With winter upon us, it does not mean the fun needs to stop or even slow! So here is a list of must-do winter activities in The Comox Valley for this year! 

Fat Bike

No, you did not hear or read that weird… They are bikes with fat tires on them so that you can bike through the snow! How fun, right? You can give it a try this winter too, up at Mount Washington! 

Ice Skating

 Although we do not get weather cold enough to freeze a rink out here, the arena does! 

Shred the Gnar

Ski or snowboard up at Mount Washington. 

Day on The Town

Spend a day shopping downtown Courtenay and make sure to stop at Hot Chocolates to get Hot Chocolate, of course! 

Snowshoeing 

Strap on the snowshoes and take it where the snow falls! 

Rent Sleds

Not toboggan sleds, snowmobiles! It’s a fun day out in the snow and feeds that adrenaline junkie side to you! 

Tobogganing

No one is ever too old for tobogganing, especially if it becomes beer-bogganing! Make it a fun day with friends out in the woods! 

Cross Country Skiing 

There are so many unique places to explore in the woods with a set of skis! So go and do it! Rain or shine! 

Tubbing 

Go for a day of tubbing! It does not matter how old you are to enjoy a day of tubing! 

Ice Fishing

Head up to some mountain lakes for a day of ice fishing! Make sure to pack your warm woollies and bear spray. 

Indoor Farmers Market 

It’s all year round and a whole lot of wholesome! Check it out on a rainy day! 

Winter Beach Fire

Pro Tip: if you face the mainland, you may be lucky enough to see northern lights at certain times of the year! 

Winter Scuba Dive

Did you know the visibility is the best in the wintertime? So it’s the best time of year to dive! All those critters that generally need to go deeper to stay cooler are more out and about to see! 

Year-Round Golf

Yup, here in the Valley, we have year-round golf! So go for a game on a nice sunny day to soak up some vitamin D! 

Heli to the Glacier 

Go check out those peaks from a different perspective! It is well worth it! 

Spend the season outside and enjoy all the Comox Valley has to offer. Remember always to bring protection against the wild creatures stirring about and respect nature itself. Please clean up after yourself and try not to do any more damage than we already have! 

There aren’t too many people in this world who genuinely enjoy viewing homes in single-digit temperatures. But here are a couple of reasons why you should learn to love checking out houses in the cold! 

There is a Lot Less Competition

 There are not many who like to check out homes in the winter. Believe it or not, in the months of May to August makeup 40% of all home sales in a year! So 1/4 of the year makes up for 40% of the market! Additionally, January to February only consists of 6% of total annual sales! So there are fewer buyers to compete with, making it a great time to buy, especially if you are not an all-cash, zero condition buyer! 

Motivated Sellers 

Usually, when someone lists their home in the winter, there is a bit of a driving force. So they are likely working with a timeline. When making your offer, keep it in mind, and if you can, try and accommodate the sellers' timeline to guarantee them picking your offer. 

If a home is on the market for a long time, talk to your Realtor about maybe giving a lower offer! 

Detective Work 

Typically, winter is the most stressful time of year on a home's “weaknesses.” You’ll be able to feel the drafts, not-so-insulated walls, and possible leak locations! You’ll be able to judge how well a furnace works, baseboard heaters or their central air. Signs of a warm home with no fireplace on is always a good thing! 

Movers Aren't as Busy

Finding movers for your date is a whole lot easier because they are not as busy! 

Last-Minute Tax Savings 

Depending on timing, first-time homebuyers can usually save a couple of extra bucks off their potential tax deductions! 

Faster Closing 

During busy months, mortgage brokers re usually backup a bit. So you may have a faster closing in the winter months when they aren’t as busy!

You’ll be in that new place in no time, and it will seem stressless and as seamless as never before! 

When selling your home, you want it to look the absolute best and the most attractive to potential buyers. 

Home Staging is a method of interior design to highlight your home and its most impressive features. 

