July 2021

All is not lost, though the real estate in the Vancouver Area is down. If you are on the market for a house you want to do your research. Research about housing type and location and then act wisely. In the month of June alone there were over 4,000 properties sold in the Lower Mainland area. This represents a gentle decline month-over-month since March. 

If you are a buyer in this market be prepared to look long and hard to find a bargain and may have to put in a little more effort. Sellers may have to put in some more effort in some segments of the market. There were a lot of excellent sales numbers in the height of the pandemic, with many people deciding their living space was a priority. 

Real Estate in Summer of 2021

It’s summer now and this is usually slower for real estate. With some people just getting the chance to enjoy themselves they may not even be considering buying/selling. This can further slow down market activity. 

The truth is that the market is still undersupplied and there aren’t a lot of apartments and townhomes under $1 million. We are seeing a rise in active listings even though it is a small increase. Because it is so small though, we don’t think this will put too much of a dent into the prices. There are some properties that are getting multiple offers and we are expecting it to be this way for some time. 

In mid April to mid May listings of detached homes increased approximately 13%. Then in mid-May to mid-June there was a mere 2% increase. Townhouses and condos had similar numbers with an 8% increase in mid April to mid May and then only showed a 5% increase to mid-June.  These are just the overview numbers, then we have to also consider the regional distortions. 

The Best Strategy for Buyers This Summer 

Even though there are fewer listings there is also less competition for available properties. So you want to check your market. You also should talk with your real estate agent about what is happening in the specific area you are looking in. And for the type of housing you are interested in. You want to ensure that the prices you are seeing are reflecting market value and are not simply set to entice multiple offers. Remember, in all things that well priced houses are not staying on the market. 

Viewings 

While quarantine restrictions are lifting open houses are still not a thing yet. You will still be having one-on-one viewings and virtual viewings. We can even anticipate more evolutions in the market come September. We hope the opening of borders will cause a rise in demand, which will be good for both buyers and sellers alike. 

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Homeowners who owned their homes before the pandemic are feeling richer due to the increase in housing prices. Many households saw a net worth increase of 21.5% with most in the first quarter. While the wealth of homeowners was going up, the wealth of renters were not going up as fast. 

All of this was not due to the pandemic though, we have to thank the policy-makers who decided to ramp up mortgage lending. The larger banks now have over $40.5 billion in common equity tier 1 capital. The internal target is an 11% CET1 ratio but we are looking at lenders passing that sitting on average around 12.8% with the highest recorded CET1 capital of $270.6 billion. 

While the current housing market is booming for existing homeowners it is proving difficult for those who don’t already own a home for themselves. Wages are not keeping up and for many this means they are falling further and further behind. Competing with the average citizen are companies that are buying out entire neighborhoods and converting single family homes into rental units. There are a number of companies doing this and really pushing average citizens out-of-pocket. It is these companies that are a part of the bidding war you face when you send in an offer on a house. They are the ones that can easily outbid you and price you out of the housing market completely. 

What Can You Do About It?

You have the option to build your home with us here at SilverBeam Homes. Not only can we make your dream of owning a home a reality.  But we can also help you get the home you really want. We can create a home that functions the way you need it to. And will make it easy for you to adapt to your new setting to your day to day life after moving in. 

Don’t let these large corporations ruin your dream of owning a home. Let us help you create your own home. 

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Have some shelves in your home you need to add some style to? Considering your layout options? The first tip we have for you is to be patient. You want to get it done the right way, gather your items, lay them all out and try different variations before you settle on a final place for each item. Here’s a couple things you can use to jazz up your shelves;

• Family antiques
• Framed photos 
• Mementos that tell a story 
• Souvenirs from vacation 

Storage is an issue for a lot of families in Vancouver, especially in current situations where we are all spending more time at home than usual. If your shelves can accommodate storage solutions this will be a great addition to your shelving. You don’t have to go out and purchase storage solutions if you have decorative boxes lying around, these can be used. 

Before You Get Overwhelmed

We understand it can be overwhelming to consider styling your home yourself. As a result many people simply default to the necessities. We don’t recommend this, we recommend embracing your home and all its nicks and knacks that make it yours. Don’t be afraid to at least try. 

You may have an idea in mind that doesn’t quite translate into real life. After stepping back and examining what you have and tweaking it from there to get it looking its best. You don’t want to give up and leave your space undesigned and feeling cold. 

Once you have some items in place that you took from around your home, you can start sourcing items outside of your home that can enhance your current setup. 

Play with Height and Angles

When adding things to your shelves you want to play with height and angles. If your shelves are customizable then you can change the heights of the shelves. When you are working with fixed shelves then you want to play around with the height of the items you have to display on the shelves. 

If you have a slanted higher shelf you can play with larger picture frames or coffee table books. If you have deeper set shelves you can use vessels and objects. When using books, remove the glossy covers and allow the matte fabric-bound covers to shine through. This will give a more elevated and tonal feel to the space. 

