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        <title>Vancouver Real Estate News Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/vancouver-real-estate/</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/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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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/the-home-inspection-the-fulcrum-in-the-vancouver-real-estate-sale.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/the-home-inspection-the-fulcrum-in-the-vancouver-real-estate-sale.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>The Home Inspection:  The Fulcrum in the Vancouver Real Estate Sale</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The British
Columbia Real Estate Association forecasts nearly 78,000 real estate
transactions will take place in 2011.&nbsp; Each transaction should utilize the home
inspection process.&nbsp; For sellers, this is
often seen as a leverage tool for the buyer to try to obtain credits for
identified problems.&nbsp; But there is
evidence that the home inspection can be more beneficial for the seller than
the buyer.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


In the case
where the buyer has fallen in love with the property, has been approved for
funding contingent upon the inspection; the devastation of a poor finding can
drive the buyers to a new location or they will use the finding to drive the
price into the ground recouping credits for the necessary repairs or
improvements.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


The
proactive seller will see the inspection as a marketing tool.&nbsp; First, it eliminates surprises.&nbsp; If there are issues that have yet to surface;
the home inspection will provide an opportunity to decide if the problem requires
attention or disclosure.&nbsp; A pre-listing
inspection can be an important leveler in the pricing process. It will alert
you as a seller to pending problems, it will eliminate surprises and will allow
you to provide additional documentation in the spirit of disclosure.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


Instead of
being on the defense with the results of the home inspection, the seller can
determine the market value of the identified issues.&nbsp; Roof needs repair; here are three local
estimates to determine the value; so if the seller decides to disclose rather
than repair the credit negotiated will not exceed the market value of the
repair.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


&nbsp;It will also alert the homeowner to safety
concerns.&nbsp; If the house does not sell,
the seller will be aware of potential expenses in the near and mid-term
future.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


Many
inspectors work with the real estate agent, but the relationship between the
inspector and real estate agent is often seen as controversial.&nbsp; While most inspectors and agents maintain a
professional relationship; some believe that low cost inspectors who may &ldquo;miss&rdquo;
important conditions are often &ldquo;recommended&rdquo; or &ldquo;referenced&rdquo; by the agent
trying to move a house that may have problems.&nbsp;
This process may be less expensive to the party contracting with the
inspector, in the long run it will likely be far more expensive than a
professional inspection with necessary repairs made in a timely fashion.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


There are
conditions that are impossible to detect without the appropriate tools and
experience.&nbsp; The home inspector can
reveal health issues like mold.&nbsp; They can
see termite or other pest damage.&nbsp;
Plumbing and electrical issues rarely present clear symptoms to the
average homeowner until they need costly repairs, the home inspection can help
project the expenses looming.&nbsp; Structural
or foundation issues can impact the market value of the home, some symptoms may
be obvious to the trained eye, but may be missed in the quick walk through of
the prospective buyer.&nbsp; 


&nbsp;


Selling your
house need not be a stressful experience, know what to expect.&nbsp; Understand the benefits and drawbacks of your
home and capitalize the benefits.&nbsp;
Showcase the house to the best of its assets and understand how pending
issues can impact the price of your house on the market.&nbsp; 



 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2011 22:09:33 -0500</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/top-5-inexpensive-home-improvements-to-increase-the-value-of-your-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/top-5-inexpensive-home-improvements-to-increase-the-value-of-your-home.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>Top 5 Inexpensive Home Improvements to Increase the Value of Your Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
For years it
has been well regarded that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes but this is a new
market and the rules are shifting. There is probably not a time in the
conceivable future that a kitchen or bathroom remodel is not going to return
most of what is invested in it, nor will there be a similar time when that
isnt the case that an outdated kitchen or bath will put off a potential
buyer.&nbsp; 


1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Get them to the door:&nbsp; without curb
appeal there is little chance that the buyer will ever get out of their
car.&nbsp; Scruffy, wild and unkempt
landscapes are a trigger that the house may also be in disrepair.&nbsp; Buyers want houses that are loved, cared for
and maintained.&nbsp; This starts with the
daisies at the door, the length of the grass and the tasteful appearance of the
house as people drive by.&nbsp; If your house
screams neglect the only people who will stop are those looking for a deal.&nbsp; 


2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clutter and Dirt are expensive:&nbsp; the first
rule of real estate is that you are selling square footage.&nbsp; The less clutter, the more people can see and
appreciate the available square footage.&nbsp;
Kitchen magnets, family photos and your precious collection of elephants
or saltshakers are all important to you, but they can be distracting to the
buyer.&nbsp; Take excess clutter out of the
house completely.&nbsp; Dusty, dirty and
cluttered make the buyer think broken, expensive to fix and unattractive.&nbsp; 


