Do you have a renovation project in mind – and wonder how much value it
will add to your home? Remodeling Magazine recently did a study of
renovation projects, comparing costs to added value. Here are some of the
results:
Replacing a main entry door has a return on investment of over 95%. After
all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things a prospective buyer
notices.
Adding a new deck also adds a lot of value. Depending on the materials
used, you can expect to get back three-quarters of the money invested.
Another high-payback project is the garage door. This once again
demonstrates the importance of a home’s “curb appeal.”
If you’re tackling a big project, such as a basement renovation, you’ll be
glad to know that, according to the study, a project like this adds a lot of
value.
Finally, minor improvements to bathrooms and kitchens – such as adding
new countertops or cupboards, can also be good investments that mostly
pay back when you sell your home.
Of course, these figures are averages and can vary widely depending on
location, type of property, and other factors.
Need help determining how a particular home improvement might impact
the selling price? Call today.

Have you ever driven up to a restaurant and your first impression was
disappointing? Perhaps the windows looked dark and gloomy, the façade
was worn and unattractive or for some other reason it just didn’t look like a
tempting place to eat.
It could still be a fantastic restaurant – a real gem. But, your first impression
has soured your anticipation. If you still walk through the front door, it will
likely be with the expectation of being disappointed.
This scenario often plays out in the real estate market as well.
A buyer drives up to a home for sale and quickly forms an impression based
on what he sees “from the curb”. That’s why you’ll hear real estate experts
talk about the importance of “curb appeal”. It’s one of the most important
selling points of a property.
If you plan to put your home on the market, you obviously want your home
to look as attractive as possible from the street. Fortunately, there are many
simple things you can do to improve curb appeal.
For example, you can trim shrubs and hedges, plant flowers, clean the
walkway and driveway, paint the front door and garage door, and clean the
exteriors of the windows. All these projects are relatively easy and
inexpensive. Yet, each can make a dramatic improvement to how your
home looks at first glance.
Don’t be like the great restaurant that’s hidden behind an unkept façade.
Make sure your curb appeal reflects the overall value of your property.
Looking for more advice on selling your home quickly and for the best price?
Call today.

In This Edition
MarketTemperature: Months of Inventory Down
HomeAdvisor: Preparing your Home for Sale
HomeMaintenance: Maintenance Memory Jog
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Time to Sell?: I take pride in offering exceptional Service.
1. An in-depth market analysis of your property
2. Property enhancement prior to marketing
3. A comprehensive promotional and marketing plan
4. Regular and clear communication so you know what is happening throughout the selling cycle
5. Expert and experienced negotiation and structuring of the sale
6. Comprehensive transaction management
7. My “NEW” client appreciation program

Call Jim at 403 660 6239 or email jim@jimperks.ca
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If you own a home or you are thinking of owning a home, you are on the property ladder. As you move up or down the ladder you will need advice and that’s where I come in. As your REALTOR® you have my real estate experience, loyalty, honesty and my commitment to helping you make the right real estate decisions. Call me for advice before you decide to buy or sell a home.
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MarketTemperature
Months of Inventory Down
Months of inventory relates to mow many home are for sale in relation to how many homes are selling. For example, f there are 2000 homes on the market and they are selling at 1000 homes per month, there is 2 months of inventory. As of March 13, Single family listing are down over 6% from this time last year and condo apartment listings are down 11% and Condo Townhome listings are down by 9%. Overall, th nuber of listing in the market. “When new product comes onto the market, buyers are not delaying their purchasing decisions as the majority of homes are selling in less time at prices closer to their list price,” said CREB® President Becky Walters. “The tighter market conditions have supported price growth. I am still experiencing multiple offer situations in the market and my colleagues in RE/MAX Mountain View are seeing multiple offers on a daily basis right now. We are seeing many properties selling at or above listing price. As a buyer, you must make up your mind quickly when you find a property you like. As a seller, this is an excellent time to put your house on the market. I am currently working with a number of great people to help them find their next home, not always an easy task when the months of inventory is down.

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HomeAdvisor
Preparing Your Home for Sale
Although pricing your home properly is the single most important element in the selling, it is followed closely by preparing your home for sale. In order to get the maximum price for your home it needs to be move-in ready for the next owner. There seems to be this myth that you should not improve your home before you sell it because the next buyer may want to do something different with it. This could not be farther from the truth. According to the National Association of Realtors, only 13% of buyers are looking for a home that needs improving. If you home is not in move in condition, you lose out on 87% of the market.
The best way to get the maximum benefit from the sale of your house is to keep it current. Update your kitchens and baths throughout the time you own the house. Don’t wait until you sell to make these changes. In most cases you will not recoup the cost of renovations in the sale price, but if you do it throughout the life of the home you will have the added value of enjoying those renovations while you live in the house.
Some of the items on your todo list prior to selling may include floors, doors, paint, lighting and trim. These are the “givens” for property flippers and worth considering when you are selling your home. A fresh coat of paint will give you the best return on your dollar spent, but keep in mind that any do it yourself work you do has to be professional grade or it could take away from the value of your home. There are a number of other items that should be on your list. Check out this link below to the Home Ready Checklist provided by the Canadian Real Estate Association.
http://www.howrealtorshelp.ca/pdf/Home_Ready_Checklist.pdf
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HomeMaintenance
Maintenance Memory Jog
This list may jog your memory and remind you of some maintenance you forgot to do on your home
Excerpted from the Popular Mechanics book When Duct Tape Just Isn’t Enough, published by Hearst Books/Sterling Publishing.

