Jake Frisson

Royal LePage Wolstencroft

Office 604-530-0231

Cell 778 238 3463

Email: jake@jakefrisson.com

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Maple Ridge changing land use on key downtown properties

How the City of Maple Ridge can best develop downtown properties including Cliff Avenue is the subject of a new survey.

The survey is available online, and residents can offer their opinions until Nov. 15 at noon.

A group of properties on Cliff, Selkirk and 119th Avenues are being looked at, for long-term planning, as the city reviews land use designations in its Town Centre area, between 221st and 222nd Streets.


The city notes that these properties are currently designated as single-family residential. The land lies in a transitional area that borders both the Town Centre and Lougheed Transit Corridor area plans. The Town Centre plan guides growth in the downtown area, while the Lougheed Transit Corridor plan sets out development along Lougheed Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road to the west of the Town Centre. The latter plan calls for higher density housing, with more focus on rapid transit service.

The city held an open house on Oct. 30 at the Maple Ridge Public Library to get public input.

The public was told the city sees development potential for Selkirk and 199th Avenues being multi-family residential buildings – townhouses and apartments. Building heights could reach 25 storeys, or higher where appropriate.

Future land use on Cliff Avenue being considered is low-rise apartments and commercial space.



Neil Corbett
Nov 5, 2023 8:00 PM


https://www.mapleridgenews.com/local-news/maple-ridge-changing-land-use-on-key-downtown-properties-6832025

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Get into the holiday season with these Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows events

Christmas Market 2023: Golden Ears United Church, 22165 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baking, preserves, kraft korner, cookie bar, silent auction, vendors, and artisans. Info: goldenearsunited.ca.


Craft and Bake Sale: Haney Presbyterian Church, 11858 216th St., Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Decorations, sewing and knitting items for sale, soaps, baking, and more.


Christmas Crafts and More: Maple Ridge Alliance Church, 20399 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission, more than 50 vendors.


Pathfinders/Rangers Winter Market: Haney Presbyterian Church, 11858 216th St., Nov. 25, 1 to 5 p.m. Girl guides fundraiser, more than 50 vendors, draw prizes, book sales, concession, food trucks, and gift wrapping by donation.


Christmas Market: CEED Centre, 11739 223rd St., Nov. 25-26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local artists, gift basket draw, apple cider, sewn items for sale.


Thomas Haney Craft Fair: Thomas Haney Secondary, 23000 116th Ave., Nov. 25-26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 100 vendors, childcare by donation, and food trucks. Admission is $5, but kids 6 and younger are free.


Albion Holiday Craft Fair: Albion Community Centre, 23165 104th Ave., Nov. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Charity raffle, Santa, food trucks, more than 116 vendors, and door prizes.


Christmas in Pitt Meadows: Spirit Square, 12027 Harris Rd., Dec. 1, 4 to 8 p.m. Decorations, vendors, Santa and Mrs. Claus pictures, hayride, food trucks, concession, road hockey, carolers, kid’s zone, live entertainment, and tree lighting. Info: pittmeadows.ca.

Winter Fest: Memorial Peace Park, 11930 224th St., Dec. 2, 4 to 8 p.m. Santa parade, light displays, food trucks, Christmas market, and kids games.

Teen Gingerbread House Building: Maple Ridge Public Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Dec. 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Ages 12 to 18, free gingerbread house building. Info: Maple Ridge Public Library Facebook page.

Seniors Christmas Party: Maple Ridge Public Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Dec. 6, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Silvertones Choir, light refreshments, holiday music. Registration required. Info: Maple Ridge Public Library Facebook page.

Holiday Ornament Making: Maple Ridge Museum, 22520 116th Ave., Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Ages 5 and older, ornament building workshops, hot chocolate. Admission is $5 per child, registration required. Info: mapleridgemuseum.org/holiday-ornament-making.

CP Holiday Train: Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, various Westcoast Express stations, Dec. 17, varying times. Performances by Tyler Shaw and Kiesza. Info: cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain.

Pitt Meadows Winter Fair: Pitt Meadows Secondary, 19438 116B Ave., Dec. 18, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Cake walk, live music, auction, concession, kids games, and vendors.

Winter Wonderland Skate: Pitt Meadows Arena, 11435 Bonson Rd., Dec. 22-23, varying times. All-ages skating, decorations, selfie station, skate and helmet rentals. Admission is $2 per person. Info: pittmeadows.ca.

