Moving is stressful. Between hoping you’ll get the price you want for your current home and then packing up all your possessions into boxes, it’s no wonder that by the end you swear “I’m never doing this again!”

According to a recent CENTURY 21 Canada survey which asked more than 1000 real estate agents what homeowners want, homes with energy efficient features are increasingly important to buyers, and they’re willing to pay a premium for appliances and upgrades that increase efficiency. But where should you start with so many options on the market? It really depends on your budget.

Low cost upgrades (under $100):

Light fixtures: If some of your lighting is looking a bit dated, you may need to upgrade it for staging purposes. Consider energy-saving light fixtures. They use up to 90% less energy than conventional fixtures and they also distribute light efficiently and evenly. They come in styles to fit each area of your home, so any update can be done energy efficiently.  (Cost: 35+)

Light bulbs: Regardless of whether you need new fixtures, it also makes sense to ensure the bulbs that light the home are efficient too. Incandescent and harsh CFL bulbs can be replaced with task specific ENERGY STAR certified LED lightbulbs. (Cost: $8-$30)

Bathroom fans: These are rarely replaced until they are broken, but they make a huge difference. Plus, fans that are ENERGY STAR certified use a remarkable 50% less energy. Potential homeowners will appreciate the small upgrade that will make a big difference in the dampness (and potential mildew) of a bathroom. (Cost: $60+)

Fix drafts: The first impression is the most important. If a potential buyer feels an emotional connection to the property, they’ll do almost anything to make sure they call it home. Part of that first impression is how he/she feels when they walk around. If cold air is creeping in through window sills and under doors, they’re likely to wonder what else is wrong with the place. Increase comfort and cut down on drafts with new weather stripping or caulking (Cost: $10+)

Energy saving shower heads/ water nozzles: These are one of the easiest replacements to make to your house. An added bonus? Many utility companies often give them away for free. Even if you don’t sell your home immediately, you’ll see the benefits on your utility bill right away. If you are selective about design, you may have to pay a bit more. (Cost: free- $100)

Medium cost upgrades ($100-$300):

HVAC/Furnace maintenance and filters: This is something that should be done with seasonal maintenance anyway. But telling buyers that the maintenance visit is complete and the system is up to date provides a peace of mind that is worth more than the cost of the visit. Filters should be replaced fairly often, which will improve efficiency, the lifespan of the unit, and the quality of your air. (Cost: filters, $40+/maintenance visit, $150).

Smart Thermostat: These are the newest technology and some of the most satisfying smart technology to own. The most up-to-date thermostats can be controlled with your phone and help you manage your energy usage from anywhere. Some of the best ones include the Nest and Ecobee. (Cost: $220+)

Attic Insulation: Air leaks in the attic can result in substantial heat loss in your home. Even worse, that heat loss can lead to moisture-related problems. This isn’t an upgrade that you want to skip, because it could end up costing you more in the long run! The extent of the work that needs to be done depends on what type of attic you have already. Consult a professional for the best advice. (Cost: $200+)

Higher cost upgrades ($400+):

Home Energy Audit: If you really want to impress a potential buyer, give them all the information they might need. An expert can bring in special equipment and expertise to show you where you are using the most energy and what changes will result in the biggest savings. Even if you don’t plan to sell your home for a year or two, you can benefit from the analysis and pass it along to future buyers so they know what to expect. The upfront cost is steep, but could easily pay off. (Cost: $400+)

 

Energy efficient windows and doors: This is a huge undertaking, and very expensive, but well worth the investment. New windows will likely be double pane and hold the warmth in your home better than old windows. Doors and skylights can also benefit from the ENERGY STAR seal of approval. Better yet, their website has a climate guide for Canada to indicate which windows are best suited to your home. (Cost: $1000+)

 

Once all the upgrades are complete, don’t forget to advertise it. Be sure to inform your real estate agent so they can market your home as energy efficient and help you sell your home as a smart one.

For more energy saving tips and products, visit https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/energystar/18953, administered by Natural Resources Canada 

 

 

Winnipeg, MB (September 5, 2017) – Longtime owner of CENTURY 21 Advanced Realty Dennis Lozinski is pleased to welcome James Mariano and Geoff and Regan Archambault as co-owners of the franchise. He says they all offer different strengths which makes them a very strong team.

