The Whittingham Team - 3620 Hamilton Street Port Coquitlam BC V3B 3A1

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 3620 Hamilton Street, Port Coquitlam, BC

LINCOLN PARK ... Great Location waiting for someone to finish some pafts of the basement area. Large lot with private back yard including small garden area and a huge 32'X 16'sun deck off the Living Room. This home has lots of potential by finishing the basement area with your own ideas. The new Kitchen with Pantry is less than a year old, and in addition to a I car Garage there is a very spacious double carport in the back yard. The 32'X 16'Workshop located under the Sun Deck contains a built in Hot Tub waiting to be enclosed. This is an absolutely AWESOME area for family life, free from trafFrc except for local residents. Put this home on your viewing list as it provides excellent value.

From that great motivator at some point in time... Earl Nightingayle

"The moment you decide on a goal to work toward, you're immediately a successful person. You are then in that rare and successful category of people who know where they're going. Out of every hundred people, you belong in the top five. Don't concern yourself too much with how you are going to achieve your goal-leave that to a power greater than yourself. All you have to do is know where you're going. The answers will come to you of their own accord, and at the right time."

"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

~Earl Nightingale

"Courage is not limited to the battlefield. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like enduring pain when the room is empty or standing alone when you're misunderstood."

~Charles Swindoll

~Theodore Roosevelt

I just finished uploading this Home on Acreage for sale, 26927 108th Ave, Maple Ridge, BC

7.47 acres, newer [2006] 8,000 sq. ft. home. 6 bedrooms upstairs, huge kitchen with granite counters, stainless double wall oven, stainless 6 burner gas cook top with pot fill tap, oversize island with second sink and open floor plan. Real hardwood and slate covers most of the home. No carpet here. Geothermal provides the heat and air conditioning with separate zones for all three levels. 9' ceilings on all levels. Over height doors. Slate and maple staircase. Crown mouldings and lot of detail runs throughout the home. The main level has salt water indoor pool with stamped concrete viewable from the family and kitchen. The long driveway sets the home back for privacy. New 30' x 50' shop. A truly amazing home.

I just finished uploading this Home on Acreage for sale, 12348 271st Street, Maple Ridge, BC

1 acre backing onto Greenbelt & Creek. Enjoy the sound of the water and the tranquility that nature provides from this well equipped family home. Lots of room for everyone here: 4 large bedrooms up/ 1 bedroom down/ 2 family rooms/large kitchen/large rec room...definitely room to spread out. Dad will enjoy the triple car garage, the kids will love the playground & forest, and mom will relax with the private upper deck off the master bedroom. This home is located at the end of a quiet street in a great neighbourhood...definitely a drive-by but appointments are a must.

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 25 Wilkes Creek Drive, Port Moody, BC

Spectacular home in prestigious Heritage Mountain backing onto greenbelt. Enter through the grand foyer with marble tile leading to open floor plan. Fabulous gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, gas range and center island with additional sink. Enjoy the evenings on your 500 SF deck with gas hook up overlooking priv bkyd with water ftn. 2 sets of staircases take you to the upper flr feat 3 bedrooms each with its own ensuite. Huge master ste with sitting area, 6 pce ensuite with jetted jaccuzzi tub & W/I closet, 2 sided fireplace and its own private deck. Basement is fully finished with 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, wet bar with granite countertops and rec room. Feats of this stunning home incl inground sprinkler sys, I/com,etc.

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 412 12268 - 224th Street, Maple Ridge, BC

Terrific 2 bdrm plus den with NO GST! Top floor views with views of mtns & close to elevator. Quiet building, no restrictions. Granite kit counters,stainless steel app in kit. Laminate floors thro. Great floor plan. You'll LOVE the sundeck!

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, 308 11601 227th Street, Maple Ridge, BC

Fraserview Village seniors project. Lovely 2 bdrm unit with gas F/P & balc overl ooking lovely gardens. Spac oak kit with eating bar & DR. Cheater 4 pce off mast er with double closets. Extras: guest suite, swimming pool, workshop, entertainment & more.

