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Victoria Real Estate

Victoria Real Estate - Part 2/3 Interior Designer Forum April 2009.

Ivan Meade  is the Principal Designer of MEADE DESIGN GROUP which is located in a downtown Victoria, BC studio.  Ivan contacted me earlier asking for some assistance from a REALTOR® point of view.  He invited me to participate in a forum responding to some questions that might be helpful to a home owner or possible buyer/seller. 

Part 2/3 was posted over this past weekend on his Blog along with two other REALTORS'® points of view.  I hope that this may be helpful to you as well.

On a personal note I have recommended Ivan to help some of my clients prepare for their home to be sold or renovated.  He was extremely helpful because he is a professional with a practised eye and great taste and brings improvement whether it's in taste or style allure or comfort.  If you are looking for fresh ideas from paint colours, reorganizing a room, renovations, new construction...it dosen't matter how small or large the project or what location, Ivan will come through for you.  Some of his works include the multiple award winning 'Shoal Point' condominiums to homes in Hawaii.  He is known for his stunning interiors and unique furnishings as well as eye-catching graphics.  Ivan will travel...smile.  He is a genius.

I hope you enjoy his blog post and maybe you may find other helpful ideas while reading.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Is it wise to invest money in your home during these economic times? Part 2/3

I feel really encouraged after reading the comments from our readers in the first portion of this post. The comments definitely reflect the reality of our industry and where we are now as a society.

Here is the second part of the entry.

Iván Meade - Does colour play an important part when buyers are viewing your home?

Brenda Russell - Absolutely. Human beings have colour vision and they respond to the colours around them. The colours in a room can make you happy, uncomfortable, relaxed or jumpy as well as making the room seem larger or smaller or open or closed.

Roger Jones - Definitely - certain colours can be completely off-putting to a prospective buyer while others create an environment in which the buyer can envision their own lifestyle.

Tony Joe - Yes. Bold colours can often lead to distraction from the other positive attributes of the home so selecting a palate which is current and tasteful yet neutral are important. Remember to play for a large audience, not a small one.

 

 

11 may 05 001 wilson-penthouse Before & After Wilson Penthouse – Meade Design Group


 

Iván Meade - What is the most popular architectural and interior design styles in homes right now?

Brenda Russell - Eco - consciousness. Modular. Interiors are clean lined and uncluttered. On the other hand, there are places like Oak Bay where there are still a great many traditional style homes with comfy and inviting interiors.

Roger Jones - Clean, uncluttered lines and quality finishes and fixtures are always in style - the richness of dark wood (flooring and cabinetry) continues to be popular.

Tony Joe - Angular surfaces, glass elements in back splashes and counters, industrial themed lighting and plumbing fixtures. Owners and builders are incorporating more and more sustainable green aspects to homes today.

 

 

image image Before & After Shoal Point – Meade Design Group


 

Iván Meade - Do you think they will have longevity?

Brenda Russell - Well, the Buddhists say that nothing lasts so in the larger philosophical sense I guess that is the way of all things but Traditional is called that for a reason and the planet is demanding that we pay attention to the environment so I think they are here to stay. As for interior designs, comfort, simplicity and style always dictate. Luckily just how to do that seems to know no bounds in terms of creativity so we can always spruce up the cave.

Roger Jones - With the trends toward more streamlined living spaces and greater quality, well organized and uncluttered interior spaces will stand the test of time. As far as flooring and other materials, we should continue to see all kinds of great new sustainable products for the home which are both good for the environment and help to promote a healthy home environment.

Tony Joe - Since there appears to be some degree of ‘retro’ in texture and shapes, I believe so. It’s amazing how the architectural designs and construction of the 80s and early 90s have not aged well at all.

 

 

25 june 07 066 studio_019 Before & After Meade Design Group Studio

 

 

Iván Meade - When is it the right decision to improve rather than move and vice versa? Whether it be adding square footage, the ability to rent space or just changing materials.

Brenda Russell - There is no formula unless you are a developer or something. For regular citizens a home is a very complex emotional center as well as often being the largest asset and liability a person has. As a home it gives you safety and security and warmth and comfort and history. Dealing with it takes money and a bank and business thinking. Living in it takes love.

Roger Jones - A home owner basically must consider what investment is required in order to make the necessary improvements to the property and then determine realistically whether the end result will justify that investment. Will the home be worth the sum of the current market value plus renovation costs? Are you able to increase the usable living space of the home by enough to warrant an addition or significant renovation? Does the rest of the neighbourhood justify the type of improvements being considered?

Tony Joe - Location here is key. Oftentimes a move cannot replicate a fantastic location so renovation in such cases is beneficial. Just be careful not to improve beyond what can be sustained in the immediate vicinity.
Increasing square footage is traditionally the only true way to add value to a home.

 

 

image

meade-0009 Before & After Wessex – Meade Design Group


 

Please stay tuned for part 3 coming soon.

 

Brenda Russell

www.brendarussell.ca

 

Roger Jones

www.jonescompany.net

 

Tony Joe

www.tonyjoe.ca

Friday, March 27, 2009

Is it wise to invest money in your home during these economic times? Part 1/3

As principal designer of Meade Design Group I am often asked how certain choices my clients make for their homes will affect their home’s value. I always try to stay up-to-date with changes in the real estate market and popular trends with homeowners.

I decided homeowners such as my blog followers may be interested in this information as well; and during a time of economic uncertainty it is always good to know that the money you are investing in your home will be a wise choice.

I wanted to take my questions to the experts so I asked my favourite local realtors in Victoria B.C. Canada to give me their insight on the relationship between designers and the housing market. Our panel includes:

Brenda Russell

Brenda_150_with_shadow_copy

Brenda has been a realtor since 1990, specializing in the Fairfield/Oak Bay area and is also a registered relocation specialist. The proof is in her sales: she has been the recipient of the Award of Excellence 5 out of 7 consecutive years, this award means that she is in the top percentile of sales within Vancouver Island, Royal LePage. She is not only accessible, but she is the most pleasant and warm individual one can imagine, we were so pleased to help her create her new image in 2007.

http://www.brendarussell.ca/

Roger Jones

roger

Roger's career as a Real Estate Salesperson began in 2000 and has been driven almost exclusively by repeat and referral based business. Being a consistent MLS sales award winner and having grown up in Victoria, he has the local market expertise to help facilitate his clients' real estate related goals. Roger understands that every buyer or seller is unique and recognizes the importance of providing highly responsive service in building ongoing relationships with his clientele.

http://www.jonescompany.net/

Tony Joe

TJ

A very active member of the Victoria Real Estate Board, Tony was born and raised in Victoria and knows his market well. A multiple award winner with RE/MAX, Tony has been practicing real estate since 1991 and has the sales and testimonials to prove his knowledge and success. Tony’s professionalism and easy-going personality makes each client’s real estate transaction a breeze. We were lucky enough to work with Tony on the interior design of his own home in 2006.

http://www.tonyjoe.ca/

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