16 Easy Photography Prep Tips for Home Sellers

Linda Sabiston of First Impression Photography offers these photography prep tips to home sellers looking to show their home in the best possible way.

When people view your home in images or in person, they need to be able to envision themselves in the space. They need to imagine their own pictures on the fridge and furniture in the living room, which is why is so important to make your home as neutral and inviting to others as possible.

Outside the home:

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1. Move vehicles, garden tools, hoses, garbage cans and recycling bins out of view.

2. Replace burnt out light bulbs.

3. Sweep and clean walkways and entrances.

Inside the home:

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4. Clean windows inside and out, open blinds and draperies to reveal the view.

5. Turn all electronics off including fans, televisions and computers.

6. Replace burnt out light bulbs.

7. Clothes go in the hamper and toys in the closet.

8. Make the beds.

9. Conceal pet food bowls and toys and pets.

Kitchen:

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10. Clear the counters and work spaces, this makes the kitchen seem bigger.

11. Remove all magnets, photos, artwork and schedules from the refrigerator.

12. Clear the sink and put all cleaning supplies out of sight.

13. Remove floor mats and dish towels.

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Bathrooms:

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14. Lower the toilet seats.

15. All personal items should be removed from the shower and counters to under the sink.

16. Hang clean towels neatly

 First impressions are everything, and Linda’s goal is to help your property outshine the competition!

Linda Sabiston is a BC photographer specializing in interiors and architecture on the Sunshine Coast. Her sense of space and eye for composition allows her to create images that are evocative and compelling. For more information about Linda Sabiston contact Russ and Ria or visit Linda’s website at http://www.firstimpressionphotos.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Home with Oversized Garage and Private Backyard

Lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in the Bay area on a level, sunny lot just steps to marinas, shopping, beaches and parks.

339 Burns Rd Bay area of Gibsons BC

Marina at Gibsons BC

Marina at Gibsons BC

Open kitchen with easy access to the backyard, mudroom and powder room allows you to watch the kids play while you prepare meals.

Open kitchen overlooking  the backyard

Open kitchen overlooking the backyard

Private backyard with garden beds, lawn and patio

Private backyard with garden beds, lawn and patio and separate garage

Relax in your bright, sunny dining room with flexible living room/den/office space.

339 burns rd living room

Dining room and living room/den/office

Or kick back in the cozy family room with gas fireplace.

Family room with fireplace

Family room with fireplace

Oversize single garage is insulated and wired with a separate workshop area in the back.

Make this your home today!

 

 

Make your Sunshine Coast dreams come true!

Home Buyer Alert! Garden Lover’s Delight

Step into paradise on 1.74 acres of perennial gardens set amongst a forest of firs, cedars and ferns.

853 marine Dr Gibsons BC Sunshine Coast

Cottage Country at 953 Marine Dr Gibsons BC Sunshine Coast

This delightful home is surrounded by mature perennials, Zen gardens, flowering shrubs, ornamental trees, a wired gazebo, hot tub, pond and outbuildings.

 

953 marine_garden

Ponds, gazebo and back garden

With over 2,400 sq ft on two levels this immaculate home offers room to grow. Recent upgrades include new kitchen and bath and hardwood floors.

updated gourmet kitchen

updated gourmet kitchen

With a price reduction from $549,000 to $529,000 and just 5 minutes from the ferry your decision to start your Coast Lifestyle today is easy!

towering firs, cedars and ferns in the backyard

towering firs, cedars and ferns in the backyard

For more info about this home click here

 

 

 

 

Another Month of Increased Home Sales – Sunshine Coast Housing Market Update for June 2014

Deer shopping at the local paint store

Deer shopping at the local paint store

Another great month for increased sales for the residential detached and attached market.  We are definitely seeing an upward trend with unit sales and gross sales revenue.  Housing prices are still equal, generally, but we are selling more! Land only is not fairing as well and has seen another dip this past month.  Lets break it down:

Residential Detached Home Sales

Gross dollar sales equaled $29,314,000 for a 25% increase over last year’s $23,453,000.  Unit sales this past month totalled 67 for a 36% increase over last year’s 49.

Year to date total dollar volume is up 17% to $116,529,000.  Unit sales for the year are also up 18% to 267 from 226 last year.  Total available inventory is 770 listings.  This is only up 3% from the same time last year.  The average price per unit is $436,000 compared to last year at $439,000.

Music in the Landing, Summertime in Gibsons BC

Music in the Landing, Summertime in Gibsons BC

Residential Attached Home Sales

Gross dollar sales equaled $4,136,000 for a 20% increase over last year’s  $3,275,000.  Unit sales this past month totaled 16 for a 50% increase over last year’s 8.

Year to date total dollar volume is up 23% to $17,600,000.  Unit sales for the year are also up 27% to 62 from 45 last year. Total available inventory is up slightly to 187 units for sale.  This is a small increase of 6% over last year’s 175 units.  The average price per unit is $280,000 this year.  Last year the average price was $295,000.

From the top of Mt. Elphinstone looking at the Paisley Islands

From the top of Mt. Elphinstone looking at the Paisley Islands

Land Only Sales

Land only is slumping in dollar volume as we are down 23% to $1,749,000 from $2,292,000 last year.  Unit sales, surprisingly, are up to 10 over last year’s 6 units sold.

Year to date total dollar volume is down 13% to $5,887,000.  Unit sales are up 19% to 31 from 26 last year.  Total available inventory remains fairly even at 1421 units.  The average price per sale is down slightly from $402,000 to $389,000.

Land only sellers need to compete on price!  Cut that price to the bone and be prepared to wait, a bit anyway.

