Laura Dereniowski joins with Sheri Brown

It is such an exciting time! I am thrilled to announce a new partnership with an incredible and very experience Realtor, Laura Dereniowski of RE/MAX Performance. Laura and I have been working in the same office for more than ten years and now we combine our years of expertise.

Laura's Bio:
With over a decade of experience as a REALTOR(r) in the Fraser Valley Region, Laura Dereniowski is well equipt to handle the needs of her clients. From her unique and trail blazing work with social media, to the dedication she shows to her clients and community, Laura's total commitment in all of her endeavors shines through. Laura has received countless accolades and awards during her career including recognition from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board as a "Medallion" level agent, as well as a prestigious award from RE/MAX for her work with the GA committee as Chair. She is often seen volunteering for causes such as the Children's Miracle Network, local hockey fund raisers, and Artists for Conservation events. Laura has a unique empathy for the emotional pressures of a move, which keeps her focused on the best interests of her devoted clientele. With her positive demeanor and hearty laugh, Laura's business acumen and vibrant energy are powerful assets in helping others achieve their dreams.

I look to forward to working with Laura!

We are a Balanced Market here in the Fraser Valley!

News Release: May 2, 2014 BALANCED MARKET CONDITIONS IN THE FRASER VALLEY (Surrey, BC) – The growth in sales on Fraser Valley’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) outpaced the growth in new inventory in April, propelling the market into solid balanced conditions. In April, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s total sales volume increased by 8 per cent year over year and 17 per cent compared to March while new listings saw a 7 per cent increase compared to April 2013 and a 13 per cent increase compared to the previous month. Ray Werger, president of the Board, says, “There’s a lot of optimism right now. It will take a few more months of numbers, but our 2014 market is already on track to outperform last year. “A measurement we rely on to gauge the health of the housing market is the ratio between sales and active listings and in April that number was the highest it’s been in our region in three years. Last month, that ratio for both single family detached homes and townhomes was 21 per cent, meaning for every 100 homes available, 21 sold. That’s a strong, balanced market.” Werger adds that demand for apartments in the Fraser Valley remained softer. “In some of our areas we have an oversupply of condos and you’ll see that reflected in prices. Generally, prices of benchmark or typical apartments have decreased over the past year. However, both buyers and sellers need to be aware that it depends on the community and the age and quality of the condo.” In April, the benchmark price of single family detached homes in the Fraser Valley was $566,000, an increase of 3.4 per cent compared to $547,300 during the same month last year. For townhouses, the benchmark price was $298,700, virtually unchanged compared to $299,100 in April 2013 and the benchmark price of apartments was $196,300, a decrease of 3.7 per cent compared to $203,900 in April of last year. In April, the Board processed a total of 1,470 sales through its MLS® compared to 1,366 sales in April 2013 and 1,259 sales in March; and, received 3,153 new listings last month compared to 2,951 new listings received during April 2013. The number of active listings reached 9,400, 7 per cent more than were available in March however 6 per cent fewer than were available during April of last year. In April, the number of days on average to sell a detached home in the Fraser Valley was 43; 47 for townhomes; and, 59 days on average for an apartment. All, four days faster than they were in April 2013.

Interview on Shaw TV's GO Vancouver! with Sheri Brown on the Delta Rise and living in Delta

Sheri was recently interviewed for Shaw TV's GO Vancouver on Delta and the new Development the Delta Rise. Have a look and see the interview! Delta Rise is the 37 story tower which is located at 80th and Scott Road in North Delta. To be built for 2016. Delta Rise on Shaw

RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award

I was thrilled to find out at the beginning of 2014, that I am receiving the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award! Thanks to all my clients over the years for your support and who helped this be possible. I look forward to many more years helping people with their real estate needs.

Fraser Valley Real Estate getting busy!

