Kim Wise Realtor

04/13/2025

Look at this living room at my listing in Langley!

12/31/2023

😮 Delays happen with any remodel, but what can you do when you don’t want to wait for your new appliances to arrive off backorder?

👇 Here are a few tips to help keep your kitchen remodel on track.

1. Order Appliances As Early As Possible
Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of the project to order as you’ll likely wait weeks or even months for that new stove or refrigerator to arrive.

2. Be Flexible In Your Choices
You may have your heart set on a specific model or brand of appliance, but if that item is out of stock, it could set your kitchen remodel back or put it on hold for a long time.

3. Work With A Designer/project Manager
Your best course of action would be to work with a professional like a designer or project manager who can effectively schedule the project around the appliance and material deliveries.

4. Set Up A Temporary Kitchen
Set up a makeshift kitchen in another room of your home using things like a hot plate, your old refrigerator, etc. so you can still prepare light meals and not have to sacrifice much during the project progression.

5. Be Patient
Everyone is doing the best they can with what they have, so if you plan to embark on any kind of home remodeling project in the coming months, be patient.

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/30/2023

🤔 Are you considering real estate investing as a way to increase your wealth?

👇 Here’s the rundown on why you should begin investing now.

1. The Value Of Investing Early
Many real estate investors get an early start knowing the risk can pay off big. Although most 20-year-olds have a lot going on, it’s the perfect time to buy your first investment property. While it can be stressful, all it takes is one small and smart investment to be successful.

2. Securing A Loan In Your 20s
As a young person, it’s likely your credit score will be low thanks to a lack of credit. While this can negatively impact your interest rate, you can rest easy because, in general, interest rates have been low for the last several years anyway.

3. The Bottom Line
Investing in real estate while you’re young gives you many advantages over other people your age. You’ll learn responsibility and patience – both of which will help you in many areas throughout your life. After all, being a real estate investor requires you to make sound financial decisions based on research. Real estate investing is not a get-rich-quick scheme, so being patient is key.

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/29/2023

💸You count on your home appliances. Replacing them is expensive. Luckily, they are designed to last for many years, but only if they are maintained correctly.

👍Use the guide below to learn how to maintain your home’s appliances so they last as long as possible.

1. The Refrigerator
Check the rubber seals around the doors for cracks and replace them as needed. A full freezer helps the unit keep your food cold.

2. The Dishwasher
Make sure you clean out the filter (underneath the bottom sprayer) regularly to avoid damage to the motor.

3. The Oven/stove
This major appliance really doesn’t require much maintenance at all beyond keeping it clean. In fact, many modern models have a self-cleaning feature that does the hard work for you.

4. The Washer And Dryer
To keep your washer in good shape for a long time, make sure you’re using the right amount of laundry detergent for the size load you are washing. As for the dryer, the main thing to remember is removing lint from the lint trap after every load. Also, take the back off the unit every few months and do a deep clean to remove lit buildup in other places as well.

5. The A/C And Furnace
Check these appliances periodically to ensure they are working correctly and call for repair or maintenance as soon as possible if problems arise.

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/27/2023

💸 Read on to discover four easy ways to save up for the down payment on your next investment property.

1. Use The 50/30/20 Rule
Spend 50 percent of your income on mandatory expenses such as rent, student loans, etc.

Use 30 percent of your income for discretionary spending. This includes things like your Netflix subscription, gym membership, and any other entertainment you enjoy. A budgeting app can alert you when you get close to your 30-percent limit, so you know when to dial back your shopping habit.

Finally, put the last 20 percent of your income into a savings account and don’t touch it.

2. Develop A Timeline To Acquire The Property You Want
If you’ve decided you want to be the owner of an investment property worth $100,000 in two years’ time, figure out how much you’ll need to put aside each month to reach the $20,000 down payment amount and then get busy.

3. Automate Your Budget
Set up fixed/mandatory bills to come out of your account on the same day. This way, you’ll be able to see exactly how much they are. Next, set up an automatic transfer of 20 percent of your income into an account designated especially for the down payment on an investment property. Anything left in your regular account is what you can spend on anything you want.

4. Get Rid Of Things That Don’t Add Value To Your Life
Take a look at your expenses and determine the things that don’t add much value to your life or the things you can do without. This might include magazine subscriptions or the highest cable TV package, for example. Cutting back or doing away with these “extra” expenses can help you put more money aside for that investment property you dream of.

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/25/2023

🛁 🌸 There’s no need to leave your home to enjoy a spa day.

👉 Here are several tips to help you create that spa retreat right in your own home.

1. Bamboo, Wood, And White Towels
When the spa day arrives, place the towels on a wooden stool within reach of the bathtub. For an even more spa-like feel, place a heated water bottle between the folds so the towels are nice and warm against your skin.

2. Spa-inspired Scents
Consider placing scented candles or an essential oil diffuser in the room to delight your sense of smell. Also, flowers or aromatic plants are a great touch.

3. Spa-like Colours And Textures
Choose a soft, neutral colour like light gray, green, or beige for the walls and accent with natural pieces like a vase full of tree branches or an orchid for a colourful pop.

4. A Shower Experience To Beat All Shower Experiences
If your budget allows, and you’re so inclined, remodel your old shower to create a walk-in shower complete with a rainfall showerhead.

5. Mood Lighting
Install a dimmer switch on your bathroom light, if you don’t already have one, and use scarves to diffuse the light even further. Lit candles are another way to add soft lighting.

