Sewer back-up. Storm run-off. These are just two of the many reasons that can cause your basement to flood. Learn more about how you can help keep your home and contents dry. 

Basement Flooding: How to avoid standing in knee deep in water

Basement flooding and home water damage is something that no homeowner wants to experience. It can ruin your belongings, create a mess, require you to file an insurance claim, and it takes a long time to clean up.

Basements can flood for a variety of reasons such as sewer issues, surface flooding, and excess water due to severe storm weather. A yearly home inspection may help you find issues that could lead to a flood such as:

• Cracks in the foundation walls
• Poor drainage
• Overflowing or clogged eaves troughs and downspouts 

Depending on where you live, your home may be more prone to flooding. When buying a home, make sure that you are aware of any flooding issues in the area. Here are few tips to consider that may help prevent basement flooding:

• Get a plumber to inspect your home for potential issues that could lead to flooding. 
• Clean your eaves troughs on a regular basis.
• Refrain from pouring oils and fats that can block drains.
• Keep storm sewer drains clear of debris.
• If you have a sump-pump consider having it equipped with battery back up in case of power outage and make sure to inspect it regularly to ensure it is working correctly. 

Understanding the signs and being proactive about taking care of your home can help you reduce the risk of flooding.

How to Live in a Perfectly Cooled World: A Guide to Air Conditioning

Presented by Enercare

Did you know there’s a temperature that’s best for comfort and productivity? According to a study by Cornell University, the ideal temperature for office work is around 77°F (25°C) and according to chief of sleep medicine Ralph Downey III, the optimal temperature for getting a good night’s sleep is between 65–72°F (18–22°C). The best temperature for hanging ‘round the house, eating, playing games or watching television, according to Energy Star, is about 78°F (26°C). So, unless you want to manually adjust the temperature every three to four hours and set a whole bunch of reminders on your phone, the first step to comfortable living is installing a programmable thermostat. This gamechanger will match the temperature in your home to your routine and schedule.

A few quick tips on testing your AC:

• Avoid having to deal with maintenance issues under sweltering heat and check your unit before summer hits.
• When testing your AC, find a time when the weather is above 13°C (55°F), remove protective covers, turn down your thermostat by 5 degrees and let your AC run for 20 minutes. If it generates cool air without creating any bangs, squeaks or scrapes, you’re good to go. If noises occur, it’s time to call a licensed professional.

Buying an AC unit can make you feel like Goldilocks looking for the right bowl of porridge. Get one that’s oversized, and your air conditioner will constantly turn on and off. Get one that’s undersized and it’ll wear itself out quickly. Not only that, it could lead to temperature inconsistencies, insufficient cooling, low airflow and a higher energy bill. Because every home is different, one of the more important steps is determining how much cooling capacity your house needs. Ask your service provider to do a complete load calculation by factoring in square footage, layout, insulation and load-generating appliances. It’s kind of like most things you buy for your house, always measure beforehand.

As cooling devices go, ceiling fans are underrated. They’re designed to work in tandem with the HVAC system to keep cool air or heat circulating throughout your home so you can save more on your energy bill. Just remember this simple rule, counterclockwise during the summer, clockwise during the winter (yup, they’re useful in the cold seasons too).

Where is your thermostat sitting? Is it right under a big beam of sunshine? Is it covered by a heavy curtain? Is it next to a lamp? Next to a door? Is it in a room where you often open the window? Is it inside a cabinet so that no air can get out? A lot of these things are unintentional. Well, except for the cabinet. But blocking AC vents or confusing its readings with other forms of heat can make the thermostat signal for more cooling unnecessarily. Find an interior wall without any pipes or ducts running through, ideally in a space you use frequently at a height of 52-60 inches. Note: avoid the kitchen and bathroom as too much heat fluctuation occurs in those areas.

Lastly (but not leastly?). Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. Have your system serviced annually to keep your system running efficiently to get the most out of your equipment. You might be thinking, “Oh, I’ll check it out myself.” But then again, are you really going to read that textbook of a manual? Leave it to the professionals to get your equipment running according to the specifications.

