ight PropertyNews
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
2012 BC Property Assessments
“My property assessments are up over 15%! Does this mean that my house is worth more now?”
As Real Estate agents we get asked this question all the time, in fact I remember getting asked this question 30 years ago too! Logically homeowners and buyers look at property assessments as some sort of guide to determine house values; unfortunately this method of evaluation is flawed. For example, most properties that are assessed by the BC Assessment Authority are never even inspected, meaning no one enters the home to see its physical condition, properties are mostly viewed from the outside or aerial mapping and assessed based on land size/location and age of the dwelling (recent building permits may trigger some further investigations...
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Basics About Home Buying - Part I: Why Realtors are Good
Categories:Community,Generations
I’m of the generation that knows next to nothing about buying a home. In high school CAPP (career and personal planning) class we learned not to submit résumés on fluorescent pink paper (something, I’ve learned, they encourage in university co-op programs). In math class, we applied algebraic formulas to arbitrary scenarios about cement trucks or airplanes when we could have been applying them to mortgages, something we would realistically need in the future. I hear they’re changing this now and high school students are actually learning about banking and mortgages, things they’ll need later in life. For everyone in my generation, this series is for you.
I’m going to start with a potentially controversial topic: Why Realtors® are useful. I’ve...
Friday, July 15, 2011
Renting Vs. Owning
Categories:Community
When I was younger and the Vancouver housing market not quite so scalding, the truly intelligent among us drained their bank accounts in order to put a down payment on a home, choosing to pay monthly mortgage payments rather than monthly rent payments. The logic in this choice was infallible . The payments were very often similar, depending on where or what you decided to buy or rent, and while the initial mortgage pre-approval process was stressful – not to mention the sudden lack of funds after the down payment – it was all well worth the result of eventually owning your very own piece of property.
Now, however, this logic is less certain. Housing prices are up, making that original down payment substantially larger and increasing...
Now, however, this logic is less certain. Housing prices are up, making that original down payment substantially larger and increasing...
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Importance of Curb Appeal
Categories:Community,Technology
When selling your house, first impressions are everything. Whether or not a potential buyer will actually get out of his car during a drive-by viewing to see the inside depends largely on how good the outside looks. This is where a little exterior staging makes a big difference. After all, getting the buyer to come see the place is one of the hardest parts of selling, but if he pulls up and sees overflowing gutters, overturned planters and an unkempt lawn, he may decide he's seen enough and just keep driving.
Improving the curb appeal of your home can be as simple or intense as you like but the more you put into it, the better the chance of attracting a buyer. For front yard landscaping, the goal is to make your house look as inviting as possible:...
Improving the curb appeal of your home can be as simple or intense as you like but the more you put into it, the better the chance of attracting a buyer. For front yard landscaping, the goal is to make your house look as inviting as possible:...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Common Sense and a Home Purchase
Categories:Community,Generations
Sometimes it feels like these two terms – "common sense" and "home purchase" – don't really belong in the same area code. Buying a home is an emotional process, especially if it's your first time. A
s hard as it is to peel back the layers of excitement and anxiety when searching for a property, a cool head and a healthy overdose of common sense will help keep you within your means and get you into a suitable home.
Common Sense: Go see the house before making any decisions.
I know. This one is pretty obvious. But there are people who see pictures on-line or read a general description and are suddenly and irrevocably convinced the house is the perfect fit. On many occasions, it's not. Chances are the staging was incredible or the description was written...
s hard as it is to peel back the layers of excitement and anxiety when searching for a property, a cool head and a healthy overdose of common sense will help keep you within your means and get you into a suitable home.Common Sense: Go see the house before making any decisions.
I know. This one is pretty obvious. But there are people who see pictures on-line or read a general description and are suddenly and irrevocably convinced the house is the perfect fit. On many occasions, it's not. Chances are the staging was incredible or the description was written...
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