Simon Lu & Sayaka Takahara : Blog : Latest Blog Posts

Kaxo Candle Company

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:34:19 GMT

Kaxo Candle Company was started by Kenneth and his wife, who had been enjoying using both scented candles and essential oils for a long time. They were inspired to incorporate essential oils into candle-making, from their experience and understanding of current challenges in using both candles and essential oils together, or at the same time. This is because, first, candles and electric diffusers (using essential oils) need to be kept a safe distance from each other, as open flames should be away from any cords. Second, with diffusers that require a tea light candle to be lit underneath to heat the reservoir water, the candle should not be scented as the mixing of certain scents between the candle and essential oils can cause people to feel unwell. These things made Kenneth and his wife wonder if candles and essential oils could be combined together.

As they were buying candles from different retailers, they noticed both good and bad that came with the very strong scents of these candles. The good was that the scents were strong enough to effectively fill up a room, but unfortunately, the bad thing was that many of these scents were much too strong - causing them allergic reactions from sneezing to runny noses. It didn’t matter what brand they used, or which specific scents they tried. So, they began investigating to understand why they were both reacting like this every time they lit a candle. Finally, they learned that most candles are made from fragrance oils. Fragrance oils are a synthetic material, are actually very harmful when inhaled for too long, and not recommended to be used around children. Yet fragrance oils are used commercially because of their ability to produce strong scents (making scented candles ‘effective’). As Kenneth and his wife talked with people around them, they found that others experienced the same issues of sensitivity and unpleasant reactions to the scented candles they were using. The solution seemed to be to use a non-scented candle, as it wouldn’t contain fragrance oils, but that thought felt quite boring to them. So they thought, “why not find a way to make candles that do not cause these problems and also produce an enjoyable, but mild, scent?”.

The starting point for Kenneth and his wife was their research into materials they could use for their candles, which needed to be natural and not harmful to our bodies. They first experimented with various 100% natural essential oils. Then, they explored options for waxes to use for the candles, eventually landing on soy wax, which is healthier than other common waxes like paraffin wax (a synthetic wax used in most candles that are in the market). Soy wax and 100% natural essential oil do not compromise the air quality in your home, compared to fragrance oils and paraffin wax. They were inspired to start this business and help people who suffer from the toxic candles on the market and to provide them with a healthier choice.

Kaxo provides two size options for their soy candles: 4 oz and 10 oz size. They offer both single scent soy candles, and candles with blends of different scents too. Their 4 oz candle is available in various scents and has a burn time of 20+ hours. Their notable candle though, is the 10 oz size, with a thoughtful design and luxurious look, as well as a burn time of 50+ hours. All their 10 oz candles come with a wooden lid (which keeps the scent from escaping when the candle is not in use) and a candle dust cover (which prevents the candle top surface from getting dirty), and is enclosed in a cardboard cylinder package.

Fun fact: The dust cover is made of a biodegradable material and contains wildflower seeds, so when you have finished using your candle, you can actually plant your dust cover in soil! Once you have planted your dust cover and given it enough water and time to grow, you will have beautiful wild flowers to enjoy.

In addition to candles, Kaxo also offers gift sets for any occasion and e-Gift Cards as well. One special service they offer that others in the market do not, is the openness to work with their clients to create personalized scents and customize candles they are looking for, if Kaxo currently does not offer it. They love feedback and take great care in listening to their customers, as they are always looking for ways to grow and improve!

Finally, they produce their candles only once an order is placed, which keeps the candle and scent fresh. They also source their ingredients and materials, from their candle equipment to ingredient providers, all locally from Canada or the USA. Each candle is made with love, inspected properly, and only delivered to customers once they are satisfied with it.

For you: Customers can subscribe to the Kaxo Candle Company’s mailing list on their website and get 10% off their first purchase and receive future promotions and discounts too. They also offer free shipping for orders over $129+!

Have a peek at the FAQ on their website to discover more answers to their frequently asked candle questions, or simply head to their home page for more information and the types of scents they currently offer! They also have an instagram setup at Kaxo Candle Company (@kaxocandlecompany) • Instagram photos and videos

From Kaxo Candle Company:

“How to burn a candle?”
Trim wick to 1/4 inch before lighting
Keep candles free of any foreign materials, including matches and wick trimmings
Only burn the candle on a level, fire resistant surface
Do not burn the candle for more than 4 hours at a time

Risks in Buying Presales People Don't Talk About...

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:17:35 GMT

Pre-construction homes or presales can be a great way to enter the real estate market if you are not 100% ready to move-in. You put down a deposit and wait on a timeline that fits your needs. Previously we discussed about purchasing a presale home and the great opportunities in the presale market, so if you haven’t yet read that blog, we would recommend reading that first. This time, we are taking a 180 degree turn and looking at the possible risks of buying a presale.

Risks:
1) Finishes – When you buy a presale, you are essentially buying the rights to owning the finished product. You are buying the home “unseen” because it has not been built. This carries significant risks as the developer is only held accountable to the building code which means there is a great range of unknowns that you need to be prepared for. Reading the disclosure statement thoroughly and gathering information from the building regarding any details that are not described clearly in writing can be a source of protection to mitigate the risks, but this is something to be aware of!

2) Price – you are legally binded to all the details in the contract, including the price. Real estate prices are always on the move affected by numerous local and macro-economic factors. This means that you are stuck with a fixed price in a moving market. If the market is above the fixed price when it is time to complete on the purchase, then you hit the jackpot. What happens if the prices have come down, but your fixed price is above the market? You may not qualify for the amount for the mortgage, meaning your only recourse is to back out of the deal and surrender your deposit or “top up”. This means that you must come up with the difference in the value of the home from the time of purchase to the completion date. Uncertainty is a risk, and the market is full of uncertainties!

3) Mortgage rates – Just as the price moves up and down, so too does the interest rates. Bond yields and lending rates are subject to change without much notice and often caused by factors outside of anyone’s control. If the rates were hovering around 2% at the time the agreement was signed, it could end up at 3%, 4% or higher by the time you must complete the purchase. This change may mean that you no longer qualify for a mortgage on the property. You can hedge this risk by getting a preconstruction pre-approval which comes with a higher rate and long-term hold, but this is subject to the banks approving the property.

4) Lifestyle change – Presales often are long term contracts that take between 2-5 years to materialize. Lots can happen during this time and may cause a change in plans if the home no longer suits your needs. A change in job/career, starting a family, or geographical changes to the area may make this home no longer ideal for your lifestyle. A thorough plan that includes your vision of your life in 1-3-5-10 years is your best hedge against this risk.

5) Delays – I personally don’t know anyone with a crystal ball that works, and I doubt one even exists. Things always happen that are outside of anyone’s control and developers are not immune to this. Presale contracts allow for delays of up to 365 days after the completion date. That’s all great for the builder but what about you? If you are renting, this means associated living costs that are not going towards your own mortgage. Was this extra expense factored in?

6) Tied up funds – Lastly, when you buy a presale, you are often asked for a deposit as part of the agreement. This deposit can be as high as 25% and will be held in trust with the developer’s lawyer until the completion date. You do not have access to these funds under any circumstances. Any interest gained by the developer is paid to the Real Estate Foundation, which is a philanthropic organization that supports land use and real estate practices, as directed by the regulations of the Real Estate Services Act. This means that you are losing money, by virtue of inflation, by having your money tied up in a long-term contract for the rights to purchase the home later.

