Pets can be messy creatures, but in my time working with Burnaby real estate, I can see firsthand that they can also bring a lot of joy to a family. They are a lot of work, and not to mention the time and cost it takes to keep them. While many people with pets seem to live happy lives, they can also create quite the hassle for some. Keeping all of this in mind, is a pet really worth the extra effort? Here are some points to think about when making your decision.

5 Questions to ask yourself when considering a pet

Consider your lifestyle

Do you work from home or at an office? Do you have a steady working schedule, or a volatile one? A pet, such as a cat or dog, requires a lot of attention. They have to be cleaned and loved. Ask yourself, does your current lifestyle fit with the respsonsinilities of owning a pet.

Decide what kind of pet

Some pets need more care than others. For instance, a dog will definitely require multiple visits to the bathroom per a day, while cats can easily find their litterboxes on their own. If you are seriously considering a pet, get one that will match your lifestyle. Another thing to consider is how much space a pet will take up.

Set up a trial period

If you're thinking of getting a dog, try borrowing your friend's dog and taking care of it for a couple days. This will not only get you used to the idea of having a dog, it will also be a good way to see if you can manage having one.

Estimate the costs

Remember that pets are an added expense. Calculate how much money and time you would need to set aside for your pet and include this is in your budget. If it's a lot more than you bargained for, perhaps you are not ready for a pet yet. Always consider contigency costs for vet bills and unexpected ailments.

Discuss responsibilities  

If you live with a partner or have kids, you have to talk about who will be in charge of taking care of the pet. It is good to split the responsibilities of feeding, grooming and walking the pet so you won't get overwhelmed. A house pet is a shared responsibility, and should be treated as such.

We hope that these questions can help you and your family make the right decision. For more information on our current Burnaby listings or for selling and buying advice please contact me.

You are ready to start looking for a place, and are in need of some real estate services. Good real estate agents can be hard to find especially when you have no leads or don't quite know what you're looking for. So what traits make up the perfect agent?

What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent

They are professional

This is the first quality you should look out for. Professionalism is not only seen in how the agent looks, but also in how they behave. An unprofessional real estate agent only cares about the sale. A good agent treats you as a respected client and shows sensitivity to you needs.

They have excellent communication skills

Acting as an intermediary between real estate buyer and seller, a real estate agent needs to have excellent written and verbal communication skills. It is crucial that they follow up with you on pending criteria and are able to clearly explain things whenever a problem arises. They must be in constant communication with you to give you updates and provide you with all the relevant information.

They pay attention to your needs

They are attentive from the beginning, and give you the best customer service you deserve. They ask you what your requirements are and do their best to deliver them within your budget. They show you that they are listening to you, and offer you valuable advice in your search.

They are knowledgeable

They know the ins and outs of the real estate market. They know the product they are selling you and they know exactly how to market it. And most importantly, they know their client's and customer's time frame and is able to match the two up.

They give you references of their past clients

Consider it a good sign when your agent does not hesitate to give you contact details of their previous clients. This means that they have developed a good relationship with them. By reaching out to these references, you will get a better idea of the agent and so you can gauge whether they are a good fit for you.

We hope that the tips mentioned above come in handy while looking for an agent to work with. To work with an experienced and professional real estate team, please contact us for any assistance regarding Burnaby real estate - we'd be glad to help!

Renting is the cheaper option for most people nowadays, but it's not always the most flexible one. When you own your place, you can do whatever you want with it, whenever you want to. Size may also be a big issue with rentals, as you're forced to be extra resourceful in using your limited space. Here we list some issues you may find with renting. If you can't live with them, then maybe it is time to reconsider your options and start looking at Burnaby's real estate options.

Reasons why you may want to Buy Instead of Rent

You can't customize your space

You're on a lease, which means that your space is technically not your own. You're just borrowing it on a contract basis, and aren't allowed to paint the walls or renovate the place without the consent of your landlord. You could put up decorations, but you'll have to make sure that they can easily be removed.

Space is limited

If you're renting a place, chances are that it's a part of a larger complex of buildings. This means that room is limited, and there's not enough internal storage space. You may face problems with overcrowding, especially if there are a lot of people living with you.

Furnishings are older

Most likely, your rented space has been lived in before. Nothing is really new, although things have hopefully been well-maintained. Utilities like bathrooms, lights, kitchen and furnishings are older, and might not function as well as you would have hoped.

Mail is difficult

You'll have a mailbox, but it might be a tiny one, so your box will fill up quickly. Or in other cases, your mail could easily get damaged and bent out of shape. If you have a shared mail area, even packages go to a central area. This increases the chances for stolen/misplaced mail.

Lack of privacy

You're living in a complex with other people you don't know. If you're lucky, your neighbors are courteous and respectful. However, there's always gonna be a lack of privacy. Walls may be too thin, and outdoor noise levels will bother you.

If you would like to have a look at the current options in Burnaby real estate, please contact us for additional information on any of our listings or to discuss what you are looking for. We'd be gald to help!

In addition to your annual real estate expenses, your hard-earned income goes towards your day to day spendings and other personal expenses. Daily expenses can add up easily when you factor in the rising prices of gas and groceries. If you have children, expect to spend even more. Making a few changes to your daily routine can reduce costs and save you money. Outlined below are some tips to lower your expenses and save more money - so you can pay off your mortgage faster than ever before!

1. Opt to eat at home instead of dining out

Cooking at home not only saves you money, it saves you calories too. A meal at home is healthier because you know that you’re actually eating real food without preservatives or unnatural flavor enhancements. Eating at home also guarantees less distractions and more privacy for you and your family.

2. Shop smart

Be on the lookout for sales in flyers and newspapers. Sometimes, by signing up for a frequent shopper program, you are entitled to extra discounts too. If you have a small family, do not buy products in bulk but instead, buy only what you need.

3. Buy generic

Buying generic products will save you a lot of money and most of the time, give you the same quality. Basic essentials are ok to use generic or drugstore brands. For instance, a drugstore ibuprofen's performance is not that much different from Tylenol or Advil brands.

4. Sign up for a rewards program with your credit or debit card

There are a lot of great rewards programs that have tie ups with major Canadian banks. Decide which one is the right one for your lifestyle. If you spend a lot on gas and groceries, a cash back rewards program may be for you. Meanwhile if you travel frequently, a travel rewards card may be more suitable.

5. Spend on experiences, not material items

A lot of people make the mistake of spending their money on useless items because they think that you can buy happiness and make yourself feel better this way. When in fact, experiences make for long-lasting memories that bring about positive feelings. It is better to spend on experiences that happen every once in a while because you’ll not only have something to look forward to; you’ll also have more people to share it with.

Saving money can help you pay off your mortgage faster. If you would like to know more about any of our listings or would like to know more about how to pay of your mortgage faster, give us a call - we'd be happy to help.