Trusted Saskatoon Flooring Store Ideas For Investment Properties

13. Feb 2020 Admin Saskatoon Flooring, Trusted Tips

FLOORING AND YOUR INVESTMENT PROPERTY

When it comes to investment properties, there are lots of things to consider in order to ensure you get the best return. With companies like Airbnb and VRBO, short term rentals can be easily managed. Having a short term rental can generate a high cash flow in a short time frame, but it might not be the best option in the long term. If your investment property is in a city that has a constant stream of tourists throughout the year, such as Hawaii or New York, the short term is most likely the way to go. If your rental is in a town that has seasonal tourism, you might want to consider the long term as it can be difficult to earn enough in the busy season to carry the place for a full year.

Flooring For A Rental Property

Now, when it comes to choosing flooring for a rental, it’s different than for the home you live in. As you begin to get your place ready, be sure to look at all factors before committing to your flooring. One of the major considerations is cost. However, it’s important to not sacrifice the durability of a product simply because of a low price tag. (In the long run, it could end up costing more.)

There are lots of flooring options available for rental properties. Keep in mind, if it’s a long term rental (lease), there may be less traffic, but your tenants may feel the need to rearrange furniture more frequently than a furnished short term place. The flip side is short term rentals will create more traffic coming and going on a daily basis. Short term renters often won’t treat the place like their own home and aren’t conscious of removing shoes and keeping the place clean. Whereas long term renters are more likely (not always) to keep the place tidy as it is their permanent living space. It’s probably safe to agree, low maintenance floors are the best no matter what the rental term is.

The rental industry (at times) can be very competitive, therefore having an aesthetically pleasing interior can be a deciding factor in if your place is selected for rental. If your rental is a long term, picking the right tenants is often a “go with your instinct” decision - but try vetting them the best you can. If your property is close to a college and has more than one bedroom, there’s a higher chance of having college students looking at it. If your place is situated in a more affluent neighbourhood, it’s likely you will have working professionals considering it as their “home.” With that in mind, having it in a higher-end area may require you to have high-end floors to match, such as hardwood or tile.

Hardwood

Over the years hardwood has earned a reputation of being one of the most luxurious flooring choices. Hardwood can be refinished as many times as needed depending on the wear and tear over the years. By having this flooring option in your home, it tends to increase the property value as it’s considered a high end finishing. Just because some people say it’s the best, doesn’t mean it’s best for your rental. Hardwood is easily affected by moisture and therefore should not be installed in areas that tend to be damp. The cost to install hardwood can often be significantly higher than other flooring and is hard to repair if one portion gets damaged - therefore probably not the best for a rental unless your place is one with a more luxurious feel.

Tile

Tile is always a great choice, especially in bathrooms. It is long-lasting, easy to maintain and isn’t affected by moisture. Not to mention, it is also considered an upgrade, therefore adding to the look of the home. There are various types of tile you could go with; ceramic, porcelain or natural stone - be sure to research all of them before making a decision. Again, it’s important to weigh out the cost up against the potential earnings as it is one of the more expensive products. Tile can be expensive to install and overtime does need to be re-grouted.

Luxury Vinyl Tile and Plank

Most rental properties are designed to be somewhat affordable for renters, yet still making the property owner money - it’s why they are called investments. One of the most common flooring types for rentals and even permanent homes is luxury vinyl plank (LVP). With all the advances made over the years, LVP’s appearance is very similar to wood - helping to elevate the look.

Although luxury vinyl is cost-effective and has the look of hardwood, it doesn’t increase the property value as real wood would. As mentioned above, tenants can be hard on floors and with short term rentals combined with foot traffic they can wear quickly. Unfortunately, it is prone to scratching, but on the positive side, it is easy to repair, as you can just pop out the sections you want to fix. It’s important to mention, luxury vinyl is easy to install and can be applied to almost any flat surface, making this an easy DIY project. Possibly one of the best features of LVP is it’s resistance to water, making it a great fit for any room.

Carpet

Carpet has been around for decades and offers a warm cozy feeling in a home, however, with all the different types of flooring available, it’s losing its popularity. The pros of carpet are - it’s easy to install, relatively cost-effective, warm and one of the greatest benefits for rentals is the sound absorption it offers. If you have a rental property that is pet friendly, the carpet might not be a great option. It is much harder to clean and will stain, unlike other flooring surfaces. Carpet tends to show wear easily and can often be a challenge for people with respiratory issues. Installing carpet does help mask what might be an uneven surface and with all the technologies, there are many hypoallergenic options to consider.

Trusted Saskatoon Mortgage Brokers Share Advice On Revenue Properties

13. Feb 2020 Admin

Buying a home is one of the most important and exciting steps in your life.... now that pesky financing! Deal with people who can offer you and your family the best options for you.

CONSIDERING A REVENUE PROPERTY IN SASKATOON?

