. It’s one of the most lucrative investment opportunities of all time.

However, when buying commercial real estate, it’s crucial to understand that the higher the reward, the higher the responsibility. Thus, it’s advisable to mind due diligence and ensure you take the proper steps during the purchasing process.

If you are looking into purchasing commercial properties as an investment, it’s essential to know that it’s quite different from buying a residential property. The commercial property will require more out of you. However, with the proper dedication, you can always learn how to navigate the complexities of the investment.

Below are five essential tips you should consider when purchasing a commercial property.

1. Establish Your Reason for Investing in Commercial Real Estate

Ask yourself why you want to invest in real estate. While buying commercial real estate is similar to purchasing traditional properties, it’s on a much larger scale than residential real estate. As an investor, you must know why you want to invest in commercial property.

What are you looking to accomplish? Do you want to add more properties to your portfolio? Are you looking to increase your assets?  

Purchasing a real estate property without proper planning can lead to immeasurable loss. Planning starts from establishing your bottom line and what you hope to accomplish.

Instead of buying the property first then later figuring what to do with it, experts recommend that you plan every detail. This will help you maximise on the property and find the right real estate to help you achieve your goals.

2. Look at Your Current Investment Options

Commercial real estate is a broad term that has over four different categories. These categories include industrial, office, hospitality, multifamily and retail properties. The commercial properties are further categorised into classes A, B, and C.

Class A offices are often high-end offices with recent updates, high-quality finishing and are usually priced competitively. Class B offices are renovated after buying and are less competitive when it comes to pricing. On the other hand, Class C offices are older buildings often over 20 years old and may need urgent maintenance and sometimes minor repairs.

Industrial properties constitute plants, factories and warehouses that are used for manufacturing and distributing products. Retailers use retail spaces to sell products and offer clients their services. Examples of retail properties are shopping malls and retail stores.

Hospitality properties include motels, hotels and other buildings used for short-term holiday renting. The last category of commercial properties is multifamily buildings. These are residential buildings that include over five residential units, such as complexes and apartments.

Ensure you know the options available for investment. Once you determine your goals, it will be easier to choose the right commercial property for investing in.

3. Surround Yourself With Right-Minded Individuals

Real estate is a social and people industry. Purchasing commercial real estate property is no exception. Ensure you align yourself with the right individuals and professionals to get the best services.

Ensure you hire a real estate agent that focuses on the type of property you’re looking to purchase. You should also consult a real estate lawyer who is well-versed in commercial real estate laws. You can even consider hiring the services of a certified personal accountant (CPA) to ensure all your financial transactions fall into place.

Knowing who to align yourself with in the real estate industry will help make your work easier and get the deal to go smoothly. Different professionals can help. Don’t be scared to ask for help when you need it.

4. Secure Financing

Before looking for the right realty listings to buy, it’s essential to have different financing options. The first step to securing your finances is looking at your credit to determine your borrowing power. Depending on the type of loan you are looking for, and the lenders you approach, your credit reports and business credit scores may play an essential role in determining how much you can borrow.

Most lenders consider your personal credit score as well. Review all your credit reports to ensure that the information is up-to-date and accurate. If you find any errors in your credit report, consult the credit bureau and your lenders to dispute the errors.

Depending on the type of property and your credit score, you can choose from the following:

• Business loans
• Hard money loans
• Bank loans
• Apartment loans
• Seller financing

Ensure you consider all lenders’ interest rates, repayment terms, and other loan fees and settle for the best option. Securing financing before looking for a property will help you know which property you can afford.

5. Mind Due Diligence

Purchasing commercial real estate property is not similar to buying a residential property. Before proceeding, remember to do some research and due diligence on the property. Analyse the whole property and run your numbers before making any final decisions.

Are the risks worth the final results? Is there another property that better suits your goals and financial capabilities? You may find a better property out there that is better suited for your bottom line.

Analyse every detail of the transaction and only proceed once you are 100% sure about the property and its inherent benefits to your portfolio as an investor.

Find the Right Property When Buying Commercial Real Estate

Are you interested in buying commercial real estate? Purchasing a commercial property is a wise investment for individuals who know what to expect. Most investors are drawn to real estate due to the ROI potential.

However, you must be smart when investing in commercial real estate. You may be too overwhelmed with numerous opportunities to earn, such as commercial property leasing and office space renting. However, once you narrow down your choices, contact us today at Bermont Realty Ltd to help you find the right property for you.

Buying a new home is stressful. It's can be a long process full of ups and downs. Between getting approved for a loan, touring homes, and negotiating with sellers, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the process. 

When moving to a new location, it can be even more challenging. However, moving to a new home in St. Albert, Alberta doesn't have to be difficult.

