Mike Giesbrecht

Buying a new home can be a huge, complex undertaking, especially when it’s your first time. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent guiding you along the way. In a survey conducted earlier this year by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (PRERS),  a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company, 75% of respondents highlighted the importance of real est ...

Electricity in the home is so commonplace that it's easy to forget how dangerous it can be. According to the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, an electrical shock can knock you unconscious, cause a serious burn, or even stop your heartbeat. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk.  Install safety plugs in outlets that young children can rea ...

As we move into the spring market, home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete the home repairs they know must be made, they also may want to consider hiring a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties. If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate professio ...

Thinking about installing wood floors? The first decision you need to make involves the type. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, there are four types:  Unfinished. This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you. Fac ...

Many people only see a doctor when they're sick or have some other health concern. On the other hand, some people visit a doctor regularly for check-ups, to ask questions and get advice, and to maintain good health. Which do you think is the better approach? I would suggest the second one. The same thing is true when it comes to real estate. Even if you have no current plans to buy or ...

Buying a new home can be a huge, complex undertaking, especially when it’s your first time. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent guiding you along the way. In a survey conducted by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (PRERS),  a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company, 75% of respondents highlighted the importance of real estate agents in the pr ...

    In what is a buyer’s market in many areas, home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete the home repairs they know must be made, they may also want to hire a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties.  If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate profes ...

Remember the last time you visited an upscale furniture showroom? The furniture and fixtures on display probably looked great. The colours and textures jumped out at you. It was a feast for the eyes! There is a good reason for this: lighting. Of course, the quality of the products has a lot to do with how appealing they look when on display. But smart retailers know that proper lighting ...

If you don't own one already, you may be tempted to purchase a widescreen digital television to enjoy your favourite movies, shows and sports programs. However, it can be difficult to select the right screen size, especially if you've been accustomed to viewing a TV with a traditional 4:3 screen. When it comes to size, there are many factors that come into play, such as screen resoluti ...

Some good ideas in this article about what to check for when inspecting a potential home:http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/important-things-to-check-when-inspecting-a-potential-hom