April 2024 Newsletter - Spring Cleaning For A Pest-Free Home
Is spring cleaning on your mind? Aside from removing the dust and grime that has collected over the colder months, now is also the perfect time to rid your home of pests. Spring is an especially active time for insects and rodents so it’s important not to overlook prevention tasks around your home. Follow the room-by-room guide below to help keep unwanted critters at bay! Kitchen Ants and other spring bugs are drawn to kitchens due to readily available food and water sources. To deter them, start by emptying cabinets and pantry shelves, discarding stale items, and wiping down surfaces. Pull out appliances to vacuum behind them and scrub countertops and floors thoroughly. Bathroom Moisture-loving pests like cockroaches and silverfish often thrive in bathrooms. Prevent infestations by fixing leaks promptly, cleaning drains, and ensuring proper ventilation. Check under sinks and around tubs and toilets for any moisture issues. Basement Rodents and spiders find refuge in cluttered and dark basements. As you sift through your belongings, replace cardboard boxes with sealed plastic bins, and seal cracks and crevices with caulk to prevent pest entry. Outdoor Space Inspect your home's exterior for damage and repair as needed. Clean gutters and trim bushes away from the house to discourage pests from entering. Keep mulch and tree stumps away from the foundation to deter termites. Whichever room you start with, these simple tasks can make a big difference in maintaining the health and integrity of your home! Join the Conversation on May 1 Do you have specific questions about maintaining a pest-free home? Join me at the next Island Living Today talk! We’ll have a home inspector and pest control expert on hand to share tips and answer questions about protecting your home from insects and rodents. Home Inspection Series: Pest Control Time: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 (6-7 PM Pacific Time) Guest Speakers: Patrick Preston - Accredited Home Inspector at HouseMaster Bryan Dumesnil - Co-owner and Operator at VI Pest Control Save your seat using this link Protecting Your Home From Moisture and Mold Moisture and mold are serious threats to the home, but last month, we learned that there’s a lot homeowners can do to prevent issues from arising in the first place. The trick is knowing where to look. Luckily, Brad Clark from A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections and Ryan Hill from First General Services Vancouver Island guided us on how to detect water damage throughout the home. We discussed: How to catch water leaks early Prevention strategies to mitigate moisture and mold problems Practical tips for improving airflow in your home We dived deep into this topic so watch the full recording now! Watch now Changes to Short-Term Rentals and What It Means for You To address the housing shortage across the province, the government recently changed legislation regarding short-term rentals. Here’s a simplified breakdown of what you need to know: New Residence Rules: Starting May 1, 2024, short-term rentals will be limited to your main residence plus one additional suite or dwelling unit in most major BC communities. Regional Licensing: Areas outside municipalities will now be subject to licensing for short-term rentals. Data Sharing: Platforms hosting short-term rentals must share data to ensure compliance with regulations. No More Grandfathering: Previous exemptions for historical short-term rental use are no longer applicable. Provincial Registry: A central registry for short-term rentals will be established for monitoring and enforcement purposes. It’s important to remember that these rules don’t replace stricter local regulations. For example, Kelowna has tightened restrictions on short-term rentals across the board. What Does This Mean for You? Current Owners: Check if your short-term rental complies with the new rules, alongside existing local and strata regulations. Buying Considerations: If you’re looking to purchase a short-term rental property, be aware of evolving laws that may impact your plans. Pre-sale Condos: Seek legal advice if you’ve purchased a pre-sale condo for short-term rentals to understand your rights. Disclosure: While the law change doesn’t require separate disclosure, transparency with potential buyers or renters is advisable. Opt-Out Limits: Individual properties or buildings can't opt out of these regulations, although geographic areas may have exemptions based on rental vacancy rates. These changes reflect broader efforts to balance housing needs and property usage. Stay informed and seek guidance specific to your situation for a smooth transition in this evolving real estate landscape. Calm March Despite Pent-Up Demand The benchmark price of a single-family home on Vancouver Island was $765,600 in March 2024, which is 5% higher than one year ago, but not quite as high as six months ago. Sales activity last month was calmer than expected given a large pool of potential buyers who are eager to find their next home. However, with interest rates being held steady, it appears that buyers are still being cautious. Nonetheless, there were 291 single-family homes, 84 condo apartments, and 82 row/townhouses that sold last month. This is contrasted to 291 single-family homes, 324 condo apartments, and 333 row/townhouses listed for sale. Read More Community Events to Explore Ballet Jazz Montréal Apr 24 | 7:30pm Port Theatre (125 Front St, Nanaimo) As part of its 50th Anniversary season, Ballet Jazz Montréal has curated a triple bill that includes We Can’t Forget About What’s His Name, a new creation by company member, Ausia Jones, Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue by Crystal Pite, and Les Chambres des Jacques by Aszure Barton. South Island Rhythm Kings Apr 27 | 7:30-10:30pm Rocking Horse Pub (2038 Rocking Horse Pl, Nanoose Bay) Lazy Mike Mallon and Annie Mallon are the father/daughter team behind award Nominated artists, South Island Rhythm Kings. They carry a bag of old-school, classic electric blues, carefully curated from the long and rich history of the genre. Tee Off for NCS Charity Golf Tournament May 10 | 9:30am-8pm Fairwinds Golf Club (3730 Fairwinds Dr, Nanoose Bay) Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, this tournament is perfect for everyone. With challenging holes, plus tons of fun activities throughout the day, you'll have a blast while making a difference for the Nanoose Community Services team and their clients. Cost: $200 (includes registration fee, 2 golf carts per team, lunch & dinner). Register online. Nanoose Garden Club Plant Sale May 11 | 9am-1pm Nanoose Library Hall (2489 Nanoose Rd, Nanoose Bay) Make friends over plant care talks and garden tours. Membership is $20 per year, payable at the door (cash or cheque). Guests are welcome to attend club meetings for $3 (cash only).
