At first glance, you might be thinking “bomb shelter”… but it’s really more like the bomb. I’m not exactly sure how this would affect resale value, but ya know what — I don’t care. It’s the slickest upgrade I’ve seen in a home in a long while. And I’m jealous! From this angle is just looks weird and out of place. Ah, it’s a hatch door to a room below. What’s down there? The most incredible wine cellar you’ve ever seen. That’s what! Pro tip: Don’t attempt descending down these stairs after a few glasses of … [Read more...]

Open houses can be an interesting experience for first-time buyers and seasoned buyers alike — especially if the owners are still living in the home. It can be a bit awkward walking through someone’s home, looking at their things, and judging whether their property is a place you can envision as a home for you and your family. But it doesn’t have to be awkward! As long as you know what’s appropriate in terms of etiquette, open houses can be a breeze. So, what are the rules for open houses? What’s proper etiquette? … [Read more...]

Have a real estate question? We launched a new video series called  "Ask the Realtor" where we answer any real estate questions you might have. You can submit questions via Facebook, text or email and we will happily answer in our next video! #Asktherealtor #TeamBlackwell . … [Read more...]

When you hire a real estate agent to sell your home, there are obvious things you notice them doing to help your house sell. Things like: hosting open houses, bringing potential buyers on home tours, and marketing your property in multiple ways to make sure it gets enough exposure. But when it comes to adding value to your home sale, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. A huge percentage of your agent’s job takes place behind-the-scenes, and they’re working around the clock to get your house sold — even when you’re not … [Read more...]

1. The makers of “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” had to downsize their makeovers due to families not being able to afford utility bills. Photo by Mike Yukhtenko on Unsplash 2. The world’s largest treehouse has over 80 rooms, 10 floors and has taken the builder over 14 years to build. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash 3. From 1949 – 1952, the white house was completely gutted and rebuilt with concrete and steel beams in place of its original wooden joists. Image by Wikipedia 4. Fans of the hit TV show “Breaking … [Read more...]

When you first moved into your house, you probably felt like the king or queen of your castle. But over time, as you began to accumulate everything from furnishings and appliances to children and pets, your home may seem to have shrunk. While the square footage hasn’t changed, your living space has likely undergone a significant downsizing with so many other people and things fighting for house room. Wondering if there’s a move in your immediate future? Check out these 9 signs you’ve outgrown your home. 1. Your stairs … [Read more...]

When homeowners are preparing to put their properties on the market, one aspect is usually foremost in their minds: money. Setting the asking price accurately can mean the difference between getting an offer quickly and having a house languish for months, drawing little interest. With that in mind, it’s important that potential sellers block out a lot of the noise that often surrounds the intricate art and science of pricing. There are plenty of myths that may cause sellers to lose sleep at night as they attempt to … [Read more...]

Hey buyers and seller, see what your next step should be based on these September stats. #TeamBlackwell   … [Read more...]

What would you do to keep your home clean? Some people tackle their cleaning chores on a daily basis to fight back the growing mess, while others do just enough to keep their home off of an episode of ‘Hoarders’. This recently divorced man has taken keeping his house clean to the next level by doing something that most people wouldn’t even think to do. He completely wrapped it in plastic wrap. Todd Moriarty, a recent divorcee, is trying to keep his house completely clean so that he can sell his home on the local market at … [Read more...]

Ditch overstuffed sandwiches in favor of these good-as-new dish ideas. For some of us, leftovers are the whole point of Thanksgiving. Really, is there anything better than a late-night turkey sandwich piled high with stuffing, mashed potatoes and relish? But after your fourth such meal, it's easy to start questioning the impulse that had you toting home all those plastic containers. Before you give up hope, here are eight delicious ideas for using up the last of the big bird –– and none of them involve placing anything … [Read more...]

The might just be the best (or worst?) dad joke one-liners you’ll ever see — real estate related or not. Whether you’re being subjected to this type of humor on a daily basis, or remembering them with nostalgia this Father’s Day… enjoy! And to the dads reading this, Happy Father’s Day! You can’t go wrong with a nice, healthy list of clean dad jokes to add to your repertoire when it’s time to embarrass your … [Read more...]

Plenty of home sellers consider their places to be coveted properties that others would be lucky to own. But, that hubris can often lead to trouble when it comes to actually landing an offer and closing a sale. First-time sellers in particular exhibit some self-sabotaging behaviours that can trip them up on the way getting the deal done. The following are the most common mistakes they make and how to avoid them. 1. Thinking they can go it alone via GIPHY Selling a home is not for the faint of heart, nor is it … [Read more...]