Top 4 Tips for the First Time Buyer

Here are my top 4 tips for a first time buyer taking steps to get ready to buy their first home!

1. Get Informed – learn about home ownership and whether it`s right for you. Some great resources are available at CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation) PLUS I we are always available to take you out for coffee to talk more about the realities of home ownership and the steps involved just email, tweet, facebook or call!`

2. Talk to your bank or mortgage broker (or both) – setting your budget is key. Brokers and bankers are very helpful in teaching you about mortgages and coaching buyers through the process of applying for a loan. For a list of pre screened brokers and bankers at all major banks in Victoria just get in touch.

3. Find a good Realtor to represent you, and help in your search – Realtors are key in the buying process, we educate buyers about the current market, show properties, answer all questions about available properties, negotiate the sale, do all the paperwork, and help ever step of the way. I always encourage clients to interview their Realtor and I will make sure to post some great interview questions soon. If you want a copy of them early then just email, tweet, facebook or call.

4. Start shopping!! – this is the FUN part and can be a long process or a relativity quick one depending on the buyers needs and personality.

If you have any questions we`re always available and happy to connect.

What is GREEN Real Estate?

In my definition GREEN Real Estate is:

1. energy efficient

2. water efficient

3. designed for healthy living

4. constructed with low impact materials

5. easily accessible to amenities.

There are more than 12 million dwellings in Canada and 

17% of all energy used in Canada goes towards operating 

our homes.

Thermal energy plants use over 63% of our water supplies. 

So reducing electricity consumption in our homes helps 

reduce water use.

Buying green is the way of the future, and future proof’s 

your real estate investment!


For more information get in touch online

BC Real Estate Summery - April

As a REALTOR, we need to stay up to date with current market trends and real estate statistics. One of my favorite sites to check is www.BCREA.com which is the BC Real Estate Association’s website. Here are a few details from their most recent market summery.

 

“The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential unit sales in the province declined 14per cent to 7,187 units in April compared to the same month last year. The average MLS®residential price climbed 16 per cent to $598,308 last month compared to April 2010.

“BC home sales edged lower in April as theresult of home purchases that were pulledforward during the first quarter,” said CameronMuir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Theprovince’s housing markets continue to exhibita two steps forward, one step back trajectory intandem with economic and employmentgrowth.”

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollarvolume increased 14 per cent to $15.4 billion,compared to the same period last year.Residential unit sales edged back one per centto 26,334 units, while the average MLS®residential price rose 15.5 per cent to $586,466 over the same period.”

Courtesy of the BCREA

For more detailed local statistical information, please contact us

BCREA news release-Home Sales to Climb Eight Per Cent in 2011:Housing Forecast Update - First Quarter 2011

Home Sales to Climb Eight Per Cent in 2011   

BCREA Housing Forecast Update - First Quarter 2011

Vancouver, BC – February 23, 2011. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its Housing Forecast for the first quarter of 2011 today.  

BC Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales are forecast to increase 8 per cent from 74,640 units in 2009 to 80,900 units this year, and increase another 4 per cent to 83,950 units in 2012.

“British Columbia housing markets are returning to normalcy after two years of volatility,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. “Employment and population growth will fuel consumer demand over the next two years. However, higher mortgage interest rates and tighter credit conditions for low equity home buyers will limit home sales to below the ten-year average of 87,600 units.”

“Total active residential listings in the province declined 14 per cent since last spring. However, the inventory of homes for sale is expected to edge higher as the number of new listings to the market advances during the first two quarters of 2011,” added Muir. “Regional market differences continue in the province, with Vancouver trending into a seller’s market, while the Okanagan, Kootenay and Kamloops markets trend from a buyer’s market toward balanced conditions.”

The average MLS® residential price is forecast to increase 2 per cent to $517,000 this year and remain relatively unchanged in 2012, albeit declining by 0.4 per cent to $515,400.

Life at the Hudson

I've been selling homes at the new Hudson Development at 770 Fisgard for the past few months and feel like I'm getting a much better idea of what life at the Hudson offers owners. Let me paint you a picture: all the homes offer authentic loft style living in a treasured heritage building. I know we Victorians love heritage renovations and restorations and so many of you would love the way the exterior facade has been painstakingly restored to it's original splendor. What is so innovative about this development is the seamless melding of tradition and modern innovation. The interior of the homes at the Hudson offer exposed over height concrete ceilings, fully integrated mile appliances into the oak kitchen cabinetry, engineered dark stained oak floors, and frosted glass sliding room dividers. Some are surprised by this meeting of two worlds, but personally I think it offers the perfect balance of old and new.

The Hudson is located steps from China Town, the new Atrium Building, the harbor and Songhees walkway, busses to the West Shore and Ferries, downtown shops, and the Uptown Mall, the theatre, the YMCA, and the Save on Foods Memorial Centre. It truly offers the very best of downtown living. Imagine waking up and enjoying the private oasis offered by the inner courtyard at the Hudson, then walking to Habit on Blanchard for coffee and then to Lower Johnson for sone boutique shopping. One could come home in the afternoon and read on the common roof top terrace and enjoy stunning views over the whole city, and then walk downtown for dinner, drinks and a movie.

Personally I think the Hudson offers the lifestyle that we are all going to desire in the near future. Easy carefree living, small space design, low utility costs because of the eco friendly geo thermal system, and a walkable location that avoids gas costs and the hassles of car ownership.

The pricing is affordable and starts at $349,000 for a 1 bedroom and den, includes parking, storage, and HST. If you want a private tour of everything this development has to offer give me a call at 250-857-6045. I would love to chat!

Buy for now,

Christina   

Resource Furniture: Italian-Designed Space Saving Furniture

I received this amazing clip from a friend who also specializes in selling condos in Victoria BC. One common thing I hear about condo living is that buyers think the space is often TOO small, but normally this is simply not the case. With some clever design, and well thought out space planning a small space can be very comfortable, and actually feel more spacious than you might imagine.

Check out this video and you will be sure to be impressed!

Eco Friendly Kitchen Renovation

I recently moved into my first home which happens to be a very charming, but slightly dated 1990s condo in James Bay. The first thing I planned on renovating was kitchen, as I was just not a fan of the salmon colored counter tops.

As I started researching different eco renovation products I once again realized the huge amount of green-washing that is currently taking place. I visited a variety of home renovation stores and looked at ton of different eco options, but all the recycled countertop materials were made of 20, 30 or 40% recycled material which just didn't sit right. I thought that there had to be a product that offered more.

After meeting Des Carpenter at a local green networking event I was totally excited. His company is called Environite and their mission is to "provides an attractive, sustainable building product using recycled waste materials typically destined for the landfill." The best part about his product is that its made from approximately 90% recycled material and is produced locally in the Pacific Northwest. They offer a variety of different color options and the product is custom fit and designed.


After careful contemplation, and much indecision I selected a counter made from recycled beer bottles. So step one was to remove all the counters:

Step two was to install the new counters:

Final step was to reinstall the sink and get everything cleaned up:

I am totally pleased with the final product. For more information on Environite please visit http://www.environite.com/ and for more information about green real estate please visit http://www.ChristinaCarrick.com