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December 2023 stats

As we begin 2024, it's time to reflect on the state of the real estate market across Canada. December is often a pivotal month, offering insights into the market's performance over the past year and providing indicators of what may lie ahead in the coming year. In this blog post, we'll delve into the December 2023 statistics from various regions across the country to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current market conditions.

Vancouver, British Columbia (Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver - REBGV):

In December 2023, the Vancouver real estate market continued to display strength, with the average price of a single-family home reaching $1,965,000. The benchmark price of a single-family home increased by 7.7% compared to the previous year, reflecting the ongoing demand in the region.

Full report here

Victoria, British Columbia (Victoria Real Estate Board - VREB):

Victoria's real estate market also demonstrated resilience, with the average price of a single-family home reaching $1,275,000 in December 2023. The benchmark price of a single-family home increased by 6.2% compared to the previous year, showcasing the city's appeal to homebuyers.

Full report here

Calgary, Alberta (Calgary Real Estate Board - CREB):

In Calgary, the average price of a single-family home in the city of Calgary was $697,400 in December 2023. While the market showed signs of stability, with a benchmark price increase of 12.8% compared to the previous year, it also faced challenges related to economic factors and supply dynamics.

Full report here

Toronto, Ontario (Toronto Regional Real Estate Board - TRREB):

Toronto's real estate market remained robust, with the average price of a single-family home in area 416 reaching $1,626,980 in December 2023. The average price of a single-family home decrease by -0.3% compared to the previous year, reflecting the city's status as a competitive real estate market.

Full report here

Nanaimo
High interest rates are primarily to blame for the weaker sales, as there was significant demand, but many buyers opted to wait for an anticipated 2024 rate cut.
Benchmark price for detached homes: Comox Valley- $820,600; Cowichan Valley- $763,400; Nanaimo- $781,900; Parksville- $845,200; Port Alberni- $530,700; North Island- $426,300

Campbell River $653,100 up from $607,900 from last year. 
Quadra Island had one sold, one pending, one withdrawn and one property expired. 

Full report here

Market Trends and Predictions:

Across Canada, the real estate market in December 2023 displayed resilience and growth in many regions. Low interest rates, demographic shifts, and a strong desire for homeownership contributed to the market's performance. However, supply constraints and affordability challenges remained key factors affecting certain markets.

Looking ahead to 2024, it's essential to monitor factors such as interest rate changes, government policies, and economic indicators that could influence the real estate landscape. Continued demand for housing, coupled with supply-side challenges, is likely to shape the market's trajectory in the coming months.

Conclusion:

The December 2023 real estate statistics across Canada reflect a diverse landscape characterized by growth, stability, and unique regional dynamics. As we move into the new year, staying informed about market trends and developments will be crucial for both buyers and sellers navigating the Canadian real estate market.

By analyzing the data from different regions, we gain valuable insights into the broader trends shaping the industry and can make informed decisions about real estate investments and transactions. As always, it's advisable to consult with real estate professionals for personalized advice tailored to specific needs and objectives in this dynamic market.

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Winterize your Quadra Island Ocean front home.

Winter on the West Coast of British Columbia brings its own unique challenges and beauty. While the region is known for its milder temperatures compared to other parts of Canada, it's essential to prepare your home for the rainy season, occasional frost, and potential storms. In this article, we'll explore practical tips and considerations to ensure your West Coast home is ready to face the winter months.

  1. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters:

    • Start by checking your roof for any missing or damaged shingles. Repair any issues to prevent leaks.

    • Clean out gutters and downspouts to ensure proper water drainage. This helps prevent water damage and ice buildup.

  2. Seal Windows and Doors:

    • Inspect window and door frames for drafts. Seal any gaps or cracks with weatherstripping to improve insulation.

    • Consider using draft stoppers at the bottom of doors to prevent cold air from entering your home.

  3. Check Heating Systems:

    • Schedule a professional inspection of your heating system to ensure it's in good working condition.

    • Replace furnace filters regularly for optimal performance and energy efficiency.

  4. Insulate Pipes:

    • Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing. This is crucial, especially during colder nights.

    • Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, and shut off the exterior water supply to prevent pipe damage.

  5. Chimney Maintenance:

    • If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned and inspected before use.

    • Ensure the damper is working correctly to prevent drafts.

  6. Prepare the Garden:

    • Trim back overhanging branches to prevent them from breaking under the weight of snow or ice.

    • Clear dead vegetation and debris from gutters, flower beds, and around the foundation.

  7. Protect Outdoor Furniture:

    • Store or cover outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements.

    • Consider investing in covers for barbecues and other equipment left outside.

  8. Emergency Kit:

    • Prepare an emergency kit that includes essentials like flashlights, batteries, candles, and non-perishable food items.

    • Keep a battery-powered radio on hand for weather updates during storms.

  9. Check Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors:

    • Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and replace batteries if needed.

    • Consider installing a CO2 detector if you don't already have one.

  10. Landscaping and Lawn Care:

    • Trim back trees and bushes to prevent damage during winter storms.

    • Fertilize and aerate your lawn to ensure it stays healthy through the colder months.

  11. Clean and Store Summer Gear:

    • Clean and properly store summer items like patio furniture, pool equipment, and gardening tools.

    • Consider covering air conditioning units to protect them from winter weather.

  12. Prepare for Power Outages:

    • Invest in a generator or ensure you have alternative heating sources, such as a fireplace or portable heater.

    • Stock up on essentials like candles, blankets, and non-perishable food items.

  13. Check Insulation:

    • Inspect your home's insulation for any signs of wear or damage. Proper insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures.

    • Consider adding additional insulation in the attic to improve energy efficiency.

  14. Winterize Your Garden:

    • Mulch garden beds to protect plants and soil from freezing temperatures.

    • Consider planting winter-friendly vegetables and flowers suitable for the West Coast climate.

  15. Community Preparedness:

    • Stay informed about local weather forecasts and community emergency plans.

    • Connect with neighbors and create a support network in case of severe weather events.

