RSS



Continued low mortgage interest rates offered by the bank of Canada are the topic of discussion in a recent report from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. 

 

Why are rates remaining low? See below for an exert from the report from the REBGV:

 

"On September 3, 2014, the Bank of Canada announced that it was holding its trend-setting overnight lending rate at one per cent. The overnight rate has not moved in four years. It’s likely that it will remain where it is for some time yet. Why?


1. Inflation is on target

2. Uncertainty remains high

3. Canadian exports need help from the currency exchange rate

4. Higher exports have not yet translated into stronger investment or hiring

...With these reasons in mind, interest rates are unlikely to rise in the near future. One notable change in language in the September 3 announcement was the removal of any references to a soft landing in the housing market. The Bank said that the housing market has in fact remained stronger than previously anticipated and that risks associated with household imbalances have “not diminished.”"


For more information & to read the whole report, click here.


Do you have questions about the local market & how these low mortgage rates can affect you? Contact me with your questions and I'll be happy to help you understand how low mortgage rates can benefit you as a buyer or seller.


Image Source: Greg Michie

 

Read

Whether you're wanting to list your home and want it to appeal to buyers or are looking at older homes in need of some updates, a simple project that can make a big impact is changing the look of the fireplace(s).

 

Since people tend to spend a lot of time in family rooms- especially all cozied up in the Fall & Winter months- changing the look of a fireplace can elevate the look of the room.

 

I loved this simple update from The House of Smiths which requires only basic materials and skill. Doesn't the new surround make a big difference? From dates to fresh & contemporary- I'd love this in my home!

 

 

 

Sometimes even painting an older brick or wood fireplace surround can make a big difference on a limited budget. Painting the fireplace surround white and changing up   decor can help make rooms feel lighter and more modern- this is great when you want to appeal to buyers.



 

For tips & advice on how to achieve these looks, check out the original post here.


Do you have an older home you'd like to sell? Or are you on a hunt for an older home in need of some TLC? As a lover of renovating and house flipping I would love to help you. Contact me today!

Read



According to the recent report from the FVREB, the local market experienced the strongest August since 2011.

 

More than 1,300 sales were processed in August, a 3% increase over the same month last year.

 

According to Ray Werger, president of the Board, “As usual, we saw a typical summer slowdown in August compared to July, however like every month so far in 2014, August sales were higher than last year. It’s the continuation of the story we’ve seen all year; a return to a normal, balanced market.”

 

Here are a few of the report highlights:

 

- Single family homes continue to outpace sales of townhouses and condos

 

- Many first time home buyers are skipping condos as a first- time home purchase and proceeding directly to townhomes and other larger properties

 

- The benchmark price for detached homes in August was $569,800; for townhouses it was $298,200

 

To view the full report, click here.

 

Are you a first time home buyer? What do you hope for as your first home purchase? Or are you a seasoned home buyer looking to move up the property ladder? I can help you find the area that's right for you and get you a home you'll be excited about. Contact me today!

Read



Are you thinking about selling this Fall? It's important to make sure your house is ready inside and out. If you want to sell your home fast and for the price you would like, consider trying these tips (for the full article, click here).

 

Keep the Exterior Clean

Two words: curb appeal. You want your home to appeal to potential buyers and make a great first impression. Having the outside of your home clean & tidy is the best place to start.

 

Embrace the Fall Selling Season

One of the advantages of  selling in the Fall is the anticipation of the upcoming holidays, including Haloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Adding seasonal touches can make your house feel like home and help buyers see themselves living there.

 

Price Accordingly 

Working with a realtor to price your home properly is one of the best ways to help it sell fast. By pricing your home competitively based on the season and other similar homes in the area will help set a reasonable price that will make you happy and appeal to buyers. 

 

Get Serious About Selling in the Fall

 Selling in the Fall presents different challenges than selling in the Spring and Summer months when the weather is warmer and sunnier. Choose a realtor with a proven track record and one that you feel you will work well with. Request references to solidify your choice.


