.....theme for 2012

a few Green Trends in Homes ......

From an American perspective but still relevant to us......

It’s not news that home construction has been on the decline for the past few years (thanks a lot, economy!), but that might not be an entirely bad thing. In many cases, it makes more sense financially to renovate an existing home rather than start from scratch, and renovation actually can be a green move. Renovations save on building materials and waste and also preserve undeveloped natural land.

If you are a homeowner, invest in energy-efficient upgrades that reduce your home’s heating and cooling loads by adding more insulation in the walls, roof, and floors; sealing up leaks or installing new windows; and upgrading old HVAC equipment with Energy Star-rated models. If your home’s layout is no longer meeting your family’s needs, get in on the trend of building an “accessory dwelling unit,” an additional small structure that serves as a mother-in-law-suite, studio, office or extra storage space.

Smaller Footprints

When the opportunity does present itself to build anew, most of us will be building smaller in 2012. Less square footage means less cost for materials and labor, as well as less energy to heat and cool the finished spaces. It’s a win–win and – we promise! – a smaller home doesn’t have to mean a cramped home. Really think about the way you live: do you need that giant master bedroom suite in which you never spend time? Isn’t a combo family room/kitchen/dining area a lot cozier and more functional than separate, more formal spaces?

According to a survey of builders conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), new homes will average 2,152 sq. ft. in size by 2015, compared with a peak of 2,521 sq. ft. in 2007. That is still more than enough space for most of us!

Net Zero

For those overachievers out there, just saving energy is not enough. Why not go all the way and make your home net-zero? A net-zero home generates as much energy as it consumes, netting out at, well, zero energy. Most net-zero homes achieve this designation by combining a variety of passive and active design strategies. Passive strategies include thoughtfully placed windows that utilize or prevent solar heat gains, plenty of natural ventilation, and well insulated walls. These tactics reduce energy use, but when it comes to producing energy, it’s necessary to install some sort of renewable energy system such as solar panels, geothermal wells, or even wind turbines.

Net-zero water is another term you’ll probably hear more in 2012. Not only should you replace outdated plumbing fixtures with newer, more efficient versions (and install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators), but consider a gray-water reuse and/or rainwater collection system. Many municipalities, especially those located in arid climates, are taxed to the max, what with dwindling water supplies.

Energy Monitoring Systems

Programmable thermostats were a genius invention, but technology now allows us to monitor our energy use more comprehensively and in real time. These new gadgets tie into your home’s circuit and allow you to examine the data on a screen or even from the convenience of your laptop or smartphone. The premise is that the more aware you are of your energy consumption, the more ways you can find to cut back. It’s like challenging yourself to a fun game! The prize? Lower electric bills and, of course, the peace of mind that you are doing your part to help the environment. Popular models include The Energy Detective (TED), GE Nucleus, and the eMonitor by Powerhouse Dynamics. More models are becoming available all the time, so expect prices to drop in the coming year.

LEDs

By now you’ve accepted that incandescent bulbs, despite their warm glow, aren’t very energy-efficient. Compact fluorescents (CFLs) have been touted as the best replacement. However, LEDs use even less energy than CFLs and have much longer lifetimes. Although LEDs were previously dismissed for residential use because of their many drawbacks – cool color temperatures, low lighting output and high price – they’ve come a long way in recent years. That $20 bulb now costs closer to $15, and you can expect prices to continue to drop. We probably won’t be lighting our entire homes with LEDs by the end of 2012, but we can start incorporating them and watch our bills drop accordingly.

Watch for these green trends to continue throughout 2012 and beyond and keep your eyes open for trends that no one has spotted yet!

Thanks to www.buildipedia.com for the above article.

Christmas blessing .....

To you and yours ...

An Irish Christmas Blessing

The light of the Christmas star to you
The warmth of home and hearth to you
The cheer and good will of friends to you
The hope of a childlike heart to you
The joy of a thousand angels to you
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Best Time to Sell Your Home ~ is it a Seasonal Thing....?

Is there such a thing as a best time of year to sell a house? Certainly, seasonal factors come into play when trying to sell a home, but there are other things to consider as well, like the tug and pull of supply and demand, as well as unique local market conditions.

No matter when a home goes on the market, one should take a few things under consideration that will likely affect not just the ability to sell a property, but more importantly the ability to get your asking price. Timing, it seems, is everything.