Conclusion:

Preparing your Quadra Island home for winter is a proactive approach to ensure comfort, safety, and the longevity of your property. By taking these steps, you'll be well-equipped to face the unique challenges that the winter season may bring to the beautiful region of British Columbia's West Coast.

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Junuary is in full swing and it seems like summer is still just a dream for now. Working in the garden in between the cold rain is not as much fun but I hope summer will arrive soon enough.

Real Estate markets across the country have been showing signs of slowdown. I suspect that it will be short lived because even though the higher interest rates will discourage some buyers, the demand is still very strong across the whole country. There simply is not enough houses for sale to meet everyone’s demand.

Campbell River
The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) housing market appears to be shifting amidst lighter demand and increased inventory.

The increased inventory is good news for buyers, giving them more options to choose from and easing the pressure to move too quickly when making an offer. However, the market still favours sellers, and balanced conditions seem to be some distance away. According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA), it will take a substantial decline in demand to return active listings on Vancouver Island to a healthy state.

In Campbell River, the benchmark price of a single-family home hit $76,200 in May, up by 29 per cent from the previous year.
Benchmark Price for an apartment: $385,700.
Benchmark Price for a Townhouse: $527,100.

full report HERE


Quadra Island
Quadra Island in May had 3 new listings, 1 sold (pending), 1 sold, 1 expired.
If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website, sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca
Cortes Island
May on Cortes Island had 3 new listings and 1 sold (pending).
If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website, sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca

Calgary
“For the second month in a row, sales activity trended down after all-time record high sales in March. “While higher lending rates are weighing on sales activity, the market is still struggling with supply levels and rising prices which could also be contributing to slower sales, especially in the detached market. Nonetheless, if this shift continues, we could begin to see more balanced conditions in the market over the next several months, slowing the pace of price growth in the market.
The benchmark price of detached homes in the city of Calgary hit $648,500;
semi-detached: $584,700;
row home: $363,300;
apartments: $275,300.”

full report HERE


Vancouver
VANCOUVER, BC – June 2, 2022 – After reaching record-setting levels in 2021, home sale activity has returned to more typical seasonal levels in Metro Vancouver* this spring due, in large part, to rising interest rates.
“With interest rates rising, home buyers are taking more time to make their decisions in today’s housing market,” said Daniel John, REBGV Chair. “Home buyers have been operating in a frenzied environment for much of the past two years. This spring is providing a calmer environment, with fewer multiple offer situations, which is allowing buyers to explore their housing options, understand the changing mortgage market, and do their due diligence.”

 “Upward pressure on home prices has begun to ease in the housing market over the last two months,” John said. “Where home prices go next will depend on housing supply. While we’re beginning to see modest increases in home listings, we still need housing supply totals to more than double to bring the market close to balanced territory.”

The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,093,600. This represents a 15 per cent increase from May 2021.
The benchmark price of an apartment home is $779,700. This represents a 15 per cent increase from May 2021.
The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,141,200. This represents a 21.5 per cent increase from May 2021.

Full report HERE


Toronto
TORONTO, ONTARIO, June 3, 2022 – Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market conditions continued to evolve in response to higher borrowing costs. Similar to April results, May 2022 sales were down on a monthly and annual basis.

“Bank of Canada rate hikes, including the 50-basis point hike on June 1, are impacting home buyers in the short term. There is now a psychological aspect where potential buyers are waiting for a bottom in price. This will likely continue through the summer. However, as home buyers adjust to higher borrowing costs, housing demand will be supported by extremely low unemployment, high job vacancies, rising incomes and record immigration,” said TRREB President Kevin Crigger. 

The average price for a detached home in area (416) is $1,914,890.
The average price of a semi-detached home (416) is $1,426,273.
The average price of a townhouse (416) is $1,045,874.
The average price of a condo (416) is $793,124 as reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREBB).

Full report HERE


Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®
Home number: 250-285-2141
Quadrarealty.ca proud sponsor of Quadra Island online community www.quadra.life



 

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Finally, Spring is here, and we can finally work in the garden! I missed being outside doing what I love.

When it comes to Real Estate, it seems like the desired results of cooling down the market have been achieved by the government. The increase of interest rates seems to be slowing down some purchasers from committing currently. More rate hikes coming in June.

Here is a brief summary of what each real estate board is saying about their region: 

Campbell River
Additional inventory positive news for buyers.
“Higher interest rates may also be tempering how much buyers are willing to spend when making an offer. However, it is too early to say whether conditions are beginning to shift towards a more balanced market. According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association, housing markets in British Columbia are so lopsided that it will take a substantial decline in demand to return active listings to a healthy state.

That said, sales did dip in April. By category, 507 single-family homes were reported sold on the MLS® System in April, a 13 per cent decrease from one year ago and down by three per cent from March.”
In Campbell River, the benchmark price of a single-family home hit $769,800 in April, up by 31 per cent from the previous year.
Benchmark Price for an apartment: $385,700.
Benchmark Price for a Townhouse: $527,100.


Quadra Island
Quadra Island in April had 5 new listings, 3 sold (pending).
If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website, sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca

Cortes Island
April on Cortes Island had 2 new listings listed and 1 cancelled.
If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website, sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca

full report HERE


Calgary

“Following an all-time record high month of sales in March, activity slowed down in April. However, with 3,401 sales this month, it was still a gain of six per cent over last year and a record high for the month of April. “Despite some of the monthly pullback, it is important to note that sales remain exceptionally strong and are likely being limited due to supply choice in the market,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “While further rate increases will likely start to dampen demand later this year, more pullbacks in new listings this month are ensuring the market continues to favour the seller, resulting in further price gains.”

The benchmark price of detached homes in the city of Calgary hit $628,900; semi-detached: $487,900; row home: $343,000; apartments: $272,600.

full report HERE

 Vancouver
“Metro Vancouver home sales return to more traditional levels in April. “So far this spring, we’ve seen home sales ease down from the record-breaking pace of the last year,” Daniel John, REBGV Chair said. “While a small sample size, the return to a more traditional pace of home sales that we’ve experienced over the last two months provides hopeful home buyers more time to make decisions, secure financing and perform other due diligence such as home inspections.”
The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,139,200. This represents a 20.8 per cent increase from April 2021.
The benchmark price of an apartment home is $844,700. This represents a 16 per cent increase from April 2021.
The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,150,500. This represents a 25 per cent increase from April 2021.

full report HERE

Toronto
“The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) housing market continued its adjustment to higher borrowing costs, with the number of transactions down on a monthly and annual basis. As has been the case with previous rate tightening cycles, some home buyers have moved to the sidelines to determine how they will reposition themselves in the marketplace given the higher rate environment and related impact on affordability.

