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416-226-9770 info@realtornima.com EstateByNima.com
courtesy of: Nima Nojavan-Kheiraddin
Dear Homeowners,
Spring is a season of renewal, making it the perfect time to refresh your home, embrace new projects, and explore creative possibilities. This issue of Home Sweet Home is filled with expert insights and inspiration to help you bring out the best in your space. Looking to redesign a space? Our feature article explores how collaborative interior design can help you create a home that truly reflects you. Learn how personal touches like lighting, scent, and artwork bring warmth and personality to any room. For low-maintenance greenery, consider the beauty of moss gardening! Expert Annie Martin shares how this eco-friendly alternative creates lush, serene landscapes with minimal upkeep. If you own a vintage home, mastering key DIY skills—like restoring antique windows and updating insulation—can help preserve its timeless charm. This issue covers essential repairs to keep your classic home in top shape.
And what’s spring without a delicious seasonal treat? Don’t miss our special spring recipes, perfect for celebrating with family and friends.
I hope this issue sparks fresh ideas for your home this season. As always, if you have any real estate questions or know someone looking to buy or sell, I’m here to help!
Nima Nojavan-Kheiraddin HomeLife/Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage 416-226-9770 info@realtornima.com EstateByNima.com 28 Drewry Ave, North York, ON M2M 1C8
Table of Contents
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Collaborative Interior Design CREATING SPACES THAT REFLECT YOU
Spring’s Sweetest Treats
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HONEY-BEE CAKE
Designing a home can feel daunting, but with the right designer, it becomes an inspiring collaboration. Explore how to create spaces that fit your lifestyle and reflect your personality. Tackle a renovation or redesign with these expert tips to help you craft a home that feels uniquely yours.
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BUNNY BITES
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Own a Vintage Home? THESE DIY SKILLS ARE A MUST
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The Joy of Moss Gardening LUSH, LOW-MAINTENANCE
Vintage homes offer charm and history, but they also come with unique challenges. This article explores the key tasks homeowners should prepare for, including waterproofing basements, adding insulation, and maintaining fireplaces. These tips will help you keep your vintage home in great shape while preserving its timeless character.
Discover the enchanting world of moss gardening with expert Annie Martin, affectionately known as "Mossin' Annie." These resilient plants bring year-round greenery, thrive in diverse conditions, and even contribute to a healthier planet.
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Collaborative Interior Design and Creating Memorable Spaces
An interior design project can be overwhelming, and some people may be a little intimidated by the process. Home Sweet Home recently interviewed Laura Chappetto, owner and lead designer of Chicagoland’s Element Design Network. We talked with Laura to learn more about how designers and clients can establish good communication and collaborate on the design, so your home reflects your aesthetic and fits your lifestyle.
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THE CONSULTATION PROCESS When asked how an initial design project consult should go, Laura replies, “I think the most important factor in the consultation is to get a feel for your client and also for the client to get a feel for who you are.” She emphasizes that it’s crucial to find “someone that you really work well with. I mean, renovations can be very stressful, and you have to have some very personal conversations about budget, and you're having meltdowns at times, and you want your designer to be there for you.”
Laura views the consultation process as an opportunity to see firsthand how potential clients live in their space and learn what changes they wish to make. A good designer will be able to tell you what’s realistic (and in your budget) or provide alternatives to meet your goals and expectations. Expect to be given the chance to express both what you want and what you need in your living space. Also, be prepared to identify the current elements that aren’t working for you. Through her years of expertise, Laura has learned to facilitate these discussions but admits it “can be a little bit tricky” because often people aren’t sure of exactly what they want or how to describe it. However, she finds that “people really know what they don't want and what they don't like….The client may be unable to verbalize their goals or their perfect aesthetic or what they want in the space, [but] they can absolutely, almost 100% of the time, tell you what's not working in the space.” So, if you find yourself in consultation with a designer and you are having difficulty describing what you want from a remodel, take Laura’s advice and start by explaining what’s not working for you in your space. This gives professionals the opportunity to offer solutions for changes and additions that can be made to transform the space into what the homeowner needs and wants it to be. An in-home consultation is usually best. Laura shares that she learns quite a lot about people’s tastes and lifestyles simply by being in their homes. She will point out some things she sees, describe what she could imagine creating, and hear more about what the homeowners wish to achieve. Having a consultation in your home, you and your designer can relax and speak more freely, agreeing or disagreeing with ideas as they come up, until you collaboratively develop a plan that resonates.
