The saying goes that the camera never lies but, as any professional photographer will tell you, it can certainly be induced to interpret! When you're listing your home for sale, whether with a Realtor or independently, in the modern, online market place first impressions really do count and it pays to pay attention to the images you use for listing your home. In this post we look at some of the top tips from professional photographers which means the sale of your home is just a click away – and ensures that clicking away is not what potential purchasers do!

Lights, Camera, Action

• Lighting is crucial to any professional image and avoiding dark, murky or grainy images is essential. Use all the lighting in each room and add additional lights to illuminate darker areas or corners.

• Use the best quality camera you have access to and use a stand or tripod if you have one. Blurry selfies are fine for Instagram or Facebook but not for listing your home!

• Action shots are best avoided so keep people, pets or complete strangers out of the shot. Use props – a half full glass of juice - to give the impression the space is lived in. Potential purchasers need to imagine themselves in the space, not you!

Space Creation

• Whether it's a spacious family home or compact (but desirable) condo creating the impression of space in an image is harder than it might seem. Thankfully you don't need a wide angled lens to make a room look larger, simply take the shot from an angle or corner, which will create a sense of space and depth in any area, big or small. To enhance the affect, place a chair or vase in the foreground of the image which will add a greater sense of depth and space to the image.

• Presentation also helps to focus the eye on detail and create a sense of space. Tidy clutter away, fluff cushions, drape throws in advance of your photography session. Rooms should look homely, attractive and ready to live in but not lived in to the point of requiring a major clean-up operation.

• While technology doesn't yet allow for the smell of baking bread and brewing coffee to waft from the screen of an MLS listing, it's still worth adding some attractive touches to your images, flowers or other decorative touches will make an already welcoming home feel that bit more enticing!

On Location

• Outdoor shots are often as important as indoor ones when it comes to selling your home. Shoot you images on a clear bright day – whatever the time of year – to give your property it's best aspect.

• However, if there are overshadowing trees or buildings avoid too much bright direct light, a slightly over cast day can work better, one with clear light but not very defined shadow!

• As with indoors, tidy all clutter, cars, garbage cans and excess people from the shot. Also avoid taking images when seasonal decorations are in place - the property is what is important here so ensuring you minimize any distractions is crucial.

How Much Is Enough?

When it comes to how many shots to take it's important to avoid over-kill. Internet browsers are notoriously lacking in attention spans and bombarding them with images can have a negative effect. While a single shot is never enough for the content hungry home searcher thirty, however, might be too many. Limit yourself to the exterior shots, maybe two or three at most, the main living area, kitchen and dining areas, master bedroom and main bathroom plus a single shot of additional bedrooms. Additional angles or shots of living areas are also a good plan but keep these to a minimum.

Professional Help

Finally, there's nothing like a little professional help and when it comes to selling your home this advice is a true as ever! Top Realtors are experienced in not only selling but presenting homes and, if in doubt, allow your Realtor to get to work and create that Internet ready image for your home for sale!

Being a single parent is never easy and housing is one of the big issues facing many one-parent families.  The cost of homes in Vancouver is ever buoyant and the finding the cash to buy is one of the biggest obstacles for those bringing up children alone.  However, even in an expensive market, home-ownership is still a dream that can become reality.   In this quick guide we look at how you can make that dream come true and provide a stable home for your family.  

Finances First

Check you're credit score, as this is one of the biggest factors that will determine which mortgage you can get – and importantly what rate you may be charged.  Credit scores range from 300 – 900 and the higher your score the less “risk” you pose to lenders.  If your score is currently low it is worth taking time to improve it – the best credit scores will get you the lowest payments on your mortgage.  Credit bureaus such as Equifax or Transunion can provide your credit score but if work with a mortgage advisor you may be able to reduce the cost of finding your curent score.

Budgeting is important for anybody looking to buy a home, and perhaps more so for single parents.  Work out your current liabilities – credit cards, secured or non-secured loans, student loans, car payments and running costs.  Once you have a comprehensive break-down of your monthly costs you can begin to work out what you can afford to pay each month on a mortgage.  

When looking for mortgage products, consider those that allow longer terms – a 30 year term can be suitable for many single parents and it will bring the monthly cost down in the short term.  Many lenders will be willing to offer this type of product for single parent families (or single individuals) but check on up-front costs and compare deals.  

Finances – Benefits

Single parent families are eligible for a range of government benefits – in recognition of the specific financial issues that single parent families face.  Before considering buying a home ensure that you are receiving every possible form of financial help that is available to you.  

