Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Signature Service

Gen Y forces developers to adapt

Tue, 01 May 2012 09:31:08 -0700

Maybe you have seen a shift in the market and brushed it off as the economy, the weather, or even the youth of today! Well, you will find that the trends of the big City are certainly going to travel to our outlying communities and if you had guessed that Gen Y is the reason that this shift is taking on a stronger roll in the housing market, you are correct.

Just think about it: you remember what it's like to turn on the TV and switch the channels without a remote. Gen Y has grown up with microwaves and remotes, iPhones and tablets. Gen Y is changing how our economy works, and they are changing the housing market's long term perspective. You may ask what that long term perspective looks like? We unfortunately do not have a glass ball that allows us to look into the future, but we certainly have the bennefit of looking at some of the most technically advanced communities in North America to see where we are headed.

We found this great write-up about Gen Y in the Atlanta Business Chronicle and wanted to share an exerpt of it for a better understanding of the Gen Y Factor.

Resource:

Atlanta Business Chronicle by Greg Miller , Cooper Carry

Date: Monday, April 30, 2012, 1:10pm EDT - Last Modified: Monday, April 30, 2012, 1:11pm EDT

Specifically, here are three trends that we believe are fueling this shift in demand:

• Apartments are hot. In the wake of the housing crisis, people no longer see home ownership as the American Dream or a ticket to wealth creation. Apartment dwellers include people who have been burned by the housing market, and people who know someone who has been. Furthermore, Generation Y — the more than 70 million young people born between 1980 and 2000 — is entering the workforce and loves the flexibility offered by renting instead of owning.

• Mixed-use has staying power. That’s because people are tired of commuting and spending their lives inside cars. They crave walkable environments in urban infill settings. Also, zoning requirements across the country are increasingly demanding a mix of uses. The first phase at Emory Point also has 80,000 square feet of retail and Phase Two calls for an additional 40,000 square feet of retail. It should be noted that some planned mixed-use projects in other markets have dropped the retail component because it’s too difficult to lease. Retail is just not bouncing back as quickly as multifamily. But near Emory, there is pent-up demand for retail and restaurant space.

• Unit sizes are shrinking. Originally, the project’s residential units were designed with an average size of 950 square feet. The actual project has a slightly smaller average size of about 930 square feet. If we were designing the project today, the average unit would likely be 850 square feet. The smaller unit size allows the owner to demand a higher rate per square foot without driving up the monthly rent payment for the renter. As for living in a small space? Gen Y seems willing to accept less. Today’s apartment dweller is focused not on size but on amenities, nearby restaurants, and being out and about in a walkable environment.

We expect this trend to continue as Generation Y wants to live close in, rent instead of own and walk to dinner and places to hang out.

If you are a seller and you are seaking a Real Estate company who understands and facilitates the Gen Y Factor, you have come to the right place. Simply click on our link "Find an Office" and start speaking with a professional who specializes in your local market today.

If you are a Real Estate professional who has found him/her self wondering if you are prepared to manage the shift to accomodate future Real Estate markets with the Gen Y Factor, you can try our free real estate simulator to see if you know how Gen Y thinks!

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From Smoke Signals to Tablets

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 04:23:58 -0700

Smoke signals, carrier pigeons, pony express. For Centuries, if you needed to communicate, these were some of the methods that might have been used.

Oral Tradition, Libraries, 200-pound sets of encyclopedias. For Centuries, if you needed information, these were some of the methods you might have used.

Today? We have telephones, desktop computers, the internet, Wikipedia, Google, cell phones, smart phones, and of course, tablets.

Never before have people had access to this sheer volume of information and the ability to use it in real time anywhere we happen to be. And boy do we use it!

I wake every morning to my tablet telling me ‘Good morning Brian. The time is now 6:50 a.m. Please get up.’ I check Facebook and email before I roll out of bed. Maybe I use a Better Homes and Gardens recipe when making breakfast or choose something from Pinterest. I check the weather on my phone as I’m getting ready to walk out the door to see what jacket and shoes I should take. My tablet gets plugged into my radio in the Jeep so I can listen to my music or I use my Satellite Radio depending on my mood. If I happen to be headed to a location I’m not real familiar with, I can get my phone togive me turn by turn directions. Once at work, I talk with my wife and daughter using instant messaging and sometimes play a quick game of Angry Birds while my computer churns through some of the heavier graphics files I work with. I keep up with the news on my tablet, find a good restaurant for lunch with my coworkers, and book the tickets I’m taking my wife to for her birthday.

We can probably stop at lunch. No need to talk about how I like to check-in at lunch, leave a great review of the restaurant, and sit back with my co-workers afterwards to watch Russell Peters on Netflix.

Technology is a part of our daily lives. Every day there is new technology out there. Screens getting smaller, but giving us better images than ever. Laptops are thinner, lighter. Tablets are measured in millimeters. The smart phone I have in my pocket, 4 year old technology, is more powerful than a desktop computer I had when I was in college. The smart phone I want to buy next is more powerful than the desktop I bought 3 years ago. Who knows what the phone after that will do?

Even Real Estate has been impacted by Technology. Our Webpage allows you to find the perfect house from the comfort of your home or it is Mobile accessible so you can find your dream house from anywhere you happen to be.

REALTOR.ca has an app that you can load onto your smart phone (Android, iPhone, Blackberry or even Windows 7) that will search properties based on your location. It will let you contact your Real Estate agent, look at photos from your property and find scheduled open houses. It will even give you directions to get to the property! Pretty exciting stuff.

QR codes are replacing property flyer boxes on Signs (which gives more information and is better for the environment, too!)

Even Better Homes and Gardens has gone digital. I love the recipes on their webpage and for those out there with an iPhone or iPad, there is even a great recipe app!

Now, most everyone around has a Smart Phone, and those that don’t, probably aren’t too worried about getting on now.

NOT everyone has a tablet. We can’t help EVERYONE have a tablet, but how about 1 person? Head on over to the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Canada page and you can enter to win a Brand New iPad.

Social Media Planning

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:09:56 -0700

Spending time on social media is a must within our business. But what is the best way to get the most in return for your efforts without taking time away from other business-building activities?

On Thursday February 16^th, Better Homes and Gardens^® Real Estate was proud to be the only real estate company to host an event at Social Media Week in New York. The event, titled “From House to Home: Social Media’s Impact on Buying, Designing and Selling a Home,” included Kim-Marie Mullen, social media expert and Business Development Manager at Better Homes and Gardens^® Real Estate Rand Realty.

We sat down with Kim-Marie after Social Media Week and asked her to share a few tips and tricks to managing social media as well as her favorite tools.

Creating Your Social Media Strategy

Q: How do you plan posts and tweets throughout the week?

Kim-Marie: I would encourage anyone dabbling in a few different social channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) to determine what their goals are for each one. Once you identify what you want to achieve, the next step is to create or curate interesting content. Schedule time into your calendar to find 2-3 articles to tweet per day and at least one post for Facebook. Then take a few minutes to interact within your social sphere. It’s important that your fans and friends know there is a real person behind that information.

Q: Do you use automation to send out regular social media updates?

Kim-Marie: Social media automation is a great way to save time, but it must be used in moderation. I will use tools like Hootsuite, and Sprout Social to manage my social sites and also to schedule a few tweets throughout the week. Since I’m on the go quite a bit, my favorite posting tool is my iPhone. It’s easy to scan through Twitter or Facebook and find articles that I want to share. The Hootsuite app for the iPhone allows me to schedule tweets in a matter of seconds!

Q: What is your communication strategy?

Kim-Marie: I take time each day to interact with my friends, followers and fans. Social media isn’t a one-way street. Schedule 10 minutes at the beginning and end of your day to read and comment on friends’ and followers’ tweets, posts and blogs. Participation is the key to a successful strategy. Scheduling time into your calendar like any other appointment will keep you on track.

