Tips for first time sellers If you’re selling a home for the first time, it’s quite a different ballgame from what you experienced as a first-time buyer. Ultimately, you’re in control of the process. You call the shots on prepping your home for sale, deciding on a listing price, accepting (or rejecting) offers, and a host of other factors. But you might want to heed the following tips: ...

What to Know About Adding a Deck

Cloverdale is one of the most-searched neighbourhoods on Real Estate search engines and it’s easy to see why. Over the past year, median prices for detached houses in Cloverdale were $665,000 and condos went for $226,500, just a fraction of the cost of their Vancouver counterparts. It’s no wonder this family-friendly community is so popular. Single-family houses in particular are a hot comm ...

I LOVE when I work in Newport Village. It's Port Moody's own little designer community with everything you need and only in a few steps. You can spend the day here enjoying the shops & services, grab a coffee at Gallaghers or a specialty tea at Soko Tea House, have a delicious lunch at my favorite restaurant Browns Social House, take a walk to Rocky Point or maybe just hit the italien bakery ...

It’s the contractor you pick that makes — or breaks — your remodeling project.Finding the right contractor for your job will determine the quality and timeliness of the work, and the amount of emotional and financial stress you’ll have to deal with.  To make sure you’re getting the best work from a contractor, here are five questions to ask the candidates.  Tip: Listen for how prospective co ...

Customers who simply renew with their current lender miss out on saving themselves huge sums, so it's essential to talk to a broker before signing your renewal.

If you want to rent your basement out to students, it's worth putting in the renovations to make it desirable and get a good return on your investment This fall, a major shortage of housing is a problem facing many students in the Lower Mainland. Meantime, home owners or buyers are looking at huge mortgage payments in Vancouver’s hot real estate market, and the need for “mortgage helpers” ...

Moving can be an exciting life change; however, it can also be a very stressful event if you're not properly prepared.It's important to create a detailed checklist a few months ahead of time in order to ensure things go smoothly.  Here are some points to get you started:Two Months Before Itemize all of the major items you'll be moving. Get estimates and book the movers or rental truck. St ...

The birds are chirping and gardens are blooming!Home sales surge during spring as the nice weather encourages people to fix up their homes and check out what else is on the market.  Here are a few ways to take advantage of spring fever: Flower Power - Place a few vases of fresh cut flowers throughout your home. Spring Fling - Freshen up your home with a thorough spring clean and de-clutter. ...

There are plenty of new and exciting home trends this year!Although your home reflects your personal style, trends help trigger your creativity and provide the opportunity to shake things up a little.  Here are a few hot home trends for 2014: Shower Spa - Homeowners are seeking a serene, spa like shower environment with a curbless design for a spacious open shower experience. Open It Up - O ...

If you are considering buying a condo, townhouse or any other type of strata property, you should be aware that the BC provincial government has just passed a regulation requiring strata properties containing more than four units to have a common property depreciation report completed by December 13, 2013. There are specific requirements regarding what the depreciation report must contain, ...

Government reduces tax burden on first-time buyers First-time home buyers received welcome news in today’s provincial budget. Any REALTORS® currently working with first-time buyers will want to share this news with them as soon as possible. The government has announced, effective February 19, 2014, under the Property Transfer Tax (PTT) First-Time Home Buyers’ Exemption program, qualifyin ...

Weathering The Winter In An Older Home Weathering the cold and dark winter months is a challenge for anyone, but can be especially difficult if you live in an older home. Older homes carry a lot of appeal but older homes also come with problems and a lot of them are brought to light in cold winters. These are common issues that should be addressed and corrected so that your focus is on frien ...

Purchasing a home, especially your first, is a big decision and a major financial commitment. But did you know that Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) can help with the First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC)? The HBTC assists first-time home buyers with the related costs, such as legal fees, disbursements and land transfer taxes, which are a particular burden for first-time home buyers w ...

If you own a second home or are in the market to buy one, what do you do when you’re not there? Often, second homes sit empty for most of the year but are still costly to operate. If you’d like to bring in some income to supplement the mortgage and maintenance fees but still have the flexibility to visit whenever you like, consider the value in turning your home into a vacation rental.  LEGAL ...

