BC Real Estate Association: Home Buyers Are In The Drivers Seat In 2010

This article was released by the British Columbia Real Estate Association mid-August 2010. There are a number of graphs and sales data in the original document including Kamloops specific information. To view the original document (link removed). I have included the basic information below.

The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province declined 42 per cent to 5,784 units in July compared to the same month last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, MLS® residential unit sales in the province declined 19 per cent in July from June 2010. The average MLS® residential price climbed 6 per cent to $491,832 in July compared to the same month last year.

“A relatively large number of homes for sale have created the most favourable supply conditions for home buyers in more than a year,” said Cameron Muir, BCREA Chief Economist. MLS® active residential listings were 21 per cent higher in July than at the start of the year on a seasonally adjusted basis. However, with newly listed MLS® residential units now declining, tighter market conditions may emerge this fall.

Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume increased 16 per cent to $24.2 billion, compared to the same period last year. Residential unit sales rose 4 per cent to 48,127 year-to-date, while the average MLS® residential price climbed 13 per cent to $504,281 over the same period.

BCREA

Featured Property: 526 West Battle Street, South Kamloops West End, B.C. $414,900

Kamloops Home For Sale 526 Battle Street

This home is centrally located in the South Kamloops West End, has a 2 bedroom inlaw suite and is close to shopping, transportation and TRU. Everything in this home has been updated, new roof, heat pump, furnace, hot water tank, paint inside & out, all flooring, kitchen appliances (stainless upstairs, white down), all windows, patios, insulation in the attic, bathrooms and the list continues. The two bedroom suite is very inviting and bright. There is a beautiful panoramic valley and river view from the main floor. Oversized windows make this home very bright. There are two 4 piece bathrooms and a 2 piece ensuite. The ensuite can easily be converted to a 3 piece. There is a two car tandem carport with tons of extra storage in the insulated storage room. The large yard it great for a growing family and there is RV parking. Book your appointment to view this home, it won’t last!

To view all homes for sale in Kamloops click here.

Kamloops Home Inspections: Ladder Safety & Getting Your Garden Ready For The Fall

Todd Hrycenko Home InspectorLadder Safety

As a home inspector in Kamloops I spend a lot of time using a variety of ladders to do my job.  Ladders are dangerous pieces of equipment, if not handled correctly or you are unfamiliar with them. Homeowners in Kamloops should think about a few things before you climb the ladder to perform fall maintenance tasks, and take these safety precautions.

• There should only be one person on the ladder at one time.

• Never leave a raised ladder unattended.

• Be sure all locks on extension ladders are properly engaged.

• All metal ladders should have slip-resistant feet.

• The ground under the ladder should be level and firm.

• Don’t carry objects in yours hands while on a ladder.

• Keep your body centered between the rails of the ladder at all times.

* Inspect your ladder every time before you use it for broken or excessively warn out parts.  As someone who has taken the fast ride to the ground from roof height, believe me you don’t want to realize your ladder has a defect too late.

Maintenance Matters

Fall is the time of year to prepare your garden for the fall months ahead. I know with the temperatures still hovering around 30 degrees in Kamloops nobody wants to think about winter or even fall, but your plants and garden already are.  Here are some tips to help you with your fall garden prep.

• Bring tropical and other plants inside for the fall.

• Dig and store summer and fall-flowering bulbs.

• Avoid heavy pruning of trees and shrubs going into the fall months.

• Apply a layer of mulch about 2 to 4 inches deep to the floor of the garden.

• Apply mulch or a wrap around the base of bushes and trees to protect them from the cold temperatures.

• Rake up any leaves that may have already fallen.

• Turn off the water supply to your hose tap and irrigation systems.

• Fallize garden furniture if necessary.

• Fertilize to give your garden one last nutrition boost before fall.

• Empty out and bring in any pots that could break in cold temperatures.

• Plant spring-flowering bulbs with their roots down.

Todd Hrycenko, Global Property Inspections
Phone: 250-371-2787 [email protected]
1 757 758 759 760 761 809