Prepping your Home to Sell for Spring 

The housing market is heating up and for many, it’s time to list their home! Spring is the traditional time of year when people start putting their homes on the market. If you want to get ahead of the competition, now is the time to start getting your home ready. In this blog post, we will talk about some of the things you can do to make your home more attractive to buyers.

Cleaning and Decluttering

Start with a good clean and declutter. This means getting rid of all the unnecessary clutter and making your home look neat and tidy. Consider this a great time to get rid of things you never use and take a good inventory of what you need vs what you have. The more you can clear out now, the less you’ll have to bring with you when you move. 

Take the time to do a deep clean during this process as well. Move furniture, purge closets, and go through all cupboards. Buyers are much more likely to buy a home that is well-maintained, has great curb appeal, and looks like it has been well taken care of.

Deferred Maintenance

The next step is to take care of any maintenance you’ve been putting off. This includes fixing broken windows, repairing leaky roofs, and patching up holes in the walls. By taking the time to fix up these things your home will show much better to prospective buyers. 

Landscaping

The outside of your home is just as important as the inside. Make sure to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, and sweep the driveway. You may also want to consider adding some flowers or plants to add some color. Think of things that you find appealing when pulling up to a home and consider how you can add some spark and a pop of freshness to your exterior. 

Update paint

One easy way to make your home look more attractive is to add a fresh coat of paint on some exterior items. Think about things like trim, window coverings and the front door. By updating just a few small features your home will become instantly more visually appealing. 

Update Old Light Fixtures

Consider updating any old light fixtures. You can easily do this by swapping out the old light fixtures for new ones. This is a quick and easy way to make your home look more modern. 

Swap Out Old Faucets

Finally, you may want to consider swapping out the old faucets in your kitchen and bathroom. This is a cost-effective and easy way to make your home look more updated.

Taking the time to do a few updates to your home before you sell has the potential to make a huge difference in the amount of time it takes to sell as well as the price it sells for. Consider the small details you look at when buying a home and how they impact your decision and then translate that into updates you can make now. 

Thinking about selling this spring?  The Bryce Hanson Real Estate Team have been helping both buyers and sellers sell their home and purchase their dream homes. We’ve got the knowledge you need to help make your next sale a smooth and easy transaction. 

Where to stay and things to do in Comox Valley over Spring Break

What to do

Wondering what to do over spring break in Comox Valley? Look no further! The Comox Valley is busting with things to do in any season and March is no different. We’ve compiled some of the best activities in the area as well as where you can stay if you’re visiting the area. Enjoy! 

Play in the snow 

Whether you like to downhill ski, snowboard, snow tube or just play in the snow Mount Washington is a great place to take the family. They even have fat bikes you can rent and use on their snow-covered trails! Check the local conditions and get lift passes ahead of time on their site! 

Explore the backtrails 

Strathcona Park is the oldest Provincial Park in BC. The park is divided into two developed areas, Buttle Lake, and Forbidden Plateau Both areas offer a unique outdoor experience. The rest of the park has been largely left untouched and is gorgeous if you are looking for a true wilderness experience. .

Jumpcamp 

JumpCamp is an all-ages and abilities snowboard camp on Forbidden Plateau. JumpCamp is for snowboarders of all ages who are adventurous and want to have fun and progress their skills, especially in the park and backcountry. 

Check out the farmer's market 

Visit the indoor farmers market and immerse yourself into the local offerings. Sample some local produce and meet some amazing local vendors! There’s always something different at the market you won’t be able to find anywhere else. 

Practice your swing

Practice your swing with the family at our year-round golf courses! Whether you are a mini-putt lover or a die-hard traditional golfer, there’s something for everyone. A great way to get some family bonding in while enjoying a new activity. 

Where to stay

The Comox Valley has many different 4-star hotels or oceanside resorts where you can enjoy rejuvenating spa treatments, fine dining and beautiful suites. If you are looking to stay somewhere other than a hotel, Comox Valley has several fine hotels, motels and B&B’s as well.  There is something for everyone!

Mount Washington 

Aside from having tons of activities for the whole family, Mount Washington offers year-round vacation rentals and investment opportunities.  Enjoy the comforts of a full-service alpine resort nestled in a gorgeous location.  

