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!”

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!

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!