Category Archives: Curb Appeal & Home staging

Television home theatre rooms in Cowichan Valley houses for sale
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Trends in Housing

Choosing the Right Television

Changing lifestyle priorities and the move to tablets has put less emphasis on a theatre experience that was popular a few years ago. The design conversation is turning to hiding or disguising the television, so it isn’t a giant black rectangle in an otherwise pleasant room. When it’s time to replace the old television, or buy a second one, most people tend to buy the largest model they can afford. The trend now is to buy a quality component that fits with the aesthetics of your decor. Many new homes for sale in the Cowichan Valley have pre-installed audio-visual connections for home theatres. Let us know if this is a priority for you.

Audio-visual professionals like to measure from the best seat and divide by three to find the height of the screen. For a condo, the ideal size television might be a compact 32-40” model. A house with a large room may require a 75” model to accommodate a group. If you have a dedicated theatre room, consider a cinema projector in 4K and 8K. These will fill the entire wall with brilliant, high resolution images for a truly immersive experience.

Buying a new TV is an opportunity to focus on quality and the latest technology. For example, an upgrade from LED to OLED can make a big difference in viewing enjoyment because OLED allows individual pixels to be on or off without the need for a backlight. This results in a picture that has high dynamic range (HDR) between white and black pixels.

Network or broadcast television is making a comeback through the technology of ‘over the air’ (OTA) signals. This is actually an old technology that used an antenna to capture the signal broadcasted from a nearby television station. Today, the signal is digital, and channels are broadcast in high definition. Viewers can get popular stations for free with amazing viewing quality. Some new televisions have a built-in OTA tuner that is required to capture the signal. If you live in an urban area, this is one way to cut the cord without sacrificing local programming.

Siting the television is largely a matter of personal preference. There are benefits to table-top and wall-mount systems. The most important consideration is height of the screen. The vertical centre of the screen should be at eye level when viewed from a normal position. Picture nooks over fireplaces were surrendered to televisions with the installation of coax plugs but at the expense of viewing comfort. Wall-mount systems also limit choices for furniture arrangement whereas table-tops positions allow the television to be moved to suit decor.

Questions or comments? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.

Smart home technology in new Cowichan Valley homes for sale
Buyer Info, Curb Appeal & Home staging, Home Maintenance & Upgrades, Seller Info, Trends in Housing

Join the Smart Home Revolution

Smart home is a catchphrase for a household that features labour-saving devices connected to and supported by a cloud infrastructure for data processing. Each device connects to the cloud via your home or office WI-FI router. This makes it simple to connect to the device with your phone or tablet, even if you’re not actually at home. Many new homes in the Cowichan Valley have smart technologies built into them. Let us know if this is a priority for you.

The central device in a smart home is usually a voice-activated helper, such as Alexa, Echo, or Siri. Using a ‘wake word’, these devices can answer basic questions about math or weather, order things directly from Amazon or local restaurants, read ebooks, play music, and much more. These handy machines can be programmed to help with household routines but scheduling lights-off time, lock doors, and activate the coffee pot timer for the morning. Of course, all the ancillary devices need to be ‘smart’ and connected through WI-FI.

Smart plugs and a smart thermostat can be controlled with your phone from anywhere. Instead of coming home to a dark and cold space on a winter evening, smart controllers can turn on some lights and adjust the heat automatically or at your command. Want to hear Bach playing when you unlock the door? Just set-up a routine for the assistant to monitor the lock and begin your favourite playlist.

Smart home security systems are designed to monitor the perimeter of your property and contact authorities if there is a break-in. Forgetting to turn-on the alarm is a common mistake. A smart security system is always on. It can tell you when a child arrives home from school, or when a window has been left open, and then text or email an alert to the owner. First responders are contacted immediately when a break-in or fire has been detected. They can be controlled remotely so you can check a video to see if the garage door has been left open or lock doors with just a tap.

All this may seem magical but don’t let that lull you into a sense of false security. In fact, security should be a primary concern for residents of smart homes. As with any device, some expertise is required to install and operate it properly. Always change the default password that comes with the device. Use something that is very long but easy to remember such as lyrics to a song. Aim for 15 or more characters. These types of passwords can be just as effective as randomized alphanumeric ones. Without a strong password, you risk losing control to hackers.

If you want to experiment with a smart home device but aren’t ready to use a voice assistant, consider a robot vacuum. They work on a schedule that you set to vacuum the whole house, even under furniture. They’re ideal to take care of dust bunnies on laminate and tile floors but work pretty well on carpeted areas, too. Look for one with a HEPA filter to keep dust and allergens down.

