We answer Wednesday - Selling and Staging during the Holiday Season

"We are selling our home and our agents wants to book our photos.  Should we have them done before or after we decorate for Christmas? Our house looks so beautiful with the tree up and the stocking hung on the mantle. We love it and we think others will too!"

Christmas is right around the corner and it is such a wonderful time of year!  Decorating is one of our favourite parts of the season, too - it's festive and fun! But when it comes to selling your home, holiday decor presents more negatives than positives....and there are definitely buyers out there looking for their new home during the Christmas season, so you don't want to turn them off!



We love the welcoming exterior - it's seasonal but not over done.  But be sure not to leave it up too long....

What are the negatives of  seasonal decorating (for any holiday) while selling your home:

1. Distracting.  Yes, Christmas and other holiday decor is beautiful but it can really distract buyers from seeing the beauty and features of your home as they will be focused on the tree, wreath, lights, stockings and more.....and not the flooring, windows, layout....

2. Clutter.  Although we never really view or consider holiday decor pieces to be clutter when they are out on display they do take up room and can make a space look and feel cluttered and over stuffed.  Think about how much smaller a room looks with a 7 - 8 ft tree in it - it takes up space!

 

The most beautiful Christmas trees aren't necessarily the largest trees!  Consider a smaller tree - you still have a stunning Christmas tree to decorate but it visually (and physically) takes up less room.

 
3. Dating.  Holiday decor can really date your online photos and make your home look like it has been sitting on the market a lot longer than it has.  Let's say you have your photography done in early Dec with all of your decorating done.  By mid January these photos will already look dated and it will send the message to buyers (and their agent) that your home has been sitting even though it has only been 30-40 days. 

4. Personal. When you decorate for Christmas or really any holiday, it can be a very personalized touch to the space especially if you have family heirlooms, religious items and handmade ornaments and other crafts made by your children or grandchildren.  It personalizes the space and that can make buyers feel uncomfortable (or like they are just visiting) as they are trying to picture their lives and building memories of their own in this house.

So definitely have your photos take BEFORE you decorate.

When it comes to seasonal decorating before showings and open houses - really try to eliminate or at least limit the decor - for the same reasons listed above. But if you must decorate for Christmas while your home is on the resale market - here's what we suggest.

 

We love the simplicity of this room's Christmas decor.  It celebrates the season, it has a consistent colour scheme and style and it doesn't over power the room.

 
1.  Do NOT decorate BEFORE your photos.

2. Do keep it simple and tasteful with a consistent theme (for example: mixed metallics or traditional green, white and red; or country or modern).  This year keep it simple by only bringing out some decor - the house shouldn't look like Christmas town!

3. Do NOT keep the decorations up too long or too late. Or decorate too early either. Aim to have the decor packed up by Jan 4 (approx)

4. Do NOT hang up or display really personal decor such as family photos, religious items, handmade ornaments and crafts by children or grandchildren

5. Do keep it welcoming and inviting with a small vignette by the front entry and then some decor in main living areas (try to limit to a room to two, for example the family room as the main Christmas decorating space and maybe a few items in the dining room and/or formal living room - stay consistent with that theme)

Celebrate the season without going totally over board. Remember in your new home (the next one), you can decorate as early as you want and keep it up as long as you like and you can go all out! 
 
 

We Answer Wednesday - Seasonal Decor while Selling

"Our home is on the resale market, the kids love Halloween and they love to decorate the house.  Should we decorate for Halloween while the house is up for sale or not?"

It's fun to celebrate the holidays with decor and kids love it too but you need to keep in mind that holiday decor can be distracting for buyers.

We definitely recommend staying away from religious decor as it could offend or turn-off some buyers and you never know who is coming to look at your home.

We also recommend you don't go 'over the top' when it comes to decor for the holidays.  Decor can add a lot of clutter into a space making it feel and look cramped which isn't a positive for buyers.  Plus really over the top decor can be a huge distraction - buyers want and need to see the true features of the home like the room sizes, natural light, beautiful kitchens, bathrooms and flooring .

