You've found what seems like the perfect home, but before you close the deal, the inspection turns up some problems you can't ignore: what are your options?

It might sound like magic, but banishing snow from your driveway without lifting a finger is a trick that's within reach for Calgarians.

For many, this is the time of year for decorating the tree, hanging stockings, baking delicious goodies and, finally, climbing a ladder to the roof to complete the most frustrating (and, perhaps, dangerous) holiday task: putting up outdoor lights.

Regardless of your thoughts on how soon is too soon for setup, hanging Christmas lights remains one of the most inconvenient tasks in a homeowner's holiday checklist. However, in recent years, permanent outdoor smart lights have been surging in popularity. These lights, controlled via smartphone apps and installed by professionals, can significantly outlast standard holiday lights and provide more versatility for use in all seasons.

In a normal year, crafting a few New Year's resolutions can be a fun way to identify opportunities for personal growth and development in the year ahead. However, 2020 has not been a normal year by any stretch.

Given the circumstances, you could certainly be forgiven for deciding that 2021 requires no loftier pledge than "I will make it through this year in one piece." But if you are still looking for some self-improvement suggestions, here are a few real estate resolutions to set you up for success next year:

The COVID-19 pandemic has, among other things, made many people acutely aware of the importance of proper cleaning and sanitization within the home. However, "out of sight, out of mind," is often the mantra that informs our cleaning habits, which means many hidden or seemingly clean areas can get neglected.

With that in mind, here are 16 spots within the home that should not escape notice the next time you're sprucing things up:

The changing of the seasons often leads to window woes in a home, as problems that went unnoticed during the summer months become apparent with the arrival of colder weather.

To paint or not to paint? With upholstered furniture, that is a complicated question. Social media, online blogs and video tutorials show that it can be a fun DIY project, but there are a few key considerations and great results are not guaranteed.

Although we've already gotten our first doses of snow, winter is (technically) still just around the corner, with many more cold days and tons of the white stuff to come.

Unfortunately, winter is also the season that tends to reveal and worsen issues within the home, so there's no time like the present for some proactive maintenance. A bit of extra effort now could save you countless headaches when temperatures drop.

Here's a handy checklist to get you started: