The OwnaNiceHome Team (www.ownanicehome.com) : Blog http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php This page contains the blog. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:17:52 -0700 http://ubertor.com/?v=1.0 en Tips for paying off your mortgage faster... http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/644 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:02:09 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/644 Tips for paying off your mortgage faster...

Mortgages in Canada are generally amortized between 25 and 35 year terms. While this seems a long time, it does not have to take anyone that long to pay off their mortgage if they choose to do so in a shorter period of time.

With a little bit of thinking ahead, and a small bit of sacrifice, most people manage to pay off their mortgage in a much shorter period of time by taking positive steps such as:

-Making mortgage payments each week, or even every other week. Both options lower your interest paid over the term of your mortgage and can result in the equivalent of an extra montsh mortgage payment per year. Paying your mortgage in this way can take your mortgage from 25 years down to 21

-When your income increases, increase the amount of your mortgage payments. Let's say you get a 5% raise each year at work. If you put an extra 5% of your income into your mortgage, your mortgage balance will drop much faster without feeling like you are changing your spending habits!

-Mortgage lenders will also allow you to make extra payments on your mortgage balance each year. Just about everyone finds themselves with money they were not expecting at some point or another. Maybe you inherited some money or you received a nice holiday bonus. Apply this money to your mortgage lender as a lump-sum payment towards your mortgage and watch the results!

By applying these strategies consistently over time, you will save money, pay less interest and pay off your mortgage earlier!



Tips courtesy of our friends at Dominion Lending Centres!]]> Housing Prices... http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/643 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:27:37 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/643 Housing prices plateau, but sales still strong.

House and condo selling prices dropped slightly in Richmond in June, though sales remained strong in the days and weeks before HST came into effect.

According to stats from the REBGV the number of apartments and townhouses that changed hands increased between May and June.

While the median selling price of a townhouse jumped to $528,000 the price of condos dropped slightly from $350,000 in May to $332,500 last month.

The median selling price of a house also dropped slightly to $830,000 compared to the month earlier, while the number of signed deals dropped 11 per cent to 139 units over that same period.

Compared to June in 2009, however, the median selling price of condos, apartments and townhomes was up more than 10 per cent. Local market activity in June 2009 was much higher than last month.


From the Richmond Review-Mark van den Hemel

]]> Seafair Open House! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/641 Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:36:11 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/641 Sunday, July 11th from 2-4pm we will be hosting an Open House at 8191 Seafair Drive in the fabulous Seafair neighbourhood in Richmond.

As always please do not hesitate to give us a call at 604-218-1412 (Diane) for a private showing!

]]> OPENS, OPENS! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/640 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:28:14 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/640 2 opens this Sunday, June 27 2-4pm!


Richmond:
#223-8500 LANSDOWNE Road
Brighouse Apartment for sale.

Burnaby:
#502-6888 Station Hill Drive 
South Slope Apartment for sale.

]]> Seafair Open House! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/633 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:30:34 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/633 This Saturday our great listing at 8191 Seafair Drive will be OPEN! 2-4PM! Come see, come buy!!

 

]]> TAX DEFERMENT http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/631 Mon, 31 May 2010 10:41:35 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/631 Property Tax Deferment

Property Tax Deferment is a low-interest provincial loan program allowing BC homeowners to postpone payment of annual property taxes. To qualify, there are program eligibility requirements that need to be met. There are three tax deferment programs available in 2010:
Either 55 and older, or a surviving spouse, or a person with a disability
Financial hardship
Families with children under 18 years

To see specific eligibility requirements and for more information, visit the Province of BC website at: www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/property_taxes/property_tax_deferment/ptd.htm or call service BC at 604-660-2421

Tax deferment applications are available at Richmond City Hall, through a Service BC centre or online.


Information from:
City of Richmond www.richmond.ca

]]> This weekend... http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/628 Wed, 26 May 2010 10:06:11 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/628 SATURDAY

YARD SALE FOR THE CURE !