 

If you MUST decorate for the holidays, consider this:

1.  Do NOT decorate for the holidays before photos.  This will date your photos and they won't show off the actual features of your home.

2. Do keep it simple and tasteful.  For Halloween, put up some simple pieces on the exterior.  Nothing scary or gory - if you are in a family friendly area this will work for the buying clientele.
 
 THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A DON'T FOR HALLOWEEN DECOR - IT IS PRETTY GORY AND BLOODY AND SCARY.

3. Do NOT decorate too early and keep up the decor for a long time.  Think about decorating for the holidays just before and removing everything a day or two after the holiday - don't decorate weeks early and keep it up for months.

4. Do decorate for the season.  So having some fall decor like pumpkins or fall wreath is neutral and welcoming but remember to keep it simple.



Remember once you are settled in your new home you can go all out for holiday decor so maybe this year just collect lots of great ideas.

Selling Your Home? 9 Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home

If you are considering selling your home in the near future - start prepping now! Don't leave it to the last minute....to get your home in tip top shape that buyers are looking for - is a lot of work! It really is best to get a head start so that there isn't as much to do closer to the time when you want to list your property.

It can be confusing to know where to spend you money, time and energy but here are the top tips to increase to value of your home

1 - Fix ALL repairs.  not sure what's wrong with your home? Perhaps hire a home inspector to inspect your home and take a look at his report.  Leaky pipes, the roof, electrical panels etc...are the types of repairs that scare of buyers.  But be sure to take acre of cosmetic repairs too like cracked tiles.

2 - Add a fresh coat of paint.  It's worth it.  The cost of pain is minimal and it makes every space look clean and bright.  Stick to neutrals and a white trim

 

3 - Replace carpet.  If you have old wall to wall carpet remove it.  Carpet is a big turn off for a lot of buyers as it get dusty and an old carpet doesn't usually show well.  Opt for hardwood or laminate (perfect for a family home).  this improvement is what most buyers are looking for and it improves the quality of the air and it's low maintenance

4 - Low maintenance landscaping.  Add some plants and perhaps some shrubs/trees.  It improves the curb appeal and again, it is something that the buyer won't have to do.  If you want top dollar for your home, you need to do the work! Plus pull out that patio furniture (make sure to clean it) and set the scene -

 

5 - Enhance those kitchens and bathrooms.  You don't need a total overhaul necessarily but pay attention to updating the bathroom.  Make sure it's clean, has white fixtures like tuns, toilets and sinks and chrome or brushed nickel accents.  A simple and neutral bathroom always presents better than a dated one.  for the kitchen, small updates like a new back splash in a neutral tile, updated hardware and lighting - make a huge differences.  If you have older appliances that you can't afford to replace make sure they are in good working condition and clean

6 - Other upgrades.  Lighting is huge - look for simple chrome or brushed nickel finishes.  And make sure you are using maximum wattage so the home looks bright! If you can upgrade your cabinets- do it, remember light and neutral, you want mass appeal.

 

7 - Don't forget the exterior - does your front door need a fresh coat of paint? How about those lights and mailbox, have they seen better days? Do you have an address plate? Does your grip set (door handle and key slot) work smoothly? - Don't let real estate agents get frustrated by trying to enter your home for showings, not a good first impression!

8 - Let there be light!  Are there dark rooms in your home? Consider hiring an electrician to add some overhead lighting in darker rooms. In older homes, we don't often see overhead lighting in family rooms, secondary bedrooms and living rooms - so stand out from the crowd.

9 - Stage your home.  even if you are still living in the space with your furniture and accessories, hire a stager for a consultation.  They can help you will ideas to be present your home, and they can give you some great tips to appeal to buyers. A home staging team can help you in the beginning too - buy selecting the right paint colours, lighting, hardware and other updates to improve the look and value of your home.  they are a great resource for knowing what's trending in the eyes of the buyer.