If you would like to list your home for sale this Fall and need help getting it ready and pricing it right, contact me today- I'd love to be the person to help you sell your home! 


Image Source: Country Living

 

Read



It's important to know what you're getting yourself into when you buy a home or property. Not everything is disclosed in the property title and it can be as important to have the land & property inspected that you're buying as it is the home (see this example in an article from the REBGV). It can save you a lot of time, money, and trouble simply to take this extra step.

 

So, if you're considering buying property, make sure you do your due dilligence. See below for some valuable information from the REBGV:

 

What is registered on the property title?


The legal description of a property, including:
• the parcel identification (PID);
• taxation authority;
• registered owner and their address;
• the title number;
• the previous title number;
• legal notations against the property (may include heritage);
• charges, liens and interests (under-surface rights, rights of ways, covenants, judgments);
• whether a duplicate title has been ordered and by whom, and
• transfers and pending applications.

 

What is not registered on the property title?


• Archaeological sites.
• Former grow ops and illegal drug labs.
• Heritage designations (not always on title).
• Highway entitlements.
• Stigmatized property.
• Streamside issues – if there are fish-bearing ditches or creeks on the property.
• Underground fuel storage tanks.

 

How can you discover the facts about a property?


- Ask the owner.
- Visit the local government (municipal) website where you will find a range of information, for example: 
        • Richmond provides a road map of designated heritage buildings and homes, and includes photos. (Note: there is no 
          available universal public registry of homes previously used as grow ops and illegal drug labs.)
        • The City of Vancouver confirms if a property has been used as a grow op or illegal drug lab to anyone phoning 
          604.871.6231. The City does not provide the owner’s name in keeping with privacy legislation.
        • West Vancouver provides a list of properties known to have underground storage tanks.  Visit: 
          www.westvancouver.ca and search Fuel Storage Tank Program. Scroll to More Information and see Fuel/ Oil Tank 
          Records Search.


If you don’t find what you need online, phone your local government or go in person. Depending on the municipality, there may be comprehensive data.

• There is a BC Heritage Sites Inventory. Information about its properties comes from local governments, so start there
  first.
• Check the BC Archaeological Site Inventory at 
  www.for.gov.bc.ca/archaeology/accessing_archaeological_data/index.htm.You can also phone: 250 953-3338.
• Search the BC Government’s Contaminated Sites Registry which lists some contaminated sites. It is available through 
  www.bconline.gov.bc.ca.(Go to Products). There is a charge to access the database.


This demonstrates just one of the many reasons it is good to work with a realtor. If you have questions about a home or property you re thinking about buying, contact me and I'll be glad to answer all of your questions.

 

Source: Finding the Truth About Property, REBGV

 

Image Source: Stimulrealty

Read

I recently came across this interesting article in the July/ August 2014 issue of  Westcoast Families magazine.


How does the area and property type you're interested in stack up against the rest of the Lower Mainland?

 

 

For some more market info, take a look at this article from the FVREB for June.

 

Want to see what your budget can buy in person? Contact me to schedule a meeting or to book a viewing of a property you're interested in.

 

 

Image Source: Westcoast Families

Read

I'm so pleased to congratulate my clients Amy & Wade on the purchase of their new home!


I hope you two love your new place-it's been such a pleasure!


 

If you would like help finding your dream home or are thinking about moving, contact me today- I'd love to help you find your next home sweet home!


