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RESOURCE GUIDEReal EstateYour complete resource guide for everything real estate.
2 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
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THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 3
For many it goes by “the City in the
Country” or the “Raspberry Capital
of Canada”, but for others, Abbots-
ford is simply considered home. It
fi ttingly suits all names by off ering
a balance of urban convenience,
expansive greenspace, a network
of trails and parks, and unparalleled
agriculture off erings. People don’t
just move to Abbotsford for its rea-
sonable housing market but also for
the many activities available in the
surrounding areas.
“As the third most diverse commu-
nity in Canada, we are fortunate to
enjoy a wealth of cultural events and
activities that serve to enhance our
quality of life and help to make us a
complete community,” says Abbots-
ford Mayor, Henry Braun.
Some of those community assets
include the Abbotsford International
Airport, the University of the Fraser
Valley, the Reach Gallery Museum,
recreation and entertainment facil-
ities, all of which contribute to a
superior quality of life for residents.
According to Braun, one of the most
exciting undertakings happen-
ing right now in Abbotsford is the
update to the Offi cial Community
Plan (OCP) – a project they are call-
ing Abbotsforward.
“Once completed, the OCP will
serve as a roadmap for growth and
development in our community for
years to come, however, in order for
us to imagine the Abbotsford of the
future, we needed to understand
the Abbotsford of today,” he says.
“For example, did you know that 65
percent of Abbotsford residents also
work in Abbotsford?”
It’s proof that people are building
their lives here.
“Even though we are a ‘City’ it still
has the small town feel; a feel we can
identify with,” says Yvonne Hayden,
Director of Business Development at
Tourism Abbotsford, on why people
love living in Abbotsford. “This com-
munity is open to newcomers, and
people take the time to say hello.
Even though some of us think that
Abbotsford is busy – comparatively
speaking it is not that busy – our traf-
fi c is really a dream, [there is a] good
variety of shopping and services,
and wonderful parks and trails.”
There is no doubt that Abbotsford
is evolving from a small commu-
nity into a vibrant focal point of the
Fraser Valley, all without losing its
charm.
What’s not to love?
Find all of the information on the
Abbotsforward project at
www.abbotsforward.ca
Why more people choose Abbotsford
4 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
The community of Abbotsford is
evolving into a regional hub city
for the Fraser Valley. This, according
to Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun
when asked was one of the biggest
changes he has noticed over the
years.
Showing healthy signs of progres-
sion mixed with aff ordable housing
is proving to be enticing for buyers.
According to Jorda Maisey, presi-
dent of the Fraser Valley Real Estate
Board, of all the communities in the
Fraser Valley, Abbotsford saw the
biggest increase in sales in Septem-
ber.
The variety and selection of town-
home developments - attached,
detached, rowhomes, and so on
- has boomed in the last fi ve years.
“People love the price, convenience
and amenities,” says Maisey, with
detached homes also proving to be
an appealing option.
“In September, the benchmark price
for a detached home in Abbotsford
was $481,800 compared to Greater
Vancouver’s $1,179,700, meaning it
cost 59 percent less to buy a typical
home in Abbotsford compared to
a typical home in Greater Vancou-
ver.” Sales of single-family detached
homes were up 42 percent com-
pared to September 2014, and
town homes and apartment sales
were also higher than last year.
“We attribute the thriving mar-
ket to Abbotsford’s aff ordability
and liveability, bolstered by low
mortgage rates and B.C.’s strong
ph: 604-852-2234 fax: 888-869-4876
Growingout of your
current home?
33787 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford BC www.ValleyRealtyAbbotsford.com
House too small?Give our team a call!
Call YOUR LOCAL FULLservice Real Estate company
604.852.2234VALLEY REALTY
Whether you are buying, selling or renting we are ready to
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property. See page 20 for details.
Housing Market in Abbotsford
Considered Healthy
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 5
economy,” she says.
Abbotsford is second only to Mis-
sion for aff ordability in the Fraser
Valley. Maisey says that a typical
single family home in Mission costs
about $75,000 to $80,000 less than
in Abbotsford, whereas townho-
mes are about the same.
According to the experts - senior
economists at BC Real Estate Asso-
ciation and Canada Mortgage &
Housing Corporation (CMHC),
they’re forecasting home sales in
the Fraser Valley will decrease in
2016 by 6.5 percent, while prices
will continue to rise, but at a slower
rate of three to fi ve percent.