 

You want your home to look it's best especially when it is up for sale.  Start the process of prepping your home for the real sale market in advance to save your self some time, energy and stick to a budget.

Home Staging and Decor Trends

A big part of staging your home is making it look current.  In the final steps of prepping your home for the real estate market you want to make it pretty, buyer ready and photo ready.  One way to do that is knowing what decor trends are out there and bring them into your home.  Since 95% of buyers are online first trying to find the home of the dreams…you need to make your photos stand out and attract those buyers!

1.  Outdoor spaces.  Assuming the weather is working in your favour - stage your outside.  Staging is about creating the vision of what life in the home would look like and including the outdoor living areas is critical! This staging trend is probably one of the most essential and we see so many sellers not have their outdoor areas staged. Remember a photo is worth a thousand words.  Clean up the outside - rake, cut the grass, plant some colourful flowers, set up the patio and prepare it as though you have guests arriving any minute!







 2.White Kitchens – Huge trend now for home owners is light, white, bright kitchens! In a recent Houzz survey an overwhelming amount of respondents desired a white kitchen in their home. When the kitchen comprises almost 30% of the buyer’s decision (according to NAR - National Association of Realtors) a little more expense in this main area makes a world of difference in price!Can't replace the entire kitchen or paint the cabinets? Look at updating the back splash (or adding one) in a light tone, update the kitchen lighting to make the kitchen light and bright, paint the walls in a lighter tone and/or update the hardware.



3. Birds On Display – The bird in the pillow is just a taste of what we will see more of in the future. Whereas last year’s trend was the white porcelain deer head on the wall and horses, this year’s trend is sweet, little birds.Right now, birds are hot for spring and every spring we tend to see animals and florals pop into all decor.  If you home is going on the market in the spring - think about adding some 'nods' to spring like floral, birds or any botanical elements. Currently, the hot trend is peacock but any bird in spring is up to date





 4. Metallic accents. Framed mirrors, art or brass bar carts add warmth and sophistication in any room. Metal accents add an element of shine to any room and they add some sophistication too.  Right now warm metals are hot like gold, brass and copper.  so think about adding a few touches of those in decor pieces, frames of mirrors, lamp bases even occasional tables.



5. Pops of colour. Colour can help you stand out from the crowd.  Even a neutral space could benefit from a floral arrangement in bright yellow or orange.  If your home decor style can handle it, try adding some colourful pillows to the sofa or bed and a throw blanket.  Colours like yellow, orange and bright green are perfect for spring but coral, aqua and purple can also make a big impact when used in small doses.





6.Dual Coffee Tables – placing two coffee tables next to each other to scale a larger space is a much better staging solution than just one. This is also a great way to add surface space to a small room.  Look for side tables, benches even stools (as long as they are the right height, 16" to 21") to be used as a coffee table





7.  Clear Tables, Chairs, Lamps and More – Glass has always been an excellent staging tool because of it’s reflective nature and ability to create more light in what would probably be a dark space. Glass is great becasue it gives the surface space without the bulk.  If you are selling a condo or a smaller space - try a glass dining table and pair any style of chair you like.  It makes the room look nice and big and you still are showing off how to live in the space. Glass furniture comes in a variety of styles too, and price points!  You can use the 'buddy system' too so if you have a glass dining table add some glass elsewhere maybe a side table or in a lamp....





8. The Navy Comeback – Navy blue is making a come back in a huge way!  Navy just stole our hearts originally via patterns like chevron, ikat (see below) and floral  but now it’s really making it’s presence known as a “new neutral” that pairs well with yellow, turquoise, coral, chartreuse, wheat …almost all of the spring 2015 hues   that add pop to a space. Navy is one of those versatile colors that can work with bright or earth tone accents (just open your latest Pottery Barn catalog to see it with earth tones). If your space has a lot of neutral beige, cream or sand tones add navy for a rich contrast and timeless combination.

