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Unlocking the Future of Real Estate: The Power of Virtual Staging

Keylo — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:24:58 +0000

As the leading Edmonton Technology Real Estate Brokerage, Keylo is committed to revolutionizing the way you experience home buying. In our quest to blend innovation with personalized service, we proudly introduce Free Virtual Staging—a game-changer that transcends traditional boundaries. Don’t worry. If your home is already listed with another Realtor or even for sale by owner. We’ll likely help you out too, FOR FREE *(based on availability and demand).

What is Virtual Staging?

Virtual staging is like a magic wand for empty spaces. Imagine a blank canvas—a room devoid of furniture, warmth, and character. Now, with a few clicks, our expert designers transform that void into a captivating, fully furnished home. How? By adding virtually designed furniture, decor, and ambiance to listing photos.

Why Virtual Staging Matter

Top 3 Reasons Virtual Staging Matters

Cost-Effective (We literally do it for free):
Speed
Visual Appeal

Physical staging can be pricey-$1500 to $2500 for an average home. Virtual staging can be done in lighting fast. Buyers for first impressions online. Virtual staging has come a long way in the last two years and really stands out (you only get one chance for a first impression).

Why Do We Offer Free Virtual Staging?

Empowering Sellers- Every home deserves its best shot. Let’s empower you to showcase your homes true value.
Supporting Realtors- It’s not good enough to only support our own REALTORS®, we want to improve the industry
We get free things back- Follow us on Instagram, traffic to BuyMyHomie.com, ours signs on your lawn.

About Us:

BuyMyHomie.com has an AI that matches you to homes. It’s known as the Tinder of Real Estate. We keep expanding that AI knowledge out to products and services that help buyers buy and sellers sell. We don’t charge our agents any monthly or transactions fees because we want them to put all that time, money and effort into you. So we need to walk the walk and do the same. Contact us to see how good the staged pictures on BuyMyHomie.com really are.

The post Unlocking the Future of Real Estate: The Power of Virtual Staging appeared first on Keylo.ca.

Step Up Your Holiday Home Decor

Keylo — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 09:00:00 +0000

The holiday season is upon us which means Christmas carols, festive cheer, holiday parties, and seasonal decorations. For some of us, what it really means… is chaos. You may want your living space to look like it is straight out of an interior design catalog this Christmas, but have no idea where to start. There is no need to be stressed out over getting your house sparkling with the spirit – we have a simple rundown of everything you need to do to really step up your holiday home decor this year to make it as painless as possible.

Spruce up your house for the holidays

Light it up

The easiest way to elevate your holiday home decor and give a seasonal vibe in a room is by using light. Ambiance can completely change the look and feel of a space or be the finishing touches to bring everything together. Changing out your white bulbs to softer lights is a quick and subtle way to add the holiday glow and various candles will bring some added warmth. In addition to your tree, string lights or festive features can be added throughout your decor to really enhance the mood.

Pick a theme for your holiday home decor

If your want to create a gorgeous space that is both festive and elegant, pick a theme or color palette that you love and choose holiday home decor that generally stays within it. You may want to stick with the traditional red, white, and green, or perhaps you are thinking about sprucing it up. Take a look at trending ideas to get some inspiration and pick something that will also look cohesive with your current interior elements. Get some inspiration ->

Don't over decorate

Less isn’t always more, but more can definitely be too much. You want to be careful not to over-decorate too much otherwise you can go from seasonal elegance to tacky and crowded very quickly. A very common mistake is feeling the need to fill every flat surface with as many colorful ornamentals as it will allow, which will appear messy instead of decorated. While having a theme will help to avoid your holiday home decor from looking like clutter. So, what do you tackle then? Don’t worry, we have got you covered.

Holiday home decor with the most impact

Decorating your home for the holiday season doesn’t need to be a stressful chore. If you find yourself worried about getting it done before the festivities creep up on you, slow down. Instead of aiming to turn every room of your home into an intricate winter wonderland, focus on a couple of essential things to transform the space without the hassle. These are the things that have the biggest impact on your holiday home decor.

Oh, Christmas Tree

It goes without saying that a tree is the main event, so this is where you need to shine the brightest – both figuratively and literally. Stick within your theme or color palette to match the rest of your holiday home decor, but don’t limit yourself too much, or else the tree won’t have any character. Make sure your tree is balanced, well-lit, and full. If you are feeling like trying something different, you can consider a colored tree or even a tree made from alternate material. Check out these alternative tree ideas ->

Get the mantel ready for Santa

Bring your mantel to life with a little bit of holiday life. Keep it relatively simple to avoid making it too busy, but including your fireplace in the design of your holiday home decor will tie everything together in a big beautiful bow. If you don’t have a fireplace, turn your tv stand into an impromptu mantel or look to your window sills for creative inspiration.

