Spring Thaw: Preventing Water Damage

Your home shielded you from the blustery winds, sleet and snow of the winter months. As temperatures rise, the spring thaw will test how well it stands up to the additional moisture. In most Canadian provinces, water is the top cause of damage to homes. Water damage is notoriously expensive and sometimes difficult to eradicate.

While your home insurance policy does cover certain types of water damage, such as plumbing system ruptures; other types, such as flooding, may not be covered. Spotting trouble areas and proactively preventing water damage will help you avoid costly repairs and health hazards further down the line.

Roof
Winter can be rough on your roof. As the weather warms up and the snow melts, it is important to check how well your roof weathered the storms. A common contributor of water damage to your roof is ice damming. An ice dam occurs when snow on the upper portion of your roof melts and freezes on the lower half, creating a wall like formation around the gutter. Water becomes trapped behind the ice dam and can leak into your home.


A key indicator of ice damming is the presence of icicles on your roof edge.
Once your roof’s water-proof seal is compromised, excess moisture can lead to structural deterioration and damage to the ceilings, walls and insulation within.

The main cause of ice damming is heat transfer from the living area to the roof due to inadequate insulation or poor ventilation in the attic. To prevent water entering your home through the roof:

Have a professional conduct an attic inspection for heat leaks
Ensure proper air circulation in the attic by clearing vents and chimneys
Inspect eavestroughs for blockages
Replace any cracked, curled-up or missing shingles
It is important to make a habit of inspecting your roof twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, regardless of its age.

Foundation
A quick walk around your home should help identify areas of concern and highlight signs of damage. Here are some areas to look out for:

Concrete or stone walkways and patios should slope slightly away from the basement walls for proper drainage. Areas where water is pooling could benefit from:
Adding proper backfilling to create a slope away from the foundation
Realigning patio or walkway stones to slope away from the house
Cracks can occur due to moisture build up over the course of winter. To prevent further damage be sure to have the cracks sealed.
Check for potential water leakage through basement window wells. Clear away debris from inside the wells to provide proper drainage for melting snow.
Remove debris and leaves from your eavestroughs.
Keep eavestroughs clean, repair loose joints and missing sections, and ensure downspout extensions are pointing away from the foundation so the water drains at least 6ft. (1.8m) away.
Weeping tiles are another solution for excess water build-up. They are porous pipes buried along the perimeter of the foundation to collect excess water from the soil. You can confirm with your builder or municipality that your home is equipped with one.
Indoors
Keep an eye out for telltale signs of water damage inside your house including:

Water-stained ceilings and drywall and damp areas in the basement
Cracks in your concrete floors that get wider cracks over time or have signs of discolouration from water seepage
Cracked caulking around windows and doors
Signs of mould and mildew build up along wall edges and baseboards
Musty and wet odours
If you are unable to identify where moisture is coming from, consult a professional and have the issue addressed before it worsens. Moisture build-up can pose a health risk for you and your family if not dealt with in a timely manner

Source: Greypower.com

Overpricing Implications

Overpricing their home is the biggest mistake sellers make, though many don't fully understand the implications of doing so. Here's why overpricing is so problematic.

A property never generates so much interest as it does during its first few weeks on market. When you enter the market overpriced, you squander this time by scaring away buyers and, more crucially, real estate representatives looking for properties to show clients. As a result, you can affect the number of showings during those critical first weeks.

Few to no showings mean few to no offers. And that can potentially mean no sale. Even if you do manage to get an offer, it's possible the buyer won't qualify for financing due to a low appraisal of your home (a side effect of overpricing); again, that means no sale.

Now you face a new problem: stigmatization. The longer a property lingers on the market, and the more times its asking price is slashed, the more people will assume there's something inherently wrong with it. Now they have new reason to stay away.

In the meantime, you're stuck making mortgage payments on a property you'd no doubt planned on having sold already, which can be devastating for those who've already bought their next home.

Desperate, you may be forced to accept any offer, however lowball, that comes your way. It's for this reason that many sellers of overpriced properties often end up getting even less for their homes than they would have had they listed at a competitive price to begin with.

Avoid these pitfalls – contact Paula Mitchell today to ask what price is right for your home!

Another successful barrel delivery to Belize

Thanks to your generous donations, 13 barrels were received in Belize and distributed to the very poor. These barrels were filled by your generous donations including books, clothes, household items and more. The generosity of our community is overwhelming. These families rely on us to help provide them with daily items that are commonplace for many of us.

Our current target is to fill as many barrels as possible with school supplies including backpacks, pencils, crayons etc., although children's clothing and shoes are always welcome. Please drop off any items to any one of our Royal LePage Meadowtowne offices or contact me to have the items picked up.

