How are you spending your time in the beautiful Comox Valley during the days of social distancing? Have you taken some time to spring clean the house, catch up on your favourite Netflix shows or even try your hand at an old hobby? The ever-changing circumstances have limited the operations of many businesses, leaving some people without revenue while others navigate a significantly reduced income lifestyle. As we walk this new norm as a community, we’ve compiled 5 simple, yet effective ways to reduce your expenses in 2020:

Shopping Lists and Meal Plans
During the days of COVID19, we’re more aware of the number of times we’re heading out in Courtenay to shop at stores like Costco and the grocery store. Pre-planning what you need for meals and snacks…

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This 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo is a top floor corner unit with mountain views. This updated unit has lots of windows giving you that bright daylight right feeling in almost every room. This is a well-maintained building. A desirable, quiet East Courtenay location at the end of a cul-de-sac. This condo has an open plan between the living room, dining room and has a bright kitchen. This is an ideal unit for first time home buyers or investors. Close to all amenities including, CFB Comox, Costco, Home Depot, Thrifty Foods, parks, all levels of schools including North Island College, and the Aquatic Center. Don't think twice, call Bryce!

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We're living in strange times, with most of us currently sitting at home twiddling our thumbs in self-isolation. Luckily, with the change of the seasons here in the Comox Valley, it's the perfect time to spend ur days in self-isolation to Spring clean our homes! Spring cleaning is a great time to review closets, garages, and storage rooms; donating any items no longer serving purpose in your home. Take some of your newly found time at home to get your property in a sparkling state with these areas of focus:

The House as a Whole
Pick a room and get down to business cleaning baseboards, windowsills, doors and windows. This is a great time to dust from the top of a room to the bottom, ensuring you're eliminating any potential dust allergens. If you're…

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Gearing up to purchase real estate is an exciting time. You’ll spend time reviewing the active listings on Realtor.ca to establish which home features are most important to you and decide an appropriate budget that allows you to maintain your favourite hobbies and lifestyle after the big purchase. The real estate industry is always changing, as are the potential fees and rebates that you may be eligible for when purchasing a property. Though each transaction comes with its own unique circumstances, there are some common costs associated with making a real estate purchase. We’ve detailed the top 7 most common real estate costs here: 

 

Real Estate Offer Deposit
A deposit is a monetary “good faith” that is required by the buyer upon a successful (or…

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Navigating the ever-changing mortgage market can feel overwhelming at times. As you’re on this journey to homeownership it’s important to ensure you have trusted professionals working for you. Once you’ve connected with your chosen Realtor® it’s time to start the mortgage pre-approval process. Here are some key terms and first steps to get you started on your path to real estate purchasing success.

 

Choosing a Lender
Establish your affordability by meeting with your favourite Comox Valley mortgage professional prior to beginning your house hunt. Compare your mortgage options by researching lenders, local banks and mortgage brokers to see the products, rates and terms that are available to you.

A pre-approval will help you to establish your own…

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One of the things we love most about living in the Comox Valley is the community mindset and support-local attitude of the amazing people that live here. Like the majority of British Columbia, small business entrepreneurship has been on the rise in the Comox Valley over the last several years. The 2019 Government of BC Small Business Profile showcased that a staggering 61% of the province’s small businesses were operated by self-employed persons with no paid employees. The success of a small businesses weighs on many important factors, most importantly a strong office set-up that promotes productivity and positivity. Many entrepreneurs work solely from home or rely on a streamlined home office to ensure they’re maximizing their work-from-home time.…

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No winter lasts forever; don’t let the wet and rainy weather forecast here in the Comox Valley get you down! If you find yourself avoiding time spent outdoors, take advantage of this time of year by utilizing time indoors to make cosmetic updates to your home.

We’re seeing many design trends that were popular in decades passed make their comeback in 2020. These aesthetically appealing enhancements can elevate your property for your own pleasure or can prepare you to take your home to the Spring market.  If you’re looking for some fun and creative ideas to spruce up your Comox Valley home this season, have a look at our top 6 favourite 2020 design inspirations below.

 

Statement Backsplashes

A fresh backsplash is a great way to polish up…

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New year, new mindset; it’s no surprise that January is the most popular month for homeowners to review their monthly costs, making conscious efforts to conserve spending and increase their savings contributions. Many of us have started the year off with a shift in our financial awareness that has us evaluating whether we’re adequately covered and on budget each month. It’s the season for Courtenay real estate owners to review their cable and utility costs, household budgets as well as insurance policy coverages. What better time than now to review your own property insurance policies with your insurer to confirm the details are up-to-date and accurate. 

Depending on your geographical location and the insurance provider you’re insured with, you may be…

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A new decade is upon us, and with it comes excitement and optimism. New opportunity, new goals and the potential for new investments. With all the new year brings, will 2020 be your year to purchase Comox Valley Real Estate?

If a property purchase is on your 2020 goal list, you’ll want to be prepared for all that the home buying adventure throws your way. Hiring professionals in the industry, weighing all the features of a home or neighbourhood and structuring a sound offer for purchase are key factors to navigate during the real estate transaction. With the world wide web at your fingertips, it may be appealing to start your 2020 home hunt alone, but there are many reasons to work with a professional Realtor® to ensure you obtain the property of your…

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Opening your doors to friends and family during the holiday season will be a ton of fun, but you may find yourself overwhelmed with the thought of organizing all the moving parts of your event. While the holiday season isn’t ideal for major home renovations, we think it’s a great time for a “functionality review” to prepare your house to look and flow it’s best. 

Take the time to focus on the areas you’ll spend the most time in such as the kitchen, living areas and guest spaces. Whether you’ll be hosting for your first time, or as the go-to host space each year, consider our Top 10 Tips for getting your home ready to host for the holidays. 

 

 Lighting

‘tis the season in the Comox Valley for the very early setting of the sun; greet your…

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