Written by FairTradeWorks Advisor Gary Kwong.   I have received a lot of phone calls over the past year of working with FairTradeWorks from potential clients just wanting to get a price for what they explain as “a simple reno.” The hard part of answering this kind of generic question as a construction professional is that no two jobs are the same and I refuse to give out quotations without looking at the actual job.   It’s not fair to anyone.  Plus, it’s important to me and to our FairTradeWorks client care team to always know our client’s expectations.  We simply can’t “lie” to them.   I bet you’re asking why I would use such a strong word as “lie?” It’s simple actually, because in far too many instances, I’ve witnessed trades and homeowners argue on the final figures after renovatio... 10/07/2013

Living in Richmond certainly has its perks.  With its close proximity to Downtown Vancouver, its huge number of great restaurants and entertainment options, its excellent schools and parks, and the warm, breezy climate of the Pacific Northwest, it's easy to see why so many choose to make their homes in the Richmond area. But for those looking to buy or sell a home in Richmond, it's important to know how the market is moving and how it could affect your decisions.   The most recent statistics, from December of 2012, confirm that Richmond is firmly in a buyer's market situation. Sales are hovering around 7%, although both the total home inventory and number of homes sold last month dropped significantly. The holidays are often slow for home sales in Richmond, though, and neither buyers no... 01/15/2013

  As George Carlin once said, “A house is a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.” However, what do you do with it all once you have it? If you're experiencing storage woes – too much stuff in too little space – then maybe its time to consider a storage overhaul for your house.   The first thing you should do if you need to maximize your home's storage space is to make sure you're using all the room you have available. In other words, just because your garage is full doesn't mean you're totally out of room. For instance, both older and newer two-story homes have enclosed staircases that take up a lot of otherwise empty room. By opening up these areas you can create a closet or simply a free space that can be used to space out your floor plan and give you some mor... 01/06/2013

The city of Richmond features plenty of entertainment options for its residents. From theaters and live performances to national landmarks, museums and amusement parks, Richmond has something to keep the whole family happy. But next month, a brand-new and unique event is coming to our fair city: a gala for some of the world's most elite and renowned martial artists. The Extraordinary Martial Artists of the World Lunar New Year Gala promises to be a one-of-a-kind event that you'll have to experience to believe.   Hosted by the International Wushu Sanshoudao Association in combination with multiple other organizations and martial arts societies, the Gala is the first event of its kind in North America. It will bring some of the world's best martial artists together for a spectacular festi... 01/04/2013

Home Sales in Richmond   The last few months have been very active in Richmond, and buyers and sellers alike are finding a lot of great deals. With a total of 843 homes on the market, Richmond is one of the largest and most vibrant areas for home sales in the Vancouver area. And from looking at the statistics, we can tell you that now might be the perfect time to enter the market, whether you are looking to buy or sell.   Now could be a perfect time to look for that Richmond dream home, especially within the areas of East Cambie, Garden City, and Saunders. All of these areas are beautiful and filled with enchanting homes of all sizes, meaning you're sure to find what you're looking for, at a price that could be tough to beat later. These areas are all heavily favouring buyers.   The bes... 12/20/2012

2820 River Road Richmond, BC V7C 1A1 Stunning Home and View Price : $5,880,000 Bedrooms : 5 Bathrooms : 6 Square Foot : 6,215 Lot Size : 13,765 County : Canada Property Type : Detached click for more information and pictures Property Description Peacefully nestled in a bird sanctuary at the mouth of the ocean and the river with panoramic views in Richmond’s most prestigious location. This stunning home’s open plan offers water, mountain and garden views from virtually every room of the house. 18-25 foot ceilings and large custom wood and curved glass windows enhance this experience even further as does the beautiful indoor waterfall garden. The 2 spacious gourmet kitchens are a cooking lover’s dream. The top floor is dedicated to a private master bedroom with its own sitting area and a... 12/05/2012

