Canadians - Foreclosed Homes Auctioning in Scottdale  - auctionarizonahomes.com T/O Arizona Click Here Jan Mandel Call Me and let's find your home of choice in Arizona 480-390-1013 manjan@cox.net 03/29/2012

Foreclosed Homes Auctioning in Fountain Hills Arizona - auctionarizonahomes.com T/O Arizona Click Here  Jan Mandel 480-390-1013 manjan@cox.net 03/28/2012

Welcome to our first edition of Vancouver Secrets. Some fun and really interestings postings regarding the secrets and history about Vancouver, BC. We're excited to share! Who doesn't like buried treasure? The story goes like this, In 1942 there was a robbery at the Bank of Montreal on Main Street (it still stand today, though  no longer a bank)... The thieves made off with $56,500 (which back in 42 was a whole bunch of money!) 3 Years later, a woman approached the police who claimed that at least half of the money was buried in Stanley Park.  (She knew this because her boyfriend had taken her to the hiding place one night) How totally romantic, right? Unfortunately, shortly after, the boyfriend was shot and killed. She described that the burial spot (for the money, not the bf) was "in ... 03/13/2012

  What's Hot this Year in Home Decor?  This Vancouver Home Stager went to Investigate-Part 2 WOOD AND ROOTS – Twisted, gnarled roots are all the rage this year and serve well as bases for glass coffee tables, and console tables.  Their interesting shapes serve as a naturally beautiful but functional piece of art.  The addition of wood also gives the eye a rest from all the shiny, sparkly accessories that are de rigueur.  The combination of matte and shiny objects creates depth and interest.       NOSTALGIA – What’s old is new again.  I’m transported in time when I see an old-fashioned clock or turn-of-the-century camera or compass.  A jar of buttons or a tattered, block-printed book speak to me of my grandparents and all the good memories they evoke.  Time was slower and simpler back th... 03/11/2012

WHAT’S HOT THIS YEAR IN HOME DÉCOR? THIS VANCOUVER HOME STAGER WENT TO INVESTIGATE We recently attending the Furniture Show in Las Vegas and viewed, first hand, cutting edge furniture and accessory trends. Here’s a little of what I found. BLING – We were not disappointed. There was so much sparkle and bling, we could have used a pair of sunglasses! Not a problem, as I’m a huge fan of anything shiny that catches the light. This adds a bit of elegance, luxury and femininity to any décor. Silver mercury glass is still a hot commodity and looks lovely with a faux candle inside to make it glow.  Check out Pomeroy - Houston, Texas. UNDER THE SEA – The colour blue is very ‘au courrant’, especially soft sea foam blues, turquoise and aqua. Anything textural, such as coral, shells or sea sponges ... 03/08/2012

I presented an article from Jamie Sarner today (Toronto), and I think Vancouver deserves its share of articles as well. Without further ado - Jay Banks and market results from Vancouver! --- “The MLS® HPI is a national collaboration intended to give the public a more reliable and comprehensive tool to understand home price trends across the country,” Rosario Setticasi, REBGV president, commented on the launch of the new MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI) replacing the MLSLink Housing Price Index, which had been used by Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley REALTORS® since the mid 1990s. The MLS® HPI benchmark price for all residential properties in the Greater Vancouver Area has experienced a growth of 5.7 per cent over the last year, climbing up to $660,600 since January 2011, and a slight... 03/04/2012

ADDING A SMILE TO VANCOUVER HOME STAGING TRY A LITTLE WHIMSY Adding a smile to Vancouver Home Staging – try a little whimsy!  When styling a property for sale, I don’t like to take myself too seriously.  Yes, it’s important to follow design elements and principles to achieve a well laid out, presentable home for sale.  However, adding a little bit of fun or whimsy makes properties memorable – in a good way!       I was inspired by a recent trip to the Las Vegas Furniture Market.  It seems I’m not alone, as I found many examples of items and accessories that were just a little bit quirky and fun.  Here are a few of my findings…       Ok, I might not do a whole feature wall of pigs’ noses, but a snout tucked here or there?  Why not?  Oh, and these are gilded pigs’ snouts – that adds a lit... 02/22/2012

TRIP THE LIGHT FANTASTIC WITH TANGERINE TANGO PANTONE® COLOUR OF THE YEAR  Trip the light fantastic with Tangerine Tango, Pantone’s® colour of the year.  As a Vancouver Home Stager, I know the importance of incorporating the latest and greatest colours and trends in order to keep my designs fresh and contemporary.        On a recent trip to the Las Vegas Furniture Market, I saw a lot of this year’s colour of the Year 2012, Tangerine Tango, a vibrant, rust-orange.  This colour is fresh, juicy and punchy.  It really give a room a kick.  Used in small doses, this colour really makes a room sing and demand attention.      I love the combination of tangerine and turquoise as shown here.  This is a very hip colour combination.  I can imagine using cushions in these colours to spice things up ... 02/19/2012