Photo credit: Laura Chappetto, Element Design Network
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Good communication is key particularly when it comes to budgets. Laura shares that although it hasn’t happened often, “There have been probably two or three times in my career that the client just wants too much for their budget. And while I can work within a number of budgets, sometimes a client's expectations are just simply unrealistic.” As a homeowner, it’s important to be transparent about your expectations and your budget. The same is true for what the designer promises to deliver. “I think it's so important to be honest and upfront,” says Laura. A good designer should be able to tell you upfront, “Within your budget, this is what can be done.” If the homeowner’s wants exceed their budget, Laura often suggests taking on the project in phases. Discuss what can be completed in phase one of your interior design while staying within your current budget and then planning a phase two in a year or two. HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS & KNOW YOUR BUDGET
PERSONALIZATION: THE KEY TO MAKING YOUR HOUSE A HOME
Maintaining that “personalization is the key to setting any house apart from the rest,” Laura depends heavily on talking with her clients and learning about their lives, hobbies, and interests such as where they like to travel. With this valuable information, she states “...you can find [decor] pieces that are individualized. For example, items “that evoke memories from a trip, even if it's not a piece that you found or that your client found on the actual trip.” This kind of personalization brings together design elements that evoke memories from special times and places. “You can find something that kind of strikes up that memory, pull it in, and incorporate it into the space. And that feels very personal to them,” explains Laura. “And it also just makes them happy.” Of course, we all have family photographs we prize. Laura shares that her “preference is always to mix smaller photographs in with the decor, maybe on open shelving or mix it in with various artwork on a gallery wall...I just think that when you kind of discover those smaller family photos mixed in with other things, it sort of makes it a bit more special. And, you know, you are kind of like finding a little treasure and it opens up conversation.”
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For homeowners who may not be in their forever home, investing in meaningful artwork can also be a smart design decision. A favorite piece can serve as a portable focal point, carrying its impact from one home to the next. As Laura notes, “because you can take it with you to your next house if you aren’t presently in your forever home.” By incorporating artwork early in the design process and choosing pieces that resonate personally, homeowners can create spaces that feel unique, intentional, and reflective of their style—no matter where they live.
ARTWORK AS AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Homeowners often wait until the end of the design process to think about artwork, treating it as an afterthought or lumping it in with the overall décor budget. However, considering artwork from the beginning—and setting aside a dedicated budget—can elevate the entire design of a home. As Laura explains, “because it really is such an important element in the design of your home.” Artwork also plays a crucial role in personalizing a space. “Artwork above all else is such a great way to personalize your home,” Laura says. Even two homes with similar interiors can feel entirely different when filled with artwork that reflects the homeowners’ personalities. “If the artwork speaks to each home's personality, you can really get an insight into who those people are and the personality of the home,” she adds.
CREATING A LIVING EXPERIENCE
A well-designed home is more than just beautiful—it should engage all the senses. Small details, such as scent and sound, can elevate a space and make it feel truly lived in. For example, incorporating a signature scent through automated diffusers can create a consistent and welcoming atmosphere. These diffusers can be set on a timer or even activated when the front door opens, ensuring that the home is always filled with a carefully chosen fragrance. As Laura explains, this element “makes such a big difference in setting the stage in your home. Just like when you go to your favorite hotel or your favorite store, if they have a signature scent and it's every time you walk in you smell it, it creates such a deeper memory to you than somewhere that just has no scent. And I think people forget to add that to their homes.” Music can also shape the mood of a home. Playing background music throughout different rooms creates an inviting and dynamic environment. Homeowners may want to consider a speaker system that allows different zones to play various genres, tailoring the ambiance of each space to fit different moments of the day.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING TO SET THE MOOD
Lighting plays a critical role in setting the atmosphere of a home. A well-designed space can lose its warmth if it’s illuminated solely by harsh, blue-white lighting. As Laura describes, lighting is “the most important way to sort of set the tone and create a cozy atmosphere in your home.” To enhance both aesthetics and comfort, layering different types of lighting is key. Floor and table lamps provide soft, ambient light, while sconces and picture lights can highlight artwork, adding depth and character. Thoughtfully placed lighting can “transform a space from a beautiful space to a space that makes you feel something.”
