If you're in the market for a house, first of all, congrats! Buying a home is one of the most rewarding — albeit at times exasperating — things you'll do in your life. By the time you're ready to buy, you likely have a sufficient grasp on the basic necessities: a solid foundation, a roof that doesn't leak, wiring that won't cause your new home to spontaneously combust, and so on. But what about the other stuff you should be mindful of? You know, the considerations not covered during your home inspection?
These more personal assessments may not be as "dear-god-get-me-out-of-here" detrimental as a crumbling foundation, but they could likewise affect your quality of life for the foreseeable future. So here are a few things to watch for, as well as the ones you shouldn't sweat.
3 Things to Pay Attention To:
1. The amount of natural light
Unless you're particularly partial to living like a cave-dweller, you want your home to have ample natural light. Besides making everything inside look better, it just makes you feel better. Yet this is often glossed over by some buyers during the house hunt. If you have your sights set on a house, schedule viewings at different times of the day to get an accurate picture of the natural light situation.
If you need secondary motivation outside of how beautiful natural light is, consider this: The amount of natural light in your home could indicate bigger (read: more costly) issues. Too little and you may have to add or modify existing windows, which could run upwards of $15,000.
2. The driveway and parking situation
You may be thinking, "Really? The driveway?" To which the answer is, "Yes. Really, really." The dimensions of your driveway could very well determine how quickly your new-home infatuation fades. It may seem silly in the grand scheme of things, but consider your parking spot like an extended part of your entryway. If the drive is too narrow, you'll spend countless hours playing musical cars to squeeze vehicles in. Alternately, if it's too long and you live in an area prone to snowdrifts, you may never want to leave home during the winter months. Street parking may seem like a viable option, but some cities have strict regulations regarding visitors and even overnight parking. Be sure to ask!
3. The neighbourhood
This is the epicenter of the house hunt for many people for one readily apparent reason: You want to like the area where you live. But there are a few less obvious things to consider before you hit the local coffee shop in preparation for your first early Saturday open house. Are there ample sidewalks in case you want to take a leisurely stroll or go for a bike ride? Is it in close proximity to public transportation? If you have kids, there's little doubt you looked into the local school district. Even if you don't, though, keep in mind a better school district equals a better resale value. And, finally, read any HOA documents before you sign on the dotted line. It will be tedious beyond belief, but doing so will alert you to restrictions, bylaws, and other issues that could be unwelcome surprises down the road.
3 Things to Ignore
1. The seller's style
Don't let that Day-Glo paint in the kitchen be a deal breaker. For that matter, don't let any paint color put you off of a home you like. You can always repaint and, let's be honest, what first time home-buyer doesn't want to hand-pick their own hues anyway? Similarly, if the seller's fuzzy toilet seat cover stresses you out, don't worry — they'll take it with them when they go. It can be hard to envision your stuff in a home that currently clashes with your personal style, but try to remember decor is easily changed and offers you the opportunity to tailor things to your own tastes.
2. Clutter
Hey, life is busy, you know? Sometimes a seller just can't find the time to pack up the plethora of tchotchkes littering their living room before a showing. Cut 'em some slack (selling is just as stressful as buying) and think outside the box. Just bring a tape measure to make sure there actually is enough room for your belongings and focus on the condition of the house as opposed to its clutter.
3. Unsolicited opinions
You'll soon find that everyone and their brother has an opinion about your potential new home, from the color of its exterior to the quality of the finishes inside. If you feel as though a particular piece of unsolicited advice may be helpful, by all means cull that wisdom. Fortunately, though, you can simply ignore anything else. You're the one who'll be living there and paying the mortgage. Ultimately, the only person you need to please when you pick your house is you.
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This is the first Garage Sale Map for 2017! We weren't sure the weather would ever allow us to have any more garage sales! Look for a number of neighbourhood events coming in May!
Click on the Local Garage Sales logo above for this week's map!
Join us on Saturday, April 8th as we welcome the Easter Bunny here at The Shops at Morgan Crossing. There will be complimentary photos with the Easter Bunny, Easter treats, hot chocolate, tea, arts & craft and more. Time:1-4pm
Location: Unit 110 – 15850 26th Ave (Across from Starbucks)
Plus be sure to post and share you photo with the Easter Bunny for a chance to be entered to win a $50 gift card to The Shops at Morgan Crossing. * Must share and tag on The Shops at Morgan Crossing Twitter,
Facebook or Instagram page
If you would like more information please call: 778-294-2925
Animals and Easter go hand in hand. Join us at the Surrey Museum as we ring in Spring with local rescue animals. Celebrate their new beginnings and take part in family friendly Easter festivities by donation.
Local animal rescue groups will be onsite teaching children and their parents about respectful treatment and care for animals. Families can get up close and personal with rescue animals, from rabbits to cats and dogs to birds.
Other Easter activities include:
Spring crafts and an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt in the exhibit gallery.
A special guest appearance by the Vancouver Rabbit Agility Club which will be showing off their athletic bunnies at 2pm and 3pm in the Museum’s plaza, weather permitting.
The Easter Bunny himself.
Storytelling in the Museum theatre
Easter at Knapps
Location: 4391 King George Blvd.