If you plan ahead and use the resources available to you, buying a new home can be a fantastic, validating experience. Furthermore, St. Albert is a fantastic place to live.

If you're looking for your next house, we want to make your life easier. Keep reading for a quick guide on what to look for when buying homes in St. Albert.

Find the Right Real Estate Agent

Hiring a local, experienced real estate agent is vital when moving to a new location. They know the area, the local housing marketing, and the individual neighbourhoods. 

Even if you're from St. Albert, a real estate agent will have more access to home listings as well as other important connections. They can help you find the right home based on the parameters of your search. They are also skilled negotiators, which will be helpful when it comes time to place an offer on a home. 

Find a real estate agent who listens to your needs, communicates well and has plenty of availability. 

Consider Your Budget

Finding the right home in St. Albert, Alberta means finding a house that is within your budget. Don't overextend yourself by maxing out your monthly budget on your mortgage payments.

Nearly 50% of Canadians live paycheque to paycheque each month. Typically, this is a result of biting off more than they can chew with mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and personal loans. 

Figure out how much you can comfortably afford to pay each month for your new house. However, your costs don't end with the mortgage payments. You're also responsible for:

• Provincial transfer tax (property tax)
• Moving expenses
• Furnishing costs
• Utilities
• Services
• HOA fees (if your house falls under an HOA)
• Home maintenance and repair costs
• And more

We recommend buying a home and choosing a loan that allows plenty of extra room in your budget for these other expenses. 

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage

Unless you're independently wealthy, to purchase St. Albert real estate, you need to get approved for a home loan. However, what you think you're qualified for and what the mortgage lender approves you for are two different things. 

Ultimately, it comes down to your credit score. Typically, you need a credit score of 600 or higher to get a home loan in Canada. 

Your credit score is affected by:

• Your bill payment history
• Your debt to income ratio
• Open (and available) lines of credit
• Your various types of credits
• Maxed out credit cards
• Length of credit history

If you can't get approved for the amount or terms you want, it might be beneficial to spend some time improving your credit score before buying Alberta real estate. Use our mortgage calculator to determine your costs.

Determine the Best Location for Your Family and Lifestyle

Once you get pre-approved for a loan, you need to start thinking about where you want to live. Choosing the right home in St. Albert, Alberta is just as much about picking the right location. Take your lifestyle and family into consideration. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How long of a commute do you want to work?
• What school districts are best for your kids?
• Are there any parks or playgrounds nearby
• How close are the nearest emergency services?
• How safe is the neighbourhood?
• Is the neighbourhood growing or in decline?
• Do you want to be surrounded by neighbours or be more isolated?

Even the perfect home in the wrong location can lead to regret, discomfort, and unhappiness.

Identify Your Top Priorities

Aside from location, you need to figure out what your other priorities are to find the right house in St. Albert, Canada. Immediately, most people think about the size of the house and how many bedrooms it has. This is important if you have a growing family. 

You also need to think about the number of bathrooms, outdoor space, entertaining potential, and other features. Does the house have a large garage or shop? How much storage space does the home offer? 

Get a Home Inspection

When you find the right home in the right location, your next step is to make a conditional offer. A conditional offer is one that's only valid once certain conditions are met. In this case, we're talking about a conditional offer based on the results of a home inspection. 

A home inspection is one of the most important steps in buying Alberta, Canada real estate. You need to make sure the home you're investing in is safe, functional, and in good condition. A home inspector will verify the condition of the home and point out any existing or potential issues (big and small).

Primarily, they'll be looking at the major components of the house, such as:

• Roofing
• Foundation
• Plumbing 
• Electrical
• Heating and cooling
• Structural integrity

The inspector will also point out things like water damage, mould, signs of pests, superficial damages, peeling paint, etc.

Negotiate with the Seller

Once you receive the inspection results you can make an offer. Based on what the inspector uncovered, you have several options here. 

If everything turned out well with the inspection, you can make good on your original conditional offer. If there are any issues (major or minor) you can place an offer based on the seller making the necessary repairs or renovations. Alternatively, you can request only some repairs or no repairs, but ask them to come down accordingly on the price.

Finally, remember that you can always walk away. Whether the home's issues are too significant or the seller isn't willing to compromise, you're not obligated to buy the house. St. Albert, Alberta has a thriving real estate market, there are plenty of other homes for you to look at.

Are You Buying a Home in St. Albert, Alberta?

Are you looking at real estate in St. Albert, Alberta? We would love to help you and your family find the perfect home.

Contact us today to get in touch with one of our experienced real estate agents. We take great pride in helping people like you improve their lives. We look forward to hearing from you.