Q: Are you tweeting, posting and commenting at all hours of the day?

Kim-Marie: You will find that I’m far less active on social media on the weekends. I believe that it’s important to unplug and unwind. During the workweek I’m very active, but like to step away from the social side of business and enjoy my evenings or weekends. Who said we have to be available all hours of the day and night? At some point you will burn out if you don’t step away and shut social media off entirely.

Q: Any final thoughts or suggestions?

Kim-Marie: The bottom line is this: If you take the time to plan, implement and stay consistent with your efforts, your social media strategy can and will pay off. The important thing to always keep in mind is that social media is only one pillar of your marketing strategy. Decide how much time and effort you can devote and then stick with it!

Follow Kim-Marie on Twitter or connect with her on Facebook!

Winter Driving and Safety Tips

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:33:15 -0700

I know what you are thinking, if we ignore it, maybe it will go away, but the fact is, winter is around the corner, again. I know this because my weather app said so (never mind the snow on the ground this morning). The app shows a small graphic of the expected weather for a few days in advance.

As you can see, it will be "Cold" and snowy soon.

This time last year we wrote a little article with some tips and tricks to prepare for winter driving, guess what, no point re-inventing the wheel - here it is again:

Posted: November 18, 2010

It is that time of year again in the northern hemisphere, the snow and temperature are falling and the roads are getting icy.

I can think of three ways we can live with this:

1. Do nothing and hope for the best
2. Buy a snow blower and start driving south, when you meet someone that asks what that thing is, it is safe to stop.
3. Prepare your vehicle and yourself for the coming months of winter wonderland.

If we could all afford to go for option #2, it would be a different world that we live in, so most of us should look at option 3. Now, this topic is so well written, by so many, that I will not start in myself, instead, I recommend checking out the Transportation Canada website:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-safetyfeatures-winterdriving-tips-700.htm

The website goes into great detail, even teaching you how to drift your car! Here are the main points:

Prevent problems before they occur: Top 10 tips

Join the Mo-Movement!

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:56:22 -0700

25,000 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer this year.*

1 in 7 Canadian men will be afflicted by Prostate Cancer in their lifetimes.*

Men are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than women.**

Men die 5 to 6 years younger than women and 5+ men die every hour from potentially preventable illnesses.**

And this Movember, half a million men and women will raise awareness and donations to lower those numbers above. And you can help too!

Movember (formerly November) is the annual event where Mo-Bros (formerly known as men) and Mo-Sistas (formerly known as women) from all over Canada raise awareness and money toward the research, prevention and treatment of men’s health issues, especially prostate cancer.

The best part is that it’s super simple to help!

Everyone can help spread the word and raise money for the cause!

But my Mo-Bros can do even more – it’s time to become walking, talking, sleeping, working and laughing billboards for men’s health. Tomorrow morning when you wake up, shave your face nice and clean. For the rest of the month grow, groom, trim and even wax the greatest moustaches known to man. Let them hang low, or curl up – just don’t let them become beards or goatees!

Once you’ve committed to Movember you can do two things:

Head over to http://mobro.co/ssre and donate to the cause – just hit the ‘donate’ button and follow the instructions. If everyone who participates in Movember can donate even $10 that would mean millions of dollars for research toward defeating one of the most prevalent dangers to men everywhere.

OR

Head over to http://mobro.co/ssre and join our team. Take the next step and begin your own campaign to raise awareness about men’s health!

This Movember is going to be great! It’s a lot of fun and is for a great cause.

For more information, please visit http://ca.movember.com/

*Prostate Cancer Canada
** Movember Awareness and Education

Do the Monster Mash

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:05:30 -0700

Fall is here! Not only does that mean falling leaves and extra chores, but also there will soon be goblins, pirates, princesses and ghosts wandering the streets of the neighbourhood on one of the most exciting nights of the year – Halloween.

History

Halloween has a long and storied history. Originally a fall festival celebrating the end of summer, Samhain, which in Old Irish basically means ‘Summer’s End,’ was a celebration of the end of summer and a festival to prepare for the coming winter. They would light a large bonfire in celebration and to ward off bad spirits then use that fire to light the hearth fires (the fire each family kept in their home).
In the 8th Century, Pope Gregory III chose November 1st as a time to honour the saints, All Saints Day. The night before they celebrated those ‘Hallowed,’ honoured or holy people, was then referred to as All Hallows Eve (All Hallows night) which has turned into Halloween.

Traditions

Celebrations have changed over the years, but certain traditions are still celebrated today.

Of course there is ‘Trick or Treating’ where kids originally demanded treats or else they would perform tricks on the homeowners. These under-aged blackmailers are not as often seen today, but the term still applies. This of course doesn’t mean that tricks don’t get played, but usually that is done by the not-quite-so-under-aged teenagers rather than the kids who are actually trick or treating.

Jack o’ Lanterns are also based on tradition. While most North Americans choose to carve pumpkins, the tradition started in the British Isles where turnips would be hollowed out and carved into faces. Candles would be placed in them and they would be left out on doorsteps or window sills to chase off evil spirits. It’s generally agreed the pumpkins are a whole lot easier to carve.

My favourite tradition is of course drinking a big hot chocolate with lots of mini marshmallows. While not needed when I was living in Texas, it seems awfully important now. Now I usually just have instant hot chocolate, but this year I’m thinking about trying this recipe - Hot Caramel Chocolate.

Tips

Here are a couple quick tips to help this spooky night go right.

If you’re handing out candy at home, make sure your porch light is on – This lets everyone know that you’re passing out candy. And of course, if you aren’t handing out candy, keep that light off. If confuses all of us when my son and I show up at a door with the light on and either no one answers or we get a Grumpy- Gus telling us that he’s not giving out candy.

Speaking of lights, make sure your kids have one. A flashlight is great, but if you find they don’t want to carry one or continuously flash it in your eyes (at least that’s what my son does...) then light them up with glow sticks or even glowing bracelets that can usually be found at Halloween stores or even the dollar store. Make sure your kiddo is easy to spot by anyone who’s driving through the neighbourhood. Reflective tape works great and can be placed on the candy bag or around the bottom of your child’s pant legs to give that much more protection.

If you happen to be out and about on Halloween night, SLOW IT DOWN. Kids can come from anywhere and I promise you that there is not a single place you need to be on Halloween night that is more important as the safety of the kids in the neighbourhood.

Walk with your kids – make trick or treating a family event. If they are “too old” to have mom and dad walk with them, make sure you know where they are going, when they are coming back and if possible make sure one has a cell phone – Just in case.

This is a great holiday where everyone can have fun, but remember to be safe, too!

From all of us at Signature Service Real Estate – Happy Halloween!

For more information, check out the pages I got some of the info above:
Wiki
History.com

Forget Spring Cleaning, Fall cleaning is here!

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 09:54:38 -0700

The wind is blowing cooler and there is just a touch of frost on the piles of leaves that have bloomed in my yard seemingly overnight. And in case I needed another indicator of the end of Summer, I just made plans with a friend to have him come over to help put the hard top back on the Jeep.

It certainly is that time of year. Jackets are hung on the coat rack, scarves and mittens need to be dug out of storage, and I’m once again on the search for those all elusive 12EEEE winter boots.

Oh, and of course, there are new chores to be done around the house:

1)    Clean the gutters. The last thing I want is for all the melting ice and snow this winter to sit up on top of my roof.

2)    Check my chimney for any critters, critter garbage or anything else in it that shouldn’t be there. Really the last thing I want when I light a fire is a fire that doesn’t fit inside the fireplace.