The Economy

While the economy does not follow the predictable ebb and flow of the seasonal changes in real estate and in buyer attention, the economy, it’s state and it’s prospects boil down to property values, and consumer confidence. When the economy is under fire, people are nervous about their jobs. There is generally a reluctance to spend, accumulate debt or make major purchases.

The market will tell you what a home is worth. The problem is, during an economic downturn, the market may value your home lower than you had hoped, or than from when you started.

Springtime

In a country like Canada, where there are four distinct seasons, seasonal influences play a large part in creating good selling conditions.

Wintertime brings with it a series of challenges, among them the weather, holiday distractions and lack of interest from buyers.

When the snow thaws though, and greenery re-emerges from the ground, buyers tend to re-emerge as well. The spring tends to be the peak of the market, simply because the timing suits people in general. The weather is more favourable, properties generally can be better displayed, and moves and property closings can more reasonably be managed through the summer months, so for those with families relocating is less disruptive.

According to data, home sales begin in February, with closings peaking through late May, June, July and August- and this has been a consistent trend since the early 2000’s. For sellers then, will likely have the opportunity to engage more traffic and interest in their homes.

Patience is a Virtue

While the springtime may typically be a more optimal time to sell, there will typically be more competition on the market. Sometimes, it may be advisable to wait until the spring market to list, simply because of the flood of buyers onto the market. Often, a property will sell for more, and sell much faster because of volume.

As well, think staging before selling....... I work with great Home Stagers. Drop me a note if you want to talk to one of the designers to see if they are a fit for you.

Or, if you want to talk about any Real Estate matters, give me a call anytime. 604-340-1516

From: www.propertywire.ca

8 Common Selling Mistakes Home Sellers make .....

Mistake #1 -- Placing the Wrong Price on Your Property Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value. Mistake #3 -- Failing to "Showcase" In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers. Mistake #4 - Trying to "Hard Sell" While Showing Buying a house is always an emotional and difficult decision. As a result, you should try to allow prospective buyers to comfortably examine your property. Don't try haggling or forcefully selling. Instead, be friendly and hospitable. A good idea would be to point out any subtle amenities and be receptive to questions.... best: if possible not be there when the buyers are viewing your home. Mistake #5 - Trying to Sell to Lookers A prospective buyer who shows interest because of a "for sale" sign he saw may not really be interested in your property. Often buyers who do not come through a realtor are a good 6-9 months away from buying, and they are more interested in seeing what is out there than in actually making a purchase. They may still have to sell their house, or may not be able to afford a house yet. They may still even be unsure as to whether or not they want to relocate. Your realtor should be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere lookers. Realtors should usually find out a prospective buyer's savings, credit rating, and purchasing power in general. This will help you avoid wasting valuable time marketing towards the wrong people. If you have to do this work yourself, consider finding a new realtor. Mistake #6 -- Being Ignorant of Your Rights & Responsibilities It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what your are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money. Mistake #7 - Limiting the Marketing and Advertising of the Property There are two obvious marketing tools that nearly every seller uses: open houses and classified ads. Unfortunately, these two tools are rather ineffective. Less than 1% of homes are sold at open houses, and less than 3% are sold because of classified ads. In fact, realtors often use open houses to attract future prospects, not to sell the house. Your realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques, including an extensive on-line marketing plan. Your realtor should also be committed to selling your property; he or she should be available for every phone call from a prospective buyer. Or have coverage if they are out of town. Most calls are received, during business hours, so make sure that your realtor is working on selling your home during these hours. Chances are that you have a job too, so hire a full time Realtor who is able to commit 100% to selling your property, not a part-timer. Mistake #8 - Choosing the Wrong Realtor® Selling your home could be the most important financial transaction in your lifetime. As a result, it is extremely important that you select the realtor that is best for you. Experienced real estate agents often cost as much as brand new agents. Chances are that the experienced agent will be able to bring you a higher price in less time and with fewer hassles. New agents may bring a lot of needed energy to the marketing and transaction. Take your time when selecting a real estate agent. Interview several agents; ask for a referral from your friends, family and business contacts....... If you want to make your selling experience the best it can be, it is crucial that you select the best agent for you. Remember, Knowledge is Power.

a couple of Autumn happenings ....

Langley Farmers Market
2nd Annual Sip & Slurp @ 1fish 2fish

...... both involve either food and wine or just food ..... a theme ?

Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - October 25, 2011

Bank of Canada Interest Rate Announcement - October 25, 2011

As was universally anticipated, the Bank of Canada opted to hold its target overnight rate at 1 per cent this morning. Ongoing uncertainty in the Euro-zone continues to weigh heavily on the Bank's outlook. In its statement accompanying the interest rate decision, it was noted that the bank is now projecting a contained Euro-crisis, but also a brief recession in the Euro-area due to ongoing deleveraging and fiscal austerity. The Bank also expects continued weakness, but no recession, in the United States through the first half of 2012 before a resumption of stronger growth. Given various challenges in the global economy, the Bank of Canada trimmed its outlook for Canadian economic growth to 2.1 per cent in 2011, 1.9 per cent in 2012 and 2.9 per cent in 2013 which is in line with our own forecast. On inflation, the Bank now expects slack in the economy to persist longer than originally forecast, leading to a closing of the output gap at the end of 2013. This implies softer than expected inflation in coming quarters, with consumer price growth moderating before returning to the Bank's 2 per cent target by the end of 2013.

Overall, this morning's statement shows a very cautious Bank of Canada that is unlikely to make any significant movements on interest rates over the next two to three quarters. Further monetary tightening will be highly contingent on a brighter growth outlook in the United States and a credible solution to the Euro sovereign debt crisis. Therefore we expect the Bank of Canada to remain on the sidelines through the end of 2011 and the first half of 2012.

Your Home ~ Evaluating Property

In the real estate industry, the concept of value is vague.

The value of a house (or condo, or co-op, or townhouse) fluctuates often, based on many situations, such as an ever-changing market conditions, the condition of the home, and the costs associated with owning it.

For that reason, it's difficult to answer the question, "How much is it worth?" There is one certainty, however. The answer to true value does not lie in how much the seller wants for his or her home (though that is what the seller and the listing broker want you to believe). In fact, the listing price of a home sometimes has nothing to do with its market value.

Figuring out how much a home is actually worth is a tricky process. You'll have to do your homework, pull out your calculator, and spend some time learning to recognize certain "value markers."

Once you've figured out what a property is worth relative to others that are similar in the area, you can begin to compare various homes. Where a home is located (within a city, within a neighborhood, on a particular street, within a single building) is crucial to determining its value. When you begin to compare homes, it's important to factor location into your house valuation formula. First, think about where the house is located in relation to the entire neighborhood. Are shops and various services within walking distance? Is the house close to major forms of transportation and to the schools your children will be attending? Is it too close to any of these amenities?

Many families want to be within a few blocks of the local public school, but they prefer not to have their backyards adjacent to the school playground.

Next, think about where the house is located on its block. Is it on a corner, or on the interior row? Is it next to a high-rise building or a three- or six-flat building? Are there many homes just like it on the block? Does the block have a nice residential feel or is it mixed residential/commercial?

If you're considering a townhouse, start by asking yourself about the townhouse's location in relation to shopping and service retailers........ If the townhouse is located within a subdivision, compare its location with the premium location within that subdivision.

For example, is it better to be located on the perimeter, or is an interior location better? Are end units more prized, or are middle units preferred? Are you close to the entrance of the subdivision, or do you have to drive several blocks to get there? Do you have to walk far to the garbage drop-off or mail pick-up spot? The location questions for a townhouse apply for condominiums and coops as well.

If your condo or co-op is located in a high-rise building you also need to consider where the unit is located in the building. If one side of the building has a fabulous view and another faces a windowless brick wall, you can bet that units with the full view will be more prized than units with a peek-around or no view. Which is more important to you, the lower cost or the better view?

If there are two views -- say, a water view vs. an urban view, an east view (sunrise) vs. a west view (sunset), or a high-floor vs. a low-floor perspective --remember that a unit with the best view in a building will generally appreciate faster than a unit with only a so-so view, even if the so-so has more amenities.

Do your research .... your local Realtor should know the area, the schools the amenities and how the market is doing in the area.

Build yourself a team of support .... a good Realtor, a licensed experienced inspector, referrals from contacts in the area...

National Garage Sale for Shelter ~ Langley ~ May 14, 2011

Langley Cares ! ~ The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada's largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women's shelters and violence prevention and education programs.

Royal LePage Wolstencroft is proud to organize and host Langley's National Garage Sale:

Saturday May 14, 2011.

