Disclosure

This house is ideal. It is not perfect. If it were perfect, I would be asking around $550-600 k for it.

So: here are the things that you will probably want to change or upgrade. If we close before February 2013, you will have first pick of contractors during the slow period.

1. Roof

The shingles could last another year, but it really is time for a new roof. The roof deck is solid. The chimney has been maintained and swept every year. If you want, this is a perfect time to put in a metal roof or solar panels.

2. Wallpaper and repainting

Some of the wallpaper is tired, and you will probably want to repaint. The drywall is in solid condition. I am willing to strip any or all wallpaper as a condition of sale, leaving the walls pristine for paint or your choice of wall covering.

3. Floors

The existing oak floors and ceramic tiles are in very good condition, bordering on excellent condition. However, you will probably want to replace the carpet and linoleum. You can do it all, upstairs and downstairs, for less than $15,000, or you may want to upgrade to tile or wood.

4. Kitchen

The kitchen is in solid shape, but you may find it dated. You may also want to remove one of the arms of the "U" to completely open the space between the kitchen and eating area: which will give you a very spacious area indeed. You can get a complete kitchen renovation for this size of kitchen for less than $20,000, although of course that won't include granite countertops and the like.

5. Furnace

The natural gas furnace is a high efficiency furnace, but it is first generation. It can be a little noisy when it starts up. With regular maintenance, it has a quite a few more years in it, and it is still very efficient. It does not need to be replaced yet, but you may choose to upgrade.

6. Iron water

I never bothered, but you will probably want to install a water softener.

7. Culvert

The concrete on top of the culvert has started to flake. The culvert structure is still strong, and the flaking concrete can be ignored for a few more years before it needs replacement.

8. Cable

The house is not currently wired for cable. There is cable at the street line. Of course, if you use satellite, it won't matter. There are no neighbourhood restrictions on satellite dishes.

9. Landscaping

My father and I planted every tree you see as a sapling. The patio and deck are up to you!

Which reminds me, there is one other conditional. There is a small blue spruce, not even 4 feet high, at the side of the house. I am going to take that one with me and transplant it. Trust me, you won't even miss it!

There are also a few thousand dollars worth of bulbs and perennials in the ground. The mass of daffodils and tulips outside the cedar hedge are amazing in the spring! If you don't intend to keep them, I will take some with me and share others with the neighbours. You can tell them it was your idea!

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