Be sure to check out this new listing located in the heart of Downtown Courtenay. This Rancher style, wheelchair-friendly, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is a perfect home for retirees or a first-time homebuyer. This immaculately duplex is located within walking distance of the driftwood mall, Rialto theatre, and many other local amenities. This home is located within a 10-minute drive to CFB Comox, downtown Comox, Cumberland, and 2 minutes to the inland island highway. 

There is usually a long list of tasks you could tackle to get your home ready for the Comox Valley spring real estate market, so let’s explore five in particular that should be at the top of your list of priorities since they can help you get the most bang for your buck.

When you take some additional time to focus on the following five tips prior to listing your property, it can improve your chances of maximizing your return on investment - and the overall revenue from the sale of your home.

GET FRESH WITH YOUR PAINT

A fresh coat of paint is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to transform the space. Traditionally, using a neutral paint colour throughout your home allows the potential buyer to envision themselves living there, without the distraction of any wild colours or bold patterned accent walls they feel they’ll need to revise. If painting the entire home isn’t an option, focus on freshening up your larger main spaces, like the living room or kitchen, so those key areas appeal to a broader spectrum of preferences.

INVEST IN A MINI RENO

If you have the means of investing in a small renovation, focus on your bathroom and kitchen. If the new homeowner feels like they don’t have to take on an expensive remodeling project for either of these main spaces in the home, it can make all the difference in their interest of bringing forward an offer. For the bathroom, switching to a more modern vanity or light fixture could do the trick to update the feel, while in the kitchen simply painting the existing cabinets could bring the overall look back into the 21st century.

UPGRADE YOUR HARDWARE

You may be surprised to learn that swapping out older cupboard handles can deliver a great wow factor during showings of your home. More modern hardware (especially when paired with painting the cabinets, as mentioned above) can bring new life to your kitchen storage spaces and provide a fresh perspective.

FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY

Making sure everything in your home works the way it’s supposed to helps eliminate any red flags for a potential buyer. If your roof is leaking, your furnace is old, or the appliances are at the end of their life cycle, consider having these bigger ticket items taken care of ahead of time, so it doesn’t deter a strong offer from being submitted. Test the functionality of smaller items too, such as sticking door locks, loose hinges, and faulty faucets.

KICK UP THE CURB APPEAL

Now that you’ve conquered the inside of your home, you can bring your attention to the outside. It’s crucial to make a great first impression as the potential new homeowner pulls up to the property. Take the time to mow the lawn, tend to the garden, and make the porch look inviting. Some potted plants with bright flowers, a small sitting area (if space allows), or even a fun welcome mat can give that “welcome home” feeling that makes them fall in love right from the beginning.

If you’d like to learn more about getting your home ready for us to list it together, turn to your Comox Valley real estate professionals; The Bryce Hansen Team.

106-2525 Fitzgerald Ave

The first day of spring is officially on March 20th this year, so it’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for those bulbs, blooms, and blossoms. One of the best things you can do to boost the curb appeal of your Comox Valley home is to maintain a great garden and enhance your landscaping. Here are six tips to prepare your home garden, so you’re good to go this spring.

Inspect Your Inventory

First off, begin your garden prep by inspecting what you have to work with. Depending on how this past winter affected your garden, you’ll want to take a quick inventory of what’s left. Are there perennials that need to be replaced? How many annuals will you need to fill the empty spaces? Are you considering flowers, vegetables, herbs, shrubs, or a mixture of each? Make sure you’re choosing plants that coincide with your garden’s growing conditions.

Prune Back Your Branches

Do you have some shrub branches that grew out of control last year? Now’s the time to prune them back for a fresh start prior to the greenery and buds growing. Make sure you trim the low hanging branches to make room for new growth.

Strengthen the Soil

Now that the branches are out of the way, you have a better idea of what you’re working with in terms of the condition of your soil and what kind of weeding needs to take place. Has grass begun to grow where it shouldn’t; are there prickly plants you need to get rid of? Grab a pair of gloves and get pulling! Once your weeding is complete, invest in some nutrient-rich soil to strengthen your chances of success.

