It's that time of year again and hopefully the weather can hold off for 1 more week so that all the little kids can get out and enjoy Halloween. 

This Saturday October 26th is the annual Cloverdale Halloween Costume Parade and Pumpkin Power. The festivities start at noon and run until 3pm. At 2:00pm they do a big group photo of all the kiddies in front of the Surrey Museum and Plaza. Then they group off and head to various areas of the downtown Cloverdale core lead by volunteers. A large majority of the local Cloverdale vendors participate and hand out treats for the Cloverdale Halloween Costume Parade.

Every year we try to help out if we can and represent our HomeLife office. This year you can come out and see Kara and I handing out candy in the square next to Malary's Fashions on 176th St. The Cloverdale Halloween Costume Parade is always a lot of fun getting to see the cute costumes the kids dress up in....or that their parents have subjected them to. :)

Check out this quick clip of the cutest costume and its so easy to make: LED stick-man costume

It's that time of year again and once again we are going to miss it because I have to work.... :( 

BBQ on the Bypass in Langley is on Sunday September 15, 2013 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. BBQ on the Bypass is a FREE event for everyone, especially if you like good BBQ food. There will be sampling of course, live entertainment and local vendors. Guaranteed to be a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon.

The event attracts the best of the best BBQ teams from across North America, competing in 5 different meat categories. It is also the site of the Great BC Bake off - an amateur pie baking contest which is open to the public. 

BBQ on the Bypass is hosted by one of my favourite shops Well Seasoned...where I have been taking a number of fantastic cooking classes and found the most delicious feta cheese.

I blogged about it last year and hoped to attend, but missed it. If you have been or plan to go please share your experience and favourite parts of the event, we would love to hear about what we are missing! 

http://www.bettinareidgroup.ca/Blog.php/bbq-on-the-bypass-this-sunday-september-16th

I just read a column written by a past president of our real estate board that was very well written and made me want to share as well.

Why Pay a REALTOR® to sell your home

Very often we will get asked: "Why should we pay you to sell our house?" and then of course it is our job to let people know exactly what value we bring to the table to help people buy and sell their home. 

I don't know how many times as he mentioned in his column that I have heard people say all their REALTOR® did was put a sign on their lawn and post it up on MLS (realtor.ca). As he also mentioned, that is the furthest from the truth. We wish that was all it took to earn an income, but in reality selling your home involves a lot more than just a sign and MLS. 

The 1st thing might be a sign, then comes the research and attention to detail that goes in to writing up a description that will attract potential Buyers to your home. In order to put your home on MLS we need to know quite a bit about the property to accurately promote the property to the public.

We will help our clients prepare their home by making suggestions on what they should do with their personal belongings as well as counselling them on any other cleaning and decor ideas. A proper posting will include as many photos as your real estate board will allow, depending on the style and size of home. Here in the Fraser Valley we can post up to 20 photos. With the Bettina Reid Group we hire professional photographers to come out and take high quality photos in order to promote a clients home online. The more exposure you get the better chance of that perfect Buyer walking through the door. 

An experienced REALTOR® will be able to offer advice as well as help to negotiate not only a good price for you but to ensure all the terms meet your needs as a Buyer or a Seller. 

In this ever changing fast paced world that we live in, we at the Bettina Reid Group are continually looking for ways to educate ourselves and improve our business with our clients best interests in mind.

"Probably the most amazing aspect of the tremendous value REALTORS® provide is Guaranteed Results. The seller pays nothing unless they receive an acceptable offer. There are very few other professional service providers who are prepared to demonstrate their confidence in their ability to produce results for their client in this manner." - Jim McCaughan

The real estate industry is not for everyone and over the years I have seen many people come and go who realize the job isn't just posting a sign on a lawn and waiting for the phone to ring. 

Which is why if you are considering a move whether Buying or selling give Kara and I a call and we will be happy to help.

To read Jim McCaughan's column see below:

During my career I have heard many versions of these two questions: "Why should I pay a REALTOR® to sell my property?" and "What do I get in return for the commission I pay?" 

Many sellers believe that their REALTOR® puts a sign on the lawn, an ad in the newspaper and then waits for the property to sell. Generally, nothing could be further from the truth!

When a seller signs a listing contract, the REALTOR® makes a commitment to help their client obtain the highest price, in the shortest time with minimum inconvenience. A good REALTOR® gives valuable advice, expert guidance, and great value.

The REALTOR® provides objective and accurate information about current market value, allowing the seller to select the appropriate listing price. In many cases they can offer expert advice on staging the property for maximum appeal to potential buyers.