    VANCOUVER STAGER HOB NOBS WITH DESIGN ROYALTY-PART II DAVID BROMSTAD – COLOR SPLASH! What fun this Vancouver Home Stager had on a recent visit to the Las Vegas Furniture Market.  While cruising floors and floors of the latest and greatest furniture and accessories the market has to offer, we caught wind that David Bromstad, host of HGTV’S Color Splash, would be making an appearance at Cyan Designs.    This was delightful news for two reasons:  first, I’m a huge David Bromstad fan.  I loved his personality and creativity on the T.V. show, Designer Challenge, which he inevitably won.  Second, I love colour!  As Home Stagers, we need to tone down wall colour, but tend to shake things up colour-wise in the textile and accessory department.    As was fitting, David Bromstad sat on a huge... 02/18/2012

      VANCOUVER STAGER HOB NOBS WITH DESIGN ROYALTY-PART I GENEVIEVE GORDER – DEAR GENEVIEVE As a Vancouver Home Stager, I feel it’s important to keep on top of the latest design trends and happenings in the design industry.  On a recent visit to the Las Vegas Furniture Market, we were delighted to meet New York Interior Designer, Genevieve Gorder.  From left to right:  Peg Barcelo Jackson-Fluff My House, Genevieve Gorder, Me (Sally Weatherley-Exit Stage Right, Cathy Lee-CL Design Services I remember seeing Genevieve for the first time on TLC’s Trading Spaces.  I always loved her innovative and creative designs.  I was also impressed with how absolutely nice she seemed.  Later, I was pleasantly surprised to see Genevieve host her very own show, Dear Genevieve.  This show followed Genevi... 02/17/2012

5639 Hampton Place, Vancouver, British Columbia    The Regency    One of Hampton Place's largest buildings with 123 suites. Wonderful one and two bedroom apartments, many with outstanding views over lots of green space and beyond to Georgia Strait and the islands. Home like suites on the upper floors with huge square footage and lovely outdoor spaces. A must see if you are thinking about highrise living at UBC             Active Listings       ADDRESS BEDS BATH SQ.FT. PRICE LISTED BY# 705 5639 HAMPTON PL    1 1 639 Sq.Ft. $405,800 Dexter Associates Realty      Additional Info       Building Name: The Regency Construction : Concrete City: Vancouver Province: British ColumbiaSub Area: Hampton Place  No of Suites 123 No of Levels 17Units in Strata 123 Year Built 2000Pets Pets Allowed W/res... 02/16/2012

Vancouver Home Stager Attends Real Estate Staging Association Conference 2012 Las Vegas One Conference all Vancouver Home Stagers should be attending is the RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) Conference.  This important Conference brings together Stagers from across North America to exchange information, brain storm, share current trends and update skills.  I was very excited to attend my 3rd RESA Conference and thought I'd share a few special moments.   Although the Conference is held at the Treasure Island Hotel, I have a special place in my heart for the Venetian Hotel across the road, and decided to hang my hat there for the duration.   My morning started with a quiet, zen moment by the pool at the Venetian, drinking my coffee and contemplating what was planned for the rest of t... 02/11/2012

Whether you need some great looking & inexpensive drapery panels for staging or to brighten up your home Fabricland offers some terrific buys. As a member for $15 - $20 you can always get at least 25% off draperies and fabrics. Right now they have a fantastic sale with 50% off! Their panels give any home an updated look. As a home stager I recommend using a hard window treatment such as a 2" faux wood blind (white to match the trim) and just add side drapery panels to soften the look, and to pull the room together. This is an inexpensive and attractive way to get a more updated look in your room. For a really modern look choose the ones with grommets and purchase a new brushed nickel or black rod iron rod; or go for the simpler version with a rod pocket which slips into standard curtain... 02/02/2012

Vancouver Aquarium - Colour Inspiration for a Vancouver Home Stager As a Vancouver Home Stager, I'm always looking for the latest colour trends and great colour combinations.  The best place to find colours that work together and inspire is in nature.  A recent visit to the Vancouver Aquarium opened my eyes to a whole new world of colour combinations.  These jelly fish are a real show stopper.  The complimentary colours, blue and orange, create a vibrant, attention grabbing sight.  The pink, cream and brown combination here is one of my favourites.  Not only are the colours beautiful, but the various textures of the soft, fluffy sea annenomes contrasted against the hard, smooth pebbles and shells in the bottom of the tank are very pleasing.  If you're not sure what colours will work tog... 01/08/2012