Cottage country, North Lake near Egmont BC

Cottage country, North Lake near Egmont BC

Sellers

Things are looking up for detached and attached Sellers! Demand is increasing each month, and while it’s not yet time to be too ambitious with asking price, you can enjoy a bit more certainty when it comes to getting sold.

Buyers

Buyers looking for detached homes now need to be a little more ready to make an offer rather than waiting to see what comes onto market “next week”.

Enjoy July everyone.  If you have any questions about the market give us a call and let us go to work for you!

Russ_signature

 

 

Canada and USA Celebrate!

Happy Canada Day!

Canada dayHappy 4th of July!

July4

The sun is shining, the BBQ is lit, drinks are chillin’,
friends and family are calling!

Have a safe and happy
long weekend!

 

Sandy Beach, Cottage on the Sunshine Coast

Check out our latest real estate offering in the Sandy Hook area of the Sunshine Coast:

Cozy 3 bed 1 bath panabode style cottage just steps to the sandy beach. Settle into this home with your family or continue as a successful rental cottage.

Price reduced from $309,000 to just $299,900!

Find all the details here

sandy beach at porpoise dr

sandy beach at porpoise dr

6986 Porpoise Dr Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

6986 Porpoise Dr Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

6986 Porpoise Dr Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

6986 Porpoise Dr Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

Family-style dining room:

6986 Porpoise Rd Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

6986 Porpoise Rd Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

Welcoming living room with fireplace:

6986 Porpoise Rd Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

6986 Porpoise Rd Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

Relax by the gorgeous ocean and mountains:

Make your dreams come true!

Find all the details here

Call Russ and RIa today for your private viewing of this and other homes on the Sunshine Coast.

❤❤❤ Happy Father’s Day! ❤❤❤

father's day3Happy Father’s Day!

father's day2 

Hope all the dads out there enjoy a
relaxing day with their family.father's day

By the way, we are never too busy for your referrals

Russ and Ria_signatureRuss 604-741-7119 | russ@coastlifestyles.ca
Ria 604-989-2253 | ria@coastlifestyles.ca

Upward Housing Trend Continues: Sunshine Coast Real Estate Market Update May 2014

Hello everybody!

May was another great month for detached sales on the Sunshine Coast!  Attached sales were up too and the land only market is holding its own.  Lets break it down.

Marina at Gibsons BC

Marina at Gibsons BC

Detached Home Sales

Detached sales for the month of May enjoyed a total dollar volume of  $32,294,000 which is a whopping increase of 35% over last May’s total dollar volume of $23,755,000.  Units sold are up 20% with 64 sales over last May’s 53.

Year to date results are also on good footing with an increase of total dollar volume of 14%.  So far this year we have sold $87,210,000 worth of detached homes compared to last year’s total of $75,892,000.  Year to date unit sales are also up.  We’ve sold 200 units so far whereas last year we were at 177.  This is an increase of 12%.  The average price per unit is up 1% from $428,000 to $436,000. Available inventory is also up 8% from 705 available homes last year at this time to 765 available homes presently on market.

 

Sandy Hook beach

Sandy Hook beach

Attached Home Sales

Attached home sales are doing very well too.  For the month of May we had a total dollar volume for condos and town homes at $3,861,000 compared to last May at $2,660,000 for an upswing of 32%!!!  Units sold in May totaled 11 compared to 8 last year.

Year to date numbers are a little more conservative but nonetheless very bright and reason for optimism.  Total dollar volume this year is at $13,530,000 compared to last year at $10,150,000 representing a boost of 25%.  Unit sales are very close to that percentage with 46 units sold so far this year and only 37 sold at this point last year for a difference of 19%.  The average price per unit is $291,000 which is up 7% from last year’s $272,000.  Available inventory right now is 164 units whereas last year we were at 175.

Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

Sandy Hook Sunshine Coast BC

Land Only

Land only sales are down ever so slightly by 3% from $845,000 last May to $815,000 this May.  Units sold this May were 4, last May enjoyed 5 sales.

Year to date dollar volume is down 8% to $4,138,000 this year compared to $4,500,000 last year. Unit sales for the year are 21 compared to last year’s 20.  The average price per unit this year is $197,000 compared to $225,000 last year for a difference of 12%.  Available inventory for land is now hovering at 441 units down 8% from last year’s 480.

Busy Spring…Is the trend continuing?

Traditionally, May is one of the strongest selling months on the Sunshine Coast, and this is the second month in a row that we have seen significant gains in both dollar volume and units sold.  Dare I say we are seeing a trend….Maybe it’s a bit early to say but it looks good.  Will next month see us come down slightly, as is tradition, or maintain a steady upward gain?  Stay tuned and find out!

 

 

Bay Area Home Offers Convenience to Marina

Lovely 3 bed 2 bath Bay area home on a level lot offering easy access to marinas, shopping, beaches and parks.

339 Burns Rd Bay area of Gibsons BC

339 Burns Rd Bay area of Gibsons BC

Marina at Gibsons BC

Marina at Gibsons BC

Bright, sunny living and dining area:

339 burns rd living room

339 burns rd living room

Big backyard with gardens and covered area to relax in:

339 Burns Rd backyard

339 Burns Rd backyard

Make your Sunshine Coast dreams come true!

Call Russ and RIa today for your private viewing of this and other homes on the Sunshine Coast.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Here are a few quotes that embody what mothers and motherhood mean to us:

images    A mother’s happiness is like a beacon, lighting up the future but reflected also on the past in the guise of fond memories.
~ Honore de Balzac

images3

Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.
~ Barbara Kingsolver

images5

Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.
~ Robert Browning

Cheers to an awesome day!images4

Russ and Ria_signature