Helm’s Sunday Guide: I meet many people who are moving from one neigbhourhood to another. Whether they are resizing to a smaller home or looking to purchase their first home, they all have one question in common, “is this the right neighborhood for us?” With all the excitement of shopping for a home, how can you know for sure if a neighborhood is truly great and the one for you and your family? Check out a few of my tips below that may help you determine if you have chosen the right neighbourhood for you.
You will get a feel for a neighbourhood by attending open houses, walking the neighborhood, spending time in their restaurants and coffee shops. Have your eye on a specific property? Knock on doors and chat with neighbors on that street. Ask everyone who’ll talk with you about the noise, traffic, any neighborhood issues. People will share their thoughts!
As the weather gets nicer, look for activity that shows owners are keeping up with maintaining their homes like new gutters, painting, gardening and landscaping, new fences and decks tell you they have pride in their homes.
Are there people sitting on their porches? Walking dogs? Taking their kids on a walk? If residents are willing to get out and walk around the neighborhood, that’s a good sign the neighbourhood is lively and safe.
Revisit the neighbourhood in the evening, weekdays and weekends, to get a true picture.
A great neighborhood sells a home. It also helps your home hold value and makes it easier to sell if you decide to move. Have questions about a specific neighbourhood? Want more tips on choosing a neighborhood? Ask Janet!
#askjanet #neighbourhood #community #coffeeshop #craftbrewery #family #fun #cycling #walking #schools #restaurants #hiking #transit #commute #resize #downsize #soldbyhelm #yourguidehome #northvancouver #squamish #pittmeadows #mapleridge #chilliwack #lovewhereyoulive #firsttimebuyers #grateful

Is it time to move? Mowing your lawn brings you dread, climbing up & down the stairs is becoming a hassle and the thought of shoveling snow this winter, well gives you the chills. Are you ready to “right size” your lifestyle yet have questions from, "where would we go?" to "we have so much stuff, we don't know where to start!" 

Plus you still like your home.  It is where you raised your family, created wonderful memories so the thought of actually packing and choosing another home seems overwhelming. Yet you also know you want to be proactive, making decisions on your own terms so reactive decisions aren't possibly made in the future. Where to start?! Call me! The decision to resize is a process, not an overnight decision yet doesn’t have to be difficult. I will provide you with a step by step plan which is easy to follow and includes tips and resources to help make the process cost effective and enjoyable for you and your family. If you are ready to move or even just thinking about it. Give me a call to arrange a free consultation, a casual meeting over tea or coffee. Wondering if it’s time to plan your resizing strategy? Ask Janet! Also ask about an upcoming event where Keri Komarniski, a senior organizer and I will presenting where we will be answering your questions! 604 730 2600 Ask for Janet! 

 #rightsize #resizie #downsize #lifestyle #proactive #health #happiness #realtor #realestate #askjanet #sold #buy #invest #retire #retirement #lifeisshort #lovewhatido #realtorlife #bc #northvancouver #pittmeadows #mapleridge #investment #homematters #yourterms #familyfirst #seniorstoday #seniorliving #mylife 

Enjoy giving gifts yet don’t like gift wrapping? Instead of using wrapping paper that ends up being thrown out and as we all know, to wrap like Martha takes time, a lot of time! Instead, consider using boxes made of reclaimed wood that can be re used, vintage and new scarves, even fabric remnants.  Instead of store bought bows I use vintage ornaments, broaches, fresh greenery and pinecones. I like to use rosemary and cedar from my garden as both are fragrant. Make your gift wrapping as special as the gift itself with my custom designed free printables. It’s an easy way to make the gift you give that much more memorable. Download the pdf for free. #gifttags #printables #tistheseason #christmas #giftgiving #giving #janethelm #askjanet #realtorlife #grateful #northvancouver #pittmeadows #mapleridge #mission #detailsmatter #customerservice #lovewhatido #sbs #smallbusinesssunday

Helm’s Sunday Sellers Guide:
A client recently asked me if they should decorate their house while it is for sale.
I say yes -in moderation! The same theme of less is more should be kept while selling your home during the holidays. There are serious buyers looking and a house with stylish trimmings may encourage them to ring in the new year in your home! Keep decorations fairly neutral and instead of decking all the halls choose a couple of your best features/ spaces to highlight- a tall decorated tree can show off high ceilings, festive tartan throw pillows placed on a bay window bench can highlight a view to a large backyard. Keep views clear and tree bases narrow as you want to ensure your home continues to look spacious and bright. Keep decorations simple, a bowl full of pine cones, exterior door wreaths and if you have a fireplace add some festive greenery on the hearth.
Do add exterior lights as you would typically do, and keep the lights on into the evening. You never know who might be driving by! Are you curious what your home is worth? Thinking it would be nice to ring in the new year in a new home? I’d love to help! I'm just a phone call, email, text or tweet away! xo Janet  photos from 204 park and cintrineliving

