Spring ushers in calmer housing market trends in Metro Vancouver. After reaching record-setting levels in 2021, home sale activity has returned to more typical seasonal levels in Metro Vancouver this spring due, in large part, to rising interest rates. With interest rates rising, home buyers are taking more time to make their decisions in today’s housing market. Home buyers have been operating in a...
Real Estate
As you may know, staging involves setting up the furniture, art and accessories of each room so that, overall, your home looks as appealing as possible to buyers. It’s similar to what furniture stores do when they create displays of model bedrooms, kitchens, etc. When you’re staging your home, the master bedroom is particularly important. Here are some simple staging tips worth trying: Consider using...
Imagine you have a crystal ball that enables you to see what a neighbourhood will be like in five years. Wouldn’t that be handy? You’d be able to get a glimpse of the area’s future before deciding to move there. Unfortunately, that crystal ball hasn’t been invented yet. But, you can still predict the future of a neighbourhood with a fairly high degree of accuracy. One way is to simply take a...
You might be surprised to know which spaces in a home most buyers look at when viewing a property. If you’re preparing your home for sale, make sure to consider the following places that are likely to be checked out: Inside closets. Buyers want to get a sense of the size and capacity of all your closets. Make sure they’re clean and well organized. Avoid the “overstuffed” look. Basement. Do you...
Metro Vancouver home sales return to more traditional levels in April. So far this spring, we’ve seen home sales ease down from the record-breaking pace of the last year. While a small sample size, the return to a more traditional pace of home sales that we’ve experienced over the last two months provides hopeful home buyers more time to make decisions, secure financing and perform other due diligence...
As sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid/electric vehicles (HEVs) increase every year, purchasers will demand greater accessibility to charging stations. Of course, the most convenient place to recharge is at home. But not all household electrical services will be able to handle the demand. Homeowners will need to consider the power available in their homes for private charging and what it means for...
Imagine you’re shopping for a used iPhone 11 that’s in good condition. You visit a resale website and discover that most are selling for approximately $350. Would you be willing to pay $400? Probably not. The market value is obviously well-established. There would be no reason to pay more. Pricing your home for sale is similar. Your home has a market value and, if you were to list it, buyers would...
The kitchen is one of the spaces that buyers tend to remember. They may forget the size of the third bedroom or whether or not there’s a closet in the front foyer, but the impression buyers form of your kitchen will linger on. That’s why, when you’re selling your home, staging the kitchen to look its best is so important. Here are some tips: Remove cookware, small appliances (like the electric...
While down from last year’s record numbers, home sale activity in Metro Vancouver’s housing market remained elevated in March. March 2021 was the highest selling month in our history. This year’s activity, while still elevated, is happening at a calmer pace than we experienced 12 months ago. Home buyers are keeping a close eye on rising interest rates, hoping to make a move before their locked-in...
Asking how much time you should spend viewing properties for sale is a little like asking, “How long should I spend trying on shoes?” The answer seems obvious: As long as it takes to make a decision! Buying a home is significantly more complex than purchasing shoes – and the stakes are higher too! You need to make sure you have all the information necessary to confidently make the best...