I just finished uploading this Condo for sale, A224 33755 Seventh Ave, Mission, BC

THE MEWS ON THE PARK- One of the best locations with a view from every window. Like new but no GST! Beautiful 2 bedroom home with full 6-piece appliance package & zoned air conditioning. Extra large storage locker. The Mews is a luxurious gated community with state of the art security, underground parking and 2 amenity rooms. Located overlooking Heritage Park's acres of walking trails and boasting a spectacular view. Superior design & premium quality workmanship blended with gorgeous decors set the stage for a home you will be proud to call yours. Comes with two large parking stalls located close to elevator.

#32 12099 236th Street, Maple Ridge BC Townhouse

Pin a poppy above your heart, attend a local Rememberance Day ceremony and vow never to forget the sacrificies made for us.

Talk to a friend or relative that has just returned from a tour of duty and larn about their experiences.

Change your profile picture on any of your Social Media sites to a poppy or write on your blog about the importance of remembering.

Lest we forget!!!

Those of us at home are so blessed.

I just finished uploading this House for sale, 24980 Dewdney Trunk Road, Maple Ridge, BC

Pride of ownership lives here! This home is finished with class. A very open floor plan & lots of room for a family & in-laws. This basement/split entry home has a 1-2 bedroom mortgage helper! The home has 3 bedrooms up & 1-2 bedrooms down with a total of 4 bathrooms. Both the upstairs main & ensuite bathrooms have been renovated with modern sinks, fixtures & new high end lino. The back sundeck has a professionally installed cover by Sundecks Unlimited. The yard is just over a 1/4 acre (.262 acres) nestled beside trees & a creek which you will never have neighbours on the east side of the property.

I just finished uploading this Townhome for sale, 12 8555 King George Highway, Surrey, BC

Wonderful home! In Bear Creek Village, this is the starter you have been waiting for! Low maintenance , easy access, close to schools, shopping and transit.

The Whittingham Team - Beautiful Country and Fall Leaves

The Whittingham Team - Buyer and Home Inspection

FIXER UPPER MYTHS & FACTS
What You Should Know BEFORE You Buy

"A home will only sell for what the market can bear. What this means is that no matter how many upgrades were made, or how much money has been invested in the upgrades, a home will only sell for what the majority of homebuyers are willing to pay."

Before deciding that your next home must be a fixer-upper, you should do some homework into what to expect when purchasing these types of homes. Many prospective homebuyers tend to have a romanticized version of the entire process, and are quite shocked when confronted with the hard reality. Fixer Upper homes can often represent a good deal, but there are some points that a homebuyer should be aware of before making that offer.

MYTH #1 . . .

I can make a "killing" in the real estate market by buying a run-down home, for tens of thousands of dollars less than the average home, fixing it up, and then immediately selling it for full price, or more.

FACT #1 . . .

Most homeowners looking to sell their "fixer upper" home understand that they will have to list their home at a price that reflects the cost involved in restoring the home to its original condition. The asking price of a fixer upper is usually calculated so that the savings represented by the lower than average market price is roughly equal to the amount of money that a buyer could expect to spend on necessary renovations. Updating the "look" of a home, or upgrading to higher-end finishes, is not included in these calculations, and you should be careful not to spend so much money on renovations that you are unable to recoup your investment.

MYTH #2 . . .

If I’m buying a fixer-upper home, I don’t need to bother with the added cost and aggravation of a home inspection because I already know what I’m getting.

FACT #2 . . .

A home inspection should always be included in an Offer To Purchase and Sell agreement, and it is arguably even more important to include one when you are looking to buy a fixer upper. Structural defects are normally not visible to the untrained eye, yet will cost much more to repair than the obvious cosmetic fix-ups. Most licensed home inspectors will not only detail the defects that they uncover, but can also give you a good idea of the costs involved in fixing them.

MYTH #3 . . .

It’s better to pay a lot less and buy a "fixer upper" in an undesirable area, than to pay more for a comparable "fixer upper" in a better neighborhood.

FACT #3 . . .

Most of us have heard the quote, "the three most important things to look for when buying a home are: location….location…and location!" While this is obviously meant to be funny, and is a somewhat oversimplified rule of home buying, it does drive home the point of how important it is to consider where you will buy your home. Purchasing a fixer upper in a desirable neighborhood will cost you more initially, but the payoffs -- personal peace-of-mind and higher return on your home investment when you sell -- should not be overlooked.

