Raymar is pleased to offer a spacious and bright 680 square foot one bedroom in Steveston Village.  Great for owner to live in or rent out as there are no rental restrictions.  The unit is in excellent condtion with granite counters, stainless steel appliances with new fridge and dishwasher.  Well maintianed laminate hardwood floors, master with walk-in closet, large balcony perfect for summer BBQ's. Open Sunday March 4th 2-4pm. 

Raymar is pleased to announce their sponsorship with Lotus Cycling Club which is one of Vancouver's premier cycling clubs.  With a diverse group of over 100 cycling enthusiasts, Raymar shares Lotus Cycling Club's core values and vision to promote a healthy and active lifestyle with integrity, community involvement and social responsibility. Check out the new website at http://lotuscyclingclub.com #Vancouver#Community#Sponsorship#VancouverCycling#lotuscyclingclub

Premier Christy Clark unveiled a new loan program today to help first-time home buyers come up with their down payment.

The BC Home Owner Mortgage and Equity (HOME) Partnership program will offer qualifying home buyers loans of up to $37,500, interest and payment free, for five years.

The province will begin accepting applications on January 16, 2017.

To qualify, buyers must:

• be buying their first home;

• obtain a high-ratio, insured first mortgage for at least 80 per cent of the purchase price;  

• have a combined gross household income not exceeding $150,000;

• have saved a down payment amount at least equal to the loan amount;

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for at least five years; and

• have lived in BC for at least the full year preceding their application.

The loans will be due in full if the buyer defaults on a payment, ceases to use the home as a principle residence or resells the home.

Key facts:

• The loans will match a home buyer’s contribution to a down payment up to five per cent of the home’s purchase price. 

• The maximum purchase price to qualify for a loan is $750,000 (excluding taxes and fees).

• After five years, buyers can either repay their loan or enter into monthly payments at current interest rates.

• Loans through the program are due after 25 years.

“This program will boost sales to first-time home buyers. Without question, they’ll take advantage of it wherever they can,” said Helmut Pastrick, Central 1 Credit Union chief economist.

The province estimates this initiative will help at least 42,000 buyers or households province-wide over the next three years. About half of these buyers will be in the Lower Mainland, according to Pastrick.

Government data shows foreign buyers make up five per cent of Metro Vancouver market

Do you have a renovation project in mind – and wonder how much value it will add to your home? Remodeling Magazine recently did a study of renovation projects, comparing costs to added value. Here are some of the
results:

Replacing a main entry door has a return on investment of over 95%. After all, the entrance to a home is one of the first things a prospective buyer notices.

Adding a new deck also adds a lot of value. Depending on the materials used, you can expect to get back three-quarters of the money invested.

Another high-payback project is the garage door. This once again demonstrates the importance of a home’s “curb appeal.”

If you’re tackling a big project, such as a basement renovation, you’ll be glad to know that, according to the study, a project like this adds a lot of value.

Finally, minor improvements to bathrooms and kitchens – such as adding new countertops or cupboards, can also be good investments that mostly pay back when you sell your home.

Of course, these figures are averages and can vary widely depending on location, type of property, and other factors.

Need help determining how a particular home improvement might impact the selling price? Call today.

Come visit my new listing at the Destiny this Sunday March 30th from 2-4pm.  This is a one year old 2bdrm and den penthouse unit.  16 ft. ceilings with floor to ceiling windows and a huge deck with natural gas hookup.  High end Kitchen aid appliance package including a gas cooktop and wine fridge. Bright and peaceful outlook towards the green belt.  If you like quiet and ultimate privacy this is the unit for you.  2 parking and storage locker.

Great news today for first-time buyers!

"The government has announced, effective February 19, 2014, under the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First-Time Home Buyers’ Exemption program, qualifying first-time buyers can buy a home worth up to $475,000. The previous threshold was $425,000. The partial exemption continues and will apply to homes valued between $475,000 and $500,000."

This change has been long overdue and will be welcome by first time buyers.

Whether you're considering buying a particular home, selling your current property – or both – a home inspection can help.

A home inspection is an inspection by a qualified professional who takes a close look at every aspect of a home – structure, wiring, plumbing, and more – and identifies issues you may not have noticed yourself. For example, a home inspection can reveal that a furnace will need to be replaced soon, or that there is a water leak into the basement that needs to be fixed.

You'll definitely want to get a professional home inspection before you buy a particular property. That's why most offers to purchase a home are conditional upon passing a home inspection. (The last thing you want is to buy your dream home only to discover that the wiring needs to be updated!)

You may also want to get a home inspection on your own home before you list it for sale. A certificate from a qualified professional that states that your home passed inspection will make your property more attractive to buyers.

Many reputable home inspectors are members of a professional industry association.

In Canada:

• Canada Association of Home & Property Inspectors.
(http://www.cahpi.ca)
• Professional Home and Property Inspectors of Canada.
(http://www.phpic.ca)
• National Home Inspectors Certification Council.
(http://www.nationalhomeinspector.org)

It's important to note that certification or licensing is not a requirement in many jurisdictions. So select a home inspector carefully.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver just released its August Stats.  Sales remain just below the 10 year average for the month of August.  Housing prices over the year remain quite stabel down just 1.3% compared to August 2012.  Since the beginning of 2013 prices have actually increased 2.3%.  This trend is expected to contunue through the last quarter of the year. 

