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In response to demands for safer pedestrian walkways through campus, the University of British Columbia recently announced that they had invested $750,000 in campus safety improvements.

 

Students arriving for their fall semester should notice the implementation of greater safety measures, such as improved lighting and landscaping, to keep students and faculty safe. UBC homes for sale have thus never been safer or had better access to walkable routes.

 

Safer Sidewalks

 

The majority of the money spent was split fairly evenly between providing extra lighting and trimming back growth along paths and walkways. Both of these actions were to improve visibility of both pedestrians and any potential witnesses that can help prevent a crime from occurring.

 

Clearer lines of sight means less places for unsavory individuals to lurk, as well as meaning less of an opportunity for pedestrians to become lost or disoriented at night. The sight lines also allow for witnesses or police to see a crime occurring, or any other suspicious activity. This capability decreases the potential for crimes to be committed in the first place.

 

Police Presence on Campus

 

In addition to the measures taken to improve night visibility, UBC has stepped up its student Safewalk program. The Safewalk program assists students who feel nervous about traveling after dark by allowing them to request a personal police escort that will help them make the journey. Certain shifts will even have the option of using vehicle transport, depending on availability.

 

Campus police patrols have also stepped up by providing more frequent and numerous security bike patrols, which can survey footpaths and other areas that a car patrol officer couldn't. Bicycle patrols are also able to respond faster to nearby complaints or reported crimes and outpace perpetrators on foot.

 

Hi-Tech Crime Fighting

 

UBC has also promised an additional future pledge of $250,000 that will go towards education and awareness-building programs to help build a culture and community that deters crimes from happening in the first place. President of UBC Arvind Gupta has also been investigating the expansion of CCTV cameras, although research on their effectiveness has been largely mixed or inconclusive.

 

One of the biggest announcements for improving campus safety was the future launching of a mobile phone security app that will help streamline reporting and response to campus-based crimes. Gupta expressed that UBC is interested in “tangible, practical safety improvements,” that can directly improve the lives and sense of well-being for campus residents and students.

 

A Secure Place to Live

 

Thanks to all of the efforts taken by UBC and campus police, living at UBC has never been safer or more convenient. Access to safe, well-lit sidewalks also means the opportunity for exercise or adventure for families even into the long hours of the night.

 

If you are interested in moving you or your family into one of the UBC homes for sale in order to live on one of the most beautiful and secure campuses in North America, contact us so we can help you find the ideal property to suit your needs.

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Design your new UBC home with these helpful tips.

 

Picking out your first home can be an exciting time for you and your family, especially if you are ready to move in. After viewing all the available UBC homes for sale, you'll be able to pick out the property that you can finally call your home. But apart from just getting ready for the move, you also need to plan how you will design your home to reflect your own personal style. Additionally, you will have to consider what your needs are and how much your budget is. By balancing these three things, you'll be able to orchestrate a beautifully designed home.

 

While thinking of ways to design your new home, you will need to be aware of few basic guidelines:

 

Research on the design you want for your home

Before you get started on the process of redesigning your home, you will need to do some research and find your inspiration. Considering the fact that there are numerous styles to choose from, you need to do enough research to know what characteristics you would like and that fit your home's look. Once you find some design ideas online or from magazines, make sure to keep them in a file. When you're finally ready, you'll be able to revert to your research and use the design to guide you.

 

Check how much your budget is

By this time, you may have already established how large your budget is. By knowing how big your budget is, you'll be able to determine how feasible your plans are. At the same time, this will give you an idea on whether or not you still have budget to hire an interior designer to help you out with your project. If you would rather experiment with your creativity, you can design your home on your own. This way, you'll be able to allocate more money to new furniture.

 

Welcome the sun into your home

One of the most important tricks you should remember about home design is that you need to let as much natural light into your home as possible. In areas where there is no window, you can include a cost-effective lamp that will make the area brighter.

 

When you're buying your first home, you need to be sure about the decision you make. However, you also need to know how to make the most out of what you have.

 

If you're still in the process of looking for your first home, give us a call! We have a selection of great UBC homes for sale that you can view at your convenience.

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When you're expecting a child, preparing for your new arrival can be a daunting task. In addition to stocking up on baby clothes, bottles and diapers, you also need to set up and decorate the baby’s nursery.  If you're wondering where to start, here are some essentials to consider:

 

Prepare the changing area

A changing table is one of your first priorities so you can lay your newborn on a flat, cushioned surface for diaper changes.  Most of the current tables available on the market come with storage drawers and a flat dresser surface on top with a lip for safety.  Invest in a few changing pads for the surface and stock the drawers with diapers, wipes, rash prevention cream, baby powder and everything else you will need.

 

Create a comfortable nursing area

As a new parent, you’ll be spending plenty of bonding time with your baby nursing and rocking your newborn to sleep. Investing in a comfortable chair where you can both spend this precious time is a must. Since you will need to be comfortable, consider a glider chair. Not only does this option provide a rocking motion, it also typically has hardwood arms with padding, affording you comfortable support when you are resting your baby in your arms. Another good option is a chaise, as it allows you to recline and relax.

 

Establish your baby’s sleeping zone

When you're expecting a child, make sure to invest in a sturdy, good quality crib. Do some research first by reading product reviews and consumer safety reports.  Even though your baby will likely be sleeping in a bassinet for the first few weeks, having a safe crib ready can be a big help and take a load off your mind. Shop for crib accessories that will help soothe your baby, such as a moving mobile and a baby-proof lullaby music player. There are lots of great crib accessories available to help create that perfect, peaceful setting to help lull your little one to sleep.