CMHC’s dedicated forecast for
Abbotsford-Mission paints a
slightly diff erent story, predicting a
3.5 percent increase in homes sales
and modest price growth of 1.4
percent for that area.
Overall, the real estate market in
Abbotsford is considered healthy,
given that the demand for detached
homes and townhomes has been
brisk. In September, it took only
15 days on average for a detached
home to sell in Central Abbotsford,
which is why, according to Maisey,
it’s so important for buyers to have
an expert guide them and ensure
they’re prepared for when the right
home comes available.
The next best areas for price are
further afi eld in Chilliwack or on the
Sunshine Coast.
The most accurate refl ection of
home prices is the MLS® Home
Price Index Benchmark Price,
which refl ects the price of a ‘typical’
home with characteristics ‘typical’
to that area. Average prices can
be quite misleading because they
can be easily skewed by sales of
higher-end or lower-end homes.
To confi rm REBGV statistics, visit
rebgv.org.
Write YourSuccess Story
Helping You is What We DoCall Today For Your
FREE MARKET EVALUATION
SERVING MISSION, ABBOTSFORD AND THE CENTRAL FRASER VALLEY
Pat: 604-302-6174pat@patvale.com
Deb: 604-302-5348deb@patvale.com
33174 First Avenue, Mission | www.patvale.com
Wheeler Cheam
People love the price, convenience and amenities.
6 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 7
8 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
With frigid temperatures fast
approaching, the winter months in
British Columbia are the most chal-
lenging for your home.
“They are colder, wetter and darker,”
says James Dobney, president
of James Dobney Inspections - a
commercial and residential build-
ing inspection company that has
inspected tens of thousands of
homes since 1986.
Fortunately, there are steps that
homeowners can take ahead of the
big freeze to create a more energy
effi cient home, all while remaining
safe and comfortable.
“The age old saying, ‘an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure,’
certainly applies,” says Dobney.
He has provided a list of sugges-
tions to help save costs and avoid
issues by winterizing the interior
and exterior of your home.
Outside:
Disconnect and drain all garden
hoses and shut off the water to your
outside faucets if they are not the
“frost-free” type.
Clean out your gutters (or drains on
fl at roofs) and make sure the water
from your downpipes is directed
into your perimeter drain system
or away from your house. This will
lessen the possibility of basement
or crawlspace leakage.
Clean all exterior drains in stairwells
and driveways.
Install a non-slip surface on all
More than just another pretty facedrealtor.
LITTLE OAK REALTYEach offi ce independently owned & operated
DAN KEELEY604-859-2341 | dankeeley.com
®
Prepare you r home for winter
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 9
exterior stairs and have de-icing
compound ready for your stairs and
walkways.
Check the bulbs in all exterior light
fi xtures and consider installing
motion sensor lights. Your entrances
will be darker and slipperier than at
any other time of the year, so good
visibility is important.
Have your roof checked for missing
or damaged shingles. Your roof is
most vulnerable to leaking in the
winter and it is the most diffi cult
and expensive time for repairs.
Close your crawlspace vents. You
don’t want your waterlines to freeze.
Service your snowblower and fi nd
your snow shovel.
Trim any tree branches that over-
hang your roof or utility lines.
Inside:
Have your heating system serviced
(check fi lters if you have a furnace).
Have your chimneys, fi replaces and
wood burning stoves inspected and
cleaned if necessary (especially if
you use a wood stove for heating).
Check your smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms (replace them if
they are ten years old).
Check your fi re extinguishers and
make sure that all family members
know where they are located. Many
fi re extinguishers have a pressure
gauge; if yours has one, ensure that
the gauge’s needle indicates that
the pressure is in the proper oper-
ating range. Most of the time, the
correct pressure will be marked in
green on the gauge.
Examine your door and window
weather-stripping and caulking and
improve them as needed. Upgrad-
ing your weather-stripping is one
of the most cost eff ective ways to
improve comfort and lower your
heating costs.
If you have a problem with con-
densation on your windows in cold
weather, control the humidity level
(use bathroom and kitchen exhaust
fans) and raise the glass tempera-
ture by keeping blinds and curtains
open and the heat on in all rooms.
(604) 850-9647
www.mollymaid.ca
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation, in-home estimate:
cathy.deacon@mollymaid.ca
Open Houses, Post Construction and Staging Cleans
Move-in/Move-out Cleans DaleKlerKler604.615.6598
SRES, CNE
Offi ce: 604.859.2341dalekler@remax.netwww.dalekler.com
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Little Oak RealtyIndependently Owned and Operated
THE RIGHT CHOICE!Life is full of choices...make me one of them!
10 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
Abbotsford parks a nd tra ilsoff er endless exploration
Nature is a source of pride for
Abbotsford, evident by the number
of well-maintained trails, parks and
playgrounds available in the area.
“We have 157 parks in Abbotsford
along with 66 sports fi elds and
numerous trails and hiking paths –
including the city-wide Discovery
Trail network that winds its way
across our entire city,” says Abbots-
ford Mayor, Henry Braun.
Whether you prefer to walk, run,
bike, or rollerblade, the extensive
trail system is perfect for a day out-
side and is a chance to marvel at the
many ponds, creeks, towering trees
and meadows right in your neigh-
borhood.
“People love to have a place to
experience the outdoors and we
have such a wonderful variety all
across our community,” says Yvonne
Hayden, Director of Business Devel-
opment at Tourism Abbotsford.
What’s yourhome worth?
Call today for your freemarket evaluation.
604.615.0619
anthonydehaan@remax.net | anthonydehaan.com
® Little OakRealty
My Focus TodayYour Equity Tomorrow.
Call me for a FREEMarket Evaluation
Nancy OlsonSales Associate
Medallion Club Member
®
Little Oak Realty Ltd.Each Offi ce Independently owned and Operated
604.820.0555www.nancyolson.ca
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 11
The Tourism Abbotsford website
contains extensive profi les on each
of the trails, including features,
amenities, and detailed information
about what makes each location
special and worth exploring.
The Albert Dyck Trail:
The dog-friendly trail provides a
leisurely stroll around the outer rim
of an average sized man-made lake,
which hosts the Abbotsford ski club.
Delair Park:
Off ering paved and gravel terrain;
the park has a covered picnic area,
playground, tennis courts, soccer
and football fi elds, and baseball
diamond.
Downes Bowl Trail at Clearbrook
Park
There is lots of activity here, with
mountain bike trails, soccer fi elds,
cross-country running and a base-
ball diamond all adjacent to the
main walking trail.
Ellwood Park:
Known primarily for its baseball dia-
monds, fi eld lights and scoreboard,
this is the perfect place to catch
a game. There is also a large play-
ground onsite.
Fishtrap Creek Trail
This trail has an abundance of
nature including creeks, wetlands,
and islands. There are many look-
out points to enjoy fi sh and wildlife
spotting, as well as picnic shelters
that overlook the water.
McKay Creek Trail:
Walk, jog or ride a bike, this pet-
friendly trail is ideal to get active or
enjoy a stroll with the family. Inter-
esting facts about the area, includ-
ing the fl ood of 1990, can be found
along the way.
Mill Lake Trail Loop:
It’s the ultimate wildlife walk, with
plenty of ducks, geese, and eagles
in their natural habitat. There are
several playgrounds and a water-
park for children.
Willband Creek Trail at Willbank
Creek Park:
This park has two small lakes, a vari-
ety of trees, and beautiful views of
surrounding mountains. Plus, it’s
located near blueberry fi elds, Lepp
Farm Market and Historic Clayburn
Village.
Explore them all or pick a couple of
favorite trails to revisit. Whichever
you choose and during whatever
season you prefer, the joys of the
great outdoors in Abbotsford are
always available just beyond your
doorstep.
For more information, visit
tourismabbotsford.ca
ProfessionalAssurance Since 2006
www.WestCoastHomeInspections.net
Arne Larsen604.897.2763
westcoasthomeinspections@gmail.com
Patti Evans604.302.3822
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12 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 13
12 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 13
14 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
Courtesy of Daniel Grice, a convey-
ancing and estate planning lawyer at
Integra Law Group in Abbotsford.