1. Test your garage door opener monthly to ensure that it reverses when it hits an obstruction or when its sensor beam is interrupted.
2. Vacuum the clothes dryer’s exhaust duct at least once a year. If the duct is plastic, replace it (it’s a fire hazard). Rigid sheet-metal ducting is best.
3. Replace furnace filters quarterly, or as recommended by the furnace manufacturer.
4. Test all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets monthly. Press the test button and use a voltage tester to make sure the power goes off.
5. Clean leaves and debris from the condenser of a central air conditioner seasonally.
6. Once a year, vacuum the refrigerator coils underneath the appliance.
7. Have the fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
8. Inspect window and door caulking and weather stripping yearly.
9. Replace the batteries in smoke detectors yearly. And remember, even recent hard-wired smoke detectors have backup batteries that must be replaced. If you have never checked yours, do so.

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I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Property Ladder News. As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. If you have any questions about real estate or there is a topic you would like me to cover here in The Property Ladder News, let me know.
Jim Perks

February, 2012 (Advice for Home Owners)
If you own a home or you are thinking of owning a home, you are on the property ladder. As you move up or down the ladder you will need advice and that’s where I come in. As your REALTOR® you have my real estate experience, loyalty, honesty and my commitment to helping you make the right real estate decisions.
The Property Ladder News delivers information through three columns. I keep you up to date with the industry through “Market Temperature”, offer knowledge to buyers and sellers through the “Home Advisor” column and provide advice about keeping up with your house as an investment through “Home Maintenance”.
I write my own articles and the information contained within is my own opinion. If you have questions or wish to comment on anything I have written, feel free to use the comment section on my website blog at www.jimperks.ca call or email me.

In This Edition
Market Temperature: February in Calgary
Home Adviser: The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
Home Maintenance: Sourcing the Internet for Maintenance Tips

Market Temperature
The January market saw some stabilization and as we move into February, we see the start of the most productive real estate season of the year.
On Feb 1st the House Price Index was introduced to Calgary. This is a tool for Realtors that creates a more accurate picture of pricing both by neighbourhood and by property type. This will complement the Comparative Market Analysis to help Realtors narrow the range of pricing for homes. If you are buying or selling a home over the next while, ask your Realtor to show you how the House Price Index works and what it looks like for properties in your neighbourhood.
There are two big Real Estate events coming up this month for Calgarians. The first is the REDEX or Real Estate Developers Expo. If you are interested in real estate investing , you should not miss this event. It runs sat. The 11th and Sunday the 12th at the Ramada down town on 8th ave. Tickets are $20 at the door but you can enter free by preregistering on line.
The Calgary Home and Garden Show runs from the 23rd to 26th at the BMO Centre and Corral. Tickets are $14.00 at the door. I have purchased a limited number tickets that I make available free to my clients. If you would like to attend give me a call. I can arrange for you to get tickets before the event. Proceeds for the Home and Garden Show go to the CREB Charitable foundation to support some very worthy causes here in Calgary
We’re heading into the peak real estate season as we approach spring. This is the time of year were we see the most number of buyers and seller in the marketplace. If you are looking to buy or sell, give me a call. I’ll show you how the new House Price Index works for your neighbourhood.

Home Adviser
If you bought your first home in 2011 you may qualify for the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit. The home must be in Canada, must be the first home you have purchased or you have not owned a home since 2006. If you are disabled and are purchasing a home to improve your living conditions, you may also qualify. Watch this video for more information
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/nwsrm/vdcsts/2012/menu-eng.html?clp=ndvdls/hmbyrs-eng

Home Maintenance
The Internet is full of great information on just about any topic you can think of. When it comes to home maintenance, there are a number of great sources you can use to find out the “How Tos” of the work you want done. Last week I needed to do a repair on my single lever kitchen faucet. It was the cartridge type, so when it started leaking I assumed it meant replacing the cartridge. After a little research though, I found that the leak is often caused by one of three possible problems. The cartridge is worn out, the O rings need replacing or the cartridge is coming lose inside the housing of the tap because of repeated use. I shut off the water, removed the housing and tightened the screws that hold the cartridge in place. No more leak!
Before you go out and spend money on parts or a tradesperson, try doing a little online research about your problem. You may be looking at a simple fix. The website I found my information on was www.familyhandyman.com
I hope you enjoyed this edition of The Property Ladder News. As always, your comments and feedback are welcome. If you have any questions about real estate or there is a topic you would like me to cover here in The Property Ladder News, let me know.
Jim Perks
The Property Ladder Guy
403 660 6239