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Friday, 7 August 2020
AUGUST 2020 Market Update presented by Carmen Leal-Vancouver Realtor
Monday, 3 August 2020
8 Important Questions to Ask Your Landlord (Before You Sign a Lease)
For renters, the right questions can make a world of difference.
If you plan on renting a property in Canada, it’s important to prepare for interviews with potential landlords. Tenants often prepare for questions about salary and previous rental experiences, however, it’s equally important to prepare to turn the tables around and get answers to questions that will keep you out of a bad situation. Landlords are often so focused on screening for the right tenants that they overlook some of the basic information that renters need to know, so come prepared for your next interview with these eight questions in your back pocket.
1. What’s included in the rent payment?
This should be the first question you have answered before signing any lease. Stated another way, it’s important to find out what is not included. Run through a list including utilities, parking, cable, internet, and amenities, and make sure you’re crystal clear on any additional fees that could be tacked onto your rent. You’ll be surprised at how much this varies from rental to rental.
2. What happens if I break the lease?
It’s important to make it clear to your potential landlord that you would never do this intentionally, but would like to know the course of action if there was a family emergency or job relocation that forced the situation where a lease was broken. You should know what to expect.
3. What are the maintenance responsibilities?
Making service requests is a normal part of renting, so laying out the process for requesting maintenance should be as easy as picking up the phone. It’s also necessary to know which maintenance responsibilities fall on your shoulders, so have your landlord put in writing what he or she expects from you as a tenant. This way everyone’s expectations will be met.
4. What are your long term goals for the property?
If you’re only looking for a short term rental, you can skip this question. However, if long term is what you’re after, get a feel for what your landlord’s plans are before you sign on the dotted line. A good landlord will be upfront and tell you if they intend to sell or move into the property at the end of your lease, or if they’re renting the property for the long haul. If they’re ambiguous in their answer, it’s likely that your stay won’t be as long term as you’d like.
Asking this question can relieve a lot of stress and anxiety come the lease’s renewal time, so don’t be afraid to inquire.
5. Why did the previous tenants leave?
It’s not an extremely common question to ask landlords, which is one of the reasons it can be so useful. Asking this question often catches landlords off guard, and can get you inside information on potential problems. It can make you privy of noisy neighbours, give you insight on the landlord’s likelihood of raising rent, and fill you in on the property’s rental history.
If something doesn’t feel right, ask if the landlord would mind you contacting the previous tenants to discuss their experience. It may seem forward, but your future well being at home is much more important than an uncomfortable conversation.
6. When is the expected move-in date?
You can often use this question to your advantage if you have any flexibility. Showing that you’re able to accommodate the landlord’s schedule will make them feel comfortable working with you, and can put you ahead of the competition. Having a deposit, first month’s rent, and moving truck ready to go is a major asset if you find a landlord trying to fill a property quickly.
That being said, it’s also important that you know your move-in date so that you’re not caught off guard and stuck paying rent at two places. Pushing the move-in date a couple of weeks might not be a deal-breaker and can save you a lot of money.
7. Is there flexibility on price?
It never hurts to ask this question. If a landlord has had a hard time renting the property and you can tell that they like you, ask for their thoughts on a price reduction. Even a little bit of flexibility goes a long way over the course of a lease.
Do your best to prove two things to your potential landlord if you’re serious about getting a rent reduction. First, that you’re a reliable long-term tenant. Offer not only phone numbers from previous landlords but also written testimonials that speak to how long you lived at your previous residence. You should highlight the length of your occupancy if it’s over one year, which is what most landlords are looking for and will help them move towards considering lowering the price. Second, demonstrate to your potential landlord that you never, no matter what, miss a payment. Offer post-dated cheques or any other form of payment of the landlord’s choice, and get testimonials from your past landlords saying that you’ve never missed a single payment.
Landlords understand the value of a reliable tenant who pays on time, and they’ll often make concessions to secure a good situation (and fewer headaches) for themselves.
8. Are there any rules about decorating the property?
Renting doesn’t mean you don’t want to make your house a home. Some renters feel nervous about painting, decorating, and adding their own personality to a space. Don’t fall into this trap, you should make your home your sanctuary no matter whose name is on the title.
Ask your landlord about making changes to the property before you move in so that you know where you stand and what you can do to spruce things up. It doesn’t matter whether you’re decorating a small space or a large area, you should know your boundaries and feel comfortable making changes.
As you work your way through your questions, be sure to save room for natural conversation and get to know your potential landlord on a more personal level. If they’re answering the questions in a way that gives you an uncomfortable feeling, you might need to trust your gut and move onto the next rental property listing (we have plenty of rentals on REW for you to browse). Don’t forget that you need to approve of your landlord just as much as they need to approve of you as a tenant. It’s a two-way street.
While it may seem like a lot, your potential landlord will appreciate that you’ve taken the time to thoughtfully consider the questions above. It shows that you care and are serious about renting their property, two things that every landlord is looking for in a tenant.
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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.
Wednesday, 29 July 2020
8 Outdoor Lighting Ideas To Inspire Your Spring Backyard Makeover
With warmer weather comes time spent outside. But to spend time outside you need to be able to see what you’re doing. During the day, the sun provides all the light you need, but when the sun goes down, other sources of light are necessary. Here are 8 outdoor lighting ideas to help you create the perfect nighttime entertaining space.
1. String Lighting
String lights are an easy and fairly inexpensive way to add light to your backyard or garden. Simply string them up, plug them in, and you’re ready for a cozy night outside.
