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The Sunny Side Of Moving To The Suburbs

The Sunny Side Of Moving To The Suburbs

The battle is between the city and the suburbs but also what it is that you want out of life. The quality versus the quantity, the conversation will always continue. Each has it’s benefits and drawbacks. I became kind of a suburbanite this year, and I continue to be pleasantly surprised by my new community and everything it has to offer.

Here are some advantages that could tip the scales in favour of the outskirts.

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The Perfect Date Night In Port Moody

Port Moody Date Night

The Perfect Date Night In Port Moody

It can also be just a great time with friends too!

As you can tell by now. I’m a huge fan of Port Moody and what it has to offer.
So today’s blog is going to be about those times when you’re looking for something to do. Something a little different but still around what Port Moody has to offer.
This is a date night that I recently went on with my Fiancée. It was one of the best times I’ve had here. I’m already looking to rinse and repeat it with her again.
So it all started on a random night that she told me, we need to go on a date soon. “It’s been so long since you and I went on one“. She in a round-about but direct way said “you should take me out on a date” which we all know means It should be soon and by soon I mean very soon. So I knew I only had a couple of days to pull this off.
A couple of days went by and I was racking my brain on what to do. I wanted to keep it local and still make it different from what we usually do. We love going and walking the area, usually down the trails towards Rocky Point then hit up a brewery, food truck and head home. Maybe we stop at Browns for cheap pizza night (Sunday or Monday) or sushi.
But this time I had to think about what we haven’t done and what would make for a great night. I did all this research and realized there needs to be more info and resources to help others out in this situation. So I had to think outside the box, and I remembered driving by a couple of places that I keep saying to myself that we need to go there someday. That’s when I decided that this is what we are going to do.

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The 3 Key Villages in Port Moody

The 3 Key Villages in Port Moody

Let’s talk about something important for just a moment.

Port Moody is one of three cities in the Tri-Cities. The other two are Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. But this focus is on Port Moody and specifically the three villages that are perfectly positioned within it (Newport Village, Suter Brook Village, and Klahanie Village). Port Moody really is a hidden gem that is growing so much and will be a completely different place very, very soon.

Port Moody is North Vancouver’s Lonsdale before it was what it is today. Port Moody is North Vancouver’s Deep Cove before it was what it is today. It is made up of some really great neighbourhoods and areas that you must get to know.

So let’s just talk today about these 3 Key Villages in Port Moody.

1. Newport Village; This Village is on the corner of Ioco Road and Guildford Way and is home to many great establishments. Newport Village has a laid back vibe feeling to it. More of an older demographic as it is the older of the 3 villages but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking life. It’s actually full of life! This location is very close proximity to Eagle Ridge Hospital. So a great place to be located should you want to be close to this.

I visit this village on almost a daily basis. I use it as an excuse to go to the cozy coffee shop Gallaghers Cafe (Be sure to pick up a stamp card for your coffees, Buy 10 get 1 free). This is a great place to people watch and it has a covered patio. So on those rainy days grab a warm coffee and get some work done. It’s a good place to stop when walking your dog as they have a secret cookie jar of treats for them. Also nestled in Newport is Brown’s Restaurant, a must have for an area like this. Really one of our must go places if we don’t feel like cooking or just wanting to get out of the house. This Browns has one of the best patios in the city. Great in the summer time of course. Another great stop is St James’s Well Pub. Live music on the weekends and always packed then too. Looking for a great spot to watch the hockey game or football game, really any sporting event, this pub is for you.

There really are so many great shops in this Village. Everything you need is here, you really don’t have to leave this village at all.

  • Newport Village Real Estate Info (One Bedroom)  – Click Here
  • Newport Village Real Estate Info (Two Bedroom)  – Click Here
  • Newport Village Real Estate Info (Townhouses)     – Click Here

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Pros and Cons of Buying a Pre-Sale Condo.  

Pros and Cons of Buying a Pre-Sale Condo.  

Let’s get down to the brass tax of a new build and Pre-sales. As I’m sure you are seeing all of their beautiful marketing. That place looks so nice and enticing. But make sure to take a step back to understand the advantages and disadvantages of buying a pre-sale condo. Especially in a market like Vancouver and its surrounding areas like Port Moody, North Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster.

Sun Towers at 4458 Beresford Street, Burnaby, BC – Developers Belford Properties Click Here for Details

 Advantages:

1.) Beautiful New Condo Building

Can you imagine yourself as the first owner of that new place? Everything is shiny and clean, has a great design and top technology. Many new buildings in Vancouver are LEED certified and are built to be greener and more environmentally sustainable in design, construction and operation than older buildings. Typically they too have state of the art fibre optic cabling too. Great for options when it comes to your digital needs like phone and internet.

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Location or Quality – Which to Prioritize in Terms of Your Investment?

Location or Quality – Which to Prioritize in Terms of Your Investment?

Is it better to focus on the neighbourhood or state of the property listing – or can you get both? 

I suggest that you should choose location, every time, especially in the Vancouver market. Even in its surrounding areas, like New Westminster, Burnaby, Port Moody and North Vancouver. These are all great locations that have some good neighbourhoods to keep an eye on. It will appreciate more in time.

