Cozy Comfort

Cozy Comfort Brunswick Gardens 15, 12438 Bruswick Place, Richmond MLS: V988339

List Price: $549,800 Floor Area: 1537 Unit: 3 Beds; 3 Bath Maintenance Fee: $282.00 Taxes: $2066

PROS

1. Cozy and comfortable downstairs living area with living, dining, kitchen, ½ bath, laundry and patio.
2. Nice patio area including cedar deck and a small green area maintained by the strata. High fencing for increased privacy.
3. New designer kitchen.
4. Large master bedroom with deck and walk-in closet.
5. 3rd floor family room or office with roof-top deck.
6. Parks and schools nearby.
7. Nice neighbourhood/community, near boardwalk, dyke and Steveston Village.

CONS

1. 2nd and 3rd levels are dated and require updating – the bathroom, bedrooms and additional family room could use upgrades to modernize and maximize space.
2. Carpet on stairs, 2nd and 3rd floors should be replaced.
3. Kitchen is a bit snug, but an adjoining nook area provides additional storage and/or seating space.
4. Moderately high maintenance fees.

COMPARABLES

1. 10, 12438 Brunswick Place
2. 13, 12438 Brunswick Place
3. 16, 12438 Brunswick Place

MORTGAGE DETAILS

2.99%; 549,800

High Ratio Loan (less than 20% down payment); 25-year amortization Purchase Price: $549,800 Down Payment (5%): $27,490 CMCH fees:  $14,363.52 Total loan: $536,673.52 Amortization: 25 years Payment: $2,537.03

Approximate income required: $116,000

Conventional Loan (20% or more down payment); 30-year amortization Down Payment (20%): $109,960 Total Loan: $439,840 Amortization: 30 years Payment: $1,851.33

Approximate income required: $90,206.31

From my home to yours - Irene

The 2-in-1 home

7849 Fraser Street, Vancouver

List Price: $739,000 Floor Area: 1745 Unit: 6 bed, 3 bath Taxes: $3,500 MLS: V986596

Ever consider purchasing a home with a mortgage helper that pays half the bill?  This is the place to do just that.  The duplex has 6 bedrooms with the option of having the lower suite as a 2 or 3-bedroom unit.  It has private access to the back yard and one garage parking stall.  More than one car? No problem, there is plenty of street parking available for residents and guests.

Built in 2005 and renovated in 2009, some additional improvements could be made to increase the value.   Adding a separate entrance walkway and making minor improvements to the lower suite are a couple of examples.

Currently listed at below assessed value, a buyer would be sure to find value in the property.   Enjoy as a 2-story home or two separate condos, with yard access.

PROS

1. Option to have a 2 or 3 bedroom mortgage helper.
2. Newer building
3. Access to major road ways (Fraser, SE Marine Dr, Knight, Cambie, Main)
4. Rooms decent in size
5. Lots of street parking
6. Private access to the backyard
7. Access to a garage

CONS

1. Lots of stairs
2. Some work still to be done to elevate the overall aesthetics
3. Higher property taxes
4. Although close to many parks and shopping areas, the area is not as desirable as other family communities in Vancouver

MORTGAGE DETAILS

Based on 2.99%; List Price: $739,000

High Ratio Loan (less than 20% down payment); 25-year amortization Down Payment (5%): $36,950.00 CMCH fees: $19,306.38 Total loan: $721,356.38 Amortization: 25 years Payment: $3,410.09 Approximate income required: $142,500

Conventional Loan (20% or more down payment); 30-year amortization Down Payment: (20%) $147,800.00 Total Loan: $591,200.00 Amortization: 30 years Monthly payment: $2,483.46 Approximate income required: $108,000

From my home to yours - Irene

Feels like Home

The Emerald 102, 833 W 16th Avenue, Vancouver, BC

List Price: $497,000 Floor Area: 875 Unit: 2 bed, 2 bath Maintenance Fee: $395.69 Taxes: $1,527 MLS: V983499

This condo has the feeling of home from the moment you step in. The renovations give it a warm and inviting feel with a professional, clean finish. The master bedroom has a fabulous full wall closet with built-in storage compartments. The kitchen and bathrooms are the stars of the renovations, but the unit’s wrap around 728 sqft exterior patio is a “wow” factor. This ground level home is completely fenced in, making its patio the perfect spot for beautiful summer days on the coast. Includes: in-suite laundry, 2 parking stalls and extra storage.

A beautiful location with access to major routes along Cambie, Oak Street and Broadway. It’s a place that could be enjoyed by the young and young at heart.

PROS

1. Nice renovations
2. Very large patio
3. Well maintained building with rain screening, new roof and other upgrades
4. Pet-friendly
5. Rentals allowed
6. Two parking stalls
7. Nice neighbourhood
8. Additional storage
9. In-suite laundry
10. Open floor plan

CONS

1. High maintenance fees
2. Small closet in the second bedroom
3. One parking stall is a rental until the end of 2013
4. Not a large 2 bedroom unit

MORTGAGE DETAILS

Based on 3.04%; List Price: $497,000

High Ratio Loan (less than 20% down payment); 25-year amortization Down Payment (5%): $24,850 CMCH fees: $12,984.12 Total loan: $485,134.12 Amortization: 25 years Payment: $2,305.84 Approximate income required: $110,000

Conventional Loan (20% or more down payment); 30-year amortization Down Payment: (20%) $99,400 Total Loan: $397,600 Amortization: 30 years Monthly payment: $1680.79 Approximate income required: $86,000

