As the leaves start to change color and the air becomes crisp, it’s a sure sign that fall is upon us. While the season brings a sense of coziness and pumpkin spice everything, it also means it is time for some essential fall house maintenance tasks. Preparing your home for the colder months ahead can save you money, prevent costly repairs and ensure your family’s comfort and safety through the winter months. Here is our suggested list of things to do to get your home ready for fall.

Welcome to Portwood, the newest community for sale in the College Park neighborhood of Port Moody. We are excited to share with you all the amazing features and benefits this community has to offer.

Portwood is a 23 acre development that offers the perfect balance between modern architecture and the natural surroundings. The community is designed to make the most of the beautiful green space surrounding it while providing residents with easy access to transportation.

The community offers a range of residences and townhomes from one to three bedrooms. All of them have been perfectly positioned in the center of the greenery. Therefore, residents can enjoy the tranquility of nature while being connected to everything the lower mainland has to offer. 

If you’re looking to sell your home, it’s important to consider what upgrades will help increase its resale value. However, it can be overwhelming to decide where to invest your time and money to get the best return on investment. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the best upgrades for a home for resale value.

Kitchen Upgrades

The kitchen is often the heart of the home and a major selling point for potential buyers. Upgrades to your kitchen can be as simple as replacing outdated appliances, upgrading the countertops or backsplash, and adding new cabinet hardware. If you have the budget, consider a full kitchen renovation with new cabinets, countertops and appliances to really wow potential buyers. The kitchen is the best room to upgrade to increase resale value.

Bathroom Upgrades 

Bathrooms are another important area of the home buyers pay close attention to. Simple upgrades such as new faucets, shower heads and light fixtures can make a big impact. Consider upgrading the vanity and mirror, replacing old tile or grout, or adding a new bathtub or shower if your budget allows. 

Fine Dining in the Burbs

It’s tough for us suburbanites to find tasty fine dining options without having to drive into downtown Vancouver. We are foodies and are always on the look out for delicious options close to home. 

A new favourite of ours even though it has been open for years is Chameleon in Maple Ridge. It’s an upscale option that’s a quick drive or Uber ride from the Tri-Cities. The space is handsome and offers a second floor loft perfect for private parties. 

Liquids

Their cocktail creations are a great start to the evening. The regular drink menu is delicious but don’t be scared to go for their featured cocktail. In our experience it is a good bet that the bartender creation for that day is going to be amazing. 

They also have an excellent wine list so there will be something for every taste and budget there. You can order by the glass or by the bottle.

Congratulations, you have bought a new home! At some point one of your neighbours becomes a nuisance by making an unreasonable amount of noise that affects you. Sound familiar?

We are often asked about the issue of noise from the neighbours. It has more frequently been brought up during the pandemic as more people have stayed working from home. We are focusing on Strata as Strata living is where the confusion on how to move forward comes from.

Right to Quiet Enjoyment

When you buy Real Estate, the law says you have the right to quietly enjoy your Real Estate. When living in a Strata, it’s reasonable to expect some noise as there are other individuals living around you. Strata owners still have a reasonable expectation to enjoy their home. Noise should be considered an issue if it is in violation of the Strata’s Bylaws or is affecting your health. 

The first thing to do is to consult your own Strata bylaws to see how they define unreasonable noise. Keep in mind your neighbour has the right to enjoy their home, just like you. That can be difficult to define, and every Strata may phrase it differently in their bylaws. 

Regardless of whether you are a first-time buyer or moving up the property ladder, getting pre-approved is the very first step to make your new home purchase a realty. It’s also one of the most important choices you will make early in the process. It can have a huge impact in the end. 

Let me explain why this is so important. Most people walk into their Bank and ask to be pre-qualified for a Mortgage. They are handed down to a Bank Employee who helps them out and gives them a rate. They walk away feeling happy that they have accomplished the first step towards buying a home. Truthfully though that may not be the case.

Not All Mortgage Brokers Are the Same 

First, let’s talk about the fact that not all Mortgage Brokers are the same. There are 2 types: ones that work as employees for a bank or credit union and work bank hours. Monday through Friday 9 to 5 and can only offer you a handful of Mortgage products that their bank carries. There is no motivation or hustle to work for you or give you their best as they are in a secure line of work, they have a captive audience as they know people are brand loyal and very rarely do they lose customers. Therefore, banks can treat you poorly and you take it. I’ll give you an example.

“We promised the two schools,” he said. “We want to deliver on that. A quote from October 24th 2020, as soon to be MLA Fin Donnelly spoke with Stefan Labbè of the Tri City news. Nearly two and a half years later and we still do not have Provincial funding for the Burke Mountain middle and high schools. With a booming population, that has seen Burke Mountains only current operating school: Smiling Creek Elementary, jump 100 students a year since opening in 2018. It is now over original capacity with four portables being installed last summer, (taking up precious play space on the black top). To be fair no one saw the global pandemic coming and it was a factor in the delay opening Burke Mountain’s second Elementary school: Coast Salish. Originally slated for opening September 2021 this school is now scheduled for opening in the fall of 2022. If Coast Salish opened as originally planned the four portables would not be in place at Smiling Creek.

The Burke Mountain schools parent group, (BMSPG) have been working behind the scenes to keep the pressure on and trying to keep this issue top of mind for the powers that be.

Have you ever thought about downsizing your home?

Downsizing to a smaller home can be a great opportunity for those looking to save money, and free up the equity locked in their current home.

What is downsizing?

Downsizing is when you buy a smaller home than the one you currently have. This decision is often made by empty nesters, people are having difficulty with the maintenance of their home or who are finding the cost of owning a larger home harder to pay.

It’s possible you are just looking for a change, want to simplify your life, want to move closer to friends or family members, or to start travelling more. Downsizing can offer many advantages and many of our clients say they wish they had done it sooner. 

Introduction:

Burke Mountain recreation centre. The City of Coquitlam has identified the need for a comprehensive, multi-use recreation centre to support the rapidly growing Burke Mountain neighbourhood. The facility is slated for opening by the year 2026. The city has already completed phase one and two of its public engagement. During phase one of public engagement over 1000 people engaged via various methods. 

Community Feedback Infographic 

Some quotes from the public engagement:

“We need ways to get people together and encourage them to interact with each other.” 

“Celebration space for all types of celebrations and have flexibility” 

“Flexible space, indoor/outdoor blending that would allow people to access services and outdoor programming as well.” 

“Facility should help people have a sense of belonging. It should be welcoming to different cultures and all people.”

What’s Included:

The facility will include aquatics, gymnasiums, fitness, library and community space in varying sizes to allow for programming and services that meet the needs of the community as a whole. 

• Aquatics: The budget currently accommodates a 4-lane, 25m lap pool, leisure pool, whirlpool and sauna.
• Gymnasiums: Two in total for court sports and daytime preschool programs.
• Fitness Centre: With weights room and studio.
• Indoor and outdoor walking tracks.
• Community Space: Kitchen, multi-purpose space, large atrium and a “makerspace” for collaborative working, learning and exploring.

Adjacent to the North East Community Centre will be a park and public plaza.

Ice arenas are not included for this site.

Project Overview Video

Next Steps:

With the consultation phase wrapped up, these findings will be presented to council in early 2022. Staff will report back to council with a proposed budget, site fit and final concept plan. In late 2022 staff will be finalizing the procurement approach before the project goes out to tender. Design and permitting will occur in 2023 with construction taking place between 2023 – 2026.

Coquitlam Parks, Recreation & Culture Services Plans