Lynn's Nanaimo Real Estate Blog

Top 13 things to replace or repair before listing your Nanaimo home

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:23:59 -0700

Top 13 things to replace or repair before listing your Nanaimo home

It stands to reason that Nanaimo homes for sale that have had issues repaired are more attractive to potential buyers than properties that still need repairs. Unless a buyer is looking for a fixer-upper people prefer to purchase a home that is move-in ready.

According to the Real Estate Staging Association the top 13 items to repair or replace before putting your house on the market are as follows:

Item Replace Repair

Worn Carpets	X
Broken Light Switches	X
Loose door knobs		X
Leaky Faucets	X	X
Running Toilets	X	X
Sticky Locks	X	X
Slow Drains	X
Cracks & Holes in walls	X	X
Broken screen doors	X
Clogged shower heads		X
Ripped window screens	X
Sticky windows		X
Cabinet door knobs	X	X


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Nanaimo Offers Residents an Unparalleled Outdoor Experience!

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:15:42 -0700

Nanaimo Offers Residents an Unparalleled Outdoor Experience!

What better time could there be than right now in Nanaimo British Columbia? Spring is in full swing, people are outdoors again and when the sun shines in Nanaimo, the rest of the world seems somehow dim! Vancouver Island has that effect on people, especially the nearly 84,000 Canadians who call this lovely city home!

No matter what brings you to Nanaimo, what will keep you here is the eclectic mix of nature, architecture and diverse cultures that combine to make this island paradise something unique in Canada. Here you can spend the day on the water and then spend a relaxing dinner in one of many restaurants available in Nanaimo.

Even arriving in Nanaimo is an adventure. Connected to Vancouver by the Horseshoe Bay BC Ferries Terminal, Nanaimo is a life set apart but you will never have to do without. Nanaimo serves as a gateway city to so many exciting BC destinations. Whether you choose to spend the day in town or venture out to places like Tofino, Parksville, Campbell River, Comox Valley or the lovely Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, you will find the natural scenery amazing!

What can you do outdoors? Well, the options are nearly limitless, but some of the most popular activities are golfing, hiking, climbing and caving. The more adventurous souls even find ample opportunities to spend the sunny days on a zip line or bungee jumping! If that isn’t enough, take to the water for a cruise or a boat tour. Does that sound too tame? Try kayaking or canoeing and make the most of a day on the pristine waters in the area.

Nanaimo offers many residents a unique opportunity to work where they play too. There are many businesses fortunate enough to be based on the island. That means you might be able to craft your life on the island and make the most out of a good thing day and night. Best of all, living in Nanaimo is more affordable than you might think! Currently, the median home price is a remarkable $360,799!

Life is short! You owe it to yourself to make your next home in a city like Nanaimo! Why settle for less when you can carve out a life on the island others only hope to visit? Call me today and let’s start building your own dream existence.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

State of the Nanaimo real estate market for spring 2013

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:34:43 -0700

State of the Nanaimo real estate market for spring 2013

It’s early May and we are enjoying a lovely, warm spring here in Nanaimo.

I’ve spent some time reviewing local real estate statistics for the month of April 2013 as compared to April 2012.

The market is interesting to say the least. Absorption rates are showing us that the market has swung back to being a balanced market bordering on a seller’s market.

April was a very busy month! If you have been driving around Nanaimo over the past few weeks you may have noticed red and white SOLD signs all over the city. Business has been brisk.

I have compiled a little snapshot of stats below to show you what I mean by the Nanaimo real estate market being interesting.

Nanaimo real estate market at the end of April 2013 as compared to April 2012

4% fewer homes were listed this April as compared to April 2012

12% more homes sold this April than sold in April 2012

Selling price was down by 9% this year compared to April 2012

Based on the stats above you will see that we had many more sold homes this year than last but that the average selling price was quite a bit lower. Another notable point is that inventory levels were down this year.

The lower inventory levels and the brisk sales activity are what I believe has caused the market to shift from a buyer’s market to a balanced/seller’s market.

If you have been considering selling your Nanaimo home, NOW may be the time to get it listed. Inventory levels are low and there are buyers out there shopping for homes.

If you are a buyer shopping for a home in Nanaimo, NOW is not the time to wait. If you see a home you like I would advise you to write an offer. With low inventory levels and motivated buyer’s you may find you are competing for the home you want with other buyer’s. Multiple offer situations seem to occur more frequently in this type of market.

