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 Spring is just around the corner. Since it typically marks the busiest buying season, homeowners who want to list soon should start working now to prepare their home. Here are some of the best ways to have your Burnaby real estate property in perfect condition for a speedy and effective spring sale.

Get a Head Start on Curb Appeal Projects

Curb appeal is one of the most important factors for attracting the right buyers to your property. Luckily, with most plants being dead by the end of winter, cleaning up for spring should be a breeze. You or a landscaper can easily cut back all the dead vegetation and prepare for a fresh growing season.

The more light you allow to penetrate through your yard and property, the more gorgeous everything will start to look in the coming weeks. As the days warm up and sunlight reaches your yard, plants will grow back more robustly and beautifully than ever before.

On the other hand, putting off clearing out dead leaves or undergrowth could lead to weeds and messy-looking lawn areas that will be harder to fix once new plant growth begins to harden. Getting a head start now ensures that your lawn and entrance will look beautiful the instant people arrive.

Start Packing Now

While it may seem strange to begin packing before you list, the process makes spring cleaning that much easier. As you clear out your closets and main areas, you will be able to organize and clean your house to prepare it for beautiful staging.

On top of that, you can start getting rid of things you will not need to take with you when you move. Getting rid of clutter is an important step to presenting your home in the best way possible.

Make a Checklist of Repairs 

As you go through your property cleaning and landscaping, you may notice small problems here and there. These issues may seem minor, but they add up to a lot in a buyer’s mind. Every small problem a buyer sees gives them an excuse to haggle down your price or, worse, walk away from a sale altogether. Knocking out small projects early will make getting your home ready for viewing that much easier in the long run. 

Make a Deadline for Improvement Projects 

Homebuyers will not be keen to see their potential new property under construction. Major projects like kitchen remodeling, porch additions or flooring replacement will likely take a few days to several weeks to complete. Try to have all of these projects wrapped up so that your home will be ready in time for an advantageous spring listing. 

Part II of this post will cover even more great ways to have your home put its best foot forward come listing time. For general advice on preparing your home for a sale, take a look at our selling page.

A home with a pool can provide countless hours of entertainment. From pool parties to entertaining guests, your pool can be your backyard centerpiece. Proper maintenance will keep your pool looking like new and allow you, your family and your guests to enjoy that pool all summer long.

Last time, we offered tips on keeping your pool clean. These tips included skimming and vacuuming your pool, proper pool filter care and understanding your pool’s heating system. Now we would like to offer you tips on proper water care for your pool.

Testing the Water

The most important part for your pool’s water is that it is at a proper pH level. A proper pH level will ensure that the water in your pool is clean and healthy to swim in. A pH scale measures the water’s alkaline and acidity levels and range from 0-14. A reading of anywhere between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal and will ensure that your pool’s sanitizers are working to their optimal levels.

You can monitor your pool’s water with a pH kit. These kits include strips of paper that will tell you what your pool’s pH level is by comparing the colour of your paper to a chart. This reading will determine what type of chemicals your pool needs.

Sanitizing the Pool

Once you have determined what your pool’s pH level is, the next step is to apply the proper chemicals to get your pool water within that ideal pH range. Chlorine is the main chemical that is used to sanitize your pool water and bring that water into proper pH range. When first sanitizing the water, it is recommended that you use chlorine shock, which is an initial large amount of the chemical.  

After this initial shock, chlorine tablets are all that are required to keep your pool water sanitized.  Always remember to read all owner’s manuals and pay close attention to any warnings on the labels. Keep in mind not to add two chemicals simultaneously. Rather, add each chemical separately and keep all chemicals out of reach of children and pets.

With proper maintenance you should be able to enjoy a clean and healthy pool all summer long. Owning a pool can be an exciting and very rewarding experience. If you are interested in seeing real estate listings in Burnaby that offer this amenity, be sure to contact us today!

Spring has sprung. The blooming of Vancouver’s famous cherry blossoms is a true sign that spring has come early to the lower mainland. Unfortunately, it is not warm enough to get out and enjoy a quick dip in the pool.

Nevertheless, it is never too early to get started on pool maintenance. This way when those hot summer days are upon us, your pool will be ready and oh-so-inviting for a quick cool down. In the first part of this blog, we will discuss some tips for keeping your pool clean in the winter.

Skimming the Pool

Skimming your pool is probably the quickest and fastest way to keep your pool clean. Skimming helps to increase the pool’s circulation system and can drastically reduce the amount of chlorine you need to add to your pool. A simple long-handled skimmer with a fine mesh net on the end will help to keep unwanted debris out of the pool and keep your pool water crystal clear.

Deep Cleaning

In addition to skimming your pool, it is highly recommended to vacuum and scrub down your walls. Vacuuming your pool will reduce the amount of chemicals you need to keep your pool water clean. When vacuuming, remember to check your filter to make sure it remains unclogged and clean while you are potentially kicking up debris.

Scrubbing your walls will greatly reduce any algae growth or calcium buildup in your pool. The material of your pool will dictate what type of scrub brush you need to use. A stiffer brush is good for any type of tile or concrete type pool, and a softer bristle is recommended for a vinyl or softer pool material.

Check your Systems

The final piece of proper pool maintenance is a good check of your pool’s filtration system and heating system. There are three types of pool filters: cartridge, sand and dichotomous earth. Although each type requires different maintenance techniques, all of them require cleaning from time to time. The regularity of maintenance will depend upon how often your pool is used and the type of filter your pool has.

Your pool’s heating system will require the least amount of maintenance of all of your pool’s equipment. Refer to your owner’s manual for proper care and maintenance.  

A pool can add a whole new dimension to your house, and with a little early maintenance, you can more readily enjoy that pool all summer long. If you are in the market for a home with a pool, there are many real estate listings in Burnaby that meet these criteria. We would love to help you find your dream home. Contact us today to get started!