Among everything there is to do in December, decorating your home for the holidays is sometimes the most difficult task to accomplish as everything else takes priority. Even if you have the time, all the Christmas shopping can make budgeting for seasonal decor tough on the wallet. Fortunately, there are a myriad of ways to inject some holiday spirit into your home, even when you're short on time and money!
Hang some holiday sparkle
An easy, yet splashy holiday decorating tip is to hang baubles at various lengths from your chandelier for extra bling. I like to use iridescent ribbon cut in varying lengths and inexpensive Christmas balls in an assortment of colours and finishes to give my chandelier some extra holiday sparkle!
Get your home ready for winter living with these 7 must-do steps.
Winter's coming, and with it, plunging temperatures and shorter days that make you want to curl up and relax, warm and cosy by the fire. As the coldness looms and you prepare to pump the heat, it's important to protect your home from potential damage and address heat and energy leaks. These seven simple tasks will help you stay warm, safe and energy-conscious this winter. 1 Prepare your hearth for fire Before getting chestnuts ready for the roasting, get your fireplace set for the fire. Grab a flashlight and look inside for build-up, bird's nests or obvious cracks. From the outside, check for broken bricks and crumbling mortar. Ensure that your damper opens and closes and seals tightly. Clean out the ashes and remember that in addition to these steps, you should have your chimney professionally cleaned every other year (more often if you burn a lot of fires). Stock up on wood and kindling, and you're ready for a comfy, cosy season by the fire. 2 Seal the windows Seal drafty windows to keep heat in and energy bills low with one (or both) of these two simple tasks. First, caulk the cracks. Sold in temporary or permanent form, caulking is inexpensive and easy to apply. Second, cover your windows in a thin plastic film (available at any hardware store) and tape it down with waterproof double-sided tape, heating the edges with a hair dryer and pressing the protective layer into place. When it gets warmer outside, simply peel the film off, open the window, and let the sun shine in. 3 Clear out the gutters Clogged gutters block the drainage of rain and melting snow, resulting in household leaks and damage to landscape and foundation. As fall sheds its last leaves, grab a ladder, a garbage bag, some rubber gloves and dig in. Remove everything, from twigs to leaves to caked-on dirt. Check that the downpipes are clear of obstruction and then ensure the entire system is un-clogged and leak-free by running water through it.
4 Prepare for winter storms Don't let a blizzard take you by storm―always have a fully-stocked emergency kit at hand. Include batteries, a flashlight, candles, matches and a lighter; warm clothes and blankets; a battery-powered radio; non-perishable food items and water (two litres per adult per day); a first-aid kit and specialty products like medicine, baby formula and pet food (if necessary). Store at least three days' worth of supplies for everyone in your household.
5 Don’t forget about heating maintenance Is your heating system ready to weather the winter? Have a professional check your heating system and ensure it's in good working order before you turn it on. Schedule checks for your furnace, venting system and chimney. Don't forget to replace the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, in case any of your heating systems are overworking. 6 Pad your pipes A small frozen pipe can cause big household damage if it bursts, so pad your pipes to prevent floods. Grab some tubular pipe insulation sleeves from your local hardware store and set to task covering exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as a basement, attic, crawl space or cabinet. The pipe sleeves are easy to apply and can be cut to fit. Cover all exposed parts, including bends and joints. Finally, seal the seams with duct tape. With that simple task, you're not only preventing considerable water damage, but also conserving energy. 7 Clean out your garage Like your traditional spring cleaning, consider scheduling a traditional 'fall cleaning' of your garage. Organize the remains of your summer projects and clean and store gardening tools. Like a seasonal turning of your closet, push what you won't be needing―the lawn-mower, hedge trimmer, rakes and summer toys―to the back and bring any winter necessities―shovels, snow blowers, skis and sleds―to the front. Set out salt and gravel containers, and you'll thank yourself the first time the ice hits.
This is the perfect opportunity to check out this fabulous condo for sale in beautiful Steveston South.
Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Steveston South Condos for sale.
Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this gorgeous family home in East Cambie.
