Here are some tips to create a captivating kitchen:

You can cut down on visual clutter by removing items you normally store on the counter.  This will help your kitchen look more spacious.

Your eat-in kitchen should have a table and chairs in it.  Buyers like to see an eat-in kitchen, but often don’t have the vision to see it as such without the furniture.

Remove window screens in the kitchen.  Screens take away from allowing natural light inside.  Plus, no one will notice they are missing.

It’s a good idea to keep some toll-house cookie dough on hand, and bake up a few cookies just before a showing…but don’t overdo it.

Keep the exotic spices and fish to a minimum when cooking the night before a showing.  Work towards achieving a “clean” smell.

Thoroughly clean all your appliances and cupboards, including the inside of your oven and microwave.

Set the dinner table with your best china to stimulate your buyers’ imagination of the dinner parties they’ll host.

Many buyers will look inside your cabinets, so make sure the inside is organized and clean.  Also store non-essential items elsewhere to make the cabinets look more spacious.

Clean as much as possible off the countertops.  Items such as the coffeemaker, toasters, can openers, salt and pepper shakers, recipe boxes, and dish draining rack can be put away.

Make sure that your counter is spotless and shiny.

If you keep fruit or flowers on your counter, be sure they are always fresh.

If your cabinets show wear and tear, you might want to paint them.  A simple trick to update the look of your cabinet doors is to replace your current knobs with new ones.  It’s much cheaper than getting a new kitchen, and it sure can make a difference.

Shine your faucets and knobs and use spot remover to prevent water spots.

Remove notes, pictures, and coupons from the refrigerator door.

Empty your trash cans.  Garbage and recycling bins must be out of sight.

You may want to make your home more attractive by having us approve a rate hold on the home you’re selling.

That way if rates rise, your buyer gets a lower rate!

Mark Fidgett
Vancouver Mortgage Broker
Owner www.NotaPennyDown.com
604-273-2002

To do:

1. Once you buy the property, immediately file a form called the NR6 in advance of the first day of rental income. Attach a pro forma rental statement, for example: “I expect $2,000 a month, my expenses are $1,900. My net rental income is expected to be only $100.” Then you only need to pay $25 per month to the (less) happy taxman. You have to file that form every December.
2. You need a tax agent in Canada who represents you – could be a realtor, property manager or tax accountant. Your agent must file form NR4 with Revenue Canada before March 31 to state how much rent actually was collected.
3. He or she must file a tax return on your behalf every year by June 30.
4. When you sell with a profit you file form T2062 (say you paid $800,000 and sold for a million – of the $200,000 profit the taxman will grab happily $50,000).
5. If you made your euros growing the “wacky tobaccy” and you wish to pay cash, your rental agent, by law is required to report your cash down payment ($10,000 plus).

That’s it. But please note: Just because it is easy, legal and safe to own property in canada, it does not mean that all property is a good investment – just as in the place you come from. There are good and bad deals, good and bad agents and it is up to you to do some research, find an experienced agent, and if what you are buying sounds too good to be true – it is.

Need help? Contact me at 604-273-2002 or www.NotaPennyDown.com

Mark Fidgett | 604-273-2002

“Your Personal Mortgage Consultant….For Life!”

PS – Please Don’t Keep Me a Secret
A REFERRAL is when you INTRODUCE someone you care about to someone you TRUST!

T 604.273.2002 | F 604.522.2072
W http://www.notapennydown.com

An independent Mortgage Specialist associated with the Verico Mortgage Network.