home sellers in comox

How home sellers in Comox can be successful in a cooling market

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It’s no secret that Canada’s real estate market has undergone a notable shift for home sellers this year. Homeowners in the Comox Valley also face that reality. Those listing their property now might experience an increase in comparable inventory. It may take more days on the market and there will likely be fewer offers, compared to 2021 and early 2022.

As an example, in Comox and Courtenay, the number of condominium apartments for sale at the end of 2022 was 50 compared to 13 ending 2021.

The length of time to sell had almost tripled in the same time period from 26 to 70 days. Likewise, in the townhouse market, the number of listings went from 23 to 50, and the days to sell from 16 to 62. Although the market has changed, sellers still have every opportunity to stand out. When putting their home up for sale, take the extra time to prepare.

Here are some dos and don’ts for sellers to consider in order to be successful in today’s cooling housing market:


DO – Make the first impression count


You only get to make a first impression once. Ensure that your property stands out. It should have inviting curb appeal so buyers fall in love before they even open the front door. You can achieve this by freshening up the outside appearance with a thorough cleaning and decluttering. Tidy up the exterior.

Make any small repairs to doors, light fixtures, and paving. Touch up any paint where needed. Don’t forget to mow the lawn or shovel the snow. Clean out your eavestroughs, spruce up the front door, and landscaping to create an inviting entryway.

DON’T – Forget about the little things


Buyers will be analyzing your home from every angle when they visit for a showing. It’s important to not overlook seemingly insignificant fixes. See a lightbulb that has gone out? Replace it with a bulb that is the same colour as the others in the room.

Got a door that squeaks loudly, or a drawer that doesn’t open properly? Be sure to repair them. Potential purchasers like to see consistency. Try to manifest this in your home while you’re in the process of selling it.

DO – Declutter and depersonalize


Buyers want to envision themselves in the home. Remove any personal items such as family photos, trophies, or diplomas. This also means putting valuables or seasonal items in storage. Your listing agent may be able to provide you with some references for advice on how to prepare your home for showings.

DON’T – Overspend on the upgrades


While it might be tempting to overhaul your home ahead of listing it, it’s important not to go overboard on the budget. You’re not staging your home for an HGTV shoot. Minor repairs and low cost, but effective updates will be enough to get buyers through the door. Chances are, last-minute big bucks sunk into the home won’t be gained back.


DO – Practice good showing etiquette


It’s important to be prepared for and accommodate showings. Get the selling process off on the right foot. Demonstrate good showing manners by being flexible with visitation times. Remove pets from the premises if possible. Give buyers their space by leaving the property during the appointment. Don’t forget to set the mood for showings, too. Create an inviting environment. You could play soft instrumental music in the background. Keep all lights on for good visibility and add a subtle, pleasant scent like vanilla or fresh linen.


DON’T – Think in the past


2021 was an unusually strong seller’s market. It saw red-hot prices and pent-up purchaser demand. Today, housing markets across the country have noticeably cooled. It’s important for sellers to keep their expectations aligned with current circumstances. As a seller, be open-minded to buyer feedback. Keep the changed market conditions in perspective when it comes to offers and showings.

Please contact me to learn more about selling your home in Comox in this market. I would love to hear your concerns and answer any questions. Follow along on Google for more updates!

winter blues in Comox

How to beat the (work from home) winter blues

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Working nine-to-five in winter can be a struggle. Whether you do your job at the office or from the comfort of your home there are challenges. Remote working certainly has its perks. No need for an umbrella or to shovel the driveway early in the morning. It can also present unique problems during the winter months.

Many people who never worked from their Comox townhouse, apartment, or house began doing so in 2020. And many of those continue to perform their jobs from a home office rather than heading to the office. Lack of sunlight, cool temperatures, and shorter days can make your at-home workday feel unproductive and stagnant. Working and living within the same four walls can seem like the days blur together. There is no break in the routine. A few minor adjustments to your townhouse, apartment, or home office space can help. You can stave off that sluggish winter feeling.

Here are a few great ways to help you beat those winter blues when working from home:

Feed your brain images of joy and motivation


Your workspace should spark creativity and energy. Promote an uplifting environment with bright decorative items, inspiring artwork, and images of loved ones. Make the space feel productive in the winter. Add desk organizers, your favourite stationary, or a whiteboard calendar.

Brighten your space to make it your happy place

Your daily dose of sun is a great way to get a boost of vitamin D and serotonin. There are fewer daylight hours during the winter months. That can make it harder to get the rise in serotonin levels required. You can change that by placing your desk in a sunny spot in your townhouse or apartment. If there is a lack of light, mimic natural sunlight by investing in a desk sun lamp.

Add plant-power


Bring some life into your workspace with the addition of house plants. Whether you prefer fiddle-leaf fig trees or tiny succulents, a collection of indoor shrubs can help to lift your spirits. Plants are not just pretty to look at. Many of them provide stress-reducing and air-cleaning qualities, such as aloe vera, snake plant, and lavender.