As you can see, buying presales does carry with it some risks to consider. While most of the time, everything will work out just fine, we at Happy Homes Vancouver believe that knowing what can happen and accepting the consequences before you decide is the greatest hedge against any stress that potential outcomes may bring. Knowing the risks will help you plan against it and that is how we can help. If you are interested in buying or selling real estate, reach out for a discussion and we will be thrilled to help with your planning!

'Tis the season to buy a presale!

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 20:02:32 GMT

As the temperatures are reaching our seasonal lows, winter is truly starting to set in. Christmas will soon be upon us, and following that, we will be ringing in the new year as well as new hopes and dreams. At this time of year, there are typically more distractions with family and work obligations and less talk about personal needs such as housing. This is exactly why we are seeing some amazing offers from developers in the presale market, which is a key purchasing opportunity we want to bring your attention to today!

We are often asked if it is a good time to buy a presale and we usually defer to the type of market we are in at that moment. In a seller’s market, buying a presale as soon as the project is released is the most profitable time, while in a buyer’s market, we would advise our clients to wait for the deals to be offered. In all cases, the developers will always price in a bit of a premium to factor in the eventual appreciation.

But what happens when the market has slowed down like what we are experiencing right now?

The answer is...

Buyer incentives! We are seeing some generous offers right now such as:

Rebates for decorations: The price of the home must stay the same, as the developer has a vested interest in keeping the prices moving forward. However, they can offer a discount after the completion date in the form of a rebate.
Free upgrades: Higher quality appliances, extra parking spots or storage lockers, custom closets are all possible upgrades – that you can acquire for free!
Lavish gifts: Trips to popular destinations, luxury goods, and large denomination gift cards are examples of gifts being handed out by builders lately.
Prepaid strata fees or mortgage payments: As everyone is struggling with the higher interest rates, some developers have committed to covering the costs for a fixed period. We have seen up to 2 years of coverage for strata fees or mortgage payments, being offered.
Lower mortgage rates: Borrowers are allowed to buy down the interest rates with their lenders, and some builders have offered to do this on behalf of the buyer. We have seen a 2% buydown for a period of 3 years offered for some projects. This is beneficial for a few years to help you ride out the higher rates.

This all may sound great, but it all comes down to the main question - it a good time or not to buy a presale? We personally believe it is, for the following reasons:

Timing: Most experts and economists believe that the interest rates are at their peak now, and that we will start to see some easing as early as mid-2024. A presale project typically comes with a 2–4-year timeline which bodes well for timing of your future costs. After putting down your deposit, there are no more fees or payments to be made until the completion date. You will not be required to apply for a mortgage and get locked into these higher rates, and instead, you will take the advantage of time as the economy settles down and stabilizes.
Mortgage rate holds: Although we all believe that by the completion date, we will see lower interest rates, some banks are willing to lock in a rate for you today. There are 2 advantages to doing this. First, you have some certainty. In the event the rates keep going up, you have something saved for you. Secondly, if the rates are lower when you take possession, you are guaranteed the lower rate. There is no downside to doing this.
More choices: You don’t often get to buy a presale without an invitation and/or lining up for a few days but recent bans on foreign purchasers and more stringent taxes on speculation means that less people are qualifying to buy a preconstruction home. You can take some time to look around at a few options and even compare to the resale market. Less pressure means more guarantee of high confidence in your home purchase.
Customizable: If you have looked around for a new home before, then you will know that no home is the perfect home. Buying presale allows you to make some customized choices on color schemes, upgrades on appliances, and added features such as EV parking, storage lockers and extra parking.

Is a new home in the cards for you? Perhaps after learning all there is to know about the advantages of buying a presale property, you may feel ready to step into the new year with a realistic hope for a new home! If you are looking for an opportunity to cash in on this rare chance to buy a new home at a decent cost, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we will happily discuss this option with you!

Local Business Highlight: Archer Dining

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 18:40:23 GMT

Located in the heart of Vancouver on Alberni Street, Archer Dining is a restaurant home to elevated modern Canadian cuisine that encapsulates rich and exciting flavours, all in an atmosphere that owners Iain Bell and Karen Ho have carefully curated to be warm and welcoming to all.

Iain and Karen wanted to open a restaurant that offered people an elevated dining experience in an environment that was warm and welcoming to all, a combination they felt was difficult to find within upscale downtown. Thus, their dream came to be through Archer Dining. Archer’s menu is described as modern Canadian West Coast cuisine, featuring a fantastic selection of food and drinks that “highlight the bounty of the region’s talented farmers, fisherfolk, and producers, all while celebrating the diverse cultures and flavours of Canada”. Iain and Karen’s seasonally adapted menus definitely succeed at showcasing the diverse and freshest flavours of each season, taking you through an immersive experience of seasonality in cuisine. Their fall menu, which launched in mid-September, features selections they are excited to share with you such as the Bone Marrow Gratin, or Venison Tartare on top of a deep fried bread. At Archer, you can enjoy breakfast and lunch (Friday through Sunday 10am-3pm), dinner (Monday through Sunday 5pm-11pm), and even Happy Hour (Monday through Sunday 3pm-5pm).

There are also some popular dishes that remain on the menu mostly year-round, like their Uni And Lardo (local red uni with guanciale and burgundy truffle, on a house-made brioche!), a unique and popular must-try, or their Smoked Oysters which will still be nicely smoking from the bowl when they arrive at your table. An additional highlight of the Smoked Oysters is that while it stays on Archer’s menu year-round, Iain and Karen adjust the seasoning and flavours of the dish seasonally, so you can experience a unique twist on these flavourful oysters every season you stop by!

Iain and Karen value having regulars, and are passionate about connecting with their customers. While there are times restaurant owners have much to oversee and take care of throughout the day, Iain and Karen make an effort to check in with customers themselves. You can find them giving warm greetings to customers, and even jumping in to help serve dishes or washing glasses on particularly busy days! They find it so rewarding to see people enjoy the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere with one another, and are constantly looking for ways to ensure their customers have the best experience every time. They love growing relationships with their customers through trust and familiarity, and fondly liken the social culture of their restaurant to that of Cheers - where everyone knows one another by name and knows they will always be well received. Iain and Karen recognize that everyone deserves wonderful opportunities to sit down and dine, and enjoy moments of connection with loved ones over delicious meals and drinks.

If you have always wanted to experience fine dining coupled with a cozy feel, plan your next downtown adventure to include a stop at Archer Dining on Alberni Street, and know that you will be warmly welcomed!

Fleetwood Village 2 by Dawson + Sawyer: Where Affordability Meets Convenience

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 16:25:30 GMT

Where affordability meets convenience – Fleetwood Village 2 is a master plan community, built by local builder Dawson + Sawyer and centrally located in the heart of the popular family-oriented Fleetwood community in Surrey. The complex sits on a quiet lot on the corner of 85^th Ave and 158^th St and promises to be a short stroll to the station on the upcoming skytrain extension to Langley along the Fraser Highway. Two separate six-story buildings make up the development that offers homes ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, with completion set for 2026.

