Anshu Arora LLM, MSc, PMP

To keep kids safe, remember the following tips when it comes to creating and maintaining play space in your yard.

1. Soften the fall
If you have a play set in your yard, consider upgrading the ground around and below it, as kids will inevitably be landing on it from a tall height or at high speeds. About 60 percent of all playground injuries are caused by falls to the ground, and a more shock-absorbent surface can reduce the risk of serious injury. Consider sand, wood chips, pea gravel or shredded rubber.

2. Keep a safety zone
If you install equipment like swings or a trampoline, be sure to place them a safe distance from fences, trees or your house in case kids accidentally (or not!) launch themselves in that direction.

3. Go with a pro
While it's great to have friends or family members offer to help assemble and secure your backyard play equipment, it can pay to invest in professional installation. This will help ensure the fort doesn't collapse during your kid's birthday party or the jungle gym doesn't go sailing the next time the wind kicks up.

4. Inspect your equipment regularly
Standing up against the weather – and kids – can take its toll, even on the highest quality play equipment. Check the hardware and wood to make sure bolts and screws remain secure and rot (or splinter-causing flaking) doesn't begin.

5. Beware of lawn treatments
Know what's in any lawn treatment to make sure it's safe for kids and pets to roll around in.

The price of a newly built home in Metro Vancouver and across BC increased again in July, according to Statistics Canada data released September 8.

The Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) new housing price index saw its growth rate accelerate, up 5.5 per cent year over year in July. Once again, this was second only to the Toronto–Oshawa region, which saw the highest annual growth of any CMA at seven per cent. Vancouver’s new home prices also rose 0.6 per cent compared with June 2016.

Across the province, the new housing price index was up 5.3 per cent year over year – the joint-biggest annual increase of all the provinces or territories along with Ontario. The BC price index also rose 0.6 per cent month over month. New home prices in the Victoria CMA also saw the rate of growth steepen, rising in July by 3.6 per cent compared with the same month last year, and up 0.8 per cent over June 2016 – the highest monthly growth rate of any of the metropolitan areas surveyed.

The Real Estate Market continues to be very robust. Contact me to see how I can help!

With the shorter days and cooler weather beginning to make an appearance, it is very clear that fall is on the way, and if you are one of the many entering the real estate market, you may be wondering what to expect. Fortunately, we have compiled the top things you need to consider as you begin your search for the perfect place to call home.

Location, Location, Location & Weather: We all know it is all about location when it comes to finding your dream home, but before you find the right location, you need to consider the weather. Planning your search too late into the season may mean you are battling Mother Nature so the earlier you begin your search, the better.

Timing is Key: Although your busy summer is winding down, you certainly aren’t working with a clear schedule. Between back to school and the holiday season, finding the perfect time to begin your search is imperative to your overall success and is something you should expect as a buyer this fall.

Decision Time: Although there isn’t as much inventory as you would typically find in the spring, there are still many home to choose one which is why narrowing down your options can be challenging. Using these tips and our House Hunting Comparison Checklist will help when it comes time to make your decision.

The Price is Right: As we get closer and closer to the holidays, you may begin to worry you are running out of time. With the added pressure, you may be tempted to make a decision by increasing your budget, but that will come back and haunt you in the long run. Make sure you plan your budget early in the buying process with help from our Monthly Home Budget Planner.

Make the Move: If you got a head start on the fall selling season and are ready to make your move, we have just the thing you need. Getting home and organized before the holidays is your main goal, and this moving checklist will help you do just that as quickly and efficiently as possible.

As we begin to see the leaves fall off the trees and the familiar sights and sounds of this beautiful season, these tips will be exactly what you need to find a new house to call home this fall.