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        <title>Vancouver Real Estate News Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/</link>
        <description>Offering insight into the residential and commercial Vancouver real estate market for home buyers, investors and businesses</description>
        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/potential-home-purchases.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/potential-home-purchases.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Potential Home Purchases</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
One of the big challenges in
finding a potential home to purchase is to determine which neighborhood suits
you and your family best.&nbsp; Do you want a
quiet neighborhood with architectural charm, or a more developed area with lots
of young families and children around, or are you looking for the cosmopolitan
feel of a city area?&nbsp; 


What are the best ways to
checkout potential neighborhoods?&nbsp; The
starting point should always be a list of the critical factors for you and your
family.&nbsp;&nbsp; 


What are your drivers?&nbsp; Is it: 




Access to public transportation?&nbsp; 


Proximity to work?


Great schools? 


Public parks? 


Active recreational areas? 


Art and Culture? 


Specific shops or restaurants?&nbsp; 




Once you have a mental or actual list of the things that
really matter to you then when possible tour the neighborhood.&nbsp; If you can be certain to go during rush
hours, school bus times, and during the day, evening, and weekends to see how
the neighborhood changes.&nbsp; When feasible,
walk around in the area to see how it feels, smells and looks up close.&nbsp; Talk to neighbors and local shop owners, ask
questions about the neighborhood; if you have children talk to local parents
and visit the school and meet potential teachers.&nbsp; 


It is important to also visit
shops, churches and other locations that are important to your daily life;
often there are substantial differences even in chain stores in terms of
inventory, prices and store hours.&nbsp; 


Home purchasing is one of the
largest investments made, it is important to be thoughtful and patient with the
decision process.&nbsp; In a market like
Vancouver where the housing market has remained stable and prices are
continuing to rise; it will be important to balance prudence with the need for
speed in the market place.&nbsp; Otherwise you
may miss the house you want, as another buyer may swoop in during your research
time.&nbsp; So plan the research, know the
market well before contacting real estate agents.&nbsp; Know what you want in the neighborhood, what
neighborhoods seem to fit your needs best and then talk to the real estate
professional about their knowledge of those neighborhoods to see how it fits
with your understanding.&nbsp; 


Big investment can be epic in
their ability to make or break your financial security; you should be prepared,
well researched and prudent in the shopping process in order to get the best
bang for your buck.&nbsp; 


Look also to the local
infrastructure.&nbsp; Are the roads, street
lamps and bridges in good repair?&nbsp; Does
the neighborhood look like it is investing in economic development?&nbsp; Are there ample opportunities for employment
and affordable housing to attract a work force and strong tax base to the
area?&nbsp; How has foreclosures impacted the
neighborhood?&nbsp; Are there abandoned
properties on every corner?&nbsp; 


What are the local zoning, building
and remodeling restrictions and what will they do to your plans for the
property?&nbsp; If you are dreaming of a
studio, can you actually build it on your property?&nbsp; 


A little planning, some local
visits and some thoughtful research can not only save you from making the wrong
purchase but can improve the transition to your new neighborhood.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:26:31 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/kitchen-trends-the-next-big-thing.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/kitchen-trends-the-next-big-thing.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Kitchen Trends:  The Next Big Thing </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many real estate experts steadfastly believe the kitchen
can make or break the sale of a property.&nbsp;
Old appliances, outdated colors and poor workflow design can
dramatically alter buying behavior.&nbsp; We
spend much of our lives in the kitchen, considered the heart of the home; most
buyers want to have a kitchen that attracts them, comforts and functions for
them and is a space they want to spend time in.&nbsp;
For those who entertain, the kitchen becomes critical to the success of
the dinner party, soiree, or special event. 


