The spring market in Canada is starting to heat up with record low inventory. Buyers have started to come back, as for the first time in the last few months Bank of Canada has not increased interest rates.

In fact, Royal Lepage has adjusted their national aggregate home price forecast to increase 4.5% year-over-year in Q4 2023. This is an opportune time for home sellers waiting in the sidelines, to finally start getting their home ready for sale and look into renovations.

When selling the place you’ve called home for the past five, 10 or 30 years there is always one question that comes to mind: How do I get the most money back on my home?

How can homeowners increase the ROI, or return on their investment? There are a ton of tricks and tips to increase the ROI when selling a home, but the number one piece of advice is to look into hiring a Real Estate Agent.

The right Real Estate professional can assist in setting an appropriate asking price which is influenced by the season, annual trends, neighbourhood and amenities offered in the area. They can also help with other things like organizing showings, and offering invaluable advice about possible projects that can be completed to upgrade your home and also increase sale price.

Other ways to ensure you are increasing your investment in your home upon selling is by putting some money back into the house before the sale sign is even hung.

Who is buying?

Speaking with your hired professional and by taking note of the demographics in the area can help you determine your target audience. Who will be looking at purchasing your home? A young family? An expanding family? A couple looking to retire? Investors? Perhaps it is some people who are looking to flip the property?

Learning your target demographic can ultimately save you from investing money into big projects that will do nothing to return on your investment. “There are a lot of buyers who just want to buy a home that is turn-key. Updating rooms like the kitchen, will have the greatest impact for them. However, you need to know who your buyer is so the upgrades will align with their wants and needs.” says Terry Osti, award-winning, REALTOR® at StilHavn.

Web appeal is the new curb appeal

Forbes reports that it is just as important, or more so, to have a strong web presence when selling your home as it will bring interested buyers to the door. Senior director of PR at Realtor.com, Julie Renyolds told Forbes that ads featuring walk-through tours are clicked on 150% more than ads without them.

Curb appeal still a good investment

HGTV says that curb appeal is still just as important as ever. After all, you can only make a first impression once.

Ensuring cracks in sidewalks and driveways are patched, windows and doors are caulked and door knobs, locks and hardware are upgraded are low cost ways to boost the return on investment upon selling.

Taking that extra initiative and planting flowers and perennials in the garden can also have a lasting impression and increase the value of the home. Interior designer Brittany Farinas of House of One told Forbes.com that adding some greenery can give the outdoors a whole new look.

New siding, although a little more costly, is reported to rank high on the cost vs. value report according to HGTV. According to Forbes.com, homeowners can expect to pay between $1,000 to $16,000, depending on the size of the home and the type of siding material used, but it will not go unnoticed.

Sound structure is key

Interested buyers aren’t going to be as thrilled about an upgraded kitchen if the basement is flooding due to poor plumbing or cracks in the foundation.

HGTV says that investing that facelift money into ensuring the roof is in good repair, the foundation is sturdy, the furnace is functioning properly and all electric and plumbing is up to code will ensure the asking price won’t plummet in order to compensate for the necessary repairs.

Replacing windows can cost around $15,000 for a 2,000-sq-ft home with new vinyl windows, but RE/MAX predicts a return on investment of 75%.

Focus cash on bathrooms & kitchen

The kitchen and bathrooms are where a lot of time is spent in the home and architect Steve Straughan based out of Los Angeles’ KAA Design Group says they are the areas of the home that interested buyers can tell if money has been well spent.

According to RE/MAX, kitchen renovations such as countertops are one of the top three changes that lead to a high return on investment. Countertops can be expensive, but $3,000 stones such as granite or quartz can make a huge difference. To further elevate your kitchen, spend around $5-10,000 for stainless steel kitchen appliances. Kitchen renovations typically have a return on investment of 75-100%, usually the highest ROI.

Bathrooms can often always use a facelift — and, for certain, a deep clean. Every bathroom is different, but it is one of the main focuses that buyers look for in a home. Renovations can vary, but having a vanity with marble countertops or a frameless glass shower are elements that can draw buyers. A tip recommended by RE/MAX is to analyze your bathroom and figure out the strengths and weaknesses of it. A typical bathroom renovation is between $5-$15,000 and can have a return of 62%.

Updates and remodels should focus on creating open and inviting spaces and one of HGTV’s tips is to skip that soaker tub and put in a grandiose walk-in shower — or steam shower. After all, who really has the time anymore to take lengthy soaks often enough to justify the space the tub takes up.

Creating additional space

Does the home have an attic with dimensions that would allow the creation of an additional bedroom or office space? Can you extend the deck or create an outdoor living area or sunroom? Can the basement be finished and transformed into a cozy living space? Adding more functional spaces in your home can make it look larger and eliminate any unused spaces. Forbes predicts that the average cost to finish your basement is $22,850 in 2023.

HGTV says keep other homes for sale in the area and your target audience in mind because you don’t want to renovate your home to the extent that you price yourself out of your market.

