Steady Activity for the Metro Vancouver Housing Market this Summer

by Bevony on 7 August 2020 Comments Off

The July 2020 buyer and seller activity for Metro Vancouver exceeded historical levels. This was published in the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) monthly market report. The report indicates that the total residential home sales increased by 22.3 % from 2,557 sales in July 2019 to 3,128 sales in 2020. The increase in July was a 28% increase over June 2020, where 2,443 homes were sold compared to the 3,128 sold in July. In total, the sales for July 2020 were 9.2 % higher than the 10 year average for sales in July.

REBGV Stats Graph July 2020 — Image Credit: REBGV

Colette Berger, Chair at REBGV, notes that these numbers are a result of the pent up activity that both home sellers and buyers have been holding in. Couple that with limited supply overall and lower interest rates makes the market more competitive.

The July 2020 Metro Vancouver MLS saw an addition of 5,948 attached, detached and apartment properties being listed. In July 2019 only 4,613 properties were listed so July 2020 is showing a 28.9 % increase in listings compared to the same month of 2019. In June 2020 a total of 5,787 homes were listed showing a 2.8% increase from the previous month as well.

Currently, there are 12,083 properties listed for sale on the Metro Vancouver MLS system which is showing a decrease of 15.1% compared to the 14,240 properties that were on the list as of July 2019. The number is showing an increase though when compared to June 2020 which had a total of 11,424 properties listed.

Reaching Potential HomeBuyers Despite the Restrictions

We understand that everybody must take new strides to ensure that social distancing is being observed. As such companies are using a variety of technology solutions to keep home buyers and sellers safe with their interactions. We are all trying to limit in-person interactions as much as possible. As much as can be done virtually is done to ensure the safety of our nation as a whole.

Sales to Active Listings Ratios

For July 2020 we are seeing a sales to active listing ratio of 25.9% for all property types. We can further break that down by property type. Detached homes have a ratio of 25.1% while townhomes have a ratio of 31.1% and apartments have a ratio of 24.7%

The experts note that when the ratio dips to less than 12% for a sustained period is when there is downward pressure on home prices. On the flip side, home prices will rise when the ration passes 20% over a period of multiple months.

The benchmark price for residential properties on the Metro Vancouver MLS Home Price Index is currently $1,031,400. This is showing an increase over July 2019 of 4.5% and an increase over June 2020 of 0.6%.

Sales of Different Types of Properties

Detached home sales reached 1,121 in July 2020 which was an increase of 33.3% over the detached home sales that were recorded (841) for July 2019. The benchmark price for detached homes is $1,477,800. This price is showing an increase of 5% from prices in July 2019 and 0.9% from prices in June 2020.

Apartment home sales prices reached 1,400 in July 2020 showing an increase of 12.6% when compared to the sales(1,243) of July 2019. The benchmark price for apartments is currently at $682,500 indicating an increase of 4.2% from July 2019 and an increase of 0.3% when compared to June 2020.

Home sales for Attached homes were at 607 for July 2020 indicating an increase of 28.3% over the 473 sales for July 2019. The benchmark price is $797,700 indicating an increase of 3.7% over prices at July 2019 and a 0.9% increase over prices at June 2020.

How SilverBeam Homes can help you in selling your existing home

by Bevony on 29 July 2020 Comments Off

A lot has changed since the start of this pandemic. People have lost jobs, or are now working fewer hours. While many economies are reopening, there looms the need for further lockdowns. It is obvious that this pandemic is not going anywhere soon, and we now have to adapt our life as we know it to meet these needs.

While everybody’s situation is different, housing needs are changing for one reason or another. Some persons are finding their family counts reduced as they lose loved ones to the virus while others are seeing an increase as cohabitating becomes are a more affordable and feasible option. Whether you need to go up in the house or go down in the house we can help you.

How Can SilverBeam Homes Provide You with a Housing Solution?

