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.

Top IT Security Tips From Burnt Orange Solutions your Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts

13. Feb 2020 Trusted Saskatoon Saskatoon Computers & Web design, Saskatoon Legal & Professional, Trusted Tips

The Trusted team at Burnt Orange Solutions are located in the Saskatoon computers Category.

Honesty and respect are important factors in daily communication at Burnt Orange. Gareth and the team at Burnt Orange Solutions are YOUR Saskatoon IT stress solution. Burnt Orange Solutions are your Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts. In their latest Saskatoon IT Tip, they share top tips to ensure IT security at your Saskatoon business!

Top IT Security Tips

Keeping passwords, financial, and other personal information safe and protected from intruders, scammers and stalkers have long been a priority of businesses. Besides, it’s increasingly critical for consumers and individuals to heed data protection advice and use good practices to keep personal information safe from harm. Gareth McKee- Owner Burnt Orange Solutions

1. Backup your data.

One of the most basic, yet often overlooked, data protection tips for individuals is backing up your data. Basically, this creates a duplicate copy of your data so that if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised, you don’t also lose your important information. This is vital for businesses, no matter how small or large. As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and insurance company Nationwide pointed out.

“According to Nationwide, 68% of small businesses don’t have a disaster recovery plan. The problem with this is the longer it takes you to restore your data, the more money you’ll lose. Gartner found that this downtime can cost companies as much as $300,000 an hour.”

2. Malware

Malware is a serious issue. Anti-malware protection is essential for laying a foundation of security for your devices. Malware is short for malicious software, and it’s software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer without your consent. Things that fall into this category sound scary – they include viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, scareware and more. Malware can attack you via websites and emails, or hidden in downloadable files, photos, videos, The best way to avoid getting infected is to purchase and run a good anti-virus protection program, then do periodic scans for spyware. Also, be very vigilant when it comes to clickable links in emails or on websites you are unfamiliar with.

WARNING: 350,000 malware versions are identified every day. A new malware programme is released every seven seconds. Malware activity has increased by 61% over the last year. The cost of malware attacks is going up too, with companies and people losing around 11% more money in 2018 than in the previous year. Scammers are sneaky: sometimes malware is cleverly disguised as an email from a friend or client. Unfortunately, even the most cautious will likely pick up an infection at some point. Gareth McKee

3. Keep Up To Date

Operating system and software updates are a gigantic pain for users, but they’re a necessary evil! These updates contain critical security fixes and improvements twill protect you and your devices from newly discovered threats and glitches. Failing to install these updates means you are at risk. Operating systems and software updates may not be updated frequently or on a regular schedule so we suggest setting your systems to update automatically if possible.

4. Secure Your Wireless Network.

A valuable IT tip for both small business owners and individuals, it’s always recommended to secure your wireless network with a password. This prevents unauthorized individuals within proximity to hijack your wireless network. Even if they’re merely attempting to get free Wi-Fi access, you don’t want to inadvertently share private information with other people who are using your network without permission. In addition, be sure to turn your computer off when you are finished using it. Leaving your computer connected to the Internet when it’s not in use gives scammers 24/7 access to install malware and commit cybercrimes. To be safe, turn off your computer when it’s not in use.

Contact Burnt Orange today for more information or to take advantage of your FREE initial consultation. View them on Facebook here. They are your Burnt Orange Solutions are Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts!

Trusted Saskatoon Photography Expert at Imagery Photography Explains The Evolution Of Photography

11. Feb 2020 Trusted Saskatoon Saskatoon Photography & Framing, Talk to Experts, Trusted Partner News, Trusted Tips

Photographs... memories and precious moments in our lives captured in time with a click of a camera shutter. These are the occasions and days of our lives that only happen once. Trust the professionals at Imagery Photography Saskatoon with your special moments because they understand the importance these memories hold and work with you to ensure that they stay with you for a lifetime. Imagery is your Trusted Saskatoon photographer and in this latest article, owner Milton shares his thoughts on the evolution of photography.

The Evolution Of Photography

Everything moves and shifts with the slow march of time until not much of the past normals are left to be sifted from the sands of the new.

There’s no question that tech has made us much more portable than we ever were. The equipment itself is far more sophisticated and capable — we can see what we are shooting in real-time; we can fine-tune everything to whatever our needs are. We are now able to transmit our pictures from anywhere we can get an internet connection.

When I started, everything was dependent on processed film, which meant having to bring film, a darkroom kit including enlarging and print-making equipment, and a transmitter (very much like a souped-up fax machine). We’d have to find or at least arrange for a telephone line and telephone access when we needed to send our images. The phone lines were all analog, and each picture took around 10 minutes to send — if the line was interrupted for any reason, we’d have to start over. If we got out 10 images in a day, that was huge.

Photographers now can send wide arrays of photos multiple times during the day. The upside of all of this is more time on the scene providing coverage and more choices sent. The smartphone has killed the lower-end camera market, and if it hasn’t killed the mid-range market, it’s sure breathing down its neck. Everyone has a camera with them now at all times, and there's no doubt that we're seeing images that we never before could have contemplated. As we all know, it’s not just still images but also video.

