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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 28, 2007 - 35 Three home projects that pay you back Whether it's a major cabinet shuffle in the kitchen, Decks new gadgets and fixtures in the bathroom, resurrecting Expanding your living space by upgrading an existing your home's original wood flooring or finally installing deck structure or building a brand new one will not only some modern windows, these projects are sure to pay you raise the value of your home, but provide a relaxing area back and more. for family members and special gatherings. @ Home Often, homeowners who plan to move within a few Decks, patios, gazebos, gardens and walkways are a With The years are reluctant to spend money on improvement proj- great way to beautify your home and add valuable living ects that may not raise the market value of their home space during the warmer months. In most homes, they Goodale when it comes time to sell. Following are three projects are the focal point for outdoor living. Best of all, most Miller Group which will not only make life at home more comfortable require little or no maintenance. for family members, but start to pay you back long before Costs can vary substantially depending on the size and you even sell. features desired and whether you will do-it-yourself or Bathrooms seek help from a professional contractor. Before launchChanging the fixtures can drastically improve your ing into a deck project, explore ideas, browse through that complements the design and look of the property and bathroom's appearance and save you on energy and water magazines and look at what other homeowners have done. that doesn't look tacked on. bills. In a bathroom fix-up, depending on your budget, you All good decks start with a good plan. If you are buildDon Goodale is a sales representative and Brad Miller is can either change everything or just one or two items. ing one yourself, seek advice and ask for ideas on design, a broker for CENTURY 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd. Both can The first items to improve should be the fixtures -- the materials and details at a home-building centre. Eliminate be reached at 905-845-9180 or through the web at sink, faucets, vanity, bathtub, shower, toilet and bidet (if potential problems by taking into consideration factors www.goodalemillergroup.com. you have one). This is where you can add value and save such as: slopes and obstacles that may be covered; buildThis article was produced by the Ontario Real Estate money by opting for a water-efficient toilet, water-con- ing regulations; existing trees, shrubs, flower beds, pool; Association and reprinted with their permission. Every serving showerheads and faucets, efficient fans and other sources of sound; sunlight and prevailing wind directions; effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this article. energy-saving devices. and traffic patterns. However, the information is general in nature. Please seek The second area to improve includes the floor, the walls To ensure you add value to your home, select a style professional advice relevant to your specific situation. and the accessories. A new coat of paint and a few distinctive holders for soap, towels and toilet paper, alone, can add significant value and charm. New faucet fixtures can save water and Sales Representative energy costs, while giving an existing Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage vanity a whole new look. In bathrooms, ceramic tile walls Office: and floors are a good option. They are Direct: durable, easy to install and keep clean. Because most bathrooms are generally small in terms of square footage, Feature Home of the Week! tiles are also an affordable alternative. A bathroom renovation can be as EAST OAKVILLE BEAUTY Gracious 5 bedroom home on mature 100 x 150 lot major as ripping out all the fixtures, Striking center hall plan with separate living rm, dining rm floors and walls and starting from Peg oak hardwood flrs in kitchen and family room scratch, or as minor as changing the Kitchen addition includes large brkfst area, B/I mirror or light fixtures. You can do chef's desk, B/I appliances & panoramic views of these all at once or one piece at a time. extensive landscaped gardens Upgrades include skylight in upper hall, newer Windows windows, roof (03), A/C (07) If the windows in your home are Inviting rear yard with I/G pool, pond & playhouse hard to open, difficult to clean and do Endless potential little to fend off winter's icy winds, you Call Kate 905.849.3357 may want to consider installing mod$1,090,000 ern ones that maximize your home's energy efficiency. Modern windows available on the FAMILY VALUE IN market today not only beautify your WEST OAK TRAILS home's appearance, but combine sci Appealing 3 bdrm Mattamy built quality home in great ence and technologies that help to neighbourhood Eat-in kitchen includes upgraded cabinets, ceramic keep a home warm in winter and cool backsplash & ceramic floors opens to the family in summer. This can result in signifiroom cant yearly savings in heating and air Walk out from kitchen to BBQ deck conditioning costs. Oversized windows thru-out Neutral decor and broadloom thru-out Replacing existing windows with Master bedroom has 2 closets and luxury ensuite more energy-efficient ones can be with corner soaker tub and separate shower costly. But it doesn't have to be done Call Kate 905.849.3357 $369,900 all at once either. Begin by replacing the ones causing the most heat loss, such as the large picture windows in your living and dining rooms. Replacing windows in stages over the Sales Representative course of a few years costs less up front and still saves you money by TOP 1% IN CANADA FOR 12 increasing energy efficiency. CONSECUTIVE YEARS Before replacing any windows, always shop around and consider the EVALUATION CERTIFICATE principle types available -- double This certificate entitles a residential property owner to a free market hung, casement, stationary, awning evaluation and a complete presentation of My Marketing Program and horizontal sliding. Most are made without any obligation...call Kate for an appointment. of wood, aluminum or vinyl, or a combination of these materials. And Office: Direct: almost all feature insulated glass and katevanderburgh@sympatico.ca · www.royallepage.ca/katevanderburgh easy-to-clean designs that provide tight seals and eliminate draftiness. Don Goodale Brad Miller Kate Vanderburgh ? 905.338.3737 905.849.3357 ate TOP 1% FOR al EstKate! Re ll Ca ROYAL LEPAGE IN CANADA Kate Vanderburgh I would like to thank all my clients for a successful 2007. I wish you all happiness, prosperity and success in 2008 Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage 905.338.3737 905.849.3357