Fleetwood is home to some of the best schools in the region as well as many renowned golf courses such as Northview Golf and Country Club, home of the Air Canada Championships. Easy access to Highway 1 and 10, as well as a variety of shops and neighborhood eateries. Fleetwood Village 2 is a great choice for a growing family, or empty nesters looking for a quality home to retire in.

Features for the project include:

Building:

- 5,000 sqft of indoor amenities including a gym, climbing wall, game room, and lounge

- 13,000 sqft of outdoor space including a rooftop lounge consisting of a BBQ, putting green, and garden

- All parking stalls are EV ready

- Double gate entry for the valley parking with a secured bike storage

Units:

- Standard 9 ft ceiling height

- Contemporary design options

- Full-size appliance package

- Luxury bathrooms with deep soaker tubs and quality finishes

- Variety of floorplans with optimal use of space

Dawson + Sawyer has been known to be creative with their promotions, so if you are interested in any of their projects, reach out to us and we would be happy to help you!

Local Business Highlight: Connected Minds Custom Roasters

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:30:22 GMT

Coffee roaster Naim and Lyn have been running their business Connected Minds Custom Roasters for 9 years: 7 years as a coffee shop in the Burquitlam neighbourhood, and almost 2 years as solely a roaster based in Surrey. They have graciously shared with us their story and passion for the art of coffee roasting, and we are thrilled to feature them for this Local Business Highlight!

Before Connected Minds came to be, both Lyn and her husband had been working office jobs for quite some time when they both felt they needed a change. Lyn decided to quit her job and began working at a little coffee shop and roaster located in Burnaby, run by a lovely couple who shared their coffee knowledge with her. She discovered a love for coffee and its intricacy, in how a slight change in roasting and/or brewing could create a completely different taste of the same coffee beans.

Inspired, Naim and Lyn decided to set up their own place, which they first started in 2014 as a combined coffee shop and roastery: Connected Minds Cafe & Roastery. Since then, as they faced difficulties operating a small business in the current financial climate, and welcomed exciting life changes such as the birth of their daughter in 2022 (bringing them new blessings and challenges!), Naim and Lyn have closed the cafe portion and turned to focusing on the roasting part of the business, hence why you will now find them by the name of Connected Minds Custom Roasters.

The name of their business is inspired from a TedX talk Lyn had seen, in which she learned that during the Renaissance period due to the mass imports of coffee and teas into Europe, many coffee houses opened up and became places where minds would come to connect. She loved the idea of a space for everyone to come together and share their ideas with one another, so “Connected Minds” was born.

Naim and Lyn have as their main goal to introduce everyone to what coffee could and should taste like. They aspire that their clients too can recognize the difference between freshly roasted coffee (from your local roaster) and any grocery store coffee, as night and day. They share that coffee should be consumed from about 3 days after roasting to about 3 weeks after (depending on storage and brewing methods), as this is the time frame for when coffee is at its peak flavour, after which it is likely to become stale and bitter. The Connected Minds customer experience is precisely designed to ensure customers have this full window of opportunity to enjoy their coffee fresh. Customers will first choose from any of the 7 different origins of coffee offered and select their preferred roast level, and their coffee order will be prepared through small batch custom-roasting using a 1 and 2 lb air flow roaster. Then, customers will choose to either pick up in-store at the Surrey location, or choose a fantastic free delivery option available with a minimum purchase of 1 or 2 lbs (depending on the area). Connected Minds currently provides service to Surrey, Burnaby, New Westminster, parts of Vancouver, the Tri-Cities, Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge. Naim and Lyn have unfortunately had to limit their delivery service to these areas, as they are another small business that has been impacted by the rise in gas prices. However, by maintaining an online platform as well as a physical storefront space, they hope to offer customers the opportunity to choose what works best for them.

As a customer-driven roaster, Naim and Lyn opt to not choose specific roasts and instead make recommendations to customers. They uphold a value that coffee is a very personal experience and that the difference in everyone's taste buds should be celebrated! Their hope is to deliver you your custom coffee orders always fresh and with consistently the best flavour. For any questions or requests for recommendations, they can be reached via social media (Instagram or Facebook) or email.

Whether you are a seasoned coffee connoisseur or just beginning to explore coffee, we at Happy Homes Vancouver invite you to treat yourself to your very own custom roast of coffee with Naim and Lyn at Connected Minds Custom Roasters - Head on over to their website for the full experience and they will be more than happy to connect with you!

Local Business Highlight: Dori Spicy Chili Sauce

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 05:33:00 GMT

The story behind Dori Spicy Chili Sauce begins with how Midori, creator of the chili sauce, had always enjoyed cooking. After she had moved from Japan to Canada, she continued to cook all the different kinds of Japanese foods that she loved from back home. However, she began to notice that stores did not have very many Japanese ingredients, and they were also much more expensive than what can be found today. When living in Japan she had never needed to make her own seasonings and flavourings (called “chōmiryōo”/調味料 in Japanese), but faced with a new situation in Canada, she began making these seasonings herself for the first time. Her chili sauce was one of the first she began making. At first, Midori would make them only for her and her family, but when she gifted some of this homemade chili sauce to her Japanese friends who had just gotten married or had kids, they loved it and she was asked to consider selling it - and so she did!

When making her chili sauce, Midori values creating a consistent flavour that is also of high quality. At the same time, she values maintaining an affordable price for her clients. After the past year’s economic difficulties, the reality of inflation and the rising cost of goods have forced up the cost of the raw ingredients for Midori’s chili sauce, as well as the cost of gasoline for delivery and transportation. As is the nature of running a business, Midori knew that she would need to be making a profit in order to continue doing what she loved. On the other hand, she did not want to increase the cost of her products so quickly simply because the costs of production and transportation had gone up too. From the point of view of a housewife, Midori understands that $15 for a small bottle is not reasonable, so she puts her efforts into keeping her prices affordable and as close as possible to what it was before the pandemic. She believes three things are necessary: to keep costs as affordable as possible, to make work as efficient as possible, and to consistently work towards increasing sales.

Midori hopes that when customers try her Dori chili sauce, they would all experience great happiness from trying her chili sauce. What makes her happy is knowing that she can bring a flavour that is nostalgic to those who have also immigrated to Canada from Japan, and a flavour that is new to those who have been born and raised in Canada! And she dreams of one day when the chili sauce can be found on the kitchen table alongside salt and pepper, soy sauce, and other sauces, as a classic seasoning.

The Willoughby by Quarry Rock Development Group

Wed, 03 May 2023 19:51:00 GMT

I was lucky to have been invited to preview the soft opening of The Willoughby in Langley this past week, and I left feeling inspired and appreciative of the thoughtfulness behind every detail that was on display. It was clear that the builders were mindful of the environment impacts in choosing materials and features to enhance the energy efficiency of the home.

The modern design and available color schemes are classic and should not require a full renovation each time the trends change. Lastly, each home comes with a rooftop deck - effectively maximizing the use of rooftop space, which is otherwise often wasted.