Boxing Day Skate: Plant Ice, 23588 105th Ave., Dec. 26, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All-ages skating, face painting, hot chocolate and snacks, gift card draw. Admission by donation, with all proceeds going to Maple Ridge Kid Sport and BC Cancer Society. Info: Enhance Sport & Wellness Facebook page.

Have an upcoming holiday market or event?

Send the information to brandon.tucker@mapleridgenews.com.


https://www.mapleridgenews.com/local-news/get-into-the-holiday-season-with-these-maple-ridge-and-pitt-meadows-events-7109831

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Fast bus lines announced in Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, White Rock, Burnaby

Langley and Maple Ridge will be connected by one of three fast bus lines announced by TransLink and local mayors on Thursday, Nov. 16.

The new local Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor will run from Langley City, likely up 200th Street, across the Golden Ears Bridge, and then east as far as Haney.

Exact routes have not been determined, TransLink’s announcement said.


The other routes include a King George Boulevard line running from Surrey Centre south to White Rock, and a corridor from Metrotown in Burnaby all the way to the North Shore.

The three corridors were selected based on ridership potential, feasibility of building the new infrastructure, and support from local governments.

Several mayors and councils in the areas, including in Langley and Maple Ridge, have been enthusiastic about the possibility of BRT service, with Maple Ridge actively lobbying just last month to be one of the first routes chosen to be built.

“We are thrilled about being announced as one of the first municipalities that is being awarded with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as planned in TransLink’s Access for Everyone plan,” Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy said, in a statement released by TransLink. “This means that the Langley – Haney Place, Maple Ridge line will be prioritized. From day one we have been working hard at both the staff and political levels to demonstrate that Maple Ridge is ready for more transit and will collaborate with our partners to get shovels in the ground.”

Eric Woodward, Mayor, Township of Langley

“As the largest municipality within Metro Vancouver without Rapid Transit service, the Township of Langley is long overdue for a significant investment in transit infrastructure from TransLink,” Mayor Eric Woodward of Langley Township said. “The Langley – Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit line is one of the best corridors to get going on right away, with so much growth, available right-of-way, and strong municipal support from us and Maple Ridge. TransLink has always had willing a partner for Bus Rapid Transit in the Township of Langley.”

TransLink announced last year that it was planning up to double regional bus service over the course of a decade, and that BRT systems would be a major part of that project.

A BRT line uses a dedicated lane for buses only, down major transit corridors. Bus riders are expected to pre-pay before boarding what “rail-like stations” that will have shelters.

TransLink said last year that it planned to serve its BRT routes with zero-emission buses.

READ MORE: Maple Ridge council unanimously votes to move forward with BRT plans

READ MORE: Langley Township wants TransLink to make fast buses on 200th Street a priority

Once in motion, the buses will have their own lanes and will have priority at traffic signals.

Planning work for the King George Boulevard and Langley to Haney corridors will be advanced, TransLink announced.

The Metrotown to Park Royal corridor will be immediately extended and upgraded, the announcement said.

These are the first three of nine proposed BRT corridors.

Exact alignments of the routes and total costs have not yet been determined. TransLink will also be looking for money from senior levels of government to pay for the projects.

Last year, TransLink estimated BRT would cost around $15 million per kilometre to build, compared to the approximately $400 million per kilometre for SkyTrain extensions that are also about to start construction.

Richmond once had a BRT-style line down Number Three Road, but the service was discontinued after the SkyTrain extension was built there.

The Author: Matthew Claxton

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BC government enacts mandatory three-day cooling-off period on home sales

As of the very start of 2023, home sales across British Columbia will be subject to a three-day, cooling-off period as a measure to protect homebuyers.

The provincial government first announced it will add a mandatory cooling-off period to its tool to help address housing affordability, but the precise details and timeline for the policy were up in the air until today.

When it goes into effect on January 1, there will be cancellation fee of 0.25% of the purchase price — $250 for every $100,000 in value — for those who choose to back out of a deal. This means that, for example, if a homebuyer exercises the right to “rescission” on a $1 million home, they would be required to pay $2,500 to the homeowner.

Such a policy is the first of its kind in Canada to offer better consumer protection in the real estate market. This gives prospective homebuyers more time to perform due diligence, such as securing financing or arranging home inspections.

“Too many people have been faced with giving up an inspection in order to buy a home,” said Selina Robinson, minister of finance. “This is a major step toward providing homebuyers with the peace of mind they deserve while protecting the interests of people selling their homes — for today’s market and in the future.”

Upon implementation, the provincial government will study the policy and its potential effects. This cooling-off period was established after widespread consultation with 140 industry stakeholders and experts.