Sell your old/current home to us and let us help you to construct a new home based on your specific needs. Here, at SilverBeam Homes, we are home builders, but in this crisis, we want to meet you more than halfway. We want to help you with everything from selling your current home. That way you can focus more on the things that need your attention, and we will get the work done for you.

What You Need to Know Before Buying or Selling a Home

Buying/Selling a home was always a huge undertaking. Imagine now doing both in a pandemic! Now more than ever, you have to make sure that you make a very wise choice. Are you currently at that place (between a rock and a hard place) considering the sale of your home and moving your family into a different home?

If your needs have changed, then you have a good enough reason to sell and repurchase or have us build you a new home. The advantage of building a new home is that you now will have the opportunity to have just what you and your family needs.

Why You May Need to Sell your Home

Your current location has become unsuitable. If your job situation has changed and you now need to travel further for work, it may make sense to move. With many people having lost their jobs in the pandemic, we are now having to really become more flexible and that may mean taking a job that is further away. If you are the sole breadwinner, moving closer to cut commute time could help you better manage your finances.

Your household as shrunk or grown. Your current house may become too expensive to maintain in the event of a loss. Or maybe your extended family will now need to come live with you or vice versa. Either way, if your space needs have changed, then you will benefit from purchasing a new home.
Leave sad memories behind. If you lost a family member during the pandemic, even if your space needs haven’t changed, you may want to leave the bad memories behind. If you are financially able to make the move, then selling your current home and moving into a new one may not be a bad idea.

Real Estate and “Subject To” Clauses

“Subject To” clauses in contract negotiation are your safety hatch. They allow you a means of escaping a contract in the event that anything goes wrong. You can find a list of clauses from The Real Estate Council of British Columbia’s website. The most common clauses you may come across are;

Subject to Financing

This type of clause limits your ability to negotiate. The buyer cannot remove this clause at the offer/counteroffer phase. It means the buyer needs a mortgage, so they are making the offer with the hope that they will receive the necessary financing to be able to purchase your home.

Subject to Inspection

This clause can be easily negotiated since an inspection takes on average three days to arrange. If you want to get your house sold faster you can ensure that the inspection is completed a lot quicker so the buyer knows exactly what they are getting into. You can even have the inspection done and report ready if a buyer requests it.

Subject to Sale

This clause gives your buyers a particular amount of time in which they need to sell their current home. Chances are your buyer can’t afford to be paying for two different homes. So you want to include some time in the clause for them to get their home sold, so they can purchase yours. This is usually a period of 4 to 6 weeks.

What We Offer

If you opt to complete your sale and repurchase with SilverBeam homes we can help provide a hassle-free process flow. With us, you don’t have to worry about listing with a realtor. We will offer a cash payment for your house and ensure a speedy closing process. If the funds from your home cannot cover the cost of your new home we can help you by putting you in touch with finance professionals to get the additional funds.

Contacts us today to recreate your reality and have a home that allows for the execution of our new normal.

Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

by Bevony on 22 July 2020 Comments Off

Getting your home and yard into tip-top shape this summer will be easier than ever. Here’s everything you need to know and do.

With every new season, there is a new set of maintenance tasks to take care of for your home. With summer here, you want to take the necessary steps to prepare your home and yard now before it gets too hot. Get as much done now so you don’t have to be doing outdoor maintenance tasks in the summer’s heat.

There’s a lot to do, you need to check out that Air conditioning Unit or system and may even want to hang a clothesline. With heat and cooling costs increasing you can save by drying clothes outdoors. And if none of those apply to you, keep reading, you’re sure to find something. Let’s dig in!

Check Detectors

Your home may have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. You want to check these to see if they are working properly. Check batteries for lifespan and make changes if necessary.

Check Cooling Systems

Your fans and air conditioners are about to be hit with their heaviest workload of the year. Ensure they are up for the task by giving them a check. If you don’t have AC units you may be able to easily install some window units or portable units yourself. If you have a central air conditioning unit you will need to have the unit professionally serviced.

