Most Valuable Home Renovations

The way Canadians view renovations has changed as a result of pandemic living: More than half of Canadians renovate their homes each year, according to the RE/MAX 2021 Renovation Investment Report. Even though only 16% of renovations were made specifically with the intention of raising the market value of their homes, nearly 60% of respondents stated that they still considered the return on investment.

In order to bring your home up to current standards and help it compete in the hot real estate market, prepping it for sale can frequently necessitate an investment. You might not be aware of your home’s flaws, especially if you’ve lived there for a long time. Here, we look at the best home renovations that will make you money back.

In a RE/MAX study, paint painting was chosen as one of the top three renovations for return on investment in 18 of the 31 housing markets, including Toronto. Paint painting is probably the most undervalued home improvement. It earns a lot of money with little effort and a small investment. Painting is a simple and inexpensive way to brighten up your home and cover up wall imperfections. The final outcome: a house that feels and looks brand-new.

If you want to sell your home, you should think about hiring a professional painter. Before applying high-quality paint that is appropriate for each surface (matte for living areas, egg shell or semi-gloss for trims and doors, and appropriate ceiling paint), choose a person who can assist you in selecting the appropriate palette, skimming the walls, sealing the trim, and repairing any minor damage. Although it doesn’t look like the most glamorous renovation or promise the most dramatic before-and-after, it can give your home a new look and make it look better than you ever thought possible. It’s similar to dressing for your shape; A color expert can assist you in selecting the ideal shades to complement your home’s lighting and ensure that it looks its best!

ROI: A new coat of paint typically yields a return of sixty percent.

The Statistics: Plan for 2,000 square feet. home: approximately $10,000 to $15,000 Good “Bones” Nothing “sinks” a sale price faster than a house that is taking on water. This is especially true when considering a profitable renovation. Especially in this market, where homes with “good bones” are selling for a lot, it’s important to make sure the roof, windows, gutters, and drains are in good shape, the foundation is dry, and the house has potential value. Vinyl windows, a new roof, or even waterproofing the foundation are all options to consider. Learning that a homeowner has done their homework and invested appropriately to prevent flooding and leaks will go a long way in a buyer’s eyes (and offer!). Buyers are aware of structural issues.

ROI: Depending on the scope of the renovation, homeowners will receive a higher return—around 75%—for those projects that will ultimately save them money.

The Statistics:
For a 2,000-square-foot home, all-new vinyl windows of high quality home: approximately $15,000 Replacing the roof with high-quality asphalt shingles after stripping it: $8,000 to $10,000 Proper exterior foundation waterproofing: Doors and Hardware, approximately $60-$80 per linear foot Investing in new interior doors and hardware; putting in a good lockset and replacing the front door; Wainscoting, crown moldings, baseboard, and door trim are all examples of relatively inexpensive and non-invasive improvements that can immediately boost a home’s appeal. However, it really comes down to the finish’s quality. This is not the time to scrimp on quality or materials. Hire someone you know and trust, or ask friends who you know have similar standards for recommendations.

ROI: The return on smaller projects, which may even go unnoticed at an open house and have less of a “wow” factor, is less than half of the initial investment.

The Statistics:
Front door made of solid wood with a good lock: $2,500 Hardware-equipped interior doors with solid cores: $250/per door Countertops The RE/MAX study found that in 27 of the 31 housing markets, kitchen renovations like counter upgrades rank among the top three renovations with the highest return on investment. Consider a quick countertop refresh and appliance swap as options for a great return on investment because kitchen renovations can quickly spiral out of control. A high-quality stone, such as granite or quartz, will set you back approximately $3,000, while a high-quality slide-in or stand-alone set of kitchen appliances with a professional appearance, such as stainless steel, will set you back between $5,500 and $10,000. To complete the kitchen remodel, replace your cabinets or paint your existing ones while you’re at it.

ROI: The best return on investment is typically between 75 and 100 percent for kitchen renovations.

