Watch for these electrical hazards in your home
Electricity in the home is so commonplace that it's easy to forget how dangerous it can be. According to the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, an electrical shock can knock you unconscious, cause a serious burn, or even stop your heartbeat. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk. • Install safety plugs in outlets that young children can reach. • Never plug in anything with a frayed or ...
Making sense of a crazy market
Unless you're a real estate expert, you probably look at the market and think things are pretty confusing. Even a bit crazy! You hear news about “bubbles bursting”, “higher or lower home sales in a particular month”, “new home starts” that are up or down, and on and on it goes. It’s a lot of news and a lot of jargon. If you're thinking of selling your home within the next year or two, you will want to understand what's ...
A Quick Lesson in Wood Floors
Thinking about installing wood floors? The first decision you need to make involves the type. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, there are four types: • Unfinished. This type requires you or your installer to sand and apply a finish. If you want a specific colour or style, or you're trying to match existing flooring, this might be the best option for you. • Factory finished. As the name suggests, this is flooring that ...
2013 Real Estate Market Activity Expected to Carry into New Year
VICTORIA BC - Victoria's real estate market ended 2013 with some momentum after a weak first quarter. Total MLS® sales in December 2013 were 355, a 25% increase over December 2012 when 283 units sold. Annually, total units sold increased by 4%, with 5,998 in 2013 compared to 5,747 in 2012. The overall MLS® HPI single-family home benchmark price for Greater Victoria was $479,500 in December 2013, compared to of $495,400 in December 2012, ...
When is it Time to Talk to a REALTOR®?
Many people only see a doctor when they're sick or have some other health concern. On the other hand, some people visit a doctor regularly for check-ups, to ask questions and get advice, and to maintain good health. Which do you think is the better approach? Obviously, the second one! The same thing is true when it comes to real estate. Even if you have no current plans to buy or sell a home, there are many reasons to talk to a REALTOR® ...