squamish real estate

Thinking of selling your home this spring?

Selling your home in the spring is one of the best times of year to sell. Spring historically signals the advent of a busier real estate market as inventory increases and buyers abound.  Flowers are emerging, grass is greening up, and the smell of newness invokes anticipation about what’s around the corner: a fresh start.  Spring and summer cast your home in the best light (literally and figuratively speaking) and improve the ever-important curb-appeal of your home.

If you’re thinking of selling your home this spring, here are a few things you can do now to get ready: 

Take a tour of your home

Walk through your home and pay very close attention to the details. Do your walls need painting or repairing? Is the bathtub in need of caulking? Does your fence need painting? Are your carpets old and worn? Make a list and either complete these things on your own or hire a professional to get it done.  A shoddy job doesn’t do you any favours, so make sure that you are experienced, or hire a professional to do it.

Get cleaning!

Tackling an item or two every day to break up the list of spring cleaning items is a great way to manage your time. Some blog writers have created handy calendars to help you tackle the major items and one that we like is from Coffee Pancakes and Dreams (you can request the calendar down the page a bit). Another great list to guide you is The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist by Cleanzen. Or, if time is in short supply, schedule a reputable cleaner to do a deep clean before you list your home.  Items like blinds, interior and exterior windows, baseboards, garbage cans & surrounding areas, and high dusting are a good starting point, in addition to regular things like floors, mirrors, bathrooms, etc.  You can also hire a company to take care of some of the outside items (windows, pressure washing the exterior of your home, etc). 

Time to purge!

Be ruthless and think about de-personalizing your house to appeal to the widest audience.  Your goal is to make it easy for buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. Clutter on countertops, mantels, and tables need to be cleared, minimizing any distractions to potential buyers.  Pack up your personal photographs, family heirlooms and souvenirs that you’ve collected from your travels.  De-personalizing and purging also catapults you ahead of the game so that you’re not burdened by unnecessary items when it comes time to move.  You may need to rent a storage space to keep your personal items, and investing the time into packing these items will ultimately lead to a less stressful moving experience.  The Sea-to-Sky has a number of storage facilities, and you can also look into renting a storage pod (providing you have a place to store it that’s inconspicuous).  If you need a bit of inspiration, here’s a how-to on decluttering by Becoming Minimalist.

Clean the cobwebs out of your closets

As much as it may be unnerving to have curious buyers looking inside closed doors, it’s important for them to see the storage that your home offers, and the systems that may be hiding behind those closed doors.  This is the time to donate extra or unneeded food to the Squamish or Whistler Food Bank from your kitchen cabinets or pantry, and to get a handle on general organization.  

Organize those closets and pantries if you’re thinking of selling this spring

Inspect your yard

Do what it takes to make your grass healthy (lime amendment is important here in Squamish), tidy up, repair and/or paint your fence, and get rid of items that are laying around creating clutter.   If you’re short on time, there are some excellent landscaping companies in the Sea to Sky area, and I’d be happy to send you their information.  But book soon; their schedules fill up quickly at this time of year, so don’t delay!

First Impressions Matter

Look at your house from the street and walk up to the front door.  Do your driveway and walkways need to be pressure-washed or swept?  Is your front entrance warm and inviting?  Take it to the next level and consider a fresh coat of paint on your front door, or be bold and choose a pop of colour for instant curb appeal. 

A clean, inviting front entrance area with a contrasting door colour

Think you’re ready to list?  Here are some little details that make a big difference:

  1. Consider buying a new welcome mat for the front door if yours is noticeably worn.
  2. Add a flower planter to the front entrance, or hang a seasonal wreath on the front door.
View of welcome mat outside inviting front door of house with potted fern plant

3. Ensure your home smells fresh and clean.  No one thinks their home stinks, but every home has a scent of some sort. Make the effort to ensure it smells clean and fresh; it’s worth it.  Smells can make a powerful impression on buyers (for good or bad).  But a word of warning: don’t buy artificial fragrances or air fresheners that are heavily fragranced and only mask underlying odours. Many buyers are scent-sensitive and strong fragrances can have a negative effect on their experience in your home.  A great way to neutralize smells is to have the carpets cleaned, or to sprinkle baking soda on them, leaving it for up to 2 hours, then vacuuming it up.  Before showings or an open house, try to complete a quick once-over on the floors and countertops, with a pleasant smelling cleaning solution, leaving a scent that is fresh and subtle (hint: strong cleaners like Mr. Clean are not your friend in this instance).  

Final thoughts

In a seller’s market, the reality is that your home will likely sell no matter what condition it’s in.  However, don’t let that stop you from making minor improvements and putting your home’s best foot forward to help increase the perceived value of your home!

And of course, one of the most important things you can do to ensure that you get great exposure and price on your property is to hire a local, experienced, and professional REALTOR.  I’m always available to chat, and I’d love to offer you a free, no-obligation market evaluation on your home if you’re thinking of selling.   I also share tips on how to best put your time and energy into getting your home ready to sell, and provide a comprehensive marketing plan for your home.  

Let’s chat! Give me a call, email, or text to connect.  If you’re looking for more information on the Squamish and Whistler real estate market, check out my website, sign up for my monthly newsletter, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Thinking of selling this spring? Give me a call! Photo cred: Alenka Mali Photography

Squamish Real Estate Update – August 2019

July 2019 Stats

Sales to active ratio:

  • July 2019 Overall = 14%
  • Detached homes = 11%
  • Condos = 14%
  • Townhomes = 20%
  • Lower than last month = 15%
  • Lower than July 2018 = 18%
  • Lower than 5yr July average = 24%
  • Lower than 10yr July average = 17

**Buyer’s market = <12% / Balanced market = 12%-20% / Seller’s market = >20%**

Sales:

  • July 2019 Sales = 36
  • Down from last month = 39
  • Down from July 2018 = 48
  • Down from 5 yr avg = 53
  • Down from 10 yr avg = 44

Inventory:

  • July 2019 = 260
  • Last month the same = 260
  • About the same as July 2018 = 266
  • Higher than the 5 yr avg = 230
  • Lower than the 10 yr avg = 320

Overall, what’s going on:

I’ve got to be honest, I was a bit surprised to see these low numbers for July.  July was the busiest month for me in 2019 so far, also the same for the colleagues in my office. It feels busier out there than the numbers would suggest.

