How to tell if a neighbourhood is improving

When you’re looking for a new home, you want to find one in a great 

neighbourhood – or, at least, in a neighbourhood that is on the upswing. 

How can you tell if a particular area is improving? Here are some common 

indicators:

• Pride of ownership. Take a walk around the neighbourhood. Do you get a 

sense that people take good care of their homes? Are the lawns mowed? 

Is the landscaping trimmed? Are flowers planted? Homeowners are more 

likely to look after their properties when they like where they are living.

• Home improvements. Are people investing in their homes? Are they 

getting their driveways re-done? Their windows replaced? Are there signs 

of home improvement projects? If so, this is a clear indication that 

homeowners like the area enough to invest in their properties.

• Real estate sales activity. Do homes tend to sell quickly in the area? Do 

they sell for a good price? If so, the neighbourhood is probably in demand. 

If people want to live there, it's a desirable area.

• Business investment. Are businesses investing in the surrounding area? 

Is there an increase in the number of upscale shops, health clubs, 

restaurants, and other commercial enterprises that often locate near 

desirable neighbourhoods?

• Community involvement. Are there signs that the community plays an 

active role in the look and lifestyle of the neighbourhood? Are there

neighbourhood picnics, yard sales and other get-togethers? Check 

Facebook.com to see if the neighbourhood has a community page.

• City plans. Find out what plans the city has for the area. Will there be road 

improvements done in the near future? Are there any major construction 

projects on the schedule, such as a new school or community centre. 

Although such projects can be disruptive in the short term, they may 

improve the neighbourhood – and, as a result, boost the value of any home 

you buy – in the long-term.

Of course, the best way to find out the desirability of a neighbourhood is to 

talk to a good REALTOR® who knows the area. Call today.

The New BC Building code that came into effect last December 2012 will start to implement their guidleines regarding installation of windows, doors and skylights as of December 20th this year.

If you have been considering updating your windows, now might be the time to do it before the changes come into effect and possibly cost you more money. These changes are due to the new BC Building Code requiring that all windows and doors meet the North American Fenestration Standard. As long as your new windows and doors have been INSTALLED before December 20th, 2013 they will not have to conform to the new Building Code. Building permits alone are not enough, they must be fully installed by this date.

To learn more about the Fenestration standards visit the Fenestration Association of BC's website at the following link:
Fenestration Association of BC

If you haven't watched the finale for the 3rd season of Top Chef Canada 2013 yet....you may want to stop reading!

I thought today's blog should congratulate a local Cloverdale native that found his passion for cooking at our very own Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School and brought him to his recent win on Top Chef Canada 2013. 

Matthew Stowe grew up here in Surrey, BC and later graduated from New York's Culinary Institute before starting his career as a chef. At present Matthew is the product development chef for Cactus Club and even after his win plans to continue on with Cactus Club helping them to expand across the country.

Congratulations to Matthew Stowe and his family from all of us at the Bettina Reid Group!

Magnificent Makeovers on a Budget

Have you ever watched those TV shows where some lucky homeowner gets a room redecorated by a professional? To have something similar done in your own home you would have to make a serious investment, or become a TV show guest! One of our families favourite shows to watch used to be Extreme Makeover Home Edition with Ty Pennington...but not all home makeovers have to be as extreme as his were. :)

However, there are ways to re-decorate a room and make it look great –even spectacular – on a budget.

Say, for example, you want a living room makeover. If your sofa is worn you can buy a fitted sofa cover that will make it look almost new. Table cloths on worn end-tables and other surfaces can have a similar affect.

Don't forget the most economical redecorating trick of them all: Paint! A fresh coat of paint can bring a room to life!

Hanging a few new pictures can also have a dramatic impact on the look of a room. You don't have to buy a Rembrandt. Attractive, simply framed pictures will also add interest and colour.

With a little imagination, it's amazing how much you can improve a room on a little or even no budget.

How much does "potential" cost?

When shopping for a new home, it's a good idea to try and see the potential of the property you're viewing. It may not be exactly what you're looking for "as is", but it may have the potential to become your dream home after some redecorating or renovating.

The challenge is, judging how much work is required. You don't want to buy a home with the expectation that it requires a $20,000 renovation, only to discover that it really needed three times that much!

That’s where a good REALTOR® can help.

He or she can help you get a realistic estimate of the cost of repairs, upgrades, and renovations, and even recommend some reputable interior designers or contractors.

That way, when you see a home with "potential", you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

Want more tips on finding and buying your next dream home? Call today.

Today is Tim Horton's Camp Day!

Everytime a coffee is purchased today during Tim Horton's Camp Day, they will donate money to help over 16,000 under privileged children go to camp. There are 6 Tim Horton's Camps across Canada where local youth organizations and schools chose children between the ages of 9 and 12 to attend one of their 10 day summer camps or 7 day winter camps. 

We know a child that benefited from the camp 6 years ago and still to this day raves about her experience...
one she would never had the opportunity for without Tim Horton's Camp Day!

Make sure you stop by Tim Horton's today and help support Tim Horton's Camp Day!  

I wanted to make my 1000th blog a memorable one and missed that it happened...:)

My goal at the beginning of 2012 was to write a blog post once a day for at least 5 days a week....I did pretty good and stuck to that goal througout 2012 and into 2013. Between how busy we have been in my business and family life I have faltered and not been as consistent. My goal for the rest of 2013 is to get back on track and blog again at least 5 days a week for the restof the year.

Today Kara and I met with a company that will help get us back on track....by helping us change things up with our blogging and helping us put together a video blog each month. We look forward to launching that sometime in the next month or so. 

1001 may not be a very impressive blog post but it is the 1st one of the next 1000 blogs.

If you have anything you would like us to blog about, we would be happy to do the research and blog about it. We love to support the community and promoting the businesses we have come across and will continue to do so in our upcoming blogs, as well as offering real estate tips.

I always love this time of year as we approach summer and all the fresh local produce that comes in to season. Even though my grocery order is always full of produce year round, I am sure it must double over the summer months with all the fresh produce that we have access to. Fruit salad and a variety of green salads are staples in our family's daily meals. 

The strawberry season has begun a little early this year and is expected to be in full swing within the next week or so. I picked up some fresh picked strawberries from Kin's Market in Langley and later found out that Krause Berry Farms has some ready picked berries as well. They still aren't open for the u-pick variety yet, but I hear their crop so far is delicious and sweet! Check out the Krause Berry Farms website to find details about their hours of operation and their new Estate Winery: Krause Berry Farms

For more information on local strawberry fields in your area visit the BC strawberry farms website at the following link:

BC Strawberry Farms