Kitchen experts predict some
significant changes in kitchen trends for next year; multi-functional is the
watchword for kitchen trends.&nbsp; The
kitchen needs to do more, be more and function in many different ways.&nbsp; Finding equipment, layouts and design
elements that allow for multiple functions, or can be versatile in both form
and function will be important in the coming year.&nbsp; 


One of the targets in new trends
is the elimination of the traditional hanging cabinets in favor of open
shelving and freestanding furniture.&nbsp;
This allows for more flexibility in the arrangement of the kitchen, the
workflow can be modified and the look and feel of the kitchen can be easily
adjusted.&nbsp; For the small kitchen, the
open look and feel can add to the use of the square footage.&nbsp; The open shelving allows for the use of
dishes, glasses and pots as decoration as well as their functional use. 


Green is big in the coming year
in kitchens as well.&nbsp; Not just in terms
of eco-friendly materials but in terms of vibrant colors for the kitchen as
well.&nbsp; Bamboo, recycled glass and
sustainable materials have been increasing in interest for kitchen materials
for some time, but there has never been as large a selection of options in
sustainable materials.&nbsp; Prices and
availability have increased the interest in environmental materials.&nbsp; 


Vibrant, rich and deep colors
have become popular in kitchens from walls and accessories to the actual
cabinets.&nbsp; Apple green, deep jewel tone
purple and Caribbean blues are now emerging in countertops, cabinets and
kitchen design elements.&nbsp; 


Lighting is important in the
kitchen for both aesthetics and function, task and directional lighting has
become increasingly more important.&nbsp; The
new styles, colors and eco-levels of the lighting are increasingly
important.&nbsp;&nbsp; LED lighting, chandeliers
and torchieres are becoming more popular choices and are likely to increase in
interest in the coming year.&nbsp; 


For sellers, the kitchen
appliances need to be clean, modern and fully functional.&nbsp; Updating new appliances can be a cost
effective improvement, returning much of the investment in the improved value
of the property.&nbsp; Cleaning and
de-cluttering is always important in the kitchen, get rid of fridge magnets and
personal effects as it makes it challenging for the potential buyer to envision
themselves in your kitchen.&nbsp; 


Kitchens are powerful drivers in
the decision to buy a house.&nbsp; Make
certain that yours look like the current decade instead of two or three
past.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:25:21 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/home-inspection-smart-seller-tools-critical-in-todays-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/home-inspection-smart-seller-tools-critical-in-todays-market.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Home Inspection:  Smart Seller Tools: Critical in Todays Market </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
While the Real Estate Market in
Vancouver has been steady and stable even while other markets crashed and
burned; it becomes essential to close every potential cost and opportunity to
lose value during the sale.&nbsp; 


The home inspection is often a condition of the sale,
which allows the potential buyer to see the areas needing maintenance, or
likely to add to their outlay in the near future.&nbsp; The typical home inspector will go from
foundation to roof; looking at electrical, plumbing, structural or foundation
condition, and mechanical condition of heating and cooling units.&nbsp; Buyers look to the home inspector to provide
them with vital insight to costly financial investments lurking in the house.&nbsp; This could include aging plumbing or
hazardous electrical costs or even pending roofing repairs.&nbsp; 


But the smart seller can use the
home inspection to their advantage.&nbsp; The
buyer often uses the results of the home inspection to negotiate credits or
reduce the overall price of the sale.&nbsp;
The smart seller can use the home inspection as part of a negotiating
strategy, knowing where there may be costs can allow the seller to either
repair, restore or rethink the asking price or terms of the sale.&nbsp; 


Working with a certified home
inspector well in advance of listing your property can reduce the number of
days your house stays on the market, as you will have an objective view of the
issues potential buyers will see.&nbsp; Some
issues are minor in nature and can be repaired cost effectively, keeping them
from being an issue for the buyer at all.&nbsp;
Other repairs or preventative maintenance can be weighted against the
impact they will have on the asking price for the house.&nbsp; It is important when weighing this impact
that you use comparables listing prices for house that have recently sold and
are currently listed in your neighborhood as that is what the buyer will be
using to assess the value of your home.&nbsp; 


For the buyer, issues on the home
inspection will signal potential cash outlay in the near or long term and will
make them wary of the overall value of the home.&nbsp; Knowing how to prevent the issues from
emerging works in the same fashion as decluttering, improving curb appeal or repainting
walls; it keeps the potential buyer from worrying that there are costly issues
lurking around the bend for them.&nbsp; 