For additional information on the Nanaimo real estate market please contact me.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates for April 2013

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:08:11 -0700

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates for April 2013

The question I am most frequently, as a Nanaimo Realtor is “How’s the market in Nanaimo?”. The best way to understand how the local real estate market is doing is to calculate the absorption rates.

The definition of absorption rates is the number of weeks it takes to sell the current real estate inventory in Nanaimo at the present rate of sales.

April 2013 was a busy month for single family homes sales in Nanaimo. There were many Sold signs all over Nanaimo. With that in mind I was interested to see what the absorption rates would be.

My numbers come from the latest real estate stats published by VIREB (Vancouver Island Real Estate Board). Based on the information they have supplied I have calculated the absorption rates for real estate here in Nanaimo as of the end of April 2013.

By tracking these numbers monthly it helps me understand better what type of real estate market Nanaimo is experiencing. In addition, these absorption rates assist me in advising my clients on realistic expectations on the length of time it will take to sell their home.

The April 2013 absorption rate is lower by 3.51 weeks than it was in April 2012. In other words it is taking less time ( 3.51 fewer weeks) to absorb (or sale) the entire inventory currently on the market.

The absorption rate of single family homes in Nanaimo in April 2013 was 19.88 weeks

An absorption rate of 19.88 weeks indicates that the Nanaimo real estate market was experiencing a more balanced market leaning towards a sellers’ market in the month of April. As it stands now we have over 4.97 months of inventory on the market.

Absorption rates should be calculated monthly in order to get an accurate reading of the current market. It is quite possible that once the spring market slows down these numbers could change dramatically, whereby we could be back to experiencing a buyers’ market.

The definition of a Buyer’s market is:

A situation in which supply exceeds demand, giving purchasers an advantage over sellers in price negotiations.

The definition of a Balanced Market according to Realtor Magazine is:

A balanced market has 5-6 months of inventory. Eg: If 100 houses sell a month, there should be 500-600 houses in active inventory.

The definition of a Sellers’ market is:

A seller’s market has less than 5 months of inventory. Listing inventory is low but there are many buyers looking at the same inventory. This is the type of market where you often see multiple offers going on.

For additional information on absorption rates and other stats on the state of the Nanaimo real estate market please give me a call.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Housing prices in Nanaimo for the first quarter of 2013

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:17:22 -0700

Housing prices in Nanaimo for the first quarter of 2013

I have reviewed the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board sales statistics for the first quarter of 2013. I’ve used these numbers to determine the average sale price of single family homes by Nanaimo neighbourhood for the first quarter of 2013. Please see the chart below.

The best indicator of housing price trends is reviewing current home sales. VIREB prepares monthly reports to assist REALTORS®, who in turn assist their clients, in making pricing decisions.

These numbers are very useful if you are considering purchasing or selling a home in Nanaimo. Knowing what the average cost of housing per neighbourhood is, helps you decide which neighbourhoods are the most affordable for you.

Based on the information I have received from VIREB I have prepared a chart. The following chart is broken down by Nanaimo neighbourhood and lists the average selling price of homes sold over the first three months of 2013.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Baby boomers are downsizing their homes

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:23:08 -0700

Baby boomers are downsizing their homes

There is no doubt in my mind that the baby boomer generation is starting to make a move toward downsizing their homes. Every second person I meet at open houses or at the Royal Lepage kiosk say that they are thinking about downsizing.

Of course, anything the baby boom generation does have a huge impact on trends in everything. It stands to reason that once the majority of that generation make the decision to downsize the real estate market will be affected in a huge way! Potentially there could be a glut of family homes available for sale with a high demand for smaller homes, such as patio homes and small ranchers.

But does housing in Nanaimo offer what baby boomers are looking for today?

To help answer that question, let’s consider some of the items that baby boomers will be looking for in housing over the next several years:

1. Affordable pricing.

Baby boomers today are carrying a much higher debt level than their parents did, thanks to credit cards and student loans, meaning they’ll likely have less cash and be much more sensitive to the price they have to pay for a home.

2. Downsizing.

It used to be that the pre-baby boom generation made their final house their last hurrah, so to speak. Large homes and spacious yards were must haves. Today’s baby boom buyer will likely be looking for a smaller home than the one they’re in now, with amenities near by so that they don’t have to drive.

