Working as a real estate agent in Mississauga is a real joy for me. I’m often showing a condo to a buying client and I get a chance to study their reactions to the condo I’m showing. Sometimes they can be really excited, other times they are indifferent and on occasion they are repulsed. Let’s focus on the renovation’s that gets a buyer excited about making an offer for a Mississauga condo.
5. Lighting
Lighting can be vague as a description, but generally people want a small boxed space to feel open and aerie. Lighting of the space both natural and artificial is crucial to achieving this effect. The choice of window coverings is usually governed to some extent by the condominium rules, however blinds, drapes and shutters of the highest quality and in tasteful colours (usually neutral) makes a good impression.
California Shutters when closed can block out much of the sunlight during the day which is good for people wanting absolute darkness for sleeping or even privacy, while when opened fully can reveal the full glory of the condos view of the city. Automated window coverings that open and close with the touch of a button takes things to the next level of impressiveness.
Modern lighting (such as chandeliers and pot lights) made of glass, crystal, stainless steel, brushed nickel or fabric can set the mood for showings. Buyers not only want to be able to see the space, but also appreciate if the light fixtures have been upgraded from the 1980’s ceiling ball or brass coloured fixtures.
4. Smart Storage Solutions
Imagine you have lived in a detached house and then were to move into a condo with a livable area that equates to half of what you were used to. Downsizing is inevitable, but not always practical. Certain space is reserved as storage in a Mississauga condo. Finding ways of maximizing this storage spaces potential is huge plus for potential buyers.
Closet dividers and custom made organizers or ones you can find at places such as Ikea can make your condo stand out from the rest. Buyers will see the value added to your condo versus the competition. Also, a well-organized condo that is neat and clean will always give a good impression that the owner has probably kept the good care of the place. Typical places of upgrading storage are the walk in closets, bedroom closets, linen closets, laundry room, kitchen pantry and coat closets. Also, if you kind spare un-used space adding extra storage to bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms will also catch the buyer’s eye.
3. Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring throughout the condo is becoming pretty much a norm now for buyer’s expectations. It’s easier to clean and also is better for people with allergies. It also looks superior to the old fashioned shag carpet of the 70’s and early 80’s. It’s more durable than broadloom, looks better than the parquet that might be the original flooring and is real, not fake such as engineered hardwood or laminate which is so common in the new build Mississauga condos. Colour choice will depend on your overall interior design scheme, but make sure you get at least 4” width, as anything smaller looks cheap.
2. Bathrooms
Many older Mississauga condos are in dire need of upgrading the bathrooms. This in definitely one of the places the condo buyers get repulsed at. Often over time owners have neglected to do basic maintenance so things like mildew form, tiles work gets cracked or falling off, drywall may be bubbling, toilets look as though you are at a truck stop, doors are falling off the hinge, flooring is outdated or dirty. Upgrading the sinks, lighting, mirrors, fixtures, cabinets, toilets, bathtubs, walk in’s and tile work…basically the whole enchilada. Buyers know bathrooms are expensive and that’s why they want to see at the very least a well maintained clean and organized bathroom. What they really want is a modernly upgraded bathroom with materials like granite for the countertops and nice clean lines and neutral colours for the tile work.
1. Kitchens
Both men and women are at home at the kitchen these days. So it stands to reason that upgrading this one space which will probably benefit either of the sexes is a good place to put your money. Large tiling for the floors, hard durable granite for the counter tops, custom cabinetry with easy closing drawers and lighting under the cabinets. Stainless steel appliance and combination range hood with microwave is smart to keep countertops open.
