Even if you have enough living space in your home or apartment, having enough closet space is another thing entirely. If you’re like most people, there’s never enough closet space to accommodate all the things you want to store. From clothing to shoes and everything in between, closet space is valuable and often not enough in many households.
If this sounds familiar, don’t panic. You don’t have to begin knocking down walls to make bigger closets. Below are several creative ways to expand your closet storage space cheaply and easily.
Bookcases Aren’t Just For Books
If you’ve never thought a bookcase was good for anything but holding books, think again. Bookcases are great for holding all sorts of things, and they work especially well in the closet for holding bins, baskets, and more.
You can find used bookcases at thrift stores, or you can opt to build your own. Either way, try to find ones with deep shelving that will accommodate almost anything you want to put on them. If you need lots of added space, add more than one bookcase to your closet, and be sure to anchor them to the wall for safety sake.
An alternative to bookcases in the closet is using small dressers instead. Dressers designed for use in a nursery or kid’s room are the perfect size for a small closet.
All Closet Space Is Valuable
The space inside your closet isn’t the only space usable for storage. Consider using the back of the door for storage, too. Add coat hooks or a towel bar to the door for hanging things like robes or necklaces. If permanently adhering hardware to the door isn’t an option, use over-the-door options instead. An over-the-door shoe organizer works great for things like socks, underwear, shoes, and other small items that can be separated and organized. Check stores likeIkea for other over-the-door storage solutions.
The Top Shelf Is Your Friend
It might be difficult to reach, but the top shelf in your closet is perfect for items you don’t use that often. Put it to good use for seasonal items like beach towels, winter hats and gloves, boots, and sports gear you only need periodically. Use boxes or bins to keep things organized, and don’t store any heavy object up there for obvious safety reasons. Label the outside of each box so you know exactly what’s inside at a glance.
Rethink The Way You Hang Your Clothes
Most people hang their clothes on good old-fashioned hangers. Wire hangers take up less space, but many people prefer sturdier plastic or wooden hangers that take up lots of space on a closet clothing rod. You can double – or even triple – the space you have to hang clothes by switching to theWonder Hanger. This As-Seen-On-TV invention allows you to hang several articles of clothing on a specially designed slotted bar that folds down to save space.
Think Outside The Closet
No one says that closet storage has to stay inside the closet. You can expand the closet storage space you have by going beyond the closet itself.
Use your imagination and repurpose old furniture pieces to work as storage anywhere you need it. Look for an antique armoire for the bedroom, or maybe a rolling storage cart for the bathroom or kitchen. Underneath the bed is a great place to store seasonal clothing, too. Just purchase the appropriately sized bins to place them in so they stay clean and fresh until you need them again.
For many people, the closet space they have just never seems to be enough. Whether you own a home or rent an apartment, you can use the creative ways to expand your closet storage space above to get the most out of the closet space you already have.
Sellers
Market activity continues to be moderate as we enter 2023. While some buyers have come to accept the higher interest rates. Others are need based purchases; moving here to the North Okanagan after selling their home in another area of BC or out of province, along with changes in family dynamics.
Interestingly enough due to the lack of inventory in certain segments of the market, for example well priced single family homes with suites are still able to generate multiple offers with some opting to wait a few days after listing their home to review any and all offers.
The benchmark price for single family homes in North Okanagan saw a moderate decrease of 5.5% in January 2023 when compared to January 2022. The benchmark price for single family homes now sits at $696,500. In all other categories of housing there was a slight increase. With townhomes coming in at 7.8% increase when compared year-over-year and condos 5.8% increase.
Looking into 2023 we anticipate inventory levels to continue to increase giving more choice to buyers. The overall affect will be a more balanced market between buyers and sellers.
Buyers
Whether you are looking to jump into home ownership or if you are planning to move from one property to another, the first step I would recommend is getting pre-approved with a reputable mortgage broker or bank. This will help you be successful in setting the expectations for your affordability range and guide us to showing you the homes that would be most suitable for you.
Reach out to a Value Plus 3% Real Estate agent for a list of local mortgage brokers who can set you up for success!
To view the full release of market stats click on the link below
January 2023 – Data Release
Many of us spend a great deal of time at home these days. Whether you work from home, love spending time meal-prepping in the kitchen, or you simply enjoy leisurely time in the comfort of your own home, it’s possible the space isn’t as calming and relaxing as you’d like it to be.
If you’d like to create a sanctuary that incites feelings of calm and relaxation in your home but aren’t sure where to start, take a look at the ideas below. Try one or try all to create the calming space you’d like your home to be.
1. Soft & Warm Fabrics
Nothing says warmth and coziness than a soft quilt or a long shag rug. You can cover almost any surface in textiles, so let your imagination soar. Reupholster a chair in crushed velvet or add a soft shag rug to the floor – whatever it takes to make the space look and feel warm and inviting. Soft textiles have a calming effect no matter the season.
2. Balanced Colors
Although this year’s hot home décor trend is bold colors, to create the calming space you desire, try balancing pops of color against a neutral backdrop. For example, add vibrant throw pillows to your neutral couch for a balanced, interesting, and relaxing vibe.
3. Relaxing Home Décor
Look for home décor that fits your personality while also standing the test of time. If you’d like to try some of the newest trends in home décor, be sure it’s something you like because if you don’t, you may find yourself unable to relax completely.
3. Relaxing Home Décor
To truly help you relax at home, carve out a space that’s separate from the rest of the area dedicated to doing yoga or meditation. Be sure to include things like a floor mat or pillow, pictures you love, a couple of plants, and a music source to make the perfect nook for your relaxation practices.
5. Embrace Scent
Your sense of smell is the gateway to calmness as certain scents invite relaxation and reduce stress. Try lighting a few scented candles around your home or diffusing essential oils to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. Scents to consider include chamomile, lavender, Jasmine, and lemon.
6. The Right Lighting
The right lighting can have a dramatic effect on your mood. If it’s dark or gloomy when your workday is done, you may need some light therapy to lift your spirits and instill relaxation. Look for lights that mimic the sun or try stringing lights across your living room to bring a positive vibe to your space.
