Congratulations to the winner of Day 11 the Indigo Prize pack - Renee Snow
Please contact Bettina to arrange for pick up of your prize 778-998-9645
Winner for Day 11 of our 12 Days of Christmas
Congratulations to the winner of Day 11 the Indigo Prize pack - Renee Snow
Please contact Bettina to arrange for pick up of your prize 778-998-9645
Congratulations to our Day 10 Winner of Italian Cooking Class with Marzia of Bella Cibo - Denaye Dorge
Please contact Bettina to arrange pick up of your prize 778 998 9645
Congratulations to our Day 9 Winner of the Oxygen Yoga Walnut Grove Certificate and the Half Moon Yoga Mat -Mike Dirk
Please contact Bettina to arrange pick up of your prize 778 998 9645
A little late in the day...but never too late to announce a winner.
Congratulations to Brittany Plummer ....all your efforts paid off and you are the winner of our pair of snowmen!
Pleae give Bettina a call to arrange to pick up your prize 778-998-9645.
Congratulations to our Day 7 winner of a Home Depot Gift Card Liane Bisaillon
Please be sure to give Bettina a call to arrange pick up 778 998 9645
Congratulations to our Day 6 winner of a Sugar'd Cloverdale gift card Carina Jansen-Styner
Please be sure to give Bettina a call to arrange for pick up 778-998-9645
Day 4 gift card from Emilio Finatti's Pizzeria is Nick Swain
Day 5 Deep cleaning from Mistress of Clean is Linz Nagata
Sorry for the delay here are the first 3 winner of the 12 Days of Christmas Contest
Day 1 Wine Package from Domaine De Chaberton Kristie Pavle
Day 2 Apple Barn Apple Cider Joanne Moran
Day 3 Gift Package from La Belle Vie Kirsten Fisher
Congratulations to the winners!
Please contact Bettina Reid to claim your prize 778 998 9645
3 Steps to Protect, Prepare, and Repair Your Home From Weather Damages
Would you know what to do if your basement flooded tomorrow? Inclement weather can lead to a variety of problems for homeowners. Those problems can be costly, not to mention stressful to deal with, which is why being prepared is important for anyone who owns a home. So before the next storm hits, be sure to take care of these steps to keep your home protected:
Inspect Your Roof After Storms
With inclement weather, roof damage can be common. Deciding whether to repair your roof before you sell your home, or selling it with a damaged roof, all depends on whether or not you want high dollar offers on your home. By repairing a roof ahead of time, your home’s value can increase by $2,800, plus you may receive more offers on your home. Some signs that your roof has been damaged by weather, or other elements, can include leaking in the attic, buckling shingles, and growing moss, all of which may warrant a roof replacement. When deciding whether to replace your roof, you should also find out if your homeowner’s insurance covers damages. Weather-related roof damages usually qualify for coverage under most homeowner’s insurance policies, so you should be able to get help with repairs to your roof or any other parts of your home damaged by snow, ice or hail. Just be sure to take photos of any weather-related issues and file your claim ASAP to increase the chances of your claim being approved and any repairs being taken care of right away.
Check Your Flood Insurance Coverage
Recent reports show that flooding is becoming an increased risk throughout Canada, and the prevalence of floods is predicted to grow as time passes. This means that now more than ever, Canadian homeowners need to be prepared to weather the potential home damages that floods can cause. According to Allstate, flood waters can wreak havoc on electrical systems, damage structural elements and even cause toxic mold developments throughout affected homes. Worst of all, homeowners who fail to purchase additional overland flood insurance could be left paying for flood-related damages on their own. That’s because most homeowner’s insurance policies do not provide benefits for damages related to flooding, whether that flooding is caused by the weather or other factors. You can protect your home from flooding by getting appropriate overland flood insurance, but you can also use damage prevention steps to minimize the effects that floods have on your home. Make sure electrical systems are mounted high enough to avoid being impacted, and then be prepared to use other measures when a flood approaches.
