How to Add Style to a Small Living Space

Decorating a small space can be challenging, especially if you are moving from a home to a small apartment. Fortunately, there are many easy and affordable ways to convert your small apartment into a stylish sanctuary that is cool, comfortable, and never feels cramped.

1. Select small furniture. 
A small apartment living room can easily be overwhelmed by excessively large furniture. Many home decor stores like Ikea understand this and offer a large selection of apartment-friendly furniture. If you have a large piece of furniture, make sure it does not dominate the room by adding colorful smaller accent pieces.

2. Create an attractive focal point with your piece of furniture.
Creating a focal point in each room helps the room feel more cohesive and less cluttered. Whether it is your sofa, a window, or a favourite piece of art, a focal point helps draw attention to one area of the room, providing a distraction from any less attractive areas.

3. Use tall items to draw the eye upwards.
Use stacks and tall items to draw the eye upwards to create the illusion of higher ceilings. If your windows are small try purchasing long curtains and hang them as close to the ceiling as possible. Not only will this create a beautiful focal point, but also gives the appearance of a larger window.

4. Choose a cohesive color scheme.  
Use paint colours and fabric swatches to create an attractive colour scheme and use it throughout the apartment. Having a unified colour scheme creates a designer feel and makes your space feel pulled together.

5. Keep clutter to a minimum. 
Create areas for your art collections where they can be displayed together. If you have a problem finding storage in your apartment be creative and make your own. Many stores like Lowes carry affordable storage systems that you can install yourself.

6. Use mirrors to your advantage. 
Placing mirrors and other reflective surfaces opposite of windows and other light sources creates the illusion of more light and makes space appear larger than it really is.

7. Add your own artwork. 
Creating your own art is a fantastic way to personalize your space. Choose what interests and appeals to you and run with it. Let your imagination go wild and create a painting or project tailored to your home.

8. Accessorize
Once you have established and arranged your furniture, it’s time to accessorize. Use items that you already own; small coffee tables, books, and other accessories can complement your furniture and make your space look more stylish. Small or unusual games like Japanese puzzle boxes also make interactive and attractive accessories. Remember, your living room is for living in, not staring at—make it fun, functional, and fabulously decorated.

Choosing Outdoor Lighting for Curb Appeal and Safety

Well-executed exterior lighting can enhance the architectural detail of your property and makes your home look beautiful in the evening adding an abundance of curb appeal.   Aside from aesthetics, good exterior lighting can give you and your guest’s added security and peace of mind when entering and leaving your home.

Much of the success of exterior lighting depends mainly on its design. Professional lighting designers often talk about the “moonlight effect.” That’s a naturalistic look that features light no more intense than that of a full moon, but still strong enough to make beautiful shadows and intense highlights.

A well-lit front entrance enables you to greet guests and identify visitors. Wall lanterns on each side of the door will give your home a warm, welcoming look while assuring the safety of those who enter.

Install a single fixture above the garage door to provide lighting for safety and security. Consider installing a motion sensor on these fixtures or a photocell that turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn to save energy.

Another important factor is making your home secure and safe from intruders and animals. Good lighting around the entire perimeter of your home can be a deterrent in itself. Illuminate any side of the house that would otherwise be in shadows. Spotlights installed on your eaves will accomplish this, or, for a more dramatic look, consider ground lights pointed up to graze your walls.

Steps, paths, and driveways should be illuminated to make sure family members and guests are able to move about easily and safely after dark. You can install path lights or post lanterns or attach lights to the side of the house.  Low-level path lights, which spread circular patterns of light, will brighten your walkway while highlighting nearby flower beds, shrubs, and ground cover. Low-level path lights can also be used to define the boundaries of long driveways.

If you have added exterior features like a swimming pool, an exterior porch, or an entertaining space, ensure these areas are well-lit as well.

Choose lighting fixtures that look beautiful, but also throw light a good distance away from your home. This will help illuminate dark areas and aid your vision to see outside from inside your home. If you have a large property, flood lights installed on the corners of your home will help throw light further than average wall sconces on the exterior of your home.

Another consideration to keep in mind is to select outdoor light fixtures that are energy efficient and made of durable material to suit the harsh outside temperatures during the hot summer days and cold winter nights.  In most cases, fixtures made of cast aluminum are a very durable option.

Engage the Buyers' Senses When Selling Your Home

Every seller wants his or her home to sell fast and bring top dollar. It's not luck that makes that happen. It's careful planning and knowing how to professionally spruce up your home that will send home buyers scurrying for their checkbooks.

