🌺 Remembering Those Who Served, Strong Employment, More Rate Hikes, Planning your Income Suite Renovation & More

 

Getting Family Members on the Same Page Remember the last time you had a family discussion about what to have for dinner? Chances are, there were some disagreements! In fact, it might have been agonizing trying to get everyone to settle on the same dish. Now imagine getting everyone to agree on what type of home to buy!

Obviously, you want family members to be in harmony when looking for a new home. The more everyone is on the same page, the smoother the process will be. Here are some tips worth trying: Make a list. Have everyone list the top three features they want in a new home. You might find that family members are closer to agreement than you thought. Also, family members will likely not be disappointed if they get two out of the three features they want. Have a family meeting. Set a goal to have a clear profile of the kind of home you want by the end of the meeting. Be prepared for some lively discussion, but also be firm that a decision needs to be made. Be understanding. If a family member insists on a particular feature, ask why. It might be trivial, such as having a shopping mall within walking distance when driving or taking transit is relatively easy. On the other hand, the desired feature might be something truly important and worth considering. Manage expectations. Explain that not everyone will get what they want and that you (or you and your significant other) will do your best to accommodate everyone’s wishes. There’s no perfect solution. Depending on your family, it might be difficult to make sure everyone is happy with the home you end up buying. However, by using these tips you can ensure that everyone will at least feel they’ve been heard. Then, once you start building memories in your new place, everyone will start to feel like it’s home! Managing Home Insurance Home insurance seems to be getting costlier every year, with basic premiums continuing to rise as more homes are exposed to added risks attributed to extreme weather events, accidents, vandalism, and outright theft.  This leaves homeowners in a difficult situation, but there are things that can be done to help ease rising costs. First, examine your current policy and talk to your agent/broker about your coverage and premiums. You might, for example, agree to increase your deductible to decrease premiums. Meanwhile, you may also be eligible for discounts, based on client profiles such as bundled policies (e.g., auto & home), claims history, and payment punctuality. Other discounts may be available based on steps taken to protect your home from potential damage, such as installing a backflow valve or sump pump. Or, you may qualify for lower insurance rates if you have recently improved your home’s structural integrity, such as its foundation or roof. Your policy premiums might also benefit from other investments in your home’s infrastructure, like upgrading your heating, wiring or plumbing, or installing a centralized fire and security system. You’ll need to determine whether the cost of these improvements will be offset by lower insurance premiums over a reasonable period of time. DLC - Shockingly Strong Employment Report in Canada Starts Q4 Off With a Bang Financial Post - Canadians' inflation misery lifts provincial budgets from deficits to 'sizable' surpluses Financial Post - 'Here comes the pain': Recession on tap for North America, BMO says CBC - We will come out of this,' Tiff Macklem pledges as central bank signals more rate hikes to come. Real Estate Magazine – Housing affordability: A top concern Real Estate Magazine – The return of conditional offers Globe and Mail – MCLISTER: The lowest mortgage rates in Canada this week Globe and Mail – WHITZMAN: Governments across Canada need common, income-based definition of ‘affordable housing’ Canadian Mortgage Professional – New StatsCan data sheds light on residential property owned by businesses Storeys – 'It's a double-edged sword' say Realtors of CREA's off-market listings ban Keyspire - Planning Your Income Suite Renovation The Record – Lawyers for 100 Victoria residents say eviction violates charter rights Vancouver Sun – New ferry service between Vancouver and Nanaimo launches next summer This Thai Pumpkin Soup gives you a gourmet Thai experience without any of the extra work. It’s creamy, easy to make, and layered with winter squash, warm aromatics, and bold spices and herbs. Quite possibly the most flavourful soup you’ll ever try! RECIPE Eventually, just about all homeowners get to the point where they think about moving. Some want to upsize, some want to downsize, while others just want a change. No matter what the motivation, the decision isn’t always an easy one. There may be many reasons why it makes sense to stay with your current property. At the same time, there may be other compelling reasons to sell and find your next dream home. Fortunately, you don’t have to make that decision alone. As your real estate agent, I’m always available when you have questions or need advice regarding home ownership. In fact, I’m there when my clients need me even if it’s months or years after a transaction. So, please don’t hesitate to give me a call. You don’t have to be serious about selling your home to talk to me. Even if you’re at the “wondering about it” stage, I’m here to help. Notable, Quotable, Quotes!   “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” Lou Holtz Best regards, Diana Winger Personal Real Estate Corporation | eXp Realty CNE, SRS, SRES, ABR www.Housesforsale369.com | 250-588-8839 ON YOUR TEAM!