Happy Holidays!
#grateful #smallbusinesssunday #happyhome #homematters #merrychristmas #stagedtosell #askhelm #yourguidehome #guide #navigator #soldbyhelm #lovewhatido #realtolife #bc #realestate #pittmeadows #mapleridge #northvancouver #vancouver 

Days may be shorter and darker; yet buyers may still be driving by your home! A dark house is uninviting so make sure your exterior lights are working! Now is the ideal time to replace any dated exterior light fixtures which is an easy, inexpensive detail. During these shorter Fall and Winter days, put your exterior lights on timers. Make sure the lights have been dusted and front stoop has been swept. Add a pumpkin or two at the doorstep for a festive touch, but remove the cobwebs from the lamps! Have the patio lights on during your open house as well as fires and even hot tub and pool lights. For a recent open house we added marshmallows and sticks beside the exterior fire pit. They were a hit! Included in my service is offering free staging and curb appeal advice to help homes stand out from the competition, ensuring potential buyers see the home in the best light!  Call me to arrange a free consultation. 

I’m excited to organize another exclusive buying tour for one of my clients in the neighbourhood of Edgemont Village in North Vancouver. The outdoor shopping district nestled in the heart of this residential neighbourhood has maintained the quaint family feel I remember when I grew up in the area. Today with almost 100 shops and services, the location is the centre of the community where residents can enjoy a coffee, visit the library, shop for their groceries, wine and gifts all in one convenient, easy to walk to location.

The new condominium developments are tastefully designed to combine with the established family homes from the old timers, mid century modern to the new architecturally designed custom built homes. “The Village” as it’s known to locals is world renown for the spectacular setting at the base of the year round attraction of Grouse Mountain which was part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. 

Tourists and locals enjoy the gondola ride to the top to experience the stunning city view below. Capilano Suspension bridge has been a local and tourist attraction for generations as has the Capilano Salmon Hatchery where you can witness jumping salmon, hiking trails and enjoy the picnic area. In the heart of Edgemont Village you can enjoy the summer live concert series on Friday evenings. Murdo Frazer public tennis courts and the 9 hole, par 3 golf course are minutes away.  The proximity to renown outdoor recreation,  the 15 minute drive to downtown Vancouver, 35 minute drive to the airport and 90 minute drive to Whistler are obvious reasons why The Village is so treasured. 

Looking for a house, condo or townhouse in the Edgemont Village area of North Vancouver?  Give me a call to book your exclusive tour.

I haven’t met someone who would pay more for a house because there is a cat or dog living there yet I do know people decided they didn’t want a house because there was a cat or dog living there. Open houses are ideal times to take Fluffy and Rover to the groomers, friends for a visit or extra long walks. Keep the home well vacuumed to minimize evidence of shedding and dander for potentially allergic buyers. Keep the litter box outside if possible. Put away their toys, feeding dishes and scratching posts. Consider using air fresheners, a fresh scent, nothing overpowering as may cause a red flag for potential buyers that you are hiding something other than your pets’ odors. Oh and that fish tank that is empty- remove it! I recently viewed a townhouse where the large fish tank made the bedroom look small. Thinking of selling? Wondering what’s my home worth? PM for a market analysis as well as more insights and staging tips. #heretohelp #smallbusinesssunday #lovewhatido #realtor #bc #realestate #stagedtosell #askjanethelm #yourguidehome

Growing up my mom always made our house feel like a home. I gratefully remember the freshly baked bread scent that filled our home and I can still see the clothes drying on the clothesline in the backyard. Every dinner ended with something sweet for desert whether it was a pie, or peaches she had canned. Her choice to be a stay at home mom was an easy one and one I admire. I never heard her complain even knowing there were times (teenage years) she could have! She loved her family and her home. I miss her. I miss her a lot. I am so thankful to have had a mom who was fun-loving, tough, smart, compassionate and encouraging. Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms in our lives. #grateful #happyhome#happylife #lovewhereyoulive #lifebydesign#mothersday

Daydreaming about owning your own home is one of the most intoxicating practices known to modern man, especially now that HGTV and all the house flipping shows make it look like a cake walk. But when the time comes to actually put your money where your daydream is, it can be challenging for first-time buyers especially to understand how a home that doesn’t currently come anywhere close to “dream” status could be whipped into shape — and how a home that they think is perfect now will end up feeling like a mistake in a couple of years.

