Contrary to popular belief, as the buyer in a real estate transaction, you do not actually pay a real estate sales representative’s commission. The real estate agent actually earns a percentage of the brokerage commission, which is laid out in the purchase contract and is calculated from the price of the house. This commission is paid for by the person who is listing their home for sale. Essentially, you get the support and knowledge of a buyer representative for free – which is a great reason to utilize a REALTOR® when you’re looking to invest in Comox Valley real estate.

If the aspect of their professional services being free to you as a buyer isn’t enough to influence your decision single-handedly, here are five more reasons a real estate…

963 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

On July 1st, 2020 The Canadian Housing Mortgage Corp. (CMHC) executed their announcement to change the borrowing rules for homebuyers. If you’re in the market to purchase Comox Valley real estate and especially if you’re a first time home buyer, you’ll want to review these changes that may have impacted you directly. Here’s a closer look at the CMHC changes – and some tips to help you get organized for obtaining a mortgage pre-approval:  

 

Understanding Debt Ratios
Gross Debt Servicing Ratio (GDS) and Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDS) are the two key metrics used to qualify you for a mortgage. GDS is calculated by totaling your estimated housing costs and dividing it by your gross annual income. TDS is calculated by totaling your GDS with other…

1029 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

We’ve all heard the horror stories that can happen if you don’t do your homework when choosing a trades professional. Like the contractor that demoed a kitchen, never to be seen again; or the pool company that accepted a homeowner’s deposit but keeps pushing back the installation date.

We want to make sure these disasters don’t happen to you when you’re looking for assistance with those big renovation projects around your home. Use these 5 tips to help you find the best trades professionals in the Comox Valley that can help with your home renovations – and increase the likelihood of your complete satisfaction!

 

All in Good Time
One of the biggest considerations when hiring professional trades companies is your timeline. Do you need the project…

952 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Whether you want to stage your house for a successful sale, add a touch of modern décor to your Courtenay home, or simply stop your neighbours from being able to see what you do behind closed doors, investing in window coverings could be the solution you’re looking for.

As a seller, there are plenty of variables that contribute to selling your house quickly – and for top dollar. Taking your home to a polished completion helps a potential buyer to see value from both a completed task and investment standpoint too. Within the Comox Valley real estate market, there’s a playful balance between two main factors when it comes to great window treatments; 1) fantastic functionality and 2) desirable decoration.

 

FANTASTIC FUNCTIONALITY

When it comes…

906 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Moving can be a huge task to tackle if you’re foregoing the route of hiring a professional moving company. An independent move delegates all of the responsibility from packing, purging and delivering to you and your dedicated team of friends and family. Even when movers are involved, there’s still some parts of the process the pros are not able to do. These five tips will help make your upcoming move easier on your little ones – and yourself!

 

Prepare a Plan for Moving Week
To have things run as smoothly as possible, get a plan of action ready ahead of time. Create a timeline for the whole week before your move-in date, so you know what to expect and you have some strategies in place. Consider which rooms to pack on what days, the logistics for…

835 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

It’s no secret that homes with attractive curb appeal command higher asking prices and spend less time sitting on the market. With so many ideas on the internet to boost your home’s curb appeal, you may be wondering which projects pump up your real estate’s value best? Though there aren’t specific values connected to certain improvement projects, here are some of our favourite financially-savvy ways to boost your home's equity with a little summer upgrade;

Squeaky Clean
Before you make the decision of whether or not to paint the facade of your property, turn to the tried and true method of a deep clean of your exterior with a pressure washer or some good-old-fashioned elbow grease. A bucket of hot soapy water and a long-handled bristle brush will likely…

774 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The B.C. government has continued to reassure renters they will not be evicted if they cannot pay rent during the state of emergency related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As you may be aware, it was announced on March 25, 2020 that the Province of British Columbia has halted evictions during the COVID-19 crisis. Though some support is being offered, it’s leaving tenants and landlords both posing questions of what the future holds in the Comox Valley and beyond. Below is some basic information to clarify the support available with additional links for extended funding education; 

A Temporary Rental Supplement (TRS) is currently available, offering up to $500 a month to help renters pay part of their rent and help ensure landlords continue to…

777 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Not all real estate transactions are created equally. Some moves happen by choice in effort to acquire more space for a growing family, or to downsize when the empty nester era sets in. In other circumstances, a real estate transaction must take place because of a job transfer, death in the family, divorce or other monumental life change.

If you find yourself having to move during these times, you’ll want to ensure more than ever that you’ve hired the best professionals to stand in your corner. Among your team of professionals will be a mortgage lender, a real estate lawyer/notary and a trusted Comox Valley Real Estate Professional. By building your very own team of experts you can ensure your important questions are answered by industry specialists,…

739 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Beautiful Cumberland home with a mortgage helper will help pave the way for you and your family. The suite is legal and is located over the garage, and has its own yard. The home has a bright open concept with the kitchen and family room leading out to the patio. The upstairs design has the laundry adjacent to the bedrooms and features great separation from the suite over the garage. The suite has its own entry and makes this home very affordable. 

 

Beautiful Cumberland home with a mortgage helper will help pave the way for you and your family. The suite is legal and is located over the garage, and has its own yard. The home has a bright open concept with the kitchen and family room leading out to the patio. The upstairs design has the laundry…

609 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom luxury condo is one you will not want to miss if you are looking in the Campbell River Market. This unit is an end unit, giving you that added privacy, ocean views, and the unit features the biggest walkout balconies in this complex. Enjoy the luxury of having beautiful quartz counters throughout along with 2 bedrooms, a den and 2 full bathrooms, one of which is a gorgeous 5 piece ensuite with large soaker tub and separate shower stall. Situated in a gated community, just a short drive from downtown Campbell River.

 

 

512 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post