Virtual house hunting

In today’s stay-at-home environment, some prospective home buyers have put off their search, at least for now. It may surprise you to know that real estate activity is continuing, while keeping a safe distance. You can get a head start on your home search with some help from technology and your local real estate professional.

Responding to the constraints of the pandemic, more homes are now being promoted with virtual tours, offering a 360° view of every room. Some listings even offer live virtual walk-throughs by the agent, with the questions answered in real time. Other ground-work, such as researching the neighbourhood to locate schools and shopping, or investigating future developments that may impact resale value can go forward now.

The safety and comfort level of our customers is our priority. Contact your Coldwell Banker professional to learn what options are available and choose what’s right for you.

Canadian home prices stay stable

As expected during the pandemic, Canadian MLS® home sales fell sharply in April, according to statistics issued by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). But while the number of transactions declined last month, sale prices have held relatively steady in markets across the country.

The national average price for homes sold in April was $488,000, down only slightly by 1.3% from the same month last year. Excluding Canada’s most active and expensive markets, Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto, the national average reduces to $392,000, says CREA.

Of course, this is just ‘the big picture’ on the national front. Home prices can vary dramatically between regions, within neighbourhoods and even on the same street. For a detailed look at resale prices in your area, contact your local Coldwell Banker professional.

Welcome Spring with a splash of colour

At a time when many of us are spending more time at home than ever before, it’s a great time to perk up your surroundings with a fresh coat of paint. Keeping your décor neutral, with soft, light colours will create a feeling of spaciousness. Strong colours can then be introduced on a limited basis, such as on just one accent wall to add drama.

Starting with a more neutral backdrop, you can welcome Spring with a splash of colour. Introduce colourful accents like throw pillows, area rugs or artwork in bright shades to make your room ‘pop’. Your accents can easily be changed with the seasons to refresh your look throughout the year.

If you would like further information on any of the above topics, or others, please provide us with your contact information and we’ll be in touch.