To avoid that unfortunate scenario, first-time buyers will need to think carefully and weigh all of their options. After considering all of these factors, you’ll be well-prepared to choose a house that feels like home today and for years to come.

Price

First and foremost, you need a home that you can afford. There’s no sense in deciding that you must have four bedrooms when the most you could afford in your market is two.

You don’t need to go through the entire process of getting pre-approved for a mortgage before you can start even considering what you want, but do a little bit of research around what your current housing market looks like, and then think about the down payment size and your own current finances. There are mortgage calculators and other tools online that can be useful, and it’s almost always helpful to talk to a real estate professional, like a mortgage broker or a real estate agent, so you can get a realistic idea of what you might need to spend and what you can spend on your new home.

Beds, baths, and size

You know what size your household is and whether it’s likely to grow in the future. You also know how much space you’re likely to need based on your own current household’s configuration — if you work from home, then your desire for a little more space (and a room for a home office) might be non-negotiable, whereas if you’re used to commuting to an office every day, you may not need a home office at all.

So get a handle on the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need in any home you buy. If you can, try to come up with some parameters for square footage, too. And you may want to think about your overall lot size if, for example, you’re an avid gardener or you have large dogs who’ll need some space to romp in the yard.

Special features

Once you understand your basic requirements for a home, you can start thinking about additional features that you’d like it to have. Perhaps you want a garage to store your tools, or a fenced in yard for the aforementioned dogs — or a deck where you can lay out and soak up some sun on weekends.

You should also think about the ideal heating and cooling setup in any home you buy, and it’s also wise to consider the school district (because even if you don’t have kids, it’s smart to keep in mind any buyers who could purchase your home from you in the future — they might have kids).

Some of these special features might be “nice-to-haves,” and you might decide that some are absolute necessities. Spend some time talking to a general contractor or a real estate agent before you make any final decisions about necessities, though — it’s quite possible that some of the things on your “must-have” list can be easily added once you move in.

Location matters — a lot

Smart first-time buyers will want to think beyond a school district when choosing a home. How close is your home to major highways in the area (and is that a good thing or a bad thing)? How close are you to work, and are there other job opportunities or thriving industries nearby? What’s the shopping like? Are there parks or recreation centers, and where are the best grocery stores?

You’re buying a neighborhood just as much as you’re buying a home, and unlike your home, there isn’t usually a lot you can do to change the neighborhood. So make sure you’re fully aware of what the area where you’re hoping to buy is like, both positive and negative, and understand how that’s going to affect your life while you’re in the home and any buyers who may come after you.

Focus on what you can’t change

It’s really easy to fall in love with one part of a home and allow it to cloud a truer vision of your future. Maybe that kitchen is perfect for re-imagining yourself in a scene from Julia and Julia, but if there aren’t enough bedrooms or bathrooms in the home, then you’ll regret the purchase soon after you move in.

Try to look beyond trims and finishes to focus on the aspects of the home that are fixed and unchanging, like the lot size or the location of the property. If you’re touring a potential home with an agent, give your agent your list of must-haves and ask your agent if the house could fit that list with a little bit of work.

A real estate professional can help you figure out if a house that you think is just OK today might actually be your dream home in disguise. You can change out carpeting for hardwood floors and redo a kitchen over time, but if your heart is set on waterfront property … that might take a few thousand years to manifest, and you don’t have that long.

Is that really a “bargain”?

If you’re faced with a choice between a home that seems like a bargain but requires some fixing-up and a home that’s more expensive but requires little or no work, which should you choose?

In general, you probably want to opt for paying more out-of-pocket today for a home that’s still standing solidly tomorrow. There might be a good reason why that home is listed at a “bargain” price — it might be too expensive and time-consuming for anyone to reasonably fix.

This is another area where your real estate agent can help you understand whether a home’s condition is really worth the savings. Agents have seen homes in the area of all ages and in many different conditions, and they can let you know what issues typically arise in homes and whether the place you’re considering might be at risk for exhibiting one or more of those issues.

When you know how to choose the perfect property, you’re in a good place to start your home search — even if you’ve never bought a home before. Once you’ve got your short list of what you’re seeking, talk to a real estate professional so you can take the next step toward your homeownership dream.