The Perspectives project by Ledingham Mcallister is now complete. The building is located at Lougheed and Dawson in North Burnaby. Some of the new owners on the lower floors have begun moving in and the project really turned out well. If you have any questions about Perspectives including pricing, floor plans etc., please don’t hesitate to send me an email through the contact page.

The newest condo project in Burnaby is off to a rapid start. After breaking ground a short time ago, the progress at Affinity has been unbelievable. The North Burnaby area has seen vast development over the last few years and it shows no sign of slowing down. There are still some units available at Affinity if you are interested. The Sales Center is located at Holdom Ave. and Lougheed Highway in Burnaby. Visit my contact page to book your appointment today.

The statistics for February 2011 were released by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver today.   Stats show an increase in demand mainly for detached homes in West Vancouver and the Richmond area.    The number of people making a move into Vancouver from different parts of the world continues to drive our market.

To view the complete stats package click on the following link.

REBGV Stats Package, February 2011

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Please visit my contact page.

Photo Courtesy Of Evelyn Proimos

I’m no David Letterman, but I do love the top 10 list. (I think we all do). We also love Selling our home for the most money possible. What’s the best way to do that? There are many ways, so here are my top 10. Most people choose a few of the following, and I am suggesting a MINIMUM of the following:

1. PRICE

No matter what you do to present and market your home, if the price is wrong, you’re out. It’s very simple; if you want to sell your house, you have to be realistic about what the home is worth today.

2. DE-CLUTTER

I wanted de-clutter to be #2 as I feel it is the most important step when prepping your home for sale. When Buyer’s are previewing your home, you want them to be thinking about how much space there is and picturing where they will put their things. If they see overflowing closets and rooms full of kids toys, they will imagine that they will live in the same unorganized cluttered lifestyle. This can be difficult for families that have a lot of stuff and I know it can be difficult to keep your home clean at all times in case of any showings, but it is crucial. If you don’t have enough space for all of your belongings, consider renting additional storage space, simply for the short time that you plan to sell your home.

3. HIRE A GREAT REALTOR

Selling your home is a process. This list of 10 tips was easy to put together and it could have easily been 20. A great Realtor will help you execute this list and more and get your home the exposure it deserves. A great Realtor will represent you throughout the transaction and ensure everything is done professionally. I have many more tips for selling your home and I’m happy to discuss any questions you may have.

4. CLEAN UP OR GET CLEANERS

I can’t tell you the number of times I have seen homes for sale with my Buyers where we walk in and the Buyer is immediately turned off by a smell (usually dogs or the smell of cigarette smoke, but also musty and mildewy type smells). It is so important to clean your house before selling! Sure you vacuumed on Sunday and you’ve done the dishes, but when was the last time you wiped your windowsills? and dusted behind that old desk? When I say to clean your house, I mean the whole thing. If you’re not prepared to do it, hire professionals that will. Tell your Realtor to take the cleaners fee out of their commission. Do it!

5. CURB APPEAL

We’ve all heard this one before. First impression. We make impressions of everything we see in a split second. If you’re not impressed while entering the property, chances are you you won’t be impressed for the next 30 seconds inside the house and you can’t wait to leave. A Buyer’s mind is made up just that fast. Simple cost effective changes can spruce up your property and make it stand out from the rest. Mow the lawn, paint the window sills, plant some flowers, trim the hedge…. you get the idea. If you live in a condo, it is important to be involved with the strata council to ensure that they are doing regular maintenance and upkeep around the outside of the building and in common areas. I can go on about Curb appeal all day but let’s try to keep this list short and you can message me for details.

6. PHOTOS! PHOTOS! PHOTOS!

Better yet, video. Have you looked at homes for sale on the internet? Of course you have. Have you seen properties listed for sale without photos? Of course you have. Did it frustrate you? Yes. Get some photos online. 10 photos. Not just two or three. A great Realtor will have 10 photos of your home on MLS and even more on their website. Most all Buyers in 2011 will be using the internet to search for their homes. You want to talk about a first impression, impress them on the web first and they will book an appointment.

7. GET A HOME INSPECTION

Any competent Buyer would be wise to have a home inspection before making a final decision on purchasing your home. Why not have it done yourself before listing the property to find any things you can improve beforehand rather than have the Buyer point it out after? There are many qualified professional inspectors in Vancouver and throughout the lower mainland. At the very least, inspect your home yourself. What needs to be updated? What lights aren’t working etc? Any improvements you make prior to selling the home are going to add value.

8. VISIT THE COMPETITION

Vancouver still loves the open house. We’ve all seen the arrows. If you’re thinking of selling in the next little while, you might want to think about popping in at a few opens houses. It will give you an idea of how much your home is worth. Try to visit homes in your neighborhood that are physically similar and should be comparable in price. If you’d like a detailed list of the homes for sale in your neighborhood right now, email me and I’ll send them to you right away.

9. HOME STAGING

I guess home staging shouldn’t be so far down the list, but it goes hand in hand with cleaning, curb appeal and de clutter. Once your home is cleaned and de-cluttered, arrange your furniture to give a welcoming feeling to people as they enter the room. It doesn’t hurt to get some fresh flowers or plants or any small things that can jazz up a room. Make sure all your rooms are well lit and not dim. I’m sure that you’ve watched enough Real Estate shows on TV to get the idea, or at least I have!

10. TURN PROBLEMS INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Was your roof leaking last year? Big problem. Did you get it fixed? Big opportunity. Market your home as having a NEW roof with warranty and installed by professionals. Do not market your home as the home that had the leaky roof last year. Any improvements you’ve made while living there are improvements that the new Buyer will likely not have to do and most Buyers want to move right in. That being said, there are savvy investors and handymen out there that don’t mind putting a little work in themselves. If you have an area of your house that needs improvements that you’re unable to afford or complete, simply market it toward someone who might.

If you made it this far, you’re my new hero. Let me know if you have any questions. Most of my posts are to do with Buyers, so let’s hear it for the Sellers! Woot. 2011. Let’s Go!!