Category: home improvements

Preparing Your Home For a Home Inspection

Post author By cindycody
Post date April 3, 2024

Image of a man in a hardhat and a clipboard looking at a door; image of a man with a clipboard looking at an eavestrough downspout; image of a man and a woman tightening a faucet; text reading: Preparing Your Home For a Home Inspection

Hey there, homeowners! So, you’ve decided to put your beloved house on the market—exciting times ahead! (Learn more about the Kitchener-Waterloo Spring Market here!) But let’s talk about one of those less-than-exciting parts: the home inspection. We get it, it can feel daunting, but fret not! With a bit of preparation, you can breeze through it like a pro.

First off, let’s acknowledge a universal truth: no home is flawless. It’s totally normal to have some quirks or issues here and there. Potential buyers understand this too. They just want to know upfront about any major stuff that might need fixing down the line—kind of like how you’d want the scoop before buying your next dream home.

Here are some friendly tips to help you get ready for that home inspection:

Tidy up: A clutter-free home not only makes a better impression but also allows the inspector to access every nook and cranny easily i.e. access to crawl spaces, attics and the basement. Plus, who doesn’t love a neat space?
Fix the basics: Got any leaky faucets or loose doorknobs? Now’s the time to tackle those little maintenance tasks, like re-caulking any areas that are looking worn. They might seem minor, but they show that you’ve cared for your home.
Organize documentation: Do you have receipts for recent repairs or renovations? Awesome! Gather those up—they could come in handy during the inspection. Some examples include: HVAC records, warranties, roof repairs, appliance installations, etc.
Check your systems: Take a quick look at your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Make sure everything’s working smoothly, replace any filters that are dirty, and test that everything is in working order. If not, consider having a professional take a look before the inspection.
Check safety features: This is a good time to double-check that your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detections, etc. are in good working order (fresh batteries) and haven’t expired.
Trim up the exterior: Don’t forget to pay attention to the exterior of your home as well. Trim bushes and trees away from the home, clean out the gutters, and check the roof and siding for any potential need for repairs. Check that all your exterior light fixtures are working and that all paths are clear.
Be honest: Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to disclosing any known issues with your home. It builds trust and saves everyone time and hassle in the long run.
Leave the inspector to do their job: You may be tempted to stick around, but it’s a good idea to leave the home during the inspection.
Typically, potential buyers prefer to be present during the inspection. They might feel uneasy about asking the inspector questions if you’re around. Take the opportunity to go do something for a few hours.

By taking these simple steps, you’ll not only make the inspection process smoother but also show potential buyers that your home has been well-cared for. So take a deep breath, put on your homeowner hat, and get ready to ace that inspection!

If you have any questions about preparing your home for your home inspection, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to offer you our advice.

Thinking of selling your home?

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More of the advice you want

Need help? We’re here to offer you professional real estate advice. If you’re thinking about selling your home now or even in a year or two, we’d be happy to connect with you about your goals. We’ll take a look at your home and offer advice on what you can do to prepare your home for this real estate market.

Home Decor home improvements House & Home

Home Office Features That Will Fuel Your Productivity

Post author By cindycody
Post date February 8, 2024

Welcome to the world of remote work, where your home office becomes the hub of creativity and productivity. Crafting a workspace that sparks inspiration and efficiency is key to a successful work-from-home experience. In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of home office features that go beyond the basics, transforming your designated work area into a haven of productivity. From ergonomic furniture to clever organizational hacks, we’ve got your back in creating a space that meets your professional needs and reflects your personal style. Get ready to elevate your remote work game and turn your home office into a powerhouse of efficiency and comfort!

Bring in the brightness

When you’re looking at the ideal space for your home office, one thing to consider is the lighting. If you have the space in your home to transform an extra bedroom into your office, that’s great! But if you need to get creative to carve out a workstation somewhere in your home, let the light guide you. Having a window nearby is your best-case scenario. Not only will the sunlight be a refreshing way to keep yourself energized through the day, natural light is a flattering source of light for your video calls.

Find a distraction-free zone

Working from home can come with its own set of challenges. A common challenge is trying to stay on task when your home life is at your fingertips. For this reason, it’s important to create a home office that keeps your focus on the task at hand, and removes too many tempting distractions. Setting up your office in a private area is your best bet for a productive work day. For example, working at the kitchen island is probably not a great idea since that’s likely where most of the hustle and bustle takes place throughout the day.

Get yourself ergonomic furniture

You may have a favourite chair to sit in while you hang out with your family, but that chair may not be ideal for your office (or your back). Find yourself an ergonomic desk, chair and computer accessories that will help you feel comfortable and focused throughout the work day.

Optimize your space

No matter how big or small your home office space is, it’s important that you make the best use of your space to meet all of your work needs. Make the most of of limited space by developing organization systems for all of your office essentials and processes to keep your desk decluttered. Clutter can be a real distraction so an organized desk is more likely to lead to an efficient work day.

Stay organized

As we mentioned, developing an organization system for all of your office essentials is an important part of maintaining a clear desk and a clear mind. Don’t let the cords get out of control. Here are a few desk organizational tips to help you out.

Tame the cable chaos by using cable organizers, clips, and ties.
Maximize vertical space with floating shelves and wall-mounted organizers to keep essential items close by but off your desk.
Use drawer organizers so every item has its spot at the end of the day.
Find a desk organizer to hold your frequently used items.
Take a minute once or twice a day to reset your desk. Do this at the end of the day so you start each morning with a decluttered desk.
Read How to declutter your home and maintain your system for more ideas.

