Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Realtor Marla Janzen's Tips to Prepare Your Home for Fall and Winter Weather

As an award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent, Marla Janzen knows the city and surrounding area extremely well. She strives to find her clients the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She has a keen eye for house layout and home staging, which really benefits her clients, most of whom are past client referrals! In her latest Saskatoon real estate tip, Marla shares tips on how to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. 

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR FALL FEELS

Fall has a certain air to it, don’t you think? As the seasons change, it’s time to get your house ready for the coming rain, snow, and ice. The best way to avoid problems later in the season is to plan ahead and do some simple house maintenance as early as now. By doing this, you’ll be free to take advantage of everything the autumn season has to offer. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of practical things to do on your own. However, hiring a professional to do it for you will be more cost-effective in the long run, saving you both time and money.

Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare your house for the colder months ahead.

1. Check the roof for leaks

From the ground, you should be able to get a good look at it. Consider using a pair of binoculars or scaling a nearby structure for a better vantage point if you’re up for the challenge. Look for shingles that are loose, broken, or missing. The removal of leaves and other debris can be necessary if your roof is flat.

2. Make sure your gutters are clear

It’s critical to maintain the smooth flow of your roof’s drainage system, which annually diverts tens of thousands of gallons of water from the exterior and foundation walls of your residence. Clogged gutters can result in water damage to your home’s exterior and a flooded basement. They rust and corrode more quickly. Remove all debris from your gutters and cover them with mesh gutter guards before the leaves start falling this season.

3. Remove leaves and check the trees in your area

Examine the trees in your area. Look for broken or too close to electrical wires or the roof, damaged limbs. Meanwhile, clear the yard of leaves by raking them and then removing them. If you have access to a compost pile, use it. If this is not an option, place in yard waste bags and place at the curb for collection by the neighborhood.

4. Replace window and door screens

Strengthen the windows and doors of your home. Having storm windows and doors would be best as replacements for your screens. All doors and windows should have caulk and seals checked.

5. Pool closeout

Schedule a pool closing service if you have a pool and live in a cold climate. If you are capable, you can buy the supplies and close your pool yourself if you know how to do this task.

6. Garage clean up

Organizing your garage or shed for fall and winter is a terrific time to search through your supplies. Don’t wait for snow trouble before you find that snow shovel of yours. If you live in an area with erratic weather, be sure your snowblower is serviced and ready to go.

7. Manage the shed

Most often than not, we have summer items filing up our storage. It’s an excellent time to organize and clean up your shed now by rearranging and putting all summer items at the back and winter products in the front to make it easier to get the things you’d need in the colder seasons. Be sure to get rid of everything that could freeze, as well. Restore and store outdoor furniture that has been left unused over the winter. Clean the cushions by removing them and washing them—store furniture in a dry spot throughout the winter after cleaning and drying it.

8. Make a bundle of firewood a priority

With fireplaces in mind, it’s time to start accumulating firewood. You’ll be happy you did it when the cold weather arrives. Use dried and ready-to-use firewood if you’ve collected it yourself. Covering and storing firewood away from the home is the safest option. Outside, construct a firewood rack and a carrier for moving the wood inside. Make sure you have enough wood on hand for the entire season.

9. Take care of the fireplace and the chimney

The colder months would surely make you and your family spend more time together, lounging in front of the fireplace. Ensure that the fireplace and chimney are both working properly before using the fireplace. It’s highly recommended that you have a professional chimney sweep and inspection if you frequently use your wood fireplace. To avoid chimney fires, schedule a chimney cleaning appointment right away.

10. Make sure that the furnace and boiler are working properly

You should check your furnace or boiler in the fall to make sure it’s ready for the cold weather. A furnace’s filters should be changed on a regular basis throughout the fall and winter. Have it inspected if necessary,  by doing so, you’ll be saving money on your utility bills and have extra for shopping, maybe?

11. Turn off all faucets and put hoses away in a dry place

Disconnect outside spigots and drain garden hoses. Turn off external faucets and, if your house is older, the valve inside. Shut everything down. Keep hoses out of the freezer by storing them in a dry location. Follow the manufacturer’s protocol for draining and safeguarding an in-ground irrigation system from winter damage to freezeproof it.

All faucets that leave your home should have an internal shut-off valve. If the interior shut-off valve has a drain stopper, open it while the outside faucet is still turned on. The drain plug on the shut-off valve should be closed and then turn the outdoor faucet back to the off position once all of the water has been completely drained from the line. If you don’t have shut-off valves or can’t find them, hire a certified plumber to install them.

