Blog

Renovation Tip #18: The Right Home

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:33:41 GMT

THE RIGHT HOME TO RENOVATE

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When we're searching for a home to renovate we have a specific list of criteria that the home must meet. Today we're sharing a few items from that list with you!

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Good bones · Structural issues will quickly eat into profit margins, so we're always looking for homes that have a sturdy foundation. We want to ensure the home is in great condition structurally so that we can focus on more cosmetic changes.

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Great location · 5338 Fillinger Cres was the ugliest house on a beautiful and well-known street in North Nanaimo. We knew that we could add value to this home through renovation, but the major home value would come through the fantastic location. 6266 McGirr Rd was another example of an ugly home in a wonderful location. This property sat untouched across from McGirr elementary, but had such great potential.

Potential · Speaking of potential… When looking for a home to renovate, we're always thinking about how we can add value to the home and add value to the lives of the future homeowners. Can we add a larger custom shower like we did in 6266 McGirr to improve the ensuite? Can we reconfigure the living space to make it more family-friendly like we did in 419 Sealion Place? How can we change this space for the better?

Renovation Tip #17: Quick Exterior Fixes

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:30:09 GMT

QUICK EXTERIOR FIXES

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Curb appeal doesn't have to be a huge to-do! Simple, well-thought-out changes and updates can make a big difference in the appearance and value of your home.

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Some of our favourite quick fixes involve adding new plants and mulch to an existing garden bed. These inexpensive and simple changes pack a visual punch and are some of the first things that buyers see upon arrival. Adding mulch and planting some small shrubs that add visual intrigue can make the garden beds appear fuller.

Another quick fix is to pressure wash all sidewalks, driveways, porches and decks. This is one of the final things we do in a renovation, but is incredibly important! Landscaping will make little impact if the rest of the exterior looks unkempt and dirty.

Lastly, a fresh coat of paint on the front door makes the home look updated and inviting! We added this fun, bright green colour to the front door of 6266 McGirr Rd. It complements the colour of the home and the surrounding greenery but stands out as a focal point of the home.

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What are your favourite ways to add curb appeal? Let us know in the comment section!

Renovation Tip #16: Bold Exterior Doors

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:25:37 GMT

BOLD EXTERIOR DOORS

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We mentioned in our post about curb appeal that a new coat of paint on a front door can make the home feel inviting and some visual appeal. Today we're sharing our favourite paint colours for a bold exterior door!

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Whether you're wanting to paint your front door a bright and exciting colour or you're looking for a more neutral tone, it's important to choose a colour that will match the rest of the exterior. Does your home colour skew warm or cool-toned? Does it have hints of yellow or blue? Keep these things in mind when choosing the perfect colour.

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6266 McGirr Rd · Nanaimo, BC · We chose to use Sherwin Williams' Parakeet for the front door of this home. This vibrant green stands out against the lighter exterior of the home, but still complements the home and its landscaping.

Another fun and unexpected colour for a front door would be Sherwin Williams' Loch Blue! We used a similar colour to paint the interior of the front doors in the Bluebird Motel. It's a delightful colour that breaks up the neutral tones of the walls.

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What is your favourite colour for a front door? Let us know below!

Renovation Tip #15: Red Flags

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 19:15:54 GMT

RED FLAGS

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With the popularity of home renovation shows on TV, many people want to find their own fixer-uppers to renovate. We love that more people are taking on these project homes, and we have some advice for those interested in taking on this challenge. Here are a few red flags to look for when searching for a home:

Bad Location · Unfortunately, a bad location will greatly impact the resale value of a home. It's best to scout thelocation during various times of day to see what the area is like. Do some research online as well and see what information you can find about the home you're interested in purchasing.

Foundation Issues · Issues with the foundation of the home can be extremely costly, and the needed fixes often eat into profit margins and may not be worth the time or financial investment.

A Bad Roof · Roofing is another significant expense when renovating a home. While it is not necessarily a deal-breaker for us, it does require further investigation. Was there a leak in the roof? If so did it cause any moulding? Often issues with a roof can cause damage in other areas of the home that will need to be repaired as well.

Renovation Tip #14: Splurge vs. Save

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:23:53 GMT

SPLURGE VS. SAVE

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Splurge: The kitchen is the heart of the home and we always recommend splurging on high-quality cabinetry, fixtures, and appliances. They do not have to be the most expensive option, but we recommend going with options that are timeless, durable, and beautiful. These changes will have a positive return on investment and will increase your home value the most.