“Buying and selling a home are the most significant financial transactions in most people’s lives,” said Blair Morrison, the CEO of BC Financial Services Authority.

“We want to promote confidence in real estate transactions and our advice is aligned with that outcome.”

However, the BC Real Estate Association has been skeptical over the provincial government’s claims that this will be an effective policy. For example, the cooling-off period could encourage wealthy buyers and investors to submit offers on multiple parties, thereby increasing demand and a potential bidding war. In Spring 2021, there were nearly three times the number of homebuyers in the market than there were available properties, which led to highly competitive market conditions.

The new policy builds on the existing seven-day, cooling-off period policy for pre-sale condominiums, where a homebuyer can walk away without a penalty.
 
 
 
 
Jul 21 2022, 12:10 pm
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History in the Making

 

Then & Now

 
Silver Valley is located on the north side of the Alouette River and is a gateway to popular recreation areas for residents and visitors alike and is rich with stunning views and access to fantastic trail networks. 

The forested hillsides of this area contain an extensive trail network with spectacular views. The creeks and rivers that flow through Silver Valley provide some of the richest salmon habitat in the Lower Mainland, supporting populations of Chum, Coho and Pink Salmon as well Cutthroat and Steelhead Trout. 

Two important, distinct vegetation communities are found within the Silver Valley area. The marshlands to the west are part of the Blaney Creek watershed and now represent part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District’s park system. The rock barrens are long-term natural clearings, with the thin soils located here, they are incapable of supporting forest cover. 

Silver Valley is a growing residential area popular with equestrians so it is very common to see people riding horses here in Maple Ridge. 

The UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest is home to the Loon Lake Lodge and Retreat Centre and contains black bear, cougar and black-tailed deer populations. As many as 26 species of birds have also been identified and the marshland to the west is an important wintering and breeding habitat for waterfowl.
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The Bank of Canada today increased its target for the overnight rate to 2½%, with the Bank Rate at 2¾% and the deposit rate at 2½%. The Bank is also continuing its policy of quantitative tightening (QT).

Inflation in Canada is higher and more persistent than the Bank expected in its April Monetary Policy Report (MPR), and will likely remain around 8% in the next few months. While global factors such as the war in Ukraine and ongoing supply disruptions have been the biggest drivers, domestic price pressures from excess demand are becoming more prominent. More than half of the components that make up the CPI are now rising by more than 5%. With this broadening of price pressures, the Bank’s core measures of inflation have moved up to between 3.9% and 5.4%. Also, surveys indicate more consumers and businesses are expecting inflation to be higher for longer, raising the risk that elevated inflation becomes entrenched in price- and wage-setting. If that occurs, the economic cost of restoring price stability will be higher.

Global inflation is higher, reflecting the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ongoing supply constraints, and strong demand. Many central banks are tightening monetary policy to combat inflation, and the resulting tighter financial conditions are moderating economic growth. In the United States, high inflation and rising interest rates are contributing to a slowdown in domestic demand. China’s economy is being held back by waves of restrictive measures to contain COVID-19 outbreaks. Oil prices remain high and volatile. The Bank now expects global economic growth to slow to about 3½% this year and 2% in 2023 before strengthening to 3% in 2024.

Further excess demand has built up in the Canadian economy. Labour markets are tight with a record low unemployment rate, widespread labour shortages, and increasing wage pressures. With strong demand, businesses are passing on higher input and labour costs by raising prices. Consumption is robust, led by a rebound in spending on hard-to-distance services. Business investment is solid and exports are being boosted by elevated commodity prices. The Bank estimates that GDP grew by about 4% in the second quarter. Growth is expected to slow to about 2% in the third quarter as consumption growth moderates and housing market activity pulls back following unsustainable strength during the pandemic.

The Bank expects Canada’s economy to grow by 3½% in 2022, 1¾% in 2023, and 2½% in 2024. Economic activity will slow as global growth moderates and tighter monetary policy works its way through the economy. This, combined with the resolution of supply disruptions, will bring demand and supply back into balance and alleviate inflationary pressures. Global energy prices are also projected to decline. The July outlook has inflation starting to come back down later this year, easing to about 3% by the end of next year and returning to the 2% target by the end of 2024.

