Fall Home Checklist

As much as we hate to admit it, the warm days have gone and fall is upon us. While the temperatures are still tolerable, now is the best time to prep your house for cooler days (rain, sleet, and – yes – snow). We know how quickly the weather can change, so get out there and use this maintenance checklist

Exterior List

Number one on the list should be a roof check. Grab some binoculars if you can’t see well enough from the ground and a trip up is out of the question.  While you’re out there, do a perimeter check of all siding. Look for cracks and holes and repair the damages you see (or hire a contractor to help you out).

If you have a chimney or fireplace, have them inspected and cleaned. The same goes for your gutters. Fallen leaves from trees can build up and cause major backups when the rain and snow (there’s that S word again!) comes.

They’re a pain to wind up and store, but you should really stow away your sprinklers and hoses. Make sure they’re not full of water first, and toss them in the garage until next year.

It’s important to take a look at your landscaping, too. Loose branches on trees can cause serious damage if they fall around (or on) your home, and piles of leaves can cause outside mold very quickly.

Interior List

Check for drafts around your home on the edges of windows and around doors. Can’t tell if there’s a draft? Grab a candle and run the flame around the window or door and if it flickers, there’s a good chance you need to replace a seal or repair caulking.

Hire an HVAC contractor to test your furnace for leaks and check heading efficiency. The last thing you need is for your furnace to need a tune-up when it gets really cold. It’s a good idea to run a CO2 check at the same time.

Invest in a programmable thermostat if you do not have one already. When you’re not home, set the temperature lower so you can save money on energy bills.

Stock up on batteries and replace all batteries in smoke detectors and CO2 devices and make sure they work properly.

Countertop Materials

Choosing the right countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom is an important decision. After all, it’s where you clean up and prepare food, and also has an effect on your home’s value.

Photo Cred: interiordesignable.com

 

Granite. Granite countertops are among the most elegant materials available. They’re also among the most expensive. But if you are up for it, the natural stone has outstanding strength and other beautiful qualities. Granite is highly resistant to scratches and heat, making it an asset to cooking. One downside to granite is that it must be sealed because it is a porous stone and absorbs fluid. If not sealed, it can harbor bacteria. This only needs to be done every 10 to 15 years, however. Granite can run between $100 and $225 per square foot.

Quartz. Known as “engineered stone,” quartz countertops are made from about 90-93% quartz crystals, but are fabricated instead of cut from solid stone. Quartz countertops maintain all of the advantages of natural stone, such as durability, hardness, and beauty, in addition to overcoming stone’s natural weakness. They are not porous so they will not harbor bacteria, and come in a wider range of colors compared to granite. Less per square foot next to granite, quartz will run about $100 to $190 per square foot.

Laminate. Laminate countertops are among the most popular surfaces because of their affordability ($20 to $50 per square foot) and widest range of colors and patterns. Comprised of hard particleboard core and layers of plastic laminate bonded over top, laminate surfaces are tough and fairly durable.

Butcher Block. Rising in popularity in recent years are butcher block counter tops . They are excellent surfaces for food preparation and are often used in conjunction with other surfaces like granite and quarts. Many choose to surface an island with butcher block, while countertops under cabinets remain another material. Because of the wide variety of woods available, prices range anywhere from $30 to $200 per square foot.

It’s important to consider how much maintenance you’re willing to accommodate when selecting a countertop. Families with young children often opt for less expensive surfaces, while avid foodies require more elaborate options.

What's in Your Credit Score?

You may think your credit score is just a number, but to a lender, it can be the difference between offering you the best available market rate, and a much higher mortgage payment.

Understanding what goes into your credit score is important. Short credit history can been seen as a negative on your report, as it reflects a shorter time period of financial responsibility—the less experience you have making (any) payment, the less likely you are to understand how to handle a larger payment, like a house. Late payments can put a damper on your credit score, too, as they reflect poor money management. Additionally, having a high debt-to-income ratio can impact your score, because it shows you are charging beyond your means.

 Here are some tips on improving your credit score before applying for a mortgage:

1.     Get a credit card if you don’t have one. Showing lenders you’re able to manage small amounts of debt and be responsible.

2.     Use your credit cards lightly, if at all. Some suggest not making any purchases 6-9 months before applying for a mortgage. This means no fancy restaurants, new Play Station consoles, or shopping sprees. Use the money you’re not spending and apply those dollars to your debts! Maintaining balances under 30% of the credit limit can really make a difference.

3.     Make payments on time for car payments, medical bills, and credit cards. If possible, pay off these installment loans as low as possible.

4.     If you’ve been a good customer, some lenders may agree to forgive that one late payment from your credit history. Make some calls and see who would be willing to help.

5.     Don’t recognize something on your credit report? Mistakes happen—but it’s ultimately up to you to do your homework. Dispute old negative claims when you can.

You may be missing out on the best interest rates if your credit score is not above 760, and scores in the 600’s may need a couple years to resolve. If you’re ready to build your home, but need a little help with your credit score, Faber can set you up with credit counseling to get you on the right track. We’ll work with you to get you in the home you deserve.

