You would have to visit your local pharmacy or science lab to rival the number of potentially dangerous chemicals in the average home. You likely store everything from paint, fertilizers and acidic cleaners to gasoline and corrosive drain openers. 

Obviously, it makes sense to ensure that everyone in your home uses and stores such items safely.

For example, laundry detergent packs – which have become popular recently – are attractive to children. Keep them locked and out of sight. You should do the same with all laundry products. Even exposure to fabric softener pads can cause skin irritation to a child.

Always read and follow the labels on household chemical products. Use and store them as directed.

Keep corrosives, such as harsh cleaners and…

951 Views, 0 Comments

  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 24% of the homes selling within a month and we are in a Buyer's Market for attached homes with 13% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 12.3% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -4.1% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 4.5 months of inventory while our attached market has 8.2 months.
  • The average price of a house is $569,787
  • The average price of an attached home is $281,158.

If we compare from a year ago (November 2013):
Prices are up 4.8% for houses and down 1.2% for attached homes.

Now... there are some areas that are selling better than others just as some areas offer better buying opportunities.  Here are the three most expensive areas:

For Detached…

483 Views, 0 Comments

  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 36% of the homes selling within a month and we are also in a Seller's Market for attached homes with 24% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 15% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -11.5% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 3 months of inventory while our attached market has 4.5 months.
  • The average price of a house is $718,832
  • The average price of an attached home is $321,871.

If we compare from a year ago (November 2013):
Prices are up 9% for houses and up 1% for attached homes.

Now... there are some areas that are selling better than others just as some areas offer better buying opportunities.  Here are the three most expensive areas:

For Detached…

566 Views, 0 Comments


November was another very busy month for real estate here in Vancouver.  In fact, it was one of the strongest November months we have seen in the last five years!  Here are some of the market insights:

  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 29% of the homes selling within a month and we are also in a Seller's Market for attached homes with 20% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 4.1% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -8.5% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 3.9 months of inventory while our attached market has 5.6 months.
  • The average price of a house is $1,321,214
  • The average price of an attached home is $502,210.

If we compare from a year ago (November 2013):
Prices are up 11.1% for houses and…

548 Views, 0 Comments

It's October and the weather is fantastic! Our Real Estate Market is moving and we are heading into a strong fall market! I have analyzed all of the stats for September and here are some insights to our : market right here in Metro Vancouver:

  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 26.2% of the homes selling within a month and we are also in a Seller's Market for attached homes with 22.0% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 18% from a year ago!
  • Inventory is down -4.6% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 4.1 months of inventory while our attached market has 4.9 months.
  • The average price of a house is $1,280,643
  • The average price of an attached home is $484,781.

If we compare from a year ago…

2309 Views, 0 Comments

When some people think about selling their home, they imagine 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, the long to-do list you imagine you’ll have to deal with may dissuade you from making a move!

It doesn't have to be that way.

There are many ways to make selling your home and buying another relatively simple and easy.

Sure, there will be some work to do. You may need to prepare your property so that it looks appealing to potential buyers – cleaning, decluttering, doing some repairs, etc. Of course, you will also need to view some properties for sale in order to find your next dream…

641 Views, 0 Comments

Not everyone took a vacation in August.  Buyers were out buying real estate in Metro Vancouver causing our August 2014 real estate market to be one of the highest it has during this month for the past five years! 

Watch the quick two minute video to learn about the Metro Vancouver real estate market and read thru the summary notes.

  • We are in a Seller's market for houses with 25.4% of the homes selling within a month and we are just teetering between a Balanced Market & Sellers Market for attached homes with 19.9% of the homes selling within a month.
  • Sales are up 7.3% from a year ago
  • Inventory is down -3.4% from a year ago.
  • The detached housing market has 4.5 months of inventory while our attached market has 5.5 months.
  • The…

2022 Views, 0 Comments

When you make or receive an offer to buy a property, it's important that you read and understand every clause. It is especially important to understand any conditions or any changes that are made to the standard offer.

An offer may contain several types of conditions. The most common are "conditional upon arranging financing" and "conditional upon passing a professional home inspection." However, there may be other conditions as well.

You should be aware of – and fully understand – all of them.

In addition, the wording of an offer may change during the back and forth negotiations that often happen. Aside from changes to the price, other clauses may be added, removed or reworded as well.

A good agent will always ask you to initial changes. This…

518 Views, 0 Comments

If you have young children, or expect a visit from friends or relatives with little ones in town, it pays to ensure your home is free of hazards. The last thing you want is an injury that could have easily been prevented.

Here are some basic childproofing tips.

  • Remove everything that is toxic, hot or sharp, from within reach of a child. (For example, the leaves of some types of house plants are toxic.)
  • If possible, keep children out of the kitchen while cooking.
  • Install plug-in covers in electrical outlets. (These are inexpensive and can be purchased at any hardware store.)
  • Block or gate off areas where kids may fall.
  • Remove "pulling down" hazards, such as a heavy plant that a child can pull off a table.
  • Make sure there are…

673 Views, 0 Comments

Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your home if they see a lot of things they love about it. So what do buyers love to see?

One of the main things they like to see is a lot of space. Of course, you can't change the size of your rooms, but there is a lot you can do to make small spaces in your home seem more spacious.

Buyers also love to see a clean and uncluttered home. Think of how inviting a hotel room looks at first glance, with everything neat and organized. Of course, your home isn't a hotel, but the more neat and attractive you can make each room, the better.

One thing buyers don't love to see is potential maintenance issues. So as much as possible, get things fixed or updated.

In fact, the more "finished" and "move in ready" your…

562 Views, 0 Comments