We have, and will continue to be, so grateful for your support.

5 Reasons the GTA housing market will stay strong in 2015

The annual doom and gloom articles about the Canadian real estate market are front page news once again. Even the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Stephen Poloz, says that the Canadian real estate market is overvalued by as much as 30%. We have heard this story before, almost every year in the past 15 years. Hasn’t happened yet, and it won’t happen in 2015.

Here’s why:
1. Interest rates will likely stay low in 2015
The record low interest rates that Canadians have enjoyed for the last several years will likely continue in 2015. Although the Canadian government cannot directly control interest rates, you can bet that with an election coming up in the Fall of 2015, the government will use all tools at its disposal to ensure that there is not a real estate meltdown that they could somehow be blamed with.

2. Not enough land to build new homes in GTA
As a result of Lake Ontario to the south of Toronto and the protected greenbelt to the north, there is not enough land available for the needed new home construction to take place in the GTA. As a result, we see many more high-rise condominiums being developed, in order to handle the demand of both first time buyers and immigrants who continue to make the GTA one of the world’s most sought after destinations. They say that real estate is all about location, location, location. Never forget that we are privileged to live in perhaps the safest, most stable location in the world, right now, with all the resources that the world wants and a growing economy. All of this will contribute to the value of homes in the GTA, especially low rise homes, to increase in value next year.

3. Compared to the rest of the world – Canadian real estate is still a bargain
If you look at the prices people pay for homes in New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo or London, England, by comparison Canadian real estate is still a bargain. This is why so many foreigners continue to buy up real estate in Vancouver and Toronto, as they consider this a very safe place for both their children to come and study in university as well as for their own investment needs.

4. Scarcity of listings in Toronto will not let up
One of the reasons we continue to have bidding wars in the GTA is that fewer homes are put on the market for sale. This has been going on for years now. One of the reasons is that people do not wish to move up or downsize because of the double land transfer tax hit in Toronto. Many people would prefer to stay in their homes and just do the required renovations to retire there, whether building an elevator or a place for a live-in caregiver. Fewer homes on the market will continue to drive up the prices next year.

5. Even the doomsayers admit that if the market does fall, it will be a soft landing
In almost every doom and gloom analysis, the authors, including Stephen Poloz, admit that at most, there will be a soft landing in the real estate market next year. Let’s be real. 30% over-valued does not mean a soft landing. This admission is almost proof that the doom and gloom writers want to have it both ways, so that if they are once again proven wrong about the real estate market, they can state that it was a “soft’ landing.

If you are able to afford to enter the real estate market in 2015, enjoy the ride. Remember, with real estate, it is not just an investment in your future, it is about a home to build a family and memories for years to come, in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Source: Mark Weisleder

This Fall, Don’t Forget Your Comfort!

If you have an integrated heating, ventilation and air conditioning (A/C) system that uses the same distribution channel for all functions (e.g. central forced air), now is the time to make sure your ductwork and filtration are in good working order. Running your A/C during the summer can cause moisture to build up in or around the unit, which could allow irritating mould to grow and then circulate throughout your home when your fan is turned on. So check both your heating and your A/C for signs of mould.

Also, where possible, check for air leaks in the ductwork, particularly in bends and connections, as leaks could allow moisture to enter or collect in the system, and therefore give mould a chance to grow. Next, be sure to install clean HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to help catch undesirable air contaminants.

Finally, if you think you have mould growing in your heating and air distribution network, get a professional to examine and/or clean your system before starting your furnace fan.

Should I stay or should I go? Deciding whether to relocate or remodel

Deciding whether to stay in your current home or look for a new one is tough. So tough, in fact, that there is a reality TV show about it! If you’re struggling to make that decision, here are some tips that can help:

• Find out the current market value of your home. This will give you a clear idea of how much your property is likely to sell for in today’s market.
• Find out how much you can afford to invest in a new home. This is calculated, in part, by how much of a mortgage you qualify to receive.
• Determine whether your current home still suits your needs. Do you need to move up to a larger place? Downsize to a smaller property?
• Figure out whether this is the right time to move to a neighbourhood that you’ve always dreamed of living in.
• Assess whether your neighbourhood has changed in a way that you don’t like.
• Decide whether you are still happy where you live. Is it time for a change?

A good REALTOR® can help you answer these questions and provide the information you need to make the right decision. Call me today so see what your best strategy is for getting the most amount of money for your much loved home.

Take care,
Paula Mitchell
905.454.8900

Barrels to Belize: Special Delivery!