Timberlane Beach Resort

Enjoy the peace and relaxation of the oceanfront retreat.  Timberlane Beach Resort is nestled among the privacy of ancient Douglas firs, creating a gorgeous view. Timberlane Beach Resort has six beautiful ocean-view suites all equipped with kitchenettes, BBQs and full tiled walk-in rain showers, queen-size beds and futons. 

Crown Isle Resort 

The Villas at Crown Isle are nestled in the trees along the 1st fairway, a beautiful escape for nature lovers and just minutes from downtown.

Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa

The Kingfisher Oceanside Resort and Spa feature gorgeous views of both the mountains and ocean.  Relax in their breathtaking spa or sit back and relax and take in the views!

Bella’s Beachfront Bed & Breakfast 

Take in breathtaking views of the sea, test out some kayaks or enjoy a stroll along the beaches at Bella’s Beachfront Bed & Breakfast.  Even your furry friends can come and stay here! 

Whether you are coming to Comox Valley to take in the sights, relax or get outside and enjoy some new activities there is something for everyone. Bring your whole family and create memories that you won’t forget.

Making sure you keep up with your home on a monthly basis is important. Not only for the obvious sake of keeping everything up to date and properly cleaned, but to help ensure you don’t encounter more costs down the road.  Addressing any potential issues early and ensuring you are maintaining a regular maintenance schedule is a great frame of mind to keep when owning a home.  

Here are 6 things you should ensure you are doing monthly to maintain your home

Inspect, and Possibly Change out HVAC Filters. 

Depending on the season and if your home has pets inside of it, you may be able to get away with changing the filters every 2-3 months. However, it is a good idea to check these filters monthly so you have a good idea of what your filters look like in your home and how often they may need changing. A good rule of thumb is, if it looks dirty, change it. 

Another great tip is to go with cheaper filters and replace them more often versus going with the expensive filters.

Clean Kitchen Sink Disposal. 

You don’t want to mess around with a smelly kitchen disposal. A great practice to get into is to freeze vinegar into ice cube trays and throw them down the sink, this will help to freshen your disposal system.  Plus, the ice helps to also keep the disposal blades sharp, helping to expand the life of your system.

Clean Range Hood Filters.

This may be a particularly surprising task if this isn’t something you are used to doing. Don’t be alarmed by what you find under there, use a degreaser from an auto parts store mixed with hot water and let that sit for a few minutes, rinse it off and your filters will be good as new!

Inspect Your Fire Extinguisher(s)

Don’t mess around with fire extinguishers. Make sure that they are easily accessible, that they are not being blocked by anything, and ensure there are no visible signs of wear and tear.  Make sure you also check the pressure on the gauge to ensure it is still adequate. 

Unclog drains 

Drains can be quite a mess if not properly taken care of.  Always ensure you are doing your best to not let hair, food, etc flow down the drains.  Take time to ensure that your grease is properly disposed of.  Looking at your bathroom drains, it’s a good practice to take the time to unclog drains of hair in the washrooms once a month.  When looking at all the drains, take baking powder and vinegar and pour down each of the drains and let sit for a few minutes before clearing with water. 

Deep Clean 

Stick to a regular schedule with your deep cleaning, it will save you time and frustration.  Make time to do a deep clean monthly.  Look to your filters, baseboard, ceiling fans, and under hard-to-reach places. 

While this may seem like a lengthy list, most of the items here don’t take long to complete and once you have gotten into a habit of completing these things, they won’t seem like quite as big of chores. If it has to do with the maintenance of your home and if you are questioning whether something may or may not need to be done, the best advice we can give is to be proactive. Don’t wait, address the issue early and save yourself the hassle later on!

Trying to figure out if now is the right time to sell your home? A number of people are considering whether they should sell their home now or wait until spring. While it may seem tempting to wait until the warmer weather and busy spring market, here is our suggestion.  

Don’t delay — the time to sell is now. 

It’s a seller's market 

In 2021 we once again saw extreme growth in the BC real estate market. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reported that a record 124,854 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in 2021, which is a 32.8 percent increase from the 94,001 units sold in 2020 and there were more than seven market areas in BC last year that set new highs for listings sold. This is huge! 

