I grew up in a family that flipped houses. My husband and I have continued this tradition with our family and have structured our goals around how our hard work can help us achieve them. It can be a lucrative opportunity for the right people, but it's not how it looks on tv.

Flipping houses takes planning and organization- financial & otherwise- hard work, and patience. You have to be prepared for the unexpected and have a back- up plan if a project becomes more complicated, time consuming, and/ or expensive than expected. I recently came across a great article by MSN Real Estate about the reality of flipping houses. It's worth a read if this is an avenue you're considering.

If you are considering flipping houses or purchasing income properties, I would be happy to sit down and discuss what is involved.

Image Source: MSN Real Estate

Now that we're into the heart of the busy season in the real estate market, it's important to differentiate your house from the competition. Boost your home's value and appeal to buyers by making some improvements and upgrades. Here are 10 tips from This Old House to help you on your way

1. Create Space

Make rooms bigger and improve the flow of the house from room to room

2. Prune, Limb, & Landscape

An investment in the yard & creating curb appeal can boost property value and make it more appealing to buyers

3. Let in the Light

To enhance your spaces, use natural light whenever possible; use bright light to make rooms feel bigger and soft light to add warmth

4. Don't put off Care & Maintenance

Get back to basics and make sure minor repairs are done; focus on things such as plumbing, gutters, the furnace, and windows

5. Go Green

Consider replacing aging heating & air cooling systems to improve efficiencies and decrease the cost of running the house and take advantage of tax benefits

6. Home Begins at the Front Door

Make a good first impression & make sure your front door & entry are tidy and welcoming (Think: Is the doorbell working? Is there an overhang to shelter from the elements?)

7. What's Under Your Feet?

Spending some money on quality flooring and/ or addressing minor fixes such as squeaky floor boards & broken tiles can impress buyers and equal a good ROI

8. Easy Bath Upgrades

Make inexpensive upgrades & improvements to freshen bathrooms, such as removing rust stains, replacing chaulking, replacing door knobs & pulls, and update faucets

9. Neutral Wall Colours

Depersonalize & freshen rooms with a coat of fresh paint in neutral tones that will appeal to a broad range of buyers

10. Remove the Question Marks from Your House

Remove/ replace dated decor such as '50s wallpaper, shag carpeting, and other items that may discourage buyers (think of cracks in concrete steps, peeling paint, etc.)

Image Source: Real Simple

It's been busy lately! I'm happy to announce that we've sold three homes at Yorkson Properties recently. We're definitely heading into the busy season in the real estate mraket, and I'd say that's proof!

I am really lucky to genuinely love what I do. I enjoy helping my clients however I can- whether it's helping them to sell or find their dream home. I work hard to stay up to date with market trends and information about different areas so I can help my clients make informed decisions. Whatever it is they need help with, I am happy to be of service. I am also happy to refer them to trusted professionals to help them with the process; from home inspectors to trades (visit my Links Page to view).

As a Mom & Wife, I know how busy family life can be and I work hard to remove the stress associated with house hunting & moving. From start to finish, I hope my clients feel that I helped ease their experience. If you'd like to see some of the wonderful people I have worked with and see their kind words, check out my Testimonials Page. 

If you have any questions about how to get the process started- whether you're a first time home buyer or established on the property ladder, get in touch and I will be more than happy to help.

Image Source: Tiny Prints

Make a great first impression by making your home welcoming inside & out. Helping buyers feel at home & visualizing themselves living in your home can help encourage offers & sell your sooner. Here are some tips just in time for the warmer weather to help get you started.

1. Add curb appeal

Use strategically place planters for a pop of colour & to add visual interest without spending a lot of money. Keep your lawn tidy & green by mowing & watering it regularly

2. Have a welcoming entryway

Consider painting your front door so it is fresh and makes a good first impression as viewers enter your home. Clear any debris, etc and make sure it is well- lit

3. Make minor repairs

Look for things like holes in screen doors, chipped/ peeling paint, leaky faucets, and other tasks that may discourage buyers- make your home as move- in ready as possible

4. Draw attention to your home's assets

Showcase what makes your home unique- draw buyer's attention to key rooms & features to help set it apart from other homes. Declutter & re- arrange furniture where necessary to help.

5. Think of the details

Clean & organize spaces like cupboards in bathrooms & kitchen, closets, bookcases, and the garage. Having things neat & tidy makes spaces feel larger. Showcasing storage is also a key feature to show buyers- especially for small spaces.

Image Sources:

Live Internet

Lushome

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Lillian August

Debbie- DebbieDoos

I have enjoyed flipping houses for some time now and know that many consider it a great investment opportunity. There can be great potential to turn a run- down property into a beautiful gem. While most of us are familiar with 'quick flips' there's also opportunity in strategically managing a property once you have completed your renovations. 