FUNCTIONALITY IS KEY
A home should be as functional as it is beautiful. It’s easy to be drawn to stunning design elements, but if they interfere with daily routines, they can become a frustration rather than an enhancement. Before meeting with a designer, homeowners should take time to reflect on what isn’t working in their current space and identify specific pain points. As Laura notes, “The designer isn’t living there. You are. So, you know the pain points of each space and you know how you want the space to work ideally.” By clearly communicating needs and challenges, homeowners can work with a designer to create solutions that align with their lifestyle, ensuring that their home not only looks good but also functions seamlessly. Above all, homeowners should stay true to their own tastes and needs. While a designer can offer expertise, the final decisions should reflect what makes a space feel comfortable and meaningful. As Laura advises, “And don’t let anyone, any designer try to steer you away from that. This is your home. It’s where all your memories are made. And you want it to feel like you.”
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10 HOME SWEET HOME Magazine Photo Credit: Annie Martin, Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Annie Martin is a landscaper and moss gardening expert and advocate who has earned the distinction of Master Moss Gardener. Located in Western North Carolina’s Pisgah Forest, just outside Asheville, Martin is the author of The Magical World of Moss Gardening (2015). Her passion for mosses has earned her the nickname “Mossin’ Annie.” Home Sweet Home recently interviewed Annie to learn more about moss gardening. The Joy of Moss Gardening
What Makes Mosses Distinct
Annie’s expertise means she has a deep understanding of the rich history of bryophytes (mosses). She shares that the existence of mosses can be dated back 450 million years, making them the “oldest living land plants” on record, having appeared “50 million years before there were any other land plants.”
Bryophytes are distinctive from other plants in numerous ways. Annie states the chief difference is that “they do not have internal mechanisms to absorb moisture, water, or to take in nutrients. They do not have roots.” Mosses do not flower, “but they do have sporophytes, which have capsules, and they contain spores, which can be distributed like seeds.” These sporophytes, Annie notes, “offer some pretty cool glimmering colors that are accents to the green appearance of mosses because the sporophytes can be crimson, golden, bronze or ombré colors. It's fascinating when they're going through this reproductive stage.” Rather than roots, mosses have rhizoids which serve to make the moss adhere to whatever substrate it is growing on. And the surfaces can be quite varied. Mosses don’t require soil; they can grow on a range of substances from the bark of a tree to a rock wall and even asphalt roof shingles. Mosses are often found growing on statues or in between bricks or other materials used to create garden pathways. Because there is such a wide variety of moss species, it’s natural that they vary greatly in appearance and size, although miniature in stature compared to other plants.
Color and Contrast
According to Annie, “Mosses offer year-round green in contrast with other plants that people feature in their gardens and yards.” This gives mosses a visual appeal that lasts through the winter when vascular plants go dormant. Because mosses are bryophytes, they are hardy, and freezing temperatures do not affect their growth. Annie is quick to point out that mosses do “shift their colors,” which means they grow in what she describes as “a full range of nuances of greens, from light greens to deep greens, emerald greens, to forest greens...the list goes on and on.” Aside from the multiple hues of green natural to many types of moss, there are also “certain moss species that will achieve golden overtones at certain sun exposures or times of the year.” The result, according to Annie, is a “green with a golden glint.” In addition to their visual appeal, mosses are also tactile, which means “they feel good to touch, to walk on, to pet.”
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Moss Gardening Is Eco-Friendly As more people become increasingly eco- conscious, the appreciation for moss gardening has grown. Annie attributes this to “the environmental advantages of mosses” acting as “essential elements in a healthy ecosystem.” Annie explains that mosses “support microscopic critters and all kinds of insects, birds, and other critters on up the food chain. Even pollinators will come and rest in the mosses to gather moisture and take it back to the nest like honeybees.” Mosses are also carbon-friendly. According to Annie, the biggest ecological benefit mosses offer is that they “sequester more carbon than all of the forests in the world put together.” In fact, Annie points out that “twice as much carbon sequestration occurs in the sphagnum peatlands,” which are found in the Northern Hemisphere, specifically Europe, North America, and Russia. It is worth noting that over one-third of the world's peatlands are found in Canada. In all, Annie explains, “the Sphagnum moss peatlands cover 2-3% of the world's land mass.”
