Real Estate Blog - renovations

Tips for Buying a Fixer-Upper: What to Look for and What to Avoid

If you're in the market for a new home and considering buying a fixer-upper, there are some essential things to remember. While buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to get a home with much potential at a lower price, some risks are also involved. In this article, we'll give you tips for buying a fixer-upper and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Get a thorough inspection

When buying a fixer-upper, it's important to inspect the property thoroughly. This will help you identify any potential problems or issues that may need to be addressed. A good inspector will be able to give you a detailed report on the property's condition, including the foundation, plumbing, electrical, and other systems. This will help you avoid any surprises and ensure…

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DIY - Laundry Room Makeover

If you're looking for a DIY project that can transform your home, a laundry room makeover is a great place to start. Not only will it improve the functionality of the space, but it can also make laundry day a little more enjoyable. Let's look at what's needed for a DIY laundry room makeover.

Step 1: Plan and Prep

Before you start any DIY project, it's important to plan and prep. Take some time to envision what you want your laundry room to look like. Consider factors such as storage, lighting, and color scheme. You may also want to make a list of supplies you'll need for the project, including paint, shelving, and organizational tools.

Once you have a plan in place, it's time to prep the space. This may include cleaning, removing any existing…

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What You Should Know About Buying a Fixer Upper

If you are a handyperson, or simply love old houses, then the idea of buying a fixer-upper home could be very attractive. Fixer-uppers often go for way below market price because of their condition, and you can invest time and money into renovating it exactly as you want. However, buying a fixer-upper is not for the faint of heart. Read our guide to buying a fixer-upper to learn more.

Your Life is Going to Be Disrupted During Renovations

No matter how large or small the renovations are, there is going to be some inconvenience while they are happening. You should also expect the project to take longer than anticipated since supply chain issues and other factors could hinder your renovation’s progress. Consider your…

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The Best Home Renovations for the Biggest ROI

Pandemic living has changed how Canadians think about renovations: according to the RE/MAX 2021 Renovation Investment Report, more than half of Canadians renovated their homes during the year. While only 16 per cent explicitly renovated to increase their home’s market value, nearly 60 per cent said they still considered the return on investment.

Prepping your house for sale can often require an investment to bring it up to current standards and help it compete in the hot real estate market. Especially if you’ve lived in the house for several decades, you may be blind to your home’s shortcomings. Here, we examine the top home renovations to ensure your return on investment.

Paint

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Optimizing Space in Your Galley Kitchen

Curious how to get the kitchen of your dreams within a narrow space? Here’s the skinny: some careful planning, judicious use of storage and small renovations can give a galley kitchen quite a pop.

The long and narrow galley kitchen traces back to tiny spaces set aside for a single cook to feed the onboard crews of waterborne vessels, both small and large. This style was then passed on to long-distance trains of the early 20th century, where a galley arrangement maximized customer seating while retaining a tight and efficient space for food prep—as long as kitchen workers were few and coordinated. 

In a residential home, the galley kitchen often serves as a space saver. Kitchens were often isolated, out-of-the-way functional places prior to the…

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How to Upgrade Your Kitchen with Minimal Fuss and Maximum Impact

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a great place to invest. A kitchen renovation can bring more light, more space, and more style into your home, making it an ideal place for friends and family to gather. Kitchen renovations can be intimidating. It’s a big job and not one to take lightly. But if you're ready to make the leap, there are plenty of options available to help you upgrade your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum impact. Let’s explore some of the best ways to get your kitchen renovation project off the ground and running in no time!

The first step for any kitchen renovation is planning. Start by making a list of what needs to be done, including minor updates like replacing outdated appliances or repainting cabinets, as well as…

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How to Prioritize Home Renovations

Whether you’ve bought a fixer-upper, or your property simply needs an update, homeowners may find themselves confronted with multiple renovations at a time. Upgrading your home can also be  contagious—once you update one room, it can feel tempting to do them all. If you’re looking at several home renovations on your to-do list, where do you even start? How do you decide what projects come first and what tasks can sit on the back burner? 

Rebecca Hay, president and principal designer of Rebecca Hay Designs, gives us some pointers on how to prioritize home renovations.

How to decide where to start

You have several areas of your home that need a renovation—the kitchen is dated, the entryway isn’t functional, and the bathroom…

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Why You Should Live in Your Home Before Renovating it

Buying a new home is exciting, but depending on where you are on the property ladder, you may not be getting a move-in ready property. Although it can be tempting to jump right in to transform your space, it’s not always a good idea to rip down walls as soon as you close the sale. Here’s why you should put down that sledgehammer and take your time instead. 

1. You’ll learn about your home and its pain points

Whether you buy a total fixer-upper, an older home that needs minor updates, or a newly built place you want to personalize, it’s smart to play the waiting game before embarking on major renovations, says David Stevens, a REALTOR® in Victoria, British Columbia.

“I tell my purchasers I’d like to see them in the house for 12 months…

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What Reno Gives the Best ROI?

Will the carpet in my bathroom increase or decrease my property value? Let’s just say if you’ve asked that question then you’re in the right place to find out what’s relevant in the current Canadian real estate market, whether you’re browsing, buying, or selling.

RE/MAX® has been around since carpeting in bathrooms (please, no!) was a thing. Our 50 years of experience has taught us a thing or two about Canadian real estate. Don’t worry if you can’t keep up with everything there is to know about home-buying, selling and staging a property. That’s why we’re here – to clarify all your questions. And you can be sure that there are many, many questions.

So, How Much do People Really Know About Canadian Real Estate?

RE/MAX…

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What is Renovation Mortgage Financing?

The good news is that you’ve found your dream home. The bad news is it’s a bit of a fixer-upper. You’ve saved for the down payment but do not have the money to undertake the necessary renovations. Fear not, homebuyer! There are many options available to help you finance the renovations, so you can stop dreaming and start enjoying your new home.

How to pay for renovations when buying a home

Renovation mortgage financing is one of the most popular renovation financing options for new homebuyers. It allows you to add renovation costs to your mortgage when you purchase your new home. So if your mortgage was $500,000 to cover the purchase price and you needed $60,000 for the renovations, you would assume a mortgage of…

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