 

“I am excited to have some new people and perspectives running the franchise with me,” says Lozinski. “I had been looking for the right transition for some time and planted the seed with my new co-owners a while ago. As it turned out, things timed out perfectly for the change that took effect September 1.”

 

James Mariano has been in the real estate industry for 10 years. He ran a successful team, obtained his broker’s license two years ago and becoming a co-owner of a franchise was the natural next step for his career. “I have a passion for technology and the new tools can help agents in a successful career. I look forward to bringing that expertise to my new team.”

 

Geoff Archambault has known Losinski for 25 years and they’ve worked together at CENTURY 21 Advanced Realty for the past 16. The two had discussed a partnership in the past, and the time seemed right to make it happen this year. Along with his wife, Regan, the Archambault’s bring market expertise and a long-standing commitment to being involved in the community. “That’s something we know will continue. CENTURY 21 Advanced Realty has history of supporting Easter Seals and several other local and national charities. We feel strongly that it is an important part of our business.”

 

“Succession planning and a focus on Generation X and Millennials continues to be a priority for the brand, and we are excited to welcome Geoff, Regan and James to the ownership group,” says Brian Rushton, Executive Vice-President of Century 21 Canada.

 

Together, the new team has decided their priority is to have a great environment for sales representatives to thrive and office culture where every team member feels as though they are contributing to company goals.

 

Drop by the new CENTURY 21 Advanced Realty at 1415A Henderson Hwy in Winnipeg or visit their website to discover the CENTURY 21 difference. 

 

 

#  #  #

 

Media contact

Leigh Kjekstad

PR Communications Specialist

CENTURY 21 Canada

Leigh.kjekstad@century21.ca 

604-606-2139

 

About CENTURY 21 Canada™

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership (century21.ca) is a real estate master franchisor with complete rights to the CENTURY 21® brand in Canada.

 

The CENTURY 21 System is one of the world’s largest and most recognized residential real estate sales organizations with approximately 7,450 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices worldwide and over 115,000 sales professionals. CENTURY 21 provides comprehensive technology, marketing, training, management, and administrative support for its members in 79 countries and territories worldwide. Visit century21.ca to discover the C21® difference.

 

Independently Owned and Operated. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. ©2017 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

 

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

 

About CENTURY 21 Advanced Realty

 

CENTURY 21 Advanced Realty has served the local market for 16 years, providing home buyers and sellers with industry leading insights, marketing, and exposure for their properties. The company is also an active member of the community, contributing to a number of local and national charities, including Easter Seals. They currently have 46 agents in three offices.

If your water heater is more than 10 years old, you should start thinking about your options and what type of replacement is best suited for your needs. Doing at least a little light research now means that you won’t frantically gather information when the old one fails on a Friday night at 10pm during a snowstorm! Because this is something that you’ll use daily for the next 10-15 years, you’ll want to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

First a few facts:

• Water heaters are the 2^nd highest energy user in the home—about 19% of your energy bill.
• Canadians use an average of 75 Litres of hot water each at home every day—for washing dishes and clothing, cleaning and showering or bathing.
• The most common types of water heater sold in Canada are storage tank units.  ENERGY STAR certified gas-storage water heaters use up to 14% less energy than conventional units.

Knowing those statistics, you may want to consider a tankless water heater. They heat flowing water only when required, and essentially provide endless hot water.  Tankless units also use 30% less energy than conventional storage type units. When considering this change, understand that they are a bit more expensive than standard ones, but they do come at a variety of price points.

Heat pump water heater (HPWH) technology does not generate heat directly. It moves heat from one place to another. Heat is taken from the air in the basement or utility room (or sometimes from outside) and transferred to a tank of water.  An ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater uses up to 50% less energy, on average, than a standard electrical water heater.

Both of those are good options, but if you’re really looking to save some money in your utility bills, a solar water heater is the way to go. They use a remarkable 60% less energy, on average, than a standard model. In Canada, a SDHW system can provide up to 60 percent of the hot water for an average home, depending on local climate and typical hot water use.

Your water heater is an underappreciated workhorse in your home. You will thank yourself for figuring out the best option for your home before your current one breaks down.

