Displeased by that dull exterior with peeling paints, cracks, and discoloration? You can easily upgrade your curb appeal with a fresh coat of paint. 

Getting ready

The first task is to estimate how much paint you will need. Measure the length of all sides of the house, then multiply the length of all sides by the height of the house, adding two feet to the height for overhang. There’s no need to subtract doors and windows as you will probably need the extra for touch-ups. Now divide the total square footage of your project by the coverage rate displayed on the can of paint you have selected.

Color of choice

Your home exterior color scheme plays a pivotal role in its overall look and feel. Before you jump out and choose your house color, check if your housing developments have restrictions. You can proceed with choosing the combination of paint colors on your siding, trim, front door, and other exterior elements. Know what exterior color scheme you want and start to mix and match shades and undertones. Identify an accent piece on your home (window frame, shutters, trim, or the front door) and paint it either a darker or a lighter shade of your main color. 

Kinds of Paint

There are different kinds of paint as well:

1. Gloss exterior acrylic enamel is usually used only on smooth, flawless surfaces, as the high sheen accentuates imperfections. It’s also the most difficult and time-consuming exterior paint, not to mention the most expensive.

2. Satin exterior acrylic latex provides excellent coverage and good looks. Another advantage to this type is that it does not attract dirt and dust like other paints.

3. Flat exterior acrylic latex is the most commonly used exterior paint thanks to its good coverage, reasonable price, and versatility. It is also easier to touch up and does not show imperfections as much as gloss.

4. Semi-gloss exterior acrylic latex is mostly used for doors, gutters, and window trim as it is washable and resists stains.

5. Solvent-based paints are the most versatile, providing ease of application in a variety of temperatures and moisture conditions.

Identifying the right tools

Once you’ve decided on the paint color and paint type that you are going to use, then you're almost ready to go. You will need applicators, tools, and painting materials. There are three types of paint applicators, and you may use any one or a combination of them: brushes, rollers, and sprayers. You’ll also need wide-width masking tape, scrapers of various sizes, and a utility knife.

Let’s Get Started

Now that you have your materials, you’re ready to get started with the most important step: surface preparation. To ensure the best coverage, remove dirt and dust buildup from the house. First, scrape loose paint until most of the surface is exposed. Next, use sandpaper to dull the surface and make it smooth. After that, repair damaged surfaces and fill any unnecessary gaps between and trim around doors and windows using exterior caulk.  Use a pressure washer with a commercial cleaning solution to wash the surface of the house and rinse thoroughly from top to bottom. Let it dry at least 24 hours before painting. You may need to prime the surface before applying the paint.

Let’s move on to covering the windows, doors, and trim, using plasticsheeting and painter’s tape.You’re ready to begin painting. Take your time and do a thorough job. You have added more value to your home, slowed down deterioration, and have given yourself a sense of accomplishment.

Your curb will be one of your assets. If you are looking forward to selling your house in the current hot real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me. I'll make sure you get the maximum marketing exposure on the market to get the best offer. 

Feng Shui has been around since the ninth century BC, and is still popular today means that it has had historical impact.The famous ancient Chinese philosophy is pronounced as Fung Shway which means “wind and water,”. This traditional Chinese concept links the destiny of man to his environment. The elements play an important part in everyday life, as in wind and water that bring good harvests, which in turn bring good health and prosperity.

Feng Shui has now become a very popular and practical design element in the western world. It is based on Taoist philosophy, which puts a great deal of stock in living in harmony with nature, and states that land is alive and brimming with energy, or chi (chee). This in turn means that your home is alive and full of chi as well and needs to be arranged in such a way that the chi can be maximized. Find out how to use it in your home decorating at fengshui.

FENG SHUI ELEMENTS

The five important elements of feng shui are wood, metal, earth, water, and fire.

Wood

Symbolizes growth and vitality. Placing wood items in your space encourages personal growth. Plants and wooden furniture are easy ways to add this element.

Metal

Symbolizes logic and intelligence. It supports knowledge and mental sharpness. Add this element to your space with metal frames or sculptures.

