Blog

RSS

Simple and Affordable Ideas for Improving Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is important. It’s the first thing buyers see when they drive up to your home — and, often, the first impression they get. Fortunately, you don't have to break the bank to achieve a great-looking exterior. Here are some simple and affordable ideas for enhancing your home's curb appeal:

  1. Add a fresh coat of paint: One of the easiest ways to make your home look brand new is by adding a fresh coat of paint to the exterior. Choose a colour that complements the architectural style and surroundings of your home.
  2. Upgrade the front door: Your front door is the focal point of your home's exterior. Consider painting it a bold colour, replacing it with a modern style, or simply adding a new doorknob and knocker.
  3. Install outdoor lighting: Outdoor lighting not only improves your home's curb appeal but also adds security and safety. Consider adding solar-powered pathway lights, wall-mounted fixtures, or even string lights to your front porch.
  4. Update your mailbox: An outdated mailbox can detract from your home's appearance. Consider upgrading to a modern style or painting your existing mailbox with a fresh coat of paint.
  5. Add landscaping: A well-manicured lawn and some strategically placed plants can instantly improve your home's curb appeal. Plant colourful flowers or add potted plants to your front porch.
  6. Power wash your driveway and sidewalks: Over time, dirt and grime can build up on your driveway and sidewalks, making them look dull and dirty. Rent a power washer or hire a professional to clean them up.
Improving your home's curb appeal doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. By implementing these simple and affordable ideas, you can make your home more attractive to potential buyers and increase its value. Remember, the first impression is the most important one, so make sure your home's exterior looks its best!
Read

Low-Cost Staging Ideas for the Outside of your Home

When it comes to selling your home, preparing the exterior can be just as important as preparing the interior. The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers see, and it can greatly impact their first impression of your property.

Luckily, there are several low-cost outdoor improvements that will make your home more appealing to buyers.

First, consider adding some potted plants or flowers to your front porch or entryway. This can help add some colour and life to your home's exterior, and create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers. Even in winter, small potted evergreens can have an impact.

Next, consider cleaning up your landscaping. This can include trimming overgrown bushes and trees, mowing the lawn, and removing any dead plants or debris. By doing so, you can make your home look well-maintained and attractive to potential buyers.

You may also want to consider adding some outdoor lighting to your property. This can include adding some solar-powered lights along your driveway or walkway, or even adding some outdoor string lights to your patio or deck. Outdoor lighting can create an inviting atmosphere, and make your home look more attractive to potential buyers.

Finally, consider giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. Your front door is a focal point of your home's exterior, and painting it will make a big difference. If you’re changing the colour, be sure to pick one that complements the façade.

These outdoor improvements don’t cost much, but will increase your home's curb appeal, which is proven to help sell your property faster and for a better price.

Need more advice on how to create the “wow” factor in your home when you sell? Call today!
Read

New property listed in Highgate, Burnaby South

I have listed a new property at 1005 7178 COLLIER ST in Burnaby. See details here

Welcome to Arcadia by Bosa in highgate Village. This spacious North facing 869 sq.ft. unit offers an open concept floorplan with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies, One undeground Parking and one locker. Beautiful view of North Shore mountains and City from the living room and 2 balconies. Laminate floor throughout. Gas stove & Granite countertops in kitchen & bathrooms. Low strata fees. Walking distance to Highgate Mall and short distance to Metrotown. Steps to Skytrain and public transit. Amenities in the building include great garden, exercise room, party room with full kitchen. Lots of visitor parking. School Catchments: Elementary; Morley, Brantford, Armstrong Secondary; Byrne Creek, Cariboo Hill.

Read

Open House. Open House on Saturday, July 22, 2023 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Please visit our Open House at 1005 7178 COLLIER ST in Burnaby. See details here

Open House on Saturday, July 22, 2023 2:00PM - 4:00PM

Welcome to Arcadia by Bosa in highgate Village. This spacious North facing 869 sq.ft. unit offers an open concept floorplan with 2 bedrooms ,2 bathrooms,2 balconies,One undeground Parking and one locker.Beautiful view of North Shore mountains and City from the living room and 2 balconies.Laminate floor throughout.Gas stove & Granite countertops in kitchen & bathrooms.Low strata fees.Walking distance to Highgate Mall and short distance to Metrotown.Steps to Skytrain and public transit.Amenities in the building include great garden,exercise room,party room with full kitchen.Lots of visitor parking.School Catchments: Elementary;Morley,Brantford ,Armstrong Secondary;Byrne Creek ,Cariboo Hill.

