When deciding to sell your home, it’s common to do a few minor renovations before you put your house on the market. It can be confusing to decide what parts of your house are worth retouching and what gets you the highest return on investment. This is a list of the top three return on investment projects to take on. 

1. Painting

Although it’s not the most glamorous renovation, adding a fresh coat of paint can totally re-instill the freshness of your home. Consulting with an expert painter about the best colours and repair minor damages can give the walls a fabulous new look with a fresh coat of paint. This return on investment gives you nearly 60%.

2. Countertops

Instead of spending hundreds of thousands on a full kitchen renovation, just changing the countertops can give the kitchen a whole new look. Adding smaller things like a new faucet or knobs can also step up your kitchen game. Go for quality like stone, granite or quartz, spending $3000 on new counters can result in a 75% - 100% return on your investment.

3. Bathroom renovation 

It’s no secret that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. A bathroom remodel can typically get you can get back as much as you put in. Sticking to neutral colours tones, adding a glass shower or marble countertops can greatly improve your bathroom. Bathrooms can get you on average 60-70% return on your investment. 

Doing renovations can seem like a lot of work but sticking to simple things that get you a high return for your investment can earn you a lot more money when selling your house.

If you are planning on taking on a renovation project, it is always best to get the advice of a professional who understands design, like myself. I see homes that sell, and those that don't simply because of design choices. If you'd like to work with me to design your home feel free to contact me and my team anytime! 

Sincerely,

Andrea Tiopo
Your Winnipeg Realtor

When you’re in the middle of selling your house and you’re trying to make it look ready for a showing, some details can be missed in the presentation aspect of showing your house. Here are some easy examples of things you can do to make your house look more desirable to a buyer.

1. Light it up

The more light that is in a room, the bigger it looks. Whether it means you get rid of drapes for the day, cut down bushes that prevent light from getting in, or cleaning your windows, having lots of natural light makes the place look brighter and bigger. 

1. Take care of your landscape

As much as we tell ourselves to not judge a book by its cover, we all do it. People are making observations and judging the house before they even set foot in it. Paying attention to your lawn, flower beds and walkway are key first impressions you can make on buyers before they even get inside.

1. Get rid of your pets

As much as you think having your cute puppy in the house when people come by will make it more sellable, it won’t! Some people might be turned off when they see a dog food bowl in the kitchen or hair all over the place. In addition, some people might find it harder to picture themselves living in a space where you still have things that belong to you like your cat or dog or even family photos.

1. Don’t over upgrade

Making small renovation projects to your house before selling can definitely pay off but taking on a huge and expensive project can end up costing you more money. Painting the walls, replacing door knobs and leaky faucets or buying new curtains are small and inexpensive ways to make your house look better.

These are some small and practical ways you can improve your home before selling. Small improvements can make it look more appealing to the buyer and even increase your sale price. 

November is here, which means snow is right around the corner! It's important to consider the potential damage cold, icy and snowy conditions can cause to your home, if it isn't properly prepared.

Today, I'll provide you with tips to help you prepare your home for the upcoming winter months.

Have your furnace professionally serviced/change filter if needed

A routine check up on your furnace to ensure it's running properly and efficiently, could help you save money once winter arrives.

Store hoses and turn off outdoor water

Remove your hoses from outdoor faucets. When the freezing temperatures arrive, and garden hoses are left attached, water can easily backup in the faucets within your exterior walls, causing it to freeze and expand, which can lead to cracks in your pipes.

Seal cracks around doors and windows

By sealing cracks that could let cool air in, you'll save yourself a lot of hassle and heat bills in the winter. Using colour-matched caulk found at your local hardware store, make a trip around the exterior of your home and seal up any cracks you may find between trim and siding, around windows, doors and where pipes and wires enter your house.

Clean your gutters

Check your gutters and clear out any debris such as fallen leaves, twigs, dirt and gunk. Make sure there is no where that water is being trapped, trapped water leads to ice build up when the temperature drops, which will lead to expensive repairs. Make sure you also replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts.

Direct drainage away from your home

Take a close look at the soil surrounding the foundation of your home and make sure it is sloped away from the house. By doing so, you'll prevent water from soaking into the soil which can cause cracks and leaks in the foundation.

Inspect your roofing and shingles

Make sure your roofing is in good shape before winter hits. Replace any loose, cracked, buckled or missing shingles as soon as possible.

Trim plants, trees and bushes

Now that summer is over, it's important to trim down the plants surrounding your home to be at least 5 feet away. This will prevent moisture from dripping onto your roof and siding. This will also help prevent damage to the exterior of your home during high winds.

Inspect chimney for blockages

If your home has a fire place, be sure to check the chimney for blockages and damage. If you come across anything unusual, make sure to hire a professional before use.