Month: February 2021

For at least a year, 32% of people in a recent study have put off finishing a big home project. 

There are plenty of things we’ve been meaning to do but haven’t. Many of us have been spending months thinking about repainting the bathroom but haven’t even looked at paint swatches. We also don’t have any clue about home maintenance tips to help us. 

Starting on your home’s improvement journey is overwhelming, but you’ll be glad you quit putting it off. Get to work quickly to make sure your home is ready for the approaching cold months. 

If you aren’t sure where to get started, keep reading below for our home maintenance tips. They’ll come in handy as you work. 

Stop Drafts

Have you ever had that moment sitting in your home while everything looks cozy, but you still feel that chilly breeze making its way inside? You probably have a draft you need to take care of.

You can protect yourself from cold drafts by weather-stripping and caulking your doors and windows. Many people also place insulating film on their windows to keep the cold away. 

Not only will you feel better sitting in your home once you stop the drafts, but you’ll also be saving money. It takes a lot of cash to keep the heat running high. 

Insulate Your Pipes

Water expands once it freezes. This water expansion, if in the pipes of your home, can cause your pipes to burst. 

It doesn’t matter if they’re metal or plastic. Pipe insulation should be at the top of your home maintenance checklist so take action now. 

Purchase some heat tape to wrap them with, or you could even place pipe sleeves over them. Keep an eye out for any pipes that are exposed to the outdoors. You’ll want to cover those. 

Create a Warm Storage Area for Important Outdoor Tools

Many homeowners tend to leave shovels and rakes out in their gardens and backyards. You’ll regret doing that once everything starts to freeze over. 

Invest in a shed for your backyard or designate a section of your garage for tool storage. This is especially important for shovels that you might need to clear some snow out of your yard. 

It’s best to do a yard scan once it starts getting cold outside. Even though picking up tools is important, you’ll also want to go ahead and grab any toys or extra bags of soil you have sitting around. 

Once things start warming back up, you’re ready to start prepping your backyard for spring and summer. 

Replace Your Air Filters

Because you’ll be heating up your home so much during the winter, give your HVAC a bit of a break by changing out the air filters. This will make its job easier. 

It’s also a good idea to get a professional out to your home to inspect your HVAC system. Just like you ask people to run diagnostic tests on your car, you want to check out the inner workings of your home. 

Address problems now before winter hits. 

Peek at Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The fresh air that flows through your home in the warm months helps keep the carbon monoxide levels low. However, in the winter, we do our best to hide from outside drafts. 

Add checking your carbon monoxide detectors to your home maintenance checklist. While you’re at it, guarantee your smoke detectors are also working properly. 

Too much CO can cause headaches, dizziness, and an upset stomach. Keep you and your family safe by checking the detectors. 

Trim Low Limbs

One of the best winter home maintenance tips to keep in mind is remembering to trim low-hanging limbs above your home. Once it becomes cold and the snow starts falling, tree limbs will die and break off. Falling limbs cause roof damage.

If you’re able to safely inspect your roof, take a look to make sure no shingles are missing. It’s also smart to go ahead and clear your gutters and sweep off any debris already on the roof. 

Want to take it an extra step? Check out the insulation in your attic while you have your ladder out. Attic insulation will keep you warm. 

Stock up on Emergency Supplies

No one wants to venture out into the snow to grab emergency supplies. Emergency supplies include nonperishable food items, flashlights, candles, batteries, lighters, and a generator. 

As you continue with your home maintenance, take time one day to install shelving designated for holding your emergency supplies. Keep them in a warm, safe area. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use them, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Quick Home Improvements to Do While Stuck Inside

Once you’ve completed your home maintenance checklist and are stuck inside for the winter, you’ll probably start looking for projects to complete in your home. We’re here to give you a few quick ideas. 

Do you have any scratched old furniture? Grab some paint or wood stain to give it a makeover. 

Is your home seeming a bit dull? Check out new paint ideas for your home, and purchase new home decor. There are plenty of DIY home decor projects you can do to pass the time. 

Pick up a new hobby to freshen up the home. Many people knit their own blankets and rugs for a homemade feel. 

If you’re on a tight budget, doing simple things such as buying fresh flowers or adding succulents to a room can make a world of difference. 

Winter Preparation: Home Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

Above is a quick list of home maintenance tips you need to know to prepare your family and home for winter. Get started now before it’s too late. 

Make sure there are no low-hanging limbs above your roof. Check out your HVAC system, and replace the air filters. You’ll also want to put away your garden tools and stock up on emergency supplies. 

For more home tips, check out the rest of our site. You can also contact us for a free home market evaluation. 

