Buyers Really Want these 10 Things in Their Next Home
There is likely no bigger purchase than a home. There are some things on most every homebuyers’ list when it comes to looking for their perfect property whether they’re buying for the first time, upgrading or downsizing. These 10 things seem to be really important to most: Separate laundry room. Most homebuyers want a designated space to do laundry. Having enough storage space for laundry items, as well as being able to fold clothes, is a must. Buyers see it as a huge plus. Most people prefer this space to be close to the master bedroom or at least on the main floor. Highly efficient. Even when buying an older home, homebuyers look for efficiency in appliances and windows. More people are mindful of their utility bills and look to things to cut those costs. Patio. Outdoor living is embraced by most homeowners. Eight-seven per cent of house hunters look for a home with a patio where they can entertain family and friends in the warmer months. A garage for more than just the vehicles. A spacious garage can also double as great storage space. A garage also provides easy accessibility to stored items unlike an attic or shed. Outside lighting. Most people take great pride in the time and money they’ve invested on landscaping and would like to highlight that even at night. Next to a patio, exterior lighting is the most desired outdoor feature. That includes spotlight, walkway and pendant lights. A modern kitchen and bathroom. Most people’s savings will be going toward a down payment, so getting a kitchen and bathroom they won’t have to change is high on the priority list. An eat-in, open concept kitchen is what most people strive for. These are really attractive to young families with children. Hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are cleaner and easier to maintain. Good flooring can last a lifetime if maintained well. Walk-in closet in the master. These types of closets are quickly gaining in popularity among first-time homebuyers. Such a closet ranks in the top five on home want list. Walk-in pantry. A full-sized pantry used to be a staple in every home in the early 20th century. They went out of favour, but are making a strong comeback. According to statistics, it’s the most wanted kitchen feature among buyers these days. Dining room. Like the walk-in pantry, the formal dining room is back on the want list. A separate dining room is among the top 10 essentials for first- and second-time homebuyers.
3 Tips for Moving From a SF Home Into a Condo
Moving from a larger home into a condo, something many Canadians find themselves doing, presents a number of considerations, not the least of which is figuring out what to do with all your stuff. If you’ve spent years living in a detached home, it’s possible you’ve acquired a lot of furniture and household items over the years, or you’re simply used to living and indulging in a larger space. Here’s how to make the logistics a bit easier. Take measurements! Before you move into your new home, make sure you either take measurements of each room yourself, or have access to detailed floorplans. This can help you decide where to put certain furniture items, or if there’s room for them at all. It also helps you pair down your stuff ahead of time, as well as tell your movers where to place certain items as you move in. Sell or trade your older items. It’s totally possible that some of your bigger items just might not work in your new space. Think of this as an opportunity to make some cash. Try selling your larger or out-of-date items at a consignment store or on Craigslist. Or, try Canada-based Bunz, an online trading platform, which allows you to connect with local people and swap your items for other furniture, gift cards or services. Use the multitask rule. A good way to decide if something belongs in a smaller space is to ask yourself if it can do double duty. Can the den couch be turned into a guest bed? Can that sideboard store bar supplies on top and hardware in the drawers? Can your ottoman also hide blankets or cushions? When you’re in a smaller space, your furniture becomes much more useful if it can serve more than one purpose. Moving is exciting, and moving into a smaller space? Think of it as an opportunity. These tips will have you living large in a small space in no time.
Designing a Passive House
While a passive house might sound odd, it’s actually a term used to describe the most energy-efficient kind of home. It attains this status by meeting a strict set of building standards that save energy, reduce noise pollution and improve air quality—providing the highest level of indoor comfort. The design principles. The five design principles of a passive home include the following: 1) Solar orientation, 2) Airtightness, 3) Insulation and zero thermal bridging, 4) Passive house institute-approved windows, and 5) High-performing ventilation and heat exchange. All of these must be met in order to qualify. Nature is key. To meet this building standard your home’s design and structure must focus on using natural, passive resources like the sun and shade to provide heating and cooling, which removes the need for traditional heat and A/C. This is achieved by using an incredibly high level of airtightness with the insulation design. Forget mold issues. While you might be worried that an airtight home sounds like a serious breeding ground for mold and dampness, the constant low-level ventilation built into the home ensures that any moist air is replaced so temperatures remain the same. And as an added bonus, an airtight home also means bugs have much less opportunity to make their way inside. Make it pretty. There is a common misconception that energy-efficient homes are ugly homes. While there was a time when this was true, today any home can be made into a passive home, and the more you focus on making it beautiful and energy efficient, the more appeal and resale value it will have. Who says you can’t have the best of both worlds? High-end homeowners want the comfort a passive home provides, but they also want a home that looks incredible.
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