The real estate market worldwide
has become more volatile, and certainly more complex.&nbsp; If you are selling a house in this market, it
is prudent to do all you can to maximize your investment and realize as much
value as possible.&nbsp; Working with a
professional, certified home inspector can be a powerful tool in your
arsenal.&nbsp;&nbsp; The home inspection can also
be used to make the buyer more confident in your valuation price, as well as
making the negotiations for final closing price more successful.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:24:49 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/do-you-still-need-realtors-in-todays-housing-market.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/do-you-still-need-realtors-in-todays-housing-market.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Do You Still Need Realtors in Todays Housing Market </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are more than 16,000 realtors listed in the Greater
Vancouver area today, but the question remains do you need them?&nbsp; The Vancouver housing market has remained
stable and steady, and prices have been on an incline even during the rough
housing times in other markets.&nbsp; This
seems to be a straightforward market, why call on a professional? 


Todays Realtor offers a more
competitive edge for both the buyer and the seller.&nbsp; There are three types of realtors, Buyers
Agent, Sellers Agent and Dual Agencies (offering both).&nbsp; 


For the Buyer, the Buyers Agent
works with their wish list and the available properties to get the house they
are dreaming about.&nbsp; The Realtor would be
helpful with new changes in real estate laws, mortgage and down payment options
and would understand what neighborhoods fit their list best.&nbsp; The right negotiation skills can make all the
difference in the final closing price and the buyers ability to get the deal
closed; the Buyers Agent can be pivotal in that role.&nbsp; 


For the Seller, the Sellers
Agent can protect the process.&nbsp; The
Sellers Agent is also up to date on the real estate laws, knows how to keep
the sale from creating a lawsuit or back firing all together.&nbsp; The Sellers Agent can make recommendations
to improve curb appeal and competitive value in the market.&nbsp; The Sellers Agent can also help with the
asking price strategy to make the selling process as painless as possible.&nbsp; The Sellers Agent will have marketing skills,
access and techniques to put your listing deep into the stream of potential
buyers.&nbsp; 


Open houses, time with potential
buyers, showing the house on weekends and evenings, all takes an enormous
commitment, missing appointments and opportunities can be costly; the Realtor
can take this burden from your back and use their contacts to increase your
potential buying pool.&nbsp; 


Sometimes, what seems to be a
money saving opportunity can actually end up costing more in the end.&nbsp; The housing purchase is one of the biggest
investments made, making certain each party is happy with the outcome requires
the professional expertise and experience of a certified Realtor.&nbsp; Negotiating well, financing well and making
the contract and sales process quick, painless and accurate are part of what a
professional realtor will bring to the process.&nbsp;
Todays Realtor has some incredible new techniques and marketing skills
to get you connected to just the right buyer or seller for your closing.&nbsp; 



Just
because you can do something, doesnt mean you should.&nbsp; Saving pennies and losing thousands will
never be good math.&nbsp; Find a Realtor you
trust and rely upon their experience, your research and you are much more
likely to end with the results you hope for in the transaction.&nbsp; The Realtor database online will allow you
to find professional realtors by area, specialty and location.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:24:16 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/winterizing-your-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/winterizing-your-home.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Winterizing Your Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Nothing is as reliable as the return of the cold weather
and the high cost of heating your home as the mercury level drops.&nbsp; Weather experts are predicting this will be
especially cold, with temperatures below normal and precipitation levels above
normal.