** Featured Listing 1 **
210 37881 Cleveland Ave, Squamish BC – $348,999
Don’t miss this opportunity to own at “The Main”! Great entry level suite, pied-a-terre or investment property. No wasted space in this 532 sqft one bedroom + flex room suite featuring stainless steel appliances + light palette colour scheme. Enjoy being steps away from breweries, shopping, the waterfront, Farmer’s market, library + estuary from this prime Downtown location. Walk, bike, kite, hike, paddle. Amenities include elevator access, secured parking and bike storage, pet + bike wash station, common garden area. Currently under construction with completion Dec 2019 – March 2020 offering 2-5-10 year warranty. This is an assignment + GST is applicable. All measurements are approximate.
** Featured Listing 2 **
1 41301 Skyridge Place, Squamish BC – $829,000
AMAZING VIEW END UNIT townhouse at SKYRIDGE – Bright, modern + expansive 2045 sq.ft. Ridge plan on 3 levels. Enjoy all the natural light + views, extra windows on the side, open plan living w/ doors to south deck w/ mtn views plus south patio + option for private fenced yard off rec rm. Master features soaker tub + glass shower. Wake up to VIEWS of the Chief + Tantalus Range! Upgrades: gas f/p, furnace + stove, on demand hot water, insulated interior walls, white shaker cabinets, quartz counters, pantry, heated tile bathroom floors, wool carpets, h/w floors! Imagine a garage + 20 ft driveway for parking! Steps to Montessori school + forested trails – 20 min to Alice Lake! Easy highway access. Incredible value for this design + quality – Built Green certified!
New Listings in Squamish – (in the past 30 days) 

Sold Listings in Squamish – (in the past 30 days)

Price Reductions in Squamish – (in the past 30 days)

July 2019 Stats:

New Listings:

Featured Listing 1:

Featured Listing 2:

I get asked this question on a daily basis;
HERE’S THE ANSWER!
For more information please visit my website:

www.davidwiebe.ca

If you’re interested in receiving Squamish real estate updates, let me know!

 

Can you do nightly rentals in Squamish?

Can you do nightly rentals in Squamish? We break down the answers to the following questions:
1) Can you do nightly rentals in Squamish
2) What are the risks?
3) What neighbourhoods are the best?
4) What are the Pros and Cons of nightly rentals?

Continue reading

JUMAR update – March 20, 2018

The new development in Squamish – Jumar has an update.  There will be a realtor event on Wednesday March 28, 2018, at this time we will have pricing and floor plans (which we will release at that time). What we know at this point:

  • Realtors will have first crack at appointments with their buyers, these appointments will be March 31st and April 1st, 2018 from 12pm-5pm.
  • Deposit information:  20% total despots, $5k upon writing, the balance of 10% within 7 days of subject removal, 5% around 4-6 months later, and the last 5% 60 days after the 3rd deposit.
  • There will be 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom units. Each unit will have one parking stall, only 5 extra parking stalls will be available for purchase, the first options for these will be awarded to the 3 bedroom units.

 

Stay tuned for floor plans and pricing, contact us for details!

 

see:  http://davidwiebe.ca/squamish-new-developments/

 

Whistler Real Estate Newsletter – 2016 Year In Review

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL VERSION OF THE NEWSLETTER

Happy New Year, here is your Whistler real estate market update!

December 2016 Stats:
– December 2016 was the lowest month for sales in both # and # of sales in
– December 2016 had dramatically lower sales (in both $ and #) than both Dec 2015+2014. In fact, December 2016 had about 1/2 the sales $ of Dec 2014, and only 1/3 of Dec 2015!
– The active listings are still extremely low, for the last 3 months they’ve been the lowest we’ve seen in the past 5 years.

 

End of Year Stats:
2016 was another great year for Whistler real estate. The first half of the year was very strong with rising inventory and prices and then leveling out and remaining a strong market place for the rest of the year with a slight drop off in December.
956 sales – best in 3 years
$163.8M more than 2015

Squamish BC – C209 Diamond Head Apartments – 1 Bedroom

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAyM5FdmwuE]

 

 

Visit www.c209diamondhead.com

Welcome home to this spacious 1 bedroom condo in the well kept and well run complex –  Diamond Head Apartments.  With an incredible location in Garibaldi Estates, you can walk to all the shops and amenities you could need.   This unit has been very well kept, it’s freshly painted waited and ready for you to move in!  Some features include:  Stainless steel fridge, top of the line convection oven, high-end laminate flooring, under-cabinet lightly, and there are amazing mountain views from the private and tranquil deck.

Visit www.c209diamondhead.com

 

106 Amblepath Condos, Squamish BC

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A72lY5OatV8

Very rare opportunity to own a condo in coveted Amblepath.  2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1100 sq ft of open living space, entire condo on 1 level!  2 balconies, fireplace, bamboo hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, very spacious bedrooms, Master bedroom has ensuite and its own private balcony.  Complex is very new, built in 2008.  Amblepath is an award winning development, full of young families and great walking paths; it’s close to schools, shopping, biking, and much more!

see

www.whistlerealestateforsale.com/72

for more details