Whether doing-it-yourself or hiring a professional, interior painting, hardwood flooring and kitchen upgrades are amongst top renovations.
If you’ve spent years waking up to wood-panelled walls and soft shag rugs, some home renovations, especially if you’re thinking of selling your home, may be in order. While some renovations such as updating a kitchen or bathroom may require a trained professional, there are a number of do-it-yourself projects that are sure to increase a home’s resale value. The Royal LePage Renovations and Returns Survey examines some top renovations that bring the best return on investment (ROI),
Amid today’s competitive real estate market, renovations offer a relatively affordable means to boost the value of a home. Do-it-yourself tasks such as painting walls, changing cupboard knobs or laying new flooring will make a house not only more appealing to buyers, but also offer a great return on investment.
Reasonable and radical renovations.
From simple aesthetics to washroom overhauls, Royal LePage has identified the top renovations that will increase the equity of a home. The list is ranked in ascending order of cost of project.

Freshen up: Adding a new coat of paint can freshen up a house and make the interior look like new – not to mention more spacious. For homeowners looking to sell in the near term, neutral colours are most preferred.

Floors galore: Today, hard surfaces are all the rage. If genuine hardwood exceeds budgets, laminate works well. Buyers like to see hard floors throughout, so if possible, be sure to lay down laminate in dining rooms and living rooms, and even in bathrooms and bedrooms.

Lighten up: Old or standard-grade light fixtures, electrical and light cover plates can easily date a house. To modernize, add distinct flair to the interior, consider installing new light fixtures.

The old adage, you never get a second chance to make a first impression is extremely true when it comes to selling a home. To increase curb appeal and entice buyers, ensure front lawns are tidy and gardening is minimal. While there is no need to go overboard and plant an expensive Japanese Maple, adding some standard shrubs and flowers will make a home more inviting.

Stylishly steel: Similar to the issue with old light fixtures, knobs, fume hoods and backsplashes can make a kitchen seem outdated. Sleek, stainless steel hardware designs have the biggest and most positive impact on those people looking to buy a home.

Opening all the right doors: An elegant entrance enhances a prospective buyer’s first impression of the house itself.

ROI from the ground up: To see an even higher return on investment, replace old flooring with new hardwood. While a range of qualities, textures and colours exist, it’s best to opt for a neutral wood colour to accommodate the widest possible array of tastes and décor.

White picket fence?: Building a fence and a deck instantly boosts a home’s appeal. Keeping kids and pets in the yard, and nosey neighbours out, fences provide the back and side yards with a sense of being finished.

Occupied, no more: A bathroom situated on the main floor is increasingly seen by homebuyers as an essential fixture in their next purchase. While many older homes were built with bathrooms only on the second floor, many homeowners are resorting to transforming closets or adding new rooms to accommodate two-piece powder rooms.

Exquisite en suite: Today’s homebuyer prefers bathrooms that have spa-style tubs and modern faucets. Granite and marble tiles are now readily available and can be purchased at relatively affordable prices.

Everything, and the kitchen sink: While prices can vary when renovating a kitchen, one thing is certain – updated kitchens bring one of the highest returns on investment. With homeowners spending more time in the kitchen than any other room, it’s no surprise they want the best possible style and functionality. Stainless steel appliances, ceramic sinks and clean lines on cupboards rank as the more preferred finish options. Since kitchens and baths can be such a personal space, it’s wise not to select a dramatic style or colour scheme since your tastes may not be the same as the next owner.

Michael Beausoleil, B. Comm,
Financial Security Advisor
Freedom 55 Financial, a division of London Life Insurance Company
Suite 200-140 Ouellette Place
Windsor, Ontario N8X 1L9
Office 519-967-1180 ext 292
cell 519-566-8102
email: michael.beausoleil@freedom55financial.com
http://michaelbeausoleil.com/

How do you ensure you have the financial resources to look after yourself and your family?
If there is a secret to establishing a healthy financial future for you and your family, it's planning. Planning is an ongoing process. As your needs change over the years, so should your financial security plan.
My training and experience in financial services gives me the expertise to help you build a financial security plan to meet your needs at every stage of your life. Part of this process is ensuring you have the proper insurance to match your needs.

Protect your home not your lender
Most lending institutions offer mortgage life insurance as part of their mortgage packaging. But look carefully before you sign on the dotted line. You could find yourself locked into insurance that does more to protect your lender than you.
I can show you how a personal life insurance policy can be customized to fit into your financial security plans. Here's a closer look at how a personal life insurance policy compares to mortgage life insurance offered by most lending institutions.

Lender's mortgage insurance
Many lending institutions offer nonconvertible term insurance with no cash values, no premium flexibility and no ability to move to a permanent life insurance policy if your needs change.
This kind of mortgage insurance usually covers the exact amount of your mortgage so your coverage decreases as you pay down your mortgage. When your mortgage is paid off you're left without coverage. With lender's mortgage insurnace, your lender owns the policy and if you find a better mortgage rate at another lending institution, you may have to re-qualify medically for the life insurance protection. Typically your mortgage insurance can't be moved to another institution.
If you die, your lender also pays off the mortgage automatically, there is no opportunity to use the funds in any other manner or apply them where they may be required more urgently.

Personal life insurance provides coverage and control.
A personal life insurance policy doesn't insure your mortgage. It insures you because after all, you make the mortgage payments. With personal life insurance, you can plan to meet more of your family's needs in the event of death, including staying in your dream home.
With personally-owned life insurance, you select the policy that meets your financial security goals. Most personally owned term life insurance products contain a right to fully convert to a permanent policy. And so if your health changes, and you find it difficult to get life insurance you may have the option of keeping the full death benefit and converting your term insurance to permanent insurance without having to re-qualify medically.
With personally-owned life insurance, a financial security advisor can help you determine the amount of coverage you need and your coverage won't decrease as you pay down your mortgage. You'll also have the flexibility to reduce the face amount when you want. Or, if you need the protection for other purposes, you can keep the insurance.
With personally-owned insurance, you own the policy , not your lender. You're free to switch your mortgage to another lending institution without jeopardizing your life insurance coverage. And if you die, your beneficiaries (subject to any rights you may have given to your mortgage lender regarding the policy) are free to choose how they wish to use the funds- to pay off the mortgage, provide a monthly income, or take care of the more immediate need. It's their choice, not your lender's choice.

To recap
- Personal insurance coverage remains fixed
- Lender’s insurance coverage decreases while premiums generally remain fixed
- Personal insurance allows flexible delivery of insurance proceeds
- Personal insurance is secure once approved, a valid policy cannot be cancelled unilaterally by the insurer, is transferable, and has guaranteed premiums.
Discover all the advantages of protecting your home and family with personal life insurance - just one of the ways I can help you build a total financial security plan. Please contact me today for more information.

Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.
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Don't have the conversation with yourself where you say "He's got more talent then I do," or "She's faster then I am." Success depends on what's in your mind... Success is about your spirit.
George Foreman - Heavyweight boxer and entrepreneur

If you do the very best you can, the future will take care of itself.
George Mitchell - Politician

Live your life and forget your age
Norman Vincent Peal (1898-1993) - Cleric and writer

In a world that seems increasingly snarky and judgmental, be kind. Be kind to your friends, be kind to your family, be kind to yourselves. And remember, just as you are, everyone really is just doing the best they can.
Katie Couric- News broadcaster