Archived blog posts for : 2016

New property listed in King George Corridor, South Surrey White Rock

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: King George Corridor, South Surrey White Rock Real Estate

Property Photo: 12 2733 PARKWAY DR in Surrey

I have listed a new property at 12 2733 PARKWAY DR in Surrey.

OPEN HOUSE SAT FEB 2 - 130-330pm. You will NEVER see a townhome like this again. Renovated from head to toe, the list begins with the DOUBLE garage with added sound system w/ cable TV, loft storage, and additional storage room complete with laundry sink and urinal for the boys. An open concept corner unit with new sand colored laminate throughout, granite counter tops, new backsplash and high end S/S appliances. All light fixtures have been replaced in the home w/ crown moulding throughout. Includes a custom built laundry closet with new Samsung washer & dryer. Heated floors in the master bedroom complete with walk in closet. You MUST watch the video to get the full list at the link provided!

Read full post

Open House. Open House on Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: King George Corridor, South Surrey White Rock Real Estate

Please visit our Open House at 12 2733 PARKWAY DR in Surrey.

See details here

Open House on Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Read full post

New property listed in West Newton, Surrey

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: West Newton, Surrey Real Estate

Property Photo: 111 12733 72 AVE in Surrey

I have listed a new property at 111 12733 72 AVE in Surrey.

See details here

You found it. West facing ground floor unit with large patio. This one bedroom is perfect for the first time buyer or the investor. Enjoy the setting sun on the quiet side of the building, backing onto treed area. Features include insuite laundry, large living area with gas fireplace and more. This is a rainscreened building, a major plus when buying a condo! Call today for viewing!

Read full post

Keeping Houseplants Alive when You’re Away

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: darin germyn , how to keep houseplants alive while on vacation , macdonald realty , macdonald realty

How to keep your houseplants alive while on vacation

When you’re out-of-town, there are plenty of kennels and other facilities that will mind your dog or cat. In fact, the pet-care business is booming! However, the same options aren’t available for your houseplants. So what do you do?

First, keep in mind that plants can go for several days or even a couple of weeks without water. This frequently happens in their natural habitats. So if you’re gone for just a few days, your flora will probably be fine.

Flowering plants tend to need the most water. Give them an extra dose just before you leave. Also, make sure they are in indirect, rather than direct sunlight. That will help them conserve water.

If you’re going to be away for a week or more, consider one of the several products on the market that water plants automatically. Many of these allow you to adjust how much water each plant gets — and when.

You’ll find plenty of do-it-yourself instructions for making your own automatic waterer on the internet, from plastic cups with tiny holes in the bottom to upside-down bottles with wicks. These might work, but you’ll want to test them first.

Of course, your best option might be to have a friend or trusted neighbour take care of the plants for you. Just be sure to give them clear instructions.

Your houseplants will thank you.

Until next time,

Darin

Read full post

What Home Inspectors See that You Can’t

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: darin germyn , macdonald realty , what home inspectors might find , why to hire a home inspector

When you make an offer on a home, it’s a smart idea to have a professional home inspector check it out from top to bottom. This inspection will ensure that the property doesn’t have any unexpected “issues”. After all, you don’t want to buy a home only to discover that the roof needs to be replaced, immediately, for thousands of dollars.

That being said, you might question whether you really need to invest the few hundred dollars it costs for a professional home inspection. “The home we want to buy looks like it’s in very good shape,” you might be thinking. “I can’t see anything wrong with it."

However, a professional home inspector can see things you can’t. When you view a property that’s on the market, you might be able to notice obvious issues, like a crack in the foundation or a dripping faucet. If you’re experienced with home maintenance, you might even notice roofing tiles that look like they’re overdue for replacement.

But you won’t pick up all the issues a home inspector can.

A home inspector will, for example, use a special device to check for moisture build-up in the washrooms – which can be an indication of mould. He or she will also inspect wiring to make sure everything is safe and compliant with the building code.

That’s not all.

Like a determined detective, a home inspector will investigate the property’s structure, electrical and plumbing systems, insulation, and other components — and then report the findings to you.

In the end, a professional home inspection gives you peace-of-mind and protects your investment. So getting one is highly recommended — even for recently built homes.

A good REALTOR® can recommend a trusted home inspector for you.

Looking for more ideas on making smart decisions when buying a home? Call today.

Until next time,

Darin

Read full post

The cost of waiting to buy a home in 2015

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: cost of waiting to buy , darin germyn , macdonald realty , price to buy a home , property sales in january

Did you hold off purchasing a home in 2015 for whatever reason?

Saving some more money for a down payment?
Waiting for a raise at work?
Exiting a rental agreement?

The average detached home in the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford all the way to North Delta) in the calendar year went up over 17% from Dec 2014 to Dec 15.

Check out the infographic below.

The cost of waiting to buy a home in 2015

The biggest question potential purchasers want to ask themselves is is waiting really the best option.

If you are saving for a down payment, can you save more in a year than the property's price is raising? Likely not...

The numbers are staggering and intimidating, yet the best thing you can do is know what is possible in your current situation. Have you talked to a bank or mortgage professional about financing? Have you spoke with your Realtor regarding a purchase? If not, now may be a good time to get pointed in the right direction.

Until next time,

Darin

Read full post

New property listed in King George Corridor, South Surrey White Rock

Open House. Open House on Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

New property listed in West Newton, Surrey

Keeping Houseplants Alive when You’re Away

What Home Inspectors See that You Can’t

The cost of waiting to buy a home in 2015

Menu

Seller’s

Buyer’s

OTHER

Have a question for us?