Follow local house hunters as they experience the highs and lows of buying a home in the intense Vancouver real estate market. Elaine L. is the first to share her search with us. We’ll check in with her every couple of weeks to see how it’s going.
Now comes the hard part: living in a home that has to be clean, shiny and spare at all times.
“Having to clean up after myself all the time is making me want to get it over with,” says House Hunter Elaine L. “I want someone to buy it so I can leave”
The condo she and her mom share has now been on the market since the beginning of July. After hauling out everything that wasn’t nailed down, and getting new flooring installed, she’s thrilled at how great the place looks. But it has to be kept that way.
“I gave my dog a haircut!”
The dog was the worst culprit in the keep-it-clean campaign. Elaine’s mom, Patty, had been spending part of every day vacuuming up the dog hairs that showed up particularly well against the dark wood of the floors — one of the new selling features of the condo.
A canine cropping took care of that problem. Now it’s a matter of always putting things away, dusting and doing the dishes.
All that upkeep is worth it. Their Realtor says that it shows really well, and he’s had favourable comments from people viewing it. Considering there are three other condos for sale in the same building, that’s hugely important. Elaine and Patty indulged in a little spying, going to the open house at one of the other condos to check out the competition, and they’re satisfied that their efforts have given them the upper hand.
The other side of feng shui
They’ve even had some serious interest. A mom and daughter came to look at the condo twice, but they rejected it because the mom said that the ensuite bathroom door facing the bed was bad feng shui. Elaine and Patty are Chinese too, and they have a few criteria based on feng shui principles. But not that one.
“The bed can be moved.” says Elaine. “We’ve lived here for four years and haven’t had bad luck!”
As her Realtor — and every Realtor the world over — says: It’s just a matter of finding the right person.” There are three showings coming up; three chances to find that right person. And with all those prospective buyers coming through her home, Elaine’s decided not to spend the week constantly keeping everything spotless. She’s going to Vegas instead. She’s got a phone with a US number, so anything that needs to be handled can be handled from there.
Let’s hope Elaine and Patty’s luck holds.
Follow along as Elaine and her mom chronicle their house-hunting adventures:
- June 16,2012 Meet Elaine L.
- June 22, 2012 Elaine Loves and Lists
- July 18, 2012 Keep it Clean
- July 27, 2012 Elaine’s Las Vegas Luck
- August 16, 2012 Know the Market
- September 4, 2012 Buyer’s Market
- September 24, 2012 Best Offer?
- October 24, 2012 You’re Fired
- December 3, 2012 Home at Last
And if you’re currently looking to buy a home and/or sell a home, get in touch! We’re looking for house hunters who are willing to tell us about their experiences as they go through the sometimes exhilarating, sometimes frustrating process of buying a home in Vancouver. Those selected will earn $500. Details here.
