Like most of Canada (click here to see Canada’s Housing Snapshot), the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Real Estate Board stats* show the continuance of soaring prices thanks to record lows in housing inventory. The cost of the single family detached home is beyond many peoples’ reach. There are still a few of these types of homes for under 1 million as you head towards Maple Ridge, Aldergrove & into the East Valley. Like other major urban centers around the world, people are shifting their paradigmatic thinking away from the standard house with a yard.  Recent stats show trending towards a demand for townhomes & condos in both Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions. More developers are starting to break ground in the Tri-Cities & Fraser Valley as land isn’t a pricey, making housing a bit more within reach. Here, newer two-bedroom condo prices continue to hover around the mid 500’s to high 600’s depending on where you buy, but how long will that last? 

So why does our market continue to stay HOT???* 

• Interest rates are expected to show modest increases yet they are still at record lows, meaning that more buyers are able to purchase. People may be scrambling to purchase before interest rates rise.

• New Millennials are purchasing whereas many were content to rent before. Their family units are increasing in size and they are outgrowing their space, hence the spike in First Time Home Buyers. Check out this recent article that compares renting to owning: Rent vs. Buy Summary

• Many First Time Home Buyers (FTHB) saved up their CERB payments and have applied this to their 5% down payment, making home ownership feasible. FTHB Info

• With Covid isolation/restrictions & employers being more open to staff working remotely, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is seeing more movement to the valley**. Could suburban life be becoming more appealing?

• Investors, national and foreign, despite the high down payments, are looking for ways to diversify & increase revenue streams & are purchasing pre-sale units, increasing condo demand.

Trending: Opportunities with Moving & Downsizing

Of the hundreds of people I’ve met over the last year, I’ve noticed a trend. Many are thinking of packing their bags, SELLING HIGH and moving to a more affordable community. Some say the Okanagan. Others say the Island, Interior or elsewhere in Canada! I’d love to help you.

• If you’re in a position to sell and move out of town, I’m connected to a network of great Realtors throughout Canada and can refer you to them. 

• If you’re thinking of ‘right-sizing’ into a smaller home with less maintenance, now is a fantastic time as it’s still a Seller’s Market (for the 17th consecutive month). Depending on your situation, you could stand to make a significant amount of profit. 

Don’t be fooled!!! 

Many people are saying that there is no point in upsizing as the homes they’d like to buy are selling for too much & they fear multiple offer situations. Please remember that you are likely buying into the SAME market therefore, it’s all relative (usually). I can help you develop a strategy. I can also refer you to amazing mortgage brokers/lenders who can advise you on what you can do and give you a more accurate idea of interest rates/payment options.

I am always here to help if you or anyone you know are considering buying or selling or just need some advice. Referrals are very much appreciated.

• Check for air leaks: On a day when it's windy outside, close your windows/doors and feel for air leaks. Typically, leaks will be found at the edges where the window is hinged, slides, or meets another unit. You can tape plastic over windows to seal them, but this can be expensive and rather unattractive. A better and easier solution is to use inexpensive rope caulk to seal leaks. Press the rope to caulk into all the joints where the air is leaking.
• Inspect the outside window moldings: Look around windows for damaged or missing caulking. Use a good quality exterior caulk to seal any gaps you find. 
• Inspect window tracks: Clean the tracks of any debris that might be interfering with seals. 
• Inspect the locking mechanisms & caulking: Make sure they work adequately. You will want to lock them securely once winter sets in. 
• Inspect door caulking: Look around the outside moldings of door frames, and add new exterior-grade caulking if necessary.
• Inspect and replace any failed weather stripping: Check the weather stripping around windows and doors, including the door  sweep attached to the bottom of the door. This will help to minimize draughts

Do a quick check of the roof to prepare for winter. Either hire someone to inspect it if you are not comfortable doing this yourself, or inspect it yourself wearing well-fastened shoes with nonskid soles.

• Inspect the shingles: Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles, and have them replaced. If you can’t get up to the roof, consider using a drone.
• If roof access isn’t feasible: consider taking a flashlight and inspecting the attic space, making sure there are no signs of moisture and that there is enough insulation up there.
• Inspect the flashing: Check flashing around chimneys and other roof projections, which are often the source of leaks. Have repairs made if necessary. 
• Inspect the gutters: Make sure gutters and downspouts are clean with no leaves or debris clogging them. Wet leaves remaining in the gutters over winter add significant weight and volume when frozen, increasing the risk of damage, not to mention water getting in behind the siding. Also, make sure downspouts are solidly attached.

I am always here to help if you or anyone you know are considering buying or selling or just need some advice. Referrals are very much appreciated.

*Sourced from The Spruce, taken November 13, 2021.

The 26^th annual Fort Langley Cranberry Festival is back Saturday, October 9^th. This is one of the communities’ largest events of the year, and a favorite amongst locals. Each year, the festival is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Supported by local the community and, with its success, has grown to become a much loved and anticipated event. Celebrating and recognizing the cranberry’s role in the local history, going back thousands of years.

