Surprising Item's Buyers Look For in a Home

Apart from a gorgeous place on a great street, that is. Here’s what’s getting

the attention from potential buyers these days.

1. Energy efficiency features

– With fossil fuel prices headed skyward,

buyers now want homes that will save them money on energy bills every

day. Think beyond programmable thermostats and Energy Star

appliances: buyers are getting excited about unsexy features like heat

recovery, ventilators, ground source heat pumps, tankless water heaters,

solar panels, and low emissivity, argon-filled windows.

2. Luxurious Bathrooms

– Coveted bathroom features include: whirlpool

tubs, separate shower enclosures, multiple showerheads, generous linen

closets, dressing areas, and double sinks. Buyers also expect multiple

bathrooms, and Jack & Jill bathrooms are popular with families.

3. Built-in closet organization systems

– Whether your closets are

massive or minute, make the most of them with built-in organization

systems. Several companies offer many different closet systems,

allowing you to customize your closets. For maximum return on

investment, plan flexibility into the design. Buyers will want to configure

their own storage areas.

4. Specialty rooms

– The living room is practically passé, but mention a

well-outfitted media room/home theatre and buyers’ wallets start to pop

open. Exercise rooms are also a trendy feature. And in certain

neighbourhoods, a dedicated yoga/meditation space could seal the deal.

5. Environmentally friendly finishes and materials

– Hardwood floors

are perennially popular, but some buyers prefer eco-friendly alternatives

to traditional hardwoods. Bamboo is one of the trendiest new flooring

options, because it’s considered a renewable and sustainable resource.

Cork and natural linoleum are also appealing; heritage hardwood

reclaimed from old buildings offers both patina and eco-panache.

Likewise, concerns about both health and the environment are leading

lots of buyers to look for homes decorated with natural, environmentally

responsible materials and finishes. Paints that are low in VOCs (volatile

organic compounds) are a healthier alternative to conventional paints,

which release toxic emissions for years. Window coverings made of

cotton, hemp, linen, wood or other natural materials are preferable to

petrochemical products. Avoid installing anything made of particleboard.

6. Wired home

– Each year, there are more techno-gadgets and

appliances we just can’t live without. Buyers expect a house to have

plenty of well-located phone jacks, electrical outlets, and cable/internet

connections. We want flexibility and portability, so a house that’s wired

for maximum connectivity is a hot property.

Other items to consider are luxurious touches around the home, spacious

and stylish utility rooms, and high-end finishes for appliances.

(Source: www.hgtv.ca)

Updating Your Kitchen on a Budget

We all want the finer things in life, but while many of us have expensive tastes, we don’t

always have such lavish budgets. And, when it comes to updating the kitchen, many

items can have large price tags that we won’t be able to recoup. Luckily, in today’s

market, with a little creativity you can achieve a cost-conscious kitchen remodel that

achieves maximum enjoyment on a minimal budget.

 

Finished Look for Less

Does your kitchen have shiny brass light fixtures? If so, updating these can instantly

make your home look more current and stylish. Home improvement retailers offer a wide

variety of stylish and affordable choices in popular finishes, such as stainless steel or old

world bronze. Or, for an even more economical choice, turn your current lighting fixtures

from brass to beautiful by spray painting them with a new contemporary finish.

Fashionable, Functional Focal Point

Most kitchens have a basic faucet – but as the focal point and most-used item in the

kitchen, updating this mainstay can create a functional and fashionable change that

everyone will take notice.

When selecting a new kitchen faucet, look for models that feature a single-handle pullout

design. The multi-function wand offers both a fast-fill stream for filling pots, as well as

two eco-performance sprays that conserve water while allowing you to complete

everyday tasks such as washing dishes or preparing foods.

Sensational Shelves

Nothing can make a kitchen look worse than cluttered countertops. But when it comes to

storing necessities or displaying decorative items – there often is no other spot. While

adding new cabinetry can solve your storage issues, it can be costly. Instead, build

exposed shelves to give your kitchen a more updated look and an open, airy feel.

Home improvement retailers offer a variety of pre-made wood shelving in many

materials and finishes, or if you are handy, you can build your own to save even more.

Once they’re complete, utilize them for a mix of decorative and functional kitchen items

and be sure to keep everything neat and clean for a polished look.

Breathtaking Backsplash

Adding ceramic tile in your kitchen can add colour, texture and a high-end appearance,

but upgrading your entire floor or countertops can be very pricey. Instead, adding a tile

backsplash can make a dramatic change – with minimal cost and effort. Whether you’re

an experienced DIYer or not, there are many online step by step guides or classes at

home improvement retailers to learn how to complete this simple project. And, in no

time at all you’ll have beautiful tile masterpiece that will accent – and protect – your

walls.

With a few updates, your kitchen will look great and be more functional… all without

breaking the bank.

(Source: News Canada)

Great Ways to Create Value in Your Home

How do I increase the value of my property?

That’s the question on

every homeowners mind. There are two key survival strategies. The first is to

think long term, have a plan and stick to it. History shows that this plan of

action can pay off.

The second tactic is to outperform the market. This means ensuring your

property increases in value at a greater rate than those in your surrounding

market. One way to do that is through renovations – but not all projects are

created equal when it comes to generating a return on investment (ROI).

Here are the top four “renos for ROI”:

1. Building an income suite (also knows as a rental suite)

This is by far the most profitable reno a homeowner can undertake.

Income suites typically have a 150% to 250% ROI.

2. Painting

This is an inexpensive way to freshen up a property. Picking neutral tones

and doing a good job are key. This simple reno project gives 100% ROI.

3. Renovating Kitchens and bathrooms

Kitchens should be bright and spacious with a smart layout. Replacing old

appliances with inexpensive and more efficient newer ones also adds a lot

of appeal. Bathrooms are equally important. The more you have, the

better the ROI. This delivers about 75% to 100% ROI.

4. New Flooring

This has a dramatic impact and hard surfaces are the way to go. Laminate

flooring is inexpensive, easy to lay, durable and looks great. With modern

styles and improved design, it has become the flooring of choice for real

estate investors. New flooring can generate an avg. of 70% to 90% ROI.

(Source: HGTV.ca)