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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
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        <description></description>
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    <guid>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/siding-options-for-your-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/siding-options-for-your-home.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Which Siding Option is Right For You?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Whether you've ever bought a home or not, you've no doubt noticed that homes come with different siding options. Each type of siding has different characteristics. Some types of siding can be painted, others are left exactly as is until they're removed. Siding can be water permeable or waterproof. Some types of siding are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than others.


If you're thinking about buying a home or having a home built, you should be aware of the different types of siding for your home. Knowing the different types of siding can make the experience of building a home easier, because you'll know what to expect and what kind of maintenance you'll be expected to perform on a regular basis.


Wood


Wood is the traditional siding product. For hundreds of years, homes have been built from wood. This classic building material is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and attractive. However, wood does have some downsides that need to be considered.




Wood needs to be painted or otherwise sealed on a regular basis or it will eventually rot.


Wood is vulnerable to wood-eating pests like termites and carpenter ants.


This material is very flammable and is not a good material to use in places where wildfires could be a threat.




For a homeowner who would like to change the appearance of their home over many years, wood is a good material because it can be painted in different colours every time it is repainted.


Vinyl


Vinyl looks a lot like wood siding, but it has some advantages over wood. For example, vinyl is resistant to pests and never needs to be painted. Vinyl is easy to clean and rarely needs maintenance besides cleaning. It is durable and relatively low cost. Some things that homeowners should be aware of when they're buying a home with vinyl siding include:




Vinyl will melt when a grill is kept too close.


Vinyl can crack easily, and if it does crack, it must be replaced.




Vinyl is one of the most common types of home siding. Buyers who are thinking about purchasing a pre-owned home have a good chance of purchasing a home with this type of siding.


Fiber Cement


Fiber cement is a relatively new type of siding material. There are many advantages to fiber cement siding. It's pest-resistant, fire-resistant, and very durable. Fiber cement can be made to look like wood, but is much stronger and requires far less maintenance. 


Perhaps the most obvious disadvantage of fiber cement siding is that, like wood siding, it needs to be painted regularly. However, fiber cement siding does not need to be protected by paint, and thus may not need to be painted as frequently.


Aluminum


Aluminum siding, like vinyl siding, looks very much like wood. Aluminum is relatively environmentally friendly and requires little maintenance. Aluminum does not ever need to be painted, but it does need to be cleaned if it becomes dirty. 


Brick


Brick is one of the oldest building materials in use today. New homes that are built from brick are usually made from brick veneer. Brick veneer is a very porous material that looks like brick, but it's very thin and serves no structural purpose. It needs to be properly installed, or the wooden structure underneath the veneer could rot. For this reason, a homeowner who is having a home built with brick veneer siding should be careful to choose a contractor who knows the proper installation procedures.


If you're thinking about purchasing a Canals home, whether you're going to have the home built or it's going to be pre-owned, work with a real estate professional to ensure that the home you buy has all the qualities you're looking for. Siding is just one factor to consider. Your real estate agent can help you decide which home is right for you.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2019 07:11:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/high-roi-kitchen-renovations.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/high-roi-kitchen-renovations.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Kitchen Renovations With a High ROI</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Canals homeowners who own a home long enough will eventually need to renovate their kitchen. The problem is that the project can be very expensive without providing a corresponding increase in resale value. This means that homeowners may spend a lot of money on parts of the project that do not feature an adequate return. Fortunately, there are a few aspects to kitchen renovations that do offer a higher return on investment. Selecting these options will help homeowners target their money to upgrades with the greatest benefit.


How to Approach Kitchen Upgrades


With kitchen renovations, the sky is the limit. People could spend half of their home's value on the kitchen, and this level of expense usually does not carry a high rate of return. The kitchen typically needs a significant overhaul about once every 15-20 years. However, the cost to update it does not necessarily require a lot of expense. In fact, the less people spend to get quality materials and appliances, the better their ROI in an increased resale value. Homeowners who spent $20,000 on a kitchen upgrade will often get a better return on their investment than people who spend $40,000.


