For the majority of homebuyers, finding the right property to buy is often the most difficult step of the home buying process, more difficult than saving for a down payment or getting a mortgage. Before you start you search, consider these four important factors. The average buyer visited or considering 10 homes before buying. 

-How much house can I afford? Knowing what you can afford will help you narrow your search to homes within your budget. Make a list of expenses you’ll have when...

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...

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...

Each homebuyer has different ideas of what will constitute the ideal home for them, these notions often based on particular aesthetic preferences. But one thing that unites all potential homebuyers is the desire to find a home that is fundamentally sound—in areas beyond the immediate sweep of the eye—and that will provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient foundation for their life behind a new door.
This is where the services of a home inspector come in. During a home inspection, at least...

You’ve been saving for awhile, weighing your options, looking around casually. Now you’ve finally decided to do it—you’re ready to buy a house. The process of buying a new home can be incredibly exciting, yet stressful, all at once. Where do you start?
It is essential you do your homework before you begin. Learn from the experiences of others, do some research. Of course, with so many details involved, slip-ups are inevitable. But be careful: learning from your mistakes may...

How do you find the home of your dreams within a price range you can afford?

Most buyers start by making a “wish list”. But, it’s easy to get frustrated when you have a long wish list and expect you’ll be able to find a home with every one of those features. You might, for example, have “mature backyard tree” as number 23 on your list, and become disappointed when an otherwise ideal property doesn’t have one.

But when you really think about it, your ideal...

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...

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, the...

There are many financial and personal benefits to home ownership.
1. Preparing to buy. 
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 renting,...