Welcome to 482 Riverview Crescent in East Coquitlam.

This beautiful family home is move in ready.

Elegant living with gas fireplace with surrounding built-ins & dining room with built-in china cabinets+over looking manicured back yard & multi deck levels. Summertime bbq’s.

Updated gourmet kitchen with bright white cabinet/stone counters/shining stainless steel appliances/gas cook top/wall oven/built-in microwave.

Principle bedroom with walk-in closet+3-piece ensuite. Great size 2nd & 3rd bedrooms. Updated main bath.

Cozy family room with gas fireplace/built-ins+glass sliders to yard.

Large rec room. Bring your ideas for this room.

Loads of storage over the garage. Workshop. Newer furnace & air conditioning.

Fabulous central location with shopping, transit nearby.

Too many features to mention.

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52% say remote work has increased likelihood of moving further from employer 

Highlights:

• 68% of non-homeowners aged 25 to 35 intend to purchase a home within five years
• 72% of cohort feels confident in their short-term financial outlook
• 40% of cohort saw their savings grow since mid-March
• Royal LePage survey includes national, regional and city-level insights

According to a recent Royal LePage demographic survey[1], nearly half (48%) of Canadians aged 25 to 35 currently own their home, and 25 per cent of these homeowners purchased a property during the pandemic. Among non-homeowners, there is a strong intention to purchase in the future (84%), with 68 per cent planning to make the move in the next five years. Sixteen per cent say they plan to purchase a property within the year, while 14 per cent say they will buy within one to two years, and 39 per cent are looking to purchase in two to five years.

“The pandemic provided an unexpected prize for young Canadians — a path to home ownership,” said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage. “Mortgage rates fell to historically low levels and the competition for entry-level housing lessened. Many investors sought to divest of property as traditional renter groups such as foreign students, new immigrants and short-term renters disappeared behind closed borders.”

Soper noted that much higher than typical demand from this cohort, combined with older homeowners who have been generally more reluctant to put their property on the market during the pandemic, has contributed to a near-crisis shortage of listings in parts of the country.

“Measures necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have motivated many of our younger Canadians to buy, while the health crisis dissuaded many of our older homeowners from selling,” continued Soper. “Some young people living with parents or roommates found their work-from-home environment uncomfortably crowded. Others saw a once-in-a-decade affordability window open on their dream of home ownership. On the other hand, many older homeowners whose homes are adequate for changed employment circumstances have delayed their desire for a housing upgrade until the medical crisis is under control.”

Confidence in Canadian real estate is strong and despite economic challenges related to the pandemic, Canadians aged 25 to 35 have a healthy personal financial outlook. Ninety-two per cent of those surveyed agree that owning a home is a good financial investment. Seventy-two per cent are confident in their short-term financial outlook and 78 per cent are confident in their long-term financial future. Many (40%) have even seen their savings grow since the onset of the pandemic, and 11 per cent saw a significant increase.

“In many ways, the pandemic has sucked the joy out of our normally kinetic young adults’ lives. No dining out, no concerts with friends or winter escapes to the sunny south. Even retail therapy has lost its luster when no one will see those new shoes on the next Zoom call. The silver lining is in soaring savings; unspent money that is finding its way into real estate investments,” said Soper.

Nearly two thirds of Canadians in this age group (63%), who are employed or seeking employment, say the ability to work for an employer that allows the option of remote work is important, a fact that is not surprising given the volume of sales in regions outside of the major urban centres since the onset of the pandemic. Fifty-two per cent said the availability of remote work has increased their likelihood to move further from their current or future place of work. Overall, 39 per cent of this age group are considering a move from their current home to a less dense area as a result of the pandemic, while 46 per cent said the pandemic had no impact on their desire to move to a less dense area.

When given the choice, 45 per cent of those aged 25 to 35 said they’d prefer to live in a city. Similarly, 47 per cent said they would choose small town or country living. The top responses for the most attractive feature of living in a city are walkability (21%) and access to events, attractions and other entertainment options (21%), followed by diversity of people and cultures (18%), and more employment opportunities (17%). The top reasons for wanting to move to a less dense area are access to more outdoor space (62%) and lower home prices (61%), followed by the affordability of larger properties (51%).

Experts across the country noted young buyers felt comfortable with the safety measures in place around the home buying process during the pandemic.