Go Green

Concentrating on making the home energy efficient with better insulation, window and door replacements can not only increase your ROI when you sell the home, but you will also notice instant savings on your energy bills. By making such upgrades, AIC says the ROI is typically between 50-75%.

Plus, as of December 1, 2020, Canada has offered a number of grants for homeowners to make energy-saving upgrades.

At the end of the day, it isn’t always the fun and sexy renovations that add the most value to the home. Sometimes it’s the dirty work that goes the extra mile when selling. But, to make sure you are getting the best return on your investment, be sure to speak with a professional Real Estate Agent who can help answer any questions you may have along the way.

The post Renovating your Return on Investment for the Best Results first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

An economic downturn could stress you out if you’re selling your home. A contracting and uncertain economy doesn’t usually yield top dollar for home sales.

At RankMyAgent, we aim to make the home selling process more manageable. So this article explains what a recession entails and tips to sell your home for the best price during a recessionary environment.

What is a Recession?

The traditional definition of a recession refers to two consecutive quarters (three-month periods — so two consecutive quarters equal six consecutive months) of declining Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But this definition comes with numerous asterisks.

Even if Canada faces two declining quarters, we may not be in a recession. We continue to face record-low unemployment rates, and in a recession, unemployment peaks.

A recession depends on numerous factors like employment, consumer spending, and GDP. An “official” recession usually occurs once a group of leading economists looks at these factors and determines we’re in a recession.

What Can We Expect During a Recession?

A recession’s outcomes and contributing factors are a “Catch-22” — i.e., the presence of the factors indicates a recession, but the same circumstances also result from an economic downturn.

We usually see the following during a decline:

• Layoffs: Businesses fear the unknown and want to reduce spending when the economy begins to tumble. You can expect layoffs in business departments that aren’t critical or where companies previously overhired.
• Less consumer spending: People are also fearful when we hit a recession. We’re scared of losing our jobs or taking a loss in the stock market. As a result, we might spend less and save more of our income for a rainy day.
• Depressed stock market: Investors may sell their stocks and choose safer investments. So, you can expect stock prices to decline. Some corporations also don’t fare well during a recession, and their stock price reflects that.
• Higher interest rates: This isn’t true for all recessions. But in our case, a recession may be caused due to the Bank of Canada increasing borrowing rates to tamp down inflation. This would make buying a home and making mortgage payments more expensive.

These factors can turn the residential home market in favour of the buyer. We’re more cautious about making significant financial decisions in a recession. We’re also unsure whether we can hold our job or afford increasing interest rates.

As a result, there are fewer buyers on the market. We might wait until economic conditions are more positive and confident before applying for a mortgage and making the largest purchase of our life.

But the number of sellers remains the same or even increases during this time. Some Canadians may need to sell their second home to cover costs or downsize to afford their mortgage in a poor economic environment.

Tips for Selling Your Home During a Recession in Canada

1. Rethink if You Need to Sell

Housing prices tend to peak before an economic decline and slide once a recession becomes a reality.

Selling in the middle of the downturn might not bring you the best price. Downturns tend to be buyer markets, where homebuyers have more leverage. You won’t likely have the same bidding wars or unconditional offers we saw a year ago.

Sometimes, you might not need to sell an investment property or move into a larger home right now. It’s best to consider whether entering the real estate market is required.

2. Sell Sooner Rather than Later

Past recessions show a history of dipping home prices. If you plan to sell in the near future, it’s better to do it as soon as possible. You’re only going to face tougher selling conditions.

Otherwise, you should wait until the economy is more positive before you sell. Home prices tend to fare better when there’s financial prosperity among Canadians.

3. Don’t Overprice Your Home

You might be used to seeing bidding wars and homes selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking. But the market right now might not have the same prospects. You should temper your expectations to something reasonable.

Working with a real estate agent can help you set a reasonable selling price. Additionally, a realtor can guide you towards getting the best dollar for your property. They might suggest minor renovations or staging to bedazzle the prospects.

4. Give Your Home Some Minor Renovation

Minor renovations, deep cleanings, and restoring curb appeal can help move your home on the market. These changes make your home shine in photos and showings.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire kitchen. It may not be worth it in the current environment since labour is in short supply — contractors aren’t as open to negotiations or discounts. At the same time, home prices are going down.

Contributing your own labour by refreshing walls with a coat of paint or deep cleaning your carpets may be what you need to increase your chances of selling. A clean and refreshed home can help potential homebuyers envision themselves living there.

5. Consider Renting your Property Out Instead

Cities like Toronto and Vancouver are seeing record-high rent prices because surging interest rates have left prospective buyers unable to purchase a home — therefore, many Canadians continue to rent.

Some sellers who aren’t getting the offers they hoped for have turned to the rental market because the sky-high rent prices make being a landlord much more appealing.

