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I have sold a property at 701 1675 Crescent View Dr in Nanaimo

I have sold a property at 701 1675 Crescent View Dr in Nanaimo. See details here

This 3 bedroom and 3 bathroom home is filled with natural light and features South-facing windows. It is situated away from the street and surrounded by beautiful community gardens. The open-concept living, dining, and kitchen lead to a custom private patio. The upgraded smooth ceiling with pot lights provides excellent task lighting for the kitchen. Upstairs, the primary bedroom features a walk-in closet and a 3 piece ensuite with a walk-in shower. Additionally, there is a 4pc bathroom, stacking washer/dryer, office nook, and 2 more bedrooms. The single-car garage offers great storage space. With its central location, leaving your car at home is easy. Everything you need is within walking distance, including Westhill Centre shops, Bowen Plaza, pharmacy, coffee shops, restaurants, Country Grocer, public transportation, and North Regional General Hospital is just a block away.  All measurements and data are approximate and should be verified.

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I have sold a property at 414 6310 McRobb Ave in Nanaimo

I have sold a property at 414 6310 McRobb Ave in Nanaimo. See details here

Experience the breathtaking beauty of a North Nanaimo townhome situated in The Highlands. Discover this sought-after townhome complex reserved for persons 40 years and above, providing easy access to parks, hiking trails, bus service, and shopping. This stunning two-bedroom plus den-townhome boasts a primary bedroom and laundry room on the main level, attached garage, private rear patio, natural gas fireplace, and vaulted ceiling. An enormous crawl space with a six-foot high ceiling is ready to store all your needs. With 1,697 Sq Ft of space, high-quality flooring, updated light fixtures, two ensuites, a beautiful paint palette, and stone countertops, this townhome is a true delight. The spacious kitchen features a tile backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, and an updated sink and faucet. The adjoining eating nook leads to a charming patio. The living room, dining room, and a conveniently located den with glass French doors complete the main level. The king-sized primary bedroom features a large closet and a fully renovated ensuite with a step-in shower stall. The upper level comprises a second king-sized bedroom with an ensuite, and an office ready to be used as a walk-in closet. This rare find is a must-see, so act fast and secure your dream townhome today!

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I have sold a property at 5270 Arbour Cres in Nanaimo

I have sold a property at 5270 Arbour Cres in Nanaimo. See details here

A gorgeous North Nanaimo townhome located in The Highlands. This very popular townhome complex is reserved for persons 40+ years of age and is within walking distance of parks, hiking trails, bus service, and shopping. The next lucky owner of this beautiful two-bedroom plus den townhome will enjoy the primary bedroom and laundry room on the main level. The attached garage, a private rear patio, a natural gas fireplace, and a vaulted ceiling will also be greatly appreciated. An enormous crawl space with a six-foot high ceiling is ready for all your storage needs. This 1,697 Sq Ft townhome boasts high-quality flooring, updated light fixtures, two ensuites, a wonderful paint palette, and stone countertops throughout. The spacious kitchen offers a tile backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, and an updated sink and faucet. The adjoining eating nook provides access to the patio. The dining room and adjacent living room are just around the corner. A den, behind glass French doors, is conveniently located between the foyer and living room. The king-sized primary bedroom is nearby and provides a large closet and a fully renovated ensuite complete with a step-in shower stall. A second king-sized bedroom, with an ensuite, is located on the upper level. There is also an office located on this level that is ready to do double-duty as a walk-in closet. Hurry, this is the townhome that you have been searching for. Act Now!

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Home for the Holidays: How To Stretch Your Budget in a Season of Inflation


You don't have to break the bank to celebrate the holidays in style—even in this season of inflation. Prices may be higher on everything from food to gifts to decorations, but there are still plenty of opportunities to eke out extra savings.


For example, you can trim your energy bills by up to 20% just by sealing air leaks in your home.1 Other small fixes—such as swapping old light bulbs for LEDs and plugging electronics into a powerstrip—can boost your yearly savings enough to pay off some of your holiday budget.