Set the table

Your dining room table is the center of the party during the festive season, so remember to put out a centerpiece. Dress up your table with a tablecloth or add some candles. Turn your table into a vision of seasonal cheer to invite your guests to sit; however, make the space free enough to allow the room to be sat at.

Use what you already have

So, you have decided to go all out this year on your holiday home decor… I bet you have big plans and an even bigger shopping list. Before you head out to spend your Christmas budget on a completely new arsenal of jingle bells, take a look around your house for anything you can use or repurpose to create your vision!

Bust open your craft closet

Or drawer, or box, or whatever your crafting supply situation may be (we don’t judge). Whether you have an entire color-coded library of everything that a crafter’s heart desires or a couple of miscellaneous leftover items from some projects you did 3 years ago, a little bit of creativity can turn anything into a potential decoration for your holiday home decor. Paint, chalk, paper, burlap, and ribbon are just some of the multipurpose tools to craft up something special. Check out these DIY projects ->

Raid your storage and cupboards

Using vintage teacups, a serving tray, a bowl or a vase can turn boring items into amazing accents for centerpieces. If you have an item collecting dust, it can be filled with candy, ornamentals, foliage or candles. Adding a layer of paint or a sprinkle of glitter can add to the effect!

Forage in the wild… or in the fridge

A bit of nature can give an extra level of uniqueness, style, or greenery to your holiday home decor. Use small sticks in a garland or mix pine cones into your centerpiece for an easy rustic and cozy aesthetic. If you are averse to the great outdoors like I am, you can turn to the nature found inside your home! Dried fruit like oranges and cranberries can be a powerful addition to any piece. Cloves and cinnamon are a fun accent that will give not only the festive look but also a spicy festive aroma.

Have a very happy holiday season

Whether you are on a budget or looking to go all out, you can transform your home into a magical Christmas atmosphere without pulling all of your hair out. With your holiday home decor out of the way, you can go enjoy the holiday festivities and quality time with your loved ones. We love giving you everything we can to make buying, selling, or living in your dream home exactly that, a dream. So, we will have more in store for you in Keylo University. Happy Holidays!

The post Step Up Your Holiday Home Decor appeared first on Keylo.ca.

Edmonton Home Maintenance – Autumn Checklist

Keylo — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Happy Autumn Equinox. It’s that exciting time of year when us Edmontonians have to start thinking about the frost and it’s particularly harsh bite. Get your house and loved ones ready for the winter to come by performing all needed Edmonton home maintenance to ensure the safest winter possible. It may be daunting to get started, that is why we at Keylo University have prepared a simple checklist to make it as easy as 1, 2, … 17 I think?

Prepare your landscaping

Tend to your trees and shrubs

Check the overall health of your trees and ensure there will be no unnecessary additional maintenance during the winter or limbs falling off that may become a hazard.

Prune dead wood and water shoots where needed to keep your trees thriving and promote positive regrowth in the spring. Look for any broken or damaged branches that may fall if weighed down by large icicles or hit with heavy wind. You want to prevent large tree limbs from causing damage to your property or harming your household members during a snowstorm or blizzard.

Keep in mind that dry or dead wood limbs may become more brittle in freezing temperatures which may result in easier breakage. If you have any shrubs you wish to protect from the elements, cover them with burlap.

Rake the leaves

Do your best to rake the leaves on your property before the snow falls. We all love the beautiful colours of autumn leaves blanketing our lawn, but leaving them throughout the winter will turn into a soggy matt that will smother your grass and prevent spring regrowth. Tip – Use the dead leaves for compost!

Mow and fertilize your lawn

In addition to raking your leaves, there are a couple other things you can do to prepare your lawn for the winter as part of your Edmonton home maintenance routine. Many forget that even though the growing season is coming to an end, your lawn does still need to be watered. Watering in the autumn helps grass recover from the stress of summer growth, heat waves and droughts as well as gain strength to survive the harsh winter ahead. Continue to water your lawn until the ground begins to freeze.

Try to fertilize your lawn 3 weeks before you plan to do your last cut of the season. Planning your Edmonton home maintenance is especially challenging because of the ever changing weather schedule, but do your best to plan it out. Grass roots store food supplies throughout the winter months which allow the grass to emerge from their winter hibernation with positive regrowth. Fertilizing in the autumn supplies the grass roots with energy and nutrients to grow and store before becoming dormant in the cold. Remember, you need to water after fertilizing so it can be absorbed into the soil and ultimately the roots.

Relieve compaction of your soil by creating extra pore spacing to allow for air, nutrients and water to penetrate and nourish easier so your roots have the best chances to thrive. This is called aerating, which is done by creating holes in the ground. The most effective way to do this is removing choice plugs instead of only poking random holes.