Continued improvement in Fraser Valley’s housing market SURREY, BC – Buyers and sellers continued to show greater confidence in the market last month as home sales on the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) edged closer to typical levels. The Board processed 1,258 sales in August, an increase of 17 per cent compared to the 1,073 sales in August of last year however, the volume remains 13 per cent below the 10-year average for the month. Ron Todson, President of the Board, explains, “The best way to describe our market currently is one of continued, modest improvement as buyers and sellers become more confident." “In the last month in the Fraser Valley, we’ve seen an increase in sellers willing to accept an offer subject to another sale, we’re seeing fewer deals collapse and we’re seeing more move-up buyers, either improving on the size or quality of their existing home. These are all indicators of a return to a more typical, stable market.” In terms of inventory, the Board received 2,353 new listings in August, a decrease of 2 per cent compared to the 2,406 new listings received during the same month last year – leaving the volume of active properties at 10,127 a decrease of 2 per cent compared to August 2012. Todson says, “An important measure of the balance between housing supply and demand is the number of months it would take to sell our existing inventory. We’re currently sitting at eight months’ supply in the Fraser Valley, indicating a balanced market, which is also being reflected in the stability of home prices. “Home prices generally remain unchanged or down slightly from a year ago; however, do check with your local REALTOR® if you’re in need of specific values because the range between property type and community can be sizeable.” In August, the benchmark price of single family detached homes in the Fraser Valley was $551,000, virtually on par with $551,400 during the same month last year. For townhouses, the benchmark price was $298,200, a decrease of 1.6 per cent compared to $303,000 in August 2012 and the benchmark price of apartments was $203,900, 1.3 per cent less than in August 2012 when it was $206,600. It's a good time to get out there and find your dream home!

New Listing!! 214-9682 134th Street only $188,000

Fantastic and bright corner end unit! Backing on to the back of the building overlooking a green area, very quiet and good location. Two large bedrooms and a bathroom. Newer appliances with ceramic top stove and tri-clean quiet dishwasher. Newer lighting, crown molding and updated paint! Tiled floor in the bathroom and kitchen area. Large and spacious floorplan at over 1011 sq ft. Walking distance to skytrain, hospital, shopping and schools! Call today for more info!!

Yikes!! City of Vancouver taxpayers facing upwards of $300-million loss on Olympic Village

From The Province Newspaper: VANCOUVER — In early 2009, Mayor Gregor Robertson warned Vancouver taxpayers that they were on the hook for “all of” the $1.1-billion Olympic Village project. After five years that dire statement is coming much closer to reality. The Province’s analysis shows that with marketing costs still mounting, and about 130 hard-to-sell village homes left, when the last unit is sold final taxpayer losses of over $300 million seem realistic. In 2010 a receiver, Ernst & Young, was tasked by the city to regain as much as possible of the $750 million owed to taxpayers, after developer Millennium defaulted. The $750-million loan didn’t include $171 million that the city was owed by Millennium for waterfront land that the village was built on. The city’s latest financial statements say that after writing off a $50-million loan loss, about $300 million remains to be paid. The problem is, real-estate experts say the remaining village homes generally have the worst layouts and views. According to The Province’s rough estimates, potential sales revenue might only come to about $100 million, after expenses. That means taxpayers seem likely to owe over $200 million and lose the value of the land. The city reviewed The Province’s analysis for this story and offered a response: “The financing for the village is a work in progress,” the city stated. “The city cannot predict the outcome of the village financing at this time.” In an interview, University of B.C. real-estate expert Tsur Somerville said: “I don’t think there is anything the city can do to mitigate the losses they will experience. “The best case was that the city got the loan paid off and got nothing for the land, and it doesn’t even seem to be looking at that anymore,” Somerville said. “The less-desirable units take longer to sell, but now they are trying to sell those units with a whole bunch of competing units coming on the market in that area.” But the village has bounced back since being labelled a “ghost town” in 2010. The latest reports show about 90-per-cent occupancy, plus thriving shops. But successful marketing and promotion efforts have come at a significant cost, and the bill continues to mount. The latest court-ordered marketing update from Ernst & Young shows that as of June, 339 units have been sold by the receiver, for proceeds of $331 million. The receiver gave the city $250 million. The rest of the money was gobbled up by real-estate-agent and marketing costs, strata fees, mounting legal fees, unexpected repair and maintenance bills and the receiver’s management fees of over $5 million. “The involvement by the receiver has exceeded its original estimates,” Ernst & Young’s June report reiterates, also noting that sales of a final 135 units will slow down “due to the remaining mix of inventory.” So the question is, when should city hall cut off the small army of real-estate agents, lawyers and accountants that have nursed the village back to life? Vision Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs, council’s expert on village finances, said he couldn’t comment. Meggs directed questions to the receiver, Craig Munro. “There are still too many variables to attempt an estimate of total final revenue,” Munro responded to The Province’s questions. NPA parks board commissioner John Coupar, meanwhile, said buying a condo in the village two years ago looks like a successful investment. “When we first moved down here it was pretty quiet and it was a bit of a leap of faith that it would work out,” Coupar said. “I’m not that familiar with the financial ins and outs, but from a residents’ point of view I think the place will come alive, and over time it will be seen as a real positive thing for the city.” scooper@theprovince.com twitter.com/scoopercooper

A Fun moment with the Team!

