Royal Lepage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage
905 King St. W, Toronto
office 416.205.0355
Decorate with Paint
You probably already know that a can of paint offers the biggest bang for your decorating buck. The right colour can transform a room for next to nothing. But why stop with walls? Paint can update furniture, revamp lamps, even give new life to a wood floor.
Moving tips.... Once you have bought your home or condo
Book the Movers
You can choose to have your movers pack everything, or just the breakables, or you can pack yourself. It’s a good idea to obtain estimates from several different companies.
If You Own Your Present Residence
Arrange to have your gas and electric meters read on the day you leave and have the bill forwarded to your new address. Have the oil tank read and filled before your sale closes, and provide a receipt to your legal professional if required. If your water heater and/or furnace are rented, arrange for a transfer of the rental agreement to the purchaser. Disconnect your telephone, cable TV and water softener.
Helpful Tips:
Using Architectural Salvage in Your Residence
When old buildings such as houses, hotels, churches or commercial spaces get demolished or renovated, there are companies that go in to “save” interesting or useful elements before the wrecking ball arrives. These companies salvage things like windows, doors, hardware, radiators, floor grates, stair parts, lighting, fencing, lumber, ceiling tiles, fireplace mantels, bathtubs, flooring and more.
Spring Cleaning... Naturally
Freshen up your home naturally with products that won't harm your family or the environment. Simple, natural products like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, soap, water, and a bit of elbow grease will cover most of your cleaning needs.
Real Estate Glossary
Amortization Period: The actual number of years it will take to pay back your mortgage loan.
Down Payment: The buyer’s cash payment toward the property. The difference between the purchase price and the amount of the
mortgage loan.
Principal: The amount borrowed or still owing on a mortgage loan. Interest is paid on the principal amount.
Term: The length of time the interest rate is fixed. It also indicates when the principal balance becomes due and payable to the lender.
Renovation a Condo?
Thinking of renovating a condo? As owners and condo boards often find out, this isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Condominium owners should not carry out any significant renovations without getting permission from the condo board.
Without permission, the ramifications are serious, and the board has legal authority to ask the owner to return the condo to its original state. Why do you need permission to renovate your own property?
Viewing an Open House with Open Eyes
Remaining objective can be a difficult task when viewing an open house. It is easy to fall in love with a home's appearance, blind to problems that may make it unsuitable. While aesthetics can be an important consideration, it is necessary to look beyond window-dressing.
A qualified home inspector should be hired before purchasing a home or condo, but there are areas that consumers can examine on their own. This will shorten your list of potential properties and reduce the likelihood that a home inspector will reject it as unsafe or unsuitable. Here are some considerations and common problem areas to look for when touring an open house.
A Breath of Fresh Air
Improving Your Home's Air Quality
Is the air in your home making you sick? It can be as innocuous as a persistent cough, rash or headache. But, for the very young, the elderly and those with respiratory disease, the effects of indoor air contamination can be far more serious. The very air you breathe could be affecting the comfort and health of your family. Recognizing the symptoms of poor air quality is the first step toward fixing the problem. Bad air can be the cause any of the following symptoms.
The Appeal Of Stainless Steel
How did a material once relegated to the cold confines of commercial kitchens become the hottest trend in kitchen decorating? By getting the word out that it is extremely durable, hygienic, and water and heat resistant. Not to mention that it possesses eye-grabbing appeal.
How to Make a Small Room Appear Bigger
Small rooms are the bane of the home decorator. How do you achieve a pleasing look that doesn't feel cramped and claustrophobic? Here are a few, but effective, decorating tricks that create the illusion of space.