Image Source: Etsy 

Read
Categories:   3 car garage | Abbotsford | Abbotsford Real Estate | Abbotsford, | Aberdeen, Abbotsford Real Estate | activities | advice | Aldergrove Langley, Langley Real Estate | all ages | ammenities | apartment | apartment, | apartments | attached | attached, | Attached, detached, Surrey, South Surrey, White Rock, Cloverdale, Langley, North Delta, | attractions | Autumn | back to school, | Bank of Canada | BC | BC Day | BCREA, | BCREA, FVREB | beach, how to, ocean | bedroom, DIY, renovations, | boat | boat, | Bolivar Heights, North Surrey Real Estate | brand new | Brentwood Park, Burnaby North Real Estate | Brookswood Langley, Langley Real Estate | budget friend;y | budget- friendly | buying | buying, | buying, for sale, | buying, Langley, New builds, detached | buying, new build, Langley, detached, home, house | buying, selling, advice | buying, selling, Fraser Valley | buying, selling, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver, | buying, selling, home, house, inspections, tips, advice, resources, trades, | buying, selling, house, home | buying, selling, market information, Vancouver, Fraser Valley, | buying, selling, real estate, Realtor, real estate, agents, tips, advice, sell your home, fast, quick, | buying, Surrey, detached, rancher, large lot, garden, yard, luxury homes, exclusive, | buying, Surrey, detached, rancher, single story, large lot, garden, yard, luxury homes, exclusive, | Campbell Valley, Langley Real Estate | Canyon Springs, Coquitlam Real Estate | Central BN, Burnaby North Real Estate | checklist | Chilliwack Proper West, Chilliwack Real Estate | Clayton, Cloverdale Real Estate | Cloverdale | Cloverdale BC, Cloverdale Real Estate | Cloverdale, | commercial | condo | condo apartment | condo, | condos | Coquitlam West, Coquitlam Real Estate | corn maze | Crescent Bch Ocean Pk., South Surrey White Rock Real Estate | curb appeal | decor | decorating | detached | detached, | detached, attached, condos, apartments, single family, | detached, home, house, patio, deck, beach, ocean, | DIY | DIY, | diy, bbq, Summer, Canada Day, July 1, outside, outdoors, picnic, events, celebrations, kids, games, children, family, | DIY, crafts, projects, kids, family | diy, exterior, outside, planters, curb appeal | DIY, facelifts, flooring, bathroom, kitchen, tile | DIY, facelifts, inside, outside, interior, exterior, curb appeal, organizing, storage, garden, paint | DIY, furniture, home staging, decor, decorating, selling, tips, advice, ottoman, simple, quick, inexpensive, budget friendly, | DIY, furniture, refinishing, budget- friendly, home staging, decorating, | DIY, yard, garden, outside, outdoors, exterior, curb appeal, selling, quick, | dollar store | dream home, landscaping | Eagle Ridge CQ, Coquitlam Real Estate | East Newton, Surrey Real Estate | Elgin Park, Crescent Beach Elementary, quite street, cul- de- sac | exterior | facelift | Fall | family | farm | fireplace | fireplace surround | fireplaces, renovating, | first time | first time home buyers | first time home buyers, | first time home buyers, advice, tips | first time home buyers, advice, tips, buying, selling | first time home buyers, market information, mortgage rates, Bank of Canada, buying | Fleetwood Tynehead, Surrey Real Estate | for sale | Fraser Valley | Fraser Valley Real Estate Board | Fraser Valley, | Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver | free | FVREB | FVREB, information, resources, local, market, | games room | games room, | garage | garden, | garden, yard, landscaping, | get approved | get organized, | Greater Vancouver | growth | Guildford, North Surrey Real Estate | gym | Halloween | happy clients | Harrison Hot Springs, Harrison Hot Springs Real Estate | hay ride | home | home accents | home inspection, | Home maintenance | home office, | home staging | home staging, | home, | home, house | homes, retirement planning, renting, advice | Homesense | Hope, Hope & Area Real Estate | hous | house | house flipping, buying, selling, renovations | house inspection | house, | house, home | house, home, | house, home, condo, apartment | house, home, for sale, just sold, new builds, Langley, Yorkson, Yorkson Properties, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland | house, home, South Surrey, Surrey, Crescent Beach | house, home, Sullivan Station | house, home, Yorkson