Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

MARLA JANZEN a Trusted SASKATOON REAL ESTATE Expert shares a Trusted Tip on why you should work with a Realtor on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY

Marla Janzen is an award winning SASKATOON REALTOR 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. Sheis one of our 3 Real Estate listings on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and loves to provide Trusted Tips that help the public!

Common first time buyer mistake ...why use a realtor

Contacting the listing agent directly is one of the WORST mistakes you can make as a buyer. Put it this way, if you were being sued in civil court, would you use the same lawyer representing the plaintiff? Of course not, you would hire a hotshot lawyer from the best firm you could afford to defend your best interests. So, why would you use the same Realtor who owes fiduciary duties to the seller of the property? Remember, any real estate agent can show you a home with a sign on it from another agency. Just because the sign says, “Acme Real Estate” it doesn’t mean only that company can show you the home. The moral of the story: Find your REALTOR before you begin your home search. Then if you go to an open house or run into a listing agent, let them know right away. Tell them, “You’re WORKING with a Realtor.” At that point, they should respect the relationship you have with your Realtor. If they don’t they are likely violating ethical obligations. Politely let them know that any offers you decide to make will come through your real estate agent. Deciding on your Realtor ahead of time, ensures that you will be represented by an agent who looks out for your best interests and assists you in getting the best deal possible. When the deal comes together, your real estate agent is paid half the commission the seller is offering and the listing agent is paid the other half. During negotiations, the two Realtors will do the back and forth talk and paperwork. You deal directly withyour Realtor at every point. You never speak to the listing agent. This gives you maximum distance from the seller, which is ideal for keeping emotions in check and sticking to your guns when it comes to price.

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 The SASKATOON DIRECTORY, Marla Janzen is A Trusted  SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

 

 

SASKATOON FURNITURE EXPERTS share a Trusted Tip on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY


 

A hide a bed gains you only one thing, an extra bed in the house. Not even a comfortable one most often, just an extra raised sleep space. When people come in and ask for a hide a bed, I ask if they really, truly need the extra bed or not. When I ask the question, "how many times in the last 6 months would it have been used..." I usually get a blank stare and mumbled response of "maybe once?" Houses are larger, with more spare room options. We carry a fantastic line of wall beds that can serve this purpose of extra sleep space for the once or twice a year guest.

Hide a beds are often put into the most used room in the house, the TV room. It is important to have your BEST suspension under that sofa for years of comfortable seating, and so often people compromise that with a hide a bed frame, and a less than comfortable bed that is used once or twice a year. The new fangled blow up mattresses with built in frames that fold down small enough to fit in the linen closet would likely be a better option, and cheaper too. Inexpensive hide a beds are not comfortable to sit on and not comfortable to sleep on, so why do it if you don't need it? To get the good ones, there is a price tag associated with it, one that people often don't want to pay because "it is just in the basement". Consider your other options. Hidden beds are smart and savvy, and serve the purpose of a full size COMFORTABLE bed in single double and queen size, all up against a wall when not needed to allow space in the room for other things, like a workout room or home office. We carry ZZZ Chests, which are a wall bed style mattress hidden in a self supported beautiful chest, no need to screw into walls, and great for condos, basements or home offices. Traditional wallbed options are also available providing the best of both worlds for looks and space saving. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and we are here to help you navigate the solution to your home furnishing issue. If you determine that a bed is a must in your sofa, and you want a quality set that will last for years to come, come and see us at International Furniture Wholesalers. We have a new line of airbed hide a beds that will "blow" you away. The comfort level is fantastic, you would never know you are sitting on a hide a bed, and with a 10 year cushion guarantee, you will always have the best seat in the house. Set up is a breeze, inflating and deflating in minutes at the push of a button. Hundreds of fabrics to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect match. If hide a beds are the debate in your house, set up a time to discuss your needs with one of our product specialists at International Furniture Wholesalers.

 ZZZ Chest Open!

Check out  SASKATOON FURNITURE on our SASKATOON DIRECTORY for Trusted SASKATOON FURNITURE EXPERTS!

Trusted SASKATOON HOME INSPECTIONS EXPERT shares a tip: Do YOU need a Home Inspection


 

 

DO YOU NEED A HOME INSPECTION?

Before you buy a home, one of the things you should do is to have the home checked out by a professional home inspector. Buying a home is expensive enough as it is - why would you choose to fork over another $400 if you're not required to? In this article, we'll delve into what a home inspection can reveal and why you shouldn't forgo this optional procedure. (If this is your first time buying a home, be sure to read 10 Worst First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes.)