3)    Have a certified service company come check my furnace for very similar reasons to chore number 2.

4)    Blow out our underground sprinklers with an air compressor because it’s a much better solution than having all the water still in there blow out the sides of the pipes once it freezes.

5)    Shut off the outside water faucets because if I ever do decide to turn my basement into a swimming pool, I want it done on my terms.

6)    Check all the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide filters – especially if you choose to skip chores 2 and 3.

7)    If you have a sump pump, now is a great time to ensure it’s working properly or else the pool thing I mentioned in chore 5 might be a reality.

8)    Check windows and doors to make sure they close securely and replace weather stripping as needed so that winter stays outside.

9)    If you own a boat or an RV, make sure you’ve winterized them completely so you can enjoy them once we get rid of all the white stuff that’s soon to be on the ground.

10)    Go HERE for some other great chores to do around the house to get ready for Winter.

If you don’t own your own home and see all the fun you’re missing, give us a call. If you’ve already had all the fun you can handle and are ready for a change, we can help you with that too.

All of us at Signature Service Real Estate wish you a safe and warm autumn season.

Whose voice is in your head?

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 04:01:47 -0700

We all have them, these voices in our heads. Some are our mothers; “You’ll poke someone’s eyes out with that stick!”, and some are our role models, John Patterson (Sales and Business Success) “Don’t sell. Create the demand to buy”. Or a wise grandfather’s wisdom about negotiating; “He or she who is willing to walk away, wins!” And oddly enough, this wisdom has proven to be true.

We were all raised by these wisdoms. As we grow into our adult lives, we find other people who inspire us by their deeds, their books, and their words of wisdom.

There is, however, a pattern when it is most acceptable for anyone to delve out unsolicited advice. These happen during the 6 big life events, which are:

Birth
Graduation
Marriage
Buying or Selling a Home
Divorce
Death.

If you think back to a time when such an even was prevalent in your life, you may find the echoes of the voices still sounding through your limbic system & prefrontal cortex (areas of the brain used to solve a moral dilemma).

Not to sound too technical, but these voices will affect our decisions. These voices, which are intended to shelter us from harm, are typically also the voices that will stop us from leaping into opportunity. Or as a role model of many, Tony Robins once said; “Beliefs have the power to create and the power to destroy. Human beings have the awesome ability to take any experience of their lives and create a meaning that disempowers them or one that can literally save their lives.”

Are you currently at a crossroads? Are you expecting a new addition in your family, planning a wedding or hoping to make a move-up to a bigger home? It is highly recommended to consult with a professional planner, consultant, or REALTOR® before you allow the voices to start living your life for you. Take a stand and create your own opportunities.

Most professionals, especially the ones at Signature Service Real Estate, are happy to share their expertise with you, explaining all of your options and the risks, so that you have an educated perspective to lead your life, rather than the “wise” words that have held true since 1902.

Does a Bad Pickup Line Still Work Today?

Fri, 20 May 2011 04:16:47 -0700

"Hey Baby, what's your sign?"

The year - 1978. The place - a crowded disco on a Saturday night. Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band's "A Fifth of Beethoven" is thumping, perspiring couples clad in their best polyester are crowding the dance floor doing the Hustle and the mirror ball is slowly turning overhead.

The scene is perfect for a single guy...let's call him Rick... to pick up a "chick." Rick spots a particularly "foxy" one sitting at the bar so he decides to make his move. He adjusts the collar on his pale blue leisure suit, smoothes his feathered haircut, and takes the stool next to her.

Then he delivers his no-fail line... "Hey Baby, what's your sign?

The "foxy chick"...let's call her Denise...tosses her Farrah Fawcett hairdo, peers coyly over the umbrella in her Fuzzy Navel and purrs, "I'm an Aquarius."

"Right on!" Rick thinks to himself, "a water sign."

He turns to Denise and smiles. "That's really groovy, baby. I'm a Pisces. You wanna boogie?"

The scene fades as they take to the dance floor. Let's just say that Rick and Denise keep on truckin'.

Examining the scene from today's perspective, the obvious issue - beyond their poor fashion sense - is whether either Rick or Denise actually learned anything substantive about the other in that brief exchange. On the other hand, I'm sure that more relationships than many of us would like to admit were launched in the seventies based solely on the knowledge of our date's astrological sign.

However, believe it or not, there are plenty of homeowners and buyers who have selected an agent based on similar surface generalizations to choose, assess and manage their Real Estate transactions.

The buyers and sellers of today have a long list of tools and resources that will assist them in selecting and hiring the right agent; such as the internet, books, and checking with the local Real Estate Board.

Let’s review a few quick and easy methods that will allow you to determine if your agent is worthy of your business. After all, we wouldn’t want you to hire someone who will end up costing you money, correct?!

1. Has anyone you know worked with this agent. A great resource is to ask the question on your Facebook, or better yet, check out their LinkedIn profile and see who is connected to them.

2. Interview this agent properly, while asking questions that demand measurable answers. An example would be: “How many Open Houses will you host over the next 120 days?”

3. What tools will the agent use to locate your next home or to sell your current home? Are they tech savvy and do they have additional resources that other agents don’t currently use?

4. How and how often will they keep in contact with you? Will it be up to you to check in with them, or will they actually treat you like a client/

5. If you select them to represent you, what are your recourses if you are not happy with the service or the outcome?

6. Do they have references and personal recommendations from past clients that you may call on or read?

7. Did they bring a portfolio to the table with tools and resources that will ease the process for you, such as a mortgage contact, a bonded home inspector, a reputable moving company, reliable cleaning services, and more?

So before your strap on those boogie boots, armed with a quick one liner, remember that selecting a good and reputable REALTOR® can make all the difference and may save you lots of money in the end. Follow the aforementioned few steps and you should be well on your way to a successful and stress free Real Estate experience.

If you are currently thinking about buying or selling a home, we are happy to assist.

Staging Your Home Step 1

Mon, 09 May 2011 04:30:02 -0700

One of the most effective and inexpensive tools in today’s Real Estate market is "staging" your house. It doesn’t matter how hard your sales agent works to bring buyers to your home, if your house does not look like the dream home they imagined, they simply won’t buy it.

“Staging” means furnishing, decorating, outdoor clean-ups and ultimately arranging homes in such a way to attract increased buyer interest

A recent national survey indicated that staged homes sold on average in 13.8 days, while non-staged homes sold in 30.9 days. That’s a difference of a mortgage payment! Starting with the curb appeal, the buyer looks at your home and considers the value weighed by the amount of work or maintenance they will need to apply to the property, once they own it. The percentage of list versus sale price is another strong reason to favour staging your home. In the next few blog posts we will address many areas of a home that can be staged on a minimal budget with maximum results. Today let’s review some quick tips for improving curb appeal, the first in-person impression a buyer will have:

•Your flowerbeds should be turned, weed free, and properly edged. Mulch is usually a great addition to a flower bed. All hedges should be evenly trimmed and the lawn regularly maintained. If you’re not into gardening, paying for a quick landscaping job might be well worth the investment.

•Check to make sure all outdoor lighting is in good working order. Consider leaving them on slightly longer than normal to encourage potential ‘drive-by’ viewings from interested buyers during the evening hours.

•Ensure your front entryway is presentable. A great exterior accent piece is a freshly painted front door, which, when combined with a few seasonal potted plants, will create a more welcoming entranceway for prospective buyers.

•Polish the front doorknob or handle and replace a dented or tarnished mailbox and door mat. Make sure your home address numbers can be easily seen from the street to facilitate potential viewings.

•Check if your aluminum siding or brickwork needs washing or your gutters need cleaning. If dead leaves are spilling over from your eaves troughs, buyers tend to get a negative impression.