Prepare Your Home for Other Weather Risks
Severe weather in B.C. can range from blizzards to high winds to thunderstorms, so the potential for weather-related damage to your home always exists. Since the winter season can bring the most risks for severe weather, taking steps to properly winterize your house can help mitigate the need for repairs after winter storms hit. Insulating your attic, clearing rain gutters and trimming dead tree branches are all simple home maintenance tasks you can complete to help protect your home. Staying safe from winds can require other measures as well. In the event of a wind storm, a tornado or a hurricane, be sure to securely close shutters or place protective layers over windows. If you happen to live in a mobile home, it’s also a good idea to seek shelter elsewhere until the weather passes. Dealing with storm damage after a wind event is never pleasant, but if you find damages to your roof or other property areas, you should also be prepared to ensure that any repairs are taken care of properly and in a timely manner.
Knowing how to protect and repair your home from weather damage can save you a lot of time, stress, and money. So be a responsible homeowner by preparing your property ahead of time, and taking the right steps to repair problems whenever inclement weather strikes. Above all, know how to keep your family, including pets and people, safe during a weather disaster. Because at the end of a storm, property can always be repaired or replaced.
Here is another great article written by a company in the US GH Clark on how to repair a roof from beginning to end: GH Clark They show you the varipus types of roofing to choose from.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Cleaning. It’s not a task that we all enjoy, but it is one that has to be done. After all, if we let ourselves get too behind, then our homes end up full of bacteria and germs; potentially making us sick. However, when searching for the dirtiest place in your home, you might end up surprised by the answer. I can assure you; it’s not the room you think. Below, I’ll tell you exactly where that place is, as well as provide you with some seriously handy cleaning tips.
Where is the Dirtiest Place in Your Home?
Before you say the bathroom shower or toilet, let me stop you right there. The dirtiest place in your home is actually the kitchen, and when you think about it, it’s not that much of a surprise. There are so many places for bacteria and grime to gather and fester, and therefore it is easier to get sick if the cleaning is neglected.
Sponges, chopping boards, counters; all of these are prime places for bacteria. Spending some time each day washing the dishes, countertops, and chopping boards will keep germs at bay, as well as changing your sponge on a regular basis. Additionally, you should also try switching to a steam cleaner instead of a mop and bucket as these are actually much more effective at killing bacteria.
Where are Popular Places That Dirt Gathers?
What about the rest of the home? Dirt and germs like to gather everywhere, but what are some of the more prominent places? Here’s a quick list to show you some of the top locations you should be prioritising when you clean:
- Bathrooms
- Mattresses
- Couch cushions
- Pet beds
- Carpets
- Light fixtures
- Doorknobs
It’s so easy to overlook these locations, especially things like light fixtures. However, it is these little features in our home that gather the most dust. Similarly, a mattress should be cleaned once a month to get rid of bed bugs, dander, and any germs that are lingering in the material.
Most of these things only need to be cleaned on a weekly basis, and carpets are much the same. If you have pets, you will need to vacuum them more regularly, something I’ll look at in the next section.
Top Cleaning Tips for Your Home
I have got some fantastic tips and tricks for keeping your home clean with minimal time and effort. The first is that you should invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner; one that works for your home. If you have pets, you need one that has been designed for animal hair. If you only have carpets or hard floors, you will need a model that is able to cope with them. You also need to think about the attachments, as they can come in handy for things like stairs and tight spaces.
White vinegar will become your best friend, and that’s no exaggeration. Bleach is massively overrated, and natural products actually work just as well; if not better. White vinegar can be used neat, diluted with water, or with baking powder, and it can do the following (as well as more):
- Deodorise clothing in the wash
- Remove stains from various surfaces
- Work as a disinfectant
- Clear limescale from taps and showerheads
Steam cleaners are also amazing, and you need to invest in them. Not only are they inexpensive and easy to use, but they are much more hygienic than a traditional mop and bucket. The steam kills 99.9% of bacteria and removes grime quickly. The pads are usually washable as well, saving you even more money in the long run. Some can even be used with carpet for those that want it.
To Conclude
It can be shocking at first when you realise where the most dirt gathers in the home. However, it doesn’t take long to ensure that it is nice and clean at all times. All you need to do is take a little time out of each day so that you can prep and cook in a hygienic environment. Want to learn more about the germs in your home and how to combat them effectively? Will Tottle has written an excellent and detailed guide on the topic that you can read here
Ah, moving. It is the worst. Moving is hard, stressful and expensive. If it weren’t because we had to look forward to a better place to live, it would be pretty much intolerable.