Filming our latest video at the new listing in Surrey the team was busy filming and taking pics! It was another sunny day in Surrey!

Lower inventory keeps home prices in check as ‘slow but steady’ market continues Says The FVREB

April, 03 2013 09:38:56 am, by FVREB Categories: Statistics In March, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board processed 1,128 sales on its Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®), a 20 per cent decrease compared to the 1,412 sales during the same month last year, and a 24 per cent increase compared to February’s 913 sales. The Board also received 11 per cent fewer new listings in March compared to last year – 2,736 compared to 3,066 – keeping inventory in check. March finished with 9,503 active listings, 1.5 per cent fewer than March of last year and 3.5 per cent fewer than the 9,832 available during March of 2009; the highest volume of active listings for that month in the last decade. Ron Todson, President of the Board, explains, “Although we saw a typical spring uptick in activity from February to March, our sales remained at about 70 per cent of the norm for March and our new listings came in at 90 per cent of what the Board would typically receive. “Because inventory levels are in check, prices are staying in check.” In March, the benchmark price of single family detached homes in the Fraser Valley was $544,300, an increase of 0.6 per cent compared to $541,300 during the same month last year. For townhouses, the benchmark price was $298,200, a decrease of 1.7 per cent compared to $303,400 in March 2012 and the benchmark price of apartments was $204,200, an increase of 0.8 per cent compared to $202,500 in March 2012. Todson adds, “Inventory levels are not as high as they need to be to put significant downward pressure on prices of the benchmark, or ‘typical’ home. These are homes that have characteristics most common to houses in a given community. “In fact, we’re seeing the reverse happen. Benchmark prices for all three main property types in the Fraser Valley increased in value during the first quarter of 2013. Since January, detached homes are up by 1 per cent, townhomes by 0.6 per cent; and apartments by 2 per cent.”

Buying a Home Under power Lines? Check this out!

Having a home under power lines can be a concern, or can it? Check this cool website out for some useful information! Electric and Magnetic Fields

