By RM Real Estate Team

Buying your first home is an exhilarating journey, filled with opportunities and challenges, especially in a vibrant market like Abbotsford. To help you navigate this exciting path, we've compiled essential tips specifically tailored for first-time homebuyers in our beautiful city. From understanding the local market to securing the right financing, these insights aim to empower you with the knowledge needed for a successful and smooth homebuying experience.

1. Understand the Abbotsford Market

Before diving into the market, it’s crucial to understand the specific dynamics of Abbotsford’s real estate environment. Familiarize yourself with the different neighborhoods and what they offer in terms of services, amenities, and community vibe. Whether it's the family-friendly atmosphere of East Abbotsford or the bustling urban feel of the historic downtown area, knowing where you want to live will help streamline your search.

2. Budget Wisely

Budgeting goes beyond just affording a mortgage. Consider all associated costs like property taxes, home insurance, maintenance, and in some cases, strata fees. It’s also wise to have a buffer for unexpected expenses. Start by getting pre-approved for a mortgage to understand exactly what you can afford, and then craft your budget to fit within these parameters.

3. Prioritize Your Must-Haves

As a first-time homebuyer, distinguishing between 'needs' and 'wants' can save you from future regrets. Make a list of must-have features based on your lifestyle needs, such as the number of bedrooms, proximity to work or public transportation, and type of property. This clarity will keep your house hunt focused and efficient.

4. Take Advantage of First-Time Buyer Programs

There are several programs and rebates specifically designed to help first-time homebuyers. For instance, the First-Time Home Buyers' Program in British Columbia offers a reduction or exemption from the property transfer tax. Familiarize yourself with these programs as they can provide significant financial relief.

5. Hire the Right Real Estate Agent

Partner with a real estate agent who has extensive knowledge of the Abbotsford market. An experienced agent who understands first-time buyers' unique challenges and needs can provide invaluable guidance, from finding the right property to negotiating the best deal.

6. Conduct Thorough Inspections

Never skip the home inspection, no matter how perfect a home may seem. Hidden problems can cost thousands to repair and can turn your dream home into a nightmare. Ensure the inspector checks for common issues like foundation cracks, roof condition, plumbing, and electrical systems.

7. Think Long-Term

Buying a home is a significant investment, and thinking long-term can ensure it’s a wise one. Consider future needs like family planning, career changes, and resale value. A home that fits your needs for the next 5-10 years is a good target.

Purchasing your first home in Abbotsford should be an exciting and fulfilling experience. By doing your homework, sticking to your budget, and working with professionals, you’ll be better prepared to make informed decisions. Remember, this is likely the biggest purchase you’ve made so far, so take your time to understand the process and enjoy finding your first home in our wonderful community.

By RM Real Estate Team

As technology reshapes industries worldwide, the real estate sector is not being left behind. Virtual Reality (VR) tours are emerging as a significant innovation, offering prospective buyers a unique way to experience properties from anywhere in the world. While this technology promises to revolutionize the home-buying process, it comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of VR home tours to understand their impact on the future of real estate.

Pros of VR Home Tours

• Enhanced Accessibility: VR tours open up the market to international buyers and those with limited ability to travel. Anyone with internet access can tour multiple homes from anywhere, making house hunting more inclusive and far-reaching.

• Time and Cost Efficiency: By allowing potential buyers to filter out homes more effectively before visiting in person, VR tours save time and reduce the costs associated with travel and scheduling.

• Emotional Engagement: VR offers an immersive experience that photos and videos can't match. Buyers can truly feel the space, helping them connect emotionally to the property, which can be a decisive factor in the buying process.

• Detailed Exploration: With VR, buyers can explore every nook and cranny of a property at their own pace, revisiting rooms and details as often as they like, which can help in making a more informed decision.

Cons of VR Home Tours

• Technology Limitations: Not everyone is equipped with the VR gear needed to take full advantage of these tours. Furthermore, poor quality VR can lead to a disjointed and unimpressive experience that may detract from the property’s appeal.

• Lack of Physical Experience: VR can't fully replicate the sensory experiences of an in-person visit, such as noises, smells, and the ambiance of a neighborhood, which play a crucial role in the decision-making process.

• Overemphasis on Visualization: There's a risk that buyers might focus too much on virtual staging and overlook practical aspects of the property such as structural issues or maintenance needs.

• Cost of Production: High-quality VR tours can be expensive to produce, requiring professional photography, software integration, and ongoing updates to ensure they remain effective marketing tools.

As VR technology continues to evolve, its role in real estate is set to grow. The advantages, particularly in terms of accessibility and engagement, present a compelling case for its continued adoption. However, recognizing and addressing the drawbacks is crucial for real estate professionals aiming to balance innovation with reliability and trust in the home-buying process.

Virtual Reality tours are poised to transform the real estate landscape, offering both remarkable opportunities and notable challenges. As we look to the future, the integration of VR into real estate practices promises not only to enhance the buying experience but also to redefine it. Whether weighing the pros or cons, the potential of VR in real estate cannot be underestimated as we stride towards more interactive and immersive property experiences.

On June 1st the provincial government introduced changes to the mortgage stress test. A mortgage stress test is a way of determining if you’re able to withstand a significant rate increase when your mortgage term comes to maturity.