Are you looking for an exciting change? Are you thinking about moving to a city brimming with culture, colour, and excitement? Are you wondering what you need to know before you move to Toronto?

Before you start looking for a Toronto real estate agent, you’ll need to know why moving to Toronto is a good idea, and how you can prepare yourself for all the city has to offer.

Here are some of our favourite reasons to move to the Canadian metropolis.

1. Career Opportunities

You’ll need a job before you can settle in any city and the growing metropolis of Toronto may be just the place to find one.

Toronto is a major hub for several industries. These include film-making, tech, education, and finance. In fact, the top five banks in Canada all have their headquarters there.

If you work in an up-and-coming field and want to advance in your career, you’ll find no shortage of job opportunities in a city like Toronto.

2. Hip Housing

Toronto real estate agents may tell you to rent a home before buying in Toronto. You’ll want to get a feel for its many flavourful neighbourhoods before choosing the one for you.

Many favourite sections such as the Harborfront and Liberty Village boast easy walking distance to cafes, concerts, and even the waterfront. Yet each retains its unique aesthetic, from modern and hip to parklike and breezy.

Whether you’re looking for nearby inexpensive food options in neighbourhoods like the Annex or coffee and yoga in places like Cabbagetown, you’ll find your ideal living situation in one of Canada’s chic districts.

Living situations from bachelor-style rooms to townhomes to bungalows abound, but you’ll need to move quickly on a good deal.

3. Outstanding Entertainment

You may be the type of person who enjoys artsy coffee shops, quaint boutiques, and dog parks. If that’s you, there’s no shortage of laid-back activities to entertain you in Toronto.

If, however, you like an interesting weekend out, Toronto has no shortage of places to go for spectacular entertainment. Whether you like hockey, museums, or the theater, Toronto has excellent options that will enrich your lifestyle.

4. Multicultural

There is no shortage of cultural diversity in Toronto. In fact, over 180 dialects are spoken, and almost eighty multi-lingual periodicals are printed there. Over 45% of Toronto residents also speak a language other than French or English.

If you’re looking for a community that blends people from many different faiths, ethnicities, and cultures, Toronto could be the peaceful melting pot you’re looking for.

5. Fitness Opportunities

Many folks looking for an urban lifestyle are also concerned with staying fit and looking their best. Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your mood, and prevent any number of health problems.

Toronto offers a wide variety of fitness clubs and studios. On top of that, you’ll also find a lot of outdoor exercise opportunities available. This has the added benefit of boosting your levels of Vitamin D and making exercise fun.

Toronto has a number of cycling tracks and bike-sharing options. These are also popular ways to get around the city.

In addition, beautiful parks and green spaces offer numerous opportunities for walking, hiking, and outdoor sports. Nearby beaches offer the serenity of beach towns close to the convenience of urban settings.

6. Delicious Cuisine

One of the best parts of living in a multicultural city is the ability to try different types of cuisine. Toronto is no exception, with delicious French bakeries, scrumptious Asian noodle options, and native bacon sandwiches.

Toronto also offers a serious coffee culture and lots of breweries. If your favourite activities involve eating and drinking, the city of the Maple Leafs won’t disappoint you.

7. Experience Four Seasons

If you can’t live without a traditional winter, spring, summer, and fall, you’ll have no shortage of seasons changing in Toronto. Winters are cold and snowy, and summers are warm and sunny. Those who love the flip of the weather when the calendar changes will find themselves right at home in Toronto.

What to Know Before Your Move to Toronto

Moving to a new city can be an exciting time. The promise of starting over, the opportunity to meet new people, and the thrill of making new locales your home can really be invigorating.

Before moving to Toronto, it’s important to research different neighbourhoods and discover which ones work best for you. Are you okay living a bit further from the center of the city to find more affordable housing? Would you rather sacrifice your apartment size to be in the center of it all?

You’ll want to consider your place of work and how you’ll find transportation there. If you’re going to be working remotely, consider how you’ll socialize. Will you be joining fitness clubs, participating in book store events, or looking for people with the same faith?

Make sure you pack warmly for your move to Toronto. You’ll need a good parka, mittens, and hats. Long johns and boots are also popular.

Try to make some connections before you move so you’ll have a way to introduce yourself into the city when you get there. Most of all, get ready for a cultural adventure that you’ll never forget!

O Canada

A move to Toronto is a move into a land of excellent culture, delicious cuisine, and spectacular entertainment you’ll never forget. For some, it’s the perfect blend of urban excitement and the laid-back comfort of nature. With a little research, you could find your perfect Toronto neighbourhood in no time.

Don’t stop getting excited about your Toronto move now. For professional assistance with finding a Toronto home, contact us today!