RSS

Posted on by
 
 



 MAY 2019

VICTORIA'S DAY LONG WEEKEND EVENTS THROUGH THE LOWER MAINLAND!

    FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

Cloverdale Rodeo 2019


In 2019 the fair celebrates its 131st year during the weekend of May 17-20 (which is also the May Long Weekend).


The Cloverdale Rodeo is a great family-friendly event, with cowboys competing for over $300,000 in prize money and thousands of spectators turning out to enjoy the show and midway attractions.

In a busy year as many as 100,000 people attend the fair, of which close to 20,000 watch the rodeo shows.

For tickets and more information see the Cloverdale Rodeo‘s website.

    SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019

Lower Mainland Railway Adventures

Thomas the Train and Sir Topham Hatt visit the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish on the Victoria Day Long Weekend, as well as on the following weekend.

On the weekends of the event children and 

their families can take 20-minute train rides on Thomas in addition to exploring all the site’s various other railroad-related structures and artifacts.


Departures on Thomas the Train take place each day at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00. Tickets cost about $29.

2019 dates are May 18th, 19th, 20th, 25th and 26th.

Click West Coast Railway Heritage Park for more details.

VanDusen & Whistler Car Shows


One major event taking place each year on the Victoria Day May long weekend is the Vancouver All British Field Meet which features hundreds of classic British cars at VanDusen Garden. The car show takes place on the Saturday, which means May 

18th in 2019. Expect to see Rovers, Austins, Jaguars, MGs, Triumphs, Minis and various other beautiful British vehicles, plus hundreds of car fanatics.


In addition to the Saturday car show, on the Sunday many of the same cars take part in the All-British Vancouver-Whistler Run.


During the Sunday event cars meet at West Vancouver’s Park Royal Mallstarting at around 8:30 or 9:00 am and all are gone by 10 o’clock. That’s because they set off up to Whistler where they are on display once again for the afternoon, this time in Whistler’s Creekside Village Plaza.


The best time to see the cars at their West Vancouver on the Sunday starting location is just before 9:00 am when the majority are still there.


Click VanDusen Car Show for more information about the event in Vancouver, or All British Car Show for the event up at Whistler.

Royal Victorian Party

​

​Victoria Day is celebrated on the Saturday from 12 until 3 pm at Stewart Farmin Surrey with the Royal Victorian Party.

Stewart Farm is a historic site not far from Crescent Beach and the party features all kinds of old-fashioned celebrations including Morris dancers, ice cream making and birthday cake.

Fort Langley Beer & Food Festival


Join us on Saturday May 18 from 12pm - 6pm to enjoy the best of what the Fraser Valley has to offer! Over 25 breweries and 15 food vendors to keep you hydrated and satisfied all day long and live music to keep the energy up!

    SUNDAY MAY 19, 2019

Royal Canadian Family Circus in Vancouver 2019


The Royal Canadian Family Circus returns to Vancouver in May and June of 2019 with acrobats, horses and other performers in Richmond, Surrey and Tsawwassen.

About the Circus | 2019 Dates & Locations | Ticket Prices | What to Expect | Circus Performers | Tips & Advice | Other Information

    MONDAY  MAY 20, 2019

Fort Langley May Day Parade and Fair

The parade is impressive for a small community and worth the trip out to see, especially if you have young children. The May Day event in the park is small, simple and of most interest to locals and folks with children taking part in the performances, but still 

worth a quick look if you’re in the area. The activities at the Fort Langley heritage site are the fort’s typical holiday offerings, with barrel-making, musket-firing and blacksmithing demonstrations. All three of these May Day events combined make a visit to Fort Langley on the Victoria Day weekend each year a great way to spend the holiday Monday.


Fort Langley is one of Vancouver’s best places any time of the year, but especially on special occasions like this.

Here's What $500K Can Buy Throughout Canada

Real estate values can swing wildly from place to place throughout the country, which is especially important for prospective buyers on a tight budget. With new banking regulations in place intended to cool down overheated markets in Vancouver and Toronto, home prices continue to shift. Keeping that in mind, here's a coast-to-coast sampling of what $500,000 can purchase in various parts of Canada.

Click HERE to find out more about the prices in other parts of Canada.