When it comes to a revenue property having options and the best rate possible are at the top of the list.

Buying an investment property is a popular option for Canadians looking at different ways to invest their money. However, unlike the mortgage you took out on your principal residence, financing an investment property is a little more complex.

1. How Many Revenue Properties

The number of units in the building and whether or not you'll be occupying one of the units are the two major components that control what your financing will look like. When you start shopping around for an investment property, the first thing you need to consider is the number of units your building will have. Most buildings with 1-4 units are zoned residential, so the qualification criteria and financing options from lenders are only slightly more difficult than that of a mortgage similar to what you have on your principal residence. If it's a multi-unit property, the second thing to consider is if you, the owner, will be living in one of the units or not. If you will be occupying one of the units, the property would be considered owner-occupied. If all of the units will be rented out, your property would be considered non-owner occupied.

However, buildings with 5 or more units are zoned commercial, so a lender would require that you take out a commercial mortgage on it. With a commercial mortgage, the qualification criteria is even tougher to meet and interest rates are often much higher.

2. Downpayment

An investor will have to put down at least 20 percent to buy a property from a typical bank... On top of the down payment, an investor will have to pay closing costs, which can range from two to four percent of the loan amount.

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

13. Feb 2020 Admin Saskatoon Real Estate, Trusted Tips

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

Find Marla Janzen Online at www.marlajanzen.com

Marla Janzen is TRUSTED SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

Breathe Better Indoor Air Quality Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Tip On When To Clean Your Ducts

26. Nov 2019 Admin Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaning, Trusted Tips

Breathe Better Indoor Air Quality are here to service all your Indoor Air Quality needs in Saskatoon.They provide the best furnace and duct cleaning in Saskatoon. In this article they explain when you should get the furnace and ducts cleaned!. Breathe Better Indoor Air Quality Specialists are Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct Cleaners.

When Is It Time To Clean Your Ducts?

Over time, ducts become littered with foreign objects such as dust, mould, dead insects, dust mites, and animal hair. Unfortunately, people often overlook cleaning their ducts, which can lead to problems.

Consequences Of Dirty Ducts

Dirt and dust restrict the heating and cooling capability of ducts, which results in increased run time requiring more fuel and energy, therefore costing you more!
Airflow is restricted, which means the system can’t effectively circulate properly warmed or cooled air throughout your home. Again, this means that more energy will be used.
As your HVAC system needs to operate longer, it increases its wear and tear. This means you’ll need to replace it sooner, which would be a lot more expensive than just getting it cleaned.
All the dirt and dust that is left in the ducts can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mites and other unwanted pests, which can be detrimental to your health and exacerbate allergies.
The dirt and dust spread much quicker around your home with dirty ducts, no matter how much you clean! The contaminants flow from room to room covering anything in their paths, such as beds, tables, phones, and children’s toys.

How To Determine If Your Ducts Need Cleaning

You can attempt a visual inspection of the air ducts to help determine whether they need cleaning. However, you must be able to physically access ALL the areas of your HVAC system in order to do this properly. That is why we recommend you getting the professionals in to inspect the system, as with our high-resolution video inspection cameras, we can have a thorough look to determine whether your ducts need cleaning.

Determine The Type & Amount Of Debris Inside Your Ducts

It is inevitable that at some point ducts will get clogged with various types of debris and pollutants. This can consist of pollen, rodent and insect faeces, dust, dust mites, and lint. All of these MUST be removed to ensure the proper functionality of your ducts.
If you find mould growing inside or outside the surface of the ducts, a thorough moisture issue investigation needs to be quickly carried out to prevent any further complications. It is essential that you do not try to tackle mould in or out of the system yourself, but instead, let the professionals do it on your behalf.

Clean The Duct Yourself Or Not

If dust, debris, pollens or moulds have accumulated to the point where they are clogging air ducts, collecting on dampers, joints and screws, then it is most certainly time to get those ducts PROFESSIONALLY cleaned. If you fail to do so the airflow will get restricted, affecting its efficiency in the long run and potentially causing premature failure of the whole system.

Breathe Better is committed to providing clean and healthy indoor air quality. They always follow best practices in sanitizing equipment between clients, maintaining a comfortable distance between technicians and clients, and offering unique sanitizing options to help you keep safe and healthy.

'Indoor Air Quality Specialists Helping You To Breathe Better.'

Breathe Better Indoor Air Quality Specialists are Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct Cleaners

Trusted Saskatoon Salon Hairstyle Inn Compare Professional Hair Products vs. Store Brand

8. Aug 2019 Admin Saskatoon Salons, Trusted Tips

Hairstyle Inn Salons in Saskatoon is a family-run business with 3 generations of artistic hair design. The design team members have trained thousands of stylists and they are regularly used by major manufacturers to showcase their colour, cut and texture design techniques. Also, impressively, the artistic design team's work has been featured in movies, theatre, hair shows, commercials, fundraisers, TV & Awards. Hairstyle Inn are Trusted Saskatoon salons. In their most recent article, they discuss hair products from the salon verses from the store.