There are some simple and
inexpensive solutions to improving your odds in the war against the rising
costs of heating your home for the winter months.&nbsp; Some of the winterizing improvements can be
done in a quick weekend project others are even simpler.&nbsp; 


Winterizing is about controlling
the air loss and improving the efficiency of heating the area.&nbsp; Air loss is one of the major culprits in
heating costs.&nbsp; Check doors and windows for
excess air loss.&nbsp; This is an easy fix
with caulking, threshold strips and insulation taping.&nbsp; Checking for winter air loss around door
thresholds and through windows or French and sliding doors can save an enormous
amount on the cost of heating.&nbsp; Some find
the covering of windows and sliding or French doors with clear plastic can
improve the insulation value of the room.&nbsp;
Every opening in the house is a potential for loss of warm air and
availability of cold air entering the house.&nbsp;
Closing the gaps, tightening the seals and improving the insulation
quality goes a long way to improving your arsenal against the raging high
costs.&nbsp; 


Changing the thermostat is a
great way to improve your expense levels year round, but especially in the
winter.&nbsp; Switching a standard thermostat
to a programmable thermostat can improve your costs quickly.&nbsp;&nbsp; Set the temperature to be more conservative
temperatures while sleeping or out of the house, with the warmer temperatures
during the times you are likely to need additional heat.&nbsp; The savings add up quickly.&nbsp; 


Changing your furnace filters, is
a quick and easy way to improve the efficiency of your heating system, which
will improve your winter cost levels very quickly.&nbsp; Clogged filters will lead to poor furnace
performance; they also allow more allergens in to the indoor environment.


Change the direction of ceiling
fans to move clockwise, this will allow the heated air to recirculate in the
room, which can allow the room thermostat to be set lower without the room
feeling colder.&nbsp; 


Insulate the attic, or other airs
where air can escape.&nbsp; Hot air rises, so
the hot air will head for the attic and dissipate out through the roof, if the
insulation is inadequate in the attic area.&nbsp;
Adding additional insulation can be a quick project and will add further
protection from the cold, a decrease in the need to crank up the thermostat and
will result in a warmer house for less money.&nbsp;



The small steps can have a big
impact.&nbsp; There is no need to create
elaborate projects.&nbsp; A few well-placed
changes can add up very quickly.&nbsp; Air
loss can cost a fortune over a chilly winter.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Finding ways to keep the cold air out and the warm air in is a simple
process, which can save a great deal of money each winter.&nbsp; So the important question is, how warm will
you be this winter and what will that cost you?
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:34:32 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-welcomes-the-world.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-welcomes-the-world.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Vancouver Real Estate Welcomes the World</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The attraction of Vancouver has
been legendary for years.&nbsp; Vancouver is
nearly always in the top five rankings on the Best Places to Live lists.&nbsp; This beautiful area attracts tourists,
immigrant investors and retirees.&nbsp; But
one of the biggest stabilizers to the Vancouver real estate market has been the
immigrant investor.&nbsp; 


There has been a strong interest
in this cosmopolitan beautiful port town for decades.&nbsp; The close proximity to Asia and the US has
made it a favorite with investors worldwide, but most recently an influx of
Chinese investors has served to strengthen the market even further.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The immigrant investor is
extremely important to the real estate market stability and steady increase in
property prices in Vancouver.&nbsp; 


The requirements for immigrant
investors in the Vancouver real estate market have been getting more and more
restrictive over time.&nbsp; Current
requirements place net worth levels of the investor at $1.6 million with $800,000
investment in property.&nbsp; The requirement
levels have doubled in the last year.&nbsp;
More than 10,000 foreign investors enter the Vancouver market in an
average year.&nbsp; 


China has been an attractive
market for Vancouver, as there are now more than a half million people in China
that are over the required level of net worth for the Vancouver market.&nbsp; The close proximity to Asia, the cultural mix
of the market and the healthy, active living opportunities in the area make the
Vancouver market especially appealing to the Chinese investor.&nbsp; 


Vancouver has had a growing economy including the
financial industry, film production and technology industries.&nbsp; The strong, healthy work force has attracted
corporate headquarters and economic growth.&nbsp;
The interest in the film location and postproduction technology has
fostered many off shoot industries that support the film industry.&nbsp;&nbsp; 


The cultural diversity of the
area is attractive to the second home, holiday home and retirement investor as
well as the immigrant investor.&nbsp; 


The Vancouver real estate market
has remained steady with rising price levels even in the worst of economic
times, worldwide.&nbsp; There has been recent
concerns that the steady rise is indicative of a pending real estate bubble.&nbsp; The real estate industry pundits point to the
low interest rates, low levels of flipping speculation and high levels of
foreign investment as reasons for the price rises.&nbsp; 