Bathroom A bathroom makeover is one of the best renovations you can do before you sell a house because it has a high return on investment and is one of the most important features that buyers look for in a home. It was one of the top three renovations for return on investment in 17 housing markets, including both Toronto and Vancouver, according to the RE/MAX study.

A home’s one luxury space can have a significant impact and provide a high return on investment. Concentrate on features like a marble-topped vanity, a frameless glass shower enclosure, or a stunning tile backsplash. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of your bathroom and ask yourself, “Where is my eye drawn when I enter this room?” Is the bathtub the main attraction? The conceit? A opening? Your renovations ought to begin here.

ROI: When done correctly, bathroom renovations typically yield a return of 62%.

The Statistics: Flooring Flooring is the hardest-wearing component in any home, and for many homeowners, replacing aging flooring is a necessity. Budgets vary, but typically range between $5,000 and $15,000. In the RE/MAX study, new flooring was one of the top three renovations for return on investment in 14 housing markets. Therefore, it pays to pay attention to the floor you walk on and invest in high-quality materials and installation.

The installation’s quality is crucial. Laminate flooring from big-box stores can look great when laid correctly, whereas expensive hardwood floors can look terrible if they are lifting or have gaps between planks. However, carpeting is rarely a good idea, particularly if you intend to sell. Even though some people appreciate the comfort and warmth of carpeting in a bedroom or basement, buyers will only think one thing when they see it: Cleaners of carpets, hurry! Carpets typically cherish the memories of previous owners, which prospective buyers would prefer to forget. Avoid carpeting entirely or remove it yourself to save buyers the expense of cleaning or, worse, complete removal.

ROI: The return typically ranges from 100 to 150 percent of your investment, depending on the flooring you select.

The Statistics:
Common hardwood flooring: $4-$6 per square foot ft., plus a $2 sq. installation fee ft.
Common laminate flooring: $1-$3 per square foot ft., plus a $1.50 square-foot installation fee ft.

It pays to carry out renovations that have a high return on investment, even if you do not intend to sell your home anytime soon. You can live more comfortably and rest easy knowing that if the time comes to sell, you will be in a better position in the seller’s market by updating various areas of your home.

Tips for Buying a Fixer Upper

Buying a fixer upper

The idea of buying a fixer-upper house might be very appealing to you if you’re handy or just like old houses. Because of their condition, fixer-uppers often sell for a lot less than the market price, and you can spend time and money on renovations to make it exactly how you want it. Buying a fixer-upper, on the other hand, is not for the faint of heart. For more information, check out our buying a fixer-upper guide.

Your Life Will Be Interrupted During the Renovations

No matter how big or small the renovations are, they will always cause some problems. Additionally, you should anticipate that the project will take longer than anticipated due to supply chain issues and other potential obstacles to the progress of your renovation. During the renovation, think about your way of life: Are you prepared to live there while the house is being renovated? Can you manage without a fully functional kitchen or bathroom while they are being renovated? If you work from home or have young children, it could be a deal breaker to live in a house that is being built.

Know which projects to prioritize

The ideal fixer-uppers are those that primarily require cosmetic enhancements such as floor refinishing, drywall repairs, and paint touch-ups. However, the majority of fixer-uppers will have significant renovations, such as remodeling the kitchen or bathroom, creating an additional bedroom, or even constructing a complete addition to the property. Do some things while you live there. To kill two birds with one stone, it is also possible to incorporate cosmetic enhancements into structural repairs, such as installing a skylight while redoing the roof.

It’s Possible to Do It Yourself

Renovating a fixer-upper? Do it yourself! You can learn to do things like laying tile or carpet, hanging cabinets, building a deck, replacing windows, and more with some research and hard work. If you don’t like to be in charge, you’ll have to hire a lot of contractors and spend a lot of money, which could blow your budget and cause delays.