One of the fascinating residential towers along No. 3 Road in the Central Richmond is the condo development, ACQUA by Bosa.While I was checking on the MLS listings as published through the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, there are about nine (9) units available as of July 13th.I've featured this Richmond condominium in my other blog post: Richmond Condo For Sale: Acqua by Bosa, No 3 Rd Acqua by Bosa is a Richmond Condo/Apartment that boasts of great location in the busy downtown Richmond, with easy access to Canada Line and a few steps to Richmond Centre, Lansdowne Mall, restaurants, banks, and other commercial services.Acqua has amenities including passenger elevator, steam/exercise room, clubhouse, hot tub, outdoor pool and 24-hours concierge.----Explore Personal Finance News,... 07/13/2012

As I've been working with real estate buyers in Richmond and select areas in Vancouver, I realize I have to constantly remind my clients, especially the first time homebuyers that they will need to send their application for homeowner grant in order to claim this incentive for home owners.  You can follow my article on: Richmond BC Real Estate: Home Owner Incentive. If you are a new home owner and are currently occupying your newly acquired piece of real estate, you must have heard about the Home Owner Grant.  Each year, the City of Richmond sends home owners a Property Tax Statement that explains how much taxes a home owner should be paying for the property.  If you are eligible, you can claim the following grant: Basic Grant: up to $570; Additional Grant: for those 65 and older of up ... 07/13/2012

I've recently posted  in my other blog an article about creating a good first impression when selling a home.A home seller should put into consideration the fact that when he or she decides to sell, the property would then become a product for prospective home buyers to look at. The seller then must, at some degree set aside the emotional attachment to the home and look at the property in the point of view of a prospective home buyer.There are so many factors involved in the preparation phase. The seller can engage the service of a listing real estate agent who could give a preliminary assessment of the market value by looking at the comparables in the neighbourhood.Home Selling: Creating a Good ImpressionSelling a home is not always easy. If you are a home seller, it is best to really ... 07/04/2012

11/21/2011

West and East Cambie, Richmond BC West Cambie is located between the City Centre and Highway 99. There are a few neighbourhoods with a range of housing options, but West Cambie is mainly a commercial area. In West Cambie, the secondary school catchment is MacNeill School. The designated elementary feeder schools are Anderson, Cook, Talmey, and Tomsett.   09/14/2011

City Centre – Brighouse City Centre is located in the centre core and around the south-eastern portions of Richmond. Some of the main attractions in the City Centre are the Richmond Shopping Mall, Lansdowne Shopping Mall, Aberdeen Shopping Centre, Richmond Oval, and Garden City Shopping Centre. The Richmond Public Library, Minoru Park, Minoru Swimming Pool and skating arena are also located in the City Centre which can be easily accessed for Richmond residents. Adding to the local character of City Centre, the Canada Line Skytrain connects Richmond to downtown Vancouver in just about 25 minutes.  In the City Centre area, there is also a post-secondary institution, Kwantlen Polytechnic University. It offers educational programs and services available for full and part-time students. Kwa... 09/14/2011

  Shellmont (Ironwood Area), Richmond BC Shellmont is functioned as a gateway into Richmond with Steveston Highway connecting to Highway 99. The major attractions within the Shellmont area are the Ironwood Shopping Centre and Fantasy Gardens. Shellmont is also close to the Riverport Sports and Entertainment complex in Richmond. There are bowling alley, swimming pool, skating rinks, movie theatre, and dining restaurants. The Zone Bowling Centre has 40 lanes with both 5 and 10 pin bowling which is great for all ages. Famous Players Silvercity also offers IMAX theatre. Within Shellmont, the secondary school catchment is McNair School. The designated elementary feeder schools for McNair Secondary school are Hamilton, Kidd, Kingswood, Lee, and Woodward. 09/14/2011

