HomeGain 2009 Top 12 Home Improvements Survey Results

Once again HomeGain 2009 has reported in their Real Estate blog, the top 12 relatively low cost DIY home improvements for homeowners getting ready to sell their home.  Nearly 1000 Realtors(R) participated in the survey.  Home Staging is listed as second on the list with an average cost between $300 to $400 with an overwhelming ROI of 586%.  Cleaning and de-cluttering ranked first with a ROI of around 872% on an $100 to $200 investment.  The rest of the list actually could well be included under the umbrella of Home Staging too.  This would make the actual cost of Home Staging more inline with real costs today.  Still a bargain looking at all the ROI. figures.  What homeowners gain when it comes to selling their home is increased value in equity and most often a shorter time on the Real Estate market.  With house presentation appealing to many prospective buyers, it sure beats a home langishing for months on the market and perhaps having to undergo a price drop. 
The other home improvements that HomeGain lists in order down from Home Staging are:

• Lightening and Brightening
• Landscaping
• Repair Plumbing
• Update Electrical
• Replacing or Shampooing Carpets
• Painting Interior Walls
• Repair Damaged Floors
• Update Kitchen
• Paint Outside of House
• Update Bathroom

Not a DIYer; not to worry as HomeReady Home Staging will refer you to those trades who will be able to carry out any of these home improvements.   For further reading and definitions of the Home Improvement categories, check out the HomeGain blog at http://blog.homegain.com/home-improvement/homegain-2009-top-12-home-improvement-survey-results/  .  Then contact HomeReady Home Staging to set up a consultation appointment to look at what your home specifically needs before you sell.  You'll be glad you did!

Selling in the new year?

If you are thinking about selling your home in the new year, then NOW is the time to start planning.  Contacting a Professional Home Stager should be first on your list.  Consultation with a Professional Home Stager will provide you with reccomendations and suggestions for repairs or upgrades that will increase the equity in your home.  Your home will be directly competing with every other home on the market and it is a known fact that "Staged" homes present better than unstaged homes.  Having your home presented in the best possible light will create a positive and outstanding first impression that will help you sell your home faster and for the most money.  As a homeowner, you have control over this. 
As a Professional Home Stager, I can help you with as much or as little of the work you may need to get your home ready for sale including:

• consultation
• referral to trade services
• project management
• organizing and packing
• shopping for accessories
• rental of furnishings
• showcasing of rooms in your home
• Open House preparation

Then when your home is ready, I can refer you to a Realtor who knows the market, will appropriately appraise your home and market it to get your home sold so you can move on to wherever you are going.

Smart and Timely Home Repairs

From www.SearsAdvantage.ca
Smart and timely home repairs.


Lifestyle editor Ingrie Williams shares a few ideas for around-the-house upgrades this fall.



A full-fledged reno may not be within your budget, but now’s a good time to consider a few smaller projects. Here are four affordable fixes that will add value to your home and put money in your pocket.



1. Reface kitchen cabinets.

Look for: clean lines and eye-catching finishes, like brushed nickel hardware. If you want to cook up a new kitchen, tearing out the old one and starting from scratch isn’t your only option. You can also keep your existing cabinets and simply replace cabinet doors and drawer fronts, to effectively transform the look of your space.



2. Interior and exterior painting.

Look for: modern neutral colours that will refresh any surface, whether it’s dingy hallway walls or the sun-baked roof of a shed. A stellar paint job is as much about colour as it is about care. A precise application is a must, so consider hiring professionals if you’re not up to doing it yourself. If wallpaper removal is required, their expertise can be a huge help.



3. A tankless water heater.

Look for: an incredibly compact (think carry-on-luggage size) Energy Star -qualified model that will provide hot water only as needed. By shutting down when the taps are turned off, energy use is reduced—along with your hydro bill.



4. Replace entry doors.

Look for: steel doors, in classic, unembellished styles that complement the look of your home, adding to its value. They’ll also keep wind and rain out, protect against heat loss—and some newer models are warp-resistant.



Tip: Need another incentive? If you buy the goods and complete the work before Feb. 1, 2010, you could get a personal tax break. It’s called the Home Renovation Tax Credit. Spend anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000 on home improvements, and you could qualify for a 15-percent non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,350.





For a complete list of installed interior and exterior renovation products and services, visit Sears HomeCentral online or call 1-800-4MY-HOME.