When it comes time to do the final mowing of the year, cut your lawn to 1.5 to 2 inches. Cutting it shorter before the snowfall will give the grass lots of room for the early spring sprouting and prevent snow mold from forming.

Tend to your garden

Purge any annual flowers or vegetable crops that have been used up or will be unable to survive the winter. Doing this early will help prepare your soil for spring planting and regrowth.

Do any final landscape cleaning

Inspect your yard for anything that may damage your soil bed, grass, garden and for anything that may become ruined if left out. Remove or put away any rocks, leashes, animal droppings, extension cords, or tools that are laid about.

Edmonton Home Maintenance means INSPECT your Exterior

Walk around your house and look for crack in your siding, damage to your entryways or issues with foundation. You want to schedule these repairs for before the harsh winter arrives when Edmonton home maintenance becomes virtually impossible! If there are any spots for bugs, critters or wildlife to enter, seal these up to prevent unwanted house guest raiding your pantry or seeking shelter from the frost.

Clean your gutters and downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are responsible for draining thousands of gallons of water each year which, if not properly maintained could result in damage to your roof, siding or foundation. Once the autumn leave have fallen, make sure to unclog and remove any blockages. A plastic spatula works wonders to get into all of the crevices and a plumbers drain snake will assist in pulling clumps out of downspouts.

Additionally, assess the condition of your gutters and downspouts, replacing if necessary. Check for leaks or damage, make sure the gutters are aligned, the spikes holding them are secure and the downspouts are directing water away from the house, driveway and sidewalks.

Ensure your roof can last the winter

Inspect your roof thoroughly either using a ladder or binoculars. Look for broken or missing shingles and replace them. If there is a lot of damage, consider getting a new roof. While this may be expensive, it will save you the headache of dealing with a flooded house later on. Perhaps a roof melting system is a reasonable purchase in the Edmonton home maintenance process that may help keep piles of snow and ice from accumulating.

Repair any cracks in your sidewalks and driveways

Small cracks can easily turn into big cracks by filling with water, freezing then expanding. In order to prevent giant potholes in your driveway or crumbled dangerous concrete, fill in these small cracks with concrete filler. This will also make shoveling much easier and prevent tripping on uneven, split pieces. You may want to mark out your driveway and pathways to ensure a more straight-forward snow removal. Given the stark difference in temperate we experience here, this is a paramount step in Edmonton home maintenance.

Ensure your outdoor stairs and railings are sturdy

You want to make navigating and accessing your home as easy and safe as possible throughout the winter season. Ensure any outdoor stairs are in good condition and your railways are sturdy enough to support you if the stairs become icy.

Finish any outdoor painting

If you are planning to paint or repaint your exterior this year, it is best to do it before it gets cold. Wet paint will not dry evenly or potentially flake away if it freezes. Plan to paint when this will not happen and also try to avoid painting in direct sunlight, which may cause it to bubble. Furthermore, if you have a surplus of paint that you wish to save for future projects, bring it inside as latex and acrylic paint will not withstand the freezing temperatures.

Shut off and drain outdoor water supplies

With the imminent bone-shattering temperatures we are accustomed to experience during winter months in Edmonton, a pipe freezing and/or bursting is a real risk you can encounter if you don’t properly prepare.

Close or seal exterior spigots and turn off the water supply to your outdoor faucets. To lessen the burden of Edmonton home maintenance each year, it may be within reason to look at getting freeze-proof faucets to further prevent any possible damage to your pipes, especially if your house is older and has a higher risk of this happening from poor insulation.

Don’t forget about the water supply for outdoor or underground sprinklers and fountains. Furthermore, remember to disconnect and drain all of your garden hoses before storing them.

Store your outdoor furniture

While patio sets and lawn chairs are designed to be used outdoors, if you wish to preserve the condition and maintain their longevity, it would be best to store them somewhere out of the winter elements. If storing them indoors is not an option, locate space in your garage or shed.

There are plenty of options to optimize your storage space so these items can be effectively stowed for the winter. For example, you can get brackets to hang you lawn chair so they don’t occupy limited ground space. If putting them in storage is simply not an option, do your best to protect them by sheltering any cushions or blankets that pair with your outdoor furniture and source a waterproof cover for the rest.

Store your outdoor appliances

Put away your lawnmower, leaf blower or any other motorized tools once finished using for the season. It is also a good idea to clean off any residual dirt, grim, leaves, grass, etc. from these items.

If you don’t typically barbecue in -40 degrees, you may also want to store and cover your BBQ. Scrub off left over food or coal and bring in an utensils you may typically leave with the unit.

Bring inside portable outdoor fire pits and cover buried, or tabletop fire pits. It may be wise to also clean out the soot and coals from these as well before you store or cover them.