Broadmoor, Richmond BC Broadmoor has established a strong community through local parks, schools, and services. The improved transit services along Williams that links the community centre and shopping centre have benefited the local residents in everyday life. The focuses in Broadmoor community are the Broadmoor Shopping Centre, South Arm Community Centre, and Garden City Shopping Centre. The secondary school catchment in Broadmoor is McRoberts School, located right beside the South Arm Community Centre. In September 2004, McRoberts Secondary initiated the French Immersion program which is also available at McMath Secondary. The designated elementary feeder schools for McRoberts Secondary school are Bridge, Lee, and Whiteside. 09/14/2011

  Blundell, Richmond BC Blundell is located in the center of West Richmond residential communities with Blundell Shopping Centre as the major focus. The No. 2 Road is the boundary that separates the two secondary catchments: Richmond High Secondary School and J.N. Burnett Secondary school. As for Richmond High Secondary, the designated elementary feeder schools are Blundell, Brighouse, and Ferris.  09/14/2011

Steveston, Richmond BC Steveston is a well-balanced neighbourhood with local businesses, parks and services, and a range of housing options. Its historic ties to the water give Steveston a unique character and a sense of community. Opportunities for public access to and views of the water have been beneficial towards the local residents and businesses. The focuses of Steveston community are the Steveston Village, Garry Point Park, and Steveston Community Centre. The secondary catchment is Steveston-London School. The designated elementary feeder schools for Steveston-London School are Blundell, Errington, Mckinney, Maple Lane, Westwind, and Wowk. 09/14/2011

Seafair, Richmond BC Seafair is located on the western edge of Richmond along the dyke with distinctive neighborhoods. The focuses within this stable and peaceful community are the West Richmond Community Centre and the Seafair Shopping Centre. The secondary school catchment in Seafair is Hugh Boyd Secondary School which is located right beside the West Community Centre. The elementary feeder schools for Boyd Secondary are Dixon, Diefenbaker, Gilmore, Grauer, McKay (south of Blundell Road only, Blundell Road exclusive), Quilchena, and Steves. 09/14/2011

Thompson, Richmond BC The Thompson community sits just by the City Centre on the eastern edge, is surrounded by water and the dyke on the north. The Thompson community offers abundance of park, community space, as well as variety of housing options. The focuses of the area are the Thompson Community Centre and the Terra Nova Shopping Centre. The secondary school catchment is J.N. Burnett Secondary which is located right beside the Thompson Community Centre. The elementary feeder schools for Burnett Secondary school are Blair, McKay (north of Blundell Road only, Blundell Road exclusive), Spul’u’kwuks and Thompson. 09/13/2011

   When I first moved to Richmond, a long time ago (nevermind how long!) I went for a bike ride with some friends along the dyke path along the south arm of the Fraser River in Richmond. At the time, there was the old Steveston fishing village (not the trendy shops and eateries that are there now), stretches of farmland and vistas of unadulterated coastal edges of river where young lovers parked at night and small spontaneous car parties erupted on Fridays and Saturdays. Garry Point was a basically an unreclaimed sandspit for riding dune buggies. Directly across the way is the shoreline of Ladner and Westham Island.   Tucked in about the middle down the between Garry Point and the Deas Island Tunnel (my landmarks) is Finn Slough. For years it reminded me of a land that time forgot given... 03/30/2011

Click on any icon for detailed information on that particular Richmond, BC Home For Sale by Michael Cowling of Remax Michael Cowling and Associates   I specialize in the purchase and sale of residential housing in Richmond, British Columbia. Richmond is a culturally diverse, unique island city located on Canada’s West Coast, in Greater Vancouver. It enjoys a temperate climate and scenic views of the north shore mountains. Experiencing rapid growth and change, Richmond has grown from a rural, local community into a dynamic urban centre with all the amenities an international city has to offer. You can’t help but love the Richmond community and lifestyle! Whether you are relocating within Richmond, searching for an investment property, or leaving Richmond for another area, my experience ... 12/31/2010