Two of the biggest stressors for DIYers are projects that cost too much or take too long. Unfortunately, there’s no sure way to guarantee that one or the other (or both) won’t happen. But there is a lot you can do to minimize the probability.

When budgeting, a big mistake DIYers make is not considering the little things. For example, you might budget for drywall panels but neglect to include the cost of nails, tape and plaster. It's easy to overlook these small items thinking they won't...

Homeowners are often inclined to renovate to suit their individual preferences and lifestyles. However, while turning a garage into a music studio may be your heart’s desire, it’s important to be cognizant that future buyers will likely just want to park the car. Regular and systematic home maintenance provides the best return on investment. Although, there are a few renovations that consistently offer above average return on investment. To protect your investment, be sure to obtain work...

Tips that Won't Leave You Shivering or Sweating

If you want to reduce your home energy costs, the easiest way is to turn the thermostat down to 20'C (68'F) when you're home. Studies show you use 3-5% more energy for each degree the thermostat us set above this number.

However, if you want to lower your bill even further each month, here are some additional tips that are relatively easy to implement.

• Get smart with your thermostat. Most thermostats these days are programmable. Program yours to reduce...

It’s important to get into the habit of completing these checks annually leading up to each season. Protect your investment with the following regular and good maintenance practices. This is a list of simple things you can do yourself to help you keep your home a safe and healthy place to live year-round. 

If you need to sell your home in the next month or two, you might be worried. After all, aren’t spring and summer the ideal seasons to list your property?

If you list in November or December, you might have difficulties attracting buyers and getting the best price for your home. Right?

Not necessarily.

While it’s true that spring and summer are traditionally busy periods in the real estate market, properties do sell every month of the year.

So, if you’re thinking of selling, you...

When you’re shopping for a new home, you probably want the property to be as “move in ready” as possible. That way, you can... well... just move in!

However, there are a lot of fantastic properties on the market that need some work. For example, you might see a home that has everything you need, but the kitchen is long overdue for a renovation. Or, you might view a property that requires a lot of repairs and painting — tasks that, at first glance, seem overwhelming.

You don...

There are three important things to understand about buying a Foreclosure property:

1. Your moving dates need to be completely flexible as we cannot determine when the court date will be set.
2. If you have an accepted offer on a foreclosure there is always the possibility that another higher offer is accepted in court.
3. The risk – the property is sold “as is where is” on the date of possession regardless of what condition it was in when you viewed it. (appliances are not included although...

When considering which of two or more competing offers to accept for your home, there is no doubt price will play a huge role. After all, if Offer #1 is $10,000 higher than Offer #2, that’s an enticing difference that puts thousands of extra dollars in your pocket.However, price isn’t the only thing you should think about when comparing multiple offers. There are other factors you need to consider too. For example, you’ll need to think about the impact of any conditions that are...

What kind of waterfront did you have in mind?

The type of waterfront to buy is the first decision you’ll have to make; enjoying a vacation once a year at the beach doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy dealing with wind and beach sand on your patio every day. Not all lakes, rivers are created the same, some are conducive to recreational activities, others are not. Know why you are buying waterfront; more importantly what kind of lifestyle are you hoping to achieve.

Research the area on google,...

There are many financial and personal benefits to home ownership.

1. Preparing to buy a home -  Begin the process only when you are ready to buy and part of being ready to buy includes answering these questions. When do you need to be in the home? How would your plans change if the purchase occurred sooner or later that anticipated? Who else is involved in the decision to buy? Is everyone involved in the buying process committed to buying? How does your job factor into the decision? If you are...

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) indicates COVID-19 has put the market on pause, as REALTORS® and the public adhere to health authority rules and government guidelines on the pandemic. The extent to which real estate is affected may depend on how prolonged the effects of the pandemic are & how quickly Canadians are able o return to work after the fact. For now the Government has officially classified the real estate industry as a non health essential service which means we’re...

If you have not yet listed your house for sale and you then find the home of your dreams, how will you take advantage of the situation? How will you proceed? Do you have enough equity to qualify for another mortgage?
Lets look at the "subject to sale" offer from the Sellers perspective;
There is no guarantee of a firm sale in this type of offer for the Seller since it's dependant on when and if the Buyers home sells. 
If the Buyers home is already listed and the price...

I am often asked if December is a good time of year to be selling or buying real estate. In general, the market tends to slow down at this time of year as the Christmas celebrations and holidays begin; the short daylight hours and the weather also contribute to the slow down. Whether to jump in with both feet or not depends largely on your personal circumstance; how quickly do you need to move? Have you already sold? Are you relocating? 

Whatever your reason for moving is, if you need to...

The yard is often times the first thing potential buyers notice about your home. If the landscaping hasn't been taken care of it can look like an overwhelming amount of work to a prospective buyer and they'll likely take that first impression with them through the rest of the home. If you have a high maintenance yard, make sure it's well taken care of before showings

Trees are a valuable asset! Whether they’re in your yard or just around the neighborhood, having well-kept mature trees can increase...

If your living space is small and you’re preparing to sell then pay special attention to this area. Lighten it up and keep it neutral. Dark colours on walls can add dramatic effect but if any walls are anything other than neutral then painting is a must, even for those on a tight budget. Lighter tones will make the room seem brighter, larger and cleaner. Windows are an important feature so maximize them, don’t cover them up with sofas or drapes. Consider using large mirrors to make the...

Is this the year for remodelling your bathroom? You certainly can’t go wrong with the fresh clean look of chic grey and white tones which have dominated the trend. If however you‘re wanting modern, then black is back, so go with a black vanity & trim. Take tiles all the way to the ceiling unless you’re on a budget as tiling is expensive. If you’re thinking about selling then professional painting is the most effective way to give your bathroom a face lift, select neutral,...

FVRE Board data shows that attached home sales now represent 60% of the Fraser Valley Market. Huge increase over 2015. https://buff.ly/2wk160g