“Based on the trends observed in the April housing market, it certainly appears that the Bank of Canada is achieving its goal of slowing consumer spending as it fights high inflation. Negotiated mortgage rates rose sharply over the past four weeks, prompting some buyers to delay their purchase. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see the balance the Bank of Canada strikes between combatting inflation versus stunting economic growth and related government revenues as we continue to recover from and pay for pandemic-related programs,” said TRREB President Kevin Crigger.”
The average price for a detached home in area (416) is $1,947,975.
The average price of a semi-detached home (416) is $1,494,640.
The average price of a townhouse (416) is $1,086,986.
The average price of a condo (416) is $820,835 as reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREBB).

full report HERE


I’m off, back to the garden before the rain comes! Enjoy the sun!

 Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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The market is changing

 A very drastic title, just to grab your attention. I noticed lately that a lot of media outlets love to grab people’s attention by using a good title. Often, it’s not accurate and misleading but the sound bite is already out there and that’s what influences the masses. Not many people bother to read the whole article but base their opinions on these cleverly manipulated opinions. I suspect, that’s how critical thinking was abolished.

I would like to share some facts about the market and will try to avoid sharing my opinions, but before I do that, I wanted to give a round of applause to all the people that showed up to the Public Meeting at the community center last week. In case you missed the meeting, a lot of people showed up and we had a lot of great speakers. One thing I took away from this meeting was that people still care about this community. I have gotten used to seeing people’s eyes glazing over when you mention anything about politics. To my pleasant surprise I saw a nice mix of young people and experienced folks; and it warms my heart that a lot of people don’t only think about money. Job creation is nice, but change must be carefully planned with feedback from the citizens. It should never come down from the top. I’m curious to see what will happen with this proposal of rezoning but I really hope the democratic system still works here. Sorry I deviate from my main topic, but it’s important to note that communities consist of people, not empty summer houses.

It’s hard not to notice the news talking about the high level of inflation these days. In order to curb the inflation banks will be unveiling more interest rate hikes and effectively shrinking their monetary policy. A valid question is, how will it impact real estate in Canada?

What we are seeing today is a highly distorted curve of demand vs supply in the market. I think the higher interest rates will force prices down, but because the demand is still very high, I don’t think prices will decline significantly and probably only in some areas.

In addition to interest rate increases the government has proposed a freeze on foreign buyers. The government thinks that banning foreign ownership for 2 years will make an impact on affordability. I highly doubt that since foreign buyers consist of only about 3% across the country. No details have been revealed yet but as soon as I will know, I wish share. 

Another controversial measure proposed by the government to cool down the market is the introduction of a “cooling off period”. Similar tool exists in a pre-build market where a buyer who buys a condo that hasn’t been built yet can rescind their offer within few days after signing the contract. Unfortunately, this proposed measure would be favoring the buyers and possibly punishing the sellers. No details have been revealed by the government yet, but I will keep you posted.

One more proposal made by the government is to create a multiple offer registry, where all offers that the seller received would be registered. I think this is a great idea to gain more transparency and trust in the system. Similar system already exists in Toronto and seems to work well. Currently there’s no details about this yet but I hope it will be rolled out soon.

 Couple interesting statistics that also have an impact on real estate prices:

- more than 100,000 people moved to BC in 2021 (most since 1961)

- In BC between the years 2010-2015 we had an average of 40,000-50,000 active listings consistently every year. Since 2016 something happened and the number of available homes for sale has been considerably falling. In 2022 we are on track for about only 15,000 active listings for the year. A healthy balanced market is roughly 40,000 active listings.
We have been under a very low supply of inventory for many years and if you would like to get some hints of the core issue you could google questions like: “When was Justin Trudeau elected? What is Justin Trudeau’s immigration policy?” to get some interesting answers.

In summary, the sky is NOT falling. Prices in our area are still affordable for people coming from the city. Things will probably slow down, and we may not see as many multiple offers. Properties will take longer to sell, and prices will level off. Only time will tell.

Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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March in Real Estate

Spring is in the air and the nature is waking up from its wintery rest and hibernation (including myself!). Last few weeks have been quite busy for me therefore there was no time to contribute with an article in the last Discovery newsletter. In this edition however, I would like to share March statistics with you.

Campbell River

Inventory in the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) area is slowly inching up but is still far from ideal.

In Campbell River, the benchmark price of a single-family home hit $722,400 in March, up by 28 per cent from the previous year.
Benchmark Price for an apartment: $363,300.
Benchmark Price for a Townhouse: $537,300.

Quadra Island
Quadra Island in March had 2 new listings, 2 sold (pending), 2 cancelled, and 1 expired listing.If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca
Cortes Island
March on Cortes Island had 1 new listing listed at $775,000 and 3 pending.If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca

Calgary
For the second month in a row, sales activity not only reached a monthly high but also hit new record highs for any given month. Gains occurred across every property type as they all hit new record highs.
“While supply levels have improved from levels seen over the past four months, inventory levels are still well below what we traditionally see in March, thanks to stronger than expected sales activity,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “With just over one month of supply in the market, the persistently tight market conditions continue to place significant upward pressure on prices.”

The benchmark price of detached homes in the city of Calgary hit $620,500; semi-detached: $478,400; row home: $335,400; apartments: $265,900.

Vancouver
“Market remained elevated in March."

“March of 2021 was the highest selling month in our history. This year’s activity, while still elevated, is happening at a calmer pace than we experienced 12 months ago,” Daniel John, REBGV Chair said. “Home buyers are keeping a close eye on rising interest rates, hoping to make a move before their locked-in rates expire.”