I believe that prices of homes in Nanaimo are low enough to appeal to baby boomers looking for an affordable place to retire. As for availability of housing options for baby boomers; suffice it to say, that if I were a developer in Nanaimo today, I would focus on building ranchers and patio homes on low maintenance lots. From my observation that is the type of home that will be in high demand in the years to come.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

What is your Nanaimo home worth?

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:48:28 -0700

What is your Nanaimo home worth?

Are you wondering what your Nanaimo home is worth? As a home owner, regardless of whether you are planning to sell your home or not, it is important to know the current value of your home. For most of us, our home is our most valuable asset and makes up a large part of our net worth.

The following chart will give you a ball park figure of the average value of homes by Nanaimo neighbourhood. The numbers reflect the average selling price of homes over the past twelve months.

Many factors are considered when coming up with a specific market value for a home. The numbers in the chart below reflect average prices. If you would like to determine the market value of your home specifically, I would recommend a Comparative Market Analysis from a licensed Realtor.

My free home evaluation service includes a comparative market analysis. In order to supply this CMA I need to determine the following information regarding your home:

Lot size, sq. footage of home, age, location, condition, amenities, updates, taxes, exterior finishing and type of roof etc.

I will be looking at recent sales of similar properties; similar properties currently listed and expired listings of similar homes.

My free home evaluations provide an important service to sellers to assist them in listing their home at market value. Please give me a call for additional information.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

What to do about ugly green algae on siding

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:46:55 -0700

What to do about ugly green algae on siding

I have been enjoying spending time outdoors with all this warm, sunny weather we have been having. I was puttering around in my garden earlier today, enjoying the warmth but also feeling a tad overwhelmed by all the work that needs to be done.

We have a cute little shed that my husband built that has a little window box full of spring bulbs. I noticed that the shed and window box were covered in a green algae. After a wet winter algae often grows on the north facing side of walls. I decided that removing that algae was the first spring cleanup chore I would tackle.

I read an article on Yahoo that said all I needed was a spray bottle and some Clorox . I followed the instructions below and Voila! a clean shed.

Fill a spray bottle with half Clorox and half water. (This will be very strong). It should be strong enough to cut off anything. Make sure you have a bucket of rinse water, with a sponge and some dry rags or cloth. The spray bottle is used for small areas, where the algae grows. Spray the algae generously and let it set for a few moments. Soon you will see streams of green running from the spray you just put on. Now just wash it off with your rinse water and sponge. Take your cloth and dry the area. Sometimes, if the algae is thick, it might make for a greenish stain. simply repeat the process and rinse it off again.(Source Yahoo Voices)


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Step Outdoors and Discover Newcastle Island, Nanaimo B.C.

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:36:24 -0700

Step Outdoors and Discover Newcastle Island, Nanaimo B.C.

Now that spring is bursting on the scene, Nanaimo is bursting forth in a flood of colours. That is the first indication that it is time to break out of the house and head to the many outdoor attractions. One trip everyone should make on any sunny day is Newcastle Island. Located in Nanaimo Harbour, this lovely British Columbian paradise is just minutes from downtown. But, you will feel like you have made a serious journey the minute you step off the Nanaimo Harbour Ferry.

Imagine, leaving from Maffeo Sutton Park near downtown. Joining you are others who enjoy the amazing outdoor experience that British Columbia has to offer. You walk off the ferry and before you is an island just waiting to be discovered. You won’t be disappointed, there is just so much to see and do.

A less expected activity might be dancing. The Pavilion on Newcastle Island offers you the rare privilege of dancing on a sprung dance floor. There are many activities planned for the entire year. The Pavillion is available for private rentals as well. In fact, my husband booked it and held a lovely surprise birthday party there for me a few years ago.

Where there is water, there is seasonal swimming. So as you might expect, Newcastle Island accommodates nearly every level of swimmer. The protected bays offer you wonderful opportunities to make like a fish and bask in the warm sunlight on shore.

If you love to push a pedal, Newcastle Island will thrill you. Cyclists can choose a ride as challenging as they like. There are many trails and bicycle routes on the island. No matter where you ride, you are sure to enjoy the lovely surroundings!

A trip to Newcastle Island might just prompt you to stay a little longer, so if you are a camper, plan to stay for a night under the stars. The Island boasts 18 individual campsites or 5 group campsites.

