It’s the time of the year where we celebrate the men in our lives – the great Dads, the Step-Dads, the grandfathers and all the others who step up and make a difference. We appreciate their efforts and
we realize that along with their hard work and contributions, they also crave a space to call their own.
The highly sought-after ‘man space’ – a sanctuary where chick flicks are off limits and bacon jerky and
craft beer are life staples. While we don’t recommend creating an area that’s jam-packed with every
piece of sports memorabilia produced since 1974 – there are great options for designing a space
within your home that will appeal to potential buyers and create the perfect area to get away.
Stick to being a fan, not a fanatic.
We appreciate your enthusiasm, we really do – but let’s face it, when it comes time to sell, AstroTurf
carpeting and massive wall murals in your basement are not (likely) going to entice the single mom
with 2 small children looking for extra play space. As an alternative to creating a space that is
borderline obsessive, try opting instead for built-in shelving and storage units that can house your
team (or theme) paraphernalia without having it become a permanent design feature. Custom team
lighting can also be abrasive to future buyers, so aim for neutral fixtures and complimentary paint
colours to still support the team, but not cause prospective purchasers to look for the closest exit to
dash out of.
Keep your style versatile.
Having a designated man space in your home or garage can be a selling point to the right audience –
provided that you don’t permanently eliminate another desirable home feature in order to do so.
Taking your third bedroom and installing built-in theatre seating, projection screens and a fully wired
surround sound system won’t likely get you the return on your investment that keeping that 3 rd
bedroom would have done. Make sure that your enhancements complement your property
investment in the long run and don’t leave you hanging with huge amounts of money spent on
frivolous expenses you won’t see a return on.
It’s not all about the boys.
Keep in mind that without the amazing women in your life – chances are that your ‘man cave’ would
never have made it past the pipe dream stage. Decorating your space in a macho, ‘no-women allowed’
theme will not endear your home to potential buyers in the future, nor will it encourage random snack
deliveries on game days. Keep your area inviting and comfortable to inspire a welcoming feeling and
you’ll reap the benefits of receptive buyers and friendlier partners.
Raise the bar (or not).
Chances are your man (or woman!) space will likely see its fair share of drinking. While a bar might
be an absolute ‘must-have’ on your man-cave list and will be a big hit on game days – you’ll need to be
aware that a built-in custom bar may deter prospective buyers and may prove difficult to remove later
if necessary. As with any investment, you’ll need to carefully weigh the money you’ll invest into such
‘extras’, when a temporary bar set up may suit your needs and prove to be much easier to relocate,
should the need arise.
Let the sun shine in.
‘Man Cave’ can literally bring to mind an image of sweaty men sitting in dark spaces, grunting and
scratching. That’s not a pretty impression to leave on anyone, let alone a prospective buyer who will
be looking for cheerful places to form new memories in. While you may be looking for the perfect
ambience and dim lighting to watch movies and games in – it’s important to have fresh air and
natural sunlight access as an option as well, to air out those post-game events and create a welcoming
environment throughout your home.
Bringing it all together.
These days, sellers need to make an impression on potential buyers that will leave them wanting to
come back for more (or making an immediate offer!). While it’s never wise to over invest in extras
such as a designated man-space; when done tastefully, it may just be the advantage that you have to
offer over other sellers in your area. If you’re considering selling your home, take the time to reach
out to a Sutton Team Realtor to ask for their professional advice on marketing and showcasing the
best features in your home.
Reach out to Martin Denis Sarkissian – Broker to Talk Real Estate!
Trust, Integrity, Honesty and Education; This is the framework of Martin Sarkissian’s Real Estate Business
