National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. This federal statutory holiday was created through legislative amendments made by Parliament. Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community inter-generational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters”.  The orange shirt is a symbol of the stripping away of culture, freedom and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children over generations. On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.  Read more ... Search Homes for Sale Victoria and Vancouver Island “Non-Market” Reasons Why it Might Be the Ideal Time to Sell When considering whether or not to sell their home, many people think about market conditions. They consider whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market. They look at trends. They try to time the sale to get the best price for their property. While market conditions certainly can play a role in deciding whether you should sell now rather than later, many other factors can influence that decision too. For example, you might have outgrown your home and need more space. Perhaps you need an extra bedroom or a larger kitchen. If you wait until market conditions are perfect, you may languish for months — or even years — in a home that’s too small for you. The same can be said for downsizing. Another “non-market” reason you might want to sell your home sooner rather than later is the neighbourhood. Is there another community more suited to your lifestyle that you want to get into? If it’s a particularly desirable area, you don’t want to wait too long to make a move. If you do, you might lose some good opportunities. There’s also the emotional side of the decision to consider. You might simply want to move for no other reason than you need a change. That’s as good a reason as any to put up the For Sale sign and find your next dream home. Other non-market reasons for selling include: Wanting a shorter commute to work. Adapting to a change in your family situation. Wishing to live closer to relatives and friends. Yearning for a particular property feature, such as a backyard with mature trees. So, don’t just consider market conditions when deciding to sell. Look at all the reasons and then move forward with confidence. After all, you can sell and buy in any market.   What is my Home Worth in Today's Market? Search Homes for Sale Ontario Questions? It can be difficult to make a decision, especially if it’s one that will impact many aspects of your life. It’s all too easy to simply not make a choice and stick with the status quo. But, that’s not always the best thing to do. In fact, when baseball legend, Yogi Berra, was asked about his secret to success, he famously replied, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it!” Sure, he was joking. A little. But he was also providing very insightful advice. Get all the information you need and then make a decision that’s right for you. He recommended that you avoid getting stuck in indecision at all costs. That kind of indecision often happens in the real estate world. Homeowners consider selling their home and finding a more ideal property, but they get stuck. They can’t make the decision. It’s not fun. Indecision can be stressful and rarely gets anyone anywhere. Why am I bringing this up? If you’re ever thinking about moving and wondering, “Should I move or should I stay?”, I want you to know you can give me a call. I’ll provide you with the latest market data, information, and advice so that you can make the right decision — quickly. I’d like to help you avoid the stress of indecision. Best regards, Diana Winger Personal Real Estate Corporation (BC) Real Estate Agent (ON) | REALTOR® | eXp Realty Mortgage Agent Valko Financial Dominion Lending Centres CNE, SRS, SRES, ABR (226) 705-3369 | (250) 588-8839 | dwinger@dianawinger.com ON YOUR TEAM! Share Tweet Forward

Copyright © 2022 Diana Winger Personal Real Estate Corporation @ eXp Realty, All rights reserved.