The benchmark price for a detached home is $2,118,600. This represents a 23.4 per cent increase from March 2021.
The benchmark price of an apartment home is $835,500. This represents a 16.8 per cent increase from March 2021. The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,138,300. This represents a 28.1 per cent increase from March 2021.

Toronto
There were almost 11,000 Greater Toronto Area (GTA) home sales reported in March 2022, capping off the third-best March and second-best first quarter on record. Tight market conditions continued to support a double-digit annual pace of price growth, with an average selling price of $1.3 million. The average selling price dipped slightly month-over-month, bucking the regular seasonal trend

However, we did experience more balance in the first quarter of 2022 compared to last year. If this trend continues, it is possible that the pace of price growth could moderate as we move through the year,” said TRREB Chief Market Analyst Jason Mercer. 

The average price for a detached home in area (416) is $1,920,018.
The average price of a semi-detached home (416) is $1,545,447.
The average price of a townhouse (416) is $1,117,469.
The average price of a condo (416) is $831,351 as reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREBB).
Today we are facing the most serious housing crisis ever, in this country. Yet, we continue to keep faith that our government will come and save us, even though the government has created these problems in the first place. Have you seen the latest government proposals to “help” with the housing market? I may address those in my next article. As for now…. I’m once again excited about this new gardening season.
One thing I have learned last year, the hard way, is planting seeds too early.  The wait is hard, but in another week or so we should be good to go, my fellow gardeners. Thank you to all the gardeners for sharing valuable information with the community. I have lots to learn.

Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®
Home number: 250-285-2141
Quadrarealty.ca

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SPRING MARKET

Spring Market.

Spring Market is just around the corner. Historically the busiest time in Real Estate starts in April and goes on until about August. Usually the busiest months are April, May and June but last couple years March was also very busy. 

As usual a lot of people considering a move and thinking about selling are calling their realtors with questions. I would like to address some of the concerns here.

2022 has just started and so far, has been very turbulent already. Rising inflation, potential of rising interest rates, illegal government overreach, covid mandates, high immigration targets and now conflict in Ukraine, to name a few.

Making rational decisions based on facts can get hard because it seems there are many variables that can change weekly.

Why is spring market good for buyers and sellers?

Simply put, curb appeal! Hopefully when spring hits, all snow is melted and spring flowers make your yards look beautiful. The trees are waking up with color and people feel more energized and wanting to move. 

Since the pandemic has started more home buyers decided to reconfigure their lives, priorities changed and also the demand for larger homes with multi purpose rooms have increased. A lot of buyers have moved out of the highly densely populated cities into the suburbs or in many cases even changed the provinces in search for more affordable prices. We are still not clear if the exodus from big cities will continue or once offices open up, people will head back to cities, or if they will continue to work remotely.   

Rising inflation will be higher than we have seen in many years. In order for the central banks to combat the rising inflation they need to raise the interest rates.

Banks saw this trend coming, that’s why they introduced the “mortgage stress test”. The extra 2% buffer needed to qualify for a mortgage gives the bank confidence that borrowers will be able to make payments once the mortgage rates go up.
How does that translate in real life?

Based on a quick Google search, the average Canadian has a $372,000 mortgage. A 5 year closed mortgage of 4.79% will cost roughly $2120/ monthly.

If the mortgage rate goes up by 2% the monthly payments will be $2,560/ monthly

$440 increase in monthly payments.

Today we are facing record low inventory but the demand is still very high.

So, is now a good time to sell?

Every person is in a different place in their lives. Don’t base your decision on fear.  

Generally, best time to sell is during a seller’s market. We are in the strongest seller’s market in a long time. This is by far the best time to sell, based on historical data.

If you are thinking of buying it’s probably not the optimal time but it depends on your circumstance. If you can afford to wait until the market changes to a buyer’s market, then wait. If you must buy now, don’t expect to find any “deals”.

It is important to listen to a few opinions, ideas before making up our minds. The most important aspect is to listen to ourselves, to the feeling we have. Sometimes it’s not all about the money or timing.

My personal litmus test when making big decisions is to ask myself: is it going to hurt someone, does it come from respect, kindness and compassion? Whatever decision I make is a decision I’m willing to live with.

Over the last couple of years, we have followed so called “leaders” telling us how we should live but I really hope we have reached the end of this. It’s time to take charge of our lives and finally return back to kindness and community.  

 


Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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December in Real Estate

 The first market statistics of the year were published late therefore I’m including them in this article instead of the last one. I can’t believe we are mid way through January already!

I’m assuming by now you have all received your BC Assessment and you’re excited at the fact that your home is worth more than 30% and in some cases even 50% more! Your property taxes will not go up by 50%, don’t worry. They will certainly go up though. 

Campbell River

According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association, the supply situation is especially critical in markets outside the Lower Mainland, with one of the worst being Vancouver Island. Even if sales were to return to long-run average levels, total listings would need to nearly double to achieve a balanced market, and the road to doubling those listings lies in building more homes.


“Expanding inventory is the key to affordability, and it requires a coordinated effort from all levels of government and adequate incentives for municipalities to take action,” says Mackay. “The public also has a role to play by being more open to gentle densification in some areas.”


Benchmark Price for a detached home in Campbell River in December reached: $689,000.

Benchmark Price for an apartment: $335,000.

Benchmark Price for a Townhouse: $505,300.

Average sale price in 2021, in Campbell River was $692,906 compared to $537,494 in 2020.


Quadra Island
Quadra Island saw a very busy December with 3 listings sold (pending), 2 sold, 1 cancelled and 1 expired.

Overall in 2021 Quadra Island had 42 listings in total that sold, 5 were cancelled, and 3 expired.

If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca 

Cortes Island

Cortes Island also had a relatively busy year with 14 listings sold, 2 cancelled, and 4 expired.

 If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up and log in for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca


Calgary

“2021 Record year for home sales”. Thanks to exceptionally high sales in December, 2021 was a record year for home sales. Calgary sales reached 27,686 units this year, nearly 72 per cent higher than last year and over 44 per cent higher than the 10-year average. “Concerns over inflation and rising lending rates likely created more urgency with buyers over the past few months. However, as is the case in many other cities, the supply has not kept pace with the demand causing strong price growth,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie.


The benchmark price of detached homes in the city of Calgary hit $547,300; semi-detached: $432,400; row home: $300,100; apartments $252,000.


Vancouver

Metro Vancouver home sales reached an all-time high in 2021 as housing needs remained a top priority for residents in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We begin 2022 with just over 5,000 homes for sale across the region. This is the lowest level we’ve seen in more than 30 years,” Keith Stewart, REBGV economist said. “With demand at record levels, residents shouldn’t expect home price growth to relent until there’s a more adequate supply of housing available to purchase.”

Looking across Metro Vancouver, Maple Ridge saw the largest increase in benchmark prices at 34.7 per cent, followed by Pitt Meadows (29.8 per cent) and Whistler (27.8 per cent).


The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,910,200. This represents a 22 per cent increase from December 2020.

The benchmark price of an apartment home is $761,800. This represents a 12.8 per cent increase from December 2020.

The benchmark price of an attached home is $1,004,900. This represents a 22 per cent increase from December 2020.


Toronto

In December, GTA REALTORS® reported 6,031 sales – a strong result historically, but still down by more than 1,000 transactions (-15.7 per cent) compared to the record of 7,154 set in December 2020. Over the same period, new listings were down by 11.9 per cent to 5,174. The MLS® Home Price Index Composite benchmark was up by 31.1 per cent year-over-year in December. The average selling price was up by 24.2 per cent annually to $1,157,849.


The average price for a detached home in area (416) is $1,698,178.

The average price of a semi-detached home (416) is 1,342,429.

The average price of a townhouse (416) is $997,208.

The average price of a condo (416) is $730,792 as reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREBB).


Prediction for 2022- more of the same. Looks like the biggest problem we currently have is a huge demand for housing but supply of new housing is just not meeting the demand. Being a buyer in this market is very hard, especially if you don't have a $1million dollars for a downpayment. 


In my opinion, the most important drivers of housing crisis are the artificial low interest rates and very high numbers of newcomers to Canada. According to Sean Fraser (Minister of Immigration), Canada welcomed 401,000 new immigrants in 2021.This is the most newcomers in a year in Canadian history since 1913. Federal government is planning to bring 411,000 immigrants in 2022. Just to be very clear- I'm not blaming immigrants for this crisis. This is just a bad policy by the feds. 



Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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BC Assessment

 

First and foremost, I would like to Wish you an abundant, joyous and prosperous 2022!


As of this writing, the real estate boards haven’t released the monthly stats for the month of December yet, so I’ll have to write on a different topic as I have originally planned.


By the time you read this article in the Discovery Islander you have probably already received your BC Assessment report, so I’d like to give you some information about what this report is and how it’s compiled.  


BC Assessment is a Crown Corporation created as an independent impartial party to keep consistency and order. The corporation employs 650 full-time staff positions in 17 offices throughout the province. B.C. Assessment's annual budget is just over $77 million.


The value is determined based on property type and which method was used. There are several types of methods but the most common method for residential properties is the “Sales comparison method”. This method determines market value of properties based on most current data of sold units that are comparable in any given area. Land assessments are based on its most reasonable and optimal use which is both physically possible and financially feasible.

For example, vacant downtown land may be valued at its development potential rather than existing use. BC Assessment will consider many factors when determining highest and best use; including zoning, official community plans and recent development trends.


The assessed value of your home is broken down into 2 categories: Land, and Buildings. The report also includes comparable information on your previous year’s value.

Please note that the value assigned to your property is already outdated when you get it in your mail, because it’s based on data of sold units provided by the real estate boards as of July of last year. There are 5 more months of active market that are not included in that report.
 

How relevant is Assessed value during a real estate transaction? This is the second most common question I hear on regular basis from my clients. The answer is as usual: “It depends”.

As a Realtor my job as a listing agent is to sell it to a potential buyer, to their agent and most importantly to the bank that will provide financing to the buyer.


In a sellers market like we have seen over the last few years, the market can seem all over the place with prices. The bottom line is that the market will dictate what a property will sell for, provided that the bank is in agreement. For example, A buyer can be very excited about a property they’d like to purchase. They participate in a multiple offer situation where they have outbid all competing offers. What happens now? Depending if the buyer is a cash buyer or if financing is required, the bank will consider the BC assessment report as a factor in granting financing or in some cases, not.

If the offer is viewed as unreasonably high and not in line with how the market has behaved in the area, the banks can refuse to finance the mortgage for the buyers or assign conditions before financing can be finalized.


The truth is that the BC assessment report is used mostly for tax purposes. The market value of a property is determined by the economic forces of demand and supply. Our biggest issue in the real estate market is very low inventory and a very high demand for properties. There simply aren’t enough homes for sale to meet the demand. That’s what we are being told by the governments and it seems consistent with what we are seeing in the market place.


Is BC Assessment important in the purchase or sale of your home? Yes. It’s considered to determine what the property taxes will be for the current year, as well as qualifying for a mortgage.

In a strong sellers market, it is very common for properties to sell well above BC assessment values. When the market changes into a buyers market, and it will change one day, buyers and lenders alike will be paying much closer attention to what the BC Assessment numbers are.


The most accurate appraisal of your property can be obtained from a property appraisal company or your REALTOR®


If you haven't received your statement yet but you're curious, here's a link https://www.bcassessment.ca/


Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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Merry Christmas!

Every year around Christmas time I get all nostalgic as I remember that one special Christmas, and I would like to share this story with you.   


Most of you can guess based on my name that I must have come to Canada from elsewhere. I came to Canada when I was just a teenager. My parents decided to leave our country of origin just before the Iron Curtain came down. We left a country that was at a verge of collapse and we feared the unknown.


We were different type of immigrants. Not like today’s immigration with money to buy exotic cars and mega houses. We came with virtually the clothes on our backs and a suitcase each, containing mostly books.