I think it’s the ultimate democratization of photography — anyone at any time from anywhere can produce images that can affect how we think of the world around us. I feel that the common misconception in the debate is that photography has a set value for everyone. I always try to see it in the same way as food shopping. Some of us love to eat, we love to cook, and we love to discover new restaurants.

We spend a disproportionate amount of our income at local farmers' markets, high-end supermarkets, and new openings. It matters to us and it’s something we want to invest in. Others want to spend their money on cars or clothes. That’s fine; they won’t be spending $200 on dinner, because they see no value in it. Photography is very much the same. If a client perceives the value of the event photography to be $100, then they are going to spend $100; a client looking for a $1200 photography delivery is not going to book a $100 photographer.

With each advance in the cellphone market, I wonder what the long-term prognosis is for the high-end cameras. The next evolutionary phase of photography might not be a progression in the way we make images. Instead, it’s quite possible the next unseen horizon will come from the way we share those images with the world or how we store them for ourselves. If a photograph indeed captures a memory, what use is that memory unless it can more tangibly be recalled? Looking back in the history of photography has each subsequent advancement not strived to make the photo more qualitative, more lasting, and more real?

Imagery Photography Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Photographer!

Trusted Saskatoon Realtor Clark Dziadyk Shares Investments Worth Making In Your First Home

13. Jan 2020 Ally Saskatoon Real Estate, Talk to Experts, Trusted Partner News, Trusted Tips

Whether you’re buying a house for the first time, the second or the seventh time, it’s still one of the biggest decisions you ever have to make. In order to ensure sheer success, you need Trusted Saskatoon Realtor Clark Dziadyk! Clark will ease your mind by taking the pressure off of you to find your dream home! Be assured Saskatoon Real Estate Agent Clark Dziadyk Clark puts 100% effort into everything he does. Don’t you hate it when the grass is greener at your next-door neighbour’s place? This summer you could have the lawn that turns everyone’s eyes green with envy and admiration, but you’ve got to get on it right now! Follow these tips to grow the best lawn.

4 Investments Worth Making In Your First Home

Advice for first-time homeowners on areas where spending a little bit more is likely to pay off in the long-run. From

valuable aesthetic updates in key areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and living room to installing smart heating

systems and insulation to prioritize energy efficiency, these tips will leave you inspired to make the most out of your

first home update.

Replace Flooring

Flooring has the power to change a room entirely, so it should go without saying that this is an essential aspect of

the home where you should consider spending a little extra. Since flooring in areas such as the hallway, kitchen and

bathroom is likely to undergo high footfall traffic, your material choice should always look to combine durability

with that visual wow-factor where possible.

When it comes to updating your flooring, choose neutral colours to create a luxe look that goes the distance.

Generally, neutral colours offer you the freedom to change your furniture or accessories without updating all the

fixtures and fittings in the process, and will even allow you to keep up with trends as they change.

Whether you’re opting for some stylish, large format floor tiles which offer a contemporary touch in the kitchen or

some hardwood flooring which adds warmth to your living room, quality flooring is a great way to add personality

to a new space from the off – meaning showing your floors a little TLC should be high up on your list of investment

priorities.

Update Key Areas Of The Home

As the hub of the home where friends and family alike come together to relax, the living room is the best place to

start when it comes to fixtures and fittings. Lighting can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic in your living

room – so it’s worth spending a little bit more on lamps or downlighters to add that cozy, homely touch to the

lounge.

Additionally, art is a great way to change the ambience in your living room, so choosing pieces with comfort and

calmness in mind is a great way to add a tranquil theme that makes you feel right at home from the get-go.

Naturally, ensuring your bathroom looks fresh, well maintained and hygienic is important when moving into any

new home. Modern or high tech touches are an effective way to add an extra luxe appeal, so consider investing in a

rain shower or waterfall taps to create a relaxing oasis that washes away the stresses of moving and unpacking.

Elsewhere in the home, high-end fittings such as granite or quartz worktops are practical choices that will go the distance. Though these may be a high investment initially, investing in durable, hard-wearing and practical

materials in areas of frequent use ensure longevity and, as such, a great return on your investment in the long run.

Invest In Quality Furniture

Nothing makes a house feel like home quite like furniture – after all, furniture is the most effective way of adding

character to any space. When opting for your style, try to prioritize items that will stand the test of time, as this will

ensure your first few years in your new home isn’t spent constantly renovating in-line with the latest trends.

When choosing timeless furniture, wood is often the first material that springs to mind. While solid wood is often

more expensive than other types, it boasts a distinctive aesthetic and durability that will look great year after year.

Whether you’re purchasing an oak cabinet for the living room or some luxury walnut bedroom cabinets, solid

wood is an effective way to add a high-end, comforting appeal to your home.

Prioritize Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is now one of the highest priorities for homeowners as it can make a significant difference in the

cost of utility bills. While adding energy-efficient features may be a large initial investment, the sooner you start

making the changes, the greater your savings will be – so we recommend optimizing your new home right away.