7 Habits of Highly Effective Home Buyers

7 Habits of Highly Effective Home Buyers Effective Habit #1: Get pre-qualified (or pre-approved) for a loan You can’t effectively search for homes if you don’t know how much home you can afford. In today’s lending environment, it is crucial to know BEFORE you begin a home search what type of mortgage, and how much of a mortgage you can get. It is crucial to work with a good lender throughout the home buying process. If you don’t know a lender, ask your agent for a few recommendations. Interview a couple of lenders and pick one and stick with them. Few things add more stress and headache to a real estate sales transaction than changing lenders mid-stream. Find a lender that won’t just tell you the maximum amount of a mortgage you can get, rather find one that understands that qualifying for a certain amount and being able to make the payments are two different things. Effective Habit #2: Define your must haves, like to haves, and can not haves Determine what you MUST have in a home. Then determine what you would LIKE to have in a home. Talk to your agent about these things. Don’t forget to include what you CAN’T have in a home — that will often be more important than anything else. Don’t know exactly what you must/like/can’t have in a home? That’s OK, it happens ALL the time. Your agent can help you by showing you different homes with different features to help you get a better understanding of what you’d like in a home. But at some point you are going to have to make decisions and not wander aimlessly about, looking at any home that may possibly fit some undefined set of criteria. That would be a waste of your time, and the time of your agent, the home sellers, your lender and everyone else that is involved in a real estate transaction. Effective Habit #3: Be realistic Buying a short sale and expecting the owner to make a bunch of repairs (or any repairs)? Good luck with that. Buying a home and thinking if the home inspector finds anything wrong with it, i’m not buying the house? Well you might as well stop right now because I can assure your there aren’t any homes where the inspector finds nothing to report. Get your brand new built to your order home constructed and an inspector will find some items to address (and yes, you should get a new build home inspected — more than once). Effective Habit #4: Be flexible As a home buyer, it is important to be flexible. Unless you are having a home built to your exact specifications, it’s very unlikely that you will find the absolutely perfect home for you. Maybe you find a home that has everything except the perfect kind of flooring, colors, cabinets, whatever. If you have some flexibility built into your must haves and likes, you will find the entire process much less painful. Understand that in most cases there is a living breathing human being involved in the other side of your transaction. Home sellers are people too. Nit-picking them to death in negotiations and repairs isn’t likely to do much good and could quite possibly do harm. This isn’t to say you should cave to every demand the sellers make. You should stand firm on things that really matter and be flexible where you can be in order to move the transaction along. Effective Habit #5: Understand the home buying process You don’t need to understand every nuance of the home buying process — that is your agent’s job. But the more you do understand, the less stressful and mystifying the process will be. Trust me, buying a home is a stressful event. Anything you can do to reduce that stress will go a long way not just toward saving your sanity but in helping ensure the transaction moves to closing. One of the most important things to understand is your purchase contract. There are two parties to a real estate contract — you the buyer, and the seller. Regardless of exactly who/what owns the home you are buying, you are entering into a legally binding contract when you have your offer accepted, and there are obligations that contract binds you to do. There are timelines that must be complied with, and if they are not, you can suffer some pretty serious / expensive consequences. Your agent, your lawyer, your lender, your title company, the appraiser — all will work diligently to ensure a successful closing, but ultimately they are not parties to the contract. YOU need to (with advice from your agent and/or attorney) understand all the terms and conditions of your contract. It is also helpful to understand the escrow, appraisal and lending processes. The successful completion of each of these are fundamental to your closing on your new home. Do not be afraid to ask your agent questions. Lots of questions. Be advised that everyone in the process tends to toss about terms and acronyms that only those dealing with this stuf fon a daily basis understand. Sometimes we forget we’re speaking in a different language. Don’t be shy. If there’s a term you don’t understand, ask. Effective Habit #6: Be responsible As a home buyer, you are going to have to work with a lot of different people in order to make sure your transaction progresses and ultimately closes. Yes, your agent will take on the burden of most of this, but you are still ultimately responsible for your actions. You are (most likely) financing your new home. As such, it makes sense that you need to be responsible for maintaining your credit worthiness while your mortgage is being processed. Listen to your agent and lender and don’t go buying a car before your mortgage processing is done (yes, I’ve seen it happen). In fact, don’t buy anything on credit without speaking to your lender. And if you think you can quit your job a week before closing and still get that mortgage, think again (yep, seen that too). When you are looking at potential homes, be responsible and respectful that you are in someone else’s home. It’s OK to look in their closets, to flip light switches, to turn on the stove. But be responsible and leave the home in exactly the same condition you found it in. Much of this habit really boils down to two things: 1) use common sense; and 2) treat others how you expect to be treated. Effective Habit #7: Have fun! Take a look around at lists of “life’s most stressful events” and you’ll see things like taking on new debt, financial change, moving — that’s buying a house folks. You are about to enter into one of the singel largest financial transactions of your life. Stress is a given. But buying a home is also an exciting time! There isn’t a law that requires you to mope around, dreading every moment. There’s nothing wrong with having fun during the process. Hopefully you’ve selected an agent that you enjoy working with. Ditto for your lender. That doesn’t mean you all need to participate in group hugs or go camping together and join hands around the campfire singing Kum Ba Ya. But it’s OK to laugh, to enjoy yourself, to have a little fun in the process. Thompson, Jay. "7 Habits of Highly Effective Home Buyers." The Phoenix Real Estate Guy. N.p., 26 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Jan. 2013.

Another New listing!

A new listing, 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom on the ground floor in beautiful South Slope Burnaby. For $5000 under assessed value at $220,000 this is a great buy. Close to Skytrain and shopping. The building backs onto a nice greenspace and close to walking trails. Ready for your new paint colours and to move in! Call today for your private viewing!

Good News for the New Year! 2013 will be another great year for Real Estate.

In todays paper an article came out saying "Single Family Homes are still winners in property price race!" Also, from last week "Buyers waiting for a housing bubble to burst could be waiting a long time." The market from all indications, as per the BC Real Estate Association says it's unlikly that the prices will drop dramatically and we will start to see stronger sales in the next few months. There is strong growth in full time jobs and interest rates still being at a historic low are said to remain that way for the time being. It's a great time to start thinking about listing your home or getting it ready for the Spring Market coming. If you would like more info please feel free to call Sheri Brown at 604-590-4888 or sheri@sheribassociates.ca

New Condo and Townhouse Maintenance Videos!

Check this out! Have a condo or townhouse? Well there are new videos that have been produced to help you maintain your property and why it's important to invest in these tasks through your strata fees. The Videos on You Tube now include "Clading, paints and stains, decks and balconies and building envelope maintenance"

Awards won at RE/MAX Convention

I was very excited to goto Vegas this past week and receive an award for my high sales volume for 2011. 2012 is starting off to be a fantastic year ahead as well! RE/MAX also won awards from JD Power & Associates for Best Customer Service for both Buyers and Sellers. I am very proud to be a part of this great company! The spring is upon us and it's a great time to think about getting into the Market. Call or email is you would like more information.