3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Neutral sells:&nbsp; it
doesnt matter if it took you 8 years to find the perfect shade of purple to
match the jerseys of your alma mater.&nbsp; It
doesnt matter that the ornate bathroom sink and faucet are a replica of
Cleopatras.&nbsp; It matters that these are your
choices, not the choices of the market and most importantly not the choice of
that potential buyer who just walked into to find a golden asp climbing around
the sink.&nbsp; Repaint the walls to a warm
neutral.&nbsp; White can be as off putting to
potential buyers as that royal shade of purple.&nbsp;
Warm tans and beiges, soft grays or warmer off-whites are best
bets.&nbsp; There are trendy colors that are
released every year, if you are in a market where that matters, consider the
most neutral new color but timeless classics are a safer bet.&nbsp; 


4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All the house is a stage:&nbsp; buyers need
to picture themselves in the house.&nbsp;
Empty houses dont sell as well as staged houses.&nbsp; If you use proper staging techniques or the
use of a professional stager the house will focus on the important features,
like French doors or panoramic views.&nbsp; It
will also allow the buyer to scope the room in contrast to their
furniture.&nbsp; One of the nice advantages of
staging is that the home is clean, organized and has great flow.&nbsp; Furniture used to stage must be clean and in
good repair.&nbsp; If it is as dated as the
house it will fail to provide the backdrop necessary to allow the buyer to want
the life this house offers as well as the square footage.&nbsp; 


5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Switches and bulbs:&nbsp;
bright spaces with modern lighting fixtures add to spacious and clean
feeling of the house.&nbsp; There is a
transparency that comes with great lighting, and nothing dates the house like
that seventies light fixture.&nbsp; It makes
the buyer wonder what else needs updating.&nbsp;



If you want
to maximize the value of your house, remodeling the bathroom, adding a master
suite and redoing the kitchen maybe great ideas; but are more likely out of the
budget.&nbsp; Try the clean, neutral, staged,
bright house with great curb appeal and see what it does to the offered price.&nbsp; 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:30:11 -0500</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/when-is-buying-a-condo-in-the-canadian-real-estate-market-a-good-investment.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.realestatevalley.ca/blog/when-is-buying-a-condo-in-the-canadian-real-estate-market-a-good-investment.html</link>
            <author>realestatevalleyleads@gmail.com (REALESTATE VALLEY (Admin))</author>
            <title>When is Buying a Condo in the Canadian Real Estate Market a Good Investment?  </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Condos are
sold on the specific attraction of the three major demographics in that
market:&nbsp; 




Young
     professionals looking for short commutes


Empty
     nesters looking to downsize


Investors
     looking for rental property as an investment 




Many real
estate experts caution that in none of these cases is the condo a good
investment, and many would go further to say that there is no time that a condo
would fare better than a single home investment.&nbsp; 


The problems
in condo investment come from the very &ldquo;no maintenance&rdquo; sales pitch that may
have lured a buyer in the first place.&nbsp;
The ambitious worker, who has little time for lawn care may see the
location, often close to the working districts and city centers with shops and
restaurants as being a strong driver for their decision.&nbsp; Empty nesters may see the landscape freedom
as very appealing.&nbsp; The investor may be
looking largely at location, and the ability to invest without being
geographically close.&nbsp; But in all of this
the costs can be both outside the mortgage and disproportional.&nbsp; 


The famous
condominium association fees or homeowners association fee as it is called in
some developments can be high and rise frequently.&nbsp; As operating costs including the landscaping
and lawn care prices rise, so will the condo fees.&nbsp; While the condo owner owns from the wall in,
the maintenance charges for common areas may be passed forward to the
owner.&nbsp; Broken pool fixtures or playground
equipment may lead to assessed charges.&nbsp;
That same association often can change leadership and can move from laid
back and maintenance driven, to rule driven with a frequent assessment
practice.&nbsp; 


Equity
building in condo property seems to fair far worse than single-family
homes.&nbsp; Unless the location has suddenly
become more desirable than previously (new attractions or jobs markets added to
the neighborhood), the value is usually below the market comparables for the
single home.&nbsp; 


There are as
in all real estate exceptions to the rule.&nbsp;
There are locations so desirable that it is hard to lose money on an
investment in that location.&nbsp; There are
condos that are more desirable from celebrity tenants or high-end concierge
level treatment.&nbsp; Condos that are
planning upgrades in amenities can sometimes surpass the comparable index in
equity development.


Retain a
broker that understands the condo market, and can provide you with trend
information on the condo value to market ratios over the last several years.&nbsp; Retain professional services (attorneys,
financial managers or accountants) that can provide you with industry trends in
that market and in the condo segment over time.&nbsp;
Talk to the existing tenants to find out the role of the condo
association historically and currently.&nbsp;
Get the association to provide fee structure for the last 3 years to see
how frequently it was increased.&nbsp;
Research local newspapers for articles about the development, often a
great way to determine problem clients, crime issues and significant deviations
from the standard market. 



There
may be times and places where the exception makes the rule, but real estate
experts seem to be in consensus that a single family home is usually a better
bet than a condo.
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:24:02 -0500</pubDate>
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