Top 10 Home Buyer Turn-Offs

Looking for the perfect home can be a lot like dating to find 'the one' to settle down with and build a full life together. And just like dating, buyers looking for the house that is 'the one' well they have turn-offs, too.

If you are selling your home, you will want to make sure your home doesn't have any of these buyer turn offs.

1 Wacky paint colours
Some buyers can overlook strange decor choices and picture the house painted white or in tasteful neutrals, but many can't. Furthermore, colour can have a strong effect on mood, both positively and negatively. Don't take the chance.



 
2 Dirt
A house for sale should be as near to spotless as you can make it. Particularly in kitchens and bathrooms, grimy grout, stained countertops, dishes in the sink and crunchy floors are definite turn-offs. Do at least a light cleaning before every showing and a more thorough clean each weekend before the open house.

3 Odd (or oppressive) smells
If you smoke, at least take it outside while the house is up for sale. In fact, any noticeable odours, whether pets, lingering cooking smells or even heavy perfume, can turn away a potential buyer. Use fabric refresher on upholstery and air fresheners or room scents where needed, but use a light hand.

4 Unkempt exterior
Curb appeal makes a very strong impression on a potential buyer, and so does lack of it. Make sure the landscaping is trimmed and the lawn mowed; plant a few annuals or cover your flowerbeds with a neat layer of mulch, staying away from the bright red colour and opting for the natural coloured mulch. If the front porch needs painting, paint it. Also, keep the outside of your home as tidy as the interior: remove kids' toys from the backyard, and keep the porch steps swept.





5 Too many pets
It's hard to believe that not everybody loves Fluffy, Fifi, and Rover as much as you do, but they don't. A dog that comes barking fiercely to the door as soon as you ring the bell, or worse, a whole pack of them, is unnerving. One cat sleeping quietly in a chair might be fine; a noisy (and possibly smelly) menagerie isn't. Try to find temporary homes for your friends, at least while the house is being shown. And if you have carpets, get them professionally cleaned to get rid of the 'pet smells'

6 Wrong-headed renovations

This is on a slightly different scale than the other points mentioned here, but should be considered at the time of renovation if possible. A toilet off the kitchen; an open-concept reno that creates a vast, empty space; or an oddly configured hallway or room is viewed by a buyer as money they'll have to spend to put things right. Try to modify your alterations to make them more universal, or better still, avoid wacky renovations in the first place.

7 Dark and dingy interiors
You can't do much about the building two feet beyond your side windows, but you can do a lot to brighten the inside of your house. White or light walls and woodwork is a classic brightener; if you can afford to add windows, they're a good investment in a dark house. Adding more lighting, whether by wiring overhead lights or just installing more lamps, works too. At the very least, keep your windows clean, to let in as much natural light as possible.







8 Horrid basements
Again, this may or may not be under your control, but a dank, dingy basement, especially if the ceiling is very low, can be off-putting. If you have the option, painting the cement floor or installing low-cost carpeting can help cheer it up a little. Also, clear out all the junk, right to the walls, so that buyers can see how much space there is -- even if it's only for their own junk.

9 Dirty appliances
Even if the house is generally clean, don't discount the possibility that people will be looking inside the appliances (they are part of the home). Keep your fridge clear of old take-out containers and aging leftovers, wipe down spills-- and use the self-clean mode on your oven.

10 Swimming pool
It's perhaps unfair to include a pool as a buyer turn-off, since for some people it's a major attraction. But financially, pools rarely make back the money spent on them and can sometimes even lower a home's value. Almost certainly, a pool will cut down the number of potential buyers interested in the house. But if you do have one, make it look it's best !

Perfect Paint Choices for Staging Your Home

Experts say that staged homes sell faster and for higher prices than those that are not, and paint color is a low-cost but effective way of showcasing your home. The following home staging tips and ideas will help in guiding your paint color choices.