•If you have a wood deck, make sure the stain or paint looks fresh. Good-looking patio furniture will contribute to the look of the backyard.

•Clean up yard clutter and put away the kids’ outdoor toys to help enhance the size of your yard.

•A free consultation is always provided when you ask to meet with a Signature Service Real Estate Professional about selling your house.

Another Sheriff in Town

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 03:12:06 -0700

Signature Service Real Estate is pleased to announce Ashley Schmaltz as the new Sales Office Manager for Signature Service Real Estate Medicine Hat. Jointly with Glen Chapman, licensed since 1982 and the highly respected Managing Broker of the Medicine Hat office since 1996, Schmaltz will guide, train, and manage the daily operations of the Signature Service Real Estate Office.

   Schmaltz, who is recently engaged to Mr. K. Moser, was born and raised in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan. She moved to Medicine Hat in 2001 to attend the Medicine Hat College. Schmaltz graduated from the Business Administration program with a major in Marketing and started working in Real Estate in October of 2005. One of her passions is participating in, and teaching, fitness classes at Heartbreakers Dance and Fitness.

   This unique multi-generational management team is the first and only of its kind in the Alberta real estate industry. With Glen Chapman as the Managing Broker, and Ashley Schmaltz as the Office Sales Manager, Signature Service Real Estate Medicine Hat is proud to have One of Alberta Real Estate Association’s Honorable Life Members with extensive knowledge and expertise, while offering millennial motivation, media tools, and training.

   “We’re growing our sales force and I am excited to have this opportunity to help shape and grow with Medicine Hat’s future in mind” says Schmaltz, “we’re hiring and I’m coaching and training new agents to complement our already amazing sales team.”

With schmaltz on the team, the integration of Social Media and use of QR codes is a natural progression, while Chapman ensures that all REALTOR® practices are being conducted with the highest standards, integrity, and Signature Service.

It's Easy Being Green

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:52:09 -0700

Yesterday everyone was decked out in green for Saint Patrick’s day, but we don’t have to only be green one day a year. Many people are turning to ‘green’ solutions to help our environment.

It’s amazing to me how much waste can come from owning a home. In my house, if we kept all the cardboard and plastic that we go through in a year, we could probably fill up one of our bedrooms and all the chemicals we use for washing dishes, clothes and the floors would certainly fill up a small pool.

But what can we do about it?

Homeowners who want to do a bit for the environment are finding some new (and many old) ways to be a bit more ‘green:’

First and foremost, let’s remember the 3 ‘R’s of being good to our planet.

Reduce – Always a great thing, but I noticed that as I moved from a small apartment to a three-bedroom house and as my family moved from me to a good old-fashioned North American family of 3.14 persons I started needing more – not less. More food, more clothes, more stuff and in the end more waste. We try to do our part to Reduce and while I don’t yet get to buy my milk in a bag, we have been able to buy a bit less of everything. Every little bit counts, right?

Reuse – So my son refuses to wear his sister’s hand-me-downs, which is good because he doesn’t look good in pink, but we do take our clothes that are still in good shape and donate them to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Plus we always reuse our plastic grocery sacks when we’ve forgotten our canvas grocery bags (score one for Reducing and Reusing).

Recycling – I’m originally from Texas and when I left we were just starting to build up recycling programs in the community I lived in, and I hadn’t gotten 10 cents of a bottle since I was 8 years-old. Most Canadians do a fantastic job recycling, and while I might not be real pleased by paying the extra few bucks when I buy a case of pop, I certainly try to get every penny back by taking them to be recycled. The problem with recycling is plastic. Glass, metal and cardboard/paper seem to do great when it comes to recycling, but plastic can cause some serious problems because of all the different types of plastic or dyes that are used. While recycling plastic is always a better bet than tossing it into a landfill, in the end, reducing and reusing are much better ways to go.

What else can you do around the house? If you are already taking care of the three ‘R’s then how about using fewer harsh chemicals when cleaning or washing around the house? You might even save yourself a bit of money while you’re at it.

Laundry

There are plenty of different brands of laundry soap to choose from, and while the amount of waste is being reduced because most brands are switching to stronger soaps in smaller bottles, even the small bottles aren’t going to biodegrade in a landfill and recycling, like I said before, can still be pretty hard on the environment. How about trying homemade soap instead?

Here are two recipes for homemade laundry soap:

Liquid Laundry soap:
1 quart Water (boiling)
2 cups Bar soap (grated)
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
-Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.
-Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the Borax and Washing Soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.
-Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.
-Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Stir the soap each time you use it.

Powdered Laundry Detergent:
12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated)
-Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
-Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

Your mileage may vary on these, but there are literally hundreds of resources for finding homemade detergent recipes, including the one where I found these.

Cleaning around the House:

Vinegar

When I was a broke college student, I tried to find ways to save money. My favourite find was vinegar. Vinegar is amazing around the house. It works as a degreaser and as a deodorizer. That last part might sound odd, considering how pungent vinegar is, but the smell will quickly dissipate leaving no odour.

Get an empty spray bottle from the store and fill it with one part Vinegar and one part water. I use it to clean my stove top and counters. It works great on floors. It’s also fantastic for cleaning your bathroom and will eat through hard water deposits. I run it through my coffee maker once in a while to make sure that it continues to work well. Be careful with tiled surfaces, however, as it can eat through your grout.

Toss half a cup of vinegar in your washing machine or your dishwasher to boost cleaning and help keep both free of hard water deposits.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a fantastic abrasive powder that can be used on any really tough problem areas. Scrub it with a warm wet cloth just like a commercial scouring powder to clean your toughest jobs. It also works great for deodorizing just about anything. You can always place a box in your refrigerator to absorb smells, but I like putting some in the bottom of my garbage can or a little sprinkled in your sneakers. For the cat owners out there, you can add it directly into your litter boxes.
For the really tough jobs or to polish silver, create a paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. This makes a great pre-treater for your laundry as well.

Olive Oil

This is probably my all-time favourite ‘around the house’ item. Olive oil was used in the middle ages for everything from cleaning and polishing wood, steal and leather to offerings to the gods in Greece and even in religious ceremonies.

Olive oil works as a great wood polisher. Pour some olive oil onto a cloth and rub the wood, working the oil into the pores of wooden knife handles or cutting boards to keep them from cracking or drying out. Add a little lemon juice (2 parts oil to 1 part juice) to use it as a floor or wood polish. Olive oil can also be used on leather to keep the leather supple and keep it from cracking. Use it to polish and treat steel to keep it shiny and rust-free.

A little added to your pets food will help prevent hairballs, keep their coats shiny and beautiful and cause less shedding.

Olive oil can also be used in your hair and skin. It works great to soften cuticles or to detangle your hair. It’s also a natural moisturizer and full of antioxidants. Use on dry skin or mix with an equal amount of melted natural beeswax to make lip balm. It can also be used instead of shaving cream or as an aftershave.
It also can be used to unstick zippers by rubbing the zipper with a Q-tip soaked in the oil or to keep hinges from sticking or squeaking.

Of course, you can use it for cooking as well, if you have any left over.

What else?

These are only a couple products and a couple uses. All of these can be used in many other uses around your home as well. They are all non-toxic and, with the exception of the olive oil, extremely cheap. Witch-hazel, lemon juice, oranges, toothpaste and canola oil all have great uses around the house that allows you to use a non-toxic, environmentally friendly solution.

What about the house itself? There are some fantastic ways that we can make our homes ‘green,’ and I’m not just talking about a coat of paint. Bamboo flooring is durable, looks fantastic and is a completely renewable resource. Hardwood trees can take 60 or more years to grow before being used, but bamboo can take as little as 60 days to grow and be used. There are many products using bamboo, besides flooring. Kitchen utensils, such as wooden spoons are fantastic and beautiful and even textiles, such as towels and clothing are now being made with bamboo.

