RSS

Posted on by

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

Read

Posted on by

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. 

Read

Posted on by
How many rooms do you have in your house? Do you find it frustrating to try and add decor to all of them? Sure, we want all of the rooms in our home to look picture-perfect right out of a Home Sense magazine, but actually accomplishing that can be a daunting task and a never ending series of re-designing every room. Let's make it easier! I've put together a list of ways to make every room look picture perfect, to your own taste!
 
1. Use Mirror's
 
Decorating with mirror's will give any room a face-lift. They help rooms appear larger, lighter and more open. Placing a mirror across or diagonally towards a window will allow natural light to reflect across the entire room, making it appear larger.
 
2. Update your tiling
 
In your bathroom or kitchen, tiling is often one of the main focal points of the room. Upgrading your tiling will drastically change up the space. Notice how in the image below, the gold detail accents the cabinet hardware, in turn tying the whole room together.
 
3. Accessorize 
 
When you think accessorizing, you may think clutter, but that isn't always the case. Adding accessories to a room will help you explore creativeness and allow a room to feel more 'homey'! The image below displays a great example. Notice how the blanket ladder doesn't add additional clutter, but helps add a little extra coziness to the room.
 
4. Add greenery
 
Ask any interior designer, and they'll tell you that one of the easiest ways to 'beautify' a room is to add greenery or florals. Notice in the photo below how much the plant adds to the room? Without it, the room has a lot of natural light in itself, but the greenery adds a certain element that brightens the entire room. 
 
5. Embrace Natural Light
 
f you've got it, flaunt it. Natural light is desirable for a reason; it makes every room feel calming and open, and makes things a lot simpler for your overall design scheme. This photo shows how bright and airy the room feels, despite being filled with furniture. It's all about the placement and use of natural light from the windows.
 
6. Experiment and use your own creativity
 
Every home we love has one thing in common: creativity. Anyone can fill a house with amazing, high end furniture, but for a truly beautiful space, it's important to let your imagination take control.
 
7. Add Texture
 
Textiles help break a room up and add visual interest. A great way to explore textile creativity is by using area rugs, curtains, pillows and throws etc.
 
8. Reduce Clutter
 
A quick clean can go a long way. Getting rid unnecessary clutter will make any room appear larger and more inviting. In every room in your house, finding ways to hide or get rid of unnecessary things, is one of the best ways to help create a sense of beauty in your space. 
 
9. Add splashes of colour
 
Though I'm a huge fan of neutral interior palettes, adding colour to your space will help the room pop while adding your own creative touch. The photo below is a great example of how adding pops of colour will transform any room and give it that personalized touch. 
 
Read

Posted on by

I'm sure that when you think of the best times to buy a home, you immediately think Spring or Summer. However, while it may be true that there are more homes on the market during Spring and Summer months, house-hunting during the winter may actually be to your advantage. In this post, I'll give you insight from a realtor's point of view on why buying a home in the winter may actually be the better choice.

1. Fewer buyers to compete with

This is the main and most obvious reason to purchase a home in the winter. The market is less saturated with buyers, and you'll get your pick of the crop, whereas in the spring and summer months, there are no shortages of potential buyers, leaving you with more competition and stressful bidding wars, leaving you paying more in the end for your dream home.

2. Prices are lower

When buying in the winter, the market is a lot slower, and there isn't a huge interest in real estate, which leaves home sellers with no choice but to lower their pricing to attract serious buyers.

 

3. Sellers are more motivated

Sellers will be more motivated to cater to your needs to get their house off the market and have a sold sign hanging out on their front yard. They are more likely to negotiate the price of their home, whereas in the peak season, you will face a lot of competition and not have the chance to negotiate a fair price, so basically, in the winter, sellers are getting less attention and will be eager to work with you, leaving the low-demand in your favour.

4. Your Real Estate Agent has more time for you

Real Estate Agents are always busy, and thats just a fact. But in the Winter moths, you'll probably leave fewer voicemails than you would during peak months. Their schedules are cleared up just a little bit more because it's a slower season, leaving them with more time to study the market and help you find your dream home quicker than ever.

5. You get to see how the home reacts to cold weather

This is especially if you are house hunting in a colder climate. You get to see first hand how the home copes with colder weather; such as the furnace, the basement, windows and door sealant, the fireplace… etc. Getting this unique opportunity to see how well the home copes in colder weather is something that isn't to everyones advantage in the spring and summertime.

So, what are you waiting for? Call me today and lets get house hunting!

 


Read

Posted on by

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.

Read
The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are member’s of CREA. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by CREA and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Used under license.