Is It Time to Size Up?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “bigger isn’t always better.” While that may be true for a lot of things, that isn’t always the case in real estate.

While there are lots of options for smart storage solutions and creating usable space, sometimes a house can be too small for your needs — whether you’ve recently had a new baby, invited an older parent to live with you, or started a work-from-home job that requires dedicated office space.

Making the move to a bigger home can be intimidating, but I’m here to help you understand the benefits of upgrading your space.

Why Bigger is Better

Let’s talk all about the benefits of owning a larger home, as well as the possible objections you may have to purchase one (and why they’re actually possible selling points).

Selling Point: Bigger Homes Include Bonus Spaces

Most starter homes include just the standard rooms almost every home has: bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room.

When you upsize your home, not only do the room sizes grow, but you often get additional spaces and features you didn’t have in your smaller home.

Some of those features include:

● Finished basements
● Office spaces
● Playrooms
● Walk-in closets
● Master bathrooms
● Screened-in porches
● Mudrooms
● Extra garage space

If you’re currently doubling a living room as a playroom, you should be ecstatic at the idea of having two separate defined spaces.

Selling Point: More space Means Kids Don’t Have to Share Rooms

Expanding families need more rooms — it’s a simple fact.

If a family of 5 is living in a 3-bedroom home, that means two of the siblings have to share a room. And while this might work fine for some families, it often means more sibling disputes and a lack of space for each of those children to keep clothes and personal items.

Depending on the size of their upgrade, some families may even get enough bedrooms to have a guest space.

Selling Point: Bigger Homes Have More Storage

One of the most irritating things about owning a small home is the lack of storage space. “Stuff” can accumulate pretty quickly over time, especially in homes with children.

Small homes often lack adequate cabinet and closet storage, which means you constantly have to clean out your home, or even rent a storage space to keep everything you don’t want to part with.

Objection: I Can’t Afford A Bigger Home

Sometimes, a bigger home just isn’t on the financial cards, no matter how badly you want one. But some people are surprised to find out they actually can afford a bigger home if they take certain factors into consideration.

1. Depending on how much you get for your current home, you may be able to afford the bigger home you thought was out of reach.

If you bought your starter home 10 years ago, chances are, you don’t know exactly how much it’s worth today. Talk to a licensed real estate agent, like me, for a Comparative Market Analysis of your home, and you may just discover that an out-of-reach home is actually fairly affordable.

A good real estate agent can also sell your home at a higher price point. High-quality marketing, staging, and minor upgrades can all have a huge impact on the selling price of a home.

2. Break down the price of the new home into mortgage payments

Presuming current rates of 4.5% on a 30-year mortgage, a monthly payment per $10,000 is about $50. So a $20,000 difference in the purchase price is going to drive a difference of about $100 a month in mortgage payments. Sometimes, when buyers see a big sticker price, they automatically think they can’t afford it. But if someone selling a $250,000 house wants to purchase a $300,000 home, their mortgage payment will only increase by about $250 per month. An increase of $250 a month is a lot less daunting than $50,000 upfront.

3. Larger homes come in a variety of price points.

You may not be able to afford a move-in ready mansion with a theater room and heated pool, but you may be able to afford a larger 4-bedroom house that needs just a little TLC.

Consider a larger home’s potential as you search. You can make upgrades over time and build equity in the home.

Objection: More Space Means More Work

Many people assume that owning a larger home means more time spent cleaning and maintaining it. But this isn’t necessarily true. Smaller homes have less room to store all of the items that people accumulate over the years. So where does that stuff inevitably end up?

It ends up in junk drawers, in piles on countertops, in random storage containers, or in closets that can no longer be opened without everything falling out.

Bigger homes might come with more space overall, but they also come with more space for smart storage, keeping the clutter hidden and out of the way.

How Can I Help?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “bigger isn’t always better.” While that may be true for a lot of things, that isn’t always the case in real estate.

While there are lots of options for smart storage solutions and creating usable space, sometimes a house can be too small for your needs — whether you’ve recently had a new baby, invited an older parent to live with you, or started a work-from-home job that requires dedicated office space.

Making the move to a bigger home can be intimidating, but I’m here to help you understand the benefits of upgrading your space.

Email: natalia@firststaybc.com
Contact: +1 778 317-6393
Natalia Garbuzova – Lease-Up Rental Agent

Cooking Up a New Kitchen

You’ve heard it said before and we’ll say it again — kitchens sell houses. Especially with the rise of eat-in kitchens and breakfast nooks tucked in out-of-the-way corners, families are likely to spend a considerable amount of time together in the kitchen. Kitchens are often located in a central position in the home, which means they’re likely to be high-traffic areas, even if you eat out two of every three meals a day. As such, kitchens are a prime target for any home remodeling project.

