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The key to getting top dollar for your home is to create huge demand with a massive supply of buyers.  In order to get as many people through the door as possible, your home has to stand out from the competition.

There's no need to completely overhaul your home's exterior as it's often the little details that increase the visual appeal of a property.  Here are some ideas that will dramatically improve your home's curb appeal:

  1. Perfect Porch - Wind chimes and a few comfortable chairs set a tranquil tone and solar lights will highlight your home and add a welcoming glow.

  2. Peeling Paint - You want buyers to see that your home is well cared for so paint or power wash the exterior and clean all of the windows.

  3. Accessorize - Replace outdated fixtures such as your mailbox, door handle and porch light and make sure your house numbers are attractive and visible from the street.

  4. Landscaping - Cut the grass and trim hedges and trees.  Well kept flower beds show pride of ownership and a few large pots full of bright flowers will accentuate the entranceway.

  5. De-clutter - An uncluttered exterior is as important as an uncluttered interior so put away tools, toys, bikes and gardening equipment.

  6. Watch Your Back - When buyers drive by your home, they’ll usually try and get a glimpse of the backyard so make sure it also gets top notch treatment!

Just as people judge a book by its cover, buyers make assumptions about the interior of your home based on how the outside looks.  It's therefore important to make a great first impression beginning at the curb.  Your efforts will significantly increase the chances of your home selling quickly and for top dollar!

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Fire Prevention Canada reports that an average of six people a week are killed in residential fires in Canada.

If there is a fire in your home, smoke detectors are your family's first line of defence. They give you an early warning that danger is present, and could give your family time to reach safety.

All homes should have smoke detectors. Many newer homes have smoke detectors wired directly into the electrical system. There are also many different models of portable smoke detectors on the market that are battery-operated and easy to install.

There is a date printed on the backs of smoke alarms. Firefighters said if your smoke detector is more than 10 years old or you can't decipher the date, you need to get a new one.

Even if you test your alarm and it goes off, it's only telling you that there is power to your alarm. It is telling you the electricity is good to your home or you have a good battery inside of it. But it does not tell you if that sensing mechanism inside is working. Over 10 years, that sensing mechanism just wears out.

Firefighters recommend looking at the date every time you change your batteries in the smoke detector. They recommend doing that when you change the time on your clocks in the fall and spring.

It is also a good idea to develop a "family escape plan" in case of fire in your home. Practice the plan and make sure your children understand what they should do if they hear warning sounds from smoke detectors. The escape plan should include a meeting point outside the home.

For more details on all aspects of fire prevention follow this link to www.fiprecan.caKeep your family safe!
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If you're searching for a powerful, environmentally friendly cleaner that can tackle virtually any household chore, look no further than the lowly lemon.  Here are just a few ways that lemons can make your home sparkle:
  • To remove carpet stains, soak with lemon juice for 15 to 30 minutes then rinse and blot.

  • If your countertops are stained, just leave lemon juice on the stains until they’re gone.

  • To clean copper, dip half a lemon in salt and rub it over the copper surface, rinse and dry.

  • Mix lemon juice with baking soda to easily clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

  • To clean the microwave, heat a bowl of water and sliced lemons in the microwave for a few minutes before wiping down with a cloth.

Lemons are an excellent alternative to toxic cleansers plus they'll fill your home with a refreshing citrus scent!  A great tip for squeezing as much juice as possible from your lemons is to microwave them for 30 seconds, wait a minute, then cut and squeeze.
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Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks.  It doesn't present a concern when released outdoors but when radon becomes trapped inside a house, it can be very harmful to your health as it increases the risk of lung cancer.

Radon can seep into your home through gaps in floors, walls and foundations and the only way to know if you have high radon levels is to test for it.  You can purchase various inexpensive testing kits or call in a professional.  Radon concentrations vary from home to home so don't take any chances -- protect your family by testing your home for radon today.
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Vancouver Real Estate board overall

 
Single family houses sales for January totalled 664 with the average sale price of $1,145,956. This 16% decrease in number of sales and no change in average price over last year same time period (January) . Townhouse sales for January totalled 261 with an average sale price of $552,696. This is a 16% decrease in the number of sales and no change in average price over the same time period last year (January) . Condominiums January sales totalled 657 with the average sale price of $439,556. This 7% decrease in number of sales and no change in average price over the same time period last year (January).
Total of all types for January was 1582 sales with an average sale price of $754,718. This is a 13% decrease in number of sales and a 1% decrease in average price over January last year.

