A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

Ah, fall. That time of year to freshen up the home. One way to do so is to give each of your rooms a fresh coat of paint. So, if you are thinking about doing just that, here are my tips for your next interior painting project

Purchasing the paint

If you’re not fully committed to a color, start with just a quart, and use it to paint a foam board. You can then move the foam board around the room to see how it’ll react to varying levels of light from different angles.

Once you’ve settled on a color, you’ll need about one gallon of paint for every 400 square feet .

Prep

Clean the walls (and allow them to dry!) before you begin. Place drop cloths or old sheets on the floors rather than slippery plastic. Remove outlet covers and other obstacles, as it’ll make for an easier, cleaner, and all-around better job.Be sure to clean the ceilings, too. There’s sure to be dust and cobwebs that need to be removed if you want your painting project to go as smoothly as possible.

Painting

If you’re painting textured walls or a textured ceiling, use a thick-nap roller. It’ll ensure that you’ll cover the entire area, rather than missing a few bumps or crevices here and there.

When you’re finished ...

Keep some of your leftover paint. You never know when you might need it for touch-ups or refinishing.

BUILDING A HOME THEATER

These days, a home theater is one of the most popular trends in the nation.  Homeowners are opting to save a bundle on the cost of theater tickets by bringing the fascinating world of cinema into their own homes in a big way.

Quality Counts

When it comes to creating a home theater, the choice is yours when it comes to the level of quality that you want to deliver.  A home theater can include something as basic as a television and DVD system or it can include a projection screen with surround sound and, for the family who really wants the authentic experience, actual theater-style seating.

Money Matters

Building a home theater isn't cheap, which is why it's important to set a realistic budget before getting started.  Unless you are an expert at installation, hiring a professional to install your home theater may be a wise idea.  This means that you will not only be considering the cost of the theater itself, but also the labor necessary to get the job done.

Comparison Shopping

If you decide to hire a professional installation crew, make sure that you shop around and compare rates.  In many cases, you will save a bundle of money by purchasing the materials yourself.  This includes the television or projection screen, seating and sound systems.  This way, all that's needed is someone to install the items and make sure that the wiring is correct.

You may be wondering why it's important to consider purchasing the essentials yourself.  Unless you have full control over the accessories for your home theater, you will not know whether or not your contractor is charging you the actual cost for materials.  By purchasing everything yourself, you can also shop sales and take advantage of some great deals offered by retailers.

Sign Here, Please...

Once you have chosen the company to install your home theater, make sure that you get everything in writing.  This includes the cost of labor, the completion time, payment schedules, deposits, etc.  If you have an oral agreement, transfer it onto paper and get it signed before proceeding with the project.

Don't Forget The Popcorn

No theater experience would be complete without the popcorn, so don't forget to include a popcorn machine in your theater room.  These portable units are sold as tabletop appliances that can create your favorite style of buttery popcorn in minutes.  Most home theaters feature a small snack counter packed full of goodies, which makes the design even more authentic.

WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HIRE A REALTOR®

One of the questions I am often asked is "Do I really need to hire a REALTOR® to sell my home?" 

This question is usually a result of the homeowner having the desire to save on the commission when selling their property.

I often answer by saying "no, you can sell your home yourself but it is best to consider hiring a REALTOR®." 

Here is why. 

Some homeowners prefer to sell their home without the benefit of a real estate professional, because they feel they know their home better than any REALTOR® ever could.  Obviously, this is true. 

But knowing what it is like to live in your home and knowing how to sell it-or any property-are entirely different things.  So if you have been thinking about selling your home without the benefit of a REALTOR®, and before you commit to putting your home on the market as an FSBO (for sale by owner), allow me to go over a few important details with you. 

Why should you bother?  For starters, did you know that on average, homeowners who sell their homes through a real estate agent or broker make substantially more money than those who sell as an FSBO?  This is true even after the REALTOR®'s standard commission has been factored in, because that commission is tiny compared to the average sales price differential of 20%. 