We were able to ship 11 barrels to Belize containing clothes & shoes for children and adults. The contents were distributed to the very needy in various villages. We have put some pictures together so you can see for yourself the difference you make.

We are once again starting to fill barrels, and are hoping to send them Oct 23rd. We appreciate your continued support to help the less fortunate.
If you are able to round up kids/youth shoes, sandals, bedsheets , pillow cases, pillows, socks , kitchen stuff such as cutlery, pots and pans etc., school supplies and school bags.( lightly used is perfect) no used undergarments please.

My husband and I will be going to Belize in January to help and mentor youths that we are currently supporting. Its through these youths that we have come to know the need of the poorest people. You can drop off any items you want to donate to your prospective offices. We greatly appreciate it.

Rob and Paula

Our August: Real Estate Style

The Toronto Real Estate Board reported 7,600 sales through the Toronto MLS® system in August 2014. This result was up by 2.8% compared to 7,391 transactions reported in August 2013. Year to date sales through the end of August amounted to 65,454, which represented an increase of 6.5% compared to the same period in 2013. The average selling price in August 2014 was $546,303, up 8.9% in comparison to the average of $501,677 reported in August 2013. The year-to-date average price through August was $562,504, which represented an increase of 8.5% in comparison to the same period in 2013.

The number of listings in August were down in comparison to last year, while the number of sales increased. This means that sellers’ market conditions remained in place with a lot of competition between buyers.

Considering Your Kitchen Improvements

Kitchen renovations are considered one of the most rewarding home improvements you can make, partly because they bring immediate lifestyle and efficiency benefits, and partly because they often show a financial payback upon resale. If you’re thinking about renovating your kitchen, give considerable thought to the latest design and appliance options. Whether or not to incorporate the
newest trends is often a matter of personal taste, so it’s wise to do your research and be clear about your style and functionality preferences before you commit to a final layout.

Once you’ve made informed decisions, you’ll be able to properly plan your plumbing, electrical and lighting to best support your needs. For example, island sinks, dual convection ovens (plus a multipurpose microwave), an induction cooktop, an energy-saving dishwasher and a “smart” refrigerator are all worth considering, and will impact on how well your kitchen works and how it is configured.

Likewise, your flooring, natural lighting, seating and storage arrangements will be just as important as countertops for efficient kitchen operation. So, before you get too excited about all the available options, be sure to visit as many websites and stores as possible to learn about all the latest ideas and to get information on all the pros and cons.

That kitchen is from our very own listing: 38 Brookhaven Crescent, Orangeville. Call us today for more information on this incredible home!

Useful Household Tips

The internet can be a source of inspirational and unusual ways to use ordinary household items. Here are just a few examples:
1. Ketchup can be used to clean copper.
2. Lubricate a stuck zipper track by applying a drop of olive oil with a cosmetic swab-tip.
3. White vinegar will remove tea stains from a cup and coffee stains from your carafe, but be sure to rinse them thoroughly.
4. Minor drain clogs can be cleared with half a cup of salt, followed by a quart of hot water.
5. If you break a drinking glass, a slice of white bread will pick up the tiniest shards from the floor.
6. Electrical tape can temporarily seal a leaking drain pipe. (Unlike water supply pipes, drains work by gravity, not pressure.)

Be sure to keep an eye out for more tips and tricks, coming soon!

Making Your Home Buying Checklist

In The Checklist Manifesto: How To Get Things Right, author Atul Gawande explains how checklists have significantly improved everything from air travel safety to surgery survival rates. They help pilots, doctors – and everyone else – remember important steps, criteria, and other details that might otherwise be missed. A checklist can be particularly helpful when shopping for a new home. It will help you focus on what you need to see and know, and then help you make the right decisions.

Have you ever viewed a home on the market and forgotten to check something important, such as the property tax expense or the age of the furnace? By having a checklist, you’ll be sure to get this information – and, at the very least, save yourself some time.

There are many ways to create a checklist. You can make one up on your computer and print copies as needed. Alternatively, there are many checklist apps available for your computer, notebook or smart phone. (The basic versions of most of these are free.)

What should you put on your checklist?
Your REALTOR®, who specializes in this neighbourhood, can help. Call me, Paula Mitchell, at 905-454-8900 today!

But What About the Pets?

If you have pets, you probably adore them. They're part of the family! But when you're preparing your home for sale, you need to think about how you're going to deal with the "pet issue". Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as
you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells. So be sure to make a plan for how you’re going to deal with your pets.

It's a good idea to keep pets out of the house during viewings. Even if your dog or cat is friendly, some buyers will be uncomfortable around them. So, you'll need to decide where your pets will go when buyers view your property. Consider a local kennel or "pet day camp". "Can't I just take my dog out for a walk?" you might be asking. You could,;
however, you may not always be available to do that during a viewing. So have alternate plans available.

