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?

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

 

 

 

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!

 

 

 

PAINT COLOURS

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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."

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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.

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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.

NATURAL LIGHTING

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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.

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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!