The Home Inspection Contingency

Your first clue that a home inspection is important is that it can be used as a contingency in your purchase offer. This contingency provides that if significant defects are revealed by a home inspection, you can back out of your offer, free of penalty, within a certain timeframe. The potential problems a home can have must be pretty serious if they could allow you to walk away from such a significant contract. (For more on closing on your home, read Understanding The Escrow Process.)

What a Home Inspection Examines

Inspectors vary in experience, ability and thoroughness, but a good inspector should examine certain components of the home you want to purchase and then produce a report covering his or her findings. The typical inspection lasts two to three hours and you should be present for the inspection to get a firsthand explanation of the inspector's findings and, if necessary, ask questions. Also, any problems the inspector uncovers will make more sense if you see them in person instead of relying solely on the snapshot photos in the report.

The inspector should note:

• whether each problem is a safety issue, major defect, or minor defect

• which items need replacement and which should be repaired or serviced

• items that are suitable for now but that should be monitored closely

A really great inspector will even tell you about routine maintenance that should be performed, which can be a great help if you are a first-time homebuyer. (To learn more, read First-Time Homebuyer Guide.) While it is impossible to list everything an inspector could possibly check for, the following list will give you a general idea of what to expect. (Home maintenance can cost you more than you bargained for. Read Four Overlooked Homeownership Costs to learn more.)

Exterior

• Exterior walls - The inspector will check for damaged or missing siding, cracks and whether the soil is in excessively close contact with the bottom of the house, which can invite wood-destroying insects. However, the pest inspector, not the home inspector, will check for actual damage from these insects. The inspector will let you know which problems are cosmetic and which could be more serious.

• Foundation - If the foundation is not visible, and it usually is not, the inspector will not be able to examine it directly, but they can check for secondary evidence of foundation issues, like cracks or settling.

• Grading - The inspector will let you know whether the grading slopes away from the house as it should. If it doesn't, water could get into the house and cause damage, and you will need to either change the slope of the yard or install a drainage system. (Read about managing the expense of a yard in Save Money On Summer Bills.)

• Garage or carport - The inspector will test the garage door for proper opening and closing, check the garage framing if it is visible and determine if the garage is properly ventilated (to prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning). If the water heater is in the garage, the inspector will make sure it is installed high enough off the ground to minimize the risk of explosion from gasoline fumes mingling with the heater's flame.

• Roof - The inspector will check for areas where roof damage or poor installation could allow water to enter the home, such as loose, missing or improperly secured shingles and cracked or damaged mastic around vents. He or she will also check the condition of the gutters. (The roof offers opportunities for energy-conscious homeowners. Read Building Green For Your House And Wallet to learn more.)

Interior

• Plumbing - The home inspector will check all faucets and showers, look for visible leaks, such as under sinks and test the water pressure. He or she will also identify the kind of pipes the house has, if any pipes are visible. The inspector may recommend a secondary inspection if the pipes are old to determine if or when they might need to be replaced and how much the work would cost. The inspector will also identify the location of the home's main water shutoff valve.

• Electrical - The inspector will identify the kind of wiring the home has, test outlets and make sure there are functional ground fault circuit interrupters (which can protect you from electrocution, electric shock and electrical burns) installed in areas like the bathrooms, kitchen, garage and outdoors. They will also check your electrical panel for any safety issues and check your electrical outlets to make sure they do not present a fire hazard.

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) - The inspector will look at your HVAC system to estimate the age of the furnace and air conditioner, determine if they function properly and recommend repairs or maintenance. An inspector can also give you an idea of the age of the home's ducting, whether it might have leaks, if your home has sufficient insulation to minimize your energy bills and whether there is any asbestos insulation.

• Water heater - The home inspector will identify the age of the heater and determine if it is properly installed and secured. The inspector will also let you know what kind of condition it is in and give you a general idea of how many years it has left.

• Kitchen appliances – The inspector will sometimes check kitchen appliances that come with the home to make sure they work, but these are not always part of the inspection. Be sure to ask the inspector which appliances are not included so that you can check them yourself. (Energy-efficient appliances can save you big bucks. Read Ten Ways To Save Energy And Money to learn more.)

 • Laundry room - The inspector will make sure the laundry room is properly vented. A poorly maintained dryer-exhaust system can be a serious fire hazard.

• Fire safety - If the home has an attached garage, the inspector will make sure the wall has the proper fire rating and that it hasn't been damaged in any way that would compromise its fire rating. They will also test the home's smoke detectors. (Learn more about protecting your home from fire in Insurance Tips For Homeowners.)