Questions or comments? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.

Repair squeaky wooden floors and stairs in your Cowichan Valley home
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Home Maintenance & Upgrades, Seller Info

Fixing Squeaky Flooring & Stairs

As construction materials dry out and a house settles, there may be a few spots on the floors that squeak when someone walks on them. This is a natural occurrence that affects wood construction houses and condos, new and old. When you walk across the floor, the sub-floor may rub against the joists or, if you have wood strip floors, the boards will rub against each other.

When the joist dries, it can become bowed or cupped which results in a space between the subfloor and the support. Walking on that spot can loosen the fasteners causing the floor to bounce and make noise. Floors that have exposed joists can be repaired from below. Usually, this is done from the basement or crawl space. Enlist a helper and ask them to help you find the squeaky spot by walking around the room above. Next, use a hardwood shim coated with carpenter’s glue and tap it in gently between the joist and the subfloor. Secure it with a screw that goes through the beam and the subfloor. Trim and remove the excess.

A hold-down bracket is an alternative to shims. It’s designed to attach to both the joist and the subfloor with plates connected by an adjustable bolt. Fasten a plate to each surface, insert the bolt into the fittings, and tighten. This will pull the subfloor tightly to the joist to eliminate movement.

If you cannot access the joists from below, try one of these methods to secure the subfloor from above. If the squeak is under carpeting, you can try special breakaway screws or pull back the carpet. Kits such as the Squeek No More Kit are designed to go through carpet. They snap off flush with the subfloor for an invisible patch. These work with varying degrees of success. You may want to try pre-drilling the holes and squirting in some carpenter’s glue to decrease bounce even further. Another method is to pull the carpet back and, using a stud finder, locate and drive screws into the joists through the subfloor.

Hardwood floors can develop creaks from shrinkage. In older homes, the lack of a frictionless layer of floor paper means the floor might be rubbing directly against the subfloor. The solution is to use break-away screws designed specifically for tightening wood strip floors. Pre-drill a hole, drive the screw, break off the head, and use a quality wood filler or a solid wood plug to match the existing finish.

Noisy stairs can be fixed from the top or the bottom. When working from the bottom, use wood shims and glue wherever open seams are found. Adding blocks to support joints will strengthen the entire structure by making it stiffer so it will move as a unit and not flex. Glue and screw the blocks into place. When working from the top, you might try the break-away screw method. Adding quarter round trim to the joint between the tread and the riser may work, as well. Be sure to glue and screw the trim piece so it’s fastened tightly. Consider hiring a carpenter for an afternoon, if necessary.

Questions or comments? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today for more information on preparing your Cowichan Valley home for sale.

Dryer vent cleaning services in Ladysmith, BC
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Home Maintenance & Upgrades

Summer Home Improvements

Here are a few simple home improvement tasks that can be done on an August weekend. You’ll need some basic tools such as a basic toolkit, a vacuum, and some mineral oil for lubrication. Some items apply to both houses and condos in the Cowichan Valley.

The garage door opener is a great place to start. Quiet a noisy garage door by lubricating the chain and all the hinges. You can also lubricate the extension spring so there is less friction when it tightens. This will make it easier for the motor to raise and lower the door. The small wheels in the tracks that guide the door can be replaced easily with a premium synthetic roller wheel. These are made from a flexible material and have quality bearings that make them almost silent. Check the side and bottom seals for a good, tight fit that will save energy in the winter.

Clean lint from in and around the dryer. About 25% of dryer fires are caused by lint build-up that is ignited by the heat from the gas or electric elements. After each use, clean the lint trap at the front of the machine. This will help speed clothes drying and increase energy efficiency. However, this filter is only intended to catch most, not all, of the lint from clothes. The rest is carried through the machine to where it can build-up in the vent path and the exhaust hose. Pull the dryer out from the wall and remove the hose. Use the vacuum wand to reach inside the dryer to remove lint. The best exhaust hose is a solid metal duct or a flexible metal duct. These are fire resistant and allow lint to travel freely to the outside. Replace the plastic duct with one of these, if necessary. Have the vent hose to the outside professionally cleaned every two years.

Clean the kitchen exhaust fan filter in the dishwasher. Some exhaust fans have a charcoal filter to remove odours and particulates. This should be replaced every six months. The hood can be cleaned with a quality degreaser such as 409 or Fantastic but you can also use hot water with dish detergent and some bleach. It’s easier to clean them before they’re dirty rather than try to clean one that has been neglected. If it’s particularly dirty, the best solution is to replace it rather than try to clean it.