Some of the features that caught my attention were:

3 level homes with roof top decks
Timeless color schemes
Standard 2 car garages (tandem or side by side)
Built to Step 2 of the BC Energy Code (aka 20-40% more efficient than a standard build)
Awesome kitchens with ample counter space and storage
Durable materials such as hardi panelling and new age metal cladding
EV rough in
Forced air heating system with roughed in AC (or upgrade for $10,000)
Tankless water heater
DuraStrong tiles used on the rooftop deck (made from recycled and repurposed rubber)

The premium location combines a mix of quiet enjoyment and incredible convenience. Located up on the hill off 70A Ave and 204th St of the Central Gordon Estate neighbourhood offering views of the Langley basin, The Willoughby is also just a short drive to the hustle and bustle of the shops in the Willowbrook district, easy highway access, and just a stroll to R.C. Garnett Demonstration Elementary School across the street.

Starting prices are $949,900, for a 1,452 – 1,458 sqft 3 bedroom home. Requiring only a 10% deposit with completion possible as early as August 2023, these homes are going to be a hot commodity. With only 87 homes available, The Willoughby is sure to be a prized catch for those lucky enough to snag one. Contact our team at Happy Homes Vancouver to register today!

Local Business Highlight: Utsuwa-No-Yakata

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:19:00 GMT

Located on the ground floor of Richmond’s Aberdeen Centre, Utsuwa-No-Yakata is a unique store where you can find a variety of hand-selected Japanese plates, bowls, teaware and tableware all in one place. “Utsuwa-No-Yakata” roughly translates to “House of Tableware”. Historically, a ‘yakata’ denotes a place that provides goods or food for a large number of people.

The Utsuwa-No-Yakata store sign in Aberdeen Centre

We were able to chat with Natsushi who graciously shared with us the backstory to their well-loved business. In the countryside of Mino-ware area in Japan where Natsushi had grown up, his family owned a small factory that designed traditional tableware. He guesses that being raised in that environment led him to develop an interest in the art of curating tableware! As he wanted to share this craft with people from outside of Japan, when he came to Canada, it seemed like the perfect concept for a business.

At Utsuwa-No-Yakata, you will see Japanese tableware in the form of gift boxed items, to individual items of which there are many options. There are tea sets, ramen bowls, dinner plates and even bento boxes for children - all of which are perfect to buy as gifts, or simply for yourself! We can guarantee you will receive exceptional service and will find items both functional and beautifully simplistic in design that will surely be lovely additions to your home.

From the Utsuwa-No-Yakata website "Our Pottery" (from left to right, top to bottom: Mino-ware, Arita/Hasami-ware, Banko-ware)

In the work of their business, Natsushi values creating personal connections that are founded upon trust, and walk-in customers trust their expertise as they help them to select the authentic, unique Japanese tableware for their kitchen or living space. Additionally, they also collaborate with local restaurant owners and chefs, helping them make their culinary visions come to life. Despite Japan being an ocean away, their hope is that their customers can feel connected to Japan and Japanese culture through their curated collection of tableware at Utsuwa-No-Yakata.

Pre-Sale Project: Tower Six at the Amazing Brentwood

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 22:03:28 GMT

Location, Location, Location! The location can’t get any better than this for Tower 6 at the Amazing Brentwood. The developer Shape Properties touts this project as their most exclusive offering to date and it is hard to dispute the title. Nestled on the elevated northwest corner of the 28-acre development site located on Willingdon Ave and Halifax St, Tower 6 is a 39-storey building with 369 homes ranging from mostly 1–3-bedroom condos and offers unobstructed views to the north, west and east side of the building due to the surrounding low-density neighborhood and the shape of that corner of the site. The cascading terraces on the north side of the building and the arching overpass above the passenger pickup and drop off area gives the exterior an attractive look comparable to other architectural masterpiece in the lower mainland.

After visiting the staff at the showroom and looking through the list of features, I came up with a list that stood out to me most.

Building Features:

Only one tower neighbors Tower 6 and it will be on the south side of the building
Out of the 5 towers to date, Tower 6 will have the largest and most luxurious lobby
All parking stalls are Level 2 EV ready
4 high speed elevators
18,000 sqft of world class amenities which will include state of the art gym, outdoor space with putting green and bocce play lounge, indoor & outdoor children’s play area, and a furnished guest suite among the most notable.
Additional amenities throughout the building include Dog wash station, parcel delivery room, and bike maintenance room as well as concierge and car wash bay.

Unit Features:

9’ ceiling height
Pre-built backing for wall mounted tv
Wireless key entry system for all homes
Main bathrooms feature in floor heating system by Nuheat
All bedrooms will have a light fixture instead of switch controlled outlet
Efficient and functional laundry areas with built-in shelving, hanging rod and work surface
Central heat and A/C controlled by smart home thermostats in all homes
Functional kitchen designs with built-in pull-out pantries in some units

But do all these features make Tower 6 a good investment with their starting prices going for around $1000/sqft? You bet it does! For starters, there will be 5 more towers coming up after Tower 6 and each will have a higher starting price. As a reminder, the location is hard to beat with a walkscore of 100 and the proximity to all amenities such as skytrain and bus access, shopping and entertainment, the best food court in town, and the short stroll to schools and parks. As a bonus, Shape Properties has partnered with L Catterton Real Estate to bring the luxury brand portfolio of their fund sponsors Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) to the mall which will draw attention from big spenders to this special neighborhood in North Burnaby.

For more information, please contact us today!

Local Business Highlights: Carp Sushi + Bowl

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 04:17:00 GMT

https://www.carpsushibowl.com/

Named after the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Owner, Yuki, who is a lifelong die-hard Carp fan, was able to combine his love for his beloved hometown team and his passion for delicious food, for this hidden little gem tucked away in a side street of the trendy Mount Pleasant neighborhood in East Vancouver.

I first found Carp through a recommendation from my hairdresser, who asked if I had tried this great new restaurant where they make the most delicious poke, the famous Hawaiian sushi bowl. Obviously, I tried them that same day, then went back with Sayaka later in the week. They have been a favorite of ours ever since we discovered them all those years ago.

Walking through the door, you are greeted by a mini shrine of baseball memorabilia. Above the kitchen is a huge Koinobori, which is a traditional Japanese windsock shaped like a carp and displayed during Tengo no Sekku or Children’s Day. Yuki can be seen happily smiling at all the customers from his station in the back, busily mixing fish and his special sauce. Bring up the baseball team and he will tell you about every play from the last game!

The menu is everything you would expect from a sushi restaurant offering up a variety of rolls, bowls, and appies – but make sure to try the Spam Musubi for a Hawaiian throwback, as well as their very healthy variation of Gomae from the appetizer menu. Everything is fresh and the combo deals are worth every penny.