When listing a property, a REALTOR® is trained to represent the seller by making sure the property information is accurately and attractively presented to the marketplace. This includes careful compliance with provincial and federal regulations such as the Personal Information Protection Act, the Real Estate Services Act and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) money laundering reporting requirements. The REALTOR® ensures that required disclosures are made at the appropriate times.

Once a listing is signed, the REALTOR® begins the expected marketing process which includes putting the property on the Multiple Listing System®, installing a sign, writing appealing print ads, creating feature sheets to leave at the property and holding open houses. In addition, many REALTORS® feature the property on one or more Internet websites and displays the listing at mall kiosks and at open houses for other agents. Giving the property maximum exposure can be expensive but it is part of the commitment of the REALTOR®.

Much of the work of the REALTOR® is done quietly behind the scenes. REALTORS® invest time and energy in activities like qualifying potential buyers, arranging and tracking showings by cooperating agents and obtaining and sharing feedback from other REALTORS®. Many sellers take comfort in knowing that their REALTOR® will handle all inquiries seriously and do their best to ensure that only serious qualified buyers will view the seller's property. This provides a measure of safety and security.

REALTORS® are also trained to provide accurate advice and valuable assistance when dealing with the significant complexities of tenant-occupied properties, estate sales and foreclosure transactions.

One of the areas where a REALTOR® provides the greatest value to their client is negotiation. Handling objections and tactfully representing the seller's best interest is an important skill which REALTORS® obtain through specialized training and personal experience. Writing an enforceable contract and negotiating a legally binding agreement are important services which are often taken for granted by the general public until there is a problem. Then this great REALTOR® value quickly becomes evident.

Another generally invisible service is managing the transaction after acceptance of the offer and during the buyer due diligence period. This consists of arranging inspections, scheduling appraisals, obtaining strata documents (if applicable) etc. Sometimes this also involves handling real estate turbulence which includes things like appraisals lower than the sale price, problems discovered in a property inspection and other unexpected challenges. The experience and guidance of the REALTOR® and their broker can usually overcome these challenges.

The final job of the REALTOR® is to do everything they can to ensure the smooth completion of the transaction. This includes monitoring the conveyance process, confirming payment of the sale proceeds to the seller and a timely transfer of keys to the buyer. Selling or buying a property is a significant decision for most people and the complexities are sometimes not well understood until problems arise. A good REALTOR® has the training, expertise and experience to assist clients to achieve their desired results.

Probably the most amazing aspect of the tremendous value REALTORS® provide is Guaranteed Results. The seller pays nothing unless they receive an acceptable offer. There are very few other professional service providers who are prepared to demonstrate their confidence in their ability to produce results for their client in this manner.

Jim McCaughan has been a REALTOR® for over 30 years and is the Managing Broker of Landmark Realty Corp. He is the Past President of the BC Real Estate Association and was the Chair of the Real Estate Council of BC. Jim has served as the President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board.

Why Pay Commission to a REALTOR®?

Guest column by Jim McCaughan, Past President, BCREA & FVREB

How to Hire a Good Interior Designer What is interior design? As the name implies, it's all about designing a living area – such as a bathroom or basement – while taking into account your needs, tastes, and budget, as well as the characteristics of the space itself. If you've ever sketched out an idea for a renovation – to add a wall, install hardwood floors, or paint – then you've done interior design, as least at an amateur level. Home improvement contractors, when they make suggestions about how to renovate a room, are also acting as interior designers. According to the Association of Registered Interior Designers, "Interior Designers will analyze your needs and budget, prepare and present conceptual solutions and then manage the implementation of the project." Although hiring an interior designer may seem like a luxury for many homeowners, it can actually be quite affordable. Plus, consider that your interior designer can manage your project from concept and design all the way through to a finished renovation – including managing the renovation work itself. How do you find a good interior designer? In Canada, check out Interior Designers of Canada at www.IDCanada.org. In the U.S., visit the American Society of Interior Designers at www.asid.org. Both websites have search tools to find qualified registered interior designers in your area. A REALTOR® who is an expert in the local market can also give you a recommendation. When reviewing possible interior designers, take a close look at their portfolios, which are usually in the form of pictures of completed projects. Consider the style of work they've done for other clients, as it is likely that’s what you can expect for yours. According to an article in The Epoch Times by Lloyd Princeton, it's also important that you get along with the interior designer. You'll be working closely with that person. If you have a gut feeling that you're not going to like him or her, then you won't be satisfied with the result – even if the design is actually good. 

If you are looking for something fun to do out in the sunshine this weekend...check out Surrey's Fusion Festival. As their tagline describes they are "The Ultimate Celebration of Music, food and culture" One of the best multicultural festivals in the province.