Have ceiling fans? Ensure those are clean. They can easily be cleaned with a damp rag. If your ceilings are high you can get a fan duster or other fan cleaning tool that will help you get to hard-to reach fan blades.

Install Outdoor Clothesline

Now is a great time to give your electricity usage a bit of a break. With your use of more cooling devices or lower temperatures, you will be using more electricity. Why not take advantage of the heat outside and let your laundry dry out in the summer sun. Plus air-dried sheets smell the best!

Clean that Outdoor Grill/Cooker

Your cooker needs a deep clean before all those backyard barbecues this summer. Always check the manufacturer’s guide before you start. Here are some simple tips for cleaning your cooker.

Gas Grills: turn your grill on, with the heat on high. With the lid closed, allow the grill to cook for around 30 minutes. Allow the grill to cool, then get your grill brush and brush away any debris. Wipe down the outside of the unit with a damp cloth or sponge along with a suitable cleanser and get rid of any dirt, gunk, or dust on drip pans appropriately.

Charcoal Grills: Empty out your grill and wipe away any ashy residue you find. Clean the inside with hot water and some dishwashing soap and a scrub sponge or brush. Allow the grill to dry before you use it.

Shine that Porch

Sweep and mop your porch with a surface suitable cleaner. If you have a buildup on the floors you may use a brush to scrub it away.

Check on Your Deck

Look for signs of rotting on your deck. You also want to look for any nails that are coming loose. Check if your deck needs sealing by sprinkling some water onto the boards. If you see the water beading up then your boards are fine. If the water soaks away right away you have to reseal that deck.

Clean Windows

Now is the best time to clean your windows on the outside.

Mulch

Now is a great time to add mulch to your garden to keep weeds at bay. This will also help the ground to retain moisture through the summer heat to keep your plants vibrant and looking healthy as they continue to grow.

Check for Leaks

Check all your hoses and faucets for leaks. A tiny drip can equal lots of water wasted. Even pinhole leaks in hoses can be a problem, but these are easy to mend. For small leaks, a wrap or two of electrical tape should do. For larger leaks, you may need to replace your hose and anything else may require you to get a plumber.

Primp the Plants

If you have annuals or perennials you will need to deadhead them so that they can remain productive. If you have spring bulbs with visible dead foliage you will need to prune them, so they can have a well-groomed look. But only if their leaves aren’t all green.

Plan a Timetable for Watering

This is a good time to train your garden so it can endure the harsh, dry days ahead. This also helps you to conserve water. Instead of watering your plants lightly on a daily basis give them a deep watering every couple days. This will help your plants to grow stronger and deeper roots.

Install Doormats

Keep the mud and dirt of summer on the outside by adding doormats at your entry doors. You want to have multiple mats, one coarse one on the outside to catch dirt, and a softer one on the inside. If you live close to the beach you may want to have a bucket, tub, or bottle of water that can be used to wash off sandy feet and sandals before they come into the house.

There you have it! The 12 things you need to do to get your home summer-ready this year. What are some of your summer maintenance tips? Share them in the comments section below, we’d love to know what we missed.

Accessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 2

by Bevony on 16 July 2020 Comments Off

Last week we looked at a couple of tips to help you make your home feel a little new with just a few low budget changes. We pointed out a number of ways you can do this starting in your bathroom. If you haven’t seen that blog post yet, we recommend you go on over and read it here.

This week we are back with more ways you can spruce up your home without spending money, time, and resources on a renovation. So let’s get right into it!

Hardware

A couple of door handle changes, towel rod changes, cabinet pulls and toilet holder changes can make a great visual impact. Consider these as the jewelry in a room, they are an easy way for you to change up the look of your space.

Hardware is really what sets the stage for any room. For an on-trend vibe you can install hardware with a matte black finish or with a brass finish.

Soft Decor

Spaces such as your living room and bedroom can benefit from an addition of or change of soft decor. Soft decor as the name suggests represents your soft decor items. Think pillows, throws, rugs, and cushions. These provide a great way to add a punch of color or pattern to a room. They can be used to create focal points and even as an expression of your love of artwork.