Earth

Symbolizes stability and balance. It helps to ground and stabilize. Bring the earth element inside with rocks, crystals and landscape imagery.

Water

Symbolizes wisdom and serenity. It helps with clarity and relaxation. Mirrors, reflective surfaces and aquariums are ways to add the water element to your space.

Fire

Symbolizes passion and energy. It’s representative of transformation, expansion and volatility. Use candles and red objects to enhance your space with fire.

If you prefer to apply feng shui principles to a room rather than a whole house, here are some things to keep in mind.

Find out how to use it in your home decorating at fengshui.

Optional addition

Source: https://www.invaluable.com/blog/what-is-feng-shui/

INTERIOR DESIGN

LIVING ROOM

When designing your living room, begin with the largest piece of furniture you have (typically, a sofa). Make sure it faces a door or opening and is placed against a wall, ideally the one furthest from the entrance and allows for a few inches of breathing room between.

If you have additional seating like a lounge chair, choose where to put it based on what is conducive for conversation. Try not to cramp the space. The goal is to create energy flow.

When deciding on a coffee table, try to avoid harsh angles. If a circle or oval feels too contrasting to the rest of your furniture, just contrast the shapes in the smaller element as this creates better balance.

Use sheer window coverings to allow light in but prevent energy from escaping. If you prefer completely uncovered windows, try placing a plant nearby.

Adding red elements will help invigorate the room and help to energize.

BEDROOM 

Similar to the living room, start with your bed and place it far away from the doorway, but not directly facing it. Try to avoid having too many electrical components close to your sleeping space.

If possible, avoid putting a television in your private space. This often becomes the focal point of the room, which takes away from the calming energy.

Combine masculine and feminine details to make sure both parties are represented and a balance is established. If you have a metal or wooden bed frame, choose soft-colored linens.

Fill your bedroom with cozy material to invite a restful, calming energy. Using hues in green and blue can add to this type of feeling. Clearing out whatever is under your bed also helps energy flow.

HOME OFFICE 

The biggest tip for home office decor is removing the clutter. As much as 50 percent of your desk should be clear, which means it’s time to hide those cords!

Similar to the layout in the other rooms, position your desk facing the door because this gives you a position of power, which is important for your place of work or productivity.

Decorate this space with a few personal objects like a family photo and incorporate greenery as the energy from plants will help you stay focused. To invigorate the area, add red details.

In terms of color, use gentle yellows and greens to calm and center. Add earth tones for stability and flowers or a motto to remind you of what you need to accomplish. 

Can’t wait to plant that big red “For Sale” sign in front of your lawn but you don't know where to start? Before you go ahead listing your house for sale, it is important to keep the goal in mind: to get the home sold for the best price possible! 

There's no denying that getting your house ready to sell can be overwhelming and time-consuming! But with the right tips, you can be on the right track toward successful house showings hooking potential buyers.

Here are some tips that will help you through how to prepare your home for sale so you can get the most value from the effort you put in. 

l Identify repairs and make a plan

Normal wear and tear can add up, mostly if you’ve lived in your home for a long period. From a door and floor that squeaks to a faucet that leaks, it’s easy to ignore minor issues that seem like quirks.

Buyers, however, may see these quirks as problems that lower the value of your home or as a bargain ticket during the closing process. If you have too many noticeable repairs, buyers may also wonder if more serious issues lurk below the surface, and that could prevent you from attaining your goal.

Go through your home room by room, noting repairs that need to be made. Make plans and plot schedules for repair or contact a professional to do so. 

Conduct any major repairs

• Reseal cracks in foundation, steps, walkways, walls, and patios. Power-wash your home’s exterior. Consider repainting in a neutral shade if there is peeling paint.

• Repair broken outdoor steps. If the doorbell doesn’t work, repair or replace it. Repair and replace loose or damaged roof shingles.

• Repair cracks, holes, and damage to plaster, wallboard, wallpaper, paint, and tiles.