According to the National Association of Realtors 2017 Staging Stats Report:

• 77% say that staged homes make it easier for buyers to visualize themselves owning the home. 
• 21% report staging increases the home’s value by 6%-10% 
• 39% report it dramatically decreases the amount of time a house sits on the market for.

To maximize the benefits of home staging, check out the tips below! 

De-Personalize the Space

This is number one for a reason. Takedown family pictures, dad’s old hockey jersey, dance trophies off the shelves, posters in your teenagers’ room etc. When your home is full of your personal collectibles and items, it can make it harder for potential buyers to envision themselves living there. 

 Keep clothes tucked away neatly and out of sight. People do check closets so ensure they are clean, but feel free to cram stuff into dresser drawers as prospective purchasers won’t be opening those!

 Clear off ALL personal items from bathroom shelves. ALL OF IT. 

 Remove items of “hot discussion topic” from your home. Controversial items falling into categories such as religion, politics, hunting etc., can sometimes turn off prospective buyers. We want the home to feel neutral and allow people to envision their own lives there.

Staging does make the home feel a bit empty and odd to live in, but it really helps for a quick and efficient sale of a home! 

Get Rid of All Clutter

 Clutter takes away from the space in your home, and space is what sells! One of the main goals of staging is to make your home look bigger and more spacious. So cut items back to just the very basics. Remember, you are not getting rid of these things forever; you’re just packing them up prematurely to get more value for your home! 

Front Closet: empty out all off-season clothes and garments. De-clutter the shoes, the dog leashes, the sports gear, whatever is in there! People will likely be opening closets to check for storage space. If yours is empty and makes it look like there is lots of space. If it’s jammed full, they will likely not even bother taking the time to look and will quickly start to lose interest. 

Decor: keep a couple of small key feature pieces that are minimalistic. The rest should be stashed. Too much decor can make a space seem smaller than it is, so the more that can be packed up, the better. 

Office Spaces: PACK UP ALL THE PAPER. Any clutter and visible office supplies. In today’s day and age, the home office has become more critical than ever before. It is crucial that your home office looks beautiful and spacious to satisfy work-from-home professionals.

Kitchen & Bathroom: Absolutely everything off any surface spaces! There should ideally be nothing but a bathroom soap dispenser, that is it! 

Kids & Pet Stuff: Pack up as much as you can. Non-pet owners and people without or who do not want children are very quickly deterred from homes with kids and pets because it is harder for them to envision living there. People with kids and pets always see that opportunity, but it is a deterrent the other way around. So, to really open up for your potential buyers stash as much stuff as you can. 

All in all, less stuff = more space = more money! 

Fix-It! 

 If it’s broken, fix it, if it needs patching, patch and paint it. The more work someone must do on your home walking into it, the more the value of the home decreases. Simple fixes and repairs can make the world of difference to your overall home value. When people see these simple fixes being neglected, they often wonder what else has been overlooked, and it strikes fear and distrust. 

Keep It As Natural As Possible! 

Think about painting over any bright coloured walls with something more natural. Sometimes, buyers find them unappealing or distracting. Additionally, very bright or very dark colours can be intimidating, often giving the perception of having to hire and pay for a professional to colour correct them. 

Curb Appeal… Yes… It’s Still a Thing, and It Still Matters. 

You have probably already heard it before, and you will again… curb appeal matters…. a lot! Make sure to take down all seasonal decor and de-clutter the gardens and yard. Take the time to weed and maybe put in some fresh mulch! It will make the yard look 100x better and significantly increase the chances of selling quicker. --Also, think about applying a fresh coat of paint to the front and garage door if they are looking older and out of date. Power washing concrete and house siding is another great way to make your house picture perfect! 

Fresh Greengage 

A little bit of fresh greengage can go a long way! Make sure not to pollute areas with greengage. A little plant here and there while keeping them off windowsills goes a long way! 

Make sure to use different lights to add some complexity to the room. Fresh flowers that won’t take away too much from the room to can always be an excellent idea! They go perfectly in either the living room or dining room.

Light!! 

