Monday, 21 October 2019

10 Ways to Know You Found the Right House

Should You Sleep on Your Decision Before Buying a House?

It is normal to harbor fears about making the wrong decision when you're looking at homes to buy. Many first-time home buyers wonder how they will know when they have found the right house.

Here are 3 preliminary things you should know about finding the right house:

First, an ethical real estate agent will never, ever, pressure into buying a house.
Second, you will instinctively know it in your gut.
Third, you may want to sleep on the decision. Don't.

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If You Have Found the Right House, Can You Sleep On It?

Right now, you might be wondering how you will know that you have found the right house if you don't sleep on it. What's wrong with sleeping on it? Everything is wrong with sleeping on it. Trust yourself. Don't second guess your instincts. Your instincts will not steer you in the wrong direction.

Have you heard the phrase: shuffle your feet, lose your seat?

You're not the only home buyer looking for a house to buy with your specific criteria.

Somebody else could buy your house out from under you while you're counting sheep. You might not know it, but there are other home buyers with similar intentions looking at homes today in the very neighborhoods where you want to buy.

The last thing you want to hear your buyer's agent say is another buyer made an offer, and it was accepted minutes before your offer was submitted. Happens all the time, too. Unless you're buying a brand new home, there is not another home around the corner just like the home that now you can't buy. When you find that house, buy it.

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10 Ways to Know You've Found the Right House

1) You Want to Go Inside the House

Part of the excitement of looking at homes is not knowing which could be your new home when you pull up to the curb. Is it the one on the left, or does the house on the right strike your fancy? If it is the house on the right, and you like it better than the house on the left, that could be a sign. It means there is something about this house that appeals to you. Curb appeal is talking.

2) The House Embraces You the Moment You Enter

Within three seconds of entering the house, you will know whether it feels warm and comforting. Does it seem to speak to you? Does the house invite you to explore? Does it feel, well... Right? Like home? Then it probably is.

3) You Don't Feel Funny in the Bathroom

Sometimes buyers feel so uncomfortable near a bathroom that they won't walk into the room. They are afraid to let their feet touch that bathroom floor. They will stand outside, grab the door frame, and poke their heads in for a minute. If you can walk into the bathroom and feel compelled to open the shower door or stroke the vanity marble, this is your house.

4) You Are Possessive About the House

Maybe your agent points out a flaw and says, "There is a stain in the kitchen sink," and you want to slap them for saying something so mean about this house. You want to defend every flaw you see. If you even see the flaws, because right now, flaws do not matter. You're falling in love.

5) You Begin to Envision the Furniture Arrangement

If you walk into the master bedroom and can immediately envision your bed against a particular wall, this might be your house. If you find yourself thinking that the living room window is a perfect spot to put a tree come Christmas, you're already hooked.

6) You Can See Yourself Painting a Wall Your Favorite Color

Perhaps deep purple is not your favorite color. Maybe it's blue. Maybe you're thinking those purple walls in the kid's room would look better in a pale blue jean color. You might even know the name of the paint color you plan to use because you've been thumbing through Pottery Barn catalogs and this home looks just like those.

7) The House Fits Your Basic Needs

The dynamics might not hit every bullet point on your list, but it meets the basic requirements. The house has the number of rooms and space you need. Maybe it doesn't have a garage, and in a flash of enlightenment, you realize that buying a house with a garage is not important. Maybe you suddenly realize you could build a garage. Being flexible about which issues are deal-killers is a good quality to develop.

8) You Want to Stop Looking at Other Homes

All of the other homes you've been looking at no longer appeal to you. The homes on that list you've been carrying around seem insignificant. Moreover, the homes you had previously rated a No. 8 have now fallen to a No. 2 rating. The homes you have seen pale in comparison. You would feel like a traitor to this home if you went to visit other homes. This is it. I'm telling you.

