If you're looking for some fun local activities to do with your family now that Fall is here, there are a variety of great things to do and places to visit. No matter the age of your kids, you're sure to find some fun things to do this Fall. Check out these 5 local activities:

1. Fright Nights at the PNE

Perfect for older kids & those who like a good scare!

For rates & info click here.

2. Stanley Park Ghost Train

A fun & less scary attraction for the family that likes to get spooked.

For info & rates, click here.

3. Visit a Local Farm or Pumkin Patch

There are a variety of local farms with various activities, including hay rides and petting zoos. Each has something a little different to offer.

For a list of local options, click here. 

4. Go Through a Corn Maze

A fun activity for all ages!

For a list of local corn mazes, click here.

5. Haunted Village at Burnaby Village Museum

A great way to combine education with seasonal fun.

For rates and information, click here.

What's your favourite activity to do with your family in the Fall? Do you do something close to home or go for a drive to get to your favourite spot? 

Are you looking for an area close to places your family can visit, such as parks, attractions, museums, etc? Contact me to help you find areas that are perfect for your fammily.

Image Sources:

PNE Fright Nights: 604 Now

Stanley Park Ghost Train: Inside Vancouver

Pumpkin Patch: The Innovation Diaries

Corn maze: Miss604

Haunted Village: Burnaby Village Musuem

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!

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!

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

Can you feel it? The cozy weather is coming! I love adding touches of Fall to my home to add a seasonal touch- who can resist all of the beautiful Autmun colours? Incorporating Fall into your decor doesn't have to be expensive or fussy, simply gather a few items such as candles, mini pumpkins, branches & leaves, and some vases to create some beautiful DIY arrangements. 

If you're planning to list your home for sale in the Fall, adding seasonal touches- without going over the top- can help make your house feel homey and welcoming to potential buyers (add a subtle seasonal scent with apple cinnamon or pumpkin spice candles or air freshener). See below for some inspiration.

Add a welcoming touch with lanterns filled with mini pumpkins & candles (try Homesense for budget- friendly options)

Collect branches & arrange in a favourite vase for big impact that costs pennies 

A vase filled with nuts & cranberries from the grocery store make great filler for a candle holder 

 Another fun idea using nature as your inspiration: simply spray paint branches & leaves and arrange in a vase to add a seasonal touch

 Use a dollar store wreath as the base for a candle arrangement and top with nuts or other seaaonl items 

If you would like some home staging advice to help make your home more attractive to potential buyers, or don't know where to start to get your home sale- ready, I'm happy to answer your questions and give you the advice you need to help sell your home fast. Contact me today!

Image Sources:

Images 1-4: The Kissters 

Image 5: Live Laugh Rowe

When you list your home for sale in the Fall, making a first good impression with buyers poses different challenges than in the Spring & Summer when your garden is lush and there's lots of sunshine. While most of the colour and green foliage may have faded, you can still add seasonal curb appeal to make your home stand out amongst the competition. 

Here are a few tips for adding curb appeal in the Fall:

1. Keep your lawn tidy

While fallen leaves are a beautiful part of Fall, make sure you rake them up before they begin to rot and damage the grass below them. Keeping your grass healthy and green makes a much better impression than patchy & brown turf.

2. Freshen up flower beds

Remove dead or dying annuals that are past their prime and make your gaden look unkempt. If you have space you would like to fill, consider adding potted plants that can withstand cooler temperatures or decorative features such as rocks or paving stones. There are plenty of inexpensive options out there.

3. Add seasonal touches

Adding potted plants along a driveway, walkway or at the entryway adds a warm & welcoming touch. Potted mums are a popular inexpensive option in the Fall. You can also add decorative pumpkins & squash to create a vignette or a Fall- inspired wreath to your door.

If you would like to list your home and need some advice to get it ready or have questions about listing in the Fall, contact me and I'll be happy to answer your questions and help you sell your home fast.

Image Source: Pinterest

Image Source: Songbird Blog

It's important to do some maintenacne on your home as we head into the cooler months.

Here's some things to look out for on your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist from the DIY Network:

Exterior:

-  Clean gutter & downspouts

-  Check wood trim around doors, windows, decks, and railings with a screwdriver to check for holes or rot. Caulk holes or replace rotten areas as needes

- Give your home a fresh coat of exterior paint

- Inspect your roof

- Turn off valves to exterior hoses & drain completely to avoid pipes bursting; wrap taps if necesary

Keeping Warm:

- Have your fireplaces inspected

- Wrap pipes that run along exterior walls to prevent them from freezing & save energy

- Clean & replace furnace filters

- Do you use a hot water heating system? Drain the expansion tank, check the water pressure, & bleed the radiators

- Check the insulation in your attic; is it installed properly? Is there evidence of moisture damage? Are there pests?

Lawn & Garden:

- Divide & move perennials; remove dead annuals

- Mulch perennials after first freeze- but remember not to cover the center of the plant, this can lead to rot

- Clean garden tools before storing away for the winter

- Trim dead tree branches & shrubs

- Rake up leaves to avoid grass dying over the Fall & Winter; leaves are a great item for your compost

- Aerate lawn

- Plant grass seed; certain varieties do very well in the cool Fall climate before Winter hits

Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors

- Check these each Fall & replace batteries

- Make sure you install carbon mooxide detectors according to manufacturer's instructions for optimal use

For more details, check out the full article from the DIY Network here.

Is your home ready for the Fall? Thinking about selling? Let me help you sell your home fast & get settled into your new place as soon as possible! Contact me today!

Image Source: I Don't Want Your Love