The amount of Canadians in the housing market who rent their homes accounts for 33% of the population. 

The recent coronavirus housing crash led many renters and homeowners to seek more affordable options. This applied to both residential and commercial real estate. 

If you have found yourself in need of a new rental property, you're certainly not alone. However, finding the perfect place can be a challenge if you aren't aware of the positive signs as well as red flags to watch for. 

Ready to start your hunt but want to ensure the most effective use of your inspection times? Follow along to learn 5 no-fail signs that you've found the perfect property.

1. You're Already Decorating

You've likely heard people express their excitement about a property by describing where their furniture will go. If you've joined the daydreamers in this imaginary decoration throughout your inspection, you're on the right track. 

This furniture arranging imagination is often an indication that you feel comfortable enough in the space to picture yourself there. What's more than that is you feel your furniture will translate well into the area. 

While it can be great to purchase new pieces for your new digs, keep in mind that rentals aren't a guarantee. Finding ways to make your existing furniture fit is always beneficial for longevity as well as saving on your budget.

2. It Ticks Your Boxes

Like many house hunters, you've probably made a mental list of all the items your new place must have. While it's important to practice some flexibility in your must-haves list, finding a place that ticks off the top priorities is a great indication. 

Understandably, you may not be able to find a three-car garage and wood burning fireplace in every property within your budget. However, deciding on the most important features will help you stick to your plan and not get swept up in the excitement of a new rental. 

For example, if you have decided that having a spare room is a priority for you but on a whim decide that you won't have overnight company and can forfeit the space, you may end up regretting your choice or relocating sooner than expected. 

Once you find a place that ticks off all your top priorities, it's a great time to stop trying to top it. 

3. The Location is Ideal

Location is everything, but what you feel makes a great area may be different from another house hunter. 

While you'll likely hear the term 'it's a great neighborhood' several times throughout your rental inspection journey, it's important to decide what qualifies as a great location for your needs. 

Perhaps you have children and want to ensure there is a great school in the district.  Or maybe you have an active social life and want to ensure you are within walking distance from restaurants and pubs. 

Develop your qualifying list of location needs and narrow your search to fit your ideals. If you've found a spot that ticks your boxes and is within your ideal area, you've got a real winner. 

4. Nothing Else Compares

Whether you set up multiple inspections already or have decided to explore all of your options between committing, if you find yourself continually comparing properties to your favorite one, this is a great indicator you've found your spot. 

That 'always on your mind' feeling is there for a reason. You may not be able to put your finger on the exact reason that you loved the space so much, but the answer could be as simple as feeling comfortable and at home. 

When you find yourself picking apart perfectly good places and drifting back to another choice, it's time to sign the lease. 

5. The Perfect Landlord

If you've dealt with a difficult landlord before, you know the value of finding an experienced and reliable landlord. While these can be difficult to come by, they are out there and are a great reason to choose a property. 

Renting from inexperienced landlords can land you in a frustrating position, especially when it comes to requesting repairs, dealing with bills, and negotiating rent. Because these landlords don't have any reference points, they may simply be unfamiliar with what they are responsible for and unintentionally ignore your rights.

Beyond experience, you'll want to find a landlord that maintains reasonable communication with you. If it's impossible to track down your landlord, or they call you every 2 weeks to "check up on things", you'll likely find yourself becoming frustrated and ready to get out. 

If you've met with the landlord or the property management company already and feel confident in their communication, experience, and professionalism, you've found a gem.

Red Flags to Avoid

Of course, just like there are signs of great rental homes, there are also key elements you should watch for to avoid disaster. 

While the coronavirus housing crash has influenced a drop in prices in the housing market in 2020, finding a commercial or residential real estate property that seems too good to be true, probably is. 

Don't forget that even in a pandemic, there are still rental scammers out there. Stay clear of those listings that promise far too much to be real. 

Once you've found your place, be cautious not to get caught up in the excitement before the lease is signed. Even if you trust the landlord, signing an incomplete tenant agreement is an incredibly dangerous way to enter a deal. This sets the landlord up to add in unmentioned conditions and rules your agreement ineffective if anything goes wrong.

Remember, the tenancy agreement is there to protect both you and the landlord and should be fully complete before signing.

Finding the Perfect Rental Property

Now that you know the 5 signs of the perfect rental property and what to keep your eyes out for, you can set forth with confidence on your search. Get ready to daydream, tick your boxes, and find the perfect landlord for your residential and commercial real estate endeavors. 

Ready to start your rental property search today? Get in touch with us to find out what's available and land your ideal rental. 

In life, our major goals are to become happier, healthier, and wealthier as time goes on. Typically, this means moving up in our careers, building a family, and creating a life of luxury and contentedness. 