 Neutralize

The colors potential buyers see when they enter your home should be neutral so that the buyers will not be distracted by someone else's style. They should see the walls of your home as a blank canvas on which to project their own preferences and style. But "neutral" doesn't necessarily mean white. Using subtle color can actually enhance the buyer's experience, so repaint walls that have strong colors with rich neutral hues.

Some suggestions: Benjamin Moore 'Barley 199', Benjamin Moore 'Stone House 1039' and Benjamin Moore 'Providence Olive HC-98'

Update and Refresh

If your wallpaper has a distracting design or is outdated, remove it and add a fresh coat of paint for a more current, updated look. A low-sheen product will help reduce the imperfections on walls and ceilings. You can also use color to highlight the architectural details and features of your home.

Some suggestions: Benjamin Moore 'Carrington beige HC-93' , Benjamin Moore 'Shaker Beige HC-45' and Benjamin Moore 'Nantucket Gray HC-111'

Maximize Your Space

Light, clean, organized spaces appear larger. So clean and declutter, and give your walls a fresh coat of paint in a light neutral color to bring the room to life and make it seem more expansive. One home staging idea that can help expand your space visually: paint the moldings the same color as the wall, which gives an illusion of higher walls.

Some suggestions: Benjamin Moore 'Manchester Tan HC-81', Benjamin Moore 'Monroe Bisque HC-26' or Benjamin Moore 'Camouflage 2143-40'

 

 Refresh Outside Spaces

First impressions are everything, so besides trimming your hedges and grass, be sure your front door and any fencing or mailbox posts are freshly painted. And because buyers love decks, porches, and patios, also make sure they're freshly painted or stained.

Great suggestions for front door: Benjamin Moore 'Dinner Party AF-300',  Benjamin Moore 'Yorktowne Green HC-133' and Benjamin Moore 'Tate Olive HC-112'

 

Your Curb Appeal Checklist

Many home sellers tend to neglect the appearance of their frontage when in fact the “curb appeal” is as important as the main living areas in the house. Spring is finally here and now it's time to really focus on making the exterior of your home look top notch!  Just because potential buyers scope out homes online and can really focus on the home's interior (and the inside of your home has been upgraded and maintained) doesn't mean that the exterior maintenance of your home is no longer important. When buyers come in for a showing, remember that it is the first thing that will greet them and you have to make a good impression.

 

So, before hitting the panic button, here’s a quick checklist of the things that you need to cover and get done before a showing.

FOLIAGE

- Make sure walk, porches and decks are swept clean
- Make sure the lawn is manicured and maintained
-  For highly visible areas, like the front garden you may want to consider some professional landscaping or at least planting some plants and flowers; and choose plants that work with the season
- Repair any broken steps, replacing missing paving stones...
- Clip shrubs, weed flower beds and remove any dead branches




LIGHTING

- Clean exterior light bulb
- Replace burnt out light bulbs
- Make sure your lighting matches and that is compliments the look of the home
- Make sure there is sufficient lighting at the front porch and driveway
- Keep your exterior lights on after dusk, you never know who might be driving by to look at your home



DOORMAT

- Pick a doormat that will help keep from dirt transferring into your home
- Stay away from a personalized doormat, remember this isn't your home anymore....
- Find a doormat that works with the decor of your home
- Buy a new new doormat, it's not expensive

 


COLOUR

- Spruce up the front door with a new coat of paint
- When planting or updating your garden looks for some colourful options
- A bright pop of colour can make an impact be sure to choose the right colour(s)
- Use colour at the entry (interior or exterior) a little bench with a colourful pillow is warm and welcoming
- Add some planters (ideally one taller than the other) and plant some seasonal flowers and plants 






Items like a great bench with pillows and planters can come with you to your next home so don't feel like you are 'wasting' money to sell your current home ...it's worth it to sell and you will have the benefit of enjoying those items later. 