Changing out your windows can keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Any time we can reduce energy costs, we help not only our pocketbooks, but our environment as well.

Finally, solar cells are cheaper than ever and can be used to either directly provide power to your home or give you a rebate from the power company. Not only are they better for the environment, but you may qualify for government subsidies when you install them.

Finally…

Being green doesn’t mean that you’ll have products that don’t work as well or that you’ll spend more for them. Between new technology and old-time home remedies, being green can save you money and the planet at the same time.

Want more green products and uses for the ones in this post? The internet is a great way to find them.

Thinking about making your house green as well? Before you start spending money on any new renovations, talk to a REALTOR®. They can help make sure that your investment is the best investment you can make. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to meet with you for a no-obligation free consultation.

Stay green!

Wandering Blind

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 04:49:55 -0700

Grab a friend and get a blindfold. Now, go find yourself a large empty field. Blindfold your friend and have them walk in a straight line to the far side of the field. What you’ll find is that they will start to drift to one side or the other until they are literally walking in circles.

www.npr.org

Scientists have done these types of experiments over and over and it turns out that people aren’t able to walk in a straight line while blindfolded. Now, I’m guessing that eventually someone might circle around and around until they get lucky enough to pass over their target, but is that how you want to spend your time? Walking around in circles blindfolded, hoping you’ll stumble onto your goal?

There are three likely endings if you’re walking blind through that field. It’s very possible you’ll wander aimlessly walking everywhere but never really getting anywhere. You might get very tired and give up. Or you might walk yourself right into a tree.

Many people attempt to buy or sell their home without an agent and find themselves in a similar situation – wandering blind, hoping to stumble onto a qualified buyer.

So what is likely to happen? Wandering aimlessly? The seller is probably going to spend much longer trying to sell their house than if had an agent to lead them to their goal. REALTORS® can market a home on many buyer visited sites, such as REALTOR.ca or the MLS®. I promise that a seller’s listing on these sites will get many more hits than a listing that is shown on Kijiji or a ‘for sale by owner’ sign in the window. When it’s time to sell a house, it’s better to sell quickly, so why would a seller risk not getting the most visibility?

What about wandering around until giving up? No one sells their house because they just happen to feel like it. A house can be sold for many reasons: financial troubles, needing more (or less) space, job transfers, etc. There might be hundreds of reasons, but no matter which it is, there is always a reason. For many it’s not feasible to just give up, but what else is a seller to do? Is the house priced to high? Is there something that people don’t like about the home? Are there just too many listings for the house to get the right number of interested buyers? A REALTOR® has experience with all those problems and can be the best person to find the answer. Because it’s their area of expertise, they are much more likely to discover the problems with a listing, whether it is price, market or blinkers.

The worse scenario is running into a tree. Who wants to do that? But when a seller chooses to go through the process alone, there are many ways for them to do just that. When is the best time to show a home? Who is going to be there to show a potential buyer the home at 9 a.m.? What about 3 p.m.? Work can make this difficult, but even if there is someone who can be there to show the home, who is the person who’s coming to look? Are they a real buyer? Are they someone who’s not interested in buying at all, but instead is just a look-e-loo? It could be worse; someone with nefarious intentions can be in your home alone with your wife & children, pretending to be an interested buyer. A REALTOR® knows who they are taking into your home. They are better able to make sure that the people who come through are real buyers who are interested in the house.

That’s not the only tree.

What are the legal roadblocks that must be passed in order to sell?

What happens if there is a problem with the home inspection?

What happens if there is a problem with the property, such as zoning issues?

All of these things could make it extremely difficult for a do-it-yourselfer who is selling their home.

The fact is that REALTORS® are professionals whose job is to find the right buyers and sellers for their clients. They have the experience and knowledge to take the home sale from the first day on the market to closing.

Some people wander and get lucky.

Do you want to sell your house that way?

Let a REALTOR® help you to get the best for you and your family. Give a us a call for a no-obligation consultation and let us help take that blindfold off.

Don't Let it Go to the Dogs!

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:55:11 -0700

I have two dogs- two very well behaved large dogs. One is an eleven year-old border collie and the second is a 15 month old Catahoula leopard & lab mix. The city of Medicine Hat is a dog owner’s heaven. With the parks and the off-leash areas, any dog owner would be thrilled to live here.

Since moving to town, we have walked at almost every park in and around the city. Sometimes it’s just the pups and me and sometimes my 12 year-old daughter tags along.   It’s an amazing experience to be the only person walking dogs at Kin Coulee Park on a Saturday morning. You can hear the snow crunching under your feet in the otherwise silent morning air.

It’s during the quiet moments of my walks that I think about life’s little challenges. Last weekend, as I was walking, I was thinking about the difficult time we had locating the perfect house- not only for my family, but also for my dogs. We needed a big fenced back yard with a mud room for them to come in and go out of to avoid dragging melted snow all over the house.

I know I’m not the only one to be in this situation. I have three neighbours who have chairs perched in their front window area, piled with a nest of pillows or blankets, so that their pups can lounge away the day while looking out the window.   You see, we all do crazy things for our pets- baby talk, special pet beds, cute toys, etc.

After all, we love them!

Unfortunately, if you are thinking about selling your home, there is an important fact that we should consider as pet owners. 35 percent of the population is allergic to, or afraid of, pets. So if you place your home on the market today and you have showings with your pet still in the house (crated, sequestered or worse, loose in the backyard), you will appeal to only 65 percent of the buyers who are looking for a house.

A reduced number of potential buyers means that you will need to lower your asking price by at least 20 percent below other homes in similar size and value just to help a buyer over the threshold. Once the price has been lowered, you may see an increase in the appeal to offset the 35percent won’t consider buying a home with a pet. Additionally the potential buyer will more than likely negotiate a lower price, as they feel there should be compensation for the pet dander/oder/existance.

So how do we remedy this? As a dog owner and real estate professional I can tell you that there is only one real solution.

As a real estate professional I know this is the best solution.

As a pet owner it seems unfair.

The solution is to place your furry family member with a friend or relative while your home is on the market. If you don’t have anyone who can take them, you can place them in a boarding facility for the time needed.

You will sell your home quite a bit faster and you will obtain a higher offer.

Every agent at Signature Service Real Estate is not only a Dog and/or Cat lover, but also a great problem solver. As professional REALTORS® it is our duty to offer you solutions that will help you sell your home more quickly, at the highest price, and in the least amount of time.

We would love to hear your feedback in our comment area. Tell us about your pets and if you have had to sell or buy real estate while being a pet owner. If you are not an animal lover, please share with us how you feel about buying a home that is inhabited by a dog or cat.

By: Yvonne Thomas

Don't let your 'blinkers' distract your buyers

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:22:26 -0700

When I was a kid, I used to call it ‘taking a left around the world.’ You’ve seen them – Those people who can’t seem to remember to switch off their turn signal.

As I’m headed to work this morning I found myself behind a car whose left turn signal was happily blinking and winking away at everyone around it.

There wasn’t a left hand turn ahead of us for quite a few miles, and they probably were not giving me REALY early notice on their driving decisions, but instead they simply hadn’t noticed their blinker was on. While I tried to ignore it, my eye kept coming back to the flashing light. Remember, these are devises that are designed specifically to draw a driver’s attention, and it certainly drew mine.

It’s wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t hurting anyone and really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

Yet…

I noticed it.

I continued to notice it.

And it was distracting!

When you are selling your home, what little insignificant signals are you showing your potential buyers? What little problems have they noticed that they now can’t stop looking at or thinking about? Do you have some baseboards that were never painted? A small patch of water damage on your ceiling from a leak repaired years before? How about a bit of torn weather stripping around a door? These are all easily solved problems that usually only cost a few dollars to repair. They certainly don’t have any bearing on the overall value or quality of your house. They are just blinkers.