Mosses Thrive in Sun and in Shade While people tend to believe that mosses grow best in shade, Annie points out “that's not necessarily the case.” Some varieties of moss prefer direct sun while other species “are so versatile they can live in the shade or they can live in the sun, depending on whatever exposure and microhabitat they're located in.” Annie explains that when planning your moss garden, “you're not restricted to just shade, and you don't have to have good soil.” As mentioned earlier, mosses do not have roots. Annie emphasizes that since, “Mosses derive their nutrients through their leaves, which do not have a cuticle (a waxy substance covering the leaf).” This means that when moss is hydrated either by rain or watering from a sprinkler system, the water is “immediately absorbed into typically a one-cell layer thick leaf.” In other words, moss hydrates very quickly. Moss is also a distinctive plant because some types grow vertically while others grow in a horizontal pattern. This distinction is an important one, Annie states, “because of most gardeners' expectations of seeing horizontal expansion.” But upright moss can be a great choice. Annie points out that “upright growing colonies or mounds will not only add more depth and dimension to a garden, but they will also get bigger in terms of their shape.” As to how fast the moss can be expected to grow, this “depends on the conditions and the amount of moisture that it receives during the entire year's growing season because mosses never stop growing; they don't go dormant.” Moss naturally spreads to new areas via the spore distribution which is just one of the ways mosses are reproduced.
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Planting Your Moss Garden
Interested in planting a moss garden of your own? Annie stresses that it is easy to begin. To plant mosses successfully, simply choose where you wish to plant them and then “determine which species is going to work in that spot, and then clear the area of debris.” There is no need to add additional soil or any nutrients to enrich the soil because again, mosses do not derive their nutrients from the soil but rather through their leaves. Mosses can be planted directly on hard-packed soil. When she is planting, Annie likes to “slightly score the soil with a three-pronged digger, a pointy rock, or whatever found objects are available.” When deciding which moss species is going to work best, Annie recommends you “consider their tolerance of sun exposure and/or the heat index.” There are so many moss species, and Annie points out that “certain types are considered shade species but may have a little range into partial sun during the day.” Here are the key factors to consider when planting your moss garden.
1. Temperature
If you live in an area that has cold winters and are concerned about whether moss is hardy enough to grow in your location, Annie has good news: “Mosses have phenolic compounds that make them tolerant of sub-freezing temperatures. They can even continue to grow in the winter months and reproduce underneath snow blankets. So, mosses are hardy to all US planting zones since it's based on cold.”
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2. Sun Exposure
sun.” This is when your moss garden is most likely to take on that hue of golden green. Annie notes this is “a normal transition in reaction to the sun.” When the tree leaves fill back in and the moss has more shade, their color will return to a more pronounced shade of green.
Your second consideration should be the amount of sun the moss will be exposed to based on your planting spot. When contemplating this factor, it is important to consider how much sun the garden will get through all seasons since moss never goes dormant. Take into consideration the tree canopy in the summer when the leaves are full as well as when the season transitions to autumn and the trees begin to lose their leaves. The change in the tree canopy can entirely impact the amount of sun or shade your garden receives. It’s also important to remember that as autumn changes into winter, the sun is located lower in the sky. As Annie emphasizes, “There are all kinds of factors to consider. But the biggest concern typically will be in the early spring, when temperatures are already getting hot, the sun is rising in the sky, and there is no leaf canopy to protect the mosses from that much
3. Moisture
Mosses, according to Annie, are “just amazing because they are so resilient to differences in the sun exposure” but only if you make sure the plants receive an adequate amount of moisture— the next consideration for a successful moss gardener. You will need to provide supplemental water to your moss garden because just as these plants hydrate quickly, they are also prone to drying out rapidly. When it comes to watering, understand that mosses don’t require long drenching soaks. What they need is frequent, but brief watering sessions. Annie admits
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4. Maintenance Another regular moss garden maintenance recommended by Annie is to simply keep your garden free of debris by removing any twigs, acorns, or leaves that may fall into your planting area. While it’s not necessary to blow leaves away every day, it is important not to let leaf piles amass on your mosses throughout the entire fall/winter season. it may “sound shocking to recommend, and most people bristle at the idea of providing three watering sessions every single day, but they're only for one to three minutes each.” If you have a sprinkler with a controller/timer or a sophisticated irrigation system installed, watering maintenance will be a minimal concern. Annie explains, “Your mosses will definitely thrive better when supplemental water is provided, especially in areas that have a high heat index or particularly in times of drought.”