The more lights, the better! The more natural light, even better!! Open all curtains and shades. Think about painting dark rooms a lighter tone so more light can come in and bounce off the walls! If you have anything obstructing light from coming into your home that you have control over and can fix, try and do so! Rearrange outdoor furniture so they aren’t blocking windows, clean the windows if they are stopping light, whatever it may be. 

Rearrange Furniture 

 The goal is to make the place look huge, even if it is tiny. The more walkable space in a room, the better. Focus on removing extraneous, damaged, and unmatched furniture away into storage and rearranging the rest to flow nicely.

Clean! 

Clean like never before. Everything should be spotless, and all odours should be removed, carpets professionally (or rent a machine to DIY) cleaned, windows cleaned, decks power washed, EVERYTHING. This is crucial to selling your home. If it’s dirty, people will just turn around and walk out. 

Prepping the sale of your home can be hard work. But your hard work will pay off with a big fat check! So hop to it! 

Getting married? How exciting, congratulations! Looking to buy a home? How exciting, congratulations! 

However, those are two massive expenses! How deep are your pockets? 

A report has found that millennials who take destination bachelor trips spend up to 35% of the down payment on the median-priced homes! 

That’s insane!

Let’s be real, we would all love to go party our faces off instead of being an adult 24/7 and worrying about saving and buying a home, and responsibilities, and our RRSP’s, etc.… 

But let’s also remember how important it is to buy a home. 

Destination bachelor and bachelorette parties have become the norm. Whether you are attending or hosting, it adds up fast. Never mind the rest of the wedding expenses again, whether attending or hosting. 

Dipping Into Savings 

You have worked so hard for so long to create that little nest egg for your first home. Your home is an investment; your wedding events are not. Sorry, hate to break it to you so cut and dry, but it’s the truth, and lenders see it that way too. 

Keep your home savings as home savings. If you are planning a wedding, plan for additional savings and save up for the event, do not dip into pre-existing accounts. 

Running Up the Credit Cards 

Also, not a good idea. Depending on your credit, your lender will look into your credit history and when it was at its highest and if it was fully paid off. So again, make sure you have savings for these events. 

 Running up credit cards is never a good idea. So deciding to do a non-financially planned, significant expense event means setting yourself up for trouble. 

Set a Real Budget 

Set a budget to save for this event, what you will have for expenses, and blend it with your regular budget to see where you can make cuts and add to where you want to be for this event. Having a true, honest and realistic budget will be a lifesaver. 

You may not be able to control how wild you get for your big event, but you can be in control of your finances. It is not worth throwing away that first home you’ve been dreaming of to only be able to get into a little you-know-what box. So as exciting as it is, keep your long-term investment safe. 

It's getting into that time of year again! Fall! Leave changing, weather cooling, and days are getting shorter. 

Check out these great tips to cozy up up your home or rental for this season! 

SURPRISE GUEST WITH MORE BLANKETS 

A little extra cozy blanket in the room or on the bed as a throw never hurts! 

PATTERNS

Pumpkins don't always have to be orange. Buy some white pumpkins and use decoupage techniques to get them to match your home interior! 

USE TABLE CLOTHS

Get some lovely flannel table covers and cloths to spruce up your dining space this fall season. 

USE DISPLAY GOURDS IN YOUR KITCHEN

Use gourds for kitchen displays. Swap your suit bowl for a gourd bowl. 

ADD THROW PILLOWS 

Add some lovely flannel throw pillows wherever butts may be planted! 

FALL FLOWER DISPLAYS

Use those warm fall flowers as displays wherever you see as fit in your home! 

HANG WREATHS

Above mantles, or windows or doors. Wherever you see fit! But try not to overdo it. 

 DECK OUT THE FRONT DOOR 

Deck it out with nice fall decor like mums, on pumpkins, and fall foliage. 

ADD FOLIAGE TO PUMPKINS 

Add foliage to pumpkins instead of carving pumpkins. Make for beautiful decor. 