Enjoy a little aromatherapy

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly brewed coffee to get you up and running. Introduce scents into your at-home office to make the space feel inviting and invigorating. Use a diffuser with your favourite essential oils. Burn a candle to take in your preferred aromas. Certain smells are known to promote concentration and alertness, such as citrus, vetiver, and peppermint.

Bonus Tip

It’s important to take breaks. Even when temperatures are really cold, getting outside can be beneficial to your mood and mental health. Throw on your warm coat and enjoy a blast of fresh air, even for a few minutes, to boost your energy levels. Step out of the comfort of your condo to recharge.

Contact me if you’re looking for a home with a great work-from-home setup! I would love to help you find real estate in the Comox Valley! Please follow along on Google Business to learn more!

Homes for Sale in Courtenay

Up Your Chances of Selling Homes for Sale in Courtenay

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Selling homes for sale in Courtenay is a big decision. In order to get the most out of your investment, it is important that you take the necessary steps to prepare. Before you sell your home, there are a couple of things you can do to attract buyers and return a better profit. In this article, I will be going over some of the best tips and tricks for sellers! These tried and tested methods are certain to help you as you work towards selling your home. Follow along below to learn more about this topic.

Preparing to Sell Homes for Sale in Courtenay!

One of the first tasks that you should consider when selling your home is to repaint the walls in high-visibility rooms. For instance, the kitchen, living areas, and bathrooms. Moreover, it is important to choose neutral colours so that the buyer can imagine their belongings in the house. Next, be sure to repair or replace loose or old hardware on cabinets. Further to this, you may consider replacing worn countertops in the kitchen with new, neutral-coloured ones. As well as, replacing broken, dirty or old blinds and curtains. 

Before you list your home for sale, check to see that all appliances are clean and in working order. If you have wood floors that need refinishing, take the time to get this done. New or good-as-new flooring is a big selling point! You should also think about replacing old or worn linoleum. Along with this point, consider having the carpets professionally cleaned or consider replacing them with a neutral colour (if you have carpet). 

Before you show your home, make sure all light bulbs are bright and in working order. Good lighting makes a huge difference in the way that buyers see your home. It would be best if you also fixed leaks in ceilings and walls, as this is often a big red flag for buyers. Decluttering is another key step to take before showing or having your home photographed. This means putting away personal items like bills and papers, taking down family photos, and tucking away any children’s toys. In doing so, you will make it easier for the buyer to imagine themselves in your space, and make the home look bigger. 

Contact Me Today!

If you are looking for some help selling your property in Courtenay, contact me today! I’d be happy to help you sell your home. For more information about selling homes for sale in Courtenay, stay tuned to my blog. And, check out my social media for the latest updates and more. I look forward to working with you soon. 

foreign home buyers and comox real estate for sale

Foreign Buyer Ban and Comox Real Estate

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The federal government’s ban on new foreign ownership of residential property became law on January 1, 2023. It prohibits any non-Canadian citizen or permanent resident from buying residential real estate for two years. The federal government plans to work with provinces and municipalities during the two-year ban. Their aim is to develop a framework to better regulate the role of foreign buyers in the housing market. The goal is to ensure housing is available for and used by Canadians.

The government wants to make the market fairer for Canadians. The rationale is that it will prevent foreign buyers from parking their money in Canada by buying up homes. Houses being used as homes, rather than as commodities to be traded is how they described the changes.

Who can’t buy Comox residential property under the Foreign Buyer ban?

The act defines a non-Canadian as:

  1. an individual who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act nor a permanent resident;
  2. a corporation that is incorporated otherwise than under the laws of Canada or a province;
  3. a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province whose shares are not listed on a stock exchange in Canada for which a designation under section 262 of the Income Tax Act is in effect and is controlled by a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); and
  4. a prescribed person or entity.

Exceptions for buying Comox residential property under the Foreign Buyer ban

Include:

  1. A temporary resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; or
  2. A non-Canadian who buys residential property with a Canadian spouse. A common-law partner if the spouse or common-law partner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. A person registered as an Indian under the Indian Act.

Residential property

Includes any real property or immovable that is:

  1. a detached house or similar building, containing not more than three dwelling units;
  2. a semi-detached house, rowhouse unit, residential condominium unit or other similar premises, vacant land, where the land has been zoned for residential use or mixed-use and is within a Census Metropolitan Area (having a population of at least 100,000) or Census Agglomeration (having a population of at least 10,000);
    or
  3. any prescribed real property or immovable.

Penalties

Non-Canadians found guilty of contravening the act are subject to a fine of not more than $10,000. If the federal government orders the sale of the property, the non-Canadian buyer won’t receive more than the amount paid for the property.

Property Purchased by a Non-Canadian Before January 1, 2023

The ban doesn’t apply if the agreement of purchase and sale of the residential property involving a non-Canadian is dated before January 1, 2023.

Regulations for Comox residential property under the Foreign Buyer ban

There will be future regulations on transactions deemed prohibited purchases.

Contact me for more information on how the new Foreign Buyer Policies affect homeownership in the Comox Valley. I would love to hear from you today! Follow along for more updates on Google Business!