Summer came and went. Did it seem to speed by for anyone else? Our final family vacation of the summer was a trip up to Penticton and OK Falls. This destination has many memories for my wife and I. We both have fond memories of vacationing there as children. We would like to make memories there now that we have a family of our own. It was the first time we were able to vacation there with our daughter. We took her to the place where we had our fist kiss, which just happens to be the place of our engagement. Penticton has such a soft spot in our hearts. We enjoyed time on the beach, eating ice cream, touring the farmers market, wine tasting and going for walks. We are looking forward to building many more special family moments in Penticton through the years to come.
realtor
Plant Combinations for Low Water Gardens
Summer heat means watering restrictions. It can be discouraging when you plant a garden that you can’t water it to keep it looking nice. Or, maybe you don’t even bother planting a garden because it’s too much work to keep up with watering it at all. Gardens can really make your home look great and enhance curb appeal. So, it might be worthwhile to plant that garden. There are plants that require lots of water and there are some that require very little. Maybe planting a low-water garden can make maintenance easy and keep your yard looking fresh a beautiful during the summer months. You can check out some great ideas on Houzz.com: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68285884/list/7-stunning-plant-combinations-for-low-water-gardens
Container Gardening
This new trend of container gardening is really something. If you love to garden but are at a lack for space this could really be a great answer. Especially if you are living in a small apartment or basement suit, a container garden may be all you have space for. You can do plants, flowers, veggies, really anything inside a container. Don’t give up on your gardening dreams, just think outside the box and plant your veggies in a box. If you are interested in trying out your own container garden you can check out these helpful tips from Canadian Living.
What’s On Your Must-Have List For Your Dream Home?
Have you ever put together a list of must have’s for your dream home? What is top of your list? Mine is a view. I want a house that has an incredible view with windows floor to ceiling so I can enjoy the sights from every place in the house. There is a show on W network that is called Buying the View. I love watching that show. Some of the homes are stunning and the views are worth the price you pay. Now to win the lottery and make my dreams come true!
You can check out the show here: http://www.wnetwork.com/shows/buying-view
Los Cabos, Mexico Trip
When it feels like January in July I know that it is time for a holiday. It felt more like summer in May than it does now. So, my family and I took a trip to Los Cabos Mexico to seek out some sun. With the market as busy as it is, time with my family is precious because work has been keeping me on my toes. We were able to get away and spend some quality time together. It was the first Mexican vacation for our little babe. We braved a plane ride and 7 days all-inclusive with a 6 month old. She did great. She loved all the attention she got from the people in the resort. We couldn’t get far without someone stopping us to tell us what a beautiful princess she was. I really enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my wife and daughter. Mexico is one of my favourite places to visit and it was a dream come true to share with my girls.
Innovative way to make your home more spacious and livable
With the house prices sky rocketing in the lower mainland you might be left with the heavy feeling that you may never own the home of your dreams. Or, wondering how you will ever own a home big enough for your family. You could spend your days saving every last dollar to buy that big beautiful home or you could think a little outside the box. Buying a smaller home and doing some creative renovations to make every last inch count is an innovative way to make a smaller home more spacious and livable. I know what you might be thinking; tiny living isn’t for me. But, what if it was a step up from tiny living, a home that is larger but the functionality of using every possible space in the house was implemented? Here is a video on a family that did just that to make their smaller two-bedroom home into the perfect living space for their family of four. Check it out. It might give you some inventive ideas of how to make the space in your home work better for you.
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57439007/video/houzz-tv-seattle-family-almost-doubles-its-space-without-adding-on?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u3170&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery0
Long Weekend
Being a realtor in this busy market means I work long hours and usually 7 days a week. However, I find it important to spend time with my family when I can. I usually have to plan time to be with my wife and daughter, however, on the odd occasion I am blessed with a random afternoon or day off. Both have happened recently and both make my wife happy.
Over the long weekend I ended up with a Sunday off. So we packed up the car and drove into Vancouver to enjoy some BC beauty. We took a long walk along the seawall in Stanley Park and then we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mahony & Sons. Mahony & Sons is a pub in Vancouver near the cruise ship terminal in Burrard Landing. We enjoyed the great atmosphere, stunning views, and impeccable service. Not to mention the food is amazing. If you are like my wife and need to find something gluten free, they have that too. The gluten free burgers will leave you wanting more. The bun is soft and delicious. Ashley had to ask the waiter to make sure it was gluten free because it tasted so good. Gluten free doesn’t taste that good, or so we thought. I would highly recommend you take me up on my recommendation and check out #mahoneyandsons. You won’t be disappointed.
Abbotsford Tulip Festival
April showers bring May flowers, or so they say. If you live in Abbotsford the flowers have already sprung and the sun is shining. One of the first spring flowers to bloom are the tulips. You can see them from the road when you are passing the Whatcom Exit headed east towards Chilliwack. And, boy are they BEAUTIFUL. If you are looking for a fun family outing, you might be interested in seeing these beauties up close and personal. The Abbotsford Tulip Festival is open for business. You can stroll through he fields, take lots of photos, play some lawn games, and if you are there on the weekend you can grab lunch from the food trucks and have a picnic. It might just be the perfect way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. If you would like prices or more information you can check out their website athttp://abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca/product/admission/
Spring Cleaning
Spring is here, Finally! As the sun shines through the windows you might notice how much dust has collected over the winter. I guess that means it is time to do some spring-cleaning. I love spring-cleaning. It means cleaning out the old, dusting off the cobwebs, de-cluttering the piles of junk, and starting fresh. So, It’s time to get motivated by opening up the windows, letting in the fresh air in, and cranking up the tunes. When I go through the cupboards and drawers I ask myself, when was the last time I used this? If it was longer than a year… it’s time that item found a new home. Why hang on to things that you never use? Maybe your thinking there is a chance you will use it one day. Ok, I have to admit, I have been a victim of this. I have thrown stuff away and regretted it. However, it hasn’t happened enough to change my spring-cleaning ways. Whatever your spring-cleaning style may be, I hope you enjoy a fresh start. If you need some ideas for where to start I have attached some links to some helpful websites. Happy Cleaning.
10 spring cleaning tips http://www.styleathome.com/organizing/organizing-ideas/10-spring-cleaning-tips/a/901
10 Deadly Mistakes a buyer can make when purchasing a home. Continued…
6. Not considering long-term needs.
It’s important to consider whether the home your purchasing will suit your needs in 3-5 years from now.
7. Not examining insurance needs.
Purchase adequate insurance. Advice from an insurance agent can provide you with answers to any concerns you may have.
8. Not buying a home protection plan.
This is essentially a mini insurance policy that usually lasts one year fro the close of escrow. It usually covers basic repairs you may encounter and can be purchased for a normal fee. Talk to your agent to help you find the protection plan you need.
9. Not knowing total costs involved.
There are a lot of costs that come with buying a home. Mare sure you ask your realtor or lender for estimated closing costs early on. Title company and attorney fees should be considered. Pre-pay responsibilities such as Homeowner Association fees and insurance must also be taken into account. Remember to examine your settlement statement prior to closing.
10. Not following through on due diligence.
Buyers should make a list of any concerns they have related to issues such as; crime rates, schools, power lines, neighbors, environmental conditions, etc. Ask the important questions before you make an offer on a home. Be diligent so that you can have confidence in your purchase.
If you have any questions about these mistakes or would like any more information on what to consider when purchasing or selling a home please give me a call and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.