While it may not get the attention of the walls and floors, the ceiling can be an indicator of certain problems affecting a home's condition, so it's important to identify and address any issues that arise. From "popcorn" to plaster, wood to drywall, there are many different ceiling materials in today's homes. Look for signs of damage no matter what the material. Ceiling stains ca ...

PREVENTING AND ADDRESSING RODENTS IN THE HOME As much as homeowners enjoy the shelter and comfort of their home, mice, rats, and other rodents do, too. Not only do rodents make a mess, they can carry and spread diseases, contaminate food, and cause property damage. The first step in keeping rodents out of the home is prevention. Rodents commonly enter homes, garages, sheds and ...

Home buyers face countless decisions when purchasing a home. One of the first things to establish is whether you prefer a newer or older home. Comparing newer and older homes can be like comparing apples and oranges. It really depends on your individual preferences and family priorities. Here are a few advantages each type of home offers: Pros of Older Homes Old World Charm - Old ...

Regular Maintenance Is The Key Here are 25 reminders & tips to get your home ready for Fall & Winter. 1) Have furnace or heating system serviced by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace, and every year for an oil furnace, or as recommended by the manufacturer. 2) If you have central air conditioning, make sure the drain pan under the cooling coil mounted ...

First-time new-home buyers’ bonus – New 2012 $10,000 B.C. Home Buyers’ Bonus – The government is passing a new legislation for 2012 to allow 1st time Home Buyer's to apply and receive a cashback bonus of up to $10,000 when they purchase a brand new home before April 2013. The Buyer or couple must make less then $150,000 combined to receive the cashback bonus and it works out to 5% of the purc ...

Happy New Years!Tis the season for giving and gratitude.I just want to say a huge thank you to all of you who allowed me to help you with and as a result helped my business have a great 2011!I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve each and every one of you and if there is anything I can do for you during this coming 2012 year, please do not hesitate to call me!So many people ask ...

BMO says no Canadian rate hike till 2013BMO Capital Markets has pushed its rate hikes forecast back to 2013 Tuesday, citing continued serious economic risks both home and abroad. The new forecast pushes the expected time frame for the Bank of Canada to raise its benchmark interest rates back from previous expectations of the second half of 2012. As recently as this spring, economists had be ...

Separated and ready to buy your own place?  I receive calls every now and then from a husband or wife that is separated from their spouse and wondering how they can move on and buy their own home. Since the process of a legal separation and pending divorce can be a very stressful time for couples I try my best to keep it simple. Once I have an idea of their situation I can guide them fo ...

HST Referendum underway July 2011 Ballots are being distributed to BC residents by mail and must be completed and returned to Elections BC by July 22, 2011. We at EPR endorse the HST as the best tax system for the province of BC. Exercise your right to vote on this important issue. HST facts you need to know before you vote The HST replaces two taxes (GS ...

Greater Vancouver housing market holds steady and favours sellers in May *** For detailed area reports please contact me as these stats are general for Greater Vancouver*** Home sales remained at typical springtime levels on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver in May. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential property sales o ...

It’s time to expand the scope of the Home Buyers’ Plan Did you know the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) is available only to first-time home buyers and a few others? This federal government program, established in 1992, lets a qualifying first-time home buyer use up to $25,000 from their RRSPs tax-free as a downpayment. Couples can use up to $50,000. To qualify, the home buyer must: not ...

When your home’s no longer the castle of your dreams, you face the choice of remodelling or moving. You need to consider several factors in order to determine which option's best.  If you love your current home, you'll likely want to consider renovations; however, they can be expensive and inconvenient. Living in a construction site is very stressful and it's not uncommon t ...

Mobile apps can be used for just about anything these days. From remotely starting a car to filming and editing entire feature-length films using a smartphone, there are even apps out there to help buy, sell or renovate a home.With spring officially arriving on Monday, the busiest time of year for the real estate industry is now here. According to the Canadian Real Estate Associat ...

