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One Hour Ideas for Boosting Curb Appeal


You've heard of the term "curb appeal". It refers to the initial impression buyers get when they first see your property from the street. If the impression is a good one, it sets the right tone for the rest of the home viewing.


How do you boost curb appeal? Here are some proven ideas that you can get done in an hour or so:


• Wash both the inside and outside of the front windows. You'll be amazed at the difference that can make.
• Sweep the walkway leading up to the front entrance. Add a new welcome mat. Also, wash down the front door.
• If possible, remove cars from the driveway. Let buyers imagine their own cars parked there!
• Mow the lawn. Lightly trim the hedges. Weed flower beds.
• Remove anything from inside window sills that may look unsightly from the outside. Try putting a couple of flowering plants there instead.
• Place any trash bins out-of-sight. For example, put them in the garage or neatly at the side of the house.
• If the entrance door hardware is old and worn, change it. New hardware can make a bigger difference than you might think.
• Make sure the outdoor lights are working, especially if you're showing your home in the evening.
• Add some flowering plants to flower beds, or buy a couple of portable potted plants and place them strategically.
• Clean your mailbox. If it’s rusted, replace it.
• If you have a power washer, give the walkway and driveway a quick blast. Just be sure it will be dry before the buyers arrive.


These one-hour improvements may seem minor, but anything that helps buyers form a more positive first impression of your home is worth the effort.

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The Latest Options in Outdoor Lighting


Outdoor lighting has come a long way from the days of patio lanterns and
strings of lightbulbs. These days, there's an exhaustive array of options
available to illuminate your outdoor space, and make it more appealing and
comfortable, particularly in the evenings.


Here are just a few ideas:


• Solar garden lights. These lights are on stakes that can be easily inserted throughout the garden. Powered by the sun, they generate enough energy to cast a soft, pleasant glow along walkways or in flower beds in the evenings.


• Deck post lights. These are easy to install because they're designed to sit on top of a standard 4x4 wood deck post. Most are solar powered.


• Street-style lamps. As the name implies, these look similar to old fashioned street lamps. Installation is a little more complex, but still DIY-friendly. They're eye-catching and have a dramatic impact on the look of your outdoor space.


• Portable lantern lights. These are outdoor lights that are portable and often made to look like a decorative fixture for a coffee table or side table. They can be placed anywhere.


• LED walkway lights. These are small lights that fit neatly and almost invisibly under stairs and around walkways. Walkway lights not only look good but also improve safety. Most are battery powered.


• Planter lights. This is one of the most interesting options. Each one is both a flower pot and a light in one! The pot itself is translucent which allows the light inside to shine through.


Design experts say you should treat your outdoor space as you would any
room in your home. Lighting it up for evening comfort and enjoyment is a
good place to start.

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Victoria Real Estate Market Shows Increased Interest in Condos and Townhomes


A total of 616 properties sold in the Victoria Real Estate Board region this September, 15.6 per cent more than the 533 properties sold in September 2018 but a 6.8 per cent decrease from August 2019. Sales of condominiums were up 48.3 per cent from September 2018 with 221 units sold. Sales of single family homes decreased 1.1 per cent from September 2018 with 282 sold.


“September's statistics clearly demonstrate that Victoria continues to have a stable real estate sector and is a desirable place to live," says Victoria Real Estate Board President Cheryl Woolley. “While sales are up compared to the same month last year, our inventory remains low, which may create challenges for people trying to get into the market in certain categories.”


There were 2,823 active listings for sale on the Victoria Real Estate Board Multiple Listing Service® at the end of September 2019, a decrease of 0.5 per cent compared to the month of August but a 6.7 per cent increase from the 2,646 active listings for sale at the end of September 2018.


The Multiple Listing Service® Home Price Index benchmark value for a single family home in the Victoria Core in September 2018 was $878,500. The benchmark value for the same home in September 2019 decreased by 3.6 per cent to $846,500, slightly less than August’s value of $847,300.


The MLS® HPI benchmark value for a condominium in the Victoria Core area in September 2018 was $503,600, while the benchmark value for the same condominium in September 2019 increased by 1.6 per cent to $511,600, lower than August's value of $518,100.


“We saw increased activity in the condo and townhouse market with an almost 50 per cent year-over year sales increase in condos,” adds President Woolley. “It may be too early to call this a trend towards condo purchases, but this is a number to watch through the fall to see if buyers continue opting for condos and townhomes as more new developments are added to the market in highly desirable locations, with price points often lower than a single family home.”

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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.