Chimney & HVAC preparation is crucial in Edmonton home maintenance

Shut down the air conditioner

When you are sure you no longer need to cool down your house, turn off your a/c unit. If you have an exterior unit, give it a thorough clean and inspection before covering it with vinyl or plastic cover. You may want to add additional insulation around the unit itself or the pipes and wiring.

If you have a window mounted air conditioning unit, remove them before it becomes cold. There is nothing worse than forgetting about it and having to stand by the open window in the middle of a blizzard to take it out, especially if you have to switch out a screen, unscrew or unmount any pieces. This goes for any other window mounting hardware you may have like the revolutionary “catio” or otherwise.

Clean your chimney

Make sure your chimney is cleaned and maintained. Remove any soot build up or obstructions and check for cracks in the liner or water damage. If you don’t have a chimney cap, you may want to get one to keep out any unwanted guests.

Edmonton home maintenance essentials ... your furnace.

Ensure your furnace is cleaned and working properly before you are in need of it. You may need to clean the pilot system or blower motor. Check the heat exchanger, pipes, valves and gas lines for cracks, leaks or any other damage. A furnace typically lasts 15-20 years with proper care. It may be time to either schedule an inspection or get a replacement. The first thing you want to do is replace the filter if it is old, worn out and dirty. Check other great resources to learn how to check in more detail.

Check your hot water radiator

You want to make sure your water radiator is doing its job and this is a good time to check. If there is air trapped inside, some of the ‘fins’ that are responsible for proper heat transfer will stay cold. You may need to bleed the radiator, clear an air vent, or change the filter. Family Handyman has a simple ‘how-to’ for this, or you can always consult a specialist to fix or replace them.

Vents, Ducts and Filters, oh my.

Give your house a walk through to inspect all of your outlets and air distribution systems. While this should part a regular or monthly Edmonton home maintenance, it is particularly important before we get into the thick of winter. You want to make sure your vents aren’t clogged with debris or obstructed by something that may have fallen inside.

Locate each of your registers and air grills to clean out the dirt, dust and … cobwebs, yuck. While the registers typically have a valve to control air flow, you want to have at least 80% of them open to allow proper flow. With that in mind, you should also be moving all rugs, furniture or miscellaneous belongings away from these outlets.

You will want to inspect each junction of your ducts for leaks, damage or loose connection which can be repaired with sealant, duct tape or switching out a section with a new, undamaged piece.

Along with your furnace, air conditioner and radiator, you should replace any other filters in your house including; dryer, humidifier, electronic air filter, water filter and range hood.

Improve your Energy Efficiency

You may want to perform an energy audit to assess your current energy efficiency and make possible improvements. Making sure your HVAC system is working most effectively, clearing out vents and replacing filters will have a big impact on improving your energy efficiency but there are additional steps you can take.

Windows and Doors

Check all windows and doors for drafts that may allow icy breezes to creep in. This can result in costly heat bills, especially during those extra cold months with the heavy carbon use taxes we have. A part of your Edmonton home maintenance checklist should include looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint while also saving some extra money for the spiked grocery bills. Getting appropriate weather stripping is a quick and beneficial way to prevent the breeze from letting the cold in and drawing the essential heat out.

Mend any other air leakage points

Plug holes, gaps in foundation, or any other small connective spots where air might pass through. Sometimes outlets, switches, light fixtures, or wire entries can be a source of small air leakage. Do your best to find and properly seal these using insulation, caulking or sealant.

Add insulation to regular Edmonton home maintenance checks

If you have old or inadequate insulation, it may be necessary to replace pieces or all of it. Moisture, pests and mold are things that can do damage to your insulation, so do an evaluation to unearth any cause for concern. Alternatively, you may discover that you have old insulation that isn’t effective for our cold weather or contains harmful chemicals and opt to switch out all of it for better or safer materials.

Look around for places where there might not be any at all, like crawl spaces, attics or rim joints. Even if you decide to leave your existing home insulation alone, these places are huge energy losers and will save you tons if they are addressed.

Hiring someone to conduct an audit might be something to consider. A professional can evaluate everything in your home to ensure maximum efficiency and give you useful recommendations for both cost savings and footprint reduction.

Check safety and air quality devices

Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly and replace the batteries if needed.

Check the expiration date of your fire extinguisher ( if you have one … which you should). You can request an inspection if you don’t know how to check it properly or get a new one.

You may want to consider running additional tests on your home’s air quality as the weather becomes colder. If your regular Edmonton home maintenance hasn’t been performed as thoroughly as it should have been in recent years, your AQI could be negatively impacting your health. During the winter months, the windows stay shut and the air flow in the home may not have enough ventilation. Radon and other air chemicals can be very harmful to your health at high levels.