COZY UP WITH THROWS 

Throws everywhere! Everyone likes to be able to grab a blank and cozy up wherever convenient. 

MAKE TREE BRANCH COASTERS 

Find a tree branch that's fallen or been chopped and make some natural wood coasters! 

MAKE A COZY OUTDOOR SPACE

Whether it's the patio or a fire pit, cozy it up for those cool nights with blankets, cautions, throw pillows! 

HANG SEASONAL PLANTS 

Why not hang them instead of displaying them from the ground? 

CHUNKY KNITS

Yes, get those chunky knits out! They never seem to go out of style and certainly will not be out of style this year! 

Fall is such a fun time of year, so embrace it!! Enjoy the colours, the cool air and the sunshine! Have fun with decor and embrace all the fun and family time it can bring! 

Do you want to make sure you are getting top dollar for the sale of your home? Or maybe you are looking to buy a home that needs little to no work and will have a fantastic return on investment as it! Here are a couple of things to look for when upgrading or buying a home today! 

#1 Curb Appeal 

 You have probably heard this one before, but we will repeat it. Curb appeal really matters! Spending a little bit of extra cheddar on your landscaping can go a long way to get top dollar for your home. Be sure to invest in some beautiful perennials, and be sure to weed the garden before the photographer is arranged to come! 

#2 Energy Efficiency 

 Being on Vancouver Island in the beautiful Comox Valley, we are blessed with the weather we get throughout the year. As a result, we require minimal heating and cooling compared to many of our neighbouring provinces. However, when we do need heating and A/C, is it best when it is efficient. Replace your baseboard heaters with a high-efficiency central air system that heats and cools. It goes a long way when buying and selling! 

#3 Local Food & Beverage Amenities 

Yes, that's right, the local scene will affect the value of your home! Do you live near dive bars or five stars? It can affect the value of your home based on the judgement of what kind of neighbourhood it's in.

#4 Internet Access

Since the global pandemic in 2020, this factor has become more critical than ever before. People need to have access to 24/7 high-speed internet. So, what kind of internet setup can be crucial to some buyers. 

#5 Home Office Space

Internet and home office space goes a bit hand in hand. With the crazy new demand for home office spaces, don't be afraid to stage a spare room as a home office to show potential buyers the opportunity to see its functionality in your area. 

#6 Schools 

 Did you know parents are willing to spend larger than the budgeted amount to ensure their children will be in a good area or the required area for top schools? This alone can be a huge seller's advantage and buyer's advantage in the future for their investment. 

#7 Water Front or Walking Distance 

As we get closer to the water, the more a value of a home increases. In the Comox Valley, we are surrounded by beautiful beaches and lakes, allowing for many options when buying and selling. 

#8 Community & Culture 

Living close to sports centers, the downtown, parks, community centers, etc., can significantly affect the price! Community matters and what communities offer are essential to people in a community. So, the culture will make a massive difference in the value of the communities you are starting your home search in. 

#9 Weeds

Weeds can significantly decrease the value of your home. In short, the more work someone else has to do when moving in, the less valuable your home is. On the other hand, spending an afternoon weeding before the photographer comes can add a lot of value to your house quickly. 

#10 Unpleasant History & Crime

Bad history such as murders, robberies, and hauntings can put a buyer off purchasing. A high amount of crime in a neighbourhood can too. 

#11 Security Systems 

Due to #10, security systems add lots of value to your home! Whether you are on a pleasant side of town or not-so-friendly side of town, buyers always appreciate feeling safe in their new home, and sellers can have the peace of mind that someone is willing to pay more for a security system. 

#12 Nuisance Neighbours 

 Yes, your noisy, messy, loud neighbours can significantly affect the value of your home, especially during a showing. 

#13 Air & Noise Pollution 

Busy streets, railways, and airports can add noise and unwanted air pollution, lowering your home's value. 

#14 Improvements Without Permission 

"Improvements" made to the property without the town's permission can actually be hindering instead of helping! Make sure sellers; you are getting permits and all the documentation in doing so to add value to your home. No paperwork = a lot less money. Buyers, make sure to ask for the paperwork before you end up on the line for the previous owner's neglect. 

