10 Worst Home Renovations

Should you renovate your home before you list to sell?  It’s a difficult question to answer because a renovated home is more appealing and has the potential to attract a buyer, but a remodelled home doesn’t always repay the Seller totally for the work completed. 

Forbes recently published an interesting article on just how much you can expect to recoup when you invest in home renovations when you go to sell your home.  The article points out that Sellers can improve their homes for Buyers more efficiently-and more cheaply- by simply tidying up the rooms and slapping a fresh coat of paint on walls.

The article is well worth the read to help you with your decision on whether you should renovate or not and you can get the full story here.

Personally, I believe the three things you should seriously consider doing to increase the appeal and value of your home include...  

• Go overboard on the cleaning,   
• Tidy up (Pack away things you don’t need -you've got to get rid of the clutter)
• For dollar investment, consider a fresh coat of paint and if possible replace tired & outdated flooring.

If you have a question concerning your home please contact me.    

      

Home Ownership The Canadian Dream

Changing market conditions have triggered a shift in the Canadian homebuyer mix and mindset, a fact identified and confirmed by the RE/MAX Canadian Homebuying Trends Survey 2013-2014 released today. (January 22, 2013)

The national survey, hosted on the Angus Reid Forum in December, was conducted among 1,109 prospective purchasers who intend to buy within the next 24 months. From consumer demographics to buyer intentions, the survey provides a snapshot of Canadian homebuyers heading into a period of moderation.

Canadian homebuyers more experienced,

 financially prudent moving forward, says RE/MAX

Tighter mortgage lending rules, in conjunction with the fallout of the US housing meltdown and the European debt crisis, have triggered a shift in the Canadian homebuyer mix and mindset.  The new Canadian real estate consumer is experienced, fiscally-responsible, and ready to move forward over the next 24 months.

That’s the takeaway from the RE/MAX Canadian Homebuying Trends Survey conducted among more than 1,100 prospective purchasers late last year.

 National findings include:

·         Almost one in five purchasers is single

·         More than two-thirds are second or multi-time purchasers

·         Four out of 10 purchasers between the ages of 18-34 have a downpayment of 20 per cent or more

·         Just over 80 per cent of buyers believe housing values in their area will rise or remain the same

Changing market conditions have clearly prompted the shift in the homebuying activity from coast to coast.  Once dominated by first-time buyers, the survey found that second and multi-time buyers will lead the charge for housing over the next two years.  Experienced purchasers now represent 70 per cent of homebuyers, while first-time buyers are sitting at 30 per cent.

Spending will be reined in—with 38 per cent of purchasers indicating they’ll spend under $250,000 and 42 per cent indicating they will spend between $250,000 and $500,000. In Ontario, fewer buyers will fall under the $250,000 price point—at 31 per cent—and more buyers will be active between $250,000 and $500,000—45 per cent.

Greater fiscal responsibility is evident across the board.   In fact, 40 per cent of younger purchasers, aged 18 to 34, are expected to put down 20 per cent or more.  Serious equity gains have been a contributing factor.

Consumer demographics continue to evolve, shaped by new realities. Single buyers have emerged as a force in the market, representing almost one in five purchasers.  Forty-Five per cent are female—a stat that truly demonstrates how far we’ve come, as the number of successful, young female professionals entering Canadian housing markets climbs. 

Confidence underpins the Canadian housing market, with 83 per cent of purchasers believing that housing values in their area will rise or stay the same over the next 12 months.  Homebuyers were most bullish in Ontario, where that figure rose to 85 per cent.  Optimism in the province continues to be propped up by sound real estate market fundamentals and an improving economic outlook.

While the homebuying mix may be different, the mantra is the same.   Homeownership remains a key component of the Canadian Dream.  It’s a common thread among all Canadians—a goal to which we aspire—and that’s not likely to go away anytime soon. 

How About Two Master Bedrooms?

The National Association of Home Builders predicts that by the year 2015 the demand for two master bedrooms in upscale homes will increase significantly.  

Why two master bedrooms? 

People are "tired" (like that) tired of not getting a good night's sleep because their spouse snores or flops around in bed.  People are becoming so desperate for a good night's sleep that they are now seriously talking about separate bedrooms.  When that time comes, who gets the spare room and who gets to keep the nice master bedroom?  That's where the idea for two master bedrooms in a home is gaining steam.

It's estimated that between 75% and 80% of adults have sleep problems like snoring or waking up during the night.  No longer is it a strange thing for happy couples to discuss splitting up, at least for the night.

A night-time separation can be a good thing.  For starters, besides not feeling tired the next day some sociologists report that couples that go for separate bedrooms actually have a more romantic relationship because an invite from a partner to join them in their bedroom for a night adds extra spice to the love life.  

