Home Improvement Blogs – Kelowna

Are you marketing your home for sale? It's vital to ensure it is in the best condition possible before calling in interested buyers. Many home improvements can help make your home more appealing to buyers and help sell it faster. Avoid home improvements not to make and focus on projects that are proven to provide a high return on investment. Grab your tool belt and get to work on these high-demand home improvements!

Minor Kitchen Renovations

There's no denying the beauty of a complete kitchen overhaul. However, they can also be expensive and time-consuming. If you're looking for the best kitchen renovations, consider making some minor changes to your kitchen. Even small updates can significantly impact the look and feel of the space. And, best of

Summertime is the perfect time to complete some home improvement projects around your house. Whether you're looking to update your décor or make some much-needed repairs, there are many great summer home improvements that improve your life and increase your property value. Use the warm weather and long days to get your home in tip-top shape for the summer months.

Create a Backyard Oasis

Of course, summer is a great time to go to the beach or lounge by the lake. But, if you're looking to beat the crowds, you can still enjoy the outdoors by creating a backyard oasis.

Outdoor living areas are a great addition to any home. Not only do they provide extra space for entertaining, but they can also add value to your home. Some estimates show that a

These days, there are many different options for homeowners who want to make their home more environmentally friendly. Between smart thermostats and solar panels and dual-pane windows, there's an option fit for just about every lifestyle. However, green updates don't have to be smart or even involve technology to help the environment. Even choosing certain types of flooring can help make a home green. Keep reading to learn about eco-friendly flooring options that make your home more energy efficient.

The Benefits of Bamboo Flooring

Hardwood floors are beautiful and can add value to any home. Unfortunately, many of the most popular types of wood contribute to deforestation and other environment-harming practices. For homeowners who want the look

Maintaining a safe household is essential to a high quality of life. But what's involved in maintaining a safe household? Performing proper maintenance, conducting regular inspections, and purchasing household products and fixtures enhance safety are all ways to create a more secure household. Keep reading to find the seven best tips for improving household safety.

Be Fire Safe

Fire safety is critical in any house. Smoking is the leading cause of fire-related household deaths, and cooking is the leading cause of household fires in Canada. There are many ways that homeowners in Canada can protect themselves from household fires.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are best installed in each room and in hallways. Homeowners must test batteries in

No one wants to find themselves in an emergency situation, but they're an unfortunate reality. There's no way to know when one would strike, so it's important to prepare your home as much as possible. Taking small, preventative steps on a regular basis will limit the potential for damage in the event of severe weather. Ultimately, taking small steps against home safety hazards will protect your peace of mind. Keep reading to learn how to prepare your home for emergency situations.

Clean the Gutters

Overflowing gutters are one of the major causes of water finding its way into homes. If your downspouts are leaky, in disrepair, or non-existent, heavy snow and rain will cause foundation damage. Cleaning your gutters and repairing your downspouts

Many homeowners store items in their garage that don't have a home in the house, leading to clutter and stress as things pile up. When your garage is stuffed full of junk, it's time to go through it and get everything organized. Try these tips to get your garage cleaned out today.

Remove Items from Garage to Declutter

When clutter has been packed away, it's difficult to see how much has accumulated. Boxes hide behind boxes, inside larger boxes, and on shelves that mask the amount of stuff that has built up. That's why it's essential to remove all of your belongings from the garage itself to sort through them effectively. Following these steps can make this process less overwhelming:

• Remove all belongings from the garage and boxes
• Group

To be safe for human habitation, homes need to be properly maintained. Homes that are not properly maintained may be plagued by plumbing leaks, electrical problems, structural damage, and more.

Homes with a lot of deferred maintenance can decrease in value because many homebuyers are reluctant to purchase a home with serious deferred maintenance. If your home has a lot of deferred maintenance, you may have difficulty selling your property. Here's what you need to know.

Why Deferred Maintenance Is a Problem

Small problems become large ones when they're not addressed promptly. Plumbing leaks are one of the best examples of how a minor problem can become significant in a short period.

Plumbing leaks can cause the wood in the walls and floors

One of the more significant expenses you must pay when buying a home is the down payment. You might think you have to pay at least 20 percent, but there are options to pay less. With this information, you can determine what you will be required to pay and how to decide whether to pay the minimum or more.

Paying a Standard Down Payment

For decades, lenders have held a standard down payment to be 20 percent or more. Lenders believe that if you share a significant stake in the ownership of the home, you will be more committed to paying the mortgage. If you apply for a mortgage with this down payment, you will pay one-fifth of the home's sale price. As a result, you will hold that much equity in the house.

A standard down payment is ideal for most

Security and convenience.

Both are crucial for today's homebuyers. According to polls by Rakuten.ca, almost a third of Canadians already own smart home technology, and the market is only growing. For today's home sellers, this means security, high-tech gadgets and convenience in your Joe Rich home become even more valuable than ever. That's why smart home features help sell homes.

Planning on some home upgrades? Check out these 11 smart home options that offer either security, convenience, or an attractive mix of both.

Smart Thermostat

Constantly having to adjust the thermostat is inconvenient, and hefty electric bills from wasted energy are downright painful. Smart thermostats alleviate both with the ability to easily program the time of

If you have an old wood-burning stove in your home, like the old pot-bellied stoves you see in the movies, the provincial government and the B.C. Lung Association are encouraging you to get rid of it. Read on to learn how replacing your wood-burning stove can benefit you and your region today.

Get Financial Rebates for Replacing Your Wood Stove

Wood stove exchange programs throughout British Columbia offer rebates of $300 for qualified purchasers who trade in their old clunkers in favour of electric inserts or brand new, cleaner-burning appliances that are EPA and CSA-certified. Those who choose even more environmentally friendly options like natural gas, propane, pellet stoves, and heat pumps are eligible for even more.

The Regional District