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HOME BUYERSGUIDE 2015
SPRING / SUMMER
2 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
604.820.1456101 – 7057 Beatty Dr, Mission
between Lordco & Rail Crossing
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THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 3
In February, sales of all property types in
the Fraser Valley increased by 21 per cent
in one year with demand for two property
types in particular - single family detached
homes and townhomes - outpacing sup-
ply.
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
(FVREB) processed 1,337 sales on the Mul-
tiple Listing Service compared to 1,102
sales in February of last year. New listings
in February totaled 2,610 which added up
to 7,864 active listings, up from January’s
7,307 but a decrease of 4 per cent com-
pared to February 2014’s 8,210 active list-
ings.
“It was our busiest February since 2007,”
says FVREB president Jorda Maisey. “In my
community of Langley, the average num-
ber of days to sell a detached home is now
less than one month and it’s a challenge
fi nding the right product for some of our
buyers, however every area is diff erent. To
understand the market for your home in
your neighbourhood, talk to your realtor.”
A measurement the real estate industry
relies on to gauge the health of the hous-
ing market is the ratio between sales and
active listings. For the Lower Mainland,
the balanced range is between 12 and 20
per cent; which means when it’s less than
12 it favours buyers and greater than 20
it favours sellers. The ratio in February for
single family detached homes was 26 per
cent; townhomes 22 per cent and apart-
ments 12 per cent.
Maisey adds, “Our best seller in the
Fraser Valley remains the single family
detached home, followed by townhomes
in part because almost half our buyers are
families with children, but also because
these products are so much more aff ord-
able in the Fraser Valley. With a typical
townhome costing less than $300,000 and
interest rates so low, many fi rst-time buy-
ers are fi nding they can get more for their
money here.”
The MLS Home Price Index bench-
mark price of a Fraser Valley single fam-
ily detached home in February was
$581,400, an increase of 4.2 per cent
compared to February 2014 when it was
$558,100.
In February, the benchmark price of
townhouses was $297,200, a decrease of
0.6 per cent compared to $298,900 in Feb-
ruary 2014. The benchmark price of apart-
ments also decreased year-over-year by 1.8
per cent, going from $193,200 in February
2014 to $189,700 in February 2015.
Across Fraser Valley, the average number of
days to sell a single family detached home in
February was 41 days, ten days faster than last
year. Townhouses on average took 55 days to
sell; one day faster than last February, while Fra-
ser Valley apartments sold on average in 70 days,
on par with February 2014.
The FVREB is an association of 2,751 real estate
professionals who live and work in the commu-
nities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley,
Abbotsford, and Mission.
Fraser Valley property sales
remain strong
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“ I have been buying and selling houses for 20
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or that my agent didn’t have my best interest
at heart. He is professional, knowledgable and
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Personal Real Estate Corporation
For your free no obligation home evaluation call Kyle today!
Each offi ce independently owned and operated. Not intended to cause breach of existing agency agreement.
KyleBeauregard
LITTLE OAK REALTY®
ClarkBarry
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4 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
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Specializing in getting your acreages SOLD!SOLD!
Remax Little OakEach offi ce independently
owned and operated.
Finding the right realtorFor most people, their homes
are their most valuable assets.
When you buy or sell property, it is
important you work with someone
you can trust to get the job done.
A realtor is a trained professional
who can help you through a prop-
erty transaction and educate you
throughout the process.
There are thousands of realtors
to choose from in the Fraser Valley
region. While they all would likely wel-
come you as a client, each realtor has a
diff erent personality and background.
Some may have many years of experi-
ence and specialize in detached homes
and commercial properties, while others
may like to work with the latest technology
and focus on condos and townhomes.
Always meet with a realtor and interview
several before selecting the one with whom
you would like to work. Learn how they do
business and which areas they specialize in.
Discuss your expectations. Pick someone that
best suits your needs.
All realtors are licensed under the Provin-
cial Real Estate Services Act. Search the Real
Estate Council of BC website (recbc.
ca) to make sure they are a member in
good standing. Any disciplinary action
against a member is also posted on this
site.
Here are some more tips on how to
fi nd a realtor:
• Ask friends and family for referrals.
Maybe there is someone they have
worked with and can recommend.
• Check out the websites of individual
realtors. Find out how many listings
they have and see if any of them catch
your eye.