Annie’s final advice for beginning moss gardeners is two-fold: First, start small. Or as Annie puts it, “Do not think that you want your entire grass lawn changed. Well, you can think about it, but it would be a major undertaking to try to replace a grass lawn with mosses instead. It would take a fair amount of time and a huge amount of mosses, and if you're purchasing mosses, you might need to have a pretty hefty pocketbook, too.” Secondly, make sure you purchase your mosses from a moss supplier who maintains ethical standards and practices responsible land stewardship like Annie. She also possesses a permit to ethically harvest plants in her home state and has the necessary certification as a nursery required to ship mosses throughout the United States. If you purchase your mosses from someone unqualified, you run the risk of not receiving the proper species you need. You can learn more about ethical moss gardening at www. mountainmoss.com.
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SPRING’S SWEETEST TREATS
A Honey Bee Cake & Bunny Bites
Honey Bee-Themed Cake
How to Make It: 1. Bake the cake and let it cool completely. 2. Mix the softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla with a hand mixer until combined into buttercream frosting. 3. Frost the cake with buttercream and add slivered almonds or crushed graham crackers for texture, if using. 4. Pipe little bees with yellow and black icing. 5. Finish with a drizzle of honey for that extra golden touch.
This cake is a real showstopper, complete with tiny edible bees, and a sweet honey drizzle.
What You’ll Need:
z 1 box of vanilla cake mix (or your favorite homemade recipe) z 1 cup butter, softened z 3 cups powdered sugar z 2 tbsp honey z Yellow and black icing z 1 teaspoon vanilla extract z 1 cup slivered almonds or crushed graham crackers for decorating (optional)
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Bunny-Shaped Carrot Cake Bites
How to Make It: 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a bunny-shaped silicone mold or a baking pan. 2. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 3. In another bowl, mix the sugars, eggs, and oil until smooth. Stir in the shredded carrots and walnuts. 4. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then pour into molds. Bake for 15-18 minutes (or 25-30 minutes if using a sheet pan). Let cool. 5. Whip together cream cheese and powdered sugar for the frosting. Spread over each bunny and sprinkle with shredded coconut for a soft, fluffy look. These two enchanting treats bring the magic of spring straight to your dessert table!
Soft, spiced, and oh-so-cute, these little bunny bites bring a playful twist to classic carrot cake. What You’ll Need: z 1 ½ cups flour z 1 tsp baking soda
z 1 tsp cinnamon z ½ tsp nutmeg z ½ cup sugar z ½ cup brown sugar z 2 eggs z ½ cup vegetable oil
z 1 ½ cups shredded carrots z ½ cup walnuts (optional) z 8 oz cream cheese, softened z 1 cup powdered sugar z Shredded coconut (for a fluffy finish)
Along with the joys and tax advantages of owning a vintage home, comes the need for nearly constant upkeep. As systems and architectural components age, homeowners find themselves addressing a variety of tasks that can vary slightly, or significantly, from a modern home. Depending on the overall condition, a vintage home will likely need surface updates, but may also require system upgrades for energy efficiency, safety, and overall function. From the chimney to the foundation, vintage homes undoubtedly require TLC, making them a rewarding investment for the craftsman or DIY enthusiast. However, before committing to a house over 50 years old, review some skills you might need to maneuver the vintage home landscape. Own a Vintage Home? These Skills Will Come in Handy
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Electrical Work Between dated components and general wear and tear, you may be looking at minor swaps or a complete home upgrade when it comes to your wiring. Either way, you’ll need to become comfortable fishing wires through walls, floors, and ceilings. You’ll also need to safely connect circuits, swap out fixtures, and manage the control panel. With today’s connectivity to streaming, WiFi, Smart devices, etc., the home’s electrical needs likely far exceed what the system was originally used for. With this in mind, you may also be making upgrades. Roofing If you’re in luck, your home will have a recently installed wood shingle roof that will last 50 years. However, it’s more likely you’ll be facing roofing repairs within the first decade of homeownership. Since roofing is expensive, it’s nice to have a plan for it in the budget rather than being sprung with an immediate need for repairs. If you’re purchasing a home, ask the previous owner how old the roof is and bring in roofing professionals to estimate the remaining life. When the time comes, being able to replace your roof yourself can be a huge cost saver. If you decide to tackle the task, carefully consider your material options. Also, ensure the materials you choose will be covered under warranty if not professionally installed.