Blowout sprinkler lines and irrigation system. At this time, your irrigation system may need to be drained and checked. Repairs should be performed by a professional, and sprinkler heads near snow removal zones should be marked. By doing this, you’ll have peace of mind during the freezing season.

12. Check the condition of your furnace

It would be best if you had a professional inspect your heating system once a year. Think about doing this task before winter sets in so you don’t have to rush. And while you are at it, include your furnace on the checklist too. Hire an HVAC professional to check for leaks, evaluate the heating efficiency, and change the filter. They can also check for carbon monoxide for air safety. Also, keep spare air filters on hand and swap them out regularly.

13. Clean humidifiers

During the months when it’s operating, maintaining your central humidifier will make you and your house more pleasant. To begin, look over the plates or pads and, if necessary, give them a good cleaning with a strong solution of laundry detergent. Use a wire brush or steel wool to remove mineral deposits after rinsing the area well and drying. Replace any worn-out filters and give the compartment a thorough cleaning. Vinegar is a low-cost and effective solution. Just a trivia, did you know that dry winter air makes fine wood more susceptible to cracking? So much so that dry winter air can also cause harm or irritation on our skin.

14. Make time for carpet care

Cleaning your carpets is best done in the fall. This season is the most fantastic time to open windows and let fresh air in to help with drying. If you don’t know how to operate a carpet cleaning machine, hire a pro to do it for you.

15. Comfy clean bedding

Get your down and cotton comforters, linens, and knits out of the closet and give them a good cleaning. After a thorough wash, place your blankets in a handy closet so that they’re ready to go when the frigid nights arrive.


There you have it—my practical guide to prepping your home for fall. Make sure your house is ready for the next autumn season by being smart and practical. Preventative maintenance now will save you money on costly emergency repairs and other expenditures in the long run. Maintaining your house well not only increases its worth and appeal but also saves you time and energy. 

Is there something you need help with around the house or are you planning to sell or buy a new home for the winter? Contact award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent Marla Janzen today for a free consultation! 

Marla guarantees to provide you with a stress-free, hassle-free, wonderful experience and we are sure once you have met her that you will not contact anyone else!

Marla Janzen is a TRUSTED SASKATOON REALTOR®

Trusted Saskatoon Realtor Marla Janzen Shares an Important Seller Tip About Home Upgrades

As an award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent Marla Janzen knows the city and surrounding area extremely well. She strives to find her clients the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She has a keen eye for house layout and home staging, which really benefits her clients, most of whom are past client referrals! In her latest Saskatoon real estate tip, Marla shares an important seller tip about home upgrades.

Marla Janzen is a TRUSTED SASKATOON REALTOR® 


⭐ MARLA JANZEN- A SELLER TIP ⭐⁣

An Important Seller Tip About Home Upgrades

If you're selling your home, it’s hard to justify spending money on upgrades - on the other hand, if some things are outdated, your home might lag on the market.⁣

Either way, you’ll want to maximize your time and money by doing some “for-sale upgrades”. I suggest zeroing in on buyer hot spots, where buyers will pay the most attention. The rooms buyers most closely inspect (and judge) in a house are the kitchen and master bath. These are the interior spaces where the most value can be added during a sale, so they need to look their best.⁣

A well-appointed kitchen will dramatically increase the value of your home, so it’s worth spicing up yours to grab buyer attention. The same holds true for the bathrooms, especially the master bath. A sparkling master bath with clean lines will charm open-house-goers with modern upgrades like dual vanities and soaking tubs.⁣

If you’re thinking about selling your home, contact award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent Marla Janzen today for a free consultation! She would be happy to offer you her personalized opinions.

Marla guarantees to provide you with a stress-free, hassle-free, wonderful experience and we are sure once you have met her that you will not contact anyone else!

Marla Janzen is a TRUSTED SASKATOON REALTOR®

Behind The Brand- Marla Janzen Trusted Saskatoon REALTOR ®

Behind The Brand is a Trusted Saskatoon video series where we meet the partners and get to know who they are as people. Sara Wheelwright, the founder of Trusted, interviews them in a relaxed atmosphere and we get to know who they are, what motivates them and why they can be trusted!   

Behind The Brand #1 
Meet Marla Janzen, an award-winning Trusted Saskatoon and Area Real Estate agent. Marla strives to find her clients the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She has a keen eye for design and home staging, which really benefits her clients. Find out who she is, why she chose real estate and what motivates her.  