For more energy saving tips and products, visit https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/energystar/18953, administered by Natural Resources Canada 

Weekend DIY projects typically cost money. Plus, they often cost more than you think because, if you’re new to DIY, you make mistakes and then have to fix them! And while you’d probably love to go buy all the latest energy saving appliances, that’s often not in the budget. Even still, there are small things you can do for little-no cost that will soon be putting money back in your pocket.

Change your furnace filter- This needs to be done a few times each year. But for about $50, you can extend furnace life, reduce energy bills and improve indoor air quality.

Insulate the small things- If you walk by your electrical outlets and feel the breeze from outside, you have a problem. Fortunately, it’s a cheap fix and your local hardware store will have foam gaskets for your switches and outlets.

Replace seals and weather strips- These don’t get much attention until you realize you have a problem. Caulking gaps and sealing windows keeps the cold air out and makes your home feel less drafty.

Lower your water heater thermostat- You probably rarely use the hottest water coming out of your tap. By lowering the max temperature on the water heater, you’ll save money and not even realize it. You can also insulate your water heater with a wrap to ensure no unneeded heat escapes. The optimal water temperature from your faucet is 49C and it might take a bit of trial and error to adjust on your water heater. If your tank-style water heater is powered by electricity, adjust the temperature to 60C on the water heater to keep your water safe. For other kinds of water heaters, you can adjust lower.  

Beware of phantom power- This comes up on energy saving lists all the time, and it’s really effective. If you have a rec room that doesn’t get used much during the week, consider a power bar to make sure you’re not paying for those little red lights that show your electronics are plugged in.

Replace burned out bulbs with LED lights- These use up to 90% less energy and last at least 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The price tag may be a deterrent to start, but they’ll more than pay for themselves over the life of the bulb.

None of these tasks cost much, if any, money. When they’re finished, they’ll save money for many utility bills to come.

For more energy saving tips and products, visit https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/energystar/18953, administered by Natural Resources Canada 

Most of us spend too much time with our eyes on screens and, more often than not, we’re not being productive. But cell phones are aimed to make our lives easier and improve the mundane aspects of day to day challenges. On that note, there are a number of items that are coming to the market to make your home work smarter, and your utility bills smaller.

Heating: As we get into the cooler months, big heating bills are inevitable. In fact, it will make up almost two-thirds of your home energy use. A smart thermostat will save at least 8% of that energy use. When choosing one, decide how many features you really want. All the bells and whistles are useless if you simply want to be able to monitor your home temperature when you’re away. But, it might be worth a larger financial investment if you want a thermostat that will integrate with a series of other smart home features. The Nest and Ecobee typically rank highest in consumer tests.

Cooling: During summer months, cooling a home can also be costly. An ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioner uses 9% less energy than regular AC units. Some models offer Wi-Fi enabled smart functionality, like the thermostats mentioned earlier. The same rules apply: buy the features you need and understand that bigger does not always provide better cooling. Also, pay close attention to how you seal your unit. Proper sealing and insulation will maximize your savings.

Lighting: Not all energy saving efforts have to be a big investment at the beginning. Programmable light switches have been around for decades and are useful when you want to have the lights on while on vacation. But they can also allow you to make sure the lights will be on when you get home, without having to leave them on all day. Newer to the market is technology that allows you to control your lightbulbs from your phone! Phillips Hue is considered to be the market leader in this space, and they have a wide variety of tools to fit your needs.

Home security: This smart product won’t save you any money, but it’s really cool. Imagine walking up to your front door with your arms full of groceries, and instead of fumbling for your keys, your door unlocks automatically. It’s possible with a smart electronic dead bolt. It’s connected to the bluetooth in your phone and unlocks your home when you’re in range. Plus, if you ever wonder whether you’ve remembered to lock the door, you can always check your phone for the answer.

Smart technology can make life easier in all sorts of ways, including those you didn’t even know you needed. Many require the initial investment, but you’ll soon be reaping the rewards—both financial and convenience.

For more energy saving tips and products, visit https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/products/energystar/18953, administered by Natural Resources Canada 

 

Address: 26 Western Battery Road, Unit 203
Neighbourhood: Liberty Village
Agent: Property Management Toronto
Price: $3,400 per month, plus utilities

The place

An unfurnished two-bedroom corner unit townhouse in Liberty Village.