“Younger buyers are exceedingly comfortable with online research, be it for the latest personal tech, a pair of running shoes, or a home,” said Soper. “This group has had no problem adapting to our enhanced use of virtual tours and electronic contracts. We expect the pandemic will have permanently accelerated the acceptance among our clients of using many of our emerging home buying and selling technologies.”

Royal LePage 2021 Demographic Survey (full national, regional and city-level results): rlp.ca/table_2021demographicsurvey

British Columbia

In British Columbia, 49 per cent of residents aged 25 to 35 own their home. Of those homeowners, 27 per cent purchased a home since mid-March of last year. Among those who do not currently own a home, 65 per cent say they intend to buy within the next five years.

Strong demand from buyers aged 25 to 35 continues to drive sales in Western Canada. As is the case from coast to coast, many young Canadians in British Columbia (41%) have seen their savings grow since the onset of the pandemic, which has been an important factor in their decision to purchase a home during this time, along with historically low interest rates.

Low interest rates are oxygen for the market. Younger buyers have a positive association with home ownership. They see the value in it and they’ve done the math. Currently, a monthly mortgage payment can equate to little more than renting.”

Ninety-one percent of those surveyed in the province believe that home ownership is a good investment. It been  noted that clients in this age group are thinking more long-term, and low interest rates have made it possible for them to purchase a larger starter home.

Over the last year, we have noticed a shift in priorities where first-time buyers are increasingly valuing size and outdoor space over location.

Seventy-one per cent and 72 per cent of those surveyed in B.C. feel confident in their short-term and long-term personal financial outlook, respectively. They expects activity among this cohort to remain high this spring and throughout the coming year.

Royal LePage 2021 Demographic Survey (full national, regional and city-level results): rlp.ca/table_2021demographicsurvey

5 Simple Ways to Fall in Love with Your Home Again

Do you remember the way you felt about your home when you first moved in? Like any relationship, the honeymoon phase can fade over time. If you are stuck in a rut, follow these easy steps to rekindle those fond feelings for your home.

Get rid of the clutter. A messy home not only leads to an anxious mind, it hides the true beauty of your space. Embrace Marie Kondo’s advice and only keep the things that bring you joy.

Do a deep clean. Bigger cleaning jobs – like scrubbing the grout in the kitchen or washing the windows in the living room – tend to pile up. With a little elbow grease, your home will look the same way it did when you moved in.

Invest in a statement piece. A little pop of colour can really transform a space. Whether it be a bold piece of furniture or an interesting piece of art, it only takes a small investment to reinvent a room you are bored of.

Buy some plants. Research shows those who live around nature are happier than those who do not. Most indoor plants are easy to care for, plus they help naturally purify the air in your home.

Get to work on easy repairs. This is the perfect opportunity to scrub the stain on the carpet you keep meaning to clean, or the leaky faucet that drives you nuts at night.

Ask us about your next home improvement project - we can help you decide what will bring the most value to you and your home.

We are here to help!

Goodbye, Dark Winter: Lighten Up Your Living Room with These Tips

Figuring out how to bring more light into a dark room is always a challenge, especially during the gloomy winter months. But even if your space lacks large windows and natural light, there are plenty of ways to transform your living room into a brighter abode, even on the darkest days.

Figuring out how to bring more light into a dark room is always a challenge, especially during the gloomy winter months. But even if your space lacks large windows and natural light, there are plenty of ways to transform your living room into a brighter abode, even on the darkest days.

Minimize Window Treatments

If you are lucky enough to have large windows in your living room, consider leaving them unadorned. What you may sacrifice in privacy, you will gain in natural light. If the thought of bare windows makes you nervous, opt for light white, beige or gray coloured drapes to bring in more light.

Use Mirrors to Your Advantage

Placing a large wall or floor mirror near a window is an easy way to amplify natural lighting during the day. You can achieve the same effect in the evening by putting a table or floor lamp close to the mirror.

Repaint Your Furniture

Furniture with darker finishes may look luxurious, but these pieces can cramp small, dark spaces. With a fresh coat of white paint, you will create an airier feel to your living space, plus it’s a great indoor project to take on in the winter.

We are here to help you make your house feel like a home this winter with tips to brighten up any space.

Congratulations!

You are among the top five per cent of Royal LePage agents in your regional market!

Dear Marie,

I am thrilled to offer my sincere congratulations on achieving Royal LePage Top Tier status and earning the 2020 Royal LePage Director’s Platinum Award! It is a remarkable accomplishment to be recognized among the top performers in our national network of more than 18,000 REALTORS®.

