Mike Giesbrecht

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Until a couple of years ...

  Imagine you’re shopping for a car. You find one that’s a suitable model, a recent year, and hasn’t been driven a lot. The price is right, too. But, there’s a caveat. The paint is worn off in several places. The driver’s seat upholstery is torn and requires repair. And, the tires needed to be replaced… a long time ago. Would you still buy it? You might. However, unless you enjoy fixing u ...

If you’re thinking of selling, you’re probably planning to do a few minor improvements to make your property more appealing to buyers. That’s a smart idea. So, what are the best small improvements to make? Here are a few ideas: Cabinet hardware. Upgrading the hardware on kitchen and bathroom cupboard doors and drawers can have a surprising impact on the look of those rooms. The best par ...

When you’re selling your home, you want to promote those features that will be of highest interest to prospective buyers. After all, the more reasons a buyer has to love your property, the more likely they are to make a great offer. Increasingly, one category of features that buyers are looking for is energy-efficiency. So, if there are specific energy-saving characteristics of your home, ...

  There are many reasons why a homeowner might want to move. Examples include upsizing, downsizing, work relocation, or simply desiring a change. However, another popular reason for pulling up stakes is noticing that the neighbourhood is changing in a way that no longer fits your lifestyle goals. For example, say there’s a shopping mall in development nearby. It may not be impacting you now ...

Currently there are 127 one-bedroom homes (freehold strata) for sale in the Downtown area of Vancouver (not including Coal Harbour, West End, and Yaletown), ranging in asking price from $499,999 to $1,950,000.  The average asking price is $740,407 and the median asking price is $699,000.  Asking prices per square foot range from $871 to $2,117.  There have been 141 sales in the last 90 days, ...

  Chances are, you’ve heard the expression, “Your home is your biggest investment.” For most homeowners, that’s true. So, when you’re shopping for a new home, it’s important to consider the financial ramifications of any purchase. Ideally, you want a home that is likely to increase in value over time. In other words, you want a home with a strong potential return on investment. But dollars ...

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson.

  Keeping your lawn, flowerbeds and shrubs looking great enhances the “curb appeal” of your property. However, it can also be a lot of work! Here are some do-it-yourself tips for making these tasks easier and less time-consuming: Add mulch around trees and shrubs. That way, you won’t have to cut grass in those areas, plus you’ll avoid the need to use shears or a trimmer to do the job prop ...

  Daydreaming about owning something you can’t afford can be fun. Whether it’s a diamond-encrusted watch from Tiffany & Co., or the latest Lamborghini, even the thought of trying one on or going for a test drive can be exciting. The problem with daydreaming, however, is that it’s all-too-easy to dismiss it as just that – a dream. But, what if you daydream about owning a beautiful home in a ...