Properties | house, homes, move- in ready | housing | HPI | ideas, | income property | inexpensive | information, resources, tips, advice, resources, | inside | inside, interior | inside, interior, outside, exterior, home staging, selling, curb appeal, maintenance, tips, advice | interior | kids | kids, DIY | King George Corridor, South Surrey White Rock Real Estate | landscaping, | Langley | Langley City, Langley Real Estate | Langley Real Estate | Langley, | Langley, Campbell Valley Park, parks, recreation, activities, communities | Langley, Sendall Gardens, communities, activities, venues, | large home | large kitchen | large lot | large lot, | lending | local | local market info | long weekend | low interest rates | low mortgage rates | Lower Mainland | luxury | luxury, | luxury, property, 1 million, mortgage rates, mortgag loan insurance, mortgage approval,e | m | makeover | mantle | market forecast, | market info | market information | market information, | market information, buying, selling, Surrey, South Surrey, North Delta, Cloverdale, Langley, Mission, Abbotsford | market information, North Delta, Mission, Langley, Fraser Valley | market information, resources, tips, advice, buying, selling, first time home buyers, investment property | market information, Surrey, South Surrey, North Delta, Cloverdale, Langley | market trends | Metro Vancouver, | Metro Vanouver | Mission | Mission, | MLS, | MLS, statistics, realtors, forecasts | modernize | mortgage rates | move in ready | Murrayville, Langley Real Estate | new build | new build, | new builds | new home | new homes, Langley, move in ready, Yorkson Properties | North Delta | office, | Okanagan, | older home | open floor plan | open house | open house, basement, suite, | open house, new builds, Langley, Yorkson Properties | open house, new builds, Langley, Yorkson Properties, new homes | organizing | outside | Pacific Douglas, South Surrey White Rock Real Estate | patio, deck | PNE Fright Nights | Poplar, Abbotsford Real Estate | population | private lot | private lot, | project | projects, | property | property inspection | property, | pumpkin patch | real estate | real estate market | real estate prices | real estate, articles, renters, renting, | real estate, buying, selling, terms, glossary, | realtor | recipes, slow cooker, family, healthy, | reduced | renovating | renovation | residential | residential, | rv | RV, | seasonal | seasonal decor | sell your home fast | sell your home fast, | sell your home fast, detached, attached, townhouses, condos, apartments, | sell your home, realtors, agents, | seller's market | selling | selling tips | selling, | selling, advice, tips, property value, home improvements | selling, buying, Surrey, detached, luxury, large lot, property, landscaping, garden, yard, deck, patio | selling, flipping, tips, advice, outside, exterior, curb appeal, landscaping, painting | selling, Spring, inside, interior, outside, exterior, curb appeal, garden, tips, advice | Serpentine, Cloverdale Real Estate | single family | single family homes | small spaces, decorating, advice, lighting, | Snap Stats | sold | sold, south surrey, surrey, white rock | South Meadows, Pitt Meadows Real Estate | South Surrey, | South Surry | split level, large lot, yard, patio, deck, pergola, landscaping, renovated, updated, custom, stainless steel, | stainless steel | stainless steel, | Stanley Park Ghost Train | statitstice | suite | Sullivan Station | Sullivan Station, Surrey Real Estate | Summer | Summer, Summer vacation, holidays, activities, family, outdoors, outside, BC, travel, local | Surrey | Surrey, | things to do | tips | tips, advice, | tips, advice, projects, sell your home fast, gardening, easy, low maintenance | tools | towhouses | townhome | townhouse | triple car garage | triple car garage, | triple car garage, RV, boat, gym, games room, | update | Vancouver | Vancouver House | Vancouver, | Vancouver, Fraser Valley, | walking distance | Whalley, North Surrey Real Estate | White Rock | White Rock, | White Rock, South Surrey White Rock Real Estate | Willoughby Heights, Langley Real Estate | Winter | Yaletown, Vancouver West Real Estate | Yorkson Properties, | Yorkson Properties, family homes, move in ready | Yorkson, buying, Fraser Valley, | YVR
Reciprocity Logo The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.