But your buyers are noticing them and they are thinking about them.

They are thinking “If these little problems aren’t taken care of, what big problems haven’t been taken care of?” or “If I can see these problems, what problems are there that I cannot see?”

Will a buyer immediately make a decision based on these little ‘blinkers?’ Probably not, but when they go to make that big decision, those little problems are going to come back and they will carry a higher value to the buyer than the minimal cost you would spend to fix them. Will it mean that the buyer will offer a bit less, or, worse, will the buyer decide to buy the other house that they were considering? You know the one down the road that didn’t have any blinkers?

What do you have that needs to be fixed? What are your eyes missing that your buyer’s eyes aren’t?

The problem is the little things that you’ve lived with for the past few years aren’t even visible to you anymore. You aren’t seeing them because those small details are what makes this house a home for you. Your relationship with the house has become more like a close friend, whose small imperfections have become the character you love.

Buyers who walk into your house don’t have any problem seeing the blinkers. They don’t have the memories of Holiday dinners or first baby steps. They are looking for an unblemished canvas to paint their own memories.

Sometimes it takes a fresh, and preferably well trained, set of eyes, to find the perfect balance of blank canvas and positive blinkers in your home. Give one of our experienced REALTORS® a call today for a free consultation and make sure you don’t have any negative blinkers that will send buyers to your competition.

The Ultimate Gift of Love

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:41:53 -0700

What does February mean to you? Are you thinking about spring? Are you hoping that a groundhog will tell us that winter is nearly over? Or do you think of love and romance and hopeful beginnings.

For me, February is all about Valentine’s Day. Now there are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Over time, February 14 has become the date for exchanging love messages and a celebration of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers. The date is marked by the sending of poems and simple gifts, such as flowers, to loved ones and secret loves. By far, Valentine's Day Flowers are the most popular gift today. Chocolates, stuffed animals and jewelry are popular as well.

But can you imagine in the 1600’s the ultimate gift of love in which a husband built a monument to honor is wife who passed. Known as “a teardrop on the cheek of time” the Taj Mahal is one of India’s most famous architectural wonders, in a land where magnificent temples are abound to remind visitors about the rich civilization of a country that is slowly but surely lifting itself into an industrialized society. “THE ULTIMATE GIFT OF LOVE”

Imagine this year going to your new fiancé, spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend and giving the ultimate gift on Valentines Day; the dream of owning your own home, building the dream home, looking at the perfect get-away retirement property, or upgrading for the new family on the way.

No matter how you spin it – home is where the heart is.

By: Maureen Tkachuk - Lloydminster

To Buy or not to buy - first?

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 05:07:44 -0700

Eventually we all end up in the same place. Whether your family is quickly outgrowing your home or you’re seeing the last of your children packing to move on into the realm of adulthood, many of us find that it’s time to find a new home that better fits our needs.

But now there is a dilemma. Should you secure the home of your dreams by writing an offer subject to your current home selling or are you better to wait and except an offer before you buy?

In a buyer’s market, such as what we are currently in, we recommend putting your home on the market first. This is for several reasons. First, you’ll be able to tell if your house is priced right by the activity it generates. Because the price you get for your home will probably reflect on the price of the home you’re buying, you will be in a much stronger negotiating position when you have found your dream home. If you do make an offer on a new home expecting that you will net a certain amount at $300,000 for your current home, the outcome can be catastrophic if you can only sell your home for $250,000. If you’ve already sold your home, you’ll know exactly how much money you’ll have to work with.

A second reason for selling your home first is that having a condition in your offer can cause the seller to hold strong with price negotiations or, worst case, accept another offer.

Remember that in a buyer’s market there are more homes on the market than buyers, so there are more than enough properties that will meet your buying needs. You will position yourself stronger as a seller and you will have more leverage as a buyer.

If you’re in a seller’s market, where you have many more buyers than homes on the market, you may find yourself in the reverse situation as we have seen over the last few years. It was very possible that if you sold or purchased 3 years ago, you would have been better to buy the home you wanted as soon as it came onto market, because you were much more likely to sell your home faster and at a higher price due to demand.

As with most situations in Real Estate, there are very few rules that are absolute. While many people may be better off selling first in a buyer’s market, your individual situation may not fall into the norm, but there are experts out there who can help. Give one of our REALTORS® a call and let us help you every step of the way.

The Story Makes the Home

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:36:34 -0700

Last night I savoured a rare moment of pleasure while watching 'American Idol.' I’m sure most of you have seen an episode or two in the 10 seasons this show has been broadcasting through the airwaves. This year, in particular, I have been interested to see how things would be without the infamous Simon and Paula as judges on the show. The show had become stale for me, almost predictable, and that took all the fun out of watching. Much to my surprise the newly acquired judges, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, have rejuvenated my interest and I can once again, wholeheartedly say that I am delightfully interested.

The show had its funny moments, its obscure moments, and its sad moments. But not until the very end did we have a chance to witness an extraordinary moment. The last Milwaukee contestant was a young man by the name of Chris Medina. This young man had a remarkable talent and a more fantastic story.

For those who did not have a chance to watch the show last night, I will give you a quick overview. This young man had gotten engaged to the love of his life. He and his lovely fiancée had decided that they would be engaged for two years before they would get married. Two months before the two year deadline, his fianceé was severely injured in a car accident. This left her almost paralyzed, as she suffered considerable nerve damage and bodily injuries. Medina moved in with his fiancée and her mother to assist in the full time care that will be needed, day and night, after that horrific accident.

Medina stated, “What kind of man would I be if, when she needed me most, I was not there.” Indeed, you guessed it- this was the aforementioned rare moment of pleasure.

As I watched the judges gather around the young lady, who they had summonsed into the audition area, I could not help but think to myself how fantastic this was. Medina was going to Hollywood!   This is fantastic, I thought to myself. Not only for the young man who came to the event with a definite talent and story that we can all relate to, but also for the spectators, we the people who commit to watching the show.

As I pondered over this more, I realized that Real Estate is not that much different than a contestant on American Idol. I have been selling, living, and breathing Real Estate for 20 years and I can honestly say that every listing I have taken and every buyer I have represented have all had their story and have all found that their buying and selling decisions have strongly been motivated by emotion, just as my vote for Medina will be swayed by emotion.

Let’s face it; a house is simply a few walls with a roof on it in a particular location. But to someone, this house is a home. What makes it a home is the emotion. That is why it is so important, when you are selling your home, to allow your REALTOR® to learn your story of what makes this house a home for you. And, if you are buying a home, your REALTOR® needs to know what can make a house a home for you.

That is why at Signature Service Real Estate we take our time and learn the true value of your needs and wants as a buyer and seller. At Signature Service Real Estate we believe that you have a story to tell that allows us to know what is on your mind and in your heart. Free consultations go a long way to understanding how different we really are.

I predict that Medina will make it in the final 12. I predict that he will be loved by the masses, not only for his talent, but also for the emotions that this young man has been able to stir in us. The story of dedication and hope holds a lot of power.

New Regulations shouldn't be a mystery

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:35:02 -0700

New home buyers have a sea of regulations, rules and guidelines to wade through on their way to purchasing their dream home. Those guidelines have just gotten an adjustment as Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has tightened up mortgage guidelines. While changes have been expected, many industry professionals are relieved that the changes are relatively minor.

Which isn’t to say those changes aren’t important.

A 5‰ minimum down payment is still required.