If you aren’t in a rush to sell, renting out your property until better economic conditions might be an option to get the best return on investment from your property.

Recessions don’t have to be scary. Yes, there’s a fear of layoffs and depressed stock prices, but things rebound eventually. If you’re planning to sell your home during a recession, it’s vital to temper expectations. You can’t expect your home to sell for the same amount that homes sold for during a growing economy.

The post How to Navigate a Recession as a Canadian Home Seller first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

But with COVID-19 and a migration to the digital world, staging your home isn’t only for showings and open houses. Staging your home is also crucial for the photos and videos used to sell your home. These marketing assets will make the first impression on potential buyers.

In this article, we discuss how to stage your home for the virtual world and how COVID-19 may change how you should stage your home in 2021.

The home staging basics

Decluttering and cleaning are still important

Decluttering and deep cleaning your home is an effective way to stage your home. This remains true for staging in the virtual world. Decluttering can make your home seem more elegant and help potential buyers imagine themselves moving in.

Although people won’t be visiting your home in person (just yet), it’s still essential to deep clean your rooms. Often, the dirt, dust, and grim around your home can add up and provide a sense that your house isn’t for the person looking at the photos of your rooms. Unclean windows, a fine layer of dust on your furniture, or a stain on the rug can quickly put someone off.

Small renovations can help you shine

Painting your rooms can be one of the easiest ways to freshen things up. It can turn an old room into a new one. A fresh coat of paint removes any stains, marks, or scratches—no matter how small—from being noticed. This can also reduce the cost of virtually staging your home as the photo editor will have fewer details to clean up (more about virtual staging later in this article).

Enlist small decorations

Commonly, what sets apart a fancy home from a regular one are the details and minor decorations that add up to a certain suave in a room. For example, hardcover books, throw pillows and blankets, potted plants, and artwork can add a lot to a room and jazz it up. The best part is that these items are usually easily accessible from places such as Amazon, so you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home.

Consider how COVID-19 trends have changed home staging

Home offices and gyms are now in-demand spaces

COVID-19 has changed what buyers look for in a home. People are moving to the suburbs and to larger homes as they envision a home gym or office to compensate for their inability to have a gym or office like before.

Instead of staging an area as a second dining or living room or as a storage closet, these places could be better set as a home office. You could further stage an empty basement with a set of dumbbells or even a squat rack to expand a potential buyer’s imagination. Other possibilities could include a home classroom, media room (to replace movie theatres), or spa area.

Create an outdoor retreat

The pandemic has also driven demand for private outdoor space. People, more than ever, want fresh air without being in public. Staging your outdoor patio with excellent patio furniture or even a fire pit can create a sense of an “outdoor retreat” that buyers are willing to line up for. It creates an opportunity to entertain guests when the weather is warmer while reducing the fear of COVID-19 transmission.

DIY or professional stager?

This generally centres around declutter and trying your best to make everything appear fresh and pretty for the pictures that’ll sell your property.

However, stagers have also adapted to COVID-19. Some stagers are now offering their services virtually. You can take them around your home via FaceTime or Zoom as they provide suggestions on how you can spruce the place up. Another alternative is to find a real estate agent who also provides home staging services.

A stager can be expensive. Especially with furniture rentals, it can amount to thousands of dollars. However, it’s commonly worth the cost. A well-staged home can help your property stand apart from others in the market and ultimately increase the final selling price.

If you do look for a professional home stager, you want to look out for the following:

• Portfolio: What was their past work like? What do their prior clients say about them?
• Professionalism: Do they act professional when they communicate with you? Do they get deliverables to you when they say they will?
• Real estate knowledge: A stager who understands the real estate market understands what’s in demand and can orient your home to fulfill such market demands.

What about virtual staging?

Virtual staging beings with a photographer taking photos of your rooms. The photos are then sent to a virtual stager who uses software to achieve a particular look akin to a staged home. This effectively removes the need to rent furniture when staging your home (an enormous cost and hassle).

Virtual stagers can remove or add in pieces of furniture, change a room’s colour schemes, or even change whole areas of your home. This type of service is more important than ever as demand for staging has increased due to an increased dependency on real estate photography to drive sales. At the same time, traditional home staging has become more complex with COVID-19.

This method of staging is also more cost-efficient. Virtual staging services can cost anywhere between $16-$100 per photo. Although it’s common to have 20 pictures for a single home listing, rooms such as washrooms and closets likely won’t require this treatment. As a result, you’re probably not looking at thousands of dollars to virtually stage your home.

Staging your home is a great way to make it stand out from other properties in your area. It can ultimately help you sell your home for a better price at a faster rate. There are many options to stage your home, such as DIY, a professional stager, or doing it virtually. Whichever option you choose, you can be sure that it’ll likely add value to your selling process.

The post How to stage your home to sell in the virtual world first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

Home insurance isn’t mandated by law like car insurance. However, your home is likely the largest single purchase of your life. It’s vital to ensure you’re covered in events such as a flood or fire. Additionally, a home insurance policy is commonly mandated by mortgage lenders as a condition to your mortgage.

