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Real Estate Weekend Digest, Friday, May 11, 2007 13 THINKING ABOUT RENOVATING? What is renovating? The dictionary says: to revive or refresh; to restore to good condition; or to make new. We use the word in an all-encompassing sense including redecorating, repairing, renewing, updating, upgrading and major structural improvements or expansions. What a great feeling to get rid of the old wallpaper and strong colours and redecorate in earth tones to create a sense of calm and make your home look bigger and newer. Redecorating also improves the saleability of your home and its value. Then there is updating. This is where you replace roof, furnace, air conditioning and windows because they are worn out. There is not as much satisfaction in doing these things just because they need to be done and they are expensive. However, buyers are very aware and are capable of taking these factors into account in buying a home and appreciating its value. Upgrading includes replacing broadloom (which was so popular 25 years ago) with hardwood or ceramics in soft colours. Also replacing kitchens and bathrooms with modern facilities falls in this category. Next comes major or structural changes. These might include knocking down a wall between kitchen and dining room to create an open concept family kitchen or finishing the basement or major landscaping with or without a swimming pool. If you do most of these things you could easily spend $50,000 to $100,000 or more if you engage professional contractors. There is no doubt that these things will increase your enjoyment and the value of your home. Will they be a good investment, i.e. will you get your money back plus a return? If you used professional contractors at If you are thinking to move we want to make sure that you have the right MAAN for the job! REAL ESTATE CORNER Lynn and John Drewry MARY MAAN their market prices you probably will not recover your entire investment. If you have the skills and can do it yourself then you can because labour is the biggest cost. However, quality is very important, even with redecorating. If the results of your efforts look less than professional quality it will be noticed by prospective buyers and their home inspectors. When you are thinking of selling you are well advised to ask your Realtor what you should do to prepare you home for sale with the least expenditure of time and money. To get a solid idea of things that modern buyers want you should visit some model homes to see floor plans, materials and quality standards that are popular today. That is what your home is competing with. We encourage you to send us your questions and ideas for future articles at john@lynnandjohn.ca or 905 873-0440. Lynn and John are with Re/Max Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage, one of the largest Re/Max franchises in Canada with 5 offices and over 480 sales representatives. Lynn and John work and live in Georgetown and have enjoyed a successful business in real estate during the last 12 years. John is a Broker and Chartered Accountant (FCA). EMMA MAAN TONY MAAN Because you can't go wrong when you have the right MAAN for the job! www.TheMaan.ca www.haltonhomesearch.com (905) 877-5165 OPEN HOUSE ~ SATURDAY MAY 12, 2-4 P.M. 5383 Fifth Line (Hwy. 124, south on 5th Line) 5383 5TH LINE PETRO CANADA HWY 124 TRAFALGAR RD B L AL INA N 5TH LINE 6TH LINE D FA GEORGETOWN BRING YOUR CAMERA You'll want to take pictures of the spectacular views from this almost 3,000 sq. ft., 4 bedroom bungalow. 1 acre property, close to Erin & Hillsburgh, w/o bsmt, stone fireplace. $494,800. 