Lynda Reeves On What You Should Include In Your Next Reno

I asked Maggie to review my hit list of “wants,” and she added a few surprises that you should consider if you’re renovating. If you can check all these boxes in your renovation, you’ll have a prime house for resale.

• Real hardwood floors over engineered wood floors. Light blond is fine, but dark floors and mid-tones are making a comeback.
• Signature ranges. “People love their Wolf stoves,” says Maggie, but they also love complete suites of appliances including drawer microwaves, wall ovens and wine fridges by high-end brands such as Miele, Sharp, JennAir, LG, Thermador and Fisher & Paykel.
• Exhibition kitchens with eating counters, always open to family rooms or dining areas.
• “Wine storage walls” made of glass that line a dining room or kitchen, instead of basement wine cellars.
• Mudrooms are a must, along with good laundry rooms.
• Basement walkouts to a backyard or deck, especially for a family house. For basement renovation projects, you may include waterproofing services to avoid flooding or mold growth.
• Principal bedrooms with a walk-in closet, an ensuite bath with a freestanding tub, a separate shower and water closet and double sinks.
• Gas fireplaces for ease.
• Amazing furniture like the most comfortable office chair with headrest to style your office.
• An elevator corridor for a future elevator in houses that are more than two storeys. A working elevator is the best, but just having thought out the space and allowed for it is in itself a huge plus for a future buyer.
• Sliding or folding glass doors that open up wide to the outdoors.

I also canvassed several agents who all agree on the single biggest-selling feature: high-end buyers want a house that is done. Great kitchens and bathrooms will sell a house. No one wants to have to do that work. If they did, they would most probably buy a “redo” that needs a total renovation.

And then there is that other factor: location, location, location…. But you already know that.