Prep Your Plants

If you started seedlings back in February, you get to reap the rewards of your efforts now by transplanting them into your garden. Otherwise, use your inventory list above to plan out which perennials and annuals you’re going to plant and nurture further this season.

Mulch It Up⠀

After your plants have found their new home, apply a layer of mulch that's 2” - 3” deep. Mulch provides some added protection to reduce weeds from poking through as easily. Mulch also reduces the loss of moisture in the soil because it blocks out the sun and stops the water from evaporating quickly.

Wake Them Up with Water

Once your plants are plentiful in your garden, make sure they’re watered well. You’ll want to ensure there’s a water source that you can easily hook your hose up to, so you don’t need to fill up a watering can multiple times. As a bonus money saving tip, utilize a rain barrel to store water for your garden!

Just like real estate, a successful garden is all about location! If your current garden isn’t thriving, consider moving it to a place in your yard that allows at least six hours of sun daily, as that provides optimal growing conditions. And speaking of moving, if you’re considering upgrading to a Courtenay area home that offers larger landscaping opportunities, reach out to the Bryce Hansen Team today at 250.702.6493.

Ready to begin the search for your perfect piece of Comox Valley real estate? Before you dive into hours of scrolling through homes for sale in the area, make sure you’ve obtained a mortgage pre-approval, so you have a realistic budget on hand to base your search off of.

Beginning your mortgage pre-approval can be a relatively quick process – sometimes as simple as filling out a form online. The ease of the application may depend on your financial history and the details needed to determine whether you can afford a property you’re interested in, as well as the level of risk of lending money to you. I won’t go too deep into the process, as it’s best to chat with a trusted mortgage professional, so instead, I’ll offer you these questions that you can ask your mortgage professional to ensure you’re doing your due diligence in educating yourself.

Which lender is best for my financial situation?

A mortgage broker is a licensed professional who has access to a diverse pool of lenders to find you an advantageous mortgage product. This means they’ll be able to shop the current market for you and negotiate the best mortgage for your individual needs. Alternatively, mortgage lenders work with a specific bank or financial institution which may be a benefit to you if you’d like to work with a branch or location that you know and trust.

Should I secure a fixed or variable loan?

Historically, variable interest rate mortgages have been lower than fixed rates. But with us currently experiencing unprecedented times, you’ll want to thoroughly review all your rate options with your mortgage broker.

How much should my down payment be?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need 20% as a down payment. Your mortgage professional will help you determine the best plan of action for the down payment amount that makes the most sense for your financial circumstances. Be aware that if your down payment is less than 20%, you will be subject to Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation fees.

Do the mortgage services cost me anything?

Typically, there is no fee for you to use a mortgage broker, as the broker gets paid by the lender or financial institution who ends up providing you with the mortgage product you choose. However, you will still want to ask this question, just to make sure there is no other arrangement you would be responsible for paying.

Is there a penalty for pre-payment?

Sometimes there are “hidden” fees if you attempt to make additional payments on your mortgage, so 

make sure you read all the fine print and ask your mortgage professional any additional questions that you need clarity on. If there is a penalty or additional fees, determine how much the penalty will be, what the terms are for the prepayment, as well as whether you’ll be charged a penalty if you choose to refinanced your mortgage in the future.

Once your pre-approval is in hand, we can begin the exciting journey of finding you the home that checks all the boxes on your list of must-have features! Give me a call at 250.702.6493 or shoot over an email to bryce@brycehansenteam.com for us to get started together.

Moving day is definitely an exciting time – but it can also be pretty stressful. And not just for you, but for your pet as well. Between the chaos of strangers in your home, the front door being open the majority of the time, and the loud noises of last minute boxes being taped and shuffled around, it can cause a lot of anxiety for animals.

Whether you have furry, feathered, and scaly friends, there are some things to consider before the big move. It takes some patience and understanding on your part to help protect them, so use these tips as a way to prepare ahead of time, so your pets stay safe and content on moving day.

Crates and Confinement

If your furry friend will need to be crated or stay in a particular room of the home during your move, make sure you get them used to that space beforehand. A couple weeks before moving day, start preparing them. For example, if they’ll be in a crate, add their favourite toy or blanket for added comfort – both physically and mentally – and praise them for the time spent in the crate, so they get excited to be in there. You can do the same thing if they’ll be staying in a spare room; but to get them more used to the area behind a closed door, sit with them in the room at first, then eventually allow them to be in the room on their own. Reward them for being calm (this is when your patience comes in handy). The more relaxed they are, the less likely there will be any injuries or accidents the day of the move.