7. Let Natural Light In
One of the easiest ways to create a brighter, calming space is to let the natural light flood in. Even if your home or apartment doesn’t have a lot of windows, you can still embrace the natural light you do have by not covering the windows with heavy treatments and keeping them open for as long as the daylight hours allow. You can further increase the brightness in the room by hanging mirrors on the walls to reflect and bounce the light around.
Whether you’re making improvements to your own home or are planning to flip the property, working with contractors at some point is almost unavoidable. Even if you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, you likely can’t do it all yourself all the time.
When it comes to making repairs or improvements to a home, it’s good to know your limits. Here are three home improvement jobs that you may want to hire a professional for.
1. Roofing
If the roof needs replacing on your home, it’s best to let professional roofers tackle the job. Roofing takes time, and that’s one thing you don’t have if you’re planning to flip the property for profit. The longer you spend repairing the property, the more money it costs you.
If you’ve never replaced a roof before, there’s a good chance you’ll make a costly mistake trying to do it yourself. Leave it to the professionals so it’ll get done quickly and without error.
2. Plumbing
Running new plumbing or repairing plumbing problems is time-consuming. If not done correctly, it can lead to very costly problems later on when unseen leaks turn into a huge expense.
While doing improvements yourself often save you money, making a mistake while attempting plumbing work can cost you more time and money than if you had hired a contractor. Leave plumbing work to someone who does it for a living, so you know it’s done right.
3. Knocking Out Walls
If you’re planning to flip your property for profit, you’ll likely want to make it as appealing as possible, which means possibly knocking out walls to create a better flow within the home. While it’s fun to knock out walls, you have to be careful that you don’t remove a load—bearing wall that helps hold the house up. If you do, it could impact the structural integrity of the house itself.
If you don’t know what you’re doing or aren’t sure if the walls you want to remove are load-bearing, leave this job to the pros so you’re sure to have a house left to sell when it’s all done.
Many people like to make improvements to their properties themselves because it saves money and it’s fun. There are some tasks, however, that really need to be completed by someone who knows the job inside out. If your property needs improvements in any of the three areas listed above, consider hiring a professional to avoid costly mistakes.
White is white is white, right?
Wrong!
There are so many shades of white, it can be hard choosing the right one for any given project. Is it a cool white or a warm one? What vibe are you going for? A stark existence or a welcoming hue?
The color white, although simple in theory, is actually quite complex and it can be difficult choosing the right shade. Below, we give you some pointers to help you choose the perfect shade of white for your painting project.
Cool Or Warm White?
White comes with both cool and warm undertones. Cool whites include gray or blue undertones that lend a soft touch to the color. These undertones can soften harsh lighting and create a fresh vibe in the space. Many home improvement projects look great with a cool white rather than a warm one.
Warm whites, on the other hand, have yellow, pink, or peach undertones that give off a warm, inviting feel. Warm whites are best suited for rooms that don’t receive a lot of natural lighting as they lend a sunny vibe to the room.
When you’re searching for the right shade of white for your project, it’s a good idea to get samples of both cool and warm whites so you can determine which is best suited for your space.
Don’t Buy Before You Try!
It’s a bad idea to commit to a white before you’ve had a chance to see it in action in your home. Grab a few samples or paint cards to take home and really give each color a fair chance to show its beauty in all different kinds of light. You may be surprised to find out that the white you thought you liked really isn’t the right choice after all.
Finally, invite a few friends or family over to give their opinions on your samples. Fresh eyes can give a new perspective, so get a few opinions from other people to determine the right shade of white for your project.
There are literally thousands of shades of white to choose from, so don’t choose blindly. Go through the process and make sure to sample both cool and warm whites to eliminate an entire group of hues from your search.
Don’t get intimidated by your options. It’s only white, after all. The right shade will present itself in a quick hurry if you follow the tips above.
Value Plus 3% Real Estate INC | Value Plus 3% Real Estate INC
info@vp3.ca | (250) 308-1888
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🚰 Humidity in a basement is a problem for many reasons.
👍 If you’d like to find out how to prevent humidity in your basement, this article is for you!
Humidity in a basement is a problem for many reasons. Not only is the space smelly and uncomfortable, but it can also cause structural issues and health concerns, as well. There are several causes of dampness in a basement. From temperature changes and the presence of groundwater to excess rain and/or moisture inside the house, damp basements are a common issue for many homeowners.
The good news is, there are a number of ways you can prevent humidity in your basement. The trick is to be proactive in finding the source of the moisture and then eliminating it. Below, we give you several things you can do to get rid of and prevent humidity from being a problem in your own basement.
Get Rid Of Dampness Inside Your Home
Moisture and leaks from inside your home can cause humidity to form in your basement. If you know of any leaky pipes in your home’s plumbing, make sure to get them fixed right away. Additionally, you should turn off humidifiers, make sure your clothes dryer is vented outside properly, install and use exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen, and during humid months, run a dehumidifier on each level of your home to remove as much moisture as possible from the air.
Eliminate Outdoor Moisture Sources
Basements are humid enough without additional moisture coming in from the outside. Do your best to control these sources by cleaning out your gutters at least once a year. This will keep rain and runoff flowing away from your home, so it doesn’t spill over right next to the foundation and leak into your basement.
Also, it’s important to make sure your sump pump is functioning properly at all times. This is a vital piece of equipment that cannot fail, for if it does, it could mean thousands of dollars in damage.
Lastly, make sure your basement is as watertight as possible by covering the dirt floor with a plastic sealant, filling in any cracks in the foundation, and covering the walls with waterproof paint.
Prevent Condensation
Temperature changes occur in the basement quite regularly. This causes condensation to build up, making the space more humid. You can prevent condensation from occurring by increasing ventilation in the room. Open your basement windows on dry days to increase the airflow to help dry things out. Be sure to close the windows each evening and during humid/rainy weather, though, to prevent excess dampness. Lastly, insulate exterior walls and cold-water pipes to keep them warmer.
Nothing is worse than a damp basement that smells funny and is uncomfortable to be in. By getting rid of moisture in and around your home, you can prevent humidity in your basement.