HST INCLUDED! A collection of 15 two and three level luxury townhomes offering the active lifestyle you crave, adjacent to a community centre, pool, parks and numerous sport venues. This quality townhome features a free-flowing layout, quartz and granite counter top finishes, and ground floor space for you to customize as you wish. Conveniently located just across the street from South Arm community centre and park and both Hugh McRoberts Secondary and Whiteside Elementary. Broadmoor shopping centre and all its amenities are less than half a block West. Showhome open Mon-Thurs 2-5pm and Sat & Sun 12-5.
JUST SOLD November 7th! #39 12351 No 2 Road, Richmond
At Southpointe Cove, you can live the village life you have always wanted in the
luxury you deserve. Revel in Steveston's rich tapestry of life with its sparkling
waterfront vistas, rolling farmland and picturesque mountains. The South Arm of
the Fraser River is one of the most beautiful places in BC. This gorgeous townhome is built by Westmark
Development Group and is covered by National Home Warranty. Southpointe Cove's 3
bedroom homes are built to meet your needs as families grow and lifestyles
change. Modern architectural design, meticulous attention to detail, and lush
landscaping all help to make this your perfect home for years to come.
Fall is the perfect time to get your home ready for the coming winter, which can be the most gruelling season for your home. During winter months, it’s important to follow routine maintenance procedures, by checking your home carefully for any problems that may arise and taking corrective action as soon as possible.
Fall
Check fireplace and chimney; service or clean if needed
Clean range hood filter
Clean leaves out of eavestroughs
Check roofing and flashing for signs of wear or damage
Close outside hose connection
Close windows, skylights
Check weather-stripping around doors and windows
Clean and reactivate heat recovery ventilator, if it was turned off
Winterize landscaping
Test space heating system
Close vents to crawl spaces
Test your smoke alarms; change the batteries at least once a year
Winter
Clean or replace furnace filter
Check/clean heat recovery ventilator; wash or replace filter
Clean humidifier and turn it on if needed
Check exhaust fans
Ensure that air intake, exhausts and meters are clear of snow
Clean range hood filter
Check basement floor drain
Do safety checks: fire escape routes; fire extinguishers; door and window locks
Ensure gas valve is clear of ice and snow
Annually
Dust or vacuum electric baseboards
Vacuum ducts behind warm air and return air grilles
Test plumbing shut-off valves to ensure they’re working
Test pressure relief valve on hot water tank; drain water from tank
Check and, if needed, oil door hinges
Lubricate garage door motor, chain, etc
Check attic for signs of moisture in summer or fall
Check septic system; clean if needed (usually about every three years)
Every Two to Five Years
Check and repair driveway cracks
Check and repair the chimney cap and the caulking between the cap and chimney, re-caulk as necessary
Refinish wood surfaces, including window frames and doors
For other great home maintenance tips, visit:www.cmhc.ca.
Vancouver, B.C. – November 2, 2012 – The Greater Vancouver housing market saw a slight
increase in the number of home sales, a slight reduction in the number of listings, and a slight
decrease in home prices in October compared to the summer months. With those changes, the
sales-to-active-listings ratio increased to 11 per cent in October from 8 per cent in September.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 1,931 residential property sales
of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service®
(MLS®) in October, a 16.7 per cent decline compared to the 2,317 sales in October 2011 and a
27.4 per cent increase compared to the 1,516 home sales in September 2012.
October sales were 28.5 per cent below the 10-year October sales average of 2,700.
“Buyer demand increased slightly in October compared to the previous few months,” Sandra
Wyant, REBGV president-elect said. “Overall conditions in today’s market remain in favour of
buyers, with low interest rates, more choice, and less time pressure in terms of decision-making.
This translates into a calmer atmosphere for those looking to buy a home and it places more onus
on sellers to ensure their homes are priced to compete in today’s marketplace.”
New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,323
in October. This represents a 1.2 per cent decline compared to October 2011 when 4,374
properties were listed for sale on the MLS® and an 18.8 per cent decline compared to the 5,321
new listings in September 2012.
At 17,370, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 12 per cent
from this time last year and declined 5.3 per cent compared to September 2012.