I venture to call Carp Sushi + Bowl a hole in the wall because of the way that sounds, but as Websters define the meaning as “a small and unpretentious out of the way establishment”, I think it’s as good of a description as any. Go visit Yuki and his staff at Carp Sushi + Bowl. I bet you will be asking for more! - Simon

Growing up in a Japanese household, I visit Japan on a year-to-year basis and Carp is what I would like to call a traditional Japanese take-out. Every time I step into the restaurant it reminds me of Japan, the atmosphere, decorations, and owner! The food also hits home. My favourite menu is the spicy salmon poke, which features salmon sashimi on rice and mixed with the spicy Carp original sauce, which is just kanpeki, meaning ‘perfect’ in Japanese. You are in for a treat and will get to have a taste of Japan here at Carp’s Poke! – Kazuya

The greatest part about finding a new favorite dining spot, is discovering the heart and history behind it. This has been precisely my experience with getting to know more about Carp Sushi + Bowl and its extremely talented owner, Yuki. The restaurant is certainly best described as a hidden gem, making it an even more special place that we imagine is shared very lovingly by its loyal customers. Upon entry, you are greeted by a cozy atmosphere and very nice seating options, which truly adds to the dining experience. If you want to go for a classic, Carp’s Tuna or Salmon Poke Bowl is out-of-this-world good, with both the fish and other toppings perfectly marinated. The special Carp sauce which is the marinade, is what sets Yuki’s poke bowls apart from all the others. We cannot say enough good things about Yuki and Carp, nor can we describe over a blog post just how incredibly delicious the sauce and all menu items are. You will simply have to go see – and taste – for yourself!

Pre-Sale Project: Soco 2

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 18:32:00 GMT

SOCO 2 is the second tower in the 7 tower master plan community, located on the north side of Highway 1 on the Coquitlam side of North Road. The developer promises a design meant to make life effortless and with such a prime location, we think they hit the nail on the head.

A variety of homes are available, from studios to 3 bedrooms, with different layouts perfect for all stages of life. What stood out in the showroom were the quality finishes and thoughtful details. The luxurious bathrooms feature the extensive use of porcelain walls and bath tiles, while the modern kitchens utilize maximum counter space and reputable brand appliances. Two tasteful colour schemes are offered, one of which is certain to fit your individual style! In addition to the very functional and efficient layouts, SOCO 2 offers 12,000 sqft of great amenities. These include a fully equipped exercise room, private music rooms, golf simulator, a DIY workshop for your weekend projects, a dedicated dog park with a grooming station, a beautifully landscaped outdoor communal lounge with firepit, and bbq & seating area!

This great location near Highway 1 and the Skytrain line, as well as near many boutique stores and diverse eateries, will provide a vibrant and robust lifestyle for those who seek it. SOCO 2 is a place to call home for the first time homeowner, busy young professional, small family, or downsizer who desires independence while also enjoying a great community. As of this writing, prices are starting from the high $300’s. If you are interested in learning more about SOCO 2 or would like to book an appointment to see the homes, please feel free to contact us today!

Pre-Sale Project: Oasis by Concord Pacific

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 22:28:37 GMT

“Your Home, Your Paradise” This catchy theme rings in the upcoming master plan community in the heart of Brentwood called, Oasis by Concord Pacific. Located on the south side of Lougheed Highway between Delta Ave and Beta Ave this architectural masterpiece is still just a short stroll to Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain Station and the ever-growing mall.

The developer’s plan show a resort-like environment where people can relax and feel as if they’re on a vacation right in the comfort of their own home. This includes 30,000 sqft of world class amenities such as a private sun-bathing beach on the rooftop surrounded by an outdoor track and beautiful greenspace. The indoor facilities feature a fully equipped fitness centre, indoor swimming pool, basketball court, bowling alley, spin studio, and much more.

Features for this exciting project include the renowned Concord retractable glass screen system that merges the indoor living space with the large, covered patio, touchless tech to access elevators, option to upgrade to have a personal steam closet allowing individuals to sanitize and freshen their clothes to start the day, automated carwashes, and lots more.

Oasis includes 3 towers: East, West, and North Towers. As of this writing, offerings for a 1-bedroom units up to 3-bedroom units starting from the Mid $700,000’s for the 1 bedroom to Low $1,300,000 for the 3-bedroom units.

The size of the home falls between 560 to 1200 sqft depending on the number of bedrooms and does not include the extra 167 to 349 sqft of balcony space available with every unit. This beautiful and exciting project is estimated to complete early 2027, the West tower has all been sold out, and the East Tower is currently available for sale.

Don’t miss out on a unique opportunity to own your next happy home in this prime location, call us now for more information or to book a private showing.

Transformation Tuesdays/"What Is Staging?"

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 21:33:29 GMT

Here at Happy Homes Vancouver, we like to take every opportunity to share with you what we call our “Transformation Tuesdays”. What is a “Transformation Tuesday?” you may ask. We invite you to continue reading to find out!

As a seller, the presentation of your home is key. In preparing your property to list on the market, one of the first things we help you with is to make your space presentable and welcoming to interested buyers! We do this through a process known as “staging” or “home staging”, which is “the practice of styling and furnishing a property for sale in such a way as to enhance its attractiveness to potential buyers” (Oxford Dictionary).

When potential buyers enter your home and look around, they are envisioning how their everyday life will fit into the space they see. Staging the space, and putting it through a bit of a ‘transformation’, can help give people ideas and inspiration on how the home will feel if they become the next owners. We have seen countless homes undergo exciting transformations just by a little cleanup, positioning of furniture, or adding a piece of decor here and there!

Our process of helping your home undergo a transformation looks a little like this: Before any actual transformation takes place, Simon and Luke from our team will come to your place to have a look around and help identify what to tidy up, as well as envision what elements we could add or move around to make the space look its very best. Then, they will schedule with you another time they can come to haul in all sorts of pillows, framed pictures, fake plants, and other decor, to realize the transformation process!

Our “Transformation Tuesdays” are posted on our instagram (@happyhomesvancouver) and showcase pictures of a home ‘before’ and ‘after’ this entire process. If you are a homeowner who is looking to sell, we hope that you will consider reaching out to our team to bring you through the process, and see the “Transformation Tuesday” your home could undergo too!

International Exchange to Canada

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 21:31:31 GMT

As I recently graduated high school and still quite involved in the high school generation, I notice and have noticed a lot of international exchange students from Japan come to my school for exchange to learn English. Even after graduating high school, I hear from others as well as continue to meet students from Japan that study English at local public schools. Throughout their exchange, I have witnessed many individuals really change. Whether it is for the better or for the worse is not my judgement, but they change due to the drastic difference in high school culture. Different from Japan, Canadian high school is very lenient with their rules, and students have access to a lot more, as well as have more freedom. Especially at public schools, students are exposed to the world a lot more than in Japan, thus causing a change in fashion, attitude, language, thinking, and more. Unfortunately, I have seen many individuals being negatively impacted by this shift in lifestyle leading many individuals down a path their parents probably hoped they don’t go down. I noticed that there are students going to private schools and public schools, and I thought, why don’t students go to private schools? Private schools may not be appealing to the parents, but what they don’t know is that it is in a controlled environment where the teachers really care for the students, there are proper rules, and guidance from the staff/teachers, thus helping exchange students learn in a safe environment.

Of course, this does not apply to all individuals, but comparing students who go to private schools to public schools, it seems as if the private school students are well taken care of with good host parents, teachers, friends, and overall a better community to place their children in. As for the price, it does not change much compared to public school students, rather it is much fairer as in public school, local students don’t pay at all to receive education, while international students pay very big amount. On the other hand, at private schools, all students pay a certain fee to be enrolled and the internationals do pay a little more, but not significantly more to receive the same education.