There is concern that the change
in the interest rates, which are set to rise in 2013 will impact the stability
of the Vancouver real estate market in the future, but for now the market seems
to have escaped the drama of the world real estate market.&nbsp; 


This pretty city seems to have a
strong draw for people worldwide.&nbsp; The
healthy life style, active living attraction and the greenbelt availability
draw people consistently to the area.&nbsp;
The wide range of restaurants, cultural and art attractions and
entertainment appeal to a sophisticated population base as well.&nbsp; 


There is a strong inventory of
properties available for the resident, investor and retiree and the market
continues to look healthy, strong and growing in Vancouver.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:32:18 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-still-a-strong-investment.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-still-a-strong-investment.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Vancouver Real Estate Still a Strong Investment? </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are indicators that the
steady increase in housing prices in the Vancouver Real Estate market could be
heading for a corrective lowering in the near future as other areas like
Toronto start to attract more interest.&nbsp;
Real Estate pundits offer a variety of reasons for the impervious
Vancouver market, but there remain concerns about what will happen to the
market when the interest rates are adjusted in 2013.&nbsp;&nbsp; 


Will Vancouver continue to be a
growth market in the near future, is this still a great place to invest in
holiday homes, retirement properties and foreign investment.&nbsp; 


There has been much speculation about how Vancouver has
remained unscathed by the economic woes that have created bubble and burst
problems world wide in the housing industry.&nbsp;
Vancouver has remained a strong, stable market with property prices in
general rising during a time when some markets have been nearly completely
destroyed.&nbsp; 


Vancouver has long been rated as
one of the best cities to live in and makes the top of most of the Best Places
to Live lists worldwide, year after year.&nbsp;
This beautiful port city offers some wonderful amenities and
attractions, as well as close proximity to both the Pacific Rim and the US,
making it an attractive market for the foreign investor.&nbsp; 


During the worlds economic
downturn, Vancouver has been a growth market in a number of industries, one of
the most famous being its position as the &ldquo;North Hollywood&rdquo; as it has become a
film and television production center.&nbsp;
The financial industry and technology associated with the film industry
have attracted both companies (including headquarters) and workforce.&nbsp; The strong work force offers an educated,
healthy and vital labor pool, making this an attractive market for expanding
companies.&nbsp; 


The active living opportunities
in the area are a great draw for tourists, retirees and immigrant
investors.&nbsp; The cultural diversity and
cosmopolitan feeling of the pretty port city make it attractive for potential buyers.&nbsp; 


The strong immigrant investment
pool in Vancouver, which requires $1.6 million in net worth and an investment
of at least $800,000 in the property market, has helped keep the prices on a
steady rise.&nbsp; The lack of speculators, or
house flippers in the market has also helped keep the prices rising and the
market more stable than highly speculative markets.&nbsp; 


The use of Vancouver as a
backdrop in films, television series and independent production has also
increased interest in the area.&nbsp; The
wildly popular Twilight series, as well as both Feature and independent film
success have plunged this area into the media, and attracted film buffs and
star gazers of the celebrity kind.&nbsp; 


The elements that have led
Vancouver to be a strong, stable market, are not likely to change in the near
future.&nbsp; The economic development in the
area is still strong, jobs are plentiful and the labor pool is active and well
educated.&nbsp; The rising Chinese millionaire
population continues to view Vancouver as a strong location for immigrant
investment.&nbsp; The burgeoning retirement
population looking for active living rich in cultural diversity and the
cosmopolitan cultural offering of the city are likely to keep interest in the
Vancouver market strong for some time.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:31:02 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-buddle.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate-buddle.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Vancouver Real Estate Buddle</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Through out the post-2008 economic woes of the world; real
estate markets have been a barometer of economic conditions for the local
area.&nbsp; Worldwide, real estate bubbles and
bursts have been indicative of economic stability and even employment
opportunities as the housing market in most areas is so deeply interlaced into
the economic conditions.&nbsp; 


Vancouver, BC has been seemingly
impervious to the bubbles and bursts the rest of the world has been
balancing up until now.&nbsp;&nbsp; This strong economic area
has held the housing prices steady or increasing even in some of the worst of
the worlds economic times.&nbsp; 


There have been questions lately
in real estate industry about the steady rise in Vancouver real estate
prices.&nbsp; The concern is that the steady and
lately significant increase in the housing prices in the Vancouver Real Estate
Market could be indicative of a pending bubble.