That's because selling a property is not only about knowing your home, but knowing how it compares to other, similar properties on the market.  It's about having the experience to understand what kind of advertising attracts the attention of the most desirable buyers. It's about knowing how to present a property to maximize curb appeal. It's about understanding the psychology of the individual home buyer and that aspect of your property your prospective buyer finds most compelling might be something you never think about. 

And it's also about pricing.  Most FSBOs are priced incorrectly. They either sell for too little to begin with, or are initially overpriced and linger on the market for ages before the asking price is drastically reduced.  As a professional, a REALTOR® such as myself has access to resources not available to the public, allowing me to set the right price to achieve a speedy sale at top dollar. 

So, if you are thinking about selling your home, consider calling a REALTOR® in your area. REALTORS® can help you get the results you want. 

If you want to learn more about why you should hire a REALTOR®, I encourage you to visit my website at www.valeriemcconville.com. There, you will find a wealth of resources including helpful videos on selling your home as well as buying your next home. 

Have a great day!

GETTING YOUR GARDEN READY FOR WINTER

The beauty and relaxation that your garden can provide you and your family is certainly worth all the work you put in each year.  Putting in a little extra work at the end of the season, however, can make getting your garden ready next spring easier and can help keep your plants healthy through the winter months.  Here are a few great tips that will get your garden ready to handle the cold and snow.

Clean Up: Though not a favorite task of any gardener, it is a very necessary step to getting your garden ready for winter.  Remove your annuals, empty and store any pots and containers, and give your garden one last mow.  Also, raking up all those leaves is one chore all homeowners are familiar with each autumn, but they do make great mulch for your perennials and vegetable garden, and are also a great addition to your compost.

Plant Or Relocate Trees And Shrubs: The fall is the best time to get new trees into the ground, or move those you have earmarked to be relocated.  The best strategy is to choose trees that are hardy for your zone, as it makes their survival more likely and maintenance easier.  Also, choosing evergreens and shrubs that produce berries in the winter months can make your garden more interesting and provide activity for birds and other wildlife.

Protect Your Trees: For new or young trees this is an important step you'll not want to forget in winterizing your garden.  Covering trees and shrubs with burlap is most important in areas that have exposure to northwest winds and high sun.  Be sure, however, not to do this too early in the season, in order to prevent rot.  It is also a good idea to give your evergreens plenty of water to prevent burnout.

Test Soil And Mulch: After the ground freezes be sure to add mulch to your perennial garden.  This will protect both your soil and plants through the long winter months, as well as provide much needed nutrients for spring.  This is also a good time to test the pH of your soil to see if it is lacking any essential minerals for the next growing season.

Plant Spring Bulbs: This is also the time of year to get your spring bulbs into the ground. Be sure that you do this before the first frost, and give them plenty of water when planting them.

Unlike all the work you put into your garden in spring, winter clean-up can seem like a difficult and unrewarding task, but with this effort you will keep your garden in tip-top shape for the growing season ahead!

AUTUMN-PREPARING FOR GUESTS

It's nearly time for autumn, and that means that the holidays are coming!  Are you ready to welcome visiting friends and family into your new home?  It might seem like you have a lot to do, but relax; I've included a handy list of things to take care of before your guests start arriving!

I hope this list is helpful for you, and I hope you'll give me a call at (780) 700-8638 if you need any additional information (about your home or about real estate in general)!  I love to help and very much enjoy being your friend and REALTOR®.

FIVE QUICK TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR GUESTS

Plug it in: Make sure that all of your appliances are in working order.  The last thing you need with a house full of guests is a broken dishwasher or washing machine!

Make space: Clean out the dressers and closets in the guest room(s) to ensure that your friends and family will feel comfortable and at home.

Baby-proof:  If your house isn't already baby-proofed and if small children will be coming to stay or visit, take a little time to ensure that electrical outlets are safely covered, sharp edges are padded, and that valuable knick-knacks are out of harm's way.