Some essential areas to evaluate energy efficiency are the boiler and the loft. Poorly insulated lofts can be a major

cause of energy wastage, even if all of your other appliances are in premium condition. If appliances such as your

boiler aren’t in a premium condition, however, this could only add more costs to your energy bills, particularly if it

breaks down during the winter months.

To keep track of your heating usage and spot issues early, a smart heating system is a great way to monitor your

spending. Smart heaters allow you to add more thermostats and controls to different rooms, including hot water

and heating – making this a logical investment for any first home.

Read what clients have to say about Clark on his listing by clicking on the link below!

Clark Dziadyk is a Trusted Saskatoon Realtor

Contact Clark today for your Saskatoon Real Estate needs.

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace Experts At JOB Heating & Air Share Homeowner Safety Tips

6. Dec 2019 Trusted Saskatoon Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaning, Trusted Tips

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning’s wonderful staff will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate for any home comfort improvement that you have in mind. They also offer training classes at your personal site for maintenance and they also offer home heating tune-ups. JOB are Trusted Saskatoon Furnace experts and they can also help you with all your Saskatoon plumbing needs!

If your heating system is beyond repair, or if you just want to upgrade or update, our team will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate for any home comfort improvement that you have in mind. We are an independent Lennox Dealer and we offer training classes at your personal site for maintenance and home heating tune-ups. We can also help you with all your Saskatoon plumbing needs too! You can be assured that JOB Heating & Air Conditioning will be there to help. In this Saskatoon furnace article, Jeff Bolton, owner of JOB, highlights how important it is to be aware of the threat of carbon monoxide and he shares some winter safety tips for your home.

Winter Safety Tips For Your Home From JOB Heating & Air

What does that do and why does it matter?

I was recently in two Saskatoon residences with gas inspections to investigate the source of carbon monoxide in the homes. Thank heavens both homeowners had carbon monoxide detectors, that in my opinion, saved their lives. Both days I went home and checked my CO detector.

When was the last time that you checked your CO Detector?

Go do it now then come back and finish reading…
So how this works is usually the fire department or Sask Energy get a call, then they visit the home with their carbon monoxide meters to assess the level and then, if reading show and issue they red tag the furnace unit and shut off the gas. The Red Tag program provides a consistent means for gas utilities, propane distributors, gas contractors or others deemed appropriate by the chief gas inspector to report unresolved gas-related deficiencies or identify reoccurring design flaws. The issuing of red tags is only done by a licensed gasfitter.

What to do when you have a red tag.

The homeowner should then call us to come to correct the problem. We will go through the furnace and water heater with a fine-tooth comb to attempt to find the source of the carbon monoxide.

Sometimes it is a crack in a heat exchanger, however, sometimes the furnace and water heater are working exactly as they should. It is then incumbent upon us to investigate why the carbon monoxide is present in the home. In these locations we often find that the homes are drawn into negative pressure, what that means is that the homes are exhausting more air than fresh air coming into the home. As you may remember from science class, areas of high pressure always go to areas of low pressure. So what happens is the high pressure outside finds a way into the area of low pressure (inside the home) through any possible route. If the doors and windows are closed then the only other hole in the home is the chimney. Air begins to flow down the chimney to replace the air that’s being exhausted out of the home. So why is that an issue? This becomes a problem when the furnace or water heater begins to fire and there is no draft up the chimney. This then results in the products of combustion (carbon monoxide) being vented into the home.

What can homeowners do to prevent this from happening?

There are items in your home to prevent this from happening. In most cases, the insulated vent that runs from the outside of your home into the furnace room brings what we call combustion air. The combustion air helps to regulate the pressure of your home preventing your home from getting into a negative air pressure situation. This is also the air that is used when the furnace or water heater are firing up and sometimes this air supply can become blocked. On occasion, we have found that homeowners will purposely block the intake because they don’t like the cold air coming in.

I need to stress how important this is and that by blocking this you are putting yourself and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. So please don’t block this or if you have, open it up immediately.

Another more common problem is that the air intakes themselves become blocked. These intakes appear from the outside like exhaust vents but when you bend over and look up inside them they are in fact air intakes with a screen that needs to be clear of all debris. A good rule of thumb is to walk around the perimeter of your home and look for these vent/intake hoods. Look up inside them and clean them up. This is a simple 10-minute job and this will help to protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do your intakes look like this?

Go outside today walk around your home and clean these intakes.
Check your carbon monoxide detectors
Check your smoke alarms.

These 2 devices save lives every day you just don’t hear about it. If you don’t have a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector buy them and put them in your home today. I promise you they save lives.

Then have us come out and do a furnace tune-up. We test the furnace and ensure it is functioning as it should be, in addition, we clean the parts of the furnace that you cannot.

Contact Jeff and team at JOB Heating today. Jeff Bolton. Owner- JOB Heating and Air Conditioning

JOB products and services include: