Clients with young children recently asked me for advice about prepping and showing their home in the midst of juggling family life.   If you have small children or a newborn, you're already intimately familiar with just how much "stuff" can be generated — and how quickly it can become scattered about the house. While that's not normally an issue, dealing with all clothes, toys and games can ...

Many of us dream at one time or another of getting away from the city to an idyllic island property. Here's a few beautiful island homes here in the Pacific Northwest, to inspire a bit of wanderlust.  This Bowen Island home may be based on the classic island cabin but it's thoroughly modern inside and out. Stacked on two levels to preserve the natural landscape, this home shows classic west ...

We all love our furry friends. But no matter how neat and clean you keep your home, in my experience it's always better to remove most if not all signs of pets living in the home. Not only does it remove the question of cleanliness in buyer's minds, but it also removes one more distraction from potential buyers viewing the home as their own. I often pass on this excellent article to my client ...

It's almost always in a home seller's best interest to ensure minimal issues arising from a home inspection. You don't want the buyer coming back and asking for a reduced price due to an issue that may have been easily addressed beforehand. So knowing what home inspectors look for can benefit home sellers no end! Linked below is an article that explains the home inspection process, and, most ...

Regardless of market conditions, as a seller you always want to maximize your sales price. Here are six home improvements that are attractive to homebuyers today. Not ready to move? These will tend to yield the highest return when you are ready to sell, so are worth considering if you're planning home upgrades. Energy Efficient Upgrades. Upgrading your insulation or replacing your doors ...

If you’re a home owner in Metro Vancouver, Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, the Capital Regional District, Kelowna, or Nanaimo watch you’re not inadvertently charged the annual provincial Speculation and Vacancy Tax.  You — and ALL persons on title — each need to complete an online form exempting yourselves from the tax. Failure to do so by March 31, 2022 will automatically trigger a tax cha ...

Just another few weeks to apply for Re/Max's annual Grade 12 bursary ... Graduating Grade 12s, this one's for you! Here's a fantastic opportunity for some post-secondary financial assistance. Re/Max of Western Canada is offering $1000 bursary prizes to 16 qualifying Grade 12 students who've demonstrated the ideals of leadership and community contribution.  Please share this with deserving G ...

As we ramp up into a new year, and given the weather these days, it's nice to "visit" other, sunnier parts of the world. Here’s my latest instalment of eye candy from around the world. For more inspiration, check out my previous blog in the series, here. (For best viewing from a phone or tablet, choose Reader View on the address bar.)New Zealand has some amazing home architecture. This one pe ...

The beginning of a new year is a natural time for reflection. Ideas are formulated, goals are made, and plans are set for the coming year. Whatever direction you've decided to set for this coming year, I wish you and your family all the best for 2022. And if you might be thinking of moving on and choosing a new home, please feel free to contact me any time to chat about possibilities. The 'Sp ...

Whether you're moving up to a larger home, downsizing or relocating, selling your home can be both stressful and rewarding. If you've been through the process before, you may think you're ready to take on the home-selling procedure on your own, but even seasoned sellers can make mistakes that impact their bottom line. Not understanding the current local and hyper local real estate market ...