Be impeccable with basic maintenance
- Start at the top. If you see any worn shingles or flashing, call in the roofer.
- Fix or replace sagging eavestroughs or downspouts. If you want a new look, opt for a different colour.
- Upgrade older doors and windows. Convert to a more modern, energy-efficient style. At the very least, wash all front-facing windows and/or paint the trim.
- Touch up exterior finishes. Look for any signs of peeling paint, loose mortar or damaged siding, and make appropriate repairs.
- Repair entryways. Fill in cracks or unevenness in steps and walkways to ensure a safe and level path.
- Organize your clutter. Stow garbage bins, kids’ toys and sports equipment out of sight. Make the most of your home’s garage or storage space by hanging gear neatly up on hooks.
Plant an inviting landscape
- Tame jungle-like areas or unruly weeds. Whether you have a manicured lawn or a perennial garden, it should look neat and tidy.
- Turn bare spots or shady no-grow zones into a design feature using ground covers such as mulch, pretty pea gravel or river stones.
- If you plant a well-chosen container with a burst of colourful blooms in a small condo or townhouse frontage, it can really stand apart (but do respect any condo association bylaws or guidelines in dressing up your unit).
Decorate with a sense of lifestyle
- Woo guests with an inviting outdoor bench or chair, if there’s room for seating by the door or on the porch. You can make it comfy by adding an artful pillow or throw blanket.
- Consider repainting the front door or porch to add a splash of colour — effective whether you choose a subdued classic or a bright, trendy hue.
- Check the condition of hardware such as the front door knob, address plaque and mailbox. An update could make a strong visual impact. At the very least, make sure everything is cleaned and polished.
About the Author
Farhaneh Haque is the Director of Mortgage Advice with TD Canada Trust, a leader in residential real estate mortgages and home equity lines of credit. With over 18 years of lending experience, she is entrusted with the responsibility of offering mortgage advice to help Canadians make informed decisions about home financing and ownership.
Farhaneh and her team draw upon research commissioned by TD Canada Trust, which reveals consumer attitudes and behavior related to home ownership such as choosing and buying a first home, renovating and greening a home, as well as understanding gender, regional and other demographic preferences. They also have access to proprietary research from TD Economics on topics such as Canadian interest rate forecasts and Canadian housing market insights
In her personal time, Farhaneh is an active member of community groups promoting youth education; in particular helping high school students in securing funding to pursue post secondary education.