Coming from Brampton, Ontario we had the opportunity to grow up in a very multicultural community. In Brampton they put on a pretty exciting multicultural festival each year similar to Toronto's Carabana. Brampton's festival is called Carabram, the main difference being that the festival is a little smaller with fewer conutries participating and held across the city with each location being specific to each participating country, offering a wide range of cultural experiences. 

Surrey's Fusion Festival does a good job of bringing people together to experience the same idea just being held all in one location at Holland Park.  The festival is held over 2 days from 11:00am - 10:00pm each day. They have 4 stages with hundreds of performers to entertain the crowd. Taste the flavours and learn about some of the amazing cultures that make up this big, beautiful city of ours.

For more information visit the festivals website at the following link:

Surrey's Fusion Festival

If you like cycling and you like the Tour De France....then there is nothing not to like about our very own Tour De White Rock .

The Tour De White Rock  is a 3 day event that started last night with the HomeLife Realty Hill Climb, today there will be the criterium and tomorrow the Road Race. We have been to the road race before, but never had an opportunity to make it to the other events. It is a great experience for the whole family to get out and cheer for the riders from all over.

Be sure to check out the following link for event times and road closures:

Tour De White Rock 

Looking for something fun to do with the family this weekend???

Head out to Cloverdale to the Honeybee Festival. There's lots of fun for the whole family. The Honeybee Festival runs both Saturday and Sunday and the best part is that it is FREE for everyone!

The Honeybee Centre is my family's favourite place to buy honey. We used to buy it by the jar, but we love their wildflower honey so much we buy it by the pail now. We know people from all over the Greater Vancouver area and Fraser Valley that drive to Cloverdale just to buy their honey. Here is your chance to get out and try some of their delicious varieties of honey.  

There will be Live music, Free tours, the most exciting part of the festival - the Bee Beard Showcase and so much more!

For more information on the Honeybee Festival visit the following link:

Honeybee Festival 

Today is the final wrap up for our 2013 fund raising for Canuck Place Children's Hospice with the 7th annual Ride for Hope. This year they started the ride this morning at Memorial Park in Hope and will work their way back to South Surrey around 5-5:30 this afternoon. Come join us for a tail gate party and to welcome the riders out front of the London Drugs at Morgan Crossing Shopping District. Join us there for a charity BBQ and to meet the Vancouver Canuck's Mascot Fin and a few Canuck Alumni. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Ride for Hope is a team of approximately 50 riders that participate in the 200km ride making stops at 3 London Drugs locations along the way in an effort to raise funds for Canuck Place Children's Hospice. This year along with the HomeLife Charity Golf Classic we are well on our way to exceeding last years donations.

For more details visit the following link:

The Ride for Hope

Hiring The Right Moving Company...

How do you select the best moving company for your needs?

• Ask for recommendations from friends or other professionals in the local real estate industry.

• Beware of fly-by-night operations. They may seem like a bargain, but you get what you pay for.

• Does the company provide you with a written estimate and contract?(Beware of movers that just give you a price over the phone.)

• Ask if they are covered by insurance, and what their policy is regarding lost or broken items. Make sure you receive a copy of their insurance certificate.

Finally, always ask what circumstances would result in extra charges being applied. The number one complaint received about movers by the Better Business Bureau is unexpected extra charges. 

Questions about moving? Gice us a call today!

Like heat, water and air conditioning, insurance is a home expense you have some degree of control over. In fact, there are ways to reduce your insurance costs by as much as 20%.

The thing to keep in mind is that insurance companies will often reward you – in the form of lower rates – when you do something to reduce the risk of damage to your property. That's why you can often get a discount when you install smoke detectors on all floors. Other discounts may be available if you get better door locks, an alarm system, upgraded wiring, and so forth.

Contact your insurance company and ask how you can lower your insurance costs. Sometimes just a few minor changes can save you a bundle.

 

If you get a fresh Christmas tree every year then Christmas Tree Fire Safety should be a major concern for you and your family. I was asked to share this and agreed as we can never have enough reminders about Christmas tree fire safety.

To ensure your Christmas remains a merry one, please take a few minutes to go over the tips and facts in the following link:

Christmas Tree Fire Safety

Much of what is shared is common sense, but every year we hear about families losing everything and sometimes losing someone due to Christmas Tree Fires. Please take a moment to be sure you are taking all the right precautions this holiday season.

Something we have been doing in our house since we bought our 1st home was to keep our front porch light on in the evening. A few neighbours have wondered why, thinking we are wasting energy. For peace of mind, I think it's worth the minimal cost of keeping our outdoor lights on all night. If it keeps away the trouble makers, why not.

If keeping them on all night is a concern, read the following article with tips on what to do to help keep your home safe at night!

Informed Home Buyer November 2012