Downsizing: Is it for You?

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Debbie Murphy

Downsizing is a topic that a lot of our clients have been inquiring about. With the state of Vancouver’s Real Estate Market, considering selling your current home and cashing in on your investment seems like a great idea but there is more to downsizing than simply selling your home and moving into a small abode. So, how do you know if downsizing is the right decision for you? Read on!

To Downsize or Not

There are a few things that you have to consider when thinking about downsizing. See 6 Tips to consider below….

SPACE

When downsizing, one of the biggest questions you have to answer is the amount of space you are willing to give up and the amount of space you absolutely have to have. Besides, the whole idea of downsizing is moving from your spacious detached home into a small condo unit. The thing with bigger homes is that we tend to acquire more stuff to fill up the space, ending up with more stuff than we really need. Also because bigger homes have more rooms, moving from a 5 bedroom house into a 2 bedroom condo can be a huge adjustment for you.

FINANCES

What do you get out of downsizing? Our home is one of the biggest investments that we make throughout our lifetime so if you could use the extra money you’ll make out of selling your home and acquiring a significantly smaller condo unit, then downsizing could be the best option for you. This is especially true if you don’t use or need the bigger space your home has.

MAINTENANCE

We’re sure you’re quite aware of the amount of maintenance involved with keeping a huge home. From mowing the lawn to raking the leaves, some of these things can get pretty labor intensive especially if you have to do it yourself. If you’re done doing it yourself and you’re not keen on hiring somebody to do it, then downsizing is the next best thing. When you live in a condo or townhouse, your strata will take care of all the maintenance needed. Living in a condo now ourselves, it’s a total timesaver not to have to worry about all of the maintenance outside our unit.

NEIGHBOURHOOD

When you’ve lived in the same home for decades, you’ll notice the amount of change your neighbourhood has gone through. Sometimes these changes do not match the neighbourhood that we want to continue to live in. So here comes the exciting part about downsizing, you get to choose the neighbourhood where you live next! Match it to the kind of lifestyle you’re looking for, is it peaceful and quiet - away from the craziness of the city or lively and vibrant - right smack in the middle of downtown?

HEALTH

Our health should always be top priority. When your home is just not idea for what your body needs, some changes has to be made. Unfortunately, you can’t simply remove stairs or bring bedrooms onto the ground floor of your home. There’s also the option of installing a lift but what that can do to the aesthetic appeal of your home might not be something you prefer plus it can be quite costly. If the physical strain of going up and down the stairs is beginning to be too much for you, consider downsizing into a condo with an elevator or one that’s on the ground floor.

LIFESTYLE

Have you been travelling a lot or intend to travel more? Are you a recent empty nester? Would you like to live in a neighbourhood that’s closer to (or father away from) all the action downtown? Based on our experience, some of our clients chose to downsize because they want to embrace the kind of lifestyle they’ve always dreamed of. Think about what your plans are for the next 5-10 years. This should help you decide whether to downsize or not.

There are a lot of things involved when deciding whether or not downsizing is the next best option for you. Need help weighing the pros and cons of downsizing? We’ll be glad to help! Contact us here or simply send us an email at homes@murphytimmis.com.

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Paint Colors That Sell

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Debbie Murphy

Posted in Home Design, Home Design, Interior Design, Real Estate, Richmond Real Estate, Vancouver Real Estate

We know that when it comes to choosing paint colors for your home, it’s a tough decision. You want to express your style, your taste - you want to let your creativity shine. That’s all great... except for when it comes time to sell. You just have to face it; some buyers may not have your taste for creativity. Well, if you are planning to sell, the results from a leading paint color analysis* might have you thinking about a new paint job. Here are a few popular colors you could try.

Front Door: Navy Blue

Creating a good first impression goes a long way when you’re selling. It can make or break a sale! Having an attractive front door can make a lasting impression. Navy blue is a timeless color that goes well with most exterior paint colors. The report says that navy doors sold for $1,500 more than other hues on the market.

Living Room: Warm Browns

If you have loud colors in your living space, you might want to rethink to a warmer, softer brown color. It’s inviting; much like the kitchen, you want buyers to feel comfortable in your home, or their future home. According to the analysis, homes with a brown living room sold for $1,900 more than expected.

Kitchen: Gray-Blue

Kitchens are the centerpiece of your home. When selling, you’ll want it to appear inviting and comfortable. Gray-blues are a nice, inviting, and neutral color for a kitchen.

Need advice on what colors you should use to sell your home? We'd be happy to help you get your home ready to sell. Don't hesitate to give us a call, text, or send us an email.

*Source: http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-06-01-Homes-with-Blue-Bathrooms-Sell-for-5-400-More-than-Expected

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Spring Cleaning Tips to Prepare Your Home for Entering the Real Estate Market

Posted on April 17, 2018 by Debbie Murphy

Posted in Real, Richmond Real Estate, Vancouve

Spring Cleaning Tips to Prepare Your Home for Entering the Real Estate Market

Spring is here! While the flowers are starting to bloom, the real estate market is also preparing to welcome this exciting season as fresh, new listings enter the market. If your home will be among those gracing this season’s MLS listings then we’ve got exactly what you need to prepare! Let the spring cleaning begin!

