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curbside-marketing


5 Stats that show just how much curb appeal matters:


1. 63% of home buyers that viewed a home online and were interested, drove by the home shortly after. Curbside appeal counts!

 

2. It takes less than 30 seconds for a home buyer to decide on a home after seeing it in person. If you are doing all the work creating attractive online marketing pieces, you may be losing interested buyers when they drive by and not even know it.

 

3. Improved landscaping can increase property value by 7-14% and accelerate the sale of your home by 5 to 6 weeks.

 

4. Home sellers see an average return of 473% from investment in landscaping and curbside marketing dollars!

 

5. 87% of people say that home presentation makes a difference in most sales.

 

 

curbside-marketing

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For the most part, people make upgrades and renovations to their homes specifically because doing so can increase resale value. It’s one of the best ways to prepare a home for the market—that is, if you take the right route. What often goes overlooked is the fact that certain renovations can actually cause more harm than good, lowering a home’s resale value and thus unnecessarily costing the homeowner a great deal of money. It’s one of the oldest issues in real estate, and it can be difficult to avoid. 

 

Understanding which projects are likely to actually lower instead of increase your home’s resale value is the first step towards not making these common mistakes yourself. Here are five projects to stay away from.

Turning bedrooms into office space

Having an office in your home can, of course, add resale value. This being said, many people believe that converting one of their home’s bedrooms into an office is the right way to go about this, but, in reality, a four-bedroom home without an office will typically sell for far more than a three-bedroom home with one. Things get even more confusing when the home is advertised incorrectly, which can serve to frustrate a potential buyer. If you’ve already got a fair amount of bedrooms in your home, don’t do anything to negate that.

Adding a swimming pool

There’s no getting around the fact that swimming pools can be fun for the whole family. Take into consideration the costs that are associated with installing one, however, and it becomes quite clear just how far from ideal they are for those who are trying to increase a home’s resale value. These costs often get absorbed into the cost of the home (rather than adding to it), and many families with young children may pass on even the most perfect homes simply because of fears regarding overall safety. If you’re going to add a pool, it should be specifically for your own enjoyment and not for increasing resale value.

Heavy landscaping

Quality landscaping can make just about any home look a bit more attractive. What many people don’t realize, however, is that the costs associated with landscaping cannot typically be added into a home’s resale value. As with pools, spending a ton of money on landscaping and then turning around to sell the home is usually nothing more than a great way to throw away hard-earned cash. All this said, a well-landscaped piece of property can increase your chances of finding a buyer who will take a look at the home instead of passing it up. Still, it’s simply not worth the extra money.

Too much carpeting

Depending upon the circumstances of a room, carpeting may be the right route to take. Wall-to-wall carpeting throughout an entire house, though, is simply not preferred by today’s home buyers. In general, hardwood floors are far more lucrative, and this can sometimes be a deal-breaker. Hardwood can be expensive to install, but the end result will be a far better chance of selling your home and getting the price that it’s worth.

Home automation

Home automation is a great way to streamline simple tasks that can otherwise get in the way of time and energy. While it may be considered by some to be the wave of the future, it’s simply not to the point where, in terms of popularity, it adds enough resale value to a home to warrant spending the money for installation. Unless you’re marketing to a very specific niche of potential buyers, it’s best to avoid automating your home before selling it.

Everyone wants to add resale value to their home, but sometimes these attempts are made in vain. Avoid the above projects, and you’ll have a much better chance of reaching your goals.

 

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ID 10024223 300x231 Are You a DIY er? 5 Home Improvement YouTube Channels You Should Know About

 

Whether you want to find unique home modifications or everyday renovation tutorials, YouTube is a great place to start looking. Here are five top-notch YouTube channels that provide everything you need to start creating the home you’ve always wanted.

 

DIYNetwork

The popular television channel is now online and taking YouTube by storm with its surprisingly brief tutorials. Here is where all of your home improvement questions are answered in easy-to-understand language and clear visual directions. Each short video is reliable and specific to your needs. DIYNetwork even includes before and after clips of real home renovations for that inspiration you’ve been craving.

Buildipedia

 

Buildipedia is run by two home improvers who tackle everyday upgrades. Jeff Wilson specializes in renovations that require installation by giving clear-cut directions for even the most daunting tasks. Rachael Ranney focuses on up-cycling projects in her segment called {Re}habitat. Both Jeff and Rachael walk you step-by-step through complex renovations to update your home. Their channel is split between them to cater to your specific home improvement ideas.

FIX IT Home Improvement Channel

This YouTube channel gives concise tips on how to deal with the more daunting maintenance tasks in your home. Narrated by a long-time hardware store owner and real estate investor, each video thoroughly explains confusing home odd-jobs like heating and cooling fixes, plumbing malfunctions, and drywall repairs. He guides you through large tasks safely and easily to make sure your home and sanity remain intact.

Mikes BackyardNursery

 

Mike owns a plant nursery which he uses to give straightforward tips and video tutorials about everything to do with plant life. His channel is ranges from beginner landscape tips to more advanced tutorials. Mike outlines simple home improvements and design approaches while providing in-depth maintenance strategies for rejuvenating your yard. His channel is divided into clear categories so you can cultivate your garden and your green thumb in no time.