Do any put off deep cleaning

You may or not partake in spring cleaning, but a big clean like that shouldn’t just happen in the spring but also when you are getting ready to hunker down and enter cold weather hibernation mode. Take a day to due labor-intensive cleaning tasks to make your home easier to maintain during the winter while also giving you the change to inspect the overall condition of your appliances and home structure.

In the kitchen, for example, you could;

Degrease the range hood or stove vents.
Clean the oven interior and outlets.
Vacuum the refrigerator coils and clean dust around the vents.

Don't wait

If there is anything I am more sure of, is that scheduling your Edmonton home maintenance before temperatures drop below zero is almost impossible with the consistent weather inconsistency we experience every year. So, get a start on the list now and avoid missing any important steps. A well maintained home is a happy home.

Have any questions, or looking for tips? You can always ask us!

The post Edmonton Home Maintenance – Autumn Checklist appeared first on Keylo.ca.

Home Staging 101

Keylo — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 09:00:00 +0000

Are you getting ready to sell your home but aren’t sure how it will do on the market? What are the best ways to ensure you sell your house for a fair price in a reasonable time frame?

One of the best recommendations we can give you is to consider home staging before you list. Not only will it help attract more interested parties, but it will also make a more effective pitch.

What is Home Staging?

Home staging is an important step in getting your house ready to sell. Before you list your home, you want to present your house in the most optimal condition and display an objectively desirable living experience. Renovations, cleaning, decluttering, rearranging furniture and landscaping your yard are all necessary home staging components that may allow a potential buyer to picture a life in your home.

“ Not only does it help your space become more attractive to the average person, but it is also one of the easiest ways to give your space a makeover without breaking the bank.” – Lindsay Cottrell, Interior

Should I Consider Home Staging?

Staging showcases your house in the most appealing and effective way to improve sale probability and increase potential sale price anywhere from 1-20%. Home staging is ultimately the primary marketing strategy you will use to highlight your houses best features so it may lead to more interest, higher offers and quicker sales. Over 80% of real estate representatives claim that staging increases the buyer ability to visualize a property as a potential home.

Keep in mind that it may or may not be worth it to you. Determine your timeline, budget, the sellers market in your area and the current value of your home. Small details can make a big difference, but if you have a lot of damage to your property, home staging may be redundant.

Who Does it?

The first question you will need to ask yourself is how you will tackle staging your home. Typically there are 3 ways you can go about getting your house ready for a sale; hiring a professional, requesting assistance from your REALTOR® or doing it on your own.

Hire A Home Staging Professional

There are individuals who specialize in home staging that will be experienced in interior design and curating a room to drive desirability. A contractor will typically know how to best display the room to ensure the best outcome once your house hits the market, but they can be a bit more expensive.

A home staging professional will most likely have a collection of go to items they regularly use, but will sometimes rent furniture specifically for your space. If you want to use a professional but save on some funds, consider exploring “soft staging”. The process of soft home staging will include reorganizing, moving and optimizing furniture, art, lighting fixtures or anything else that you already have in your current décor.

See the list of top recommended Home Staging Professionals by Houzz!

Ask Your REALTOR®

Have a conversation with your REALTOR® before you make any concrete decisions about who or if you should hire. Some REALTORS® may be certified home stagers themselves or sufficient experience to assist by making educated recommendations and guiding you through the process. Alternatively, a REALTOR® may have resources or home staging professionals that they work with on a referral basis which could result in a discounted rate.

Do it Yourself

If you have decided to tackle home staging on your own, there is a lot you need to think about. There are some very important aspects that you will want to make sure are tending to and there are some things you may be able to skip. Do your research and plan everything out before you get started so you know exactly what to expect.

How Much Does it Cost?

Depending on how much needs to be done and wether you hire a professional or do it yourself, the cost of home staging can vary. If you are looking to do a couple repairs, repaint and switch out a couple pieces of decor you can pay as little as $500.

Alternatively, hiring a professional home stager would typically charge an initial consultation fee of $200-$250. Following that, rates would depend on the stagers individual rates, plus the amount of work that needs to be done. Fixr estimates that the average homeowner should expect to pay around $1000 – $3000. Comparatively, HomeAdvisor anticipates the standard range to be $741 – $2,669.

A few things to consider is the monthly fee and furniture rentals which can be $500-$700 a room according to the National Association of REALTORS® staging report.

Home Staging Essentials

There are a couple crucial things to look at when home staging. Here are the fundamentals that we suggest you do to bump up the appeal. This is only a starting point and there are a lot more great tips we can give you to increase the efficacy of your home staging. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions and learn more or stay tuned for more great content!

Repairs

One of the very first things in home staging is making sure your reducing any imperfections. Keeping the concept in mind that home staging is essentially a makeover for your house, you should first start at repairs. Is it in best practice to put lipstick over cracked lips? No. The same goes for your house. Reducing any possible imperfections will keep the focus on the positives and beauty your house has to offer.