You should also consider how you will deal with pet dander and everyday pet odours. You're probably used to them. Unfortunately, some buyers will be turned off or even be allergic. So, in addition to cleaning your home before a viewing -- especially in those areas where pets spend time like a favourite cushion or scratching post – consider using specialty air sprays available on the market that will neutralize pet odours.

Finally, it's a good idea to advise buyers that they're viewing a home with pets. That way, they'll be more forgiving if they catch a whiff of cat dander.

Need more tips on preparing your home for sale? Call your favorite GTA Realtors at the Paula Mitchell Group today at 905-454-8900!

Tips to Help You Prepare for a Major Move

Whatever the reason or situation, if you’re planning a move in the foreseeable future, remember that advance planning will make a big difference in how smoothly things go, and how quickly you’ll be able to adjust to your new lifestyle and/or surroundings. Here are a few basic steps to follow:

1. Reduce clutter well in advance of moving day. Sorting early means less packing, moving and unpacking. This is critical when downsizing. Since sorting could involve sentimental items, or belongings of grown children now living elsewhere, it’s best separated from the stress of moving day. If necessary, consider renting storage space for these items.

2. If your next home requires a major renovation, consider bridge financing that will allow you to carry two homes at once, thereby making the transition much easier.

3. In addition to predictable one-time costs, such as legal fees, tax adjustments and movers, consider new long term costs, such as utilities, parking, commuting, and insurance fees, especially when moving to or from a more densely populated area.

Happy moving!

Throwing the PERFECT Valentine's Day Party

While most couples spend February 14 with just their significant other, a couple's party can be a very fun and different way to celebrate heart day. Here, we offer some tips and suggestions for throwing a great couple's party on Valentine's Day or anytime of year!

Keep the invitation list fairly short and sweet -- including just family and close friends. While it seems that being part of a couple would be one of the requirements to make the invite list, don't count out your single friends! Let them know they are welcome to bring dates, or use this as an opportunity to play matchmaker -- set them up with other singles that you think they might jive with. However, it is probably a good idea to introduce them before the party so they can get to know each other a bit and decide whether or not they would like to meet up again at the party.

Keep the theme classy, but that doesn't mean it can't be sensual -- Decorate simply with a few candles (unscented!) and elegant floral arrangements. Set up the main entertaining room with intimate sitting areas as well as a dining table with enough seats for each of your guests. Include place settings and name cards. Place a small token on each place, such as a sachet, a small bottle of bubble bath or even some sexy dice.

Go all out when it comes to the food -- Eating, especially with your hands, or feeding one another can be an erotic experience. Set the stage for a little couple's flirtation by serving fondue (cheese with veggies and bread for an appetizer; chocolate with fruit, cheesecake and brownies for dessert). Incorporate foods that are said to be aphrodisiacs — such as caviar, figs, oysters and truffle mushrooms, into the menu. Don't forget the cocktails! Serve sexy sips such as Sex on the Beach, champagne (another aphrodisiac), wine with dinner and ice wine with dessert.

Line up after-dinner entertainment or activities -- If your entertaining space allows, create a makeshift dance floor and turn the music up after dessert. Play a fun board game or a TV game such as the Newlywed Game DVD edition. If the group you've invited is pretty tight-knit, you can even make up your own game personalized for your guests. Make a list of questions, with at least one question that can be attributed to each couple. For example: "We had an ice cream bar at our wedding instead of the traditional wedding cake. Who are we?" Tally the number of correct answers each guest had and offer a sexy prize for the winner!

A couple's party can be a great way to share this special holiday dedicated to love with those you love the most – your friends and family. Since many couple's do dedicate the actual day to on another, consider hosting your party the day before or the day after Valentine's Day.

DIY Winterizing Your Home

An experienced home inspector will tell you that winter maintenance is an essential part of homeownership; this is especially true in Canada, where average yearly snowfall ranges from 21 to 111 inches.1 It’s important to prepare your home for winter, because the damage caused by leaks and freezes could cost you thousands of dollars. Fortunately, winter home maintenance is actually fairly simple. In fact, it’s more dependent on proper planning than on DIY know-how. We’ve made it even more straightforward with this easy-to-follow checklist.

1. Restock Winter Essentials

Before the first big snowstorm of the year, make sure to stock up on winter essentials, including: salt, ice melt (deicer) and winter windshield washer fluid. While you’re at it, tune up your snow blower and make sure your shovel is in good condition.