And thanks to a pandemic-era boom in online shopping, it is easier than ever to find deals on new and pre-owned furniture, thrifted gifts, DIY decor, and more. Even secondhand stalwarts like Goodwill have joined the digital fray, making it a cinch to score gently-used treasures at extra-low prices.2 


You won't be the only one bargain-hunting your way to a more financially-stable New Year. Multiple surveys have found that inflation is not only chilling people's spending, it's also prompting shoppers to search for better deals and creative ways to reduce their bills.3 


Here are some strategies you can use to boost your holiday budget by trimming household expenses: 



1. Hunt for Deals on Groceries


If you're finding it harder than it used to be to serve your family dinner on a budget, you're not alone. With grocery prices rising at a record pace, many families are struggling to control costs on food staples, such as meat, dairy, produce, and grains.4 


That's made pulling off holiday gatherings especially stressful lately. But don't despair: Even with inflation, retailers are still giving motivated shoppers plenty of opportunities to whittle down their bills. 


The key is to pay attention to the cost of each item on your shopping list—not just the most expensive—and look for easy swaps and discounts. For example, try buying non-perishable items in bulk, especially when they’re on sale, and only in-season produce. Or trade name-brand goods for less expensive options from a store's private label. As you tap into your inner bargain hunter, you could be surprised by what you save when you’re more mindful of your selections. 


And unlike in the old days, you no longer have to clip your way through paper flyers to snag a bargain. Instead, you can save both time and money by scouting for deals online, digitally clipping coupons, and earning cash back through special apps and browsers. For example, coupon aggregation sites, like Flipp, and shopping apps—such as Checkout 51 and Rakuten—make it easy to score discounts and cash back on a variety of purchases, including groceries.


Also, check to see if your neighbourhood grocer posts their weekly flyers online or if Save.ca has published flyers from other nearby stores. If you're hosting a holiday party, the markdowns you find can help you narrow your food and recipe choices, based on what's currently on sale.



2. Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests With Pre-Owned Finds


You don't have to sacrifice style for the sake of preserving your holiday budget either. If you're expecting company this year and would like to add some festive flair to your home, you can do so inexpensively—especially if you're willing to decorate with items that are secondhand. 


Thrifting is back in vogue, with an increasing number of shoppers preferring pre-owned furniture and home goods. The number of Canadians who shop secondhand has grown.5 In fact, one study found that nearly three-quarters of Canadians now buy pre-owned goods of some type. 6 Plus, buying used isn’t just a great way to save money, it also helps the environment by keeping reusable items out of landfills.


Fortunately, it’s become easier to score secondhand deals online. For example, you can scout consumer marketplaces on Facebook and Kijiji. Or you can take advantage of neighbourhood freecycles and “Buy Nothing” groups. And a number of thrift shops now have e-commerce sites, including major chains, like Goodwill. 


If you're handy with a paintbrush or have some basic carpentry skills, you can also modernize some of your existing furniture by upcycling it yourself. Or, if you enjoy crafting, search through your own recycling or sewing bin for raw material to make one-of-a-kind decorations.


Don't stress yourself out, though, if you don't have the time or money to dress your home the way you hoped. Your house can still feel festive and inviting, even if it's not completely done up.



3. Forgo Major Renovations in Favor of DIY Home Improvements 


Holidays are always a tricky time to undergo big renovations. But with ongoing worker and material shortages, now is an especially bad time to commit. Inflated costs can add thousands to your reno budget—and unnecessary stress to your holiday. 


Instead of suffering through an ill-timed remodel, you're better off saving this time of year for simpler, less expensive projects you can do yourself. 


One winter-perfect upgrade to consider: Build a DIY fire pit so that you and your guests can roast marshmallows and relax in the cozy comfort of your backyard. You can also add some extra ambiance by hanging energy-efficient LED outdoor string lights that change from white to colourful. These are festive enough for the holidays, but also versatile enough to use year-round.


