Unusual (but effective) Home Staging Ideas

We have all heard about "Staging" your home when the time comes to sell.
It is all about making the space in your home as appealing as possible to potential
buyers. You may already know the basics, such as eliminating clutter. Here are
some unusual home staging ideas that are less well known yet very effective:

• Chandeliers. Surprisingly, these are one of the simplest ways to
make a foyer, dining room or living room dramatically more eye catching.

You can buy a good looking chandelier for a few hundred dollars.

• New linen. This is something many home sellers don't consider, but should. Replace any worn linen such as sheets, coverings, towels, and even oven mitts with new ones. Believe it or not, new linen makes a big impression on buyers.

• Pedestal sinks. It may not be practical for you to replace a bathroom sink. However, if you are doing a renovation, keep in mind that pedestal sinks, especially in small bathrooms, are a big hit with buyers.

• New appliances. A brand new fridge, stove and dishwasher are
motivating selling features to buyers. New appliances make the whole
kitchen look brand new.

• Avoid multi-use rooms. Have a spare bedroom that doubles as a
home office? That's a turnoff to buyers. Whenever possible, stage
each room so that it has a singular purpose. A guest bedroom, for
example, should be only that.

See more tips on how to stage your home to attract buyers or
give us a call.  We are always available to chat.


Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct: 519-495-1541
Email: richardthyssen@kw.com
www.thyssengroup.com

370 HALE Street LONDON, Ontario N5W1G4

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/8DPW43

Popular Kiwanis Park area! 2+1 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home ready for your finishing touches. Newer windows, hardwood floors, partly finished lower level. Shingles approximately 2008. Generous sized fenced yard. Close to public transit and schools. A great opportunity, come and see for yourself!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.00

Price: $144,900

For more information about this property, please contact Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record at (519) 438-8000 or richardthyssen@kw.com. You can also text 2458380 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.thyssengroup.com

MLS ID: 553557

Ideas to Keep Gift Buying Local

Christmas will be here soon and with the shopping days dwindling down, here are some ideas to keep your gift buying local and support local businesses!

Who says a gift needs to fit in a  box, wrapped in paper?

EVERYONE gets their hair cut.  How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership?  Appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed?  Small, detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate.

Perhaps you know someone that would be grateful to have his driveway sealed,  lawn mowed or driveway plowed.

How about a game of golf at a local golf course?

Our great city has loads of restaurants -- all offering gift certificates -- or what about a

breakfast at a local breakfast nook.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle done at a London shop?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for Mom?  Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning

lady for a day.

For the computer geek on your list, how about a computer tune up.

Looking for something more personal?  Local crafts people make jewelry, pottery, sweaters and scarves.

Plan your holiday outings at a local, owner operated restaurant.  And how about going out to see

a play at our local theatre.

Christmas is about caring.  Supporting local businesses show we care and when we care about

our community, the benefits come back to us.

Happy shopping!

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record

Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative

Direct 519-495-1541

email: richardthyssen@kw.com

www.thyssengroup.com

Weekend DIY Projects to Improve Your Home Value

The best home improvements are those that have a high return on the investment.  The National Association of Realtors offers the 2013-2014 cost vs. value  report with the Top 10 remodelling projects and their return. 
The report is based on the assumption that you're using professional labor to perform the remodel. You'll get an even higher return on your dollar, when it's time to sell your home, if you do the job yourself.
We've compiled our own list of DIY projects that buyers like, you'll enjoy in the meantime, and you can accomplish in a weekend. To keep it simple, we focused on two areas of the home that are key when it comes time to sell: the entryway and kitchen.

Upgrade Your Entry

As potential buyers walk up to your home, they can't help but notice the door. Upgrading to a new entry door is the perfect weekend DIY project. Even better, it's one of the projects listed on the Cost vs. Value Report, year after year, as a remodel that returns most of the investment upon the sale of a home.
According to the 2013-2014 Cost vs. Value Report, a replacement steel door recoups 96.6 percent of the investment.
However, the report factors in labor to determine how much of the cost is recouped. When you install the door yourself, your return can only be higher.
Even if you've never done anything similar, hanging a door isn't beyond your capabilities. Expect to spend less than a day on this project.

Touch Up the Kitchen

Everyone seems to gravitate to the kitchen, and many buyers consider it the most important room in a home.
Any single item on our list will make a noticeable difference in the feel and value of your kitchen.

