It’s early in the evening and there’s a knock on the door. You answer and are greeted by an official-looking man who claims he needs to see your utility bill to confirm you’re getting your energy rebate.

Do you let him in?

While he may be legitimate, he may also be using deception to sell you something you don’t want. Here are some suggestions for finding out:

• Ask for a business card. Then, check if it has an address, phone number and website. If the salesperson refuses or just shows you his ID card (which anyone can fake), that’s a red flag.

• Ask for the name of his employer. Sometimes salespeople will say they “represent the phone company”. That doesn’t mean they actually work for it.

• Ask if you can call his company to confirm details before buying. If he refuses, or says the office is closed, shut the door.

• Ask if you can consider the offer and call the office the next day to place your order.

• If you’re really suspicious, ask him to come back later. Then, call the non-emergency police number. Police are aware of common scams in the area.

Most importantly, use your common sense. Door-to-door salespeople can be pretty persuasive, but if something doesn’t seem right to you, trust your gut. Say, “No thanks.”

Of course, if everything checks out with the salesperson, and the offer is a good one, consider taking advantage of it.

Thanks,

AA

No matter how much you love your current property, you may be dreaming of the day you can buy up into a better home in a better neighbourhood. Is that day today, or, is it a few years down the road?Here’s a quick way to make that assessment.

First, make a list of all the practical reasons why it might be time to move up. Those reasons might include features such as: more bedrooms, proximity to work and school, a larger backyard with trees, nearby parks and walking paths and better access to things you enjoy like theatre.

Next, make a list of the emotional reasons for making such a move. Those reasons might include memorable get-togethers with friends on a more spacious deck, an easier and less stressful commute to work, more family time with the kids and enjoyable Saturday golf at a nearby course.

Finally, take a financial snapshot to determine if you can afford to move up. You’ll need to get a good idea of what your current property will sell for in today’s market, average price of homes in your desired neighbourhood, and how much mortgage you’ll need. Once you have all that down on paper, you’ll have a clear picture of your readiness.

If the practical and emotional reasons for buying up are compelling, and you can afford to make the move, then you have your answer. The time is now!

By the way, if you need help in making this determination – especially figuring out what your home will likely sell for, call today 604-992-1010.

Thanks,

AA

Sales increase slightly as inventory hits 10-year low for the month of October

SURREY, BC – The Fraser Valley real estate market remained active through October, with sales breaking slightly higher than the 10-year historical average for the month.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,463 sales of all property types on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in October, a decrease of 17.4 per cent compared to the 1,772 sales in October of last year, and a 12.1 per cent increase compared to the 1,305 sales in September 2016.

Of the 1,463 sales processed last month, 389 were townhouses and 400 were apartments, representing a significant portion of October’s market activity. Townhome transactions increased 10.2 per cent when compared to last year, and apartment sales reached even higher levels seeing a 56.3 per cent gain.

“Sales activity was healthy in October, especially in the townhome and apartment categories. With prices beginning to level-off, it appears that buyers are becoming more motivated to explore the Valley’s available inventory,” said Charles Wiebe, Board President.

Last month the total active inventory for the Fraser Valley was 6,035 listings, the lowest level seen for an October in ten years. Active inventory decreased by 6 per cent month-over-month, and decreased 7.7 per cent when compared to October 2015.

The Board received 2,197 new listings in October, an 18.9 per cent decrease from September 2016, and a 1.9 per cent increase compared to October 2015’s 2,155 new listings.

“It seems that there’s no bad time to sell a home in 2016 as demand for Fraser Valley real estate remains strong. Talk to your REALTOR® if you’re looking to make a move before the end of the year, and they can get you where you need to be.”

For the Fraser Valley region, the average number of days to sell a single family detached home in October 2016 was 31 days, compared to 36 days in October 2015.

The MLS® HPI benchmark price of a Fraser Valley single family detached home in October was $872,100, an increase of 34.3 per cent compared to October 2015 when it was $649,200.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhomes in October was $421,300, an increase of 34.3 per cent compared to October 2015’s benchmark price of $313,700. The benchmark price for an apartment in the Fraser Valley increased 25.2 per cent year-over-year, from $203,100 in October 2015 to $254,300 in October of this year.

Full package:

http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/statistics/Package201610.pdf