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.
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
The road isn’t easy when buying a new home in Real Estate. Especially in this crazy market in British Columbia. When it comes to Condos and Townhouses, it is very competitive for buyers. You would love for it to be as simple as making an offer and having it accepted. So how do you make yourself prepared for the ups and downs that are ahead of you?
Finding a way to get into Real Estate and the market is the key. Once you are in the marketthings become a little bit more clearer and lessfrightening. Really what you need to do is finda great Realtor (me) and start moving towards your goals. Until then do some research andget to understand what to look for.
Pre-sales – What’s nice about pre-sales is that you get to buy a property in today’s dollars but get to move in down the road. That’s when the money starts to happen. Of course you need to be able to afford the down payment. Then you can purchase a pre-sale and sit on it as it appreciates. In this market it should grow as the months go on and is still being finished. Maybe you want to assign the contract down the road before it is even finished. Odds are you will be making some money in that time.
Read my previous blog on Pre-Sales here.
Area – knowing the area you are considering is key. When you understand the growth that’s about to happen you can find some gems out there. Ones that can make you some money. So imagine this, you buy a property near an area that’s going to be growing. You see that the growth has no choice but to come your way. There may be a good chance that a developer will come knocking on your door. They may want to buy your place or complex in the thought of building a tower on it.
Think about looking in areas that are adding more transportation like the skytrain. Also consider a property close to schools, hospitals and shopping. This is where city planners need to consider adding homes and where developments start.
Think Outside The Box – So in this market it obvious that Vancouver is going crazy. So why not think outside the box meaning look in the suburbs. Like the Tri-cities or Abbotsford. Find that 2 bedroom that allows pets and rentals. Find a place close to transportation, school, college, hospitals, or senior homes.
You will be able to buy for low and rent for high. Your tenants will pay off the mortgage. You only need to invest your down payment of 20%. Your property will appreciate in value and odds are you’ll be making a positive cash flow from your rent.
These are just some tips and ideas to help you make an educated decision along the way. Remember to always do your research but if you want some help. I’m only a text, call or email away.
In Life there are many ups and downs but it’s how you choose to learn from them. That’s the key to success that will turn your business around. So let’s talk about 3 key lessons that I’ve learned that have helped me in my business.
1. Failure
2. Success
3. Opportunity
So my friends I’ll leave you with this. Go out there and struggle a little, don’t be afraid to fail or succeed and once you become self-aware you will start letting opportunity into your life. This will make you so happy and great things will come your way.
Do yourself a favour and watch this video. It’s will help you understand where I’m coming from. Click Here
You are not forced to buy in any specific area or any specific town. It’s all up to you. So why not think about and consider buying in a great neighbourhood. Things to think about are the fact that the walkability of an area you live goes a long way. By that is being able to walk to some great stores or trails, maybe even to work if that’s your cup of tea. You will so much happier if you do this, trust me. There’s nothing worse than choosing to live in an area that sucks to you, to you though. Some areas are better for others…Meaning if you want to drive everywhere and you want peace and quiet great, maybe out-of-town is your vibe. If you are young and want to walk to transit, trails, breweries, water and shopping then great too. Just know what you want and trust you can find it.
Your phone is your life — you use it for everything from your Social Media consumption to your Camera to your primary email outlet. But it could also be so much more than that, if only you have the proper tools in your utility belt. So be sure to add these apps to your arsenal.
If you really think about it. Your smart phone is the remote control of life nowadays. What are most people doing when they have a spare moment. If it’s in a line up at the coffee shop or when a commercial comes on their tv, and most of the time even while they are watching their favourite shows. Most people at this point are on their phones all the time.
So let’s talk about that for a second. If most people are on their phones, doesn’t it make sense that as a Realtor or Entrepreneur you should be focused on making the best of it. That’s where the world is going. Your newspaper and tv ads are marketing dollars being thrown in the garbage. It’s now time to focus on being on the go and using your phone as it’s now meant. That’s to be your computer on the go. You need it to manage your notes and draft your blogs, vlogs and marketing content.
I’ve put together a list of the most useful apps every modern Realtor, Entrepreneur and Anyone should have on their phone.
So do yourself a favour and add these tools to your utility belt. It will help you in all aspects of your life, both personally and professionally. Be sure to click on the links of the apps as that will take you directly to the apps page to download.
Stay in touch and ask me if you are looking for any other suggestions.
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