Don’t worry, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do a huge or costly renovation. Simple tasks like patching holes in your drywall, touching up paint, caulking tile or changing any old light bulbs can make a world of difference.

Decluttering

In the pursuit of making your house more appealing to those browsing the market, you want to avoid having any clutter in view. Organize all of your shelves so they don’t look full and collect anything that is on the floor, countertops or tables. Additionally, go through all of your closets and clean them out. Keep in mind, you don’t want anything to be empty. A buyer needs to see the functionality of the spaces put to work so their mind can imagine their own belongings there.

Deep Cleaning

This is without a doubt the most crucial part of preparing to list your home. Whether you have decided to tackle home staging or not, you will want every inch of your home to be shining as if it were brand new. Well… this may not be entirely achievable, but do your best to give your entire property some proper TLC to present it in it’s best light.

Scrub the baseboards, wipe down the walls, dust the vents and light fixtures, windex every shiny surface and steam clean the carpets. You want any potential buyers to look at your house as if it has never been lived in. If they can see cat hair in the vents or a wine stain in your carpet, they may not have an easy time picturing a life for themselves in those areas.

Depersonalize

An easy way to help prospective buyers visualize your house as potentially their own, is by removing anything that is personalized. Look at packing away personal items such as family photos or sentimental keepsakes like the “worlds best dad” mug and the trophy you won in the annual family baseball tournament. Store away your toothbrush and skin care collection.

Home Design

Interior design is the funnest part of home staging by far. Look at each room and objectively assess the overall style and accessibility. You may want to alter the placement of a furniture item or switch out a piece of decor. The goal is the make the space appear bigger, brighter and more welcoming.

If you are unsure what to look for, try referencing home decor catalogs or interior design magazines. Decide on a theme and try to be consistent. Aim for an aesthetically pleasing overall feel with a well balanced palette, layout and organizational system.

In Conclusion

Contact UsIt is paramount that if your resources, budget and timeline allow it, you should consider home staging before you list your property. Do your research to find the appropriate for your situation and don’t hesitate to talk to a REALTOR® for advice.

If you are thinking about selling your house eventually or are just interested in home staging, stay tuned in to Keylo University. We are compiling a list of Home Staging Do’s and Don’ts, developing a thorough Home Staging DIY guide and curating much more great educational content.

Check out our post on on Interior Hacks in the meantime!

The post Home Staging 101 appeared first on Keylo.ca.

How to Price Your House for Sale

Keylo — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 09:00:07 +0000

You’ve decided to sell your house and want to buy something else. Maybe you’re downsizing or just moving for a job. It’s hard to plan your life when you get stuck at step one: how much is my house worth?

What should you consider?

Even if you have the best real estate agent you alone ultimately decide the price your house is listed at. This is where so many people struggle. It is paramount that you are knowledgeable about the state of the market. Buyers will hold a lot of power in what you will ultimately price your house at, depending on a variety of things. Look at Edmonton real estate market reports to establish a baseline or have a candid conversation with your REALTOR®.

Competitive Market Analysis

You may have heard of a “comparative market analysis” or “comps”. Comps is a fancy way of looking at houses similar to yours that have recently sold in your area.

A word of caution: no two houses are the same. A house that sold a year or two ago could be worth significantly less than yours! Even if you have sold data, you will need to compare some basics like square footage, location, condition, and features. If a house up the street sold for a high price but had a pool and a double garage, you won’t get the same price.

Get a free comparative market analysis now ->

Similar Properites

In contrast, researching the listing price of houses similar to yours to solely make a decision about how you will price your house can be unsuccessful. A listing price does not mean that the house will actually sell at that price. List too high and you will have to reduce the price repeatedly. People may start to wonder what is wrong with your house, especially if there are significant or repeated drops.

Overpricing your house could result in you selling for less than if you were to price your house properly from the outset. Pricing your house too low could mean getting a quick sale but leaving a lot of potential profit on the table.

What about Renovations?

If you are looking to stage your home before you list, a bit of a face lift can be an effective tool in winning a sale. That being said, if a renovation or repair doesn’t have a significant impact on the value of your property, they become futile and you can end up overinvesting.

If you put in $100,000 of repairs and renovations into a home worth $400,000. You may want to price your house at $500,000 to cover the upgrades even though similar houses on the same block are selling for $430,000.

Renovations or repairs may not return dollar for dollar when it comes time to sell. Don’t expect the $30,000 renovated kitchen to add that same value when it comes time to sell a year later. Try painting the walls to freshen up the atmosphere or do some landscaping in your yard for some extra curb appeal.

Conclusion

This is where the value of a great real estate agent can make a big difference. An agent who says they can sell your house for $50,000 more than the next highest suggested listing price may just be trying to get your business. A great agent will show you the comps and why they think your house will sell at the price they suggest. Separate the facts from the emotion and take the time to read through why an agent suggests you list a particular price.