Your home will be judged not only on its outward appearance but also on the feelings it evokes in those who view your property. Follow these simple tips to prepare your house and turn it into an irresistible home.

Sight
Use light to showcase your home. Open draperies in the daytime and turn on lights (day and night) to accentuate a cheerful atmosphere. If you have a fireplace, burn a Duraflame log. De-clutter and remove any personal photographs and any potentially offensive posters or religious signs.

Sound
Consider playing soft background music while people tour your home. If there is exterior noise, such as traffic or nearby construction, work with your sales agent to schedule showings around noisy times of the day.

Smell
Make sure your home is sparkling clean. Grind a fresh lemon in a garbage disposal or boil cinnamon sticks to add a clean, fresh scent. Candles and flowers look nice and smell pleasant as well. Lingering scents of strong-smelling foods, smoke, or pets should be aired out before showing your home.

Taste
Realtors and home stagers say that one of the most appealing smells to people is freshly baked cookies. Bake a small batch of cookies before every show (or at least on the weekends when there will be multiple showings). This not only adds a pleasant scent to the home but also adds to the hospitable home atmosphere. Potential homebuyers may also appreciate a cookie or lemonade.

Add a human touch
Your home should appear livable. Update the look by making simple changes like rearranging furniture and accessories, painting, and adding stylish and practical pieces.

Buyers who come with agents are more at ease when the owner's not around, so it is best if you take your children and pets on a short walk during the showing. To ensure your safety, remember to remove keys, jewelry, and other valuables from your home during showings.

The key to getting your house sold is to make it stand out from the comparable real estate properties around you. This process is best done by making an emotional lure with a lot of bait. That bait comes in the form of unique characteristics of livability. Use plenty of hooks, and people looking to purchase a home will swarm to your bait and take it.

Winter Home Maintenance Checklist - maintain your home AND your home's value!

With the winter just around the corner, it’s time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be one of the busiest seasons for homeowners preparing for winter, it’s also the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages before the first frost sets in. Here are some home maintenance tips to keep your home running in peak condition all winter long.

Outdoor Preparation

• Check the roof for cracked or missing shingles, bald spots on shingles, missing or damaged flashing, and other conditions that might allow leaks. Replace any roof shingles that are missing or damaged. Seal minor cracks or tears with roofing cement.
• Check the gutters. If they are clogged with leaves and debris, clean them. Gutters prevent basement and foundation flooding and water damage to siding, windows, and doors.
• Check the siding for cracks or damage and seal any leaky spots with a clear caulking compound.
• Windows and doors. Ensure they are properly sealed with weather stripping and replace damaged parts. Weather stripping prevents drafts and winter heat loss.
• Trim trees and bushes away from the house.
• Cover air conditioner and barbecue to prevent winter damage.
• Store lawn and patio furniture in a shed or basement. If space is limited, use weather-resistant covers that can protect outdoor furniture.
• Close your pool before leaves start to fall and night-time temperatures begin to drop, otherwise you may risk an algae bloom.
• Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets and remove and store garden hoses.
• Store kid's toys indoors or in an outdoor shed to prevent rusting and fading.
• Check and repair exterior lighting before daylight fades.
• Scrape peeling paint and apply touch-up paint to your siding, trim, and fences, and apply waterproofing sealer to your deck if necessary.
• Examine driveways and walkways for cracks. Larger cracks should be sealed to keep out water.

Lawn and Garden

• Prepare planting beds when the soil is relatively dry. By adding soil and mulch to your beds, you'll be a step ahead for spring planting.
• Plant spring-blooming bulbs and perennials.
• Protect roses, saplings, and small trees by sheltering them with a burlap screen.
• Pull weeds to reduce the number of seedlings next spring.
• Mow grass short for the final cut of the year by reducing the cutting height gradually to 3.5 cm (from 7.4 cm) until the grass stops growing.
• Check ground grading around the house. All surfaces next to walls should be sloped to shed water away from the house. This is most important on warm winter days, as melting snow runs quickly across the surface of the frozen ground. If the grading is incorrect, water will potentially flow into the house, causing basement leakage. Now is the time to use a shovel to re-slope the grass, or call a paving contractor to correct a negatively sloped walkway or driveway.