Upgrade the Walls

If you can afford to, you can change your walls. This can be with a fresh coat of paint or two or even with some wallpaper. Now you don’t have to do an entire room. If you are opting for wallpaper most companies will calculate the amount you need for you based on the square footage of your room. You can also use this online calculator.

You can opt to complete an accent wall to give your room and your home a totally different feel. If you are up for a bit of a challenge you can paint shapes onto a wall in different colors to create a unique accent wall with input from each family member. That would be a great way to involve the entire family in creating some character and some memories for your home and household.

Note that there are types of wall decor that fall under the soft decor category as well.

Change the Floorplan

Yes, you have had your furniture the exact same way they arranged it in the model house. But who says it has to stay that way? If you can move stuff around and still maintain the functionality of your room, then why not do it? Just get some helping hands for the larger pieces of furniture and make sure you don’t injure yourself.

Do-It-Yourself is seeing a comeback in the design world now. We can thank COVID restrictions for this. If you have a small project to do around the house, chances are you now have more time than ever to complete it. Why not update your powder room or your bathroom? Or think bigger and update your living room or kitchen. Remember small changes on a limited budget can still make a world of difference

Tell us in the comment section below, what type of DIY projects you took up around the home and how well did they come out? We’d love to hear from you!

Accessorizing Your Home When the Reno Budget is Low – Part 1

by Bevony on 8 July 2020 Comments Off

There are currently quite a bit of home renovation projects on hold, and DIYers are finding themselves with more time to complete all those decorative projects they have been putting off. Due to social distancing measures, many trades are taking a long time to complete their projects. Customers are being more careful with their budgets and renovations as a whole has taken a hit for the most part.

Regardless of all the above, you can still show your home a little love. A little change or a couple of small changes can make a big difference and provide your home with the necessary update you seek. A great room to start with when you want to make small changes in your home is with your bathroom or powder room.

Accessorize

By adding decorative elements such as candles and florals to your bathroom you can give it a luxe look and feel.

The great thing with accessorizing is that you already have these items in your home and just need to display them differently or just actually display them instead of having them stored away in cupboards, drawers and linen closets.

Towels

A simple change of your dingy everyday use towels to a set of fresh white ones can make a great difference. Instead of just throwing them over that towel bar, how about you roll them up and give the space that spa-like feel. Roll your hand towels and display them on your countertop on a tray. You can even go further and add decorative elements to the tray such as stones, candles, flowers, etc.

Flowers

If you have a lush and colorful backyard you can source florals right there. This is great as they will be free but fresh and give you the opportunity to create a different ambiance ever so often and you don’t even have to leave your house.

If you don’t have flowers in your backyard, most people can find affordable picks at their local grocery store.

You can also opt for fake flowers which are super easy to get. You can find these at your local big retailer, home goods store and even in some clothing stores.

Works of Art

You can add various artwork to your bathroom, no matter the size of the room. Spruce up the room by adding some art to a bare wall. And we’re not simply talking a painting or hanging picture frame. There are so many options for adding art. Add textured paintings, framed sculptures on the wall, or funny signs and decals on or around your toilet. If you have enough counter space you can even display an item of artwork atop a counter.

No art at home? No money for a trip to an art gallery? Is no art gallery close by? Don’t worry, you have a couple of options that do not include the above. There are many online options available allowing you to order a digital print online and print at home. Then you can place this into an old frame you have lying around for an inexpensive piece of art.

There is also the option to order art online that can be shipped to you. Choose what you like and with a coupe finger strokes and clicks you can have it delivered to your door.

Want your art to have your own blood, sweat, and tears in it? Get the necessary art supplies and take to youtube. You can find how-to print instructions as well as videos to help you create a painting step by step.

Mirrors

No artwork insight? Why not hang a mirror or a few small ones to create a mirror collage. If you have mirrors in other rooms you can change their home and use them to transform another room and change up the style in your home in two rooms at once – Multitasking for the win!

