Have you ever walked into a home and it didn’t have a welcoming feel? Certain adjustments can be made in order to create a more homey feel to your place. What does this have to do with increasing your home's value? ​​Not only can you increase your home's worth by improving its structure, but also by adjusting the way your home is presented. When a buyer walks into a home, they want to be able to envision themselves in it. They want a home that feels inviting. If a house is cluttered and dirty, it can be a deal breaker for some. An unkempt home may lead some to believe that the house hasn’t been well maintained. An unmaintained home could mean more work to the structure and systems in the future which can be costly to the potential buyer. 

Here are a few tips on creating a more welcoming impression to your home. Declutter! Clean off all the floors and counters. Having less stuff will make your house feel larger and more spacious. This also helps buyers decide if they can fit their enormous sectional into the living room. Create a neutral scent. No one wants to walk into a home and get put off by an odour. I have had clients walk away from a home because of the smell! Buyers will fear that these smells have seeped into the carpeting or drywall, which means renovating and extra costs for them. Air out your home, take out the garbage, and you could even light a candle (nothing too overwhelming or strong). These are free and easy ways to give your home more appeal. This also helps create attractive listing photos. Online photos are the first thing a buyer looks at. This will be their first impression of the home so you want those photos looking tidy and presentable.

If you want to take it even further, there are more improvements to be done! Give your walls a fresh coat of paint, this can help cover up small marks and unforgivable stains. Replace your burnt out light bulbs and if your home doesn’t have a lot of natural light, add extra lamps to brighten it up. 

You could even go as far as renovating. The main areas in a home that you should focus on fixing up is the kitchen and the bathrooms. Homeowners spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it can be a very costly reno but it will be the focal point. There are a few bathroom adjustments you can do that are affordable but make an impact. Replacing fixtures like taps and lighting and replacing the floor are a great way to spruce up a bathroom. Other things you can upgrade/replace are the “big ticket items” of a home. Some of these items are the roof, heating/cooling system, and appliances.

Lastly, don’t forget about the exterior. Having great curb appeal can also help to increase your property’s value. Wash the siding on your home or give it a new coat of paint. Make sure to groom your yard, cut the grass, remove dead shrubbery, and trim any overgrown bushes and trees. Be sure to also tuck away or get rid of any debris and equipment like tools and garden supplies. 

These suggestions may bring some homes more value but ultimately, talk with your real estate agent about what the market is doing and comparables in your home’s area. 

If you love the small town feel, endless outdoor activities, and minimal traffic, Powell River is the City for you.

Powell River is located on the Sunshine Coast and surrounded by 32 lakes to enjoy. Drive to the end of Highway 101 situated in Lund, just 30 minutes from the City's centre. From there, you can take a boat over to see the beautiful white sand beaches of Savary Island. Want to go further? Boat or kayak up to desolation sound. There are many waterfalls and excellent spots for fishing, crabbing, and prawning. From Lund, head up to Sarah Point where you can access the start of the Sunshine Coast Trail (SCT). Hike hut to hut and experience the wonders from atop mountains and aside lakes. The SCT is Canada's  longest hut to hut hiking trail being 180km's in length. If you take the 57 hours (on average) to hike the whole trail, you will end up at Saltery Bay. Saltery Bay is located South of Powell River's City Centre and is where you can take the first of two ferries that will lead you down the Coast to North Vancouver. Not a fan of driving the 5-6 hours to get here? You can take a 30 minute plane ride with Pacific Coastal or hop on Harbour Air's float plane. 

Did you know, Powell River has the shortest river in Canada and the second shortest in the world? I bet you can guess what it's called... the Powell River! The river connects Powell Lake to the Pacific Ocean. Powell Lake is home to many float cabins. This is the locals' summer getaway. Powell Lake isn't the only lake that people like to enjoy. Be sure to visit Haslam, Sliammon, Inland, and West Lake to name a few. 

If you prefer the Ocean, we've got many beaches for you to explore. The most accesible and closest to the City Centre is Willingdon Beach. If you're looking for a sandy quiet beach that is great for castle building and skim boarding, head down to Mahoods Beach. 

Powell River has a population of about 13,000 residents. Everything is whithin 30 minutes of a drive to get to and you are rarely stuck in traffic. We've got neighbourhoods of all types. Central and close to everything: Westview. Unique and close to lakes and trails: Cranberry. Heritage feel and historical aspects: Townsite. Large properties and hobby farms whithin City limits: Wildwood. Right outside of the City limits we have the Valley and North and South of town. Experience rural living without having to drive hours to get there! 

I love where I live and if you want to know more about Powell River or are considering a move here, feel free to reach out.