Given that we saw the active listings not being able to keep up with demand throughout 2021, as we begin 2022 we are once again noting very low levels of active listings on the record.  

The lack of supply in homes is evident  

This past October in B.C. listings reached an all-time low dropping 40% from the previous year and B.C. ended the year with active listings down 17.6% compared to the previous year. It’s obvious that there is a clear lack of supply in regards to the number of homes readily available on the market. 

This means that even if there are fewer homebuyers in the winter months due to this shortage in housing supply the market still remains a seller’s market. 

 Multiple offers on listings

For many of the homes available on the market, there remains another trend that makes securing a home more difficult. Due to the lack of supply of readily available homes, buyers are coming up against multiple offers on the homes they do find, which usually leads to a bidding war driving the price out of the listing up by a significant amount.  

Generally, it’s common that sellers have been advised in the past to wait until the busy spring market to list their home, but, as we all are aware, things are rapidly changing every day and that goes for the real estate industry as well. B.C. continues to be a hot market and we’re looking forward to what is to come in the next few months! 

Got questions about listing your home or ready to put your home on the market?

DON’T THINK TWICE. CALL BRYCE.

Get in contact with Bryce via email or phone.

https://www.bcrea.bc.ca/economics/a-record-year-for-the-bc-housing-market/

Bright and spacious beautiful 2154 sq ft rancher.  Natural light fills the room through the extra-large rear windows.  Coffered ceilings frame the modern open concept great room with a gas fireplace.  Spacious kitchen with quartz countertops and a large island with plenty of cabinets for storage.  Beautiful light and modern hardwood floors and tiles throughout.  Extra-large laundry/pantry with more cabinets and storage.  Spacious primary bedroom with large custom walk-in closets and luxurious 5 pc ensuite including freestanding bath and barrier-free extra-large rain shower head.  The bathroom also has a separate water closet.  Fully fenced landscaped yard with inground irrigation and large covered patio with Southern exposure. Extra-large deep garage and RV parking for all your toys on the side with plenty of room.  LG inverter washer and sensor dryer.

Wondering what activities you can get out and do this February?  Look no further! Comox Valley has a ton of different activities that you can enjoy with your family —  there’s something for everyone. 

Here are our top recommendations for activities to check out in Comox Valley! 

Hit the slopes

Get out on the hill and enjoy the powder! Head over Mount Washington and enjoy some skiing or snowboarding.  If you’re not a fan of either, they have a great tubing park, snowshoeing, and fat bike trails that you can enjoy with the whole family! Check out their site to get real-time weather updates and snow conditions.

Grab some local food 

Try something new! There is a large selection of amazing restaurants in Comox Valley.   Treat yourself and your family to a meal out or bring something special home to enjoy together.  

Check out the many restaurants here. 

Enjoy a spa day

Treat yourself to a rejuvenating spa treatment. There’s nothing quite like tuning the world out for a day and focusing inwards on yourself. Pamper your mind, body, and soul at one of the many local spas in Comox Valley!

Browse the local shops 

Find hidden and unique gems when you shop the local shops in Comox Valley. Take a stroll and browse the windows or head on inside and support some of the amazing local retailers we have here. 

Practice your swing and play a round

Even though it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t play a round of golf! Comox Valley has 6 year-round golf courses you can enjoy! Grab a friend or the whole family and practice your game. 

Check out the list of golf courses here.

Head to a museum 

Check out one of the many museums in Comox Valley.  With a selection of museums, art galleries, and heritage walking trails, you’ll have a hard time deciding what to do first! Browse the complete listings of museums here.

Enjoy the trails

Check out one of Comox Valley's many trails! Take a snowshoe out into nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery. 

Check out a list of some great trails here. 

Regardless of the season, Comox Valley offers a wide variety of activities for you to participate in.  Let us know your favourite Comox Valley activity below!

Buying a new home is an exciting time for you and your family.  New memories, new beginnings and so much more. But, when you are on the hunt for a new home, it can feel like you have a lot on your to-do list and that list seems to grow by the minute. Meaning some important factors may go overlooked.