Since reaching a peak of $625,100 in May, the MLS Home Price Index® (MLS HPI®)
composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver declined 3.4 per
cent to $603,800 in October. This represents a 0.8 per cent decline compared to last year.
“There’ve been modest price changes since they peaked in the spring. The largest reductions
have occurred in the areas and property types that experienced the biggest price increases over
the last few years,” Wyant said.
Since hitting a record high in April, the benchmark price of a detached home on the Westside of
Vancouver has declined 8.6 per cent while detached homes in Richmond and West Vancouver
have seen declines of 6 per cent over the same time period.
Continued
Housing Market Sees Slight Changes in October
Vancouver, B.C. – November 2, 2012 – The Greater Vancouver housing market saw a slight increase in the number of home sales, a slight reduction in the number of listings, and a slight decrease in home prices in October compared to the summer months. With those changes, the sales-to-active-listings ratio increased to 11 per cent in October from 8 per cent in September. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reported 1,931 residential property sales of detached, attached and apartment properties on the region’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October, a 16.7 per cent decline compared to the 2,317 sales in October 2011 and a 27.4 per cent increase compared to the 1,516 home sales in September 2012.
October sales were 28.5 per cent below the 10-year October sales average of 2,700. “Buyer demand increased slightly in October compared to the previous few months,” Sandra Wyant, REBGV president-elect said. “Overall conditions in today’s market remain in favour of buyers, with low interest rates, more choice, and less time pressure in terms of decision-making. This translates into a calmer atmosphere for those looking to buy a home and it places more onus on sellers to ensure their homes are priced to compete in today’s marketplace.” New listings for detached, attached and apartment properties in Greater Vancouver totalled 4,323in October. This represents a 1.2 per cent decline compared to October 2011 when 4,374 properties were listed for sale on the MLS® and an 18.8 per cent decline compared to the 5,321 new listings in September 2012. At 17,370, the total number of residential property listings on the MLS® increased 12 per cent from this time last year and declined 5.3 per cent compared to September 2012. Since reaching a peak of $625,100 in May, the MLS Home Price Index® (MLS HPI®) composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver declined 3.4 per cent to $603,800 in October. This represents a 0.8 per cent decline compared to last year. “There’ve been modest price changes since they peaked in the spring. The largest reductions have occurred in the areas and property types that experienced the biggest price increases over the last few years,” Wyant said. Since hitting a record high in April, the benchmark price of a detached home on the Westside of Vancouver has declined 8.6 per cent while detached homes in Richmond and West Vancouverhave seen declines of 6 per cent over the same time period. Sales of detached properties in Greater Vancouver reached 790 in October, a decrease of 18.9 per cent from the 974 detached sales recorded in October 2011, and a 19.1 per cent decrease from the 976 units sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for a detached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 4.1 per cent to $927,500.
Sales of apartment properties reached 803 in October 2012, a 16.2 per cent decrease compared to the 958 sales in October 2011, and a decrease of 18.4 per cent compared to the 984 sales in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in May, the benchmark price for an apartment property in Greater Vancouver has declined 2.9 per cent to $368,800.
Attached property sales in October 2012 totalled 338, an 11.5 per cent decrease compared to the 382 sales in October 2011, and a 10.3 per cent decrease from the 377 attached properties sold in October 2010. Since reaching a peak in April, the benchmark price for an attached property in Greater Vancouver has declined 2.9 per cent to $457,700.
Courtesy of The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this gorgeous family home in East Cambie.
This is the perfect opportunity to check out this fabulous Townhouse for sale in beautiful Steveston South.
Please come with any questions you may have. As always please do not hesitate to give me a call at 604.644.1044 if I can answer any questions before the open house, or if you would like to book a private showing. In the meantime you can take a virtual tour of this Steveston South Townhouse for sale.
When it comes time to sell your house, one of the most cost effective things you can do is paint both the inside and outside. The effort and time it takes to do this can dramatically affect a seller's sale price.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), 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 GVR, 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 GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), 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 GVR, 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 GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.