No matter what you love to do outdoors, Newcastle Island is the kind of place where there is no shortage of things to do. Beautiful surroundings, protected nature and panoramic views of the bay all combine to make Newcastle a favorite of visitors each year.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Nanaimo: Your Gateway to Natural Wonders

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:19:58 -0700

Nanaimo: Your Gateway to Natural Wonders

Nanaimo, British Columbia is home to 83,810 happy Canadians! Located on Vancouver Island, it is just 55 Kilometers west of Vancouver via BC Ferries. Although this lovely community has all the amenities you might expect from an urban area, it also has something special, something connected to the untamed beauty of British Columbia.

Perhaps it is the easy access the island offers to outdoor attractions like Tofino, Port Alberni, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park or Mount Washington ski resort. Maybe it is the easy access that Nanaimo offers to other islands like Protection Island, Gabriola Island, Newcastle Island or Valdes Island, but residents and visitors alike consider this trendy community to be much more than a modern city, it is a gateway to natural wonder.

Describing all of the activities you can enjoy outdoors can be a bit daunting. It’s an extensive list, but suffice it to say that if you can do it outside, you can find it in Nanaimo. Whether you enjoy boating, diving or kayaking, the waters are welcoming. How about hiking, climbing or caving? All of these activities are close by.

One popular attraction is WildPlay Nanaimo. Here you can choose from a wide range of thrills that can range in time from 30 minutes to half a day. Guests ages seven years and older can check out Monkido Kids, swinging and zip line obstacles. The challenges are as widely varied as the people accepting them. If you are a bit conservative, check out the DragonFLY Zip lines. It is a scenic route that does not require much physical effort. For those needing a bigger challenge, zip lines rise to levels as high as 18 meters!

When it comes to outdoor activities, Nanaimo is the obvious choice for year round fun. The activities are nearly limitless and whether the weather is perfect or perfectly wet, you’ll never run out of options.

No matter how you choose to spend your time in British Columbia, Nanaimo offers you many options. Best of all, you can check out the many breathtaking properties available for sale in Nanaimo. After all, if you enjoy spending a day or two here, imagine the fun you can have over a life time. Now is a great time to buy too! Interest rates are very favorable and prices could hardly be better with a median home price at just $360,799.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

How to avoid these 6 mistakes when pricing your Nanaimo home to sell

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:52:12 -0800

How to avoid these 6 mistakes when pricing your Nanaimo home to sell

Let’s face it, attaching a price tag to your home for sale in Nanaimo is an emotional decision. For many people their home is their biggest asset so getting the most money is a top priority.

But wanting a certain sales price and getting it are two entirely different things.

Pricing real estate in Nanaimo is often more art than science. Make a pricing mistake and your Nanaimo house for sale could very well sit on the market for months instead of being snapped up quickly by a motivated, qualified buyer.

Here are the top six home-for-sale pricing mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Using the “If Only” pricing approach. This is when a seller knows there’s updating to be done, but prices her home as if the improvements have already been made, thinking to herself “If only the buyer did this, then my home would be worth what I’m asking”.

2. Not realizing that updating needs to be done. Maybe you’ve gotten used to living with a dated floor plan or older appliances, but don’t expect a buyer to pay top dollar for your Nanaimo home.

3. Using the home that sold next door as a comparable. It’s tempting to think that because your neighbor’s home sold for $X then yours will too. Every home in Nanaimo is different. Plus, with this approach you run the risk of letting your like – or dislike – of your neighbor come into play.

4. Listening to your relatives. Unless your mother-in-law is an active professional realtor, your relatives are bound to give you pricing information that just simply doesn’t match the reality of the market place.

5. Believing what you read in the newspaper or hear on the television. By the time market information reaches the mass media it’s already too late. Look at it this way – would you buy a hot stock tip that you heard on the evening news?

6. Not using a realtor. The market can change quickly, and your active professional real estate agent will have a good sense of where the real estate market in Nanaimo is going before the general public does.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Best Spring cleaning tips

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:32:58 -0800

Best Spring Cleaning Tips

Even if you’re not planning on selling your home in Nanaimo, this time of year is when those unpopular spring cleaning chores begin to rear their ugly heads.

If you’re overwhelmed by all of your spring cleaning chores and don’t know where to start, here’s a list of the top spring cleaning tips to get you through your spring cleaning:

Windows

Clean or vacuum the drapes, being sure to get the inside ledges as well. If you’ve got mini blinds vacuum or clean them with a static duster. Use an even mixture of vinegar and water and old newspapers on your window glass.

Closets

Clean out your closets and donate items that you haven’t used recently to charity. You can also wash or dry clean and store the seasonal clothing that you won’t use until next year.

Bedrooms

This is a good time to flip the mattress and clean the bed frame. Try sprinkling some baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum it up to freshen it up.

Dust Fans and Ceiling Lights

It’s amazing how dusty those fan blades and ceiling light fixtures can get without your even realizing it. Using the brush attachment on your vacuum is one easy way to suck up that dust.

Floors

Spot clean your carpet and rugs and damp map or oil soap your hardwood floors. To freshen up your carpets, sprinkle an even mix of baking soda and borax, let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes, the vacuum.

Smoke Detectors

If your smoke, radon and carbon monoxide detectors aren’t hard wired into your electrical system, spring is a great time to change out the batteries. It’s better to do it now than to wait until those irritating beeping sounds start at the most in opportune of times!


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates for January 2013

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 09:30:48 -0800

Real Estate in Nanaimo - Absorption rates for January 2013

“How’s the market in Nanaimo?”, as a Realtor in Nanaimo this is the number one question I am asked .

The best way to understand how the local real estate market is doing is to calculate the absorption rates.

The definition of absorption rates is the number of weeks it takes to sell the current real estate inventory in Nanaimo at the present rate of sales.

My numbers come from the latest real estate stats published by VIREB (Vancouver Island Real Estate Board). Based on the information they have supplied I have calculated the absorption rates for real estate here in Nanaimo as of the end of January 2013.

The January 2013 absorption rate is higher than it was in January 2012. In other words it is taking more time to absorb (or sale) the entire inventory currently on the market.

The absorption rate of single family homes in Nanaimo in January 2013 was 32.93 weeks

An absorption rate of 32.93 weeks indicates that the Nanaimo real estate market is still experiencing a Buyer’s market. As it stands now we have over 8.23 months of inventory on the market.

Absorption rates should be calculated monthly in order to get an accurate reading of the current market. It is quite possible that once the spring market starts these numbers could change dramatically, whereby we could be experiencing a balanced market.

The definition of a Buyer’s market is:

A situation in which supply exceeds demand, giving purchasers an advantage over sellers in price negotiations.

The definition of a Balanced Market according to Realtor Magazine is:

A balance market has 5-6 months of inventory. Eg: If 100 houses sell a month, there should be 500-600 houses in active inventory.

For additional information on absorption rates and other stats on the state of the Nanaimo real estate marketplease give me a call.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Best Events for Seniors in Nanaimo

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:16:04 -0800

Best Events for Seniors in Nanaimo

Nanaimo BC is a wonderful place to call home whether you’re just starting out in life or finding a quiet spot to retire. Our winters are mild and our summers are warm. There are hundreds of events and activities year-round for seniors and those looking for a quieter pace of life but still want an active lifestyle.

The Nanaimo Harbour City Seniors is a nonprofit and volunteer organization which provides senior citizens in Nanaimo a healthy and active lifestyle with organized activities and events. Each month, the NHCS offers activities and events such as dance classes, exercise courses, craft and hobby workshops and more.

Coming up this February is the Kinsman Heritage Dinner. The dinner will be held Saturday, February 23 from 5 to 8 PM in the Bowen Auditorium with a delicious roast beef dinner, door prizes and a live band. This is part of the Heritage Days which date back to 1973. Tickets are free but are required and are available on a first-come, first serve basis.

Each month offers something a little bit different but on a regular basis seniors have the chance to attend fitness and yoga classes, tai chi, country and ballroom dancing, language classes, music classes, arts and crafts, sporting such as bowling, badminton, darts and table tennis, as well as workshops and even game classes. Seniors in Nanaimo enjoy a variety of different clubs such as a book club, computer club, writing club and more. Feel free to check out all the available dates and classes from the Harbor City Seniors website.

How’s the Market in Nanaimo?

In addition to monthly activities there’s always different events happening year-round depending on the weather. From Christmas parties and bazaars, to road trips to Mount Washington for a beautiful day on the mountain with lunch and sightseeing, to visiting local festivals and regional events; there’s never a lack of entertaining, active events and fun things to do. Check out their website for more information.

As an avid Nanaimo resident, I love helping seniors find the right home, condominium, or town home to meet their needs and their budget. Give me a call anytime and let’s discuss your options, where you’d like to live, and your price range. I look forward to speaking with you soon.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

The Nanaimo real estate market for the year 2012

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:40:02 -0800

How's the Nanaimo real estate market?

Nanaimo real estate market stats for the year 2012. For more Nanaimo real estate statistics please visit my blog


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Are you wondering if you should appeal your BC Assessment?

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 13:08:39 -0800

Are you wondering if you should appeal your BC Assessment?

At this time of year I often receive calls from clients regarding their property assessments.

Many people receive assessments that have either gone up or have gone down from the previous year’s assessment. It seems that this year, many clients are reporting that their assessed values have gone down. In Nanaimo there has been a drop of 3% in the average selling price of single family homes over the last 12 months. With this in mind, it stands to reason that assessed values would depreciate as well.

One option available to home owners is that they may appeal their assessment up to January 31^st. In order to file an appeal, it is important to do your research beforehand. BC Assessments offers a free online service, called e-value BC, whereby you can compare your assessed value with that of your neighbours.

BC Assessment describes this service as follows:

“e-valueBC - Compare Assessments Online is a free service that enables you to check the fairness of your assessed value with similar properties at any time during the year. You can also compare your assessed value with the selling price of properties with similar characteristics in your neighbourhood and property owners can display additional property details for up to eight (8) properties per search. "

I invite you to also read my post “What is the difference between assessed value and market value?”

If you would like to know the current market value of your home please either complete this form or contact me. I would be happy to help.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Nanaimo Real Estate sales by neighbourhood for 2012

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:25:55 -0800

Nanaimo Real Estate sales by neighbourhood for 2012

I’ve been reviewing the 2012 real estate sales in Nanaimo by neighbourhood, of single family homes. VIREB has calculated the Nanaimo real estate sales numbers for the past 12 months.

Most months I look at the sales from the previous month. However, this month I am going to share the annual sales numbers. I believe that the year-to-date numbers will give us a more accurate reading of the current market.

The single family home, unit sales were down by 6% over 2011, and unit price was down by 3% this year over last. The condo market was harder hit in that prices were down by 5% in 2012 and unit sales numbers were off by 11% as compared to 2011. Townhouse sale prices were down by 6% over last year and unit sales were down by 20% over 2011.

Below are the number of single family homes that sold by Nanaimo neighbourhood in 2012.

The next chart shows the average selling cost of homes by Nanaimo neighbourhood for 2012

For additional information on the Nanaimo real estate market please give me a call.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Nanaimo Real Estate market for 2012 – What sold and for how much?

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:01:46 -0800

Nanaimo Real Estate market for the year 2012 – What sold and for how much?

The numbers are out for real estate sales in Nanaimo for the year 2012. VIREB(Vancouver Island Real Estate Board) stats show that the numbers are down but are somewhat better than anticipated .

There has been so much negative media coverage on the declining real estate market in BC. There is no question that the market has declined. However, the good news is that it hasn’t declined by that much in the single family housing market here in Nanaimo. Prices have dropped by as little as 3% for single family homes to a high of 6% for townhouses.

Knowing what is going on in the Nanaimo real estate market is important for both buyers and sellers. For buyers looking at real estate in Nanaimo the main concerns are price, selection and timing. For people selling their Nanaimo home the important factors are timing, level of inventory (competition) on the market and how much they can ask for their home. I hope the following figures and stats will assist both buyers and sellers navigate their way through their real estate transactions.

Below are the types of real estate sold in 2012 (source VIREB) in Nanaimo as compared to 2011:

Property type

# of units sold 2012

Average sale price 2012

# of units sold 2011

Average sale price 2011

Single Family

1017

$353,408

1084

$362,680

Condo (Apt)

190

$205,495

213

$217,160

Condo (Patio)

$262,522

$272,734

Condo (Townhouse)

138

$246,401

171

$260,300

Lots

$154,063

$161,565

For additional information on the Nanaimo real estate market please give me a call.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Thinking about downsizing your Nanaimo home?

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:00:17 -0800

Thinking about downsizing your Nanaimo home?

Is your house too big? Are you having trouble with stairs? Is there too much upkeep? Or, Are you just ready for a change?