From my home to yours - Irene

Endless Possibilities

Admiral’s Walk 102, 10631 No 3 Road, Richmond

List Price: $229,000 Floor Area: 1158 Unit: 1 bed, 2bath Maintenance Fee: $352.27 Taxes: $1013 MLS: V975838

An oldie, but a goodie.  This 38-year-old building, although aged and not really modernized, has a vibe all on it’s own.  Once the Show Suite at Admiral’s Walk, this unit is like no other in the two building complex…or Richmond for that matter.  Nestled in the quietest southwest corner with easy access to parking, the courtyard, pool, clubhouse, community gardens and RV parking, this condo unit could be transformed into a wonderful home.  It will take work with head to toe renovations required, but with the size, layout and current design, the possibilities are truly endless.  A buyer can consider closing the den to have a second bedroom, opening the kitchen up to the dinning and living room, sectioning off the dining room to create separate dining room access, or design a custom built-in floor to ceiling cabinetry in the area between the kitchen and the dining room…and more.

With direct access to the courtyard, ample closet and storage space (one storage unit within the unit and a second located down the hall), the space feels more like a townhome than a condo.

PROS

1. Lots of living space – great potential to make the space your own.
2. Unit has capability of adding in-suite laundry (but has to be ventless dryer).
3. Lots of storage space.
4. Great location – close to amenities, shopping and transit.
5. Active and engaged strata hosting events.
6. Clubhouse with pool and private garden plots.
7. Deep freeze added to kitchen.
8. Great placement in complex with direct access to courtyard.
9. Sun room and patio area.
10. Large bedroom with two large closet spaces.
11. New piping (horizontal) being installed now.

CONS

1. Needs considerable amount of renovations, mainly new flooring and bathroom upgrades.  Possibly new wall designs and other conversions.
2. Restrictions – No pets, No rentals, 16+.
3. Wood fireplace may be changed to electric (this is not necessarily bad, but may add to costs).
4. Old building and not aesthetically appealing inside common areas.
5. Older building may have more costly improvements needed over time.
6. Condo fees are higher, however, they do include heat, hot water and sewage.

MORTGAGE NOTES

Example at 3.09%; List Price: $229,900

High Ratio Loan (less than 20% down payment); 25-year amortization Down payment (5%): $11,495 Mortgage Amount: $218,405 Default Insurance (2.75%): 6,006.14 Loan Amount: $224,411.14 Monthly Payments: $1,072.41 Approximate Income Required: $58,000

Conventional Loan (20% or more down payment); 30-year amortization Down payment (20%): $45,980 Mortgage Amount: $183,920 Loan Amount: $183,920 Monthly Payments: $878.91 Approximate Income Required: $48,000

From my home to yours - Irene

On the Evergreen Line

Day view from Grand Central 3

Night view from Grand Central 3 

Grand Central 3 High Street & Atlantic Ave. Coquitlam

List Price: $229,500 – $699,900 Floor Area: 545 – 1421 Unit: 1 bed, 1 bath – 2 bed, 2 bath Layouts

Grand Central 3 is a new condo project by Intergulf Development Group currently in preconstruction at High St & Atlantic Ave in Coquitlam scheduled for completion in 2016. The project has a total of 246 units and is the third and final phase in Coquitlam’s Grand Central project (Phase 1 and 2). 34 stories of grand living in the heart of Coquitlam, centrally located just steps from over 200 shops and services at Coquitlam Centre and moments from the future Evergreen Line. VIP viewings starting this fall, register today  to choose from 100 homes under $299,900.

LIVE AT THE CENTRE • 3 minutes to Lincoln Station • 12 minutes to Town Centre • 35 minutes to downtown Vancouver • Easy access to YVR airport

GRAND IN SCALE AND VISION • 12,000 sqft swimming pool and sheltered hot tub • Putting Green • Lush Landscaping, generous greenspace, and community garden plots • Outdoor exercise space and children’s playground • 25,000 sqft fitness centre with stretching room and yoga studio • Multi-media party room with lounge, bar, and full kitchen

ARCHITECTURE • Striking 34-storey architecture designed by award-winning IBI Group • Soaring double-height designer entrance and lobby • Contemporary interior design by Lot 30 Design Inc. • Expansive windows designed to optimize natural light and scenic views • Concrete construction with double glazed windows for energy efficiency

INTERIORS • Choice of two contemporary colour schemes: Ebony and Rosewood • 8’6″ ceiling heights in most living areas • Laminate wood flooring throughout living and dining rooms • Cozy wall-to-wall nylon carpeting throughout bedrooms • Quality wood door trim casings and baseboards • Smart horizontal blinds for shade and privacy

KITCHEN • Contemporary wood veneer cabinetry in Ebony or Rosewood • Quartz countertops • Elegant marble or limestone tile backsplash • Top quality stainless steel appliances by KitchenAid: • 24” dishwasher (Energy Star) • 30” gas range cooktop and self-cleaning electric oven • Over-the-range integrated microwave/hood fan • 24” bottom-freezer integrated Blomberg refrigerator (Energy Star) in one-bedroom homes or 30” french-door stainless steel refrigerator with water dispenser in all other homes • Sleek stainless steel undermount sink • Modern faucets and fixtures by Moen • Handy in-sink waste disposal system

Full listing of features & finishings

From my home to yours- Irene