This week in the Real Estate News

This week in the Real Estate News

WHAT TO WATCH FOR WHEN VIEWING OLDER HOMES Buying an older property definitely has its advantages. The neighbourhood will already be well-established, so you’ll be able to get a sense of the community. The trees will be grown. The area will have a defined character. This combination of an older home and established community may be something you like, or even love. However, when you’re viewing an older home for sale, there are a few extra things you need to be sure to check. Here are the most important: Needed replacements. Nothing lasts forever. In any home, there are items that will eventually need to be replaced. The most common include roofing shingles, furnace, water heater, air conditioner, windows, deck, and fencing. When viewing an older property, ask about the age of each of these items. You’ll get an idea of probable upcoming replacement expenses. Building issues. Homes were built differently decades ago than they are today. So, there may be issues that need to be addressed by a new owner. Some can be serious, such as water leakage and structural problems. Others, less so, such as old electrical outlets that need to be updated. If there are issues like these, they’ll likely be identified during the professional home inspection. Drafts. Drafts are common in older homes. Of course, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be fixed. Even modest infiltration of air through an old window or door with worn weatherstripping could add hundreds of wasted dollars to your energy bill each year. Look for signs of drafts when viewing a home. The good news is, the overwhelming majority of these issues can be fixed easily. Don’t let them dissuade you from buying an older home you otherwise like. SEARCH HOMES FOR SALE VICTORIA & VANCOUVER ISLAND HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS "Early signs" that Canada's housing market adjustment is ending: CREA Housing supply crisis: Time for "alarm bells," says RE/MAX president Canadian housing inventory drops below 10-year average Canadian pandemic homebuyers have zero regrets, survey shows Canadian households have lost billions in real estate cool-down National Average Rents Climbed Nearly 17% in August, Topping the 2019 Peak: Report Douglas Todd: In B.C., housing is like a religion Gas stoves aren’t just bad for the environment. They pollute your indoor air, too Falling housing prices may not be leading to widespread buyers' remorse the way you think Canadian cities facing housing supply crisis, Re/Max report says FP Answers: Pros and cons of fixed vs variable mortgages as borrowing rates rise Posthaste: A third of Canadians worry about covering 'daily living expenses,' survey finds WHAT IS MY HOME WORTH IN TODAY'S MARKET? FOOD MOMENT Love food? Me too!! Click on the photo for this weeks selection. Very Delicious Baby!   SEARCH REAL ESTATE SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO QUESTIONS? Have you ever had a question about real estate and struggled to find the answer? Perhaps you Googled the question and got inundated with hundreds of pages of content, much of it unhelpful. Or, maybe you asked friends and neighbours and received conflicting answers. It can be frustrating – especially when all you really want is an answer that’s accurate and relevant. For example, you might be wondering, “How much are homes going for in this area?” The good news is, there is a source of information available that you’re going to find very helpful. Me! I have the latest data and insights into the local real estate market. So, when you have a question, I can usually get back to you with an answer that will be up-to-date and useful. You don’t have to dig for information and then worry about whether it’s correct. Get in touch, I’m happy to provide you with the facts and advice you need. Best regards, Diana Winger eXp Realty ON YOUR TEAM! Share Tweet Forward

This Week In The Real Estate News, Hot Condo Listing Downtown & More!

 

CONQUERING THE FEAR OF PAYING TOO MUCH  You’ve heard of “buyer’s regret”. It refers to purchasing a pricey item, like a fancy sweater or a new car, and then regretting it the next day because you think you paid too much. Fear of buyer’s regret can actually dissuade people from making a purchase, even when the price is right and they really want the product! In the real estate world, buyers can sometimes hesitate to make an offer on a home for the same reason. They worry about paying too much, so they take a pass on the property. That’s unfortunate because they may miss out on a great home at a good price! How do you conquer this fear? The first step is to get your finances in order. Determine how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market. Also, talk to a lender or mortgage advisor to find out how much of a mortgage you can get. This will give you a fairly good idea of what you can comfortably afford. Don’t forget to factor in monthly expenses when determining affordability. If you’re looking to move to a larger home, or one that’s in a highly desirable neighbourhood, your mortgage payments may be higher. Other expenses, like utilities, might increase too. Remember, a new home is as much a lifestyle investment as it is a traditional financial one. You’re making an investment in your – and your family’s – happiness. That might even make it worth spending a bit more. And, once you’ve reviewed your finances and anticipated your expenses, you may discover you can do just that! So, take all these factors into account and determine a price range within which you can comfortably shop. That will make it easier to make an offer on that perfect property with confidence, and with no fears of regret. BENCHMARK PRICE OVER TIME 7 DAY MARKET WATCH VICTORIA REAL ESTATE SEARCH MLS® LISTINGS VANCOUVER ISLAND HEADLINE HIGHLIGHTS The bright side of the cooling housing market for buyers Canadian banks raise prime rates after Bank of Canada hike VIDEO: Bank of Canada rate seen hitting 4% or higher Mortgage stress test in focus as rate hikes ratchet up pressure on borrowers Which cities in Canada offer the best value for real estate? The housing market may be in trouble, but it’s not in crisis Why did housing costs explode during the pandemic? Bank of Canada hikes by 75 basis points, signals more to come Why it is so hard for the Bank of Canada to crush inflation B.C. Real Estate Association forecasts steep decline in home sales Landlords say 2% rent increase cap is too small. Renters say it's too big. Either way, no one seems thrilled   HOT LISTING ALERT FEATURED DEVELOPMENT FIND OUT HOW MUCH IS YOUR HOME WORTH RECIPE OF THE WEEK INSTANT POT CORN CHOWDER Best regards, Diana Winger PREC | eXp Realty CNE, SRS, SRES, ABR HomeVictoria.com | 250-588-8839 Connecting People & Property Share Tweet Forward