Buying a home can feel like a rol-
lercoaster ride. You spend months
fi nding the perfect home, locking in
a mortgage rate, and fi nally remov-
ing all of the subjects. Closing is just
a few legal considerations away:
Costs: If this is your fi rst home and
under $500K, you may qualify for a
fi rst time home buyer’s grant, oth-
erwise you will need to set aside an
extra 1-2% of the purchase price for
the Property Transfer Tax (PTT). In
addition to your down payment,
you may need additional funds for
legal fees, home and title insurance,
property taxes, strata fees, and GST
(on new homes).
Title: Property law allows owners
to register as either joint tenants or
tenants-in-common on title. I often
recommend couples purchase
a home in “joint tenancy”, which
means if one owner dies the survi-
vor receives the home without hav-
ing to probate a will. Some fi rst time
home buyers purchase the home
in one spouse’s name to preserve
the other’s fi rst time home buy-
ers grant. If one spouse previously
owned a home, you may purchase
property as “tenants-in-common”
with one spouse owning 99%, so
the previous owner only pays PTT
on 1%. Tenants-in-common do not
automatically inherit a home, rather
it will fall under a will or intestacy
rules.
Trust Agreements: Some seniors
put a child on title to avoid probate
fees down the road (there are risks).
Blended families with children from
previous relationships may look at
ways of letting their spouse con-
tinue to live in the house, while still
ensuring their own children receive
a fair share of the estate. In both
cases, a lawyer can draft a trust
agreement to state what should
happen to the home on death,
including when the home should
be sold and requiring the proceeds
of the sale to be fairly divided
amongst children and/or step-chil-
dren.
Power of Attorney: As a real estate
lawyer, I recommend anyone pur-
chasing a home have an enduring
Power of Attorney (POA). Spouses
often assume they can sign sale or
refi nancing forms for each other.
However, under the Land Title
Act, each owner requires a POA or
an expensive court order if either
owner becomes incapacitated.
I often remind clients that your
home may be your family’s inheri-
tance, so pay attention to your title.
Daniel Grice • Joshua Bach • Clayton Loewena small firm with great service
No Will? Old Will? Call us: 604.859.7187
101-2776 Bourquin Crescent W., Abbotsford | integralaw.ca | 604.859.7187
Wills and CodicilsProbating EstatesPower of AttorneysDisability Trusts
Representation AgreementsCohabitation Agreements
Business SuccessionsNotarizations and more...& Real Estate Transactions
Home Ownership:Who’s on title?
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 15
Whether this is your fi rst home
or fourth, really understanding
your mortgage and how it works
is crucial. After all, it’ll probably be
the biggest loan of your life!
What Is a Mortgage?
In the most basic sense a mortgage
is a loan to buy a property. The
process of securing a mortgage
means lender approval based on
your income, credit rating and
other debt.
Understand Your Fixed Costs
Before you decide what you can –
or should – spend on a mortgage
it’s important to take stock of your
habits and your true fi xed costs. Be
honest with yourself when putting
together your household budget,
if you’re going to be miserable
without your daily premium cup
of coff ee, then along with your
student debt and car payments,
consider that a fi xed cost.
Be PITH Safe
According to the CHMC (Canadian
Housing & Mortgage Corpora-
tion), your monthly housing costs
should be less than 32% of your
gross monthly income. These are
considered your PITH or Principle
and Interest (of your mortgage
payments), Property Tax, and
Heating bills.
Get A Mortgage You Can Aff ord
If you pass the PITH test, the
second test of what you can aff ord
mortgage-wise is that your entire
monthly debt load (car payments,
credit card debt, student loans,
etc) should be less than 40% of
your gross monthly income. The
CMHC even has a handy Mortgage
Aff ordability Calculator on their
site: cmhc.ca.
Paying Off Your Mortgage
Once you’re approved for a mort-
gage and buy your home (congrat-
ulations!), now you have to actually
start paying off the loan. There
are several factors involved in this
like your interest rate, payment
schedule (monthly, twice a month,
every two weeks, or weekly) and
your amortization period, which is
the amount of time you’ve selected
to pay back the mortgage (usually
ranging from 15-25 years).
Picking The Right Interest Rate
The interest rate at which you
select to pay off your mortgage
varies from “fi xed”—whereby the
rate will NOT change for the term
of the mortgage, and is generally
a bit higher but considered more
stable, or “variable” whereby the
interest rate can fl uctuate with the
current state of the market.
Finally, owning a home can truly
be an amazing thing. Thankfully
there are many resources out there
to help make the process a smooth
one like mortgage brokers and
fi nancial advisors, so remember,
you’re never alone through this
daunting process!