2. Lanterns
Using lanterns as a source of outdoor lighting is great because they’re easy to move, they set the mood, and they come in a wide range of styles. Depending on the look you’re going for and how much light you want from them, you can find lanterns that use either LED lights or candles.
3. Strips of Hidden LED Lights
Placing LED strips along the base of your stairs or under furniture is a simple way to brighten up your backyard or garden and makes the space safer. It creates a super modern look and transforms the outdoor area into a place that can be enjoyed at all hours of the day and night.
4. Uplighting
Make a statement in your backyard and garden by positioning lights under trees and plants as well as right up against a wall. It’ll brighten the space while also making it look more dramatic and cozy.
5. Orbs & Spheres
Create an ethereal look by using spheres and orbs throughout your backyard, garden, or on your patio. You can hang them individually or cluster them in groups on the ground to set a mystical vibe and create a perfect little oasis.
6. Pots & Planters
Chance are you’re going to want to have planters in your yard. Why not make them pull double duty as both planters and light sources. They come in a huge range of sizes so whether you’re planting a few flowers or a massive hedge, an illuminated planter is up for the job.
7. Furniture
Adding glowing furniture to your backyard, garden, or patio is a fun way to brighten the space while also solving the problem of including furniture and decor.
8. Pendant Lights
If you have a dedicated dining area in your backyard, pendant lights can be used to shed some light on mealtime conversation and let the outdoor festivities carry on late into the night.
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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
This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.
Tuesday, 28 July 2020
11 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy
Sunshine and warm temperatures invite you and your family to spend entire days outdoors, so it's important that you be able to enjoy endless hours in your backyard without worrying about too much exposure to the sun—or curious passersby. Try one of these 11 solutions for adding privacy and shade to your backyard oasis.
Construct a Classic
Common in neighborhoods across the country, wood fences are practically an outdoor staple. With a variety of woods to choose from, ranging from light to dark, and just as many style choices, wood fencing does more than boost backyard privacy—it also boosts design. Compared with other fencing materials, wood is also relatively inexpensive and, with proper construction and routine maintenance, long lasting. So long as you have basic woodworking knowledge, a DIY wood privacy fence is well within reach.
Grow a Living Fence
Hedges have been a privacy landscaping hallmark for centuries, particularly along property lines. One advantage is that, depending on your choice of plant material, a well-planned hedge can reach virtually any desired height. The downside? It takes either lots of money or lots of time to establish a long, high hedgerow. Plus, hedges need a fair amount of maintenance. But with the right placement, even a hedge of modest proportions can be very effective.
Fill in with Bamboo
A built-in bonus of turning your backyard into an exotic tropical retreat? Natural privacy. That's because bamboo, an essential for any tropical space, grows tall enough to shield your cozy hideaway. Plant it on its own, or use it to fill in gaps around pergolas and fences. Take care, though: Bamboo is invasive and should be planted only in beds or in containers with strong barriers.
Fold Out a Private Enclave
Wide open yards are great for a lot of reasons—but they're not ideal for private outdoor spaces. Build an intimate corner into an expansive backyard by bordering a patio with small trees and shrubs. Then, anchor your patio furniture with a simple structure like the one shown here. Unlike a traditional privacy screen, the open frame permits light and wind to pass through, resulting in a space that's both breezy and cozy.
Put Up a Pergola
For a little privacy without worry of blocking a stunning backyard view, consider building a pergola. Even though it stands without walls, its wood columns and beams still offer some obstruction for neighbors who might be looking in. A pergola is an exceptional choice for placement atop an elevated deck, as seen in this lofty example.
Plant Your Pergola
For a pergola with a little something extra—specifically, coziness and shade—fill in the structure's sides and open top with twining plants. The crossbeams and poles make the perfect base for climbing greenery, especially in a sunny site. The overall effect is serene and romantic as well as intensely private. It may take a while for the vines to make it to the top—but it's worth the wait!
Hang Out with Your Greenery
Here's another take on a living fence: a custom-made vertical garden. Fill it with vegetables and herbs or flowering plants ready to overflow. No matter your choice of greenery, the decision to garden in hanging planters will both screen your yard from outside view and free up space to use for lounging, grilling, and other outdoor activities.
Elevate Your Style
If you're rethinking your backyard altogether, you may be able to build privacy from the ground up. Cascading landscapes achieve this in a discreet yet picturesque way. Here, the backyard’s multilevel design showcases bushes and trees planted at varying heights, creating a secluded retreat that still feels open and airy in the middle. These terraced setups can also increase backyard decor options by spacing out such elements as hanging baskets and birdbaths on different levels so that all are highlighted without crowding one another.
Go Modern
Corrugated metal is one of the more modern fencing options on the market. Its industrial quality seriously shields your backyard from curious onlookers while contributing yet one more texture to the common palette of stone, gravel, and concrete. Found at home improvement stores and purchased in budget-friendly sheets, these metal fences are also extremely durable, ensuring a long-lasting privacy solution for your space.
Try a Trellis
Whether simple or elaborate, store-bought or custom-built, a backyard trellis provides a direct yet self-effacing solution to the privacy problem. Even as the structure interrupts sight lines, it admits softened breezes and dappled sunlight. Plus, as the ideal support for any number of climbing plants or flowering vines, a trellis can become an attention-grabbing focal point in the design of your outdoor living area.
Conceal with Curtains
Just as valuable in your backyard as they are in the bedroom, a few opaque panel curtains will both block your view of neighbors and further establish the sense of an outdoor room. If you're able to mount them, curtain rods are the easiest way to keep your panels in place. Consider hanging curtains along the sides of a porch, pergola, or custom corner unit like this one.
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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
This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement.
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