The Home Tribe Real Estate Blog

So you have made the decision to put your Edmonton home on the market—congratulations! The right real estate agent should be able to advise on which home improvements will benefit the sale of your home the most, but to start, here are our 10 suggestions for how to increase the value of your home!

Paint your walls & ceilings

The average price for a can of paint is $50, making this the cheapest way to transform your home with a quick turn-around time. Consider investing in a popular neutral colour to give your home a fresh, updated look. While you have the brushes out, consider adding a complimentary accent colour to make a large space feel more inviting. Sticking with neutral, inoffensive colours (we suggest avoiding neon green) will appeal to more buyers once your home hits the market. 

Upgrade your appliances

Depending what your home improvement budget looks like, you may want to consider upgrading your appliances. Many buyers appreciate the value of clean, functioning appliances, but this doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget to upgrade. 

Appliance upgrades are a considerable investment so we always recommend consulting your trusted real estate agent before you commit to upgrading your appliances. It is also important to consider what type of buyer you are planning to target when you list your home – new appliances for first-time home buyers may seal the deal, but buyers who are looking to renovate for their dream kitchen may overlook existing appliances.

Remove clutter

If you have lived in your home for quite a few years, or you caught the online shopping bug during the pandemic, chances are you have collected a few extra things. Even though it is easy to fill up every nook and cranny of your home with decor or furniture, it can be unappealing to prospective buyers who aren’t as familiar with your belongings as you are. If you don’t want to part with what you have, consider renting a storage unit or ask your loved ones if they can hold on to some stuff for you until your home sells!

Stage your home

Similar to the above, home buyers want to view homes that they can picture themselves living in. Neutralizing colour schemes, decluttering, removing seasonal decoration, and displaying inconspicuous decor is a great way to stage your home with what you have. Watch some YouTube videos for cost-efficient inspiration, or consider bringing in a professional home stager to help you out (we know a few fabulous home staging companies in Edmonton if you need a reference!).

Modify your curb appeal

When you list your home, you’ll want prospective buyers to drive up to your home and immediately be impressed—even before they step through the front door. Enhancing curb appeal can be tough in Edmonton winters, we know! Do your best to keep your sidewalks and driveways shovelled, turn on exterior lights, and ensure there is parking available in front of your home if possible. 

During snow-free seasons, keep your lawn maintained, remove dead shrubbery, and make sure any underground sprinklers are turned off during showing times.

Upgrade your lighting

Over the years we have found that people are always surprised at how much of a difference new light fixtures can make.  Lighting goes a long way — a modern chandelier, a discreet wall sconce, or an elegant floor lamp can give your space a real ‘glow up’ (haha, get it?). If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, check out Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore or Facebook Marketplace!

Replace door knobs, cabinet hardware and switch plates 

While this may seem superfluous, high-touch areas often draw a buyer’s gaze so updating these everyday items is a great way to add a bit of pizazz. Research trending styles, like brass or matte black, and find something that fits the style of your home. To take it one step further, consider matching your cabinet hardware to the style you chose for doorknobs. It can be very appealing to prospective buyers to see consistency while walking through your home. As for switch plates, replace any cracked or stained plates with new ones—these are super cheap! 

Remove your popcorn ceiling

Textured stipple ceilings, commonly known as popcorn ceilings, were a popular trend in the 1940s-1980s. Not only does a textured ceiling hold on to dust, mold, and unpleasant odours, it also makes a space look outdated. If you have the time and tools, removing a popcorn ceiling can be accomplished with a ceiling scraper, a spray bottle, protective sheets, and a ladder – but there’s no harm in hiring a professional to remove the texture and finish the ceiling with a skim coat and a fresh coat of paint! 

If you choose to remove your textured ceiling, make sure you test for asbestos or have proof that your home is asbestos free! Disrupting the ceiling like that can disturb any latent asbestos.

Do a deep clean

This one may seem obvious, but deep cleaning your home is the #1 way to get to prospective buyers’ hearts. When you have people viewing your home, there is nothing more appealing than walking into a dust-free, clutter-free, nice smelling home. Take a duster to your baseboards and door trim, steam clean your carpets, wash your walls, and clean out any cabinets with stains or clutter. You will be impressed with how much it makes a difference. 

If cleaning isn‘t something that you are good at (or want to do) there are plenty of low-cost cleaning services in Edmonton. 

We at TruHome are enthusiastic to help you get the best price for your home, always. If you are looking into putting your house on the market and finding your next place to call home, we would love to meet with you! Connect with us to get started—we can’t wait to meet you.