However, as things progress and our families get bigger, we often find ourselves needing a larger home. If things are going as planned, by this time, you should have the finances to accommodate upsizing your home. However, before you make any big moves or commitments, there are a few things to consider. 

We want to help you make sure your process of trading up is as smooth and successful as possible. Keep reading for our top nine tips on what to do when finding a bigger home for you and your family. 

1. Assess Your Budget

Before upsizing your home, you need to figure out what you can afford. Maintaining a healthy monthly budget is vital for short-term and long-term financial security. You don't want to commit to payments that stretch your budget too thin. 

Dig into your monthly cash flow to see how much you can comfortably afford to spend on a higher mortgage. This may mean cutting back on some of the other expenses in your life, liking dining out, shopping, and other unnecessary items. Nearly 53% of Canadians live paycheck to paycheck, don't become one of them because you didn't do your homework before making a big investment.

2. Figure Out What You Want to Do With Your Current Home

Once you're sure you can afford to upsize your home, you need to figure out what to do with the home you're living in now. If you and your family are renting a home, this process will be quite simple. 

However, if you own your current home, you have two primary options. You can either sell it to help you afford your new home or keep it as a rental for an extra source of income. However, most people would prefer to sell their homes rather than taking on two mortgages, which means prepping the home for the market.

Additionally, understand that you may not be able to get approved for a second mortgage if you choose to hold onto your current home.

3. Get Pre-Approved for Your Next Mortgage

This leads us to our next step in upsizing your home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Talk to your lender or bank to find out what you're eligible for in terms of loan amounts and interest rates. 

If you must sell your home before you can get approved for a loan, make that your top priority. Regardless, you need to know what you're looking at in terms of mortgage eligibility before shopping for your next house. 

4. Save Money for the Mortgage Downpayment

Depending on the size of your mortgage, you'll need to come up with a varying minimum down payment. For example, if the loan is under $500,000, you only need a 5% downpayment. 

If the purchase price is between $500,000 and $999,999, you need 5% for the first $500,000 and 10% for the remaining price. However, if you choose to put less than 20% down on any mortgage, you'll need to pay for mortgage loan insurance.

5. Consider All the Costs of Upsizing Your Home

Once you get approved for a mortgage, you need to start thinking about all the costs involved in upsizing your home. Take your finances we discussed earlier into account to make sure everything is within range of your budget. 

For example, when you move into a larger home, you'll have more expenses. These include:

• Higher property taxes
• Higher utility bills (heating, cooling, electricity, etc.)
• Possible HOA fees
• Home repairs and maintenance
• And more

Additionally, moving into a bigger home requires furnishing a bigger home. You'll likely need to buy more beds, couches, shelves, and other necessities to fill the larger space. Make sure you account for these things in your budget.

6. Create a List of Priorities

When trading up into a larger home, you need to sit down with your family and come up with a list of priorities. You'll likely be living in this house for the next 10-20 years, if not longer. You need to make sure it meets all of your needs and expectations. 

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How big a home do I need?
• How many rooms and bathrooms do we want?
• How close do I want to be to work?
• What school districts do we want to fall under?
• Should we find a place with parks and playgrounds nearby?
• Do we want our home to have special amenities (pool, firepit, patio, fenced yard, etc.)
• And more

It's okay to dream big and wish for the world, but make sure you have a clear idea of your top priorities that are non-negotiable.

7. Hire an Experienced Realtor

To help you find the home that's best for you and your family, we highly recommend hiring an experienced realtor. They can also help you sell your current home if you need to do that first. 

Experienced realtors are familiar with the local real estate market and can help streamline the process of finding exactly what you need. Furthermore, they are skilled in the art of negotiation, which will be useful when negotiating terms with the seller. 

8. Think Ahead

Before you sign any contracts when upsizing your home, make sure you're thinking about the future. Buying the home at the right time (during a buyer's market) could help you build positive equity in the home over time. If resale value is important to you, you also need to consider the neighbourhood and whether it's growing or in decline. 

Additionally, if you're taking on a larger mortgage payment, you need to think about your financial longevity and job security. For example, if you work in sales and are having a great year, making the mortgage payment maybe a piece of cake. But what if you weren't having a great year?

9. Make an Offer

Finally, when you have all of your ducks in a row, there's only one thing left to do - make an offer on your next home. Use the advice and guidance of your realtor to make sure you're getting a good deal.

It's okay to come in with a low offer, just don't make it so low that you offend the seller or they decide not to take it seriously. If you make a super low offer, they may not even respond or send a counteroffer at all. And remember there are other things to negotiate with other than price, such as:

• Closing costs
• Realtor fees
• Appliances
• Furniture
• Window treatments
• Decor
• And more

Lean heavily on your realtor if you don't have much experience negotiating real estate deals. They'll help you get the most value for your offer.