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Save: Your bathroom tiles do not need to be the most high-end luxury tiles. There are plenty of beautiful, yet affordable tiles that are visually appealing. You can work with a tiling company or an interior designer to pick the perfect tile for your space.

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Save: While light fixtures can certainly make or break a room, it isn't necessary to splurge on high-end light fixtures. Pick something that will blend with the design of the home, but don't break the bank here!

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Splurge: Upgrading your bathroom fixtures, like knobs and faucets, can make a large visual impact in a small space. There is a wide variety of finishes and designs, but we recommend choosing high-quality and timeless fixtures instead of something trendy.

Renovation Tip #13: Maximizing Views

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:20:34 GMT

MAXIMIZING VIEWS

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6266 McGirr Rd · Nanaimo, BC · When we bought 6266 McGirr Rd we knew that we had incredible views from this home. Our biggest challenge was how to maximize those views! After considering our options, we decided it was best to take out one panel of the 3-sided fireplace. This opened up the space beautifully and now you can see the ocean from the living room!

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At the same home, the hedges were blocking part of the view, so we brought in a landscaper to trim those down. It was a simple solution that increased the home value and wowed potential buyers.

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An incredible view can add to your resale value immensely. Whether you need to take down a wall or simply trim a few hedges, think about what you can do to maximize the views in your renovation!

Renovation Tip #12: Landscaping

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 19:09:15 GMT

LANDSCAPING

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According to research done by the popular home buying website, Zillow, there is a direct correlation between landscaping and a higher sales price. "It's often part of a package of features that signal to a buyer that a listing is a 'nice' home. That's why these homes command a price premium."

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419 Sealion Place · Nanaimo, BC · Our renovation at Sealion included quite a bit of landscaping. The sizeable backyard wasn't flat or usable - it was sloped and neglected. We had to reconfigure the yard to maximize the usable space and we sectioned off designated areas for kids to play.

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We also fixed some drainage issues in this home by hiring a landscape architect. We worked with them to create solutions that would drastically improve the lives of the future homeowners!

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Lastly, we added a front patio at Sealion and created an exit from the breakfast nook. Not only did this create a lovely space for entertaining, but it also made it easier to entertain by making the more kitchen accessible!

Renovation Tip #11: Paint Colours

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:25:16 GMT

PAINT COLOURS

HGTV said it best! "Selling a home with an electric, lime-green living room is going to be more difficult than you originally anticipated. In fact, your home might sit stagnant on the market for quite some time. The reality is that paint colour packs a serious punch in the real estate game."

6266 McGirr Rd · Nanaimo, BC · When renovating a home, we opt for neutral tone paint colours, as seen in this home. The sleek neutral colours of the interior complement the beautiful views of this home, rather than try to compete with them. They also complement the new vinyl flooring and carpet that we installed.

Some of our favourite paint colours are Benjamin Moore's White Dove for the walls and Sherwin Williams' Pure White for trim paint. We used this colour in our renovation of 6266 McGirr. Another one of our favourite neutral paint colours is Benjamin Moore's Rockport Gray. It's a wonderful accent for cabinets in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. We used this colour on the laundry room cabinets in 6266 McGirr.

Renovation Tip #10: Natural Lighting

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:21:59 GMT

NATURAL LIGHTING

Natural lighting can completely transform a home! We try to maximize the lighting in every home we renovate to create an open and airy feeling, and while some are quick fixes, others are quite the undertaking.

419 Sealion Place · Nanaimo, BC · Sealion's renovation wasn't as straightforward as a bit of landscaping. Here we hired an architect to reconfigure the layout of the main living space. Not only did it allow more light in this space, but it maximized those ocean views! Sometimes, a renovation requires a bit more muscle and ingenuity than others!

5338 Fillinger Cres · Nanaimo, BC · Lastly, at 5338, we redid the staircase, upgraded all the windows, and added a glass front door to take a once dark and neglected home and transformed it into a beautiful, modern space!

Renovation Tip #9: Energy Efficiency

Thu, 13 May 2021 18:52:04 GMT

SIDING

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Bluebird Motel · Nanaimo, BC · When we purchased the Bluebird Motel, the property required some TLC, and one of the first things that we did was to replace the cedar shakes on the exterior of the building. The old shakes were in poor condition, and it made the motel seem outdated.

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We replaced the cedar shakes with vinyl siding, which not only updated the property visually but added longevity to the motel. Vinyl siding will not rot or flake like wood siding and does not need to be repainted.