• Bathrooms - The inspector will check for visible leaks, properly secured toilets, adequate ventilation and other issues. If the bathroom does not have a window and/or a ventilation fan, mold and mildew can become problems and moisture can warp wood cabinets over time.

Home Inspection Shortcomings

A home inspection can't identify everything that might be wrong with the property - it only checks for visual cues to problems. For example, if the home's doors do not close properly or the floors are slanted, the foundation might have a crack - but if the crack can't be seen without pulling up all the flooring in the house, a home inspector can't tell you for sure if it's there. Furthermore, most home inspectors are generalists - that is, they can tell you that the plumbing might have a problem, but then they will recommend that you hire an expert to verify the problem and give you an estimate of the cost to fix it. Of course, hiring additional inspectors will cost extra money. Home inspectors also do not check for issues like termite damage, site contamination, mold, engineering problems and other specialized issues. After the Inspection Once you have the results of your home inspection, you have several options.

• If the problems are too significant or too expensive to fix, you can choose to walk away from the purchase, as long as the purchase contract has an inspection contingency.

• For problems large or small, you can ask the seller to fix them, reduce the purchase price, or to give you a cash credit at closing to fix the problems yourself - this is where a home inspection can pay for itself several times over. (Read 10 Tips For Getting A Fair Price On A Home.)

• If these options aren't viable in your situation (for example, if the property is bank-owned and being sold as-is), you can get estimates to fix the problems yourself and come up with a plan for repairs in order of their importance and affordability once you own the property. (To learn more, read Do-It-Yourself Projects To Boost Home Value.)

Bottom Line A home inspection will cost you a little bit of time and money, but in the long run you'll be glad you did it. The inspection can reveal problems that you may be able to get the current owners to fix before you move in, saving you time and money. If you are a first-time homebuyer, an inspection can give you a crash course in home maintenance and a checklist of items that need attention to make your home as safe and sound as possible. Don't skip this important step in the home-buying process - it's worth every penny.

 

 

GIBBON HEATING AND AIR Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and AC Pros Tip on Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Gibbon Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas for over 25 Years, Gibbon is a "Total Service" company with trained technicians who are able to provide customers with solutions to all their SASKATOON Heating & Air Conditioning and SASKATOON Plumbing related requirements! in their latest article, they share a tip on Carbon Monoxide Detectors.


Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning are TRUSTED SASKATOON Air Conditioning & Furnace Professionals


Gibbon Heating and air Conditioning Tip on CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

A Carbon Monoxide Detector can save your life. 

If you have a gas furnace in your home you MUST be sure that you have a carbon monoxide detector close by. It's a matter of life or death. Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be emitted from a malfunctioning gas furnace, so it's extremely important to have a detector near the area where your furnace is to keep your family and home safe should carbon monoxide be present. There are many affordable devices on the market, a popular choice is the "First Alert" Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm to plug into the wall or battery operated detector is available too. 

Either product has it's pro's and con's so be sure to choose one that is right for you, and check out the video below for how to test!


Gibbon's Services

Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning are TRUSTED SASKATOON Air Conditioning & Furnace Professionals


Trusted SASKATOON HEALTH expert has a tip about the Top 5 FAQ's on Medical Tourism on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY

 

 

The Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions on Finances for Medical Tourism!

1. Why are prices for medical tourism so much less than at home? The cost advantage evolves from the lower cost of living and wages paid in most destination countries as compared to North America.

2. How is payment handled for the trip and the surgery? Your air tickets, hotels and deposit for surgery must be paid in advance through Global Healthcare Connections Inc. We will be pleased to provide you with specific payment information once you have decided on the service provider, facility, and choice of travel date. Full financing for Canadian citizens is available for your medical trip; please let us know if you would like us to help with financing options.

3. Can I seek reimbursement through the government or my private medical insurance for medical travel? Not generally and especially if it is an elective surgery. There may be special circumstances; you will have to check directly with your private medical plan administrator for private insurance, and if you are looking for support from the Canadian Government, all requests for support are reviewed on an individual basis and expenses for healthcare outside of Canada must be pre-approved prior to travel.

4. Are the costs of medical services outside of Canada tax deductible? If you are incorporated there is a legal way to deduct up to 100% of your out of country medical costs. For individuals, your tax relief is limited to the amount by which your expenses exceed 3% of your income. Always seek the guidance from a chartered accountant for allowable income expenses.

5. Do I have to pay any fee for their services? Generally, no. We receive a contracted service fee from the medical providers in our network.

Check out  listings here in the Saskatoon Health & Wellness Category on THE SASKATOON DIRECTORYof excellence.

STAY TRUSTED MY FRIENDS ..SAFE and TRUSTED SASKATOON!

 

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