4 Home Hazards You May Not Know About

You have smoke detectors. Your doors have good locks. The bathtub has a slip-free pad. By all accounts, your home is a safe and secure place for your family to live.

However, there are some hazards that many homeowners don't consider or even know about. For instance:

1. Blocked eavestroughs. Eavestroughs clogged with leaves and other debris can cause rainwater to overflow next to your foundation and create a basement leak.

1. Clogged dryer vents. High temperature air combined with lint is a near ideal condition for a fire. Check and clear the dryer vent at least once a year.

1. Dirty faucet heads. Kitchen and bath faucets often have built-in screens to spray the water evenly. Unfortunately, dirt and other contaminates can build up on these and, possibly, affect the quality of the water. Clean faucet heads regularly.

1. Tripping hazards. You could step around a loose section of carpet for years and then one day, in a moment of distraction, trip over it and fall. When you see a potential tripping hazard in your home, don't ignore it. Fix it.

Being diligent about home safety takes a little more time. But, if it prevents one injury or illness, it's worth the effort.

Taking the "scary" out of real estate

Even homeowners who have moved a few times can be intimidated by the real estate market in general, and the buying and selling process in particular.

First of all, making a decision to sell your home can be difficult. There are so many questions, such as:

• Is "now" a good time to list? 
• How much can you expect to get for your property? 
• How long will it take to sell – and what if it doesn't?

Then there's the buying and selling process: 

• How do you prepare your home for sale? 
• How do you find homes that meet your criteria and are within your price range? 
• How do you prepare your home for viewings?

Yes, there's a lot to think about. That's why finding a good REALTOR® who is an expert on the local market is so important. 

A good REALTOR® will help you understand the market, the current market value of your home, and what you can expect should you decide to list. 

A good REALTOR® will also walk you step-by-step through the home selling and buying process, and work hard to make sure everything goes smoothly, before, during, and after the sale and/or purchase.

So if you're considering buying or selling a home, take the time to find a good REALTOR®. It makes all the difference. 

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today. (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com.

Bathroom Updates

Bathroom upgrades using overlays

If you're considering a bathroom update, you're probably familiar with the typical approaches, such as replacing a countertop or toilet, or removing all the fixtures and finishes to complete a floor-to-ceiling renovation.

However, there is another, far less expensive way to make an older bathroom look brand new: using overlays.

An overlay is simply a new surface applied over an existing one. For example, instead of replacing an old and worn bathtub – which is costly – you can purchase an overlay system (called a tub liner) that fits on top of the existing bathtub. It's a little like giving your tub a facelift! 

You can do the same thing with your bathroom countertops and floors. 

Overlays come in a wide variety of styles and finishes – some of which can make your bathroom look significantly more upscale. Compared to a major renovation, the installation of overlays is relatively straightforward. A tub liner installation, for example, can be done in a day.

You can learn more about overlays at your local home improvement centre and at specialty bathroom showrooms. Or give me a call, and I can put in touch with some great people. For this, and all your Real Estate needs, I'm only a call or email away! (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com

Foods that boost your energy

Foods that boost your energy

Many people order an espresso or reach for an energy drink when they need a boost. However, there are other foods that 

can give you a similar increase in energy and are, arguably, a lot healthier. Here are a few examples:

Coconut oil. It contains high quantities of medium chain fats, which are a quick source of energy.

Honey. It tastes sweet because it's a natural form of sugar. As we all know, sugar gives you a quick boost.

Iron containing foods. Lack of iron in your diet can leave you feeling sluggish. Adding more beans, spinach, and lentils to your diet – perhaps in salads – can help boost your iron levels. 

Nuts. Almonds, cashews and other nutrient-rich nuts are the ideal quick snack for an energy boost.

Dark chocolate. It’s great news for chocolate lovers, but keep the portions small.

Finally, not drinking enough water can also rob you of energy. In fact, water may be the best energy-boosting "food" of them all.

Let's hope with the return of some warmer weather, the sun will give us a little boost as well! Stay healthy everyone!

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call or email, (204) 990-3467, lukevberg@gmail.com.

Watch for these electrical hazards in your home

Electricity in the home is so commonplace that it's easy to forget how dangerous it can be. According to the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, an electrical shock can knock you unconscious, cause a serious burn, or even stop your heartbeat.

Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk.

Install safety plugs in outlets that young children can reach.

Never plug in anything with a frayed or otherwise damaged power cord.

Never use a plugged-in computer, hair dryer, or other electrically-powered item near a filled sink or bathtub. This includes phones with power cords.

Never touch anything electrical with wet hands or while standing in water. (Water is a remarkably efficient conductor of electricity.)

Always turn off the appropriate breaker before doing any electrical work, such as installing a new light fixture.

When replacing a broken light bulb, turn off the breaker first. Although the glass is broken, the filament may still be conducting electricity.

Finally, unless you're an expert or an electrician, never do any major electrical work on your own. Hire a professional. If you don't know a good professional, give me a call, I can connect you with someone! (204) 990-3467.

Making Sense of a Crazy Market

Unless you're a real estate expert, you probably look at the market and think things are pretty confusing. Even a bit crazy! You hear news about “bubbles bursting”, “higher or lower home sales in a particular month”, “new home starts” that are up or down, and on and on it goes.

It’s a lot of news and a lot of jargon. 

If you're thinking of selling your home within the next year or two, you will want to understand what's happening in the market so you can make the right decisions and get a clear sense of what to expect. So, how do you make sense of it all? 

That's where a good REALTOR® can help.

Even if you don't have any definite plans to move in the near future, a REALTOR® who is an expert in the local marketplace can help you understand what homes in a particular neighbourhood are selling for, and what you can expect to get should you decide to list your property.

Getting to know a REALTOR® also means you’ll have a trusted expert to talk to from time to time, when you have real estate-related questions. 

You’ll have someone you can think of as "Your REALTOR®".

Plus, when the time comes to sell your property, you won't have to deal with a stranger. Instead, you'll be able to work with a REALTOR® that you know well -- and who knows YOU. Overall, that will make the buying and selling process go more smoothly and more successfully.

You never have to feel like you might be wasting my time just because you don't plan to move in the next weeks, or months. Why not start a relationship now? It's always nice to know someone new!

Looking for a good REALTOR® who wants to get to know you? Call today! (204) 990-3467, or email, lukevberg@gmail.com. 

Thinking About Wood Flooring?

Wood floors can add value to your home. They continue to grow in popularity, but as they do, so too do does the list of options available to you. As with anything, it's important to do your homework. Here is a very brief outline of the basic types available. From here, there are still things to think about: colour, board size, actual type of wood, etc. As with anything, your best bet to consult a professional.

Unfinished. This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you.

Factory finished. As the name suggests, this is flooring that has its finish applied in the factory. Although it is more expensive, factory finished flooring can be installed faster and can be walked upon immediately.

Solid. This is flooring that is made from a solid piece of wood, top to bottom. The advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over the years, or even decades.

Engineered. This is flooring that is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. It can be engineered to be very durable and expand and contract less than solid flooring.

The type you choose depends on your needs. Talk to your dealer or contractor about your specific application.