Here are 7 ways to keep the garage door working better & longer.
-Clean and wax – A clean door means grime and salt won’t scratch the door or erode the seals between sections. A coat of wax helps protect the door too.
-Lubricate garage door mechanics – keeping hinges, bearings and rollers operating smoothly will prevent corrosion and extend the life of the unit.
- Check Rollers - look for worn-out ball bearings, flattened rollers, or crooked rods.
- Examine tracks – check for...

With Spring here let’s re-focus our attention on the importance of curb appeal when selling! The yard is often times the first thing potential buyers notices 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...

Staging helps sell your home faster and it doesn't have to be expensive.
- Clear all surfaces of clutter. Less is more. Minimal decor is best, to allow buyers to see more of the space and less of your stuff.
- Remove all clues that you own a pet. Freshen up the air to get rid of all the pet odours. Our little furry friend runs the house now, but when we're listed, we don't want anyone to know she lives there!  When buyers see any pet items, they immediately smell your pets (even if the...

When you’re shopping for a home in Sellers market, you may become interested in a property for sale that several other buyers are interested in. What should you do if you really love that home? Obviously, you’ll need to move quickly and make some fast decisions. Start by making certain the property fits within your price range. The last thing you want is to have an offer accepted and find out it is beyond your budget. That’s why it’s a good idea to arrange for financing...

There’s an increased risk of moisture within a home’s attic space in the Winter months.

If given a route, warm air finds its way into the attic and condenses before it’s able to vent. The cold temperatures then turn this condensation into frost and when weather warms up, it melts and can cause serious damage to the sheathing, roof framing, insulation and living space below.

As a homeowner, it’s also wise to perform your own visual inspection each winter. A ladder and flashlight...

Being a homeowner can be richly rewarding; providing security and a place to create memories.

Homeownership also comes with its share of headaches or features that we come to loathe. Here are five good resolutions for all homeowners to consider -- even if you already have your dream home.

1 Catch up on home maintenance projects

Deferring home projects can cost you even more in the long run if you keep putting them off. Catch up on our home maintenance projects by this summer, its a smart resolution...

What’s that old saying? The early bird gets the worm! In this case, by starting the process this month, you’ll be in excellent shape when you’re ready to list in the spring. 

Here are just a few examples of what you can do in December to get the process started:

• Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible.
• Check your cupboard for cleaning products, paints and other liquids that are flammable. Read each label carefully....

It’s official: you’ve signed the papers, dotted all the i’s and crossed the t’s—you own a new home! You’ve almost reached the end of your journey. However, now, faced with the daunting task of moving, it may seem as though the journey has just begun. Moving can be a time-consuming and stressful experience if you let yourself be overwhelmed by the job. Remember, though, having a successful move means taking care of the details, one by one. If you break the process...

After putting in a huge amount of time and effort to get your home looking good and ready to sell, your hard work is finally going to pay off: your home is on the market—you’re ready to begin showing. Your house should always be at-the-ready for a tour, as agents may bring clients by with very little notice. If they catch you unprepared and you aren’t able to show the house on the spot, you could be losing out on a sale. Concentrate on the following areas to ensure your home is ready...

Don’t get discouraged if your property hasn’t sold during its first appearance on the market. Your home may actually have been one of the most appealing listings of its kind—and the reasons it didn’t sell may have nothing to do with the property itself or the market. Rather, a number of separate factors may have influenced the outcome. Take a step back, break your original selling method into parts, and allow yourself time to evaluate each one. Make a commitment. Establish...

Whether seeking solace, activity, schools, churches, or green space, every homebuyer looks for a different combination of attributes in a new community. Choosing a neighbourhood that suits your needs and wants is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the home-buying process; your choice of environment will affect the way you experience your new home. This is a very personal decision, influenced by countless unique factors colouring your own lives, but you should always keep the...

The asking prices of most homes on the market indicate the current state of the market, and usually mirror the prices for which other similar homes in the area have recently sold. In deciding upon a selling price, a home-seller must establish a balance between the desire to draw the highest offer and finding a price that will be reasonable enough to attract an appropriate pool of prospects, and competitive offers. While most selling agents counsel their clients to consider this equation when pricing...

There is no set equation to determine how you’ll reach an offer price. Rather, the process involves a range of research and comparison that will vary with each situation. You’ll need to look at sales of comparable properties, and factor in additional data such as the condition of the property, the current market, and seller circumstances. With this information in hand, you will be able to determine a fair price range and, from there, establish the price you’re willing to offer.
C...

Pretty plants can have ugly impacts. This is especially true with knotweed, a fast spreading and potentially destructive plant with bamboo-like stems, the plant can cause structural damage by pushing through concrete, asphalt and drainage systems. It also displaces other plant life, causes erosion and pollutes streams with sediment from the eroded land.
Native to Asia, there are four knotweed varieties in the province: Himalayan, Japanese, Giant and Bohemian. All grow in the Fraser Valley...