Refinish your cabinetry. Modern veneer kits make resurfacing cabinet boxes fairly easy. Take off the doors and remove the drawers first. After installing the veneer, put new drawers in place. Add new knobs and pulls as well. The result: new-looking cabinets at a fraction of the cost.

Replace the counter tops. Depending on the new counter surface selected, replacing a counter top is fairly simple and not likely to take more than a day or two.

Install new sink hardware. A mid-priced sink and new faucet freshen up the look of an older kitchen. Don't be afraid to try a different style or material.

Go shopping. New appliances can only increase your home value. Focus on ovens and cook tops that offer greater energy efficiency.

Focus on the flooring. As much traffic as the kitchen witnesses, the floor gets worn out easily. Consider installing new flooring to raise the value of your home.

When contemplating remodel projects, keep in mind that it's possible to over-improve a home, depending on the neighborhood and real estate market. Compare your home's features to those of nearby homes to get a better idea of what will prove valuable – or not – in your area.

Call us anytime for advice on making improvements!

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative
Direct: 519-495-1541
Email: richardthyssen@kw.com
www.thyssengroup.com 

370 HALE Street LONDON, N5W1G4

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/NQNKR3

Diamond in the rough!!! Heres your chance to showcase your finishing touches! 2+1 bedroom with newer windows, hardwood floors and a nice size yard. Dont let this opportunity pass you by!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.00

Price: $129,900

For more information about this property, please contact Thyssen Group at (519) 438-8000 or richardthyssen@kw.com. You can also text 2443631 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.thyssengroup.com

MLS ID: 553108

910 SILVERSMITH Street LONDON, N6H5T5

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/QDQ9FD

Warm and inviting best describes this 2+1 bedroom, 3 full baths end unit freehold row home, no condo fees!! Bright & spacious living room with vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and plenty of windows. Sunny eat in kitchen with patio doors leading to large composite deck. Master bedroom with ensuite featuring jetted tub and separate shower. Convenient main floor laundry. Lower level offers a generous sized family room with gas fireplace, large bright windows a bedroom and 4 piece bath. Stamped concrete walkway. Double car garage with inside entry and parking space for 3 extra cars outside of garage.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3.00

Price: $299,900

For more information about this property, please contact Thyssen Group at (519) 438-8000 or richardthyssen@kw.com. You can also text 2431908 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.thyssengroup.com

MLS ID: 550486

910 SILVERSMITH Street LONDON, N6H5T5

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/W293XW

Warm and inviting best describes this 2+1 bedroom, 3 full baths end unit Freehold Link home, no condo fees!! Bright & spacious living room with vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace and plenty of windows. Sunny eat in kitchen with patio doors leading to large composite deck. Master bedroom with ensuite featuring jetted tub and separate shower. Convenient main floor laundry. Lower level offers a generous sized family room with gas fireplace, large bright windows a bedroom and 4 piece bath. Stamped concrete walkway. Double car garage with inside entry and parking space for 3 extra cars outside of garage.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3.00

Price: $299,900

For more information about this property, please contact Thyssen Group at (519) 438-8000 or richardthyssen@kw.com. You can also text 2431895 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.thyssengroup.com

MLS ID: 551276

202 - 155 KENT Street LONDON, N6A5N7

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/54UGSL

Live in the heart of downtown! This immaculate 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo offers a newly renovated kitchen with attractive ceramic backsplash. Ceramic flooring through foyer, kitchen & bath. Master with full ensuite. Freshly painted throughout in neutral tones. 5 appliances included. As an added bonus, a private storage locker in basement is included (very few units in the building come with one). Building offers exercise room, hot tub, sauna and lounge area. Covered parking available for $125 per/mth if required. Move right in and enjoy the downtown life!

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2.00

Price: $169,900

For more information about this property, please contact Thyssen Group at (519) 438-8000 or richardthyssen@kw.com. You can also text 2431888 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.thyssengroup.com

MLS ID: 548444

86 STERLING Street LONDON, N5Y1Y7

Property Site: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/WK3D2V

Oversized garage with workshop!! Located on a quiet street in Bellwood Park. This 2 bedroom bungalow is larger than it looks. Large (22 x 14 ft) main floor family room addition plus a 3 season sun room. Hardwood floors. Inviting front porch & park like backyard. Updates include hot water heating system in 2008, mostly newer windows. Appliances included. .

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 1.00

Price: $159,900

For more information about this property, please contact Thyssen Group at (519) 438-8000 or richardthyssen@kw.com. You can also text 2431887 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.thyssengroup.com

MLS ID: 550728