Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted community steps up to help a local Saskatoon woman after her contractor nightmare Part 1

The Trusted teamwork for the public, we do that by finding great local businesses, verifying they are as good as we have heard, and contracting them to uphold the 5 Trusted Guarantees. These 5 Trusted guarantees are the cornerstone of our business and the businesses we partner with, and if something does go wrong we hold the businesses to their obligations....that's what the Trusted Saskatoon businesses sign up for. That's why we promote them and why we believe they are the best businesses in the cities we serve. 

 

 

JANICE'S BUILD- the Trusted Rebuild

Last week we heard about Janice, a single Mum in Saskatoon that has not been lucky enough to deal with a  ' Trustworthy' business, in fact, she has dealt with the kind of company that we set Trusted Saskatoon up to protect people from.... let's share the first part of the story. 

Janice is a lovely woman who has been left in a house that was a home 5 months ago & now is a dangerous unfinished, building site. She is trying to keep on a brave face for her 10-year-old daughter but is sick with worry that the house won't survive the Winter cold that is on its way,  and wondering every day how she is going to manage to get back on her feet .......why? All because of an unscrupulous Saskatoon contractor that has been her worst nightmare! 

 

We heard her story last week through a friend of Sara's, the Trusted founder, and we were extremely moved by her plight, and wanted to do what we could to help...it's a great thing we know an amazing group of local Saskatoon businesses, who are invested in their community and who truly set the standard for integrity in the Saskatoon Business community!

 

We sent out an email at 9 pm that night, we had some responses back within the hour and by the end of the week, we have already had so many wonderful Trusted Saskatoon directory partners offer Janice their help...and  Trusted Regina partners!  

 

 


Thank you also to Aaron Loraas- from Loraas disposal for donating bins and garbage fees for the project, Winroc and Rona for materials and Heating roofing systems in Colorado for the roof!! 

Sara went to surprise Janice tonight, who knew nothing of this until then..it was extremely emotional, Janice was completely gobsmacked when Sara knocked on her door and told her why she was there. Once the first round of tears dried, and she realized Sara was above board, she showed her around the house and Sara couldn't believe the state this contractor has left her in. We shared the news about the wonderful Trusted Saskatoon companies that had already stepped up to help her, and she was happy to allow us to document this journey by blog and video, so she could prevent other people from having the same thing happen to them....so this is Part 1 of THE HOUSE THAT TRUSTED SASKATOON REBUILT!   

So whats next?
 
 
A well-recognized business leader and expert in the construction industry is going to cast his professional eye over Janice's bombsite of a home, and he will then be able to assess just what needs to be done, and from there we can start planning the rebuild, and what we need in regards help & materials from these amazing Trusted Saskatoon companies.
 
 We will leave you with Sara's comments as the last words of Part 1
 
" Saskatoon has been amazing to me and my family, and I believe it's important to step up to help people in the community you live in. Janice's situation is not uncommon unfortunately, a thing like this happen every day to families and individuals in this city and this province, that's why I was motivated to start Trusted. I am just glad I am in a position, along with the Trusted partners to help her with this hand up back on her feet again. 
 
To start the ball rolling I will donate $1000 in TrustedSaskatoon.com  Gift Certificates for Janice to put towards this rebuild. She can use them at any of the partner businesses on the www.trustedsaskatoon.com directory.  I am not going to publicly name the contractor or his business...that is not my place, but after what I saw & heard today I believe strongly that the company  should have their A rating on the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan lowered to an F, and the insurance companies should take them off their preferred list of contractors"  
 
  

Kari Calder Trusted Saskatoon Realtor and a Saskatoon Real Estate expert shares real estate mistakes to avoid

The decision to purchase your home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and will also be one of your largest investments. Done right, it can also be one of the most exciting and fulfilling times in your life! Kari Calder a saskatoon Realtor with Century 21 Fusion is there to help you through the process, and provide you and your family with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have a realtor working with your best interests in mind.

Here Kari shares a great tip on Mistakes To Avoid That Will Decrease Your Home's Value: 

Thinking of selling your home in Saskatoon one day? There are a few things you can do to avoid decreasing your homes value. See below for the little mistakes that could cost you big time in the long run. 

Exterior colour. Don’t choose a colour that doesn’t fit well in your neighbourhood. It should look cohesive with your area and with curb appeal playing a huge factor with resale, this is one mistake that can easily be avoided. If you want to add your own touch, consider changing your exterior door colour or adding bright colours with flowers.