Conversations with Your Vet

If your pet is prone to being anxious, there are a variety of options that can help keep them safe and composed. Depending on your vet’s recommendation, there is everything available from highly cognitive toys that can work as a distraction, to behavioural training, to medication that can assist with calming them down. You want to make sure you’re doing what’s best – and healthy – for your pet, so ensure you’ve checked with your vet before administering any kind of medicinal treatments.

Consider Stretching It Out

If you don’t have to move everything all in one day, breaking it down into chunks of time can help alleviate some of the stress on the animals. It actually might even be easier for you too if it’s stretched out over a week or so; smaller boxes could be moved first, then leading up to the larger items. If you’re hiring a moving company, moving some of the little things ahead of time could actually save you some money in the long run.  

Of course, one of the best ways to help ease your peace of mind in knowing that your pet will be safe during the entire process of your move is to have a trusted pet sitter to take them to a comfortable and fun environment until you’re settled and ready to let them roam free in your new home!

Are you considering making a move into a home that suits you better? Give the Bryce Hansen Team a call today at 250.702.6493; from helping you find your perfect Comox Valley home, to recommending services to keep your pets safe, we’ll work together to make your move as smooth as it can be!

Spring weather will be here before we know it – what a breath of fresh air to think about! And as the season turns, there are really only two main areas to consider when planning your spring home maintenance; the interior of your home and the exterior of your home. 

But let’s get real; as a homeowner, you know it’s not quite as simple as that though, is it? Both of these areas encompass a variety of recommended tasks that should be completed to help manage the overall maintenance of your Comox Valley home. Get yourself organized with these top spring maintenance tips!

Inspect the Interior of Your Home

The best way to begin your interior inspection is to do a thorough spring cleaning. Yes, a lot of people dread this part of the season, but it’s important to be able to properly see what you’re examining. For example, it’s pretty hard to check out your plumbing if the pipes have cobwebs hanging off them! This is your time to shine – or at least to make your house shine. Conquer those forgotten chores, like your dusting your baseboards, behind your washer and dryer, and those tough to reach areas that you often overlook.

Once your house is spic and span, the interior investigation can commence. You’ll want to review spaces such as your attic and basement – especially to notice if there’s any moisture, drafts or temperature changes in any part of these areas, as this could mean you’re in need of repairs or extra insulation. You’ll also want to check items like your air conditioner, water tank, and plumbing for any leaks or cracks. We recommend taking a notepad or clipboard through the house with you, marking down tasks you notice during your full inspection.

Examine the Exterior of Your Home

When it comes to examining your home’s exterior, there are eight key zones you’ll want to keep a close eye on; 1) chimney/vents, 2) roof, 3) gutters, 4) siding, 5) walls, 6) foundation, 7) windows, and 8) doors. Getting a comprehensive analysis of these items will provide you with a good picture of how well your home is holding up to the outdoor Canadian elements. Aside from the physical attributes of your home, it’s also a good idea to scan your lawn, deck, patio furniture, and barbeque in case any issues have popped up during the winter.

You may want to call in the professionals to give your home a once-over as well, just to make sure you haven’t missed anything that their trained eye may pick up on. When it comes to the critical inner and outer workings of your property, you can never be too careful!

Now that your home is in tip top shape, it may have the wheels turning in your mind about what your house is worth on the Courtenay area real estate market. I’m happy to help you answer that question; contact me today for a free Comparative Market Analysis, where I’ll help you determine a listing price range to capitalize on the fair market value in your neighbourhood.

With more people spending time indoors these days, it’s been necessary to rethink the space in your Comox Valley home. It’s becoming increasingly popular to utilize those awkward parts of your house, like the nook under your stairs, the corners of large rooms, and even converting spare rooms - all for the benefit of upping your home’s functionality to meet the shifting needs of you and your family.