We are proud to participate again in this fabulous event to support finding a cure for cancer!

May 29th 9am-1pm
5271 Cranbrook Avenue, Richmond

Remax for the cure

2 OPENS THIS SUNDAY

FIRST OPEN HOUSE 

May 30th 2-4PM
#208-8860 No, 1 Road, Richmond (Apple Greene)



May 30th 1-3pm
#10-10200 4th Avenue, Richmond (Manoah Village)

Manoah exterior

]]> Moving made easy! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/626 Thu, 20 May 2010 15:37:39 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/626 Check out our list of trusted affliliates (under contacts)...we love the idea of these 2 companies that help make your move SO EASY!

Moving Equipment and Rentals


Say No to Boxes-
Great service that provides plastic moving crates, picks them up when they're full and moves them for you to your new home! When you're done un-packing they come back to pick up the empty crates! We love this!

http://www.saynotoboxes.com/




PODS-
Great company helping to make moving and storage easy. They pack it, store it & move it! Perfect!

877-770-PODS (7637)
http://www.pods.com/

]]> YARD SALE FOR THE CURE! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/624 Wed, 19 May 2010 15:38:55 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/624 YARD SALE FOR THE CURE!

We are proud to participate again in this fabulous event to support finding a cure for cancer!

May 29th 9am-1pm
5271 Cranbrook Avenue, Richmond

Remax for the cure]]> 8191 Seafair Drive, Richmond, BC http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/622 Tue, 18 May 2010 13:32:03 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/622 I just finished uploading this House for sale, 8191 Seafair Drive, Richmond, BC

Prestigious "Seafair" Drive is where you will find this long time owners lovely 'Davenport' plan home. This bright & open 2300 sf floor plan can accommodate 4 or 5 bedrooms & is ideal for a large family. The spacious fully finished basement is perfect for an n-law or nanny suite. Updates incl: mostly new vinyl windows, newer furnace & HW tank, refinished hardwood firs up, new kitchen counters & floor, newer gas stove and freshly painted exterior. Enjoy your summer BBQ party on the 324 sqft covered deck, relax in the private west facing back yard or take a short stroll to the West dyke trail to watch the sunset! Just minutes walk to the West Dyke Trail, Seafair Mall, West Richmond Rec Centre, Gilmore & Hugh Boyd Schools. It's all here waiting for you! See you at the Open, Sun May 23, 2-4 pm.

]]> GARAGE SALE! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/616 Fri, 14 May 2010 11:09:02 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/616 HUGE GARAGE SALE!

When: Saturday May 15th 10-3pm
Where: Britannia Heritage Ship Yards in Steveston

All money raised from the garage sale will be used to support this great Richmond heritage site!]]> WE LOVE TO RECYCLE! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/613 Wed, 05 May 2010 12:10:45 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team General http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/613
http://www.era.ca/

]]> New Burnaby Listing http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/608 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:36:18 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/608 We have a new listing at: 502 6888 STATION HILL Drive, Burnaby South, British Columbia

Please Call Deb if you have any questions or would like to book a showing! 604.328.3507

]]> NEW LISTING! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/602 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:21:55 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/602 We have a great new listing in Dorchester Circle! First open house will be Sunday April 25th 2-4pm!

 133 7295 Moffatt Road, Richmond, BC

Feel right at Home, in this rarely available, spacious move-in condition, 940 sf END UNIT. Just minutes walk to Canada Line, Richmond Centre Mall, Richmond High School & Minoru Park. This bright & spacious 2 bdrm, 1 1/2 bath floor plan boasts a private dining room window, cozy w/b FP, laminate floors throughout, newer appliances, open kitchen and lots of storage. Enjoy a summer BBQ on your large south facing wrap-around balcony overlooking mature trees and a greenway. Relax at the end of your day with a hot tub, or swim in the spotless outdoor pool. Pro-active council & Management. Pets allowed w/restrictions. Rentals Allowed. 1 secured pkg ,1 locker incl. Move in, be happy & stress free!