Outside - Make Your First Impression Count!

Front Lawn

Much like when you make first impressions when meeting people for the first time, your lawn is your way of making a first impression with your potential buyers. Make it count! Make sure it looks clean, healthy and newly trimmed. Rake it, mow and trim overgrown bushes.

Tip: Mow your lawn diagonally to make it appear larger.

Front Door

Your front door is the gateway to your home for potential buyers. Give it a good wipe and fix anything that to be repaired. If your budget permits, perhaps a new paint will give it that fresh new look!

Inside - Create a Warm and Welcoming Ambiance

Entry Way

Make sure the entry way is clean, well lit and clutter free. Since the weather here in Vancouver can be unpredictable, make sure you provide an outside mat for cleaning guests’ shoes and an umbrella stand right by the entrance.

Hardwood, Ceramic and/or Linoleum Floors

Refinish your hardwood floors if necessary and polish your ceramic and linoleum floors until they shine. Don’t forget your tile floors and bleach those dull looking grout.

Windows and Mirrors

Clean your windows inside out until you see them sparkle. No kidding! Sparkling homes are sold much faster than gloomy and dull homes so let the sunshine through with sparkling windows and spotless mirrors.

Appliances

Give your appliances a good clean and make sure they are working properly. Remove any magnets or artwork pinned to your fridge.

Walls

Get rid of dust, spider webs and scratches as much as you can. This might also be the perfect time to give it a fresh new layer of paint.

Closets and Cabinets

Inspect your cabinetry and make sure they are all straight and working properly. Also, it would be a great idea to use space saving organizers to maximize the space inside them and give your home a clean and organized look inside and out.

Drapes, Curtains & Blinds

Wash, dry and press your drapes and/or curtains. Give your blinds a quick wash. You’ll be surprised at how instant freshly washed window treatments change the look of your home.

Finishing Touches

Fragrance

There is nothing more offsetting than a house that smells like strong cleaning products, especially bleach. Schedule your deep cleaning tasks a few weeks before an open house and make sure you air out your house right after.

Linens and Towels

Change the linens and display crisp, new towels in your kitchen and bath. Take extra care in folding them nicely as well.

Fresh Blooms

Bring spring indoors by sprinkling your home with flower arrangements. An arrangement right by the entryway, in the middle of the living room or right on the kitchen countertop will give your home an inviting and fresh vibe, your potential buyers will surely notice.

Besides spring cleaning, there are a lot of other things you can do to prepare your home for the real estate market and we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us and we’ll help you get ready to enter the market, no matter which stage of the homeselling journey you are in.

Resources:

The Balance - How to Sell Your Home in the Spring

Lifestyle Denver - Spring Cleaning: Getting Your House Ready for the Market

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2017 RECAP: What A Great Year It Has Been!

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Debbie Murphy

Posted in Blog, Happy Holidays, Holiday, Real Estate, Real Estate Blog, Richmond Real Estate, Vancouver Real Estate, Year End

2018 is around the corner and, here at Murphy Timmis, we’re all about enjoying the holidays with our closest family and friends and embracing the new year that’s about to come. This end-of-year recap blog is our way of revisiting everything that happened throughout 2017 and to get you excited about what’s in store for 2018.

A look back on Murphy Timmis’ 2017

We think 2017 is our year of many changes. The good kind of change, that is. We continue to grasp our personal brand, letting our brand show through our online assets. Among our latest projects was the newly launched real estate newsletter, The Real Estate Insider, that caters to our growing client list. We have also increased our social media marketing efforts, using it as a venue to share our lives as realtors and imparting more real estate related information to our audience.

The Real Estate Insider - Murphy Timmis Realty’s Newsletter

Last June, we launched a brand new newsletter series which features the latest scoop in Metro Vancouver’s real estate market. We aim for it to be the monthly resource for all things real estate in the lower mainland. It is packed with useful information for both buyers and sellers, including the latest trends in real estate along with our current listings. We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing this valuable real estate information to all of our subscribers.

Haven’t subscribed to the newsletter yet? Sign up here.

Murphy Timmis’s more Personal Branding

If you follow us on social media, you might have noticed the change in our social media feed. We’re glad you noticed it! Our efforts were not wasted. We’ve actually worked on putting a more personal approach to our social media, through sharing news, our daily struggles and the simple joys of being a realtor here in the Lower Mainland.

Not following us yet? Here are the links to our accounts. Follow away!

Facebook: @MurphyTimmisRealty

Instagram: @MurphyTimmisRealty

Twitter: @MurphyTimmis

Pinterest: Murphy Timmis Realty

Google+: Murphy Timmis

Our Newly Re-Designed Website

This is potentially one of the major changes we have embarked on this year. Realising that the website is the face of our brand online, we knew that making sure it’s consistent with our visual identity is imperative. Thus, the need for an overhaul was addressed. We're so glad to have launched it finally. Feel free to explore around and let us know what you think!

