Aleya Bhaloo : Latest Blog Posts

Go Fish..Upscale fish and chips restaurant in South Granville location!

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:32:00 GMT

Went to play "go fish" this evening and to my surprise found the most surprising yet funky, tastefully infused delightful morsels of succulent seafood...amongst entrancing stylish beats..but beware, do not be fooled by the basic blue tables and cafeteria glasses combined with the initial feeling of Ivar's seafood house. The must have appetizer is the "go fish picnic" which is a combination of a seafood charcuterie with warm classic fry bread combined with a dill creme fraiche and hawaiian rock sea salt. Located on Broadway near Granville, replacing the infamous Bin 941, you must not miss out on this opportunity to have gourmet fish and chips whilst enjoying tantalizing music. Go Fish is a new-ish seafood restaurant replacing the long standing Bin 942 on West Broadway. They also have a location down on Fisherman's Wharf just west of Granville Island. Located at 1521 West Broadway, a great spot for lunch or dinner...check it out! Everything is fresh and tasty! Chef/Proprietor Gord Martin is the creator and founder of not only all the dishes but also the art! And to top it off he is super friendly and a great guy!

Century 21's 2nd Annual Pumpkin Giveaway in Yaletown

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:03:00 GMT

2ND ANNUAL PUMPKIN GIVEAWAY AT CENTURY 21 YALETOWN!!

It's that time of year again! Century 21' in Yaletown's 2nd annual pumpkin giveaway! Come down to our office this Saturday October 22, 2011 and pick out YOUR pumpkin! Our First annual PUMPKIN give away was a success, better than we hoped for...What a great feeling too!

It all started with an idea from our "Social Committee" that we should put some effort in a community Easter Seals event, hence the Pumpkin give away. And of course a soft spot for some of us who were fortunate enough to go and have a tour of the camp located in Squamish and meet the kids...this camp for disabled children is so well organized and the kids look forward to it all year! It was so amazing to see the joy in their faces!

So needless to say, before you know it we had SIX boxes of pumpkins delivered to our office on a Sunday morning, the day of the event! We started out by putting out balloons, signs, tables, cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. All in all it was a GREAT time and we raised $1,102.00 Thank you to all the people who came by and took a Pumpkin and made a donation to the Easter Seals "Send a Kid to Camp". It means the world to us and of course, it's the kids that are the true winners!

Please join us again for this years event and help us make it even more successful than the last! Bring your family, friends, kids, dogs, everyone is welcome! We will be there from 12-5 at our Yaletown location 421 Pacific St. Help us send a kid to camp!

Hope to see you there!

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BALCONY

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:59:00 GMT

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BALCONY:

Just because you don’t have a backyard, doesn’t mean that you can’t make the most of your outdoor living space. If you have a balcony, regardless of the size, you can turn it into a tranquil oasis where you will want to spend time. The first thing you need to do is evaluate the space you’re working with and decide what you will most likely do out there. If you think you’ll eat or need a place to write or do crafts, etc., then a small table and chairs would be ideal. On the other hand, if this is just a place you’d like to escape to relax or read a good book, a comfortable chair is probably the most important feature.

Furniture – If your balcony is like most, it’s probably not giving you a lot of square footage to work with. A bistro table will fit nicely or if you prefer a comfortable lounge chair, hanging hammock chair or something of this nature and then just add a side table to set your beverage on.

Lighting – Most balconies have an outlet outside where you can plug a nice decorative light in. However, if this isn’t an option, there are plenty of solar lights that will soak up the sun’s rays during the day and then provide you with some lighting at night. Some even have motion detectors so they aren’t glowing all night.

Rug – That hard concrete probably isn’t too inviting. Fortunately, there are a multitude of gorgeous outdoor rugs in every color, pattern and size for you to choose from.

Decor – Many people simply neglect to bring any kind of decor to their balcony for whatever reason. There are outdoor canvases that are treated to stand up against elements, garden statues and wind chimes that will work well in this space. A water feature is always an added bonus to provide a soothing atmosphere and some of these are solar powered as well. Additionally, a small biofuel fireplace is the perfect addition to any outdoor space. They are environmentally-friendly and will provide ambiance and warmth on those cooler evenings. The best thing about these is that they’re portable so you can take them inside when you go in for the evening.

