<<< back to article list

Preferred Client Update


Blog by Kim Twohey | February 4th, 2019


thumb


 

Who’s Responsible for Post-Home Inspection Repairs?

A home inspection is a normal and recommended condition that all buyers should include as part of their purchase contract negotiations. But what issues should you ask the seller to fix or pay for in order to make the deal go through?

If you’re not buying a new build, some wear and tear should be expected. Don’t get caught up making a list of minor and cosmetic issues you want the seller to fix before you move in – being unrealistic can lose you the deal, especially in a seller’s market or a high-demand community.

A home inspection is meant to identify major structural or electrical defects in the home, safety concerns, or issues that could be expensive to fix now or in the future. No matter what your home inspection report reveals, you should be prepared to do some minor repairs or replacements after moving in, especially if you’re buying an older home.

If major issues were identified by your home inspector and you still want to buy the home, you should certainly ask the seller to do repairs or adjust the price accordingly. Your Realtor
will help you make amendments to your purchase contract to do this. But you should expect to cover predictable, minor, or cosmetic fixes yourself.




Five Home Remodelling Trends


When it comes time for a remodel, you want to get the most “Wow” factor you can out of your budget. Here are five things that are hot trends right now and will remain so for many years. Depending on where you are remodelling, be it a kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere, these suggestions will definitely help you put some “Wow” into your home.
 
Free Standing Tubs
If you are doing a bathroom remodel, especially an ensuite, find some room for a free standing tub. These tubs come in many shapes and sizes and can fit almost any space. A free standing tub gives your bathroom remodel that “Wow” factor and provides a soothing space for a candlelit bath with a glass of wine.

Wallpaper
In any room that is part of your remodel, adding wallpaper to create a feature wall is a hot trend. Choose one wall in the kitchen, one in the ensuite or put it on multiple walls. Textured wallpaper adds a nice three dimensional look and wallpaper with geometric shapes is very popular right now. 

Open Shelving In The Kitchen and Elsewhere
If you are doing a kitchen remodel, consider finding a place for some open shelving, especially in place of upper cabinets. Open shelving helps break up all those doors and makes a nice clean easy to reach place for cookbooks or dishes. 

Marble Looking Quartz Countertops
Marble looking quartz is all the rage right now and will give you a timeless look without the maintenance of true marble. Quartz countertops are very durable and there are so many great choices available with many new colors being created all the time. 

Statement Lighting
Choose lights that are not only functional, but bring style and design to the main areas of your home. The kitchen, dining room, foyer, powder room, great room and living room should all be well lit with lighting that says “look at me.” Pendant lights, semi-flush lights, sconces, chandeliers and striking lamps are all great statement lights.