If you have pets, you probably adore them. They're part of the family! But when you're preparing your home for sale, you need to think about how you're going to deal with the "pet issue".

Some potential buyers who view your property may love pets as much as you do. However, others may be turned off by the tell-tale signs of pet ownership – such as kitty litter, dander, and smells.

So be sure to make a plan for how you’re going to deal with your pets.

It's a good idea to keep pets out of the house during viewings. Even if your dog or cat is friendly, some buyers will be uncomfortable around them. So, you'll need to decide where your pets will go when buyers view your property. Consider a local kennel or "pet day camp".

"Can't I just take my dog…

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It's Summer and the 2nd quarter of the year is done.  The weather is hot just like our Real Estate Market!

I have analyzed all of the stats for June as well as the 2nd Quarter and here are some insights to our market right here in the Fraser Valley:

  • We have entered a Seller's market for houses with 27% of the homes selling within a month and we are in a Balanced Market for attached homes with 17% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 18.2% from a year ago
  • Inventory is down -1.7% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 4.0 months of inventory while our attached market has 6.4 months.
  • The average price of a house is $568,77.
  • The average price of an attached home is $300,100.

If we compare from the start…

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it's Summer and the 2nd quarter of the year is done.  The sun is shinning and the blue skies are clear!  Both the weather and the Vancouver real estate market are phenomenal this time of the year!

I have analyzed all of the 2nd Quarter stats and calculated the June numbers.  Here are my insights:


  • We have entered a Seller's market for houses with 35% of the homes selling within a month and for attached homes with 25% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales for houses are up 37% and for attached homes they are up 26%.
  • Inventory is down -17% for houses and down -10% for attached homes.
  • The detached housing market has 3.2 months of inventory while our attached market has 4.2 months.
  • The average price of a house is $703,521.
  • The…

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it's Summer and the 2nd quarter of the year is done.  The sun is shinning and the blue skies are clear!  Both the weather and the Vancouver real estate market are phenomenal this time of the year!

I have analyzed the 2nd Quarter stats and here are my insights:

  • We have entered a Seller's market for houses with 28.5% homes selling within a month.  The attached market is at the tail end of a balanced market with 19.9% of the homes selling within the 1st month.
  • Sales for houses are up 27% and for attached homes they are up 23%.
  • Inventory is down -13% for houses and up 4% for attached homes.
  • The detached housing market has 3.8 months of inventory while our attached market has 5.5 months.
  • The average price of a house is $1,264,000.
  • The…

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Does your spouse like to practice the drums in the evening? Does your teenager like to play video games, with the volume turned up high? Are there other sources of noise you'd like to minimize?

There are many ways to soundproof areas of your home to reduce noise. Here are some ideas:

  • Furniture placement. Surprisingly, where you place furniture can dramatically reduce incoming noise. For example, a bookshelf covering a third of a wall can muffle sound from an adjoining room by 25%.
  • Noise harmonization techniques. Soft music, air fans, and other sources of rhythmic noises can actually reduce the unpleasantness of incoming sounds.
  • Area rugs. Adding an area rug, even on top of existing carpeting, can significantly reduce noise…

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Items that remind us of special people, events, milestones and interests are an important part of what makes a home a home. Pictures on the fireplace mantle, for example, showcase family and friends that are important to us. You might also have trophies, certificates, greeting cards, and other mementoes on display in key places.

Of course, all of those things add warmth and meaning to your home.

 

However, if you're preparing your home for sale, it's a good idea to pack those memories away - at least until you've sold your property and moved to your new home.

 

Why? Because those pleasant mementoes that mean so much to you may actually turn off potential buyers.

 

You see, when buyers view your property, you want them to be able to…

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Gearing up for summer? Now is a great time to get your home in top shape for the months ahead. Whatever your weather, caring for your home now will help to ensure a worry-free, comfortable summer.
Follow the checklist below provided by Pillar to Post home inspectors to help you do that.

Modern Exterior by Pleasant Hill General Contractors Faust Construction   OUTDOORS

  • Inspect exterior surfaces for cracks and make any needed repairs.
  • If paint is peeling, cracking, or chipped, repair and repaint now to limit damage to the underlying materials.
  • Repair any damaged caulk around windows and doors.
  • Remove window screens and clean with a soft brush and soapy water. Repair any holes or tears or replace the screen material before…

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