Are You Ready to Upsize Your Home?

Upsizing your home can be an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience. Just make sure you follow the tips listed above to ensure your transition into a larger space is smooth and stress-free.

And if you're ready to start looking into your options or need help selling your current home, we're here for you. Contact us today to get in touch with our top agents.

Quick Guide to Commercial Real Estate

If you are interested in building long term wealth, then commercial real estate will help you achieve your goals. However, if you've never bought a commercial property before, it may be quite daunting. While navigating the ins and outs may be challenging, the right information will be a useful tool. 

This article will give you a guide to commercial real estate purchase. If you are a first-time buyer, then keep reading to find out what you need to know when you buy your first commercial property.

What Is Commercial Real Estate (CRE)?

Before diving into this guide to commercial real estate, it helps to know what this type of real estate is. CRE refers to property meant for business activity. Tenants rent out for work and not to live in. This is what sets it apart from residential property. 

It usually has a longer lease period which means more consistent passive rental income for you. It’s an appealing form of real estate because of the high returns and property appreciation.

Step by Step First Time Buyers Guide to Commercial Real Estate 

1.Know your options

If you are going to buy commercial real estate, you have to know the options available to you. Commercial real estate typically falls into four broad categories.

• Office

In this category, some buildings house different types and sizes of offices 

• Industrial 

This includes the larger commercial property, including warehouses and factories. It involves a larger outlay and is much more prominent on floor space.

• Multi-family rental

Multi-family rentals are buildings that you can rent out to many families such as apartments.

• Retail

Encompasses retail space for businesses that interact directly with clients, for example, shops and restaurants. 

2.Define your strategy 

Once you know your options, it's time to decide on your strategy. You have to ask yourself if you want to buy to keep the property for rental. Or if you're going to purchase and develop the property to improve its value for resale. 

You will also want to think about which type of property you wish to specialize in. A clear

3.Set up a budget 

The next step is to come up with your budget. As a novice property buyer, it's easy to pay too much for a property. The goal is to pay a fair price. Get experts, to give you a guide to commercial real estate prices. This will help you come up with a reasonable budget for the property type you are most interested in. 

The Canadian property market, especially office space, is quite appealing; hence properties move fast. Having a predetermined budget will help you make decisions quickly. That way you won’t lose out on many great properties.

4.Get some help

Commercial property can be quite involved, especially if you are doing it for the first time. It’s essential to get an expert to give you a good guide to commercial real estate purchase. Consulting with a tried and tested realtor will help you avoid complications. 

You might hit a lot of speed bumps while shopping for CRE. Having experienced people by your side will ensure success in your real estate journey. The temptation to avoid the expense of getting help is understandable. But getting help will save you more in the long run. 

5.Go shopping 

Now that you know what you want and how much you can spend, it’s time to start shopping for your commercial property. To begin with, look through property listings, you'll find a goldmine of available properties. 

While skimming through the listings, you should keep a couple of things in mind.

6. Location

It's important to determine if the location is ideal for your chosen property type. For most commercial real estate purchases, urban locations are the best. For retail property, a location with a vacancy rate of less than 5% is the most desirable. 

Slightly out of town locations with a good transport network are a better option for industrial sites. They are also much less competitive.

7. Zoning

Authorities classify specific areas for different business types. This is why you must know the zoning laws. Buying a building in an industrial area with the hope of turning it into a children’s play area, for example, might not be legal. 

Guide to Commercial Real Estate Property Due Diligence

Once you have your eye on a property that works for you, it's time to do your homework.

Property taxes

They do say only two things are certain in life and tax is one of them, as with anything else you have to pay the piper. On average property taxes around the Edmonton area are roughly 2.3%. You have to know how much you are going to pay in tax so you can plan ahead.

The state of the building 

An important consideration you should make is the state of the building. Will it need repairs? What kind of maintenance is required regularly? These factors come into play in the cost consideration and will also save you future headaches. 

It's important to get a thorough building inspection done so you won’t get any surprises. Find a guide to commercial real estate building inspection to get a checklist to use.

Funding 

Once you have all the information about a property, the next thing is to secure your funding. You don't want to lose out on a great property because you are still working out the kinks. So it's best to get the funding ready before you commit. 

Closing the Deal 

After all, is said and done and you have all the answers, it is time for the paperwork. Remember to read through the contracts, including the fine print. Enlisting legal help to give you a guide to commercial real estate contracts is a necessity at this point. You might want to make sure your contract has a due diligence clause, in case you discover something unexpected.

