Details that boost resales
By Christine Tomaselli

Whether you’re buying a custom home or a production home in a new development, your budget is probably going to be the driving force behind the upgrade and design choices you make. And it’s important to consider those choices carefully as they could have a direct impact on the resale value of your home.

All too often, purchasers make the mistake of thinking short term – choosing only those amenities that they want today. They overlook the changing needs of their family and the general appeal of those design features or upgrades.

Today’s options are extensive and undoubtedly need to serve your immediate purpose. However, according to experts, your choices have investment potential and must translate well for the next purchaser of your home – a year from now, or 10 years from now.

Heathwood Homes president, Hugh Heron, offers some advice for new homebuyers: “At some point, you’re going to be selling the home that you’re buying today. So make sure that your choose in-demand features that will stand the test of time and not be off-putting to the next buyer.”

While it’s true that people usually buy a home with the intent of living in it for a number of years, circumstances such as job relocation, economics or a growing family may eventually bring about a move.

“The importance of foresight cannot be underestimated when buying a home,” says Heron.
“Current low mortgage rates make it feasible to include upgrades, add-ons and rough-ins at the time of construction – worthwhile considerations that could increase the value when it’s time to sell,” he adds. Heron’s advice:

  • Create a grand sense of entry, allowing a sense of space to dominate.
  • Consider interesting pickets for the staircase – wrought iron is in demand and available in many builder’s décor centres.
  • Delineate the kitchen and family room with furniture not walls – an open concept will accommodate easy traffic flow between these spaces.
  • Opt for neutral colours for carpet, hardwood or ceramic flooring, cabinetry and counters.
  • Ensure waterproofing of the basement if finishing the basement at the time of construction.
  • Choose a plan with a walk-out, if possible – “daylight basements” offer good resale advantages.
  • Bring in a gas pipeline for outdoor barbeques and indoor grilling.
  • Don Pugh, vice-president of low-rise housing for The Daniels Corporation suggests that purchasers “put their money in the rooms that are most often used.”
  • Pugh says a home’s value should be measured on two levels: the long-term enjoyment factor and its resale potential.

While some architectural features are restricted by building codes, Pugh says Daniels challenges its architects to ensure there are certain desirable special features such as larger windows or elevators in adult, gated communities. He also says:

  • Avoid disruptions to your living space where possible – for example, it’s easier to put in a skylight or a shower stall at the time of construction rather than when the house is finished.
  • Plan proactively – ensure phone and cable outlets will accommodate your family’s growth and consider future needs such as a basement washroom or electrical wiring to serve audio/visual needs.
  • Determine where your money should be spent by assessing how a specific space is used – an oval tub with water jets might be a “nice to have” item, but it may be less necessary than two sinks in the bathroom, a stand up shower which is used more often than the tub, or larger closet space in the bedroom.
  • Consider lighting needs in large living spaces and also in spaces such as closets and bathrooms.
  • Diffuse disagreements about dollar allocations (a gas range versus a surround sound system) by asking for rough-ins at the time of construction.

According to interior designer Bryon Patton, president of Bryon Patton and Associates: “Chicken, fruit and vegetables on backsplashes are a definite design faux pas.” Patton suggests working with a neutral palette throughout the home.

“There should be a flow of colours with an interesting variety of textures. You can always change a strong paint colour, but you can’t change the green bathroom wall tile.”

He also recommends a simple Botticino marble on surfaces such as floors, walls and vanity counter tops rather than a variety of tiles in different shapes and colours. From a designer’s perspective there’s a lot home purchasers can do at the planning stage to increase the resale value. Patton’s advice includes:

  • Cornice mouldings in all principal rooms.
  • Good quality lever hardware in a brushed chrome finish.
  • Nine-foot ceilings if possible.
  • Larger tiles for floors and walls (12 inches by 18 inches or 18 inches by 18 inches).
  • Recessed lighting (pot lights) rather than surface mounted or wall sconce lighting – pot lights provide even, clean, white light that illuminates the area and is an excellent way to highlight art objects.
  • Wood floors in upper hallways – choose darker rather than lighter wood.
  • Painted and glazed kitchen cabinetry or dark wood cabinets.
  • Extended upper cabinets, granite kitchen countertops and stainless appliances.
    A powder room and master bathroom with rectangular sinks, frameless glass showers, floating vanities with under cabinet lighting, heated floors, efficient towel bars and accessories, rain head shower, mosaic details in the wall tiles and a compartmentalized toilet area.
  • Sanded glass or back-painted glass as backsplash materials or details such as screens.
  • Patton also recommends such floor plan features as a main floor laundry room with laundry chute, home theatre area, outdoor barbeque area convenient to the kitchen and open kitchen with breakfast bar.

Heron, Pugh and Patton agree: The best time to think about selling your home is when you’re buying your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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