As a Nanaimo seniors Real Estate Specialist I am aware of the unique needs and issues that mature property buyers and sellers have.

With this in mind I have put together a questionnaire to help seniors decide if now is the best time to downsize.

Making the decision to move to a smaller space is extremely difficult for many older adults. If you've lived in your home for several decades, then leaving it may feel like an enormous loss. If your children have moved on, it may feel like your house is all you have left. You may think that your house is keeping you connected to those happy memories of years past, BUT none of that matters if your house is no longer safe for you.

I am committed to supplying you with the very best of senior services available in the Nanaimo and surrounding area.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Top Four Trends in Home Furnishings for 2013

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:02:00 -0800

Top Four Trends in Home Furnishings for 2013

The best in Canadian home furnishings starts with considering the architecture of your house and by looking at each part of your Nanaimo home individually.

Here are the four top trends in Canadian home furnishings:

Eco Furnishings

Like the name suggests, Eco home furnishings focus on basic, natural materials such as cotton, wool and wood and earthy colors like beige, sand, brown and green leaf. Products and materials are typically local or recycled and demonstrate the eco-friendliness of your home in Nanaimo.

Cozy Furnishings

Sophisticated yet basic, the Cozy style of home furnishing features décor with smooth curves and outlines. Earth tone colors combined with basic black and white are a hallmark feature of the Cozy style. When combined with subtle lighting and small accent pieces, you’ll be able to easily convey an image of maturity and sophistication.

Loft Style Home Furnishings

If cutting-edge, trendy fashion is your thing then the Loft Style of furnishing your home might just be what you’re looking for. Sometimes considered an ‘industrial style’ of décor, typical colors include washed-out greys and greenish-grey accented by brighter touches of reds, yellows and orange. When combined with metal and natural furniture, the loft style of home décor is certain to give you a trend setting appearance.

Chic Sophistication

Similar to the Cozy style of home furnishings, the Chic Sophistication combines contemporary furnishings with soft lighting and natural colors contrasted with differing shades of gray and perhaps black. Chic Sophistication is a great way of decorating your home in Nanaimo to convey an image of sophisticated comfort.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

How To Save Energy This Winter in Nanaimo

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:56:51 -0800

How To Save Energy This Winter in Nanaimo

As of today, winter is most definitely here, and with it higher energy and heating bills.

In today’s economy every penny counts. Here are a few tips on how to not spend more money than needed to keep your Nanaimo home warm this winter.

Heating Inspection

It’s always a good idea to have your heating systems serviced and inspected twice a year. Having clean filters can have a big impact on your energy bill. And by having a regular routine maintenance program for your furnace and air conditioner the odds are you’ll be able to catch any major problems before they occur.

Check Your Insulation

If there’s a slight insulation leak in your window or door you can be sure that your warm inside air will find it and quickly leak outside. Set aside an hour or two and take a look at the insulation stripping on your doors and around your windows. Usually an easy caulk or short trip to the hardware store is all it takes to get rid of any leak, and the money you’ll spend on insulation supplies will be a lot less than having to pay for wasted warm air escaping to the outdoors.

Update Your Heating System

If you’ve got an older home in Nanaimo that hasn’t had the heating system updated for years and you’ve been considering replacing the system, now might be the perfect time to do that. You’ll be surprised at the energy efficiency of today’s heating and cooling systems and many people who to update are pleasantly surprised to see the energy savings show up right away on their utility bills!


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

How to Deal With Bad Neighbors

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:50:34 -0800

How to Deal With Bad Neighbors

At one point in time all of us have had the dreaded ‘bad neighbor’ experience. Maybe it was the unruly child leaving chalk drawings or bicycle tire skid marks on your drive way. Or maybe it was that small, not-so-adorable little dog that barked day and night seemingly without needing to stop and take a breath. Or it may have been the long-winded adult that would rush up to you the moment they saw you walk out your front door, intent on sharing with you the latest neighborhood gossip that you had no time for.

While there’s no one good way to deal with bad neighbors, short of selling your home and moving to another part of Nanaimo (which might not be practical in today’s market), here are a few suggestions to consider if you’ve got a bad next door neighbor:

1. Kids will be kids and the odds are that they’ll quickly grow out of the chalk drawing and tire skidding stage before you know it. But if you don’t feel like time is on your side, one approach that might work is to clean up the drawings or tire marks when your neighbor is outside – and strike up a conversation while you’re cleaning, then lead the talk around to what you’re doing and why you’re cleaning up after their kid.