Why you need to stage your home

First impressions matter the most when it comes to selling a house. In the real estate world, impressing prospect buyers is already half the battle. That’s why many seek professional home staging services to bring out the full potential of their home.

But not all people are convinced and we understand their hesitation. Some prefer to do it themselves instead of asking for professional help. Many home sellers ask us - why should I spend  money to sell my home, can't the buyer do it them selves and make the changes they really want? The problem with that is most buyers can't see potential and in this current real estate market most buyers don't want to lift a finger!  So if you want your home sold and fast, you need to do the 'grunt' work for them. Remember when a professional stager comes to your home for a consultation it isn't a personal attack, we are there to help you get your home sold and for as much money as possible in the shortest amount of time.

If you are in the process of selling your home and are having second thoughts about the benefits you can get out of professional home staging, here are a few reasons why you should consider it.


 

#1 The best short term investment a seller can make

In a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average cost of staging is between 1% and 3% of the asking price and this investment can yield on average 4-10% more of the final selling price.
Moreover, Homegain.com explained that sellers who invested $500 in home staging recovered over 343% of the total cost when they sold their home. That’s a pretty good investment.

#2 Staging help you sell faster

If you’ve done your research beforehand, you must know by now that the longer a house sits on the market, the more likely the price drops.
Based on controlled tests initiated by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), wherein a number of identical homes were sold, professionally staged vs. not staged, the non-staged houses sold in 102 days, while the staged houses sold in 45 days.
Just imagine all the carrying costs you need to manage if your home stays longer on the market. By staging your home, all the inconvenience, stress, plus additional expenses such as mortgage and taxes, can be avoided.

 

#3 Avoid a price reduction

A home that’s in “as in” condition are a tough sell, unless it has already been the victim of a substantial price reduction. Ensure that your property is in tip top shape before listing. Most traffic and interest will come up within the first two weeks so make it a point to maximize the potential of your home to make it to a buyers shortlist.

#4 Stand out amongst competition with professional MLS photos

Over 95% of buyers look at online listing before making an actual visit, so it is important to have professional MLS photos to convince them to see the place for themselves. As professional stagers, we know how important first impressions are and we employ various techniques to make the best impression possible. Colours to use, the right amount of decor pieces, furniture placement and more...so our ideas for your home might be completely different than yours but we are here to help you show case this home to buyers and make your home look like their dream home!

#5 Most sellers are having hard time viewing their home objectively

If you can’t view your home objectively, it’ll be hard to package it for the buyer’s eyes.  A professional home stager can help you with this. They know how to minimize the problem areas and maximize the potential of the best features. You decorated your home to suit your lifestyle and personal tastes but now that you have decided to move on, you need someone to come in and help you present your home in it's best light and have it attract as many buyers as possible.  It can be very tough to be objective in your home as it holds so many wonderful memories, so again don't take it personally when a home stager gives you ideas or stages your home in a way that you 'never' would.

 

#6  Only 10% of home buyers can visualize a house’s potential

This is why home staging is so important. It gives the buyers ideas how they can play with interior design. You need to bring out and show the potential of a house the best way you can.

#7 Peace of mind

Staging your home by yourself can be a tough job. It entails detailed planning, sorting out things, decluttering, trips to the home depot, finding contractors for paint jobs and repairs, etc. By entrusting the job to more capable hands, rest assured that you’ll get the best return on your investment.

 

It's Laundry Day!!

The laundry room is one of the busiest and most important areas of the home but it is often over looked.  It is easy to turn your disorganized laundry area into a clean and organized room in your home.





Take a look at the issues in your laundry room - do you need storage to hang clothes, keep dirty clothes, keep supplies?

Start by clearing it out , you might be surprised at the random things you will find stored in there.