Final thought 

Despite COVID-19, the commercial real estate market in Canada is still a great long-term prospect. However, blindly diving into the property market might leave you frustrated and in a loss position.

Commercial real estate buying can be quite risky since it involves large amounts. The risk becomes even more prominent when you are not well informed. For a new buyer, the many considerations you have to make may be complicated. Use this guide to commercial real estate to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to make a right decision.

Getting the right property will have you well on your way to generating good passive income cashflows and lasting value. 

Even with a good guide to commercial real estate buying, looking for the right property may be overwhelming. We are here to help. Please have a look at our commercial listings and Contact us to find out more about our services. 

When most people see a nice home, they think of the long-term investment it represents. They think of a family, long-established in a charming neighbourhood. 

But this isn't always the case. In these days of skyrocketing housing prices, homes are just as likely to be rental properties. And there are numerous benefits of renting a home. 

Let's check out some of them, including a few you might never have thought of. 

1. Greater Flexibility

To begin with, let's start with one of the top benefits of renting a home: the sort of flexibility that buying a home can't match. 

If you're more interested in exploring a city or town, rather than putting down permanent roots, this is an attractive reason to rent a home. Perhaps you're not attached to any one location. Maybe you'd like to see what other cities and towns have to offer. 

Rental contracts often run for twelve months. Afterward, you're free to search for a new home to rent. The point is, you're not fettered by owning a home; renting a house affords you unparalleled freedom. 

2. No Maintenance Headaches

Amongst the pros of renting a house is that you don't have to worry about maintenance costs and repair bills. 

Owning a home means you are responsible for repairs and other upkeep hassles, but things are different when renting a house. Providing you rent from a good landlord, all the headaches that come from broken appliances, mould damage, leaky pipes, etc., are none of your concern. 

3. Location, Location, Location

Here's the thing about renting a home: it gives you somewhat more affordable access to locations where home ownership is out of the question. 

For instance, buying a home in beautiful St. Albert or downtown Edmonton might be out of the question for you. But choosing to rent expands your available options. Though still pricey, there are many more options within your budget. 

4. Fixed Budgeting

Setting a budget, and adhering to it, is a difficult thing to do. 

But it helps to have a fixed rent amount, which is maintained throughout the span of a lease agreement. This is another great benefit of renting a home that few people consider. 

Homeownership comes with a heaping of variable costs that tend to throw any budget out of whack. This includes property taxes and fluctuating mortgages. 

As a renter, however, you're insulated from these fluctuations, which allows for more efficient budgeting. 

5. Better Quality and Amenities

Renting also tends to mean access to a better quality home than you might otherwise be able to afford. 

Whereas owning a large home, well furnished, with access to downtown, might be outside your price point, it could very well fall within your means when it comes to renting. And this is why renting a home instead of an apartment could be a more attractive choice. 

Discover the Benefits of Renting a Home

So there you have it—five benefits of renting a home that we think make renting an excellent first choice, rather than a last resort. If you're unwilling or unable to take on the chores of homeownership, renting a house is an attractive option. 

If you're ready to begin your search for a home to rent, we're here to help. Contact us today, and let our team of top-notch agents find you a new place. 

Having a rental home can be challenging at times. Finding easy ways to increase your rental property income - even harder.

Renting your house out for a higher price will increase your rental property income, but you want to do it in a way that is fair for all parties.

Providing a quality house with top-rated customer service, proper maintenance, and a fair market price is a sure-fire way to win any tenant’s hearts.

To increase your monthly return, we will need to look at your property the same way our property managers do.

Here are 9 easy steps to increase your monthly return on your property investment:

1. Curb Appeal

Realtors will tell you that giving your house curb appeal is one of the best approaches to make it appealing for buyers; this also remains true for potential tenants.

First impressions mean a lot. You want your house’s first impression to be on a positive note.

That usually means a yard that is well taken care of with a house and fence with no paint flaking off. But do not stop there. How does the garden look (if there’s one)? Have the trees been appropriately pruned?

Can the home benefit from more trees? If that is too much effort, purchase a couple of potted shrubs and line them up in which you want to have more separation from the outside world.

If venturing out into your back yard means you get to hear the hustle and bustle of the city, try purchasing a fountain to burble off and block traffic sounds or loud neighbours.

There is no faster way to increase your rental property income than by having a positive curb appeal.

Brainstorm as many outside improvement ideas as possible to liven up the house’s initial impressions. If your budget is tight, there is always a less costly choice if you get creative.

2. Charge for Amenities/Perks

You can gain extra income by adding more micro-transactions or upsells. Adding services where tenants can pay to mow their yard every two weeks through the summertime can create a simple to implement cash flow.