Island Living Today - Home Inspection Series - Moisture & Mold
Home Inspection Series: Moisture & Mold You’re getting ready to buy a home, you book a home inspection, and you get the report back. There’s a dark patch in the attic. Should you start panicking? Maybe, maybe not. Buying a home is a huge investment so it’s understandable that you’d be worried about the condition of your new home. In the first installment of Island Living Today’s Home Inspection Series, we’ll explore what to do if moisture (or the dreaded mold) is detected. On April 3, we chatted with a certified professional inspector and a property restoration expert and discussed: When moisture or mold is a cause for concern Steps buyers and sellers can take if water damage is suspected How to prevent and recover from unwanted moisture in the home Guest Speakers: Brad Clark is the Owner of A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections serving Central Vancouver Island. He brings over 20 years of experience as a contractor to his current role as a residential & commercial property inspector and WETT Certified Inspector. He loves to share his knowledge of house construction and blends it with a real estate lens. Brad happily explores the far reaches of your attic and crawl space so you don’t have to, and in the process, delivers the information you need to make decisions for your home purchase and home maintenance. Ryan Hill is the President & Founder of First General Services Vancouver Island. He leads a diverse team of restoration and construction professionals, and together, they have completed over 4,000 property restoration projects across Vancouver Island. Ryan has worked on everything from water, fire, and wind restorations to asbestos, mold, and lead remediation. Serving Victoria to Qualicum Beach, and operating a 24/7 emergency phone, Ryan’s team creates peace of mind by guiding homeowners every step of the way during stressful times.
March 2024 Newsletter - It's time to spring into action
With spring on the horizon, the real estate market is poised for action. If you're gearing up to sell your home, now is the time to ensure it's ready to make a lasting impression on potential buyers. A few preparations before you list your home can make a significant difference to your selling experience. So if you want to maximize the value of your home, don’t miss these six crucial steps! Enhance your curb appeal: When it comes to real estate, people do judge a book by its cover. Spruce up your home's exterior with fresh landscaping, a clean driveway, and a welcoming entryway. Consider adding colorful flowers or a fresh coat of paint to greet potential buyers. Declutter and depersonalize your space: Remove clutter and personal items to help buyers envision themselves living in the space. Pack away family photos and minimize excess furniture to create an inviting and spacious atmosphere. For more tips, check out my recent conversation with a downsizing expert. Complete repairs and upgrades: Take care of any necessary repairs and consider making strategic upgrades to enhance your home's appeal. Focus on fixes that will yield a high return on investment, such as updating outdated fixtures, repairing minor cosmetic issues, and addressing any structural concerns. Clean and stage: Whether you put in elbow grease or hire outside help, it’s important to clean your home from top to bottom. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas, kitchens, and bathrooms to ensure they sparkle and shine. Additionally, consider hiring a professional stager to arrange furniture and décor in a way that showcases your home's best features and maximizes its potential. Highlight features and amenities: What makes your home special? Make it stand out! Whether it's panoramic ocean views, a gourmet kitchen, or a spacious backyard oasis, make sure these unique selling points are featured prominently. Partner with a trusted realtor: A well-connected and knowledgeable realtor with a track record of success in your local market makes a difference. Not only can they help to strategically price and market your home, but they can also provide personalized guidance throughout the selling process. If you have any questions about preparing your home for a successful sale, I’d be happy to chat. My expertise lies in the Central Vancouver Island region including Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose Bay, Lantzville, Errington/Coombs, and Bowser/Deep Bay. Shoot me a message anytime if you have questions about the local market! Changes to the Property Transfer Tax Act The government recently announced changes to the Property Transfer Tax Act that can impact the amount of money you pay to purchase a home. Effective April 1, 2024, the first-time home buyers’ exemption threshold is increased to a fair market value of $835,000 (from $500,000), with the first $500,000 exempt from property transfer tax. The phase-out range is $25,000 above the threshold, with the complete elimination of the exemption at $860,000. Effective