2. Seal Drafts

If you feel any drafts around your windows or doors, seal them now before you waste money on extra energy costs. You can purchase a sealant kit, or use caulk, window glazing putty and weather stripping, to kiss those chills goodbye.

3. Protect Your Floors

Make sure you have appropriate mats and boot trays near the entrances to your home. Having a designated spot to wear and store your winter boots will prevent your floors from being damaged by water and salt, as members of your household and holiday visitors enter your home.

4. Test Your Heating System

Whether you have a wood stove, electric baseboards, or a super efficient geothermal heat pump, it’s important to make sure your heating system is in good working condition, before outside temperatures drop. If you’ve looked at the weather forecast and know the temperature is supposed to fall below freezing, turn your heating system on a week beforehand. If there are any problems, you’ll have a few days to contact a repairperson, before you really need your heat.

5. Turn OFF Exterior Faucets

Frozen pipes inside your home can be a nightmare, but did you know that exterior faucets pose the same risk? To avoid a frozen (and potentially burst) outdoor faucet, drain your exterior faucet before temperatures dip below freezing. Also, make sure to put away your garden hose for the winter to protect it from the winter conditions. If you don’t have a frost proof faucet (most older homes don’t), you should turn off the indoor shut off value to prevent any water from reaching your outdoor faucet, where it might freeze and cause problems.

6. Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams (pictured above) are caused by snow on your roof melting from the heat that is rising from your home. The snow melts and travels down your roof, where it hits your gutters. Because of the temperature difference, the water will then freeze and block the downspout, preventing proper drainage from your home. Unfortunately, this could cause future melted snow to leak into your home, rather than drain away from it. Get up on your ladder one last time before the year is over and check for ice dams (look for ice-clogged gutters and icicles). If you notice any, you can solve the problem temporarily by buying heated cables that will melt the ice and prevent more from forming. For a permanent solution, make plans in the spring to fix the problem by increasing the insulation in your attic.

If you’re a new homeowner, and you’ve just finished paying for the closing costs on your new home, it may be tempting to skip winter home maintenance – don’t. If you don’t properly prepare your home for winter, you may find yourself stuck with costly repairs come spring. By planning for and accomplishing these tasks before the brutal cold hits, you can ensure your home will be well prepared for anything our Canadian winters throw at it.



Originally posted on ClosingCosts.com

Backyard Entertaining on a Budget

Nothing says bring on summer quite like a backyard BBQ. It's the perfect mix of friends, the fresh outdoors, and fantastic food! But just because you want to throw a social, doesn't mean you have to break the bank. Here are a few ideas of how to entertain outdoors on a budget:

Food
Send an electronic invitation to your friends to let them know you're throwing a pot-luck BBQ. Create a food list and give guests an idea of what to bring, usually a side dish or dessert. Remember to prepare as much as possible in advance so that you can spend most of your time outside with your guests and not in the kitchen.

Seating & Decor
Arrange several seating areas if space allows. If you're short of chairs, ask friends and family to bring their fold-ups that transport easily. Swing by local garage sales or thrift stores if you need extra tables. Pick up colourful vinyl tablecloths, napkins and decorations at your local dollar store.

Kids & Fun Stuff
Kids love the beach, so buy an inexpensive wading pool and fill it with clean sand. Add plastic buckets, spades, blow-up beach balls, and a croquet set from the local dollar store and they'll be all set. Lay bright beach towels on the grass, or under a tree and the little ones will have their own picnic area too.

Lights & Pesky Bugs
String some white or blue lights around the backyard for nighttime. Place a few tea lights in glass containers and display them around the garden on things like bird baths and paving stones for a magical effect. To stop bugs from crashing your party, stake some tiki torches in the ground or put citronella candles on tables to keep them away.

Favour Ideas
Want to send your friends off with a little gift at the end of the party? If your homemade BBQ sauce is a party favourite, make a big batch, put in sterilized bottles and give to guests. If there is plenty of leftover food, be generous and let everyone take something home for dinner the next day. Don't forget to save some for yourself!

Shop Your Renewal

Lenders make a lot more money when they renew your mortgage than on your initial term. That’s partly because they don’t have to compensate anyone for referring you (or compensate them as much). But it’s also because many renewers don’t comparison shop as much or negotiate as hard. According to a recent Maritz/CAAMP survey, only 56% of borrowers negotiated their mortgage rate at renewal. A remarkable 4 in 10 took the first rate their bank offered. How good do you think that rate was? It sure as buttercups wasn’t the best the bank could do.