So, if anyone is thinking of sending their children to Canada, specifically BC, I highly recommend sending them to a Christian school. Through my many years of experience, as well as seeing the drastic difference and the overall advantages of placing students in a private school, I have concluded that it is a lot better learning environment.

Local Business Highlight: The Refill Stop

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 21:29:00 GMT

One day, in the area of our new listing at 3902-888 Carnarvon Street in New Westminster, I was setting up some directional signs for an open house we would have there.

While setting up the signs, I stumbled across a store that I had never noticed before:

The artistic ink wording on the window said, “The Refill Stop”. Thinking the store was one that sold refills of printer toner and inks, I thought the décor it was filled with was unusual. Nonetheless, my curiosity got the best of me, so I stepped into the shop.

I was greeted by a wonderful blend of floral aroma and tasteful pastel tone household items that felt very familiar to me.

“We have these containers! And this lunch bag! We have this welcome mat too!”

My next thought was,

“I think I found Sayaka’s favorite store! I better not tell her about it.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The lady at the cashier noticed me and introduced herself as Jessica, the owner of the shop. I asked her to tell me about the amazing products she had stocked and the large wholesale jugs of soap. She answered, “We try to make a difference by sourcing local, package-free products that eliminate single use plastics. All you have to do is bring your personal containers from home and refill them with dish, laundry, body soap and all types of household cleaners.”

Jessica knows the story behind everything she stocks: from a family-owned farm in Peru, to local artists who need someplace to sell the products they make.

While she was just trying to be helpful in suggesting that I buy some refillable bottles for the soaps they supply, I refused! Instead, I will go back with my own containers to keep with the spirit of being a good earth ranger.

Though I left without soap (and printer toner), I picked up some great locally-made gifts for my wife, and delicious locally roasted coffee for myself.

If you happen to be near the New Westminster skytrain station, go visit Jessica at The Refill Stop, 865 Carnarvon St.

You will be glad you did.

Rock On!

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 15:02:56 GMT

Throughout this pandemic and all the unusual rules of physical distancing, wearing a mask, and stay at home orders, I have noticed a lot of beautiful things have popped up at people's homes from the increase awareness of our surroundings. For example, people have been decorating their windows with signs and heart shape tributes to express their gratitude to our frontline workers. However, that is not the only artsy hobby that have been taken up by the families in the home.

While we all look up at the windows and give a moment of thought to the hardworking people at the hospitals, grocery stores and anyone who has to keep our society at an even keel, if we look down, we will see that rock painting has taken on a new level of awesomeness. What I found most interesting was not just the art work and messages that were nice, but also the way the rocks were then used as decoration around the home.

As the real estate industry was added to the list of essential services during the lockdowns earlier this year, I was still out and about helping people buy and sell their homes which allowed me to venture out further than my own neighborhood and gave me the opportunity to see how other people have coped during this difficult time.

This post is about some of the creative rock paintings that I have noticed during my dog walks and visits to other people's homes during buyer tours. I hope it brings enjoyment and inspiration to those looking for ideas, motivation, or a smile.

A family of humans in Pitt Meadows created this family of penguins for their garden and it was awesome!

These overgrown ladybugs are a bit lost and I actually don't remember where I found these guys roaming around.

I thought this was a great way to identify your veggies in the garden and will be doing this with the kids once we find enough rocks! Found at a house of an avid gardener in Port Coquitlam.

Also from the house in Port Coquitlam, these strawberry rocks were a great touch!

From our own herb garden in front of the house.

We hope you enjoyed this gallery as much as we did writing it. If you have a good rock photo to share, we would love to see it too! Come back often as this will be an ongoing post to as we discover more cool rock paintings.

Wood you look at that...

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 21:10:30 GMT

There are many perks of being a real estate agent here in Vancouver. We get to spend time outside often, we are often the first people to see our clients new homes, and we get to meet new people everyday! The coolest part is being able to walk into the homes of people that I would otherwise never have met or heard of, let alone being invited into their private space. There are all sorts of things we see by having the privilege of this access. Mostly, it is a great experience to see how people from from all walks of life decorate their homes and how they utilize the space. Sometimes we see some really odd stuff, which I will one day write about, and other times we find some very unique and memorable sights. This post is all about the wonderful things that people have come up with to use wood in creative ways to embrace the beautiful nature that we all are so lucky to be surrounded with.

The literal coat tree

This beautiful piece of scrap wood was spotted in the condo of a senior couple living in White Rock. Thankfully it was a warm day so no coats were hanging on it.

The enchanted kitchen island

I was told by the listing agent that the wood stump was carved by a local artist who is a friend of the owner of this large townhome in Port Moody.

Have a closer look! While we are at it, here is a photo of the backyard!

That's it for now. I will be adding to this post throughout the year so keep coming back!

Things to do in Pitt Meadows/Maple Ridge

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 20:59:00 GMT

During this strange time of uncertainty, stay at home orders, and limited travel options, the idea of living in an area with incredible amenities, breathtaking nature and a smaller population sure sounds appealing! Pitt Meadows is one of those places that I always have a soft spot for and would hope to retire to one day. Here are some of the great things about Pitt Meadows that may make you a fan too!

Mom and Pop Shops

Because this initiative is most near and dear to me, I must start with the local shops! Check out these links to the wonderful businesses in the area where you can find great products and services!

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

Coastal Collective

Sour Apple Beauty Bar

Mint Your Health Place

Langley Farm Market

Know a place nearby that could use a boost in business? Send us a message and we will be sure to include them!

Incredible golf courses within a 20 minute drive

One of the great things about Pitt Meadows is the close proximity to some of the top golf courses in the region. If you are looking for a challenge, Swan-E-Set offers some prestine surroundings, a great layout with 2 courses, a beautiful club house, and

Crunch for time? Nearby Maple Ridge Golf Course offers an executive 9 hole course which you can play in around 2 hours.

Surrounded by rivers, lakes, and parks

A favorite past time for most people is a simple walk or light hike to get your steps in. Pitt Meadows is an area that rests at the intersection of the Pitt River and the Fraser River. A prime spot for fishing, rock collecting, bird watching, or a jog.

Pitt Lake is a popular spot that is surrounded by mountains and nature. It is the second biggest lake in Metro Vancouver and is a great place for boating, hiking, swimming and gathering.

Historic sites

For any history buffs, you can find many cool landmarks and historical places around the area. Check these places out when you are nearby!

Pitt Meadows Municipal Hall

Pitt Meadows General Store and Post Office

Pitt Meadows School House

You can find more great sites on HistoricPlaces.ca

Local farms and family fun

Perhaps some of the most well known activities in the area are the seasonal farms that cater to visits from families with young children, such as the corn mazes and pumpkin patches at Laity's Farm, the U-cut Christmas tree farms along Harris Road, and the fresh berries at any of the family owned farms scattered around the region.

Hopcott Meats is another great little gem in the area for all your farm fresh groceries and meats. This family run local butcher shop has fans from all over the Lower Mainland and is known for their quality meat and produce! Be sure to stop by when you are in the area!

Be sure to check out our listings in Pitt Meadows! I am sure we have made a fan out of you!

