Key Liveability Factors When Buying or Selling a Home

Key Liveability Factors When Buying or Selling a Home

When buying or selling a home, it’s important to think big. Look beyond the home itself. What does the neighbourhood have to offer? These features factor into the “liveability” of a community and help contribute to a home’s appeal (translation: higher resale value). Unfortunately, liveability factors are often lost among a home’s marble countertops and square footage.

Liveability is key to the quality of life that a home offers. Here are five amenities to consider:

Green spaces & parks

According to the survey for the 2019 RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook report, 59 per cent of Canadians expressed a wish to live closer to green spaces. Green spaces and parks are not only beautiful but functional as an extension of living areas, fostering a sense of community.

Bike lanes & walking paths

Safe walking and bike paths are crucial to liveability and benefit not only your health but the environment as well.

Public transit

Having access to a good public transit system is ideal, particularly for those living in urban city centres. Removing the need to own a car and reducing environmental footprint are valuable features that close proximity to transit can provide.

Retail & restaurants

The ability to walk to a selection of shopping and restaurants is an important quality for many people, bringing efficiency and character to neighbourhoods.

Cultural & community centres

A sense of community fosters quality of life. Visits to local shops, cafes or community centres offer the opportunity to meet and connect with neighbours.

Thinking about community qualities can be an effective way to distinguish properties. Look beyond the home’s physical features add liveability to your list of must-have features when you’re buying or selling a home. Not only will you enjoy life more while you live in the home, but these factors can also boost its resale value when you’re ready to make your next move.

Gelderman.ca Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Aldercenter Realty

www.Gelderman.ca

Know someone moving ANYWHERE in the WORLD? Call us today--We know the BEST agents everywhere!!

Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley, Surrey and the WORLD!

Office Phone: 604-743-7653

Top 10 Reasons to Visit a Home Show

Top 10 Reasons to Visit a Home Show

Planning to buy a home? Sell a home? Perhaps you’re looking for the latest and greatest products to deck your home out in true style. Maybe you need some ideas and inspiration. There are lots of great reasons to visit a Home Show. Here are 10.

We all know that keeping a home current can increase its value. Whether it’s changing the look and feel of the space, gathering design tips or learning about the latest home technology, the GTA Home & Reno Show and the National Home Show are the place to find it. Exhibitors have the tips and advice to help make a house a “home” while increasing its curb appeal and the overall market value.

Top 10 reasons to visit a home show

1. Learn about new products and companies. See the latest from hundreds of exhibitors.

2. See and interact with products in person. The internet is a great tool for researching upcoming home projects, but nothing beats getting hands-on and talking to a person about it, and whether it’s what you’re looking for.

3. Source inspiration for a specific project. With experts, exhibitors, and features within steps from you, you’ll be more prepared than expected for your next home project.

4. Get advice from experts and celebrities. Learn from industry home experts, this is your source for inspiration!

5. Special deals. With so many exhibitors, visitors are sure to find special promotions only available at the show.

6. Help decide which home project to pursue first! Bring your sketches and get renovation or design advice on upcoming projects.

7. Access to demonstrations and workshops. This is the opportunity to walk away from a home show with a newly acquired skill that you can use at home.

8. Buy specific products and services on-site. Do the research online on the Exhibitor Directory and make a list of all the exhibitors you want to visit to make the most of your limited time at the event.

9. Discover new home tech. Get familiar with some of the latest in smart home technologies.

10. Something for everyone. No matter what your age, there is something at the shows for everyone to enjoy!

________________________________________________________________________

Mark your calendars!

What: BC Home and Garden Show

When: February 20-24, 2019

Where: BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC 

Gelderman.ca Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Aldercenter Realty

www.gelderman.ca

Know someone moving ANYWHERE in the WORLD? Call us today--We know the BEST agents everywhere!!

Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley, Surrey and the WORLD!

Office Phone: 604-743-7653

January 2019 - Fraser Valley Housing Market Statistics

Inventory rises and apartment sales take lead during modest January market

SURREY, BC – Overall inventory levels continued to recover as market activity remained moderate through January.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 784 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January, a 2 per cent decrease compared to sales in December 2018, and a 35.2 per cent decrease compared to the 1,210 sales in January of last year.

Of the 784 total sales, 250 were residential detached homes, 190 were townhouses, and 257 were apartments. This is the first time in the Board’s history that apartments have outsold residential detached homes during a month.

“This remains a challenging environment for buyers and sellers alike,” said John Barbisan, President of the Board. “Factors such as reduced buying power, changing expectations for pricing, and a recovering inventory are all having an impact.”

There were 5,995 active listings available in the Fraser Valley at the end of January, an increase of 9.9 per cent compared to December 2018’s inventory and an increase of 51.3 per cent year-over-year.

Additionally, 2,609 new listings were received by the Board for the month, a significant increase compared to December 2018’s intake of 978 new listings and a 24.7 per cent increase compared year-over-year.

“Historically, January months start slowly, and 2019 is following that trend,” explained Barbisan. “Pricing for each of our major residential property types remains either stable or decreased in most areas. This isn’t necessarily indicative of what’s to come in 2019, but it reinforces the need to be aware of what’s happening in your local market in order to be effective.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell an apartment in January was 45, and 44 for townhomes. Single family detached homes remained on the market for an average of 55 days before selling.

HPI® Benchmark Price Activity

• Single Family Detached: At $954,100, the Benchmark price for a single family detached home in the Fraser Valley decreased 1.2 per cent compared to December 2018 and decreased 3.3 per cent compared to January 2018.
• Townhomes: At $522,100, the Benchmark price for a townhome in the Fraser Valley in the Fraser Valley decreased 1.8 per cent compared to December 2018 and increased 0.5 per cent compared to January 2018.
• Apartments: At $409,000, the Benchmark price for apartments/condos in the Fraser Valley decreased 2.2 per cent compared to December 2018 and increased 1.2 per cent compared to January 2018.

Find the January Statistics Package here

Gelderman.ca Real Estate Team
RE/MAX Aldercenter Realty

www.gelderman.ca

Know someone moving ANYWHERE in the WORLD? Call us today--We know the BEST agents everywhere!!

Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, Langley, Surrey and the WORLD!

Office Phone: 604-743-7653