In this article, we explain the basics of home insurance to new homeowners. The article explains what home insurance generally covers and doesn’t cover and the types of insurance policies you can purchase.

What Can New Homeowners Expect to Home Insurance Cover?

Damage to Your Home and Others’ Homes and Property

New homeowners commonly think of home insurance in cases where there’s a flood or fire. In events where your home suffers severe damage or destruction, home insurance generally provides the cost of rebuilding your home up to the policy limit.

Further, if a fire starting from your home also causes damage to your neighbour’s house or a detached part of your home, such as a garden suite or shed, your home insurance policy may also cover these costs.

Not all forms of damage are covered, however. And it’s up to you to choose what is and isn’t part of your policy. Some events to look out for in your policy include:

• Flood: often not available for purchase in areas that commonly see flooding
• Windstorms: structural damage may be covered, but water and hail damage may not be
• Sewer backup: damage from backed-up sewers, drains, toilets, and showers
• Earthquake

Further, “predictable events” are not covered. I.e., if you don’t drain your pipes in the winter and they burst, your insurance won’t cover this. Damage that’s a result of not maintaining your house is also not covered. For example, if you don’t regularly replace your roof, and this results in water damage to your home, your insurance won’t cover repair costs.

Damage or Loss of Personal Possessions

If your home burns down, it’s not only about rebuilding your home but also replacing its contents. Home insurance policies cover damage or loss of your personal property, including incidents such as burglaries.

There’s a long list of what and when a home insurance policy won’t cover personal property. Typically, home insurance policies don’t cover:

• Loss or damage of items when they’re outside of your house or inside your vehicle
• Expensive jewelry or fine art. This commonly requires a separate insurance policy or must be added to your policy after the insurance company appraises the jewelry or fine art.
• Equipment breakdown, such as a laundry machine or HVAC system — even if it’s not unforeseen and unrelated to general wear and tear
• Equipment or stock related to a business. This requires a business insurance policy. Additionally, home insurance doesn’t generally cover any business-related damages or losses, even if you run your business from your home.

As your years of homeownership go by, you’ll accumulate more things in your home. It’s important to keep an inventory of what you own and regularly renew your insurance policy. The worst-case scenario occurs when the property inside your home is destroyed, damaged, or stolen, and you discover that your insurance doesn’t cover this loss.

Additional Living Expenses if Your Home Becomes Uninhabitable

Suppose something happens to your home. It could be a fire, weather damage, or another unpredictable event. Your house may become uninhabitable, and you and your family may need accommodations such as a hotel or short-term rental until the situation is fixed.

As a new homeowner, you can rest assured that your homeowner’s insurance covers these associated costs to the policy’s limit. Home insurance policies may also cover lost rental income if you used your property fully or partially for rental.

Damage of Injury When Someone Visits your Property

As a homeowner, you may be personally liable for injuries that happen on your property. For example, if a guest trips or slips as they reach your front door, which causes the guest an injury, they could sue you for damages. This is a common instance that home insurance is set to protect new and veteran homeowners alike.

To further draw the line between business insurance and home insurance, most home insurance policies won’t cover personal liability damages if the person visiting your home is a client. To ensure that you’re covered if your business client visits your home, you need a general liability business insurance policy.

What Types of Home Insurance Policies are Available?

Home insurance policies vary depending on what you need. Some new homeowners may need a home insurance policy with more or less coverage. Some new homeowners may want protection against earthquakes or floods, which many policies don’t cover. There are generally four types of policies you can expect when you speak with an insurance agent or broker:

• Comprehensive: A policy that provides the most coverage and protects your home from all risks unless expressly excluded by your policy.
• Standard: A policy that provides less coverage than a comprehensive policy and only covers instances and risks mentioned in the policy.
• Broad: A policy that sits between Comprehensive and Standard. Generally, it provides a Comprehensive policy (covers all risks unless excluded) for your home but a Standard policy (only covers what’s mentioned) for the contents inside your home.
• No-frills: The policy that provides the least coverage. A no-frills policy may not offer enough coverage to satisfy requirements by mortgage lenders.

Regardless of your policy, it’s important to regularly revisit your policy as your home’s contents and your home itself change. You want to notify your insurance company whenever:

• Your home is damaged, vandalized, or robbed
• You make renovations to your property — especially if you’re getting a pool
• You start a business from home
• A guest is hurt while visiting your home

Homeownership comes with many risks, but the right insurance policy can help mitigate much of these issues. It’s essential to understand your policy’s coverage to avoid surprises once you need to make a claim.

