Important things you should replace in your home

Even as home prices balance out, many buyers are still having affordability issues in and around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). If you’ve had your eye on a new home but haven’t quite found it yet, we think you’ll appreciate this list of small updates you can make around your home to improve your comfort and possibly even increase its value.

Change your lighting to LED  

If you haven’t done this yet, you’re behind the times! Compared to standard incandescent lighting, LED lighting lasts up to 25 times longer and uses 75% less energy.

This energy efficiency upgrade also qualifies for incentives through IESO’s Save on Energy Whole Home program. You don’t have to stop at simply replacing lighting, there are many other energy efficient upgrades you can make around your home such as your appliances and heating.

Switch from wood to gas  

Do you have a wood-burning fireplace? When was the last time you actually used it? Don’t get us wrong, nothing’s more inviting than a real crackling fire, especially on a cold winter day, but that doesn’t matter if you’re not using it.

There are many benefits to switching that wood-burner to a gas fireplace, including lowering your environmental impact and spending less time on maintenance. You can find some great tips on how to make this switch at eieihomes.com!  

Convert your attic/basement to a bedroom

If your attic or basement is already finished, then the bulk of the work is done. If not, you’ll likely need a professional contractor to lay the groundwork before beginning this process (drywall, flooring, insulation, etc.).

Even if you don’t need the extra bedroom, you should still consider the project. When it comes time to sell, instead of having a three-bedroom, you’ll have a four-bedroom on the market. Plus, having an extra bedroom for when guests stay overnight is convenient.

Swap out your closet doors

If you have large sliding doors for closets, you should replace these with mirrored doors. The large mirrors make a space seem larger and you don’t have to go far when trying on an outfit. Mirrored closets also replace the need for a wall or floor mirror, which frees up even more space!

Trade in grass for patio

You may appreciate the amount of green grass in your backyard at the moment, but what about when it comes time to mow it? Also, do you and your kids really play back there as much as you expected?

If you build a deck or patio in that space, you’ll likely use the space more and also cut down on the amount of time you need to spend on maintenance.

We hope these home upgrades and replacement ideas help your home feel like a new one!