#realty #homes #property #home #house #householdtips #houses #tips #organizing #organize
Novembers statistics for the North Okanagan show the slow down in sales and activity in the real estate market. While the benchmark price for a single family home in the North Okanagan remains steady at $710,200 we are starting to see longer days on market with an average of 49 and increased inventory up to 255.
November 2022 – Data Release
The road to successful real estate investing is pitted with potholes and loose gravel along the way. Whether you’re just starting out with your first investment property or you’ve already bought several, the following list is full of great tips.
1. Choose Properties In Up And Coming Neighborhoods
Buying rental properties is a great way to increase your wealth through real estate investing. Purchase the right property in the right neighborhood and you’ll enjoy huge returns on your investment. Up and coming neighborhoods offer the potential for growth as well as tax incentives for buyers.
2. Diversify Geographically
There’s a lot to be said for buying close by and understanding the local market. However, by purchasing properties in other areas, you diversify your investments and protect your portfolio from the volatility of a local market.
3. Don’t Spend Too Much On Renovations
You don’t need to buy high-end fixtures and accents in order to make a rental attractive. Middle-of-the-road pieces are just as enticing to renters and a lot less damaging to a limited budget.
4. Don’t Over-Leverage Yourself
Successful real estate investors have a combination of properties that they own free and clear and some that they finance. This creates a healthy balance that promotes profit while giving you the funds you need to grow your business.
5. Consider Investing In A Single-Family Home
Most people would love to live in a house, but some lack the finances to own one and others simply do not want to own. Whatever the case, a single-family home is a good investment as they have a history of appreciating quickly and profitably.
6. Get Ahead Of Big Maintenance Problems
Finding and fixing minor issues before they become big ones can save you a lot of money. Unfortunately, not all tenants will alert you to small issues until it’s too late. Write a bi-annual walkthrough into the lease to give your tenants an opportunity to point out any potential problems they see as well as to give you a chance to spot anything that needs attention.
You’ll come to look forward to these walkthroughs, especially when you spot a small water leak or two that could have cost you a lot of money had they gotten worse.
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It’s a huge responsibility that requires more than just the act of purchasing the property itself. It means you must also invest in said property by maintaining and upgrading it properly.
As a homeowner, you are responsible for a lot of things in and around the house. Below is a list of things you are responsible for when you own a home. Be sure to consider these things when deciding whether home ownership is for you or not.
1. The Legal Side Of Things
If you’re planning to build a home from the ground up, it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the proper permits in place to do so. Every community is different, so it’s up to you to find out what they require.
Obtaining approval on building permits can take weeks or even months to come through, so skipping this step might be tempting. It’s in your best interest to go through the proper channels, however, because without the right permits, the authorities could halt progress on your house, or worse, demolish it altogether.
2. Dealing With Homeowners’ Associations
If the home you’re considering is in a neighborhood overseen by a homeowners’ association (HOA), you could be in for some difficulty. These associations tend to have strict guidelines you must follow and even stricter enforcement and penalties if you don’t.
The best way to know what your HOA responsibilities are is to read the HOA agreement closely before buying or renting in the neighborhood and attending regular HOA meetings.
3. Paying The Mortgage
Responsible homeowners pay their mortgages on time, plain and simple. Failing to do so can result in harassing phone calls and letters from the lender, as well as legal action and/or foreclosure. To ensure you always have the funds available to pay your monthly mortgage payment, set a clear budget that sets the money aside for this payment before anything else. After all, you have to have a place to live, right?
4. Dealing With Neighbors
Unless you move into the country where houses are few and far between, you’re going to have neighbors. It’s in your best interest to get along with the people who live around you. As a responsible homeowner, you should be polite when you see your neighbors, and you should go out of your way to remedy any situation your neighbors may find disturbing.
5. Understanding The Mortgage
Mortgages can be complicated, so it’s a good idea to understand yours completely so there are no surprises when it comes time to make your first payment. Find out what your payment includes. Are you paying just principal and interest, or does it include escrow for homeowners’ insurance and/or property taxes, too?
Be sure you understand the going interest rates and how they apply to your loan. Is the interest fixed, or will you need to consider refinancing in a few years when your interest rate adjusts? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you prepare for anything that may arise with your mortgage payment in the future.
Owning a home is more than just making monthly payments. There are many things you become responsible for as a homeowner. Although not comprehensive, the list above gives you many things to consider if you’re thinking about buying a house.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many of us are staying at home more. This means finding new ways to entertain ourselves indoors and out. If you’ve never thought of your outdoor space as entertaining before, now’s the perfect time to transform it into an oasis of sorts to get some fresh air and a change of pace.
Here are several upgrades that can transform your outdoor spaces into areas you’ll want to spend time in.
1. Hang A Hammock
Who doesn’t like lying in a hammock on a warm, breezy day? If you have two trees within hammock-hanging distance of each other, or, even if you don’t (you can install your own poles for hanging), you can hang a hammock or some other swinging-type seating to enjoy the great outdoors in.
2. Hang Lanterns Or String Lights In Your Yard
Just as lighting plays a big role in the ambiance inside your home, it can also lend a warm, relaxing vibe to your outdoor spaces, too. Try hanging decorative lanterns or stinging pretty lights across your yard or along a fence for a rustic look that begs you to enjoy it once the sun sets.
3. Play Around With Seating
Gone are the days when patio furniture had to match. These days, you have a multitude of options when it comes to outdoor seating. If you like collecting individual pieces and creating your own seating arrangement, go for it to create an outdoor seating area that portrays your personal style.
4. Accent With Textiles
Make your outdoor space fun and exciting by adding accents in bright colors and textures. From area rugs and throw pillows to slipcovers and more, you can make an extension of your indoor living area.
Just be sure to choose fabrics that are designed to withstand the elements, so you don’t have to worry about storing any of your accents when the weather turns foul.
5. Consider Your Outdoor Activities
How will you use your outdoor space? Not only should it be comfortable and inviting, but it should also be functional. By adding a fireplace, you create a warm atmosphere that enables you to use the space during colder months. You can also add an outdoor kitchen, which will enable you to cook and dine outside on those beautiful summer evenings.
Hopefully, the upgrades above will help you create an outdoor space that you love to spend time in.
Today’s home is much more than just a place to rest and unwind. These days it’s an office, school, and whatever else it needs to be while the pandemic rages on.
With the dawning of a new year comes new interior home décor trends most people will find refreshing and helpful. So, without further ado, here are a few of the interior décor trends you can expect.
1. What’s Old Is New Again
While styles come and go, it’s the nostalgia that’s playing a big role in today’s interior décor trends. Styles from the Victorian era, Art Deco, and even grand millennial aesthetics are making a comeback as many people wish longingly for what used to be in a world so full of uncertainty and strife.
2. Easy To Clean Is Always Good
We’ll be seeing lots of easy to clean fabrics and surfaces. Expect non-porous surfaces like glass and metal to be part of many home renovations as they deter the growth and spread of bacteria. Also, the kid-friendly, durable, stain-proof fabric will take center stage where applicable.
3. Warm, Cozy Colors
Earthy tones and warm neutrals will be popular as we begin making our homes cozier places to be. Today’s trend is organic shades like Camel, which adds a layer of warmth and hominess gray just doesn’t have.
4. Calming Shades Of Blue
Color has a big impact on our emotions, which is why shades of soft blue will be trending this year. The calming effect this shade has on the mind will help alleviate some of the stress we’re all feeling as we stay quarantined in our homes. Blue is a timeless color that never seems to go out of style, making it a great choice for a fresh look.
5. Natural Materials Aren’t Going Anywhere
Wood tones, organic materials, and natural accents are going to be extremely popular.
6. Say Goodbye To The Open Floor Plan
In years past, the open floor plan, where one room flows seamlessly into the next, was valued as it brought the family closer together.
This realization puts open floor plans on the outs and closed floor plans at the top of many homeowner’s renovation plans.
7. A Shift Toward Sustainable Furnishings
Sustainability is a subject that impacts our daily lives in many areas. Today’s homeowner is opting less for cheap, DIY furnishings and choosing instead to buy furniture that’s more expensive and better made. These furnishings are kinder to the environment and they give their owners a sense of pride in being able to hand down an heirloom rather than throwing the piece in the landfill.
If you’re planning to paint the exterior of your home, don’t go for the same boring color combinations as the rest of your neighbors. Choose colors that pop and make a statement. Check out these color combinations that are sure to up the curb appeal of your home.
1. Muted Lime/Powder Blue/White
Bright colors like lime green and blue make for a winning combination when paired with white trim. Choose muted bright colors to keep the effect from being too much and be sure to paint every inch of trim in bright white for a stunning look.
2. Gray/Blue/White
If you’re looking for something softer than the first suggestion, try combining pearl gray, slate blue, and bright white. Paint the front door/entry point blue and the rest of the exterior in gray. Finish the look with bright white trim and you end up with a sleek mid-century modern style.
3. Red/White/Blue/Beige
You can never go wrong with good ole’ red, white, and blue. But, adding a twist of beige in there just brings the trio to a whole new level. The trick to keeping this color combo from looking like year-round Fourth of July décor is to choose a light blue hue rather than navy and paint the trim both white and beige.
4. Gray/Red/Black
Sometimes simple is better, especially if your home is on the smaller side. Choosing a warm gray for the exterior and then giving the home a bright pop with a red front door and black shutters won’t overwhelm a humble abode. Any trim that’s visible should be finished with a bright white shade.
5. Purple/Lavender/White
Lavender is a surprisingly great color for the outside of a home, especially when paired with a lovely purple door. The trick to keeping this color combo from being overly feminine is to choose a lavender shade with gray undertones and finishing the look with white trim for a modern look.
6. Navy/White/Turquoise
Navy blue is a popular exterior color these days, which means it will definitely up your home’s curb appeal. When paired with bright white trim and a lovely turquoise front door, your home will not only stand out, but it will also be the envy of the neighborhood.
7. Seafoam Green/White
You would expect to see a seafoam green home on the beach, but your home doesn’t need to be surrounded by sand for seafoam green to work. Paired with bright white trim, seafoam green works well in any setting.
If you’re thinking about painting the exterior of your home, take a moment to consider a color combination that will make it pop. Hopefully, the exterior color combinations listed above give you some great inspiration.
As you continue looking for the perfect home, you’ll likely come across one or two that are For Sale By Owner (FSBO). This means the sellers have not listed it with an agent and are attempting to sell it on their own. Does this make the buying process easier? What kind of risks are involved? In the post below, we’ll go over a few things to keep in mind when buying an FSBO home.
1. The Seller Will Work with Your Agent
A majority of sellers know you’ve worked with your agent closely for weeks (months?) before coming across their FSBO home and will gladly compensate your agent as any other seller would do.
If you’re interested in a for sale by owner home, have your agent make the first contact. This gives your agent the opportunity to find out if she can still work for you and collect payment on the deal should it proceed.
2. Be Prepared to Meet the Owners Face-to-Face
The biggest difference between an FSBO home and one listed by an agent is that you’ll get to meet the owners face-to-face rather than meet with an agent when looking at the home. Selling a home is a sentimental time for the owners, so it may seem a little uncomfortable for you when meeting with them to look at or discuss their home.
If this is the home you’ve got your heart set on, you’ll need to move past those uncomfortable feelings and be respectful of their emotions. Don’t forget to use your agent as necessary and don’t be afraid to ask for some time alone in the home if you need it.
3. FSBO Sellers Must Still Abide by the Law
As with any other home sale, there are laws the FSBO sellers must abide by. If the law says a seller has to inspect the home, make repairs, or disclose any problems, then the FSBO seller must oblige. One of the biggest problems with FSBO home sales is that the sellers often don’t know or understand real estate law, or they simply want to do things their own way. At any rate, trust your agent and your own gut. If you think a seller isn’t on the up and up or isn’t allowing you due diligence, it might not be the right home for you.
For sale by owner homes can be just as great as homes listed with a real estate agent. While the same laws and requirements apply, there could be problems if the seller lacks real estate knowledge or isn’t willing to do things by the book. Keep these three things in mind if your dream home happens to be an FSBO home.
You can make a food pantry out of anything. From a walk-in closet to a single drawer in your kitchen, a pantry holds a plethora of non-perishable foods, paper products, small appliances, and more.
The problem with most pantries, regardless of size and location, is that they can get very cluttered and disorganized very quickly. With so many things inside, it’s no wonder. However, if you’ve always dreamed of having a well-organized pantry that’s not only pleasant to look at but also easy to find things in, try the tips outlined below.
1. Clean It Out
The key to achieving a successful pantry setup is to figure out what you have to work with. You can do this by cleaning the space out. Start at the ceiling and remove any cobwebs hanging in the corners and work your way down. Wipe shelving, and if you’re feeling ambitious, give them a fresh coat of paint. Finish by sweeping and mopping the floor. If you aren’t feeling particularly ambitious, simply clean the space and apply contact paper to the shelves.
2. Take Stock Of What You Have
Once you’ve cleaned out your pantry, it’s time to take stock of what you have and what you need. Throw out expired food items and start a box for donations to your local food pantry of items you won’t be using.
This is also the perfect time to rearrange the items in your pantry for convenience. For example, move seldom-used items to the back or to a lower shelf to make room for the things you use most within easy reach.
3. Make It Easy To See What You Have
You can make things easier to find and create a beautiful display at the same time by switching out the mess of open boxes and bags for pretty, clear containers. For instance, baking ingredients like flour and sugar look great in clear mason jars while rice, beans, and other dry goods make for a pleasant display in tightly sealed plastic containers with lids.
4. Purchase Storage Solutions
Once you’ve decided how you’ll organize your pantry, it’s time to purchase the storage solutions you’ll need. Your list may include things like mason jars, plastic containers, baskets, wire racks, spice racks, racks for plastic wrap and aluminum foil, etc.
5. Put Your Pantry Back Together
Now that you’ve purged what you don’t need and have acquired the storage solutions that will work best for you, it’s time to put everything back together. Be sure to group like items together – sugar and flour with other baking ingredients, for example – and face canned goods forward for easy viewing. Keep arranging and rearranging until you have the pantry you’ve always dreamed of.
A pantry is one of those areas in a home that’s used daily and often becomes a disorganized mess. To make it easier to find what you’re looking for and what you need to replace, follow the tips above to organize your pantry once and for all.
Keeping a clean house is an endless chore that most people don’t look forward to. From scrubbing toilets and dusting light fixtures to vacuuming and mopping the floors, the amount of work can be overwhelming.
To help make keeping your house clean easier and less stressful, we’ve come up with several cleaning ideas for you to tackle. These ideas are designed to help you work smarter, not harder, so without further ado, here they are.
1. Clean Your Equipment
Believe it or not, your cleaning equipment could use a thorough cleaning, too. Begin by swishing your broom’s bristles in a tub filled with hot, soapy water. Throw in any scrub brushes and let them soak.
If you use microfiber cloths, toss them in a washing machine on the gentle cycle, then transfer them to a low-heat dryer. Lastly, soak sponges in a solution of 1-tsp. bleach to a gallon of water for five minutes before rinsing and allowing to air dry. Having clean equipment to work with makes your job so much easier and you’ll know your house is truly clean when you’re done.
2. Dust The Light Fixtures
If your living room is looking gloomier than usual, it might be because the light fixtures need dusting. Turn the light off and wait for the fixture to cool. Take it down from the ceiling, if possible, and use a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris. If the dust is especially stubborn, use a damp rag to remove it. Wipe all surfaces of the fixture and let it air dry before reinstalling.
3. Clean Bookshelves
Bookshelves and their associated books and knick-knacks are dust magnets. Many people forgo cleaning their bookshelves often because it’s such a tedious chore. If your bookshelves could use some TLC, turn on some tunes or your favorite podcast and get to work.
Remove everything from the shelves and place it aside. Use a feather duster or a dry microfiber cloth to remove surface dust. You can go a step further to protect the wood by using a quality dusting spray next. Buff the shelves to a shine, and then wipe down all the books and knick-knacks as you return them to their home on the shelves.
4. Refresh Framed Pictures
Give your home a completely clean look by cleaning the framed pictures on the wall. Start by taking each picture down from the wall and placing it on the table. Spray window cleaner on a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the glass and frame of each picture. Let the pictures dry, then hang them back on the wall.
5. Wipe The Walls And Trim
Unless your child expresses himself on the wall, wiping down the walls probably isn’t something you think of doing often. Taking the time to get rid of cobwebs and dust on the walls, though, can make your space look and feel brighter.
Grab a broom or feather duster and clear the walls of any visible dust. Pay special attention to the corners where cobwebs like to form. Lastly, use a feather duster or microfiber cloth to wipe down the trim, and you’re done!
Clutter is a fact of life. It happens to the best of us, creeping up and becoming an issue often before we even realize it. We all have stuff and that stuff takes up a lot of space. If you’re tired of looking at it, though, the following creative storage hacks can help you get organized or at least appear to be.
1. Tidy Those Bookshelves
If you have bookshelves in your home, it’s the ideal place to store things you don’t want others to see. Take a moment to organize the contents and then install a pull-down window shade to cover the section that contains the stuff you’d like to hide. The result is elegant – almost like it’s supposed to be that way.
2. Store Chargers And Other Cables
If you’re like most people, you have a drawer or basket full of tangled cables. Attempting to pull just one from the mass is nothing less than a 15-minute act of frustration.
To remedy this headache, coil each cord into its own empty toilet paper roll and then toss the rolls into a basket or drawer for safekeeping.
3. Hide Clutter In The Playroom
Kids’ playrooms are hard to keep organized. There’s so much stuff…
If it seems like there isn’t enough room for everything in the playroom, try hiding what you can behind a good old-fashioned shower curtain. Install a shower curtain rod above a shelving unit and slide a coordinating shower curtain across the clutter to instantly hide it and make the room appear tidy.