There are two sides of the opinion on this.The Real Estate Industry stays
steadfast in their conviction that the Vancouver Real Estate Market remains
stable and unlikely to bubble.&nbsp; They state there are
a number of reasons for the higher price level of the Vancouver market.&nbsp; The long-standing financial stability of
Vancouver, including the growth markets of finance, film production and
technology coupled with a strong work force has helped with the real estate
market.&nbsp; In addition, the interest in the
area by foreign investors keeps interest rates low and prices higher.&nbsp; The lower level of flipping speculation in
the Vancouver market has also helped keep the prices higher.&nbsp; On the flip side, supporters of the Vancouver real estate bubble movement believe interest rates are bound to rise eventually, and the average home versus income ratio is higher in Vancouver than anywhere else in Canada. Eventually, prices are bound to settle and correct.


Vancouver has long been a
contender for the Best Places to Live Top Five ranking.&nbsp; The natural beauty and geographic proximity
to both Asia and the US make Vancouver a desirable market for the holiday home,
retirement buyer and investment property market.&nbsp; The cosmopolitan sophistication of the
diverse cultures and cuisine of the area has made it a great location for the
world to travel to.&nbsp; The availability of
the Port and the active living opportunities has attracted businesses and work
force.&nbsp; 


The combination of cultural
diversity, natural beauty, active living, strong employment markets, industry
growth and economic stability make Vancouver a very desirable place to
live.&nbsp; The desirability of the Vancouver
market will remain stable, so correspondingly will the interest in the local
real estate market.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:20:06 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/low-cost-ideas-to-increase-real-estate-values.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/low-cost-ideas-to-increase-real-estate-values.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Low Cost Ideas to Increase Real Estate Values </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The housing market has been rough
in the past few years.&nbsp; Trying to get
full value for your home with record numbers of foreclosures can be
challenging.&nbsp; So, how do you improve your
real estate property values without breaking the bank?&nbsp; 


There are some quick and
inexpensive options to improve the value of your home.&nbsp; Selling your house is all about focusing on
the unique features and making the square footage as attractive as possible.&nbsp; There are some real estate expert tricks that
can make a big impact for little investment of money or time.&nbsp; 


All of these ideas are focused on
improving the selling potential of your home when showing it to potential
buyers.&nbsp; The first is actually only a
time cost.&nbsp; It is the de-cluttering and
neutralization of the house.&nbsp; We spend a
lifetime adding personal touches to our home, which make it uniquely ours.&nbsp; But when you are selling your home; the
objective is to make it appealing to the largest number of potential home buyers.&nbsp; The secret to this is the
de-cluttering and de-personalizing of the property.&nbsp; It important to make the house free from your
personal items, as it is important for the potential buyer to picture himself
or herself in the house.&nbsp; Since the
objective of putting the house on the market it to move on, it is a perfect
opportunity to box up family photos and fridge magnets, and personal
collections, so the house has no clutter or excess distractions.&nbsp; 


The second tip is to make fast
repairs.&nbsp; This is the time to patch,
paint and tidy up the repairs you have put off.&nbsp;
Replacing that switch plate, or tightening the closet doors can have a
big impact on the potential buyer.&nbsp; There
is a tendency on the part of potential buyers to make generalizations.&nbsp; The visible need for repairs can create
doubts about repairs they arent seeing as clearly.&nbsp; This can be just enough to move them on to
the next property.&nbsp; A coat of paint and a
good patch job can make the difference between dated and contemporary in the
eyes of the potential buyer.&nbsp; Choose
neutral colors that add to the square footage feeling rather than deeply
personal choices such as that perfect shade of violet you love so much, the
idea again is to improve appeal for the largest audience possible and to
improve the appearance of the homes potential including its square
footage.&nbsp; 


