A new breed of so-called "micro-lofts," some as small as the size of two parking spaces, are being hailed as a small solution to some of Vancouver's biggest housing problems.

Ranging from 226 to 291 sq. feet, the units, located in the once-condemned Burns Block building on West Hastings Street, are compact and clever living spaces that are the smallest rental units in the country.

Furnished with built-in tables, Murphy bed, flat-screen TV with free cable, and a galley-style washroom, the heritage units rent for around $800 a month. The three-piece bathroom has a showerhead installed directly above the toilet to save space. 

For the full report, see this CTV news video. 

More at Bill de Mooy's www.HomesWithSuites.ca

April 23rd, 2012

HomeGain.com announced today that it has released the results of its nationwide home improvement and home staging survey. Past findings from the survey have been a guide for thousands of home sellers in preparing their homes for sale.HomeGain recently surveyed nearly 500 real estate agents nationwide to determine the top 10 low cost*, do-it-yourself home improvements for people getting their home ready to sell.

“In a buyer’s market, sellers need to dress their homes for success before putting them on the market,” said Louis Cammarosano, General Manager at HomeGain. “The HomeGain results show that do-it-yourself home improvements like cleaning and de-cluttering and lightening and brightening your home are cost effective ways of increasing your chances of selling faster and closing closer to the asking price than homes rushed to the market with no improvements.”

In past surveys, Home Staging and Lightening and Brightening were battling it out for the number two spot on the top 10 list. In the 2011 survey, Lightening and Brightening reclaimed the number two position and held on to it in 2012. Home Staging, however, fell to the number five position.

The options to landscape the yard and repair electrical and/or plumbing stay in the top five, both jumping past Home Staging.

The home improvements with the highest price increases to a home’s resale value continues to be Updating the Kitchen and Bathroom ($3,255 price increase), followed by Repairing Electrical & Plumbing ($3,175 price increase) and Painting the Exterior of the Home ($2,176 price increase).

Download this report from HomeGain.com about the improvements that have the highest return

Featuring a master bedroom at ground level for those wishing to avoid stairs while still having a couple of bedrooms  for guests or older children.  Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a full bathroom.  Lawns and pruning is done for you while you can enjoy some gardening if you wish.  An ample storage shed as part of the carport is handy for bikes and BBQ's.  Two private patios, a wood burning fireplace, an eating area as part of the kitchen all add to the comfort. 1,611 sq.ft. corner unit near transit, schools, park, and west dyke.   Click here for details 42-3900 Moresby Drive

Call Bill de Mooy for viewing appointments or to buy. 604-279-3815.

Marnie wanted to celebrate her birthday with her friends.  So she organized this event and after enjoying a good meal with everyone that attended, I took this brief video for Marnie to remember the event.  

 Peter, Tim, Daisy, Nicole, Allison, Heather, Barbara (Bobbie), Heather, Marnie and Bill