Dealing with Drainage As the landscape changes over time your home’s drainage systems may become overgrown, buried, or broken. As a result, it’s common for older homes to need some attention in the drainage department. Start by looking at the location where the downspouts meet the ground. Make sure water moves freely and flows away from the home’s foundation. If there’s an issue, repairing problems with drainage can take many forms. You may need new gutters or downspouts. At ground level, you may need to dig up broken pipes, make replacements, and trench new routes. Inside the home, evaluate the condition and function of your sump pump. If it fails, your home may flood so check it often and replace it as needed. You may also find yourself doing landscaping, such as adjusting slopes for proper runoff, adding French drains or a drain field, or installing a water harvesting system that recycles water back into the house.
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Replacing Windows
Painting
Windows are typically due for replacement anywhere between 15 and 50 years, depending on a lot of factors. If you have an older home, you’ll likely face this issue at some point. Knowing how to replace windows yourself will save you a ton of money, especially considering the average home can typically require $30,000 or more to replace all the windows. You probably won’t have to replace them all at the same time, but it might make sense to swap them out as you tackle other updates around the home. Not only will new windows minimize drafts and heat loss, but they will reduce the risk of water leaks that can cause structural damage.
Painting is an inexpensive way to upgrade a variety of surfaces. Even newer homes often need a fresh coat. Older homes, however, are highly likely to contain lead-based paint. In the United States, lead-based paints were outlawed in 1978 so if your home was built before that, take heed. The removal of lead-based paint requires substantial safety components and is best done by professionals. An alternative to removing the paint is sealing it and painting over it. However, you must use products approved for this purpose. If your vintage home has paint that is peeling, flaking, or bubbling, address it with extreme caution. Whatever your situation, brush up on your painting skills as they will come in handy. Updating Exterior Doors Most older homes feature wood doors that can warp, splinter, and swell over time. It’s common to find one or more exterior doors in need of replacement. This is also true with sliding glass doors, storm doors, and screen doors. With some basic skills, you can replace any of these types of doors. For exterior doors, make sure to buy the right size and the correct swing direction for your space. Standard openings have changed over the years so the doors in stock at your local home improvement store might not work. You may need to shave off the width or height of a wood door with a manual or power wood planer. If you can’t find an appropriate fit for your sliding glass door, you may need to reframe the opening to accommodate a different size, or install French doors into the opening. You can build screen doors with a few pieces of lumber and screening materials. Reuse your old hardware or upgrade as needed.
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Maintaining HVAC
From the furnace to the ductwork, you’re probably in for an adventure with the HVAC system in your vintage home. Some homes may have been retrofitted over time while others remain far from meeting current building regulations. Efficiency is probably lacking in your aged system too. There are many considerations in deciding on the right heating and cooling system for a home. Talk to some professionals and get some bids. At the very least this will help you with the planning process even if you decide to do it yourself. Consider whether you’ll need to repair gaps in existing ductwork and if you’ll need to connect new ductwork to the old for other areas of the house. Decide whether you need to replace the furnace and if you want to upgrade to a heat pump. You may also want to consider installing ductless systems. Whatever the situation, if you want to DIY, you’ll need some intermediate electrical and construction skills to get it done.
If your home has a garage door, you can expect it to wear out. If the motor doesn’t fail first, you’ll often see wear damage along the bottom of the garage door. Be prepared to swap out the garage door opener, make repairs to the springs or tracks, or replace the entire door. Repairing the Garage Door
Preventing Pest Damage
Waterproofing
Critters come and go in many houses. Older homes, however, are particularly susceptible to carpenter ants, termites, and other wood-loving pests. There may have also been a time in the distant or recent past when the home was invaded by rodents. Scour the home top to bottom looking for evidence of damage, such as sawdust, holes, or chew marks. Seal holes in the framing, especially in the attic where critters like to gain access and make a home. Note that mice can enter any space as small as a pencil eraser so a tight envelope on the home is crucial for keeping them at bay. If there has been past damage, you’ll need to be comfortable replacing beams, siding, wall framing, and other structural components.
Basements are notoriously wet locations. If the space was previously finished, it may have been in use for many decades. If that’s the case, the initial waterproofing may need to be reapplied to walls and flooring. For an unfinished basement, you may have a golden opportunity to convert the underused space into an apartment or other living area. Basements require many special considerations, such as vapor barriers under the flooring, treatments for the walls, and egress windows. Be sure you know the regulations if you want to convert your basement into a bar, gym, or bedroom.
