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

If you're interested in certain areas or are thinking about selling, here's the August Snap Stats from the Fraser Valley (I also have information for Abbotsford & Mission if you're interested).

These offer great insight into what's selling, where, and at what price points. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and I'll be happy to help you get the information you need.

I'm excited to be featuring this beautiful Surrey home again and will be hosting an open house this Sunday from 2- 4pm.

Recently reduced to $1,149,000, 15367 North Kettle Crescent is a stunning 5,000+ square foot home on a large 14,500+ square foot lot. With a 3- car garage, there's room to store an RV or boat with ample room left for other vehicles. Other bonuses include a gym and games room; and the private landscaped property is a gardener's dream.

Come see it for yourself- your dream home awaits!

For more photos and information about this listing, click here.

If you are interested in this property and would like to book  private viewing, or are interested in other homes like it, contact me and I'll help you find the next home that's right for you!

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

In a recent report by the REBGV, population growth has been forecast for the coming decades. So what does this mean for the real estate market?

By 2041 the Lower Mainland's population is estimated to have grown to 3.4 million, with annual growth of 30,000 new residents each year. Within Metro Vancouver alone an estimated 574,000 housing units will be required. The majority of this population growth will occur in established urban areas, meaning an increased population density in many neighborhoods. This will come in the form of "secondary units and accessory detached housing, ground oriented duplex/ multi- unit structures, row housing, and apartment developments".

Consider where you currently live now. How will this affect the quality of living & infrastructure? Are there investment opportunities for you and your family?

To read the full article by the REBGV click here.

If you have questions about how increased population density can affect property values, present investment opportunities, or impact areas you are interested in moving to, contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Image Source: Daily Mail

Just reduced!

Come see this beautiful home in a quiet, exclusive neighborhood Surrey neighborhood.

Boasting more than 5,000 square feet in living space with 5 bedrooms & 4 baths on a 14,500+ square foot lot, this home is a great value!

Come see this stunning home for yourself! Featuring...

Curb appeal with a large 3- car garage- with room for an RV or boat!

Large, spacious rooms...

And a large & spacious kitchen...

Make this the perfect home for your family!

To book a private viewing or inquire about this listing, contact me today. If you are intersted in homes like these, I am happy to help you find the one that's right for you!

For more photos and info about this beautiful home, click here.

To see the virtual tour, click here.

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

Image Source: Songbird Blog

Open house this Saturday & Sunday 1-4pm

7672 211A St, Langley

Have you paid a visit to Yorkson Properties yet?

If you're looking in Langley, here's your chance to find a beautiful new home that's move- in ready for your family.

Welcome to 7672 211A St

Would you like to call somewhere like this home? Come by the open house this weekend or contact me today to view other properties like it.

For more information, click here.

Come see how beautiful living in Langley can be at this home in Yorkson Properties!

Open House this Saturday & Sunday from 1- 4pm

Come by and see this stunning home for yourself!

Here's a peak...

You'll love spending time in this kitchen...

...Which opens onto a specious family room:

Get some well- deserved R&R in your master suite...

And how's this for an ensuite?

Click here to see the full listing & for more information.

If you would like to see more houses available in Yorkson Properties, click here.

To book a private viewing or to inquire about this or another property, contact me & I'll be happy to help!

Come home to luxury in Yorkson Properties.

If you're looking in the Langley area and haven't already, make sure you take a look at the Yorkson neighborhood. Centrally located in a popular area, this development is selling out fast!

Check out 7655 211B St, an excellent value (just reduced!), this stunning home is move- in ready. With 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, there's plenty of space for the whole family. Here are some of my favourite features about this property:

A beautiful first impression:

Who wouldn't love to prepare a meal in this kitchen?

Spacious open floor plan:

Large & bright bedrooms:

Spa- like bathrooms (how's this for an ensuite?)

What's on your dream home checklist?

Contact me today and let me help you find the home that's perfect for your family.

If you would like more information about this home, click here

For more information about this beautiful home andto view other properties like it, visit yorksonproperties.com.