Real estate news is abundant this month. From the Bank of Canada holding interest rates, to discussion on the short term rental restrictions, to first time home buyers exemption, and rising prices across the country - this month has endless topics to discuss. What is most important to you? If you are downsizing, the first-time buyers exemption may not be top of mind for you. Or, if you are an investor hoping to buy a short-term rental, you may not care about the anti-flipping tax. But let’s be honest, some of the most striking changes in residential real estate in British Columbia are happenin ..read more

I am not here to talked about real estate sell your product sell you a service. I'm here to talk about Realtor® safety. Before getting into real estate over six years ago I was a police officer. I was a police officer for 18 years. A long time I know. Once I got into real estate, after my career as a police officer, I came to realize that I felt a little vulnerable in some instances.  May be at an open house or a showing or different things. That was something that I hadn't really felt before in my life. Especially because I always felt safe and confident in my role as a police officer. H ..read more

Oceanfront home with views as far as you can see. In the world class fishing and wilderness recreation area of Port Hardy, BC - at the top of Vancouver Island. Launch a kayak or stand up paddle board within steps. Cast a line off the dock with other locals to reel in dinner. Join a guided fishing charter off the coast to catch salmon, rock fish, halibut and ling cod. Or stroll the sea walk & hidden coves that are steps out the front door. This is a lifestyle that provides a small town feel with all the amenities and West Coast wilderness. PS if you buy this house, I will share the best way ..read more

T’is the season that leads up to the spring real estate market. The busiest real estate market each year usually starts in March and goes until the end of June. Once July hits people are ready to vacation with their families and prepare to move prior to the next school year commencing.   In the last week I have had three requests from potential sellers on steps they should take when preparing their house for selling. Some of the big-ticket items I have hear this week is clients are replacing old roofs, putting in new flooring, and updating faces of kitchen cabinets. WOW! With the longer d ..read more

Moving is a big deal, even if you’re just relocating down the road. However, when you’re making the long haul out of state, the idea of getting settled might seem a bit out of reach. But, it doesn’t have to, and there are plenty of ways that you can feel right at home in a flash. Today, Shannon Cutler Real Estate shares some resources to help make that upcoming long-distance move a little easier.  Look Ahead  One of the biggest mistakes that people make before moving to a new area is not getting familiar with things like real estate taxes and the cost of living. However, this crucial ..read more

After leaving the RCMP over five years ago I entered a new profession, real estate. Thinking I could put on lipstick and nice clothes, go out for meals, show homes and negotiate for my clients, real estate seemed like a dream job. Within a few weeks some of the ladies in my office were telling me about a man who would come to their open houses at the very end, stand there nervously, refuse to take his shoes off, and then not leave in an appropriate time. I, in my overly confident manner, suggest to these Realtor® that they tell this man to get the f&&* out of the house; as he was obvio ..read more

Your home is your sanctuary, a place where you can hide away from the world. You want to do all you can to keep it safe and secure. Home insurance can help you maintain your property's integrity in case of damaging incidents like fire, theft, or vandalism. But there are other things you can do to ensure your home stays protected.  Here, Shannon Cutler Real Estate provides some great resources to help you maintain home safety on a budget.   Add Safety and Security Measures to Your House  Prevention is generally cheaper than repairs when it comes to home safety and secur ..read more

If you work from home and it’s time to move, your next property should reflect your personal and professional needs. This isn’t always as straightforward as it seems, so think everything through from start to finish. Read on for important tips from Shannon Cutler Real Estate. A Designated Workspace First things first. When you plan to work at home, you must prioritize a house that is laid out so that you can have a designated workspace. This doesn’t mean buying the largest house on the market, but the one with a floor plan that’s conducive to helping you provide a work/life balance for yoursel ..read more

Source: Pexels   Ready for Anything: 4 Ways to Weatherproof Your Home   At Shannon Cutler Real Estate, we know keeping up with regular maintenance is one of the most important responsibilities of any homeowner. Investing time and money into repairs might not be your favorite way to spend a weekend, but when there’s bad weather on the horizon, you’ll be glad that you prepared in advance. After all, your home isn’t just a place where you live - it’s also your most important investment.   Taking steps to protect your home from weather-related damage now will pay off whe ..read more

As the Internet blossoms and more companies are embracing remote work, many people find themselves working from home. There are many benefits to remote work, from the nonexistent commute to the option to knock out your tasks in your pajamas. However, many people find it hard to focus on the task at hand when the creature comforts of home are all around. The most commonly recommended solution is to have a dedicated workspace in your home. When you have a tiny home, however, there isn’t an abundance of spare space to go around. So what do you do?  The Hideaway Office  As HomeAdvis ..read more