Here's a great article from the Globe and Mail about long flips. If you have any questions about income properties and house flipping, I'd love to share my experience with you!

Image Source: http://studiozerbey.com/work/zerbey-remodel

Good news for everyone looking to buy: The Bank of Canada announced on April 16 that it will continue to offer it's overnight lending rate of 1%.

This comes as good news as we head into the busy time of year in the real estate market. Keeping mortgages- in addition to property prices- within a reasonable range means buyers will have the ability to finance homes sooner, as they can purchase and finance at a lower interest rate. If you'd like to find out more, view the original article here. If you have any questions or would like some help finding a home that's right for you, contact me today and I'll be happy to help. Happy hunting!

Image Source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/35/b7/f3/35b7f3cd21a8e5efb83d66ee286ced1e.jpg

Now that the warmer weather is here and the real estate season is ramping up, it's a great time to get some projects done around the house- especially if you're preparing to sell. Addressing the interior & exterior of your home, and adding curb appeal in the garden are important in helping make your home more appealing to buyers. Some simple fixes & attention to detail can help your home sell faster and for the price you're looking for.

Here are 10 great tips to help get your home sale- ready from NH Magazine.

IN THE YARD

1. Clear debris

2. Add compost & mulch

3. Start seeds

OUTSIDE THE HOUSE

4. Give your house the once- over

5. Check for roof & gutter damage

6. Clear the deck

7. Check doors & windows

INSIDE THE HOUSE

8. Let the sunshine in

9. Clean up rugs & carpets

10. Update your kitchen & bathrooms

To view the original article, click here.

Image Sources: 

http://www.garrettwade.com/japanese-stainless-digging-tools/p/36J02.11/

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20569102,00.html

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Spring is in full swing! And with it comes th busy seasons for the real estate market. According to the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board March sales were up 12% over last year. Says Ray Werger, President of the Board:

“We did see activity pick up last month with an increase in demand in particular for single family detached homes. Sales were noticeably higher in North Delta, Mission, and Langley compared to last year. Last March, sales of detached homes accounted for 55 per cent of sales of our three main residential property types and this year that increased to 58 per cent. It may not sound like much, but that translated into over 100 more sales. The property type that lost ground was townhouses.” Werger explains, “Our main buyers are families looking for the best value possible by taking advantage of continuing low interest rates and stable home prices.”

Here are some other important items to note:

- The most popular price range for family detached homes in the Fraser Valley is between $500,000- $600,000, with $544,300 as the benchmark

- The benchmark price for townhouses in March was $297,100, down 4.3% from 2013 prices

- New lisintgs increased 2% in March over last year

For more information and to view the full original article from the FVREB, click here.

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)

As I contnue to showcase some of my favourite ammenities in communities throughout the Lower Mainland, I thought I would feature a beautiful venue that is just minutes from the heart of the shopping district in Langley. Perfect for family walks, weddings, and simple enjoyment, Sendall Gardens is a stunning location and another reason I love Langley.

To view larger map, click here.

Click here to see a virtual tour of the gardens.

What is your favourite place to visit in Langley? What makes living here so special? I would love to hear from you and share it in my community highlights.

Images Source: http://www.city.langley.bc.ca/index.php/discover-langley/virtual-tours/tour-sendall-gardens

Map Source: http://www.langleybc.net/attractions/sendall/

As a realtor, I have the pleasure of getting to know different areas within Metro Vancouver and learning what makes them special. Living in beautiful BC affords us lots of green space & parks, among other ammenities that make living here so special. When you are trying to narrow down the areas you are interested in moving to, it's good to familiarize yourself with the local activities. Based on your lifestyle this can have a major influence in your buying decision. 

In the coming weeks I will be adding content to the website and featuring different community highlights to help showcase what makes different areas special & unique. This week I am featuring Campbell Valley Park in Langley. With 29 km of trails & 14 km of equestrian trails, this park is a beautiful venue for enjoying the outdoors.

If you love the outdoors & want to be close to nature, this stunning park is just a short drive from the main shopping area in Langley.

Click here to view full map & directions

To view other community links & ammenities, visit my Links page.

Image Sources:

http://pcone.picturepush.com/album/139825/1851163/SIGMA-18-50-f2.8/Zig-Zag.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/81404142@N00/?saved=1

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/59/a8/be/59a8be93c68672394e160a78c1aa2a84.jpg

If you need some insight into how the local market is doing in various regions, here is current info from March for Surrey, South Surrey, North Delta, Cloverdale, & Langley. There is info for both detached & attached properties. If you have any questions about these markets or a region that isn't displayed, get in touch and I would be happy to help.

Image Source: http://thepamperedbabyblog.blogspot.ca/2014/04/yummy-mummy-recipe-thai-coconut-curry.html

We're hosting another open house this weekend at the beautiful Yorkson Properties in Langley at 77 Ave & 211 St.