When you’re hosting your Open House, you want your house to look its best.  You want it to be clean, inviting and depersonalized so the potential buyers can picture themselves there.  It can be hard to figure out how to get all of those elements into your home. That’s where a professional home stager comes in. Here are the reasons why your Burnaby real estate’s Open House will benefit from being staged by a professional.

They can Strike a Balance Between Depersonalized and Cold

When you’re depersonalizing your house, there’s a danger that you’ll go too far and you’ll accidentally make your home seem cold. You want your house to feel like it’s been lived in, but you also don’t want it to have so many of your own personal touches that your potential buyers can’t picture themselves there.  This is a hard balance to reach if you’re trying to stage your home yourself. A professional home stager will know how to make your home feel warm and inviting in a way that will appeal to all of your potential buyers.

They know how to Downplay your Home’s Weaknesses

You probably realize where your home’s weaknesses are. Maybe your living room is small, or your master bedroom tends to be dim. A professional home stager will find ways to hide those weaknesses. They’ll be able to figure out how to give your living room the illusion of being larger, and they’ll be able to find ways to make the master bedroom seem lighter than it really is. When a professional home stager is done with your house, you’ll forget that the weaknesses even existed.

They Can Highlight your Home’s Strengths

Once your home’s weaknesses are hidden, the home stager will be able to play up its strengths. They’ll move your furniture into formations that make your rooms seem spacious. They can also help you decide on decorations, and they’ll add some of their own finishing touches to complete the staging. A professional home stager knows what the buyer wants to see, and they’re able to transform your house into something that will intrigue and excite them.

Staging your home is a very important part of getting ready for an Open House, and just getting rid of clutter and depersonalizing isn’t enough to intrigue buyers. A professional home stager will be able to use their skills and knowledge to transform your house into something that will get buyers interested. After the stager is done with your house, your buyers will be ready to start bidding immediately.

If you have any more questions about home staging or Burnaby real estate, please contact my office and I’ll be happy to help.

The first time you move will be hard for your kids. They’ll be nervous about having to deal with a new neighbourhood, school and friends. It will also be hard for them to get used to their new home. Here are some ways to help your kids adjust to living in your new Burnaby real estate.

Take Breaks from Setting up the House for Family Time

When you’re in the middle of the frenzy of moving, you may not have as much time for your child as you usually have. This could make them feel unimportant and even unhappier about the move. This is why it’s important to put down the paintbrush or the furniture you’re moving and spend some time solely focusing on your child. You can do something together in the house, or you can go out and walk around the new neighbourhood or in the park. Just be sure to give your child your full attention for a little while before you turn back to your home.

Let them Help Decorate the House

You want your child to feel as comfortable in your new house as they did in their old house. One way to achieve this is to let the child help decorate. You don’t have to do anything as big as letting your kid decide what colours to paint the walls. Instead, you could simply let them decide if a picture should be hung in the living room or the dining room. Your child will be excited to be part of putting the house together, and they’ll be proud that they were able to help.

Get Them Excited About the new City

In the first few weeks after the move, your child will be constantly comparing their new city with their old city. This is why it’s important to give your child reasons to love their new home. Take them to some of the city’s best parks, stores and attractions. This will show your child that there are plenty of fun things to do in their new home, and it will help them begin to feel more comfortable in the city.

Sign Them up for Activities Where They’ll Meet Friends

One of the things your child is probably most anxious about is the fact that they don’t know anybody. There’s a pretty easy solution for this: signing them up for activities that they already like. This way, they’ll get to do something they love and they’ll get to meet kids with similar interests. They’ll also feel more connected to the community if they’re taking part in an activity.

Kids are always going to be nervous when you move into a new house, but there are many ways to ease their worries. Doing these things will help your kids adjust to the move. Soon, they’ll love their new home as much as their old one.

If you’re ready to find your new Burnaby home, please continue checking the listings on my website and contact me.