One of those things can often be potential red flags. Things that may not be obvious during a first walk-through or browsing online. It’s important as a buyer to remember to do your own due diligence and make sure you are on the lookout for all potential issues and problems. 

In this blog, we are going to take one thing off your to-do list and arm you with a checklist of potential issues you want to watch out for.

Here are 6 flags to look out for when buying a new home

Avoid listings that have fewer photos

When looking at listings you want to be sure you are looking at listings that have adequate photos of the house, not only inside but outside as well. Think about if you were selling your home — you’d want to make sure that it was as appealing on the market as possible and in many cases that involves lots of photos. You want to make sure that you have a clear picture of what you are going to see and ensure the homeowners are not hiding anything.

Prices are too good to be true 

You know the saying “if it’s good to be true, it probably is”?  That definitely applies in real estate as well. If you’re looking at homes and you see one that has a price dramatically different from other homes in the area, beware. The possibilities of potential issues here are vast. The buyers could be looking to sell quickly before word gets out that there is a fault within the house, the listing agents could be trying to cause a bidding war, and the list can go on and on. 

Protect yourself, your finances, and your sanity by steering clear of these.  

Smells a little….off? 

Walk into your dream home only to have a foul smell meet you at the door? 

Yes, this is a red flag. If you notice a musty smell in the air during a walkthrough, then there might be mold somewhere in the house. This can be especially worrying as prolonged mold exposures can cause an array of health problems, such as headaches, nausea, coughing, and other illnesses. This may have been caused by a prior or current issue within the house. 

On the opposite side of the musty smell, is walking into a home that has an overwhelming smell of air freshener. You may also see these plugged into multiple outlets, candles lit in every room or air fresheners hanging in multiple rooms. This too may be a red flag. This could indicate the homeowner is trying to cover up a foul odor. 

Always check the foundation 

Foundation repair is a bill you DO NOT want to take on, especially if you are a new homeowner. The repairs are expensive and the mess from the repairs is expansive — think diggers tearing up the property around your house!

Check around the home to ensure the structural integrity isn’t compromised and if you are unsure of whether you are able to determine this on your own, get a home inspector (we recommend always getting one). 

Pests

The last thing you want to deal with after you’ve purchased your home is an infestation of some type of pests.  Pests such as mice, rats, and cockroaches can carry health risks that can harm you and your family, other pests like carpenter ants, rodents, and wildlife can cause expensive damage to your home. It’s important to be on the lookout for a potential pest infestation. 

Some things you can watch out for:

- Mice or rat droppings 

- Check for signs of rodents in cabinets, on countertops and behind appliances

- Chewed wiring 

- Ant mounds outside 

It may also be worthwhile to consider getting a proper inspection done by a professional.  Taking the time now to have a proper inspection could save you money down the road. 

Stains on walls or ceilings

Seeing a lot of stains on walls or ceilings as you are doing a walkthrough of a potential home? This could be a cause for concern. 

Did the stains come from a leak in the roof? Was there an issue with the plumbing? Maybe, the stains were from a problem that has since been fixed.

Either way, it’s important to take note of these things and ensure you are asking questions to figure out the cause. 

While it may seem like an added expense that you aren’t sure you need, getting the proper inspections done by an expert can save you time, money, and headaches down the line. Purchasing a home is one of the most exciting times in your life and a purchase that will help you make memories for years to come. Take your time, enjoy the process and remember, you don’t have to buy the first home you see. When you find the right home, you will know. 

Looking for extra help in your search to ensure you find the right home for your family? 

Reach out to us at Comox Valley Real Estate and we will be happy to help you find your forever home.

Send us an email or call 250-702-6493

With winter upon us, it does not mean the fun needs to stop or even slow! So here is a list of must-do winter activities in The Comox Valley for this year! 

Fat Bike

No, you did not hear or read that weird… They are bikes with fat tires on them so that you can bike through the snow! How fun, right? You can give it a try this winter too, up at Mount Washington! 

Ice Skating

 Although we do not get weather cold enough to freeze a rink out here, the arena does! 

Shred the Gnar

Ski or snowboard up at Mount Washington. 

Day on The Town

Spend a day shopping downtown Courtenay and make sure to stop at Hot Chocolates to get Hot Chocolate, of course! 