North Delta and Surrey Markets have been extremely active in January. In all of the Fraser Valley in the first 17 days there were 598 homes sold and 2289 Listed homes. At this time last year we were up slightly in sales with 681 sales. North Delta currently has 139 homes on the market for Buyers to choose from ranging in price from a rancher for $384,000 to 1,088,000 in Canterbury Heights. In the townhouse and condo market in North Delta there are 41 units available ranging in price from $73,000 to $649,000 for a luxury townhome in Sunstone.
In the Surrey areas, North Surrey there are approximately 468 listed homes, Central Surrey 457 homes, and in the South Surrey area there is approx. 265 homes for Buyers to look through.
Sheri Brown & Associates has been quite busy in the last two weeks with many Market Evaluations and homeowners getting ready to place their homes on the market in the coming months. The “Spring” Market is sure to be a busy one, with the interest rates taking a decline at most major banks to 2.99% and under. For more information CHECK out www.MYREALTYTV.ca or www.SheriBrown.ca.

The Market is now Moving!

Over the Christmas season we had a typical slow down for listings and sales. However January has taken off with a lot of activity. Market evaluations are happening several times a week right now for people preparing for the spring market. You can get a jump on the market right now if you thought about listing a little before March. Sheri Brown & Associates has a new great listings this week. There is nothing else available in this area quite like this home. A four bedroom family home at 10972 63A Ave is a GREEN home. Enery Efficient with a 78 Energuide rating! The kitchen and bathroom have been tastefully decorated and re done. This truely is a gorgeous updated home. The first Open House is on Sunday the 29th of Jan 2-4pm. Or you can call Sheri. If you want more info on what's happening with the market as well feel free to pop an email to sheri@sheribassociates.ca

Whats Happening in Fraser Valley??

In August we had an increase of 35 percent more sales compared to last year in the same month. Usually we have seen a slower time in the summer months with sales and listings. But with the late start to our spring and a lack of summer sun we have had an unusual increase in sales. There were still many competing offers in some pockets throughout the lower mainland for single detached homes. The benchmark price for a home in the Fraser Valley in August was $528,959 an increase of 3.7%. There was also a slight increase from last year for the condos market with a 2.5% increase. With interest rates remaining low it's still a great time to think about moving to North Delta, Surrey or Cloverdale and anywhere in the Fraser Valley.
If you are thinking of selling or buying Sheri Brown & Associates can help you.

Newsletter Marketer of the Year 2nd Runner Up!

Sheri Brown was honoured to win the 2nd prize for Newsletter Marketer of the Year for the Ready to Go Newsletters contest that was held all across North America.
The full colour glossy newsletters focus on bringing in the local community, local real estate trends, the great articles from Ready to Go Newsletters and amazing photos to add to the fantastic read. She send out the newsletter to the local residents in her market area as well as her many clients in her large database. It shows what you can do with our content if you get really creative. The response from her clients has been full of great feedback and has been a welcome addition to her marketing plan.

"But it has High Strata Fees!"

Buying a townhouse or a condo can be a more affordable alternative to the higher prices of houses. The number one concern I have from clients lately is the cost of the "Strata Fee" or "Maintenance Fee".

I have had quite a few listings with a higher fee in the last few years and this has caused some concern from Buyers as well as hesitation from putting pen to paper making an offer. The fee depends largely on the age of the building, what is included (ie: gas and heat), if it has a fitness centre or pool and the size of the unit. The bigger the unit the larger the fee as it is based on square footage.

If the heat and gas is included a Buyer should take this into consideration as you would not have that monthly bill. If the property has a fitness centre you can give notice at the gym and take advantage of the facilities at your doorstep!

Most importantly if the building is older and it has a rather low fee you may want to closely look at the contingency and what repairs have been done to upkeep the building. You may be paying lower monthly costs, but if there is no plan to save for the raining day repairs or major overhaul of something such as a roof, the owners may be hit with a whopping Special Assessment!

In a newer building the fees will generally start out lower, just be aware this may not be the case forever. Take into consideration if you did own your own home, as time goes on and as the house gets older you would have to put in more money over the years to replace and upgrade things such as windows, furnace, roof, painting and much much more. A Strata Fee is a way to save this money aside for those repairs in advance and also to keep the regular upkeep of the grounds to lessen the maintenance costs and keep the property looking great. There are advantages to paying a Strata Fee and living the condo/townhome lifestyle!