Clean the refrigerator, freezer coils, and drip trays. A good vacuum is helpful to clean the mechanical parts underneath. Roll it out from the wall, clean around the fridge and the floor. Watch for grease from the motor that might have dropped onto the floor. You’ll probably see a motor and some coils that are clogged with dust. Vacuum everything thoroughly. If you have an icemaker, replace the plastic hose that connects to the water supply with a braided metal hose. Replace the ice-maker water filter.

Check dishwasher for leaks by removing the access panel at the front under the door. It is held on by screws that are easy to find. Using a flashlight, inspect the space under the dishwasher for stains caused by leaking water. There are two connectors for water: in and out. Both should be dry. You can try tightening the connectors but it’s much better to replace them with a braided steel hose. The hose kit will have the new connectors and washers in the box. This will prevent catastrophic water leaks and a potential insurance claim.

Continuing with the theme of leaks and gaskets, check under the kitchen and bathroom sinks for water stains. Do all your taps shut off completely? A dripping faucet can add to your hot water bill. Look at the base of toilets for obvious stains from leaks or discoloured vinyl flooring, which indicates a damp problem. Unless you have experience with plumbing, it might be a good idea to call a plumber. He can show you what the problem is, take care of it, and provide a warranty if a leak should develop in the future.

Questions or comments? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.

Free home staging consultation when you list your home for sale in the Cowichan Valley
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Home Maintenance & Upgrades, Seller Info

Budget Curb Appeal Ideas

A lot of articles have been written about improving curb appeal, especially for sellers who want to maximize their selling price. You may not be thinking about selling your Cowichan Valley home this year or even next year. Consider curb appeal as an on-going process of slowly improving and beautifying the exterior of your home. It takes time to make a plan and choose which improvements you want to do.

Once you begin thinking about the process, you might want to engage the services of an architect or a designer if it looks like it’s going to be a big project. For most people, though, improving curb appeal is a series of edits and adjustments to the overall look. This approach is also the most cost-effective because much of the work can be done by the homeowner.

A popular starting point is to paint the front door. This is affordable and allows the homeowner to make an update with a popular colour that matches the trim and siding. Wooden screen doors can be replaced with vintage-look models. Storm doors can be removed and cleaned so they look like new again. Replace any screens that are loose or have holes in them.

A porch light does more than let you see where you’re going. It’s also a welcoming beacon for visitors and deliveries. Match the fixture to the architectural style of your home. It should be a simple remove-and-replace update that you can do yourself. A complimentary fixture in the period style with the same finish as the door hardware will increase your property value.

Much of the impact of curb appeal comes from the landscaping. Homeowners are sometimes reluctant to remove shrubs and trees, especially if they have been there a long time. However, by removing old plantings, the front yard becomes a clean palette for your own ideas. Plant anything that can be reused into pots until you’re ready to put them back in the ground. At this point, it can be cost effective to hire a landscaping company to prepare the new beds and make suggestions.

It’s been said that a healthy green lawn has sold many homes. Begin by removing the broadleaf weeds using a shovel or an organic weed control spray. Next, fertilize with a slow-release formula that will keep your lawn green all season. A sharp lawnmower blade will prevent the tips from turning brown after cutting.

An exterior cleaning with a pressure washer or pole and brush will brighten the paint or vinyl. Wash the windows to make them sparkle, too. Concrete can be made to look new again with a pressure washer. If you have an asphalt driveway, use caution when cleaning with a pressure wand as it can remove the aggregate stones. A light cleaning and a quality blacktop sealant will make it look new again.

If you’re improving the curb appeal of your home to sell it, you might want to consider a thematic update. Properties that are heavily themed will sell for more than an identical property with a generic presentation. For example, an Arts & Crafts style home with planters and outdoor furniture in the same architectural style would be considered a themed property. A beach house with an old rowboat as a planter in the front yard would also be considered to be themed. With this approach, more is more and campy accessories are the order of the day.

Interested in a free curb appeal consultation with your home listing? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.

Coastal paint palettes to sell your Cowichan Valley house or condo
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Seller Info

Restful Paint Palettes

Soft neutrals like greige or cloud white are flexible enough to work in every room. Generally, a neutral backdrop can be accessorized with colour much easier than the opposite. It’s good to know that each room can receive its own special combination of colour. The key to a coherent look is to choose an anchor colour that is continuous throughout the home, especially if you’re selling your Cowichan Valley house or condo.

When searching for a palette, look to history for some cues. Old magazines are a great source of inspiration because they can show which colours have stood the test of time. The fads are easy to spot because they’re here today and gone tomorrow. Unless you’re planning to paint every few years, a classic neutral combination might be a good choice. Here are some classic combinations and room where you might find them.

