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How to Make Comox Valley Houses More Sustainable

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Reducing your home’s impact on the environment is a great way to take action and preserve the Comox Valley landscape. Building a greener and more eco-friendly town is an integral part of reducing our carbon footprints. By making small changes to our homes, we can save both money and the surrounding ecosystems. Many of the improvements we are going to discuss in this post can be done at little or no cost and take very minimal effort/time. In addition to these, we are going to list a few larger improvements that will require a higher upfront investment, but equate to greater long-term savings. Follow along below to discover the ways that you can make your Comox Valley houses more sustainable!

Budget-Friendly Ways to Make Comox Valley Houses Eco-Friendly

  1. Limit & Properly Dispose of Waste

Limiting and properly disposing of waste is a great way to start improving your household’s sustainability. It’s also a hands-on way to educate kids about the importance of local waste management. Consider creating an area in your home that is dedicated to the separation of waste. This could be under your kitchen sink, in the garage, or in another convenient location. Make sure you have the appropriate recycling bins (glass, plastic, paper/cardboard), waste bins, and compost bins. Happy separating!

  1. Research Rebates

The initial cost of making big changes to your home like adding solar or investing in energy-efficient appliances can be expensive. Because of this, the government sometimes incentivizes these sorts of projects by offering rebates to help with the initial cost. Doing some research to see if you can get money for making a sustainable upgrade is a great step in the right direction! 

  1. Xeriscape Your Home

The landscaping in our yards is often centred around a lush, green lawn. While lawns are appealing and good for playing with children, they are detrimental to the environment. Grass requires an incredible amount of water and care in order for it to remain a vibrant green. And, in Comox Valley, water restrictions usually dictate that our lawns will be beige for a large part of the year anyway. Our recommendation is to switch to xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that focuses on using native plants and eliminating the use of grass. This will help you cut down on your water bill and give back to the land.

  1. Use a Clothesline

Drying clothes outdoors is something that people have been doing for centuries. While it may not always be possible due to weather, it remains an effective way to reduce energy consumption and save money.

Luxury Upgrades to Make Your Home More Sustainable

  1. Invest in Quality Windows

Poor windows are notorious for causing loss of heat in our homes. This is especially true for those who live in an older home with single-pane windows. Leaky windows can cause you to spend thousands of dollars more on your monthly heating and cooling bills without even knowing. If you want to cut back on energy loss, start by resealing your windows. If you find that this doesn’t make much of an impact, consider replacing your windows with more energy-efficient ones. 

  1. Consider Solar

Nowadays, many property owners are switching to solar energy. New technologies have made solar much more accessible to homeowners looking for a greener way to live. Implementing solar energy in your home will drastically reduce the amount of electricity you consume. And, you’ll make your home sustainable since it will be running primarily on clean energy. Many companies offer rebates for solar, so be sure to look into this prior to investing!

  1. Switch out Your Appliances

In one home, there are several appliances that are used on a daily basis. For instance, a refrigerator, freezer, oven, HVAC system, dishwasher, washer and dryer. The amount of energy required to operate these appliances on a daily basis is considerable. If you truly want to cut back on energy bills, investing in energy-efficient appliances is a must. Look for Energy Star appliances if you choose to make the switch. However, it is important to not throw away aging appliances that still work—this defeats the purpose of being environmentally friendly. Instead, see if you can find new homes for your appliances when they’ve exceeded their use. 

Contact us About Comox Valley Houses!

If you are curious about buying Comox Valley houses, we encourage you to contact us today! If you have any questions about properties in the area, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your fall real estate goals on track. A home in the Comox Valley is a great lifetime investment. Be sure to check out our social media here, and return next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future.

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Selling a Stigmatized Property For Sale in Comox

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Selling a stigmatized property for sale in Comox can be a tricky feat. It is important that you consider any stigmas associated with your home and how they can affect the listing price of your property. This will help better prepare you for selling your home. Even though the events that have happened in your home do not affect the physical value, they can affect the market price.

In this article, we will be going over all things to do with buying and selling stigmatized properties. Follow along below to learn more about this topic!

What Defines a Stigmatized Property for Sale in Comox?

A stigmatized property is defined as a home with previous negative events either within or near the property. Real estate stigmas have nothing to do with the physical function or appearance of your property. Instead, a stigmatized property usually has to do with a negative psychological effect on prospective buyers. For instance, if someone had died in the home of natural or criminal causes. Others might be deterred if the home was a famous filming location for a movie or TV show. In some cases, people may not want to buy a home because it is in the same area as a home with one of these stigmas. Understanding the various stigmas surrounding real estate is an important part of buying and selling homes. 

How to Sell a Stigmatized Property?