Yet, many of us might scoff at the idea of hiring a moving company. We prefer to do it ourselves with the help of unsuspecting volunteers who can be bribed with “free” food and drinks. Now all you need is a good friend with a pickup truck, and you have everything you need to start your DIY moving plan, right?
If only it were that easy. Though it is true you can save some money if you go the DIY route, it will still be an expensive process. Add to that the planning and stress of the whole experience, you might find yourself regretting your decision.
Other things to consider before opting to DYI your moving plan are safety and insurance. Picking up huge boxes and moving furniture might be too strenuous on your body, especially if you are not used to that kind of work. It would be troublesome if you or one of your volunteers injured themselves. Insurance is also an important thing to consider. If something happens to any of your property or the truck, it will be insured if you decided on a reputable mover. (Regarding insurance, customers need to discuss the details with the mover of their choice beforehand.)
The good news is there you can hire a moving company for a multitude of things. You can pick and choose the services you need and decide on a moving company that best fits your moving plan.
Different types of mover services include:
Van lines: These are the traditional movers. They will load your stuff in the trailer and drive to their destination.
Moving Containers: They will leave a trailer in your house so you can load all your stuff. Later, you can call them and they will take the trailer to the destination of your choice.
Full-service movers: They will do everything for you, including packing, loading, moving, and reassemble furniture.
Moving helpers: If your issue is not transportation, you might reach out to a team to help load all your stuff.
With all the options available, we are sure you will find the services you need. And, hopefully, make your moving experience a lot more enjoyable. For more information and tips on moving and how to choose moving companies, click here.
Being beautiful is not always easy and let's face it, it is not always cheap. Wouldn’t it be great if we can look our best in the shortest possible time, with the least amount of effort and without breaking the bank? Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do. There are many ways you might not know about, that will really make life just a little easier for you. We have highlighted 6 hacks, tips and tricks you ever knew about that will be sure to make you look and feel beautiful without the hassle and without completely breaking the bank.
Some coffee for my cellulite
No expensive, invasive surgery needed here. Make a nice coffee scrub for you to exfoliate with. Okay so full disclosure here, coffee grounds will not make the cellulite go away. Cellulite is something that occurs deep in the skin and exfoliating the surface won’t remove the cellulite indefinitely. However, caffeine does stimulate dilation. The scrubbing motion increases circulation, plumping up the skin and making cellulite look less obvious. So if you are heading for a day at the beach, we can definitely advise that you scrub scrub scrub for a temporary solution to those not-so-cute dimples.
Save the Mascara
Nothing quite as annoying as applying dry mascara. The product inside our mascaras tend to dry out very, very quickly and if you notice it starting to go dry even though there is still a lot left, you kind of die a little inside, right? Eye-drops are a great tool to help you make the most of the last bit of your favourite mascara. Use your eye-drops to bring clumpy and dried out mascara back to life by taking your standard-sized mascara and putting about 4 drops eye-drops in there. Unlike water, the eye-drops keep it at its original consistency. Make-up can be very expensive, especially high-quality ones. So, taking 3 minutes to add a few eye drops and shaking now and again, is definitely worth it.
Chapped lips
If you have ever had peeling, chapped lips you will know that applying lipstick is a nightmare. It doesn't last long on the lips and it looks awful, dry and flaky. So, the only way to be able to wear lipstick that lasts on chapped lips is to prepare your lips. Make yourself a lip-scrub using sugar, lemon juice and coconut oil to remove those annoying peeling skin. It is tasty and effective and will have you rocking your red lips with confidence.
Thicker Lashes
TV advertisements about mascara giving your lashes volume, shine and more length always looks so tempting. But I think we can all agree that once we have purchased this wonder product, we have found the results to be very underwhelming. Well we’ve got a great tip for you on this one and you won’t believe it - Baby powder. All you have to do is apply your mascara as normal, then dip a cotton swab in baby powder and apply on lashes and then apply another coat of mascara. Not only does the baby powder add volume it is also a great alternative to that extra thick mascara that makes your eyelashes look heavy, fake and crumby. Try the baby powder hack, you will find the results to be overwhelming.
Blackheads
Most people struggle with blackheads on their nose at some point in their life and it is not fun or easy to try to extract them unless you do it professionally at a beauty salon. Blackheads are extremely hard to treat. They are not as easy to “pop” as pimples are because they do not form outwardly. However, we have found this nifty little trick that will help you out in no time. Mix 1 tsp of warm water, 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of flour together. Dip a cotton pad in the mix and apply it to the problem area. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and exfoliate. A quick fix to a super annoying problem.
