When shopping for a new house or condo, most buyers consider factors such as neighbourhood, proximity to schools, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, size of the kitchen, and more. These are, of course, all important considerations. But, there’s one question that few buyers ask until it’s too late: “Will our furniture fit?” This may seem like a trivial concern. But, if you’ve invested thousands...
Real Estate
We've begun 2020 with steady home buyer demand that tracks close to the region's long-term average. Looking at supply, we’re seeing fewer homes listed for sale than is typical for this time of year. As we approach the traditionally more active spring market, we’ll keep a close eye on supply to see if the number of homes being listed is keeping pace with demand. To better understand conditions in...
Household smells in our own homes can be a problem because we get accustomed to them. However, it takes just a few seconds in a stranger’s home, to know if a smoker lives there. The smell is in the air! So, when you put your home on the market, think about the common smells you might have lingering in your home. Remember, you may no longer notice them, but a prospective buyer will.These may include: A...
Say you’re trying to sell a used car. Imagine that it’s a desirable make and model, the mileage is low, and, overall, it’s in great condition…except, that is, for the body. Unfortunately, there are a few areas where the paint is scratched, and there are a couple of dents and rust spots too. Are you going to have trouble selling that car? Probably. Many potential buyers will have trouble seeing...
When you put your property up for sale, you want to make sure that potential buyers get all the information they need on the features of your home and its surrounding area. If, for example, buyers don’t realize there is a great school just a couple of blocks away, they might cross your property off their shortlist. An effective way to make sure something like that doesn’t happen is to create three...
Home buyer confidence was a factor throughout the year. In the first quarter, many prospective buyers were in a holding pattern, waiting to see how prices would react to the mortgage stress test, new taxes, and other policy changes. Confidence started to return in the summer, and we saw above average sales in the final quarter of 2019. To better understand conditions in your property type or...
This is the time of year that is traditionally spent with family and friends. But the pressures associated with working, shopping, visiting, vacation planning and entertaining can make it a stressful time as well. Here are some quick-tips that will help: Take a deep breath. This may sound simplistic, but studies have shown that a single deep breath can measurably reduce anxiety, improve mood and even...
When people think about selling their home, many focus on all the things they will have to do: paint the kitchen; clean closets; prepare for viewings; find another home; arrange financing; start packing; etc. It can all seem very overwhelming, very quickly. In fact, if you focus on the long to-do list, you may be dissuaded from ever making a move! It doesn’t have to be that way. There are many ways to...
Are you making a New Year’s resolution this month? Whether it’s to quit smoking, lose weight, or spend more time with your family, you’ll have a much better chance of success if you turn that goal into a learning goal instead. A learning goal is simply a commitment to learn something rather than to achieve a specific milestone. Say, for example, that your New Year’s resolution is to get into...
After a quieter first half of 2019, home buyer activity has returned to more historically typical levels in Metro Vancouver. In today’s market, the intensity of home buyer demand depends on neighbourhood, property type, and price point. To better understand conditions in your property type or neighborhood of choice: Victor Song,...