Posts Tagged ‘yyc’

20 Inspiring Upcycled One Of A Kind Bathroom Vanities

Thursday, May 3rd, 2018

Dining Room Redux

This mirrored console table was beautiful as a dining room accent, but it’s absolutely stunning when recycled for the bath. The top was sealed with polyurethane — an important step when repurposing furniture to accommodate plumbing — and the square vessel sinks were sealed with caulk around their edges. Hardware was added in varying shades of brown and a mix of finishes to preserve the vintage vibe.

Repurposed Tree Trunk

This onyx vessel sink has found a home atop a salvaged piece of log. There’s even a bit of embedded barbed wire remaining around the hollowed-out stump.

Why stick to the norm when you can put your bathroom sink on just about anything? Above were two of my favorites. Here are more inspiring alternatives for a traditional vanity.

How To Refresh Your Dining Room On A Budget

Saturday, April 28th, 2018

See ideas for updating this sometimes-neglected space, whether you have $100 or $10,000.

How To Design The Perfect Laundry Room

Thursday, April 26th, 2018

The laundry room has finally come into its own as a bright and organized cleanup command center, whether in a tidy corner of the basement or a nook next to the kitchen. For help updating yours, check out this expert advice on everything from energy-wise machines and thrifty flooring options to the best labor-saving layout and how to safeguard your home.

2 Major Myths Holding Back Home Buyers

Tuesday, April 24th, 2018

 

How To Create A Cohesive Color Flow Throughout Your Home

Thursday, April 19th, 2018

Color preferences vary as much as personalities, with some folks loving the bright and the bold, while others feeling most secure surrounded by neutrals. The good news is that when it comes to color, there really is no “correct” palette. That said, we’ve all been inside homes where an explosion of color created a choppy feel between rooms — and sometimes, the urge to run. We asked five color, paint and design experts to share their best tips for creating a cohesive flow of color throughout your home. The strategies vary, but any of them can help you come up with a holistic decor scheme for your entire residence. So choose the ones that work best for you.

4 Clever Ways To Hide A Spare Key

Thursday, April 12th, 2018

(click image to view video)

You can do better than the obvious under-the-doormat method—here are 4 brilliant ideas for where to hide a spare key.

It’s always a good idea to stash a spare key somewhere on your property. That way, when you accidentally get locked out of your house, you’ll be relieved that you don’t have to break (and then climb through) a window to get in. But don’t fall for the most obvious spots—like under the doormat or a potted plant—as those are the first places a burglar will think to look. Get creative with one of these easy DIY ideas and you’ll have a smart hiding spot no one will be able to guess.

Try a DIY Twist on the Under-the-Doormat Trick

To upgrade the under-the-doormat hiding spot, use waterproof adhesive to glue a coir doormat onto a rubber frame, leaving one corner of the mat unglued. Let the mat dry completely, then hide the key under the unglued corner, in between the doormat and the frame. Even if someone checks under the mat, they won’t be able to find the key hiding right under their nose.

Give It a Potted-Plant Disguise

Burglars know to check under the potted plant on your stoop for a spare key—so upgrade your hiding spot by stashing the key inside the pot instead. Place the spare key inside a sturdy waterproof container and place it at the bottom of a ceramic or terracotta planter. Then, rather than repot the plant, leave it inside the plastic container you bought it in, and simply rest it on top of the container. If necessary, add a little extra dirt on top to camouflage the edge of the plastic container. This way, when you reach for the spare key, you can simply pull out the inner container without completely destroying your plant.

Stash It Underground

Skip the fake rock that anyone can spot from a mile away, and hide the key under a solar-powered light instead. To DIY your own secret key compartment, place the key inside a screw-top plastic pill bottle. Remove the plastic spike on the end of a solar-powered outdoor light, and glue the lid of the pill bottle to the end of the metal tube, using a strong waterproof adhesive. Let dry completely, then bury the pill bottle underground. Just remember under which light you hid the key, and your secret’s safe.

Hide It in the Bird Feeder

Already have a bird feeder hanging out in your backyard? Remove the top from the feeder, and secure the key to the top using waterproof outdoor electrical tape. Not even the birds will know that the key is hiding nearby.

10 Genius Ways To Double Your Closet Space & Get Ready Faste

Tuesday, April 10th, 2018

No matter how many times you comb through your bedroom closet, carefully pulling dresses to donate and tossing mismatched socks, there never seems to be enough room. Our dreams of neatly arranged tops and orderly rows of shoes can quickly end up in a messy pile when our wardrobes exceed our storage space. However, your closet may be bigger than you think. If you’re folding pants, storing scarves inside drawers, and keeping out-of-season clothing on display, you could be wasting space.

1. Divide and Conquer Drawers

If drawers aren’t equipped with dividers, they easily become a mishmash of belts, socks, and undergarments to hunt through every morning. “When everything has its place, you’ll spend less time pawing through your clothes and accessories looking for what you want. An organized closet makes getting dressed and packing for trips a breeze!” says designer Annie Selke. Invest the time now to get your closet clutter under control, and you’ll save minutes every single morning. The first step: take inventory of what you own. “Be honest about the number of items you want to store,” she recommends, and then plan your storage system accordingly. Once these organizers are in place, you can kiss the formerly messy sock drawer adieu.

