“After working as a real estate agent in the Fraser Valley for over 37 years, I have learned how to increase your homes value with profitable renovations. Learn how to attract buyers by adding key extras. Today people are overwhelmed with their busy lives. They really need my real estate services to include detailed research and legwork to find a home that is move-in ready for their specific needs. My team and I work extremely hard to truly get to know our clients and what they require to achieve the largest return on their investment” Joan Hansen says.

“If you are trying to choose the best way you can increase your homes value with profitable renovations, contact Joan Hansen before you put your property up for sale. There are several different ways to go about it. Here are five or six suggestions for renovations and home improvement that often have a return on investment of 5 or 6 times what is initially spent.”

Floors

“Looking at your home from a purely aesthetic view; attractive, updated, flooring is one of the most important investments you can make in your home. You raise the value of your property evaluation considerably with the installation of hardwood floors. This is one of the best ways to increase your homes value with profitable renovations.

“Hardwood floors offer more prestige and are more impressive looking than carpeting. Many people feel that carpet can never truly be clean! Pet hair, spills, dander, dust, hair and micro-bacteria get caught up in the fibre. Every step we take on carpeting causes millions of tiny particles to fly into the air. This causes discomfort to allergy sufferers and others, as well as exposure to harmful micro-organisms. Carpets can stain and show wear and tear. Wood floors need only to be wiped or dusted to clean and can be refinished in the future if it becomes necessary.”Joan Hansen recommends.

“Wood floors are definitely in vogue right now; but whether cork, bamboo or ceramic tile, the floors will make all the difference in the showing of your home.” Joan Hansen advises,“If you have existing hardwood floors, you can have them professionally refinished at much less cost than replacing them. Genuine wood floors, when restored, are in much higher demand than new flooring materials.”“There is a tremendous selection of beautiful bathroom and kitchen tile to modernize your home and increase value exceptionally well. Marble, granite, slate and limestone make for stunningly impressive surfaces in foyers and courtyards.” Joan Hansen advises.

Kitchen

“The kitchen, can make the most significant difference relating to the value of your home when it comes time for sale. It is crucial that you consider investing in modern, fresh cabinetry, under cabinet lighting and counter tops. New faucets, sink, hardware, attractive splash and new appliances will greatly increase your homes value. These profitable renovations increase the desirability of your home on the market. Options like Ikea cabinets can greatly decrease costs if you are unable to afford custom cabinetry. The appearance, size and efficiency of a kitchen can make or break the house sale in this market.”

Bathrooms

“Bathrooms are the second most important rooms in your home and will truly reflect it’s age. The concept of updating to new cabinets, counters, tubs, hardware and lighting is extremely important. The condition of the bathrooms truly influences whether a buyer will feel comfortable with your home being move-in ready. Old grout and stained counters and cabinets will always appear dirty and off putting.

The bathroom is also the second most important room in the home in terms of valuation. If you are able to add a three-piece bathroom to a bedroom (or any other area of the home), it will increase your homes value. Installing a small glassed in shower to give the appearance of space, you will see a dramatic rise in the market value of your home. You might be surprised at the dead space in your home structure that might allow for a small bathroom.

Lighting and Fixtures

“Do not underestimate the value of quality lighting and fixtures. Lighting is extremely important to the visual attractiveness of your home. Pot lights are in high demand in open concept homes for sale. Recessed lighting is both practical and elegant.”

Mortgage Helper Suite

“No surprise… the single biggest way to increase the value of your home is to build a mortgage helper suite. This can be done by converting your basement into a rental suite, another floor in the home, or above the garage as a couch house. Rental property for sale will increase your home’s potential for eager buyers as well as it’s worth, by volumes. This rental property covers a portion, or sometimes all of your mortgage payment, and results in your home being cash flow positive. It creates financial stability that can help to supplement your income. This is the single renovation that will increase your homes value with profitable renovations.”

Professional Paint Job

“The last suggestion I have for home improvement is the least expensive and easiest way to freshen up your home. Make your home look it’s most attractive, new, and therefore, desirable to a buyer. Hire a really good, professional painter to increase your homes value with profitable renovations. Ideally, find out about their work beforehand. Get a recommendation from someone whose taste and judgment you trust. A professional will take great pains to fill holes and correct and sand imperfections before painting the walls and ceilings. It is well worth the cost. So many people think that painting is the easiest improvement they can accomplish themselves—take it from me, this is just plain untrue. Professional painters have sprayers that can perform magic to make your surfaces flawless. They can also paint and stain battered doors that have tolerated dog scratching, ball throwing, Christmas wreath holes and all kinds of abuse.

My suggestion is to stick with soft colours that provide a warm or cool contrast in neutral tones that do not dominate the colours already in the rooms. White is the ideal colour for window casings, crown mouldings and trims. Beige, taupe, and soft greys are very current. They will look fresh and soothing to the eye.”

In Conclusion

“When buyers are house hunting and search real estate listings, Realtor.ca can target homes for sale in area desired. Buyers will always look for a home that has been well maintained. One of the most important considerations for many people in this very expensive market, is rental property for sale. For many buyers, they cannot even consider entering the market without a mortgage helper. Keep that in mind when you are deciding where to invest in renovations. There is no better way you can spend money to make money, than in the real estate market that exists today.” Joan Hansen advises. Contact me at joan@joanhansen.ca