Or, if you'd rather curl up by an indoor fire, channel your DIY energy into a fireplace upgrade. Adding a wooden beam to the top of your mantel can add an extra layer of coziness. Alternatively, re-tiling or painting your fireplace surround can lend contemporary flair. 


Just be sure to stick to DIY projects that you know you can do a quality job on—especially if your changes will be difficult to reverse. Feel free to reach out for a free assessment to find out how your planned renovations could impact your home’s resale value.



4. Invest in Home Maintenance Projects That Cut Your Utility Bills 


You can save money by completing basic home maintenance tasks, such as swapping your furnace filter and updating your lightbulbs. But if you really want to lower your bills this winter, consider projects that make your home more energy efficient. 


Research by the trade group NAIMA found that most homes in Canada are under-insulated, which wastes energy and money.7 The group estimates that Canadians can potentially save hundreds of dollars per year just by retrofitting their homes. Luckily, there are plenty of DIY insulation projects that you can complete in just a few days. For example, some projects you can do relatively quickly include:

  • Insulating your attic or basement crawl space
  • Weatherstripping doors and windows
  • Sealing areas around the house that may be leaking air, including electrical outlets and fireplaces

The savings you get from these projects can really add up. Natural Resources Canada estimates that walls alone account for roughly 20% of heat loss in homes, so they’re a rich target for tackling costly sources of air leakage.8 And thanks to the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, you can also save a bundle this year by investing in certain energy-efficient upgrades and claiming a tax rebate.9 Be sure to check with us about any municipal or provincial rebates and incentives that may be available, too, before getting started on a project. 



5. Use Expense Tracking to Boost Your Holiday Budget 


To avoid overextending yourself during the holidays, one of the best things you can do is track your income and expenses. If your monthly budget is usually tight, you may need to make some adjustments to free up cash for holiday expenditures.


For example, here's a sample budget worksheet that we created. Start by adding in your expenses: Under the “Typical” column, you can list your standard expenses, and under the “Adjusted” column, list any areas where you could cut back on spending. 


Then consider how your standard wages may be adjusted this month by extra shifts, additional tips, or an end-of-year bonus. By decreasing your spending and/or increasing your income, you can build room in your budget for holiday gifts and gatherings.


Feel free to utilize this worksheet as a template that you can customize to your needs, or ask us for a PDF copy that you can print out and use right away. 



WE’RE HERE TO HELP


We would love to help you meet your financial goals now and in the year ahead. Whether you want to find lower-cost alternatives for home renovations, maintenance, or services, we are happy to provide our insights and referrals. 


And if you’re saving up to buy a new home, we can help with that, too. This is the perfect time to score a great deal because only the most motivated homebuyers and sellers are active in the market right now. So reach out to schedule a free consultation. We can fill you in on some of the exciting programs and incentives we’re seeing that help make homeownership more affordable.



The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.




Sources: 

  1. CTV News -
    https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/8-tips-for-saving-on-your-home-heating-this-winter-1.6116384
  2. CBC News -
    https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/goodwill-online-store-1.6605808 
  3. MoneyWise -
    https://moneywise.ca/news/economy/canadians-plan-to-spend-less-as-retailers-brace-for-shopping-season
  4. Statistics Canada -
    https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/62f0014m/62f0014m2022014-eng.htm
  5. Statista -
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/998634/consumers-who-have-shopped-at-thrift-stores-canada/-​​ 
  6. Retail Insider -
    https://retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2022/08/resale-going-mainstream-in-canada-with-consumers-particularly-valuing-brand-owned-resale-report/ 
  7. NAIMA Canada -
    https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2016/10/27/1263857/0/en/New-Study-Reveals-Most-Homes-in-Canada-Are-Significantly-Under-Insulated.html
  8. Natural Resources Canada -
    https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/make-your-home-more-energy-efficient/keeping-the-heat/chapter-7-insulating-walls/15641
  9. Government of Canada -
    https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-grant/start-your-energy-efficient-retrofits/plan-document-and-complete-your-home-retrofits/eligible-grants-for-my-home-retrofit/23504
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MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.