More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room. These fires can be expensive; since even a minor incident, with no injuries, can result in significant damage. That’s why it’s important to keep up with the latest in fire prevention.
 
The most recent research tells us: Never leave cooking food unattended. Doing so is the number one cause of kitchen fires.

Make sure cooking appliances, especially deep fryers, are safety certified by the appropriate government agency.

When using oil in a frying pan, always heat slowly at no more than a medium heat setting.

Always turn off stove burners and other cooking appliances immediately after cooking.

Never attempt to put out a grease fire with water. Use baking soda or a fire extinguisher.

Never remove or cover up a smoke detector due to nuisance alarms. The one alarm that isn’t a nuisance may save your life.

Finally, experts say that if you can’t put out a fire immediately, get everyone out of the home and call emergency services

“Staging” is about setting up and decorating each room of your home so that it looks as attractive as possible to potential buyers. Studies show that a property is more likely to sell quickly and for a better price if it is effectively staged.
 
Even if you haven’t heard of staging before, you probably already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter and making sure everything is clean and “guest ready”. However, there are also some home staging “secrets” staging professionals use that you may not know. Here are a few examples:

Increase horizontal surface space. Make sure desks, countertops, coffee tables, end tables, etc. are as free of items as possible. Give the impression that there is lots of room available on horizontal surfaces.

Flowers. Fresh flowers or flowering plants placed in a couple of rooms, such as the kitchen and living room, can have a dramatic impact on how inviting that room looks. Just don’t overdo it.

Don’t be daring when you paint. You may love the idea of a bright yellow and green combination in the family room, but not everyone will share your daring sense of style. If you paint, stick to neutral colours.

Less is more. Be brutally honest about the amount of furniture you have in each room – including wall hangings. Is there a desk, side table or other piece you can put away in storage? Think about ways to make each room more spacious. Space is king!

Ultimately, the best staging advice is to use your common sense. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer as you walk through your home. Ask yourself, “What changes will make this room even more attractive?”

Lifestyle is an especially important criterion when you are shopping for a new home. After all, a home and its surrounding neighbourhood are the places where much of your lifestyle is going to be experienced.
 
So, when you consider a new home, think about the kind of lifestyle to which the property needs to lend itself. Ask yourself:

• How much entertaining do we do?
• How important is it to have good schools located nearby?
• How long will the commute to work be?
• How big of a backyard do we require?
• Do we need a rec room?
• How easy will it be to get to golfing, dance lessons, baseball practices, movies, and other activities my family and I enjoy?
• How important is it to be in a quiet area?
• Do we want a local park nearby for jogging, playing with the kids, and walking the dog?

 The list is just an example. Ideally, you will create your own list of questions to ask yourself when considering a particular home and neighbourhood.

The real estate market is shifting significantly right now. Before last year, most homeowners would not imagine selling a house for the prices being offered today. Current home sale prices are being compared to the types of returns investors get during stock market surges and crypto- currency spikes. Homes continue to sell in hours and days, rather than weeks and months.

Even if you are not thinking about selling your home, there are three questions you should ask yourself:

1.   How much MORE is my home worth today?
2.   What amount of money, if offered, would cause me to move?
3.   If the current situation continues, what is my best-case scenario?
 
Knowing your number does not mean you are committed to moving, but it does mean you are committed to being prepared. Every real estate market is different. This market is here today, and I remain committed to provide you with the most timely and accurate information. If you or someone you care about is curious about these numbers, call or text me and I can help you be prepared.