They’re also one of the places where you can get yourself into trouble, spending far more money than you are ever going to see returned. A mid-range kitchen remodel has a much better return on investment than a high-end remodel. If your budget is high and you must have those marble floors and countertop, go right ahead and install them. But today, I’m going to focus on moderate upgrades that can greatly enhance your home’s appearance and value.

Appliances

Unless you have an ultra-modern kitchen with point-of-use refrigerators, drawer microwaves, and everything else hidden behind cabinet doors, a buyer’s eyes are naturally going to be drawn to appliances. If they are clearly old, either a white that’s gone dingy or the dreaded avocado green, they’ll be sure to turn off buyers. A relatively inexpensive solution is to replace your older appliances with new ones sporting a stainless-steel finish. They offer the same look, feel, and protection of full stainless at a lower cost.

If you’re not planning to sell your home anytime in the near future, don’t feel like you need to replace everything all at once. Upgrade one at a time — just make sure your appliances match when it comes time to sell.

Cabinets

Cabinets are easily the second-most — or sometimes the most — expensive part of a kitchen remodel. If you have the money, replacing cabinets with a contemporary style that focuses on simplicity will serve you well. When you do this, get cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling, which adds valuable storage space and eliminates collection points for dust and junk that tends to accumulate on top of lower cabinets. If you already have wood cabinets and doors, a simple paint job will accomplish much the same effect. White is a popular color for kitchens, though grays are also in vogue. Make sure you get good-quality paint for the cabinets since they will take the brunt of the beating a kitchen often endures.

Going cheap here can lead to scratches and chips within weeks or months, ruining the effect for a buyer. If you don’t have the money to replace cabinets, update the look of existing cabinets by replacing the hinges, handles and pulls. Feel free to go with a uniform brushed nickel look, or add a splash of color with accented pulls to break up the white.

Sink

The sink is easily the most-used area of any kitchen. From dumping unfinished beverages to cleaning dishes, washing hands, or getting a drink of water, any homeowner visits their sink several times a day. As such, it should be one of the most eye-appealing parts of your kitchen. The simplest thing you can do to modernize a sink is to replace the faucet. Go with something contemporary with multiple spray settings, an extendable nozzle, and a built-in filter.

If you’re also doing the countertops anyway, consider spending a bit of money to entirely replace your old sink with a modern under-mount sink. These result in a cleaner-looking counter and even make cleaning the counters easier since food can be swept straight from the counter into a sink with the garbage disposal.

Lighting

Light is very important for food preparation, yet all too often, countertops and lower cabinets can be left in the dark as poorly-positioned light sources are blocked by you, other cabinets or appliances, or simply by poor placement.

A quick fix is to get adhesive lights or rope lights to put under the cabinets. You can turn them on and off as needed, and if they are placed intelligently, they will add to the value of your kitchen with a very small investment. These are a great solution for any dark pantries or cabinets in your kitchen and throughout the home, as well. Naturally, if you’re already doing things like replacing cabinets or backsplash, it makes more sense to install the necessary wiring for putting lights under the cabinets.

Countertops

Laminate counters were once the norm in kitchens all over the country. These days, options like butcher-block tops, quartz, and even concrete have grown in popularity.

Granite was once the go-to option for a countertop upgrade and is still very popular, but it has lost much of its luster in recent years. Part of the reason is that it has become considerably more mainstream, losing its rarity value. Granite counters also need to be resealed annually to prevent stains and are unforgiving to anything that is dropped on them. Because of this, crushed quartz tops have become an immensely popular alternative to granite. Quartz is available in more colors, is lower maintenance, and costs less than granite, making it an excellent option. Butcher block is also a great option that won’t break a moderately healthy budget. It also provides a distinctive look that sharply distinguishes itself from the look of natural stone if you choose to use it sparingly on an island or peninsula.

Barring any of those options, going with a fresh laminate is a budget-friendly option, and there are many styles now that imitate the look of granite and quartz. Using the same material for the backsplash can also help give a modern look to your kitchen at a fraction of the cost.

How Can I Help You?

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel but don’t know where to begin, I know lots of reputable contractors who can help you achieve the kitchen of your dreams. Likewise, I’d be more than happy to help you select materials or give you advice about what buyers in your area are looking for in a kitchen.