April 1, 2024, the newly built home exemption fair market value threshold is increased to $1,100,000 (from $750,000). The phase-out range is $50,000 above the threshold, with the complete elimination of the exemption at $1,150,000. I know these changes can raise a lot of questions so we’ll be inviting an accounting professional to a future Island Living Today to dive deeper on this subject. Stay tuned for more details! Estate Planning for Homeowners Estate planning is an essential task for anyone, but especially so for homeowners. There are many details to consider so it was wonderful to have had Christine Hepting (Barrister & Solicitor at Christine M. Hepting Law Corporation) and Sue Noorloos (Director of Estate Planning, BMO Private Wealth) join our most recent Island Living Today talk. We discussed: Different estate planning scenarios for homeowners Important considerations for naming an executor or agreeing to be an executor How to build an asset list in the digital age There was much more covered, so watch the full recording now! Use this link to the video Island Living Today will return on April 3, 2024 to kick off our Home Inspection Series. The first topic we’ll cover is mould and remediation. More details will arrive in your inbox soon. Home Sales Jumped in February There was a significant increase in home sales last month. In February 2024, 254 single-family homes were sold on Vancouver Island, up 67% from January 2024 and up 15% from a year ago. The trend carried to condos (up 11% year-over-year) and row/townhomes (up 18% year-over-year). The benchmark price for a home on Vancouver Island is now $753,500. The latest home sales increase may be attributed to pent-up demand and reasonable mortgage rates offered by some banks. With this movement in the market, it’s helpful to speak with professional mortgage brokers and realtors to determine your options. Read More Community Events to Explore LIVE @ The Shaw 2024 Celebrating Women in Jazz Mar 8 to Apr 26 Shaw Auditorium (80 Commercial Street, Nanaimo) This 4-part series features 6 extraordinary band leaders who represent the many flavours of jazz music thriving in our country. The Arrogant Worms Mar 15 | 7:30-9pm Knox United Church (345 Pym Street, Parksville) The Arrogant Worms have spent over three decades making fun of a big dumb world. Their songs have been played on the radio, the internet, and in outer space (on the space shuttle Endeavour). WALK RIGHT BACK – The Everly Brothers Story 2024 Mar 18 | 7pm Port Theatre (125 Front St, Nanaimo) From the producers of the smash hit show That’ll Be The Day, this phenomenal production tells the story of the most successful musical duo of all time - The Everly Brothers. Featuring hits such as Bye Bye Love, All I Have To Do Is Dream and Cathy’s Clown, this unique concert-based musical entwines the wonderful, sad yet glorious story of The Everly Brothers. The Bunny Trail Mar 28 to 31 | 11am-5pm Milner Gardens (2179 W Island Hwy, Qualicum Beach) Spot the Bunnies hiding throughout the Gardens for an Easter Treat! Spring Plant Sale Apr 20 to 21 | 11am-5pm Milner Gardens (2179 W Island Hwy, Qualicum Beach) Find great discounts on heritage plants straight from the Milner Heritage Collection.
Island Living Today - Estate Planning for Homeowners
Estate Planning for Homeowners As a homeowner, you invest a lot of time, energy, and money into making your home a special part of your life. But have you thought about what will happen to it when you’re no longer around one day? Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging how an individual's financial situation will be managed in the event of their incapacitation or death. It’s an essential task for anyone, but especially so for homeowners. Guest Speakers: Sue Noorloos is the Director of Estate Planning at BMO Private Wealth. She advises high net worth individuals and families on specialized estate and trust solutions as part of an integrated wealth planning team. Prior to joining BMO, Sue practised at an Ontario law firm focusing on estate planning, wills, trusts, and estate administration. Using her strong interpersonal skills, she is able to simplify complex estate matters for clients so they have the confidence to instruct their trusted professionals to set up their estate plans. It is Sue’s goal to empower clients and to deliver peace of mind through informed decision-making. Christine Hepting is a Barrister & Solicitor with expertise in various areas of law, such as wills and estates, residential and commercial real estate, commercial transactions (asset purchases and sales, share purchases and sales), corporate law, and contracts. At her practice in Nanaimo and through remote services, she offers personalized and professional legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses on Vancouver Island. Her mission is to help clients achieve their legal goals and protect their interests, while adhering to the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
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