Pull personal inspiration into your space

An office space doesn’t need to be boring. Take some time to design a home office that fuels your creativity. Pull in functional items that inspire you, infuse your personality in the space with decor that motivates you, and give yourself a work space that you look forward to getting to each day.

Tags Home office

Home Decor home improvements House & Home

How To Incorporate the 2024 Colours of the Year into Your Home

Post author By cindycody
Post date December 13, 2023

In the realm of design, fashion, and cultural expression, the “Colour of the Year” serves as a captivating and influential focal point, dictating trends and evoking a collective sense of aesthetic direction. Each year, renowned colour authorities and trendsetters unveil a hue that encapsulates the spirit of the times, reflecting societal moods, aspirations, and emerging themes.

These paint companies, along with design experts, try to predict the colours that we will want to incorporate into our homes. So let’s take a look at the 2024 colours of the year and how you can incorporate them into your home.

2024 PANTONE Colour of the Year: Peach Fuzz

PANTONE describes Peach Fuzz as:
“PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz captures our desire to nurture ourselves and others. It’s a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul. In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.”

Ways to incorporate Peach Fuzz into your home

Pull this colour into your living room with a rug. Ruggable has a collection inspired by the colour of the year.
Paint an accent wall
A feature piece of furniture (either painted or add fabric featuring the colour)
Wallpaper a section of a room
Add decorative accents (either shop with the colour in mind or take on a DIY project and paint your own unique accent pieces)

2024 Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year: Blue Nova

Cindy Cody Team - How To Incorporate the 2024 Colours of the Year in Your Home - Blue Nova

Benjamin Moore‘s colour of the year is Blue Nova, described as “violet and blue come together in this elevated, sumptuous hue”.

Ways to incorporate Blue Nova into your home

Paint a room in this rich colour
Wallpaper a section of a room with a pattern that features this colour
Paint kitchen or bathroom cabinets
Pull the colour into a room with window treatments
Paint shelving units for a dramatic way to display some of your favourite items
Add decorative accents or accessories
Match it with these colours for a professional look in your home

2024 BeautiTone Colour of the Year: Illumina

BeautiTone‘s colour of the year is Illumina – “This captivating shade brings joy and warmth to any space, creating an inviting atmosphere that will leave you feeling inspired. Indulge in the captivating allure of a soft and radiant yellow hue, which gracefully infuses your space with a warm and luminous embrace. With its gentle red undertones and radiant glow, this colour creates an enchanting ambiance that uplifts the spirit.”

Fun Fact! BeautiTone partnered with a Kitchener-Waterloo artist, Stephanie Boutari to help launch the Colour of the Year. Stephanie does amazing murals around the region.

Ways to incorporate Illumina into your home

Whether your style is minimalist, mid-century modern, maximalist, or coastal, painting a room with Illumina will fit into your personal style.
Find wallpaper that features this colour and install it in a section of your home, i.e. a power room accent wall.
Illumina fits right into this 2024 Colour Trends Collection, making it easy for you to create a complete look in any room.

Buying Real Estate Home Decor home improvements House & Home

6 Simple Steps to Make Your Home Feel Lighter & Spacious

Post author By cindycody
Post date August 23, 2023

As your family grows, and each family member starts to accumulate their own belongings, you might find yourself getting a little tight for space in your home. To help you transform your living space into a roomy oasis, we’ve put together these simple tips. From clever storage solutions to strategic furniture placement, we’ve thought about how you can make the most of your space and make your home feel brighter and more spacious.

1. Declutter your spaces

We talk a lot about decluttering when someone is getting ready to sell their home. It’s the process of getting rid of things you don’t need or use anymore in order to create a more organized and peaceful living space. Well, you don’t need to sell your home to start decluttering. Your home will feel so much lighter in the end.

2. Choose functional furniture that fits!

If you live in an older home or have a less open-concept layout, you can really transform your spaces by choosing the right furniture. Swap out bulky furniture for more modern, sleep pieces. Not only will this give your space a fresh look, but it will also help create a better flow throughout the room. If you have items you’re not ready to part with, consider a coat of paint to lighten them up.

3. Discover the magic of mirrors

Did you know mirrors can actually make spaces look bigger? By strategically placing mirrors in a room, you can create the illusion of more space and light.

4. Light makes spaces look larger

It’s pretty amazing how lighting can make a room look bigger. By strategically placing lights and using different types of lighting, you can create the illusion of more space. If you’re feeling cramped in a particular room in your home, try experimenting with your lighting setup.

5. Make the most of your storage space

We’ve already talked about decluttering your spaces by getting rid of unused items. If you have things you’re not quite ready to part with, find a functional way to store them. By reducing clutter in your living spaces, your rooms will feel larger and more comfortable. Maximize your storage space for the items you want to use (but don’t want to see all the time). Ottomans and decorative boxes can provide functional storage in your living room, and you can leverage unused spaces around your home, like the space under your bed.

6. Embrace indoor-outdoor living

If you’re planning a big family get-together and need some extra room, don’t forget about your outdoor space! It can be a game-changer when you have a lot of people over. Why not create an awesome outdoor living room and dining area? And don’t forget to think about how your indoor and outdoor spaces flow together.