4. Utilize The Space Underneath
You can declutter a room quite easily if you utilize the space underneath the furniture. For instance, under the coffee table or the bed are great places to put things. Just add a skirted tablecloth over the top and you have instant storage nobody will notice.
5. Storage In The Laundry Room
Hiding clutter in a small laundry room is challenging. The trick is to use coordinating baskets and/or bins to organize everything from dog food to trash bags. Give yourself extra space by installing shelves on the wall to hold the baskets so they aren’t taking up space on the floor.
6. Organize That Pantry
Is your pantry a crazy, disorganized mess of cans and boxes? Do you have no idea what’s expired and what’s not? Put that chaos to rest by creating a roll-out storage shelf that utilizes the space between the fridge and the wall. This handy DIY project lets you see at a glance what you have so you know what to add to your shopping list and what’s going to expire soon.
7. Under The Bed
Under the bed is prime real estate for storage. All you need to do is purchase a couple of under the bed storage bins and you’re all set. To upgrade this decluttering hack, install some wheels on the bottoms of the bins for super-easy retrieval.
Clutter happens in almost every home. Whether the stuff is necessary or not so much, clutter can be exhausting to deal with. To get rid of clutter – or make it appear like you have – try the clever storage hacks listed above.
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, Vernonites voted in favour of borrowing and constructing a new Active Living Centre that will include new swimming pools, gymnasium, fitness centre, and walking/running track. For more information provided by the City of Vernon, residents can learn more by going to the official website at https://www.engagevernon.ca/activelivingcentre.
Where will the Active Living Centre be constructed?
Within the newly designated Kin Race Track Athletic Park, at the south end near Kal Tire Place on 43rd
The Active Living Centre is not part of that project and can be can be constructed and opened before the completion of the park.
The Kin Race Track Athletic Park will be developed as a year-round outdoor athletic park and will include: outdoor sports fields; indoor and outdoor ice surfaces; recreational trails; a dog park; and natural wetland trails.
What are the included amenities?
A new aquatic centre that features
50m x 8 lane pool with 2 movable bulkheads
Leisure pool with warmer water, play features, accessible entry, and 3 x 25m lanes
Steam room and sauna
Hot tubs
Pool support areas (i.e. change rooms, storage, spectator seating)
Double gymnasium with multiple sport courts
150m synthetic walking/running track
80-station fitness centre
Dedicated multi-purpose program spaces
Why does Vernon need this?
Age of current facilities:
The original Vernon Aquatic Centre opened in 1966 and was renovated in 1993.
Upgrades have been made over time which means the facility has a mix of infrastructure from the late 60’s and through each decade
Population growth
The fall/winter 2022 Learn to Swim programs currently have 1,220 kids registered but another 660 kids are on wait lists.
The two existing public gymnasiums (Dogwood Gym and Priest Valley gym) are used at near capacity for programs such as volleyball leagues, drop-in sports for youth and adults, camps, afterschool programs, and playschool activities. The new double gymnasium would significantly increase the amount of gym space available.
The Aquatic Centre
The 50m pool will feature two movable bulkheads that can separate the pool into a variety of configurations (e.g., 2 x 25m sections or 3 sections of varying size, such as 12.5m, 12.5m, 25m). This would allow for the different areas to offer various types of aquatic programming at the same time(i.e., swim lessons, aquatic exercises, and lane swimming).
Because of the ability to offer multiple programs simultaneously, it’s anticipated that Learn to Swim program capacity would be able to increase.
A warm water leisure pool will have familiar features such as slides, interactive sprays, bubblers.
The warm water leisure pool area will also include an additional 25m lane section that could also be used for programs like preschool swim lessons.
Other play opportunities may include a rock-climbing wall, water walking mat, and rope swing, along with more dynamic portable amenities such as floating Wibit or Ninjacross course that can be used on a rotational basis.
The aquatic centre will not include permanent fixed amenities such as a wave pool or wave rider, which tend to lose public appeal after time and can be expensive to maintain. The focus instead is to include primarily portable play features that allow versatility for aquatic programming and hosting 25m and 50m swim competitions.
The Fitness Activities
Double gymnasium with multiple sport courts and possible partition wall to create smaller, more versatile spaces.
A 150m walking/running track, which would be located above the gymnasium, would offer participants Vernon’s first indoor synthetic walking surface.
An 80-station fitness centre would feature cardio equipment, resistance machines and free weights, and dedicated multi-purpose program spaces that could accommodate various activities such as fitness classes, courses, and children’s programming.
When will the new Active Living Centre be built?
The design and construction phases are outlined:
Fall 2022: project RFP process to begin
Spring 2023: final planning and design phase to begin
Spring/Summer 2024: construction of the facility to begin
Fall 2026: construction to be completed and facility to open
The final design phase beginning Spring 2023 is expected to take a full year to complete and will include additional public engagement to help determine design elements such as aquatic play features.
Investing in residential real estate is one of the easiest and most lucrative ways to make money. There are several ways to make money when investing, with some ways being more full-time and more costly than others are. Which option works best for you depends solely on how much money you want to spend and how much time you want to devote to the cause. Let’s take a look at the top five ways to make money investing in residential real estate.
1. Long-term Rental Properties
Investing in long-term rental properties is maybe one of the best ways to make a profit in real estate. It takes a lot of capital up front, but the return on investment (ROI) is high, with the biggest benefit being the constant monthly cash flow.
Both single family and multi-family units have the potential for being great moneymakers, but it can be difficult finding just the right property in just the right area to really make this type of investing worthwhile. Most investors prefer to purchase single-family homes because there are more of them for sale, which increases the chances of finding the right one.
2. Fix and Flip
Many beginning real estate investors start with fix and flips. They buy properties on the cheap, fix them up, and resell them at a profit. A lot of money is needed upfront for down payments and repairs, as well as the funds necessary for carrying costs until the house is sold again. It can be overwhelming managing contractors during the repair phase, as well as when trying to sell the house again when everything is complete.
The biggest mistake people make when investing in fix and flips is trying to do the repairs themselves. They think they are saving money, but in the long run, it costs more because it takes longer to finish repairs. It is best to hire professionals to make the repairs quickly so you can get to making a profit sooner.
