April showers bring May flowers, or so they say. If you live in Abbotsford the flowers have already sprung and the sun is shining. One of the first spring flowers to bloom are the tulips. You can see them from the road when you are passing the Whatcom Exit headed east towards Chilliwack. And, boy are they BEAUTIFUL. If you are looking for a fun family outing, you might be interested in seeing these beauties up close and personal. The Abbotsford Tulip Festival is open for business. You can stroll through he fields, take lots of photos, play some lawn games, and if you are there on the weekend you can grab lunch from the food trucks and have a picnic. It might just be the perfect way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. If you would like prices or more information you can check out their website athttp://abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca/product/admission/
Newsletter
Spring Cleaning
Spring is here, Finally! As the sun shines through the windows you might notice how much dust has collected over the winter. I guess that means it is time to do some spring-cleaning. I love spring-cleaning. It means cleaning out the old, dusting off the cobwebs, de-cluttering the piles of junk, and starting fresh. So, It’s time to get motivated by opening up the windows, letting in the fresh air in, and cranking up the tunes. When I go through the cupboards and drawers I ask myself, when was the last time I used this? If it was longer than a year… it’s time that item found a new home. Why hang on to things that you never use? Maybe your thinking there is a chance you will use it one day. Ok, I have to admit, I have been a victim of this. I have thrown stuff away and regretted it. However, it hasn’t happened enough to change my spring-cleaning ways. Whatever your spring-cleaning style may be, I hope you enjoy a fresh start. If you need some ideas for where to start I have attached some links to some helpful websites. Happy Cleaning.
10 spring cleaning tips http://www.styleathome.com/organizing/organizing-ideas/10-spring-cleaning-tips/a/901
10 Deadly Mistakes a buyer can make when purchasing a home. Continued…
6. Not considering long-term needs.
It’s important to consider whether the home your purchasing will suit your needs in 3-5 years from now.
7. Not examining insurance needs.
Purchase adequate insurance. Advice from an insurance agent can provide you with answers to any concerns you may have.
8. Not buying a home protection plan.
This is essentially a mini insurance policy that usually lasts one year fro the close of escrow. It usually covers basic repairs you may encounter and can be purchased for a normal fee. Talk to your agent to help you find the protection plan you need.
9. Not knowing total costs involved.
There are a lot of costs that come with buying a home. Mare sure you ask your realtor or lender for estimated closing costs early on. Title company and attorney fees should be considered. Pre-pay responsibilities such as Homeowner Association fees and insurance must also be taken into account. Remember to examine your settlement statement prior to closing.
10. Not following through on due diligence.
Buyers should make a list of any concerns they have related to issues such as; crime rates, schools, power lines, neighbors, environmental conditions, etc. Ask the important questions before you make an offer on a home. Be diligent so that you can have confidence in your purchase.
If you have any questions about these mistakes or would like any more information on what to consider when purchasing or selling a home please give me a call and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
10 Mistakes a buyer can make when purchasing a home
You wouldn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to buy your dream home by making a mistake that could easily be avoided. The market is hot right now and houses are selling quickly so make sure that you safeguard yourself from these simple missteps.
1. Making an offer without being pre-qualified for a mortgage.
Taking the time to get pre-qualified can save you from losing out on the home of your choice. It will also help determine what home you can afford and what your price range is.
2. Not having a home inspection
Yes, home inspections can be pricy and who doesn’t want to save a buck or two. But saving money now could end up costing you more in the future. A home inspection will detect issues that you may or may not be able to live with. It will also help to find issues that need to be addressed immediately by the seller before the home is purchased.
3. Limiting your search to open houses, adds, or the internet
Yes it is fun to search the World Wide Web for that perfect home, but these houses are mostly likely already sold. Contacting a realtor is your best chance in finding a home. He will send you the most recent listings and up to date information that isn’t available to the general public.
4. Choosing a real estate agent who is not committed to forming a strong business relationship with you.
A realtor should have your best interest at heart is crucial. They should know what you want and should put your needs first before, during, and after a sale.