Read

I have sold a property at 1101 570 EMERSON ST in Coquitlam

I have sold a property at 1101 570 EMERSON ST in Coquitlam. See details here

Coquitlam West-Uptown 2 by Bosa Properties, Bright 1bdrm+Den with modern and functional floor plan, Designer cabinetry with soft-close hardware and undermount pot lighting, Fulgor (Milano) gas cook-top and built-in oven, Blomberg fridge and dishwasher, Amenities facilities: Gym,Yoga room, Sauna, BBQ, Fire Pit, Lounge Furniture. 5 minutes walk to Burquitlam Skytrain station and <10 minutes drive to SFU, Safewway right next door, nearbyThe Vancouver Golf Club.

Read

I have sold a property at 502 620 SEVENTH AVE in New Westminster

I have sold a property at 502 620 SEVENTH AVE in New Westminster. See details here

UPTON NEW WEST AFFORDABLE CONCRETE ALMOST 2 BEDROOM SUITE WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS. Welcome to the Charter House, lovely strata with great long term reputation for making this a great updated, and very affordable, place to live in the Royal City. Updated laminate floors, paint, countertops, some tile as well. Super clean & well cared for Large "almost" 2 Bedroom. The Den has a closet, separate door to the hall, patio door to balcony, just needs a wall to separate from the bright living room... Many suites in strata have already added a wall to create a second bedroom. Main bedroom has ensuite. Easily rentable with great return. No pets, Shared Laundry in BSMT. 1 parking & 1 locker. Fantastic location just steps to shopping, restaurants, transit, schools, parks & other amenities.

Read

I have sold a property at 320 3411 SPRINGFIELD DR in Richmond

I have sold a property at 320 3411 SPRINGFIELD DR in Richmond. See details here

Discover your renovation dream in this spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo located in Steveston North. This condo boasts a large south-facing patio, perfect for enjoying the ample natural light that floods the large living and dining rooms through the large windows and high ceilings. The master bedroom features an en-suite bathroom and oversized walk-in closet. The 2 other bedrooms are good sized as well. 1 parking & storage is incl, shared laundry, outdoor pool. Building has been recently upgraded with rain-screen, exterior walls, windows, sliding doors, balconies, piping & roof. This condo is an amazing investment opportunity for anyone seeking a comfortable home with room to grow.

Read

New property listed in Highgate, Burnaby South

I have listed a new property at 1005 7178 COLLIER ST in Burnaby. See details here

Welcome to Arcadia by Bosa in highgate Village. This spacious North facing 869 sq.ft. unit offers an open concept floorplan with 2 bedrooms , 2 renovated bathrooms, 2 balconies,One undeground Parking and one locker. Beautiful view of North Shore mountains and City from the living room and the 2 balconies. Laminate floor throughout. Gas stove & Granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms. Low strata fees. Walking distance to Highgate Mall and short distance to Metrotown. Steps to Skytrain and public transit. Amenities in the building include great garden in front of the building,exercise room,party room with full kitchen.School Catchments: Morley Elementary,Brantford Elementary,Armstrong Elementary,Byrne Creek Secondary,Cariboo Hill Secondary. Open House Sat,Sun July 15,16 from 1pm to 4pm.

Read

Open House. Open House on Saturday, July 15, 2023 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Please visit our Open House at 1005 7178 COLLIER ST in Burnaby. See details here

Open House on Saturday, July 15, 2023 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Welcome to Arcadia by Bosa in highgate Village. This spacious North facing 869 sq.ft. unit offers an open concept floorplan with 2 bedrooms , 2 renovated bathrooms, 2 balconies,One undeground Parking and one locker. Beautiful view of North Shore mountains and City from the living room and the 2 balconies. Laminate floor throughout. Gas stove & Granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms. Low strata fees. Walking distance to Highgate Mall and short distance to Metrotown. Steps to Skytrain and public transit. Amenities in the building include great garden in front of the building,exercise room,party room with full kitchen.School Catchments: Morley Elementary,Brantford Elementary,Armstrong Elementary,Byrne Creek Secondary,Cariboo Hill Secondary. Open House Sat,Sun July 15,16 from 1pm to 4pm.

Read

Open House. Open House on Sunday, July 16, 2023 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Please visit our Open House at 1005 7178 COLLIER ST in Burnaby. See details here

Open House on Sunday, July 16, 2023 1:00PM - 4:00PM

Welcome to Arcadia by Bosa in highgate Village. This spacious North facing 869 sq.ft. unit offers an open concept floorplan with 2 bedrooms , 2 renovated bathrooms, 2 balconies,One undeground Parking and one locker. Beautiful view of North Shore mountains and City from the living room and the 2 balconies. Laminate floor throughout. Gas stove & Granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms. Low strata fees. Walking distance to Highgate Mall and short distance to Metrotown. Steps to Skytrain and public transit. Amenities in the building include great garden in front of the building,exercise room,party room with full kitchen.School Catchments: Morley Elementary,Brantford Elementary,Armstrong Elementary,Byrne Creek Secondary,Cariboo Hill Secondary. Open House Sat,Sun July 15,16 from 1pm to 4pm.