With the economy clearly in excess demand, inflation high and broadening, and more businesses and consumers expecting high inflation to persist for longer, the Governing Council decided to front-load the path to higher interest rates by raising the policy rate by 100 basis points today. The Governing Council continues to judge that interest rates will need to rise further, and the pace of increases will be guided by the Bank’s ongoing assessment of the economy and inflation. Quantitative tightening continues and is complementing increases in the policy interest rate. The Governing Council is resolute in its commitment to price stability and will continue to take action as required to achieve the 2% inflation target.

Information note

The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is September 7, 2022. The Bank will publish its next full outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, in the MPR on October 26, 2022.

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If approved, residents of Silver Valley could have a new school by 2028.

The possibility of a new school in Silver Valley was outlined in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows School District’s Draft Strategic Facilities Plan that was released at the end of January.

The draft plan was drawn up in consultation with local First Nations, the Métis community, urban Indigenous organizations, education partners, post-secondary institutions, stakeholders, people with diverse lived experiences, the public, and the two municipalities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

In the plan, the district states they have identified a new school location and that the property could support a new school with an operating capacity of 635. However, the acquisition and the development of the site have yet to be approved.

School board chair Korleen Carreras said the acquisition of property in Silver Valley has been an item on the board’s annual capital plan submission to the Ministry of Education for the past few years.

“We have not received approval for the purchase at this time,” she remarked, noting that she believes they have a strong case for a school.

If the land were acquired in 2022, the earliest a school would open up on the site is 2028.

However, she said it will ultimately be up to the Ministry of Education to rank and prioritize for funding the submissions they receive from all school districts in the province.

Carreras advised that it takes approximately three to six years to build an elementary school once approval from ministry is received.

In the report, it was noted that the populations in both the City of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows have in grown over two decades – 39 per cent in Maple Ridge and 29 per cent in Pitt Meadows.

Silver Valley is one of the main residential areas for development and growth – along with Albion, Town Centre, and the Lougheed Corridor.


Within the next 10 years, 1,362 new units are expected to be built in Silver Valley, 40 per cent of them anticipated to be single family or duplexes and 60 per cent multi-family townhomes.

The school board will be joining with the City of Maple Ridge to purchase the new site, “which will allow for joint development of the site in the future.”


The board noted in the draft plan that there is no requirement for a new secondary school location in this zone for the foreseeable future.

The Strategic Facilities Plan is in its final stage of consultation.

SD42 is now looking for feedback on the plan and are collecting input through a survey that will be open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

To complete the survey go to letstalksd42.ca/facilities-of-the-future.

The new Strategic Facilities Plan is expected to be adopted in March 2022.

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Buying a home is exciting and terrifying. After all, this is the biggest financial move most people ever make. As such, there's a lot of room for error, and even tiny mistakes can translate to tens of thousands of dollars.

The lesson here: Even the most intrepid home buyer should get some guidance not only on what to do, but also what not to do. Look no further than this list, which highlights the most common mistakes buyers make so you can avoid the same fate.

1. Don't shop for homes without an agent

By all means, start out by looking online at pictures of pretty houses—the more the better. It's a vastly useful way to get the lay of the land. But when it comes time to get serious about buying a house, you should find a professional to help you out.


Think of a buyer’s agent as a fairy godparent who’s here to turn your homeownership dreams into reality. This person will guide you through every step of the home-buying process—from finding the right property and writing a winning offer to negotiating home inspection repairs and sailing through to closing.


2. Don't meet with just one mortgage lender

Once you’ve found a real estate agent, your next step should be to get pre-approved for a home loan. To do that, you’ll have to meet with a mortgage lender and provide a good amount of paperwork, including two years of T-4's, two years of tax returns, and proof of funds for the down payment (among other documents).


That mountain of forms is one of the things that prompts many to meet with only one lender, says Richard Redmond, a vice president at ACM Investor Services in Larkspur and author of “Mortgages: The Insider's Guide.” That's a potentially big mistake!

Redmond recommends getting at least three quotes from different lenders so that you can survey your options and find the best loan for you. One option you have when shopping around is to meet with a mortgage broker—basically an intermediary who presents you with options from a variety of lenders. No matter what, "you need to feel comfortable with the lender you choose," says Redmond. "You want a lender who asks probing questions, listens to your answers, and presents you with intelligent options."


3. Don't understate your budget

It might sound strange, but a number of home buyers make the mistake of hiding their true budget from their real estate agent.

“Some people are afraid that their agent is going to make them buy the most expensive house that they can afford, so they understate their price range,” says Daniel Gyomory, a real estate agent in Northville, MI.

However, if you're not upfront with your agent about your price range, you might miss out on a great house.