Top 25 grants and rebates for property buyers and owners © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun 1 HOME BUYERS’ PLAN Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program a second time. For more information: http://www.cra.gc.ca/. Enter ‘Home Buyers’ ...

REBGV reports increased housing demand in February Demand for detached homes continues to be strong across Greater Vancouver, with particularly high sales volumes occurring in Richmond and Vancouver Westside. For the past two months, the number of properties listed for sale and those sold on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Greater Vancouver outpaced the 10-year average in both cat ...

The Minister of Finance announced earlier this week of changes to mortgage rules to take effect as soon as March 18th.  New Rule:  The maximum amortization for all high ratio mortgages (less than 20% down payment) will be 30 years down from 35 years.  What does this mean?  On a $100,000 mortgage at current 5-year fixed rates this means an increase of monthly payments of $34. Another way to lo ...

NEW: NOW REGISTERED WITH BROOKFIELD RELOCATION SERVICES.Brookfield Global Relocation Services (BROOKFIELD) is a division of Brookfield Residential Property Services Ltd. We have been working with Canadian companies and their transferring members/employees (M/E) since 1964. Brookfield is Canada's largest full-service relocation company and provides relocation consulting services to the Governm ...

  September home sales in Greater Vancouver were consistent with activity experienced in the preceding two months across most categories. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the number of residential property sales in Greater Vancouver totalled 2,220 in September 2010. This represents a 0.8 per cent increase compared to August 2010 and 37.6 per cent decline from t ...

Why now is the time to buy. Affordability, prices are down from January 2010, interest rates are at historic lows. Sure consumer confidence may be slightly rocked from reading the headlines but the media doesn't always tell both sides of the story. People need to act on facts, not the hype and make sure they are planning forthe future. Take a $500,000 mortgage and consider the following: ...

On July 1, 2010, the provincial and federal governments will combine the 7% provincial sales tax (PST) and the 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) into a 12% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). Here is updated information, verified by Canada Revenue Agency. BC New Housing Rebate Home Buyer's may be eligible for a BC New Housing Rebate if they buy, as their primary residence: -a new home togeth ...

 Lack of inventory will be the greatest challenge facing housing markets across the country this Spring, according to a report released today by RE/MAX. The RE/MAX Market Trends Report 2010, which examined real estate trends and developments in 16 markets across the country, found that unusually strong activity during one of the traditionally quietest months of the year has led to a sharp de ...

I just finished uploading this Town-Home for sale, 50 6747 203rd St, Langley, BC Highly desirable complex, The Sagebrooke! Immaculate 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhome located steps away from shopping, schools, trails and much more. Updates include slate entry, beautiful high quality dark laminate,ceramic tiles in bathrooms, crown mouldings, window mouldings and designer paint colours throughou ...

LiveCity Yaletown (Vancouver: David Lam Park) This site will offer Vancouver residents and visitors the complete Olympic Winter Games experience: the best in Vancouver and Canadian live arts and entertainment as well as Olympic sponsor pavilions, Vancouver House, refreshments and sport highlights on giant screens. LiveCity Yaletown is the place to be for free, fun, family Games-time memori ...

Reiterates commitment to hold until end of second quarter of 2010 As was widely expected, the Bank of Canada held its benchmark overnight lending rate steady at 0.25 per cent at its setting on January 19th, 2010. The trend-setting Bank rate, which is set 0.25 percentage points above the overnight lending rate, remains at 0.5 per cent. With the economic recovery under way, the Bank acknowled ...

Over the past 4 years I have enjoyed helping RCMP members buy their first homes, relocate here and to other Provinces and buy investment properties.  I have sold homes all over from Langley & Surrey to Maple Ridge, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burnaby and Vancouver.  Contact me if you or someone you know is a member looking to buy or sell Real Estate.    

VANCOUVER, BC - After beginning the year at near record low sales levels, buyers' confidence in the Greater Vancouver housing market quickly returned, allowing for significant and sustained increases in the number of residential property sales for much of 2009.  The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that total unit sales of detached, attached and apartment properties in ...