Love day is on its way! We love celebrating love – whether it be with our partners, our kids, our families, or our clients! 

Here’s what we recommend to do for Valentine’s day in Edmonton!

For you and your partner

Order the Valentines Charcuterie, Flowers, and Sparkling Wine Bundle from Meuwly’s

If you decide to order from Meuwly’s this Valentine’s Day, it’s a one stop shop. You’ll get a beautiful flower arrangement by Cory Christopher, a Meuwly’s D.I.Y charcuterie kit and a bottle of sparkling rose! To make your order, click here. Take your bundle home and enjoy!

Sit back and relax while getting a couples massage

A couples massage therapy session is a great treat for a couple on any occasion, but especially Valentine’s Day! This treatment takes place in a room lit with candles and very soothing music while two therapists work in a coordinated way so that you and your partner are able to stay in tune with each other. Integrated Therapies is a great spot to book a couples massage—book here!

Learn how to make bagels with Get Cooking

There is nothing more romantic than cooking or baking with your partner. So why not learn how to make bagels together? This Valentine’s day weekend you can indulge your love for bagels by learning to make your own, together with Get Cooking’s bread baking expert Larry Harris. Get your $50 tickets to this virtual class here.

For you and your friends

Make some Galentine’s Day cocktails with Chef’s Table Living

At home cocktail making is a win-win—you learn a new skill, and you get to try tasty new drinks! Chef’s Table Living offers at home beverage kits that would be a perfect activity with friends at home. Choose from a wine tasting kit, Spanish old fashioned cocktail kit, Blue Plate Diner caesar cocktail kit or a Uyu Yong cocktail kit! Click here to order.

Grab the girls and get afternoon tea with Brew+Bloom!

Enjoy three tiers of savory and sweet treats on 3-tiered cake stands and indulge in a selection of the finest loose-leaf teas served with their famous mini tartines and hand-decorated Valentine’s Day sugar cookies. Brew+Bloom’s tables will be set with fresh floral centerpieces, pink teacups, and pink sequin tablecloth—a perfect way to celebrate with friends! Get your tickets.

Take some unique photos at Sid’s Selfie World

Did you know Edmonton had a selfie museum? We recently learned about it, too! Located in the Heart of Edmonton’s Vibrant Old Strathcona area, you and your friends will have fun in this 2000 square foot facility dedicated to the Selfie. Click here to learn more about Sid’s Selfie World!

Have a fun night under the stars at the University of Alberta’s Botanical Garden

Put on your warm woolies and head to the Garden for some laid-back Valentine’s Day! Take part in classic Canadian outdoor activities or try your hand at something new—the Botanical Garden has a lot to offer. During Valentine’s Day this year, you can even book ice carving lessons! Learn more and get your tickets here.

For you and the kids

Visit the Silver Skate Festival

This winter, the Silver Skate Festival is offering an abundance of DIY winter-friendly experiences and challenges that are as diverse as the people who call our Northern community home. Explore the river valley, go for a skate, make a snow angel or visit a winter patio. Winter is magical, and it is even better on Valentine’s Day. It’s free—so just head on over to Hawrelak Park to celebrate!

Buy some non-alcoholic drinks from Above Average Drinks

Treat yourself to some of Above Average Drinks’ alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks while your kids can also sip on something tasty! A first of its kind, Above Average Drinks is now offering a non-alcoholic version of their well sought after cocktails. You can pick up those cocktails directly from Biera itself! Order them here.

Grab an at-home Fondue Kit from Biera

If you are already picking up your Above Average Drinks from Biera, why not also pick up an at-home Fondue Kit, too? Each year, Biera comes up with a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day from home—and this year’s fondue kit looks incredible. Take a look for yourself!

Go tubing at the Sunridge

If you look back on your childhood, it is likely that you have fond memories going tubing. Make this Valentine’s Day extra special for you and the kiddos when you take them to Sunridge for tubing! With a dedicated tubing lift (so you don’t have to walk up the hill), three groomed chutes down one of our main hills, and special tubes provided by us, you won’t find a better activity for your family. Learn more and book.

For YOU!

Who says you can’t spend the day celebrating yourself? Treat yo’ self to some of the following things!

Embrace your natural beauty and head to Thrive Beauty Co.

At Thrive Beauty Co., you will be pampered just like you deserve. At this modern studio, you can get eyelash lift and tints, eyebrow tinting or microblading, and a large variety of medical grade skincare regimens. Take a look at Thrive Beauty Co.’s site to see if anything is up your alley.