#112 - 2632 Pauline StreetOffi ce 604-854-2827
donmcneill.com
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Selling Abbotsford homes,one yard at a time!
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16 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
House & Acreage Estate Homes
Hobby Farms Land Only
BC FARM & RANCH REALTY CORP. is B.C.’s Leader in Agricultural Real Es-tate; designed to offer individuals, fami-lies and businesses a competitive edge when purchasing and selling acreage in
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THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 17
Would you like to know what your property is worth?
Receive a free market evaluation. NO OBLIGATION.
GREG WALTONgreg@bcfarmandranch.com
604.864.1610www.bcfarmandranch.com
GORD HOUWELINGgord@farmrealtor.ca604.793.8660www.farmrealtor.ca
GORD HOUWELINGGord Houweling was born and raised in the Fraser Valley. For 30 years he and his wife Betty, and their 4 children, dairy farmed in Chilliwack. In 2001, Gord was approached by Greg Walton to join the BC Farm and Ranch Realty Corp team.Gord made the choice to join BC Farm and Ranch – BC’s Leader in Agricultural Proper-ties; a decision easily made because that is where his roots and knowledge lie. Over the years he has used his knowledge and exper-tise of various types of farming to list farms and ranches for sale across British Columbia as well as fi nding the perfect property or agri-business for prospective buyers and investors.Gord will provide his clients with honesty, knowledge, and expertise; and is proud to be your British Columbia agriculture connection.tion.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Greg is one of the original founders, and co-owner, of BC Farm & Ranch Realty Corp. He was born and raised in the South Okanagan on a campground and soft fruit orchard. Greg understands the challenges and rewards fac-ing farmers as he has owned Broiler Farms in BC as well as Broiler Farms and a Commercial Egg farm in Saskatchewan.Greg has been exclusively selling agricultural properties for the past 18 years and brings an extensive background in acreage and farm sales of all sizes including supply manage-ment farms, share sales, and court ordered sales.Greg’s background degree in Sales and Mar-keting and vast experience make him a leader in sales, marketing, and negotiations on behalf of his clients.
GREG WALTON
18 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
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Improve Your Credit Score
Courtesy of Vancity Credit Union
When you are buying a home,
your credit rating (or score) is very
important in the approval process.
The higher your score is, will also
mean you can receive the best
interest rates available to you. Many
buyers are unaware of their score –
good or bad. The fi rst step is to check
into your credit score to make sure it
is accurate, and secondly to fi nd out
what your rating actually is. You can
obtain your credit information on
line, or through your fi nancial insti-
tution. If you have had issues in the
past which has aff ected your credit
rating, here are a few ways to bring
it back to a better standing.
Make all your monthly payments no
matter how small.
Many people think that if they make
a larger payment then necessary
in one month then they are not
required to make a payment the
following month – this could not be
further from the truth – you must
make a payment each and every
month unless your balance owing is
paid in full.
Always make your payments by the
date required, any day after that
may result in a mark against your
credit.
Do not go over your credit limit, this
will automatically result in a credit
score reduction (this also includes
any interest charges).
Keep credit seeking to a minimum.
Each time you fi ll out a credit appli-
cation the creditor will do a credit
check - multiple checks in a short
period of time, may lower your
credit score.
If you have never obtained a loan,
or a credit card, you will need to fi nd
a way to establish credit by either
using a co-signer for a loan or taking
a credit card with a low limit until
you have proven yourself as credit
worthy.
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 19
604-309-0540John@JohnCorrie.Comwww.JohnCorrie.com
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE ...PROFESSIONAL RESULTS
LITTLE OAK REALTY
®
FREE EVALUATIONS CALL JOHN
LifetimeAchieve-mentAward
Why not give theWhy not give the BALLBALL a CALLCALL??
Carole Ball
www.caroleball.com604.859.2341
TOP 3% OF REALTORS IN THE FRASER VALLEY BOARD (F.V.R.E.B.)
RE/MAX Little Oak Realty #9 - 2630 Bourquin Cr. West, Abbotsford
EACH OFFICE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED
Courtesy of Allen Unrau,
Landmark Realty
“Aging in Place” is what’s happening
now with the Boomer generation.
They don’t seem to want to pick
their suite in Seniors Housing any-
time soon.