The Truth About Professional Hair Products vs. Store Brand

The battle between professional and store-bought shampoo has always been a close one. In one corner is your beloved hairstylist, touting the pros of their fancy bottles of premium shampoo. In the other is your best friend with great hair who pays $1.99 for a gallon of shampoo at Walmart. What's really the difference? Is salon shampoo really worth the price? After all, we're talking about hair soap here, right?

Is Professional Shampoo Worth It?

Think of shampoo as wine, clothing, shoes…etc. Using wine as an example; all wine is made of grapes and with similar processes yet some are worth a few dollars per bottle, while some go for hundreds. Just like a professional wine steward can tell subtle differences in many aspects of any bottle of wine when compared to another, a professional hairdresser can do the same with shampoo.

Both professional and non-professional companies are forever formulating what they tout as safer, more effective shampoos with specific ingredients for specific purposes. The bottom line is that there are few differences between some and many with others when choosing between pricey professional salon shampoos and store shampoos. On a basic level, they are all designed to wash the hair and the scalp and are all made of similar basic ingredients, but after that many things change. Some people splurge on expensive shampoos for the same reasons wine lovers fork over big for premium wines. All have similar effects, but in the end, if you understand ingredients, quality and process, you will have a better appreciation of the taste and flavour notes. What's important to you in a shampoo might not mean anything to someone else—so focus on a few factors that matter to you. Understanding things like ingredients, quality and process helps choose products that will work best for you and your budget.

Shampoo Performance

The first thing a consumer wants to know is, "Does it work?" For many folks, buying shampoo at the salon is a luxury at a cost they can't justify. We've all had the experience of visiting a friend who had "the good stuff" in her shower, and chances are good that you snuck a drop or two. You may or might not have noticed any difference. Many variables are at play here, namely your hair and your water. Your hair's texture and condition affect how the shampoo's ingredients perform, and so does the water you use to rinse the shampoo. Hard water with lots of minerals doesn't rinse as easily as soft water and leaves substances in your hair that affect how it feels and holds a style. The best thing to do is an experiment. Ask your stylist if she has samples you can try, and compare how they perform or go with their recommendation. Many salons have great return policies if the product is not right for you.

Shampoo Value

When defending the price of professional shampoos, a stylist will almost always tell you that salon shampoo is more concentrated. You use less per session so it lasts longer and so the cost difference isn't really as great as it would seem. This can be true. Salon shampoos might contain the same ingredients as their off-brand counterparts, but the concentrations of these ingredients are not the same. You've seen the gallon-sized jugs of "bargain" shampoo that have the consistency of water, which is evident when you pick one up from that bottom shelf and shake it. That's because much of it is water. Of course, you can't always tell at the store how concentrated shampoo is from the bottle. In that case, check the directions: how much shampoo do they say to use?

Shampoo Ingredients

Again, what you need from a shampoo depends on your hair and how you want it to behave. Store-bought shampoos tend to have more water, sulphates, and fillers with fewer vitamins, oils, and minerals than salon formulations. If your hair's in great condition and all you want to do is get the oil and dirt out of it, you may not need anything special. If using "gentle" shampoos with fewer fillers, sulphates, and buildup-creating waxes is important to you, then go for it.

Colour-safe Shampoos

Shampoos that claim not to strip colour typically don't contain sulphates, the ingredients responsible for bubbles. A lot depends on the kind of colour you use, how long it's been in your hair, and other factors. If the foamy experience isn't important to you try one of these shampoos to see how your hair colour responds.

Professional Hair Products vs. Store-Bought

When you purchase your shampoo from your stylist they are likely to feel honoured that you trust their recommendation and expertise. Plus, many salons offer a money-back or equal-exchange guarantee on products. Your stylist will stand behind their recommendations and will help you find a great shampoo without your having to buy several different bottles to get the right formula. Your local drugstore can't offer that same level of tailored service.

In the end, your choices in shampoo—and wine—come down to whatever is important to you. Both store-bought and salon formulations may do the job. If cost is your deciding factor, going with the cheap drugstore version may not do your hair any harm. If your relationship with your stylist is important to you, invest in your hair and stylist. If fragrance is your thing, go with whatever your sniff test tells you. When it comes to shampoo, value is subjective—and the answer to the salon vs. store-bought shampoo question is to know your information and decide what your hair is worth.

Remember your hair is your #1 fashion accessory!

Hairstyle trends change like the weather, but Laddie and the rest of the Hairstyle Inn team are always keeping up to date! For the best Saskatoon salon experience and Trusted customer service call Hairstyle Inn salon today or get more Hairstyle tips Inn in our Trusted Salon Tip Library