Home Trends from Michael & Janet Tanlimco

110 6086 Russ Baker Way, Richmond, BC V7B 1B4

MICHAEL TANLIMCO & JANET TANLIMCO

DESIGNING YOUR IDEAL OUTDOOR KITCHEN When you hear the phrase “outdoor kitchen” what comes to mind? A portable barbecue and a comfy patio set or a lavish area that rivals the functionality of your indoor kitchen? Either way, having a designated cooking, eating and entertaining area in your yard or on your patio is one way many homeowners are looking to expand their homes this spring and summer. Start by planning the layout and functionality of the space before considering style and budget. Design the kitchen area based on traffic flow and ease of access and proximity to other areas. For instance, having the preparation and cooking area on a high deck but the seating on a lower deck may make transporting food difficult. Will your grill and sink use existing gas, water and electrical lines or will you need to have new ones run? Imagine yourself using the space and see what may cause issues and what would work best. Once you know what will go where, consider design elements – do you want to use stone, metal or wood? Will you have a professional team come in and build the area or will you attempt to do it yourself? Your budget will dictate a lot as well, as creating an outdoor kitchen isn’t necessarily a low-cost endeavor.

OUTSTANDING AGENTS. OUTSTANDING RESULTS

604.571.0909 | www.michaeltanlimco.com

MICHAEL TANLIMCO & JANET TANLIMCO

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR VINYL SIDING Keeping the vinyl siding on your home or garage clean helps prolong its lifespan, prevents grime (or mould/mildew) from building up and overall enhances the appearance of your property. First use a broom or soft bristle brush to dust off any dirt or debris that has accumulated over the winter. Treat stains with a solution made for vinyl siding and follow the directions on the package. Once any stains are removed, go ahead and use a large, soft brush to apply soapy water (dish soap works well) and rinse it off with a garden hose. Pressure washing is an option, just be sure the water pressure isn't too high so you don't accidentally damage the siding. If you see signs of mould or mildew (black spots that don't easily wash away) you'll want to treat the area with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and water solution, or a cleaner made specifically for removing mildew from siding.

OUTSTANDING AGENTS. OUTSTANDING RESULTS

604.571.0909 | www.michaeltanlimco.com

MICHAEL TANLIMCO & JANET TANLIMCO

PAINT TECHNIQUES TO TRICK THE EYE Painting a room is a quick, cost effective and relatively easy way to change the look and feel of a room. Instead of painting all four walls the same colour, consider the following techniques to enhance the perception of the room. 1. Dark Accent Wall – probably the most common technique, painting one wall of a room a bold colour will draw attention to that particular wall. This is helpful in open concept homes where a focal point is needed as well as rooms where interesting architecture or design elements are showcased. 2. Dark Ceiling – a darker ceiling colour will make a room feel smaller and cozier. Paired with lighter walls and furniture, this technique is popular in dining rooms and bedrooms. 3. Narrow – to make a wide room appear more narrow, try painting opposing walls in darker colour and leaving the end wall light. The dark walls will make you feel like they are closer to each other than they are and therefore make a wide room appear narrow. 4. Lengthen – making a room appear longer is done by painting the ceiling and a back wall the same, dark colour. A light colour on the opposing walls draws your eye toward the dark wall and ceiling making the room appear longer. 5. Do some research online or speak to a interior decorator to determine which painting technique can help your problem spaces.

OUTSTANDING AGENTS. OUTSTANDING RESULTS

604.571.0909 | www.michaeltanlimco.com

MICHAEL TANLIMCO & JANET TANLIMCO

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN REPLACING WINDOWS Replacing your windows for function, style or necessity is a large task and there are numerous considerations to make when choosing the new window. If you're retrofitting your existing window (just replacing the inside so to speak and leaving the frame) there will be different considerations than if you're replacing the entire window including frame. Regardless, the first thing you'll want to decide is whether the window will open, or not, and if so, how it will open - outward (up, down, left or right) or via sliding a pane to reveal a screen? Each has their pros and cons, and one might fit better for your needs than the other. Next, you'll need to determine what material your new window will be constructed from. Vinyl is great because it tends to be a very low maintenance option that stands up to any weather and is usually most cost effective. Other options include wood, aluminum and fiberglass constructions as well as hybrids like aluminum covered wood, etc. Aside from those considerations, you'll want to investigate colour, style (grills, bars, etc.) and energy efficiency.

OUTSTANDING AGENTS. OUTSTANDING RESULTS

604.571.0909 | www.michaeltanlimco.com

MICHAEL TANLIMCO & JANET TANLIMCO

Spring market brings abundance of opportunity for buyers

ACTIVE LISTINGS 16,207

BENCHMARK PRICE Detached $2,021,800

BENCHMARK PRICE Apartment $762,800

Vancouver, May 2, 2025 – The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) reports that residential sales in the region totalled 2,163 in April 2025. “From a historical perspective, the slower sales we’re now seeing stand out as unusual, particularly against a backdrop of significantly improved borrowing conditions, which typically helps to boost sales,” said Andrew Lis, GVR’s director of economics and data analytics. “What’s also unusual is starting the year with Canada’s largest trading partner threatening to tilt our economy into recession via trade policy, while at the same time having Canadians head to the polls to elect a new federal government. These issues have been hard to ignore, and the April home sales figures suggest some buyers have continued to patiently wait out the storm.” The total number of properties currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 16,207. The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,184,500. Sales of detached homes in April 2025 reached 578. The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,021,800. Sales of apartment homes reached 1,130 in April 2025. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $762,800. Attached home sales in April 2025 totalled 442. The benchmark price of a townhouse is $1,102,300. Source: The Greater Vancouver REALTORS® | Market values stated are of the benchmark of Vancouver and surrounding region. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

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604.571.0909 | www.michaeltanlimco.com