We lived in a Co-op in a Vancouver suburb for the first few years. My dad was working with another Eastern European doing odd construction jobs, just to pay the bills.
The first couple years in Canada were very hard. We didn’t know how anything worked, we didn’t know the language at all and didn’t know where to get help. Prior to coming to Canada we spent 3 years in refugee camps in Germany, where things were decided for us. Neo Nazi attacks on our refugee camps were common and constant fear of the unknown motivated us to leave Europe. We were fortunate that our application through the red cross was accepted and we could come to the land of opportunities- Canada.


As a new immigrant, without any English language, my dad had to resign to taking any job he could get. He ended up working with some shady guys that wouldn’t pay him for months at a time. This one specific guy decided not to pay him for about 3-4 months of salary and fired him just before Christmas. My dad didn’t know where to go to deal with this, whom to call, how to feed his family.


Let me tell you, being a new immigrant as a teenager wasn’t all rosy.

Couple weeks, maybe days before Christmas in 1992 we had literally cancelled Christmas. I don’t know if any of you have ever experienced real hunger, real lack of food for days at a time, but that was our situation just before Christmas. My parents must have felt terrible for not being able to prepare our traditional Christian dinner, not to mention presents.   


It was a Saturday morning, the doorbell rang. Since I am the oldest out of the kids, it was my job to go open the door. I opened the door and to my amazement saw several large boxes full of food!!! This was truly a Christmas miracle! There was nobody there, no note, just lots of food. Most people won’t relate to this story, but every single time I share this story my eyes swell up with tears. This incident alone made a long term impact on who I am as a person. To this day we still don’t know who left all these boxes in front of our place. This was a Christmas miracle that I associated with the spirit of Canada.

  

I love Canada because of the people here; Because of these random acts of kindness! The compassion, the deliberate and conscious acceptance of our differences. Our family shares this story every Christmas dinner we have this time of the year, and these are the stories we need to share with our communities.  


As a new immigrant I have experienced first hand the kindness from regular people, from my teachers, neighbours and everyone I met. It made me more sensitive to certain aspects of our society.   


I love Canada because it allows people to be who they are. There’s no discrimination against your beliefs, your religion, or your ethnicity, everyone can travel as they please, and these rights are guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the main reason why our family and many other immigrant families have chosen to come to this great country!

Immigrants feel safe here.


As a proud Canadian my heart breaks when I see how politicians have divided our country recently. Multicultural, and multi faceted, with varying degrees of opinions is a definition of our beloved Canada.

Yes, this country was born on injustice towards first nations and it’s important to learn from history and never to repeat it. Our laws are here to protect us and unite us as people with common values.


I’m not writing any of this to start any debates towards one side or the other. I’m not a conspiracy theorist, or an anti-vaxxer and I don’t feel I need to defend my views… because I am Canadian.


All I’m doing is using critical thinking and stating the obvious, that our country has drastically changed over the last couple years and I find it disturbing that communities across the country are very divided. Even some of our families are divided as well, including my own family.  


This Christmas my wish for Canada and my immediate community- Quadra Island is to come together, in kindness, compassion and mutual respect. The Canada I know, doesn’t discriminate against anybody.


This country is the best country in the world and we should stand on guard for thee. Merry Christmas!



 

Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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November in Real Estate

November in Real Estate

I can’t believe that it’s already December! A good reminder was the dump of snow we had last night, power outages and cancellation of schools; wow what a day! I almost missed the deadline for submitting this article but I’m very grateful that the hard working people at BC Hydro brought back the power just in time.

It’s statistics time, just like every month, this time for the month of November.

If you have any suggestions for any future articles, please email, text or call me. Your opinion matters to me.

Campbell River

Active listings in the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) area continue to drop, with demand far outpacing supply. Inventory has hit consecutive historical lows for several months running.
According to the British Columbia Real Estate Association, the supply situation is especially critical in markets outside the Lower Mainland. One of the worst inventory situations is on Vancouver Island. Even if sales were to return to long-run average levels, total listings would need to nearly double to achieve a balanced market, and the road to doubling those listings lies in building more homes.

In Campbell River, the benchmark price of a single-family home hit $683,500 in November, up by 30 per cent from the previous year. Townhouse: $485,900.

Quadra Island
Quadra Island saw a busy November with 3 new listings, 3 sold (pending) and one expired.

If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up for free to

members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca

Cortes Island

Cortes Island saw only 1 new listing in November, a beautiful almost 10 acre property.

If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up for free to members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca

Calgary

Driven by growth in demand for all property types, there were 2,110 sales in November, just shy of the record for the month set in 2005. “Lending rates are expected to increase next year, which has created a sense of urgency among purchasers who want to get into the housing market before rates rise,” said CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie. “At the same time, supply levels have struggled to keep pace, causing tight conditions and additional price gains.”


 In November, the detached price reached $542,600 up over 10.6 per cent higher than levels reported last October.


The semi-detached benchmark price rose to $429,800 this month, 8.7% Y/Y.

Row Price: $299,100, Apartment $251,700.


Vancouver

As we near the end of 2021, home buyer demand remains well in excess of long-term averages and the supply of homes for sale continues to decline across Metro Vancouver’s housing market.

“The imbalance between supply and demand, coupled with some buyers wanting to use rate holds on lower rate fixed-term mortgages, is keeping upward pressure on home prices in this traditionally quieter time of year for the market,” Stewart said.


The benchmark price for a detached home is $1,870,000. This represents a 20.8 per cent increase from November 2020.

The benchmark price of an apartment home is $752,800. This represents an 11.4 per cent increase from November 2020.

The benchmark price of an attached home is $990,300. This represents a 20.2 per cent increase from November 2020.


Toronto

Home sales reached a new record for the month of November and the average selling price also reached a new all-time high. New listings were down substantially compared to last year for all market segments – further highlighting the inherent supply issue across all home types in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

“Governments at all levels must take coordinated action to increase supply in the immediate term to begin addressing the supply challenges of today, and to work towards satisfying growing demand in the future. The GTA remains the primary destination for new immigrants, and is at the centre of the Canadian economy”, said TRREB President Kevin Crigger.


The average price for a detached home in area (416) is $1,807,983.

