ENERGY LOSS from homes through your windows and doors is a huge money issue ....get the best advice and info from Saskatchewan manufacturers at Sunview Windows and Doors . They provide new and replacement windows and doors. Featuring the worlds most energy efficient glass. They manufacture products that extend the comfort zone. The company primarily makes windows but also offers solariums (also called sunrooms), screen rooms, conservatories and patio covers through Sunview Solariums Ltd. Sunview Windows and Doors are Trusted Saskatoon Window, Door & Sunroom Experts
Here they share another helpful Trusted Saskatoon Financial Tip!
You've found the right home and the right mortgage...
Now find the right mortgage protection.
Most lending institutions offer mortgage life insurance as part of their mortgage packaging. But look carefully before you sign on the dotted line. You could find yourself locked into insurance that does more to protect your lender than you.
Protect your home, Not your lender
A personal life insurance policy doesn't insure your mortgage. It insures you. After all, you're the one making those payments. Though a personal life insurance policy, you can plan to meet more of your family's needs in the event of death - including staying in your dream home.
Insurance from lenders usually covers the exact amount of your mortgage (the blue line in the graph below). Your coverage decreases as the mortgage is paid down. This means you have no coverage when the mortgage is paid off.
With personal life insurance, we help you determine the amount of coverage you need, and your coverage doesn't decrease as the mortgage is paid down. This is illustrated by the orange line. This means additional funds can be available at a time when your family may need them most. You can reduce the face amount as you pay off your mortgage or if you need the protection for other purposes, you can keep the insurance.
tip on a Modern Office Renovation - Part 1:
One renovation in particular that we have been working on has many unique elements; it incorporates all of the things trending right now: loft style, glass walls, custom railing incorporating metal elements and an overall clean, stream-lined look. Check out below the process, and development thus far!
Step 1: Inspiration
This client approached us for a solution to making the modern home they had just moved into a more functional space for them, while still maintaining the open, modern qualities. They wanted an enclosed office, more privacy in their entry, and minor tweaks that fit their lifestyle.
Below are a few of the concept images used to help “paint the picture” of what the end results could be:
Gorgeous Modern Walnut door
credit: Rhyzoma – Arquitectura/Diseno Explanada
Beautiful loft style with glass walls
credit: google images
Cubbies creates modern office storage that is functional & organized.
credit: Houzz
Modern Office Furniture that is both stylish as well as functional.
Available through Metric Design
Step 2: Bringing the Concept to Life
It was important to not lose that open feeling, while still supplying an office space that had four walls. Thus, the use of glass walls was born.
Step 3: Starting the Renovation
This stage is the most exciting, for the client as well as designer! It is when all the planning starts to take form and the space starts to evolve. Here are some of the before pictures of this project:
Wireless Lighting Controls:
Wireless lighting controls are a great way to save money while being environmentally conscious. They allow you to wirelessly control lighting and small appliances in your home.
Imagine using a wireless, hand held remote to control overhead lighting, small appliances, outdoor lighting, holiday lighting, thermostats AND lamps. Imagine being able to time when your lights will turn on and off during the day. Envision being able to dim the lights down low or turn them up to full strength whenever you wanted. Picture a light that was smart enough to know when you entered and exited a room and turned the light on and off automatically. How convenient would that be?
Everyone can benefit from wireless lighting controls. It is convenient, efficient, economical, and provides an element of safety and security.
- Do you find it difficult to get up and down and wish there were an easier way to turn lights and small appliances on and off?
- Do you wish the bathroom light would turn on automatically when you entered?
- Do you wish that you could turn on your security lights from bed if you heard an alarming noise?
- Do you wish that you could preset your lamps, security lights, or holiday lights to come on at a specific time?
- Do you wish you could set the mood to entertain your guest with whatever intensity of light you desired?
- Do you wish you could turn the light off in the baby’s room without disturbing them?
- Do you wish you could turn the lights off from bed after you finish your book or your television show?
You don’t have to wish anymore. Being able to control your lights when you want is no longer a dream, it is a reality.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Lighting Control Stations allow you to control a variety of whole-house lighting scenes from one central control station. They give you the ability to create a variety of moods with one easy touch of the button. Different scenes can be accessed by remote as well as the keypad. Lighting control stations make it easy to set the mood for whatever the occasion without walking through the whole house to set every individual light.
