You have smoke detectors. Your doors have good locks. The bathtub has a slip-free pad. By all accounts, your home is a safe and secure place for your family to live.

However, there are some hazards that many homeowners don't consider or even know about. For instance:

  1. Blocked eavestroughs. Eavestroughs clogged with leaves and other debris can cause rainwater to overflow next to your foundation and create a basement leak.
  1. Clogged dryer vents. High temperature air combined with lint is a near ideal condition for a fire. Check and clear the dryer vent at least once a year.
  1. Dirty faucet heads. Kitchen and bath faucets often have built-in screens to spray the water evenly. Unfortunately, dirt and other contaminates can build up on these…

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The Spring market is here and so are house sales in the Fraser Valley.  Sales are up as we saw 1,298 re-sale homes sell in the month of April which is up 7.9% from last April.  We are also seeing less homes for sale as the listing inventory is down by -2.0%when we compare the amount of homes that were on the market this April compared to the same time last year.

So for April 2014... we experienced a "Balanced Market" because the list to sales ratio was 19.89%.  It is a "Balanced Market" when the ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.  It is deemed to be a "Buyer's Market" when we are below 15% and a "Seller's Market" when we are above 20%.

We finished April with 5.33 months of inventory.  That inventory level tells me that prices are fairly flat because around…

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The Spring market is here and so are the sales for Greater Vancouver.  Sales are up as we saw 965 homes sell in the month of April which is up 13.9% from last April.  We are also seeing less homes for sale as the listing inventory is down by -9.3% when we compare the amount of homes that were on the market this April compared to the same time last year.

So for April 2014... we experienced a "Seller's Market" because the list to sales ratio was 29.61%.  It is a "Balanced Market" when the ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.  It is deemed to be a "Buyer's Market" when we are below 15% and a "Seller's Market" when we are above 20%.

We finished April with 4.15 months of inventory.  That inventory level tells me that prices are rising.  When inventory is…

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The Spring market is here and so are the sales for Metro Vancouver.  Sales are up as we saw 1,656 homes sell in the month of April which is up 15.1% from last April.  We are also seeing less homes for sale as the listing inventory is down by -6.4%when we compare the amount of homes that were on the market this April compared to the same time last year.

So for April 2014... we experienced a "Seller's Market" because the list to sales ratio was 22.29%.  It is a "Balanced Market" when the ratio ranges from 15% to 20%.  It is deemed to be a "Buyer's Market" when we are below 15% and a "Seller's Market" when we are above 20%.

We finished April with 4.83 months of inventory.  That inventory level tells me that prices are rising.  When inventory is around 5…

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Even homeowners who have moved a few times can be intimidated by the real estate market in general, and the buying and selling process in particular.

First of all, making a decision to sell your home can be difficult. There are so many questions, such as:

  • Is "now" a good time to list?
  • How much can you expect to get for your property?
  • How long will it take to sell – and what if it doesn't?

Then there's the buying and selling process:

  • How do you prepare your home for sale?
  • How do you find homes that meet your criteria and are within your price range?
  • How do you prepare your home for viewings?

Yes, there's a lot to think about. That's why finding a good REALTOR® who is an expert on the local market is so important.

…

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There's no doubt about it. If you want to keep your home safe from break-ins, you should have good locks an all doors and windows. An alarm system is also a good idea.

But home security doesn't end with locks and alarms. There are other less obvious ways to keep your home safe. For example:

  • Install exterior lights with a motion detection feature. A light suddenly going on will almost always send a potential intruder away.
  • Look for – and if possible eliminate – spots around your property where someone can hide.
  • Always have some lights on in your home when you're away for an evening.
  • Never announce that you're on vacation or otherwise away from your home on social media sites. (Also ask your kids not to do this!)
  • Don't leave tempting…

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Whether you're considering buying a particular home, selling your current property – or both – a home inspection can help.

A home inspection is an inspection by a qualified professional who takes a close look at every aspect of a home – structure, wiring, plumbing, and more – and identifies issues you may not have noticed yourself.

For example, a home inspection can reveal that a furnace will need to be replaced soon, or that there is a water leak into the basement that needs to be fixed.

You'll definitely want to get a professional home inspection before you buy a particular property. That's why most offers to purchase a home are conditional upon passing a home inspection. (The last thing you want is to buy your dream home only to discover that…

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I can't believe it's Spring and the 1st quarter of the year is done.

I have analyzed all of the stats for the 1st Quarter and here are some insights to our market right here in the Fraser Valley:

19.42% of the houses that come on the market are selling on average.  That trend is increasing and part of that increase is seasonal.  However, these are some factors that are causing our 1st Quarter activity to be stronger than it was last year:

1) Interest rates: The big banks have reduced the mortgage rates to be back at our all time low levels again.  5 year borrowing is under 2.99% and the prime rate is at 3.0%. 

2) Confidence in the market:  Prices are stable as the market activity have picked up. We are shifting from a Buyer's Market to a Balanced Market.

3)…

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Have you ever attended an "Open House" advertised in your area or in a community you like? Most people have. Even if you're not serious about moving, viewing a few properties in a neighbourhood you like is a great way to get a sense of the market.

 Who knows? You might stumble upon your next dream home!

 To get the most out of an open house, follow these guidelines:

  • Most open houses will have a handout available containing the list price and other property information. Be sure to keep a copy.
  • Don't just view the rooms. Explore the entire property, including the backyard.
  • Don't be shy about asking the listing agent (or whoever is hosting the open house) questions about the property.
  • Ask about the area. Are there…

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