To avoid excessive maintenance, you can easily clean or change your filters once every three months yourself. First, take your thermostat off heating or cooling mode and set the fan to auto. Then, remove the furnace filter, note the size and buy a replacement filter that matches, or clean and dry it if you have a plastic reusable one. Finally, find the direction of airflow printed on the frame and follow the markings when placing it back inside the furnace.

Actually, one more thing. Don’t be tempted to make your house feel like a fridge. Setting your thermostat higher is ideal for multiple reasons. One, your body is capable of adapting to seasonal temperatures within a week or two. Two, you’ll cut up to 3% off your energy bill for every degree you raise the temperature. Three, think of the planet! It’s a win, win, win.

Ask the experts. has everything you need to know to keep you cool. .

One of the world’s most beloved suppliers of children’s art supplies has just unveiled a new initiative for promoting an “inclusive world for children of all ages, races, cultures and ethnicities.”

Earlier this week, Crayola launched a new pack of specially formulated “Colors of the World” crayons designed to mirror and represent over 40 global skin tones across the world.

Crayola released the crayon pack on May 21st—the United Nation’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development—in hopes that the project would allow children to “creatively and accurately color themselves into the world they see around them.”

“With the world growing more diverse than ever before, Crayola hopes our new Colors of the World crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance,” said Crayola CEO Rich Wuerthele in a press release. “We want the new Colors of the World crayons to advance inclusion within creativity and impact how kids express themselves.”

In addition to conducting rigorous consumer testing on developing the crayon colors to reflect an accurate and inclusive skin tone palette, Crayola also partnered with Victor Casale for the project.

Casale, formerly Chief Chemist and Managing Director, R&D of MAC cosmetics and co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Cover FX and currently CEO of MOB Beauty, possesses over 30 years of experience in creating foundation colors for global skin tones.

“I have spent my life trying to create truly global shade palettes because I know what it’s like to be with a person who has finally found their exact match. They feel included and recognized, and I am hoping every child who uses these crayons and finds their shade will have that feeling,” says Casale. “Growing up, I remember mixing the pink and dark brown crayons to try and make my shade, so I was thrilled when Crayola asked for my help to create the Colors of the World crayons.”

For more than eight months, Crayola’s research, development and marketing teams collaborated with Casale to bring the Colors of the World crayons to life, modeling his scientific process for developing inclusive foundation shades.

Together, Casale and Crayola systematically created crayon colors that step down from light to deep shades across rose, almond and golden undertones, resulting in a 24 global shade palette that authentically reflects the full spectrum of human complexions.

“What intrigued Crayola about Victor was not only his extensive experience in creating shades that capture the natural beauty of every skin tone, but his abiding passion and commitment nurturing inclusion and representation,” says Mimi Dixon, Manager Brand Equity and Activation at Crayola. “His expertise, candor and guidance throughout the development process was invaluable and brings an enhanced level of credibility and authenticity to the Colors of the World product.”

The crayon packs feature side panels that serve as color references while each crayon is wrapped in a gradient skin tone label with the color name in English, Spanish, and French. Additionally, each crayon has been assigned a realistic color name—such as Light Golden, Deep Almond and Medium Deep Rose—all to help kids easily find the shade they identify as their own.

Crayola Colors of the World crayons come in a 24- and 32-count pack and will begin to hit shelves in July for the back to school season.

(WATCH the Crayola video below)

Color Your News Feed With Positivity By Sharing The Good News To Social

June 2, 2020

Home prices remain steady, buyers and sellers become more comfortable operating in today’s market

Metro Vancouver home prices have remained steady since provincial health officials implemented physical distancing requirements in March.

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that the MLS® Home Price Index1 composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver today is $1,028,400. This is virtually unchanged from April 2020, a 1.4 per cent increase over the last three months, and a 2.9 per cent increase compared to May 2019.

