You can’t call yourself a dentist unless you have specific hard-earned credentials. Just about anyone, however, can hang a shingle and call himself a home improvement contractor. That’s why choosing a reputable one is so difficult.

 

Here are some tips:

• Find out if he or she is truly in business full-time. A part-time or occasional contractor may not have the experience necessary to do a great job.

• Ask about licenses and other credentials. Some contractors have accreditations from professional and trade associations.

• Review his or her project portfolio. A reputable contractor will have photos and other evidence of work completed for similar clients.

• Check online for reviews. If there are more than five poor reviews within the past three years — that’s a red flag.

• Ask for references. Then, call at least one.

 

Finally, the best contractors are those that get recommended by people you trust. Looking for a contractor recommendation? Call today! 778.256.2888

As I mentioned earlier there are a number of benefits to working with a real estate agent in Fort St. John like myself.

 

Whether you are buying or selling a property, a major financial investment is a big deal and my passion for real estate in Fort St. John motivates me to get you your dream home.

 

One benefit of working with an agent is that you get access to more homes than the ones only listed through MLS. Basically, you get to see homes that you might otherwise have never even known about. I can help identify your borrowing capacity and financial reserves and once I meet with you I can point you in the direction of the lenders who I believe will best be able to assist you in getting what you want. I also promise to have constant communication with you, keeping you completely informed on everything that’s going on in your situation.

 

In my years of experience, I have obtained skills in property evaluations, negotiation techniques and working in an efficient manner so you’re not wasting your valuable time. All of these attributes that I have acquired over the years will be available to you as we embark on the adventure of buying that dream property you’ve always wanted.

 

Are you ready to start the adventure and explore real estate in Fort St. John with an experienced, professional REALTOR ® who is driven by her passion for the industry and seeing people smile? If so, get in touch with me today, and let’s get to work!

The fort was built in 1794 and closed in 1805 before moving a number of times along the Peace River. The fort eventually burned to the ground and today the area where the fort once stood is now a residential area.

 

Fort St. John is the largest city in the Northeast Region of British Columbia. The main attraction for visitors in the city is the incredible wilderness adventures offered in addition to fantastic fishing and hunting opportunities.

 

The city also boasts sports facilities that are open year-round and is home to the new state-of-the-art Pomeroy Sport Centre, which has two hockey rinks, a speed skating track, and an indoor track for walking and/or running.

 

Fort St. John is also a big music city that has generated its own local musicians and attracted outsiders to perform within the community. The city was named the Music Capital of Northern British Columbia in 2009 because of the many musical performances and shows put on by musicians.

 

Between the many parks, trails, recreational facilities, shows, events, and outdoor activities, there is never a dull moment in the historic city of Fort St. John. For more information on things to do in the city, click here.

In the area of Fort St. John, the price of houses continue to increase while the number of homes sold has seen a slide. During the first three quarters of 2015, just 78% of homes were sold when compared to the number sold for the same period in 2014. 578 homes were sold in the first three quarters in 2015 compared to the same nine-month period in 2014 when 740 were sold.

 

The average price of homes continues to rise, however, as September 2015 saw close to a $19,000 increase from September 2014. The average price during the first three quarters in 2015 was $428,904, significantly higher than it was in 2012 when the average price was $353,862.

 

[Source: http://energeticcity.ca/article/news/2015/10/08/sold-property-figures-down-in-fort-st-john-as-prices-continue-to-climb]

 

This trend continued in the fourth and final quarter of 2015 as the year ended with 691 properties sold in Fort St. John after 943 were exchanged in 2014. Total sales in the year were $253.6 million compared to $379 million the year previous.

 

Experts point to the global commodity slowdown as a reason for this, noting that Northern British Columbia’s economy is largely commodity-driven.

 

Although sales are down, there is no doubt that Fort St. John is a beautiful place to call home, and with such a diversified economy, there are many opportunities available in a variety of sectors.

Figuring out how much time you should spend viewing properties for sale is a little like asking, “How long should I spend trying on shoes?”

 

The answer seems obvious: As long as it takes to make a decision

 

Buying a home is significantly more complex than purchasing shoes – and the stakes are higher too!

 

You need to make sure you have all the information necessary to confidently make the best decision.

 

There are basically three stages to viewing a property:

1. Macro

2. Micro

3. Professional

 

When you view a home on a macro basis, you’re looking at it from an overall perspective. For example, you may do a general walk-through to get a first impression and determine if the property has the basic features you need, such as the number of bedrooms and the size of the backyard.

Macro viewing is often the fastest stage in the viewing process and can sometimes take just a few minutes.

 

If you like what you see, then it’s onto the micro stage. At this stage, you take a closer look at the details of the property. You might, for example, spend extra time in the master bedroom imagining how your furniture would look and fit.

 

The micro stage takes longer simply because the home is now on your shortlist. You’re interested and are considering making an offer.

 

Finally, the professional stage involves getting a qualified home inspector to go over the property with a fine-tooth comb. That typically occurs after you’ve made an offer.

 

As your REALTOR®, I will guide you through a viewing so you’ll know what to look for and can make a smart, informed decision. Call today 778.256.2888

Fort St. John is part of the Peace River Regional District and has a population of over 22,000. Situated alongside the Alaska Highway, Fort St. John is one of the largest cities along it. It was initially established as a trading post in 1794 and became incorporated as a Village in 1947.

 

The city’s slogan is “Fort St. John: The Energetic City” to reflect its large resource base of forestry, oil, natural gas, and agriculture as well as the fact that its residents’ average age is 8.8 years younger than the rest of British Columbia.