Read

Creating a Manageable Timeline when Selling

There are several ways to make the selling process easy and relatively stress-free. One way is to create a selling timeline that fits your needs, lifestyle, and capabilities.

Say you’d like to list your home in four weeks and expect it to be on the market for an additional four weeks. That’s an eight-week timeline. How do you create a manageable schedule that works for you? Try these steps:

  1. Determine what you need to do to get your home ready for sale.
  2. Assign who will be doing what. For example, if you need to paint, will you hire a contractor? Do it yourself? Make a family day out of it?
  3. Estimate the time it will take to do those tasks. Then add 50% as a buffer. (It’s easy to underestimate time on tasks.)
  4. Look at your current schedule and block out times on your calendar so you can complete those tasks at a comfortable pace.

Go through these same steps for other selling activities, such as finding and meeting with a real estate lawyer, having buyers come to see your property, etc.

When you create a manageable — and realistic — schedule, you may find that most of the stress and worry of selling evaporates. A manageable schedule also ensures you won’t miss anything and then have to scramble
Read

Advantages of Buying a House that Needs Work

There’s no doubt about it. Buying a home that is “move in ready” is a real convenience. All you need to do is get your belongings in place, and you’re ready to enjoy living in your new home. You don’t even need to paint. That’s why move-in-ready homes tend to attract more buyers.

However, there are advantages to buying a property that needs work. And, if you’re currently shopping for a new home, a listing that requires some repairs, upgrades, or renovations might be worth considering.

Why?

Properties that need work tend to be priced lower than comparable move-in-ready listings. Depending on market demand, the price savings can range from modest (just a few thousand dollars) to substantial.

Also, homes that need work tend to attract fewer buyers and offers, so there’s less competition.

Another advantage is the opportunity to get into a desirable area you otherwise might not have afforded. It might be worth the extra work you’d need to put into the home to live in your dream neighbourhood.

But, while there are advantages, there are also important caveats.

The first caveat is you must know the scope of work that is required before making any decision to purchase. How will you get the work done? How much will you need to budget for the improvements? Are you prepared for the realities of living in a property during renovations?

The second caveat is you must anticipate any issues that can’t be seen during a typical viewing. The last thing you want is to pay for a major repair you weren’t expecting. That’s why getting a professional home inspection as a condition of your offer is often a good idea.

There’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a “needs work” property. But, I can help you make an informed decision. Call today.
Read

Understanding How your Local Market Works

When you read or watch the news about the real estate market, it may seem reasonable to make the assumption that the information applies equally to your street or community.

But, that isn’t always true.

In fact, the characteristics of your local real estate market can differ in many respects from the regional or national market.

Say the regional real estate market is most active during certain months of the year. That might be true of your neighbourhood, too. But, there may also be some caveats. If, for example, buyers are eagerly awaiting listings to come up in your community, then that micro market might heat up faster than other areas in the region.

Knowing how your local market works and how it differs from the larger regional market is crucial when selling. It helps you decide when it’s best to list and helps to ensure your home sells quickly and for a good price. That’s a strategic advantage.

Understanding the local market also helps when buying. Imagine acting only on regional or national market statistics without knowing the unique market characteristics of a neighbourhood you’re hoping to buy into. You could end up missing opportunities. You don’t want that!

So, pay attention to the local real estate market. Get the latest information on what’s happening.
Read

Upsizing or Downsizing? Don’t Overdo It!

Imagine you have a growing family, and you want to trade in the small sedan for something larger. So, you visit the dealership and come back with a bus.

Well, that would be upsizing a bit too much – unless you have a really huge family!

That’s the challenge of upsizing or downsizing. You need to be careful not to take it too far and end up with something that isn’t suitable.

This often occurs in the real estate world. For example, homeowners might decide to sell their home and find a smaller one. But, if they go too far, they end up with a property so small they feel claustrophobic.

How do you avoid a similar scenario happening to you?

If you’re thinking of upsizing or downsizing, the best place to start is in your own home. Think about how you use the space. Do you and your family spend a lot of time in certain areas? Are there rooms and other spaces that are rarely used? Or, conversely, do you wish you had more room — such as an extra bedroom, wider driveway, separate living and family rooms, etc.?

Do a thoughtful analysis of how you’re using your current property in order to reveal clues about what you’ll want in your next home. If you’re upsizing, you might find that all you need is an extra bedroom. If you’re downsizing, you might realize that one family room, rather than separate living and family rooms, would work better for you.

So, whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, carefully decide what type of new home you need. Be as specific as possible. Consider criteria such as the number of bedrooms, entertaining space, bathrooms, driveway size, etc., that you need. Doing that will help ensure your upsizing or downsizing move will be successful.

Read
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB.