Home Care

Home Care

Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year in Calgary, Alberta, in part because of all the Christmas lights. Whether you are a vintage colourful lights person, or a modern white lights person, so many people adorn their homes and trees with twinkly bulbs. While this makes the season feel extra warm and cheery, Christmas lights do carry some risk. 

Here are some tips for Christmas light safety, so that you can enjoy all of the magic and none of the risk:

  • Check your strings of lights for any broken or missing bulbs. CNET writes, "replace any missing or broken bulbs before you string up your porch or tree because they could lead to electrocution, fires or injuries. Most lights come with replacement bulbs, but you can also buy a pack at your…

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This holiday season we are in pursuit of an old-fashioned Christmas.  Be gone days of ipads and gizmos! Instead let us embrace simplicity and handmade charm. An old-fashioned Christmas is a great way to bring the whole family back down to earth, where the focus can be on what really matters: time spent together, making little moments magical. 

To set the stage, here are some old-fashioned Christmas crafts to try out this season:

  • Edible Garland: Gather a collection of apples, oranges, cranberries, popcorn, and cinnamon sticks. Cut the apples and oranges as thin as possible, then lay them out on parchment with the whole cranberries and bake them at a low temperature until the fruit dries out. Pop the popcorn, skipping any butter or seasoning.…

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Every month brings unique challenges and opportunities for your property. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything all at once, consider breaking down property maintenance and projects month-by-month. 

Here is the month of December's property checklist:

  • Keep your kitchen safe and fire-hazard free! Safe Wise writes, "between holiday dinners and baking for family and friends, your oven and range will get a workout this December. Protect your family from cooking fires by keeping your appliances in top shape."
  • Confirm your outdoor lights are working to keep you safe. Real Estate Spice writes, "be sure all your outdoor lights are working. It gets darker earlier and the weather conditions can be treacherous. Make sure all your walkways are…

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Every month brings unique challenges and opportunities for your property. Instead of getting overwhelmed by everything all at once, consider breaking down property maintenance and projects month-by-month. Whether the height of summer or depths of winter, there is always something to attend to that will help you get the most out of your home-sweet-home.

Here is the month of November's property checklist:

  • Make sure your home is sealed against the colder weather. Realtor.com writes, "locate and seal cracks and spaces that let heat out and cold air in—along baseboards, wall/ceiling junctures, windows and doors, lighting fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets. Your wallet will thank you, because energy savings from reducing drafts range from…

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While we enjoy a beautiful autumn, every tried-and-true Calgarian knows that Winter is right around the corner. Make sure that you and your property are prepared by tackling these outdoor projects before snow sweeps over the nation:

  • Protect your yard equipment with a shed: "a backyard storage shed is an essential addition to your space, ensuring tools and equipment are protected from the harsh conditions of winter. Beyond its utility, a well-designed shed adds visual charm to your landscaping, blending functionality with aesthetics" (Backyard Boss).
  • Get your grass ready for the long winter and upcoming spring by aerating: "If want your outdoor space to look lush and green once the snow melts, aerating your lawn is a great first step. Once…

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One of the most important things you can do when selling your home is to stage it properly. Staging is the art of presenting your home in its best possible light. When staging your home, the goal is to make buyers come away from their visit able to envision themselves living there. It needs to be clean, bright, and clutter-free.

And what about during the holidays? What if you want to decorate for Halloween, or put up the Christmas lights?

When it comes to staging your home for sale during the holidays, we have one word for you: minimalism. Minimalism is all about ensuring every object has a function or a purpose. This does not mean your home has to be empty; it simply means it must be intentional. You can still enjoy the décor of the holidays…

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When it comes to selling a home, first impressions go far beyond what buyers see. They’re also shaped by what buyers smell.

Psychology Today writes, "olfaction, also known as sense of smell, is the most primal and mysterious of our six senses. Throughout human evolution, our sense of smell has been a key to our survival. Humans are capable of distinguishing thousands of unique odors. Fragrances have the ability to evoke both positive and negative psychological states of mind and reactions in milliseconds."

So, how can you make a positive impact on buyers olfactory senses?  

First, remember that bad smells cannot be covered up. Noses are good at telling when something stinky has been doused with fragrance. There's no better first step than…

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This beautiful summer is slowly turning into a crisp fall, complete with frosty mornings and golden leaves. Stores are rolling out Halloween decor and pumpkin inspired treats, and back to school is in full swing. While you pack away your summer dresses to make room for sweaters, also start thinking of how you can prepare your backyard for autumn.

There are a number of things you should be doing before the snow hits in order to prepare your backyard for autumn and winter. What’s the light at the end of the tunnel as far as cleaning and preparing is concerned? After doing the following things your backyard will be ready for one final hurrah while the weather holds up!

First off, take care of outside structures such as children’s play places, tree…

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Imagine this: Your backyard lawn is freshly cut, making the air smell like summers from your childhood. The flower beds have been pruned and watered, and a bouquet of blossoms are on the kitchen table . The fence has a fresh coat of paint and looks brand new, the perfect backdrop for an evening out on the deck. Speaking of the deck, it's new; you finally got around to replacing it after all these years. A cold drink is in your hand and you are surrounded by loved ones. How glorious!

It may seem unrealistic; after all, summer always tends to be more busy than relaxing, and that to-do list never seems to end. However, we would like to challenge you to take control of your summer and get your backyard ready to be enjoyed during these long summer…

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Whether you are a genuine mud-kickin' cowboy, or a cowboy at heart, a western aesthetic will make your home feel like a haven. Even outside of Alberta, western styles are having a big moment in fashion and home decor. Simple patterns, mixed textiles, and moody neutrals are in.

While some are leaning right into their cowboy boot roots, others are embracing mindful touches that remain classic no matter what is in fashion. If this is you, here are some home design and decor tips to bring the wild west to your sweet abode:

First, find a color palette that suits your style, with a western flair. Try dusty tones of blue, pink, and green, rich burgundies, rusty browns, and antique brass. If you search for colour palette recommendations on Pinterest, it…

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