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Pair a gingham backdrop with solid-coloured plates and natural baskets.

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Put a seasonal twist on a favourite hutch by facing the back of the shelves with gingham wallpaper. Work in small batches, cutting the wallpaper to fit in the spaces between the shelves. Place strips of double-sided tape around the perimeter and across the middle of each space and firmly press the wallpaper in place. For a seamless look, line up the pattern from shelf to shelf so it reads as one solid piece.

Courtesy of Canadian House & Home.
 

After putting in a huge amount of time and effort to get your home looking good and ready to sell, your hard work is finally going to pay off:  your home is on the market—you’re ready to begin showing.  Your house should always be at-the-ready for a tour, as agents may bring clients by with very little notice.  If they catch you unprepared and you aren’t able to show the house on the spot, you could be losing out on a sale.  Concentrate on the following areas to ensure your home is ready to show:

1. People

Homebuyers may feel like intruders if you are present while they view your house, and this will affect their overall impression.  Consider taking the opportunity to visit the local coffee shop, go shopping, or take the kids to the park.  If you can’t leave while the house is being shown, try to be as unassuming as possible.  Do not move from room to room.  Don’t offer information, but make yourself available...

Come by and visit me this weekend on Saturday, August 25th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 12438 BRUNSWICK Place in Steveston, Richmond. This is a fabulous opportunity to visit this excellent Townhouse for sale in beautiful Steveston South.



Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.  In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Steveston South Townhouse for sale.

Alisa Sakamoto

RE/MAX Westcoast - Steveston Real Estate

Come by and visit me this weekend on Sunday, August 19th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 5840 GRANVILLE Ave in Richmond.  This is a fantastic opportunity to visit this gorgeous house! 

Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.  In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this beautiful home.

Alisa Sakamoto

RE/MAX Westcoast - Steveston Real Estate

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 5840 GRANVILLE Ave, Richmond, British Columbia

You'll love this beautiful 5 bedroom, 5 1/2 bathroom home with its open great room concept bringing the outdoors in from 3 rooms surrounding the lovely garden patio. Enjoy the 2nd wok kitchen, a den/bedroom on the main floor (w/ensuite) 4 bedrooms up all with ensuite, granite counters, air conditioning and more. An oasis in the City, this Kraftsmen built home's elegant and modern design makes it the one. Call now to view!

Come by and visit me this weekend on Saturday, August 18th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 12438 BRUNSWICK Place in Steveston, Richmond. This is a fabulous opportunity to visit this excellent Townhouse for sale in beautiful Steveston South.



Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing.  In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Steveston South Townhouse for sale.

Alisa Sakamoto

RE/MAX Westcoast - Steveston Real Estate

I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 16 12438 BRUNSWICK Place, Richmond, British Columbia

Wow! This completely renovated 3 bedroom plus loft with deck townhome shows beautifully! All new cabinets throughout, new Caesar stone and granite counters, new sinks, fixtures, new hardwood floors and new high end carpeting, paint and mouldings. This spacious and bright 1730 sq ft home in Steveston Village is just steps to Tomekichi Homma Elementary and Westwind Elementary school. This is the one. You will love this move-in ready home. Sqft includes garage. (1537 without garage) One small dog OR one cat allowed. OPEN SAT AUG 18TH FROM 2PM-4PM.

I just finished uploading this Townhouse for sale, 7 13400 PRINCESS Street, Richmond, British Columbia

Enjoy amazing water views of the Fraser River from this waterfront detached townhome in sought after London Landing.  Be amongst the esteemed few to call this lovely view a daily pleasure from the verandah of your spacious 2300sq ft 3 bedroom plus games room home, with all the charm of the Victorian era and the modern conveniences of today. Enjoy hardi-plank siding, maple cabinets, fresh paint, Kohler fixtures and a double car garage with lots of storage. The views will take your breath away! 

• Make a list of all the features you want in your new home such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, proximity to schools, shopping and workplace. 

• Be sure you can afford your home. Your monthly housing costs should not be more than 32% of your gross monthly income and your entire monthly debt load (which includes other debts such as car loans and credit card payments) should not be more than 40% of your gross monthly income. 
   
• Calculate your other monthly living expenses such as food,...

I came across this article and I thought it was very interesting and helpful for first time homebuyers.  Hope you find this useful!

-Alisa

The Upgrade Cycle

It definitely varies by geographic area — if not by specific neighborhood — but a lot of folks in my area will buy a townhouse or condo as their starter home. After about three years, they’ll start looking for a bigger place to upgrade to, either a bigger townhouse or a single family home. Depending on the family, that upgrade cycle can go through a couple of times as people work their way up to a house that they are happy with and is big enough for their family.

The thought seems to be that if you’re making a little more money every year, by three years out you’ll be in a position to afford a bigger house. And everyone knows assumes that buying is more cost-effective than renting — as long as you’re paying down the principal on your mortgage, you’re going to come out ahead....