Vancouver Real Estate board overall

Single family houses sales for May totalled 1220 with the average sale price of $1,169,149. This 3% increase in number of sales and 8% increase in average price over last year same time period (May). Townhouse sales for May totalled 534 with an average sale price of $574,881. This is a 3% increase in the number of sales and an increase of 4% in average price over the same time period last year (May). 

Condominiums May sales totalled 1136 with the average sale price of $448,768. This a 1% decrease in number of sales and 2% decrease in average price over the same time period last year (May).

Total of all types for May was 2890 sales with an average sale price of $776,176. This is a 1% increase in number of sales and 6% increase in average price over May last year.

 
The Vancouver Real Estate Board sales volume year to date is down by 12% year to date and year to date average sales price is basically unchanged. The number of active listings is 3% lower this May compared to last May. It would appear that prices have stabilized in both single family and townhouses while condos are still experiencing some decrease in pricing.

Local Maple Ridge

 
Single family home sales in April totalled 101 with the average sale price of $477,882. This a 17% decrease in number of sales and average price decrease of 7% compared to May last year. Townhouse sales  in May totalled 24 with an average sale price $299,916. This is a 36% decrease in the number of townhouse sales and average price has basically remained unchanged from last May. Condominium sales in May totalled 18 with the average sale price of $185,147. This is an 5% increase in number of sales and average price increase of 2% over last May.

Total of all types of sales for May was 143 with an average sale price of $411,166. This is a 19% decrease in number of sales and a 6% decrease in average price over last May.

Spring activity appears to have stabilized our market with a market that is balanced for Buyers and Sellers. The election in May caused a minor slowdown in the market which is typical when we have an election at the federal, provincial or even local level.

The number of properties on the market in Maple Ridge for May is 1007 which is 2% less than last May.

Video update from Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board President 

http://www.rebgv.org/podcasts/rebgv-market-update-may-2013

For more detail just call 604-466-4549 or email

pearceteam@telus.net

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.
• Start sucking up to friends and family for help!
• Have a garage sale to get rid of excess clutter.

One Month Before

• Update your insurance, medical and school records to your new location.
• Arrange to disconnect and reconnect utilities and telephone/Internet services.
• Notify any other important parties of your address changes.

A Few Weeks Before

• Plan meals so food in your fridge and freezer gets used up.
• Gather boxes and pack up items you don't regularly use.
• Arrange for someone to look after your pets on moving day.
• Return library materials and other rental items.

The Final Week

• Water your plants a couple of days before you move.
• Pack up belongings and clearly label items that are fragile.
• Pack a suitcase with items you'll need to get you through the first week in your new home.
• Gather valuable items such as legal documents and family photos so you can transport them yourself.

Day of the Move

• Double check the movers have your new address and cell phone number.
• Have lots of refreshments on hand for your busy helpers!
• Remove the light bulbs from all of your lamps.
• Make sure you have your new keys.

Moving causes a wide range of emotions from sadness to extreme excitement.  Although moving can be stressful at times, a little bit of planning will provide you with some very valuable peace of mind.  With the help of the above checklist, you can now breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy this exciting new phase of your life!

Before you put your home on the market, you'll need to take care of the various repairs you've been putting off as buyers factor these fix-ups into the purchase price and often overestimate the costs involved. They may also believe that other areas of the home have been neglected which can raise unnecessary red flags. Here are some repair jobs that are well worth doing:

1. Flooring - Buyers almost always prefer hardwood floors so it pays to remove carpet and refinish them if you have hardwood under your carpet. If this isn't the case and your carpet is tired and worn you may want to consider repacing it or offering the buyers a "Flooring Allowance" in their purchase so they can chose the flooring and have it done just prior to moving in. 
   
2. Kitchens & Bathrooms - Updating kitchens and bathrooms is one of the best ways to add value to a home. Buyers are put off by dirty grout so apply new caulking to freshen up the entire room. Lights and fixtures are also inexpensive and fairly easy to replace.
   
3. A Fresh Coat of Paint - Painting is one of the easiest ways to update your home. Choose a neutral shade and fill in cracks before repainting. Don't forget about the ceilings and make sure you also repair and paint your baseboards as they'll look dirty and beaten up when compared to your freshly painted walls.
   
