Real Estate

When a buyer views your home for sale, they want to visualize themselves living there. They want to imagine cooking in the kitchen, relaxing in the living room, and enjoying get-togethers with family and friends. However, when they see a baseball trophy on the mantle with your name on it, that visualization crumbles. That’s why it’s smart to depersonalize your home as much as possible when selling. You...

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat up or down. In fact, you probably won’t notice a difference of 2 degrees either way — and the savings can be substantial. However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement: Plug or fix the drafts. Even in newer homes, air filtration...

Home buyer demand continues to ease across Metro Vancouver. Housing market has entered a new cycle marked by quieter home buyer demand and a gradual rise in the supply of homes for sale. Residential home sales totaled 1,887 that is a 43% decrease compared to July 2021 and a 23% decrease compared to June 2022. After two years of market conditions that favoured home sellers, home buyers now have more...

It’s interesting to note how so many things have their “season.” Hockey in the winter. Vacations in the summer. Gardening in the spring. Even retirement reportedly occurs more often in the fall than any other time of year. To some extent, even real estate seems to have a season. The spring is traditionally an active time for home sales. But, does that mean you should wait until spring to list your...

There are few things more beautiful than cut flowers in a vase. They instantly brighten any room. That is, of course, until they wilt and die. So how do you make cut flowers last as long as possible? Here are some ideas: Cut the bottom of the stems before you put the flowers in the vase. An angled cut is best as this will enable the flower to draw in more water. Add a fertilizer to the water. Most...

Say you’re shopping for a new home. Your goal is to find the ideal property, in a neighbourhood that is just right for you, within a price range that you can afford. What do you need — at minimum — to get started? If you’re looking for ways to get your ducks in a row, here are some things to prepare: A property wish list. What does your ideal home look like? How many bedrooms does it need to have?...

  With interest rates and housing supply increasing, Metro Vancouver home buyers are operating in a changing marketplace to begin the season. Residential home sales totaled 2,444 that is a 35% decrease compared to June 2021 and a 16% decrease compared to May 2022. Home buyers have more selection to choose from and more time to make decisions than they did over the past year. Rising interest rates...

When you’re selling your home, several viewings of your property may be scheduled on the same day. That can be a good thing because it can create increased excitement about your listing. To prepare for a multiple viewings day, follow these tips: Clean and prepare your home the day before. That way, you’re not scrambling to get things ready in the morning. Confirm the time of the first appointment....

Imagine you’re viewing a home for sale. You venture to the basement, check out the furnace room, and notice the water heater. Is it owned or rented? As a potential buyer, you’d want to know. Now imagine a property you’re viewing has a brand-new gas fireplace. Nice! Is it under warranty? Is that warranty transferrable to you if you buy the home? Again, you’d want to know. So, when you’re selling,...

Many people decide to move for practical reasons. For example, some might be required to move due to a work relocation and others may realize that their household has changed and they are ready to downsize or upsize. But, personal goals play an important role too. In fact, when deciding whether or not to sell your property and find your next dream home, it’s essential to consider personal goals—your...