• Visit a local real estate offi ce. Tell them
what you’re looking for and they can
fi nd a realtor to match you with.
• Ask the realtors you meet with for
references. Talk to their past clients
about their experience.
• Discuss numbers. If you’re selling your
home, how much commission does
the realtor want and how long are you
obligated to work with them?
• Take your time to fi nd the right realtor
you can work with.
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 5
Write YourSuccess Story
Helping You is What We DoCall Today For Your
FREE MARKET EVALUATION
SERVING MISSION, ABBOTSFORD AND THE CENTRAL FRASER VALLEY
Pat: [email protected]
Deb: [email protected]
33174 First Avenue, Mission | www.patvale.com
Wheeler Cheam
Secrets to a successful moveBusy moving season is right
around the corner. Summer is
the busiest time of year for pro-
fessional movers, but these tips
will make your transition much
smoother.
Moving companies usually
need plenty of notice (often at
least six weeks). Call them early if
you’re planning to use one.
Plan ahead. If you want to make
changes to your new home (like
paint a wall, or put in new fl oor-
ing), do it before you move in. That
way, your furniture and belong-
ings are not in the way.
Don’t bring things you don’t
need or want. Look through your
house for rarely used items and
discard anything that’s beyond
repair. Have a yard sale to get rid
of the rest and take unsold mer-
chandise to the charity of your
choice.
Make notes about your new
house (room/door measure-
ments and locations of electric/
cable/phone outlets) so you’ll
have a good idea about where
your belongings will go. Measure
appliances to make sure they
fi t the space available and that
you’re able to get all your furniture
through the doorways of your
new house.
If the previous homeowners are
taking their curtains and blinds,
you’ll want to measure windows
in places you want privacy imme-
diately (like bedrooms and bath-
rooms) and buy curtains or blinds
before you arrive.
Fill out a change of address
form at the post offi ce and start
arranging now for phone and util-
ity hookups. Phone companies
usually need a few days (or even
a week or more) to get you con-
nected. Arrange for the type of
internet connection you want and
order extra phone jacks or cable
outlets if you need them.
Gather packing material. Buy-
ing boxes and packing material can be
expensive. Instead, ask grocery stores,
electronics stores and offi ce supply
stores for their discarded boxes. Also,
invest in a tape gun and start saving
up newspapers (ask your friends for
theirs too) so you’ll have plenty of
packing material if you don’t want to
buy bubble wrap.
If you’re using a mover, be sure
to pack any small, nonbreakable,
valuable items (such as jewelry)
separately so you can take it with
you in your own car. Large valu-
able items, such as artwork or
electronics, should be clearly
noted on the mover’s inventory
form in case of damage during
transit and make sure you buy
insurance to cover any dam-
age that may occur.
Label your boxes. Write
down what’s in each box
and which room it should
be moved to. This will help
when you unpack in your
new home.
6 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 7
8 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
Heritage homes are full of char-
acter, but they are not the ideal
house for everyone to own.
The Fraser Valley Real Estate
Board advises homebuyers to do
their homework and consult with
a realtor to discuss whether own-
ing a heritage home is right for
them.
The FVREB also off ers the fol-
lowing points for you to consider
if you are thinking about purchas-
ing an historic home:
The contextAs a heritage home, your potential
new residence holds unique qual-
ities that establish it as a part of
your community’s history. As the
owner, you inherit the responsi-
bility of preserving those qualities
and, unlike owners of new homes,
you may be restricted in how you
choose to alter or upgrade its
design.
GrantsDepending on where you live in
the Fraser Valley, your municipal-
ity may off er grants in the support
of maintaining heritage buildings
or properties.
SustainabilityOne of the appeals of purchasing
and living in a heritage home is
that it’s more eco-friendly than
building new. Restoring an estab-
lished home requires less energy
Things to consider when buying a heritage home
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 9
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Inspections and researchWhen purchasing a heritage home,
it’s important to be both prepared
and informed about your poten-
tial new residence before closing
the deal. Your realtor can refer you
to inspection agencies that will
ensure the home is safe and in liv-
able condition.
Old homes, old traitsBy their nature, heritage homes
are, to put it bluntly, old. And
along with the beautiful aspects
of age come the unfortunate
realities. In the case of this style
of home, those realities include
issues relating to heating and elec-
trical, drainage, waterproofi ng,
and more. Make sure you consult
the appropriate specialists who
can ensure that your potential
new home can be livable and safe.