Call Diane for a private showing at 604.218.1412

]]> NEW LISTING! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/600 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:24:39 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/600 Live in or invest! 

206 7511 Minoru Blvd, Richmond, BC

Aaaaah...it's a peaceful life here at Cypress Point. Rainscreened building with pro-active management & strata. Nestled on a beautiful treed property and just 15 min walk to Canada Line, Minoru Park & Richmond Centre Mall. This bright & spacious 909 sqft 2 bedroom floor plan features hardwood floors, an open kitchen, wood burning fireplace, in-suite laundry, loads of storage and a great 15 x 5' deck for bbqing this summer. Relax and enjoy the hot tub, sauna and outdoor pool. Pets allowed with restrictions, rentals allowed! 1 secure parking stall!

Call Diane for more details 604.218.1412

]]> MANOAH VILLAGE OPEN HOUSES! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/598 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:34:07 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/598 This weekend there will be a complex-wde OPEN HOUSE at Manoah Village!

Come visit us this Sunday April 18th 2-4pm!

See you at #1-10200 4th Avenue and #10-102004th Avenue


Manoah exterior

For a showing at either of our listings before Sunday please don't hesitate to call Deb at 604.328.3507

]]> NEW "Mores" Listing! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/596 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:01:05 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/596
 The "MORES" house for sale.


OPEN SATURDAY APRIL 17th 2-4pm!

Absolute GEM tucked away in a hidden tree-lined lot in the "More's". These long time owners have lovingly maintained this beautiful Split Level and is in MINT, move-in condition. Only 1 block to West Dyke & Seafair Mall. Bright & spacious throughout with the 1 or 2 bdrms down and 3 up. Many new vinyl windows, new H/W tank, 12 yr roof, new exterior paint, newer bath, gas FP, 16 x 10 separate 220 wired workshop, sunny 17 x 17 Deck & more! 

Please call Diane at 604.218.1412 for a private showing or with any questions you may have!

 

]]> HOT NEW LISTING! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/589 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:45:07 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/589 NEW LISTING! 8740 Millmore Road, Richmond, BC

FIRST OPEN Sat/Sun 2-4pm! Don't miss this absolute "gem" tucked away on a hidden tree-lined lot in the "More's". These long time owners have lovingly maintained this beautiful split level and it is in MINT move-in condition. Only 1 block to West Dyke & Seafair Mall. Bright and spacious throughout with 1 or 2 bedrooms down and 3 up! Many new vinyl windows, new h/w tank, 12 year old roof, new exterior paint, newer bath & gas fireplace! Enjoy this summer on your 300sqft deck or get to work in 16 x 10 (220 volt wired) workshop! See you at the OPEN!

]]> NEW Steveston 1 BR! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/584 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:44:01 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/584 NEW STEVESTON LISTING

This is the perfect place to come home to. Warm, rich and cozy 1 bedroom in Steveston's popular "Southwater". Gorgeous updates include: floating hardwood floors, crown molding, new paint, 1 1/2" blinds, & stunning light fixtures! Cozy up to your gas fireplace with a good book or enjoy the Spring weather from your covered West facing patio with peak a boo views! Walk, run or bike to Steveston Village and all of the wonderful things this great neighbourhood has to offer.

329 5500 Andrews Road, Richmond, British Columbia

 

]]> NEW LISTING! http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/581 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:10:56 -0700 The OwnaNiceHome Team Listings http://www.ownanicehome.com/Blog.php/581 Live in or invest!!

 304 9320 PARKSVILLE Drive, Richmond, British Columbia

Concrete mid-rise in West Richmond with pool, rec centre, sauna & swirl pool - walk to Pitch & Putt, Seafair Shopping Centre, Hugh Boyd High School & Community Centre & bus.  2009 new floors in the kitchen & bathroom, newer appliances & shared Laundry. Good Mgmt.  Excellent area, Excellent Building, Great month to month Tenants. Rentals OK, No Pets,

]]>