C21 Life Hacks - Admin Staff

Stylish Solutions For Awkward Home Spaces

Every home can come with some awkward spaces – small nooks, tight corners, shallow closets - but that doesn’t mean they can't be functional. We are sharing our top solutions to transform your “dead zones” into your new favourite spot!

1) Bay Windows

Bay windows are a beautiful addition to any room, but this bonus space often goes unused because of its awkward shape. Instead of installing costly-customized pieces, try adding a small desk or couch. The pop-out area creates the perfect space for a home office or reading nook!

2) Above Kitchen Cabinets

No one can have enough kitchen storage, so why not use the unclaimed space above the cabinets? Show off your stylish dishware, plants, or less-attractive pieces in decorative…

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Creating Your Backyard Oasis

Spending summer at home? Or, looking to revamp the backyard for a better home sale? In both cases, you've come to the right place! Creating the perfect outdoor space doesn't have to cost you tons of money, nor does it have to be a large space. Here are some tips for you on creating your perfect backyard oasis:

Start With A Focal Point

Every yard, no matter its size, needs a focal point. A focal point directs attention and interest to one area or one spot. This is used in our indoor spaces all the time. For example, in our kitchens, the focal point is where we prepare our food - the stove, the fridge and the countertops. In our living rooms, the focal point is usually the T.V. All of the design will point, lead or be otherwise neutral to…

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Roping In The Right Renters

You've got an income property! Congrats! You've signed the papers, made the fixes, and are now looking for the right people to rent to. How do you find great tenants for your rental property? It's not an easy process, but there are a few things you can learn in order to avoid those horrible renting situations:

1. Understand Saskatchewan's Laws About Landlords And Tenants

Your due diligence is to research and understand provincial and federal law regarding rental properties, landlords and tenants. Since provincial law is heavily modeled under federal law, the majority of the information will be much the same. However, make sure you read thoroughly in case anything differs. Our province's website has sectioned info on Landlords and Rental…

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The Open Concept Floor Plan: Pros Vs. Cons

Open concept floor plans make up the larger part of new residential house builds, and have been since the early to mid 1990s. This floor plan is the go-to design for home renovation projects in older homes that want to maximize space and appeal to new buyers. It allows for individuals and individual activities to co-exist with others; families can enjoy doing their own thing(s) in one area, while other family members could be doing a completely different activity in another area, but still be able to communicate effectively. In addition, the blending of a kitchen, living and dining room makes for a great party space - perfect for those who entertain as a part of their lifestyle. However, this floor plan isn't ideal for every person...and that's okay!…

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Quit Overspending! Save Up For Your Down Payment

We all have good intentions when we start out budgeting. Once a few weeks go by, it's difficult to fight the urge to spend! Sticking to a budget is harder than it looks for most of us. We want to save the money for, in this case, that down payment on a house, but the draw of retail therapy is strong. We get it. That's why we've put together a list of everyday tips that will stop your little purchases from turning into a big problem.

Understand Your Spending Triggers

The key to tackling any problem is doing some introspection first. Take a look at yourself before beginning any external changes. Overspending is almost always a coping mechanism we use to stave off uncomfortable emotions and physical sensations. It can be something simple,…

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Real Estate Agent VS. Realtor

What's the difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Realtor?

You've probably heard these terms used interchangeably. While these titles are quite similar, there are two distinct differences that set Realtors apart from real estate agents.

First off, let's define what a real agent is/does. Real estate agents are licensed by the province they work in to assist with the buying or selling of a home. They work for a real estate company, and are usually paid through commission. Now, a Realtor does all of the same things as a regular agent, but they are a member of The National Association of Realtors (NAR). Only members are permitted to refer to themselves as Realtors, and pay for that privilege through their membership. This is not the case…

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Buyers: Home Inspection Tips

Last summer, we wrote about general home inspection tips. We've decided to take it further this Summer by providing more tips for buyers regarding home inspections, since more home sales are subject to home inspections before closing. So here we go!

Hire a Proper Inspector

Getting a friend or family member who knows a lot about houses to come in and check the house you're looking at can be tempting. They're close (usually), you trust them and the whole thing is informal. Even if they do possess a great working knowledge about homes, they don't know everything. That's not an insult to Uncle Greg, it's just a fact of life. Please do the right thing and hire a certified home inspector. These are people that have made an entire career of…

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Let's get moving-Things to do before you move!

Moving is a stressful and a tough one. Keeping things organized, packing things separately, a lot of lifting can make your day exhausting and overwhelming. Here's a list of things you should do before moving to make your move less crazy.

Leaving Clutter Behind

Moving is an opportunity to sort things out and get rid of those you don't longer need. You may plan a garage sale ahead of time and also you can donate some items that didn't make the sale. Packing less makes your move easier and less expensive too.

Knowing your New Neighborhood

Changing to a new neighborhood is exciting, making a visit to your neighborhood is the best way to find out where important places are like nearest hospitals, medical service, supermarkets and…

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Can your Home-Buying experience be at ease?

Considering a move and buying a home can give you some doses of stress and anxiety. Buying a home is a big investment and a huge financial commitment. There is basically no such thing as a completely stress-free homebuying experience, but we key in some ways that could be your starting points in the home buying process.

Know your Price Range and Get educated

When you're ready to buy a new home, give time to talk to a financial advisor or a mortgage expert. This way you will get educated about your finances and you'll know what your income allows. Remember not to spend more, because buying a home doesn’t just mean you simply buy the home and you're done. Other fees and expenses go along with owning a home, like insurance, bills and fixes etc.…

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15 Questions To Ask Your Realtor

Real estate is an interesting business. Even though you have professionals who take care of financial transactions and legal documents, you still need someone to connect with. When you're helping someone buy their home or sell their existing one, you need to have a good sense of your client - their likes, dislikes, mannerisms and demeanor. Likewise, people need to have a good sense of their real estate professional. Something as simple as a basic understanding of a person can be the difference between a smooth home buying/selling process, and an absolute nightmare. There's lots of Realtors out there, isn't there? It seems like every home you look at online has a different listing Realtor. Here's the thing, though. You have a CHOICE when it comes to…

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