"Home prices have been stable during the COVID-19 period," Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. "While we’re seeing a variety of long-term projections for the market, it's critical to understand the facts and trends as they emerge."

Residential home sales in the region totalled 1,485 in May 2020, a 43.7 per cent decrease from the 2,638 sales recorded in May 2019 and a 33.9 per cent increase from the 1,109 homes sold in April 2020.

Last month’s sales were 54.4 per cent below the 10-year May sales average.

"Home sale and listing activity is down compared to typical, long-term levels and up compared to the activity we saw in April 2020," Gerber said. "Home buyers and sellers are adapting today, becoming more comfortable operating with the physical distancing requirements that are in place in the market." 

There were 3,684 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in May 2020. This represents a 37.1 per cent decrease compared to the 5,861 homes listed in May 2019 and a 59.3 per cent increase compared to April 2020 when 2,313 homes were listed. 

"Home buyers and sellers are working with their REALTORS® to use new tools to complete different stages of the real estate transaction virtually," Gerber said. “When in-person interactions are necessary, we’re working with our clients to follow the physical distancing requirements set out by WorkSafeBC and the provincial health officer." 

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,927, a 32.4 per cent decrease compared to May 2019 (14,685) and a 5.7 per cent increase compared to April 2020 (9,389).

For all housing types, the sales-to-active listings ratio for May 2020 is 15 per cent. By housing type, the ratio is 13.5 per cent for detached homes, 18.9 per cent for townhomes, and 14.8 per cent for apartments.

Generally, analysts say downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12 per cent for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20 per cent over several months.

Sales and benchmark prices by property type

Sales of detached homes in May 2020 reached 534, a 41.5 per cent decrease from the 913 detached sales recorded in May 2019. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,456,700. This is a 0.3 per cent increase from April 2020, a 2.2 per cent increase over the past three months, and a 2.9 per cent increase compared to May 2019.

Sales of apartment homes reached 653 in May 2020, a 47.6 per cent decrease compared to the 1,246 sales in May 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment home is $686,500. This is a 0.3 per cent decrease from April 2020, a 0.9 per cent increase over the past three months, and a three per cent increase compared to May 2019.

Attached home sales in May 2020 totalled 298, a 37.8 per cent decrease compared to the 479 sales in May 2019. The benchmark price of an attached home is $792,700. This is a 0.2 per cent increase from April 2020, a 1.2 per cent increase over the past three months, and a 1.8 per cent increase compared to May 2019.

Download the May 2020 stats package

Welcome to 3207 Valdez Court. Fabulous home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac  street. This home has 3 bedrooms & 3 baths. Lovely living room with French doors, custom built book cases & gas fireplace. Great galley kitchen with white cabinets. Dining area is perfect for family dinners, built in cabinet & wine storage. Family friendly family room with glass slider to the large fenced & hedged backyard. The kids & Fido will love it. Imagine family BBQ's in the Summer. Storage shed for extra garden items. 3 good size bedrooms upstairs. Plenty of storage in the crawl space. Great family neighbourhood with parks, trails, shopping, transit & Skytrain a short stroll away. Call for more details.

November 18-25, 2019

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is coming soon!

Here's how you can help

We collect blankets and warm clothing to help the homeless, women and children in need, and persons living in supportive housing. Your donations are kept in the community where they are collected, and are given to charities that distribute them directly to those in need.

Please donate the following items for all ages:

  • gently used or new blankets or sleeping bags
  • warm clothing, coats
  • hats, gloves, scarves
  • new socks and underwear

Socks are especially important for the homeless. They're as good as gold. Find out why by listening to this item from CBC radio, Sunday Edition.

Here's a list of Lower Mainland charities who received donations from the Blanket Drive.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story

Way back in 1994, some caring REALTORS® in Vancouver observed the homeless situation in the city’s eastside and said to themselves, we’ve got to do something.