2. Try befriending the dog and get the owner’s permission to give the dog treats. Some dogs frankly don’t have the highest IQ in the litter, and the pup simply may not recognize you despite seeing you day in and day out.

3. Neighbors who like to talk or gossip are probably just bored. If you’ve got one of these, it’s a good idea to start off with a soft approach at first and gradually increase your level of ignoring your neighbor if you need to. Glancing at your watch and suddenly remembering an appointment, cake in the oven or phone call to make are always effective and good, inoffensive ways to start.


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Buying a home in Nanaimo? How To Start The Home Buying Process

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:16:18 -0800

Buying a home in Nanaimo? How To Start The Home Buying Process

During a recent get-together with some of my fellow Nanaimo Realtors we had a pretty lively conversation about the mistakes that buyers often make when they begin looking for a house to buy.

There’s no doubt that buying a home – be it your first home or your third – is a very exciting experience, especially right now when there are some good deals on the market.

Often times people will put the cart before the horse, to use a cliché, and jump into the house hunting process with both feet first and they forget about what I like to call the ‘pre-planning house hunting’ steps that will make them a solid, qualified buyer in the eyes of the seller.

Here are a few things that as a buyer you should consider doing to prepare yourself for the home buying process in Nanaimo:

1. Select a Nanaimo Realtor to represent you in your home buying process. When you have professional representation you’ll appear as a credible buyer in the eyes of the seller and the seller’s real estate agent.

2. Talk to a lender to understand your financing options, including your total closing costs and your monthly mortgage payments.

3. After you have your financing arranged, do some initial house hunting over the Internet, to get an idea of what you can comfortably afford to buy.

4. Attend a few open houses and visit some of the houses you saw on the Internet with your Realtor. Often times you’ll find that a home looks great on the web, but leaves a little to be desired when seen in ‘real life’.

5. After you’ve looked at a few homes in person, but together a home improvement budget to cover items such as appliance updating, window coverings, landscaping and repainting.

Then, combine these home improvement expenses to your financing costs, to make sure that you’re still within your financial comfort range.

There’s nothing worse than moving into a new home only to be caught off guard and find that there’s no money left over for decorating!


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Attract Buyers By Listing Your Nanaimo Home Over The Holidays

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:05:04 -0800

Attract Qualified Buyers By Listing Your Nanaimo Home Over The Holidays

Have you ever noticed how Nanaimo listings drop off over the holiday season? One of the main reasons that you may see fewer homes for sale is that sellers believe that there aren’t any buyers looking to buy in November and December. Nothing could be further from the truth.

If you need to sell your home in Nanaimo and are willing to think outside of the box and list your home over the holidays, you’ll find that there is less competition from other sellers in town.

It’s true that the amount of buyers looking at Nanaimo listings does decrease, but the buyers that are looking at houses are serious about buying, so you won’t be wasting your time with unqualified prospects that are really just window shopping.

Look at it this way: If you were a buyer and needed to look at Nanaimo listings over the holidays, ‘why’ would you be looking for a house over the holiday season?

Typical answers to this question include:

1. The buyer has to relocate for work-related reasons

2. The buyers already sold their home and need to find a new home quickly

3. Family reasons force the buyer to downsize or upsize

No matter what the buyers’ motivation is for finding a home to buy over the holidays, all of these reasons point to a very motivated buyer.

If you have a home in Nanaimo that you need to sell, thinking outside the box and listing your home over the holidays could very well lead to a quick sale to a very qualified and motivated buyer!


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132

Downsizing your home? Things to consider

Lynn Donn | Homes for Sale in Nanaimo BC (Royal Lepage Nanaimo Realty) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:08:14 -0800

Downsizing your home? Things to consider

As an empty nester you may be at a point in your life where you are considering selling the family home and moving into something more manageable. As one of the benefits to downsizing you may find yourself with a surplus of cash after you have purchased your new home.

I have asked Paul Tidey, of Arbutus Financial Services in Nanaimo, what sort of options are available for investing some or all of this excess capital. You can reach Paul directly at ptidey@arbutusfinancial.com


lynn@nanaimohomes4sale.com www.nanaimohomes4sale.com 250-756-1132