If you want your Saskatoon home to be “on-trend” and worthy of Home Living Magazine, the worst thing you could do is commit a dreaded decorating faux-pas. Here are our top five decor don’ts, avoid them and keep your home looking magazine ready.

1. Too many throw pillows – When it takes someone two minutes to sit on the couch or five minutes to crawl into bed because they spend so much time moving throw pillows around, you know you’ve gone too far. They can be a great way to show your accent colours or incorporate a pattern, but with pillows less is more.
2. Colour overload – Choosing the colour palette for a particular room (or your entire house) is exciting, but try sticking with a maximum of three – one main and two accents (and at least one neutral tone). Too many colours can be overwhelming and feel disorganized or chaotic.
3. Being a cookie-cutter – Don’t be afraid of unique pieces of art or furniture that really show who you are; they will give your home a personalized touch. Garage sales and online vendors (such as Kijiji and VarageSale) are a great way to find those one of a kind pieces.
4. Cramming in furniture – Find larger pieces (i.e. couches, dining room tables, etc.) that fit in the space you have. Trying to fit an oversized couch into a studio apartment will make everything feel cramped.
5. Let someone dictate your decor – While all of these tips are great, at the end of the day what matters most is that you love the home you live in. Don’t let someone tell you how to decorate, trust your instincts and preferences!

Looking to purchase a new home that’s ready for your decorative spark? Come talk to us and we will find the Saskatoon home you’ve been looking for.

Some people love cleaning. If you are not one of those people, we get it. Sometimes, the idea of cleaning your home can feel daunting. You might be thinking, “I never have enough time, then everything piles up into a huge task.” If you’re ready to ditch the day-long cleaning overhaul for a manageable routine, here are a few ideas we think might help:

1. Set a daily schedule – If you schedule a set of tasks each day, it will make cleaning feel less daunting. Choosing one area of the house to focus on everyday will help keep the whole house clean without having to spend an entire day cleaning.
2. Pick up every day – Taking 10-15 minutes each evening to clean up the day-to-day clutter around the house makes the days for cleaning each room more manageable. Put dirty laundry in the hamper and put your snack dishes into the dishwasher – trust us, it will save you time.
3. Build a routine – Set aside half hour in the mornings or right when you get home from work and do your cleaning for the day during that time. By adding cleaning into your daily routine, it will eventually form into a habit and make it easier to stick with it. If you miss a day, don’t try to catch up. Continue on your schedule and clean it the following week.
4. Reward yourself – Knowing that your post-work glass of wine and an episode of your favourite show are waiting for you when you’ve finished makes it easier to complete the tasks at hand. Find your motivator and use it!

We hope these tips help you feel more at home, if not, then maybe it’s time for a change. Check out our Saskatoon homes for sale.

It seems like every year a new trend or decor fad appears, and people instantly jump at the chance to update their home furnishings. If you want to have the most stylin’ house in Saskatoon, here are four decor trends we love:

• High Contrast – Having artwork or furniture that provides an intense contrast is not only appealing to the eye but creates an illusion of depth. For example, if you have light flooring, try a dark coloured rug, or use a white framed mirror as an accent on a dark wall.
• Brass Accents – For years the trend of brushed silver and chrome has dominated the design world because of its sleek appearance. However, many designers are beginning to opt for the warmer tones of brass and copper which create a cozier atmosphere.
• Rich Colours – Move over pastels, the jewel tone era has arrived! A lot of trendsetters are opting for deep, rich colours to decorate their Saskatoon homes. Evidence of this trend can be found in the deep purple that is the Pantone® Colour of the Year (check out our blog to see how to use the Pantone Colour of the Year in your Home decor).
• Bold Patterns – This trend isn’t necessarily new; however, the patterns of preference have changed. The days of geometric patterns are quickly disappearing as trendsetters are opting for bold florals, tropical patterns, and pineapple print.

So, now you know some of the 2018 trends. If you read this and thought, “these would be great if only I had a new home in Saskatoon to decorate,” we can help. We have a variety of houses and condos for sale, come and talk to us to find your dream home to decorate!

As one of the newer developing neighbourhoods in Saskatoon, Kensington is a great opportunity for anyone looking to live near all the major amenities while being close to the open road. Kensington is located on the west end of Saskatoon, between 22nd Street West and 33rd Street West. Currently in Phase 2 of development, the neighbourhood of Kensington is bright, vibrant, and teeming with possibilities.

Located near the Blairmore Suburban Centre, the Shaw Centre, and Confederation Drive, you are never more than a few minutes away from swimming at the Shaw Centre Pool or dining at one of the various restaurants. With a lot of options for groceries, banking, leisure, and shopping, Kensington is the perfect place for people who like localized amenities.