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Really old homes were built on a foundation of large stumps under each corner of the home. Homes from the past century often have poured concrete foundations instead. Either way, you’re likely to find some issues at some point. Concrete foundations that show cracks will need to be reinforced with steel straps or undergo other repairs. Wood foundations may need the replacement of the support beams. This requires placing supports beneath the house while repairs are made. The foundation of the home is a crucial element, so you’ll need to decide if repairs are something you can manage and if you’ll need to pay for professional help. Managing Foundation Issues
Plumbing Tasks
Plumbing is another major home system that may be due for an upgrade. If the home has copper pipes you’re probably in good shape. However, all types of pipe will show wear with time. Be ready to put on your plumber’s apron if you invest in a vintage home. There will be leaks, rusty pipes, and backflow issues to deal with. Along with the plumbing related to sinks and showers, you may need to upgrade the water heater or deal with the septic system. You’ll also want to be comfortable replacing dated toilets since your home will likely have inefficient models that may not even be up to code. Fortunately, swapping out a toilet is a fairly easy DIY project. There’s no need to call in a plumber if the pipes are in good condition and you’re simply installing a toilet to replace an older one. If you need to reroute plumbing to relocate the toilet, it’s still possible to do it yourself. However, removing wall materials, flooring, and old pipes is much more comprehensive. In addition, you’ll need to know how to reinstall those materials. One tricky aspect of dealing with plumbing in older homes is they may not have an easily accessible shut- off valve like modern-day houses. In this case, you’ll need to turn your home’s water off at the main. When you put the system back together, include a shut-off valve so the job is easier next time around. One other note here. If you have a shut-off faucet, be prepared for it to be stuck or even to break during use. It’s common for these types of old faucet knobs to corrode. Know where your main shut-off is before you begin, just in case you have problems. Older homes provide a romantic snapshot of a different era. That history comes with some additional responsibilities, but you can enjoy the nostalgia and a comfortable home with some well-earned DIY skills and a plan.
Adding Insulation
Your house might not have insulation. It’s no wonder old houses lack energy efficiency with no attics for airflow and no insulation at any level. Any insulation you do have may have deteriorated over time, causing it to lose R-value. If updates are required, you’ll need to spray or roll new insulation throughout the home.
Maintaining the Fireplace
As houses move, shift, and settle, it creates separation in the bricks within the chimney and the firebox. These air gaps create a vacuum that can increase fire risk. If your home has a fireplace, thoroughly inspect the chimney for cracks or gaps. Then do the required masonry work before using it as a heat source. Also, clean your chimney one to two times each year.
Driveway Repairs
Whether the driveway is stone, asphalt, or gravel, it’s probably going to need some upkeep and repair. When stones become uneven, you need to unbury them, level the ground beneath, and reinstall them. Concrete or asphalt may need to be patched, coated, resurfaced, or replaced. Dirt and gravel driveways will probably need to be graded, and new materials laid out and compacted.
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HOME SWEET HOME Magazine
Is Now The Right Time to Sell?
To Request a No Obligation Housing Market Report: Call me at 416-226-9770 or Email info@realtornima.com .
This is all 100% free with no obligation. After you submit the online questionnaire, you will receive my free report with information that will help you determine your home's value. I recommend printing it out and taking a drive to see the homes I've identified as comparable to yours. See how your home measures up. This will help you get an even more accurate idea of what your home is worth. An appraiser would charge hundreds for this service, but I will provide one at no cost. If you would like my free, professional opinion on the value of your home, I'd be glad to help. We can talk on the phone, or we can meet in person. I look forward to helping you!
Nima Nojavan-Kheiraddin HomeLife/Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage 416-226-9770 info@realtornima.com EstateByNima.com
To Request a Copy of My No Obligation Home Value Report to Determine What Your Home is Truly Worth, Call 416-226-9770 or Email info@realtornima.com . This is all 100% free with no obligation. After you submit the online questionnaire, you will receive my free report with information that will help you determine your home's value. I recommend printing it out and taking a drive to see the homes I've identified as comparable to yours. See how your home measures up. This will help you get an even more accurate idea of what your home is worth. An appraiser would charge hundreds for this service, but I will provide one at no cost. If you would like my free, professional opinion on the value of your home, I'd be glad to help. We can talk on the phone, or we can meet in person. I look forward to helping you! Nima Nojavan-Kheiraddin HomeLife/Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage 416-226-9770 info@realtornima.com EstateByNima.com
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