Next week, we will give you more tips on how to make a huge difference in your home by simply making a couple small changes. Bookmark our blog so you can easily find us to get the rest of this edit.

Mortgage Support in Times of Trouble

by Bevony on 2 July 2020 Comments Off

Many people are facing financial pressure right now due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Families have lost jobs, lost breadwinners, and have been placed in unique financial circumstances. If you need mortgage support you should not hesitate to speak with a mortgage specialist from your mortgage provider. Check out their websites to find support phone numbers where you can reach specialists.

Lenders are aware of the challenges and are willing to provide support to meet the needs of their customers. Some have options to even offer long-term support for those who are facing challenging financial circumstances.

You will find some offering;

Payment relief
Interest relief measures
Payment deferrals
Mortgage forbearance, and more.

To note, taking payment deferrals may not be the best option if you have income coming in. This is because the deferred interest will be added to your outstanding balance later and further interest will be accumulating on your new balance. So be sure to ask the pertinent questions before choosing this option. If you must choose the payment deferral option, here are some ways to deal with while helping to keep your balance from ballooning too much.

Make a Single Prepayment

Make an extra payment if or when you can.

If and when your circumstances improve and you have the ability to make one lump sum payment in the amount of your deferred payment this will provide a reduction in the life of your mortgage.

Persons with the standard closed mortgage have the ability to prepay up to a particular percentage of their original principal amount once in an annual period.

The prepayment will be applied directly to your mortgage principal. When you get to your renewal date you have the option of making any amount of prepayments to your principal and even have the option for paying off the entire mortgage as well as the option for refinancing without any prepayment charges.

Make Extra Payments

Most lenders offer you the option to make extra payments. Find out what your lender allows, for some the extra payments can only be made on the payment date and for others, you can only pay up to a certain amount extra each payment period.

Any extra payment made is applied to the principal balance and this will end up reducing the life of your mortgage while also saving you money in interest costs.

Increase Your Payments After the Deferral Period

Typically, you can increase the amount of your payment by up to 10% once in each annual period. The increased payment, of course, goes directly to your principal which means your total interest charges will decrease. This will earn you some savings in the longer term.

Refinancing your Mortgage

Refinancing may get you better terms and rates.

If your situation puts you in need of additional funds you may have the option to refinance your mortgage. You can make use of the equity in your home to refinance your current mortgage. This will allow you to readjust the terms and rates of your mortgage. This often works out to be a better way to borrow money rather than taking out an additional loan to meet your needs.

If you opt to take this route there are a number of variables that you will need to consider. Your mortgage specialist can help you to cover everything in detail. This way you can decide what is the best option for your situation and your needs.

You can refinance with your current lender or take a look at mortgage rates in British Columbia to see which lender will provide the best option.

If you are a student there may be additional housing resources available to you that are not mentioned above.

We hope this information helps you to navigate these difficult times. If you have any tips or advice to add, we’d love to hear in the comments. If you arent already a homeowner and think this is the right time to build, contact us today so we can turn your dream of owning a home into a reality.

It’s Time to Start Investing in Local Design

by Bevony on 24 June 2020 Comments Off

With the COVID 19 pandemic putting a lot of restrictions on how we go about life. More and more local businesses are seeing a demand in their services. This is true for local design companies. While companies are offering virtual services, having zoom meetings, and the like, some people still want that personal touch. They still want to sit in person and touch swatches and look at live colors instead of over a screen. And as such, customers who had previously engaged with companies further away are changing to work with local design companies.

What Are Local Design Firms Doing

Local design firms are seeing the difference in the last few months, especially now when there is reopening of many places and things. In some places, there are restrictions against leaving a province. There are also restrictions on leaving the country. So more people can be allowed out within their own neighborhood. And so people have the opportunity to work with the locals they may have never known about before.

No matter the size of your home, whether two to ten bedrooms. Creating a cohesive look that is representative of your style can be tricky. If you need help to:

Plan a functional space
Design a new space inside your home
Rearrange your existing pieces or
Just source amazing decor and furniture, a professional will help you do the best job.