Get cooking in the kitchen.&nbsp; For many buyers, the kitchen is
critical.&nbsp; The out dated cabinet, lack of
lighting or need for paint in this room can keep the sale from closing.&nbsp; Changing the cabinets or resurfacing them can
make a huge impact here.&nbsp; Appliances
should be uniform in style and color and in good repair.&nbsp; Potential buyers will see this as an
indicator of the overall repair of the house.&nbsp;
There are inexpensive solutions, such as dishwasher panels and skins for
the refrigerator that can offset the high cost of replacing appliances.&nbsp; The money spent in the kitchen usually comes
back in the property value improvement at one of the highest rates of any room
in the house.&nbsp; 


You dont need to spend a fortune
to improve one of the biggest investments you will make in your financial
portfolio.&nbsp; The investment of time,
effort and focused planning can make a significant difference in the value you
can realize in the property market.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:15:08 -0600</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/home-curb-appeal.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/home-curb-appeal.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Home Curb Appeal</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
There
is much written on how to improve your house, the advice includes how to
renovate and which rooms return the most on your investment.&nbsp; But there are things you can do without
hiring contractors and pulling permits.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


For
the most impact, start outside.&nbsp; The
property will never sell if people wont stop to consider it.&nbsp; Curb appeal is one of the most powerful
factors in attracting buyers.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The
convenience of the Internet can allow people to see the interior and the photos
you have added on the property.&nbsp; The can
troll through virtual tours and compare square footage and number of bathrooms
in the comfort of their home.&nbsp; But the
actual visit can be easily stopped with an overgrown yard or neglected
landscape.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


While
people are often looking for the worst house in the best neighborhood, they
want to use this to negotiate a better deal.&nbsp;
As a seller, this works against your ability to counter the offer.&nbsp; In many cases, the buyers just keep
driving.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


So
what are the secrets to curb appeal?&nbsp; One
of the strongest messages that are sent with curb appeal is that the property
has been well maintained.&nbsp; The over grown
grass says neglect not care.&nbsp; The
planting of bright, pretty flowers sends a message that you have attended to
details.&nbsp; The assumption is that the
detail attention will travel inside as well.&nbsp;



&nbsp;


Landscaping
should be well maintained, grass mown and bushes trimmed.&nbsp; The property should be clearly visible with
no obstruction especially of windows and other features of the property.&nbsp; Any trees on the property should be well
maintained as well.&nbsp; Dangling branches or
trees too close to the house will make potential buyers think of damage and
roots in the foundation, not the wonderful location or great square
footage.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


As
a seller, the objective is to maximize the features of the property.&nbsp; If there is a great view, the landscaping
should feature it; not hide it.&nbsp; If there
is a pool or hot tub, the visual message should be recreation not
maintenance.&nbsp; The landscaping should make
the property look large and attractive, not cluttered and time consuming.&nbsp; The flowers and plants chosen should say
&ldquo;home&rdquo; or &ldquo;home and gardens&rdquo; without looking like maintenance will either be
time consuming or expensive.&nbsp; People want
to putter in gardens, not be chained to the flowerbeds.&nbsp; So the selections of plants and flowers must
have appeal without needing to be fussed over. 


&nbsp;


Details
like the mailbox, house numbers and porch lights are essential in curb
appeal.&nbsp; They need to be complementary to
the house and its architectural style.&nbsp;
They need to be functional; house numbers should be visible from the
road to help people find you with only an address.&nbsp; Mailboxes that are damaged and dented will
send the message that there is work to be done.&nbsp;



&nbsp;


The
old axiom that you only have one chance to make a first impression couldnt
ring truer than in real estate.&nbsp; The
drive by is critical to the first connection with the potential buyer.&nbsp; If the curb appeal says this is a loved,
cared for and well maintained property the prospect is more likely to become a
buyer.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:11:34 -0500</pubDate>
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