Ehowhome

Designer and lifestyle expert P. Allen Smith and his associates work together to help you polish your newly renovated home. As a style based channel, Ehowhome puts the finishing touches on your home repairs by helping you add some pop and flair. Along with interior design, videos consist of decor inspiration and affordable furnishing ideas.

So are you looking for new ways to improve your home without spending an arm and a leg? These YouTube channels will help you upgrade your home without emptying out your wallet. Utilize the technology available to you today to unleash your inner DIY-er. You’ll be amazed at the projects you can do all by yourself—not only saving you money, but allowing you to take pride in fixing up your home on your own. Information for this article was provided by Moncada Windows Doors, professionals who specialize in wood doors in Toronto.

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Thinking about installing wood floors? The first decision you need to make involves the type. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, there are four types:


Unfinished

 

This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you.


Factory finished

 

As the name suggests, this is flooring that has its finish applied in the factory. Although it is more expensive, factory finished flooring can be installed faster and can be walked upon immediately.


Solid

 

This is flooring that is made from a solid piece of wood, top to bottom. The advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over the years, or even decades.


Engineered

 

This is flooring that is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. It can be engineered to be very durable and expand and contract less than solid flooring.


The type you choose depends on your needs. Talk to your dealer or contractor about your specific application.

 

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Many people only see a doctor when they're sick or have some other health concern. On the other hand, some people visit a doctor regularly for check-ups, to ask questions and get advice, and to maintain good health.

 

Which do you think is the better approach? Obviously, the second one!

 

The same thing is true when it comes to real estate. Even if you have no current plans to buy or sell a home, there are many reasons to talk to a REALTOR® regularly in order to maintain your good "real estate" health. For example, you can:

 

  • Get an assessment of the current market value of your home, so you can make an informed decision about whether to stay or move.

 

  • Ask about the state of the local real estate market (which may be vastly different than what you hear on the national news.)

 

  • Find out what homes are currently selling for in the area.

 

  • Learn what's currently available on the market, especially in neighbourhoods you would like to live in and that are within your budget.

 

  • Ask for a contractor recommendation.

 

In fact, it's a good idea to have a chat with your REALTOR® once or twice a year, even if it's just to say hello.

 

You want to build a relationship with a good REALTOR® who understands (and cares about) you and your needs. That way, when it does come time for you to make a move, you're dealing with a REALTOR® you already know and trust.

 

Don't have a good REALTOR®? Call today!

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Metro Vancouver housing market characterized by modest home sale and price increases in 2013


The Greater Vancouver housing market maintained a consistent balance between demand and supply throughout 2013.


The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in 2013 reached 28,524, a 14 per cent increase from the 25,032 sales recorded in 2012, and an 11.9 per cent decrease from the 32,390 residential sales in 2011.


“Home sales quietly improved last year compared to 2012, although the volume of activity didn’t compare to some of the record-breaking years we experienced over the last decade,” Sandra Wyant, REBGV president said.

Last year’s home sale total ranks as the third lowest annual total for the region in the last ten years, according to the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®).


The number of residential properties listed for sale on the MLS® in Metro Vancouver declined 6.2 per cent in 2013 to 54,742 compared to the 58,379 properties listed in 2012. Looking back further, last year’s total represents an 8.1 per cent decline compared to the 59,539 residential properties listed for sale in 2011. Last year’s listing count is on par with the 10 year average.


“It was a year of stability for the Greater Vancouver housing market,” Wyant, said. “Balanced conditions allowed home prices in the region to remain steady, with just a modest increase over the last 12 months.”


The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $603,400. This represents a 2.1 per cent increase compared to December 2012.


December summary


Residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,953 in December 2013, an increase of 71 per cent from the 1,142 sales recorded in December 2012 and a 15.9 per cent decline compared to November 2013 when 2,321 home sales occurred.


December sales were 8.1 per cent above the 10-year December sales average of 1,807.


New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 1,856 in December 2013. This represents a 34.5 per cent increase compared to the 1,380 units listed in December 2012 and a 42.8 per cent decline compared to November 2013 when 3,245 properties were listed.


Sales of detached properties in December 2013 reached 762, an increase of 79.3 per cent from the 425 detached sales recorded in December 2012, and a 21 per cent increase from the 630 units sold in December 2011. The benchmark price for detached properties increased 2.5 per cent from December 2012 to $927,000.


Sales of apartment properties reached 850 in December 2013, an increase of 68.7 per cent compared to the 504 sales in December 2012, and an increase of 9.8 per cent compared to the 774 sales in December 2011.The benchmark price of an apartment property increased 1.8 per cent from December 2012 to $367,800.


Attached property sales in December 2013 totalled 341, an increase of 60.1 per cent compared to the 213 sales in December 2012, and a 34.3 per cent increase from the 254 attached properties sold in December 2011. The benchmark price of an attached unit increased 1.2 per cent between December 2012 and 2013 to $456,100. 



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Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.