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Renovating the Basics

Renovating your home doesn’t always mean taking a sledgehammer, destroying whole rooms, and rebuilding said rooms from the ground up. Refurbishing the less sexy parts of your house can commonly deliver the best return on investment. These include

• Painting walls
• Removing carpeting
• Adding new roofing and windows

Painting

Painting a room is regularly an under-appreciated home improvement. But a simple, fresh coat of paint can make your whole property stand out and look brand new. It’s perfectly fine to do this yourself, but a professional painter can ensure the final product is even more excellent. A professional painter can skim walls, repair minor damages, and do the other work before selecting the proper paint for each surface.

You can also consult with an interior designer to help discuss tones and colour palettes and whether a matte or glossy paint would be better for specific rooms.

Removing Carpets

A lot of older homes may still have carpeting everywhere. Decade-old carpets look worn and are plagued with stains. And potential buyers may look at a home’s carpeting and think of the chores they’ll need to do to maintain it. Unlike other floorings, carpet requires heavy vacuuming, chemical cleanings, and more. Although the soft flooring may be ideal for kids who play and could trip, temporary soft floor mats are a great alternative until they get older.

Vinyl flooring is a popular alternative to carpet because it’s durable and affordable. Unlike hardwood, it won’t cost an enormous amount. At the same time, it provides a similar aesthetic to your home. Or even better, maybe once you pull those carpets up, you’ll discover hardwood underneath. In this case, you only need to refinish the floors for an updated look.

New Roofing and Windows

No matter how beautiful a kitchen, if your roof is leaking water into the home or if the windows are letting in winter chills, buyers will still turn away. Ensuring that your roofs and windows are intact can prove that the integrity of your home is stable. If your roof is crumbling, then leaking water can cause water damage or mould. Less than airtight windows can increase the costs of heating and air conditioning. Depending on your property’s specifics, replacing roofs and windows can return 80 percent or more of your investment at resale.

Kitchen and Bathrooms are the Money Makers

The kitchen and bathroom are often the standout parts of your home. They’re what most people notice and what homeowners want to show off. That’s why it’s common for people to spend the most renovating these two areas. And it’s a smart idea to do so. The Appraisal Institute of Canada found that the kitchen and bathroom were two renovations with the highest return on investment. But precisely what renovations should be done to the bathroom and kitchen to increase your home’s value the most?

Kitchen

Kitchens are important gathering places for families and friends. It’s a place to show off marble countertops and induction stoves. There’s an unlimited number of ways to pour money into your kitchen, but generally, a minor remodel can deliver more returns than a big one. A minor remodel could include:

• New flooring
• Replacing appliances
• Refurbishing cabinets

When renovating these areas, it’s vital to choose traditional looks such as wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and natural stone finishes for floors and countertops. Although you may want to get creative with personal tastes and trends, remaining conservative is best for your home’s value. Dark green cabinets may look good in 2020, but if you sell your home ten years from now, it’ll likely look outdated. Ensure that you use high-quality materials and that the quality is similar to the rest of the house.

It’s also important to not overspend on luxury materials when cheaper ones suffice for what your home’s worth. This is an essential piece of advice for renovating any area of your home. For example, if you live in a middle-class neighbourhood, laminate countertops will likely be good enough, while real marble countertops could be too luxurious for your home’s area. This could make your house too expensive or high-end for the area it’s in.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are similar to kitchens because you can sink plenty of money when renovating your home. There are countless fancy tubs and countertops that you can add. It’s common for a home to renovate their bathroom once it becomes worn and damaged. Counters may start to crack, and mould may begin forming in the shower.

The best return on investment for a bathroom, however, is adding a new one. If you live in a home with three bedrooms and only one bathroom, and there’s space for a second one, a second bathroom could drastically increase the home’s value. More so than any bathroom renovation.

The Face of the House: Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal is its first impression to anyone entering it. So, it’s not surprising that this is a great place to put your money if you want to renovate your home to increase its value. Common curb appeal renovations that provide a good return on investment include:

• Replacing or painting your garage door
• Installing a sturdy steel front door
• Adding a front porch

Any of these renovations can provide the front of your house with a fresh look. A front porch can add dimension in cases where the front of your home looks flat.

Like the interior of your home, you can liven the exterior with a new coat of paint. Although not every house may have a painted exterior, it’s an easy opportunity to increase home value.

Renovating your house is exciting and fun. At the same time, it’s a stressful process. We hope that this article explained what renovations increase home value the most and aid you in your renovation process.

The post Top Renovations to Increase Your Home’s Value first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

Small spaces typically deter those with green thumbs. Where am I going to put everything? What can I grow in this tight space? What if there isn’t enough light? What if there is crowding?

Sometimes, unfortunately, these potential green thumbs turn an ick-ish shade of grey and they settle for pre-cut flowers. Boo. I’m here to tell you to pursue your green dreams and grow! Grow anything and everything!

Here are a few tips on how to create an elegant garden, even in a tight space.

Grow up

A vertical orientation to your nature escape is one answer to your space issue. This can be done indoors or outdoors.

Constructing a living wall, for instance, is not only a space saver, but it is an absolutely stunning way to display all of your plants and herbs.