There are ways to qualify for a mortgage without the savings in place based on clean credit histories and minimum beacon scores. Some lenders are allowing cash back programs to be used as the down payment though they will be subject to higher interest rates. Flex Down payment programs are also available to qualified buyers which will allow them to borrow the down payment from a line of credit, personal loan or credit card.

The total amortization period allowed on an insured mortgage (a mortgage over 80‰ purchase price) has been reduced from 35 years to 30 years. While this might mean you have a little less purchasing power, it is not a dramatic change and still above the 25 year amortization period which had been the norm until recently. The good news is that while it might be a hard pill to swallow up front, you’ll save a significant amount of money in interest costs.

For current owners, there are changes that you should be aware of as well.

Presently, home owners can refinance their property to 90‰ of appraised value, but as of March 18, 2011 this will be limited to 85‰ . This means that once a home owner reaches a 15‰ equity position in their property it cannot be leveraged by restructuring their mortgage.

The new regulations also limit government insurance of home equity lines of credit to 85‰ of value of the property. This is the least restrictive change for those wanting to get into the housing market and further clarification will be forthcoming from lenders and governing bodies. This change will be effective April 18, 2011.

It is highly recommended that you have an honest and open conversation with a mortgage professional who can help determine how these changes will effect your opportunity for buying or refinancing your home. As a consumer, you have a right to free consultations with a mortgage professional. At Signature Service Financial we have mortgage officers who serve Saskatchewan and Alberta. We offer customized services that are tailored around your personal goals. We’re here to help.

Are Rental Suites a Sweet Deal?

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 03:42:03 -0700

I love HGTV. I’ve especially come to enjoy the shows about real estate, but one of my favourites is Income Property. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about people who have, usually, purchased a home with the intent to rent out part of it to help cover the mortgage. The host comes in, looks at the property and then helps to renovate it to make it a beautiful rental suite. At the end, almost invariably, the home owner is thrilled with the outcome and is able to earn a large percentage of their mortgage with the rental.

Multi-family homes might be a fantastic idea for you and your family. You may even qualify for a larger home than you normally would or even be able to cut your mortgage cost in half or better. But buying a home with a rental suite brings up issues that many families would never need to consider. As with many things in life there are advantages and disadvantages to having a rental suite.
As stated, a rental suite could bring you extra income or allow you to take a large chunk out of your mortgage. If you have a $1000 mortgage and are able to rent a basement apartment for $800/month, you only have to pay $200 of your mortgage and can use the savings for home improvement, paying off your mortgage faster or anything else you want.

Having a legal rental suite in your home can also increase the value of your home. Done well, rental suites create a continued value in your home as any buyers will be able to rent the property, or better, continue renting the property to a tenant already living there. But rental properties, while being able to add value to your home also cause your home to fall into a niche. Many people who don’t want to deal with a renter will bypass your home for one where the entire square footage is usable.

Having a tenant there can also create more security for your home. If you are gone for a week, your home won’t stand empty and you can be comforted by the fact that you have someone there while you’re gone if the worst should occur. While you want to do everything in your power to find the best and most reliable tenant for your rental property, you should be aware that not everyone who will be looking for a rental is a good tenant. There are always horror stories about the bad tenants, rent not being paid, or having to call collection agencies, or worse, the police. While there is no guarantee that the renter will be the perfect tenant, checking references and thoroughly interviewing them will help. If they have rented before, check with previous landlords if you are legally allowed to do so in your area.

Sometimes your problem won’t be with the tenant, but instead you’ll have trouble finding a tenant. Before you buy, check with your local realtor. They can help you determine if there is a need for rental properties. That won’t always help during slow times of growth, but at least you can get more information.

Unexpected expenses are always something to be aware of when you own your own home. When you have a rental property, you double the things that can go wrong. Problems with wiring, plumbing or appliances can always crop up and if you have two dishwashers, you have two dishwashers that are able to break down. You should be prepared for that when you own a home, but if you have a rental you need to make sure you’re doubly prepared.

Insurance costs may also rise with a rental property. Protecting yourself and your investment is imperative to being a successful landlord. Don’t skimp on this. Insurance is there for when things go wrong, and when/if something does go wrong, you’ll be glad you paid those extra premiums.

Looking back over this post, I see what may seem to be a lot more points against having a rental suite than for, but remember to weigh those negatives against the additional income you can get from the rental suite. Having a rental suite isn’t for everyone, but many people find that it’s perfect for them.

Now, to ask the questions that need to be answered before you buy.

If you’ve read this far, let’s at least assume that you are considering having a rental suite in your home. First thing you have to find out when you’re going to buy a home with a rental suite is if the suite is a legal apartment. It doesn’t have to be legal, but make sure that you’re willing to make it legal before you rent it. If it’s going to cost $1000’s to bring the suite up to code and get the correct paperwork, is that something you’re willing to do?

You need to make yourself familiar with your local and provincial laws. Ignorance is not an excuse and some communities have very strict rules that must be followed. It’s up to you to make sure that everything you’re doing is going to be legal.

The second thing you want to know is if it’s even worth having the suite. If your new home will be only a couple blocks from a local college, it might be a perfect situation as there are always college students looking for a place to live during the year. If the new home is located in an area that is full of un-rented apartments, maybe the area won’t support another rental.

This isn’t even close to an exhaustive article. There is a lot to know before you consider renting a portion of your home, so make sure that you have the right person in your corner. Our agents will love to help you decide if a rental property is a good idea for you and your family. Call us for a free consultation. We’re here to help.

It’s my castle and I’ll renovate it how I want to!

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:55:30 -0700

You approach with a sense of excitement. The perfectly manicured lawn and the beautifully groomed brushes frame the perfect home for you and your family. Already, without setting foot in the door, you’re ready to buy, so you step into your new castle and can only wonder: What were they thinking?

Everyone does it. Design, decorate and renovate your house to fit your style and needs: Doors in odd places, bathroom fixtures in colors reminiscent of a Pepto-Bismol commercial, or a kitchen that has never seen this side of the 70’s.

Which is great for the people living there, but what happens when you go to sell? Before you spend the time, money and heartache, consider the change you are about to make. You might want that quick entry into the bathroom from the kitchen, but will the next people who move in? Will the next owner of the home want the toilet/shower combination in their guest bathroom? Most important of all, will you or the next owner be able to easily change the remodel you’re looking to do. A bold paint choice is great for you and with a couple coats of primer and paint you can have a much more neutral look for your next buyer, but tearing out your walls to make your 3 bedroom house into a two master house may not be so easy to change, and worse, will probably devalue your home.

Many home renovations are started with the thought towards not just making your home better suited to you and your family, but also increase its value. Before you start that major renovation, call the one person who can give you expert advice – your real estate agent. The Signature Service Real Estate team is well trained in this area and always ready to give you a free evaluation on your renovations and help you know you’re making the right choice before you make that first cut or purchase towards your renovation.

On the biggest investment you are going to make, you want to know that the changes are only going to make it better. Free home evaluations go a long way towards making an equitable decision you can bank on.

Signature Service Real Estate

Make sure your Hydraulic Fittings Fit

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:32:14 -0700

For mechanics who work on farm machinery, and for the farmers that do their own work, why not get a head start on hydraulic system inspections and repairs this winter to prevent the typical spring time increase in repairs for hydraulic systems. If you’ve got a leaky hydraulic hose, or a newly repaired one that needs to be reconnected, here are some tips.

You should ensure that you are using the correct fittings. It sounds very basic, but this is a detail that gets overlooked by many equipment drivers. If you are using NPT pipe fittings (National Pipe Tapered), be aware that they are designed to convey fluids at a low pressure, 300 psi or less. They are not safe to use in a situation where high-pressure hydraulics are required. NPTF (National Pipe Tapered Fuel) hydraulic connectors, on the other hand, are safe for use with high-pressure hydraulics. Knowing the difference is key. NPTF fittings look very similar to NPT fittings, but they are plated with a zinc compound that makes them look more silver or gold. The safest rule of thumb is: if you don’t know whether a fitting is NPT or NPTF, do not use it for high-pressure hydraulics.