Talk with a REALTOR® today to get a consultation, advice or general recommendations. Keylo Care offers guidance, personalized reporting and a free appraisal for your house, so you can make an informed decision about how to price your house from the start.

The post How to Price Your House for Sale appeared first on Keylo.ca.

Tips to help you Save for a house

Keylo — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:00:35 +0000

Thinking about buying a house but don’t know where to start? Are you intimidated by the down payment? Saving for buying a house can be a monster in itself and many people have no idea how to begin the process. It can be daunting or even seem impossible. However scary it may seem for you, there are many simple steps you can take to make sure saving for that down payment is within reach. Are you willing to cut back or down size? Can you make small adjustments or create a reasonable budget? If you’re willing to adjust how you save, our top 8 tips by Keylo University will make saving for a house achievable.

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1. Create a Budget

The best place to start is creating a budget for yourself. Categorize your expenses and evaluate your spending priorities. Break down everything you spend and consider if it is a necessity. Make sure to give yourself allowance for groceries, entertainment and occasional treats. Put a specific amount into each of these categories.

Try carrying an allotted amount of cash for day to day expenses instead of a credit or debit card. People are typically more mindful of their spending when it comes to cash. Identify your savings as a non-optional expense in your budget and only allow enough recreational expenses to accommodate that.

Once you nail down a clear budget, hold yourself accountable and stick to it. If you need help creating a budget, check out this guide by Forbes for best budgeting apps of 2022.

2. Cut back unnecessary expenses

Start off your saving journey with finding any bad spending habits or eliminating any expenses that aren’t essential. While it may be an adjustment to make these changes in your lifestyle, it is fundamental in saving for a house.

Impulse Purchases

We get it, you see a good deal on something you didn’t know you ‘needed’ and justified buying it because it’s 50% off. These things tend to add up and can take away from money that could be put into your down payment fund.

Avoid spending too much time in the mall or shopping center by creating a list of the things you need, where you are getting them from, and prevent yourself from ‘browsing’. Additionally, scan your mail inbox for any recurring flyers that you may receive and unsubscribe. This will prevent you from impulsively adding any needless sale items to your shopping cart online.

Delivery or Dining out

Ordering food to your door or going out for dinner at a fancy restaurant are luxuries that should be treated as such. Buying groceries and cooking every meal can be a headache or seemingly inconvenient task. Nonetheless, it is a good habit to get into if you are trying to save money and can eventually become effortlessly ritual.

Budget a nice evening out or a meal delivery once a month (or biweekly) as a reward to keep you motivated. It is important to allow yourself simple luxuries every once in a while, otherwise it is going to feel like you are punishing yourself and you will fail.

Entertainment

Make sure you are doing things that keep you happy and content with your life, but do it on a budget. If you have expensive hobbies, try picking one to focus on or choosing cheaper ways to participate in them. Instead of buying a new book to read, get a free library membership. Instead of going to the movie theater, stick with cable. Are you an artist? Try a cheaper alternative for paints.

Membership or Subscriptions

Look at all of the small membership or subscriptions you have and cancel the ones that aren’t an absolute must. Do you really need a subscription to every tv streaming service ( ie. netflix, amazon prime, disney plus)? Try getting rid of all but one or asking a family member to share their account. Alternatively, maintain one of these accounts and cancel your cable services.

Can you listen to the radio instead of paying for a music subscription? Work out at home instead of dishing out dollars for a gym membership. If that doesn’t work for you, head over to a free outdoor gym to workout or go for a run outside. These things may not seem like a huge expense, but they add up. The less monthly memberships or subscriptions you have, the more money you can allocate to your savings.

Skip the Vacation

Vacations can become a pricey expense. Put that lump of cash toward saving for a house and opt for a staycation instead. Drive out to a nearby lake for the weekend to enjoy the beach and a bit of nature. Plan a spa day at home. Have a picnic at rundle. There is plenty to do right here in Edmonton that will be a fraction of the cost or even free. Check out Explore Edmonton for things to do when you are planning your staycation.

3. Downsize

Practice minimalism by downsizing your life and living below your means. This ensures you are only spending money on things that are absolutely essential and reducing your expenses.

Living Space

Rent eats away a large chunk of your income. Look at ways to reduce your rent so it is less than a third or even a quarter of your earnings. Move into a smaller apartment in a more affordable area or get a roommate to pay half your rent.

Sell a Vehicle

If you and your spouse each have a vehicle, think about selling one. This could save you hundreds of dollars a month on gas, car payments and insurance. One or both of you could potentially take transit, walk or bike to work if the distance is reasonable. Perhaps carpooling could work. Try parking your car for a while to see if this works for you. If you discover that it can be an alternative, then sell it.

