TORONTO, March 8, 2011 – Buying a new home? There are cost-efficient renovations that you can undertake immediately to make your new home your own and improve its energy-efficiency without breaking the bank. According to real estate broker Simon Giannini, who has 25 years experience helping Canadians find the perfect home, key upgrades and changes, such as installing eco-friendly appliances, fuse style with green technology making them the smart choice for a newly-purchased home.
“When my clients are house hunting, I tell them to look past the esthetics such as outdated appliances and 70’s wallpaper and consider how they can make the house their own,” says Simon Giannini, Real Estate Broker, with Royal LePage. “You don’t have to undertake large scale renovations in order to update your home. Simple changes such as a new coat of paint throughout the house or the purchase of new eco-friendly ENERGY STAR® efficient appliances, like a Bosch dishwasher, can give your home an instant facelift.”
Giannini explains that the key to upgrades and renovations is about knowing how and where to spend your money. Since there are both cosmetic and functional aspects to consider, kitchen upgrades can provide a significantly higher return on investment than other home renovations. By simply updating cabinetry fronts in a neutral tone, adding a new countertop, or updating appliances, new homeowners can drastically change the look of their home and increase the resale value. Plus, eco-friendly renovations can also provide significant government rebates.
Giannini offers the following five tips for easy upgrades that add value to your home:
- Kitchen upgrades – If a full reno is not in the plans, instantly update the look of your kitchen with new appliances. A stylish stainless steel dishwasher, like the Bosch 800 Plus that uses 156% less energy than the federal standard, and a new refrigerator will give your kitchen a fresh look and save you money
- Green your garden – landscaping, and some perennials can make your home look beautiful year round and help the environment too
- Give your bathroom a makeover – replace the vanity and mirror to take your bathroom from old-fashioned to 21st century and check with your municipality to see if you can get a rebate to replace your old toilet with a water efficient model
- More light – a little light goes a long way. Replacing energy-draining light fixtures or dated chandeliers make a big difference in the look of your home and potentially save on your electrical bills
- Create a new space – basements are often considered a place for storage, but with a fresh coat of paint and furniture, a whole new office or study space can be produced
“Small upgrades, especially in the kitchen, are a great way to modernize your home and add to its resale value,” says Simon. “Potential buyers need to know that there are several green options available that can add character to your home, money to your pocket and reduce your carbon footprint without limiting your home’s style.”
About Bosch
Bosch home appliances is part of BSH Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group, the third largest appliance manufacturer in the world. Inspired by the lifestyle of today’s discerning consumers, all Bosch products combine efficiency, quietness, and quality with unrivaled ease of use. Known worldwide for raising standards in efficiency and quietness, Bosch is the only Canadian home appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration. Bosch continues to be the brand of choice for discerning consumers that desire the best in green living, quietness, convenience, design and safety.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Meneses/Laura Arlabosse-Stewart
jmeneses@paradigmpr.ca/lstewart@paradigmpr.ca
Paradigm Public Relations
416-203-2223