“If you tell me your budget is $300,000 maximum but you’re actuallywilling to pay $400,000, I may not send you listings that could actually be a good fit for you,” Gyomory explains.


4. Don't hold out for the 'perfect' house

People throw around the words “dream home” a lot. (Heck, we’re guilty of it.) However, here's the not-so-harsh truth: “There’s no such thing as a perfect house,” says Gyomory. And that's why he has clients create a list of “musts” and “wants” to identify their criteria and focus on what really matters to them.


5. Don't make ridiculously lowball offers

You obviously want to get a bargain, but you could lose out on a home that you love by making an absurdly low offer. In fact, a recent survey from Inman found that 15% of real estate agents say the third-largest mistake people make when buying a home is offering too little for a property (that’s behind not talking to a lender first and waiting too long to make an offer).

“When you overlook market data and make a lowball offer, you’re pretty much slapping the seller in the face,” says Gyomory. And if you offend the seller, the person might not even be willing to make you a counteroffer.

Bottom line: Trust your agent to help you assess the value of a house and write a winning offer, says Karen Elmir, a luxury real estate agent in Miami.


6. Don't forget to budget for closing costs

The home seller will chip in some money at settlement; however, as the home buyer, you have the (unfortunate) pleasure of shouldering the lion’s share of the closing costs. Your mortgage lender should be able to give you a rough estimate of your closing costs once a seller accepts your offer, but as a rule you can estimate that they typically total 2% to 7% of the home's purchase price. So on a $250,000 home, your closing costs would amount to anywhere from $5,000 to $17,500.


Home buyers in BC pay a provincial Property Transfer Tax (PTT) when they buy a home. The tax is charged at a rate of 1% on the first $200,000 of the purchase price and 2% on the remainder up to and including $2 million. The PTT is 3% on amounts greater than $2 million.

7. Don't make big purchases before you close

Once you have found the right house and get the seller to accept your offer, your loan still needs to go through underwriting in order for you to obtain the mortgage. One thing underwriters do is look at your credit score from the three major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—to make sure your credit hasn’t changed since you were pre-approved.

Therefore, you'll want to avoid taking on any new debt while you’re in the process of buying a house. Purchasing a car with an auto loan or maxing out your credit cards, for example, could hurt your credit score, which could potentially raise your loan’s interest rate or—in the worst case—get your mortgage application rejected. (In other words: Bye-bye, new house.)



By :

Daniel Bortz has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Money magazine, Consumer Reports, Entrepreneur magazine, and more. He is also a Realtor in Virginia.

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The Cost of Selling Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent

Here is an artical written about another homeowner who quickly realized the effectivness and unmatched value the right Realtor can bring to the table. As a Realtor who was helped multiple familys get back on track after many unsuccessful attempts to sell and buy on their own I STRONGLY suggest you take 2 minutes to read the blog below. 


- Jake




Everybody likes to save a little money. So when Rossana was ready to sell her condo a few years ago, she figured she could save some cash by selling it herself — without using a real estate agent. After all, her property was in a hot real estate market and she thought: "How hard could this be?"


Rossana, a busy mother of one, had become overwhelmed juggling her daily responsibilities in addition to managing her rental condo. She had grown tired of being a landlord and dealing with a revolving door of tenants — so when the family currently renting it was moving out, she decided that it was time to sell.

In hopes of saving some money, Rossana chose to sell her condo herself instead of working with a real estate agent. She thought: How hard could it be? She figured it would be easy to just hire a company that charges a flat fee to photograph the condo for her and advertising the property online. After all, she could handle the rest of the details herself. Right?

What she quickly discovered was that this approach didn’t work.

Missed Opportunities

“I found the service I used was not the best,” Rossana says. First, she says the service might have turned off potential buyers with unprofessional photos, “Honestly, I could have done a better job if I had done it myself.”

Second, when it came to marketing her property, Rossana says the marketing plan wasn’t aggressive enough to expose her condo listing to a large population of potential buyers. “My condo just didn’t get the same visibility if it would have had on MLS.”

Her condo was not widely promoted, and the service she used was not authorized to advertise on Realtor.ca (also known as MLS), which is many Canadians’ first stop when starting their home search.

Low Buyer Confidence

Rossana found buyers who had real estate agents wouldn’t come to view her property since she was selling it herself. “I think they lacked confidence that the sale would go through, or that it would be a complicated process because I didn’t have an agent.”

While she wasn’t getting a great deal of interest, Rossana still had to be on-site for open houses over the weekends. “I was living at the other end of the city at the time, so the commute was terrible. It was so much work, but I wasn’t getting much traction.”

