Amazing end unit town home! This home has been extensively upgraded and makes for the perfect home for a first time buyer, or an investor looking for a turn key rental property. As soon as you arrive at the home you will notice that is across from a huge open field that will have baseball fields, future community center and playground. Your front yard is west facing and has a great patio area that is perfect for entertaining. Upon entering you will instantly notice the open feel that this home provides with 9' ceiling and stunning hardwood floors. On the main you will find your living room complete with gas fireplace, stunning galley style kitchen with stainless appliances and granite counter tops. Also on the main is a large dining area, laundry and access to the attached garage. Upstairs you have 3 large bedrooms. Your master suite has 3 piece ensuite and large walk-in closet. The lower level is fully finished with a huge family room and large storage room. Put this one on your must see list!
(BPT) - Chances are you've thought about adding a splash of color to the exterior of your home, and you're not the only one. Many people have the same idea, but they don't act because they're worried they will choose poorly. Selecting the wrong color for your home's exterior isn't only costly, it's embarrassing as well.
"Many homeowners are afraid to add color to their home's exterior because they don't want to make a mistake," says Sensational Color's Kate Smith, Color Marketing Group (CMG), a career color trend forecaster. "Especially when people look at the style of their homes, they can become confused by what colors will enhance their exteriors."
One common mistake homeowners make when seeking to add color to their home's exterior is they fail to identify a full color palette. They set out to choose that perfect color for their home without thinking about how it will interact with the newly-installed window frames or new roof.
Smith says the selection of your main color should take into account the colors of fixed features related to your home, such as the brick, stone or stucco found on your foundation, porch or walkway. Selecting color options for the trim, shutters and the front door should only come after the main color has been selected.
All of this may sound daunting, but Smith says the key is to follow the process. If you're ready to take the opportunity and make your home the most envied on the block, a new, 36-page free ebook, titled "FRESH Color Schemes for Your Home Exterior," can help.
In this free guide, author Smith advocates for taking a "top down" approach to adding eye-pleasing color palettes to the home exterior. She says people who are interested in making a color change to their exterior should start with the roof color and work their way down, taking into account the siding, window frames, front entry door and trim.
The ebook includes specific tips for home styles including: ranch, colonial, bungalow, Victorian, Spanish mission, European and new American homes. Smith provides several color combinations for each home style as well as tips for making the homes complement their neighborhoods.
"One of the hottest trends in the marketplace right now is to 'shake up' home exteriors with color," says Smith. "This tutorial provides guidance on understanding the home's exterior features and playing off them with color accents."
Smith created the guide in collaboration with several building manufacturers including: DaVinci Roofscapes, Fypon, Simonton Windows and Therma-Tru. You can access the ebook through these company web sites or through Smith's website sensationalcolor.com.
"No homeowner should feel locked into blah or standard colors on their home's exterior," says Smith. "A shake or slate polymer roof can have an appealing blend of colors, such as browns and autumn tones. Low-maintenance vinyl window frames and grids come in pine green, chocolate and even brick red to add pizzazz to the home. And, homeowners can create a welcoming front entrance by painting a fiberglass door a striking accent color. Tie that all together with painted urethane trim pieces that add the 'icing on the cake' for the home and you can really make a home more appealing with coordinated colors."
When you have a large yard with a lot of flower beds watering can be a chore. Lugging around hoses can make your back sore and the job uninviting. Because you love your flower beds you hate to stop watering them. Isn't there a better way to water?
Many landscapers and lawn services recommend automatic irrigation systems for large yards with lots of flower beds. Having such a system will mean no more dragging heavy hoses around. You may wonder if one of these is right for you. They are best installed by landscaping companies experienced with plants and watering. Proper layout is essential for optimal performance and low maintenance.
Not all sprinkler systems are alike. Some sprinklers sit above the ground perpetually. They can have a better watering radius, but because they stick out of the ground, these types of sprinklers are prone to being tripped over and to being destroyed by lawn mowers.
Other sprinkler systems use pop up sprinklers. These sprinklers, a friend to lawn services because they aren't easily hit, sit flush or below ground level when not in use and pop up above the ground when the irrigation system comes on. When a pop up sprinkler breaks, it can cause localized flooding and can be difficult to fix.
