There’s a saying I’ve heard for years—usually tossed out just after someone regrets buying discount sushi or a budget smartphone: You get what you pay for.

It came to mind again this weekend while showing two fourplex rental properties to a seasoned investor. Both were on the same street. Both were built for exactly the same purpose. Both were, technically speaking, the same vintage. But only one had survived the 20th century.

The first was a tribute to 1965, untouched by time—or tools. The kitchen was original, the bathroom a mid-century artifact, and the fuse panel was a living museum piece. We tried to guess the age of the furnace, and someone suggested it might be original. No one laughed.

The second building? A full 180. New kitchen, new bath, fresh flooring, modern windows, HVAC units that looked like they’d just been unboxed. Even the hydro panels had been relocated into the hallway—one investor estimated that move alone cost $25,000.

Now guess which one was listed for $300,000 more.

Spoiler: the time capsule.

This is a good reminder of how buyers—investors, first-timers, and growing families alike—assess value. It’s not just about bricks and square footage. It’s about what’s been done, what hasn’t, and how scary those undone things look. To the untrained eye, a paint job isn’t a weekend project—it’s a $10,000 disaster. I recently overheard exactly that price quoted by a buyer for a repaint. I didn’t correct them, though I’d just helped another client do it for half.

Here’s the irony: the more you avoid upgrades, the more expensive they seem to the next person. And the less they’re willing to pay.

So how do you future-proof a home’s value? Think of it like dental hygiene: it’s cheaper to floss than to fill a cavity.

A 10-year-old home? Touch up the paint, swap the countertops, plant a hydrangea or two.
At 15? Time to look at the roof, HVAC, maybe update the kitchen hardware so it doesn’t scream 2010.
By 20–25 years in, your landscape is tired, your light fixtures confused, and your doors just a little sad. A few thousand dollars can add decades of perceived life.

The best homes to show are the ones where owners have quietly and consistently cared for their properties. Buyers walk in and relax. The price feels fair—or even generous. On the flip side, homes that haven’t been touched in 20 years? Those attract buyers, too—the kind who bring spreadsheets, contractors, and lowball offers.

In the end, homes don’t lie. They sell for what they are—no more, no less. The trick is to make sure what they are isn’t a project, but a prize.If you are planning on selling or are looking for advice on upgrades that increase the value of your home, I can be reached at lindsay@buyselllove.ca or 905-743-5555.

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