Home Staging on a Shoestring

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:19:00 GMT

Picture this. You sit down with your realtor to discuss buying a home. He or she asks you what your ideal home looks like. Images of beautiful facades, lush lawns, high quality appliances, clean lines, and many other dream-home features flash through your mind. You answer, “I need 3 bedrooms for my personal use, at least 2 bathrooms, the home should be clean, and if possible, I would like a mortgage helper.” Realtor says, “Yes we can find you something like that.”

So, you go out on a tour and see a few homes. The first one was a bungalow, built in the 1960s and it had 3 small bedrooms 1 full bath and a half bath upstairs. There is also a 1-bedroom rental suite, shared laundry area and some extra space for storage in the basement. The home was fully staged in a mid-century modern style and many of the original features of the home were kept. You like the home a lot but know that you will be paying extra for the presentation.

The second one is a 3 level home in mostly original condition save for an addition to the attic. It had 2 bedrooms on the main level, a bedroom upstairs, 2 full bathrooms and 2 bedroom in the basement with no kitchen. A suite can be easily added. It was evident that the home was well taken care of. This one has a lot of potential you think to yourself. With a little bit of work, the shine can be restored.

The last home is a 4-bedroom split level home with a 1-bedroom suite that is already rented to a good tenant. You are getting excited to see this home but become horrified upon pulling up to the driveway and seeing the sight of a possible haunted house. The grass is overgrown, and the old white picket fence is falling apart. You step inside and wonder, “How can anyone possibly live in this place?” Having seen thousands of properties in my selling career, I can tell you that some of these people not only live in these homes, but they sometimes try to sell them in their current conditions too! Piles of dishes in the sink, boxes full of unsorted paper, pizza boxes, kitty litter; you name it and you can bet someone out there thinks it is acceptable home décor (Ladies, I didn’t mean to describe your home after leaving your husband home alone for the weekend).

I think it’s safe to say that, if you are looking for a clean, move in ready home, you are probably not picking that last one. But it didn’t have to be this way. Now, I must confess that I am no expert on interior design, but I do watch a lot of HGTV and I am an expert on selling homes. I know that if you are planning to sell your home, your goal is to sell the home to someone who will pay you a little extra for your presentation. That person will consider the floorplan, the location, the finishes, and the overall feel of the home. Since we cannot change the location, and it is most likely too costly to change the floorplan or the finishes, let’s talk about what we can do to affect the feel of your home for sale without breaking the bank. The most cost-effective way to drum up interest for a prospective buyer is staging. Follow these 3 simple steps to stage your home like a pro!

Living Room (Before) Living Room (After)

De-clutter

No staging project can ever start without first removing everything you do not need. That microwave on the kitchen counter might be ideal for you when you are living in the home, but it also shows the potential buyers that there really isn’t that much counter space once you fill it with your essential kitchen ware. Extra furniture should be put away, donated, or tossed to the curb. Your goal is to show off how spacious your home is and not how much stuff you can pack into it! The more you pack away during this initial step, the less you will have to pack when there is a deadline to get moved out of the home before the completion date.

If this step is done correctly, you should momentarily feel like you don’t actually need to move, before you snap back to reality and remember that half of your possessions are on the front steps.

Kitchen (Before) Kitchen (After)

De-personalize

Before you read further, you must be clear with yourself about your objective with this staging project. Your goal is to create an aura in your home that feels comfortable to a prospective buyer so that they will want to buy it from you. Basically, you are trying to sell your property to someone else.

In order for someone to want to buy your home, they first must be able to imagine living in it and you can help them with this by removing all personal items that only fit your tastes. We are talking about family photos, framed certificates, awards, religious and cultural artifacts, and any sentimental items that are not likely to be featured in the latest home staging magazines.

Bedroom (Before) Bedroom (After)

Add color!

After de-cluttering and de-personalizing your living quarters, take a step back and see how much space there is! Amazing right? It may look kind of dull but this is where the fun begins! You are now free to use your creative senses to paint the picture of how this home can feel like to live in for the next family. Simply adding some colors in just the right places will give life to the home to create the positive emotions to those buyers walking through the door and provide just the right amount of imagination to promote the desire to make this their home. A few examples of décor items that can use some colors are:

Cushions
Throws
Plants
Towels
Bedding
Wall Décor

All of which can either be found in some of those boxes we asked you to put away or at any sale rack at your local thrift shops and department stores.

Bathroom (Before) Bathroom (After)

It may seem like a daunting task to transform a space that is comfortable for you as your home for a long time but it is a necessary step in a successful sale and may possibly be the most underrated part of the process. If you need further consultation, get in touch with us and we will do our best to guide you in the right direction!

A journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step

One way to use your home for extra income

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 15:15:57 GMT

If you want to make some extra money, here is an idea for you to consider. Using the extra space in your home to host a homestay is a great way to learn new cultures, meet new friends, and earn extra cash! Read on to see if this is for you!

IS IT A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOME? LOOKING AT THINGS FROM A MORTGAGE PERSPECTIVE.

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:30:32 GMT

Guest article by Dara Fahy A.M.P.
Mortgage Planner with Dominion Lending Centre City Wide Mortgage Services

If you were to ask Simon or Sayaka the question they are asked most, I would guess nine times out of ten you’ll get the answer: “Is it a good time to buy?”

Now I’ve been asked the same question quite a bit recently, but in my case of course, the question is being asked from a mortgage perspective.

Time in the market, versus timing the market:

Recent increases to mortgages rates, coupled with strict adjustments to qualifying rules, has caused the market to cool off in the past 12 moths. The question is where do we go from here? No-one can say for sure, so I think it’s important one does the right thing for their situation. As long as you take a long-term approach with a time horizon of 5 to 10 years, I believe purchasing real estate now is still a great decision. As I always say to clients, time in the market is more important than timing the market. To illustrate this, I will use a personal example:

My wife and I purchased our current house in 2007, at the height of the market for that current time. I recall being very uncomfortable making a subject free offer, higher than the asking price. When the offer was accepted, I was momentarily excited and then what followed was a panic. The thought that got me through it was that even if I overpaid, I can afford the payments. Low and behold, in 2008 the U.S. had their mortgage and credit crisis and we went through a recessionary period here in Canada. Our house was suddenly worth MUCH less than we paid for it. As uncomfortable as that was, it was short lived and within 3 years the market recovered nicely. Fast forward to today, the assessed value of our home is worth far more than the purchase price that made me so uncomfortable. The moral of the story is that if you have the time horizon and can comfortably afford the mortgage and costs associated with owning a home, you can buy with confidence.

Its All Relative:

Another factor to consider is that everything is relative. If we look at the main driver of a further market decline, it would likely be rising interest rates. If you were to wait for further price drops to buy, you could well be paying a higher interest rate on your mortgage, which could offset the price savings.

An example:

At current rate levels, you could get a 5-year fixed-rate mortgage for as low as 3.69%. Total interest paid over the 5 years would be $104,595 based on a mortgage of $600,000 (assuming a purchase of $800,000 with a down payment of $200,000 or 25%, for the purpose of this discussion).

If you were to wait a year or so and find that the market ‘corrects’ or pulls back by 5% say, the same property could be bought for $760,000, but may well come with a 5-year rate of 4.69%. Total interest paid over the 5 years at this increased rate would be $133,655. The difference in interest of $29,060 would wipe out over 70% of the 5% savings on the purchase price.