I just sold an amazing property at the ANDALUCA building in Downtown, great property! This article includes#1 BUILDING DETAILS first  BUILDING LOCATION second  BUILDING & UNIT PHOTOGRAPHS of our recent "Open House"Contact us @ Jark@SOLDbyJARK.com or 604.790.9945, to view units in this building!Courtesy of Jark Krysinski & Associates #1 BUILDING DETAILSBUILDING NAME: ANDALUCAHIGHLIGHTS: Andaluca at 1388 Nelson Street was built by Polygon with rainscreen system. Located in the West End, walk to park, seawall and shopping centre.The complex features 42 units with 37 condo units at 1388 Nelson and 5 townhouse units at 1008 Broughton and 1392-1398 Nelson.BUILT DATE: 1998MANAGEMENT CONTACT: BAYWEST PROPERTY MGMT, 604-257-0325DEVELOPER: POLYGON# STORIES: 4# UNITS/SUITES: 42LOCKERS: NO (L... 01/05/2012

How stocks have performed relative to Real Estate prices in Canada at large.  Which one makes better long-term investment?  The article "Stocks vs. Real Estate"  give us some useful data for us to decide whether to  invest stocks or real estate.   Appreciating 12.4% annually between 2001 and 2006, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. Home Price index. That clobbered stock prices, which gained only 4.3% a year as measured by the S&P 500.   Although over the long run stocks win easily, it is also more risky. It really needs to think twice before you invest. Want to earn more and with less  risk? Find us to ask, we are sure we will give you worthy information.   Reference: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/real_estate/0704/gallery.stocks_v_realestate.moneymag/index.html 01/05/2012

US Real Estate Investments I just received this from some dear friends in the US, which is also reported by MSN Real Estate, and wanted to share some great facts with you: "Real-Estate Winners and Losers of 2011"   Let's look back at what 2011 meant for US real estate players, Winners: Property InvestorsHere's one thing that almost everyone in the real-estate business seems to agree on: 2011 was the year of the investor. With a flood of bank-owned properties on the market and prices rolled back to 2003 levels, investors who had cash or access to credit were eagerly scooping up properties.But unlike in years past, investors this year weren't after the flip but the rents, which have inched even higher this year.This investment boom had many agents reporting intense competition and a flurr... 01/05/2012

Arts Club Theatre Vancouver Presents White Christmas 2011 We were so fortunate again this year to have my brother, Mark Weatherley, and sister-in-law, Monique Lund, home for Christmas.  Mark and Monique live far, far away in Stratford, Ontario.  However, they are both actors, and came back to Vancouver to star in A White Christmas, at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver this season. Here are some photos Monique was kind enough to take "behind the scenes" of the cast of White Christmas. Monique plays the part of Judy, one of the main characters, and Mark plays Sheldrake and Ezekial.  Monique definitely takes the house down with a tap number she does, where she dances on top of a piano!  She also has some wonderful costume changes, wearing stunning 1950's vintage dresses.  The shows are all ... 12/27/2011

  Van Dusen Botanical Gardens – Festival of Lights - December Season of Celebrating & Sharing Van Dusen Botanical Gardens is transformed into a magical garden during the Festival of Lights.  Everywhere you look, thousands upon thousands of lights adorn trees, bushes, rocks and pretty much every nook and cranny you can think of.   Each path is well marked, and one is able to stroll leisurely down Candy Cane Lane, or Gingerbread Wood and gaze at the beautiful display before you.  The background music is sure to get you humming along and into the Christmas spirit!   One of the highlights is definitely the light show, called Dancing Lights on Livingston Lake, where lights seemingly “dance” to the accompanying music.  These shows start at 4:30pm, and play every half hour.  Another highlight ... 12/23/2011

Vancouver Aquarium – Luminescence – A Celebration of Aquatic Life - The Season of Celebrating and Sharing Have you ever seen a bunch of eels light up a Christmas tree?  Well, if you haven’t, you’re in for a huge treat at this year’s Luminescence, at the Vancouver Aquarium, located in Stanley Park.   The Vancouver Aquarium has always held a fascination as it embraces aquatic life, both local and from afar.  Who doesn’t love to gaze at the giant, mushy Octopus, or thrill at the antics of the otters and dolphins?   The Magic of the North brings a holiday celebration to our friends with fins and scales.  Some highlights of this festive display include a scuba diving Santa, the Beluga whales and Dolphin shows, eels lighting up the Christmas trees, and a short 4D version of the Polar Express ... 12/23/2011