Plants – No balcony is complete without plants or flowers. Corner plant stands gives you a place to really stack quite a few containers or you can hang them with hooks from the balcony above you. Most balconies have some type of railing so you can always make use of these and attach planters that are designed for this purpose. You can even grow your own vegetables if you want! Even a small balcony can become a place to escape! Bring personality to your outdoor space but be sure not to overdo it. Too many items could make it cluttered and then it won’t be nearly as relaxing.

Yaletown's first dog walk and wash condo building!!

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:03:00 GMT

Introducing Yaletown’s newest luxury residential tower, the Beasley will be ready for occupancy mid October. Offering 211 condominum residences including an exclusive three homes per floor on the top four floors, the Beasley spans 33 stories.

The Beasley is a collection of Vancouver condos bordering on Yaletown and Robson Street. This sustainable building was built as a tribute to Larry Beasley who was the Director of Planning at Vancouver’s City Hall. The single tower is located at 888 Homer and contains not only amazing homes but amenities that take Vancouver living to another level. .

The developer behind the Beasley is Amacon, which in the past has brought to life many projects. Amacon’s portfolio of architecturally beautiful buildings is impressive!

And here’s a Yaletown first and the best part about the Beasley! If you have a dog, you and your pup will love the building as it has Vancouver’s first dog walk and wash area! Part of the eighth floor garden terrace at the Beasley Condominiums in Yaletown will be a 60-foot dog run surrounded by park benches where home owners can hang out as their four footed companions romp and play together. You’ll find patios like this everywhere in New York and San Francisco. This feature is indicative of downtown Vancouver’s success as being one of the top most livable cities in the world!

As for the rest of the amenities, the Beasley has a gym, a library, a meeting room and a party room.

Are you ready to start living YOUR Yaletown lifestyle?? Contact your Yaletown Lifestyle Realtor for more details!

An assignment....another option to own your own condo!

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:48:00 GMT

CONDO ASSIGNMENTS FOR SALE

DEFINITION
An assignment (i.e. purchase) of the right to purchase a property. Specifically, it can be the transfer of a contract to purchase, before occupancy. After occupancy, the property can be sold and is classified as a 'resale'.

WHY ASSIGN AND NOT SELL?
The City has not given the permission for Occupancy yet. It cannot be a sold using conventional methods.

EXAMPLE
A Buyer just bought a new Condo. The Builder has given the Buyer the RIGHT TO ASSIGN the unit (sell the agreement) to another Buyer. This may happen for various reasons:

Buyer must sell
Buyer wishes to take out equity
Property appreciated and Buyer wishes to re-invest appreciation
Market outlook looks bad

Many have taken advantage of the 'good times' and have been 'flipping condos' for investment purposes. Many clients have bought over and over only to be MORTGAGE FREE today.

It is an art to flip condos before they are built. This form of investment is not for the faint-of-heart. You need a knowledgeable real estate agent with financing capabilities to get into the game.

You are advised as to the builders, their success and mentality, the areas, why some are good buys and why others are not...

CONDO MARKET OUTLOOK - INDICATORS
Vancouver's Real Estate market appears to be able to hold and re-sell the units at least up to 2011.

Vancouver's condo market is being fueled by wealthy young professionals
They do not wish to travel hours to work
They are usually single or maybe couples
Many buyers are retired and love the downtown living
Vancouver's downtown core is revitalizing and becoming more vibrant and fun
Vancouver 's economy is stronger than ever and will continue to attract people wanting to live in Vancouver

TIPS & TRICKS

Not all Builders allow assignment sales. Find out if the builder allows for assignment sales before you purchase. Find out if they are giving a discount
You may sell your unit at a higher price! Consult with a New Condo Specialist, like our team, for accurate pricing
The Assignment Fee can be negotiated and passed to the Buyer! Work with A Tough Negotiator
List your property with a Condo Assignment site, where your unit's visibility is GUARANTEED
Buy Your units early to save on Assignment Fees and to Maximize Your Benefit

Let's start investing smart!

Stay tuned for assignments available in your desired area :)

Picnic in the park and outdoor movie in Yaletown

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:04:36 GMT

It's a great time to buy in Vancouver!!