One of the many highlights of the event is always the market, which features over 70 vendors selling everything from fresh locally grown produce, cranberries, baked goods, wines, and so much more.

Be sure to stock up on fresh cranberries, as baking season is upon us. Support local, and visit Fort Langley's Cranberry Festival starting at 9am with a pancake breakfast. Below, I have a few of my favorite recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving.

BAKED BRIE WITH HONEY CRANBERRY-ORANGE RELIS

Original recepie is from Our Best Bites

1 8-ounce wheel of Brie (in the rind)
1 cup fresh cranberries

¼ cup honey, plus more for drizzling

Zest of 1 orange

3-4 tbsp pecan halves

Preheat oven to 350 F. Place the wheel of Brie in a small oven-safe skillet or on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Set aside.

Place the cranberries in the jar of a blender or food processor and pulse until chopped. Transfer to a small bowl and mix with 1/4 cup honey and orange zest. Place this mixture on top of the Brie, then top with pecan halves.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is oozing but not completely melted. Serve with sliced bread, crackers, and fresh fruit. Add another drizzle of honey if desired.

CRANBERRY CHICKEN

Original recepie is from Cotter Crunch 

MARINADE

1/3 cup cranberries

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp maple syrup

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

¼ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp black pepper

2 garlic cloves

CHICKEN

4-6 chicken thighs or breast with Skin

3-5 sprigs of thyme

½ cup of cranberries

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Blend all the balsamic chicken marinade ingredients listed above in a food processor or blender until liquified and smooth.

Pour marinade over the chicken thighs, coating evenly.

Cover and place in fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hrs. (overnight creates great flavor!)

Once marinated, preheat oven to 375 F. Remove chicken from fridge.

Add extra 1/3 c to 1/2 cup cranberries, 2 – 3 sprigs of thyme or a sprinkle of dried Italian herbs to the dish. Spread it out evenly on and around the chicken.

Bake skin side down first for 25-35 minutes depending on the size of chicken thighs.

Remove and turn skin side up. Check for doneness. Then brush each chicken skin with the maple syrup/balsamic vinegar combo.

Add more seasoning (like dried herbs, salt, pepper) to the top if desired. NOTE: If using fresh herbs, wait to add until after you remove the chicken from the oven.

Depending on the thickness of your chicken thighs, either bake a little longer skin side up, then broil. Or if chicken is almost done and not pink, then skip extra baking and just broil for about 3-4 minutes or until skin is crispy and chicken is cooked evenly inside. Check to make sure the internal temperature of the thickest chicken thigh reaches 165F.

NOTE: If using boneless chicken, cooking time will vary on thickness of chicken breast. Check around 35 minutes total.

After thoroughly cooked, remove from oven. Spoon the sauce from the pan onto each chicken thigh/breast and a pinch of black pepper or cracked pepper.

Serve with the roasted cranberries on top and any extra fresh herbs desired.

FAMILY FAVORITE CRANBERRY SAUCE

Original recepie is from Once Upon a Chef

½ cup fresh orange juice – 2 oranges

½ cup water

¾ cups + 2 tbsp sugar

1 bag cranberries fresh or frozen

Zest of 1 orange

2 pinches salt

In a medium sauce pan over high heat, bring the orange juice, water and sugar to a boil. Add the cranberries, orange zest, and salt and return to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and boil gently for 10 to 12 minutes, until most of cranberries have burst open. (You may need to mash them a bit with a spoon.)

Transfer sauce to a serving bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions: Cranberry sauce will keep for 10 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.

Summer is almost over, and fall is practically here. You enjoyed your garden all season long, now it’s time to focus on transitioning it for autumn. Below are some helpful tips to keep your garden healthy throughout the changing temperatures.

Remove your summer annuals

Annuals are only good for one gardening season and then die away. This means you’ll want to remove them and replace them with fall friendly plants. Remember to turn the soil and add fresh mulch.

Inspect your perennials

Be sure to check on your perennials, trim any bushes and prune what needs maintenance. If they seem to be getting too large, consider splitting them in half and replanting elsewhere.

Add mulch

One way to help prevent weeds, keep moisture, and insulate your garden, is to add mulch. This is also a great way to extend the growing season of your garden.

Layer your compost

If you have a compost or keep a rot pot, layering organics into your soil is a great way to fertilize your garden. A great mixture of compost includes kitchen scraps, leaves, and spent plants. Your compost mixture should consist of old and new material.

Start planning for spring

Fall hasn’t even arrived yet; however, you should be thinking ahead for spring. Fall is a great time to start prepping for spring as most bulbs need a pre-chilling period before they bloom. Planting these now, will save you a lot of time. The best time to plant bulbs would be 6-weeks prior to our first frost.

Bring your outdoor plants in

Plants that thrived in hotter temperatures, now won’t be able to withstand the cold. A great tip to help transition these plants, is to place them in a shadier spot in your yard so that they can get used to the dimmer indoor light. When you bring them inside, be sure to give them plenty of light and fertilizer to keep them healthy.