Date: 11am-3pm, Apr 17, 2017
Event Details
Spend Easter Monday with us at Art Knapp on April 1st, 2017 from 11am to 3pm! FREE TRAIN RIDES from 11am-3pm Meet the EASTER BUNNY!! Complimentary face painting Enjoy complimentary snacks and coffee This is a great event for those with small kids! For the older ones, we have mini golf and lots of cool things to look at! Come and join the fun :)
Farm Tots: Potter’s Bunnies
Farm Tots: Potter’s Bunnies (1-3yrs parent participation) Little bunnies hop, hop, hop as they explore Beatrix Potter’s classic tales through rhymes and a craft, then take part in the “Great Bunny Hop-Off”. 1 session for $5. Thursday, April 6 from 10:30am-11:30am – Register Online (#4519799) Friday, April 7 from 10:30am-11:30am – Register Online (#4519800)
Morgan Creek Easter Brunch
Apr 16, 2017 - 10:30am and 1:30pm
Tickets are now on sale for our annual Easter Brunch Buffet on Sunday, April 16th. Purchase your tickets early as this event sells out every year. We will be offering two seating options of 10:30am and 1:30pm. Pricing includes all taxes and gratuity.
Adults – $43 Children 5 to 12 years – $25 Children 4 years and under – No charge
Tickets are now on sale for our annual Easter Brunch Buffet on Sunday, April 16th. Purchase your tickets early as this event sells out every year. We will be offering two seating options of 10:30am and 1:30pm. Pricing includes all taxes and gratuity.
Adults - $43 Children 5 to 12 years - $25 Children 4 years and under - No charge
Old Fashioned Easter
Apr 15, 201711:00am - 3:00pm
Do you have dreams of a family Easter egg hunt on the budding grounds of a heritage farmhouse? If so, we have the perfect experience for you. The free, all ages event is ideal for making memories and taking beautiful photos. Other family fun activities include:
Latest numbers from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) revealed that B.C.’s southwestern region has experienced significant home price growth in February, indicating a possible companion to the red-hot Vancouver market in the near future. Last week, the Board revealed that the benchmark price for a single-family property in the Valley increased by 20.4 per cent year-over-year and 0.4 per cent compared to January, hitting $859,300.
“This is the kind of February we like to see. Last year at this time, the incredible demand created a market that was difficult for consumers,”
according to FVREB president Gopal Sahota, as quoted by CBC News.
“Now, we have sales moving upward from the winter months at a typical, healthy pace and a growing inventory to support it,” Sahota stated, adding that the numbers are so far showing a “return to normal historical sales numbers.” Apartment prices also rose sharply by 26 per cent compared to February 2016 and 1.8 per cent month-over-month, up to $267,000. Meanwhile, average townhome costs grew by 25 per cent year-over-year and 0.5 per cent since January, reaching $422,400. Recently, Finance Minister Bill Morneau assured that the federal government is still closely monitoring the Canadian housing market, amid seemingly inexorable price growth in Vancouver and Toronto.
“We continue to be very focused on thinking about how we can manage what is peoples’ most significant investment. And we do watch the level of indebtedness, in particular around housing,” Morneau stated, adding that “strong underlying markets” continue to drive the two cities’ outsized performance. “So in Toronto and Vancouver, unemployment is lower in those two places than it is in some other places. Incomes are higher. The economy is doing better. So there are underlying reasons for the housing markets to do better and we’ll continue to monitor, to work with provinces and municipalities who have an important role to play here to manage what we see [as] a challenge, but not one that isn’t manageable.”
In all the excitement and packing, buying & selling, many people forget to take care of some essential items before they move. Don’t look past these 5 things you need to take care of, or it could cost you $$$.
1. Take care of all subscriptions: Magazines, memberships, recurring orders, gym memberships. Get a head start on updating your address or cancelling memberships before charges mount on your credit card. We suggest you take care of this at least 30 days prior to your move, as many gyms, clubs, and mail subscriptions require this much time for cancellation or updates.
2. Change your address at the post office: For a small fee Canada Post will allow you to register your new address to ensure all your mail finds its way to your new home. Leaving bills or an outstanding balance behind, may impact your credit score, as well as lead to accumulated interest charges -–neither of which you are likely o want.
3. Call utility providers: Cable, internet, electricity, gas, etc…These are all services that you should be making contact BEFORE you move. Many of these services can pivot on a dime so not much notice is required, but we do recommend making contact at least 1 week prior to your move date. Make a list of required utility providers & check it twice! Or, you could wind up paying for someone else’s electric bill!
4. Manage your motor vehicle insurance: If you are new to British Columbia here is what you need to know; ICBC allows up to 90 days to switch over your license, and 30 days to register, license and insure your vehicle.
If you are moving within the Province, you must update your address within 30 days of moving. Your auto-insurance policy must always show your current home address and vehicle use, so do not forget to update this information!
5. Get a ‘To-Go’ box ready: Whether you are moving across the country, province, or just down the street, make sure that you have a go-to box ready. This should contain items you will need as soon as you get to your new home; cleaning products, toilet paper, garbage bags, paper towels, clean sheets, fresh towels, paper plates and eating utensils and maybe even a bottle of bubbly to celebrate.
WOW! This has go to be one of the busiest weekends in a long long time!
Not only our own coordinated event in the South Meridian neighbourhood, but one in Summerfield as well, the annual Hall’s Prairie Country Fair (which includes a garage sale) a “Kids’ stuff” swap meet and numerous other events going on!
Don’t forget to stay hydrated today! And sunscreen, wear your sunscreen!
Please feel comfortable suggesting HudsonHomeTeam in your Real Estate conversations.
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