By Carson Arthur Outdoor Expert on Cityline, the Shopping Channel and Television Host of HGTV's Critical Listing
How to catch a boomer
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lanning to sell your home in the next few years and cash in big on the real estate market? Well, you’re not alone! According to Century 21, almost half of Canadians are planning to do the same in the next five years. I haven’t met a homeowner who didn’t want to know that they would get top dollar for their house when it’s time to sell. One of the best ways to ensure this happens is to know your buyer and create a space that meets their needs. So how are you going to make your house irresistible and land the big fish? There are lots of potential buyers out there, but when it comes to the ‘big fish’, you’re looking for a Baby Boomer. All the newest research shows that Boomers are on the move and they are looking to right-size their living situations. If you’re in this category, you probably know what I’m saying. Boomers are cashing in their big family homes, stashing some money for retirement and spending the rest on their new dream spaces. With the deepest pockets and the most available cash, catching a Boomer is as simple as knowing the best bait. Unfortunately, there are a few things about your home you can’t change. Location is a big one. Boomers place location as their top motivating factor. To the Boomers, having a sense of belonging in a community is paramount. They want to live in great neighbourhoods with lots of like-minded people. The best way to make this idea of socialization work for you, and to ensure that your listed home gets lots of attention, is to have great spaces for entertaining. The backyard is the perfect spot to create that extra room, exactly what the Boomer buyer is looking for. Outdoor entertaining has replaced the ‘party room’ in the basement as the location to hold dinner parties, brunches or even just drinks with friends. There are a few elements to a successful outdoor room. You can’t assume that if you have a deck or a patio, you have an outdoor room. Here are the key items that you need to create the perfect outdoor room: 1. Flooring. Just like any indoor room, your outdoor space needs a good floor. Decks and patios have traditionally been the best choice because they hold their value the longest with minimal effort. When choosing the best floor for your outdoor space, budget is always important. My favourite way to spend less and get the biggest return is to use one of the new types of pre-stained pressure treated wood. I’ve personally had great 40 You’re home Summer 2014