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If you see a haze of condensation on your window, should you be concerned? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on a number of factors.

 

 





First of all, an occasional build-up of condensation is normal and often the result of fluctuating humidity in the home. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about. If you’re using a humidifier, try adjusting the levels. If the humidity is being generated naturally, try placing a dehumidifier nearby. Also, remove any plants and firewood from the area, as they can release a surprising volume of moisture into the air.

 

Do you see moisture in between the panes of glass that make up the window? If so, that means the seal has failed and moisture has crept in. Double and triple pane windows often contain a gas (argon, for example) that boosts the insulating qualities of the window. When the seal fails, the gas disappears, making the glass colder and often allowing condensation to creep in. Eventually, you’ll want to get it replaced.

 

If you see moisture build-up anywhere on the frame of the window, particularly at the joints, that could be a sign of water leaking through. That’s an issue you should get checked out immediately by a window contractor.

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If you take care to price your home correctly — that is, at a price that is in line with what similar properties in the area have sold for recently — then you have a good chance of selling it at or near your asking price.

 

That doesn’t mean you won’t get a low-ball offer. You might. So what do you do when that happens?

 

First, understand that the buyer may not necessarily be trying to steal away your home at a bargain-basement price. He might simply be mistaken about its true market value. Of course, he might also be coming in at a low price in the hopes he’ll get lucky.

 

You will never actually know the buyer’s motives. So it would be a mistake to get angry or dismiss the offer out-of-hand. That low-ball offer might end up being the beginning of a negotiation that results in you selling your home at a good price.

 

Your first step is to work with your REALTOR® to determine:

 

  • How serious the buyer is.
  • How qualified the buyer is. (For example, does he have a pre-approved mortgage?)
  • How amenable the buyer is to a counter-offer that reflects the true market value of your home.
  • What that counter-offer should be.

 

This isn’t an easy process. It takes knowledge and experience to get it right. That’s why working with a good REALTOR® is essential.

 

Looking for a REALTOR® who is an expert at this stuff? Call today.

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September 1, 2015, Victoria BC – The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its report on real estate activity for August 2015. A total of 741 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this August, an increase of 21.7% compared to the 609 properties sold in the same month last year.


“Consumer confidence in our area continues to be one of the main drivers of the spring and summer market surge,” Victoria Real Estate Board President Guy Crozier says. “In terms of single family home sales, this month we saw the highest number sold in the month of August since 2007. A total of 379 single family homes sold in August 2015, compared to 399 in August 2007.”


There were 3,688 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of August, 14.6% fewer than the 4,316 active listings in August 2014. The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core last year in August was $556,600. The benchmark value for the same home in August 2015 has increased by 8.37% to $603,200.


“The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation announced new rules for buyers who have less than a 20 per cent deposit,” notes President Crozier. “Starting at the end of September, buyers who apply for mortgage loan insurance from CMHC will be able to include 100 per cent of the projected income from secondary suites. A change like this may buoy the market through the fall and winter, and we may see increased pressure on areas that permit suites. We’ll watch over the upcoming months and track any trickledown activity.”


More information on the August 2015 report and the Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index is available from the Victoria Real Estate Board, at vreb.org.

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MLS® property information is provided under copyright© by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and Victoria Real Estate Board. The information is from sources deemed reliable, but should not be relied upon without independent verification.