Area Real Estate News & Market Trends

You’ll find our blog to be a wealth of information, covering everything from local market statistics and home values to community happenings. That’s because we care about the community and want to help you find your place in it. Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We’d love to talk with you!

June 14, 2023

Father's Day Gift Ideas for the DIY Dad

 

Father's Day is an excellent occasion to express gratitude to our dads for all their hard work and love. If your dad is skilled in DIY projects and enjoys working around the house, here are some gift ideas that he may appreciate:

 

1. Power Tools: Consider adding to your dad's collection of power tools. Whether it's a high-quality drill, a versatile jigsaw, or a reliable circular saw, these tools can help him tackle various projects with ease.

 

2. Tool Set or Tool Organizer: Help your dad stay organized by gifting him a comprehensive tool set or a tool organizer. It will make it easier for him to find the right tool when he needs it.

 

3. Workbench or Workstation: If your dad doesn't already have a dedicated workspace, a sturdy workbench or workstation can be an ideal gift. It will provide him with a designated area to work on projects and keep his tools organized.

 

4. Home Improvement Books or Magazines: Consider gifting your dad some informative books or magazines on home improvement, woodworking, or DIY projects. They can offer new ideas, techniques, and inspiration for his future endeavours.

 

5. Safety Gear: Safety should always be a priority, so why not ensure that your dad has all the necessary protective gear? A set of safety goggles, ear protection, work gloves, or a dust mask can be thoughtful and practical gifts.

 

6. Online DIY Course or Workshop: If your dad enjoys learning new skills, consider enrolling him in an online DIY course or workshop. There are various platforms that offer classes on woodworking, home repairs, or specific projects, allowing him to enhance his expertise.

 

7. Personalized Tool Labels or Engravings: Add a personal touch to your dad's tool collection by getting his name or a special message engraved on his favourite tools or tool labels. It will make them uniquely his own.

 

8. Project Kit: If your dad has a particular project he's been meaning to tackle, consider getting him a project kit that includes all the necessary materials and instructions. It could be building a birdhouse, a wooden shelf, or even a DIY electronics kit.

 

9. Gift Cards: If you're unsure about your dad's preferences or want to give him the freedom to choose, gift cards to hardware stores or home improvement centers are always a safe bet. He can pick the tools or materials he needs for his next project.

 

Remember, the best gift is one that aligns with your dad's interests and needs. Consider his skill level, ongoing projects, and areas of interest to select a gift that he'll truly appreciate and enjoy.

Posted in spring cleaning
May 19, 2023

Victoria Day Weekend: Fun Activities in Vancouver

 

Victoria Day is a long weekend that many Canadians look forward to. In this blog post, we'll highlight some of the best events and activities happening in Vancouver over the holiday weekend.

 

  1. Victoria Day Weekend Boat Party: Enjoy a boat party on Saturday, May 20th, with tickets starting at $25
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  2. Fort Langley May Day Parade: Attend the long-running May Day parade in Fort Langley
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  3. Hiking: Take a hike and enjoy the outdoors in Vancouver. You can visit Grouse Mountain Skyride and the Sea to Sky Gondola to enjoy easy-access views
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  4. Picnic: Enjoy a picnic in one of Vancouver's parks or get a delicious picnic kit from one of the restaurants in the area
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  5. Visit Farmers' Markets: Browse through the stalls of Vancouver's farmers' markets to find locally grown produce, baked goods, and prepared foods like jams and beverages
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  6. Forest Fairy Gathering: Meet fairies "who live unseen" in Burnaby Lake Park and help build new homes for them with supplies from Gnome Depot
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  7. LiterASIAN: Attend LiterASIAN, an Asian Canadian literary festival that returns with established authors and emerging writers
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  8. Brunch: Eat a delicious brunch at one of Vancouver's best brunch places
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  9. Explore Victoria: Take a day trip to Victoria and visit its attractions such as Victoria Harbour, Government Street, Royal BC MuseumBritish Columbia Parliament Building, and Victoria Fisherman's Wharf
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  10. Urban Wildlife: Explore the urban wildlife in Vancouver by visiting places like Stanley Park and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park to see images of wild birds
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Posted in spring cleaning
May 2, 2023

Spring Cleaning Tips for Home Sellers

Spring has finally arrived in Vancouver and with it comes the perfect opportunity to give your home a thorough cleaning and decluttering. If you're planning on selling your home in the near future, this is the ideal time to make sure it looks its best for potential buyers. In this blog post, we'll share some spring cleaning tips for home sellers that will help make your home look clean, fresh, and appealing to buyers.

  1. Start with a deep clean Before you can start decluttering, it's important to give your home a deep clean. This includes washing windows, cleaning baseboards, dusting blinds, and scrubbing floors. A clean home will make a great first impression on potential buyers and help your home stand out from the competition.

  2. Declutter and organize Once your home is clean, it's time to declutter and organize. This means getting rid of anything that you no longer need or use, such as old clothes, books, or toys. Consider donating items that are still in good condition or selling them online to make some extra cash. Be sure to organize remaining items in a way that is neat and visually appealing.

  3. Focus on curb appeal The first thing potential buyers will see is the exterior of your home, so it's important to make a good impression from the curb. This means tidying up your lawn and garden, trimming bushes, and planting flowers or greenery to add some colour and vibrancy.

  4. Address any repairs Take the time to address any repairs or maintenance issues that need to be fixed before putting your home on the market. This could include fixing leaky faucets, replacing broken tiles, or repainting chipped or faded walls. By taking care of these repairs in advance, you'll show potential buyers that your home has been well-maintained.