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:34:00 GMT

I received this information today from a friend/mortgage
specialist so I thought I would pass it on :)

I wanted to pass along this article that I read on
Canadian Mortgage Trends:

http://tinyurl.com/3keecd9

Given the recent events in the U.S it looks like the
stage has been set for low interest rates for a very
long time. There is talk that the bank of Canada
may even cut the prime lending rate which is a
180 degree change in rate views. "100% probability
of a rate cut by year-end." With bond yields low and
talk of fixed rates coming down even more, now is
a great time to buy. If you're working with clients that
need to be pre-approved, please let me know.

Regards,

Jessica Williams
Scotiabank Mortgage Specialist
T: 778-288-1511
F: 1-877-498-2728

Jessica.williams@scotiabank.com

Environmentally-friendly materials that are popular in contemporary design

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:30:00 GMT

Reducing your carbon footprint goes far beyond recycling, solar panels and choosing non-toxic paint and flooring. The decor that you use in your home can also be environmentally-friendly as well. Today, designers are creating stunning pieces that are actually beneficial to your living space.
Bamboo – This raw material exploded in popularity many years ago and has not lost its novelty. This renewable resource not only makes beautiful products, it grows back fast! Fresh bamboo shoots are always a great idea to bring any room to life as well.
Recycled Glass – What else is there to do with recycled wine bottles, windshields and dinner plates besides make them into something spectacular. This glass is broken up into tiny pieces and then concrete holds it together. What you get are recycled countertops, tables, vases and more, made from materials that would have otherwise ended up filling landfills.
Recycled Aluminum – Many manufacturers are recycling industrial scrap metal, soda cans, etc., to use as backsplashes, countertops, accent furniture, art and even sculptures for your garden.
Cork – This is quickly becoming a preferred choice in flooring and is expected to be a material found in home accents in the near future. It’s durable, comfortable, water-resistant, contains no formaldehyde binders or PVC and is a renewable resource.
Other materials recognized as being environmentally-friendly are concrete, recycled paper and natural plaster. Whether you are building, remodeling or redecorating, there are now an abundance of choices available to make a contemporary home, GREEN!

Making a Studio Apartment Modern

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:54:30 GMT

Just because you have a small space does not mean that you cannot create a completely modern home that you are proud to show off. Sometimes, having a smaller area to work with is actually easier to decorate because you don’t have to be worried about the design of one room flowing to the next!
Welcome the Sun – Natural lighting will amplify the size of your room. Heavy curtains should be avoided at all costs in small spaces.
Flexible Furniture – While you want to be able to entertain your guests at a full-size table, this will only take up a lot of space when not in use. Using a drop leaf table is the perfect solution. Also, don’t underestimate seating cubes or footstools that provide a modern appeal and can double as a a coffee table or an extra chair when needed.
Shelving – Small spaces can really benefit from shelving, not just for aesthetic purposes but for storage as well. Use decorative boxes that accent your decor to hide things you have no room for.
Minimal Furniture – That overstuffed sectional may look fantastic on the showroom floor but it will dwarf your room size. Keep furniture minimal with nice clean lines.
Don’t Forget Rugs – For whatever reason, many people feel that need a large space to lay down rugs. This is not true! You can even lay contrasting rugs over one another to give your studio apartment an ultra chic look that will leave your guests wondering if you hired a professional to design your interior.
Whether this is your first apartment or if you are simply downsizing, get comfortable in your space! You will find you may love the smaller area more than you ever imagined with the right accents.

When you are ready to purchase your new condo contact your Yaletown Realtor, Aleya :)

Open House. Open House on Sunday, July 17, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 09:15:30 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 811 289 ALEXANDER ST in Vancouver.

See details here

Open House on Sunday, July 17, 2011 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Amazing South facing 2 storey loft in sought after building. Great location on quiet street within walking distance to VIBRANT Gastown & behind waterfront Portside Park & seawall access. Walk to all the nightlife, fine dining & attractionsthis area has to offer yet come home to peace & quiet. 16 ft. floor-to-ceiling windows w/custom rolling blinds facing unobstructed south view & 2 sliding glass doors onto large patio. Huge insuite storage room, full size coat closet plan. Large open upstairs w/room for home office, workout area, bedroom w/walk-in closet, & ceramic tiled full bathroom. Original polished concrete floors on main, laminate on upstairs & stairs, and ceramic tiles on patio.