If you are installing an NPTF fitting for high-pressure use, make sure that you tighten the fitting with alignment and do not loosen it. Tightening the fitting and then backing it off again in order to align it with the hose will weaken the integrity of the fitting.

You can back off a Straight-Thread O-Ring fitting. With these fittings, you twist the nut away from the washer and then install the threaded portion of the fitting, tightening it as much as you can by hand. It can be backed off by one revolution in order to align it with plumbing. The nut should be tightened until it is firmly in place, but be warned that over-tightening can cause as many problems as under-tightening.

For flared hydraulic fittings, your options are 37 or 45 degree designs. Typically, they have similar thread pitches. Therefore, it is possible to thread a 45 degree male into a 37 degree female fitting but the seal will be insufficient. Use the proper matches and make sure the cone-angles of the fittings are a match. Do not over-tighten flared fittings. If they’re over-tightened they’ll leak as much as if they were under-tightened, due to the torque of the thread cracks.

Do you have any tips you would like to share?

Searching for a Home

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:27:25 -0700

When you make a decision to search for a new home, and are actually serious about purchasing a home, it is time to take the necessary steps for the search.

There are several ways to go about searching for a home, which includes searching the internet, reading the newspaper and of course, talking to a real estate agent.

It is always great to do your own research, and by that I mean searching the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - available on our website www.ssre.ca - for homes and if you do find homes that interest you, then you can take the next step, that being to call the respective agent and setting up a showing.

The best thing you can do is talk to a real estate agent about the type of house you are looking for, it helps make the process a lot easier, and will save you time you might not have to spend.

A real estate agent will take what you want into consideration and compile a list of houses that suit your needs.

This will include the features you are looking for and the price you are looking for.

They will do the work for you, and all you really have to do is go through the list, and select what you really want to see.

Next time you are looking for a house, get yourself a real estate agent, you will definitely not regret it. And you can always connect with one of our agents through our Facebook Page.

Is your REALTOR® MerrilyMobile on Facebook?

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 05:37:28 -0700

With the holidays upon us and the snapshot of our year quickly developing before our eyes, for many, reflection sets in. At Holiday gatherings we find ourselves catching up with friends and professional colleagues and it seems that on the forefront of many minds are the economy, the real estate market and social media marketing.

As a matter of fact, this is the time when real estate professionals and small business owners alike should be working on a business plan for 2011. The consensus from the Holiday Party conversations is that most are very concerned about how they will network and find clients in this digital age. “Should I keep my website and should I make an attempt at a blog?”“Should I combine and streamline my websites?”“What marketing will I keep doing? What will I stop doing? What new marketing should I do?” These are all valid questions, certainly not isolated to the real estate industry.

We, at Signature Service Real Estate, have seen a 20% gth this year in mobile use and are

convinced we will see even more in the year to come. Even more than the explosion of mobile though, I

would say, was the explosion of the term “social media,” which was plastered, said and seen

everywhere you looked or at any real estate conference this year.

Overall, its explosion was greatly in the form of trial and error. Many tried it, most people didn’t make

any sales from it, and few used it exceptionally well. Another great point that was made during cocktail

conversations was the fact we can’t forget that there are millions of other ways to use the Internet to

market your business & expose your listings to buyers. But where are the people we are attempting to

expose our seller’s listings to? You guessed it; Facebook!

Whether a real estate brokerage or REALTOR® spends more or the same amount of time on Facebook

next year, one thing to take away from this year’s many trials and errors is that you better have a social

media presence and a plan to capture buyers and expose your listings. With the growth in mobile use

and Facebook exposure it is clear that people want to know on the go! They also want to connect within

the comfort of their communities on Facebook, where transparency and personal recommendations

mean more than a Google search.

So ask yourself these questions if you are thinking about buying or selling real estate in the near future; is

my agent marketing and networking on Facebook? Does my agent have mobile capture?

And if you are a REALTOR® currently working the business in Saskatchewan or Alberta, you should ask

yourself the same questions about the broker you have affiliated yourself with.

In the meantime, visit us on Facebook or check our website out on your mobile device (no app needed).

Merry Mobile & Happy Facebook from us all at Signature Service Real Estate!

Business Planning

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:19:57 -0700

Thanksgiving has come and gone and, while there’s shopping to do and parties to attend; Christmas isn’t here yet, so you have a few weeks to really process what changes you’ll make or strategies you’ll keep for ’11.

Now is also a great time to establish your marketing plans as we all know the holidays tend to slow down business. Think of this as a two week break to reflect over the past year and consider the future of your success. Whether it’s a focused two hour time slot each morning or three full days, commit this much needed time to regroup and gear up... you’ll hit the ground in 2011 running!

Start the process with reflection. The best way to move forward is to evaluate the past.

What worked for you over the past year? Whether it was a great drip email campaign, your new blog, or commitment to social media - keep it up! If it was beneficial to your business be sure to continue putting the same time and energy into those things, and don’t be afraid to bump it up a notch!

What didn’t work for you? Did all those postcards you sent out yield any type of return or are there any websites or services you’re paying for that don’t seem to be doing anything for you? If something is not working for you; don’t be afraid to drop it. Don’t spend the time, energy or money when you could be investing more in the things that do work.

Next, consider new things! Growing in your business will often entail trying new ways of marketing or a different approach entirely!

Below are a few of the Top Digital Marketing Trends for 2011 as pointed out by HorizonWatching that will help point you in the right direction if you’re not already there! And, while this site is geared more towards marketing teams; you’ll be able to take the key elements that you can use for your strategies.

Marketing Budgets Will Continue to Shift Towards Online: Customers and prospects are increasingly going online early in the buying cycle to gather information, form relationships, and make decisions about how they will buy. As a result, marketing leaders must move marketing mix budgets to mirror where the customers and prospects are - online.

Social Media Marketing Is Maturing: Those in the marketing profession can sense that we are in the middle of an important transition to the use of social media for marketing purposes. While the past few years many marketers have been experimenting with social media tactics, in 2011, leading marketing teams will be executing social tactics that are fully integrated into the overall marketing strategy. An overall social media marketing process will emerge that has firms following a never ending cycle of

1) Research, 2) Plan, 3) Engage and 4) Measure.

Social Video As A Marketing Tool Gains Momentum: Video is an incredible way to connect with people online. Until the Internet, the only way to get your video message to a mass audience was to pay for a TV commercial. Today, social media sites and video go hand in hand. Distributing video via your social networks is a powerful way to imprint your images into the memory of your customers and prospects. Video strengthens the relationships you have with existing customers and it helps prospects get to know you better.

Search Engine Optimization Gets More Complex: Customers naturally use search engines as their primary vehicle to find information on products and services. But its not a one search engine game anymore as Google’s been joined by Bing and there are important local players like China’s Baidu and Russia’s Yandex. On top of that, social sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are increasingly becoming an important source for searching.

The final step is to put your plan into action! While there can be different phases to your marketing plan as you budget for 2011, the goal is to get the ball rolling. If you begin now, you won’t be scrambling after the excitement of the holidays wears off; you’ll be ready to go!

If you still aren’t quite sure where to start, we’d love to help! We offer business planning with a strong emphasis on your marketing, so that you are freed up to do the job that you need to do, and more importantly, know when it needs to be done! From enhancing your online presence, to real estate blogging, drip email campaigns, social networking, listing marketing, branding, and everything in between; we have training that will help to make 2011 your most successful year yet!

Are you prepared for next year?