Things to keep mind are that the quality of a home can change – or be changed – but location never can, and it’s the most crucial aspect of property value.

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6 Tips For Choosing A Neighbourhood To Live In

6 Tips For Choosing A Neighbourhood To Live In

What is important to you when choosing a neighbourhood to live in?

It’s easy to say but is it really that easy to achieve. When trying to choose a new place to call home, one of the many factors that you have to keep in mind is neighbourhood. I may be biased, but I have lived in Kerrisdale, South Granville, Commercial Drive, Downtown (Yaletown and Westend), North Vancouver and now Port Moody.

I have to say when it comes to my lifestyle and personality, the North Shore of the Tri-Cities, Port Moody has everything I need. Being so close to the trails and mountains for hiking, trail running, swimming, paddle boarding, breweries, boating and so much more is what I love. The market is still reasonable too, I mean it’s crazy if you are to compare it to other cities across Canada but when it comes to Greater Vancouver Port Moody has amazing upside in its pricing. But is it within the confines of what’s important to you?

That’s what really matters. What is important to you when choosing a neighbourhood to live in?

Here are 6 tips to consider:

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8 Things Nobody Tells You About Buying A Home

8 Things Nobody Tells You About Buying A Home

Being a home buyer is tough and sometimes defeating. Things don’t always go your way but it’s how you handle the ride that counts. Your Realtor will become your friend and you will be in constant contact with them. You will be sending them new and old listings asking, how about this one? This looks exactly like the place I want. How come you didn’t send me this info?

A good Realtor will send you the info on the places that fit what you need and want. Keep in mind that sometimes you may also find something that they didn’t. Odds are this is because you’ve decided to expand your search or maybe there are restrictions that you don’t know about.

Your Realtor will guide you in the right direction. They have been doing this for sometime and know what you want. But here’s a list of some things that nobody tells you. Things that will come up and things that are perfectly fine.

Trust me when I say you are not the first to have this thoughts. So you may as well know them now.

  1. As a Buyer, be sure to keep those important thoughts to yourself. – At least until the end of the Open House. Talk to your Realtor and go over those thoughts with them first. It won’t help you if a Realtor over hears that you are willing to pay $100,000 over asking when you put in that offer. If the Selling Agent knows who is putting in offers and for how much before it comes. It gives the sellers leverage, as they will know what you are willing to pay and that could work against you. Don’t say anything in the house you wouldn’t want the Seller to hear. You would be surprised but sometimes there are drop cams set up in the house that the sellers use to can use to spy on you.
  2. Odds are you won’t find your perfect home at your first Open House. I find that my buyers tend to see at least 5 properties before making an offer. Of course, some people fall in love with the first house they see and others, after the 40th. You’ll know when you’ve found the ONE. That the job of the Realtor, they will see in you what you love.
  3. You’ve bought that dream home, now what? – It’s possession day and you walk in. Your heart drops…this is not what I remember it. It looks smaller, the walls weren’t that scratched. Or were they? It’s okay to second guess yourself. It’s human natures as this is a huge purchase for you. You want things to be perfect and they will be. Once you put in your stuff and add your touch. You will be in love again in a few hours…it’s just the nerves.
  4. It’s time to become a stalker. – I still remember that every weekend and many times during the week. My wife and I became stalkers after we bought our home. You will too…You’ll go out of your way many times to drive by it. Maybe we should head out to Ikea or visit Brewers Row for a beer. That was a 30 minutes drive each way. But we did it religiously and you will too.
  5. Give me my keys…NOW! – You often don’t get the keys to your new home until after 4 pm on possession or closing day. Your lender needs to transfer the mortgage and your lawyer needs to transfer the title into your name before any keys can be released. Legally, Sellers have until 5 pm to move out.
  6. Start decluttering your life. – Once you buy that home and it becomes moving day. It’s best to get rid of those items that aren’t needed. Nothing worse than dragging that old bookcase and couch that you want to replace anyways. Just get them on Craigslist and start making some sales now. Ikea stuff still draws top dollars as a used item.
  7. This is the place I want to buy! – Househunting is actually only a small part of what your REALTOR does, so if you found the home you want to buy on your own, your agent’s job is really just beginning. Your agent still needs to do their due diligence on the house, determine fair market value, prepare the offer, negotiate terms that protect you, coordinate the deposit cheque, attend the home inspection, deal with any conditions in the offer and coordinate with your lawyer and lender. They’ll be with you up until the date of closing (and long after, if you’ve found a good agent).
  8. It’s Moving Day. – Moving day is going to suck no matter how excited you are about your new home. Hire professionals. Have plenty of alcohol on hand. And take a deep breath – it’ll all feel amazing in another few weeks. This is time to invite your friends over, odds are they will be around to help you move. Even if they say they can’t…they CAN!

I could add a few more to this. Best piece of advice is to stay in communication with your Realtor. Tell them exactly what’s going on in your mind. They can’t read it for you but they can answer it for you.