Special offer

Abbotsford, BC Real Estate News

By Louise Henry, Home Stager Pair Home Design Chilliwack
(Pair Home Design serving Langley, Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack British Columbia)
Being home stager I worked closely with my clients to de-clutter their home and get it ready for lising and staged before hitting the real estate market.  We began with De-cluttering which can be difficult for clients at the best of times with so many emotions attached to their home and their belongings,  Fortunately, my clients were motivated, we began with gettinga storage locker and the pictures tell a story... Not exactle the same angle but i am sure you get the picture!.. First rule of thumb to good home staging is to DECLUTTER and CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN if its all your client can afford these are the must do's next off is a coat of Paint to give a fresh look and smell..  If you can match up the paint you may only need one coat depending on when it was last painted. oops we must not for...
Comments 5
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
Hey Abbotsford REALTORS®, this post is for those of you who email their new (and old) listings to others REALTORS® on regular basis. Email can be great marketing tool if you are using is properly. I use Google apps for my email and recently I have noticed that most of your "listings blasts" are landing in the junk mail folder. Google has some of the smartest junk mail filters available and if Google is starting to filter your emails as junk you can imagine whats happening at other mail exchange servers like 1and1, GoDaddy, Shaw & Telus etc. Now I'll move your e-mail addresses to my safe list because I don't want to loose your emails if we are doing a deal together or if there is any other important e-mail coming from you guys. But is everyone else out there going to do the same thing fo...
Comments 4
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
New Listings. Link Ct Abbotsford. Well kept home in desirable location offers three bedrooms Plus 2bedroom in-law suite. Family room and living room are on the main floor. There is a rec room + full bathroom downstairs for owners use. Click here for more details and pictures.  
Comments 0
By Katie Van Nes, Local Real Estate eXpert | eXp Realty
(Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, & Fraser Valley)
New Listing! 34462 Marcliffe Place, Abbotsford, BC - ONLY $519,700 INCLUDING GST!   Carefee family living at the Quarry! Fully finished basement entry style home quality built by E. Schmidt Construction. Chef's dream kitchen with a huge granite island (will seat five!), large dining area and double sided floor to ceiling rock F/P with custom built in millwork. This brand new home features beautiful crown molding, high quality 3/4 inch hardwood flooring throughout the main and luxurious carpeting in the 4 bedrooms. Finishing second to none! This energy smart home features 2x6 construction, low E windows, high efficiency furnace and hot water tank. Enjoy year round bbq's on your South facing partially covered patio featuring natural gas hookup. Fully landscaped lot. Move in today! Call me...
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
Don't want to sort through listings that are not in your price range. We have made it easy for you. Just go to a page within my website that offers homes for sale in your price range. Click on the link below in your price rage and you will see all listings in Abbotsford in your selected price range.   $0 To $350,000 $350,000 To $400,000 $400,000 To $450,000$450,000 To $500,000$500,000 To $550,000$550,000 To $600,000$600,000 To $700,000$700,000 To $800,000$800,000 To $900,000$900,000 To $1,000, 000$1,000,000 To No Limit   Once on the listings page, you can select a page number to view more listings in your selected price range. or select another price range from the drop down menu.
Comments 0
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
Harmonized Sales TaxOn July 23, 2009, Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced that, effective July 1, 2010, BC will adopt a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), combining the seven per cent Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the five per cent federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) for a single sales tax rate of 12 per cent. An additional seven per cent tax will be charged on a variety of real estate related services, including commissions, appraisals and other services that are currently exempt, as well as adding thousands of dollars in additional costs to new home purchases. Looking to offset the increase in costs, the Government of BC plans to offer a partial rebate of the provincial portion of the HST for new housing to ensure that new homes up to $400,000 will bear no ...
