PREDICTING TRENDS

Don't forget to consider a new condo's palette
BY MARILYN WILSON
POSTMEDIA NEWSSEPTEMBER 7, 2013

There are many factors to consider when choosing a new condo. Competing for attention are details concerning location, site orientation, views, size, potential for resale and, often most important, cost. There is, however, another set of factors that buyers may not fully consider. These are the interior design features that come with the condo. Specifically, I want to discuss condo palettes - the hues of walls, fixtures, cabinetry and window treatments.

Let's assume you are not one of those lucky individuals who is starting with a bare-bones unit for which you will choose all spatial arrangements, appliances and finishes. In reality, most new buyers cannot boast of extensive experience in condo design and an absence of budget restrictions. Rather, they rely on pre-designed packages that include specific colour palettes and decor choices.

One way developers attract buyers is through interior design. They offer a variety of samples of flooring, cabinetry and counter-tops. Builders are always thinking forward in the rapid-paced environment of condo development, so predicting potential colour and texture trends when a condo is ready to be sold can help differentiate a builder's offerings from those of the competition.

Not only that, but as condo showrooms come out months - sometimes years - before construction, colour trends are often chosen in advance. For instance, 2014's must-have features and colours have already been established.

Builders usually enlist the expertise of the best interior designers in the country to develop their interior design palettes. Since many of these designers' fees are beyond what most individuals are willing to pay, a buyer can benefit indirectly from a designer's skills by purchasing a condo whose palette is a result of careful consideration.

In general, builders try to supply prospective purchasers with the hottest and most desirable designs, thereby outdoing their competition.

Model suites will give you your first taste of a condo's palette offerings. On show are a spectrum of colours, textures and design features that can be selected at no extra cost. The more you relate to the basic palettes offered, the more you get your money's worth.

If you have trouble picturing yourself living among this decor, it may be time to consider another development with a different designer. This will prevent you from struggling to accommodate someone else's taste. To complicate matters, the builder will offer a wide selection of extra-cost upgrades - flooring, appliances, built-ins, counter-tops and backsplashes - the list goes on and on. If you don't see an upgrade you want, just ask, as most requests can be accommodated.

If you have a clear sense of what works for you, the selection process can be relatively straightforward. Remember that a reputed designer has been working in the background on your behalf, and now the builder will supply an experienced consultant to help with the decision-making.

Despite this, you may also want to enlist the services of your own designer to help organize the palette and options to create your own unique space. If you go this route, make sure to pick a designer with similar tastes to your own. This is best done by viewing examples of their work, something most designers will be happy to arrange.

You may be wondering what the current trends are.

There is movement away from the beige-on-beige theme to more sophisticated taupes, greys, pewters, creams, almonds and cappuccinos. These rich tones add variety and interest to spaces while maintaining the virtue of not being statements in and of themselves.

Textures are evolving rapidly with many designers forgoing classic granite and tile themes in favour of composites and polished concrete set off by smooth or sandblasted glass or stainless-steel backsplashes.

It's important not to forget that seasonal views may have a strong influence on your colour palette. For instance, you may want to opt out of an all-white palette, as the decor will suffer when the city is blanketed in snow. Whatever you choose, try not to go too bold with your palette, as you may get sick of it or suffer during resale.

Otherwise, follow the instincts of your taste, and happy condo hunting.

Marilyn Wilson has been selling real estate for more than 24 years and owns Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties Inc.

PREP WORK

Getting ready to sell? 10 staging tips to wow home shoppers 

By Lucie Brand 

The Globe and Mail September 4,  2013

1. Start with a change of mind

Too often investors/home owners become either too emotionally attached or not attached at all. I have worked with investors who were renovating a property and blew their budget on some obscenely expensive tile they “had to have” and had nothing left for furnishing the place. On the other hand I’ve worked with landlords who did not see the value in painting a place that had gone through 3 tenants! Looking at a property from a buyer’s perspective is key.

Take a tour with a realtor or a staging professional and get some outside opinions on what areas you should focus your dollars on and what’s needed to get the maximum offers.

2. Maximize curb appeal

The outside should draw people inside. Neatly trimmed bushes, mulched beds, weeded lawns all help make that crucial “first impression”. Freshly painted front doors with new mailboxes and house numbers are easy ways to create maximum impact without breaking the bank. Adding seasonal urns by the front door for some colour are another way to brighten up concrete steps or boring brick.

3. Choose neutral colour palette

Bold colours are great for living, but not for selling. Light and Bright should be your motto! Stick with a warm, neutral palette like tans, taupes and greys. Avoid dark colours, especially in small spaces (like powder rooms). Keep the ceilings white to keep walls looking tall. Rule of thumb, if the walls haven’t been painted in over 2 years, now is the Time!

Return on investment: 109 per cent*

4. Let there be light

Lighting plays a vital role and is often overlooked when getting a property ready for sale. Dark hallways, rooms with little natural light, basements and bathrooms should be addressed. A minimum of a 2-bulb overhead fixture with maximum watt bulbs can transform a dingy area. There should be NO overhead receptacles without a light fixture! Consider adding pendant fixtures in dining rooms and eating areas. Big box stores offer affordable options in brushed nickel or silver fittings.

Adding ambient lighting is essential especially in areas where there is no overhead outlets. Adding table lamps and floor lamps will help brighten up any room and help your property appear as “light-filled” as possible.

Return on investment: 303 per cent*

5. Flooring

This is the other main area that always increases the value of a home. It will ALWAYS cost you less to replace worn carpet or add new flooring then to leave it to the new home owners.

Most purchasers are looking for reasons to discount their offers. Flooring is one of the first things buyers see when they walk in. If their first thought is “I will need to replace these floors”, I guarantee they are discounting their offers $5000-$10000 for condos and $7000 – $15000 for houses. Doing the work yourself will cost you a fraction of that amount.