Insuring a heritage homeAnother characteristic that sepa-
rates heritage homes from regu-
lar homes is how they’re insured.
Heritage homes are risky for insur-
ance companies to take on due to
their nature as aged buildings that
include many quality unknowns.
Often, this will mean insuring
your heritage home will be more
expensive.
Up to codeThe BC Building Code is a regula-
tion that sets minimum provisions
respecting the safety of buildings
with a reference to public health,
fi re protection and structural suffi -
ciency. Your realtor will be able to
obtain a copy of the BC Building
Code and elaborate on the alter-
nate methods for complying with
the performance level intended
by the regulation.
10 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
Conrad Warkentin Michael Burke Kam Grewal
Providing legal services in the PrPrPrPrPrPPrPrPrrPrPrPrPrProvovovovovovovovovovovovovovididididididddididididdininininininininininininngggggggggggggg leleleleleleleeeeeeegagagagagagagagagagagagagagallllllll seseseseseseseseseseseseservrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvicicicicicicicicicicicicccesesesesesesesesesesesese iiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnn thththhththththtththththeeeeeeeeeeeeeFraser Valley for over 50 years. PPrPrrrPrrovovovoovovovididididddiddinininnniningggggggggggg leleleelelegagagagagggggagagg llllll sesseseseeses rvrrvrvrvrviciciciccicci eseseseseses iiiiiiinnnnnn thhththththhhtheeeeeeFrFrFrrrrFrasasasasasasasasasasasasasa ereeeeerrereereree VVVVVVVVVVValaalalalaalaalaaaalleleeeeeleeeeeleey yyyyyyyyyy foofofofoofofofoooorrr ovovovovovovovovovovovovo ererereerereereeree 55555555555550 0000000000000 yeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeearararararararaaraaara s.s.s.s.ss.s.s.s.ss.s.s.FrFrFrFrFrFrFrrrrrF asasasasasasasasasssererererererererererere VVVVVVVVVVVValalallalallalalala leleleleleleleleeeeyyyyyyyyyyy fofofofofofofoffoffoffoorrrrrrrrrr ovovovovovovovovovovovoverererererererreereee 5555555550000000000 yeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeeyearararararararararrrrssssssssssfofofofofooooofoor rrrrrr ovoovovooovovovoo
Our experienced lawyers are ready to assist you with the following matters: o Buying and selling real estate
o Real estate development o Incorporating a company o Wills and powers of attorney o Business transactions and contracts
33832 South Fraser Way Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 2C5
(604) 859-7171
www.rosborough.com(604) 859-7171
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LITTLE OAK REALTY
®
FREE EVALUATIONS CALL JOHN
BC and Canadian
Real Estate websites to know
Purchasing a home will likely be the most
important buying decision you’ll ever have to
make so it is important to do your own research,
understand your rights and fi nd professionals
that you are most comfortable working with.
Consumers today have access to scores of infor-
mation that can help them fi nd a property, a
realtor and connect all the dots in between.
If you’re deciding whether to buy or sell a home,
it’s critical that you understand and properly assess
your personal and fi nancial circumstances against
current housing opportunities.
The realtors of Canada and other real estate profes-
sionals have provided a wealth of information online
to help you understand what opportunities are out
there for you and your family to consider.
www.realtor.ca
Formerly mls.ca, this is the most comprehensive
and popular real estate listing website in the coun-
try.
In 2008, the Canadian Real Estate Association
rebranded and re-designed mls.ca to become real-
tor.ca. This change brought upgraded search func-
tions and capabilities, which provide a streamlined
experience for people using the site.
If you’re looking for a property in BC, you can
search by area or MLS® number. If you’re looking
for a realtor, you can search the province by name,
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 11
company or area of specialty.
www.abbotsfordrealestatereview.com
Stay apprised of current real estate listings, open
houses and recently sold properties by referring
to the online version of the Real Estate Review, as
published every Friday in The Abbotsford News
and Mission Record.
View the current and past issues listed by publica-
tion date, and all advertised websites are hyper-
linked to allow browsers to click through and fi nd
out more about the realtors’ listings.