Less-than Attractive Offers

When offers did get presented, they were far below the listing price. Plus, agents came in very confident with their clients’ offers, and Rossana didn’t feel she had the experience to handle these types of negotiations.

“I felt people were trying to take advantage of me, because I was trying to sell on my own. And I didn’t have the full picture of the market. I didn’t have the background to stand up to those low offers.”

Making the Decision to Hire an Agent

After more than five weeks of trying to sell the property on her own, Rossana decided to list her home with a professional real estate agent, after getting a referral from a friend.

“I immediately saw the difference in having a real estate professional in my corner,” Rossana recalls. “She offered staging, took really nice photos, and her level of professionalism was so impressive. And when there was an offer coming in, she was able to negotiate on my behalf.”

In the end, Rossana sold her condo — about two weeks after hiring an agent — and for a price she was very happy with.

“I really underestimated the amount of time an effort needed to sell a home myself. For anyone looking to sell their home, I highly recommend working with a real estate professional.”

Reasons to Use a Real Estate Professional

Rossana’s experience is a valuable tale for those thinking of taking a DIY approach to selling a home. While there is a cost to selling with a real state agent in the form of commission, the cost to sell without one may be greater.

Here are five benefits to working with a real estate agent:

  1. Market Knowledge. Rossana’s real estate agent knew what comparable condos in her neighbourhood had sold for, and the inventory on the market at the time. This enabled her to have an informed perspective on a reasonable listing price and acceptable end selling price.
  2. Visibility and Presentation. From professional staging to high quality photos, Rossana’s real estate agent presented her home in a highly attractive manner that was appealing to potential buyers. And because she could list the property on Realtor.ca, those looking for properties online could browse the photos and features of Rossana’s condo 24/7.
  3. Administration and Coordination. One of the things that Rossana underestimated was the time commitment required to sell a home privately. Her real estate agent took care of all the showings and open houses, allowing Rossana to be completely hands off until it came time to review an offer.
  4. Professional Real Estate Networks. As an established agent, Rossana’s real estate agent could connect with others working with buyers in the neighbourhood, and present the property to those in her network, further widening the net of potential purchasers.
  5. Negotiation Skills. Rossana’s real estate agent had significant experience negotiating deals and was in a great position to get Rossana the best possible price for her condo — Rossana didn’t have to do any of the negotiating herself.


Thinking about selling your home? Let Rossana’s story be a reminder of the benefits to working with a real estate professional.




Credit: Diane Amato,

Diane Amato is a Toronto-based freelance writer who loves to talk about finances, travel and technology.

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When buying a home, most people probably first think of the financial responsibility. Don’t let yourself forget, however, about the time and labor that home ownership also requires. Just like regular oil changes for your car keep your engine happy and healthy, keeping up with regular home maintenance tasks will keep you from future headaches and wasted money.

It can be intimidating to think about these various tasks, especially if you’re a new homeowner. It’s a long list — there’s no denying that. The good news is that you can do the majority of it on your own without much experience. Google is your best friend, and if you really get stuck, call up your local handyman to help you out.

In order to maximize your efficiency and actually get all of these tasks done, you might want to create a home maintenance calendar for yourself. Whether online or on paper, you can jot down small, regular tasks for each weekend and not be too overwhelmed. We’ve listed tasks that need to be done monthly, quarterly, and biannually. We’ve also given you a list of tasks to be completed seasonally. Not every expert agrees as to which task needs to be done in which season, so this isn’t a black and white list, necessarily. Do what works for you and your schedule, and as long as all these things get accomplished, your home will be happy for years and years to come.

Monthly 

  • Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters. Many experts will say to change the filters monthly, but that’s not always necessary. For smaller families without pets or allergies, you’ll likely be okay changing the filters every 2-3 months. If the filter is dirty, change it out, otherwise inspect it again next month. I’ve also been told by handymen to go with cheaper filters and replace them more often versus going with the expensive filters. These filters can be found online at Amazon.ca or by simply heading down to your Home Improvement store. 
  • Clean kitchen sink disposal. There are a bunch of ways to do this, but the handiest and best all-around solution seems to be ice cubes. Run the ice cubes through the disposal. Ice sharpens the blades, and helps release small impurities lodged in the hard to clean spots. You’re welcome.
  • Clean range hood filters. If you’ve never thought of doing this, you’re in for a real “treat” when you get that filter off the hood to clean it for the first time. Simply using a degreaser from an auto parts store mixed with hot water. Let the filter sit for a few minutes, rinse it off, and you’re good to go.
  • Inspect your fire extinguisher(s). We’ll assume you have and know how to use a fire extinguisher. This inspection doesn’t require much: ensure it has easy access (not being blocked by a garbage can or anything else), that the gauge shows adequate pressure, and that it has no visible signs of wear and tear.