Return on investment: 107 per cent*

6. It’s all in the details
Replace all burnt out bulbs, touch up any nicks and dents in high traffic areas, replace torn screens and fix leaking faucets. Once the fix ups are done it’s time to focus on the pretty stuff. Fresh linens in the bathrooms, a bowl of fresh green apples on a kitchen island, fresh flowers on a dining table or in the entrance way.

Adding live or silk greenery to bathrooms and adding a new crisp bedding set to the Master all help create the impression of a well-cared for home.

7. Clean, clean, clean

This may seem like common sense, but unfortunately it’s still the one area owners tend to try and shortcut.
This is the time to hire a professional cleaning company. Special attention should be placed on appliances, inside and outside of cupboards, baseboards and windows. Bathrooms should be scoured and if necessary use grout cleaner to get the tiles looking spotless!

8. Highlight best use of the space

Tenants may have liked to use the dining room as an office, but it should be shown with it’s intended purpose. Giving a room more than one function (i.e. guest room and office) is a great way to effectively show the space. In condos this becomes essential when space is at a premium.

Using small glass desks with a stool you can tuck in can creatively introduce a “work space” where one wouldn’t think possible. Adding a daybed to a den/office creates extra sleeping space. Determine what adds the most value to potential buyers in your neighbourhood and showcase the space accordingly.

9. Kitchens and bathrooms are the place to invest

If you have dated cabinetry, cracked and worn laminate counters, chipped or broken tiles, consider investing in repairing and upgrading these rooms.

If your budget is limited, changing cabinetry hardware to brushed nickel or silver knobs and handles will give it an immediate appeal. Consider painting cabinetry instead of replacing them.

Depending on the price point of your property it is often worthwhile to install stone counters. This immediately adds value and is very durable for long term use. If stone is not in the budget, consider a “stone– like” laminate counter. Recaulking around sinks and bathtubs is a simple improvement that can greatly improve the look of a bathroom.

Return on investment: 172 per cent*

10. Vacant properties sit, staged properties sell

Staged homes sell 2 – 3 times faster and up to 6 per cent more than unstaged ones**. People perceive staged units that are well decorated as worth more. Professional stagers know how to highlight the features of the unit and distract from any “not so desirable” features.

If your budget is limited consider focusing on the main living areas and at least one bedroom. If you can’t borrow furniture and artwork, rental companies carry everything from furniture to linens. Just keep in mind that the goal is to show people how to use the space effectively.

Return on investment: 299 per cent*

Remember that 79 per cent of buyers have already viewed your property on the MLS, make sure that your property stands out among the competition! Staging is your key to getting noticed and getting SOLD.

Photo By: Exterior Encounters

BATHROOM ORGANIZING

Bathroom organizing tips

By Jennifer Weatherhead

Style At Home

Bathroom organizing ideas that’ll help keep your bathroom clean, tidy and functional.

When it comes to keeping one of the most-used rooms in your home, the beautiful bathroom, clean and functional, it all comes down to getting and keeping your bathroom organized. With so many people in and out of this room, and so many products, towels and small appliances making their way into the bathroom, it can turn into a place of chaos. But with our expert organizing tips from designer Rosemary Carbonara, you can get your bathroom completely organized and be able to easily access everything you need in just a few steps.

Bathroom organizing: Get started with these essentials

Before making sure everything is in its place, you’ll need to invest in a few items to keep things clean. If you’re starting your bathroom from scratch with a renovation or a new home, it’s the ideal time to create some special nooks and built-in organizational options that will make keeping your bathroom tidy much easier. Here are Rosemary’s organizing tips for clean and functional bathroom decor:

-Opt for a soap dispenser rather than tray and a bar of soap to keep the sink area clean.

-If you’re starting from scratch, have your vanity float off the floor so that mopping and cleaning is made easier and dirt does not pile up against the toe kick.

-Install wire shelves in the corner or wall of your shower to keep soaps and shampoos off the shower floor. Or install a niche in your shower that can house showering products if you are adding a new tub or shower.

-Have a medicine cabinet at the back of your mirror to house those small items. If you are starting from scratch, design it to be recessed into the wall with the mirror on front.

-Make use of the space above the toilet with shallow shelves for storage of extra towels, washcloths, etc.

-Have drawers in your cabinetry – always opt for drawers over doors for easy access and visibility of products and small appliances.

Keep products out of sight

Unless you have a beautifully bottled skincare product, soap or scent, the best way to keep you bathroom organized is to keep items off the counter or sink, and stored in cupboards, your linen closet or drawers. Organize your products by need (for example, tooth care products, skincare products, makeup, etc.) and be sure to keep items that you use on a daily basis in the easiest spot to access. Invest in dividers and compartments to help keep drawers sectioned off for specific items.

Keep towels and shower items accessible

Shelving is key when it comes to bathrooms, especially if you are cramped on space and have a small area to work with. Rosemary’s favourite place to make use of is above the toilet.

“Shallow shelves above the toilet are great for storing towels,” she says. If you can’t add shelving above the toilet, Rosemary recommends purchasing a seagrass- or leather hamper-like container with a lid to store towels or items you want to keep out of sight.

And, as mentioned above, shelving in a shower (especially a small stand-up shower) is essential for holding shampoos, conditioners, body wash and loofas. Built-in shelving is ideal, but wire-hanging shelves also fit nicely in showers and tubs.

Make the most of your linen closet

Keeping your linen closet organized is another way to make life easier when it comes to a tidy bathroom. An organized linen closet allows you to store products you don’t use every day in baskets or drawers in a place other than your bathroom. It’s the ideal place for extra towels, cleaning products and small appliances such as curling irons and flat irons. Just make sure you keep it as tidy as your bathroom!