Aging in place is all about keeping
their independence. (like in the
1960s and 70s)
In other words, they have decided
to stay in their present home, as
they grow old.
This means they may need to make
some design changes and modifi -
cations.
So, will a modifi ed home be harder
to sell when they actually need to
move on?
Here’s the good news for Boomers
and Seniors:
As the population wave ages, uni-
versal design for “aging in place”
will become more of the norm, and
modifi ed homes may even become
more desirable than those without
the appropriate changes.
In fact it might actually increase the
resale value of a good percentage
of homes in the near future as the
huge population of Boomers turn
into Seniors.
Here are the basics of “Aging in
Place design”
■ ”Backing” in place to easily install
grab bars in the future
■ Changing soaker tubs to walk-in
showers
■ Slightly taller toilets
■ Slip resistant fl ooring in rooms
with faucets
■ Additional lighting in certain
rooms
■ Adjustable height countertops in
bathrooms and kitchens
■ ”Wheelchair-friendly” doorways
and bathroom fl oor plans
Funny thing is ..... most of these
modifi cations would also suit a
younger family as well.
Will remodeling your house for “Aging in Place”:
destroy its value?
20 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
Courtesy of Sita Mulder
Valley Realty
I am sure you have heard hor-
ror stories of rental homes being
trashed, tenants not moving out,
items being abandoned, and lots of
clean up. It is a very real risk when
purchasing a home that is occu-
pied by a tenant. A rental property
is like buying any other property, it
comes with some real risks. Educat-
ing yourself of your responsibility
will be crucial to ensure you have
a smooth transition to home own-
ership.
In order to be protected when pur-
chasing a property that has tenants
for the purpose of your own family
to reside in, it is so important to
make sure that you or your real-
tor representative is educated in
regards to the Residential Tenancy
Act, when written in your contract
of purchase and sale you can ensure
that the Seller has provided proper
notice to the tenant (in accordance
with the Residential Tenancy Act),
and that the required compensa-
tion comes from the sellers/land-
lord pocket, and not yours, the new
buyers, pocket!
If a rental property is sold, there are
two ways a tenancy can be ended
if, in good faith, the buyer plans to
occupy the unit or use the property
for another purpose:
1. The buyer makes a written
request to the seller to end the
Know your rights a nd obligations
when purchasing a rented property!
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 21
604.855.7393abbyhomes.ca
LighthouseR E A L T Y L T D
Service thatexceeds
expectations. Always.
JOANNEBANDSTRA604-807-4290 | abbyhomes.ca
Conrad Warkentin Michael Burke Kam Grewal
Providing legal services in the PrPrPrPrPrPPrPrPrrPrPrPrPrProvovovovovovovovovovovovovovididididididddididididdininininininininininininngggggggggggggg leleleleleleleeeeeeegagagagagagagagagagagagagagallllllll seseseseseseseseseseseseservrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvrvicicicicicicicicicicicicccesesesesesesesesesesesese iiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnn thththhththththtththththeeeeeeeeeeeeeFraser Valley for over 50 years. PPrPrrrPrrovovovoovovovididididddiddinininnninininnngggggggggggg leleleelelegagagagagggggagagg llllll sesseseseeses rvrrvrvrvrviciciciccicci eseseseseses iiiiiiinnnnnn thhththththhhtheeeeeeFrFrFrrrrFrasasasasasasasasasasasasasa ereeeeerrereereree VVVVVVVVVVValaalalalaalaalaaaalleleeeeeleeeeeleey yyyyyyyyyy foofofofoofofofoooorrr ovovovovovovovovovovovovo ererereerereereeree 55555555555550 0000000000000 yeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeearararararararaaraaara s.s.s.s.ss.s.s.s.ss.s.s.FrFrFrFrFrFrFrrrrrF asasasasasasasasasssererererererererererere VVVVVVVVVVVValalallalallalalala leleleleleleleleeeeyyyyyyyyyyy fofofofofofofoffoffoffoorrrrrrrrrr ovovovovovovovovovovovoverererererererreereee 5555555550000000000 yeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeeyearararararararararrrrssssssssssfofofofofooooofoor rrrrrr ovoovovooovovovoo
Our experienced lawyers are ready to assist you with the following matters: o Buying and selling real estate
o Real estate development o Incorporating a company o Wills and powers of attorney o Business transactions and contracts
33832 South Fraser Way Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 2C5
(604) 859-7171
www.rosborough.com(604) 859-7171
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tenancy before they take pos-
session of the property (this can-
not be a condition of sale) – the
existing landlord then must give
their tenant a Two Month Notice
to End Tenancy for Landlord’s
Use of Property.