Our Newly renovated Office

Interior design has always been close to my heart. Being in the real estate industry, being up to date with the latest in home decor and the trends in modern interiors is a part of my job. I have always wanted to re-design our office and even if 2017 proved to be a busy year, I made sure that I block off time to focus on renovating. Now that it’s almost done and only a few last-minute minor touches are needed, I can’t wait to share it with everyone.

What to look forward to for 2018

More listings, more real estate resources to help you embrace your real estate journey and more blogs to provide you with more easily digestible real estate information. For sellers, we continuously improve our systems and processes, thus ensuring that you receive the best service there is in the real estate industry.

A Holiday Greeting from Us

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your overwhelming support will forever be appreciated. We are grateful for your unwavering trust, for letting us do what we do best and for sending us amazing referrals that we later turn into repeat clients as we foster lasting relationships with each and every one of you. You are all amazing! We hope you have a happy holidays!”

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Crate and Barrel: Our Current Favourite Picks

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Debbie Murphy

Posted in Crate and Barrel, Happy Holidays, Holidays, Home Design, Interior Design, Real Estate, Richmond Real Estate, Vancouver Real Estate

Fall is upon us and the holidays is just around the corner. On my recent visit to Crate and Barrel, I was surprised to see Christmas decorations were already displayed. How fast time flies!

Since Crate and Barrel is one of my go-to places for all things home decor, walking into the store always feels like a treat! Their carefully curated collections, which are not only trendy but Instagram worthy too, inspired me to share my favourites with everyone. Starting with this beautiful tablescape which features the Thankful Collection:

Thankful Collection

If you follow us on Instagram, then you would have seen us share this photo already. Who wouldn’t like this one? What I really love about this one is that even if it’s meant for Thanksgiving, you can totally recreate it for the holidays, simply change the thanksgiving

elements such as the napkin, napkin ring and the trivet into holiday-themed pieces.

Wood Placemat

I love my square plates but I’ve been having a hard time looking for a placemat that will accentuate them well, until I found this! This square, wood placemat is perfect for my current tablescape.

Cozy Ivory Knit Stocking

I am in love with this oversized ivory-colored stocking! Can you just imagine how fun it would be filing it with gifts, and how exciting it is to see it filled with gifts especially for you. Be careful though - it’s best not to fill it with anything heavy. You don’t want it to lose it’s shape!

Libations Platinum Bar Cart

If you’re like me and you love having people over and entertaining friends and family, then you get why I’m gushing over this bar cart! When we have get togethers at home, I usually have a guest list of 10-15 people so this cart is the perfect size for keeping my barware and beverages in one place. I think I know what I want for Christmas!

Is Crate and Barrel your favourite home shopping brand as well? What’s your current must haves? Let me know, comment below!

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Top 5 Motivators to Buy or Sell a Home

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Debbie Murphy

Posted in Buying, Real Estate, Realtor, Richmond Real Estate, Richmond Realtor, Selling, Vancouver Real Estate, Vancouver Realtor

5. More Space

First-time homebuyers often buy a “starter” home perfectly sized for two. However, when their family starts to grow by one or two kids, the walls can close in. When kids come along, that means more stuff and more space is needed. Sometimes families just outgrow their home and want more room. They look for more space, a better community, or a newer nicer home that’s updated.

Environment and neighborhood also come into play when new parents think about the kind of surroundings they want to raise their children in. Which means if a condo living couple envisions a home with a spacious backyard for their child to run around freely, looking at buying a new property might be the next best option.

4. Shorter Commute

Travel time and proximity to work is a key motivating factor for many home buyers and sellers. Although a 30 minute travel time to and from work may seem short, having to tackle either heavy traffic or crowded public transportation can get old. If you are tired of seeing tail lights for too much of your day, maybe it’s time to make a change. As your local expert, we can certainly pinpoint homes with this in mind. Just provide us with the location of your office and we’ll do the home search for you.

3. New Job

Jobs can play a huge motivator when it’s time to move. Who can resist a promotion?! Every day, a promotion or a new job may cause someone to relocate and even immigrate. Whether it’s a new financial situation, new opportunity, even a housing stipend, it’s true that jobs are a top motivator.

2. Time to Downsize

After kids move, it’s common for homeowners to downsize to a smaller home that’s easier to maintain. Especially when the parents are not getting any younger, maintaining a home made for a larger family can become cumbersome. This may prompt the homeowners to sell their current home and move to a smaller condo.

The decision to move to a smaller home can also be health related. Like for example, when one of the homeowners is not physically capable of climbing up or down the stairs, moving to a home with a single floor plan is the best solution.

1.Moving Closer to Family

Wouldn’t it just be nice if all of your family can live in the same neighborhood so you wouldn’t have to travel far to visit them? The family is an important aspect of all of our lives and being too far from them can take a toll on our emotional well-being. Thus, wanting to get closer to the family has always been a key motivating factor on why people move from one house to another.

How about you? Did you recently sell or buy your new home? What motivated you to do so? If your reason is not among the ones mentioned here, let us know in the comments section!

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