Erinn and Kara out door knocking in Cloverdale today around the upcoming  Realtors Care Blanket Drive for the homeless going from November 14th to the 21st.
If you have any clothing to donate, please visit the following wesbite for locations to donate or give us a call and we will arrange to pick up your donations.

Realtors Care Blanket Drive

Growing up in Ontario, apple picking was part of our fall tradition. There are plenty of Apple farms within a short drive from where we lived. In elementary school its pretty common to have a field trip to an apple farm each year. We would also take our daughter, nieces and nephews to pick apples. Always made for a great family outing on a gorgeous fall sunny day. 

That's exactly what today was, a beautiful, warm, sunny fall day. Ever since moving here 11 years ago its been a tradition for my aunt and I to make a trip to Abbotsford in September or October to pick apples at The Taves Family Farm - The Apple Barn. We discovered them after searching for a u-pick apple farm all those years ago and they were the only ones that actually let you pick your own apples. Most of the other farms were more pumpkin patches that had apples for sale. I was shocked that it wasn't as big as it was in Ontario. But when we visited The Taves Family Farm - The Apple Barn this year after missing the last couple years we couldn't believe how much it has changed and grown into a great family outdoor experience. Much like going to Krause berry or Driedeger Farms for berries. The Taves Family Farm - The Apple Barn has a small petting zoo, play area, country farm shop, pumpkin picking and of course Apple picking. It was here many years ago where we discovered Jonagold apples. A deliciously sweet, but slightly tart apple that can grow quite large. They are great for eating and baking. Ealier on in the season they had a variety of other apples, Jonagold's were ready this month.

If you are looking for a something fun to do with your family this weekend, I would highly recommend making a trip to The Taves Family Farm - The Apple Barn there's fun for the whole family!

ven take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch

If you see a haze of condensation on your window, should you be concerned? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on a number of factors.

First of all, an occasional build-up of condensation is normal and often the result of fluctuating humidity in the home. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about. If you’re using a humidifier, try adjusting the levels. If the humidity is being generated naturally, try placing a dehumidifier nearby. Also, remove any plants and firewood from the area, as they can release a surprising volume of moisture into the air.

Do you see moisture in between the panes of glass that make up the window? If so, that means the seal has failed and moisture has crept in. Double and triple pane windows often contain a gas (argon, for example) that boosts the insulating qualities of the window. When the seal fails, the gas disappears, making the glass colder and often allowing condensation to creep in. Eventually, you’ll want to get it replaced.

If you see moisture build-up anywhere on the frame of the window, particularly at the joints, that could be a sign of water leaking through. That’s an issue you should get checked out immediately by a window contractor. 

You may love animals, but with the exception of your family pets, you don’t want them in your home. Here are some tips for keeping the wildlife around your property where it belongs: outside.

• Don’t place bird feeders too close to your windows. Doing so may cause birds to associate a window with food and therefore try to peck their way inside.

• Make sure window screens are secure. If you can push a screen loose with your hand, so can a bird or other animal.

• Check screens on dryer vents and chimneys. If they are damaged, fix or replace them.

• To determine how animals are entering your home, stuff wadded paper in the suspected entry point. If the paper is disturbed the next day, you’ll know where they got in.

• Never leave food outside, unattended. After a barbeque, for example, take all remaining food inside.

  If you do find an animal in your home, never try to pick it up. It may bite or have rabies. Instead, call a professional.

A pantry is the ideal nook for storing extra food and other items ordinarily crammed into the kitchen. It’s also a nice design feature, as it harkens back to the days of country kitchens with spacious pantries.

You might be thinking, “That’s nice, but our home doesn’t have a pantry.”

That’s okay. These days, there are many ways to create a pantry in your home – even if it doesn’t have one! Here are just a few suggestions:

• Add shelves to the laundry room. If you have the space, this is the ideal place to create a mini-pantry.

• Purchase a portable pantry. There are many available on the market. Some are even disguised as cabinets you’d expect to see in living and dining rooms.

• Purchase a movable pantry. These units are on wheels and can slide in and out of the kitchen with ease. Some are short enough to slide conveniently under a kitchen table.

• Make use of an unused closet. These are rare in most homes, but if you have a closet that isn’t being used, it can easily be converted into a pantry.

  As you can see, there are plenty of options available. You don’t necessarily need to build an extra roo

You’ve no doubt noticed the occasional news report about a product being recalled for safety reasons. For example, a car model with a brake problem, or a children’s toy that, under some circumstances, may cause injury.

You may not know that these news reports are merely the tip of the iceberg. For each product recall you hear about in the media, there are dozens that get little, if any, publicity.

That means there may be products in your home that have been recalled — and you don’t even know about it. It’s a scary thought.

How do you find out about recalled products that may affect you? Here are two tips.

1. Always complete the registration that comes with many products. This is typically done by mailing in a registration card or filling out an online form. When you register, you’ll be alerted by the manufacturer if the product is recalled for any reason.

2. Both Canada and the United States have agencies that list recalled products on their websites. In Canada it’s the Healthy Canadians website at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca. In the United States it’s the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.CPSP.gov. It’s a good habit to check these sites every season.

McDonald's recalled the "Step- it watches" (from the photo above) back towards the end of august as there were incidents of burns on the arm from these watches. If you return them to McDonald's they will replace the toy for free and give either a yogurt tube or bag of apples.  

If you discover that a product in your home has been recalled, contact the manufacturer immediately. Never assume that the reason for the recall won’t apply to you. 