Snowshoeing 

Strap on the snowshoes and take it where the snow falls! 

Rent Sleds

Not toboggan sleds, snowmobiles! It’s a fun day out in the snow and feeds that adrenaline junkie side to you! 

Tobogganing

No one is ever too old for tobogganing, especially if it becomes beer-bogganing! Make it a fun day with friends out in the woods! 

Cross Country Skiing 

There are so many unique places to explore in the woods with a set of skis! So go and do it! Rain or shine! 

Tubbing 

Go for a day of tubbing! It does not matter how old you are to enjoy a day of tubing! 

Ice Fishing

Head up to some mountain lakes for a day of ice fishing! Make sure to pack your warm woollies and bear spray. 

Indoor Farmers Market 

It’s all year round and a whole lot of wholesome! Check it out on a rainy day! 

Winter Beach Fire

Pro Tip: if you face the mainland, you may be lucky enough to see northern lights at certain times of the year! 

Winter Scuba Dive

Did you know the visibility is the best in the wintertime? So it’s the best time of year to dive! All those critters that generally need to go deeper to stay cooler are more out and about to see! 

Year-Round Golf

Yup, here in the Valley, we have year-round golf! So go for a game on a nice sunny day to soak up some vitamin D! 

Heli to the Glacier 

Go check out those peaks from a different perspective! It is well worth it! 

Spend the season outside and enjoy all the Comox Valley has to offer. Remember always to bring protection against the wild creatures stirring about and respect nature itself. Please clean up after yourself and try not to do any more damage than we already have! 

There aren’t too many people in this world who genuinely enjoy viewing homes in single-digit temperatures. But here are a couple of reasons why you should learn to love checking out houses in the cold! 

There is a Lot Less Competition

 There are not many who like to check out homes in the winter. Believe it or not, in the months of May to August makeup 40% of all home sales in a year! So 1/4 of the year makes up for 40% of the market! Additionally, January to February only consists of 6% of total annual sales! So there are fewer buyers to compete with, making it a great time to buy, especially if you are not an all-cash, zero condition buyer! 

Motivated Sellers 

Usually, when someone lists their home in the winter, there is a bit of a driving force. So they are likely working with a timeline. When making your offer, keep it in mind, and if you can, try and accommodate the sellers' timeline to guarantee them picking your offer. 

If a home is on the market for a long time, talk to your Realtor about maybe giving a lower offer! 

Detective Work 

Typically, winter is the most stressful time of year on a home's “weaknesses.” You’ll be able to feel the drafts, not-so-insulated walls, and possible leak locations! You’ll be able to judge how well a furnace works, baseboard heaters or their central air. Signs of a warm home with no fireplace on is always a good thing! 

Movers Aren't as Busy

Finding movers for your date is a whole lot easier because they are not as busy! 

Last-Minute Tax Savings 

Depending on timing, first-time homebuyers can usually save a couple of extra bucks off their potential tax deductions! 

Faster Closing 

During busy months, mortgage brokers re usually backup a bit. So you may have a faster closing in the winter months when they aren’t as busy!

You’ll be in that new place in no time, and it will seem stressless and as seamless as never before! 

When selling your home, you want it to look the absolute best and the most attractive to potential buyers. 

Home Staging is a method of interior design to highlight your home and its most impressive features. 

According to the National Association of Realtors 2017 Staging Stats Report:

• 77% say that staged homes make it easier for buyers to visualize themselves owning the home. 
• 21% report staging increases the home’s value by 6%-10% 
• 39% report it dramatically decreases the amount of time a house sits on the market for.

To maximize the benefits of home staging, check out the tips below! 

De-Personalize the Space

This is number one for a reason. Takedown family pictures, dad’s old hockey jersey, dance trophies off the shelves, posters in your teenagers’ room etc. When your home is full of your personal collectibles and items, it can make it harder for potential buyers to envision themselves living there. 

 Keep clothes tucked away neatly and out of sight. People do check closets so ensure they are clean, but feel free to cram stuff into dresser drawers as prospective purchasers won’t be opening those!

 Clear off ALL personal items from bathroom shelves. ALL OF IT. 

