When it comes to families, life is busy. It can be tough to offer up meals that are tasty, healthy, and convenient. One of the best tools is a slow cooker: organize your meal the night before, pop the dish in the base before you head out for the day, & return home to dinner ready to go! Here's a recipe that might help make your busy week a little easier.
Source: The Pampered Baby
When you list your home for sale, you want to sell it as quickly and for the best price as possible. Here are 5 simple suggestions to help you make your home appealing to buyers without investing too much time or effort.
1. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Repaint in neutral tones to make your home appeal to a wide range of buyers
2. Upgrade Fixtures
Details such as faucets, door knobs, & light switch plates can update the look of your home
3. Add Garden Beds
Add curb appeal by tidying or adding garden beds
4. Improve Storage
Make your home feel more spacious & de- clutter
5. Refinish Cabinet Doors
Update & freshen to make your home more contemporary
To view the original article from Fox News with more detailed info, click here.
Post content derived from Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/03/06/5-diy-projects-to-help-sell-your-home/
Image Source: http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/room-organization-tips/?sssdmh=dm17.687158&esrc=nwhi082213#page=16
We're hosting another open house this weekend at the beautiful Yorkson Properties in Langley at 77 Ave & 211 St.
Stunning brand- new homes starting in the low $700s.
Come by to view them from 1- 4pm this Staurday & Sunday
Go to yorksonproperties.com for more details & floorplans.
Now that we're in April it's time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather and sunshine! Add curb appeal with these easy DIY wooden criss- cross planters! Perfect to make your home more appealing to buyers or to freshen- up your new purchase! Beautiful if left natural or painted/ stained to match your house! Click here for the instructions.
Image Source: http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2013/04/diy-criss-cross-outdoor-planters/
As the baby boomers start to retire en masse, it's important to consider what your options are for living & lifestyle once you hit this milestone. Prioritizing where you spend your money- on a home, on travel, etc- becomes a focus. Something to think about is whether home ownership is still a priority; maybe downsizing and/ or renting makes more sense.
Realtors can not only help you list your home, but help you find a rental property perfect for your retirement lifestyle. If you have questions about your home & living options as you prepare for retirement, get in touch and I will be happy to help with this important step in life!
Check out this article for more great advice as you prepare for retirement.
Image sourc: http://jaybanks.ca/vancouverrealestatenews/2013/10/23/retiring-should-you-rent-or-buy/
We're hosting another open house this weekend at the beautiful Yorkson Properties in Langley at 77 Ave & 211 St.
Stunning brand- new homes starting in the low $700s.
Come by to view them from 1- 4pm this Staurday & Sunday
Go to yorksonproperties.com for more details & floorplans.
Just because you don't have a lot of space doesn't mean you can't have a lot of style. Here are some great tips for making the most of the space you've got.
1.Make your furniture multitask
Choose furniture that serves a dual purpose (ie storage). Instead of coffee tables, use trunks and ottomans with storage compartments to stow away items such as remotes, DVDs, etc to keep a space clutter free and spacious. In entryways, mudrooms, and other entries use a storage bench with compartments for baskets so you can store items such as shoes out of sight but have them close by for when you need to head out the door. This is also a great idea for a kitchen; create banquet- style seating that you can use to stash bulky items out of sight when not in use. Maximize your space by being creative with storage and organization.
2. Use mirrors to make rooms seem bigger
Mirrors create the illusion of more space by reflecting the room back to you; they reflect light rather than absorb it. A strategically placed mirror on a wall, above a mantle, or side table can be both a statement piece and inexpensive way to add square footage- even if it's only a trick of the eye.
3. Be bold with your choices
It's a common misconception that small spaces need to be kept neutral and subdued; that white is the safest route when working with a small space. Rather than playing it safe, why not choose a bold colour or pattern to decorate? If you're unsure about painting an entire room, consider painting an accent wall a bright hue or incorporating your colour/ pattern choice in the accesories such as throw pillows, blankets, artwork, rugs, and other accent pieces.
4. Use lighting to your advantage
To build on #2, light is one of your biggest assets when trying to make your rooms feel bigger. Even if you don't have great overhead lighting options, well selected and placed lamps can distract the eye by transforming dark, closed- in corners into bright areas of the room. Light creates the illsuion of more space and also makes rooms feel cozier and more welcoming. The brightness and warmth of the bulbs you select will make a difference, so make sure you choose carefully.
5. Let your personality shine through
Don't be afraid to inject personal touches into a room. Proudly display photos, artwork, and treausred souveniers from your travels. Group items into artful vignets to create areas of interest throughout the room. Use a variety of textures or colours to create visual interest.
Image Sources:
http://knockoffdecor.com/built-in-mudroom-entryway-system/
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/post/3896582/2248639701/
http://sulia.com/my_thoughts/c4350131-278b-477f-9bf8-2296e2ed2c96/?source=pin&action=share&btn=small&form_factor=desktop&pinner=6999301
http://inspired-design.tumblr.com/post/24257058854
http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2013/01/21/soothing-color-palettes-for-small-spaces.aspx#.UP6jfCICXV4.pinterest
Buying a house can be daunting and stressful, especially if it's your first time. It can be overwhelming trying to process all of the information presented to you and navigating this new territory. If you're looking at buying your first home, you'll need to examine several factors including affordability, the costs involved, what the process looks like from start to finish, and what life will look like once you're moved in.
