‘Sales’ with no connection to Christmas shopping
Posted on Dec 02, 2019 in Real estate market
It’s widely believed that planning a real estate transaction around Christmas is unwise.
Or is it?
Buying a house is often an emotional experience. A house warmed by a burning fireplace and dressed up with a Christmas tree and decorations can have a nice feel to it for both buyers and sellers. Despite wintry weather, the house looks appealing and sho...
Central 1 report making headlines in local media
Posted on Nov 28, 2019 in Real estate market
This is a news item about the housing market in B.C., through the eyes, words or TV screens of news gatherers.
Central 1 Credit Union caught the attention of B.C. news outlets by proclaiming that “the turnaround in B.C.’s housing market [will] lift sales and prices.” Central 1 is defined as “credit union central” for credit unions here and in Ontari...
Fixer-Uppers 2: Possible Disadvantages
Posted on Nov 25, 2019 in Fixer-uppers
Close to Vancouver, a young couple recently undertook a major house renovation. It is taking longer than expected, because those things often do and, in this case, because the “minor” excavation included the accidental severing a hydro line.
That’s an example of the kind of disadvantages you can encounter when buying a fixer-upper.
Disadvantages?
Can...
Fixer-Uppers 1: Possible Advantages
Posted on Nov 21, 2019 in Fixer-uppers
An online definition of “fixer upper” is this: a property that will require redecoration, re-construction or re-design, though it usually can be lived in as is. (Another definition is a TV show of the same name that had a five-year run on HGTV.)
At a time when real estate prices appear to be ready to rise, the fixer-upper is more likely to be in pla...
Style of house: personal preference, mobility keys
Posted on Nov 18, 2019 in Buying a house
What’s the right style of home for you?
Options may include the following: two-storey to duplex to split-level to bungalow.
These are personal preferences, of course. Seniors tend to want bungalows with fewer stairs. Families sometimes find a two-storey best: bedrooms up, everything else down.
Beyond that, there’s no criteria.
However, resale value is...
Simplifying mortgage jargon for new buyers
Posted on Nov 14, 2019 in Mortgages
Newcomers to mortgages sometimes find the terminology confusing. So what follows is Mortgage 1.0, a snapshot of the terms you’ll need to know when you go shopping for that first house.
Fixed-rate mortgage: the interest rate that will apply for the term of your mortgage
Term of mortgage: the length of time for which interest rates apply, not to be con...