Michael Giesbrecht, West Vancouver/BC real estate: Blog

Should You Buy A Resale Or A New-Build?

July 15th, 2019

If you're thinking about buying a new home, you may be considering purchasing in a new development. How does that compare to purchasing a resale property? Buying a newly-built home has some advantages. Depending on the development, you may have leeway in the style of the home and the lot you choose. Also, when the home is built, you'll be moving into a place where everything is brand new ...

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Should You Replace Your Windows?

July 8th, 2019

Here's a surprising statistic. Less than 30% of window replacements are the result of the old windows being worn, broken or otherwise in need of replacement. Clearly, there are other good reasons to consider new windows! One of the most popular motivations is cosmetic. Brand new windows have a huge impact on the overall look of a home, both on the inside and the outside. New windows ca ...

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Finding A Great Home In A Hurry

July 6th, 2019

Do you have only a few weeks to search for your next dream home? Don't panic. There are things you can do to find the perfect (or, at least, almost perfect) property — without getting too stressed out! Consider these tips: Pre-arrange your mortgage. You want to be able to make a good offer on a home right away, without worrying about financing. So, talk to your mortgage advisor or le ...

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Does The Area Have What You Want?

July 3rd, 2019

Imagine going to a restaurant with your family for dinner. You're planning on ordering a nice pasta and salad. Your heart is set on it. But, after you go to the trouble of driving there and getting a table, you discover that pasta is not on the menu. That’s disappointing! Of course, it’s only a meal. You can go somewhere else next time. But, what if the same scenario played out once yo ...

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Getting An Early Start On Selling Your Home

June 27th, 2019

You've probably heard the expression, "The early-bird gets the worm." It refers, of course, to those who get in early and reap the rewards. For example, if you arrive early to a retail store for a big blowout sale, you're likely to get the deals before the inventory runs out. The stragglers who come later miss out. Well, this same wisdom can be applied to selling your home. Starting the p ...

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Should You Buy A Resale Or A New-Build?

June 17th, 2019

If you're thinking about buying a new home, you may be considering purchasing in a new development. How does that compare to purchasing a resale property? Buying a newly-built home has some advantages. Depending on the development, you may have leeway in the style of the home and the lot you choose. Also, when the home is built, you'll be moving into a place where everything i ...

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Buying A Home In A Competitive Neighbourhood

May 24th, 2019

Imagine you’ve dreamed of living in a particular neighbourhood, perhaps for years, and then, when you're finally ready to make a move, finding out that the area is competitive and buying there is definitely a challenge. A disappointment? Not necessarily. There is a lot you can do to buy into a popular neighbourhood, even in competitive offer situations. Your first step is to start tar ...

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Budgeting For Moving Day Expenses

May 13th, 2019

On moving day, you'll have a big task. You’ll need to get your possessions from your old property to your new one — ideally without delays or damage! Surprisingly, many people underestimate the time and costs involved in doing that. Careful planning and budgeting are crucial to ensuring moving day goes smoothly. You basically have three options: Hire a moving company to handle everythi ...

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When You See A Home You Love

May 7th, 2019

Imagine driving through a desirable neighbourhood and, just as you turn a corner, you see the absolutely perfect home. Guess what? It's for sale! But, there’s a problem. Your current property isn't on the market. In fact, until this moment, you hadn’t seriously considered moving. So what do you do? Your first step is to find out more about the listing. Get a description of the property. Fi ...

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