9) You Can't Wait to Brag About This House to Your Friends

It would not be unusual for you to snap a few photos to upload to Instagram before you've finished touring the home. You feel excited. The excitement seems to manifest itself. You shoot more photographs. Suddenly your phone is in burst mode, and before you realize it, you have hundreds of photos.

10) Every Thought in Your Mind Tells You to Buy That House

Except for that nagging little thought – that wonders if you should sleep on it – every other thought in your head says this is the perfect house for you. You are consumed. You can't think about anything else apart from owning this house. Dinner? Who needs to eat? You need this house. You wonder if you should be committed or see a doctor. Yup, this is your house. Just do it.

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Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area! 604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

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This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.

Friday, 18 October 2019

10 Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips

If you will be taking your kids Trick-or-Treating, you not only want them to have fun going door to door stocking up on candy, but to stay safe while doing so! Keep in mind these 10 Halloween safety tips to have the best time Trick-or-Treating!

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1. Plan your route in advance

Trick-or-treating could take you several streets away from your house, which can cause sore legs and a bit of frustration. Avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.

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2. Use the buddy system

As your children get a little older, they may not want their parents tagging along while they trick-or-treat. You know your kids the best, of course, but most Halloween safety tips recommend that parents accompany children under 12. If your older child is venturing out without you, make sure that he or she will be with at least a few friends the entire night. And don’t leave anyone alone—if some of the more adventurous kiddos can’t wait to check out the neighbor’s spooky haunted house display, but one of the children is a bit more reticent, make sure someone agrees to stay with him or her, at a designated place, before everyone takes off.

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3. Stay on the sidewalk

Your kids know not to stray into the road when they’re walking to school. But on Halloween, when kids are running amok all over the neighborhood from house to house, it may seem like all bets are off. It’s essential to make sure that your kids are still following basic safety rules, like staying on the sidewalks and looking both ways before crossing the street. On busier roads, be sure to use the crosswalk and make absolutely sure that any approaching drivers can see you. Be careful about sprinting across unfamiliar lawns, too; in the dark, it can be tricky to see decorations or other tripping hazards lurking in the yard.

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4. Wear comfy shoes

Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Girls in dresses should avoid heels, and all shoelaces should be double-tied to avoid tripping in the dark.

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5. Stay well-lit

No matter how cool your child’s costume may be, it shouldn’t forego safety. If the costume is dark in color, apply reflective tape to your child’s costume to ensure they are seen by drivers on the road. Also, carry a flashlight with you to keep your child’s path lit at all times.

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6. Make sure all costumes are short

Long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous, especially at night. After purchasing your child’s costume, make sure it’s an appropriate length, and hem anything that’s too long to avoid tripping.

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7. Avoid masks

Masks might look cool, but you should proceed with caution since they don’t really adhere to most Halloween safety tips. Many masks can make it difficult for your child to see or breathe. If possible, skip the mask altogether and use non-toxic make-up to complete the costume instead.

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8. Use flexible props

Try to avoid costumes that have weapons as accessories. But if your child’s costume won’t be complete without a weapon, make sure it is rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won’t cause injury to your child or their friends.

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9. Be mindful of the candy you hand out

Halloween safety tips don’t just apply to your own children. If your neighborhood has a lot of tiny tots, you might want to steer clear of candies like Everlasting Gobstoppers or Skittles, which could present a choking hazard. If you yourself have a child under the age of three, make sure you check their candy haul and remove anything they could choke on, too. And don’t forget that not all kids can safely eat every type of candy. Opt for regular M &M’s rather than peanut ones to avoid triggering any peanut allergies. If you buy a variety pack of mini candy bars that includes Snickers, maybe skip the peanut-filled bars in your treat bowl. (Hey, there’s an excuse to eat them yourself!)

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10. Check your child’s candy

When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.

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This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.

Thursday, 17 October 2019

Seasonal Care: Fall

As the seasons change, so too do your plant’s needs. Indoor plants are affected by outdoor changes. In this article, we’re talking about all things fall and how you should care for your plants when the temperatures cool down.

