Your strata insurance crisis, not a made in BC problem

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: bc condo , buying a condo , darin germyn , government , housing market , insurance , macdonald realty , strata insurance crisis

Do you or someone you know live in a strata property in BC? (HINT: your answer is yes).

This is a blog that you will want to share.

There has been trouble brewing in the insurance world for some time related to strata properties (townhomes and condominiums), where we really began to notice some issues in late 2019.

In B.C.’s Lower Mainland region, where an estimated half of its total 2.7 million residents live in a strata-titled property, these increases are having a widespread impact.

It all...

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You need a good REALTOR®

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: buying new construction , darin germyn , macdonald realty , strata , surrey bc , you need a good realtor

It’s been a long time since I’ve collapsed a deal, in fact, I can’t remember the last time it happened.

Every home has its scabs. Something broken, misrepresented or issues all parties may have originally been unaware of. Typically though, everything ends up working out just fine for both the Buyer and the Seller. Many things are easily fixed with either a little bit of sweat equity, money or just some simple context to put everything into perspective for all parties involved.

This...

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Comments: 2

CANNABIS is legal in BC October 17. Don't mess this up....

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: cannabis bc , darin germyn , legal , legalization , macdonald realty , marijuana bc , october 17, 2018 , realtor , weed

Legalization of Cannabis in BC

As of October 17, 2018, the recreational use and cultivation of Cannabis in British Columbia will take effect.

The big question is, do you know how it can or could affect you?

Being a REALTOR® extraordinaire, I wanted to be sure to make sure anyone with interest as a property owner is perfectly aware of how this legalization will impact their ownership of real estate. To make it simple, this blog is divided into 3 easy to read sections.

What the average person should know
What Property owners...

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Comments: 1

Creating the Ideal Working Relationship with Your Agent

Posted on October 11, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: Creating the Ideal Working Relationship with Your Agent , Darin Germyn , Macdonald Realty , Real Estate Agent , Working with a Realtor

If you're working with a landscaping contractor, you want to develop a good working relationship with that professional, so you can avoid delays, stress and other issues. After all, the last thing you want is a tree planted in the wrong spot because of a misunderstanding!

The same holds true when working with a real estate agent. Whether you're buying, selling, or both, you want the process to go smoothly and successfully. Creating an ideal working relationship with your agent is an important step...

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The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home - September 2018

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: cost of waiting to buy , Darin Germyn , Macdonald Realty , Waiting a Year to Buy a Home

Did you hold off purchasing a home 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 last calendar month, year over year, went up over 1.1% from September 2017 to September 2018.

Check out the infographic below:

The biggest question potential purchasers want to ask themselves is, "Is waiting really the best option?"

If you are saving...

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5 Ways to Create Extra Space in Your Home

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: darin germyn , home organization , macdonald realty , real estate

Is your home feeling a little cramped? If so, there are many relatively inexpensive ways to free up more space. Here are some ideas:

Convert traditional into non-traditional space. We’re all familiar with converting a spare bedroom into a home office or kids’ playroom. You can also create space by finding other uses for pantries and walk-in closets.
Explore smart storage solutions. There are many products on the market that revolutionize how you store things. For example, there are...

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Should You Renovate or Move?

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: darin germyn , home reno , home renovation , macdonald realty , macdonald realty , moving to a new home , moving vs renovate , real estate

If you need to upsize or you’re simply ready for a change, it’s tempting to consider a major renovation. After all, renovating means you don’t have to go through the process of selling your property and buying another more suitable home. You just fix up the one you’ve got!

However, you need to carefully consider the pros and cons of renovating before going this route. You don’t want to invest in a costly renovation only to end up with a home that still doesn’t meet...

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The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home - August 2018

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: Cost of Waiting to Buy , Darin Germyn , Macdonald Realty , Waiting a Year to Buy a Home

Did you hold off purchasing a home 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 last calendar month, year over year, went up over 5.3% from July 2017 to July 2018.

Check out the infographic below:

The biggest question potential purchasers want to ask themselves is, "Is waiting really the best option?"

If you are saving for a...

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BBQ Maintenance that Will Save Your Life

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: BBQ , BBQ , BBQ Safety , Darin Germyn , Macdonald Realty , Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 160 people are injured each year in BBQ mishaps. That doesn't sound like a lot considering the thousands of people who flip burgers on their backyard grills each year. But, you certainly don't want to be one of those injured!

The best way to prevent fire and injury is maintenance. Remarkably, few people are even aware that BBQ maintenance is necessary. But, it is.

Every spring, experts say you should clean out the venturi tubes....

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3 Not-So-Obvious Indicators it's Time to Sell

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Darin Germyn

Posted in: darin germyn , Macdonald Realty , Real Estate , Selling a home

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market. Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on. However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it may be time to sell. Consider the following:

1. Your Property is no longer a Good "Fit"

Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But things change. Families grow. Needs evolve. For any number of reasons, your property may...

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Your strata insurance crisis, not a made in BC problem

This is a blog that you will want to share.

You need a good REALTOR®

CANNABIS is legal in BC October 17. Don't mess this up....

The big question is, do you know how it can or could affect you?

Creating the Ideal Working Relationship with Your Agent

The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home - September 2018

5 Ways to Create Extra Space in Your Home

Should You Renovate or Move?

The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home - August 2018

BBQ Maintenance that Will Save Your Life

3 Not-So-Obvious Indicators it's Time to Sell

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