One way to do this is to get your hands on an old pallet and with a few minor tweaks and adjustments, you can create a home for all of your leafy friends.

This trendy living wall can be mounted indoors — in your pallet surgery, you will add a plastic backing to ensure the wall is safe from moisture — or you can keep it outside and save some of that valuable square footage for more gardening goodies.

Another super inexpensive way to grow indoors or out is to grab one of those storage hangers that hold shoes. You know? The plastic sheets with lots of pockets? Poke some drainage holes in the bottom, fill each pocket up with soil and plant away. These are especially handy for growing herbs.

Do you have an old ladder around that you would like to repurpose? These vintage beauties are another excellent choice to use for vertical growing. You can purchase a variety of cute planters and arrange them on the ladder rungs. Use the low rungs for plants that need the least amount of sunlight.

Step it up

Don’t forget your front steps — use ‘em if you’ve got ‘em!

The front steps can be used to house a number of potted plants. Try mixing in some edible plants with ornamental that way you’re not only getting the beautiful perks, but you’re also scratching some dollars off that weekly grocery bill. Just remember to pay attention to which direction your stairs face so your plants don’t get too much, or too little sun.

Let your creativity flow freely!

Do you have a railing near your front stairs?

Try hanging some small planters on the railing. There is a myriad of examples on Pinterest and Instagram that show people hanging little decorative teapots from their handrail with small flowers and herbs growing out of them. So cute. And a good way to take advantage of all of that available space.

Growing indoors

With winter at our backs, take some of that glorious spring green indoors.

Let’s take a peek at some indoor nooks and crannies that are ready to be transformed into an indoor-outdoor space.

Growing herbs on the window sill or hanging plants near natural light are ways to keep those thumbs green all year round without taking up too much usable space.

Stacking containers is another option. Do you have a corner in a room somewhere that isn’t being currently? Try tiering some planters up to create a unique structure that is as tall or short as you’d like it to be.

Tiered container gardens allow for a variety of plants to be grown in one structure. This falls in line with a vertical garden, but it doesn’t have to be mounted to a wall. You can construct on yourself with some pots of different sizes — I have even seen coffee mugs incorporated into tiered gardens.

Hang ‘em high

Hanging planters are always a viable option to save square footage. Hanging planters can also be used indoors or out  — just be sure that if you are hanging inside you consider the possibility of overwatering and potential spilling. What I mean is, maybe think again before hanging over a crisp white carpet.

Boston Fern, Devil’s ivy and String of Pearls are all fantastic hanging plant options that will add some green into any room. Plus, they’re tough as nails so if you forget to water once in a while, like this girl — with her brown thumbs — you won’t have to worry about planning a plant funeral.

Hanging options are endless now, it seems. You can take an old coat rack and repurpose that to hang a variety of plants from all at once. Or you could create a floating shelf to hang from the ceiling near a window that can be the new home for a few different pots at once. Of course, you could go classic and use some woven basket options that hang from the ceiling from stylish hooks.

Hanging accessories have also expanded and there appears to be endless availability of stylish options that will go with any decor.

Terrariums are so stylish

These enclosed mini-gardens are so cute! You can buy these pre-made or try your hand at creating your own. They can be stacked, they can be hung, heck, they can just be placed on a table. But these tiny tanks of greenery are the perfect way to bring the outdoors inside on a small scale.

Suck at gardening? Get succulents

Succulents come in such a wide variety of shapes and styles and they are pretty low maintenance. So, if you are away from home a lot, or you are just forgetful, like me, try your hand with some succulents.

There are even some that are planted in fridge magnets! How easy is that! These things are so multifunctional — holding up your electric bill and boosting moods!

In Calgary, there is an amazing local shop in the Inglewood district called Plant that has all the knick-knacks and accessories needed to get a small garden started in any season. All we are left with to do now is pick a few of our favourites, hit up our local flower shops and get gardening.

The post Small space garden ideas for urbanites first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

How about a beautiful, strong, intelligent and independent woman tackling that hole in the wall, or installing new faucets, or unclogging the toilet! That’s right. We’re celebrating all of those handy Miss or Mrs Fix-its this International Women’s Day (March 8).

We raise our glass of wine (or beer) to you! Whether you’re married, common law, single or whatever else! We applaud you and your efforts to take on the project yourself. Whatever it may be.

Thing is, we should all be able to tackle certain at-home projects, and yes, some we should leave to the professionals. But before we get into those, let’s take a peek into the toolbox to make sure we all have the essentials.

Homeowner’s toolbox necessities

• Hammer
• Rubber mallet
• Screwdriver set
• Measuring tape
• Stud finder
• Duct tape
• Utility knife/box cutter
• Pliers set
• Wrench set
• Adjustable wrench
• Level
• Wire stripper
• Hand saw
• Electric drill and bits
• Extension cords
• Electrical tape
• Plumber tape
• Caulking gun
• Zip ties
• Volt/Ohmmeter
• Safety glasses, gloves, respirator
• Flashlight

Now that we have tackled the essentials you’ll need kicking around to take care of minor fix-ups in your home, let’s talk a bit about the things you can do solo, and the things you should be leaving to the experts.