They put out an appeal to their colleagues for warm blankets and coats and collected enough donations to help 3,000 of Vancouver’s homeless in the downtown core.

That single act of kindness has blossomed into one of the largest annual collections of warm clothing and blankets, helping homeless people and the working poor in every single community in the Lower Mainland.

Since then, thousands of REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope have collected enough donations to help more than 385,000 people in need. Each year, more than 75 dedicated members pick-up and deliver all the donations, and well over 100 real estate offices in the Lower Mainland act as collection depots.

The REALTORS Care® Drive now collects an astonishing amount of warm, winter items on behalf of dozens of local charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

Basement basics to elevate your home

Finishing an underutilized basement makes financial sense in certain situations, and may add to your home’s resale value. For a family who has outgrown their current space and  wants to avoid buying a more expensive, larger home, finishing the basement can be worthwhile. Yet, there are considerations to ensure your project will be worth the time, effort and expense.

Use these guidelines to determine if your basement is a good candidate for a renovation and will deliver adequate return on your investment:

• Is there enough headroom? A finished floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7.5 feet is required. Include in your calculation 2.5 inches for flooring and ceiling finishing materials. If you own an older home with insufficient floor to ceiling space, you may need to consider additional costs to lower and underpin the foundation to create sufficient headroom.
• Is your basement wet? You’ll want to address any moisture problems before you begin. In older homes, moisture issues can be severe. In some cases, you’ll need to waterproof the foundation from the outside. Waterproofing can add substantially to the cost as excavation, waterproofing, weeping tile and backfill may be required.
• Are your windows adequate? The outside bottom edges of all basement windows should be at least six inches above the soil. Consider the size and condition of the windows. Are any large enough for fire escape? Are they operable, damage-free, airtight and energy-efficient? Be sure to calculate the cost of any needed window upgrades when estimating your costs.

Finished basements provide a myriad of possibilities including guest rooms, nanny suites, play rooms and home theatres. Whether you’re looking to increase the value of your home, or enhance your living space, do your research to ensure a successful project.

How to Prepare Your AC for Winter

Presented by Enercare

Sweater weather. Cranberry sauce. Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The sound of leaves crunching underfoot. The signs are real. Summer is officially over and it’s time to transition from cool to cozy.

We all know how to prepare for colder weather – thicker coats, thermal undershirts, woolly socks, the whole kit and caboodle. But when it comes to our air conditioners, the checklist for winter preparation isn’t quite as familiar. The following describes a few things to do before your unit gets attacked by snow, freezing rain and sleet. If you procrastinate, there’s a chance it might not be the same come next summer.

First things first. Turn it off. It’s Canada. You won’t need it for the next six months (at least). This will keep the air conditioner from turning on during an unseasonably warm day and keep any resulting water from damaging the condensing unit. Most importantly, it will prevent the risk of electrocution as you perform maintenance tasks.

Next, prepare your air conditioner for hibernation. Give it a good rinse with a hose. Let it dry.

Clear all the branches, grass, pinecones, bugs and dust using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, leaving a three-foot clearance on all sides. Gently straighten any bent fins. Unscrew the top grill, lift out the fan (without bending or disconnecting wires) and remove any debris from the interior. Change the air filter. Look for cracks, rust, leaks and other irregularities in the casing.

And finally, turn it back on for a minute or two to listen to the compressor for any unusual noises such as buzzing, clunking or grinding. If you’d rather have a professional take care of all this, Enercare can send out a TSSA certified and licensed technician under our Cooling Maintenance Plan.

Once the air conditioner has been cleaned, it’s ready to be covered. This will protect the unit from debris, falling ice and other buildup that can get lodged in the unit over the winter. Ideally, you’d be able to obtain a cover from the same manufacturer as your unit.  If that’s not an option, use a bungee cord to tie down a waterproof vinyl cover that goes down over the side about 6 inches.

It’s important that this length is not exceeded otherwise the cover might become a quaint room and board for local animals.

