When people think of selling their Montreal home, modernizing their property is often the first action they take. However, overdoing it or investing in improvements that don’t pay off can be a waste of time and money.
So we’ve put together a list of 3 improvements to invest in and 3 to forget.
3 improvements to invest in :
Paint
A small coat of paint can brighten up a room. Choose 
neutral colors and insert a few splashes of color throughout, using decorative cushions or artwork for example. Painting is a relatively inexpensive improvement that can have a major impact on your visitors.
Not to mention that fresh paint will cover imperfections on your walls, such as nail holes.
Modernizing the kitchen and bathroom
You may have already heard that the kitchen and bathroom are the two most important rooms when it comes to modernizing your home. However, you can make small changes that will significantly alter the appearance of your home without costing you a fortune.
New faucets, pull-out drawers and a refurbished toilet are affordable options that will restore your home to its former glory. Some appliance manufacturers sell new, colorful fronts that you can affix to your appliances.
For example, changing the front of your dishwasher to match the color of your other appliances is a great way to save money while making your kitchen more harmonious.
You can use the same principle for your bathroom. Ceramic tiles can be added, laid directly on your existing floor. Clean joints thoroughly, several times if necessary.
Repair cracked tiles and any damaged hardware (such as a wobbly towel rack, for example). To avoid replacing the shower, you could use a prefabricated liner. It’s much cheaper than major renovations.
Landscaping the courtyard
Planting a few flowers at the front and covering the ground with grass will make your home more attractive, from 
the very first glance. If necessary, prune trees and shrubs, and make sure the lawn is well mowed.
You could also make a border with pretty stones to keep the space organized without having to really take care of it.
Perhaps you could repaint the letterbox, hang a bird feeder or install climbing plants. Small treasures combined with a well-kept yard will make your home remarkable.
3 improvements to forget :
Completing the basement
Completing the basement can quickly turn into 
a major project, costing a lot of time and money. The figures show that you won’t get back what you’ve invested.
In the end, most buyers will want to arrange the place to suit their tastes. Maybe they’re dreaming of one big playroom, or maybe they’d rather have several rooms.
When deciding on the selling price of your home, take into account the fact that this room is not finished, and inform buyers of this fact.
Building a balcony or pool
Once again, this can be very expensive, without substantially increasing the value of the property. If you have an unused space, embellish it with plants or decorative stones. If the 
next owner wishes to build a balcony, he can do so in accordance with his own wishes.
Installing a swimming pool can cost a fortune without increasing the value of your home. What’s more, a swimming pool could actually put off some buyers.
Potential buyers with young children may have concerns about their safety. Many people don’t want to have to worry about maintaining their own pool.
Major kitchen and bathroom renovations
Don’t waste your money on major renovations if they aren’t absolutely necessary (if the rooms have been damaged by water or fire, for example). Spending so much money doesn’t make sense, especially when you consider that the future owner will have his or her own preferences. Most buyers would rather have a discount on the house, allowing them to modernize in their own way.
In short: Don’t overdo it… Keep it simple!
