JANUARY 2006 NEWSLETTER

Home Buyer Types      

Home seekers can typically be divided into four types.  Knowing what type you are will enable you to attract like-minded buyers and increase the re-sale value of your home when deciding where to sink you renovation dollars.

#1 Social Animal

Social animals value spending time with neighbours, having a park nearby, entertaining friends, hanging around the kitchen with friends or family, enjoying the deck or backyard and walking the dog.  While the “feel” of a neighbourhood is a big selling point for these “people, people,” renovations that could warm their hearts would be a comfortable new deck, spacious and homey kitchen renovation, fireplace, attractive back yard fencing and front yard friendly curb appeal.

#2 Sun and Food Traditionalist

Above all, sun and food traditionalists value bright and sunny homes with lots of open space, fancy kitchens and gardens, and formal dining and living rooms.  They respond to the esthetic aspects of life and want this to be reflected in their homes.  Renovations that would appeal to this bunch?  Gourmet elements in the kitchen, a fresh, sunny paint job, thoughtful landscaping, removing walls within the home to open it up, and formal elements such as high-quality flooring and crown molding.

#3 Pleasure Seekers

For pleasure seekers, the experiences in life make it worth living.  They’re somewhat oblivious to interior decorating and fancy faucets.  But show them renovations such as a hot tub, pool, Jacuzzi tub, and home theatre room with surround  sound, recreation room complete with entertainment centre, pool table, juke box and built-in bar, or a backyard deck with built-in barbeque and they’ll be ready to let the good times roll.

#4 Villagers

Villagers are willing to sacrifice space and even comfort in order to be able to live close to the conveniences they care about.  Having grocery stores, restaurants and shops within walking distance, or a short car ride away, makes life exciting for these urbanites, and uses their time in the best way possible.  Home details that will catch their eyes would be ingenious and efficient uses of space, professionally organized closets, open living space and high-quality materials and fixtures that elevate cramped quarters

____________________
Wine and Cheese

Although is seems like the Christmas parties just ended, you’ve been looking to host a small intimate gathering for your closest friends. A wine-and-cheese-tasting party is a simple, elegant solution.

Since this will be a tasting—not a gulping—one bottle of wine should serve three to four people. As for cheese quantities, the rule of thumb is to calculate between two and four ounces of each cheese per person. Serve whites chilled to between 46°F and 50°F (about two hours in the refrigerator) and reds at about 60°F (slightly cooler than room temperature).

Most red wines pair up very well with any sharp cheddar cheese; actually Red wines tend to pair up well with most types of cheese. Generally, white wines should be paired with white and creamy cheeses but don’t let that stop you from experimenting a little bit. Sweet and fruity white wines are often good with many types of cheese.