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Selling a home with known stigmas can be a hard task. However, stigmas are often subjective to a buyer’s values, beliefs, culture, age, and gender. For example, some individuals may find a haunted house exciting, while others may find it terrifying. Either way, stigmas are certain to affect the home’s market value. So, it is important that you understand how to sell stigmatized property. In British Columbia, there is no law that states that you need to declare a stigmatized property. This means that you can avoid telling buyers about any stigmas your home may have. 

However, if your home already has a known stigma things can be a bit trickier. By working with a real estate agent you will be more likely to receive better offers. This is because when dealing with a stigmatized property it is important that you have excellent marketing and great exposure. Otherwise, a home with known stigmas can go stale on the market. Furthermore, a real estate agent will be better able to answer buyer questions about stigmatized properties. 

Buying a Stigmatized Property for Sale in Comox.

As a buyer, stigmatized properties can be an easy way to get a great deal on real estate. That is if you are not affected by the psychological implications. Homes that have stigmas often sell for a much lower price than those without stigmas. And, many sellers will be willing to negotiate the price. For developers, the stigmatized property can be the solution to getting cheap land. Although, there are some downsides to taking this route. 

If you choose to buy a stigmatized property it is crucial that you keep in mind the drawbacks of owning a property like this. Depending on your plans with real estate, you may deal with different drawbacks. For example, even if you tear down the old building, people may still be afraid to go near the property because of its psychological impact. Or, if it was a famous location, fans could still try and visit it after re-developing. Also, when it comes time to sell down the road, buyers may be reluctant to make offers because of the previous history. 

At the end of the day, a stigmatized property will generally be cheaper to buy, but harder to sell. If you make the decision to purchase real estate with a stigma, keep in mind that they generally spend longer on the market and get lower offers. However, there are some cases where property stigmas make the market value increase. It all depends on the stigma, your location, and your target demographic. 

Contact Us About a Property for Sale in Comox. 

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Whether you are buying or selling a stigmatized property, hiring a real estate agent to help you through the process is essential. If you have any questions about a property for sale in Comox, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your fall real estate goals on track. A property in Comox Valley is a great lifetime investment. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or inquiries about real estate in Comox Valley. Be sure to check out our social media here, and return next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future.

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Home Security for Properties for Sale in Comox!

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While Comox Valley’s crime rate is virtually zero, having a thorough security system is never a bad idea. Those buying properties for sale in Comox should consider investing in some basic home safety equipment. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to keep your home safe. In fact, it can be quite inexpensive. For the average homeowner, good home security can be as easy as changing some locks and purchasing a camera. In this article, we will be going over the simplest and most cost-effective ways that you can ensure the safety of your home. Follow along below to learn more about this topic!

Secure the Locks of Entryways and Exit Points Within Your Home.

Good home security doesn’t need to break the bank. Sure, it might be nice to have the high-tech gadgets advertised at your local hardware store. But, it’s not really necessary. Especially, when you’re living in a place as safe as Comox Valley! However, for homeowners who want a little bit more peace of mind, sometimes all it takes is new locks and a quality front door. When you purchase properties for sale in Comox, it is important to have the locks changed once the home is in your possession. This ensures that the previous homeowner does not have access to your home. Before you meet with a locksmith about changing the locks, have the following information in mind:

  1. Number of locks that need to be changed/entry points
  2. Level of security needed
  3. Current lock type (ie: deadbolt, tubular, etc)
  4. Ideal budget

This information will make the process of changing locks much quicker and easier. Other reasons you may want to consider changing the locks of your home include if: 

  • The home has had multiple different owners over the years
  • Your home is being rented/was rented
  • There has been a previous break-in at the home
  • You are going through a divorce with extreme conflict

Properties for Sale in Comox Need Sufficient Windows and Doors 

Updating your locks is a crucial step in improving home security. However, you also need to make sure that you have strong doors and windows. Especially, on the ground level of your house. Old windows and feeble doors are vulnerable to crime. It is important that you invest in some good quality doors and windows to keep unwanted visitors out. Front doors, back doors, garage doors, and ground-floor windows all need to be in good working order. A lock cannot do its job if the door is weak. Pay close attention to the frame of your doors and windows to make sure your lock isn’t compromised by defective framing. 

Side Note: The investment in secure windows and doors can also help reduce heating and cooling costs. This is because newer windows and doors are more energy efficient and do a better job of insulating your home! Sounds like a win-win situation 😉

Depending on what kind of lock you invest in, reinforcing hinges can help bolster home security. Furthermore, hiding screw heads and hinge pins will maximize the security of your property. In addition, linking cameras to smart home devices like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Ring, can provide an extra layer of protection.

Security Cameras, Lights and More!