For listings in the Chilliwack area, look at www.chil-
liwackrealestatereview.com.
www.rebgv.org
A wide-ranging, one-stop website for real estate
information. The Real Estate Board of Greater Van-
couver’s website off ers visitors a 360-degree look at
local real estate, providing detailed MLS® statistics,
monthly podcasts, consumer guidance and other
information and links related to local real estate.
On the site, you can track home prices in your area,
search for a realtor, read about government initia-
tives that impact local real estate, and learn about
the various cost-savings programs available for
homebuyers and sellers.
The site also features a wealth of consumer infor-
mation related to buying and selling a home, from
checklists and FAQ’s to market data and commu-
nity profi les. One of the most important measures
of home value in real estate is the MLS®Link Hous-
ing Price Index (HPI), and this website contains the
latest HPI data as well as a comprehensive break-
down of home values across the region.
www.fvreb.bc.ca
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board serves the com-
munities of Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, North
Delta, Surrey and White Rock.
On this site, you can fi nd information on about
realtors and how they can help you sell your
home or search for a new one. There are also
property listings, maps of the communities,
and information about relocating to the Fra-
ser Valley.
www.recbc.ca
A site for consumer protection and
industry regulation.
The Real Estate Council of British
Columbia is the body responsible
for licensing and regulating REAL-
TORS® in BC. Their website con-
tains consumer protection information,
as well as information on how to become a
realtor.
One of the most important features of this
site is the Complaints and Discipline section,
which allows consumers to fi le complaints
against realtors and inform themselves
about recent disciplinary decisions.
Homelife Realtors are among the best informed and most professional in the province and across
Canada. They are more than capable of handling any question and concerns regarding our area.
WE ARE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY
ABBOTSFORD#360 - 3033 Immel Road,
Abbotsford, BC V2S 6S2
604.859.3141 or TF: 604.857.1098
MISSION#1 - 32540 Logan Avenue
Mission, BC V2V 6G3
604.826.2699
“No one treats you like the folks at Home”HOMELIFE GLENAYRE REALTY CO. LTD.
OUR REALTORS SPECIALIZE IN:
• Residental Sales
• Commercial Sales
• Leasing
• Farm Sales
TO COMPLEMENT ALL ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY WE OFFER:
• Property and Strata Management
• Web Based Technology
• In-house Mortgage Services
• Pre and Post Licensing Seminars
• In-Offi ce Training
• Canada-wide Referral services
HOMELIFE GLENAYRE REALTY CO. LTD.Offi ces in Abbotsford and Mission
Homelife Glenayre Realty Co. Ltd. was founded in Abbotsfordin 1977 followed by Mission in the 1980’s. The franchise was
purchased in 1994, and is locally owned and operated.
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 1312 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
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THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 1312 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
SALES OFFICE / DISPLAY SUITES • OPEN DAILY 12 PM - 5 PM2238 Whatcom Road & Old Yale • 604.850.3694 • TheWaterLeaf.ca
East Abbotsford's Luxury Condos
14 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
How technology is changing the home-buying experience
The future of buying and selling a home has
arrived with the use of 3D technology and vir-
tual reality. Imagine the ability to use a phone or
tablet to preview real estate before construction
is even complete, or walk through a new home
without leaving the comfort of your own?
Traditionally, the process of selling apartment
suites has relied on a sales centre to provide
display units, scale models and information to
potential buyers. Over the years there has been
little deviation from this brick and mortar mental-
ity, until now.
“While display homes are great for some, there’s
another larger audience of millennials who are
ready to embrace a new way of shopping for
homes,” says marketing director of Macdonald
Realty Platinum Project Marketing, Kiran Rai.
“3D technology is enhancing the experience of
buying a home by giving them a stronger visual
of what their home would like after construction.”
A new 35-storey highrise in Surrey – Evolve by
WestStone Group – is using the revolutionary
technology to give homebuyers the chance to go
“inside” the building before construction is even
complete. “In-Real Dimension” uses comput-
er-generated imagery and interactive 3D render-
ing to make it possible. Visitors can hold 3D fl oor
plans in their hands, manipulate the image, and
walk around inside virtual models of the highrise
and suites using an app on an Apple or Android
device.
“Our marketing materials, including our ads and
brochure all have scannable markers for the app,
which is free for download on the AppStore and
Google Play,” she says. “They can use the app any-
where, which extends the shopping experience
from our sales centre to their own home.”