#15 Niche Improvements 

 Niche improvements such as a gothic theme, or a superman cave, or a 70's throwback, can significantly affect the sale of a home and its asking price! Therefore, it is essential to stay current with home trends and ensure you are styling your home so that others will find it attractive when buying and that you love. 

#16 Structural or Water Damage 

Cracks, leaks and any other structural damage on a property can put buyers off from buying.

#17 Poor Property Maintenance and Clutter 

Ever heard someone decides whether they like you or not in the first 10 seconds of meeting you? It's the same with a house and takes about 10 seconds for someone to decide whether they like the look of your home. If it is dirty, full of mess, has bad smells, has too many personal items, and is poorly maintained, it can very quickly put a buyer off. 

#18 Demographics 

 The types of buyers currently in or interested in a neighbourhood can affect the selling price. 

#19 Street Trees 

 Let's be honest; we all love a nicely landscaped neighbourhood with lovely trees. It definitely helps with neighbourhood appeal. 

#20 Public Transport & Bike Access 

 Public transport can be a significant determining factor in house purchase. So can the ability to ride a bike around town. 

#21 Storage Space

Storage is huge. Being able to store things efficiently can be a huge selling point in a home. Pay the extra little bit for closet organizers, pantry organization, laundry room shelves, and the home's value will go way up! If you can't visually see how a storage space can be organized, hire a professional organizer! They will get the job done right! Or Pinterest, because who doesn't love a good DIY. 

There are many more factors that can affect the value of your home. But don't stress!!! Each buyer is different, and something on this list that may matter a lot to you may not to someone else! During your homeownership time, it is crucial to understand how to preserve and grow your home value, but don't go overboard. Not everything on this list matters to everyone. Pick five that you can make a change in and make it happen before listing your home. The value-added will be beyond worth it! 

In today’s day and age, there is a lot of us who are working from home, and not all of us are fortunate enough to have a new room to dedicate to an office space. Here are some tips to make your any-space a decent home office space! 

1. Lighting

   Lighting is really important in a home office space. For more reasons than one. It can greatly affect your mood and attitude in your working environment, it can affect how productive you are, how much people trust you and how “professional” it makes you look on a zoom call, etc. There is a lot that light alone can affect! So if you are in a dark space, get on Amazon and buy a ring or studio light to go behind your laptop or desktop so customers and employers can see you better! Get some night lighting for around you as well! Or if you do have natural light, make sure you are facing it. It will improve your mood and light up your work meeting! Literally!!!

2. Commit To Your Space

   Don’t move office spaces every day. Pick one, make it functional, have an easy setup/tear down (if needed). Committing to your space ensures proper lighting, proper working routine (mentally and physically), comfortable seating, etc. It is better for your mental well-being to be in a similar “working” spot daily.

3. Declutter & Re-organize

   Yes that’s right, you’ve probably thought it, but here is your sign to ACTUALLY do it! Get rid of all that sh*t you don’t need. All those silly papers you’ve been holding onto. All those stray pens put them in a decorative cup. Tape all your cords down. Etc, etc, etc. You will feel so much better, and your day will be so much more productive!

4. Check What Your Background Looks Like

   Those dirty wine glasses and the bowl of dog food behind you takes away from your professionalism in team meetings or when dealing with clients. Make sure what’s behind you is not a big bright window (because people won’t be able to see you), and that it is nicely staged! Pinterest can be your absolute best friend when looking at home office staging. Get some pin-spo-ration for your home office space today!

5. Set Up Your Space… for You!

   When we all used to work at offices, our meetings and workspaces were always set up with the client primarily in mind. Now you have the chance to cater it to you! Set up some scented candles or some aromatherapy, to create an enjoyable workspace for yourself! Have your soda stream nearby with your favourite flavouring, and your favourite coffee pre-ground and ready to go! Get a piece of art you don’t mind staring at behind your computer all day and invest in a comfortable chair! Get some mood-lifting greengage nearby, you do you and build your happiest home office space. 

