The City of Kingston is truly spectacular, and we can’t talk enough about it! It’s not just a fabulous place to live, full of scenic beauty and fun activities and festivals; it’s also one of the most vibrant real estate markets in Canada.
One of the many reasons we love it here so much is that there is such a unique and fascinating collection of homes in every structure and style imaginable. After moving in, each homeowner adds a touch of flair and personality.
Some people can get extremely creative with their sense of decor and design. That said, is there ever such a thing as going overboard, where you cross the line from unique and unconventional to “just plain weird?”
At Caldwell & Co., we really have seen it all over the years, and we’ve got the entertaining stories to prove it! We’ve also got some insider insights you must know when getting ready to buy or sell your next home.
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A Focus on Intent and the Audience
Before judging anyone’s architecture, it’s important to note that one person’s “cool and fabulous” is another’s “hard pass.” When designing or considering a space exclusively for your own purposes, there are few limits. You can make whatever surface enhancements you envision, but a little more caution is in order when investing in large-scale projects.
Even if you have no plans to sell in the near future, you still want your home to maintain its resale value. Painting over neon-orange walls is easy and inexpensive enough if it turns out buyers don’t exactly love what you’ve done with the place. Tearing down a wall (or adding one back in) is a little more disruptive.
Curious about Kingston real estate and what it means for buyers and sellers? Get a glimpse of the Kingston market and what it’s like to live here in the posts below:
- Is Kingston, Ontario a Good Place to Live?
- A Homeowner’s Ultimate Guide to Kingston Real Estate
- Where Is Kingston, Ontario?
Design Versus Saleability for Home Sellers
Many of your rare home features could be highly attractive to buyers because they have never seen anything like it, and it’s fantastic! Attributes that leave them tempted to place an offer right away fall securely into the “unique” category.
A real-world example that comes to mind is a cute little reading nook by a window, with a wall sconce and feature wall with wood details. A potential buyer walks in and instantly imagines being curled up for hours, cozy and warm as they lose themselves in their favourite book. This is the effect we are after when preparing your home to sell!
A few inexpensive, small changes can leave an unforgettable impression on the people coming through.
Built-in shelving and furniture are other attractive options. Buyers do not see them every day, and when done well, they create an undeniably bespoke aesthetic. Best of all, these features really elevates a common floor plan to create that extra “wow” factor.
On the flip side, there are certain features or upgrades that personally are not your style, but buyers tend to love. We might refer to these as “weird, but in a good way” because while the aesthetic might not thrill you personally, the results when selling will! Something as simple as a modern light fixture can make your home look and feel more luxurious to potential buyers.
Looking for more tips to maximize your results when selling your Kingston home? You’ll find plenty of insight in the posts below:
What to Avoid at All Costs When Selling a House
If your personal tastes are what one might call “a little out there,” it could be time to take an objective step back before your home goes on the market. Attributes you love, may be ones that everyone else hates, and will hurt your chances of selling quickly while earning the best results. These are the features that fall under “just plain weird”, and unfortunately not in a good way.
A true example (that would be hilarious if we weren’t trying to sell the property) was where the homeowner decided to add a second bathroom in the basement. Their intentions were pure, but the execution was unfortunately a miss.
These well-meaning homeowners spent all the time, money, and effort to invest in what should be an excellent value-add. Then they failed to install the toilet properly. It looked like an elevated throne. Yes, there are bonus points for having an extra bathroom. But it looks weird. To put it mildly.
High-Level Guidelines for Sellers
Changing trends in real estate and design can make it particularly difficult to know what room to upgrade, what finishes to use, and which colours are best. Who knows how the market might react?
Your Realtor® who works in the industry day in and day out has an excellent idea of what gets results now. Before tearing up your foundation or investing in something you might regret, remember that there’s a reason some houses go into multiple offers while others sit on the market and end up with price reductions. There are often plenty of buyers, but only a handful of homes that interest them.
The best guideline for knowing what projects will offer the highest possible return on investment is to consult your real estate agent before doing anything. Secondly, ask yourself how long you plan to stay in the house.
Are you getting ready to sell in the next year or two? Everything you do should revolve around what the buyer might want.
Do you plan to live in the home for the foreseeable future? In this case, you have more flexibility to design around your own preferences. That said, it doesn’t hurt to connect with a real estate agent to see how it might impact your property value. Your house is still one of your most important assets even if you have no plans to sell.
Getting ready to buy a home and want to ensure you get the best value? The posts below can help!
- The Complete Home Buying Checklist
- The Hidden Costs of Buying a Home
- Buying a Home: Separating Myths from Facts
Home Decor Guidelines for Buyers
Time and time again, we work with buyers who are tempted to bypass homes that are absolutely perfect in every way, save for one or two minor details. As you tour potential properties, keep in mind how easy and inexpensive some upgrades are compared with others.
Finishing an unfinished basement, adding laundry facilities or an extra bathroom that has not been roughed-in can be disruptive and cost-prohibitive. However, a listing may very well deserve a second look if all it’s missing is a dishwasher or air conditioning.
If there’s anything that makes a buyer walk into a house and loudly proclaim, “This place is hideous! I could never live here.” it’s a bad paint job. Strange colours can really throw off the look and vibe of a room, but this is the easiest fix of all.
Before running out the door of an otherwise perfect home, ask your real estate agent to show you some AI renderings of what it could look like with very little time or effort. You may just be surprised at the potential!
When considering whether or not to make an offer, remember that almost anything can be fixed. If the decor needs a few tweaks but the location and the price are right, you may have just stumbled on the home of your dreams.
The rules of what makes something unique or just plain undesirable are always changing. With a little imagination and extensive guidance from a real estate agent, preferably one with construction and design expertise, you can achieve great things when buying or selling a Kingston home.
Is there a move coming up in your future? Our Kingston real estate agents are happy to help and guide you through each step. Reach out to us at caldwellco@royallepage.ca or call 613.449.6588 today.
Meet Your Market Guides
Caldwell & co. is your all-in-one resource for everything real estate related in Kingston, from community highlights to market-shifting trends and hands-on transaction guidance.
