84 — Friday, May 8, 1998 - North Shore News

Phase renovations (:
to stay on budget

FOR most home own-
ers, renovation means
finding the right bal-
ance between what you
would like and what
you can afford.

Depending on the type of

job, doing the work in stages
may alow you to achieve the
tesults vou really want, with-
out undue financial pressure.
¥ Professional — renovator
members of the Greater
Vancouver Home Builders’
Association can help you get
the greatest value for your
renovation dollars.

They suggest that you
begin by creating an overall
vision of what you want to do
and developing a master pian
tor accomplishing it.

Your plan must be for-
ward-thinking.

It should anticipate your
changing needs, and it should
include any future repair and
replacement items from roof-
ing to windows.

At the same time, vou
want to minimize the impact
of renovation on your daily
life.

Going through major ren-
ovaiions once can be trying

weuugh — renovations over 3

long period of time must be
very carefully managed and
scheduled.

You want to map out the
work so thar nothing has to be
done twice. This also benefits
your budget.

~ Well maintained by the original

owners
~ 5 bedrooms, 4 baths
‘~~ 3 finished levels with walk out
basement

— View of Mt. Bakers & 2nd Narrow

The first step is to know
exactly what shape veur home
isin.

Hire a home inspector ora
professional renovation con-
tractor to cooduct 4 thorough
inspection. Then sit dewn
with the renovator and evalu:
ate the findings.

Divide the renovation
work into three major cate-
gories: things that must be
done as soon as possible;
things that you want bur can
wait for; and things that vou
dream about.

The first category consists
of repairs and replacements
needed to ensure the structur-
al health and satery of vour
home (¢.g., fixing a leaking
roof or a cracked foundation,
or replacing old wiring that
could pose a hazard}.

This category also includes
any work that vou personally
couldn’ live without, even in
the short term — upgrading a
badly outdated bathroom or
adding an extra room for your
growing family or a home
office.

Next come the improve-
ments that will bring your
home up to vour expectations
of comfort, appearance and
function. You might want to
combine rooms, open up
spaces and install new win-
dows to create a larger and
brighter living area.

You may consider bunding
out or up for ertra siceping,
living and workir g space. Or

you may need a new kitchen
and bathrooms).

While vou're at it, include
energy efficiency, In your
plans: upgrade the insulation,
replace uninsulated or poorly
fitting exterior doors, get rid
of the old turnace and install a
heat recovery ventilation svs
tem.

That way, vou will be able
to save money for the next
stage of vour renovation, and
your home will be a healthier
and more comfortable place
in which to live.

Finally, every home owner
has a wish fist. A solarium tor

lush greenery in the middle of

winter, A marble fover. A
basement workshop. Now is
the time to put vour dreams
on the table — some of them
might be possible sooner thar
you think.

Once vou have sorted out
vour priorities, your renovator
can start roughing out costs
and rimelines.

You may also be planning
to do some of the work vour-
self to stretch vour budget;
the renovator can advise vou
on the types of work thar vou
could do vourself and what is
best lett to the professionals,

Don’t hesitate to ask for
professional help in planning
how to best stage your reno-
vations over time.
Experienced renovators share
your goals: a renovation you
can attord and a home you
can be proud of.

THOMAS LEONG
VIVIAN CHENG

AMEX BROADWAY WEST REALTY
649-4582

~ Fully fenced & landscaned backyard

- Levet driveway & 2 car garage
~ Hot water heating
~ First time offered at $560,000

Z92 REGAL CRESCENT, NORTH VANCOUVER

$698,0 O00 | —5 yrs old executive home in

- 3 bedroom, 3 baths
-- Over 1600 sq.ft.
's— Bright end unit

Princess Park.

— 3700 5q.. of living space

~ 60x126 lot with level
driveway

~ Cul-de-sac location.

— Backing to greenbett.

~ 4 bdrms up with licensed one bdrm
suite down

— Top quality throughout

#2-2133 ST. "GEORGES AVE, NORTH VANCOUVER

- Sunay fenced patio with

privacy

# — Two car secured parking

~- Pet OK

~ Central Lonsdaie

— Gorgeous 50x157 lot

~ Master with ensuite

~ Family room off kitchen

- 5 bedrooms, 3 baths

— Inlaw accommodation

~ $2150 monthly rental income

 sCOLN GARDEy >

Age 60+

#15-2110 Marine Drive, West Vancouver

A bright, cheery two bedroom, two bathroom, second floor cosy
suite. Exquisitely designed featuring a large balcony, seven
appliances, in-suite laundry, security system, secured parking,
workshop & recreation centre. Ideally located, you and your pet
will be within one block of the seawall, library, seniors centre,
shopping & transit. $279,000 &

To view simply call R.J. (Ron) Smith (cell phone) 836-7328
http:/www.mis.ca Agent 9:15 E-mail: rsmith@ sutton.com

Sutton Group:Broadview Realty 738-1 000

WATERFRONT!!
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
JUST $395,000!

WOODLANDS

Last one! 19,300 sq.ft. PRIME WATER-
FRONT BUILDING LOT with hydro and
water 12 the fot line, & with LEGAL road
access just @ scenic 6 minute drive trom
Parkgate Mal! along paved roads. Enjoy
unobstructed VIEWS of sunrises and sun-
sets from your new custom built hore - ihe
building site is level, there’s no problem with
septic and moorage is iust steps below.
BONUS FEATURE - this fot (together with 2
others) controls the road access to 4 other
properties, so there is positive potential in
providing 2asements. This one has it all- -
Price, location and future potential, too. I've
Just sold the tot next door & this won't last
either, so hurry.'Call John at 671-5878 for
further details.

JOHN MAGPHERSON 671-5878"

‘sutton group’ broadview realty |”.

oft. & bdrms, at least 4 baths. Top of line finishing, ;
Call Dennis Wiemken or Gurwinder Dhillon : t. ;

Experienced
Negotiator

Let my 30 years Reai Estate
| knowledge benefit you in
your purchase.

Mary A (Pat) Ferguson
377-1506

sutton group - Locarno -
_- AN INDEPENDENT MEMBER BROKER

228-0096 228-0096