Last updated 8 days ago
Homeowners can work magic in a home simply through the use of colour. A fresh coat of paint revitalizes a room, makes it feel fresh, and sets the stage for each room. Colour attracts your attention and can alter your frame of mind. Best of all – using new paint colours is the most inexpensive way to achieve a new look in your home.
While perceptions of colour are to some extent subjective, there are some colours that tend to have universal meanings. When you are painting an entire room one colour pay close attention to the colours you choose as the paint colour will dominate the room. Colours are known to evoke certain feelings and emotions, especially when they dominate a space. Colour reactions include:
White – purity, innocence, symbolizes success, creates a sense of space, works well in all colour themes and adds highlights
Grey – timeless, practical and solid, restful, dependable and mature, elegant and sophisticated
Green – soothing, peaceful, restful, tranquil, growth, health, nature, cheerful and fresh Blue – calming, brings serenity and wisdom, peaceful, sometimes associated with sadness and isolation
Yellow – cheerful and warm, pay attention to the shade of yellow as the darker the yellow the most tiring to the eye due to the high amount of light reflection
Orange – energetic and warm, yet most do not like rooms painted in this colour, best used in fabric and accessories
Red – creates intense emotions from love, warmth, courage to anger, best used in fabric and accessories
Brown – natural, warm, feeling of security and comfort, stability and sophistication, sometimes associated with sadness and isolation
Tips: Where to stop and start
Having trouble determining where to stop and start colours when painting?
Try using the following tips:
1. Follow the natural starts and stops of a room. Where the wall begins and ends should be your guide.
2. Look for natural breaks and architectural elements such as niches, a wall projecting out, arches and entrance ways.
3. Open Concept? Stick to monochromatic themes to help with flow and reduce distraction. Using monochromatic themes (same colour different hues) will assist in creating a winning style. It is a safe and easy way to create harmony, sophistication, and balance. Simply choose one paint chip sample card and work with the colours within the strip. If you want to add some creative flair, choose an accent colour for highlights.
Colour trends
Each year new colour trends are set. When making the investment to paint your home it is extremely important to stay abreast of these trends to keep your home up-to-date. There are various sources you can access to stay ahead of the game:
Magazines – be sure to subscribe to a few home décor magazines. They will contain not only the latest trends on colour but style as well.
Online paint stores and companies – bookmark all your favorite paint store and paint company’s websites. They should all contain a section on the latest colour trends.
Idea cards – these are available at all paint stores and contain up-to-date colour schemes. They also contain pictures of finished rooms so you can translate this to your home.
Hire a designer – consider hiring an interior designer or decorator to help choose the paint colours for you. Designers are a valuable resource to assist you in your decision.
This week's blog was written by Tatiana Colhoun, Sales Representative at Sotheby's International Realty Canada. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is a full service boutique brokerage with global connections. To contact Tatiana or any one of our highly qualified real estate professional visit us atSotheby's International Realty Canada in Oakville. To follow us on twitter click here: SIRC_Oakville or like us on Facebook: Sotheby's International Realty Canada-Oakville.
Last updated 13 days ago
Simply, YES! A professionally staged home will appeal to the most buyers possible and to follow, stunning photographs of your home will appear on the MLS, Feature Sheets and brochures. This will enable a prospective purchaser to envision themselves living in your home.
Thus your home is positioned on top of a buyer’s list. Potential purchasers can now envision themselves, or the lifestyle they want to achieve, living in your home…their new home.
A home is the biggest investment most people will ever make. It is also where they will live, a calm retreat from the rigours of daily life. Generally, neutral colours, traditional furnishings and up-to-date conveniences appeal to the widest group of buyers. This is where a professional home stager will make your home glow.
Selling your home is not something you want to do using trial and error. Mistakes are costly and time consuming. Professionally marketing your home requires the experience of professionals. The correct approach puts all of the key elements in place. This will motivate a buyer to act. This is the goal.
Typically, Home Staging is a fraction of the cost of selling your home. The cost of Home Staging is likely less than the cost of your first price reduction! Having your home professionally staged before it goes on the market makes economic sense. This will place you way ahead of the other listings in your neighbourhood. Time is money. A staged home sells faster and for more money.
