Calgary Bowness Montgomery Real Estate Home News - Blog Archive: April, 2013

Make your spring cleaning easy and economical! Natural do-it-yourself cleaning solutions are more environmentally friendly than commercial alternatives. Make simple, gentle eco-friendly recipes using everyday household products.

Window Cleaner: Shake together 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe for a streak-free finish!

All-purpose Cleaner: Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water. Mix well. Use in a spray bottle or with a sponge on kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Rinse with clear water for a clear finish.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl followed by a generous portion of vinegar. Scour with a toilet brush and flush.

Drain…

502 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Spring means getting things done so that summer living can be fun and carefree.

One thing to consider addressing early in the season is your windows. Clean or replace your screens so that you can let fresh air in and enjoy the beautiful weather.

A second thing to consider is the valve to your outside water hose. Make sure it’s turned on to avoid having to run down to your basement when you are actually ready to use the water.

Third, clean out your downspouts and gutters where leaves and other matter can accumulate over the winter. Keeping gutters clean means a lot fewer headaches in the future.

Check back with Team Ken Richter in May for more home upkeep tips! 

561 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

If you want to be self-reliant around the house, a good selection of basic tools is essential to have in your toolbox. When you have the right tools, little tasks are not a big deal. To get the job done right you might want to invest in the following:

1. Claw Hammer – good for driving nails, hanging pictures and other things, and useful for small demolition projects.

2. Flathead Screwdriver – has a single blade that fits into the single slot of a flathead screw. Good for driving in screws and opening all sorts of things held together with screws!

3. Phillips Screwdriver – has a four star point at the end that fits into the corresponding screw’s cross-shaped depression. Allows a user to apply more torque than is possible with a flathead…

488 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

When buyers tour homes for sale, they’re taking a close look at the bathrooms. If you want to impress potential buyers create a comfortable, spa-like environment.

RE/MAX studies show that making your bathrooms the best they can be will generate a 56% return on investment. Consider what potential buyers will see at first glance.

Focus on the visuals with light colours, rich textures, nice tiles and fixtures. Boost home value by choosing quality materials that appeal to the masses.

When it comes to anything permanent try to stay as neutral as possible, giving potential buyers a clean canvas on which to imagine themselves in.

Remember, houses with well-done improvements tend to sell quicker plus you get to enjoy it before you sell your property!

456 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Nothing is so frustrating and potentially expensive, as having a major appliance on which you rely on a daily basis, like your refrigerator, furnace or air conditioner, break down when you need it most. There are a few things that you can do on a regular basis to help ensure their longevity and effectiveness.

* You can pull your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum off the condenser coils, as they rely on air flowing around them to work efficiently.

* On your furnace, it’s easy to replace (or clean, on some models) your filter in order to keep it in good working order.

* To keep your air conditioner in top form, keep the grill and register clean and it will keep on working for you when you need it the most.

396 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post