Here’s the living and dining area:

A closer look at the dining area:

The kitchen has quartz countertops:

Here’s one bedroom:

And the other:

The history

The house was built in 2006 and the owners bought it in 2011. It was their home for a while, but now they’ve decided to turn it into a rental property, available from September 1.

Major perks

The private rooftop terrace has a breathtaking view:

And the unit’s Ecobee thermostat helps reduce the utility bills. It can be controlled with any smartphone.

Possible deal breaker

The property’s close proximity to the GO tracks might not be to every tenant’s liking.

By the numbers

• $3,400 per month
• 1,500 square feet, approximately
• 2 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• 1 powder room
• 1 parking spot
• 1 locker

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Toronto, ONTARIO (July 15, 2017) – CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty is now open in Lindsay, Ontario. This marks the 17^th location for the franchise, with all of them located in the Greater Toronto Area.

 

“Earlier this year, another brokerage in the area shut down. Agents contacted us and told us they wanted to work with the CENTURY 21 brand, so it made sense to open the new office,” says Gary Plummer, manager of CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc.

 

The office already has six sales representatives and plans to continue to grow in the area. The team at Leading Edge Realty Inc. credits its reputation as a place for exemplary training and technology as the reason behind the latest success.

 

“We often hear from our agents that we do things differently,” says Plummer. “We are considered best-in-class, and are proud that we continue to provide an environment where people want to build their careers.”

 

Drop by the new CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. at #2-232 Kent Street or visit their website to discover the CENTURY 21 difference. 

 

 

#  #  #

 

Media contact

Leigh Kjekstad

PR/Communications Specialist

leigh.kjekstad@century21.ca 

(604) 606-2139

 

 

About CENTURY 21 Canada™

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership (century21.ca) is a real estate master franchisor with complete rights to the CENTURY 21® brand in Canada.

 

The CENTURY 21 System is one of the world’s largest and most recognized residential real estate sales organizations with approximately 7,300 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices worldwide and over 110,000 sales professionals. CENTURY 21 provides comprehensive technology, marketing, training, management, and administrative support for its members in 77 countries and territories worldwide.

 

Independently Owned and Operated. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. ©2017 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

 

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

 

About CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc.

CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty, Inc. (http://www.century21.ca/leadingedgerealty) is a full-service real estate brokerage company headquartered at 301-1825 Markham Road in Scarborough, Ontario. It is the largest Canadian CENTURY 21 franchise with 700 agents and 17 offices in the Greater Toronto area.

 

 

Lethbridge, AB (July 17, 2017) – CENTURY 21 Foothills South is under new ownership in Lethbridge, AB after slightly changing its name from CENTURY 21 Foothills. As part of his succession planning, former owner Blair Gordon will continue as broker of record, although the Lethbridge location is now owned by Kyle Lebeau.

 

“Blair and I started discussing this transition about a year ago,” says Lebeau. “I’ve been an agent for the past seven years and Blair’s mentorship has helped me realize that this is an excellent next step in my career.”

 

Gordon agrees. “I’ve been in the real estate business for a long time. With nine offices in Southern Alberta, it was time to scale things back a bit. I look forward to helping Kyle as a Broker through the transition as he takes over full ownership.”

 

In his time with CENTURY 21 Foothills, Kyle has already built a team, recruited employees and hired a strong support staff. Over the past 5 years they’ve increased sales production, despite a soft market.

 

“I’m excited to get started,” he says. “Last year we launched a property management service out of our office as well, and I expect that will become a niche for us for commercial and multi-family properties. Our sales reps are engaged and I look forward to helping them grow their own sales.”

 

The rest of the year looks promising as well. Gordon is celebrating his 40-year anniversary in the real estate business, by moving the High River location into a building with quite a history.

 

Drop by CENTURY 21 Foothills South at 155-200 4^th Avenue or visit their website to discover the CENTURY 21 difference. 

 

 

 

 

 

#  #  #

 

Media contact

Leigh Kjekstad

PR and Communications Specialist

CENTURY 21 Canada

leigh.kjekstad@century21.ca 

(604)362-3711

 

About CENTURY 21 Canada™

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership (century21.ca) is a real estate master franchisor with complete rights to the CENTURY 21® brand in Canada.

