2021

We are all vulnerable to unexpected power disruptions, but with a few advance preparations, potential inconveniences and dangers can be avoided or at least minimized.  As a starting point, every home should have emergency supplies that include basics such as candles and matches, flashlight(s) and fresh batteries, a first-aid kit, and bottles of water. If possible, it is advisable to have an even...

Even if you’re not thinking about selling your home, you might be wondering how much of a new home you could afford. You might see a house for sale in a nice area, and think, “Could I get into a house like that?” Why not find out? It only takes a few calculations to determine how much of a new home you qualify to buy. The calculation involves estimating how much you can get for your house on...

Why do people decide to move?  Unless it’s a requirement, such as a job relocation, the research tells us that you, like many homeowners, may decide to sell at some point for one or more of the following reasons: Your home is no longer a good fit. You may have outgrown your current home and need something bigger, maybe with an additional bedroom. Or, the opposite may be true. You may want to...

Metro Vancouver housing market shows resilience in 2020. After adapting to the COVID-19 environment, local home buyer demand and seller supply returned at a steady pace during the summer and intensified in the fall and winter seasons. Shifting housing needs and low interest rates were key drivers of this activity in 2020. Looking ahead, the supply of homes for sale will be a critical factor in...

If you’ve ever run a marathon, or watched one, you’ve probably noticed that no one quits at the beginning. They don’t quit near the end either. If anything, they run faster! So, at what point are people most likely to drop out? The middle. The middle is the toughest part of any marathon or, indeed, anything major you want to accomplish. In his book, The Dip, author Seth Godin states that the middle...

If you’re selling your home, your window treatments – curtains, blinds, etc. – will often be included with the property. They are an important selling feature. So, when a prospective buyer views your home, looks at the front window with its gorgeous draperies, and says, “Wow!”, that’s a good thing. If you’re thinking of upgrading your window treatments in preparation for selling, here are a...