Even if you do not make much extra cash, you know the lawn will be well maintained. A well-maintained lawn means better curb appeal.

3. Add light by Updating the Windows.

A bright home is a welcoming home. Most people want a home with lots of natural light. You can add light to dark rooms by substituting small, obsolete sash windows with bigger sliding or casement ones.

If you have a brick rental home or when there’s other circumstances that may increase the cost of adding windows, you should consider putting a couple of mirrors in strategic areas to brighten up the living areas. Once the renters have signed a lease, they can always move or remove the mirrors at their pleasure.

A home with deteriorating windows is usually a deal-breaker. No one likes a draft or paying more on their energy bills. Advertising an energy-efficient house in these markets is just one more added benefit. When making your rental listing add the window manufactures data.

4. Future Proof Your House by Making it a Smart House

Turning a dull, old home into a smart home is relatively simple. Adding two or three smart home gadgets can help you flourish! Your once bland home will be transformed into a “smart house” with “innovative technology” For a couple of hundred bucks, your property gets ratcheted up in curb appeal, modernity, and worth.

Landlords may also see an increase in monthly income and longer stays by having a smart house.

One of the best places to start is the thermostat. This way, you can boast to potential tenants it’s going to save hundreds of dollars annually on gas and electricity bills while being environmentally conscious.

Afterward add smart door locks and a smart smoke/ CO detector. Smart door locks have a practical use for landlords and property managers that will provide temporary access to anybody: builders, realtors, leasing representatives, potential tenants, etc.

5. Keep the House Clean

Usually, we shouldn’t need to say this, but… Cleaning your house does create real value to your renters, and raises the potential rent you can charge. Tenants do not just look at things such as leaks in the roof and beautiful appliances; they look at the atmosphere as a whole.

When a previous tenant moves out - bring in the cleaners. Have them clean every nook and cranny. Are the cupboards cleaned inside and out? How about the appliances and walls? This doesn’t just show the house better but increases the perceived value.

6. Add a Layer of Fresh Paint

Painting is the easiest and best way to go from old and run down to bright and shiny, therefore increasing your rental property income.

Outdoor colours that blend with the environment make a home feel much more comfortable and inviting. Indoors, it is all about light. Try keeping the inside colours clean and neutral.

7. Add a Sense of Smell

The sense of smell is very primitive and closely connected with memory, likely more so than some of our other perceptions. To put it simply, if the house is filled with warm and welcoming aromas, then your prospects will more than likely have a positive memory subconsciously affiliated with that house.

Before having prospects show up, some property managers will bake biscuits. Now that is an inviting odour sure touch at the bottom line!

8. Quality Advertising

How often have you heard, “all I will need to do to rent a home is put a sign in the window.” Although this can work, it is likely to get you poor quality tenants.

If you're only getting leads by a sign in the window, you won’t get as much demand as you were to advertise online. When going by supply and demand, this means fewer prospects and fewer prospects means less demand. Less demand means you’re likely to charge your place out for less.

Leasing a house with just a sign likely means you’re underperforming and losing out on opportunities. Let’s say 30 people drive by the house, and 10% of those people are interested. You have three potential people looking at the home. Comparatively, if you advertise online, you have 3000 people interest and the same 10% you have 300 people in your rental pool. A good advertising company will go even further to pair you with even better-quality leads.

Don’t forget quality over quantity also plays a role in the photographs used in marketing your house, so be sure to take high-quality images. If a single picture is shot from an older phone and another from a high-end camera, which set of images do you believe is more inclined to capture the audience of people aimlessly scrolling the world wide web?

9. Provide Quality After Care with Preventative Maintenance

Some of the very best strategies to increase income property revenues are to give a sense of caring. Renters that feel like they are well cared for will usually stay in the house longer. This also increases the likelihood of increasing your rental fees after every lease. So, when you want to foster a relationship of caring, look into preventative maintenance.

What’s more, some tenants will look for any reason to complain and not let you escape about the issues in the home. Worse yet – they will not even tell you about any problems at hand.

If leaks persist for a long time, they could cause significant irreversible rot and water damage. Changing furnace filters increases the life of the furnace and delivers clean air.

Preventative maintenance is good, but don’t interrupt the tenant so often that they get annoyed. At Bermont Realty, we prefer to do them every six months and a year at most.

Good preventative maintenance is the key to tenant retention. If you provide excellent care, this can go a long way to keep you in high favour with your renters and raising the probability of a lease renewal. And turnover is often a landlord’s most significant expense, so whatever you can do to mitigate it’s a fantastic thing for the main point.

Wrapping it All Up

Owning a rental property is a lot of work. Having a qualified property manager to take on the everyday hassle will save you a tremendous amount of time and stress. They will also tell you if you should increase or decrease your rent based on the current markets.

