Daily Archives: March 17, 2009

By James Strathy Warren

I am always suggesting to my clients that they improve the exterior of their house, while either living there or prior to selling.  I often refer to this as my “White Picket Fence Theory“.

Using this theory to dress up the front of the house, through painting, adding shutters to the front exterior to soften the look, or adding a tailored garden with boxwood or black cast iron urns out front always takes the house up a notch.

In the end it adds value to the property.  A nice return on your investment.

I have often said… “spend $2,000.00 and get $20,000.00 back”.   Its “great eye candy”  and people like to admire it when driving by or viewing a house for sale.

First of all, it make the house prettier and then there is pride of ownership.

So, when you next look at the front of your house, think about what you can do to make it prettier… even adding chairs to the front porch is a good idea  or putting a white light on the front of the house or a tree, will draw attention and admiration to your property.  This is especially true at night.  Or even landscaping… maybe a red maple for some added colour.

You can even put in a white picket fence around your property from which you can hang flower boxes or have roses on the inside.  This can be done for pure enjoyment, but the upside is a smart return on your investment.

Its magical, its something most people want, but don’t know how to do it.  And, people will pay for it… its all about the wrapping.

I always feel its best to do your shutters, cast iron urns and flower boxes in black… it goes with anything and people are less likely to comment on the wrong choice of colour.

Have fun dressing up your house.

James Strathy Warren, Hons. B.A., C.F.A.C, an award winning agent, is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Limited/JOHNSTON & DANIEL DIVISION.  James can be reached at jameswarren@trebnet.com and his website is located at www.jameswarren.ca.