Some of the most advanced modern amenities are designed to hide behind your walls or within your floors. These systems add true value and functionality to your home, simplifying some tasks while enhancing your ability to do others. They can increase your comfort levels while living in the home, and they offer a unique selling point when you decide to move out.

Radiant Floor Heating

This incredibly useful heating technique installs directly underneath your floorboards. Coils of conductive metal or water are woven throughout the floor to give the surface an even coverage. These elements are attached to a heating system that runs radiant heat through the lines.

When the lines heat up, their warmth seeps through the floor into objects and people. The end result is a toasty warmness that comes from within the house rather than the ambient air.

Best of all, this type of system can actually reduce your heating bills by using less energy to heat your home. Traditional furnaces are great at making a room “feel” warm while your teeth are still chattering.

This phenomenon occurs because objects in the room are still at a lower temperature; your body will transfer heat when it comes into contact with them. The biggest culprit for heat loss is the floor.

Central Vacuum Systems

Rather than having to carry around a cumbersome vacuum unit, central vacuum systems have a large, powerful central unit located in an out-of-the-way place like a garage or utility room.

Tubes connecting to this unit are threaded throughout the house. All the home owner has to do is hook up a light, flexible hose to one of these tubes and they can suck up dirt and debris directly into the walls and out of sight.

Central vacuum systems are recommended in houses that have people with allergies. Because the central unit does not kick up dust like a bag model vacuum will, disposing of the debris keeps dust mites and allergens from drifting back into the air.

Structured Wiring

Structured wiring is the concept behind ethernet cables, phone lines and security systems. Wires are hidden within the walls to allow outlet receptacles located in convenient spots rather than meter after meter of visible cording.

This technique can be used to accomplish far more sophisticated tasks than people realize. For instance, structured wiring can be used to hook a television up to a cable box several rooms away. You can also integrate speakers directly into your ceiling or wall.

These systems can also have advanced control panels that perform functions through your Wi-Fi network or even your smartphone. Imagine being able to cue up music or your favorite TV show while still on the commute home from work.

All of these systems add utility and resale value to your home, not to mention comfort. For more ideas that add value to your luxury Burnaby real estate property, take a look at our selling services.

Our last post discussed a widely-growing trend of home owners adding in-law suites, apartments or guest houses to their properties. These additions add value and appeal to listed homes, especially for foreign buyers.

Not just any in-law suite will do, however. A certain set of criteria must be met for them to be functional and desirable to buyers. Here are some aspects that may help.

Accessibility

A large part of the reason that home owners are inviting their parents to stay with them is because they are concerned about advancing health issues. An in-law suite should be able to anticipate onset mobility problems and prepare for them now, rather than having to make modifications later.

For one, avoid steps or path obstructions that could lead to dangerous falls. Any areas with stairs should have ramp accessibility in case mobility problems require wheel chairs or other assistance means down the road. Hallways should also be spacious enough to allow the passage of medical equipment, including hospital beds.

Showers should have a sturdy grip rail to allow older adults easy entry and exit. A built-in shower chair can also improve the functionality for an independent senior who has difficulty standing for long periods of time.

Privacy

Part of the appeal of in-law suites is that they function as a separate component of the main house. They should be able to offer comparable facilities so that live-in parents will not have to come into the main part of the house several times a day to perform relatively simple tasks.

Including a kitchenette is one of the most beneficial ways to avoid this problem. A small refrigerator and oven range can allow parents to cook or prepare meals for themselves without having to feel as if they are intruding. Enough counter and cabinet space should be provided so that dry goods, plates and utensils can be stored and used without causing clutter.

Other amenities should include a sitting area for keeping occupied during the day. Bookshelves and a TV space can create entertainment when children and grandkids are not present.

Comfort

While an in-law apartment does not have a lot of square footage, it should be spacious enough to move around in without feeling cramped. There should also be enough room for a rather large and comfortable bed, along with a closet for replacement linens.

These apartments can also be made to feel cozy in order for in-laws to feel welcome and well cared-for. Be sure that the architecture feels homey rather than like a commercial property or care facility.

Always consult a contractor before starting your project to get advice, including how to file for the proper permits to have a separate dwelling as part of your Burnaby real estate property.