Limiting your rent increases to keep your current renters avoids those extra expenses, but encouraging them to stay creates a neighborhood. That’s what many renters, especially those with families, are looking for.

If you’re looking to see the value of your rental property, check out our home evaluation tool. It’s free!

Looking to hire a manager? Ask the 7 essential questions you should ask any property manager before hiring the one that's right for you.

What makes a house a home? There are many aspects of your house that make it feel more like a home and a beautiful garden is one of them. A house for sale on the market is an empty structure on a lot of land. 

A home is a house that's been modified and made to suit your personal preferences and daily needs. It's something that you've made your own! Starting a garden from scratch might seem daunting, but once you've achieved the final product it'll all be worth it. 

Are you ready to start your own garden but not sure where to begin? Below is our guide on everything you need to know about starting a garden from the ground up! Continue reading to learn more!

1. Choose What You'll Grow

One of the first things you need to decide is what you want to grow in your garden. You need to keep in mind the location of your home. Do you receive more shade than the sun? 

Are there more warm days throughout the year than cold ones? What's the average temperature like for the year? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide what's best to grow in your garden. 

If need be, speak with your local plant nursery shop or garden supplies store about the best plants to grow in your garden. If you want to grow veggies, be sure to choose veggies that you and your family love. You should only plant and grow what you'll eat and use. 

2. Find the Ideal Location

Your next step is to find the ideal location for your garden. There are a few factors to keep in mind when selecting the best place for it. Do you want your garden in the front or back of your house?

Which location receives the most amount of sun? Which location is the safest from traffic, children, pets, and wildlife? Depending on what you're growing, your garden will most likely need at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each day. 

There are some greens and herbs that can flourish in partial shade, so be sure to do your research on what you're growing and find an ideal location. You should also place your garden in an area where you see it on a daily basis. 

If you place it in an area where you don't walk past it or see it each day, then you could easily forget about it as time goes on and your garden needs as much attention as possible. Lastly, make sure you place it in a location where children and animals won't run through it, causing damage. 

3. Buy Your Gardening Tools

Now that it's all starting to come together, it's time to buy your gardening tools! When you have the right gardening tools, taking care of your garden is simple! As time passes by and you become more of a gardening expert, you'll find more tools and different tools that are unique and work best for you.

For now, you'll need the basics. Here's what to buy.

• hand tools
• gardening hoe
• scuffle hoe
• leaf rake
• dirt rake
• garden shovel
• watering system

One tip is to ensure you buy all metal tools. Plastic tools are less expensive but will make gardening more of a chore than when working with metal tools. For your watering system, you can either use a sprinkler system or purchase a hand-held watering can. 

4. Plant Seeds in Raised Beds

When you're ready to plant your seeds, consider planing them in raised beds. You can create several raised beds throughout your one garden. Planting your seeds in this manner helps keep many pests and weeds out. 

It makes the gardening process much easier for you and keeps things organized. You'll fill your raised beds with appropriate soil for what you're planting and then you can plant your seeds in their rows! 

5. Provide Rich Soil for Plants

Most items that you grow in your garden will need a neutral pH. Other items, however, like potatoes, will need more acidic soil. Pay close attention to what it is you're growing and provide a rich soil that those plants will love. 

You can purchase test kits to test your soil before planting your seeds. Another way to test is by soaking your soil with a hose and revisiting it the next day. The day after soaking, dig into the soil and grab a handful. 

If water comes out of the soil when you squeeze, or if it's too dry, then you'll need to add organic matter to the soil. 

6. Give Yourself and Plants Space

Once you have the perfect quality of soil, it's time to start growing! When planting your seeds, give yourself and the plants space. Follow the directions on the back of the seeds package to plant accordingly. 

Most seeds will need to be spaced out for optimal growing conditions. You should also plant your different seeds in ways where it's easy for you to walk through your garden, get to each and every plant, and tend to it with ease. 

7. Tend to Your Garden Regularly

Use a garden how to stir the top of the soil on a regular basis to stop weeds from growing. When growing vegetables, fertilizer them to produce a better result. You'll also want to be sure to keep all animals out of your garden. 

A 6-foot deep fence will keep bunnies out while an 8-foot high fence will keep deer out. Remember to water the soil, not the plant itself to prevent fungus growth. If using a sprinkler system, have it set to water in the morning so the plants can dry by the evening. 

Are You Starting a Garden from Scratch? 

Have you found the perfect home and are now considering starting a garden from scratch? If so, follow this guide to help you throughout the process! 

Haven't found that perfect home yet? Click here to see how we can help you find that perfect house that you can turn into the home you've been waiting for!