Ultimately, the first step to transforming any space into something more purposeful is to declutter the area to remove items that aren’t necessary. Once you’ve taken care of the cluttered chaos, think about what kind of storage solutions make the most sense to effectively streamline your real estate. It really depends on what you’ll be converting the space into. Below are some ideas to get you started.

The Organized Home Office

As more companies are allowing a work from home option, having an organized work space is key for successful productivity. Would the corner of your living room provide a nice set up if you added a small table, a comfortable chair, and a few stackable baskets to house office supplies and documents? Or if you know you’ll require a room with a door you can close for privacy during phone calls, perhaps in your spare bedroom you can install a simple desk surface that drops down from the wall, while still easily being fastened out of the way if you have guests staying over. If the closet space allows for it, you can even turn that area into an office as well, which can be conveniently tucked away behind closed doors when needed.

The Fun Hangout for Kids

Having a dedicated place for your kids to hang out can make all the difference while you’re trying to balance your own virtual meetings with helping them stay on top of their assigned homework. Crafting a fun area utilizing the space under your stairs could be an option or maybe a portion of the basement is available for conversion as well. With the ever-changing needs of online learning, a small craft table that doubles as a workstation is a great addition to your little ones’ new space. Add some big comfy throw pillows and a few shelves – this can even be used as a quiet place for them to study for their schoolwork.

The Appealing Home Gym

Let’s face it, working out isn’t something that everyone loves doing! But if you set up the space in a way that’s inviting and appealing, you might get more home workouts in! Does your basement have a utility room, or maybe an area that’s too small to be a bedroom, so it’s become a dumping ground for extra storage? Move some boxes aside and keep your home gym simple with a devoted zone where you can have a small collection of weights, a jump rope, and a mat that’s easy to roll up and tuck out of the way.

If you’ve realized that your current Courtenay area home just doesn’t have the space you need to make things work, reach out to me at 250.702.6493 or bryce@brycehansenteam.com and we can discuss your options for upgrading into a house that better suits your family moving forward.

An annual tradition for many people is to make some new year resolutions of the goals they have for themselves to kick of a brand new year that offers a “fresh start.” Of course, we all know the running joke that goes along with setting resolutions is that we stick to them for a few weeks, and by March, we’re back in our old habits. But that doesn’t have to happen in 2021!

It’s safe to say that 2020 has shaken up our routines, but this year actually offers a great platform to make some changes that are more likely to stick. Remember you can start small with your changes! A lot of us have had our regular day to day practices flipped upside down and have had to get creative with making things work – so let’s take that concept and implement it into getting your space streamlined, so you can declutter your Comox Valley home and have some physical organization in your life. Consider these three tips to get you started on your organizational journey.

1. CREATE A GAME PLAN

First off, you’ll want to create a game plan. Do you need to take a look at organizing your entire home, or are there just a few key areas that you want to declutter? To keep your motivation flowing, start with the easiest space and work your way up to the bigger jobs. How long do you think each area will take to tackle? Assign a realistic timeline for the day block the day off from other commitments – because we know if it’s not in your calendar, it’s less likely to happen! Gather existing organizational supplies that you already have in your home such as storage baskets, labelling supplies, bins, etc.

2. RECRUIT SOME HELP

Everyone in your household should be participating in the decluttering chores in some capacity, since everyone contributes to the mess. Plus, you can have some fun with it; put on your favourite playlist, turn it into a timed competition, or persuade your kids with their favourite take-out meal when the space is complete. If you live on your own, ask some friends in your bubble to come make a day of it with you – and you can return the favour when they’re in need.

3. HAVE DESIGNATED BOXES

Before you begin sorting through a room, have designated boxes set up that are labeled “Keep”, “Sell”, “Donate”, “Recycle”, and “Garbage”. This makes it way more simple to keep everything organized, so you know exactly what to do with it after the room is decluttered. It helps to keep this rule of thumb in mind: if you haven’t used it within the last year, you likely don’t need to keep it.

Decluttering your home is a perfect way to get it ready for the Comox Valley real estate market as well, if you’ve been considering selling. When a house is nice and organized, it allows potential buyers to picture themselves in that space much easier, which makes it more likely you’ll get an offer on your home. Let’s chat about your next steps to list your Courtenay area home for sale; give me a call at 250.702.6493 or email bryce@brycehansenteam.com