 Remove items of “hot discussion topic” from your home. Controversial items falling into categories such as religion, politics, hunting etc., can sometimes turn off prospective buyers. We want the home to feel neutral and allow people to envision their own lives there.

Staging does make the home feel a bit empty and odd to live in, but it really helps for a quick and efficient sale of a home! 

Get Rid of All Clutter

 Clutter takes away from the space in your home, and space is what sells! One of the main goals of staging is to make your home look bigger and more spacious. So cut items back to just the very basics. Remember, you are not getting rid of these things forever; you’re just packing them up prematurely to get more value for your home! 

Front Closet: empty out all off-season clothes and garments. De-clutter the shoes, the dog leashes, the sports gear, whatever is in there! People will likely be opening closets to check for storage space. If yours is empty and makes it look like there is lots of space. If it’s jammed full, they will likely not even bother taking the time to look and will quickly start to lose interest. 

Decor: keep a couple of small key feature pieces that are minimalistic. The rest should be stashed. Too much decor can make a space seem smaller than it is, so the more that can be packed up, the better. 

Office Spaces: PACK UP ALL THE PAPER. Any clutter and visible office supplies. In today’s day and age, the home office has become more critical than ever before. It is crucial that your home office looks beautiful and spacious to satisfy work-from-home professionals.

Kitchen & Bathroom: Absolutely everything off any surface spaces! There should ideally be nothing but a bathroom soap dispenser, that is it! 

Kids & Pet Stuff: Pack up as much as you can. Non-pet owners and people without or who do not want children are very quickly deterred from homes with kids and pets because it is harder for them to envision living there. People with kids and pets always see that opportunity, but it is a deterrent the other way around. So, to really open up for your potential buyers stash as much stuff as you can. 

All in all, less stuff = more space = more money! 

Fix-It! 

 If it’s broken, fix it, if it needs patching, patch and paint it. The more work someone must do on your home walking into it, the more the value of the home decreases. Simple fixes and repairs can make the world of difference to your overall home value. When people see these simple fixes being neglected, they often wonder what else has been overlooked, and it strikes fear and distrust. 

Keep It As Natural As Possible! 

Think about painting over any bright coloured walls with something more natural. Sometimes, buyers find them unappealing or distracting. Additionally, very bright or very dark colours can be intimidating, often giving the perception of having to hire and pay for a professional to colour correct them. 

Curb Appeal… Yes… It’s Still a Thing, and It Still Matters. 

You have probably already heard it before, and you will again… curb appeal matters…. a lot! Make sure to take down all seasonal decor and de-clutter the gardens and yard. Take the time to weed and maybe put in some fresh mulch! It will make the yard look 100x better and significantly increase the chances of selling quicker. --Also, think about applying a fresh coat of paint to the front and garage door if they are looking older and out of date. Power washing concrete and house siding is another great way to make your house picture perfect! 

Fresh Greengage 

A little bit of fresh greengage can go a long way! Make sure not to pollute areas with greengage. A little plant here and there while keeping them off windowsills goes a long way! 

Make sure to use different lights to add some complexity to the room. Fresh flowers that won’t take away too much from the room to can always be an excellent idea! They go perfectly in either the living room or dining room.

Light!! 

The more lights, the better! The more natural light, even better!! Open all curtains and shades. Think about painting dark rooms a lighter tone so more light can come in and bounce off the walls! If you have anything obstructing light from coming into your home that you have control over and can fix, try and do so! Rearrange outdoor furniture so they aren’t blocking windows, clean the windows if they are stopping light, whatever it may be. 

Rearrange Furniture 

 The goal is to make the place look huge, even if it is tiny. The more walkable space in a room, the better. Focus on removing extraneous, damaged, and unmatched furniture away into storage and rearranging the rest to flow nicely.

Clean! 

Clean like never before. Everything should be spotless, and all odours should be removed, carpets professionally (or rent a machine to DIY) cleaned, windows cleaned, decks power washed, EVERYTHING. This is crucial to selling your home. If it’s dirty, people will just turn around and walk out. 

Prepping the sale of your home can be hard work. But your hard work will pay off with a big fat check! So hop to it!