• Replace damaged window panes, moldings, and woodwork.

• Nail down any creaking boards or stair treads and lubricate any squeaking doors.

• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads.

Declutter and clean

• Get rid of clutter. Store appliances you normally leave on countertops. Clean out closets, garage, basement, and attic.

• Clean and align gutters and downspouts and inspect and clean the chimney.

• Remove oil stains from driveway and garage. If you’re selling in the winter, keep walks neatly cleared of snow and ice. Otherwise, keep the walks and driveway swept.

• Wash the windows inside and out.

• Clean walls, floors, inside closets and cabinets – everything. If you must, hire a cleaning service to come in and do the job.

• Shampoo all carpets, scrub and wax linoleum, wash and wax wood floors.

• Unclog slow draining sinks and tubs.

• Remove excess, worn or unattractive furniture.

• Clean out the fireplace and lay some logs in it.

• Clean all appliances (especially refrigerator and oven).

• Clear all cobwebs from corners and doorways. Wipe all light switches, handrails, and doorknobs.

• Keep draperies and shades open to let in the light.

• Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on counters.

Depersonalize your home

• Keep your garage door closed. Store RVs, boats, and extra vehicles elsewhere while the house is on the market.

• Paint the walls and ceilings off white or beige.

• Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains.

• Place fresh flowers throughout the house.

• Keep any toys in the children’s rooms, bikes, wagons, and skateboards in the garage.

• Set out colorful, luxurious towels in the bathroom.

• Replace burned-out light bulbs. Use brighter light bulbs. Make sure every light switch works.

• Buy new cabinet knobs and curtains for the kitchen.

Create a curb appeal

• Edge, mow and fertilize the lawn. Reseed any sparse areas.

• Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds, and prune trees. Cut back overgrown shrubbery.

Contact me today for more information! 

Looking for the right home can be a daunting process for first-time buyers and seasoned vets alike. From the style of the house to the type of appliances, countless factors can go into such a big purchase. The following short checklist outlines the most important things you should think about when you're on the hunt for a new home.

1. Define your budget

It's never fun to fall in love with a house that you can't afford. Avoid heartbreaks by taking the time to analyze your financial situation before you begin the search. Start by reviewing your credit score, monitoring your debt, and choosing an appropriate down payment. Meeting with a financial professional can help you get an accurate picture of your financial situation and the loans you are eligible for.

Looking at your debt-to-income ratio is one of the ways that creditors establish how qualified you are for a mortgage loan. Your debt-to-income ratio is determined by taking your monthly debt (think current mortgage payments, student loans, car loans, etc.) and divide them by your gross monthly income. Ideally, you want to keep that ratio at 43% or lower. According to the Federal Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, "studies of mortgage loans suggest that borrowers with a higher debt-to-income ratio are more likely to run into trouble making monthly payments. The 43 percent debt-to-income ratio is important because, in most cases, that is the highest ratio a borrower can have and still get a Qualified Mortgage."

Don't skip the down-payment analysis! A huge factor in getting the best mortgage rate relies on how much cash you can put down initially. The rule of thumb has been to put 20% down as a minimum. Anything below the 20% rule will usually require mortgage insurance and end up costing you more on the loan long term. Determining the right path for you will require you to analyze your situation—your budget, timeframe and any other factors involved in figuring out your financial capacity to save and put money away for your new home.

2. Your Must-Have List

Always search for homes that meet your "must-have" list. A must-have list encourages you to write out exactly what you need in a new home and will significantly aid in narrowing down the scope of your search, especially when searching with another person. This list will also foster communication on critical aspects of your new home that might not have been discussed previously, and help you identify requirements that may conflict with each other.

Focus your list on the high-level, pricey aspects of a home. Minor changes such as painting and smaller renovation projects can be worked on down the road, but changes that add up in time and money should be avoided (think kitchen remodels or adding another bathroom). Narrowing down your search to homes that don't require major changes will help ensure you choose a home that is within your budget.

