Victoria BC Community Blog

Home Staging 101: Preparing Your Property for Sale Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on November 22, 2024

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Property staging can encompass a wide range of changes, from smaller cosmetic fixes to larger renovations, but the goal is always the same: to make sure a property is as visually appealing and inviting to prospective buyers as possible, whether they are looking at it online or in person. It’s a common practice, but not one that is always utilized to its full potential, so here are some things to keep in mind.

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Navigating the Inspection Process: What to Expect Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on August 20, 2024

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Buying a home is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make, and ensuring it's the right decision involves thorough due diligence. The home inspection process is a key step in this journey, offering you a detailed assessment of the property's condition. This evaluation helps uncover any potential issues or hidden defects, providing you with valuable insights that can influence your decision. Here is what you can expect and things to think about for your home inspection.

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The Pros and Cons of Fixer-Upper Homes: Is It Worth It? Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on July 20, 2024

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Most people have heard the term ‘fixer upper’, and in all likelihood have encountered examples on tv or social media. But if it's something you’re considering for your property journey, or a possibility for the future, then you need to know what the reality of taking a property from undesirable to a dream home will look like. To help you, here are some of the pros and cons of taking on a fixer upper property, and why and when it would be a worthwhile choice for you to make.

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Home Improvement Projects to Increase Property Value Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on March 13, 2024

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

When it comes to adding value to your home and making it a more appealing proposition for potential buyers, you don’t have to break the bank or bring in a professional to do major renovations. There are a variety of DIY projects you can undertake that will help add value to your home, and here are some of our favourites.

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The Home Selling Journey Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on November 16, 2023

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Everyone dreams of that first step on the property ladder—and with good reason, your first house will live long in your memory. However that first step is rarely the final one, and in order to fulfill your property dreams, and potentially find that forever home, selling that first property will be just as important as buying it. Getting the most value for your first sale will improve the options available to you as well as helping to set you up for the long term financially. Here is what to expect as a first time home seller, and how a REALTOR® can help.  

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Renting Out Your Suite – Things to Consider Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on July 17, 2023

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

Thinking of buying a home with a suite and renting it out? This can be a great idea to not only offset the cost of home expenses but can also potentially help with qualifying for a mortgage. However, it's essential to understand the intricacies and responsibilities that come with a suite. Here are some considerations, from financial implications to legal responsibility to being a landlord.

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DIY Home Improvement Projects for Your Home Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on April 19, 2023

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Spring is the perfect time of year for change and making improvements to your home — something that is especially important if you have plans to move. Making the most of this valuable asset is the best way to ensure you get the best returns and are able to move into your next dream home with ease. 

While there are extensive (and expensive) renovations that you can undertake, there are also a number of simple smaller changes that will make a tremendous difference to your property. We’ve recently talked about exterior changes in the form of curb appeal, and now we’re going to look at some of the interior changes where you can Do It Yourself. 

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4 Ways to Increase Your Home Value with Curb Appeal Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on March 17, 2023

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

First impressions count, especially if you are looking to sell your home. We know buyers are guided by emotions, and so much of this can be influenced by what they see before they’ve even stepped foot in your property. Because the exterior of your property is the first thing anyone will notice about your home, it’s important to take the time to showcase your property in the best light! 

But curb appeal isn’t just about selling your property — it’s a long term investment that can make a property a more enjoyable place to live, as well as raising the value and appeal of your neighbourhood. It can also often be an inexpensive and relatively simple cosmetic makeover that still has a marked effect on the look and feel of a property, ensuring you create a meaningful and lasting first impression on visitors and prospective buyers. 

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Why Your Home Needs to be Staged When Selling Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on May 19, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

Selling your property and getting the best return possible is all about appealing to prospective buyers. And a big part of that appeal comes from how you present your home; it’s about showcasing its potential and qualities in the best light possible, ensuring you make the right impression. 

This is where staging comes in. Professional staging will usually involve arranging furniture, decorations, and other design elements in a way that is designed to appeal to prospective buyers. Professional staging is an expense, albeit one that will often pay off in terms of increasing the sale value of your home. 

However depending on the budget, and your aims and expectations, it may be beneficial to either go the professional route, or to take a more hands on DIY approach. But no matter how you go about it, there are a wide range of benefits when it comes to staging your home for sale, which we’re going to take a look at now. 

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Should You Renovate Before Selling? Category: Home Improvement

Posted by Niels Madsen on March 24, 2022

Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes

One of the trickiest propositions for anyone selling their home is that of deciding exactly how much work, if any, they should put into renovating the property before selling. Renovations are often costly, both in terms of time and money, and therefore there is a definite risk/reward element to any considerations. 

On top of this, even minor cosmetic changes need to be thought of with the broadest audience in mind, something that’s a much more fraught process than just accounting for your own individual taste! 

Luckily, you don’t have to make that decision alone, we’re here to lend you our expert opinion with this guide on whether or not you should be renovating your property before selling, and which renovations would better serve your interests. 

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