Your dedication and hard work over this past year, and your ability to rise to the challenges before you, are a shining example of the foundation our organization is built upon. It is because of people like you that Royal LePage is Canada’s Real Estate Company.

Once again, congratulations and best wishes for the year ahead!

Sincerely,

Phil Soper

President and CEO

Royal LePage

Presented by Enercare

According to Natural Resources Canada, water heating represents 15 to 25 percent of our household energy bill and it is the second largest portion of energy utility costs, after home heating. So before calculating the right water heater size you need for your household, you should consider switching to an eco-friendly water heater.

Next you have to make sure to get the right capacity tank for your family’s needs. Getting one with too much capacity will cost more to rent and operate. As a general rule, below is a guideline of the size of tank you might need. While it does not necessarily factor the number of bathrooms in the house and your hot water usage, it should give you a good estimate:

Source: What Size Water Heater Do I Need

If you want to make a more precise calculation, you have to check two factors:

The First Hour Rating (FHR): it means how many gallons of water a heater can produce at any given hour. You can see this number on the EnergyGuide label of the water heater.

Peak Hour Demand: this corresponds to the amount of hot water your household uses during a busy hour, like in the morning for example. The easy method to calculate is the number of people living in your household multiplied by 12 (it corresponds to the FHR). For example, if you are 4 people in your household 4 x 12 = 48 which corresponds to your FHR. So you will want to buy a water heater of about 50 to 60 gallons (189-227 litres).

Once you know what size water heater you need, you can start shopping. You might consider renting. In your calculations, remember that the life expectancy of a water heater is about 7 to 15 years before being replaced. When you rent, make sure to also take in consideration the following: Natural Resources Canada explains that “Every energy-using appliance has two price tags. We know the first: the purchase or renting price. The second price tag is considered less in the purchasing or rental decision, but is just as real; it is the operating cost of the appliance which is the cost to operate the heater. It is wise to rent a model that is EnergyStar, as you will save in the long run.”

Winterizing Tips to Protect your Home and Save Money

Presented by Enercare

When the cold front comes in, the name of the game is to keep it out while reducing energy costs and avoiding major repair headaches once the ice thaws. Getting your home prepared for winter in Canada is a must. Here’s how:

According to Hydro One, up to 40 percent of home heat loss in winter is due to air leakage. If you were to add up all the cracks and leaks in the average Canadian home, it would be like having a hole in your wall the size of a basketball. Shocking, right? To deal with this, install or replace old weather-stripping and caulking around the house. Once all the doors and windows are sealed, plug the less obvious air leaks by finding hidden drafts using a lit stick of incense. Light the incense and pass it around baseboards, light fixtures, and electrical outlets, anywhere there may be an air leak. If the smoke wavers, that’s where you have a draft. You can also use a damp hand to locate leaks; any drafts will feel cool to your hand.

Now for the energy saving part. You might assume that fans are only useful in the summer, but they can also push hot air downward when running in reverse (read: running clockwise). Next, if you have a programmable thermostat, set it to turn on the heat when you’re heading home or when your kids are on their way back from school. There’s no need to pay for heating when no one is home.

Once or twice during winter months, replace or clean your furnace filters. We can’t stress this enough. Not only does it maintain healthier equipment, it can also lower your heating bill. Dirty furnace filters have a tendency to restrict air flow and increase energy use. Now is also the time to give your furnace and boiler a tune-up. You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a snowstorm with a technical problem. By scheduling a professional cleaning and inspection each fall, you can be confident that your HVAC units won’t leak, produce inconsistent temperatures, or turn on and off unexpectedly. Just make sure when you’re looking for a technician or company that they’re qualified, licensed, and insured.

Before the first snowfall, finish up your winterization by protecting your outdoor air conditioner from falling leaves, snow, and ice. Cover it with a breathable material that doesn’t lock in moisture, which could be detrimental to the finish and inner components. Keep your gutters free of leaves, sticks, and other debris so that melting snow can flow freely, preventing ice dams that can cause water damage. Turn off the water to your outdoor garden hose spigots and drain the lines. Lastly, and arguably most importantly, prevent your basement from flooding by looking for pipes that aren’t insulated and run through unheated spaces and wrap them in insulation sleeves to prevent freezing and breakage.

There you have it. Once all these steps are complete, your home will be toasty, warm, and ready to take on the frostiest of winters. For a little extra romance as you keep out the cold, sit by the fireplace, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa.

Learn more about Enercare’s .