2018

No matter your age, if you use a computer - and especially the internet - you need to be savvy about security. Yet many users have no idea how vulnerable they might be to malicious thieves who can “hack” and “phish” into personal computers. To prevent theft of information that can rob you and your family of your financial assets - and your dignity - be mindful of the following: Educate young video...

It’s evening, you just sat down for dinner, and the phone rings. It’s a call from a charity asking you to make a holiday season donation for the needy. You want to be generous, but something about this call doesn’t seem quite right. You’re suspicious. You should be. “Charity scams” - people pretending to represent a charity in order to get your money or steal your identity - are most common...

Remember the last time you walked through a furniture showroom? You probably noticed that the sofa, chairs, tables and other furnishings were arranged - or staged - to make them look more appealing. You might have seen an attractive lamp on a sofa end table, or an appetizing bowl of fruit on a dining room buffet. When preparing your home for sale, you should do much the same thing. Stage each room to make...

Metro Vancouver homes sales down across all property types The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reports that residential home sales totalled 1,608 in the region in November 2018, a 42.5 per cent decrease from the 2,795 sales recorded in November 2017, and an 18.2 per cent decrease compared to October 2018 when 1,966 homes sold. Home buyers have been taking a wait-and-see approach for most of 2018....

The last thing you want on moving day is a problem with the moving company. Ideally, you want them to show up on time, handle your possessions with care, and act professionally. Here are some tips that will help you choose the best mover for your needs. 1. Get a recommendation from someone you trust. That could be a friend, family member or colleague. As your real estate agent, I can also recommend some...

When it comes to home fire safety, a little preparation and precaution go a long way toward ensuring your family, your home, and your valuables are protected.  Consider the following important information about preventing, fighting and escaping residential fires. Fires and Fire Extinguishers Fires are classified into different types, depending on the material burning. Fire extinguishers are similarly...

Sometimes you know a desirable street when you see one. For example, it’s obvious that a home on a cul-de-sac is enticing mainly because there isn’t any through traffic. What are the other characteristics of a desirable street that may not be as obvious? Here are just a few: Sidewalks. A sidewalk in front of your home is not only handy, it also adds to the property’s curb appeal. In addition, if...

Home listings at four-year October high as sales remain below typical levels Home listings at four-year October high as sales remain below typical levels Home sale activity across Metro Vancouver remained below long-term historical averages in October. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 1,966 in October 2018, a 34.9 per cent...

Most people feel confident that they know the basics of home security. For example, they know to: keep all doors locked; have a light on in the house while away; and, never hide a key outside in an obvious place, like under the mat. Yet, almost a million and a half properties get burglarized in North America each year. So, how can you prevent that from happening to your home? Here are a few lesser-known...

When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it’s important that you read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer. An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are “conditional upon arranging financing” and “conditional upon passing a professional home inspection.”...