If you just bought your first Burnaby real estate, you’re probably wondering what there is to do in your new neighbourhood. Burnaby is the third largest city in population in British Columbia, and it also borders Vancouver. This means that are plenty of interesting sights to see. Here are some places to check out around Burnaby.

Burnaby Village Museum

This historical village takes visitors back to the 1920s. The village has actors in period costumes, a historical general store and a carousel from 1912. You can also see demonstrations from a blacksmith and at a print shop. If you want to see what life was like in Burnaby almost a hundred years ago, this is the place to go.

Burnaby Art Gallery

Burnaby Art Gallery is a great place for any art lover to check out. It has many different temporary exhibitions, so no two visits to the gallery will ever be the same. You’re sure to find something interesting at Burnaby Art Gallery.

Metropolis at Metrotown

Metropolis is one of Burnaby’s biggest tourist attractions. It’s the largest mall in British Columbia with over 400 stores, a ten-screen movie theater and a large food court. If you need to buy some furniture or decorations for your new Burnaby home, this is where you should head. Metropolis is sure to have what you need.

Deer Lake Park

Deer Lake Park blends together nature and art. It has hiking trails, designed gardens and boat rentals. It’s also home to Deer Lake Gallery, which has art in a variety of mediums including acrylics, photography and multimedia art. If you want to experience culture and the great outdoors at the same time, Deer Lake Park is where you should head.

Burnaby Mountain Park

If you want beautiful views of Burnaby and Vancouver, head up to Burnaby Mountain Park. This park has plenty of hiking trails and places to have picnics. It’s also home to Simon Fraser University, which houses the Museum of Archeology and Ethnology and an art gallery. If you visit the park in the evening, you’ll be able to catch a beautiful sunset over the city. This park also features the Playground of the Gods sculptures, which are a symbol of Burnaby’s relationship with its sister city Kushiro, Japan.

Burnaby is home to a wide variety of parks, art galleries and places to shop.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for in Burnaby, Vancouver is right around the corner. You’re sure to never be bored in Burnaby. 

If you’re ready to start searching for your Burnaby home, please look through my listings or contact me. 

Most real estate experts agree that your home listing will get the most traffic two to three weeks after it’s first listed. But what happens if those three weeks pass and your Burnaby real estate is still on the market? You don’t want your listing to go stale, or to have information that’s outdated. Here are some ways to keep your real estate listing fresh and intriguing for potential homebuyers.

Keep the Open House Dates Updated

If the date of your first Open House has passed, be sure to delete the information from your listing. Having outdated information will show buyers that you’re not diligently checking your listing. When you decide to have a second or third Open House, be sure to put that information up immediately. This will be very helpful for those buyers who are interested in your home but couldn’t make the first Open House. Deleting outdated information from your listing will show buyers that your home is still on the market and ready to be sold.

Change the Photographs with the Season

Sometimes, it can take a while to sell your home. Maybe you first put your house on the market in January, so you included pictures where it looks like a winter wonderland. But if it’s summer and your photograph still shows your yard covered in snow, it’s time to update the picture. This way, you’ll be able to show your potential buyers your newly landscaped yard and the flowers you planted in spring. You want your buyers to be able to picture themselves living in your house, and they will have a hard time doing that with unseasonable pictures.

Update the Property Description

If you make any improvements or changes to your house, be sure to update your description. You want your buyers to know that you are actively making changes to your home to make it better. You never know what’s going to get a buyer interested, so be sure to include everything you’ve done to improve your house.

Add More Advertisements

One of the reasons you could be having trouble finding a buyer for your home is because it’s not being advertised in enough places. Try purchasing a Facebook ad that will show up on people who live in your area’s sidebar. Or, place your ad in a widely distributed newspaper. If the first round of potential buyers who saw your ad aren’t biting, you just have to widen the pool.

