!-- Google Site Verification -->

renovations

Investment Property "Flips" - It Takes a Team

The discussions about ‘flipping’ an investment property come all the time - with so many people watching the endless number of TV programs showcasing investment properties, it can often seem much easier than it really is.

The reality, is that many of these projects - despite the best intentions and target - get caught up in all those small details, most people don’t even consider beforehand. We see well intentioned Clients who are attempting to be their own ‘project manager’, get hampered by decision-fatigue. The seemingly endless stream of small decisions to be made along the way, and having to constantly battle that balance between what they personally may like, versus what the market may demand.

In all honesty, most people should rely heavily on an experienced project manager / general contractor for the bigger jobs - they remove the personal connection, provide a buffer to trades and suppliers, and can advise and guide based on numerous other projects they’ve completed in the past. It’s hard to provide better resources yourself, than an experienced contractor.

The Team: Architect, Client and Contractor

The Team: Architect, Client and Contractor


We were thrilled to be a part of our Clients most recent project - updating and renovating a small bungalow in Markham Village, for the express purpose of maximizing their financial return. Our contribution started with a deep analysis of the market conditions and trends, to then guide the scope and direction of the overall project, to best position the home for later sale.

David Johnston was the key architect on the project, and was able to capture our suggestions and design them into an attainable project. Old Village Construction was the general contractor, and really the driving force behind the project - with Graham Dewar leading the charge to turn our paper wish-list and design, into the gorgeous home we all see today - 12 Gleason Avenue in Markham - a tiny 1 bedroom bungalow, that evolved into a rustic-yet-modern 4 bedroom, 2-storey showcase home.

The take-away from this is simple: If you want to truly maximize the potential of a real estate project, ensure you have fully engaged a proper team. Everyone from your Realtor, to your designer, architect, project manager and contractor all have important contributions to the team!

Want to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of this exciting build? Or just want to talk about a potential project you had in mind? We’re always happy to discuss our thoughts - contact us anytime!

Benjamin Moore's Colors for 2018

We are moving into that busy time of year, when many homeowners take on all those to-do's and upgrade projects around their homes.  Before you dive into your reno and painting projects, take a look at Benjamin Moore's new color picks for 2018.

We've always relied on some of Benjamin Moore's most trusted colors - that famed CC40, Cloud White - and it's always interesting to see where the interior and exterior design trends are heading.

Read more at Benjamin Moore's Color Trends site

Great decorating tip for your popcorn ceilings

If there is one thing that seems to always come up when looking at a home with popcorn-style stucco ceilings, it is the question about what can be done with them.  Typically, if the stucco has been painted-over at some point in the past, it is nearly impossible to simply scrape-off and smooth -- you are relegated to a much larger, and more expensive, repair.

In this great DIY article, they show a different approach - to simply put up a decorative material over the old ceiling finish, and have something that is beautiful and very unique!  

See the results at Lifestyle And Design Online

Some great tips and tricks for do-it-yourselfers

People are always looking for great tips to aid in their remodelling or staging of thier homes.  We've put together some great tips that we have found for your weekend projects:

 

  • Inexpensive way for a do-it-yourselfer to build larger 'faux baseboards' for a more contemporary look on a budget. Take a look at this simple step by step guide:  www.houseofsmiths.com
  • Increase your storage space and reduce clutter - use cupboard and closet doors for storage:  www.apartmenttherapy.com
  • Use wooden shutters to create interesting entryway organizers:  www.marthastewart.com
  • Mount your HDTV on IKEA poles to keep your walls hole and damage-free:  www.ikeahackers.net  
  • Label your paint cans with what they painted:  blog.makezine.com
  • Clean stains and marks in your stone countertops using peroxide and flour for an easy fix:  www.thisoldhouse.com
  • 5 Smart ways to use mirrors in small spaces, to maximise your visual space:  www.apartmenttherapy.com