1. In most laundry rooms storage is a concern and one of the first steps that will help organize the laundry space is shelving above the washer and drier.  So go to IKEA or another store with great storage solution ideas and get some easy to hang shelves.  these shelves are perfect for laundry soaps, stain removers and more.  You really cannot have too much shelving especially if your laundry area acts as a storage area for other items too like bulk foods (think juice boxes, pop, toilet paper etc...) If you have a larger laundry room, try mixing both open and closed storage - open storage is perfect for items you need access to (soaps, sprays) and you can even keep them in cute baskets to it's pretty to look at and closed storage is great for bulk items.

2. If you are tired of losing socks behind the machines, think about installing a wall to wall counter top over the machines (works with front loaders).  Not only will you lose less but now you have a flat counter for folding or keeping laundry cleaning supplies at your finger tips and laundry baskets. 

 

3. A lot of laundry spaces tend to be dark and dingy so let the light in with some good light fixtures with bright bulbs and paint the walls in a fresh colour.

4. Look at installing a Swing Arm Hanger Holder (www.organize.com) to hang shirts after they have been pressed

5.  Laundry sorters are perfect to keep brights, whites and mid tones separate.  Get the kids involved in sorting the laundry too.  You can find great sorters at Wal-mart and other department stores.  You can even use large wicker baskets instead of an actual sorter
 







Having an organized laundry centre in your home will make you life easier and if you are selling (sooner or later) this is a great feature for a family and it is not an expensive upgrade

Best Paint Colour to Sell Your Home

We all know when you move into your new home you want to make your own statement with your favourite colours but when it comes time to sell you need to think broad appeal.  Many sellers just opt for a basic white so that the new buyers can visualize any colour of their choice but that doesn't help to present the home in it's best light.  so look for a colour/tone that will really suit the existing finishes in your home (tile, carpet, hardwood, cabinets etc...)  You will also get your money's worth with a fresh coat of paint

Top 10 Paint Colors That Will Sell Your Home
The right hues make your home more salable

If you want to sell your home, it may be time to update your paint colors. Vibrant or nontraditional color schemes can turn off would-be buyers. And if you haven't painted in some time, doing so will modernize your home. The following paint colors have a broad appeal. 

Exterior Colors

White
White gives a clean, lived-in look and offers the opportunity to accent trim with a corresponding color that matches or complements the roof color. White also offers a wide variety of shades from which to choose.

Beige
Beige sets a conservative tone and tends to contrast well if your home is set against a wooded area. It is also a good color to choose if you have brickwork or stonework and if your roof is composed of wood shingle or slate. Beige also blends well with rich accent colors, such as forest green.

Tan and brown
If other homes in your neighborhood are also tan or brown, this is a good choice. Tan and brown also tends to look good when you have stone or brickwork, and this color can complement a wood shingle or slate roof.

Gray
If you opt for gray, use a light form of this color, which will make your home look larger. Gray is especially attractive if you also have a roof that is a complementary shade of the same color. White and black trim blends well with gray, giving a distinctive and elegant look to a house.

Blue
The muted tone of blue works well for homes of certain architectural styles such as cottage and Victorian. Choose the hue carefully, as too bold of a blue can give an overly dramatic look to your home.

Now that you know which improvements tend to be a bust when it comes to your home's resale value, you can avoid these unadvised renovations and get the best possible price for your home. 

 

 

 

Interior Colors

Light blue
Blues in lighter shades lend an air of quiet reflection, so this color is best used in rooms where relaxation takes place, such as bedrooms, studies, libraries and bathrooms. Avoid darker shades of blue, as they can create an imposing effect.

Yellow
Yellow gives a fresh, vibrant, happy feeling to a room. Opt for light shades of this color, which look especially good when accented with white trim. Yellow is particularly effective in the kitchen..

Green
Light shades of green can bring a cheery feeling to a room. This color often acts as an attractive accent to wood furniture. Since it is a playful color, it is especially suited for children's bedrooms and playrooms and family and great rooms.