If your unit has any exterior exposed pipes, insulate them with foam covers and zip-ties to protect them from harsh temperatures.

And you’re done!

Your air conditioner is now ready for winter. Just make sure to check the cover every now and then. Plus, it’s always a good idea to double check for debris throughout the winter as any kind of buildup could trap moisture in the machine.

You could also consider having your equipment serviced by Enercare so it’s ready when you need it next summer. We could even get your heating system ready at the same time. Service is only a phone call away.

For more information on maintenance plans for your air conditioner, call 1-844-ENERCARE.

November 18-25, 2019

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is coming soon!

Here's how you can help

We collect blankets and warm clothing to help the homeless, women and children in need, and persons living in supportive housing. Your donations are kept in the community where they are collected, and are given to charities that distribute them directly to those in need.

Please donate the following items for all ages:

  • gently used or new blankets or sleeping bags
  • warm clothing, coats
  • hats, gloves, scarves
  • new socks and underwear

Socks are especially important for the homeless. They're as good as gold. Find out why by listening to this item from CBC radio, Sunday Edition.

Here's a list of Lower Mainland charities who received donations from the Blanket Drive.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story

Way back in 1994, some caring REALTORS® in Vancouver observed the homeless situation in the city’s eastside and said to themselves, we’ve got to do something.

They put out an appeal to their colleagues for warm blankets and coats and collected enough donations to help 3,000 of Vancouver’s homeless in the downtown core.

That single act of kindness has blossomed into one of the largest annual collections of warm clothing and blankets, helping homeless people and the working poor in every single community in the Lower Mainland.

Since then, thousands of REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope have collected enough donations to help more than 385,000 people in need. Each year, more than 75 dedicated members pick-up and deliver all the donations, and well over 100 real estate offices in the Lower Mainland act as collection depots.

The REALTORS Care® Drive now collects an astonishing amount of warm, winter items on behalf of dozens of local charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

Welcome to the Oasis...Fabulous two bedroom & two bathroom corner upper floor condo unit with gorgeous view of Mt.Baker, the Valley & beyond. An entertainers dream living room & dining room. Gas range for the chef. Stainless appliances, stone counter tops & lots of cabinets. Perfect office alcove. Master suite with balcony+walk-in closet+ensuite with tub. Second bedroom for guest area or den. Great balcony for Summer dinners. In suite front load washer/dryer. Live among the clouds with the floor to ceiling windows. Take advantage of the outdoor pool & hot tub+bbq area+fitness area+party room+lovely garden+ more. Walk to Skytrain, shopping, schools, Lafarge Lake, a huge variety of restaurants & coffee shops.

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14598

November 18-25, 2019

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive is coming soon!

Here's how you can help

We collect blankets and warm clothing to help the homeless, women and children in need, and persons living in supportive housing. Your donations are kept in the community where they are collected, and are given to charities that distribute them directly to those in need.

Please donate the following items for all ages:

  • gently used or new blankets or sleeping bags
  • warm clothing, coats
  • hats, gloves, scarves
  • new socks and underwear

Socks are especially important for the homeless.

They're as good as gold. Find out why by listening to this item from CBC radio, Sunday Edition.

Here's a list of Lower Mainland charities who received donations from the Blanket Drive.

The REALTORS Care® Blanket Drive story

Way back in 1994, some caring REALTORS® in Vancouver observed the homeless situation in the city’s eastside and said to themselves, we’ve got to do something.

They put out an appeal to their colleagues for warm blankets and coats and collected enough donations to help 3,000 of Vancouver’s homeless in the downtown core.

That single act of kindness has blossomed into one of the largest annual collections of warm clothing and blankets, helping homeless people and the working poor in every single community in the Lower Mainland.

Since then, thousands of REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope have collected enough donations to help more than 385,000 people in need. Each year, more than 75 dedicated members pick-up and deliver all the donations, and well over 100 real estate offices in the Lower Mainland act as collection depots.