Comments 1
By Chris Penner, Real Estate Consultant - Keller Williams Valley Realty
(Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Fraser Valley)
That's right Abbotsford is going to be hosting the pro water ski tour again this year presented by Malibu Boats. It has been at least 8 years since the last time it has come to town and since most people that are involved in this sport want to see it grow, what better way to do that than by bringing in some professionals and making a weekend event out of it. So that's what is going to happen. Sept 18-19, 2009 at Albert Dyck park near the airport we can expect to see the likes of Chris Parrish, Jamie Beauchesne, Will Asher, Seth Stisher, Karin Nowland, Regina Jaquess, and the list goes on, so com prepared to see some great skiing, have a lot of fun, and probably get a chance to meet and greet a lot of these great pro's that we only ever see on TV or  the internet. Come on out and support...
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
I received a few inquiries in the last few weeks from potential buyers of homes in foreclosure. All callers had one thing in common, they were expecting to save a truckload (or a car-load at least) of money in the transaction. Yes, the economy is bad, yes, there are more homes in foreclosure than previous years; but no, lenders can not sell a home for the amount of outstanding mortgage unless market value of the house is same or lower (yes, that happens in this market) than the balance of outstanding mortgage. READ MORE >> >>
Comments 1
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
If a picture is worth a thousand words it can be worth thousands of dollars if its a picture of a property you are trying to sell. An image may be more influential than a substantial amount of text or audio description of a property. Many buyers and their Realtors decide to view a home (or not) based on how the picturtes of a house look. READ MORE>>
Comments 0
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
Clayburn Village reminds me of the small mining towns I've encountered on my drives through the Kootenay Mountains of British Columbia.                   Located within the City of Abbotsford the Village of Clayburn was founded to provide housing and a market center for the brick plant established on Sumas Mountain in 1905.   Take a stroll in the village and enjoy the restored Victorian houses, and brick houses. The restored church and school house now serve as meeting centers for Clayburn and the surrounding community. Clayburn Village Store & Tea Shop and the Hummingbird Gallery are a must see.  
Comments 2
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
The Dragon Fort is a wonderful find in Abbotsford of us who really really like home style Chinese food. I was raised in Vancouver and for many years ate in many of the restaurants in the 100 block East Pender Street. Today there are plenty of high class Chinese restaurants in Vancouver but in those days they were an economic choice for a young couple on a date or any working person looking for a good health meal that woulds stick to your ribs. The Dragon Fort Restaurant Abbotsford is cut from the same cloth. The owners have been there for about 23 years and withing the last two years have build a new building to accommodate the steady flow of customers.   The Dragon Fort has the best deal in Abbotsford for lunch and take out. Give them a try. You won't be disappointed. 
Comments 3
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
  2009 World Sporting Event in Abbotsford The World Police and Fire Games are coming to Abbotsford this summer. On August 3rd and 4th the water skiing events will be held at Albert Dyck Park from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Can you believe it? One of the world’s premier events is using Abbotsford as one of its venues. When I moved to what was a very quiet and sequestered community twenty-six years ago this can of event would have seemed unimaginable. It is predicted that over 12,000 athletes from 55 countries will be coming to BC as participants plus their families, friends and support staff. Don’t worry! They are not all coming to Abbotsford but those that are will give our summer economy a huge boost. The World Police and Fire Games is well represented by athletes from Abbotsford Police departm...
