Tuesday 30 April 2013

Workshop for Protecting the Elderly

The Kelowna Community Response Network is hosting, this week's workshop is on elder abuse. The workshop explores ways to protect vulnerable adults. The session will be on Friday May 3rd from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at First United Church on the corner of Richter and Bernard Avenue.  You can register by calling 250.860.2040 or emailing sheridaine@shaw.ca Suggested donation is $10

There will be two experts that will lead the interactive workshop. There are adults in our communities that continue to find themselves in vulnerable situations and still experience various forms of abuse and neglect. This may be a good workshop to attend to make sure your elder family members are not being abused or neglected, or if you are elderly this could help you.

Friday 26 April 2013

Wildfire Season

Learn to prepare for wildfire season as it will soon be upon us. West Kelowna residents can get information on preparing for the wildfire season at a pair of open houses this weekend.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue will hold the wildfire prevention open house on Saturday April 27th from 1-3 pm at the Rose Valley fire hall 1805 Westlake Rd. and again on Sunday April 28 at the Glenrosa hall 3399 Gates Rd. from 1-3pm.

Fire prevention personnel will provide information and answer any questions you may have. It is good information to have.

Thursday 25 April 2013

Home Reno's

Canadians are investing in home improvements like never before. According to an Ipsos-Reid survey two thirds (2/3) of homeowners intend to do home renovations this year. If you are renovating for your own sake, you should try to assess the post project to increase the value of your home in case you ever want to sell.
Every year the Appraisal Institute of Canada surveys its members to compile a list of renos that yield the best return on investment. And each year it is refurbished kitchens and bathrooms that are on top of the payback list 75-100% of the money spent on these projects can be recovered upon re-sale, that being said it doesn't hold true if the renovations are in really bad taste.

If you are renovating in order to sell, you should plan for changes that will meet the needs of a majority of potential buyers. It should be fashionable and in line with current trends, at the same time though beware of passing fads. A house that is nice on the inside will sell for a slightly higher price and generally will sell faster.

Also bear in mind that if your house exceeds the average market value in your neighborhood, your renos will not give you great return. Also keep in mind that the amount spent on a reno should be relative to the value of your home. ie you would not spend $30,000 on a bathroom in a $1000,000 home.

Percentage Recovered Upon Resale

Kitchen upgrade.....75-100%
Bathroom upgrade.....75-100%
Interior painting.....50-100%
Roof replacement.....50-80%
Furnace replacement.....50-80%
Doors and windows.....50-75%
Deck.....50-75%
Install hardwood floors.....50-75%
Garage (new) ....50-75%
Fireplace (gas or wood)....50-75%
Central Air conditioning....50-75%
Finished basement....50-75%
Landscaping.....25-50%
Asphalt driveway 20-50%
Pool....10-40%
Skylights....0-25%

7 Hot Home Improvement Trends

Home theatre
Hardwood floors in kitchen
Laundry room on main floor
Whirlpool bath
Built-in kitchen appliances
Office on the main floor
Kitchen Island

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Small Projects

I am going to do a little series of posts on small projects for your home, as overhauling your entire home can be costly and time consuming.

If your kitchen and bathroom cabinets look old and worn out you don't necessarily have to replace them you can refresh them by painting the cabinets. Replace sink fixtures and installing new lighting are an easy way to update a kitchen or bathroom.

Replace kitchen counter tops or add an island. A new counter top will add color and personality to a kitchen. Make sure to read about the pros and cons on counter top material to help you decide, which counter top would best suit you. If you have the room an island is a practical addition to a kitchen as it adds more storage, extra seating.

Sunday 14 April 2013

Don't Paint Until....

You have tested it out at home. Paint is the best and cheapest way to bring new life and style into your home. We all see that perfect paint color but once you get it home and on your walls it looks different in your space. The trick is bring home a few tester cans in various shades of the same color to see how it looks in your place. Remember paint will also look different when it's wet and will often dry to a lighter shade. Natural and electric light can impact color so be sure you see your paint test in both lights.

Here are some tips for paint perfection,
- flat of matte finish will absorb light and hide imperfections, best used in bedrooms, dining or living rooms
- Semi gloss or high gloss reflects light and is best used on perfectly smooth surfaces such as trim and doors

Junk Fundraiser

Do you have old electronics that you want to get rid of? Then trash your junk at this fundraiser. 1-800-GOT-JUNK is hosting its annual Earth Day electronics disposal event on April 20th. This event will take place at Okanagan College's KLO Road campus from 10am-2pm. Electronics accepted include TV's, computers, their components, printers video game systems, cables, small kitchen appliances and batteries. Almost anything with a cable, says the company.

You can also drop off non perishable items for the Kelowna Community Food Bank at the blue and green truck. What a great way to get rid of your old electronics and help the food bank out.

There will also be an on-site paper shredding for $5 per bankers box offered by the Okanagan Paper Shredding

Thursday 4 April 2013

Spring Home Improvements

Spring is the season for home improvements. As the weather improves this is the time to make sure that your home is well maintained. Here are a few DIY projects for you to tackle this spring.

Update the insulation in the attic. This will help to save on energy consumption and will keep your home cooler in the summer and warm in the winter.

Clean out your gutters as they may be full of leaves from the fall.

Clean your deck and patio furniture as it will have collected dust and dirt over the winter months.