HawthorneVillager.com

Hi Everyone,

We are looking at booking a house in hawthorne village and have received a sheet for architect's choice options. They are


1. Gas fireplace, $3849
2. Bath oasis, $4200
3. Walk-in-closet(in lieu of laundry), $500
4. Cold cellar , $3125
5. Rec room pkg(3 pc rough-in, 24 X 30inch enlarged windows, $1250

Which of these make most sense from an appreciation point of view ? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Rose.

Rec room would probably be the best bang for buck I'd say (more for the larger windows). Bath oasis might be decent as well. As with most builder upgrades though, none are great value. Cold cellar and moving the laundry are terrible value for resale.

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Local Realtors who know the local market!
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre
http://www.kyleandjay.ca
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Rose,

From an appreciation point of view, none of them. However, it also can depend on the floor plan/size of home and it depends on the buyer you're trying to attract. We have buyers we are working with right now that a separate shower and larger tub and walk-in closet in the Master bedroom/ensuite is a must.

If you're doing it for the enjoyment and the usability of these items while you own the house, however long that may be, then upgrade things you can't change later. Fireplace can always be added, but are you doing it out of your enjoyment for it or just as adding value to the house?

Cold cellar, in my opinion, is a very poor value at $3125.00.

The bath Oasis is ok, but then you almost have to get the seamless glass shower to get good value back in resale.

Spend money on upgrading to Hardwood Staircase and possibly Kitchen cabinet upgrades.

There's my $0.02.

Congratulations on the purchase of your home!



Ariel

_________________
Ariel Kormendy
Real Estate Sales Representative

The Kormendy Trott Team
Century 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd.
647-464-0957 Direct

www.kormendytrott.com
www.facebook.com/kormendytrott

Sorry I thought I hit submit yesterday... Long story short:

Cold Cellars are worth almost $0 most of the time here in Milton. Buying in Woodbridge would yield a different answer for sure.

The fireplace, agreed - save your cash and install a wall mount modern electric for $800-1500 If you want to down the road (pay mattamy $100 for the extra electrical outlet in that location.

Rec room package, I agree - if you want todo this later, it will cost you about $800-900 just to break up the concrete and put the drains in, so get it now but don't expect it to be worth "X" when you sell.

For the bath oasis, I need to know what model to comment. Some are worth it, others are not at all in my opinion.

Hope that helps - Keep us posted!

Fred

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Kyle & Jay, Kormendy and Fred D : Thanks for your suggestions & advise.

Its the Elmvale model of mattamy.

The builder is offering $5k in design center, any particular design updates that are must-haves for appreciation ?

Nice model… I really like the use of space in that floor plan. Personally, I would upgrade the ensuite to the super-shower and upgrade to the seamless full glass enclosure and I would upgrade the tile within the shower. All of that you really wouldn't want to do after closing and that should eat up almost $4000. Reasoning is that there's another full bath upstairs, with the same sized tub, for those that may want a bath and I actually like the Master Bedroom layout better with the super shower (gives you more walls for furniture, tv, etc.). If you do ever sell the home, I believe that will provide you better impact/value than the other upgrades and if you take showers, you'll be glad you made that choice.

You may also want to carry the main floor laminate or hardwood from your main floor into the second floor hall and upgrade the underpad in the carpeted areas. Typically, the cost of those upgrades with Mattamy vs do it yourself isn't worth the headaches and nice to have completed when you move in.

Have you decided on any upgrades already?

_________________
Ariel Kormendy
Real Estate Sales Representative

The Kormendy Trott Team
Century 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd.
647-464-0957 Direct

www.kormendytrott.com
www.facebook.com/kormendytrott

Being that the walk-in closet that is added by moving the laundry to the basement is for the second bedroom, it's essentially useless/worthless and they should be paying you to take this option. I never quite understood why mattamy charges to remove walls/plumbing when it costs them less. I see them doing this quite often when having to switch the default 4th bedroom to a loft.

Like Ariel said, Super shower >>> Bath oasis for this model. Double sink option in Master might be worth looking into as well in this layout.

_________________
Local Realtors who know the local market!
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre
http://www.kyleandjay.ca
Kyle and Jay on Facebook
@KYLEandJAYca on Twitter

Agreed!!

_________________
Fred De Carolis
FREDHELPS.COM or on Facebook
Thanks for your support in the
search for Milton's Favourite Realtor!
REVEL REALTY -- MILTON'S FAVOURITE REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE, as voted by YOU!!!

What about moving the laundry downstairs to have the computer nook? As someone (in the minority, I know) who HATES upstairs laundry rooms, especially when they don't have a tub or drain, would you really take a hit on this at re-sale? And what if it gave you larger bedrooms?

In my experience, like you said, the majority want laundry upstairs or at least on the main level. Different people/cultures have different tastes though. Computer nooks and slightly bigger bedrooms aren't worth moving the laundry, especially if it comes at a $ cost.

_________________
Local Realtors who know the local market!
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre
http://www.kyleandjay.ca
Kyle and Jay on Facebook
@KYLEandJAYca on Twitter

Don't move the laundry downstairs unless it provides an extra bedroom. Even then it depends on the size of the home and the size of the bedrooms, but generally, and speaking for your plan specifically, for resale value it may actually turn a few buyers away.

_________________
Ariel Kormendy
Real Estate Sales Representative

The Kormendy Trott Team
Century 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd.
647-464-0957 Direct

www.kormendytrott.com
www.facebook.com/kormendytrott

Hi all,

Thank you kindly for your insights, advise and feedback.

We noticed a couple of houses on MLS in the same price range. We will look at existing houses for the next month or so and then decide.

Once again thanks a ton !!! I will keep you guys posted when things finalise.

Cheers
Rose