For some homeowners, the process of listing, showing and selling
their home can be stressful. Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to
make it much less nerve-racking—and even exciting and enjoyable.
Here are some ideas:
1. Make a plan. Decide when you’re going to show your property,
search for a new home, view listings, etc. Block out these times in an
agenda book or calendar. That way, you and your family can see
what’s coming up.
2. Be flexible. Few things go exactly as planned! So, it’s important to
build in flexibility. For example, you may plan to see homes for sale
on Saturdays, but if an opportunity comes up on a weeknight, give
yourself room in your schedule to jump on it.
3. Eat well. There are numerous studies that connect poor nutrition with
increased stress. When people are selling and moving, there’s a
tendency to rely on quick fixes, such as hot dogs and pizza! Try to
plan more nutritious meals that will keep everyone healthy and
energized.
4. Get stuff done early. Doing things last minute, such as finding a real
estate lawyer or getting rid of clutter, can quickly lead to stress and
frustration. Whenever possible, get tasks done early. That way, you
won’t have to worry about them.
5. Hire the right professionals. By far, the surest way to a stress-free
move is to get the right professionals working for you: everyone from
contractors to mortgage brokers to movers.
By the way, a big part of what I do for clients is help make every
aspect of buying, selling and moving go smoothly.

Contact us to learn how we can help you!!

The Bank of Canada opted to maintain its target for the overnight interest rate this morning at 1.25 per cent.  In the statement accompanying the decision, the Bank noted that although growth in the Canadian economy slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter of 2017, the economy is expected to operate at capacity going forward. The bank cited recent trade policy developments, mainly the threat of a trade war with the United States, as a significant risk to its outlook for growth and inflation.

The Canadian economy is at or very close to full-employment, meaning there is little room for Canadian firms to expand output without putting undue pressure on inflation. There are signs core inflation is already firming up. Two of the Bank’s three core inflation measures are closing in on the Bank’s 2 per cent target and all three measures have increased significantly in the past six months. Absent any unforeseen challenges to the Canadian economy, monetary policy will be biased in the direction of higher interest rates.  However, the Bank will likely hold off raising its overnight rate while it assesses the impact of tighter monetary policy over the past year, the impact of newly implemented B-20 guidelines on mortgage qualification rules, and heightened risk to Canadian exports from US trade policy.

“Copyright British Columbia Real Estate Association. Reprinted with permission.”

Watch any TV cooking show, and you’ll notice that a chef’s kitchen looks
quite a bit different than what you’d find in most homes. But, that doesn’t
mean you can’t have one just like it in your home! With a little remodeling,
and splurging on some new items, you too can have a kitchen worthy of
Gordon Ramsey, Jamie Oliver, or Rachel Ray.
Chefs love counter space. So, when remodeling, plan to create as much as
possible. If you have an existing island, for example, you can replace the
countertop with a larger one. Just adding eight inches in both directions will
make a big difference.
Most chefs have more than one oven. If that’s impractical for you, consider
buying a double-oven stove. Also, chefs prefer gas burners for quicker heatup
times and exacting control of cooking temperature.
One thing you’ll notice about chefs is they love stainless steel.
That’s because it’s easy-to-clean, hygienic and durable (assuming you take
care of it).
Finally, because chefs spend so much time in the kitchen, they want the
space to be attractive and comfortable. So, when remodeling, keep decor
in mind.
Even if you’re just an amateur chef, creating a chef-worthy kitchen will make
the foodie in you smile.

Sometimes the reason for putting your home on the market is crystal clear.
For example, you might have a job relocation and need to move. Or, you
might have decided to downsize because the kids have left the nest.
However, there are many other motivations to list your home that are not as
obvious, and yet are still good reasons to make a move. Here are just a few
examples...
• You’re bored with your home and are looking for a change.
• There’s something you’ve always wanted in a home that your current
property doesn’t have, such as a wooded backyard.
• You want to be closer to work, or to activities you enjoy, such as golf.
• You want to be closer to family.
• The neighbourhood is changing in a way that no longer fits the
lifestyle you want.
• There’s another neighbourhood you’ve always dreamed of living in.
• Your tastes have changed and you want to live in a different type of
home.
None of these reasons makes it an absolute necessity to list your property
and find a new home. Yet, they’re all worth considering, especially if moving
will make you and your family happier, and provide you with a more
desirable lifestyle.
Want to talk about the possibilities? Call today The Dion-Ivans Real Estate Team today!!