Check out these 7 Tips for First Time Home Buyers from MSN Real Estate to help you get the home buying process started- and to make it a smoother journey along the way.
Image Source: https://www.simpsonnotaries.com/1st-time-home-buyer-cutting-through-the-confusion/
We're hosting another open house this weekend at the beautiful Yorkson Properties in Langley at 77 Ave & 211 St.
Stunning brand- new homes starting in the low $700s.
Come by to view them from 1- 4pm this Staurday & Sunday
Go to yorksonproperties.com for more details & floorplans.
It can be a lot of work to get your home ready to sell. However, with a little bit of work and some wisely (and carfeully spent) dollars, you can help your home sell faster saving you time and stress. By strategically focusing on a few areas you can stretch your dollar and make your house more appealing to buyers. Some simple fix- ups and a fresh coat of paint can freshen your home and help justify (or increase) your asking price; less work for the buyers can also make for a quicker sale. Here are some key areas to address when getting your house ready to list.
Exterior
1. Do a 360 check:
- look for cracks & crumbling in places like the home's foundtion, walkways, steps, walls, & patio
- clean & align gutters
- inspect & clean the chimney
- repair & paint loose siding or peeling paint on siding and around windows & doors (don't forget the front door!)
2. Think seasonal:
- keep lawn tidy, cut & watered in the Spring & Summer
- make sure walkways are clear and ice/ snow free in the Fall & Winter
3. Curb Appeal- add visual interest:
- plant a few inexpensive annuals for a pop of colour in the graden
- small ornamental grasses are anothe great budget- friendly option
- use pots of colourful annuals strategically placed by the front door and/ or along the driveway or walkway to draw the viewer's eye; primula, potato vine, and kale make nice statements without breaking the budget (ask your local garden centre for other seasonal & budget- friendly options)
Interior:
1. As with the exterior, look for areas that need a little TLC:
- repair & repaint walls that have chips, dents and/ or have discoloured; replace dated wallpaper with a more contemporary option or neutral paint
- look for cracks, leaks, and signs of dampness in areas such as the attic and basement
- repair broken windiws; fill & repaint cracks and imperfections in mouldings and woodwork
- inspect things like plumbing, the heating & cooling systems, and alarm system
2. Do some simple staging:
- de- clutter an remove personal items- think 'show home' not 'my home'
- buy some inexpensive decorative accents such as towels for the bathrooms, bright fresh fruit or flowers for the kitchen, and maybe some unscented candles to place throughtout the living areas to create warm touches
- update areas such as kitchens and bathrooms inexpensively buy replacing old hardware with new, more contemporary styles
3. Think 'first impressions':
- before you leave prior to a showing, make sure everything looks fresh & clean to buyer's eyes
- tidy & dust the entry way; put away shoes & turn on a lamp to create a cozy first impression
- turn on lights throughout the house and do spot checks as you go from room to room, looking for items that need to get put away before you leave
Your realtor can help you identify areas around your home- inside and out- that need some attention to get your house ready to list. A little bit of time and money up front can be well worth it the investment when sell your home quickly and for the price you are hoping for.
Image Sources:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/curb-appeal
http://followpics.net/purple-fountain-grass-verbena-and-potato-vine-lots-o-sun/
http://blog.fromyouflowers.com/top-3-favorite-tulip-bouquets
Today an article was published by Kelly Sinoski of The Vancouver Sun about the annual year- over- year sales growth within the BC real estate market. This piece has some great information comparing BC with national statistics. If you are considering buying or selling in 2014, make sure you take a look.
B.C. home sales to see largest year-over-year increase
BY KELLY SINOSKI, VANCOUVER SUN
View original article here: The Vancouver Sun
Canadian home sales are expected to rebound this spring, with B.C. forecast to see the largest year-over-year increase and contribute the most to national sales activity.
The province is expected to see an 8.3 per cent increase in sales activity, according to the Canadian Real Estate Association, compared with a plus or minus three per cent increase in activity across the other provinces in 2014.
The national average home price is expected to rise by 3.8 per cent to $397,000 this year, with similar sized gains in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.
National resale housing activity has started slowly this year, partly because of stronger levels of activity recorded last summer and fall when buyers with pre-approved mortgage financing advanced home purchases before their lower pre-approved rates expired.
Home sales are expected to trend higher heading into the spring and be boosted over the second half of the year with a “widely anticipated pick-up in Canadian economic growth.” Sales are forecast to reach 463,700 units in 2014, up 1.3 per cent from a year earlier.
In 2015, national activity is forecast to edge up a further 1.2 per cent to 469,400 units. Affordability is expected to restrain activity in Canada’s most expensive markets, with annual sales forecast to decline marginally in B.C.
Image Source: http://www.johnhartrealestate.com/blog/2012/10/median-home-prices-climb-while-supply-tightens/
We just released 2 new homes in Yorkson, Langley (77 Ave & 211 St).
Starting in the low $700s.
Come check them out this weekend from 1- 4pm.
Go to yorksonproperties.com for more details & floorplans
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), 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 GVR, 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 GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.