Landscaping on a Budget

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 05:35:12 GMT

Landscaping on a budget

If you haven’t tackled your landscaping yet because you think it’s not in your budget, you should know there are a few tricks you can use that are very inexpensive. You shouldn’t feel as though you have to splurge and buy everything all at one time either. Adding a few things here and there every week or every other week is often easier than paying for one big shopping spree.
Rocks and Stones
Borders, garden walkways and walls can be pretty expensive when you purchase commercial products. If you scout around and always ask permission, you’ll often find old bricks from structures that have been torn down that you can use for this purpose. Sure, they may be old but they have character! You can create walkways and even mock patio areas with stones and rocks as well which you can also often find for free.
Native Plants
You will find that native plants are not only traditionally inexpensive, they require less care. This means that you’re not having to water so much or buy fertilizer. You can often obtain seedlings or seeds from friends, family and neighbors if you ask around. Native plants traditionally resist disease and insects better as well. Keep in mind, the more plants, shrubs and trees you have, the less grass you have to maintain!
Experiment with Containers
If you do want to experiment with pricier plants, use containers for growing and place them around your landscaping. This will allow you to control and maintain them easier. Should you find that they do well in a certain location, you can always transplant them.
Make Use of Hedges
Hedges can outline your property, offer privacy and act as a sound barrier. Not to mention, those that stay full year round can help reduce your heating costs by blocking the cold winter wind when they’re strategically placed properly.

The Many Household Uses for Lemons

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 06:15:40 GMT

There's nothing better than a pitcher of fresh squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day. But what to do with all of those juiced lemons? There are actually quite a few uses for lemons out of the kitchen:

For some of the following tips you can use just the rind or the remainder of a juiced lemon. For others, you may need an entire lemon (or two) so save a couple whole lemons when making lemonade.
• Create DIY furniture polish: Mix the juice from one lemon, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of water. Rub a thin coat of lemon mixture onto wood furniture, and then buff to shine.
• Renew hardened paintbrushes: Dip hardened paintbrushes into boiling lemon juice. Lower the heat and leave the brush for 15 minutes, then wash it in soapy water.
• Make your own toilet bowl cleaner: Mix one part lemon juice to two parts borax to create a paste for use as a toilet cleaner. You can get rid of toilet rings by applying this solution and letting it sit for a couple of hours before rinsing.
• Clean tarnished metals: Use lemons to remove the tarnish on brass, copper, or stainless steel. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt and coat the affected area. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry.
• Ward off moths: Hang a sachet of dried lemon rind in the closet to get rid of moths.
• Eliminate litter box odor: Cut up a few lemons and put near the cat litter box. The lemons will neutralize the litter odor.
• Whiten laundry: Get formerly white laundry white once again by boiling in water with a slice of lemon. For extra whitening, dry laundry in the sun. You can also add a cup of lemon juice, along with your usual detergent, to the washing machine for extra whitening.
• Get rid of roaches and fleas: Wash your floors with the juice of 4 lemons in about half a gallon of water.
• Remove soap scum and mineral buildup: Apply lemon juice directly to the soap scum or mineral buildup and let sit for an hour or so. Rinse that scum down the drain and rejoice!
• Freshen a stinky garbage disposal: Toss lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to freshen it up. (While you're at it, toss in some ice cubes to sharpen the disposal's blades, too!)
• Keep insects away: Squeeze lemon juice around windows and doors to keep insects out. Place some sliced lemon (or the juiced lemons) around the kitchen to keep insects away.
• Make DIY shoe polish: Similar to the furniture polish, add a few drops of lemon juice to olive oil. Apply to shoes and then buff with a clean rag for a perfect shine.
• Freshen the air: Drop the juiced lemons in a pot of water and simmer on low heat for a few hours. Your home will smell lemony fresh in no time.
• Remove strains from fabric: Dab salt and lemon juice onto the stain, leave for a while, then rinse well and wash as normal.

Open House. Open House on Sunday, July 10, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sun, 10 Jul 2011 09:13:09 GMT

Please visit our Open House at # 2004 1199 SEYMOUR ST in Vancouver.