Swapping out a light fixture is an easy enough task for the ambitious DIYer, but please leave the actual wiring to the professional and licensed electricians. Yes, they’re more costly, but they have undergone years of training to gain their expertise and the outcome of their work will (most likely) not cause any further damages, or, worst case scenario, start an electrical fire that could burn your whole house down!

Too often, homeowners brave the breaker box and circuitry in hopes of saving a buck, but wires are easily crossed if you don’t have the know-how — and unfortunately, Grade 6 science doesn’t quite cover the basis in its electricity unit to help you rewire your home.

Frank Cohn, owner of Cohn Construction and host of the Home Improvement Show on Toronto’s NEWSTALK 1010 says electrical work is his No. 1 job that should be left to the professionals.

“I’ve seen too many electrical jobs where people have done it themselves, or had a brother or an uncle do the wiring, and a lot of these people are lucky they’re alive to tell their tale because I find all sorts of buried wires or things wired improperly. It’s so dangerous. I just can’t stress that enough,” he told Discover. 

The same can be said for major renovations, especially finishing the basement. Unless you have enlisted the help from professional contractors (that may also be in your friend circle), you should leave most of the major renos to the pros.

Often, things such as fire-blocking or vapour barriers can be overlooked in the planning and execution phases of these solo-embarked endeavours, experts say.

Once the base work is complete, you can certainly take over and finish with drywalling, painting and decorating, but like electrical work, leave the major design work to the professionals who know exactly what to look for.

The price to pay for mistakes made during these homemade renovations can cost tens of thousands of dollars, Discover says, so you might as well pay a smaller amount up front and get the job done right.

Next up is — you guessed it — plumbing. The water version of electricity. Go ahead, snake your drain, unclog your pipes, replace the toilet, even, but save yourself the trouble and potential (major) costs associated with mistakes and hire a professional for the bigger jobs. First of all, not many of us want to be stuck with the gross aftermath of a DIY plumbing job gone wrong… am I right? Yuck.

The need to knows

• Familiarizing yourself with the flush valve assembly will save you bundles if you encounter a running toilet. You can make the fix yourself, without a plumber and without the cost of a run-up water bill.

• Snaking the drain, or unclogging a sink is another must-know at-home fix-it. HGTV suggests avoiding harsh chemicals until you try using a small plunger and drain snake to fix the problem mechanically. The mechanical fixes will definitely clear up the problem, while the chemicals slow the deterioration.

• Seal doorways and windows with weatherstripping to keep the heat you are paying for inside the home, and the cold winters outside. Installing weatherstripping is an easy and sure-fire way to keep those energy bills low and the home efficient.

• Patching holes in drywall. Drywall is everywhere in the home and unfortunately, it can be super vulneable to the hard-knocks life brings. But, it’s an easy fix that will save you a bundle if you learn  how to DIY it. Fill small holes with a filler, or use a screen to cover up more significant knocks. Just be sure to check for electrical wires and pipes before cutting in — if necessary.

• Changing air filters on your HVAC system is a necessary skill that any homeowner should have. This easy fix will prolong the life of our system and it won’t go unnoticed in your home’s air quality. Be sure to always refer to your owners maunal to ensure you have the right parts.

Now with an aresenal of Miss fix-it tools and skills, we are set to take on anything our home can challenge us with. Plus, we know when we’re in over our heads, we should call the professionals and leave the more expert-level things to, well, the experts!

To all of the independent women out there, or to the ladies (myself included) with a partner who isn’t so much of a “handy-man,” happy International Women’s Day. You are all tough, brilliant, talented and beautiful and you are capable of anything you set your mind to!

Now raise your hammers high and get to fixing!

The post Mrs. Fix-it: DIY solutions for home improvements first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

But, there’s good reason: bathrooms have become our personal spas and beauty salons. I spend a lot of time in the washroom! I enjoy taking long soaks in the tub — using all of those fancy bath products typically gifted around the holiday season. And I enjoy playing with makeup — also gifted — and hair products.

If I were to add it up, I’d say I typically spend at least 40 minutes a day in my bathroom. I take my sweet time getting ready for work in the morning. Mostly because I’m fighting with my winged eyeliner to ensure it matches (I know, I know — sisters not twins). But! Because I spend a lot of my time in there, is it so much to ask for a nice space?

Going out to local bars and restaurants you can see that bathroom trends have changed a lot over the years. And 2019’s bathroom trends are no exception.

You will see a lot of new styles hitting these throne rooms come the new year. Anything from vintage vanities and mirrors to bathrooms that look like you walked onto the set of Netflix’s Black Mirror.