The average price of a semi-detached home (416) is 1,431,988.

The average price of a townhouse (416) is $981,759.

The average price of a condo (416) is $745,951, as reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREBB).


Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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October in Real Estate

The monthly statistics for the month of October just came out and I’d like to share some quotes from them with my favourite Discovery Islander readers.


I understand some people don’t like how these reports are written, based on feedback I have received, because it’s dry facts and numbers. I think there’s some room for that kind of information here because numbers typically don’t lie. Quite honestly I’m a little bored of them myself because we are being told for years now that inventory is historically low and the supply needs to come up. It seems like this is an issue all across the country, not just in our province.

Here are some quotes from the reports published by the real estate boards:

 

 

Campbell River

The predominant theme running through the housing market in the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) area is one of “different month, same issues.”

Buyers continue to face frustrating hurdles caused by historically low inventory, with little relief in sight. Active listings of single-family homes were 46 per cent lower last month than in October 2020 and dropped by 18 per cent from September- as per VIREB Report.

In Campbell River, the benchmark price of a single-family home hit $663,000 in October, up by 29 per cent from the previous year.

 



Quadra Island
Quadra Island saw 1 listing sold (pending completion) and 2 new listings.

If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up for free to the members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca



Cortes Island

Cortes Island also saw only 1 listing sold (pending completion) in October.

If you would like more details including “sold prices” go to my website and sign up for free to the members only area that will provide that information www.quadrarealty.ca




Calgary

Calgary Real Estate Board recorded 2,186 sales in October, a record high for the month and over 35 per cent higher than longer-term averages. Year-to-date sales are on pace to hit new record highs and are currently 61 per cent higher than average activity recorded over the past five years and 42 per cent higher than 10-year averages.


“Moving into the fourth quarter, the pace of housing demand continues to exceed expectations in the city,” said CREB® chief economist Ann-Marie Lurie. 


Thanks to gains in most districts, detached home sales improved by 17 per cent compared to last year. The strongest sales growth this month occurred in the North East and East districts, which are the most affordable districts in the city.


 In October, the detached price reached $540,900, up nearly one per cent compared with last month and over 10 per cent higher than levels reported last October.

The semi-detached benchmark price rose to $427,800 this month, nearly nine per cent higher than last year’s levels.


Vancouver


Home sale activity in Metro Vancouver* remained above historical averages in October while the overall supply of homes for sale dipped to levels not seen in three years. “Home sale activity continues to outpace what’s typical for this time of year and the pool of homes available for sale is in decline. This dynamic between supply and demand is causing home prices to continue to edge up across the region,” Keith Stewart, REBGV economist said.


The benchmark price for a detached home is $ $1,850,500. This represents a 20.5 per cent increase from October 2020.

The benchmark price of an apartment home is $746,400. This represents a 9.5 per cent increase from October 2020.

The benchmark price of an attached home is $975,000. This represents an 18.5 per cent increase from October 2020.


Toronto


Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) reached the second-highest level on record for the month of October. However, the inventory of homes for sale did not keep up with demand. The number of new listings was down by approximately one-third compared to October 2020. Market conditions tightened across all major home types compared to last year, and the annual rate of average price growth remained in the double digits, including for the resurgent condominium apartment segment.


The average price for a detached home in area (416) is $1,784,979.

The average price of a semi-detached home (416) is $1,322,229.

The average price of a townhouse (416) is $1,025,257.

The average price of a condo (416) is $739,647, as reported by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TREBB)



 

Are you thinking of selling your home? Call me for a free home evaluation.

Roman Krzaczek REALTOR ®

Home number: 250-285-2141

Quadrarealty.ca

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Colour of your front door

Colour of your front door.

First of all, I would like to thank you for all the feedback I have received from so many of you! It’s very humbling and also uplifting that my column is liked by many. The ones that gave me some constructive criticism- thank you and I will consider your suggestions.


My intention is simply to deliver some valuable information for the readers of the Discovery Islander.

I love my local Quadra Island community and would like to figure out how I can serve better, long term.

Recently I read an interesting article claiming that the colour of your front door reveals more about you than you might think. In my former education as a graphic designer I studied the theory and application of colour for advertising campaign communication, for example. I do understand that our non verbal communication is much more important than the actual words.


I’m curious if this article was correct or if it’s just a fashion or design piece that missed the mark. It claims that if the front door of your house are painted certain colour, subconsciously you are trying to communicate to the world and more specifically to the neighbours some hidden messages.

RED- Feng Shui considers red door to be a lucky colour when facing south or southwest. Red is associated with action, making people feel like they are “real go-getters”.

According to Feng Shui:

  • The best color for your south-facing front door is red, as this enhances the Fire element of this direction.
  • The best color for a north-facing front door is blue, as north is the element of water.
  • If your door faces west, the most auspicious color is white because the element that governs this direction is metal.
  • The best color for an east-facing door is green because the element that corresponds to this direction is wood.

BLACK- represents seriousness and glamor. It may appear safe and well protected. People choosing this colour appreciate order, control and elegance.  


Shades of VIOLET are “linked to sophistication”, according to the article.


YELLOW- is linked to optimism and extraversion as long as it is not overused all over the house because that could be interpreted as “irrationality and anxiety”. You are logical, positive and creative.


ORANGE- just like any colour, it really depends on the style of your home. If your home is a high end modern home, orange screams “one of a kind”. You like to entertain and enjoy a good challenge.


GREEN- it is believed this colour indicates prosperity, wealth and peacefulness. You value tradition and ambition.


WHITE- although a Scandinavian design of pastel white could communicate simplicity and cleanliness, it may be also communicating that the home owner is obsessed with keeping the house clean; making some visitors nervous about making a mess.


BROWN/ wood color- natural wood browns convey more relaxed atmosphere. This one is definitely my personal favourite. I love vertical grain fir doors with some darker shades of browns. Gorgeous! Warm, reliable, and stable.


BLUE is linked to calmness and trust. From my graphic design school, I remember this one the most because it is used in the corporate logo design world a lot: Microsoft, IBM, Facebook, HP, Intel, Boeing, Ford, just to name a few. You enjoy peace and value truth.