Slotted Interlocking Drawer Organizers
Annie Selke swears by this customizable interlocking system. “Each square gets a single item, so everything is separated—perfect for socks and undergarments,” she explains. To buy: $6; containerstore.com.

To maximize every square inch, we’ve rounded up some brilliant organizing techniques and the containers that make it easy to maintain them. With these strategies up your sleeve, your bedroom closet will feel surprisingly spacious.

11 Ways To Add Value To Your Bathroom

Thursday, March 29th, 2018

Bathrooms, like kitchens, are a huge selling point in your home. They’re also the most personal of spaces. Here are 11 ways you can add value to yours through quick updates that make a big difference.

Calgary’s Purpose-Built Rental Properties & The Ever-Changing Real Estate Landscape

Sunday, December 27th, 2015

The Changing Tide for Investors - Purpose Built Rental Properties

One of the secrets of successful investing is the ability to identify market trends well in advance of the curve to maintain a competitive position. Here is one historical trend that perceptive real estate investors have been following for some time now. Those who have been paying attention realize that the cult of homeownership no longer rules the real estate landscape. Gone are the days when renters can be ignored. There are far too many of them to ignore.

All across North America, the millennial generation is changing the face of the game when it comes to homeownership. For the most part, it simply does not interest them. Many cannot afford to buy in Calgary, and others who can afford to purchase a home are instead choosing to rent to maintain mobility and free up disposable income for travel and recreational pursuits. They do not wish to be tied down to the responsibilities associated with mortgages and homeownership.

These young millennial workers, along with their baby boomer parents, continue to question the suburban lifestyle and flock toward urban centers like Calgary. The trend is led by millennials but reaches across all demographic lines.   In response to this repositioning, developers and investors need to shift some focus away from condos and single-family homes and move toward purpose-built, multi-family rental housing.

Given today’s low mortgage interest rates and Calgary’s real estate market’s high-rental rates, the time is perfect for investors to capitalize on properties that offer positive cash flow and return on investment. Calgary’s residential rental properties are the ideal investment vehicle for anyone seeking immediate returns in an uncertain economic environment. Even those who already own home might wish to consider investing in a two-family home with sufficient rental income to help pay down the mortgage on their own home.

Former single-family homes converted into two legal dwellings make for attractive investments in Calgary where the average rental on a two-bedroom apartment rose nearly 6% last year. Remember also that a developer or owner profits on the sale of a condo or detached home only once while they hold the potential to profit on the rental of the same property for perpetuity.

The trends sparked by the millennial generation will influence the real estate industry for many years to come and continue to reposition rental properties in the real estate hierarchy. Work with your Realtor to see if investment in purpose-built rental housing makes sense for you.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

Spreading Christmas Cheer in Calgary

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

Spreading Christmas Cheer in Calgary

Christmas in Calgary is a magical and memorable experience. In addition to being the best time of year to catch up with friends and relations, it is also the perfect tine to give back to our community. There are countless ways to give of your time and money to make someone else’s Christmas just a little brighter. Start with your own church, club or civic organization to determine where the need is greatest and take it from there. Otherwise, here are a few volunteer ideas to get you started:

Women’s Centre of Calgary – Toy Room Volunteer

The Women’s Centre of Calgary needs volunteer workers to set-up and staff its annual December Toy Room for local women and their children in need of Christmas cheer. Shifts run about three hours and are flexible. Gift wrapping skills are appreciated, but not needed.

Calgary Seniors’ Adopt a Grandparent Program

No one deserves to be alone during the holidays – particularly our treasured senior citizens. Unfortunately, too many are. From November 1st thru January 15th, the Adopt a Grandparent Program organizes volunteer visits, complete with stuffed stockings, to homebound elders. Spend an hour with an adopted grandparent and you will have an experience to treasure forever.

Heritage Park Historical Village

If you are a local history buff and can never get enough of the History Channel, consider volunteering at Calgary’s amazing Heritage Park during the holiday season. Help is needed in retail sales, cookie decorating and hospitality hosting. It’s a great way to pick up some new skills for your resume and enjoy the Park’s Christmas festivities at the same time.

The Magic of Christmas

Founded in 1983, this charitable program has grown exponentially to the point where a volunteer family of 500 Santas and elves delivers presents and Christmas spirit to nearly 5,000 families and patients in hospitals and other institutions throughout the city.   Stay alert – gangs of rowdy elves are known to sometimes overtake cars to bombard the occupants with carols!

The mission of all of these wonderful Calgary organizations is to spread the message of love, sharing and caring throughout the season and remind us all of the real meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Team Howard!

Are  you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-589-0004 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.


Bryon Howard, RE/MAX House of Real Estate
20, 2439 54 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 1M4
Tel: 403-287-3880 (Re/Max) or 403-475-7368 (office) Fax: 403-287-3876 or 403-276-8049 (office)
The data included on this website is deemed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate by the Calgary Real Estate Board
MLS® MLS REALTOR® Realtor
Trademarks used under license from CREA