Time is on Your Side
Timers are an easy way to reduce your energy consumption. Timers can be used either indoor or outdoor. They are great for outdoor lighting, holiday lighting, and to leave preset while you are on vacation. Timers provide convenience and safety while saving you energy and money.
Sense and Sensibility
Room Occupancy Sensors enable lights to come one whenever motion is detected and turn off when motion ceases. Motion sensors are especially useful in bathrooms and bedrooms. They are especially useful in children’s rooms as children often forget to turn lights off after they leave a room or cannot reach the light when they enter. Room occupancy sensors are yet another great way to save energy and money.
Dim and Dimmer
Dimmers give you the ability to intimately control your lighting system. Lighting dimmers allow you to adjust the intensity of the light to meet each individuals needs. You may want to dim the lights to have a romantic dinner or you may want to brighten the lights to see better while working. Dimmers affect the warmth, depth, and ambiance of the room while providing energy efficiency.
Dimmers can be used in any room from the kitchen to bedroom, bathroom or office. Dimmers are a quick and easy way to make a big difference in the visual presentation of your home.
Marla Janzen is an award winning SASKATOON REAL Estate expert she takes action to sell her client's homes and find them the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She loves what she does and takes great pride in providing excellence in customer service to all of her clients.
She is one of our wonderful TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERTS listed on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and loves to provide Trusted Tips that help the public!
Marla Janzen from century 21 Fusion is the realtor for BC Based home builders Westbow Construction's Radius at The Legends condo project in Warman SK, and she invited the Trusted team up for a tour around the show condos and to meet the owner of Westbow Construction Dick Westeringh. We figured we would take along our video camera so you could see for yourself why living in Warman should be a consideration for anyone thinking about moving!
Here Marla shares a tip on how an updated driveway can increase the value of your home:
When considering what home improvements you can make to help increase the value of your home, updating your driveway probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But don’t rule it out: Your driveway is one of the first things people see on your property and it has a big impact on your home’s curb appeal.
Examine your options
An attractive, well-maintained driveway can go a long way to enhance your curb appeal, which instantly increases its value.1. Classic asphalt and gravelClassic black asphalt driveways and gravel driveways are common options that still look great. They won’t knock the socks off any potential homebuyers, but they’re inexpensive to put in and inexpensive to maintain, making them great choices for the average budget-conscious homeowner. They only cost about $1.50 a square foot, so it’s easy to see why they’re such popular choices.
2. ConcreteConcrete is a pricier option, coming in at about $4 a square foot, but it has a much cleaner, modern look. If laid properly, concrete can last up to 30 years, with almost zero maintenance besides an annual power wash. A coloured or stamped finish can really boost the look of concrete, but it will also raise the price tag, so be sure to shop around for quotes before you commit.
3. Brick or cobblestoneBrick or cobblestone pavers are the most attractive driveway option and have endless possibilities for colour and pattern. This option requires a professional. Hiring an expert who can create a plan to incorporate the driveway with your exterior hardscaping and come up with the look you really want is worth every penny – even if that means forking over $10 a square foot.
What things should I consider to get the best return on investment from my driveway?
First of all, look around your neighbourhood. Does every house but yours have a driveway? If your answer is yes, that’s a good reason to add some parking. Also, ask yourself if parking is at a premium in your area. If it is, adding a parking spot could really increase the value of your home. If you have room for extra parking on top of what you need or use, remember that you can rent out spaces for extra cash flow, too.
Should I turn my lawn into a parking pad if I don’t have any other parking options?
No, not if you’re worried about resale value and especially not if it will take up your entire yard. In most municipalities, street parking is permitted and generally adequate in residential areas. Driveway parking is definitely a perk but not if you have to sacrifice your green space to have it. Also, remember that adding parking requires city approval, so make sure to get all appropriate permits before you start breaking ground.
Find Marla Online at http://www.century21.ca/marla.janzen she is a Century 21 Fusion Realtor Sakatoon based at 703 Circle Drive, Saskatoon..or checkout her listing in REAL ESTATE SASKATOON here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com, Marla Janzen is TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.