If you are struggling with where to start, think about what type of home you want to live in–Single Family or Townhome/Condo? How many bathrooms and bedrooms do you need? Do you want a fireplace or pool? What's the minimum lot size you would be comfortable with and do you require a garage? What about air conditioning?

Keep your list short and precise–try to keep your must-haves on the shorter side by focusing on major requirements and rank them according to importance. Prioritizing your list will help when it comes to decision-making time, as selecting a home will often require some flexibility. Your list will provide you with an easy way to determine which aspects you can compromise on and which are red flags telling you to let go and move on.

Compromising can be hard, but don't let small things completely take a home off of your shortlist. Keep in mind that minor changes can be worked on, however, if there are a lot of things to be renovated and changed, the costs of the projects can add up. Focus on the minor modifications that you feel comfortable changing.

3. Location, Location, Location!

While the importance of location is often a no-brainer, the location of your potential new home serves multiple purposes. Location will impact your daily life and happiness as well as your home's value down the road.

When looking at location in terms of resale value, you want to look at a multitude of things: school districts, crime stats, and the neighborhood & community. A little research can answer most of these questions, and this website offers Market Insider, a tool to give you details on all these factors and more! Besides looking at the current stats and trends, take this information and think about what the value of the area might be after 5 or 10 years when you potentially could resell your home.

Along with the resale value, analyze the location of a home from the perspective of your wellbeing and happiness. Things such as your daily commute, surrounding noise, and community will greatly shape your experience in the home.

Along with this checklist, seeking guidance from a professional is always a good idea! A realtor like me can offer a wide array of skills and expertise, from the showing of a home to the endless paperwork. You can count on me to guide you through the process and assist in your home-buying decisions.

Finding the right home might not necessarily mean finding the "perfect" home, but rather, finding the right home for you to make your own. Hopefully, this checklist provides you with a guide to start your journey towards the right home. When you're ready to start looking, don't hesitate to give me a call!

Updating your home to be chicer - without looking cheap - is completely doable on a budget.

Are you always planning to upgrade your room but you don't have the time and you're on a tight budget? DIY projects are on the rescue! They can give your house that extra sense of style without spending too much money. No need to cringe at those three little words: "do it yourself." They’re fast, easy, and affordable projects you can do on your own. Here are five relatively easy ways to enhance your home.

1. Replace Your Light Fixtures

Switching out an old boring light fixture for a more sleek and elegant one is an easy way to shift the ambiance of a room. By adding a sophisticated light fixture, you can control the mood of your room and add character.  Don’t worry, you don't need to pay a pretty penny for expensive new fixtures - you can buy them online or go to thrift shops and scavenge those shabby lights fixtures.

2. Add Floating Shelves

Installing floating shelves in your house combines the functionality of an extra storage space with added style and personal flair. Floating shelves can be mounted on walls in many different patterns, and they come in various materials to give your rooms a unique texture. Small rooms have storage challenges so choose shallow shelves to display framed photos, vases and accent objects but don't go overboard. If you’re dealing with a large room, you can use deep shelves to incorporate the floating shelves and the furniture. This way you have multiple storage for your things without making the room empty.

3. Paint an Accent Wall

Painting an accent wall can add a pop of color and showcase your personality. Usually, a low-risk project, a homeowner of any skill level can tackle this project in a day. You just need some tape, brushes and paint. Colors can change the vibe in your home and it will definitely be for the better. Choose a paint color that suits you, Just make sure that they complement each other and be consistent between warm and cool tones.

4. Install Decorative Molding

Adding decorative molding around your home can add an extra touch of elegance. Install molding to the ceiling by capping walls, columns, and cabinets, or add chair molding lower to the ground. With detailed molding, you can add character to your rooms while also making them feel taller and more finished.

5. Build a Stone Fire Pit

Take your sophisticated style outside by building a stone fire pit in your backyard. Completed in just a few hours, take uniquely shaped rocks or large stones and put them together to create a functional and stylish fire pit. Before starting the project, be sure to check your local fire codes or homeowners association to ensure you are safe and allowed to start building.