5. Thinking there is one perfect house out there.
Buying a home is a process of elimination. New homes come on the market every day so be open to all possibilities. Ask your realtor for a comparative market analysis. This compares similar homes that have recently sold or are still for sale.
To be continued…
Family Trip to Edmonton
This past weekend, I was able to get away from work and spend some much needed time with my family. My wife, two-month-old daughter and I drove up to Edmonton to celebrate with my Cousin at her wedding. It was a lovely wedding and my cousin made a stunning bride.
We survived the 13-hour drive from Abbotsford to Edmonton with minimal screaming from our daughter. If you were looking for suggestion on surviving a road trip with a newborn, I would tell you to drive through the night. It was the best decision we made. Kaitlyn slept through the majority of the trip. I, however, was exhausted by the time we got there.
My wife was able to meet and spend some quality time with my side of the family. Unfortunately they all live so far away that she hasn’t had the opportunity to do so sooner. We spent a day with the family at West Edmonton Mall, watching the young cousins enjoy some rides, having a wonderful family lunch, and doing some shopping. The Mall is huge and has almost every store you can think of. One day was not enough to make the rounds. One day we would like to return with Kaitlyn to spend some time at the wave pool, do some shopping, and of course spend some quality time with extended family.
We are home now and I am back to work. No rest for this guy when the housing market is so hot.
Home Inspections
Would you ever buy a home without a home inspection? Is the money too much to spend? I would recommend that every buyer get an inspection done prior to buying a home. It is essential to know what you are spending your hard earned money on. The few hundred dollars you spend on an inspection could save you thousands in the long run. If you want to know what some of the most common problems found during home inspections are, check out the link below. If you need a contact for a reliable home inspector, I would be happy to give you a reference. Please contact me any time.
Common Problems Found During Home Inspections
The experts at HGTV.com point out potentially expensive flaws you should look for when buying a house.
I’m Home!
I just got back from a vacation down to LA and San Diego, the last before my wife isn’t able to fly and she pops out a kid :). It was a lot of fun and packed in a lot of touristy things in a short time. My feet are as sore as they have ever been! I was amazed at the homes as we drove around the hills near Hollywood. There were so many huge gated homes worth millions, I was amazed. I enjoyed seeing the different cultural influences on buildings there as well such as the Spanish and Victorian influences. it really adds a different feel than here at home. Now it is back to reality and to work. 🙁
10 Ways To Deck Out Your Patio
As summer is moving along quickly I am sure there have been many patio parties going on. One of my favourite things to do in summer is sit on a patio with a nice view and have a bbq with friends. My current home doesn’t have that great of a patio but is on my wish list for my next place for sure. I have often wondered what can I do to make it more usable, besides eliminating the spiders. 🙂 If you are thinking of selling your home staging your patio or deck to show its use would be a great benefit to you. It would allow buyers to visualize what can happen in that space and maybe make them wish they could even be there themselves. I came across this article which show a few cheap fixes for a patio.
http://www.houzz.com/
Keep Cool!
As most of you have already felt, it is pretty warm out. It make it tough to stay cool in your place without air conditioning. I recently bought an air conditioner for my bedroom and it sure is nice to have. I found this article with a few ways to reduce the heat in your place this summer. If you are finding that heat just too unbearable, just let me know and I can sell your house and find you one with air conditioning! 🙂
http://www.houzz.com/
Whirlwind Season
Well the last few days was a whirlwind. Had to go over to the island because my dad was in hospital due to needing a gall bladder removed. It turns out it was attached to his liver. Good part of it was we got to stay at my parents on the ocean while my mom stayed most the time in hospital. It was nice and warm, though the breezed off the ocean cooled us a bit. Speaking of warm, this June has been crazy in real estate. I wonder if we will hit the usual slow down in July and August. Here is a write up and some stats for you on the market.
http://www.rebgv.org/sites/