Four ways to upgrade your kitchen before selling your house


Everyone knows that kitchens sell homes.  If you are thinking of selling your Nanaimo home but feel that the kitchen needs a little spiffing up here are a few ideas: Stainless steel appliances are still very much in demand.  Energy efficient lighting in the kitchen makes it easy to increase the light in a dark kitchen.  Add a beautiful glass or mosaic backsplash to liven up a kitchen.  Stick to neutral tones in paint choices and lighter wood stains for cabinets.

Are you thinking of downsizing your Nanaimo home?


Here are a few signs that may indicate it’s time to move:  You have the urge to travel more but the responsibility of home ownership is too demanding.  You are finding that there are rooms in your house that you don’t use.  You have a lot of money tied up in your house that you could be using for other things and your spare bedrooms are now being used for storage.  If this is the case for you maybe its time to downsize to a patio home or condo.

The Nanaimo real estate market


Here is a quick snapshot of the state of the Nanaimo real estate market as of July 1 , 2015:  Based on single family home sales in Nanaimo there were 42% more homes sold in June 2015 than there were in June 2014. Average sale price was $397,448 up 10% from June 2014 and it was taking 17% fewer days to sell a home than it did the same time last year.

Tips for buying a summer cabin


In Nanaimo our summers are lovely and many people like to go camping or enjoy a summer cabin.  If you are considering purchasing a cabin you may wish to go and camp or spend some time in the area you are looking at before you invest.  Make sure the climate, neighbours, noise levels etc. are all comfortable to you.  Making a list of the amenities and features of the area you are looking for can go a long way in helping you decide where to buy.

Selling a vacant home in Nanaimo


There are pros & cons to selling a vacant home .  The pros are that the buyer can get almost immediate possession of the house once they buy it.  The cons are that a vacant house just doesn’t show as well as a nicely furnished home.  If your home is vacant make sure to arrange for someone to maintain the landscaping .  Curb appeal is very important when selling a home.  If your budget allows, you may wish to have the house professionally staged. According to the Real Estate Staging Association, professionally staged listings spend 73 percent less time on the market.