The moral of the story, make our space comfortable, functional, and personal! Have fun with it and enjoy making a space your own with no one to tell you what you can and can’t do! Only what you should do! 

Buying a home today faces new challenges than ever before. Housing prices are higher than ever, living costs are crazy, and rentals payments are as large as mortgage payments nowadays. 

So how does one afford to buy a home? 

Here is what you need to know about actually affording a home in Canada today. 

What Are Your Options? 

First thing is first. You need to find out from a mortgage professional what you can afford. Don't ballpark it, don't guesstimate, get pre-approved. This will determine whether or not a lender will consider you as a potential lendee because they may not depend on several of your financial factors. 

If you are a first-time homebuyer, there are many other options for you. So make sure the first thing you do is talk to a mortgage professional and a realtor to help get you on the right path. 

What's Your Credit Score?

Yes, your credit score affects what you get a mortgage for and the rate you can get. Talk to a professional on how to keep your credit score high. Talk to a professional about what you can do personally to raise your score. 

Make Enough Money to Save

Making enough to save for a home can be difficult. After all the expenses, and let's be honest, some funny money, it isn't easy to have room to save unless you are a two-income home. With high living expenses, too, it can make it even more challenging. 

For saving tips and our first-time homebuyer guide, please email us at brycehansenremax@gmail.com for your free guide. 

Ensure you have enough saved up for closing costs, the down payment, and six months' living expenses before buying a home. 

20% is Not Necessary 

"Brain Blows Up"… What? Really? Yes really. Although it is preferred, it is not required. When you do not put above 20% down, you do end up paying mortgage insurance. Witch is something you may need to do in order to get into the market. Once you are in the market, it only becomes easier. So if you need to pay a bit extra for mortgage insurance, so be it. 

Know Your Needs and Deal Breakers, But Remain Adaptable 

You may need to downsize, and you may need to locate further away from work and commute, you may need to move closer to the south side of town, etc. Know what your boundaries are and where you might be accepting to save a buck or two. 

All in all, be flexible. You might not get exactly what you want, but you can always work for it. 

As mentioned above, buying a home today, whether you are already in the market or not, can be challenging. Talk to your realtor or moorage professional to make plans to work towards your dream home or even just a home to meet your financial needs. 

Renovations are a great way to add value to your home and let's be real - who doesn’t want a shiny new kitchen?

But when it comes to home improvements, they can be pricy… 

Here is what you need to know about saving and planning for home renovations.

Every home project will almost always cost you more than you thought and take longer than you thought. So always keep that in mind and budget accordingly. A great way of planning for a home renovation is to take 10%-15% of whatever the total of your renovation is and add that into the budget. 

HOW MUCH SHOULD I SPEND ON MY RENOVATION?

For a rule of thumb, you should spend about 5% to 15% of your home value on kitchen renovations, 3% to 7% of your home value on bathroom renovations, and avoid over renovating by following similar guidelines. Over renovating is a serious problem that needs to be kept in mind when renovating! If you over renovate your home in for your neighbourhood, you will “lose money” on your home renovation because your neighbourhood also has a ceiling price as well as your home itself. You would hate to put a $150,000 kitchen, into a home that’s only worth $300,000. You won’t make money on that renovation. 

WHAT AM I SPENDING MONEY ON?

Materials 

Labour 

Accommodation

You defiantly do not really want to cheap out on materials or labour. 

It is always best to purchase materials that will have some kind of warranty, just in case. If something happens you’ll be glad you spent the extra on the materials with warranties instead of doing it all over again. When you go to sell, providing the buyers with these warranties is a huge plus!

Labour is pure and simple, you get what you pay for. Don’t forget it. 

Accommodations whether you are staying with family, at a hotel, in the trailer, or just going out every meal to get food, you will need to be accommodated in some way shape or form. So make sure you budget accordingly. 