More than 150,000 speculation tax declarations still outstanding

About 10 per cent of property owners in B.C.’s larger urban areas have yet to file declarations related to the province’s speculation and vacancy tax as the deadline approaches this Sunday, March 31.

​

Despite some complaints about the process being onerous, more than 90 per cent of homeowners have managed to complete a form in a few minutes, according to the Ministry of Finance.

It is expecting there will be a last-minute spike in declarations in the next few days with over 150,000 forms still outstanding. (read more)

11 Weird (but Totally Legal) Ways to Make Extra Money in Canada

The Penny Hoarder often shares flexible ways Americans can make money from home, but we can’t forget about you, our friendly northern neighbors.

Unfortunately, some of the money-making opportunities we typically share aren’t available in Canada. However, you’ve still got plenty of options, so we put together a list of ways to make an extra Canadian dollar.

​

We combed through all of our tips to filter out the best flexible ways to make money in Canada. You can do many of these without leaving the confines of your home.

1. Share What’s in Your Fridge

Remember the Nielsen company? The one that’s always tracked TV ratings? Well, now it wants to know what’s in your fridge.

Once you sign up to be on the Nielsen Consumer Panel, you can either use your smartphone, or the company will send you a free barcode scanner. Every time you go shopping, you simply scan the UPC codes on the back of each product and send your data to Nielsen.

Nielsen will reward you with gift points, which you can redeem for free electronics, jewelry, household items or even toys for the kids.

The longer you stay on the panel, the more opportunity you have to earn points toward prizes. You’ll also receive entries for the panel’s many sweepstakes. Prizes include vacations and brand new vehicles. (read more)

12 Ways to Ramp Up Curb Appeal with Nothing But Paint

If you’re getting ready to sell your home—or inkling to improve your house’s curb appeal—and don’t have a whole lot of money to work with, consider the vast improvements that can be achieved with a simple and inexpensive can of paint. From freshening up your home’s exterior to giving your mailbox a makeover, check out these easy clever ways to boost your curb appeal with paint.


A Paint Facelift


If it’s been awhile since your home’s exterior has received a paint job, freshening up the paint and trim can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal. Faded, peeling paint is a signal of neglect that will send a clear signal to prospective buyers, but a couple of coats of paint can make an older home look brand new. (read more)

 BENCHMARK PRICES FOR FRASER VALLEY

 (MAR 2019) 

​• PERCENTAGE REPRESENTS A YEAR CHANGE

• BENCHMARK REPRESENTS A TYPICAL PROPERTY WITHIN EACH MARKET

 SALES AND ACTIVE LISTINGS COMPARISON

 (FEB 2019 TO MAR 2019)

 SALES AND ACTIVE LISTINGS COMPARISON

 (MAR 2019 TO MAR 2018)

 MORTGAGE RATES

"What You Need To Know In 90 Seconds" - New Built Home PTT Exemption

Tony Spagnuolo, President of Spagnuolo & Company Real Estate Lawyers explains New Built Home Property Purchase Tax exemption.

Need a conveyancing lawyer?

KEYSTONE LAW GROUP office is located right next to our office. 
 
Read

Posted on by


 APRIL 2019

AN AFFORDABLE PLA​CE TO CALL HOME

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.


Yet for too many hard-working Canadians, especially for young people, it feels like an impossibility. There aren’t enough houses for people to buy, or apartments for people to rent. That makes finding a good place to live too expensive – beyond what many people can afford.


The measures in Budget 2019 plan to increase the supply of housing, because it is the most effective way to address affordability in the long run. Also, the Budget 2019 proposes to crack down on the people who break the rules – who evade taxes or use real estate for money laundering – making housing less affordable for the people who need it.


And to help more middle class families find an affordable home today, Budget 2019 is offering new, targeted support for first-time home buyers, and taking steps to address lack of housing supply and make the housing market more fair. (read more)

EASTER WEEKEND EVENTS THROUGH THE LOWER MAINLAND!

    FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2019

Miniature Railway at Stanley Park


Carrying over 200,000 passengers each year, the 15-minute Stanley Park railway ride features trestles, tunnels, forest, 2 kilometres of track and seasonal themes. Children and young families love the train!

The Stanley Park Train will next be operating over the Easter Weekend of April 18-22, 2019. Click HERE for more details.