Quarterly 

  • Test smoke/carbon dioxide detectors. Another simple task; your detectors should have a “test” button. If the alarm sounds, you’re good to go. If not, replace batteries immediately and test again. If it still doesn’t sound, it’s possible there’s simply corrosion on the battery terminal, and it won’t detect new batteries.  Clean it and try again. If it still doesn’t work, you’ll likely need a new detector. 
  • Test garage door auto-reverse feature. Test every month by placing a 2×4 on the ground where the door would close. It should reverse after a second or so when the door hits the wood. Also test the photo-electric sensors if you have them by placing something in front of them (not your body). If the door doesn’t immediately go back up, you have a problem.
  • Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces. This mostly applies to guest bathrooms, or any other sinks/water sources you don’t use on a regular basis. The idea is to prevent grime or any other kind of build up. Regularly running a little bit of water through will prevent this.
  • Check water softener, add salt if needed. You shouldn’t need to add salt every month, but better to check anyway, as it only takes about 5 seconds.

Biannually 

  • Test your water heaters pressure relief valve. This will prevent mineral and corrosion buildup, which safeguards against leaks. It will also help your heater run more efficiently.
  • Give your house a deep clean. Take one Saturday every six months with your whole family, and give the whole house a proper deep clean. Appliances, windows, dusting every nook and cranny (including the basement), etc. Keeping things clean and not letting dirt/grime/dust build up over years and years will help keep your home in tip-top shape.
  • Replace batteries in smoke/carbon dioxide detectors. I’d never heard this before, actually. I just assumed you changed it out when it started giving you the low battery beeping noise. This tip was in everything we researched, however. With something as important as this, you can’t be too careful, and batteries won’t break your bank. Change ‘em out every six months.
  • Vacuum your refrigerator Coils. I actually learned this tip from a refrigerator repairman, and our research confirmed it. The fridge can use up to 15 percent of your home’s total power, so you want it running as efficiently as possible. Over time, the coils get dirty and your fridge requires more juice. You can save up to $100 a year by doing this, and it’s not at all a difficult task.

Annually (Organized by Season) 

Spring 

Spring is a big month for home maintenance. They don’t call it “Spring Cleaning” for nothing. Especially focus on the exterior of your home as it’s just gone through winter and is preparing for summer heat, and in some parts of the country, brutal humidity.

  • Check the exterior drainage. Will rain water flow away from the house? Puddles should not stand around your home for more than 24 hours. If water stays, or moves toward your foundation, you have a few options. First, check your gutters. It could be a bad spout or a loose connection there; they may also just need cleaning. Second, you can grade the area around your home yourself with some dirt; this has worked just fine for me in the past. Third, for pavement, you can have professionals come out and raise it so it drains away from your home.
  • Clean out gutters. They’ve likely accumulated leaves from the fall and grime/sediment from the winter snows and/or rains.
  • Inspect the exterior of your home. Is any paint chipping? Is any siding damaged from winter? Are there any holes in your brick? Take a close look all around your house, and make any repairs as needed. Also be sure to check the foundation for any cracks. A good silicone/caulk can fix a lot of your problems.
  • Get your air conditioning system ready for summer; consider having it serviced. This one really depends on your individual home, and even which part of the country you live in. Central air is usually a complex system. Getting it serviced by a professional should be be pretty inexpensive, and it will save money and headaches down the road.
  • Repair/replace damaged window screens. You don’t want bugs making their way in because you missed a hole in a window screen. And no, duct tape doesn’t count. It can be a quick fix, but don’t leave it for long. It just looks bad.
  • Clear dead plants/shrubs from the house. This could double as a gardening tip, but if you didn’t trim trees or shrubs in the fall, do so now. Plants can weasel their way into cracks and holes on the exterior of your home, causing damage and shortened longevity. Nip that in the bud before it’s an issue. If you have decorative vines on the exterior, pay close attention.
  • Check trees for interference with electric lines. Have professionally trimmed if necessary.
  • Inspect roofing for damage, leaks, etc. Repair as needed; you may need a professional.

Summer 

Summer is a great time to focus on the exterior of your home, as well as your lawn and garden. It’s also perfect for having that garage door open and utilizing the prolonged daylight to work on any manly projects you’ve had on the backburner.