A while back the Bank of Canada found that borrowers who don’t comparison shop pay rate markups that are more than double those paid by comparison shoppers. And lenders’ client retention teams are wise to this. So they employ strategies like graduated rate discounts, which means they offer you an okay rate to start, and if you complain or show them better competing offers, they get progressively more competitive. That’s why trusting your lender to offer a fabulous rate up front is the single worst thing you can do at renewal.

Get Second Opinions

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself is to compare rates with a broker. Unfortunately, only 28% of mortgage holders “definitely” plan to consult a mortgage broker at renewal, according to Maritz research. But whether you consult a broker or call up multiple banks and credit unions, shopping around your renewal is mandatory. That challenge is convincing bank customers of that. They tend to be a loyal sort. In fact, bank clients are more than 50% more likely to use the same lender when renegotiating or renewing their mortgage than broker clients. That’s largely because brokers open people’s eyes to better alternatives. At any given time, one of dozens of broker lenders may have rate promotions or mortgage features that save a borrower hundreds, or even thousands, in interest.

Unfortunately, broker clients also switch lenders more often because a minority of less ethical brokers churn their books—i.e., convince borrowers to switch lenders primarily to generate another commission. (Naturally, your success with any advice provider depends on their integrity.)

It Takes Effort

When your mortgage maturity comes around, don’t be satisfied with your lender’s first offer. If you’re well qualified and really want the best deal, do this instead:
Check the major rate comparison websites.
Call the non-broker banks. (RBC, BMO, etc.)
Call a broker, check their broker lender offerings, share your own findings and ask them to compare the pros/cons of the best deals you’ve found.
Compare the above to your existing lender’s offer (including all switch costs, if any).
Pick the best overall deal (which isn’t necessarily the lowest rate).

These steps should easily shave one-or two-tenths of a percentage point off your rate…or more. A 10 basis point rate savings on a $200,000 mortgage puts $950 back in your jeans over 60 months. You’ll also improve your odds of finding a mortgage with the optimal term and fewer restrictions. And those two points always save you more than any small rate difference.

Making your home look it's best!

Across Canada, housing prices are rising steadily this year. In July in the GTA, sales rose by a shocking 16.4% compared to July 2012. Not only were there substantially more homes sold over the past year, but the average house price climbed by 7.9%. All home stagers would agree that if you want to join this trend and make a profit off your home, you have to make it look the part. If you want your house to look like it's worth every penny of what you hope to get for it, sprucing up your home and home staging is a must. Here are some tips to get you started on making your home look its very finest.

Finish the exterior – Every home has something to fix on the exterior. This can be anything from filling in some missing mulch in the garden to repainting that dated front door or putting on that final piece of trim. Make sure the exterior of the home is welcoming and nicely painted. First impressions are extremely important when it comes to buying a home, and the exterior will give your potential homebuyer exactly that: their first impression.

Lighting – Few things make bolder statements than the lighting in your home. An elegant chandelier in the foyer can create a high-end feeling throughout the entire home. Decorative table lamps in bedrooms and family areas also create warmth; while pot lights give a bit of a luxurious, glamorous feel to rooms.

Depersonalize - Potential homebuyers need to picture themselves in your rooms, and quirky decor and crazy flares may not do the trick. A few personal touches make for a fun showing of your home, but having too many starts to make things feel cluttered. Try and limit the vibrant colours and unconventional furniture to keep the house feeling familiar.

Ensure everything in the home is working and well-maintained - No torn screens, cracked plaster or burnt out lights. You may have gotten used to them, but homebuyers are looking for something they want to live in; not something they can live in. So be sure to tour your home and carefully look over every area, ensuring that all lights, windows, sinks, etc. are all functional and look well-kept. Scents are also important in the home. Some air freshener helps the home feel clean and crisp.

Be size-conscious of fixtures and furniture – Your favorite couch or table may look really good, but if it’s difficult to fit it inside of the room, it is time to say goodbye. Try to include small groupings of furniture to give the room some depth and make it look bigger than it is.

Kitchen, Kitchen, Kitchen – Clear your counters and create a clutter-free environment. A simple vase or bowl adds a personal touch and makes it feel homely; all while maintaining a clean atmosphere. However, I would recommend storing small appliances in the cupboard as this makes the kitchen feel much bigger. You will want to make sure that your appliances are being stored in new-looking cupboards. A simple paint of coat and some new handles makes a huge difference in giving your kitchen a more modern feel. Lastly, if your kitchen doesn’t have a backsplash, all you need is a weekend to do it. Because the backsplash area is so small, you can invest in some gorgeous tiles or glass mosaics to add additional quality to the room.

Fresh linen – All bed linen, towels, curtains, etc. need to be replaced if they do not look new. This is an inexpensive way to introduce some character and style into your home while making it feel fresh and new.

