Whether you are buying or refinancing a home, it is likely that a professional home appraisal will be required as part of the final approval of your loan.

Since the value of homes and market conditions can fluctuate over time, your lender will want to know the value of the property at the time you want to borrow money against its worth.

When buying a home, the value will affect what you will be paying in property taxes and for a mortgage, both of which are factored into your qualifying debt ratios.

The appraised value will also serve to validate the agreed-upon purchase price between buyer and seller.

Lenders will typically only lend on the appraised value, not the purchase price. A low appraised value gives way to the buyer having to renegotiate the purchase price if the seller wants to continue with the deal.

An appraised value that is higher than the purchase price puts unexpected equity in the buyer’s pocket.

Most refinances require appraisals to make sure that the balance of the mortgage that you are refinancing does not exceed the present value of your home.

The lender needs to be sure that its value is enough to secure the amount of your new loan.

If you are refinancing just to get a better interest rate and term without taking out new funds, an appraisal may not be required.

Please call or email me for more information on how appraisals affect the home buying process.

If you're stuck for space or keen to bring the green of your front yard into your home, why not plant a windowsill herb garden? With a few snips of chives or a sprig of rosemary, you can spruce up your home cooking and flood your home with their fresh, herbaceous scent. Here's how to get growing!

The first and most important step is choosing a sunny spot. A south- or southwest-facing window is perfect, especially if it gets at least six hours of sunshine per day, away from drafts. This ensures your herbs aren't spindly, stressed and lacking in flavour.

Next, purchase your favourite seed packets or small herb plants. Starting with seeds is less expensive, but they'll require more attention, and it'll be several months before you can start using them. If you start with plants, use a container 6-12 inches deep. If it's wide or long in shape, you can plant multiple herbs. Use a six-inch pot for individual plants.

Using a good potting soil, carefully transplant your plants or seeds. For seeds, keep the soil moist, rotate the container and ensure seedlings get plenty of that vitamin D. Water herb plants sparingly. They don't like to sit in wet soil. A good rule of thumb is to stick your finger in the soil and, if it's dry an inch below the surface, it's time to water!

Once you see new growth, you can start using your herbs. Remember to snip two to three inches off the tips to encourage branching.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine Italian seasoning and garlic powder in a small bowl. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5 minutes on top side until golden. Remove from heat. Sprinkle seasoning mixture all over.

Sprinkle tops of chicken with one cup mozzarella and most of Parmesan. Place pineapple round on top of each piece of chicken. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake about 10 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through. Garnish with onion and cilantro and serve.

Now that the colder months are firmly behind and spring is spreading its wings, it's time to usher in the freshness of the season with a thorough cleaning routine. Here are some essential tasks to make sure you’re ready to tackle your spring cleaning frenzy properly.

Have a solid plan. Before diving in, create a cleaning plan. Outline which areas need the most attention, prioritize your tasks, and set achievable goals for each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Set priority spaces. Focus on high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathrooms first. These rooms tend to accumulate the most dirt and grime over the months and will benefit the most from a deep clean.

Make sure you have what you need. Equip yourself with the necessary cleaning supplies and tools, including microfiber cloths, all-purpose cleaners, a vacuum cleaner with attachments, and mops. Having the right tools on hand will streamline the cleaning process and ensure optimal results.

Donate and declutter. Decluttering your home is a great starting point. Going room by room, consider donating or discarding items you no longer need or use, and organize your belongings to create a sense of calm and order.

Get that laundry done. Wash your curtains, linens and other fabric items that may have accumulated dust and odours over the winter months. Don't forget to clean pillows and cushions to freshen up your living spaces.

Get the air flowing. Open windows to let in fresh air and sunshine, infusing your home with revitalizing energy and also helping to clear any fumes from the cleaning products you’ve used.

Take breaks when you need them. Don’t burn out cleaning, and most importantly, be sure to reward yourself for a job well done! By then, your home will be sparkling clean and ready to welcome spring.

If you'd like more ideas to freshen up your home, call or email me. I'm always here for referrals and recommendations for suppliers and service providers for your new home needs.

At last! Summertime is around the corner, and you can make the most of it by enhancing your outdoor living spaces. With a little thought and planning, you can create your own personal backyard oasis. Here are some ideas.

1. If you don't have a deck or patio, build one. Not only does this addition give you a great place for gatherings and grilling, in Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value report, the statistics show that such an improvement yields a return on your investment of more than 75 percent.

2. Creating attractive privacy screens can easily be accomplished by incorporating fences, trellises and shrubbery around your outdoor deck or patio.

3. Pests can ruin a great time outdoors, so use preventive measures such as citronella candles and employ a pest control company that can spray your yard for unwanted crawling and flying insects.

4. Create a living space with comfortable outdoor furniture for lounging and dining. Be sure to include area rugs for colour and for defining spaces.

5. Well-placed lighting will extend your outdoor experience well into the evening and create a great mood. Tiki torches, string lights and landscape lighting all contribute to the ambiance.

6. Keep it fun and include a fire pit, hot tub or game set for the kids.

Creating the perfect summer oasis will add value to your home and attract more buyers.

When you start planning your project, contact us if you would like our professional input. We are here to assist you in the decision-making.