Mike & Bernadine Nielsen

Mike: 604-315-3151 |

Bernadine: 604-619-2063 |

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Reduce the Risk of
Indoor Air Pollution
The more time we spend indoors, the more
mindful we should be about the quality of
the air in the enclosed environments we
share. Controlling and improving indoor air
quality can be a major factor in reducing
the risk of exposure to airborne pollutants
such as allergens and other causes of
respiratory illness. Here are four effective
steps you can take:
Remove damp carpeting, toxic solvents,
paints, oily rags and cleaning products
that may accumulate in the house. Seal up
exposed insulation and clean up mould.
Ensure your home is well ventilated by
using proper exhaust fans when cooking,
bathing, showering, or operating any fuelburning
unit. (Note that some furnaces
have built-in venting.)
Regularly dust hard surfaces, vacuum
upholstery and beat/shake out rugs
and drapery.
Take steps to clean your air through
portable units and/or whole-home
HEPA filtration/circulation, and be sure
to change/clean them according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Reduce the Risk ofIndoor Air Pollution: The more time we spend indoors, the more mindful we should be about the quality of the air in the enclosed environments we share. Controlling and improving indoor air quality can be a major factor in reducing the risk of exposure to airborne pollutants such as allergens and other causes of respiratory illness. Here are four effective steps you can take:•Remove damp carpeting, toxic solvents,paints, oily rags and cleaning products that may accumulate in the house. Seal up exposed insulation and clean up mould.•Ensure your home is well ventilated by using proper exhaust fans when cooking,bathing, showering, or operating any fuel burning unit. (Note that some furnaces have built-in venting.)•Regularly dust hard surfaces, vacuum upholstery and beat/shake out rugs and drapery.•Take steps to clean your air through portable units and/or whole-home HEPA filtration/circulation, and be sure to change/clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Imagine you're viewing a potential new home. You walk in the front door
and are instantly impressed. You explore the property room by room and
like what you see.
Then there's something you notice that's not quite right. An odour. You
realize that it's likely cat dander and, now that you've identified it, you smell
it everywhere. Suddenly the home doesn't seem as attractive as it did just
moments earlier.
The owner of the property is probably so used to the smell that he doesn't
even notice it. Neither does anyone else in the household.
So, when marketing your home for sale, be scent sensitive. Think about the
odours that you may have become used to but others are likely to notice.
Even odours you think are pleasant, like the strong scent given off by some
house plants, may not be pleasing to everyone.
An odour can easily distract a buyer from appreciating the good qualities of
your property. Pay particular attention to garbage bins (which can smell
even when empty), pets, kitty litter (even when fresh and unused), the
kitchen (especially after cooking), perfumes, and closets.
The smell of cigarette smoke is particularly unpleasant to many people. Its
odour can linger even on an outside deck or patio.
Bottom line? Don't assume buyers won't notice certain smells. They will.
Looking for 
Imagine you're viewing a potential new home. You walk in the front door and are instantly impressed. You explore the property room by room andlike what you see.Then there's something you notice that's not quite right. An odour. You realize that it's likely cat dander and, now that you've identified it, you smellit everywhere. Suddenly the home doesn't seem as attractive as it did justmoments earlier.The owner of the property is probably so used to the smell that he doesn'teven notice it. Neither does anyone else in the household.So, when marketing your home for sale, be scent sensitive. Think about the odours that you may have become used to but others are likely to notice.Even odours you think are pleasant, like the strong scent given off by somehouse plants, may not be pleasing to everyone.An odour can easily distract a buyer from appreciating the good qualities of your property. Pay particular attention to garbage bins (which can smelleven when empty), pets, kitty litter (even when fresh and unused), the kitchen (especially after cooking), perfumes, and closets.The smell of cigarette smoke is particularly unpleasant to many people. Its odour can linger even on an outside deck or patio.Bottom line? Don't assume buyers won't notice certain smells. They will.Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price?
Call today.
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Sometimes, when you learn about 
an innovative product that seems 
simple and practical, you wonder, 
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Here 
are some ideas that could have 
you thinking that way:
Traditional pop-up toaster, but
with a glass side, so you can see 
exactly how much it’s toasting
Toolbox designed to do double 
duty as a table or a bench
Bathtub sitting bench made of 
smooth, sturdy planks
Smartphone app that can map 
and print a floor plan for 
any room
Digital measuring cups and 
bowls that tell you the volume 
and weight of its contents
Sometimes, when you learn about 
an innovative product that seems 
simple and practical, you wonder, 
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Here 
are some ideas that could have 
you thinking that way: 
Traditional pop-up toaster, but
with a glass side, so you can see 
exactly how much it’s toasting
Toolbox designed to do double 
duty as a table or a bench
Bathtub sitting bench made of 
smooth, sturdy planks
Smartphone app that can map 
and print a floor plan for 
any room
Digital measuring cups and 
bowls that tell you the volume 
and weight of its contents
Read