Here are a few trends you can look forward to next year:

It’s all in the details

Mike Docherty from The Royal Flush Boutique, a decorative plumbing and hardware store in Calgary’s Mission neighbourhood says one of the most notable trends is special finishes on fixtures.

“Particularly matte black and brushed gold,” he says. “This straying off the beaten path of polished chrome and brushed nickel has really changed the designs of the new products that have come out this year.”

He noted this particular trend has moved the finished look away from the crisp stylings and toward the “industrial chic look that has really taken the kitchen and bath industry by storm.”

“It seems like every fashion-forward manufacturer has a new line that has that raw exposed pipe look with knurling on the handles,” Mike says.

Keep your eye on producers such as Watermark Designs, Crosswater London, Samuel Health, California Faucets and Brizo, Mike added.

Vintage is king 

Vintage items have always been sought after. There is something about a classic timepiece that is just transformative. Perhaps it is because it makes us think of simpler times, or maybe it pulls at our fascination for the old-school glitzy Hollywood era. Or, perhaps, we just enjoy rooting around at garage and estate sales or hitting the local thrift shop. It’s like treasure hunting.

Well, now, you’ll find a lot of these treasures featured in water closets.

Old dressers are being reimagined as vanities. Vintage sinks are being cleaned, revamped and reinstalled in modern bathrooms. Gold and copper plumbing is being left exposed and clawfoot tubs have made a comeback as a nod to bathrooms of yesteryear.

My personal favourite vintage bathroom motif is adding in those classic tiles boasting geometric patterns. I find they can really tie a room together — even with more modern vanities and accessories, the tiles alone can transport you to another time.

Mixing old with new is also a popular fashion choice, so don’t be afraid to flip the calendar forward while designing your new space.

Cabin chic to escape and relax

Adding wood elements throughout your personal haven is a great idea if you are chasing that relaxing oasis style.

Imagine a crisp winter white bathroom adorned with pop colour accessories and a wooden feature wall. Tie in additional wooden accessories to nod to the feature wall like toothbrush holders, baskets or even the mirror frame. Add some greenery to really bring nature into the space.

Now, take a deep breath, add in that bath bomb you’ve been waiting so long to use and relax.

Sounds pretty good, huh?

Reclaimed wood is a perfect option for attaining this type of design. That old barn wood being upcycled is not only great for the environment but because the wood has been exposed to the elements, it is more likely to withstand the high-humidity without warping as it has been completely dried out.

Also, it adds an instantaneous-snap-of-your-fingers farmhouse style to your space.

High-tech space age

Technology is all around us. It is in every room in the house. So, you best believe it when I say it’s a-OK to bring that tech into the bathroom as well!

Whether you add LED backlighting to your mirror, or you program your voice-activated Alexa or Echo to dim the lighting before you enter, you can have technology working for you to create that spa space that is so desired.

Smart mirrors are an option to bring your bathroom into the digital era. Not only do these mirrors offer a backlight, but they often have stereo speakers and a heating component which means no more foggy mirrors post steamy showers. And, they are becoming a viable place to get the news with their tech displays that cover headlines through to weather forecasts and traffic.

How about towel heaters, or digital showers that can be controlled by your smartphone to ensure consistent temperatures and settings. Finally, the perfect shower can be had time and time again without dipping your toes in first!

These high-tech aspects are also very stylish. They come in a variety of designs from sleek to cyborg, so you can get as technical, or go as rustic as you want with your design.

Simple storage is in

Say good riddance to all of the bathroom clutter that seems to grow and grow and go untouched for years. Bathrooms, like the rest of our lives, are becoming more streamlined. This means ditching the clutter and embrace the minimalist methods in the water closet.

Add a floating shelf to the space to showcase some of your stylish and functional bathroom trinkets; that unique perfume bottle, those cute jars that store your cotton rounds, you know? Try some lower enclosed racks under the sink for those daily use products.

You create an open space by reducing the number of cabinets and storage units in a space. Aim for simple and small. Cater to those necessities to de-clutter while creating a relaxing environment.

Bathroom trends change every year and you really just have to find what works for you and your space. The best part about these trends I’ve talked about is that they can all be pieced together and incorporated in the same space if you’d like.

Bonus trend from the pros

The Royal Flush Boutique’s Mike Docherty says another thing to consider for a stylish powder room is an undermounted sink.

Undermounted sinks allow some of that desirable industrial piping to be exposed in a unique fashion.

Mike says Native Trails, Vitraform and Link A Sink have an excellent variety to choose from.

Remember, to update your bathroom space, you don’t need to do a complete overhaul either. Often times a coat of a paint or a new bathroom mirror or faucet can give the entire room a facelift without breaking the bank.

“All in all, it’s been a very interesting year for the kitchen and bath industry with so many sweeping changes,” Mike says. “But, that’s what makes it so exciting.”

The post Bathroom Trends to Look Forward to in 2019 first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.