07-144-91 Meet Dora the ExplorerTM* Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & Courtesy of presents Mold-Masters SportsPlex, 221 Guelph Street, Georgetown www.haltonhillschamber.on.ca 905-877-7119 *Limited to 400 children. Friday, May 11, 1:00 pm ­ 9:00 pm Saturday, May 12, 9:00 am ­ 5:00 pm Entertainment and fun for the entire family Please bring your own camera *Costumed character. ©2007 Viacom International Inc. FAMILY COUPON DOLLAR VALUE: $5.00 HALL OF FAME Real Town & Estate Country (905) 877-5211 Sales 1-800-834-5516 Representative NEW PRICE ~ 12 min to GO Centre Inc. Maureen Plucinsky B.Sc. Directions & Photos http://maureen.ca Fine dining 35 km West of Collingwood. Walk to Georgian Bay. Prominent location on Hwy 26. Turn key operation. Banquet Hall seats 100; DR seats 120; Coffee Shop seats 33. ~5000 sq ft on 1 ac of prime commercial land. Excellent condition. Well designed kitchen & work area. Municipal water, natural gas & sewers! Large paved pkg lot.$775K Banquet Hall/DR/Coffee Shop Live in unique work of Art "Moorecroft". 1896!! Impressive central hall. High ceilings. LR with hardwood floor, stained glass, curved wall & FP. Library with pocket doors, hrdwd fl, b/in bookcase & stained glass! 4+ bedrooms. 3 WRs. Outside entrance to basement with recreation room, 3 piece, wine cellar, laundry rm, workshop. Huge high 3rd floor with hydro & plumbing. Heat: hot water gas. In-ground pool ~ 10 yrs old. 2 car garage. Double lot: 132ft x 132'ft !! Heritage home eligible for yearly grants. ~1.6Ac NEW Extra Land for Expansion Frontage on 2 roads Meaford: 365 Sykes Street (Hwy 26) 1 Ac Superb curb appeal! Gracious ~ 2800 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 3 washrm home built by Homes of Distinction in 99. Lot includes treed area to West. Kitcen, with walk-out to deck, overlooks Family rm with gas FP. Hardwood floors. 9' ceilings. 2 of 3 garages are now insulated, heated workshop. MBR with whirltub & separate shower. Gazebo on cedar deck. Pool (16' x 32'). Garden shed. Beautifully landscaped. Acton: 98 Church St., Halton Hills Awesome treed parcel with creek along the S border, Bruce Trail along the East border, wire fence along the N border. ROW over 2 properties. To view the property, take the Bruce Trail. No well. 2006 survey. No conditional offers. G.S.T. is "in addition to" the price. Halton Hills: 25 Southwinds Drive ~ 8 min to Georgetown & GO Outside Storage M2 Explosion proof on corner lot, 213ft x Zoned M2. 283ft. 1.77ac, with fenced outside storage. Approx 8000 sqft: 6000sq ft industrial & 2000sq ft office. Large lunch rm. Near Airport Rd & 407. Across the ~12.5 Ac Halton Hills: Access from 27 Side Rd 1.77Ac Brampton: 2400 North Park Drive road from Crysler. ~10 Ac Awesome Northern White Pine log home and a separate 3 car coach house on ~10 acres in mature forest in NEC. Built with wood, stone, granite & bronze. Atrium with a wall of glass & fireplace. 3 fireplaces made from local stone. Marley roof. Two independent geo-thermal furnaces. Bronze garden gate. Great craftsmanship. Private! Fenced in-ground pool. Beautifully lanscaped. Unique!!! 8+5 finished Open House: Sat 12 May 2-4 lot, 75ft x 160ft. on main level. rms. ~ 1800 sq ft Great rm with hardwood floor & gas FP. 3/4" oak hardwood floors in MBR, hallways & sun room. Sun room & solarium! MF laundry. Finished bsmt with library, den, play rm, WR, computer nook & media rm. CAC, CVAC & security. Lot line is 57ft beyond rear fence. Landscaped. Park many. Rare find. 1.4 Ac Zoned Automotive 75' x 160' Acton: 288 McDonald Blvd. Superb custom built, 11 year old, 3 bdrm, 3 washrm on huge mature Industrial M1 Erin: 2 Hi-Teck industrial facilities, (130'x 80' & 40'x 80'), a total of 14,400 sq ft (~800 sq ft office), zoned M1 with outside storage. Halton Hills: 13669 27th Side Road Crane rails for 3 ton cranes. Heated with infrared natural gas radiant heat. Reinforced concrete floors. R20 in walls, R30 in roof. Fans. Mercury vapor lights. 16+ ft clear. 7 drive-in doors, 1 pick-up door, 6 man doors. 3 WRs. Lunch rm. 600 volts, 200 amperes, 3 phase. Drilled well. Septic, 2002. Paved drvway & pkg lot. Fenced. 2 gates. Security. 401, Trafalgar Rd N, East on 17 SR, n/s. Adjacent acre, $85K