Canadian Living reports the following added benefits from a good night's sleep:

• Stress Reliever
• Aids Anti-Aging
• Better Performance and Energy
• Better Health

The National Association of Home Builders predicts that by 2015, 60% of custom homes will have two master bedrooms. In fact, even today many builders report that 25% of custom home orders request two master suites.

Here's a question for you.  There are two identical homes with only one difference, that being one has two master bedrooms.  Would the two master bedroom home be your first choice based on getting a good night's sleep?

Here's To A Healthy Home

The air in your home can be seven to ten times dirtier than the air outside and the surfaces in your home are the starting point for spreading many germs and virus.

If you've heard the story about putting cut onions around your home to trap germs and viruses think again.  Hoax-Slayer says it doesn't work.



As a side benefit to reading this blog, here's a link to Hoax-Slayer that clears the air about some of the suggestions that arrive in your  inbox or your friends post on Facebook.

Save your onion for a salad or cooking and try a few of these tips to reduce the spread of germs in your home.

Take out the trash "Daily." Harmful germs can be transmitted into the air from your household garbage.

Clean your kitchen counters and cabinet handles with vinegar "Daily."  A quick wipe down with vinegar works wonders to reduce the spread of germs in the kitchen.  Some commercial cleaners can work even better than vinegar,but if you are concerned about harsh chemicals vinegar is a great alternative because it contains 5% acetic acid.  Some believe boiling water with vinegar on the stove once per week helps to kill germs in the air, but it is more likely that boiled vinegar is better at eliminating some odors in the air than it is for killing germs in the air.

Clean your bathrooms with hospital-strength liquid Lysol. Bathrooms serve as a breeding ground for lots of germs. This product kills germs quickly and the liquid minimizes the harm to allergies because you do not have to spray it.

Use alcohol to clean windows, mirrors and faucets. Rubbing alcohol is cheaper and does a better job than glass and mirror cleaners.

Full details on these tips and more can be found at 6 Ways to Reduce Germs In Your Home found here.

The best tip for reducing the spread of germs (that doesn't need to be searched at Hoas-Slayer) is to  WASH YOUR HANDS a lot.

Here's to a healthy home this winter and check Hoax-Slayer or Snopes to learn if it's fact or fiction.

Who says this is the "In" colour?

Here are some thoughts on where design and colours are suppose to be heading in 2013. 

Will the 50's style come back?  And, I ask the question, are colour trends something the colour experts try to drive us to do to sell more paint or does the consumer drive this bus?

Click here for Countryliving.com 2013 colour trends.

Click here for the REMAX "New Ideas for the New Year."

Kitty Litter and Furnaces

Many times when listing or showing homes I have noticed something, but never thought much about it, until now.  That something is the kitty litter box in the furnace room.

I came across an interesting piece of advice from Reliance Home Comfort in an article about "Furnace Room Dos and Don'ts."  The article stated, "Don’t place kitty litter near the furnace. The ammonia fumes from the litter can actually corrode the furnace’s heat exchanger and the odours can circulate throughout the home." 

Some homes do have a very strong odour and it makes sense that some of that smell might be because of where the litter box is, but the news about the heat exchanger being corroded because of ammonia fumes is something I never thought about.

If you have a cat and use the furnace room as the area for the litter box, it might be time to find a new location.  It could extend the life of your furnace and help to reduce odours throughout your home.

The full article from Reliance Home Comfort titled Furnace Dos and Don'ts can be found here.

What's with the refrigerator?

Often when showing a house, it amazes me how all eyes seem to turn to the refrigerator.  It could be the most spectacular home on the market, but if the fridge isn't stainless steel and big, we're locking the door and moving on to the next showing.

The stainless steel kitchen is a hot attraction for many, but it's interesting that those that have stainless steel appliances don't necessarily feel the same excitement any longer as those that don't have stainless steel appliances.  I think it has something to do with kids and paw marks.  

Besides the shiny surface, the SIZE of a refrigerator is very, very important.  This is becoming as serious as the size of the TV screen.  I used to be concerned if the second shelf of our refrigerator would hold a milk jug, but now many believe the second shelf should be big enough to hold a entire dairy cow.

The fridge is such a big thing right now that I really think it should be the first line in any real estate advertisement, even if the home doesn't come with appliances.  ("ATTENTION HOME BUYERS.  ALTHOUGH THIS HOME COMES WITH NO APPLIANCES IT HAS A FRIDGE HOLE BIG ENOUGH FOR ANY SUPER SIZED ICE BOX- SHINY OR NOT.")

I have to share a little story with you to prove that I'm not out to lunch when talking about the importance of refrigerators.  Manufacturers know what I'm talking about and they have developed a fridge for the home that costs more than my first house.

Our first house cost us $30,000.  I thought we'd died and gone to heaven to own (or the bank to own and have us try to pay for) a $30,000 home.  However, I came across this refrigerator that cost's over $40,000.

Take a peek because behind the doors of this baby is a homebuyer waiting to sign on the dotted line.

Click here for the full story.