Designing Your Bathroom

When you build a new home, you start completely from scratch. With Faber Homes, you even have the ability to change our floor plans based on your needs. Not a fan of sharing a sink? Make it two. Don’t like to reach down to your counters? We can raise your cabinets and countertops. You can even upgrade windows to add more natural light to your bathroom space. But what are some of the other aesthetics you should take into consideration when you schedule your preconstruction meeting and design meeting at our Claridge Design Centre?

  

Functionality. Ultimately, you need a functional floor plan depending on how many people will use the bathroom, and how often those using it will do so simultaneously. Also keep in mind, by International Residential Code, toilets must be at least 15 inches from any other bath fixture, wall or other obstacle. Always try to leave 24 inches of clear floor space in front of the shower, to ensure you have enough room to enter and exit safely. For roomier floor plans, you can always opt for taller toilets, wider doorways or even curbless showers.

Create a color palette. This might sound like an after-construction tip, but in reality, understanding what colors you’re working with will help you design the space. Keep your color palette consistent by choosing hand and bath towels in similar shades found in your wall coverings (paper or paint) and window treatments. Being too matchy-matchy will keep your bathroom looking one-dimensional. Instead of matching colors exactly, select colors that are just slightly off from one another.

Lighting. We mentioned perhaps choosing larger windows for your bathroom to bring in natural light, but if you’re a fan of even more privacy, there are ways to bring the best light in your bathroom. For example, choose diffused lighting or fixtures with frosted-glass, as this will mimic natural light best, and allow you to see yourself in the most flattering light among true colors.

Bring your ideas to preconstruction and design meetings and our experts can help you decide how to implement your ideas to create the best bathroom in your brand new home.

Choosing the Right Carpet

Chances are, you’ll likely have to select carpet in your new home. It might seem like an easy task, but choosing carpet is very important. Carpeting provides a soft, plush spot for children to play and even a slip-free surface for animals in your home. There are different textures to take into account, varying colors, and designs – so where do you start?

With these top five tips on choosing carpet, we hope to help you select the best option for your family’s needs.

1. Skimping on carpet padding. This may seem like a trivial tip, but you’d be surprised how another quarter-inch of padding can transform the feeling of your carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, the cushion not only helps to buffer sound, but also provides increased insulation. As a general rule, select a cushion with no more than 7/16-inch thickness, and no less than ¼ inch thickness.
2. Keep maintenance in mind. Homeowners with dogs, cats, and kids should always avoid shag carpets, as they can harbor hair, dust and dirt, and they’re also much more difficult to keep clean. If family members routinely wear shoes indoors, lighter colored carpets probably aren’t the best choice.
3. Texture. In high-traffic areas, selecting carpet (and rugs) that are darker and have patterns will help to conceal tracks. In those high-traffic areas, it’s best to stick with level loop or high-density loop carpets, while multilevel loop carpets are best in medium-traffic and low-traffic areas.
4. Don’t forget about the staircase. Your staircase will get a lot of wear as perhaps one of the highest-trekked places in your home. Choosing a thinner carpet may mean you’ll see the unsightly backing when the carpet finally does wear in and curl over the step. The best choice for staircase carpet is one that is a woven wool, as it is the most durable.
5. Dust mites and allergies. If you or someone in your family is overly-prone to allergies, both indoor and outdoor, carpet may not be for you. Depending on where the allergy-affected individuals spend the most time, vinyl, tile or even laminate flooring can provide a sanctuary. Bedrooms can be a good place to replace carpeting with another option.

Bring your concerns and design ideas to your Claridge Design Centre meeting and our experts will make sure to accommodate all of your flooring needs.

Selling Your Home

You’re ready to build a home but there’s one thing standing in your way: your current home. It’s sellable, yes, but could some upgrades help you get it on and off the market quickly? Don’t worry, there are ways to increase the value of your home without breaking the bank.

Some of the best upgrades you can make to your home are undoubtedly the kitchen and bathrooms. Unfortunately, these are often the most expensive rooms to upgrade. A full-blown kitchen upgrade can cost upwards of $40,000, and a bathroom remodel can cost more than $10,000.

Replacing a sink and/or bathtub can be a very expensive endeavor. Instead, these items can be resurfaced for a fraction of the cost. In the same vein, cabinets do not have to be replaced. With a fresh coat of stain or paint, cabinets can take on a whole new personality.

Another way to save is with tile counters, walls, and backsplashes. These surfaces often just need a good deep clean, followed by a re-grout. You’d be surprised how much the appearance will change and improve—and for a much lower price tag to boot.

Don’t forget about the exterior. Curb appeal can make or break first impressions. Rent a power washer or even hire a professional cleaning service to clean the exterior of your home. If the weather permits, a fresh coat of paint can greatly reduce your investment dollars and can really improve the appearance of your home.

Some other smaller tips that help to sell your home quickly include:

• Clear out cluttered rooms and remove as much furniture as possible. This will help the prospective homeowner visualize how their environment will look. This goes for closet space, too.
• Steam clean carpets and furniture and wash walls. You may think your home smells fresh and clean, but you also live in the home and are used to its odors. Often times, people with pets or who smoke do not realize how their home smells.
• Bright rooms are inviting. If you’re able to put up a fresh coat of paint in dark rooms—do it. Learn to love white walls for a little while. Also, open blinds and let the natural light in.