Treat yourself to some Destination Doughnuts

There is nothing like picking up a treat from your favourite bakery and taking it home to enjoy it alone, on the couch, while watching your favourite TV show. Located on 124th Street, Destination Doughnuts is home to some of the most unique donut flavours you can imagine. What’s more—they are even offering Hearts & Hugs donuts for Valentine’s Day.

Get some cat cuddles at the Wee Book Inn

There is something soothing about walking around a bookstore for hours and reading the backs of books until you find something you want to read. And what makes it even better (and a bit more distracting) is when there is a cat asking for scratches! At the Wee Book Inn, you will have exactly that experience. Sounds like a perfect Valentine’s Day to us!

Whatever you get up to this Valentine’s Day, we hope you have a fulfilling day, celebrating in ways that make you feel loved. From the TruHome family to yours, we wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Condo living has many perks —  added security, built-in maintenance, a sense of community. However, if you live in a condo, chances are your bathroom doesn’t have any windows. 

We have seen this time and time again and have even experienced it ourselves—how can we make our windowless bathrooms brighter, livelier and more inviting? Our TruHome team has tried many things to spruce up windowless bathrooms, so here are our tips! 

Bring in vibrant colours

Even though white paint is the obvious choice, using it as your bathroom wall colour may not necessarily brighten up your space. In fact, it may end up making your bathroom feel a bit like a hospital. Instead, opt for a rich colour— green, terracotta, blue… anything in your favourite shade. Don’t be scared of painting your room too dark—someone on the TruHome team recently painted their windowless bathroom walls a dark green…and it looks fantastic!

If you are not up to painting your bathroom, consider bringing in a colourful shower curtain, bath mat, wall shelf accessories or framed wall photos.

Add some plants

Plants bring warmth, life, and positivity to any room, especially ones without windows. If you have a green thumb and like to have plants that thrive in humid rooms, opt for real plants! Otherwise, we have found that fake plants do just as well, if not better, in a windowless bathroom. Find high quality fake plants are easy to clean, easy to move around, and easy to find in Edmonton! To add some extra oomph, try hanging your fake plant in a macrame hanger from your ceiling!

If you are not a fan of fake plants, there are other options! Dried eucalyptus looks great in a vase, or hanging from your shower head (it also turns your shower into a refreshing, spa-like experience!!). Additionally, snake plants are a lovely low-light plant, however you will want to bring them out of your bathroom and place them in the sun once in a while to ensure they stay happy! Small potted cacti are another great option. 

Replace your lighting fixtures

While it may be hard to visualize, replacing your light fixtures can have the quickest, most impactful change to your windowless bathroom. With many Edmonton condo buildings being built in the 1980s-2000s, oftentimes we notice that the bathroom lighting has never been updated. 

Replace your fixtures with something more modern that filters through most of the light from the bulb. A fixture with three or more bulbs is a bonus! Changing your lighting also gives you the opportunity to adjust the vibes you’re going for. A warm, yellow bulb will be more cozy, but white bulbs give off better lighting.  At the end of the day, it is your bathroom and you choose the light bulb tint that fits your vibe most!

Hang more mirrors

While your bathroom may already have a large vanity mirror, there is always room for more! Thinking about choosing small wall-hanging mirrors with unique frames, or mirror-finished objects for an extra pop of shine. Extra mirrors in a small, windowless space reflect more light and give the appearance of a brighter, more spacious room.

Add an essential oil air freshener/diffuser

There is so much more to a room than the way it looks—the way it smells can also completely transform it. There are many ways to bring in a fresh, inviting scent to your windowless bathroom, but our favourite is to place an essential oil air freshener. It is easy to find, low maintenance and it is also nice decor to look at! Go find your favourite scent and see how it transforms your bathroom.

Double down on decor

Windows take up significant space in most rooms, so since you have more wall space in your windowless bathroom, fill it with decor! Think about adding floating shelves, gallery walls (with mirrors and pictures), macrame, and anything else you can think of to bring more dimension into your room. Reminder: make sure that everything you bring in can withstand a high-humidity environment.

Keep it clutter-free

This may seem like an obvious one, but keeping any room, especially a windowless bathroom, clutter-free will transform your space the fastest. A clutter-free bathroom makes the room feel bigger and more inviting. With no natural light available to brighten up the bathroom, the darkness can make the room feel too full if there is too much clutter!

We hope this helped you on your windowless bathroom journey! If you have any other ideas on how to brighten and liven up your windowless bathroom, we would love to hear it!! Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @yourtruhome