Now is a good time to make a visual check of all your 
utilities, fixtures and appliances to make sure they are not 
using expensive energy and resources inefficiently. Ensure 
that faucets don’t drip when closed. If they do, replace 
the washers (or valve cartridges, in the case of washerless 
units). Next, check that your toilets don’t leak. To check for 
leaks, pour coloured liquid bowl cleaner into the tank, then 
wait several hours to see if it appears in the bowl without 
flushing. If you discover a leak, you may need to replace the 
stopper in the bottom of the tank. Also, make sure your hot 
water tank/and or pipes are not sweating. While you’re at it, 
consider turning down the tank thermostat by a couple of 
degrees – chances are you won’t notice a difference, except 
maybe on your energy bill. Finally, check that windows 
and other exposed surfaces are not drafty. If so, consider 
caulking, repairing or replacing them.
Now is a good time to make a visual check of all your utilities, fixtures and appliances to make sure they are not using expensive energy and resources inefficiently. Ensure that faucets don’t drip when closed. If they do, replace the washers (or valve cartridges, in the case of washerless units). Next, check that your toilets don’t leak. To check for leaks, pour coloured liquid bowl cleaner into the tank, then wait several hours to see if it appears in the bowl without flushing. If you discover a leak, you may need to replace the stopper in the bottom of the tank. Also, make sure your hot water tank/and or pipes are not sweating. While you’re at it, consider turning down the tank thermostat by a couple of degrees – chances are you won’t notice a difference, except maybe on your energy bill. Finally, check that windows and other exposed surfaces are not drafty. If so, consider caulking, repairing or replacing them.
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Don't take stair safety for granted
The first known use of stairs was in ancient Egypt during the building of the 
pyramids. Chances are, some workers back then tripped and fell on them. 
Some 3,000 years later, injuries on stairs are still a big problem.
According to the Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, the insurance 
cost of injuries from falls on stairs is second only to automobile accidents! 
Clearly, it's a bigger problem than most people imagine.
So how do you prevent trips, falls and other mishaps on stairs?
The most common way is to use handrails. In fact, most trips and falls occur 
when people aren't able to regain their balance because they are not 
holding a handrail.
Another source of accidents are items, such as toys, left on stairs. Some 
people have the bad habit of using stairs as a temporary shelf for books, 
magazines, mail and other items. That’s not a good idea!
Always be careful when carrying heavy items on stairs. Even an overloaded 
laundry basket can be a hazard. If it's too heavy or you can’t see over the 
top, it’s too full. 
A lot of this is common sense. However, because injuries on stairs are so 
prevalent, we need to use our common sense more often. 
Don't take stair safety for granted:
The first known use of stairs was in ancient Egypt during the building of the pyramids. Chances are, some workers back then tripped and fell on them. Some 3,000 years later, injuries on stairs are still a big problem. According to the Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, the insurance cost of injuries from falls on stairs is second only to automobile accidents! Clearly, it's a bigger problem than most people imagine.So how do you prevent trips, falls and other mishaps on stairs?The most common way is to use handrails. In fact, most trips and falls occur when people aren't able to regain their balance because they are not holding a handrail.Another source of accidents are items, such as toys, left on stairs. Some people have the bad habit of using stairs as a temporary shelf for books, magazines, mail and other items. That’s not a good idea!Always be careful when carrying heavy items on stairs. Even an overloaded laundry basket can be a hazard. If it's too heavy or you can’t see over the top, it’s too full. A lot of this is common sense. However, because injuries on stairs are so prevalent, we need to use our common sense more often.
 
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You don't notice it – but most buyers will.
Imagine you're viewing a potential new home. You walk in the front door 
and are instantly impressed. You explore the property room by room and 
like what you see. 
Then there's something you notice that's not quite right. An odour. You 
realize that it's likely cat dander and, now that you've identified it, you smell 
it everywhere. Suddenly the home doesn't seem as attractive as it did just 
moments earlier.
The owner of the property is probably so used to the smell that he doesn't 
even notice it. Neither does anyone else in the household.
So, when marketing your home for sale, be scent sensitive. Think about the 
odours that you may have become used to but others are likely to notice. 
Even odours you think are pleasant, like the strong scent given off by some 
house plants, may not be pleasing to everyone.
An odour can easily distract a buyer from appreciating the good qualities of 
your property. Pay particular attention to garbage bins (which can smell 
even when empty), pets, kitty litter (even when fresh and unused), the 
kitchen (especially after cooking), perfumes, and closets.
The smell of cigarette smoke is particularly unpleasant to many people. Its 
odour can linger even on an outside deck or patio.
Bottom line? Don't assume buyers won't notice certain smells. They will. 
Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price? 
Call today.
You don't notice it – but most buyers will.  Imagine you're viewing a potential new home. You walk in the front door and are instantly impressed. You explore the property room by room and like what you see. Then there's something you notice that's not quite right. An odour. You realize that it's likely cat dander and, now that you've identified it, you smell it everywhere. Suddenly the home doesn't seem as attractive as it did just moments earlier.  The owner of the property is probably so used to the smell that he doesn't even notice it. Neither does anyone else in the household.So, when marketing your home for sale, be scent sensitive. Think about the odours that you may have become used to but others are likely to notice. Even odours you think are pleasant, like the strong scent given off by some house plants, may not be pleasing to everyone.An odour can easily distract a buyer from appreciating the good qualities of your property. Pay particular attention to garbage bins (which can smell even when empty), pets, kitty litter (even when fresh and unused), the kitchen (especially after cooking), perfumes, and closets.The smell of cigarette smoke is particularly unpleasant to many people. Its odour can linger even on an outside deck or patio.Bottom line? Don't assume buyers won't notice certain smells. They will. Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price? Call today.
Read
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