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You’ve no doubt noticed the occasional news report about a product being recalled for safety reasons. For example, a car model with a brake problem, or a children’s toy that, under some circumstances, may cause injury. You may not know that these news reports are merely the tip of the iceberg. For each product recall you hear about in the media, there are dozens that get little, if any, publicity.


That means there may be products in your home that have been recalled — and you don’t even know about it. It’s a scary thought. How do you find out about recalled products that may affect you? Here are two tips.


1. Always complete the registration that comes with many products. This is typically done by mailing in a registration card or filling out an online form. When you register, you’ll be alerted by the manufacturer if the product is recalled for any reason.


2. Both Canada and the United States have agencies that list recalled products on their websites. In Canada it’s the Healthy Canadians website at www.healthycanadians.gc.ca. In the United States it’s the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.CPSP.gov. It’s a good habit to check these sites every season.


If you discover that a product in your home has been recalled, contact the manufacturer immediately. Never assume that the reason for the recall won’t apply to you.

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When you put your home up for sale, you want it to look its best to potential buyers. That’s why you clean, tidy and de-clutter every room. Some sellers, however, miss the backyard. You need to pay just as much attention to that space as you do to the interior of your home. The backyard is as important a living space as the family room. To some buyers, even more.


Buyers want to see an attractive backyard space, with the grass cut and the hedges trimmed. The more neat and tidy you can make it, the better. Be sure to sweep walkways and wipe down patio furniture.



Also, watch out for the following things that buyers do not want to see:


• Bags of garbage and other waste.
• Doggie do-do. (Be sure to stoop and scoop!)
• Rakes and other tools piled in the corner.
• Cluttered and disorganized storage sheds, pool huts and other
backyard structures.
• Weeds in the flower beds.
• Items stored underneath the deck.
• Hoses not stowed neatly.
• Electrical outlets and water faucets that don’t work.

 

These are not difficult issues to fix. Doing so will positively impact the impression the buyer gets of your backyard.


Do you have a backyard that shows particularly well in the summer? Here’s a tip: Take pictures. Those photos will help buyers be able to appreciate how it looks should you list your home in the winter.

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October 1, 2015, Victoria BC – The Victoria Real Estate Board today released its report on real
estate activity for September 2015. A total of 704 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate
Board region this September, an increase of 24.6% compared to the 565 properties sold in the
same month last year.


There were 3,478 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing
Service® at the end of September, 18.2% fewer than the 4,253 active listings in September
2014.


“We certainly have less inventory in the market than we saw at this time last year,” Victoria Real
Estate Board President Guy Crozier says. “Though higher sales have contributed to a reduction
in the available inventory, with almost 1,000 new listings entering the market in September,
there is still a continual supply of new inventory for those folks who hope to make a move.”


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in
the Victoria Core last year in September was $558,600. The benchmark value for the same
home in September 2015 has increased by 8.7% to $607,100.


“While September often signals the re-start of the market after the traditional summer slowdown
in sales activity, our market remained strong right through the summer and September,” notes
President Crozier. “This September is different than past years. Our busiest month last year was
in May, and 714 properties sold. That’s only 10 more transactions than we saw in September
this year. The question now is - will we see the normal winter lull in sales and listings or will the
market continue at this pace?”


More information on the September 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.