What’s even better, you’re only about 7 km from downtown. Luckily, Kensington is located on the same side of the South Saskatchewan River, so you never have to worry about bridge traffic. Kensington combines modern lifestyles with traditional living spaces creating a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

Beyond the traditional amenities, Kensington also has two large green spaces which feature great walking paths around two feature ponds – the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon.

Interested in buying a new home in Saskatoon? We think that Kensington is the right neighbourhood for you! Take a look at the North Ridge homes for sale, or look at North Ridge Development’s homes in progress. Or, if you would rather talk face to face get in touch with one of our sales consultants.

Staging is an art form. It can take any space and show it in the best light. Here are a few tips on staging your Saskatoon home that we’ve found very helpful, especially if you plan on DIY-ing it:

• Clear up clutter – Make sure you clean up the excess clutter around the house. Recycle or donate things you don’t need and organize the things that must stay. An organized home helps the buyer feel more comfortable in the space.
• Update the essentials – When a buyer walks into your home, the place needs to feel fresh and new. A fresh coat of paint can help liven up the space. The cupboard doors or carpet may also be worth updating. Studies show that if a buyer feels they need to replace significant items they might reduce their offer, which may be more than the cost of replacing those items yourself.
• Highlight the possibilities – Showing the buyers all the possibilities of a specific area of the house will pique their interest. You want to show the intended purpose of each room but also hint at all the potential a space has to offer a buyer.
• Don’t sell empty – It may be easier to vacate the premises and leave the home empty, but it can actually make the home feel smaller. Some people have trouble visualizing how furniture would fit into a room. If you show them an example of a room’s layout, it allows them to see the opportunities within that space.

For more tips on making your house sellable, check out our blog on curb appeal, and then come talk to us at North Ridge Realty, we would love to help you sell your Saskatoon home.

2018 is the year of Ultra Violet. Or in Pantone® speak 18-3838. If you want to know exactly what this colour looks like click here, and see this “thought-provoking and mysterious shade.” From fashion to beauty to graphic design, every industry will build off of the colour of the year and it’s colour harmony profiles to develop trendy, sleek, and fresh designs.

If you’re looking to make a splash with the Pantone® Color of the Year, here are a few ideas to incorporate it into your home decor:

• Paint an accent wall – A colour as bold as Ultra Violet may not be suited for an entire room, but accent walls are a way to be subtly bold. Don’t be afraid to add some texture to the wall.
• Paint a canvas or two – Pick up some canvases at an art store, take some painters tape or stencils and give it a go. If you’re not sure how to hang your canvases check out our blog post about hanging artwork (link to blog about artwork). Check out some examples below! If you’re feeling adventurous, use some of those Pantone colour harmonies to create a multi-dimensional abstract art piece.

[IMG Source: https://society6.com/product/shattered-tourmaline-magenta_print?curator=suzzincolour]

[IMG Source: http://wallartys.com/geometric-wall-art-metal-diy/purple-rectangle-geometric-wall-art-home-decoration-unique-crafthubs-brown-wallpaper-background-abstract/]

• Accent Pillows – This tip might be trickier, but accent pillows are a great way to add a pop of colour. If you can’t find any in-store in the colour you want, try painting it yourself! Accent pillows are a great option if you’re looking for something that can be changed frequently.

At the end of the day, decorating is all about embracing your creativity and finding the style that works for you. However, if you’re looking for a change in the form of a new home, come talk to us! We would be happy to help you find the perfect home.

Unfortunately, the cliché is true, and many people will judge your home by its cover. So, the first impression is vital to getting a quick sale. Any person looking to purchase a new home in Saskatoon (especially when looking online) will decide whether or not they want to view a house based on the pictures in the listing.

Thus, your first step is to have good photos taken of your entire home. Once people have decided to view your home, the first thing they will see is the front yard and exterior of the home. While there are some people who don’t care very much about the exterior, it will impact the buyer’s overall perception of your Saskatoon home.

In preparation for listing, the best way to notice the parts of your house that may need cleaning or repairing is to look at your home as if you’re a buyer. Alternatively, get a friend to come take a look at your home and tell you what they notice – sometimes, fresh eyes see things you might’ve missed. One area that buyers look at is the roof, so, make sure that your shingles are in good repair and that none are missing.

Another way to up curb appeal quickly is to hose everything down with a pressure washer. A clean driveway/walkway and clean siding will improve the appearance of your home without breaking the budget. A final tip for your Saskatoon home is to make sure the window coverings are open every time you have a showing, as this lets in natural lighting and creates a sense of openness throughout the home.

These are just a few quick ways to increase your curb appeal and help you sell quickly. Looking to sell your Saskatoon home? Call us to get started.