Is it possible that this article is on to something? I know Quadra has a lot of great local artists which innately understand the importance of colour. It is the poetry of artists.  
“One can speak poetry just by arranging colors well”- Vincent van Gogh

Every house has a unique appearance which is typically a reflection of the family that lives there. Whatever you like may not be what your neighbour likes and it may not appeal to the potential buyers if you’re thinking of selling. Is there a logical strategy to paining your door before selling your home? Maybe. Studies show that careful staging of your home will typically bring a higher price.


If you want to make your home look modern and sleek, designers recommend these front door colors for non-traditional homes:

  • Black
  • Lime
  • Turquoise
  • Eggplant
  • Taxi Yellow
  • Bright Orange

 Best colours for traditional homes:

  • Jet Black
  • Classic Red
  • Slate Blue
  • Emerald Green
  • Dark Gray
  • Pure White


What color is your door? Let me know what you think about this idea of color in comments on my website https://quadrarealty.ca/blog.html  or text me to 604-787-4594


Roman Krzaczek
Quadrarealty.ca
250-285-2141

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TIMING, TIMING, TIMING.

When is the best time to buy Real Estate?


Many of you have heard the way-too-often overused cliché “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION”.

I believe “TIMING, TIMING, TIMING” is much more important for any investment and very strongly in Real Estate.


Yes, you can find a great location but if your timing is off, then maybe you’re not getting the best deal. What constitutes a “good deal” depends on individual perception of value received. Most investors will calculate what a property is worth by the amount of money they can rent it out for and costs to run the property such as maintenance, insurance, taxes and vacancy rate.

When someone is buying a property where they want to live sometimes these basic principles go out the window. You get excited about the property and you’ll do whatever it takes to get it. I believe in the power of attraction and how important it is to dream big, but I also understand that home ownership can come with unexpected costs and as a buyer you must consider them.

Based on statistical patterns best time of the year to buy a home is in January. Typically, there are not many buyers actively looking to buy a home. I want to emphasize “typically”, because the health crisis has caused some abnormalities in the usual statistical patters. This year in January for example we saw a huge surge in sales. A lot of listings available in January are homes that didn’t sell before Christmas and the sellers might be more motivated and flexible with the price.

February onward usually sees more active listings before the spring market madness starts. The logic behind buying a home during the spring is to get possession during the summer months when kids are on summer vacation.


Spring markets are busiest, most competitive and most expensive time to buy. It’s also easier for sellers to make their home look more presentable; with curb appeal and more natural light outside some homes are just more appealing.

Prices normally peak in June and July when the demand is the most active, with lots of active listings and lots of buyers. As the school year approaches, in August and September, the number of active listings is reduced.


Into the winter months there is a higher probability of prices dropping because not many buyers are looking. In a normal year December is very slow for sales and in my opinion it’s the best time to be a buyer.


Buy a home when demand is low. If at all possible, buying a home in a “buyer’s market” is your best strategy. Prices are low and there are lots of homes for sale. 

A “seller’s market” is the opposite, where the inventory is low but the demand is high. This is the current market with multiple offers being so prevalent and the skyrocketing prices, it’s very frustrating to be a buyer.


Every person has a different situation, finances and circumstances, that’s why timing the market could proof to be a difficult task. During the most disruptive times there are people that make enough money to go to space for a few minutes while others lose everything. It’s a matter of timing and planning ahead of time.

Planning to purchase a home? I would love to help you, starting with getting you connected with a financial planner and a mortgage broker. Take your time, plan, prepare your finances and don’t allow your emotions to control you. Hire me and I’ll guide you through the process.


If you have any suggestions or feedback…or have any topics you would like me to cover, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.


Roman Krzaczek Realtor
Quadrarealty.ca
250-285-2141

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10 Things to be done to your homes before fall starts

10 Things to be done to your homes before fall starts

I can’t believe the summer is nearing the end. Although I always enjoy the hot summer days a bit of rain would be welcome even by sun worshipers like myself. In a couple of months, I will surely regret these words but in the mean time I like to make sure my home is ready for the rainy season. I would like to share with you some tips on what is important before the rains come to avoid unpleasant surprises. Perhaps they will help you slowly start mentally preparing for the change of season.

Gutters
We are all used to them working properly and draining lots of water. Over the years however most people forget about checking them for damage or just a simple cleanup. When gutters are clogged, water can seep through into the house and cause major damage. A simple cleanup and a visual inspection can save you a lot of grief and possibly a lot of money.

Roof
Inspection of the roof is much easier to be done in the summer months before the rains start. If there’s any repairs needed to be done now is probably the best time.

Windows and doors
Check the exterior of your windows and doors. They may need re-calking.

Insulation
Take a look in your attic if there’s any holes made by critters. Sometimes squirrels or birds get inside your attic and build nests out of your existing insulation. Inspect and seal any possible points of entrance.

Chimney and wood stove.
Now would be a good time to inspect your wood stove, clean it out and do any repairs if necessary.

Fix any cracks in your driveway.
If you have a concrete driveway and it has cracks in it, this is the best time to take care of that. When winter comes it will be very difficult to get the right conditions to fix it.

Get your composter ready.
This is a big one for the gardeners like myself. There will be a lot of “greens” and soon enough “browns”. I like to make sure I have enough space for all that goodness.

Test winter equipment
Luckily we didn’t have much snow last year but it’s always a good idea to check your snow blower if it needs any repairs or maintenance.

Change your furnace filters
Another thing in your house that might be costing you more money than it should be. If your filters are clogged, it's harder to keep your home at the temperature you want it to be which will increase your heating bills. Clean these filters monthly, not just before the fall, for optimal performance.

Last but not least Change your batteries. Carbon Monoxide and smoke detectors are very important devices that should work properly.

This might look like a long list but there is still a lot of time. If you are a procrastinator or are busy with other more important projects this could be a good to-do check list before September ends.


If you have any suggestions or feedback…or have any topics you would like me to cover, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.


Roman Krzaczek Realtor
Quadrarealty.ca
250-285-2141

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