 



Marla guarantees to provide you with a stress-free, hassle-free, wonderful experience and we are sure once you have met her that you will not contact anyone else!

Marla Janzen is a TRUSTED SASKATOON REALTOR®


Trusted Saskatoon Real Estate Agent Marla Janzen Shares 5 Reasons To Sell Now

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. 

Marla Janzen is a  TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT listed on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and she loves to provide Trusted Saskatoon real estate Tips that help the public! In her latest article she shares some tips on when to sell...hint it is now! 


Why You Should Consider Selling Before The Traditional Selling Season. 


Are You Thinking About Selling Your Home In Saskatoon, Warman and Surrounding Area?


 


A common thought in real estate is never list your home in the winter offseason.  Perpetuated by industry experts, agents and repeat sellers alike, this saying encourages many would-be sellers to wait until the spring peak to list their homes.  However, studies show that homes listed in the winter offseason not only sell faster than those in the spring, but sellers also net more above their asking price at this time.  Don’t wait until spring to sell.  


If you’ve been thinking of selling your home, here are five compelling reasons to list now.

 

1. Take advantage of low inventory in Saskatoon and area housing market. 


Since most sellers are waiting until spring to list, local inventory falls during the offseason. However, there are still motivated buyers who are ready to move now and don’t want to wait that long to purchase a home.  According to the National Association of Realtors, 55 percent of all buyers purchased their home at the time they did because “it was just the right time.”  These eager buyers may flock to your home.  You may not need to try as hard to make your home stand out in the sea of other similar homes.  With less competition, more buyers, some of whom may have otherwise overlooked your home if you listed during the peak, will express an interest to buy.  While you’ll likely have fewer showings in the offseason, buyers who do visit will be more serious about writing an offer.  Your home will likely sell faster than it would have during the peak season.


2. Set a higher listing price. 


Homes sold during the offseason sell at a higher price, on average, than those sold during the spring and summer peak.  There are many reasons for this.  First, motivated buyers are willing to pay closer to the asking price for a home.  Second, homes are more likely to be priced right and reflect the economics of not only the local market, but the neighbourhood as well.  Often, homes listed during the peak may be priced to compete with other homes in the area and neighbourhood.  Sellers may be pressured to sell for less than the list price in order to encourage buyers to choose their home out of the others on the market.


3. You’ll receive more attention. 


While our team always strives to give you the personal attention you deserve, when you list during the offseason, we’re able to work more closely with you to ensure your home is prepared for its debut on the market.  We can also take more time to answer your questions, address your concerns and prepare you and your home for the sale.

Additionally, if you’d like to hire a tradesperson to handle routine maintenance or undertake a minor home renovation before you list, you may be able to take advantage of flexible scheduling and cheaper rates.  Many of these professionals experience a winter offseason as well, and they will be able to focus their time and attention on you and your project.

 

4. Easier to maintain curb appeal. 


Curb appeal is intended to attract the buyers who are just driving by as well as those who saw your home online and wanted to see it in-person.  It sets the stage for what interested buyers can expect when they step foot in the home during a showing or open house.  If you list your home during the peak of the selling season, you may exhaust your time your energy maintaining curb appeal.  You’ll likely spend most of your free time mowing the lawn, weeding, trimming shrubs and hedges, planting flowers in pots and in flowerbeds, pulling spent blooms and watering it all to ensure it looks lush and healthy on a daily basis.  After all, a lush landscape will attract potential buyers and set your home apart from other similar homes in the area.

The offseason eliminates the pressure to maintain a picture-perfect front landscape.  Since most grass, shrubs and plants go dormant at this time of year, you’ll have less to maintain.  If you live in an area that experiences a traditional winter, your landscape will be covered with snow.  Even if you live in a milder climate, you may not have to mow as often, if at all.  It’s still important to ensure your exterior appears well-tended, so make sure your walkway and front porch remains free of snow, ice and debris.

 

5. Tap into the life changes of buyers. 


Many buyers receive employee raises and bonuses at the end of the year.  If they’ve been saving to buy a home, this extra money may allow them to reach their goal for a down payment and put them on the path to becoming a homeowner.  Additionally, companies often hire new employees and relocate current ones during the first quarter of the year, creating a strong demand for housing.  If you live in an area that’s home to a large company or has a strong corporate presence, this may be the perfect time to list.

 

 
Thinking of Listing in the Offseason? 3 Things to Do Before You List

 

Get your home ready to list by following these tips.

