October 1, 2018

The leaves are changing colour, the days are getting shorter, and the temperature is getting colder, which can only mean one thing – autumn is right around the corner! Fall is often a time of transformation and fresh starts, and your home is no different. Now that the jam-packed summer days of vacations, festivals, and barbecues have come to an end, it is the perfect time to start thinking about improvements and renovations you want to make to your home.

Here are a few reasons why fall can be a great time to transform your living space:

You have time to focus on your project

It can be hard to focus on a home renovation when you’re in the midst of summer vacations. This is especially true if you have kids at home or guests visiting (no one likes having off-limits bathrooms or bedrooms when you’ve got a full house!). With the kids back in school, and your schedule being less hectic, fall is the perfect time to get started on that home reno you have been thinking about.

Winter is coming

In Alberta, winter tends to happen sooner rather than later. It is essential to ensure your house is ready so that you can enjoy cozy nights in. Do you need to replace any windows? Improve your insulation? Fix your roof? There’s no time like the present to make sure you aren’t going to run into issues once the temperatures start to drop below freezing. Additionally, creating energy efficient improvements to your home could save you money on your utility bill and potentially score you a rebate through Alberta’s energy efficiency program.

You can save money

New models on appliances are often released in the fall, which means old models usually go on sale. It is also a great time to look for off-season discounts on things such as air conditioning units or repairs, and patio furniture. Looking for more savings? Keep your eye on the Black Friday deals in November on large appliances and electronics.

Home shows are happening

Many cities will have a fall home show which is an excellent opportunity to get inspired and meet exhibitors who can help with your project. Calgary’s 2018 Fall Home Show is taking place on September 20 – 23, 2018. https://calgaryfallhomeshow.com/

If you’re ready to renovate, Kon-strux is prepared to help! If you’re looking for a company with award-winning service and design for your next project, look no further. Give us a call today at 403-769-1440 or email us at [email protected] and let’s get started!

When buying a home, the neighbourhood you select will not only play a pivotal role in your family’s life, but in the resale value of the property.

One person’s ideal neighbourhood however may vary greatly from another’s. But, regardless, there are some needs and wants that generally do not change. The distance from your new home to schools, churches and shopping, for example, will not only affect how you and your family settle into your new home, it will also draw or turn off a perspective buyer.

A good first step is to enlist the services of a REALTOR® who works in the area you are thinking of moving. REALTORS® are very familiar with the communities in which they work and can answer many of the questions you will develop during your search.

Check the lifestyle

A home is a part of a larger community. And some are more desirable than others. Some communities are geared more to young families, others to older adults and still others to singles or an eclectic mix of residents.

Never buy in an unfamiliar community or neighbourhood unless you have spent some time there both during the week and on weekends, day and night. Drive and walk around. Talk to store owners and people you meet on the street. Ask what they think of the neighbourhood.

If there are vacant tracts of land where you plan to buy, check with local authorities to see what the proposed land use might be. The last thing most homeowners want is the development of a mall or a high-rise office building across the road from their newly-purchased property.

Don’t let particular things in a home that appeal to you override its location and potential subsequent resale value. When analyzing a potential property, ask yourself if you can imagine living — not just in this home — but in this neighbourhood for quite a long time.

Remember that someday you may have to sell your home to someone else and things that may not be important to you — such as distance to schools, shopping, doctors and work — may be important to other buyers.

Location, location

In addition to finding the right neighbourhood, consider the immediate homes around the particular property you want to buy. Are they well maintained and worth the same or more than the home you are considering?

Is the location a quiet area or a major traffic thoroughfare? What kind of privacy does the backyard provide? Does it get the morning or afternoon sun? If there is no house behind you, who owns the property and how will it be developed?

Homes located further away from the centre of an urban area are generally cheaper. Are you prepared to invest the time and money it takes to commute and how long of a commute are you prepared to commit to? Is there public transit and good access to major highways nearby?

If you have kids in school, what kinds of schools and services are available? Will your kids have to be bused to their school? If a school is close by, will they have to cross any major intersections?

Being close to a school, on the other hand, may have some drawbacks — few owners want the noise and disturbance of being located right next door.

Finding malls, grocery and specialty stores in urban, residential areas is rarely a problem. But in neighbourhoods further away from urban areas, you may need to drive to the nearest convenience store. And getting to the local grocery store, pharmacy and other support services may require an even longer trek.

It’s great to be located near parks and recreational facilities, but few homeowners appreciate the high cast of tennis court lights beaming into their back yard. If the home you are considering backs onto such property, drive around the area and see how often the baseball diamonds, soccer fields, swimming pools and skating rinks are being used and when.

More serious concerns are having such things as gas stations, airports, railway tracks, commercial developments, major highways and cemeteries very close by.

Finally, if your heart is set on finding that one-of-a-kind 150-year old Georgian home, you’re not going to find it in a newer development. If you want large bedrooms and bathrooms, narrowing your search to an older part of town where homes are generally smaller, may prove disappointing.

Before making any decisions, think of your lifestyle and how a particular location would enhance or detract from it.