Hot TipsHot TipsHot TipsHot TipsHot Tips 16 November 2023

Best Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal in Winter

When it comes to selling your home, curb appeal has a huge impact on the first impression your home gives potential buyers. While boosting your home’s curb appeal during the warmer, summer months is relatively simple, it can be more challenging once the snow flies and the cold weather sets in.

If you’re looking for a few ways to boost your home’s curb appeal in the winter, we’ve compiled a list of a few different things you can do!

Home with bright interior lights in winter

Boost Curb Appeal: Let There Be Light

As the days get shorter, you’ll want to ensure that your home is properly illuminated. Not only will this help potential buyers see the home, but it will also help keep sidewalks and front porches lit up, which will help keep people safe. With showings happening in the darker evening hours, keeping your lights on will also make your home feel more welcoming and ‘lived-in’, which will help invite potential buyers in.

Spruce Up Your Front Porch

While there won’t be much yard work to be done in the winter months to help with your home’s curb appeal, one area that you can put some work into is your front porch. Consider painting your front door a bold colour to add some personality to the space, add festive winter-themed pots on the porch, or hang a seasonal wreath on the front door to help boost the curb appeal. Not only will these add to the first impression that your home will make to potential buyers, but it will also allow them to see the potential of what they could do to the space should they decide to put in an offer.

Homeowner shovelling snow in winter

Keep Sidewalks Clear

When inviting potential buyers into your home for showings, the last thing you want is for someone to slip and fall on an icy sidewalk. This is why keeping sidewalks and driveways clear is extremely important when selling during the winter months. Shoveling and de-icing your sidewalks and driveway can also help boost your home’s curb appeal as it makes your property feel lived-in and more welcoming to those who might be considering your home during their home search.

Update House Numbers

If you’re looking for a simple, relatively inexpensive way to boost your home’s curb appeal during the winter months, then you might want to consider updating your house numbers. They are mandatory to have on your home, but depending on when your home was built and when they were last changed, they can sometimes look a bit outdated. Taking the time to update your house numbers is a great way to refresh the exterior of your home while also ensuring that potential buyers will be able to easily find it when they come for their showings.

Whether you’re planning to list your home soon or are thinking you’ll be listing later in the winter, taking these steps now is a great way to ensure that you’re putting your home’s best foot forward when it comes time to put it on the market.

Thinking about selling your home? We can help! Contact Max Carbone today to get in touch with one of our experienced real estate agents!

Consumer Tips For Real Estate 28 April 2023

Why It’s Important to Know the Value of Your Home

Regardless of whether you are a current homeowner, an investor, or are looking to enter the housing market for the first time, understanding the value of your home or a home you’re looking to purchase is incredibly important. There are several different factors that can determine the value of your home, or the replacement value of your home, so make sure you take everything into consideration. Working with a real estate professional can help you better understand the current market and how it could impact your home’s value.

We’ve highlighted some of the key factors that are used to determine the value of your home.

Beaches and parks close to home

Value of Your Home: Current Housing Market

One of the biggest factors in determining the value of your home is the current housing market. It is constantly changing with inventory levels constantly shifting, so working with a real estate agent is vital in getting a pulse on what is happening in your local market and where your home might fit within it. Taking a look at comparable properties in your area can help you get an idea of what your home might be worth, but don’t forget to factor in the type of home, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and any updates that might set your home apart from others. An experienced real estate agent will have knowledge of the current market and your neighbourhood and will be able to help you put a number to your home’s value.

Size of Your Home

Size matters, especially when it comes to determining your home’s value. The square footage of the property itself is important to keep in mind, but it’s also a good idea to factor in the size of the lot as well. Many buyers are looking for more space, whether it’s to accommodate a home office/flex space or multiple generations living under one roof. Generally speaking, the larger a home’s footprint or the bigger the lot, the higher the resale value will be in the future.

Downtown amenities that can impact home's value

Updates & Renovations

When determining the value of your home, it’s important to take into account any renovations or updates that have been made to the space, as these could help improve your home’s overall value. While some homeowners take on large renovations such as redoing kitchens or bathrooms to help increase their home’s value, while others keep it simple and opt to give the walls a fresh coat of paint or update flooring in certain rooms to help freshen up the space. Even small updates that might not seem like much can have a huge impact when it comes to appealing to potential buyers and boosting your home’s value.

Location

Like the current housing market conditions, the location of your home is going to have a huge impact on its overall value. Neighbourhoods that are close to amenities such as schools (public, private, and French), shopping, and green spaces are often times going to be more appealing to potential buyers who are looking to be close to those things. Considering your home’s location and proximity to different liveability factors can be a huge help when determining its overall value. An experienced real estate agent will also be able to give you information on what other homes in your area might be selling for, which can help you better understand your home’s value.

Whether you’re looking to put your home on the market or are just wanting to stay up-to-date with what is happening in the current market, it’s always important to understand the value of your home.

 

Curious about what your home might be worth? We can help! Contact Max Carbone today to be connected with one of our experienced real estate agents!