Pale pink and white are a sophisticated and sincere pair. The combination has the passion of red with the honesty of white to produce a hue that is both feminine and powerful. An ultra-pale pink ceiling can warm a north room without feeling oppressive. Combine light pink walls with white tile and bathroom fixtures for a truly warm, blush-worthy space of your own.

Analogous greens in cool combinations work together to make a space feel at once decorated and timeless. Yellowish green walls with glass green cupboards has a healthy, eco-vibe that is calming and ageless. When the combination is grounded by white counters and appliances, the room becomes fresh and balanced.

Beach tones are a perennial favourite for minimalist interiors reminiscent of seaside vacations and first apartments. White-on-white with blue accessories is the easiest colour combination for beginners. Mix and match woodsy beiges, natural greens, strong maritime blues and oyster whites for variety. If you actually live near the sea, add some fun accents such as marine-themed prints and artwork.

Big accent colours such as goldenrod and forest green are perfect for adding a bit of drama to small spaces. Gold is one of the most elegant colours and looks luxurious in a formal dining room. Dark greens work wonders in small rooms and vanity bathrooms, especially when combined with white wainscoting. Fantastic colours such as grape, extravagant teals, and metallics work well for hidden rooms and closets where they will surprise with their suddenness.

Grey and honey wood tones are inspired by an era of simple refinement. This combination is a good example of the warm-cool aesthetic popular with high design in the 30s and 40s. Its restful stillness invites one to pause and collect. The rich golden hues of the wood reflect warm light in contrast to the absorbent grey tones. It’s a great combination for showing off architecture because it doesn’t compete with anything, including itself.

Most major paint manufacturers have produced apps that allow you to ‘try on’ a paint colour by taking a picture of your room. Take several pictures during the day as the temperature of the light changes. They don’t replace painting a sample on the wall, but they are fun to use and a source of inspiration.

Questions or comments about home staging? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.

Plant an edible perennial garden to increase the market value of your Cowichan Valley home
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Home Maintenance & Upgrades, Seller Info, Trends in Housing

Easy, Edible Perennial Gardens

One of the best uses for perennials plantings is edibles, especially here in the Cowichan Valley. Perennials go dormant in the winter and return each spring. Many vegetables and herbs are perennial which means you can enjoy bigger and bigger harvests from one plant as the years go by. They’re ideal for plant-once gardening that will grow and produce for many years. You can choose perennial vegetable and herb varieties from an extensive list of these amazing plants.

Asparagus is one of the most expensive grocery store vegetables. Planting just a couple square feet of this delicacy will keep it on the menu all year. Artichokes are another pricey vegetable that are perennials. Potatoes, garlic, and onions will grow each year by themselves if given minimal care.

Herbs such as chives, shallots, thyme, fennel, and spearmint are wonderful staples for a homestead-style garden. Put them in salads of sorrel and radicchio, also perennials, for free green salads through the spring and summer months. Fruit such as rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries (and many more types of berries) are easy to grow. With some informed pruning, they will produce baskets of sweet, organic berry treats.

Perennials may need a little help to get established. Choose the right spot for them based on their needs for light and soil. For example, full sun means six to eight hours of direct sunlight. For the first few years, make sure to monitor their progress and make adjustments, if necessary. Give them water regularly, keep weeds down, and fertilize according to best practices. You many need to wait two or three years before a perennial feels at home and begins to produce.

Perennials are low maintenance with deeper root systems resistant to drought. They may blossom for only a few weeks but make wonderful shrubs. Some may bloom again in the fall when the weather signals them to produce seeds or fruit. Perennials may come from seeds or bulbs.

The next time you’re at the plant nursery, check the labels to see if the plants you like are annuals or perennials. Consider how much time you spend in the garden and the space you have. Maybe there is room for some of these recurring wonders in your backyard and on your menu!

Questions or comments? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.

Cowichan Valley homes for sale
Buyer Info, Curb Appeal & Home staging, Trends in Housing

Most Desired Home Features

A home is defined by how we use it which means it needs to fit our lifestyle and our expectations. We need them to be trouble-free, efficient, and comfortable. Modern houses are evolving from mere dwellings to spaces that fit like a tailored garment or a fine pair of shoes. According to Realtor.com, these features are in high demand for 2021. See if any of them belong on your Cowichan Valley home shopping list.

