The front door is usually the first feature of a house that buyers see and feel. How do you      ensure it makes a grand first impression? That’s easy.

• Put on a fresh coat of paint.
• Replace worn or faded door handles and locks.
• Install a brass kick plate at the bottom of the door.
• Clean the exterior door frame. Make it shine.

These may seem like little things. But they can make a big difference to the first impression your house makes on potential buyers.

It is often said that first impressions make the most impact. This is true not only when you meet a person for the first time, but it’s also true when you first step into new surroundings.

Anchor your entry

I was asked the other day what the term “Purchase Plus Improvements” means to someone who buys a resale home. So I went to my friend Diane Smith Mortgage Broker at  Invis for the answer.

Many homebuyers looking at older properties find themselves in a common predicament: they’ve found a property that suits them, but it needs some costly and immediate upgrades.

Many buyers add the costs of those immediate renovations into their mortgage, instead of racking up credit card bills or selling investments to pay for the upgrades.  Known as a “purchase plus improvements” mortgage, this type of mortgage covers the sale price of the home, plus any renovations that would increase the value of the property, with as little as 5 per cent down.

If you’re buying a home but want to add a second storey, finish a basement or redo a kitchen, it can make a lot of sense to add those costs to your mortgage.  That way you can spread your payments over the life of the mortgage and have a cost-effective way to get your dream home.  You can also use your pre-payment privileges to pay the renovation off faster.  The process is quite simple:

Obtain cost estimates for the upgrades
Once you have found a home, you need to get detailed written quotes from licensed contractors on the renovations you plan, outlining the scope and all costs.

Get your appraisal
An appraisal with two separate values will be required: first the value of the property “as is” and the estimated value of the property once the improvements are completed.

Renovation costs are included in your mortgage
Your lender will add the estimated costs of the renovation into your mortgage.  For example, with a 5% down payment, your mortgage broker would apply for 95% of the “as improved” market value, which will be higher than the actual purchase price.  The committed amount of the mortgage will be advanced to your solicitor, who will be instructed to hold back the renovation funds until the work has been completed and inspected.

Complete your upgrades; funds are released upon completion
Once an inspection from an appraiser confirms all work is complete and a copy of the building permit (if applicable) has been received, the balance of the mortgage funds will be released to you to pay for the renovations. There are a few options for carrying your expenditures until the funds can be released.  Some major home improvement retailers offer “no payment” options for up to six months.  Larger contractors may also be willing to finance the project short-term if they see the documentation for purchase plus improvements financing.