What's In

• Clean Organized Garages. It's no longer the out-of-sight, out-of-mind dumping ground. People love organization (or they think they do). Offer them multiple cabinets, attic space, cubbies, shelves and a custom painted floor.Today's garage owners want them decked out with cabinet and storage systems, mini-refrigerators, insulation, heating and air conditioning, and durable but residential-looking flooring.
• Caving. Man caves and Mom caves are coming out of the closet. Personal dedicated space for one person in a household where he/she can go and work on projects or "chill" without being disturbed -- and if so, only in an emergency.
• Two home offices. Rising gas prices and commuting times have created more work-at-home families. Size matters, so make sure each room is at least 10-by-10 feet.
• Rejuvenation rooms. A one-stop space for exercising, meditation, yoga, sauna and fancy steam showers. Showers are going upscale, too. Waterfall fixtures and programmable temperature and water flow are the next trend. 
• Multiple places in the home for computer space . Gone are the days of the one computer family. Many times mother and father work from home and / or children have their own computers for homework or leisure time.
• Granite countertops or other stone materials. Laminate anything is out, especially on the countertop. Unless it is a back bathroom for the kids, spring for an upgraded countertop

• Plantation shutters or custom drapery treatments. Ditch the 1/2" metal window blinds or the curtains you tried to make yourself. Go for sleek window treatments in a neutral shade so if you or someone else changes the room's colors, they will be timeless. 

2008 - What's No Longer Hot On The Homefront   If you are building a home, remodeling a home, or just trying to sell an existing home, you will find some tips below on "What's no longer hot" in 2008 and won't add resale value or increase your investment payback in a remodel, and not help you sell your home quicker.   What's Out? Selling home "as is." Anything went in the boom market, but if you're planning to use "as is" in 2008, forget it. It's a two-word kiss of death. Buyers see it as a red flag about the home and you, the seller. You have too much competition to be chasing buyers away. Buyer incentives. Free cars don't sell houses; realistic pricing does. Gimmicks only confuse and distract buyers. Cut to the chase and deduct the cost of your freebie from your current price and send the signal to buyers that you're selling real property not personal property. Wallpaper or wall border. Wallpaper is trying its hardest to make a comeback. But, chances are no matter what you pick and fall in love with, the next person buying your home is going to rip it out before they even unpack. Dark and obvious accent walls. If you are not a professional designer, stick with one paint color or slight differences in intensity on the walls in your rooms. Same thing goes for faux painting. An unprofessional faux painting technique can actually make some people cringe. Carpeting or "wood look" laminate flooring. Hardly anyone wants a fully carpeted home these days. Stick with large ceramic tiles and hardwood flooring in all the family areas of your home. Resist the urge to use the laminate flooring. You'll never impress a potential buyer with it. Inadequate garage space. Never before have we had so much stuff in our lives and everyone in the family has or will have their own car.  Sandy Simpson & Susan Booth - Sales Representatives Prudential Renascent Realty, Brokerage - independantly owned & operated Phone: 905-476-4337 ex 434 Toll-Free: 877-356-7034 ex 434 Fax: 905-476-6141 Address: 461 The Queensway South City: Keswick Province: Ontario Postal: L4P 2C9 Email: info@KeswickHomesForSale.com