vancouver housing Archives

The pros and cons of buying an income property in Vancouver in 2019

18 10, 2019

The pros and cons of buying an income property in Vancouver in 2019

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2019-10-02T16:59:23-07:00October 18th, 2019|Investment Properties|

With Vancouver's real estate market returning to "more typical levels", now may be the time to consider investing in an income property. Not sure if buying an income property in Vancouver is right for you? We have put together some pros and cons to help you decide. The pros of buying an income property in Vancouver 1. Predictable monthly income An income property in Vancouver can be a reliable source of revenue as long as you have tenants in the home. Who would not want to make additional money every month? The best part is that when you are done with your income property, you can always put it back on the market. 2. Increasing property values Property values are generally trending up. That means if you can buy the right property at the right price, you are going to

How to increase your home’s value with a Vancouver home renovation

13 07, 2018

How to increase your home’s value with a Vancouver home renovation

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-06-25T15:14:08-07:00July 13th, 2018|Renovation Tips|

When doing a Vancouver home renovation in hopes of adding value to your property, conventional wisdom suggests that you should focus on the kitchen and bathroom. These are positioned as functional rooms that add value, while living rooms and dining rooms are treated as “decorative rooms” that are not worth investing in. How to add value through a Vancouver home renovation of your living room and dining room 1. Flooring Flooring can be a simple way to add value, with hardwood being considered more valuable. If you are going to use hardwood, though, make sure that you have the right climate for it. That climate is one where the humidity stays steady pretty much year round. No matter what flooring you use for your Vancouver home renovation, you want to go for a quality product. That means going for solid

When do you need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation?

29 06, 2018

When do you need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation?

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-06-20T13:10:45-07:00June 29th, 2018|Renovation Tips|

It can be hard to know when you need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation. City permitting departments often give confusing or contradictory answers, leaving homeowners lost in the process. That is why we at Flipside Homes have put together a list of when you do, and do not, need permits for your Vancouver home renovation. Keep in mind, the information below pertains to renovation permits in the City of Vancouver. Other cities in the area have their own permitting requirements. Check with your local building department, or your renovation project manager, to make sure you have accurate information. When you do need a permit for your Vancouver home renovation? There are three different permit situations you can find yourself in where you need permits for your Vancouver home renovation. 1. You need a trade permit In this first

Why you should do at least 2 rooms at once during a Vancouver home renovation

22 06, 2018

Why you should do at least 2 rooms at once during a Vancouver home renovation

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-05-22T11:46:50-07:00June 22nd, 2018|Renovation Tips|

Often, people think doing their Vancouver home renovations one room at a time will make the process easier. After all, then you will only have to deal with work in one space. This may seem to be common sense, but the opposite is actually true. It is much simpler and smoother to do at least two rooms at once during your Vancouver home renovation. Here is why. Why it is easier to do at least 2 rooms at once during your Vancouver home renovation 1. Permits Some Vancouver home renovations require specific permits, which usually have a long wait time for approval, and can be quite expensive. The permits that may apply to your renovation are for moving, changing or adding gas lines, electrical wires or plumbing, or if you are adding to the main structure, removing structural walls, and

5 home renovations in Vancouver that don’t add value to your home

15 06, 2018

5 home renovations in Vancouver that don’t add value to your home

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-05-22T11:46:59-07:00June 15th, 2018|Renovation Tips|

Home renovations can be a great way to add value to your property in Vancouver. Not all home renovations are created equal though. Here are five home renovations to avoid as they do not add value to your home… 5 home renovations in Vancouver that do not add value to your home 1. Solar panels Solar panels – and other forms of green upgrades – can be a great way to save money on your bills, paying for themselves many times over. If you are renovating to rent or sell your home, though, green upgrades usually are not a way to add value. Unfortunately, adding solar panels to a home is not on most buyers’ must-have lists. 2. Swimming pools If you are in LA, sure, add a pool! In Canada, however, a swimming pool can seem like more trouble

How to choose the right neighbourhood for your investment property

8 06, 2018

How to choose the right neighbourhood for your investment property

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-05-22T11:47:13-07:00June 8th, 2018|Investment Properties|

When home hunting, renters and buyers tend to look at the neighbourhood that appeals most to them. However, when shopping for an investment property, there are a certain set of qualities to look for in the neighbourhood where you will buy in order to get the best return on your investment. What you should look for in a neighbourhood for your investment property 1. What does this neighbourhood offer? If you plan on renting out or flipping a property, amenities could be the factor that makes or breaks a deal. Therefore, you want to make sure you look into what each neighbourhood has to offer. Think about what would appeal to the kind of renter or buyer you are hoping to attract. For example, if you are purchasing an investment property by a university, you want to look amenities that

8 mistakes people make during their home renovation in Vancouver

1 06, 2018

8 mistakes people make during their home renovation in Vancouver

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-05-22T11:47:22-07:00June 1st, 2018|Renovation Tips|

Here at Flipside Homes, we see and hear about a whole range of mistakes people have made with previous home renovations. In fact, we’re often brought in to fix these mistakes! Every time that happens, we talk about how great it would be if people knew the most common mistakes – and how to avoid them. So we have put that list together for you! The 8 most common mistakes people make during their home renovation in Vancouver 1. Not having clear priorities Before starting your home renovation in Vancouver, you want to make sure you have clear priorities. Without these priorities, it can be easy to get swept away in the excitement of the renovation, losing your focus… and maybe not finishing the work you originally intended to have done. For the best result, check in about your priorities

Buying an income property in Vancouver? What you need to know first

18 05, 2018

Buying an income property in Vancouver? What you need to know first

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-04-24T13:11:46-07:00May 18th, 2018|Investment Properties|

With rental prices skyrocketing, it is the perfect time to have an income property in Vancouver. Having an income property in Vancouver, however, is not as simple as just buying a home or condo and renting it out. So what do you need to know before purchasing an income property? What you need to know before purchasing an income property in Vancouver 1. Rental laws It is important that you review the rental laws that govern your income property in Vancouver. These include laws related to the property, as well as those governing your rights and responsibilities as a landlord. To best protect yourself, consult with a real estate lawyer to review all relevant laws before you purchase an income property. 2. Regulations around short-term rentals This is especially important now as there are a number of new regulations governing

Renovating a home with a secondary suite – What you need to know

2 02, 2018

Renovating a home with a secondary suite – What you need to know

By Vaughn at Flipside Homes|2018-01-22T11:18:53-08:00February 2nd, 2018|Renovation Tips|

Secondary suites have become all the rage in Vancouver, partly in response to the city’s skyrocketing housing prices. However, renovating your home to include a secondary suite can be a complicated process. Before you undertake such a renovation, it is important to consider what is required - and decide if a secondary suite is right for you. Legal versus illegal secondary suites While there are many illegal secondary suites in the city, we do not suggest taking this route. Instead, we encourage you to focus on creating a legal secondary suite, protecting yourself against costly fines and renovations down the road. If you have already bought a home with a secondary suite and have discovered it is illegal, there are options available to you. Before taking any action though, it is best to call a professional for advice about how