6. Meditative Music
Simply download spa-inspired music on your phone for some tunes to set a relaxing mood.

#

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/24/2023

🔊 You know all those sounds your home makes?

🤔 Should you do something about them, or should you ignore them?

ℹ️ Below, we’ve discovered the source of these sounds and let you know whether to call for help or not.

1. Thumping Washing Machine
That thump, thump, thump your washing machine makes might be more than just an unbalanced load. Something could be wrong with the balance ring that sits at the top of the tub to balance your wash load.

2. A Squeaky Washer Or Dryer
Never ignore a squeaky washer or dryer. If left like this too long, permanent damage could occur to the machine with replacement being the only option.

3. Squeaky Floorboards
Rather than ignore squeaky floorboards, it’s a good idea to have your home inspected for termites before their damage goes too far.

4. A Clicking Refrigerator
If left unchecked, you could come home to a warm refrigerator and lots of spoiled food. Not only will you need to pay for the repairs to your fridge, but you’ll also need to replace all the food that went bad inside.

5. Rattling Or Whistling Windows
When you hear noises like these coming from your windows, you can be sure that they aren’t efficient at keeping the outside air out and that you’re paying more for your utilities than you should.

6. Water Sounds In House
If you hear water running or dripping and no one is using water at the time, you could have leaky pipes in your home’s walls. Look for water damage or musty smells, which can indicate a hidden water leak.

#

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/22/2023

✨ Looking for super easy window cleaning hacks? Look no further than the tips below!

1. Wash Windows At The Right Time Of Day
The best time to clean windows is on overcast days or when the sun is not hitting the glass directly. This will give you more time to remove the cleaning solution and buff the glass to a sparkling finish.

2. Use The Right Tools For The Job
Most soft cloths and paper towels leave behind lint that can make your windows appear dirty. Instead, choose a microfiber cloth or newspaper for a lint-free clean.

3. Avoid Brushes And Harsh Cloths
When you use brushes or harsh cloths, however, you can inadvertently leave tiny scratches in the glass that make the window appear cloudy and hard to see through.

4. Make Your Own Window Cleaner
All you need is white vinegar, dish soap, and water. Simply add equal parts water and vinegar to a spray bottle along with a few drops of dish soap and voila!

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/20/2023

💭 Want to be able to find good people to rent to?

⏬ Here are the traits of a high-quality tenant you should look for.

1. A High-Quality Tenant Is Responsible
Responsible people do the right thing all the time. As tenants, they tend to pay rent on time, and they take pride in their living space. When you rent to a responsible person, you can rest easy knowing you’ll make a profit every month and that they will take good care of the property.

2. A high-Quality Tenant Has The Ability To Pay On Time
A high-quality renter will be able to pay the rent on time every month. You’ll know a potential renter has this ability by checking his or her employment status and earnings.

3. A high-Quality Tenant Values Honesty
Honest people make great tenants. This is because they cannot lie easily. If a tenant lies on their application (it happens a lot), you probably don’t want to rent to them.

4. A high-Quality Tenant Is Clean
This quality is a little harder to judge, but there are indicators that a prospective tenant may not keep your rental clean. For instance, their appearance can shed some light on how well they keep their living space organized and tidy.

5. A high-Quality Tenant Is Stable
If the person you’re interviewing for your rental has a job and family in the area, it’s a good indication that they are stable and will remain in the property for a year or more.

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/18/2023

👖 👗 Want to get your closet contents under control?

💡 Here are some smart closet organization tips!

1. Hamper, Anyone?
If you have shelving in your closet, be sure to add a space for a hamper as well, so you can get that dirty laundry off the floor.

2. Got Scarves?
If you love scarves, but find it difficult to store them properly so they don’t wrinkle or fall on the floor, try using shower curtain rings on a hanger instead.

3. Use All The Vertical Space
Install hooks, shelves, and other organizational methods to help you utilize all the wall space you can in the closet.

4. Shoes, Shoes, Shoes
To keep your shoes organized and easy to find, invest in shoe racks or a cubby system.

5. Drawer Organizers
To keep small items inside drawers neat and easy to find, buy or make drawer organizers.

6. Soda Can Closet Space-saver
Just pop the tab off an empty soda can or two and attach them to the hook part of a hanger. Hang another hanger from the empty hole in the tab to hang two pieces of clothing in the same space. This is a great idea for grouping like items or complete outfits together.

#

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise

12/17/2023

🌿 Do more than just light a candle to make your house smell good with these helpful tips.

1. The Garbage Disposal
To freshen and clean the garbage disposal, try squirting a bit of lemon-scented dish soap down the drain followed by a bit of water. Let it sit for a while before running anything else down the drain.

2. Freshen Carpets And Rugs
You can freshen carpets, rugs, and other soft surfaces by sprinkling baking soda over them, letting it sit for an hour or so, then vacuuming it up.

3. That Stinky Trash Can
After taking out the trash and before putting a new liner in, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda in the bottom of the can.

4. Simmer Fruits And Herbs
Lemon or lime slices, mint, and lavender make a great air freshener when added to a small pot with water. Just be mindful of the concoction simmering on the stove and add water or fresh fruit and herbs as needed.

5. Use Candles Strategically
Many people use candles to spread pleasant scents throughout their homes. While this is great, candles placed strategically can really make a statement.

Kim Wise | Homelife Benchmark Realty (Langley) Corp
[email protected] | (250) 649-9409
Wise Moves, Successful Outcomes 🌟🔑

Kim Wise