Outdoor options have changed over the years. Portable grills and picnic tables are now being supplanted by all-weather kitchens and serving stations, covered decks with comfortable sofas and chairs, and dining areas every bit as elegant as their indoor counterparts. Canadians in all provinces are more attuned to the possibilties of outdoor living—at home—than ever before.
Gaining Additional Living Space
Whether moving into the yard is a reaction to spiraling home prices and higher vacation costs, or simply an acknowledgement that good times can be had at home, well-equipped outdoor living rooms are a hot new trend, even in provinces with shorter summers. Upscale outdoor rooms boast fireplaces or ceiling fans and summer misters to extend the
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When someone decides to buy a home, they often get a crash course in many areas of personal finance, including credit. Understanding a credit score and how it affects a person's chances of being able to buy a home is vital. By learning early about what is required, buyers can increase their chances of checking off all the boxes for success and move into that new home.
The trend of fewer sales and more listings available for sale continued through the end of the year with just 375 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board in December 2018, 19% fewer than the 462 sold in December 2017 and 25% less than sold in November.
When a buyer budgets for a home purchase, closing costs must be taken into consideration. Since closing costs are due in cash at the time of the purchase, it's imperative that the buyer have money for these fees on hand. Knowing what closing costs are, how much to expect to pay and when they're due helps home buyers to plan for a smooth home buying process.
One thing that many sellers dread is a buyer’s market. This means that there are far more homes for sale than there are buyers looking for homes. As a result, home buyers effectively have their pick of the litter and sellers are left competing with each other to provide the best deal to entice the buyers. This is different than a sellers market where there are not enough homes and the buyers are at a disadvantage.
It is almost universally agreed that having a good roof over your head is important. However, it is sometimes difficult to know how much life is left in a home's existing roof. Although a homeowner might concede that some action is needed, there is always a question about the effectiveness of needed repairs. If replacement seems to be the best option, there may be additional questions.
The trend of decreasing sales volume continued in November with a total of 498 properties sold, 17% fewer sales than in October and 26% fewer than the 671 sold in November of last year. Condo sales were down 31% and single family sales were down 21%. In the fall of 2017 the federal government announced the changes to mortgage lending rules which came into effect January 1, 2018 and led to a frenzy of activity in November and December 2017. Last months sales volume was just 3% lower than our 10 year average sales volume of 515 in November.
The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) HPI (Home Price Index) benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core (Victoria, Vic West, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich and View Royal) was up 4% to $865,200 from… 
A seller's market can be an intimidating place for buyers because it's unfortunately easy to be taken advantage of if they're not careful. Luckily, there are ways that buyers can help themselves get a better deal on their home without lowering their expectations.
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.
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.