Update the bathroom – Something as simple as a new mirror and shower curtain can make a big difference to potential homebuyers. Some new lights and fixtures can go a long way as well. Try replacing bathroom towel bars with well-designed ones from a designer bath boutique. You can get matched ensembles that include a toilet paper holder, wastebasket, trays, etc. You will be able to update your bathroom for only a couple hundred dollars; which will be worth much more when selling.

Maintain the Master bedroom – A beautiful master bedroom is key to finding a homebuyer. The master bedroom is where a home owner is most connected with: it is the last thing they will see every night, and the first thing they will see every morning. Continue the hotel feel into this room with multiple new pillows, fresh linens, and a throw at the end of the bed. Matching lamps or vases is a great way to bring symmetry into the room and will give the room that designer flare.

Overall, keep your house clean and clutter free, make sure everything is in working condition, and update what you can: whether it be a big project or a small fixture. All the little updates add up and can take a home from livable to lovable.

How to Expertly Host Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving can be stressful whether it's your first time hosting or your fifteenth. To keep your stress levels low, try this simple, yet elegant menu from Food Network Kitchens' cookbook "How to Boil Water". Stick with our suggestions or add in some family favorites to make it your own.

Recipes:
• Roast Turkey with Gravy
• Apple-Cranberry Dressing
• Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
• Green Beans with Shallots
• Mashed Potatoes
• Apple Crisp

First, make it easy on yourself. Follow a plan. The more you can prepare ahead of time (that includes any trips to the supermarket), the better.

Settle on a menu (or use ours) but don't feel like you have to do it all. This is a great holiday to enlist helpers to prep in the kitchen, tend bar, set the table or help clean up. And, it's ok to say "yes" when someone offers to bring something — ask them to bring wine, another dessert, a side dish, and if your oven is small, they can even bring the turkey!

Once you've reviewed your recipes, figure out how many pots, pans and serving dishes you'll need. If you come up short, borrow the rest from a friend or family member. Two highly important items are a roaster pan with a solid bottom (those foil ones at the grocery store aren't quite sturdy enough, but you can place one on top of a sheet pan) and an instant-read thermometer to test the turkey for doneness.

If you've bought a frozen turkey, make sure to defrost it properly: one day in the fridge for every 5 pounds. And don't forget to remove the giblet package inside the cavity before you roast it!

Read all the recipes before you start cooking. Figure out which take longest (like the turkey) and prepare a prep schedule.

Here's a plan for our "How to Boil Water" menu:

Thanksgiving morning or preferably the day before:
• Make the giblet stock and a cranberry sauce (choose one from our site). Store them in the fridge.
• Wash and trim salad greens and green beans. Wrap them loosely in paper towels and store them in the crisper.
• Bake the Apple Crisp. Let it cool and then wrap it in foil. Reheat just before serving.
Thanksgiving Day:

Three to four hours ahead of time, depending on the size of your turkey:
• Make the Apple Cranberry Dressing. Cover the baking dish with foil and pop it in the fridge until about half an hour before dinner. If your oven is too small to hold both turkey and dressing, bake the dressing while the roasted turkey rests.
• When your oven is preheating, toast the nuts for the salad and set them aside.
• Prep the turkey according to the recipe and put it into the preheated oven.
• Take a break!

One hour before dinner:
• Make the vinaigrette for the Pear and Blue Cheese Salad.
• Put the potatoes on to cook.
• Take the bird out of the oven after its required cooking time, tent it in foil and let it rest.
• Cook and assemble the Green Beans with Shallots and hold in a warm place.
• Assemble the salad (don't add salad dressing until ready to serve).
• Make the gravy.
• Mash the cooked potatoes.
• Carve the turkey.
• Put the crisp into a low oven.


The final step:
• Pat yourself on the back!

13 Tips for Selling in the Winter

What makes selling a home more stressful? Selling it in the middle of winter. The lawn is brown, the weather is usually bad and, unlike the longer days of summer, you have less time to show it off during daylight hours.

But not everyone has the luxury of waiting until the traditional spring or summer home-buying season to plant that "for sale" sign. And while it's true that in most areas you'll probably have fewer buyers during the winter, you will have less competition from other sellers.

The season makes staging — the concept of showing your house at its best — even more important. Be prepared to put a little effort into it. "It's more difficult to make something look really appealing this time of year," says Ron Phipps, broker with Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. If you do it right, you can really make your house stand out.

1. Keep snow and ice at bay.
The top tip from agents: If the buyer can't get in easily, the house won't sell. That means keeping walkways and driveways free of the frozen stuff. Just like trimming the lawn in the summer, you want to make the home look like it's been maintained. If you're away frequently or live in an area that's subject to bad weather, it can pay to hire a service to regularly salt or shovel the driveway and sidewalks.