MYTH #4 . . .

Once I fix this house up, I can turn around and sell it for double the price I paid.

FACT #4 . . .

A home will only sell for what the market can bear. What this means is that no matter how many upgrades were made, or how much money has been invested in the upgrades, a home will only sell for what the majority of homebuyers are willing to pay. Factors to consider when calculating your possible return on investment:

1. Location: What kind of a neighborhood is the home in?

The type of neighborhood will determine which type of buyers you will attract when you decide to sell. For example: An area consisting of mostly “first time buyers” will attract buyers who have a strict and limited budget. They are looking for affordability above all else – including high-end finishes and perfectly landscaped gardens.

2. Neighbors: What are the neighboring homes like?

A beautiful home surrounded by unkempt, run-down homes will sell for much less, than a beautiful home surrounded by well kept, nicely maintained homes.

3. Surroundings: What are the surrounding features?

Buyers are willing to pay more for a home that is in a convenient, yet quiet locale. While you may find it convenient to side onto a school, many potential buyers would eliminate such a location due to the noise level associated with the presence of hundreds of excitable children, and the congestion caused by school buses and parents dropping off and picking up students.

MYTH #5 . . .

I can make a lot more money by turning this single family home into a multi-family dwelling.

FACT #5 . . .

While this statement is for the most part true, it may not be possible. Most towns and cities have strict zoning laws that not only dictate the maximum allowable occupancy within any given area, but also dictate the size and design of a home when building new, or creating additions to an existing structure.

Once you have thoroughly investigated the pro’s and con’s associated with purchasing a fixer upper home, and you have decided that it’s right for you, be sure to "run your numbers".

1. List Price of Fixer Upper
2. Average Recent Sale Prices of Similar "Non Fixer Upper" Area Homes
3. Estimated Cost of Repairs from Reputable Source (e.g. referred Renovation Company)
4. Buffer Amount for "Unexpected" Repair Costs (usually 1/2 of estimated total)
5. Selling Expenses (real estate fees, lawyer fees, closing costs)
6. Amount of Profit You Desire versus Amount of Actual Profit

For example:
1. $200,000.00 = List Price of Fixer Upper
2. $255,000.00 = Average Sales Price
3. $ 25,000.00 = Estimated Repairs
4. $ 12,500.00 = Buffer for Repairs
5. $ 17,000.00 = Selling Expenses
6. $ 20,000.00 = Desired Profit Versus Actual
Profit of $500.00

If your intent was to purchase the house shown in the example above, make the repairs, and immediately list the house for sale, your Actual Profit shown is only $500.00. If, however, your intent was to purchase the same house, but actually live in it for a few years before selling, you would normally expect to turn a much better profit for two reasons:

• First, historically speaking, the real estate market normally goes up over time and your anticipated sale price would be higher - affording you more profit.

• Second, the money that you would have been paying in rent to live elsewhere - with no return - is actively paying down your mortgage and increasing your equity.

As with all investments, though, nothing is guaranteed. So when looking to finance a home, keep in mind that the real estate market has taken some big hits in the past. Never overextend yourself financially.

Please note that the figures in the calculations shown were used for example purposes only. Local housing prices, repair costs, and selling costs will vary greatly from one location to another. It is recommended that all Buyers thoroughly research their local costs and legal restrictions before purchasing.

Golden Ears Park

Maple Ridge, BC

What an awesome place to have in our back yard. Visit the Golden Ears Park Web site by clicking here. 

As one of the largest parks in the province, Golden Ears Provincial Park is prized for its recreational opportunities. The extensive system of trails within the park provides an excellent opportunity for hiking and horseback riding. Alouette Lake is a popular spot for swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, boating and fishing. The park also has three large campgrounds. Natural Features Vegetation is typical of the coastal western Hemlock forest of BC and the mountainous backcountry is extremely rugged.

Park Size: 62,540 hectares

Special Notes:

• Park hosts and a security patrol are available during the summer months.
• Canoes/Kayaks/Pedal boats are available for rent in the park from May through Labour Day

Stay Safe:

• In the backcountry hiking area of the park, there is a small hut on Panorama Ridge, available for emergency use situations only; no overnight use.