We sat down with Eilisha from Browne Mortgages and got the comprehensive update on what this means for homebuyers. Check out the video of that interview!

If you've been following, you know that Real Estate trends in the Fraser Valley have been unprecedented over the last year. While we're still in a strong seller's market, the market is showing signs of attempting to balance itself.

Our last update to you in February painted a picture of an unprecedented seller's market. That trend has only continued, and with increased momentum. February and March shattered records and continued to be friendly to sellers. Click here to watch the video on all the details! 

Be sure to check out the recent statistics provided by the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board here: Statistics – Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (fvreb.bc.ca) if you'd like to explore these stats yourself!

Get the latest update from Field House and learn about their newest IPA!

I saw that Field House had a new IPA releasing, and boy do I love a good IPA! I zipped out to take a taste of their newest release, and found out they are also releasing another lighter beer too!

Take a quick watch of this video where I connect with the founder of Field House and we talk about their newest releases, as well as how they are coping under the current Covid-19 times.

Notes on the Galaxy Meridian Double IPA:

Bold hop character

West Coast Style

Full body

Full flavor

8% Abv

** Their House Lager is now available as well - super crushable, very crisp! Only 4% Abv!**

Field House is open 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday; order online or in-person, phone your order in, and either pickup, or have your favourite beers delivered!

Are you wondering how to claim any of the government benefits that they are rolling out to help Canadians/British Columbians? As these support programs roll out, they can feel overwhelming and the application process can seem confusing. Which one(s) do you qualify for? How do you apply? How quickly will you receive the support you’re looking for?

I recently spoke with Lyndon Braun, Partner of our local Manning Elliott here in Abbotsford, about the programs that are available and how we can access them. Lyndon offers insight and advice to help you navigate these new support systems. Please be sure to watch the video, and below are useful links to help you navigate your benefits/claim:

In this video the Superintendent of Abbotsford Schools fills us in on what's happening!

I reached out to Kevin Godden, who is the Superintendent of Schools for School District 34 here in Abbotsford, for an update on what's happening and what parents and students can expect moving forward. Very proud of our school district for working hard to adapt to these times! They truly care about everyone's well being and will continue to provide us with educational assistance while we are at home. 

A special thank you to Kevin for taking the time to speak with me during an incredibly busy time for him and his team. Thank you to all the teachers, support staff and everyone in our school district! Everyone has been working hard to ensure students are keeping up with their school work, and we appreciate all their time and effort! We know our kids are in very capable hands, and together they will finish the school year strong.

Please feel free to share this to other parents!

This video was shot when I was feeling really lonely and missing my colleagues! Local realtors are like my family, so I had to break the social distancing rules and pay some of my friends a visit - I just couldn’t help myself. I miss being in the office with other agents, connecting with realtors in person as deals take place. I had a blast catching up with my colleagues; sorry if I missed you, I will catch the rest of you in the coming weeks!

If you like this video please give it a thumbs up, and subscribe on my youtube channel for more!

Your home is your haven, especially during this time of social distancing and self-isolating. So what’s the best way to go about ensuring our house is clean? More importantly, how can we minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus? As a top realtor in the City of Abbotsford, we want to ensure that our clients are receiving proper information, not just on homes for sale in their area, but more importantly, staying safe right now.

Consumer Reports has provided a list of common household products you can use to ensure your home is clean and safe. You can check out this list via their website.

In addition, the CDC has excellent 'how to' guidelines on how to clean a variety of surfaces, for example;

"Hard (Non-Porous) Surfaces:

• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed."

And please remember: when picking up cleaning supplies from the store, a little goes a long way! Only buy what you need in order to make sure there is enough on the store shelves for everyone.

We are often being asked if we are currently in a seller's market, or buyer's market right now. Most importantly, we want to ensure that it is a safe market.

With the economic landscape quickly shifting, people’s employment situations are changing, many lenders are offering mortgage payment deferrals if needed… Where does one start? This subject can easily feel overwhelming, but our friends at Browne Mortgages have got you covered! 

If you have a trusted mortgage advisor please call them for updates; but if you don’t:

The financing experts at Browne Mortgages have compiled a list of banks offering mortgage deferral plans, as well as their contact information.

Mortgage payment deferrals can help you during times of financial hardship — loss of employment due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The deferral is an agreement between you and your lender. It’s also known as a mortgage payment deferral agreement and is considered a temporary measure that in most cases does not affect your credit rating as it has been agreed to by yourself and your lender ahead of time.

Global News recently reported: "Before deferring any payments, financial experts say to check with your lender about their deferment options to make sure they are available. Generally, defaulting on payments would hurt your credit score, however, if you were given the green light you should be okay.

If a lender has given you permission to make payments, without penalizing you, then they should not be reporting that to your credit bureau, so you want to make sure you’re checking your credit regularly,” said Kelley Keehn, FP Canada Consumer Advocate."

The mortgage deferral agreement does not cancel, erase or eliminate the amount owed on your mortgage. At the end of the agreement, you will have to resume payment according to your regular payment schedule.

If you have been preapproved, be sure to talk to your broker about mortgage rates and interest rates today.