If you’re getting ready to sell your home in Saskatoon and have no idea what a good asking price is, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the biggest mistakes people tend to make when they are determining their home’s list price.

1. 1. Being Unwilling to Negotiate– Homes are rarely sold for its exact asking price, so it is a good idea to make sure that you list your Saskatoon home at a price with some flexibility. If you’re unwilling to negotiate, you might turn away serious buyers.
   2. Pricing Too High to Start – Flexibility is important but so is having realistic expectations. Starting out at an outrageously high price will likely harm your chances of selling quickly. Statistically, homes priced closer to its value sell faster than those that start high and adjust downwards.
   3. Not Basing Your Price on Homes that are Sold – Anyone can list a home for any price they want. However, it’s a good idea to look at homes that have sold recently in your Saskatoon neighbourhood. Looking at these homes as opposed to the competition will give you an accurate depiction of the housing market and help you price accordingly.
   4. Picking a List Price Based on Emotion or Need – Listening to your realtor or appraiser about what your home is worth is extremely important. Choosing to list your Saskatoon home based on what you personally think the home is worth or based on what you need financially will likely lead to an unrealistic price.

If you follow these tips, your home is going to be set up for a successful listing and hopefully a quick sale. Our team at North Ridge Realty is here to help answer any questions around selling or buying a house or any general questions about real estate in Saskatoon.

A neighbourhood built on veterans and their families, Montgomery Place is a true community of diverse individuals in the heart of Saskatoon. Many of the street signs are dedicated to major battles and personnel from the Second World War and the Korean War; and each year, as a remembrance of the origins of the community, Montgomery Place holds an outdoor Remembrance Day celebration.

This remarkable community was named a Historic Site in 2016 and features many gardens, parks and walking paths. Montgomery Place is built on the hard work and dedication of the veterans who turned an area of land into a genuine community of people. The Montgomery Place Community Association offers programs for younger people such as Girl Guides and Boy Scouts and is a community dedicated to raising up the generations to come with honour, respect, and genuine values.

Throughout the years, the community of Montgomery Place has both thrived and suffered but always come through stronger and more established. Some of the time honoured traditions have been flourishing in the Montgomery Place community for years such as the garage sale that takes place on the first Saturday of May every year and various community classes such as Outdoor Yoga and Fitness.

Located in the South-West end of the city, Montgomery Place includes some luxurious condo buildings intermingled with the historic homes of the past. If you’re looking to find a place in history look no further than Montgomery Place, get in touch with us about the possibilities that await you.

As Saskatoon continues to grow and spread, new neighbourhoods are cropping up throughout the city. One of these new neighbourhoods is Brighton, located just South of Highway 5 (which turns into College Drive) on the east end of Saskatoon. This neighbourhood focuses on being an all-inclusive community with exciting activities such as a spray park, toboggan hill, and an open air amphitheatre, Brighton is redefining what community looks like.

With an emphasis on commuter and pedestrian friendly streets, and widespread access to transit, Brighton will be a people-oriented community built to last. At North Ridge Realty, we are excited to partner with North Ridge Developments to be a part of the ongoing development of this exciting new community.

North Ridge is excited to be invested in the new kind of development project that is focused on the people who will live there – designed with care and attention. If you’re ready to watch a neighbourhood being built around you, check our homes for sale in the Brighton community or contact us (link to contact information) for more info on building your dream home in the dream community.

Take a look at the Brighton community website to get a feel for just how exciting this new community will be.

Decorating your new home in Saskatoon can be a big task. Not only do you have to pick out and stage the furniture, but also tastefully add photos and artwork to the walls. Some people lack the spatial awareness to look at a wall and decipher how to hang artwork/photos. So, here are a few tips to help you decorate your home like a pro:

• Determine the layout – A trick for gallery walls or to hang more than one piece, is to use painters tape and paper to figure out spacing and visually see what the wall or staircase will look like. It will save you having to readjust after you’ve hammered in the nails.
• Don’t be afraid of overlap – If hanging art is too much of a hassle for you and you’d rather just put your photos on a shelf, don’t be afraid to layer them. Doing so creates depth and frees up space for other items.
• Hang it at the right height – When hanging a single piece nothing is worse than it being too high or too low. Check out this formula to know how high to hang your photo/artwork
• Line ‘em up – Hanging multiple pieces in a row that are different sizes can be tricky, so make sure to line up the middle of the pieces, not the top, as it will be more visually appealing

Whether you’re just moving in or redecorating the most important tip about decorating is to be creative and to trust your gut. If you’re looking for a new home that you can decorate with your creative spark, get in touch and we will help you find that perfect home.