 

Designate a play area

Lastly, you need to provide a small area where your child can play. Create a baby play space in a safe area on the floor, covered with rubber mats underneath cushions and blankets, so that the baby can’t get hurt.  Make the area stimulating with lots of colours, soft, plush toys, a securely attached wall mirror (babies love to see themselves and look at faces), stackable wood rings and educational toys for newborns.  Purchase some lightweight tubs or baskets to store toys in.

 

Preparing for your child's arrival in your UBC home is an exciting time. We hope some of these tips help you to get ready for and enjoy your newborn.  If you are still looking for a home for your growing family, give us a call or browse our listings. We'll be glad to help you find the perfect home for you and your expected bundle of joy.

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The kids will be back in school soon, so now may be the ideal time to get a few summer home reorganizing and redecorating chores out of the way. Keeping your style current and making small improvements over the years is a great alternative to a complete redesign and keeps adding value to your UBC real estate property.  

 

Already have ideas about how to improve your kitchen?  Sometimes, by simply redecorating, you can do much more than create a more stylish kitchen — you can also create a more functional space.  Start by considering what doesn’t work for your needs before focusing on details unique to your taste. Here are some design and décor guidelines to ensure that your kitchen performs on both levels:

 

Don’t go too heavy on the metal


Unless the look you’re going for is industrial, you won’t want to overdo the stainless steel appliances as it can overpower the design of your room.  A great counter-point to the steel are warm, natural finishes. Consider adding wicker or more wood to your design options, even painted options still provide a cozy touch. You might want to add cabinets or built-ins to create more storage space, reduce clutter and make the space more livable.  

 

Do rein in your design


Sometimes a little bit goes a long way.  One orange accent wall can be far more impactful than a whole kitchen painted bright orange.  Try to keep a balance between neutrals and your “pop” colour. If you want to go modern, you can keep a few traditional elements to tame it down, you don’t have to throw away everything to get a new look.  Consider refurbishing old wood floors instead of replacing them, or perhaps adding new countertops for a fresh, updated feel.  

 

Don’t be boring


Be brave. Your kitchen space should inspire and invite you to be involved in the artful process of cooking. What inspires you? Red apples, the soft yellow of a ripe cheese, the deep and delicious purple of plums or the leafy greens of spinach? Try to find an inspiration point and go with it. If you draw a complete blank, consider working with a professional designer to help create a look for your kitchen that will embody your personality.

 

Do keep some empty spaces


Good design is a combination of positive and negative space.  You don’t have to fill every nook and cranny.  Good kitchen design allows for room to breathe.  This means that the layout should have a balance between functionality, style, storage and empty space. By achieving this, you’ll be able to create a light and airy kitchen.   

 

Don’t be cheap with your cabinets


Cheap kitchen cabinets are like a bad hair cut — they’re the first thing people notice and make a lasting, negative impression.  Choose the best your budget allows, and make sure they will stand up to moisture (after all, this is rainy BC) and years of wear on the wood, hinges and shelves.  There are so many finishes and options to choose from, so do your homework and ask a lot of questions before purchasing.  

 

Remodeling your kitchen can be an exciting time.  Whether your goal is to improve your home’s functionality, value, style or resale price, good design can accomplish all of the above. 

Of course, home improvement can only go so far. If you feel that you’ve simply outgrown your space and no amount of redecorating is ever going to fix the issues, then maybe you might want to have a peek at some of our listings.  Give us a call if you’re interested in looking at the homes we offer for sale. Who knows? Your perfect home could be listed today.

 

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Debunking the myths: Many sellers are misled by false beliefs about when and how to sell their homes in the UBC market.

 

Many sellers are plagued by fears about not knowing the real estate market well enough. They worry that they’ll end up with less than they bargained for. There are two commonly-believed myths that tend to make the process even harder, and we are going to debunk these for you. If you’re offering a UBC home for sale, knowing the truth about these myths can save you a lot of aggravation.

Real estate sales myths you should be wary of and learn more about

Myth #1: The Best Time to Sell Your Home is in Spring

Because of the high purchasing activity during the summer months and at end of the school year, many realized that the best time to sell a home is in spring. This led people to believe that apart from spring, it is not wise to sell property at any other time of the year, so they choose to wait for springtime.

 

Thankfully, there is no truth to this myth. The best time, really, is during the holiday season and right after it is over. With the high number of unmarried buyers, it makes no sense for them to decide about buying a property with school schedules in mind. Instead, they look for a home during the months of November, December, and January.

 

As a seller, you can use this to your advantage by making your home available during these months. While you may get plenty of house visits during November, it might not be until January that they finally decide to buy your home. So really, this makes it a supply-and-demand issue and allows you to ensure property is availablitiy during the time they're house-hunting.  

Myth #2: Cash is the Best Mode of Payment

Getting paid in cash may be the best offer you can get from your potential buyers. Since it involves little to no risk, there are plenty who prefer to be paid in cash. However, you have to be careful with accepting a cash offer as buyers will want to give you an offer lower than your asking price. Especially if the buyer will bring the money with him during his visit, you might be tempted to accept his haggle because the money is right there in front of you.

 

Think of it this way: when you’re selling your home, you already placed a price on it depending on its market value. Instead of saying yes to a cash buyer, you can decline the offer; especially if it is below your agreeable rate. You may not get a lot of cash offers for your property but that does not mean it won’t sell. This just might be a way for you to consider looking at home financing options as an alternative mode of payment.

 

If you are selling your property, give us a call to get expert advice and guidance from a real estate agent with the experience and tools to help you sell your UBC home quickly and at your asking price.

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