The REALTORS Care® Drive now collects an astonishing amount of warm, winter items on behalf of dozens of local charities to help about 35,000 people each year.

Welcome to Westhill Place in the popular College Park Neighbourhood of Port Moody. This cute 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom condo is perfect for the first time buyer or the downsizer. Great living room with glass sliders to sundeck that faces the quiet courtyard. Kitchen with freshly sanded and stained cabinets. White appliances. Freshly painted and some updated flooring. The bedroom can fit a king size bed. Mirrored closet doors in bedroom and entry hall. Convenient in suite storage. Updated through the years.  One parking spot. Indoor pool and large exercise room. Rentals allowed with some restrictions. Very pet friendly complex. Walk to Westhill Park. Skytrain is bus ride away. Shopping close by. Enjoy the quiet area.

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14734

Welcome to 1904-2355 Madison Ave. This two bedroom / two bathroom corner unit condo has a fabulous view of the North Shore Mountains to Lions Gate Bridge to the Sparking Lights of Vancouver. This home has floor to ceiling windows, with 9 feet ceiling. Relax in your living room in front of the fireplace. Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and stone counter tops. In suite laundry. Master bedroom with 4 piece ensuite. Second bedroom for home office or nursery. Relax on your deck and enjoy the summertime fireworks. Indoor pool, gym and club house. Two parking spots.  Walk to transit, shopping or your favorite restaurant. Don't miss this beauty. Live the Condo Lifestyle at its best....

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14424

OH MY GORGEOUS! From the moment you walk through the front door, this lovely 3 level 5 bed & 4 bath home, you will be impressed. Elegant dining room & living room with beautiful hardwood floors.  Large kitchen with painted oak cabinets, updated granite counter tops, high end S/S appliances, newer back splash+more. French doors to family room, with gas fireplace. Large master suite. Updated ensuite with soaker tub+2 person shower+double sinks. W/C with built-ins & hardwood flooring. 3 large other bedrooms. Upstairs laundry for convenience. Rec room/family area over garage. Large games room down with kitchen/bar area. Bedroom+flex room. Separate entrance. Could be great nanny or in-law suite in future. Beautifully manicured garden. Summer time decks & patio. Located close to all levels of schools+shopping+hiking trails+so much more. 3 bay garage. Large driveway. Cul de sac. Sprinkler system. An entertainers dream.

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14558

Welcome to 4207 Kitchener Street...Located in the popular Willingdon Heights area in North Burnaby. The current owner has lived in this home for over 60 years. Over 2000 square feet with 2 bedrooms upstairs and 1 bedroom down. The lot is over 6000 square feet with approximately 50 feet wide and 122 feet deep. Reno the current home, add an addition or perhaps build your dream home. Fabulous family neighbourhood with Willingdon Park a few steps away, Kitchener Elementary close by. Walk to transit. Shopping  and Alpha Secondary School a short drive away. Lane access with double car garage. Don't miss your opportunity to live at 4207 Kitchener Street. Property like this rarely come up...

Welcome to #73 at Nile Gate located on a quiet tree lined row. This lovely Georgian inspired townhome with its modern interior & 9' ceiling on main is move in ready. Two bedrooms / two bath + den is location in the popular Riverwood area of Poco. Living room & dining room are perfect for entertaining. Bright kitchen with S/S appliances. Easy care laminate flooring. BBQ deck is Summer ready. Master bedroom & second bedroom upstairs + laundry for convenience. Main/ensuite bathroom with double sinks. Den/office on entry level + bathroom with shower. Cute fenced in front yard.Single car garage with second parking outside "tandem" style. Enjoy the a gorgeous clubhouse with a fitness centre & entertaining room. Fremont Village & Dominion Triangle with shopping, restaurants, craft brewery, coffee shops + schools, Blakeburn Lagoons, Traboulay Trails, Carnoustie Golf Club & transit, all this within walking distance of this home. Don't miss this cutie...

http://www.listings.360hometours.ca/14572