Our last months E-Newsletter will still help you! It's never too late to improve your home! Scroll down a bit and check it out!
While the Guelph market has cooled a bit this summer, make no mistake – it’s still a great time to sell your home. Prices are up significantly compared to last year, but more importantly, inventory continues to be limited for a market of this size. We fully expect things to pick up this fall, as they always do, once people turn their attention from barbecues and bathing suits back to real estate.
So, if you plan to enter the fall market, summer is a good time to get your ducks in a row. And why not enjoy a little sunshine while you’re at it? While potential buyers are almost always wowed by a new kitchen, don’t underestimate the appeal of a backyard paradise or the practicality of a new roof, especially with house inspections making their long-overdue return to Guelph offers.
Make sense? Alright, here’s a few things to consider if you’re looking to tackle some outdoor projects this summer.
Roofs
Much like advice from our parents and dietary recommendations, we all tend to neglect the importance of a roof. It’s the Jan Brady of house features. But a poorly managed roof can increase your energy bill, lead to extensive damage in your home and require a considerable cost to fix. So, ignore your roof at your own peril.
Roofing experts recommend that you visually inspect your roof several times a year for things like streaking stains on shingles, curled or buckled shingles or areas where granules are missing. Water stains within the house are also a clear sign that you may have issues (or a sign you have kids, because they can ruin your home in ways that will astonish you #ilovemykids).
If you do have a few shingles in rough shape, you can replace them individually without too much trouble. But if the problem is larger, a new roof may be worth the investment. I’ve read that approximately 40 per cent of what a potential buyer sees from the road is your roof. So if it looks bad, people will notice, and it’ll drag down the price of your home.
Like anything in life, if you do decide to replace the roof, make sure you do your homework and call around for recommendations. There are also lots of different types of roofing materials available today, so you should have a number of options to meet your budget. And you can always call us – we’ve worked with many good companies over the years.
Decks
A backyard without a nice deck is like a weekend without beer. Am I right?!
If your deck looks like the before picture from a renovation show, you should consider addressing it before selling. And if you’re going to do that, always start by talking to the City of Guelph. Depending on the nature of the job, you may need permits to carry out the work.
You’ll want to start your deck with a solid base, which tends to be a challenge in the South end of Guelph because of the rocky landscape. Don’t be surprised if a post hole company charges you extra to carry out that work, or if they decline the job altogether. And if you live in any termite zones, make sure you follow the necessary guidelines to protect your property, so contact the city in that situation as well.
In terms of material, pressure treated wood is far less toxic than it used to be, but it’s still not as benign as natural wood (though it should last longer, all things being equal). Cedar is by far the most common natural untreated decking material. If you’re looking for something that will last longer, composite decks are growing in popularity. The price is definitely a bit steeper, but the deck could outlive you, and that might be a nice selling feature for potential buyers.
If you’re handy, you’ll save yourself a bundle by tackling the job yourself, which is what we did. It’s certainly a lot more work, but when you’re sipping expensive margaritas on something you built, it’ll be worth it.
Fences
Does your neighbor mow his lawn in a speedo? If so, you might want to consider a fence.
If you are, the first thing you should do is walk over to speedo guy’s house and see if he’ll split the cost with you - because it might cut your project in half before you even start. Neighbors often agree to this arrangement because it benefits both parties. Just be sure to get the money in hand before materials are bought, because I’ve heard a few horror stories of people getting stiffed. You can imagine how awkward that can get, since you still have to live beside each other.
The second thing to consider is the purpose of your fence. Is it privacy? Is it decorative? Are you trying to raise the sale price of your home? If you’re selling your house, you can’t be sure what the next person will be looking for, so keep this in mind in the planning phase. A more decorative fence might save you a lot of money, if privacy is not really a factor. And if you’re just looking to set some boundaries, you could also go green. Cedar hedges can be just as effective as fences, at a fraction of the cost.
Similar to decks, you have a full range of materials options, so you should be able to find something within your budget. And the situation with post holes and termites also applies here.
That’s it! Get Out There & Build Stuff!
Some of these costs can be difficult to stomach, but rest assured they should pay themselves off in a higher sale price, particularly in this market. If you have kids, hopefully these items survive the summer, because kids enjoy breaking new stuff in particular #ilovemykids. As always, give us a call if you have any questions or are looking for recommendations. We’re always here to help.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Scott