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DOMINION LENDING CENTRES OUR HOUSE WINTER 2018 37 (6) ISTOCK MARC SHENDALE is vice-president of business development for Genworth Canada. STEP 5 FRESHEN UP THE FLOORS Worn-out floors can put a damper on that new-home buzz. If your hardwood has seen better days, hire pros to refinish it, or tackle the project yourself by renting a floor sander and varnishing over a weekend. Steam-clean wall-to-wall carpet and clean laminate flooring with special laminate floor cleaners, although if either floor covering is too far gone, you may want to replace it. Personalize your space while protecting your floors by adding area rugs and runners throughout your new home. STEP 6 NEUTRALIZE ANY ODOURS Resale homes, particularly fixer-uppers, can come with lingering smells. Steps 2, 3, 4 and 5 will dramatically reduce any unpleasant odours. Stubborn aromas require spot treatments, such as the following: » Put dishes of activated charcoal, also called activated carbon (available from aquarium stores), in a musty, damp basement. Run a dehumidifier during the spring and summer. » Place a sock filled with dry co˜ee grounds or baking soda in closets, refrigerators or freezers to absorb stale odours. » Pour white vinegar down a stinky drain. STEP 7 GIVE YOUR WINDOWS A NEW VIEW Dirty windows and screens can make rooms feel dingy. A thorough cleaning will have your windows shining, and your indoors will feel brighter and fresher, too. If your home came with the previous owner's window coverings, be sure to clean or launder them; it'll remove allergens as well as reduce any lingering odours. Or consider replacements more specific to your design tastes. STEP 8 BRIGHTEN YOUR LIGHTS A well lit home feels inviting and warm. If your rooms feel dim, replace the existing bulbs with bright, energy-saving LED or CFL bulbs. Dated lighting fixtures can foil your redecorating e˜orts, so consider replacing them. You can donate them to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore shop; after all, your taste may be urban-contemporary, but someone else may be looking for the perfect retro pendant! STEP 9 REPLACE THE SWITCH PLATES A screwdriver is all it takes to swap out lighting switch plates. This easy change gives an instant lift to any room. With a little DIY expertise, screwdrivers, pliers and a voltage tester, you can install energy- saving dimmer switches instead. STEP 10 DISPLAY YOUR ART Finally, dress up your walls with your favourite artwork and family photos. Get your kids' kindergarten masterpieces onto the fridge, and deck out your mantel with family photos. There's a reason why we remove personal photos and mementos when selling a house: it's so potential buyers see a clean slate. Now that you're in your own home, go wild and make it yours!¢And if you have any questions, please contact your local Dominion Lending Centres mortgage specialist.

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