  • Check grout in bathrooms, kitchen, etc.; repair as needed. This will prolong the life of your tiled surfaces and just looks better.
  • Inspect plumbing for leaks, clean aerators on faucets. Go around to all your faucets and toilets and check for any small leaks. If you have poor water pressure out of a faucet, the aerator is the likely culprit and it’s an extremely easy fix.
  • Take care of any insect problems you may have. Summer is their playground. You probably won’t have to look too hard to notice any insect problems. Ants, spiders, moths, etc. are all common, and fairly easy to take care of. Keep cobwebs clear, have ant poison handy, make sure all doors are tightly closed, etc.
  • Clean and repair deck/patio as needed. It generally just needs a good washing. A deck may also need re-staining. Also check for any loose boards or posts and repair as needed.
  • Clean out window wells of debris. If you have a basement, you also have window wells. All kinds of things can get down in there from leaves, to trash, to animals.
  • Check and clean dryer vent, other exhaust vents to exterior of home. While the dryer is running, check that the exhaust is coming out. It should smell nicely of fresh laundry. If there isn’t much exhaust, check for blockages as well as you can. You may need a professional. Also vacuum the lint from the hose at the dryer.
  • Clean garage. Cleaning the garage should be a summer ritual for every man. Keeping it clean and tidy will extend its life, and it often gets neglected of regular care. With all the extra dust it gets from the manly projects you’re working on, you should actually clean it even more. Once a year, however, give a thorough going-through.

Fall 

Fall is an in-between season where you’re finishing up your summer home maintenance tasks as well as getting your home ready for winter. Cold, snow, and rain can do a number to a home, so you don’t want to ignore winter preparation.

  • Flush Hot Water Heather and remove sediment This prolongs the life of the heater and helps with efficiency as well.
  • Winterize air conditioning systems. Remove and store window units. If you have central air, cover the outside unit with a tarp or plastic sheeting and secure with bungee cords.
  • Get heating system ready for winter. Check for any leaks in windows and doors; these can cost an arm and a leg. Make sure heating vents are open and not blocked by furniture. Get furnace serviced/inspected at least every other year, preferably annually. As with the AC, this shouldn’t be a huge expense. Don’t forget about fireplaces if you have them.
  • Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets. Also flush hoses and store them. Winterize sprinkler systems as well, if you have one.
  • Get chimney cleaned, if you have one. Some folks say to do this in the spring, some say fall. Either way, just make sure it’s done once per year.
  • Test sump pump. You don’t want to wait until you need your sump pump to find out it’s not working.
  • Check driveway/pavement for cracks. Make sure to have re-sealed before winter; water can freeze and expand in the cracks, causing more damage.
  • Buy winter gear. Have sidewalk salt, good shovels, etc. ready for winter. You never know when that first snow will come!

Winter 

Winter is the time to go around the interior of your home and check for any little things you may have overlooked, or perhaps noticed and said, “I’ll get to that later.” Winter is your later. If you have any interior honey-do projects, whether it be painting, building shelves, etc., now is a great time to tackle those as well.

  • Regularly check for ice dams and icicles. De-icing cables that sit at the front of the roof work well. Don’t let icicles grow, as much as the kids may want you to. They’re not only a danger to people standing beneath them, but they’re incredibly heavy and can cause damage to your home. They also can cause water damage to your foundation when they  melt.
  • Test your electricity to the extent that you can. Always, always be extra careful when working with electricity. You can do a couple things on your own, though. Check that all outlets work; if they don’t, CALL A PROFESSIONAL. Also, test you GFCI outlets. There are wildly varying opinions on how often to test this. Some say monthly, others say annually.
  • Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc. Go through the house and inspect anything that could have a loose screw.
  • Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows. If anything doesn’t work right, replace.
  • Check caulking around showers and bathtubs; repair as needed.
  • Remove showerheads and clean sediment. This prolongs its life and helps with water pressure as well.
  • Deep clean and inspect the basement. Basements are notoriously overlooked, especially if they’re primarily just storage areas. Dust ‘em up, clean any windows, make sure there isn’t mold anywhere, etc. Give your basement a good inspection at least once a year.
                                      I have a list of qualified professionals ready at my disposal, Just ask!
 

While this list is certainly extensive, it’s not a complete list of all the things you can do for your home. What do you do to keep your home in tip-top shape? Do you have any hacks for doing these tasks as efficiently and effectively as possible?

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