Drip systems are designed more for flower beds than lawns and put water directly at the base of the plants. The problem is, except for the main water pipe, these irrigation lines must stay above ground to keep from clogging with dirt. The tips are replaceable, but if the irrigation line gets a crack or a leak, fixing it requires a little skill.
All of these systems can be laid out, hooked up to a water faucet, and turned on manually. Doing so requires you to remember to turn it on and off. If you forget to shut off the irrigation system, your water bill could take a hard hit. If you go away for a few days, your flower beds could suffer miserably.
Using an automatic irrigation system eliminates the problems with manual operation. Computerized control of the flow, the amount of water, and the length of time the water is on, saves on maintenance because it eliminates excess pressure which can burst the lines. They can be set on multiple timers to water one section at a time, and can be set to run during the cool parts of the day when less water evaporates.
This type of system saves water, which can lower your water bill. It's a great choice when you have a lot of flower beds or a large yard. Many quality landscapers and lawn services are able to install and maintain an automatic irrigation system to meet the needs of your landscape. With such a system, you can stop lugging hoses and start enjoying your flower beds.
by: Nick Messe
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6443.shtml
Posted on July 23, 2015 by George Byma & Associates
As Parkbench’s Neighbourhood Sponsor for West Springs and Cougar Ridge, Calgary, one of the main reasons I was so excited to bring this innovative new platform to our community was all of the potential that it held for local business owners. Did you know that as a local business owner, you’re able to create a totally free profile on http://Parkbench.com/westsprings and begin marketing your products or services to the community? Well, you can, and in my latest article I’m quickly going to explain 5 ways that your business can benefit from claiming your free profileon Parkbench.
1) Gives you another venue to list your business information
When people are looking for a specific product or service, most of their searches will begin online. Parkbench automatically pulls all of the business listings in a neighbourhood and organizes them by name and category on the corresponding Neighbourhood Site. If you own a business in the neighbourhood, there’s a good chance that it’s already been listed on Parkbench. It’s then as simple as heading over to your neighbourhood’s and claiming your business page.
Once you claim your business’s page, you’re able to flesh it out with a picture of your storefront, relevant contact information, and links to your company website or relevant social media channels. This is all done with the hope of people in the neighbourhood finding out about you and your business!
2) Make announcements
West Springs and Cougar Ridge’s Neighbourhood Site has a news feed that’s unique to the neighbourhood. The feed is populated by different deals being offered by businesses, news articles that are relevant to the neighbourhood, and different events taking place in the community. But, once you’ve claimed your free business profile on Parkbench, you’re able to make announcements that will ensure that your business remains at the top of the neighbourhood newsfeed, and top of mind for potential customers.
3) Offer deals and coupons
Parkbench gives businesses who have claimed their free business profile with a few different ways to offer deals and specials to customers—and the best part is that they don’t take a cut!
Unlike websites like Groupon, Parkbench offers a brand new way for you to offer savings to new customers, and guarantee returning customers. Deal websites, like Groupon, are notorious for offering crazy deals that prompt new customers to drive across the city to claim a deal one time—but the trouble for small business owners is that once those new customers have claimed the coupon, they never come back to the store. And that’s in addition to the fact that they take a cut of the business’ profit. As you know, all businesses strive towards creating repeat business.
But, as a business owner on Parkbench, you’re able to offer:
- Coupons to first time customers to attract some new clientele.
- Advertise current in-store specials.
- Offer flash deals that only take place during a certain time of day.
- Grant deals to customers who have visited your business and have written a review about it on Parkbench.
4) Have reviews written about your business
When people are deciding on which restaurant they want to eat at, or which service provider they should call, they’ll want to hear what other people have to say about it first. Parkbench gives local business owners in West Springs and Cougar Ridge, Calgary a way for them to have reviews written about their business, reply to them, and offer coupons to the customer for having a review written about their business. It’s a win-win because in addition to having people spread the word about what makes your business great, you’re also guaranteeing a returning customer.
5) Create events
Once you’ve created your Parkbench business profile, you’re able to use your account to create new event listings in the community. By clicking on the “Events” tab of the Neighbourhood Site, you’re given the option of adding an event. Say for example your clothing store is hosting a sidewalk sale, or your restaurant is holding a wine tasting event, you’re able to upload the event details straight to your Neighbourhood Site and give friends of the community yet another place to get the information that they need to know.
