7 minute read
HOME & GARDEN
A Home THAT SAYS Hello
BOOSTING CURB APPEAL
by ALLIE MURRAY
There's nothing like coming home to a place that, well, feels like home—and that all starts from the outside. When you pull into your driveway, don’t you want your home to wrap you in a warm 'welcome home' hug? And, unlike your bedroom or kitchen, the outside of your home is visible to everyone. Changing up your windows and adding a new front door and more current garage door can make a huge impact on the aethestic look and feel (and even value) of your home.
But where do you start?
Based on advice from Mississauga’s experts, it turns out that there are a wide range of resources and services available to help you upgrade your home’s exterior to match your perfect style—and become the envy of the neighbourhood!
Here are some tips for an outside facelift for your home.
Garage Doors
Just like interior design trends, outdoor living trends are everchanging. This year, garage door trends are on a pendulum, favouring either very simplistic, clean contemporary designs with minimal lines, or the exact opposite: old-fashioned, rustic-looking carriage door styles.
There’s one caveat, though, says Phillip Bennett, General Manager of B&M Garage Door Inc. “The more modern styles just won’t work on some homes,” he cautions. “That’s why it’s so important to collaborate with an expert who can help guide you through your selection and create a mock-up of your vision. We also send our clients out to other projects we’ve completed so they have an idea what the finished product will look like.”
While updating your garage door may seem like a daunting task— there are so many options!— B&M Garage Door’s useful website has a ‘Design Your Door’ application, where you can upload a photo of your home and customize your garage with just a touch of a button, making it easy to visualize your dream garage door.
You’ll be surprised, too, at the return on your investment. “Recently, the ROI on garage doors has surpassed kitchens and bathrooms,” Bennett says.
Windows + Front Doors
Glass is in: current architectural trends favour modern contemporary home styles with lots of windows to let in natural light. But what if your windows could use an update?
“The first concern homeowners should consider when replacing their windows is whether or not they really need to have them replaced or only repaired,” says Peter Petrovski of Mississauga’s Custom Window Designs. “If you do indeed need new windows, then it’s vital to find a reputable company with many years of experience that uses quality materials and provides exceptional installation.”
An in-person visit to a showroom is recommended, too.
As for your front door, trends are showing that the days of a double front entrance are over for now. A double front door on a house can make a home's entrance seem dated. Instead, homeowners are opting for a new, extra-wide door frame opening, transforming a double front door into one door by installing a single front door with sidelights.
Not only will a new door update the look of your entranceway but including sidelights in the doorframe will allow natural light to pour into your entryway. And when it comes to colour, “it really depends on the home,” Bennett says.
TOP 2%
TOP 2% TOP 2%
TOP 2% CHRIS TOPHER THOMSON
CHRIS TOPHERCHRIS TOPHER
TeamTHOMSON THOMSON
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALSCHRIS TOPHER
Team
TeamTHOMSON
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
Team
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS
YOUR
YOUR YOUR YOUR LOCAL CHOICE LOCAL CHOICELOCAL CHOICELOCAL CHOICEFOR REAL ESTATEFOR REAL ESTATEFOR REAL ESTATEFOR REAL ESTATE
Christopher Thomson Christopher Thomson
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., BrokerageRoyal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., BrokerageRoyal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., BrokerageRoyal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage 416direct .453.9108 905office 822. 6900. 416direct .453. 905office9108 822. 6900. 416direct . .453 9108 905office 822. 6900. looklocalmagazine.com christopherthomson.com 416 905 822 6900direct office. .453 9108 . . 15 christopherthomson.com christopherthomson.com christopherthomson.com
Local Links
1 B&M Garage Door Inc. BMgaragedoor.com
2 Custom Window Designs customwindowdesigns.ca
On that note, while current trends are a fun way to get inspired, you should always consider how long you plan on staying in your home and what finishes really speak to you. Yes, curb appeal is one of the first things people see when they’re looking to buy a home, but if your house is going to be your ‘home, sweet, home’ for the foreseeable future, it is more important to choose designs that you love rather than feeling the need to be ‘on trend’. LL
Q & A with Sharon Corona
MORTGAGE AGENT
416.985.5559
crownmortgages.sharon@gmail.com DOWNLOAD MY MORTGAGE TOOLBOX @ dlcapp.ca/app/sharon-corona
crownmortgages.ca
Q. How would you describe the current housing market?
A. For many buyers, the housing market has been difficult to navigate recently. Although mortgage rates remain low, inventory has fallen drastically over the past year, resulting in bidding wars and skyrocketing prices. The Canadian Real Estate Association reports that the urgency to purchase a home continues to fade— with many first-time homebuyers losing hope. But there are options we can discuss.
Q. What can we look forward to in 2022?
A. Limited supply and high prices are expected to slow sales in 2022, while interest rates are predicted to inch upward by early to mid 2022 at the latest.
Q. Why should I choose you instead of going to a bank?
A. A bank only offers its own products, which are limited. I research multiple lenders to find the best product and rate for my clients. Banks also calculate penalties differently from mortgage-only lenders, and that could make a difference of thousands of dollars, should you need to break your contract. However, there are times when a bank may be the only option for specific mortgages, and we have relationships with them that allow us to offer you lower rates than if you were to walk in and request a mortgage directly.
Q. How will you figure out what type of loan would work best for me?
A. There are loans for residential purchases, pre-construction, rentals, and commercial and they can be open/closed/fixed/ variable/reverse. I look at several factors including the loan-to-value ratio, your debt ratio and credit score, amount of down payment, work history and income, and the type of property/value/condition/ location. This will tell me whether I can place you with a prime lender, an alternative lender (for those with higher debt, bruised credit, main income other than salaried) or a private lender. We then talk about what product will keep you in your comfort zone.
Q. Would you offer a rate match?
A. My goal is to get you the best deal. If you already have a rate, please let me know. I would want to match it, or, ideally, do even better. It’s important to understand the terms in a contract, because sometimes the lowest rate available could end up costing you much more in the end if you have to break the term. I work with your interest in mind.
Q. Are you available 24/7?
A. I understand that clients have many questions, at different times and different urgency, and they are welcome to contact me any time, weekdays, weekends or holidays. If I’m not available, I guarantee a quick response.
Q. What’s the best way to find out if I qualify for a mortgage?
A. If you’re not sure whether or not you can qualify for a mortgage with as little as 5% down payment, you can complete a no obligation application by visiting coronamortgages.ca and clicking Apply Now under Mortgages. looklocalmagazine.com I’m looking forward to working together to achieve your dream! 17