We sell home just like yours. We know what works.
For more information about Home Staging, or any questions that will relate to your future trade in today’s highly competitive real estate market, please contact any of our team of professionals at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage.
This week's blog was written by Gord Gibson, Sales Representative at Sotheby's International Realty Canada. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is a full service boutique brokerage with global connections. To contact Tatiana or any one of our highly qualified real estate professional visit us atSotheby's International Realty Canada in Oakville. To follow us on twitter click here: SIRC_Oakville or like us on Facebook: Sotheby's International Realty Canada-Oakville.
Last updated 27 days ago
Renovating your basement is a great way to add extra living space to your home without breaking the bank. Before you start renovating your basement make sure you invest the time to fully understand all aspects of your project. Below are four steps to start your project on the right foot.
1. Moisture Problems
The most common problem is the potential for moisture issues. When water seeps in from exterior sources it tends to come in through foundation cracks and leaky window wells. Small cracks can be patched from the inside with injection-type fills or cement-based materials or in some cases via the exterior. Major cracks will allow water and soil gas to seep in. It is important to fix these early on to prevent any future structural damage.
Other evidence of moisture include rust at the base of metal support posts, lifting of tiles and damaged flooring, mold and decay on floor joists and sill plates, high air humidity, musty odour, efflorescence (white, chalky stains on floors and walls), wet insulation and more.
2. Soil Conditions
Soil surrounding your foundation walls contains large amounts of moisture from surface water. Ensure the grading slope directs water away from your home. Check that downspouts have extensions, clean eavestroughs regularly and caulk the corner joints.
3. Structural Issues
Check your basement floors and walls for cracks, porous and crumbling mortar. Severe cracks may indicate structural problems that will need to be dealt with prior to starting the renovation. Does the foundation appear to be sinking? Is there evidence of termite damage or rodents? Are the foundation walls wavy or bowed? Consider hiring a structural engineer for these types of situations.
4. Hiring a Contractor
Hiring a reputable contractor is extremely important. A good place to start is by asking your friends and family. You will be able to find out whether the contractor is licensed, level of experience, quality of work, dependability, pricing, communication skills and more.
Here are some critical questions you need to ask potential contractors during the interview process:
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How long has the contractor been in business?
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Is your contractor licensed or use licensed trades? Make sure to ask for any certificates and validate that they are current.
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Does the contractor have all the necessary liability coverage such as public liability insurance, property damage insurance, worker's compensation for all employees or subcontractors?
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Will the contractor provide warranties on all supplied work and materials for at least one year in addition to the manufacturer's warranties?
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Will the contractor provide both a written estimate and contract detailing all aspects of the project including both your name and address as well as the contractor’s, detailed specs, products, finishes, drawings, permits and the right to a lien holdback? Types of holdbacks to protect homeowners include builder's lien holdback, deficiency holdback and seasonal/delivery holdback.
Taking the steps to conduct proper research will set you up for success. Remember that reputable firms and contractors will not be offended by such questions. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
This week's blog was written by Tatiana Colhoun, Sales Representative at Sotheby's International Realty Canada. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is a full service boutique brokerage with global connections. To contact Tatiana or any one of our highly qualified real estate professional visit us atSotheby's International Realty Canada in Oakville. To follow us on twitter click here: SIRC_Oakville or like us on Facebook: Sotheby's International Realty Canada-Oakville.
Last updated 1 month ago
Seasonal design inspiration for your home comes in many forms from all your senses - sight, smell, taste, sounds and touch. Whether you are getting your home ready to put on the market, you have just purchased a new home or simply looking for ideas for your existing home, what better way to embrace spring but to fill your home with the quintessential items of the season. Following are 7 great ideas to capture the essence of spring and engage all your five senses.
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Paint your front door – It all starts with curb appeal and your front door is often the focal point. Give your front door a fresh start with a new coat of paint. Try something different and contemporary like a suede finish in a soft pale gray or muted charcoal colour for a subtle and elegant appeal.
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Add a wreath to your front door – Bring the bright colours of spring into your home with a natural wreath. Get creative and design your own with the use of burlap ribbon, moss or vibrant natural flowers or use faux blooms that will endure the whole season.