3. Wholesaling
Wholesaling is when an investor buys a residential property, and then turns right around and sells it to another investor without making any repairs. In some cases, the first investor never even actually buys the property, but obtains it under contract before handing it over to another investor. Wholesaling goes very quickly, and many real estate investors make hundreds of thousands of dollars a month doing it.
4. Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals are those properties purchased in a great tourist-y area and rented out on a monthly basis. During peak seasons, vacation rentals can bring in quite a profit. However, during off-peak seasons, they sometimes barely cover the monthly mortgage, upkeep and management fees. The key to continually making a profit with a vacation rental is to set the rent at a level that keeps renters in it year-round.
5. Long Distance Rentals
When investing in residential real estate, it’s important to look for the best deals possible to increase profits in the end. This isn’t always easy because some markets have incredibly high prices for real estate. Places like New York, for example, see purchase prices as high as $500,000 or more. This makes it very hard to buy property because it requires too much money upfront. What buyers are doing to avoid this issue is investing in residential real estate in another market.
A lot of work goes into investing in long distance real estate. You have to choose a good market, find a superstar realtor, hire a property manager, and then look for the right property. You have to trust the people you have working for you, and be willing to travel if needed to.
Investing in residential real estate is definitely a great way to increase profits and save for retirement. There are several ways to do it, but it all depends on how much time and money you’re willing to put into the process. The five options above give an idea of just what it takes.
Negotiating a real estate deal is usually a daunting task for both seller and buyer. While both hope for a favorable outcome, one or both may end up sacrificing some of the things they hoped for to reach a satisfactory understanding that they can both live with. Not everyone is born with a knack for negotiating, but it is an art form that can be learned. Here are several negotiating tips to help you get the best real estate bargains.
Watch the Market Closely
Whether you’re a buyer or a seller, you should watch the market closely for going trends and conditions that could be favorable to your situation. Knowing what’s popular at the time, in addition to the supply and demand in the area you’re buying or selling, are great negotiating tools.
Having said this, it’s important to note here that even if the market isn’t favorable at the time you’re selling, you could still have the upper hand in negotiations. For instance, if you are selling a nice house in a popular neighborhood where few houses are up for sale, you have leeway to negotiate a higher asking price because the supply of properties for sale in the area does not meet demand.
Know Who Holds All the Cards When
As the real estate deal progresses, the person with the most negotiating power changes. For example, at the beginning of negotiations, the buyer holds all the cards. As the deal moves forward, however, the buyer loses some of the power, until ultimately, the seller has all the power because he chooses the buyer with the offer and terms that best suit his needs.
Get the Best Deals
In a real estate deal, both the buyer and seller look for ways to save the most money. For the buyer, negotiating a good deal means getting the lowest transaction costs possible through concessions offered by the seller. For the seller, a good deal means selling the property without having to give any concessions at all.
The Financial Side of Things
Secure financing is important to both the buyer and the seller. Without pre-approved financing in place, a buyer may not qualify for financing. For the seller, it may be hard to close a deal if the buyer isn’t pre-approved. Having secured financing in place ensures both parties can proceed with the transaction.
Know the Going Interest Rates
Low interest rates are beneficial to both buyers and sellers. Buyers are looking for the lowest interest rates possible, as well as the lowest down payment, too. For a seller, lower interest rates encourage buyers, which increases demand for properties. The higher the demand for a property, the more negotiating power a seller has.
Don’t Underestimate the Other Party
While expertise and experience surely give a leg up in any transaction, it’s important to never underestimate the other party. Even with the most financial backing and best representation, an underdog could come along and negotiate a better deal no one ever saw coming.
How to Act When Negotiating
When negotiating a real estate bargain, keep the following behavioral aspects in mind.
Negotiate face-to-face – Meeting face-to-face and speaking directly with the other party allows you to react appropriately and build a rapport with them.
Be assertive – Let the other party know it won’t be easy to con you by asking knowledgeable questions and stating informed facts about market trends.
Be polite – Mind your manners and speak politely when negotiating. Be prepared to walk away if the deal doesn’t suit you or you feel pressured, as it’s your right to do so.
Be flexible – You may go into a deal with a certain plan but be prepared to alter that plan to seal the deal. It would be a shame to miss an opportunity because you’re unwilling to budge a little bit on the financial side of things.
Big closets are something many of us specifically look for when moving into a new house or apartment. After all, it makes more sense to store all that stuff rather than have to part with it because there isn’t enough room to keep it, right?
Sometimes, however, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Small closets happen, and when they do, you have to get creative. Below, we put together some helpful hacks designed to expand those tiny closets so you can keep more of your stuff. Of course, it’s still a good idea to get rid of anything you haven’t looked at, worn, or otherwise used in the last five years.
1. Get Rid Of Some Stuff
If there isn’t room, there isn’t room, plain and simple. Before you try stuffing that tiny closet full, try paring down its inventory. That sweater you haven’t worn in forever – donate it. Those roller skates you keep meaning to put to use but never do – they’re out!
Don’t keep holding onto things you know you’ll likely never use again just because. Your space is limited, and you need to use it wisely.
2. Create Extra Hanging Space Outside The Closet If You Have Room
No one says you have to hang all your clothinginsidethe closet. If you have space outside your tiny closet, hang an extra bar or two to accommodate all the clothing you want to hang.
Alternately, many home improvement stores carry hanging racks on wheels that you simply put together and place anywhere to expand your closet space.
3. Raise Your Bed
There is a lot of valuable space underneath your bed – all you have to do is access it. If you’re not afraid of heights or are claustrophobic, you can raise your bed up high to give you a ton of extra space to put things. Furthermore, if you hang some curtains around the space, it’ll be like having an additional closet in the room.
4. Use The Inside Door Panels For Extra Hanging Space
The inside of the closet door is often overlooked as storage space, but it works great for hanging things like scarves, purses, and other items that hang flat. Simply install a couple of bars or a few hooks to utilize this handy space.
5. Store Shoes Elsewhere
If you have several pairs of shoes that take up a lot of space in your closet, try storing them somewhere else instead.