See details here

Open House on Sunday, July 10, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

WELCOME HOME to this 2 bedroom & den/storage MUST SEE residence. Great layout on the corner with gentle breezes & lots of windows to take in the incredible UNOBSTRUCTED views. This welcoming residence has big wide open spaces, granite counters & stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom is large enough for a king sized bed. Enjoy the lifestyle with it's great amenities (sauna, steam room, gym, pool, hot tub, two guest suites, social & media room, 24 hr concierge, dog wash, pool table) & great location (Downtown, Yaletown, restaurants, Canada Line) This home is SPECTACULAR & truly a pleasure to show.

Open House. Open House on Friday, July 15, 2011 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 09:16:13 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 811 289 ALEXANDER ST in Vancouver.

See details here

Open House on Friday, July 15, 2011 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

REBGV June 2011 Market Stats

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 23:38:33 GMT

Summer housing market trends toward balance after an active spring season.

To read full REBGV Market Report click here http://www.rebgv.org/sites/default/files/REBGV_StatsPackage_June2011.pdf

Arizona Investment Property with 10.54% ROI!!

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 06:17:09 GMT

Thinking about investing in a place in Arizona??? This home is NOT a FORECLOSURE, and is located in the City of Chandler. This home is in a GATED COMMUNITY and features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, granite kitchen counters, stainless appliances, 9+ ft. ceilings, a covered patio and includes a washer/dryer. You'll love this beautiful complex located in desirable Chandler which features a community Pool, Club House, work-out room and walking and biking trails. This property is featured at the affordable price of $89,900. The average rental amount of similar properties is $799/month and the estimated annual return on investment for this property is 10.54%. Contact me for more details on this home or any others. Don't forget I have real estate connections globally and can refer you to a Realtor who will take good care of you anywhere you are thinking about investing! Stay tuned for more great investment opportunities not only just in Vancouver!

21st Greek Day in Kitsilano!

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:18:52 GMT

It's Vancouver's 125th anniversary this year and annual Greek day has arrived with some new additons! Today Sunday June 26, 2011 head down to Kitsilano. This year marks the 21st greek day on Broadway! Click on the link for more details, and event info. Hope to see you there!

http://www.greekday.com/home.html

Yaletown Sub Penthouse Listed and Sold in ONE Day!!

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 06:18:40 GMT

Thinking about selling your home? Looking for a Realtor that thinks outside the box? Tired of the same old tiresome marketing techniques? Contact your Yaletown Realtor and Lifestyle Expert! Traditional advertising is fine but your property deserves more! I use innovative and unique marketing strategies to get homes SOLD for the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time! In today's market you need someone who can keep up with the everchanging technology. Experience cutting edge marketing that makes your home as noticeable as possible giving it a strong online presence , in the largest inventory of Yaletown homes for sale. I work hard to maximize the exposure of your home with top of the line ads in-print and online, along with you tube videos, QR codes and personalized domains. I inform prospective purchasers about the community, the neighourhood, the schools etc! I just listed this Yaletown condo and got it sold on it's FIRST day on the market. The results speak for themselves. Contact me today for a free no obligation personalized marketing plan for your home.

Open House. Open House on Saturday, June 11, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 09:23:37 GMT

Please visit our Open House at 2303 1001 RICHARDS ST in Vancouver.

See details here

Open House on Saturday, June 11, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Rarely available, sub-penthouse, 1 bedroom & den, corner unit in the Miro! Located in the heart of Yaletown steps to shopping, fine dining, nightlife, plus all the sporting venues. Great open layout with stainless steel appliances. Hardwood flooring, walk-in closet, solarium, balcony, storage plus parking. This home has it all! Pets & rentals are welcome.

Jimmy Choo's for $50??!! Really?!...True Story!

Sun, 29 May 2011 19:24:38 GMT

If you haven’t already heard about the Fashionista Ball that is happening today on West Pender let me just say…WOW!! So ladies have been lined up since early this morning for a fundraiser/shopping extravaganza! There is over 600 pairs of shoes (including top designers such as Jimmy Choo, Christian Laboutin, Dolce and Gabbana etc), as well as handbags, cocktail dresses, coats, luggage and many more designer goods…all for bargain prices! All the shoes are either $25, $50 or $75 and all proceeds will be donated to the United Way of the Lower Mainland. If you are and about today and strolling around stop by and show your support or just go check out the mayhem!! You never know you may walk out with a new pair of sexy shoes! It is taking place at 1095 West Pender Street for 10 a.m to 4 p.m today. Admission is only $5!!