Purge the Clutter

Remember all of those impulse buys we discussed earlier? Get rid of them. Selling anything that you don’t need can give you some extra dollars to put toward your down payment. Go through your closet to find any lightly worn clothes that you don’t wear to list online. Empty out the bookshelf that has all of the old novels that you probably won’t read again for resale. Hell, list the bookshelf too.

Look around your home for anything that you could sell; furniture, clothes, books, board games, movies, appliances, ect. Every dollar counts.

4. Skip the gifts

We all love receiving gifts on our birthday or during the holidays. Unfortunately, this contributes to more clutter that we don’t need. Leverage these special occasions and ask for gifted money instead of novelty items. Share with you loved ones your goal of saving for a house and they many feel more than happy to contribute to a down payment

5. Ask for a raise

If you are having substantial trouble saving for a house, it might be time to ask for a raise. Be confident but humble when asking for an increase in your salary. Let your manager know you are excited and passionate about growth potentials within the company. Show up prepared and outline why you deserve to earn more money. You want to reinforce the value that you bring to the team.

Additionally, make sure that you schedule this conversation at the right time. If you bring it up at your next performance review, this will allow you to highlight all of your strengths. If you simply can’t wait until your next annual review, aim to pitch a raise right after a big win.

6. Pick up a side hustle

If a raise just isn’t in the cards right now, that is okay. There is ample opportunity for you to earn extra income in other ways. Explore all of the options and find something that is right for you.

Contract or Freelance

Use the unique skills or knowledge you have to your advantage by contracting them out. You can pick up small gigs or find projects for pretty much everything. Are you an exceptional writer? Do you do photoshoots as a hobby? Do you paint, play an instrument or sew? Take a look on UpWork or Fiver for individual jobs that could utilize these skills. Perhaps you have a background in mechanics and can offer at home oil changes. Are you efficient in house work? Do you know how to put together a table? Vist Taskrabbit.

Create an Online Store

If you are a creative and can’t find contracting work for your specific hobby, make a store on Esty. There you can sell handmade or personalized items.

Rideshare or Delivery

Driving for Uber or delivering for SkipTheDishes could be the right path if you have a reliable vehicle and clean driving abstract. These companies allow you to capitalize on your free time and make some extra cash.

Sitting Services

If you love hanging out with children or furry friends, reach out to your friends and family to offer sitting services. Babysitting or pet sitting for business professionals or vacationing families can be an easy, stress-free way to earn some quick money. In addition, if you love animals, you can walk dogs for an hour a day. Now that is easy money.

Renting

If you have an extra room in your house or an unused basement area, you can share the space on places like Airbnb. You have complete control over when it gets rented and who is renting it. If you feel comfortable with having guests in your home, this can help supplement your income.

Moreover, you can also rent out a parking space during the day if you live downtown. Professionals who may work close by might take advantage of cheaper parking by renting from you instead of paying hundreds more parking in underground office spaces.

7. Pay off debts

I know what your thinking … “How can I save when I am spending extra money on debt payments?” To answer that simply, all of that extra interest you are paying is taking away from money you could be saving. By paying off your debts sooner rather than later, you can reallocate that interest to saving for a house.

But how?

Start with the lowest debt accumulating the highest interest. Pay it off in full using the extra money you have earned from your side hustle or purging sales. Use the minimum payment for the debt you just closed and add it to any usual payment for the next debt. And so on. As you pay off each debt, you will be freeing up more money to make higher payments for others. Ultimately, you will be surprised how fast this will clear up your capital.

Not only will this help make saving for a house easier in the long run, it will also benefit your eligibility for a mortgage. Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio when considering you as a candidate. The lower your DTI is, the more likely you are to be approved when it comes time to get a pre-approval.

8. Auto save

One thing that may make putting money away and saving for a house easier for you is automating your savings. Create a separate savings account for your home fund apart from your primary banking account and place your deposits on autopilot. Schedule an automatic withdrawal every payday so it is out of your hands. Speak to an advisor about a tax free savings account as an option.

Another great way to effortlessly save more, is by rounding up all of your purchases to the nearest dollar. This might not seem like much, but spare change can add up exponentially in the long run. There are services like Acorn that will do this for you automatically and transfer it into an investment account. The great thing about these is that you won’t even notice that you’re saving.

In Conclusion

Saving for a house may be a daunting task … sure. Don’t let it deter you from getting started. You can take the first steps toward building your savings by following any of the above tips to your life. Whether you start with your debts, pick up a weekend job or working on implementing a budget first it is a step in the right direction. If you are still having doubts, reach out to a financial advisor to help. Go head, take the leap.

Contact Ryan Mracek for advice or find out how you can get a financing free approval before you start hunting for a house!

Shop online for a house with Keylo’s MyHomie Buyers App –>

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