Adding a touch of class to your home doesn't have to break the bank! Just be sure to start with one project at a time, allowing yourself to complete one before starting the next. Otherwise, you'll fall victim to chronic project incompleteness syndrome - not a good look!

Now that you know about these five inexpensive DIY projects, which will you try?

Increased competition among buyers drives up January 2021 home prices in Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley

January is typically one of the slowest months for real estate.

However, this wasn’t the case for the first month of 2021.

The real estate boards of Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley have observed increased competition among buyers last month.

This can lead to only one thing: higher home prices.

The experience of Irene Querubin, a new realtor, is a good example.

Querubin represented a young family in New Westminster. Her clients wanted to buy a four-bedroom, three-bath residence in Pitt Meadows.

The RE/MAX Crest Realty agent made an offer for the family in early January. The home got a total of 22 offers.

Originally listed below a million dollars, the house eventually sold for $1,052,500, which was $150,000 over the asking price. The successful buyer took the property without conditions.

Querubin and the same family looked for a new home. They found one in Maple Ridge, also in January.

The Maple Ridge home was listed for around $925,000. Toward the end of last month, the RE/MAX Crest Realty agent submitted an offer on behalf of her clients.

However, the property also got 28 other offers, and 12 of these sought no conditions for the sale. The home sold over the asking price, with a buyer taking it for $1,180,000.

Querubin will have to find another property for her buyers.

“Homes are like some consumer goods when the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020,” Querubin told the Straight on Tuesday (February 2). “Buyers are grabbing them like crazy.”

On the same day, the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reported that the composite benchmark price for all residential properties in the region reached $1,056,600 in January 2021.

This represents a 5.5 percent increase compared to January 2020, and a 0.9 percent increase over December 2020.

For example, the benchmark price of a detached homes rose to$1,576,800.

This means that the price of a typical freestanding home in January 2021 increased 10.8 percent from January 2020, and 1.4 percent over December 2020.

The REBGV also noted in a media release Tuesday (February 2) that last month’s sales were 36.4 percent above the 10-year January sales average.

“With home sale activity well above our January average, the supply of homes for sale isn’t able to keep pace,” REBGV chair Colette Gerber said. “This is causing increased competition amongst home buyers and upward pressure on prices.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board released a separate report Tuesday (February 2).

According to the FVREB, the benchmark price of a detached home in the region rose to $1,106,500 in January 2021.

The price represents a 2.5 percent increase compared to December 2020 and a 15.2 percent imrpovement over January 2020.

For townhomes, the benchmark price rose to $580,800, a 0.8 percent increase compared to December 2020 and a 7.2 percent rise over January 2020.

The benchmark price of an apartment increased to $439,800 in January 2021. That’s 0.3 percent increase compared to December 2020, and a 4.4 percent improvement over January 2020.

“The challenge is supply,” FVREB president Chris Shields said in a media release.

According to Shields, there’s still a “long way to go” to replenish housing stock.

“It remains a seller’s market,” Shields said.

Shields also noted that buyers are “very motivated right now”.

“People are asking us to find them more space,” he said.

The FVREB reported that sales in January set a new, record high for the month, which was 72 percent above the 10-year average.

Follow Carlito Pablo on Twitter at @carlitopablo Click here to report a typo.

Carlito Pablo

@carlitopablo

Staff writer Carlito Pablo lives in Vancouver. On sunny weekends, he and his family are usually found on beaches and in parks. A journalist who formerly worked in Manila, he's a proud new Canadian.

GO TO PROFILE

Pandemic-proof B.C. real estate industry charms new agents looking to start a fresh career

As a new realtor in British Columbia, Irene Querubin got down to business quickly.

Shortly after receiving her licence last December, Querubin wrote her first offer on a property early this January.

She represented a family in New Westminster. The husband and wife want to move from their condo to a detached home so their three young kids will get more space.

By appointment, Querubin and her clients viewed a four-bedroom, three-bath residence in Pitt Meadows on January 2. Then they made an offer.

