The B.C. government has introduced legislation that, if passed, will extend the rent freeze to the end of 2021.

The changes will also cap future rent increases to the rate of inflation, stop illegal renovictions and change the rent resolution process.

“The changes mean no more tenants will face eviction notices for phoney renovations that were never going to happen,” Vancouver West-End MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert said.

“By putting an end to this kind of bullying behaviour, meant...

Whether you're considering buying a particular home, selling your current property – or both – a home inspection can help.

A home inspection is an inspection by a qualified professional who takes a close look at every aspect of a home – structure, wiring, plumbing, and more – and identifies issues you may not have noticed yourself.

For example, a home inspection can reveal that a furnace will need to be replaced soon, or that there is a water leak into the basement that needs...

B.C.'s eviction moratorium and rent subsidy are ending and tenant advocates worry repayment programs won't help renters fend off eviction.

The government has asked landlords to be flexible in allowing tenants who have built up back rent debts a grace period of up to nine months to pay them. But advocates worry that still leaves a lot of tenants at risk of losing their housing.

The province estimates up to 15 percent of B.C.’s 1.5 million tenants haven’t been able to pay their full rent...

Fraser Valley market stays quiet through November

Beware of Over-Downsizing or Over-Upsizing.

Buying a new pair of shoes is relatively easy. Once you find the style you like, all you need to do is try them on and see if they fit. If they do, you go to the cash register and pay.

When it comes to size, buying a new home can be trickier! Whether your intention is to upsize or downsize, figuring out the right size can be especially challenging.

Say for example, you’re downsizing from a large two-story home to a smaller bungalow. You don...

5 Ways to Make the Selling Process Stress-Free.

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....

Handling a New Home Problem on Moving Day

Imagine buying a product from a store, taking it home, and then discovering there’s a problem with it. Disappointing, yes, but not a catastrophe. You can simply take it back for repair or exchange, right? 

But, what if it’s moving day, and you discover there’s a problem with your new home? Whoa. A house isn’t so easily returned!

What are the most common problems encountered on moving day?

• A delay in getting the keys....

Buying Your Dream Home in a Hot Market.

Imagine finding the perfect home, only to discover there is serious interest from at least a dozen other buyers. It’s like scrambling for the last piece of cake at a buffet!

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help get the home you want, even in a highly competitive market. Here are just a few ideas:

• Only view a few ideal properties at a time. If you see too many, and thus spread yourself too thin, you risk homes slipping through your fingers....

Decorative moulding is one of the most eye-catching ways to upgrade a room. You’re probably accustomed to seeing standard baseboard moulding installed where your floor meets the wall. But, there are many other types. For example:

• Crown moulding for ceilings.

• Panel moulding for a southern colonial look.

• Chair rail moulding, which is very distinctive on walls.

• Apron moulding for window sills.

• Entablature moulding for above doorways.

Decorative moulding...

Making an Offer in a Competitive Market

So, imagine finding a home you love, making an offer, and then finding out there are other competing offers on the table. This has been the norm, in recent months, when negotiating on a property.   

If you’re looking for a property in a competitive market, it is likely that there will be multiple, or competing offers. Even just one other offer can create the risk that you’ll lose the home. So how do you make sure your offer is enticing...

When considering which of two or more competing offers to accept for your home, there is no doubt price plays a huge role. After all, if Offer #1 is $10,000 higher than Offer #2, that’s an enticing difference that puts thousands of extra dollars in your pocket, correct? 

However, price isn’t the only thing you should think about when comparing multiple offers. There are other factors you need to consider as well.

For example, what conditions are in the offer? If Offer #1 is conditional...

So,.....when would YOU say is the best time to meet with a REALTOR. Me perhaps. Chances are, you would say, “When I’m thinking of buying or selling a home.” You’d be right, of course! Absolutely!

Also, there are many other good reasons to meet up. Here are just a few:

• You want a professional opinion as to the current value of your property, so you know what it would likely sell for in today’s market, even if you hadn't thought of selling. It's like a financial...

Closing day is an exciting time. After all, you’re moving into your new home! However, it can be stressful as well. The last thing you need is to be confronted with something you don’t understand. So here is a quick list of common “closing day” terms.

• Disbursements. This is the allocation of funds to the appropriate parties, such as the seller. Your lawyer will take care of this for you.

• Possession. This is the moment on closing day when you are legally able to...

So, as you’re probably aware, the list price you set for your property has an impact on how quickly it sells — and how much you'll realize on the sale, yes? 

What you may not realize is just how significant an impact it has. Consider the following examples:

Example 1:

You price your property  above its current market value. As a result, many buyers don’t bother to see it because it’s outside of their price range. Those who do see it are confused by the high price...

One of the most important decisions you make when selling your home is setting the listing price. That can be tricky. After all, if you price your property too low, you leave money on the table — perhaps thousands of dollars. On the other hand, if you price your home too high, many buyers won’t even bother to see it, believing it is too expensive. Or they may have overlooker your home. 

Even with that reality, there are some sellers who contemplate setting a high listing price in...

Many homeowners think there’s not much they can do about telephone, heating, water and other utility expenses. Sure, you may grumble about a high heating bill one month, but what can you do about it?

Turns out, you can do plenty. There are several ways to reduce monthly utility costs that can save you tens or even hundreds of dollars. For example:

• Shop around for a better phone plan. Then contact your phone company. They might match the rates.

• Turn down...

When Is the Right Time to Talk to a REALTOR®?

When would you talk to a car salesperson, for example? Probably, only once you’re ready to buy a new car. You would maybe do some initial research (perhaps on the internet), get an idea of what you want, and then go to the dealership to meet a salesperson, test drive the car and make the purchase, right??

Now, although that approach may work when you’re buying a car, it’s not the best approach when it comes to real estate.

You see,...

The first known use of stairs was in ancient Egypt during the building of the pyramids. Chances are, some workers back then tripped and fell on them. Some 3,000 years later, injuries on stairs are still a big problem.

According to the Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, the insurance cost of injuries from falls on stairs is second only to automobile accidents! Clearly, it's a bigger problem than most people imagine.

So how do you prevent trips, falls and other mishaps on stairs?...

Do You Have “Recalled” Products in Your Home?

You’ve no doubt noticed the occasional news report about a product being recalled for safety reasons. For example, a car model with a brake problem, or a children’s toy that, under some circumstances, may cause injury.

You may not know that these news reports are merely the tip of the iceberg. For each product recall you hear about in the media, there are dozens that get little, if any, publicity.

That means there may be products...