Coffee
This earth tone works well when the architecture of the interior of the home calls for darker colors. Coffee blends well with hardwood flooring, beamed ceilings and rattan furnishings. It can also be accented with darker colors, including greens and reds.

Cream
Cream colors give the interior of a home the clean, crisp look of white without the glare. Cream comes in a wide spectrum of hues, from yellow- to brown-tinged. This color works well in living and dining rooms, as well as bedrooms. 

Stay away from:

 

- Accent walls

- Bold or dark colour, lighter is always better

- More than 3 colours inside of the home (preferably 3 colours that work together let's say coffee, cream and a soft sand)

- Sponging, aging or any faux finish

- two toned walls separated by chair rail (very dated)

- Coloured trim, doors and base boards (stick with a white or off white)

 

 

Follow these color suggestions, and your home is likely to attract plenty of buyers. 

 

 

 

Kitchen Upgrades That Pay Off

Real estate pros tell us that kitchens lead the list of spaces that make or break the sale of a home. If you plan to renovate your home before putting it on the market, take heart in the knowledge that although the kitchen will eat up a good portion of your budget, the result will be well worth it. The Home Gain National Home Improvement Survey for Sellers shows that upgrading your kitchen can yield as much as a 66% return on your investment.
If a top-to-bottom remodel is beyond your budget, no worries. Look no further than these five kitchen upgrades guaranteed to increase your home's resale value.






1.   Lighting is like jewelry for the home. It’s also a dead giveaway to when your house was built or last remodeled. Fluorescent light boxes or commercial-style fluorescent fixtures say “old,” so hire a contractor to replace them with recessed lighting. This will subtract years from the look of your kitchen, brighten the space and even raise your ceiling by several inches. Upgrade task lighting by installing pendants over peninsulas, islands, and sinks. There are many relatively inexpensive options at your local home improvement store, kitchen design store, or hardware store.



 2.  Over the years, appliances have gotten smaller, sleeker, more energy efficient, and more colorful. If you’ve had the same appliances for a while, make changes before putting your house on the market. If your kitchen sports a microwave/stove all-in-one unit, it’s time for an upgrade. Wall ovens remain popular, but newer models are much smaller, so a contractor may need to retrofit the appliance to your cabinet space.If your fridge, dishwasher and stove don’t match, spring for new ones that do. Mismatched appliances will stick out like a sore thumb and deter buyers. Stainless steel enjoys popularity these days, but make sure the appliance color you choose works with the style of your kitchen



3.  .Home buyers want low maintenance when it comes to countertops. Many of us grew up in homes with 4x4 tile counters and know all about the chore of keeping the grout looking clean. Today, homeowners and homebuyers want easy-to-clean, grout-free, solid-surface countertops. Choices range from inexpensive laminate to pricier quartz, from poured concrete to natural stones like granite and marble to eco-friendly recycled glass options. A potential buyer faced with a choice between a house with kitchen counters topped with old-school tile or an updated solid-surface countertop, the solid surface will win hands down.

 

 4.  Switching out the old kitchen sink for a new model can have high impact for low cost. A clean, shiny new unit with a stylish faucet can add the “wow” factor. Pull-out spray faucets are practical, desirable, and can cost as little as $100. Be sure to choose a style that complements the look of your kitchen. Many faucets come packaged with matching liquid soap dispensers, too. Remember, those little touches can make your property stand out from the rest.

 
5.   The kitchen is a high-traffic zone in any home, showing wear and tear faster than other areas. As you make other upgrades, don’t forget the foundation of the room. Replace old linoleum with newer, higher-quality vinyl flooring, tile or even hardwood if you have wood in adjoining spaces. In smaller homes, especially, a wood floor that matches adjacent rooms—a dining area or family room—makes the space look and feel larger. If you want tile, choose 12-inch or larger squares for a more contemporary, higher-end look.