The volume of sales overall decreased substantially with the very little in price over January last year.

 

*** This is the lowest number of sales since January 2002***

 

Local Maple Ridge

 

Single family houses January sales totalled 41 with the average sale price of $492,350. This a 24% drop in number of sales and a 3%increase in average price year to date compared to January last year. Townhouse January sales totalled 22 with an average sale price $309,628. This is a 15% increase in the number of sales and a 2% decrease in average price compared to last January. Condominiums January sales totalled 13 with the average sale price of $184,487. This 62% increase in number of sales and a 10% decrease in price over last January.Total of all types of sales for January was 76 with an average sale price of $386,796. This is a 6% decrease in number of sales and a 6% decrease in average price over last January.

 

** Note - Our housing market has remained stable in regards to volume and we have seen some minor erosion of prices for the last 12 -18 months. This year has started a little slower than last year but with rates remaining low we see no immediate changes in the market. Global financial uncertainty may continue to affect our market .

 

CMHC is forecasting 2012 to be very similar to 2011 with activity and prices remaining steady.

 
For more detail just call 604-466-4549 or email pearceteam@telus.net .

 

Prime Rate remains stable at 3% with term variable rate mortgages at 2.8% - A $300,000 mortgage at 2.8% for 30 years is $1230 month. Fixed term mortgages are available below 3.5% with some places offering as low as $3.19% for a 5 year fixed.

 

*** Yes! 35 year mortgages are still available - call for details

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The real estate market follows a very predictable path every year. The busiest time if the year is the five months from February until then end of June. People decide they are moving this year and get their houses on the market so they are sold and can be moved in before summer. Next we have July and August which are generally a little slower as the kids are out of school and many are enjoying summer vacation. The fall market is September until the end of November as people who didn't get moved earlier in the year now want to be in their new place before Christmas and the end of the year. This fall market is the second busiest of the year. The quietest market of the year is December and January as people are busy with friends and the holiday season ( besides usually the worst of our weather).  This can be a good time to sell as competition is at a minimum or a good time to buy as there are often some bargins from those that want to be sold by year end.

Bottom line is that now is the time to get your property on the market to get moved by late spring  or early summer.

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The term "air quality" is usually associated with outdoor air pollution caused by cars and factories.  The shocking truth however is that the toxins in our home are often more dangerous than those outside.

Hazards present themselves in the form of pet dander, dust mites, nitrous dioxides from natural gas, formaldehyde from furniture and various allergens including fungi.  Here are just a few ways to improve your home's air quality:

  1. Just Let It Out - Properly ventilate your home to reduce pollutants and moisture.  Use exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms and open your windows whenever possible to allow toxins to escape.

  2. Clean Green - Use natural cleaners such as lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda instead of  household cleansers that contain toxic chemicals.  There are also various houseplants that purify your home's air such as peace lilies and spider plants.

  3. Tread Lightly - Carpets trap various irritants which present serious dangers, especially for children.  If replacing carpets with hardwood isn’t an option, make sure to vacuum a few times a week and place doormats at the entrances of your home.

  4. Furry Friends - Brush pets outside and wash their beds each week to control hair and dander.  There are also a variety of indoor air purification systems designed to improve your home's air quality that are especially great for pet owners.

Nothing in life is quite as precious as the air we breathe.  That said, the air we breathe is also taken for granted.  We focus so much time and effort sprucing up our home so that it looks nice.   It therefore makes sense for us to ensure our home's air quality is also clean.

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A serious foundation problem can quickly turn into an expensive nightmare.  Most buyers realize this and will simply walk away or at best, won't purchase the home until it's been properly repaired.

If you notice cracks, bowing or anything else that looks suspicious, you'll want to determine how serious it might be.  It's strongly recommended that you have the foundation inspected by a qualified professional.

Foundation cracks are caused by hydrostatic pressure as water soaks into the earth around the base of the house.  The foundation sinks as water from the gutters spills out and puddles around the house putting pressure against the foundation wall which causes cracks that make the house settle more than it should.

Indications of a house with possible foundation problems include unlevel floors, windows and doors that are hard to open/shut and diagonal cracks on the wall around the corners of doors and windows.  It's important to keep in mind though that most houses have cracks and defects which are purely cosmetic.

If you're selling a home with a foundation problem, it's best to get it fixed beforehand as a questionable foundation problem can often squash a sale.  If you don't plan on getting it fixed, at least get a quote so you're able to show potential buyers how much the repairs will cost.
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If you’re planning an international trip, you’ll want to be familiar with adaptors and converters so you’re not left with a fried laptop or burned out shaver!

