Apple Day at the Historic Stewart Farm - September 25th - 09/23/10 03:16 PM
What and where is the Stewart Farm?  

The Stewart Farm was settled in the 1880's along the Nicomekl River on what is now Crescent Road in Surrey (on your way to Crescent Beach from the highway) in the Elgin Heritage Park.   It was operated for 60 years as a hay farm and the farmhouse is a wonderful example of Victorian rural architecture.    It has be completely restored and furnished to offer its' visitors a glimpse back in time to the days of horse drawn farm tools, hand churned butter and wood stove cooking.   Guided tours are offered by staff and volunteers dressed in … (1 comments)

Taxes, taxes and more taxes on real estate in BC - 09/18/10 01:42 PM
Tax is a big subject in BC right now with the iimplementation of HST.   Most buyers were already confused by the amount of taxes adjusted on a Statement of Adjustments even before our Provincial Government was taking a bigger slice of the pie.  
You must ensure that you have sufficient funds to close including all the taxes that will be adjusted.    As an example if you are buying a new home for $450,000.00 you will now be charged HST comprised of 5% GST - Federal Government and 7% Provincial Harmonized Tax for a total of 12%,   You will also be charged the Property Transfer Tax (1% of the first $200,000.00 … (2 comments)

Is it really Hardwood floors? - 09/15/10 01:02 AM
One of my pet peeves is reading a listing that says "hardwood floors" throughout and pulling up the pictures and its not real hardwood floors nor is it even engineered wood floors, its laminate.   Really?   You can't tell the difference?   
Hardwood floors are 1/2 to 3/4 inch in thickness with each plank made of solid wood and milled from a single piece of timber.    As a hardwood floor gets worn it can be re-sanded, stained and varnished to a new beautiful finish several times.  It lasts a lifetime.   It also costs at lot to have installed by a professional.   You can't buy a hardwood floor at Costco and … (3 comments)

Sellers: Stay Away From No-Man’s-Land! Unstoppable Woman? – Day 18 - 09/13/10 03:54 PM
This video clip just makes perfect sense to me and provides a visual tool that can be used in a listing presentation.   I got a lot from taking the time to watch it.  
Via Lisa Hicks (Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine):
Sellers: Stay Away From No-Man’s-Land! Unstoppable Woman? – Day 18
If you grew up in a neighborhood like the one I grew up in, there were probably dozens of kids there. You might have played games with all the kids just like I did – various childhood “team” games where one side was always trying to take the other side out in … (3 comments)

Real Estate Bubble? - 09/13/10 02:35 PM
It would be so nice if the only concern that our clients had was whether or not they wanted to move.   If they could buy their home with confidence that the property would appreciate over time with the cost of living and if they could know that their mortgage payment would remain the same for many years to come.    
People are hearing and reading horror stories in the media and naturally thinking the worst possible scenario is going to happen after watching what has happened to our neighbours to the south.   I had a client yesterday asking be if I thought the "bubble" was … (3 comments)

House Inspection? - 09/10/10 01:29 AM
Time to buy a new car.   Oh boy, you look through the paper and decide on a couple, go and look at them and yes, you found one.   It sounds great and the private seller is telling you its great.   Do you believe him and just buy it?   It is buyer beware so most people want to take the car and have it checked out by a "good" mechanic.   It's worth the money because you don't want to buy a lemon and you don't want to get stuck with HUNDREDS of dollars in repairs.
Its a great year - now its time … (4 comments)

The ups and downs - 09/09/10 05:02 AM
Our current market is a result of many factors, not the least of which is fear.  There have been many articles written in our major newspapers about the bubble about to burst, or other such forecasts of doom and gloom that people just don't know what to do. The occasional assurance is offered in print or on the news that "most real estate analysts don't think we are going to experience a crash".
I have watched the values of real estate go up, go down, go up, go down over the last 30 years. People are playing the wait and see game. … (4 comments)

When is the right to list your home? - 09/06/10 03:16 AM
I had a client who came to my open house yesterday who actually understood the current market conditions.  So many people are afraid of listing now because the market is slow and prices are down slightly.   What they fail to realize is that the conditions are perfect under certain conditions. 
You are considering trading up in real estate.   This is the time you should be selling and buying your new home.   If you wait you may get the additional 10% (used as an example percentage only) more for your $300,000.00 condo that you are selling but you will also be paying the … (2 comments)

Do you have Mold in your house? - 09/03/10 11:02 AM
Mold Symptoms
Mold exposure in contaminated buildings can cause many adverse mold health effects and mold allergy symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure
Stuffy nose
Irritated eyes
Wheezing or Cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Skin reactions
Headaches
Nose bleeds
Allergy and cold like symptoms
Fatigue
Three Key Factors to Consider for Mold Exposure
The persons age or health condition
The amount of mold exposure
The type of mold
People at the Greatest Risk to Effects of Mold Exposure
Infants and children
The elderly
Pregnant women
People with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions
People with weakened immune systems
Amount of … (4 comments)

Information for Buyers in British Columbia - what your lawyer will need - 09/02/10 12:16 AM
The deal is done, the Contract has been signed, sealed and delivered, the Mortgage has been arranged - now what?
You must decide on the lawyer or notary public you will use to represent you and finalize all the paper work.  So get out your yellow pages or ask your Realtor for suggestions of a few offices and phone for quotes.   Be sure when you are getting the quote that it includes everything.   Most offices do not include the cost of Strata forms, Insurance Certificate or couriers in their fee quote.   They also may not include other charges for document preparation, … (0 comments)

Title Insurance - what to say when a Buyer asks if they need it - 09/01/10 03:02 AM
What exactly does title insurance to for a buyer?  First to carry on with my Grow op investigation I searched to find if title insurance could help an unsuspecting buyer.   I found the following question and answer:
"A question was asked that the CMHC presenter couldn't answer - if the Grow Op was sold - with a superficial fix so it 'looked normal' - the Buyer closes with Title Insurance and for some reason finds out - either by neighbours or through problems with mold respiratory symptoms or any other reason - and they pull away the drywall and there is … (4 comments)

 
Mom600

Diane Friesen

Surrey, BC

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Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.

Office Phone: (604) 866-5944

Cell Phone: (604) 866-5944

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