There are three major things affecting the cost of your renovation project:

1. How much work you are willing and able to do yourself PROPERLY
2. The materials
3. The complexity of the project 

Labour is another huge part but it carries dramatically based on location and the complexity of the project. 

HOW DO I PAY FOR THE RENOS?

There are several options to pay for renovations, all with varying benefits and consequences. 

SAVINGS 

One of the most economical ways to pay for renovations is from a reserve fund or savings that you have saved for this specific project. You do not need to pay interest on it, depending on the savings account withdrawn from. 

HOME EQUITY/LINE OF CREDIT 

Homeowners with a good amount of equity in their home and with good credit can get a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Many people can get a personal line of credit at a higher interest rate to help pay for such projects. You will pay interest, but less interest than a credit card depending on your credit. 

CASH

Everyone likes cash. Talk to your contractor and see what they are able to do for you if you pay straight cash. 

CREDIT CARD

About 1 in 3 homeowners pay for their home renovations on their credit card. This is the most unfavourable way to pay for renovations because of the amount of interest you will pay on it. If you are paying for your renovations on your credit card, make sure that you budget for the extra interest that will be charged. Some contractors may not be able to take credit so you may end up paying cash advance fees on your credit card. Witch is much less than favourable. 

HOW DO I BUDGET FOR A HOME RENOVATION?

First off, go into it with a clear plan of what you want to be done. Do some research and see what it might work out to be. 

Second, now that you have an idea of what you want to be done and an estimated price, get a true estimate from a minimum of three contractors. Figure out their abilities, recommendations, timelines, and cost etc. 

Third, after meeting the contractors, pick the one you like best and start working with them. Chances are they are booking for a couple of months out or you can book for a couple of months out so you can have time to save for the project. 

Then make a BUDGET. It is NECESSARY. See where in your life you can temporarily cut out of your normal budget (like movies, dinner nights, camping trips, etc), to save for your big renovation. Make sure to budget interest and an extra 10% or so for wiggle room. 

There is no perfect way to make a budget. Everyones financial and personal situations are different. But make sure you can afford the renovation and it makes sense to do in your home. Find a solution that works best for you and meets your renovation needs. Taking the time to do the project right and save properly for it, will be wildly worth it for your financial future. 

Whether you are remodelling, thinking of remodelling, or just want to know more about what your flooring in your home is worth, here is a list of the best kinds of flooring to have in your home. 

In the first quarter (not half, quarter!!!) of 2021, $353 billion was spent in North America on remodelling projects. How much of that do you think accounted for flooring? 

Hardwood Flooring is Still King.

Solid hardwood (oak, maple or walnut) is still some of the highest valued types of flooring to this day. Solid hardwood flooring is known to stand the test of time lasting up to 100 years when properly taken care of.
Hardwood flooring has the best return on investment with an average of 106%. The beauty of hardwood flooring is you can always refinish it to change its look without having to replace the entire floor again. Making hardwood the most durable and cost-effective type of flooring. 

Harwood is best when kept away from water and humidity. So the location of the home will make a huge difference in durability. It is best kept away from kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements. 

Hardwood is difficult to install so make sure to not use it to test a DIY project. Hire an expert floorer to install all areas of hardwood. Hardwood does require more maintenance than other types of flooring. Make sure to ask your expert installer the best products to use on preserving and cleaning the floors. Stay away from any products that might strip the flooring.

Engineered Hardwood is a Great Choice. 

Engineered wood flooring looks similar to hardwood but is constructed differently. It is constructed with some hardwood on the top, plywood in the middle, and more hardwood on the bottom. 

Engineered hardwood can last between 20 - 40 years (depending on the environment, use, and care), and can be refinished once or twice depending on the quality and finishing changes. 

Engineered hardwood is much more water-resistant making it better for places like kitchens and laundry rooms. 

One of the biggest perks of engineered hardwood is it is cheaper than hardwood for more reasons than one! The return on investment difference between engineered hardwood and hardwood is minimal! So depending on your lifestyle, ability to maintain, if you have pets, etc, engineered hardwood may be the way to go! Engineered hardwood, similar to hardwood, is tricky to install. So same protocol goes for hiring a pro and asking necessary questions.

