Anshu Arora LLM, MSc, PMP

Cell 604-828-7331 | yourbcagent@gmail.com

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Less than thrilled with your old-school fireplace? You're not doomed to basic brick forever. Try one of these clever ideas to fancy up your fireplace without breaking out the power tools.

 

Paint: A dark fireplace against a pure white wall is so striking (and is only a few cans of paint away)!

 

For more helpful tips, click here

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Investment in BC new housing construction was up 18.2 per cent year over year to more than $739 million in April, according to Statistics Canada data released June 22.

 

Growth in duplex construction led the growth again this month, up 28.7 per cent compared with April 2014, followed by single-family homes, which rose 18.2 per cent year over year. The growth in townhome investment in the province slipped slightly but was still high at 17.3 per cent year over year.

 

The province’s overall annual housing investment growth was the second highest in Canada, after the Northwest Territories, which posted a 48 per cent year-over-year increase. As a national average, the growth in new housing investment was up a much more modest 2.3 per cent year over year, due to significant declines in some provinces and territories.

 

Across Canada, apartment buildings emerged as the biggest driver of investment growth, rising 7.9 per cent compared with last March, while investment in single-family homes fell by 1.8 cent. April’s $3.89 billion investment nationwide was an increase of 11.1 per cent compared with March, improving after several postings of monthly declines through the winter season.

 

BC’s figures were also up 15 per cent month over month overall, increasingly significantly for all property types. New condo construction investment saw the biggest monthly boost in April, up 20.6 per cent compared with March.

 

To see Statistics Canada’s interactive chart, click here

 

nvestment in BC new housing construction was up 18.2 per cent year over year to more than $739 million in April, according to Statistics Canada data released June 22.

Growth in duplex construction led the growth again this month, up 28.7 per cent compared with April 2014, followed by single-family homes, which rose 18.2 per cent year over year.

The growth in townhome investment in the province slipped slightly but was still high at 17.3 per cent year over year.

- See more at: http://www.rew.ca/news/investment-in-bc-new-home-construction-up-18-2-statcan-1.1975881#sthash.ppgL1S68.dpuf

nvestment in BC new housing construction was up 18.2 per cent year over year to more than $739 million in April, according to Statistics Canada data released June 22.

Growth in duplex construction led the growth again this month, up 28.7 per cent compared with April 2014, followed by single-family homes, which rose 18.2 per cent year over year.

The growth in townhome investment in the province slipped slightly but was still high at 17.3 per cent year over year.

- See more at: http://www.rew.ca/news/investment-in-bc-new-home-construction-up-18-2-statcan-1.1975881#sthash.ppgL1S68.dpuf
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Kitchen backsplashes no longer simply protect walls from spills and splatters, a wide array of eye-catching materials like glass, wood, metals and stone make the backsplash the focal point of today's kitchens.


Backsplashes can make or break the kitchen. The right backsplash, be it color, pattern or texture can make your kitchen feel and look like a million bucks.


For some cool and fun ideas, check out Kitchen Backsplashes

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Do research the neighborhood.

Look at the house, but also look at the neighborhood. Location is the most important thing, so it's critical to look at more than bricks and mortar.

 

How can you choose the right community? Become a neighborhood detective. Figure out what you're looking for, do research and find a neighborhood that fits your description.

 

Do look at several houses before you buy.

Buying the first house you look at it is kind of like marrying the first person you go on a date with -- not necessarily a good idea. If you buy a home without comparing it to other listings in the area, you're likely to overpay or miss out on a great nearby home. Walk through at least three homes before you choose. If you still love the first one you saw, make an offer!

 

Do invest in a professional inspection.

Sellers don't always disclose the whole truth to potential buyers, or they might have done a band-aid job to cover up issues until the deal closes. The average home buyer takes 15 minutes or less to choose a home, but many potential problems, like plumbing and wiring trouble, might not be visible to the naked eye.

 

Don't buy a house for its decor.

A home might have gorgeous furnishings at the showing, but it needs to accommodate your furnishings and lifestyle after the sellers pack up their sofa. Look past a home's decor and make sure the space will accommodate your lifestyle and furnishings.

 

Are the spaces functional and efficient for your daily routine? You might love how a seller has transformed an extra bedroom into a crafting space, but will it be big enough for your twins' bunk beds? Focus on the floor plan and the square footage to decide if a home is right for you.

 

Don't buy the most expensive house on the block.

Keep up with the Joneses, but don't outdo them. You won't get the same return on investment with the biggest house on the block, and you might have trouble selling later on.

 

Before you purchase a home, research the neighborhood. Is the house you're considering overbuilt for the area? Are comparable homes selling in the area? You'll be glad you gathered the information if you ever decide to sell.

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There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint and be more energy efficeint and environmentally friendly. A few of those are

 

  1. Maintain proper tire inflation for your car by checking your tires weekly.

  2. Insulate your house.

  3. Conserve heat by caulking around vents and window and door frames, sills and joints.

  4. Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents.

  5. Install weather-stripping on windows, doors and attic hatches.

  6. Apply shrink-film to windows and glass doors.

  7. Move furniture, rugs and drapes away from air grills and heating vents.

  8. Install energy-efficient windows.

  9. Install heavy curtains on windows and glass doors to keep in the heat.

  10. On sunny days, open south facing drapes and let the sun in, a natural source of heat.

  11. Close your drapes and blinds at night.

  12. Close the damper in your wood-burning fireplace, and ensure that it fits properly.

  13. Turn down the heat in your home by two degrees Celsius in the winter.

  14. Turn down the heat by three to five degrees Celsius at night and while on vacation.

  15. Turn off the heat in your garage, and turn it on only prior to using it.

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