Indoor Preparation

• Bring container plants inside and make sure they are free of pests. Doing so may enable plants to survive the season and bloom again in spring.
• Caulk around window and door casings to keep out air and water. If your house has wood siding with window frames that stand out from the siding, caulk the top and sides of the frame. Don't caulk under the sill as this space should be left open to allow moisture inside the wall to escape. If your house is brick or stone, with window frames that are set into the finish material, caulk all four edges of each frame where the brick mould meets the masonry.
• Clean or replace furnace filters as needed. Check and clean the dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood, and room fans. Keep heating and cooling vents clean and away from furniture and draperies.
• Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in good working order. Replace batteries as needed, or at least twice each year.
• Have your heating system checked by a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional. Most furnace manufacturers recommend annual inspections.
• Have your chimney(s) inspected by a chimney service and, if necessary, cleaned. Cleaning is generally recommended at least once a year for an active fireplace.
• Store plenty of salt or rock salt, snow shovels, and any other items you will need during the winter.
• Examine the basement floor and walls for cracks or leaks; seal as needed.

If you plan to reside elsewhere during the winter months, you may want to partially shut down your home. In addition to the tips above, consider the following:

• Leave the temperature at its lowest setting, usually between 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, or install a low-heat thermostat to maintain the air temperature at approximately 5 degrees Celsius
• Turn off and drain the water heater; leave a reminder to refill before restarting.
• Keep the electricity on so lights will continue to function (put lights on timers).
• Unplug the microwave, clothes dryer, televisions, and other appliances not in use.
• To avoid large repair bills and the hassle associated with breakdowns, take the time now to develop an action plan for the coming months. You'll feel secure in your warm home or while you're away from home.

Winter can be hard on a house, but following these steps will help preserve your investment and prevent any unnecessary chores or repairs that might be difficult to do during winter.

Home Sales in the Waterloo Region Increased in October

WATERLOO REGION, ON (November 4, 2024) —In October, a total of 604 homes were sold in the Waterloo Region via the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® (Cornerstone). This represents a 7.1 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and a decline of 14.2 per cent compared to the average number of homes sold in the previous ten years for the same month.

“For the first time since May, we witnessed an encouraging rise in home sales throughout Waterloo Region last month,” stated Christal Moura, spokesperson for the Waterloo Region market area. “This positive trend reflects a shift toward more balanced conditions within our housing market and a renewed confidence among buyers.”

Total residential sales in October included 383 detached homes (up 15.4 per cent from October 2023), and 104 townhouses (down 20.0 per cent). Sales also included 66 condominium units (up 1.5 per cent) and 49 semi-detached homes (up 53.1 per cent).

In October, the average sale price for all residential properties in Waterloo Region was $779,008. This represents a 1.4 per cent increase compared to October 2023 and a 1.4 per cent decrease compared to September 2024.

• The average price of a detached home was $885,587. This represents a 0.6 per cent decrease from October 2023 and a decrease of 2.9 per cent compared to September 2024.
• The average sale price for a townhouse was $643,382. This represents a 0.2 per cent decrease from October 2023 and an increase of 7.8 per cent compared to September 2024.
• The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $484,429. This represents a 1.8 per cent increase from October 2023 and a decrease of 0.2 per cent compared to September 2024.
• The average sale price for a semi was $650,098. This represents a decrease of 1.2 per cent compared to October 2023 and a decrease of 0.7 per cent compared to September 2024.

On Wednesday, October 23, Cornerstone welcomed the news that the Bank of Canada cut its policy rate by 50 basis points to 3.75 per cent. This marks the fourth consecutive rate cut since June and is the most substantial decrease since March 2020.  Moura commented, “The interest rate cuts are certainly beneficial for those with variable mortgages and encouraging news for homeowners facing mortgage renewals. However, I believe many prospective home buyers may continue to wait for more significant reductions before making a move, especially with the anticipated mortgage reforms that come into effect on December 15, 2024.”

There were 1,144 new listings added to the MLS® System in Waterloo Region last month, an increase of 0.3 per cent compared to October last year and a 19.9 per cent increase compared to the previous ten-year average for October.

The total number of homes available for sale in active status at the end of October was 1,711 an increase of 21.0 per cent compared to October of last year and 48.5 per cent above the previous ten-year average of 1,153 listings for October.

The total inventory across the market increased by 19.2 percent, resulting in a 3.1-month supply of all property types by the end of October. Condominium apartments had the highest inventory, with 5.5 months’ supply, followed by townhouses with 3.8 months’ supply and detached homes with 2.5 months’ supply. The number of months of inventory represents the time it would take to sell off current inventories at the current sales rate.

The average time to sell a home in October was 27 days, one day shorter than the previous month. In October 2023, it took 21 days for a home to sell, and the five-year average is 18 days.

Cornerstone emphasizes the importance of consulting a local REALTOR® when considering buying or selling property in the Waterloo Region. Their expertise can provide valuable insights into the current market conditions, enabling individuals to make well-informed decisions aligned with their goals and preferences.