So the real question is: will you need a mortgage?

If you don’t, or don’t wish to obtain one, then it may be worth trying to time the market to your advantage and hold off for awhile on your purchase, to see how things play out.

But, if you are like most and will require a mortgage, and rates increase and prices drop, it appears to be somewhat of a wash from the financial side, using the example above, at least for the 5-year term of the mortgage.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking to purchase your first home, be sure to consult with a mortgage planner, to establish a budget that is comfortable for you over the next 5 to 10 years. Provided you stay within that budget and choose a mortgage product that is a good fit for you, I believe that it’s a great time to purchase real estate.

Dara Fahy is a top mortgage broker working with homebuyers in Greater Vancouver with Dominion Lending Centres City Wide Mortgages. You can get in touch with Dara for more useful advice here.

How Seniors Can Ease the Transition of Downsizing

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 19:07:05 GMT

Guest Article written by Michael Longsdon from ElderFreedom.net

Moving into a smaller, more manageable home can be a gift during our golden years. However, it can be a hassle to handle all of the hard work and planning that this process entails. Here are several ways you can make this experience a little easier.

Do Your Research

Before moving to a new community, do some research. Depending on distance, you may not be able to visit each prospective area in person. Go online and look at statistics for things like crime, growth, and quality of life. Also, consider the average price of homes versus what you will make when you sell. That may or may not be within your anticipated budget for the size you desire. Once your options are narrowed, visit places you haven't before. Make sure there are amenities close by. This includes hospitals, good public transportation, and a well-run senior center. After all, you don't want to feel isolated or end up regretting your choices.

Sort Your Things

Letting go of a lifetime of possessions can be difficult. Nostalgia can often make it hard to get rid of things we don't use anymore. Yet, by taking pictures of family heirlooms, we can preserve them without weighing ourselves down. You can then have loved ones go through the belongings you need to let go. They can take what speaks to them, and you know these objects will go to good homes. This is also the perfect time to let go of clothing that no longer fits or that you don't wear. You can give unwanted books to the library so someone will enjoy them. Donating things still in good condition lets you give back to your community and say goodbye.

Pack with Ease

The first thing you should do is make a checklist of all that you need to accomplish. This way, you can stay focused and get tasks done on time. Packing can seem overwhelming due to sheer volume. Make it easier to start by first packing items you won't use soon. This should include clothing designed for different seasons and items in storage, such as holiday decorations. Next, go for décor, such as artwork and decorative hand towels. As the moving date nears, begin packing things you use daily. Label boxes clearly, and prepare an overnight bag of essentials you’ll need the morning after the move.

Hire Quality Movers

Hiring professionals is the best way to keep your belongings safe and moved on time. However, you need to prepare and research before you make a commitment. Friends may have suggestions, but don't rely on this alone. Look at reviews online. Once you have a few companies in mind, write down a list of questions to ask before you call them. Ask about licensing and registrations, but also what their rate per mile is. If they charge by short distance, such as foot, look elsewhere. Always confirm what additional fees they have and get your estimates in writing. These steps can protect you and your household and make the big move much smoother.

Enjoy Your New Home

You can ease your transition by keeping on top of your organization. By having all boxes clearly labeled, you can also unpack your things quickly. Before you settle, get a feel for the area by reaching out to potential neighbors. This can seem intimidating at first, but they may help you out with the moving process. At the very least, if you make connections early, you can avoid loneliness. This is especially important if you are not near family or friends.

It takes a lot of preparation, but you can make the move to your dream retirement property. With the right research, you can find the home you have always wanted. It's time to live life on your terms, so make sure you have a great game plan in place!

Michael Longsdon has made it his mission to help locate resources, events, and engagement opportunities to help enrich the lives of seniors.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay

The 10 year plan to home ownership

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 07:05:00 GMT

The 10 year plan to your dream home in 6 steps

Living in your dream home is a lofty goal for many people at some point in your life, and you may be eager to live in that grand home sooner rather than later. For many younger couples who are first time buyers, however, living in a larger, more luxurious home is simply not practical or financially feasible. Even if you are able and willing now, you may not need all the space and features at your stage of life. With the right plan of action today, you may be able to make your dream come true within a decade or less. Bottom line? Your first home may not be your dream home.

Set a Realistic Expectation for Your Dream Home

One of the first steps you should take when creating the blueprint for your dream home is to set a realistic goal. It may be in the cards for some people to own a 4,500-square foot house located in a prime location with mountain views, but for others, a 2,000-square foot house in a central and convenient neighborhood may be more realistically. You can begin shopping around for homes now to get a better idea of real estate costs in the Greater Vancouver Area or fill out the contact form on this page and we can help you with that. Visiting different neighborhoods, taking a stroll in the evening or talking to friends will help you narrow down where you want to live. By taking these steps, you can set a realistic goal for your dream home with a firm vision in mind of what your dream home may look like.

Lower your expectations for your first home

This will not be your final home. Instead of jumping to conclusions and taking on the huge responsibilities of a large mortgage for your dream home as your first home, consider that your lifestyle will change over time as will your needs in a home. Your first home should be adequate in size and in an appropriate location for you and/or your family for the next 3 to 5 years. That’s it. Forget the man cave, forget the double bathroom sinks. For a bachelor, this could be a one bedroom apartment close to transit. For a couple with young children, you may be looking at a 2-bedroom condo or townhome near parks and schools. If you can lower your standards, you may be in a better position own your dream home sooner rather than later.

Live Below Your Means Now

When you live below your means now, you will be able to save money to use as a down payment on your dream home. Living beneath your means may mean choosing a more affordable part of town to live in, opting to take a brown bag lunch to work rather than eat out every day, driving a more affordable and older car rather than a brand new one or better yet, use a bike. The more money you can save now, the easier it will be for you to afford your dream home in the future.

Focus on the bright side of a smaller home

Living in a large home can be a dream come true, but these types of properties come with expensive, and time-consuming upkeep. When only two or three people are living in the home you may find that you spend most your time in just two or three rooms of the home. If you choose to live in a smaller home now, you can focus on saving money for your dream home while also enjoying the extra time you have for life’s precious moments.

Use a Smaller, More Affordable Home to Build Equity

To achieve your ten-year plan, it is beneficial to build equity in a smaller home for the next 3-5 years. Pay more than you are required to pay monthly for your mortgage so you can pay down the mortgage quicker. When you make a mortgage payment, a portion of the payment will turn into home equity. So, the more you pay, the more equity you are building.

Set a Comfortable Savings Routine

Saving money can seem daunting to some, but it may be one of the best steps you can take to achieve your ten-year plan. One way that you can save money is an automatic withdrawal with your financial institution. You may project your budget outward over the course of a year or longer, and you can incorporate even greater savings amount into your budget when you get raises or other windfalls. Saving money eventually will become a habit for you, and after awhile, you may not even notice any difference that is making in your daily routine.

The focus for first-time buyers should be placed on building equity in real estate and on saving money for the first 3-5 years of home ownership. Through equity in your home and a growing balance in your savings account, your plans to purchase your dream home is well within reach. Contact us today so we can help you to find a great starter home fit for your lifestyle today so that you can set this plan into action.