If you’re looking for a dedicated agent to handle the sale of your home or help you purchase your next one, look no further. My former clients can attest to how hard I’ll work on your behalf. Contact me today to find out how much your home is worth, and I’ll send you a free copy of my book that shows home sellers how to get top dollar for their homes in the shortest amount of time!

Email: natalia@firststaybc.com
Contact: +1 778 317-6393
Natalia Garbuzova – Lease-Up Rental Agent

Here are some tips for selling your house quickly

 

Tips for finding the perfect temporary furnished rental during a home renovation

So the major home renovation is happening and your house will be unavailable temporarily. You are looking for housing options for some time, but you don’t want the extra burden of the hotel, as you might have to live there for more than a month. Additionally, monthly apartment rentals can be challenging as most of them are not furnished. Fortunately, other options can be explored as well that will not break your bank. You only need to walk in with your bag and can make it like your home. Here are some tips for locating temporary apartments for rent in Vancouver while your house is getting renovated.

• Find a contact locally

Most of the extended-stay leases can be found with the help of websites, which is the best resource. Simply ask if there’s any person who you contact or a local manager that can help with the questions about the place you are going to live that you might have. The local contacts will help to look for the grocery stores near you or the perfect cup of tea.

• Check with the trusted websites

Nowadays, most people are renting their vacation houses and vacant apartments through websites. The listings usually have a weekly, monthly, or nightly rate attached. Use the filters and search by number, location, amenities, bedrooms, etc. You can go through the photos and also read the reviews that might be submitted by others. The benefit is that you can easily get a decent place to live in and that too furnished, and most of them are even equipped by the kitchens so avoid the lifestyle of the hotel.

• Keep distance in consideration

Your search for fully furnished rental properties in Vancouver BC can be widened and include the areas nearby. The best advice is to rent around the corner from your existing place, the closer the better. Stay nearby and improve your house.

• Ask your friends

Either you trust or not, various times only the words from other people are best to look for temporary housing. Discuss with your family, friends, and co-workers and let them know about your hunt for a temporary house while your home is under renovation, or ask for the leads. You might be surprised to know that how many of them have a vacation rental or guest house or might know a person who will have one. You can get a great deal on the apartment. The best advantage is you might get it cheap or free, and if it’s from someone close to you, it will be better. You would get the limited options might be one or two, and if you don’t know any referral, there are chances of risk. So, make sure to consider everything while looking for apartments for rent in Vancouver.

• Consider corporate housing agency

You can consult a corporate housing company if considering temporary rentals. They focus on offering fully-furnished housing options for people who are looking for it. Specify the amenities and amount of space you want, and the agency will help you to get an apartment that comes within your budget, at a fraction of what it costs to stay in a hotel.

If you are in need and looking for furnished rental properties in Vancouver BC, keep these tips in mind and go ahead in finding the best one. There are fully furnished available of all sizes and one of them will be perfect for your extended stay needs.

Check Out Our Checklist For First-Time Home Buyers

 

Know First Time Home Buyer Checklist. Visit: www.FirstStayBC.com

Sold and Rented – Condo on 9th Floor in One Pacific!

 

Congrats 🎉 to buyers investors! Condo on 9th floor in One Pacific.

68 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W1, Canada, Furnished 1 Bed, 1 Bath, 616 ft².

For similar listings please contact First Stay Realty Inc. Real Estate Advisor Natalia Garbuzova at 778.317.6393. Visit https://firststaybc.com/ for more rental units.

Bright Office Space For Sale at Admiralty Centre in Richmond BC - First Stay Realty Inc.

A unique investment opportunity for owner/users and investor(s) to own private office space in a desirable location. This 3rd floor, rear corner facing 315 SQ FT office strata with corner wrap-around floor to ceilings windows consist of two 204 SQ.FT office room with nicely shaped entry and end room also corner wrap around. Amazing professional space has full HVAC, this is the office you are looking for! Located in Admiralty Centre, established in 1996. The mall is open all year round. Offices & shops carry items and provide services that appeal to all age groups.

This offer will not last long, for more information or to arrange a viewing please call/text Natalia Garbuzova at 778.317.6393 View here: https://firststaybc.com/properties/office/private-bright-office-space-in-desirable-location-in-admiralty-centre/

If interested please contact: Natalia Garbuzova (C): 778.317.6393

Licensed Property Manager / Strata Manager / Real Estate Advisor

First Stay Realty Inc.

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