Michael Giesbrecht, West Vancouver/BC real estate: Blog

How To Avoid A Mortgage Scam

January 20th, 2025

Scams are everywhere just waiting for you to take the bait if you aren’t careful. For many homeowners, their home is their biggest asset, so dodging a mortgage scam takes on extra importance. These scams can take the form of false promises for better mortgage terms, wire fraud phishing schemes during the closing process, stealing your home equity with reverse mortgages, loan flipping (wher ...

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Storing Your Stuff: Short-Term Storage Solutions

January 20th, 2025

When listing or renovating your home, you may need to move some of your belongings into storage. Aside from the homes of friends and family, you can also choose to use self-storage facilities, portable storage containers, and storage in transit (movers move stuff to their facility for you). How do you know which option is right for you? Consider: Size and shape of space – If you hav ...

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Freeze The Stress: Winter Moving Tips

January 20th, 2025

Getting ready to move this winter? While it may not be as easy a move as in other seasons, with a little preparation you can accomplish a move that goes off without a hitch. For some helpful tips, read on. Be prepared to be flexible – Check the weather in the days leading up to your move. If a storm is forecasted for your moving day, consider rescheduling your move date. Get any pre- ...

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New Age Living: Granny Pods

January 20th, 2025

What do you get when you have an onslaught of aging baby boomers, an affordability crisis, and a housing shortage? Granny pods – also known as guest suites, in-law suites, or accessory dwelling units. They are tiny homes that are either separate or attached to an existing home with shared utilities and are usually equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom, bedroom, and living area. For more on ...

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Refinancing 101

January 13th, 2025

Refinancing your mortgage is when you replace your existing mortgage agreement with a different one. While the most common reason to refinance your mortgage is to take advantage of significantly lower interest rates to lower your monthly payment, it’s not the only reason for refinance. Some people refinance to access the equity in their home to provide flexibility to cover expenses, such ...

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Before You Make A Move: Weighing It All Out

November 25th, 2024

Deciding when to move can be a tough decision. If you are thinking about moving, consider the following: Length of time living in your next home - Would you be there long enough to recoup the initial costs of moving, such as the down payment, closing fees, and moving expenses? Mortgage penalties – Try to align selling with when your mortgage is up for renewal to avoid a penalty, or ne ...

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Setting The Mood With Colour: Home Buyer Psychology

October 17th, 2024

When selling your home, it’s helpful to consider the effects colour could have on potential buyers. Here are some tips to consider when choosing colours: Neutrals – Some of the colours that fall under this category include shades of white, grey, and brown. They promote feelings of calmness, clarity, peace, and cleanliness. White also complements any style and works well as a blank canvas ...

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Out-Of-The-Box-Homes

October 16th, 2024

With housing costs at unaffordable levels for many, some people are turning to alternative homes. Here’s a breakdown of some of the other options out there: Tiny living – If you can compromise on space, there are tiny homes (approx. 120 to 500 sq. ft.), some of which can be hauled around, micro apartments (approx. 200 to 400 sq. ft.) in buildings with varying amenities, and shipping co ...

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Virtual Staging: Dos and Don'ts

October 15th, 2024

It’s well-documented that staged properties tend to sell faster and for more and can either be done traditionally or virtually. So, what are some reasons you might use virtual staging? Virtual staging makes sense for properties that are vacant, pre-construction, have tenants, or have dated furniture. It’s also more cost-friendly than traditional staging. If you decide on virtual staging, ...

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Bidding War Battles: How To Come Out Victorious

October 10th, 2024

It happens. Desirable home. Desirable neighbourhood. Multiple buyers with offers. It can be a recipe for a bidding war. So, what do you do if you have your heart set on a home that other people want too? Show them the cash – According to a report by Redfin, cash offers were 4 times more likely to win a bidding war. Of course, when considering making a cash offer don’t drain your ...

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Mike Giesbrecht

Royal LePage Sussex West Vancouver

Blog by Michael Giesbrecht

< Previous Next >

How To Avoid A Mortgage Scam

Storing Your Stuff: Short-Term Storage Solutions

Freeze The Stress: Winter Moving Tips

New Age Living: Granny Pods

Refinancing 101

Before You Make A Move: Weighing It All Out

Setting The Mood With Colour: Home Buyer Psychology

Out-Of-The-Box-Homes

Virtual Staging: Dos and Don'ts

Bidding War Battles: How To Come Out Victorious

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