Home Upgrades That Hold Their Value!

Home Upgrades That Hold Their Value!

Do you have a renovation project in mind – and wonder how much value it will add to your home? Remodeling Magazine recently did a study of renovation projects, comparing costs to added value. Here are some of the results:

Replacing a main entry door has a return on investment of over 95%. After all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things a prospective buyer notices.

Adding a new deck also adds a lot of value. Depending on the materials used, you can expect to get back three-quarters of the money invested.

Another high-payback project is the garage door. This once again demonstrates the importance of a home’s “curb appeal.”

If you’re tackling a big project, such as a basement renovation, you’ll be glad to know that, according to the study, a project like this adds a lot of value.

Finally, minor improvements to bathrooms and kitchens – such as adding new countertops or cupboards, can also be good investments that mostly pay back when you sell your home.

Of course, these figures are averages and can vary widely depending on location, type of property, and other factors.

Need help determining how a particular home improvement might impact the selling price? Call Team Metherall today.

Taking the "scary" out of real estate

Taking the "scary" out of real estate

Even homeowners who have moved a few times can be intimidated by the real estate market in general, and the buying and selling process in particular.

First of all, making a decision to sell your home can be difficult. There are so many questions, such as:

•Is "now" a good time to list?

•How much can you expect to get for your property?

•How long will it take to sell – and what if it doesn't?

Then there's the buying and selling process:

•How do you prepare your home for sale?

•How do you find homes that meet your criteria and are within your price range?

•How do you prepare your home for viewings?

Yes, there's a lot to think about. That's why finding a good REALTOR® who is an expert on the local market is so important.

A good REALTOR® will help you understand the market, the current market value of your home, and what you can expect should you decide to list.

A good REALTOR® will also walk you step-by-step through the home selling and buying process, and work hard to make sure everything goes smoothly.

So if you're considering buying or selling a home, take the time to find a good REALTOR®. It makes all the difference.

Looking for a good REALTOR®? Call today.

Wally, Cyndy & Cole Metherall
TeamMetherall.com
Cell: 905-830-8611

RE/MAX All-Stars Realty Inc., Brokerage
430 The Queensway South Keswick, Ontario L4P 2E1

Creating quiet in a (sometimes) noisy home!

Creating quiet in a (sometimes) noisy home!

Does your spouse like to practice the drums in the evening? Does your teenager like to play video games, with the volume turned up high? Are there other sources of noise you'd like to minimize?

There are many ways to soundproof areas of your home to reduce noise.

Here are some ideas:

•Furniture placement

. Surprisingly, where you place furniture can dramatically reduce incoming noise. For example, a bookshelf covering a third of a wall can muffle sound from an adjoining room by 25%.

•Noise harmonization techniques

. Soft music, air fans, and other sources of rhythmic noises can actually reduce the unpleasantness

of incoming sounds.

•Area rugs

. Adding an area rug, even on top of existing carpeting, can significantly reduce noise coming from the floor below.

•Acoustic tiles and panels

. These are special ceiling tiles and wall coverings that are designed to diffuse and reduce sound infiltration. There are some products on the market that are remarkably easy to install.

Find The Perfect Home

Find The Perfect Home!

It's there, it's just a question of finding it.Your dream home is out there but it may take a little work to find it. We'll help.

Your next home could very well be your dream home. It might be the home you've wanted in your heart all along and, for one reason or another, you just haven't found it yet. But it could come on the market soon. Maybe today, or perhaps tomorrow, next week or next month. We could very well be the broker to help you find it.

Here's how we'll help ...
(1) You tell us what you're looking for. Click here to fill out the form detailing the key characteristics of the home you really want.

(2) We'll add your home requirements to our "email alerts" and the minute a home appears meeting your criteria, we'll send an "alert" to your email address telling you about the property. It's a great way to ensure that your dream home doesn't come on the market and get purchased by someone else without your ever knowing it!

Click here to start filling out this home criteria form. Be as detailed as you can.

Team Metherall

Your Real Estate Source!

RE/MAX All-Stars Awards

RE/MAX Awards Snap Georgina

Awards are given yearly to RE/MAX employees for achievement in sales. RE/MAX Landmark Realty Inc. (Keswick office) has recently merged with RE/MAX All-stars Realty Inc. They have 10 offices with approximately 240 agents, head office is in Markham. This merge has many benefits to their clientelle...including the ability to serve their clients from numerous different office locations. The Award Lunch was at the Pickle Barrel in Markham this year, and the agents were presented with plaques for recognition in Sales Achievement for 2013. Congratulations to the awesome RE/MAX agents!

If you would like to learn more about Keswick, or search homes for sale in Keswick. Please visit homes4salekeswick.com

Making sense of a crazy REAL ESTATE market

Making sense of a crazy REAL ESTATE market.

 

Unless you're a real estate expert, you probably look at the market and think

things are pretty confusing. Even a bit crazy! You hear news about “bubbles

bursting”, “higher or lower home sales in a particular month”, “new home starts”

that are up or down, and on and on it goes.

 

It’s a lot of news and a lot of jargon. If you're thinking of selling your home within the next year or two, you will want to understand what's happening in the market so you can make the right decisions and get a clear sense of what to expect. So, how do you make sense 

of it all?

 

That's where a good REALTOR® can help.

 

Even if you don't have any definite plans to move in the near future, a REALTOR®

who is an expert in the local marketplace can help you understand what homes in a particular neighbourhood are selling for, and what you can expect to get should you decide to list your property.

 

Getting to know a REALTOR® also means you’ll have a trusted expert to

talk to from time to time, when you have real estate related questions.

You’ll have someone you can think of as "Your REALTOR®".

 

Plus, when the time comes to sell your property, you won't have to deal with

a stranger. Instead, you'll be able to work with a REALTOR® that you know well

and who knows YOU. Overall, that will make the buying and selling process go more smoothly and more successfully.

 

Looking for a good REALTOR® who wants to get to know you? Contact Team Metherall today!

 

Team Metherall

RE/MAX All-Stars Keswick Realty Inc., Brokerage

905-476-4111

A quick lesson in wood floors

Thinking about installing wood floors? The first decision you need to make

involves the type. According to the National Wood Flooring Association,

there are four types:

 

•Unfinished

This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you.

 

•Factory finished

As the name suggests, this is flooring that has its finish applied in the factory. Although it is more expensive, factory finished flooring can be installed faster and can be walked upon

immediately.

 

•Solid

This is flooring that is made from a solid piece of wood, top to

bottom. The advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many

times over the years, or even decades.

 

•Engineered

This is flooring that is made of thin layers of wood pressed together. It can be engineered to be very durable and expand and contract less than solid flooring.

 

The type you choose depends on your needs. Talk to your dealer or contractor about your specific application.