Every home owner loves a barbecue, and as the summer starts in earnest there's nothing better than enjoying a back yard cook-out with friends and family. But all too often, the fun can be ruined, thanks to a lack of simple planning and preparation.

Homes that have beach front access should have that access checked to make sure that any pathways to the water are safe for agents and their clients to walk down, especially if the home is well above the height of the water. Paths should be checked for erosion and stability, while decking and railings should be checked to make sure that they’re structurally sound. 

Selling a home, as many of us know, can be a quite a daunting experience. We may have spent many years making a house or condo into our very own home sweet home, but when it comes to selling a property, too much 'personality' can spell disaster.

Vancouver real estate is renowned for its resilience, and has been among the few growing markets during the recent downturn in the global economy. Construction throughout the city and metropolitan region has continued at a steady pace, and sales have generally been seen to buck the trend by remaining buoyant and, perhaps more significantly, holding value.

Before you buy your first home, make sure that you’re researching the entire complement of monthly expenses that you will have to cover. Some of these are fees that many people don’t know are attached to their home payment.

Foreclosure attorney, David J. Stern is someone who has gained quite a bit of notoriety in the state--both for his lavish lifestyle, and for allegations of fraud that were recently lobbed against his company.

There are different types of exterior doors that you can use for your main entrance made from a variety of materials; exterior doors are usually made from wood, fibreglass, or steel and may incorporate windows either in the door itself or in the sidelites or transom above the door.

Installing brick pavers for your sidewalk or the entire driveway will instantly increase your home's curb appeal, and make buyers add your home to their favorites list on a real estate tour.

Once the snow is all melted away, take a look at your yard. If there are any areas that seem to puddle up with moisture or take a really long time to dry out after snow or rain, make note of them. Once the ground is a little dryer you might want to add some extra drainage in this area or plant some wet-loving plants here.

Our thoughts on what constitutes a perfect home from a design perspective, may not be perfectly honed but the majority of us feel comfortable enough in our tastes to recognize when something looks bad.