Comments 2
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
  Detached Houses   June -09 June -08 May-09 Sales  157 99 129 New Listings  214 238 211 Active Listings  614 789 638 Benchmark Price  $406,583 $437,907 $400,849 Median Price  $387,500 $435,000 $432,000 Average Price  $432,519 $476,335 $443,978           Townhouses   June -09 June -08 May-09 Sales  44 28 56 New Listings  60 64 60 Active Listings  178 194 185 Benchmark Price  $258,148 $304,192 $258,537 Median Price  $262,500 $267,900 $248,250 Average Price  $262,485 $288,067 $252,553           Apartment Condos   June -09 June -08 May-09 Sales  60 55 46 New Listings  106 87 90 Active Listings  284 313 276 Benchmark Price  $200,104 $228,936 $199,537 Median Price  $183,000 $200,000 $182,000 Average Price  $178,495 $214,491 $180,516  
Comments 0
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
Waking up with ones hands clinched is not a good sign. My medication was a walk on Dicovery Trail which I never done before. Abbotsford has an amazing amount of walking paths connecting the city. For years I've been telling clients about the fabulous trails but until today the only one I've walked is Mill Lake. Please take a little tour of the Discovery Trail with me.           There is line somewhere about the fresh green breath of spring. I found that today on Discovery Trail. http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Discovery-Trail-West-Bluejay-Ride        
Comments 3
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
As a Realtor I am always printing something and that means I’m always shopping for replacement ink and toner cartridges. My favorite place to buy replacements is Apex Refill & Stamp at #105-2760 Gladwin, Abbotsford.   Aside from great prices you’ll receive great service from David and Joyce who always great their customers with a smile and an eagerness to satisfy.   The next time you are looking for ink or toner supplies give them a try.
Comments 1
By Sonia Wood
(Keller Williams Valley Realty)
Hi!  I'd just like to post a small congratulations to the Abbotsford Pirates, who were first place winners PeeWee 2009!  Nice work boys!!   I can't believe it - these boys hardly practiced - usually 45 minutes right before every game, and they played SO well together!!!
Comments 3
By Bob Dunn
(Sutton Group West Coast Realty)
Located at 34261 Marshall Road in Abbotsford Tamaringo's is a cozy and fresh coffee shop located inside Cannor's Garden Center. I thought "these guys are crazy opening a coffee shop in a garden center". I was wrong on this one as its now one of my favorite spots. Comfortable wicker furniture and spacious tables among thousands of growing plants provides what is probably the most relaxing bistro in town. Good coffees, teas, pastries, and lunch items ... and my favorite ice creams.  
Comments 5
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
Property tax due date is coming soon. Owners eligible for the Homeowner Grant must apply for it by the due date of July 2nd 2009. As permanent resident of the Province you qualify for the basic homeowner grant on your principal residence. People over 65 years of age, disabled/handicapped persons and a war veterans you qualify for additional homeowner grant. For futher information about homeowner grants in BC call Home Owner Grant Administration Branch at 1-250-356-8904 or 1-250-387-8166. In abbotsford you can apply online at abbotsford.ca or complete and submit the application located on the front of the property tax notice. Full payment of taxes is not a requirement to claim the Home Owner Grant.  A penalty of 5% will be applied to the grant, in addition to any outstanding taxes after ...
Comments 0
By Raj Dhaliwal, Personal Real Estate Corporation
(Century 21 Coastal Realty Ltd.)
A new shopping mall is planned @ the site near Abbotsford's Mount Lehman interchange across from the Fraser Valley Automall. The project, which has been given approval in principle by Abbotsford city council, will have access off Trans Canada Highway (# 1) and is expected to draw shoppers from Hope to Langley. It is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011. Shape Properties developments is behind this 600,000-square-foot shopping mall. It is estimated to cost $170 million. Some new papers suggest that a Wal-Mart Supercentre could be the anchor tenant in the new development.
Comments 0
By Chris Penner, Real Estate Consultant - Keller Williams Valley Realty
(Serving Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and the Fraser Valley)
Just wanted to take a minute to let you all know that there is a new shopping center called Abby Lane coming to the Mt. Lehman interchange, it will be massive in size.  This is great news showing signs of a steadying economy as well as a strong belief in the Abbotsford community. Being the in the top best 3 cities to invest in Real Estate in Canada it only goes with out saying it is high time for this project to get underway.    Here are a few links from other new media on what's going on with this shopping center.   Abby News Vancouver Sun Hope you enjoy and keep your eyes peeled for the buildings that will be coming up soon.   Cheers!
Comments 4