But Know When to Hire a Professional

When buying a fixer-upper, sometimes you must get a professional. If you want to avoid ruining your fixer-upper and wasting a lot of time and money, you should at the very least leave the electrical and plumbing work to the professionals; ( and act recklessly!). Don’t be afraid to hire help when you need to. Be realistic about what you can and cannot accomplish.

You Will Go Over Budget

When you make a budget for your fixer-upper, make sure to include a buffer of 10 to 20 percent. Avoid using pre-made budgets. They may not accurately reflect market prices. Make sure your budget includes a section for permits. If you are making structural changes, they can be costly.

Attack the deadline and finish it! Delays are inevitable. Since you will overrun your allotted time, it helps to not feel pressure. Keep in mind that getting the licenses and permits you might need can sometimes take longer than you thought, so make sure to allow enough time for them in your plan.

Take the time to plan around beautiful focal points. Invest in quality pieces that you will want to look at every day if you want to fix up your house right the first time. Do not skimp on low-quality materials. Even though it might help your budget at first, it could end up costing more in the long run if the hardware breaks or the tools aren’t enough for the job. Also, always order more material than you think you need because it can be hard to find a piece of stone or wood or another gallon of paint that is exactly the same color as the original.

Each one is unique, which is both the beauty and the challenge of fixer-uppers. Your renovations will depend on your budget, timeline, and preferred way of life. You must be realistic about whether you are willing to take on a complete fixer-upper with the help of this guide. Click here for more information about the best renovations you can do.

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RE/MAX Agents Are the Most Trusted in Canada

Six times in a row, Canadian customers have ranked RE/MAX as the #1 Most Trusted Real Estate Agent.* One of the largest studies of its kind, the 2023 BrandSpark® Canadian Trust Study is based on a survey of 15,878 Canadians who gave their top-of-mind, unaided responses regarding which brands they trust most and why in the categories they have recently shopped. Household & Pet Care, Home Goods, Food & Beverage, Health Beauty & Personal Care, Baby & Kids, Clothing & Sporting Goods, Automotive, Services & Retail, and Services & Retail were among the 222 consumer product and service categories analyzed by BrandSpark. RE/MAX was given the title of “real estate agency” in the Services & Retail category.

Christopher Alexander, President of RE/MAX Canada, stated, “There is a foundation built on trust behind every successful real estate transaction.” We are honored to be the real estate brand that Canadians trust the most for the second year in a row. As we navigate what promises to be another interesting year in the market, we look forward to continuing to assist buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals.

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Bank or Mortgage Broker?

There are two main options for finding a good mortgage rate: working with a mortgage broker or going through a bank directly. Depending on your financial situation, any one of them might be a good option. Therefore, how do you select which one to try? Let’s examine the differences between mortgage brokers and banks, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to choose the best option for you.

The main difference between a bank and a mortgage broker is that a mortgage broker can provide you with mortgage products from multiple lenders, whereas a bank can only offer you a mortgage from their own company. Because mortgage brokers regularly do business with a variety of lenders, they may even enjoy volume discounts because they have access to a variety of lenders and rates.

This means that they can find the lowest possible rate for you as well as any particular terms that you are interested in.

For more information on this topic: https://blog.remax.ca/pros-and-cons-of-banks-versus-mortgage-brokers/

Pre-Approved or Pre-Qualified?

With all of the different terms and requirements, buying a home can be difficult. Pre-qualification and pre-approval are the two steps in the mortgage process. However, what distinguishes pre-approval from pre-qualification?

At the beginning of the home-buying process, prospective homeowners should think about getting pre-qualified. It lets them think about their finances and learn about their mortgage options.

When they are more involved in the home-buying process, prospective homeowners should think about getting pre-approval, ideally within three months of the anticipated date of purchase. It enables them to narrow their choices and gain a better understanding of their financial situation.

For more information on this topic: https://blog.remax.ca/the-difference-between-being-pre-qualified-and-pre-approved/