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Use natural material area rugs – Put your existing throw rugs away for the season and add natural material rugs to highlight both spring and summer. There are several types available such as seagrass, jute, and sisal that are known for their texture, look and durability. They will instantly lighten up both your indoor and outdoor spaces and add that feeling of warmth and visual interest.
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Beautiful botanicals and blossoms – There is nothing like the scent of fresh cut flowers. Place several small vases throughout areas of your home that you use the most such as your foyer, kitchen and family room. Remember, less is more and smaller arrangements such as a few tulips can be eye-catching.
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Outdoor wind chimes – Wind chimes are the perfect addition to any outdoor environment. As one of the world’s first musical instruments and dating back almost 5000 years, wind chimes have long been used for their meditative and soothing sounds. Enjoy the peaceful sounds of tranquility with their beautiful unique tones, resonance and natural beauty.
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Create an outdoor living space – We all know our spring and summer seasons are far too short. Why not invest in some outdoor furniture for your backyard and spend more time outdoors? There are great new high quality all-weather products on the market all the time. Once you make the investment to create an outdoor living space, make a commitment to yourself to take advantage of the warm weather, escape the daily grind and move your “living” area outside.
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Add a waterfall feature – Whether indoors or out, the sound of water has an all around natural healing quality. Water has that natural way of soothing our soul and taking us away to our favorite getaway. Waterfalls have that tropical feel and remind us of both spring and summer seasons. Try adding either an outdoor waterfall feature to your garden or an indoor architectural one and enjoy the serenity of the sounds of falling water.
This week's blog was written by Tatiana Colhoun, Sales Representative at Sotheby's International Realty Canada. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is a full service boutique brokerage with global connections. To contact Tatiana or any one of our highly qualified real estate professional visit us at Sotheby's International Realty Canada in Oakville. To follow us on twitter click here: SIRC_Oakville or like us on Facebook: Sotheby's International Realty Canada-Oakville.
Last updated 1 month ago
With the ever changing workforce and world economies, more and more homeowners are making conscious decisions regarding their finances and their possessions. Whether brought on by a personal life changing event, or simply turning on the television, observing the media and witnessing down turns in other worldwide economies, many Canadians are starting to think about their own futures. They are considering key questions such as “Where do I want to live now?”, “What matters most in my life?” and “How can I build a meaningful life without all the material objects weighing me down?” Rather than striving for a lifetime to “have it all”, many homeowners are realizing that having “more” isn’t always better.
Rightsizing is the process of simplifying your environment so you can centre your attention on what matters most in your life. Rightsizing your home is often the first place to focus on by significantly reducing your mortgage in order to have better “quality” of life. It isn’t necessarily about shrinking your living space but rather taking a step back and taking into account your future finances, analyzing your own personal situation and making choices about your “nice to haves”. Let’s face it - having a little or no mortgage can reduce a great deal of stress in both your work life and personal life. It opens up doors to lifestyle preferences and encourages “out-of-the-box” fantasies. Maybe you can start checking off items on your “bucket list”, maybe you can now own that cottage on the lake, or a vacation property in your favourite tropical place that you’ve always dreamed about.
Rightsizing is also a way to free yourself from being held captive by your possessions. Moreover it takes a look some of the emotional and psychological bonds we have on material things and allows us to free ourselves from here on so we can travel more lightly. By being financially proactive and well prepared as a homeowner, you can potentially avoid negative financial situations and turn them into a positive by simply rightsizing your life.
As one of the world’s most trusted brands Sotheby’s International Realty® Canada is, simply put, synonymous with quality. We Sell Homes Just like Yours. While we are a brand known for luxury, our focus is to provide an extraordinary customer experience in any price range. Offering the same full service real estate experience for clients with properties at any price point is what makes this boutique office unique. Allow us to assist you in the process of rightsizing your life.
This week's blog was written by Tatiana Colhoun, Sales Representative at Sotheby's International Realty Canada. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is a full service boutique brokerage with global connections. To contact Tatiana or any one of our highly qualified real estate professional visit us at Sotheby's International Realty Canada in Oakville. To follow us on twitter click here:SIRC_Oakville or like us on Facebook: Sotheby's International Realty Canada-Oakville.