Freezing Spoon
When you wake up to go to work in the morning after your long beauty sleep the puffy bags under your eyes are not sexy at all and getting rid of them quickly is not an easy task. Well, now it can be. Before you go to bed, freeze a teaspoon overnight. When you wake up, take the spoon and use the back of the spoon and place it on the puffy areas under your eyes. Gently "roll" the back of the spoon in a sea-saw/up and down kind of motion as if you are rolling out the puffiness. This will take you 5 minutes, and you will be ready to apply your make-up just in time.
So there you have it, easy and effective ways to make sure you are looking your absolute best without too much hassle or spending a dime. You would be surprised to learn how many beauty hacks, tips and tricks exist in the comfort of your own home. Now be a good friend and share this article with your friends.
"Most amazing group of People who truly work together as a team. Rachael is 100% fully invested in what it is your looking for and is always readily available and updating you on the new / the old and the current market and very professional while being very personable. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Rachael or any one from the Balance Real estate group for any of your real estate needs . Thank you all for making the sell of our home and the buying of our new home a seamless success"
"We had a great experience with Balance selling a Burnaby home. Zach was great to work with, honest, attentive to details, and worked to get the best deal possible. The home was staged well and the drone video was terrific."
"My wife and I had the good fortune of working with Rachel. She was amazing throughout the entire process, working hard to find us exactly what we were looking for! Rachel was calm, organized, and happy to answer any questions we had along the way. Would highly recommend!"
"Balance Real Estate Group Testimony Trust…the foundation of all good relationships. Real estate transactions can be scary. We were so fortunate to work with Bettina and her team at Balance Real Estate Group. They listened to our needs, provided professional insight and then worked with us to develop the plan. We trusted them to look after us and they did an amazing job!!! Thank you Bettina, Kara, Zach, Rachael, Loveleen and Marianne. Your hard work, attention to detail and reassuring approach was greatly appreciated!!! "
"We bought our first home using the Balance Real Estate Group (Kara) back in January 2021 when the market was very competitive. Kara was so helpful and supportive throughout the very stressful process and we were successful in purchasing our home. Fast forward a few years (2023) and we decided to move to another city, so we chose Balance Real Estate Group (Bettina) to help sell our home. Bettina choose the right strategy for selling our home, which brought in multiple offers, resulting in an over-asking accepted offer. When selling, the whole Team came out to stage, assist with pictures, record the video, and so much more. It felt like they were a part of our family! I would highly recommend the Balance Real Estate Group for buying and selling, as they excel at both."
"When I was looking for my first home in 2022 I contacted Balance Real Estate Group and enlisted the help of Rachel and she was an absolute pleasure to work with. She is really knowledgeable and went above and beyond to ensure I found a place I would be happy with. I would definitely enlist her help in the future if I am in the market to buy/sell in the future and recommend her 100%."
"A superbly professional and caring real estate team. The Balance Group staged and marketed our place to look its best, which generated an astonishing level of interest in our property. They provided expert advice all along the way. This resulted in a sales process that exceeded our expectations and was deeply satisfying to all parties involved. Highly recommend."
"Zach from Balance Real Estate Group sold our moms town home in Surrey in September, closing in November. He was very patient with a senior widow, going into great lengths to explain the selling process and listed out all the possible expenses related to a sale with a specific sale price in mind. As we didn't live in Surrey we could rely and trust Zach for the information he provided. With a couple of offers going sideways, Zach provided continue encouragement and worked hard to find a new buyer. The logistics around the actual sale were challenging but Zach worked hard to make it all happen. He remained in contact with both our mom and us to make sure we all had the needed information. Thank you Zach, we really appreciated your hard work. My mom in law will highly recommend you to anyone looking to buy or sell."
"Bettina and her team undoubtedly made one of the hardest times in my life immeasurably easier by helping me with my Dad's estate. They are very kind, knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate realtors who went above and beyond to help keep my stress at ease. Having never bought or sold a home before, they made the process clear and easy to understand, especially when we navigated unexpected hurdles. I highly recommend using Balance Real Estate Group for selling or buying your next home!"
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