 

1. Schedule maintenance. 


Buyers, especially first-time buyers, want a home they can move into right away; they don’t want to repair the roof or the furnace or replace windows with blown thermal seals before they move in.  Do the scheduled maintenance and make repairs before you list your home for sale.

In some cases, it may help to have an inspector do a pre-inspection of your home.  A pre-inspection will make you aware of any major, potentially deal-killing, issues that will have to be addressed before you list.  It also gives you an idea of minor issues that a potential seller may want repaired.  Overall, it helps you to accurately price your home and may protect you from claims a buyer might make later.

 

2. Create light. 


Balance out the lack of natural light outdoors by turning the lights on inside.  Since people naturally tend to buy emotionally, turning on the lights helps create a sense of warmth and coziness.  Light a fire in the fireplace, if you have one, fill your home with the scents of the season, such as vanilla or fresh baked cookies, and put a throw blanket on your sofa.

If you plan to paint the interior of your home before you list, consider an off-white shade to create consistency throughout your home and make the space feel larger and brighter.  If you have photos of your garden or the home’s exterior in the spring or summer, display them so interested buyers can get a glimpse of what the home looks like in other seasons.

 

3. Give your home a thorough cleaning. 


Cleaning puts your home in its best light.  Clean and polish all the horizontal surfaces of your home, including countertops, windowsills and baseboards; have the curtains dry cleaned or otherwise laundered; wash windows, glass doors and their tracks; vacuum carpeting and polish all wood surfaces, including the floor.

Additionally, this is a great time to pack any personal items and family photos as well as sort through your belongings and donate items you no longer use.  This not only eliminates any clutter, but it also gives you less to pack and move when you sell.

 

If you’re thinking of selling your home in Saskatoon, Warman, Martensville and area give Marla Janzen a call!  


 I would love to help you position your home to sell in our market. I take action to sell my client’s homes and find them the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. I truly love what I do and take great pride in providing excellence in customer service to all of my clients. Marla Janzen





Trusted Saskatoon Real Estate Expert Marla Janzen Has Made The Move To eXp Realty

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. 

Marla Janzen is a  TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT listed on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and she loves to provide Trusted Saskatoon real estate Tips that help the public!

Marla Explains Why She Moved To eXp Realty


First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone who’s supported me as I moved over to eXp Realty.  It’s been an exciting month meeting new people, exploring new places, and learning about the exciting online world of eXp Realty.  


I started as a real estate agent in 2004 with Century 21 in Saskatoon.  Over the past 15 years, I’ve learned and grown into the agent and person I am today.  I’m very thankful to my former brokers and colleagues at Century 21 for giving me the foundation to grow my real estate business into one that’s earned multiple awards and accolades.  


Being a Trusted Saskatoon Realtor, I enjoy giving my clients the highest level of service I can.  I am thrilled to be working with an international corporation who is forward-thinking and agent owned.  eXp Realty is a full-service real estate brokerage providing 24/7 access to collaborative tools, training, and socialization for real estate brokers and agents through its fully immersive, 3D cloud office environment.  It was a long and tough decision, but one I am whole heartily excited for and feel great about.  It is exciting to be part of a real estate company who is growing so quickly and easily offers support, networking, coaching, and mentorship to top realtors around the world.


I’m ready to make 2020 a great year of change and success.  Being a top producing agent in Saskatoon and area, I have been successful through many market changes, and now I can also offer my years of experience and award-winning results to help others in real estate do the same.  I’m happy to be partnered with Realtors® Chris Molenaar and Tara Knoblauch.  We have already established some great goals and programs to offer our clients, as well as, help agents on our team.


I am proud to be partnered with Westbow Construction as their Saskatoon, Warman, and area Realtor.  I have been working with them since they established here 7 years ago, and I am looking forward too many more exciting projects to come. Trusted Saskatoon Homeuilder Westbow Construction is committed to provide the best quality home for their clients and I’m proud to be a Trusted Saskatoon Partner alongside them.


I love living and raising my family here in Saskatchewan and I am happy I have found a company with great core values that relate to my own.  I’m looking forward too many more years of happiness, success, and growth in this amazing city doing what I love.  I believe honesty, hard work, and stellar customer service are the most important parts of the real estate business.  I put this philosophy to practice and strive to be the best Saskatoon Realtor® I can every day.


To read more testimonials about Marla Janzen, view her listing HERE!
Find Marla Janzen Online at www.marlajanzen.com...she is a eXp Realtor.
Marla Janzen is TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

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