Spring 2014 Update!

Happy New Year!  I know it's already March, and that I'm a bit late in sending this greeting out to you, but there have been some BIG things happening in my corner of the world!  Everyone, please allow me to introduce Miss Ellie Ruth Forward:      My husband and I welcomed our sweet Ellie on November 28th.  She has been an amazing introduction into the world of parenting and we love her to pieces.    I am now back to work and am learning to juggle being a working mother. I am grateful and incredibly blessed to have an amazing support system in place which allows me the freedom to continue what I love to do: real estate!

So what's the market doing? The Fraser Valley real estate market is showing signs of Spring! Right now is the perfect time to list your home, buy a new house, or renovate the one you own.  According to our local Real Estate Board, February saw 1,102 sales in the Fraser Valley, an increase of 43% over January and an increase of 21% over February last year.   I have created the chart below to illustrate how the value of homes in the Fraser Valley has been affected over the last 1-5 years:    February 2014: Detached Home Price Index in the Lower Mainland                         1 Yr. % Change     3 Yr. % Change         5 Yr. % Change  North Delta             6.0                        11.3                             23.1  North Surrey          2.1                         10.0                             22.6  Surrey                    1.6                         11.1                             21.1  Cloverdale              4.9                         11.3                             19.1  South Surrey & White Rock         3.8                          16.4                            33.4  Langley                  6.0                          10.9                            15.5  Abbotsford             2.3                           4.2                              10.1 Mission                  0.5                           -0.9                             -2.0 As you can see, home values have risen and continue to rise.  2014 should be no exception.

Make a Difference When You Buy Or Sell Don't forget: Westridge Realty Co. is NOT JUST ANOTHER SIGN ON YOUR LAWN. We offer many different programs that have been specifically tailored with you in mind.  Not every client is the same, so we've created some options whether you're purchasing a new home or selling your existing one. Be sure to go to my website and click on the following programs: WE TRADE HOMES - WE FINANCE - and GIVING BACK.  All of my programs offer superior real estate service, a faster sale or purchase, and leave more money in your pocket. I'm passionate about what I do and the people that I serve; however, I am most proud of the DNA of WESTRIDGE REALTY CO.  My clients and Westridge Realty Co. are making a difference with every real estate transaction. A portion of EVERY sale goes towards giving a "Hand UP" to the  marginalized and exploited in our city, nation, and our world.  With joy I have been able to give about $10,000 annually because of people like you who partnered with me to bring CHANGE! Would you join with me this year in making a difference?  Should you, a family member or a friend be looking to move in the near future please don't keep me a secret! The referral of your friends and family is greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL:  We were so pleased by the services that Lacey provided for us. She really did go above and beyond what was necessary. Our offer ended up in a very intense bidding war, and there was plenty of opportunity for stress and anxiety. But Lacey took it all in stride and she was on the top of her game. As a result, we won that bidding war. Without Lacey, we may not have gotten into our first home. THANK YOU LACEY! You knew just what needed to be done to get our family into not just any home, but the home we really wanted. Jordan and Miranda

Things NOT to buy your Sweetie on Valentine's

Well, Valentine's Day is tomorrow! Do you have plans for Valentine's? My husband and I have never been fans of standing in long line-ups for dinner or buying overpriced flowers. Instead, Tim and a few of his closest friends have a tradition: the boys plan the night for us ladies and we LOVE it!  It usually consists of ALOT of chips and an entre of undercooked pasta but hey...we don’t care! If we don’t have to cook that night, we’re in there like swimwear!

Now, I have a feeling that some of you men are starting to have sweat drip down your temples as Valentine’s approaches and you’re unsure of what to do for your sweetheart. Do not fear…. I’ve gathered some of my very best friends to help YOU with this common Valentines dilemma. If you're anything like my Dad and brother who leave it 'til the day of,  this will help you avoid making bad decisions when rushed. Pretty sure I'll be hearing from them on Thursday. :)  Without further adieu, I present to you…. 

THE TOP THINGS NOT TO BUY YOUR SWEETIE ON VALENTINE'S

#5. Wrinkle Cream

This, my friends, is what happens when you leave things 'til the last minute and go to the nearest store. The drug store. You're thinking that she loves soft skin and she spends so much time on her skin care regiment that she'll love this. This may be the case!  However, buying her wrinkle cream (or any skin care cream, for that matter) just says to her that she's getting old, her skin is sagging, and she'd better firm it up before it's too late. Take my word for it, stay away from the drug store. 

#4 Diet Books and Gym Memberships

Need I really explain this? Put the book down and go to the home design section in chapters. This is not your section. 

#3 Nair Hair removal Cream

Again, I said to stay away from the drug store! This is like you walked into the store and just found the first thing you saw in her favourite colour, PINK. This is a serious No, No; especially if her nickname is Charlie. 

#2 Cooking Classes

This one is risky business. If there's a gift that could go either way... I recommend you avoid it.  If you just said, "Baby I love your cooking, but....." the other night, don't buy it.  We all know that if there's a "BUT" at the end of a sentence, it cancels out everything you just said before it. A wonderful gift idea? Absolutely! Heartfelt? Yes!  But if you just complained about her meatloaf, then I would suggest not going there. HOWEVER... if the cooking lesson is with HIM (see above) then throw out this warning because it DOES NOT APPLY. :) 

#1 SPANX SIMPLICITY SHAPER

Now I know you're saying to yourself, "that sounds simple and looks kinda neat".  It's true... it is simple. Simply don't buy it. When you see it, don't walk away from it, RUN.  Even though she may have mentioned that she wants a pair, I recommend you don't buy it for her. This will not end well. I promise you. 

So I hope you found this helpful. I'm not just a realtor but also a relationship coach! Who knew?! Print this list off and keep it in your back pocket. I promise you it's your guide to a successful Valentine's. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S TO YOU! 

PS: Maybe you have some great suggestions of what TO DO for your sweetie? Ladies chime in! Let's help the men in our community out and be sure to 'SHARE' this list to keep all the men in your life out of trouble. 

PPS: Oh yes and I forgot to tell you.. the #1 gift to give your sweetie for Valentine's is a NEW HOME.  Just thought I would throw that in there :)