The most likely sources of government help include:  

Eligible Dependent Benefit;  

Working Income Tax Benefit

Canada Child Tax Benefit (possibly including Child Disability Benefit, if applicable)

Employment Insurance Family Supplement (eligibility depends on receipt of Canada Child Tax Benefit).

Some of these benefits will be automatically paid to qualifying individuals but, to be sure you are in receipt of everything that you are entitled to, check with the Government of Canada Family Benefits website.  

Choosing a Home

When it comes to choosing a home, finding the right one for your family is essential – a fact that applies to any family, whatever their make-up.  For single parent families the same options will exist as for other families, single family homes, multi family homes (duplex) or condos.  

Vancouver condos offer an interesting option for many single parent families.  With condo ownership you get all the benefits of owning your own home, but without the extra hassle of maintenance.  Whether it's landscaping, roofing or even snow removal, most condo buildings delegate these responsibilities to the management structure.  For single parent families, in particular, this can bring added peace of mind and is a huge saving on time (something every parent is short of!).  Maintenance fees will be payable for these services – usually monthly – so don't forget to factor these into your budget when searching for homes in Vancouver.  

When selecting a condo building, parents should pay close attention to additional facilities (clubs, crèches, fitness suites – all of which can save yet more time) and also location in terms of proximity to schools, family friendly attractions or parks and open spaces.  Owning your own condo in Vancouver, or any other type of family home, is possible for most single parent families, with some careful planning and attention to your finances!

Overview

West Vancouver is traditionally less well known for its diversity than East Van but there's an exception to every rule and the West End is almost certainly West Vancouver's.  This neighborhood is known for being both family and gay friendly.  An older neighborhood of Vancouver the housing stock includes many traditional family homes and yet also has the ultra-urban modern housing you would expect in a modern city.  West End manages to combine both urban city living and tree lined beach town living in a way that no other part of Vancouver quite manages!  Many residents of West Side have lived in the neighborhood for decades, while new condo developments have seen an increasing rise in newer residents.  The area has a strong community feel but also a strong inclusive community feel and those looking for homes in Vancouver will find this neighborhood particularly welcoming.  Overlooking English Bay to the west and neighboring Downtown Vancouver to the east, West End can perhaps boast one of the best locations in the city, with easy access to the commercial heart (and faced paced) of Vancouver yet with the relaxed feel of a resort town.   

Transport

Travel east on nearly any street in West End and you'll soon find yourself in the heart of Downtown Vancouver.  Commuting options include walking, biking, jogging and driving.  Public transport options are also available through excellent  Translink services.  The proximity to Downtown Vancouver – the hub of transport links to the rest of the city, the Lower Mainland and Canada - means that West End is a particularly well connected Vancouver neighborhood.  

Schools and Universities

The Vancouver School Board provides a full range of elementary and secondary schools in West End and the board also has an excellent range of additional programs focused on key educational areas including English Language Skills and Adult Learner programs.  Transport links from Downtown also make traveling to the University of British Columbia – and other Vancouver Colleges and Universities extremely easy.  

Recreation and Facilities

The diversity found in West End's community is reflected in the entertainment, eating and nightlife opportunities to be found in the area.  Davie Street is the center of gay nightlife in the city, with the biggest clubs located here.  Robson Street is most famous for its shopping but is also crammed with plenty of places to eat and drink.  Denman Street is also a good place to eat out, with options ranging from Indian and French to African and Russian!  Stanley Park borders West Side and the area closest to park is quieter – with Denmen Street in the area being  generally considered the heart of the family orientated part of the community.  Whichever part of West Side you choose you're never far from stunning parks and beaches – Stanley Park with over 8km of coastal cycle trail and 27km of forest trails is a perfect place to relax and English Bay and Sunset Beaches both offer plenty of space and spectacular views.  
 

One thing's for sure when you're buying your first home it's a stressful time!  The stress isn't made easier once the professionals kick in with their seemingly endless resources of jargon!  Understanding at least some of this can help you to make informed choices when it comes to buying a home – whether that's a luxury family home in New Westminster or a condo in Vancouver.  One of the first obstacles you're likely to face is understanding how property is owned;  this may seem simple at first until those professionals get to work on you!  In this guide we'll take a tour of the most common forms of property ownership in Canada.  