Check out these videos below to learn more about how Parkbench benefits small businesses:
If you care to learn more about the benefits that come with claiming your free profile on Parkbench’s West Springs and Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site, I can be reached at:
(NC) Ask any Canadian homeowner to name their biggest investment - their real pride and joy - and most likely they'll say it's their home. It's their sanctuary with the pristine lawn, beautiful garden, finished basement, and renovated kitchen. When such a paradise exists, why would anyone want to risk losing it? But what if disaster struck and your place was severely damaged by fire or some other catastrophe. Are you certain that your insurance policy would cover the rebuilding of your house and the replacement of all the contents? Unfortunately, this answer often comes too late that the homeowner isn't adequately covered. The property insurance experts from Desjardins Insurance have some answers and suggestions to help you.
First, be prepared. The first three days after an emergency are the most critical. So consider creating a 72-hour emergency kit. Typically it will include 3 days' worth of water for each person in your family, imperishable food stuffs, candles, flashlight and batteries, and a first-aid kit. Next, take an inventory of your belongings. Be thorough because it's easy to underestimate the total value of your possessions. Include furniture, jewellery, electronics such as computer equipment, game systems and television, along with clothes, shoes, boots, pots, pans, other personal and household items. Take particular note of expensive items such as antique furniture or other valuables.
Read your policy carefully. It's important to remember that your home insurance will not cover every type of major loss. The typical home insurance policy will cover a fire loss, as well as damage caused by lightning, windstorms, hailstorms and even tornadoes. Standard homeowners' policies in Canada exclude flood damage. However, policies generally cover other kinds of water damage, for example from a sewer backup or a burst pipe in your house. Desjardins Insurance is one of the few companies that also cover damage caused by water seepage through basement walls or floors.
Your policy may be worth more than your home. Many people believe that if their home is burnt to the ground, they would automatically receive full market value for their house. This isn't true. The value of a home insurance policy is based on the cost to rebuild the house, not to sell it on the market. The actual replacement cost could end up being either greater or less than the market value. Replacement costs will include the material (lumber, roofing shingles, siding material, carpet, drywall, etc.), and the labor and architectural services. There are also additional costs associated with the demolition and clean-up of the site before construction, which can be expensive in a crowded city neighbourhood. The location of your home could be a factor too. For example if you're located in a remote or rural area, travelling expenses and supply transportation need to be taken into consideration.
For more information about your insurance policy and the replacement value of your home, speak to your insurance provider. Or for immediate answers, call or visit Desjardins Insurance at www.desjardinsgeneralinsurance.com.
Open House on Saturday, July 25, 2015 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE SAT JULY 25 1-4PM! Are you an empty nester? Do you have teenagers or adult children? Do you LOVE to ENTERTAIN? If you answer yes to any of these questions then this is the HOME for YOU! This is truly an EXCEPTIONAL LIFESTYLE HOME in the Estates of Cranston! Your main floor is extremely versatile with soaring vaulted ceiling and has a front flex room/dining room, study and the perfect kitchen and living room space for entertaining. The kitchen features an island that is over 11' long and all the cabinet and counter space you could possibly want. The open concept main floor is perfect for everyday living and when your day is done you can retreat to your elevated master suite! The master retreat is a true place of serenity after a long day with vaulted ceilings and 5 piece ensuite. The lower level features a theatre room complete with wet bar and 3 more bedrooms. Then there is your private oasis in the backyard! This is a true place of zen. This former show home is only steps to the walking paths!
Fantastic turn key home located on a perfect street in Wildwood backing onto greenspace with playground and 1 block to school. This home has been totally updated with everything having been replaced within the last few years. The main floor has been opened up creating the perfect space for a family that loves to entertain. The kitchen is truly stunning with mocha stained cabinets, granite and butcher block countertops, high end stainless appliances and plenty of storage space. Your dining room and living room flow perfectly together and some newly added windows were added to allow all the natural light you could want. A master suite has also been created with large walkin closet, 4 piece ensuite and enough room for that king size bed. There is also a second bedroom and another bath. The lower level has been completely updated with a cork ceiling, huge family room and 2 more bedrooms. Outside the landscaping has been redone and the private backyard has plenty of trees.
