The housing market has been in focus more than usual this past month with the release of the provincial and federal budgets. The federal budget had little to say about housing; the provincial budget, as expected, much more. The BC budget has been analyzed backwards and forwards over the past week, so I won't get into it here. One aspect, however, warrants some discussion. A "speculation" ta ...

Imagine a gorgeous, fully renovated family home, with a legal suite and potential for a laneway home over the dream garage set-up. Oh, and did I mention a lake with walking trails at the end of the block?  Congratulations to my clients I and J, who just scooped a gorgeous family home in Coquitlam at Como Lake. A fantastic bargain at $1,818,000. It was a bit of long search, but so worth it.  ...

Thanks so much to clients Cat and Maria for their recent feedback. As cliched as it sounds, successfully helping people navigate a major life event is more satisfying than just about anything. Happy, content, and calm new homeowners - that’s my calling!  “We highly recommend Robert as an experienced, professional and highly personable realtor! We have worked with Robert on the purchase of tw ...

The process of getting a property ready to put on the market can seem daunting enough. There’s clearing the clutter, endless amounts of cleaning, organizing and scrutinizing your property with a fine-tooth comb. What needs attention and what can you leave alone? Welcome to the new world of “fixing to sell.” Gone are the days of throwing it on the market and seeing what happens. Prepping for ...

Coverage and claims can be rather complicated if you own a strata unit. Can you find yourself liable for damage to neighbouring suites, or common areas? What does your insurance cover? None of us ever wants to make an insurance claim against our homeowner's policy, but sometimes it can't be helped.  An article in Vancouver's Real Estate Weekly does a good job explaining the ins and outs of s ...

If you're thinking of selling this year, sooner may be better than later. The 2018 real estate market is underway. Yes, this early into the New Year! Selling your home in early to mid February can attract those eager, serious buyers who are keen to buy – even though inventory is low – because they’re eager to get into a home, and/or want a jumpstart on other buyers entering the spring market. ...

Congratulations! You've sold your home. Now, how much will you net? There are a number of closing costs to consider. Legal Fees. Lawyer’s and notary’s fees vary, but often have structured fees for the purchase and sale of homes posted on their websites. Sellers often pay in the area of $1000 for a lawyer or notary to look after the legal details necessary to close their home. Mortga ...

A focused, intense and strategic home search...and success! My clients are thrilled with their recent purchase. Situated on a quiet street in Upper Lonsdale, this is a perfect family home. And simply stunning. Gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and high end appliances, living room with 12' ceilings, custom built office for his and her desks, HRV system, custom cabinets throughout, high ...

Often times people assume the spring real estate market begins in mid or late March; in some years, even as late as April. But for the past few years this is not the case. And this year looks to be the same. Whether buyer or seller, there’s a number of reasons for being close to “first out of the gate”. I’ve been speaking with clients thinking of selling this spring. My clients know now is t ...