Dear David,

It’s time for us to downsize our two-storey, four bedroom home. We have always kept it in good repair, but are concerned about the flooring. Our carpeting is in fine shape, but furniture sitting in place for 15 years has left some permanent dents in the fibre. Sun exposure has bleached a few areas of good quality tile, so that we cannot replace it with leftover tile from the original installation. We could make updates to improve the  aesthetics, but I’m concerned about our carbon footprint and unnecessary waste if the new buyers want to make further changes. When you talk about readying a house for sale, how might you view or remedy these concerns? – WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

DEAR WASTE NOT: It’s great to hear you have kept your home in good repair over the years, and done so with quality materials. Higher grade carpet and tile might show some dirt in high-traffic areas, but they rarely get worn out, and often a quick shampoo is all it takes to restore them to their former glory. When furniture has been sitting in place for 15 years, it’s no wonder there are dents in what would otherwise look like new carpet. These marks are inevitable, as is the fading that certain colours of tile experience when exposed to long-term UV damage. I agree that replacing tiles with leftovers from a few decades ago isn’t going to win the day if the new tiles stand out like a sore thumb. 

I love the fact that you’re thinking about the carbon footprint of renovating for the next homeowner, especially because it’s impossible to know what they’ll have in mind for the space. For this reason, I tend to err on the side of cleaning, staging and decluttering, rather than spending time replacing perfectly good floors. The exception would be in extreme circumstances, when excessive wear, odours or staining may turn a buyer off of the house.

Fortunately, a few dents in the carpet are unlikely to drive a potential buyer away, especially when the rest of the house is spic and span. We always want to consider the fact that a new buyer may want to renovate. With that in mind, driving up the carbon footprint of the house is definitely a valid concern. Every house has elements that a new owner might want to change for aesthetic reasons, but not every buyer in the marketplace is looking for a property that is move-in ready. Price, neighbourhood and square footage are huge determining factors when it comes to choosing a home, and you might be surprised by how many people are willing to tackle a cosmetic upgrade if it means landing the home they want on the perfect street, with mature trees, and in the right school district.

PRO TIP: When it comes to the financial impact of updating your home before you sell, it’s important to assess whether the project(s) you have in mind will truly affect the sale. Homeowners who have kept their properties in good repair don’t need to worry about whether they are going to make the cover of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. When many aspects of the home are outstanding, it’s easy to catch the eye of potential buyers without getting into the renovation business. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator

David is a top-selling Broker in Kitchener-Waterloo Region. He works personally with you when selling or buying your home. Moving? Get it right. Ask David today! Call or text 519-577-1212.