For more guidelines on improvements that add value and appeal to your home, consult one of our expert real estate agents. Take a look at our selling page to get started.

Adding a small, permanently-livable addition or guest house to your property for in-laws is rapidly becoming a more common occurrence for home renovations. Luxury homes in particular are seeing a spike in this trend, especially in western parts of the United States and Canada.

These dwellings offer in-laws a permanent place to stay on your property. Home owners who opt for this renovation intend to lessen their parents’ chance of dependence on medical care and get some much-needed bonding with family members during their twilight years. As an added bonus, these additions are also increasing property values and appeal in a big way.

Why In-Law Suites Are Becoming Popular

An enormous segment of the population has begun to reach retirement age at about the same time. Known in the US as “baby boomers,” this generation was born during the rapid medical and industrial advances following World War II.

This aging generation’s children have come into their own in recent years. Largely free from dependent minors or financial instability, they now have the opportunity to provide for their parents as a way to pay them back for the effort spent raising them. Furthermore, the lodging in-laws get to spend more time with the grandkids who still live at home or are returning from college.

Most people offering shelter to their parents cite the importance of being close to family members, especially if they are experiencing the onset of health problems. Living closer than “next door” means less dependence on medical assistance as they age, an important factor in maintaining an elderly family member’s health care and quality of life.

These values are particularly present in foreign buyers. Some may not even consider a property unless it has an extra house or dedicated area just for in-laws. When they take up residence in Canada, they want to be able to know that their parents can eventually join them.

A Real Estate Boon

In-law suites have quickly become an important criteria for homes. Realtors on the US west coast claim that properties with multiple dwelling units can fetch a price as much as 60 percent higher than other properties.

High-end properties are more likely to be scrutinized for their ability to house several generations. If the owner has not yet added a functional suite or guest house, the buyer may make inquiries on how much such an addition to the property will cost them. They may even pass on the property in favor of another with more potential to house their parents.

For all of these reasons, more and more home owners are experiencing a multitude of benefits from in-law suites. Our next post will offer advice on the best ways to add suites that contribute value and functionality to the home.

To learn more about ways to add value to your Burnaby Real Estate home in general, you can start by looking at our selling page.

People in the market for condominiums have the advantage of easy access to the property’s documents. These records are a treasure trove of information about the building and how its management is generally handled. Here are some of the most important documents to review when considering buying a condo.

Declaration

You can think of the condo declaration as a constitution of sorts. Within its pages are all of the rules, by-laws and stipulations for owning the condo, as well as the consequences should you lapse in your duties.

Review this document carefully to identify where your responsibilities lay and what you are permitted to do on your property. An attorney can provide you with a more in-depth interpretation should you have any confusion or pressing questions.

Master Policy

The condo association is required by law to have an insurance policy for their building. This policy may happen to cover certain aspects of individual units, or it may avoid coverage for any owner’s private property.

Review the master policy in order to determine what kind of insurance you will need to cover your property. You can sometimes avoid paying for redundant policies by being cautious in this way. It is important to know if you do not need fire damage insurance because the master policy already has that covered.

The Depreciation Report

Often known as a “reserve fund study,” these reports are a requirement of the condo association every three years. When they are performed, an expert consultant will come out to the building and inspect every single component of the common elements, specifically areas of the building used by all residents.

The consultant will calculate how long each component will last before it needs to be repaired or replaced. He or she will also outline a proposed financial plan for anticipating these costs well into the future.

A depreciation report contains a rich amount of information. If you take the time to read it, you will be able to see what state the building is in and any major costs you may be responsible for. You can also compare the condo association’s budget to the proposed financial plan in order to see how adequately-funded all of these future projects will be.

The Minutes from the Last Annual General Meeting

Once a year, the condo association will hold a meeting with all of the owners within the building. Any major problems will be discussed, and any concerns held by owners will be voiced.

Reviewing the minutes from the most recent meeting will tell you a great deal about how diplomacy is handled within that building. You will be able to see how disputes are resolved and what the common issues facing the building are.

With these documents in hand, you can have more confidence knowing that life in your condo building meets your lifestyle and expectations. To find the perfect condo for you, take a look at our Burnaby real estate listings.