There are so many smart home gadgets on the market these days. You can plug in these devices around your home to play your music and turn your lamps on and off, all by voice command. But a Smart Home is more than a house full of gadgets. For a home to qualify as a “Smart Home,” all the devices must be seamless, integrated, and work together as well as be controlled by voice and remotely with your phone. What… Read More
This year we welcomed the arrival of spring on March 20. As spring arrives many of us can’t wait to crawl out of our winter hibernation and stretch our legs in the Great Outdoors. Spring is probably the best season in this part of the country because that’s when everything becomes lush and green again. As the ground warms and begins sending up shoots for the early season blossoms, we watch for that first sunny spring day to get outside…. Read More
Vancouver has become a destination on the map for foodies. The economic impact of COVID-19 restrictions on eateries has caused too many of our old timer haunts and hot new spots to close their doors. Even if you’re not a qualified foodie you still need to eat. There are ways you can support local restaurants through March. Savor The Couve Discover Local Flavors Support the local community while enjoying a delicious 5 course meal. $25 from each order per week… Read More
Gray is not a mood. Gray is the support and observation behind a mood. If your canvas was gray, a grounded and constant gray, the colors you add are what create the mood. Imagine you are sitting in a room with gray walls. Does that sound depressing? The color gray can suggest cheerless overcast skies to some people. However, consider the root of gray in nature. Gray is in the pebbles beneath our feet, the streaks of gray in the… Read More
Nationally, 2020 was off to a good start with high hopes and expectations for the housing market. But this bright outlook went abruptly off into the weeds with the global pandemic and resulting economic downturn. The stay at home orders came at the start of the best time of year for sellers to list their homes for sale, which caused many to postpone their listings during stay at home orders and the overall uncertainty of the times. As a result,… Read More
What are today’s luxury buyers looking for? When you think of the luxury real estate market, you might think of stately old mansions covered in ivy set on sprawling estates. Yet the buyers at the top of the market want what most buyers these days want. As people are spending more time at home there is a new desire to make our home our castle. This doesn’t necessarily mean a home fit for a king, but a home with contemporary… Read More
Now that we’re nearing the end of 2020 many people feel the need for a vacation after spending so much extra time in their homes this year. This has created a rising demand for vacation properties, some people have even begun exploring options for more than just a getaway retreat, but the purchase of their own year-round vacation home. Also, with a greater number of people working remotely now, vacations have more flexibility to turn into working vacations which increases… Read More
There’s a lot more to being a luxury Realtor than just driving showing expensive homes. The luxury market is characterized by quality, refinement, and exclusivity. Meeting the needs of luxury clients requires in depth knowledge of the high-end market, diligence with details, and a personal touch. Finer Details Like any typical real estate agent, a luxury agent must know every detail about the property, location, amenities, comparable properties listed and sold, community assets, as well as know what their client… Read More
A listing can tell you a lot about a house. You’ll see the basic facts and features, as well as descriptions of the property that highlight the best selling points of the home. Many listings include galleries of lovely photo displays of the home, but keep in mind you shouldn’t fall in love with a listing. Unless you’re house hunting remotely for the purpose of relocation, a listing can’t replace the importance of seeing a home in person. Requesting a… Read More
Appraised value and market value are not the same thing. Market value is used to determine the listing price of a home for sale, while appraised value is based on an inspection of the home to assess true worth. The appraisal of a home is typically done toward the end of the sale process when the buyer’s lender requires it to complete the loan process. Appraised value is based on many of the same factors as market value and is… Read More