It can be discouraging if your real estate advertisement doesn’t attract buyers immediately, but you shouldn’t give up hope. You never know when your perfect buyer is going to show up, so be sure to do everything you can to make your ad fresh and interesting for them. If you have any questions, please contact me.

When most people find a house on the market they like, the first thing they think about is if they will be able to afford it. And unfortunately, Burnaby real estate can be out of the price range for some people. But how do you determine what your budget is? Here are some of the major factors that go into determining what home you can afford.

Start with a Mortgage Calculator

Your mortgage is almost always going to be your biggest expense, so it makes sense to start with it. You can get a rough estimate of how much you’ll be able to afford by using a mortgage calculator. These can easily be found online in both basic and advanced version. If you use the basic calculator, you put in the price of the home, your down payment and the interest on the mortgage loan. In the more advanced calculators, you also add things like insurance, property taxes and the loan term. The mortgage calculator is an easy way to get an idea of the home you’ll be able to afford.

Add in All of the Other Small Expenses

Once you buy the house, there will be small expenses to take care of. This includes a home inspection and closing costs. Also, as you get ready to move, you’ll begin purchasing furniture and appliances, which can add up. You should make a list of all of these expenses, and add their costs to what you already have for the mortgage. This way, you won’t be surprised by the amount.

Estimate the Cost of Moving In

When you’re ready to move into the house, there will be more expenses waiting for you. The first one will be hiring a moving company to haul your things. After that, you may need to hire a handyman to fix small problems around the house. There could be other small things that need to be done too, like painting or yard work. You’ll probably be aware of the problems that need to be fixed in the house, but there could be a few surprises, so you should budget for a little more than necessary for this aspect of moving.

Buying and moving into a house is a large investment, but if you figure out a budget beforehand and stick to that budget you shouldn’t be in for any surprises. Just be sure to include all of the small expenses in your budget, and always leave yourself some wiggle room. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy your new home without stressing about your finances.

If you’re interested in owning a piece of Burnaby real estate, please check the home listings on my website. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Your real estate ad is often going to be the first thing potential buyers will see. Because of that, you want to make sure that it stands out. You don’t want your buyer to choose some other Burnaby real estate because your ad wasn’t memorable. Here are some ways to make an advertisement that attracts and keeps the attention of potential buyers.

How to Sell your Home Quickly

Hook them in at the Beginning

It’s no secret that smart phones and social media have lowered our attention spans. This means that it’s more important than ever to start your ad with a good hook. Start by saying all of the things that make your home unique and attractive to potential buyers. Don’t bury the best parts of your house deep in your ad. There’s a good chance the reader won’t even get that far. If, for example, your home has a beautiful view of the mountains, be sure to get that in quickly. Save the technical details for farther into the ad, when you’ve already hooked your potential buyer.

Include a Great Photo

The first thing that’s going to grab your potential buyer’s attention is the photo of your house. Make sure the photo is both clear and shows your house in the best possible light. If the buyer likes the picture of your house, there’s a better chance they’ll read your ad closely. 

Don’t get Bogged down in Details

You want to be sure to include all of the important pieces of your house in your ad—how many rooms there are, what the backyard looks like, what the neighbourhood is like, etc. However, you don’t want to bog your readers down with details. Give them enough to keep them intrigued, but not so much that they get lost trying to keep track of everything you said. When they come to see the house, you’ll be able to go into much more detail about all of the things you hinted about in the ad.

Make Sure Your Contact Information is Easy to Find

If the potential buyer made it all the way through the ad and is interested enough to want to see your house, you don’t want missing or hard-to-find contact information to stop them. Make sure your contact information is on its own line in bold letters so it’s easy to see. That way, your buyer won’t have to work hard to contact you about visiting and potentially buying your home.

A real estate ad is an important tool for getting as many people to see your house as possible. These steps will help you start writing an ad that will get people visiting, and one day buying, your Burnaby real estate. If you have any more questions about this, please contact me.