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1. Warm Days, Chilly Nights

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The temperature changes in fall can be dramatic from day to night. If we’re reaching for moisturizer and an extra layer, you can bet your plant needs a little extra care too. Modifying light, watering, and bringing plants indoors will make the transition in a transitional season as smooth as possible.

2.Bring Plants Indoors

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If you moved any of your plants outside for the spring or summer, it’s time to bring them back indoors. Best to do this before it dips below 55 degrees F at night. Check your plants for pests they might have picked up outside. We suggest giving your plants a shower with a garden hose if you have one, and once dry spraying leaves with diluted neem or hort oil before bringing them inside. If a plant didn’t exactly survive the season, it’s OK to let go. There are plenty of other plants looking for a home.

3. Keep Light Levels Up

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Pay close attention to the light your plants are getting. In fall, the days are shorter and the angle of the sun is changing. Some of your indoor plants might need to sit in a new place to get the same amount of sunlight they did spring and summer. You might want to group your succulents together on the windowsill rather than on your coffee table for example. Rotating your plants once a week helps to ensure all sides are covered and your plant won’t lean one way or another.

4. Water Less Often

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In colder months, plants should be watered less often than in warmer seasons because they are getting less light and growing more slowly. Generally, wait a few days in between watering in winter, unless your apartment is really dry — then your plants may need more water.

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A snake plant, for example might need watering every 6 weeks in the fall, compared to every 3 weeks in the summer. Check the soil and make sure it’s dry 2 inches below the surface before watering.

5. Increase the Humidity

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The air indoors is going to be much drier, so if you’re watering less, you want to invest in a humidifier and increase the humidity levels. Many common houseplants prefer a humid environment. Plus, humidifiers are great for the air we breathe and good for our skin too. Group like-plants together to increase humidity — plants are really good at self care and like-plants are good at caring for each other. Avoid any extreme changes in temperature; don’t put your plants near or on top of the radiator, and places like next to a front door that opens frequently. Sudden hot and cold drafts can stress plants out.

6. Forgo Fertilizer

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Foliage growth slows down considerably during the fall and winter months, so you can withhold from using any fertilizer until next spring; the start of the growth season. Give your houseplants the essentials (light and water) to sustain them through winter, but don’t fuss over them or kill them with kindness.

7. Foliage Dieback

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When bringing houseplants from the great outdoors to your living room - or bedroom or bathroom or kitchen - they may begin to drop their leaves. This is perfectly normal, as they are adjusting to the lower light levels of being indoors. Pro Tip: Give your plants a hand by pulling off a few leaves to help them retain lush and bushy foliage, especially where you want them to be lush and bushy.

8. Last Call to Repot

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Repotting does not necessarily mean changing a plant’s planter, but rather, changing its soil or potting mix. Fresh soil means new nutrients. This is great news if you love your current planter, but if you’re looking to purchase a new one that’s fine. If you are changing planters, try to keep the size no more than 3″ larger in diameter for tabletop planters, and no more than 6″ larger in diameter for floor planters. Make sure your planter has drainage and put a tray underneath to catch any excess water. The size is important here, because typically when we move our plants to a larger pot with more soil, we will be inclined to water more often. A small plant + an oversized planter + lots of soil + overwatering = killing with kindness.

If you see one or a combination of these signs, you'll know it's time to repot:

Roots are growing through the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter
Roots are pushing the plant up, out of the planter
Plant is growing slower than normal (different than dormant)
Plant is extremely top heavy, and falls over easily
Plant dries out more quickly than usual, requiring more frequent waterings
Aboveground parts of plant take up more than three times the pot space
Noticeable salt and mineral build up on the plant or planter

Plants typically need to be repotted every 12 to 18 months, but some slow growers can call the same pot home for years. Early spring, before the start of the growth season, is the best time to repot your houseplants.

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This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.