With globalization looking unsustainable a the moment all we have left is our immediate communities. And it is important that we support our local ecosystems. There doesn’t have to be a disconnect between manufacturing and design anymore and global lockdowns are pushing to change this.

With a slow down in everything thanks to COVID-19, design shows have been either canceled, rescheduled, scaled back immensely, or even moved online. As designers have gotten some time to breathe, many of them have come up with new ideas and new ways to work with the current restrictions. Now they can spend more time creating the ultimate design for you than rushing from show to show trying to market themselves because right now the markets are right in their hometowns.

Stages of New Home Construction for The Lower Mainland

by Bevony on 17 June 2020 Comments Off

Lower Mainland has similar stages of construction for new homes as Vancouver. These are pretty similar to those anywhere in British Columbia and usually includes five stages. Each stage will take a different amount of time and there are many factors that affect this time. So we won’t assign a time period as to how long each phase will take. Note that some people may have their homes complete in just a matter of months while others may take up to a year. It all depends on the scope of work, the location of the project, and the size of the home. There are often unforeseen delays that can affect the timeline of a home’s construction as well.

Pre Construction

This stage includes everything from thinking of custom building to buying a property. During this stage you will be deciding on your house plan, working with an architect, and choosing a builder. All the initial permits required to break ground must be prepared at this point. Some areas may require site testing to determine if there is a water table.

Foundation

At this stage, the ground is broken and the framing of the house can begin. Some local government inspections may be required at this point in the home building process.

Framing

At this stage, your home is being created from the ground up. The house will start to take shape and if there is a basement in the design this will be installed. Doors and windows are typically installed at this stage. During this phase of the home building process, the construction will undergo multiple inspections.

Interior and Exterior

At this phase of the home building process, your house is really looking like a house. The walls will go up than electrical and plumbing installations will be done. Finishing is done on the electrical and plumbing installations at this point in time. During this phase, there are still ongoing inspections being done to the building periodically.

Hand-Over

This is the most exciting phase for the homeowner. The builder at this point ensures that all tasks have been completed and that the home is complete. The keys are handed over to the homeowner once all checks have been made and the house is deemed ready.

If you are thinking of building a new home in the Mainland Area, please do give us a call. Our specialty is custom homes in Lower Mainland, Vancouver, and British Columbia. We can help make your dream a reality.

Townhome Availability in Vancouver

by Bevony on 10 June 2020 Comments Off

Vancouver home prices have seen a modest growth of 1% for 2020. This city still stands as the most expensive place to live in Canada. With the current health crisis, the supply of real estate has been further depressed. Some weary sellers are pulling their listings from the market and as such prices can get even higher. What will you find for sale in Vancouver?

Types of Real Estate Available for Sale

You will find many a condo on sale in Vancouver. If you are looking for a single-family home, you will be able to find your fair share of those as well. That is of course if you can afford it. But if you are searching for a townhome, you may be up for an uphill battle. There are multiple reasons for this.

In Vancouver, we can see clearly, that there is a difference between what people want and what they can afford when it comes to real estate. Vancouver has not built a lot of townhomes historically and this affects the market in more than one way.

Within the past few years, there has been new zoning in Marpole for example that just allowed the building of townhomes. Other than availability, there is also the price factor. Buying a single-family home is too expensive for most families and buying a small condo won’t provide adequate space.

Families may have some hope in the future for purchasing two and three-bedroom townhomes princesses less than 2 million and ranging in size from 631 to 1840 square feet. The last decade shows that a lot of families have left the city of Vancouver due to the cost of real estate and their inability to find appropriate housing at affordable costs. This solution will provide families with the opportunity to get a home that is bigger than a condo but still more affordable than the typical single-family offerings in the Vancouver area.