All the augmented reality, 3D, and app technol-
ogy was designed and made possible by ThinAir
Technologies in Abbotsford.
“The real estate market hasn’t been very inno-
vative over the last 20 years,” says Jayson Noftle,
director of operations at ThinAir Technologies.
“When we saw the augmented reality technol-
ogy, we saw the potential to give homebuyers
an opportunity to preview a home, condo or
townhouse long before they could actually get in
there. This is the fi rst mobile presentation centre
of its kind in North America.”
With the downloadable technology, people any-
where can view the intricacies of the property
and building for sale. A day after the launch of
Evolve, the program was being downloaded all
over the world.
“For instance, 25 people in China downloaded it
and 12 in Russia – basically, people who would
have never experienced the launch otherwise,”
he says. “It allows us to get information farther
out there and it also allows the marketing staff
to learn about user habits by analyzing data, like
how much time someone spent looking at one
unit over another or if majority clicked on the
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 15
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Selling Abbotsford homes,one yard at a time!
Residential | Commercial | Investment
www.brendaevans.ca
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Little Oak RealtyEach of ce independently
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option for walnut cabinets over the maple cabinets. We
can now understand when people are downloading, at
what location, and how long they are using the tech-
nology for.”
Noftle calls this the “competitive edge” that the real
estate market has been looking for, by allowing com-
panies to tweak their marketing strategies based on
buyer preference.
Clicking through photos or visiting a sales cen-
tre was once the most common way to gauge a
space. Now holograms and 3D technology have
changed that fl at experience by off ering a virtual
tour that gives homebuyers a better sense of
depth and design. The future of buying a home
is literally in your hands.
For more information on ThinAir Technologies,
visit thinairinc.com
‘Evolve’ by WestStone Group using 3D tech-
nology to sell high-rise apartment suites in
Surrey.
The App was created by ThinAir Technol-
ogies in Abbotsford and allows buyers to
hold, manipulate and walk inside a vir-
tual layout of the building.
<
16 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
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Legal Disclaimers - PropertyGuys.com Inc. (collectively ‘Us’ or ‘We’) is a private sale marketing company and we represent neither the buyer nor the seller. We do not trade in real estate. We neither warranty nor make any representations as to the outcome of a property sale. REALTOR.CA®, MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated design marks are certifi cation marks and trade-marks owned by the Canadian Real Estate Association (“CREA”) and are used to identify certain real estate services provided by brokers and salespersons who are members of CREA. *Our PRO Approach may include services which are performed for our customers by third party service providers. Such services are not performed or provided by us. The brokerage programs described are available only through our partnership with friendly, progressive real estate brokerages that are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association. *”List Now. Pay Later.” (our Pay Nothing Upfront program) is a deferred payment program off ered through a third party provider, and is only available in participating franchise areas. The program is off ered on approved credit, certain conditions do apply. Amount of commission saved referenced above is for illustrative purposes only. It represents the potential money saved if the private seller had paid commission to a real estate agent instead of using PropertyGuys.com. *© 2015 PropertyGuys.com Inc., All Rights Reserved.
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THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 17
(604) 850-9647
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Knowing what’s affordable and available to youMany people would like to start building
equity in their own home, but concerns
about cost hold them back. Media reports
of housing prices can give a misleading
impression about the cost of home-own-
ership. The media typically reports median
or average prices without explaining what
those terms really mean.
A median price is the price at which half
the homes sold for more while half sold
for less. That means that there are just as
many homes that sold at a price lower than
the median than those that sold at prices
higher than the median price. Therefore,
many properties are sold at much lower - or
much higher - prices than the median price.
An average price is the total value of homes
sold during a particular period, divided by
the number of units sold. Average prices are
typically reported for the sales activity in a
given area and only provide a snapshot of
past activity. Average prices of properties
sold in the past give a very limited indica-
tion of what housing inventory is priced at
today.
The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board was
the fi rst real estate board in Canada to
off er a housing price index (HPI) which
tracks the price of a typical, or bench-
mark property. HPI statistics can often
provide a new depth of interpretation
to average and median statistics. Ask a
Fraser Valley realtor for details.
Low mortgage rates combined with
aff ordability and selection have
made Fraser Valley communities
increasingly popular for buyers.
A realtor with experience in the
community in which you’re inter-
ested in buying can provide a
knowledgeable market analysis
and show you what is available
within your budget.