Real estate buyers have many different options these days. Some buyers know exactly what they want when they start searching. They’re positive that they want a traditional two-story house, or a small one-story home, or a sleek condo. Other buyers aren’t so sure. They don’t know exactly what type of Burnaby real estate appeals to them. They can’t decide if they’ll be happier in a house or a condo. If that sounds like you, here are some things to consider as you decide what type of home to buy.

How much maintenance do you want to do?

If you live in a condo, you’ll only be responsible for maintaining that condo. You won’t have to worry about fixing problems in the building itself. You also won’t have to deal with any of the landscaping. All you have to do is take care of everything behind your front door. On the other hand, a house does come with a lot of maintenance. Whenever something goes wrong, you’ll have to be the one to take care of it. You’ll also have to deal with lawn care. Some people like having those responsibilities. They want to landscape their yard and take care of problems in their home. Other people would much rather leave that all to someone else. You should think about what category you fall into as you start looking at real estate.

How much space do you want?

One of things you’ll likely have to give up if you buy a condo is space.  For many people, the idea of downsizing has a lot of appeal.  Keeping that in mind, you’ll also give up the space that comes with having your own yard, so consider the shared or communal spaces that condos may provide, such as a gym, a pool or a rooftop garden. If you’re someone who doesn’t need excess space to be happy, a condo will work well for you. If you do like to spread out, then a condo might feel restrictive.

What type of neighbourhood do you want to live in?

Many condos are built in busy, urban neighbourhoods that are full of shops and restaurants. Sometimes these shops and restaurants are built to service the people living in the condos. If you love being surrounded by activity at all times of the day, a condo will be perfect for you. However, if you like having peace and quiet when you come home, you might be better off with a suburban house where you can escape from the bustling city.

As you can see, some people are better suited to condo living, while others will be much happier in their own house. It all depends on what you prefer. If you like the idea of a low-maintenance, compact place in a busy area, a condo is right for you. If you want space and a quiet neighbourhood, you’ll happier in a house. If you’re ready to start looking for your dream condo or home, check out our listings or give us a call. We’d be happy to help you start your search. 

If you’re looking to spruce up your Burnaby real estate, a new landscaping plan could do the trick. Even if you just have a small yard, you can still create a beautiful garden out of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Here are a few ways to make your yard look brand new.

3 Landscaping Ideas for your Burnaby Home

Create a Theme

An interesting theme can help you create a memorable garden. There are a variety of things you can use as an inspiration for your theme. You can focus in on a certain region of the world, and only buy plants that grow naturally there.  For example, you can create a Japanese garden full of sculpted bonsai trees, bamboo, and orchids. If the idea of using a region doesn’t appeal to you, you can use nature as your theme. You can buy plants similar to the ones seen in the forests near your home. Or, you can use the beach as your inspiration and create a backyard full of the types of plants normally found near the ocean. Having a theme will help you focus your creativity so you can create a beautiful yard.

Make an Edible Garden

If you love vegetables, fruit, and herbs, why not grow your own? An edible garden can be filled with herbs to spice up your food. You can also plant fruits and vegetables that are native to your area. Food always tastes better when it’s grown locally, and you can’t get more local than your own backyard.

Go Simple

Sometimes, simple is better. This is especially true if you don’t have a lot of time to maintain your yard. However, even though you’re using fewer materials your yard doesn’t have to lack creativity. There are many ways to make a yard beautiful and easy to take care of. One way to do this is to use stones. You can create a stone garden that features rocks of many different shapes and textures.  If stones don’t appeal to you, you can use plants that don’t need much care. A quick search online will tell you what low-maintenance plants are natural to your area. A simple garden can easily be just as beautiful as one that must be tended often.

These ideas will help you start landscaping the yard of your dreams. A perfectly landscaped yard is easy to create as long as you have a plan. With a little hard work, your yard will be beautiful. If you have any questions about landscaping or anything to do with Burnaby real estate, please feel free to contact me.

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.