Beautiful lawns and gardens, groomed and manicured year after year, add real value to your home when it's ready to enter the Calgary or Okotoks Real Estate market. Luckily we get somewhat of a break on yard work for about half of the year. So when spring rolls around it's time to dust the cob webs off of your rakes, brooms and lawnmowers... 

Early Spring is the perfect time to prime your green spaces to nurture grasses, scrubs, flowers, and edibles. Use this handy checklist to prep your garden for the growing season ahead.

For many people, money is a source of stress.

Fortunately, there is hope... Here are seven simple tips to develop good saving habits that are essential to help you take control of your financial future. 

1. Pay yourself first

Determine a certain percentage of your paycheck and transfer it into your savings account each payday. You earned the money - keep some of it!

2. Save your tax refund and any work bonuses

It’s tempting to spend your tax refund or bonus as soon as it reaches your bank account; however, if you can, save it in a high-yield savings account so that it can accumulate interest and grow.

3. Cut back on your home expenses

From transitioning to a less-expensive cable television package or mobile phone plan to reducing your monthly grocery bill, there are lots of ways to cut home spending. If you’re not sure where to make cuts, create a list of your discretionary spending, including meals out, gourmet coffee, new clothes, entertianment, etc. Little things like making your own coffee or shopping at outlets can add up to big savings.

4. Set a savings goal

Whether you wish to save enough to cover three months’ expenses or for a down payment on a new home, it’s  helpful to have a number in mind that can be broken down into smaller, more manageable increments. Keep motivated by signing up to receive emails from your bank with your account balances. 

5. Turn saving into a game

If you and your significant other or friend need competitive motivation to save money, create a game to see who  can save the most each paycheck or each month. 

6. Put extra cash or change into a jar

Instead of letting change accrue at the bottom of your purse, on the kitchen counter or in your pockets, toss it into a large jar. Although it may seem insignificant, you may be surprised by how much you can save. 

7. Make saving a habit

Set up a reminder on your phone or place a sticky note on your calendar to remind you to save money. While it may take a month or two of focus and constant reminders to remember to save, it can become a habit that will pay off for years to come.

Picture this: Ms. Jones, a potential buyer, drives by your home prior to viewing it with her Realtor. The red brick, the large windows and the two-car garage looked very attractive in the MLS listing. However, she can not avoid noticing the patchy lawn, missing shingles on the roof, the chipped window frames, soiled siding, and the bicycles and wagons stacked, three-deep, on the side of the garage. The front door is a foul shade of violet.

Ms. Jones shakes her head and drives away, without even getting out of her car. She calls her Realtor and says she would like to look at another house.

It is always a good idea to improve your home's outside appearance. In fact, it is essential to increasing the price you will receive for your home. A prospective buyer will determine, in mere seconds, whether your home is a prospect.

Set the stage with good curb appeal

Curb appeal is the overall impression that your home creates when viewed by a potential buyer. It is the quality that gets buyers thinking about your home as their home. As soon as a potential buyer sees your home, they will begin creating an emotional connection, be that good or bad, with your home. A buyer begins to form a picture in their minds. Could I live here? Can I maintain my current lifestyle in this home? How much work do I have to do? After viewing a home that looks cared for, on the outside, they will want to move inside. Be sure to consider the following areas when enhancing your curb appeal.

Paint: Chipped or peeling paint detracts from the appearance of your home. An inexpensive paint job, including front door, fence, shutter and other surfaces can significantly enhance your homes appearance and value. Choose a neutral color that matches the brick, siding, fence or trim of your home.

Landscaping: Mow and edge your lawn. Repair any unsightly patches. Trim trees and shrubs. Replace old pots with new ones. Water flowers. Store garden tools in the garage or basement.

Sidewalks/driveway: Hose down sidewalks and driveways. Clear any clutter. Store any toys, sporting equipment or bicycles, neatly in the garage or basement. Remove stray weeds from adjoining lawn areas.

Eavestrough: If possible hose them down, along with the siding and sidewalks. Remove any leaves or debris. If they're damaged or loose, repair them.

Fences/siding/exterior: Complete any repairs to these areas. A fence that looks like it will blow over the in the strong wind, leaves a bad impression. Be sure to hose down these areas, prior to viewing.

Cracked/uneven foundation: Have this area repaired. A buyer is less likely to purchase your home if they will be hit with foundation repairs.

Lighting: Upgrade any worn or rusted lighting. Warm lighting around your home's exterior creates an inviting appearance. Even a smaller home can appear cozy with the correct lighting.

Finishing touches: Put out a new, inexpensive welcome doormat. Clean any outdoor furniture and replace old and worn cushions. If you have a pet that lives in the backyard, be sure to advise your Realtor in advance. Even better, arrange for pet boarding when showing your home.

When you pay attention to your curb appeal, your home will likely spend less time on the market.

Uncompleted repairs could lengthen the time needed to sell your home. The first impression that a buyer makes of your home is important. It sets the tone for the rest of the walk through. When your prospective buyer falls in love with the exterior, he or she will anticipate an equally appealing interior. With good curb appeal, you are issuing a personal invitation: "Welcome. Come on in."

For more advice on how to get your home ready for sale please contact our Okotoks & Calgary Real Estate Team.