As it turned out, the home got a total of 22 offers. Listed for below a million dollars, it sold for $1,052,500, $150,000 over the asking price. In addition, the successful buyer took the property without conditions.

Querubin’s clients did not get the home, and the RE/MAX Crest Realty agent continues to look for other properties.

Although her first offer did not succeed, it served as a valuable learning experience for the new realtor.

“Oh, my goodness, it just tells you how hot the market is. It’s crazy,” Querubin told the Straight in a phone interview.

What’s more, she feels encouraged at the start of her new career.

“People want to buy. People want to sell. And they need realtors,” Querubin said. “So, to me, that’s promising. There are a lot of opportunities.”

Querubin is one of 1,346 people who were newly licensed last year by the Real Estate Council of B.C., the provincial Crown agency that regulates realtors.

As of December 2020, there were a total of 25,632 licensed realtors in the province. Most of them are in trading or sales. Thousands also work in rental and strata property management.

Pamela Skinner is vice president with RECBC for education and licensing.

“People who are successful in the career tend to be those who have the passion for helping their clients and developing those strong long-term relationships with their clients,” Skinner told the Straight by phone.

In addition to commitment to clients, Skinner said, education and professionalism are all a big part of being in real estate.

According to her, a good proportion of new licensees have postsecondary education.

The first step to become a realtor is to register for and complete a licensing course and exam.

The real estate division of UBC’s Sauder School of Business offers a real-estate trading-services licensing course for those who want to go into sales.

“While that is a self-paced course, people generally take around six months to do that or they can take up to a year,” Skinner explained.

Aspiring realtors also have to complete a separate course, which is an applied-practice course that builds on the earlier licensing course.

“The reality is that a real estate professional is a trusted advisor with specialized expertise, and that doesn’t come easily and people have to work at that,” Skinner said.

Realtors have to renew their licences every two years, and they have to fulfill continuing-education requirements to do that.

“People need to have that long-term commitment before they get into the business,” Skinner said.

Querubin, a mother to two young children, knew she was ready to start a new career when her youngest kid started kindergarten last year.

She also understands firsthand the value of homeownership.

In a period of five years, she and her husband saw their previous condo in New Westminster almost double in worth.

“We changed the carpet. We painted before selling it, but that’s it: no major renovation,” Querubin related.

With their equity, Querubin and her husband bought a detached home in Port Coquitlam, where the family now resides.

According to her, a common misconception about being a realtor is that it is no different from another sales job.

“That is not true at all. After going through the real estate course at UBC, I understood that being a real estate agent bears a huge responsibility to the client and the public,” Querubin said.

She counts RE/MAX Crest Realty’s Jerome Deis, a long-time realtor, as a mentor.

“When your clients are repeat clients,” Querubin said about Deis, “that’s living proof that you do a great job at helping them.”

Before becoming a realtor, Querubin did a lot of interesting things. Until 2018, she hosted a weekly radio show for more than five years at Red FM. She did sales for Shaw Communications. She scheduled advertisements for Bell Media and Rogers Communications.

Querubin, who trained in broadcast journalism at BCIT, also worked as a host for a local Filipino community TV news program and wrote stories for community publications.

Now she has a front seat in a business that she considers a powerful tool for building wealth.

“I want to live it, and I want to share the knowledge. That’s how I see myself as a real estate agent,” Querubin said.

She should expect a busy year in 2021.

In its latest housing forecast, the B.C. Real Estate Association projects “strong momentum” from the robust 2020 market heading into this new year.

The BCREA predicted that sales in 2021 could total 99,240 homes, or more than the anticipated total for 2020. Final sales figures across B.C. for 2020 had not been released at deadline.

Follow Carlito Pablo on Twitter at @carlitopablo Click here to report a typo.

Carlito Pablo

Staff writer Carlito Pablo lives in Vancouver. On sunny weekends, he and his family are usually found on beaches and in parks. A journalist who formerly worked in Manila, he's a proud new Canadian.

GO TO PROFILE