2. Warm it up.
If you're showing during the winter, think "warm, cozy and homey," says Ken Libby, owner of Stowe Realty in Stowe, Vt., and a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors. Before a buyer comes through, adjust the thermostat to a warmer temperature to make it welcoming. "Sellers like to turn the temperature down because of heat costs," says David Ledebuhr, president and owner of Musselman Realty in East Lansing, Mich., and a regional vice president of the National Association of Realtors. "But buyers who come in and aren't comfortable won't stay long."

If you have a gas fireplace, turning it on right before the tour can give the house a little ambience, Libby says. With a wood-burning fireplace, you've got to be a little more careful. If the house is vacant, don't chance it. But if you're still living there and will be there during the tour, it can be a nice touch.

Many times, sellers leave right before the agent and prospective buyers arrive. In that case, adjust the heat to a comfortable temperature and have the hearth set for a fire. Buyers feel the warmth and see the potential, and you don't have to worry about safety concerns.

3. Take advantage of natural light.
"Encourage showing during the high-daylight hours," Ledebuhr says. At this time of year, "if you show after work, you're totally in the dark." Make the most of the light you do have. Have the curtains and blinds cleaned and open them as wide as possible during daytime showings. Clean all the lamps and built-in fixtures, and replace the bulbs with the highest wattage that they will safely accommodate. Before you show the house, turn on all the lights.

4. Get the windows washed.
"Buyers act on the first impression," Ledebuhr says. Windows are one thing that many sellers don't even consider. In winter, that strong southern light can reveal grime and make it look like the home hasn't been well-maintained.

5. Play music softly in the background.
To create a little atmosphere, tune the radio to the local classical station. Turn it down so that you barely hear it in the background. "It's soothing," says Libby, who finds that soft classical music tends to have the most appeal to buyers. "I think people tend to stay around a little longer and look a little longer."

6. Make it comfortable and cozy.
Set the scene and help the buyers see themselves living happily in this house. Consider things such as putting a warm throw on the sofa or folding back the thick comforter on the bed. Tap into "the simple things this time of year that make you feel like you're home," Phipps says.

7. Emphasize winter positives.
Is your home on a bus route or some other vital service that means it's plowed or de-iced regularly in bad weather? Be sure to mention that to the buyers.

8. Set up timers.
You want your home to look warm and welcoming whenever prospective buyers drive past. But you're not home all the time, so put indoor and outdoor lights on timers, Phipps says.
Look at the outside lighting around the door. Is there enough illumination to make it inviting? If not, either get the fixtures changed or have new ones added.

9. Make it festive.
Even if you're not actually going to be present, greet your buyers as if they were going to be guests at a party, Phipps says. Set up the dinner table with the good china and silver. Have a plate of cookies for your guests, some warm cider or even chilled bottles of water. "First impressions are so powerful," Phipps says. "If it looks like you're expecting me and greeting me as company, that's a powerful impact."

10. Give the home a nice aroma.
The No. 1 favorite? "Chocolate-chip cookies," Libby says. "Just about everybody likes that smell." Other popular scents: cinnamon rolls, freshly baked bread, apple pie, apple cider or anything with vanilla, cinnamon or yeast. "But don't overdo it, either," Ledebuhr says. Scented candles in every room or those plug-in air fresheners can leave buyers wondering what you're trying to mask.

Watch the bad smells, too. Pet smells, smoke and musty odors can cling to curtains and carpets. Ask your real-estate agent or a friend to give it a sniff test. Then clean the house, air it out and replace drapes, carpets or rugs before you show it.

11. Protect your investment.
Some sellers (or their agents) will ask buyers to either remove shoes or slip on paper "booties" over their footwear before touring the house. Many buyers like that, Phipps says. It indicates a "pride of ownership and meticulousness that resonates with buyers," he says.

12. Use the season to your advantage.
While the holidays are over (and the Christmas and Hanukkah stuff should come down), you can still use winter wreaths and dried arrangements around the door to spark interest. "Anything seasonally appropriate is fun," Phipps says.

In the winter, with the leaves off the trees, you might also have a nice view that isn't as apparent in the spring and summer months. It's a great time to sell waterfront properties, Phipps says. "You can see the views better this time of year."

13. Consider the area.
In some parts of the country, such as ski areas or warmer regions where the snowbirds flock, winter weather can actually be a selling point. "We're right in the middle of our selling season," says Libby, who is located in Vermont. "It's not always spring and summer."