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When should you consider replacing the siding on your home? If your current siding is loose or missing siding, if the siding is cracked or warped, or if your current siding is rotting, then you know it’s time to make the investment in new siding. While it can be daunting, updating your siding can save you from further expensive repairs in the future.

Renovation Tip #8: Energy Efficiency

Tue, 04 May 2021 17:36:22 GMT

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

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Energy efficiency is a priority for us when completing a renovation. Small changes can not only create a greener and more eco-friendly home, but can save future buyers money in the long run.

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5338 Fillinger Cres · Nanaimo, BC · When we were renovating this home, we converted the furnace, hot water tank, and all appliances to gas, which meant that we needed to install a gas line, and it was a large upfront investment. However, the energy and financial savings of gas appliances well outweigh the initial investment over time.

Also, we upgraded all the windows in the home, which will retain more heat, and cut down on heating costs in the winter. Not to mention it brings in more light, and maximizes those stunning beach views!

Renovation Tip #7: Flooring

Mon, 03 May 2021 20:31:20 GMT

FLOORING

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Too many different types of flooring in the main space of a home can create a disjointed and chaotic feeling, so we recommend using the same flooring throughout the main living area. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t use different flooring in other rooms! In some cases, we like to use carpet in the bedrooms to cut down on costs, and tile or vinyl in the bathroom(s) or laundry room to add character!

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5338 Fillinger Cres · Nanaimo, BC · The original kitchen had linoleum flooring, the living room was carpeted, and the downstairs suite had outdated vinyl flooring. We unified the entire home by using consistent high-end vinyl throughout the main living areas on both floors, and in this case, in all the bedrooms, as well. Look how clean and open the space looks!

5961 Sealand Rd · Nanaimo, BC · In this rancher, we opened up the living room, dining room, and kitchen to create an open-concept floor plan. We then created a unified space with the luxury vinyl flooring that runs throughout these spaces. The transformation was incredible, and the home was almost unrecognizable after our renovation!

Whether you tackle the flooring yourself or hire a contractor to do the work - by simplifying the flooring and making smart choices you can create a cohesive space and save money!

Renovation Pro Tip #6: Open Concept

Mon, 03 May 2021 20:23:06 GMT

OPEN CONCEPT

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Open concept is a popular style of home design, but is it right for every home? Here are a few things that we consider when evaluating whether to make a home more open:

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Lighting · Often opening up a floor plan can increase natural light making the home seem bright and airy. This can help with resale value in the future!

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Views · In properties like 6266 McGirr Rd, taking out a wall, or in this case, a fireplace can maximize a beautiful view! If a wall is blocking the views from your home, then it might be worth the investment to make the space more open. Maximizing a nice view could add value to your home when you’re ready to sell.

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Expenses · If you're hoping to remove a load-bearing wall to create an open-concept home, then be prepared for increased costs. This requires bringing in professionals to assess the situation and potentially add beams to redistribute the weight that the wall was holding.

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Noise levels · Sound travels further without walls between rooms. If the dishwasher is running during a Netflix marathon, this might be more of a nuisance in an open-concept home.

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Energy-efficiency · Heating and cooling costs can greatly increase in open-concept homes. It takes far more energy to control the temperature in a large space than it does in a few small spaces.

Renovation Pro Tip #5: Bathroom

Mon, 03 May 2021 20:18:17 GMT

BATHROOM

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Bathroom renovations are the next big value add (second to the kitchen) when you’re flipping a home. Thoughtful choices can make these small rooms pack a big design punch without breaking your budget! Here are some features to consider when you’re renovating a bathroom for a home flip:

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Vanity · This is a smart place to splurge because the vanity is the natural focal point of the space. Create a unique vanity by pairing an antique dresser with a custom countertop and add a bit of glitz with a framed mirror to finish off the look.

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Lighting · The right lighting choices not only make the room look good, but will also make the people using the space look good! Think about the lighting placement when you’re picking out the fixtures!

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Tile · You can do so much with tile! Save on cost and create a cohesive look by using the same tile on the bathroom floor and the shower walls. Or, opt for a unique tile design to make a statement! For walk-in showers, consider bringing the tile to the ceiling, and include a shower niche for a handy place to put everyday items.

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Layout · Ask yourself if the current layout is the most functional use of the space. If something doesn’t make sense to you, then it likely won’t make sense to others. If there’s a better layout option, then consider using some of your budget to move pieces that feel out of place.

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Toilets · While a dual-flush toilet might seem like an upgrade that the next homeowners might appreciate, let’s be honest; a toilet does not sell a home. If there is nothing wrong with the existing toilet, then leave it and spend your money elsewhere.