When considering which of two or more competing offers to accept for your home, there is no doubt price plays a huge role. After all, if Offer #1 is $10,000 higher than Offer #2, that’s an enticing difference that puts thousands of extra dollars in your pocket.

However, price isn’t the only thing you should think about when comparing multiple offers. There are other factors you need to consider as well.

For example, what conditions are in the offer? If Offer #1 is conditional upon the buyer selling his current property for a specific amount, then what if that doesn’t happen? You could end up with an offer that dies and be forced to list your home all over again.

In that circumstance, accepting the lower offer may be your best move.

There’s also financing to consider. Lenders are not giving full approval for financing to most people until there is an accepted offer in place. Which is a risk.

The closing date is another important factor. Offer #1 might propose a closing date that’s perfect for you, while Offer #2 is four weeks later. If you’ve already purchased another home, you might require a month of bridge financing if you accept Offer #2. There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but the costs and additional hassle are factors you should consider.

As you can see, assessing competing offers isn’t as easy as it looks. Fortunately, as your REALTOR®, I will guide you toward making the right decision. 

Many people order an espresso or reach for an energy drink when they need a boost. However, there are other foods that can give you a similar increase in energy and are, arguably, a lot healthier. Here are a few examples:

Coconut oil. It contains high quantities of medium chain fats, which are a quick source of energy. Click on the following link for some great uses for Coconut Oil: 101 Uses for Coconut Oil Although be careful as Coconut and other oils can go bad here is a great article written by David Lewis creator of Kitchen Ambition. Does Coconut Oil go bad

Honey. It tastes sweet because it's a natural form of sugar. As we all know, sugar gives you a quick boost.

Iron containing foods. Lack of iron in your diet can leave you feeling sluggish. Adding more beans, spinach, and lentils to your diet – perhaps in salads – can help boost your iron levels.

Nuts. Almonds, cashews and other nutrient-rich nuts are the ideal quick snack for an energy boost.

Dark chocolate. It’s great news for chocolate lovers, but keep the portions small.

Finally, not drinking enough water can also rob you of energy. In fact, water may be the best energy-boosting "food" of them all.

One of our favourite parts of being a Realtor is when we get to hand over keys to a new home. As you can see C and B are so excited to be moving into their new home! Erinn loved working with them and was almost as excited to hand over the keys as they were to get them. 

If you are looking for a new home, we have a phenomenal team to help you! Give us a call today!

SURREY, BC – Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) saw the highest number of real estate transactions ever recorded for the month of July.

There were 2,184 property sales processed, an increase of 35 per cent compared to 1,615 sales in July of last year. The previous highest July was in 2009, with 2,089 sales and prior to that in 2005.

Jorda Maisey is the Board’s President. “Home ownership is a passion in our country and in our region currently, conditions couldn’t be better to support that goal. Interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in six years, our provincial economy is on track to be the strongest in the country this year and in the Fraser Valley we have amongst the most affordable homes in the region.

“This is why this summer is shaping up to be the busiest in our history.”

The Fraser Valley Board's MLS® showed 7,681 active listings at the end of July, a decrease of 20 per cent compared to the 9,636 listings available in July of last year. It received 3 per cent more new listings in July; 2,815 compared to the 2,724 new listings received during the same month last year.

Maisey notes that despite seeing a slight increase in new listings in July, demand has led to a shortage of inventory in certain markets. "A detached home in the Fraser Valley is selling on average in just over one month and in many communities buyers will find themselves in multiple offer situations. It’s critical to tap into local real estate expertise in a market this hectic. Your REALTOR® will have the knowledge, tools and services to best position you for success.”

The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price of a detached home in July was $621,100, an increase of 9.3 per cent compared to July of last year when it was $568,300. The MLS® HPI benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses increased 2.1 per cent going from $298,500 in July of last year to $304,900 last month. The benchmark price of apartments decreased year-over-year by 1 per cent, going from $194,700 in July of last year to $192,700 last month.

Maisey adds, “Renters take note. Given interest rates and the affordable price of condos in certain neighbourhoods in Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford, it may be more economical over the long-term for you to own. There are excellent opportunities currently in the Fraser Valley for first-time buyers."

Full package:
http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/statistics/Package%20201507.pdf

Honda Celebration of Lights finish up tonight. If you are looking for something fun to do with the family and have missed the last 2 nights. 

Be sure to head downtown early today for good seats or visit the website - Honda Celebration of Lights to purchase VIP seating tickets for what is sure to be an amazing show!

One of these days I am going to make it down to see the show.... Have you been?

When you purchase a home, you’re hoping it will continually go up in value — just like a good investment.

However, there’s something else that you want to see go up in value as well: the neighbourhood. In fact, the neighbourhood plays a key role in what the home will be worth in years to come. If the neighbourhood goes down in terms of desirability, so will the market value of the home.

That’s why, when shopping for a new home, it’s important to get a feel for the value of the neighbourhood, and whether or not it’s on the upswing.

How do you do that? One way is to simply take a walk. Look at the properties. Are they well maintained? Is the landscaping groomed and attractive? Those are signs of “pride of ownership” — a clear indication that owners value their homes and the neighbourhood.

Another way is to do some research. Has crime gone up in the neighbourhood? Are there improvements planned, such as new parks? Is the neighbourhood attracting the kind of people you want as neighbours? How does the neighbourhood school rank?

Some of this information may be difficult to get on your own. A good REALTOR® can help you. Call today.