Posted on July 17, 2015 by George Byma & Associates
I chose to sponsor the West Springs-Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site on Parkbench.com because I’m always looking for ways to help connect locals to their neighbourhood. This West Springs-Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site gives locals a whole new way to learn about everything going on in the neighbourhood. For the sake of this article, I’m going to talk about some specific ways that Cougar Ridge and West Springs, Calgary residents can utilize the Parkbench neighbourhood website to connect to their community. Check out these 7 ways you can use Parkbench:
1) Find local news in West Springs and Cougar Ridge
By heading to West Springs and Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site and clicking on the “News” button, you’ll gain access to loads of great news articles that are related to the community. Parkbench’s technology is capable of aggregating all of these news articles from leading sources across the web and placing them in the corresponding Neighbourhood Site.
By clicking on the “Blogs” button, you’re able to read original blog articles about the neighbourhood that were written by the Parkbench Team.
And lastly, the West Springs and Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site features a “Crime and Safety” tab.
2) Find local events in West Springs and Cougar Ridge
The same technology that applies to news articles works for events in the neighbourhood as well! Simply clicking on the “Events” will take you to a list of events from sources like Eventbrite, Ticketfly, and Meet-up—and the best part is that these are all events taking place in the community. By creating a free account on Parkbench, you’re also able to post your own events too!
3) Find deals in West Springs and Cougar Ridge
The “Deals” tab on the West Springs and Cougar Ridge website is a great place to check out the different kinds of deals being offered by local businesses. If you yourself are a local business owner, or know any, let them know that they’re able to claim a free profile on Parkbench and offer different types of coupons and specials to the community.
There are also a number of “Classifieds” that have been listed on the West Springs and Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site. There are plenty of ways to save!
4) Write reviews on the West Springs and Cougar Ridge neighbourhood and the businesses within it
As a person living in West Springs and Cougar Ridge, you know the area very well! We want you to share what you love about your neighbourhood by signing up for a free profile on the West Springs and Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site and writing a review about it. If you’re a fan of a certain business in the neighbourhood—you can review them too! Some businesses even offer coupons to customers who have reviewed them on Parkbench, so keep an eye out for these neat ways to save some money.
5) Read about the local services and amenities in the West Springs and Cougar Ridge neighbourhood
Parkbench’s technology has been able to aggregate a number of local services and amenities for your convenience. You’re able to check out all of the schools, business listings, and even demographics information—all from the West Springs and Cougar Ridge Neighbourhood Site landing page.
6) Share photos you’ve taken in the West Springs and Cougar Ridge neighbourhood
The West Springs and Cougar Ridge “Photo Gallery” gives Parkbench users a unique way to picture life in the neighbourhood. The Photo Gallery page collects photos from Instagram featuring hashtags that are related to the neighbourhood.
To have your photos featured in the West Springs and Cougar Ridge neighbourhood Photo Gallery, simple use the hashtag: #CougarRidge, #WestSprings, #West85th, or #Wentworth.
7) Connect with your local REALTOR® in West Springs and Cougar Ridge
As the title sponsor for West Springs and Cougar Ridge, I’ve helped to ensure that our neighbourhood will always have access to this wonderful community resource. For those who care to learn more about what makes this community great, or are thinking about moving to or from West Springs and Cougar Ridge, I can be reached at:
Open House on Sunday, July 19, 2015 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE! Sunday July 19 from 1-4PM. This stunning family home is located on a very kid friendly street just steps to Monsignor J.J. O'Brien K-9 school. Inside you will find a very inviting open to below front entry and a fantastic open concept main floor perfect for entertaining. The spacious kitchen feature a large island and raised eating bar that flow perfectly into your dining room and huge living room space. Upstairs you will find 3 bedrooms. The kids bedrooms are very spacious and the master suite features his and her walk-ins, 4 piece ensuite complete with jetted tub and plenty of space for a king size bed. Your lower level is fully finished with the homes 4th bedroom and a huge family room perfect for a home theatre or just more space for all the kids toys. Outside you will have a great bright and sunny west facing backyard with a great patio and large trees to create the perfect outdoor entertainment space through the summer. This is truly an awesome family home and a must see!
(NC)-When renovating a home, people often forget one of the most important components: the outdoor space. If done right, your yard can become more than an extension of your home - it can be a private escape. The experts at Home Depot Canada recommend the following tips for creating an outdoor retreat.
