2023 Housing Prices Looking Better, Short-Term Mortgages, Stress Test, Cell Service Coming to Sooke & Port Renfrew, Fire Safety and Getting an Early Start on Selling Your Home.

 

View this email in your browser Fire Safety Checks You Should Do at Least Once a Year

Chances are, you know that you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year — even if you suspect the batteries are still good. But that isn’t the only fire safety check you should do annually. Here are some other recommended tips to help keep you and your family safe. Clean your stove burners and oven regularly. Hard grease build-up can become combustible. Check your cupboard for cleaning products, paints and other liquids that are flammable. Read each label carefully. Use and store each product only as recommended. If you keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen — and you should — confirm that it is still good. Extinguishers are like food. They have expiry dates! Go over your fire escape plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows exactly what to do if a smoke detector goes off or if there’s a fire. Check that all windows open easily, especially upper floor windows. Check appliances you use often, such as hair dryers, for worn or frayed cords. Regularly clear away lint build-up in the clothes dryer. Check the outside dryer vent annually to make sure it’s clear and working correctly. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, get it cleaned and inspected by a licensed technician once a year. Many local fire departments offer homeowners free tips and even in-home advice and inspections at no cost. Contact your fire department and ask about programs available to you.

Getting an Early Start on Selling your Home You’ve probably heard the expression, “The early-bird gets the worm.” It refers, of course, to those who get in early and reap the rewards. For example, if you arrive early to a retail store for a big blowout sale, you’re likely to get the deals before the inventory runs out. The stragglers who come later will miss out. Well, this same wisdom can be applied to selling your home. Starting the process early — even if that means simply doing some initial planning — gives you the edge in several ways. First of all, you get extra time for preparation. That means you can get your home cleaned, uncluttered and staged without feeling rushed. You also get more time to find out how much your property will likely sell for on today’s market. That’s important information, especially if you’re also looking to finance a new home.   Secondly, there’s less stress. You’ll have more time to make the right decisions. The last thing you want is to be scrambling around, last minute, trying to get your home ready for sale.   Finally, with your initial preparations done, you’ll be able to put your home on the market at a moment’s notice. That’s a huge advantage that’s likely to lead to selling your property more quickly and for the best price. In fact, by getting an early start on the process, you might even find that this is the best time to list — and you’ll be able to do so, with confidence. Financial Post - HAIDER & MORANIS: Housing prices have been declining, but 2022 wasn't catastrophic and 2023 is looking better - Most pundits believe the long-term outlook for housing is positive, but any kind of consensus on the short-term future of housing markets is lacking, with some believing that prices will continue to fall this year while others see a turnaround once interest rates stabilize. Financial Post – 'Much worse before it gets better': Why there's no quick fix to Canada's housing supply woes Globe and Mail – MCLISTER: Does a short-term mortgage still make sense? Toronto Star – BoC expected to deliver eighth consecutive rate hike, but it’s probably the last one Livabl – Home sales in Canada slowly inching back up, national inventory at pre-pandemic levels Cheaper housing and a bustling job market are leading more people to Alberta For Brooke King, moving to Calgary, Alta. with her family allowed her to achieve her dream of homeownership and a better work-life balance. “I can’t put a price on the time that we have now that we didn’t have in Toronto,” says King, a 39-year-old digital product manager who moved to Alberta in 2018. CMP - What’s next for the mortgage stress test? The mortgage qualifying rate, always a hot-button topic in the mortgage industry, is set to remain a prominent discussion point this year with Canada’s banking regulator weighing up new measures to complement the current stress test. Real Estate Magazine – Canada's housing market: 2023 and beyond Victoria Times Colonist – Cell service between Sooke and Port Renfrew expected by April Victoria Times Colonist – No injuries as slide forces evacuation of two Campbell River condo buildings     The Best Vegan Chili Notable, Quotable, Quotes! “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein “The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.” Ben Stein     With all the news about interest rates, housing sales, and forecasts, you might think that the real estate market is a bewildering place. In some ways, you’d be right! The market is certainly active. There’s a lot going on. But, it would be a mistake to let all that noise discourage you from making a move. If the timing is right, and you’re ready to upsize or downsize - or simply move to a neighbourhood that better suits the lifestyle you want - you should at least get the information you need to make the best decision. I can help. As your real estate professional, I’m always available to help. I can fill you in on what’s happening in the local market, help you determine what kind of new home you are qualified to purchase, and give you a clear idea of the properties currently available. You don’t have to try to figure this stuff out on your own! Even if you’re just at the “thinking about it” stage, I recommend getting the information you need now. That way, you’ll be prepared to make the best decision when you’re ready. Best regards, Diana Winger Personal Real Estate Corporation | eXp Realty CNE, SRS, SRES, ABR Mortgage Agent | Dominion Lending Centres  ON YOUR TEAM! HomeVictoria.com  Housesforsale369.com Searchbestmortgages.com 250-588-8839    Share Tweet Forward