Thanks to the host location: Premier Van Lines

Time:

8am to 2pm

Location:

Premier Van Lines

Unit 5 - 6350 204th

Langley

Drop off for donations:

Date and Times

Thurs April 28 - 5pm to 8pm
Fri April 29 - 5pm to 8pm
Sat April 30 - 10am to 1pm
Fri May 6 - 5pm to 8pm
Sat May 7 - 10am to 1pm
Wed May 11 - 5pm to 8pm
Thurs May 12 - 5pm tp 8pm

Items Accepted:

- Small furniture in good condition - Cutlery
- Records - Sporting Goods
- Small exercise equipment - Garden Tools
- Camping equipment - Pictures/Art Work
- Household goods - Toys (unbroken)
- Linens - Home décor
- New clothes - Clean dishes
- Tools - Books
- Horse tack - Bicycles
- Small working appliances - Christmas
- Gently used & clean clothes

Not Accepted - we just can't 'handle' this stuff ...

- Dining room furniture - Computers & equipment
- Shoes - Large furniture (sofas)
- Food - Mattresses
- TV’s - Large chairs
- Large exercise equipment - Electronics

View My Saved Places in a larger map

Langley Has Talent - Finals April 30

Langley Has Talent - the finals are set for April 30 ..... check out some very talented Langleyites!!

Langley Has Talent is a fundraiser event to raise funds for a 'Langley Rotary Theatre". ....and we sure do need a professional theatre in our community to showcase the talent from our home.

The money raised goes towards creating a Legacy Fund and create a proactive project to establish a Fine Arts Venue with a vision of having a Theatre in Langley......

All four Rotary Clubs from Langley are involved..........

April Real Estate Update ~ A Couple of Common Home Selling Mistakes

Mistake #1 -- Placing the Wrong Price on Your Property Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. Mistake #2 -- Mistaking Re-finance Appraisals for the Market Value Unfortunately, a re-finance appraisal may have been stated at an untruthfully high price. Often, lenders estimate the value of your property to be higher than it actually is in order to encourage re-financing. The market value of your home could actually be lower. Your best bet is to ask your realtor for the most recent information regarding property sales in your community. This will give you an up-to-date and factually accurate estimate of your property value. Mistake #3 -- Failing to "Showcase" In spite of how frequently this mistake is addressed and how simple it is to avoid, its prevalence is still widespread. When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers.

Fraser Valley Twestival ~2011

A Global Movement ~ from the disaster in Japan to the upheaval in the Middle East, the power of Social Media is becoming apparent to the 'mainstream'.

Langley and the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre are this week hosting Twestival 2011.

In locations across the globe this Thursday March 24 a gathering of people who are working (and partying) for a cause ........ The Fraser Valley Twestival is raising funds for

the Abbotsford Canuck Place Childrens Hospice

Lots of food, drinks, music ........ get in on a Global Movement ~ tix at :

Twestival 2011 Fraser Valley

13 years with 1Fish 2Fish ~ wow

Can't believe Heather and her team have been on the one way on Fraser Highway in Langley City for 13 years now.... seems like just yesterday when Heather opened the doors to her great store.

The business she is in is a tough one, but Heather from day 1 has given her customers lots of reasons to keep coming back.... that includes this family of seafood lovers.

Congrats Heather and her 'Tribe' ........

1Fish 2Fish

new home prices softer than expected in December

With a smaller than expected price increase, CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association) revised up its outlook for housing resales in 2011 but is calling for sales to fall 1.6% this year and for prices to edge up by 1.3% in 2011 and 2012.

We are seeing a flurry of activity in our market here in the Langley areas. Buyers (a fair amount of first-timers) are sure active .....

We closed a number of deals in January one was in the Fleetwood area where it was noticeable the number of buyers from China actively searching for homes.

Another nice home was in the Clayton - Cloverdale area. A townhouse which generated interested from young families and first time buyers.

Financial Post

Real Estate ~ Photos - a different perspective

It's almost a daily event now. Searching on a modern widescreen monitor or on a visually sharp smart-phone I am amazed at the lack of quality and professionalism in some of the photo's and visual snapshots of homes being listed.

Our senses are extremely powerful. The sense of smell and visual sense may even top that list.

Why allow your home and possibly largest asset to be marketed with a grainy, dark, unappealing visual presentation? Lighting, postitioning and the presentation on multiple web sites

We will often take a quick snapshot of our clients homes and drop them into Facebook or Twitter as 'teasers', however we make sure for the 'Marketing Show' our clients homes are given the best treatment possible.