Renovation Pro Tip #4: Contemporary Design

Mon, 03 May 2021 20:07:33 GMT

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

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Using contemporary design style to guide your upgrade choices will never steer you wrong. This style is defined by subtle sophistication, clean lines, simplicity, and the deliberate use of texture.

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This design style has served us well and in this example on McGirr the contemporary design choices we made completely transformed this home!

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6266 McGirr Rd · Nanaimo, BC · In the first photo you’ll notice that we removed the sunken living room and made this space all one level. We used a new gas fireplace with a simple clean design to replace an outdated 3-sided brick encased fireplace, we removed a section of the wall to bring more light into the kitchen and breakfast nook, and we used luxury vinyl flooring to create clean lines.

In the kitchen, we upgraded to all new custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, high-end fixtures, and energy-efficient appliances. We added a large built-in island with seating and a wine chiller for the new owners to sit back and enjoy the gorgeous view. We also added a beautiful tile backsplash behind the oven and a new range hood to create a feature wall.

In this last group of photos, you’ll see the exterior makeover! We replaced all the windows but opted to keep the exterior brick siding. Adding a fresh coat of paint brightened the exterior and, for a splash of colour, we added a new green door with a glass panel. On the back deck, we replaced the wood railing with new glass panels, which made the outdoor living space more cohesive with the rest of the home.

Renovation Pro Tip #3: Glass Doors

Mon, 03 May 2021 19:55:18 GMT

GLASS DOORS

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Glass naturally brings more light into a home. Look for opportunities where you can swap out old wood panel doors for glass doors, and look for places where a set of French doors could be more beneficial than having a small window!

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Here is an example of a home renovation we completed where replacing wood panel exterior doors and replacing rear-facing windows with French doors completely brightened up this home!

5961 Sealand Rd · The original exterior door was wood panel accompanied by a small sidelight. We chose a frosted glass panel door and an elongated sidelight, and instantly this brought more light into the home and created more interest in the exterior design. Frosted glass allows the light to come in while maintaining privacy for the homeowners.

The original dining area at the rear of the home had a small window and a wood panel door giving access to the back yard. We brought in more light by replacing both with a set of French doors! Look how much brighter this space is now!

Renovation Pro Tip #2: Curb Appeal

Mon, 03 May 2021 19:47:37 GMT

CURB APPEAL

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Look for the least attractive house in a beautiful neighbourhood because there is often potential simply being hidden by an ugly exterior!

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Take a look at the exterior renovations we made to 2 North Nanaimo homes. By cleaning up the landscaping and swapping out key design elements you can significantly increase the value of a property.

1. 419 Sealion Place · The original home was hiding behind overgrown trees and plants, and what you could see of the exterior looked neglected. We worked with a landscape architect to make major modifications to this yard, and look what it did for the curb appeal!

We gave this house a fresh coat of paint, upgraded to energy-efficient windows, incorporated wood shingles at the peaks of the exterior to create dimension, replaced the deck railing with glass panels to bring more light into the home, added slate tile to frame in the garage and entranceway replaced the front door, repaved the driveway,

and we also added a patio in the front yard.

2. 5338 Fillinger Crescent · This is the featured home in our PRO TIP last week! The exterior of the Fillinger house was drab and uninspiring. We changed the colour of the exterior to bring it up to date; upgraded to energy-efficient windows; replaced the lackluster front entrance with a glass panel door and a sidelight to bring more natural light into the home; and we added some nice shrubs and flowering plants to add a pop of colour in the front yard.

Renovation Pro Tip #1: Kitchen

Mon, 03 May 2021 19:40:28 GMT

KITCHEN REMODEL

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When we purchase a house to flip, the first thing we ask ourselves is, “how can we create value for the next owners?” and then we head straight for the kitchen! Look for smart changes that will make the most impact, and, often, the kitchen is a great space to invest your money. This house on Fillinger Crescent in North Nanaimo is a great example!

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The biggest change we made to this kitchen was reconfiguring the layout. Originally, this kitchen felt small and closed in, so we opened it up to maximize the utility of this space. We moved the sink and faucet underneath the front window to take advantage of the ocean view, closed in the small window on the side to add more upper cabinets, added more counter space, and used glass tile backsplash to create a beautiful feature wall. This was a complete custom remodel with all new cabinets, quartz countertops, high-end range hood, energy-efficient appliances and windows, and new luxury laminate flooring.

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Check back for more home renovation tips, and see how we transformed the rest of this house!