 

The CENTURY 21 System is one of the world’s largest and most recognized residential real estate sales organizations with approximately 7,300 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices worldwide and over 110,000 sales professionals. CENTURY 21 provides comprehensive technology, marketing, training, management, and administrative support for its members in 77 countries and territories worldwide.

 

Independently Owned and Operated. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. ©2017 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

 

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

 

About CENTURY 21 Foothills

 

CENTURY 21 Foothills has served the local market for 15 years, providing home buyers and sellers with industry leading insights, marketing, and exposure for their properties. The company is also an active member of the community, contributing to local charities such as Easter Seals, Environment Lethbridge and the Sheep River Health Fund. Visit century21.ca to discover the C21® difference.

 

 

 

LONDON, ON (July 20, 2017) – CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. now has a boutique office in the Wal-Mart in northwest London, ON. It is set up so that any current CENTURY 21 sales representatives can drop-in as needed, but it also has 19 unique sales reps to serve the local community during the store’s prime hours.

 

“I always think you should try something new and different. This is a community-based area and I just thought the brand would fit into the neighbourhood nicely,” says Vito Campanale, Owner and Broker of Record for CENTURY21 First Canadian Corp.

 

This location adds to a variety of services available at the big box store. Since its opening, the Wal-Mart has attracted about two-million customers per year, which Campanale hopes will translate into plenty of foot traffic at the new location.

 

“The north end of London is an up and growing area,” he says. “In the short time we’ve been open we’ve been pleased with the growth we’re seeing, and we’re happy to help our clients establish themselves here.”

 

Drop by the new CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. at Hyde Park, London, North or their website to discover the CENTURY 21 difference. 

 

 

#  #  #

 

 

 

Media contact

Leigh Kjekstad

PR Communications Specialist

CENTURY 21 Canada

leigh.kjekstad@century21.ca 

604-606-2139

 

About CENTURY 21 Canada®

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership (century21.ca) is a real estate master franchisor with complete rights to the CENTURY 21® brand in Canada.

 

The CENTURY 21 System is one of the world’s largest and most recognized residential real estate sales organizations with approximately 7,300 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices worldwide and over 110,000 sales professionals. CENTURY 21 provides comprehensive technology, marketing, training, management, and administrative support for its members in 77 countries and territories worldwide. Visit century21.ca to discover the C21® difference.

 

Independently Owned and Operated. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. ©2017 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

 

The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS® and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.

 

About CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp.

 

CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. has served the local market for 13 years, providing home buyers and sellers with industry leading insights, marketing, and exposure for their properties. The location at 420 York Street in London is the #1 producing office in units sold in Canada for the CENTURY 21 System since 2004. With more than 220 sales representatives, CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. covers an area from Lake Erie to Lake Huron and from Chatham to Woodstock.

Address: 89 Dunloe Road
Neighbourhood: Forest Hill
Agent: Julie Gofman and Roman Gofman, Forest Hill Real Estate Inc., Brokerage
Previously sold for: $765,000, in 2000
 
 
 

The property

A four-bedroom home across the street from one of the most desirable public schools in the city.

Here’s the view from the front door. The floors are maple:

The living room:

The dining room:

And the kitchen and breakfast area:

There are four bedrooms on the second floor. Here’s one of them:

And another:

This one is set up as an office:

Here’s the master bedroom:

And the master ensuite:

There’s a rec room in the basement:

And quite a bit of space in the backyard:

The history

Six years ago, the sellers took the house down to the studs for a total renovation, thinking they’d stay for many years. But when the husband sold his company and was invited to work in Florida, they decided to list and move south.

The fate

The buyers, a couple from Montreal with two children, moved in last month. One of the biggest selling points was being across from Forest Hill P.S.

The sale

The sellers listed at $3.995 million, but the market had already started to cool, and buyers weren’t having it. After almost a month, there was one offer, for $445,000 under asking. Keen to get the sale over with, the sellers decided to accept.

By the Numbers

• $3,550,000
• $13,298.52 in taxes (2016)
• 2,000 square feet
• 28 days on MLS
• 4 bedrooms
• 4 bathrooms

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Get fresh real estate stories and intel delivered directly to your inbox

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