2. Once the buyer takes possession
of the property, they can serve a
Two Month Notice to End Ten-
ancy for Landlord’s Use of Prop-
erty. With this option you, the
buyer are now the landlord.
As a buyer of a rented home, in order
to protect yourself and your family,
educate yourself, and ensure that a
qualifi ed representative is ensuring
the proper dates and clauses are
put into your purchase agreement.
When purchasing a rented property
make sure the suffi cient days have
been negotiated for the completion
and possession date, or you may be
taking over a rented home.
Important questions you as a
Buyer of a rented property should
ask your agent or the seller/sellers
agent when purchasing a rental or
previously rented property;
■ Was there a formal tenancy
agreement?
■ Was there a formal walk through
inspection completed?
■ Was there a security deposit col-
lected from the tenant?
■ Are you as the buyer allowing
suffi cient time for the tenant to
vacate the home?
■ Is the seller/landlord preforming
a fi nal walk out inspection with
the tenant?
■ Is the seller/landlord ensuring
the home be left clean and clear
of debris, or tenant belongings?
■ Are you allowing suffi cient time
before your possession of the
home for the seller to clean the
property after the tenant has
vacated?
Knowing your rights and responsi-
bilities when purchasing a rented
property is what is going to ensure
your experience is a smooth one.
Keep in mind that home buying
should be fun, exciting, and an
extremely joyous time in your life.
Don’t let your experience be any-
thing less than that! Educate your-
self, know your responsibilities, and
ask the right questions.
22 REAL ESTATE RESOURCE GUIDE
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Carpeting has long been a reliable
fl ooring option for home owners to
keep rooms looking good and feel-
ing comfortable underfoot. There’s
something to be said about having
a plush, warm cushion on the fl oors
of a home. Carpeting can help buf-
fer sounds and minimize injuries
from falls. Walking around on a
padded surface may minimize back
and joint pain as well as feel more
comfortable when going barefoot.
Despite all of the advantages to
carpeting, some people continue to
avoid it when doing renovations or
shopping for a new home for a vari-
ety of reasons, many of which are
rooted in myth.
Myth: Carpeting contributes to
allergens constantly circulating
throughout the home.
Fact: Carpeting is actually better
at trapping allergens and dust in its
fi bers than smooth-surface fl oors.
That means with carpeting, there
are fewer particles airborne and
circulating. Regular vacuuming can
remove trapped allergens.
Myth: Carpet is a source of indoor
air quality problems.
Fact: Regular cleaning and vacu-
uming of carpet reduces the num-
ber of allergens contained within,
which makes carpet no more likely
to contribute to air quality issues
than any other type of fl ooring.
Myth: Carpet has formaldehyde in
it.
Fact: Formaldehyde was removed
from the carpet-manufacturing
process in 1978. It is unlikely any-
one still has original carpeting from
35 years ago, and even if that is the
case, the formaldehyde would have
dissipated by now.
Myth: Carpeting is made from a
host of chemical products.
Fact: Carpeting is made largely
from nylon, wool, polypropylene
and polyester. These are the same
materials used in clothing, which
you wear against the skin. Polypro-
pylene is one of the safer plastics
that does not contain BPA and is
used in some baby bottles.
Myth: Mold grows under carpeting.
Fact: Unless you have a fl ood or a
leak that is keeping carpeting sat-
urated, mold will not grow during
regular use. Elevated humidity lev-
els in a home also may contribute to
mold growth. Remove the moisture
and you will avoid mold issues.
Myth: Thicker carpeting will wear
longer and better.
Fact: It is not the thickness or
plushness of the carpeting but the
density of the fi bers that will be a
telling clue of durability. Carpet that
is woven densely will last for many
years.
Myth: Carpeting can never be truly
clean.
Fact: No surface can be 100 per-
cent free from dirt. But with proper
cleaning, carpeting can be just as
clean as other fl ooring materials.
Common MythsAbout Carpeting
THE ABBOTSFORD NEWS 23
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