Change is the new constant in the current real estate market. And all stakeholders are feeling this currently. We are all weathering the storm and hoping for the best outcome, always ensuring that safety is the priority. Some of you must still brave the Vancouver housing marketing during this crisis. Here at SilverBeam Homes, we can help. If you are wondering “will Vancouver house prices ever drop“? Maybe it is time for you to look at alternatives.

Get in touch with us today, and let us know what your needs are. We can help you navigate these changes both safely and effectively.

Home Renovations On Track but Crawling Slowly

by Bevony on 3 June 2020 Comments Off

With the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of industries have ground to a complete stop because of the stay at home measures put into place by governments all across the globe. The local renovation market in Vancouver has been affected by this but projects are still ongoing. How is it different from before the pandemic?

In the past couple months, there has been a drastic shift. There was the initial shock to all stakeholders but all have now established a new rhythm. The discovery phase is pretty much the same. The meeting of the client, talking about floorplans, sharing images, etc. While working virtually is not new to a lot of designers, for most of them it is the first they are working virtually even with clients that are just around the corner.

The Virtual Discovery Phase

The design industry relies heavily on the platform Zoom for its virtual meetings during discovery. Since this is a very personal industry, experts are finding themselves using up to 10 minutes to get the call to work. The process really takes more time, more preparation, and more planning. Everybody involved understands this and that is really important for a seamless process going forward.

There are of course challenges of not doing this part of the process in person. When it comes to conveying textures and colors here is where we see challenges. Computer and phone lighting and angles can affect the perception of both parties. This challenge is met by design or renovation teams purchasing extra samples and having these delivered to their clients ahead of time. Again this causes an extension of the timeline.

Scheduling meetings and making sure that everything is properly labeled helps to make it easier for clients to be walked through the process of the virtual meeting.

Sometimes clients have to be taught how to accurately measure their spaces. So that the design process could begin. All in all, more preparation is needing, more planning and so the renovation time is being prolonged but work is still underway.

Limitations Brought on By Social Distancing

Most sites only allow one trade to present at a site at any time during the COVID pandemic. For larger projects where it is possible for trades to keep their distance, multiple trades are allowed on-site at one time. The challenge in Vancouver is that most spaces are smaller. So all construction projects are looking at longer periods.

General contractors have gotten on board with the new site rules which also include regular hand washing and disinfecting. And of course, there is the mask-wearing and keeping of distance. People in our perception have really been adjusting very well to the rules.

What Types of Renovation Tasks Have Been Affected?

Everything from small tasks as repainting and carpeting is all taking longer than typical. People have to be schedule, keys have to be handed over with no contact. Some have to deal with the booking of elevators if they are working in a condo. All these things take up more time. So while workdays are not longer, simple tasks are taking longer and stretching out the timeline for completion of a project.

The good part is that everyone affected understands. And while a long wait time can be frustrating for all involved, we have so far learned to be more patient and to work together towards the end goal of a completed renovation project.

Reaching Potential HomeBuyers Despite the Restrictions

Sales to Active Listings Ratios

Sales of Different Types of Properties

How Can SilverBeam Homes Provide You with a Housing Solution?

What You Need to Know Before Buying or Selling a Home

Why You May Need to Sell your Home

Real Estate and “Subject To” Clauses

Check Detectors

Check Cooling Systems

Install Outdoor Clothesline

Clean that Outdoor Grill/Cooker

Shine that Porch

Check on Your Deck

Clean Windows

Mulch

Check for Leaks

Primp the Plants

Plan a Timetable for Watering

Install Doormats

Hardware

Soft Decor

Upgrade the Walls

Change the Floorplan

Accessorize

Towels

Flowers

Works of Art

Mirrors

Make a Single Prepayment

Make Extra Payments

Increase Your Payments After the Deferral Period

Refinancing your Mortgage

What Are Local Design Firms Doing

Pre Construction

Foundation

Framing

Interior and Exterior

Hand-Over

Types of Real Estate Available for Sale

The Virtual Discovery Phase

Limitations Brought on By Social Distancing

What Types of Renovation Tasks Have Been Affected?

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