Adaptors simply enable the plug to fit into the outlet while converters make the plug fit AND convert the electricity to the proper voltage so the unit doesn’t overload, crackle and burn out! 

There are two types of converters -- one for appliances that produce heat such as hair dryers and another for devices such as shavers and laptops that require a lower wattage.  The best option is to purchase a dual wattage converter that will handle everything.  Happy travels!
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By now you should have received your property tax assessment for 2012 and you only have until January 31st 2012 to appeal the assessment. If you think your property is assessed too high then call us at 604-466-4549 and we will do a market analysis to let you know the value of your property. If you are assessed to high we will assist you in preparing a letter to B.C assessment to ask to have the assessment reduced. If they do not make the requested change we will also put together a presentation for the appeal board.

This is a service that we provide at no charge to our past and potential clients, and their friends and family. So do not hesitate to call or pass on our number to your friends and family. We look forward to hearing from you and being of assistance.
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Vancouver Real Estate board overall

 
Single family houses sales for 2011 totalled 14,079 with the average sale price of $1,166,178. This 14% increase in number of sales and a 17% increase in average price over 2010. Townhouse sales for 2011 totalled 5,473 with an average sale price of $563,531. This is a 4% increase in the number of sales and a 3% increase in average price over sales in 2010. Condominiums sales for 2011 totalled 12,885 with the average sale price of $454,146. This 1% decrease in number of sales and a 5% increase in average price over sales in 2010.

Total sales of all types in 2011 was 32,437  with an average sale price of $781,654. This is a 5% increase in number of sales and a 15% increase in average price over sales in 2010. 

The volume of sales overall remained steady with the very little change over November.

 

Local Maple Ridge

 

Single family houses sales for 2011 totalled 984 with the average sale price of $504,312. This a 4% drop in number of sales and almost no change in average price of a single family home over sales in 2010. Townhouse sales for 2011 totalled 407 with an average sale price $309,095. This is a 19% increase in the number of sales and no change in average price compared to sales in 2010. Condominiums sales for 2011 totalled 204 with the average sale price of $198,244. This no change in number of sales and a 10% decrease in price over sales in 2010. Total of all types for 2011 was 1595 sales with an average sale price of $415,352. This is a 6% increase in number of sales and a minimal decrease in average price in 2011 over sales in 2010.

 

** Note - Our housing market remains stable in regards to volume and we have seen some minor erosion of prices. The market is basically unchanged for the last 24 months. This is possibly due to uncertainty about the HST to GST/PST change and how it will affect sales of new homes. It could also be reflecting global financial uncertainty.

 
For more detail just call 604-466-4549 or email pearceteam@telus.net .

 

Prime Rate remains stable at 3% with term variable rate mortgages at 2.8% - A $300,000 mortgage at 2.8% for 30 years is $1230 month. Fixed term mortgages are available below 3.5% with some places offering as low as $3.19% for a 5 year fixed.

 
*** Yes! 35 year mortgages are still available - call for details

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If you're thinking about renovating, make sure to consider every detail in advance.  Careful planning will not only keep you sane during the upheaval but will also ensure you get the most for your money.  Here are a few things to keep in mind:
  1. Be Flexible - Aside from a lack of privacy, you'll be dealing with dust, noise, mess and disorganization.  If you expect delays, you won’t be quite so frustrated when they occur.

  2. Time Is Money - Make sure you agree (in writing) on a completion date.  Consider offering a bonus if the work's done before the date and a penalty for every day beyond.

  3. Stay In the Loop - Communication is key so schedule regular progress reports that include details on behind the scenes work such as wiring.  Contractors don't like to be micromanaged but they shouldn't mind keeping you up date throughout the process.

  4. Kidding Around - Be sure to set aside some toys for the kids.  Also, line up some playdates so you're able to escape the construction zone chaos.  Finally, make a list of local outings for fun family getaways.

  5. Plan Ahead - Prepare and freeze meals in bulk for quick and easy dinners.  Also, take this opportunity to donate unwanted items to charity so that your newly renovated home isn't full of  unnecessary clutter.

Watching your home transform into something new is an exciting experience but it's also very inconvenient.  The secret to making sure everything goes smoothly is to remain calm throughout the process and to plan ahead.  If you keep that in mind, your dream home will be a reality before you know it!
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