Appliances


Since kitchen appliances only last about 10 years, there is a high likelihood that homeowners will need to replace them more often than a major kitchen remodel. Appliances can represent as much as a third of the total budget, but the payoff in resale value is generally higher. Energy-efficient appliances with a stainless-steel finish usually have the biggest long-term benefit. Homeowners should remember the appliance's lifespan in relation to their plans to sell. If they upgrade the kitchen 7-8 years before they plan to sell, they will probably have to replace the appliances again just before the sale.


Flooring


As a common area of the home, the kitchen needs good flooring that will stand up to humidity and foot traffic. For the kitchen, home buyers tend to prefer a few flooring types:




solid hardwood


porcelain or ceramic tile


natural stone tile




The choice significantly affects the price. Tile made of porcelain or ceramic tends to be the least expensive of these choices. People might pay 10 times as much for certain types of stone or exotic hardwoods. Homeowners who are planning to upgrade years before selling should also consider upkeep needs. Stone tile and hardwood flooring have a high ROI, but they require a lot of care to avoid damage.


Cabinets


Some homeowners save money on their kitchen upgrade by repainting their cabinets instead of replacing them. For a simple, minor update, this often makes sense. Older cabinetry made of solid wood might last for decades longer than newer products made of plywood or medium-density fibreboard. Homeowners who are completely redesigning the kitchen may want to start with new cabinets so they can get the right sizes and a perfect match. Otherwise, changing the doors and pulls is an efficient way to dramatically change the cabinets' appearance without significantly increasing the cost.


Countertops


Like flooring, countertops are one area that homeowners should not skimp if they hope to get a higher resale value. Laminate countertops cost a fraction of solid granite or marble slabs, but home buyers tend to prefer higher-end surfaces. Homeowners may be surprised to learn that solid-surface countertops have come down in price in recent years. However, the highest quality and least-accessible materials still cost a great deal. People who buy quartz or a moderately priced granite can usually get a great look that will appeal to buyers years down the road.


Because they tend to cost more, kitchen upgrades can be difficult to negotiate for a high ROI. By making these choices, homeowners have a better guarantee of getting a good return on their investment when they are ready to sell.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2019 06:43:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/sell-home-as-fsbo.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.airdrierealestate.ca/blog/sell-home-as-fsbo.html</link>
        <author>justin@justinhavre.com (Justin Havre Real Estate Team)</author>
        <title>Should You Sell Your Home as an FSBO?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


If you're selling your Sagewood home, you'll have to decide whether to sell your home as a for sale by owner, or FSBO. Some homeowners choose to sell their home without help from a real estate professional because real estate professionals require commission at the end of the transaction. If you're thinking about selling your home as an FSBO, here's what you need to know.


For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.


Pricing Is Critical


One of the most important reasons to hire a real estate professional is because real estate professionals have training that make it easier for them to price homes. Most homeowners are unable to accurately gauge the listing price of their home. Some homeowners just don't know, while others are tempted to list their home for a higher price than its value. Failure to price the home well could deflect buyers.


Listing Can Be More Difficult Without an Agent


In order for a homeowner to sell their home, buyers must be aware that the home is for sale. The primary way that home buyers find out about home sales in their area is through the MLS listings. Homeowners are not allowed to post their property on the MLS, which makes it much more difficult for home buyers to find out that the property is there. This means selling the home can take much longer than normal without important resources to market the home.


Negotiating Can Also Be Challenging


Real estate professionals are trained to be good negotiators. They're also practiced at it because they do it all the time. Many homeowners are not as experienced in the art of negotiation, nor do they understand the housing market well enough to properly negotiate a good price for their home.


Home sellers who don't know how to give and take during a negotiation may either lose out on their opportunity to sell their house for more money, or could lose the home sale altogether if the buyer walks away.


Work With a Lawyer


It's very important to work with a lawyer throughout the home sale process, and this is especially true if there's no real estate professional involved in the transaction. A good real estate professional will understand sensitive elements of the home sale process such as disclosures. Without a good real estate professional, it's even more important to utilize the services of a lawyer.


Have Questions? A Real Estate Agent Can Help


Real estate agents serve an important role in the home sale process. If you're not sure whether you would like to work with a real estate professional during the sale of your home, speak to a professional today.


For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 2019 09:31:00 -0600</pubDate>
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