Freehold

Probably the simplest and easiest type of property ownership to understand, freehold simply means that you own the land and house which you buy!  If you are planning to build your own home in Vancouver buying freehold land is the most sensible option, as it offers the most freedom in terms of planning, building and designing your home.  Where you buy an existing Vancouver home on freehold terms you will also benefit from the same rights to make whatever alterations and additions you choose, although you'll need to comply with zoning, permit requirements and any by-laws in force in the local area.  These are normally governed by the local city or municipality.  To find the relevant local authority before buying a home in British Columbia check with the Local Government Department of the Government of British Columbia.


Leasehold

Leasehold ownership is the possession of an interest in land for a set period of time.  In British Columbia most leasehold properties are located on First Nation Reserve Land or University Lands.  The standard period for leasehold tenure is normally 99 years but it's important to understand that the period is reset as each different owner purchases the property.  So, for example, if you purchase a leasehold property where 20 years of a 99 year lease have elapsed you will be purchasing the leasehold for the remaining 79 years.  If you then choose to sell after 10 years you will be selling only the remaining 69 years on the lease.  Although the lease can be renewed after the initial 99 years has expired there is no guarantee (or requirement) that the freehold owner will choose to do so.  For this reason, leasehold properties with only a short time left on the lease are considered a significantly risky investment.   

Strata Ownership

As in many countries across the world, increasing urbanization in Vancouver and British Columbia has led to an creasing demand for condos.  Condos in Vancouver and other cities in the Greater Vancouver region are extremely popular and with new developments being undertaken on an ongoing basis there are an increasing number of individuals, couples and families who now own property that is owned under the “Strata” model.  If you buy a Strata property you become the owner of the interior of the specific unit that you buy and also own a share in the common areas of the building.  A Strata Corporation manages the building and this is run by a select group of owners who form the Strata Council.  Monthly fees are payable to the corporation which are used for general maintenance and to provide contingency funds for major work, as and when it is required.  For more information on rules governing Strata Corporations and properties visit the BC Government website.       

Cooperative Ownership

This is again usually found in Condos and is very similar to Strata ownership.  Monthly payments will be required for the upkeep of the whole building and a Coop-board will manage the property.  The main difference between the Strata and Coop models of ownership is that with the Coop each individual owns shares in the building as a whole rather than simply the interior of the part of the property that they live in.  

Overview

One of the fastest growing suburbs in east Vancouver, Coquitlam is also British Columbia's sixth largest city. For families searching for homes in Vancouver, the community offers a wide range of benefits with excellent schools, services and transport links. Commuting by car, SkyTrain or the Translink bus services into downtown Vancouver is also straightforward making the area perfect for young working families and couples. The region in which Coquitlam lies is known as the Tri-Cities area, comprising Coquitlam itself, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. The villages of Anmore and Belcarra are also part of the region. Coquitlam and the surrounding area boasts a wide range of homes for sale including townhouses, condos and houses and offers options that will suit a wide range of needs and budgets. As the city and region grow, real estate in Coquitlam is likely to continue to grow in popularity and becoming increasingly sought after, making Coquitlam not only a great place to live but a great investment for the future too.

Transport

Homes and businesses in Coquitlam benefit from strong transport links operated by Translink, with plenty of bus links to the city of Vancouver itself. In addition, new services are planned for the summer of 2016 connecting to SkyTrain services at Lougheed Town Center, making downtown Vancouver even more accessible for those searching for real estate in Coquitlam.

Schools and Universities

Coquitlam is served by School District 43 which provides 48 elementary schools and 9 high schools. In addition there are a number of privately run schools in Coquitlam along with further education institutions. These include Simon Fraser University – located in Burnaby – and Douglas College which has two campuses – one located in Coquitlam. In addition Coquitlam is home to Coquitlam College a privately run establishment offering high quality world class education.

Recreation and Facilities

The city runs a full program of sports activities and has an excellent range of sports facilties. The programs are designed to suit all age ranges and ability levels and sports facilities are available for groups or individuals. With parks and natural areas administered by the city covering more than 2,200 acres there are also plenty of opportunities for simply enjoying the natural environment – another big attraction for families searching for real estate in Coquitlam. Parks include plenty of family friendly features ranging from picnic areas to pools, sports fields and skateboard parks. The city is also keen to foster its reputation as a home to a vibrant and expanding arts scene and supports a number of arts organizations and festivals, running a full (and expanding) program of events. There are numerous and diverse opportunities for eating out in the city, three movie theaters and plenty of friendly pubs and bars. Coquitlam is served by three major shopping centers – the Sunwood Square Center, Coquitlam Center Mall and Westwood Mall, all conveniently located in the town center.