 

Landscaping without the future in mind. When landscaping, consider how large trees or shrubs will get to avoid major problems later. When planted too closely, roots can break up the pavement or cause issues with the foundation or sewer lines if too close to the house. Ask a professional if you are unsure. 

Pools. People spend a lot of money on putting in a pool and expect their property value to increase because of it. Adding a pool typically won’t get you back the cost spent on it so only add one because you will be maximizing your utility from it. 

Interior paint. When it comes time to sell, turn those bright, crazy wall colours into neutral, light colours the majority of buyers will love. Having every room brightly painted will distract buyers and end up costing you.

 

Appliances. If your kitchen is updated, make sure your appliances are too. If it’s not and your appliances are original, dirty, and dingy consider replacing them for newer ones. Buyers don’t want to end up inheriting your junk. 

The small things. Keep your eye on the small details too. Updating cabinet pulls/knobs, light switch covers, vent covers, light fixtures and even replacing lightbulbs will help your home sell and show that it’s been well cared for.

 

Deep cleaning. Clean your house inside and out before showings occur. Potential buyers will love if a home has been thoroughly cleaned as it shows that it’s been well maintained by the owners. 

Making the small spaces feel big. Be careful what furniture you use so it doesn’t overcrowd the space. Even choosing larger floor tiles or adding mirrors for a smaller space will help the room feel bigger.

 

Hopefully these tips will prove useful to you and if you do decide that you are wanting to sell, contact me and I will be able to help give you advice on what you can do to your home to help boost it’s resale value.

 

Kari Calder 

Saskatoon real estate agent 

Century 21 Fusion 

Kari@saskatoonrealestate.net

 

 

 

Kari Calder a Trusted Saskatoon Realtor and a Saskatoon Real Estate expert shares her insight

The decision to purchase your home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and will also be one of your largest investments. Done right, it can also be one of the most exciting and fulfilling times in your life! Kari Calder a saskatoon Realtor with Century 21 Fusion is there to help you through the process, and provide you and your family with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you have a realtor working with your best interests in mind.

Here Kari shares a great tip on High Morale in Saskatoon:

 

The perception of quality of life in Saskatoon has increased. Although morale seems to be lifted, the number one issue seen across the board was roads. Citizens feel that the City should keep road repair/maintenance at the top of the priority list.

The survey issued by the City of Saskatoon plays an important role in key decision making and allocation of funds. It dictates what is important to citizens and determines what really matters. After last year’s survey feedback, the City is now undergoing it’s most aggressive road work program Saskatoon has seen, a 47% increase from last year’s budget.

A notable increase in satisfaction of roadway construction and maintenance as well as snow clearing has been seen with this years survey. Also notable, an increase in satisfaction with traffic management and planning for growth and development.

Other highlights of the survey results include:

  • Services rated of the highest importance include: quality of drinking water, repair of water main breaks, maintenance of major roadways and freeways, fire protection, and police services.
  • The services that received the highest rating for performance include: quality of drinking water, fire protection, electrical services reliability, garbage collection, and police services.
  • Respondents were divided with just over half showing support to a question specifically related to an $8.00 monthly charge to have snow removed from residential streets after it has been ploughed to the side.
  • The City’s website continues to be an important information tool for citizens.

A total of 500 surveys were conducted over the phone and 801 surveys were completed online. You can view the entire survey at www.saskatoon.ca.

 

Kari Calder

Saskatoon real estate agent

Century 21 Fusion

Kari@saskatoonrealestate.net

 

Kari Calder is one Saskatoon's top Century 21 Fusion real estate agents. Kari can assist with all of your Saskatoon buying and selling real estate needs and she is a TRUSTED SASKATOON REALTOR 

Kari Calder

Saskatoon Real Estate Agent

Century 21 Fusion

kari@saskatoonrealestate.net

 

Meet Trusted Saskatoon Real Estate Agent Marla Janzen

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.

 

Meet Marla Janzen in this video - see why she is your best choice for a Saskatoon Real Estate Agent and also hear from her clients.  

 

 

 

Find Marla Online at http://www.century21.ca/marla.janzen   she is a Century 21 Fusion Realtor Saskatoon..or checkout her listing in REAL ESTATE SASKATOON here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com, Marla Janzen is TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

Marla Janzen Trusted Saskatoon Real Estate Expert tip on how a driveways add value to 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 gravel
Classic 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. Concrete
Concrete 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 cobblestone
Brick 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.

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S & E Trusted Online Directories Inc
TrustedSaskatoon.com
310 Wall St #209
Saskatoon, SK   S7K 1N7
Ph: 306.244.4150

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