Over the past few months I have seen more properties selling very close to and even over the asking price.  Indicating that market prices and sales are slowly improving.  Sellers should be reminded that accurately pricing your property is paramount for a quick sale at the highest price. 

There are so many horror stories about disreputable or incompetent home improvement contactors that television shows have been made about them. Unless you want to be a guest on one of those programs, take steps to ensure you find a good contractor.

Here are some tips that will help:

• Ask for references. Speak to the references.

• Get a detailed written estimate of the work to be done, and makesure you understand all the terms and conditions.

• Be wary of contractors who insist on large payments upfront. Thepayment plan should be reasonable and tied to work as completed.

• Ask if the contractor is a member of any professional associations.

• Don't deal with a contractor who offers you a no-tax, cash-only deal.

• Ask the contractor to get the appropriate permits before starting yourproject.

These tips won't guarantee you'll hire a reputable contractor, but they will increase the chances that you do.

There are several reasons why you may need to sell your home quickly. For example, a job change may require a speedy relocation to another city, or you may have purchased another property and don't want to be stuck too
long with two mortgages.

Here are some tips that can help get the sold sign on your front lawn sooner.

• Be realistic with price. If you set the listing price higher than the current market value of your home, then you're not going to get many, if any, viewers. You want the list price to be attractive, which means listing at the current market value.
• Get things fixed. You probably don't have time for a major renovation. So just make sure everything in your home is in good working order. Deal with any obvious maintenance issues, such as a leaking faucet or a gate hanging precariously on one hinge.
• Ensure your home shows well, inside and outside. Eliminate clutter. Trim hedges. Make sure every room has adequate lighting, especially the basement. Imagine that a special guest is visiting your home, then clean up and prepare accordingly.
• Be flexible with viewing times. You want as many potential buyers as possible to see your home. So don't restrict viewing times to just Saturdays. Make sure your home is as "available" as possible for showings. This may cause you and your family some inconvenience, but the reward will be selling your property sooner.
• Work with a good REALTOR®. Find an agent who understands the area and the local market well. He or she will be able to recommend a variety of strategies that will help sell your home faster, and for a
good price.

Of course, there's no way to guarantee that you'll sell your home within the time frame you want. But these tips will certainly increase the chances that you will.

Looking for a good REALTOR® who knows the area well? Call me today.

If you're listing your home for sale, then of course you’ll want to make the best impression possible on potential home buyers. But, just to have a little fun, say you don't want to sell your property. What could you do to discourage those who view your home?

Well, you could have your pets in the home during viewings. That will certainly make it uncomfortable for some buyers – especially those with pet allergies.

You could also leave personal items around, such as family pictures and trophies. That will make it more difficult for a buyer to imagine himself and his family living there. It might even make him feel a bit like an intruder!

Clutter in bedrooms, closets and other areas of the home will make those spaces feel less spacious than they really are, as well as make visitors feel uncomfortable.

If you really want to turn off a buyer, then put off doing any minor repairs. A dripping tap, flickering light, dent in the wall, or other maintenance issues are certain to gain a buyer's attention.

If all that doesn't shoo away a buyer from your home, then stick around during a viewing and follow him and his family from room to room. That will certainly make him feel uneasy.

Of course, we're just having a bit of fun here. When you put your home on the market, you want to sell it. It’s easy to avoid all the pitfalls described above and ensure potential buyers appreciate the full value of your home.

So when you’re preparing for a showing, think of ways you can make your property appear its best, and make the buyer feel welcomed and comfortable viewing it.

Want more ideas on how to sell your home quickly and for the best
price? Call today.

Happy to announce the sale by court order of my listing at 1450 East 7th.  I had a total of three offers presented in court with the highest bid being $246,501.  

When you’re looking for a new home, you want to find one in a great neighbourhood – or, at least, in a neighbourhood that is on the upswing. How can you tell if a particular area is improving? Here are some common
indicators:

• Pride of ownership. Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Do you get a sense that people take good care of their homes? Are the lawns mowed? Is the landscaping trimmed? Are flowers planted? Homeowners are more
likely to look after their properties when they like where they are living.

• Home improvements. Are people investing in their homes? Are they getting their driveways re-done? Their windows replaced? Are there signs of home improvement projects? If so, this is a clear indication that homeowners like the area enough to invest in their properties.

• Real estate sales activity. Do homes tend to sell quickly in the area? Do they sell for a good price? If so, the neighbourhood is probably in demand. If people want to live there, it's a desirable area.

• Business investment. Are businesses investing in the surrounding area? Is there an increase in the number of upscale shops, health clubs, restaurants, and other commercial enterprises that often locate near desirable neighbourhoods?

• Community involvement. Are there signs that the community plays an active role in the look and lifestyle of the neighbourhood? Are there neighbourhood picnics, yard sales and other get-togethers? Check Facebook.com to see if the neighbourhood has a community page.

• City plans. Find out what plans the city has for the area. Will there be road improvements done in the near future? Are there any major construction projects on the schedule, such as a new school or community centre. Although such projects can be disruptive in the short term, they may improve the neighbourhood – and, as a result, boost the value of any home you buy – in the long-term.

Of course, the best way to find out the desirability of a neighbourhood is to
talk to a good REALTOR® who knows the area. Call today.