November 2018

It may seem like unnecessary hassle and expense to secure a permit for home improvements or renovations, but any number of homeowners can testify that the cost and consequences of ignoring the requirements are higher.

Aside from the plight of inferior workmanship that sometimes is the hallmark of a job performed by a contractor who neglects to secure a proper permit and call for needed inspections, there are possible legal and financial consequences. Obtaining necessary plan reviews in order to secure a permit can add time delays and additional cost to a planned renovation or building project, but they should be considered a necessary part of the job.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed West Saanich real estate

Foundation damage is virtually inevitable for a home that's old enough, and even though it occurs over many years, it's still a surprise to many homeowners. Homes move and shift with the soil, which will put pressure on the sides and the base in such a way that can collapse the whole home if owners don't recognize the problem. For a better idea of what can be done to help prevent and correct foundation damage, keep the following facts in mind.

Early Sings

There are a few early signs that Saanich East homeowners can look for well before the home starts to bulge and sag past the point of no return. If the doors and windows aren't closing properly, then this could be a sign that the home has shifted in one direction or the other. In addition,

After selling a home and buying a new home, it’s time to focus on moving. This is a big job that takes a lot of effort from everyone in the household in order to make sure everything is packed by the move date. In such hectic times, shortcuts and advice are always welcome, so here are some of the best tips homeowners should keep in mind while packing to move.

1. Start Packing Before the Home Is Sold

There’s no getting around it: packing is a huge job that requires a lot of time and effort. In order to prevent everything from happening during crunch time, homeowners should start preparing early. Before the old home is even on the market, the homeowner should be putting away extra things that won’t be needed in order to both cut down on clutter

>Last month we saw a small normal seasonal increase in sales over to 598 sold over the 533 sold in September, but down 10% from the 664 sold in October last year. There were 15% fewer condos and single family homes sold in October compared to October of the previous year.

The supply of homes available for sale was up to 2,510 actively for sale at the end of October, that's 32% higher than at the end of October last year.

The simple overall math is that we now have a 4 month supply which suggests a "balanced market". A closer look shows significant differences in this "balance" in different areas, property types and price ranges. Some continue to be relatively under supplied with competing bids while others are seeing almost no activity and

These days, many homeowners are doing whatever they can to ensure that their home is as environmentally friendly as possible. From installing smart technology that reduces energy consumption to composting food scraps, there are many ways to make a home greener, but one way many homeowners overlook is the types of flooring used in the home. While it may not seem like it, the floor a homeowner chooses to use can have a big impact on the environment through using renewable or recycled materials. This can make an impact on many buyers when selling your home. Here are some of the different eco-friendly flooring options for homes.

1. Wool Carpeting

While normal carpeting is often fairly eco-friendly, wool carpeting is even more so because it uses