Light your fire: Make sure that your fireplace and chimney are clean and in working order.  Gathering around the fire with friends and family is a cozy way to spend time reminiscing and chatting.

Knock knock: Take a walk through your home and inspect all doors and windows.  If the doors, hinges or latches are sticky or squeaky, make any necessary repairs before your guests arrive.  This will ensure privacy for them AND for you!

LABOR DAY

Summertime is coming to an end and there are early signs of fall.  It's time to put away our summer clothes!  Turn off the air conditioner!  Perhaps one last chance to use the barbeque.

For most of us, Labor Day signals the waning of summer.

Have you ever wondered how we came to celebrate a holiday with the odd name of Labor Day?  Someone always asks, “Why is it called Labor Day when nobody labors on that day?”

While there is some disagreement regarding the original founder of Labor Day, we know that the first Labor Day parade was held by the Central Labor Union, September 5, 1882, in New York City.  Common laborers were lobbying for recognition and appreciation for their long days and hard work (back then they received little pay and even less thanks).  Over the next decade unions in other states began to adopt the day as a day of celebration and recognition of the contributions of the common laborer.  Finally on June 28, 1894, Congress declared the first Monday in September a legal holiday.

In Canada, Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September since the 1880s. The origins of Labor Day in Canada can be traced back to December 1872 when a parade was staged in support of the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a 58-hour work-week.

On this Labor Day, don't be a workaholic!  Take a well deserved rest and enjoy your family! If you are going to have a nice dinner on Labor day with family and friends, I am providing a nice recipe for you to enjoy.

Apple Dumplings

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored

2 (10 oz) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough

1 cup butter

1½ cups white sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (12 fluid oz) can or bottle Mountain Dew soda

Preheat the oven to 350º.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.  Cut each apple into eight wedges and set aside.  Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles.  Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end.  Pinch to seal and place in the baking dish.  Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon.  Pour over the apple dumplings.  Pour the Mountain Dew soda over the dumplings.  Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.  Carry to the picnic and enjoy!

I hope you and yours have a fun and safe Labor Day!

BUYING A FIXER-UPPER: ARE YOU READY FOR THE WORK?

Always dreamed of renovating a home exactly to your specifications, or have you found an older house that is structurally sound but needs a lot of work inside?  Perhaps the price is right and you can't resist all that house you can get for your money.  Whatever the reason, buying a fixer-upper can be both an exciting and rewarding purchase or a financial and time consuming disaster, depending on whether you are prepared for what you have gotten yourself into.  So what should you know before buying a home that requires a little or a lot of tender loving care?

The Benefits

The benefits of purchasing a fixer-upper are obvious.  The price is usually right, and if the seller wants a quick sale because of decreased interest in the home, you may be able to negotiate a really great price.  Also, if you intend to flip the home after the renovations, the profit for the money and time you have invested can be quite considerable.  The trick to getting these benefits, however, is knowing what type of property to look for, as well as having an accurate idea of the associated costs, and realistic expectations of the time and labor it will take.

What Makes A Great Fixer-Upper?

There are several features that may make for a great fixer-upper.

Location-Buying a home in a desirable neighborhood is always a smart idea, particularly with homes that require a lot of work. Purchasing a house in a sought after area can mean a greater profit margin for resale value.

Layout And Configuration-This is especially important if you plan to sell the home after the renovations are finished.  Selecting a home that will appeal to the greatest number of buyers will get you the best price.  Also, choosing a home with a layout that flows may save you a considerable amount on the actual renovation costs because you are less likely to need custom installations and work.

Condition-Ultimately the most important consideration is the actual condition of the home. Choosing a fixer-upper with only cosmetic problems such as damaged flooring or old fixtures and appliances, and in need of only a new paint job, can often have the greatest profit margin and require much less money and time.

Overall, when purchasing a home that needs work, getting a qualified home inspector's advice and getting estimates of the cost of work to be done before making your offer can make all the difference.