To view Fraser Valley proper-
ties for sale on the Multiple
Listing Service, point your
Internet web browser to
www.realtor.ca and contact
a Fraser Valley realtor.
18 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
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First impressions are lasting onesAre you thinking of
selling your home?
If you’re one of the
many homeowners
who choose this time
of year to move —
whether you’re trading
up or down, or simply
relocating — you’re
probably starting to pre-
pare your home for the
sale.
dure and there are no guarantees
that you’ll be able to recover all of
your costs.
Instead, try to determine what
types of minor cosmetic improve-
ments can be made, like general
cleaning, painting, fl oor refi n-
ishing, and so on. These projects
generally don’t require a lot of
capital and your home can be
greatly improved by them. Con-
sult with your realtor to see what
Before you become overwhelmed
by the task, it’s a good idea to
sit down and look at your home
objectively. An attractive, well-
kept home generally has a better
chance of selling a little faster.
If you haven’t made substantial
improvement or changes over the
years, it’s not a good idea to take
on major renovation projects sim-
ply to sell your home. This can be
an expensive and lengthy proce-
types of improvements make the
most sense.
Start with the outsideAn inviting exterior ensures that
potential buyers will inspect the
interior, so it’s important to keep
your lawn and hedges trimmed
and edged, the fl ower beds cul-
tivated, and your yard free and
clear of clutter. If you have any
loose siding or pavement, it’s
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 19
LifetimeAchieve-mentAward
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a good idea to get these items
repaired.
Missing shingles should also be
replaced and loose shutters or
awnings secured. You may also
want to consider painting the
exterior of your home to spruce it
up a little. And if you have alumi-
num or vinyl siding or trim that’s
quite dirty, wash it yourself or hire
someone to power wash it.
If you have a garage, make sure
the door is clean, attractive and
in good working order. Also make
sure the inside of your garage
toilets, bathtubs and kitchen
appliances until they shine. If the
carpeting in your home looks
dirty or dingy, you may want to
rent a steam cleaner, or hire a pro-
fessional carpet cleaner. As well,
keep in mind that rooms that are
too cluttered will give the impres-
sion that they’re much smaller
than their true size. Try to create
a feeling of spaciousness when
conducting your spruce-up. Pack
away bulky or unused furniture
and make the best use of your
space. Now is the time to fi x the
cracked light-switch plates, bro-
doesn’t look too cluttered or
unorganized. Keep patios, walk-
ways and decks free of debris and
clutter.
The inside storyYou can do a lot on the inside of
your home as well without spend-
ing a great deal of money. Two
primary areas to keep in mind are
the kitchen and bathroom. Make
sure they’re clutter-free, bright
and spotless. This applies to
kitchen appliances as well, espe-
cially if you’re including them with
the sale of the home. Scrub sinks,
ken door handles, leaky faucets
and squeaky doors you’ve learned
to live with for years. Shabby cor-
ners and grubby entranceways
will benefi t from a fresh coat of
paint in a neutral colour - this is
not the time to start experiment-
ing with dramatic paint schemes.
Ask your realtor for his or her
checklist to better prepare you
for a showing or open house. By
following these relatively sim-
ple tips, you’ll feel proud of your
home and potential purchasers
are sure to appreciate its beauty.
20 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
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Homebuyers: The how
and why of home insurancebility up to certain limits, which pro-
tect the homeowner from being sued
if someone is injured on their prop-
erty. Expensive jewelry, art, instru-
ments or clothing might require addi-
tional coverage.
As a homeowner there are a lot of
questions to consider when it comes
to insurance: Is it necessary? How
important is it? What’s the right type
of insurance?
Owning a home is a huge fi nancial
commitment and it’s important to
understand how home insurance can
help protect such a large asset.
“Buying a home is the single largest
investment you will make in your
lifetime,” says Parm Oberoi, manager
Few people consider
the gravity of losing their
belongings in a disaster
until it has already hap-
pened, which is why it’s
important to ask yourself
“could you aff ord to lose it
all?”
While no one intends for acci-
dents to happen, they can and
do.
Basic homeowners policies
cover structural damage to a
house caused by incidents such
as fi re and extreme weather
conditions, or loss or damage of
personal property due to theft,
vandalism, and various other cir-
cumstances. Policies also cover lia-
at Charlesworth Insurance. “The
most common misconception when
it comes to home insurance is that
everything will be covered. It is not.”