Under the bed is a great place to store your shoes. If you’re a wine drinker, don’t throw out those empty wine boxes as they make great under-the-bed storage boxes for shoes.
6. Switch Out Seasonal Clothing
Why keep seasonal clothing out all year long when you really don’t have the room for them? Keep a trunk in the bottom of your closet or at the foot of your bed to switch seasonal clothing into when you no longer need them. This will free up space in your closet, making it easier to find what you’re looking for, and the trunk can double as a seat when needed.
Small closets aren’t deal-breakers, especially if the rest of the home is perfect for you. Embrace the small space and use the hacks above to expand that tiny closet.
The real estate market is booming right now. Thanks to possible higher rents and mortgage payments in the near future, many people are deciding it’s time to make the leap into homeownership. It’s a seller’s market for sure, making it a competitive one for homebuyers.
The good news is if you’re in the market for a new home, following the tips below can give you a leg-up on the competition and make it possible to secure the house of your dreams.
Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage
Before you even begin looking at houses, get pre-approved for a mortgage. It’s important to note here that pre-approved and pre-qualified are two different things.
Pre-approved means a lender has already looked at your credit, income, and expenses to determine how much home you can afford using their underwriting guidelines.
Pre-qualified simply shows the amount of house you can afford based on your income. It doesn’t mean that a lender will approve you for a loan.
Having a pre-approval letter in hand when looking at homes shows you’re a serious homebuyer.
Submit A Clean Offer With No Contingencies
If you submit an offer with contingencies, the seller may pass over it for one that has no stipulations. Contingencies like needing to sell your current home before closing on the new one will quickly send your offer to the bottom of the pile. Try to submit an offer clean of contingencies to show you’re serious about buying a home and closing on time.
Make An Appealing Net-Price Offer
The net price is the amount the seller gets after everything is said and done. The less they have to pay for, the more money they put in their pockets when the home sells. Try to make sure they get as much money as possible by not making them pay for things like closing costs. Anything that makes them have to shell out more cash in the sale could cause them to turn down your offer.
Make A Sizeable Down Payment
Submit an offer with a sizeable down payment. At the time of this writing, the average down payment is nearly 8 percent of the median sale price. The reality is, sellers are more likely to accept an offer with a larger down payment because they feel the bigger down payment will put the buyer in a better position to qualify for a mortgage.
Don’t Ignore The Fixer Upper
Many homebuyers will pass over homes that need fixing up. It can be difficult living through a home renovation, but if you can purchase the house for a decent price, it may be worth it to get the house of your dreams in the end.
If you’re looking to purchase a home that needs more than just a coat of paint and some new carpeting, do your homework when it comes to hiring contractors to get the job done. Check with some of the non-profit housing organizations for recommendations on construction professionals for your renovation.
The housing market is a competitive one for homebuyers these days, but when you come prepared, you can beat out the competition to secure the home of your dreams. Use the tips above to be a serious contender in a hot real estate market.
Your home’s pipes have a very important job. They carry fresh water in and carry waste out. Here’s how to deal with slow-moving or clogged drains and pipes and keep them in tip-top shape.
Be Careful What You Put Down the Drains
One of the biggest culprits of slow-moving and clogged drains and pipes is not being careful of what goes down them. Grease is probably the most problematic substance people allow to go down the drain. While it’s easy to assume the liquid goes through the pipes as water does, the reality is it actually solidifies quickly and collects in specific spots along the way. As it builds up, it causes problems.
Luckily, grease is the easiest drain problem to deal with since you have total control of whether it goes down the drain or not. Rather than pour grease down the drain as you’re cooking, collect it instead in an old coffee can that you throw away once it’s full.
Run Hot Water
One of the easiest ways to help your drains stay clear is to get in the habit of running hot water down them after each use. While oils and other substances can settle, hot water keeps things moving along nicely. All you have to do to ensure your drains stay clear is turn the hot water on and let it run in the sink for a moment or two.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you have a slow-moving drain or there’s a foul odor coming from the pipes, use vinegar and baking soda to clear it up. Simply pour a quarter-cup of baking soda in the drain and follow it up with a cup of white vinegar.
The combination creates a volatile reaction that foams inside the pipes to clear the offending clog or buildup. Let the combo do its job for 15 minutes and then run hot water down the drain for a few seconds. This natural drain cleaner can be used regularly to keep your pipes clean and fresh.
Your home’s pipes are very important. When they don’t work as they should, it’s very inconvenient and unhealthy. Use the tips mentioned above to keep your drains and pipes in tip-top shape.
There are a lot of things to do when moving to a new residence. One important thing is changing your address. It can be challenging remembering everyone you should notify, so here is the easiest way to get the job done.
Who Needs to know?
The list of people who should know that you’ve moved can be rather lengthy so be sure to make a list. Find your holiday greeting card list to be sure you’ve included family and friends. Next, include all your doctors, dentist, optometrist, etc. Your child’s school and any regular services such as lawn care or cleaning services should go next. Lastly, jot down magazines, newspapers, and even the IRS.
When to Notify Everyone
The postal service suggests putting in a change of address no later than two weeks before you move. The ideal time to do this, however, is about three months before you move. Since the postal service will continue to forward your mail for 12 months, this gives you plenty of time to notify everyone on your list.
How to Notify Everyone
How you notify the people on your list is up to you. If it’s close friends or family, you can simply pick up the phone to relay your new contact info. Many creditors have a place on their monthly statements for you to enter your new address and phone number. Alternately, there are post cards available at the post office for you to fill out and send in the mail to notify others of your impending move.
What You Need
When you contact people you have accounts with, be sure you have your new address and phone number handy, as well as account numbers, an email address, and any other information that may help them identify you and your account.
What to do After You Move
If you receive any forwarded pieces of mail, contact the sender to verify they have your new address on file. It could be that the change simply hasn’t had time to process in their system or that they didn’t receive your new contact information. Keep an eye open for your forwarded mail in about 7 to 10 days after you move in.
Moving is a chaotic event with lots of things to do. Use the tips above to easily change your address with the people who need it most.
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Is your rental kitchen really small?
Here are several tips to help you get the most out of it.