Exotic Wood Flooring 

Back in the 90’s & early 00’s exotic flooring like teak, cypress, bamboo, cork and pecan were popular choices. If you haven’t seen them before they have beautiful, unique, bright in colours and designs. And they are more expensive than traditional hardwood. They quickly fell out of popularity with the growing concern of the environmental impacts of removing these slow-growing types of wood from their native habitats. 

Depending on wood type, all characteristics vary. For installation, always ensure to hire an exotic wood specialist. Living in rural areas and choosing this type of wood may be difficult due to the availability of specialists as well as specialized cleaning and maintenance supplies. Be sure if you’re choosing this variety of wood you have access to all the specialized care it may need. 

Luxury Vinyl Too Look Like Hardwood for Less

Luxury vinyl is a great cost-effective option with amazing durability. It looks like hardwood but is waterproof, won’t grow mould, won’t warp, and won’t take in water. It works perfectly in all areas hardwood is not recommended such as kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and basements. 

LVP requires little to no maintenance and has less expensive maintenance supplies. 

You do not get as much return on investment for LVP but as long as it looks well-maintained people will likely not be too fussy. 

Vinyl is much easier to install. If you are a handy DIY’er you may consider taking this project on your own, or you may still consider hiring a professional.

Laminate Flooring 

Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials and is highly resistant to scratches, stains, and water. It is great flooring to have for people who are on the go and rough on their floors with no time for floor maintenance. This is a great choice of flooring for young families who live busy and active lifestyles with kids and pets. 

Laminate flooring is easy to install and can be done by a handy DIY’er. 

Laminate flooring has a vast variety of colours and patterns to pick from. 

Carpets

Do everyone a favour and rip out all wall-to-wall carpets. It is a trend of the ’50s. It is the cheapest flooring material per square foot and the easiest to install. 

If you are selling your home, know, that every time someone walks in and sees the wall-to-wall carpet, they add in the expense of ripping it out and replacing it with some kind of wood flooring. 

For areas like bedrooms where most like some carpet, consider area rugs or depending on your budget, heated floors. 

Carpets decrease the value of your home. People stress about odours, allergens, stains and much more. 

Tile

Tiles, when done right and following trends, can add tremendous value to your home! Tile is great in high traffic areas or areas that receive a lot of moisture like kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms and entranceways. They are also great in more humid climates. 

Depending on tile choice, there is very minimal maintenance required. Tiles offer a wides range of choices with styles, shapes, colours. If you think it, there is probably a tile for it! 

The most expensive part of the tile is the installation. If you are a go-getter, have all the tools, and know-how, then have fun with your installation! 

Your next tile project can have a great return on investment. 

Stone

When it comes to stone flooring, similar to tile, there are many different options. The ones that are most popular and hold their value the most are travertine, granite, marble and terrazzo. Again, very similarly to tile, stone floors are perfect for humid environments or areas with large moisture exposure. 

The downside of stone flooring is the high upfront cost for both materials and installation, as well as some kinds, which may require lots of maintenance to avoid staining and cracking. 

Stone still typically has a higher return on investment than most flooring, but be cautioned to choose wisely based on lifestyle needs. 

The best way to choose your new flooring is based on your lifestyle, budget, and overall look of your home (you don’t want the floor to be out of place, keep it current with updates). Remember too, there are costs for demolition and removal. Make sure you budget accordingly for your project. Also, don’t overdo it! By that, we mean to keep in mind your home's price point. If you are in a neighbourhood of homes worth $200,000 don’t do a $700,000 upgrade. Your home likely won’t be worth $900,000 when it’s done because of the neighbourhood it’s in. And finally, think about how this project will affect your lifestyle. If you are living with contractors in your kitchen for a week, what expenses might you incur with the cost of eating out and whatnot. 

But finally, best of luck if you choose to re-do your flooring!