Oberoi explains there are limits and
conditions that aff ect policies, all
of which can be discussed with an
agent to help ensure there is no issue
in the event of a loss.
“Another misconception is that house
insurance is expensive,” she says.
“Considering all the coverage that
is aff orded by an insurance policy, it
actually is very economical.”
Personal lines manager at Saxbee
Insurance, Amarjit Brar, mirrors those
sentiments, adding that an insurance
broker can refer an insurance com-
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS / MISSION RECORD 21
My Focus TodayYour Equity Tomorrow.
Call me for a FREEMarket Evaluation
Nancy OlsonSales Associate
Medallion Club Member
®
Little Oak Realty Ltd.Each Offi ce Independently owned and Operated
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pany with a good claims history or
a company more specifi c to an indi-
vidual’s needs, such as a home-based
business, daycare, etc.
“Information is vital,” she says “High-
end counters or fl ooring? A pool?
The more information you can give to
your insurance broker the better the
policy can be tailored to the individ-
ual’s needs.”
Awareness is key when it comes
to home insurance, and a certifi ed
insurance broker will be able to sim-
plify the process and explain any
exclusions and alternative insurance
options.
Insurance broker, Teresa Dyck at Lyle
Insurance says there are ways a per-
deductible, and some have specifi c
coverage that not all companies
off er.”
Dyke says there are many misconcep-
tions and questions when it comes
to home insurance, so the simple
answer is to speak with a qualifi ed
insurance broker who knows what
to look for, what questions to ask and
what the diff erences are between the
policies available.
“Insurance is there to cover those
losses that we just can’t aff ord to
cover by ourselves, to put us back to
where we were just before that fi re,
pipe break or break and enter hap-
pened,” she says. “Insurance not only
replaces lost and damaged items, it
helps with the additional costs that
son can also help with the process of
purchasing insurance.
“Come prepared with all the infor-
mation that is needed when buying
home insurance; details about the
home (building age, square footage,
type of fl ooring, updates to electrical,
plumbing, roof, heat, hot water tank).
If it’s a new purchase we need closing
date of purchase and move-in dates,
previous insurance information,
name of mortgage lender, just to
name a few,” she says.
“It’s important not to choose a pol-
icy based on price alone, because
the coverage provided by diff erent
insurance carriers can vary in areas
such as how much jewelry coverage
is automatically covered, earthquake
can be incurred
in clean-up, res-
toration, storage
and living else-
where, if you can‘t
live in your home,
while the repair takes
place.”
Saving a little money
now could mean los-
ing a lot more if some-
thing unexpected were
to happen.
If you’ve never consid-
ered home insurance,
consider instead the shock
of starting over without
coverage, and ask if it’s
worth the risk.
22 SPRING / SUMMER HOME BUYERS GUIDE
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Choosing a Lease vs. MortgageLeases
Usually leases are used more in com-
mercial transactions than in residen-
tial ones, but you may be a landlord or
a tenant who prefers to use a lease for
a specifi ed time period for any number
of reasons, including stability of tenure.
A commercial lease is very involved and
should be drawn up by a specialist in the
commercial fi eld and reviewed by a lawyer
for each party. A residential lease is less
complex and normally involves more than
a standard rental agreement with an outline
of the rules and regulations of the building
or complex, or expectations of the owner and
tenant above and beyond what the Residential
Tenancy Act sets out. If you have any doubts
about how to draw a lease or how to interpret
specifi c clauses, consult a lawyer or a realtor.
MortgagesMortgages come in a wide variety of formats,
depending on the lending institution. The buyer
should check that the document matches the
commitment letter they have signed outlining
the terms, including the interest rate, the term,
the amortization period, the prepayment privi-
lege (“penalty”), the options (if any) for increas-
ing the number of payments or making lump
sum payments, the assumability of the mort-
gage if the property is sold, and the portability
of the mortgage if the seller wishes to use it on
another property.
If you are a seller who is carrying fi nancing for
a buyer of your property, make sure that your
lawyer reviews the documents before you sign
them. If you are a buyer who is asking a seller
to carry fi nancing, make sure your own lawyer
reviews the documents as well. Many serious
issues may arise where the parties are unfamiliar
with the law concerning mortgage fi nancing.
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