Lots of homeowners are opting for digital security methods to protect their homes. This is because of their accessibility and assurance. Installing one or two cameras in key areas outside of your home is a great way to monitor the activity around your home. Most brands offer real-time access to your camera from anywhere in the world. This is great for homeowners who spend a lot of time out of town. Furthermore, the presence of a camera is usually enough to deter crime. 

Cameras and updated locks are only a few of the ways you can secure your property. One of the most budget-friendly ways to improve home security is investing in lights. Adding some outdoor lights will keep away anyone lurking in the shadows. Moreover, a well-lit house will prevent accidents related to low visibility. Motion sensor lights, solar lights, string lights, and porch lights are all ways that you can brighten up your home when the sun goes down. 

In addition, ensuring that your car is locked and there are no keys or valuables left inside can prevent unwanted theft. Leaving items like garage door openers in your vehicle heighten your chances of a break-in. Implementing practices like these can help you to avoid unwanted entry into your home. 

Contact Us About Properties for Sale in Comox Today!

Even in a place like Comox where crime is minimal, it is diligent to have a good home security system. If you have any questions about home security for properties for sale in Comox, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your fall real estate goals on track. A property in Comox Valley is a great lifetime investment. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or inquiries about real estate in Comox Valley. Be sure to check out our social media here, and return next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future.

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Making Your Property in Comox Valley Energy Efficient!

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Energy efficiency in your home can help you save thousands of dollars. For most individuals, the costs associated with living in their house account for a large portion of their income. Houses need plenty of maintenance and care in order to remain functional. Making sure that everything is operating accordingly can be a big job. Moreover, if you want to ensure that your home is environmentally friendly, you’ll have to go one step further. Despite the cost of some eco-friendly properties in Comox Valley, there are some inexpensive ways that you can improve the impact your home has on the environment. Going green shouldn’t require months and months of saving. In fact, it’s possible to save the planet on a budget! Most of these changes will even help you save money over time. This is because you will be conserving energy and cutting back on waste! Follow along below to learn about the most inexpensive ways to make your property in Comox Valley eco-friendly.

Have an Energy Audit Done on Your Home. 

Having someone perform an energy audit on your home can help you identify issues that will later save you tons of money. While the initial cost may seem high, having this procedure done is certainly worth the extra cash. An energy audit is a great way to determine what areas of your home need to be more energy-efficient. The procedure is done by an expert, who will test your home for many things. For example, how airtight your home is and use a thermographic scan to find out where you are losing heat. Once you have the results, you can come up with a solution to fix the problem areas. On average, a home energy audit costs between $300 and $500 depending on the size of your home. This may seem like a large amount to pay, but the long-term savings are well worth it. However, if this is still too pricey, there are some DIY solutions that you can try. 

Make Sure That Your Property in Comox Valley is Insulated. 

Insulation is the leading cause of energy efficiency problems in a household. And, most insulation-related issues can be remedied without the help of a professional. While it may not be the most thrilling way to spend your day, fixing your insulation can have many benefits. For instance, higher resale value and lower monthly heating and cooling costs! Commonly, homeowners will neglect to insulate their attic. This is a costly error. Insulating your attic can improve monthly spending on energy bills from 10-50%. 

Furthermore, those looking to improve insulation can add glaze around old windows. People who are living in older houses should think about fixing any cracked glazing around window panes. Taking the time to fix this can drastically reduce the amount of money you spend on your heating and cooling bills. 

Additionally, you can benefit from using spray foam around exterior windows and doors in your home. Houses with wood siding can develop gaps around the trim of windows and doors which have a negative impact on your home’s insulation. These gaps can be easily filled with spray foam or caulk. The same thing applies to the interior window and door trim. However, these gaps will usually be small enough to fill with caulk. When filling gaps in the interior of your home, be sure to buy caulk that can be painted over!

Save Water With Faucet Aerators!

Faucet aerators are a great tool to help with water consumption. Most modern faucets already have faucet aerators. However, if you see that your faucets don’t have these little gadgets, you may want to consider purchasing some. Aerators make a big difference in the way that your tap operates. For example, they maintain and improve water pressure, minimize the amount of water consumed, shape the stream of the water, prevent splashing, and catch debris. In addition, by adding aerators to your taps you can reduce the amount of water you use by up to 50%. Faucet aerators can be found at any hardware store or online for roughly $4-$8 each. This inexpensive addition will significantly lower your ecological footprint.

Contact Us About a Property in Comox Valley!

Improving the energy efficiency of your property in Comox will help you save money each month! Taking a more eco-friendly route is the perfect way to reduce annual spending and help the environment. If you have any questions about a property in Comox Valley, be sure to reach out to us! We are excited to get your summer real estate goals on track. A property in Comox Valley is an excellent seasonal investment. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or inquiries about real estate in Comox Valley. Be sure to check back next month for more real estate-related content! We look forward to working with you in the near future.