A walk-in closet is predicted to be the most sought-after feature in a new home. Although some critics say these hidden retreats of calm are more than people need, the benefits seem to outweigh the criticism. If you love clothes and have a shoe collection, a walk-in closet is a necessity. They’re more than a big closet, they’re a dressing room with flattering lighting and mirrors for checking your look.

Energy efficiency is the sexy new feature this year. Ultra high-performance windows, LED lighting, and heat pumps put the swagger in a home buyer’s step. Going green is more than saving money. It’s a middle-class status symbol that says you’re hip with a sophisticated understanding of value for money. What could be better than near perfect climate control all year for pennies a day?

In the spirit of hygge and fika and appreciating all the good things in life, the laundry room has finally made its debut. This previously unmentionable room has come of age and now beckons the homeowner to sit, stay, and contemplate the meaning of clean laundry. Ample cupboard space, a place to iron, and intelligent appliances are accessorized with a desk and soft lamp light. Combine with a mud room and it becomes almost like a second kitchen perhaps with enough space for a gathering table.

Kitchen designers have settled on stainless and granite as the two main features of a proper kitchen. Interestingly, Realtor.com also reports that medium brown cabinets are preferred by first-time buyers—perhaps because they seem more luxurious—while repeat buyers tend to prefer white cabinetry. A classic white kitchen is hard to ignore. They’re easy to clean and white goes with everything. Pair them with white appliances if you like the look and plant to stay or stainless steel if the home is going on the market.

Architectural style is still trending to a fusion of traditional and contemporary minimalism, as seen in these examples. The Southern California-inspired philosophy of indoor/outdoor living continues to grow in popularity. The naturalistic environment of a joined living space and outdoor space is fundamental to the idea being connected with nature.

One way to achieve a sense of verdure that is an unmistakeable characteristic of indoor/outdoor design is to mirror the patio space and the living space. Choose sliding doors without a track in the floor. If the living space has a tile floor, continue the tiles outside to the patio for a seamless look. Use trees inside to harmonize the transition between the house and the yard. And, for colour inspiration, look to backyard plants and skyscapes. The goal with this method is to blur the boundaries between the house and the yard.

Questions or comments? Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today to learn more about new home construction trends.

Free home staging consultation when you list your home for sale in the Cowichan Valley
Curb Appeal & Home staging, Seller Info

Kitchen Makeovers to Beat the February Blahs

Are you bored with your kitchen? Is a renovation out of the question? Did you know that a mini makeover can increase the value of your Cowichan Valley home? With some careful upgrades to the most touched pieces, and a colour shift with accessories, a makeover can be affordable and fun. The first step is to establish the scope of your project by considering ambition, time, and money.

New cabinets from IKEA are not expensive, especially if you can install them yourself. With a modest budget and some labour, you can transform the layout of your kitchen to something much more efficient. At the other end of the spectrum, a deep cleaning and new paint on the backsplash costs very little. Or you might find that re-grouting the tile floor and painting the ceiling are all you need to do.

A February kitchen makeover may be planned over four weekends. Here is a sample schedule to give you some ideas:

Week 1

Paint is one of the easiest ways to improve the look of a room. Clean the walls thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP) to remove cooking oils and prep the surface for paint. Traditional colours for kitchens are whites, greens, light blues, and soft greys. Mix and match them to create your own style. Creamy white walls with a pale blue ceiling will expand the space and allow light to bounce around. No time to paint? Simply washing the walls with TSP will brighten them and give the space a fresh look.

Week 2

Replace the faucet with a new one. There is a faucet style for every taste and budget. Most will have a pull out or down spray tool for rinsing beyond the normal reach of a spigot. Newer ones have a touch-less feature that is convenient when your hands are covered in food. If you like your existing faucet, consider a moveable spigot head from the dollar store. It will be a small but welcome improvement.

Week 3

Cabinet pulls and knobs are a terrific way to introduce a new look to your kitchen. They’re easy to install with just a screwdriver. Unless you’re replacing the whole cabinet, try to replace like-with-like. That is, choose simple replacement hardware that doesn’t require any drilling or other modifications. If new knobs aren’t in the budget, remove the old ones and let them soak in a detergent solution overnight. You might be surprised at the difference a deep cleaning will make to their appearance.

Week 4

Window coverings can be changed with the season. In the summer, a translucent venetian blind will keep things light and, in the winter, an insulated roman blind can add a cozy feel while saving energy. The best part is you can leave both up all year round and switch between them. Avoid curtains in the cooking area to reduce the risk of fires.

Want to talk about your next real estate transaction? Need some advice on pre-listing renovations and home staging? Contact Lorne Gait and Morgan Fisher today.