4. Dripping Faucets - It may seem like a minor annoyance to you but to a potential buyer, a dripping tap can signal expensive plumbing repairs! Chances are, it'll only need a new rubber washer that costs less than a dollar so get down to your local hardware store and get it fixed.
   
5. Kitchen Cabinets - Many buyers decide whether your home is for them based on the feel of the kitchen. Repainting cabinets and adding new hardware can make a world of difference. If your counter has seen better days, a new counter top will update the entire kitchen without costing an arm and a leg.
   
6. The Roof - “It needs a new roof” is a phrase that'll send shivers down a buyer's spine. If your roof needs replacing, it's better to do it now as buyers can get so turned off by the cost and hassle of getting a new roof that it can often be a deal breaker.

Buying a home is an emotional experience so it's very important to create an incredible first impression that'll make buyers want to own your home the moment they set foot in it. You want your home to appear well looked after so take care of the jobs that seem minor like a small rip or stain on your carpet. Taking the time to do repairs to a home you'll soon be moving out of may seem like a hassle now, but it'll be well worth it in the end.

The Internet has changed the way many of us live our lives, and the process of buying a home is no exception. Buyers previously had to visit a real estate office and thumb through a large book of homes to find out what’s on the market. These days, everything's instantly updated online.

Purchasers have fun at first plugging in home preferences and browsing through a variety of homes. It soon gets pretty frustrating though as subsequent searches force you to sift through homes you’ve already looked at just to discover the latest ones that have hit the market. By the time you finally find your perfect home online, it could be too late.

Some agents now offer a service that emails you properties which match your criteria so you won’t miss out on your dream home. Although there’s no obligation, it’s best to stick with one agent in order to build a strong relationship so they'll be better able to understand your needs. Dealing with more than one agent is unnecessary and causes confusion as agents have access to all the same homes.

It’s important to get acquainted with the market so you’ll be confident enough to move quickly when your dream home finally comes along. You’ll want to provide your agent with a detailed list of criteria that clearly specifies your needs and wants -- for example:

• What style of home do you prefer?
• Are the schools in the area important to you?
• What’s more important: the type of home or the location?
• What are the minimum number of bedrooms and bathrooms?
• Does the house have to be in ‘move in’ condition or are you prepared to fix it up?

It’s important to establish a strong line of communication with your agent so they’ll be in tune with your likes and dislikes. Be sure to provide feedback when you receive property updates as it'll help your agent better understand your preferences. It’s a gut wrenching feeling to miss out on a dream home due to miscommunication so make sure you're on the same page.

Finding the perfect home isn't always easy but the right system and clear communication will make it much more enjoyable! If you know of someone who's house hunting, have them drop me a line so I can send them full updates of homes that match their criteria as soon as they hit the market! Instead of playing the frustrating game of telephone tag, they'll be able to sit back and enjoy the process.

Dropbox is a cloud based service that allows you to quickly share photos, documents, spreadsheets and videos with friends and colleagues.  Here are some reasons to use it:

1. On the Go - If your business takes you on the road, you can easily access presentations and other documents.
   
   
2. Picture This - Instead of clogging up your friend's email accounts with photos, just send them a link to your Dropbox account.
   
   
3. I Need Backup - No need to panic if your computer blows up as all your important files and photos will still be on Dropbox.

The best part about Dropbox is that it doesn't cost anything!  Cloud based services such as Dropbox are still in their infancy but they're definitely the way of the future as their paperless aspect is environmentally friendly and extremely convenient.

Buying local is a concept that's really starting to catch on.  Here are just a few of the many advantages to buying locally grown produce:

1. Nutritious - Minimizing transportation reduces damage and helps produce retain its nutritional value.
   
   
2. Greener - Transporting food long distances is detrimental to the environment and there's also a huge amount of packaging involved.
   
   
3. Tastier - Local food is much fresher because its vitality isn't affected by long distance travel.  Produce is picked at peak freshness so it's loaded with taste.
   
   
4. Supportive - Buying local helps support your local farmers and other residents.  It also preserves farmland and wildlife from urban development.
   
   
5. Convenient - Many communities have agricultural groups that provide a weekly box of fresh, locally grown produce that can oftentimes be delivered right to your door!

So there you have it -- buying local is better by miles!  For a fun day out, visit a “pick your own” fruit farm.  Not only will you be able to eat the tastiest fruit around but you'll also be able to help the environment by cutting down on packaging.