What About Open Shelving?

Open shelving is very popular but open shelving doesn’t have to mean empty shelving. Use your shelves to display functional items, pretty items or a mixture of both. This goes for free-standing cabinets as well. The latter though gives you a lot more flexibility especially if you are not yet a homeowner and ever have the need to move. 

Repeating Colors

When you repeat colors throughout shelves, this makes for a great look. It provides balance to the overall look of the shelves. In addition to colors you can add some hints of black to the shelves to provide an anchoring effect. 

Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Shelves

Using too many small items is one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to decorate their shelves. When you have too many small items your shelves can look cluttered or these smaller items can get lost easily. If you are using small items, try to group them in groups of three or stack them on books, so they can get some additional visual weight. You may have heard of the “rule of three” which advises that items arranged in odd numbers tend to be more appealing than those items that are arranged in even numbers. This rule is not a new one, it is often used by stylists and designers and has been used for years to create effortlessly cool spaces. 

When you are done following these tips and tricks, stand back from  your shelves, take a couple pictures and then view them from your phone. Give it some time before you move anything to see if it will grow on you. Let us know how your shelves came out in the comments below. Was it a hit or miss?

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Wait, what!? Yes you read that right. You can connect with nature from the inside and you can do it without taking all the plants inside. If you can’t invest in a front yard or backyard for whatever reason. Then an indoor atrium or courtyard could be just what you need. This is what you can get when you choose to have SilverBeam Homes build your dream home from the ground up. 

Growing Demand for Internal Courtyards and Atriums

We are seeing a lot of interest in internal courtyards and atria in home designs. While both of these are old concepts they can apply to modern design and decor. They can give you a connection to nature and quiet solitude.  A courtyard gives you a private space away from the public, your very own piece of mother nature at home. They can be considered spaces of contemplation  where you can go and reflect and embrace your philosophical and existential contemplation right at home. 

Internal courtyards can be landscaped and planted in specific ways to allow you to notice seasonal cycles in the plants. You can also do it so that you can see dew on the leaves, smells, sights when the sun hits certain flowers etc. This helps you to really get an authentic outdoor experience while still inside. And since we are all spending more time at home nowadays it’sa a great way to transform your current home if you are not in the market to build. 

You can use a small space with no need for furniture. They can be placed in an area of the house that you simply move through. You may have glass walls from ceiling to floor and will have access to the plants through a door. 

What if You Can’t Do an Internal Courtyard?

Even if you can’t do a full on internal courtyard you can create an area like this in your current home. All you need to do is identify a sunny place and create your own little indoor garden in that space. This is a great option if you can give over some of your home’s footprint for planting. It doesn’t have to always be about maximizing the use of every square foot in your home for traditional living. Sometimes we have to think outside the box and remember less is more. 

Are you considering building? Why not give us a call? We’d be more than happy to help make your dream of owning a home a reality. Let our team help you make it happen. 

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Small spaces don’t have to feel cluttered and crowded. With a touch of thoughtful decor and design, you can make the most of your small space. In today’s post, we want to help you to do just that. 

We are currently living in times that call for efficient use of our home spaces. Many of us are stuck at home for the most part and need to use our homes for more than regular day to day house living. Many people are now downsizing and apartments in cities like Vancouver can be small – posing a challenge. How can you fit it all in? 

Start by taking the less is a more approach to life in general and to your spaces as well. One of the biggest things you want to spend on when living in a small space is storage. This will help you to keep stuff you use without your immediate surroundings being cluttered. This way when you need them you can easily retrieve them and take advantage of their functionality. 

Designing Your Small Space Room By Room

In your living room, you want to start with just one sofa. You can always add a side chair if you find you have more space and also have the need for more seating. Don’t add a chair if you don’t have the need for it. And remember to always choose multifunctional furniture when possible. 

If you have millwork and it goes up to the ceiling you can take advantage of a room’s height and create additional storage.  Whatever it is that you are doing, go at it with a practical approach. Know the size of your room and the needs for that room in terms of functionality. Write down the different ways you need the room to function and then write down the types of furniture that would help the room to function as needed. Then you can start looking at multifunctional furniture that can meet those needs. This approach will work no matter which room in your home you are trying to get furnished or organized. And the same principle applies if you have a space that is full of stuff and you need to downsize. 

Getting a Designer 

If you are a bit overwhelmed by it all, we can definitely understand. It can be a lot of work and there can be a lot of uncertainty. If you can afford the services of a designer or interior decorator we suggest you go ahead and hire one. Sit down with them and let them know what you need from your space and you can all come up with a plan to provide you with just what you need. 

They may be able to bridge the gap between you and suppliers to find the perfect piece of furniture to make your space work for you. 

And if you ever feel like you are outgrowing or have outgrown your space, maybe consider building your own home with help from us! Give us a call and let us start making plans for your first home built from the ground up.

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