Chilliwack’s Tulips of the Valley Flower Festival in 2019


The Chilliwack Tulip Festival is Vancouver’s largest and most famous flower festival. It takes place on a farm in Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley in April.


In 2019 the first day of the season will be Wednesday April 10th. The fields will then be open to the public until at least May 5th (but possibly longer depending on the weather). Click HERE for more details.

    SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2019

Surrey Vaisakhi Celebrations in 2019


The Surrey Vaisakhi Parade celebrates the Punjabi New Year in mid-April every year and attracts up to 300,000 people from across the Metro Vancouver region. Click HERE for more details.

Family Favourites $2.99 MORNING MOVIES​

Select Cineplex theatres offer a different children’s movie at 11 o’clock on Saturday mornings throughout the year. Click Saturday Morning $2.99 Movies for more information.

    SUNDAY APRIL 21, 2019

River District Events and Festivals


Community events and activities are always taking place at River District Vancouver. At various locations, especially at the community centre, there are workshops, yoga sessions, fitness classes, kids’ activities and other fun things to do throughout the year.

Another great event we’ve enjoyed at the River District is the annual Golden Egg Hunt which takes place on Easter Sunday in the spring at both the River District Neighbourhood Centre and in the Town Centre.


The Easter event is free and open to the public. People can just show up! That being said, the actual Golden Egg Hunt itself takes place at set times, and, to participate, advanced registration is required. Spaces are limited, so if you want a golden egg be sure to sign up early!

The River District Neighbourhood Centre is located at 8683 Kerr Street and the Town Centre is at 8540 River District Crossing. Click HERE for more details.


FOR ALL APRIL EVENTS IN OUR GREAT CITIES PLEASE CLICK HERE.

EARTH DAY - APRIL 22

What is Earth Day, and what is it meant to accomplish?

A message from the president, Kathleen Rogers:

On April 22, 1970, millions of people took to the streets to protest the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development.


In the U.S. and around the world, smog was becoming deadly and evidence was growing that pollution led to developmental delays in children. Biodiversity was in decline as a result of the heavy use of pesticides and other pollutants.


The global ecological awareness was growing, and the US Congress and President Nixon responded quickly. In July of the same year, they created the Environmental Protection Agency, and robust environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among many. (read more)

 BENCHMARK PRICES FOR FRASER VALLEY

 (FEB 2019) 

* REBGV COLUMN REPRESENTS ALL TYPES OF PROPERTIES TOGETHER

• PERCENTAGE REPRESENTS A YEAR CHANGE

• BENCHMARK REPRESENTS A TYPICAL PROPERTY WITHIN EACH MARKET

 BENCHMARK PRICES FOR GREATER   

 VANCOUVER (FEB 2019)

​• PERCENTAGE REPRESENTS A YEAR CHANGE

• BENCHMARK REPRESENTS A TYPICAL PROPERTY WITHIN EACH MARKET

 MORTGAGE RATES

HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR SPRING​

 31 Easter Decorating Ideas That Will Impress Your  

 Guests​

Easter is all about new life. It’s about remembering the importance of fresh starts and cherishing the season. Around Easter, flowers start to bloom and the weather gets warmer. We’re surrounded by color, sunshine, family, and friends.


If you’re entertaining this Easter and want to dress up your home, there are many simple Easter crafts that will impress your guests. We’ve gathered 31 Easter decorating ideas that range from table settings to mantle decorations to garlands. One of our favorites Easter ideas is the bright tulip, peep, jelly bean centerpiece by GlamVolution! (see more)
not intended to breach existing agency agreement 
Read

Posted on by

 MARCH 2019

 Housing Matters podcast: Digging deep into B.C.'s  speculation and vacancy tax

Housing Matters host Stuart McNish speaks with Beattie School of Business professor 

Andrey  Pavlov and lawyer Wes Mussio about the NDP's government new speculation and vacancy tax.

This month we are celebrating International 

Women's' Day!

 MARKET STATS for JANUARY 2019

*REBGV represents all types of properties together

The 5 most important factors when selling your home

​

There are many reasons a home sits on the market racking up days without finding the right buyer. Some things you can control and some you can’t. This list focuses on 5 incredibly important factors a home seller can control that will help ensure a quick sale at highest price possible.


