Check List -

Spring Maintenance Items

for Your Home

(Courtesy Amerispec)

Now the SPRING has finally arrived - here are some great maintenance tips for your home.  Remember, a well maintained home sells faster, and for more $$ !

Foundation - Masonry - Exterior

• foundation walls, floors, concrete and masonry for cracking, heaving or deterioration
• chimneys for loose, deteriorated or missing mortar
• grading
• basement and crawl space for moisture or leakage after wet weather
• all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure or deterioration
• all decks, patios, porch stairs and railings for loose members and deterioration
• eaves troughs
• foundation and attic vent screens for damage

 Roofs 

• any missing, loose or damaged shingles
• open seams, blisters or bald areas on flat roofs
• any evidence of water penetration in attic and ceilings after wet weather
• flashings around all vents, skylights, and other openings
• pre-fabricated chimneys for rust
• fascia and soffits for deterioration and damage

 Doors and Windows

•  all window and door hardware

Plumbing

•  water heater for leaks and corrosion
• lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves and exposed lines
• well water tested and checked for safety

 Interior

•  all tile joints for adequate grout and seal all grout lines
• caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilet base

Remix by Adera located on West 14^th Street just North of Marine Drive is a collection of 60 urban apartment homes.  There are about 22 homes remaining at this development, and we had the chance today to see the nearly-finished product, as we completed a pre-closing walk through with a client who purchased a one + den with an amazing rooftop deck.  We experienced great customer service with Curt, who showed us around very early this morning – we owe him a coffee!

The homes at Remix are truly a contemporary, urban, West Coast design, with hardi board exterior, cedar trim, and black railings.  The lobby is welcoming and generous, and there is a great on site fitness centre.  Floor plans are open & bright, and offer 9 foot ceilings – adding extra visual space.   The sights & sounds of Mosquito Creek are nearby, which is a great bonus in such a busy environment.

On the first level of this development, there is a unique blend of retail shops and public outdoor space.  A high walkability score means easy access to local shops, amenities, and everyday needs easily by foot or bike.

Homes range from one bed to two plus den, with several homes designed as live/work spaces with an at-home office. The North Shore offers an amazing natural setting and these modern homes will bring the outdoors in with good size balconies, private rooftop decks, and a West Coast landscaped second level roof.   Contact us for more details & pricing!

It's a tool used by house flippers all across the nation. Stagers know its power. Real estate agents push its importance. What is this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate? A kitchen can sell a house.  

A kitchen is the heart of a home. This is true all across the globe. The old saying that the "stomach is the way to the heart" carries a lot of truth. Kitchens are where we spend much of our time and most of that is with our families. It's the room where we nourish our bodies and our spirits.  

Kitchens are integral to entertaining and in today's age of open floor plans, they're a focal piece of many family rooms. It's because of this that kitchens play such an important role in the buying and selling process.  

This one room is the showpiece of the house. You'll see it every day and your guests will see it during most visits. This means buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens.  

Kitchens, however, can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. These projects can also be the most labor and time intensive of all home renovations. It's not just a new layer of paint.  

Instead you find a complicated array of flooring, tiling, cabinets, and counters. This means buyers may want a home with an up-to-date kitchen but they aren't willing to tackle this problem themselves. Most buyers want a kitchen that is ready to use the day they move in.  

What do buyers look for in up-to-date kitchens? A lot of this depends on what price range your home is in.  

The main thing to remember as a seller is to not price yourself out of your market. If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade to granite, travertine, and marble at the price tag of $40,000+. You simply won't find a buyer.  

Scope out the competition. Use open houses in your area or MLS listings to find out what your competitions' kitchens look like.  

Do area homes have new solid wood cabinets and granite counters in today's designer colors? You'll be wise to consider making the same move. Are they including new stainless steel appliances and add-ons like dishwashers, wine-coolers, and warming trays?  

Are you in a higher-end neighborhood? It's time to think high-end. Your older home may have a highly functional kitchen, but a buyer will take one look at your formica counters and white appliances and become lost in the stress of how much money and time it would take to remodel. If you don't want to put in the time yourself to make upgrades then you'll have to make concessions in the price.  

Don't become overwhelmed, though. Sometimes a kitchen update can mean doing just a few minor changes. Change the paint color to a warm, neutral tone. Get rid of any clutter. Update your appliances, paint your cabinets, change the pulls, or get a high-end looking counter for a fraction of the cost (man- made stone, or lower end granite). You might even save a bundle by doing much of the work yourself.  

The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home. Do a little research and find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with area listings.

Spring has definitely Sprung !

The North Vancouver market is ACTIVE !  Of 111 detached sales in the month of March, 22 of those were in Lynn Valley & Westlynn.  There is limited supply in this community as folks move in & they stay !  However, if you are considering the sale of your home this year, then NOW is a great time to take advantage of conditions favoring SELLERS.

Of the 22 sales in Lynn Valley this past month, 13 of those sold at asking, or OVER asking.  There are some substantial selling prices out there!

Even apartment sales are picking up - which is great news!  The first Quarter of 2013 saw 16 apartment sales in Lynn Valley, with a median price of $360,000.  The first quarter of this year saw 20 sales, with a median price of $378,000.

Spring is always the busiest market time !  Don't wait until summer to list! Love graphs ?  You can see that evidenced HERE.

2014 marks our 25th year in real estate.  We are happy to share with you our knowledge about timing, strategy, preparation for sale, and anything else you'd like to know about that would affect your decision to make a move.