C21 Life Hacks

Who has time to continuously care for that carpet-like, green grass almost everyone longs for? Cultivating a lush, green lawn takes time, can be expensive, and is a mainstay on weekend to-do lists - Spring through Fall. Now that’s a serious commitment! 

Traditional turf lawns require a lot of maintenance. You must mow and remove weeds often, plus the amount of water usage can be staggering. The average Saskatchewan household uses 353 litres of water per day, with about 35% -40% of that total devoted to outdoor uses, according to the Government of Saskatchewan's most recent water metrics (2018). With an increasing population, as well as more rural to urban movement, water conservation is becoming increasingly important.

It’s about time…

It's time to make some long-awaited changes to your home, but wait...is there anything you can do to make your home more of a home for your pet? Absolutely! The number of renovations centered around pets only continues to rise, and an American poll conducted back in 2017 found that 33% of first time home buyers in the 18-36 age range were driven to purchase directly because of their pet(s). This topped marriage (25%) and birth of a child (19%). So, if you're selling, you know your pet reno will be beneficial to the next owners!

Taking into account the health, age, needs and patterns of your pet, your plans will go a long way in making your home a safer, healthier and more accessible place for your furry bros! Let's kick off this list:

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Here in the Prairies, we know summer is fleeting. With less than six months of warm weather, we take full advantage of the heat! So, it's no surprise that we want our living space to extend outdoors during this time. A few modifications to your backyard deck will improve its aesthetic and functionality, as well as increasing your comfort.

1) Install a Pergola

A Pergola turns an exposed deck into an inviting room, providing partial shade and comforting structure. The angled slats shade most of the area during peak sunshine hours, all while still remaining open.

2) Re-stain

A gorgeous outdoor space starts with great wood. Sand and power wash the surface, then stain or paint with the colour of your choice. Not only will it…

You've just bought a home, and you're getting ready to move. Before possession day, your daydreams consist of floor plans, furniture arrangements and interior design. Are we right?

It's absolutely normal to focus on the fun things right now, even though you know moving day will be hectic. In fact, we encourage ALL the daydreams and small celebrations right now. What we also encourage is taking the time to set up safety measures, take care of small maintenance tasks and check up on your new home's systems. This will solve the question of, "what now?" that new homeowners often have after moving in. Let's go over these tasks, and when the best time to complete them is:

Before Closing

Included in your Agreement of Purchase and Sale…

Purchasing a home is an exciting milestone in life. At the same time, it's stressful and seems like such a daunting process. For single individuals, this stress is amplified. This week, we're giving out our top tips to make any bachelor or bachelorette a savvy home buyer:

Be Aware of Your Finances

It's hard enough to qualify for a mortgage as a couple! Qualifying for a mortgage while solo carries more stress, amplified further by the fact that interest rates are on the rise right now. It's essential for the singles out there to know where their credit stands, since the higher your credit score is, the more favourable your interest rate will be. If your score is lower than you'd like it to be, check out our surefire ways to improve…

When it comes to purchasing a home, many millennials and Gen Zers have insurmountable worries. When mom and dad were buying their first home, housing prices were significantly lower, lending guidelines weren't as rigid, the cost of living was comparatively better, and the debt to income ratio wasn't large. A 20% down payment was an attainable financial goal in the 70s and 80s - now, not so much. For these reasons, many young people are turning to the Bank of Mom and Dad to turn their real estate dreams into reality. What options are available to you, as the parent of a to-be homeowner?

Can You Afford It?

Anything you contribute in this matter will be significant, so it's important that you consider your finances before making any…

Hobbies are a great way to relax, hone your skills, and unwind after a long day. Having a dedicated space in your home for your hobby can keep supplies organized and give you a place to enjoy your favourite pastime. Whether it’s a whole room, or just a corner, here’s how you can carve out some space for your hobbies:

1) Double Check The Space You Already Have

Do you use each room in your home every day? Take a moment to consider whether a storage room can be cleared out if it’s full of junk, or if a corner is being occupied by a side table that could be a small desk instead. Maybe consider changing up one of the larger rooms if it’s not used often – do you often use your dining room, or eat in the kitchen?

2) Organize Your Tools…

Tomorrow (April 28) is National Stop Food Waste Day. That's why we're dedicating this week's blog entry to food waste reduction in the home! Waste Reduction in Canada is a year long program formed by recycling councils in each province. By their compiled data, it's estimated that 58% of the food produced here in Canada is lost or wasted each year. That means 35.5 million tonnes of food goes to waste! Can you even imagine what that would look like if you piled it together?? Financially, this means that the average Canadian annually spends $1,766 just to throw out food. 

With more people becoming aware of this issue, more people are sharing their advice on how to reduce food waste. Today, we're going to share our 8 tips that you can use everyday to…

If you're reading this because you're looking at purchasing another home, potentially your "forever" home, you are at an exciting time of your life! This is why we like to call you a Move-Up Buyer - because you're movin' on up!  When you were a first time home buyer, you were probably young, broke, and a tad naive. You had to make some sacrifices for the sake of your affordability, and that's okay. That's life! But now, you've got some savings and some home equity on your side. Looking at homes this time around will feel a lot less like compromise, and more like mindful selection. With that being said, there are still some challenges you'll need to face with a strategy. Here are the three selling strategies for you:

1) Sell Current Home…

Kids aren't the only ones who should have all the fun on Easter! If you're stuck on what to do this year, take a look at these activities:

1) Easter Dessert Exchange

Host a baking exchange with your family and/or friends! Each guest brings/creates an Easter themed dessert. Set up a buffet table, where each person can grab a small plate of each dessert. Then, get everyone to vote on their favourite - you can do this by a simple show of hands, or by giving each guest a token to place in solid jars beside their respective dessert. The jar with the most tokens wins! You can make the winning prize treats, a Tim's card, wine, or a gift certificate to a local shop. This exchange is inclusive to all ages and cultures, and is just plain old…