1. Price: Every home will sell if priced correctly


This one should tower above every other category on the list because it is far and away the most important factor when selling a home. Every house is “sellable” if it is priced accordingly. The 3 most common reasons a homeowner over prices a property are:

  • They are not realistic about the home’s true market value. For example, a seller may have overvalued improvements made to the property that do not translate to an increase in value, yet they price their home as if it has. Many buyers will not pay top dollar for upgrades that you have chosen for your personal taste.
  • A seller has misinterpreted the market data. Too many times I see a seller price their home based on “neighborhood” averages rather than looking at the true comps relative to their home. You should only be factoring in SOLD homes in your area, of similar size, similar number of stories (if possible), similar features, and within a close year built range. The largest 2 story in the neighborhood will have a significantly different price per square foot than the smallest one story so stay within your subsection of the neighborhood. It’s good to stay up on the actives and pending listings so you know your competition. But it’s the sold listings that paint the accurate picture of values.
  • Pricing too high to make room to negotiate. There is a common misconception that you should price your home higher than you expect to sell in order to create negotiating room for a lower offer. I have seen this backfire more often then it has been effective. What happens is you price yourself out the buyer’s radar and never get the showing in the first place. Price your home well and a buyer will see the value and pay your price. You also increase your chances for a bidding war. You want people beating down your door and throw offers at you, do you think that will happen if you already know you are over priced?

2. Availability: Make sure you show your home when it needs to be shown!


Have you ever turned away a showing? If so, there is a good chance you didn’t hear from that buyer again. I know it can be difficult to keep your home show ready at all times, or grab the kids and scram for 30 minutes to let someone come look, but it is important if you want to maximize your chances of selling. Buyers can be fickle and time constrained, if you turn them away, there is a good chance they move on to another home in your area. Remember, this situation is temporary and the sacrifices you make now will pay off later.

 

3. Marketing: Get into your local MLS!


Not only does a buyer need to be able to find your listing, they need to be captivated by it. We live in a digital world and buyers are looking on dozens of different sites to search for properties…….Are you on all of them? Home sellers should be listed in the MLS and as many other popular real estate sites as possible to ensure you are tapped into the largest buyer pool. In addition, your home needs to impress a buyer in a matter of seconds to reel them in. Think about how quickly you click through websites, is your home capable of stopping someone in their tracks? High quality, professional photos is the best way to showcase your home online and get them to book that showing.


4. Show Ready: Did you clean?


I have seen home buyers choose a house with far less upgrades than another in same neighborhood simply because it “felt like a much nicer home”. Why would a buyer choose a lower quality home? The home loaded with upgrades was dark, dingy, cluttered and full of pet odors. The hardwoods and upgraded kitchen faded in to the back drop and left zero impression on the buyer. They couldn’t get out of their fast enough. The buyers ended up purchasing a home around the corner with wall to wall carpet and a more dated kitchen simply because it was staged perfectly, clean, smelled great and appealed to every one of the buyer’s senses. I tried to talk them into purchasing the first one, letting them know that every issue could be remedied with a deep cleaning and the upgrades were much higher quality. They weren’t having it. The other home was stuck in their head and created a deep emotional connection. So get your home looking as nice as possible and keep it that way until it’s sold.


5. The Little Things: Every home will sell if priced correctly


This one ties in closely with number 4. Walk around your house and make a list of all the little things that would turn off a buyer. It could be dingy paint, broken hardware, cracked light fixtures. Things that you have become so accustomed to seeing that you may not even notice anymore. Be critical of yourself, because trust me, the buyers or their agent will be. I’m not telling you to do a full blown remodel, but I am recommending fixing the little things that are not very costly. Thinking that a buyer will not care of one or two things need to be fixed is a dangerous assumption. Many first time home buyers don’t understand the challenges and expenses of home ownership…….You do not want to be the house that reminds them of that. Sprucing up your home and fixing the little things will likely yield you a much higher return than a price drop or repair concession you have to make if these become “deal breaker” items for a buyer.

Keeping a focus on these 5 factors will dramatically increase your chances of selling your home quickly and maximizing your profits. 
 

not intended to breach existing agency agreement 
Read
Powered by myRealPage.com
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the REBGV, the FVREB or the CADREB.