Be your own weather specialist
It is important to keep the climate in mind when choosing your outdoor furniture. For example, if you live in a windy area, select heavier furniture as lighter plastic chairs are likely to turn up on your neighbour's lawn. If you experience heavy, regular rainfall, try to stay away from materials like wrought iron that may rust. And to lengthen the life of your outdoor pieces, make sure to store your patio furniture when weather isn't in your favour. Many outdoor cushions and pillows at Home Depot feature vibrant, fade-resistant colours and are made using high-quality, weather-resistant materials.
Set the mood
Like any room in your house, lighting is key when it comes to the outdoors. Solar powered lights are a great option and help save on energy bills. Installation is easy as there is no wiring or plugs to worry about. With many sizes and styles to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect one to brighten up your outdoor space.
Create a space with a purpose
Do you want to use your space to host parties, relax, or give your children somewhere they can play? How you plan on using the space will determine what type of furniture you need. And with outdoor furniture, you can get creative: chairs can be replaced with recliners, swings, loungers, or even hammocks. Decorative accents are also essential. Throw a few colourful pillows on your outdoor furniture or put an outdoor area rug under your patio set. As long as fashion meets function, anything goes.
With the right tools and tips, setting up a fun and functional outdoor space doesn't need to be an overwhelming project. More information is available online at www.homedepot.ca where you can
view the patio buying guide and inspiration gallery.
(BPT) - Busy has become a way of life. Between work, household chores, time with family and friends, people often don't have time to complete that entire wish list of home updates. Luckily, there are several simple kitchen and bath projects that you can conquer in minimal time that deliver maximum style and functional impact. In fact, here are a few projects that can be completed in about an hour or less.
Raise the bar with a new shower rod
Bring the luxurious style of a hotel to your bath and increase shower space with a curved shower rod. Available in single- and double-rod designs, both offer the elegant look often seen in hotel baths while adding some extra elbow room to create a more enjoyable shower experience. If you're short on time, find one that can be installed without drilling holes - and removes easily, making it perfect for any shower, even if you're a renter. Finally, add decorative shower curtain rings and a new shower curtain to give your bath an instant makeover.
Style and storage makeover
Want to quickly enhance the look and functionality of your bathroom? Accessories, such as towel bars, hooks and shelves can be a quick and inexpensive solution. It's easy to eliminate bathroom pet peeves like towels on the floor and too many products in the shower with bath accessories that come in a variety of styles and finishes. If safety is a concern, there are a variety of accessories that incorporate the benefits of grab bars into their designs.
Turn boring into beautiful with a backsplash
If you wish you could have the beautiful tile backsplash seen in high-end kitchens, but aren't up for messing with mortar, you now have an alternative. Today, there are many easy-to-install wall tiles that offer an adhesive backing or simply adhere with double-sided tape or adhesive. Plus, they are available in a variety of faux tile, stone or metal designs to transform the look of your kitchen in no time.
Say hello to kitchen hardware
Is your kitchen cabinet hardware looking dingy or dated? This simple project can make a dramatic difference in your home's appearance. Look for new knobs and drawer pulls that are designed to match your existing faucets and fixtures in both style and finish. Whether you prefer modern or something with a more traditional look, there are many options available to extend your sense of design down to the details.
But don't stop with knobs and pulls - much like the bath, towel rings and hooks are the perfect solution for managing dish towels that are often carelessly strewn about countertops. Establish a special spot for this kitchen necessity by mounting hooks, towel rings or towel bars on the side of an upper cabinet, the end of the island or in another kitchen work space.
Take an hour or two and try some of these quick and easy DIY projects for yourself. You may be surprised as to how much you can accomplish in such a short period of time!
Absolutely stunning Shane built home located close to playgrounds and green spaces. This home is sure to impress as soon as you arrive you will instantly notice the west facing front veranda perfect for summer nights and it also creates a perfect greeting for your guests. Your kitchen, living room and dining room flow seamlessly and create the ideal entertainment area. The kitchen space is stunning with dark cabinets, granite countertops and a huge island. Your living room features built-in TV area and niches to highlight collectables. Upstairs you will find laundry and 3 bedrooms. Your master suite features a walk-in closet and 4 piece ensuite complete with granite countertop. The back yard has a huge deck perfect for outdoor entertainment and a double car garage. This home is being sold by the original owners and has been maintained extremely well from day 1. Make this a must see, you will not be disappointed!
Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS®System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.
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Turn boring into beautiful with a backsplash