  5. Stage your home Finally, consider staging your home to make it look more inviting to potential buyers. This could include adding fresh flowers, using neutral colours, and removing any personal items such as family photos. By staging your home, you'll help potential buyers visualize themselves living in the space and create a welcoming atmosphere.

In conclusion, spring cleaning is an important step in preparing your home for sale. By deep cleaning, decluttering, addressing repairs, and staging your home, you'll make your home more attractive to potential buyers and increase your chances of a successful sale. Remember, a little effort goes a long way in making a big impact on the overall appearance of your home. Happy cleaning!

June 1, 2022

The Definitive Guide To Moving To & Living In Vancouver, BC

The Definitive Guide To Moving To & Living In Vancouver, BC - Main Image

You have made the decision or perhaps you are in the process of making your decision of moving to Vancouver either way, we are here to provide some great information. 

Regardless of what your reason or reasons for moving to Vancouver may be, we know that your move to Vancouver is sure to be one of the greatest decisions you make in your life.

However, that being said, we know that moving is a major life change regardless of your destination. To make it just a bit easier for you, we have put together the Definitive Guide to Moving To and Living in Vancouver, BC.

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Posted in purchasing a home
April 27, 2022

Kitsilano Block, Vancouver: Everything YOU Need to Know

Kitsilano Block, Vancouver - Everything YOU Need to Know

Kitsilano or “Kits” as it is often referred to, located on Vancouver’s West Side along the south shore of English Bay has become one of the most coveted neighbourhoods of Vancouver. Being just a 10 to 15-minute drive from downtown Vancouver is certainly high up on the list of various reasons for Kitsilano’s appealing draw.

The ability to have access to both pristine beaches and majestic mountains that you call home is definitely another one of those reasons for the desire to live in Kitsilano.

To keep up with the demand for residential needs, the development of Kitsilano Block by Hathstauwk Holdings Ltd., right in the heart of Kitsilano is underway.

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Posted in purchasing a home
April 21, 2022

The 10 Best Vancouver Condo Buildings to Live In

The 10 Best Vancouver Condo Buildings to Live In

Frequently ranking quite high as one of the world’s most livable cities, and its recent ranking as one of the best cities to live in North America, it is no wonder that the desire to live in Vancouver has become so great. 

Vancouver takes great pride in these rankings and the status that comes with them and has proven this by ensuring that the city continues to invest in cutting-edge programs and plans of action in eminent areas of environmental sustainability, accessibility, and of course inclusivity. This along with Vancouver’s impressive natural beauty, the ease of access to beaches and serene outdoors with its extraordinary parks, green spaces and trails, moderate year-round climate, and dedicated commitment to excellent public transit and other environmentally friendly transportation options including walking and cycling is sure to keep Vancouver at the top of the list for most livable and desirable cities to call home. 

The great desire to live in Vancouver has created and driven an influx of some of the most luxurious, contemporary, innovative, diverse, elegant, and expensive condo buildings in all of British Columbia.

No two condominium buildings are the same and there is sure to be one that will specifically speak to you. With quite diverse and design-specific architectural designs, floor plan layouts, and the abundance of fabulous amenities provided near or close by, it can be very difficult to decide which is the best Vancouver condo building for you to call home. It is our intent to assist you in the decision-making process and make it somewhat easier or less stressful for you.

The following is a list of the 10 best Vancouver condo buildings to live in and some of the reasons why they are considered to be the best.

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Posted in purchasing a home
April 21, 2022

Contour Metrotown, Burnaby - Everything YOU Need to Know

Contour Metrotown, Burnaby - Everything You Need to Know

The ever-growing horizon of Metrotown, Burnaby is changing once again with the stunning addition of the new condo development, Contour Metrotown located at 4330 Maywood Street. 

Already known to be one of the most sought-after communities of Burnaby, BC, Metrotown, Burnaby has become even more in demand with the development of the Contour Metrotown with its 91 condo units right in the heart of Burnaby’s city core. 

The developers behind this great new addition to Metrotown, Burnaby are SVM Developments and Kirpal Group

This stunning 24-story mixed-use highrise is actually the only true boutique tower in Metrotown. The luxurious and upscale modern 91 condo units are situated above two floors of fantastically designed commercial space and five well-planned out levels of underground parking and storage. Contour Metrotown is yet another spectacular design by Vancouver-based progressive firm GBL Architects well known for its emergent and innovative architecture. 

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Posted in purchasing a home
Jan. 11, 2022

How To Create A Beach Themed Living Room On A Budget

How To Create A Beach Themed Living Room On A Budget

Whether it's summer or winter, there is something calming about being at the beach. The sound of the waves crashing, the soft sand that draws our toes in, and the sparkling turquoise waters make the beach an incredible experience. A beach theme for your living room is a fantastic way to bring that serene calmness inside your home. It might seem tricky if you're tight on funds, but this post is going to share how to make a beautiful beach-themed living room on a budget.

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Posted in purchasing a home
Jan. 11, 2022

The 8 Things That Add The Most Value To A House

The 8 Things That Add The Most Value To A House

Improvements around the home can not only increase your quality of living, but can increase the value of a home, particularly if you're looking to sell. There are a lot of things that can add value to a house. Some are more obvious than others, but they all have the potential to increase the worth of your home.

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Posted in purchasing a home
Aug. 17, 2021

30 Things You Need To Know About Buying A Home In Vancouver

30 Things To Know About Buying A Home in Vancouver, BC

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make and it's not easy to navigate. There are so many different aspects that need to be considered when buying a home and they can feel overwhelming.

The best thing that you can do for yourself to make the transition easier is to do all your research and find out all there is to know about your potential new city. This article will walk you through 30 things you need to know about buying a home in Vancouver. These tips should give you some much-needed guidance on the process and help prepare for your search!

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